I don’t know how to tell you this guys but… I’m quitting blogging.

I’ve been writing this blog for a little over two years now and it’s been so much fun. I really love how it has connected me with a lot of awesome people and also helped me develop my own personal style. But then there’s this other side to it, when you feel stressed by the feeling that you “need” to post, and perhaps you don’t have the time (because writing a blog really does take quite a lot of time). Lately that feeling has been coming to me quite often. My focus and attention has been 100% on finishing my novel, which is going very well and I’m very close to accomplishing. That leaves very little time left for other things like reading blogs or writing posts.

Also, with a baby on the way now in only a few months I know I don’t want any unnecessary stress in my life. I know my “free time” will be limited by the time the little one arrives and when I do have some time for myself I want to be able to relax, do a yoga session, hit the gym or get some writing done. I guess I could still keep the blog but I don’t like to do things half heartedly. So my mind is made up. Sometimes you have to do a spring cleaning of your life to have space for the next thing life decides to bring us. Sometimes you just have to let go if your guts tells you it’s the right thing to do.

I really truly want to thank each and every one of you who has read and appreciated this little space online. Your kind words and encouragement has been so great and I honestly feel I’ll miss you all. I’ll still be on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest so please add me there so we can still stay in touch.

Lots of love and happiness to y’all!

Elsa

From beautiful Sedona we headed to the north part of Arizona to see the Grand Canyon. You can imagine the excitement, this is truly one of the most beautiful spots in America. It was mind blowing and so peaceful at the same time, I could just gaze out over this magnificent landscape forever. We just stayed for one day and went to several spots along the south rim of the canyon and the view from each place was more stunning than the last. When the sun set it was cloudy giving the canyon a blue magic light (see last photo) that made it look completely like a painting. Words cannot describe…

Being on the road was pretty amazing, especially since the views were so stunning. I practically held on to the camera all the time so I quickly could snap some shots out the window of the magnificent landscape. Here are some random shots from our week on the road in Arizona.

Do you have anything special planned for the weekend? I’m just gonna catch up on things to do around the house, work out and have brunch with some friends… no big plans but since we haven’t been home the last two weekends it feels kind of nice anyway. Enjoy your Friday evening whatever you’re up to!

We came to the small town of Sedona in north Arizona in the afternoon and were instantly spellbound by the beauty of this place. Climbing up a small hill and seeing the sun set and cast a magical light on the red rocky landscape was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Some places has this quality of making me stop the constant busy blabbering of the mind and just purely enjoy the moment – this was certainly one of those places.

I was captivated by the beauty of these ombre hillsides…

I’ve just returned home after an amazing road trip in Arizona where we have experience great nature and incredible silence. My break in posting was not really planned but happened as we didn’t have wi-fi or even cell phone coverage most of the time! But now I’m back, ready to share my experiences with you through tons of photos over the next week. The first post is from a place close to the city of Sedona called Red Rock Crossing. The beauty of this place is just incredible, no wonder it’s one of the most photographed spots in Arizona!

I have been meaning to show you my new white and navy tassel blouse from Love Sam that I scored on Gilt a few weeks back. It’s this perfect boho blouse with wide flowy sleeves that just feels so incredibly classic and timeless. Not to mention how perfect these kind of blouses are for me right now with my little 22 week bump. The only maternity clothing I’ve bought so far are these black skinny jeans and a pair of denim shorts. Paired with blouses like this one it pretty much makes up my day to day wardrobe right now.

Red Rock Crossing

I just adore my Fly by Odd Lovin feather earrings that the owner and creative force Minna gave me a while back. 

Yes the bump is expanding! Now at 22 weeks (5 months) it’s so amazing to feel the little kicks and twists from within.

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After arriving in Phoenix on Sunday we headed straight to Scottsdale, a neighboring small town with a lot of charm. I hadn’t really expected that much to be honest but I instantly liked the vibe going on here – a southwestern atmosphere with an injection of L.A glamour and healthy living. If that’s not enough the sunshine and 80 degree weather (27° C) made it hard not to like this place, it was just perfect.

We checked into the Fairmont Princess Scottsdale, maybe not your typical road trip motel stay, it’s more like a 5-star resort with spacious rooms and every amenity you can ever imagine. But you probably know by know that I have a weak spot for these kind of hotels.

The resort

Me posing causally in my Free People coral boho blouse in front of some cactuses

Lunch at AMAZING True Foods Kitchen. I had the vegan TLT-Sandwhich (Tempeh Lettuce Tomato) and died and went to food heaven. And don’t even get me started on the edamame dumplings… 

Downtown Scottsdale

I was trying on so many of these hats… haven’t found the perfect one yet

Tomorrow we’re leaving Scottsdale and heading north… 

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Tomorrow morning I’m off on an adventure that I’ve been waiting for a long time, a road trip in the southwest! We’re flying to Phoenix and driving from there stopping in some spots on the way to the Grand Canyon, we’ll be gone for a week. I’ve never been in Arizona so I’m so excited about this little getaway. We’re gonna stay on the hotel shown in the photo just below here (located in Sedona) and I expect the to be days filled with both sunshine, time to relax next to the swimming pool as well as adventures, a bit of trekking and seeing the beauty of the Grand Canyon.

Has any of you been over there? If anyone has recommendation for where to stop along the way or where is a great place to eat (we already have the hotels covered) please let me know. Keep enjoying the weekend!

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This is what I call spring! I couldn’t be happier about the weather we’ve had the last few days here in Philadelphia, finally it’s warm enough for ice creams, lunch outside in the sunshine and even picnics in the park. Today as I headed for lunch in the sunshine with a friend was therefore a perfect day to break in my new floral kaftan that I got a few weeks back at Buffalo Exchange.

I have to be honest and admit that florals are not usually my thing, but there was something about this dress that I really loved. I think it was the combination of colors that was just too hard to resist –  navy, amber and emerald green are some of my favorite colors! Well and not to mention the flowy material and empire cut waist which is perfect for me right now.

I’m Wearing:

Kaftan dress- Flying Tomato via Buffalo Exchange

Boots – Frye (Billy Short Boot)

Bracelet – gifted

Necklace – Vintage

Sunnies – Prada

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Spring is here, somehow it’s early March and the sun is shining and buds are waiting patiently to burst. Somehow those horrible three months that they call the first trimester finally came to an end and then another two months or so rapidly past and here I am now – halfway there… 20 weeks down and 20 more to go until we can meet our little one.

And it’s really starting to skink in now!

I have started to feel the movement inside my belly now which is both a surreal and fantastic feeling. When I go to bed in the evening I can feel the baby doing the same… moving around trying to find a good position for the night – and it always makes me smile! And since it can already hear our voices N makes sure to put his face close to my stomach and speak to it in spanish to say goodnight as well.

On Monday this week we had our 20 week ultrasound and it was such an awesome experience. To see its little hands kind of waving to us (at least that’s what we’d like to think it was doing!) while sitting very yogi-like in the lotus position. That, if something made it feel like wow… this is really happening! 

 It really is an incredible journey.

I usually never have problems with my skin aside from dryness in the winter which is quite manageable. But when I got pregnant all these hormones were going completely bananas and I ended up with break outs like I hadn’t seen since my teens! I was devastated because I had no idea how to treat these spots that were popping up all over my forehead and around my mouth. I think everyone who’s ever had problems with acne understand the feeling, it just gets you down… But then I discovered Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Lotion and I was saved…ehm… my skin was saved!

This lotion (that I use every evening before moisturizing) helped me clear up my skin in a matter of days. Yes, already after the first night I could see a difference and after using it for a week my skin had visibly cleared. I couldn’t believe my eyes and I was so so happy! So today I just want to recommend this cream to everyone who has problems with acne and break outs, it really worked for me and now my skin looks even better than before since it also has evened out the skin tone and reduced redness etc.

 I promise you this post is not sponsored even though it might sound exactly like it. I just want to spread the word about this great product!