Inspirations
Category
Three Weeks in the US Part 1: San Francisco
I feel that for a stereotypical Estonian, San Francisco is a great point of entry to the US. It is damp and chilly, not too big and not too strange. There are some palm trees, but they seem more like a decoration than a fundamental feature of the place*. And I feel confident that even Estonians can handle a limited number of exotic trees in otherwise familiar surroundings**.
Three Weeks in the US: An Introduction
After the pandemic, we decided with the family (the family in question being me, my long-time partner J and our daughter L who is 15) to try and undertake one longer trip together every year. Last spring, we did Japan and this August, we went to the US. I confess that the States aren’t necessary my dream destination, but L wanted to go, J wanted to see the Grand Canyon and I had only been across the Atlantic for work, so a decision was made.
The Rooster House: A Deeply Personal Love Letter to Ukraine
On the night of 30 October, I was sitting alone in a small train cabin somewhere between Przemysl and Kyiv. It had been about a week since Russia had started to strategically target Ukrainian energy infrastructure, to cause maximum suffering as the winter was approaching. Every morning, there was worse news – 20% of infrastructure damaged. Then 30%. Then 40%. The bombs and drones caused damage faster than Ukrainians could repair it, despite performing miracles with scarce resources while being in constant, mortal danger.
Natives by Akala: A Brilliant Take on Race and Class
I picked Akala’s memoir-slash-searing social analysis up almost accidentally. It was included in a couple of 2020 round-ups and although I hadn’t heard of him* or the book before, the excellent reviews made me add it to my own list. Based on the reviews, I expected it to be good, but not THAT good.
Lockdown Life: Audiobooks & Red Dresses
Belgium is in lockdown again and I must admit I find writing about clothes in this situation difficult. It’s not that I think I shouldn’t or that I believe it’s somehow wrong to contemplate garments when the world is suffering, I just mostly don’t feel inspired*. Which is unfortunate, as I still have some nice pictures from my photo shoot in Estonia, which I haven’t posted.
On the First Day of Christmas Marina Gave to Me 13 Perfume Samples
Technically, it was two days before Christmas that I met Marina* in Athens for a cocktail and a chat – but one shouldn’t let facts get in the way of a good blog post title. Or even a mediocre one, as titles are always difficult. It was a lovely evening for m..
November Memo: Boxing, Celine Scents & Terminator
November, one of the greatest crimes against humanity, is here. Although I have to admit the weather has been rather nice in Brussels, so it feels unfair to complain. My work situation continues to be frustrating, but there is only so much I can do about it,..
Autumn (Non) Trend Report
I have been putting off writing the Autumn trend overview because frankly, there are no trends. OK, I agree, there are always trends, but there are less and less of the kind that make sense for articles like these. There are no overnight reversals in directi..
Call Me by Your Name: Peaches, Tan-lines and Desire
Last year, I missed the right moment to read André Aciman’s Call Me by Your Name: it is meant to be read in a heatwave and ideally while longing for someone exquisite. If the latter state of mind is not available, just a heatwave will do, but I waited too lo..
A Levantine Brunch
I swear I do in fact cook things that are not inspired by Middle East (or West Asia, as Parag Khanna has just reminded me would be more accurate to say) and Central Asia. I do! It is also true, however, that I gravitate towards those regions whenever we have..