Happy Halloween

Been completely absent.

Getting my life sorted here in Sweden and its going quite well too. Part-time job at Smögens Havsbad and various freelance projects on the go, two cars (volvo's of course) a lovely home on the 8th floor and a fantastic house-husband who has dinner on the table when I get home. And a network of baby sitter's! so it looks like we're getting some adult life after all. WoHo! I will try and keep my posts more regular now. Must admit I am missing London a bit....everyone is so rude here, or should I say everyone is so very polite in England. There just doesn't seem to be a word for Sorry over here..

Halloween picture

Me and Paul out on our first gig in AGES at Kasettfestivalen i Uddevalla watching my friends band Dundertåget.

Becoming a swedish citizen again

I am sooo glad Erik, or It, as Mina calls him was around today to help out while I spent all day becoming a swedish citizen again. According to Skatteverket I only immigrated to England in 2001 which means I have only lived abroad for 8yrs not 12 as I have been telling people.

Its so easy being out with a child here - everywhere has a kids corner or buggy access ramps, lifts or buttons that opens the door for you! I could have done this on my own (but I am so glad I didn't). Thank you Erik, you've been a star. Beers are on me. After the 6th of course ;-)

Pic of the day

Mina completing a jigsaw with 22 pieces almost all by her self in the kids section in Bokia bookshop . Lego has been the hero of today as this has occupied both Mina and Erik.

Sweden here we come...aaarrrhhh

A little earlier than planned but what's the point point hanging around.....appart from all good friends of course - I will miss you all so much! But hopefully this is the right move and we will still be able to come over to London regularly and actually enjoy it. 

Pics of the day

Me and Mina on the plane waiting for take off. Mina has been so excited about going to fly up in the sky like Winnie (the witch).

 

A very satisfied customer who thought the clouds were snow....not far off tho.

Reigate

A trip to the country side and a friends house in Surrey. Mina absolutely adored Jimi's trampoline - it was massive, it wouldn't even fit in out garden!

Pictures of the day

I had to drag her off the trampoline and as soon as I let go of her she was back bouncing....

What are they wearing - hard to believe that their mothers have a fashion degree...

Snälla Laban...

Mina's favorite TV moment at the moment is her Laban DVD and she is so cute when she copies Pappa Spöke....

Picture of the day

Our very own Pappa spöke drawn onto one of the balloon's from Fiona's party

Fionashendo

I love this title, it sounds so japanese...but its not, its purple. Paul you did a brilliant job of getting all us crazy ladies into one place almost at the same time.  And the website was just awesome! Still no one seemed to understand the content as we all kept asking you questions...

http://sites.google.com/site/fionashendo 

Pictures of the day

Here comes Purple Fiona

Fiona friendly pic nic

after wasp sting

A happy Fiona, the chief bridesmaid (organizer of hen do) and youngest bridesmaid and a whole load of rubbish

Someone has been taking her brave pills

No more kiddy slides for madame!

Photo of the day

Big slide in the Village playground

Family day out

Still very pleased we invested in our London Zoo membership! Got very close and personal with the monkey's in the 'meet the monkey' section and I now understand the strict restrictions of NO FOOD. Ended up with one of the wicked one in Mina's buggy!

Photo of the day

Even daddy enjoyed a bit of ice cream

Shadow yoga and a trip to a very quiet Brick lane

Its such a nice feeling when I manage to attend my favorite Yoga class on a Saturday morning (and definitely not as regularly as I would like).  Popped my head into the Benefit store on the way back (via Liverpool st) and was disappointed about the products I had heard so much about so I left empty handed (just as good as I couldn't really afford to buy anything). Also tried out the Body Shop's new mineral foundation - without being a bitch I can safely say that the sales assistant didn't have a clue and tried to cover my face in bronzer...

Photo of the day

 

Usually very crowded cafe but the market is not trading on a Saturday and its still early...by Brick Lane terms anyway

Walking the streets of Walthamstow

Picture of the day 

Taken on our way to the children's health clinic

Its so time for bluetooth device, but where is it?

I love this new phone, it might weigh a ton but a small price to pay for a mini computer. Oh, and my new contract with 'unlimited' internet access. Its been so useful when out and about and I am really getting on top of my emails now (need to update some of my blogs tho). 

Picture of the day

Lots of catching up to do

14th n 15th - the final brush

Its finally over. Being a evening student has been so much harder than I imagined, and then on our last session I was told by a fellow student that we didn't have to hand in our folders until the 17th...of AUGUST! Nice to tell everyone guys. I double checked with the teacher and she confirmed and said the people who had already worked their arse off and handed in their portfolio would not be seen before the people who handed theirs in 'late'. And even tho my folder was pretty much ready I know I will put it on the shelve and forget about it until the night before.

Picture of the day

A fantastic risotto made with beet root and peas from the garden 

Daddy Spöke

A proud mother displays her 2 year olds work of art on the web .

Picture of the day

Snälla Laban......

My idea of a night out - weekend 11th n 12th

Its 4pm and I am at Caroline's drinking vodka coke!! 

She is getting ready to go out and I am the artist. Looking gorgeous! 

We get on the on the same bus, she on her way out, me on yet another mission to drop of Nancy Pop keys. Grrr...its pissing down with rain and I am only wearing flip flops. I don't get home until gone 9 pm and I briefly see Paul in the door before he leaves for a night out. 

Sunday is spent in anger - I cant believe Paul didn't make it home until gone 12 noon! I was suspecting him back at 8am sharp.

When all the children finally had gone to bed I spent the rest of the evening at Lisa's introducing her to the wonders of eyelash tinting.  

Photo of the weekend

Are those lashes for real!? Suppose to stay on for couple of weeks (at least they lasted the night).

Hove - only £9

It is soo cheap I just had to go and I love the seaside. Well that and we're going to visit Ruben and Elohor.
It was surprisingly quick too, only 40 min from Victoria. When we stepped of the platform and I heard the Seagulls I got sentimental, my mind immediately started to wander.....maybe we should move here...
We had a wicked day even if we didnt get to wet our bathing suits, it was far too windy and we didnt see much of the sun either. But that didnt matter a bit. Ruben and Mina had a great time in the park and me and Elohor, well not much seriousness got past our lips - god she makes me laugh!

Picutre of the day

Very windy indeed

5-9th July a busy bee

I haven't even had time to write in my blog as I have been so busy with my make-up course....and it's such a mickey mouse college. I cant believe we're doing a year long course in only 25 weeks!! Not getting any support from the tutor either, we have to do most of the work by ourselves and not even getting told were we can find out about it and all the home work.... by ourselves which is rather difficult when you're doing a practical course.

Picture of the week

And we're still doing facials (even if this one is part of my assessment)....

Benny Andersson Band

A very productive day. Started off with a Shadow yoga (which I haven't done for ages) at 9am. It was such a relief. Felt like the stress was literally shedding off me all morning. Then I spent an hour revising in the library for this weeks assessment.
We welcome the presidency of Sweden in the European union and celebrate it in Hampstead Heath on this glorious hot summers day. And it was so Swedish and so brilliant. As part of a free festival event trough the summer, Sweden on stage was organized by the city of London and the Swedish embassy and to pay for this free festival there were some obvious sponsors like IKEA and Tetra pack. It really felt Swedish - family friendly, environmentally friendly, Swedish hot dogs and of course Swedish music in the form of Sami songs, Miss Li and BAB! Paul made the best Swedish pick nick to date which included homegrown beetroot salad and homemade meatballs. Mina absolutely loved it too. She was so entertained and watched many many of the acts with great enthusiasm then clapped merrily afterward.
What a fantastic day we had!

Photos of the day

Only swedes will get up and do friskis and svettis on a festival

Finally arrived, after a mission tube journey (realized on the tube we'd forgotten the pick nick basket so Paul went back home to get it....couldn't possible NOT get it after all that hard work)

Benny Andersson Band and yes they did play one ABBA song...

Mina is getting well into the music

....and eating ice cream

BAB is still going strong after 2 hours of performance

'Swedish' summer....well almost, as close as you can get to it without being in Sweden.

Loving the library

Spending time in the Library, so nice and quiet. Think I would put this on my list of relaxation. And I got to clear my fine too which always makes you feel better not having debts shadowing you. Now off to St James park for some revision. Cycling is definitely another of my favorite ways to switch off. Been mad with the camera today. 1st I found the self timer (which I have been looking for for ages) then in the evening a photo shoot of all my makeup kit for my portfolio.

Photo of the day

Getting the legs out for the first time in years - it must be a hot day....

Start of the sale

Another day and still no sale (at least I managed to put a dress on hold so I really hope she comes back for it tomorrow). I was busy all day with the putting on the sale. I only had a handful of moments surfing the net instead of the usual hours on end....took a little stroll through Portobello rd at lunch time and a quick shopping trip to Screen Face.
Today is Hot Hot Hot (hottest day so far I think, 30 something) and the tube was a nightmare, just like the train yesterday. I can't win. I had forgotten how bad it was traveling during rush hour. I was late for the course but I still managed to squeeze in a tint assessment.

Photo of the day

Getting the big red letters out to draw some more customers and cut prices of course

Where is te blue door?

I almost tread on a dead mouse this morning, the cats are becoming real hunters and our neighbor (with previous mouse problems) has got themselves a cat to rid the problem and it looks like its working. I hope the mouse community are quick learners and realize this is no mouse friendly house either as I don't want to keep stepping on dead mice first thing in the morning.
A really bad day in the shop, not a single sale! But who has energy to go shopping in this heat. However I had some interesting tourists coming in asking for directions tho. I found out Screen Face (professional make-up shop) is just around the corner and an American couple asked where the blue door was (from the film Notting Hill). I knew the door was no longer blue but apperenly all the neighbouring doors are blue so its easy to spot the 'original' blue door, which is now black.

Photo of the day

A very quiet Nancy Pop

Start of the heatwave

Very hot today!! must be around 30 degrees. Spent most of the day at different playgrounds (and the rest of the day indoors. Too hot to be in the garden until very late afternoon (no shade what so ever). Still keeping clear of the childrens center playground, cant quite bring myself to go there after the murder.

Photo of the day

Mina has taken her brave pills

Back at Nancy Pop

1st day of my holiday cover in Nancy Pop, Notting Hill. Getting used to the stock now so its going really smooth, whenever there are customers....not a busy shop but nice to get out and be a in touch with the fashion world again.

Photo sequence of the day





Daddy and Mina doing Judo in the bedroom

I waiting and I waiting, still waiting......

My make-up counter is set up (the breakfast bar and bar stool that is) and waiting - 1 1/2 hr later my college friend turns up and that only gives us time to do either of us. With Mina in front of the box and 2 'days late' its not more than fair that I get to be the artist. 30 min was the target for a day make-up and I did it in 40 min so not too bad (next time I'll do in 30) and she was very happy with the end result.
Next waiting game is for the keys to the shop. I cant believe Narrinder can't cut an extra key! In Sofia's absence I am trying to catch up with Danny but he is working and can't give me a specific time. In the end it works out rather good. I get the call, just after Mina has fallen asleep and I cycle through the marshes in to Springfield park to meet him in the cafe. After another 30min of waiting he calls, he is at the other cafe, at the bottom of the park and now its starting to rain...
In the end, apart from waiting around all day I had a successful make-up session and a lovely cycle ride through the park and the real thunder storm didnt start until I was safely back home.

Photo of the day

A serious game of cricket in Springfield park, Clapton E5

At home with sick husband

We're taking it in turns, now its Paul's turn to be ill (Mina has got a pretty snotty nose too). Limbs are much improved and now only with a sore throat. Spending most of the day tidying and cleaning so its not such a bob site when Surita comes over for some make-up practice later.

Photo of the day

Mina is helping hanging up the washing

OMG I cant believe Michel Jackson is dead

Another shopping day - this time without a buggy, so much easier. I had so much I wanted to get done today and as always, I only get started on a fraction of it. However, I did managed to do some work in my make-up folder and made a few calls to some Swedish employment agencies, annoyingly you have to registrar / upload your CV on to their database before you can start any job hunting and its not just your word doc CV, no no its their own 'cv bank' where you have to tick boxes and record all your schools and your employment history, special skills and other personal information - it takes forever........
Went to bed early and got woken up by a text from Karin telling me to turn on the news to hear about Michel Jackson's heart attack. So surreal, and he was just about to do his comeback tour, playing in London only next month. Rest in peace!

Photo of the day

My bridesmaid outfit and Mina's wedding changing bag....

Shirt hunting

Today's task is rather an enjoyable one - filling up Paul summer wardrobe. Yes, I like these kind of 'house chore', if you can call it that. On a small budget its even more of a challenge. As always I head straight to TK for some quality bargains and I am also on the look out for a ivory bridesmaid dress, for both me and Mina.
Well in the end I found the perfect shirts, I know he'll love them (and a few plain ones for work too).
Found out on the course today that we have 3 lesions LEFT and these are to be used for our assessments!!! I don't know how I am gonna be able to fit it all in, all the homework that needs to be done as we don't have the time to do it in class. This course just gets shorter and shorter. So glad I haven't gone out and bought all the expensive equipment. I have been a real kitchen witch and used what I have had at home plus a few trips to the £-shop.

Photo of the day

How can you NOT admire these classic Hawaiian motifs

Still wobbly

Still feeling a bit weird. Paul took the day off, just in case....Woke up and the numbness had moved down the into the hip and leg - but what was I going to do? All the results were fine and the chest wasn't any worse than yesterday. It was reassuring talking to Ulf in the evening (especially after mom had told my we had heart problems in the family, well a few generations down and all on the male side so I wasn't too worried). Anyway I was well enough to go over to Lisa's and do another make-up case study.

Photo of the day

Mina is not wanting to go to bed, getting up to all sorts of tricks to get our attention. It worked!

Knickers in the post

I spent the majority of today at Whipps cross A&E department after calling the NHS direct for some reassurance that my numb arm and tight chest was a just a trapped nerve, or so Paul told me. Being a bit of a hypochondriac I thought I might have created the symphtoms from purely worrying, but oh no. I was told to get straight to hospital and even call an ambulace if it got any worse. It didn't really make me feel any better. Well at the hospital I had time to finish the Style suppliment cover to cove. I learnt everything from restaurant etiqettes, strawberry receipes and glastenburry dress codes to Stoke newington's Olive and Rosie's boutique owners kitchen and Kate Perry's religoues background and all in between ECGs, blood tests and X-Rays - was sent home later in the afternoon with a letter for my GP and some stong painkiller but no wiser where this weired numb sensation came from. I must say, that even tho I spent most of my day waiting for various results and doctors I was well looked after with nursers checking up on my regularly and offered both drinks and sandwiches. Mina aslo had a good day as her late Midsummer present from Mormor arrived today. A new DVD (Lilla Spöket Laban) and Pippi knickers and socks. Already from the end of today Laban is the new favorite.

Photo of the day

My very normal ECG result

Father's day

The best thing about Swedish traditions are that you always end up with a great leftovers. However as it is Father's day today there are more British things on the menu such as bacon butty for breakfast and steak sandwich for lunch (I'll stick to the Swedish food thank you very much and Mina wasn't keen on beef either which did surprise me). The TV listing couldn't have been more dad favorable if they tried. Grand prix qualifying (watched in bed on the laptop accompanied by a bacon butty ), 4 hrs of racing in the Silverstone Grand prix. Then the start of the new season of Top Gear, James May on the moon to finish the day with an episode of BSG (and a with a bbq spatchcocked chicken in between). Sounds like a pretty good father's day to me. Happy father's day daddy - you're an amazing!

Photos of the day

A midsummer take on the Sunday roast with new potato salad and garden radishes

Daddy is enjoying a day off

Beware - Mad Swedes in Hyde park

A little rain and some sunshine - the weather couldn't be more typical midsummer weather.We set of for our annual traditional celebration in Hyde Park where hundreds up on hundreds gather on this day. And this year we were going to be there from the start (which is a first). Traveling with Lisa and Christan taking the tube to Marble arch me and Lisa couldn't stop bitching about the bastards stairs (this particular route is extra bad, so it was good we had our strong husbands with us). Once inside the park you just have to follow the dressed up girls wearing flower garlands or the group of obvious looking Swedes carrying an Ikea bag, or just know where you're going because you've been doing this for the last 10 years (that'll be me).

Plenty of homemade Swedish food such as meatballs, potato salad, feta and olive muffins and the Swedish take on English cucumber sandwich - salmon, cucumber wraps

Hell and gore.....no midsummer without schnapps and luckily you can get a 10 miniature selection from Ikea or go for the big bottle like Sofia. We had a perfect spot under a big tree just in case of another shower, (and a it did rain oh...for about 5 min). The Swedish chambers of commers, who organize this event every year handed out song sheets in their traditional Swedish flolk costumes. Then it was time for the first round of 'the little frog dance'...

We had forgotten to practice but there was no need

More and more people kept turning up and in the end all of Mina's Swedish friends were there and some new ones too.


It was a wicked party and I don't know who enjoyed it the most, us or the kids. They were running round all day and it was nice to be able to take turns looking after them. At one point me and Lisa were laughing about Christian having a handful with 4 of them before realizing that he was actually trying to prevent a Kubb disaster where the kids were pulling up poles from the Kubb pitch (this is a Swedish game were you throw sticks on blocks of wood).

Finally got them to sit still for a min - using bribery tools. An ice lolly, a sandwich and a dummy

Have been trying all day to get a decent picture of Mina wearing her garland which I stayed up til late to make last night. It turned out pretty good with small spray carnations from ASDA and some bloom from Lisa's garden including prästkrage and lavender.


Got y'a!

Glad Midsommar

Have celebrated in Lisa's garden. Was suppose to bake a summer cake but after all the shopping this morning (couldn't find the maxi dress I had in mind so had to compromise for a pair of ear rings instead) I didn't have time to make it (or we wouldn't have turned up until this evening) so I packed up all ingredients went over to Lisa's and she ended up making the cake and I looked after the children.

Photo of the day

Mmmmm what a delicious cake! We ate almost all of it, Mina was pretty keen on it too.