Not With Chalk, But With Soul...

My new dress arrived just a few days ago along with a few other things which I consider my gifts for Mother's Day. I told Justin that I don't need any other gifts (though I know Anya has prepared something). The best Mother's Day gift for me was always spending time with my beloved people. Often on this day, we would go for a walk in garden, have some treats, take beautiful photos... I still love this warm holiday this way - very intimate and quiet, just us. But since I was being naughty and got myself a few new clothes, I've decided that they would be my Mother's Day gifts - and that would be it. I am not buying any new clothes for myself any time soon. One reason is I got quite a few exciting purchases which will keep me busy styling, mixing and remixing for a while. Another reason is, we are trying to save up some money for a new adventure. It's a starting point. :)

This faux wrap dress was one of those things I wouldn't consider for full price (which is $140), but when I noticed it in a sale section of the web for only $30, I simply couldn't resist. Some customers complained that the collar was too high. Others complained about something else. I looked at it and decided that it's my colors, my silhouette, my cut, and definitely my price range, and if in any case it doesn't suit me - it's easy enough to return, so there is really no downside to give it a go. I loved it the minute I put it on, even before that - the minute I held the dress in my hands, I knew that we would become good friends! And I was right. 

The bag has a very special meaning to me, but I will tell this story another time. I think it's by an Oregon designer. I love everything about it - the shape, the colors, the design, and even more than all that - the message. It's precious. I think we all need a reminder like that in our everyday life. I know I need!

I styled my new dress in a simple way, with all my favorite bright green accessories in the spirit of Spring (and my green tights finally look greener than they usually do on photos!), and with my Rieker shoes with a vintage flair.

Anne of Spy Girl has this wonderful idea of a link-up right before Mother's Day - Wear Something Of Your Mom's, and I've decided to share my golden necklace with a pendant. The necklace was a gift to my Mom from her siblings, in honor of her anniversary (I can't remember which one - 40s probably). Mom grew up in a big family of 7 children, 6 girls and 1 boy, and she is the second oldest kid. So her sisters, knowing that Mom doesn't have her ears pierced and doesn't really wear rings or bracelets, decided on this beautiful, delicate golden chain, thinking that she'd wear at least this innocent little accessory. And I think Mom did wear it, but at some point, when I already lived in America, she gave it to me. On the other hand, I bought her this gorgeous Italian cameo pendant - a mother and a child, to mother from her child, how beautiful is that. I bought it here and brought it with me to Russia. I don't know whether my Mom has worn it or not, but the last time when she visited in 2012-13, she gave it back to me. :) So I consider both of these little treasures my family heirloom now, and will pass it on Anya some day.

And something else my Mom gave to me when I already lived in America. This pretty little notebook, filled with her poems. I read them now, and they make me cry and smile... I recognize myself in many Mom's poems - as sensitive and idealistic, as deeply feeling and altruistic, as much of a dreamer as her! Her name is Nadezhda which means "hope" in Russian (and when you see a name Nadia or Nadya, know that it is short for Nadezhda, or Hope). And Mom really lives her name. There is always hope in her, and always light, even in the darkest times. I would love to share some of her poems, but they all are in Russian. I think I will add them to Mom's web site (the history of the little village Tatarka on Angara River in Siberia where she grew up), but I cannot leave you without anything from this precious notebook, can I? So here are a couple of priceless lines about writing and the meaning it has to my Mom, Nadezhda Lialina, in my very humble translation -

It's time to get busy

To start doing what I was meant to do -

To write the words not with the chalk,

But with the soul given by gods.

My Mom used to be a teacher (and a brilliant one - people came to the school where she taught just to have an opportunity to have their children in Mom's class). But, like me, she always wanted to write.

My Mom, Nadezhda Lialina, at the Annual Tulip Festival at the Skagit Valley, Washington. April 2013

And here are a couple of shots of downtown Seattle from the ferry today. Just for fun!

Dress - Chico's. Cardi - Lane Bryant. Shoes - Rieker. Bag and jewelry - mix from different shops. Golden chain and pendant from my Mom.

Linking up with Anne's 52 Pick-Me-Up: Wear Something of Your Mom's

And also, please, consider contributing to our talented artist Anne's project On The Edge: US part 2 and help to spread a word about it! Thank you!

PS Thank you, Sally, for mentioning this post in Lovely Links! What a wonderful surprise!!