Category Archives: Personal Style


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Just Say Ommm, Be Happy and Go Shopping


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A couple weeks ago I attended one of the Minnesota bloggers meet-up events, which was a yoga class lead by Katie of  Strawberry Halls Forever. It was an amazing experience, not only because I got to meet other bloggers in the area, but also because it was my very first yoga class!

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I have been doing yoga for over 4 years now, but never in a group! I am a loner (read cheapskate ;) ) when it comes to working out. I love my work out DVDs and videos I find on YouTube (check out Fitness Blender – it’s one of the best resources out there!)

Now I got into yoga by accident, and let me explain how it happened! Back in my good old nannying days when I lived on the Upper West Side everyone and everything breathed and talked yoga! You see I was always more of a runner, and I loved my strength training as well! Remember Cindy Crawford’s videos from the 1990′s? Those were my go-to workouts for many years! My mom got me into them back when I was in 8th grade! And I still do them 2-3 times a week, though I’ve switched over to Jillian Michaels since then! But let’s return to the UWS though… I was really into FIT.TV and since the family I worked for had Warner Cable, I took advantage of it every day! I got into Gilad’s workouts, and Namaste Yoga by Kate Potter was on right after! So I gave it a shot and FELL IN LOVE! And have been doing it ever since! I tried other workouts by other instructors, but Kate Potter won me over!

And even though I’ve been doing yoga all by myself for a long time, I feel like it’s one of those experiences you need to live through as a group, so one of my goals this summer is to find a yoga class to join, so if you know of a good one in Minneapolis and western suburbs area, please let me know!

Another thing that I’ve come to realize is that I don’t really have any good yoga clothes, and to me being fashionable at yoga is much more important than when I go for a run. So as I was looking for cute yoga clothes, I came across C9 brand at Target!

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They have very affordable and stylish work out clothes, designed specifically for yogis :) And if you watch their website close enough, you can get coupons and discounts on C9 brand pretty often!

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Show style and strength in this yoga top by C9 by Champion, exclusive to Target!

3312Bust a (yoga) move in these stylish, snazzy pants from C9 by Champion, a Target-exclusive line of fitness.

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Love yoga? Or just love comfy, stylish yoga pants that keep you covered no matter what? Whatever your yoga pants-wearing style, C9 by Champion at Target has you covered!

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What gives you peace and strength? Whatever motivates you, C9 by Champion apparel has you covered!
I am definitely going to Target to get myself some cute and colorful yoga tops and comfy stretchy pants (don’t worry, those will be worn to yoga classes alone ;) ) Where do you shop for yoga clothes and what type/style of yoga would you recommend?
Xo,
Z
Disclosure
At Target Influencer Network, we support ethical blogging and strict adherence to the FTC guidelines pertaining to free samples and gifts. Participants in our programs are expected to do the same. For more information, visit: http://www.ftc.gov/os/2013/03/130312dotcomdisclosures.pdf
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Graduation: My Russian Past + My American Present = Nothing has really changed!


Everyone seems to be graduating :) Oh wait, it’s that time of year, so everyone is GRADUATING! Except for me, because I did it 5 years ago, from a school in Russia called Vladimir State University (the what? – yeah, I know)

I was trying to dig out my high school graduation photos for you, but I think I don’t have any digital copies, only actual prints that are still in Russia (maybe I’ll ask my mom to scan them – please let me know if you’d like to see what I looked like when I was 16 and graduating! I personally think it’s a hillarious idea!)

As some of you may know I graduated from high school in 2003, college graduation came 5 years later in 2008. And even though it’s been 5 years since then, I kept the dress I wore to my graduation! Isn’t it lovely?

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Now if you have noticed, it has all this bling on it, the sequins, the fake rhine stones, a bow! I was originally going to cut it all up and turn it into a skirt! I am glad I didn’t take the scissors to it right away though, but removed all the bling instead! And when I put the dress on, I ended up with an amazing, versatile and quiet wearable dress! See for yourselves:

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I AM WEARING:

Dress – unknown brand (bought in Russia) // Shoes – Unknown brand (from Russia as well)//

Jacket – Club Monaco (thrifted)// Watch – Marc by Marc Jacobs //

Purse – Vintage Via Piaggi (available on Etsy)

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If you really look close, you’ll notice that nothing has really changed that much over the past few years, oh wait, it has. I moved to the other side of the world, got married and became a fashion blogger, but really nothing else has really changed ;)

Xo,

Z

PS. Don’t forget to let me know if you’d like to see my high school graduation pictures! No, really :)

PS.  Linked up with – Small Town Big Wardrobe, and ThePleatedPoppy – WIW (What I Wore) Challenge


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My Perfect Red


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It’s a well known fact that red lipstick does wonders, it’s practically a miracle worker (well, that’s if you believe in miracles <— You can tell I just watched the latest Star Trek). It doesn’t only make your teeth appear whiter, but your nose smaller, it basically draws attention to your lips, away from all the other features (that’s only if you want it to) And even though there are people who are so very against it, all I have to say is suck it up and give it a shot!

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I AM WEARING:

Dress – Unknown Brand (Designed in France though) // White Tank – Forever 21 //

Purse – Vintage Kenneth Cole (available in my Etsy store) // Watch – Marc by Marc Jacobs//

Sandals – Target

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Who is my perfect red then? This little guy by Faberlic - from the Premium Lipstick collection, #4295. I know that most of you States side are not familiar with this brand, but if you live in Europe, I am sure you heard about it. It’s very similar to Avon and Mary Kay! I was offered to try out some of their products a while back and this red lipstick was one of the items I picked out:

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Who is your perfect red and do you wear red lipstick in general? I think it’s perfect for the summer, can’t wait to show it off more often!

Xo,

Z

ROMWE Flash sale

30%—80% off, FREE gift on orders over $30

Valid from 5/21/2013 – 5/23/2013

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Dandelion Queen


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Saturday after all the rain has passed, Sam and I went to one of our favorite places in the Twin Cities – Lake of the Isles. If you’ve never been to the Twin Cities, that  is probably the number one place I would recommend you go to! We don’t have Central Park, like some of you, lucky New Yorkers, but we love what we’ve got!

And of course I had to take advantage of my new Samsung Galaxy camera*, and get some shots!

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I AM WEARING: Dress (which is actually a skirt ;) ) – Orsay (Bought in Russia) //

Vest – Ralph Lauren (thrifted) // Bag – vintage Via Piaggi // Watch – Marc by Marc Jacobs //

Sandals – Target

How was your weekend? Did you go to your favorite place? If so, tell me about it!

Xo,

Z

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Style Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

And don’t forget to check out this great deal from ROMWE.com

$9.99 for any piece! 300+ wishlist styles! Available now! Limited supply! No restocking once sold out!
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Here is to the 80′s!


We all love different fashion decades, and even though I am a 20′s girl at heart, 80′s fashion appeals to me and has somehow found it’s way into my closet!

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I AM WEARING:

Pants – Vintage Alfred Dunner // Shoes – Unknown brand (bought in Russia) // Purse – Coach (vintage)

White lace top – my Grandma’s (vintage from Russia) // Striped Jacket – Necessary Objects //

Watch – Marc by Marc Jacobs

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And remember no matter what you do…

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Xo,

Z


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You are Diamond!


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Today my husband’s grandparents are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary! How awesome is that? 60 years with the same person! Sam also has his Grandpa’s wedding band, which is more meaningful to us than any words can describe!

So Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary Bob and Betty, and may the 5 o’clock gins continue for many many more years!

We love you,

Sam and Zhenya!

PS. The photo was taken on their wedding day (May 15, 1953), and is a curtesy of my mother in law!


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Mustard, please!


I have done it, I have found the perfect mustard pants! And since I didn’t know what to wear them with today I went for my Ralph Lauren denim shirt. It’s my go-to shirt for almost every occasion, a comfort cloth of sorts! I used to have another “comfort cloth” piece of clothing before that, a gray American Rag cardigan I got at Macy’s a long long time ago! I think it’s still there somewhere in the depths of my closet in Russia!

Do you have any items in your closet that are like this? Let me know, would love to hear what everyone else is obsessing with!

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I am wearing:

Shoes – Target // Pants – NoBo (don’t judge now, nothing wrong with a WalMart brand!) – thrifted

Denim Shirt – Ralph Lauren // Sunnies – Lucky The Weekender // Necklace – GoFavor.com //

Watch – Marc by Marc Jacobs

Also, check out my latest thrift haul (I will admit, I was too lazy to take pics of everything, so I took a video instead)

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Xo,

Z

PS.  Linked up with – Marionberry Style, Small Town Big Wardrobe, and ThePleatedPoppy – WIW (What I Wore) Challenge 


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Rock Your Denim Vest!!!


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I’ve recently heard that if you want to see all of the latest fashion trends – go to Forever 21 – that’s where you’ll find them! And that’s true – everywhere you look in that store – you see something different and stylish, plus they have some classy pieces as well! I don’t really shop there that often, so those of you who thought I was now promoting for F21, think again! I did go in there during my trip to Chicago, simply because it was a free standing store! If some of you don’t know, I hate malls, just hate going inside, shopping there is too much for me (I wonder if you fellow thrifters have the same problem?), anyways, the one thing that I saw and liked was the denim vest, and besides if Jessica Alba can rock hers, why can’t I rock mine?

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Photo from InStyle.com

The only problem was – I didn’t have one! So I went off to Salvation Army in the Warehouse district and found a Ralph Lauren one for $6! Just to compare, Forever 21 vests retail for at least $20! My original plan was (if I didn’t find the vest) to get a jacket and chop the sleeves off!

But here it is, my denim vest and the outfit I put together! We also went to Walker where my mother in law is a tour guide, so I got my very own personal tour of the two newest exhibits! Thank you, Sandra!

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Shoes and Tights – Target // Shorts – New Yorker// Sweater – AX (thrifted)//

Denim Vest – Ralph Lauren (thrifted) // Bag – Vintage Kenneth Cole 

Sunnies – Lucky The Weekender//Necklaces – H&M, Express//

Bracelets – SJP’s Bitten, H&M, VIntage //Earrings – Vintage

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Walker // Exhibit Painter Painter

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Walker // Exhibit Autoconstruccion

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Happy Monday everyone!

Xo,

Z

PS. I can’t get over the pictures my new Samsung Galaxy camera takes! What do you think?

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Style Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.


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Art, Fashion and What in the World did I go to Chicago for?


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As you know I just got back from Chicago, but not all of you know what I was doing there!

You might have also noticed this badge on my sidebar:

So here goes:

I was contacted by Verizon Wireless to participate in their Fashion and Style Blogger program a couple weeks ago, and at first it seemed too good to be true! They offered to fly me to Chicago, pay for my hotel, take me out to SAIC Fashion show and a dinner at a hip restaurant, get a chance to meet other bloggers, and have fun!

And to top it all off I was also given a new device to play with.

Needless to say I agreed to come even before I asked for that day off at work ;)

The device turned out to be a Samsung Galaxy Camera that comes with 4G LTE, a touch screen, a 21x optical zoom and a whole bunch of other perks (which I am going to talk about in one of my later posts), plus you can upload photos and videos directly to your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube), it’s packed with editing apps, which definitely saves a lot of time! The only thing that it can’t do is make calls. And the funny thing is, Sam and I were at Best Buy the weekend before looking at that exact camera! So now my camera dilemma is solved and my husband won’t have to listen to me whining. Though he will be definitely taking more pictures for sure!

But I think I am going to stop talking now, and show you what the camera can do!

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Style Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

At Marla Mullaney Art Studio

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On Lake Minnetonka

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We also got some ice cream at licks unlimited…

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And I spotted this ceramic sewing machine figurine at one of the other artists’ studios! Isn’t it the cutest?

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I am WEARING:

//White Denim Jacket – GAP//Boots – Steve Madden//Purse – COACH//

//Dress – The Webster Miami at Target//Sunnies – Lucky Weekender//

Hope you all had an amazing weekend,

Xo,

Z


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Spring Cometh OOTD


Happy Spring everyone! It’s finally here in Minneapolis and I couldn’t wait to show you my latest outfit, which includes a refashioned vintage dress and my latest DIY tote bag, that actually got featured on CraftGossip!

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Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and let me know if any of you are in Chicago and would want to meet up! I have all day Saturday to hang out:)

Xo,

Z

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