The streets of Stockholm...

The travel bug bit me again last weekend. This time around I didn't have to go that far for a cure. The flight led me to Stockholm. The last time I was in the city I only managed to pop by Zara before I left. I was 18 and my main focus was party and shopping, not really interested in the facades, nor trying to explore the off the beaten track of the city.

Stockholm is a lot like Oslo, but so much more. However I haven't quite decided if it's a positive or a negative thing. Sure the city is much more advanced than it's little brother Oslo. It has a vibrant fashion- and art scene. It also has the grand facade of the Old City, something I really wish Oslo had. It gives it a bit of charm. But as day 3 and the last day kept creeping in, I felt like I still hadn't scratch the surface of what Stockholm is. And I can't help but thinking, that maybe this time around, little brother Oslo may just score a bit higher in my book. Believe me, that's quite a rare thing in my book. I don't know, perhaps I just needed to give it a couple of days more and maybe I would share my travel companion's love for the city.....

Back to reality..

Hubby went back to work today, meaning back to everyday normal life. Well at least as normal as it can get with the little one. The weather was amazing so had a little stroll in the sun. As usual I ended at up at the local shopping center resulting into a tiny shopping spree. I really must consider a different route as shopping centre strolls can get quite expensive.

Among the things in my shopping bag were fresh flowers. They always make me feel special, especially on days where I run around like crazy, still in my pajamas after the little one. On these days, the apartment is usually a big mess, but as long as there is fresh flowers it's ok somehow....

Part of my shopping spree: Fresh flowers

Family Bonding

January has been dedicated to family. Hubby has had the whole month off so we've taken the opportunity to travel to the west coast to spend time with his family. It's been very relaxing and we have even managed to squeeze in a date or two, making me realise how important it is to have grand parents nearby. Unfortunately we live on the other side of the country. It's the price we have to pay by living in the city. On the positive side I have amazing friends and a realiable brother who probably would love to babysit the little one. I guess I just have to be brave enough to ask...

The west coast in pics:

Celebrated Christmas all over again :-)

The little one, exhausted after Christmas Eve part deux

Outfit of the day

And a whole lotta of good food

Only the best...

I received a late Christmas present the other day from my hubby and the little one....

Confessions of a newbie mother: Looking back....

over my shoulder. I do that often these days. An what a beautiful sight I'm hit with: My son playing on his mat.

I would like to sum up 2011 in two words: blissfully difficult. It doesn't really make any sense, but that's whats this whole year has been about. Nothing made sense. Being sick for the whole pregnancy didn't make sense. Having a mild depression when the little one came didn't make sense. The little one didn't make sense. A rather difficult time.

In the midst of it all there were tiny moments that made the shady grey turn to bright pink. It was a moment of bliss. At first, I felt it just for a second so I easily brushed it away by going back to my loop of dark thoughts. Then gradually seconds turned into minutes, turning into hours.

Looking back over my shoulder and I spot the little one. I smile and hopefully will keep on smiling in 2012.

Outfit: New Years Hoopla

I ended up wearing something quite "dressed-down" for a NYE outfit. The plan was to have a chilled out family dinner at my aunt's place. It turned out to be much more festive than I thought as she had invited quite a few friends as well. I ended up spending most of the evening and night in the spare bedroom with my two fave people in the world, trying to make one of them to go to sleep (not the mister, even though he fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow). Although I was exhausted I'm glad I had my two boys with me on the final day of 2011.

Dress: Zara, Blazer: Topshop

Finally asleep

Sorry for the really poor quality pics. 

I think I may have been a good girl this year..

...Because I received so many presents from my lovelies. Here are a few of them:

An animal printed scarf from the Mister

A second scarf from the Mister

Lovely candles. I love love candles so these were a big hit.

I also got a gift card to a spa treatment which I'm really looking forward too and plus a little something something that I'll blog about later. I really do feel lucky and a tad bit guilty about receiving so many gifts. I do think we spend too much money on Christmas presents, but every year is the same. I try, but I never seem to think about the price when I'm doing my Christmas shopping. Perhaps next year.