Now, some of us might have noticed, others not, but there have been huge discussions and zillions of blog entries
about the London Fashion Week and the designer Mark Fast.

What has he done? Fast decided to use three models who wear size 12 and 14 (Eur 42 and 46) on the catwalk.
If you are interested in the details, read here.

Of course most of the fashion world held its breath, they shook their head and mumbled how
this will be the downfall of the whole business. This is mostly, because they feel betrayed.
How come that they all searched for this exclusiveness, these ultra-thin, nowhere else to be found models?
The whole collection is said to look different, when presented on “totally perfect” bodies.
And Mark Fast proved them wrong.
Yes, of course, he could have been rebelious and taken really chubby girls. Or have ALL of the models wear bigger sizes.
But that was not the point. What we can see is, that the girls looked fabulous.
Good makeup artists are half the battle. Re-thinking works in small steps.

So why am I telling you all of this?
I want to show you, that you already are exclusive. So many of us struggle with the way we look, not realizing, that we
actually already are, what we want to be. Losing weight is not going to make anyone of us prettier.
Most diets are far from healthy, just reducing calories and so reducing your production of serotonin, transforming you into Grumpy.
It is all about self-acceptance. If you are loving yourself, you start to shine and you will be the sun for everybody else.
And my oh my, everybody loves the sun.
Now, I don´t want to sound like some cheap guru. But be nice to yourself.
You always are your own example of how you want to be treated. If you are mean to yourself, everybody will follow.
Don´t let it happen. Don´t let the mirror be your enemy. It does nothing good to you.
You don´t have to worry about looks and outer appereance, if you have “the shine”.
More about this soon!

Have a beautiful day!

We the tweemees have the glamorous advantage of living next to a japanese food supplies store.
Since I decided that my new passion would be learning japanese (yeah, please laugh at me and my genki-des-ka),
I walk in there at least once a week, looking for something little and fun and then try to bring up all my guts to have
a japanese conversation about how much I´d have to pay and wishing them a nice day.
I haven´t made it yet. Too nervous and all discouraged when the shop assistant talks to me in german before I have even started my attempt.

I love japanese products. Little illustrations everywhere, everything talks or has a face.

So as we stumbled upon the pancake package, that showed a smiling bowl with smirking eggs and happy flour, I wanted it,
no matter how it tasted or despite the fact that the content was mere flour, sugar and baking powder.
Gimme that laughing pancake!

Making them was very easy, just pour one medium egg, 100 ccl milk and one sachet of the powder into a (hopefully smiling) bowl
and mix it up.

Then heat a pan (without oil), take a ladle and put the mixture into the pan.

Wait for about 20-30 seconds, then turn it around.
After another 15-20 seconds take it out and try to eat it as hot as you can with some chocolate cream or honey or syrup on it.

Om nom nom!

This is my brother. Quite cute, huh?

Well, he started drawing Mangas a few days ago, and I have to say I am very impressed by the outcome.
He is 11 years old and if he goes on like this, he will beat me by 18 for sure.

Have a look!

Today I got rid of about 20-30 facebook contacts.
Why? Well, mostly it were people that I knew since highschool. That time wasn´t exactly the best time of my life.
So facebook to many is a class reunion on its own. Some may like it, I don´t.
I was never part of that giggly girl group, spending their weekends drinking and smoking and talking behind others back.

I confirmed them a long time ago, thinking that it would be unpolite if I didn´t.
But reading everyday status updates from people that never change and decide to stay in their grumpy life?
Good bye to them!

My life changed so much the last year up to now and even more changes and developements are about to come and I don´t want
any of those people involved there. Not one.
We decide for ourself, whom we want to have around and what kind of energy this people bring to our every day.
I don´t want to be thirty, sitting in a café with a so called “friend” and leading conversations that mostly focus on badmouting others.
What a terrible thought to find yourself surrounded by people, that were always with you, but made you feel bad or unworthy.
And this in a very subtle way, because oneself tends to think, that´s just the way it is.

So I say goodbye to these people and open up space for new and fresh contacts!
Yaay 2010!

Ok, I think everyone knows the drama. You managed to get to bed at a decent time.
Finally, since on all other days you stay up longer to work or read or play or paint or whatever.
You are acutally pretty proud of yourself. Look! It´s not even midnight!
But now you are in your bed and stare at the wall. Great.
Your head keeps babbeling about this and that. About what amount of work you will have to do tomorrow.
About how silly that comment was that your girl/boyfriend made today. About money matters and how you will survive this month.
About what you shall wear to that meeting. About how much you suck at what you do and that everyone is better than you.
About what to do with your life anyway and what is the reason for things happening the way the do.

And as far as I know it is pretty hard to think in a logic way as soon as it is dark.
Everything seems more dramatic. More daunting. More scary.

Here is what I do when my thoughts drive me nuts:
Now, as illogical as it may seem, but get out of your bed. The energy in your bed will last a very long time and if you like to toss and turn a lot, well then stay where you are, but I hate to waste my time with these kind of aerobics.

1) Make yourself some tea, preferably something with valerian, for it will slow your thoughts and make you tired.
Step away from warm milk with honey, the sugar is just too much and the milk will keep your stomache working—->bad sleep.
2) Take a shower. Get yourself clean. Your body and your thoughts. Try to use some products that contain lavender.
3) Change your bed clothes. Yes, it is annoying. Yes, it is work. But it is so much better to be in your clean bed with yourself being clean aswell.
4) Try some aroma therapy. Use blood orange or tangerine or grapefruit.
They will lighten up your spirits and keep those bad thoughts away.
Plus: the light from the candle is calming too.
5) Get some positive literature. I can recommend “Eat Pray Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. Always works.
Or you add Bret Angel Dealey on facebook.
He writes wonderful posts about being human and resolutions for all the stuff in my head.
6) Fresh clothes. The happy pyjamas that you love so much. If you don´t have one, get one.

7) Count your blessings. Because you are an awesome person. Because you are healthy.
Because you have 10 fingers and know how to use them.
Because there is this special somebody you like to think about.
Because tomorrow is another perfect day to start the life you want to live.

It rains. I can hear the soft sound of little drops against the window and their drumming
on the last colorful leaves of the hibiscus and small trees.
I dream of punsch, cinammon-honey chai and warm hugs with cold noses touching.
“I hate the cold. It´s awful!” my colleague tells me and sighs. I lift my head from my hands and wonder: Is it really awful?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidgardner/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

Rain and snow are the best excuses to stay home for me. Drink hot chocolate. Read fabulous books.
The early darkness has its reason: candles. Soft light in the bedroom. Aroma therapy with romantic atmosphere.
Oh gosh, how I love autumn and winter. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I was born in decembre,
but the cold season hardly ever puts negative thoughts into my head.

I never paint as much as in these months now, because in summer and spring I rather go out and take photos,
swim and eat ice cream.
This may sound trivial, but I will have my word about that topic too.

When it is cold outside, I excessively listen to Fat Freddy´s Drop, especially to this song:

And come to think about ear muffs and scarfs! Most of the cute accessoires wait for me now as it turns freezy.

ear muffs for animal lovers by idolatre

Noby Noby Boy hat and scarf by ShadowsInTheNyte

Most of us are conditioned and influenced by others. Winter is bah, cold is bah, darkness is bah.
I don´t think so. Get your own opinion about this. Our friends, the trees and plants are on vacation, they need their break too.
Have some hot chocolate with cream and put your feet into hot water. Aaaah, winter is so good.

Hot Chocolate by Smaku