Back to School

Hi everyone!!

Remember me? It's been a crazy long time since I updated the blog! I've been in an all-out vacation mode, so I'm sorry if you were checking for updates without finding anything new.. :(
Gulli already told you about our trip to Japan, it was super crazy mega awesome! I got so much inspiration and plans for the future that I don't even know where to start. First of all, I'm definitely aiming to take a year abroad. I know it will be hard mastering the language differences, exams and all that, but it will be worth it. I guess it would be more fun for you as well, if I can update the blog directly from Tokyo!  ^^

During my stay in Tokyo I also got the opportunity to explore different fashions, and I got to taste a bit of the lolita style I've always been longing for. We don't have that many pictures of the clothes we bought yet, but I'll try to update you on that later. I'm bursting of fashion inspiration after spending many long afternoons at my beloved Harajuku. Seriously, it's not just a myth. Harajuku is just as freaking amazing in reality as you picture it to be!

I have to admit that I feel a bit lost after finally returning home to our little town. It felt like traveling back in time, actually. It felt like waking up from a fantastic dream and realizing you're still in your bedroom.
I didn't feel ready to leave Japan, so it was a bit painful. We got into the new lifestyle so naturally, it somehow felt like I've been doing the same for years. Getting up early, eating breakfast with the host family, sleeping on the local train to school, grabbing a coffee before class starts.
It all became so nautral for me that I still sometimes close my eyes and pretend I'm at the same train again, at the beginning of a new, fantastic day in Tokyo.
Oh, this became very nostalgic. At least you got a feeling of how our trip was.

School starts in a few days here, and autumn is about to make it's arrival. I'm not sure if I'm ready for it, but in my lack if a time machine I just have to accept it. I'm sure many of you feel the same way ^^
Enjoy your last days of vacation to the fullest, and remember to bring the good memories and experiences from the summer with you when everyday life starts again!

Family picture ~ From the back left: our lovely host mother Noriko-san, Gulli, myself, our host brother Jan from Switzerland
Front left: our super kind host father Osamu-san, and Noriko-san's older brother Shingo-san ^^

Talk to you soon!

5 tips for making the summer even better!

Good evening cuties!

Wow, it's so hot here now. In fact, Northern Norway just got a new record on amount of sunshine in May. And our town got a new heat record for May month! I can't believe it went so fast.
I mean, where did spring go? It feels like we jumped straight from winter to summer. I've barley had time to adapt to the changes. Summer is great though! I've been wearing some summer dresses lately, and it feels so light and feminine. (That is two words you really miss when you walk around dressed like an Eskimo in a blizzard.)
Every season has both good and bad sides, so in this post I'm going to write a little about how to best enjoy the summer!

1. Stay safe and protected!

You thought I was going to write about molesters and rapists, didn't you? Nope. Your enemy is the sun! Of course, sunlight is good as well, but that's what makes it all so dangerous. The worst enemy you can have is an unstable one. The sun might hate you then love you then hate you again. Your job is to ensure that you can handle it. First of all, you must must must use sun lotion! It doesn't matter if you live far north, south, east or west, the sun rays are still harmful. And just because you don't get burnt, it doesn't mean that your skin doesn't get damaged. Did you know that getting tanned is a sign of damage? The skin is building up its protection after it's been hurt. The results of bad sun protection might not show up right away, but in the future. Too much sun lowers the quality of your skin, and gives you early wrinkles and uneven skin tone. You may also develop sun rash, even though it often appears a year after the damage's been made.
Just to clear up; I don't want you to avoid the sun either! Sun light gives you a lot of important D-vitamin, and it makes you happy. Just enjoy the sun, but protect yourself at the same time.
It's not that important to get a deep tan either, though many of you might think so. Learn to appreciate your own, nautral skin color, and you'll have a much better summer already. And it will save you from sun burn disasters.

My long time favorite sun lotion from Hawaiian Tropic. It gives good moisture and protection, and smells addictively  good. 

After sun is important too!

      2.  Feel confident in your own body!

Yeah, yeah, we've heard about it before. "Summer work out!" "How to get the bikini body!"
Of course working out and staying healthy is important, but when it comes down to it you can't completely transform your body figure. It's something we are born with. You can't starve away your hip bones, or stretch your legs longer. If you are healthy, it will shine through anyway. We have to understand that there is no such thing as ideal body, because everyone is born with an unique one!
Find the good points in your look, and highlight them. A tiny, almost non-existent swimsuit might be sexy, but self confidence is sexier! Don't be trapped in your own body just because someone else told you that you're not good enough. Wear whatever you want, your friends don't care. And if they actually do, you throw them in the trash can together with that crazy diet magazine article.

     3.  Live it!

There are two types of to-do lists; things that you have to do, and things that you want to do.
Summer is the perfect time to focus on the last one. Write a list of things you want to do, see and experience during two effective months, and make sure to get as much as possible done!
May it be BBQ-party, road trip, boat trip, summer boot camp, working as a street musician or whatever project you got hidden in your brain; sign up those involved and start planning!

Random picture of me taken in Thailand, because Thailand was amazing.

     4. Create your summer playlist

I always create a playlist on my iPod for each summer like "Summer 2012" and so on. The music varies for each year depending on what I'm doing, so every list has a different "theme". Music is a great way of remembering stuff, so you can always sit down later and dream yourself away to ice cream and blue water.

     5.  Meet the summer in style

Okay, so this might come natural for many of you, but refreshing your wardrobe and make-up palette really helps putting you in summer mood. I don't think you should spend a lot of money, or throw away all your old clothes, just refresh. Summer is the perfect time to experiment with bold colors and accessories, especially if you're not used to it. We tend to get more daring and playful then usual, so use the opportunity!

 I hope all of you will have an amazing summer! Of course, it's hard to beat Gulli and I who's going to Tokyo, but...

Talk to you later! ~

Kick start spring :D

Good evening all sweet and tough ones out there! ^^

I know it's been a lack of blogging lately, sorry for that. We have both been quite busy as always, and I had to catch up on some schoolwork.
When I walked home from school today I realized how quickly time has passed. Suddenly it was birds and sprouts on the threes, even though it was cold and silent just two weeks ago. Spring may arrive late, but it arrives fast! I also realized that when April has passed we will be four months into this year. (Yeah yeah, I know that's pretty obvious.) Add another two months and half of 2013 will be gone! Doesn't it sound weird?

I mean, I'm still waiting for the year to get fully started!

Anyway, our theater practice starts 11 am tomorrow, and since I'm home alone I have to walk (around half an hour), make breakfast (around 45 mins; I need time to enjoy my tea), pack my stuff for the sleepover at Gulli's place tomorrow night (around half an hour, if I'm effective), and of course get ready and decide what outfit to wear in the unreliable spring weather (an hour ++).
Which all together means I have to get up too early. That's why I have to make a short and quick blog post!
(But as you may noticed I spent a lifetime writing WHY is had to be short, so my plan failed...)

I thought I'd share some of my music fav's with you. As nature is renewing itself, so is my iPod, and I've been trying out all types of music lately. (Which resulted in a broken headset, r.i.p)

2NE1 - I am The Best. Forever a classic. 

PSY - Gentleman. Just in case some of you actually haven't seen it yet.

G-Dragon - Michi Go. Just when I thought no music video could get more random than Crayon, he comes up with this...

WARNING: This video will make you go: WTF?? Guaranteed. 

Supercell - Feels so Good. I know it seems a bit sexual according to the title and illustration, but it's really just a cute, jazzy song about weekends. And it's in Japanese, for those who wondered. 

That's it for now! Come back later and see what happens when Gulli and I spend 24 hours together without a break... o.o

 Good night and sweet dreams ~

Tokyo Girls Collection Spring/Summer 2013

Hi pretty ones!

On March 2 Japan's largest fashion event Tokyo Girls Collection went off at Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo.
It's the 16th time it's being held, and it's the number one event for fashionable girls, both inside and outside Japan.
What makes Tokyo Girls Collection so special is that the fashion presented are the fashion that's in now, not stuff that's going to be popular in the next season etc. It's something for every taste, and it's a great way to get inspired! ^^ TGC is also an important arena for Japanese bands and artists, and every year there are surprise performances.
Here is a short summary list of the key elements:

• Vertical black and white stripes
• Floral pattern
• Bright colors
• High-waisted shorts
• Platform heels
• Skinny trousers

There were endless outfits, but I picked my favorites that either got me inspired or made me want to wear it right away! ^.^
The summer feeling is strong on these!

Actus Colors

Actus Colors are showing off their suitcases. 

Avail

Bonica Dot

DE TER NL

Duras

Lands of Eden

Lip Service

Sorridere

Vivayou

These are just some of the outfits and brands that impressed me, and it made me miss warm weather even more! Gotta wait just a little longer...
As you might know I'm a huge kawaii fan, and that's one of the reasons the outfits I picked were cute and brightly colored. You get happy just by looking at them! ^^

Important: All photos are taken by Michael Steinebach, and borrowed from Tokyo Fashion. I was not present at the fashion show myself. 

What do you think?

Talk to you later ~

Five must-hear songs ^^

Good evening everybody!

I had a lot to do today, so it got this late before I could blog. I'm a little "reduced" by a cold too, so I really need a long night's sleep.
I was thinking of what I could  blog about that would be easy and quick to write, but at the same time somewhat interesting for you to read.
My best answer: music! My taste in music is known to be a little different than usual, especially here at home, but I'll share with you anyway. Maybe you can find something new that you like? ^^

This is basically the music I've been listening to lately, and it has a great impact on my mood. Happy, sad, strengthening or just plain crazy, here are 5 music videos for the beginning of 2013:

Nu'est - Face vs. B.A.P - Warrior. This gotta be the best mash-up of all times! O.O

B.A.P - One Shot. This was actually released today!

Skye Sweetnam - Hypocrite. No song describes myself better than this one!

B.A.P - Rain Sound. Rain and B.A.P are a perfect combo :3

Inna - More Than Friends. I'm a big Inna fan too, and she's finally releasing a new album soon!

This is really just a little peek of what I listen too (I'm more varied than people think), but if you would like to, I can post something similar with 5 new videos next time I'm in a hurry ^^

Sleep well <3

My shopping list for spring! ^^

Hi everyone! ^.^

So today, like most other days, I was staring out the window at school and longing for spring. Yeah, winter is cozy and pretty and all that, but it's nothing compared to when leaves and flowers start popping up everywhere and I wake up to birds singing.
And when it comes to clothing, my wardrobe is longing for a fresh spring breeze too. I'm so frustrated by it now, nothing match anymore! And those pieces I want to wear, of course ain't warm enough. >.<
To make time go faster, and to be totally prepared when the dandelions make their arrival, I've been looking up my summer fashion for this year, and made a shopping list!
Wanna take a look?

(You might notice that there are lots of shoes here... I'm a shoeholic ^^)

I've always wanted a classic, "school uniform" skirt. Maybe I can find a good one in Tokyo too? ^^

I couldn't find better pictures than these... But these ballerina shoes from Apparel Dynasty are so cute!

Some of you may question this. Why would you wear platform sneakers, when you can wear normal sneakers?
Well, because it's cool! :D That's my best answer. And if you're a hipster that like to rebel against clothing norms these are perfect!

Lovely, plain high stockings that can be worn to so much!

Imagine a long, loose skirt in the summer breeze...ah. Summer! NOW!

I've wanted military-style boots for so long now, and here they pop up in so lovely colors! Perfect to make an outfit a bit more rough ;)

I would like some opinions on this skirt, since it's quite original. Is it cool, cute or weird?
I'm not sure, but either descriptions are okay by me! Fashion is a type of art, right? ^^ 

This are some of the key items I would like to have for spring/summer 2013!
What do you think? Should anything be added or removed from the list?

Talk to you later, my little dandelions! ^^ (I'm in such summer mood right now!)