we all love Christmas!

No matter what. Our truly Russian  parents and grandparents have always celebrated Christmas on Jan 7. They’ve never known what an awesome holiday vibe you can get in Europe/States in December. Getting Christmas presents, decorating houses (which doesn’t only mean interior. Exterior decorations are as important - they make you want to spend time outdoors, celebrate with your neighbors, all your friends, make snowmen, catch snowflakes and do the funny winter stuff). Sales start in every single store after the 25^th  - it’s the most exciting part! You can always find your ideal dress for the New Year’s Eve cheaper. It’s a fun time for shopping, but not for the stores though. Malls are not only packed and messed up all the time, but sales associates are sadly doing pretty much one thing – returns. People have been buying all December so that they could return whatever their mums, daughters, friends didn’t like, right after. Except for this little detail, Christmas is awesome for everybody.

Where can you find the Christmas spirit in Moscow? Starbucks. Its drinks and cups make miracles happen. From the very first sip, the holiday vibe fills your mouth, your heart, your whole body. You want to share it, brew the Christmas blend coffee at home and get a morning latte special every day – to get away from the work craziness and relationship issues and whatever else bothers you.

Having a Starbucks drink in your hand, your Wonderful Boyfriend on the phone and a warm sweater on makes the December Holidays World go round. Indeed.

Adidas Originals: has there ever been sport?

I’ve always separated my work/life/going out/dates/whatever else closet with my sportswear. My Nike shoes are still only for running. My Victoria Secret’s Sexy Sport Bra is never worn anywhere but gym. My Reebok training shorts keep my ass covered on my yoga classes. But even these brands are not only about sport any more. Adidas Originals is, moreover, nothing about sport.

Sunday is a busy day in the life of a huge shopping mall in Moscow. Dressed up ladies and gentlemen (they would rather leave lipstick on every item they try on then show their natural/actual (?) face) are wandering around the mall and buying stuff. No matter what - the trendiest purses and shoes, the hottest dresses, the cheapest sale items – they buy everything. What about sports goods? Initially they are functional, not fashionable. Your sneakers are old –you but a new pair. Period. People who are into sports are not into fashion. And here is the question: how to sell, how to make people but more sneakers than they actually need, how to get as much turnover as Mango and Zara. Correct, make it trendy! Adidas starts a new line – Originals. Twice as expensive as the sports line, twice as popular. They make sport in, they convince young people that it’s hot, and bright, and cool.

I walk in, and surpeisingly find nothing I would actually wear to the gym – it’s just comfy stuff I’d wear for a walk or when I am too lazy to dress up and put hills on. I am trying a jacket on and the girl helping me says: “Oh, it will be perfect for snowboarding!”  I am telling her that I have nothing in common with it and start taking it off. She laughs:” Hey, even drugged and fucked up kids buy Originals! They don’t even know what snowboarding  is . It’s fashion!”  I buy a couple things which I would never consider buying in this store and go running as soon as I get home. Wearing my regular sports stuff.  I have more than one pair of my favorite Nike’s btw – and I don’t  buy a new pair only when my old shoes break. I want my outfit to be perfect no matter if I am on the treadmill or at the party. 

Choosing what to wear when you go to the gym is as important as choosing a party outfit – for those who loooove dressing up. But thanks to the Originals for making sport fashionable! (not worn WHILE doing sports lol)

(headband - Vix, shirt - Benetton, vest - Adidas Origianls, purse - Michael Kors, shorts - Billabong, stockings - Calzedonia, boots - Burberry)

The theatre chicks

When I was a little lady, my dad has always been telling me that theatre is a special place, where all girls wear out all their fancy clothes and jewelry, all guys – suits and shoes. That different people gather to enjoy the Art, comedy or drama, ballet and opera.  Back in the days my mum always put the best of my dresses on me, and I had a feeling of a holiday, of the wonderful celebration of Life every time my family Went Out to the Theatre. 

Well, a lot has changed and every time I go to the theatre I am shocked by how different it is form what my parents have been teaching me. More LV, Gucci, Hermes and other exclusive brands I don’t even see in the best clubs and lounges of Moscow. December in Moscow remember? You won’t see anything warmer than shoes, even open-toe! Light blouses, wonderful dresses – everyone super dressed up. It seems so beautiful from the first sight. And then, surprisingly, you see Ipads. Why would you take a gadget to a place like that? Girls think it’s cool that you carry it around with you even here? I wonder if they post in Twitter:” I am in the theatre bathroom, checking my make-up. I am at home, having sex with my husband. I am feeding his cat, which I hate”. Theatre outfits have always been fashionable, but it never - label show-off, more of a chic, classic fashion. It has never been anything close to the club/glitter/street look. It’s sad that girls want to show how successful they are, how much money they’ve got even here. I was hoping it would stay within other spheres of Moscow evening/night life. Nope.


 I had a theatre look – a little black dress on, black suede high heels and a little clutch. Apparently I should have taken one of my Louis, the bigger the better, according to these ladies. I should have put on a glitter skirt, the shorter the cooler. Or take an awesome gadget? And check my mail during the performance? It’s not style or fashion – it’s the lack of education, not even the fashion, but the regular one. I should start a special “How to behave in places like that” course – and will probably become famous.