Life Lately, In Pictures

This is our life. 

This smiling face, curious gaze and lots of kisses.

Have a great day!

Not Perfect

top: H&M
skirt: Talbots
shoes: Calvin Klein
glasses: DKNY

 This may come as shock to some of you, but I'm not perfect. (sarcasm)

There are days when I honestly don't want to get out of bed, stay in my PJs all day, , forget to change my kid's diaper and don't even bother to brush my teeth (I know, gross).

We all have those days.

Behind the pictures of outfits and perfectly polished clothes, I don't want to seem fake. 

At times I have struggles and I do fail.

I struggle to keep within my monthly budget (currently considering getting in trouble with my budget to get these bad boys), have emotional meltdowns and altogether bad days. Even my perfectly worded monthly posts about Jonathan's well being sometimes don't come out that easy, especially after a long day of cranky babe and no sleep.

 It's real life and life isn't perfect. 

Sometimes, I have a hard time with the concept of imperfection.

I get into the mode and try to show this perfect image of who I am (perfectionist) and forget to be real. Of course, I try to be as honest as possible but really, who's life is perfect?

You cannot judge someone else' life by their Insta account and Facebook updates. There is just so much more to it and when we don't see the entire picture and what's going on behind the scenes, it's easy to get discouraged. But today, in my perfectly imperfect life I'm at peace with who I am and where God has me.

Thank you Lord for this imperfect life.

Jonathan //7 months//

How fast does the time fly! 

When you were born and I was constantly nursing you and changing your diapers every two seconds, it felt like the routine would never end. Yet here we are seven months later with you sitting, eating solids, desperately trying to crawl and talk.

Your bottom two teeth came in just the other day without fever, drool or much wining. The night before, you woke up about five times and I was getting aggravated and tired of it. After picking you up the third time, changing your diaper and nursing you, I decided it's time for you to sleep. You wined for a little bit and fell asleep. An hour later you woke up again, and then again. I bet it was probably uncomfortable but you got through it.

You are really trying to crawl and most of the time just want to stand up. Last night you took your first step on all fours and daddy and I about to have had a party. You are so active and curious, always looking and exploring things. 

You have the most adorable and funniest laugh. We play and cuddle, I read to you and make animal noises and you just crack yourself up. 

Most nights you sleep 8pm - 7am but if you had a lot to eat, you do wake up once in the early morning with a super soaked diaper. I change you quick and put you back to sleep, after a quick nursing session.

You are easy going and happy kid unless you are a) hungry b) tired c) have a dirty diaper. If all of the above are done, then you are a happy camper. Although, you still don't want to hold your bottle on your own.

You love taking walks with me. Every morning when we go for our stroll, you just look around and don't make a peep. About half an hour into it, your start getting tired and fall asleep. I get my exercise and you get your nap.

Daddy and you have a special bond going on. Your father loves spending time with you and playing with you. You are his 'little buddy' which is always sweet to see.

You are in 12 months clothes now and growing by the minute it seems. I don't know if you are even going to fit into the clothes I bought you for the winter. Your weight is average but with height you are in 75th percentile.

You still love to nurse and be near me. I love to hold you when you are sleepy and almost falling asleep on my chest, sweetly sighing and closing your eyes. I put you on my shoulder and press my cheek against your soft baby skin and just don't want to let you go. I want to capture and sear that moment into my brain to remember it and hold it in my heart forever.

 I love this stage and want to just stop the time and enjoy your sweet little smiles with two little teeth, and hold you in my arms a little longer, before you try to run away.

Love always,
 mom and dad

The Next Best Thing

tee, flats: Target
pants: Gap
clutch: TJMaxx

This fall, camo print is the new 'it' pattern. I personally don't like the print (ex. here and here) and think it doesn't really belong with regular clothes. But who am to dictate fashion trends? 

Well, the next best thing would be olive green and that, my friends, is the next best thing to the ever-so-popular craze over camo. I love how it easily pairs with anything and goes really well with fall colors. 

Also, how about the bell bottoms? I'm loving these pants and I don't care if I look like I'm from the 90s.

 At least my hair is fancy (even if I'm just going grocery shopping).

Tomorrow, Jonathan is turning seven months and I'm the point where I honestly want the time to stop. I love this stage and his curious little mind. I wish my sweet little boy would stay this small a little longer and can't even write his seven months post without tearing up. 

I'm a big gushy mama mess.

I'm going to go and kiss those cute little cheeks and squeeze him a little extra hard tonight.

Hope you have yourself a great day!

Change For Better

top: The Limited
skirt: Calvin Klein
shoes: Kate Spade
clutch: DIY
glasses: DKNY

As part of Blogtember  today we are supposed to describe a distinct moment when your life took a turn. 

I have to say that the most dramatic point in my life was switching continents. One thing is to move to a country that's very similar to yours, has the same language or at least you feel comfortable in. 

Another thing is to move across the globe (with only eight suitcases for a family of four), learn a new language (start a blog in that language), get yourself accustomed to mew culture (what's Seinfeld? how do you play baseball?), change all your eating habits (gain 15 pounds while you at it) and still succeed doing all that and more. It definitely changed my life. So far, it has been a change for better and I'm grateful for it

On a totally different note...

Sometimes it's hard to be a style blogger and not to feel like everyone else has stylish and latest clothes while you do not. I mean, my budget is very limited. 

I've been trying to style my clothes in a new and exciting way, while drawing inspiration from all the great bloggers out there. I'm also doing couple DIY projects and re-organizing my closet.

Saturday I did a MAJOR closet clean out and got moved all the clothes that I don't wear or don't like anymore out. It was a monumental decision.
I'm going minimalistic.

Basically everything I haven't worn in a year has gotten tossed, and everything that I still like but can't fit into yet was put away into summer clothes box. The clothes that I love but are too big got put away into maternity box (yes, probably going to have more kids).

My sister came over to do some 'shopping' in my closet, and I'm selling the rest of it here. Maybe you would like to Shop My Closet and score some great deals?

Hope you are being inspired by all the stylish bloggers out there while re-mixing your clothes in a new  and exciting way.

Have a great day!

Fall Trends To Try

(above, left from top down: black, camo, silver toed, two-toned, right from top down: orange,

 leopard - LOVE)

(above: necklace, nail polish, blazer, dress, waxed denim, cords, bag, flats - LOVE)

(above: navy lace front sweatshirt, grey raglan sweatshirt, ivory lace front sweatshirt - LOVE, navy jeweled short sleeve sweatshirt, sweatshirt dress )

Welcome to the new week!
If you are anything like me, you are probably already doing your fall shopping and scouting the web for great deals. It's that time again.
This fall new trends are coming into the fashion world but at the same time, a lot of tried and true are here to stay. Polka dots and burgundy are still in but we are seeing more casual pieces of clothing becoming fancy. Pretty sweatshirts embroided with everything from jewels to lace, sportswear making its way into office wear, and pointed flats make the casual shoe ever so glam.
I'm loving the new trends but still keeping the old things in heavy rotation this season. I'm planning on adding a couple of things from each selection. I especially love the burgundy color and the warm dressy sweatshirts.

Are you going to be adding any new fall trends?

What's your favorite?

P.S. I've added a new page to my blog! Now you can SHOP MY CLOSET and score some great deals... Happy shopping!

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

All photos are a property of Good Life Blog. 

That One Time I Was REALLY Afraid

Blogtember Day 4: A story about a time you were very afraid.

While I was thinking about this topic, I could think of only one time in my life when I was scared. For real. 

When I was pregnant with Jonathan, I had all these different ideas in my head on how his birth is going to be. Every Braxton-Hicks contraction gave me butterflies and I thought that 'this is it'. But they never progressed and at my last check up I wasn't dilated at all.

Doctor told me I could wait another day or two which, given my current situation, probably wouldn't help. Or I could get induced. I really, really, really did NOT want to get induced. After careful discussion and consideration hubby and I decided to go for induction. You can read Jonathan's full birth story here. 

On the day we were scheduled to be at the hospital, I really didn't sleep much. We got up, had brunch and made sure that my hospital bag was packed to its maximum capacity. I had laptop and movies, snacks and magazines (oh how naive I was) and pretty much everything else did not need. After packing everything into the car, tiding up the house and doing my make up and hair (I had to take some last minute pictures ok?), we were ready to go. 

I still had doubts about our decision but tried to be optimistic and talk myself into it. In my mind I was listing every reason why this was a good idea and why we didn't want to wait any longer, but I was afraid.

I was scared to death of the pain that was coming. It's like seeing a train coming your way and knowing it's going to hit you but not being able to do anything about it. It's going to hurt. A lot. That's the way it is.

I was afraid of the unknown. I haven't been through this before and not knowing what's coming was the worst part of this whole ordeal (being the control freak that I am). 

I was nervous that I'm going to chicken out and get an epidural (which I did). I knew that my pain tolerance was very low and the side affects of epi are great. Nevertheless, the stories I've heard about the pain, made me consider it even more.

I was afraid of all the complications and every horror birth story kept coming to my mind (that's what you get for reading a million blogs). 

I was afraid of something happening to the baby and him having some kind of physical or mental defect. I was so scared that I will blame and will never forgive myself for the rest of my life. 

I was afraid that although my husband was there with me, he couldn't help me much. I felt so alone and scared, that all I kept doing the entire ride was holding on to his hand and praying.

That fifteen minute ride to the hospital felt like an eternity and my heart rate was going up with every mile passed by. I was nervous, anxious and jittery which probably wasn't helping the situation. 

The only thing that helped me get through was to get my mind off those things. Even praying wasn't helping because I kept listing and asking the Lord to make sure that none of those afro mentioned things happen, which send me into a mental freak out every time.

It was the scariest time of my life. 

But it was worth it.

I know we made the best decision we could make at the time and I had a perfectly healthy baby in my arm, which I thank God for everyday.

Advice

Thursday, September 5: Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered. 

I think the best lessons we learn are taught by life itself. No matter how much can someone explain or tell you something, unless you've gone through it yourself, it really doesn't stick. Ya know?

The best advice that I can ever give is the one I've learned myself, from personal experience. I've learned this the hard way - from hurt and tears.

Always remember to love others.

 "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" Matthew 22:39

There is enough hurt, pain and evil in this world that we, Christians, don't need to add to it. God called us to peace, love and joy and that should be our main goal. 

Loving others isn't easy. It takes patience, character and caring attitude; it's something we learn over time. 

Love brings out best in people and helps them really shine through. Love softens our hearts and makes us stronger while showing others that we truly do care. And isn't that the best thing in the world, knowing that someone cares?

There were always enough judges, teachers and disciplinarians to keep everyone in check but there isn't enough people willing to love others. 

Just love them for who they are and really care for them. 

Love is the only thing that everyone is looking for but very few get to experience.

Love people, showing them love of God.

Transition

top, hat: Target
shorts: J.Crew
wedges: Kate Spade
bag: Nine West

The days are still very warm but we are softly transitioning into fall. I'm trying to get every last bit of sunshine but wanting to embrace autumn colors and clothes, struggle with what to wear now. I see so many style bloggers pull out their jackets while I hesitate even to put on a blazer. 

I love this time of year but find it hard to balance the warmer temperatures with fall trends. It's a bit too warm for wool, leather and sweatshirts just yet. 

So I'm making my summer clothes work for my transitional wardrobe as I slowly pull out warmer clothes and mix it up a little.

Tip: wear your summer shorts with a three quarter sleeve and a hat for a more sophisticated look. Also, incorporate darker colors like black, brown, purple and burgundy, making those summer pieces shine in a whole new light.

Enjoy the last bit of summer!

It's going to be gone before we know it.

This Is Where I Come From

The Olympic City for Winter Games 2014

I come from a small family and have deep Russian roots. I was born and raised in Sochi, Russia. My parents decided to come look for a better life in the States, mainly because of my sister and I. You see, Sochi is a very tourist-oriented city, with hot summers and nasty rainy winters. The entire Slavic speaking population rushed for a chance to bask in the sun on the shores of black sea, there were no jobs, except to rent your two rooms to tourists and sleep on the 2x6 ft balcony. True story. My grandmother did it every year. 

My parents have totally different backgrounds - she, a third generation Christian and intelligent lady, and he, a divorcee with a kid and wild past. They tried to raise us the best they can - strict church attendance, close family relationships, cultural development with music lessons, art lessons, good grades and after school activities. Mom stayed home until I was in 5th grade and we were always learning, exploring and traveling.

As a family we traveled to Belarus every summer to see my grandparents and visit friends in Scandinavia (ironic because everyone else was rushing to Sochi not from it). Russian school ended on May 25th and started September 1st every year (still does), which gave us ample time to do whatever we wanted. 

My grandparents had a great influence on me and I still remember some of the greatest life lessons taught by my grandfather. Life was fun being a teenager on a farm. We didn't have TV, computers or even a phone so it was an unplugged summer every time. My grandpa read Bible every chance he had and listened to the news on an old soviet time radio, while commenting on how the Bolsheviks are taking over (although the Soviet Union was over by then). 

After we moved to the States, it was a long road to building a living from eight suitcases worth of stuff we came with to what we have now. Learning English on the spot and trying to fit in, discovering a totally new culture and trying to preserve our own. For me life was full of adventures: getting accepted by a few colleges and actually wining couple grants; getting jobs, dating and getting married to a fellow Russian.

A side note. I have nothing against American men but I would not be able to marry one. It's a cultural thing - you don't have to explain yourself every time you tell a joke or reference a Russian cartoon.

It  has been a tough road but it made me who I am today. 

Challenges bring out character and make us stronger. And I'm so thankful to my parents for uprooting their entire living at almost forty years old and bringing us here for a chance at better future.

August {Budgeting Series}

We have arrived to the end of summer!

This year has been the busiest and fastest years of my life. It may have something to do with the fact that I have an infant to take care of and a new house to organize. I'm tired already.

As you may know, last month hubby and I got a little carried away with shopping. I spent twice my allowed budget for the month, meaning that August was supposed to be my 'no shopping' month. 

And... I did it!

Turns out it's easier then you think. If you don't go to the mall or any other place that may tempt you with great deals and major sales, you are safe from temptation. 

I always find something I like, i.e. think that I need.

On Saturday we ventured out for a day of thrifting and hanging out as a family and, somehow, ended up in the mall. I picked up only $10 worth of tank tops from Joe Fresh summer sale, which doesn't count right?  I'm really liking the new JCPenny Home Collection and probably will get a few pieces from them. This lamp, accent chair and pillows are all on my wish list for the house.

Also I did some research, trying to figure out what my closet needs the most this fall. I'm done buying cheap stuff and wishing I could afford the good quality pieces. I'd rather buy few but nice things that I will enjoy wearing and get good use out of. If you think about it, CPW (cost per wear) goes down dramatically if you wear those J.Crew boots for the next three years.

Quality over quantity is my new motto and I'm sticking to it. I may end up spending more, or the same amount but I will be wearing quality pieces that will last me years.

This week I will be talking about my favorites for this fall and showing my wish list. Stick around to see what's new and exciting going on this season.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Guilt {Motherhood Challenges Series}

Before becoming a mother, I knew of the great responsibility that comes with the role. However I did not know that some of my biggest faults and challenges will come out of hiding and, having another human being in my care, be magnified by like a hundred. 

I've always struggled with guilt. 

Constantly feeling guilty for simple things that I choose to do for myself, my family and what others think of me. I mean, it's difficult being a people-pleasing perfectionist with guilt-ridden mind.

Since motherhood is a constant choice of parenting methods, feeding schedules and sleeping styles it's hard not to look at other moms and think 'how do they have it all together?'

People tell me that I only have one, that it's nothing compared to multiple kids. And maybe they are right. Maybe I'm just a big wimp and maybe I don't know anything but let me tell you something: it's hard.

It's hard enough with only one baby.

Having a community of other mamas, going through exactly the same thing you are going through sure is helpful but at the same time, we only things on very surface. I have fallen prey to letting others think that I'm the best mother out there; that I have it all together.

Most of the time I don't.

And since I'm doing it wrong one time or another, guilt is something that gets me down every time.

I feel guilty for not nursing until 99 months old. Although I'm still doing it and supplementing with formula, there are mamas out there who don't let their kids have a drop of formula. 

I feel guilty for taking time for myself during the day and letting him just play and whine a little on his own.

I feel guilty for letting him cry it out when he just doesn't want to do anything else, given that he's fed and changed. I taught him how to fall asleep on his own, but even that was heartbreaking at first. Letting him cry for five to ten minutes is hard enough but when I hear someone else say that you should pick your baby up every time he cries, just about puts me in tears.

I feel guilty for not taking enough family photos and missing his first laugh  Not taking a video of his first cry or whatever else important may have happened and I didn't have camera on hand.

I feel guilty for wanting to leave him (at mere four months old) with my sister, so hubby and I could go away for a few days. Although it didn't happen, people look at me with shock for not wanting to take the baby along with us. I feel guilty for being so selfish.

I feel guilty for forgetting to pick up my baby from the nursery the very first Sunday we went to church. I mean, who forgets they have a newborn? Apparently I do.

I feel guilty for wanting to go to work and not just be stay-home wife and mama. I hear people say that I should just enjoy him right now, which I absolutely do. Though, at times, I need to feel like I'm a grown adult with other interests besides what color his poop is or what new food should I try feeding him.. 

I feel guilty for not having enough patience with him when he just wouldn't eat those peaches; or when he doesn't want to go to sleep according to my schedule; or when his whining is driving me nuts. 

I feel guilty for getting too busy and not taking time to pray. To pray for my family, my little boy, for wisdom and guidance because I sure need it.

I feel guilty for not playing with him when I have chores to do, or simply not getting home for his bed time. 

I feel guilty for not spending enough time with hubby and constantly focusing on Jonathan. Even our conversations come down to what I do during the day and how long Jonathan naps.

All these things are every day challenges that mothers (read: I) face and I'm sure I'm not the only one. 

Or am I? Please tell me I'm not, so I can stop thinking that I'm crazy.

 With all the perfectly edited and filtered Instagram baby pictures (they don't have any food on their little bow ties and their hair is perfectly combed), I think it's time to get real. 

Life isn't perfect and we all have to deal with issues, we are all in the same boat. It's good to know that you are not the only one dealing with challenges and storm of emotions running through your postpartum body. That other mamas too give their babies formula, let them cry it out, play by themselves, don't have enough time for anything, forget their baby in the nursery, can't wait for 8 o'clock and want to escape the house sometimes. 

God has been teaching me patience. He has also been humbling me big time, showing me that I'm just like everyone else, that I don't have it all together, that I need Him every day. More then ever. 

At the end of the day, I pray God will guide me through and help me do my best. Although, when I don't succeed at times, there's always tomorrow and He will be there too. 

In The Fields

dress: TJmaxx
shoes: Aldo
belt: thrifted

We finally managed to have some family photos done. We did couple shots when Jonathan was 3 months old but now that the summer is almost over, I wanted to capture some memories. With a country feel and a relaxed atmosphere, summer nights are perfectly warm and the sunsets are glorious for a nice shot.

 It's really difficult to get a good picture with an infant. When hubby and I are smiling and look into the camera, Jonathan is having a time of his life and playing around. 

Out of a hundred shots, only about five are good to be framed. My sister took the pictures and I still have to go through them and edit them - the price of free family portrait. 

I can't wait to make some canvas prints and hang them in my living room because those bare walls still need some major decor adjustment.

How are you doing with recent family photos? Two years behind or snapping pictures of every poop your kid makes? I'm somewhere in between.
Time flies so fast and with babies you really have to be sure to capture special moments before they are all grown up. It really is a bitter sweet time - loving the new and exiting memories we make but sad to see these moments go.

P.S. Pictures coming soon. Still have to do a lot of editing. 

With a Twist

blouse: Forever 21
skirt, belt: Target
shoes: Ann Taylor
bag: Nine West

I've been really bored with my hair lately. I had the ombre, then I decided to chop it and make it one color. Being home all day with an infant who's pulling on your hair every chance he gets, it's hard to wear anything but a high pony. 

So every time I'm going out to the store, church or anywhere else for that matter, I'm looking for a fun way to style my hair. I've attempted this hair style and it wasn't half bad. I really want to try this but I have very thick hair which ends up looking awful. 

Watching a bunch of YouTube videos I have forgotten about this easy up-do. When I looked at this girl inspiring hair and outfits, it clicked - French twist. Takes about 5 minutes to do and great for warm weather or simply picking up the hair. Add a strand of pearls and you look polished in a matter of minutes.

Loving the classy and 'grown-up' look of this outfit. 

How is your hair doing lately? Many bad hair days or glamorous up-dos? 

Thanks for stopping by.

Crab Cakes {Recipe}

I love crab cakes. Who doesn't? Every time I'm at a restaurant, I'm looking for these delicious bites. If done correctly, you can experience pure, unadulterated crab cake heaven. They are that good.

So I've never made these things before because I figured all fancy restaurant food must take a lot of work and expense to prepare, plus high in calories. Well, not so much.

I mean, first I substituted the imitation crab and then baked these in the oven instead of deep frying them. My recipe comes from combining couple different sources - this video and recipe. Make yourself a double batch and enjoy them with purple cabbage slaw. Delicious!

I made a double batch so if you only need one serving, half the recipe.

Cakes:

-  1 egg

- 1/4 cup mayonnaise

- 3 green onions

- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 

- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 

- 1/2 tsp thyme 

- 1 tbsp chopped parsley 

- 1/4 tsp garlic powder 

- 1 tsp lemon juice

- dash of cayenne pepper

- pepper

- 16 oz lump imitation crab meat (if you can splurge, buy the real stuff)

- 1/4 cup of panko crumbs

 Combine mayo and egg and whip until it's evenly incorporated into smooth consistency. Add the rest of the ingredients through crab meat and whisk together. Next separate the crab meat into small lumps and add to the mayo mixture, add panko and gently toss to combine. Don't over mix. Put the mixture into the fridge and cool for 30 minutes. 
Take it out and shape the crab cakes into 2 inch patties. Place them on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake under the broiler or in 500F oven for 10 minutes. No need to flip.
Serve warm with purple cabbage slaw. 

Slaw:

- 1/2 cabbage head 

- 1 carrot, julienned 

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 1 tsp sugar

- 1/2 lime zest

- 1 tsp mayo

- 1 tsp sour cream

- large pinch of chopped cilantro

Finally chop cabbage, add salt and sugar. Working with one hand and holding the bowl with another, squeeze the cabbage until it becomes soft. Let it rest for couple minutes.

Add rest of the ingredients and toss to combine. 

Thrifty Chic

top & skirt: Thrifted
shoes: H&M

Thrift store shopping is probably my favorite kind, because you never know what you will find. Sure there is lots of junk out there and you have to look really close but in the end, it's worth it. Other times it's not.

When thrift store shopping, I have bought items I thought I needed and things there were too big/small in hopes of altering them myself. That never happened. 

One thing I do when I'm looking through the isles of unneeded clothing is stand out patterns, one-of-a-kind pieces and timeless classics. And of course the fit.

When I spotted this skirt, I loved the striped pattern but wasn't sure if I wasn't going to fit into it. The white top was a no-brainer. 

If you aren't sure about thrift store shopping give it a go on an off night, or with a friend who knows her way around. Then dig in and pay close attention to all the details, tags and patterns. Take your time and you will be surprised what you can find!

Happy Hump Day! 

Linking up with What I Wore Wednesday and Random Wednesday