Panda Eyes

Letterman Jacket - vintage // Sweater - Japan // Leggings - J. Crew // Boots - Doc. Martens // Mittens - Kate Spade

I went to China in February. Above are more touristy photos which we took while souvenir shopping and attempting to speak to locals in my broken Chinese that I learned between the 1st and 5th grade, which consists of mostly "ni hao," "xie xie," and some songs about making friends and counting.  But the people were wonderful to me and encouraged, though I had a terrible accent, me to improve my Chinese.

In Cheng Du I did the most unreal thing. I'll give you one hint:

Panda

Oh yes. That's right. I took care of panda's for a week with two of my best friends, Laken and Chelsea. We made friends with two wonderful pandas, Jenko and Mason, as well as our panda master.  It was heaven.  We would clean their cages, then feed them panda cake, carrots, and apples.  Mason would even play game where he'd stand on two feet, open his mouth, and catch the food after we threw it.  They were such sweet, kind creatures.  During the trip, we became more and more aware of how panda's came to be endangered.  It's actually a wonder panda's have been able to survive this long considering their mating period is just a few days long, they are solitary animals, and the rapid fragmentation of their habitat due to urbanization in China.
But they are cute aren't they?

xie xie,

Annika 

If you're afraid of butter, eat cream!

"Always remember: If you're alone in the kitchen and you drop lamb, you can always just pick it up. Who's going to know?" - Julia Child

I was a regular Julia Child today in the french bakery, not as clumsy but I could definitely give her a run for her money.  Isabella, my little sister, and I learned how to bake apple and chocolate tarts in a real bakery by a real french chef.  We made a gazillion of them and ended up with two boxes full.  We also got the recipe, because my oh my oh my are these tarts good.

In the same day, I went with my mother to visit Parsons and my whole family did a Gothic Art and Architecture tour with a lovely english woman.  It was great, I got to see many pieces that are in my Art History Textbook.  I felt like such a genius.  The guide brought us to one of the most famous gothic  churches, Notre Dame, and told us the story of Quasimodo, the Hunchback of Notre Dame.  

It was a busy, busy day.  So, when I got home I snuggled up in my best overalls, climbed into an armchair, read my book, and snacked on the delicious tarts.  It's the most amazing book by the way, called Ender's Game.  It's like the original Hunger Games, except about a boy of the age of six named Ender Wiggin.  Ender, a child, is sent up into space to be prepped for a war against the Buggers - the enemy - and is put through rigorous tests that challenges his mentality, strength, and intelligence. It's amazing.  I suggest you go get a copy right. this. second.

keep baking,

Annika

Sweater - Landsend

Shirt - J. Crew

Overalls - Vintage

Creepers - The Underground

Rocking the Kasbah

It is truly an adventure in the streets of Morocco.  And what I've found is that the best food comes off the street, yummy hot bread to be exact.  Every bread maker we've run into has probably been the best bread that I have ever had, and that means something.  I'm quite the bread connoisseur. If you ever get the chance to go to Morocco, definitely invest in some food.
Besides the food, we've visited some of the most beautiful kasbahs, riads, and restaurants.  I practiced my french everywhere we go. The best of which is probably in the desert.  We took a helicopter out to the desert to eat at a restaurant that had a picturesque view of the sand dunes.  The servers there taught me french and offered so kindly to let me stay till the night, to sit around the fire, dance, and talk. Unfortunately, I had to decline.
Hopefully, the french that I learned on this trip will help me in Paris, France.  All that really matters though is that I can order crepes and hot chocolate off the street.  C'est très important.
au revoir,
Annika

PS. I learned how to belly dance from a real professional moroccan belly dancer.  I would make a gif of it, but it would blind you with its perfection. Pfffttttttt...I could totes be hired as a mediocre belly dancer....ppfffftttttt. 1. 2. 3. 4!

Poncho - Zara

Sweater - Japan

Shirt - Zara

Skirt - iiMK

Bracelet - J. Crew

Boots - Doc Marten

Child

I was in one of those nostalgic about childhood moods so I thought "what the hey!" and put two buns on the top of my head and dressed myself in head-to-toe pink.  Ilikeit.

Hugs and Kisses,

Annika

Shirt - J. Crew

Belt - Vintage

Shorts - J. Crew

Alexander Wang

I wore these with the dress.

Hello friends and family!
Please avoid looking at my chub...
I saw this dress at Far East and I couldn't believe it, it looked almost exactly like the Alexander Wang sweater dress (click the link for a better look at the dress). I almost died.  I grabbed it off the rack, payed my dues and pretty much skipped to the taxi stand with my cousin with an ear-to-ear smile.  Ever since, I've been wanting to show it to you guys!
And must I go into detail about these shoes? They are from Japan. 'Nough said.
I actually had to edit them a bit; I had to hack off the back heel of the boot so it would slide onto my foot more comfortably. Darn high arches, but, oddly enough, I like them better this way.
Now it's off to finishing homework. Enjoy your night loved ones.
Forever and always,
Annika

Sweater Dress - Far East Plaza

Shoes - Colza

Cannibal

photos by Ebony Harris

Béret - Ralph Lauren

Poncho - Zara

Oversized Sweater - Topshop

Shirt - J.Crew

Skirt - iimk

Socks - River Island

Boots - Zara

(from left) Naina, Ebony, Me

(from left) Bianca, Hannah

That, my friends, is a squeaky toy. It was the COOLEST thing!

Japanjapanjapan. I miss you.

Quick post today, I have quite a bit of homework.

We went to the one place in Japan where they sell black eggs.  On a volcano that is still active. But it's not dangerous.  There were little sulfur ponds all over it, and what the Japanese do is cook eggs in the water (it's not bad for you because you peel off the shell).  According to the Japanese, they actually add 7 years to your life, but if you have more than 3 then it lessens it.  No greediness allowed.

To get to the volcano we took a ride on a big pirate ship.  There were statues of pirates and a random guy in a pirate costume taking pictures; it was cute.  We could see Mount. Fuji from the ship!  I was flipping out! But I couldn't get a good enough picture.  It snowed, though!   A little, little bit.  So I pulled out my poncho/blanket from Zara, hung out with my friends, watched the snow fall, and listened to the waves of the lake.  It was beautiful.

ttfn ta ta for now,

Annika

Bohemian Rhapsody

THEY ARE WATCHING YOUU!!!!!

Warming my face next to Belle Époque ^_^

photos by Brit Hvide

Today was a train day, so I decided to opt for something with a little layers.  This did not end well during the small photo session with my sister, because long story short it was -3 degrees celsius.  At one point a jogger gave me a weird look in the cold weather without my coat on, also somebody else gave us a weird look when I snuggled Brit's hood to warm my face and nose.  I pretended that it was not a look of those-people-are-really-weird-and-belong-in-a-mental-institution but a look that said that-is-one-cold-brave-soul-who-loves-her-sister.
Yes, I went on the train for 6 hours which was actually pretty fun.  I finished the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom (read it), played that word game on my fathers kindle, and then watched Star Trek with my mother and brother.  Also, I ate. A lot.  I can't pass up the food trolley, and the chocolate. Ohhhh the chocolate.  Why did somebody have to invent chocolate?  Anyway, I am now in Budapest!  Good-bye Prague, hello Budapest!  Much will be said later about that at a later date, but for now,  I need sleep.  Traveling always makes me so tired...even though the majority of what I do is eat...and sit...and occasionally get up to walk around the cart hallway.
as always much love,
Annika

ps. happy new year everyone :)

Sheer Vest - Mitsukoshi

Black Rosary - Prague Gift Shop

Dress - Mitsukoshi

Skirt - iimk

Tights - Warehouse

Flat Boots - Banana Republic

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

I like this because I look like I'm taller than my brother. He, however, does not. :D

My favorite photographer and gorgeous sister, Brit.

I fell...I seem to do that a lot.

People saw.

I, being the teenager I am, was mortified.

photos by Brit Hvide

Here I am.  In the Paris of Eastern Europe. One of the most beautiful places in Europe, and the name holds true.  I've been here only a day and I am already in love.  It's also so weird how it gets dark so fast! I feel silly saying that, but hey! I live in Singapore.  Same weather and light patterns all year round!  What I can never understand is daylight savings time, but I won't get started on that.

Well hmmmm...we're going to the Opera in a couple days. I'm actually quite excited.  How does one dress for the Opera? Mental note: google it.

Ok...now I don't know what to say because jet lag is starting to creep in.  Thanks to all you 55 readers and all your sweet comments. It makes me so happy.  See you all soon! Goodnight, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite.

sweet dreams,

Annika

ps. i've always been horrible at dressing for cold weather, so any tips would be much appreciated :)

Russian Hat - from a friend

Tortoise Clubmasters - Ray-Bans

Coat - Juicy Couture

White Shirt - Zara

Black Tights - Warehouse

Boots - Ariat