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

Top Free Toddler Apps

Maksim is a tad older now.  Exactly 20 months old that is.  Each month is he changes more and now he has a whole new list of favorite apps have been added to my iphone and ipad.  I posted back in May the top 5 Apps he was into at that time that saved us while traveling to the midwest.  He still likes those but now Mr. Maksim is getting more mature and sophisticated so new apps have come into play.  Did I mention they are free?  You will see from the list below that a little someone is really into trains.  I swear my iphone/ipad are no longer my possessions but rather his.  Its totally fine as long as he doesn't break them like he broke Papa's phone. Yikes!

Here is his app list in no particular order:

1. Jake's Neverland Pirate School (ipad and iphone)

Join Jake and crew for four fun-filled pirate themed classes and earn Badges of Honor and an Official Never Land Pirate Certificate. Classes include: Sailing, Pirate Band, Map & Spyglass, and Pixie Dust.

2.  Thomas and Friends: Engine Activities (ipad and iphone)

Tap into the fun of Thomas & Friends with this interactive activity app! Little engineers will be entertained for hours as they play with come-alive puzzles, creativity-boosting coloring pages, and brain-building matching games. 

3.  ABC Train (ipad and iphone)

This app is both educational and fun. Fantastic sounds coupled with amazing visuals makes learning so fun you and your child will not put the app down.

4. Mickey Mouse Road Rally (ipad only)

Take the TV show viewing experience to the next level with the first in the appisode series, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse “Road Rally”. The appisode brings viewing and learning together in one interactive and cohesive experience! Touch, shake, swipe, drag and talk your way through an entire episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse right on your iPad. Participate directly in the storyline by completing various activities to help Mickey and friends cross the finish line! 

5.  Abby Train (ipad only)

Let your kids explore farm animals and colors while improving their reding skills. Children will love the ADORABLE ILLUSTRATIONS and SOUNDS! The option of included spoken names makes this app also ideal for toddlers just beginning to recognize animal pictures.

Love,

First Gen Fam

Update your Look on the Cheap for Spring

I love fashion there is no denying that but buying into the seasons new trends are not within my budget. Here are some wallet friendly updates I have made to my Spring look.

Bright Lips.  It's the hot makeup trend for Spring which will follow into Summer nicely. Whether coral, hot pink, or purple this look is beautifully paired with a clean, no fuss makeup for the rest of the face.  Buying lipsticks or lip glosses in the fun shades can get pricey especially if your like me and only wear bold lips on special occasions.  What I have been doing for years is buying a drugstore lip liner in the shade I desire.  I color in my lips using the lip liner and then top it off with a clear lip balm so its not so dry. Added bonus is lip liner stays on longer than any lipstick I own.

Keep the rest of your makeup simple when wearing a bold lip color

Statement Necklaces were all the rage in 2011 and continue to be popular this spring.  I have created a few by putting together my existing necklaces on ribbon.  The ribbon gives you the freedom to wear your necklace at any length.

See tutorial here

Tangerine.  If you have been to the mall lately you know tangerine is 2012's color.  It's my favorite shade but for some it's a tad too bold to wear as pants or top.  I suggest adding this pop of color with accessories like a scarf, necklace, or handbag.  Accessories like the ones mentioned can be found on the cheap so no need to break the bank.

Colored jeans.  At first I was a little skeptical about this trend but realized that it can be versatile when paired with with neutral colored tops. I recently purchased an affordable pair of red jeans from Cotton On and plan to wear it with nudes and taupes.  I have seen colored jeans that were upwards of $100 or more but luckily retailers like Old Navy and Forever 21 have options for under $30.

If you have any other suggestions on how to update your look for Spring on a budget please share by commenting.

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