A little mini-break in Scotland

On July 5, 2014 By SpektakulärIn Family life, TripsLeave a comment

Oh boy if you could only imagine how much I had been looking forward to this! A little mini-break, just Richard and I. So last Thursday, Stina did her last ballet lesson before the Summer holidays and we parents were allowed to watch and it was lovely. Their teacher Miss Walker is amazing, the excitement of a three year old is heart warming.

Richard got home from work, so quick dinner, packed the car, got the girls in to pyjamas and headed north to Aberdeen and to my in-laws. A few days of relaxation and being spoilt. I love it there, my in-laws are so helpful, enjoyable company and they love spending time with their grandchildren. And the girls enjoy it so much there, Stina loves spending time in the garden and their summer house with farmor (Swedish word for father’s mother).

Finally Richard and I were off for a night away, well needed! Had a few sleepless nights worring about Lovisa who is not a great sleeper. How will the grandparents cope, she will scream for hours! But farmor told me to relax and just enjoy the night away. What could happen? I think Lovisa actually did ok, only up once and settled quite quickly. My sister-in-law with family came up to Aberdeen that night we were away so they did get lots of help with the girls.

When we moved to Edinburgh in 2008, it was just the two of us and we had a lots of time. No children or business, these days I can sit down a Saturday evening and just wonder what we use to do instead of getting children in bed without a fight and then work a few hours in front of the PC or the never ending housework. And I guess we did go out more, had different conversations and we used to do weekend trips up in the Highlands. So during one of these weekend trips we came across Ard-Na-Collie, a fabulous guest house in Newtonmore. It became a place we just wanted to visit over and over again and we did not look for any other hotels or guest houses since we knew we would be happy there. Last time was in December 2009. And it was also the time when Richard FINALLY popped the question (romantically at Queens View in Perthshire)! Only took him three years! Then the whole business idea kicked off and I also got pregnant with Stina so we kind of stopped doing our weekend travels and focused on the business and becoming parents.

Silly selfie of happy people! — Silly selfie of happy and childfree people!

So on Saturday we left early, well not as early as we planned (due to rough night with both girls up). Popped by Eighty7 Design in Aberdeen own by Danish Helena. Lovely lady, lovely shop. Clean, stylish and very Scandinavian. Do recommend a visit if you are in Aberdeen, we both do a few same brands and it is always so nice to have a chat with other shopowners. Headed towards another shop that had been recommended to us but got lost and just skipped it, and I was hungry which is not good (I get a bit grumpy when hungry) so towards Banchory and had a fantastic lunch at The Chatterbox. A comfortable tearoom with pleasant staff and very tasty food and cakes. Then off towards Balmoral, did the proper Balmoral tour a few years back when we had Swedish family over, so we just drove by it and of course managed to take a photo.

Headed over the Lecht and wow just wow, the views are breathtaking. None of my photos does it justice. The Lecht Ski Centre isn’t just for winter sports and there were and impressive number of cyclists heading over the pass. Some of them looked like they had a few doubts about why they had started climbing such an enormous hill…

Arrived at Newtonmore and the fabulous Ard-Na-Collie, I could probably do a blog just about this place. This former Hunting Lodge is on top of a hill with stunning views. The house is welcoming and it is a building you just want to move into and never leave. Imagine to wake up with those views every morning. Put on your wellies or walking boots and head out for long walks and fresh air, come back for a hot cup of chocolate in front of a log fire. I am not surprised this guest house is such a popular choice for many when looking for a romantic and comfortable get away. The owners Jacquie and Mike is a very pleasant couple who welcome you to enjoy your stay. The breakfast is fantastic, Jacquie is known for her award winning Eggs Benedict and I wish I had my camera with me down for breakfast (or even just my phone) because it tasted just as good as it looked. Plus I had a Bucks Fizz, yes for breakfast! I know, quite unusual for me, but hey Richard drove and it was my birthday.

Sadly had to check out and head back to Aberdeen but went up north first and drove along the coast through beautiful Aberdeenshire. We have not explored too much of Scotland, yet! But am getting quite familiar with Aberdeenshire and Perthshire. Think next year we can pack up the car and do a weekend trip with the girls. Maybe the West Coast or even north above Inverness is would be lovely to explore.

Back to Aberdeen and lots of hugs from my two beautiful girls. I did miss them a little bit. Super tasty chocolate birthday cake and a BBQ for dinner. Perfect end to a great weekend.

Scotland is fantastic, beautiful buildings, green landscapes and stunning views. I consider myself very lucky to have this on my doorstep.

Charlotte x

Pappelina delivery!!!

On June 27, 2014 By SpektakulärIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

A wonderful Pappelina delivery arrived yesterday with only door mats. These door mats find new homes so quickly so I decided to place an order just with door mats! Amazing, I love it! Am so pleased to see how people like them and like to try out our plastic rugs!

This doormat size is 50×70 cm and the RRP is £30. We stock four different designs, Lilo, Mose, Svea and Viggo Star in most colours. Sadly I can not work out my log in to get the proper images and have to apply for a new one (I do apologise) so please have a browse on their website if you like to see the designs.

For you who have ordered, Zuzanna will get in touch as soon as they have been checked of the list.

Have a great weekend, we are off on a mini-hoilday in Aberdeen and a night away in the Highlands. Not too worry, Zuzanna and Ruth is at the shop this weekend and will look after you.

Charlotte x

Our Midsummer Day…

On June 22, 2014 By SpektakulärIn Family life, InspirationLeave a comment

A couple of years back a gang of Swedish ladies with young children started to meet up. The main purpose was to sing traditional Swedish nursery rhymes with our bilingual children. To keep the Swedish going and support each other, because for anyone out there with bilingual children, you know what I am talking about…it is bloody hard! I struggle so much to speak only Swedish with Stina and even Lovisa who does not even answer me back yet. It comes and goes in periods but sometimes I feel a genuine heartache when Stina tells me to read a Swedish story in English instead so she can understand it. The support from other people in the same situation is great to have around, to get some tips and ideas. Richard understand more Swedish than I think he does and he uses a lot of Swedish words at home which is great and helpful.

This Summer we are heading home for almost all of August and the main reason for a long holiday at home is for Stina and Lovisa to be surrounded by Swedish. Of course to spend time with family and friends and get lots of inspiration for the shop but mostly the language. Now these days I guess these lovely sing gatherings is more about the mums drinking LOTS of coffee and gossiping but at least it is in Swedish. We still sing but maybe not as much as we did in the beginning. Sadly not everyone are able to make it these days (myself included). We all work and have busy lifestyles. But I hope after the Summer holidays we will work a bit harder to meet up more often.

Last Midsummer my friend Linda and her husband Craig invited us all to a Swedish/Scottish Midsummer and it was such a hit they invited us all again this year (believe it will be a new tradition). Truly amazing, they have done such a great job. A Maypole, Swedish food, BBQ, Strawberry cake and dance.

Last year I missed the dance since I had hidden somewhere to feed the then two month old baby, but this year she happily joined in and it was great fun. Sadly not as many Swedes this year, but still lovely to catch up with those who made it.

Ate a little bit too much of the Swedish Midsummer food, so skipped the BBQ to save space for the cake and coffee instead. I do hope all of you enjoyed this Midsummer and I hope rest of the Summer will be warm and happy!

Charlotte x

Trevlig Midsommar – Happy Midsummer

On June 20, 2014November 14, 2017 By SpektakulärIn SwedenLeave a comment

Oh love love love Midsummer! Can not believe Richard have never experienced a proper Midsummer in Sweden, sadly this time of year we are always in the UK for some reason. One day, I promise you Richard you will experience a proper Midsummer in Sweden. And yes it is true Midsummer is a big holiday for us, just as big as Christmas…MASSIVE really! People leave the big cities and go to the coast or to the countryside. So a big town can become a ghost town and all shops are closed, since it is a public holiday. Avoid at any cost going to a big supermarket the day or even two days before Midsummer…mayhem no one leaves happy!

As a child I loved Midsummer, and when you are a little girl dreaming about princesses and so on, this old tradition I loved the most. You shall jump over seven “gardesgardar” (I had to google and apparently it is called a round poled fence), which these days can be tricky to find, but I grew up on the country side so not too difficult back then. After each jump you picked a flower and you made a bouquet, which you then put under your pillow that night. Oh yes you were not allowed to say one word, of course my older sister always did her best to make me talk, I was well annoyed! So this tradition, what is it for…well you are supposed to dream about your future love. Since I always talked (bloody sister) I never dreamt about my future love (met him anyway). But it was a romantic idea which I happily picked up, I still do love a good romantic story, who doesn’t!?!

So Midsummer, the longest day of the year. It is a celebration to the light and also when we Swedes start our holiday season. In Sweden, most companies or indeed the public sector takes summer holidays in a block. It is normally divided in two periods, early or late and it is normally four or five weeks (sometimes six) in a row. July is the industrial holiday where most industrial businesses close for the Summer. Sadly you can not choose if you like the early or the late period off work (well maybe, a while ago since I worked in Sweden), mostly it vary each year so some years for example my mum and her husband have holidays at the same time, some years not together at all or just a week or so. Of course you can take holidays when ever you like but not that many in a row. This summer holiday season kicks of with Midsummer and it is sacred. The Summer holiday is holy and you can create quite a long list of things to do during your holiday. It is so holy that it is all you are looking forward to during the whole year. Last year, one of my brothers company needed extra ordinary staff in over the summer and they asked staff not to take holiday for a massive pay out and that they could take their long holiday later over the year. My brother worked during the Summer (crap weather anyway), got double paid and took six weeks off (paid holiday of course) in January/February and went to Thailand. Why not, a cold dark winter, better spend it somewhere else warm in the world.

During the Summer holidays the teens work like crazy, it is a great opportunity to for teens to get in to the working life. Most companies hire summer staff to cover the holiday period. Four to six weeks over the summer out of a ten week summer holiday. It was great for me when I went to High and Secondary School, at 17 I worked a summer in a cafe and then started to work at the main post office in town to sort out post in the evenings which I stayed on during the rest of the year, did one evening a week, had great friends there, all my age. I made some cash and still had a summer break and continued working over the year and for a few years, spent the summers delivering post to the countryside, great freedom. Early shifts and still had most of the day to spend time with friends.

Oh I have gone off the topic of Midsummer… Well it is all about celebrating the start of the summer with good friends and family. We raise our maypole and dress our hair with a circle arrangement of flowers “Midsommarkrans” and dance around the maypole singing silly songs, oh I beg your pardon loved songs! Some dress up in traditional folklore dresses, which I think is really nice and think I might need to invest in one, or maybe just for the girls.

For me it is all about the food. Oh I LOVE food! I LOVE Swedish food. Every time I am home, it is like I inhale the food…have to eat as much as quickly as I can. The traditional Midsummer table has the new potato, boiled with fresh dill, herring and lots of it and pickled in different flavours, (just visit the big blue shop and you will see many types) sour cream, chives and of course a BBQ. Then to finish it off with coffee and Strawberry cream cake. And lets not forget the schnapps.

Check out this video Swedish Midsummer for Dummies. I posted it last year on facebook but it is just a perfect way of showing off Sweden at its best.

I miss these kind of traditions, they are loved and they are fun! Have a great Midsummer, if you have friends in Sweden, I recommend you to take the opportunity to use them to experience your own Midsummer. I will leave you with a picture of the Swedish royal family, because it makes me happy!

Charlotte x

MIDSUMMER CLEARANCE SALE 2014

On June 19, 2014 By SpektakulärIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

YAY IT IS TIME… it is time for our annual clearance!

On Midsummers eve, 20th June 2014 at 10.00 we open the door for our annual clearance. It is time to grab a spectacular bargain. We only do one clearance a year and it is around Midsummer. We need to prepare and make space in the shop for Autumn/Winter designs.

The designs in the clearance are products that have been discontinued by the designer, supplier or indeed ourselves. Seasonal designs that have been replaced, brands that does not exists any longer or items we have decided to let go to make space for new exciting brands. So please be aware that when it is gone it is gone. I will not order these designs in again!

This year we have a strong collection on the bargain table: cushion covers, rugs, runners, tins, hangers, lanterns, candles, candle holders, kitchenware and lots more. All products has been priced highlighted in red and there are some major price reductions.

We also have a small selection of ex-display products that are non-perfect which have been reduced. These products have small stickers where it clearly show off marks, if any and why it is reduced. No further reductions will be made on these.

If you are worried something might be in the sale and you really want to buy it, give us a ring on 0131 629 0941 and we can keep it aside, however only for a couple of days.

Happy Bargain Hunting!

Trevlig Midsommar / Happy Midsummer

Charlotte x

Friday evening

On June 13, 2014 By SpektakulärIn BakesLeave a comment

Ah lovely sunset over Edinburgh! Edinburgh have amazing sunsets and I can sit in our dining room and just stare out the window, it is like the sky is on fire.

We have had a busy day today, Zuzanna received a delivery from Cult Design with lovley new pattern designs for our Change tealight holder range. And lots and lots of Father’s will be quite happy on Sunday with some pretty amazing gifts. Don’t forget we still have our great offer on until Sunday. 15 % off selected items.

Richard has been working late today and just arrived home so the girls and I have baked and baked and played and climbed the sofa up and down, great fun when you are 14 months, and of course watched a film while it rained outside this morning.

I am not a great cook, I can cook but just not very inspirational or exotic. Mainly all I have in mind is that it needs to go quick, do everyone get enough vegetables, do they actually eat it and so on. So obviously we got a few winners and when I do try new things…well there have been a few disasters. However lately I started to follow a couple of blogs from Sweden and one blog is absolutely great! Jennys Matblogg, a girl my own age, living in a house that I consider a dream home and in a very lovely part of Sweden (no I am not jealous at all). I feel so inspired and I have tried a few new things. Check out her blog, yes yes I know it is in Swedish but hey there is google and just let me know and I shall do my best to translate. I am glad that if I actually follow the recipe as I should it turns out pretty good and I have had the comment “mmmm yummy” from my picky three and half year old which is very positive.

I grew up in a home where we ate what was served and I eat everything (NOT Marmite) and I was quite determine to never raise picky children…damn, did not turn out that way! Stina is not a great eater…she is a snacker and if I make dinner into a picnic then she will eat it. But fruit and vegetables are a struggle so we try new things all the time. She helps me while cooking, grating, chopping, stirring but refuse to try eating it, we do sticker charts and everything but she is just not having it. But lately she has gotten better and we try to encourage to at least try and she is now eating a few more vegetables. I wonder if it helps that I am more interested in cooking and maybe introducing more different kind of foods. Anyway today we have baked a little for next weekend when we are off to a Midsummer party, the freezer is quite full. I made a carrot cake, a long time since I did that which is a shame because it is very simple, guess I just been lazy thinking that grating carrots is a bit boring but seriously it takes no time what so ever especially when you have two girls that entertaining you at the same time and make you smile. And after the girls were asleep I made this beauty!

It will come with us tomorrow (Richard is working overtime tomorrow as well) to Glasgow. I am looking forward to relax, Stina will be so happy to spend the day with her cousin and I think Lovisa will be looked after by aunty, uncle and grandparents so I guess I can eat cakes and relax! Sounds like a good day to me!

Enjoy your evening

Charlotte x

June

On June 10, 2014 By SpektakulärIn Gift Ideas, News, Upcoming eventsLeave a comment

Finally it is Summer…well if the weather could just stay a little bit sunnier and not so much torrential rain! Was watching a heavy downpour yesterday from our window at home. And noticed at the bottom of the Blackhall dip a little lake was nicely being created, poor lollipop man looked quite soaked and all the kids crossing the road on their way home for school got splashed from speeding cars. Was not looking forward to pack up Lovisa and head across town to collect Stina from nursery in Morningside. Am aware that there is a lot of road works at the moment and with the rain comes a lot of issues, like small lakes. At least it is not freezing cold rain. So enough moaning about the weather or Edinburgh traffic and roadworks (arrrggghhh)!!!

Anyway June is here…hooray! And with June comes a lot of events. Students are celebrating, Edinburgh Film Festival, Father’s Day and Midsummer (very important for us Swedes), lets not forget all the beautiful weddings. First we got Father’s Day this Sunday (yes I got Richard’s gift sorted and I believe Stina has prepared something as well). For you who is looking for stylish designs for your dad, husband or partner. Pop in and see us, we got a offer on at the moment. 15% off selected items, including the wonderful Wine Breather by Danish MENU. Check out how to use it here you will be amazed!

Then next Friday is Midsummer and I can do a little hint hint, we will start out annual clearance sale on Midsummers Eve, 20th June!I am super excited because we are off to our friends for a proper Midsummer party. They did one last year for fun and it was such a great hit they will do it again this year, and hopefully it will continue year after year.

Then it is my birthday weekend, and all I have asked for this year is a date with Richard. Sadly now these days with children and business we don’t do a lot of travelling, or holidays or just a little date. I can not even remember the last film we went to see together, might have been the day before I was due with Stina so almost four years ago…really!

Also have you met Ruth? Ruth is our new Monday lady. A great, cheerful, local lady with lots of retail experience. Ruth is also a very talented crafty person who has her own business Ellie and the Rubester. Why not check out her beautiful paper cuts and she does stunning personalized designs…just get in touch with an idea and I am sure you will get a great end result.

So during June why not pop in and treat your loved ones with some Scandi design or sometimes it is important to treat yourself too.

Charlotte x

6th June the Swedish National Day

On June 4, 2014November 14, 2017 By SpektakulärIn Upcoming eventsLeave a comment

As you might be aware that the 6th of June was just an ordinary day in Sweden until 1986 when it became our National Day and in 2005 it became a public holiday or a red day. In Sweden we do not have bank holiday Mondays. It is more about the date, so say if 6th of June is a public holiday on a Thursday then the Friday is also a public holiday since it become a squeeze day…now does this make any sense?! Sure it does! As a school child I used to love these days, great to get an extra day off school.

Anyway it is not like we Swedes are a proud sort of people (or maybe too proud), this day is not celebrated in the same traditional spirit and happiness as our dear Norwegian neighbours do on the 17th May. We Swedes normally just go on with our normal day life.

However this year I am actually quite excited about the 6th of June, because I am taking my girls to the Swedish bar Hemma for a great party. Any opportunity for a fika and chat with my Swedish friends.

I know that many Swedes will be around so why not check it out for yourself! I think the evening party with the schnapps and songs sounds great!

Don’t forget we have the pretty Dalahorse schnapps glasses, and a beautiful little Dalahorse serving bowl if you like to have your own Sweden party at home!

Happy Sweden Day!

Charlotte x

Father’s Day 15th June

On June 3, 2014June 3, 2014 By SpektakulärIn Gift Ideas, InspirationLeave a comment

Oh time for us to treat those loved men! I am pretty sure I will get Stina to create a card some art or anything crafty for Richard! But of course I got a small treat for him as well!

Here at Spektakulär you can actually find a few “man” gifts. I know I know it might be tricky but it is not impossible! And to give you a few ideas we have gathered images for you! Happy browsing. Feel free to call us to put designs aside. 0131 629 0941 or email me at hello@spektakular.co.uk. I am sure there will be a lot of happy dads on the 15th June!

Stylish Wine Carafes and Oil/Vinegar Bottles

Popular and Fun Whisky Glasses and Stones

Lovely and colourful “Hold my Hand” range

Have a great week and we do hope to see you at the shop

Charlotte x

Sweden weekend trip early May

On June 3, 2014 By SpektakulärIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I have not been home to Sweden for quite some time and of course it is always in the back of my mind that we need to go home for a little visit. Lovisa does not even have a passport yet so do feel a bit guilty about it! Sadly a few weeks back I got a dreaded phone call letting me know my grandmother had ended up in hospital and had an emergency operation. She survived and turned 90 the week after! But of course since I am not living around the corner it is not easy to visit her as much as I like! So a bit of guilt feelings got a bit stronger and I had quite an emotional weekend.

Lovisa has been a bit poorly since starting nursery and to be perfectly honest we are knackered! Sadly I thought I copped better with the lack of sleep but I don’t and poor Stina never gets the attention I feel that she needs. So I decided lets go home, just the two of us! So a Friday morning Stina and I got up at 4 am (glad Richard drove us to the airport) to catch the 6 am flight and we landed in Sweden just before 9 am local time.

Checking out the airplanes while waiting to board out flight to Sweden. — Checking out the aeroplanes!

Then collected by sister and Stina’s two cousins Erik and Emma. Oh the happiness! Headed north to Trollhättan, sister had to head out to the fields to make sure the peas are being sowed at the right place at the right time. She is very good at what she does but has a very weather based job so she headed off and me and the kids walked to the hospital (about 10 min walk) and visited my farmor (fathers mother). My dad came as well with one of my brothers and one of my sisters. I do have a few siblings which is so nice. It was so lovely to give my grandmother a big hug and a kiss! Must admit I felt a bit relieved I got to do that, however a three year old is not that easy to entertain at a hospital where people wants you to be quiet so we did not stay too long. Back to my sisters and the others arrived later after they finished at the hospital for coffee and then my sister came home. So we made tacos and after the kids was in bed after a pretty amazing bubble bath, my lovely sister and I had a really nice evening, a lot of bubbly drinks and chat.

Saturday we did a quick visit to sisters summer house.

Then home to Alingsås and my mums house. All except one sibling arrived (he claimed he was too tiered, lazy when you are 19) we BBQ and had a lovely evening.

Then Sunday, shopping with my mum for my girls, met up with two of my dearest friends and their daughters.

Then took Stina to the main park in Alingsås for a good play. Home and Swedish pizza for dinner (yes it is something special about Swedish pizzas).

Monday, oh gosh so intense and yes I do get a bit stressed when things does not come together as well as I planned. But hey we all survived! Up early, headed to Göteborg and to a specialist dentist, my mum had an appointment, after finished there of to visit my mormor (mothers mother) for a super quick lunch. Picked up my auntie on the way and my little sister arrived as well. 45 min later off to the airport and then that was it.

Good to be back in Scotland, hard to be away from the little one, it was lovely to get big cuddles and snotty kisses (even though I got a few nights of sleep and feel a bit more rested this was a bit too intense).

But oh I miss Sweden, I miss my family, friends and my language. I have a pretty amazing life here, lovely Scottish family, amazing friends but my Swedish heart is calling, don’t know what it is…perhaps just my romantic image of how a life in Sweden would be. I have spent most of my adult life in the UK. I did have a wonderful childhood growing up in a small village in the country side with lots of siblings, then would it be the same living there now as then? Probably not! However there will always be the thought of a move to Sweden and I am a restless soul. So I doubt staying in Edinburgh forever is probably not happening! But now I also have to think of my children and Richard, what is best for us is the main question and yes then the romantic picture of Sweden appears! At least we should try to give our daughters get best of two worlds with two languages and two cultures.

Back at the shop I am now enjoying my favourite Swedish interior magazine “Lantliv” and a cup of the always essential coffee! I wrote this weeks ago, sadly forgot to post it so a bit out of date! Oh well, we have booked a long holiday home in August which I am looking forward to.

Charlotte x

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