Proofreading: "Excuse the coffee, please!"

It IS Sunday, but considering that fact that I took almost all Wednesday off this week (All saints/holiday in Spain), and made time for a really long walk today, I actually don´t mind doing some work this afternoon. Some days ago I received the proof/comments from the editor of a text which will be included in an anthology produced/compiled by my department. It is called “Allvarligt talat”/”Seriously (speaking)”, and my contribution is focusing on Agda Montelius, who was married to the archaeologist Oscar Montelius, and her travels and work together with him during the 1870´s and 1880´s. To treat myself –even if I really enjoy today´s task- I decided to move my office to a proper environment, i.e. a bar/café from the late 19^th century… I mean, why not work in an (almost) authentic environment if one has the chance? I moved from one to another, since the first one got a bit too noisy after a while… It´s fantastic that there are still quite a few of these old and more or less authentic interiors left in Barcelona.

Bar Muy Buenas

Bar Casa Almirall

As some of you already know, I am writing my thesis about international archaeological networks etc in the late 19^th century, focusing on Oscar Montelius (and Agda), and the source material includes loads of documents from the Montelius´ archives. During my last visit to the archive (in Stockholm) I came across a document that was not of interest to my current study, but still caught my interest. It was a proof, commented by Oscar to be sent to the translator of one of his publications. There are certain moments when you feel extra close to your study object, and this was one of these times. Just like I am this afternoon, Oscar was proofreading and all of a sudden he spilt his coffee on the script. No computers, no printers, so he had to keep the script as it was… Coffee stains and all...

"EXCUSE THE COFFEE PLEASE!"
Ref: Oscar Montelius arkiv, Antikvarisk-topografiska arkivet, Sthlm

 

Alltså...

Jag och min avhandling 😎

My PhD: Writing your dissertation in 15 minutes a day

Today I would like to share a book tips with all of you: Writing your dissertation in fifteen minutes a day by Joan Bolker. 
I was recommended this title by another PhD candidate (thanx Minna!), checked it out at the library and decided to get my very own copy. It is a pretty quick read, only 150 pages . The title is of course a bit misleading, it is not about actually writing a thesis in just 15 minutes a day. It is about creating a writing habit and finding your own preferable work style. "Writing in order to think" might be my favourite advice.

Reading this book is a bit like having a conversation with a friend about writing. Bolker is adressing everything related to the writing process, from psychological aspects to dealing with distractions. She provides different methods for creating a work flow, such as free writing (but also a little less free writing, which might work better for some people.) I find it quite useful to re-read the different chapters now and then since Bolkers tips and advice might be seen in different light depending on where one is in ones writing process and which problems that might have surfaced. The book was written in 1998 which means the section on computers is outdated, but it doesn´t matter. I think this book applies to any larger writing job and is a great book for all writers :-)

Underbart är kort, alldeles för kort, så som när Magnolian blommar...💗

Underbart är kort, alldeles för kort, så som när Magnolian blommar...💗

Some favourite second-hand categories

There are some things which might be extra worth looking for when going vintage- and thrift shopping. Some of my favourite categories are:

WOOL JUMPERS. We have all read terrible articles in the news about how many cashmere- and other types of woolen clothes are being produceed. Taking animal welfare into consideration, I believe that buying such items second-hand is a much better option and"safer" than buying a new piece if the seller can´t tell you how it was produced.

BELTS. With a little patience you can find all kinds of nice belts, even as good as new ones in leather.

SCARVES. Most second-hand shops sell nice quality scarves for just a few euros. 

SHOE TREES. Both wooden as well as plastic ones can often be found in good condition for a bargain price.

Easter thrift shopping

Easter was definitely my favourite holiday season when growing up! Spring on its way and I also loved all the bright colours, greetings cards and traditions associated with the holiday. April is also my birthday month, which might have had something to do with it... For many years I have not given much attention to Easter decorations etc, although still enjoying the calm holiday. This year, however, we have decided to fill our home with a little more light and colour. A perfect way of finding nice decorations without spending too much money is of course to go thrift shopping :-) It is quite easy to find new -or as good as new- items as well as nice retro textiles, all for just a few euros in total. The tradition of decorating twigs of birch (or other trees) with colourful feathers has been criticized the recent years, as people have become more aware of how those feathers are produced. I did not buy any feathers today, but if one wants to have them, I think the perfect place to  buy them would be at a thrift/secondhand store. 

Vintage & second hand: A rather dull skirt

Some time ago I bought a long, black and floral skirt. It looked quite boring to be honest, but it was the right size and made of a very comfy and soft rayon fabric. It was only a couple of euros and I thought it could (at least) be worn with a singlet or tank top and a pair of sandals during the summer. Just by a coincidence I found a vintage silk scarf with a very similar pattern. By combining the skirt and scarf with also a black cardigan, a belt and why not a brooch from the 1950´s, I think this skirt works fine for just any occasion! So, don´t judge a piece just by how it looks on the hanger, try it on, try to imagine how you can combine and style the garment. Doing so you might find real bargains that work very well with and can create new styles together with the pieces you already have in your wardrobe.  

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Vintage in Barcelona: Clothes by the kilo

Like in some other European cities, you can by your secondhand garments by the kilo in Barcelona. The concept has been introduced in Spain by Flamingo Vintage Kilo. There are several stores in the city center and one can also find a Flamingo vintage barber shop.

Vintage in Barcelona: Sweet Susiedress Pop-up Market

On Sunday I went to a very nice vintage market in Gràcia. SusiSweetdress organizes seasonel PopUp-markets in Barcelona and other cities in Spain during the year. The team presents an "innovative concept of selling vintage dresses, own designs and accessories" and that´s what they do. They fix, renovate and upgrade garments as well as create new retro-inspired designs.  Clothes and inspiration are searched for during trips to other countries. The market was well worth visiting, alot to choose from in a wide range of sizes. There were also childrens activities, free drinks and snacks and other happenings at the market. Next ones in Barcelona will be in June and October, check their website for dates and more info on markets in other cities in Spain.  (Scroll down for more pictures)

 

My PhD: A research visit to Barcelona

I am currently a member of the Swedish National graduate school of historical studies. The research school provides a lot of great possibilities for international exchange and I have been lucky enough to receive a travel grant, which allows me to spend a few weeks abroad at a university of my own choice. One of the places I really wanted to go to was the University of Barcelona, where a certain professor who is working on the history of archaeology is affiliated. She has great experience of digging into archive material, and is/was the supervisor of several PhD candidates working on heritage issues and related areas. I was therefore of course very grateful when I got accepted as a guest researcher.  At this point I am almost halfway through my studies and this is a very good time to discuss and review research questions, methodology and different problems. 

So, what does it mean to be a guest PhD student/researcher? It is very much up to you and your so-called sponsor, in this case the above-mentioned kind professor.  I will take the opportunity to discuss as much as possible with her about certain aspects on theory and methodology, but also about my thesis topic in general and about her work. I am also planning to get a decent number of pages written. Being away from the normal curriculum as well as meetings and seminars at my home department will be a perfect opportunity to do some really contcentrated work., I hope... I will also ge to meet other PhD students and have the possibility to attend open lectures. I feel very welcome here, and I have daily contact with both the professor and another PhD candidate who has been helping me to settle in and feel at home. In addition I will take the chance to enjoy museums, archaeological sites and exhibitions, as well getting to know the fantastic city of Barcelona a bit better!

The university

Vintage och 2nd-hand i Barcelona

I Barcelona finns det sannerligen gott om vintage- och secondhand-butiker! 

Längs Caller del Tallers och till denna angränsande gator ligger -förutom fina bagerier- ett stort antal butiker med secondhand-plagg i fint skick. Flera av affärerna har ganska höga priser, som inte är helt motiverade om ni frågar mig, men ett par av dem har en riktigt överkomlig prisbild. Bland dem kan nämnas V V på nr 23. 
Det var turligt nog den första butiken jag råkade gå in i härom kvällen, och också den enda där jag köpte något. Kan helt klart rekommenderas!
 

Farliga Gamlestan'!

Det är farligt att bo i Gamlestaden! I alla fall för den som tycker om att handla i secondhand- och antikaffärer. Idag gick vi bara till en av butikerna, Holmens marknad. Söker egentligen efter ganska specifika saker just nu; köksstolar och lampor, men det är svårt att låta bli att titta runt efter andra potentiella fina fynd. Mycket riktigt, det blev affär idag med... Riktiga fynd! Holmens ger dessutom 10% rabatt om man har studentkort, så efter avdragen sådan kom jag hem en dryg 50-lapp fattigare med följande plagg i påsen:

1. En ljus uppsydd/hemmasydd blus med tydliga 40-talsvibbar, men kanske troligare sydd på 70-talet. 

2. En prickig blus från Gulins, made in U.K., också den med en viss 40- eller 50-talskänsla, möjligen tillverkad på 80-talet. Knapparna är olika och ser ut att ha bytts ut pö om pö, och jag tror det får bli en tur till Knapp-Carlsson för att se om det går att finna några fina knappar att byta till för att ge plagget ännu mer av 1940-talsstil. 

3. Det verkliga fyndet! En italiensk sjal av 100% siden och i nyskick! 

Söndagens fynd från Holmens marknad

Antikt och loppis i Gamlestaden: Stallgården

 

Ett favoritställe genom åren har varit Stallgårdens loppis och antik, där vi hittat en rad fina möbler från 1950- och 60-talen. Företrädarna för Franssons hörna och kaféet ansvarar för uthyrningen av försäljningsplatser. Oftast har det varit säljare med en genomgående hög kvalité på möbler och kuriosa med fokus på första halvan av 1900-talet. Senaste tiden har säljarna tyvärr varit något färre, och för den som är hugad kan meddelas att det kostar 300 kr/helg att hyra plats. Ett par veckor i sträck har i alla fall den trevliga damen Laila funnits på plats med en massa fina saker. Här syns Rörstrands porslin och härliga krukor, design Lisa Larsson respektive Stig Lindeberg, som fick följa med hem. Denna söndag lyckades vi även finna ett "nytt" köksbord på Holmens marknad, hurra! Stort, ovalt, två iläggsskivor.  Perfekt!