Stockholm – The Classic Tourist Shots

I’m hoping you aren’t sick of Stockholm yet because I have but more photos to purge today. I like to think of these as the classic tourist shots –  which include the charming tiny streets of the Old Town in Gamla Stan and the views of Skeppsholmen from Östermalm (more on Skeppsholmen next week). One of the most fantastic things about Stockholm is that you are never far from the water, therefore never far from a spectacular view… and they get better by night! Although a lot of Stockholmers questioned why we timed our visit for the start of winter, I was so grateful that we did. Autumn was well underway and golden trees lined just about every  walk we took, it was also so quiet that at times, it felt like we had the city all to ourselves. Ah, I miss it already!

All images via Wishful Thinking

Couldn’t resist it…

I know Swedish week finished last week but I just couldn’t resist posting this sprawling Swedish beauty that I came across whilst partaking in my favourite activity of virtual shopping for pie-in-the-sky property. And I think it’s fairly obvious from the houses that I have been posting lately that I am feeling the strains of living in the confines of the city even more than usual. I am longing for acres of garden, secret paths to the beach and maybe even a horse or 2. Whilst I am at it, I’ll take the not 1, but 3 fabulous porches, white washed floorboards, walls and ceilings and some bathroom taps I would sell my soul for. 

Images via

On your feet…

I’m finishing off Swedish week with another thing that the Swedes do well: Style! I expected well-dressed tall blonde goddesses so I tried my best to blend in with the uber-stylish without feeling like I was wearing a bin bag (I reckon I was at least 70% successful)! I made a few observations, first of which is that the Swedes are not afraid of a bit of experimentation, particularly with glasses, also they love to wear black (thankfully that was mostly what I packed, hence the 70% success rate) but the observation I found most surprising is that Swedish women tend to favour grunge – think an abundance of fitted black leather, studs and my personal favourite, good old faithful Doc Martens.

I know they aren’t for everyone but surely you can’t deny that they get serious points for being so badass…

Shopping like the Swedes…

We only had 4 very short days in Stockholm so I had to curb my shopping tendencies in favour of seeing as much of the city as possible. I did, however, manage to spend a good few minutes scrolling through the latest copy of Skona Hem in the 7eleven line and on our 2^nd last day we spent the afternoon wandering around the trendy un-touristy neighbourhood of Södermalm. We passed one shop packed to the rafters with stylish Swedes and I just knew I needed a closer look. I am so glad I did because I found a little life-changer called Granit…

1. Lamp String; 2. Zinc Stool; 3. Cast Iron Teapot; 4. Cookie Jar; 5, Napkins; 6. Small Chest of Drawers; 7, Wire Basket; 8. Apple Crate; 9. Rusted Pots; 10. Star Light; 11. Hanging Rail; 12. Zinc Baskets; 13. Candlestick Pipes;  14. Metal Ladder;

Shall we take this outside?

Our very first London flat had no garden/balcony/large window ledges. I remember spending hot summer days with my face pressed against the glass of the back window watching on in envy as our neighbours gleefully enjoyed their too large gardens. So when we moved into our new house, complete with outside deck area, we vowed to use it every day come rain or shine. And for a while, we did just that (we have been known to bbq in the snow), but as with all good things, we have started to take it for granted and spend more time sitting in front of the laptop than enjoying our outdoors. I would chalk it up to the atrocious English weather but after seeing how they live in Stockholm, I fear I can no longer use that excuse. Even though the temperatures were a not-so-toasty 7 degrees, it did not deter the hardy Stockholmers (is that even the right term), who hit the parks, balconies and outside cafes in their droves.

To illustrate my point I am using images of stunning balconies from Swedish based brokerage-come-interior design firm Alvhem.