oh i do love a good dress

and these have been my six autumn/winter favourites this past/current season. apparently i particularly enjoy them in brown and blue that time of the year.

the oldest one is about ten years, the newest some months. i love how they're still going strong. fashion fades, style remains.

thank you noa noa, bric a brac and marimekko for producing lovely timeless dresses. 

the blue-white dress & co.

Just to make the story a little bit longer than, hey I got a new dress and it's pretty fabulous, here's the background -

1. Really good dresses are hard to find. So I always have me eyes open for dresses which ticks the boxes good, long lasting quality, comfortable, flattering and pretty.

2. When the summer sales was on last summer I spotted what seemed like a really sweet cotton dress at the Marimekko website, kind of shirtdress in style and seemingly good both for work and play. When I asked in the flagship store in Stockholm I was met with a "really, well that's so last season and we've never had it in blue-white". In the end I found one in the tiny Marimekko store, it wasn't my size but I felt it was good to try it on just to see how it kind of looked.



3. It looked awful. I know it was 2 sizes too small but the fact that it was cotton jersey and not crisp cotton was disappointing. If you're not the really flatt tummy type or it's of a very clever cut jersey is such an unflattering material. So I decided to put the idea out of my mind.

4. Last autumn I spotted a gorgeous 50ies style yellow winter coat on the Marimekko site, I never did try it on in the shop but I was going to one day before the sales. Clearly it's not often you see gorgeous, good quality, colourful coats in flattering models these days and having two fine winter coats would actually be a good idea given how much I've used my happy coat. I had my eyes set on the winter sales.

5. When the winter sales was on I went to the shop to try the coat. Turned out it was sold out - funny that, because you NEVER ( well 99% of the times not) see any people in Sweden walking around in bright, gorgeous coats. Swedes dress like a depressing black, grey, navy mass of indistinguishable people - and on the website the sizes went fast. No yellow coat for me.



6. I happened to notice that the dress I had been oogling last summer was still there though. On sale too. And since the Marimekko jersey dress I got on sale last autumn has been such a fabulous wear (great cut!), maybe I should try this one anyway? I could always send it back if it didn't fit. I contemplated the size and ended up ordering a much larger size than I usually get (shrinkage 6 %).

7. I waited 8 hours for that package yesterday. I really hate waiting for delivery guys because it's a nuisance and a waste of time since they can arrive anytime between 8 am and 6 pm and you can't really focus on other stuff while waiting because what if you don't hear the knock on the door (and they never call beforehand or if one doesn't open the door). So you just end up waiting. I'm glad I can manage my workdays as I want, I only work towards deadlines.

8. Yesterday it didn't really feel like it was time well spent, all that waiting. But when I tried the dress on it seemed like very well spent time. Because it's really lovely. Great, heavy jersey with a flattering cut and side pockets (gotta love pockets!). Tad too large, but given the risk of 6 % shrinkage I believe that's a good thing in this case. It's really comfortable and professional looking with a twist, that's certainly a rare combination.



In the picture it's teamed with an old, faithful cardigan from Bric-a-Brac,
boots from El Naturalista (old blogpost about them) and
beanie from Noa Noa.

Old meets new and having a blast.

the bestest skirt of mine

Ten plus years ago I fell head over heels for this amazing two-sided cotton skirt with raw edges and lots of fabulous handmade details. Over the years I've gotten lots of compliments for it, but I think it's the type of quirky style/skirt you either love or hate.



Sadly Noa Noa hasn't produced any skirts similar to this since - and of course I only got one back then - and it's only in theory that it would be easy to recreate something like it. It would take a lot of time, the sewing and embroidering, I'm sure. I don't have the patience for it. I would love to get one or two more in the exact same style though.

This one has been an eager summer traveller, Florida, South Africa, all over Europe, it does show, the button holes are much larger than the buttons now - I really need to fix that... -, the raw edges are rawer than ever, but still, for a ten plus years frequently used skirt it's definitely still going strong! And I adore the effortlessness of raw edges.



What's your favourite garment/s? And why?
Do you still wear it frequently?

sock monkey

Which isn't a sock monkey-sock monkey but a monkey (sadly not made by me, but by Noa Noa) hanging out with socks. The two very last (for self), I swear, magical socks knitted for this season. Next winter I promise to begin wearing them a l l too. I really do. Yup.

Socks.

Monkey.

Sock monkey.

Simple as that. Quirky as that.

Colour purple and orange-pink-red.

two kinds of siri

From great to small matters, I am a sucker (the good kind) for details and meant-to-bes. Thus the reasons for me buying these socks (on sale) was as follow;

:: I already have a pair in another colour and they've been good.
:: the colour is a most charming one and versatile, I usually refer to it as "mole"
:: but the label calls it "otter melange"

:: I love otters. Not only because they're one of this earth's cutest creatures

:: but also because there's a little personal cat story behind the otter-thing -
:: there once was a gorgeous blue british shorthair boy named Uther. One of the most gorgeous, perfect brits I've ever met.
:: This Uther was named after Uther Pendragon, king Arthur's father. Something which an anglophile like me finds most endearing.
:: Uther the gorgeous cat sired my C-litter (I name my kittens alphabetically) in 1995. One of the kittens was the sweetest of cream boys. His name began with a C, but his owner (one of my oldest friends) thought

A) also that Uther (pronounced "utter" in Swedish) was a cute name (one which the owner of Uther above didn't call him on a daily basis, it was only his pedigree name),
B) that the Swedish spelling Utter which means just that, otter, would be the perfect everyday-name for this cream boy. Since he also turned out to be the funniest, perkiest cat epitome of an otter (he was one of the four kittens crazy about water. And son to my beloved Aurora, father of my cream sweetie Eulalia).

That creamy boy was one of the loveliest, most entertaining cats I've so far had the fortune to see grow up during those first 12 weeks in my care. He'll forever have a special place in my heart. His face had the cutest mischievous otter-teddybear look.

And there we have my reasons for getting this last pair available socks in shop. Yes, this is how my mind wanders and confer within my head. From the silliest sock-thing to more serious matters. Most all the time. Not always put to paper, or to blog, but still, it discuss and reflects, pros and cons, the reasons for why this and that is a good or bad idea.

~ Another magic moment, in a dressing room many years ago, was when I tried on a cardigan and suddenly the theme from my number one favourite movie, the most perfect of perfect "A room with a view" - the fantastic "O mio babbino caro" with Kiri te Kanawa - played in the shop. That *never* happens. The cardigan was destined for me. Naturally ~

When I got home, unwrapped the socks (from which this post stems, in case my ramblings have made you forget) I also saw that the socks were called Siri. Which of course made their moving in with me even more of destiny. Of serendipity. Which I love. Love in another way than the furry, dotty, cuddly, sweetie Siri, but still love.

summer snaps copenhagen

Do note the very happy and excited blue toe while crossing the Öresund bridge

And as the perfect round-off to this year's summer holiday - the part that doesn't take place as a staycation that is - a few days in Copenhagen - because what would a summer be without some days in Copenhagen? Bah, nothing - some snaps to go ~

So the Danes not only have excellent taste in design,

there's proof of taste in cars too.

My favourite car spotted as we're entering the city.

Score! World's best ice latte, in Baresso only.

Another lovely dinner at sweet Thé à la Menthe,

vegetarian samosas and delicious Moroccan spiced salads.

It's good to have your own personal shopping bag handler,

when the carrying gets too tough (last sales and all that).

For some reason this shop sign always makes me feel quite at home.

A great shoe per diem moment -

lunch at Morgonstedet in Christiania

(of which there most certainly will be a proper post later).

I think this was a clever ad for a Danish
summer film festival of some sort, zulu.dk.

Never did sample this ice cream,

despite them claiming they had

the best one in the whole of Copenhagen.

Loved their colourful, happy looking

seating arrangement though.

What began with an ice latte, ended with one.

Bye, bye Copenhagen, we'll be back...

the denim jacket

In general I'm not a jeans or denim kind of gal, the style and garments may look great on others and I hear it's suppose to be comfy. Me, I've never actually found jeans to be comfortable to wear, rather the opposite actually. Some exceptions to this personal view exist, though they are a few and mostly of the more tailored denim kind.

But when I find one of those exceptions I tend to be very happy and wearing it a lot. Because denim goes so very well with any fabric, style and most occasions depending on accessories. I've treasured some denim jackets over the years and I'm so very pleased about my latest bargain. Something I stumbled over at the outlet village shop (with my number one favourite brand, Danish Noa Noa) just hanging there, all alone, with a 80% discount (~35 $). And in the right Pia size. Sometimes life is good in denim.

I think the pocket embroidery totally rocks and I had serious plans of adding something similar to the collar, but I think the quirky little seams (that I didn't notice when I bought it, seen on top above) are good just as they are. And they match the quirky details on sleeve.

However, I would like to add something special and jazz it up somehow (and brooches just aren't enough) and hey presto, M (yes, generously giving him cred for the idea) came up with the brilliant notion of using the sweet handmade ceramic half eaten apples and worm button set that screamed 'buy us!' at African Touch (a place I really recommend for a good shopping experience on many levels) recently and change the ordinary buttons in jacket now into half eaten apples with wee worm delight.

The buttons, which come in many shapes, are from South African Incomparable Buttons, handmade and oozing uniqueness. Read more about the interesting company's story here.

So come green spring, this fine denim jacket bargain with be yellow-green appley smiley wormey sweet ~

And yes, I do feel very, very fortunate to be living in a very reasonable proximity to a Noa Noa outlet shop... Courtesy of that shop too, amongst other treasures, are gorgeous winter coat (that once turned me into a giant princess cake) and last year's (now more than well worn) plaid skirt.

the new look, one year later

Exactly one year ago (February 20th 2009) this blog turned all green. Not as in envy or all organic but in looks. Since then there have been hundreds of blog posts appearing here and surely no-one can disagree when I say that that the once upon a year ago new green dress have made them all look so much better?

Looks are far from everything, but for those times when inspiration runs low and clever thoughts turned into words shine with their non-presence a flattering garment does a good deed to hide the flaws.

And for those days when the writing and published posts are of the more inspired kind, the lush green looks surrounds them in an eye pleasing way.

For me the green dress of 2009 has been a source of almost daily delight (and comfort when things feel less than happy green) and I'm glad to say still is. And just for that reason I, this blog, will have a little green post of this and that kind for this upcoming week.

And below behold three of my green favourite things -

one for many years favourite NoaNoa green silk NoaNoa skirt that's sadly falling to pieces and will have to be mended in one way or the other;

a pair of comfy summer shoes from favourite green (as in organic and recycled materials as the shoes are grey. In fact the exact same grey as in one fabulous handbag named Nora with a fantastic green lining...) shoe brand El Naturalista;

green, green garden grass on a warm, warm summer day.

The black addition in photo, despite not being green if not in envy, is another favourite of mine, simply swooning in awe of all the wonderful green prettiness seen all at once.

So, what's you favourite green thing?

december 18th - dots

At a date prior to the recent lovely snowfall one dotty tummy Siri (aka pansy inspector and so forth) said to undersigned - 'now wouldn't it be just peachy if we could show off our respective splendid dots in one photo and publish it in blog so everyone could see how much fun we have in this house of ours?'

And as I do quite fancy one particular dotty dress (from always reliable, top favourite clothing brand of mine, NoaNoa) which is very much ginger snaps season stylish auntie Brown in looks and as I am a sucker for sweetface meowing I couldn't resist.

I would have liked to wear something less rustic than old wellies on feet, but weather permitted nothing else. Besides, the jewel of this picture is of course the very lovable dotty tummy attached to a very excited kitty than oozes with pride and not the least bit prejudice in the middle of photo (unless you hadn't noticed).

Have the best of a swinging good weekend!

Greetings from the Dotty Tummy Gals of Stockholm, Sweden

wellies, oh wellies

As much as us Scandinavian sun worshippers adore the sun there can clearly be too much of a seemingly good thing. Sweden, at least the Stockholm area, needs rain. Quite a lot of it if the parched nature is anything to go by. The ideal would naturally be rain by night and sun by day. But of course, at the moment I'd love to see a dash, or much more, of rain anyway the weather deities see fit. Because it is dry, too dry for comfort, too dry for this time of the year.

If (when!) it rains I will be wearing my wellies. At least if I'm not going to walk a whole lot, because frankly, they do leave quite a bit to be desired as far as long wearing comfort and feet ergonomics - is there such a word? Now there is anyway - are concerned. Something I didn't realised until after I had walked a lot in them. Their sweet looks are both alluring and very deceiving. I blame it on the pink lining, I couldn't resist that.

Or the mesmerized chequered pattern on the one pair (brand unknown) that came with a rather hefty price tag that I wouldn't dream of paying today, but which I felt was totally reasonable all those years ago. The lining of the apricot ones also have flowers. Always a big plus. And they come from NoaNoa. Another big plus. Pretty to look at. Pretty to wear. For about 15 minutes. I blame the less than completely satisfactory investments on my wellies-soft-spot.

Because such a spot I'm guilty of - in a very pure non fetisch way of course -, I would love to have loads of wellies in different colours and patterns. If they were comfortable. And if the amount of rain falling would make such investments justifiable. At the moment it clearly doesn't.

Plaid Pleated Bargain

Happened to be looking for a good all-round-work-well-with-jackets-non-summery-skirt, found one tucked away at the NoaNoa outlet - the amazing winter coat a couple of winters ago was from the same place of nice findings - and it happened to fit reasonably well. Being of a slightly tulip-shape thus very roomy it's great for not only ordinary days but also balloon tummy ones. Dark pink cotton plaid - does it get any better?

Cute and well made details - look at that little lace hidden inside the waistline, isn't that adorable?

The skirt in all its plaid glory. For a whopping price of... 100 sek ~ 12 $ it moved in with me. Gotta love Danish design and a well pleated bargain.

27 Days Later

Time to stop smelling the lilacs - which took their roughly 27 days of sweet time to bloom

Time to stop loafing around - if your not a loaf doggie with a liquorice nose and an adorable underbite that is

Time to put on those cute shoes - on sale, really very much needed a pair of small heels, to be honest, feet adamantly demanded I got them...

Time to leave adorable hat at home - hat will instead accompany loaf dog in guarding house and cats when undersigned is out and about on important businesses

The Giant Princess Cake

Indeed, this day has turned out to be exactly that kind of day when one should have stayed in bed, or possibly curled up in the sofa, not even contemplating taking a step into the outside world. Ah well, home again, safe and semi-sound, at least I can see the humour in it all, even if it's so unbelievably clumsy, unnecessary and an inkling pitiful...

When I finally was on my way to the hairdresser's I thought that it was kind of a fine day despite the unbelievably gloomy, foggy weather. Music in my ears, being in a good mood, looking forward to a bit of pampering and a nice lunch on the town afterwards. Getting off the c-train at Karlberg station, tripping along in my Wicked Witch of the East-boots, kind of humming one of my favourite songs, wearing The Winter Coat - the very pale green, delicate, living-dangerously-in-the-Scandinavian-climate-coat... - when I suddenly felt oh no, now I'm actually tripping very factually, in slow motion, with my bags and kind of making a poor imitation of a breakdancer swirling on the dirty ground, ending up jiggering like a giant Princess cake.

I'll spare you the more gorie and embarrassing details - like this wasn't enough you might think, but really, I obviously had to have that icing on the cake to finish the whole spectacle off... And the music didn't stop playing - that song, one of my favourites, will now forever be tainted by this silly incident.

I quickly, perkily got on my way, the hairdresser TG(IF) being only a few blocks away, where I discovered the poor beautiful coat had been severely stained, my stockings were of course ruined, a bit of grazing and bruising here and there, something happened to my left middle finger. And oh yes, my poor ankle that I've sort of disregarded for quite some time now was once again badly strained. I suppose it's drycleaning and a doctor's appointment on the agenda for next week.

I'm not generally clumsy, honestly, but nevertheless I manage to make these completely unexpected hustle and bustle tripping over in very public with a certain charming regular irregularity. Sometimes when I'm on my own, others when I'm with friends. Friends who still like to reminiscence those stupid occasions - and yet, I still call them friends. And well, apart from the sometimes ruined clothes and the pain, I find it more than slightly amusing myself. Not everyone get the chance to make a breakdancing Princess cake imitation in public. With icing on the cake.

Incidentally, how does one tag this post, how about "Stockholm" since it happened here, "sweets" and "food" because it involves a Princess cake, inedible but still. "Sweden"; the Princess cake is very much a Swedish cake. "Illness"; my poor ankle and a bit of grazing - and yes there was blood involved too! - "Humour"; the only way too look at it. "Haircare"; on my way to the hairdresser's. "Entertainment; for some. "Shoes", "clothes", "NoaNoa", "iPod", "music" all played - no pun intended - important parts in this tripping story.

The Winter Coat

With new mittens comes the need for a new winter coat... Or well, really the need for a coat definitely preceded the making of the mittens. Since there is sense and sensibility, not complete shallowness dwelling inside of me. I mean, who have ever heard of such a silly thing like buying a coat for the mittens...? However if the coat demands matching mittens, its wish is my command. Of course.

My winter outerwear department is far from extensive. I've been depending on, fraying comfortable oldies and it was about time to look for something new, something warming, comfortable as well as pleasing to the eye. Well made in good materials with intricate details. And so I found the perfect swayed coat at NoaNoa *surprise*, and at a bargain price, for that kind of work, since I stumbled over it at the outlet village. Happiness in a coat.

At first I wasn't exactly sure about it because of its colour though, I mean it feels kind of completely impractical with a pale green winter coat in our Swedish winter climate. M assured me it was perfectly fine, and somehow I was pretty easily convinced. And what the heck, why not take a chance, live dangerously and oppose that typically Swedish mentality of practicality in every garment? Yes, only the sheer excitement of being so impudently rebellious makes the coat worth every penny!

Now, time to get down examining all the lovely details, outside in. The outer parts are a mix of wool and cotton with a hint of gabardine pattern. It has a lovely flowery embroidery around the waist and on a large part of the back, which is followed by an intricate lace around the waist - despite it giving the coat a distinct look it's the part I'm a bit less over the moon about...

The padded lining is made of two different, lovely flowery fabrics which makes it rather a pity that you can't wear it inside out, showing its inner beauty, now and then too. Since I do believe even a winter coat is more than only a pretty, shallow surface. It has coatly feelings and deserves respect for all its hard work during harsh Nordic winters. Think about that, the next time you take it's services for granted. I certainly will.