29 things to do before I turn 30

Today it's 8 months till I turn 30. So, inspired by these ladies - Andrea of Hula Seventy, Nicole of the habit of being, Megan of little breeze and Marion of Marion Hearts - I decided to make a list:

1 explore the many cook books in my shelves and actually try recipes from them
2 start swimming again
3 write more cards and letters – because receiving things in the mailbox is so awesome
4 continue walking to the office every day
5 make a photo album (like I always did before) of the film prints in the shoe box
6 make more Blurb books
7 finish at least three novels
8 cut down on magazine subscriptions
9 spend less time in front of the computer
10 mow the lawn regularly in season
11 shoot more film
12 learn to make cupcakes with a really yummy frosting
13 be a good freelancer
14 visit my grandparents
15 learn to make crème brûleé and start using that crème brûleé set we got for Christmas 2007
16 go on a honeymoon
17 hike and ski a lot
18 spend the Easter holiday at the mountain cabin in Ausdalen
19 don’t buy clothes that I end up not using
20 send out the wedding thank you cards
21 clear out old magazines
22 call my girlfriends more often
23 hike Vidden at least once
24 sleep under the stars (in the garden)
25 treat myself to more pedicures
26 get new comfy chairs for the garden and sit there in the sun with wine
27 have fun with (Flickr) friends
28 spend a night by a campfire with friends
29 keep loving Sølve so much it hurts

Have you made a list yet?

more balloon happiness

1. untitled, 2. You gave me the best Birthday present!, 3. Good Bye Balloons plz come back again!, 4. Untitled

It's Friday 5 pm, I finished writing an article, the sun is still shining and I'm ready to start the weekend.

Happy weekend peeps!

balloon happiness

1. Untitled, 2. ms. teso, 3. Untitled, 4. .

It's Friday 9 am and the sun is almost shining in Bergen. The weekend starts soon, time to get out the balloons!

not just IKEA

This home belongs to the PR director at IKEA in Norway, Camilla Lindemann. Her home was recently featured in the Norwegian interior design magazine Rom123. I love her style!

Find the article here, photos by Siri Møller.

classic beauty

1. swan, 2. Peek, 3. swans., 4. Untitled

Swans are such elegant birds, don't you think?

Espen's place

My friend Espen, who was one of the photographers in our wedding, has photographed is own apartment and put it up for sale. It's a really lovely, small apartment - only 33 m² - in one of the most cosy areas of Bergen. See more photos here.

PS: Espen has promised he will come back on Flickr soon. He has a whole bunch of photos from his recent trip to New Zealand that I know he's eager to share.

Talking about Espen's photos on Flickr; see that yellow photo on the livingroom wall? Here it is.

What's the thing about Moleskine?

I just finished my third Moleskine notebook, so I took a break from work, walked over to the second nearest bookstore and bought a new one. I bought a soft cover ruled notebook in large size, because they didn't have the one I normally buy, the one with cardboard bound covers. I'm curious to find out if I like the soft cover version just as much. The first Moleskine I had was a ruled reporter notebook, which was a format I didn't like. Maybe it would have worked better with soft cover.

The notebook cost 179 kr, which is ca € 20,50 $ 26 (!!) I asked if the soft cover version is more expensive than the cardboard bound version. The lady behind the counter said they are the same price, and that the Moleskines had just become a little more expensive.

179 kr is a pricey notebook, don't you think? So why did I buy it? A 10 kr notebook covers the same need. Well, my excuse for buying Moleskines is that I like how they look, I like writing on the acid-free paper and I like the expandable inner pocket where I keep my business card. Simple as that. It's a small piece of everyday happiness.

I always have the Moleskine in my bag, together with my black A5 size Filofax-ish calendar. They are important parts of my everyday life. I use the Moleskine for work, especially when I do interviews. I keep the ones that I have finished because I like the feeling of a handwritten book.

Do you use Moleskines? If you do, why do you buy them and not just any other notebook? What's the thing about Moleskine?

Moleskinerie

I like this

Via Malo blogg

I need a nap

1. Untitled, 2. Untitled, 3. sunday morning, 4. morning

Sheep, part II

Talking about sheep, what do you think about this little rocking sheep?

Via Pur Norsk

I like this

Dress from Swedish Acne.

I like Acne Paper too.

another book

On a whim I decided to make a new Blurb book today. It's called Look Down, a title you might recognize from this Flickr set. The book is 120 pages square format. Have a look at the preview here.

God helg!

We are off to Voss for the weekend, to spend time with family and go skiing. We have a birthday to celebrate and there is a Blurb book filled with pre wedding summer photos to be given away. I hope you have something nice planned for the weekend too.

I uploaded my Flickr favorites mosaic number 100 today. Flickr is so full of amazing photos and talented photographers. Such a fantastic place to find inspiration!

A few of my latest favorites are from Michelle Arcila. You should check out her photostream.

You should also check out Mariana's 365 os dias photo project. So much beauty! Also take a look at her website/blog Interludio and her Flickr photostream.

Happy weekend!

I'm a travel wanker. Sometimes.

Megan of Little Breeze wrote a really nice post about traveling yesterday. It inspired me to do the same, especially after I read the article linked to at the Age blogs: Travel wankers.

I have done a fair bit of traveling, at least having visited 22 countries feels like a fair bit. And that's not including my home country, Norway.

Last year was a really good travel year for me. 37 days of 2008 I was traveling on some sort of work related mission; I was on a couple of adventurous Hurtigruten journeys, I drove a snowmobile at Svalbard, I got a real taste of ouzo in Greece, I discovered (yet again) the beauty of Italy, and I was in Odda.

I also did some really fun private traveling; hanging out with Flickr friends in Berlin, enjoyed a later summer in September at wonderful Fogn, and we drove 14 hours to celebrate our friend's birthday at a mountain cabin, to mention a few trips.

See! Now I'm being a travel wanker. Sometimes it's hard not to be, especially when talking to people you meet when you're out traveling. Right there and then traveling is the most obvious thing you have in common, and it feels only natural to chat about it and to share (or brag about?) experiences. Also, traveling is so much fun, so why shut up about it? But like the guy who wrote the article mentioned above, I try to limit myself to as little wankery as possible. Btw, is showing photos from travels also considered wankery? In that case, I'm a terrible travel wanker!

So, back to Megan's headline; Why I travel.

Travelling is the only time when I all I focus on is that very moment.

I very much agree with Megan on that. To travel is to be in the moment, and just soak in everything that happens and everything you see - delays, early mornings, the confusion of foreign currency and languages you don't understand, buying groceries that are the same but different from the ones you are used to at home, eating almost all meals out.

I don't travel to get away from my everyday life at home. I like everyday life (you already knew that, right?). I travel to learn and experience things that are different from my everyday life. Things that will enrich my life and make me happy because they are good memories. I find that planning a trip and enjoying the memories when I'm home, are just as important as the actual trip itself. For example, buying guide books is such a great way to start any travels.

To travel is to go from one place to another. That's what I'm trying to describe in my traveling set of photos on Flickr. The break from everyday routines. Glimpses of travel moments and memories.

After our summer vacation in Croatia in 2007 (now I'm doing it again!) I wrote a few posts about traveling. I'm sure there will be more travel thoughts soon when I add the 23rd land to my countries I have visited list - I'm off to South Africa in March (for work).

How about you? Why do you travel? Are you also a travel wanker?

I like this

Via Remodelista, where you can see more photos from this amazing cabin in Switzerland.

Permafrost rugs

The rug Silence by Permafrost is now available in rectangular shape, but I like the round one better.

The John Deere grass rug is pretty cool too. This one is also available in rectangular shape.

refill

Monday morning. It's grey and wet outside, and the beautiful snow has started to melt. I should have gone to bed much earlier yesterday, but I wanted to get the most out of the super lazy Sunday at home. We slept in, I caught up on my magazines reading, we ordered pizza, and saw two very different movies; Tropic Thunder and In the Valley of Elah. I recommend both. The first for being funny, the second for being realistic and thought-provoking. You should also see this.

I recently discovered Susannah's blog - In on my fingers. I really enjoy her writing and photography. Here are two posts that caught my eye and that I think you should read too: Canine wisdom and The PR version.

Happy Monday!

Edited to add another link worth checking out: My friend Mathias shared this link yesterday. You should see it.

the cheesecake

I told you on Friday that I was making cheesecake for the first time. We had it for dessert after the 3 hours fish soup yesterday, and even though we were all super full from the heavenly fish soup, it seemed like we all enjoyed the cake. It was easy to make, and had just the right balance between sweet and sour. It won't win the price for the most pretty looking cake though. Maybe the filling should have been more solid and less jello-like, if you understand what I mean.

I haven't eaten cheesecake often, so I didn't really know what kind of recipe would be the most tasty. I know there are hundreds of cheesecake recipes, so I just had to choose one. I used this as basis and adapted it a little. For example I didn't get fresh vanilla pods at my neighbourhood grocery store, so I used vanilla powder instead.

Crust
200 g oatmeal biscuits
1,5 dl sugar
50 g butter

Filling
1 ts vanilla powder
400 g creme cheese
50 g sugar
3 eggs
3,5 dl sour cream

Crust: Stir together crumbed biscuits, sugar and melted butter. Press the crumb mixture evenly onto the bottom of a springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 150°C, until firm and lightly browned.

Filling: Beat all the ingredients together to a even paste. Put it on top of the crust, and bake for 15 minutes at 150°C. Let the cake cool, and refigerate for some hours before serving.

How do you make your favorite cheesecake?

We slept in

It's Saturday and Valentine's day (we don't celebrate it in Norway) and it's the first weekend in a long time that we're not at Voss skiing. In fact, I just realized we have skied every weekend except one since New Years. I must admit it's lovely to have a relaxed weekend at home too. Sleep in, enjoy a long breakfast in front of the fireplace, read newspapers and magazines, and slowly get ready for dinner with friends in the evening.

I have a few link loves to share with you today.

Soulmama's winter manifesto
Reasons to love winter on Flickr
3191 Miles Apart
Jamie magazine

Happy weekend! I hope you're having a good time.

I like this

Via Design*Sponge

Fin

I was introduced to the Norwegian fashion brand FIN via Siggelicious the other day, and I fell in love with the SS09 photos. The clothes are really lovely as well.





Striking a balance between edgy and classic, The FIN SS 2009 Nasturtium collection appeals to the woman who value a tailored, yet slouchy look. Employing luxurious organic fabrics like wild hand spun silk, bamboo and organic Pima cotton; FIN explores an eclectic, whimsical look for summer. With a colour spectrum spanning from subtle shades to radiant orange, the collection by head designer Per Åge Sivertsen is worthy of it's name: Nasturtium - a beautiful orange flower.

Seduction becomes a totem with dresses in whimsical prints. Drapes in liquid folds and knits evoking the sensuality of dripping fresh paint. Inspiration from the time when sportswear had class can be spotted in pleated knee length shorts and sophisticated shirt dresses. Confident, edgy and slouchy – Nasturtium SS2009 takes FIN into the next level of distinct cuts, rare luxurious fabrics and vivid colours.


About FIN:

FIN – MORE THAN LUXURIOUS

FIN is exquisite, made with elegance and style. FIN is where design and awareness are combined into fashion. This is an invitation. An invitation into our dream.

On our path, towards unique results, every step is equally important. We carefully select our material, to achieve the finest expression. The use of organic cotton provides us the luxury of environmentally friendly textiles. Hand spun wild silk, gives us beautiful textures. Organic alpaca gives us the rarest and must precious fibre available. To recognize the hard labour that has gone into producing the fabric in our clothes, we Fairtrade certified cotton. To reduce CO2 levels worldwide, we invest in climate credits to reach the global goal of carbon neutrality. To seal it, we let our eminent designer Per Sivertsen add passion into his creations.

We are quite ambitious about the future, and we are proud to have notable persons such as, Keira Knightley and Kate Bosworth, among our FIN fans. We let all the levels of perfection define our style. That’s why FIN is more than luxurious.

Collection description and about text are from FIN's website.

Nytt Rom

Here's a little shamless self-promotion: 8 photos from my Hurtigruten journeys have been published in the newest issue of Nytt Rom under the headline cruise esthetics and nature.

The Selby

I bet most of you already know about the fabulous Selby. Such an inspiration! If this is new to you, here's the short story: The Selby features photographs, paintings and videos by Todd Selby of interesting people and their creative spaces.

Here are some of my favorites from the Selby archives:


Magnus Berger


Nicolas Malleville and Francesca Bonato


Ingrid Schram


Cheri Messerli and David Rager


Jauretsi Saizarbitoria


Bill Gentle and Fanny Bostrom


Krysten Ritter


Grace and Kenyan


Erin Wasson


Jean and Sam


Cindy Greene