Dear Salon Elouise

Thanks for helping me out!

Dear secret force of the universe

Even I , their mother, find it curious to have two children who look so much alike despite a 6 year age difference. Not since the Olsens have two sisters looked so alike without being identical twins.

Questions from readers 11

What is your favorite comfort food from childhood? -Enna

My dad's lamb steak and my mom's lightly salted dark chocolate sauce (for ice cream). Not necessarily served together. But gladly eaten on the same night.

questions from readers 10

What is your bigger fear? -Anonymous

I can't even write that down.

Questions from readers 9

How do you find time for it all?! -Jane

I don't think I do. But I try. Like today, I went running before breakfast. Not that I felt like it!

Questions from readers 8

Did you give birth to one of your children by a Caesarean section? -anonymous

No, but thanks for asking! They were all natural births, facilitated with the help of laughing gas and watching Anchorman (Joel & Niki).

Questions from readers 7

What other job would you do? -Alinax

I would love to work with teaching kids to read. Something like that.

Questions from readers 6

What do you wish were on the moon? -Lorraine

A big sign saying "We also welcome women".

And another one saying "Actually, we welcome all nationalities and ethnicities".

Questions from readers 5

When was the last time you cried? And why? - Gabriella

I danced with my youngest last week and was suddenly overcome by such strong love and happiness and the thought that at that moment everything was just as I wanted it - so much that tears started running down my cheeks. I also often cry from watching commercials. Not proud of it, but there you have it. Push my buttons, watch tears appear.

Questions from readers 4

Do you enjoy cooking? -melanie

Sure I do! About once a year.

Questions from readers 3

What is THE color this fall/winter season? -Irina

My motto this fall/year is WORK WITH WHAT YOU'VE GOT. Whatever is already in your closet. I got married and followed that motto and it seems to have liberated me. I wore a vintage dress that had been hanging in my closet since forever and old shoes etc. The thought is: If I didn't even need to buy stuff for my wedding - do I really NEED much that I don't already have? This nauseatingly perky/organic/thrifty goody-two-shoes thinking saves bucks and time.

That said, I have bought scarlet red shoes and a red belt and a red scarf. So Red. Scarlet red. Mixed with what you have.

Ps. Realizing I'm not saving any time what so ever. Still day dreaming about stuff I can not afford!

Questions from readers 2

What should I make for dinner this evening? - Jenny

That's a tough one. I think it would be easier to reply to what you should eat tonight. But since you're an accomplished cook, those questions might overlap? If I was you, I'd make a nice borscht/borsch/ bortsch/borstch/borsh/barszcz/borshch/борщ - spelling seems to vary, and serve it with homemade bread, lots of butter and great cheese.

Questions from readers 1

What are The Parker Quintuplets doing today? -Anonymous
Last I heard, Jane was reading this, Juliet wished she ran this, Doris was failing cooking, Kate was off to Argentina and Eve, well Eve overdosed on internet intake and unplugged herself. I think she's at some farm in Vermont, growing organic cucumbers or carrots. I miss them!

Taking questions from readers - Aymo

Aymo posted all the following questions, making me feel like I was in that Q&A section in Vanity Fair. Why pass on such a chance?

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Taking fall walks with people I love. Picnicking under blossoming apple trees.

Which living person do you most admire?

Anyone who truly helps other people. Also; Will Ferrell & Tina Fey for making me laugh so much and so often.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Jealousy. It's so low and futile.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Greed and arrogance.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Lotion and clothes.

What is your favorite journey?

Any place I can go by train.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Chastity.

On what occasion do you lie?

Whenever I have to. But I do it poorly. I excel at exaggerations though.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?

My neck. Also would love to have slim feet.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

I don't know. Probably "sick". Or "love you so much" to my kids, but can you overdo that?

What is your greatest regret?

Not fighting harder to get into Chinese class (taught by Cecilia Lindquist) in high school.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My family.

When and where were you happiest?

Holding my newborns. Holding my children. Was pretty delirious getting married to Anders, too.

What is your current state of mind?

Happy and in need of a cup of coffee.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

A little more discipline, a little more ambition, a little less self-mockery. Even writing this I tease myself - saying "why would anyone care to read this", but you asked and I shall answer!

What is your favorite occupation?

Writing, reading, eating, talking, laughing, going to museums. Preferably all at the same time.

What is the quality you most like in a person?

Humor.

What do you most value in your friends?

Their wit, humor and love.

Who are your favorite writers?

Too many! I've thoroughly enjoyed David Sedaris, Nora Ephron, Tolstoy, Selma Lagerlöf, Jean Webster, LM Montgomery, Toni Morrison, Margaret Atwood, Fay Weldon, Elsa Morante, Amy Tan, Ruth Reichl, Margaret Bloy Graham and Gene Zion and yes, Jane Austen.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

A squirrel, gathering things, forgetting where I put them.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?

It doesn't matter so much as long as I could recognize my loved ones in their new shapes.

Dear summer

You seem so far away.

Dear fall

I love you but you're getting colder, just a month or two from into winter. At least there are things to look forward to. Like kid version nativity scenes.

Dear Niki

Cheeks, pout, eyes. Almost 3. My last kid. They grow up so fast, almost can't take it! My only solace is the thought of one day becoming a grandmother.

Dear Lovisa

Thank you for bringing me French treats straight from PARIS!

she gave me glamour, I gave her stark realism.

Yin and Yang!

Dear Matt McConaugheyueauyuyuuyeuy

Man, you've been around since forever! I found this old pic of you when I ran my new renaissance face recognition software. How's that suit working out for you in Texas?

curious greetings

-e

Taking questions

Today only: taking questions.

Ask anything! About anything.

I'll do my best to reply.

will then post each question with reply.

THANK YOU!

You'll love this

I know you will. It's visual, beautiful, interesting.

Asking readers for advice - which LBD?

Dress A. Yes, it's this one.

Dress B (From a previous Kerber collection)

Dress B up close

Dress C

Dress C up close

Asking readers for help

There are small and big troubles in life, today I have a small problem: what to wear when I go to a party tonight. Also: will post other, more interesting things soon than clothes.

Pics of various outfits to follow shortly.

One more thing about Ursula Nordstrom

She walked around with this Martha Graham quote written on a piece of paper. You could do that too, I think I will. It rings true for all of us:

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.

Dear everyone who loves Mads

I keep watching this, mesmerized. The way Mads talks is so intriguing. So somber, so touching. And because Swedes are so afraid of upsetting Danes by not understanding them, I have to praise the courage of the person who insisted on subtitles in Swedish to help us even when this Dane is speaking in Swedish for once.

Ps. Also happy that Fritidsresor promises that life exists of 29 000 dagar, equalling almost 80 years. For all of us! Hope they're right. Statistically, they are, at least in Sweden.

Dear Kristina Digman

Our family loves your pictures and books. Vanja reads Sandvargen and I truly enjoy reading your version of Peter & Petra to the little ones. Even my mom is into you, both buying your books and getting them from the library. Anglo readers, you can have your Digman too, get Our Apple Tree!

Ps. Ni som var lika ledsna som jag för att "Min lilla apa" utgått ur sortimentet, jag köpte ett sista ex där på barnbokhandeln. Hör av mig om jag hittar fler!

Dear Swedish Hasbeens

LOVE YOUR RAINBOW BOOTS! And the fact that you make them in sizes up to 45. A boot for all people! Though perhaps not for every wallet. But I think the price probably reflects the fact that the people who made them were paid fair wages along the way.

dear men I love

Thanks for setting such high standards in male greatness.

You're funny, loving, smart and generous. I love you so.

(from left to right: My brother, my husband, my father.)

dear family

Not used to seeing you this ...glamorous.

dear mori & mimosa

Love your yellow dress & cape.

dear people who have been children

I couldn't sleep last night but there's no need to feel sorry for me as I stayed up reading this book, the collected letters of Ursula Nordstrom who I now realize helped shaped my childhood. She edited all my favorite books. The Frances books, my beloved Zion/Graham Bloy books, Fran Manushkin's Baby, Sendak/Minariks little Bear books, Where the wild things are and so on. You name it - if I loved it, she edited it. She found authors, illustrators and kept cheering, threatening - everything she could to get the most out of her people.

Her vision was clear - she wanted to publish "Good books for bad children". This book contains her funny and enthusiastic, sometimes angry letters. It's a joy to read. I so wish I could jet off to Ridgefield, Connecticut to hear "Dear Genius" editor Leonard S Marcus discuss the book with Maurice Sendak on Sep. 21st.

If you're closer than I am and interested in great children's lit, go!

Jealous greetings

-e

Dear Isla Fisher

So love your spirit.

When a plus size model looks like this

You know the fashion industry is insane.

Today's fashion insight

They say China is heading for world domination but I say the scarf is still ahead.

Dear Minna Parikka

Dear Minna Parikka, I have what we in Sweden refer to as KÖPSTOPP, but love this cardi. Can I help you with anything and work it off?

Dear Chie Mihara

Dear Chie Mihara,

I have two pairs of your shoes, shoes I can actually wear despite my not-slim-narrow-Italian feet. So great to visit your site and see all the pictures of your happy end consumers and read the love letters from your happy clients. More brands should be like you: Warm, happy, interested in the end consumers of the world.

Dear IKEA and the rest of the world

Dear the rest of the world, in Sweden, this is a fairly normal newspaper bill. It reads "The best and worst deals in the new IKEA catalog". Can you imagine this in any other country? Perhaps in Albania? Imagine New York Post screaming out "The best and the worst deals right now at Pottery Barn".

Sweden is a small and conform country. There is one place where we all buy furniture. But this is absurd.

From a copywriter's perspective, IKEA rules supreme. They've become so successful they don't need us. Journalists happily carry out the task instead.

Dear me, part 2

Also, try not to buy more dresses, although you LOVE dresses. Also share with the world your admiration for the model doing that pose, so much harder than it looks. Didn't manage do get it down at all and I tried. She had long beautiful piano fingers though.

Ps to others: Have you read One Day? Don't you think Sylvie looks like this model? Or Gwyneth.

Dear me, an open letter to myself the day before another birthday

Birthday resolutions:

Remember:

1. Never to buy yarn ever again as you don't finish projects and this mission of yours to knit up whatever you want instead of buying it is not saving you any money and because handknits look good only on children and Vanessa Paradis and then it's probably not handknit by you but by Chloé/Dior designers.

2. That goes for knitting books too.

2b. Imagine if you'd bought Apple shares or Gold for the money you spent on yarn and knitting books.

2c. Counting all that yarn and needles and knitting books, you might have been able to purchase Ralph Lauren. Yes, the man, not the apparel.

3. Stop using photo-booth as a mirror when applying make-up as it's not really true to reality and does something weird with existing light conditions. Last time you did, you met up with Anders and he asked "why the theatrical make-up, are you going on stage?" and Lisa said something about "Kabuki look".

4. Keep up the running, you really like it.

5. Yes quit tight jeans, as you notice how they slow you down when playing with your kids! What kind of insane sacrifice is that? Nothing is worth that. Nothing. Plus, now that you run, you enjoy breathing even more than before. Bonus: It's free.

That's all for now. Will be back with more advice when I have some.

6. Yes, now that you're invited to a very formal affair, you may buy one gorgeous long dress.

Dear Selma

Love this picture of you. I love you.

Dear Barilla

Like you so much, treat you so well.

Dear APC

My birthday is coming up (TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH) and though I have everything anyone could need and more, I still yearn for a pair of nice boots and these would kind of do it for me. So APC, you know I've done a lot of free marketing for you and if you believe in karma and would like to return the favor, let nothing stop you!

Ps. Glad you asked, a European 37.

Dear runners

Dear runners, if you're a woman who run at a speed of 1 km at a speed of 5 -7 km/h and you run at least once a week and you have the Nike+ equipment, you might want to join us in the Berlin vs London challenge.

Businessy and sophisticated London is so far behind while bohemian Berlin is about 100 kilometers ahead. Perhaps London-runners are wearing too nice shoes to move swiftly. Who knows? Help London out!

Berlin/London

Ps. Yes it's running only. Yes you need the nike- stuff. Yes you need to mail me (emi@lovegun.net) to tell me you want in.

Go to medieval Europe in New York with me

kom hit och säg någonting!

Dear Isabel Wilkerson

So impressed by what I read about your work, looking forward to reading it.

Dear Åhlens

Dear Åhléns, my 2-year old was so happy when I brought this rainjacket home from your store. I was less happy when it looked like this after having been worn twice. Both sides were as torn.

At prices like these, I'd hoped the clothes would last a little longer.

Dear people who are interested in clothes part 2

Is this the same dress? The end consumer appreciates this bring-me-back-to-reality picture of how the dress really looks, when it's not superstyled and worn by Scarlett Johansson.