I was in Sweden (the final part)

In Sweden, fika [feee-ka] is a cultural staple. The act of having fika involves coffee and a little (or sometimes quite big) something sweet. It is perhaps because of the strong coffee culture in this country that they have managed to keep the big coffee chains off the streets. Not once while I was in Stockholm did I see a Starbucks. Instead, the streets are littered with independent, unique little spots - all with a different feeling and flavour - but most importantly, all bustling with Swedish fikarers.*


*absolutely not a real word


While I thoroughly embraced the coffee aspect of fika, I can only deal with so much sweet in my life, so aside from breakfast buns, I often skipped the on the sweet sides. That doesn't mean that I didn't see many incredible looking deserts - most memorably at Robert's Coffee, inside an indoor market, which was a beautiful spot for a pit-stop. The cortado they served me was the most intense (and delicious) cup of joe I've ever had.

I was in Sweden (part 3)

As I was saying, Stockholm is made up of fourteen islands - the next island which had to be visited was Djurgården. First off a coffee at Cafe String was sipped, before a short ferry boat ride to the next island on the list; home to historical monuments, an open air museum, not to mention a sprawling island garden. Wandering aimlessly around the empty, snow covered paths was a relaxing way to while away a few chilly hours.


Later on, I spotted some coco - or should I say O'Boy! And found a mouth watering indoor market. The obvious had to be done: a hotch-potch bench picnic of market bought walnut bread with swedish cheese........

I was in Sweden (part 2)

Did you know that Stockholm is made up of fourteen islands? That's why there's so much water! It's ingenious because there seems to be an island for everything, including 'museum island' as I've named it - home to the Museum of Modern Art and Swedish Architecture...oh, and big downward pointing arrows. I picked up an incredible extending (and I mean it re-ally extends man) ruler, and set of 'award winning' erasers for my architect boyfriend in the sprawling gift shop. I think he was impressed.


Museum island (or Skeppsholmen as it is actually called...and by the way it doesn't contain all the museums, just a few of them) was followed by a sighting of many cold little ducks, and the eating of a big fat semla bun at Albert & Jack's, sunset views turned into night-time views, and then there was a little reflective self-portraiture on board a floating boat. 

Exciting

I might be in one of these soon. By that I mean, a book! I've been asked to contribute to a collection. Top secret for the moment though, sssssshh, don't say a thing.


Photo from here

Location, Location, Location

Do you read on the move? I never leave the house without a book. I know, I know, my previous post does suggest that I never leave the house full stop, but that's not true. It's only a Christmas spell of cabin fever. I thought it would be interesting to make a note of the most memorable places where I read my last book - Great House, Nicole Krauss (psst, amazing by the way).


1. Purchase Point: Dublin Airport
2. First page opened: On the plane, pre-take-off
3. Plane ride Dublin to London
4. Train ride London Gatwick to London Victoria
5. Tube ride London Victoria to Aldgate East
6. In bed with tea & pb on toast
7. Train ride two days later
8. At my parents house on the big couch with a satsuma mountain
9. In bed
10. In the bath
11. In bed
12. On the couch
13. In the bath
14. On (but not in) bed


As you can see the repetition between points 8-14 indicate the recent house incubation period. Where is your best spot for book reading? I couldn't go on a plane ride without a book, I'm a bit of a nervous flier. Books keep my mind off engines, wings and speeding down runways, urgh.

100

It's here, my 100th post. I've been waiting for a while to write because I wanted it to be a special one, one worthy of triple figures. So, in an attempt to make this space slightly more personal, I decided to introduce myself. Here are some of my most interesting facts...

I live: In Dublin's fair city. Slap bang in the middle. My view looks like this, I'm a lucky lady. But I'm not an Irish lady.

When I'm not reading books: I'm probably reading books. I'm in the thick of a PhD on nineteenth-century Christmas literature.


Do I get sick of Christmas? Certainly not. I spent this summer in Brooklyn, and I have to admit that sitting outside and melting in the hottest temperature I've ever experienced with a trusty Christmas book in hand was peculiar, but I'll always love Christmas sun, rain, snow or shine.


My most recent excursion: was to Berlin. In fact I only got back a couple of days ago. I went to visit to German friends who tried to get me to converse with locals in German for their personal amusement. My mouth really can't do the sounds, the only word I can say convincingly is 'lecker' after an afternoon sipping coffee and munching lebkuchen. 

Some of my favourite bookshops: would have to include The Gutter bookshop in Dublin's Temple Bar; Waterstones - the London Piccadilly branch where you can get lost among books; Magma in Manchester, purely for cover design; and in New York I spent a thrilling afternoon in McNally Jackson Books and fell in love with Spoonbill and Sugartown Booksellers in Brooklyn, they also have a black and white resident cat who lounges around on the book tables.

I have no pets: because I don't know how long I'll be in one place for, but I do have a plastic fish called Father Christmas who I keep in a glass of water on my shelf, and share an imaginary puppy called Big Ted with my boyfriend.

This is Father Christmas, I think he's sleeping.

Other than reading and tending to the needs of my fake pets: I like photography, design, travelling, avocados with fresh lemon juice, yoga, ballet, and making lists. I also play the ukulele, am addicted to sticky text markers and enjoy films, lots and lots of films. I'm interested in integrating great design into academia, because critical analysis should be nice to look at. 

The last film I saw at the cinema was: Chico and Rita. Tonight I will go to watch a festive screening of It's a Wonderful Life - ho, ho, ho.

I'm passionate about: kindness, keeping things simple and smiling. 

One of the first books I loved was: I Capture the Castle by Dodi Smith.

Once: I spent three hours in the bath reading The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. My skin was so wrinkled afterwards but I smelt amazing and my mind was enriched.

My favourite word in English is: bespoke.

I look like this (the bag fits everything in, even if it is almost as big as me)

And I'm thankful for the internet because of these inspiring people/places

sandra juto

even cleveland

hearblack

my funny eye

my new roots

le project d'amour

for me for you

So there it is, post 100, and what a pleasure it was.

Kait