S t y l e B a s h

Checked Shirt

2013-01-17T09:19:00.000+08:00

Shirt: Uniqlo, Shanghai
Faux Leather Trousers: Top Shop, Reykjavik
Ankle Boots: Top Shop, Reykjavik

So I finally jumped on the Checked Shirt bandwagon few weeks ago when I found this one on the Uniqlo SALE. I think it was because of how dark and less elaborate the pattern is compared to the average checked pattern (I am more of a monochromatic type). Anyway I have been wearing it more or less since. It´s very comfortable and warm (very needed these days) and fits with everything hence perfect for my travel wardrobe.

Head to the next Uniqlo Outlet where you find this one and many more

Alternative

Or this one from Tommy Hilfiger available at Asos.com

Tokyo by Night

2013-01-15T17:34:00.000+08:00

The last City I visited in 2012 was Tokyo and what a great ending to an adventurous travel year. This city is amazing, so dazzling, modern, clean, fashionable, crowded yet efficient and disciplined. The people are so gracious and polite that you almost forget the downside of it, how insanely price everything is.

On of the highlights for me was when I saw a scramble crossing for the first time (the world busiest in Shibuya seen on the first photo) I was blown away, what a beautiful sight. When the light hits green hundreds of people start to walk in all directions weaving together in a huge organic mass and then the light hits red and everyone stops (people follow the traffic rules here unlike Shanghai where they are irrelevant) it´s like watching a huge well organized flash mob.

Did I mention the food is great and the shopping options are endless. I definatly recommend a visit to this fantastic city, I am going again. Stay tuned for the Tokyo by Day post.

Layered Yogurt

2013-01-13T12:02:00.000+08:00

So this is how it is done, not that you didn´t know, but it´s such a photogenic and pretty recipe (if you can call it one) that it deserved to be here. I used Yogurt, Muesli, Strawberries and Blueberry Jam. First Muesli, than Yogurt, then Jam than Yogurt then more Muesli and final layer of Yogurt and topped with Strawberries.

As I have mentioned before I am not much of a chef and I am very superficial when it comes to preparing food. For example when I do Sushi it´s all about the final look (it´s a good thing that Sushi making is most of the time a group thing) and then you just use enough soya sauce if the taste doesn´t follow up to the promising look. This is something I should do more of, good looking recipes. The final look will drive me trough the process of making it.

PhotoDiary//Europe

2013-01-11T21:28:00.001+08:00

Europe August 2012

1. Camden Town, London 2. Bar Fly, London. Basic Outfit: Leather Jacket, Jeans and IM Sneakers 3. Chocolate Delicatessen in London 4. Summer day in France. Shorts and Converse 5. Stanislas Square, Nancy, France 6. Olympics 2012, London 7. City hall buildings don´t get much prettier than this, Nancy, France 8. In French: Kir, in English: White wine with syrup 9. Ribbed Jeans and Armswag.

Gifts

2013-01-09T15:28:00.000+08:00

These are the highlights of what was under the Christmas tree signed to me this (well last) year. The perfect Black Ankle Boots from my better half and a Classic Leather Shoulder Bag with a twist from the Santa Claus (he found it on sale and couldn´t resist). Already been sporting the bag few times but taking the shoes out for a test drive tonight.

Buy the ZARA boots here

Have a look at this ASOBIO bag and more here

HomeLand

2013-01-05T16:24:00.001+08:00

B&W pictures are from Vouge Italia Editorial with Claire Danes from Okt 2009

I had forgotten all about the stunning actress Claire Danes until two days ago when when I was tipped about this new TV series called Homeland she stars in. I decided to check it out and now two days later I have watched the first fourteen episodes! Yes I know this got a little bit out of hand but I just cant stop! Claire Danes is amazingly good plus the rest of the cast and the plot is so twisty that you can't help but get sucked in. The story is also so immediately relevant to what's happening in the world today which makes it so interesting.

I think I have ten episodes left to watch (they have made two series so far) and honestly I wish I was just done with them so I could start doing something else, for example studying for my final exams that are coming up in two days! Actually unless you need some time to kill or have nothing special coming up I don't recommend you start since it´s seriously addictive.

Besides being so talented, with this great hair and looks I have always though Claire Danes has the perfect chest. Well now you know that, although I don´t have much, breast enlargement is not on my to do list.

You can check out the Homeland serie here

PhotoDiary

2013-01-02T14:47:00.001+08:00

July 2012

1. Next door Game Arcade 2. Summer outfit, River Island Jean Shorts, ZARA T-shirt and White Converse 3. Surfing and Sailing at the man made Dishui lake, Shanghai 4. Mr P doing the Dressman 5. Donghua University Textile Museum 6. T-shirt C&A, Jeans Urban outfitters and these black pumps 7. 40°C outside, so good to dive in 8. Office look for my first and last casting ever. 9. Midweek Clubbing.

White Wedges

2012-12-28T19:16:00.000+08:00

Found these beauties in H&M last week for only ¥150/$24 thank you very much. Fell instantly in love with them, defiantly with a good help from one of my favourite instagramer @camtyox which has been looking very good in similar ones from Mango lately. @camtyox or Camille Charriere has a great blog on Camille over the rainbow where she uses her heritage to the fullest (she is half-French half-British) with her amazing laid back chic style and great writing skills in her excellent English.

Camille Charriere / www.camilleovertherainbow.com

Greeting Card

2012-12-26T00:48:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas
This years colourful and tacky Greeting Card. Just like they are supposed to be

雁荡山 Yandangshan

2012-12-24T23:59:00.001+08:00

雁荡山 or Yandangshan or Geese Lake Mountain is located in Yueqing province in China. It takes five hours to get there by train from Shanghai but even for a just a night over stop it's definatly worth the trip. The nature is amazing with it´s spiked cliffs and peaks, steep hills and luxurious hills and since being quite a popular tourist place among the Chinese everything is quite assessable (if you don't dwell to much on the security). We found out in this trip that being Chinese also means that you are fearless (experiencing Shanghai traffic first hand already gave us some idea) Walking over (shaking and hanging off) Indiana Jones styled bridges comes as natural to them as walking in the mall.

PhotoDiary

2012-12-21T22:41:00.003+08:00

June 2012

1. Ribbed (homemade) Jeans ZARA / Top H&M / These Converse 2. Shanghai´s famous Skyline. 3. H&M Playsuit / Gina tricot Jacket / These Converse. 4. Pedicure at the all Pink Salon. 5. C&A Shirt and new haircut 6. The noisy but minimal living room Clock and Friday flowers 7. Vera Moda Sheer top / Zara Ribbed jeans, read about this outfit here. 8. 2x lipsticks and nail polish for $8 Score! 9. Faux Leather Jacket from Star Place / Lindex Dress.

Hunter Boots

2012-12-18T22:32:00.001+08:00

Scarf: Primark, London
Army Jacket: H&M, London
Jean Shirt: Gina Tricot, Oslo
Shorts: River Island, London
Bag: Pearl Market, Beijing
Boots: Fenshine Plaza, Shanghai

My excuse for being three years late with the Hunter wellington boots post is that I have never lived in a city before where it pours rain. My plan was to get the olive green ones like I talked about here but for some strange reason the fake market didn´t have them in stock. I am currently overusing them (rain or no rain, bit embarrassing) and that only means one thing, I desperately need new no rain boots. Yes!

Buy navy blue Hunter boots here

Festive

2012-12-15T22:47:00.004+08:00

Found these beautiful hand painted Chinese Christmas balls (one red, one white) at the fake market the other day and the colour palette of this years decoration was instantly decided. Buying Christmas ornaments here in Shanghai is like nothing I have ever experienced (that being said my experience until now has been in Ikea, Iceland). Despite China being a country that doesn´t celebrate Christmas there are markets and shops stuffed with ornaments in every colour, shape and size imaginable.
There was though one favorite ornament of mine I couldn´t find, the English Quality Street chocolate. To substitue for that I found these colourful pieces of chocolate below and the good thing about them is that unlike the good on the outside and inside Quality Street these taste awfully and will therefore (must likely) be left alone until next year.

PhotoDiary

2012-12-13T21:39:00.001+08:00

May 2012

1. Black and blue, see details here 2. My busy street corner, Xujiahui, Shanghai 3. The very appreciated handsome handyman 4. Trying out the backyard swimming pool, NICE! 5. The must have new Shoe Cabinet provided by IKEA 6. Plastic Chanel´s 7. TGIF after school Margarita 8. Favourite Coffee Shop @Jiashan Market, Shanghai 9. Finally found the perfect ribbed jeans, ZARA

The Like

2012-12-11T21:04:00.000+08:00

I wonder how long before our computers will be equipped with the Like button.

Like is a virtual compliment and we all love to get compliments so I guess (trying) to get them is the main reasons we engage in this public boasting that sharing on the Internet often is. We thrive on the likes and feedback and that someone acknowledges our thoughts, work and our way of living.

People behave differently in the liking conduct. Some like everything, some never like, some only like things they really like and some only like acts of selected people.

My like manners are following
On Facebook I tend to like everything (except things I don´t like, like to much bragging and self admiring) The excessive likeing is to show people that I was there and I saw their posts, that I am not spying (yes I am seeing a psychologist).

On Instagram my like behaviour is different, I like pictures that are good and great, for the other pictures that are worth acknowledging (funny, interesting, cute moments) but aren´t that good pictures in itself I leave a mark.

Like is not just a like and like from one person is not the same as a like from another person. That is if your as anal as me.

Céline Bag

2012-12-09T19:06:00.002+08:00

Love love love my new Céline Bag. It is the perfect design, beautiful to look at and very functional, you can actually find stuff in it hence the big opening. No wonder every fashion lover has at least one. The fact that it also has a face (eyes, mouth, chin and ears if you look carefully) makes it just irresistible.

Alternative

You can buy one here in your favourite colour for $388

Celine Boston Bag Luggage Phantom

Photo Diary

2012-12-07T16:08:00.000+08:00

May 2012

1. Army Jacket, H&M 2. The Mr and Mrs bikes 3. Dress, H&M 4. The day after the moving in party. It was totally worth it! 5. Party Outfit surprisingly from H&M 6. Street decoration, traditional Chinese lamps 7. Sweater, H&M / Shirt, Cubus / Trousers: Noname / Shoes: River Island 8. Amber Lounge, Shanghai. 9. Beautiful Bucket from a Friend.

Headphones

2012-12-02T20:08:00.002+08:00

Taylor Rose Gold Headphones

These stunning headphones are from Frends, a brand that makes beautiful collection of headphones and earbuds. I absolutely love their design and would love to have a pair. They are though as expensive as they look, $199, so unless they have a lifetime guarantee and come in a bullet proof case ( I have actually heard that the case is pretty impressive as well) I should try to forget them since I have a bad reputation of shattering headphones. If you don´t and can afford them you can buy them here Bestbuy.com

Alternative

Metallic Retro Headphones

These black and gold headphones are from BCBGMAXARIA are a little bit more affordable, or $48, and for that price they are almost, yes almost as good. Buy them here

White Shirt

2012-11-30T19:36:00.002+08:00

Yesterday I experinced being fully alone in the fitting room in H&M! It was a special moment and I enjoyed it very much being there by myself and walking around in my potential new buy. The potential buy of course changed in to an actual buy: White basic sheer shirt 50% off for 100¥/$16. Bargain


Instagram: @OfValab

PhotoDiary

2012-11-28T21:11:00.000+08:00

April 2012

1. Contemporary Glass Art: Liuli China museum, Taikang Road, Shanghai 2. New Plant for the Livingroom 3. Beautiful Big Butterfly 4. Black Shirt: see here / Shorts: H&M 5. Mr P aka Batman 6. Hat, vintage / Blazer: Zara/ LeatherShorts: Asobio / Ankle Boots: see here 7. Routine Manicure 8. Proper French Dinner Party, cheese, redwine and Perrier 9. One of the many brilliant things about Shanghai: Haircut for 50Yuan/$8!

The Rocket Man

2012-11-25T17:01:00.000+08:00

1. Ladies and Gentlemen, Sir Elton John! 2. Mercedes-Benz Arena, Pudong, Shanghai 3. Inside the Mercedes-Benz 4. Who needs first class tickets anyway when you have good sound and good eyesight, right 5. Probably because the American flag is more flashy 6. Close up 7. Mr P admiring Elton's hair growth

Friday night it was Elton John concert. After being kicked out of our seats two times caused by our sever seat numbers dyslexia the program started smoothly with two very talented and even more handsome Croatian cello duo as an opening act. Then Elton himself came waddling on stage in his glitzy penguin suit and gave a full two hour show which ended with everyone standing up dancing and singing along. The 65 year old charmer sure knows how to entertain after over 40 years on stage.

“This life's a long old road

We shouldn't have to walk alone

But if you find the right companion

You won't feel so worn out when you've grown

All life is precious

And every day's a price

And sometimes you'll find an answer in the sky”

― Elton John

ComeBack

2012-11-23T15:34:00.004+08:00

May 2012

1. Fishbraid / H &M Sweater 2. Chinese Cake Culture is wonderful 3. Red on Red 4. Pink mini Eiffel I picked up in a Paris layover before flying to Shanghai 5. First Zara trip of many many to come. Trying on some over sized glasses. It was decided I looked to much of a turtle wearing them 6. The first thing to do when you move to a new City is to go house hunting, too bad this very pretty Velvet Chair was not in the apartment that was settled on 7. Shanghai nights, Yanan Road 8. First meal at my University canteen, Very basic but Super cheap. 9. Getting a regular manicure and pedicure quickly becomes a part of the big city Shanghai life.

It´s been six months since I moved from Oslo to Shanghai and six months from my last post. I just got my blog mojo back so I am going to start writing this virtual Diary again and in between go over these past adventurous six months with a little help from Instagram where I have been full on documenting my life #severeinstagramaddiction.

BLOGLOVIN / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TUMBLR

Daft Punk

2012-05-18T15:50:00.002+08:00

I love music videos. When I was younger and MTV was still playing them non stop I could spend hours in front of the TV and still can. Music videos also saved me in the worst job I ever had. Cleaning hotel rooms with it´s constant repetiton of changing sheets and the same dirty bathroom over and over again is like to be stuck in a Groundhog day, to manage I turned on MTV and got some excitement out of seeing what video came next (I will never be able to listen to Jennifer Lopes, "if you had my love" again though) My all time favourite video is this one with Daft Punk, Around The World. Have a nice weekend!

BLOGLOVIN / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TUMBLR

Perfect Pumps

2012-05-11T17:32:00.000+08:00

Shoes: Fenshine Fashion and Accessories Plaza, Shanghai

These are just to good to be true. The perfect black pumps for 120Yuen / 19$. I had been on the lookout for shoes like this and had my eye on one pair in Aldo but of course my local fake market had even better looking pair for a fraction of the price (with hard bargaining). Got to love the fake market.

Alternative

Aldoshoes.com $90

BLOGLOVIN / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TUMBLR

Dance

2012-05-07T15:40:00.003+08:00

Rockabilly dance outfit

Leather Jacket: Star Place, Shanghai

Dress: Top Shop, Reykjavik

Socks: Lindex, Oslo

Shoes: Pearl City, Shanghai

My absolute favourite thing to do is dance, not because I am so very good at it but rather because it is so much fun. I have tried out various dance styles such as Swing, Jazz, Hip hop, Salsa, Belly dancing, Lindy hop, Pole dancing, Reggaeton and many others and liked them all except maybe Tango which was a bit dramatic and serious for my taste but then again I only tried it out once. The first thing I did when I came to Shanghai was to check out the Swing dance scene here and found the Da City Swings which is a group of people who love Swing Dancing and promote and teach swing dances in their free time. The picture above was taken after a Rockabilly dance party they hosted.

The video is of a Boogie Woogie dance act performed by a part of a University dance group I used to dance with. I am wearing a black and white fluffy vintage dress with open back and white sneakers. As you can see me and my dance partner (2:00 min) joined the performance last minute without much rehearsal but as I said it´s all about having fun!

BLOGLOVIN / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / TUMBLR