oh happy rain

Can't help but feeling it's very liberating and refreshing with these past few days of rain. 

Because as lovely as sunshine might be, it does get *a bit* suffocating after weeks of no change in weather. And the rain becomes such a relief.

Variety is the key to perfect weather. As in life.

it's an m

One of the most clever and entertaining moments I've enjoyed in a movie recently was when Johnny Depp as Barnabas the vampire in Dark Shadows exclaimed "Mephistopheles!" when he saw the McDonalds sign for the first time. Spot on!

Can't say I enjoyed the movie much as a whole, apart from the gorgeous scenography, costumes and make-up, but this scene. Hilarious.

And as you can see, Litte Miss Paw Inspector agrees. 

suddenly it happens

one of those phrases it's good to remember. (and no, you don't have to play the swedish national lottery to embrace it 'plötsligt händer det!'.)

on a glum day, a blue day, when you feel a bit discouraged or even thwarted - remember that 'suddenly it happens!'. whatever your 'it' might be.

right now i have three specific 'its' in my life. i do not feel neither encouraged nor focused at all times, every day. but deep down i know 'suddenly it happens' and therefore i feel expectant and sure. because really, there are no options to bonheur in these special 'its'.

same same but different

/greetings, the atheist

a shoe box with soul

With the latest pair of shoes (from ART this time) I took notice of the shoe box, which I had only glanced at before. And I have to say, that all of those features that the brand is said to encapsulate are also traits I stand for and embrace - well apart from the "rough" maybe, but as someone pointed out it can very well mean sturdy, long-lasting and reliable too -

such a fine coincidence I stumbled over the brand in Lisbon a few years back. Or shall we call it serendipity? And possible a good nose for sniffing out the perfect shoes? (That nose that also sniffs a cosy, perfect cafe from a mile away.)

* Metropolitan
* Globetrotter
* Recycled
* Crazy
* Alternative
* Creative
* Cool
* Colourful
* Rough
* Soul

In this world of companies, institutions, organisations, people that make your heart sink due to their soullessness I'm glad I have at least found a few brands I love and whose overall company culture I can pretty much embrace as a whole (even if, in this shoe case, as usual, in a perfect world I would prefer if the shoes were made of ecofriendly, good for your feet, long-lasting vegan materials or recycled leather).

How about you, do you have any favourite brands?
And if so, what is it that you love about them?

height is the new size and other lessons learnt in budapest

Here follow some interesting things I learnt in Budapest;



1. That it's apparently important to (some) men to be a few centimetres taller, that one can become that in a "very discreet and natural way" (with special shoes) and that one in doing that can get the attention of a dumb looking posing, pouting model. Height is the new size.

I have to say that a) spending time with a dumb looking posing, pouting model sounds utterly boring and unsatisfactory imho, but I guess someone who would actually pay to get ridiculous heightening shoes like that doesn't have much in ways of a brilliant brain anyway.

b) as a tall woman I have to admit that yes height is rather important (shallow as it may seem), but that, as most always, a great mind, a lovely personality and brilliant conversations trumps pretty much everything.



2. Rosewater lemonade is surprisingly lovely, refreshing and somewhat enchanting to drink.



3. Too many (semi)naked humans can be overwhelming and scary for small sized woollies (also known as bobbaloos). To be honest, I'm very much inclined to concur with the bobbaloos on this. (That said it was a grand bath and wonderful architecture, got some great pictures of the outdoors baths and its guests in Budapest I will share later.)



4. To spell the name "Pia" is apparently super difficult for staff at Starbuck's, but to pronounce it is easy peasy. Also noticable is that to drink soy latte regularly (like once a day on holiday) can cause unwanted wind related issues.



5. Important messages to all men can be written in a very pleasant way.



6. The scariest of statues on the eeriest (but beautiful) of cemeteries is much less scary in the summertime. Though albeit doable still far from easy breezy and pleasant. (However this grand cemetery, of which I will write and show more later, is such an absolute must visit when in Budapest though!)



7. There's nothing quite like snatching a pretzel in the morning. At least not when you are very small and totally adorable.



8. Hungarian really offers a plethora of unfortunate brand names from a Swedish point of view. And with that a lot of giggles and laughs. (You have to google this one.)



9. When sore feet are in desperate need for blister relief you can always rely on Swedish plasters. And that aloe vera is THE thing for most everything. And that the number with three sixes can hold good things too.



10. Last but not least; icecream and sorbets should never be served in any other way than the rose way. Really.

random photos berlin

I have finally uploaded all the Berlin/Germany photos I wanted to Flickr. And as my mind is weary and uninspired at the moment I thought it would be nice to just share a few Berlin photos today and not bother about the writing. Because today the latter don't come easy. And on photos you can always rely.

The view we woke up to every morning. Pretty awesome I think.

I just think they looked snazzy these two guys, sadly they walked to fast and there were too many tourists in the way of the camera, but I managed a snap anyway.

I'm still amazed at the numbers of cyclists in Berlin. Even if Germans are great drivers in general, the traffic pace in Berlin is pretty tough and tricky, to manouver a bike in such a death defying way as many do... jeez.

I find this old man looking very Miami-ish somehow. And cool.

A piece of the Eastside gallery. Very much worth a visit (and behind the wall is also the Strandgut beach). Great (and not so great) murals here.

The inner city vastness of Berlin really is pretty intimidating, 

especially when seen from above.

Very bobbaloo approved cars, 

but just like me they do prefer the older models before this latest one.

In Berlin giraffes are big and made of Lego.

Old Tempelhof airport is of not bobbaloo approved architecture.

I find the Strandgut beach stroller to the left in the picture rather disturbing, for several reasons. Style and sense council desperately wanted.

I also find myself pondering where I'd like to live if I were to live in Berlin, there are so many places and houses that look rather dreamy (and many that do not). I always end up thinking that this is the kind of place that would rock my boat. And who wouldn't want to be neighbour with a Buddah Republic?

Even if Berlin is a busy, dirty, concrete, happening, modern city it is streets and places like this, where there's a peaceful, leafy feel of serenity that makes me love it.

Why is it that German forbidden-signs are so much more intimidating than signs in other languages?

There are never too many, colourful bears in one street.

the ways of p

If you're a P you can apparently go right or left. This P will however simply go have a very early night. Tomorrow she'll dazzle with brilliance (yeah right), today she'll only dazzle herself to bed and sleep about seven quarters per hour. Hopefully. If the chirpy twittering summer birds allow.

smultronställe

Smultronställe. One of my favourite words in Swedish, literally meaning " places of wild strawberries", figuratively "lovely little spot" or "hidden secret place" (because it isn't necessarily a place you'd like to share with others, just your favourite, your own special site). I love smultronställen, I love the idea of them, hidden or not.

Do you have a favourite Swedish word? And why?
Or of course an English one?
Or a word in any language?

One of my favourite English words is "serendipity". I do adore what that stands for, and it's such a perky, happy kind of word, much like it's meaning.

the spelling squad strikes again

In this world of too many careless or ignorant users of words with less skillful insights in spelling there is no such thing as a rest for the language - word - spelling squad, behold the latest find that would make any stickler for a proper spell check sigh in despair ~

Or maybe this is just a case of one vegetarian member of the spelling squad not knowing her burgers.

the åland blend

The infamous Finland/Åland - Sweden ferry boats never have been, never will be my kind of venue or idea of fun. Sad main reason for people travelling on them seem to be getting blotto and stocking up on taxfree must-have-alcohol.

If one is willing to cope with the plebs with a blotto main goal it can however be a cheap - if you stay clear of the taxfree perfume counter. Which is difficult... - and convenient way to travel to-from Helsinki - Stockholm. As well as having an unpretentious day or two on the Åland islands.

It was years since I was last there, but this past Saturday I defied my cold - poor me, but nothing like tin can April - and the plans on taking the Åland ferry with cabs and friends were carried through.

And I am so glad I went, it turned out to be such a lovely day, glorious Indian summer weather, great drive, quirky sightseeing - albeit some sights had unfortunately already closed for the season - with good food in good company.

Åland - a Swedish speaking autonomous and demilitarized Finnish province situated in the Baltic Sea about two hours ferry boat ride from Sweden - is quite a little country haven of its own, a charming blend of old and rural mixed with modern views and lifestyle (which unfortunately doesn't include their attitude regarding seal hunting though). It seems to be a generally peaceful and laidback way of living on Åland, with its far from densely populated forest clad archipelago landscape.

We got to spend about six hours driving around the islands before it was time to take the ferry back to Swedish mainland, which by no means meant we had the time to see 'everything'. But here are some glimpses of one fine early September day spent on Åland ~

a dedicated man has rebuilt

a 1950ies shell gas station museum

the apple orchards on åland are plenty.

as well as very pretty and colourful

when in finland, have a moomin soda.

found this wild strawberry flavoured one

far too sweet for my liking

the national dish, åland pancake

with strawberry jam and whipped cream is delicious

the sign for bicycle roads are rather...

amusing me thinks

there are dedicated people with all sorts of quirky collections,

this is an old henhouse now home to

an impressive collection of old Volkswagen Beetles.

unfortunately closed at the time

the not so pretty castle of kastelholm.

originated form the 14th century

home to sweet cafés -

this one being pettas old schoolhouse in geta -

and maritime life

tjudra vineyard,

closed for the season

another ålandish sign one got to love,

for dogs in dire needs

at the ferry boat terminal

the main town on the islands is mariehamn

a place that has lots and lots

of lovely ornated wooden houses