Loving Life Blog

A Taste of Swedish Summer – Limited Edition July 17, 2013

Filed under: Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 2:04 pm
Tags: cooking, food, lakrits, licorish, lucky punk, marabou black, swedish shop, tommy nilsson, vimeo

I may not go to Sweden and experience all what it has to offer summertime this year, but I did receive a package in the mail with my favorite chocolate from last year. Only available as a limited edition, during the summer.

Marabou milk chocolate with saltish licorish… to die for. For those who are curious, or those who are longing for another bite – the Swedish Food Shop for People with Home Longing has it! It also works to call mom. 😉

If you buy enough quantity, you can start elaborating with some of all the recipes that now are available with Marabou Black as ingredient. Chocolate cake with salt licorish…?

Enjoy,

Johanna

Marabou Black / Tommy Nilsson – Avslöjandet from Lucky Punk on Vimeo.

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Don’t Let Me Down! July 10, 2013

Filed under: Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 5:02 pm
Tags: beatles, don't let me down, Music, smiles

A little bit of sharing, and many more faces broken out into smiles.
This is the reason for my current smile.

And yes, Beatles is on the coming repertoire… I didn’t have this particular song on the list – but may change that. It’s a hit!

Enjoy,
Johanna

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Fillmore Jazz Festival with Fazz July 6, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 11:08 am

All the roads lead to Rome. Special Italian shoes lead to Fillmore Jazz Festival. Today I have the honor to perform with Fazz, opening the Washington/Fillmore stage at noon. Hadn’t it been for LLXLLQ – size 10-12 handmade Italian shoes, and Dantone-Milano Shoe Store on Union Street, I hadn’t been here today. Here are the translated lyrics of the Swedish songs:

Translated lyrics of “Somliga Går med Trasiga Skor”

Some People Walk With Torn Shoes.
by Cornelis Vreeswijk

Some walk with torn shoes
say why is it so?
God Father who lives in heaven,
maybe wants it so

God Father who lives in heaven,
closes his eyes and sleeps well.
Who cares about a pair of torn shoes
when you are old and tired

Who cares about how the days go by?
They go as they please.
Brother, in one hundred years,
you’ll no longer exist.

Then somebody else have taken your place,
you’ll know nothing of it.
You feel neither rain nor sun,
down in your dark grave.

Who cares about how the nights go by?
I dont care a bit.
As long as I can keep my face
buried in my love’s hair.

I am a doubtful character,
not good for much.
Behind a corner death lurks,
he takes me whenever he wants.

Some walk with torn shoes,
until they walk no more.
The Devil who lives in hell,
gets himself a good laugh then…

English translation of Deidres Samba.

Deirdre’s Samba
by Cornelis Vreeswijk

Every night around 8 I take the path down the mountain
Then I take the bus that goes to Copacabana
I’ve bathed, I’ve showered, I smell good all over
And then I begin to walk
And I’m a sight to see

When you walk Copacabana, you’ve got the ocean to the left
But I look straight ahead, straight at those I meet
If they look like they want to dance, they can buy my Samba
Those who bargain can leave, for I’m a sight to see

Dance the Samba with me, ayayay…
I am good, I am good
If you’ve got time and money you’ll buy my Samba
If you’ve got time and money you’ll buy my Samba

If you want to learn my Samba, under the moon on the beach
I can whistle the melody, with two shells I beat the rythm
And if you want to make love, we’re in the right place
It’s illegal, of course, but hotels are so dull

Dance the Samba with me, ayayay…
I am good, I am good
If you’ve got time and money you’ll buy my Samba
If you’ve got time and money you’ll buy my Samba

Between Playa de Flamengo and the pretty Ipanema, lie the wealthy hot beaches
But the poor in Rio live high above the rest
The highest mountain is my home
The wind cools, the sun burns, there is sorrow that isn’t felt

Dance the Samba with me, ayayay…
I am good, I am good
If you’ve got time and money you’ll buy my Samba
If you’ve got time and money you’ll buy my Samba
If you’ve got time and money you’ll buy my Samba

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I need a MEGAPHONE June 27, 2013

Filed under: Entrepreneur,Promotion — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 1:17 pm
Tags: big footed women, clothing, Entrepreneur, fashion, giveaway, Health, large size designer shoes, large sizes shoes, LLXLLQ, pridetolove, rights, SHoes, start-up, style, win, Women

In the Starbucks line this morning:

“Excuse me, may I ask which shoe size you wear?”
“For what? Size 9.”
“Ah – then you are too small. We’ve just launched a shoe line for women with size 10-12. It is so difficult to find shoes that size, and when I see women who I think could be my size, I ask.”
“Oh I don’t know – I am size 9 in men’s shoes.”
DO YOU GET THE PICTURE? I need a megaphone… size 10-12, Italian handmade shoes…. LLXLLQ

Please SHARE this and send your friends and friends of friends with larger sizes shoes my way. Have them sign up for the newsletter http://bit.ly/LLXLLQnews , using campaign code “FRIEND” and they will receive a very special offer on top of the 15% for signing up for the newsletter.

If you act now they can participate in the LLXLLQ shoe giveaway by June 30, 2013: http://splur.gy/r/dz2v4

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Swedish Midsummer for Dummies… June 24, 2013

Filed under: Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 8:53 am
Tags: entertainment, frog dance, maypole, midsommar, midsummer, midsummer for dummies...

Happy Midsummer – or Summer Solstice! If you happened to go to a Swedish midsummer celebration and was wondering what it was all about and how to make the most out of it – see this – a practical guide for next time. Swedish Midsummer for Dummies…

Happy frog dancing!

Enjoy the long summer days!
Johanna

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Boldly Be June 3, 2013

Filed under: coaching — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 10:57 am
Tags: absolute faith, boldly be, colors, faith, inspiration, johanna, pam, Poem, spirit

A poem of inspiration…

Boldly Be

Whatever is in you to be,
whatever you love, is your fire.
Ignite it, trust it; it is a gift born of your spirit.

Be it in words, dance, colors, or a song…
have absolute faith in what you have been given;

chase it no matter how elusive;
be it… however challenging;
pursue it without pause;
seek to… boldly be
whatever is in your heart to be.

by Pam Reinke

Boldly be,

Johanna

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One Footprint Leads To Another May 31, 2013

Filed under: coaching,Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 1:23 pm
Tags: celebrities, footprint, footprints in the sand, hollywood, large shoes for women, Music, music production company, Oprah Winfrey

In the process of writing about Oprah Winfrey’s commencement speach yesterday at Harvard, and a feature of her being one of the most impact ful women who makes a big footprint, I stopped myself. What is most appropriate to say? Making a big footprint? Leaving a big footprint? Expanding the footprint? And yes, it has a double meaning, since we have chosen to feature women with size 10-12 in shoes, for whom LLXLLQ shoes in larger sizes are made. Handmade in Italy.

When researching the terms, I stumbled upon the song “Footprints in the sand”, which called my curiosity. What are the lyrics about? What if the singer of this one has size 10-12 in shoes? It would be so beautiful.

The singer is Leona Lewis, from the UK. She has size 7 in shoes.

The writers of the song are four men, among which Simon Cowell – who you may know as the producer and talent judge in Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and American Idol – as well as David Kreuger. David you may not know, since he mostly chose to stand out of the spotlight, but you most likely know of his music. Because he does leave a big footprint for your ears to enjoy.

This song below is just one of them.

Just a few years ago 😉 , when I was old enough to go to a bar/club in Stockholm – me and one of my best friends Cissie, often went out together. Monday night was the university student night at “Collage” at Östermalm in Stockholm, that started with a taco buffet dinner and then eventually dancing. The dancing was really what we were there for. The DJ was great. He played great music. He was a great person. He often drove us home after closing. He worked as a DJ at night, and a music producer during the day. He produced Britney Spears debut album 1989 and others with other producers at the Cheiron Studio, founded by Denniz PoP. Since 2000 he has his own music production company: A Side Productions , with another impressive list of artists and songs.

All of which has expanded the musical footprint of Sweden, which is leading me home. Home to Sweden, to David, and his wife – one of my best friends…

Cissie: I won’t be there in a week, but HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY!!! Keep dancing!

Love,

Johanna

What footprint do you want to leave in the sand…?

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Curious About the Swedes? May 19, 2013

Filed under: Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 12:30 pm
Tags: entertainment, Erovosion Song Contest 2013, Eurovision Song Contest, highight, http www youtube, intermission, Petra Mede, presentation swedes, Sweden, swedish smorgasbord, television host

One of the highlights of the Eurovision Song Contest Final from last night was the program in the intermission: The Swedish Smorgasbord, by Petra Mede, Swedish comedienne, dancer and television host.

This is her presentation of Sweden and Swedes for all those of you who are curious – and Swedes to be entertained. Our relationship to church, the need of consensus – even at the combat zone, the talent of doing compost, Carola and many more goodies at the smorgasbord.

Any surprises?

Enjoy,

Johanna

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We Write The Story

Filed under: Swedish-American — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 11:39 am
Tags: ABA, ABBA, Avicii, benny andersson, björn ulvaeus, Eurovi, Eurovision Anthem, Eurovision Song Contest, heal, http www youtube, Petra Mede, power of music, record producer, Sweden, unify, video, war, We write the song, we write the story, world war ii

Yesterday The Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Final was held in Malmo, in Sweden.

What I didn’t know was that the Eurovision was created 57 years ago by a group of broadcasters with the intent to unify Europe after world war II through the power of music. It makes total sense. And today the event is bigger than ever.

The event opened with a newly composed Eurovision Anthem “We Write The Story”, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. and the Swedish DJ, and record producer Avicii. “We couldn’t get ABBA – but ABA”, as Petra Mede introduced them.

A master piece. Here it is. Enjoy!

Johanna

“We have a choice in everything, we write the story…” – what are you making a choice about today? What is the next chapter in your story?