Surviving Darkness

Creepy photo taken by my boyfriend.

It's that time of year again... the darkness is here in Sweden. Discussing this dark topic on Halloween only feels fitting, don't you think? Spooky! Since turning the clocks back this past Sunday (we do this a bit earlier than in the States etc.) the sun sets at around 4.30 pm, and it's gradually getting darker and darker until the middle of December when it'll be at it's darkest. (The sun sets at around 2.30 pm in Stockholm, crazy I know.)

Many Swedes get deeply depressed during the dark Fall and Winter seasons and seek out help with coping with this cold and darkness. Most of us go into a sort of hibernation, staying indoors and not being as social as the light filled summer months. So far, living in Sweden for only 5 years, I'm not yet really effected by this (ask me in 20 years). I try to stay positive and enjoy the cozy indoor candle lit months as much as I can. One thing I miss during the summer with the midnight sun, is no romantic candle lit dinners. Somethings are just better enjoyed on dark cold winter evenings, like cozying up in a wooly blanket with a great book and a hot cup of fragrant tea or candle lit dinners for two.


So what are my tips for surviving the long dark cold Swedish Winters?

• I embrase the darkness, and turn it into something cozy rather than scary or depressing.
• Stock up on tons of candles and tea lights. Nothing is more gorgeous than candle light.
• Christmas lights and decorations of course help a lot. I love love love advent stars and lights, they make the entire city glow for the extremely dark month of December. (So it's actually not that dark.) We put them up early and take them down late.
• Having lots of work and new projects to do helps a lot. I think I'm (and the majority of Nordic countries) are most productive during these indoor months, with no gorgeous sunny nice days to distract.
• Drink lots of hot tea. I even enjoy hosting tea parties with lady friends. A great to warm up form the inside.
• I do my errands during the daylight hours, so I get some light. (This is the main problem for working people as they go to work in the morning in the darkness, and leave work for home in the darkness, missing the hours of daylight.)
• Extra many romantic dinners for two. Yes Please.
• Cooking elaborate hearty meals is really nice. (Something dorky like it 'warms the soul.')
• As well as watching lots of cooking shows. (Something about them is so homey and comforting.) I enjoy Nigella and The Little Paris Kitchen.
• Wear light bright colors. (I don't understand Swedes and their all black ensembles, depressing in itself.)

How do you cope with the long dark Winter months?

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!

I didn't think Halloween was big here in Sweden but I suppose the craze/tradition is starting here as well (pleasant surprize, though I was totally unprepared). I had two sets of Trick-or-Treaters yesterday (a day early, and I didn't have any candy, felt like such a meanie.) But even still one of the cute little neighbor kids left this spooky illustrated story in my mailslot. Wicked cute!

I'll translate for you... The front states "Now the Story Begins."
The story is titled "The Ghost" and the story goes like this...
There once was a ghost who was in love with a drop of blood. The blood drop died.
The End

This made my Halloween!

Pens Pens Pens

Lets talk pens today.

I've tried and tested what seems to be a gagillion black thin liner pens. All sorts, in all price classes.... and I still haven't found my pen. Where are you dream pen!?!

The problem I have with most pens is that the tip becomes deformed or unusable way before the ink runs out. Such a bummer to waste all that great ink because the tip is destroyed. Boo hoo! Another problem I have is the pen doesn't make a perfect crisp line. What the flip!

So my question is, what ever shall I do? Just come to the realisation that there is no perfect pen, and lots of use will damage the tip or increase my pen budget and just buy new ones all the time?

Anyone have any recommendations? Are super de duper professional pens out there that I haven't discovered? Please do tell. :)

1950s Patterns

 

 

I think I'd be comfortable in saying that I hate these sorts of colors. Dirty greens and mustard yellows (eww)... but somehow combined with other colors and gorgeous line work they actually really appeal to me. Maybe it's just the really gorgeous patterns and their graphic quality that appeals to me. (Who knows!) Anyhow, I love these hand drawn patterns from the 1950s. Unfortunately they are by unknown German artists (bummer) so we can't give them cred or explore their portfolios further, but we sure can use them as major inspiration. I know I will!

Just added them to my ever expanding Pattern Love folder on Pinterest. I think it's my most heavily stocked folder... I just love love love patterns.

Haven't gotten around to making more of my own patterns as of late. (So many other commissioned projects to work on.) But I hope to soon. In the mean time I'll continue to collect inspiration.

Djurgården

Hello Monday!

Ohh Djurgården I love you! I suppose we can describe you as Stockholm's Central Park. Here, us city folk can get close to nature with out even leaving the city limits. It's a perfect place for a quiet Sunday fika (Swedish for coffee break) or long walk in the woods with your Honey. Both of which we enjoyed this past weekend. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Also not sure if you can tell through the photos, but it's become awfully cold in Stockholm. It's already time to pack away my Fall gloves and scarves and make way for my warmer winter gloves, hats, scarves and extra wooly socks. I thought my toes may fall off at one point, haha.

Gamla Stan

 

 

 

 

 

How gorgeous is this quaint townhouse located in the heart of Old Town Stockholm? Amazing I know! Did you notice all the original details, warm colors and the over all cozy feel. I love the thick windowsills, the peeling paint, and maybe even the low ceilings. You can just tell it'd be a great home for reading long novels, being a prolific artist, and for consuming lots of great aged wine.

Week 43

Week 43!

This week was kind of a strange week (and when I say strange, I mean more like fun, and I didn't get much work done). Feels as though I've spent more time outside of my apartment than the usual always at home working in front of my computer hermit style. Suppose it's good to get a refresher week, to gain new ideas, perspectives and inspiration.

• The week started off a little extra fun. I went shopping on a Monday afternoon! I tried on what felt like every black tall flat boot in Stockholm until I found the perfect perfect perfect pair. So in love. They are from Vagabond, and set me back a pretty penny. But they're an investment, wink ;) Also treated myself to a gorgeous new wool coat. Just in time, it's starting to get really close to freezing temperatures.

• Went a quick course on marketing and PR. I'm not sure I learned too much new (keep doing what I'm doing really... just more more more), but it sure was fun meeting other creatives. Bought myself a fancy new notebook to write down all sorts of important notes and ideas. Actually got a few new ideas up my sleeves. (Stay tuned!)

• Geeked out at another wine tasting (second tasting this month) with the boyfriend and his Rents. This time with wine and cheese pairing. I feel like a real grown up.

• I must confess I haven't gotten that much work done this week. I've felt that I've just been waiting on responses, and confirmations... plus maybe a pinch of procrastination. Can say that I have been working on several new illustrations for the second issue of Pouf magazine though.



p.s. It snowed for the first time yesterday! Silly Sweden!

Muffy the Bear

Hello neglected blog! What's up? Want to see something really really cute?

Of course you do. Here are a few super cute custom illustrations I just completed for a client. Three Muffy bear illustrations in three cute variations.

Aren't they sweet? My favorite is the ballerina one, duh. Which one's yours? They're all so cute it's hard to choose.

Tomorrow is Friday! Awesomeness!

Cream Puffs

image via here...

Hello Monday!

What a nice weekend I had (not to brag.) It was wonderfully cozy with a dark rainy mood. My days were spent drawing (how unusual, ha) and my evenings were spent enjoying romantic meals with my main man and I even did a little shopping (stocked up on a few new warm items, Stockholm is getting chilly).

So on to another great week, a week in pretty shades of cream puff. (That makes no sense but whatev's it's Monday.

Unexpected Favorite Feature

 

I can't wait until that one great day when boyfriend and I'll start house/apartment hunting. There are so many gorgeous places in and around Stockholm, I can only dream of what our future home will be like.  Is it going to be all white or crazy colored, have great built in features, gorgeous windows, a nice view maybe, a perfect kitchen? I also wonder what that one feature that really sells a place for us will be.

With this apartment it's definitely the romantic dusty wine cellar with a table for two. I can just imagine Johan and I enjoying a bottle of one of his vintage wines together under candlelight with a selection of stinky cheeses. That would be more than nice. Sigh.