First few days of holiday!

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Holiday time – slowmotion time!

I went straight in to slowmotion time when I walked off the aeroplane. Mums husband Uffe came to pick us up and we went home, had some brunch and Stina had her nap, so I went straight to bed myself and it feel like I have not moved for the last few days, even though we have been very busy. It took me 5 days before I got too restless and am now back in the game again. Weather has been great, and to be outdoors almost all the time has been great.

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Evening bath

Mum’s Birthday was on Thursday so a lot of coffee and cake and the most amazing Smörgåstårta (Sandwichcake) sound strange, yes it might do but not for me, it makes me speechless… I kind of wished I had fought a bit a harder to get a photo instead of being first in the queue to get the first piece (after mum of course).  I will see if we can make another one within in the next couple of weeks, and then I think I might even try to get the recipe as well and actually share it with you.

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Fika time

On Saturday the family invaded, brothers and sisters, niece and nephew so full house then mum had friends over in the evening so I found a good book and went out to sit on the veranda with a blanket and a glass of wine…but forgot about the mosquitos so gave up after a few minutes after a some swearwords and silly dances, strange how a small creature can make you do some silly moves and strange noises.

Sunday, I could feel the restlessness starting, so was off to see a couple of friends but it got cancelled due to a bad night for one of the small ones and a bad cold so nope, took a walk with Stina, mum and Cindy the dog.

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Summer walk

But now today I feel like I am back again, met up with a friend for “fika”, arranged with Annika to spend a little time in her shop Lappat & Klart this week. Did a little shopping and oh man I kind wiscould buy so much for my home, gifts or just for the shop. Spoken to a few shopowners today and got lots of new contacts and people to speak to and best of all plenty of good inspiration.  There are a few sales going on and found a few bargains and great ideas to show Richard when he will arrive in eight days.

So a busy week ahead. Ullared visit tomorrow and meeting up with my aunties. Friends visit and hopefully off to see one of my grandmothers and next week my other grandmother and also my dad and his family. Got plenty of things to do:)

Have a lovely week! The shop will get deliveries from KG Design, amongst lots of cheerful designs the pink Owl moneybank will be back. Sagaform, more Club champagne flutes, the stylish tube tealight holders in green, blue and purple and a few other fun things. And we are super pleased to introduce Blafre’s latest range “Circus”. Fun, colourful and retro inspirated new tins. I promise you wont be disapointed.

Charlotte x

Sweden Holiday!

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Stina and I are home in Sweden for a long holiday. Perfect opportunity for an intensive course in Swedish for Stina. She is doing fine but having mostly English around her is not helping me to get her to be bilingual. I have planed as little as possible for the two first weeks. Mostly spend a lot of time with my family and friends. Chill on my mums newly built veranda. If you have followed the blog then you might know since our last trip, they started to build the veranda on the front of the house. Now it is finished all the way around to the back, and by the stairs to the BBQ area is a small corner mum made “her corner” with a hammock. I think this will be the place for me and Stina to have a nap during the first couple of days. Just to relax a little and spend a lot of time of doing as little as possible. But most of all I just want to spend time with my mum and my siblings, I miss them dearly. They are a lot of fun and a bit crazy and sure make me laugh.

Borrowed this image from mum, the veranda is now done and this is the corner to relax in.

There has also been a bit of a baby boom during the last couple of years and the latest addition is only a couple of months old so it will be great to meet him and of course his cool mum. Even if I have a very good life here in Scotland I miss my home country a lot, less in the winter I must admit. My sister put up a post on her facebook thr other morning saying she was having breakfast on the landing-stage with her children and a dip in the lake before work. VERY JEALOUS!!!

Anyway after all the emotions have passed and I start feeling a bit restless (normally after 5-7 days) I believe it will be time for me to start my mission to find lots of new and fun things for the shop. Richard will follow in two weeks time and then it will be a few hectic days with business ideas and a few days later his parents will join us in Gothenburg. Which I am very excited about. Am looking forward to show them my hometown and where I grow up.

Even though I am home and this year same as the last couple of years our Emma is at the bookfestival so you will meet her there, the shop will stay open as usual except Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st then we will be closed. Lisa, Åsa and before he fly over Richard will be a few days in the shop. So pop in and say hi, why not let them know what you would like to see in the shop and they will email me while I am home and I will keep a lookout for lovely Scandinavian things for the shop:)

As always I promise to take a lot of photos for inspiration and hopefully this time I will actually keep my promise. Fingers crossed!

Have a lovely August, enjoy the festival and hopefully at least one week will be hot and sunny. I am back at the shop, hopefully with a few things I managed to squeeze in to my luggage Sunday the 26th August. Looking forward to catch up with all of you our lovely customers then.

Charlotte x

Shop images on a rainy day!

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I think we need a few images from the shop to brighten up this dull July day. Hope you all are enjoying the holidays.

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KG Designs funky silicone pot holder/oven gloves in lots of cheerful colours
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Cult Design’s beautiful “Shine” Tealight holders are now back in stock.
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Cult Design’s lovely “Change” range, find your own colours with these great mix and match tealight holders.
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Back in are the sooooo popular Cloud lampshades and introducing the stylish colour grey.
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The colourful Verner Panton egg cups by Danish MENU and Maria Homer Dalhgren’s lovely Alpha Britannia tray.
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Sagaform’s SOS summer range with Maria Holmer Dahlgren’s stunning Helsinki tray
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Pluto’s Birch hanger, add a few together and you have your own indoor tree.
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Cult Design’s “Change” nine, mix and match, love Pappelina’s “Mose” doormat is retro colours.
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Beautiful aprons by Swedish Klippan. 50% Cotton & 50% Linen blend. Perfect to brighten up the dark kitchen.
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We can not stop loving Pappelina’s fantastic rugs. More colours and designs now in the shop.

We are looking forward seeing you in the shop this week. Have a good one!

Charlotte x

Brighter…

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Top topic at the moment is the weather, I can not seem to help myself go on and on about this sad dull lack of sun Summer!

So was I happy today or what when KG Design and Sagaform arrived today! Am so pleased, started with KG Design. Coasters, trivets, oven gloves/pot holders in all kind of colours, and yay lovely new tablemats shaped as a cloud in milkshake pink and sky blue.

Silicone coaster from Sweden's KG Design
Coasters, trivets and pot holders
Silicone table mat
Table Mats available in “Milkshake Pink” and “Sky Blue”

I will have another busy day tomorrow unpacking Sagaform. The beautiful Season
jug, SOS candle lanterns, Meccano candle holder, Travelmugs and lots more are all in these boxes! Happy day awaits for me tomorrow!

Boxes ready to unpack
Boxes ready to unpack

So I believe I have a new hot topic, colours, colours, colours and of course new products. I am so looking forward to go to work tomorrow.

Charlotte x

Summer deliveries…

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The last two weeks we have had a few deliveries, fresh designs and of course favourites. By the end of this week we are expecting a Cult Design delivery. Next week KG Design coasters, Pappelina rugs and also cards from Allihopa, a UK card company with enough Swedish inspiration, style and feel to make me break my own rule! Stunning cheerful cards with lots of colours…just the way we like it.

However let us start with last week. A small Färg & Form order arrived: I am sorry to bear some bad news, a lot of Färg & Form is out of stock in Sweden and we wont get some backorders until late Summer. But we are happy to say MOZ teatowels and Cloud lampshades in lovely yellow and blue are in the shop now. The yellow lampshade looks like a little sun!

Cloud Lampshade in yellow

Stunning Darling Clementine arrived with more of their beautiful cushion covers and trays.

Florence the Fox cushion cover 50x50cm
Flora’s Field and Owl’s House Cushion Covers 50x50cm
Woodland cushion covers comes in stunning gift boxes. Perfect to send to the loved one.
“Ivana the Mouse” Tray 20x27cm

Brand new for us is the Swedish company ISAK! The founder behind ISAK is Sandra Isaksson. Sandra uses bold colours with inspiration from her travels and from her heritage, claims she has been brought up by Trolls!!! I believe her designs will fit right in here at Spektakulär.

“Harvest” teatowels in reds and blues
“Oaktree” Tray 20x27cm
“Landsby” Tray 20x27cm

And last but not least, Maria Holmer Dahlgren for Formation Collection. As you are aware we had the stunning Jubilee Teatowel at the shop and then I did mention that we would introduce a small Scandinavian range designed by Maria. And YAY beautiful trays arrived this morning. I just love the small details, and colours and since I am from Gothenburg (well just outside, Alingsås) a Gothenburg tray will come with me home. Am so looking forward to replace some of my old plastic trays with these stunning design made trays made from Birch Wood! You will find Stockholm, Helsinki, Gothenburg and I could not resist the Alpha Britannia tray, just gorgeous!

Fantastic details and colours “Stockholm” Tray 28x36cm
Colourful “Alpha Britannia” Tray 20x27cm

Next job for me is to start working on my part in creating our own webshop! I have no idea when it will be up and running and wow it is a lot of hard work. But I could not have done it without Richard, my very own IT expert. Tack min älskling!

We are looking forward to seeing you in the shop soon, all we need now is some sun, even though I stand underneath the yellow Cloud lampshade it does not seem to make me sunburnt!

Charlotte x

Happy Midsummer!!!

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Trevlig Midsommar – Happy Midsummer!

Lovely lovely holiday in Sweden, the second largest holiday after Christmas! Everyone is off work and it is the day we spend with family and friends dancing around the maypole, eating herring and drinking schnapps. And of course we are up late since the sun does not set. The longest day of the year!

SOS range by Sagaform

Visit the shop to find your essentials for a Scandinavian Midsummer celebrations. Schnapps carafe, schnapps glasses, wine carafes, herring jar, serving bowls, moose tea towels and lots more fun.

If you are interested in a Midsummer celebration, the Scottish Swedish Society have an event at the Edinburgh Academy. You will find details here.

Have a great weekend

Charlotte x

Sweden trip…

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It has been a busy time for us this month, have hardly had any time to update or blog, but here is a little bit about Stina and my Sweden trip back in May.

We managed to time the perfect weather back home. Lots of BBQ and sun, long nights and of course a glass of wine with loved ones. Perfect holiday, need to go a bit longer next time. So much to see and do! And of course even though the camera is in the bag it was hardly touched. Mum took this photo while out a walk around 7am, before it got too warm.

Mum out for a walk with the dog early before the heat.

Landed early in Sweden, met up with my brother-in-law at airport who handed me his car keys and said “see you later” and went with a colleague towards Gothenburg for work. Must admit it was a bit scary at first, was almost a year since I drove on the “right” side of the road. First journey went to my dads, and he lives close to the airport so that was fine. After brunch and chat we then headed off to visit my grandmother in Uddevalla. Perfect weather, perfect driving conditions on the motorway all the way up and Stina was great. Sweden is so beautiful this time of the year, it is so green and fresh. The houses in lovely colours, bright and welcoming. Stayed at grandma for a coffee and ice cream and then off again towards my sister’s farm. Just Stina and I there for a couple of hours so we just chilled outside in the sun, Stina played with their cat and we went to see the horses, she was so happy.

Lovely summer

At night my sister and I sat outside talking on the verandah. 21 degrees at 22.00, still very light, oh how I miss Sweden! On Saturday we went to see my sister’s newly bought summer house. The previous owner had left all the furniture in the house and I found plastic rugs everywhere, upstairs was a big pile of them and I wish I had taken the opportunity to dig through and “borrowed” a few with me home.

Stina with her cousins Erik and Emma
My sister’s summer house
Steep steps up to this charming cottage

We took a trip to the nearby lake, even though it was really warm 24 degrees in the air the water was less warm, or perhaps I am getting what you call in Sweden a “Badkruka” someone who makes up excuses for not jumping in the water, I guess chicken would be the right word. Oh well, maybe next time…

Not sure…barefoot was not a hit
Crazy boy…it was freezing!!!

Our journey continued home to Alingsås and to my mum. The week before we arrived they started a new project, to build a verandah from the front of the house to the BBQ area at the back. Half was done and “Stina safe”, it was amazing to walk on it and to just move the sun chair with the sun around the house.

And it starts
Something to walk on…
Almost done…

We stayed a few days in Alingsås, spent time with my girlfriends with children. I did a few inspirational trips to shops and cafés. Went to visit Lappat & Klart and said hi to owner Annika. Lovely lady, lovely shop. Of course I did a quick visit to Balders Hage (the shop behind the idea of Spektakulär), and lovely Village. One of our brands in the shop is Serholt. Serholt have their own branded shop in Sweden which is Village. Next time I am home I am sure their Autumn collection has arrived so I will spy a little and see what we should stock here:)

Before our flight home we did a quick visit to KG Design and collected a few products and saw some new designs…lovely! KG Designs owners Jennie and Fredrik is such a cool and relaxed couple! So I managed to bring more coasters over (all I could fit in my luggage I am afraid) but you better hurry, there are hardly any left.

Stina and I will spend more time in Sweden this Summer, after just a couple of days back home her English words became Swedish. So a few weeks home should give her hopefully a good base for the Swedish language.  So next time I am home I have planned to spend half a day with Annika at Lappat & Klart (gift wrap training), flea market visits, perhaps a few supplier visits as well, will try to go to Stockholm and visit the big trade fair in August. But most of all, what I really want to do back home is to sit on my mum’s veranda with a good cup of coffee and a good Swedish crime novel (and the cinnamon bun). So I think I will do just that. Sweden is a beautiful country with lots to see and do and yes I miss it a lot, but mostly in the Summers. Am sure I used to think November and March was just too grey and dull to exist, that we should just skip them:)

Anyway yes I miss Sweden especially during a warm summer evening. We was so lucky that Mum, Stina, the dog and I could take a few walks, Stina loved running on the dirt road outside and had lots of fun!

Out for a run…

Charlotte x

June…a busy month here at Spektakulär

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June, always been a favourite month. Summer is starting, school is over, running barefoot on the grass, no jackets because it is actually warm, Midsummer celebrations (sill and schnapps) and so much more.

Here at Spektakulär we have had a busy start and I have had trouble catching up with my blogging.

Queen’s Jubilee has passed, Sweden’s National Day as well.

I did a quick visit to London and London Pulse trade fair. Which was lovely, met a few new suppliers and also some lovely existing ones, such as Jenny at Nordic Barn who is supplier for popular Blafre and KG Design.

Lovely Clara and Jenny from Nordic Barn

And of course we did not miss the Olympic Torch passing by the shop, amazing! As a Swede I am super into the Olympics, I enjoy watching it on TV. The athletes are so good and yes I actually feel a little bit more motivated to exercise (only a little). So I was very excited about the flame passing by the shop and wow what a crowd that gathered outside the shop at Holy Corner to see it pass by.

The Olympic Torch outside the shop 13th June
Stina waving the Swedish flag, good girl:)

This Saturday we visited Calderwood Primary School in Glasgow. This was our third time and it was lovely to see everyone again.

Lovely Jenny, my sister-in-law hiding behind the boxes at our stall

Father’s Day has passed and I do believe there are quite a few dads with some Spektakulär gifts:) Congrats to all the dads out there!

Next up is Midsummer and we wish you all a fantastic time, and think you should celebrate in Scandinavian style with “nubbe” and “sill”. Tomorrow Friday is the day the bigger towns in Sweden empty, people hit the countryside and the archipelagos and just enjoying the day with friends and family and silly dancing and eating a lot of lovely food.

Next week I believe a few of the schools in the area is ready for summer break. We can definitely tell since we are very busy wrapping gifts for teachers and yes we have many good ideas what to give to the great teachers out there:) Come on in and we are happy to help with gift ideas.

Charlotte x

Olympic Flame 13 June

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Am very very excited, on Wednesday 13th June around 18.00-18.30 the Olympic Flame will pass by our shop!!! I bought Swedish flags when I was home so when you see a bunch of people waving for dear life cheering on the flame, yeah it will be us! You can find the street by street  Olympic Torch Relay here.

As a Swede you get the love for the Olympic games quite early in life. It is something special and it is the top prestige medal you can get. Since Sweden is such a small country we are very proud of our athletes. So with London Olympics coming up I am getting ready to cheer on my fellow countrymen and women! Go Sweden!

Pappelina Order

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Yes! On the 6th June a new Pappelina order will be sent over to Sweden! So it is time to dig out the measuring tape and find the perfect design for your home.

Perfect for hallway, bathroom, kitchen, children’s play-area, dining room, conservatory, summer house, patio or as a friend of mine said: perfect as a picnic blanket!

Have a look on Pappelina’s website for design and sizes and then just pop in or give us a ring and let us know which one is the winner.

Please note that delivery can take up to six weeks, if they are not in stock they will be woven for you (you can read about the fascinating weaving procedure on their website).

Our own model on a Pappelina doormat

Regarding the popular doormat sizes 50x70cm, there are only a few designs which are:

  • Lilo: (the beautiful daisy flower) in black, azure blue, olive green and red
  • Siri: (traditional medallion design with a contemporary twist) in metallic black/black and metallic white/white
  • Viggo star: (the popular star design) in metallic black/vanilla, metallic dark blue/vanilla, metallic white/white and metallic gold/vanilla
  • Mose: (retro yet traditional Scandinavian design) in Circus, blues, green and red.
  • Svea: (plain yet stunning design with a softer weave) in metallic white/white, metallic champagne/vanilla, metallic grey/grey,  metallic lilac/pale rose, metallic olive/pistage, metallic azure blue/pale turquoise, metallic mud/mud, metallic azure blue/azure blue, metallic nougat/light nougat, metallic brown/dark brown and metallic black/black.

What does the metallic colour mean? It means that the rug is woven with a plain colour plastic band and one plastic band that has a subtle pearlescent metallic sheen to it, which give the rug a lovely soft colour with a hint of shine.

Please contact us for information regarding prices.

Charlotte x