My December Inspiration and moodboard

Being inspired is one of the greatest feelings and state of mind that can happen to anyone! At least it is like that for me. When I am inspired I feel so powerful, alive, strong, full of ideas and aims, just unstoppable and the world is my oyster! Like real Wonderwoman that can and will save the World. 

I have realized that in order to get there I need some daily dose of inspiration, even in some small things - like motivational picture or some encouraging words. 

It's been years I am collecting those kind of pictures and quotations, colors and good words than whenever I or someone else around me needs some positive boost I just look them up and send it over. A great way to try to make someone else to feel better. For me it works every single time - lifts my spirits and gives me energy again. 

As a visual person who loves pictures and colors and inspire others I have decided to try out a new thing - a monthly mood board that would be a preview of my next month aims, dreams, colors, ideas, travels, workout, etc. Maybe it will encourage you too to make some for yourself too to dream a little and reach goals faster and easier. 

DECEMBER MOOD BOARD highlights- HOLIDAY, FESTIVITY and GOAL REACHING.

December Moodboard

So how does my moodboard seems to you? Inspirational? 

The main highlights of month are: 

Workout/Food: 15 Exercises to burn off calories taken by that delicious junk food

If you have ever been on a diet you probably know how hard is to resist a temptation of snacking and having a cheat meals outside the diet plan and especially of those sweet/ salty delicious ones. I am not a chocolate lover but I know people who are and their struggle of giving it up. The same is for bad eating habits, like Cheeseburgers, popcorn with a movie (guilty, guilty guilty), Coca Cola, cocktails during Happy Hours with friends and so on and on. We all have our week point and some foods that is hard to resist especially when you are trying to reach a goal, like loosing weight or improving your eating habits. As I am currently on a super strict diet than I know what I am talking about resisting those food cravings and temptations just to reach my aim even if I don't see it in a mirror yet..

Even it has been a while I am living and eating healthy and clean even I have days when my leg (hand) slips and I eat something I really shouldn't..yes, I am human too! But as long as it is a balance and a cheat meal does not turns into a cheat day or even worse - a week - it is fine to give yourself a break. But have you ever stopped and think what is the consequences of that all delicious, bad food to your body? 

I did! and trust me, this really inspires me every time I am sweating my butt off in a gym. Because burning those bad calories are 10 times harder than taking them up.

Here comes some popular foods and their calories together with exercises you should do to burn them off... Behold!

1 large fries are equals to 524 burpees

7 Fast and healthy lunch recipes for busy people

I have always liked to cook, bake and experiment but when it comes to lunch it is pretty difficult to prepare a masterpiece during working week especially for a busy working girls always on a run.
In order to stick to eating healthy and swap away those boring supermarket salads for a home made meal  to make your lunch meals diverse but the same time healthy.
So here comes my one week in a pictures of different meals for lunch breaks.

Monday - Simmental and Bulgur+Quinoa salad

Bulgur Guinoa and Simmental (canned meat) 

I really love Simmental (Italian brand for meat in gelatin). low fat and rich with protein. (No wonder they sponsor Italian National Football team as they are supporting athletes).
in their homepage they have several, nice recipes. (unfortunately only in Italian).
Kcal - 221, Protein 16g, fat - 3, Carbs - 32

Extra motiviation boost to get ready for the summer holiday

It's remained 20 days till my beach adventure at the south of Italy and can't wait to knock off heels and feel the sand under my feet! So doing my best to get in best possible shape-  it's my second week of infused water and detox cure (and i must say it is working!!! ) also now going everywhere with my bicycle and try to walk and move as much as possible and cutting back on those friendly Milanese aperetivos and socializing eating/drinking instead inviting people over to my place/ their place for homemade, healthy brunch, (check some healthy and delicious recipe ideas here) picnic/dinner or after dinner tea. good for your health as well as your pocket!

Motivation to myself before The Color Run last year

Don't Worry, Be Happy - summer is coming

Some of my Stockholm reccomendations

At least 4 times I year I go for work to Stockholm and during my trips I have observed and learned some tricks and tips that must be obeyed once you are there! so why not share them with you?

usually i do not have time for long strolls from one island to other ( however must say it is wonderful, especially in July), but I do have picked up some nice things from Swedes, like afternoon tea time - coffee brake - FIKA (pronounced fee-ka) usually it has been accompanied with a cinnamon sweet. my preferred is always cinnamon roll or bun. (it's pretty easy to make and will post a recipe  ASAP). Cinnamon is my winter's BFF. Sweds like to pop in a nice Cupcake and Bakeries to enjoy it properly. so did I. :)

here are some Cinnamon rolls on a special edition Swedish designer trays ( Åry Trays )

Ary Trays for Hello Kitty

Ary Trays for Hello Kitty

Recommendation number 2: If you like to see famous Nordic design and designer products, just even to get an inspiration: Must visit this fashion department store called PUB   They have some amazing in store exhibitions as well as product placement which usually is themed and changed often. 

here are some preview. Enjoy a small preview of some Swedish design.

young artist works

Designer's guild - love their colors and patterns

Ary Trays

                                                                       Superliving

Designer's guild room corner

typical room concept in regular Swedish house

 Recommendation nr.3
Swedes are really practical and they love home parties, dinner gatherings etc. as general in Nordics it is unwritten rule to bring a gift to the host - a.k.a not to go with empty hands to somebody's house, even if it is just a dinner. as practical people they prefer some decoration element or kitchen utensil that can be used in practice rather than some weird ornament without practical use. so once invited to somebody's place - think about something practical like some nice Candle holder (which is really popular in Nordics ) or some nice vase, cushion or stay with the regular - a bottle of a good vine.

To Sum up - Stockholm is a place you should visit if want to live some real Nordic experience, soak up some creative inspiration and enjoy some good Fika time with your pals.

ReWELCOME TORe

WELCOME TOÅRY

Inspiration: Day before long weekend

YES! it's Wednesday's afternoon at cloudy Milan - last day before long weekend.
and all i wanna do is dream about the sea and getting tanned and run away from the hot and empty city.
ehhh so I will share some of my visual inspirations with you :) maybe will make you smile as well.

I already see myself like this ^_^

 YEP! friends! without them I would be lost! luv yu guys! ;) yes, you!

..try to  make out the best of each day! even the sky's gray! ;)

 and runaway from the city! even for a day! trust me - you will say thank you to yourself later! :)

 

Inspiration du jour!

Inspiration is something I need more than air to start, to continue or to finish something! however, if I am inspired I will start and finish without stopping/pausing/napping till I will be done and satisfied with my result - whatever it will be! and to help to get best of me I sometimes need some inspiration! and pictures helps a lot! so here is some of my today's inspirations! hope it will inspire or just will make you dream/smile/ visualize and enjoy as well!

As my motto goes: Smile! because there is NO reason not to!

the sunny weather makes me dream of Summer and all the nice things envolved

mmmmm j'adore! ^_^

DO it! they inspire more to achieve more!

indeed!

 

Lately I have been pretty obsessed with gym and running to get ready for the bikini season, so this kind of things helps me keep going and motivates me to keep on struggling for better results! and the times when I feel it's getting too hard or I want to give up, or just be lazy I remind myself, WHY I started this at first place! Don't give up!

DONLOAD IT and fill it out!

 

Avalon in the Northern Beaches/Pittwater area of Sydney

Stunning place I would love to visit one day myself. check out the description here! can't wait to have my vacations at the sea! whatever sea/ocean as long as it is water!

Pirates!

 Yes, lately I dream of becoming a pirate! D: or at least have a pirate boat! hehehe don't know! it sounds like a fun idea! if not for being a part of Caribbean pirate team with Jack Sparrow than at least to make themed party! :) guess this obsession is mostly because of my friend's last year birthday party where we had a picture with a Captain Morgan :)

 love this picture with my blondes :) xx

 

RUN - do it for yourself

This morning I woke up at 6 to restart going to run before going to work.
must say I felt a lot better - more toned and energetic rather than waking up later and just rolling out of bed and do nothing, but breakfast.
The inspiration to keep on running came today also from friend of mine, which I must share with you.. :) hehe

fun, right? even tho'  not sure I would like Ryan, or some other charming exemplar waiting me tired and sweaty at the end of finish line.. but still..
the 2nd one of Ryan motivating me always to work out is THIS :D

isn't it an inspiring pic for a desktop background? :D heheh and plus motivating you to do squat as much as possible to get ready for a beach season :) btw, it is pretty close so watch out of those slutty brownies and tempting cupcakes. better try a homemade, healthy energy bar instead (recipe will follow). some other tips for working out and diet, snacks you may find here.

keep healthy - keep fit and keep on having fun :)
 

Inspiration du jour

I have always been a creative person with a huge imagination and obsession with colors, patterns and textures, style and accents and beauty in general around you. Always love to mixing them all up in my own way creating something unique in your outfit, home or kitchen.  for me - it has always been about details, chic and imagination.
the inspiration is coming to me everywhere - nature, spring, people around me or in the streets, magazines, books, pictures, travel and the best resource of all - available 24/7 - internet.
My top 3 places to be is Pintrest, Indulgy, We Heart It and Piccsy to explore, collect and get inspired.

So today decided to share my inspiration with you :)

mmm, brownie - strawberry cupcake

the Spring is coming so eat means also summer is just around the corner. and when the Spring is in the air it inspires me to make a Girl's night in.. (ladies, get ready, I have plans for you and Spring :)

and this - this is something amazing! I am printing this out and putting on my Postcard-Inspiration wall at my bedroom to use it more often!

as I am a huge postcard lover and collector than having my own postcard project running as well. however, not yet for public as still need to add some details, but it is coming :)
btw, this ceramic plate are made by a Justnoey a designer and illustrator and artist. check her creations here. Loving the postcard plates, must have them! :) luckily she is selling them on Etsy.

mmm, tea-time. Already imagining this together with a brownie-cupcake on a lazy Sunday afternoon :)

up-up and away.. clouds and sunset.. perfect for a dreamer :)

 

Easter Inspiration: DIY, Recipes, Decoration

I have always loved Easter feeling, because it is all about colors, coloring, DYIs, games, eggs, holidays and bunnies!! :) when I was kid we used to wake up on Easter morning to go searcing in the garden where the Easter bunny has left eggs+gifts to us with our name tags on it. it was always so exciting. than later the day you have a nice breakfast with family with some typical easter desserts and egg fights and than you hit the city to participate in differetn activities around. markets, contests, games, dancing performances etc. than is
the tea time and family and relative meeting..ahh memories,memories. anyway, this entry is nto about memories but about Inspiration and ideas how to create a cute Easter weekend and make your house around you look a little nicer.
I usually color eggs with a natural colors (like onions - blue and brown, tea, red beets, raspberry brunches, etc to get differetn colors) and weeds, flowers and herbs as well as rise and grains to make differetn patterns.
here are some pictures taken by my brother (he is really good at this) with my mom's creations. she is a master, but I try to keep up.

so thisSaturday I will be trying to make something like this as well. (if need an advice - drop me a line).
As today feeling inspired than will try to make some Easter sweets as well. and I found this awesome chick cupcakes.

How to make healthy muffins you can see here . The other idea for Easter chick-cupcakes would be with grated lemon topping and chocolate.

than I found how to make Easter pretzels :) at stoplookingetcookin.  isn't this fun? :)

for some real egg decoration could make something like this:

really simple and looks great.
 for a table decoration all you need is some colorful cutlery and napkins and string and you can create art! :)

than if creation finds you, can make your ownbunny-napkins. check out the tutorial of Natalie here .

continuing with creations check out this awesome tutorial by Fashion Diva here.

to make some decorations of egg shells all you need to do is to have some ideas, colors, nail polishes and you can go Easter-wild.

to make some "snacks" for the bunny or a candy carrot bag like this check out the tutorial of Clare here

and don't forget about cards this year as well. Check out these vintage, Easter postcards and tags.

to download postcards and tags click here.
and for soem CUTE-CUTE tags check out the Babalisme's blog here.

Love the E and bunny tag. E is not only for Easter but also for Egi :) heheh (feeling cheerful and silly today).
so let's create, share and have  a Happy Easter full of cupcakes, bunny biscuits,
 tea time with friends,

 smiley moments, nice dresses (remember this spring is all about floral patterns and pastel colors) and bunnies! :)