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December wasn't really a good month to sum up outfit-wise, but this month has been better! Here's what I wore in January, when I wasn't feverish and covered in blankets. Remember to vote for me in the Vixen + minMote.no Blog Awards before the 4th if you think I deserve the title of Norway's Fashion Blog of the Year !

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Norways best fashion blog?

Talk about a busy and exciting week! Not only did I win the Winter Wonderland contest by Chictopia and Stylesip, but now it turns out I'm a finalist in Vixen + minMote.no Blog Awards here in Norway! It's such an honor, I really can't explain it; I'm just kind of shocked! You guys actually consider me one of Norways best fashion blogs? Oh my! Throughout a whole year Vixen Magazine has collected nominations and votes from readers all over the country, and after over one thousand nominations and several jury meetings; you guys actually voted me all the way to the final! I'm having a hard time actually wrapping my head around it, because I'm just a girl from a small village in the middle of northern nowhere. My fellow stylish finalists are Camilla Pihl, Ulrikke Lund, Styledevil and Nathalie Helgerud. If you think I have Norway's best fashion blog I strongly encourage you to vote for me here. (Just tick the box in front of my name and press "stem") Your vote will count for 50% of the final result and a fashionable jury consisting of key people from the Norwegian fashion industry and media will be in control of the other 50%. But, hurry up; you only have one week to vote!

The Vixen Blog Awards gala, which I'm actually invited to already; kicks of on the 9th of February at Folketeateret in Oslo. It'll be a star-studded fashion gala with high entertainment factor in a packed hall with over 1200 invited guests, led by Miss Vixen herself; Marianne Jemtegård and Grand Prix General Per Sundnes. Sounds pretty awesome to me!


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Tutorial | High waisted knit shorts

Warning: heavy text post. My knit shorts have gotten a lot of attention on the internets and in real life, for that matter - and I have received so many requests regarding them I can't even wrap my head around it. Many of you asked me if I could make you a pair, others were ready to pay me a lot of money to knit a pair for them, some asked for a recipe and a couple of you guys wanted to know where I bought it: because you didn't believe I made them. Honestly, I just got lucky. I was aiming for a kind of voluminous skirt; but somewhere in the process I decided to make shorts instead. I wish I could make a pair for every single one of you guys, but I really can't do that. So I'm doing the next best thing. Or, trying to. Here's a tutorial.

I've never made a tutorial before, so please be gentle with me. I also never had the skills to follow knitting recipes myself, so I'm kind of making it up as I go: using my own terms and kind of winging it; much like how I came up with the idea of making these shorts in the first place. I tend to use humor as a defense mechanism when I’m insecure, which you may notice later on in this post. It's actually very, very easy to make these shorts – I just don’t know how to explain it. Imagine a medium neck cowl, sown together in the middle of one end and there you have it!

I only use approximate measurements, mostly because if it doesn’t fit – I make it fit. I also prefer a bit of room in my clothes for more comfort.

Ingredients:
  • Approximately 3 balls of yarn. (I personally used PT2. PT2 is a 100% natural Norwegian wool of highest quality, which is available here.)
  • 5 mm (US8) circular needles. You could also knit this back and forth on straight needles, but I prefer circular ones.
Preparations:
  • First of: buy the yarn. Pretty self explanatory, but I thought I’d mention it just in case.
  • Second: buy the needles. You will be needing them of the actual making the shorts.
  • Third: if your mom or another friend is doing it for you, ignore the steps above and buy chocolate, flowers, wine, strawberries, scented candles and a pair of great shoes with a card that says “thank you for doing this for me”.
  • Then; measure the length between your waist and crotch to get the approximate height of the shorts, which in my case was about 25 cm. Remember these are just ish-measurements, and I’m a size small. I didn’t have to measure the width of my bum-area because the circular needles where a perfect match to my size, but I suggest you do it and add a few cm for good luck.
How to:
  • This is the tricky part; for me. I chose to knit my shorts in a loose pattern of 5x5 ribs (knit 5, purl 5). Start by casting on that circular needle and measure as you go. When it comes to the width of the shorts I suggest you stretch the yarn and keep going until you reach your own measurements. Very unspecific, I know, but true nonetheless. Then you just keep knitting in circles until you reach you preferred height and remember to cast off every tenth stitch of every third row of the purl to get that defined waist. When you've reached your measurements and finished casting of, lay it flat and measure so that you find the middle (of the wide end). Sew together 2-4 cm using the same type of yarn.
So, to sum up:
  • Cast on (your measurement) and knit approximate 4/5 rows of 5x5 ribs (knit 5, purl 5).
  • Cast of every 10th stitch of every 3rd row of the purled stitches, while continuing the 5x5 ribs.
  • Cast of loosely when finished*.
  • Sew together 2-5 cm in the middle of the bottom part and fix those little beauty flaws.
The best tips I have is to use your own creativity to decide what you prefer. This is only a vague guide. You can have a cleaner look with simple stitches alone, or make it even more complex with the patterns of your choice. You can use super-thick yarn to make chunky shorts, or make tight ones with thread-thin yarn. The last option is an everlasting project, I think. There are thousands of blogs and sites about knitting and recipes to guide you. The problem I have is that I took it straight out of my own imagination, and just knitted in circles, casting off to suit my waist, until I was satisfied - but I really hope this help you guys a little bit!

Good luck!

*Remember to cast off somewhat loose in the end so that you don't have to redo it all when you don't get it over your bum, like I did.

My knit shorts:
Lovely friends who have tried it so far:

Let me know if you've tried it, so that I can link back to you!

Déjà vu

I felt like sharing this outfit again, while I'm trying to recover from the influenza. It really is one of my all-time favorites, despite the fact that it's shot inside. How weird is that? I like going through my old outfits; it's great for inspiration and remembering those special items in my closet. I have a lot of clothes in different styles from different periods in my life, and it's interesting to see how I still prefer that romantic approach when styling myself. This is from 2009.
I'm wearing the thrifted tutu-thingy, Cubus Paris tee, belt from another dress and thigh-high stockings, H&M hat and pearly necklace which was a gift from my grandmother. Oh, and Karobaro gave me the "I love your blog" award last week! Thank you so much, sweetie!

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Remix : "same shorts, different capes"

Summing my whole remix-challenge up in one post seems like a good idea. Last week’s remix was kind of a double-remix, or perhaps even double-trouble, as I decided to use the same shorts with different capes. The shorts, which are from Gina Tricot, are probably the item I've featured most often on my blog, as I just think they go with everything. That's also the main reason why I wanted to use them in this remix! Each of the looks are quite unique: from the classic white to a whimsical one in colors; comfortable in over-sized knits to a kind of new-age chic in black. It was a challenge, indeed; but I think these kind of challenges are important to keep me creative.
This first one is kind of the "pretty one", if I can say that. It’s simple and classic, with a little bit of an edge to it. I belted it to make it more interesting, and give it a little extra umpf. Because it’s white, I think it’s easy to push over the edge to "super-romantic" – and I didn’t want to do that: so I kept it classic with the combination of black, white and brown.
My second version was the complete opposite from the first one. It’s a very whimsical look, I think; and though I'm not the most colorful person out there in general - I'm always up for a challenge when it comes to clothes! I do love experimenting, and this cape is perfect for that! It's a very unique and strong piece which just fits perfectly over my shoulders. I think it deserves all the attention it can get, so I combined it with black and gray. I chose to add a belt to this one as well, mostly because I’m a fan of chunky clothing.
My third version of the "same shorts, different cape"-remix is more my color-palette, or what I believe is my color-palette. I can't seem to figure that thing out. I've always loved wearing black and grays, and though many people feel uncreative wearing a monotone palette like this, I find it very inspiring! I love knits as well; so it's perfect for me. It’s is a comfortable and "safe" look, with thigh-high stockings and a cozy sweater underneath.
The fourth and final outfit is kind of “super-chic”, if you know what I mean - without sounding too arrogant: and I entitled it “I’m batman” for the obvious reasons. I absolutely adore this faux-leather-patched cape from Monki, especially since it was a gift from my mother. I kept the whole look quite monotone; well, except from the evident hair - which was very temporary by the way. I went for sky-high platforms because they are my favorite shoes at the moment and knits because it’s cold outside.

I really like how different they turned out! Which did you like the most? I'm really curious. I can't choose! I'm such a moody blogger, but I guess that's a good thing. I like the diversity.


1. I'm wearing a gifted poncho from Lindex, Gina Tricot shorts, Forever21 top, Lindex tights, vintage belt, H&M hat and Benelli boots. 2. I'm wearing a gifted cape from Vila, Gina Tricot shorts, Cubus stockings and belt, H&M hat, B.young sweater and wedges via Nelly.com. 3. I'm wearing Cubus cape, Gina Tricot shorts, Cubus stockings, random sweater and boots via Nelly.com. 4. I'm wearing Monki cape, Gina Tricot shorts, JSFN knits, H&M hat, random tights and Asos shoes.

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I'm batman!

Here's the fourth and final outfit in the "same shorts, different cape" remix! I love this faux-leather-patched cape from Monki, especially since it was a gift from my mother. Keeping it quite monotone today as well! Ehm, except from the obvious hair; which is very temporary by the way.
I'm wearing Monki cape, JSFN knits, Gina Tricot shorts, H&M hat, random tights and Asos shoes.

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Get your knit on!

I know, such a lame title. Here's my third version of the "same shorts, different cape"-remix. This is more my color-palette, or what I believe is my color-palette. I can't seem to figure myself out. I've always loved wearing black and grays, and though many people feel uncreative wearing a monotone palette like this, I find it very inspiring! I love knits as well; so it's perfect for me.
On a more personal note: I finally built up the courage to buy myself a pair of Litas. I've been craving them so badly since I first saw them, but I've never been the girl that buys $150- $200 shoes - just because I'm poor and really can't afford that. Anyways, today I placed my order. Figured I could eat snow the rest of the season, as long as I could wear my Litas while doing it! Oh, and if you're feeling humanitarian and want to join me in these snow-eating months, I noticed they had free worldwide shipping over at Solestruck.com. Just don't eat yellow snow.

I'm wearing Cubus cape, Gina Tricot shorts, Cubus stockings, random sweater and boots via Nelly.com

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Same shorts, different cape

I decided to do a remix with these shorts of mine using different capes to create different looks. I'm thinking about three or four; including the white one I posted earlier this week. These shorts are probably the item I've featured most often on my blog, as I just think they go with everything - which also is why I wanted to use them in this remix. It's a very whimsical look, I think; and though I'm not the most colorful person out there - I'm always up for a challenge when it comes to clothes! I do love experimenting, and this cape is perfect for that! It's a very unique and strong piece which just fits perfectly over my shoulders. I think it deserves all the attention it can get, so I combined it with black and gray.

I'm wearing a gifted cape from Vila, shorts from Gina Tricot, stockings and belt from Cubus, hat from H&M, sweater from b.young and wedges via Nelly.com

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