Grand Mad Opening of Topshop

I stupidly enough thought that Topshop's store opening today would be a little crazy, but not such a big deal. Oh boy was I  in for a huge surprise.

I had decided to take a little excursion during my lunch hour and check it out, thinking maybe I would find a cute top or something. Getting off the R, I didn't even get across Spring Street before I noticed the madness. In the end, I had to round three city blocks to find the end of the line. Not that I was planning to stand in it even for a second, but I was chuckling to myself over the insanity of the people that did. Topshop is, after all, supposed to be a pretty affordable mass-market store competing with places like Zara and H&M. 

There was even store staff walking around handing out water bottles and doughnut holes so people wouldn't pass out. Smart move...(they probably would have been blamed for anything going wrong)!

However, the funniest part of the whole thing is that when I finally rounded the fourth and last corner and was back at the front of the store again, they place was no more than half full! Cleverly they had created a huge line outside to increase the hype for the store. Marketing 101.

Funny enough, it worked! The street was full of reporters photographers and camera crews documenting this "historic day".

Favorite Local Hangout

Black Door on 26th street, off 6th Avenue, has been one of my favorite local, low-key hang outs for years. A great unpretentious after work crowd with $6 drinks for happy hour. Cheap compared to some of my other favorite places where drinks run $18 for 80% ice.  

Drinks with friends here last night was great. Two thumbs up for this place to go with your friends. 

http://nymag.com/listings/bar/black_door/

Swedish absolute favorites

Playlist going on my iTunes right now: 

Kom Änglar, Lars Winnerbäck

Evelina, Peter Le Marc

Rom i regent, Ulf Lundell

Himlen runt hörnet, Lisa Nilsson

Om du lämnade mig nu, Lars Winnerback & Miss Li

Evangeline,   Ulf Lundell

Little Willie John, Peter Le Marc

Kom hem till mig,  Lars Winnerbäck

New York, Melissa Horn

Jag ska hel ur det här, Peter Le Marc

När jag kysser havet, Ulf Lundell

Ängeln i rummet, Eva Dahlgren

Sparvöga, Marie Fredrikson

Always You, Sophie Zelmani

Som jag hade dig då, Melissa Horn

Öppna landskap, Ulf Lundell

I must confess

I know it kind of sad, but I still love shops that are technically considered teen stores (although I think Forever 21 is considered "young adult"). They have the cutest stuff and it's cheap. Quality is of course not the best, but who cares when the trend is over 3 months later, and you won't wear it again. Not everything is great in those stores though, you kind of have to dig deep to find the real jewels. Besides, if you mix some more expensive pieces with the cheap stuff, no one will ever know!

I have for a while now checked out this white dress at Victoria's Secret's online store, but it hasn't gone on sale yet. Yesterday I spotted this similar dress at dELiAs.com at half the price. Ha, it really pays off being patient! Since I am already looking for cute summer dresses, I went for it. Not sure if it's going to look as good in real life as it does online, but it was worth a shot. 

Nice April Fool's joke!!

Introducing Cadie from Google...hahaha

JLo is one hot girl

The new pictures of JLo in Tokyo are simply amazing. She is looking really great lately, and she had twins not to long ago. Granted, when you have millions $$, five personal chefs, ten nannies and equally many personal trainers, you kind of should look great. Ok, I just made that up, but celebrities are in away paid to look good. No animosity or jealousy–I would love a personal staff to pamper me too!

Anyway, looking hot in black and white, with a new hair cut. I love the bangs! Not everyone looks good in them (like me with crazy curly-frizzy hair).

Another Bathroom Renovation

The basement bathroom has been in a gutted state for over two years and we have not been able to come to an agreement of what it should look like. One day we want mosaic tiles and the next day tumbled travertine marble. We have had so many ideas without a final decision that nothing has gotten done. 

Of course that was until yesterday. We both had a Eureka moment. Chilling out on the sofa checking out the west elm catalogue from the mail...there it was. The bathroom sink of both our dreams. I know it sounds stupid to get so excited over a sink, but when you love design as much as we do, that is complete joy.

So here it is. Bathroom sink and console from West Elm in teak, $749 ($999 if you opt for the faucet too). I think it's a done deal.