A huge present

When we were in Miami I bought a pair of Converse for my niece. I thought they looked massive but better too big than too small I thought.

So the other day I arrived wearing mine and I gave her these. She was so excited that we had the same shoes that she refused to take them off.

Possibly a touch too big.

Next spring we'll be walking on the streets with matching shoes, but until then I think they'll do her more harm than good....

Next stop - Stockholm

I went from the quiet and beautiful in Simonstorp to this

Loud and busy. I have to say that I love it though. It was amazing to spend the weekend without the noise from cars and sirens, but the closer we got to Stockholm and the pulse of the city I still felt that this is what I love.

Good to know that I've made the right decision to live in a big city.

Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities I know. Surrounded by water it is peaceful yet exciting.

I had lunch on Monday with a very interesting man behind this beautiful building (dramaten)

I wasn't sure if you were allowed to take pictures inside the restaurant so I just took a picture of the gorgeous bathroom instead

Then I met up with Karin and we did some window shopping in the sunshine

When Karin went off to her Flamenco class I met up with Emma who'd just finished work and we went for a drink at Scandic Anglais

Later on we met up with K at Italiano restaurant

A really cute and busy place just off Östermalms Torg

Reunion in Simonstorp:)

I have to start with an apology for lazy blogging this week.

I had an internet free weekend and then since I arrived in Halmstad yesterday afternoon it's been non stop.

Let me start from the beginning.

The main reason that I am in Sweden this week is because of a school reunion that we had this weekend in a tiny little town (village) called Simonstorp.

I've managed to stay in contact and met up with K and C a couple of times, but I haven't seen A for... well however many years since we left school. The day we graduated and expectantly ran out of school was also the last time I saw her.

Amazing connections on facebook has meant that we've been in contact on and off and we decided to try and get together at C's house.

It was easier said than done to find a weekend to suit us all, but after many turns we finally decided on this one.

I flew in on Saturday morning and arrived in the most idyllic Swedish town at about 2pm.

We went for a walk by the lake.

And then we went back to the house and had some tea and sandwiches until the children had gone to bed and we had some "adult time" with gorgeous dinner that C made - Sea food pasta.

The next morning we just chilled out for a bit

The view from my bedroom window - perfectly ok:)

The whole gang before another walk in the gorgeous sunshine to a different lake on the other side of the village

Just to make it that little bit more idyllic- three two week old kittens

Lunch being made and kids running around

An amazing weekend with so many laughs that my belly was hurting the next day;)

Ready to go

I felt so organised as I started to pack my bags on Thursday night. I wanted last night to be for me and the italian and didn't want to stress about packing. I arrived at the airport today and I'd put on my top inside out and I've forgotten my scarf. Ah well nobody is perfect. At least the most important things are here. Passport, ticket and money. I just have to buy a new scarf in my favourite shop Indiska when I'm there. Could be worse. Have a great weekend everybody. I know I will:) see you in Sweden!

Sent from my iPhone

Friday night.

The restaurant date might have been cancelled, but with an Italian chef in the house we did alright anyway. Burrata with sunblushed tomatoes and baby aubergine. Yum! And then we decided to go to the cinema after all. Limitless - a very cool and interesting film. And now we are watching on more episode of criminal minds before going to bed.

In London right now

17C:) and I just finished work. I'm running home in a singlet top:)

What I am looking forward to right now

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I love having things to look forward to and this spring time is no exception.

The week after I come back from Sweden I am only working for two days before heading off to Stamford Bridge for the Chelsea - Man U game. I haven't been to a match for a long time and I am hoping that all us "oldies" that used to go all the time before can have a bit of a reunion catch up at this one.

The week after my lovely friend C is coming from Oslo with her nephew and they are staying for almost a week.

A couple of weeks after that my sister is coming for a couple of days:)

The week after that we're off to Italy for a long weekend for The Italians cousins wedding ( my first Italian wedding - should be interesting)

The week after that gorgeous A is coming over for a couple of days. 

This has brought us in to June already and after that I am planning to find a week in the summer to go home. 

I will try and stay in one place (Halmstad) on that whole trip and just hang out with friends and family.

All these things makes me happy and keep me going on the not so happy days that you sometimes come across.

I hope you all have lots to look forward to as well.

Sweden Trip

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Ever since Monday morning my mind has already been in Sweden. I booked this trip quite a while back, but a lot of other things have been going on so it's only just this week that the butterflies in my stomach has appeared and the excitement is tickling my bones.

It will be a busy week, but it is filled with so much fun that it will just fly by.

I am starting in Norrköping for the weekend with great friends from school, one of the girls I haven't seen for about 10 years, and the others I've only seen a couple of times in the last 10 years.

I can't wait, it is going to be so much fun.

And then Sunday afternoon/evening I will arrive in Stockholm and stay there until Tuesday morning.

I am staying with a girl that I used to work with here in London about eight years ago, I am so glad that we are keeping in contact after all these years.

On Monday I am going for lunch with someone I know from where I work now.

In the evening I will have dinner with K and E, and the next morning the train will take me to Halmstad.

I will then spend a day and a half there before going down to Malmö and cuddle the newborn baby and hang out with my two beautiful girls T and P and their men and babies as well off course.

Friday morning - train over to Copenhagen to pick up the Italian from the airport and then train up to Halmstad again where we will stay until we leave from Copenhagen on Sunday night.

Once again I am flying all over the country to try and fit in all the people that are spread out all over the place.

I am glad that I manage to see so many of them.

Unfortunately I had to cancel a coffee date in Göteborg on Tuesday because otherwise I won't make it home to Halmstad in time for my coffee date with my sister and niece before meeting up with A after she finishes work.

I will probably need a holiday when I get back as well but it is so worth it, there is nothing like catching up with old friends.

Date Cancelled

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The Italian and I were going to Tinello on Friday night for a little farewell dinner before I head off to Sweden on Saturday morning. He is joining me there but not until next Friday.

However, since I had to work last night and I won't get home until about 9pm tonight and probably head straight to bed with the alarm going off at 4.30am tomorrow, we decided to leave it.

I still need to pack and organise myself before I go so it felt too stressful to trek to the other side of town when we can eat just as well at home with my private chef.

I definitely want to go though so when we come back we'll re book again.

I finish at 3pm tomorrow so I will run home and then go to the beauty salon for eye brow threading and eye lash tint and then we'll have a romantic night at home instead.

Some dinner and some Champagne and some chocolate and some Criminal Minds.

Maybe not the most romantic thing you can watch but it makes us happy.

I was only going to do the no bread, no alcohol, no chocolate diet until going to Sweden so Friday night all is allowed again.

Another gorgeous day in London, people cycling and walking outside in just their t-shirts. I love it!

Wednesday evening

Like I thought, I've had to pick up tonight. Long day - 8am until midnight. Hopefully I can get away a bit earlier since I start at 8am again tomorrow and I want to fit a swim in before that as well. I am treating myself to a nice and healthy dinner of beetroot salad and pumpkin risotto. I hope you are having a nice Wednesday.

And here it is

Yum!

Good morning.

I've just finished half an hour swim, walking to work with the sun shining on my face. I might have to pick up tonight and work a double but it's ok because it was a great start to the day, and now I'm looking forward to breakfast.

Remembering Madrid

Not much happening in London this week. Mostly work and gym and preparing for my Sweden trip on Saturday :)

So instead of a picture of me in my pyjamas, lounging around I give you some pictures from Madrid. 

Lunch al fresco;) 

All the shopping streets were really cute

And then we accidentally came to the Swedish sweet shop. 

All pick and mix Swedish style and Swedish chocolate etc. I was in heaven 

Off course I had to go inside and buy some...

The birthday girl got a cake

And so did I

Happy birthday our Princess:)

Dinner al fresco:)

Tapas mmmmm

Possibly the smallest bar ever, I mean really, this is it, I was standing by the entrance when I took this picture

We went to a club where C's friend J worked. 

Spot my new favourite earrings that I bought earlier that day. Black feathers.

Breakfast the morning after, sun glasses were a must, indoors, outdoors, everywhere

The last lunch before going back. A really cool place with amazing Paella

And some dangerous ritual drinks...

So to sum up, we ate, and we ate, and we ate....

I had an amazing time and I can't wait to go back.