Travel Notes - Stockholm

Last weekend we set off on our second Scandinavian adventure, this time to Stockholm, the Swedish capital.

Here are some of my favourite finds . . . 

Hotel Scandic Malmen

Great design features, 2 bars with nice cocktails, good location on the island of Sodermalm, super breakfast on offer to set you up for the day!

The hotel lobby was adorned with these amazing black and white photographs

 upon closer inspection I discovered that they were part of an exhibition called 'Playing Dirty' by Swedish photographer Frederick Etoall

to see the full collection of images click here

If photography is your thing then a trip to Fotografiska is definitely worth a visit.

Situated on the docks of Stadsgarden in a former industrial art nouveau style building, Fotografiska which opened in 2010 is a centre for contemporary photography.

After viewing the exhibitions you can take in the waterside views especially well from the bistro situated at the top of the building.

My favourite exhibition was The Painting Series by Maria Friberg which was created by positioning her camera under a large glass sheet. 

As she directed her assistant to pour coloured inks onto the glass, the people in the images began a choreographed series of movement to allow the inks to flow and merge together around their bodies.

I especially like the effect of the rain machine which caused the water droplets to resemble twinkling stars in some of the images.

A wander around the old food hall, Saluhall, in Ostermalm is a nice way to soak up some traditional Swedish atmosphere.

 it's been there since the 1880's and is bustling with grocery shoppers and groups of friends battling for a table at one of the numerous restaurants and cafes.

Great people watching spot!

One dish that I was insistent on trying the traditional way was meatballs!

I had carried out a bit of research beforehand and Bakfickan or 'hip pocket', the tiny intimate counter bar seating just 28 guests within the Royal Opera House building, seemed like a winning recommendation.

It opened in the Spring of 1962 and specialises in traditional Swedish quality fare at affordable prices.

meatballs, potato puree, pickled cucumber and lingonberries, mmm-mmm

We left happy with full tummies :)

Nytorget Urban Deli was close to our hotel and a really nice place to hang out.

Restaurant, bar, deli and grocery store all rolled into one with a great buzzy atmosphere, a popular spot for post work drinks.

images credit www.urbandeli.org/hem/

Gondolen is the place to go for one of the best views overlooking the city.

33 metres up, we went for cocktails in the evening and saw the skyline lit up by night.

In the old medieval town of Gamla Stan we came across Chokladkoppen on a square and took welcome shelter from the heavy rain.

Here they serve up giant bowls of hot chocolate in a cosy space, dimly lit with bare bulbs and scattered with absurdly small wooden chairs to perch upon.

image credit : www.chokladkoppen.se

Berns is a boutique hotel, restaurant, bar, bistro, music venue and night club with design by Terence Conran.

The locals' living room and an oasis to curious cosmopolitan visitors.

We had drinks at the bar in the old ballroom beneath giant ornate chandeliers.

I just loved these little baby bunny lamps I spotted in a shop window

and had I more space in my suitcase I would have definitley stocked up on a few bits and pieces from Granit - Sweden's answer to Muji - selling homewares and stationary.

image credit: www.granit.se

Stockholm here I come!

Living Proof - Restore

I'm a bit of a haircare cynic it has to be said.

I have my all time faves and although I am always keen to try out new shampoos and conditioners, I am often left feeling underwhelmed by their performance.

This range stopped me dead in my tracks!

Living Proof is an American company developed by a team of medical and biotech scientists to create advanced technology for hair and skin care products.

Living proof is driven with a desire to create products that keep their promise.

Their scientists have even discovered 2 breakthrough molecules which they have since patented -

 NO.1 :OFPMA 

which can be found in almost all of their products, creates an exquisitely thin, invisible shield around every hair strand helping to protect from daily assaults, humidity, and dirt and oil.

Hair is strengthened, moisture flux is controlled, frizz is kept at bay and hair stays cleaner for longer.

NO.2 : PBAE 

can be found in many of their texturizing and volumizing products. 

It creates a microscopic pattern of thickening dots on every hair strand making hair look and behave like textured, full, thick hair.

I used the Restore shampoo (£22) and mask treatment (£34) and have to say that I LOVED both of these products!

The fragrance is gorgeous, the sulphate free shampoo which is also safe on coloured hair, foams well to a nice creamy lather and the mask is easy to rinse out leaving no heavy residue.

Targeted towards dry/damaged hair,the claims of the Restore range are pretty bold. . . 

after just 14 days of use hair is shinier, softer and 20 x stronger

hair is 9 x more resistant to breakage

results become more effective over time and hair begins to look and behave like virgin hair 

(hair that is unspoilt and has never been treated with colour or chemical processes)

Here's how it works

Once blow dried my hair felt clean, looked very shiny and was smoother to the touch.

I recommend this range 100%!

image credit:www.livingproof.com

And it appears that Living Proof is approved by those in the limelight also.

 Jennifer Aniston recently became co-owner and hair care spokesperson of Living Proof after being wowed by their products.

Her role will involve brand development and creative marketing as well as collaborations on new hair care product ideas, watch this space.

Living Proof is available in the UK from Space NK and livingproof.com

chicken shopping

What came first? The chicken or the chips?

Well actually both, very promptly after ordering, which was a welcome sight because I was, last night, one very hungry birthday bird!

Chicken shop is one of the newest offerings from the Soho House Group, nestled alongside their other 2 restaurants on Highgate Road NW5 - Pizza East Kentish Town and 

Dirty Burger - all within the same building, you are literally spoilt for choice!

A sort of hipper, more upmarket Nandos, Chicken Shop serves up scrummy spit roast chicken with a choice of sides and sauces.

It's another 'No Reservation' joint but we were lucky and managed to walk straight in and bag a seat at the chefs table.

The food was delicious and the service very efficient and friendly.

A definite new fave!

www.chickenshop.com

Malin + Goetz lip moisturiser

As someone who never underestimates the importance of a good lip balm, I was thrilled to recently discover this little gem from New York based skin care brand Malin+Goetz.

Fragrance, flavour and colour free, this lip gel instantly restores and replenishes lost moisture to pamper and perfect your pout.

 Unlike traditional oils, waxes and silicones which can easily wear off or be wiped away, this gel has real staying power due to the inclusion of absorbent fatty acids which instantly nourish the lips giving a feeling of comfort and a lovely glossy sheen.

Can be used simply as a lip balm for prevention as well as cure of dehydration or alternatively applied over lipstick to create a high gloss finish to any colour.

£10/10g

UK stockists Space NK