Amélie turned 5 years the 5th of April. Today she asked me: Mummy, how many days is it to my birthday?
Amélie dear, I replied. It’s almost a year!
She kept smiling and looking at me, thinking for a short while, before starting laughing: Mummy you’re joking!
It’s going to be a looong year for her… 
Once a year we get the chance
To wish you birthday cheer.
It pleases us no end to say,
We wish you another great year.
So happy birthday to you, our dear Amélie,
From the bottom of our heart.
And may your good times multiply,
Till they’re flying off the chart!
Happy 5th Birthday, Amélie!
With love and best wishes from
mum and dad
Amélie was invited to a “Princess and Knight” party yesterday. She has a collection of princess dresses in her wardrobe. But she didn’t feel like wearing any of them, as she wanted to me more a modern princess.
Get the look:
Angora wool off white jumper, Sonia Rykiel pour H&M pale pink short sleeved knitted top, Lilli Gaufrette black satin skirt with bow details, Sonia Rykiel pour H&M striped tights, Monsoon pink ballerinaes. Tiara found in the dressing up box.
Photo: TheScandinavianMum
Amélie will soon be turning 5 years old. As she early on has expressed a wish to celebrate her big day with all her best friends, her family, all her other friends, class mates and the rest of the world there has been a few discussions. But in the end we have managed to narrow the list down to a few friends and class mates.
With the guest list ready the birthday party planning can start. I was thinking of going for the easy (if there is such a thing in this matter) option with a rented hall and a professional entertainer that ensures that the children will be entertained from the beginning to the end. It works, and it is easy. All you have to do is to show up with party food and gift bags.
But at the same time it’s hard to let go of the childhood dream birthday party. With party games, hotdogs (yes, that’s party food for children in Norway), strawberry jelly and vanilla sauce for dessert. And the birthday cake! Homemade cream cake decorated with strawberries, blueberries and candles. The venue would be decorated with balloons and fresh flowers and Norwegian table flags.
While dreaming away I’m surfing the net for themed princess party decoration whilst deciding on Mr.Brilliant or Mr.Fantastic.
Photo: matoppskrift.no
Todays catch from Sweden.
Shopping tips for launches and sale: Walk inside the store. Find the nearest shopping assistant, and ask for directions to desired items. Quickly scan through whats left. Move quickly to the fitting room, and see what’s left there. Then turn towards the till and ask if they have anything left there. Hold on to whatever you are unsure about until you are sure. If you leave anything behind it might be gone within the next second.
Yes, this is mad. But today I retrieved both the dress and a few items for myself as well from SR pour H&M following these simple steps. I read it online somewhere earlier today, and wanted to see if it worked. And after experiencing it I wanted to share it with you!
Photo: TheScandinavianMum for H&M
With two antennas on the head to receive all the UK Radio stations available! Faux fur bolero from H&M. Skirt and top from Krista Lynggaard. The set was bought for Beatrice back in 2005. Krista has since 2008 been on maternity leave, but we hope to see her back in business soon.
During half term the Scandinavian Mum, the Scandinavian Dad and their two Little Scandinavians are off on holiday. And the trip goes (of course!?) to Scandinavia!
We will be going to a lovely ski resort in Norway called Norefjell (North mountain). Norefjell with its more than 3.900 feet has a long history with tourism and down hill skiing, hosting the Winter Olympics in 1952. With continues development it’s today one of the most modern ski resorts in Norway.
The flight time from London to Oslo is about 2 hours. Then Norefjell is situated one hours car journey outside Oslo.
The resort we will be staying at has “ski in ski out”, great cross country slopes starting on your mountain lodge’s doorstep, there is an ice rink, there is SPA, outdoor jacuzzi and a gym for the adults and swimming pools for the children and there is a 52 feet tall indoor climbing wall. You can choose from several nice restaurants. The mountain lodge built only last year has all the facilities you would expect and is offering accommodation with a modern yet cozy interior with fire place etc. And what do you think the children are most excited about?
“Yeah! We get to sleep in a bunk bed!”
Photo: Boseter Quality Resort and Spa Norefjell
Another day with snow in London. But it’s not like we can ski to school like they can in Scandinavia. This is at the entrance, Tromso University
Visit My Little Norway for more fun info about Norway, written in English (there is lots of nice Norewgian recipes too)
There is without a doubt a resemblance between the the new Starters shoes from Angulus and The Scandinavian Dads nearly 33 year old first shoes.
Timber House, a Moleta Munro owned bolt-hole, is a property with a difference. An eco-friendly house, larch clad and built to blend into the landscape of this beautiful environment, it offers all the qualities of modern living. It’s very much Scandinavian inspired, and Little Scandinavian loves both Timber House and Isle of Skye.
The house is detached and has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a utility room and a large open plan ground floor. In addition to the stunning panoramic views across the loch from the open glazed areas, the house has a wood-burning stove to ensure the elements are always kept at bay.
Portree the ‘capital’ of Skye is about half an hour’s drive from the house, whilst Dunvegan castle and gardens are just a few miles away where you can take a boat trip to the nearby seal islands and coral beaches. Timber house is also just a few minutes walk from the Three Chimneys, arguably one of the finest restaurants in Scotland.
The winner and their guests will enjoy accommodation for a week for up to four people plus a gourmet welcome hamper of local products.
Win a week’s stay at Timber House in Isle of Skye, Scotland by entering the competition launched by Living Etc. The Competition ends on the 5th of March.
For more information on hiring the holiday house visit moletamunro.com
Photos: Moleta Munro
Dear Annika and Havard.
Your anniversary is a time
For sharing your affection;
It’s obvious the two of you
Have quite a deep connection!
We send glad congratulations
And heartfelt wishes, too,
For joyful happiness and love
In everything you do.
By Joanna Fuchs
With lots of love from your friends in London
Photo: Annika Sylte
Beatrice is wearing her “kanina Bennie cardigan” from Dundelina, definitely one of her favourite items this season! Lovely round neck cardigan in a soft and warm lambswool blend. Beatrice loves wearing this cardigan on chilly days, and it’s a must on her way to and from ballet class every week. Gorgeous quality with lots of attention to details. Knitted cord ribbon at waist and mother of pearl buttons to the front. Hand embroidered funky bunny from the story “dundelina and the old house” on the back, which really makes this beautiful cardigan so unique.
Available with 50% off in sizes 104 – 140 cm, on sale now for £25 at Dundelina.
In Norway children would wear footwear according to the weather conditions, with wellington boots if it’s raining and snow boots if it’s snowing. But with the uniform policy at the girls school it’s a bit more tricky. Sometimes I’ll let them wear appropriate boots to school, then change them into their uniform shoes upon arrival before carrying the boots back home. And if the weather is not too bad I’ll let them wear the uniform shoes walking to school, with the result that the tights are wet and the shoes are quicker worn out or even damaged.
While kissing the Scandinavian Dad farewell this morning I realised he was wearing his Norwegian galoshes, his midnight blue SWIMS. The Scandinavian Dad loves his formal leather shoes and was very happy after purchasing his first SWIMS while we still lived in Norway. SWIMS and galoshes is not an everyday sight in London, so he does get a lot of smiles and jokes. But hey, who laughs last laughs the best! His shoes remain beautiful, and the Scandinavian Dad’s feet are still warm and dry when arriving at work.
If only SWIMS would start making galoshes for kids as well!
The founder of SWIMS tells his story
Growing up with four distinct seasons in Norway, I never let go of the black rubber galoshes that my late grandfather passed on to me. In 1999 they accompanied me to a milder, but still rainy Paris. Wearing Chuck Taylor’s Converse and galoshes, I got around the severe rainfall that autumn. Not surprisingly, my footwear became the subject of many jokes around the art school I attended. Later, while living in New York, I blended in with an image-conscius culture that defied slushy streets, freezing winds and pouring rain. Naturally, this resulted in a lot of discomfort and many ruined pairs of shoes.
A few more Manhattan winters went by while I searched for the right product before I finally took matters in my own hands and decided to develop SWIMS – The Modern Galosh! A stylish solution, embodying the essence of practicality: Wear your favorite shoes, slip on SWIMS when the weather is rough, slip’em off when you arrive at your destination. Enhanced comfort is assured and your shoes are guaranteed to stay shiny.
Photo: SWIMS
Baking is a fine art year around in Scandinavia. But come late November, most kitchens see a flurry of flour, sugar, spices, almonds, butter, and eggs when serious Christmas baking begins.
Danish and Norwegian families bake at least seven different kinds of cookies, a carryover from the 19th century when the number reflected a family’s wealth and status. The buttery treats are packed away in tins awaiting the first Sunday of Advent and the official start of holiday entertaining. That’s when Scandinavians especially love the ritual of gathering around the living room coffee table to enjoy after-dinner coffee and a dazzling array of cookies.
We have so far made “pepperkaker” (gingerbread men). Picture to the left shows Amélie testing the result.
So! Only six to go…
The Scandinavian Dad is as we speak in the kitchen, preparing for us to make some more. On today’s baking list there is: “berlinerkranser”, “sandkaker” and “kanelstenger”
The result (and recipes) will be published later on.
My significant other, the Scandinavian Dad, has not always been tall and handsome. There was once upon a time a very little adorable boy as well. Cute hat?
Photo: No permission. Easier to get forgiveness than permission in this case?!