And now...

some pilates :)

Song of the day: Stand by me - SEAL

And then the snow came...

and there was quiet... well not as quiet as I'd wish. Work is still quite busy. Everything needs to be done by Christmas and I am looking forward to 3 weeks of vacation.

Stockholm has been officially hit by winter. It's the same story every year. Once the snow comes it's chaos: train not running, planes being cancelled or delayed, trafficjams and more fender-benders than any one can count. Hello, news flash: sometimes in snows in the northern part of the world!

To stop freezing I bought one of those huge jackets at Intersport, you know the ones when you see a jacket walking down the street and not a person. But it's warm.

I am seriously considering leaving my job and do something else. I only wish I knew what to do. i want to do something meaningful like working for the MSF (by the way support them this Christmas they truly do a great job!) or some other organisation like it. But Mr S tells me that I am "too nice" to be able to pull it off. So for now I'll just give my annual donation and keep helping out to make the world a bit more beautiful.

A wise man once said:
"I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph and that there is purpose and worth to each and every life"
-Ronald Reagan
and those a words to live by

Take care
Love/E

Song of the day: My Life - The Game

Like the Boys

Stopped by HM and checked out their latest designer collaboration with Comme des Garcons.

I liked it so I bought a dress. Mr S and friend H bought two shirts each.

After some shopping we went to a chinese restaurant for some food. I'm not really that into Chinese but this was ok.

Then the movie "Quantum of Solace" wih oh so gorgeous Daniel Craig. I was quite disappointed since he wasn't naked, not even flashing his abs....

This week end I'm going to buy a Pilates-dvd and start exercising in front of the TV. Was a the gym today and did some pilates and it really works. This should give my booty a serious challenge. I have to be fit if I am going to show my self in a bathing suit on the cruise.

Now it's time for some www-shopping

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Material Girl - Madonna

One Shot

Stopped by fierce MAC-counter at NK the other day and wlaked away with their Christmas One Shot eye shadow kit for warm eyes. I suppose I have warm eyes... or at leat I hope so.

George W Bsuh is supposed  to have said:

"The good thing about books it that they sometimes have pictures in them"

And that man was running a country...

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: When tomorrow comes - Anna Ternheim

YES We can

And yes he did. Mr Obama will be the next Mr President.
Jan 20 2009 will be a great day. I really really think he can and will make a difference. The world needs "new blood", new ideas and new inspiration. He will not have it easy: finicial crisis, 2 wars, unemployment but HE CAN.
Mr Bush certainly left a mess!

As far as Mr McCain goes he seemed like a very nice and kind person, I don't however agree with most of his opinions. And don't even get met started on Mrs Palin - I mean seriously: calling her a Barracuda is an understatement.

Me, I do my best to support the Nordic economy by shopping Nodric designers :) Bought a new winters jacket from Danish designer team St Martin. Loves it. It is not as warm as I wish it would be, or maybe the weather isn't as warm as I wish it would be...

Last week end Mr S and me went to a champagne tasting hosted by Richard Juhlin at Haga Slott. It was very nice. The dinner after the tasting was also nice, all in all a pleasant experience.

The weeks go by so quickly so soon it is Christmas and I'm off on the cruise. It could be totally divine or total misery. I'm going to bring some books and my gym gear so I can train and read.

Come Saturday it's dad's 66th birthday and sis and I are going to cook for him at his place. My dad isn't really into going out to restaurants - he thinks it to much hazzle to leave the house.

Now I have to find airline tickets for my boss to go to Thailand. I've never been but a lot of Swedeish people goes there for Christmas and New Years. I suppose it's nice but I haven't been tempted.

What are you doing for Christmas?

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: A Change is gonna Coming - Sam Cooke

It's raining...

It's not raining men today more like cats and dogs as they say in the UK.
Fall has hit us big time... Seems like there are no more of those cold, crisp and sunny days.

Yesterday we were treated (!?!?!) to the flu vaccin at work. So I took it since I've read in the paper that the flu will peak some time around Christmas and I don't want to be sick on the cruise. Before I had the shot I felt pretty good, today I feel like I have the flu. Got this Matrix-like vision of how I now have been injected with a device so that my job always knows where I am and what I do... I thought this was suppose to help not make me ill. D*mn!
This week end Mr S and myself are off to Haga Slott for a champagne week end - simply because we are worth it.

Sunday I met for the first time with my reading circle. We read "To kill a mocking bird". I didn't finish the whole book, made it about 3/4 but I liked it. It gives a very good view on a society I am glad we left behind a long time ago. Well, as I read in the paper today some US neo nazis where planning to kill Mr Obama so I suppose some have a hard time letting go.
It was an experience to actually see the N-word in writing as much as it was in the book.
I'm glad I didn't live back then. I can never imagine what it must be like to so openly be looked down upon only because you have a different colour of your skin. I am a black woman married to a white man and that would never heve been possible in those days.

So today: a big shout out to all those who came before me: I would never be where I am today if you hadn't gone through what you did.

Kind of puts thing in perspective...

Take care
Love/E

Song og the day: Soul II Soul - Back to Life

Not in my "happy place"

At the moment I am so not in my "happy place".
I have all these things I need to do, not because I want to but I really must do them. Tried to cheer myself up yesterday with some shopping. Not even a pit stop at NK Nordic Design department cheered me up. I ended up buy a pair of new pants from Monki and a shirt from Pour.. but still no joy.
Stopped by my gay boyfriend J on the way home - it's always fun to see him. Went home and watched some TV and then off to bed.

Am looking forward to the week end though. Sis and me are going to look for a shelf and possibly go to a new mall that has opened and then we might go a catch a movie (if we could ever agree on one...)

I have taken the car to and from work lately. There are moments when I still can't believe I passed my drivers license... and on my first try! I feel very adult when I'm driving alone.

Today it's cold and sunny so I was thinking that i should walk home from work today. It should take about 45 mins since I'm more into strolling than power walking.

Better get back to faking to work now

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Rehab - Rihanna

Cry Baby

I have become such a cry baby in my old ages. Almost anything can make my tears water these days. Yesterday I watched an old episode of Amercas Next Top Model, the final, and I cried almost as much as the losing girl did. During the Olympics everytime they showed an award ceremony I had to go for my hanky...

Was checking my status on my AmEx card and I think I should have enough points for a weekend at the Hilton in Copenhagen. I'll suggest that we go on a week end to Mr S sometime soon. At the moment I am very much looking forward to our cruise this Chistmas. We are starting in Genova, northern Italy and then to Rhodes, Alexandria, Sicily, Naples and then back to Genova. 7 nights and 8 days. Could be a great opportunity to get some serious rest, good food and good wine or I will go insane and claw my way out of the cabin and try to swim back to shore...

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Womanizer - Britney

No Shopping

I read an article about a woman who didn't do any shopping during a whole year, apart from food and the necessary stuff of course.
Now she wrote a book about her experience. i wonder how interesting that book is too read...
She claims that people only shop to fill a void in themselves. I shop because I enjoy it and I like to surround myself with funny and beautiful stuff. I don't feel like I have a void in me, I do sometimes have a void in my bank account but that is a different story...

I've taken the car to work these last couple of days. I feel very adult when I'm driving alone :)
Had a very nice week end. Friday I spent at home, just chilling after a pretty intense week. Saturday Mr S and me went into town for some shopping and then sis came over for dinner and we went out dancing at a place in Sundbyberg. Sundbyberg is the suburd in Stockholm that has the highest number of singles... and at this place Garbo's you could tell. Maybe I'm oldfashioned and upthight but I don't think it is ok for a perfect stranger to come up to me and grab my ass. I do have a nice ass but it's still not just for anyone to grab it!

We had wuite a nice time even if these kinds of places aren't really my scene. Today I'm trying to put together an AW on Friday at the newest wine bar in Stockholm. A place with a wine list of more than 600 bottles - that is more my scene :)

Take care
Love/E

Song of the day: Akon - Right Now

It's been a year

Tomorrow on October 6th I've been Mrs S for one year.

It's been a good year I must say. It started off with a wonderful wedding and a cool party afterwards. 

Life as a married woman is just fine :)

Life in general is actually just fine at the momen. Work is busy, I acyaully had to work today even if it's Sunday but I'm on track with all the stuff I am supposed to do now.

Had a lovely week end: Saturday we went shopping and then sis came over for dinner and some serious drinks. Friday I had my hair done at fierce salon Blacknuss and again they did a good job. I orderd a new styling iron from GHD (Good Hair Day). It put me back about 200 euros but I'm worth it :)

Tomorrow on our wedding anniversary I will work late but we are going out for dinner and on Saturday we are going to restaurant LUX. I'm really looking formward to that. It's quite expensive but everyone tells me that it money vey well spent.

Will come back with a report :)

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: Blood Bound - Hammerfall

Time flies... again

Been a busy few weeks. Had the house warming party which was a big success. It seemed like every one had a good time and lots of food and booze :)

Work is busy as usual. I can't decide if I like it or if it's just a waste of time... I suppose it has its ups and downs like everything else.

Mr S in away on business so I'm on my own, it's kind of nice. I was dancing around the living room yesterday like I used to do when I was living on my own. I had a great time!

It's been a rough couple of days for the world economy. Several investment banks have gone down he drain. I read an article on how the whole financial system is about to change. It's really interesting to see.

Take care

Love/E

Song of the day: One Night Only - Jennifer Hudson

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