All Things Black and White

From the top:  1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8

Black and white has always been classic but recent fashion shows have made this a top trend for 2013.  I choose a few wardrobe and home pieces that caught my eye above.  Not going to lie I might have ordered the shoes already.  If you are going to shell out some bucks towards some new trendy pieces this year it has to be b/w.  Its crisp, timeless, and can be worn with any other color (love it with coral).  You simply cannot go wrong.

Happy Shopping.
Love,
First Gen Fam

Best Custom Gifts......Ever

Personalized custom gifts are the best.  It tells me someone was really thinking of me when I get something like the gifts above.  I have to admit I have at least three of the items in this post and have given them out as gifts too.  I thought this post is perfect especially right before the gift-giving holidays.  They are great for mothers and fathers days gifts, bdays, anniversaries, etc, as well.  Here are some of my favorites:
1- Calendar necklace - choose your date.  The shop has this calendar as cufflinks, bracelets, keychains, etc.
2- Number rings - I love the idea of stacking these to add up a special date on my finger.  Big plus that it's in rose gold.
3- Letter necklace - dainty and adorable.  Wear your initial or layer them up to spell something out.  I have seen less expensive ones on Etsy too.
4- Date print - never forget a birthday again.  Display this print in your home and never forget an anniversary or birthday again.  
5- Cutting board - choose a state or country.  They can add a heart on the city of choice.   I have given this as a gift several times.  Its completely practical and just looks plain cool.
6- Custom leather cuffs - I got this for Stan and I when we first had Maksim.  I had each cuff engraved in roman numerals with Maksim's birth date.  Putting in another order for Lazar's birth date.  Great idea for anniversaries too.

 

  

New fav, triple nameplate necklace.  Confession, I just got this for myself as an early Xmas gift.  I am having it customized with the hubbie's and babie's names.  Can't wait to get it.

Inexpensive name tag to wear on any necklace.  Engrave a date or name.

Next on my wishlist.  These tiny stackable name rings are adorable and I can add them to my existing rings for a unique look.

One thing to keep in mind when you order custom gifts like these they do take time.  If you need them for the holidays or a particular date.....order early!

Love,

First Gen Fam

Animal Cravings

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6

It must the Eastern European in me but I and loving all things animal lately, especially leopard print.  The above are several of my current favs.  I'm not going to lie, I already have the leopard jacket and pointy flats thanks to some good sales I caught.  Lets just say my craving has been been partially satisfied for now. 

Love,

First Gen Fam

New Baby Boy Wishlist

From the top (clockwise) - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7

I got all the necessities I need for our new baby boy that will be here in less than a month but these few items are just too cute.  I mean the v-neck onesie for one thing?  It's so Stan.  The camo and stripes very much a Mama thing.  We went through 2 Sophie the Giraffe teether toys with Maksim.  He loved that toy but happen to lose both of them.  I keep telling myself that Sophie just ran away.

Love,

First Gen Fam

If I had 6 pairs of legs.....

From the top (clockwise): 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6

If I had 6 pairs of legs I'd wear all of these boots at the same time.  These are my fav boots for 2012-2013 winter season.  You see that I have a metal cap-toe obsession right?

Love,

First Gen Fam

NYFW Spring 2013

New York Fashion Week (NYFW)....sigh.  When I look through images from the people who attend the shows I am filled with envy.  Why? why? why? Did I not get into the fashion industry?  Maybe because I was good at math and science and my Eastern European parents only pushed me into a "safe" career.  While I do have a good career I can't help to wonder how amazing it would be to be surrounded by clothing, accessories, beauty products, etc. on a daily basis.  Though I love San Diego it doesn't exactly stand out as a fashion mecca. New York would be the place to be and I probably would live in a shoe box apartment (but I would be totally living it up).  I daydream of having a job at a fashion magazine and kissing up to some snobby scrawny boss that has impeccable taste.  Oh to dream......but in the meantime see some of my fav street looks from NYFW.   

Love,
First Gen Fam

Oh Olivia...

I watched the MTV "The City" reality show to just see what Olivia Palermo would wear (plus her snooty attitude was entertaining).  I would have to say that this time in my life she would have to be my style icon.  She keeps her face and hair simple and lets the clothes do the talking.  She is fashion forward but eclectic with an edge.  She always looks put together day or night with her great mix of patterns, statement necklaces, and accessories (especially furs which I must admit I love too; sorry animal lovers).  I do not have the bank account she does to buy the crazy expensive designer duds but I feel many of her outfits can be copied with pieces out of my own closet or bought at affordable retailers like H&M, Forever 21, and Zara.  I flip through my Pinterest "Style" board and always fall back on her for any inspiration I may need for an everyday or dressy look.  So thanks Miss Olivia for the inspiration and keep it up, I'm watching.  From this post can tell I am craving to get into my skinny clothes, but my buddha-esque body is here to stay for a while at least......sigh.

Best,
First Gen Fam

Prego Fashion Challenge 25 weeks

Hat- borrowed from sister
T-shirt- Victoria's Secret (long and so comfy)
Belt- Vintage
Midi skirt- Old Navy (scored this for $6!)
Sandals- Gap

I wore this outfit over the weekend.  I am all about making non-maternity clothes work during and after pregnancy.  My skirts (pre-preg) that normally hit my knees or shorter look funny worn low or are too short when worn over my new tummy (unless you like that prego hooker look).  I found that midi skirts work soooo well while pregnant.  They can be worn over your bump and still remain long enough.  I hate the look of an elastic band so added a belt that matched up with the straw fedora hat (bad hair day saver!). I finished the look with a swipe of fuchsia lipstick and was out the door to enjoy that day with the fam.....truly a easy and effortless prego outfit.

Love,
First Gen Fam

Prego Fashion 24 Weeks

Shirt (old) - Forever 21 similar here
Dress (old) - Old Navy
Bangles - Vintage
Wedges - Rebels find here

Okay, I have totally been slacking on my prego fashion challenge in terms of posting.  I went briefly to the mall at lunch yesterday and got two compliments on my outfit so it really motivated me to post today.  That bump you see is already 24 weeks old!  The dress is tank style (non-maternity) and sleeveless which is not appropriate for work in my opinion or at least in a corporate setting.  The collared shirt doesn't work over my belly anymore so I tied it at the top to give me more of a shape. The shirt is getting a little more longevity by wearing it this way.  I think I will be doing this more often in the months to come as I run out of clothing options.  Have a great weekend everyone.

Love,
First Gen Fam

Proof it's Possible to be Fashionable & Pregnant

Dress I might splurge for from Hatch Collection

Sienna Miller

Naomi Davis from Rockstar Diaries Blog

Miroslava Duma, Editor of Harper's Bazaar (Russia)

Sydney from The Daybook Blog

Some real proof you can be fashionable and pregnant.  The ladies above are a definite fashion inspiration to me during my pregnancy.

Love,
First Gen Fam

Craving....but it's not food

I don't do lots of shopping during pregnancy for clothing at least because its just a hopeless cause when your body starts to resemble Buddha.  These are my current cravings (not food) that are tucked away on my Pinterest board under "Products I Love," should have just named it "Want."

Bright Baseball Tee:

I love the bright sleeves.  Great for cool nights and can be worn casually with jeans and tennies. I have a white/red one currently and pre-pregnancy I loved dressing up it up with some high heels and a girly clutch.

Dainty Quirky Jewelry:

I love the idea of laying the tough but edgy shark tooth necklace with my other pieces.  The kiss earrings are just smoochable in rose gold (which I go cray for) and remind me of the 80s.

Lips Sweater:

Messy top knot and red lips is what I would pair with this adorable sweater.

Munchkin stuff:

A tee for Maki to get into when he visits the hospital to meet his little brother.  A mustache blanket to wrap the new munchkin in (isn't it presh?)

Something for Papa:

Matching bike tees for Papa and munchkin.  

For the Home:

Vintage style step stool so Maki can reach the faucet and things he shouldn't touch.

Good to put these cravings out there.  Will they be fulfilled?  If I get the itch or the go on sale they just might end up in my possession.

Love,
First Gen Fam

Easy (& Affordable) Summer Maternity Style

From the top:
Easy no fuss carry-all bag: Forever 21
Tank top:  Old Navy
Hat for bad hair days: Forever 21
Tinted balm: Sephora
Shorts: Old Navy
Scarf: Old Navy
Rose gold sandals (metallic sandal can be dressed up or down) : Forever 21
Striped dress: ModCloth

If you are like me the last thing you want to do is throw done some $$$ on maternity clothing.  I try to wear (stretch is the better word for it) my non-maternity threads as long as possible.  If I buy new pieces I always consider if I will be able to wear them post baby.  The above pieces are my summer maternity go-tos.  The shorts are the only maternity item up there.  My waist line has passed the point of no return and elastic waists are my only choice.  I like to keep my summer maternity outfits and makeup simple for summer (hence the tinted balm).

My helpful hints for dressing your buddha-esque body for the summer (yet avoiding "maternity" clothes):

• Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize.......scarves, jewelry, hats.  They are your friends and you will still enjoy their company after the baby comes.  Accessories are the easiest way to dress up an outfit.
• Buy long stretchy tanks/tops that are long enough to cover your growing belly. Once the belly fades the tank will still look good.
• Dresses with stretch or empire waists.  Make sure they are long enough too.  That hemline creeps up as that belly grows.  For me, maxi dresses are a must!  
• Don't pay big bucks on maternity clothes.  If you must buy maternity wear buy wallet friendly pieces from Target, Old Navy, Asos, to name a few!

I have been super behind on blog posts.  Busy life = less posts.  I plan on ramping things up this week!  Happy 4th of July!

Love,
First Gen Fam

Prego Fashion 18 Weeks

True to my word I am doing another Prego Outfit post.  This outfit comes a week late (I was busy!!) but it was worn at our best friend's swearing in ceremony (he is a real lawyer now!).  I am 18 weeks pregnant in these photos and I rocked 4 inch heels for a few hours. That is pretty darn good if you ask me.  I am definitely getting all round and jolly in my mid-section as you can tell.

Denim Jacket: Marshalls

Striped Dress: Old Navy (in stores currently, going to get more colors, can't beat it for $15)

Scarf: gift

Shoes:  Zara (on sale!)

Rose Gold Watch: Michael Kors

Bracelets:  H&M

Love,

First Gen Fam

Pregnancy Fashion Challenge

Couldn't resist putting this one up of Maksim and I

Blazer - Zara

White button-up shirt - Forever 21

Red pants - Cotton On

Ballet flats - Sam Edelman

Bag - Cromia via Marshalls

Rose gold watch - Micheal Kors

This pregnancy I seriously vow to dress "cuter" even though all I want to be in is pajamas.  Whether it be for work or a stroll around town, I want to look put together, not like I am borrowing clothes from Stan.  So I have presented a challenge to myself to spend 10 minutes of each day to plan my outfits.  I get up for work at approximately 4:45am.  Picking out an outfit when the sun won't even show its face is the last thing I want to do, therefore my outfits tend to be really similar and just blah in my opinion.  I seriously do not even know what fits anymore so maybe the first day I do this challenge I might need an hour to just try things on.  Even at 17 weeks pregnant I have a teeny-tiny bump and have to get used to dressing this new and growing body.  Everything fits differently and most of it not for the better lets just say.   I have a hard time associating anything fashionable or cute with being comfy but somehow I will have to find a happy medium.  Maternity clothes are most of the time pretty fugly so I really try not to buy any unless I really run out of options.  So with the help of this blog I plan to at least put up one post weekly with my outfit of the day so I keep on track.  So hopefully you won't see any pictures of me wearing my pajamas in the next several months!

Best,

First Gen Fam

Summer is Here! ViX Swimwear Memorial Day Sale!

Summer is here.  Do not miss out on this great ViX Memorial Day Sale.  Stock up on bikinis, cover-ups and other beach essentials. ViX Swimwear is running a Memorial Day Weekend Sale to kick off summer!  Get an additional 25% off sales items with the code: MEMORIAL25!  They are offering a FREE pair of flip flops with every $150+ purchase, enter code MEMORIALFLIP at checkout.  Lastly, they are still featuring FREE SHIPPING on all orders!   


I am in the market for a new bikini that will work with my growing bump!  Going to ViX Memorial Day Sale now to do some shopping.  


Love,
First Gen Fam

To the Max

t-shirt - American Apparel (softest more comfy tee ever)

maxi skirt - Nordstrom (comes in beige and a print)

belt - Forever 21

shoes -  Impo from Loehmanns

aviator sunglasses - Anthropologie 

jewelry - Vintage

This is my first outfit post ever.  I have been hesitant to put one up but I really fell in love with this purple-blue maxi skirt. For all you tall ladies this is the maxi skirt we have been waiting for.  I am 5'8 and am wearing 3-4 inch wedges in the pictures.  Its really long but you can easily fold up the elastic band to make it shorter without it looking bulky.  I paired it with a simple t-shirt along with a no fuss sock bun to stay comfy and casual since we were heading to a birthday party at Medieval Times.  I am looking forward to wearing it again soon!
Love,
First Gen Fam

A Summer Essential.....

This Vix peacock print cover-up is currently on my wish list for summer 2012.  Beautiful!

This Vix cover-up is so simple, chic, and goes with everything.  

Number one word association with beach?  Bikini!  But what about the cover-up?   Designer Paula Hermanny of ViX Swimwear is all about the complete resort look.

“In Brasil, we make an outfit out of the bikini and we always have a cover-up or sarong,” she says, adding, “then it’s easy to slip on a nice pair of sandals, grab your hat, tote and your done!”

With La Jolla now her home, Paula strives to bring the beach culture she grew up with to San Diego.  For more summer style inspiration, stop by www.vixswimwear.com and experience this summer the Brasilian way! 

Love,

First Gen Fam