Another year older...

So am I allowed to say that I’m getting older? Well turning 24 isn’t that bad I suppose. But I would like to dedicate this blog post to a few of the lovely presents I was given this year. I have in many previous posts rambled about my own little mummy and all the great gifts she has given me in the past. This year mum sent a couple of amazing gifts. One of them was a watch from Octopus, it’s a crazy digital thing with a 60s inspired pattern in green, turquoise, blue and white. The watch looks more like a bracelet to be honest which I like. I’m not the typical ‘watch type’, not that I’m using the sun to tell time but I rather fill my wrists with crazy bracelets, hence why this new watch is ideal!

My little sister Madde bought me a lovely brown leather bag from NEXT and my friend Maria got me this pretty glass bracelet in white, green and turquoise. Rowan and Bobbles got me a vintage looking locket so I need to find some cute photos to put in there.

Scarves!

Since moving to England five years ago, I have lived in about seven rented properties, and every room has lacked storage space for clothes. However, the wardrobes in the big two bed house I am currently sharing with my best friend Minna is a nice treat for anyone with a large amount of clothes and accessories since there are six of them! It’s like taken out of a scene from ‘Sex & City’. Another of my obsessions is scarves, and I have loads of them. So one of the wardrobes is basically filled with scarves.

I have four siblings and they are all spread out around the globe. My sister Mimmi has lived in Hong Kong for the past three years and I went to visit her last year and found a place called Stanley Market. If you ever get the chance to go to HK, go there! It’s very cheap and filled with clothes, accessories, bags, shoes… you name it! There is where most of my scarves come from since I went a bit crazy when I was there and bought a few. My sister knows my love for scarves so she usually brings me two-three every time I see her. Some of them have lovely decorative patterns on them and others are just plain. Pink, orange, green, blue, purple… and so on!

Another one for my MUM

Since my mum is one of the most amazing people in my life, I thought I would keep ranting about her a wee more! Similar to the ‘blue hippie-top story’, there is another item of my mum’s which I absolutely love. If you have read my previous posts, you may have noticed my slight obsession for ponchos and floaty tops.

Mumsie got this lovely dark red knitted poncho maybe eight years ago. It’s perfect in the spring and autumn, and looks ace with a brown or black skirt, tights and high leather boots. My parents try to visit me and my little sister in UK at least twice a year, and they always brings us fun treats. Around two-three years ago, my mum said – I think you’ll like this present Maja! She opened the bag, and there it was; the lovely poncho! My mum is truly amazing and has an ace fashion sense! Looking forward to see what interesting things I can find in her wardrobe this time!

My mum’s bohemian clothing!

Going back to what I spoke in a previous post, about things you can find in your relatives wardrobes. My mum has thrown away most of her clothes from her younger days. However, I think her style is probable more interesting now than it was back in the 60s and 70s. My lovely 50-something mother is an inspiration when it comes to clothing as she can one day wear the most gorgeous bohemian outfit and the next day a smart suite. Both of us love to wear colourful garments and have a slight obsession with scarves.

At the moment I’m on my way home to Sweden to visit my family and friends who I haven’t seen for ages. Every time I go home for a quick visit, I don’t bring too much with me (however, this time I managed to pack six dresses!). The main reason for that is obviously because I prefer travelling light, but also because I always get my mum to go through the clothes ‘she doesn’t really need’. So lets see what I can find this time!

Mum bought this amazing blue tie dye top approximately ten years ago. It looks like a typical bohemian/hippie top and it’s made in a see-through synthetic fabric. It’s a fitted top but it has floaty arms. For years I was borrowing it every other week and begging my mum to give it to me but she wouldn’t! However, one day she gave in and handed the lovely top over to me. To be fair I have worn it a few times a month for the past three years now.

Hippie-Bag Obsession!

I love the colourful so called ‘hippie-bags’! I got my first one from my little sister which she bought in Tanzania. This big bag is made in a thick pink/white tie dye fabric and in this I can basically fit as much as I can in a normal sized backpack. My second bag of this type was bought in Thailand a few years ago by my best friend Emma. Contrary to the bag I got from my sister, this cotton fabric bag has a mustardy-yellow colour and goes well with anything from a flowery skirt to a pair of jeans.

While browsing online shops the other night for some summery floaty clothes, I came across some beautiful ‘hippie-bags’, I want to buy them all but may have to decide only two:

The first and second bag in the series of pictures can be found at one of my favourite shops - Shared Earth. The first one is a felt bag with multi-coloured balls while the other one has been put together with embroidered patchwork. Shared Earth is great for anything from recycled cards, boxes and frames to colourful skirts and tops.

The third bag can be purchased at the American psychedelic shop Sunshine Octopus. I love this vintage cotton patch bag with its hidden outer pocket and adjustable shoulder strap.

At the bohemian shop Soul Flower I managed to find the fourth bag, which is made in stone-washed cotton and has earth-tone patches. It’s definitely worth the $28!