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!
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
Tonight Sam and I went on a little adventure to Coon Rapids. We rarely go up there, but this time we had a perfect reason – the opening of the new Savers! I received a special invitation and a gift certificate to jump start my spring shopping!
The store was packed! Everyone who is a Savers Club Card holder got an email to attend this event! The parking lot was filled (good thing it was a big one!)
My number one goal was to find the store manager and get my hands on the rewards certificate! I also ran into another Minnesota blogger – Jackie of Teal and Lime!
We got a quick tour of the store, (THANK YOU, HEIDI! You were amazing!) and went on to shop!
As some of you may know I have an exciting event coming up, which is 100% blog related (I had someone ask me if I was getting married the other day 
) Anyways, there were a few things that I pulled off the racks, which included a size M Sisley blazer, a French Connection dress, a few vintage pieces, but I ended up not buying anything, because the line was ridiculously long! I think Sam and I are going to hit another Savers this weekend, and hopefully it’ll be a more calming experience! Plus I had to go pick something up from FedEx (again for my upcoming mystery trip! – are you intrigued yet?)
As usual there were rows and rows of clothing, shoes, books, household goods, anything that you can imagine! And there were people everywhere!
As it also turns out one of their first sales that night was Leaves of Grass signed by Walt Whitman himself! I was just thinking about him and that book a few days ago, his poem “I hear America Singing…” was going through my head…
It is a great store, reminded me a lot of the one in Oakdale (size wise especially)! There is so much to look for, that I know I wouldn’t have possibly had time to look through everything in the few hours that it was open! And even though this store is out of the way, I will definitely considering coming back here in the future!
I hope you all had a great day, keep on spreading thrift love and joy!
Z
Yes, dear readers, I fell a victim to one of the most popular trends that can take place in your kitchen – juicing! Having watched some documentary on Netflix, I think it was called Hungry for Change, I started researching and googling different juicers everywhere I went! I kid you not, I tweeted about juicers, stalked people on Instagram, asking them which one they use, etc etc
And finally I got one! A GE 800 watt Juice Extractor:
This juicer usually runs for about $50, and is considered a good started juicer. I bought it for $25, at the Salvation Army Target Overstock in the Warehouse District in Minneapolis (let me know if you need directions 
)
There were two juicers there at the time, this one, and another, I forget the brand, but it cost $60! Knowing me, and my husband, who didn’t want to spend the extra money, I got the cheaper one, besides it came with the box, which made me trust it more! I also took it all out, including the instructions, read everything 3 times over, including 20+ reviews on the internet (which went from great juicer to this product sucks) and headed for the check out!
Let me be honest with you, so far it’s great! I am not going to say that it’s the best $25 I’ve ever spent, no I don’t think so, but I got myself a pretty good deal, a great juicer, and a healthier diet thanks to it!
Of course when you buy a product like this your first urge is to juice everything in the house, even the foods that don’t go in there! Hold your urge! Talk to friends or read blogs about juicing, then start your process!
Here is what I learned after 1 week of everyday juicing:
- Never ever juice a grapefruit!
- Tomato juice is actually pink, not red!
- One cucumber contains about 12 oz of juice!
- Carrot juice is neon orange and I love it!
- One 8 oz glass of fresh juice will last you up to 5 hours with no food!
- There are way more people who juice on Instagram than I thought!
- Juicing is considered a part of raw foods movement
- Some people recommend to detox using fresh juice 3 days out of the month, every month!
- I have been doing dishes more regularly with the juicer!
- It’s better to juice into a tall glass than a short glass (just because it’s easier to prevent spilling)
- You can use left over pulp for muffins or combine it with cat/dog food!
There is so much to learn about this, and even though I sound sarcastic at times, I am absolutely happy with my new toy! Sam on the other hand isn’t, he says it’s gross! And asks me not to let him smell it
Now about the juices! I have been trying to document each and every one of them on Instagram last week, to make it easier for me when I was going to blog about it! I think it worked:
Carrot and apple juice (about 2 apples and 4 carrots for 8 oz)
Orange, carrot and kiwi juice (I can’t remember how much I used of each fruit now, but I know for sure there was only 1 kiwi!)
Cucumber, celery, tomato (loved this combo, and cucumber juice alone!)
Pineapple, celery juice
Have you ever tried juicing? If so, how did you like it?
Have a great day everyone,
Xo,
Z
Everyone knows that these days it’s the baggier the better, to a certain extent of course! When I put something oversized on top, I make sure to go skinny on the bottom, and this is how it usually turns out:
Top – Old Navy size M (it’s HUGE!) but since it was bought on sale for a ridiculously small amount of money, and they didn’t have size S anywhere, I got it. It’s comfy and soft, almost at the point where I want to wear it around the house with a pair of sweats, but am fighting this urge!
Jeans – X2 Denim by Express, thrifted at Savers, $8
Scarf – Christmas gift from a few years ago
Floral necklace – Gofavor.com, that necklace was ordered for about $4 back in the day when I went through – Let’s order as much cheap crap costume jewelry from China as I can. If I could, I would return every single product I ordered there, because… well you see the crossed out word above! The metal is so cheap it fades away after 2 or 3 uses. This necklace has been kind of okay, but I don’t want to jinx it here! So I’ll keep wearing it out and about, and maybe later you’ll see it in one of my DIY projects!
Boots – Christmas gift from Sam <3
And of course my Marc Jacobs Watch! I have to wear it, everyday, yes, that’s how much I like that watch!
On the other note, winter isn’t going anywhere here in Minneapolis. After a snow thunderstorm last Thursday I am hopeless, on the verge of depression, someone please help! At least this blog is becoming more bright and colorful, I’ve finally figured out how to create a row of social media icons on my blog, yay me
In other news, I have a lot of DIY projects coming up for you dear readers, so stay tuned!
Love,
Z
PS. Did you notice I am not wearing any make-up in this picture?
Spring is slowly on it’s way to Minnesota! And even though it rained this past Saturday, Sam and I still made it to one of our favorite places in Minneapolis – Target overstock basement at the Salvation Army! And here is what I wore:
Jacket – Land’s End, thrifted Salvation Army
Jeans – Mossimo (Target brand), thrifted, Salvation Army
Boots – Macy’s, Christmas gift from Sam, 4 years ago, I think?!
Bag – Coach, thrifted, Salvation Army
Scarf – Banana Republic, from a clothing swap
Our trip to SalVal was surprisingly good! I found a GE juicer for $25, and let me tell you, I’ve been juicing ever since:
So let me know what are some of your favorite juicing recipes are! I will be definitely sharing some of mine later this week or early next week, once I’ve tried a few more out!
I hope you all had a great weekend!
Xo,
Zhenya
Thank you all so much for entering my Blue Nile Giveaway! It was a great way for me to meet more people, bloggers, etc. I love Giveaways! And trust me there will definitely be more in the future!
Now for the winner:
Entry #374 – Wanda Miho!
Congratulations Wanda!!!
And thank you for liking my Facebook Page! And the earrings are now yours! Please message me with your address!
Have a wonderful day everyone, not only because it’s friday, but because it’s International Women’s Day!
Cheers everyone,
Z
As some of you may know, I quit my job at New Horizon Academy, there were a number of reasons why, but I am not going to go into detail now. But in spite of the fact that I wasn’t going to stay in the classroom, I helped decorate it for the next month’s theme, which is “In the Grass”
I started off with making these flowers! You will see them a lot throughout the pictures. I used green pipe cleaners for the stems and the flowers themselves came pre-made, I simply mixed and matched
The clock also required an update, if you remember, this used to be a Big Ben, now it’s a sun, shining over the flowers, a carbon monoxide alarm disguised as a giant pink chrysanthemum, and a blue bird:
I hung green ribbon from the ceiling for a cozy in the grass feel:
Remember the Love Tree I had up in February? I took some of the hearts down, replaced them with flowers, and viola – a spring time tree:
And finally an updated Family Board (I blurred out the faces, I am sure you understand why )
Today I am starting a new job at Orchard Park Childcare Centre, and I couldn’t be more excited! I will continue posting classroom ideas about once a month, so don’t forget to subscribe if that’s something relevant to you!
And don’t forget that Blue Nile earrings are still up for grabs – enter to win them HERE!
Happy Monday everyone! Tomorrow is Tuesday, that means I have OFF, so I’ll be running around doing all sorts of fun blog related things!
Xo,
Zhenya
It’s happened dear readers – I refashioned an article of clothing for someone other than myself! About a month ago I found a pair of vintage Dior pants, but since they were too small for me, I asked my friend Dominika if she wanted them, besides they were made in Poland, and so was she
The pants are 100% wool, high waisted with pockets and lining. This is what they looked like before:
Then we simply cut them…
made a wide hemmed and folded it out to create more dimension. Easy peasy, but looks great and now we just need to decide what to do with the leftover pant legs!
Have a great week everyone!
Cheers,
Z
Все свершилось, я перешила штаны для подруги. До этого все мои переделки заканчивались на мне и моем гардеробе. А теперь то, что сделала я, будет носить кто-то другой! Классно! Хотя может быть кто-то сочтет данную переделку кощунством, потому что перешивали мы винтажные штаны от Диор.
Нашли мы их в местном секонде и стоили они порядка $3! Плюс сделаны они в Польше, как и моя подруга Доминика
Итак, мы имеем винтажные шерстяные штаны от Диор с завышенной талией на подкладке, и карманами. Я просто отрезала штанины, подогнула внутрь, потом наружу. И все! Очень просто и быстро! Теперь главное что-то сделать с оставшимся материалом )
Всем отличной недели,
Женя
It’s this time again! Review time that is. I received another product through my Influenster membership, and this time it was Palmolive Fresh Infusions Dish Soap.
We don’t have a dish washer in the apartment, so everything has to be washed by hand, and if you know what it’s like, you know that it’s nothing but pain. I have never met a person who enjoys doing dishes.
Since we first moved here, we were dedicated Dawn users. Our first bottle lasted us about a year (I kid you not!) and the Palmolive that we received as a mocking move in gift from the rental company lasted only about a month, and of course I thought, never again!
Until I got this box! The quality of the soap is great, it washes dishes wonderfully, foams up well, looks nice standing there by the sink Yes, that’s important too!
I didn’t like the dispenser though, and the scent wasn’t as strong as I was hoping for. Out of the the three scents: Lime Basil, Lemon Thyme, and Ginger White Tea, Lime Basil is the strongest.
I also got several coupons for this product, though I think I am pretty set with dish soaps until 2015 or something like that
The soap retails for about $2.60 and is available at Wal-Mart and Target.
Overall it leaves the dishes clean, fights tough stains and grease, and next time I need to buy dish soap, I will definitely consider it!
Happy dish washing to you!
Z
И снова настало время для обзора. В этот раз мне прислали средство для мытья посуды от Palmolive. Прислали его бесплатно через сайт Influenster.
Так как в нашей квартире нет посудомоечной машины, всю посуду мы моем руками, а вы сами знаете, как это! За всю свою жизнь мне еще не довелось встретить человека, который обожает это делать.
Когда мы въехали в эту квартиру полтора года назад, мы пользовались только Dawn, и первая бутылка у нас простояла около года, а средство Palmolive, которое нам подарила компания, владеющая домом, закончилось за месяц!
Я зареклась никода не покупать Palmolive, пока не получила эти средства на обзор. Новое средство оказалось отличным, хорошо пенится, отмывает грязь, экономно расходуется, и хорошо смотрится на раковине (что тоже важно!).
Мне не очень понравился дозатор, и запахи оказались не такими сильными, как я ожидала. Из трех, которые мне прислали: Белый чай и Имбирь, Лайм и Базилик, Лимон и Тимьян, второй оказался самым сильным.
В коробке также были купоны на скидку в $1.50, но мне кажется что средств для мытья посуды мне теперь хватит до 2015 года!
Одна бутылка средства Palmolive стоит около $2.60 и купить его можно или в Target, или в Wal-Mart.
В итоге хочется также отметить, что посуду это средство моет хорошо, и если когда-нибудь мне понадобится купить новое, то это вариант!
Хорошего вам мытья посуды!
Женя
Hi, everyone! Today I am going to share my sweatshirt refashion. This is a great way to up-cycle your old or stained item of clothing! I started off with a $2.99 sweatshirt from Savers, that I bought back in November. The idea that I was going to use for it, was an idea that failed me back in the summer when I was refashioning a T-shirt. But since I never give up, I decided to try it again! And this time it worked!
The method: simply cut out a piece (any shape and size) anywhere on the sweatshirt and replace it with lace or any other fabric. Since I am lace obsessed, and somehow have lots of it, we are using lace!
You want to start by laying the sweatshirt out flat, and cutting out the material that is to be replaced:
I was originally going to do a pocket shaped piece, but cut it out too far to the left, so that’s what I replaced it with instead!
Now you are going to cut out a piece of lace to go over this “hole” and don’t forget some pretty trim (all of the lace and trim came from an Old Navy shirt, that I freecycled a while back), and pin it all together:
Then simply sew it all together using your machine! As you can see some lace is sticking out past the trim. Don’t worry, once everything is sewn together, cut the excess fabric off with your scissors.
I hope you enjoyed the refashion and the pictures And you might have noticed that it’s the same lace I used for my wall art DIY! Don’t forget to check it out, if you haven’t yet!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Cheers,
Z
Всем привет! Сегодня мы будем перешивать толстовку! Таким способом вы сможете с лекгостью обновить потрепанную или испорченную вещь! Эта толстовка стоила всего лишь $2.99 в магазине Savers (наш местный секонд!), и куплена была еще в Ноябре. Задумка для этой переделки была испробована на одной футболке прошлым летом, и провалилась с треском! Но я никогда не сдаюсь, поэтому решила попробовать осуществить ее еще раз – и у меня получилось!
Способ: Вырезаем кусок ткани толстовки (желаемого размера и формы) там, где хотим, и заменяем кружевом или любой другой тканью! У меня небольшой сдвиг на кружево, может потому, что у меня его много? В общем, используем сегодня его!
Начнем с того, что разложим нашу толстовку на плоской поверхности, и вырезаем ту часть, которую планируем заменить.
Изначально, я сделала вырез в форме кармана, но он заходил слишком далеко в лево, и пришлось вырезать такой прямоугольник!
Теперь отрезаем кусок кружева нужного размера, чтобы закрыть нашу “дыру”. Не забудьте добавить красивую тесьму (кружево у меня осталось от старой кофты из Old Navy, которую я когда-то раздобыла благодаря сайту freecycle.org), и прикалываем все на булавки!
Затем мы это все прошиваем на машинке! Сверху на фотографии видно, что кружево выходит за тесьму. Не волнуйтесь, все это подравнивается ножницами, после того, как мы все прострочили.
Я надеюсь вам понравилась эта переделка и фотографии к ней! Возможно вы также заметили, что я использовала это кружево, когда делала эти декоративные панно на стену! Не забудьте кликнуть на этот пост, если вы его еще не видели!
Всем отличных выходных!
