Thursday, June 30, 2011

Food!

I gave up on veganism on Midsummer's Eve, I knew I wouldn't continue the lifestyle forever, but it's fun to try new things. I just couldn't resist the temptation of our fish-spread, so I ate a lot of fish. There's replacement for all sorts of dairy, but they never taste good, I had bought tofu sour cream and the taste was just awful, so I decided it wasn't worth it anymore. Since then I've had a lot of delicious things! ^_^

 I made a smoothie of non-dairy vanilla cool-whip, fresh strawberries, mango and banana, it was really yummy and I love the colour!
 Me and Sebastian went to this pizza place called "Ricardo's", Seb claims they have the best pizzas in Stockholm. I'm not a big fan of pizza, but I have to admit that these were very tasty, very thin crust and good quality ingredients. I ate a Marinara with shrimps and clams.
 I thought I deserved some macaroons on Monday, I'm not sure why, I guess because I had finished an entire day's work (OMG SO ambitious?!). I really liked the color-combination of these, the flavours are: Forest fruit, caramel and lemon. Forest fruit is a new flavour, lemon and caramel I've tasted before. Caramel is my all-time favourite, it tastes just like the toffee brittle I make at Christmas only with better texture! The beautiful mug with matching plate we got from Sebastian's grandma.
Enjoying some al fresco dinner on our balcony Monday night, the food is really over-exposed but we ate a salmon pasta that I made, one of my favourite meals! So easy to make, too. I had decided that we should drink wine because Tuesday was my day off and that needed to be celebrated!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Apartment changes

 On Midsummer's Eve we had placed one of the bowls that we got from Sebastian's grandma on the table and filled it with candy, I wish I could have it like this all the time, but I know I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off the candy jar ^_^''
 Our balcony furniture, we also put out some wooden floor over the concrete, so much nicer! We just need to buy some ledges to fill out with in the corners now.
 What our couch used to look like.
 How it looks now, I love our new, orange blanket! we still need to buy a  new couch, but having a white blanket over the seats looks so much better than a green one.

I'm starting to wish I didn't like stuffed animals so much, I just can't get rid of them because they're family and I've seen Toy Story, but they don't go with the style I want to create. Maybe I should keep them some place else and then they can get to play with my children when they get here? Nope, I still think that's too mean, I wouldn't want to be "put away" for ten years!
 We bought a balcony table for my plants, and also a big lantern.
 Jars! My goal is that nothing will be held in its original packaging, to just have a pantry filled with beautiful jars in glass and tin. I want to be real hardcore about it and put the milk in a carafe or bottle, and have the butter on a butter dish! Do milk keep fresh if you let it stand in the open like that?
 I didn't take a before-picture of our living room window, but we used to have just one sad little purple curtain hanging over one window, I can't believe how ugly our home was before! I love our new, white curtains anyway, the room seems so much prettier and homely. The only problem is that they let in a lot more light, we only have one room so this means that I always wake up super-early because I can't sleep if it's not dark, I don't want to have a roller blind in the living room.
 I bought this beautiful jar yesterday, now I keep chocolate milk mix in it. These tin jars are so beautiful, but they're a lot more expensive than the glass ones. I want to get at least 3 more, one for cocoa, one for instant coffee and one for ground coffee.
 Baking Soda (or maybe this was my cocaine jar?!), I didn't find any nice labels, they were all just cutesy ones for kids' schoolbooks at the store I went to, so I made my own.
Hung some paintings yesterday, these are like 1-2 years old and NOW I finally got around to hang them, insane. I'm not that kind of person anymore and it feels good, I make things happen now.
Our home looks so much nicer with some paintings on the wall, but I think it's really hard to know what you should buy and where. I know you're not "suppose" to buy art at IKEA, the one to the left is from there, but I think it's okay because it's a photograph + it's a photograph of penguins! The other one I made, but I don't think I'm talented enough to paint all the art for our home, even though I happen to like this painting. 


I'm really inspired to work with our apartment now, like I don't even feel like spending so much money on clothes anymore, I want to buy home accessories, new furniture and re-do our bathroom. I HATE our bathroom! It's disgusting, and it's really annoying because it's not like we could just clean it or fix a little to make it nice, to do that we would have to hire construction workers to put in clinkers and stuff like that.

Anyway, I would love it if I could get some tips on interior design blogs and stores! I love everything at Anthropologie, so I'd like to find blogs that features homes in that style, and more store who sells similar stuff, it doesn't have to be cheaper necessarily, but I would like to know of some places in Sweden that sells furniture in that style because Anthropolgie doesn't ship furniture outside of the UK.

Three Coords

Here's an update with three different coords that I've been wearing, two from Sunday and the one from today (Monday).
 On Sunday we went to IKEA with Ted and Alma, I'll soon show you some pictures from our apartment with the new things we bought! We were out really early, we arrived at 11.30 or something,  so me and Seb had time to go to Bromma Blocks as well!

Rundown:
Glasses: Nasty Gal
Earrings: Accessorize
Dress: Vero Moda/Nelly
Bag: Topshop
Sandals: Topshop
 I got cold later in the evening and changed clothes completely. I hate that I sometimes have to look like this in the summer -tights, leather jacket, that's no way to dress in June!

Rundown:
Glasses: Nasty Gal
Sweater: Monki
Leather Jacket: Saints&Mortals/Carlings
Bag: Topshop
Necklace: Lindex
Shorts: H&M
Shoes: Topshop
And this is what I'm wearing today. I had work today so I'm trying to come up with coords that are very simple but still cute, there's no point in wearing a lot of jewelry because everything has to come off as soon as I start working. I can't do my hair or wear much make-up either, and I have to remove nail polish before my shift starts, I guess this is one of the negative aspects of my job. I have to say though, I do like my look better with just a tiny bit of make-up (mascara and blush), and I guess this makes me not gal, but I don't care, I'm not going to consider myself that anymore anyways, I just like the style, but being over-styled isn't my thing.

Rundown:
Glasses:
Lindex
Sweater: Monki
Necklace: Lindex
Skirt: Topshop
Shoes: Monki

Monday, June 27, 2011

My Midsummer

This was Thursday and I haven't gotten to blog about it until now. I just don't feel like doing it when I never get comments, but then I have this cloud that hangs over me. I'm still going to blog even without comments, and I'm not gonna ask you to do it - I want you to comment what you find worth commenting, not just do it because it'll make me happy.

Anyways, celebrated my Midsummer's Eve with Sebastian, his friend Ted and his girlfriend Alma. We had such a nice time! Me and Seb spent the first hours of the day cleaning, I was suppose to do it the day before Midsummer but then my work had called and needed me to work super-late (I signed out at 1.40 AM ;____;), so we were a bit stressed to get everything in order until our friends arrived.
 Food and people eating it.
I always feel so rude photographing people when they're eating, but at the same time I want to be the kind of person who's just constantly photographing :/ Well, to be completely honest I would want Seb to be that kind of person, because if there's anyone I really want pictures of, it's me! ^_^
 My cute baby and his joy over potatoes ♥
 In Sweden we have the tradition of singing short songs and then take a shot at the end of them. It's always really fun to this with Sebastian because the tradition is important in his family (HA HA) and he knows all these weird songs that no one ever heard of before ^_^
 My poor and lonely shot that had to be drunk too late because I was busy photographing.
 My Midsummer Coord, you like? I had to choose the comfy sneakers because we were going to the amusement park later.

Rundown:
Dress: Topshop
Denim Jacket: Levi's
Bangles: House of Harlow, H&M
Shoes: Monki
 We spent the evening at Stockholm's amusement park "Gröna Lund". Quite spontaneous, I wasn't planning on going there at all this year. To be honest is not the best of it's kind, and I'm kind of sick of it, the rides aren't very thrilling and it's small, but we still had a good time! We got there late, so we didn't have time to go on the rides we wanted, but we got our passes for less, so it all worked itself out!
 Me in the staircase of the house of mirrors, I thought the light was cool.
Haha, I look like a bootylicious dwarf!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Hello, Emy's Giveaway!

Please go check out the awesome giveaway that Emy is hosting at her amazing blog! Some really nice prices, gorgeous lashes from Japanese brands, and clothes from one of my favourite brands; Free People! Go check out and participate NOW!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Coord + Gets

Ha! I'm hopeless. I actually am starting to worry about my shopoholism, and every time I start to worry I tell myself "Well, just don't shop so much!", but I can't! If I were to force myself not to shop for, let's say, a month, I know I'd just get so sad of all the stuff I'd miss because it would be out of stock when I was allowed to shop again. And besides, if I did forbid myself to shop for a month, I would just shop twice as much when I finally was allowed to. And right now I'm like "Well, just buy the back pack, that shirt on sale and the white chinos and THEN you're not allowed to shop for a month", but if I did that there just would be something else I desperately needed. Anyone who can relate to my pathetic, western problems?

Any way, these are the things I got:
 Well, the hair colour is necessary of course, I can't walk around with roots in my hair! The nude, silky thing is an under-dress and it's great that I bought it because it means I can wear two of the see-through dresses I have in my wardrobe. I do have nail polish at home, so it wasn't particularly necessary for me to buy it, but I can't wear nail polish to work and this yellow shade will really cheer me up the few days during this weekend that I'll be able to, plus the yellow will look great on Midsummer Eve! The ring I can say was completely unnecessary, but I really like the turquoise ones and I haven't been able to find a nice one until now, besides, it was super-cheap!
I also bought this crop-top on sale, unnecessary I guess, but it was super-cheap, and if this bad weather is going to continue I'm going to need more knits. JUSTIFIED!

Btw, this sweater is hanging on my last hanger, so next time I buy clothes I'm a need to buy new hangers as well. I need to anyhow, I hate plastic ones!
This is what I wore today - leather jacket, scarf and boots >.< WTF?! This is not attire that is to be worn in JUNE :@ I NEED it to be hot during summer, I'm fucking miserable when temperature drops, I'm always freezing. Can't I at least be warm and sweaty for two months a year? If it doesn't get warmer I'll have to start work out.

Rundown:
Leather Jacket: Saints&Mortals/Carlings
Scarf: H&M
Top: H&M
Shorts: H&M
Boots: Ti Amo/Scorett
In my headphones: Hollywood Babble-on

Dress-hunting and vegetarian buffet

My mission yesterday was to get a dress for the Midsummer celebration on Friday. I had all ready tried the one I wanted on and was excited to get it. Sometimes you just find pieces that are so amazing that you dream about getting them, this dress was one of those pieces:
SO lovely! When I got to Urban Outfitters, I could only find two of them left and they were both a size large, I desperately asked the staff for help but there was no use, all other sizes were sold out :( The same goes for their website, which makes me think that maybe the headquarters have called up all the branches of the world and asked them to throw away any other size because "we say so" >.<

I browsed threw some other stores but eventually ended up at Topshop (of course).
 Loved this dress! I think it would work so well during any season really, you could wear it with tights in the f/w, it would of course work for spring. Might be too warm for summer days but perfect for summer nights! I didn't think it was too suitable for Midsummer, though, which is why I decided not to get it. I might go back later for it, though.
 I thought this was the kind of dress that only would look good on curvier ladies, but I decided to try it anyway. Turns out this kind of dress looks good on everybody! Makes skinny girls look more curvy and feminine, and big girls look less fat. Magical! The fabric was amazingly soft, too. I probably won't get it because I don't know when I would use it, but if I went to parties more often I would definitely get it!
 Didn't like this dress too much, I think the white is too white, and the cut makes my chest look unnecessarily broad. 
 And finally, THIS was the dress I went with! It's a beautiful linen dress with an amazing cut-out detail around the waist. I was a little unsure about the cut-out design at first, I couldn't make up my mind whether it was fun or tacky, but eventually I decided on fun! Do you think I'll be able to rock Midsummer in this number? ^_^

 As soon as I had hunted down my pray I took the bus to Södermalm to meet up with my dad. Södermalm is the name of the southern part of Stockholm inner city, it's where my family lives and where I grew up. I really miss living there, even though I love the place I live now as well. Södermalm just have so many great restaurants, they have these nice little boutiques that you won't find anywhere else, and they got a lot of nice groceries stores that are focused on environmentally sustainability and vegan/vegetarianism.
We went to have lunch at the vegetarian restaurant called "Herman's", great place! I was in luck because Wednesday's are Vegan Day. The restaurant was really beautifully located with an amazing view over the city, right above the water.
 They had vegan desserts as well, I usually don't eat desserts ever in restaurants, but when they had a vegan spread I couldn't resist! I had this delicious nut and toffee pie with custard, my dad chose the raspberry pie. I was sooo stuffed after this! I feel like I'm still stuffed, ha ha ^_^


After lunch we went to Good Store, I wanted to buy some vegetarian pickled "herring" (the fish being substituted by aubergine), but when we got there they had sold out and would get more tomorrow, so my dad told me he'd get it for me and bring it over on Friday *happy*. No Midsummer (or any other Swedish holiday for that matter) without pickled herring!
 At least I got some organic shampoo, I thought it was about time I tried something else than Body Shop's ^_^'''
Got magazines on the way home, I'm using Seb's credit card right now so at first I thought I couldn't get the latest issue of SOLO, but then I noticed the latest issue of Rocky was out as well, JUSTIFIED!

Wednesday Coord

Yesterday I had my day off, so there was actually point in putting some efforts into my looks and clothes! I got dressed up to get myself into town to search for a Midsummer dress, and also to meet up with my dad.

Rundown:
Hat: Complement/Åhléns
Sunglasses: Lindex
Dress: Nasty Gal
Denim Jacket: Levi's
Bag: Zara
Bangle: House of Harlow
Socks: Unknown
Shoes: Topshop


These pictures were taken with a friend's Nikon D40, that's why the quality is higher than usual.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Recent going-to-work-coords

So, I've been working A LOT lately, but I love it! I originally was assigned 30+ hours/week, but all ready I've been able to work a lot of those plus hours. Of course sometimes it can feel a little sad not having much free-time, especially when you're used to have a lot of it, but all and all I love working much, I easily get restless, and there simply isn't time for that at work. I wear a uniform when working, so there isn't much point in putting a lot of thought into your coords, but this is what I've been wearing the past two days:
 The jeans aren't really skinny, but more of a straight cut. I didn't think the brogues would go with any other kind of jeans than skinny, but I liked how it turned out. Skinny jeans aren't for me... yet.

Rundown:
Hat:
Complement/Åhléns
Cardigan: Cubus
Tumbler: Starbucks
Shirt: H&M
Jeans: H&M Kids
Shoes: Topshop
Today's coord, I was in a super-hurry this morning, so this is what I managed to pull together.

Rundown:

Cardigan: Cubus
Sweater: Monki
Tank: H&M
Skirt: H&M Kids
Bag: Topshop
Shoes: Topshop


Three of some of my best buys in these two coords; Slouchy hat, blanket-cardi and my new brogues! I'm so happy that I found the brogues on sale, that's exactly the kind of thing you should buy on the sales!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

All by myself ;_____;

Seb left early this morning to drive all the way to Jönköping for a gaming convention called "Dream hack". I don't think I've told you about it, but a few weeks ago he started writing for a game site called "Game Talkerz", if you speak Swedish and are into games you should totally check it out! So anyway, he'll be there all day to interview the people of Dice about the new Battlefield game. I'm so proud of him, he's such a good writer too!

This however means I'll be alone all day, such a bore! But it's okay because I have work between 11-3 today, and he'll get back to Stockholm tonight. It's such a shame I don't eat dairy anymore, if I did I could cry over a pint of Ben & Jerry's. I could cry over soy ice cream, but I get bored with it. It's just... flavoured? I like my ice cream packed with stuff! :(

Things I miss but can't eat anymore:
Macaroons
Cheese in all shapes and forms
Ben & Jerry's ice cream
Seven Eleven's fro-yo
Crayfish
Salmon
Pickled herring
Exotic Snacks dipped in yogurt
Super-low calorie yogurts
Chocolate (there are chocolate's that I can eat, but those kinds aren't as easily attainable)

So there's quite a few things, but don't feel sorry for me! I'm very pleased and happy with my new diet, I just wanted to make a list because I had been thinking about it. On my birthday I shall eat macaroons and down them with champagne, because every girl deserves some macaroons once a year!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Recipes for Vegan food I enjoy

I've had these pictures in my "upcoming blog posts"-folder for too long and it's time to blog them!
First out: Vegan pancakes!
 When it comes to pancakes there's one thing that messes it all up: eggs. I've seen an egg replacement in the stores, I've also read that you can use soy flour instead. I have yet to found soy flour nor have I bought the egg replacement, I use soy yogurt instead!

This is my recipe:
1dl of soy milk light
3 tbsp of vanilla soy yogurt
0,5 dl of flour (use whole wheat for more fiber and better carbs!)
1 tsp of baking soda
a pinch of salt
cinnamon (unlimited amounts, you can never use too much!)
rapeseed oil for cooking

And all you do is mix it all in a bowl, if you can it's good to make it sit for a while to let the baking soda do its work. Remember that if you use something warm in the batter, like heated oil or margarine, you have to add the baking soda last as it reacts to heat.

Then you just fry it in some margarine or oil, and remember to not be afraid of the fry-fat, if you use too little it might burn!

This recipe I think is about 280 calories, 2 tbsp of maple syrup is about 80-100 calories.
 Just some veggies I grilled when me and Seb were having a lonely barbecue. This isn't a recipe, I just wanted you to be aware of that it's possible to eat a delicious, vegan food even at barbecues! BBQ-sauce doesn't contain any egg or milk, it's full of sugar and is unhealthy, but it's vegan.

The veggies I grilled:

Red Onion
Red Pepper
Aubergine
Mushroom
This is my vegan-friendly bolognese, it's real easy to make and it tastes just like real bolognese!

This is what you'll need:
Minced soy (I used a 200g bag, that gave about 5 servings)
Mushrooms
Onion/s
Peppers
Aubergine
1 can of chopped tomatoes
Garlic
Ketchup
Fresh ground pepper

Finding a vegan meat-replacement can be tricky, Quorn is not acceptable as it contains stuff like egg whites. The one I bought is called "minced soy" and is contained in a plastic bag, it kind of looks like granola, when you see it you could not expect you'd be able to use it in savoury food. What you'll do is you boil if for about 3 minutes, and then you'll just add it to your bolognese/pasta sauce. I'm sure y'all know how to fry veggies, what's important is to know which ones to do first, and onion should always be first! Personally I like to spice it with a lot of salt (bad, I know!), cayenne pepper, fresh ground pepper and chili, but you use what ever spices you like! The chopped tomatoes are to be added last and should just be heated.

Enjoy! :)