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stuff & such

We’ve bought a car and her name is Luna.

May 1, 2020

It’s been a bit crazy lately, where Liz and I have tried to figure out what to do and how to face the pandemic in our everyday lives. We both work from home and have done it for two months soon. We have zero future travel plans ahead to the States or anywhere, which feels surreal since we always go to the States in summer. But unfortunately not this year, which hurts in our souls. I’ve had this “I’m stuck” kind of feeling (who doesn’t, though, right now?) and a huge need for a more “I’m free!” kind of feeling in the midst of everything going on right now in the world. Liz and I love to take road trips, explore unridden, to us, roads, and have just “play-it-by-ear” kinds of plans. To just pack a snack, get in a car and go, is something we’ve missed greatly the past five years in Sweden. BUT as of this week, that has changed, and it feels so good!

Two days ago, we picked up our car, a Toyota CH-R (for those interested), and our lives have truly changed. Not only in owning a car, but in my mind and soul – I nowadays have this kind of freedom-feeling inside of me. Crazy to have to buy a car right now in order to feel that, but..oh, well. Before Luna, which is the car’s name we decided on for her, we’ve been stuck at home since we don’t want to go by bus or train anywhere (and also, where to go right now anyway? Nowhere!). With a car we can now easily get out in nature – drive to the coast and be by the ocean, explore areas we’ve never explored before due to the inconvenience of not having a car and no other transportation possibilities to get to those areas. We’re talking nature spots now since we don’t want to be around any other people than our small click of family (my brother and his family and two friends we’ve been seeing all along during the pandemic.

Luna is freedom to us right now.

Once the pandemic has calmed down and is more under control in the world, we see ourselves going down to my parents and then to continue to the southern part of Sweden and visit my family there and then all of Europe is just a close drive to be under our wheels! Or to drive up to Northern part of Sweden and experience the Midnight sun, visit friends, and just be close to my roots up there (both my grandmas were from southern part of Sweden, my grandad on mom’s side was from up north, and my dad’d dad was from Stockholm – so I have wide range of roots from North to South) Gaaaah, what a dream, and one day, it will be possible, and a little sooner possible with Luna <3

Why Luna? Firstly, because it’s a badass name but too close to Lina so I don’t want to name a possible future baby that. Hehe. Second, it means the moon, which my love has a great special love for, and at the time we bought her, there was a new moon. Perfect, right?

Count on some updates from upcoming road trips. In the beginning just from closer areas here in Uppland (the area Uppsala is in), but once we can move around more, definitely some more longer adventures!

Hope y’all doing ok and stayin’ safe.

Love,
Lina

Being five again

May 7, 2017

I’ve bought new sneakers with velcro and it’s like being five again <3 Stan Smith Adidas it is and I think we’re gonna create a lot of good memories together. Just wanted to share that with the world, and also wishing you a great week ahead of you! Ok, let’s take a look at my lovelies.

It was that kind of day

February 9, 2017

When you walk and suddenly it’s just there. A sweater, a dress, a notebook, or a bag. That happened to me the other day. I found an awesome bag, and just because I love it so much, I’ll show it to you here too. Sorry, but not sorry.

Good stuff lately

September 4, 2016

Coffee with Oatly’s “iKaffe”.

A new poster hanging on our wall in the living room.

A tote bag, supporting an organization working for a world without eating disorders.

When Liz brings home some fresh squeezed juice. Juice delivery deluxe.

A surprise gift

September 3, 2016

Liz came home with a surprise package yesterday. What an amazing wife I have ♥ I wore the earrings directly when I went to a kick off party with my job last night, and gosh, I love them. The t-shirt will be ready to be worn on Monday, but more about that day then! *Cliffhanger*.

Hope you’re having a great weekend!

Shoe Love

August 25, 2016

When I was in the States this summer, I did some shoe shopping since it’s way cheaper there than in Sweden. Today I decided to waterproof/impregnate the new ones along with some older shoes as well, and while I did it, I thought, why not take some pics, and show you some of my favorites here at home. So here we go.

Converse

I’ve been wearing Converse (tall and short ones) for more than half my life and have owned quite a many pair. Unfortunately, I’ve gave/sold many pairs, or a majority of, my Converse when we moved to the States…one of the things I actually regret that I did. Oh, well. I’m working on expanding my collection now, and I decided to go for some classic ones this time. Tall and black.

Adidas Superstar & Nike

The Adidas Superstar has been pretty popular the past years, and I got really retro-looking ones when they came out, since they were really popular when I was around 14. Of course, I had to get a pair as the age of 32 as well. Yes, nostalgia. I bought the Nike ones this past spring, which you can see more of in this blog post.

Vans

Vans has also become a favorite brand, and I’ve been wearing these ones quite a bit, and they’re still going strong.

Toms

Ok, readers. Friends. Toms. Is. The. Most. Comfortable. Shoes. Liz and I have had several pairs for multiple years, and we both love them. This trip to the States, I came home with fresh new black ones.

New Balance

New Balance. So comfortable and nice looking. Do I need to say more? Oh, this is model 420.

Dr. Martens

Dr. Martens. Shoes who look and fit better the more you wear them. Bought these several years ago. I believe I have an Instagram picture from when I got them.

Clarks

The newest pair of shoes in my collection, and to me, also a new brand in my closet. Clarks. I think we’re gonna have a nice fall together.


Some favorite brands of mine when it comes to shoes
Dr. Martens
Vans
New Balance
Converse
Toms
Adidas
Nike
Clarks
Birkenstock
Vagabond

I came home with a black cap

June 22, 2016

It was a pretty tough day yesterday, but I rewarded myself with some shopping afterwards and look what I found: a black cap. We’ll be besties in Paris and on the other trips I’m doing this summer!

Longboard Photo Shoot

June 10, 2016

A few weeks ago, on a pretty warm and beautiful day in May, my friend Lina and I spent some time outside shooting me and my longboard. Yes. Love the pictures she took and I want to, of course share them with you here. Thanks Lina, for helping out and being creative with me!

Photos by Lina

Marshall Branding

May 25, 2016

Let us take a moment to praise Marshall and their branding! Or not just the branding, but also their product. No, this is not a sponsored post (though, I wish!). I got the amazing Acton Marshall Speaker from Liz on my birthday, and I’m in love. It was a major moment for me experiencing their branding… my inner design nerdy-ness was geeking out, and I loved it!! Ok, enough talk. Time to check out the pics instead, since, of course, I just had to document everything as I opened the box.

Three things I like right now

May 15, 2016

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To get inspired and feel inspiration grow from deep inside of me. People, places, nature, cities, happenings, series, music everything is inspiring me, and I love it!

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To spend time with friends and family where playing old records is a no brainer. How much do you love this record player…gaaaaah.

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To drink coffee out of our newly bought mugs from House Doctor. Could buy so much from there and other design brands such as Bloomingville, HAY, and Muuto.

Premiere Day!

May 3, 2016

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YES! Today, I’m gonna longboard for the first time. Well, I’ve longboard a tiny bit before, but inside, so it doesn’t count. A friend of mine is coming over this afternoon and we’re gonna longboard together, which is gonna be fab! I’m stoked as you probably can tell, but it feels like I’ve been waiting on this moment forever. The sun is out, it’s gonna be pretty warm today, and the gravel is gone from the sidewalks and streets! Perfection.

Tip #1: If you would like to follow my little longboard story, check out the category; longboard

Tip #2: You can also check out my little video I made last fall. You find it here and also on my Vimeo account, here.

Hope you’re having a great week!

Nike: Wmns son of force

April 20, 2016

I did it. I bought new sneakers today and I’m in love. I know, I know. Pretty materialistic but I had done something really tough and challenging the day before (which I’ll probably will share with you in the next few days here!), so these shoes were a treat for myself.. Liz was busy at work when I texted her for advice/opinions/approval..so I contacted a couple of other good supporters (read: Liz’s cousin who’s a serious fashion girl and a good friend of mine with good style taste, I think). Thank you guys! FYI: Liz totally liked them once she saw my desperate texts. Although, I had already paid for them by then. Hehe. They are Nike, white tennis shoes/sneakers, called Wmns Son of Force and if interested, I bought mine at Stadium, but you can also find them at other places. Google them. Oh, well. Enough talk. Let’s check them out!

new in

April 10, 2016

Bought these some days ago and I’m in love! Credit to lensway for fast delivery! (wish I was sponsored, but I’m not..). I think we’re gonna have great sunny days together ♥

A little mix

A goal succeeded and some new make up in

October 6, 2015

So I believe I mentioned not too long ago about a strategy of mine (or perhaps I didn’t hint about it? anyhow..) when it comes to treatment and motivation. Because even though I want Lina and my life back again, and so forth, the motivation is really hard to find when I’m facing the toughest things right now. So, in order to get some motivation started, I have a strategy in order to reach some goals. I need to structure it a tiny bit more, but in general, the point is that I’m gonna be allowed to buy something, a treat/reward for myself, when I’ve reached a goal. I’m not gonna get into detail with the various goals because I need to organize and structure them a bit more, as I said. However, I reached one goal on Friday last week, and I decided that my reward would be to order make up (which I also needed). This idea to buy something in order for me to reach different goals is not something I’m gonna keep doing forever, because my motivation needs to be based on something more deep than that, but at this point, right now, this is something, an extra push I need, to hopefully experience a deeper and truer motivation later on.

Ok, enough explaining and let’s check out what I bought!

A black mascara from Make Up Store
An eyebrow gel from Nyx
A sharpener from Make Up Store

Diana Mini Camera

September 22, 2015

I think I’ve been inspired by Liz’s job where she’s developing film and doing other things photo related. I’ve been taking pictures with my system camera lately, and I’m also getting more into taking pictures with this little thingy – my Diana Mini Analogue Camera. I bought it in Berlin a cold, but yet, cozy and fun February day in 2013. I think I almost got tired of it, not even using it, when I created a digital 3D version of it in one of my classes at the University in the States. Hehe..a really twisted and sad reason for not using it. So this is gonna have to change. It’s time to find all the accessories, instruction/inspiration book, and start getting creative! I think the beginning of fall here, when it’s still a decent amount of light outside, will be a good period to finish up the first roll. Deal!

The digital 3D model I did in school

Some shopping

September 20, 2015

Liz and I went downtown and checked out some stores Friday afternoon. It’s a challenge for me since I, sadly, get stressed out and anxious in situations like that nowadays. But I managed it and I also found few things I’ve been looking for lately. Let’s check them out.

I’ve been looking for this kind of scarf for about..hmm..like two years. And now it was just laying there on a table, right in front of me. It was a no brainer.

Scarf

Scarf

Scarf

This gray woolen shorter coat just screamed Lina. Hehe. It has a classic, clean style, and is perfect for fall when it hasn’t gotten that chilly yet. I like how it feels on me and that it’s pretty fitted.

Fall jacket

Fall jacket

Fall jacket

I (or actually Liz found it) have finally found a black knitted, oversized turtle neck sweater! I can live in this one this fall.

Black Sweater

Black sweater

Black Sweater

These shoes are my go-to fall shoes and I’ve used the same (same brand and bought at the same store chain) for years. When we left the States and I had to go through my shoes and decide which ones to keep or not, I threw away my pair of these shoes, with the deal to get new ones in Sweden. This weekend, it was time to head to the store and get a new pair. Love them so much.

Fall shoes

Fall shoes

Fall shoes

Skate inspiration

September 8, 2015

Some skate and longboard inspiration just because it looks so damn fun and cool. Plus, the design of some boards are just great. You can see all the pictures and some more on my Pinterest, which you’ll find here.

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sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

 

 

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sources: 1234567.

 

A New Hobby!

September 6, 2015

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About a week ago, I posted the picture above on Instagram and wrote:

Happy Saturday, folks! You might wonder what the heck you’re seeing in this picture. Hehe. This, my friends, is some weird/crazy prep for my new hobby to come! Woo hoo. I know, I know. This is a major teaser. Anyway, I’ll hopefully get back to ya ASAP and share my excitement fully with y’all. Just gotta figure some stuff out first. To be continued ? #teaser #newhobby #soon #waiting #preparing #mouhaha #excited #me

So what is it I’m going to do and what the heck is shown in the picture above?

Readers, it’s me measuring how long a longboard is in total, and how long it is where you’re standing. The arrows show the total length and the cylinder and the ball together show the center/standing part of the board! I wanted to get a better picture of how big/long it is. I haven’t really talked about this a whole lot before (except a picture or so on Instagram over a year ago → here), but it’s been on my mind for about 1.5 years now, and I even had a possible teacher in Asheville when we lived there. But somehow, it just ran out in the sand (as we say in Swedish), we moved to Sweden, and I was caught up in other things in life – like settling in in Sweden again, getting into my new job, and solving the living situation, etc.

But a few weeks ago, my longboard nerves started itching again. I talked about it when we had picnic in the park a couple of weeks ago here in Uppsala, and I found out that one of my co-workers wants to learn too! Perfect. I have a co-worker/friend here I can longboard with some! Then I found out that two more people at work are interested in skating/longboarding.

So I’m about to start a new hobby  – longboarding!

Right as this moment, I’ve just ordered one and I’m un-patiently waiting for its arrival, which will take a few weeks!! It’s an American Skate brand, called Arbor Collective which started 1995 in Venice California.

So the longboard I’ve ordered is an Axis Walnut by Arbor Collective in photography collaboration with the artist Matt Smith. It’s the kind you can cruise, (go from A to B), carve (ride an ‘S’ shaped path), freeride (a form of downhill skateboarding that is more trick oriented and technical), and do freestyle (boardwalking, dancing etc.) with, so it’s a pretty all-around board, but not too focused on tricks as you might think when thinking about a skateboard. Longboard is (obviously due to the word “long”) a long board which makes it a little bit more stable and hopefully easier to ride than a skateboard.

So this blog will probably be a tiny bit more focused on longboarding and I hope you would like to tag along in my learning process.

The one I’ve ordered looks like this ↓

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Here comes some Longboard geek talk

  • It’s a symmetrical, snowboard inspired shape.
  • Offers a quick rail-to-rail performance, with drop-through mounting for a more ergonomic push and power through turns and slides.
  • L: 40.00”  W: 9.00”  WB: 30.50”.
  • Trucks: Reverse Kingpin with Caliber 50 Caliber 10.0.
  • Wheels: Arbor Sucrose Initiative – Summit Series. Size 71.0mm.

En styck piano

May 11, 2015

(Short summary in English, below)

Liz och jag spenderade lördagen med att fira livet lite extra mycket. Vi åt ute, drack öl, mötte upp min bror, hans tjej samt en kompis för mer öl och satt och njöt av solen vid ån. Men innan allt ätande och drickande, begav vi oss, som jag skrev om tidigare, till en pianoaffär som bara ligger ett stenkast från där vi bor. Min terapeut hade uppmanat mig att gå dit och plinka lite då pianospelande är något som hjälper mig otroligt mycket då det kan vara lite tufft samt är något som jag generellt saknar oerhört i livet. Sagt och gjort. Vi gick dit. Jag spelade och dreglade (typ) över alla möjliga pianon och flyglar…

Och vet ni..nu har vi beställt ett piano (tack mamma och pappa som hjälper oss lite på traven!) ♥ Nu kommer jag äntligen att kunna ta upp mitt stora musikintresse och kommer att kunna spela prick när jag vill. Lyckan är total.

Vi fastnade för ett digitalpiano som har i stort sett ett autentiskt ljud som ett akustiskt piano, men är ett mellanting mellan keybord och ett aukustiskt piano. Jag kan med andra ord använda hörlurar om jag vill (vilket är bra om man bor i en lägenhet, vilket vi gör), jag kan koppla den till en dator, spela in och den har  ytterligare ett flertal olika finesser, men det bästa är att det låter som att man spelar på ett akustiskt piano. Det är med andra ord ingen keyboard-känsla. Underbart.

Är så himla glad och längtar tills vår får hem den, vilket är troligtvis om bara några dagar. Foton kommer då, förstås.


Short Summary

A digital piano

Liz and I spent Saturday, enjoying and celebrating life a little bit extra. We ate out, drank beer, and hung out with my brother, his girlfriend, and a friend of ours. Before we headed downtown, we went to a piano store/factory here in town. My therapist had mentioned about this store and told me that I should go there and play a little since it’s something really good for me to do when I’m feeling a bit blue, and I truly miss music in my life on a regular basis. So we went. And it was heaven…But you know what, we have ordered a digital piano now (it sounds like an acoustic piano but is something in between a keyboard and a acoustic piano. You can record with it, plug in headphones..so it has some major things like a keyboard, but sounds like a real piano) and will be delivered in just a few days. I’m so so soo excited and thankful! My parents are helping us out some with this purchase – thank you, thank you, thank you!! Can’t wait to be able to play exactly whenever I want to! ♥ Please try the more or less good Google translate, if you want to translate the whole text.

ONSDAG KVÄLL

April 8, 2015

(Summary in English below)

Sitter här och skriver ett litet blogginlägg från mobilen för att se hur det fungerar. 

Liz och jag köpte träningskort igår så nu ska här börja tränas! Känner att jag måste hitta lite fritidsintressen att sysselsätta mig med så att det inte enbart blir att sova, vakna, jobba och sova (på ett ungefär). Jag måste göra något som jag mår bra av, får energi utav och kan känna en glädje i att göra. Jag hoppas att träning ska kunna hjälpa mig att nå dessa, inte alltför höga, mål. Musik är något annat som alltid funnits i mitt liv men som jag tråkigt nog inte har sysselsatt mig med de senaste åren och jag saknar det så får se om jag kan komma på vad jag ska satsa på inom det. Ha tillgång till ett piano, lära mig spela gitarr bättre eller kanske sjunga i någon mindre grupp eller i en större kör – antingen på avancerad nivå där man får provsjunga eller i något lättare där alls får vara med. Blir att fundera på det och göra lite research tror jag allt. 

Ja, det var lite tankar från mig denna onsdagskväll. Hoppas att ni har en skön kväll! 

  

English Summary

WEDNESDAY EVENING

Testing out writing a blog post from my cell. Liz and I bought gym cards yesterday! I need something to do other than sleep, wake up, work, and then sleep again (basically). I also hope it will help me to gain some more energy! Would love to do something with music too – like singing, playing the piano or guitar. Need to do some research about it all, I believe.  

K A F F E.

March 1, 2015

(Short summary in English, below).

Liz och jag var på äventyr igår, fylld med inköp och planering. Vi började med ett cykelköp till mig för att sedan cykla över hela Uppsala för diverse ärenden. Vi var en aning trötta i våra stackars kroppar efteråt, men vi fick i alla fall äntligen köpt en kaffebryggare samt en soffa som kommer att levereras till den nya lägenheten inom 1-2 veckor. Woo hoo! Men mer om inredning, planering och inköp i ett annat inlägg.

Vi har varit utan kaffebryggare ända sedan vi flyttade till vår nuvarande lägenhet (i skrivandets stund 4 veckor) och vi har hela tiden tänkt att vi sparar det inköpet tills vi flyttar till den nya lägenheten så att vi inte behöver kånka på så mycket då vi till en början trodde vi skulle flytta på cykel och med hjälp av en taxi. Nu ska mina föräldrar hjälpa oss, så vi bestämde oss för att inte dricka snabbkaffe längre och investera i en kaffebryggare. Sagt och gjort. Vi hade först tänkt att köpa en klassisk Moccamaster, men ska jag vara helt ärlig har det blivit en sådan pass uppmärksammad och “hypad” bryggare att vi ville ha något mer unikt (inget emot Moccamaster dock!)..men ja, vår kaffebryggare är en del utav vår inredning och en viktig livssak för oss, så vi ville helt enkelt ha något mer. Det blev en “Wilfa Svart” som de själva beskriver på deras hemsida som “elegant skandinavisk design med innovativ och precis teknologi”, vilket jag tycker stämmer väl in. Den brygger full kanna på bara 5 min och är otroligt snygg, enligt i alla fall Liz och mig. Obs, detta är inte ett sponsrat inlägg, även om jag så hade önskat det. Nu njuter jag äntligen av ordentlig kaffearom i lägenheten och en härlig upplevelse för mina smaklökar. Prisa gud, här var det kaffe! Tror bestämt att vi ska brygga en till kanna, bara för att vi kan ♥

coffee_collage


Short Summary
Liz and I bought plenty of things yesterday – a bike for me, a couch, and an amazing coffee maker! We rode the bikes all over the city, and were really tired afterwards. We’ve been without a coffee maker for about 4 weeks now and have had instant coffee..which has not been that great. Please try the more or less good Google translate, if you want to translate the whole text.

URBANEARS

December 16, 2014

Liz and I got our new headphones from Urbanears delivered yesterday! Hallelujah. I don’t know why, but I have a special love for headphones and own a few different ones. However, I’d lost my smaller mustard yellow (called Bagis in the Urbanears’ world) ones somehow, and “needed” some new. I already have Plattan (bigger on ears) in turquoise, and then a pair of the classic Marshall Major Black headphones. So when this Black Friday deal came out, Liz and I decided to order some. This time, I ordered the color Dark Grey, and I’m in love. Urbanears change colors after season so if you’re interested in getting some as well, and have seen a specific color, they might not have it in stock right now. Just a tip or a hint. Wish this was a sponsored post, but it’s not..haha. I’m just so in love with these ones.

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EAST WEST POP UP SHOP

December 14, 2014

Liz and I hung out in West Asheville on Friday – had fika, visited some breweries we hadn’t been to, and then checked out a new pop up shop. I just love the concept of pop up shops which is literally what it sounds like – a shop that just pops up somewhere and is open for a limited time. The East West Pop Up Shop is all based on vintage and hand made local stuff (ceramics, t-shirts, leather books, glasses, woodblock print posters, jewelry…). The shop had their grand opening Friday night and it will only be open for four days in total (December 11th – 14th). You can check it out some more, here. The quote below is from their website!

 

We collaborate with local crafters, artists, furniture makers, and vintage collectors to bring an ever changing array of items to our unique space.  Combine that with the eye of an interior decorator, who has a warehouse full of vintage furniture, and you have a beautifully arranged retail store that you’ll wish was there all year.  Alas, the beauty of the pop up shop is its temporary nature.  Open for only four days at a time, our shop is an event not to be missed.

 

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THE ANTIQUE BARN

September 2, 2014

There’s a really cool antique barn here in Asheville which I think everyone should give a visit if you have any interest in older things. Last weekend actually was my first time there, and I truly love it! I will go back there in a heartbeat and I wanna buy several things. My favorite, for sure, is the Herman Miller chair! Gaaaah, love it! The place is called Antique Tobacco Barn and is located on 75 Swannanoa River Road. You can read more about it here (link), but let’s check it out, here below. I took plenty of pictures (more or less good since I didn’t bring my camera). Enjoy!

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A LITTLE DREAM OF MINE

August 25, 2014

I have several dreams and goals in my life – things to do, places to visit, stuff I want to learn, etc. One of the things I really want to explore more… to learn and be good at is longboarding. I went into a store a few weeks ago and saw this awesome longboard just hanging there, screaming “Lina!”, but it was pretty pricy, and I don’t know if I’m actually gonna like it (need to borrow someone’s and try it first, before I’m purchasing one). Totally random, but just thought about this tonight, while I’m continuing to think about several different things/goals/dreams, and continuing to be a bit emotional. Picture, totally borrowed from The Arbor Collective’s website, found here, where you also can find snowboards, clothes, and other longboards/skateboards.

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Christmas preparations!

December 21, 2013

Shopping, relaxing, listening to Christmas music, wrapping gifts, planning, cooking/baking, and enjoying each other’s company. That’s all what we are up to right now! Good times, and I just want to wish you all some great days before Christmas! Hope you’re doing good!

zolasstockingZola’s stocking