letters from the end consumer

To concentrate

2012-01-30T05:23:00.000-08:00

For years, I thought concentrating meant closing your eyes and waiting to exhale.

Recipe for happiness

2012-01-30T04:26:00.000-08:00

I'm a happy person. We've been through this before. But it's true and I often get asked why I'm so happy. I TELL YOU HOW TO BE HAPPY

Surround yourself with great people

Love your job

If you don't love your job, leave your job

If you can't leave your job, find life beyond job

Dance, daily

Sing daily, especially if you believe you can't sing

Eat chocolate

Run

Take every opportunity to laugh

Limit shopping. Shopping doesn't bring the happiness. Am serious.

Have children in your life. They don't need to be your own.

MAKE SURE THE CHANNEL TO YOUR OWN INNER CHILD REMAINS WIDE OPEN! THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS OF ALL since it means you will never cease to marvel at both small and big things you see, around you, every day. Also, staying in touch with your inner child gives you permission to be ridiculous which is a great way to achieve happiness.

Find art that works for you.

Wear shoes that lets you be a person. A person who can actually walk, even run, freely.

Make peace with yourself.

That's all.

A message for Stockholm fashion week

2012-01-30T02:41:00.000-08:00

I already have what I need. Music, running gear, happiness and what you would probably call MY TRADEMARK STYLE.

I'm posting this video because my mind tells me this is not what a woman of my age and profession should be sharing and that's why it's essential to share it.

best foundation?

2012-01-30T01:13:00.001-08:00

I'm asking you! I have very thin skin. You can see the veins under my skin like violet and red highways. My skin gets red and blotchy. I need some magic foundation that takes away the highways and blotchiness but steers clear from the "I'm introducing BEIGE as new KABUKI"-color crisis.

What body part IS THAT? IS IT MY NECK?

I've never seen such an image on the internets.

you're welcome!

ps. Yes, putting needles where they belong is EASY.

Happy ghost in our kitchen

2012-01-29T04:06:00.001-08:00

Hello!

THANK YOU CHRISTER

2012-01-28T03:59:00.000-08:00

We should all be this generous. Or I guess women do this ALL THE TIME, this kind of posing, but men, you should join! Cuddly and cute wild beast appeal.

Pause Facebook

2012-01-27T02:20:00.000-08:00

Engage your brain in something worthwhile. 3 X Toni interviewed by Charlie Rose.

On running

2012-01-27T00:43:00.001-08:00

I don't currently have an office, so I work from home. It's nice but lonely. To break the monotony of such a workday, I go running, so I can come back home, refreshed and happy. I run in the snow, I don't mind, it kind of makes me feel heroic.

I love coming back home from a run, even love the running itself, at least after I've ran the first km of each run. But like most people, I don't often find myself yearning to work out. Lately, I've started to say to myself "you've got to walk the dog". That's my mind's view of my body. A demanding dog that needs to be walked, fed, petted, washed. All the time.

It works though. When you don't want to work out, remind yourself, you have to. What kind of horribly lazy dog owner would you be otherwise. Walk that animal. It needs it.

Ni är galna

2012-01-26T06:43:00.000-08:00

Om ni inte springer till detta. Mariah! Jag vet ej vad som händer på bilden nedan. Jag kan inte sluta titta på den.

Missing: staff, blondes.

2012-01-26T06:41:00.001-08:00

Egocentric Megalomaniac Take on World

2012-01-26T06:13:00.000-08:00

Confession: Whenever I see a satellite pic of our planet, my initial thought is: "I wonder what I'm doing in this picture. If you could close this pic up, real good."

Admit it, you do it too. Or will, from now on.

Ps. I don't often see individuals I'd like to look like besides Marion Cotillard, Sade, Lisa Bonet, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson, Bianca Jagger, Niki de Saint Phalle, Rosario Dawson, Eva Mendes, Ashwariya Ray, Freida Pinto, Georgia O'Keefe, Maggie Cheung, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, Giselle, Diana Agron, Rosalind Russel, Claudia Cardinale, Toni Morrison

<--INSERT MORE OR LESS ANY NAME HERE-->, but damn,how cute is this fox?

Proof of time travel

2012-01-25T02:33:00.000-08:00

My favorite daydream is time travel. My favorite superhero ability is also being able to travel through time. I keep looking for ways, signs, methods of doing the impossible.

So far, the most convincing proof of time travel I've found is Jan van Eyck's painting. How could he do this? Don't you think he traveled from a different place in time, sneaking in a camera? Zoom in on those slippers, on everything. How did he do this?

Every time I see a van Eyck, I think to myself "I love you Jan".

Ps. The same applies to Holbein, just switch Jan for Hans. Janne och Hasse, ni äger.

Ps 2. Yes, the Madonna at the fountain in post below is also by JvE. JAN VAN EYCK.

I like to think that he painted it outdoors, with the beautiful textile background mounted just so. Perhaps not supported by angels though. But who knows.

Niki says

2012-01-23T10:32:00.000-08:00

that what she loves most about me is my neck. Seeing this painting for real, in NYC, I broke down in tears because of the love loaded impact it had in real life.

I think this illustrates why Niki loves my neck. Why any child loves a parent's neck above all. It is a remnant of that early baby closeness, before there are words. We don't have that anymore, yet we kind of do. When I put her to bed, when we turn out the lights, when we lie next to each other, waiting for sleep to sail away with her, there are a few moments when the feeling is exactly this, and her little arm is slung around my neck.

To be a mother. I love it so.

OH NO!

2012-01-23T01:27:00.001-08:00

SEAL AND HEIDI SEPARATING? NO MORE OF THIS?!?! THE SADNESS!!!

Dear NATASHA

2012-01-22T12:05:00.000-08:00

I WANTED TO GO TO LONDON SO BAD.

Especially to the Leonardo with you.

But it seemed like there was no way of even making sure we'd even get to see it together?

I tried to buy tickets over eBay, but found out in time they'd be invalid.

To travel to another country for an exhibition I wasn't even sure I'd get into, it was too bleak a project.

I'll come to Paris to see you, with no kids in tow. Just have to make some money first. But I will.

Life, lately

2012-01-22T02:22:00.000-08:00

Went to Moderna Museet yesterday, with my brother and various children.

We saw this work of art:

It was called:

To which I would like to reply:

"Watching a 2-year old approach a work of art containing hundreds of loose glass bottles without interfering the highest form of art"

Not a day goes by

2012-01-22T00:40:00.001-08:00

Not a day goes by without me thinking of ways I could simply get on a plane and go to NYC to see this exhibition. I've seen many of the paintings before, in museums around Europe and the US, but to see them like this...it hurts not being able to! Must figure out a way to afford it. Or at least buy the catalogue. But it's not the same. The impact of the real painting, the layers of paint, the knowledge that this was the very canvas touched by the artist, the very painting observed and treasured for centuries can not be compared to looking at a page in a book or viewing it on your computer screen.

I'm often overwhelmed by paintings. I never know in advance when it will happen or why. And it's only sometimes that I comprehend exactly why I'm suddenly crying or laughing. My favorite experience is that of FLYING THROUGH TIME with the help of a painting, the sense of seeing what the painter saw, not necessarily with his or her eyes, but with her soul/intellect/core/insert what you think the painter is working with here. It's that experience I'm always looking for, the one that's now urging me to go to NYC.

I wrote a museum blog last year. I once wrote a post on a painting which is considered to possibly portray the young Lucrezia Borgia. This painting intrigued me so that I got all worked up about the Borgias series that turned out to be a huge disappointment to me. Why is it that historical dramas so often portray individuals who're only able to host a single emotion or ambition at any given time? And why is that one ambition/drive so often either power or carnal desire? It makes everything so flat. Where is the mockery, the everyday chitchat, the friendly banter, the self deprecating funny remarks that make up regular daily life for people all around the world now and historically?

I missed all of that in The Borgias. It didn't do anything for me beyond admiring the skills of the costume department.

I'd dreamed of seeing a portrait of the Lucrezia I see in the portrait; enigmatic, thoughtful, unattainable. What I got was a renaissance cupcake, which is not at all the actress fault, but what we've come to expect of female characters in too many series. No thanks. Perhaps I stopped viewing too early, please inform me if the portrayal of the highly intelligent, intriguing, interesting and vital Lucrezia changed over the episodes?

Yesterday I watched Hanna with Anders. I loved Tom Wrights Pride and Prejudice and am so looking forward to his Anna Karenina. Hanna was ok. but more than anything - there was my Lucrezia! So please Tom, make a Lucrezia movie, with Saoirse Ronan as the lead. It would be SO SO SO great. That's Saoirse as teenage assassin Hanna above, next to a Lucrezia fresco. And are any of you in NYC? have you been to the Renaissance Portrait Exhibition? Should I let go of everything and just go or should I simply buy the book?

curious greetings

-e

Things I can't get enough of

2012-01-20T05:17:00.000-08:00

Stockholm. I LOVE THIS TOWN. LOVE IT. EVEN AT IT'S BLEAKEST.

Having these people in my life on a DAILY BASIS.

Har också skrattat mycket åt grispaniken och risottokollapsen

2012-01-20T05:16:00.000-08:00

TACK MALIN!!!

2012-01-20T05:08:00.000-08:00

Roligaste klippen, direkt från Malins blogg.

och!

Blev så nyfiken på Mitch, var tvungen att googla honom. så tråkigt, då var han redan död.

Rolig, med bra hår.

Ska ta med den här bilden nästa gång jag går och klipper mig. Vill se ut så här. Kanske utan mustasch, men vad gör man? Närmar mig ändå mustaschålder.

Run with me and Stevie. For once in your life.

2012-01-20T05:00:00.001-08:00

Get playlist here. 34 minutes for a perfect 5k + cool off or just post-run dance.

Or just a great moment in time.

Looking for a hotel in Rome

2012-01-19T05:01:00.001-08:00

Came across this pic and I love it. Rome, you're already bringing it. Stare on, bossy cat.

What's important

2012-01-19T04:55:00.000-08:00

Build animated gif

Trees are really really really important to me. I crave trees. I need to have them close by.

Advice to young people

2012-01-17T05:21:00.001-08:00

Every now and then, young people ask me for sagely advice.

HAHAHA. No they don't, but if they did, I would tell them: PICK YOUR PARTNER WELL; so that in 15 years from now, he or she will still make you laugh.

I can't believe my luck in living such a life in luxury myself. The other day when I asked Anders how he could look exactly the way he did now as he did back in '99 when we met, he looked at me and said, in perfect a perfect Scottish accent "I am Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. I was born in 1518 in the village of Glenfinnan on the shores of Loch Shiel. And I am immortal."

I guess what I'm trying to say here is, pick a funny partner. Or at least someone who's immortal.

Ps. Or just a Scotsman.

THANK YOU JENNY

2012-01-17T03:28:00.000-08:00

For posting this on your facebook-wall.

If you want to protect your head while skydiving

2012-01-15T23:36:00.001-08:00

You can now buy a Guner Bonehead.

greetings, Guner by birth, have never understood the appeal of skydiving. More interested in Batsuit flying.

Dear Google

2012-01-15T15:11:00.001-08:00

Answer: No, I did not mean immoral women.

Ps. How come you didn't ask that when I googled "immortal men"? Your double standards infuriate me. ETERNALLY!

Ps 2. Specify immoral.

I love this gallery

2012-01-15T14:58:00.000-08:00

via hjärtasmärta: really old babies and their hidden moms

Ingen annan blogg

2012-01-15T14:32:00.000-08:00

gör sådana nerdykningar som Nuskadetbliandrabullar. Ni som älskar Fisher Price, här är Helenas present till er. Ni som inte älskar Fisher Price, varför gör ni inte det? Är det något litet fel med er? Det kanske inte är för sent att åtgärdas!

Suddenly

2012-01-14T08:15:00.001-08:00

Entertaining thoughts about last minute trips.

Your new bag?

2012-01-12T03:22:00.001-08:00

I love monkeys.

how do you like your wine?

2012-01-12T00:19:00.000-08:00

- Mrs Guner, how do you like your wine?

-Winehouse, please.

I LOVE THIS SONG. Not only do we get Amy, but we get NAS too!!!!

The stuff I don't buy on Etsy, but you could.

2012-01-11T23:46:00.000-08:00

Buy my favorites, so someone gets to wear these wonderful things!

Glöm inte

2012-01-11T22:58:00.000-08:00

DU HAR FORTFARANDE CHANSEN!!!!

What celebrity do you look like?

2012-01-11T22:45:00.001-08:00

This question comes up a lot:

"What celebrity do you look like?"

I've given it a lot of thought.

In the end can come up only with one answer: one without makeup.

What we in Sweden call sist på bollen.

2012-01-11T04:10:00.000-08:00

Lisa Lucas posted this:

Had to try it myself. Didn't do as well as four year old.

And here you go, if you've never heard of the original:

Move it

2012-01-11T00:19:00.000-08:00

2011 - looking back

2012-01-10T23:16:00.000-08:00

So 2011 was a shitty year. I look back on it like a terrible relationship. But just like you would after ending a crap romance, I find myself going "but we had some great times too".

Highlights of 2011

Going to Florence and Rome to see an amazing exhibition.

Then went to Tenerife with the family and it was warm and I've never seen the kids happier. They still talk about it.

Annika's 40th birthday party!

Lisas 40th birthday party!

Brita & Kalle's wedding!

Sarah & Jonas wedding!

Gotland!

Christina's 40th birthday party!

Mark & Karina's wedding!

Sofia singing at said wedding. In church, one of my own life's most perfect moments and I imagine it was even more blissful for the wedding couple!

Researching and writing an article for Swedish Elle. Finding Pilates through that article.

My friends hosting a surprise dinner for me because of 40th b-day!

Celebrating 10 years as a mother of world's best kids by going to Paris with the oldest one!

Lisa & Calle's halloween party!

Getting Sara and family back!

Having Petra visit us in Sweden!

Every run I've taken even when I didn't feel like it that made me feel so great afterwards.

Meeting up with my old band!

One of the best nights out with Anders we've ever had. December 16th!

Watching Elf with Anders and the kids. Such a small thing, still remembered as one of the best things of 2011.

ps. why is reading about people's happy moments so boring? These were my best times, still even I feel like yawning when reading through them. I don't understand the weirdness about happiness.

Honestly, from one end consumer

2012-01-10T23:08:00.000-08:00

I hated 2011 and in the midst of misery, did what many women (and some men) do when down - I thought perhaps luxury could help lift me out of the pain.

I'd aged rapidly from all the sorrow and thought this was the one time in life when La Mer could be justified.

So bought the expensive cream and used it and liked it.

But now, when I'm using Revitalift for a fraction of the cost, I honestly couldn't say La Mer was any better, for me.

I'd be interested to read a little pamphlet called "why I bought La Mer". Am pretty sure it would contain many many a sad story. There are many ways to find solace, if an expensive facial cream works for you, go for it. But if you can't afford it, don't cry, use a cheap alternative.

More reliable counter grief aid was found in running, pilates, friends and family. La Mer/Elizabeth Arden perhaps we'll meet again, but hope there will be no reason to.

Ps. Isn't the jar really ugly too, considering it should be such a premium product?

Ps 2. Think perhaps bought the jar because my dyslexic subconscious read it phonetically as MOMMY.

January

2012-01-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

I hear that this organization is what they in Glee call "amazeballs".

Quiz

2012-01-09T01:06:00.000-08:00

I watched a quiz show with Anders and realized how very little I know about Brussels and Belgium. It was appalling.

Also knew very little about New Delhi.

So sat down to make my own quiz, about stuff I know about.

1. What is the Swedish title of the book in which Harriet Vane returns to her old skool?

2. My youngest child refuses to wear anything but?

3. How long does it take to commute from IKEA Barkarby to Lidingö?

4. What computer do I wish would just drop down in my lap?

5. How far should I run later today?

Honeybee -about the house

2012-01-09T01:01:00.000-08:00

This is our house. The second from right. See how two out of four walls are adjacent to a neighbor? Means heat doesn't spill out into the open air. The house is very well insulated so yes, it's warm. We have a fireplace, but never make a fire, since it's so warm anyhow. But recently, a beloved friend who lives in LA came to visit and she didn't think our house was warm at all.

So to answer your question: I think both. We're warm and the house is warm. Outside, it's currently -6° Celsius. Or as we call it: PERFECT RUNNING CONDITIONS.

Young logic

2012-01-09T00:30:00.001-08:00

Me: sure you want to go ice-skating now? After all you just went to a 3-hour workout at that kids camp thing.

Joel: mom, working out makes you stronger, not weaker! Let's go skating!

Different temperatures

2012-01-08T13:57:00.001-08:00

Love

2012-01-08T13:53:00.001-08:00

My love for this person could easily melt the ice he's skating on. Had to remove myself.

And as I did, ran into this nice fellow.

Working out with Christina

2012-01-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

Today went running with this. I tell you, do this. Go running with dirrty. Ladies. Gentlemen. Just let it happen to you. Let it carry you. Give it a try. If it doesn't work for you, you can take the bus home.

Personally, I'm going to repeat the experience tomorrow.

Working out with Bob

2012-01-07T01:45:00.000-08:00

Just made a playlist that's perfect for your next 5k run. Get inspired by a legend and his athletic stance. I dressed just like bottom picture for my run last night.

But Fame costs...

2012-01-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

At what point of celebrity does posing like this seem like no big deal?

I'm going to try it now.

Looking sexy/serious/successful was the hardest part.

ps. For a minute, I thought cropping might be the clue to the other pic looking fairly ok. So I tried cropping too. Now you know what I'd look like...if I had bangs made out of real fingers!

What fame can do to hair

2012-01-06T13:43:00.000-08:00

Just tripping over loot

2012-01-06T13:42:00.001-08:00

Couldn't make it up

2012-01-06T13:39:00.001-08:00

Ahola Transport offer their services with the tagline "always there".

Finally!

2012-01-05T05:18:00.001-08:00

I've waited for this snow like an elephant mother waits for her baby (gestation: 22 months). Or like I waited for Niki (12 days overdue).

SNOW I WELCOME YOU INTO OUR LIVES AGAIN; I LOVE YOU.

My favorite quotes so far this year

2012-01-04T12:59:00.001-08:00

WE'RE TOO YOUNG TO WEAR CLUBFOOT SHOES.

-Maja.

If I'm on time these days, it's by chance. That's so not like me.

-Sara.

People who ROCK MY WORLD

2012-01-04T12:55:00.000-08:00

DR RAMIREZ; I SALUTE YOU! I don't know much about you, but I would love to see the upcoming show. Will see how that works out. At least when you google yourself, know that thre is at least one person in Sweden dying to see your show.

Winter running into her summer self

2012-01-03T05:37:00.000-08:00

End the year by running with me

2011-12-31T01:23:00.000-08:00

Have updated my playlist again, added seasonal favorites and some other tunes.

And yes, Kelis' Millionaire is supposed to be there 3 times. It's that good to run to.

You might end up running and singing like I often do.

Pick it up here, and if you're in Sweden today, don't forget to put on your woolen butt warmers!

Learn something new (yet very old) today

2011-12-27T13:38:00.000-08:00

I was looking around for a possible connection between testicles and testament and it was easy to find.

Am I an owl or Elton John?

2011-12-26T15:44:00.000-08:00

I DON*T KNOW.

Year after year

2011-12-26T15:43:00.000-08:00

GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS: DELIVERS.

Dear Santa

2011-12-26T15:40:00.000-08:00

Know what I was thinking of when I was preparing the tree, wrapping gifts, cleaning, setting everything up for Christmas? "Why am I doing this? The one who'll be getting all the credit in the end is still an old white male. LIKE ALWAYS.". And if I was to say this, say "I made Christmas happen at our house" it would be awful to...THE CHILDREN. Not just mine but the children of the world.

New office:FOUND

2011-12-26T15:39:00.001-08:00

Now just need permission to move in there, likely from the prime minister or king or Skansen CEO.

What to do with time off

2011-12-26T15:32:00.000-08:00

I've spent HOURS trying to find the picture of my oldest child when she was the same age as my youngest is now, peeking out of this same gnome setup at Skansen. FAILED.
One life to live.

Ps. Gnome. That was the word that solved it. But now that I've found it, see that it was me, not my child, who went all out for gnome appeal.

Dear Kate Spade

2011-12-26T15:02:00.000-08:00

At your site, I read "New Year, New Wardrobe", HAHAHAHAHA. I don't think so. Not even New Decade, New Wardrobe.

Not even New MILLENIUM, NEW WARDROBE.

HAHAHAHA. New Year, New Wardrobe. HAHAHAHAHA.

Ps. I read famous style icon Loulou De La Falaise's (Full name: Louise Vava Lucia Henriette le Bailly de la Falaise) obituary not too long ago. I loved her saying this: "I am the worst sales person in the world. I always end up telling people, 'You don't need anything'".

Just reading that made me want to go to her store.

Protesting against global warming

2011-12-23T07:10:00.001-08:00

And the very weak efforts to stop it. Pic from SUPERMILJÖBLOGGEN.

Life lately

2011-12-23T06:52:00.000-08:00

This week we....

Bought a Christmas tree.

Were told we were ruining the Christmas spirit because of abysmal size of tree.

Caved in. Next year will buy plastic tree, which weirdly seems like a more environmentally friendly option? Is it? Is it not? Thoughts?

Danced at the local pizzeria, after last day of school. Thank you Spotify, for making us able to host a disco through the phone, anywhere, anytime.

Enjoyed Vanja and Ella's birthday party at the local bathhouse. Here, too, disco.

Found this for all of us middleaged suburban moms who like to run with Snoop

2011-12-23T02:41:00.000-08:00

I think this is kind of what I was looking for. Will put together a running list of the suggested tunes and some other songs I've found. Below, a last greeting from this office , am moving out. So next time I blog from the office, it will be from... I don't know yet!

Season's greetings to YOU from ME!

(dancing to my little mama trippin on christmas)

Jul-SMS.

2011-12-23T02:37:00.000-08:00

WANTED! BEST CHRISTMAS RUNNING TUNES

2011-12-21T10:54:00.000-08:00

I'm putting together a running list for the very few days remaining of 2011.

So far, I've only got TWO songs!

Obviously, I need help.

1. CHRISTMAS IN HARLEM. I love this song so much I want to eat it.

Bonus: It helps you remember the names of all Santa's reindeer and really poor yuletide jokes (she say's it's deericious")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq1POyzBNF0&feature=related

2. Mariah Carey's ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.

Need more tunes like this. Hit me.

Önskar jag hade skrivit den här låttexten, men det är Monica

2011-12-20T05:37:00.000-08:00

Från Femmes Piccadolls hit "Kättaren".

OM MAN VAR LITE AV REBELL; DÅ TÄNDES DET BÅÅÅÅL!!!!

Have always had the same humor.

2011-12-19T23:46:00.000-08:00

Made this poster for our band, Les Femmes Piccadolls, in my teens.

Have always had the same humor.

2011-12-19T06:30:00.000-08:00

Made this pic back in 1996.

Christmas came early!

2011-12-19T04:14:00.000-08:00

This wonderful book arrived in the mail today! SO HAPPY ABOUT THAT! It was really expensive but cheaper than a trip to New York to see the exhibition with the same name at the Morgan and easier than time travel which would have been needed at this point in time, since the exhibition closed in September. What a book. Amazing.

More weekend in pictures

2011-12-19T00:31:00.000-08:00

Went to Nationalmuseum, saw this lovely painting of Russian monks befriending a fox. Russian was spoken all around me at the exhibition. The sounds and sights of Russia, in the comfort of my own home town! A cheap way to travel. The painting made me think of the close relationship between man and animals. Also: yogurt.

Went running. Conditions were crap. But in the end the run had the usual effect on me, making me feel...magnificent.

After running for half an hour in December rain, I was so hot I was positively steaming, causing my glasses to mist over. Might have to consider contacts again. How do you solve this problem, bespectacled winter runners?

The weekend in pictures

2011-12-19T00:23:00.000-08:00

Found this old pic from my childhood. love it.

Brought out the creche in time for Christmas. Over the years, Jesus' little "bed" has disappeared, so we've made a new one. Think he likes The China Club? Sorry about the arm, baby Jesus!

We've worked out.

Called higher powers.

Considered the fact that during the weeks, I never see my children in daylight.

More on grief

2011-12-19T00:04:00.000-08:00

Isn't it ridiculous how grief trumps all other emotions? A friend I miss so much would have turned 39 today. I lit candles this morning, thinking of her and tears welled up, again. In some respect I guess it's nice that the feelings are still in place, not much weakened after so many years.

But at the same time, why shouldn't there be room enough for the other emotions too, like the joy, happiness, giddiness and willingness to tease and mock and laugh that comes with any close friendship?

Instead, just this trumping feeling of sadness, loss and love. Not fair.

I will try to think of you with joy today on your birthday, but fuck, the tears have their own mindset.

Dear Zara

2011-12-15T13:17:00.000-08:00

So many of you thought this was a good idea. The model booker, the stylist, the photographer, the model agent, the people at Zara's HQ, the people at Zara's web place and so forth and so on.

Well, you know what?

This end consumer hates you for thinking this is the kind of ideal you think best serves your consumers.

Go ahead, click that image and take a closer look.

A few words on grief

2011-12-15T04:51:00.000-08:00

I hate 2011. It's easily been one of the worst years of my life. Reading this blog, you probably couldn't tell this year's been hell as I don't blog grief and sadness. I don't mind people who do, it's just not for me. Last week I was at a dinner party where we talked about 2011 and our hopes for 2012. I'd barely begun talking about 2011 when I broke down crying like,

like I don't know, I'm trying to remember someone in a film bawling like that. Toni Collette perhaps? Meryl Streep? Julianne Moore?

I lost it. And I carry all that grief around every day, it's not over yet.

The one thing that's really helped with the grief and sadness (besides family and friends) has been going to Pilates. Twice a week. At 8 in the morning. I love it.

I used to think buying things made me happier, but then I noticed that it was the buying, not the owning that seemed to do it for me and how ridiculous is that? Consumerism at its most laughable state. So then proceeded to buy stuff, only to return the items and that worked until...I didn't have the money or credit even to purchase and return stuff.

So these days I just try stuff on now, get my luxury fix, then walk out the store. It's almost the same. Almost. Kid you not. Bonus: You'll never have to beat your self up over wearing this while eating a hotdog, burger, falafel or other food likely to spoil whatever you're wearing.

Dress from ACNE, 2995 SEK. Or zero cost if you simply put it on, take it off and walk away.

2011-12-14T04:14:00.000-08:00

Fick denna hyllning idag, så härligt. Det hon gillar mest med mig är...MIN HALS. Tar gärna emot fler hyllningar, känner mig öppen för att bli hyllad idag. Om du själv är i behov av hyllning, berätta för mig så kan jag ordna det!

Best listening tip while cleaning or cooking for the holidays

2011-12-14T02:08:00.000-08:00

10 years of motherhood

2011-12-14T01:42:00.000-08:00

We might have changed our looks, but the love is the same. I remember almost exploding from love and tenderness and worry for my tiny firstborn child (just 2660 g at birth).

Ps. I wore that coat in top pic yesterday! So perhaps haven't changed looks so much, aside from...that look that young skin has, like newly washed linen stretched all tight over a newly made bed. Or who am I kidding, I look different, older, care less than I thought I would.

Celebrating with this!

Videobloggandet fortsätter

2011-12-14T00:46:00.000-08:00

Hemma med barn som kräktes igår. Dock ej pga virus visade det sig, utan pga överdos av pepparkakor på Luciafirandet.

Barnet påstår sig dock vara sjukt, i ansiktet, och yrkar på tillkallande av ambulans. Se den rafflande vittnesbörden ovan.

Season's greetings

2011-12-13T05:37:00.000-08:00

11-12-13-14.15

2011-12-13T05:15:00.000-08:00

Very important moment in time! This picture was taken at exactly 14.15 dec 13, 2011. 1112131415. You can tell by all of us making the international sign for watch and time.

More pics

2011-12-13T05:07:00.000-08:00

Ha ha, horses!

Ever wonder where all those socks go? Vanja probably has yours too.

We don't let odd socks go to waste!

Summer hunger is demanding!

Don't mess with sleeping toddlers. Might backfire.

Look what I found going through old pics

2011-12-13T04:18:00.000-08:00

She came in peace.

Great thing about being gap toothed, carrot doesn't get stuck between teeth.

I know I'm partial and that all children of the world are beautiful but...CAN YOU GET ANY CUTER?

They look like they're somebody else's kids here. Someone in Cali.

Aren't you jealous I get to hang out with this person EVERY DAY????

Living cheap

2011-12-13T03:33:00.000-08:00

Today, dressed in Cilla Jackert's old maternity sweater, Levi's CurveId and wonderful socks, gift from Maja, Lisa and Sara when they came for dinner. It said on the tag they were handknit by OLD WOMEN. A quality standard I appreciate.

From us to you.

2011-12-12T13:44:00.000-08:00

Merry!

Putting these two pics here for easy reference next time I'm invited to posh event

2011-12-12T02:59:00.001-08:00

yes, am accepting invitations for posh events NOW.

thank you!

also please tell me if you see anything remotely reminiscent of these outfits. I love them. Sexy yet DEMURE.

The last chance of your lifetime

2011-12-12T02:17:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but the way we write dates here...tomorrow is 11-12-13! That's the last time in our lifetime we'll get to experience such a neat (not saying this like Kevin Costner) row of numbers. Let's enjoy it. Next chance will be the next century and as much as I'll run and eat healthy I think prospects are bleak of reaching 140.

ps. Of course, there is always the Muslim world and the Jewish world and other worlds with other ways of counting time than the potential birth year of Jesus Christ.

Christmas gift tip of the day for tomorrow

2011-12-11T13:50:00.001-08:00

Stylish AND handy when you want to learn braille.

Christmas gift tip of the day

2011-12-11T13:46:00.001-08:00

OMHU walking cane. Seriously, who wouldn't want one?

More from the commune

2011-12-11T13:21:00.000-08:00

Playing Scrabble with Hanna. Just wish she was here with us. A recurring wish. Everyday wish.

The inspiration

2011-12-11T13:19:00.000-08:00

I loved growing up with these 3. Mom, dad, me and Björn in 1973, at the commune.

Today is apparently a "women I love" day

2011-12-11T12:29:00.000-08:00

This is Tullia. She has always been a person I've loved. She's one of the women at the commune where I went every summer, growing up.

Tullia - always laughing, smoking, sharp as a whip, mad about food, passionate, well-read, well-traveled, in love with both her family, friends and career. People listen when she speaks.

The commune was/is filled with women like that. The best role models I've ever seen. Complex, interesting women.

I don't care what colors my kids wear, if they do or don't wear pink. I don't care if they play or not play with Barbies. I would like my daycare and school to have more male staff members, but what's really important to me is to fill my children's life with people like Tullia and the others at the commune.

They were architects, doctors, authors, managers, psychoanalysts, psychiatrists and one was a seamstress who then became a minister. I grew up believing I could become anything I wanted to. Because people like Tullia made me feel it was true.

The men weren't so bad either.

Fyra år!

2011-12-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

Så mycket kärlek på samma dag

2011-12-11T12:14:00.001-08:00

GRÖNT bälte!

Petra!

2011-12-11T12:01:00.001-08:00

Ännu en kvinna att älska!

Mamma

2011-12-11T11:39:00.001-08:00

Älskar denna människa så mycket.

Ms Parisadent

2011-12-09T04:27:00.000-08:00

Jag tänker ibland på den tornado av talang och ambition som är Parisa och slutar alltid med slutklämmen: Hoppas jag får leva till den dag hon blir vår statsminister.

Christmas gift tip of the day

2011-12-09T03:50:00.000-08:00

Oh what a day! My computer broke down, she's from 2006 so she's like 100 years old if you translate her computer years to human age. She's tired. I tried to fix her by unscrewing all those tiny screws to take a look inside, perhaps there was some clogging in her heart? That didn't help either.

Now typing on other broken Mac, that would be more expensive to fix than to buy new.

That's OK! Life is not perfect.

Unless....you have year passes to a museum! I love year passes. They make me go more often, and they grant me a feeling of LUXURY! PLUS, They're Good For An Entire Year! Such a great gift. Give one to yourself as well.