Sleepless nights

So, having lost my beloved camera I'm spending my nights roaming the net looking for a new one.

My old camera was an Olympus PEN E-PL1 and now I'm thinking of upgrading to an E-PL2. Any input? I love the retro looks of them and think the PL2 should be a good upgrade.

So, hello sleepless nights. It was so much easier to go to sleep at night not wondering what's out there...

Mental home decoration

..Mental because it's only in my mind and mental also because I feel I'm going mental only focusing on different furniture, styles, brands, ideas and themes.

My keywords for the new place, hoping it will be the one I've already looked at, are space efficient, light, economic and elegant- but still personal. It's hard, only looking at options for apartments I realize they rarely build them the way I'd prefer. Often I look at small rooms with limited daylight, small windows and horrible colour schemes. And, what I wouldn't give to get a balcony!

The ideal situation would be renting unfurnised but unfortunately I'm not made of money. Getting all the stuff from Ikea (the only option here in Italy for normal-priced furniture that doesn't look like it's been owned by people who are now dead of old age) would set me back at least €1000, easily.

So, hunting around for inspiration, as an attempt to focus on beautiful things and to recharge on positive energy. Still a little under the weather (and under a ***tful amount of work related stress) but focusing right now on the upcoming weekend. Lots of time to drift away in thoughts on the perfect kitchen table or bedside lamp!

Here are some of my favourite things currently in my Evernote inspiration folder! Enjoy!

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs9PdWaw82t9c5oR0b34SRim2A1V22F2VKJjZXMeXIKNjBcNi17t5iMTFA7YqPQQgC-csUvTwXrpT0OJ7KFHisDg8SvLCu-MLXuxnfmrWsmj-MpXoG-pfRPrFxoZDuydV_v4IA1nY9ZI/s1600/DSCF2417.jpg

Source: http://parisapartment.wordpress.com/page/3/

Kartell Bourgie lamp

Flos Skygarden lamp

Birthday gift!

Just bought this lovely wrap bracelet for myself for my 30th birthday! Very happy, excited for when it arrives. It's from House of Harlow, Nicole Richie's company, and is made of 14ct gold and black leather. I hope I will like it. I'm having it sent from the UK to my parents' house where I am going to celebrate my birthday with my closest friends and family.

Surprise gift!

You know sometimes when you are waiting for a gift. You know it's in the mail because the person in the other end has given you the heads up. Everyday is like Christmas morning when you get home, hoping that bulky envelope will be waiting for you by the mailbox.

This has been my everyday since I got back from Sweden at Easter. I got the heads up from my friend in New York who said he'd found a perfect gift for me, about a month ago. Everyday since I have been eagerly waiting for that gift to arrive. Last week I thought I'd write him to tell him that some sneaky neighbour must have stole it since it hadn't arrived. And then, today it did.

Such a surprise, on my way home from the supermarket I bumped in to the signora who runs the downstairs coffeeshop. She asked me for my name and said the mailman had dropped it off today since the envelope was too large to fit in the small mailbox. She said they thought it could be me. I thought it was very sweet of them to think of me.

I unwrapped it as soon as I got in the door. It was the most sweet book ever. A children's book about Rome! With water colour paintings inside and the dearest little texts to make them company. It's like a guide book for small children but it's very clever. It made me very happy to know that he knows me that well, my old friend.
(Click on the photos to make them larger)

By the same author there are also the earlier books "This is Paris" and "This is London". This book was originally created in 1960 but has not been published until recently. The author's name is Miroslav Sasek.

I can highly recommend them for cute reading and extraordinary paintings!

Good night peeps!
Tomorrow I'm off to Veneto, the area surrounding Venice. We are opening a store in Portogruaro next week and I have to go and have a look!
Exciting!

Cougar Town inspiration

Hi peeps,

just got back to Rome after a few days in Milano. Summer is almost here and I feel the urge for summer shoes! The shop windows are filled with them but I kind of have an idea of what kind of wedge sandal I'm after..

Usually not the customer for wedges but after having destroyed numerous of heels in the cobblestone hell of Rome I realize I will need a good pair if I want to make it around the city with dignity. Brown. Simple. Soft leather. Timeless design.

Then I saw them. Watching the new episode of Cougar Town Jules is trading her shoes for a t-shirt of Bobby. Long story. However. There they were.

Courtesy of ABC Network

YSL Cruise collection! I think they look so comfortable although they are crazy high. Call me silly but knowing the last of the YSL shoes I know they will be comfortable no matter the height of the heel. Now, if these would have been Zara shoes I think I mentally already would have broken both my ankles.

Now the hunt has begun.. Will keep you posted.

Sweet dreams! At least I know what I'll be dreaming of!

1st MacBook note

So.. Here I am, tapping away in the dark like a vampire on my new, shiny MacBook Pro! I cannot believe it myself, I'm so happy!

Getting used to it really and truly takes its time, especially since I want to get to know it (him/her.. err) properly. I'm not saying it's easy, and it's not because I'm a PC-user by default, it's just hard that's all.

Could give you thousands of examples already, little quirkiness from both our sides I assume, but I'm so tired I'm almost fainting. It's 1.42 at night, I need to get up and go to work within 5 hrs and I'm just waiting for this little thing to get fully recharged. What I can't understand is how it 15 mins ago read 7 mins until ready and now reads 12 mins.

Aaah, now the green light went off on the chord! Off to bed like a lightning bolt!

Will explore away these coming days, if you can bear with me!

XOXO

A new buddy

Hi all,

feeling like the worst blogger on the planet. And, yes, I am the worst blogger ever!!

I haven't forgotten about you, life just got in the way. And no, still no love life, just a busy life with work, friends, laughter, fashion, food, events.. Ya know.

Blogging quickly before I'm off to bed.

I feel like such a cheater for writing this, on my old friend Fred, but Wednesday evening a new member of my tiny family will see the light of day!

A smashing MacBook Pro! I am so happy, I've wanted this for so long. Fred is still a great companion, although a little old and rusty. So I'll let him live his last days as a retired old man at my parents' house. He'll do good there, he'll assist my Mun when she's typing out all her english-class homework.

I'll really miss him, his loud buzzing, his boiling temperature.. What I probably will miss (seriously) is his crystal clear 15-inch screen. New MacBook is a small 13-inch one, but I think I'll manage.

So, Fred, ol' buddy.
I've had some of my best times with you. You've been good to me, I chose you wisely but all things must end.

MacBook, I welcome you.
Next post I'll make will hopefully be from an Apple.
God knows how I'll make it but I'll give it a go.

Fred, ol' sidekick


MacBook, new buddy

Little sale update

I sold the shoes, the jumpsuit and the cell phone in just a few days.

If anyone would still be interested in the little box t-shirt..?

Haha.

Jenny sale!

I am selling some things on Blocket.se but I also thought perhaps to post them here..!

LG Viewty KU990 cell-phone, 1000 sek.

Read more about my old lovely 5 mp touchscreen cell at:

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/0,39030106,49292601-1,00.htm
http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_ku990_viewty-review-167.php

Mine has been used and handled with great love and care. A little scratch on the display and some minor bumps and scratches on the edges of the cell. Nothing serious. Comes with the box and all original accessories such as handsfree/earphones, USB cable and charger.


Minimarket top Box, size XS, 450 sek.

White Japanese cotton fabric with neon pilling. Short box style, one pocket on front.
Measures 60 cm width, 45 cm length neckline to waist.

Never worn but just washed after some time hanging in the closet.
Original price ca. 850 sek.


Office ankleboots size 40, 450 sek.

Have been used once for a fashion shoot.
Too large for me but I was planning on using an insole. Didn't work unfortunately..
Orginal price £80 (930 sek).

Beige leather and light beige canvas.

3 cm platform sole, 14,5 cm heel.

Vero Moda jumpsuit size S, 200 sek.

Sold out after a day in Stockholm stores.

Length 117 cm from chestline to ankle.
Width 29 cm chestline. Very elastic bandeau-style top part.
Original price 259 sek. Used once.



If you like any of the stuff, just send me a message!
I can check for safest and cheapest postal service for whoever decides to buy!

Tootles!

My new drawing!

I just treated myself to a drawing to hang on my wall!

I am very happy, although it was not at all what I had in mind when I started to browse for paintings. I thought perhaps a Rothko, or perhaps Cassandre..
But nope!

A plain little drawing with coffee stains on it!

What do you think?
Courtesy of www.allposters.com

Good stuff

Last night I was supposed to watch "He's just not that into you", inspired of a scene from the Sex and The City show, and curl up in bed.
I had no snacks at home and I was in a very snacky mood, so I checked what was in my fridge.
I had nothing but 1 kg of beetroots and I googled beetroot crisps and came up with this.
They were really good if you like beetroots although I would advice you to crank the heat up some and then leave them to cold afterwards, as they are still quite mushy after 15 mins in the oven. I had them with salt, no oil. Delicious and healthy!

Today I binged on potatoes slices in the oven, baked with rosemary and olive oil. I made a sour-cream dip with pepper, tomatoe puré and ketchup.
Really good.

This was my way of waving bye-bye to all things packed with carbs as I am trying to lose some quick weight as well as working out. The main reason is my up and coming trip back home to Florence.
Since my leaving, 2,5 years ago, I gained 8 kgs and I would like to lose at least some of them.
Although, I must add, becoming a newly addicted gym-oholic I must say it's not so much the weight itself, but how I feel about myself.

I have also seriously seriously considered selling parts of my body to be able to afford these shoes. I tried them on in Paris in August, I need to have them.

Gucci Babouska, be mine! I could walk a thousand miles in these!

Waiting around for the latest episode of The City to be added to mtv.com, I have waited for a whole week!! So tried my eyes almost cross, but I need to get my weekly fashion fix, drama fix, thin fix and NYC fix.


Tomorrow I have a Minimarket at Weekday fashion preview party to go to, a little wine to down (perhaps at Riche?) and before that, hitting the gym! Can't wait to yoga away, totally zen like!

Tootles my dears, hope to get a comment soon again! I miss them!

To get us back on track with each other, me telling you all about my life and you knowing all about my life, I will give you some photos to show you what's in my head, in my heart, around me and with me!

Hope I've kept some faithful readers during my disappearance..!

Making Italian foccaccia with rosemary, sea salt, olive oil and black olives together with Elena (photo) and Emilia. We also had some chanterel risotto, yum.
And to believe that I am swearing off carbs now, to lose water weight quickly! AAH!

Monki pumps that I had to return when I was out of money.
Really sad, I liked them. I think we can rekindle our romance one payday is here..!

H&M black pumps.
I kept these ones when going broke, I used them straight after buying them since I fell so much in love.
Very comfy and very cheap.
I love H&M for quick fixes like this! They will most likely be my travelling shoes for Italy!

Elena at Emilia's.
Pre-party that just ended up being the three of us munching away on biscuits and French cheese.
Lovely!

See how happy we were!

Emilia enjoying her white wine

At the actual party, we were all kind of missing the cheese. We left quite early.

I think I need this for my coins and cards. Yup.
Balenciaga at their best. Nicholas, be mine!

Source: The Sartorialist

This crew had their photo taken at Pitti Filati in Florence, by Scott.
I used to sunbathe with this group when I lived there.
They were sooo fashion, I didn't understand how they could expose their white skin to the scorching Italian sun? Let's also add they were always decked out in neon patent leather swimwear, Ray Bans and lots of hair product. I once saw one of them go in the water in the pool.
The others I think had their casual cigarette in hand at all times, thus preventing them from actually swimming.

And this, dear readers, is me summer 2009. Hahaha!
I actually admire the way Heidi has shaped up, physically that is (mentally she's as empty as always) and I find it inspiring. Since I now go religiously to the gym like three times a week, I need the motivation to keep me from the crisps and the candy.
Boobs aside, I think she has a nice lean body.

Beautiful Minimarket AW09 boots!
Will most definitely pick up a pair, the problem is to pick a colour!
Pierre Hardy slingbacks! Not usually a fan but I really like these!

The gorgeour Chloé Milton hobo.
I tried to forget about it for two months now, but it's still on sale at Luisa Via Roma in Florence.
I love it, they sell it in cream white lamb skin, it is to die for.
If I take out all my savings and promise not to buy (nor eat) anything until the summer, perhaps I could make it.

My coat

Ok folks, here you go. Give me your comments please. Yes or no?

Dark pic, but good to see the silhouette!

Front, still a little dark

Side, see it's a little bulky and hanging heavy.. Hmm..

And a little fattening as well..
(Also discovered w this photo that the previous tenant had four shelves attached to back wall!)

Front again, pleating and the generous sleeves

From the back. This photo makes me think of Balenciaga, I think it's the silhouette and the voluminous sleeves

Pleating in back. Looks like a wool kimono almost. Not good.

Finally.. The last one of about a hundred photos! I was boiling in it!

In a little while..

I'll go and pick up the coat I wrote of yesterday.

I'll get it, come back home, and post pics of what it looks like.

It's wool (recycled, soo cool!) and with silk (or something like it) lining. The hem hits just at the knee. Will it make me short and stubby when I can't wear high heels with it? Will it make me as bulky as I think? Will I not wear it once I get it?

See, so many questions and there's only one way to find out.

Watch this space for photos!

Weekly update

So, after having been back to work for a week I've been exhausted.

I haven't seen, met, nor spoken to anyone for four days.
My main project these days, except for living through long days, has been to find a camera.
After two sleepless nights and plenty of phonecalls to different vendors, I had almost decided to splurge on a Panasonic Lumix TZ2 with wide-angle lens and yadi yada.
But everyone kept telling me to get the cheaper Canon Ixus 80,
the one I already thought of.
So.

What I did was to call the place that sold the Lumix for the highest price and asked them which to buy. I thought, if anyone should advice me to buy that one, it's them.
And if they tell me to get the Canon, well, then I'll just get the Canon.
Who am I to question ten professionals?

And you know what, they told me to get the Canon. So I did.
And I like it. Don't love it. Not yet.

Where I spend most of my free time. Just me, Fred and Josef Frank's Manhattan

Jonna and I talked about why I put so much effort into researching, it's almost like a drug.
I did it from 18.00 in the evening until 02.00 in the morning, for two consecutive nights. Arrived to work sleepy-eyed and tired, but I couldn't wait for the moment to go back home and continue searching.
In my lunch break I made phonecalls to vendors.
You get it.

Anyways, my theory is that I have it very easy to get addicted to things
(Thank God for not being in direct contact with drugs..) and
get hooked and never getting enough.
With people, with things, with feelings, with flavours, with music, cigarettes, wine..
And also, when I begin looking for something, wether it is a camera (as in this case),
a dress, shoes, magazine, furniture.. I always keep looking for that thing that finally completes me, that makes my life matter.
It sounds really sad, but it doesn't have to be.
It also makes me wanting more, going on and on.
Upward, forward is the thing.

Enough of this reflectiveness and let's move on!

Last night I bought my camera and then I went to the opening of the new Monki store
in the smack center of Stockholm.
It was a little rainy but the fashionable people of the capital had gathered for free wine, nibbles and cheap clothes.
It was nice but they poured me the fullest plastic mug of rosé and after having downed that one, I was down (and out) as well. Walking in zig-zag to the bus home at 21.30.
Haha.

Testing my new camera before going out


Sanna and Lisa

Today at lunch I saw my friend Anneka who has been to Florence to visit our friend Alexandra. Alex lives with my best Florence friend, Natalia,
so then they all got to hang out together. Lucky them.

She told me of all the things they'd done and where they had been eating and so on.
4 Leoni.. I love you. It made my heart ache, I miss it so much.

Anneka brought me back a birthday present from Nati and Alex.
Look below.


When I first saw them I was literally blinded by all the colours (you know I'm quite a natural shade person) and it took my approximately 5 seconds to fall head over heals in love.
I cherish them.

Tonight it is the 080808 party.
08 is the telephone area code for Stockholm so tonight we celebrate our beautiful city.
I actually see some blue skies after a day of rain. I think it might be a good night.

Looking east..

Looking west..

I also found an orange little banana fly with red eyes, in my glass, walking on the surface of the wine I'm drinking.
When I tried to lift him up using a piece of paper
(I didn't want to accidentally drown him, it's a good bottle of Sicilian wine) I succeeded,
but then happened to get stuck with the paper on the curved edge of my huge wine glass
and I catapulted him back into it and he died.

I poured myself a new glass and now I'm thinking that it can't get worse than that.

Looking forward to tonight! What are you up to, my loves?
Please write and tell!