Everyday Updos

I wear my hair up a lot.  Updos keep my hair out of the kid's reach and at the same time make me look a little more polished.  Below are some updos that seem pretty easy that I need to add to my routine especially  when I have a bad hair day.

The top knot.  I think I wear my hair like this most of the time.  It's easy and can be worn messy. Add a barrette or headband and it instantly dressy you up. Tutorial here.

Head scarf.  Better than wearing a hat.  Go here for the tutorial.

Twisted side ponytail.  Looks great with wavy textured hair.  Click here for the tutorial.

The french twist.  I have never perfected this hairdo and sometimes it seems a little stiff.  The model in the pics above looks really cute so I'll give it another try.  This tutorial using chopsticks makes it look easy too.

Simple tucked twists work well for short and medium length hair and looks very elegant. Click here for the tutorial.

 How about the classic ponytail.  Mine doesn't look as good as this model's usually but I will try to wrap my hair around the elastic to make it look polished.

Happy Hair Days,
First Gen Fam

Getting back to me....a long journey

Having a baby messes with your mind and body. It took me 9 months to gain 35ish pounds but as soon as Lazar came out I want to have my pre-preggo body back. Its pretty vain but I miss my leaner frame and my clothes, sigh.  I am subjected to stretchy clothes at this moment. I am not ready to workout yet because I still have some healing to do. Slowly but surely I'll get back into a workout routine, most likely in a month's time or so. It will definitely have to be once I can get more than 2 hour sleeping sprints in the middle of the night.

 My "getting back to me plan":

• Skin:  My skin took a toll this pregnancy.  Its blotchy and uneven which my doctor tells me is totally normal and due to the hormones.  I am now back to using my retinol cream (can't use retinols while pregnant), "Green Cream" and am already seeing my discolorations fade.  My skin is a big peeling mess as a result but I know in a weeks time it will acclamate and be fine. On my way to having my skin back!
• Weight:  I know, I know, I just had a baby but I can't help to long getting back into my skinny jeans (I just bought a scale today too).  I know the weight will come off naturally but the muscle tone doesn't come back overnight.  Once my healing is complete (4-6 weeks) I will be picking up weights again and joining a cycling class to get my ass into shape.  For now I am wearing a girdle and though it sounds like something an old lady would where it does wonders for pulling all the jingly things in along with helping ease my lower back pain.  I swear it quickens the whole tummy flattening.
• Diet:  Well not a "lose" weight diet because I am breastfeeding so I need the extra calories.  I can make "better" choices in what I eat.  Maybe a Snickers at 3am is not the best option.  I am stocking up on veggies and fruit from here on.  Well a Snickers here and there doesnt hurt right?

Now that I have written it out I have to follow my plan.  Hoping in a few months time I'll have glowing skin and a body I'm close to happy with.   It's going to be a long journey.......triple sigh.

Love,

First Gen Fam

My New Hair Tool

I hate blow-drying my hair.  I never been able to achieve that blow-out look nor the smoothness that my hair dresser creates.  And yes, I have used fancy hair dryers, hair products, round brushes, etc.

I came across the Infiniti Pro by Conair Spin Air Rotating Styler and it had so many good reviews that I went to my local Bed Bath and Beyond store with my handy 20% coupon and got one last week.  Mind you I have wavy hair, its nothing like Gisele Bunchen's but more of a white trash stringy-kinky wave look (not pretty).

This is an accessory to your blow dryer.  It's a tool to "finish" or "polish" your hair and not a necessity to have but a nice "extra" in my opinion.  I am not coordinated enough to work a round brush and hair dryer so this handy NO-TANGLE brush is great.  Keep in mind you want your hair to be 80% dry.  The brush does not exude as much heat and power as a regular hair dryer so I did not have to worry about burning my hair.  I either do a rough dry with my regular blow dryer first or let my hair air dry.  I have even slept with my hair wet (with Moroccan oil added) and was able to use the brush in the morning with my damp wavy hair.  It even smoothed out my most stubborn underneath sections that are extremely wavy. It still takes me longer than a regular blow dryer (I have fine hair; not thick but not thin) but the results are fantastic and last me all day.  A little effort is definitely worth it in my opinion.  It took some time getting used the pressing the buttons for the rotation but like anything you get the hang of it.  My hair dresser still gives me the best blowout but this tool really gets my hair close.  It achieves a really smooth, shiny, kink-less, and healthy look.

Love,
First Gen Fam

My Hair: Before and After

As you can see from the "before" pics my hair needed some major help especially since I did not have a decent hair cut since the beginning of the year.  My ends were stringy and my layers lost in a sea of split ends.  Though I hate cutting my hair because I have been growing it out forever, it does look and feel so much healthier.  Jaime my stylist from Richard Joseph Salon added much needed layers and a long side bang.  We decided with adding more blonde to add some low lights to give my hair more dimension and the regrowth won't look too harsh because realistically I probably won't be back to see her until way after the baby comes (probably January).  She was able to keep pieces of my natural color while blending the colors to lessen the ombre look that I have grown tired of.  The result is a perfect "bronde" (brunette+blonde) color.  The pics are taken from my phone but I will post some better ones soon when I am all done up.  Have a great weekend.

Love,
First Gen Fam

New Products I Love...

Since I am limited to buying any clothing at this time due to my jolly-physique I have been on a beauty product kick.  Here are some of my new favorites:

Wet n Wild Megalast Lipcolor

I love all the makeup trends from the coral to the new fall burgundy lip. There is no easier way to update your makeup than with lipstick.  If I wear any color on my face you will see it on my lips.  I hate to invest in a lipcolor that I may wear a couple times in a season so I stay away from buying them at the departments stores in which they are usually 20 bucks a pop.  After reading many blog reviews I found a cult following for the Wet n Wild Megalast Lipcolor.  For $1.99 each my wallet is happy and it satisfies my need to update my makeup bag.  They claim that these last up to 4 hours and glide on easily.  So far so true.  I ended up getting the following colors:  Carrot Gold, Ravin' Raisin, Sandstorm, and Purty Persimmon.  Check out this blog to see swatches.

Caudalie Anti-Dark Spot and Radiance Set

Due to pregnancy I am definitely producing more pigment.  No it is not in a form of a tan but rather dark spots on my face.  Since I cannot use a retinol product during pregnancy I had to find something else and fast!  With regular visits for facials at Irina Skin Care and the Caudalie set above my face is finally normalizing.  I dont expect a miracle or something overnight but the use of the product have given my face a nice, healthly dewy look while lightening spots on my face.  It smells wonderful as well and I would use it even if I didnt have dark spots to give myself the dewy complexion.  Its $$$ but currently so worth it for me.

Love and Beauty by Forever 21 Nail Polish

This nail polish is $2.80!  Cheap and I swear its the next best thing to a Shellac polish.  They have all the trendy colors and it is long-wear.  Even after a week my nails had no chips.  A-mazing and guilt free.  

MAC Liquidlast Liner

I love a good cat eye.  My problem has always been that after a couple hours the perfect wing is smudged or completely gone due to my oily lids (and yes I have tried primers).  I have found the holy grail of eyeliners for oily lids!  It stays put and when I rub my finger over it, it doesn't even budge.  I truly love it but getting it off is like trying to remove permanent marker.  You better have a good makeup remover that can take off waterproof products.  

Love,

First Gen Fam

Hair-spiration

Long side swept bang-spiration.

I am so looking forward to getting my hair done tomorrow.  It's just in time for the 3 weddings I am going to back to back weekends.  Getting my hair done is probably my favorite form of pampering.  I have been sporting the ombre look for some time now and I think its time to step away from it gradually.  I want more blonde and the ombre less severe.  Maybe more of a color melting since I do want some of my natural mousey brown color mixed in.  I am after all having a baby in 2 months so the maintenance has to be medium to low.  As for the cut I have been growing my hair out ever since I  can remember. It grows so slow, its genetic and being pregnant does not make it grow any faster unfortunately. I will take an inch off and my layers have to be freshened up for sure after a summer of chlorine and sun. My bangs have been growing out as well and I am thinking of cutting them once more.  I want more of a long side swept bang so I can still pull them back though I am tempted to cut blunt straight across bangs like Jessica Biel.  Bangs do hide a multitude of sins, like wrinkles and any pimples that come my way. Decisions, decisions.  I will have to do a before and after post.

Best,
First Gen Fam

Summer is Coming

I can smell it in the air.  Summer is coming!  I saw a couple of hummingbirds buzzing around the plants (which are growing fabulously I must say) I just planted a few weeks ago. I brushed up against my tomato plants and my lemon tree and the aroma was so wonderful that I wish I could bottle it up.  I am so excited about all the activities I plan to do with Maksim this coming summer.  I love seeing his face when he experiences something new for the first time.  We will be signing him up for swim lessons again which I think are more fun for me than anyone else.  I am looking forward to leaving the windows open at night, turning on the sprinklers and bbqs with friends.

I reserve particular products for summer and will be breaking them out soon.  Below are my summer favs.

From the Top:

1. Bobbi Brown Beach Fragrance- It smells like the beach and sunscreen bottled up.  This is the one thing I look forward to breaking out the most every summer.  
2. Aviator Sunglasses- Lightweight and they go with everything.
3. Bright Nail Polish- Wearing sandals requires some pretty toes. Pedicures are a must!
4. Straw Fedora- Great for a bad hair day and keeps me looking chic.
5. Rose Gold Sandals- Just got a cheapy pair similar to this.  Rose gold is perfect for dressing down or up.
6. Sunscreen- I slather it everywhere.  I do not want premature wrinkles or sun spots!
7. Lip Smackers in Strawberry- Been using this since I was 5.  Love the smell and keeps my lips from getting chapped in the sun.
8. Romper- It's my go-to beach cover up and I can easily run errands in it.  Going to the bathroom wearing a romper, well that can be a challenge.
9. Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint Sugar Scrub-  No body scrub compares.  The sugars exfoliates while the oils in it moisturize and does not wash away.  No need to put lotion on afterwards.  It can get your bathtub slippery so be careful!

Love,

First Gen Fam

My Fav Beauty Products

Beauty products I cannot live without

From the top:

1. Nars Blush in Orgasm - This shade, year after year is voted "best blush."  Its the perfect peachy pink with just a touch of shimmer (no glitter I swear).
2. Moroccan Oil - I put this on before and after I blow dry my hair.  It hides a multitude of imperfections like split ends, dry hair, and frizz; all without making your hair greasy.
3. CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain - Always under any lipstick or chapstick I wear.  It adds longevity to my lip color.  I own a few shades. 
4. Bare Escentuals Foundation - A good friend turned me on to this a year ago.  I can't believe I didn't try it earlier.  I no longer use concealer and it can go from light to full coverage in just a couple brush strokes.
5. L'oreal Voluminous Mascara - The name says it all......voluminous.
6. Clean Warm Cotton Fragrance - I am sensitive to most perfumes.  Clean fragrances smell so fresh, like you just stepped out from a shower.
7. St Ives Apricot Blemish Control Scrub - I use this every other day.  There is no scrub out there that even compares.  
8. Mac Paint Pot in Bare Study - I put this all over my eyelid up to my brow.  It's a beige shimmery color.  Looks great alone or used as a base.  It's the only thing that keeps my eyeshadows from creasing.
9. Bobby Pins- they are everyone, in my car, purse, drawers, you name it.  My hair ends up in an up-do almost everyday so bobby pins are essential.  My hair stays out of my toddlers hands and I feel more put together with it up.

Love,
First Gen Fam

Messy Bun Mohawk Tutorial

 

This past weekend was a rainy one in San Diego (yes, it rains in San Diego....sometimes) and I went with my go-to hair style, the Messy Bun Mohawk. The Hair Romance Blog has a good tutorial as well but its a little too perfect looking for my taste.  My friends are really impressed with this up-do, so when I tell them it's easy to replicate they are very skeptical. The skepticism helped motivate me to create my first mini tutorial.  The Messy Bun Mohawk is great for second day hair and keeps my strands out of my toddlers hands (he likes to pull) but at the same time helps make me look put together.  It stays secure all day and the messier it looks the better in my opinion.  

 Messy Bun Mohawk Tutorial

1. Its great to start with textured hair but works with straight hair too.  You will need 10-25 bobby pins depending on the thickness of your hair (I use about 3-4 bobby pins per bun; I have fine medium thickness hair)
2. Take a section of the top of your hair.
3. Start twisting the top section.  Don't worry if its not perfect.
4. Take the twisted section and create a bun by wrapping the section around itself.
5. Tuck your ends underneath the bun.
6. Secure with bobby pins.
7. When the first bun is created and secured you can pull on it to give it more texture or make it bigger.  
8. Take the next section and create another bun directly underneath the first bun by repeating steps 2-6.  Do this step another 2 times to create 4 buns total (you can create more or less buns depending on your hair or style you are going for)
9. The end result from the back.  This style looks cute if you add a little volume in the front with a pompadour.  You can even add some rhinestone hair pins or pretty headband to dress up the style.  

Love,
First Gen Fam

My Spa Day : Not for the Shy

Pictures of the outside of Aqua Day Spa, Mika and I in our cozy robes, and our fab meals at Nozomi's

When I think of taking a day to pamper myself I feel guilty until I actually do it and realize I am a better person for it.  I have a busy life and need to recharge every once an a while.  I took my favorite aunt, Mika, who is visiting from out of town to Aqua Day Spa for an early birthday present.   This is a Korean style spa and its definitely not for the shy.  The reason I say this is because you are completely nude in front of everyone.  Rest assured that at least there are separate male and female sides to the spa.

We arrived and they gave us a basket with towels and a warm robe which was a nice touch. We undressed completely and went into the hot jacuzzi for 20 minutes before getting our Purification Scrub and Oil Massage.  They placed us on large massage tables where we looked like big slabs of naked meat (keep in mind they do not cover you and everyone can see you getting your treatment). They scrubbed every crevice of our bodies (literally) using exfoliation mitts; no body parts were off limits.  They scrub hard and take off at least two layers of skin but it felt divine in my opinion. The oil massage included elbows, knuckles, and even the masseuse straddling me to get knots out.  A little painful at times but in a good way. The treatment ended with a freshly grated cucumber face mask and a relaxing shampoo/conditioning.  They barely speak English at this place but I kind of like it that way since the women that perform the treatments are less than two feet from my junk. The locker room provided nice amenities like hot tea, lotion, hair dryer, q-tips, etc., therefore we took our our time getting ready.  We left the spa with baby soft skin, clean hair, and achy-free muscles.

We conveniently ended up next door at Nozomi's for lunch.  Huge portions and it was super tasty; I got the beef yakisoba while my aunt got beef teriyaki.  The menu is huge so I plan to come back to try something new in the future.  In conclusion, my aunt said this was the best treat ever therefore I succeeded in making her happy which was the whole point.

Love,

First Gen Fam

Welcome....Meet First Gen Fam

Our Wedding 07-29-2006

Birth of Maksim 11-26-2010

Our Family Motto

Hi, welcome to First Gen Fam blog.  My name is Natalija and I created this blog to chronicle the special moments of my family's life and to share things that make me smile like food (I'm a big foodie), travel, fashion style, plus any tips that I have found helpful on my way.

What does First Gen Fam mean?  It stands for First Generation Family.  I thought this summed up what our family is.  My husband, Stan, and I are both first generation; he is Russian and I am Serbian.  We grew up in the U.S. but are heavily involved and influenced by our cultures.  We were married in 2006 and added a new addition to our family in 2010 with the birth of our amazing baby boy Maksim.  We are loving, quirky, moody at times, but all and all we have it pretty good and are a happy little family.  Thanks for reading and I should have some new posts up fairly soon.

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Love,
First Gen Fam