Don't be so shallow

I admit to sometimes getting stuck in a designer rut. Meaning, I have my mind made up regarding what designers and brands I like, but it also causes me to ignore certain labels I think I "don't like".

Versace is such a label, I'm usually not a fan. But luckily I managed to notice these cute shoes in a shop window anyway. I absolutely love the heart details!

Oh won't you please take me home

One of the things I miss the most while living abroad, far far away from Scandinavia is all the design I grew up with. I find pretty things here too, sure, but typical Scandinavian design will always have a special place in my heart.

Today I've been lusting after these items, from Finnish Marimekko and Iittala. These items can all be bought online at Finnish Design Shop, but I think I will have to settle for just the dress this time...

J'adore

But nevermind the stuff I don't like right now, let's focus on something I do like instead.
Heartshaped sunnies. I'm still not bored with them. And I still haven't got a pair...

(pic from Garance Doré)

I wish...

...I was into the whole 80's prom queen look (as shown above, first pic is Louis Vuitton, but designed by Marc Jacobs of course, and the two last pics are Marc by Marc Jacobs fall 2009, see Style.com),
because it would be sooo easy to do all sorts of DIY-projects based on everything Marc Jacobs is designing at the moment (not to mention just getting super-cheap vintage pieces that look almost the same!) but it's really, really not my style.

Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with parts of the 80's aestetics but the whole 80's prom-thing is taking it a bit too far. Not to mention, satin makes everyone look at least twice as big!

Scent from above

When it comes to fragrances I have to admit to being a bit of a boring person, who doesn't like to take risks. I'd gladly use the same scents all the time if I wasn't given perfumes as gifts every once in a while.

Another thing that encourages me to take a chance on an unknown scent is when my local drug store has sales on them, my reasoning being: "If I buy it on sale and end up not liking the scent... at least I didn't spend a lot of money on it!"

And every once in a while... one of these perfumes that I never would have bought if it wasn't for the sale ends up being a new favourite. That brings us to Mandarina Duck's "Cute Pink" above.

It's really worth trying for those who haven't yet, sale or not!

The Secret to French Chic

One of my favourite brands is definately French Manoush. I've been a fan for a few years now but they still manage to surprise me whenever a new collection comes out.
As a bonus, their website (where the pics are from) is awesome too!

Vintage rules

These amazing vintage Ted Lapidus sunglasses (pic from Easy fashion) prove that vintage pieces are always worth looking for. I'd say they are easily the coolest sunglasses I've seen this year!

Love it or hate it? I still haven't made up my mind...

Lately, I have noticed that I have been intrigued by matchy-matchy rooms and interior design. I don't think I'd actually want a room like that for myself (but it might be a cool idea for a guest room?) but it looks neat, planned and country-chic somehow.

(pics from So Haute and Seasons for all at home)

Wrap it up real nice

Speaking of gifts: I just saw this fantastic package on the blog Cereal Milk and Cedar Smoke.

Isn't using measuring tape instead of gift rope a great idea? I have to try that myself one of these days!

I'm gifted

Gifts are truly inspiring. Especially if we're talking about gifts that suit the reciever perfectly.

Like this set of aromatherapeuthic lotions that was given to me by a friend. The body lotion, foot cream and hand cream smell heavenly of flowers, almonds and other treasures of nature. That's what I call a perfect gift for someone who loves lotions n' potions of all sorts and can't stand things with a foul smell!

If it's good enough for Madonna, it's good enough for me

I miss a lot of the stores at home so much (but more on that some other time) but luckily you find new favourite stores once in a blue moon too.

Like Laline.

Laline sells all sorts of amazing beauty products for your entire body (I'm hooked on their soaps, for starters, and you don't get hooked on that unless it's good!) and has a concept that makes you feel like you are in a luxurious spa as soon as you set foot in any of their stores. (They are that pretty!)

And as if that wasn't enough, you can also buy all sorts of accessories with your beauty and spa products that make your own bathroom feel a bit more like a spa too!

I think the main thing that stands out when it comes to Laline is not only the high quality of the products but also that they have a clear concept and everything matches, from the general look of the store to the packaging of the products to the carrier bags they give you...

Things like that are important to someone like me who thinks not thinking about matching stuff should be considered a mortal sin!

Highly recommended. At least if you live in Israel, Norway, the UK or Romania (since you can't really buy the products elsewhere anyway).

Now I'm gonna smear some Laline beauty serum all over my face and hit the sack...

(pics from Laline's website & Sherson, for more pics of a Laline store, see A design affair)

Oh won't you please take me home

I've always thought of take away food as inspirational in some strange way. Maybe because I used to live in a small town where there was a very limited amount of places to get it from, and I always aspired to live somewhere bigger, somewhere better?

Now I do, and being able to get amazing food whenever you want, where ever you want is something that I truly enjoy.

Today's dinner was from Brasserie.

This is me, then

This blog is intended as a way for me to store and save some of the things that inspire me in one place. It's intended mostly for me (having too many ideas but too little time to actually do something about them makes it hard to keep track of all the stuff you wanted to do at times) but if someone else can be inspired by these random ramblings as well... then great!

I'm Scandinavian-born, but living far, far away from now, yet I still get inspired by all things Scandinavian and I'm starting to expand my inspirational horizons to other parts of the world as well.

And oh, the pics in the header of the blog are all from http://www.pdclipart.com/!