May 8, 2014

Currently Loving {Baby Edition} + Link Up

... baby Jonathan is such a little tail of mine

...enjoying some quality time with daddy

... his 'say cheese' face. by the way this kid loves taking pictures and every time I have the camera he smiles


... what a difference a year makes. this baby is all grown up and comparing to last year, he is so big.
I miss that little baldy 



... he has so much energy I don't know how to keep up. everything is a game. everything is funny.
and he must run all the time.


For this week's link up, I'm joined by gorgeous Amy from The Real Arnolds who loves fashion. She has a sweet spirit and seriously cute outfits. I like finding people of the same faith sharing similar interests - it's always encouraging. 


RULES:
1. Please follow your host (via Bloglovin'and fabulous co-host Amy from The Real Arnolds (via Bloglovin')

2. Link up anything... it could be one of your previous posts that you are loving or something new you just can't wait to share!

3. Please include a link back to this post within your post or grab my button from the side bar (because it's such a nice thing to do!)

4. Now simply add your link below! We hope you all enjoy meeting other bloggers and discovering some new things.

5. If you would like to Co-Host Currently Loving Link Up, email ademko10 (at) gmail (dot) com for more details!




May 7, 2014

Thoughtful Gifts for Your Mama


Every year before mother's day, I see tons of buying guides. They include everything from silk pajamas to flowers but haven't your mama seen it all? Haven't she gotten every gift she doesn't need and will never use? Well, I have put together a list of ideas for your most special moms that won't make them yawn because mothers just want to feel special. Whether you do the dishes or take her to a fancy dinner, it takes a little extra thought to make this holiday memorable. Mothers want to feel appreciated in a thoughtful kind of way so you need to put some effort into it.

1. Treat your mama with a breakfast in bed! She doesn't expect it and will be ever grateful for your thoughtful gesture. Go all out and make something fancy or just simple toast with cup of coffee - whatever it is she likes. Don't forget to make it beautiful and serve it with a single rose on the tray. She will feel loved and appreciated because she, of all people, knows how much work it all takes.

2. Make her feel special with a spa day with plenty of rest and relaxation. Pamper her, either at home by drawing her a bubble bath with pretty candles and her favorite book or by sending her off to a day spa. Whichever it is, make sure you take care of it all so she doesn't have to worry about a thing (especially about the clean up or cost.)

3. A memorable photo album of those special Insta pictures and forgotten ones will bring smile and tears to her face. Every mother says that her children grow too fast so give her a memory capsule she will cherish forever. Make sure your personalize it to make is extra special.

4. Give her a full day off by taking care of little children, cleaning the house and making dinner. Do the laundry for her and any other tasks that need to be done that day. Let her do what she wants while you tend to her every whim, then see if she won't feel special.

5. Buy her something she has been wanting for a while, whether it's that new cook book or beautiful piece of jewelry. She will love the gift but more than anything she will love that you were paying attention and know her well. It's always nice to know someone cares so much.

6. Treat her by taking her out for lunch or dinner, when she least expects it. Of course, everyone is doing something special on Mother's Day but how about taking her to lunch on Friday or dinner on Saturday? It's expected of you to do something nice on Sunday but it's most special when the act of kindness is done unexpectedly.

7. Make her favorite dinner (or buy and bring it to her), from appetizer to dessert. Let her enjoy it in peace in quiet without interruptions, while you serve. She will love the opportunity to relax and have her favorite meal in peace without having to worry about anything. To make it extra special make sure you do the clean up because it's the hardest part (and as a mama she knows it).

8. Do her yard work without being asked. With spring time and lots to do around the house, she can sure use some help. Mow her lawn, water the plants, weed the garden and trim the bushes. If she doesn't have a house, see what else she needs done (a faucet is leaking somewhere probably). Just ask, and I'm sure she will have a list ready to go for you.

I hope you will make this Mother's Day extra special by putting thought and effort into your gift for your mama. She surely deserves it and will appreciate your thoughtfulness, especially because she knows how much work it all takes. Thank her by doing something for her, instead of just brushing the holiday off with another cliche of a gift.
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by lovelies!

May 5, 2014

Beauty Demands Sacrifice





sweater: J.Crew
skirt: thrifted (similar)
shoes: Zara (similar)
belt: Loft (similar)
glasses: DKNY 
The hardest part about blogging is not the pictures in freezing cold temperatures, or the hours of planning outfits. It's not even the enormous amounts of time we spend at the computer editing photos and networking with other bloggers. It's coming up with the post titles. I'm not joking when I say that I think about the title more than I think about what I'm actually going to say in the post. I always wonder if I should name my post after the outfit or whatever I'm talking about. Or should I tie the two things together and make them related, somehow? For example, in this outfit I'm wearing yellow sweater so I could talk about the lack of sunshine and name the post 'you are my sunshine'. That would be very lame and pretty pathetic though, wouldn't you think?
Instead I'm going to talk about how I was dying while wearing these shoes today because, well, beauty demands sacrifice. There is a saying in Russian that goes something like that but it's very hard to translate cultural phrases into another language because you loose the meaning. Well, even in English everyone understands that to look put together you have to sacrifice something. Whether it's sleep, because you have to wake up an hour early to do your hair or comfort, because you are wearing four-inch stilettos that make absolutely no sense at all. Except that they totally go with my midi skirt and add some height. That's all folks.
Thanks for stopping by! 

May 2, 2014

Reflect Neon





top: Old Navy (similar), skirt: J.Crewflats: Marc Fisher (similar), bag: Kate Spade (similar), watch: Target, glasses: similar
Let's just talk about the new trend that has taken over blogosphere - neon aviators. Yes, I succumbed to the pressure of the web and bought myself a pair. I do like them with certain outfits, when I like to give something edge. I do like the RayBan's but they are way too expensive for a seasonal trend. So I headed to the mall and found myself a pair of cheap aviators that I know I wouldn't be upset if my son finds. And guess what? They look just fine and that's that's way I like it. I hope you have a great weekend! 

May 1, 2014

Shopping [Spring Bags Under $50] + $100 GIVEAWAY


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If now isn't a time to shop for a new spring bag, I don't know when it is. I've been looking for a perfect winged tote that wouldn't break my bank. Every time I search for something specific, I head to Polyvore. It is such a great tool for shopping-crazy bloggers, who are looking for a great deal. I have yet to find a better search engine for shopaholics.
I love different kinds of bags and if I had the money, I would buy all of these. (I did get one of these bags in my recent online shopping adventure) Everything from totes to clutches is here and most of these are on sale too! So don't waste your time looking elsewhere - I got you the perfect selection of bags on a budget. And that's just the way we roll.


GIVEAWAY


Today I'm hosting my very first giveaway with two lovely ladies! Kathleen (Kat's Fashion Fix), Amy (The Real Arnolds) and I have teamed up for this cool giveaway. I'm so very excited about this and can't wait to share it with you all. I know that for Mother's Day we are all looking for something special to give our mothers. So if you found that something but lacking in funds, this is for you. We are giving away two $50 gift cards to the store of your choice (OR) PayPal cash. You choose! Talk about a win/win, huh? Enter with the rafflecopter below! 



a Rafflecopter giveaway
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