2016-03-31

Flora and Fauna


Hello my lovely people!
I hope you are all doing well. Spring has sprung! Well officially it has... but there isn't much greenery going on here in my town. So while I was at home this weekend I decided to bring some green into my life by way of this beautiful dress!



I effectively fooled myself into thinking that it was indeed spring and that the weather was warm, while it was freezing and windy outside. I never left the warmth of my home, but I did go barelegged and without a cardigan to show off the cute "wings" of the dress.


This lovely dress from Book of Deer's SS16 collection does in fact have two sets of wings. The magpies embroidered on the pockets have free wings! I was so excited when I found out that the wings were free and kept playing with them.

I am really hoping for some warmer weather. I don't particularly like "warm" weather, I think it easily gets too warm, there is a minimal range where I think it is nice (about 17,3-24,8°C) but at the moment I really just want to go out in a dress without freezing. I want the blossoms to bloom and the sun to shine. The only part of spring that has sprung are the birds that are happily chirping away. I wonder how they manage when it is so cold? The birds on my dress are having a great time indoors with me anyway...


Dress: Book of Deer (here)
Shoes: ModCloth (here)


I hope you have a real spring where you're at and I hope you all have a beautiful rest of the day.
Much love,



2016-03-28

Style Icon: Eilis from "Brooklyn"


Hello all!

I am with this post starting a new series, introducing you to my personal style icons. I don't know how many instalments it'll have, but we'll see, as long as I am inspired by the style of people, fictional or real, it will continue.

I want to start, not necessarily with my favourite style icon, but definitely the most recent.
I saw the film Brooklyn a couple of days ago and fell in love with the lovely outfits in that film. Brooklyn is about a young Irish woman, Eilis Lacey (played by Saoirse Ronan) that immigrates to Brooklyn NY in the 1950's. One pivotal moment in the film ignites a change in Eilis' style, and from that point on she wears amazing dresses, blouses and skirts, that I want in my wardrobe!


Those of you who know me are aware of the fact that I adore the 1950's aesthetics and style. I find the full skirts and soft colours so beautiful. My favourite outfit in the film is the pink and white dress Eilis wears to a wedding with a matching little hat and white gloves, it's so elegant and gorgeous! But if I'm honest I'd gladly take any of her outfits.




You really ought to see this film, if only for the costumes (not saying the film itself was bad, I actually enjoyed it very much).
Much love,

2016-03-26

Egg-stra Happy Easter!


Hello there!

This will be a mini post, just to let you all know that I am still here (only a bit busy), and to wish you all a Happy Easter!

Also, I want to show you my Easter bakes. These are my basic chocolate cupcakes, with my favourite frosting (find it here) and made Easter-appropriate with some chocolate eggs that I got from Hope and Greenwood at Covent Garden in London, which might just be one of my favourite places in the world.




I hope you all have a fantastic Easter time with lots of joy and chocolate!
Much love,

2016-03-20

When you're feeling low...

Hello lovely people.
You truly are lovely, and I got so much support from so many of you here and on Instagram in the past weeks. As I mentioned in my last post, my depression and anxiety hit me hard these past weeks, and I felt very low and unmotivated. I am now feeling much better, I readily smile and I feel hopeful. However, I thought it could be a good idea to talk some more about depression, so this post will be a little bit about what depression is, and how I personally think you should deal with it as someone who suffers or who is close to those who suffer.

Now we all have ups and downs in life that will make us feel sad at times, and I'm not saying it isn't hard to be sad but depression is different in that it persists for two weeks or more, or is recurrent. For me personally I feel like depression isn't so much sadness as it is an "emptiness". Emptiness and despair takes hold of you and it doesn't seem to want to let go. This in turn makes you unmotivated, and makes it hard to enjoy life and function through daily tasks. Just getting through the day can be totally overwhelming. But - Good news, it can get better! No matter how hopeless you feel it can always get better!

Some symptoms of depression are:

  • Persistent sadness, emptiness or low mood
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Feelings of worthlessness and/or guilt
  • Irritability and/or anger
  • Lost interest or pleasure in daily activities or hobbies
  • Decreased energy, fatigue, tiredness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Aches and pains that cannot be explained by other illnesses
  • Appetite and/or weight changes
  • Thoughts of death and/or suicide
These are not all the symptoms, but the most common ones. And one person may not experience all of these symptoms, a person with depression can have some or many of these symptoms.

If you do have any of these symptoms please contact your doctor or another health care provider. Most importantly if you have the last symptom - please seek help immediately. There is help out there and you can feel better, the pain can go away with therapy and medicine. Please trust me on this one.


Now on to things that is very important to know about depression. 
First of all, depression is a real illness. It is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It is in fact partly due to chemical imbalances in the brain, and biological under-activation/over-activation of areas of the brain. You most certainly cannot "snap out of" clinical depression. And most people who suffer from depression will need treatment to get better.

Depression affects people in different ways. And the treatments will also work differently for different people. The people suffering will need different kinds of support and help. So it is very important to ask the people experiencing depression what kind of help they want/need. Number one tip I have for you who want to help a person suffering from depression is to let them know that you are there for them. And it can be as easy as flat out saying "I am here for you if/when you need me". Let the depressed person know that you are willing to talk and listen. Remember to listen. It is sometimes more important than talking!

For me personally I very much like it when someone tells me they're thinking of me. I don't like people to tell me it will pass. I know it will, but when I am in that low place it doesn't feel like it will pass, and everything is dreary and dark. Someone telling me it will pass or to cheer up, makes me feel worse, because it makes me feel as if this illness is my fault, and then I feel more guilty than I already do. Instead let the people know that you understand that they are going through a hard time, but that you are there for them.

Another thing that I appreciate very much is people being with me. Spending time with me, even if we're not interacting directly. It could be that we're watching a film together. Or just sitting in the same room. Write to me, or talk to me about anything between heaven and earth. This sort of confirms to me that you really are there for me.


And for the people suffering themselves - try to fill up as much time as you can with the people you love. Do the things you normally would like to do (even if it at this time does not seem interesting or fun). Try to fill your life with people and things you love. Try to sleep and eat well (as best you can, it's a tricky one, I know). Sleep when you're tired (which can be all the day... so be it). And let it take its course. Be kind to yourself.

Accept that this is an illness just like any other and that you are sick. For me that fact did a lot in allowing myself to feel bad without the guilt. Reach out to someone! Whether it is a friend or family, or a health care provider. Talk to people. Let people know you are not feeling your best. And allow yourself to feel sad, empty, frustrated and more. Cry if you need to, usually it releases something tense within, so it can feel like a relief. Don't be ashamed of your feelings. Feel what you feel, and try to never lose hope (which in itself is close to impossible with depression, I know...).


I was much better equipped at dealing with my bout of depression this time than the last time I felt it. I was open about it, on Instagram and with my family, which made things easier for me. And because I had dealt with it before I knew that I could get better. I am now actually feeling loads better. I have days when I feel low, empty and tired, but all in all it is getting better. It is with a smile that I write this, and I want to show you how happy I look. And yes, I've cut a fringe :)


Today and everyday, take care of yourself and one another.
Much love,




2016-03-19

Macaron Earrings

Earrings: Made them myself, see how you can make your own here
Blouse: Book of Deer (old)

Hello all!

I'm sorry I have been absent from the blog lately. People who follow me on Instagram (@curlsncakes) will know that I haven't felt great recently. My depression and anxiety hit me quite hard these last few weeks, and I haven't been very motivated to do much of anything. I am glad to say that I am feeling much better, the sun is shining and there is a smile on my face as I'm writing this.

This will be a tiny post, where I just wanted to say I'm back, and to let you all know that I've collaborated with this really cool site called Cut Out + Keep. Together we're bringing you a DIY on how to make polymer clay macaron earrings. The ones I'm wearing in this post.

You can find the DIY and a little interview here.
If you do decide to make these earrings please let me know as I would love to see your creations!

I'll be back with an outfit post very soon.
Much love,



2016-03-01

Etsy Love: Green Days


Hello all you darlings!
And Happy March to you! March means spring and I can't wait for spring to show it's beautiful and blossoming face around northern Sweden, although admittedly there is some time left before it shows up.

Today I want to talk about Etsy (again).
I've mentioned my love for Etsy before (herehere, here and here). Last time I mentioned Etsy I made an "Etsy Love" post where I introduced you to two of my favourite Etsy shops. I figured this could be a good recurring type of post. So welcome to this second instalment of Etsy Love.

Today I will talk about two more of my favourite Etsy shops. As I said last time I think the idea of Etsy is brilliant and I adore the uniqueness of things that can be found there.



The first shop is the illustrator Stephanie Fizer Coleman's Etsy shop The Fox and the Teacup.
I have got three prints of hers, one that she very kindly reserve listed for me. Stephanie's art is whimsical and dreamy. There is an element of nature in her sweet prints, and they hold hidden narratives that you gladly let your imagination conjure. Stephanie's shop has stationery that any letter-writer would love to get some ink on.

Stephanie is super helpful, and very kind. The print she reserve listed for me was one of her old ones, that I had seen but that she didn't sell anymore. However upon asking her about it she promptly said we could work it out, which was incredibly sweet of her. She's also very professional and delivers her prints in an impeccable state.

You can find Stephanie's Etsy shop here. Her Facebook page is here, and her own website with her wonderful portfolio can be found here, and her instagram is @stephfizercoleman.





The second shop I want to introduce to you is the Etsy shop Swinging Chicks.
Swinging Chicks shop make hand made dresses that are vintage and mod inspired. All the dresses have a retro design inspired mainly by the 50's and 60's. This wonderful green A-line dress that I am wearing stole my heart within an instant. It's a perfect springtime dress, but as I live so far up north on our Globe, I had to wear it indoors, as spring has not yet come to us. I love the fact that the dress looks like a real vintage mod dress from the 60's. The green colour is gorgeous but you can choose another colour if you don't like the green.



Truth be told I want at least a handful of their lovely designs, but I decided to try them out with one dress first. And I am definitely getting more dresses from them! The quality is great, the sewing is done in a neat and clean way. The details are all there and I couldn't have been happier with it. It is a little too big for me in the waist, but as I chose one of their sizes (and not my custom measurements) that was to be expected.



They ship worldwide from Spain, and the making of the dress and shipping within Europe was very fast. I have now got my eyes on one of their red dresses with scalloped detailing.




Both shops are favourites of mine and this post was in no way sponsored. I just like to share great art and shops with all of you!

Have a beautiful rest of the day!

Much love,