derby is coming

Get your hat on!

The Kentucky Derby is approaching fast. Today marks the beginning of Derby week. All week long will be about the upcoming festivities.

It's time to pick out your outfit and most importantly, the perfect hat.

I paid a visit to local vintage hat shop Leena's on Bardstown Road and tried on a selection.

How does thy vintage hat fit?


First off there is this unique fuzzy stunner, pretty damn elegant.

Straw hat meets pillbox. I love this understated little thing.

 This one is just too adorable. Open on the top 40's hat that reminds me of a cake.

Oh, and this one.... My absolute favorite. It is an original 'Flair'.

This is actually more of a flower crown for midsummers, but it works.

 A small accent with a vintage flower and peacock feathers.

Mystery and glam in a small hat with lots of feathers and a mini veil.

Let the races begin.

a hat person?

Could I be such a being?

Derby is right around the corner. My entire beloved city of Louisville turns itself upside down and inside out with celebration leading up to and culminating on the first Saturday in May.

The Kentucky Derby means racing horses, mint juleps and of course, lots of fabulous hats. 

In preparation for Derby, I will keep you posted on the ins and outs of Louisville culture surrounding this splendid event.

Even though I sport a hat every year for this happening, I am not really certain, if I could be called a hat person. 

I recently got my self a day-hat. One to be a daily staple and part of an outerwear ensemble. 

From now on, I will strive to be that hat person. Admittedly it leaves me with an immense feeling of elegance, femininity and mystery as I trot about underneath the wide brim.

Ladies and gentlemen, Tora Eff, the hat person.

tora and the yellow bike

Spring is here!

To me, that means riding my bike everywhere! As soon as the Kentucky summer rolls around, it is almost too hot to be outside AND move your body at the same time. So, spring is for biking.

My beautiful yellow PUBLIC bike and I have already been on many trips in the sunshine, taking in the spring blooms. I love it!

The other day I staged this little photo shoot in my alley, before taking off for the day in a vintage jumpsuit and braided sky high swedish hasbeens.

nice buns

It's time for some food!

I come from a foodie family. My younger brother, Anton Eff, is a very talented and very handsome chef. 

As much as I'd like to claim some skills in the kitchen, they are nothing compared to his. So to blow you, my dear reader, away, I have decided to share his butt kicking recipe for buns, burger buns.

After all, a great burger is only as good as its bun. I am sure someone wise once said that.

Anton Eff, handsome chef (notice his subtle kentucky nod)

Potato Rolls by Anton Eff, handsome chef.

1125 g.  flour

2 eggs

75 g. sugar

7 g. dry yeast

20 g. salt

475 ml. milk

125 g. lard

125 g. butter

250 g. mashed potatoes

*Blend potatoes and milk. Stir in the rest of the ingredients. Separate into balls of 80 g. Place on cooking sheet, press a bit on the top. Let them rise for about 2-3 hours in a cool place. Brush with a mixture of egg yolk and milk before baking 13 min @ 180*C / 350*F.

These are the sample pictures he sent me.

Anton's potato rolls

with sesame

Pretty impressive, huh?

I'd say so. I'm not the best baker in the world. You need a certain "je ne sais quoi" to take on the life of bread. I can do cakes, but bread is a different story. It involves a lot of trial and error (not the best thing for a person with no patience).

I made 1/4 of Anton's recipe, which was more than enough for a nights dinner. I slacked on brushing them and used only milk. I did not let them rise as long as I should have. Also, I suspect that the yeast (which I got from my local, dodgy convenience store) might have been a bit on the older side.

This was my result. They tasted great, but obviously, they were nowhere near as pretty as my brothers.

my sad attempt

Next time they will be better.

green living

Whheeeev... so the thing about having a blog, is that you have to update it frequently.

When your blog is about everything and nothing, it seems to take me quite some time to figure out what the next post should be about. Alas, when you have a blog for confused people, it goes without saying, that you are one yourself.

Running through the long list of things I love, I decided to give a little update on my current plant situation.

In my old apartment in Copenhagen, I had the most beautiful collection of aloes, that I had worked really hard to curate.

Since moving to Louisville I had to start my collection from scratch, but I have to admit to being very satisfied with the green in my life so far, and so I am here to show it off.

Plants make you healthy and happy.

pineapple aloe

Tin Tin's aloe (the post in the background)

hanging aloe

I-hope-you-grow aloe

green (unknown) plant in green ball jar

bookshelf aloe

In comparison here are some snaps of my old collection.

the avocado plant (notice giant aloe in background)

this window aloe was a gorgeous blues green

my giant aloe. it started out in a  mason jar