At the Farmer's Market 2010

Matstreif !

YUM! That's what I thought when I saw the ad for the yearly fall food festival in Oslo. The idea of being able to sample delicious products from Norwegian farmers and sea food producers, for free, made my taste-buds immediately enter a state of high alert with excitement. Instantly, I called a few of my girlfriends - did they want to join me for a little appetizing experience? Oh, sure they did!

So downtown we went, to try out everything from homemade jam and cakes made from the farmers' own products, to the finest and most exclusive meat and fish Norwegian producers have to offer.

Having sampled our way through about one third of the more than a hundred stalls as an entrée, we eventually managed to settle for our main course among the innumerable dishes on offer. Not an easy task, really. I mean, if you just feel like a hamburger, wouldn't you have trouble too, having to choose between a beef burger, a reindeer burger, a veal burger, a deer burger or a moose burger (elgburger in local parlance)?:

For the occasion, yours truly decided to sport her newest addition to her evergrowing wardrobe - a pair of spotty jeans from HM's trend line Divided:

Judging from the photo, which was taken before we entered the festival area, I was obvioulsy looking forward to it. I was not disappointed. Let's just say there's a fairly good chance I'll be joining the lines at next year's event, too. :)

Today's outfit (July 2nd - 13th)

Sunscreen? Check
Bikini? Check
Floating device? Check

From the beach in Hvar Island, Croatia, sometime during mentioned dates. More travel updates coming. But this sure was one gorgeous beach...

Into the swing of things

A gorgeous spring afternoon in Oslo today. Hard to believe it was only 4 days since we had 3 inches of snow!

While playing along with my friend's kids in their backyard, I just couldn't help myself getting a little carried away. After being reassured the kids' swings were certified for "elephants", I tapped into my inner childish spirit and had a go at it. Must be at least ten years since I last did this:

My friend's daughter and her pal had fun too, after "auntie" brought along things that are usually totally off-limits:

Wearing: Volcom T-shirt, Levi's jeans, Converse Allstars and Ray-Ban sunglasses.

St Patrick's Day

Congrats to all Irish on St Patrick's Day!

I thought I would join in the celebration. Not by drinking green beer or anything, but I put on some green eyeshadow and wore a green cardigan with my boyfriend jeans to university today. ;)

I dropped the belt and did the whole sagging look. These jeans are so comfy, but I'm worried I might I have gotten them one size too large? I'm usually a 27", but this model was big so I got a 26". Any bigger than that and I could have pulled them down over my hips without undoing the buttons. Good thing I brought my bike to the bike shop today to have it checked and fixed for spring. Better start doing more exercise to build up some mucle!

Wearing: Cardigan and paint splatter tank top by H&M, Levi's 501, black suede ankle boots from H&M, silver metal bangle by Bik Bok and green eyeshadow from Maybelline. These Stylish Smokes as they're called are not yet sold in Norway, but my friend Michelle in Michigan got them for me there. I used the upper two of the green ones, doing the full smokey eye thing is a bit too much for just going to the bike shop and a lecture. :)

Quality never goes out of style

Remember that slogan? Yep, that would be good old Levi's.

I remember my very first pair of Levi's pants. They were 501's, bought sometime in the late 80's in one of my hometown's kids' stores. My father had up until then thought they were far too expensive and since I had no money of my own, I just had to make do with whatever cheaper brand he would ok to. But finding them on sale at half price, he finally agreed to fork out for the jeans of my dreams.

In the 80's, at least where I lived, the 501 model was the jeans to own. I'll never forget the excitement of coming home from the town, putting them on and looking forward to showing them off at school the next day. From then on and many years forward, I would never even look at another type of jeans. I bought the same model over and over again. But that was the 80's. Ever since, I've just bought whatever jeans were in fashion at the time.

The last few years, my wardrobe has mainly held bootcut or skinny jeans. Until yesterday, that was. Having tried several dozens of pairs in my quest to find the perfect boyfriend jeans, I found myself in a Levi's store in the local mall. And voilá, I ended up once again as owner of a pair of women's Levi's 501's. Finally a pair which were neither too baggy nor saggy. I also almost ended up taking a pair of Replay jeans with me home. The store assistant in another jeans store handed me this pair to try, and boy did they fit beautifully! But having already settled for the Levi's and since it's less than a month until I'm going to New York, I cringed at spending another NOK 1599 (USD270) for just one pair of jeans. But they're still in the back of my mind, so I haven't written them off completely. They did look fantastic on. Hm.....

(Photo by Replay)

Today I wore my new boyfriend jeans while running an errand downtown. I ventured into Zara to have a look at all their fantastic shoes, and sneaked a picture while trying on a pair of their sandal clogs. The shoes were amazing and very easy to walk in, even with that height. But what I really need is a pair of comfy walking shoes. Incredibly boring, but necessary for running around shopping in New York. But if I were going there only to sit in a café and look as stylish as possible, I'd much rather have bought these cuties:

(Yeah, yeah, I know, should have taken my old socks off for the picture to better show the shoes. Oh well, next time...)

Wearing: Zara beige sweater (my own, old), grey/beige leopard spotted pashmina from Ebay, Levi's 501, vintage belt, old black socks, and Zara sandal clogs (which sadly did not come home with me).

Sunday lunch with friends and their kids

In the café's playroom: What is that scary thing?

Could it be....? Nah...But it sure does look a lot like a certain infamous glamour model, doesn't it?

Seriously, would you look at these boots...

 Ewww...disgusting!

Big sis doesn't care for ugly dolls - she prefers her drink and the cuddly stuff

On my way to the café

Wearing: Brown Alexander leather jacket, grey hoodie by Carlings, Oasis turquoise leopard scarf, Ray-Ban sunnies, grey and black striped sweater by H&M, black leather bag from Topshop, Cubus skinny jeans and Roots taupe boots.

Hallelujah!!! (In other words: floral shoes and temperatures above zero)

I'm such a sucker for florals. My wardrobe is full of pretty, floral prints. I just can't enough. So I did a double take and almost fainted when I spied some Miu Miu daisy-print clogs on whowhatwear today.

(Photo by Neiman Marcus)

OMG!!! Now, I didn't really think I'd fall for the clogs trend, but these cuties had me at hello. However, as the offers from plumbers competing to refurbish my bathroom are ticking in, it seems my choice of teak furniture and grey slate floor means I'll have to live on macaroni with ketchup for a good part of spring. Even if I should be able to afford some parmesan and the occasional fresh tomato with that pasta, I most definitely will have to throw in the towel when it comes to buying 500 dollar shoes. But swooning over them here is at least entirely free.

Something else deserving of a mention was today's weather. Around 6 C and sunny when I went to a lecture at university today. Arrived early and had time for a little break on the steps, along with dozens of other students hungry for some sun. And wearing, maybe not so surprising, a floral dress. :)

Wearing: Navy/pink/red/green floral cotton dress from Vila, grey knit cardi by Gina Tricot, grey tights by H&M, grey Acne suede leather boots, silver sterling jewellery, red lizard skin leather watch, Ray-Ban sunglasses, greyish blue leather bag from Accessorize, navy blue pashmina scarf from Vivikes and army green parka from Jean Paul.

Just like a be happy drug...

Ah...the sound of snow slowly melting on my roof, each water drop hitting the rain gutter with a merry little drip. Drip...drip...drip... A sure telltale sign spring isn't far away. Going outside, melting snow and ice from the trees and the walls, and small birds twittering from the bushes in the garden, add to the concert. Drip...drip...chirp, chirp..drip...drip...chirp, chirp...How I love those sounds! I feel elated, like someone has just handed me a little pill, saying go on, take it, it's good for you. It's gonna make you happy! And it does. It really does! While every season has it's charm, I love spring the most. Born again is such a cliché, yet still it's exactly how I feel.

After spending most of the day inside waiting for plumbers that were coming to inspect the bathroom I want to refurbish, when the last one was done earlier this afternoon, I just had to get outside. I grabbed a loaf of old bread and my camera, and set out to feed the ducks by the river that runs a short walk from my home.

I donned my trenchcoat for the first time this year (albeit with two thick cardigans underneath), and asked another stroller to take my first spring outfit picture:

After walking along the river for a while, giving the ducks all of the bread, I headed home, passing by the tiny local fish and game shop. I had to stop and marvel about their exotic selection of meats:

(Salad for dinner sounds boring when I could have had beef of antelope or bear steak, doesn't it?)

Passing the school next to my building, I noticed the areas facing northwards still have some time left before one can sit on the benches:

But the back of my house is facing towards the south, and here the sun has been busy fighting the snow. My bike is soon ready to be dug out:

I can't wait for winter to be gone. It won't be long now.

Wearing: Hat from Esprit, Ray-Ban sunglasses, scarf by Pucci, Burberry trenchcoat, Levi's jeans and Hunter boots.

I am sailing turns into All by myself

Today's outfit

First one friend had to cancel, and then the other. What are the odds of that? So my long awaited girlfriend trip to Copenhagen ends up being just one girl: me. That was a bit of a bummer! Not that I'm a stranger to travelling on my own. Except for Africa, I've done every other continent in the world solo. So cancelling a short trip across the ocean to enjoy the Danish capital and some great shopping to sit at home and sulk instead is not an option. And also, I've got a cool cousin who lives in Cophenhagen that I'm meeting for lunch tomorrow. Hoping to bring back at least some interesting travel images! Hasta la vista!

Ne-Yo concert - In the VIP box

Earlier this week, one of my friends from my hometown called and told me she had been given tickets to Saturday's Ne-Yo concert in Oslo Spektrum by her employer, who has a VIP box there. She was taking her young daughter and a couple of her friends to Oslo and did I wanna meet them here and come to the concert too? Sure I did! It would take a terrible band not to want to take advantage of a free ticket and excellent seats.

The out of town girls ready for the action

The magical passport to a great night

The venue starts filling up while the warming acts are on

Happy campers

Ne-Yo and his dancers on stage

The crowd was treated to a 4 hour show including the warming acts. Not bad at all!

I owe my friend a big thanks for a great night! And Ne-Yo, too, as it was a fab show.

I was wearing: Jacket from Moschino Cheap and Chic, black skinny jeans from Indiska and black top with raw edges from Laura Clement for LaRedoute.

Friday night beers

Venue: Oslo Microbryggeri (Oslo Micro Brewery - a combined pub and brewery).

Meeting: Sarah, Thor William, Steven

Drinking: Beer

The place: Packed

The others: Having fun with my camera while I wasn't looking.

Arriving home: Exhausted

Wearing: Vintage suede coat with fake fur trim, white tee & black, sleeveless cardi by H&M, black jeggings from Esprit, black leather ankle boots by Fornarina, turquiose leopard scarf from Oasis, chunky silver bangle from Bik Bok, black leather bag from Topshop.

Dream vs reality

This very feminine top in a mix of silk, wool and cashmere from Christian Dior Boutique cost me USD 75 + shipping from Ebay. I've no idea of the original cost in the store, but judging from the quality of the fabric and the details and knowing Dior usually don't come cheap, I believe I got a very good deal.

The buttons are made from olive colored sea shell and each one is engraved with Dior (although one must almost use a magnifying glass to be able to see it). The velour band goes all around it, even on the sleeves:

To go with it, I've been looking at different military style cargo pants that haven't got too much of a "you're in the army now" look. I think I've found the perfect pair from Burberry's spring collection:

(Photo by Burberry).

I'll take a look in the Burberry store downtown to see if they have this model (cotton military cargo trousers) in their very limited selection. If not, I'll try and find them in New York, or at least something similar.

But while dreaming of spring and summer, the reality is the weather's gonna require more thick coats, hats and scarves to be worn for many more weeks to come. And thus, what I actually wore today was quite different from what my wishful thinking envisioned:

At the university, still tired from getting up early, wearing: Brown/beige/pink checked cap (old, don't remember by whom it is), pink scarf from local store Via Victoria, brown cashmere coat by H&M (old, from the 90's, used to be an ankle long coat that I had taken up), skinny jeans from a limited edition at H&M Divided, brown sheepskin boots by Bianco and animal print patchwork bag from Tianni at endless.com.

I really look like I could use some sun! (Yes, weather gods, that last comment was for YOU!)