Preparing for Christmas..

Hello friends! Am sitting here with a large cup of tea - the kids are asleep, I have lit candles everywhere, and am playing soft Christmas music.. *peace prevails* 

..I LOVE this time of the year - 'pre-Christmas'. Though of course the actual even itself is wonderful, there is something so special about the lead-up.. The planning, preparing, waiting, and of course also seeing the kids grow more and more excited.. So much love, warmth and anticipation in the air, don't you think!?

1. unknown. 2. Per Magnus Persson 3. Pinterest  4. Anna Kern

I just flicked through 'Sweet Paul's Holiday Issue'.. Always so much inspiration and joy there. And of course the fact that the 'main man' is from Norway makes it extra.. sweet (.ahem.). You know how I LOVE Norway..!

And of course it was lovely to see our very own Will Taylor's (Mr Bazaar to most) feature on how to create a stress-free but stylish Christmas table..!

I also loved this idea featured by Will!

Kate LeSueur's 'Rosemary Honey Pecan Nut' recipe looked too good to leave off my Christmas buffet list.. (would be great with a cheese tray!). 

You see, I go nuts over nuts (!). Not only at Christmas, though particularly then, and I love to serve them in all sorts of ways - in bowls around the house, on biscuits, in bread, in the traditional (Swedish) rice porridge on Christmas morning, in sweets and deserts... If there is a way, I'll be sure to sneak a hand-full of something nutty in there (thank God I was blessed with a family that aren't nut allergic!). Yum!

Styling: Paul Lowe. Photography: Alexandra Grablewski

I also serve my 'Glögg' (a traditional Swedish style mulled wine.. YUM!) with a generous helping of skinned almonds (as well as a cinnamon stick for decor). 
Despite there being a range of wonderful pre-made 'glögg' to buy I prefer to brew my own. I use my great grandmother's recipe (with a little twist now and then.. for fun). It takes three days to prepare and it fills the house with the most amazing scent which sends me straight into Christmas wonderland!

Back to the nuts.. I recently learned from my good friend Maria over at 'Scandie Foodie' that nuts should be ACTIVATED before you eat them. Who knew??! But reading her post (HERE) made me very inspired and I am definitely serving my nuts 'activated' this Christmas..!

Activated Spiced Nuts - via Scandie Foodie

More nuts.. I adore Oak trees - their solid structures, their leaves and of course their acorns. They have been a long time favourite of mine, so imagine my delight when I found these cute 'acorn baubles' over at Cox & Cox UK. I adore this store!

Also from Cox & Cox are these 'glass pumpkin baubles', which of course would look lovely with the acorn ones on the tree (not too many though - less is more!).. Or as place card holders, like in the picture below. Tempting, very tempting indeed..! 

All bauble images via Cox & Cox UK

As part of preparing for my very first Christmas as a Native Resident of Sweden in 23 years (see me do cartwheels!), I turned to some trusted and gorgeous blog pals for inspiration. I asked them a few simple questions around the topic of Christmas and of course they have shared generously and splendidly! I can't wait to publish the first post in just a few days..

Photo Stefan Örtenblad

Until then...and whilst we await the first snow
(it's taking its time this year..)
I send you lots of love and warm Wintery hugs from Sweden!

xx Charlotta

Wellness in the 'Ironing Basket'..and my baby turning 6!

Darlings, yesterday I had the honour of posting over at 'The Bottom of the Ironing Basket'.

The lovely and gorgeous Simone asked me to contribute to her current series on 'Wellness' and I decided to share a piece of my past.. Do hop across and read it HERE. You will love Simone's beautiful blog - it's addictive!

 Marveling over the smallest carrot found ever.. :)

Tomorrow is my darling Isabella's 6th birthday. I well up as I type those words.. because how can my 'baby' suddenly be so big. She is a ray of light in my life - in the world really. I know nobody more positive, charming and life embracing than her. It is such a pleasure and privilege to be her mother and I wish her the best of birthdays and many healthy, happy and wonderful ones to come!

xx Charlotta

Today I am going nuts..

Hello lovelies! Doesn't Autumn have just the most wonderful effect on people and life!?! The buzzing energy of Summer fades and we settle into a calm, cozy and tranquil mood. With only a couple of weeks left of Autumn I am feeling relaxed, harmonious and ready to tackle Winter!

Every year around this time my mind goes into 'dream mode' (read: 'I allow myself to go a little nuts over a few tings'..). And it's not only because Christmas is just a few weeks (how!?!) - which of course calls for mental wishing & giving lists to be drafted. It's got more to do with the need to nurture myself as the temperature drops and the days grow shorter (a stark contrast to Sydney..!). I find myself daydreaming and drifting into 'wishing land' where frankly there are so many yummy things I want. Of course I don't need them, but they would be much welcomed 'nice-to-haves'.. Here are some of the things that make me go a little nuts at the moment..

Wonderful table runners (by South African online shop 'Yum Yum') that really look better vertically than horizontally - don't you think!? 
I am ordering a fork and a knife (without the stitching around the edges - I like a 'raw edge'). A nice little 'gift-to-self'..! :)

It is no secret that I go more than a little silly over good quality Swedish sheepskins (curly ones!), but recently I am finding myself dreaming about reindeer skins from Lapland..! They feel 'new' and different in this day of sheepskin craze.

Also from the rugged Swedish North are these beautiful hand crafted bracelets (braided leather, silver and/or tin thread). They are hand made by local crafts people and come in a variety of widths, designs and colours. I just adore them and would like to highlight this very modest online store.

Mulberry has been a favourite brand of mine since my teens, and I adore their handbags. At the moment I am drooling over their 'Bayswater' bags.. I am wishing one would simply fall from the sky and into my arms..! *sigh*

Even though the frosty mornings and imminent snow prevent me from actually wearing anything but thick leather footwear, I still drool over orange neon (!) All Stars by Converse. I just love the way they 'pop', and am definitely getting some in time for Spring! These babies will look better once worn, and I am going to team them with tanned legs and a spring in my step! :)

Last but certainly not least, I have also fallen hard for several garments by 'Jarbo'. This, new to me, label was recently snapped up by 'Splendid Avenue' - a web boutique that is as stylish as the woman who owns/runs it (meet Monika).

Monika also authors a much loved blog called Splendid Willow, and tomorrow you will find me (and a bunch of very stylish blogettes) sharing our '2 cents' on current design trends that make us go 'va va voom'!

Do hop across and say 'hi' and make sure you also click Monika's subscribe button when you are there. Thank me later!

Warm hugs to all!

xx Charlotta

My darling off again..

Hello lovelies. Feeling sad after saying good bye & 'bon voyage' to my husband who left on Saturday after spending two blissful weeks with us here in Sweden.

 via A Punch of Colour

Due to work commitments my darling had to fly off to Singapore and onto China for business meetings, before returning to Sydney. 
We won't see him again until February next year and needless to say we are all heartbroken. Life is definitely sunnier with him by our side and we can't wait to be able to wrap our arms around him again..

Virtual hugs much appreciated..

xx Charlotta