Thursday, March 28, 2013

Daily Outfit: The Big Freeze

Remember how I whinged about not dressing very well (at all) in (n)Iceland and Norway?

Want proof?



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Wicked wind in Reykjavik, Iceland.



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Much needed respite from the weather! Styling!



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So cold but so much sciency goodness. At the boundary between tectonic plates.



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Jump, jump!



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About to get my hair eaten by an Icelandic horse. Terrified.



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Freezing at the (half) frozen waterfall.




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Who invited the hipster? Love this country.




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Look at the soil/sand! Insane!




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Rainbows just for me.




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Styling in a snow suit (the best).




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Making new friends.




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Driving to Eyjafjallajökull. Sooooo styling.




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Blue to match the sky.




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Drinking the purest water I've ever tasted, fresh from a glacier.




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Dreaming about home, so far away.



Can you understand my hesitation in sharing my looks with you all?
I'm happy to have retired my beige rain jacket and snow pants... until the next trip.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The North

Anyone who knows me (that's all of you then, right?) will tell you that I'm a hot weather girl. I just love  riding a bike on a stinking hot day, sweating up a storm, and then coming home to a cool shower (and obligatory beer... in the shower).


Why then have I been so enchanted with The North lately? (and yes, it does require capitalisation)

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I had never seen this much snow before, ever! When I was dog-sledding the night before, it was -26C....


Ever since my trip to Iceland and Norway it's all I can think about.

I'm chaining on Icelandic band Samaris (really good, highly recommended).

I check the aurora forecast, daily.



This documentary is just magical: Joanna Lumley (she of Ab Fab fame!) travelling far into northern Norway, just like me!


I've been downloading podcasts on the Icelandic language.


I even went to the library to borrow some books on teaching yourself!


I guess all this means is that... I have to go back.
So I am.
In three very short weeks.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Now, this I like.

A quick list of things I've scribbled into my diary as really appreciating this past month (when I haven't been traversing Europe in hunt of the elusive aurora borealis).


  • A handful of fresh strawberries for dessert

  • Big, fluffy bath towels

  • Lingonberry cordial (I found it at IKEA!)

  • Listening to podcasts while running (Still loving Joy the Baker and Slate Cultural Gabfest)

  • Relaxing with some light television. Currently into New Girl (who isn't?) and Suits


What's floating your boat, friend? Or perhaps you're more the ship type?

Daily Outfit: Lady in Red

I went out on Friday night and a stranger took one look at me before guessing that red is my favourite colour. The funny thing is, at the time the only red thing I was wearing was a scarf!


Here's me being similarly conspicuous, gallivanting over France:


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A bit much, even for me. I love it!


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Another new friend!


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Trying to keep warm in Parc Montsouris (Paris). Also, jeans!


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Rocking my new (vintage) sunglasses at my happy place (not the library).



Do you have a go-to colour?

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Daily Outfit: Beetlejuice

Yep, still playing catch up, but getting closer and closer to the present!


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An amazingly not freezing winter's day in Bordeaux. Still rather soggy though.

Wednesday Wrap-up, wrap-up.

Oh, you patient bunnies. I haven't been around much lately, have I? Both on the internet space and in the real world.

I've been wanting to start Wednesday Wrap-ups back up again lately but with all this madcap travel (with no cease in sight!) I'm just not sure where I'd even start!


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Witnessing the incredible beauty of the Northern Lights outside Reykjavik. I saw them three nights, all up!


This Wednesday I found myself back in Bordeaux. With an unexpected afternoon off, I made the most of it with a matinée movie session, shopping, a bike accident (whoops!), book club and a dinner with friends.

Last Wednesday I was heading deep into the Arctic wilderness to go dog-sledding in -26C and sleep in a Saami tent (seriously!) in far Northern Norway.

The previous Wednesday I was reminiscing about seeing Bjork in concert the night before in Paris and flying out to Reykjavik that afternoon.


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New friend in Northern Norway.


Sometimes my life can get so surreal and difficult to summarise in a blog post. But I really appreciate the records I kept from when I was living in Paris (both here and in my paper journal). I'll keep trying.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Sunday Stumble

I'm flying back to Paris tonight! Sigh....


Been hoarding lots of good stuff from around the interwebz lately. Let's share.


Work from Polish photographer Marcin Ryczek. Wow. 


I've been feeling strangely connected to nature lately, circle of life style. This evolution blog will definitely make you giggle!



I know Valentine's day has been and gone, but I really like these Wes Anderson illustrated cards!


I agree with this author's number one choice of hottest Disney prince (it's not the Beast BTW, though, that library...)


I'm not really upset at heading back to France. Check out these brilliant pictures of Paris from 1914 (La Belle Epoque)


If you don't appreciate Arrested Development we can't be friends. Lego version even better.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Daily Outfit: Let's shed our winter skin

After just posting some beautiful spring wardrobe inspiration, it feels right to do a spring clean of my daily outfits, and finally upload those winter shots.

In no particular order (chronology is so passé):


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Yep, playing a triangle (I had been at band practice)


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I really dig blue and red!

Wear Colour (End of winter edition!)

Maybe it's because I'm way up north in the snow, but looking at the forecast for Bordeaux where I'm due back at work this week (rain rain rain) I am keen to throw off my winter darks and get involved in a more springy burst of colour.

A beautiful transition coat.


You guys know I love me some Disney.


Spring always means florals to me!

I love that emerald is going to be a thing this year.

Blair's style is quite preppy but she just gets it.

The clothes are nothing special but I love the spring feel of this shot! Hope to see some cherry blossoms in Japan (did I mention I'm going at the end of April?)

Simple but effective!

Again with the emerald, yeah!

Perfection.

Pink and florals!

I wish these were flamingos instead of butterflies.

I must visit Monet's garden in Giverny this spring. Probably a good thing this skirt is sold out in my size.


The conclusion? Looks like I'm vibing green and pink for spring (remember that winter's colours were blue and red?) I'm not really sure how these colours suit me so perhaps I'll just admire from afar.


For more colourful treats, click here.

As always, click images for links.