Urban Crusing

An online publication for modern families

[livingnotesfromnyc]

Stay weird. Soak up the sun. Feel all the emotions. Stop proving yourself. Make a wish. Be yourself, and show yourself to the world. Embrace who you are. Start deep convos. Make it fun. Pick some wildflowers. Plush in the puddles (we’ve got enough rain to go knee deep) Connect to your sensuality. Connect to your creativity. Be contagiously excited. About everything. Allow yourself to follow your intuition. Be the sun. Create your own tribe. Drive with your windows down. Go after what you truly want. Start a garden. Or a revolution. Dream. And then make dreams a reality. Go barefoot on the grass. Or beach. Open your heart. Don’t second guess. Learn something new. Set boundaries. Relax. Let your natural grace & charm shine. Say what you see. Be honest and kind. Move to your own drums. Above all, LIVE. To its fullest. . ПЕРЕВОД НИЖЕ. . 📷: @theframed.photography . #tahiti #life #selfimorovement #inspirarion #livingnotes (at Moorea, French Polynesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqbKGHFPxRN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

You know why I love traveling so much? It changes you. Forces you to grow. Often in subtle ways that, in time, make a big difference. . You know you’re growing when you hit delete on a passive-aggressive text no matter who it came from, and opt for “let’s talk about this in person”. . You know you are growing when realizing that procrastination is not laziness, but subconscious push back on something that triggers you, and then opt to work through discomfort to keep moving forward. . You know you’re growing when you are no longer there to “fix” others. You accept them fully for who they are, and are your full, complete and wholesome self with them. . And then, you no longer let others guilt you into what you “should be” to fit into their world. YOU chose to keep them in your circle or to move on, by your own choice, for the best benefit for all. That is the highest form of consciousness. . You know you’re growing when choosing your own company is more appealing than remaining in the space where you have to beg for basics and bare minimum. . Can you relate? . ПЕРЕВОД НИЖЕ . 📷: @theframed.photography . #travel #selfimprovement #africa #photography #nikon (at Tanzania, Africa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqGg0oQvE77/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

MUST-HAVE APPS TRAVEL! Save this, you’ll need it. . SKYSCANNER It’s a travel search engine that helps you find the cheapest flights to your destination. You can set up alerts to find cheapest destinations to travel to. I use it all the time to figure out the itineraries & travel schedules. . HOPPER An app that uses data and algorithms to predict when flight prices will be the lowest. You can set up alerts as well.. . HOSTELWORLD If you are single and/or have a very limited budget, try this one! This is a website that allows you to book hostels and budget accommodations around the world. You can read reviews from other travelers and compare prices to find the best deal. If you travel as a group, this is a GREAT solution if you need just something simple. . ROADTRIPPERS If you are a frequent road-tripper, download this! An app that helps you plan your trips by suggesting scenic routes, attractions and accommodations along the way. You can also use the app to estimate gas cost and find cheap hotels. Very handy! . GASBUDDY Helps you find the cheapest gas prices in your area. You can also use the app to plan your route based on gas prices along the way. And If you live in LA, just download this, period. Saves you at least 15 cents per gallon. . HOTELTONIGHT An app that offers last-minute deals at discounted prices. You can use the app to book a hot room for the same day and up to a week in advance. GREAT option for spontaneous travelers or if you need a last minute option. I used this one for years, domestically & abroad. Lifesaver! . SKIPLAGGED Travel world’s best kept secret! This is a website that helps you find “hidden city” flight deals. Basically, you book a ticket to a destination that has a layover in your desired location. And then you just don’t take the second leg of the flight. If checking bags, ask to pick them up at the layover point ( or just carry on!) This can help cut with some SIGNIFICANT savings on airfare!. Cool, right? . What else would you add? What do you use? . ПЕРЕВОД НИЖЕ . 📷: @theframed.photography . #travel #travelhacks #travelbug #livingnotes #traveltips #travellife #livingnotestravel #tahiti (at Tahiti, French Polynesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp3n54EvYJn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

I didn’t want to come back. I am not an island girl. But I didn’t want to leave Rangiroa. Crazy. And puzzling, because I need my fill of the city life. I suffocated every time I tried to leave it. Suburbia has never appealed to me, not even mentioning a remote island with barely anything on it. But there is something about Rangiroa that my heart & soul needed. Tremendously. Partially, it WAS the very fact that there was barely anything on the island. 300 total people living there made it feel like home. I loved that everyone knew everyone. And cared for each other too. I loved that there was no fluff: no trending fashions, no stupid rules. No carseats for babies, kids clinging to their parent’s backs while on bikes, babies running around clothe-less on the beach, and all survived without censoring nonsense. More than that, they were (and are) thriving. . Everyone looked the same. You could be the richest person on the block or the pauper who built his shack in the lagoon, you wouldn’t know from the first glance. Fluff we care SO much about in our western world didn’t matter in Rangiroa, and it was… beautiful. Soul-filling. Nourishing. Healing. . Coming back to cold & rainy LA was not something I wanted to do, which was a first. Usually, two weeks into the trip I miss my home, my kitchen and my bed. Getting on the plane in Tahiti was bitter-sweet. . Rangiroa felt like a dream. I didn’t want to leave. I wasn’t ready to wake up. I found my corner of paradise. Counting days until I dive into its crystal blue waters again. . ПЕРЕВОД НИЖЕ . #rangiroa #travel #travelbug #tahiti #frenchPolynesia #livingnotes #livingnotestravel #nikon #nikonphotography (at Rangiroa) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp0s0fgvw3z/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

Fun facts about St Maarten. Did you know that: ~ St. Maarten holds the world record of beaches related to its compact surface. ~ St. Maarten / St. Martin is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. It has most restaurants per sq mile. ~ It is widely known that St. Maarten mixes Caribbean with French and Dutch cultures. However, an additional 100 Caribbean, American, European, Asian, Australian and (yes) Oceanian nationalities add to the unique population ( and flavors! ) of St. Maarten. ~ Smallest Landmass Shared by Two Nations. ~ A True Pirate Island. Like any other Caribbean island, St. Maarten / St. Martin had its share of piracy and rum production. ~ Airport Beach. Without a doubt, St Maarten has the most photographed airport runway in the world! . Swipe to take a peek into St Maarten! PS: I am already on a different location! Can you guess where now? Hint: an island too! . ПЕРЕВОД НИЖЕ . 📷: @theframed.photography . #celebritypartner #celebritycruises #JourneyWonderFULL #celebritybeyond #livingnotes #livingnotestravel (at St. Maarten) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co5gFWzS2-6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

Dining highlights from @CelebrityCruises Beyond: bookmark! You will want to! . 🍴Raw On 5 Raw on 5, with its whimsically sophisticated ambiance, is an intimate eatery that features an amazing array of delicacies from the sea and views of the horizon make the dining experience here even more incredible. Went there on our second night - amazing! . 🍴Fine Cut Steakhouse From Japanese Wagyu Striploin to 45-day Dry-aged Prime Bone-in Rib Eye with a wide selection of premium sauces and toppings to choose from. Beyond the delicious entrées, you’ll find a variety of classic starters, so every meal offers endless combinations, so you’ll always find exactly what you’re craving. Celebrated our first night there with the team and didn’t want to leave! . 🍴Rooftop Garden Grill Nestled perfectly in its own delicious corner of the Rooftop Garden, this newly redesigned place will satisfy your craving for gourmet barbeque favorites, including hickory smoked, grilled Branzino and Seafood kabob—along with the most incredible ocean views around. It’s more casual than other places but still a fun one. . 🍴Eden Restaurant MOST incredible place! Eden Restaurant continues to offer uniquely personal culinary journeys designed to not only excite your taste buds, but every other sense as well. Simple. Natural. Delicious. The experience in Eden restaurant is inspired by the cuisines and regions of the world. It’s my absolute favorite of all ! Spent there our last night and I can’t wait to get back! . 🍴Le Voyage . World renowned chef Daniel Boulud, our Global Culinary Ambassador, has created his first signature restaurant at sea—Le VoyageSM by Daniel Boulud. Full disclosure: we only shot a commercial there and sampled some food, but everything was incredible and drinks were masterpieces of their ones. Wanted to come back but run out of time. 7 nights is far not enough on @CelebrityCruises! . More fun updates are coming up soon! Stay tuned! . 📷: @theframed.photography . #celebritypartner #celebritycruises #JourneyWonderFULL #celebritybeyond #livingnotes #livingnotestravel (at Caribbean Islands) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoYPGGovs6j/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

Double your Valentine's Day romance with Temu! The most romantic month of the year officially started, and here are three looks whether you are going out on a romantic date, in for some girls-night-out fun or just want to stay in, @shoptemu has everything you can possibly think of, from fashion pieces to home decor, and then some. If you haven’t seen it before, this one stop shop option has everything imaginable, and I promise you, it’s well below your Valentine's shopping budget! 💌Temu Valentine's Day Deals is kicking off! Up to 90% OFF & Free Shipping! ✨Code: make308 (extra 30% off) All the product links are in my bio/story. 🔗 https://www.temu.com/k/7416639d . Tell me, which look is your favorite? What resonates with you most? . 📷: @theframed.photography . #Temuvalentines #Temugiftlove #temubaes #temustyle #temu #temutrends #temufinds #shoptemu #valentines #valentinegift #happyvalentinesday #giftideas #giftsforher #giftsforhim #couple #livingnotes (at Venice Beach) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoNYT46PYam/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

Want to highlight @mayuwater today: this small, but noteworthy brand is set to up your well-being! The MAYU Swirl improves the quality and taste of any water poured into it. The vortex restructures and aerates the water with fresh oxygen after its long journey running compressed through straight pipelines. It aerates the water, letting it “breathe” (like fine wine exposed to air just 6,000 times faster). Think spring water, maybe even better. . MAYU just launched their limited Onyx base-colored collection, an exquisite piece of art inspired by Charcoal, a rich dark, soft sedimentary rock. This porcelain art-piece elevates any room in your home, orchestrating the feng shui like the water it swirls, this time with a twist of ebony and onyx. . You can read all-positive reviews on their site, MayuWater.com but all you need is a little bit of science knowledge to understand how cool and useful this beautiful device is. Bookmark it! . Use promo code LIVINGNOTES to get $15 off any order over $150 . #mayuswirl #mayuwater #wellness #wellbeing https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn9rMtdOtQy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

Sea Days with @celebritycruises are so fun, I almost didn’t want to get to the destinations. Just take a look! In the first couple of days we had ~ some serious heart-pumping workouts ( that I’m still sore from) ~ drinks and socializing with cool people while enjoying amazing views from the Magic Carpet bar. ~ a tour of the Captain’s HQ, The Bridge, ( who is a female and has other female officers! Captain Kate deserves a post of her own) ~ watched standup : my abs & cheeks were hurting from laughter 2 min in. ~ shopped : the goddess of shopping in me has awakened the moment I hit deck 4. ~ just had fun. There is so much to do, it doesn’t fit in 10 slides. Stay tuned for more! While I almost wish we could stay on the ship indefinitely, the destinations we are exploring on this cruise are A-MAZING! Coming up ASAP! . 📷: @theframed.photography . #celebritypartner #celebritycruises #JourneyWonderFULL #celebritybeyond (at Caribbean Islands) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn7IArpuqkz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

A mini-tour of the stateroom of @celebritycruises Beyond ship! Meet the AquaClass stateroom. AquaClass®staterooms for a fully immersive, next-level wellness experience. All elements are thoughtfully infused throughout your stateroom: from verandas that allow you to walk right out to the water’s edge to a super comfortable mattress and pillows. Also, note an exclusive restaurant, Blue with great menu options. Plus, you’ll enjoy access to the SEA Thermal Suite, a spa concierge, a complimentary fitness pass, preferential rates on AquaClass spa packages, daily in-room bottled water service, healthy room-service. State of the art bathroom with a shower and a mirror that doesn’t fog up either. Ample storage space! I love the layout and small details that make the stay so enjoyable. Waking up to a view of an open sea is beyond words. Coming up next: highlights from the ship! . 📷: @theframed.photography . #celebritypartner #celebritycruises #JourneywonderFul #celebritybeyond #livingnotes #livingnotestravel (at Caribbean Islands) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn3H8e8uc21/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

Friday Notes: ~ The peace you create within yourself benefits everyone. . ~ As you grow and change, it's absolutely natural ( and ok ) to say "My views and perception have changed, and this is no longer true to me", and then move into a new direction. Life is fluid. Adjusting the course as you go is not only natural, it’s the only way to keep going forward. . ~ We will inevitably hurt others. Sometimes on accident. Sometimes, because we didn’t know better. A truth that’s hard to accept. . ~ We lie to ourselves the most. Shocking. Yet, a fact. . ~ Most of us didn’t grow up seeing what healthy relationships look like. We get in relationships to learn how to love each other. A “can we talk” can fix a lot. . ~ Success doesn’t always feel as good as imagined. More so, it’s a borderline disappointment. The “and now what?” moment is real. . ~ We grow in unexpected ways when we lose someone we love. But you don’t have to go through pain to grow. You can simply chose to. Every day. . What else would you add? . ПЕРЕВОД ниже. . 📷: @theframed.photography . #lviingnotes #inspiration #motivation #england #london #nightout #style (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnXrGn-y1rq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

I miss Africa. It’s crazy how a destination can pull you in so much. And how much it can change you. Make you better. Make you kinder. More understanding. More accepting. More caring. More appreciative and empathetic. More determined, too. A lot more. More whole. And healed. . I miss thé universal connection you feel when there. It’s not just me. Everyone, who’ve been to Africa, says the same. You just… fit into your place in this world and the universe itself. Everything becomes so clear. Things make sense. . It takes me a couple of weeks to re-integrate into my LA life. Every single time. The contrast is striking. The “busy-ness” is unsettling.Too much. Too much of hustle and bustle that, on the large scheme of things, doesn't really matter. It’s not that I want to give things up. No, not at all. You just see what matters most so clearly when I’m Africa, you connect so much with nature, life and yourself, that even the coolest things we have in the western world seem so insignificant. . I try to hold on to that feeling for as long as I can. It passes with time though. As with everything, we adapt - it’s our human nature. The beauty and the curse of it. You integrate back into the flow of life again ( my new X5 is a definite proof of it), but as a better human. Hopefully. . Africa doesn’t leave you unmarked. It stays with you. For years. No. A lifetime. . ПЕРЕВОД НИЖЕ . 📷: @theframed.photography . #africa #tanzania #life #safari #travel #livingnotes (at Serengeti) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmhqFtLy1kc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

Getting holidays lights up means that Temu Holiday Season promotion has begun and my Temu package arrived! . If you didn’t see my earlier post, Temu is a one-stop shopping option for all your holiday needs and beyond! Make sure to stop by: I promise you, your wallet will thank you! You cannot beat Temu prices, huge selection and express delivery. . @shoptemu Holiday Season Sale is kicking off! Up to 90% OFF! To make it even better, use code { happy567 } for additional 30% off! https://www.temu.com/k/5c307c63 . 📷: @theframed.photography . #temuholidayseason #temuchristmas #temunewyear #temubaes #temustyle #temufinds #temu #christmasfashion #christmasiscoming #Christmas2022 #newyear2023 #newyearoutfits (at Venice Beach) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmZuqpev0va/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

You know what fascinates me? The amount of messages “How do I find someone to be with so they can take care of me?” on daily bases, followed by the list of “supposed to”s that person must have. . I agree that being with someone is a lot more fun than just being on your own, but are you looking for a partner or a… parent? . Because if you are looking for a partner, “he is supposed to provide for me” should not be on the list. A sign of a wholesome, independent grown up is the ability to provide for personal needs. Doesn’t matter, a man or a woman. Anything else is a sure road to codependency and a LOT of unhappiness. . “He is supposed to solve my problems” also doesn’t exist in a healthy relationship. The partner is there to support, uplift, console and even help - sure, but not solve your problems. That’s what parents do. And even then, mostly for toddlers. . “If he loves me, he will guess my wishes”. I mean, really? I think every parent out there will tell you that guessing what a baby wants is near to impossible. If a parent who spends 24-7 with their child from the moment they are born can’t do it, how do you expect someone else to read your mind? Someone you meet AFTER you formed as an adult? Not logical :) . “He is supposed to spend all the time with me!” No one is supposed to spend 24-7 with another person. You can’t do it yourself. Even a mom with a newborn who literally depends on her for survival, can’t. Every healthy relationship has room for each of the partners to have their own space. “Me time” is not a luxury. It’s a necessity. It is also the glue that keeps the relationship together. Remember the lockdown during the pandemic and the amount of divorce paperwork filed across the globe? Exactly. . So, if you are looking for someone to take care of you, then, maybe, moving back home is something to consider. . For any other questions - I am here. Always happy to help 🤍 . ПЕРЕВОД ниже . 📷: @theframed.photography . #relationship #couple #motivation #inspiration #life #psychology (at Louvre) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClyPnbMqxtR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

My heart skips a beat every now and then as my eyes scan the endless plains of Serengeti. The cooling wind gently plays with my hair. My feet carefully maneuver in the knee-long grass. I feel so connected to the very center of this planet somehow. Feels a little almost strange, because I miss kids this time more than ever. There is healing in this moment. There is recharging of my “life” battery that got so, so depleted over the last year and a half. Or, maybe, even the entire life. My lips smile. On their own. Not because I “have to”. I don’t think I’ve even thought once about it. It’s just a natural reflection of my soul’s state at the moment. I wish I could bottle up and take this feeling with me. This place is my medicine. What if I could just open up my cupboard every morning and get my “Africa doze” to start the day? I bought half the gift shop at our first shop secretly hoping to bring some of this Tanzania feeling back with me. I want everyone to experience it. So much. It’s indescribable. A dream that will come true one day. For now, there is Instagram and pictures. Charging them with every vibe I can. Soak it in. Let them do their magic.💫💫💫 🤍 ~ Olya . ПЕРЕВОД ниже . 📷: @theframed.photography . #africa #life #travel #livingnotestravel #tanzania #serengeti #nikon #nikonphotography #naturephotography #inspiration #photographersofinstagram (at Tanzania, Africa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CljlkUEqa8k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

Tanzania 2022. Just as incredible as 2020. Someone asked me “Why Tanzania?”, and I stumbled searching for an answer. It’s impossible to describe the feeling of belonging and the feeling of just… life. Real life. The kind where all priorities are in the right order. The connection with the nature. Where you realize your insignificance and at the same time feel the unity with it. The feeling of love and connection. The kind that is impossible to describe. The same way you can’t describe the love & connection you feel for a child until you have one. You just have to feel it for yourself. I hope you do. Until then, here are some of the snippets from the last week. . ~ 🤍, Olya . PS: have you ever been to Africa? If so, where? And if not, where would you want to go? . 📷: @theframed.photography . #tanzania #serengeti #africa #safari #photography #work #life (at Tanzania, Africa) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClZV77wK9zc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingnotesfromnyc]

There is a very simple equation that proved itself right time and time again: When you finally let go of something that is trying to escape you, truly and genuinely let go even if it is hard and painful, something incredibly good comes into your life. . That “good” picks you up from ashes, builds you back piece by piece, inspires you and sends you off into the world again with the new set of wings. . Works like magic. As soon as you find the strength and courage to let go of the lingering past, the space shifts to the present, which, in turn, opens doors to the future with its countless paths and possibilities. The page turns over to a new chapter in the book of life. . It’s hard to let go of the past. So hard. You need strength. Time. Patience. You need to grow and heal, while resolving a million problems along the way and working on yourself at the same time too. That’s just life. And it’s moving pieces. It takes hard work and effort to keep on going forward. . Sometimes though… Sometimes you just need to pause and leave yourself be. To sweep all the responsible grown-up thoughts out of your mind, tell yourself : “I’ll think about it later”, and shove them in the farthest drawer. Just for a day or two. Or even a week. For as long as it’s out of the mind for at least one night. . Then you put on a sexy dress, fun make up, dust off a pair of favorite shoes and go out. In good company or on your own - doesn’t matter. Just go. Order the most lucrative item on the menu and your absolute favorite cocktail. And desert. The best one. . For yourself. Just because. Then… just LIVE the moment. The way you always wish you could, but hardly ever (or never at all) have the time for. . No reason needed. Just because. Because you are worth it. Because you deserve it. Because if not now, then… when? . 📷: @theframed.photography . 👗: @shop.jale . ПЕРЕВОД ниже . #life #livingnotes #inspiration #motivation #london #england (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClFdfqNujr5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=