Stina Auer

Fiesta!

2012-01-28T20:40:00.000+01:00

This is the seventh dinner in a row we're hosting in a short time and slowly we learn how to settle a three course menu with a small koala baby on my hip, not letting me work on my own for a single second. It's hard and demands another level of planning to make it happen, but everything is in the learning.
But it's so goddamn sexy having a man with cooking skills! Not to mention how convenient it is! Nowadays, I normally am the one taking care of Alexis, setting the table and decorating it with flowers and the correct porcelain while M is in charge for the food at most.
Last night was wonderful. Beautiful human beings with both flattering insides and outsides, interesting conversations, love and food; the perfect combination for a successful evening. We had a two kilos of entrecote from Köttbaren that M prepared for four hours slowly and at low temperature in the oven and like always the meat from this great place literally melts in the mouth.
And today I have a severe headache... the cocktails are to blame. But that is usually a good sign when you think about it, because a lot of cocktails goes along with a lot of fun in my world!

I can't wait for next weekend when we're having these two stunning chicks coming over with their husband/boyfriend. I am expecting nothing else than another super-duper fun evening in their company!

So long!

Friday mood

2012-01-27T12:15:00.002+01:00

I can't get enough of this song and I can't wait for tonight's dinner!

Strong cocktails will be served at our place, 8pm pronto!

(shades: Chanel, cardigan: Acne & necklace: 10 years old)

32

2012-01-26T12:09:00.003+01:00

Sometimes I just wish that the day had 32 hours and that I was born as an octopus with the energy of a rabbit and had one of those super cosy pocket that all kangaroo mothers are gifted with. Life would be so much easier.

Stinas Vintage Store

2012-01-25T21:33:00.000+01:00

Looking for a beautiful monogram shawl from Louis Vuitton,

a beautiful winter jacket that you will own forever,

some cute cardigans or a pair of shades from Gucci?

Well, take a look in Stina's Vintage Store.

And like always it is first come first served.

Happy shopping girls!

For my father

2012-01-24T19:27:00.002+01:00

For you Dad,

Who is one of the people I know,

sharing the exact same music taste as me.

Thank you for all wonderful music memories

we have together.

And all the concerts you've taken me to.

I think you will like this one.

Please Click!

The world

2012-01-24T11:56:00.001+01:00

I am a true film lover and indulge myself with that hidden passion almost every night. I can see masterpieces over and over again if they provide me with that beautiful combination of thoughts that a good film should. My taste is broad and can change depending on what I am seeking in my life at that moment or how I want to be impacted. I have recently been very much into films that show the brutal parts of this world. I hate the fact that we live with enormous segregation gaps where injustice is worse than in the most horrible nightmare. I get very sad by watching films with that crude truth and it always leaves me with a empty feeling, yet with the awareness that action needs to be taken. There are to many repulsive facts in this world at large and sometimes I just don't know how to handle that sad, sad reality.
When you get children, something happens to you. For me anyhow, it changed my sensitivity and I can hardly look at anything harsh anymore without taking it in ten times more then before. And I can't just sit there in my sofa while mothers, parents, children and human beings are struggling with the fundamental aspects of life that everyone should have as a civil right when one is born. How can there be so many countries, places where people and children are killed, raped, starving, being murdered and abused every day?
I feel so blessed and grateful to live in this secure and peaceful environment, having the luck to be able to raise a child without being afraid every other minute that someone would come into my life, into my family and destroy it and abuse members in the most unthinkable manner. How can we enjoy life to the maximum with all the things that we most often take for granted, when the reality just outside the door is like this? It's such a large question and I am not seeking for answers. I just wish that it could be different.

(I just recently saw The constant Gardener, Blood Diamond, Papillon, Precious & The last king of Scotland.)

Double up

2012-01-22T20:50:00.001+01:00

In this horrible weather, Alexis and I celebrated our big days together. He turned six months old and I am turning 32 years old! Hipp, hipp Hurraaaayyyy!

(dress: Olvis (at Maruschka de Margo), bracelet: Kenneth Jay Lane & heels: Miu Miu)

The night before

2012-01-21T20:05:00.001+01:00

I wish I could give you readers a taste of this wonderful homemade raspberry sorbet M did. Creamy like the real thing and not icy at all.
I've actually been sick since we got home from Morocco, but there is nothing as lovely as a delicious sorbet when you have a sore throat, cuddling up in the sofa and celebrating the last night as a 31-year-old.

Adios!

Orgy

2012-01-20T13:22:00.002+01:00

Tonight I am planning on having a love affair with this one.

Black

2012-01-19T18:54:00.002+01:00

I rarely or never wear a shirt and if I do, it has to be mixed with something more funny and relaxed. Like these slim jeans with chains on the leg-side and killer heels with the same matching silver details. Simple and casual, just the way I like it.

(shirt: Ralph Lauren, angora sweater: old, jeans: Joe's & necklace: Chanel)

The perfect place?

2012-01-19T16:30:00.002+01:00

Can't wait for tomorrow to come so I can enjoy a strong cocktail with my man when Alexis is put to bed! I know I've said it before, but this weather is driving me crazy. If you have any suggestion on a country/city with an attractive climate (not too humid, not too warm, not too cold) and good career opportunities for both of us, schools ...etc, let me know. I know that I have readers from all around the world and I am sure you have really smart places to suggest or can offer other perspectives. Because neither M nor I have found that perfect place yet where you can have more or less the same conditions as now, or at least similar, but with weather that works with your spirit/heart/life instead of against it.

Blue shades

2012-01-18T12:26:00.000+01:00

... is clearly blue.

(blue jacket: Joseph, white skirt: Christian Dior, light blue bag: Chanel, coat: Burberry, shawl: Louis Vuitton, dark blue gloves: Cos & dark blue bag: Fendi)

Exhausted

2012-01-17T13:08:00.002+01:00

When I had my baby shower, one of my oldest and absolute best friends Cissi gave me this used book about children and their development phases. She already has two kids and she promised me that the book would prove to be full of precious information during the coming months and years. I hardly understood what she meant when I looked at the book that had obvious traces of extensive flipping back and forth among the pages. But oh how she was right! This book has been my bible ever since Alexis was born. It gives me explanations about those harder periods when it feels like my lovely little son has turned into someone else, someone grumpy, screaming and just problematic. If I didn't have this book as help and reference, going to the page referred to in this post and seeing "aha!", he is in week 17 (black colour PLUS thunder, it can only mean problems) and then I read about that development period and have a better understanding about what's going on in his little soul and brain and what makes him act that way.
Which brings me to today's subject: our little son is in his 26th week, and yes, there is both black colour and thunder. So you can imagine what I am going through. He is just impossible, complicated and needs me 24/7 which can be extremely exhausting when you can't leave him a single second unentertained or by himself. Sometimes I just feel like I want to leave him in his crib and close the door so that I can sleep for hundreds and hundreds of years, but then I always put myself in his situation and his small vulnerable soul and realise that he is going through something probably ten times as dramatic himself and needs me more then ever. Tired or not, exhausted or not - this is precisely when he needs me more then ever and like always, I have to put myself and my own needs aside again.
In this period, when he turns six months old (and me 32 years old two days after) I feel more tired, exhausted, ugly, grey, etc... than ever. It may sound vain, superficial and so on, but it's not fun looking at yourself in the mirror in the morning and once again meeting a hair that badly needs my hairstylist's care after loosing so much hair because of breastfeeding and a skin that is looking for some light chemicals to make some miracles. I feel like a car who hasn't been serviced for ten years and is all rusty, needs a polish and some extra TLC (tender, loving care). I am hardly breastfeeding anymore because of the fact that Alexis hasn't been that interested in the passed one and a half months actually. I think I miss those lovely hormones that came with it. Please share with me your thoughts if you are in the same period or have experienced it. It would be very interesting to read them.

(white = calm period, white with a sun = a wonderful period, dotty = clingy period, black = more problematic with everything, black with thunder = very demanding)

The book is called: Växa och upptäcka världen or Why they cry

Carrier

2012-01-16T12:38:00.001+01:00

The best way to transport this little boy is by far in this baby carrier from the Tri-cotti brand that works just fantastically in so many ways. I use it at home all the time and when I have some small grocery shopping to do. It also proved to work perfectly when I want to explore the world like on the trip we did. M prefers the newest Babybjörn, but Babybjörn hurts my back whereas this two-piece cotton carrier with influences from the african culture and their way of carrying their babies, doesn't at all. Another great thing with this carrier is when you fold it, it really fits into your purse and hardly takes any space at all. It is also very easy to maneuver myself and it is soft and elastic against my skin. When Alexis was a newborn and cried a lot, I had him laying inside it like a kangaroo which made him calm and safe. I can truly recommend this baby carrier as one of the smartest ones I've tried.

(trench: Burberry and Alexis is looking smart, wearing his NYE body with a bow)

Stockholm

2012-01-15T13:24:00.004+01:00

This weekend we went to Moderna Museét and saw this extraordinary exhibition with paintings from each generation (more or less 100 years between Turner/Monet/Twombly) and then went to the party/avant-première photo exhibition at night of this interesting photographer who truly is a great portraitist, brilliant in capturing each individual soul of freethinking and interesting artists. If the very cold temperature could turn around and give us blossoming spring instead, I would love Stockholm to the tip of its toes. But this kind of horrible weather is really not my style. Bad weather is in fact very unstylish in all kinds of ways if you ask me.

Addicted

2012-01-13T12:43:00.001+01:00

My heroin.

Bags, bags, bags

2012-01-12T18:38:00.001+01:00

Home again from this trip and I am working with the first fashion article for the new magazine "Fine Decor" that was launched last month. I am now working as an fashion editor for the magazine and will obviously do my best to give you some interesting, inspiring articles, tryouts and also suggestions about how to combine things and what to buy for long term instead of for the season. I will also write a little bit about fashion history because it is important to understand how something is made and what gives that extremely high price tag in some of the things women/men have cravings for.
For a couple of days now. I've been thinking and throwing ideas back and forth about what to write for the next issue. Today, the apple finally fell from the tree, I will write an article about almost all the iconic bags from 1995 until now and fill it in with my own bag-journey which includes most of them through that period. Would that be something of interest maybe? I certainly hope so! See you with that story in a couple of weeks then.

And please give me interesting ideas for other articles or other fashion subjects you would like me to write and about!

Riad

2012-01-12T00:23:00.001+01:00

Another wonderful little secret hideaway we stayed at is in this typical and luxurious little riad with a lot of charm called L'Alcazar. A riad is a traditional palace or morrocan house with its typical garden or open space in the middle which is a very important reference for the architectural planning, especially because of the islamic way of thinking with women. There had to be a private place for them and this courtyard area made the living more suitable in all ways for families and they could live their lives on their own, also according to the hijab, which stands for the principles of morality, modesty and privacy for women. It was also a must for the weather to have this open space in the middle, very often wide open to the sky with the rooms placed around the center and without windows facing outside. The typical attribute to define the middle point is a small fountain, which this place also had (with a morrocan hammam below).
The beauty of these buildings inspire reflections as they can almost stand for a metaphysical experience if you are not used to them. Not seldom is this small beautiful creation built with an almost too modest entrance, sometimes a joke to the eye. And then when you really come inside and realise what kind of treasure is hidden behind ... it certainly took my breath away.
This luxury riad situated in Rabat is just one of a few places like this. It has been a trend in the last couple of years to renovate and restore riads and turn them into personal and very typical morrocan hotels or restaurants and restore their former glory. I myself can't think of a better way of staying if you go to Morocco. It can't get more typical morrocan in terms of architecture and even in the scent you can smell earthy, wet and very old memories from when they were used for there main purpose in traditional morrocan families.
Even if this stunning little palace we stayed at had characteristic features and influences from fashion cities such as Paris etc, the original touch, details and feeling were preserved and very well kept throughout the tiniest areas and corners. The hotel offers in total eight personally decorated rooms/suites and we stayed in one grand suite called "Only lui", which is quite unique because it has two floor levels and lies at the top of the building with its own terrace.
So, I can highly recommend this little secret Riad if you are a perfectionist and care for all beauty in life when it comes to staying in style and exclusivity - the morrocan way.

It's possible

2012-01-10T14:42:00.003+01:00

Sometimes it feels like we've proved that everything is possible with a kid during this trip. Whatever I thought would be hard or even impossible (a road-trip and late night restaurant visits), has proved to be achievable if you organise and plan it well. And of course, you need to realise from the beginning that it is going to be different from when you were a couple without a baby. But I love the fact that we've been able to do all we have on this trip, with bravery if I may.
Alexis has still been kept on his routines like always, but instead of sleeping the first period of the night in his bed for example, we gently carried him to his pram and went out to the best places when we stayed in the bigger cities. He slept like normal, even considering the quite loud environment sometimes. (And we even took him to a wonderful jazz-club/restaurant ...). My parents did the same thing with me when they took me to Morocco for the first time. I slept wherever they were, safe and calm without problems. I really like the fact that you can step out of the everyday life from time to time, even with a small one. And even though it's different in so many ways, it's absolutely manageable.

If you're going to Marrakech, these are the places you just have to visit. Le BAB for both dinner and cocktails, Le Blokk for that lovely food and jazz-music and the celebrities favorite hang-out for a whole night - Jad Mahal

Yves Saint Laurent - Jardin Majorelle Garden

2012-01-09T12:30:00.004+01:00

Who would have thought that we would run into Yves Saint Laurent's summer house in Marrakech and also be able to walk in his exotic garden called the Jardin Majorelle. Since he passed away in 2008, his personal garden and house have been open to the public. The purpose was to safeguard the historical, ecological and the cultural heritage of the garden when he bought it and to remain faithful to the mind of the original creator, Jacques Majorelle. Yves Saint Laurent's real love with the exotic plants made the collection grow richer by adding several rare species. Botanical curiosities have been imported from 5 continents and there is today about 300 species in the garden. I was honestly not that impressed by the garden itself (but M loved it!), but it gave you a harmonious feeling walking around in the presence of his hidden passion. For me, the originality came with his house, the many different water fountains and the very colorful details of ceramic placed around the garden.

Raw nature

2012-01-09T11:57:00.003+01:00

Sometimes, being in this kind of pure nature is exactly what the human soul needs. It is easy to feel small in a positive and spiritual way, when you have the nature's greatness around you.
This magnificent waterfall is about 110m high and lays in the Azilal area. A bit further away, we found this forest where Alexis, M and I went on a chimpanzee track with very little success at the beginning but after a while they were everywhere: small babies and other tribe members that played in the middle of nowhere. Very, very cute.

By the way ...

2012-01-08T16:05:00.001+01:00

... a little late, but nevertheless. Happy New Year! We celebrated it two days in a row once in an apartment in Rabat and then again at one of mr A's parents lovely houses on the cliffside with a beautiful morning view the next day over the wild ocean.
I had a new lace dress prepared for the big occasion, but when we arrived I realised that the temperatures were far below my limit so NYE was celebrated in jeans and boots. Life in its mysterious ways.

One of the treasures

2012-01-07T12:14:00.001+01:00

I doubted when our dear moroccan friend/driver/GPS, Mr A said that the long seven hours in a car would be worth it ... But I have to say that this place took my breath away. This is not my first stay in Morocco and I've been staying at nice places before, but never in this kind of nature with this unique surrounding and with the Atlas mountains just outside my window. We had a lovely little suite with an big terrasse (as shown on the picture). In the evening, my tired man and I had a well deserved cocktail and a moroccan hamman to go with it. We ended the night in lovely company with some delicious morrocan food and that typical grey wine that is only served on this north african continent and another one, two or maybe even three cocktails.

On the road

2012-01-06T20:26:00.001+01:00

This is how we've been transporting ourselves through the moroccan mountains, villages and small roads. About five hours per day in a car, driving endless miles looking at the interesting nature that most Moroccans themselves and typical tourists will probably never see. The only stops we take is for Alexis' porridge and when I am allowed to take my time (the goal is to get to the final destination before the sun is gone) and stop for some photo shooting.
A trip like this is certainly not ideal with a baby, but rather an adventure. We luckily stay at some of Morocco's hotel treasures, hidden 5 stars far away that either take a 7 hour car trip to reach or a helicopter.

The Hassan II Mosque - Casablanca

2012-01-05T18:22:00.001+01:00

Alexis and me admiring the beauty of one of the world's most incredible counstructions. The Hassan II Mosque (مسجد الحسن الثاني - in arabic) is the largest mosque in Africa and the 7th largest in the world. The tall spire (minaret) is the worlds tallest with its 210m looking out over the Atlantic. It was amazing and the most impressive and outstanding mosque I've ever seen. Enormous in size, imposing in architecture and with a religious atmosphere that lay like a mantle over the whole area. In total, the mosque can take 105 000 worshippers combining indoors and outdoors. Part of the mosque floor is transparant so that the people can see the water beneath. Apparently it will give you a stronger religious meaning according to a verse that says: "[...] that the throne of Allah was built on water".
I will show you more pictures of this french built piece of art later.

(Stina: coat: Christmas gift, dress: Tory Burch, shoes and glases: Chanel - Alexis: body: Kiss a frog and cashmere pants: Tuss)

Marrakech

2012-01-05T11:08:00.002+01:00

Finally I got some proper internet. So soon I will start showing you what we are up to on this tough but still wonderful road trip through mid-Morocco.

Morocco

2012-01-01T15:58:00.005+01:00

We're still in this crazy trip in Morocco, going from one city to another. New years eve was celebrated in a big villa in Rabat with the Atlantic ocean just in front of us. Do I need to tell you that the breakfast view was mindblowing?! Go to my Twitter page to see some pictures.

See you later!

Orange

2011-12-27T13:06:00.001+01:00

There was a lot of orange boxes under the tree this year, some were given, some were received. But the best present from M was this marvelous camera lens. It's going to be perfect for the trip that starts tonight.

Bath

2011-12-26T11:49:00.000+01:00

After four days of migraine, I am planning to stay here for at least one hour today. With small drops of this as only company.

24th of December

2011-12-24T00:45:00.000+01:00

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all of you!

From Chanel

2011-12-23T19:30:00.003+01:00

We recieved a lot of nice Christmas cards this year, but the prettiest one came directly from Chanel, with a personal and handwritten note, thanking me for being a good and returning customer. Well, thank you back! And be sure to see me soon!

Simplicity

2011-12-23T10:42:00.000+01:00

With my severe migraine yesterday, I am actuallly surprised that these pictures turned out to be as presentable as they did in the end with my tired eyes and puffy face. But I loved what I wore yesterday, mainly because of its simplicity. It is also a perfect opportunity to show you the beautiful pearl necklace that M gave me for our little son's birth. Six meters of treasures from the ocean. I will keep most of it as it is, but will probably make a three row bracelet to match it or to wear by itself to something easy like this.

(wool trousers: Jil Sander & softest top ever: Baum und Pferdgarten/Kotyr.se)

FINE DECOR magazine

2011-12-22T16:01:00.008+01:00

Varsågod, får vi lov att severa ett litet smakprov på tidnigen Fine Decor Magazine – en onlinetidning gratis för dig, en onlinetidning som vill inspirera till en mer kreativ och smakfull vardag!

Estetik i alla dessa former – att skapa något från ingenting, att se en möjlighet, att göra vardagen lite mer lyxig – allt med enkla medel – är Fine Decor Magazines specialitet.

Fine Decor Magazine, kommer förutom alla idéer och all inspiration, även innehålla olika inredningsreportage, modereportage, intervjuer med intressanta kreativa människor, nyheter inom inredning och mat, massor av härliga recept, tips om hur du tar hand om ditt hem, mode- och stilskola och en gnutta sköna tips för kropp och själ!

Klicka på länken ovan för att komma till tidningen. Gå till den lilla fyrkanten i högra hörnan för att få en bättre blädderupplevelse. För att förstora sidorna, klickar ni på sidan och den förstoras, klicka igen och den förminskas. För att bläddra, klicka eller dra längst ner i hörnet på sidan, eller klicka på pilarna längst ner.

Detta första nummer var egentligen inte planerat, utan det första numret skulle komma ut i slutet på januari. Men tidningens chefredaktör ville ge er litet smakprov på vad som komma skall, så det blev ett extra nummer. Tidningen kommer komma en gång i månaden.

Jag kommer från och med nästa nummer medverka som Moderedaktör. Läs mer i tidningen för närmare presentation. I detta nummer har jag bidragit med text och foto till de utsökta chokladpralinerna.

Hoppas du gillar tidnigen, som sagt, detta är ett smakprovs-nummer.

Låt oss veta vad du tycker!

(For my english readers, I apologise but this Fine Decor Magazine is in swedish and I will also write about fashion in it as a fashion editor, but in swedish only again. I've contributed to this issue with the text and photographs for the chocolate pralines article/recipe)

Twitter

2011-12-22T12:15:00.002+01:00

I know I am probably the last person on earth to get an Iphone. I've had a love and hate relationship with my Blackberry for many years now, because it clearly lacks all the modern functionalities, such as useful apps... etc that the Iphone and other smartphones offer. Even though I still find my old leather Blackberry terribly good looking with retro details, I just had to realise how it kept me away from all the modern technicalities and very useful interaction possibilities. Since I changed my phone from Blackberry to Iphone, a whole new world has opened up to me.

I have been using Twitter for a half a year now, but since I got this very smart phone, I have also started to actually write some small things I do or want to share that don't come up on my blog. So, with all this information two days before Christmas, I would just like to invite you to be a follower at my Twitter account over HERE and I promise to give you some nice secrets about what I am doing from time to time. See you there!

Moments

2011-12-21T20:13:00.002+01:00

I know that I have a very generous man who spoils me with wonderful gifts from time to time when there is something to be celebrated. I'm also aware of the fact that I have this superficial side of me who just happpens to have a special craving for things that start with "Cha ..." and end with "... nel" and that start with "Her ..." and end with "... mès" (it can go on and on and on if you like) but somehow I just know that whatever I will get this Christmas can never be compared to the breathtaking gift he gave me when this little cutie came into our lives.

But still, I'm v e r y curious about what all of those wrapped Christmas gifts under the tree contain ...

Sparkling

2011-12-21T11:07:00.001+01:00

Maybe these are the shoes I'll be wearing when celebrating New Years eve with my son, M and a couple of friends in Al-Mamlakat al-Maghribiyyah, which is the name the citizens of this arabic country would pronounce this western kingdom we're arriving to a couple of days after Christmas.

He is my man

2011-12-20T09:36:00.000+01:00

Whenever I hear this song. I think of him. My beautiful and passionate man.

If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
If you want a partner
Take my hand
Or if you want to strike me down in anger
Here I stand
I'm your man

If you want a boxer
I will step into the ring for you
And if you want a doctor
I'll examine every inch of you
If you want a driver
Climb inside
Or if you want to take me for a ride
You know you can
I'm your man

Ah, the moon's too bright
The chain's too tight
The beast won't go to sleep
I've been runnin' through, these promises to you
That I made and I could not keep
Ah but a man never got a woman back
Not by beggin' on his knees
Or I'd crawl to you baby
And I'd fall at your feet
And I'd howl at your beauty
Like a dog in heat
And I'd claw at your heart
And I'd tear at your sheet
I'd say please
I'm your man

And if you've got to sleep
A moment on the road
I will steer for you
And if you want to work the street alone
I'll disappear for you
If you want a father for your child
Or only wanna walk with me a while
Across the sand
I'm your man

If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love

Light in the darkness

2011-12-19T19:35:00.000+01:00

If you want to know where your heart is, take a look where your mind goes when it wanders.

(the first snow in Stockholm 2011, came this weekend)

Organizing

2011-12-19T11:14:00.002+01:00

Only a few days before we leave for a foreign land and have Mum and Dad moving into our condo to look after our home and Tiger. We have three stops (I know, M is crazy) on this holiday.
I am trying to organise the packing as much as possible. It is a whole new world, traveling to a country like we will, with a small baby. Travel bed plus travel mattress, blankets, pillows, "in case of" medicine, baby clothing, bibs, pram, diapers, food etc. It is a project on its own. And I thought my packing took a long time ...

2012

2011-12-18T20:39:00.000+01:00

I am sorry for not being very active on the blog lately. I have many wonderful outfits that I wanted to share, but suddenly the weather became some horrible combination of rain and snow and pictures need good light and a dry atmosphere and it was obviously not the case.
There are also so many other extremely interesting and wonderful things that I have started together with some skilled people and one of them includes M as a help. I would like to share it with you, but at the same time I want things to be more clear and defined before I give you small details about what is about to happen and take place during 2012. What I can tell you is that two things have to do with fashion (in two very different way though) and the other exciting thing has to do with another very dear passion of mine. So my life at the moment is all about being a very creative mother, making plans and exploring the world. I expect nothing else then the absolute best! I am soooo thrilled! Ideas are blooming everywhere!

Details in life

2011-12-17T15:49:00.000+01:00

I am very fond of uniqe and special details when I am dressing. In many ways my best outfits is actually when I have something quite simple but give it that special chic touch with some stunning jewelry or accessories. Like my favorite frog-belt on the picture from this remarkable designer that I've written about before. He makes belt-animals out of heaven. I am planning to own many of his creations and collect them one by one and wear them for many, many years.

Claire de Lune

2011-12-16T18:04:00.000+01:00

Suite Bergamasque - Claire de Lune

pianist: Claude Debussy

White as the snowflake

2011-12-16T10:11:00.001+01:00

I just can't believe it. I know I am repeating myself but it's seven days to Christmas (we, as one of the only countries in the world, celebrate the 24th) and I still walk around in the city with my wool coats, leather jackets (with a thicker sweater underneath) and no hat or anything. It's really wonderful with this kind of mild weather for a change at this time of year, but now I do think it's time for that beautiful snow to fall. How else will father Christmas and his reindeers be able to visit all the children with their Christmas gifts? I still haven't figured that one out so please Mother nature, make the snow fall now.

(leather jacket: Dolce & Gabbana, very old dress, belt: Dolce & Gabbana, suede boots: Top Shop & bag: Louis Vuitton)

Effort

2011-12-15T11:59:00.012+01:00

Just enjoying this morning to the fullest with a breakfast out of the ordinary. So many exicting things are to come next year. It feels like 2012 can be the year where a lot of wonderful opportunities come to reality.
Always remember that whatever you can picture in front of you, feel in your heart and trust in a way it already feels fulfilled - will one day come true. It all starts in your mind and in the way you can rely on yourself and how aware you live your life. Positive thoughts about yourself and others, about your future and whatever you wish for, attract positive things for you and negative thoughts attract everything in the negative aspects of life. In exactly everything you do. To the smallest little act or detail.
So whatever you have in your life that you don't like, very often you have to blame yourself and your lack of knowledge about how to control your life. And everything you have in your life that you love and feel grateful for is a result of your own behaviour, consciously or unconsciously. Believe in it or not, it really doesn't matter because it will work like this anyhow. Either way you just choose to ignore the tools you are given or you don't. No one can be in charge except for you and only you. And no one can be blamed for about where ever you decide to direct your own life/future/wishes. That's both the good and the hard part about this kind of truth.

Would you like to read more about this life thrilling knowledge? Take a look HERE and read. Three full pages that deal with this subject inside-out.

Mon coeur

2011-12-15T10:38:00.001+01:00

My little love. Five months old. The best little miracle ever.

Sparkling night

2011-12-14T15:11:00.002+01:00

Every day is a fashion show and the world is the runway.
- Coco Chanel

(coat: Burberry Prorsum, jeans: Levis, bag: Chanel & heels: Christian Louboutin)

More numbers

2011-12-13T11:11:00.002+01:00

We clearly have a number theme today, it's counting time for a lot of things. I just can't believe that only ten days are left until christmas eve and 14 days until we get up in the sky again for warmer and more exotic adventures. Where does time fly to?
For once in my life, I want the days to pass really slowly so that I can enjoy every little second of Alexis' smile, see the joy in his glowing eyes and sniff that sweet smelling skin of his for years and years.

Happy Lucia by the way!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

2011-12-13T00:07:00.005+01:00

Oops. Just realised that I hadn't answered any questions in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... days. Sorry. Done now.

Looking for some shopping?

2011-12-12T20:20:00.007+01:00

I would like to invite you to an evening at KOTYR.se! They have the whole autumn/winter collection of all designers (Dagmar, Greta, Malina, Ida Sjöstedt, Baum und Pferdgarten, Stylein, Diana Orving, Minimarket, Nina Jarebrink, Patouf and Säby) for 30-70 percent off, mostly 50 percent off!

Come by, spend some money, enjoy the skilled designers and be the owner of some stunning clothing, a memorable new year gown or just have a glass of Champagne with the rest of the guests.

Location: Regeringsgatan 65 i Goldwells lokaler
When: Onsdagen den 14:e december mellan kl 16-20.00

Maybe I'll see you there!

(If you don't live in Stockholm or can't come by, don't forget about this marvelous chance to buy something from the internet site for 20 percent discount if you use the code before the 14th of December. Check it out HERE).

Saturday

2011-12-12T11:47:00.002+01:00

Just when I was the most happy about how perfectly Alexis is sleeping, he changed and went back two steps. Up more during nights (all bubbly and happy though, very talkative) and wakes up much earlier than I would like him to. Anyhow. I guess it's a new phase starting.

(Alexis: cardigan: Zara, piké: Livly, jeans & hat: Mini Rodini)

Rain boots

2011-12-11T12:13:00.001+01:00

My new rain boots from Däv are helping me to survive the more rainy days in the northern parts of the world without being too grumpy about it.

Babyshower

2011-12-10T21:59:00.000+01:00

Today it was all about pink, pink, pink. We're celebrating the little babygirl

inside a friends belly who is expected on christmas eve.

Late hour

2011-12-09T11:26:00.001+01:00

My newly made saffron rolls and this excellent series is what kept me up until the early morning. I think I managed to drink one liter of cold milk and eat at least three of these golden delicacies with buttery almond paste and raisins inside. Christmas time at its best.

(This is more or less the recipe I followed, but I chose to use less flour, add raisins to the dough and used four packets of saffron instead of two. Because I like a distinct taste of that red beauty and also like the dough to be creamy and sticky. In my experience, the rolls tend to get more juicy when you do it this way).

It defines life

2011-12-08T00:20:00.002+01:00

Following my own heart, listening to my own intuition about motherhood, reading literature in a manner where I look at different sources, facts and methods and gathering information in a critical and curious way and then analysing everything on my own and getting the things that make sense in my life - has turned out to be a brilliant concept. Because it now feels like I have a dream baby-son.
Alexis is sleeping perfectly during daytime and almost all through the night (only up 1-2 times for breastfeeding) and long in the morning, something I taught him step by step. He even sleeps in his own place and always falls asleep on his own, in his own bed and this since he was two months old. I know this can change during different phases, but we have a stable ground to stand on.
He eats porridge twice per day and is starting to taste other interesting flavours. He feels safe and happy, balanced and curious in a subtle way. At the moment, I can't complain about anything and can only share this joy and happiness with him and the world.
A lot of things have come through hard evidence based studies in my life, empirical experience and simple knowledge that I acquired gradually during my journey through life when gathering experience, learning from my mistakes but with a desire to always do better. But motherhood ... It feels like it came so naturally. Very seldom have I doubted my own thoughts and even though some people around me said "do this", "don't do that", "how can you even think about doing it this way" - I always did it anyway, whatever felt right inside my heart and I have to say that he is my greatest success ever. It has not been easy as routines take time and patience to put in place and it can often be boring, but in the long run it makes it easier and it's such a worthwhile investment for the child and for the parents too. So with this post today, I just would like to honour mothers who dare to go their own way and follow that little voice inside of them, no matter what everyone says. Don't be a follower, create your own way and believe in yourself in this beautiful role as a mother/parent.

Memories

2011-12-07T20:05:00.000+01:00

Como and Lugano in noir et blanc.

Guest author

2011-12-07T10:45:00.000+01:00

Today I am very thrilled to announce that I am a guest author at one of Viennas biggest and most interesting lifestyle blogs. If you would like to read about my topic "Being a Lady and care for Style" - please take a look HERE!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Dear Santa

2011-12-06T11:57:00.000+01:00

Hi all lovely readers!
Sorry for the lack of posts but I've had a lot of things going on and Alexis is the cutest of cutest at the moment so we're having so much fun together, the blog clearly comes in second place.
Today I will do three important things. 1. Send my wish list to Santa Claus (my birthday is the 22nd of January in case you, dear Santa would like that information also), 2. Join Livly's little gathering today and 3. See if Alexis and me have time for the Christmas cocktail at Louis Vuitton we're always invited to later in the early evening.

Matchy-matchy

2011-12-04T12:46:00.004+01:00

When little Alexis got a new hat, I thought that I should get one too. So this is a new wool hat that I got from the well known brand Maison Michel Paris. I just loved it and think it enhances every outfit. It goes perfectly to most colours and really brings that extra something into most classic combinations. I actually love to make Alexis wear something in the same shade as me, I think it's super cute, so yesterday our little son and I were very matchy-matchy when we walked the streets of Stockholm together with our beloved M.

(cashmere coat: old, turtle neck: Chanel, jeans: Joe's, hat: MMP/Maruschka de Margó & bag: Chanel)

Afternoon pleasure

2011-12-04T11:44:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was all about Afternoon tea/coffe with friends at our place and enjoying all new pastries, pralines, cup cakes I've baked the last days. And yes, this is my third round of baking.

Life is about

2011-12-02T17:55:00.000+01:00

My little amigo

2011-12-01T09:28:00.006+01:00

Lovely life. I have the most joyful days with this handsome little fellow. For nothing on earth could I ever have believe what an amazing little amigo he would be. He is truly fun company to have around and at least twenty times per day we laugh so much that we're gasping for breath. He loves when I make funny faces or noises for that sake and he widens those addictive sparkling big blue eyes that end up in the cutest of smiles when I am hunting him up to the neck and covering him with thousands of kisses there. His curiosity is so captivating and he wants to touch everything and demands me to tell him all about whatever I am doing.
I bring him everywhere now and he serves as the best stand in for M. It really realised this the other day when I brought him on a fashion cocktail in the afternoon. Even though we did not stay for long and we arrived early, it was truly a pleasure to have him sitting on my hip and attending that kind of "grown up" event with him.
But home is always the cosiest place where we have those very special intimate moments, just him and me. Home would not have that special feeling to it if we wouldn't spend some time outside in the real world also.

Magazine

2011-11-30T20:37:00.001+01:00

Swedish magazines have very little to boast about when it comes to serious decor inspiration. If you are looking for really high end homes you have to look abroad. These are some of my favorite magazine that makes my heart beat like crazy when it comes to top notch of magnificent homes.
I am collecting the best of the best for our future villa that we will look for in a couple of years or so. Building a house or renovating it from scratch is M's dream and for that we need exquisite materials and a lot of original thoughts about every little detail. He has the brain for the constructions, the architecture and all the engineering skills that are needed. I am the one who needs to use my creative eye and search for beautiful things to make the surroundings both stylish, personal, elegant and with the most important detail in a home - making it feel welcoming for lots of friends, family, dinner and kids.
So going through these is very fulfilling and inspiring, a perfect way of spending this evening with the few pralines that survived from yesterday's baking.

Presentation of the winners!

2011-11-30T11:04:00.004+01:00

Today is a fabulous Wednesday!

Because I am so extremely happy to announce the winner ... or ... actually I am even happier to tell that Kotyr.se decided to make TWO contributers win!

The owners chose these two:

Jellis

Hej Stina, Hoppas lillen mår bra! Jag vill gärna delta i denna spännande tävling och det var ju inte svårt att leta rätt på något vackert på kotyr.se...En kappa "Säby Torreya Coat"hade gjort mig så lycklig, inte har jag pengar att unna mig en sådan vacker kappa. Har aldrig sett nåt likande, vilken vacker form! Jag hade varit en stolt bärare av detta plagg. Kram på dig och ha en fin dag!

Maiju
Stina, what a fantastic competition!

I've never heard about this store but as soon as I browsed the site I could have chosen pretty much whichever a dress you have.
I fell in love especially with this fantastic piece: Mundane Knitted Dress Black
I work in a conservative industry, but I always want to bring my own style even though I must look neat and professional. Black is my color and I love clothes that I can wear both at work and out of office. This would be perfect for that, I can imagine I'd wear this for years.
I'm actually looking for my new every-occasion- dress as the last one (black silk wool -mix dress from Tiger) was worn to rags.
I have a problem for the rest of the day.. how can I concentrate on work when there are so many beautiful dresses at your site :)

Thank you very much Kotyr.se for this marvelous chance to win something wonderful from your company and thank you all participants!

Don't forget that Kotyr.se have 20 percent discount on one piece if you specify this code: stina<3kotyr until the 14th of December.

(Jellis and Maiju - email me on stina_auer@live.se)

Monday's

2011-11-29T20:06:00.003+01:00

(new fur vest: Maruschka de Margó, leather jacket: own design,
trousers: very old, bag: Chanel & heels: Christian Louboutin)

Home made pralines

2011-11-29T11:52:00.002+01:00

These little beauties are what kept me up half a night. Making my own pralines proved to be more difficult and time consuming than what I thought. But I can only blame myself because in the middle of all the chocolate mess, I decided to make two different fillings instead of one, which was the initial plan. So some are covered with 85 percent dark chocolate with creamy lemon curd inside and the others are covered with dark chocolate and have milk chocolate inside with small hazelnuts. Then I just used the fantasy and decorated them.
Four things are necessary for this captivating baking activity: high quality chocolate, knowledge about the heating process, patience and good finger precision.

Other demands

2011-11-28T13:39:00.002+01:00

This weekend has been all about decorating our home for Christmas and buying some new things for Alexis. For example, a stunning looking baby chair in black (Trip Trap) that he will use little by little the older he gets from the same place we bought the pram last spring . We also tried the sitting part that we bought with the STOKKE pram earlier. It is excellent! You can have it flat or at different sitting positions if you want and it has this cosy bag to it that we also bought. I recently got some comments about my thoughts about the pram now that we've been using it for some time, all I can say is that I truly love it. It is original, good looking, flexible and has so many well thought through accessories that it makes every day a little bit easier.
This was us yesterday on our way to mum and dad for a 1st advent dinner.

(coat: Burberry, bag: Chanel, jeans: Joe's & pram: STOKKE)

God Jul!

2011-11-27T23:03:00.000+01:00

(God Jul = Merry Christmas!)

Black n' white

2011-11-26T14:17:00.006+01:00

So. Phuuu ... Black n' white combination tried. I can now let go of the cup cake baking for a while.

brown/black

2011-11-25T11:56:00.001+01:00

I match my old Prada bag with my even older gloves.

Brown and black, one more perfect combination.

Now I need to get back in the kitchen.

The last colour try out on the cup cakes needs to be worked on.

Cup cakes in pastels

2011-11-24T20:01:00.001+01:00

This is what I've been doing every little spare moment Alexis was asleep today. And yesterday. I know. I am probably a little bit insane but when I do something I tend to do it completly. Which means baking cup cakes for two whole days and spending about 80 euro (800kr) on colours, sprinkles, baking equipment and all things needed when doing a pastel bomb like this. And still I'm not done. I have one more colour combination i just n e e d to try before I can rest in peace for this time. Thank God I have so many friends, family members and me myself that just loves to eat these little cutis. And when M is coming tomorrow he will probably think I've gone nuts, but I know he will eat them one after another. So there will be no waste, just pure pastel pleasure.

Yes, still in the kitchen

2011-11-24T09:17:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I walked the streets of Stockholm with my son, looking for perfect baking tools and details.

Yes. I am still in the kitchen, because it takes so much longer time with a little kid around,
so mostly I have to do everythings in steps.
But we're making beautiful things and having the best time ever anyhow,
it is all about adjusting the life a little.

Like i've said BEFORE.

In the kitchen

2011-11-23T12:05:00.001+01:00

Last couple of days I've been botanize among my cookbooks and found a muffin bible I bought some time ago and got so much inspiration! It is extremly fun to colour it, finding some matchy-matchy sprinkle and garnish to make it a real eye candy. So if you would have stoped by my home the last couple of days, you might have end up having one of these joyful snow-muffin in your belly.

(I just did a normal muffin recipe but added orange jucie and peeled orange skin to it. The frozting is made my cream cheese, icing suger, orange juice and orange peel. So it is a world of combination possibilitys for your fantasy to be creative!)

Competition!

2011-11-22T20:21:00.008+01:00

So, time for another wonderful competition! I am very pleased to be able to pronounce that I got Kotyr.se to participate this time. As you might know, I love that net-shop because of the versitility of the different scandinavian designers, the excellent service and the original pieces for both everyday and dressing up occations.

This marvelous competition gives you the opportunity to win whatever you want on the page Kotyr.se You get to choose which designer and what you would like to win.
So go ahead and indulge yourself in fashion and they will send the lucky winner a stunning piece somewhere in the world.

Option 1: Participation
Go to the homepage HERE and look for whatever you would like to win. Write a comment here on my blog about WHY you want to win that clothing in particular and WHAT makes you like it. The owners will pick a winner in one week's time.

Option 2: Discount Purchase
If you are like me and don't want to participate in the competition but prefer to buy directly, they offer my readers 20 percent discount on ONE item until the 14th of December. Which ever you like. All you have to do is to put a the discount code: : stina<3kotyr when you pay for the item.

Good luck and hope you find your New Years gown there or some lovely dress/outfit for coming Christmas cocktails! Or why not a big, cosy sweater or knitted cardigan. Me myself is looking at this pale beauty which I would combine with a belt in the middle and wear both more casuall to boots or with naked legs and high heels. The colour is just terrific and so elegant and sober! Lovely!

Pony tail

2011-11-21T20:32:00.001+01:00

How nice isn't it that we are in November but with tender temperatures? I guess mother nature is confused, but I would rather have it this way until December then a cold, raw climate. Two weeks before christmas I would like to order one of these white and perfectly cold winters, but not before then. Because this allows us to wear the most comfortably fabrics, like different kinds of wool, cashmere and angora for a much longer period and just toss a warmer shawl, stockings and a little jacket above and still be fine. Life is so much more fun in pretty clothings then with a big boring down jacket and some snow boots. Don't you think?

(jacket: Maruschka de Margó, wool sweater: Ralph Lauren, wool skirt: Philip Lim, boots: Old ones, bag: Chanel & shawl: Marc Jacobs)

Magnetizing

2011-11-21T11:00:00.009+01:00

Click

Porridge

2011-11-20T13:00:00.001+01:00

And so it finally happened! Alexis slept five hours in a row! Thank you rice porridge for that.
Since Thursday I've given him 2-3 tablespoons of it after breastfeeding. Every night he slept a little bit better. It's a true pleasure to see him gape after porridge like it was ice cream. He is only four months old, but manages it like if he had never done anything else.

Pale colours

2011-11-19T20:16:00.013+01:00

Beautiful day today.

I had a somewhat chaotic lunch, (Alexis was grumpy today) with mum and dad at this place and a crispy walk thereafter. I love the fact that it is November and the still is no snow. How impeccably perfect is the daylight and the shades from the nature in this season?

(For some reason I have this song playing at my home tonight. I just find that her voice is amazing. And fits perfectly tonight with my longing feelings when I wish my man was here to share "everyday life" with me.)

Scrambled eggs

2011-11-19T12:12:00.003+01:00

I make the best scrambled eggs. Ask M, my friends, dad or Tiger for that sake.

Creamy and delicious. A perfect start on a Saturday.

There are two very important ingredients when you make scrambled egg a la Stina. Patience and love. It takes a little bit of time and requires your 100 percent presence.

Put a big piece of butter in a pot, crack two eggs for one person and stir, stir, stir, stir and stir on a low temperature. Never dare to stop stirring! Add some black pepper and salt but still, don't stop stirring. Just before the eggs get a hard texture, take them away from the stove and stir the last part in the pot but in the air. Immediately serve on a plate when the texture is still a little loose. It will get harder on the plate.

So. Done. Serve with a good morning mood and a tasty cup of coffee.

Yesterday ...

2011-11-18T10:15:00.007+01:00

I was wearing this.

I have a crush for all shades of blue.

Just like I loved the blue shades in the romantic trip we did

to the beautiful islands outside Italy last year.

Follow me here if you want to take another trip with me,

walking down the memory lane for a while
and enjoy two pages of photos and text,
filled with passion for life, food, photography, love, nature and people.

Have a wonderful Friday!

(coat: Burberry, dark blue gloves: Cos, shawl: Louis Vuitton & dark blue bag: Fendi)

Pyjamas

2011-11-17T13:59:00.001+01:00

Ohhh, so much joy and happiness comes from our little son. But like all mothers out there probably already know, there is also lack of sleep. Little A has always been waking me up during nights and I usually complained when he did so 3 - 4 times per night. But since two weeks he wakes up about 6 - 8 times per night and can't get back to sleep unless he gets a little bit of "food/breast". It is devastating for my sleep and I just wonder if anyone has experience with this that they would like to share? He is almost 18 weeks old now and I know that he is in big development phase, starting to process the impressions he gets during daytime. But when is it normally getting better? Or are there any tips or tricks?
When he wakes up at night, he generally lies in his own bed clear awake and bubbly, as if he was waiting for the morning to come and the sun to rise. But if I just let him be, he will soon start to cry, so leaving him there makes no sense.
During daytime he sleeps 3-4 times, 45 minutes - 1 hour each time and that is something he needs. But it's always good to hear from people who have babies in the same age as ours or has experienced similar situations. What did you do? When did it become better?

Destination

2011-11-16T14:13:00.005+01:00

In a little bit more then a month, we will be going to another continent where inspiration and small adventures lie around the corner. I can't wait ... last time I wore a bikini was during this magical trip we did when I was five months pregnant.

Women

2011-11-15T16:35:00.001+01:00

Mum, me and Lissie on a very windy and cold day.

Good Morning!

2011-11-15T10:30:00.002+01:00

I bought the most beautiful thing for Alexis yesterday. A light blue cashmere hat with a big fur ball on top. Isn't he to die for? And isn't the hat just the cutest on small babies? I had been looking for a light or dark grey one, but when I saw this and tried it on him, I just melted.

(hat: Maruschka de Margó)

Purple

2011-11-14T13:46:00.000+01:00

Saturday was spent in purple details.

(jacket:Burberry, M's cashmere sweater: Ralph Lauren, jeans: Lee, heels: Rizzo, fur shawl: Max Mara & bag: Yves Saint Laurent)

November rain

2011-11-14T12:09:00.001+01:00

Now comes a period with a lot of seperate time away from each other.

I hate it.

You are already very missed my Love.

Gino

2011-11-13T12:26:00.001+01:00

Say hello to my italian lover Gino. He is wonderful, sexy, delicious and makes everyone fall in love. I guess it is just something he has. The "it" thing. Yes I know, I already have a man but how can you resist something as smooth, beautiful, colourful and tasty like him? This truly is an italian stud. With a big S. And it is passion translated into a dessert. With icy, cold ice cream. And coconut. And white chocolate with vanilla hints that get the perfect tan in the oven. And heating the mix of fruit to a perfect blend of sweet and lovely aroma. It is a v e r y sexy ending to a dinner. That M and I shared with this lovely woman and her husband.

(Just slice some fresh fruit: mango, orange, strawberries, kiwi fruit, banana or whatever you feel like in a buttery baking tray. Sprinkle some coconut on top of the fruit. Carve 200g of really nice swiss white chocolate into flakes and add as topping. Preheat the oven to around 200 degrees. Put the tray in the oven and leave until it gets a beautiful light brown colour on the top and the juices from the fruit melts together in symphony. Serve with vanilla ice cream and lovely company. Voilà!)

beige/black/gold

2011-11-11T15:54:00.000+01:00

Beige, black and hints of gold ... Isn't that one of the most perfect combinations?

(new dress: Patouf/Kotyr.se & bag: Dolce & Gabbana)

Stina's pea soup

2011-11-10T13:29:00.000+01:00

When I was a very young girl, my mother always gave me peas in a glass which I usually walked around with and nibbled on. And even today peas in all forms are one of my favorite vegetables.
I eat them raw, frozen, heated with a big scoop of butter and salt. I eat them as accompaniment to food or use them purely as decoration. Frankly, I just love them and I think they are one of nature's very lovely profounds.

I came up with this pea soup many years ago. It is the simplest ever and tastes delicious. And it is ridiculously simple to make and even those who don't have any kind of kitchen skills are able to manage this easy-peasy soup.

Start with a bag of frozen peas. Let's make this recipe for 4 persons so I would say 500gr of peas and two normal sizes of onion. Chop the onion and fry it in a pot with oil.

When the onion has that marvelous golden colour and turns softer, add some cream, let's say about 6dl and pour all the frozen peas into the pot and let them thaw in the pot. Add one chicken or vegetable broth and stir it gently. Let it boil for three minutes and take it off the heat and let it cool down just a tiny bit.

Then take a mixer and blend it to a very smooth texture. Add some white pepper, but only a very small amount.

Warm the soup again and make sure no small pieces of unmixed peas are left. Taste it. Do you need some more cream for the texture or is it fine? Maybe some more broth or pepper? Let your taste buds guide you.
Take a well made parmesan cheese and cut it into small leafs. Poor the soup into beautiful soup plates and sprinkle some nice parmesan on the top. Serve immediately.

It truly is the best starter and it takes no time to make at all and if you love peas, you're certainly will fall in love with this tasty soup that makes a perfect match for a three course dinner.

Bon appétit!

Beauty personified

2011-11-09T20:54:00.005+01:00

Beautiful, beautiful child of mine. I am addicted to his smell, to the way his skin feels against mine. I am totally in love with his bubbly personality and the way I already sense that reserved intelligence I swear he will be blessed with. As soon as he sees me, he bursts out with the biggest smile ever and his whole body vibrates with happiness. What that does to a mothers heart you need to find out for yourself one day. But it feels like I can look into those eyes forever. To me, he is beauty personified.

Liberty

2011-11-09T00:01:00.000+01:00

Being a "stay at home mum" for a while has really given me time to think. Think about my future, Alexis' upbringing and life as a mother, different countries and possibilities in life that are in front of your eyes if you dare to take them. I am very much a chicken when it comes to fundamental changes in my reality, such as moving to another country. But sometimes I play with the feeling and fly away in my thoughts about how that would be if I took the chance one day. If M and I would move to another place than Sweden or Switzerland.
Having so much time in a small, quite concentrated oasis constituted of my son and M has given my mind time to reflect and be free to get inspired by things I never have time to do otherwise. With a career and a social life full with travels, friends, family and fiestas, it's easy to be so occupied in your mind that everything comes in second place. But this time at home has tickled a lot of small projects I always had far at the back of my head but never found energy or time to deal with. I find it very fulfilling to just feel free and take every day as it comes. I wake up and question myself "what do I want to share with my son today?" And when he is taking a nap, I just let myself get into whatever I find amusing at that very specific moment. It gives me a lot to have that liberty. My element is air so maybe that's why I feel so attracted to that kind of tempting freedom.

Alexis 4 months

2011-11-08T10:08:00.001+01:00

Well ... he is my son.

Show some skin

2011-11-07T12:23:00.022+01:00

This might be the last weekend I can walk around barefoot on some special occasions when the temperature is still kind and welcoming. I've probably taken it too far already because most of the time the weather signals it's time for warmer shoes. But I think it is so extraordinary sensual and feminine to wear an easy pair of perfectly adjusted jeans in the length and show some of that naked skin. I would compare it to a elegant décolleté, the kind where you can guess what's underneath without disclosing it fully.
Anyhow. This was one of the combinations I wore this weekend. My dear cardigan from Sonia Rykiel is truly a favorite of mine. Warm, comfy and outstanding in both colour and originality.

Cravings

2011-11-06T13:40:00.000+01:00

Just give me chocolate and no one will get hurt.

Morning glory with an exotic touch

2011-11-05T12:13:00.004+01:00

The exotic coconut is a persistent friend in our home. I tend to eat it raw. It's the perfect snack to keep fresh in the refrigerator, but even better is to use it in a smoothie. To open it, I usually drop it gently on our stone floor in the kitchen. It can look brutal, but that's how the gambian maid taught me and my sister to do it with the fresh coconuts outside our room in Gambia when we where there for a longer vacation. The mission is to create a crack but not to break it completely.
I then pour the rich and creamy coconut milk into the mixer, add a banana or two, some fresh orange juice, raspberries and then small pieces of the fresh coconut. Be sure to mix it for a while, but the result is mindblowing and takes you far away to the tropical parts of our beautiful world where the sun is beaming like a red fireball and the sand is warm and heated.

Vibrations in life

2011-11-04T11:33:00.001+01:00

Sometimes I find myself full of inspiration, creativity and things/subjects that I would like to share with you readers. I tend to write them down on a piece of paper if I am not in front of the computer at that moment and try to scribble a word or two to really capture the feeling I have at that precise moment. Almost every day (when Alexis is having his nap) I give myself an hour or so to work with my camera, taking photos and experimenting with different settings, trying to learn by doing as much as I possibly find time to. I actually think this blog and my passion for photography are a blessing in this world of mine, especially now when spending so much time at home as a mother on leave.
It truly is a hobby to both write this blog and take pictures, edit and make ideas for new small projects. It is something I l o v e to work with and often I find that time just flies and I experience what the psychology calls "flow" - which is a mental presence or state where challenges and skills are equally matched in an activity that probably represents the ultimate utilisation when it comes to learning something. I feel fully immersed and have vibrant energies that clearly are as focused as can be. The positive and intellectual impressions are channelled and it feels like I live in my own world for a while, full of creativity, pure joy and happiness. I actually wish that everyone had something as captivating as this.

Thank you for reading, commenting, emailing, saying "hello" on the streets - and just being a part of this little world of mine. Have a lovely Friday and always give yourself opportunities to indulge yourself to whatever your passion in life is.

(jacket: Zara, angora cardigan: Acne, scarf: Conspiracy & bag: Prada)

Stina's vintage store

2011-11-03T13:44:00.001+01:00

Looking for blouses from Dolce & Gabbana,

a beautiful fur that you will own forever,

some killer heels or a dress from Marlene Birger?

Well, take a look in Stina's Vintage Store.

And like always it is first come first served.

Happy shopping girls!

Velours and form

2011-11-03T11:05:00.001+01:00

The soft shapes of the interior of the castle we visited last weekend.

The passionate way

2011-11-02T17:54:00.000+01:00

My life is a combination of Love and Pasta.

Lunch

2011-11-01T20:23:00.001+01:00

In a perfect blend of temperatures, I met up with a friend, took my son along for a long lunch and enjoyed the fine food in this splendid sea-bar.

(coat: Minimarket/Kotyr.se, angora cardigan: Acne, jeans: Seven for All Mankind, shoes: Don & Donna, bag: Chanel & shawl: Max Mara)

Cards

2011-11-01T13:07:00.001+01:00

About 300 cards have been sent out around the world with the most wonderful message ever.

Little Alexis' arrival to this world.