Friday, August 12, 2011

Home sweet home..

Hello my darlings! I am finally back after what feels like an eternity of time away from you, and I am so thrilled to be typing this very first post as a resident of my beloved Sweden. Yay!

via Corbis RF

Before I dive deeper into this post, I want to thank my dear Kerry once more for her wonderful 'send-off-post'. I can't tell you how many times I read it and cried - Kerry it was written so well and really touched my heart! xx

 Original image via Pinterest. Edited by me

The move (and all that came with it) is thankfully behind me now and I am in some sort of 'transitional stage' of nesting and adjusting to living in Sweden. Most people probably expect me to already feel at home since I was born here but the truth is that both the country and I have changed so much in the 23 years I have lived abroad that I am faced with a somewhat 'mind-messing' (technical term..) task of re-discovering a familiar place.. I have a sense of 'belonging' but not quite 'fitting in'. This is not necessarily a bad thing..

  via Fancy

Just over a week ago we got the keys to our new place - a two story apartment in a small block of flats in a leafy and tree lined street. The rooms are flooded with natural light with typically white walls and tall ceilings. 
Since my husband is still based in Sydney for work reasons (sob sob!) we are currently running two complete households which means that my 'Swedish nesting budget' is vastly restricted. At this stage our place is a functional yet rather 'bare shell' of what will be our home for the next 12-18 months (before we head on out into the 'great big world again'..). Of course there  has been a long list of essential 'new-buys', but I have also tried to make good use of what I had stored away here in Sweden since I left. As such we are living with an eclectic mix of pieces that I am trying to  mould together into a reasonably eye-pleasing end result.. It will certainly not be a 'show home' but that is not my aim. Instead I am focusing on creating a homely and cozy base from which we can launch into our 'Swedish adventure'.

via Nicho Södling

So that's the state of affairs from my corner of the world for now.. I am spending most of my time ensuring the kids are happy & calm after a very trying few weeks of good-byes, packing, general stress & unsettledness. I miss you all very much and am so looking forward to a time (in the not too distant future..!) when I can finally plonk myself down on one of my beloved Swedish antique kitchen chairs and start blogging for real!


Until then.. I am sending you lots of big warm hugs from my beautiful Sweden! I get chills of joy down my spine typing that.. :)

xx Charlotta

39 comments:

JOE. D said...

So nice to get an update Charlotta. Your award is even more deserved now. Have a great time settling in and the biggest, bestest wishes to you all (-:

A Perfect Gray said...

what a wonderful sight it was to see your new post up! so very happy for you and the family to be 'home.' enjoy everything, especially family, and check in when you can! love to you and yours...donna

Splenderosa said...

Totally agree with Donna...so so happy you've posted. We all know what a huge transition this has been for everyone, but I know your spirit will remain undaunted, the children will fit right in, and life will be wonderful. I am so excited to see some of the pics from your new place, neighborhood, restaurants, shops etc.
In the mean time....sending a huge big Texas hug.....

Sarah B said...

Lovely to hear from you Charlotta. I'm glad to hear you are doing well.
I'll be looking forward to many fascinating posts about your new country.
x

Unknown said...

So happy to know you're "there" and getting settled in. I'm sure it's been an emotional roller coaster these past few weeks.

Take your time and you'll feel like you fit in - in no time!!!

xoxo Elizabeth

Tuuli - Lumo Lifestyle said...

Hej Charlotta!

Welcome home! I have been waiting for your first post from other side of the little pond between our home countries.

It must have been very tiresome time, especially when Marshall is still in Sydney. On the other hand you must be also very excited to be back home...

Hope you all will be adjusted soon, so you can start to enjoy you "Swedish life".


Kram
Tuuli

tinajo said...

Ja jösses - det måste varit omvälvande med allt, och stora förändringar under de 23 åren du varit borta. Roligt i alla fall, att du är hemma i "Svedala" igen! :-)

It's me said...

So happy to hear from you again !!....welcome home...but do i understand that you live now in Sweden and your husband in Sidney ....!!...enjoy your weekend...love love xxx...

Design Elements said...

wonderful to hear from you, Charlotta! welcome back! big hugs

Anonymous said...

good luck with the move and with settling in. it's stressful but also exciting (done it twice already this year, sigh...)

xxx

Will @ Bright.Bazaar said...

Sending big, comforting hugs your way, Charlotta. Hope normality and stability returns soon for you all. xo

Lana {lanalou style} said...

Hi Charlotta! Lovely to here from you again and can't wait to hear more. Good luck with all the adjustments and settling in, I'm sure it will be sorted soon xx

Stacey said...

Charlotta, it's wonderful to hear from you! so glad that you're settling in and i'm sure with your design sensibilities, your home will come together beautifully. who wants to live in a "show home" anyway?:-). Also, will be sending an email your way pretty soon-so excited!!! Hugs and love my friend. xx

sharmin said...

Welcome home! Your warm, positive energy will bring even more light into your home. Good luck settling in.

Sassa said...

Välkommen hem!!!! Synd att vi bor så långt ifrån varandra. MEN det vore toppen om vi kunde ses i Stockholm någon gång i höst. Kanske kan jag hjälpa dig att känna dig lite mer "hemma". Kram från Sassa

carolina @ patagonia gifts said...

hi Charlotta! so glad that you are happily settling in! sounds great! best of luck, darling! xo

Alena: Oh, Its Just Perfect! said...

So wonderful to hear from you! Hope the move was super smooth and so excited for you :) xoxo

Yvette said...

So glad you have a new home in beautiful Stockholm and are settling in ... cannot wait to see photos! Happy nesting!

Anci said...

Välkommen tillbaka ! Sverige är fint, men hemma kan vara överallt i världen.

Kram
Anci

designchic said...

What a thrill to see you post up in my email this morning!! So happy you are getting settle in, and in no time you will feel like you are genuinely home. Can't wait for the updates!!

The Vintique Object said...

Hello Charlotta, how exciting this all must be for you. While I have never made a change as dramatic as you have and after such a long duration, I will say that I am familiar with your feelings of readjustment. We have moved seven times in the last 10 years, and I find that it always takes at least a year before I feel at home. A good thing to keep in mind when you have those days where you think, "What have i done?" Which I imagine are few and far between!
I look forward to reading more posts!
Camille

First House on the Right said...

So nice to hear from you Charlotta, I've missed you! So looking forward to hearing all about your new life as you resettle back into Sweden. Nicolex

Linda Merrill said...

Even on a restricted budget, so exciting to have a new home to nest in! Enjoy!

Cath said...

Sooooooo lovely to hear from you again, what a wonderful and exciting feeling it must be to be home once more. Can't wait to hear ho you get on settling in xxx Cath

Anonymous said...

Oh Charlotta, it is so nice to hear from you. I'm so glad you are getting settled in. Been thinking about you.

I know what you mean about rediscovering the place. When I went back home a few years back, though it was familiar so much had changed. It was a surreal feeling.

Anyhow, so glad you are back in your sweet Sweden.

Big hug to you!

Beadboard UpCountry said...

Hi Charlotta!
Well you are there safe and sound, it will take some time to adjust....I think it will be exciting to see what you accomplish with a blank canvas.....Welcome back and I am excited to see what you will dream up...Maryanne xo

Lysande ögonblick! said...

Sweet Charlotta. Welcome to Stockholm. xxoo

Ali said...

Congratulations on the move, Charlotta! So very exciting, I'm sure you'll settle in in no time. I have also been super busy and not keeping up with blogging lately but I took a few moments to stop by and see how you are and I have to say, I love the new banner! Beautiful. I hope all is well!

Kerry said...

Hey Charlotta! I'm so glad you're back up and running and I will be watching and waiting patiently for stories from Sweden. Your new home sounds ripe for decorating adventure, now that the travel adventures have calmed down...at least for now:)

Glamour Drops said...

After 23 years... that is running through my mind... so much would have changed... and yet the soul is still there, hidden under the change, yet to be rediscovered. What an exciting (and hard too) time for your children. And your husband is still in Sydney??? Yikes, that's tough. No doubt, though, you will attack all with gusto and aplomb as is your style; all will fall into place with an adventure or 2 along the way. And I guess blogging is a lovely link between old life and new. Virginia x

Peter Claassen said...

Hi Charlotta, Monika's running around like a mad woman with her new store and she asked me to come say hi and say she's so sorry but she'll catch up with you in a bit.

Meanwhile you're stuck with me ;) Big congratulations on being back in Sweden. Great time of year to land too. I hope we can all get together next time we make it over. Good luck with the new place and cheers,

Peter C.

Casa Très Chic said...

Oh, it's so nice hear from you, Charlotta!
I wish all the best in your beloved Sweden.
I can imagine you putting all your things together in your new home, I'm sure it will look great.
Can't wait for your new posts.
Xoxo
Tereza

Vær våken said...

Hi! Glad you're back. I'm back after a long blogging break, too, and I love it! Did you move to Sweden? Then you're not too far away from me (Norway). Hope you have a wonderful time back in your country :)

Love, Kristin

Unknown said...

oh Charlotta!!! SO NICE to hear from you!! I absolutely love to hear all is well and I am sure things will slow down to normal very soon, all the best to you and the kids!!! xoxoxox

shopgirl said...

Hi Charlotta! Congratulations on your return home! Your temporary home sounds lovely. I'm sure you'll do wonders with it! Sweden is just lovely.

I know a little about what it's like to return home after being away....when I returned home after living in the U.K. for four years, it took me a while to feel like it was home again. And now I'm in Italy and who knows if I'll ever go back home for more than a visit?

Wishing you a wonderful week full of hugs and kisses!
Reese

one sydney road said...

welcome back!!! i can only imagine how crazy packing & moving to another country can be! hopefully you're taking some time to relax :)

manvi @ mochatini said...

Shes BACK!! Yay doll. Happy to be home? Missed you but you take your time settling in an enjoying Swedish summer. ps: wish i could come over with a big hug and welcome gift-backet. happy weekend.
xo

Anne said...

Dear Charlotta,

I am most happy for you, knowing how long this road has been. You must be one of the most resilient souls on the planet to have picked up and started over so many times. I have uptmost admiration for you! Wishing you an array of wonderful experiences as you become reacquainted with your homeland after so many years.

Big hugs to you,
Anne

Maria @ Scandi Foodie said...

Hej Charlotta!

I'm sorry I haven't visited here for so long, I've been sooo busy lately!
I had no idea you moved back to Sweden! It must be so nice to be back... I miss the North very much!

All the best and I look forward to reading your future posts!

Maria
x

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