for the valentine’s day cynics

Google will warm your heart. And you all may have probably seen this already if you’re at home in the States, but watch it. Heart warmer.

my new favorite book…

Is “Selfish Pigs” by Andy Riley. I’ve read it (albeit: looked at the pictures)  over many times at the Urban Outfitters on Strøget and may actually commit to buying it since it’s really quite clever for being a cartoon book. Riley has also written “Suicide Bunnies” and “Great Lies to Tell Small Kids”.  An easy read for a slow Sunday.

happy lazy sunday y’all

do good: water footprint

courtesy of sandra juto

So after a few days in Western Denmark, attending lectures on Danish companies (all of which are hyper environmentally friendly) I learn some shocking things about not only our oil consumption but the gross use of water…mostly just to prepare food! Check out Water Footprint to learn how much water you’re wasting and adopt some obnoxiously Danish habits of conserving every drop of water

monday night music

These past few weeks of change have been a bit taxing (thanks everyone for listening to me, by the way) and I’m really glad I finally have a night to just relax, eat brownies with my roommates, and browse through my expanding music collection that has been recently neglected. While this She & Him isn’t too new, its still one of my favorite nighttime listens. And I really wish I were Zooey Deschanel

and Temper Trap.

the vice guide to travel

I have a really odd fascination. If anyone were to offer me a trip to anywhere in the world I would choose North Korea. Yes, I know how bizarre that is but I can’t get over the fact that a country can be so backwards, behind, and brainwashed. As well, its a culture that none of us could really wrap our heads around. My point here in sharing this is that there is a neat website with a series on a trip to North Korea – vbs.tv. The Vice Guide to Travel documents travels to North Korea, Liberia, Chernobyl, and other places we often forget about, but probably should pay attention to (did you know that Liberia is an absolute disaster?). Warning, some of these are a bit graphic but there is a lot to be learned from these bold journeys.

Here’s a preview of the Vice Guide to Travel – North Korea

scandinavian music

Since being in Denmark, I feel like I’m back home in Minnesota but people are better dressed and everything better designed – otherwise general shyness, bland food, and freezing weather are all the same. But now I’m kind of becoming obsessed with Scandinavian things, including music. I have yet to hear any good Danish bands but the Swedes have turned out some good groups. Maybe that means I’ll get to see them in concert while I’m here, fingers crossed.

loney dear

lykke li

the tallest man on earth

also check out: shout out louds, jens lekman, the hives, aqua, abba, etc.

lust: fjallraven backpack

a) I am alive and b) I’ve seen this bag before, but since arriving in Copenhagen, my desire to own this backpack has been solidified.

I guess Fjallraven is the Swedish equivalent to the North Face, but as with all Scandinavian things (yes, all, including yogurt and oranges) it is cooler, hipper, and better. They have actual mountaineering gear and a planned hike through Sweden, which maybe someday I could do, but these backpacks are the best. They’re sure to be the next American hipster thing , but while I’m here (or in Stockholm!) maybe I can spring for one.

backpack $80 – available here

good news…

Some crazy person at GW has decided that I am worthy of recognition for my blogging skills and I have been asked to blog about my five month jaunt to Copenhagen in 16 days (oy vey!). So, there will be a bit more variety in what I post here, and I promise I’ll avoid the minutia of day-to-day living and post photos of the supposedly gorgeous Danes. That’s worthwhile don’t you think?

UPDATE: check out my blog about denmark here

film: young victoria

From the very long list of movies that my mother and I have seen over the past few weeks I really really can’t stop thinking about how good Young Victoria, starring Emily Blunt, was. I will admit it kind of is a chick flick (lots of happy sobbing going on around me throughout the film) but it’s also pretty informative if you’re interested in British history or just pretty awesome women in general. It’s definitely a feel-good movie yet not a guilty-pleasure kind of deal.

for the ladies: gilly hicks

Yes, it’s been awhile but it’s also the holidays. I need my time to find quality things. So here’s a little gem that I found today while enduring the clusterfuck that is the Mall of America.

Gilly Hicks is what I’ve always wanted to find in nice-looking lingerie: not tacky (victoria’s secret), not expensive (every kind of lingerie one finds in DC), and won’t give you some kind of rash. Yes, it is an Abercrombie brand  but if you’re able to block out the loud music, the strong perfume (which I was told to buy because guys LOVE it), and teeny boppers buying really inappropriate underwear and logo saturated clothing it’s totally worth it.

2 bras for $40?? Yup, can’t turn that down.

Find it at your nearest large mall or online at Gilly Hicks online