The modern housewife

This weekend we are having a couple of friends over for dinner. One of them is a chef and we have decided that the men will cook and the girls will enjoy being served! This will also give my fiancee an opportunity to learn good cooking from a very talented chef!
So by by women's work and hello being spoiled for a few hours:)


Photo Claudia Goetzelmann.

My two cats have a "tower" from Ikea in front of the window that they love to sit on and watch the birds! Yesterday I made two new pillow cases for it so that they have something new and fresh to lie on. Funny thing is though that they haven't been lying there since yesterday. Maybe they don't want to stain the white or it smells too clean or... It looks really good though and I am sure that I will find them there when I least expect it.




Photos Anna Nasstrom / The Modern Housewife.

Here is a funny way to show that we are one day closer to christmas. The calender that eliminates the days by shredding them. Graphically it is perfect but maybe a bit drastic for my taste. I am more of a person who keeps calenders and agendas for years. I never look in them but they are there just in case...

Last week I saw a documentary on the French/German TV station ARTE about the day before JEAN PAUL GAULTIER'S fashion show. It was amazing the way the people made the clothing. They actually sat there and sew on every single tinsel by hand! What was even more amazing is that 12 hours before the show, there was an embroidery that wasn't even started, but they managed to finish it in time (well almost, the show was almost an hour late, but still).
I have only managed to find a teaser for the show but if you have the possibility, there is another coming the 28 of January at 22.20 about PROENZA SCHOULER and the 4th of February it is SONIA RYKIEL'S turn.



And here are a few photos from the fashion show.





Photos from Jean Paul Gaultier's website.

If you feel that your books are not harmonious in color or you simply think they are too precious, then here is the solution. BOOK CITY JACKETS is a company that print their modern versions of the classical paper bag book cover. They say themselves that "We turn books into a new kind of affordable art". Which I find is true, because although many books are beautiful graphically, there are also lots that you just want to hide deep in your closet.
And by the way, I really like their name, how they make "jackets" for books, very clever and fun!








Photos from Book City Jacket's website.

The Danish design company LINE DEPPING seem to have a preference for natural materials and the color yellow. I really like yellow with other bright colors so it suites me pretty well. On top of that they have innovative ideas and concepts such as the table where you can throw everything into the middle pocket when it is dinner time for example. I am not sure that it is very practical but at least it's fun!


Photos from Line Depping's website.

Dutch photographer ERWIN OLAF is a genius at surprising and provoking people. It feels like his photos are taken in another universe that is sterile yet very open with no boundaries. There are a lot of photos that I really like but then there are a lot of his work that is a bit too provocative for me.
I'll let you judge for yourself.










Photos by Erwin Olaf from his website.

I discovered THINGS OF COLOUR when visiting SWISS MISS'S blog last week. It is a young Swedish company based in Hong Kong that make colorful and a bit odd products. It feels very fresh and fun!




Images from Things of colour's website.

I have seen a global trend recently where people have a tendency to go back to our roots and use nature as a major inspiration. This is also applied to wedding cakes. Here are 4 examples that really show the trend and I have to say that I love it!

This week has been a bit odd. My fiancee was sick half the week and stayed home from work. This felt really strange to me since I am used to being alone during the week. I guess you get habits really fast.
Now I am sick so todays theme is to take everything slowly and light because we have a busy weekend ahead of us and I don't want to miss it!


Photo by Per Zennström.

When I first saw this house I thought that it was situated in Florida or California. I was really surprised to discover that it is in Malmö, Sweden. Considering the climate is not the warmest this house absolutely sticks out from all the rest. I like it though. It gives a fresh touch to the environement and I can imagine that the house looks beautiful in a real winter landscape!
I thought I would never say this, but I find that the interior is too plain and too simple. I would have added some color or fabrics to make it more inviting. Nevertheless, I think that LINDVALL A&D, who are the architects, has achieved a great house that I hope to see more of in Northern countries!












Photos by Jonas Lindvall.

The last couple of days, I have found so many interesting bedrooms which permits me to share some more bedroom inspiration with you.
Enjoy!

I have decided to add a new category to my blog that is called Blog of the week. There are so many interesting and inspiring blogs out there that I have to share with you!
This weeks blog is DOOR SIXTEEN. Behind Door Sixteen is a girl named Anna who lives in the City of Newburgh, New York. Apart from having this blog, she is also a book cover designer. You can see her work HERE.






Images from Door Sixteen's website.

I can't believe that I haven't thought about this before but colored ceiling's is a genious idea. I found these photos of a triangular house in the Swedish magazine SKONA HEM. They have painted the ceiling on the bottom floor green and the ceiling on the upper floor blue to represent the earth and the sky. You can even find the green ceiling on the terrasse outside.
I think it's a really good idea because the painted ceilings still gives the house a neutral feeling while at the same time giving character and charm to the otherwise fairly white interior.








Photos from Skona Hem's website.

When I went to see the collection of CARIN WESTER I was pleasantly surprised by the graphic elements. Her identity looks very modern but nothing complicated. I love the "cut out" models and the line that crosses the text! The clothing in themselves have simple cuts with a touch of originality.










Images from Carin Wester's website.

Here comes some eye candy from the Swedish graphic designer OLLE EKSELL who unfortunately don't exist among us anymore but his graphic design keep on living.

I love this French photographer. The photos are not taken yesterday but it feels like they could be taken tomorrow. GUY BOURDIN'S favorite subjects seems to be women's bodies and death, at least if you look at the masterpieces he has created throughout the years.




















Photos from Guy Bourdin's website.

I love RIE ELISE LARSEN'S happy and colorful design. There are a lot of things that I would like for our house!












Images from Rie Elise Larsen's website.

I wrote about wedding menus a while ago and since then I have found new ones that are absolutely worth showing. I am surprised every day of how creative people are and the ideas that they come up with.

I love this poster by STUDIO VIOLET. Unfortunately it fell down from the wall one evening and the frame broke in two pieces. So this weekend it will be of to Ikea to get a new one so that I can put up my favorite poster again.


Photo Anna Nasstrom/The modern housewife.

I love this house designed by the French architects PERIPHERIQUES ARCHITECTES! It is still rare to see a modern and innovative house like this in France so it is a breath of fresh air that gives you hope for the future.






Images from Peripheriques Architectes website.

I have found my dream closet! I love the simplicity of it and the white wall inte middle give your imagination free space to create whatever you feel like.

Oh, these cupcakes have reunited all my favorite tastes. Carrot cake is one of my favorite cakes and creamcheese reminds me of delicious cheesecakes. Caramel is one of my favorite candies so I don't believe anything could go wrong with these cupcakes.


Images and recipy from joylicious.net


Ingredients for cupcakes:
8 carrots (0,6 kilograms), peeled and coarsely shredded
2 1/2 decilitres of golden raisins
2 1/2 decilitres of pecans, coarsely chopped
5 decilitres of all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 decilitres of canola oil
5 decilitres of sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature

Preheat the oven to 180° celsius. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners. In a medium bowl, toss the carrots with the raisins and pecans. Onto a large sheet of wax paper, sift the flour with the cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the canola oil with the sugar at medium-high speed until smooth. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well between additions. Add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed until combined. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the carrot mixture.
Spoon the batter into the cups, filling them three-fourths full. Bake the cupcakes for about 25 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly pressed. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

Ingredients for Topping:
1 decilitre of sugar
2 tablespoons water
Few drops of fresh lemon juice
1/2 decilitre of heavy cream
1/2 kilogram of cream cheese, softened
2 sticks ( 1/4 kilograms) unsalted butter, softened
1 decilitre of confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

MEANWHILE, MAKE THE TOPPINGS: In a small, deep saucepan, combine the sugar, water and lemon juice. Using a wet pastry brush, wash down the side of the saucepan. Bring to a simmer over moderately high heat and cook without stirring, until the caramel just begins to color around the edges, about 5 minutes. Gently swirl the pan and simmer until the caramel turns a medium amber color, about 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Using a long-handled wooden spoon, stir in the heavy cream. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
In another bowl, beat the cream cheese at low speed until smooth. Beat in the butter, then beat in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Spread 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese frosting over each cupcake. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch star tip with the remaining frosting. Pipe a ring around the top of each cupcake, leaving an empty space in the center. Spoon the caramel into the centers. Transfer the cupcakes to a platter and serve.

LEIF DESIGNPARK has a name that sounds very Scandinavian and so does there design, but they are Japanese. I really like the pure style with functionality as a very important component.














Images from Leif Designpark's website.

JENNY LEXANDER is a Swedish photographer based in Paris that I discovered through a friend of mine. Jenny has a very mysterious and dream like photo style that touches your heart deeply.














Images from Jenny Lexander's website.

It's been a while since I wrote something about graphics. I was sitting yesterday in my livingroom looking at my walls and I relized that they are quite empty. Since we are hopefully going to move soon (cross my fingers) I am not going to do anything about it. Although we have to invest in some art or other for the new house. These collages are absolutely something that I could consider hanging up. The only problem is that I have forgotten where they come from, but with a little bit of imagination, it should be possible to do something.

I found out about IDA SJÖSTEDT in an issue of Swedish Elle a while ago and I decided to go and look at what she is doing. I am quite impressed by the cretivity she has. Even though it is not something I would really wear, I appreciate the style and her clothing makes me dream away somewhere imaginary.

Autumn collection 2009







Spring collection 2009





Images from Ida Sjöstedt's website.

If you have metal coathangers that are very thin and easily damage your clothing there is an easy solution. Make "clothing" for your coathangers and they will not only protect, but your coathangers will also look so much better!

In March I will become 30!!! And that is of course a day to celebrate. My parents and my sister are coming to celebrate with me (on top of that my father's birthday is the same day so it will be double birthdays).
This is what is on my wishlist this year. I know, it is in 2 months, but this way it is online and my fiancee and my mother has already asked for it.



1. "A piece of cake" by Leila Lindholm, 200 SEK
2. Screenprint "The Shaman's Tepee" by Sanna Annukka, 195 pounds (www.sanna-annukka.com)
3. Marimekko bowl, Iittala, 389 SEK (www.inneonline.se)
4. Electric juice press, Bob Home, 74,95 euros (www.pixmania.com)
5. Ego cup, Iittala, 29,50 euros (www.finnishdesignshop.com)
6. Cup, Bodum, 199,95 DKK for 2 (www.bodum.com)
7. Wine glass, Iittala, 258 SEK for 2 (www.inneonline.se)
8. Towel, Normann Copenhagen, 149 - 399 SEK (normann-copenhagen.com)
9. "Elsas mode" by Sofi Fahrman, 152 SEK
10. Kitchen robot, Moulinex, 84 euros (www.darty.com)
11. Herb pot, Sagaform, 39,90 euros (www.finnishdesignshop.com)

KUNG KARUSELL is a Swedish online shop that sell romantic yet modern interior decoration products. Here are a few of my favorites that I would'nt mind having in my house.










Images from Kung Karusell's website.

I have seen a balloon trend recently in wedding decorations. It is a good idea that doesn'r explode your budget but makes a big difference. If you don't want balloons, you could hang up home made garlands that give you the same effect.

Every January there is a tradition (Galette de Roi) in France where you eat a delicious cake with a small porcelain figure inside. The person who gets the figure in their piece of cake becomes the king. I am not exactly sure about the history of this tradition but I am happy that it exist because the cake is really good!

I have made my own mayonnaise for the first time today and it is so easy and really much better tasting than the one you buy. I made half of the quantity because we are only two people but if you are a bigger family I recommend following the proportions of the recipy.



2 eggs
1 tablespoon of mustard
a little bit of salt

Whisk all of these ingredients.
Then slowly add 5 decilitres of rapeseed oil while still whisking.
I recommend to use an electric whisk because my arm was quite numb after very intensive whisking.


Photos Anna Nasstrom.

Now that it has been christmas we have been sitting around the table a lot with family and friends, eating good food for hours and hours. I hope that it will continue through the year with plenty of family and friend gatherings. A nice and cosy dinner area  will help you on the way and hopefully inspire you to invite many people.

For my future I want every kitchen machine possible because I love to cook and bake. I am not willing to buy anything though, the machine's have to look like a part of the kitchen. Today it is not hard since there is every design and color possible.



1. Kitchen Aid, 5395 SEK, Kitchen Aid
2. Coffee machine, 199 euros, Nespresso
3. Mixer/Blender, 795 SEK, OBH Nordica
4. Water cooker, 1650 SEK, Asplund
5. Toaster, 89,90 euros, Bodum
6. Coffee grinder, 39,90 euros, Bodum
7. Coffee machine, 5995 SEK, Ascaso

One of the gifts that Santa Claus brought this christmas was a book about new designers from all over the world. There is a lot of nice and innovative projects and one of them is the Norwegian company STOKKE AUSTAD. It is a company that has only exsisted since 2007 but already have quite a few interesting products.










Images from Stokke Austad's website.

I have loved MATTIAS EDWALL'S photos from the moment I saw the photos he took of the Swedish circus CIRKÖR many years ago. He is a really good fashion and portrait photographer where his lighting skills are very present.








Photos from Mattias Edwall's website.

RICE is a company with very colorful design. It could be useful in these grey days when you dream about sun and umbrella drinks on the beach.




Images from Rice's website.

I am back after a great holiday in Poland with a lot of food, visits and really nice family! I hope that you had a nice christmas and that you will have a wonderful 2010 with lots of love and success.
To start the year I wanted to share some really nice wedding dresses with very pure and clean cuts.