Stocking up

With both Friday and Monday being a public holiday here in the UK, we have yet another long weekend to look forward to, and to make sure we don't run out of goodies to eat, I've just been to get some yummy food from the nearby Swedish shop.

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last minute preps

Today is dress down day as I'm running errands left right and centre, buying and organising things in preparation for our skiing trip tomorrow to Courchevel in the French Alps

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Macbook Pro

I've just made a chicken salad (with slices of cooked chicken breast, crispy bacon, green beans, tomatoes, green peas, quinoa and spinach) to have for lunch, and whilst Sean is napping I will now sit down and try to get familiar with my Macbook Pro (15 inch) that Bear got me for Xmas. As I am completely new to Mac, all tips are gratefully received!

Good morning!

Among all the hustle and bustle outside, in the chaos that the snow has created, I am still in my bathrobe and slippers in the comfort of my warm flat. Ain't life just great? lol

Just another list

All geared up in warm knitwear, scarves, gloves and ear muffs, in chilly London yesterday

1. Thought for the day... 47 days until Christmas!

2. Yesterday I... bought a hooded top at Gap for Sean, spent ages lusting for clothes on Selfridges 2nd floor, bought groceries at M&S food shop in Marble Arch, dressed up warm and went for a long walk around Regents Park with Dad, Erik and my little man, cooked lentil soup, watched X-factor, arranged for a cleaner to come next week and clean our blinds in every room.

3. Wishing I could...buy the new Apple MacBook Air,

4. Currently enjoying... watching my son learning new words daily, Capital Gold digital radio station that only plays 60s,70s and 80s (so nice with no current songs playing for a change!), preparing and organising for x-mas, wearing warm Ugg-like slippers, reading tweets and looking for new people to follow, Starbucks gingerbread lattes and my nearly finished Jo Malone travel candle.

5. One thing I plan to do this week... go bowling with Bear on Wednesday as part of our 'Midweek quality time'-plan

6. Spent too much time lately on... watching the first two seasons of the American tv-series "Hung".

7. Last movie I watched... Julie and Julia, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

8. I am very grateful...that Sean's sleeping pattern is improving every day + it appears thoses long dreaded nights when he was up every hour, is now gone :-)

Right now

Sean is hanging out in one of his favourite spots in our flat, upstairs in the sleeping loft in Mummy's and Daddy's tv-bed

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A cluttered mind..

We will miss this this year's Swedish Midsummer party. Above pic is taken in Hyde Park on Midsummer 2006 (before I met Bear) with my then lovely flatmate Emma.

Must remember to pop across the road and give the bag of clothes I’ve put together for the Women’s Emergency Church Army. Just realized that we will miss this year’s Swedish Midsummer celebrations in London. I am so proud of who Sean is becoming. I love his constant kisses. Have to watch SATC on my return from holiday. You really are only as old as you feel . Is four bikinis too much to take on holiday? Maybe I should just take three. Tonight it’s a no carb dinner. Omelet and with a Greek side salad that is. I hope my vitamins arrive before we travel tomorrow. I am feeling so happy and excited, bouncing around Gummy Bear –style happy and excited, that we are going on holiday. A holiday which is a time to unwind, relax, experience something new, to explore and to re-charge the batteries. One of the things I most look forward to is waking up with a sea view from our bed through the opened terrace doors. I wish I will have to do my usual round in the park today. How many nappies do I need to bring? Wonder where I can buy a travel kettle. I gotta continue with my organising and packing now…

Mind the mop!

As you can see, me and Alma are getting on just fine lol - Love her to bits, haha! Do excuse my head of hair that resembles a mop! Must stop buying handbags and invest in a good hairbrush instead ;-)

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Today..

New beauty buys: FCUK polished sugarscrub, extra rich shampoo + extra rich self warming mask both by Wella Professional, Lancome Aqua fusion day cream with SPF15 and Estee Lauder Double Wear mascara

Today I feel...that the weekend wasn't long enough
Song of the moment: "Rock your body" by Black Eyed Peas
Currently I spend a lot of time...looking for a suitable nursery for Sean
Currently I spend too much money on: beauty products
Quote for week: There is a wisdom of the head, and a wisdom of the heart ~Charles Dickens
Favourite food right now? Lemon sole, aka "Bergskädda" in Swedish (Thanks for your tip, Viv!)

News I'm thrilled to share: Sean said "mormor" (grandma) for the first time today
Currently reading... what's worth doing/seeing when in Chicago, USA

One major plan for the week: Attending the christening of a close friend's daughter in a central London church, followed by party on Saturday

Ahoy sailor!

Today I opted for nautical stripes for both me and my little man

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Happy Friday!

TODAY I am feeling supa dupa happy. It’s Friday, it's Spring in the air, I had a good night’s sleep, I am having a great hair day LOL and we're going on HOLIDAY in a couple of days!!

LAST NIGHT me and Bear snuggled up early in bed at 9pm already (love it when we do that!) for a cosy time chatting bout our upcoming holidays etc

THIS WEEKEND I plan finish packing, have lunch out in a nice gastro pub on Saturday afternoon followed by Erik and D (brother and his boyfriend) coming over with a cake to celebrate my birthday, me and mah boyz getting a haircut when our hair dresser is coming around Sat evening, and to be treated to a breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day early Sunday morning before we head for Heathrow.

ok, time for a list.... Here goes:

1. Thought(s) for the day: Is taking four pairs of shoes and two pairs of sunglasses on a skiing holiday ridiculous and why is there no dutyfree Louis Vuitton at Heathrow airport?

2. Plan for the day: BT engineer is coming to look at the broad band and telephone problems we have, my friend Lena who’s over from Sweden is coming here for lunch, and at 3pm Sean and I are taking a cab to Bear’s office in the city to say hello to his staff and have a coffee, then we’re going to the lawyer’s office to prepare my will.

3. Song of the moment that I can’t get out of my head: The wheels on the bus go round and round.. (kiddies nursery rhyme)

4. Currently I spend too much time: obsessing about packing – forgetting stuff and packing too much

5. Currently reading: Stieg Larson’s that I’m planning to take and finish whilst on hols.

6. Lesson learned lately: do regular back ups on laptop in order to avoid losing photos, docs etc!

7. Right now I am craving... Swedish breakfast buns with poppy seeds (“frallor”) with butter and cheese

For today...

FOR TODAY: .... Wednesday 24 February 2010

Outside my window: a little sunlight is coming through finally

I am thinking: maybe Bear and I should have a little wine with our dinner tonight

I am thankful for: my adorable son and that Bear is coming home at 5pm already today

From the kitchen: nothing yet but am planning a wintry beef & veg stew with mashed potatoes for dinner

I’m wearing: grey velour Juicy Couture track suit bottoms and a black stretch vest from Primark and a pair of indoor UGG-style cosy black slippers

I’m creating: a beautiful flower arrangement from the hyacinths, daffodils and tulips I bought earlier

I’m reading: booklet “Travelling with tots the easy way”

I am going to: unpack all the groceries that has just been delivered

I’m hoping: for a perfect sunny skiing weather when on holiday in Courchevel

Im hearing: best of cd with Dire Straits

I’m praying for: as always; health for me and my family

Around the house: a very jolly 15 month old baby

One of my favourite things: afternoon nap with Sean on my chest

A few plans for the rest of the week: Thursday: playgroup 10am then vaccination booster for Sean at the GP surgery followed by lunch with my gf Helen in Hampstead, then seeing an ENT doctor at the Royal Free Hospital at 4pm

Today I ...

...adore my son when he reach out his arms to me and give me the biggest cuddle

...went out to get a cappuccino earlier

....plan to get a free straight blowdry by my friend who is a hairdresser

....have not had sushi since just before xmas and look forward to having some this evening at our local sushi place

...wish we will make a decision for what car to buy when visiting the Range Rover garage this weekend

...have yet to paint my toe nails for tomorrow

...wonder who gets voted out in Big Brother tonight

...can’t wait to see my brother later this afternoon as I haven’t seen him since he went to Tokyo on 28 Dec

...would like it if Bear realised that the bouquet of flowers in the living rm are dead and that we/I need new ones

....realise today that my jeans are not as tight since starting the diet

...am having sore eyes from not sleeping enough

...feel very excited for Saturday night when I’m out for a girly night

Today..

Today I ...

...adore my son who’s such a copy cat and eager to learn at the moment

...went to a baby playgroup with Sean and really enjoyed it

....plan to make minced beef cutlets (ala Swedish style) for dinner

....have had a strong craving all day for hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkled over it

...wish me and my family stays healthy this Christmas

...have pretty French manicured nails

...wonder what we will be doing for New Years Eve

...can’t believe I’m quite liking Mariah Carey’s version of Foreigner’s “I wanna know what love is”

...won't let the grey weather get me down

....realise that balloons have a happy feel to them (our living room full of them from Saturday’s party)

...am having a bad hair day (oily), and look forward to washing it tomorrow

...feel happy and positive with the weekend just around the corner

Confessions

Confession is good for the soul ( and at times also good for a laugh or two!). Of course I don’t mean your deepest darkest secrets, more a kind of silly confession.....

1. I am terrified of insects (only small ones, not snakes and bigger animals) and would not enter a room if there is one, and I scream out load if I feel threatened

2. I am quite anal with hygiene and have got a phobia of touching public things i.e. – I always take a tissue and wrap it around the cinnamon/chocolate sprinkler in Starbucks before grabbing it. Don’t even get me started on toilet visits or on public transports (which I by the way try and avoid completely)

3. I am more or less addictive to chewing gum. I go sometimes go through one pack (20 peaces) a day, although I tell myself that is ok as I only chew it for a short while before spitting it out. Pls don’t lecture me, I already know it’s bad for me

4. I am extremely organised mainly with my personal accounting:checking weekly (on the same day) bank statement and balances online on each account that I have, and I would never spend a penny that I don’t have i.e – I have not got ANY credit card (or other for that matter) debts. Should add that I also know by heart all my account numbers

5. I stick out my tongue every time that i really focus and concentrate on doing something difficult

6. My guilty pleasure is sneaky smokes on nights out accompanied by champagne (which I am hoping to eventually give up completely)

7. My first ever crush I had was on Antony Andrews. I was completely and totally obsessed with him when I was a little girl. I first saw him in Ivanhoe (also with Sam Neil) then in The Scarlet Pimpernel (with Jane Seymour).

I was intrigued when it first aired on TV (it was made for TV) and my parents recorded it and I watched it on our VCR over and over and over. I remember writing in my diary about him, wishing that he would come and take me away and marry me!! lol

8. If I have any scabs, I have to peel them off, can’t help myself, and it’s left me with various scars on my body

9. I didn’t start plucking my eyebrows until I was 27(!)

10. I sleep with two duvets, one thin and one thick (which is also the one I share with Bear), and change throughout the night as I get hot/cold

11. I know my National Insurance number by heart (why? Dunno, ridiculous, I know!)

Today's right now

Mood: versatile

Have done: changed, fed and dressed Sean. Showered & had brekkie and am yet to put make up on

Thinking: it's my brother Erik's birthday on Thursday

listening: radio, Smooth FM

Watching: a painter dressed in only a t-shit(!) on scaffolding across the street

Reading: The girl who played with fire - Stieg Larsson

Drinking: Chai tea with milk

Eating: Alpen no added sugar muesli with unsweetened soya milk

Best: glorious sunshine outside

Worst: still not fully recovered from the cold

Weather: beautiful

Wearing: white shirt, long black cardigan, dark jeans and black patent boots

Plans this morning: Jellybeans playgroup @10am (yup, I'm running late!) then to Selfridges for various things

Instinctive random thoughts

I have to mop the kitchen floor. I wish I wasn’t ill now, just as weekend is coming up, but am trying to persuade myself that it’s a good thing, cos at least Bear will be home to look after me. I need a hair cut. It's Sean's birthday in a month and I need to start organising. Love really makes everything really beautiful. My love for Sean is immeasurable. I need to drag myself to the nearest chemist to stock up in preparation for my very sore throat. I can’t wait for Christmas, if I could, I would start the decorations already! Soon I will turn 34. Its inevitable. Can't help it. Don't mind actually! ;-) We have to buy the Range Rover jeep asap. I am really looking forward to watch new romcom with Scottish hunk Gerard Butler "The Ugly Truth" which is on my laptop waiting to be seen. I love my blackberry and don’t know I could live without it before. I desperately need a manicure. I wish my Mum was here to bring me warm soup in bed. I’m glad the latest issue of InStyle came in the post yesterday, just before the strike started today. Would love to go to IKEA soon, have to persuade Bear. I should hit the bed. Im really feeling unwell now....

The much longed for weekend is finally here!

We are currently looking in to renting this gorgeous cottage/beach house in Kent sometime between now and Christmas. The house has a New England feel to it with wide wooden frontage and a verandah and wrap-around decking.

With an open fireplace and doors leading out to the deck and the beach, five bedrooms and a study, all with extensive sea views. The house has been featured in The Observer, The New York Times and Vogue, and been the setting for numerous fashion, lifestyle and interior photo shoot.It will no doubt be a great weekend retreat away from London for me and my family. I just hope there is availability!

1. Where is your mobile phone? Kitchen
2. Your hair? a bit messy
3. Your mother? Missed
4. Your father? visiting in a couple of weeks
5. Your favourite food? shell fish
6. Your dream last night? Vivid
7. Your favourite drink? champagne
8. Your dream/goal? Complete fulfilment
9. What room are you in? kitchen
10. Your hobby? any activity involving my son
11. Your fear? Disability or death for Sean
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? large country house
13. Where were you last night? out drinking with girlfriends
14. Something that you aren’t? Patient
15. Muffins? Chocolate
16. Wish list item? Holiday, beach house/cottage rental
17. Where did you grow up? south of Sweden
18. Last thing you ate? Muesli and soya milk
19. What are you wearing? black velour Juicy Couture tracksuit bottoms, beige vest and beige long knitted cardi, also from Juicy
20. Your TV? children's channel on
21. Your pets? non
22. Reading? the girl who played with fire - Stieg Larsson
23. Your life? v good
24. Your mood? Tired but excited about the weekend coming up
25. Missing someone? Mum
26. Vehicle? Porsche 911 carrera
27. Something you’re not wearing? socks (wearing UGG-like slippers instead)
28. Your favourite store? Online
29. Your favourite colour? pink
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today, at my son who made funny faces at me
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday
32. Your best friend? Unsure
33. One place that you go to over and over? Starbucks
34. One person who emails you regularly? Vivien
35. Favourite place to eat? Out

Welcome, weekend! :-)

I obsessed with beautiful jewellery and accessories

Hey all luvelies! I thought to start the weekend with another list (I saved this list way back, before I changed laptop,mand dont remember from where I got it, but pls feel free to copy it and put it on your blog if you have one)


1.What are your current obsessions?
theoutnet.com, designer jewellery, coral nail varnish and my son’s development

2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often?
white, a pair of dark & a pair light denim skinny jeans

3. What's for dinner?
Oh dear, sounds just like Bear, normally I don't know, I only decide in the last minute, all depends on what mood I’m in, but tonight we are having dinner in Mayfair restaurant Cecconi's.
4. Last thing you bought?
Assorted groceries from Waitrose, and for myself? A black bra from La Sensza

5. What are you listening to? electro house

6. If you were a god/goddess who would you be?
The Goddess of Love of course, either Aphrodite, Venus or any of those, as always, I am a love addict (my MSN name has been Aphrodite for years).

7. Favourite holiday spots? Oman, and places I've yet to see

8. Reading right now?
MAMA – Swedish parenting mag that I subscribe to

9. Four words to describe yourself : Swedish, mum, passionate & caring

10 Guilty pleasure?Sneaky smokes on nights out accompanied by wine (I never smoke when I'm not drinking)

11. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak?stand up comedy with Eddie Murphy

12. First spring thing?not sure..

13. Planning to travel to next? Dorset for a weekend very soon hopefully, Sweden beg August and Algarve coast, Portugal in September

14. Best thing you ate or drank lately?
Ice cold pink champagne last Friday, as we celebrated Bear and his new city office

15. When did you last get tipsy?Last Friday

16. Favourite ever film?The Notebook

17. First Love?Back in Sweden, I was 14

18. What do you most want to achieve ?

Total peace of mind and for me and my family; true happiness forever

I want to grow old with Bear

For today

Ok, so I haven't done any lists for quite some time now. This one I got from The Simple Woman's Day Book .

FOR TODAY: .... Tuesday 30 June 09

Outside my window: bright sunshine, it's expected to be 31(!) degrees in London today

I am thinking: how fast Summer is already moving along

I am thankful for: for being in a position where I don’t have to go back to work, which then enables me to be a full time mum to Sean

From the kitchen: Its getting too hot to stand in front of the cooker, so I’m thinking of a cold pasta salad

I’m wearing: Safari style khaki shorts, white floaty military style shirt, barefoot and with sunglasses on my head

I’m creating: more wardrobe space by clearing out clothes and giving them to charity

I’m reading: The celeb diaries, bestseller by Mark Frith (ex editor of Heat Magazine)

I am going: turn MSN and camera on now and get connected with Mum in Sweden

I’m hoping: for a glorious summer with lots of quality time ( with all three of us are together with no agenda other than to simply be together) both at home and on holiday

Im hearing: Sean making "da-da" sounds

I’m praying for: health for me and my family

Around the house: toys on the living room floor and a happy 7 month old baby.

One of my favourite things: A peaceful Summer's evening, just as the sun is going down, sitting in the garden with Bear sipping on a glass of wine, Sean on a rug in front of us, Satie playing in the background and reading a favourite mag

A few plans for the rest of the week: picnic in Kensington Gdns with a few other mums and their babies today, lunch at our country club tomorrow as it's Bear's "working from home"-day, restaurant with Bear & Sean on Friday night, birthday party in Portman Square for Sean's playmate Nicholas who turns 1year.

And here is a picture thought I am sharing with you:

My first month after my arrival in London, April 1996 (Unfortunately the hard copy/original I have is black and white -I personally would have loved to see it in colours)

Join the SW Daybook fun HERE