InstaDecember

It's been quiet for a few days and things have been a bit turbulent.
However, today is the last day of 2013, and of course the last post of the year is - as it should be - an InstaMonth post.

Yes, that was December, and what a happy month and Christmas it was. And here we stand; on the threshold to a new year.
So therefore I really want to wish all of you the very happiest of New Years
- may your day, evening and especially night be absolutely amazing.

See you next year! ♡

White as Winter - and Dutch

Hello on such a rainy and cold day.
Today I'm going to be cooked up inside all day, because I've decided to be a responsible student and spend the day doing a lot of homework. So if you're looking for me, try to find me in the old Swedish house, upstairs in the study with a big pot of coffee and books everywhere.

Well anyway, today I have the first Dutch apartment on f&f.
This gorgeous Winter white apartment had to be featured today. I won't say much, but merely let these pictures inspire you.

Have a happy day and
Smile ten times - then smile twenty more!

A look at Danish Christmas traditions + My own family traditions

So that was Christmas, and what a wonderful day it was.
But even though Christmas Eve is over, there are still many days left to gather and celebrate this holiday season.
Lately I've noticed that a lot of my readers come from the States, and since I'm always interested in how things work around the world, I thought it might be fun for other people to hear how I celebrate Christmas - actually, how most Danes spend their Christmas.

In Denmark, we have a tradition of celebrating Christmas Eve on the 24th of December, where most of us gather with friends and family to eat delicious ham, duck or goose, open presents and have a gay old time.
But it's not over just yet; there's also a tradition of celebrating the next couple of days after Christmas Eve. The 26th and 27th - or 1. juledag and 2. juledag, as we call it - we gather with friends or family, where we eat well and enjoy ourselves.

So this is where I'm going:
Even though Christmas is over (for some people anyway) there are still loads of reasons to get together and have fun. If you're having people over, then why not be a little creative and set a beautiful and creative table for your guests?
In my family, my mother has always spent half a day setting - and decorating - the holiday table. I have countless pictures of beautiful tables she's set, and it seems that she's topping herself year after year.
So let's face it; Christmas dinner - or any other dinner - is not just the dinner in it self, but a well decorated table can make a big difference. I'm sure everybody's having a cozy time either way, but why not do a little something special this year? Here's some colorful inspiration from IKEA's Livet Hemma blog - this theme is fun and happy, but there are loads of ways to go. However, you can always count on IKEA providing flawless and yet cheap inspiration to a different way of setting the table.

Have a wonderful December day - and please try to remember to smile ♡

Happy Holidays

Christmas gingerbread cookies

Ah, Christmas is just around the corner, and now's the time to gather with the family to have a cozy time and drink tea - and bake cookies.
There are loads of recipes for gingerbread cookies on the net - it's as simple as a Google search, some imagination and lots of smiles - and as for the inspiration... well, I can provide that - and here it is:

Happy Christmas day to you - be merry and shine bright ♡

Christmas in Sweden anno 2013

Hello from Sweden on such a lovely December day.
Well, we drove all day yesterday, and now we're finally here.
Oh how I love this old Swedish house - and especially around the Holidays!
I had hoped for snow, but unfortunately it's a no-show.
But still, with all of the cozy Christmas decorations both in - and outside, I can't help of feeling like it really is Christmas.

Here are a few snippets of my personal paradise
- enjoy, and have the happiest of December Saturdays ♡

Life Lately. & a Country styled Christmas

Goodevening dear Internet friends.
I'm posting a little late today - actually, I forgot all about it, since I've spent the day reading interior design magazines, re-docorating a little and watching the Sex & The City movies.
It had to be done today; first of all, inspiration struck and then I couldn't leave it for later. Because tomorrow I'm finally going back to the lovely old Swedish house of ours. I'm spending Christmas there with my folks, and since it's been a while since I've been up there, I'm really looking forward to go.
I've only been away from school for a week now, and already I'm bored to tears. So I'm exited that something is finally happening tomorrow - oh and of course, that Christmas is only a couple of days away.
Anyway, in "celebration" of me leaving tomorrow, I thought it would be kind of fitting to show you this lovely Christmas country home - and of course it's Swedish...

... Very merry Decemberday to you ♡

A white Christmas, a grey Christmas, a classy Christmas

Ah December. The best month of the entire year - and now it's almost over!
However I think Christmas should last at least 6 months...
... Because then I would have an excuse to re-decorate for Christmas 6 times. Right now I have a very cozy and yet subtle Christmas silver theme in my apartment, but I must admit that it would be nice to start all over and do something like in these pictures.

Oh well, a girl can dream ♡

A lovely evening in Apartment 107

Hello and goodevening to you all.
Well, I've have had a very productive day today. Despite going to bed way too late and getting up at noon today, I've managed to get a lot of things done - which is always lovely.

I'm on my Christmas break right now, and already I'm feeling a bit restless. So today, after getting up and having several cups of coffee, I decided not to waste the day away and started to clean the whole apartment. Yes, I've been in every corner, nook and cranny and the place is just spotless now - and that is just oh so lovely!
Then I wrapped some Christmas presents for my folks whilst listening to old crooners singing Christmas tunes, and then, still feeling restless, I started painting some wooden bookcases black, so that they match the rest of the place.

And then suddenly, day turned into evening, and I'm finally kickin' back with a big cuppa tea
- in my new cup I got from IKEA a couple of days ago (and by the way, the striped knitted blanket is also an IKEA purchase) -
and back-to-back episodes of Sex & The City.
My couch corner really is the place where I spend most of my time when I'm home. It's oh so cozy, and with the subtle light from the chain of lights and candles, it's next to impossible not to feel happy and relaxed.

But well yes, that's it from me tonight.
I hope all of you have had a nice Monday, and that you're feeling just as happy and relaxed as me.
Have the happiest of December evenings ♡

Small Space Inspiration #3

Hello, how are you on this lovely December day?

Yesterday I spend all of my Saturday at IKEA, which resulted in a lot of lovely new things for the apartment and a little too much spending of the funds. Never the less, I've spent the day today assembling a new trolly for the kitchen and at the same time cleaning up a bit. I think I'm going to show you my new purchases one of these coming days, I just have to take some pictures first. However, look for the post - it's gonna come eventually!

Today I wanted to show you these four pictures. As you know, I can't resist a small spaced apartment, living in one myself. It can be hard to decorate a small apartment, but it is manageable.
So what do you do when you live in a studio and don't know how to decorate? Check f&f of course (haha). Here's a little inspiration from a 40 kvm2 Swedish apartment.
I do love the pillows on the sofa and the little Christmas tree in a big vase - great and simple idea, yes?

Have a wonderful Sunday ♡

Christmas expectations on a string

We might very well be half way through Christmas, but still, there's nothing like presents and gifts.
Why not try this little nifty gift trick this Christmas?
All you'll need is a string, some nice and small gift bags and a little imagination.

Have a very merry and wonderful December day ♡

Classy Christmas

What a wonderful December day it is!
Today was my last day of school, so now I'm officially on Christmas holiday - and oh how great it feels! I'm celebrating with a cuppa coffee with cinnamon and a Christmas movie, and well, life is pretty great right now.
Anyway, since it's such a lovely day today, I thought I'd make it even better with a little classy Christmas inspiration.

... These pictures come from a Danish home, and I must say I am a little bit in love with the classy Christmas theme. I love that it's subtle and simple, but still create a very cozy and Christmasy feeling.

Have a great December day - if you have any, then please go play in the snow. Oh, and throw a snowball for me ♡