half way through july 2026 ~ ups and downs

I felt inspired to write another blogpost, and thankfully the photo uploading worked again this time, yay! So behold a set of random recent photos. The writing to accompany them will slowly follow during the week. So you are much welcome back. 

Today I rekindled with one of the old Mulberry handbags (model Rosemary, but I named her Rosa (= Pink in Swedish) from the early 00ies that I decided to keep. With the newly thrifted vegan shoulder strap from US STATUS (Australian brand I think), that I got off Vinted. And mentioned previously.

Sunday vegan grocery shopping + soy latte in my old KeepCup was a wonderful way to spend a July Sunday 2026. 

To use this handbag, which surprisingly fitted more essentials than I thought it would, and it’s sturdy, quality shoulder/messenger strap was such a treat. The handbag itself was much lighter and easy to wear that I remembered. Easier on the shoulders and neck, plus the wide strap was a bliss compared to the thinner straps and larger handbags/backpacks I have worn these pastfew years, inviting me to fill them with heavier things and groceries. 

It was a really good day overall. With useful little insights. Life is in the details. And so are simple, understated little joys.

Almost half way through the month of July (traditionally the warmest month of Sweden) and the weather is basically all over the climate emergency place. 

So far I am ever so grateful that we haven’t suffered the crazy hot weather like the south of Europe has/is. But yes, temperatures like +25-30 C was prevalent a couple of weeks ago. And it felt quite awful enough. It has been been significantly chillier (and rainier) the last couple of weeks. 

On my latitudes the night temperatures in certain areas have been down to +5C and stayed around +15 daytime. Which is the usual September temperatures for us. Certainly not the Swedish summers that once were.

But nothing is that it once was. Nothing whatsoever.

Bracing ourselves for another ~+30 C week now.

To be continued, part I. 

The white Marimekko skirt (my first purchase of 2026 and one of my 2 new buys in my Max 5 challenge year 2) in organic cotton and with a lovely broderie Anglaise in Unikko pattern has been a great buy. 

Years ago I wrote a blogpost about the fact that I need to focus on block colours in my wardrobe, stop buying pattern. Even if I love the granny toddler style, it is something slightly more polished and calming when you mix your existing patterns with block colours.

I haven’t been particularly good at adhering to my new rule since then, granted. Just a few t-shirts in organic cotton. On the other hand I’ve changed for the better with buying much less overall and more second hand. Which is better for the planet, not only for myself.

So yay me!

You might wonder how things have progressed with my sized up 💜 vegan loafers, which turned out to be in desperate need for inner soles as the Daisy Duck look wasn’t very… comfortable. Well, I actually found an old pair of Vegetarian Shoes heel liners that I never used. With a pair of thicker socks it was perfect for the right foot but still to big for the left.

Had plans to get a pair of insoles at the grocery shopping outing, but apparently the shoe shop opened much later on Sundays, and I couldn’t be bothered to return back again after the shopping.

I used to try and jam as much errands in on one outing (and heavy carrying was a sport I relished. These days most things (including real life human interaction) and too much stuff to ✅ at one time is either annoying or exhausting.

For every hot flash I’m grateful for never having experienced, I can safely say there are seemingly an endless array of uncomfortable, irritating menopausal symptoms experienced instead. 

When on Vinted I’ve found that my old addiction for thrifted books has come alive with a vengeance. Sorry not sorry.

The top two are used library books I got for an absolute steal at the library recently. 1 SEK each.

American Dirt I read (and loved!) in 2022 (well aware of the appropriation claims, I was still blown away by the gripping story). It felt nice to finally insert in my ”home library”. The library book is probably the same one I read back in 2022.

The Daisy in Chains book I haven’t read, sounded like decent suspense. And Sharon Bolton is a new writer (for me).

I do well prefer pocket books over hardbacks, but I have bought a few hardbacks on Vinted too, with mainly old favourite writers’ new books I’m eager to read. And the pocket books are a mix of old favourites and others that sounds intriguing. The more you buy from one seller the lower the price and postage will be so…

The main winners (financially) on all these online second hand buys/sells are of course the plethora of freight companies. 

And the sticky tape companies.

Also the prices are often ridiculously low on Vinted. And the haggling often outrageously shameless. I often just haggle very modestly (just to practice doing it) or not at all, as the low set prices are just very good enough.

The business idea of these platforms (and the execution) give me money laundring vibes though. And quite sinister criminal activities. So beware, eyes opened and care is my firm recommendation as a user.

Overall the buying/selling experiences on Vinted have been great. But there have been snags and issues, but for a book purchase where the seller mislabeled her book parcels and sent my books to the other buyer and vice versa. I’m hoping I will finally get my 2 bought books any day soon.

Of the books displayed on table here, I’ve now read one. And started a second. The first one was predictably silly, though slightly entertaining. The second one has great review and shows much more quality reading promise, so far.

I have been recommended particularly 3 of these books, have you read any (or all)? Which ones would you recommend first?

To be continued, part II.