I Buy - Therefore I Blog

Eyes, eyes baby

2007-09-07T14:36:00.001+01:00

While on the Tradera shopping spree for the underwear below, I also found my finger trigger-happy, ouside of my control, getting some totally unnecessary but a so sweet for the soul makeup and scent items.

2 Dior Eyeshadows, and a Gucci Envy Perfume in bag size. Never opened, pure perfume (not Eau de Parfum). After it arrived (yesterday) I also noticed that the bottle itself is delicious, and comes delivered with a small suede bag to not scratch the shiny surface while it lodges in my handbag.
Glorious =)
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technorati tags: gucci, envy, dior, eyeshadow, shopping

Online shop-o-holic

2007-09-06T15:07:00.000+01:00

Hey there folks.

I'm sorry, I still am shopping (too much, again) - but I keep forgetting to update this blog. Let's make a serious attempt to get it going again, shall we?

The past few days I have been unusually active at Tradera (the Swedish eBay) where you can spend money MUCH too easily, at things you don't really need...

But then, what girl can have too much lingerie? On this shopping-spree I've spread myself from beautiful classic to... well... naughty.

Or what do you think about this? (Don't keep reading if you're not 18 ;))

[Classic satin/brocade white corset. Matching panties included. Hook&eye closure along the side and adjustable with straps in the back.]

[Red/pink modern corset, with matching panties. Modern (and a bit boring) hook&eye closure in the back.]

[White&blue brocade corset with matching painties. Hook&eye closure along the front, adjustable by straps in the back.]

[2 piece. No explanation necessary... Not my typical buy but heh, I'm sure MrX will appreciate this...]

I'm a BIG fan of beautiful underwear and curious about your thoughts on the matter.
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technorati tags: sexy, underwear, lingerie, corset, shopping, online

Power shopping

2007-05-28T12:17:00.000+01:00

Today I left work for my lunch break and had only one plan in mind - to exchange the battery on my watch which died during the weekend. It's a gorgeous thing. Actually a male mdel (see pic) but I'm woman enough to carry it off. The infamous MrX gave it to me, for Xmas, when we were still a couple.

Anyway, back to the shopping. On my way from NK where I got the battery changed, I unfortunately passed by several shops. One of them a large H&M, where I very rarely set my foot (being a brand-nerd and all). Still, when I stuck my nose in there were several items screaming my name - and I left the shop with a heavy bag and not THAT much of a lighter wallet. Got to love H&M's pricing!

It's all a matter of mix&match to me. Just like your entire home can, or should, not be furnished at IKEA, but a few pieces are just fine - H&M clothing can be worn as long as you're not going "full outfit".

In my bag I now have 2 dresses. 1 white daytime dress, long enough to be worn to work, one black lace evening dress, short enough to be considered a long top. Pictures will follow*. Also from H&M - 2 blouses that I didn't even try on - very womanly and body shaped and with hooks instead of buttons. A blessing if you, like me, are a woman with curves.

Is that not annoying, the way all shirts with buttons seem to either open up an ugly hole between the two buttons covering the bust - or hang like a tent hiding the waist. Ugh!

Walking to the deli where I was going to pick up the sallad that keeps my waist nice and thin I passed by a cosmetics shop, and of course had to stop by. I left the shop with a bottle of Trind Nail Repair - a product I only discovered recently but that has made all the difference to my hands. No longer do I have to go to the beauty parlor and spend zillions on adding acrylic to my poor nails to make them grow past my fingertips, Trind keeps them strong and un-flaky in their natural form. Almost magical, this thing!

Finally, I was ready for my food. But no... Only 100 meters yet to go and my eyes are drawn to a pair of jeans in a window that are JUST what I have been looking for, for ages. Italian, of course. And yes, they had them in my size - and yes, they fit beautifully. So I got them, of course**.

Now my AmEx is smoking and my arms are weary from hauling bags, but all in all I think I got a good load of shopping in on 45 minutes :)

{Disclaimer: This blog is not and have never been sponsored. I am not getting any return for recommending products, I recommend them only because they are good.}
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Nuts and bolts:
* I was unable to find any good pictures of the clothes on the web, so I'll use my new camera and share later :)
** See comment above.
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technorati tags: shopping, jeans, dresses, H&M, D-stag, Trind, Armani

Finally!

2007-05-24T15:19:00.000+01:00

I've been putting it off forever, but I finally got around to buying a new (well, used, but almost new) camera. I used to have the G1-model (Canon PowerShot) and used it until it fell to pieces - so when I found an ad for a very resonably priced G5 I couldn't help myself - I bought it on the spot.

Well, almost, I haggled first - of course. So now I believe I may be updating this page more frequently, as what has stopped me on many occations before was my inability to get good pictures of my purchase.

SEK 2.000 - it's a steal!

And, anyone wanting a digital camera that can't help but take great pictures... really, the G-series is the way to go. Canon has outdone themselves with this one....
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technorati tags: canon, camera, shopping

And as a contrast...

2007-05-08T15:37:00.000+01:00

Something that I will probably find a great deal more use for than the little Versace clutch below.
I ran into a nice little boutique with a 50% sale-sign in the window - a sure attraction for MsTake.

That's where I found this lovely shirt, see below. Although it looks normal and boring, it is not. Unlike every other shirt I have tried on in the last year it is actually shaped around my body without stretching over my boobs in the most unsightly fashion.

I am blesed with having both a waist and a chest, and finding something business-like which doesn't either force me to bandage them down like the flappers did in the 20's OR hang like a tent around my middle section is really a chore, so I was thrilled to find this shirt.

Also, I think the branded cuff links are a nice touch, no? =)
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technorati tags: esprit, shirt, business, shopping

Things a girl needs

2007-05-07T14:31:00.000+01:00

So, today I went shopping for a purse. A classic purse, a functional purse. My old one is beginning to get annoying as a zipper has broken. The criteria for my new purse was as follows:

Black
Shoulder strap
Large enough for wallet/keys/phone but not so big I lose stuff in it (like with my current one where the only way to get to the phone in time when it rings is to find a convenient table and tip the bag upside down at the sound of the first ring)

This is what I came home with:

Well, it's not black, has chain-straps that just barely can get past my wrist and will fit my phone and my keys, but not my wallet. Two thirds out of three?

[Yes, the keys WILL fit, dangit!]

However, you HAVE to agree, it get's 10/10 for looks? =)
(AND - I doubt I'll lose my phone in it *grin*)

So what say ye?
Good buy - or bad?
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technorati tags: versace, purse, shopping,

clothes clothes clothes

2007-05-03T17:37:00.000+01:00

You know, the annoying thing is that my camera software has been acting up on my computer of late - so all the gorgeous clothes I bought in London (yes, I did go wild) and the stuff I've bought since in Sweden (did a raid at Esprit on Monday, and today at Zara) goes undocumented.

It's just no fun to post without pictures...

Suffice to say. I bought clothes, lately. Ranging from sensible if fashionable and kind of hot tops to bge used mainly at work (Zara) to sparkly, glittery denim hotpants (London, what did YOU think??) and all the way inbetween with a mini-skirt, sparkly tops, wide and high wasted but very cool shorts, a super cool skirt wich hugs the butt and then flares, but only in the back.

Ah, I HAVE to get this camera working!!!!
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technorati tags: irritation, shopping, clothes, fashion, hotpants

cloaking it

2007-04-26T14:03:00.000+01:00

In preparation for the fancy dress party I was going to last weekend, themed "The Beautiful and the Damned" I found the perfect cloak.
Unfortunately I didn't actually get to wear it, as I ended up staying home with my killer flu - so now I have to figure out some other brilliant time for this fabulous garment!

Super Sale

2007-04-03T15:46:00.000+01:00

Today was one of those perfect sales, the kind you don't even know about. I was going to Hemtex (a Swedish interior decorating store with emphasis on textiles) to get a few small things and when I arrived the store had a 40% off everything sell-out!

Happy Happy, Joy Joy; to paraphrase Ren and Stimpy!

I ended up buying a bunch of stuff I didn't even know I needed, cool tablecloths, a couple of matching (black and red) vases, the thin kind you can only stick a single rose in, some cool looking saucers and plates to make the table with, matching my new vases and tablecloths (and my new furniture).

I'll make everything look nice and cool at home and then take a picture.
899 crowns later and a happy MsTake.

I love shopping for my house, I love my house.
Hell, it's spring, and tomorrow I'm going to London - I love everything and everyone!
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technorati tags: home, sale, shopping, vase, cool

More clothes

2007-03-29T14:06:00.000+01:00

As promised, here's a pic of the J.Lindeberg ensemble. It so summery, so sweet and so a perfect fit for me. Not my usual kind of clothes but I'm sure they will serve me well though this summer.

Then, as I've already mentioned in the Swedish blog, I ended up falling right back into the shop yesterday. I realized I hadn't had time to go through the bargain basement last time. Unlike a few days ago, not everything I brought with me to try actually fit, so luckily I got out of there with less of a dent in my wallet.

Left to right, top to bottom:

Blue miniskirt - more of the wide belt type, from Zara Woman
Off-White top with print and strings from Stefanel
Beige close fitting top from Versace (Jeans Couture)
Light gold spaghetti string top (don't remember the brand, it just fit really well)
A gold/bronze meshed scarf

All of the above put me back 460 SEK.

Did I mention I LOVE this place? =))
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technorati tags: J.Lindeberg, Armani, shopping, second-hand

Second Hand

2007-03-28T12:35:00.000+01:00

I have a favorite second hand store.
It's love love between me and the store. I love it because it often has absolute bargains for me and the quality of the clothes is new or as good as new, it loves me because I spend such obscene amounts of money there =)

As I wrote about in my Swedish blog, I went shopping after my knee therapy on Tuesday. I was only panning to browse while waiting for my friend to show up, but that was not to be. I walked out of the shop just over 1500 Swedish crowns poorer (200 dollars, 100 pounds) but with a bag full of bargains, just look:

This is, from right to left,

Pinstriped suit pants from Zara Woman
Black suit pants from Gucci
Black suit/schoolgirl skirt vith white and red stripes (can't remember the brand)
Brown high sandals (4') with gold trimmings (can't remember the brand)
Black "flapper"-type dress, Italian brand that the store imports directly (so it's new)

Not pictured (because the photo turned out so badly) is a set consisting of skirt and halterneck top from J.Lindeberg, which suits me so well they could as well have been spray painted on my body. In light denim this is a GREAT summer outfit with a lot of frills =) I'll try to take another picture this afternoon.

Also not pictured - A pair of Gucci sunglasses. Out of style, it's the large café glasses with almost clear lenses. Not this seasons look, but certainly *my* look.

Aaaah, the shoes. they deserve a second picture, so gorgeous. SO ME!
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technorati tags: fashion, second-hand, J.Lindeberg, Zara, Gucci

Yeah yeah, catching up

2007-03-27T23:40:00.000+01:00

Hmm , let's see.

Since I last wrote I've bought:
Assorted books, including the "Atkins for life" book that I pictured below. Also an almanac and the last book of the Valhalla series, "Saga of Valhalla" by Johanne Hildebrand. I don't know if it's been translated, but it's an EXCELLENT series.

I bought 2 plane tickets, one to Stockholm for last weekend and one to Iceland for this summer.

Some gorgeous make-up from Noeba. Some for me and some not for me.
A wonderful double-bubble as a birthday gift for a very special lady, and a single bubble of sparkling gold along with a golden eyeliner for yours truly (that would be ME!)

A gorgeous flowery series from I*Me*My consisting of a necklace, a pair of earrings and a nice big ring. Very nice, very "Pilgrimmy".

I'm sure there's been more, but as catching up goes, this will have to do. Yesterday I had a field-day at my local favourite second hand shop - but I'll cover that in a separate post.
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technorati tags: nouba, make-up, beauty, books

catch-up

2007-03-20T13:54:00.000+01:00

It's been quiet a while, sorry!

So, have I stopped shopping?

Eeer, no. In fact, not at all.
What I have done is stopped writing about it. Bad move, then it doesn't prevent me from over spending! I'll do a catch-up post and then be good again, promise.
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technorati tags: shopping, pause

Fit to buy

2007-03-06T15:18:00.001+01:00

This post will go from healthy-boring to bling, so bear with me and keep scrolling :)

First purchase of the day, yesterday, was an Atkins cookbook. Not the one above, but I couldn't find a picture of it. I know, I'm on GI, not Atkins - but GI (or LowCarb) is really just a rather lighter version - so I'm sure this will have some good tips for me, and hopefully a recipe or two.

Anyway, it was cheap, on the book sale, 79 :-

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So, I'm home. Still with a knee issue, still not able to do normal exercise.

Instead, I'm on a rehab program - doing exercises that will hopefully bring my knee back to full functionality in no time. So yesterday I went shopping for a balance board, and in TRUE Ms.Take style left the building with my more than that. Or, how about:
Well, the balance board, obviously. From Energetics. Great way to get my knee back in shape, or so the physiotherapist is telling me. Probably pretty good for core training as well. Mine doesn't look exactly like that, but you get the point.

Energetics Balance Board - 200:- I would say that's good value for money?

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In the shop, next to the balance boards, were the yoga mats. I've been thinking of getting one for quite some time. Especially since I'm going to start doing some light pilates at home, next to my rehab exercises. The only reasonable mat was bright pink. Not really my color, but very comfy to the touch.

Casall yoga mat: 200:- I think that's ok, but still a lot of money for a bit of foam...

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This is where I moved from well thought through, pre-planned purchases, to pure joyriding...

On my way to the counter, carrying my balance board and my yoga mat, I passed the "sales"-section. Bad mistake!! On the Casall rack they had a very "bling" workout set that was so incredibly Ms.Take! Dark gray with a sparkle, and seams in gold. Very luxurious materials.

Read more about this set here.

They had the pants and both types of tops (ballet and v-necked hoodie) in my size, and the discount was AMAZING. (see every item)

The pants have a waist that can be worn high or low, or folded down for a super-low feel and a contrasting silver gray lining. Gold stitching on the legs.

Price on the net: £49,95 - I paid 200:- (about£14,50) Bargain? Yes!

The ballet top will look better on me than on the model. Why? Because I have a bosom ;) Straps crossed in the back and gold stitching on all seams.

Price on the net: £39,95 - I paid 100:- (about£7,80) Bargain!

Finally the hoodie. Good for those swollen days when you don't want to expose the waistline too much. Also for moving exercises where the ballet top can... well, be found lacking. Something may escape. Hoodies are cool too.

Price on the net: £49,95 - I paid 200:-

So, all in all this set put me back 500:- I thought it was great value! Maybe not the smartest of moves, getting new training gear just as I'm
1) losing weight and
2) have difficulties training - but it's another case of pre-rewarding.

I'm surely going to be working out much more at home when I can look this stylish :) I liked them even BEFORE I read about that they are a limited edition. Once out of stock, no more will be made, and only very few has been made.

Why they were on the sales rack? Probably because they were so horribly overpriced to begin with =)

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These purchases all following my age-old principle:
"If it's word doing, it's worth OVER-doing!"

Gorgeous set, wasn't it? :)
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technorati tags: fashion, bling-bling, casall, balance, shopping

Heathrow Airport

2007-03-05T14:35:00.000+01:00

This is a DANGEROUS place! Even Terminal 3, that I flew from yesterday, has a vast array of absolute must-have's. so I walked out of there with assorted goodies. Let's dive straight into it, shall we?

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The Thierry Mugler "Angel" perfume is a classic, once discovered for me by my then-husband. I haven't used it for years, since I associated it with him - but I was scent-shopping and the Lancome Attraction that I was actually after had been pulled from stock. So instead I got me a bottle of Angel, along with a Deodorant Spray.

My thought's on Angel: A wonderful, WONDERFUL scent. Very rich and full, yet elegant. Definitely too heavy for the younger crew - be 25 or so before you give this a shot. There's a slightly lighter version, labeled "Angel Innocent", if you want a more subtle scent or, indeed, are under 25 :)

A small, 10 ml, but refillable bottle - with 2 x 10 ml refills included. £37.90. Bargain or rip-off?
£18.95 for the deo-spray feels a bit like overkill, now when I think about it =)

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A dear friend of mine has a birthday coming up. I had seen this previously on the net and thought what a great gift it would be for him - but it wasn't until I was standing at the airport and they had it in stock that it was decided.

My thoughts on the champagne travel case: He's an ex-boyfriend but still-friend to me, and I thought this kit could be a great aid to his dating, don't you think? I think it's really stylish, and will keep the bottle safe in his boat.

Veuve Clicquot Travel Case - including a bottle of champagne and 2 glasses, £47 - definitely not a bargain :S

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This was on a bargain-shelf but turned out to not be marked down after all, which didn't prevent me from buying it anyway *lol*. I fell for the Too Faced line a while back, after ordering various make-up from an online store. I bought an eye-shadow from them and was (and still am) AMAZED at how full of pigments and nice it is. So, I ended up ordering a whole line of products from their home page and am very happy with almost all of them.

So, when saw this I thought I'd give the whole idea of lip-plumpers one, final go. It never seems to work for me, no matter how many happy testimonials a products have.

My thoughts on Too Faced Lip Injection: I'll let you know when I tried it, but I have SOME hopes since many of their other products are great.

At £18,50 for the set it's cheap compared to retail, but value for money will depend on effect.

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I never saw myself doing this, being such a brandiac, but I bought a scent from Victoria's Secret. From the "Mood" series. It smells delicious! A little bit like the Angel perfume, but with more... sexyness.

Obviously, a new scent is always something of a lottery, since I don't know what it will smell like after some time on my skin, but I have high hopes for this one.

My thoughts on Victoria's Secret Mood: Lovely, and relatively cheap. I love the old-fashioned pump.

AT £22,90 for 75 ml it was worth taking a chance, at least I thought so.

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The final item(s) of my airport shopping was scented candles, also from Victoria's Secret, with the same smell as the perfume. It really IS a very sexy smell, and I think it may do wonders on my bedside table. If I ever have anyone to bring there, that is :S

Scented candles has been big for quite some time, as a sensuous part of seduction, but the closest I've come to it are cinnamon scented heat candles (you know, the small, round type) from IKEA. Hardly the sophisticated tool of seduction.

My thoughts on the scented candles: I hope I get the chance to use them beftore they run out of smell, but it does tickle my senses. And they smell LOVELY!

This one was a bargain think, with a 2 for 1 offer and a price of £13,90

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And this concludes my Heathrow Shopping experience. Thank god I was only in T3. The huge shopping of T2 would have melted my credit card =)
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technorati tags: shopping, beauty, perfumes, champagne, tax-free

Food for thought

2007-02-27T20:31:00.000+01:00

I'm not doing that much shopping right now.

Why? you ask...

Well firstly, having torn a ligament in my knee, walking around town is less fun than before and secondly, I kicked into the GI diet (also known as LowCarb) a couple of days ago so I spend much more than my usual time AND money in the food store, trying to find new ingredients that I am in fact allowed to eat.

I also spend much more time than normal in the kitchen.
YES! In the kitchen. I kid you not!

Above is my new blender, which I DID buy after a Caesar dressing mishap a few days back. Below is a bowl of vegetables that put me back 30 dollars - everything in there is ECO-food (grown traditionally without additives or poisons)

So unfortunately, I really doubt this lull in my "normal" shopping is saving me any money. Quite the contrary, as I seem to be spending around 40-50 dollars/day in the food shop. I mean really!

I was about to say that I'm spending money on no lasting value, but I don't think it would be correct - I'm investing in my health and my body, is what I'm doing. Now, if I can only start moving as well, maybe I'll even lose a few inches =)
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technorati tags: GI, diet, LowCarb, investing, blender, weight

Motivation

2007-02-22T16:21:00.000+01:00

With my new book in hand I have today commenced ion the GI-diet. My goal is to lose no less than 5-6 inches around my pretty* but currently a tad over sized behind. What do you know, it was a good idea to buy it after all!

In good old Ms.Take Style I decided to motivate myself in a very tangible manner. So I went and bought some gorgeous underwear today. Since the panties are stretchy, I fit into them now as well, but they will start looking better and better as I shrink. And if they don't, I will reward myself by buying some NEW ones, so there!

[The upper one is a 3/4 cup (support and coverage, but risk of spillage. Spillage stays with in the lace though]
[The lower one is a 1/4-cup (that means support but no coverage;)). Velvet outside, lined with lace. Risqué - n'es pas?]

[I bought 2 pairs of the floral, in different sizes. To shink in :)
The lower pair looks absolutely insanely gorgeous on, and are also low-rise (despite the looks of the pic]

[Top 3 are the fun bunch, including fishnets, thick over-knee (shool-girl style) with buttons and black opaque moulain rouge - type stay-ups with red details]
[The bottom pile is just functional thick tights, to allow me to wear skirts in winter]

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Nuts:
* It really is pretty. I Have a great butt. J-LO, throw your self into the wall, as we say in Swedish =)
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technorati tags: lingerie, underwear, shopping, motivation, GI

GI

2007-02-20T14:22:00.000+01:00

So, back in Sweden after my tour of the alps.

What I've bought lately has, sadly enough, mainly consisted of medicine and leg-support, after tearing a ligament in my knee while skiing (DOH!)

Yesterday, other slighly boring things like leggings. Also some cute lacy underwear, as well as champagne for my good friends who took care of my cats. All in all yesterdays shopping came to about SEK 1000, but mainly for a good cause!

Today I must have done the most unnecessary purchase ever!
On my way back to the office after visiting the doctors, I realized that I didn't have any cash in my wallet to pay for my sushi. So, did I go to an ATM, about 100 hobbling meters off, in the wrong direction? Noooooo....

I instead went for the much better option (in my opinion) of going in to the nearest store and buying something, just to be able to withdraw some cash from my visa card. So now I am the proud(?) owner of the book "Våra bästa GI Recept" (the link is in Swedish).

Well, I've had to cancel my gym-card because of my knee... I'd better start changing my diet if I don't want to go elephant style!
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technorati tags: GI, shopping, books, injury, spontaneous

Boring home shopping

2007-02-07T17:49:00.000+01:00

So, it's been quiet.

I've spent the whole weekend as well as the beginning of this week in bed, and not for nice reasons. This has, of course, prevented me from doing any shopping, or updating this blog. Although the flu still has not released me from it's ugly grip I'm back at work, and back to the shops.

Hey, what else are lunch-hours for???

Today I've been boring. I tried a lot of nice stuff on, some sales are still ongoing, but only ended up buying boring, home related things.

Coming home with me today are:

1 set of leather care for my rather new (2 months) and super sexy leather sofa
4 table tablets, red, for my equally rather new and super sexy red and dark wood dining table
1 pair of ~~coocking~~cooking tongs. Is that what they're called?

I didn't buy any of the cool winter boots I tried on (Replay/Diesel/Lacoste), nor the super-nice Roxy gold&white beanie. Partly because I only JUST bought a ski hat, and blogged about it here, and I managed to make myself understand I didn't need another.

Hey, what do you know, the blog is working!! :)
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technorati tags: roxy, replay, diesel, shopping

Short break

2007-02-04T21:21:00.000+01:00

I've been, and still am, horribly sick.
No shopping for several days. I can feel the withdrawal-symptoms kicking in, righ about NOW!

Be back soon. Hopefully tomorrow.

Vanity Fair

2007-02-01T17:36:00.000+01:00

Readers of my Swedish Blog know all about my obsession with this ski-suit. I ran into it by mistake while looking for that ski-mask I covered in the previous post.

It's CCL by Rossignol, a totally crazy French designer that makes the nicest things, and it's on massive sale. It's been marked down from SEK 7200 to SEK 4900 But it's still madly expensive. I'm struggling with my self on this one, I really really am.

I had almost lost the fight, with the aid of my lovely readers. And then I went for coffee with my ex, the one I went to Trysil with. I showed him this picture and he looked at me with surprise.

"Why do you want to buy that? You're SO hot in your white outfit"

And that's just about the only thing that could have stopped me. Since vanity is the very reason I was going after it.

Then he continues:
"Oooooor... you go in and offer 3.500 for it. Say that's what they'll get on the after-season sale anyway,a nd it's the best you can do."

Another good point....

Still, how often do you find a SEXY ski-outfit?
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technorati tags: Rossignol, desire, sexy, outfit

Master of Speed

2007-01-31T16:00:00.000+01:00

Yesterday - More ski gear in my shopping-bag.

Am I getting boring yet? ;) Well, I've soon refreshed the entire ski-wardobe, so there's not much more to buy. Bare/bear [SP?] with me... This will soon be over.

Still, yesterday emptied my purse of the cash needed for:

A face mask - The Velcro kind with holes for breathing. I look WICKED!
Silver "Michael Jackson" super-thin gloves to be worn under ski gloves. Space age stuff for frozen fingers.
A pair of high-tech ski socks. Amazing. there are dozens of different types of ski-socks. All do special things to your feet. Some are extra padded, some keep you very warm, some prevent blisters. Hey - here's a thought. How about one that does ALL of that?
A padded carry-case for my new skis, and a matching bag for the ski-boots. Brand: Scott. Black vinyl. Very porno.

Also, time to introduce the ski-boots. Mainly because I think I've been going on and ON about ski-gear now and need to get it out of the way :)

The Nordica SM8 (Speed Master 8) is a high end ladies ski-boot for us women with dainty feet - eg: it's been made for long, slim feet and thin ankles. I went all the way on these when I bought them, shaping them to my foot at the store and even doing a specially cast sole. That means they fit my feet like a glove. Absolutely AMAZING.

If you're ever in doubt on weather to add the extra $50-60 to have a sole fitted to your foot, doubt no more! The comfort-level is worth that and more. With a ski-boot fitted to your foot as perfect as can be, another great side effect is that the toes stay warm - no squeezing to cut blood flow.

The SM8's are hard ladies boots with a high flex. Not the most comfortable of boots to walk around with, but very rewarding to ski in. When you push off, it's the skis that give, not the boots. Which is the way it should be.

Functionality: I spent 2 full days, from early morning till the lifts closed, in these babies last weekend. Not one blister. Not one frozen toe. They are really REALLY good. 10/10
Price: Not marked down, unfortunately. 3.000 for the boots, an additional 600 for the specially made sole. But ask yourself what a blister-free and enjoyable week in the alps is wroth to you. Still not cheap. 7/10
Looks/coolfactor: They're nice enough. I could have wished for a bit more bling, but that's me. The shiny red details are a nice touch. 8/10
Overall Rating: 9/10.

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technorati tags: nordica, ski-gear, sports, shopping

Spontaneous Shopping

2007-01-30T10:48:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, as I was looking for a bag for my new skis (lovelovelovelove) I just happened to slip in to H&M, which was right next door to the ski shop. I was just going to walk right through it, to go out the back door that leads to a stairway very near my home.

However, at H&M they were in the final throes of the new years sale. So as I strolled through the shop I saw bargain after bargain, and I just couldn't help myself. It really was DIRT cheap! So, this is what I left the shop with:

1 copper cotton scarf
2 copper lace hot pants
1 copper hair band
a bunch of gold bands
1 leopard hair cover (I think to use it as a face mask when skiing)
1 gold and brown belt
1 blue and white ski-cap
1 silver and white really fluffy warm scarf
2 silver and black hair bands
finally a black velvet choker with a silver pendant (actually bought at Kicks, 5 minutes later)

All of this put me back just over SEK 300. Now really, that WAS a bargain, no?
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technorati tags: H&M, shopping, bargain, sale

Skiing expenses...

2007-01-29T20:41:00.000+01:00

Ahhh, they arrived today. My new ski's. No rating of them, of course, since I haven't used them yet. Except perhaps for look. Where I have to say they score a perfect ten (though that is NOT why I bought them!)

A pair of Rossignol Attraxion III, they are just what I need (I think) - being challenging skis that work well both on and off the pist, but demands quite a lot of the woman riding them. Yes indeed, woman. These are girl's skis, made especially for our distribution of, and sometimes lack of*, weight.

Including the bindings, the skis cost me SEK 4500, a really great price, marked down from 5700 where they had been earlier this year. They are the -06-07 season model and scored really high in the Swedish ski magazine Åka Skidor's review of ladies skis. Let's hope I'll be as happy with them as the reviewers were.

I wasn't actually planning on buying skis. I was PLANNING on renting this season, trying my way through several pairs until I finally settled for one and then I'd buy that in the after-season, dirt cheap. That was the plan...

Then along came a great salesperson, and my own inability of holding back once I get in the groove, and there I was. The proud ower of a pair of skis that probably are a lot better in the slope than *I* am. Well, I guess it's like you used to say when you bought clothes as a kid...

"Don't worry, she'll grow into them"
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Notes:
* Though I am sadly not in the "lacking weight"-club, after this xmas and new years...
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technorati tags: skis, rossignol, attraxionIII, shopping, humor

Not very humble, no

2007-01-27T22:00:00.000+01:00

Of course, an incredibly comfortable but rather dull helmet needs an accessory that evens the score? Thus, along came the Golden Goggles:

Bought at Udéns Sport at the same time as the helmet (and some other stuff, 1 1/2 weeks ago) these babies put me back SEK 1199. Which at the time felt like a great deal, as they had cost 1599 earlier that month, Yeah, calling that a bargain that makes a GREAT deal of sense, doesn't it?

Still, one has to admit, they bring the dull helmet to a completely other dimension. Also, on the plus side, they are very good goggles - dual lense with an anti fog system that really works. Also, they are very comfortable on a womans face and fit the top of the helmet perfectly (see picture below) which means the face stays warm. This trip that was particularly important. it was freezing.

Darkening factor is 3 (out of 4) so when visibility is low it gets difficult to see the slope. However, when the sun is shining, or it's just not snowing, it's the perfect blend.

On the down-side, the inner coating is ridiculously sensitive. Not cool factor1: I had some water on the inner lens freeze to ice, and as i tried to remove these ice-specks with my fingers I ended up scratching the entire inner lens. Not cool!

Not cool factor2: Also, once scratched, visibility drops markedly, causing me to ski with them on the helmet whenever possible. Not cool!

This will be an opportunity for Udéns Sport to earn brownie-points or hate-points, depending on how they treat me when I take them back. I want a replacement lens, dangit!

Functionality: Until scratched they were really good. A bit on the dark side but doing everything a pair of high-end goggles should. A comfortable, snug fit and no glare. The fact that they scratch so easily drops the rating a bit and we land on 6/10
Price: The are currently marked down, from SEK 1599 to.. 1199. This is not a fantastic price for goggles, gold or not. 4/10
Looks/coolfactor: This is where they rule. They are über-cool. The queen of ski goggles. 9,5/10
Overall Rating: 7/10.

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technorati tags: goggles, skiing, adidas, cool

Natural Beauty

2007-01-26T16:30:00.000+01:00

Ok, I admit, I'm not wholly a natural beauty. Some parts of me get help, as needed.
Like my nails.

Every 4-5 weeks I go to Nagelpalatset in Gothenburg and shell out SEK 500 for a lady with funny hair and an even funnier smell to put a layer of acrylic on my nails. Like today:

They're normally much longer than this, I had her take down 5 mm of length since I noticed this weekend that really long nails and skiing is hnot the best combination (hands don't fit in gloves, it's hard to open the ski-boots, etc)

Anyway. Nagelpalatset. They charge SEK 875 for a new set with french manicure, 775 for a new set of natural nails and 450-550 for every re-visit (SEK 50 extra if you break a nail and need it lengthened). If you can stand the funny smell and the even funnier people, it's the best place you can go. They've won several prices and make strong, beautiful, natural-looking nails.

Aren't they beautiful?
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technorati tags: beauty,, nails, wellness

The head is Top Priority

2007-01-26T10:54:00.001+01:00

Staying on the skiing theme, I went shopping before my Trysil trip. I bought quite a lot so I'll cover it in several posts, me thinks.

Let's start from the top, so to speak, with the head.

I went to Udéns Sport, an excellent shop for everything alpine in Gothenburg. This really is the place to go if you want expert help and knowledge. I can't recommend them enough. Sure, you can find some of the same equipment in other more generic shops, like InterSport and Stadium, but at Udén they really know what they are talking about and can guide you through your buy.

I'll get back to all the good things about Udéns in upcoming posts (no, they don't sponsor me :)), but I'll leave it there for now.

Anyway, head gear it was...

Tired of borrowing helmets which have been shaped to imperfection by hundereds of other heads, I had decided to get my own. I go for it, when I ski, and it just feels safer with a helmet! But which one to get? There were all shapes and sizes. Finally, I fell for the K2-line. not because they looked any better or worked any better than the others (quite the opposite, on looks alone I would have gone for the white, fluffy, furry helmet), but because it was by FAR the most gadgety!

You see, it's compatible with the K2 headphones, that are built into the extremely comfortable ear covers, slide down through your jacket and into your mp3 player or, of you have an Ericsson phone that supports it, your Phone! I didn't get the extra set, but I will. There will be a separate post about that.

Anyway, so what I bought was the K2 Clutch, 2007 model. Simple look but INCREDIBLY comfortable. It has adjustable sizing in the neck, enabling you to make it fit just as snugly as you want.

I have used this helmet for a weekend of skiing so far.

Functionality: This helmet is extremely comfortable, provide excellent protection and has all the extra gadget-ability that one may need. Insulation-wise it really works. It was -14 and windy when we went skiing and I never felt cold.
Price: At Udéns it's currently been marked down, from SEK 899 to.. 699 I think, and is a steal at half the price.
Looks/coolfactor: Although a helmet in the slope is always cool, some points are lost for looking... a little bit dull.
Rating: I give it an 8/10.

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technorati tags: helmet, k2, clutch, skiing, rate, comfortable, warm

Trysil on a budget

2007-01-25T15:42:00.001+01:00

This past weekend some friends and I went to Trysil (a ski resort in Norway) . Just over the weekend.

Excessive? I think not. with 4 people in a car, going from Gothenburg, and staying at Trysiltunet at a whopping NOK 1500 for the weekend, the entire trip + lodgings came to just above SEK 500 p.p.

[Each cabin holds 4 apartments, pizza-slice-shaped]

Granted 13,5 kvm is not a lot of room, but it was all that was needed. After all, I don't go to a ski resort to sit in the cabin. I go there to ski! The close quarters were rather cosy, we ate breakfast and dinner there, and most importantly the shower area was roomy and clean.

[The bathroom is half the space, length-wise]

Finally, the area is easy walking distance to the lifts and ski-rental area - about 250 meter of flat land. This is rather important as most of the time one has to trek the distance wearing ski boots.

[As we say in Sweden. "If there's room for the heart, there's room for the butt:"]

Of course, Prices rise as we move into high season, but still, I can recommend this living to anyone on a budget. This is a cheap as it gets if you want to live anywhere near the slopes, and it's worth every penny. (just don't expect luxury)

Pricing and more information here.

[We were childish enough to think that it was funny that we lived in cabin "Date"]

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technorati tags: travel, Trysil, skiing

I Buy, therefore I Blog

2007-01-23T18:23:00.001+01:00

I already author "Snygg, Sexig och (O)Frivilligt Singel", a rather popular blog about single life in Sweden. In that blog I try to keep a humorous tone and keep far away from subjects covering monetary exchanges.

THIS blog is (will be) completely different. Although most probably following the same general thread of ironic humor;
The purpose of this blog is to be a log of my shopping.

I have a well paid job as a manager in IT. I mean really well paid. Yet somehow I have problems making ends meet some months. The reason for this is my sometimes frivolous use of my (very shiny and metallic) American Express. Very dangerous card, indeed!

I allow myself quite a lot. It's clothes, it's gadgets, it's makeup, it's skin care products, it's shoes, it's sports gear, it's trips. I buy these things all over the place, in the shops here in Gothenburg, on airports as I travel and in the cities I go to, I buy online and via catalogue.

Time to start logging and, of course, rating! I'll share my experiences with you, both regarding the products I buy and, when applicable, the place where I got them. To start with, I may well cover purchases done earlier this month, but going forward all purchases covered will be current.

Starting this blog coincides with me trying to cut down on my shopping a bit. Let's see how well THAT goes! In fact, I kind of hope to use this as a way to cut expenses. If I have to admit to buying it, maybe I wont =)
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technorati tags: shopping, rating, sweden, gadgets, fashion, make-up