Tatiana Mikhailovna

Let's get fit! Kind of...

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:26:00 -0400

It’s no secret that I am not an “exercise expert,” in fact I pretty much openly loathe it.

However, I just bought a pair of lovely denim shorts yesterday and discovered that not only am I way to pale to be wearing them out in public my thighs have become, let’s say “a little too shapely?”

So I come to you with a simple request. Can you recommend a fairly simple exercise technique, that takes no more than 20 minutes a day, and will get my thighs in shape?

The uber stylish Giin has started some serious shoe envy with...

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:03:55 -0400

The uber stylish Giin has started some serious shoe envy with her Habeens clogs.

When payday rolls around there is going to be a very serious decision on my hands.

These are to die for.

I kind of want these bad. Obviously rolled up like they have...

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:03:51 -0400

I kind of want these bad. Obviously rolled up like they have them styled in the magazine.

They just look sooo comfortable and I am such a sucker for anything comfortable.

I’m going to try something new with our finances and my...

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:01:50 -0400

I’m going to try something new with our finances and my shopping this “season.” I don’t know how well it can work but I figured why not try something new?

My plan is to do the majority if not all of my “spring/summer” shopping this weekend. I am doing this for several reasons:

It will force me to buy smart. Basics and key pieces I will be able to wear over and over again.
It will make it difficult to justify expensive clothes since I will be spending a lot. It’s much easier to justify a $100 top when you haven’t bought anything in a week than when you are already spending a lot.
It will take away the option of “perusing the mall” as a form of entertainment. You always get sucked in.
If I already have everything I need for the spring and summer there will be no reason for me to shop.
I will have a closet all ready for the change in temperature and no excuse to exclaim every morning “I have nothing to wear!”

Wish me luck!

Above is my inspiration: a sporty watch (Marc Jacobs), loose tank (T by Alexander Wang), futuristic sunglasses (Moxsie), jean shorts or jorts if you will (American Eagle), Jack Purcell, and a canvas bag from WM. J. Mills Co.

More goodies from Russia! I love that I can now fill my candy...

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:01:52 -0400

More goodies from Russia!

I love that I can now fill my candy dishes with some of my most loved candies.

You’re not a real Russian hostess until you always have a bowl of these and a cup of tea with condensed milk ready for a guest.

Now who’s coming for tea?

Kevin has been taking wonderful care of me including making this...

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:52:56 -0400

Kevin has been taking wonderful care of me including making this classic Russian concoction to soothe my raw throat:

Cup of milk
Teaspoon of unsalted butter
Teaspoon of honey

Warm it up in the microwave and drink up till your throat feels all better.

So yummy and so effective!

Belle wanted to pop in and say hi! She was very unhappy about...

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:36:31 -0400

Belle wanted to pop in and say hi!

She was very unhappy about the fact that there have been very few pictures of her recently.

I promised her I would fix it.

Looks like I wasn’t able to bypass the sicky sick bug. I...

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:45:36 -0400

Looks like I wasn’t able to bypass the sicky sick bug.

I am officially down with a cold. And I’m pretty grumpy about it.

I’m hoping that with some rest this afternoon and copious tea drinking I can beat this thing.

As for now, I’m going to eat a boiled egg because when I was little my mum promised me that eating a soft boiled egg will make me feel better. It kind of does. That’s why I keep doing it I suppose.

Photo via

On Relationships and Marriage: Home Decor

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:04:38 -0400

Here’s a questions I got recently from the lovely Casey: After almost 2 years if dating, Joel and I recently moved in together. With all of the excitement , there has also been struggles, particularly in the interior design department. Joel prefers dark brown, minimalist, classic pieces, which I do, too, but it’s hard then to make the already super modern apartment (floor to ceiling windows) feel warm and cozy. I’m not suggesting adding girly pink touches, but i would definitely like to add more of a feminine touch to the place to warm it up a bit, without having Joel run for shelter.

I’ve tried adding some unique touches to make the apartment feel more like home, such as blowing up and framing photos from our favorite travels, but wanted to see if you had any additional ideas on how a couple can marry design tastes and build a stylish, yet comfy home together. Also, would love you to address ways that couples can pick out new items together that reflect both styles - like choosing a bed spread.

Decorating a home together for the first time is both exciting and tough for a couple. You learn each others likes and dislikes and you also often learn how stubborn one or both of you can be. However, this is totally something that can be worked through and you can end up with a home that makes both of you equally happy.

My first suggestion would be for you as a couple to start finding things you do agree on. Start with color schemes. Which appeal equally to both of you? Look at magazines and websites. Next, which decorating style can you both agree on? If he’s more modern and you are more feminine/classic why not give “eclectic” a try. Granted eclectic is harder to pull off but with some time and thought it can be done well.

A great way to add feminine touches without bothering your partner too much is to do it via the details. For example, a modern bedspread with scalloped edging, gray curtains with a fun texture, tasteful splashes of color here and there, and flowers.

You will not believe the difference some candles, colorful picture frames, fresh bouquets of flowers, magazines, mismatched pillows, and some warm throws can make in a room.

If you both challenge each other to think outside of the box you can help each other achieve a decorating style that represents both of you. Shift your focus from colors and furniture to shapes and textures. Think fur, snakeskin, china, leather, marble, glass, carved wood, and tufted fabric.

Also, learn to share. Meaning when you are out shopping for things play the “one for me one for you game.” Kevin and I did this a lot at Ikea. When I would get something I really wanted that Kevin wasn’t ecstatic about he would get to buy one thing that he loved but I wasn’t over the moon for.

But ultimately you need to compose a completely new and fresh style for both of you that is different from what you had when you lived separately. This is the new “us.”

Below are some great not overly feminine touches that can warm up your place and add a touch of “you” without being too much.

GPOYW: Missing Vegas edition. If you’ve never seen magic...

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:35 -0400

GPOYW: Missing Vegas edition.

If you’ve never seen magic in your life plan a trip there this year. The magic is everywhere. It’s like Disneyworld for grownups!

I enjoyed yet another wonderful massage today courtesy of…...

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:19:37 -0400

I enjoyed yet another wonderful massage today courtesy of… Kevin! He actually knows how to give a pretty good massage! Sometimes even putting my regular masseuse at the spa to shame!

I’ve had a bad back pretty much since adolescence so this skill of his comes in very handy.

I dream of one day having a house big enough for me to have a “spa room.” Nothing fancy just a massage table (you can get one of those from Costco for about $200), a calming color on the walls, soft lighting, a good sound system and a couple aromatherapy candles.

It would be just what I need. And as far as I’m concerned it would save us money in the long run!

I’m not one to lust after a super fancy home. I don’t need marble and granite everywhere. I just want it to be warm, inviting, and have the kind of amenities that we really enjoy. Like a sound system throughout the entire house; music is life to us and in our family home I want it to permeate every room.

Today at lunch my family and I firmly decided that it was time...

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:42:57 -0400

Today at lunch my family and I firmly decided that it was time for a break. We needed to regroup, reconnect, and re-energize. We haven’t seen each other in over a month, there are a lot of things we need to discuss, and we need to help each other find focus and direction.

Our solution to this?

Chincoteague of course.

So on Friday I will pack our toiletry bag and my swimsuit, pop in my Michael Buble cd, and we will cross over the bridge to the land where all problems fall away, the future seems so clear, and my soul will be at peace.

I cannot wait.

Photo via

Kind of sad about these two splitting. I don’t know they...

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:29:26 -0400

Kind of sad about these two splitting.

I don’t know they seemed happy together and like things were going well.

Maybe there was something to her constantly talking about how much she “loves” Leo…

Ideally speaking this is how I would wear them all through the...

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:06:00 -0400

Ideally speaking this is how I would wear them all through the spring.

Top - Uniqlo
Pants - J Brand
Shoes - Steven by Steve Madden
Sunglasses - Ray-Ban
Coin purse - Rebecca Minkoff
Necklace - French Connection

I can see it now. Cherry blossoms in full bloom, a cool morning breeze, Kevin’s hand in mine, and a quick stroll to Starbucks for some coffee and the Washington Post.

I have been all over the Oxford trend for this spring. I...

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:39:00 -0400

I have been all over the Oxford trend for this spring. I especially fell in love with them when I saw them paired with a dreamily styled casual outfit at Madewell. It was then that I decided that I must own a pair.

I knew the search would take some time, they had to be perfect. I would let fate guide me.

And so it was this past Friday we were browsing South Moon Under when the clouds parted and there they were! The perfect pair of Oxfords! I loved the color, the detail, and how wonderfully adorable they looked on my feet!

I nervously flipped the shoe over to check the price tag and voila! On sale for $50!

Done! They were mine!

I can’t wait to pair them with my white jeans and a lovely striped tee.

P.S. They are Steven by Steve Madden.

This darling little travel mug full of delicious home brewed...

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:36:27 -0400

This darling little travel mug full of delicious home brewed coffee is making my morning.

My mum gave it to me last night after I picked them up from the airport. It was a gift from one of my aunts in Russia.

I couldn’t love it more if I tried!

Speaking of Holly Golightly and being fabulous how about this...

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:30:00 -0400

Speaking of Holly Golightly and being fabulous how about this little number for a dinner party?

Blouse - Chloe
Skirt - Marc by Marc Jacobs
Shoes - Kate Spade
Clutch - Halston
Necklace - Kate Spade

Isn’t it all just to die for?

Oh how I wish I had a house big enough to entertain in and yet again, Holly did it in a tiny NYC apartment so…

Good morning muffins!! Today I am going to close my eyes real...

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:40:02 -0400

Good morning muffins!!

Today I am going to close my eyes real tight and pretend that I am Holly Golightly.

I will drink milk out of champagne glasses, say things like “Did I tell you how divinely and utterly happy I am?” and wear fabulous hats.

Sounds good to me!

Perspective

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:37:10 -0400

Whenever I feel annoyed about possibly getting sick or being sick I think of my cousin Slava who can’t remember the last time he felt remotely healthy.

Whenever I don’t want to eat anything in my fridge and whine about it I think of the kids from the orphanage my mum housed that ate so much their first night at our house they made themselves sick.

Whenever I wish I had a nicer mattress I think of that scene in the Blind Side when Michael says “I’ve never had one of these before” and Leigh Anne says “What a room to yourself?” and he replies “No. A bed.”

Whenever I think I don’t have anything to wear I think about the girl we sponsor in India who received her first “nice” dress this February for her birthday.

Whenever I think that there is too much hurt in this world I think of Martin Luther King or all the outpouring of love and money that we witnessed just a month ago in Haiti.

Whenever I wish we had more money I think about that family on the episode of True Life who had to recycle plastic bottles to scrape enough money to drive to the grocery store where they couldn’t really afford anything either.

Whenever I wish that I got to travel more I think about those kids at the day care I interned at that will probably never see the ocean or the Statue of Liberty.

Whenever I feel sorry for myself I think about the fact that I am blessed with spending the rest of my life with my best friend.

And that is more than enough for me.

On Relationships and Marriage: Men & Feelings

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:33:16 -0400

I received the following anonymous question: My boyfriend has a hard time being open with his feelings. I know he loves me and cares about me a lot, but he doesn’t tell me very often. Similarly, he doesn’t compliment me often if I put a lot of effort into looking nice or doing something nice for him. I don’t want to seem needy but sometimes a girl needs a little reassurance! I brought it up to him and he said he would try harder, but it hasn’t seemed to change much. What should I do?

The first thing I would say is: have you met his parents? Much of what men or women learn about marriage, if not all, is based on what they have observed modeled in the home they grew up in. Was his father a doting husband? Was his father attentive to his mother’s needs? What kind of marriage did his parents have?

If your answer is that openness and attentiveness is not something that he had the opportunity to learn as a child and young man from his parents then you have your work cut out for you, and that is good news. One important thing to always remember that if you are sure of your partner’s love for you the way they show it or lack thereof does not make them a bad person, it simply means that they have not yet learned which form of expression gets their point across best.

Growing together as a couple takes time and learning to tune into each others needs and wants also takes some learning and tweaking. I would highly recommend that you read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman together, it was a huge help to Kevin and I. It will help you learn to better communicate your needs to him and it will help him understand that it’s not that you are “high maintenance” or “needy” it is simply the way you “hear” love.

This will take time and patience on both ends but with gentle nudging and occasional conversations when necessary I believe that with time you will come to the point when he will be able to satisfy your needs without having to be reminded.

The best advice I learned on this subject? You start! As women I think we often forget that men need wooing every once in a while too, so we end up sitting there waiting for our flowers and chocolates and believe that doing the laundry is enough “doting” on our part. Wrong. You will be amazed at what a difference you will see in your man when you do thoughtful things for him. Forget the flowers. Get him his favorite cookie as you stop by his office during lunch for a mid-day surprise. Write him a short note and tuck it under his pillow. As you’re perusing Target for the fifth time in a week stop by the DVD section and surprise him with an oldie but a goodie.

Relationships are reciprocal and when you give love, affection, and care you will get it back. Often we as women forget that because I believe we are socialized to expect all the doting but not taught to give some in return.

I will add the disclaimer that if there are other red flags in the relationship that you did not share with me or if you have gone above and beyond on your end and had conversations with him on this topic and you still don’t get anything in return you may need to do some serious thinking. But from what you told me, it sounds like he is a great guy, who really loves you but just needs some help with learning how to express that love. Though it might seem like second nature for you, it might not be for him. Sometimes time and open communication is all that is needed.