Underwater

It's always a real treat to see creative engagement photos and I love how this couple just went for it with these underwater shots by Gia Canali. Thumbs up from me as it had to be quite a challenge to hold their breath and still look so in love:). Darlings, would you be brave enough to take underwater photos? Aren't those awesome? xo

P.S: For cool updates and some Facebook chatter, join my exPress-o group!

(via Style Me Pretty)

Baked ricotta with tomato and olives

Lately I'm more and more convinced that I should've been born into an Italian family as I could totally live on Italian food and nothing else. This baked ricotta cheese with tomato and olives for example that I spotted on Heidi's blog is one of my favourite summer dishes! We had a group of friends over for dinner last weekend and we all loved it. You know your dish is popular when the plates are empty and people have to loosen their pants! The recipe is ridiculously easy and this mixture of cheese and fresh veggies makes you feel light on your tummy but completely satisfied! What's your favourite Italian recipe? xo

P.S: Full recipe here (in Heidi's comments section).

Home Inspiration: Linnéstaden flat

I'm head over heels in love with this bright and gorgeous Linnéstaden apartment. The building itself is from 1905 and you can totally feel the vibe of it with the airy rooms and beautiful, huge windows. Just looking at it makes me want to repaint our flat all white including the wooden floors and get a tiled stove as soon as possible! (And the blue eames RAR chair- heaven). Sweets, what do you think? xo

(via Design Attractor via Stadshem)

Clipped

Talking about coffee, this little cup and saucer set would come in very handy on the days when I'm a bit clumsy. Loves, isn't cool? xo

P.S: For updates and some Facebook chatter, join my exPress-o group!

(via Design Folio)

NYC Coffee Break

Even though I work from home I always look forward to coffee breaks when Balazs and I race for a cuppa to our local cafe. As soon as you enter, the smell of freshly grounded coffee beans mixed with steamy milk makes you feel happy. I don't know why but coffee breaks are so essential to my day. It gives me a chance to switch off, regroup and refocus for the rest of the day. There are days that we just sit there in silence and watch people. It's always fun to observe the surroundings and the different behaviours.

Anyhow, here is a great project by Refinery29 where Angela snapped a cool series of NYC coffee shops! How about you, darlings, do you have regular coffee breaks? Do you like observing people? What's your favourite coffee shop or type of coffee? xo

P.S: For updates and some Facebook chatter, join my exPress-o group!

(thanks, Mandy, photos by Angela Pham)

Scratching the Surface

Aren't those wall portraits brilliant? London based artist Alexandre Farto carves larger-than-life art pieces on unused buildings like the ones above by breaking away pieces of the wall. He drills and chips the wall and by exposing this multi-layered image he displays the wall structure underneath the surface. There is such a depth and fine detailing to each and every one of his creations, don't you think? Some of those faces look troubled, real and there is something about them that makes you stop and reflect for a second! xo

P.S: For updates and some Facebook chatter, join my exPress-o group!!
P.P.S: This is how he makes it all come to life!

(via BB-Bolg)

Giveaway Winners

Drum rolls, please!!!

The winner of Stansberry scarf giveaway is Lisa.

And the winner of Five Bamboo sportswear giveaway is Bella Gets Real. Congrats to both!! xox

Ps: Thank you all for playing...New giveaway is coming this Wednesday.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend

Cheers to Friday! My Loves, what are you up to this weekend? We finally watched Limitless and if you haven't seen it yet I highly recommend it! The story line is very captivating. Tomorrow afternoon Balazs and I are planning a boat ride and tonight we're meeting friends for some good Mexican food with a few glasses of chilly margaritas! As always here are a few great links from around the web. Enjoy!

I love wearing maxi dresses in the summer and I would love to have this outfit in my closet right now.

After reading this post, I'm dreaming about paddling at dusk, sleeping in the sun and collecting lilac.

Incredible photos of Kate Moss. They are a part of two Gallery Exhibitions.

The evolution of lids. (The rest of the article here)

Are you planning to watch Kung Fu Panda 2? I love that bear! (review here)

Vivienne riding her bike:)

I love smilebooth fun. Aren't those photos cool?

How unique is this floating glassware?

Cliff diving, so scary but so beautiful! Would you be brave enough?

I really like organic cotton blankets like this one. Isn't it pretty?

Very cool mobii tricycle:)

I'm totally sold on the big bow trend.

Cute toys. I'm loving that yellow cab!

A fun bag DIY!

Great motivation to awaken your creative side!

Such beautiful words!

And a few recipes I'm dying to try:
- apple galette
- milky way cake
- homemade oreos

Also, don't miss both our giveaways. You have two more days to enter the scarf giveaway and the sportswear giveaway!

Darlings, have an awesome weekend and I see you Monday morning! Love:) xo 

(photo by The Sartorialist)

This Week's Gems

Remember this post about wearing white? After reading your comments I found the perfect white summer top with ruffle sleeves! Yahoo...

My birthday is coming up in a couple of months and my dream gift would be this Velorbis Dannebrog classic bike in red, along with...

...this cute basket for my bag! That would be a real treat, wouldn't it? I love the retro vibe:)...

What a perfect breakfast set! The mix of wood and ceramic is so refreshing. (No to mention that I'm crazy about egg cups)...

I can't get over how beautiful is this headband. Great summer accessory and it's only $22!...

Brilliant sandals. I would crack a smile each time I would look at my feet. Aren't they pretty?...

I like it HOT!!! Cool print for only $19:)...

I have such a "thing" for vintage sunglasses! This pair is my favourite...

Happy Friday, darlings! So tell me, are you planning to get a new bike?  Or a pair of fun sunglasses? Maybe a cool print for your home this summer? What caught your eye this week? xo

Home Inspiration: Kitchen food wall

My friend Sofia who works as a chef always tells us that if you surround yourself with healthy, fresh foods or photos of them, you will become more conscious about your food choices as you will crave more what's on the photo instead of giving into your old habits. I see her point and I got totally excited when I saw this photo wall by Heidi Swanson. It's a great mixture of awesome food and magical places. Darlings, wouldn't it be fun to have something like that in your kitchen? Maybe even framed? What are your thoughts? xo

(photo by Heidi Swanson via Lovely Morning via design*sponge)

DIY Studded Ballet Flats

Since the post about Misty Copeland, I secretly want to dress like a ballerina and those studded ballet slippers would be fun to wear! (Do it yourself directions here). Great twist on the classic look, don't you think? xo

P.S: Would you wear them on the street or just at home?

(photos by Orange Juice via Hello, Friend)

Summer date ideas?

I'm on a mission to make a list of fun, maybe crazy, a bit romantic date ideas for Balazs and myself to enjoy this summer. Nothing fancy just simple everyday stuff that doesn't require much prep time and are inexpensive! Like a picnic in a park with stinky cheese and a kite, a wine tasting day just for two, a night in with a rented movie, popcorn and beer, smooching in a cafe, taking a sightseeing bus tour to feel like a tourists for a day or as simple as going for a walk while holding hands! 

So, Darlings now it's your turn. What's your favourite date idea? Do you have a set weekday for date nights with your guy or it's all spontaneous? How often do you go out on dates? What's your most memorable one? You know, the one that blew your socks off:) Ready..steady..let's chat!

(photos: via This is Glamorous, by Max Wanger and by Henri Cartier Bresson)

Homemade vanilla extract

I bet all of you had this dilemma of trying to come up with a gift idea when you wanted to give something special, unique, even homemade to a friend or a family member. Well, fear no more, because I have one item to add to that list of such presents: Kristina's homemade vanilla extract jars! Anyone who cooks or bakes regularly will worship this precious gem. You know how recipes often mention "add vanilla extract"...and then you go on a hunt for it, and what you finally buy is something full of preservatives and artificial everything. Trust me, this will be that magic ingredient and all your freinds will say "What did you put in this cookie?"
The whole recipe seems really easy, just a big jar with a sealing lid, tons of vodka, vanilla beans...and vanilla heaven, here we come! xo

P.S: Here is how to

(photo by Kristina)

Wednesday Giveaway

Today’s giveaway is from Five Bamboo, an amazing clothing boutique with a mission for a better global future. They use Nomo™ Clean Bamboo fibers in their products which results in amazing clothes with minimal environmental impact that you'll be proud to own and wear! Five Bamboo is offering you a chance to win a set of their signature leggings and a shelf tank in a colour of your choice. Perfect motivation for a morning yoga class or an evening pilates session! I love the green one and to be honest, I'd love to wear leggings all the time. So comfy!

For a chance to win you should be a follower of exPress-o, please visit Five Bamboo webshop and let us know your favourite shelf tank colour. A winner will be chosen at random on Sunday night. Good luck! xo

For  extra entries:

Follow exPress-o on Twitter, follow Five Bamboo on Twitter, like them on Facebook , tweet about the giveaway or sign up for their newsletter and please make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

On your Roof

Remember this book about rooftop gardens? Well, a NYC based photographer Stéphanie de Rougé shot a fantastic series called "On your Roof" where she shows an intimate, soothing and almost poetic side of those often hostile urban spaces. She wanted to show where random people hide their secrets and she found that often the rooftop is the most intimate place of all. Aren't those photos breathtaking? Wish we could climb on our roof sometimes with a bottle of wine and spend the evening looking at the twinkling lights!

P.S: Stay tuned for Giveaway Wednesday!
P.P.S: Here is the whole series.

(Thanks Mandy)