Everything Changes

EN: A year ago I was a different person. I was happy in a care-free sort of way and totally unprepared for what was about to happen to my life. Then, things started to change quicker than I could process. My grandmother passed away last summer. A month later so did my cat. A few days after that my best friend moved to another state. A little while later, my husband and I went on an amazing vacation and decided to make a new start - by quitting smoking, moving into a new house and adopting a new kitten. A few months later I closed my office and moved my business into the new home. And finally, this spring we found out we're expecting a baby.

Somewhere along all these changes I stopped writing - I was left speechless. I needed some time to process it all and figure out who and what I am now. Writing about it in the old blog just didn't seem right anymore. After all, the BrandNamesUS page is about shopping, and I didn't feel that sharing my personal endeavors there is appropriate. I decided to separate the two - one page for shopping, and this one - just for me.

So, please bear with me :) I'm starting a new blog - which will be about my life - as a stronger woman, a business owner, a wife, and soon - as a mom!


RU: Год назад я была счастливая и беззаботная. И совсем не представляла как поменяется моя жизнь всего за год. Все понеслось как снежный ком. Прошлым летом не стало моей бабушки. Через месяц - не стало моего котика, с которым мы приехали еще из Киева. Через несколько дней после этого, моя лучший подруга переехала жить в другой штат. Было ощущение, что все просто рухнуло. Но, пару месяцев спустя, мы с мужем поехали в чудесный отпуск и, вернувшись, решили начать с нового листа - бросили курить, переехали в новый дом и взяли котенка из приюта. Потом я закрыла свой офис и снова стала работать из дома. И, наконец, весной этого года, мы узнали, что ждем ребеночка!

За это время я как-то потерялась и перестала писать. Не хватало сил собрать мысли в кучу и понять кто я, что я, зачем я. И вот, по-тихоньку, все стало становится на свои места. Я решила начать новый блог - и писать тут за жизнь) А в старом блоге, на страничке BrandNamesUS - продолжить снова писать о шопинге (все таки тот сайт сделан именно для этого).

Надеюсь обо мне будет тоже интересно :) Начнем по-маленьку - меня зовут Ирина, я предприниматель, шопер, жена, и вскоре - мама!

New Chapter: Shopaholic & Baby

Wearing:

Asos Dress, Schutz Shoes, Hat from Miami (similar here and here)

EN: Years ago a book inspired me to change my life. At the time, I was stuck in a miserable job earning next to nothing. Between college, work and three hours of commute, I felt like I was living a never-ending cycle of being late everywhere and feeling hungry most of the time. Yet, thanks to my credit card and abundance of shopping in New York, I always had something new and pretty finding its way into my closet. I shared all these purchases and outfits with an online community for fashionistas where I quickly grew popular thanks to my quirky looks and sharp comments.

Fashion Blogger

Before I was a mom, my work and life revolved solely around fashion. I worked as a fashion blogger and a personal shopper. Here are some of my favorite outfits prior to my life with baby:

Lace Top / Factory by Erik Hart Skirt / Madewell Belt / Be&D Bag / Swiss Legend Watch / Forever21 Ring / Diane Von Furstenberg Sunglasses / Rosegold Sandals

Twenty8Twelve cardigan (old) / Vintage denim shirt - similar here and here / 

French Connection Skirt / Michael Kors Clutch / 

BCBGMAXAZRIA Bracelet / Donald J Pliner Shoes (most comfortable!)

Asos Coatigan  / Forever21 Jeans / Twenty8Twelve Nude Top / 

Rebecca Minkoff Swing Bag / Nude Pumps

B by Brian Atwood Shoes / Linea Pelle Belt / Asos Clutch / 

CC Skye "Love" Ring / Swiss Legend Watch / 

Forever21 Jeans / Lemon Print Shirt

Splendid Top / Diane Von Furstenberg Skirt / Rebecca Minkoff Wallet / 

Swiss Legend Watch / Forever 21 Jewelry & Shoes

A+Ro Sweater (similar here) / fluXus Tee / Dark Rinse Jeans / Forever 21 Necklace / BCBGMAXAZRIA Bracelet / Kelsi Dagger Sneakers / Burberry Bag

Asos Coatigan / Forever21 Checkered Shirt / Asos Checkered Midi Skirt / 

Casadei Shoes / Rebecca Minkoff Bag / Earrings: c/o Julie Vos

Shopbop Hat (similar here) / Shirt, Necklace, Ring & Shoes: Forever21 / Earrings: Anthropologie / Skirt: Tibi / Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Bluefly.com

Bright orange top / Anthropologie Jacquard Skirt / Kors Michael Kors Pumps / 

Be&D Bag / Kate Spade Earrings

Forever21 Top / BCBGMAXAZRIA Skirt / Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses / Rebecca Minkoff Bag / Forever21 Bracelet & Necklace / Kors Michael Kors Shoes

Theory Jacket / Marc by Marc Jacobs T-Shirt / Factory by Erik Hart Skirt / Rachel Zoe Boots / Salvatore Ferragamo Bag / Dolce & Gabbana Sunglasses /

Ted Baker Trench - Similar here / Boots & Blue Ring: Elizabeth & James / 

Burberry Bag / Salvatore Ferragamo Headband

Jacket: Yest from Shoptiques / Shirt: BB Dakota / Jeans: Rich & Skinny / Scarf: By Malene Birger / Sunglasses: Dolce Gabbana / Bracelets: Michael Kors, BCBGMAXAZRIA / Ring: Michael Kors

Shirt: Forever 21 / Lace Skirt (similar) / Shoes: Brian Atwood / Clutch: Halston / 

Glasses: Dolce & Gabbana / Necklace & Ring: Forever21 /

Peplum Top (similar) / Zara Skirt / Giuseppe Zanotti Shoes / Rebecca Minkoff Bag / 

Dolce & Gabbana Sunglasses / Bracelet: Kenneth Jay Lane (similar here) / 

Ring, Necklace: Forever21

LA Made Neon Yellow Top / Derek Lam for DesigNation Mesh Skirt / Rosegold Sandals /

Dolce & Gabbana Sunglasses / Michael Kors Bag

Top: Forever 21 (Similar Here) / Skirt: Rachel Pally (Similar Here) / Rosegold Shoes / 

Bag: Halston Heritage / Earrings: Handmade / BCBGMAXAZRIA Bracelets 

Shoptiques Skirt (similar here) / Guess Sandals / Charlotte Olympia Clutch (more here) / 

Hand jewelry: Local shop

3.02

Being a Girl

Peplum Sweater: Ted Baker / Skirt: Raoul (old) / Necklace: c/o Capwell.co / Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Bluefly / Boots: Elizabeth and James