Moods of Norway Celebrates Norwegian National Day - L.A. Style!

Norway celebrates its National Day (Syttende Mai) on May 17th, and for the third year in a row I got to throw down with the Norwegians of the super duper clothing brand, Moods of Norway.

They are the best people ever, and really know how to throw a party. Judging from the line outside, the word is spreading that Norwegians are the jam.

The place was packed with real blondes, and a lot of scenester people that had never heard of Syttende Mai before. And that's ok ... One Love!

Moods of Norway founder and owner, Stefan Dahlkvist, was the host of the evening, and was having as good a time as anyone there. He told me they're about to open their summer ski resort in Norway, and that is HIGH on my list of must life experiences. Ja.

This was a very L.A. Norwegian experience, from the long line out front, red carpet deal, the Moods blue limo parked out front, the sparkly gold tractor (MON's logo), some iffy plastic surgery, and everyone taking phone pictures.

But the warmth of the store's wooden walls, and homespun photos and embroidery placed around cozied it right up, in spite of the pressure to be a scene.

Moods served up the usual champagne and waffles they're know for, but for the night party they had a Border Grill truck set up in the back, and Viking Fjord vodka drinks ("Grandma's Disco Fuel" - on the very day that Donna Summer died - RIP) getting the crowd all loosened up.

This was most evident in the area reserved for the Viking Photo booth. Folks of all ethnic backgrounds were transformed into ferocious Vikings via horned helmets, beards, Thor hammers, shields and Glogg mugs. Everyone had the Viking spirit, for sure, some (I'm talking to you, rosy-cheeked ass grabber) more than others.

Moods of Norway suits were well represented on the gentlemen in attendance,

And the ladies were mostly fancy, though one woman wore her traditional bunad costume, and I was jealous.

Norwegians are very friendly, and seem to get a kick out of my trying to speak my few bits of the language that I retained from college in Minnesota. They also get a kick out of the fact that most Norwegians they meet ARE from Minnesota. Similar climates, I guess.

One woman I met (Anna, I think - Viking Fjord fog) and I got to chatting and her son is going to college in Minnesota near where I went. We were talking about our various traditions and foods and stuff, and she told me that it's mandatory in her family that she make Norwegian meatballs each Christmas. I said, "How are Norwegian meatballs different from Swedish meatballs?" She smiled at me and very confidently said, "They're MUCH bigger."

We laughed and looked around at all the happy people ("Happy clothes for Happy People"), proud of our heritage, and also happy to be exactly where we were.

SKOL!!!

Moods of Norway Celebrates Syttende Mai 2011!

"Happy Clothes for Happy People" read the tags on the supercool threads put out by Moods of Norway. Not only do I love that, but I love the people behind the label ... sweethearts who just want to have fun - and do - all in their charming Norwegian accents. (Fun like opening their own ski resort for Summer skiing in Norway. Floating up to rock festivals in a giant hot pink boat. Cruising town in a bright blue limo. Gold farm tractors in the middle of the shop. I love their spirit, in everything they touch. GREAT Nordmenn, all).


Last night was the party for Norway's National Day (Syttende Mai) celebrated each May 17, held at the MON store on Robertson in Bev Hills. It was packed, and the Fire Marshall had already cut the power due to over-capacity before we even got there, so we had a brief line wait in the chill air outside while that got sorted. Even that was fine, as we just made new friends (and saw cool ones from last year) with adorable folks who indeed, all seemed to be happy people.


Once inside, we made a direct line to the bar, where again they were offering up champagne and waffles (with lingonberry sauce!) made by Norwegian Grandmas. It seemed as though all the natural blondes of Los Angeles (!) were squeezed inside, and many of their/our friends too. Local Norwegian students were in attendance, and I got to practice my VERY litt Norsk with some of them as I admired their face-painted Norwegian flags and embraced their sense of national pride along with them.


In addition to the lovely people we consorted with, the highlight for me was when one of the Moods founders (and gracious host), Stefan Dahlkvist, was joined by Aussie (and honorary Norwegian) Nick Maybury for a plugged in guitar jam of the Norwegian national anthem, "Ja Vi Elsker" (translates to "Yes, we love this country"), sung along with gusto to (or hummed) by the whole entire party.


A friend of theirs (whose name escapes me right now, but he was a doll) straight outta Oslo got up next and ripped up his accordion, as Stefan said, "He has played for us at every Moods of Norway event in history!" Lucky fellow. Who ruled, in his satiny blue suit.


The party moved on to the Sky Bar, but we didn't make it that far, due to responsibilities early today, but my honorary Norwegian (Erinn) and I had a ball, and shout out a hearty TUSEN TAKK (!!!) to our fellow Happy People.


Really, check out their bright, cheerful, "superduper" duds, because they - and the people behind them - are true mood lifters. Every time.


SKOL!!!