Everybody loves Mila

It seems nobody has anything bad to say about Russian born actress Mila Kunis at the moment. I don't really know exactly what it is about her that has everyone raving on about her in unison, but I have to admit she seems very charming, talented, funny, down to earth, humble, approachable and obviously rather pretty...

...hmmm, quite attractive traits in a person so maybe it's not so strange after all.

Anyway, Terry Richardson (who shares at least talented and funny as traits) has shot some pics for the April issue of Harper's Bazaar. As one tends to do now and again, she hangs around a carousel for the day playing dress up with her new best friends Dior, Louis Vuitton and Chanel to name a few.

Ralph Lauren keeps getting the job done

Yesterday I got a package couriered to the office in the shape of a blue Ralph Lauren bag filled with among things like this seasons catalogue, a gift card etc also a very very nice book about the man and the legacy he has built up. It was sent to me by the Stockholm based PR firm Patriksson Communication who were in charge of the opening of the new brand store here in Stockholm and the PR activities around that. Which by the way they pulled off with flying colours. Credit due where credit is due...

Anyway, there is something mesmerizing and mysterious about the RL brand and man himself. An unexpected and quite sweet example of that is when I go to pick up my kids that afternoon, carrying the shopping bag with my name tagged onto it with me. I step into the day care centre and run into this other dad who sometimes picks up his kids (usually I find myself surrounded by mothers and nannies when dropping off and picking up) and he instantly starts to speak to me when seeing the bag. I've never spoken to him before but he spontaneously cries out: "What have you got there? What do you work with to get things like that?" Upon us starting to speak, I learnt that this very pleasant dad was one of the top dogs in Sweden when it comes to psychiatry, but that he with some bitterness shared with me that he mostly gets branded post it's and ballpoint pens as corporate gifts... Rgardless it goes to show how the RL brand attracts people far beyond what most fashion brands in the world can claim to do. Regardless if you are male or female, old or young.

The Ralph Lauren saga really is the epiphamy of the American Dream. A poor jewish kid from the Bronx who through a lot of talent, persistence, focus, never giving up attitude and more than anything hard work transforms his dreams into reality.

However, success and riches (he is estimated to be worth $6.1 billion, which makes him the 173 richest person on the planet) has not made him content nor sloppy. Still very active in the company and breeding a company culture were attention to detail is a mantra, everything that bears his name is executed with utmost thoughtfulness and with a deliberate purpose. Anyone who has ever been in a RL brand store know what I'm talking about. The merchandizing, the staff, what they are wearing, all of it is done with perfection.

Yes, considering my line of work I have to give it to the man. It's hard to imagine how he could have done it better!

This amazing book covers everything you might
want to be interested in when it comes both to the man
and the brand RL. On every level and in depth.

Foreword by Audrey Hepburn speaks for itself of the level
of what this book delivers.

The man in his younger years just playing it cool

The PR material is personalized, specific for Stockholm
and mirrors the high quality that this brand promises to deliver.
Simply impressive!

Kitchen for my hideaway: Check!

I have this dream that I nurture. It's one of those dreams that I bring forward if laying in bed at night unable to sleep.

It's my dream getaway from stress and city life, hidden away somewhere far enough to feel remote, but close enough for it to be fairly easy to get to.

I will let my thoughts wonder and sometimes I imagine the design and look of the house, sometimes exactly the location, sometimes the landscaping (quite often actually) and sometimes the interiors.

Well, I think I might just have found the the way I wish for my kitchen to be.

Clean, functional lines have been the philosophy of Vipp's designs for decades and this example is no different. The modular system that it is built up of is swathed in brushed metal and powder coated stainless steel. Different modules are available with sinks, stoves, and Smeg ovens, and feature details like laser engraved heat indicators and 5 mm steel table tops.

I can just see how the kitchen opens up with big glass doors to the veranda, just a few steps further and one will find oneself sitting at the giant driftwood table, This dream set up will consequently allow for long dinners underneath the stars, feeling the warm humid night air kissing ones skin while the sound of the crushing waves on the beach somewhere out their in the dark reminds us of how close the ocean is and what a great day awaits us after a long sleep in tomorrow.

What the house may look like...

Feeling it fresh with happy spring feet

So while I'm contemplating which bike to ride this spring, a much simpler decision of consumption is in regards to a new pair of sneakers. Come spring every man, woman and child deserve a fresh pair for their well deserving feet. My kids got a pair each on saturday which I think pleased me as much as them.

I am a little old fashioned when it comes to sneakers so I tend to be very much in favour of those brands that have a long history and a rich heritage in the trade. Although fashion brands like Acne or even Gucci for that matter manage to pull out some nice designs out of the magic hat, I just don't seem to fall for it. I have a similar attitude when it comes to watches.

Anyway, as simple as they may be, the Adidas revival of the Gazelle line for spring 2012 hits my sweet spot in a major way. The traditional suede upper has gotten a leather upgrade. Colourwise they come in black and white, which is plenty to choose from as far as I'm considered. Still bearing a very close resemblance to the 1968 originals they timelessly manage to be a sneaker for whatever destination your feet decides to take you to.

However, since I have not had the opportunity to get my greedy little hands on the Gazelle's yet I need something for the time being. My white converse from last season which I've loved are anything but white anymore. As fate would have it though, Diana dug into the very back of my shoe closet last night and pulled out a pair of forgotten and neglected old friends. My Nike Air Max that I probably bought about ten years ago. I've pretty much just worn them at the gym a few times, but now with my back being in a mess, the extra cushioning they give make them perfect for the purpose of what I need. Having worn them today I have to admit that the guys in Portland knew what they were doing when they designed this sneaker that has already rightfully become one of their most classic styles.

Perhaps it's not a coincidence why Nike and Adidas sit comfortable at the top of this industry.

Ebony...

...or Ivory...

...nah, both!

How uncanny, they match both my corderoids and my rug 

You go that way,  I'll go this way and then
we'll cut him off in the kitchen

Two wheel dreaming

With spring all kinds of emotions resurface after having been in hibernation for the last ten months or so, or how ever long the Swedish winter is. Anyway, one of those urges among many is the will and ambition to just get out there and do stuff. To leave the apartment and finally just put on a pair of converse and feel the joy that fills the body as one realizes that it's not freezing outside. It doesn't really matter if one has a plan or a destination, it's just nice to randomly move in any given direction and let chance decide where one might end up. Pretty much the exact opposite to if it had been 15 degrees minus, dark and wet outside.

What better way to nomadically explore the city than on a bike? In my opinion it really is freedom on two wheels. The only problem being that some sneaky bastard stole my very well locked up bike this last winter. The fact that he/she will ultimately burn in hell in eternity does not really solve my problem of not having anything to ride. I've given up on getting any insurance money since I've tried making contact with my insurance company, but it seems they have fired every human being that was ever employed there leaving me to press my phone buttons for about six hours before either being disconnected or forgetting why I called, "If you've lost an elephant, press 2 followed by the pound key, then do 20 pushups and down two liters of detergent. Please wait for message in dingbats". So screw the insurance company. They can hang out with the bike thief later on when they pass in life.

Sorry for getting a bit carried away there. So I am currently in the market for a bike in other words.

Starting to get my head around what I desire I have made some choices so far. I used to be really into mountain biking, but safe to say my multi sport days lay behind me... For now at least. Actually, being by myself with my kids on the weekends is quite a good substitute to multi sport, and a lot more fun at that. So mountain bike is out.

Also living in the city now, I don't really have a need for a lot of gears which means single speed is a pretty attractive option. Doing some further research I found something I liked. I found this bike from the design house Norman-Copenhagen designed by Anne Lehman. It is stunning in my opinion. Well balanced design as far as being contemporary and just enough retro without coming across as contrived. However, being that it is hand built in a limited supply of 50 bikes it most probably is kind of hard to get hold of and perhaps a bit on the expensive side, considering it will eventually get stolen.

Then I found something more realistic, the Skeppshult STC Basic Option. It has sleek design and the possibility to customize colour options. And not crazy expensive at that. Hmmm... could be a contender.

I'll happily take suggestions from those who have done more research and benchmarking than me though... Bring it on!

This...

...bike...

...is...

...beautiful

This one might not be in the same league,
but none the less fits my purpose quite well

Since I don't do much of this anymore...

...I don't need this bike, which I otherwise would not mind

Whatever I choose I have to keep up with these two
speed demons. First time for Ivar yesterday and
already up to some crazy stunts. Diana watching over
somewhat worried

I don't care if you're not aloud to ride bikes on
the side walk, and if it's such a big deal
why don't YOU get out on the street instead.
Punk!