Earthly Luster

New blog up!

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 20:32:00 +0000

Hello dear blog readers! I hope you all are doing well in the new year! I have had quite a few frustrations with blogger over the years and have decided to set up a Wordpress page in stead.

From now on, all new posts will be over here. (Yes, I realize I don't have nor a header, nor a proper name for the blog. But it's all coming :) See you after the jump!

Summer snaps

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 17:55:00 +0000

From a walk with my sweet childhood friend Ingvild. Although we don't always manage solve all our life problems when we are together, each second spent together is quality time.

From my Mamas garden. I visited just in time to see the peonies bloom.

My computer is a hot mess after editing huge backlogs of photos. Time to give it a rest for tonight :)

Good times

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:20:00 +0000

This summer has been packed with highlights. We visited Thailand, partied at my cousin's Polish wedding and travelled around in Poland. I also visited a farm outside of Oslo and learned how to make Kimchi (which unfortunately gathered mold in my apartment long before it was ready to eat.) For the first time in my life, convinced by my friend Hedda, I went to a dance festival - something which was far out of my introverted comfort zone. I have finished several rolls of film this summer. My only hope now is that they survived all the x-raying at various airports during my travels.

This fall is completely lined up with new things to do. Now I am just looking for an easier way to share it all. I enjoy writing posts, but I find the process of composing posts on Blogger very slow. Which is partly why I don't do it as often. Now I am in the process of finding a better platform for a business, ideally one where it is easier to draft blog posts on the run. Any tips?

Also. Who else has a total obsession with this song?

Sunday inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 13:09:00 +0000

Some links I've liked lately

This beautiful video about farming. Makes me want to move back to the country side.

This one about seeds is equally important.

I so badly would want to join Suzie's Film Photography Retreat. It would be just the perfect way to time out. And imagine South of France in April!! Unfortunately I don't have the big finances this year to do these things. I couldn't pass on it without at least letting everyone else know it's there.

This sweet music is perfect for a Sunday morning.

All this contemplation about the "new economy" is making me a little anxious.

How are you all doing? Anyone reading blogs still?

August Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 17:59:00 +0000

As I am writing this I realize that summer will probably soon be over, although it feels like it has just started.

During first week in August I had an absolutely amazing weekend with friends at Anette's cabin (the lovely lady in blue, to the left in the last picture). Life here is just the best and I am so happy to have experienced this weekend with her, Hedda and Alex.

Weekend highlights

1. Roaming around in a tiny boat (that felt like it was barely floating since we had packed the four of us on it) on the lookout for an island to have lunch on.

2. Playing good old Super Mario until 2 AM. (Although I really do suck at it...)

3. Staying outside in the total dark, pondering about life "out in space" and trying to spot shooting stars

It must have been one of the best weekends this year.

The night before

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 20:17:00 +0000

I am having surgery tomorrow. It's actually one of those laparoscopies where they have you come in for a couple of hours, then they do their thing and then your off home even before the afternoon. Not a biggie at all! I am kind of excited and actually optimistic about it. Plus - it will be so good to have it over with.

The only thing is - I'm really not a fan of hospitals. There is just something so awkward about walking around in a place where people destinies, lifes and deaths even, have been determined. It makes my end up pondering about metaphysics and eventually getting depressed.

I am in complete awe of people who work in hospitals and feel comortable in that enviroment. Anyone else feeling me?

Life is in between the "scrums"

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 20:06:00 +0000

Sigurd just had a perfect quote for our vacation. We were snorkling on a tiny island, somewhere outside of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

"This is life. In between all the scrums. This is it."

There is no other way to say how I felt as well. We were completely immersed in the experience of exploring a small underwater world. How trivial everything else seemed at that moment. (I regretted badly that I didn't get a underwater GoPro camera for this trip.)

We met Ivo during our stay in Dubrovnik. Ivo gave us a private sailing tour, and knew about all the cool spots to see when you go sailing in Dubrovnik. He also invited us for another day of sailing to a lighthouse nearby. But because of my typical whimsiness I got our departure dates wrong and we didn't go. Argh! I'm still a little mad at myself for that. On the other hand, it's so easy to completely lose a sense of time when you are on vacation. And I guess that's the way it's supposed to be. Right?

Anyways. We did love Dubrovnik and there is no doubt that we will come back. Maybe already next year. And if you guys are thinking about a visit make sure to drop by this vegetarian restaurant that Lu so kindly recommended. Their curry banana dish is the best. And make sure to spend many evenings at one of the cliff bars.

Just checking in on a Friday night

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 18:20:00 +0000

All of sudden Friday is here again! It's the first week after a long vacation, and starting to "live as normal" is always somewhat a transition. Our two weeks spent in Dubrovnik went by like a dream. My photo above pretty much describes the atmosphere, but I still have tons of photos to edit and post for you. Meanwhile...

These are some discoveries I made recently

1. This article about the possible effect of dopamine on creativity is so interesting.
2. Does anyone of you listen to Owsey? Owsey makes dreamy mixes like this that I sometimes wish could be the soundtrack to my life.
3. Maja is finally posting again! Yay! (I've missed your posts Maja.)
4. How to prep healthy food for the whole week. I will definitely try this very soon.
5. I gave Life is Strange a try a couple of weeks ago and I am HOOKED! I assure you that I am not the typical gamer. But this game is just a piece of art in every way: a well crafted story with complex characters, beautiful themes and graphics, atmosphere and soundtrack. So despite frequent crashes because of my computer's weak performace, I launch it over and over again.

I'm heading on a cabin trip for the weekend. What have you guys been up to lately? Any exciting vacations or discoveries? I miss blogging...

A quick hello from Dubrovnik

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:17:00 +0000

Just stopping by really, really shortly with a quick hello from Dubrovnik. Today is the only day I allow myself to use my MacBook for a while. Other than that I am staying away from both my computer and smartphone as much as I can. To be honest, it has felt like a blessing to be offline for a while. My camera is, as always, with me almost everywhere.

The best things about this vacation is the utter laziness me and Sigurd have allowed ourselves. I still have to get myself used to be totally okay with just laying by the pool sipping Piña Coladas. Finally I have had the time to approach the end of this beautiful read - one that I have been delaying to finish so I can enjoy it longer.

I hope you are having a really enjoyable summer. I can't wait to catch up with you when I get back here after next week.

Anna and Hedda in Paris (a film)

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 19:36:00 +0000

Hedda is still head over heels about Paris - a love affair that started during a school semester in 2010 and which doesn't seem to ever wear off. I can't blame her. Just imagine spending Sundays at the Louvre museum, friday nights with friends by the Siene river or sipping wine under the Eiffel tower at night.

This film could also be called "Eating and Lounging in Paris" because those were the moments I remembered to capture on film. Looking at this little clip makes me dream about living and working in different cities - giving me time to infuse the spirit of a place. What a great way to never loose inspiration. Oh, maybe one day.

(My film editing skills are still very much underdeveloped, but I absolutely adore working with my Canon 5D. We are heading over to Dubrovnik tomorrow and I can't wait to film more with it.)

Music is by Keith Kenniff from the beautiful album "Branches".

A way-too-short trip to Paris

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 16:19:00 +0000

I don't know how to start describing Paris. The city is absolutely everything I have ever dreamed of. It has a truly beautiful atmosphere - full of gorgoeusly dressed people, grandiose buildings and that romantic feel to it. And that makes me (and probably almost every female in the universe) feel at home there. A funny thing is that it also feels like a mix of two cities I have lived in before - Lisbon & St. Petersburg.

I am happy that I traveled here with one of my closest friends, Hedda. She knows everything that is worth to see in this city and I couldn't have a better compangnion to explore, laugh and eat horrific ammounts of chocolate with.

Paris really exceeded all my expecations tenfold. These are just tiny glimpses of what we did during our four days. I also have a little film coming up.

Summertime!

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 13:55:00 +0000

We are visiting Sigurd's parents in the valley for the weekend. As always - it is so incredibly good to be here. We've been hiking, making salads with ingredients straight from the garden and soaking up the sun. The sunsets and mountain views are to die for.

Everyone has been complaining about this year being really cold in general. Spring was extended trough June with its chilly winds. But the temprature all of a sudden peaked last week and now we have a heatwave over us. Not that I am complaining AT ALL! (Although I'm spending the day inside with a major headace from being out in the sun all day.) Summer must be the best season to be alive.

Life lately

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 10:23:00 +0000

Me and Sigurd are home in the Valley for a couple of days. Summer is creeping upon us really, really slow this year - but we are making the most of our weekends.

Photos

1.-2. Moments from Larvik, a coastal town south of Oslo. The shrimps were fresh of the boat!
3. I adore lambs! But here they are about to loose their interest in me as they realize I'm not there to feed them. The Valley.
4. Delicious food at Trattoria Poolare in Grünerløkka.
5. Our neighboorhood. Walking past these lilacs in bloom just transports me back to fifth grade and last day of school before the summer.

I realize that these glimses are not particularly special in any way. And yet - why do I feel they're pretty awesome?

Some links that have made me emotional this last week:

1. Seeing this made me realize that there is still hope in the world.
2. If you're a designer, this will make you laugh.
3. Joanna posted this on grief on her blog. The timing of this post was so perfect, as I really needed some insight on the topic the same day she postet this. It couldn't resonnate more.

Le Bouquet

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 20:37:00 +0000

Although the temperature back in the valley is just above 17°C (60°F) I am really hopeful for the summer in my Mama's garden. What I really can't wait for is the blooming the 20 different peonies we have. Every year Mama's garden is getting bigger and the bouquets more abundant. I just really love the fact that bouquet season is upon us.

Malaga highlights

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 19:49:00 +0000

One of the last days in Malaga I realized how much I had needed the break. The last weeks before I went had just been go, go, go- rarely giving me a minute to reflect on what was going on. It was good to be away, to be inspired by a new city and get the time to photograph it.

I've realized that I do not have many photos physically anymore, and I miss that feeling of actually holding pictures. I end up spending days semi-anually where I collect all photos that I want to print, and I easily loose track of what I have printed on what I haven't. Are you guys good at printing photos, and how do you have a routine for that? I'd love it if you shared some of your tips with me!

(Last photo is taken by my mom.)

Happy weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 08:13:00 +0000

This entire week has been one of the weirdest and sadest in many years. I got some sad news on Tuesday and although I had no right to be affected by it, it did get to me, and I have been thinking a lot about life all week.

I haven't been my normal self at work and I hope this weekend will give me the chance to just be myself without trying to control my sadness and anger. I do feel things are already better this Saturday morning.

And I have still so many photos from Malaga I want to share with you! Have a lovely Saturday, darlings!

Photo is from a run me and Sigurd did a couple of weeks ago.

Maybe... One day?

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Fri, 29 May 2015 15:47:00 +0000

I this message to my friend Eden the other day:

Hey girl, I am thinking about how great it would be to take a year off from work, move to a low-cost country and learn as much design as possible. Maybe set up a business?

I know it is completely unrealistic for me to even think about taking a gap year to learn things or set up a business. I have after all studied for way too long already. But maybe there is a chance I can start a creative business one day that would enable me to be independent of a specific location. For now I have to squeeze any private project into whatever is left of my free time in the evenings and weekends so I can learn and expand my portfolio.

The ideal would of course to be able to work, get enough time to do the fun and explorative design as well as earn some money. And I am starting to think it might not be so far fetched after all.

Have you ever thought about taking a gap year to fulfill your personal goals?

(Photo from Malaga)

Old Malaga

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 28 May 2015 17:06:00 +0000

My mom has visited Malaga probably five times. I say probably, because none of has track of exactly how many times. Malaga has a little bit of everything. A cute town with a lot of historic sites all very close to each other, authentic (and inauthentic) tapas bars and a lovely beach.

On the first day we visited the Alcazaba fortress. For someone like me who adores attractions that transport you back in time, it was the perfect start of a vacation. Walking through allies of orange trees on tile floors that have been made many centuries ago really make you feel in touch with Moorish and Roman history. It was still early in the in the season so it felt like we almost had the place to ourselves.

That first evening I spent way too much time in the rose garden taken pictures. Even my poor mom, who is practically a gardener and obsesses about flowers on a daily basis, started to become a little inpatient with me.

I have a less overwhelming chunck of photos left to edit, so I hope it won't take too long before my next Malaga post. See you very soon, friends!

On photography

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Mon, 25 May 2015 19:01:00 +0000

I constantly drool over sultry photography online with incredible athmosphere, and I'm in absolute awe of those photographers that both take amazing photos, but then also transform them into pieces of art through editing.

I've have a huge pile of photos from a trip to Spain with my Mom. I have taken a lot time to make my own filters in Photoshop and it's been so much fun. I still can't help asking myself whether it's right to distort photos to look different from what the atmosphere really was - even if the effects are looking natural. For a while VSCO and Afterlight were a part of my iPhone editing flow, but I use them in moderation. So my question to you is: How do you feel about beautifying photos? And how much editing is too much for you?

My kitchen in the Saturday sun. Edited with Afterlight.

A short trip to Gdansk

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 24 May 2015 20:17:00 +0000

Some weeks ago Sigurd's parents invited us, Anders and Karin for a short trip to Gdansk in Poland. It was the best brake from a new role in a really challening project at work. We spent a lot of time at the spa and it felt as if we were eating all the time.

I just realized how great (and confusing) it was to speak Polish again. I rarely value the fact that I know so many languages. And although I learned some history while visiting Gdansk I really wish that I knew so much more about Polish history and geography. My knowledge of both areas is unfortunately scandalously low. That is part of the reason why me and Sigurd are thinking about devoting two weeks to a road trip in Eastern Europe this fall.

That being said, I have not travelled much in Norway either. I was reminded of that when I talked to my friend Olga that visited us right before we went to Gdansk. (Hmmm. What nature sites should I recommend, really? I have still not been to the major ones) Hopefully, next time when Olga comes around we will have time to explore a place in Norway together. In the meantime we are aiming at putting a lot more weekend trips to our calendars.

Sigurd's 30th birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 18:51:00 +0000

Preparing for Sigurd's suprise-dinner-party with 8 people was something entirely new for me and it felt like the ultimate housewife-test.

It was such a fun thing to execute, and although I usually get really stressed right before people show up - the evening went really great and all the preparation was totally worth it. We were a small bunch of people consisting of our family and closest friends - but it was the best evening I have had in a long time.

I love the thought of Sigurd having a great time. And when I look at the pictures of family and friends in our home (that is starting to feel more and more like a real home) I think to myself: How come I am not doing this more often?

The simplest Sunday breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 12:41:00 +0000

Happy Easter everyone! Just checking in today to share this perfect Sunday breakfast recipe that is really very simple. Sigurd makes it every other weekend, but it's also a perfect addition for an extra special Easter breakfast. ( I can't remember where we found it originally. Maybe it was Jamie Oliver?)

These are croissants with scrambled eggs, creamy goat cheese and arugula.

4 croissants
1 1/2 cup arugula
4 eggs
1/2 cup creamy goat cheese
Salt
Pepper

Beat the eggs together with salt, pepper and 2 tbs of water. Pour the mixture into a skillet heated over medium heat and stir. When the eggs are hardened lower the heat and divide the scrambled eggs into four even parts. Add teaspoons of goat cheese in every part and let it sit for a minute to melt. Cut the croissants on the sides and fill each croissant with arugula and then one part each of the scrambled egg.

There is nothing that gives me that Sunday feeling as much as eating these do! Have a lovely one!

That spring feeling

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 17:37:00 +0000

It is spring! Yes! I can almost not believe the early, light mornings and the warm sunny weather we have. I've started to feel really creative recently and I'm trying to make the most out of it.

1. Enjoing this years first tulips at Sigurd's home in the Valley.
2. My new painting project - inspired by the art and method of Sandrine Pelissier.
3. The view at Akerselva river - walking the usual detour back home from work. It's just such a great way to end the week.
4. A new discovery through Pinterest: The simplest recipe for breakfast cookies.

I feel like I am repeating myself a lot when I say I've discovered "the simplest", new recipe, but I really am a sucker for making healthy and delicious food with few ingredients in no time. These breakfast cookies with oat and cranberry were no exception. Now I only need a food processor so I can make gooides like these and these.

Healthy distance in creative work

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 18:41:00 +0000

I am constantly finding myself completely cought up in work sometimes. I really identify with the description of being a perfectionist - and as a designer you have to be, I think. I used to believe that the more you would dive into the problem you were working with and the more trial and errors you did in the creative process - the closer you would get to finding a perfect solution.

The last months have forced me to realize that it doesn't always work that way. A successful creative process calls for time to let thoughts "sit a while". It is good to take a break in order to get back to the problem with a new perspective so you can see new solutions to your problem. Genninne Zlatkis is an illustrator that I very much look up. She mention in one of her recent instagram posts that finishing up something she hadn't worked on in a long time felt like collaborating with another person's work. I believe that makes you really relflect on the creative decisions you made earlier. But I believe breaks don't have to be that long. Just some distance from what you are doing at any time, giving yourself healthy breaks, really can help. As long as it implies that you are taking complete attention away from what you are working on.

And that is easier said than done. Especially with professions like design and illustration where you always worry about the end product. Illustrator Andy J. Miller has some really interesting points about this on his podcast Creative Pep Talk (1. and 2.) Taking a step outside of the problem is a necessity for creative work.

Do you struggle with detaching yourself from what you work with sometimes? Do you have any routines for creative breaks? I'd love to hear your experiences.

// This is my first illustration for Illustration Firday that I'm posting on the blog. I am hoping to submit my next project on time!//

Lessons from 2014 - Resolutions for 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 20:38:00 +0000

Friends. I hope you have not forgotten me entirely! I have been occupying myself with design fully the last months - working with everything from good ol' graphic design all the way into the rather unfamiliar fields of filming and animation.

I realize that this blog will have to become a little more "designy" after all, becuase I do have so many thoughts on the process and so many words of wisdom that I have found from different designers - and I really want to share them with you.

I have been, in many ways, extremely lucky with my job, although graphic design is still just a fraction of what I actually do. I formally hold a position as an interaction designer. In addition I do a lot of analysis, copy writing, filming, motion graphics, branding and on top of that illustration and graphic design.

Being a jack-of-all-trades makes me realize that becoming good at them will take me a lot of time. Also there are a couple of skills I want to dive deep into and simply master. I have focused a lot on learning animation last year, but I really do feel like I need more practice with the core principles of graphic design and illustration.

In 2015 I do need to believe more in the value of the work that I do. Still there are many people that think creative professions are "these fun little hobbies" that we eventually turn into a profession, so all we do is have fun at work. Working in a tech business (or any business for that matter) a lot of your job as a designer is justifying why design decisions matter - why it's worth for a graphic designer to take the time to do a lot of research and focus on perfecting the details. And why the production takes time. Research, development of ideas and finding "it" - the design that will knock people off their socks and make them willing to pay extra for it.

Another lesson from last year was that I want to be become a better communicator. I also want to be better at saying no to jobs. It's a little hard coming in to projects with a "design-course" background and when all you want to do is prove yourself. But my work-life balance has suffered from taking on more work than I can handle, and consequentially so has my productivity at work. I am not saying "no" as a way of going easy on myself - I am saying "No" because I simply have to regain my balance.

Friends. Have you had any lessons from last year that you have turned into resolutions for this year?

(Photo from a trip to Budapest I did with Sigurd last fall + the light along Akerselva in Oslo. Isn't it gorgeous?)