Screen-free week

The annual screen-free week arranged by Familie & Medier starts tomorrow. I know it's good for me, but also that it will be challenging. Here is how it goes: apart from work and studies there will be no screen time for the next week. I can use my phone to call/text people, but not for all the apps and internet. And no TV either.

The past couple of months I have had an app on my phone that tracks how  much time I spend on it. On average it is about 2 hours a day! Isn't that crazy? I am almost too embarressed to admit it... Since I got a new phone last fall I use it to read news, blogs and articles, plus all the social media, but it still seems like a lot of time.

To prepare for this coming week I  have decided to do the following:
- Write down all upcoming birthdays so I can text, call or send a card instead of a facebook message
- Charge my ipod so I have music to listen to
- Turn off the wifi and 4G on my phone
- Use cookbooks instead of online recipes if I need anything
- Put my phone in a designated spot where it is out of sight, but still within earshot
- Check my email once a day on weekdays, and only read important ones
- Hide all apps from the front page on my phone

That should help me a on the way, dont you think?

I think I will read quite a lot the coming days, but hopefully there will be a few fun adventures as well. Maybe it is time to plant some bulbs for spring? Have a great week, screen-free or not!

Reading through the century

While looking through my book list, it became evident that I mainly read new books (from the past decade or so), or books that are around 100 years old! I can give a pretty easy explanation for both of these categories.

Firstly: New books are talked about everywhere, and it makes me curious, so I want to find out why people think this is such a great book. Also, being at the library so often, I like to look at the new arrivals, and often pick up a couple of new and shiny ones to bring home. This way I end up reading a lot of Norwegian authors that are new to me.

Secondly: Copyrights expire after 100 years in America, and it is therefore easier to find these titles available for free. Almost all the books on my kindle are in this category!

Thirdly: This is an idea I had. What if I read books from a different decade for each month for the rest of the year? That could be interesting, and I am sure I will find lots of new to me authors.

I think I will start with the 90s, and I will let you know how it goes.

By the way, it is library week in Telemark this week. Check out Bibliotekukas website for program and more. Here in Skien I will attend an Ibsen event Wednesday night, and hear mystery writer Jan Mehlum Thursday night. On Saturday the new Ibsen area and art exhibit will open, so there is a lot happening this week. Everything is free, so this is the perfect chance to visit your local library. You can even win an Ipad air!

January Cure #21 Goodbye Cure

This is actually the fourth time I join Apartment Therapy's January Cure, and finally it feels succesful! Perhaps because I decided beforehand to be a little more realistic with my time, and not scrub every single inch of the bathroom ceiling and the inside of all the kitchen cabinets. I have done that earlier, and it made me give up halfway through the Cure.

Another thing that has been helpful are the actual asssignments we got. I think the tasks were more managable this year, and time restraints on some of the days were very helpful (Hello, 3-minute surface sweep). Plus, my husband has been involved much more than last year, which has been a great help, especially with the kitchen and hallway closet.

Our main accomplishments this Cure:
- Redecorating the living room
- Cleaning the big hallway closet (at least most of it)
- Getting some work done on the loft
- Being able to lighten up and purge a little bit in every room, especially in the kitchen cabinets that are no longer overflowing
- Weather strips for the door!
- Being reminded of how much cleaning can actually be done in 3 or 30 minutes. Getting started is often the hardest part...

Not everything on our list is done, but the apartment still feels so lovely. This weekend I only had to clean a big mirror, vaccum the floor and change the sheets. And I made cookies to celebrate! I must admit though, I am glad it is over. I really need to focus on my school work again.

PS. If you want to Cure your own home, it's not too late. All the assignments are still available on Apartment Therapy's page. 

January Cure #2 A list of projects

Today's task in the cure was to assess all the rooms in your home and write down the things that needed to be done, whether it is repairing, cleaning, painting or whatever else is needed. Then you highlight 3-5 things per room you want to focus on for this month.

Here is our list:

Living room
- Rearrange and make room for the TV
. Get rid of old bookshelf. (Sold on Finn)
- New bookshelf

- New coffee table

- Dark corner. Needs a new lamp?

- Dusty beams

- A box of various chords that need sorting through

- Possibly painting a wall to change the look of the room?

- Wrap some games in neutral paper to make a tidier look  (Put them in white boxes for now)
- New weatherstrips for windows and front door

Bedroom
- Broken lightswitch
- Purge/reorganize drawers in the "closet"
- Rearrange or get new pictures on the wall
- Air bubbles in the wallpaper

Kitchen
- Full cabinets. Get rid of/store some things.
- Tupperware chaos. Get rid of/store some things.
- Picture gallery wall
- New backsplash
- Too much cutlery. Get rid of some.
- Clean the pantry
- Deep clean the fridge, oven and microwave
- Dirty cabinet doors and tops of the cabinets also need cleaning

Hallway
- The closet. Purge, donate and organize!!
- Need better access to the tools
- New hat/scarf storage after rearranging
- Too many chairs! Get rid of or store at least one of them
- Clean the heater filter
- New doormat
- Take down and store/sell a heater. (Sold on Finn)
- Get a lightswitch?
- Fix the electricity so the fuses don't blow all the time
- Shoe storage
- Iron the heap of tablecloths in the closet

Bathroom
- Not enough storage (Purged a lot, rearranged a little. It is much better now!)
- Hang some pictures
- Make green cleaners
- Change lightbulb

Loft
- Purge craft supplies
- Purge suitcases/bags? (Not necessary)
- Extra mattress: give away
- Organize everything better....
- Store some of the things above the bathroom


I will update the list as we cross things off in real life, and add new things as they come up. I love crossing things off lists, don't you?

A year of mail

My creative goal for 2015 was to write 52 postcards/letters, one for each week. I have learned that there are plenty of occasions just waiting for a card. Birthday cards, Congratulations you are married-cards, You are having a baby!, Your baby is so cute!, Penpal-letters, Summer vacation in Czech Republic-mail, Mothers day-card, How are you friend?, more Birthday cards, Thank you for your hospitality, Thank you for your gift, You moved and now I miss you-letter... and to top it all: The Christmas card. We definitely both sent and received most mail in December, and it was really lovely to see pictures of friends and family who live far away (and some who live quite close as well). But it would be sweet if more mail happened in other months as well.

Some of my favorite mail this year has been a wedding invitation, a Japanese illstrated book, a vintage napkin from an American friend and vintage family Easter cards.

So, I made my goal. At least 52 pieces of mail from me to destinations all over the world were sent in 2015, yay! I did not however make many envelope liners. Neither did I write really long letters. So if anyone is up for the challenge, I got a lot of pretty stationary for Christmas, and I promise to reply to all mail you send!

PS. My Christmas mail goal for 2016 is to feature a real picture of my husband and I. Also, to start a little earlier than December 1st...

52 Postcards for 2015

One of my goals for 2015 is to send a letter or postcard every week. Last year I sent lots of mail, most of it wedding related, and I miss putting stamps on envelopes and writing to my friends and family, so this little project will make sure I get it done. 

So far I have sent a few birthday cards, but there doesnt really have to be an occasion to send mail, right? I also hope to practice writing some actual letters. And now that I know how to make an envelope liner, I should do that more often as well. 

Would you like to receive mail from me? Just comment on this post with your address (unless you know I already have it) and you will get something pretty in your mailbox some time this year! Writing back is no requirement, but it would make me happy.

PS. If you prefer vintage letters (in Spanish) you can get yours from Etsy seller Blue Grizzle Paper.

Do you yoga?

I have never liked to exercise. In school, gym was my least favorite subjects of all, and I never joined any sports related activities as a child. When I was around 12, and all my girlfriends played handball (yes, handball), I tried it twice, but didn´t like it, and never came back.

The only time in my life I have exercised on my own initiative was when I was a student in Oslo for a year (back in 2003-04, so incredibly long ago). Students got a super cheap gym deal, and I would swim in the pool before classes.

I do enjoy hikes in the forest, but without my own car it is a lot harder to get out and actually do it. But then I met Erin Motz. A couple of months ago I decided I really needed to start some kind of work out. I knew my body and soul would benefit a lot, but I wasn´t sure what could motivate me. A gym membership here is too much for me to afford right now, so I bought a yoga mat. 

Then I somehow stumbled upon Do you yoga and their 30 day yoga challenge.  I have tried a little pilates but didn´t know if I would like yoga. Well, it´s been 23 days with yoga now, and I look forward to it every day! That is a small revolution in my life... I think I like it a lot because the instructor makes it so easy to follow, even for complete beginners, and with no pressure to do the crazy poses.

There are only 7 days left of the challenge, but I might just do it all over again when I am done :)

Would you try yoga?

Oh, and I broke my stopshop goal with buying a new yoga outfit. Partly because I needed it, and partly for the motivational aspect of fun colored stretchy fabric. You can judge me if you´d like. 

Little Progress with the January Cure

In December I signed up for Apartment Therapy´s January Cure - a way of tackling mess and clutter in your house and get a good clean. Buying fresh flowers is the easiest part of the January Cure. Other than that I have cleaned and organized all my books and yarn, and deep cleaned a large portion of the kitchen. Small steps on the way... I just seem to lack motivation. Cleaning is most fun when it is over, or what do you think? Do you have any ideas for how to get going on home projects?

Chronological Bible Reading

I am in the process of reading through the whole Bible in chronological order. Thats the best way to do it in my opinion. And not just book by book, but a detailed chapter by chapter chronology. This way you will understand who the prophets are speaking to, and the context for some of the psalms. I have enjoyed it before, and can recommend it to anyone!

This plan started after attending a "Walk through the Bible" seminar in September. I did well with keeping up for the first couple of months, but in December I failed miserably. A new year has given me the opportunity of a fresh start, and while I am not exactly caught up, at least I have maintained a good habit. It takes a lot of discipline, but it is worth it!

Would you read through the Bible?

More gratitude in 2014

I finished my year of living simply/stop shop (shop stop? stopshop?). In October I wrote an evaluation, and two months later I don´t have much to add to that. It hasn´t been that hard really. My closet is still full of clothes: while packing for my Christmas break I filled a large suitcase with things I thought I would need for the next week. Not only did I bring way too much, you could hardly notice a difference in the closet after packing. That was the moment I decided to continue this project.

Over Christmas, my sister decided to join the project, so I have someone to support, and confide in. The main area for improvement is my gift giving. It might have been easier for me to buy gifts for others this past year, without considering any of the limitations I put on myself. I will start off well this year though, with a knitted scarf for my sister in law´s birthday in a few weeks.

2014: A new year to read books from my shelves, wear all my dresses and be crafty.

New rules for 2014:

- I will by no new clothes, shoes, accessories, books, things, etc from 1st of January 2014 till 1st of July 2014 unless it is directly related to the wedding.
- I can buy yarn/fabric to knit and sew/redesign clothes, and buy used clothes/things. I will try to borrow or buy used/vintage for some of the wedding stuff as well.
- Items that are worn out or broken can be replaced if truly necessary (kitchen appliances, umbrella and other needed things).
- When giving gifts I will consider the rules above, but I will receive any gift given me. (Like the three pairs of rain boots I got for Christmas. Don´t worry, I only kept one.)

Screen free week

I haven´t been too active on the blog lately, so I don´t think anyone would notice another week of absence. Nevertheless, I thought I would notify you I will be having a screen free week, starting today. I did the same last year, and had lots of fun.

Here´s to walks in the sun, gardening, painting, crafting, reading, cooking, talking and any other non-screen related activity! Perhaps I will be inspired to blog more, since I seem to be lacking that lately.

I hope you will have a great week, whether or not you are off- or online.

Stop shop update

Two and a half months into my stop shop project, and it is time for a real update.

It is still easy to not buy new clothes, but I have acquired a few things in other ways: a pair of jeans handed down from my sister, some earrings my mom found in her jewelry box, and a second hand sweater. I ask myself the question: are these gifts or not? And in borderline cases I will still try to practice my "one item in, one out" rule.

The jeans from my sister was easy, I just replaced them with an old washed out out pair in the same color, even from the same store! The sweater is more of a head sore, and I have a hard time choosing which one to part with now. Perhaps this is the bigger struggle for me, actually parting with some of my things. I think I just like them too much sometimes.

There hasn´t been too much time for DIYs and projects yet, but perhaps now that spring is knocking on my door. One of the sewing projects I hope to finish this year is a top in the vintage pattern above. The half finished 70s tunic has been waiting for way too long, and I want to wear it soon. Maybe this spring?

PS. For updates from my Latvia outreach, check YWAM Skiens blog.

A pretty big resolution for 2013

The new year is right around the corner! 2012 has been a long year, so much has happened. Still, this is not a post about what was, but some thoughts for what is coming. 

Earlier this fall I read about some girls who made a "Shop-stop" resolution. Around the same time, there was a lot of publicity around a documentary about H&M and underpaid factory workers. Clothes, and all kinds of stuff for that matter, can be found at giveaway prices in some stores, and who pays the price for all our shopping? This has been in the back of my mind for a long while: How can I be an ethical consumer? I don´t think I am a raging shopaholic, but there is still room for some improvements. A friend of mine had a similar project  a couple of years ago, and I have wondered if I could do the same one day. 

Some reasons for this project:

- Contentment.

It is so easy to admire everyone else´s home, wardrobe and all their pretty things. Especially with so many blogs and pinterest, there are hundreds of opportunities for me to be discontent - every day! I want to learn to be more content.

- Use what I have. 

I have so much, and with everything from clothes, music and cups to hobby supplies, it is easy to forget what I actually have when I see something new and shiny. So I would like to focus on what I have, instead of all the things I could have.

- Be more conscious of my spending.

- Saving money. 

I think I will be surprised by how much I actually spend on all those little things. 

- Avoid impulse purchases. 

These usually don´t stand the test of time anyways, either because I really didn´t love that sweater I found on super-sale, or because cheap stuff just doesn´t last very long. 

- Deep cleaning.

My friend said she realized more of what she really liked, so I think I will be able to sort out a few things that mainly takes up space and gathers dust. 

- Free time.

Less things means less tidying up, which equals more time for other things :) 

Simpler living, but not so simple rules:

- I will by no new clothes, shoes, accessories, etc from 1st of January 2013 till 1st of January 2014.

- I can knit and sew/redesign clothes and buy used clothes.

- For every new thing I acquire, an old one will have to go. This rule is not just for clothes, but all new things that come through the door.

- Items that are worn out/broken can be replaced if truly necessary (socks, umbrella and other needed things).

- Gifts are exempt from the rules. 

It was easy to talk about this some weeks ago, but with only a few days left of the year, I found myself buying t-shirts on impulse without even trying them on yesterday. Wish me luck! 

PS. "Live Simply" poster and many more prints by Shelli Dorfe.

My view recently: the garden

Yes, this is the view from my apartment right now. A little too gloomy, but I am trying to look at the bright side: a new roof coming up! 

I thought some new plants would help. Buying soil and garden tools was great. I went with a friend and her 7 year old daughter to the garden center, and this girl and I looked at lots of nice things. I wanted a mini greenhouse, but said I didnt really have room for it on my balcony. 

"Dont you have a garden?" she asked. 

"No, I only have a rather small balcony," I said.

"But why cant you just make a garden?" was her brilliant idea.

If only it was that simple...

 For now, this is my little garden, and I quite like it. I even planted some seeds! Ill keep you updated on the progress, but Im a newbie in this area, and Im not so sure what the results will be... 

Growing things

I have had a desire for a garden for a long time, especially to make things grow. Living in the middle of the city doesnt exactly give me lots of green grass to spread out on, but at least I have a balcony, and plan to take advantage of that. The other day I went to the local garden center, and came out with a handful of little seed packets. Now comes the hard process....

If I can make these things grow and harvest something eatable, I will be a happy girl! 

Reporting: inspired by spring

Hestehov - spring is here!

After a week off the internet I am back. I tackled my google reader and am now somewhat caught up with the blog world. For news I resorted to the radio, so I might have been more in touch with what was going on than usual.

I was surprised by how easy it was to be without my computer. (I dont have TV, so it was a lot easier to avoid that time consuming screen.) A couple of times I was a little restless, but for most of it I had lots of projects going on or I was hanging out with friends. It is surprising how much you can get done without the usual distractions!

Flowers and candles on a Finnish Aarikka tray from a flea market

The week consisted of crafting and cooking/baking (check back for later posts), walking, skiing, reading, visiting and receiving visitors, fixing things at home, writing letters and watching the stars and the planets. With spring settling and growing among us this was a perfect week for being outside and planning for the months ahead. 

It is good to be back here, but I am considering restricting my online time or schedule a screen free night a week to make room for more creativity. Analogue time for a longer period is definitely recommended!

Counting down

It is time to take a deep breath. Or several... 

I am getting ready for my analogue week, planning crafts, cooking and other blog worthy activities that I probably won´t write about later because there simple isn´t enough time. Some of the things on my list include decorating the spare room, hanging a new lamp, baking, spray paint and listening to the radio. Last night I dusted off my CDs. I guess I will have to listen to music I have, as opposed to all the music I dont have. 

I have new glasses! These are from Lensway and came in the mail the other day. It had been six years since I got my previous pair, and even though I wear contacts a lot, I was ready for a new pair. 

I like this retro look, do you? 

If anything exciting happens in the virtual world while I am away, leave me a link, okay? Until then you can reach me on the phone or with an old fashioned letter. 

Have a great week! 

PS. Check out this amazing DIY. 

PPS. The tablecloth in the first picture is actually a curtain. Im not sure it can be called restyling, but it certainly qualifies for repurposing in my book. 

An analogue week

Rummy was a hit when my sisters came to town last weekend.

I have decided to join a project called Skjermfri (Screen Free), arranged by Familie og Medier, a Norwegian organization working to promote healthy use of media. For a week they challenge us to be offline and off every screen (apart from at work/school if you need it there).

The reason?
Be more conscious of how we use the media,
Promote creativity and fellowship and do things we normally just think about.
Some space to be quiet and reflect, perfect for lent.

Do you, like me, feel a little anxious just by the thought of no tv, facebook, blogs, wordfeud, twitter, and looking up anything the instant you feel like it, for a whole week? Maybe you can try as well?

Read more and sign up here: Skjermfri

So, starting next Friday, I will be offline for a week. Do you have any ideas of what I can fill my time with? Suggestions are very welcome!

As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth

Next year I hope to have a herb garden on my balcony.
For now, I will work on tending the plants I have inside, and hope they survive the long winter.

Source: haus-therapy.tumblr.com via  SFgirlbybay

Entering 2011 with style

ReStyle
One of my goals for 2011 will be to repurpose old, unusable and thrifted stuff,
and I joined Elsie and Rachel for their project:

Their guidelines are simple:

Project ReStyle

1. You must use unwanted, damaged or unusable vintage or used items to ReStyle. One of the big purposes of the group is that it encourages green living and is budget friendly. You can use items from your own closet/attic that you no longer love, thrifted finds or hand-me-downs. 

2. Take a Before & After photo of your ReStyled project. It's that simple!

3. Share your creative work on your blogs and in our Flickr Group. If you don't have a Flickr account, it's free to join. We'll be choosing favorites each week to share on our blogs, so you'll want to be sure to join the fun. 

4. You can create fashion, home decor or gift items. There are no limits on what types of items you can ReStyle! Be creative and make items you know you can really use! 

What do you think?

Join the fun if you'd like!