CXL · The return......

^ The title is a referens to a legendary Swedish metal band, guess which band?!

I've been visiting Finland for some time, and I had a little "vacation" from the blog, but as always I ended up having a way to look break haha. BUT, I'm back now! I Just plan to do some "recap"-entries and then one about a specific lens company (for those who follow me on twitter, you might know a little about it. If you don't follow me you can do it by pressing this link.)

And I have some interesting things coming up as well this summer, but more about that later. I guess this entry got a bit selca-heavy, but I hope that's OK!

^ Got grey lenses again, my favorit color!

What's your favorite lens color?

I also met the Dragonborn, he's the same height as me. Though I didn't have a rock to stand on haha. Would be pretty badass to have one of these at home right?

Have anybody played the Skyrim DLC yet? Is it any good?

Brand new copy of Dead Space 2 for only €7! That's a fair price.

I've actually bought a lot of games recently, have you gotten any new games lately? Or anything that you would recommend?

I also went to a fast food & café expo. 

I tried some new chips that will be launched later, a perfect spot for a chips connoisseur like me.

And this was the free sample I manage to get a hold of! "The more food I grab the more money I save" hahaha.

Due to the wide angle I look a bit weird. But this is my new coat, I love it! It's kinda similar to the one Kyo wears, tho his jacket is from THE VIRIDI-ANNE. It's of course black, but I wanted to ~cool filter~ on my picture.

Unbuttoned.

I also watched "This is England" again and it's two TV-series, brillant work. For anybody who hasn't seen it I can really recommend it.

And one of the days I was a model for Jopo (who studies make-up). It was a really nice day! And a photo of me reading some interesting literature at Stockmann...

Got photobombed by some girl I've never met before........

(Who was she?!)

OMG

I found my favorite beer at Stockmann, I've never seen it in stores before. (In Sweden you have to make a special order) I was so happy I could cry, it's tequila flavored beer, but it doesn't really taste like tequila nor beer haha. If you haven't tried it you really should!

I also went to heaven as you can see on the picture above.

I spent some time with my role model and hero Arino too, a very wise man.

Traditional Finnish cooking, piroger.

Bye for now, see you again soon!

Do any of you guys have some exciting summer plans?

CXXXIX·【SPONSORED】review「grey/black」

This is my second pair of lenses from GeoColouredLenses.com, I was very pleased with my previous product and their service so I decided to continue working with them. This time I wanted to get a pair of grey lenses. I think grey is the color that suits me the best, and it also gives a manlier appearance than the more cheerful colored lenses in my opinion. These lenses are as you can see a mix of black and grey, I didn't want to get to much black since that would give a "doll" effect on the eyes.

GEO XTRA WBS-205

(Link to the product)

All lenses that I review are for one year disposal unless I state otherwise. And these lenses has a 15mm diamater wich gives you a nice enlargement when used. I personally prefer the 15mm lenses. And if you're curious about my natural eye color it's brown, and if you want a more accure look just click here.

These are my favorite lenses that I own, and I would very much recommend them. The shop is very easy to communicate with, they're very helpful and works fast. And for those who wonder about the packaging (seems like some people do) it was sent in a padded envelope, which I take for granted that lenses in glass vials are. Since that's how you ship things. 

As you can see the design is "spiky" with a grey inner and a black outer rim wich goes around the lenses. I personally like the ones with a black outlining the most. And from all the lenses I've tried I would say that GEO lenses are the most comfortable ones, very soft and gentle with the eye.

I decided to add a full face picture in the entry since some people seem to enjoy that.

I would really recommend these lenses and GeoColouredLenses.com to all of my readers!

Design · 5/5 | Enlargement · 5/5 | Comfort · 5/5 | Overall · 5/5

Design · Great design and a very nice use of two color (grey and black).
Enlargement · 15mm gives you great enlargement, and my personal favorite.
Comfort · Soft and very lean, no "edges" or anything that might irritate the eyes.

CXXXVIII · DRKSHDW

I don't think I've ever made an "outfit only"-post before, so I guess now is a good time as ever. 

The first thing that struck me was that I don't really know what to write, since the pictures pretty much speak for themselves. 

But I've been experimenting a bit, like having my hair divided in the middle (which I've never done before) and I also got a little more interested in face contouring, which isn't really visible now except for the nose.

Today also happens to be the birthday of the Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash, thank you for everything you've done.

And here's an all black outfit from me, I hope you like it!

I guess my major style influence comes from Toshiya of DIR EN GREY, been a fan of draped clothing for a few years and it really took off when I saw him perform in more asymmetrical and draped clothing in the late 2009. I want to get new boots though, my engineer boots are pretty low cut and I want to get a pair with a higher shaft.

But there has of course been other people/designers/brands that has inspired me as well, especially Rick Owens. 

But I've also come to really like JULIUS_7, Boris Bidjan Saberi and THE VIRIDI-ANNE.

I guess all posts need a face picture, so here's one, kinda hahaha.

I got the "idea" of a big hat after watching a PV of MEJIBRAY, and I've been really in a "hat mood" recently, hats are easy since you don't need to do your hair. 

Shoes: Rakuten | Bottom: Rakuten | Top: Deepstyle  | Scarf:  Deepstyle | Accessories: Spirit Store

What do you think of my outfit? Or any cool brands you think I should check out?

As I said I'm really into draped clothing, so I want to know what is your current "fashion obsession" is!

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section, take care!

ps. don't forget to like me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thank you! ds.

CXXXVII ·【SPONSORED】review「brown」

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST

I got contacted by a new sponsor called Solution-lens.com who asked me if I wanted a pair of free lenses for review and I said yes. First off I want to clear that this is an honest review of my experience with this company and lenses, feel free to share your stories with other companies if you have any!

I got to pick two pair of lenses and they would send me one of these two, I requested a pair of blue and grey lenses. I was unsure at first since they told me that they don't have any prescription lenses, but I figured what the hell and said yes anyway. I got the lenses pretty fast, so nothing to complain about there but when I opened the package it was none of the lenses, the lenses was brown. (I ordered GEO XTRA SIZE NATURAL WMI-245 GREY) But I received the  GEO XTRA SIZE NATURAL WMI-244 BROWN instead.

But mistakes happen right? So before making a review I took pictures of the product I received and told them about it, since I'm going to be honest in my reviews it would give a bad impression of them. So I told them the story and what I got in reply was "Thank you for your message. Please review this product", so there was no "Sorry for the mistake, we will send you the right pair" or even a "sorry" for sending the wrong product which I think was a little bit rude to be honest.

So that's my experience with this company, have any of you had any problems with the same company?

GEO XTRA SIZE NATURAL WMI-244 BROWN

Pictures are taken with flash, and as you can see they enlarge very well.

I tried to take a close up picture but I got the focus on my eyebrows by mistake. But as you can see if you naturally have brown eyes these lenses gives a very natural (and enlarged) look. If you're a fan of brown lenses I would really recommend these!

Design · 4/5 | Enlargement · 5/5 | Comfort · 4/5 | Overall · 4/5

Design · A very natural looking brown lens, except from the black outlining. (I have brown eyes myself)
Enlargement · 15mm, so the enlargement of these are outstanding.
Comfort · Soft and very lean, comfortable to wear.

They also have a "permanent giveaway" on their site, for mor information just click this link.

CXXXVI · 輪郭

Hello, I've been absent for a while due to a little winter holiday. But now I'm back again! And as you might have expected I planned to talk about DIR EN GREY's latest single 「輪郭」(RINKAKU, meaning "contours" or "outlines"). I picked AirMail but due to the Holidays it took extra time to receive it. It was released on the 19th of December 2012, but I didn't get my copy until the 2nd of January 2013. And it was a really long and hard wait, I decided not to listen to it until I got my own copy so I had to contain myself haha.

I got the deluxe limited edition of the single. it also included a poster but since I don't have ny more room for posters on my walls I have a few DIR EN GREY posters still in their original wrapping.

(Really bad picture)

But this what was featured in the deluxe limited edition of the single.

Booklet, sticker, postcard, DVD and a CD.

What you see when you open it, the booklet contained lyrics, some photos and a few words from each band member.

Inside.

Booklet, sticker and postcard.

DVD and CD.

The DVD features some behind the scens recording and thirteen songs form their symphonic live 

"TOUR2011 AGE QUOD AGIS Ratio ducat, non fortuna 2011.11.11 TOKYO DOME CITY HALL"

Inside the photobook.

My favorite photo from the photoshoot.

The artwork for 輪郭, when I first saw it I had some mixed feelings. I didn't get the professional feeling that they usually give me. But it was later reviled that the artwork is drawn by 京 himself. He usually don't like overseas tours so he usually spends his time in the tour bus whilst the others might be out doing other things on their time off. So 京 spend some time drawing, though this particulate image was drawn when he was back in Japan. 

A close-up of the sticker.

Since the PV doesn't feature the full length of the song I decided to add a video with a translation instead. This is probably my favorite DIR EN GREY single so far, not really sure but it's in the top (along with DIFFERENT SENSE, DOZING GREEN and 朔-saku-)

And I'll just try to write a few words about the song featured on the single, I'm not planning to do a proper review, but just a few words of my personal thoughts of it. 

I remember that I had to lay down and close my eyes when I played it, this song was a great surprise to me. it really shows how much DIR EN GREY has matured as a band, the title track 輪郭 is very eerie, atmospheric, compact and controlled song that opens up with a macabre yet beautiful piano. The song delivers it parts of heavy, melodic and progressive segments as well. 京's vocals are mostly in a the higher registrer with a falsetto styled singing which feels very fresh, and I might think it will appeal to a wider audience than their three latest albums does, but as well as for fans of their newer material. The atmosphere of the song is overall very layered and heavy, but 京's vocals brings a brilliant contrast that really ties it all together. 

(There's not even a single growl in the song!)

霧と繭 (Kiri to Mayu) is a remake of DIR EN GREY's first song by the same name featured on the 1997 EP "MISSA", this song had a complete make over, it's not as straight forward as the remakes of "OBSCURE" or "undecided", but a combination of "蜜と唾" and "DECAYED CROW", one of their heaviest songs yet that shows what a beast 京 really is when it comes to growl, if you missed the growls from 輪郭 this will leave you more than satisfied.

The final song of the single is "輪郭 Eternal Slumber Mix (Remixed by Akira Yamaoka)" and as the name reviles it's a remix by Akira Yamaoka. For you who does't know who that is he's a composer that has worked mainly with the video game company Konami, most notable the Silent Hill-series. And he also happens to be one of my favorite composers when it comes to video game music and by listening to his works (especially the soundtrack to Silent Hill 2) you know he's the right man for the job. He gave 輪郭 a slower but even more eerie and haunting sound that it already had, it's the "worst" song on the single but it's still a 5/5-song.

And for those who hasn't heard the song yet I would recommend purchasing it right away, and I think it will surprise any fan of Dir en grey, even those who "liked the old Dir en grey".  I realised it might take forever if I go on and start talking about the DVD, but I can say that it's one of my favorite lives I've seen or heard by Dir en grey, the symphonic versions of the songs are heart breaking.

And for you who has heard the single, what are your thought?

CXXXV · New Year's Resolutions

Hi, 2012 is soon coming to an end, and I can't remember ever having any new years resolutions before. So I think I might share it with you guys, since I actually have a few new year's resolutions

Wise words from my hero and role model, Patrick Bateman.

My primary resolution (or goal if you will) being to get in shape. And by that I mean to lose weight and get toned. I know everybody has "get in shape" as a new years resolution, and all those new people will come to the gym and just be in the way. But I actually planned to not go to the gym. Just change my eating habits and do some basic at-home-work-outs and walk. I'll probably have a lot of music that I want to listen to so that's great when walking.

One of my favorite guys to watch on YouTube, excellent on the growls.

My second resolution is to buy myself a decent microphone to hook up at home, and get some karaoke going. One thing that I've always been envy of when it comes to Japan is that it's so easy to practice. You just go to a karaoke place and you have everything you need. I've always loved to sing, I think this will be a great way to not only have fun but also to improve my singing a lot. Since it's something I really enjoy doing, and I might eventually use some of my own material as well. My problem so far is that I can't really hear how I actually sound since I don't have any good sound recording equipment or a monitor at home. So hopefully I'll manage to get this as soon as possible!

My recording of "DIFFERENT SENSE" from London, with over 80 000 views on YouTube!


And my third resolution is to see Dir en grey at least three times this year, (stepping it up a notch since the last tour). And since they have an EU date already confirmed it seems like the tour will kick off in June. So hopefully I'll catch a few shows together with my crew. I still regret that I didn't go to Paris to see them when they had two shows at Divan du Monde, which was "their best show ever" according to some friends of mine that have seen Dir en grey way more times than I have. So hopefully I'll catch as many shows as I possibly can during 2013. That will make it a great year. So I'm hoping for the best.

--------------------------

Do you have any new years resolutions or goals for 2013?

And if you have any tips on foods/diets or workouts etc I would appreciate it a lot!

And a happy new year to all of my readers, it means a lot to me that you read and the ones who comment - you're the best!

I think one of the greatest perks with having a blog is all the people you get in touch with, so commenting means a lot to me.

♥

CXXXIV · Lucka 20

20. What do you want for Christmas?

Since it's almost Christmas it might be time to post some things that I want for Christmas (or anytime really, haha.) I mostly want clothing, accessories and shoes. But I also want an iPad and a huuuuge Rilakkuma that I can chill on, kinda works like a couch/bed!

You see the shorts that has a red arrow next to them? I've been looking for them/similar ones for over a year now. So i would really appreciate it if somebody knew what brand they are/where to buy. Or even similar looking ones would be OK. From the looks of it they seem to be leather cargo short. Mine doesn't have to be leather, but the more similar ones you can find the better. So if you know any palces that might have similar shorts please let me know!

(It's the shorts that Kyo wore during the TOUR2011 AGE QUOD AGIS, mostly during the US tour. As seen on their latest DVD)

What do you want for christmas?

Please leave a comment below, take care!

CXXXIII · Lucka 16, 17, 18, 19

As you might notice I decided to include several dates in this entry. And the reason is that I don't have pictures of everything that should be posted haha.

16. A picture of you as a kid

I don't have any pictures of that, I might have somewhere but I'm not going to go look for it. And I didn't know how to pose for shit back then anyway so it would just look stupid, so fuck that.

17. A picture of you as a teenager

Here's a picture fo me when I was 15, and it's probably the only one I have from that year. I don't really save any pictures of myself. And since I was eating my face looked weird, haha. So yea. Does anybody recognise the shirt? I'm gonna do a little cut at the bottom, so if you want to see it you can just open it.

18. A picture of your family

No, not going to post a picture of my family. This is my blog and they have nothing to do with it. So I'm not going to post any pictures of my family, they probably don't wanna be here anyway.

19. A picture of you today

Haven't been taking any pictures of myself, since I'm sick. So yea..

Since it's so damn hard and impossible to add a "Read more"-section on blogger. Because somebody decided that making it as far from user friendly as fucking possible would be a great idea, I'm just going to provide a link instead. So, here's the link.

One of my favorite death metal albums!

CXXXII · Lucka 15

15. A picture of your favorite quote.

Since there's no picture of it, and I don't bother doing it. I'll just include a picture and the quote below.

I also have another favorite quote, 「苦しさも忘れ自分も忘れて。」(To forget suffering is to forget myself.)

The reason you haven't felt it is because it doesn't exist. 

What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons. You're born alone and you die alone and this world just drops a bunch of rules on top of you to make you forget those facts.

 But I never forget.

 I'm living like there's no tomorrow, because there isn't one.

CXXXI · Lucka 14

14. A picture when you weren't aware of being photographed.

A picture of me and my friend Carin in London (Oxford Street I believe) during BIG BANG's ALIVE GALAXY TOUR 2012.

CXXX · Lucka 13

13. A picture of your favorite things

I was thinking a while on what to include in the picture. I though just including my laptop would be pretty lame lol. So I picked some of my favorite things from my biggest interestes (-fashion). Since I believe most people enjoy at least one of these things haha. Sadly I don't have everything in the "best" editions, but I'll write down the things that has a special packaging! (I like to own things you know). 

Have you played/seen/read/listened to any of the items I've listed? 

I'm curious to know what my readers like, so please drop a comment below if you have anything on your mind that I should check out!

Video games:

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2)

Silent Hill 2 - Special Edition (PS2)

Final Fantasy IX (PS)

Final Fantasy VII - Regular/Original Edition (PS)

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)

Super Metroid (SNES)

Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)

Mega Man 3 (NES)

Music:

DIR EN GREY - UROBOROS (Deluxe Limited Edition)

DIR EN GREY - DUM SPIRO SPERO (Deluxe Limited Edition)

Film:

Oldboy - Steelbook double disc (Bonus Material/Behind the scenes)

The Godfather - The Coppola Restoration (Five discs, all three films + over four hours of extra material)

Full Metal Jacket

Litterature:

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis (English, original language)

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami (English, translated)

CXXIX · Lucka 12

12. A picture of you when you look happy

Since I don't smile on purpose in pictures I don't have any pictures like that. "But why don't you smile?" Because where I live you don't ruin a picture with a smile. Every picture taken is a "serious" picture, but I guess there's more room for "lulz" now days since the images are digital. But why break a tradition?