the name day and other weekly nuggets

It was a long time since I had had a facial when I finally had a much needed appointment the other day. At least five years. And it was a dreaded appointment, as my skin condition has been another issue these past few years and I've been working hard on improving it since 2017. It's definitely better, but not good. And this was the first time I was worried the beautician would be shocked at its condition. Which obviously is ridiculous, that's what they're there for, help people get better skin, not condemning them for whatever reason they're not having great skin days already.

These past few weeks I've also begun a new skincare regime, with some new Dermalogica products for sensitive and dry skin which I think has helped too. Gone are the days of keeping facial things simple obviously. Or gone are the days when it was even possible to keep them simple.



Happy to report things weren't nearly as bad as I had thought, in fact they were much better. The general skin condition was great, supple and soft, the sensitivity, areas prone to redness and surface dryness are my issues. Still. But as you can see, after that facial I'm glowing. Or it could be the fact I'm wearing one of my pair of new glasses. That come with a really nifty sunglass clip-ons. Or it could be the sun, the lovely sun and a brisk walk.



Unseasonable global warming weather, so I find that most every day these days comes with a bad aftertaste of climate change angst. But amidst that, I'm really grateful for the non-icy streets. There are reports of both snow and rain in the weeks to come, if that happens at least I have both my Icebugs and ice grippers so I'll be alright. Touch wood.

The sun has been out a lot these past weeks, and that's glorious, but the winds are still chilly and harsh - so hats and mittens are still required. And here are the clip-ons. And obviously in some weather, some angles, some lights, my hair is a lot more grey than I like to admit.

But more often than not I think it's super cool to embrace they greyness. I've begun to follow the account @Grombre on Instagram, and there's a lot of inspiration and empowerment coming from it. Hooray for all the gorgeous women who stop dying their hair and show their true amazing selves!



On the subject of hair and unruly wisps, after I did a blunt cut on myself last month - oh I'm a renassaince woman indeed - I decided to invest in a fancy modern flat iron. Not because I want to flat-iron my hair regularly, or at all, but it's easier to get a sleek, glossy look with it. Plus I admit, I adore flat iron curls.

Well, to adore them in theory and to actually being able to achieve them, there's an ocean of skills between them. Because a) I find a really hot flat iron incredibly scary to try and master, b) no matter how many YouTube tutorials you watch to master them yourself, it takes eons of practice apparently. Not to mention loads of hair products, so you don't damage the hair. I'm not a fan of loads of hair products. But I suppose, that with my type of hair it's the same as with the skin, gone are the days of being able to keep it simple.

So far I've mostly made some weird granny glamour curls instead of the carefree beach curls I was after. And being able to get the perfect flat iron curl flick with hair as frizzy as mine, that's no mean feat. I guess, a little practice on a regular basis will make reasonable perfect one day. Although, how on earth do people get those snazzy curls on the back of their heads without burning the scalp?

Every day you learn something new, but you also get a gazillion new questions about the world and people's behaviours. Sometimes it can be such superficial things as how to master the skill of making the perfect flatiron curls.



And here are the glasses number two. I think they're very caramelly, fun and perky, not looking like anything else I have or have had before. Also, when I picked them up at the optician the other frames were back in stock so I decided to be really very kind to myself and my eyes and get them too. Because clearly, a range that's called New Business and a model called Creative, does call my name. They're red, big, round and very cute too.




Something else that's reasonably round, quirky and very charming is the authentic Salvador Dali sculpture above. It's called The Nobility of Time and was one of three large sculptures brought to Stockholm for the antique fair earlier this month. I had so looked forward to seeing them all but alas I completely missed they would only be here very briefly and to be removed last weekend already, so I missed the other two. Which is so very disappointing.



Something artsy I'll definitely not miss is the annual spring art salon at Liljevalchs. Which I'm sure won't be as amazing as last year's, but still much worth a visit I'm sure. Plan to go next week.



In the category things I'm on the other hand hope to avoid as much as possible, is catfood shopping and lugging it home on public transport. Usually I'm able to car-pool with some kind soul. But last week it was alas unavoidable and jeez that was hard work (even if you feel pretty satisfied once you've made it home). The shopping cart couldn't take two bags, and besides it would have been to heavy even if there'd been room. So my right arm got a lot of exercise that day. While my left arm did the sympathetic huff'n and puff'n.

Yes I have looked into home deliveries from pet stores, unfortunately I'm then unable to use my discounts and no I won't pay more than necessary for already expensive cat food, to get it delivered home. Well, at least it'll be good for my biceps.



I've also attended a great little lunch talk by the author, a psychologist, of this book "Smarter than your phone" on how too many of us need to start using our smartphones instead of letting them use us. My best trick is to NOT have your notifications on, which is something that the book also talks about. I've never had that, it's so unnecessary and will just add stress. And to be honest I find it incredibly rude when other people constantly check their notifications in the company of others. People desperately need to be more present.



On the Pia-day, always February 22 in Sweden, I got tulips, sunshine, vegan candy at IKEA - who knew they'd be good for that?? - and a lovely soup lunch. Oh, and a much awaited pocket edition of Jojo Moyes "Still me".

The interview the other week alas didn't lead to anything, obviously they looked for someone with another set of skills. I'm okey with that. What I really don't appreciate is the fact that the recruiter didn't have the decency to call, despite having promised to, and tell me so herself. I only found out because I contacted her to get news on what was happening. It's just lazy and rude recruiting not to get back to the selected few you interview, but that's a too common thing in HR alas.



I have had another first interview, for an interesting communications job in the circular economy industry. The little extra unexpected and rare plus is that the headquarters is situated in my suburb, which means it would take me 5 minutes by bus to and from work. Such glorious time-saving prospects. Fingers crossed.



Currently thinking about the old saying amongst salespersons "For every 10 no there will be a yes", it's probably the same when it comes to job searching. I've given myself March to find that elusive perfect job, with hopefully my kind of people and an organisaton where one can thrive and be happy. After that I possibly need to re-evaluate my strategy.

For now I'm taking various courses, going to talks and seminars to better myself and my skillset. Now is the time for that.



I've also said yes to not only a couple of dresses since New Year's - still need to be much better at saying no - but also a dear deer shirt. Which happened to have been completely paid by the cash refund slip I got when I sold second hand clothes at the Bric a Brac shop last year. So more clothes out than in at least. And look how very well it teams up with the cute squirrel and acorn necklace from Palava. Going all woodland this spring.



And on the very last day of February I took the the wee ones to rekindle with what's still the best mural in Stockholm, the Millenium-trilogy inspired colourful piece of art by Brazilian street art brothers Os Gemeos, painted in 2017.



As well as picked up the third pair of glasses -

and did the contact lens screening. Turns out some people can actually wear contacts with different strengths in the left respectively right eye, thus being able to both read and see far without having to add reading glasses. From the tests I did today it looks like I'm one of those. That would indeed be a relief. I'm getting lenses sent home to try out and then go back for check-up. -

so now I'm just super psyched for a new month. New glasses, New Business, here we go, March, let's make this happen! I bring the glasses for every occasion, you bring the business, okey? Many grateful thanks in advance.

on the pia day 2015

My name day of 2015 was unpretentious but rather sweet - and unlike last year I wasn't the least bit sniffly -

• I got a lovely T-shirt with a pineapple print - a life without a pineapple tee, bah humbug! 
• I had fika with a cute carrot cake - although why do they insist in slicing it way before serving, obviously it does get dry in the display without a cover.
• I had to work - writing copy for a bicycle dealer. And I dream of a really pretty new bike, but I know I'm not really big on biking so it's most likely not worth the money. My pink bike will do for me still.
• While working I enjoyed my first tulips (locally grown climate compensated ones of course) of the year alongside a swell, as usual, soy latte.
• I also managed to spruce up the Prosit website, by following instructions and common sense only. And figuring things out myself, even though I'm so not interested in coding and such, is quite rewarding. I like to keep things simple still, less is more, but now it's at least a responsive website and easy to read and navigate on a smartphone too. Welcome to Prosit's new and improved website ~

on the pia day

As usual, February 22 is a very distinguished day, it's Pia day! (Granted not only my own day, but everyone who shares this grand name's day.) So what did I do to make it a bit special and lovely? Well this;

• Went outside for the first time since Tuesday (when the cold struck) - I'm not completely well yet, snivel, cough and tired, but still fresh air and walking was great.
• Had a special breakfast - although neither sense of smell nor tastebuds work as they should yet. But sometimes you're okey with just the memory and notion of how lovely it usually is.
• The sun made a surprise visit and stayed all day, yay!
• Managed (the way only I can...) to find a pair of special boots on sale - it has become more and more obvious that this is apparently one of my specialities. I hope the colour turns out to be just as sunny and fabulous as it is on screen, because who wouldn't want to walk in sunshine?!
• Had not only one, but two fresh juices overloaded with ginger (one was the above carrot, spinach, apple, kiwi, more fun to look at than pleasing to drink I suspect. But darn good for you!) - ha, take that, cold!
• Had a semla.
• Woke up ridiculously early and went to bed like a granny on a Saturday evening.

All and all it was a pretty great day of a name day I have to say. 

When I was little I really didn't like my name, it was too short and uninteresting, a bit silly (and apparently the most common name for bitches in Sweden. Bitch as in dog.) and childish. I wanted a *real* girl's name like Charlotte, Camilla, Catharina, Pernilla or Susanna and such. As a grown up I really enjoy my name, it's not a very common name but still common enough to feel very Swedish. Easy to say, rather fun and perky somehow and I've never had any unwanted or ugly nickname. 

Pia is derived from the Latin name Pius which means "pious" - definitely not one of my features. But I'm well-known for having an innocent zero set poker face, while my brain is pretty much always filled with not so innocent thoughts, analyzing people and situations. Maybe it's a common feature of women named Pia?

My middle name is Karina (with a name day on May 7), also a Latin derivation from Carinus/Carus which means "beloved". What a lovely meaning to carry around in one's name! I enjoy having the "K" as a middle name initial, but I'm more comfortable with my three letters first name. It's easy and unpretentious to carry around. And rather fun.

How about you, do you enjoy your name?
Always or have you grown to accept it?
What's your favourite name/s and why?

granny square boots

I'm amazed that noone has come up with the idea of a granny square boots until now (at least not a maker I've seen) - brilliant idea, awesome boots, they quite obviously screamed my name. I got them as a name day treat.

When one can't have the one thing one would really like back, shoes will have to do. I'm not sure if it's completely bonkers or if it's a sign of reasonable mental stability that I can still appreciate colours, quirkiness and shoes at this moment in life. I hope for the latter.

I didn't understand that the boots were actually textile boots with some leather details, I don't mind but I would rather they had made them in sturdier textile/vegan material and omitted the leather completely. Now it's neither vegan nor exactly what I expected. Still awesome, still screams happiness loudly, but with quite another feel and weather limitations for wearing.

From ART shoes (and in same model/soles as the red maryjanes I got in Helsinki, which proved to be really comfortable). Socks from Marimekko.



PS I treasure the lovely comments and sharing of sorrow
and love for animals/dogs so very very much.
I hope you really really know that DS

the pia day 2013

My obvious first and great wish for this year's name day would be that this last dreadful week was completely erased, but alas I can't see that happening. Reading about last year's Pia-day I wish that was now, alas that was then.

My mum treated me to a nice lunch, it was a strange feeling of spring in the air, even with sorrow as a constant companion. Tomorrow, when M gets home from a business trip, I think we'll do something nice too. Life goes on, somehow.

Thank you so so kindly and dearly for all sweet and caring comments left in blog during this truly awful week. I treasure them all deeply.

Knitting, fresh air, baking, cat cuddles and lots and lots of cups of tea are other things that keep me reasonably sane.

Today we also enjoyed freshly baked lemon polenta spelt cookies and another little inspector.



Have a lovely,
kind weekend,
treat yourselves to something special ~

the pia day

Admittedly I had forgot it was my name day today, February 22. But my mum came by with a little awesome gift (I'll show it another day) and a semla (yesterday's semla was better than expected, but not as good as the bananza one today). Not that name days is a big deal really, but it's nice with any wee excuse to celebrate a little, wouldn't you agree?

M, the absent minded mister, had completely forgotten about it being the Pia-day though - I will try and look pass that, be magnanimous and get him a little something for his name day in a few days. Because the older you get, the more fun it is to give things rather than receiving. Giving a gift is double the fun.

Other than that I basically spend my days writing, writing, writing and when I'm not writing I'm thinking about what I should write about. What I have been writing about will be revealed in about three weeks now I should think. It's pretty much all absorbing, it was meant to be part time, but as it is a neat way to get an income - granted not at all the decent income I aim for having, but still better than recently as well as better than I had initially budgeted for Prosit's first months - so I've worked hard and full-time instead, and hopefully it'll be for good credentials. Three more weeks then it's bye to this assignment and I'll be available for new clients.

To be honest I'm a bit too tired and pre-occupied to be chirpy and call that oh-I-want-this phone-call just now -

side note, I know, I do know, I'm completely and utter silly about this, I don't mind you point that out at all, it needs to be pointed out, though I am ridiculously aware of my daftness here. But I love my e-mail and irl-meetings, can't we just skip the thing called phonecalls for good? -

and be in a better mood when this assignment is well over. The future belongs to procrastinators. That is a fact of life.

I'm also very very grateful for being able to work from home right now, because the weather is simply awful right now, the beautiful snow has turned into slosh which then has turned into ice, temperatures around +-0, roads are icy hell and there have many many unavoidable car accidents these past few days and I'd imagine many broken legs on icy, treacherous streets... So the comfort of working from home is great in many many ways.

I also love the fact that all this writing simply fuels my passion for writing, in most anyway imaginable, I'm not picky with this, it doesn't have to be long, clever, intriguing, advanced, intellectual, pretty much any kind of wording will do. It's wonderful and magical somehow.

When this assignment is done, I will once again open my feed reader... and hopefully not be completely appalled by the number of blogposts that have appeared there. And I'll get reading and commenting again, because I have the time again, but  most of all because I know I want to.

It's been a good name day, very unpretentious, but good. And tasty. And loafie. And full of sweet kitten cuddles. Really, what more could one wish for?

on the name day

Another year has passed, another name day (Swedish namnsdag) has come. February 22nd, Pia-day. Although one never needs an excuse to get tulips of course.

Last year's namnsdag wasn't a good one. I may be in a more pleasing mood this year, though instead alas I've managed to sprain my ankle. It could be worse, but still it's swollen and aches and being name day and all, I think I will pity myself a bit extra still. While enjoying orange tulip gorgeousness.

These are locally cultivated by company Alverbäcks, grown without pesticides in greenhouses run on biofuel. Read more about their work here (in Swedish only).

the cat's day

Today, the first of Advent - I hope you're having a lovely one - and coincidentally one loaf dog extraordinaire's name day - the Swedish calendar screams Malte, Malte, Malte on this day of November 28. For that he got a bacon dog-chew - it is the Cat's Day in Sweden.

Instated in 1983 (by SVERAK - Sweden's Catclubs' Association) this is the day to acknowledge the perfect being that is spelled c-a-t, educating, promoting good cat keeping - every cat knows that every day is cat's day, but sadly far from every human do. Only in Stockholm there are many tens of thousands of homeless cats faring badly in harsh living conditions. Especially now, in this grim winter weather... -

and for us cat-lovers simply celebrate that we are so fortunate and blessed with the cats in our lives. Past, present and future.

the pia day

According to the Swedish calender, yet again, today (February 22nd) is and was officially Pia-day. As in 'namnsdag' (name day).

I wish I could say that it has been a grand day in celebration of that distinguished name, but alas with this past weekend's blizzards, freezing temperatures and less than competent people running the Swedish (especially in Stockholm) public transportation system I've spent more than a good portion of the day waiting for the c-trains. No matter how sensible I think I've dressed that has left me freezing to the bones. And in a grumpy mood.

For all sort of reasons really, apart from the appalling public transportation system-problems there's a very distinct feeling of a very displeasing (understatement magna) combination of resistance and uninterest to actually let me use my education/skills/intellect and be of use to the organisation at 'the place'.

It's destructive on many levels and no matter how constructively I point that out, the people who could make a difference don't seem to care. So my days I spend going from being quite angry to try and ignore to being sad. I wish it wasn't true, but I know it too well, this also is an organisation where the master suppression techniques flourish on several levels. It's despicable and now I'm quite desperately trying to find a solution where I can get what I want. How I don't know. I just know that this is not where I should be. Or that I should spend my days doing brainless tasks that any doofus could do. When I'm so much more, in so many ways.

Ah well, at least the sun shone and the skies were painted deep blue for a while today on this Pia day. And somewhere behind green windows, blue doors and red walls I'm sure there's room to be just me and noone else ~

The Pia Day

~ Just because today, February 22, is the official Swedish Pia day ~

Having A Name Of A Day

Today's my very own name day, according to the Swedish calender, February 22nd. At least the one of my names that begins with a "P" and ends with an "a" - and any excuse to celebrate being alive and kicking, here and now, having a name, being me is a good excuse to treat oneself to something extra.

Even if the extra of today wasn't anything very obviously extraordinary and remarkably grand, it was quite a delightful day; the sun was shining, it was definitely spring in the air - never mind a bit too much of that air in shape of relentless winds -, a nice breakfast coffee date with a friend, some browsing through shops - yup, imagine I can actually do that without feeling a need to fuel the economy - and a long walk. I even had the (dubious) pleasure of nearly being roped in and exchanged for some cattle in some remote place on the African continent. Imagine that. Or rather not.

Even if everyday is concidered a Pia-day, in my world, it is kind of pleasant to be officially acknowledged by Regnum Sueciae at least once - in my case even twice - a year. And sometimes even I am easy to please, a spot of sun, a dash of spring, a perfect day.