What I Wore - {Norwegian} Graduation Edition

I can't believe it's already been 4 weeks since I graduated high school! This was a huge accomplishment for me. First of all because I've graduated high school!!! I've been really worried about passing my exams. But I did it! And I couldn't be prouder because I passed with flying colours! I actually got As on all my written exams!!! :D

I thought I would share some pictures of what I wore to my high school graduation. In Norway we don't wear the typical graduation robes and hats people in the US wear. We wear our national costume or, if you don't have the national costume, you wear a pretty dress or suit (if you're a guy). I wore my national costume which is from the region I live in, Sør-Trøndelag. I got my costume for my confirmation when I was 15 and I love it! It's really beautiful. Each part of Norway has a unique national costume, and you have a costume from the region you're from.

The national costume has lots of different parts to it. We have a purse, 2 brooches, earrings, shoes, a vest, skirt, shirt, apron - even pantyhose to match! And each costume is hand made for you!! So each costume is your unique piece - which makes it even more special.

Take a look...

The vest, skirt and apron are all wool.. so it gets pretty hot (I was pretty hot sweaty when I got on stage to get my rose...)! But the good thing is that you don't need a jacket, at least not during summer ;)

I'm linking up over here, here and here.
If you're a new visitor, please be sure to leave a comment saying hi with a link to your blog, or other social network sites, and I'll be sure to visit/ follow you too! Also please follow the blog/ me via GFC, twitter, Facebook, instagram (@thegentleflower), pinterest :) Let's be friends! :D

xx Katrine

Hello Monday {Exciting Uni News, My Trip, "Poop" Restaurant, Golf Hat, Bracelets...}

Hello everyone! It's the Monday after returning from our road trip in Canada and the US.

First, a recap of what I've been doing the past few weeks, then I'll share what's happened since I've gotten home!

Hello Toronto, and Canada for the first time evvveer - and lovely view of the city from the airplane. Can you see CN Tower?

Hello Niagara Falls (view from our hotel). Niagara Falls was STUNNING! We went on Maid of the Mist.. and I was in complete awe / wet. If you haven't been there yet - you have to go!

Hello Cleveland! We ate at Hard Rock Café there. YUM.

Hello beach and Lake Erie. This beach was beautiful!! We found lots of pretty rocks that we took home with us :))

Hello Chicago! LOVED this city! Can totally see myself living here one day! (This view is from The John Hancock Tower - amazing view, right?!)

Hellloooo yuuummmyyy hotel breakfast in Chicago. They made the best Eggs Benedict EVER. Ahhhh... Somehow I always manage to get inspired and get the urge to make food whenever I'm on vacation. The food I've eaten has been so amazing, you have no idea! Be on the look out for lots of new recipe posts/ pics/ links :)

Hello shopping :)) {Clutch from Charming Charlie, ring and bracelet from Banana Republic} Yes, I still love gold (read about my gold obsession as a little girl here).

Hello new shoes - so comfortable and suh-weet. "You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes." ;)

Hello Toronto - we meet again! - Man, I miss the heat!

Hello restaurant called "pooped" in Norwegian! Haha! I love happy coincidences like this :)) Didn't eat there ;)

Hello man with the super cool golf hat!!!!

Hello new books - Imma get smart + rich ;D (Excuse me, I meant smarter ;) )

Hello coming home/ pretty sunset from the plane

Hellooooo jetlag

Hello uni acceptance letter!!! :D :D I've gotten a reply from the school I wanted to get in to! I haven't gotten a reply from another school yet (where I applied to study psychology), but I think I've made up my mind - I'm going to study International Marketing at the Norwegian Business School :D You can read more about this here.

Hello new turquoise bracelet I made yesterday. I paired it up with a macramé bracelet I made earlier for the picture. Would you like to see either one of these get posted in the store? And what colours would you like to see?? Let me know in the comments please! I'm working on lots of new products - especially bracelets, so get ready to build up your arm-party ;D


Hello blog, and readers - I've missed you! I'll be sure to post more from my trip later as well ;)

And heelloo cookies I baked yesterday which I had for breakfast today... I loooove summer ;)
Ps. cookie pictures are apparently popular on instagram.. haha I got lots of likes in no time! But I won't disagree... they're yum-aay! Btw I baked these cookies yesterday using a recipe from the new Hershey's cook book I got. I can post the recipe later, if it's available online I'll link to it ;)

And I'm linking up over at Lisa Leonard's fab blog. 

If you're a new visitor, please be sure to leave a comment saying hi with a link to your blog, or other social network sites, and I'll be sure to visit/ follow you too! Also please follow the blog/ me via GFC, twitter, Facebook, instagram (@thegentleflower), pinterest :) Let's be friends! :D

See ya!
~ Katrine

Not All Who Wander Are Lost {Product Feature}

I recently ordered a Scrabble Necklace Charm (and ball chain) from HomeStudio on Etsy.

I love the quote on the necklace, as it rings true for me and my life.

The necklace arrived yesterday, and I've been wearing it and treasuring it ever since I opened the package.

HomeStudio sells lots of different pendants, all with a unique picture or quote on the back of a scrabble tile. I love how the pendants are scrabble tiles, as I'm a fan of words (geeky, I know), Scrabble and writing.
I even got my letter "K" on the back, which made me really happy!!

I loved the necklace as soon as I saw it, but I fell even more in love with it the minute it was strung around my neck. I'm also really glad I purchased the chain. It suits the pendant perfectly (like a charm ;) ), and it's the perfect length.


HomeStudio's items are affordable, eco-friendly (recycled scrabble tiles), personal, unique - basically, the perfect gift! The pendants are also the perfect size: discrete, yet noticeable. 


Go check them out! Also, be sure to follow them on Twitter or via Facebook, so that you don't miss out on the latest news and a discount!
Come back here and tell me which pendant you would buy, or if you've purchased any item of theirs before! :D


Ps. As soon as I posted pictures of the necklace on instagram, they got loads of likes!! Follow me there as well: thegentleflower


Pps. If you'd like a product feature, I'd love to! Send me an e-mail and we'll organize it :)

Why and How YOU Keep Me Going

I don't have an extremely eccentric wardrobe --

but I spruce up my clothes with jewelry.

I collect rings.

I like strange jewelry. Like for example food on a ring.

I like to wear things that others don't wear.

My jewelry makes me stand out.

Doughnut Ring

I get compliments on my jewelry all the time.

Especially on the pieces I've made.

Simply because they're different.

And people may feel like they can't have it.

Bearrings

It makes me feel special.

But people don't realise, that they actually can have it.

I sell my jewelry online.

And I'd love more customers.

More feedback.

More requests.

More wishes.

More questions.

These things get me going.

Because what people that compliment me don't realise.

Is that they are giving me the greatest gift of all:

INSPIRATION and MOTIVATION.

Daisy (Read the post about her here)

They inspire me and make me feel inspired to

carry on,

get new ideas,

sell.

Dazzling Dahlia Brooch

They're like my fuel.

Words are so powerful.

Especially as they tell me what they think without me asking their opinion first.

It feels great.

It's like when I see that I've had a visitor on my blog.

My heart flutters for a few seconds and my eyes light up.

Because people are reading

my words,

my thoughts.

People are seeing what I've made.

I feel proud.

And it feels great.

Compliments, inspiration and motivation go hand in hand

and I am ever so grateful to all those that compliment me

or ask questions.

Blue Garden Pinks Necklace

It gets me going.

It keeps me going.