Congratulations Finland

You have the best spelling so far.

Dear readers who'd like to have some medieval quarreling for a light snack

Help yourselves here.

Dear Marc Jacobs

Dear Marc, it's been a while, but the other day I saw these shoes and thought of you. I really like them and if I had other feet, another budget and another life, I would definitely buy them.

I kind of feel like this when I see them and hope that would be the reaction I would get from people seeing me wearing them:

Dear feet

Yesterday was a good day for running.

This is what the trees looked like.

And I guess this is what I looked like, to the trees.

Wild horses couldn't stop me. Not domesticated either.

Sorry you might loose the big toe toenails as a result of yesterday's running.

I think it was worth it.

It was also the perfect ending to those shoes, who've carried me miles and miles and miles until today they gave in (ripped open along the side of right foot). Ah the memories.

If you know a 2 or 3,4 or 5-year old

Get this. I love this. Never tire of reading it. "He throws sand!"

Might actually work to read at any age.

Dear 3-year old

You never miss a chance to pick a fight!

You:Mom, what time is it?

Me: Almost 5.

You: That's so unfair!

Why do I live in Sweden?

Tomi Ungerer, Chronicler of the Absurd

Today is

Invoicing day! I love my stationary! Both the kind I had before, designed by Sarah Sheppard, and this new one, by Lotta Kuhlhorn.

Today's links

I think you'll like Heidi.

Through Heidi also found Bloguerrotypes.

Dear people who're looking for a visual definition of "pleased"

Earlier today, I read that Jon Stewart proposed to his wife Tracey with the help of a customized crossword constructed by NYT's crossword maven (that word can be used for anything!)Will Shortz. No wonder she looks so happy in pics.

Dear weeds

You're so doomed.

Ps. My dad saw top pic and sent me the pic below. Joel is always prepared for whatever. Like my cooking?

Dear readers

I realized I rarely share pictures from my work life with you. So I decided to change that.
Here are two pics from recent assignments.

Just another day at work.

Just another day at work, II.

Dear Nas, Damian

Thank you for making this song, a top pick among working middle aged Swedish suburban moms. As I listen to it, I know we'll just have to keep working though the last few days before vacation starts.

I'll post a video later of Niki, marching on. That's the feeling I get here. Marching on. In peace. But marching.

Dear food eaters

Do you have this conversation at your home too?

Anders: If there was a pill you could take and be full instead of eating, you would totally take it!

Me: You say it like it's a bad thing. But yes! I would.

Dear Lisa

Miss you. Love you always.

Dear people who wonder about having 3 kids

People often ask me - 3 kids, isn't that a lot of work?

My reply is this: Not much more than having 2, but 3 involves a whole new set of logistics.

Resulting in situations like my undignified ride this morning.

Dear nas

Man, I LOVE THIS SONG

Musik that makes me want to go running

Kanye West – Flashing Lights
Shakira – Rabiosa (Featuring Pitbull)
JAY-Z – Empire State Of Mind [Jay-Z + Alicia Keys] - Explicit Album Version
Tweet – Boogie 2Nite
Britney Spears featuring Madonna – Me Against the Music - LP Version/Video Mix
Rihanna – Only Girl (In The World) - Extended Club
Lady Gaga – Telephone
Alicia Keys Featuring Beyoncé Knowles – Put It In A Love Song
OutKast – Hey Ya! - Radio Mix/Club Mix
Britney Spears – Gimme More
Robyn – Dancing On My Own
Lauryn Hill – Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
A Tribe Called Quest – Luck Of Lucien
Ahmad Lewis – Back In The Day (Re-Recorded / Remastered)
– Kanye West Feat. CyHi Da Prynce - Christmas In Harlem
Shareefa – Need A Boss
Eric Amarillo – Om sanningen ska fram ( Vill du ligga med mig?) (Clubedit Radio)
Nas – Can't Forget About You

The weekend in pictures

Friday: Saw Maja and John.

Saturday: Went to the library.

Encouraged speeding.

Had dinner at Malin & Stephan's.

Sunday: Made chocolate cake.

Made plans to go running. Made even more excuses not to.

Said to hell with excuses. Did not regret it. Best part of running: "Need a Boss" with Shareefa & Ludacris. And "Back in the day" with Ahmad Lewis.

And because we currently have no bathroom, took the kids and myself for shower/bath at my parents' house.

Then, as you know, read up on venetian hair dye. Now couch with Lynn Barber.

If you too love the vanity of ancient times

Indulge here. Thanks Medievalists.net

Try this at home

Lately, when the kids have been bored on public transportation, we've played brain workout. I say a word backwards and they have to figure out which word it is without writing it down, just listening to it and twisting it around in their heads.

The longer the word, the bigger their smiles when they nail it.

namredipS

Ps. Unexpected bonus - makes your own brain work too, as you're turning the words backwards for kids. Or other bored commuters of choice.

Dear summer break, see you Friday!

Dear GOlite

Dear GoLite, getting a man who is 200% likely to be less financially stable than you to pedal you around does not count as "doing more for less" for me.

If you'd done it the other way around - her biking him and a bunch of kids or other people around, I'd be more impressed. This just feels colonial to me.

Dear Rebecca Odes, thank you!

(no, I know! But no, this is not Rob Pattinson)
Thank you for today's second link suggestion:

My daguerrotype boyfriend.

More Rebecca here.

And if you're pregnant, or know someone who is, get this:

Dear photograph, love your site

A site with old photographs shot once again, against the background of their original setting. Such a great idea.

Etsy love

Saw this dress on Etsy (Dear Golden's shop), couldn't stop thinking about it.

So ended up buying it. LOVE IT SO MUCH. I would love to know more about it. Where did it use to live? Who did it dance with? What parties did it attend? Was it custom made? I think it was. There are no labels.

I only know this: the previous owner must not have worked hard on arm strength, had to let the sleeves out. Some lily armed person wore this before me. Who was she? I'll never know.

Dear thieves

Is my strategy working? Putting a face (or rather two) before you, to let you see who the victim of your theft would be? Or do you not care so much?

Ps. Swimming in outdoor olympic sized pool - fantastic!

Ps 2. Bonus effect of crime prevention, suddenly finding my locker post-workout is super easy.

Dear Adidas

Dear Adidas, if I'd had more money, those shoes would be mine.

Feeling dizzy after having seen them, accidentally snapping a pic mirroring my soul.

Dear Getty! Dear Morgan Library!

Seems like I must must must go to the states this summer! How should I afford it? On the other hand, how could I miss these two WONDERFUL EXHIBITIONS?!?!?!?!?!

At the Morgan (225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, NY; NY):

Illuminating Fashion: Dress in the Art of Medieval France and the Netherlands

At the Getty Center in LA: Fashion in the Middle Ages

Must perhaps go for the cheaper albeit not cheap alternative: Buying the books.

Dagens genitips 3

Veronica Lakes och Nastassja Kinskis lovechild Sarah Sheppard har ny bok ute nu! Med Martin Widmark. Och musik av Lana Brunell! KÖP! Eller låna!

Daily genius tip 2

Thinking of Petra and School on Wheels.

daily reminiscence

For years, this was my favorite docu, it was the first thing I had my parents tape for me on VHS. I've lost that tape, now trying to find the dvd. Do you share the love? SHARE THE LOVE!

Update. Found it! GET IT HERE!!!!

Dagens genitips: Cilla Jackert

Intervju med geniala, roliga Cilla Jackert här.

Svaleskär på Play här.

Ps. Fatta att jag senast i morse fick pilata med henne!

On liars.

Am currently reading An education by Lynn Barber. I think you'd like reading Lynn too. She's never eager to please.

She tells her own story of how she fell in love/a relationship with a man who turned out to be a compulsive liar/con man.

Later the same day, I listened to this - a whole radio show on liars and trust.

Lies. They're so interesting.

Breakfast conversation

Me: So what should I wear to the party tonight do you think? This aqua jumpsuit with orange platforms or this 50s dress with red shoes or perhaps this long yellow skirt? Or perhaps this striped pink and white wrap-dress?

Anders: Hmmm. I think you should just let your hair down and it doesn't matter.

Me: Men!!!!

Anders: Yup. We're really that simple.

ps. going with aqua and orange platforms.
ps 2. why would I already wear this at breakfast? because I'm a mom! today's logistics involves packing lunch, biking to the pool with kids, perhaps going for a run while there and anders is back from his run, then biking home while anders takes the kids to his mom's then going to the party. this leaves no time in afternoon for trying out clothes. everything needs to be set by 10.30.

Dear art lovers

Seriously! Tears are building up from the joy/excitement of this. Might have to buy it for my birthday!

Dear Swedish Hasbeens

Thank you for including these shoes (which I've eyed since, like, forever) in your garage sale. I'm wearing them today and as a result received the weirdest pick-up line, if that's what it was which didn't seem plausible until he finished his last line with a big laugh in a situation that called for no laughing at all. Judge for yourselves.

Man in parked car, rolling down his window as I'm about to pass on street: Eh, do you know what time it is?

Me: well sure, it's about 9.15

Him: Just kidding!

Two kids on a swing - a recurring theme

I think this was in 2009

Now it's 2011. Same kids, same swing. Just time doing its thing to these people.

Stay tuned for the sequel!

Dear daycare

This time of year, the path to you is so pretty.