Monthly Archives

April 2017

In Outfits on
April 19, 2017

Let it Snow-Boots!

Northside Kathmandu snow boots

Northside Kathmandu snow boots||Poncho: Forever 21 Stripe Fringe Poncho  (on SALE now!) | Leggings: Salar Legging in black | Pom-Pom beanie: similar and similar | Snow Boots: c\o Northside Kathmandu Snow Boots | Rose-gold Necklace: Stella&Dot Tiered Lariat Necklace ||

I am so excited about all the snow we are getting in the mountains here in Washington! A couple of weekends ago we made a short trip up to Stevens Pass and had the best time playing in the snow! We brought along a sled for the little one and just had a blast!

I adore the snow, but the inevitable cold that comes with it, I can do without. Nobody enjoys frozen toes and red cherry noses are cute on Santa only .

Lucky for me, I was wearing my Northside Kathmandu Snow Boots and did not have to worry about the freezing temperatures. Throughout the whole day my feet stayed nice and toasty, even when we were stomping through knee high snow at one point. The waterproof suede and fluffy fur lining kept me warm in frigid Cascade weather (rated to a scary -25 degrees F; not that I ever want to experience those kind of temperatures)!

The best part about the Northside Kathmandu Snow Boots is that my feet felt comfortable all day long, which is not a small deal when it comes to boots.  Heavy duty snow boots usually trade in comfort for functionality and durability. Fortunately, that is not the case with my Northside Kathmandu Snow Boots! Also, I did not even have to break them in because they are comfy from day 1.

Not that I have to mention it, but I am anyway:  they look flipping adorable!!! I see myself wearing them to all outdoor events this season, from the New Year’s Eve fireworks show to weekend trips to the mountains.

Based in Marysville, Washington, Northside is an independent, family owned and operated business with a mission to create product that allows us to get outside and enjoy all nature has to offer.  Northside footwear offers the features and quality of higher-priced brands, without the high price tag.

Saving on money without giving up quality? Sign me up. My son and husband are up next for some snow boots and I am so happy that Northside offers amazing footwear not only for women, but for the whole family.

My Northside Kathmandu Snow Boots are available at Fred Meyer Stores and many other retailers in our neighborhood, and also on Amazon !!!

I saved the best for last: Northside is generously offering a pair of Northside Kathmandu Snow Boots to one of my followers!

Find out all the details about this awesome giveaway on my Instagram page! Make sure to enter and you might be the next lucky lady with cozy toes 😉 The giveaway is closed. Thank you to everyone participating!

Stay warm, friends!

 

xoxo,

 

Olga

Northside Kathmandu snow bootsblack and white ponchoNorthside Kathmandu snow bootsNorthside Kathmandu snow bootsNorthside Kathmandu snow bootsNorthside Kathmandu snow boots

A huge thank you to Shaun Turley Photography and Victoria West Photography without who this trip wouldn’t have been half as fun and beautiful!!!

 

 

In Outfits on
April 19, 2017

Rainy Day Outfit

Rainy day outfit

The rain is an inevitable part of spring time here in the Pacific Northwest.  I, and most Seattleites, have a love hate relationship with rain: I enjoy grey, gloomy days spent cuddled up at home, but quickly grow tired of my entire life being limited to inside activities. This is the conundrum we face every year. Do I go outside and be miserable in the rain or do I lock myself in the house? I believe, there is a 3rd, better option!

I partnered up with Fred Meyer to show you a Rainy Day Outfit that can withstand even the Pacific Northwest dreariness.

Enjoying a day in the rain, your outfit needs to be comfortable, and nothing says comfort to me than a great pair of jeans. The Levi’s jeans I picked up at Freddy’s are perfect, from the comfortable mid rise to just the right amount of stretch. I owned a pair of Levi’s 501s back in middle school that I absolutely adored, and I still feel the same about my new pair of Levi’s. Quality truly never goes out of style, and under $40 it is the best deal I have seen in ages!

I paired my new jeans with a cozy long sleeve shirt in my favorite color, green. But if green is not your thing, no worries because Fred Meyer offers similar shirts in every color imaginable. I knew Freddy’s was a great place to get groceries, but I was amazed at all the clothing I was able to find at my local store as well.

The most crucial part of a rainy day outfit has to be a good pair of rain boots, or galoshes, if you prefer. I was immediately head over heels for this cheery pair of Western Chief rain boots, as soon as I saw them on the shelf. Frankly, it was not easy to pick a favorite pair of boots because of the huge selection my Fred Meyer store offers. But in the end, the fun blossoms on the rubber boots won me over.

I realize that locals are turning up their noses at my umbrella right at this moment.  That is because “real” Seattleites don’t own such preposterous knickknacks. I get it, but let’s be real… everybody needs a good umbrella, and this one has a fun bubble shape. I don’t use an umbrella on a daily basis, but sometimes you just want to avoid dealing with the frizz your hair turns into under a hoodie, ya know?

I can see myself wearing this outfit to many occasions in the near future, from Easter egg hunts and farm visits to the upcoming Skagit Tulip Festival. And a little drizzle is definitely not going to ruin the fun this time.

Stay dry, loves!

 

|| Jeans: Levi’s Women’s Mid Rise Skinny Jeans | Umbrella: ShedRain® Bubble Auto Open and Close Stick Umbrella | Necklace: Stella&Dot New Moon Necklace | Charm Necklace: Stella&Dot Soho Charm Horseshoe CharmDelicate Chain | Gold Pave Cuff: Stella&Dot Diamante Cuff | Leather Wrap Bracelet: Stella&Dot Sierra Double Wrap Bracelet | Signet Ring: Stella&Dot Signature Engravable Signet Ring ||

Fred Meyer outfitFred Meyer outfitFred Meyer outfitRainy day outfitRainy day outfit Rainboots rainboots Rainy day outfit layered necklaces wrist wrap jewelry with layered necklaces

 

Disclosure:  Fred Meyer graciously provided me with product to try and review and the opinions expressed here are my own. 

Huge thank you to Shaun Turley Photography!

 

In Outfits on
April 19, 2017

ThredUp Spring Dress

Having the Gracious’ Spring Fling Soiree (find all the details about the Spring Fling here) coming up, I needed a classy, but fun dress to wear. I have heard so many good things about ThredUp, so this was the perfect opportunity to shop the online consignment shop.

After browsing on the website, I decided on this gorgeous Betsey Johnson silk dress that was 80% off retail, bringing the price to under $35! Besides scoring an amazing deal, I also carried the vintage theme on by wearing a thrifted dress to a vintage furnishings store event. Perfect!

I love the classic A-line silhouette of this dress and its sweetheart neckline.  The cute pink and green floral pattern truly pops on the black silk, as it strikes the perfect balance between sweet and daring.  I wore this dress with a black faux leather jacket (not pictured) and pink suede lace-up sandals, which picked up the pink from the dress pattern.

A soiree is not the only event I can see myself wearing this Betsey Johnson dress to, as I would wear this dress to a summer wedding with some sparkly jewelry, or a jeans jacket for a casual dinner date. In the cooler months, I would pair the silk  dress with black tights and a wool cardigan to transition it into my fall and winter wardrobe. The possibilities seem endless and I am excited to incorporate this gem of a dress into my outfit rotation.

ThredUP is the largest online consignment and thrift store and makes it incredibly easy to refresh your wardrobe on a budget. The way it works is you browse their huge inventory of brand name clothing, and accessories, which are up to 90% off the original price. Once you picked your items online, ThredUp sends them to your doorstep in the cutest dotted packaging.

And if you think we are talking about moth-eaten, out-of-date silk blouses with shoulder pads, think again! Each item is hand inspected and certified for quality, which assures that only the best clothing items are offered to you, meaning if an item doesn’t meet the highest quality standards, ThredUp won’t accept it. All items are “Practically New,” which means that they are free of ANY defect and function just as they did when they were originally purchased. And since ThredUp wants you to love your purchase, it even offers a return policy, in case your clothing does not fit perfectly. Try to return something to your local thrift store, I dare you!

Besides the great value and excellent customer service, what I appreciate the most about ThredUp is their commitment to sustainability. Buying and reselling used high-quality clothing relieves that recycling guilt we all have by lightening our family’s carbon-footprint. Moreover, ThredUp encourages us to live in a more collective, sharing economy and become a more conscious consumer one order at a time.

Happy online thrifting!!

xoxo,

Olga

 

Thank you to my doll, Victoria West Photography, for capturing these photographs.

Disclosure:  ThredUp graciously provided me with product credit for review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

 

In Events, Fashion Events on
April 19, 2017

Gracious Spring Fling Soiree

Last month a group of Seattle fashion and lifestyle bloggers gathered at Gracious Vintage Furnishings to ring in spring in style. I had the pleasure of co-hosting the Spring Fling Soiree and could not have wished for a more fabulous location.

Gracious House to Home is a fabulous store with unique vintage furnishings and home decorations that the owner, Tracy Reimers, hand-selects to offer to her customers. I am hopelessly in love with the gorgeous chandeliers and mirrors that I admired in the shop. Tracy creates elegant tablescapes that invite you to take a seat and dine, and effortless seating nooks that are begging to be snuggled in. But the best part about Gracious is the personal shopping experience customers receive and the fun stories many of the unique items have behind them.

Photographers Shaun Turley and Victoria Westrick were also present to capture the fun afternoon and who are to thank for the wonderful pictures in this blog post.

I am not surprised that my fellow bloggers became just as smitten with Gracious as I am, thanks to the beautifully styled shop and the warm hospitality we received. As we were sipping on champagne and tea and nibbling on cucumber sandwiches, Tracy taught us how to style a bar cart to Pinterest perfection.

Many laughs and stories were shared that afternoon, and I had a truly wonderful time that even a major storm could not dampen.  During the party the high winds caused a power outage in the shop, but the professional staff did not miss a beat and quickly lit candles that added even more to the cozy atmosphere.

I want to thank Gracious for hosting such an amazing event and opening its doors to the Seattle fashion and style blogger community.  I also want to thank all the blogger ladies that braved the weather and spent hours in traffic to attend this event.  I feel very lucky to be part of such an amazing group of women who support each other’s aspirations and are there for each other through wind storms and road closures.

Just as a house needs unique items to become a home, we need each other’s support to grow into a community. And I believe the Seattle fashion blogging community is doing that graciously 🙂

 

If you would like to take a look around this beautiful store for yourself, here is the perfect opportunity. Gracious is hosting its annual Garden Party and you are invited! Below are the details:

With the sun shining, it’s time to think about the outside of your Gracious home! Come browse through our outdoor furniture, pots, and garden art and get ideas for your summer entertaining. The Gracious Garden Party will take place on Fri., April 22nd AND Sat., April 23rd from 10 am – 6 pm.

Facebook event to Gracious Garden Party

 

Pinterest worthy bar carts styled by Gracious’ own Tracy

Ananya from Ananya Tales

Who says fashion bloggers can’t be silly?!

Sheila from She is Lovely with Jenn from Hello Rigby

Portia from Obsessed by Portia and Ana to the right from Nortwest Blonde

Julia from Style and Cheek

Jennifer from Jenniferlovin and Aika from Aika’s Love Closet

Bailey from Hot Dress Hot Mess with Ananya

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In Events, Kids and Family Fun on
April 19, 2017

Easter Crafting

If you are a mom like me, you are always on the hunt for fun weekend activities that the kids will enjoy, but won’t break the bank. Luckily, I recently discovered Free Crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning and want to share this gem with you!

Every Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm all Lakeshore Learning locations offer fun and creative crafts for kids ages 3 and up. All materials are free of charge and instructions are always offered by one of the nice sales people in store.

I showed my son the different crafts our Bellevue store offered beforehand, and he chose the Cheerful Chick Basket, just in time for Easter. So, last Saturday, we headed to our local Lakeshore Learning store to put our crafting skills to good use.

I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was for my 5 year old to create this cute little basket with only minimal assistance from me. And he was delighted at how nice his craft turned out.

My son and I had such a great experience, we will definitely be back for future Free Crafts Saturdays. The next craft projects are going to be a fun pencil pal, a cute sheep puppet and many more craft ideas.

Even though this Cheerful Chick basket is Easter themed, I can see using the template for a Thanksgiving themed turkey. And there is always next Easter, so pin and save the instructions to the Chick basket for your kids to enjoy!

By the way, Lakeshore Learning has a fantastic blog with educational tips, craft ideas and lesson plans that is a wealth of information for all parents.

See you at the Lakeshore Learning store and craft on!

 

So proud of his Cheerful Chick basket!

 

 

In Events on
April 19, 2017

Paper Poppy Workshop

Pollen “confetti”

Ladies who craft

My finished paper poppies

Asa from Lace & Pearls blog

Finishing up those petals

Kate from The Cobra Lily is a true artist and a fantastic teacher

Obsessed with all the vibrant colors

At the “after party” – These gals were so much fun!

A few months ago, I signed up for a workshop at my local West Elm on how to make your own paper poppies. I have never heard of crafting paper flowers before, but I was curious. Once I took a look at the paper poppies on Kate’s website, I was hooked.  I needed to make my very own, or at least try 🙂

The class was taught by the talented Kate Alarcon from The Cobra Lily, whose paper flower creations are out of this world spectacular. Kate, a paper artist and teacher, constructs the most gorgeous and lifelike flowers and offers workshops to share her artistry.  Take a look at her work to be amazed!

My good blogger friend Asa from Lace & Pearls  came along with me to learn a new and unique craft. We arrived to a table full of ladies already busily working. Kate welcomed us warmly and put us right to work. We carefully hand-cut, shaped, and assembled every bloom, petal, and pollen, while enjoying great company. Thanks to Kate’s detailed and hands-on instructions, beautiful paper poppies soon blossomed all around the table.

The results were purely amazing! Every participant walked away with a beautiful bouquet of handmade poppy flowers. Even I, with neither experience nor significant craft skills, was able to create two beautiful paper flowers. I keep my bouquet on a sideboard in my living room, where the poppies add a splash of color and remind me of a fun afternoon spent with great company.

I loved seeing how everybody’s paper poppies turned out very different from each other, even though we had the same instruction and materials. Each paper poppy was unique to the individual creating it, yet all were beautiful in their own special way.

If you would like to create your own paper flowers, while enjoying a fun afternoon, Kate has the following workshops coming up:

Paper Peonies workshop at West Elm Seattle: February 27  at 12:30-3:30 pm  Register here 

 

Paper Roses Workshop at Impress Cards and Crafts in Tukwila:

February 6 at 10:30-12:30 pm           Call (206) 901-9101 to register

 

Paper Roses Workshop at Impress Cards and Crafts in University Village /Seattle:

March 5 at 10:30-12:30 pm                Call (206) 526-5818 to register

 

Register quickly because Kate’s workshops fill up fast!

I hope you give this wonderful craft a try and maybe even find a new hobby!

Enjoy exploring your creativity, friends.

xoxo,

Olga

P.S.: Kate has a gorgeous Instagram gallery @cobralilyshop and also broadcasts on Periscope @TheCobraLily.

 

In Fashion Events, My Favorites on
April 19, 2017

Small Business Saturday

With Black Friday Sales galore I wanted to showcase a different approach to holiday shopping this year – Small Business Saturday!

Instead of shopping exclusively at big national stores, I encourage you to explore the local small shops this holiday season. Most have great deals going on right now and the one on one service you will receive is not comparable to any of the mass stores. But furthermore, shopping locally and small makes an important impact on our community and strengthens our “village”.

I know everybody has one or two friends who are business owners. How about making their Christmas a little brighter by getting that awesome blanket scarf from them, instead of that nationally known department store? It is just as convenient because almost all small businesses have online shops now.

Here are a few of my favorite small businesses selected for you!

Betty Be Good offers hand picked, boutique styles for the frugal fashionista. Everything in the curated collection is under $60 excluding outerwear, so you can find a whole new wardrobe without breaking the bank! The boutique is located at Birch Bay Square, which is 15 minutes north of Bellingham.

Sierra’s Smokey Peplum Moto

It is always difficult to find a great leather jacket, but this one is perfection. I absolutely love the stitch detail, and figure flattering peplum waist. And the price makes it a no-brainer.

Brooklyn’s Blanket Scarf

I can’t wait to snuggle up with this warm scarf, which is one of the hottest trends of the season.

Randi’s Reindeer Pullover Top

How cute is this top?! Perfect for all holiday festivities ahead of us.

Maple + Moss Boutique is a women’s retailer located in Historic Downtown Snohomish, catering to the adventurous, confident and stylish woman. They also have great accessories and gift items worth checking out. I love their boho casual style and cute mugs!

Viva La Brunch Tee

I can just see myself wearing this top to Sunday brunch with some cute boots and a cardi!

Anchor for my soul Mug

Everybody needs and “anchor for the soul”, especially if it contains coffee.

Stella and Dot is a San Francisco based social selling company that creates flexible entrepreneurial opportunities for women. Being a Stella & Dot stylist myself, I can say from first-hand experience that Stella & Dot’s CEO, Jessica Herrin, puts a huge emphasis on empowering women. She created an amazing community of women by providing flexible entrepreneurship. The custom designed accessories are gorgeous and of highest quality that you would only find in fine jewelry. I also love the fact that Stella& Dot is committed to social responsibility and product safety.  And of course, the gorgeous jewelry speaks for itself!

Here is a heads up: We have a huge sale going on right now with lots of items 60% off! This sale happens only once a year and the prices will go back  to regular prices Monday morning!

Azure Tassel Necklace

Semi precious lapis beads in cool colors combined with pops of citron for a lengthy, effortless look. Detachable tassel allows to take your look from beach boho to casual chic.

Pauline Ring {sold out, but check out more rings here}

Five semi-precious hand-set lapis stones round out this intricately designed ring with gold plating. This ring is on repeat because of the bold statement it makes and, believe it or not, the comfortable wear.

Veda Split Ring {click on the sale tab to find the ring}

This is a fun and flirty double-detail cocktail ring. One size fits all because it is adjustable.

Here are two more small businesses that I mentioned in my previous posts. Make sure to check them out!

Something Silver always has great deals on jewelry and has 3 amazing shops to visit in the Pacific Northwest. Here is some shopping inspiration for you.

Emerald Cuff is a Seattle based online shop with beautiful clothing and accessories. Here is one of the collections, Kensington, styled by me.

 

Please, consider your local women friends in business to shop with and make a difference this Holiday season.

Happy Small Business Shopping, friends!

xoxo,

 

Olga

 

 

 

 

 

In Fashion Events, My Favorites on
April 19, 2017

Something Silver

As I announced in my previous post, I was invited to the fabulous Style Up event at Pacific Place last week and teamed up with local jewelry store, Something Silver. And what a fantastic event it was!

Playing with all the gorgeous jewelry, I truly felt like a kid in the candy store. I just wanted to try all the gems and sparkle on at once!

Something Silver has a huge selection of jewelry that matches literally every style, from trendy fashion jewelry to timeless and refined designer pieces.  Since I love supporting local businesses, it feels great to shop at Something Silver knowing that it was founded right here in the Pacific Northwest. Everybody at the Pacific Place location was so sweet and helpful, especially the store manager, Lori, who I can’t thank enough for hosting me.

I had the chance to style a few items, which you can see in the pictures above. Also, if you hurry, you can still see my picks displayed at the Pacific Place store.

And here are the exciting news:  Something Silver is offering a 15% discount exclusively to my readers!

The discount code is BLISS for online checkout. For in store purchases, make sure to show the sales person this blog post on your phone. Easy peasy.

This exclusive discount is valid through the 31st of October and is on regular priced merchandise only, online and in store.

To give you some ideas, here are some of my picks that I am crazy about:

Kitsch Pearl & Crystal Ear Cuff

Ear cuffs are still a hot trend this season, and this one is extra glamorous.

Silver Prong Set CZ & Pearl Double Sided Studs

Pearl studs are so classic and timeless. The only thing making them better is to combine them with zirconium studs at a terrific price point.

 

Graduated White Pearl & Sterling Silver Necklace

I fell in love with this gorgeous necklace! I can see myself layer it with other silver necklaces, or wear it on its own as a daily basic. So versatile and absolutely beautiful.

 

Sterling Silver & CZ Bar Cuff

A great cuff that can be layered in an arm party or worn on its own. Just the right amount of sparkle.

 

Tiny Sterling Silver V Stacking Ring

I love knuckle rings and this one actually fits because it comes in sizes 3-7! Also in a gold filled option. I want to wear them on every finger, they’re so cute!

I hope all of you can take advantage of this great offer and find a piece or two that brings some sparkle to your style.

xoxo,

Olga



 

In Outfits on
April 19, 2017

Cocoon Coat – the Fall Must-Have

cocoon coat

||Cocoon Coat: Topshop Amelia Slouch Coat | Shirt: Emerald Cuff (sold out) | Jeggings: Black High Waisted Distressed Knee Jean Leggings | Shoes: Loslandifen Shoes | Necklace: Stella&Dot Aria Pendant Necklace ||

Every woman has those few staples in her wardrobe that make her feel warm and cozy: The perfect knit sweater, a big fluffy scarf to hide in on those dreary February days, or a great pair of riding boots.

In my case, I need a coat that I can rely on to wear anytime, anywhere and with everything. I have owned many coats in my life time, from classic wool coats to double breasted trench coats. So this season, I chose a slouchy cocoon coat from Topshop as my ride and die for the winter months.

The name of the cocoon coat alone emanates a feeling of protection and comfort, something that I ultimately seek for when the days are getting colder. And this coat definitely lives up to its name. With its relaxed fit and oversized collar, it is the perfect addition to any winter outfit.

Although, the cocoon coat is universally flattering, I would like to share a few tricks how to look your best in it:

  1. Wear sleek bottoms – Balance the coat’s slouchy fit with a pair of jeggings or your favorite pencil skirt
  2. Wear high heels – Elongate your legs by wearing high heels, unless you have modelesque long legs, of course
  3. Wear layered tops – Take advantage of the extra room underneath your cocoon coat and layer shirts, blouses, and sweaters to your heart’s content

And most importantly, cuddle up in your warm new coat with a cup of hot coffee, while braving the cold outside!

 

xo,

Olga

Cocoon coatCocoon coatCocoon coatCocoon coatCocoon coatCocoon coatCocoon coatCocoon coatBlack patent stud heelsQuartz necklacefuture photographer

Here are a few more cocoon coats that I am currently obsessed with!

Asos coat

Fluffy Asos Coat

  1. Crew Coat

A big Thank you to Victoria West Photography and Shaun Turley Photography!!!

 

In Outfits on
April 19, 2017

Fringe Leather Skirt

fringe skirt

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… and we have a bazillion of family gatherings, work parties, and Holiday gatherings to attend. Unless it is an Ugly sweater party, the outfit choices are vast. This is one of the few times where sparkles and sequins during daytime are not frowned upon. As much fun as a glam look can be, I want to show a comfy and versatile alternative to all the red, green, and gold combos.

Black and white is a timeless classic,  but the fringe leather skirt really mixes things up. I am utterly obsessed with anything fringe right now, so this mini skirt is right up my alley! As you can see, I had a blast just twirling around in it (like a goof) and can even imagine hitting the dance floor in it.  I paired the faux leather skirt with a white oversize sweater and some black booties to make the outfit more casual and also warm, to be honest.  Of course, you could wear this skirt with a cute sparkly top or a blouse and add some high heels to make this look more evening appropriate. That is why I love this skirt so much – it is so versatile and fun!

Now, here is my favorite part: This whole outfit is under $100!!! And you can mix and match the items with everything else in your wardrobe. Looks like a win win in my book!

Enjoy the holiday season in style, dear friends!

 

Olga

fringe skirt fringe skirt fringe skirtfringe skirtQuartz necklace and fringe braceletFringe leather skirtFringe leather skirt

||Sweater: Express London Tunic Sweater (on SALE right now!)|  Leather Skirt: H&M Skirt with Fringe | Booties: H&M Ankle Boots | Necklace: Stella&Dot Aria Pendant Necklace | Bracelet: Stella&Dot Jacinthe Bracelet (sold out)||