Ship Shape

I love ships!  If I had the choice I would spend my life at sea, eating biscuits, catching fish, wearing stripes (the entire cliché would be brilliant). I blame this fascination on my parents, who continue to enthusiastically decorate our house with a nautical theme. 
There must be something so exciting and free about having a boat, being able to set off into the horizon anytime you feel like it, having complete agency over one's own travel. The geographical possibilities are endless, as is the supply of fresh seafood.. it must be fabulous! 
It's fun to hang out by the sea in Skeppsholm in Stockholm and watch the proud owners of ships moor their boats in the sunshine, wondering where they have been and where they are headed next. The boats themselves are stunning creations, a harmony of wooden planks, steel poles and tightened ropes, they evoke the inevitable drama of the sea. I imagine the lines being pulled to adjust the wind pressure, the sails being rigged to change directions in a storm, the lifeboats prepared for the worst. There is no adventure without risk, as they say, and what could be more risky or adventurous than living life at sea! One can dream..

By the sea

It's the weekend, the salty sea air blows your hair in the wind, the sun gently warms your skin. What better opportunity then to relax by the sea, practice your hobbies, chat to your friends, go for a bike ride, jump on a boat. These private moments of carefree abandon and elation are what keeps us all going during the winter to come. As E.E Cummings surmised.. 'For whatever we lose (like a you or a me) it's always ourselves we find in the sea.'  

Crisscrossed

As I made my way across Stockholms Skeppsholms bridge, I couldn't help but check out this stylish couple. I love the splashed lines of color on her oversized jeans and how it compliments her knotted vest. He is all about a loose fit and muted colors, but his cherry-red hat ties it all together. They make a great pair. 

The bridge itself is stunning, full of crisscrossed lines and smooth wooden planks, flanked by a gilded crown. 

Let's Dance

In my opinion, the best thing about big cities is their spontaneity. The relative anonymity they provide seems to spur people to act free from the lasting judgement of social constraints and behave a little bit more compulsively.  Each day that I walk around capital cities like Stockholm or London I inevitably get approached by quirky strangers or witness amusing or carefree behaviour and I love it! If you ask me, spontaneity is the true spice of life. 

Last Sunday was no exception when I was walking around Södermalm with Nui. We spotted a jazz band consisting of three dapper gentlemen playing an infectious tune and stopped to listen for awhile.  Suddenly a couple of girls with matching outfits jumped into the centre of the crowd, twirling, waltzing and swinging to the music, laughing like school kids. I really admired their confidence and sense of fun, not to mention their stunning black jackets. 

Lovelocked

  I love the tradition of love locks. It represents the commitment and shared intimacy that only two can have a key to. Just like graffiti hearts, its simply another way to try and leave a physical mark that your love ever existed which I find incredibly sweet. I spotted these on a bridge in Uppsala and couldn't help but wonder where the owners are now and if they're still together.

 

Graveyard

There is a beautiful graveyard just outside my building that I usually take a detour to walk through on my way to class. (Not because i'm morbid, but because I really like its atmosphere, however bizarre that might seem.) Theres so much love there if you look around.  The epitaphs are poetic and sweet and I always see people kneeling to light candles and whisper to their loved ones beneath. 
It's also a nice reminder of our own mortality which I think is important to be exposed to sometimes.
I was walking by one afternoon after a particularly heavy snowfall which highlighted the details of railings and the shapes of trees. 

Beaches

Hiking around Sweden's beautiful and delightfully secluded beaches. 

Nydala

Nydala is the name of a lake in the city of Umeå in Sweden. Before I moved there I looked at the map and pinpointed the apartment building closest to it. Funnily enough, my friends  did the same and thus it was Nydala that brought us all together. Barbeques, sunsets, northern light displays, skinny dipping, sunrises, and long walks ensued.. 

June

  
If you are or ever were a student, you'll recognize that blissful atmosphere in June when your final exams are over for the summer. 

Other worldly

Since I started University I find I read less and less for pleasure and more and more for work. I often forget that it's the most simple pastime, the perfect way to lose yourself in another world. On days like today when there's a blizzard raging outside and I can't feel my toes, I think back to those summer days when the boys and I cycled down to the lake and read for hours. 

Exploring

One Saturday in October we hiked through Skuleskogen, a national park on the high coast. Eventually we decided to set up camp at this beautiful beach overlooking a large lake. We spent the afternoon exploring the surroundings, the evening chatting by the campfire, and the night whispering in the woods. 

Effortless

Sometimes you're lucky enough to capture a natural moment of beauty in someone. They often have no idea how they look, or perhaps are under the impression that they only look beautiful when they try. I think theres beauty in everyone, and it doesn't require much effort. 

Gustavianum

 I love the Gustavianum building in Uppsala - it has this magnificent dome at the top which lights up a bright shade of violet, green and cobalt blue when the sun goes down. Even if it adds an extra five minutes to my journey, I try and walk past it on my way home. Who wouldn't?

Transition

 Today was the first official snowfall and this one was simply too beautiful not to share. Before the world turns completely white, its nice to capture the contrast, the transition between dark and light. 

Shadows

Sweden is a pretty fantastic place to live.. not just because of paternity leave, the welfare system and other forms of common sense, but also because of all the little things they do for you in winter. Lets face it, when you have very little daylight and it feels like the wind and snow are attacking you, it can lead to despair/emigration. In order to avoid this, they put up lights! The concept is simple but in practice it can be realised into something quite elaborate. Fairy lights are strung from trees, lanterns are hung from street signs, statues are adorned with torches and they even provide rainbow coloured walkways such as this one. I feel happier already. 

Winter Wonderland

I love a snow covered pine tree. In fact give me a whole forest of snow covered pine trees in the middle of nowhere and i'll be delighted. We went on a hike to Tavelsjö one day and ended up walking through this dreamlike scenery which was blissfully deserted. I adore hiking trips.. its such an amazing chance to leave modern life behind and go explore those untouched places that really make you feel human again. Is it just me or does this remind you of The Snowman? Perfect place for the party! 

Substance and style

Gotta keep those ears warm. 

On a mission

Just my local superheroes doing a supermarket dash. Handsome aren't they? 

Trees ablaze

One September day in Umeå,I was pushing my bike up a ridiculously large hill when I noticed the sunlight catching these trees in the most perfect way. It almost looked like they had burst into flames, warming the dull grey sky. The air had a certain electricity in it and I think I speak for everyone passing by when I say that it filled us all with a little bit of joy.