THE flip-flops!

Allow me to introduce THE flip-flops: Havaianas!
I've got the ones on the pic, "Floral". I saw a cheap place to get them here.

from the "history" part on the webpage:
"The addictive nature of these flip flops is largely due to a 42-year old secret rubber formula, which makes them butter-soft, bouncy, flexible and durable."

I couldn't agree more. They are unlike any flip-flops I have ever tried. Last summer, I took them to work (lots of standing around) and my feet gratefully smiled at me at the end of the day. You will never want to wear another brand of flip-flops again! They feel kinda like a Tempur-mattress. For your feet.

I Sverige kostar de en slant, men jag hävdar å det bestämdaste att de är värda vartenda öre. Fanns förra året på bl a Stadium, kan vara värt ett besök, de kanske kommer i år med.

Going somewhere soon?

I am going to Paris in a few days. Travelling is fun, especially the part before the trip, when you browse the web for restaurants, flea markets, events, stuff other people recommend. A few trips ago, I found the perfect place to do this:

www.frommers.com

A user-friendly site that feels up to date. The source is the Frommer's travel guides that are available for sale on the site. I do not get the feeling that they're holding back on the site to get you to buy the books. There's lots of material on almost any travel destination. The articles are written in an informal, funny way but are still very informative. And the message boards seem a popular spot for discussing anything travel-related. Check it out!

Oh, and have you got must-sees (smultronställen)(shops, not too pricey restaurants, whatever) in Paris to recommend, feel free to comment!

Exquisite effects

This is another step in my campaign for getting people to understand the fabulousness of Eye Shimmer from the Body Shop. Read about a previous (and somewhat successful!) attempt here (at a fabulous blog, I might add, mymarkup.net/anna). Or ask any of my friends, I go on and on about these eyeshadows.
My three favourite shades are gold, emerald and indigo.

The eyeshadow looks totally boring and washed-out until you touch it. You can hardly see any color from the shadow itself, it's all shimmer. Worn au naturel, the effect is only visible from certain angles, which can be really cool. But on top of another shadow, black or whatever, the result is a firework of color and shine. The possibilities are never-ending. Your imagination is the limit. Lemme know what you think!

For the voyeur in you...

This may already be a classic, I just recently stumbled upon it.
I thought for a moment about the moral incorrectness of the webpage I am going to recommend, but hey... if you share your pictures on DC ++ or whatever, you may have to face the consequences, right? To the joy and edutainment of others, I might add.

So, here it is: Foundphotos.

It's kinda fun to browse through the galleries and see what the world looks like. Every once in a while you come across something real artistic and beautiful. I have a feeling I might get addicted to this one...

view pic larger

This may be old news...

... but still worth mentioning.
Sunday is the perfect day to watch a 'feelgood movie', so I thought I'd share a few favourites.

Garden State (2004). Zach Braff from 'Scrubs' proves that he's multi-talented. This is a beautifully crafted movie that leaves you happy and warm (and, according to some of my friends, totally in love with Natalie Portman). On top of that you get a couple of good laughs and ear-candy from the AMAZING soundtrack. (Pixelsurgeon review here.)

The Iron Giant (1999). A boy finds a robot from outer space and teaches him about the ways of Earthlings. With voices from Jennifer Aniston and Vin Diesel among others, the characters really come to life, and the drawing and animation is excellent. This film is so cute (and kick-ass and beautiful!) it makes you want to cry. I actually did on several occasions..

50 First Dates (2004). Common sense tells you that this is yet another silly Adam Sandler movie (Personally I don't have anything against those, but I know people who do. I did the test, and 50 First Dates scored high) This one is somewhat different. It's actually really touching and beautiful, apart from the usual wacko humor, that of course is there. Keep an eye out for 'Sam Gamgee' of Fellowship of the Ring (who also had the lead role in 'the Goonies', one of my childhood favourites).

Doodle in MSN!

This is a fun new feature on the Msn Messenger 7.0 beta (requires a plug-in).
Just click a tab in the conversation window, and you are able to draw or write by hand. The tool is pretty much like "Paint" but somewhat simpler (I miss the fill tool). From this moment on, my conversations will be far more colorful!

Koss Porta-Pro

Behold my favourite headphones ever: Koss Porta-Pro.
They give you darn near perfect sound, when you first try them out you wonder why you never tried them before. A whole new world of detail awaits the listener, I was in awe when I heard stuff in songs that I didn't know was there before.
The design is somewhat old-school looking, in a good way. They're lightweight and collapsible into a comfortable size for your purse or bag.

They may be a bit pricier than most cheap-ass headphones, but you do get your money's worth. Plus, on the www. you can find them much cheaper than in stores.

The cons: A bit leaky, in a noisy environment they don't provide the same "vavoom" as in-ear headphones. Plus people around you can probably hear a good part of what you're listening to.


In my phones right now: Kent, "Du & jag döden" (new album) . Like pretty much everything that comes from Kent, this is a must-hear. Yep, I am talking to those of you outside of Sweden as well. Read about it here.

Wish-list item #1

This Calvin Klein ring is lovely(the top one in the pic). Which is why I go a bit off-topic and recommend something that I haven't yet tried. Other than in the shop, that is.
The ring is very clean, still it's big and colorful enough to pop out. And, moonstone! I love it. It is semi-transparent and light-reflecting in the most fascinating way. Most of the time the glow is blue, but in certain places you can see a clean, orange reflection as well.
My own theory on that phenomenon is that it is pure physics. Like the experiment in which you pour milk in a glass of water and shine a flashlight through it to explain why the sky is blue and the sunsets are red...
However, I hope to get my hands on this ring (or, more correctly, get this ring on my hands) real soon.

Read about it here, check out more pics here.

The perfect red...

...is hard to find. At least if you're talking about nail polish. A color that looks just about right in the bottle changes dramatically when painted onto the nails (usually the color becomes more "cold").

My favourite red hue is almost touching orange. I've had a favourite out-of-season bottle of Maybelline Water Shine for years but the darn brush is not long enough to get the final drops at the bottom. So I've browsed the stores and my red was IMPOSSIBLE to find! That is, until I found "Kid Orange" from MAC. Not only is the color perfect, it's also hypoallergenic and long-lasting. Plus the bottle is kinda nice. My nails are saved!

I have heard so much good stuff about MAC, they might have other future favourites as well. Better check them out someday.

While I'm at it..

..another great restaurant is Tapas bar "Capaco". You will find it in
San Fernando near Playa del Inglès, Gran Canaria (there is a map on the webpage). With the Easter holidays coming along, I guess quite a few winter-depressed Swedes will be heading for the sun and sands of Gran Canaria. Give Capaco a try, it's by far the best food I've ever had there. And I've been to G.Canaria eight or nine times, so i know my s**t, aight?!

Oh, and the food! Be sure to order a wide selection and try a little of everything.
The marinated olives, the bacon-wrapped dates (great contrast in salt & sweet flavours), the ravioli, the jalapeños in cheese... I could go on forever.

TAPAS? Clueless? Read about tapas here.

Like raw fish?

If you do, and happen to be in Gothenburg, Tempu is the place to go. A better local sushi restaurant is yet to be found (from my absolutely non-Asian point of view, I might add). It's a tiny place, hardly more than a hole in the wall. Seats are kinda few, and it fills up fast during lunch hours, so be there early if you want to sit.

The sushi is spectacular. It's fresh and crisp and absolutely beautiful! Every piece is different and looks like a work of art! This is truly sushi with a twist, they've added lovely marinades, sesame seeds and a great mayo with saffron. Plus you get both salmon, tuna, swordfish and cod (and maki of course) in a small sushi.
A true taste experience, don't miss it!

If you're a beginner, check this out.

Tempu, Aschebergsgatan 26, Gothenburg

Beware nasty stain!

When nothing else works on stained clothes, this is what to do: Pre-wash your clothes in cold water using soap made from pure olive oil. Rub gently (or less gently if necessary) and rinse.

Olive oil soap, I've found, wipes almost every stain right out.
I've tried it on various kinds of food, fruit and berry stains, bike chain grease and grass stains. An extra bonus is that it works great as a facial soap as well
The soap I use is from Savon Vierge. If in Sweden, you can get it at NK.

Otherwise, there is lots to be found on the www.
This one (see image above) is nice and cheap, and with a cute wrapping as well.

Yep, olives sure are useful (and TASTY!) little thingies. I often use olive oil right from the bottle on chapped, dry skin (aftersun for the legs!). Try it, it works wonders for me.

Another makeup must...

...is Superbalm Tinted Lip Treatment (Clinique).
There are lots of good moisturizing lipglosses out there. This is why Superbalm beats them all.

The versatility. If you want it all natural, apply just a little. If you want to experience the glossiness and the hint of colour (03 Mango Tint is my favourite), add some more. And then some...

It works really well combined with lipsticks. It blends but still stays put.

No flavour(or smell, for that matter)!! If I wanted to taste something, I'd eat! Which reminds me: eating something with flavoured lipgloss on? Artificial raspberry flavour with, say, olives? Dark chocolate? WINE? I don't think so.

No addiction buildup. I could totally be without it. Totally.

Although it doesn't quite get the thumbs up from the bf kiss-wise (only Eight Hour Cream does), this little darling is an absolute must in every purse.

To those of you who like yoga.

Have you checked out yogajournal.com?
The webpage includes loads of articles, pictures and even videos, plus an extensive list of positions, step by step instructions and what the positions are good for.
And to those of you who haven't tried yoga yet, I recommend attending a try-for-free-lesson and see if you like it. It works wonders for your well-being!

The softest cardigan...

... in my wardrobe at the moment is from Massimo Dutti. It cannot be found on the homepage, so I drew a picture of it if you felt like going shopping. It has the perfect spring color, a green-ish turquoise that looks good on just about anyone. But the big thrill is the softness of the fabric. It's a thin, yet heavy, mix of 30% cotton and 70% of something called Lyocell. I have found that Massimo Dutti has that combination in a lot of their clothes. Try it, it feels great.

The cardigan is also available in pink and black (as far as I recall)

My new blog-on-the-side!

It's kinda weird to recommend oneself, but here goes anyway:

http://art-schmart.blogspot.com/

in which I will share some of the things that pass from my head to paper (or screen).
Enjoy!

Ready for a swashbuckling adventure?

There is something special about the adventure games of the past, don't you think?
ScummVM is a cool little tool that allows all you old-school LucasArts freaks to take a trip way back in time (on your newer computers, I might add) (but of course, you already knew this).

When I tried it out, the first thing I did was to play right through Loom. And it felt SO good. I can still hear the tunes in my head.

For those of you who got so happy you almost peed your pants and don't know where to start, I'd recommend taking a look at the compatibility list.

Oh, and this is a goldmine if you're into abandonware.

Home of the Underdogs

*Wink wink*

When I wear mascara, I want that fake lash effect. More is definitely more when it comes to eyelashes. Unfortunately, most of the mascaras I've tried can't really pull this off without also looking tacky or lumpy. But I think my long search is finally over. It wasn't cheap, but hey, what is nowadays?

DIORSHOW mascara from Dior.

"Inspired by the latest runway shows and the behind-the-scenes tricks used by professional models"

The above sentece (found on the web page) sounds a little cheesy, but this mascara had me convinced at my first application. My lashes really looked like glue-on ones!
Perfect build-up in length and volume and it stays on all day long. I've tested it through a couple of saltwater swims and even some tear-jerking movies, not to mention the cold cold winds of Gothenburg. It stays put right where it should be. It does come off easily, but not until you decide so.

Don't you believe me? Buy it and try it!

In a jungle far far away..

.. a monkey spots a giraffe.



ArtPad is a funny little paint tool, where you can replay the progress of your masterpieces. This is mine:
Clicketiclick

Thanks to Fellah, who gave me the tip so I can further procrastinate the final touches of my essay.

Shall I expand my views?

This is a new project, I am open for suggestions. The rules have not been set yet.

A comment on the Napoleon Dynamite post said: " Hey, we want numbers! Is it a ten of ten? Or fyra fyror or what? "

I wonder, is it a good idea to also warn about i e movies NOT to see? In which case, a one-to-ten system would be necessary.
I have no doubt it would be fun for me, it's always fun to be mean...innit?
(speaking of which I HAVE to recommend Go Fug Yourself, an excellent example of mean-being at it's best.)

So, whaddayathink of this? Will "Rebeccommended" in the future also recommend what to stay well clear of? Would that add to the experience?

Geek is the new black.

NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (Jared Hess, 2004)
An adorable low-budget film about the life and worries of Napoleon Dynamite, a weird and grumpy high-school kid with pony-print t-shirts and a quite unusual favourite animal.
While trying to help his latino friend Pedro win the election for class president, he is trying to stand his annoying family. Also, the school prom is coming up and Napoleon needs a date.

The level of imagination and detail is impressive, everything is colorful and well worked. It's hard to decide what I like the best, the dialogue, the wardrobe or the acting. (edit: I´ve given it some thought. What I like the best are the MOVES! That's all I'm going to tell you...) Although hardly with more depth and meaning than the regular high-school comedy, this movie is a must-see. It's hilarious!

Also, if you rent it, be sure to let it run through the credits for a special treat in the end.

Wanna smell like a man, boy?

If that is the case, take a whiff at Gucci Homme. A really rich and deep fragrance that hits you way in the back of your nose(thanks to ginger, papyrus wood, amber and leather). The trick is to wear only a small amount at a time, for that subtle, yet OH so interesting masculinity... mmm!

What to see if you have to watch TV.

I consider most TV-series time-wasting fast food for your brain. That is, with a few exceptions. Unfortunately they are a few too many just to be a few. Which makes them time-wasting as well... They're just too darn good at making TV-series nowadays. Had this been, say, the 90's I wouldn't have this problem edit: (well I HADN'T a few years ago anyway, didn't mean to diss a decade like that).
However, here they are. The exceptions.

• Sex And The City. Although dead (rest in peace) this is a pretty good show. They had the respect to kill it just in time, too. Still, some of these days I wonder what Carrie would be wearing if still alive? (Yes. I KNOW she's still alive. Somewhere in TV-series heaven..) As shallow as this may sound, a big part of the fun was watching the wardrobe, and how the girls nurtured their differences in style. Good job, stylists! Well, apart from that the series is also kinda fun.

• Six Feet Under. Totally miserable from the pilot and forth. What is it with us human beings and other people's misery? Great characters, love the drama. And the sense of humor. So dark. So taboo. Maybe that's the way undertakers are in real life.

• 24. What can I say? Suspension at it's finest. Jack Bauer is my hero. The stuff he gets himself into! And OUT OF! I'd recommend getting the DVD's, gather some friends and go for a full-season marathon, with breaks only for getting a few hours sleep and ordering Chinese.

• Nip/Tuck. At first I was somewhat shocked by the brutality of Nip/Tuck, this is not for the faint of heart, nor the prudes. I don't really fit into any of these categories, so i continued watching it. It's actually really good! The characters (most of which seem to be equipped with a nympho streak) all have their flaws , but you kinda feel for them anyway. Like the Sopranos , only with plastic surgeons.

• the O.C. The Sex and the City of today, at least fashion-wise. I would call it the first excellent soap opera. It took me a while to even consider watching an episode. When I did, it "had me at hello". The script is amazing, and so are the characters. Except for Marissa, whose only purpose in the entire series is to walk out of camera view, crying. Please, make her more colorful in the future!!! Poor Mischa. If I have not convinced you of the excellence of the O.C. yet, well. Let me tell you. It's laughter, tears and extreme goosebumping all the way. This differs from the mainstream!

• LOST. Not as scary as the pilot indicated, but nevertheless very watchworthy. At first I thought the concept (plane crashes on a faraway island, the survivors are all alone..or are they?) sounded a bit old. But they've really managed to do something original of it. And the many flashbacks are sometimes more interesting than the main plot. Or are they?