Autumnal Sweden...

Hello lovelies! I am typing this from a truly Autumnal Sweden - the wind is ruffling the trees sending cascades of yellowing leaves past my window. 
Summer has definitely left us, and in a seemingly constant glow of candle light (I am a candle addict!) I find myself drifting into a slow & comfortable pace of life - Autumnal bliss..!

Don't you just love the 'Crimean Pinecone' lamp by Pavel Eekra..!?!

My mind seems to swing like a pendulum between food (eating!) and interiors at this time of the year. With equal measure I crave cooking- and interior- magazines & blogs right now and I find myself drawn to richer colours, more rustic finishes, and nurturing environments.

This is what I had for lunch today.. this photo from my kitchen table..

Golden Chanterelles & Horn of Plenty mushrooms (that I pick in the nearby forest), ruby red 'lingon berries', sweet figs, fragrant chestnuts, fresh beetroot, pumpkins & carrots bought from my local farmyard (a wonderful self-service farm outlet!), ripe plums, pears & apples picked in my garden all  glow with such rich vibrancy that they inspire me to both cook an decorate..

The Rowan trees are heavy with clusters of bright red berries that work wonderfully when wanting to add a touch of Autumn inside. I adore them in every shape and form!

I currently have a single twig in an over-sized glass bottle in my living room (that desperately needs art and window dressing still.!), and I have used small cuts of berries and leaves to brighten up the place settings on my dining table.

I am also planning to thread single berries on thin steel wire and bend into 'single strand wreaths' for my kitchen and dining room windows. For one of many tutorials HERE..

The leaves are starting to change from green to a spectrum of yellows, though it will be a few weeks still until they explode in their 'grand finale' of vivid colours. My regular and long term readers might remember an Autumnal guest post by my dear friend Minna Mercke Schmidt last year, where she showed us how to tie a beautiful leaf wreath. Click HERE to refresh your memory.

Autumn (Sept-Nov) here in Sweden is referred to the 'food season' because of the abundance of fresh local produce. 

The harvest has brought an array of wonderful root vegetables, beekeepers are offering jars of fresh honey, the forest is serving up a 'smörgåsbord' of delicacies (berries, mushrooms, chestnuts etc), the gaming/hunting season and cattle slaughtering are in full swing, and the ocean is treating us to and array of crustaceans & heavenly seafood. Simply put, this is THE time of the year to visit Sweden if you are a food lover!

Another culinary excuse (..if you need one!) to travel to Sweden this time of the year is the annual harvest of the black 'Gotland truffle' (October/November)!! Yes you heard me right, Sweden is home to some of the world's best black truffle. It may not be as well known or 'famous' as its Italian or French 'truffle cousins', but actually on par in quality, fragrance and flavour!

Perhaps you feel like learning the secrets of truffle hunting & harvesting (?), in which case you can join 'Gotlandstryffel & Smakrike Krog' in their annual 'truffle safari'. You don't even have to bring your own 'truffle pig'..ha!

With all of this in mind, you can imagine why I am purring in contentment and delight right now. There are so many wonderful things to enjoy and look forward to in the next couple of months. Rugged up outside or snug & cozy inside I am enjoying Swedish Autumn to the full!

Warm hugs from the top of the world!

xx Charlotta

Image credits: 1. Habitually Chic (manipulated by me), 2. unknown via Tumblr, 3. Eekra, 4 & 5. Pinterest & Sköna Hem, 7. Charlotta Ward (private photo), 8. Chris Faves (Tumblr), 9. Laughing Popcorn (Tumblr), 6/10/28/30 &11 &12. Sweet Paul Fall 2011 & Coco+Kelly & Google, 13/27. Söderbergs Argentur, 14. Anna Skoog, 15. Pinterest, 16. From the Bottom of the Ironing Basket, 17, Sweet Paul 2010, 18, Folkbladet, 19. unknown, 20, Beas Barnsligheter, 21. Fancy, 22. What Wilson Wants, 23. Ojo, 24. Anna Kern, 25. Mochatini, 26. Lena Granefelt, 29. the Heart of the Sea Home, 31. unknown, 32. from one of my previous posts, 33. Glasshouse images.

Dreaming of a Swedish bakery..

Hello lovelies and happy new week to you all! How about throwing all sense & caution to the wind and buying the quaint 'Rute Stenugn' bakery on the island of Gotland in Sweden..!?! 

Yep, it's for sale folks and for a mere 3.8million Swedish krona you could be waking up to the smell of freshly baked organic bread, straight from the log fired oven. Aaaahh!

Gotland as you may know, is a unique island in the North Sea off the East coast of Sweden. It's known for it's spectacular scenery, tangible heritage, local crafts, sheep (the famous Gotland sheep) and lots more. You simply have to go there if you get the chance!

The Rute Stenugn bakery includes a fully equipped cafe (originally an old black smith's cottage..), and a lovely greenhouse that has been converted to a dining area. 

Perched on a hill near by is a comfy residence which was merged with an old three story mill.. I can imagine the owners of the bakery would have lived here quite happily.

Look HERE for details on the property and HERE for more inspiration and pictures. This place has so much potential, don't you think..!?!

xx Charlotta 

Image credits:

1/3/4/5/7/12/13/14 & 15 via Hemnet, 2 & 8 Johan Odmann, 6 Ewa Ahlin, 9 Sven Halling, 10 Jenny Gaulitz, 11 Google, 16 Charlie Drevstam

Haute Right Splendid!

Darlings. I am sure you are all up to date with the amazing news over at my dear friend Monika's..!

Her beautiful e-tail boutique 'Splendid Willow Avenue' has been  stylishly revamped, updated, and filled to the brim with irresistible Scandinavian treats for the home and family!

 All images via 'Splendid Willow Avenue'

And as if that is not enough to brighten the day, Monika is also generously sponsoring a three way give-away hosted by blogettes Sarah Klassen of 'Haute Design' and Ally of 'From The Right Bank'.

Sweet Sarah is giving away a stunning necklace by Swedish designer Åsa Daxberg. You can choose between two different designs of which one has been released specially for Monika's 'Splendid Willow Avenue'. How special!

Gorgeous Ally is treating her lucky winner to a pair of super stylish  Ilse Jacobsen rain boots that come in a range of colours that out-do the best of rainbows! They are so nice you'll be wanting a wardrobe of boots. Really!

Our wonderful 'hostess trio' invites anyone from Rio to Reykjavik to take part. That's right, it's open to the world!

All you need to do is to hop across to their blogs now to find out just how to enter. Good luck everyone and thank you to the Haute Right Splendid girls!

xx Charlotta

For your blog roll.. Simply click on the banners to be transported, though please ensure you eat and drink before hand because you'll be glued to your seat for hours! You have been warned..