DIY - GIFT WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH

Need a little gift for someone special, and want to add a personal touch?  I stumbled across "A pair & a spare", and they sure knows how to create a simple and sweet little something for just that purpose.
 
All you need to put a smile on someones face is; some flowers of your choice, a personalized message, some pretty wrapping paper and some string.

This article is originally from "A pair & a spare", which is a blog filled with wonderful DYI projects! I suggest browsing through the blog, there is so much to see!

For full "step/by/step"description and explanation, click //here. 

IN NEED OF SOMETHING CATTY?

...and by catty I do mean the kind that is fluffy, four legged and adorable little creatures, not the other kind of catty - nobody needs that.

Anywho, if you visit Portugal and feel like seeing something a bit different, I totally recommend popping by the store "A loja do gato preto", which basically translates to "The store of black cat".
What it is, is an interior store with your usual decoration; mirrors, frames, lamps, curtains - you name it. They do have a lot of nice stuff to browse through, so it's totally worth a visit.

What makes this store a bit different is, as the name suggests and I'm sure you've guessed by now, the occasional cat!

It can be (can being the operative word here) tasteful, cute.... or just rather... well... see for yourself.

...I'm going to settle for the word hilarious, boarding on freaky!

Crazy cat lady anyone?  I was staring in disbelief when I saw these... Let's just say that the above does not enter my category for either cute or tasteful!  Still, for sure memorable, and one seriously good laugh!

FULL THROTTLE WITH MOODS OF NORWAY

Nå er det mulig å forhåndsbestille det kuleste vaffeljernet som finnes på denne kloden fra Moods of Norway - Det knall rosa traktorjernet!
Hvis du er som meg og elsker vafler, så er jo dette bare ett must! Dette står høyt på listen min! Ha ha ha, jeg elsker Moods of Norway.  Fantastisk!

"Vaffeljernet er i seg selv ett blikkfang, med sin knall rosa farge og unike design. Komplettert med et traktorjul som regulerer steketemperatur fra "parkering" til "full guffe", får du vafler som er alt fra fluffy og lette, til knasende og superprø. Du trenger ikke lenger være redd for at du ikke har noe å servere uanmeldte gjester, og i tillegg blir det garantert et supermoro samtaletema rundt vaffelbordet! Nytes gjerne med et glass iskald melk eller til din favoritt cocktail! "
- Moods of Norway


"The coolest waffle iron ever is now available for pre-order at Moods of Norway as we speak - The Pink Tractor Iron!
If you're anything like me and love waffles, this is a must!  This is sky high on my wishlist!  Ha ha ha, I just love Moods of Norway.  

"The waffle iron in itself is quite the eye catcher, with the crash pink exterior and unique design.  Complete with a tractor wheel as the regulator for temperature, from "park" to "full throttle", will give you wonderful waffles, either light and soft, or crunchy and tasty.  You no longer need to fear, not being ready to receive guests on a seconds warning, and in addition it's guaranteed a fun subject for conversation around the waffle table!  Enjoy with a glass of cold milk, or with your favourite cocktail!"
- Moods of Norway"

LONDON PREPPY

- is the blog of a dear friend of mine who lives in London.  It's an straight forward and funny blog about every day things and with outfit posts - an adorable little something out of the ordinary, and the girl herself is just the funniest and best girl in the world. ♥  :) 

"The dorky musings of a Shakespeare-obsessed nerd-face who likes to wear vintage, alternative, preppy stuff, with the occasional boho moment, since you can't really wear an Elizabethan gown to do your grocery shopping."

Here the other day I gave her blog a little facelift. I made a new header for the occasion, as well as a new background and an overall unifying of colors.

I gave it a new header for the occasion, as well as a new background and an overall unifying of colors.
Here is the look of the actual blog.   Isn't it cute?  :)

Remember to check out her blog //HERE.

SPECSAVERS - THE NEW MODEL FOR GLASSES 2013 // ÅRETS BRILLEMODELL 2013

Here in Norway it's time for another round with the competition for becoming the new model of 2013 for the company Specsavers!

Anyone in Norway can participate, you don't have to be a model or have any modelling experience!

For participating, all you need to do is go to Specsavers Facebook page, click like on their page, upload three images of yourself wearing glasses (not sunglasses but actual glasses), answer two quick questions, and that's that! You are in the competition!


You can vote on others whom you think should become the next Specsavers model, but you cannot vote for yourself.

The prize is as follows:

♥ You get to be ambassador for Specsavers’ charity work in Tanzania.
♥ A trip do the Scandinavian final in London, where the winner of the final receives a photo shoot with Helena Christensen as your photographer.

 

Helena Christensen also made her own collection for Specsavers.  Check it out in Vouge //HERE.

"Eclecticism one of her main qualities: Helena Christensen indeed is a top model, a photographer and a mother. For the eyewear brand Specsavers, of which she’s testimonial, she also became a designer: she indeed created a collection of glasses and of sunglasses that has been presented in Amsterdam last May 21st with a vip cocktail at the hotel The Grand.

The collection is named Selected by Helena Christensen, and it includes the 20 models of glasses that Christensen loves the most, and that perfectly suit her style. The models vary from the classical to the trendy ones, to the bright "eye-catcher" colours: “The glasses became an essential accessory, and they are at the center of the attention because of the dominant position they have on the person’s face. I have always been charmed by the creation of different styles with different glasses. They indeed show the personality’s nuances, and they can mirror the mood of the moment. This is the reason why they are a charming project for me, both as a model and as a photographer” the top model said.

And she added: “My collection Selected by Helena is various, and it allows everyone to choose a model that suits his/her style and personality”."
- vouge.com -


To enter the Specsavers competition, go //HERE

I decided to enter as well, why not? :)  You can find my pictures //HERE!  So what do you think, do I have what it takes? 

Is there Specsavers in your country?  I'd love to see your pictures, so let me know if you enter!


Good luck!

FITOCRACY - A LAYER OF FUN TO FITNESS

So!  I've come across something pretty cool!  I got introduced to this a few weeks ago, and thought I'd give it a go.  Totally worth checking out!  Good tip to all who work out - adds an extra layer of fun to it all.

FITOCRACY - for all of us who likes fitness, gadgets and fun!  

//fitocracy.com

   ★ Featured in CNN, TechCrunch, Lifehacker, Kotaku, The NY Observer, Men's Journal, Mashable, The Economist ★

Fitocracy is a free online game and social network that aims to use "gamification" to help users improve their fitness - having people work together, share experiences, compete and join in challenges - in other words; a lot of fun!

You can access it on your Iphone or Android by downloading a free app - this way you can track and save all your workouts while in the gym.

You can also save your routines so that they are much easier to access later.   I like to add on the go when and if I'm having any breaks during work out, and then I finish editing at home from their website.  Check it out here //Link.

It really is pretty fun when you're competing against friends as you get points for all your work outs, and you start leveling up and finishing challenges, or "become more awesome" as Fitocracy puts it.


You are rewarded for the hard work you put in. The longer and more often you workout, the more points you earn which in turn become rewards or badges.

Knowledge
Fitocracy connects you to the combined knowledge of over half a million of the world’s best fitness coaches, nutrition experts, and other folks from a wide variety of fitness backgrounds. Like the hundreds of thousands before you, you can finally turn, “I can’t do this,” into “I RULE!”


Tracking
If you don’t track, how do you know if you’re improving? Track all your activities, whether that’s walking up the stairs, olympic lifting, or that dance party you had with your friends last night. Keep an eye on your progress and personal records with some nifty performance graphs.


Motivation
Activities earn you points. Points lead to level ups. Earn badges for significant achievements. The community will reward your hard work with props. Groups are small communities where you can talk about the things that really matter to you.


Fun
Get competitive with friends. Take part in Challenges. Or, if you’re a Fitocracy Hero, you can even slap other fitocrats with a velvet glove for a one-on-one Duel. Get 10 friends to sign up using your invite link, and a month of Hero is yours for the taking! Also, robots are awesome and we have one. He’s called FRED.
-fitocracy.com-

FRED

"While on a treadmill, put one foot in front of another. Repeat. Note: Treadmill should be turned on."
-fitocracy.com-

Check it out, and let's see if you can beat me!  Muahaha!  :)

My user name is MarianneKC - I'll be waiting!

SELF PERCEPTION - REAL BEAUTY SKETCHES

If I could, I would show this video to all women - everywhere... 

It's a social experiment, done by Dove, that explores how women view their own beauty in contrast to what others see.  It's really beautifully made, and quite a touching eye opener.  Do you know someone that you would like to share this video with?  Please share if you feel someone you know could benefit ♥ 

One of the sketches shown in the video below.

"Women are their own worst beauty critics.  In fact, only 4% of woman around the world consider themselves beautiful.  Dove is committed to building positive self-esteem and inspiring all women and girls to reach their full potential.  That's why we decided to conduct a compelling social experiment that proves to women something very important: You are more beautiful than you think."

-Dove.com-

To learn more about the Real Beauty Sketches click //Here 

Camo Cravings - Better Bodies

Kicking off the new week with a nice long session in the gym this morning.  Today it was time for some heavy duty chest and biceps.


Today's Session:
Treadmill
Bench Press - Dumbbells
Bench Press - Barbell, Flat
Flyes - Dumbbells
Dips
Cable Crossover, Chest
Cable Crossover, Upper Back
Dumbbell Curl - Standing
Barbell Curl - Standing
Cable Curl - Standing



I'm sure you've heard people, especially representing the big sport brands, going on and on about how much better you'll feel after filling your wardrobe with new and colorful work-out garments, how it will boost your motivation and mood... a little miracle in fabric form.  You know what, the funny thing is that they're actually right.  I wouldn't go as far as calling it a miracle mind you, but a boost, absolutely!

I swapped my black larger work-out T-shirt for a more fitted shock pink version.... and it actually made me feel better.   They're exactly the same T-shirt, only difference is size and color. 

I'm all for black, but I have to say that wearing a bright pink t-shirt feels surprisingly great in the morning!  Strange feeling when a color makes you want to bounce? Ha ha! :) 


Now, staying on the same subject, here you have some serious motivation. 
These guys below are some of the fitness models working together with the brand Better Bodies.  To me, these guys are really inspiring.  Being able to mold yourself to this level takes a lot of dedication and will. 

...I think it's going to take a while before I reach that level, but hey we all need goals right?  ;)

Well, as I mentioned above, there are other forms of motivation while we work for better bodies, and what's better then some new work-out wear from Better Bodies! ;)
(ouch, my humor is rising to new hights.)

But honestly, I've fallen head over heals for their camo tops for women. I love army inspired clothing, but I think it's easy to go overboard with large jackets and pants.  I prefer to tone it down.  
I've been looking all over for some descent tank tops or T-shits, and finally I came across these beauties at Better Bodies.

Athlete T-back, Green camoprint //Here

Fitness V-tee, Camoprint //Here

V-neck cut rib tank, green camoprint //Here

Athlete tank, Camoprint //Here

Yeah, this has my name all over it.  It's official - I'm hooked.  ;)

H&M - SmartGloves for you SmartPhone - On Sale!

I popped by H&M today to pick up some things, and I came across these babies - Smarphone Gloves!  And yes, they work.  :)

Smartphone Gloves is nothing new, I know, but the fact that they're on sale on H&M for 30 kroner might be! :)  If you have an H&M near you hurry, before they run out!

Have a good one!

EOS for Winter Hands

It's morning here in Norway, and here the temperature is minus 17 degrees Celsius...come on weather, is that really necessary?

During winter the skin on my hands gets incredible dry, so I end up carrying hand lotion with me everywhere in my bag.  I've tested out tons of different lotions, but I think I've found myself a new favorite when I stumbled across this pretty little thing at Boots.

The first thing that caught my eye was the design - and as we all know, I'm a sucker for some fun design.

Pink and shaped like a stone, it kinda had me at hello.  ;)

There are other colors if pink doesn't rock your boat.  It leaves your hands silky smooth, and the smell is absolutely lovely.  This was just a must for me now in the cold winter weather.

It fits perfectly into small pockets in both jackets and purse, smells amazing, is great for the skin, and looks adorable - what else can a girl ask for in a hand lotion?

Great find - Parisian Chic

Have you heard of the book "Parisian Chic"?  It's a style guide by Ines de la Fressange with Sophie Gachet.  If you don't have it yet, I advise you to check it out.

Ines de la Fressange shares great tips and pointers on style and beauty after decades with experience in the fashion industry.
It covers helpful tips like, building a wardrobe around only seven affordable basics, and how to get the most out of it with mixing it up with great accessories.

 


She has a beautiful timeless sense of style - classic and simple. Elegant, but fresh.  An inspiring book, and a lovely light read.  I would say its absolutely worth every penny.

The book also includes a guide with hotels and restaurants, itineraries for unusual places to visit.  After reading this book I can't wait to go back to Paris.  ♥

I'll add a link below that will take you directly to Amazon in case you want to check it out.

As the lovely Audry Hepburn once said...

 

"Paris is always a good idea."

- Audry Hepburn