In general it's still summery here, but it's raining today and I do enjoy my warm blanket as I'm taking care of today's workload. Literature. Reading.

I have done some preparations for Autumn, however, as I've invested in a new pair of leather boots, Tuva from Sixtyseven. They are very practical with their clunky heel, fit like a glove and have the perfect shape for my feet. We have also ordered some new shoes for the rest of the family, that hopefully will see us all through winter.

On another and more sensory note, last winter I discovered Elie Saab's Le Parfum. It's one of those rather complex perfumes that I often find a bit too intrusive and not one for everyday wear, at least not for me. Having said that, I have to admit that I love the way Le Parfum develops on my skin. The scent feels warm and lush after a while and it stays on my skin for hours and hours, but it starts out like a real firecracker, a description borrowed from Angela at Now Smell This, with a bouquet of white flowers. I managed to get hold of a small bottle and I actually think the size will be perfect, since I'll probably only wear it on special occasions and, also on these occasions, it only takes very little to provide scent for an entire evening. It will be perfect for the ceremony when I will receive the insignia for my PhD degree — a hat, a ring and a diploma — in mid October.

These past few weeks have been filled with extraordinary performances from the athletes, amazing efforts from everyone involved in the more mundane aspects of running an Olympic organisation such as the one in London, and pure celebration of the fact that the world comes together in this fashion.

The opening ceremony was extraordinary. It was well rehearsed, but still both intelligent, meaningful, rebellious, and free — and on top of it all it was fun! We thoroughly enjoyed it and it's actually the first opening ceremony I've watched from beginning to end. As the closing ceremony was approaching the question was whether they would be able to match the opening or not. Again they have focused on solidly British themes, British history, British key figures, and lots and lots of British music.

I was very moved as John Lennon's voice was heard in Imagine, and it has been great to hear/see a whole line of British artist perform songs everyone recognises. As Eric Idle encourages us to "always look at the bright side of life," huge smiles become visible on our faces. We've been missing Freddy Mercury, and suddenly he's there, dominating the arena. Goosebumps all over. And then Queen (with the help of Jessie J.) rock us! It's a feast for eyes and ears, and I'm positive I'll stay up until the closing ceremony is over.

Image borrowed from Eurosport.

I really like the way Filippa K.'s mugs look and I have collected them for a few years until I had fourteen of them. Unfortunately, I've never really liked how they feel when they are filled up with some hot liquid. They tend to get a bit too warm for my taste, at least to begin with, and I have now decided to sell them.

Six of them (the pinstripe ones) were sold today and hopefully the last eight will be sold soon as well. It will free up some space in my cupboards for the mugs I have decided to buy instead — the thermo mugs designed by Verner Panton and Pernille Vea.

Since my sister-in-law already has them, I knew how they felt in my hand and that they would not get too warm. I think this will be a good switch.

Many shops, online as well as offline, are busy with their summer sales and I did take advantage of some of their offers:

A flowery blouse from Haléns, make-up from BareMinerals and the most recent perfume in the DKNY apple series, Golden Delicious, at wowhd.se. Kérastase schampoo and conditioner I buy regularly from FeelUnique and this time I did so at a discount due to their current Olympics offer. Last but not least, my sister-in-law and I decided to buy some (in her case more) coffee/tea thermo mugs from Imerco.dk at half price, which rarely happens. These has been designed by Verner Panton/Pernille Vea for Menu.