giving

I love giving present when I think I've found something that will be really appreciate by the receiver. When you know that what you ahve given will be well used and not just sit in a cupboard and then after a few years be given away to someone else or go to charity shops. But it takes time to find that perfect gift, and it is not always easy to find. Especially if your budget is limiting you.

There has been a couple of times where I've thought I found a great gift that was very useful and then when the person opened it the reaction wasn't exactly what I expect. It makes me question - do I really know this person that well? Was I assuming that this person likes and needs the things that I like and want? An example of this is a gift I bought for my mother - I'm not sure what it is called in English but in Swedish we call it "noppmaskin" (it cuts of all the "lumps" on knitted wollen sweaters.) I thoguht it was genious and I've always wanted one my self but I don't think my mother has used it once...




We'll see if I can repeat the success this Christmas :)

a blog or a diary or both?

I am struggling a bit with what this blog should be like. Should it have a theme and become more of a commercial blog where I either focus on an area (such as recipes, interior design, DIY, music, photos, fashion) or should I just continue writing it as our personal diary? I've noticed on my stats that most of you who are here either come from facebook - which means I can assume you are friends (so the diary part would be most interesting to you) and the other majority is searching for Gula Paviljongen (our wedding venue). However, I probably won't be blogging about wedding preparations again unfortunately so that traffic isn't very helpful for me starting up a blog with a clear direction. So I'm a bit confused and I think I will just continue they way it has been... that means less expectations and less personal attacks haha. (I've only had one angry comment and that was regarding my PTLLS post, and only one offensive comment which was just very random and I deleted it straight away)

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO POST MORE OF

Necessities for the ski trip

There are a few things that I really need to buy before going on our ski trip in February and it is: proper waterproof boots, goggles, ski pants.





Not exactly cheap things. Anyone knows where I can get this at a good price and still decent quality?

food blogs

When it gets cold outside food just takes up more time in my life for some reason. Standing in the kitchen with a cute embroidered apron, some candles lit, and the oven heating up the room - it all seems so appealing and home-y. I have found a couple of blogs online that really inspires me and I thought I would share them with you. If you "eat with your eyes" like I do these visuals should make you drewling.

Canelle et Vanille - one of my latest finds.



BitterSweet - a blog full of vegan recipes (great when you don't eat meat)



Tartelette - Everything from Macaroons to Risotto


and of course a classic food blog - Sweet Paul

goosebumps

seriously. all. over. my. body. amazing.

Work Christmas Party

Oh and Elvis was there... ;)


I haven't been blogging for a while now, and last week I just didn't feel like writing anything. I've been a bit down actually, but then yesterday I started to feel better again. I just needed some time to realise just how lucky I am again. It's strange how you can have everything and still be upset by the little things. Anyways, my mood is now much better and I thought I should share some pictures from the Christmas party last Friday... I had a good time :)

And in a few hours I will be at the Graduation Ceremony - it already feels like it has been years since I finished that Masters degree, but it will be fun to see everyone again.

the optimist

“A pessimist is a man who thinks all women are bad. An optimist is one who hopes they are.”

wishlist

Eva Solo Dressing Shaker 0.25l




HippHipp season 1 and 2.




Hunter Wellies - original navy



Kusmi tea Spicy Chocolate (or Celestial Tea)




Sheepskin slippers




Revitalash




OBH Nordica Handheld mixer




Tupperware




Redken Fresh Curls Hair Products




Husqvarna Sewing Machine (just a simple one, but with a strong engine)




PiP Studio Egg cups (buy here)

more Christmas music

Yesterday I went to Reading to find a dress for the Christmas party on Friday. TOTAL FAIL! Didn't find anything at all! Nothing! Nada! That I even remotely liked. So that was one wasted Sunday afternoon. When I got home I decided to make the best of what was left of the day so we started baking; lussekatter (this time with proper Safran from Sweden - thank you Peter), ginger bread men, and whilst I was in Reading Andreas made chocolate balls. YUM!



Then we watched Xfactor result show (I'm cheering on Matt and Rebecca) and ate some of the goodies and had some lovely julmust with it. I love Christmas! Oh and now to what I wanted to tell you: Sixpence None the Richer has a great version of Angels we have heard on high. Here it is for you to enjoy:

Christmas party dress

Today I've been hanging out with my white version of Stevie Wonder husband. Poor Andreas' eyes hurt a lot still and especially his right eye is very swollen and red. Hope it will heal soon for his sake - it must be frustrating.

Tomorrow I have to go to town and try and find a nice dress for the Christmas party. I usually find it really difficult to find something that I both like and can afford. I'm trying to stay open-minded regarding the style of the dress because it is usually when you know what you want that you can't find it. Will probably have to get some spanx as well... it doesn't get much sexier than that :)






Images from Oasis and Asos.

home is where the heart is

Picture from Etsy

angry

I got an e-mail yesterday from someone interested in my wedding dress, then today I received this:


Hello Marianne Lamberth,

Thanks for the mail with trust and honest toward this transaction, i will offer you (£450) for your ,WEDDING DRESS , the condtion terms are also okay with me.For the Shippment from your location, i have my SHIPPER that will come over for the pick up from y our location as soon as we seal this Transaction from your end.

Do e-mail me your (FULL NAME, CONTACT ADDRESS, MOBILE & LANLINE PHONE NUMBER) For the payment arrangment, i will be paying by Cheque and i will wait for the cheque to clear before the pick up from your location bcos'i still have a goods in U.K that they will ship for me.I have a CLIENT of my that is Owning me some Fund in United Kingdom that will issue you the cheque (£3,000), as soon as you receive the cheque and clear from the bank, you will deduct the cost of the ADVERT and the remaining balance of (£2,500) will be send to the Shipper through WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER for the pick up from your location.

If this is okay by you, do e-mail me the following detail

FULL NAME ON CHEQUE:
CONTACTED ADDRESS:
MOBILE & LADLINE PHONE NUMBER:

for the cheque to be made out to you. Hope to read from you soonest.
Regards, NB:- I will wait for the cheque to clear before the pick up.

I will compensate you with £50 for you to remove the advert from the site.

My Regards,
Jack Fernandes.

OBVIOUSLY A SCAM! I hate you Jack Fernandes! jack_fernandes2009@yahoo.co.uk

Posting this so that if anyone else gets something similar they will find out!
I just e-mailed him back telling him to stop stealing from people.

So annoying because I really want to sell that dress. I mean I love that dress but I will never wear it again and so what is the point of it taking up all that space in our apartment?

quote

Some people say mockingly that Christianity is for the weak,
but I am inclined to agree.
Humanity consists of two kinds of people:
The weak and those
who won't admit they are weak.

a tiny order

I love searching Etsy for little cute things and today I found this great shop that customizes necklaces. Check out Truche. I e-mailed her and found out she would do a "I heart Sweden" for me! Can't wait to see it!




"I heart New Jersey" and "I heart California"



"I heart the United Kingdom" and "I heart France"

to all my Swedish friends

Please donate to this cause:

Katrin Zytomierska will buy presents for up to 300 SEK to families who don't have enough money to buy Christmas presents to their kids. You can donate money to help!

Check it here