Three lovely things

1. Sandy and the 1000 paper cranes.

I don't know how many of you have heard of Sandy and her crane project - I myself only learned about it a few days ago - but I think it's such an inspiring and wonderful project that needs to get some more attention. After reading Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, a true story about a Japanese girl who on her death bed attempted to fold 1000 paper cranes in order to be granted one last wish (according to Japanese folklore), Sandy was so inspired by the story that she herself made up her mind to start making one thousand paper cranes. But that's not all. She decided to write a positive word at the bottom of each crane from a list of a thousand unique words she'd compiled and then place them on different locations, mostly in New Jersey, in order to spread a bit of happiness to the person who happens to find one. Sandy, in addition hopes that those who find a crane, after contacting her, go on to place it at a different place for someone else to find it. I think that's just lovely, and so sweet.




2. A little recipe book I go for my birthday on Sunday.





Such a sweet little book for writing my own recipes in, and hang on the wall or keep inside the little box which may even be cuter than the book itself!

3. Zara's autumn collection




I stopped by Zara this evening and I loved so many of the clothes that were out at the moment. There were so many pretty brown and autumn shades, and so much I wanted to buy. The polka dot dress with the peter pan collar I spotted on the website while finding pictures for this collage and I desperately need to find that dress. It's just gorgeous.

On a little side note, Emily posted a guest post on her blog today that I've written on how to bake a honey cake. Go and check it out!

What I want this autumn.

Like so many others I have also begun pondering about what I want this autumn, clothes vise, and I decided to create a little set on polyvore of the items I want.

Wish list a/w 2009 by Ariellaa featuring American Apparel socks

1. A pretty cape. I want a nice and flowing wool one, in either navy, red or black. Maybe with a hood as well. I've actually been wanting a cape for a few years now, but I have yet to find the perfect one.

2. This tartan cross body bag from Topshop. It reminds me of something I had as a little girl, and I think it looks really cute.

3. Some pretty over-knee socks (that are long enough to wear with suspenders). I really like these sheer ones from American Apparel.

4. This blazer from the Divided Exclusive collection. I want it so badly, and really hope that I can get my hands on it. There are also some matching shorts, which I also want. It's going to be amazing to have a great suit like that!

5. A blue and white stripe top. I have tops with red and black stripes, on white, but I think I need one with blue stripes as well. It's such a classic piece and versatile piece.

6. A pencil skirt. If it has braces like this one from American Apparel, that would be fantastic as well, since I want a skirt with that, too.

7. These tights from Up Factory. I think they're so quirky and lovely. Though I don't know if I'd actually get them since they are a bit on the pricey side. Speaking of tights, I need some red ones, too.

8. A minidress with long sleeves. I know that this is a playsuit, and not a romper, but it gives the illusion of a dress a little bit, I think (and is also so beautiful). I couldn't really find any other good picture to illustrate it with.

What about you then? Which pieces of clothing do you have on your wish lists for this autumn?

Pretty clothes on ebay.

Since I already spend so much time on ebay looking for cute vintage clothing, and because I neither have the means nor the need to buy everything I come across for myself, I thought I could perhaps show you some lovely things I've come across that maybe someone else would like to get.


Such a darling little dress, found here.


I love the fact that this one is so whimsical!


Isn't this one just wonderful?


The most adorable sailor playsuit, found here.


I thought this one was so, so sweet. Perhaps because Annie is one of my favourite films?


Oh, and this one is really cute, too, with an Indian print.

Copenhagen, Edith & Ella and awards.

Yesterday I went to Copenhagen and I don't think I really enjoyed it as much as I should have. The weather was so cold and slushy, I didn't feel like going around much, seeing sights and such. All I did was walk around for a few hours, buying little things such as a new mascara, tea, a plain knitted vest on sale, and some other small things.




One thing I did enjoy though, was that I came across the most amazing shop called Edith & Ella which sells ridiculously cute retro inspired clothing. I was given a catalogue by the shop assistant there, and I thought I'd share it with you.


Unfortunately I didn't buy anything there because I even though everything was really pretty, there wasn't anything there that I felt that I had to have. I will probably go back to Copenhagen next month when my sister is coming to see me, and hopefully the weather will be better then and it'll be more fun to go together with someone - and then I'm definitely going to drop by Edith & Ella again to see if they have anything new in.

I have postponed the awards I've received recently for a long time, so I thought I would just include them all in this post. I've also added the awards I've received in the side bar since I always feel quite bad when someone gives me an award that I've already received. For some reason I think it makes me sound sort of selfish if I then mention an award again, and I also think there are so many other great blogs out there that deserve these awards. Therefore I am passing on the following awards to all of you who have never received an award, or haven't really received many awards.
Princess Daisy gave me this sweet award. Thanks, sweetie!


I was given this lovely, sparkly award by Anna of Much love. Thank you so much, dear!


And finally, Kay of The Stitched and Deana of Dooder City gave me this lovely one. Thank you, lovelies!

Choices.

A few days ago I came across these wonderful bow hair clips (with a net) from Johnny Loves Rosie at Asos. I want one so badly, but the Asos shipping rates are outrageous, so I don't think I will. Hopefully someone will get to wear these well!



Oh, and I've been looking for a black and white stripe top for ages, and I think I've finally found two good candidates at H&M.


This one is nice as it's quite stretchy, and it has some cute buttons on one of the shoulders. However, the quality seems poorer than the other one.

I like this one since it seems like the quality is quite good, and it has buttons on the sleeves. I'm not sure how I feel about the wide black stripe at the sleeves and neck... but I think I like it. I just don't know if this one would work as well underneath dresses as the other one. Nevertheless, this is the one I think I'm slightly leaning towards. Which one do you prefer?

Weekend.

After seven weeks of work experience at a school, I'm done, and it feels really good. It was a very exciting experience that I enjoyed a lot, but it feels so great to go back to a less tighter schedule at university.
This weekend, apart from working, I'm going to watch some films I borrowed from the library.

The Russian Dolls (Les Poupées Russes) 8 Femmes, Rebel Without a Cause & Oliver Twist.


Eat cauliflower soup (that I actually made today, but there's lots left).


And go to the gym. Hopefully.

On another note, I've fallen in love with this bag that looks like an old school bag. I thought it would be perfect to carry my laptop in it... I just don't know which colour to choose.

Cacharel SS 09

As soon as I came across the Cacharel SS 09 collection I fell in love with it. This must be the prettiest collection I've seen so far at all the fashion shows this autumn... I love all the girlyness, frills, prints and pretty cuts. And all the hairbands are so beautful as well! This is how I would like to dress now, had it not been so cold, at least.

Knits.

The last few days I've been buying and stocking up on warm socks, tights, a scarf, gloves and a beret for the cold season with money that I got for my birthday... and I am very pleased with my find, although I don't feel that I am quite set yet. I still need more tights, which I can never get enough of. However, I am desperately looking for white tights, but I have only come across them in the H&M children's department (yet, only in too small sizes), so I hope they will get more of them eventually. They have so many nice tights in the children's department at H&M, which are both cheaper and seem to have much better quality than those they sell in the regular H&M, so I'm going to buy my tights there as long as they stock pretty ones that I want. The gray tights you can see in the picture below are also from H&M young. It seems like the colours I'll be wearing are mustard yellow and gray, for the most part.




White socks from H&M, gray tights from H&M, yellow acryllic scarf from Mexx, and gray acryllic beret and gloves from H&M.

I really want a knit cardigan as well. I spotted some in a shop from Norwegian designer Siv Elise Seland that I fell in love with because of the pretty colours and at the same time the traditional Norwegian pattern. However, I'm not sure if I can afford one at the moment... maybe I'll try to budget it in next month.




Ah, I just think it's lovely to be (almost) all set for the cold weather. What about all of you? Are you set, and what, if anything, are you still missing?


Last, but not least, I was tagged by the brilliant Marisa with the Gold Card with which I can buy anything I want in the world...



I would first of all like to buy myself a fabulous, big apartment in either Stockholm, London, Paris, or New York, but since the credit card is unlimited, why not in all four places? Then I would also decorate it the way I want, without having any economical restictions at all.

Also, I would love to go on a worldwide travel... there are so many places I want to visit - I want to go nearly everywhere.

I also want to complete my wardrobe with a lot of classical and high quality pieces that I can have for years and years.

For a long time I've also been wanting an excellent camera, so I would definitely get that, too. And I suppose some other technical things, like a new computer would be great.

What else? Yes, I would finally get my driver's license. I think it's quite bad to be 24 and not have one yet...

I guess I should also be noble and donate some of the money to worthy causes, and make sure that my family is financially set for life.

I'm tagging these people:
Regine, Vie, Carrie, Raquel and Sophie

Rules:
1. Only 5 people are allowed to receive this award.
2. Four dedicated followers of your blog.
3. One has to be new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.

What I want for autumn and winter.

The last few weeks I've been thinking a lot about what my wishlist for autumn and winter is, which is natural, I suppose, as the weather is getting colder. I decided to make a little polyvore set to get some more ideas, and in order not to forget which things I initially wanted.

* A pretty tartan/plaid wool coat. I actually don't need another coat as the one I bought last year is still wonderful, but if I do stumble upon a tartan coat that I fall in love with, I might get it.

* A red umbrella. This one from 'Brolliesgalore' has a wonderful shape, too.

* Patent leather gloves. The leather gloves I own are suede, and every time it rains they're soaked.

* Wool tights in any colour are always welcome in my closet.

* Equestrian boots. These ones from Marc Jacobs are beautiful, but slightly too expensive for my budget.

* A pretty collar. This is actually a necklace since I couldn't find a collar on polyvore. Lovely nonethless. My only problem is that I don't really have any dresses that would look nice with a collar.

* A gray wool scarf.

* Flat and comfortable brogues. And preferrably two coloured ones.

What are your must haves for this season?

London.

On Tuesday I'm off to London for a week, which I am really excited about. Last time I was there, two years ago, I was only there for three days and didn't get to see very much (since I spent most of my time shopping, evidently). So, this time, I've been doing some research to find out what exactly I want to do.

That list includes, going to Spitafields market, which I've heard is great - for both food and shopping.

Nearby, Brick lane is located, which should be great for vintage finds and exotic food.

Then, I want to see London's Chinatown, as I've never been to Chinatown in any city.

I want to go to Hyde park, or Regent's park, or both, as I didn't go there last time.

And I suppose these museums are rather compulsory; the Tate Modern and the British Museum.

But, I also plan on going to the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood, for a bit of nostalgia. No, I'm not that old, but old-fashioned toys are so nice to look at.

Last, but not least, I want to have a picnic at Hampstead Heath, since the view is great, and it looks really nice.

Oh, and I nearly forgot. I so much want to see a musical in London, so that is a must, too.

I will be seeing other things as well since I am going with my boyfriend who loves architecture. I'm not that into it, but I suppose I'll just have to tag along. At least, he'll have to come to the places I want to see, too.

I hope you didn't think I wasn't going to do any shopping - I am, absolutely. I have also made a little list of the places I plan to go to.

Quite a few vintage shops; Beyond Retro, Rokit, Bang Bang Clothing exchange, and Absolute Vintage.

I also plan to go to Harrods, which may be a little cheesy, but I wasn't there last time either.

Top Shop and Urban Outfitters are both shops I must go to, but also Kiehl's, Marc Jacobs, Selfridges, A.P.C., and Cath Kidston...

Are there any other places that I need to see, or go to, or do?

Pictures from Flickr.