Cheers to a cozy weekend

Cheers to the last Friday of this freezing January! I must confess, I'm already daydreaming about spring. Anyway, what are you up to this weekend? We are hoping for two lazy days filled with long walks, people watching from our favourite café window and sleeping in. As always, I'll see you back here on Monday morning, but if you fancy going down the internet rabbit hole, here are a few awesome links that just might catch your eye. Enjoy!

Fancy trying a 30-day minimalism challenge?

Traveling to London? The Columbia Road Flower Market should be on your must visit list.

Fancy an understated and beautiful necklace? Check out our GIVEAWAY!

Clever!

Brilliant! What the 'Friends' intro sounds like without music. (Thanks, Marieken).

Oh my goodness, a hummingbird that snores while sleeping.

How to prioritize.

A few new beauty trends for this year.

A little Danish custom that could help cure your winter blues.

Hmm, why the modern world is bad for our brain.

Swoon!

On dressing up while growing a minimalist wardrobe.

Eat like a Scandinavian.

Tips for traveling on a shoestring.

How to harvest healing sage.

And fancy a blast from the past?
- Three years ago today.
- Two years ago today.
- One year ago today.

P.S: How about a bit of chit-chat? Join me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or even Instagram.

(Photo via A Life Lived Well)

This Week's Gems

Is spring coming soon? I want to start wearing pretty pleated skirts with bare legs:)...

Such a pretty mug...

Yes, yes, yes...

Tiny star studs and a top knot = sassy weekend pairing...

Speaking of stars, this bag looks fantastic!...

Sassy, elegant, yet very wearable Turquoise hoops - would look great with a navy blue dress..

Totally fancy having my flat smell like rosemary...

How brilliant is this desk lamp?...

Totally smitten with the layering and especially that sassy gemstone necklace. You?...

Beautiful combo: juniper, rose, & jasmine...

How unique is this living succulent bracelet?...

Wow, this antique quilt is something special!...

P.S: Fancy more?
P.P.S: Also, don't miss our golden bag necklace GIVEAWAY this week!

Coffee Marble

If you love coffee, I have a treat for you.

It's funny, but as a coffee-lover, I find all aspects of coffee creation beautiful and interesting. I bet it's the same for tea lovers, isn't it? Anyway, meet Sonya Yu,  a food photographer with a passion for java. She snaps photos of the very end of the coffee making process - when you pour in the milk and two worlds collide. She cleverly calls it "coffee marble" and just by looking at those photos above, I crave another cuppa. You?

P.S: More all-things-coffee...
P.P.S: And 365 days of coffee.

Tweak your daily uniform!

I get many emails from you, wonderful ladies, asking about my likes and loves. So, here is a little glimpse.

Years ago, my mom told me that the misconception is that if you want to make a statement, you should go with something bold, but in reality things in small packages make the biggest impression, so since then, I've been a big believer of less is more.

Since I am a creature of habit, especially with my daily "uniforms", I find that simply adding a tiny little necklace to my daily rotation makes for the best accessory. Pair it with a saucy lipstick and a messy hairdo and you're ready to go. Above is my newest favourite piece (triangle and dot necklace) that I haven't taken off since early December. It goes with everything from simple tops, foxy date-night dresses to even chunky sweaters.

So, if you fancy adding a dash of minimal chic to your wardrobe, here are nine dandy and tiny necklaces that just might do the trick for you.

1. Morse coded necklace with a word that is truly dear to you - 2. Serpentine necklace - 3. Hammered baby circle necklace - 4. Tiny gold hexagon necklace - 5. Tiny sliver heart necklace - 6. Best friends bar necklace - 7. 'Make a wish' necklace - 8. Gold tube necklace - 9. Rustic heart necklace.

Which one tickles your fancy?

P.S: The perfect nail polish for this dreary weather.
P.P.S: And speaking of all things understated, don't miss our GIVEAWAY this week!

(Photos by Balazs. Layout by exPress-o)

The ultimate avocado toast.

Have you ever had dukkah before? It’s a native Egyptian spice mix made of seeds, nuts and herbs. In Egypt it is usually eaten for breakfast and as an appetiser. Each mix is very personal and varies from one family to another. If you want, you can get it in gourmet and ethnic shops, but according to Jessie, it’s cheaper and easier to just make it yourself. I’ve heard tons about this magical spice before, but now after spotting it on an avocado toast, I’m finally giving it a go. Supposedly, it’s so delicious and full of flavour that when you make it once, you will want to eat it on everything - it's that addictive. So with Jessie's tip, my lunch today (and probably tomorrow as well) will be this incredibly scrumptious-looking dukkah avocado toast. Wanna join in?

P.S: Also, miso and avocado 5-minute egg cup.
P.P.S: Plus, fancy winning a beautiful golden bar necklace?

(Thanks, Katie. Photos by Faring Well)

Golden Bar Necklace Giveaway!

Today’s giveaway is from a beautiful Colorado based jewelry shop, SimaG Jewelry. Sima's boutique is full of meaningful, unique, personalized and hand-stamped everyday jewelry pieces that will make you feel special each time you wear it.

Today, Sima is offering one lucky reader a chance to win her beautifully understated and incredibly elegant golden bar necklace. I promise you, in no time, it will become your go-to accessory!

For a chance to win you should be a follower of exPress-o, please visit the SimaG shop and tell us which piece is your favourite from the shop. As always the giveaway is open worldwide. The winner will be chosen at random next Monday morning. Good luck! xo

For extra entries:
Like Sima on Facebook, follow Sima on Twitter, follow exPress-o on Twitter, follow Sima on Pinterest, join the exPress-o group on Facebook, follow Sima on Instagram, follow exPress-o on Pinterest, follow exPress-o on Instagram or tweet/pin the giveaway and please make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. Also, please include your email address, so I can contact the winner. Thank you:)

A New Addition.

Remember Harlow and Indi who stole our hearts over a year ago? Well, those two rascals have a new family member and her name is Reese. She is a tiny little miniature dachshund who makes my heart skip a beat. I’ve been following Harlow’s adventures for a while now and each time I see this sweet soul caring for her two little sisters, it makes me feel all fuzzy and warm inside. It’s incredible how caring, gentle and accommodating she is. Do you have a pet or two?

P.S: A chance encounter.
P.P.S: A sassy GIVEAWAY is coming up!

(via My Modern Met)

Dancing Moments

Are you a good dancer? I have no rhythm whatsoever, so naturally I admire people who move to the music with ease - like those gymnasts and dancers above. As I, Dimitry Roulland is fascinated with this beautiful art-form, so he spends his days capturing dancers in their natural element. Ah, so graceful and expressive!

P.S: Also, NYC ballerinas and new beginnings.
P.P.S: Never too late...

(via InspireFirst)

Snow Days = Pyjama Days

Snow days are made for lazy mornings, coffee in bed and rocking your pyjamas all day long. Who is with me? So, if by any chance, you are having (or hoping for) one of those rare blissful mornings, here are 7 takes on pyjama-goodness that might just convince you to change your plans, lock the door and stay in...

Which one tickles your fancy?

1. 'Pyjamas all day' top + woven pull-ons - 2. Hepburn set - 3. 'Catnap' set - 4. Striped shorts + dotty tee - 5. Plaid flannel set - 6. Lorient block print set - 7. Nightshirt.

P.S: Also, 9 takes on toasty tootsies.
P.P.S: How cozy is this nook?

(Top photo by Scrawnysumo. Layout by exPress-o)

Wedding in Maasai Mara - Kenya

Where did you get married? Nina and Sebastian wed in Maasai Mara in Kenya. Since Nina spent a long period of time in the area working on a project about the world’s last wild lions, it was only natural for her to celebrate her special day by including all the new friends who welcomed her into their lives with such generosity. The local Maasai community treated the couple to traditional jewelry that Nina wore on the day and to a special stick that Sebastian carried with him. As a gift from a close friend, they also enjoyed the company of real warriors from the Maasai community who sent Sebastian and Nina into their wedded bliss. How special is that?

I love when cultures collide and when a group of amazing people come together on such a special day. Plus, that mixed with those breathtaking views, makes for one spectacular event, don’t you think? Wow!

P.S: Plus, this picnic-style wedding in Australia and this Shinto-style bride in Tokyo.
P.P.S: Ah, the decorated bride...

(Photos by Jonas Peterson)

The Guardians

Wouldn't you agree that local, family-run and independent shops are the essence of each individual neighbourhood around the world?

Actually, Balazs and I know our butcher by name, the pastry shop owner down the road always waves at us when we pass by her window, and the florist I go to treats me to an extra bloom with every new order. So it is no surprise that I totally adore this new series by French photographer, Vladimir Antaki. He travels the world cleverly photographing the owners of small independent shops. It’s his way of paying tribute to the “guardians of urban temples” that we meet every day without really noticing them at times.

So, next time you’re getting your veggie fix from the local shop, crack an extra smile, just because:) Deal?

P.S: Corpus Libris.
P.P.S: NYC subway public library.

(via ufunk)

Grey: The colour of the season.

Have you heard? Grey is the 'it' colour of this frosty season and honestly, I couldn't be happier! I find grey jumpers, pants, tees and coats easiest to wear. It's one of those colours that seems to suit everyone and like no other, easily blends with bold lipsticks, saucy skirts or even elegant pants. How do you feel about all things grey?

P.S: Going grey.
P.P.S: And a few other trends that might also tickle your fancy:)

(Photos by/via Harpers Bazaar, Mija, WWD, Style, StyleCaster, Plum Pretty Sugar, House and Hold, Fashion Tag and Stockholm Streetstyle)