Winter visit to Artipelag

Artipelag is a great place I mentioned before when I was doing the 52 project. We went there last September. It's  a museum in the middle of an amazing setting. You can spend time wandering outside and then go inside for the exhibition. And their brunch is also very nice! We liked it so much that we decided to go and see it every seasons! If you click below you can see how it looks like in the winter. And if you manage to reach the end, there is a little movie that I made for my instagram account. The scenery when you arrive at the trail to get to the museum is beautiful. I really love discovering a place that has that feel even when it's not spring or summer. Which are definitely my instinctively favourite seasons! You have such beautiful views in that area. And when there isn't many people, it's so relaxing too! Smell of pine trees and sea, sound of birds and wind. What else?And again, the frozen sea is an amazing experience:I did tell him not to go though (despite the millions pictures I took):Despite the wet foot, we had a great time:The exhibition that was on that time was from Lars Wallin, a Swedish haute couture designer. Lily loved it. It was quite an impressive collection of dresses, pictures and drawings. It wasn't exactly my style but it was a great show:And some more takes:The end of the trail to go back is also glorious I thought:Here is a little movie from that time there (plus some more ice skating from the day before):If you are in the area, check out the links to Artipelag and go see it. In the summer, you can take boats from central Stockholm there. It's totally worth it! We will definitely be back in the spring. 

A frozen lake bliss in Lidingö part 2

Remember last week, when we went to a frozen lake In Lidingö? And the weather was grey and cold (and snowing) ? Well, we went back with our skates and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. I even made a little movie again for instagram. It will be right at the end of the post. If you want to check, click below!People living on the island of Lidingö are usually very found of outdoor activity. And that day we spent on the lake was a proof: a lot of its inhabitants just take their skates out and spend the afternoon (if not the day) there. We also did it. We took our skates (the kid's ones), some hot chocolate and some muffins and went for a second time of bliss.There are pretty houses around that lake called Kottla (and pretty posh ones too).And we had a little pit stop to have some muffins and hot chocolate just by one of these houses:Also, that lake is pretty magical. Even when there are a lot of people, it feels like one owns it:So cool that only here can you find the cool hipster dad skating on the lake with their vintage prams:And there was even solidarity between my children:Of course not as good as when they did the heart thing:And not as good as those guys with the pram:If you manage to read up to now, Bravo! Here is the little movie I made that day:I hope it will stay frozen for a few more days so we can enjoy it again!

A frozen lake bliss in Lidingö

A giant with a small head or my daughter on her father's shoulders?I haven't shown you much of where we live (or did I? maybe through my kids portraits, yes!). But the other day we went near our friend's home by a lake. That same lake we swam in during the summer. And it was surprisingly, to me, all frozen. We were not prepared for this. We had no skates or anything. But I found it pure magic (and scary at the same time) to be able to watch it and walk on it. Want to see some pictures and even a little movie? Click below!Enchanting, isn't it? Lidingö has been pleasing me in so many ways with nature. Living by the sea and having a lake in the middle of the Island, what else?And there is a nice walk to do around the lake too!It's impressive and beautiful all at once.Even the way back home was quite of eery. I mean, the weather was really quite bad. Snowy and grey and rather cold. But still. I loved it!I even made a little movie (as I do every week-end for Instagram):We came back with skates, so... to be continued, maybe!

A little week end in Paris

We spent last week-end in Paris to celebrate Christmas with my family a month later. Half grey/half colourful. With moods, ups and downs, sun and rain but we got together again. And even had a  great feel of Paris. If you click below, you can discover a new bakery and some hidden Parisian treasures as well as some portraits of Eliott and Lily of course! We went to the Georges Pompidou center and saw Cy Twombly exhibition:The view is amazing, even if you wouldn't like the exhibitions, you can just go for that!Paris has seen the growth of many types of patisseries and bakeries lately. Some more specialised than others. Some more worth it than others.I discovered thanks to my mum a new bakery that is worth mentioning here. It has less sugar and tastes amazing. If you ever pass by Paris, go and check Yann Couvreur and taste his "eclairs au chocolat", it's beautiful and subtle at the same time.Another thing I love in Paris is the variety of markets. So of course we went to buy some fresh and sea food (especially the things I miss so much when I'm up north!)This lady thought she would look horrible and said sorry many times, but I think she looks really good!There was also a small flee market by my parent's place. I wanted to buy everything there:I like where my mum has moved in Paris because it's full of hidden alleys, wall art and quirky gardens which is quite unusual for most of the city:And a few more of course!Time flies in such a week-end and reunions are sort of bittersweet. Good but short. Hope you all have a good week!         

A little bit of Thailand part 3 (the end)

If I post more pictures of Thailand, it's a bit like we are still there, right? We are currently in the process of recuperating. Not only of Jet-lag but also from a bug we caught when we got back. Winter is ok. I'm fine with it. But oh, Thailand was so good. So I kept a few pictures and the three "week-end memories" films I made for Instagram. You can watch it all by clicking below!I promised you movies, so here they are. The first film corresponds to the first blog post:The second week-end, corresponding to the second blog post:And the third part, introducing you to the pictures you'll see after if you still have the courage:I have said it before, the weather wasn't always with us. After we had two full days of rain, some blue sky finally showed up. It was stormy and windy but the light was just amazing:We ate in a restaurant on the beach. We had to walk on the beach from our hotel to get there. Koh Kho Khao is such a beautiful island.Overall, we spent a lot of time by our hotel but it was such a great place:They were so nice, they even gave us the best room of the hotel for the last couple of days. It had an outdoor little pool and a great view on the beach:Evening were great and warm. Despite the lack of sun, we always had such a cool air.And for our last night, we had the best sunset possible:Amazing light, right?And then Lily gave us a little show. That will close my post!And a last one for the road:

A little more of Thailand Part 2

Here comes the second part of our Thailand trip. As I mentioned before, the weather wasn't always with us. Just like the air hostess on our trip back put it : " I have been in Thailand every year for the past 15 years. This time was the worst weather ever!".We did enjoy ourselves totally though. And went to magnificent places. Thailand is such a vibrant place. Click below to see more!We decided to escape the rain in Koh Kho Khao where we were staying and pay a visit to the beautiful Phan-Nga bay.  We had an amazing boat trip around it. It's totally magical even in cloudy weather. We also had the chance to go to the Island called "James Bond". The name is due to a duel scene of the movie " the man with a golden gun" between Christopher Lee and Roger Moore. We did some canoeing and more boat ride.We also went to a fishing village that was originally built by Indonesian immigrants. So much life in there. Such an experience for the kids.The cafe they go to before heading fishing:We also visited a school there, they have a football pitch on pilotis!Last part of our trip was for visiting a temple with a giant buddha. I can safely say this was a full on day:Of course, there will be a part 3 to this trip. An amazing experience overall.I hope this gives you a bit of warmth on these cold days!          

A little more of Thailand - part 1

We are having  a terrific time in Thailand despite the (very) unpredictable weather for the season. I had already posted some picture in my last 52 project post.  So here is a little more.  There will be a 3rd part coming soon.If you care to check, you can click below.I have a thing for long tail boats and you will see many pictures of it.We went on a trip to an Island called Pha. The tiniest thing you have ever seen. It was entirely devastated by the Tsunami 12 years ago. But they managed to use it touristically anyway. You go snorkelling first and then you have lunch on the island.  And we had the Island almost for ourselves:A lot of fishermen around. Kids went fishing with us while we were snorkelling. Different priorities.Always with a book in his hands.He recently read the entire French series called Manoir: And we also went to a busy market in Khao LakWe stayed on an Island called Koh Kho Khao. Ideal, if you ask me. It's quiet. It has beautiful beaches. But still a lot to do around if you wish so.The beach near our hotel was almost for ourselves every day. I'm dreading recommending it as it might spoil the place. I'm therefore hiding the name of our hotel from this blog, haha.We didn't have much sun in fairness. Especially for the season. But when it came, it was quite a party!To be continued...        

Yayoi Kusama at Moderna Museet in Stockholm

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama

If you are in Stockholm, I would advise you to go and see Yayoi Kusama at Moderna Museet! It's only until the 11th of September though. Of course, you have to like psychedelic obsessive art (or lines and  polka dots, like me). I had already seen one of her infinity installation at the Louisiana Museum in Denmark. I also saw a dot installation at the Tate Modern in London before that and really like it all.This exhibition is an amazing retrospective of her work and life. Installations are fantastic as usual but there are also paintings and movies of her provocative actions earlier in her career. Yayoi Kusama is a peculiar artist. I really like her work and the mental influence in her art. It's also a very easy exhibition to go see with kids. Mine really enjoyed it! If you don't have the luxury to go see it or want to be convinced a bit more, click on read more (don't worry, I'm not showing it all):I have a thing for her infinity rooms and her polka dots obsessions:She is there in many forms, films and texts. But for this one, Lily thought it was her for real:She had also many other obsessions in the past, like food and protuberances. She thought she was seeing the world as a massive field of protuberances. She also had a phase with food. In one of her exhibition in New York in the 60s, she filled a room with pasta and people had to walk on it and really disliked it (well, except the Belgian commentator of the movie telling the story. He really though it was cool, sacré belges!):Another advantage of going to that exhibition is that you get to go to Moderna Museet. That means crossing a bridge with really nice surroundings and later see that arty Island called Skeppsholmen where the museum lies:All in all, I just love that museum:Hope you have the chance to see it!

The Nordic Bakery London

A scandinavian feel everywhere: The Nordic bakery in London

I’ll be moving to Stockholm in a bit more than a year and as I have shared feelings about it, I have to seek all the positive aspects about up North! Scandinavia has exported its best and when one mixes two things I love (cafes and London), it can only be one thing: winner!I love strolling around London. This city has the most amazing cafes, restaurants and as 

Penelope Bagieu,

famous French cartoonist puts it: “London tickles your graphic nerve every 10 meters”.Let me take you to the

Nordic Bakery 

on Cavendish square:

Simple decoration as you would expect and a lot of woods. It’s nice and quiet

This place is ideal for a quick lunch or a Fika (tea time please). You will find rye bread sandwiches, salads and amazing cinnamon filled pastries. Decent coffees and tea also.

You’ll even have some blond hair for a better northern feel !

Nordic Bakery locations:

Golden Square, London

14a Golden SquareSoho, London W1F 9JGMap & opening times

New Cavendish Street, London

37b New Cavendish StreetMarylebone, London W1G 8JR. (Entrance off Westmoreland Street)Map & opening times

Dorset Street, London

48 Dorset StreetLondon W1U 7NEMap & opening times

#MyQuietMoment#london coffeeshops#scandinavia