Tuesday 22 March 2011

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING IN "HÄRLIGA HÄRJEDALEN"

In lovely Härjedalen in the north of Sweden skiing (cross country) with my best friend Leena. We are staying in the time share cottage my parents bought in the 1970-ies and the interior still looks exactly the same! Trendy again!

Thursday 17 March 2011

MOOOI CELEBRATES 6 MONTHS IN LONDON

Moooi the famous Dutch furniture and design company celebrated their London showrooms 6 months birthday yesterday night. With champagne and bagels and with an exhibition put together by print designer and stylist (known from Elle Decoration, Wallpaper etc) Despina Curtis. Go and have a look! The White House at Portobello Docks, Notting Hill, till the end of April.

Tuesday 15 March 2011

MOODY BLUES and BREAKFAST WITH TRICIA AT DESIGNERS GUILD

The London Design Week started traditionally with breakfast with Tricia Guild at her flagship store at Kings Road. The spring theme was without doubt the blues....with inspiration from Sweden and Miami.....fresh and inspiring!

Thursday 10 March 2011

MINI LONDON GUIDE WITH DOVER STREET FASHION, COMMES DES GARCON, ACNE, PRADA, new W hotel, etc

Another little London trip! Went to Dover Street (near New Bond Street) to visit Acne etc. Dover Street Market has been there for a couple of years now (top designers clothes in a multi storey building hosted by Comme des Garcons). Expensive stuff but well worth a visit if you are a fashionista like me! Acne open its flagship store here last summer. Very Scandinavian interior with danish Dinesen Douglas Spruce floors etc...
Prada (New Bond Street) is going Latino this spring!
Spice Market, new "mixed Asian" restaurant in the new hotel W on Wardour Street by Leicester Square. Pop in for lunch or visit the hotels Lounge Bar on the first floor. You can also book in for a SPA-day without having to be resident at the hotel!
More Spice Market!
Nostalgic design at Habitat. They have used old plates as a template for their new patterned china! Same pattern occurring on cushions etc....funny and innovative. I like!
Ginas fab shoes are actually made in Croydon (London). I saw how they are made on Gok´s fashion program on channel 4! Really handmade by proper craftsmen!
Perfect with the ultimate white suite this spring!
Dover Street Market, well worth a visit if you have not already been!
The restaurant at Dover Street Market with Aalvar Aalto furniture (Finland).
Time to crochet girls! Look at this fab dress by John Rocha, also on Dover Street!
The ultimate white suit no 1 this spring is by Max Mara, to die for!
The ultimate white suite no 2 is by the late Alexander McQueen! Also on New Bond Street.
The Lobby at W on Wardour Street. Notice the "disco balls" a reoccurring feature in the hotel!
One of the rooms (suites) at W with golden fabric and bed cover. All rooms have window facing the street and open planning! Modern and contemporary.
All rooms welcomes you with a multifunctional bar, for grooming, drinking, cleaning etc. In the suites this bar is accompanied by a bath (behind the bar and not visible on this photo!) Unusual and inviting and practical!
The Lounge Bar has been designed in an international and contemporary style but to know that you are in London/England an element of British Design has been incorporated with Chesterfield Sofas, tartan fabrics etc.

In the suites you can find this extra pleasure kits in one of the drawers. Exciting!
The Gym has nice view of Leicester Square etc. You can book in for a SPA day without being resident at the hotel!
The exterior of W is very modern, sleek and like a modern sculptor, a quirky contrast to the commercial Leicester Square with its cinemas and theatres and the eclectic china town...
Now to a bit of interior design, this is actually the window of Next at Tottenham Court Road. Typical English mix with a country side feel to it! Makes me think of Paul Smith!
Mix it!
Heal´s has gone all turquoise this spring. Lovely colourful sofas and wallpaper by Designers Guild. Tottenham Court Road.

Thursday 3 March 2011

MY SPECIAL SALAD DRESSING AND A PASTA RECIPE WITH BROCCOLI

MY BEST SALAD DRESSING IS SOON YOURS AS WELL!
You need
1 part freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 parts virgin olive oil
chopped garlic to taste
salt
freshly milled black pepper
a hint of honey
water (approx 2 tbsp per lemon)
Mix it all together and shake
Can be uses immediately. I normally make a lot of it and keep in the fridge. Remember to take it out to warm up before using! Really nice with steamed asparagus and the topped with some grated Parmesan cheese!
I use it for cold salads and warm vegetables!
A QUICK AND VERY EASY MADE PASTA
You need
1 head of Broccoli in small bouquets and chopped stem
250 g bacon, chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
5 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
300 g penne or farfalle pasta
a dash of white wine
virgin olive oil
black pepper
salt
grated Parmesan cheese
Gently fry the onion, garlic and bacon in olive oil until it is soft and golden. Add a bit of white wine and let it steam off. Season with salt and black pepper.
Cook the pasta with the broccoli (10 min). Drain. Add the onion/garlic/bacon mix to the warm pasta and broccoli then add the grated Parmesan, and if you find it necessary, a bit more olive oil, and stir. Serve immediately with some extra Parmesan on top! Yummy!