August 7, 2014

The Reality of Instagram

Life as a fashion/beauty blogger may seem perfect according to social media. I certainly don't make it my goal to make my accounts look like a magazine spread, neither do I have resources to do so. I don't have a gorgeous walk-in close (it's shelves and some hangers), my house isn't going to be featured in a magazine, and nobody wants to know where I got my rug. I have a normal life. I'm flawed and this is just how un-perfect my life is. For real.


Caption: Look at me grabbing some caramel frappuccino while out and about. Of course, I have a floral top on and my hair is naturally this pretty. I'm having fun and loving it. 

Reality: I was running super late and snapped this picture while waiting for traffic light to turn green. I was in such a hurry that didn't even read the caption after I wrote it. Talk about embarrassing!? And the frap? Forget it! It was absolutely nasty and way too sweet - we don't have fancy Starbucks for miles around here. I was starving the rest of the day because I didn't eat anything in the morning trying to get myself and Jonathan ready. Oh and the pretty blazer? It's covering the fact that my top isn't ironed and has baby drool on it. Oh the life of a momma (through Instagram filters)!




Caption: Just running errands, looking polished and pretty. Oh you know, kids are being kids but I totally got this. 

Reality: I had to run errands with both kids (babysitting for my sister) right before nap time, and they were getting cranky.  As we pulled up to the grocery store it started raining, I mean it was the worst torrential downpour. We were waiting on the rain and kids didn't like it. I jumped out of the car as soon as it stopped pouring and stepped into a huge puddle. As I was getting my niece out, Jonathan got all excited about the puddles and jumped right in. I had to carry both of them into the store because there was so much water. As we were about to leave, I realized my niece was walking barefoot. After a few minutes, we located the shoes and safely proceeded toward the parking lot. Phew, that was exciting!




Caption: Look at our kids playing together and smiling at each other. They play so well with each other and always share, being the cutest little toddlers. They have so much fun in the sandbox!

Reality: It was Jonathan and Zoe's very first time playing in the sand box. They kept fighting the entire time and pouring sand all over each other's heads. The sand was everywhere - even in the diapers and mouth. While one of us wasn't looking, they found water and got back into the box. It was a mud box! Jonathan was snatching what Zoe had and vice versa, so there was a lot of screaming and hitting going on. The worst part was when we went inside and the sand was everywhere! Bath time.


Caption: I'm enjoying lunch by myself, while kids nap, while reading the Bible. I'm such a spiritual person.

Reality: Kids woke up as soon as I set down. So much for me, myself and I. I had to hurry up and eat lunch while folding laundry because let's face it, no one has time to sit and eat. Bible reading? It was a great idea but it didn't happen at all that day. Up and at it with million things to do, mainly mopping the floors, doing laundry and cooking dinner. So the lunch got cold before I could actually finish it, and reheating grilled cheese is just nasty. My life is glam!


Caption: Just doing a little shopping in my cute little outfit. My kid is just standing next to me and behaving like all other angel children. I bought half the store because you know, fashion blogger and all.


Reality: I didn't even buy anything because I already spend too much shopping that month. Sure my outfit looked cute but my feet were burning from walking all over in those stupid boots. Jonathan was throwing a fit and wouldn't sit in the stroller, so I took him out. He layed on the floor, looking outside the dressing room through the space between the door and floor, saying hi to all the strangers. He wanted to drink, then snack, then nap and who know what else. While in the dressing room, he kept pushing the stroller to run me over, laughing every time. It was fun for him, but hectic and stressful for me.

August 1, 2014

Printed





top: Forever21
pants: Loft
shoes: BCBG
bag: Ali Express
I have one pair of printed pants and to be honest, I wear them more than any other pants. I'm lacking in good quality jeans and very much dreading the day when I will have to go shopping. Jean shopping is my least favorite because I know how hard it is to find a good pair for my shape. I hate low rise jeans that expose unnecessary elements every time I sit down, or bend over to pick up my child. At the same time, I don't want mommy jeans. It's a very delicate balance right in the middle of not to high and not too low on the hips. Also I do not want to spend half an hour getting into those jeans so they cannot be very skinny, but I'm not a fan of boot cut either. 
So, I as you can imagine, jeans are quite  the commodity in my closet and I only have two well fitting pairs. Come fall, you will find me in every single department store, grunting and sighing at the impossibility of finding well-fitting jeans. But for now, it's printed pants all the way!
Have a great weekend ladies! 

xo, Anna 


July 31, 2014

Judge Not




Summer is our favorite time of the year. Jonathan loves all the outdoor activities and spends most of his time running. The shoes take a beating every time he's outside and don't last very long. So, long story short, I found myself at the mall the other day walking from store to store, searching for toddler sandals. Notice that Jonathan hates flip flops. Every time I would try to put them on his feet he would say that they hurt. Apparently retailers forgot how to make regular boy sandals because I could not find even one pair.

Jonathan was completely tired after about an hour of walking around. I was getting frustrated because I couldn't find what I was looking for, he didn't want to sit in the stroller but I couldn't let him walk as he would run away. So after another attempt to calm him with a toy and some snacks, I did what I have judged others for - I searched the YouTube for cartoons. The connection in the mall wasn't so great and it was taking a while to load one 15 minute video but it kept him occupied. He was watching a cute Russian cartoon that I have watched as a little girl and being somewhat cooperative. Target came to the rescue with only the very last pair of sandals in his size, and we were on our way home.

It's taking me a while to realize that there are many ways to parent. Some parents let their kids go to bed late and then sleep in the morning, other parents have a bed time and stick with it. Some parents don't have food guidelines and others have strict instructions what their child can and cannot eat. No matter what your parenting style is and no matter how paranoid or laid back you are, I don't judge you. I'm doing the best I can and you are doing the best you can, so we are in the same boat. People come from all sorts of economical and societal backgrounds, having gained the knowledge of what's normal from their parents. If someone has been less fortunate or simply disadvantaged in some areas, it's not my job to criticize their skills and abilities. We, as parents, need to encourage and help each other along because this job is hard enough without someone criticizing me for doing my best.



xo, Anna




July 28, 2014

Navy Blue

Navy Dress | White Blouse | Mint Bag | Happy Medley






 dress: H&M
blouse: Loft
bag: Ali Express
necklace: Target

Whenever I go shopping, I'm instantly drawn to dresses. In almost every store, I look through the dress section first, then consider everything else. I love dresses. I love them formal, casual, floral, solid and denim. There is just something feminine and classy about a girl in a nice dress. It instantly gives you a whole outfit and you can play around with it in so many ways. 

My body shape is sort of disproportionate. I have small bust and womanly (haha) hips; so whenever I want to buy a dress, it's a struggle. If I get a size that fits my bottom, it's way to big on top and vice versa.  This dress didn't look like much on the hanger but after trying it on, I fell in love.

Lesson of the day: always try things on. Sometimes it feels like a waste of time but in the long run it will save you a trip back to the store to return something unwanted. I have done it way too many times, so take it from me. Thank you for reading!

xo, Anna

July 25, 2014

Are Meaningful Posts Worth The Trouble?



Why do people blog about clothes and what not? Because it's safe. You don't have to put yourself out there (well, just your best looking self) and there isn't much effort that goes into it. Let's face it - fashion blogging is not that hard. You go shopping, buy the best clothes you can (or cannot) possibly afford, wear them (while doing other life activities) and then post pictures of yourself looking fabulous and pretty. Done.

Blogging about meaningful issues and personal feelings is hard. That means a) you have to be honest b) you have open up c) you will probably get hurt. That is why very few people do it. You have to have guts to stand up for what you believe in and don't let other discourage you. On the other hand, why open yourself up for that much hurt? Because there is more to life than clothes, and because life is too short not to do something worthwhile with it.

So for a few minutes I decided to write about insightful, important and even controversial things. Then I was too worried about what other people will say, but then again, I wanted to change the world.

I'm not here to change the world. I'm not here to even change your world, I'm here to do my part and live my life the best I can.

If I  would have told you that I have been going through challenging part of my life personally, it would be an understatement. But you wouldn't know by all those pretty clothes I hide behind. And to me, that just seems fake and hypocritical. But how do we change that without preserving privacy and not leading you on to believe that I'm better than everyone else? Achieving balance in life is the hardest part.

Social media let's us portray only certain parts of lives, making perfection the standard for living. The perfectly staged Instagram pictures and happy-go-lucky Facebook updates lead us to believe that other people have it all together. 
Life is difficult and trying but I want to go through it all and come out on the other side - stronger, better and have gained a lot of wisdom. 
Thank you for stopping by!




July 22, 2014

And where have you been?






dress: H&M (similar, similar)
sandals: BCBG Paris (via DSW)
bag: Ali Express (similar)

And so it is with a great pleasure I return to this glowing screen. Have I missed it? You bet your sweet behind I did. Did I enjoy my break? Very much. I wasn't even using my PC in the last two weeks and that was a breath of fresh air. Maybe that's why it crashed while I was re-designing the blog layout and unfortunately I wasn't able to go back and size my pictures properly. (Sorry you guys)
I'm coming back to the world wide web with a few changes. First, of course, is the new blog design (I hope you like it). I went with simple layout and mint - the perfect combination. Second, the focus of this blog is making a comeback - living a simple and happy life, while sharing it with you. More on that coming up later. And although you may see less of me, I want to bring better quality posts that are worth your time.
Thank you for sticking with me for this long, or welcome if you are a new reader!

July 3, 2014

Patriotic (Sort Of)







dress: TJMaxx (1, 2, 3)
bag: Old Navy (12)
shoes: H&M (1, 2)
belt: H&M (similar)
Happy 4th everyone! I feel somewhat sacrilegious wearing the red, white and blue colors. After all, it's a flag of a nation and people gave their lives for it, not just a fashion statement. That's my personal opinion, and yet I still want to join other bloggers in celebrating this holiday. (Just a side note. Why don't we all look like a Christmas tree during holiday season?)
I hope everyone enjoys their three day weekend and gets some rest. I will be celebrating with family and taking the next week off from blogging. It's our anniversary and I'm doing a 5K run, so need to train and plan some festivities. It's been a long time since I took a break but I think I need it. I'm thinking about changing direction and re-branding, or even quitting all together. Not sure what the next step is and what God has for me at this point but I do know that there more important things out there than outfits. I love dressing well and showing ladies how to be modest and fashionable but maybe that's not my thing in life. As I take time to contemplate, pray and enjoy my family, I hope you have a great weekend. Thank you for reading!


July 2, 2014

Being a Baby Mama



 

My little boy and I are quite close. I mean it's just him and I day in and day out. We wake up together. We eat breakfast together. We read books together. We go outside together. We take naps together. We do life hand in hand every day. I never thought I would enjoy being a stay-at-home mama so much but everyday my heart is filled with joy watching my son grow.

I got asked what I do for a living and after answering that I only stay home, I've changed my answer. It may seem trivial or unnecessary, but my answer now is that I work a full time job without vacation, overtime pay and sick days. Full time raising a little human being. Life as a mother is non stop and there is always someone who needs me. There is always plenty of learning, playing, exploring and having fun together. 

Jonathan is such a chatter box right now with occasional moments of silence which usually means he's getting himself in trouble. He knows what he can and cannot do, and will turn on the charm if realizes he got caught in action. If I'm scolding him, he will come to me and lay his head on my shoulder while giving a sweet little peck right on the lips. It melts my heart.

Being a mother to a toddler every minute of the day without leaving the house for work outside is harder than one might think. Doing the same thing over and over again sometimes gets tedious and frustrating. But the moments when I see him discover a new toy, learn  a new word and open a new book are the brightest and happiest moments of my life. His giggles and little quirky things he does, that happy grin and fast little hands, the way he lays his head on my shoulder and says first words are the things that I cherish right now. 

Finding joy in the small things, having patience for the tough things, remembering the good things, never-minding the hurtful things, discovering the new things, keeping the old things dear to my heart every single day. That's what being a baby mama is all about. 





July 1, 2014

{Shopping} Patriotic


Clock, Espadrilles, Striped Tee, Flag Tee, White Sandals, Striped Crossbody, Bathing Suit, Red Bag, Dress 
I hope you are getting your red, white and blue on for this weekend! With the weather approaching very hot temperatures and the grill sizzling away, it's going to be a fun holiday. I don't have a patriotic outfit picked out yet (I always feel like a flag) but here is a selection of some items to make your outfit a little more holiday appropriate. Hope you are having a great week! 

June 30, 2014

Summer Bright





dress: Walmart
wedges, shades: Target
bag: Ali Express
Welcome back to another week! We are almost in July and I can't believe that entire month has gone by already because we barely saw any sun around these parts. Also, I can't believe I got this dress in Walmart. Yes, I shop at that wretched place once in a while. So imagine my excitement when I was walking through pasta isle and spotted this pretty neon dress across the entire store. Two minutes later the dress was in my car without a second thought. I know that Walmart is not your typical blogger shopping place but sometimes you can find a one of a kind piece that makes that crazy trip worth it. 

June 27, 2014

Hashtag Sale {Zara}

Zara Sale
It's Friday and what a better day to start with shopping. Zara USA is currently having a huge sale on everything, yes you read that right, everything! There is so many things to pick from and it's truly impossible to stay within a budget when shopping on their website. How about these red sandals? Love! And the black shopper? Swoon! Plus they have plenty of floral piece - everything from skirts to dresses and more. Also, don't forget they make some killer jeans which seem to have best reviews for quality and durability. Hope you have a great weekend and score some great deals. Anything on your radar from this amazing retailer? Do tell!

June 25, 2014

Summer Storm






dress: Old Navy (similarsimilar)
blazer: Banana Republic
flats: J.Crew
bag: Ali Express (similar)
This year summer has been very slow in these parts. As we were shooting this outfit post, a huge stormy cloud was approaching us. My sister was behind the camera so I told her to hurry up and snap some pictures before we get rained on. Few minutes later I could hear the rain coming our way and yelled at her 'it's coming'. She wasn't sure what I was talking about and seconds later we were drenched in a perfectly warm summer rain. As we were running to the car, I was trying to hide the camera from the rain drops and in the process wasn't very careful with the door, which slammed me in the face. Ouch. 
Today, I'm sitting in front of my computer, listening to the rain fall on the roof of the house, and enjoying the quite. It's nap time. Although the rain prevented me letting Jonathan loose outside, I love listening to the sound of rain in a perfectly still house. Now on to get some work done. 
Have a great day! 




June 23, 2014

Hot Pink






dress: H&M (similar)
heels: BCBG (similar)
bag: Aldo (similar)
glasses: DKNY
watch: Target (similar)
This last weekend hubby and I attended a beautiful wedding. The bride was gorgeous, the flowers were pretty and the bridesmaids were glowing. Every detail was tended to and we enjoyed ourselves. Although, I'm a huge fan of all things pretty and beautiful, especially at such memorable event, the best part was the food. I mean, we as a Slavic culture have the best food and certainly know how to eat. Ha. These photos were taken after the wedding which was probably a mistake because my gut was so much more visible. But I'm back to the super early wake up call and the two mile run again so that should fix it. And I probably should lay off the cookies. Yep, that should do it.
Hope you have a great day and thank you for stopping by

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