exPress-o: July 2016

Weekend Jollies

Friday, July 29, 2016

Cheers to the weekend. What are you up to? Tomorrow our friends are getting married in a low-key ceremony just outside of the city, so we'll be celebrating till dawn. Besides that, no big plans whatsoever :) How about you? Wishing everyone a jolly good weekend and I'll see you back here on Monday morning, but in the meantime, fancy going down the internet rabbit hole? Enjoy!

Healthy gut = happy you.

On creating home with an emphasis on everyday experience.

Get wasteless!

Can't wait to make those strawberry lemon tarts.

Yes!

Ah, I have Norway on my mind...

The precious hours alone.

Can't wait to try this beauty tip.

I'm impressed:)

Curry puffs anyone?

How to properly freeze bananas.

A touching documentary I can't wait to check out.

Hmm...

Eat well on a small budget.

A nifty yoga mat cleaner that you can make yourself.

'How Thai noodles helped me quit my job (and start cooking again)'.

Turning your anxiety into excitement.

Making space for what's in and around.

Party etiquette: dos and don'ts.

How to keep your linen clothes look amazing this summer.

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

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

(Photo by Jordan Voth)

This Week's Gems

This dress became my go-to piece lately - so sweet...

Peppermint soap and hot days go hand in hand...

Moonstone goodness right here:)...

The most charming little skirt:)...

Dahlia gorgeousness...

Love...

What a beautiful necklace...

All the boys I know wear those shoes - Balazs loves them!...

Summer cup at its best...

What a sassy ring set...

Ha, a cool egg cup!...

Edgy and snazzy at the same time...

Wow, what a beautifully quirky porcelain shoulder accessory,..

Melts my heart!...

Another comfy linen dress to fall in love with...

A must have...

Beauty...

My friend Amy swears by it...

Dearies, what caught your eye this week? Any great finds or buys?

P.S: Fancy more gems?

Avocado Pickles

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Last week I bought a bunch of avocados that were so underripe that we simply couldn't eat them straight away. So after an initial panic, I finally got around to try Kelli’s recipe for avocado pickles and I’m so glad I did, as it totally blew my mind and made me all chuffed for using up my underripe goodies.

The brilliant bit is that those avocado pickles don’t require long-term storage and within 2 hours, you can totally dig in. But the main thing is that till a few days ago, I had no clue that a bit of tangy brine can transform unripe avocados into flavourful pickles that go great with lunch sandwiches, Tuesday taco dinners or hot weather salads for two.

Here is the recipe if you fancy trying something new:

Avocado Pickles
(Recipe by - Kelli Foster via The Kitchn)

- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 firm avocados
- 1 small grated garlic clove

Place the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, peppercorns, red pepper flakes and garlic in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar and salt. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, prepare the avocados. Peel and pit the avocados, then cut into 1/2-inch-wide slices. Place them in 2 (18-ounce or larger) canning jars. Pour the cooled brining liquid into the jars, completely covering the avocado pieces, and seal the jars. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

P.S: Also, this little trick and that toast.
P.P.S: Plus, my favourite baked avocado fries :)

(Photos by exPress-o)

A Homemade Soak: To Wash Worries Away

There is no denying that a good soak can fix pretty much everything! I have a few different concoctions ready for when trouble strikes, and when I need to cure my worries or wash the stress away.

Recently, I took Adrienne’s advice and made a whole jar of her lavender, mint and Himalayan salt soak that has the incredible power to sooth all your senses, heel your body and ease the mind. It's by far my favourite combination and one you can easily play around with, depending on what ingredients you have on hand.

So, if you need a bit of me-time to reflect or your body is telling you to slow down, here is the recipe to try out. Cheers!

P.S: Soak up the good vibes and this :)
P.P.S: Plus, this unusual beauty trick that works.

(Top two photos by Marilou. The recipe and the last image by The Free Spirited)

Flower Girls

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Ever since this little series, I’ve been totally mesmerised by the concept of using flowers to create uniquely adorable portraits for camera-shy people, like myself:) So, here are a few of my favourites...aren't they beautiful?

P.S: Sassy feet.
P.P.S: One day of your life.

(Photos by/via BippityBoppity Boo, Ruby Mary Lennox, Icecap, Erba Studio, Oh So Pretty, Paper and Stitch, Avenue Lifestyle, Golden Swank, Courtmoly, Darling Magazine and Finch and Fawn)

Red Hot Summer

In the words of Bill Blass, 'when in doubt wear red'.

Till recently I had a turbulent relationship with this fiery hue - on one hand I wanted to wear it, yet when I got to it, I often felt overdressed, uncomfortable or overwhelmed by its dynamic vibe. Having said that, recently I took the plunge and got myself this little number, and I’m so glad I did! As soon as I put it on, it felt right - like an instant energy boost:)

I guess it's all about the right one, isn't it? Do you own a red dress? Would you like to?

P.S: Go-to uniform (red edition).
P.P.S: Pop!

(Photos by/via The Sartorialist, Collage Vintage, Bilbao, The Golden Girl, A Feminine Tomboy and Viva Luxury)

French Beauty Secret

I've recently finished reading this book and one of its many useful tips was a simple handkerchief trick that I've been doing ever since.

Supposedly, all the chic Parisians spray a cotton handkerchief (or small silk scarf) with their favourite fragrance and keep it in their handbag. This simple routine ensures that every time you open your bag, all its content will smell divine.

Ah, those little things in life are such a treat! I've been doing this for a few weeks now and I'm always gobsmacked when I open my bag. It's such an instant mood-booster! :)

I hope you'll try it yourself.

P.S: Also, how to wear layers like a true French mademoiselle.
P.P.S: Plus, a few tips on how to Frenchify your hair.

(Tip by Mathilde Thomas. Photo by Kara Rosenlund)

Go-To (Summer) Uniform

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Uff, how are you dealing with the heatwave? Are you staying cool?

For the past couple of days (even weeks) I've been living in loose, flowy, easy-to-wear linen dresses. They are the perfect thing to slip into during days when you feel like you're about to melt - as linen has this incredible ability to keep you cool-ish, while still making you look the part.

Just add a bit of lipstick, entice your senses with a dash of your favourite fragrance and finish the look with a few minimal, yet sassy jewelry pieces and you're ready to go. Ta dah!

Would you wear it?
1. A caftan-style linen dress (or this one or that one) - 2. Panama hat - 3. Lovisa Moon in Taurus earrings - 4. Snake cuff bracelet - 5. Soft coral red lipstick - 6. OLO Fragrance in Valens (my absolute favourite) - 7. Edor's rose gold initial charm bracelet - 8. Lace-up bootie sandals.

P.S: Fancy more?
P.P.S: Tangerine summer and my little guide to an understated summer in style.

(Photo of Rachel Craven by Jacqueline Di Milia via T Magazine. Layout by exPress-o)

Old Meets New

I've always had a soft spot for retro ideas. Oliver Hihn took his dad’s old camera that was unused for ages and went on a hike to snap a few photos and get a feel for analogue photography. Knowing that developing film is pretty expensive, he improvised by taking photos through the viewfinder of his analogue camera with a digital camera. The result is breathtaking - old meets new in the best possible way :)

P.S: A grown-up gap year?
P.P.S: I looked up and there you were.

(via Bored Panda)

Top Tip For a Smoother Morning Routine

Monday, July 25, 2016

Mornings can be hectic, so to make them a bit easier, here is a great tip to make sure you leave the house with everything you need for the day ahead - like food, books, papers, bills to pay and other bits and bobs.

The night before, leave all the things you need to take with you by the front door, so you’ll have no choice but to remember them. If it’s food that must be refrigerated, just leave an empty plastic box there to serve as a reminder. In the morning, as soon as you spot everything patiently waiting for you by the door, you’ll feel at ease that everything is under control.

It's a huge time-saver. Try it!

P.S: The 15-minute rule to a less distracted life.
P.P.S: 2 minutes or less...

(Tip and photo by Brigette Muller for/via Free People)

Rosé Gummy Bears

Ha, who said that gummy bears are just for kids?

A little under a month ago luxury candy-maker Sugarfina came out with a line of rosé gummy bears. They were so popular that within 2 hours they were all sold out, leaving tons of people on a waiting list. Admittedly, I was tempted to snatch a box myself!

Now, fast forward to a few days later, and Heather created a recipe for similar rose gummy bears you can make yourself with a bit of rose, a dash of granulate sugar and some gelatin.

Just imagine popping a few of those pink boozy bears into your guests rosé glasses during your next dinner party. What do you think? Would you make them?

P.S: The summer of rosé.
P.P.S: Plus, 6 more summery and delicious takes on rosé:)

(Photos by Sprinkle Bakes and via The Fold)

Geometric Summer Manicure

Bright colours and angular shapes go hand in hand - and not only in the world of design. So when I spotted Kelly's sassy take on manicure, I literally swooned. Admittedly, it takes tons of practice to achieve such fun design, but just imagine sporting it with a simple tee and jean shorts - summer uniform perfection! Now go on and practice, I know I will:)

P.S: Nails and fashion...
P.P.S: Plus, a dash of metallic shine.

(Photos by Michael Persico for/via Urban Outfitters)

Cheers to a jolly good weekend

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Cheers to Thursday and an early weekend to me. I'm signing off a day earlier so I can spend tomorrow catching up on...pretty much everything - from emails, laundry to phone conversations and all that shebang. Life has been busy lately, so sometimes I just need to stop and get things done. What are you up to this weekend? I'll see you back here, as always, on Monday morning but in the meantime, here is a bunch of awesome links for you to dig into. Ta da!

The truth about not good enough.

11 things your boobs are trying to tell you.

Put on your comfy sandals and let's go:)

Yay!

New York and Paris style: what's the difference?

How food became a matter of morals.

Life after vacation...

'My (occasionally) half-assed kitchen.'

This Brownstone is magical!

Ha!

Be still my heart...

Feeling stressed? This might help:)

Do you check your phone first thing in the morning?

Solving all the wrong problems.

The ins and outs of GMOs.

'I'm tired of being told to be the best possible cook.'

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

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

(Top photo via Killian and Co.)