♥ Shark Week

It's that time folks. The first day of Shark Week! Words cannot even begin to describe how excited I am...it feels like Christmas!  Ever since I watched Jaws when I was younger, my fascination with sharks grew.  I am in full nerd mode today...Who's excited?! 

My friend Alexis made these beautiful cupcakes in honor of Shark Week.

Aren't they awesome? 

Happy Shark Week!

♥ The Greyhound

Continuing right along with my I don't cook cocktail series, I give you a summer drink with an extra burst of flavor, the lollipop greyhound.  Most of the time I’m a vodka soda kind of girl but every once in a while I like to switch up my drink of choice, and nothing is better than fresh squeezed fruit in a cocktail.  

The Greyhound cocktail is a great drink for brunch and it is sweet and refreshing.  Pink-colored lollipops give it an extra burst of flavor.  It's an inner-child twist to a distinctly grown-up beverage.  

 Simply pour vodka (or gin) and grapefruit juice into a sugar rimmed glass filled with ice cubes. 

Use the lollipops as stirrers, and serve.

 What’s your favorite drink for summer?

♥ Home Décor

The Swede and I are still on the hunt for our new home in Santa Monica.  We put the search on hold because we've been traveling nonstop for the last couple months so in the meantime, we're living out of suitcases.  I can't help but day dream about decorating our new place! I definitely want a completely different look from our apartment in San Francisco.  I'm thinking of doing both a modern and vintage influence, very eclectic with bright bold colors and different antique pieces from flee markets.  

Lately, I’ve been obsessing over all the home décor eye candy on Pinterest.  I will most definitely be taking inspiration from there.  These photos are sure to induce an insane level of house envy!

Coveting the pillows and chandelier

Disco ball is a must

Stunning hanging candle centerpiece

Must have Dresser bar

 Future Closet

Easy DIY Disco stairs

 Best office chair ever

So much beauty and inspiration! Let the house hunting begin...

All images can be found on my Pinterest

♥ The Future Me

Is it really Wednesday already? This week is FLYING right by and I haven't had a moment to blog.  I've been hard at work in LA while the Swede is in San Francisco for business.  As much as I hate sleeping alone (hence me writing this post at 2:30am), it's always rewarding picking Jonas up from the airport after I haven't seen him for awhile, I get butterflies...every time.

With all the work that I have been doing in LA, I've come to think a lot about my goals for the rest of the year and what I want and must accomplish.  One of my friends recently mentioned that she wrote herself a letter to be delivered to her in the future on her 30th birthday. 

 I immediately wanted to do the same.  Not only is this a a great goal setting exercise but it also forces you to really ask what it is that you truly want for yourself in 3, 5 years.

I challenge every single one of you to take part in this little time capsule experiment.  

What do you want to say to your future self when you read this letter years from now? How do you want your future self to be like? What are the different dreams and goals you would want to be realized by then? 

Be specific. 

Career, Love, Studies, Finances, Health, Spirituality, Family, Friends, Recreation, Personal growth...

When you are finished, stick the letter in an envelope, put it away somewhere safe, and do not open it until your desired date.  If you don't think you will remember to open it or if you think you will lose the envelope, you can use Future Me,  an online time capsule service that stores and sends information to a specified email address any time in the future you specify.  

Get Cracking! Your future self will thank you :-)

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♥ Words of Wisdom

A few days ago, the Swede and I stopped by the grocery store to pick up a couple things.  On our way back to the car, Jonas sprinted to the drivers side because he hates my driving (obviously...because I am a girl).  We were play fighting for a minute to see who could get into the car first and I was able to somehow maneuver my body in before he sat right on me.  I basked in my glory as Jonas reluctantly hopped in the passengers side but as I turned on the ignition, an old man sitting in the adjacent parked car signaled me to roll down my window.  

He popped his head out and said with a smile, "I would have bet $50 that you were going to win.  I've been married for 59 years and the ladies always win."  Jonas and I started laughing and immediately said, "Wow, 59 years! Congrats! What's your secret?" He responded with a serious face, "Always be truthful.  Don't step out of line.  Focus everyday on what it is that you love about that person."  We thanked him for his impelling advice and he told us, "Thank you for making me smile today, you took me right back to the beginning of my marriage." My heart dropped.  I cannot even begin to explain how much this sweet old man inspired me.  It's so refreshing to hear of couples who have stayed together for a lifetime.  He truly made me want to be better and to try that much harder.  There is nothing I want more than to one day after 59 years of marriage, give advice to two newlyweds at a grocery store while they're getting into their flying car.  We'll have them by then, right? ;-)

I hope this made you smile.  Have a wonderful and safe weekend everyone!

xoxo

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♥ Hippie Chick

I made this daisy flower wreath in Sweden for Midsummer but I've actually started to wear it with regular casual wear.  I think it's a perfect summer accessory.  I will make sure to do a tutorial next week on how to make one.  Simple and cheap! 

T-shirt: Live Nation * Sandals: H&M * Skirt: Diesel * Wrap Bracelet: Humanity for All

Every girl should explore her inner hippie :-)  

♥ Sweden Part 2

Here are some more pictures from our trip to Sweden.  I think I took over 500 pictures but I obviously will not be posting all of them :-) When Americans usually go to Europe on vacation, they go to England, France, Italy, or maybe Spain.  Well if you are planning a trip to Europe, I would highly suggest visiting Stockholm during the summer.  It will not disappoint.  I may be biased since I married a Swede but I lived in Paris for two years, Barcelona for one,  and traveled to many different countries in Europe and Sweden is by far my favorite place to visit.

 

♥ Skinny Girl Margaritas

There's nothing like a cold margarita on a hot summer day.  My Mom is known for her sensational margaritas (seriously, she only JUST gave me her secret recipe last year) but the only problem...500 calories a pop, obviously not very conducive for bikini season.  Thus, therefore, hence...hello Skinny Girl Margarita.  I'm sure you've heard about Bethenny Frankel's 100 calorie recipe but have you tried it? It's gotten mixed reviews but I LOVE it.  Not too salty, not too sweet.  In my opinion, just perfect...

 

What you need

2 oz of Clear Premium Tequila

Tiny splash of Orange Liquor

Juice of four Fresh Lime Wedges

A splash of Grand Marnier or Triple Sec 

Combine all ingredients over a Mason Jar of ice and garnish with a lime wedge

 

Enjoy!

♥ Leopard Dress

I've always had a love for animal prints.  They make a come back year after year, season after season. I don't think it ever goes out of style.  The leopard print however, although popular, is not an easy one to pull off.  If worn wrong, it can take on a tacky, trying too hard quality. But, if worn right, this hot print can be cute, fun, and sexy without being too over-the-top or trashy.  To get the look right, be a minimalist.  You just need one serious accessory...CONFIDENCE!

I also believe that if you are going to wear a short skirt/dress, you should be conservative up top and vice versa.  I found this dress at Forever 21 for $20.  My sister wore it in Vegas for her 21st birthday and pretty much stole the show that night.  Leopard also tends to make your personality a little more...Rawrrr!

♥ I don't cook

Wait let me rephrase that, I don't enjoy cooking.  I know I know, how can I be a true blogger without posting beautiful meals and recipes to share.  Well, it's pretty much a sure bet that when I actually do attempt to cook, the fire alarm will go off...every time (wife of the year).  I really love to bake and make sweets however

& chocolate covered anything is pretty much the easiest treat ever to make...

Simply heat up chocolate chips, stir until melted. 

Cut peeled bananas in half and poke popsicle sticks into the ends. 

Spread chocolate onto bananas and roll in sprinkles. 

Place on plate lined with wax paper and freeze.

I will stick to desert and cocktail favorites on the blog, cool?