One of the best glass companies in all of Scandinavia (and perhaps the world, along with Germany) would have to be making the cutest Christmas designs to date!
I own a really heavy tealight candle holder, and it screams quality in weight. I am so in love with these Swedish-styled crystal Santas that I want them everywhere around the house and on windowsills for the public to enjoy :D
You can get their pointed hats in a clear, frosted, glittered or platinum finish, whatever strikes your yuletide fancy.
I can't help to smile back at these coned Santa hats sporting the biggest of Christmas smiles and cheer :)
Do I see you giving a smile?
You can purchase them just about anywhere online, but you can also purchase these adorable glass ornaments here on their official webshop.
Saturday night turned out to be such a wonderful night! I personally thanked Mr. Svein Erik Renaa himself for him and his kitchen staff going out of their way to make me alternative gluten-free dishes without cutting any corners on quality and service.
I cannot tell you how wonderful the potatoes tasted. The portabello mushrooms were so juicy and the salmon was full of taste. All 5 courses were so freaking delicious, I will be making my way back there very soon. I did not once look for salt and pepper, as everything was properly seasoned.
It was also pretty cool to see celebrity Chef, Hellstrøm (the Norwegian counterpart of Gordon Ramsay) there, trying out the new restaurant and making good judgment (I am sure) - so my review is miniscule compared to his word. But still, every little review helps :)
He was in town (along with a couple of other celebrities also eating there) to do a Norwegian version of MasterChef though, so maybe he was just enjoying the good food as well.
Here is my version, of eating grapes that could be a part of the next installment of naked ingredients. I call this one "Awkward eating 101" If you are in the Stavanger, Norway area, definitely stop at Renaa Restaurant.
Speaking of Belgium (yesterday), I came across the most tasty of Belgian chocolates last week. They are called "Starbrook Airlines", which is a made-up airline company, with the most natural and full-bodied taste of real, proper chocolate.
These first class frequent flyers make flying look so sensual and dream-like. It actually seems to calm, and also excite me to fly in 11 days.
Let's hope I also get off the plane, draped in millions of dollars worth of jewelry, and the sexiest unwrinkled evening dress on the market. Walking out of a plane looking like a bazillion bucks ;)
All the brilliant oil paint and watercolour illustrations are all beautifully painted by Belgian artist Jaak De Koninck, a.k.a. Jack Learoy (1950). He seemed to have a passion for air hostesses and anything to do with flying.
Most of Mr. Learoy's work was stamp-sized, and some pieces you can still see in the Belgian airport of Zaventem. Jack's imaginary airline can be seen on these wonderfully wrapped, decadent tasting, chocolates.
I prefer the dark chocolate, and it is probably the most tasty dark chocolate I have ever tried. Seriously.
I really want one of these tins so I can put my recipes or other stuff in ...
The art is lovely, and it would be cool to own one of his nostalgic art pieces. I feel guilty opening up these chocolates to try them, as they are that pretty!
If you come across these Starbrook Airline chocolates on your travels, I guarantee you'll melt over them :)
Only in Europe would you see such a sensual cookbook in any bookstore. World renowned cook, Sven Erik Renaa first debuted this book at the Gladmat 2009 Festival here in Stavanger - as he is also a local chef. The cookbook is actually nominated for the Gourmand World Cookbook Award (the cook book Oscar's) for 2010.
He just opened his own restaurant here in town called simply Restaurant Renaa, and I will be eating there tonight, celebrating Christmas with my job and the other local shops in the area for our "Julebord" (Christmas Party).
I am extremely excited to try out Renaa's food, as I was also a fan of this racy cookbook this summer. I might have to wait until it is translated into English, but if I messed up a recipe with the Norwegian, I could always blame it on my poor translation ;)
Renaa himself was actually Cook of the Year here in Norway for 2000 and 2006. He also captained the National Cooking Team from 2005 till 2008. In 2007 he represented Norway in what is regarded as the Cooking Olympics, Bocuse d'Or, coming in 4th.
Apart from France, who've taken gold in this competition 6 times, Norway is actually the other great cooking nation, with 4 golds and consistent top three finishes. Quite a few of these cooks are Stavanger locals - and next weekend we'll be dining at the restaurant of the 2003 World Champion, Charles Tjessem.
I do notice that my Belgium (where my father's family is from) is also one of the consistent top three finishers at Bocuse d'Or - yay!
I will be judging Mr. Renaa on his courses tonight. Hopefully his overly sexual cookbook doesn't take anything away from his good taste.
Everything that reminds me of scuba gear seems to impress me. I found this BUILT brand to be quite interesting and quite useful at the same time. Going to dinner parties and bringing wine can be a hassle, unless you own one of these trusty bottle holders (which come in a vide variety of colour combinations), assisting you in the most comfortable way to any party or gathering.
I also like (even though it isn't a L.A.M.B) this cost efficient laptop hoodie that keeps your laptop happy, cozy and scratch free.
My biggest love was the camera case. I think most big cameras often match up with ugly bags, or you have to pay a million dollars to get something pretty and girlie looking.
I loved it in this blackcurrant colour and if I didn't have a good bag for my camera now, I would definitely put this at the top of my list from BUILT products.
Check out the site and see where if they are sold near you or buy online as they are offering free shipping at the moment :)
With Christmas fast approching, I like to think of some good, favorite movies from way back. I have already mentioned how much I loved watching Michael Jackson's Moonwalker on a daily basis, but I also loved watching this 1986 Christmas movie called "The Christmas Toy" by Jim Henson.
Mr. Henson had a scary undertone when it came to his imaginitive projects. I loved the movie "The Dark Crystal" which was one of the most amazing movies to date in my opinion. But, unfortunately I couldn't find too many clips on Youtube, except for the most scariest part of the whole Christmas movie where the mouse meets "Meteora, Queen of the Asteroids!".
Small doll faces that talk haunt my dreams. Unfortunately, I only have this on a taped VHS in Canada, so I think I want to go on a hunt for the DVD version, which hopefully exists in some obscure Ebay back alley.
Have you ever seen this Jim Henson production?
To give you an idea and refresh your memory, enjoy this 30 second "scary" clip below :)
UPDATE: You Can Buy this amazing movie on DVD here! Going to buy that right now...
I have been teetering on the the idea of a new laptop, as mine has unfortunately lost a couple of brain sells and had to re-map a couple of keys on the keyboard (after my unfortunate red wine incident).
Using Norwegian characters as Enter and Shift keys is neither fun nor easy - and every time I use someone else's computer I end up going "æhello!å", which doesn't make me come off looking particularly computer savvy :)
I would dream of owning a 13" MacBook Pro, but at the same time, when I am producing music, I am really a Windows-based child at heart (but I really do love the Apple for easy picture editing and garage band).
But, can I own one of these exclusive Gwen Stefani (love her so much!) designed bags for a new 13.3" Toshiba? I think a tote may do the trick! Just look at these beautiful designs!
L.A.M.B is a little more pricey than the "Harajuku Lovers", but both lines are beautiful in their own right.
I probably won't be able to shell out a $400 (but so beautiful!) home for my laptop at this moment, but maybe a "Harajuku Lovers" in the not so distant future :)
Will you be getting a L.A.M.B bag for your next apple?
I honestly wish I wrote this amazing track. It's just that wonderful! I've listened to Marina and the Diamonds for a while. This Wales-based singer didn't impress me the first time around with her song "I am not a Robot", as it sounded like another Regina Spektor wannabe (no offence).
Her other track, "Mowgli's Road", got my attention, warmed me up, and made me want to listen to her a bit more, but THIS song - "Hollywood" - is actually such a brilliantly worked track. She showcases her low voice and wicked lyrics; "I'm obsessed with the mess that's America" Love, love, love!
Enjoy her new track "Hollywood" below, and her MySpace here.
This morning I woke and and said "Aw! I am missing the whole month of Christmas music!". That was until I found the live stream on the Q97.5 site. I wanted to make a print screen of Boney M because I also love that track.
As much as I hate to admit it, I miss my mother's changing of plates and cutlery to ones that are Christmas themed - as well as her over-excitement to put on "London's Easy Rock Q97.5" for the whole month of December. It makes her drives to work that much more pleasant.
I recall jumping in the car and listening while I struggled to get warm, with my mom scraping the windows while I waited for the seat warmers to kick in. I'd be rubbing sleep out of my eyes to the softness of the radio station, always in the background. I even saw there was snow in London today. That made me smile.
I've been getting things ready here; I've decorated a small tree (nothing like my parents 2 big trees, but it's a start). I've also put on a little Snowman Christmas bell on Mr. Tobias' collar. He sits so proudly now, but hopefully he won't hate me by the end of the season =^..^=
All I can say is that I am so very fortunate to be able to go home this holiday. I'm pretty happy celebrating with my family :)
"Winter Garden" by Walter Campbell from Toronto, Canada.
One of the best glass companies in all of Scandinavia (and perhaps the world, along with Germany) would have to be making the cutest Christmas designs to date!
You can get their pointed hats in a clear, frosted, glittered or platinum finish, whatever strikes your yuletide fancy.
