D.I.Y. reindeer..

Hello hello!

Today I came across this adorable 'pipe cleaner reindeer' D.I.Y. project over at the Martha Stewart website.

These happy little guys cracked me up and I immediately thought they would make such fun additions to the breakfast table on Christmas Day. What do you think darlings?

Snowy hugs to all

** Charlotta **

Lighting up the dark..

Hello lovelies!

Let me start by happily announcing that outside my window is a blanket of snow glistening in perfect starlight and a beautiful moon. It is a frosty -15 C (5F), serene, and breathtakingly beautiful!

Today we celebrated the 1st of Advent and the kids and I lit the first candle in the row of four that will take us up till Christmas Eve. As opposed to the traditional 'advent wreath' I lined my large (and very heavy!) Affari tub with blueberry twigs, white moss, silver acorns, and large candles. The cats went crazy over it and I had to dust the whole thing in white pepper to keep them off! :)

Private snap shot of my Advent candle arrangement.

Tomorrow I am decorating my windows with the first few Christmas bits & bobs. Nothing major, as really I prefer to wait another couple of weeks before I unleash my inner elf. Though holiday decorating is fun I must say that I prefer it not to be too over the top. I like a 'subtle but warm & inviting' dose of holiday cheer, and tend to go treasure hunting in the forest for things to use amongst my collection of old and new decor items. I find that it grounds me in the midst of all the craziness that also comes along with Christmas.

Whilst I work out just how that approach will manifest itself in our home this year, let's enjoy the below 'Christmas house tour' found via Swedish magazine 'Lantliv'. 
You may in fact recognize the home of designer and calligrapher Ylva Skarp, who renovated and moved into an old school from 1901 in her childhood town of Hjortnäs in the county of Dalarna.

Since leaving Stockholm for the quiet of Hjortnäs Ylva's business has boomed, and is quickly making a mark all over the world.

You may pick up some of her lovely merchandise & artworks at her home-based boutique or website. And my US friends will be thrilled to know that Ylva's works are exclusively represented by one of my favourite cyber stores Splendid Avenue. You will reach 'retail nirvana' over there!

"I seize the day over and over. I am still here and now."

With the lovely quote and artwork above, I love and leave you for today. To my Northern friends, do stay warm and snug. And to my Southern darlings, enjoy the Summery sun!

Warm hugs to all!

xx Charlotta

Swedish Christmas inspiration..

Hello hello! Today I am back with some Swedish Winter decor inspiration. During the dark months of the year local peeps tend to go out of their way to nurture their souls. It comes through in the food we eat, the way we dress and how we decorate the spaces we linger in. 

Potted mini pine trees make for such a cute display!

I think one of the most striking things with Swedish style is that there is always - ALWAYS! - an element of nature. Be that through the material of the item itself, of how it is teamed up. You see we just can't get enough of all the stunning treasures Mother Nature has to offer. In Winter you find us Northerners collect moss to top our flower pots with, pine cones to toss on a beautiful tray along with some good quality candles. Later the same pine cones will be sprayed and hung in the Christmas tree.

 Note the subtle moss topped silver bowls.

 Pine cuttings and cones make great present toppings!

Love the way the trimmed pine tree in the window!

You will see pelts or skins draped on the back of dining chairs (inside and outside too!), logs neatly stacked in a basket, twigs decorated with handmade ornaments, a decorative bowl of acorns or chestnuts on a sideboard, cuttings of pine nestled in with a linen serviette at the dinner table. I could go on. It's all so terribly Scandinavian ja for sure!

 Reindeer skins are ideal for outdoor use as they molt in warm temperatures!

 A fallen branch makes such a lovely and contemporary Christmas tree!

Simple, stunning and always so appreciated by arriving guests!

Another thing I notice is that not only do we tend to bring the 'outside in', we also bring 'the inside out'. Lovely set ups of lanterns adorn balconies, door steps and porches. Christmas decorations are hung in the apple trees in the garden. Beautiful bowls of Winter fruit casually left out for the birds to feast on. I love this tradition to bring the decor outside! It makes for such a welcoming approach don't you think!?! Private homes, corporations, shops, hospitals, everyone does it. Even at my children's school there are lanterns lit in the dark Wintery mornings. Such a lovely way to greet the students don't you think!?

To this point, many Swedish (Scandinavian) brands lend themselves towards this marriage of man-made and natural. And for someone like me - who can't pass a patch of blueberry bushes without picking a bunch - it is perfect! 

Bear hugs to all from the North!

xx Charlotta  

Images from Affari
With the exception of no 2. Pottery Barn and 4. Pinterest
 

Happy Thanksgiving and give-away winner!

Hi lovelies!

The weeks fly past and we approach the homestretch of the year at super zonic speed it seems. Where oh where has time flewn I wonder!?

I want to apologise for the little time I am able to spend here with you. Without making you feel uncomfortable with too many private details, let's just say that life is kicking up a fair few challenges since a little while back which keeps me beyond stretched. I am laying the foundation for a more solid future and am absolutely certain that 2013 will rock!

So here we are, just around the corner of one of my favourite holidays of the year - 'Thanksgiving'. If I could choose one holiday that would be adopted into the Swedish calendar of traditions this would be it. I can't think of any more worthwhile and heartfelt celebration than that of gratitude - towards life, the world, our loved ones, and of course also ourselves. I would even include some thoughts of thankfulness for the things and people that aren't so good because it is due to trying times and challenging confrontations that we grow, evolve and learn to appreciate!

Before I sign off for today, I wish to announce the winner of my Swedish give-away. The announcement has been much delayed due to above mentioned 'hickups of life', however it is with great joy I congratulate Tina of the lovely Swedish blog 'Komma Hem'! GRATTIS TINA!! Jag vidarebefodrar dina detaljer till Pia på pureskin.

OK lovelies, time for me to sign off. And I do so with gratitude and thankfulness in my heart towards dear Pia of pureskin for hosting this give-away. I know the lucky winner will just love her pick! TACK Pia!

Big hugs and all my love to my dear blog friends.

Have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving!

xx Charlotta 

Pure give-away..

Hello everyone! I am not quite grasping that we are already in full Autumn up here in Sweden..!?! It feels like a mere blink since we were all blogging away about the approach of Summer, and yet here we are now lighting candles, draping ourselves and our homes in layers of comfort and warmth.

We have had such a gorgeous Summer. The 'mini inspirations' were off school since early June till late August which meant we were able to enjoy a lot of fun filled quality time together.

Typically we spent a lot of time outdoors, in fact Scandinavians  almost 'move outside' in the warmer months of Summer. Well not literally of course, but we tend to spend as much time as possible under the blue sky, and we simply love the ability to do so. We need it you see, because come September the sun starts its journey further and further away from the top of the world and we are no longer able to absorb our daily dose of vitamin-D!

via Pretty Stuff on Tumblr

Add to this the fact that for the most part of the year we dress in layers of warm clothes to withstand the weather and cooler temperatures. Any opportunity (well almost.. ha!) to shed those layers and stretch bare limbs towards the nutritious rays of the sun is treasured deeply in our Nordic hearts!

source unknown

But here we are in Autumn now, our faces slowly loosing that healthy & sun-kissed glow of Summer. I find that by the time the swimsuits give way to scarves and cozy layers, my skin & hair are in dire need of some TLC. In fact to me Autumn is all about nurturing & replenishing, and I tend to restock my bathroom cabinet with some good quality products that aim to do just that.

The skin is our largest organ and it absorbs everything we put on it - detergent, soap, perfume, make-up, lotions and potions. It all goes straight into our bodies. Chemicals, toxic waste and harmful content that unfortunately is highly present in most personal hygiene products enter our blood stream, our internal organs and cause damage.
As such, I am a huge believer in certified organic and biodynamic produce (see my recent 'detox series') and today I am thrilled to offer my Swedish readers a wonderful give-away which is hosted by 'pureskin'.

I came across 'pureskin' through a friend of mine, and since using their products I am totally hooked! 
Not only are they 100% Eco Cert, which means that most of their lotions and potions are so pure & natural you can actually eat them! Actually 'eat them' is exactly what your skin and hair will do. They will feed off the nutritional content with - in my mind - unbeatable results. To me 'pureskin' is pure skin food!

I haven't tried all the items in their collection but I am a happy and loyal user of their 'Face Care Eco' (both night and day creams), '100% Face Serum' (a must for Winter!) and '100% Eco Cert lip balm'. I wash my kids' hair in their shampoo, and I have also used the 'Special Care Cream' for dry little knees, elbows, and behinds. 

Pia, the founder is a generous & kind soul with a broad and impressive background in chemistry, biology, immunology, mineralogie and a lot more. But, with sincere modesty, she dismisses all of that as unimportant, and prefers to highlight her passion and determination to deliver the best and purest products on the market!
She makes all products in her private lab. Small, exclusive batches of natural & 100% certified organic goodness that has a healthy impact on the body as well as on nature!
An added reason to love both Pia and pureskin is that 5% of all sales go towards helping children and women in Tanzania, through the 'Yatima - heart to heart' foundation. Thank you Pia! xx

Image via Yatima

Pia has generously offered one lucky winner to pick one 'pureskin' product of their choice, and this is how you enter;

Mandatory requirements (each one worth 1 entry)
1. Leave a comment on Space for Inspiration motivating your choice of product.
Please include your name, email and residental city in Sweden.
2. Like 'pureskin' on Facebook, and leave a second entry here on Space for Inspiration.
3. Become, or confirm that you already are, a 'Follower' 'Friend' of Space for Inspiration by leaving a comment with your 'alias' as shown in my left hand side column.

Extra entries (each worth 1 entry)
4. Share this give-away on your own Facebook page, and leave a third comment here on Space for Inspiration. Please include a link to your Facebook page.
5. Blog this give-away and include live links to 'pureskin' and Space For Inspiration. Leave a link and comment to your post here as well. 


Please ensure your entry is in by no later than the 10th October 2012.

Ok luvvies - I wish you all the best of luck and can't wait to hear your thoughts on Pia's wonderful 'pureskin'!

xx Charlotta

By Invitation Only: Cycles..

Hi darlings! Today I am popping in to participate in the 'By Invitation Only' postings, and to celebrate that this diverse and talented group of global bloggers celebrate it's 1 year anniversary!
Every month we are given a theme upon which we base our posts, and this month it's 'Cycles'.

My regular readers will know that I have spent the large part of my life living in several countries around the world. An adventurous, driven, and curious soul, this nomadic life suited me to a tee. I studied, worked and lived in six amazing (and very diverse!) countries. 

Life was marvelous yet as the years ticked by I found myself missing a very fundamental aspect of Swedish life, namely the closeness to nature and the cycles of the seasons. 
I was fortunate enough to be able to pop hoe to Sweden several times a year but somehow my visits never seemed long enough (despite spanning up to 8 weeks at times!). Increasingly I found myself wanting to be part of 'what was about to happen next' in terms of the seasonal changes. I wanted to see Summer mature into Autumn, and to smell the garden as the apples ripened on the trees. I missed not being able to hear the icicles 'drip - drip - drip' away in the early Spring. I wanted to be part of the transition, and so longed to be able to live it to the full.

I came to understand & respect the importance of the pace that nature brings, and how this is deeply instilled in us Northeners. Perhaps it was the twelve years I lived under the Australian sun that made me realize that 'you can take a girl out of Sweden but never take Sweden out of a girl'. I started to crave the unpredictability and vast diversity of the Swedish weather cycles.

The very distinct seasons here in the Far North bring with them a tangible transformation of the way we go about life. Everything changes; from the food we eat, the way we dress, how we socialize, the decor of our homes, our daily routines, and even our working habits. Each season has a distinct flavour and meditative state which is closely interlaced with the cycles and expressions of nature.

The endless light during the months of Summer is cherished and celebrated, as is the richness of what nature provides in Autumn. 
The quiet meditative state of our Scandinavian Winters brings with it a sense of inner peace and hibernation, which in turn is broken by the surge of energy released as the sun slowly melts the snow away in Spring.

It took me nearly three decades to realize that it was these seasonal cycles of nature that I missed so much. And so, I returned home after my 24 year orbit.

xx Charlotta

Summer holidays..

Hi lovelies! 

I know it has been very long since I did my last post and I apologize for my infrequency. Life is good, busy and full of Summery treats.

We have three more weeks before school starts again here in Sweden and I will continue to spend time away from my computer however wanted to pop in and say 'hi' and also share some wonderful pictures I found in the latest number of 'Est Magazine'.

These wonderful vistas are shot in Mexico's Riviera Maya and featured as part of the Mr & Mrs Smith travel guides (I can highly recommend them!).

 

 OK my darlings, on that heavenly note I am off. I will be back towards the end of the month with a fantastic give-away by a local organic skin company (Pure Skin) and some snapshots from our very own Summer adventures.

Big sunny hugs from the beautiful far North

xx Charlotta

Amazing Amsterdam..

Darlings, I am head over heels in love with Amsterdam!

As you know, I recently spent a magic four days there and I fell utterly & deeply for the city, the people, and most of all my wonderful hostess Mariska Meijers!

Some of my snapshots of Amsterdam. Loving this sazzy bike!

 Noticing the little details here and there..

Lovely tulips spilling onto the sidewalk!

I left Sweden having never met Mariska, but returned feeling as if I had known her for years!  This girl is beyond generous, warm and kind! She opened up her home, her life, and her schedule for me, and made me feel so welcome and at home. Thanks to her and her super sweet friends (extended thanks to Herb, Lise, and Joost! x) I got to experience Amsterdam in a true and genuine way!
Spending these four days with Mariska not only gave me a much needed break, but also released a rush of energy and creative flow. In fact, I am still smiling! :)

Gorgeous vistas like this one everywhere!

My borrowed bike that took me around Amsterdam! 

 Fell in love with the orange shutters of this old warehouse building!

Wonderful old buildings and brickwork!

To me, every city in the world lends itself towards a particular way of getting around.. Paris to me is all about walking, Rome in my mind is best seen from the back of a scooter, in London I prefer the bus, and Amsterdam is to be explored by bicycle. So that's what I did! Mariska had organized for me to borrow a bike and I loved peddling my way around town. The freedom and flexibility that comes with riding a bike definitely adds a certain flavour to the city. People seem very relaxed, spontaneous, and easy going!

Mariska and her funky green bike waiting for me to finish my 100000th photo.. :)

I particularly loved riding through the beautiful Vondel Park in the morning seeing corporate suits, parents with children, students, grandmothers, and tourists alike zoom past on their bikes. What a wonderful & varied crowd, and what a great way to start the day!

Apple cake, fresh orange juice and coffee. For breakfast!:)

Colour prefection, right?!

And of course stopping to spend a moment in silence, remembering those less fortunate..!

I cycled the charming cobble stoned streets and avenues of the city, and snapped hundreds (!) of pictures of what seemed to be an endless stream of absolute eye candy. A never ending parade of bridges crossing wonderful canals that were fringed by stunning architecture and quirky house boats. The city has a tangible warmth and character that went straight to my heart. It is unique, charming and so full of personality and creative expression.

 Just look at this 'bearded' balcony! :)

Boho and quirky boats everywhere!

 Wonderful buildings shoulder to shoulder everywhere I looked!

 And cute houseboats moored side by side on the larger canals.

One of so many lovely canal views!

I was also incredibly lucky to be taken around the canals and the Amsel River by a dear friend of Mariska's. We spent a whole afternoon floating through the city on a private boat whilst sipping wine and enjoying wonderful company. Such a unique experience and so much appreciated! 

..and one more..!

..and cute houses like this one.

And the stunning 'Amsel Hotel'.. where the famous, fortunate and fabulous stay! :)

We passed the cutest river houses, charming bridges, historical sites, grand hotels, funky house boats, wonderful public sites and buildings. My camera snapped away and I loved every moment of this very special guided tour!

 Another lovely river house.

 The stunning 'Scheepsvart Museum'. I just love this building!

..and several contemporary architectural master pieces, like the Science Museum. What a beauty!

Another favourite part of my trip was when I got to visit Mariska's flagship store which is located on a sun drenched corner in the trendy '9 Streets' district, right on the cobble-stoned bank of the Singel Canal.

  The lovely and stunning Ms Meijers in front of her store!

Loving the tiger painting and Mariska's fab sense of colour!

Black walls show off art just as well as white ones. Sometimes better!

Lovely form pressed trays in all shapes and sizes. I bought a large one for myself! :)

This tray now lives with me and receives lots of comments and admiration from my friends!!

Housed in a 17th century canal house the shop feels authentic, confident, and true to the area. It has an air of chicness, edge and tangible happy energy all bouncing off the walls. Natural light floods through the large windows onto Mariska's wonderfully unique artworks and merchandise. In a corner, on a large easel is a half-finished piece of art, and everywhere there are vases with flowers from the near-by flower market ('Bloemenmarkt').

 Mariska's 'work in progress corner'!

 Tubes of bright colours giving life to Mariska's fantastic works.

The shop has heart, and it beats in total harmony with the city and Mariska herself. I can genuinely say that the art and the artist are one - everything about it feels genuine and real. And that is perhaps what I love the most about this girl - she is 100% true to herself and the life she leads. That is a rare thing to come by these days and something that I admire greatly!

Once again thank you Marsiska for my wonderful Amsterdam adventure. It was one of my favourite trips ever! xx

Before I go I want to wish all my American friends a happy 4th of July for tomorrow!

Love and hugs to all.

xx Charlotta

All photos by Charlotta Ward