But would very much like to own.
Stuptrøtt, så nå skal jeg sove. Har akkurat kjørt Tony hjem, akkurat som da vi var 18 å han ikke hadde lappen. Haha:)
Ellers.. Ingenting, vi har sett på Paradise hotel og jeg har tilbragt dagen min på trening og hjemme i verdens største seng å gjort lekser.
love!
I think my sense of style has developed multiple personality disorder. Do you ever feel like this? Like you can pick an item from your closet and immediately tell which version of your fashion self would wear it? Just look at the example above. I could definitely wear every single item, and it would still look like me (although in this case it looks more like Zooey Deschanel, naturally). The problem is, I could also wear this without a second thought:
You’re probably thinking “but those aren’t that much different! It’s the same quirky attention to details, the hint of nerdiness, the unusual combinations of fabrics/patterns/colours.” And yes, they’re not very different, but still, one is definitely cute and feminine, whereas the other is tougher, simpler and leaning more towards menswear.
So far it’s not so bad. Although the two “personalities” are different, they’re still compatible, in a way. I’m sure one of them could find something to wear in the other one’s closet without compromising her personal preferences. But then – enter this girl:
What have we here? Heels, bows, draped things, red lipstick, a Mulberry Alexa? This is a very different girl – or should I say woman? I think the key word here is elegant, which I wouldn’t use to describe the two first girls. Luxurious fabrics are important, too, and something whispers “quality”. I’m sure my Parisian self wouldn’t feel good in grungy boots or orange lipstick.
K.I.S.S.: Keep It Simple Stupid. This is the persona that’s been causing me the most problems lately. It’s all about simple, graphic items with focus on the silhouette and good quality fabrics. It’s not very flashy or busy, but it’s bold. I blame blogs such as Kingdom of Style or Nubbytwiglet, who combine passion for graphic design and typography with a fantastic sense of fashion.
How, then, am I supposed to combine these four rather different people? Especially with my closet in mind – it’s like the four different personas are battling for territory, but nobody is winning, thus leaving me with four very small and completely different wardrobes. How can I bring peace to my wardrobe without having to kill someone? (There are enough skeletons in my closet as it is.)
Tomorrow night my band is playing again. I’ve decided to wear all the things you see above, but I can’t for the life of me choose the rest of the accessories. I’ve put together three variations in Polyvore, tracking down images of items I actually own to make it as realistic as possible (the nail polishes aren’t the exact ones I’ve got, but you get the idea). I know this is rather at the last minute, but if anyone has any opinions I would be very grateful indeed!
I’m having some trouble sleeping nowadays, which means I spend most of my nights watching movies instead. A few days ago I saw “Girl, Interrupted“, and was pleasantly surprised. Not only is Winona Ryder wonderful as always, but to my delight I discovered that Brittany Murphy was in it too. I loved her in “Sin City” and “Spun“; she possesses that rare combination of being some sweet little thing and being rather insane, just like Christina Ricci (another favourite of mine).
After having rediscovered Brittany Murphy I did some research on IMDb, and learned that she plays the lead in a movie called “Love and other disasters“, which looked like a mainstream romantic comedy. I watched it last night, and yes, to some extent it is very mainstream and predictable, but I found that I liked this much better than, say, He’s Just Not That Into You. Perhaps it’s because it’s a British production, or maybe because it’s sort of a metafilm (you know, a film discussing films). But I think the main reason might be Brittany Murphy.
In the movie she is charming and adorable (though not sickeningly so), has a very interesting wardrobe (except for a horrible yellow-tunic-and-cropped-tights-thing which we won’t get into), and her Holly Golightly-inspired fringe is styled in so many different ways I was very impressed with the movie’s hair stylist. You’ll just have to see it to understand what I mean, but I am seriously considering getting a fringe like hers cut and then watching the movie again while making notes of all the ways hers is styled.
And just because I have this crazy girl-crush on Brittany Murphy right now, I made some Polyvore-outfits based on some photos of her, as you might be getting a little bored with my attempts at being a photographer 
A little while ago Tara from Nothing Elegant wrote a list of “the ten beauty products I can always count on“. As I am a rather picky girl when it comes to beauty products, I always like to read about beauty recommendations from bloggers I like and trust. With this in mind I’ve created my own list, all thoroughly tested and being found worthy by yours truly.
1. Redken Extreme CAT protein treatment. I’ve read that there are basically two kinds of hair treatments: one that feeds your hair proteins and one that moisturize it. The first ones make your hair stronger, but also more coarse, while the second ones provide that silky feel. As my hair is rather fine and smooth already, this treatment makes it stronger and more voluminous, keeping it from hanging limp around my face like Professor Snape’s hair.
2. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. I started using Dermalogica’s products a while back (read about it here and here), and this is the product I am most in love with. Whereas other exfoliators have felt rough against my skin, this one just feels like magic, making my skin insanely smooth but not feeling like I’ve scrubbed off my cheeks.
3. Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstruction. This would be one of those moisturizing hair treatments, which I usually put in right after using the one from Redken. Shiny, silky hair in a bottle? Definitely!
4. Rosebud’s Minted Rose Lip Balm. Did you know I never, ever use lip gloss? This is because I simply cannot bear the feeling of a sticky layer on my lips, it just freaks me out. This is the only lip balm I use, as the mint gives my lips a tingling sensation, preventing it from feeling like a suffocating layer of goo (I’m weird, I know, but I can’t help it!).
5. Fiskar’s nail scissors. Perhaps a weird thing to put on a list like this, but it’s the only pair of scissors I’ve found that don’t simply bend my nails when I cut them. And yes, I do cut my nails with scissors instead of filing them down. What can I say, I am a rebel in the fashion world.
6. Biotherm’s hypo-allergenic Deo Pure. Because it doesn’t smell like plastic, or flowers, or wannabe-fresh-something, but it still works as it should.
7. Gillette Venus Breeze razor blades. Ever since these became available, I’ve stopped buying shaving foam for my legs. Boring tasks such as shaving legs should take a minimum of time, and with these blades I can get the job done in a few minutes.
8. Maybelline’s Moisture Extreme lipstick. I have to admit, this is the only product on my list that probably isn’t insanely great as it tends to make my lips a little dry. But the colour (I use Passion Red, nr. 49) is a fantastic, sharp red, and I like the shiny red casing. This one always saves the day when I cannot bother to put on proper makeup, but feel like this if I don’t do something.
9. Shockwaves Ultra Stong Power Gel. If I can only bring one hair product when travelling, this is always the one. Both my flatmate (with short, spiky hair) and I use this, as it is a master in creating that very messy bedhead. Add a pea-sized amount to your palm, rub hands together, flip hair and squeeze in the product. Then, use a dry hair towel and rub it against your head in circular motions. Pay particular attention to the crown and the back of your head, as these are the areas that need the most volume. Remove towel (don’t panic!), and squeeze in a second portion of the gel. This one is a lifesaver on bad hair days, I tell you!
10. Chanel no5. Because it makes me feel feminine, sexy and lovely, and I like having something in common with Marilyn Monroe.
♥
What are your favourite products, darlings? Oh, and if anyone knows of a great hand cream that doesn’t feel sticky, a wonderful mascara (but not the volumizing kind, as my contacts don’t like them) or the perfect dark lip colour, I would be most obliged!
Some days I just really want to punch someone, or shoot them. Or stomp them to death with some lethal heels.
When times are busy I usually find myself reaching for my “autumn uniform” when getting dressed in the morning. It consists of a t-shirt with 3/4 sleeves, a skirt (usually flared and reaching to my knees or slightly above), a belt to cinch in my waist, black opaque tights and thick woolen socks. If it’s not freezing outside I might consider a pair of shorts instead of the skirt – yes, I am clinging to summer with every fiber of my being. I spend one minute rubbing my hair with a (dry) towel to make it really messy, then either leave it loose or put it into some sort of ponytail or beehive. A little mascara, some Rosebud on my lips and Chanel no5 are the final touches, before throwing on a cardigan, coat, shoes, gloves, a scarf and the headphones to my iPod.
In my bag – usually a black, leather messenger kind – you’ll find my phone, walletbag, Rosebud and iPod, and sometimes my MacBook (now Pro). Most of the times there will also be a book in there somewhere, as I hardly leave home without something to read. Various hairpins and receipts usually make up the rest of the mess, and if I’ve been really clever I’ve also remembered to bring my umbrella, which is the only proper protection for torrents of rain/sleet/snow.
But sometimes on my way to school, sleet dripping in my eyes (goodbye mascara!) and the wind messing up my scarf, I wish I lived someplace a little warmer. Someplace where there would still be autumn, but in the pretty, slightly chilly way, not the this-is-practically-winter-only-wetter-and-not-so-white-and-lovely-way. And if I did live in such a place, I would be wearing something like these collages; varieties of my October uniform, though slightly more creative and not so waterproof (goodbye, sensible shoes). Thank you, Polyvore, for allowing me to dream!
Curious Contrasts by mariaairam
Today I jumped on a boat to my mother’s, to visit her and my two youngest sisters (they’re thirteen years old), and to pick up another box of contacts. And surprise, surprise, there was also a package from H&M waiting for me there, containing the softest long sleeved t-shirts I know of, a pair of leopard print tights and a rather crazy t-shirt. I’ve been wearing it for the past couple of hours, and I already have a feeling I’ll be living in it for the next couple of weeks. And since I haven’t brought any clothes with me (except for the ones I’m wearing), I’ve played around in Polyvore instead so I can show you some ways I’d like to style it. And since I’m sort of in love with Scarlett Johansson nowadays, I used various pictures of her as my inspiration. Enjoy!
♥
♥
Elsker å drømme meg bort i alle klærne på Polyvore, er så gøy og sitte å sette sammen antrekk med klær jeg bare kan drømme om å engang få råd til. Hvor fint hadde det ikke vært å hatt et klesskap som inneholdt alle klærne på Polyvore! Da hadde jeg aldri forlatt klesskapet mitt iallfall.
Om jeg fikk bestemme hadde jeg hatt på meg dette i dag:
Egentlig ganske basic. Tror nok at jeg hadde klart å finne noe som ligner om jeg hadde letet litt i butikkene. Er litt små skeptisk til korsetter, det kan så lett bli helt feil om man ikke kombinerer det riktig!
//Laila
<– Legg meg til så blir jeg glad!
♥ Imogen Heap’s upcoming album Ellipse, to be released August 24th.
♥ Elle UK August 2009.
♥ Zipper Leather bag from H&M.
♥ Ole Henriksen Body Sleek Lotion & Loofah Body Scrub.
♥ Wonderful lace-up shoes from Lille Vinkel Sko.
♥ Laura Mercier Lip Colour in Roman Moon.
♥ OPI Nail Polish in Breathe Life.
♥ A Leica M8 camera. The most expensive and most desired of them all, really.
Tonight my sister, Miriam, bought this fabulous dress at the H&M webshop:
Yes, I was the one who persuaded her to buy it, simply because it will look elegant for many years to come (because of the classic colours and cut), and will fit her like a glove (she’s a dancer – do I need to say more?). Since I’m still sick and can’t sleep at night, I thought I might come up with some ideas for different ways for Miriam to wear it for various occasions. And what better tool could I use than dear old Polyvore? But before we hit the outfits, it might be good for you to know that my sister is about 1.60 m tall, is petite, but hourglass-shaped, is going to study acting next year and is a photographer on the side. She’s myopic, like me, and she happens to look a lot like Alexis Bledel, with big, blue-grey-green eyes and gorgeous chocolate brown hair. There – let’s get to it, shall we?
DRESSED-UP DAY LOOK
This is a combination where the dress isn’t necessarily the main focal point, but merely a great base upon which the rest of the outfit is built. A splash of colour keeps it from becoming boring, and a sweet hairstyle makes sure it looks young and sweet. The belt creates a waist (much needed with cardigans like these!), and I added some slightly eccentric glasses to give it some personality. This look would be perfect for going to see a movie, or maybe the occasional visit to a café with friends, don’t you think?
SIMPLE & CHIC
This is a more simple look, perfect for those chilly autumn days we have a lot of in Norway. Basics such as the trenchcoat and lace-up boots are classic for a reason, though I think it’s nice to add some personal touches (such as the zipper gloves, the messenger bag and the glasses) to make sure the look still says something about your personal taste. The blue scarf is practical when it’s cold outside, of course, but also happens to have the exact same colour as the eyes of both Alexis and Miriam.
THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
As I mentioned above my sister is also a photographer, and next week she’s going to be a wedding photographer. I think this would be great for that occasion, since it’s slightly anonymous and simple, but also dressed-up enough to fit in at a wedding. A long necklace would have looked lovely, but might become annoying while taking pictures, as might jangling bracelets. The finishing touches are therefore a coral nail polish (I do love a splash of colour), a casio watch (practical as well as decorative), and a large bag to hold all the photography accessories. Smoky eyes and straightened hair keeps it sharp and gives it a mysterious edge (which is never a bad thing).
LET’S BE FABULOUS
Sometimes a girl needs to just leave abandon all restraints and be fearless when it comes to dressing. Start with a simple, but well-cut dress, add some shiny fabrics in a flattering colour, some sparkle and perfume, towering heels and a great bag. Top it off with a hat (slightly tipped to one side), and you’ll be ready for anything: a premiere, the party of the year, or simply conquering the world. I have no doubt Miriam will do all these things – and now she won’t have to worry about what to wear, thanks to her sleepless, sick and oh-so-proud older sister.
… is stomping through the world in steampunk’y boots and a dream of a dress. A warm yellow nailpolish and a slightly dangerous octopus are small, but important details, as are the eccentric glasses. What really makes me tick, though, is that impressive statement of a hairstyle (which I intend to copy once I get home to all my superstrong hair products). If I had to wear one look every day for the rest of my life, this would be it.
En stund siden jeg kom hjem fra jobb nå, prøvde å tvinge kjæresten med på kino i dag, men nei. Har så lyst til å se engler og demoner, så i morgen slipper han ikke unna! Skal bli så deilig å ha fri! Aner ikke hva jeg skal gjøre, blir sikkert å sove bort hele dagen som jeg alltid gjør når jeg har fri.
Når jeg blir rik skal jeg kjøpe meg en LV veske! Har sååå utrolig lyst på en, må først vinne i lotto eller noe! Noen som foressten vet hvor man får kjøpt en slik vest som er på bildet? Fant noen på H&M, men det var ingen småe størrelser igjen, typiskt. Kanksje de har den i butikken? Skal iallfall lete!
Cya!
<– Hjelp meg få den opp i 50 da!
A couple of days ago I spent waay too much money on a pair of trainers (thanks for the flat-footed gene, Mother!). I don’t care about that really annoying pneumonia/astma/whatever it is anymore – I need to move or I’ll become a bean bag. And bean bags don’t do well in singing exams – hence the shoes. The bad thing is that that the rest of my money this month have to go to food and concerts, so I’m on – doomsday-music, please! – a shopping ban until the 15th of May.
How shall I ever survive, you (oh, so sweetly) ask? Why, by doing Polyvores and making insanely long lists of everything I’ll buy when the ban is over, of course.
RIGHT NOW I WANT:
♥ A really crazy dress with tons of personality and guts, such as the Christopher Kane “Gorilla Dress”.
♥ Something in that bright red-orange-coral-ish colour, like the frilly cape from Browns.
♥ Anything that will give me the gorgeous curls and volume that Rachelle Lefevre (”Victoria”) has in the movie Twilight.
♥ The Nerdy Bunny Ring. It’s me in a nutshell.
♥ A detachable collar to use with pretty much every top in my closet.
♥ Vogue Paris 2009 (yes, even though my French is now so bad I probably wouldn’t understand half of it).
♥ New nail polishes, preferably one coral, one pale blue and one blue-green’y.
♥ A headpiece. If it has feathers on it, I’ll probably wear it every single day for a whole month.
♥ Gold chain necklaces (since they give any outfit that Twilight-Victoria-feel, which I’m kind of obsessed with nowadays).
♥ New glasses. The ones I have are broken – and could probably be fixed, but I’d really, really like a pair that I could wear proudly in public.
♥ A really big statement necklace. If it looked like old costume jewelry I sure wouldn’t mind.
♥ Shiny, high black boots.
♥ The Art Deco-top from Topshop. Why, oh WHY can’t Topshop deliver to Norway?!
♥ New underwear. Something really bright that makes me happy every time I get undressed (and it wouldn’t hurt if boyfriend likes it either).
♥ A transparent, structured skirt á la Queen Michelle from Kingdom Of Style. I truly believe that you are what you read.
Every year brings a lot of travelling possibilities: Easter, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and the Summer Holidays, in addition to all the other breaks from school/studying/work that vary from country to country. Travelling is wonderfully fun, but before the actual journey can begin comes the packing… which, for many of us, is a nightmare. It used to be like that for me too, but after some years of travels of very different kinds, I’ve found a strategy that always seem to work for me:
First off, we have THE BASE. These are items you always want to bring with you, no matter where you are going or for how long (you might want to bring more of some items if you’ll be gone long, though). My base consists of; bras, usually one black padded and one white underwire; one pair of knickers for each day I’m gone (I try to match the colours with the bras); a couple of thin tank tops in neutral colours and quality fabrics; black tights; sunglasses; one (rather large) bag in a simple colour and shape, to match every possible outfit; a favourite necklace; Rosebud’s Minted Rose Balm; something to read (usually a book or a really thick magazine, as I’m a fast reader). It looks something like this:
THE BASE
The next thing I usually pack is toiletries. I usually start with the things I need, then add the ones I want; contacts and glasses (I’m very myopic!); toothbrush and -paste; deodorant; Chanel no5 (the ony perfume I like); shampoo and conditioner (the Sexed-Up ones from Tigi can do miracles! I’ll never use anything else again); Vichy Pureté Thermale Cleansing Solution, which works as a makeup-remover, skin tonic and general cleanser at once; Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, which is a little expensive, but is very much worth it; the hair thickening foam from Define (a Scandinavian brand), which gives me curls without having to make any more effort than scrunching it in towel-dried hair; a glass nail file; a tweezer; a rat-tail comb; bobby pins; pencil sharpener and black eyeliner; a bright red lipstick from Maybelline; Max Factor Masterpiece mascara; and mineral foundation and blush.
TOILETRIES
These are the toiletries I have to bring; if I have more free space, I usually add more make-up or hair products/accessories. Below I’ve made some suggestions for packing for specific types of travels, and included some tips based on personal experience. Hopefully they’ll make your packing experience easier, and thus, your holiday more pleasant!
BEACH GIRL
♥ An extra pair of sunglasses might save you from a frantic shopping trip if you lose/break your first pair.
♥ Two pairs of bikinis might be a good idea, and if they match, you’ll have even more options.
♥ Bring a bag in a light colour – anything dark will fry the content if left in the sun. Trust me when I way that melted lipsticks are a MESS.
♥ Keep accessoires to a minimum, as they’re likely to feel constricting in the heat, and might turn weird shades of green if sprayed with salt water from bathing. Just bring one, very fabulous piece.
♥ Open-toe sandals prevents you from walking around with sand in your shoes the rest of the vacation.
HAPPY CAMPER
♥ DON’T bring shoes with laces if you’ll be living in a tent. The lacing and un-lacing will not only make you seriously annoyed, but might also make you miss half the fun.
♥ Layers are key. Yes, we’ve all heard this, but it’s even more important if you’ll be at the mercy of the weather.
♥ Since accessories might get lost or ruined (and be the cause of some weird looks from less fashionable campers), let the clothes do the talking with patterns, fabrics and cuts. Just make sure it doesn’t wrinkle too easily.
♥ Makeup on a camping trip can also be a bother, so choose clothes in colours that suit you. This will minimize the need for makeup, as the right colours make you look good practically no matter what.
♥ Bad hairdays don’t exist if you’ve brought a cap or hat – and there are always plenty of bad hairdays when camping, trust me.
THE SHOPOHOLIC
♥ Simple basics – such as a plain black skirt and a grey tank top – will create a neutral canvas that can be combined with anything if you’re going shopping.
♥ Pack one large and one small bag; sometimes you need to bring a lot of things, but mostly a big bag will only weigh you down.
♥ An iPod or MP3-player will enable you to listen to YOUR music, a must if you don’t like much of the trance-ish music many stores play nowadays.
♥ City guides with a map included are a must if you’re in a new city. Some of the newer ones also feature excellent shopping tips…
♥ More than one credit card. If one gets stolen/lost/won’t work, you won’t be without money in some strange city. The only way to survive that is to have a devoted (and perhaps slightly rich) boyfriend.
Enjoy your trip!
