Jan 31, 2018

“the book” series~ how difficult can it be?

well, a lot!

do you remember that me and sofia we are planning a book each? and actually i want to write just a children’s story… for which everybody recommends the 32 pages rule, which means, the book has to be all and all 32 pages. and actually if you are thinking of writing a picture book, which means that the pictures will tell parts of the story, then you actually need only 5 full pages of “manuscript” ~ ha, easy you will think, right?

no!

being very organized,i started with laying out my pages, and dividing the story i have in my head in 7 sections, and deciding what needs to happen in each section, and if each section takes 4 pages, then what needs to happen in each page, ~ ha, easy you will think, right?

2no!

cause having an idea of telling a story is much more high-level than actually writing the story! let me explain to you: having an idea for a story is like having an architecture drawing of your whole house; actually writing down the story, is deciding in exact centimeters on which wall of the bathroom the electricity plugs will be placed!!!

there are so many options, for each little part of my story: from the choice of characters (was it her mom or her aunt?), personality (gentle or outspoken), day-time (noon or afternoon), places (the park or the playground)…and this is only about the story!

think also about the audience.. is it for pre-school or kindergarden-ers? or maybe 7-year-old ones? all very close to each other, but yet so different in terms of what books they like! should the book be a funny one, or a meaningful one…

ahhh…so many questions in my head, so many decisions to make!

well, one thing is for sure! If you are one of those who thought that writing a book would be relaxing and you would to get away from all the every day decisions… well, start knitting!

speaking of books, check this amazing bookstore "El Ateneo Grand Splendid" in Barrio Norte neighborhood, in Buenos Aires, Argentina! the bookstore is built inside an almost 100 year old theater!




Image credits: Violinha


Jan 28, 2018

lethargic Sundays

is it just me or do we usually spend January weekends at home? the festive season is over & I feel that we all need some time to stay still & relax... not that many get-togethers, no drinks with friends, no late dinners... just cosy outfits, slippers, sitting comfortable on the sofa, watching series... & why not, trying face masks!

I spent a couple of days at the beginning of December is Seoul & couldn't help but notice the amazing, glowing skin of all the Korean girls around me. what is their secret? face masks!!! apparently, they use one per day, that's why you can easily get them in packages of 20. & they are so affordable!
{by Innis Free}

{by The Face Shop}



{by Tony Moly}

{by Skin Food}

Jan 24, 2018

and the color of the year is...

ultra violet {18-3838}

confused? well, you might have heard before that pantone decides every year "the color of the year". in their own words:

"the Color of the Year is one moment in time that provides strategic direction for the world of trend and design. In fact, Color of the Year is a culmination of the Pantone Color Institute’s year round work forecasting trends and developing color palettes for our clients."

and for 2018 the chosen color is:


















and of course the color comes with each own relative description:

"The Pantone Color of the Year 2018, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet, is a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade. It communicates originality, ingenuity, and the visionary thinking we are seeking to create a meaningful direction for our future. Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now. The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.

Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.

Historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet. The color is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energizes the communities that gather there and inspire connection."



and if you are sitting thinking... what was really the color for the year that just past, have a look on the most recent years {excitemelove's favorite: 2016!!}





just because it is unbelievably cute!

some people say it is the smallest hotel in the world, since it has literally only one room! that we cannot confirm, but we can assure you that it is one for the cutest hotels!

next time you are in copenhagen, just book a "hotel" to yourselves!

enjoy!

hotel copenhagen vestebro design cafe

hotel copenhagen vestebro design cafe

hotel copenhagen vestebro design cafe

hotel copenhagen vestebro design cafe


Jan 21, 2018

flashback to Christmas

Christmas was almost a month ago but it was only this morning that I found the time to start undecorating our apartment! I guess it's never too late, right? I always feel some kind of melancholy when the festive season is over, so, I try to delay the process of removing the Christmas ornaments as long as possible, but, this year I have to admit I overdid it!

while wrapping all this delicate stuff and putting it back to its boxes and up to the attic to be ready for next year, I spent a couple of minutes looking at the Christmas deco I bought this year. we somehow turned this into our family tradition; every year we buy something new that adds up to our Christmas collection. here is this year's "discovery"...


































together with the Three Kings bearing gifts, I discovered Patience Brewster! what an amazing collection! all these unique figures.... I fell in love with the "12 days of Christmas" figures! I sing along while uploading the photos below...

{two turtle doves}
{six geese a laying}
{eight maids a milking}

{ten pipers piping}

{eleven ladies dancing}




Jan 18, 2018

la maitresse~ by konplott

"every day has its moment, every mood its radiance" is Miranda Konstantinidou's motto; & she is one of our favorite jewelry designers for almost 20 years ! {her original jewlery brand is Konplott}

bracelet, earrings & necklace ~  Konplott collection "la maitresse" 

jewelry konplott  designer fashion paris

jewelry konplott  designer fashion paris

jewelry konplott  designer fashion paris


you can read a bit more about the Konplott story and their exclusive  handmade production in Cebu, Phillipines, here

Jan 14, 2018

are you ready to be blown away?

the question is not whether we can afford the phenomenal clothes of Colombian-based Johanna Ortiz, but where & when in our daily lives could we pull such an outfit? nonetheless, no harm in dreaming...it is january, it is cold, we definitely need some breathtaking inspiration!

sit back & enjoy

{source: johanna ortiz fall 2017 // check all collections!!}

women's clothing johanna ortiz fall 2017

women's clothing johanna ortiz fall 2017

women's clothing johanna ortiz fall 2017

women's clothing johanna ortiz fall 2017

women's clothing johanna ortiz fall 2017

women's clothing johanna ortiz fall 2017

women's clothing johanna ortiz fall 2017

women's clothing johanna ortiz fall 2017

{resort 2018}

women's clothes johanna ortiz summer  resort 2018

women's clothes johanna ortiz summer  resort 2018

women's clothes johanna ortiz summer  resort 2018

women's clothes johanna ortiz summer  resort 2018

women's clothes johanna ortiz summer  resort 2018

women's clothes johanna ortiz summer  resort 2018


women's clothes johanna ortiz summer  resort 2018

women's clothes johanna ortiz summer  resort 2018

women's clothes johanna ortiz summer  resort 2018

women's clothes johanna ortiz summer  resort 2018



Jan 11, 2018

the january get-together

many of us usually spend January at home, a bit worn out from the festivities of christmas & new year eve’s season. most of us are not in the mood to plan going out, and some actually cannot even afford it.

but we in excitemelove {who love to celebrate all the big and small every~day~moments} would suggest that maybe january is actually the best month to plan some good get-togethers, just in a different way:

january is for good, honest & cozy get-togethers, with really good friends, whom most likely you did not see during december, cause they had family and other friends’ gatherings to attend.

january is also a good time, because the buzz of the festivities is now over, so you can really reflect on the year that passed, and look ahead on the months that are coming; what better than going through such an exercise while sharing it with your best friends.

lastly, some feel that january is dark, cold (if you live in northern hemisphere) and slightly depressing. even more importantly then, to invite some friends over and warm your houses and your hearts!

and we have the perfect idea for such gathering: a soup soiree!







imagine some delicious, warm soups are served {so everyone can try different flavors} accompanied with fresh baked bread and of course your favorite wines, white, rose, red!

all the different soup flavors will awake different senses, trigger different emotions, inspired different ideas and definitely different topics of discussion will arise!

and keep in mind, soups are really easy, fast and economical to be made, and you can even follow the northern european model, where you all share and everyone brings a different soup! what about making a challenge and assigning different colors to each one of you?


well, it is Friday tomorrow… just saying….


if you are looking for some soup bowls inspiration, have a look at food52:
FisheyeBrooklyn

Sarah Cihat

Farmhouse Pottery

Jan 7, 2018

FROM THESSALONIKI... with love

look what I discovered during my recent trip to my home city; the most amazing, trendiest souvenir shop ever... & it's even called "FROM THESSALONIKI", so appropriate!

even if you are not visiting Thessaloniki but you consider yourself to be a local, pay a visit to this tiny store at 21 Dim.Gounari Street, if you are looking for key rings, T-shirts, card games, deco objects, magnets, mugs or small gifts to offer to your friends, relatives or loved ones.

all images below are borrowed from the store's Facebook page.




Jan 4, 2018

stay warm!

for our beloved friends who live in the usa and are are trying to stay warm {in any possible way}, we would like to suggest a very scandinavian breakfast dish, which can be eaten warm, it will make you feel full of energy and it is absolutely delicious!

oatmeal! 

it is so simple to make, and if you get creative enough you can actually have a completely different experience every morning! our favourite version is simply prepare the oatmeal, add a small knob of butter, chopped bananas, a little bit of fresh milk to make the porridge less sticky {but not too much cause then the porridge will get cold} and a bit of ground cinnamon on top! 

voilà! enjoy immediately, as long as it is still warm! 

we also found some other heavenly variations:


oatmeal banana easy breakfast healthy

































oatmeal blueberry chia easy breakfast healthy

































oatmeal carrot cake coconut easy breakfast healthy