Power shopping

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

And as a contrast...

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

clothes clothes clothes

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

More clothes

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

Fit to buy

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

Motivation

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

Vanity Fair

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

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:

1. A face mask - The Velcro kind with holes for breathing. I look WICKED!
   
2. Silver "Michael Jackson" super-thin gloves to be worn under ski gloves. Space age stuff for frozen fingers.
3. 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?
4. 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

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