Yes! This really is a post about a train station.

Did I ever think I'd do a post about a train station? Umm... Probably not. But the thing is, I really like my train station.
I call it mine because we live next door to it and I go there almost every day - not only for transportation, but also for shopping, eating or just to browse the shops inside this huge place.

The thing is though; Ikebukuro is relatively unknown for most expats in Tokyo.
I find that so strange because Ikebukuro station is the second largest train station IN THE WORLD for Petes sake!!!
In 2007 it had 2,71 million passengers going through it every single day.
I mean, how cool is that?

So there you have it. I love Ikebukuro Station.

Ps. I hope I won't blog about train stations ever again.

HELLO KITTY CAFÉ IN SEOUL

My husband and I went on a mini break in Seoul two weeks ago and we ended up at the Hello Kitty café.

Per is buying a souvenir mug.

 Everything is Kitty shaped and pink. EVERYTHING!

Caffe lattes and matcha lattes with Kitty.

 This is what we had: Hello Kitty strawberry mousse cake, latte and a cappuccino.

I didn't get Kitty on my cappuccino :(

 Sorry about the lighting in these last two pics, but everything was just so darn pink upstairs it was difficult to take any decent photos.

A VISIT FROM MY COUSIN

Hello!

My lovely cousin, Janette has been staying with us here in Tokyo for one wonderful week.

I thought I'd share some photos and, of course, videos of a few of the things that we've been up to.

Trying different Japanese foods, such as Taiyaki, the fish shaped pastry with red bean paste filling.

Accidentally ordered a hot, sweet strawberry milk drink thinking it was coffee at the My Melody café in Daikanyama.

Macarons at Ladurée in Ginza

We had sashimi at a nice restaurant in Ikebukuro.

(Janette thought the shrimp was awful btw)

Funny flavored ice cream.

These are the flavours we ordered: Hokkaido potato, Shark fin noodle, charcoal, wasabi, green tea, double cheese. 

Ehrm... Yum??

Wagyu hamburgers at Blacow in Ebisu.

Shibuya crossing (of course).

Tomorrow, my mother, stepdad and two sisters are coming to visit.

Can't wait!

Eating Japanese jelly

I'm trying the popular Japanese jelly with 0 calories.

Sorry about the poor video quality :(

Video of me eating Natto

I'm eating Natto for you.

If you have any requests about upcoming videos I'd be happy to hear it.

Like: is there anything you'd like me to eat, show you or talk about?

Let me know in the comment section.

Puss & Kram

Tokyo day two. Beauty haul video

Haul video (in Swedish) from @Cosme Store.

Enjoy!

Tokyo day one

Hello!

Per and I arrived in Tokyo this morning.
This is what I've done today:

• Bought water from a vending machine (on my bucket list*)
• Eaten a delicious onigiri followed by a green ice tea (on my bucket list*)
• Unpacked in our tiny, but lovely flat on the 22nd floor in Ikebukuro.
• Eaten a pork bun and spicy noodle soup for lunch.
• Bought a clear plastic umbrella (on my bucket list*)
• Followed Per to the dry cleaners to drop of some shirts.
• Done a bit of food shopping at our local supermarket.
• Marveled at how well dressed everyone are.

* The bucket list will soon be published on the blog. 

But, the most important thing I've done today was to try umeboshi.

Umeboshi is a japanese plum that is pickeled and tastes salty and sour (due to its lactic acid contents). It's considered good for digestion, prevention of nausea, and for systemic toxicity, including hangovers.

The citric acid is claimed to act as an antibacterial, help to increase saliva production and assist in the digestion of rice. Additionally, umeboshi is claimed to combat fatigue (historically given as part of a samurai's field ration) and protect against aging.

Because I've been wanting to start a YouTube channel, I made a video of me trying umeboshi (in Swedish). Hope you'll like it!

TOKYO PREP #2

Konnichiwa!

After watching all those YouTube clips, I've understood that many gaijin (that's foreigner in Japanese ^^) in Japan get colds and flu a lot.
Since last autumn and winter was crazy for me flu-wise, I'm not taking any chances. 
That's why I'm on a strict get-healthy-for-Japan-plan.

My favourite discovery is Blogilates.



I've even started following Cassey's PILATES FOR BEGINNERS CALENDAR.
Ok, so far I'm only on day two, but so far so good ;)

Today I'm starting a two day cleanse and trying hot yoga for the first time evva! 

If you want lots of inspiration on healthy stuff. Check out my brilliant Pinterest-board!

Oh, and by the way! 

If you have any advice on how to stay healthy and flu free whilst traveling - please share it with me.

TOKYO PREP #1

Per went to Tokyo today :(

He'll be back in 3 weeks since we are going to my best friends wedding and to Barcelona for one week (Yay!).

As you probably can imagine I am trying to prepare for our 3 month stay in Japan as much as possible. That includes watching tons of YouTube clips.

How cute is this?!
Kawaii!! ^^

If you have any tips on videos about life in Tokyo or Japanese culture please comment.

RECIPE: QUICK VIETNAMESE PHO

This is my version of the Vietnamese noodle soup Pho.

2 servings

Ingredients for the broth:

2 cubes of chicken stock (Obviously homemade chicken stock would be great, but this is my super-quick version)

1l. water

1/4 - 1/2 yellow onion

1 spring onion

1 clove of garlic, sliced

1/2 red chili, in chunks

5 cm fresh ginger, sliced

Throw all of the ingredients above in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil.

Skim off any foam as you want to keep the broth as clear as possible.

Pour broth through a fine siv to get rid of the chunks and bits. Pour back into the saucepan.

Keep it simmering until you are ready to use it.

Noodles:

Rice noodles (as much as you want to eat) cooked according to package. Rinse them thoroughly in cold water and set aside until ready to use.

(I use none-carb noodles as I don't eat carbs)

Ingredients meatballs:

Minced chicken

Garlic according to taste (I like A LOT)

salt, white pepper

Make into bite sized meatballs and let simmer in the broth until ready.

You can swap the meatballs for chicken breast, prawns, veggies or whatever you feel like. It's up to you!

The veggies and herbs:

Fresh mint

Fresh coriander

lime wedges

bean sprouts

red chili in slices

spring onion in slices

When you are ready to serve do this:

Place noodles in a bowl (not a serving bowl, but the bowl you want to eat in)

Place meatballs on top

Pour over broth

Let everyone help themselves to the veggies and herbs.

Squeeze over lime.

Slurp!

COLOUR SERIES: HAINT BLUE

The colour originated in the deep American South and the original Haint Blue creators were descendants of African slaves who worked on rice plantations in South Carolina and Georgia. They where known as Gullah (or Geechee) people.

They kept the traditions, stories, and beliefs of their ancestors, including a fear of haints (=ghosts) alive.

Luckily, the Gullah people remembered that these angry spirits cannot cross water.

 According to some, the paint is meant to trick the haints into thinking they're facing a stream or other form of running water, which they cannot cross. 

Others say that the paint is applied to the ceiling of covered porches to confuse spiders and wasps into thinking the ceiling is really the sky and therefore unsuitable for building nests in. 

Some simply suggest that the color brings good luck.

Today, in cities and towns throughout the south, one will find these blues and greens tints on shutters, doors, porch ceilings and windowsills, gracing many historic homes. The pretty blues and greens compliment any grand old Victorian mansion, but the first painted strokes of Haint Blue adorned not the homes of the rich, but the simple shacks of African slaves.

COLOUR SERIES: KELLY GREEN

Starting today, the blog will get a brand new series: THE COLOUR SERIES!

The first colour I have the pleasure to introduce is:

KELLY GREEN

Kelly green is one of my favourite colours and every time I see it - my heart skips a beat.



The name "kelly green" for a color originated in Ireland - this is not hard to imagine, since both the color green and the surname "Kelly" are quite common there.
The first recorded use of of it as a color name was in 1917.

This shade of green is highly saturated, but leans a bit more towards yellow than an emerald green.
It somehow manages to be both cool and warm at the same time.

FRESH FISH MASQUERADE BALL

For the 2nd annual Fresh Fish Masquerade Ball, milliner Patrik Selling lent me one of his gorgeous hats.

The dress is by Zetterberg and leopard pumps by Bally

Me, Josefin, Kitty, Jelena and Lotta

FRESH FISH 2013

I can finally show you the work I've done for Fresh Fish fashion fair and competition.

I was responsible for the visual concept and interior design.

Fresh Fish fashion fair is Sweden's Annual Fashion Fair & Competition. 

It's 3 eventful days filled with the most talented and fresh new designers held at the gorgeous Hotel Clarion Post in Gothenburg.

So this is a bit of my work:

The runway

A huge lounge group with furniture from Bolia.

Fur, baby!

 I used details in neon for a fresh feel.

The exhibition hall with huge screens showing the fashion shows live.

 Photo studio where the visitors could watch photo shoots.