Tuesday, August 7, 2018

The Woman Who Runs With the Wolves


I have some exciting news to share, but first let's talk about this amazing dress! How happy I was to find it at my local Target! A short back up story. It's a part of the Who What Wear collection and comes in the whole range of sizes, regular and plus, which is great, but typically there isn't a lot of that collection available at my local store. I prefer shopping online anyway, but oddly enough, even though the dress just screams my name with all these bold colors and various stripes...I was indecisive for too long - the dress sold out in all plus sizes online. Oh well, I thought, maybe it wasn't screaming my name after all. But then...


Then I took my daughter swimwear shopping at Target, and somewhere in the back of my mind I was wondering, what if... "What if they will have this dress in my size at the store? What if someone purchased it online and returned it? What if...?" And then I saw it!!! I typically go for 2X (depending on the particular brand and garment), which is a plus 2X, and not the regular XXL, mind you - those are two very, very different sizes with 2 or 3 full sizes between them. The dress I found was in regular XXL, not plus 2 X, but it looked like in just might fit me... I held my breath and took this bold beauty to the dressing room. 


And what do you know - it fit me perfectly! I loved it so much that I wore it the very same day to the movies with Anya (Mamma Mia-2, of course, sobbing again, being inspired again, and feeling so much love and joy again), and then I wore it to a day out with Justin - thank goodness the weather stayed so beautifully sunny and hot because this is the just the dress for summer (100% cotton and all). I accessorized it with a rope belt from my linen suite, old pair of wedges by Tsubo, vintage clutch and a pair of earrings by Iris Apfel. Forgive me the messy windy salty hair - it's just real life, guys! 
  


We took a ferry from Edmonds to Kingston and watched birds from above while standing on the ship - the fishing heron and the nesting seagull. When I took Anya to Day of Surprises earlier this Summer, we actually saw a mama seagull with her little babies, fluffy yellow chicks covered with dark spots - Anya said they looked like cheetahs, they were adorable! Have you ever seen baby seagulls?


There is so much exciting news I wold love to share with you - I don't even know where to begin... I guess the long and short of it is that I am ready for a new chapter. It is something that was cooking on the back burner for a long time, and this August things started happening! I've just renewed my contract as a bilingual story time presenter with the King County Library System for the next year. And while my work with the libraries is still up in the air, I was invited to participate in fairs/festivals as an author of bilingual books and a storyteller! This August, I will be at two exciting new venues in the cities of Federal Way and Bellevue! If you are local, do stop by to say hello - I'd be happy to meet with you! Please mark your calendars:

AUGUST 18, 2018 - FLAVOR OF FEDERAL WAY,
MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

AUGUST 25, 2018 - EDUCATIONAL FAIR IN BELLEVUE 
(this event is particularly for the Russian speaking community, but you can still stop by - I'll make sure to speak English with you! :)


August 18, 2018, Saturday, Federal Way, at Town Square Park, 11 to 5
I will have my own booth at this festival, and also I am scheduled to read a story at 2:30 (there also will be more story times throughout the day). You can find the full schedule of performances at the Federal Way Mirror. 


August 25, 2018, Saturday, 10 to 6 in Bellevue (more details coming soon)

It's been a long time since I did festivals, and I have never done them as a book author before, so it will take some time to get ready. I also feel rusty as a story time presenter and I'm sure I'll get stage fright, but at the same time it all feels so perfectly natural - as if it is exactly what I am here on the planet earth meant to do for the next 50 years or so. It probably sounds weird, but I'm just being extremely open with you. I am feeling excited, nervous, happy, scared, grateful, eager to meet my readers (both children and adults), feeling like I've learned tons and have so much yet to learn, like I completely let go and trust whatever comes my way, feeling extremely connected within myself, with my soul, with the whole world, with the universe, feeling like I'm living my biggest dream and fulfilling my destiny, like a full cycle and new beginning all at the same time! Sometimes, I am afraid that I somehow will screw it up, but I also know that it is simply impossible - because I am not taking anyone's place, not trying to fill into anyone's shoes, not pretending and not competing - I am simply walking my ow unique way and creating my own unique life. It's happening, it's real, and this is the real, flawed, talented, strong, vulnerable, running with the wolves, authentic me!


And it's not about self-confidence at all - in my opinion, confidence is way overrated in the modern culture. Superficial confidence is simply a mask people put on, a shield, so they can hide their true selves behind it, as much as the lack of confidence is such a shield. What I'm talking about is the opposite of it. It's about the undeniable knowledge of who you truly are, and it is deep, profound and old as the earth itself. And it is worth everything I had to experience, all the fears, tears and dark nights of the soul. I don't need to be "confident" - all I need is to be true to who I am. My soul creations, my words, my books will speak for themselves, they will guide me to those who are looking for them without even realizing it...


 Speaking of my books, I'm blown away by the reviews we receive! 
Without further ado, here is some amazing feedback from some amazing folks:



Isn't it a reason to celebrate? I think so!
And while Amazon is sorting out their clunky automatic system of approving reader's reviews, I'm eager to share them with you along with the photos of the most adorable and perhaps the youngest reader of our books - it just doesn't get any sweeter than that, does it?




Have a wonderful week, my friends! And when you have a chance, 
come and meet me, talk with me, read my books - I know we will hit it off!
Natalia "Natasha" Lialina,
bilingual writer, author, storyteller, philologist


Dress - Who What Wear for Target
Shoes - Tsubo (old)
Bracelets, clutch - vintage
Earrings - Iris Apfel

Linking with Visible Monday

* * *

22 comments:

  1. what a stunning dress! love the stripes, the colors, the cute asymmetric shape, the big ruffle, everything! So summery and fresh and you look (particularly) gorgeous wearing it!
    Glad that you're going to do some festivals and glad that you're sharing your feelings with us!, I feel happy and feel also encouraged to keep living my life my way, feeling true to myself!. So lovely post! running with the wolves! so inspiring!
    besos
    besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, dearest Monica! Yes, run with the wolves, dear - live your own unique way and stay true to who you are! Lots of love!

      Delete
  2. Oh what a dress and what a woman!!!Love both :-)!Have a great time at the festivals and beside. Send you love as much as possible over the ocean!Sunni

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and wishes, dear Sunni! Lots of love!

      Delete
  3. HOW COOL!!!!!
    *imagine me doing a happy dance***
    it is so wonderful that you are able to do what you here for! i wish i could be at that festival to hear & see you and to applaud you! have fun - my dear friend!!
    :-D
    totally love that bombshell of a dress on you! i have to steal the idea and sew one of my own - i have some vintage indonesian prints lying around just waiting for that pattern......
    (btw. - have you brought the sundress to the seamstress? if not i can make a scribble for you what to do with the gaping - wish again i´d be near you to just do a fast fix)
    that baby!! <3
    tons of love and hugest hugses!! xxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, my dearest! WOW, Indonesian print would look gorgeous in this style dress!!! I can't wait to see the outcome! Thank you so much for your sketches and clear effective instruction about the sundress - I appreciate your input so much! Lots of love, my dear!

      Delete
  4. thank you for this uplifting post, Natalia. I love what you say about not having to be confident, just being oneself. How great to live your "own unique life" and stretch your wings and fly.
    All this, and a fabulous summer dress too! Stay fabulous and have a happy week ahead, xo

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your supportive words, dear Patti! I strongly believe that we all are unique - and our job in life is to connect with our true selves and shine as much as we know how. But the periods of hibernation and processing and healing some old wounds is also essential for the soul. I went through it. It's like a death and new birth, and it's miraculous.
      <3

      Delete
  5. CONGRATULATIONS on your new deal!!!! Also, I absolutely LOVE this look on you!
    This dress is all kinds of FAB, you have styled it wonderfully!
    Xx
    Joi | www.inmyjoi.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you my dear, I am definitely on a new adventure!
      I would love seeing you in this dress! Everyone in the plus community has styled it so differently, and I enjoy seeing it every single time!
      <3

      Delete
  6. I love the dress! Anything with bright deckchair stripes on it makes me happy. By sheer coincidence I found a really lovely Who What Wear shirt in my size in a charity shop at the weekend. I'd never heard of them and we don't have Target in the UK so it was a bit of a happy accident.

    Good luck with your festivals. It sounds like you're going to be having an amazing time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, dear Buttercup! Coincidence? I think not! :) We seem to be in sync lately, with blue hydrangea and now with WWW stuff! Glad you found a fun top - can't wait to see it!

      Thank you for your kind wishes! I know I will get a bit nervous, but also I will love it and I am eager to do it! <3

      Delete
  7. clap my hands !
    Natalia dreams come true! You are a wonderful author, and how wonderful your options.
    This dress is waiting for you, you are right. You look gorgeous and I am again sad, that we have no target in germany. I often see very amazing clothes on US Blogs.
    A very huge hug and sooo much love, Tina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, dear Tina!! Don't be sad - your Navabi is such an awesome source for great fashion! But more choices are even better, of course.
      Thank you for your support so much!!!
      Lots of love!

      Delete
  8. I am so happy for you that you are making dreams happen and that you are feeling on top of the world because of it. I love your take on confidence, and have been thinking about your words ever since I read them, earlier today: how true they are! I think that allowing yourself to be yourself, really, truly yourself, is the highest goal you can have in life. How amazing that you found the dress which clearly had your name on it. Imagine that you bought it online, you might have ended up buying the wrong size! Hugest of hugs xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Ann, thank you so much for your kind words! You put it so well yourself, and I agree with you! We all must connect with our inner JOY and follow our nose and just let us be ourselves, truly authentic selves. It is simple - but not easy at the same time. It seems difficult at times, but also once you experienced it, it is so natural, as natural as breathing!

      I think it would be more accurate to say that I feel one with the world - not above it, not beneath it. I definitely don't feel small, but also there is no superiority in my feeling, it isn't selfish. I just want to share the joy and love that I discovered in myself with those who need and appreciate it.

      Lots of love, my friend!

      Delete
  9. Congratulations dearest Natalia , I know you will enjoy this next chapter and sharing your talents with others what could be better. I do so like your take on confidence , be true to yourself and the rest will follow. Your cheery striped sun dress echoes the feelings of joy. All my best wishes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, dearest Jill! I agree with you - when I look at it from the perspective of sharing joy and sharing gifts that we all possess...it all makes so much sense and it's just the most beautiful and natural thing to do with our lives.

      Delete
  10. You do look stunning in that striped dress! Such a great summer look.
    I'm very happy to hear your works will be presented at festivals.
    I loveeee your writing and I'm sure you're a great story teller/ presenter.

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, dear Ivana! I have never presented my own books, and I also haven't worked in front of a festival audience before, but that;s how we grow - by stretching ourselves. It feels both a little uncomfortable and also very exciting and natural!

      Delete
  11. Many congratulations to you, dear Natalia - both on the book and finding that gorgeous dress!
    Being true to yourself is all you can be, it's sad it takes many people a lifetime to realise it.
    I love your windswept hair! xxx

    ReplyDelete