Amazing Art: José Luis López Galván

Most of this artwork is really dark and eerie, but some pieces have a serene and non-threatening atmosphere to them. I bet this would be great as a book that also included fictional stories about the creatures in the paintings!

Mixed Shelf #1

Not a day goes by that books are not on my mind. I'm either looking for new reads online, reading something or thinking about wonderful books that are still untouched on my shelves. I also feel a strong urge to blog about books more, so I've decided to start a new type of post that will encompass all those things, and hopefully inspire you too.

Wanting: The Seven Tales of Trinket by Shelley Moore Thomas

I instantly fell in love with the cover, but the story sounds really promising as well. It is about a girl wanting to be a storyteller, but having to live through some adventures herself first. I hear it is cleverly woven, a bit magical and might even lead you to shed a few tears.

goodreads // currently available as really cheap new hardcover on Amazon

Reading: I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin

A wonderful read so far! I wish my review copy had all the illustrations though. The cover is beautiful also, but I feel like the great story would probably be taken to a whole new level with all of Lee White's amazing visual aids.

goodreads // available here

Waiting: Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams

When I found this book online, I knew I had to have it. I had put it on my birthday wishlist, but eventually ended up ordering one myself. Despite my excitement, I still haven't gotten round to starting in this fantasy/adventure book that is exclusively about feline characters.

goodreads // really cheap on bookdepository

It was fun for me to make this post and I hope to keep doing them. I'm keeping them short and sweet and will make sure to link to more info and also a place (usually the cheapest I could find) to buy the book in case you want to read it.

Feel free to let me know what books you are currently excited about! Or if you have any recommendations, leave them in the comments as well.

Average is Beautiful

You're probably aware that it is International Women's Day. I thought that was the perfect day to talk about this new Barbie that is coming out soon! Well, not technically a Barbie because it's launched by a guy named Nickolay Lamm.

Anyway, there have been discussions about whether or not Barbie dolls distort girls' body images. I personally don't have anything against Barbie per se, but I am definitely all for this new doll called Lammily. Hear all about it here:

The Kickstarter goal was made within the first day, but you still have a few weeks to pre-order the first edition. If you have a daughter I think it would make a great gift and if not you might want one for yourself even. They're quite cool!

Lovely Movies: Snow Cake

This evening I watched Snow Cake. I had seen it before and remembered I liked it very much but had somehow forgotten about a lot of things that happened in it. So I was still a bit surprised at how amazing it really was.

Every character's situation in this film is pretty sad, but somehow the movie is quite uplifting. The trailer focuses a bit too much on the sex, I think. There wasn't a lot in it at all, and non that you could actually see even.

It's more a movie about growing close to unexpected people and finding healing because of it. It's not all life lessons though, because it'll give you some good laughs as well. The acting is amazing and I highly recommend it!

Sale Tip! / Wishlist

Threadless is having a big warehouse sale, so I thought I'd post a couple of highlights. They have some lovely things!

I know I've posted this pet bowl before, but I just wanted to let you know that it is now on sale for $2.95 instead of $15.

Another adorable cat item is this pair of cat socks. From $10 for $5.95.

Threadless also has some of the Select collection on sale. Like this tee.

There's a lot more in the Threadless warehouse sale though, so check it out if you're looking for some nice new t-shirts with fun prints. Or laptop/ipad cases, because a lot of those are on sale too!

All Natural: Hugo Naturals

Despite the fact that I haven't been posting about natural skincare lately, I'm still very passionate about it and always try to buy 100% natural stuff. It's very tricky to find a good deodorant though. So every once in a while I go looking.

Which led me to Hugo Naturals. Now I can't say if the Sea Fennel & Passionflower deodorant will really work well, but it sure sounds amazing! It's 100% natural (like everything on the site!) and doesn't even contain alcohol.

I proceeded to check out the rest of their stuff and found some real gems. Like the Shea Butter & Oatmeal lotion above. Or Pineapple Coconut lip balm or Vanilla & Sweet Orange body butter. And loads of lovely soaps to choose from.

Also, they still have some amazing holiday products on sale! Like this amazing gift set with Pumpkin Spice body mist, soap and tinned candle. There's also one in Cranberry & Pomegranate. And they're all available separately too.

Check out their website for lots more! Like essential mists, hair care or baby products. Everything sounds delicious really! Can you tell I'm excited?!

Owl Things Considered

A wonderful friend of mine sent me these amazing owl hooks to hang in my apartment. They're so pretty and perfectly match my place! And they are real life savers too, because I was hanging my stuff over my dining room chairs before.

Plans & Goals: March

I can hardly believe it's March already! The year only just started, didn't it? Anyway, it's not like I haven't made the most out of the first two months, because I did quite a lot. But I have some plans for March as well:

• Continue getting myself flowers regularly.
• Attend a nice jewelry workshop.
• Actually finish some books I've been reading.
• Rest and relax. I really need it!
• Wear a skirt or a dress again.
• Rearrange some of my furniture.
• Make music or jam with other people.
• Finally put my rug on the floor.
• And play some games!

How about you? Made any special plans? Tell me.

Looking Back on February

February was a strange mix of things. Of having to get used to it all, but also suddenly feeling really comfortable with this new situation. There was a lot of stuff I suddenly had to to, but also stuff I really really enjoyed. For instance:

• I got a vacuum cleaner. And quite a cute looking one!
• Went to the cinema not once, but twice.
• Made up some new and quite delicious dishes.
• Was really touched and impressed by Ellen Page's speech.
• Saw Suzanne Vega in concert!
• Heard some authors speak about their books.
• Finished a little knitting project.
• Met some amazing new people.
• Hummus! I'm so hooked on it. Found one with pumpkin too!

How was your month? Did you do anything that got you all excited? I'd love to hear about it!

Lovely Movies: Dallas Buyers Club

Ok, so maybe "lovely" isn't the best word to use for this movie, in fact the first addiction, sex and homophobia-filled 30 minutes of it where far from lovely. But then it really did deliver in the end. And with such a powerful message as well.

It takes place in the earlier days of AIDS and HIV when it was a huge taboo and prognoses were really bad. So Dallas Buyers Club isn't a light movie. But it has humor and heartwarming parts and Jared Leto as a stunning transgender!

And though I never really liked Matthew McConaughey, I have to say he has definitely proven himself. The acting really is amazing in this movie. Here's the trailer, but honestly I think you should skip it and just go to the cinema.

I love the shift that took place in this movie. How a total douchebag actually turns out to be a really decent guy, but unfortunately also how not all doctors put morals over money. Anyway, a fantastic movie about a true story.

Circle Songs #45

"I think that somehow, somewhere inside us, we must be similar, if not the same…"

Left of Center - Suzanne Vega

{picture sources: 1 - 2 - 3}

Since I've moved I've been doing a lot of things that are very different from what I'm used to, yet I keep meeting like-minded people wherever I go. Perhaps that's where they've been hiding, or perhaps I did the hiding all along...

Lovely Movies: Her

You've heard about "Her", I'm sure you have. It's been nominated for this years Academy Awards and loads of people have been talking about it too. Some people hated it, some people loved it. I was definitely intrigued.

First of all... it was beautifully shot and the acting was fantastic. I mostly remember Joaquin Phoenix as really creepy because of Gladiator, but the contrast couldn't be stronger really. In fact most people in this film were adorable.

It was really funny at times and quite sad at others. And it makes you think about how far we should go with technology. We always want more, faster, newer, but is it worth it? Or are we happier when we keep it simple?

2013 in Books

My reading goal for 2013 was 50 books. At first it was easy and I was steadily reading one book a week, then life caught up with me and I found myself rushing to catch up and finishing the 50th in 45 minutes before 2014!

Anyway, I've been wanting to take a picture of "the pile" for a while now and finally did so today. If you wonder why there are three turned books, it's because I don't have the ones I read with me right now, but went with similar sized books. And in case you are wondering… they stand for:

• the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
• Old Magic by Marianne Curley
• the Borrowers by Mary Norton

It also makes sense to tell you about my favorites. I read many good books this year, but the two I keep thinking about and that I loved the most are: About a Girl by Joanne Horniman, because it was so poetic and simple and realistic. And the Clockwork Three by Matthew Kirby, the best middle grade adventure book anyone could ever ask for. It had a touch of magic, some suspense and some beautiful friendships.

Something else I thoroughly enjoyed was the Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett. I hadn't read anything from him prior to these, but they really got me hooked!

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Did you read a lot last year? What were your favorites?

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Hopefully I'll do book posts more regularly again. And if you're interested in reading more about what I'm reading or being book-buddies, feel free to add me on Goodreads.

Owl Things Considered

I just came across these owl watches from NaniWatch on Etsy. Sure there are loads of owl watches out there, but these have a really unique style. I love how the clock doesn't take up the entire watch. It looks wonderful!

Anyway, there are currently 4 owl watches in the shop. One with mustaches and glasses and another cute owl design that is available in 3 colors. They'd be cute on kids too, but I feel they are mature enough to wear as an adult.

And it's not just owls. Here's a cute Japanese design with a really fancy strap. If you like the strap, but want something more neutral, I recommend you also check out the bat design, it's lovely too.

It seems that once a design is sold, it really is gone though. So if you see something you like, you'd better get it. Otherwise you might miss out on something, like this adorable owl watch that I noticed in the "sold"-section.

Anyway, you can find the shop through this link. Enjoy!

Lovely Movies: Enough Said

After working so hard on moving I was in dire need of some relaxing. The cinema was high on my list and when I went to see what was on I found Enough Said. The trailer got me all excited so I went the next day!

That was a great decision, because it turned out to be a fantastic movie! Reminiscent of the Kids Are All Right. It was full of lovely people! James Gandolfini thankfully got the chance to finish shooting this before he passed, Julia Louis-Dreyfus hasn't aged much since Seinfeld really and there's even a part for Style Rookie Tavi Gevinson.

What I loved most about this film, that even though it makes you feel good in the end, it isn't one of those polished love stories. People screw up and don't always know how to act, just like in real life. But thankfully people forgive too.

Wise Words

  {picture from here  - quote from Henry David Thoreau - merged by me}

Owl Things Considered

Leave it up to Modcloth to think of good ways to elegantly mix cute owl print with lovely clothing. They have done it again with the "Owl Have You Been?" blouse, and in a very subtle and sophisticated  way, don't you think?

Follow this link if you want to get one for yourself.

Circle Songs #44

"Today is the day that I threw out everything that I wanted. I was scared but that's alright..."

Yeah Yeah - Win in Alaska

{picture sources: 1 - 2 - 3}

Nothing shows you how much stuff you actually own like moving does. So I've been letting crappy things go to give the good stuff room to shine. I'll always be a collector, but I'm hoping to be more sensible and organized about it.

Plans & Goals: February

Things really are different now that I've moved out. So I'm trying to figure out exactly how to build the life that I want for myself now. Not that I'm in existential crisis all the time. I'm also stilll having fun! This month I hope to:

• Give this plant some TLC so it'll bloom again.
• See Catching Fire on the big screen before it's too late.
• Take that new oven for its first spin!
• Post some pictures of things in my place.
• Try a book club for the first time in my life.
• And blog about books again.
• Go to a few concerts.
• Have someone over for dinner and/or a movie.
• And finish the sweater I'm knitting so I can still wear it this winter.

What are you dying to do in February? Any resolutions you've been neglecting so far, maybe?

Looking Back on January

It's been ages since I've done one of these! Of course I've been away for a while. It was what I needed, to allow myself time to wrap certain things up, but I'm so excited to be back! Anyway, in January:

• I finally moved into my apartment!
• Allowed myself to do non-house-related things again.
• Got pretty crafty.
• Found some amazing bread in my local supermarket.
• Started blogging again after a bit of a hiatus.
• Hung out with some wonderful people.
• Made my first Etsy order from my new home.
• Went to see some Chinese New Year festivities.
• And tried out my huge smoothie mug.

So how did your year start out? Hope it's as good as mine so far!