And so the last day of the year...

NYE last year, I was walking on pink clouds, and here I'm looking at Sean, only a month old, with admiring eyes

So, the last of the turkey (and meatballs LOL) leftovers are finished, and the new year is almost upon us! And I of course, already know who to kiss when the clock strikes twelve ;-)

Today I'm taking Baby bear and his dad to a fun-fair with loads of fun for both children and adults. Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park has all the festivities in one place; ice-skating, rides, food, markets, mulled wine and also a beautiful setting.

This evening we are ordering food and will ring in the new year at home, just the two of us, and although Sean will be sleeping, we will sneak up to his cot and give him a big kiss on his little head.

In the meantime, here is some beautiful morning music that I'm listening to today.

And this message goes out to mah boyz..

Hurry home - can't wait to see you both this afternoon!

Mama's pride and joy

Sean Alexander 1 year

Alone, but not lonely ;-)

This is me hugging or kissing Bear, always on my toes as he is so tall LOL

Today my boys left for Scotland, so I am now all alone here. That said, I don't feel lonely! In fact, I will make the most of my time on my own.

I will start by creating a cozy home by lighting my Jo Malone candles
that Bear got me for Christmas - it's a gorgeous trio of lights that meld luscious fragrances together, like wild fig with cassis, hyacinth and lime blossom. Her fragrances fill the air with warmth and elegance - I just love the Jo Malone line, whether it's candles or fragrances.

Then I'll make a large cup of tea and start planning for my New Year's resolutions. Actually, I'll be planning all of 2010 and I'll be setting my personal goals. I am feeling very excited about this upcoming year, don't you??! I will also do a -things I'm grateful for- list, reminding myself of things to be thankful for.

That exercise on it's on can actually be very powerful and it really lifts your mood, so I can't think of anything more suitable right now! :-)))

Scrubbing up to meet the Scottish clan :-)

Sean having a bath the night before his trip to Scotland with Bear tomorrow. Oh, I will miss my boys!

Christmas at home - London 2009

baba looking a little tired whilst modelling his latest hat - a gift from Granny..

Swedish buffet supper in the evening is a must!

Sean looking festive :-)

Having a really great lunch at our fave local (gastro) pub, the Duke of Wellington

In the Christmas spirit with a very appropriate hat ;-)

Christmas gifts

GOD JUL! (Merry Christmas)

Wishing everyone a merry Christmas today, as this is the main day us Swedes celebrate.

We were reminiscing about Christmas 2008 when Sean was only a few weeks old and here is a clip from exactly 12 months ago today.

As you can see, we know how to party! LOL. - Erik on the guitar, Mum doing a crazy dance in her night dress, Bear filming with voice over, Sean wondering what kind of world he has just been born into, and me just enjoying being a new mum. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! XOXO

Perfect Paris

Our fab lunch venue L'Avenue - the place to see and to be seens, and where the food is orgasmic

I nearly had the Billiecart-Salmon rose bottle all to myself (one of my favourite champs)

Mouth watering! I had lobster pasta and Bear chose jumbo prawns risotto

Taking in the beautiful architecture in what is surely one of the world's prettiest city

See if you can spot the Eifel tower behind me

the en suite bathroom

our huge walk in shower

the bathroom had a tub too

Room service - some more rose champage :-)

Strolling down Champs Elysses

heating up with a warm mulled wine

a perfect people watching spot

drinking cafe au lait

Dinner and drinks at the very extravagant Hotel Costes

And finally, the lights that wraps the Champs Elysees in a tinselly Christmas glow

Paris, here we come! :-)

Ok, so the excitement is building up. With Dolly Parton's lovely version of "Winter Wonderland" playing in the background, I'm packing for mine and Bear's baby- free weekend (yes, we really are making the most of having my Mum over, as I wouldn't trust Sean with anyone else for that long) in France's capital, where we will have a suite (thanks Bear!) at the fabulous boutique Hotel; The Pershing Hall.

I've just checked the weather, and there lots of snow today and tomorrow, so it will be all Christmassy when we arrive. Paris in Christmas winter wonderland, YAY! Can't think of a more romantic setting!

At the salon for a wash & blow dry

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Snowing in the capital

This is London today

It is snowing in London! And has been since this morning! Not the sort of chill you to the bones white stuff that freezes the thermometers like in Sweden. No, this is British snow. Light fluffy cotton wool-like snow, but still pretty horrible at the moment as it's not cold enough for it to leave a beautiful white blanket over the capital.

This is the more inspirational snow that I like. And it reminds me of back home....

Imagine this as your own private entrance - just gorgeous!

At the Clifton Garden Nursery

If you haven't yet bought your Christmas tree, or just fancy buying a nice in-door or out-door plant, you should visit the very inspiring Clifton Nursery in Maida Vale.

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random notes and ramblings

Its Monday again, which bites - but on the bright side, I'm one day closer to our weekend in Paris, and Christmas of course (hooray!)

My weekend - the very short version: Mum cooked two fab dinners for us, we wrapped some x-mas presents, had Swedish mulled wine in typical Swedish style with nuts and raisins, went to local market early Saturday morning for cheap fruit and vegs, had brunch in Starbucks and ginger bread lattes, and Mum and I ended the weekend last night going to a warm cosy pub nearby, where we enjoyed a long girly chat. We stumbled home safely , and joined Bear on the sofa watching the end of X-factor final.

This morning started at 5.50am when Sean woke up and decided not to go back to sleep, and bugged me for his milk bottle.

I've emptied the dish washer, put a load of washing in the washing machine, had breakfast and we are now, all 4 of us (Bear, Mum and Sean too), hanging out in our living room. Once Bear leaves for work, we will get a cab(!) to IKEA (we have just sold our two seater Carrera 4s cabriolet in anticipation of finding a proper family car such as a Range Rover) for shopping various stuff, having lunch at their restaurant, and of course a visit to their Swedish food shop!

Lucia & Third Sunday of Advent

And so the third candle should be lit today! Only one more Advent Sunday of the very Lutheran (and therefore also Swedish) tradition before Christmas Eve :-)

Another popular tradition today is Lucia, which will be celebrated amongst Swedes all over the country.

Have a beautiful day!

XOXO

getting in to the Christmas spirit...

....at the Dickens Inn pub and restaurant, that lies at the heart of St. Katharine's Dock

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Our night away in pics

On Wednesday I was wearing a black dress (meant for New Years but couldn't wait wearing it)

The dress has a zip all along the back which is such a nice feature. Here on our own private (outdoor) terrace attached to our hotel room. (looks warmer than it was!)

Bear in his element, drinking rose Champagne.

In love

Outside the restaurant, Scotts, as you are not allowed to take pics inside. Especially not as Gordon bloody Ramsay happened to sit next to me. Think I was star struck or what??? I love him! LOL

24 hours of festive fun – daahling! :-)

Good morning! I’m very excited this morning! Today is going to be crazy fun with a capital C. Crazy in the capital city, and fun fun fun with a capital F! Today Bear and I will spend one baby free night in a fab London hotel. It’s all kicking off this morning with an appointment at the hairdresser for a wash, treatment and a blow dry. Bear will come home after a breakfast meeting at the Landmark Hotel around noon.

We will then pack and get Mum organised with all the necessary bits and bobs (including writing down which one, of all the 5 remote controls we have, to use for the TV, which channel Sean likes to watch and stocking up on loads of goodies for him should he for some reason miss his mum and dad) to baby sit for a whole 24 hours.

No later than 2pm, we will elope in a black cap for a quick bag drop at the Mayfair Hotel. Not much later shall we head for Selfridges were we will start our Christmas shopping which we will carry on on New Bond Street down to Old Bond Street. Lunching will take place in DNKY (which I have earmarked a great place for a midweek casual lunch after shopping) where we shall no doubt be sitting with our carrier bags spread around us. I mean, what's not great about sitting in an open plan restaurant with a lobster salad, rose champagne and Bulgari, Gucci, Tiffany, Hermes and Cartier all around you? It is the perfect people watching paradise!

Once we are done with our Christmas shopping we will head back to our hotel room, kick of our shoes and throw ourselves on the fabulously comfortable king size bed with the finest Egyptian cotton bedding ( I have stayed in the same hotel on numerous occasions before and will post pics of Bear’s and mine last visit in another post), call room service and order some more champs (the hotel does not have any minibars – they’re so oldschool!) before we have dinner at nearby Scotts, followed by some bar hopping and then......who knows... the world is our lobster *wink*

We have decided that a leisurely breakfast in bed (room service again - no doubt full English one – you crave those carbs the morning after the night before!) ) is far more appealing than another city walking marathon with heavy bags, and sometime in the afternoon, or when the hotel kicks us out (late check out is requested), we will head back home, most likely itching to get back of our little prince and give him the biggest squeeze ever and just a sniff of his hair!

cool Kate

December issue of ELLE has got my favourite Kate (of Moss, Bosworth and Winslet) on the cover, and she looks gorgeous as ever!

Idyllic romance setting

Isn't this such an an idyllic setting for a little romance??? And a perfect place to go for date. When I walked past here I instantly dreamed myself away to Paris (we are going for a baby free weekend the 18th December), where Bear and I will do just that. Outdoor ice-skating - I really can't wait. :-))

Of the many ice-skating rinks in London during the winter months, this one is in front of the Natural History Museum. Somehow I'm thinking it will be a whole lot more romantic in France's capital.! ;-)

Here you'll find the nearest outdoor rink to you (listing all of the country)

This is how "they" should b dealt with

Sometimes when you open your inbox, you read something that is unpredictable and interesting. Like this story. And supposedely its completely true...

This scene took place on a British Airways flight between Johannesburg, South Africa, and London, England. A white woman was seated next to a black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air hostess.

"You placed me next to a black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."

"Stay calm please," the hostess replied. "Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will check if something is available."The hostess went away and then came back a few minutes later."Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in Economy Class. I spoke to the captain and he informed me that there is no seat in the Business Class either. All the same, we still have one place in First Class."

"Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued. "It is not usual for our company to permit someone from Economy Class to sit in the First Class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone sooooo disgusting."She turned to the black guy and said:

"Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in First Class."

At that moment, the other passengers, who'd been shocked by what they had just witnessed, stood up and applauded.

Winter inspiration

With the winter quickly upon us, I thought the latest Hermes Winter 2010 campaign is very inspirational and suitable.