Vintage Smooches!

Let’s finish this busy Tuesday on a romantic note, shall we? How touching are those vintage photographs of soldiers and sailors going to any extent to smooch their loves goodbye? There is something utterly heartfelt about those couples and I can’t help wondering what their stories are...if they met again, if they got married? Ah, I read a while ago that war kissing photos romanticized war and looking at them, they surely are full of passion:) Now, go on and have a few smooches yourself! xo

P.S: Remember our talk on smooching in public?

P.P.S: Also, icons and their stripes, and those iconic shots.

(via My Modern Met. Top photo: Alfred Eisenstaedt's V-J Day in Times Square, via MOHAI and Victory Kisses)

Peek-a-boo Bra Straps: Thumbs up or down?

What's your opinion on visible bra straps? The other day while waiting for a friend in a cafe I overheard a couple of guys complemeting a girl's outfit. They found the look attractive and said that even though the girl wore shorts and a loose top, the peek-a-boo bra strap element made the whole look sexy in a classy way. Then last night I read in an article that visible bra straps are no longer considered a fashion faux pas, they are actually a flirty fashion statement. Ha, who would have thought? To be honest, I find it sassy and cute, if done well. How about you? xo

P.S: Also, my favourite style tweak and the beautiful open-back trend.

P.P.S: Plus a few more sassy trends.

(Photos by Hanneli, The Sartorialist, Garance Doré, Vanessa Jackman and via The bean and the bear)

Nifty Avocado Trick

Speaking of avocados, did you know that dipping your pre-cut avocados in ice cold water will prevent them from turning brown? Apparently, as soon as you cut it in half, you should immerse it in ice-cold water for a quick splash. The water keeps oxygen out and prevents from the natural browning process. Ha, how clever, don’t you think? Will you try it? xo  

P.S: Fancy more avocado goodness? Here is another cool trick.
P.P.S: And this breakfast pizza.

(Tip via All Natural Annie. Thanks, Annie. Photos via That Kind of Woman, Mode et Style de vie)

Flamingos

Ha! Did you know that flamingos are pink because they eat shrimps, rich in pink protein which builds up in their feathers? I had no clue about it till a few days ago. Also, if you fancy experiencing the most mesmerizing bird spectacle on Earth, you should take a trip to Lake Nakuru or Lake Bogoria in Kenya. According to Martin Harvey, if you show up there in the right time you'll feast your eyes on a shoreline filled with millions of pink flamingos – le sigh! But in the meantime let's just take a moment and get lost in those breathtaking photos. Incredible, don't you think? Have you ever seen them in person? xo

P.S: Also, the whales' eyes and this adorable duo.
P.P.S: How would you fancy living with Neil?

(Thanks Monica. Photos by Klaus Nigge for National Geographic and Martin Harvey via My Modern Met)

exPress-o Originals: Rucola & Avocado Pesto

Fancy a slice? Here is a new and super yummy take on our beloved avocado. (Yup, I’m nuts about them). The other day while shopping at the market I spotted the most beautiful bunch of rucola leaves and some super ripe avocados. So, feeling adventurous and inspired my Megan, I decided to put my own twist on the avocado goodness with a fun recipe of rucola and avocado pesto. I added a bit of freshly ground parmesan, some garlic, beautiful spices to the mix and ta-dah - pesto perfection!

While I was putting the finishing touches, Balazs toasted bread, topped it off with slices of juicy tomatoes and we had the most scrumptious lunch on the balcony! Btw: Super easy and incredibly healthy. Enjoy.

Here is the recipe if you fancy giving it a go:

Rucola & Avocado Pesto
(Adapted from Megan-Joy)

* 1 ripe avocado
* two big handfuls of fresh rucola
* 3 cloves garlic
* 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
* 1 tablespoon wine vinegar
* 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
* sea salt
* freshly grounded pepper
* red paprika powder
* water

Wash your rucola leaves and peel your avocado. Next place the pre-cut avocado, 2 handfuls of rucola in the blender with about 1/4 cup of filtered water. Start blending. Next add the garlic, the vinegar, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the Parmesan to the mix and blend again. Keep blending till you get beautifully thick, creamy consistence.

What's your favourite meal for a summer lunch? xo

P.S: Also, avocado fingers, baked avocado fries and this delicious avocado booster:)
P.P.S: Plus, a few more recipes I adore.

(Photos by exPress-o. Layout by Ana Degenaar - Blog Milk for exPress-o. Thank you Ana for your help with this series).

Daydreaming: Lava Pool

Let’s ease into Monday and imagine for a minute that instead of getting ready for the madness of the week ahead, you are floating about in this natural and crystal clear Lava pool in Madeira, Portugal. There is nothing better than a coolish morning swim to kick start your day, is there? Oh boy, I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it. xo

P.S: Remember this spot?

P.P.S: More travel goodness:)

(Photos via Mily, Qing, Find the Home)

Cheers to a lazy weekend!

My loves, who is ready for the weekend? I totally am:) What are your plans for the next two days? Will you be watching the London Olympics? I have only three things on my list this weekend: sleep in, catch up on my magazine reading and make poached egg & avocado toasts. Darlings, have a great weekend and as always here are a few fun links for you to check out. Enjoy!

Isabella made her own porch!

Bunny pancakes - the perfect breakfast.

Succulent table.

Summer Olympics in a box:)

WOW!

The key to creating remarkable things.

Those chairs...

I love denim on denim, you?

One awesome juicer

Maria and Mark are totally adorable and their home is super cozy.

Side twist perfection.

This photo made me laugh.

Oh boy, I love flowers so much!

Clare rocks!

Ten great plant-based cookbooks.

Ha, green tea crêpes!

Julie's house.

Olympic tees.

I want to wear this today:)

Swoonworthy swimming holes.

Loves, see you Monday morning. xo

P.S. Fancy a bit of chit-chat? Join me on Twitter, Facebook or even Pinterest.

(The East Village photo by James Nord via Note to Self)

This Week's Gems

I love cozy stripes, you?...

Understated and sassy - my kind of necklace:)...

Cloud key-holder with magnets - genius!...

Swoon!...

Cups with cozy knits make my heart skip a beat. (And they would come super handy during cooler seasons)...

Be still my heart- the perfect Parisian ballet flats! (Which colour you fancy more: rose or butter?)...

Print perfection: "Feet, why do I need them if I have wings to fly!"...

Just imagine wearing those beauties with a  flowy and light maxi dress this summer - swoon!...

My friend got one of those portable planters recently and she couldn't be happier with it. They look cool as well, don't they?...

Because you can never have too many great market totes!...

This must be the pretties shower curtain. I love turquoise and white together, you?...

This elephant tissue holder made me smile...

Lovelies, happy Friday! What caught your eye this week? Any great buys or finds? What are you lusting over right now? xo

P.S: Fancy more gems?

Pizzeria on Wheels

Bravo! How awesome is this mobile pizzeria in San Francisco? This gem of a place was designed and created by Jonathan who loves fresh, simple food and knows his pizza very well. He wanted to bring Neapolitan-pizza to people, rather than drawing them to a fixed location. All the pizzas are made on the spot, from fresh organic ingredients, in the awesome repurposed shipping container truck and baked in the wood-fire brick oven. Boy oh boy, wish that truck was parked just around the corner from my flat. It must smell divine and would come in handy during lunchtime. What are your favourite pizza toppings? xo

P.S: Also, this awesome coffee on wheels.
P.P.S: And this scrumptious breakfast pizza.

(Thanks Mandy)

Thousand-Layer Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Oh my goodness, how would you fancy a handful of those super chunky cookies right about now? It's not only that they are of the chocolate chip kind (which I love) but they are also made in the most interesting layering way to make sure that the chocolate really gets into every single part of the chewy dough. Crikey, they look irresistible, don’t they? (Here is the full recipe). xo

P.S: Also, remember those or those?
P.P.S: Plus, more delicious food:)

(Photos by Sara Remington via Rob)

Going Grey

Confession: even though I am only a few weeks shy from turning 30, I have quite a few greyish hair already. A year or so ago, when they first started appearing I went into a panic mode but then Balazs said the sweetest thing: 'leave them as they are, don’t colour them and let yourself age naturally. Be happy about it and embrace it – they are a part of you'. Since that day I don’t mind finding new greys on my head :)

So, when I read this awesome story about Maayan I felt relieved that I am not the only one with grey hair before 30. After masking her greys for years with colouring she finally decided to embrace them. The thing that hit the spot most with me is when she said:  "That's how I know it was the right way to go: it feels like I just took off a mask, not like I am in a costume." Doesn't she look stunning?

Lovelies, do you have grey hair already? When did you notice them showing up? Do you colour your hair? How do you feel about greys? Would you be brave enough to rock the grey hair look like the lady below when you are older? xo

P.S: Also, the ageless fashion gene and the gentlemen edition.

P.P.S: Plus, my favourite age so far and a few other rumbles you might enjoy:)

(Thanks, Rebecca. Photos for Refinery29 by Amelia Alpaugh and the last one by Garance Doré)

Travel Fantasy: Galápagos Lagoon

Crikey, how jaw-dropping is this spot? I literally gasped when I spotted this mesmerizing Lagoon hidden in the Rocas Baimbridgen by Ecuador's Galápagos Islands. Just imagine waking up to the most romantic fog, spending your days floating about in the warm salty water, daydreaming about all those little things that are on your mind. Bliss! xo

P.S: And here are the Galápagos Islands seen from space.

(Photos by/via Antonio Vidigal, Judith, Bobby Haas, My Modern Met)

Playing Games With Clouds

When I was probably 7 or 8 years old, our teacher asked the whole class to write a little story about something that we considered special. I wrote about clouds. For as long as I can remember I was mesmerized by them in that magical, daydream-y way. As a kid, I spent countless hours trying to imagine how would it feel to walk on them or skip about and how much they remind me of cotton candy. Some things will never change as today in the midst of an afternoon busyness I suddenly stopped and started to admire the pink sky above. And you know what, I still think that one of the best things in life is lying on the grass and playing guessing game with clouds.

Aren’t those beautiful? They have such a calming effect, don’t they? What were you fascinated with when you were 7 or 8 years old? Do tell:) xo

P.S: And a few more jaw dropping sky images!

P.P.S: Plus, the stunning Aurora Borealis.

(Photos by/via Nick, To the Mountain!, Like Cool, Imgfave, Habitual Bliss, Tip Her and Reba)