16 Apr Turning Heads Linkup – Easter Dress, Traditions and Funny Bday Story`

Some of you may know that I am part Irish. You may not know, or if you have been reading the blog for a while, you know I am also part Ukrainian.  The Ukrainian traditions are ones we loved to uphold as my siblings and I grew up, as my Grandma ( I called her “Gummy” couldn’t say Grandma, and “Pap” my Grandpa,) celebrated. I wanted to wear my Easter best today and styled this bold floral print dress.

The Ukrainian Easter

The Ukrainian Easter was a special Holiday, and I am saddened a bit, knowing that my grandparents and our family has not continued with some of these traditions. When I was a little girl, we would go to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, on the Sahside ( see how to Talk like a Pittsburgher post).  We would go to Mass at the church, as the Monsignor recited the Mass in Ukrainian and English. We were all dressed in our Easter Best!

We would take our Easter Baskets, which as tradition, contained certain foods- such as meat, butter, bread,  salt/horseradish. (Now, these were separate from the candy and chocolate -ridden filled baskets we had to hunt for in the house)

The Priest would answer the door to the hall after the Mass, and we would say, “Khrystos Voskres” (“Christ is risen!)

These traditions have stuck with me in my memory, making an impact on me as a child. We would have a special Easter dinner and loved the Paska or yellow bread with butter. It is round shaped, often with a symbol of the Cross, and is an important part of the meal.

The word ‘paska’ has a Jewish origin. It came from the Jewish Passover feast known as ‘pesach’ and symbolizes Christ’s passing over from death to life.

Mom collected ornate and decorated Ukrainian Easter Eggs, called Pysanky. We tried to decorate them as a kid, and it was difficult, as you hollowed out the egg, and learn to decorate on a fragile shell.

Hubby’s Bday Funny Story

My hubby loved his “50” items for his 50th Bday, and the cake was enough to leave you in a chocolate coma! Very rich. The funny part was that my mom and his mom sent him a Birthday card, as did I. We all gave him the card without any planning and this is what each of us chose…

We really laughed after opening the second card and seeing the same picture.. but my husband shrieked from the couch, “Oh My God”, when he opened, his mother’s, the  3rd card!  I think I laughed until I cried!

We did have an amazing dinner at this restaurant in Uptown, called Eddie V’s Seafood, where they gave us champagne when we sat down to begin the celebration,  ended with some flaming bananas foster with some amazing mouth-watering seafood in between.

My Outfit

I am wearing a floral off the shoulder vintage inspired dress with a flouncy hem, and bought this a from ASOS a few years ago. Since then, I have added more casual dresses to my closet but loved this for special days like going on a diner date with hubby, Easter, Mother’s Day, any day I wanted to feel dressed up and special.

I paired it with a navy crinkled envelope bag from Treesje, and my Betsey Johnson pearl heeled pink sandals. I love a good floral dress for Easter and this has a bit of stretch ( not much) in it as well.

I loved the photorealism in the print of the dress, as the florals look as they can be picked straight from the garment!

Do you dress in your Easter Best on the day? Do you have any family traditions you follow on Easter?

Outfit

Floral dress from ASOS ( a fw yrs old. I’ve found similar dresses below. ) Affiliate links below.

Treesje designer clutch

Betsey Joshnson pearl pink sandals ( DSW- lst yr)

flower earrings– Bauablebar ( sim)

LETS HAVE SOME FUN AND PAR-TY AT THE TURNING HEADS TUESDAY LINKUP! SORRY ABOUT THE LINKUP STARTING LATER LAST WEEK, IM GETTING USED TO THE NEW INLINKZ AND NEEDED TO CHANGE THE TIME!

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