14 months later... a gift guide!

it's been a long while since i was blogging. basically, life got busy with school (i am training to become a teacher and am almost done, fingers crossed) while working and tending to my health. all is good and looking forward to some extra time on my hands so that i can get back to this little blog of mine... will update soon on all the shenanigans that went on here.

for now, i am back with a holiday gift guide... including lisa larsson paintings (photo above) which makes me think of vacations in italy, available from wall of art.

i have coveted this lily candlestick holder since i arrived to stockhom, from skultuna 

tulip candlestick holder is another coveted one; it comes in a set of three too, just saying, from skultuna 

these plant straws are beautiful, they come in a variety of colours and are locally made right here in vasastan

this cute silver plated vase from skultuna, yes, please.

i have been on the lookout for a braided bag and i think i found it in this swedish designed one, from blankens

flower market poster (the paris one is lovely but there is more too choose from) from paper ministry

the lola vase is canadian made and i love it, from ssense

stoff nagel candleholder to grow my collection, available from nordic nest

the monika slip looks so comfy, from blankens

also from blankens, these knee high boots for stockholm winters, yes, please.

cute pinky pillow from h&m, perfect for our new sofabed where we can now accomodate friends and family, come visit!

louis poulsen's swoon-worthy ceiling lamp, from svenssons

oiseaux de paradis teapot, from svenskt tenn, to go with my mugs

bjorn winblad ceramic eva flowerpot, for a touch of scandinavian folk art, from rosendahl

happy holiday shopping!

stockholm weekend pics: gin tasting with stockholm bränneri

 

for stefan's birthday, i surprised him with a gin tasting from stockholm bränneri. we love their gins, hello pink gin, infused with rose petal and rhubarb. its pretty pink colour comes from the lingonberries. their dry gin takes on a nordic taste with juniper berries, elderflower, and more botanicals.

their non-gin drinks, the aperitifs, are so lovely as well. svart (black) is infused with roast coffee but there's a bit of herbiness to balance the bitter. and, i actually love it, with some ice cubes. it's perfect. and the röd (red) with its swedish apple cider, orange peel, and roots is a favourite as a spritz drink.

funnily, both the netherlands and vancouver, canada came up in the stories that were shared. did you know that gin comes netherlands? stefan had no idea and he knows all sorts of odd trivia. and, the owners of stockholm bränneri came up with the idea of a gin distillery during their vacation in vancouver, canada while visiting distilleries there. so cool. perhaps this is why we love the place so much. 

they also hold events throughout the year, but especially during the summer months, with local businesses producing the food. we've been to a few and can't wait to visit again.

after ingesting so much alcohol, we went to johan och nyström for some food and fika. it was our local go to cafe when we lived on södermalm and it was lovely to be back in the neighbourhood.

hope you are having a lovely weekend!

christmas prepping, a favourite pasttime

1. picking up the christmas tree! we left it late this year... as the christmas tree lot, right on the water, taking over carnegie bryggeriet's patio, came into sight our mouths fell open, they were closing up! there was one lone tree left, no choices to be made, it was ours. and you know what? it was one of the best trees to adorn our little home :)

2. putting ornaments on the tree! i bought a new one this year from a danish company, the pretzel that hangs on the buildings of bakeries. i chose to go monochromatic this year. it took some getting used to but we all liked it.

3. putting out a few christmas trinkets, to join the starlights that have been hanging in the windows since mid-november, like the candelabra and the new straw wreath. love it! 

4. wrapping gifts! love, love, love. again, i chose to go monochromatic for the wrapping paper too but kept the ribbons interesting.

5. making overnight oats with saffron which is a popular spice during the christmas holidays. i especially love the saffron biscuits and bulles (buns) that show up in the bakeries. but, i am not a fan of the st. lucia saffron buns, often they are so dry (pictured below in candy form on the gingerbread house, the little yellow figure eight).

 

hope you enjoy the prepping, revel in it :)

bounty love!

i completely forgot about these photos and finding them today must be a sign to remember that he loves me.

about a couple of months ago, i brought home a bite-sized bounty, saving it for the right moment to devour. while i love bounty, i don't eat candy bars often so, this was an extra special treat. when that perfect moment came to indulge in my little treat, the bounty was gone. sheepishly, stefan confessed he had eaten it.

not long after, he redeemed himself.

my thoughtful hubby did a sweet thing and surprised me with bite-sized bounty candy bars. over the course of a couple of days, i found them all over the house. 

each and every one, brought a smile to my face.

a wish list just in time for the holidays!

following are just some of the things i've been coveting and feel free to add any of it to your own wish list :)

swooning for this rose coloured handbag

a three step parsley seed anti-oxidant skin care routine to clarify, balance and fortify

cat sweatshirt (or this one too)

and this tee, because it's rocky!

goop's microderm glow exfoliator, pretty please.

pom pom tassels for home decor

this svenskt tenn's vegetable tree tray

printed dress, but worn with pants :)

i haven't stopped thinking about this wallet, ever since i saw it in italy

a weekend away, just him and i

prague pic from here

what have you been coveting lately?