white hot

The dog days of summer have definitely set in here with a heat index  again today forcasted to be above 100. In contrast I find myself drawn towards light, bright and airy spaces to balance out the "sweatyness" like this beautiful turn of the century home in Stockholm.

*images via 

This is how we've been staying cool...

Hope you have a great start to your week! I see lots of McDonald's 59 cent cones in my immediate future.

hold the phone...

deep breath...

inhale....

hold it 1..2.....3..........

and exhale.........................

I've been a little scarce this week. Real life has taken over with all of the Easter Holiday craziness, not to mention we're in the middle of gathering quotes this week for a new fence and I began my tennis class today (so fun by the way!). It's time to slow down though and regain some perspective. I beat myself up too much on the days I run out of time and don't post and I really shouldn't. I figured you guys would rather have quality over quantity right? I did visit my friend Daisy over at Sunny Room Studios where I guest posted about children and art. You can read all about it here. 

Smooches!

*images via

details, details

can we just talk about the ridiculousness of the thoughtfulness and charm to this kitchen. i had to keep going back to look at the photos because I kept missing things. i wish I had room in my kitchen for a nice big island like that one. the painted wood floors, bead board ceilings, those light fixtures!!! wowza!

*via Sköna Hem

so it's cold again...

I'm just going to surrender to the cold weather till spring. We were so teased with a preview of spring last week. What's that saying "fool me once..." In the spirit if embracing the chill check out this beautiful 1912 Swedish farmhouse. One word... stunning. 

via Sköna Hem

pop goes some color

We're in for a few inches of the slushy white stuff and as a result I think I'm craving some color in my life. What's that you say? You too? Well perfect then, here you go! Check out that hunky chunky knitting right down there...

a very swedish christmas

A lovely Swedish home decked out in subtle, pretty Christmas neutrals. I love how clean and soft everything comes across. 

Last night we hosted Linda and Daniel who are here in the states road tripping from Chicago to the East Coast winding down in Boston. Linda's mom and my dad are cousins and Linda is Finnish and her husband Daniel is Swedish. It was so much fun to play 20 questions with them. We picked one another's brains over dinner and then some post dinner wine. I learned a lot!

In Sweden there is really no such thing as a "Stay at home mom." Day care is affordable and everyone works. Mothers are given paid maternity through the government for 1 year and after that time is over the father receives 2 months paternity leave. 

It is illegal for you to install your own dimmer switch! (or any other electrical projects) You must hire a licenced electrician. If you don't and your house burns down insurance won't cover it. 

At Easter little girls dress up like witches and children go door to door to ask for Easter candy. Daniel said it's a lot like Halloween. 

It's standard for everyone to have between 5 and 6 weeks paid vacation every year. And your salary is based on age not on seniority. 

It's pronounced "Ick-ea" people. 

I think my brain exploded all over the table when Daniel mentioned Helsinki having the best white chocolate ice cream. I showed them the swedish blogs I read and had them translate a little of it for me, that was really cool! I'm so glad they made a stop at our house, this morning they were headed off to Amish Country and then Linda was determined to find a great Outlet Mall. ( a girl after my own heart- le sigh)

a little outdoor prettiness

I love the gravel walkways and twig stick fencing- Perfection!