E in the streets

Oh yes, I got my drivers license on my first attempt after having had absolutely no lessons. I have only been driving with Mr S and of course friend C who gave me a few helpful hints.
So yesterday after work I drove for the first time alone to my parents place :)
It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be but I have driven that way about a million times.

Mr S is now even more confident that he is an amazing driver... Well I suppose that is a question of each one's personal judgement....

Been to busy working and missed out on a lot of social activiteis lately but that is to change since I have always said that work should not take time out of life. So I intend to practise what I preach again. Went to the movies with sis, Henri and Mr S and saw the new Swedish movie "Patrik 1,5" I'd give it 4/5 - a really heart warming and optimistic film.

I am seriously considering byuing a car but with economy in chaos I think I'll wait and see how things turn out.

Saturday we are having our Housewarming party version 2.0 so tonight I have to clean the apartment and start thinking about what to serve.
I am growning "Menthe" in the balcony so I'm thinking Caiprinhas...

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Shut Up and Drive - Rihanna

Fashionista on the move

Got an intense shopping-craving yesterday so I made Mr S come with me.
First stop at NK and their "Swedish Designers" department. There were a few new brands, at least new to me, so I bought a dress by Nina Jarnebrink and a pair of pants from my favourite label POUR.
AT the men's department Mr S picked up a bag. He loves his bags :)

Before we met he was, according to himself, never carrying a bag and always wearing black and most of the time wearing black suits. Must be so dull to only wear all black. I very rarely wear all black since somedays I am black enough as I am.

Speaking of black: Mr Obama seems to be the one to beat. I so hope he will win, because I really think it would make a difference. Mr McCain chose quite an outsider as his vice. Sarah Palin form Alaska: life time membership in the NRA, anti abortion, anti gay weddings and anti Darwin and anti sexual education in school. And her daughter is a pregnant teenager...
Well, there you go! Compared to her Mr McCain is the lamb...

Tonight the kitchen guy is coming over. Apparently they always do that after 6 months just to see the kitchen and make sure that everything is fine. But then again they also said they would build a kitchen in 2 weeks so I'm not convinced that he is coming.

I am planning House warming party version 2.0. Wonder what I shall wear?

Need some coffee now...

Take care
Love/E

Song of the day: In the Ayer - Flo Rida

Knowledge is king

What do you really know?

The older I get the less I'm sure of.

I know that...
- I have a man that loves me
- I have great friends who I can count on and they can count on me
- I have a nice apartment that needs to be cleanded now and then (mostly now...)
- I have lots and lots of shoes and bags
- I have a lot of places and things to see and experience
- I prefer sun to rain, evening to morning, champagne to beer, white wine to red
- I could see myself living in Paris
- I'd love to work for the MSF some day
- I don't want pets
- I could be more organized
- I believe there is good in every one
- I once threw a drink in a guy's face
- I like my meat very rare
- I enjoy life

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Kissing a Fool - George Michael

Are we there yet?!?!

40 years ago to day Dr King dreamed that one day we all, black, white, asian or latino, would be jugded for our personality and not the colour or our skin.
And today Mr Obama will be officially announced as the first black Democratic presidential candidate.
Are we there yet? Are we only judged for who we are and not what we are? I would say 'no' and I don't think we ever will really get there.
Not only am I a woman, I'm also black or not only am I black, I'm also a woman and I live in a white man's world. Even if I walk in Manolo's my walk isn't always easy. But I'll keep walking and I'll keep putting my heels down, and sometimes on someone's foot if that is what it takes until we get there.

It may not happen during my walk but eventually it will so we better keep dreaming about that day just like Dr King did.

Take care and stay strong

Love/E

Song of the Day: Billie Jean - Michael Jackson (he'll be 50 today)

Pump Up the Volume

Downloaded some music yesterday and as I listened to it this morning the volume was so low. I don't think I'm turning deaf just yet *knock on wood*.
Wonder what happened to my IPod?!?!
Got my credit card bill yesterday, the AmEx one, and to my surprise I've spent 3000 euros. Now, I'd never spend that much money.... but then I realized that I paid for the Christmas vacation and our visit to Grythyttan. So my ego- spending on myself was about 250 euros - not so bad.

Sis has got a new job so I am going to celebrate that by making her making me dinner one of these days. I'll bring the wine. Have a few goodies in my cellar that are ready to be drunk by now.

Next Thursday I'm meeting with the kitchen guy to hear his explanation on how a kitchen could take 4 months to finish... could be interesting!

Now I'm off to torture my self for 1 hour with my personal trainer. God, I hate training but I'm not 24 anymore and the black ass has grown this last year....

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Green Light - John Legend feat André 3000

A Different Corner

Saw a new side of my husband on Saturday.
I think he is a republican - and I don't mean that in a good way!
He made me so angry on saturday so I have been angry all week end.
He is pro death penalty! WHAT?!?!? His arguments was that once a person kills someone else they have forfeited their right to live. OK, that is NOT an argument. That is some GWB-like crap that made me so angry I had to leave the room while we talked.

Tonight I am putting my best "wife-face" on and meeting Mr S's English boss for dinner. Could be fun and he wants me to choose the restaurant. It has to be good but yet too expensive.

(And there is a burgundy Dogde Nitro outside my window - something good happens each day :) oh, I so want that car)

Hopefully I'll make it home to change clothes after work. Today I'm doing my new "English Dandy"-style: blue pants, with top and black scarf and black shiny shoes.
Somehow I think my "Young executive" look (black thight skirt/pants, white shirt and black jacket and high heels) is better for dinner with the boss. Or maybe I should go for my "Swedish Designer" look? Talk about problems?!?!?!

Now: food time and then off to management meeting

Take care
/Love E

Song of the Day: A Different Corner - George Michael

Old friends

Went to the M&J wedding on Sunday. It was possibly the best wedding I've been to as a guest. Small crowd, very intimate and it really felt honest. The food wasn't that great, too bad about that. The place was nice and she looked fierce. They had written their own promises - very sweet and romantic. Since she is one of my oldest friends, we have known eachother since we were 16, I was forced to make a speech. I made it short and sweet :) I hate speaking in public unless I am talking about wine for then I can blabber on for hours on end...

Since they finished at 6 pm Mr S and me invited everyone to an after party at our place. Sis and O got pretty drunk and started one of their never ending conversations about Swedish health care-issues....

Got to thinking about old friends I've had and some that I've lost. Some I've lost due to geographical distance (one I found again: Thanks FaceBook :)), some beacuase we just drifted apart and some just disappeared.
I had a really great friend when I was at the university. We studied together and spend hours partying, studying, shopping and just hanging out. She got married to a really nice guy and after that we lost contact. I imagine her living in a house in the suburds with husband and kids and I hope she is happy wherever she is.

Met up with gay-boyfriend J at the Diana Orving-fashion show. He is planning to start his own restaurant - wow!

Mr S and me are going on a cruise during Christmas. I don't really know of it's a good idea or not but I always wanted to try it. I haven't told my parents yet but I will... any time soon.

Better get back to work now - this is one good thing about having an office of my own: I can surf the web without anyone knowing about it.

Take care

Love/E

Song of the Day: One Night Only - Jennifer Hudson

Stylish!

My new do is fierce! Wonder why I haven't tried that Salon before... Oh well, I'll definetely be back there.

Mr S and me tried out a new restaurant for his delayed birthday celebration: Porto Cervo, italian very stylish, high end cuisine. We deicded to go for the 6 coure menu dégustation and it was huge! 6 almost normal sized dishes is way too much but considering that we "only" paid 698 sek each it was a bargain. All things considered I'd give it a 3 cosmos of 5. The service was a bit confused and unfocused once the place started to fill up.

Am dying for a new pair of G-Star jeans but being a black woman with a black womans booty they are just not ment for me!
Instead I bought a pair of pants from Velour. I am told the 80ies are back so I went for a toned down 80ies look, loves it. (not the 80ies but the pants)

We are planning to go away for Christmas. i think now as I am 35 I don't need to spend the Holidays with mum and dad anymore. We are looking at a cruise in the Mediterrenean starting in Genoa in Italy. I can't decide if it's a good idea or not. It could be horrible people and bad weather or it'll be peaceful and classy. If we go we'll leave on December 20th so we'll be spending Christmas Eve on the boat. I wonder if you are supposed to bring a gift..
The price is good 170 euros for the both of us all inclusive. Have to decide by Monday...

Now I should write a speech for girlfriend M's wedding on Sunday. She held the most wonderful and kind speech at mine so I have a lot to live up to.

Take care
Love/E

Song of the day: Unbelieveable - Craig David

Picture perfect

Finally managed to upload all my 263 pictures from Istanbul. IPhoto rocks!

I can actually order a photo book which is cool. I think I will do that woth some of my pictures from the wedding. That must be the ultimate ego-trip: a coffee-table book about your self. That or a portrait :)

Got an appointment a a fierce black hair salon for a new do tomorrow. At the moment I'm doing a sort of 60ies bob thing but I'm seriously thinking about cutting it all off. Or maybe not...

As a black woman I spend huge amount of money and time on my hair: relaxers, shine, moistureizing, wrapping, setting, conditioning and just thinking about it. You know stuff like "oh no it's raining frizz alert" and so on...

Istanbul was not good for my do. Actually that is one thing that is good about fall - my hair improves when it is not sunny. Unfortunately my skin is too dry in the winter. Speaking of skin: I gave my mineral powder another go the other day but it is just too shiny for my taste. So now I am on the look out for the perfect foundation or powder. 

Had some ladies over last Saturday as M is getting married, sort of a "hen night". She, being a decorator got to paint one of our walls. Mr S wasn't to impressed by the result. The one good thing that came out of it was that he finally agreed with me on the fact that we need some stuff on the walls. This week end we'll be checking out some art work to hang. I love Monet and Dali and he likes Pollock...

Shit I am tired. Being back at work takes its toll on me.

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Curly Sue - Takida

High expectations

As we had the floor retiled this wek end we took the opportunity to take some time out and give our vacation a happy ending and go to Grythyttan for some fine dining.

The food was good but not as good as I had expected but we had a very nice time.

Today I worked for the first time in 3 weeks and I realized what a huge waste of time working actually is. I could have done so many things today: like lying in the sun but instead I was looked up in the office. At least I wore  my new Mahnolo's :)

Take care

Song of the day: Johnny - Craig David

My girls

Met with fierce girlfriend T yesterday and she has landed a fierce new job on management level :)

That's my girl!

Song of the day for girlfriend T: These boots are made for walking - Nancy Sinatra

Istanbul 2008

Back from 2 weeks vacation in Istanbul. It was very nice, well worth a visit. Great shopping, good food and a lot of stuff going on day and night. I believe that there are cars and people moving around the city 24 hrs a day at a insane pace.

We stayed at an apartment in the tranny district. The Girl-Boys were very nice though and quit fun to talk to for a while.

I did some serious shopping, I fear my credit card bill... In Istanbul they have a Harvey Nichols-store that was fierce. We also found a 80.000 square meters shopping center Istinye Park where I bought a pair of Jimmy Choo's, I also bought 2 pairs of Mahnolo's (in my defense I can say that they were 50% off) and one pair of Salvatore Ferragamo.

And a few bags, a 3-peice good for work type of suit.

All in all we had a great time: got lost in the country in the middle of the night, had a horrible dinner experience at The Supperclub (possibly the worst food I have ever tasted, we left before dessert), wonderful dinner experience a 360.

The only downside is sis and her temper. She is extremely dependent on others, can't be alone for one minute and does almost anything to get her way. I will speak to her about this soon but I have to find the right moment. At somepoint she managed to annoy everyone. Too bad since I really think this vacation with friends concept is a great one and wish we can do it again next year.

As soon as I can I will upload some pics from Istanbul.

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Shikidim - Tarkan

Time flies

I can't believe work can take so much time out of life!

Latest news:

- Saw SATC and loved it (of course)

- Spent too much money on clothes so now Mr S demands me to pay the credit card bills

- Plans my Turkish delight holiday in Istanbul 

- Been watching football: Go Spain :)

- Been enjoying the new kitchen

- Spent time with friends I haven't seen in a while

All in all I've had a good time and I hope you have too

Take care

E

Song of the Day: Elevator - FloRida feat Timbaland

In the middle of summer

Or at least I thought Midsummer would be. Today it's about +15 and grey... Not raining yet but it sure looks like it's about to start to.

I am doing laundry and Mr S has gone to pick up some stuff at my folks place.

Yesterday was the big thing: We saw Sex and the City - the movie. It was really nice: laughter and I'm not embarrassed to admit, also a few tears. But all in all it was a happy ending and well worth 4,5 cosmos of 5 :)

Went over to sis' new place afterwards for some cosmos. 

Midsummers Eve was nice. Wen out to the country, friends of mine have a house there. We had all the traditional accessories: herring, vodka, barbeque and some mosquitoes. 

My training is finally paying off! I fit into one of my "skinny"-skirt that I haven't been able to wear in a while. Since I go to the gym 2 a week and run once it's about time I get some results!

Take care 

Love E

Song of the day: Hard Candy - Madonna

Home sweet Home

YES! 

My apartment is finally done and we are moving back home this week end.. sweet!

The kitchen is really fierce and the bathroom too.

Finally I can sleep in my own bed, have all my stuff around me and just relax :)

Downloaded some of Duffy. Damn, that girl really rocks!

Take care 

Love/E

Song of the day: Mercy - Duffy 

Brother oh Brother

Mr Obama will be the democratic candidate. (means I have to stop calling him Bareback Obama!!)

I feel bad for Hillary, would have loved to see Mrs President and her First Husband. But having a brother as president isn't so bad either.

Will spend a day inte the sun with a white guy who sings like a brother: John Mayer

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Waiting On the World to Change

Being 35

It's not that big a difference.
Had a nice birthday: spent it watching the Eurovision with the ESC-crowd and we had our usual betting competition and... yes Ms E won the cash :)
Our Swedish pride Charlotte didn't do all that well. I think she came in 18th but Russia won. I knew the women of Europe couldn't resist a dark haired Russian with no shirt on. And whoever brings in Evgeni Plusjenko, world famous skater, means some serious business...

I thought we could move back into the apartment this week end but things have been delayed so next week end is the plan now. Told my dad and he looked very sad when I told him. He tried to make me believe that he ws sad for our sake but I know he looks forward to us leaving. I would to if I was in his shoes. It can't be nice to have your 35-year old daughter and her husband spreading their stuff all around your house...

Found some loveley new hair products and bought them on line Jamelia by Model.Me. Finally some good products for black hair!
I hat that there are so few salons that actually ar good at wotrking with black hair. It's obviously Ms Elizabeth but she is always booked!

On the upside: summer came back to Stockholm so now it's rosé time with girlfriend T
On the downside: I want to be by the sea with a cold bottle of rosé and friends not sitting in my office and looking out on the parking lot outside. Now please.
I click my heels 3 times and see what happens...

Take care
Love/E

Song of the day: Divine - Sébastien Tellier

The best of the best

This week I enjoyed the best of Swedish design: pants by BACK and Carin Wester
and tonight I will enjoy good company (Sis, Mr S and M. Henri - the fashion police) and the best of what Germany has to offer: fresh asparagus and Riesling wine :)

Take care
Love/E

Song of the day: 6 of 1 thing - Craig David

Oh no!

Ms Mary cancelled! Oh that sucks, was so looking forward to going to her concert, and there is no new date set...

Well have to figure out a new way to spend my birthday then. The day before I am enjoying the best things Germany can give: fresh asparagus and Riesling.

Work is busy and I am tired. I wish spring, or even better, summer would come soon.

But the good news are that we are possibly moving back in to our apartment with a new kitchen and new bathroom in about 2 weeks, if all goes accordning to plans. I do like my parents but sometimes then tend to get on my nervs a bit.

I'll keep you posted...

Take care

Love E

Song of the day: Coming Home - John Legend

Stone faced

I've started using mineral make up from my favourite brand MAC. It really works, it sort of creates the image of me with perfect silky not shiny skin.

Me like.

I am also trying to stop using foundation, since it's summer - or at least it was this week end- and I really need to get some colour on my face.

I think I'm pale, others think I have a beautiful colour. I'm closer to dark yellow than black at the moment so I really need some sun...

Last week end was nice. Saturday we met up with some friends G&V came from brussels and the rest of us from around town. Had a great dinner at I's place and finished of at least 2 bottles of champagne and 5 bottles of wine. Sunday I spent all day in the sun, it was amazing. Am trying to not spend so much money at the moment since I spent so much in Paris. I'm afraid to log on to the AMEX page and see how much I owe them.

I might however go shopping this week end. I am one of HM's favourite clients as I spent more than 10.000 sek there last year, isn't that sweet of them? And I am also at favourite of NK, got my fidelity card upgraded - they are so nice to me ;)

Some good news: we might actually be able to move back home in a few weeks. The kitchen is almost done: it will be fierce and the bathroom too. Am so looking forwards to sleeping in a real bed again (one of the best things about Paris was the bed at Hilton) and have all my boks and my music and my clothes... just have my stuff around me.

And next Saturday I'll be 35 (not so great) but I am spending the evening with Ms Mary, couldn't possibly have a better birthday!

Now I am going to watch the Swedish hockey team kicking some serious ass, or at least I hope so.

Take care

Love E

Song of the day: Come to Me (Peace) - MJB