Sunday, April 6, 2014

Green on Green on Green? Yes, Please!


Thank you for all the kind and sweet and fun comments you've left on my and Anna's latest posts, and for your congratulations on my 100th post as well! To tell the truth, I would have easily made it my 300th post by this time. I always have so many more ideas what to write about than I actually write. The majority of my writing never sees pages - either paper or computer screen. That's just how I work - I always "write" in my head. :) I also have more outfits to post (there are two or three sitting there in my computer files which I haven't posted yet). Sometimes I think I'm just afraid to either bore or overwhelm people if I post too often (which never happens when I read the blogs of others - if I love the blog, then it's never too much for me to read). Sometimes, I am just not in the mood to post. There are also such things as commenting on others' posts and replying to your comments (which I love to do), but they all require time and energy, because I love it to be meaningful. I will be sure to get to commenting and responding when I am in the right place. Sometimes I just need much more "me" time than "in the world" time, especially when I am getting ready to write something of my own. But even when I might appear to be away, I am definitely here, and if I don't respond right away, it only means that I am in my own world for now. :)


Now, to the outfit.  I bet some of you might have seen this one coming, since it seems only so natural to combine a few green hues together. Do you think there is one single hue of green which doesn't go with others? I seriously doubt it. I look at nature. Living in the Evergreen State, we admire so much greenness around us, and never, not even once, do I remember catching myself thinking, "You did not get this combination right, Mother Nature! Try harder next time!" But surprisingly enough, this particular combination has happened for the very first time for me, even though I have owned these pants and this shirt for at least a year.




I love how this outfit can easily be more casual and relaxed or more dressy with the accessories. I don't always look as dressy as I look here. I spend a lot of days not "dressed" at all. (If I am at home, then literally. Barefoot and all, you know. My favorite outfit ever.) Being all dressed up, having make-up on, requires a high level of "outer" energy, and I don't always have it or even want to have it. I spent a few years being a public person, as we say, "widely known in narrow circles",  connecting families of Russian background with each other and with their roots, and being the source of their groundedness in a "new to all of us" culture (no matter how long we live in the new country - we always will be foreign here). It was a very exciting adventure, and not just that - it had a very special, very deep meaning to me, my very own inspiration, my brainchild if you will, although for me it's more of a soul child. But it was very exhausting too, as I am actually quite a private kind of person. I had been inventing, organizing and leading tons of cultural activities of all kinds for women, for children, for families together, for one or another community, or even between communities for a few years. And yet, I am pretty shy person who needs a lot of privacy and uninterrupted time to myself... So no, I don't dress up every day, even when I go out. Quite often, I enjoy being invisible, being unnoticed. And not because I want to watch people, or something like that, while being not noticed myself, no. Just because I enjoy being in my own private world. If I had an invisible hat for such occasions, I'd happily put it on. :)    



But these photos were not taken during such "invisible time", obviously. It was when I rather wanted to celebrate life and femininity, and Spring, while on our short family vacation (except for Justin who still had to work, but we had a bit flexibility there too) in what is my favorite place in the world lately, which I very soon hopefully will call my home.





Jacket and top - Lane Bryant. Skinnies - Chico's. Loafers - Me Too. Necklace - Talbots. Purse - Nicole Lee.

Anna's outfit details in this post.

Linking up with Visible Monday.

35 comments:

  1. I love your all green outfit and you're quite right, any type of green works brilliantly together. Loving the funky nail paint and the accent nail, too! What a wonderful place that looks like and how incredible it would be to live there.
    Your community enhancing job sounded very challenging, no wonder you often felt the need to take time out and away from the spotlight.
    Like you, I have a constant dialogue in my head. If it becomes too loud I'll draft a blog post. When I started blogging I posted almost daily, but that was 5 years ago when there weren't as many interesting blogs to follow. Nowadays my blog roll has grown and I just don't have to time to comment, keep up with posting and have a life.
    I get quite stressed to step away from the computer for the weekend and find 56 unread posts awaiting me in Bloglovin' especially when there's 2 or 3 posts from the same blogger. I get the impression that prolific posters are lonely and crave company and my British sense of guilt makes me feel bad for neglecting them. xxxx

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    1. Oh dear, I hope you do less and less things because of your British guilt, it can be so heavy (I can relate to that by the way - we have our own Russian quilt for sure to deal with). I think there are prolific posters who seek for attention and who are lonely, but there also are people who just enjoy writing, and they will write even if nobody reads or comments... Blogs are of course a public form or creativity though, so we all hope for receiving comments when we post something. So I take it into account when I decide how often to post. Thank you for your input! :)

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  2. green - my favorite color!
    i can totally understand your seeking for privacy. this was one of the reasons why i would live out in the woods after more then 20 years in berlin. as a fashion designer.
    now (i´m "only" housewife) i enjoy a look you may know from sibirian villages when i´m at home ;-) kind of eastern european granny...must be in my genes. thank goddess hubby loves it.
    please don´t feel pushed to comment - blogging should be a comfortable place for our selfs - do you remember?

    thank you very much for your visits and comments on my blog - i´m very happy that i found you!
    xxxx

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    1. I agree with you, Beate, on feeling comfortable in my own blog and other people's blogs. At the end, it is all just for our own joy! I seem to post 3 times a week, at my own inner pace, and comment when I have time and energy to do so. I don't want it to become an obligation for myself or anyone else.

      You surprised me about 20 years in Berlin. I can totally relate to your living a quiet life in woods. I too seek for seclusion and intimate connection with nature when I look for a place to live. It is always water with me. Can't live away from water!

      Very happy to have found you as well! :)

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  3. The top's and pants'' shade of green match so perfectly and the both things look really great together. I love that yellow nail-polished finger among the green ones, cool! The bag is also so interesting and beautiful.

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  4. I am loving all the green! With the colourful necklace at the top, fuchsia loafers at the bottom, and the stripy blazer, the outfit is a perfect balance.
    What an interesting project you ran, I am sure it was really worthwhile and satisfying, yet very hard work. The two things go together, I guess...
    Your location is stunning - so it this where you are moving to? What a beautiful place.
    As for posting; I usually have various ideas for blog posts bubbling away, sometimes they happen, sometimes not (or not yet), and I try to do around 3 posts a week, that works for me. We are all different, in terms of what we want to say, what time we have, our energy levels, how many other blogs we follow, etc. I do sometimes feel a little overwhelmed by bloggers who post daily, although I try to keep up. I follow quite a lot of blogs, and since like you, I want to read the posts properly, and say something meaningful in my comment, not just "nice shoes", "great post!" - well, all that takes time. No right or wrong, we are all doing what feels right for us.
    Your blog is always a joy to visit, Natalia, I like hearing what you have to say! xxx

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    1. You always leave such beautiful and thoughtful comments on blogs and it is part of what makes you so well loved. I know that I am a too frequent poster but I never imagine that anyone should feel the need to read it all and/or comment on it all. Though I will also confess that I love it when you do. I try to respond thoughtfully to everyone who leaves me a comment but I suppose the time will come when I cannot do that. I think the time is also coming when I will slow down the blog posts. Anyhow, your point is a good one: we are all doing what feels right for us.
      xo

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    2. You are such a thoughtful commentator, Curtise! I am always looking forward to your comments, they are so personal and insightful. I am so ever grateful to have found you!!

      I think more than 3 times a week would become overwhelming to me pretty fast. I am not pacing myself, but sort of listening to my inner voice - what would be fun and natural for me to do, and not overwhelming for others to read and comment on. Like Shawna, I write much more than I post. But we are writers, and that's just what we do - we write. :)

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  5. I love reading your writing, Natalia, and I can relate well to your need to have quiet and privacy, too. My blog thoughts bubble in my head, and then I often forget them, before I can get to my notepad! I do aim for 3-4 posts a week, and wouldn't want to do more, even when I retire from work. Too much else going on! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, I really like your green look, your gorgeous bag and necklace too.

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    1. Thank you, Patti! It seems to be a natural way for many of us - 3-4 posts a week. It seems to work well! I so agree with you - there are so many things going on. And some of those things are going on inside of us, invisible for others, and they too need time and energy, and just a quiet inner space to be. :)

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  6. I love this post, Natalia! I agree all greens go together and I love green. I really love the greens with your pink shoes too! And that bag is gorgeous! I relate to your need for private time. I need that too. I do get a lot of it though. I probably write too much, as I write nearly every day. I also have unpublished draft pieces in waiting because I write so much. I don't really think so much about whether or not people will read it; I just have to write it.
    Your location looks so much like where I live I could almost believe you are just outside and I can call you over for a cup of coffee and a visit. I suppose, we really are in the same neighbourhood when you think of it on a world wide scale.
    Thank you for sharing your wonderful self and your writing and bits of your life. It is always a delight and a treat.
    xo

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    1. Shawna, I enjoy reading your posts! And when I don't have time/energy to read or comment, then I just don't. And I know that you totally write for yourself because that is what writers do! The fact that someone else finds what we write interesting is just an additional bonus. :) So please write as much and as often as you like! :)

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  7. Love this shade of green on you Natalia and the necklace is so pretty. I aim to do three posts a week as I work full-time and study part-time. I think doing too much now will take the fun out of blogging.

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    1. Working and studying certainly takes A LOT of time and energy! And then there is family. And there is you and just being you. I can see that 3 times a week is just right for you. I enjoy your blog very much, you do a wonderful job writing it! :)

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  8. you look fabulous!!! i love this pallet color! your shoes and bag are amazing!! You have a very nice blog tell me how about follow each other?? Let me know if you atart and I will follow back :)
    have a nice day sweety!
    xoxo from Spain
    www.thegrisgirl.blogspot.com.es

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  9. I love wearing green but strangely I don't own that many green pieces. Sounds like I need to go shopping. I love this shade you're wearing. It looks very pretty on you. I can relate about the "Me time". I like balance, too. Too much in the world time, not balanced with me time can really get one out of whack! Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog! I related to your blog since I enjoy writing as well as fashion. Debbie @ ilovemylemonadelife.com

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    1. Thank you, Debbie! I totally get what you are coming from. Balance is a must for me. :)

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  10. Whenever I see Kelly Green I'm reminded of a Michael Kors runway show in the early 1990's in which he featured the color with equestrian inspired looks. That's when my love affair with him began. To me, he can do no wrong in the designing department. Natalia, you wear brights extremely well. The colors you select just add to your charming persona.

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    1. Such a nice compliment from you, Glenda! And thank you for the excursion to the 90s fashion world - I did not know about this bit!

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  11. I love mixing all kinds of shades of one color this outfit show why. The shoes are a nice touch too. I try and post twice a week but I only post if I have something to share, it's not a job but an outlet so sometimes I need it more than others. The picture of your feet in the sand makes mine long for summer. Today was gorgeous wasn't it.
    Xxxoooo

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    1. Gorgeous weather has finally arrived here, and I hope you have a chance to enjoy it too!! :)

      I totally understand what you are saying, Krista. It's not a job and I don't want it to start feeling like one. Natural is my favorite way of being. It feels natural to post frequently these days, though I can see that I slow down in the future. Hugses!

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  12. The green on green is inspiring to me! I love green especially this bright grass green. This color has the power of possibility in it's flavor. I like the stripe and pretty magenta shoe.

    blue hue wonderland

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    1. I loooove your "translation" of green! It is very accurate! :)

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  13. You always look like a true vision, dear Natalia.
    Thank you everytime for your wonderful words.
    You are a true inspiration.
    Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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  14. I adore the striped jacket with the green, you always look wonderful! and sweet Anya looks so cute, she does share her Mama's sense of style, it's a lovely photo of you both! is that where you all will be moving to? what a stunning place to live.
    I don't always post what I could be thinking about, mine tend to just blurt out! and I only have time maybe twice a week to post, I do enjoy other blogs so much though, and I love visiting you! I'm trying to allocate 'blog time' per day where I can dedicate my time to visiting and commenting more efficiently hehe! x x x

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    1. Why I enjoy blogs the most is that we write as we go, no particular planning involved (unless you make your blog your job I guess, but then it is all different story). I like that it presents slices of life - you write what you experience this particular moment of life. Your blog is definitely one of such slices of life, and I truly enjoy it!

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  15. Hi Natalia, such a lovely and thoughtful post. Barefoot by the sea is the best way to ground and re-connect with oneself.

    It's so true...Mother Nature always gets it right! And here, so have you. I love the riot of green, the pop of orchid, the stripes, and the patterned handbag! You look wonderful! I do a similar manicure with turquoise, and yellow and polka dots. So fun!

    Ooooh, a move to the San Juan Islands perhaps? Lucky, lucky you!

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    1. Sun Juan Islands are gorgeous, but no - we move a bit closer to Seattle so far. :)

      Thank you for your compliments, Sue! I am glad that you can relate to some of the same things - being barefoot by the sea (takes away all worries, doesn't it), fun manicure (you are a wiz at that), bright colors... Your blog is one of the happiest to visit, a guaranteed smile always!

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  16. Green on a redhead! Excellent. Lots of shades of green on a redhead? And on one with a great sense of color and style? Fabulous! You and your daughter are both looking so cute. Your soft, cool shades really look great under the soft gray skies of the PNW.
    I stopped trying to blog daily, or even a couple of times a week and decided long ago that I won't impose my opinions and outfits on the world more than once a week. However, I love it when my favorite frequent bloggers post more often. I have limits to how often I can reasonably get around to all my faves. I usually get buy at least once a week to comment, and that's about maximum. We all love comments, and I love to give 'um!
    Congrats on your 100th post! I've missed so many of them, but now I can go prowl your archives and catch up!

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    1. That's the beauty of it, isn't it, Jan - we all get to find our own natural pace with blogging. Tells me something about the rest of our lives too. :) Your posts are always very thoughtful, I can imagine how much time and energy you put into them! And with your business, once a week is a lot to dedicate to your blog! I know exactly what it takes to manage your own business.

      Thank you for your compliments, my dear redhead friend!!

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  17. Natalia, I. Love your green on green, it is totally you and splendid . The bag is a fabulous piece that popes it. I agree, too, that it is good to have some alone time .. The works in which we love is so chaotic , it is nice to find ourselves , be still, a d enjoy a break in our routine, Love the photo of Anna, too. Congratulations on your 100 post, that is a wonderful milestone,
    So happy to have found you, looking forward to the next 100.
    XX, Elle

    http://mydailycostume.com

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    1. Thank you so much, Elle! To our next milestones then! :)

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