Vasilisa's Gift Guide! — livingnotes

follow us on social

Visit the latest on the Blog

See the latest from Instagram

5 of my all time favorites (in no particular order) :
🔸 sunshine - that’s my happiness battery.
🔸 red lips + sunglasses - the best under-eye dark-circle concealer 🤩
🔸 comfy shoes - because, obviously 👶
🔸 baby in a baby carrier squirming on my chest. drooling too, but I still love it.
🔸 white jeans. yeah, I know - very “practical”, but 🤗 I just love them 🙃
(I should add 6: a good laundry detergent too)
.
What are you favorites of the moment?
.
PS: did you see Elisey singing along in stories?! I’m so happy I caught it!
.
#citykids #redlips #baby #motherhoodunplugged @kosascosmetics @marquecomm

TRUE LOVE! It’s Friday! We made it!
On the other note, after serious consideration, we came to a hard decision to revert to running LivingNotes in English only again.
Believe me, it was not an easy decision to make because we love ALL of you, from every part of the world.
We have so many new, great things that we are working on that require my time and focus, it has become simply impossible to sustain the russian-speaking portion while moving forward at the speed we want and need to move.
We thought of the idea of hiring someone to do the translation and even tried it for a little bit too, but then it takes away that which we treasure most - the personal connection with all of you, and we didn’t like that either.
Since the majority of all of my Russian speakers are in US, we figured, it shouldn’t make too much of a difference, right?
For everyone else, there is a translation button. It’s not perfect, but it does a pretty good job. And then, of course, there is DM and email - I’m always here for all of you, no matter the language, race, or religion.
.
I love you all, this is a hard move for me on once side, but in the other, I feel like it’s the right step.
There is so much that is in the works at LivingNotes that needs my full attention and dedication, but there is only one of me with 24 hours in the day.
I hope you know how much all you and everything that LivingNotes has become mean to me, and support us in this move forward!
.
Much, much love to you all!❤️
.
#community #livingnotes #citykids #igkids #truelove #family #familyovereverything @poloralphlauren @appaman

Happy V-day!
Sending love from us to you!❤️❤️❤️
.
PS: quest of the month - can you find Elisey?
.
#family #familyovereverything #lifewithkids #familytime

While we were planning this amazing photo shoot, our model ate the props 🙃🤗😂 The shoot did NOT turn out how Nikola envisioned it, but I have the best shots, imho 😂 ( did you catch it in stories the other day?! So cute!)
.
On the other note, just had an amazing podcast recording with Dr Harvey Karp @happiest_baby, an incredible pediatrician, the inventor of the Snoo and the sleep specialist like no other.
We’ve covered some of the most asked questions about sleep, sleep training and parenting, and talked quite a bit about the Snoo, that stirred quite a bit of waters since it’s release.
.
One of my personal takeaways from the conversation was “if you introduce something new and it doesn’t create controversies, you did not really introduce anything new”. So true, isn’t it?
.
That said, let’s talk Snoo - what do you think about it? Have you tried it? Seen it?
.
русский: ⤵️
.
#snoo #sleeptraining #motherhood #parenting #kidsinthecity @originalsnackpack @happyhannas @edelman #citykids

Bread has been a staple of the human diet for thousands of years.
.
So many controversial theories today.
So, is it good or bad for health?
Let’s dive in!
There are many types of bread. Some are a bad idea, while others are beneficial.
Manna bread, sprouted breads and artesian breads make it to the top of the list.
I’m sure you have heard enough anti-bread propaganda, here are some of the benefits to balance it out!
Did you know, that:
.
🔸 The long fermentation process of artesian breads breaks down gluten, so those who report sensitivity to commercial bread will find that eating sourdough is a much more pleasurable experience.
.
🔸The bacteria and yeast involved in making a sourdough loaf create a high diversity of probiotics. Eating sourdough equips your body with beneficial probiotics in the same way that sauerkraut or yoghurt does.
.
🔸 It’s low GI
.
🔸natural plant enzymes.
Some breads, like Manna breads ( essene bread) are made from germinated seeds and dried at low temperatures, so that all beneficial enzymes are preserved.
.
🔸 Nutrients density and absorption: germinated grains and long fermentation processes substantially improve the absorption of important micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, or zinc, which are found in these breads. It also has higher concentrations of vitamins, like vitamin C, B, and E.
.
What do you do think? Breads: good or bad for you?
Random Q: how many of you tried manna breads? Do you know what I am referring to?
Those “wet, hard to cut” loaves?
.
#health #nutrition #familyovereverything #family #wellness #bread @boobdesign #boobdesign

Morning with Elisey 😍
Some things I am loving right now and always want to remember:
🔸 I love that we have Super Simple songs going almost non-stop. His face lights up every time he hears them. He sings along too, and it’s heart melting.
🔸 when he wakes up at night, he comes and talks to me until I wake up. I have no idea what he is saying, but he is babbling something that makes total sense to him.
Love❤️
🔸 He loved to cuddly with everyone. No favorites. He always makes sure each of us get enough time with him. So funny, but I love that too.
🔸 he takes the bottle! That is a whole new experience for me! I still breastfeed, but when I am away, he loves a toddler formula and if I need a break and a full-night sleep, Justin can take care of him at night. This is life changing for me, guys. Never happened before.
🔸 he “works”. As in, gets on my chair at my desk, grabs the phone and sits there swiping right and left for 5 or so min. Gets off, says “done” and leaves. I’m dying.❤️
These are the best memories ever.
.
What did you little ones do that you remember the most?
.
#family #familyiseverything #motherhood #momentstoremember #life #baby #familyovereverything

Raising boys in today’s world - let’s talk!
When I wrote a post about raising girls, emphasizing that I believe it is important for a man to have a role of a provider in the family regardless of what the woman does, I got soooo many messages with “but what about all your talk about empowering women?!”, “why is the man supposed to do that?!”, “when have you changed your views?!” etc.
Keep calm, guys 😊 My views haven’t changed at all.
But I do think it is important to instill in a future man a sense of responsibility for his family and children and a drive to compete and reach for goals just as much as I think it’s important for any man to be able to know how to cook, clean and do all other things necessary in life.
.
In my view, a successful man and a successful woman do not cancel each other out, but I DO think that in today’s world where women are often breadwinners or earn more than their husbands it is important for men to have something where they feel their importance, their value and worth. Everyone has a need for self-fulfillment, and I cannot think of a better option for a man than a career, which, in most cases, by default turn him into a provider.
.
Also, I do think it is important for either one of the partners to be able to support the family regardless of the other one.
This is not a fear-based mentality. This is common sense and a protection for the kids, whose lives both parents are responsible for.
Life is unpredictable, and so is the economy in many cases.
.
And last, but far not least, I believe that a man’s role as a provider has nothing but a positive effect on a relationship. There is no competition, even if a wife is earning 10x the husband, if a man feels that he is not only loved, but is an equally important partner in a family. Of course, there are always exceptions, but, generally, this seems to be the truth for the majority.
.
What do you think? How do you raise your boys ( it would raise if you had one)?
.
русский ⤵️
.
#motherhood #parenting #family #familyovereverything #citykids
@retrospec

Let’s talk health and hormones!
Did you know that, according to studies, the balance of certain hormones affects health, wellness, beauty and the process of aging? With every passing year, once they hit their prime, the production of those “beauty hormones” is on decline.
But Mother Nature is a golden treasure!
Read on!
🔸Estrogens - the keys to youth and longevity. They are responsible for elasticity of the skin, reproductive function, have a positive effect on cardiovascular system and are responsible for bone density among other things.
🍀how to boost: phytoestrogens! Flax seed, beans, nuts, black pepper are great sources 🔸Somatotropin - youth and beauty. Regulates the volume of lipid tissues and slows down their accumulation ( read: slender body!), helps to maintain strong muscles, helps to keep the mind clear, and so on.
🍀 boost: lentils and nuts!
🔸testosterone - emotions and attraction.
Surprising, right? But minute amounts of testosterone in a female body help to regulate metabolism, increase self-esteem, have positive effect on emotions, support bone density, etc.
🍀 boost: think zinc and manganese! Foods rich in both: oats, buckwheat, green leafy veggies, seafood to name a few.
🔸DHEA - slenderness
Apart from being responsible for slenderness and fat disposition, it strengthens immune system, helps to resist stress, etc.
🍀 boost: eat olives, avocados, fish, olive oil often.
🔸melatonin - balanced endocrine system.
Normalized sleep patterns help keep endocrine system and brain function in check.
🍀some good sources: leafy greens, nuts, beans, whole grains, veggies and fruit.
.
What do you have to add to this list? Also, should I do more posts like this?
.
#health #wellness #nutrition #beauty #motherhood

Thank you.
To all of you for your support and kind words.
I came home last night, tired, with my mind going over a long list of things that need to be done before 3 pm today. Traded parenting duty with Justin, who had an evening booked.
Fed kids.
Listened to all their stories I had to know. Picked up toys from the floor. Kissed little ones off to bed.
Made sure a new load of laundry was going.
Grabbed some tea and opened IG.
Your comments, messages and support made me tear up.
I don’t run this blog for “fame”, I don’t seek a “universal love”. My hope for LivingNotes has always been to be something helpful to you all. Something I wish I had when in was a new mom, a younger woman, seeking my own path and trying to figure this “life” thing out. I hoped for LivingNotes to become a resource of information, help, and a community of support to those who need it. .
Sometimes I am one of those “those”.
Thank you for being there for me.
.
xoxoxo
#motherhood #life #gratitude #family #familyovereverything

Have to share my new finds (from new @birchbox at Walgreens in WeHo!), and I have to say that this “Build-Your-Own Birchbox” concept is genius.
I love that you can choose the products you want from the bar to put in your box and you are not limited by someone else’s views and preferences.
.
So, this month I am testing and comparing (per your requests!) two new dry shampoos (The Living Proof. ® Perfect Hair Day™ Dry Shampoo and Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk), two lip treatments (Coola® Tinted Mineral Liplux® and ARROW BOOST Color Enhancing Lip Balm**), and a makeup setter (Lise Watier® Magnifix Make-up Fixative with White Tea).
.
I am showing in stories the exact ones. Have you used any of the products? If so, what do you think?
.
Right now you can sign yourself up for a 6- or 12-month Birchbox subscription at any Birchbox at Walgreens location, and you'll get a free BYOB (build your own Birchbox - a $15 value!). This promotion isn't eligible on gift subscriptions.
.
A question for you: what do you want me to try for my next Build-Your-Own Birchbox?
Comment below, I will do my best to accommodate as many requests as I can!
.
#ad #birchboxatwalgreens #birchbox #beauty #unboxing
@walgreens @birchbox @livingproofinc @kloraneusa @coola @arrow_beauty @lisewatier

A very raw and honest post.
I doubted whether I want to write this or not, but based on many DMs and comments triggered by the morning post, I think I should.
I got a lot of messages saying something in the notes of “You are setting unrealistic sky-high expectations for your girls! Not every man is like your husband!”, “easy for you to say, you married well!”, and so on.
.
Yes, those of you who messaged or who think that my husband is loving, caring, willing to work on his weaknesses, valuing his kids and wife, you are right.
He is all of that.
He cab also be stubborn, determined to get his way, and many other things, just like any other normal person.
He is far not as perfect as many of you picture, the same way as I am absolutely not a perfect person myself.
Also, my husband was raised in a very controversial mentality where a wife was seen as very, very second to a “mighty husband”, yet expected to fully support her husband while he would be chasing his dreams, at any cost to herself.
She was expected to just “make life happen the perfect way”.
.
It took years for him to see that which majority of you see as normal: two people are equals, and neither is superior over the other one.
.
He is a perfect husband for me, as well as I am a perfect companion for him, because through challenges we do become better versions of our own selves, but by no means it is all luck that just fell on our heads.
It’s work.
A lot of work. Daily.
What you don’t see, because IG wasn’t invented then, are years of challenges that I would rather not have, making amends with what we’ve got and moving on. Parts of it are on my blog, if you really dig into archives, but a lot of these memories are stashed in my journals somewhere in storage.
So, yes, I married well. Very well. But that “well” comes with its own high price tag.
.
I do want to leave you with this: love and value your partner. Nobody is perfect. But everyone has something good in them, and your partner has something in him/her that is exactly perfect for you.
And also, the grass is not greener on the other side. At all.
.
#marriage #family

Raising a girl in today’s world - is it different from raising a boy? Does it really matter?
I think it does.
In today’s world of conflicting messages I think it’s important to help a future woman find her path.
I believe in feminism. But not the type that diminishes men’s value or proclaims women to be superior over other humans.
I believe in feminism that allows the woman to be who she is, whether married or not, with children or without, the type that allows for a woman to make her own choice, regardless of expectations.
.
That said, I believe that it is equally important to instill in a girl that she IS a woman, a beautiful flower that requires love and care. While life can throw stumbling stones on everyone’s path and things may shift from time to time, in general, I do believe that it is a man’s responsibility to take care of the family and his woman, and that is what I want my girls to know too. They can be all they want to be, but, unless they choose to have it otherwise per their own choice, a family is a man’s responsibility. Something that I teach my boys as well.
.
Do you want to expand the topic more?
What do you teach your girls? Do you think girls need a different approach than boys?
.
Русский⤵️
.
#parenting #motherhood #childhood #family #familyovereverything #citykids
@retrospec @appaman

My very ecstatic biking crew! 😍
Now, roundup of apps and useful things:
.
APPS
🔸Notepad : this is audio recordings and easy management of notes in one. SOOO helpful for work/organization.
.
🔸Mindnote : this is my favorite for breaking downs goals step by step and keeping it all organized. I love it.
.
🔸Anylist: heaven for grocery shopping. Organizes products by store, automatically places them by category, you can even use a floorplan of the store, integrate recipes and create shopping lists based on that, and it’s all SIMPLE AND FAST. It allows to share the list and directions what to get where with everyone. Saves so much time and headache. Genius.
.
🔸Joule : recipe app + instructions. Kids found it, because it offers step-by-step guide, but I will tell you, there some amazing tips there too even for pros.
.
🔸Sleepiest : relax melodies and sounds, even stories. This is sooooo helpful after a long day where you are so tired and wired that you can’t even go to sleep. Know the feeling? This app is gold for that.
.
What apps do you use and love? I am always looking for something new to improve and streamline my days.
What should I try?
.
bikes: @retrospec
.
#life #family #familyovereverything #productivity #apps #bugaboo

#ad It’s a “two-bottles-of- @soylent” type of a project!
We’ve been working around the clock on the newest LN launch, I don’t even know what time, day or date it is. No time for anything, particularly food🤗 Someone on the team brought a box of the new soylent, so that’s what has been keeping me alive on this crazy roller coaster schedule, and I’ve loved it so far. Bookmark this post for future reference! I looked up details on this magic drink, and here is a full report.
What this is:
Basically, it’s food in a bottle, plant based, which i love, with all clean ingredients. It’s not a food replacement, I do think it’s important to have balanced meals , but i found soylent to be a great option for long days where i need something to tie me over, when I don’t want that “something” to end up being something empty/void. It’s a great pick-me-up midday or a fab early morning option. I loved our between meals drinks, but there are breakfast and meal-on-the go options, just look them up on Amazon!
How do you, guys, work out busy schedules? Anyone else dives head in and doesn’t resurface until the project is complete?
.
#soylentbridge #wellness #health #workingmom #motherhood

#ad Redesign fever! Do you guys get excited about designing new things? I literally could not wait to get home to share with my girls what @modsydesign team came up with for our living room. (Just swipe left to see!) It’s so fun to pick and choose things together. I’ve been wanting to create a more serene, clean, organic space. .
I put two complete design options in stories because it didn’t fit here. What do you guys think? I kind of like option 1 better, but there are some furniture pieces that I like from option 2 (BTW, I set a very modest budget for this project). All around I think it’s really cool that you can see what your room will actually look like before committing to anything. .
What we have done is sent measurements and photos of our space and took a design preference quiz, and this is what the team came up with. .
I think that considering this is their first take-first try, they have done an amazing job. For any of you that want to try, I’ve asked for a 20% off code for all Classic, Premium and Multi-room packages. Just use LIVINGNOTES at checkout.
.
What do you guys think about the design? Do you like it? Any thoughts, suggestions? .
#modsydesign #design #interiordesign #family #familyovereverything

Happy Wed! Throw-back to SF when Elia was born! Three years, wow!
.
Here are my views on life and motherhood and a couple of things that I have learned from real-life stories similar to the ones I shared in the last post.
.
🔸It’s important to live your dream.
However, if the realization of that dream depends on other people, that dream is not “yours” any more. Other people’s wishes and dreams, even if they are our own kids, need to be respected too.
In case with a Woman B, she painted a certain picture of how her life should/would be, but her entire happiness model depended on other people’s performance per HER desires. That is a sure path to a disappointment.
.
🔸 working or choosing not to work is secondary, as many of you mentioned ( and I agree). I do believe, though, that it is essential to be 100% honest with oneself and to be 100% accepting of other people’s choices.
Having or not having work in addition to a family does not make a woman any less of a mother just the same way as dedicating her life to homemaking doesn’t make one be a great mother by default. There are so many aspect to motherhood, we each have our own way.
.
🔸 too much control is a sure way to kill any relationship.
I don’t think that kids in a woman B’s case are ungrateful. They, most likely, just need some space and some air to breathe.
How much is too much is a difficult question, but, in my opinion, if kids don’t have space when they are growing up, they will dive head in the moment they are free.
The forbidden fruit effect, nothing groundbreaking 🤗 Making that “free roaming space” as safe as possible the most we can do.
.
🔸It’s important to choose the path one would be happy on. No matter how much it goes against the grid of the surroundings. I’ve seen just as many unhappy working moms who are pressured to go to work by society as I have seen STAHMs who are mourning their careers they gave up to have kids.
I honestly do not believe that one way is better than the other.
The goal is happy, confident, educated and well-mannered, fit to face life children who will succeed on whichever path they choose. That is only possible when a mother ( both parents, actually), is fulfilled⤵️

Life and motherhood: Two real stories from two real women. Very interesting, in my opinion.
Tell me what you think.
.
Two young women live at the same time and are the same age. Both are being pressured by society and surroundings that it’s time for them to marry and start a family. Both are introduced to young men by friends in hopes the magic would “click”.
Woman A is a successful, educated, thriving professional. Maybe she is a year or two “behind”, per societal marital norms, but she is a social butterfly and the thought of being left alone never even crossed her mind. She is happy where she is and the attention is plenty.
.
Woman B was taught that education has a lesser value, and marriage and kids is where it’s all at. She studied some, but quickly re-focused her energy in finding the “right match”. Unfortunately, life would have it that “right matches” weren’t coming along, so, desperate for a solution ( as the time continued to pass) she married the first guy who extended the offer.
.
Fast-forward many years ahead.
Both women had and raised children.
Except there is a big difference.
.
Women A devoted her life equally to both: the job she loved and the family she raised. She instilled in her kids that they should fly as high as they see fit, encouraged to brave the unknown and was there to help. She let her kids go, never expecting anything of them but to be happy. As kids grew into adults, they started to try to give everything and more back to their mother, making up for sacrifices a woman A had to make in life while raising them.
.
Women B spent her years crafting the family she imagined would be “the proper & perfect” family, even if that meant that kids were often forced to live two different lives, as her compromise with them was such that AT HOME they followed certain way of living, but outside of a home/ after a certain age they could do whatever they wanted.
As kids grew, she continued to instill the importance of them listening to her and living “the right way, as the mother teaches”. She has done all she could to ensure that all kids stay as close as possible to her.⤵️

LOVE reading your responses on a previous post, and want to expand a little on three most frequently repeated comments:
.
🔸 “wow! 7 kids! You are a superwoman, I can’t get anything done with my 1 (2/3...)! Feel like a failure now”
.
First of all, every woman is a superwoman. Regardless is she is has kids or not, I firmly believe that any woman is a mother to someone in some way.
.
Second, i don’t get EVERYTHING done. I get done that which is important to me, and figuring out how to prioritize and what is important came with experience and a few bumps that I acquired along the way.
.
And third, last thing ANY of you should feel is failure. It’s ridiculously hard to live. The fact you are alive and, obviously, managed to have a good enough day to be reading these words is a success already. As far as kids - I don’t think a number of kids (or having kids at all!) defines success. To me, it turned out to be my path, although if you are a long-term follower, you know I never saw myself as a mom of many kids at the start of my life.
Let’s just 🙌🏻 each other. We can all use more of that! .
🔸 “you must have nerves of steel to have 7 kids!”
.
Personally, I think one needs nerves of steel to deal with adults 😂 I don’t get worked up by kids, I rest with them 🤗
.
🔸 “how do keep in shape? It must be genetics”
.
Guys, I think we all wish we had genetics to eat cookies and look fab 🤗 I wish too!
For me, it’s daily diet and lifestyle that make a difference, but I am not perfect. Over the years those two made the biggest impact on my health and well-being.
.
Are you into health-wellness-well-being?
Should we talk more about it here?
#health #wellbeing #family #familyovereverything #life

Dec 9

Dec 9 Vasilisa's Gift Guide!

Here is to another gift-guide and now it's Vasilisa's turn!

Her picks are some of my favorites and the French theme that seems to be trending is adorable!

Vasilisa's favorites are:

Silvie Doll:
http://bitteshop.com/collections/soft-toys/products/sylvie

Play silk:
http://bitteshop.com/products/silk-scape-blossom

Book set:
http://bitteshop.com/products/all-aboard-6-title-set

Notebook:
http://bitteshop.com/collections/preschool

Mice set:
http://www.mailegusa.com/products/guardian-angel-mouse

And additional mice:
http://www.mailegusa.com/search?type=product&q=mice

JUJUBE doll diaper bag ( adorable!!):
http://www.shop.ju-ju-be.com/itty-bitty-be-tokidoki-unikiki-2-0/

Paris play mat:
http://bitteshop.com/collections/preschool

Here is to abundance of choices for gifts and stocking stuffers!

Happy Holidays!

Leave a comment

Uber-fun in San Francisco

Dec 9 Uber-fun in San Francisco

Nov 28 CYBER MONDAY: DEALS AND STEALS