It’s the 21st of August! Mind blown. While I’m all about letting the summer feeling linger well into the coming month, our kids are officially back in school and work has picked up just as quickly as I had expected it would. These past two weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind, and I’m still trying to find my footing.
August has always felt like my version of the new year. This is my ultimate time for a restart. I’ve purchased what the kids need for the fall, purged my closet and uploaded a bunch of things to Vinted, done the switcheroo of clothes from my eldest to my younger son, had an admin date with my husband to map out the calendar for the upcoming month, and rearranged the furniture in my daugher’s room.
On paper, this all sounds very productive. But when I look at that list, I also see someone trying to find things she can control.
Because the truth is, while I crave routine and having things in order, I have not felt quite in control since getting back. The moment we landed in Stockholm, I was hit smack in the face with this overwhelming anxiety about what’s around the corner.
There is a lot coming. A lot I’m excited about, a lot I care about getting right, and a lot that already feels like it’s moving faster than I can quite keep up with. Somewhere between reorganizing drawers, sorting out the family calendar, packing a smelly hockey trunk and swimming bags, and moving furniture around, I think I’ve been trying to create a little order around me while everything inside still feels messy.
And when it comes to Substack, there are fall pieces in the works and I can’t wait to share them with you. They’re coming, I promise, but bear with me as I figure out how to fit it all in. My Substack writing happens during lunch breaks, nights and weekends, and the time is not always there, no matter how much I wish it was.
Until then, here is a Stockholm Notes!
At the end of July, we squeezed in a trip to Copenhagen. It’s only an hour and a half from our summer home, so we often pop over for a day trip or a quick overnight whenever we’re craving Copenhagen, which, to be fair is very often.
The kids had been begging us to go to Tivoli the last few times we were there, and this time, we finally caved.
I am not one for amusement parks. It may have something to do with the fact that I get motion sick just looking at anything that spins (even at the playground). Or that I do not have the patience for standing in line. But I’ll do pretty much anything for my kids, and watching my 4 yo brave rides better than her brothers made every minute of waiting worth it.
I am by no means a Copenhagen expert – and there are plenty of amazing Substackers on here who know the city by heart. But I’m sharing some quick tips and thoughts from our day at Tivoli below for my paid subscribers:
That evening, after a rest at the hotel, we had booked an uber-early table at Mangia. We figured our best shot with overtired kids was to eat early and hopefully avoid complete chaos at the restaurant. We had contemplated doing something a little more kid-friendly, like pizza at Corsa or grabbing burgers, but I’m so glad we didn’t give in to those thoughts this time around. We had the loveliest dinner, and the team at Mangia couldn’t have been kinder or more accommodating with our kids.
The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast at Hotel Coco (p.s. they have a family suite at the hotel) before heading over to Glyptoteket. We had no idea that the museum offers free entry on the last Wednesday of every month, so when we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to be reimbursed for the tickets we had already purchased online.
If you have not yet visited Glyptoteket, you are missing out. It is surely one of the most impressive museums in all of Scandinavia, with its beautiful architecture, incredible collection and lush garden at the heart of it all. It’s the kind of place where the surroundings and setting are just as much of the experience as all of the art and historical artifacts.
I am a history nerd and could have spent all day reading the accompanying information next to every sculpture, but a museum with a 4 yo moves at a different pace.
Fast forward 10 days, and we were back in Stockholm. As sad as we were to leave Skåne and the countryside behind, it was lovely to be back in the city. Stockholm has such a calmness to it at the beginning of August. People may be back at their desks, but the city still feels like it’s holding on to vacation mode for just a little longer.
We were also lucky enough to celebrate our 13th anniversary at Ett Hem shortly after returning to the city. If you’re unfamiliar with Ett Hem, you can read a bit more about the hotel here in a post I wrote a couple of years back.
The thing about Ett Hem is that the magic is always there. No matter how many times I’ve hosted events there for clients or visited privately for dinner with my husband, I’m still just as blown away every time. Yes, dinner costs a pretty penny, but considering how rarely we go out, it feels worth it when we do.
The atmosphere at Ett Hem is always warm and welcoming, and the food was also top-notch.
(The below includes affiliate links, more on that at the bottom.)
I laughed out loud last week when I saw that Vogue had covered how to wear Birkenstocks for summer and fall. Not because Birks don’t exactly scream Vogue, but because I’ve had a half-finished edit on Birkenstocks and slip-ons sitting in my drafts for this section I like to call Style Notes. Apparently, Vogue and I are on the same editorial calendar.
Earlier this month, I ordered a pair of Birkenstock Bostons for my 12-year-old son’s birthday. They’re the shoes he’s been stealing from me for the past year, and I figured it was finally time he got his own pair. Mine are probably my most-worn weekend shoes, and I’ve owned a pair in some way or another since high school.
And while Vogue does it well and shares plenty of ideas for how to style them, it drives me slightly nuts not seeing the pieces put together visually. Hence, collages below.
I’ve decided to go ahead with my little edit anyway, even if it now feels slightly redundant. But as I’ve mentioned many times before, I am no trend spotter. Vogue will obviously do it better, but below you’ll just get my own thoughts on how I’d wear them.
P.S. The two first books below are recommendations from ChickLits. You must follow Elyse!
Birkenstocks have somehow managed to be both a trend and not a trend forever. Every year declares them over, and every year they come back. And if you’re not into Bostons or the newer Amsterdam model, The Row, A.Emery, Studio Nicholson or even Zara Home might have something more your style. A little sleeker, a little less granola.
(The below includes affiliate links, more on that at the bottom.)
Likely the biggest news out of Scandinavia this week is the menswear drop at Toteme. I’d say there’s a Celine-slash-YSL vibe to it, and while it’s perhaps not what my husband would wear, it’s an interesting move for the brand. I could definitely however see myself picking up the camel hair brown melange crewneck and the weekend bag.
The Scandinavian brands continue to roll out news for the coming season, and since we are in a bit more of a fall mode here in Sweden, I’ll continue to share.
Lisa Yang’s knitwear has a focus on shape and silhouette for fall. The Doria sweater, Denie Cardigan and the Wren skirt (the styling with the opaque tights is so good) are my favorites so far.
Vieille in Copenhagen has the latest Ragbag earrings, and they’re just so lovely. With jeans + a tee ;).
More Danish inspiration. I love the simplicity of Mathilde Gislinge Thorborg’s home content, and then she posted this navy knit. I have my eye on this one that is very similar but in cashmere.
Café Pom & Flora here in Stockholm is making the most of Sweden’s blueberry season. Their porridge menu changes with what’s locally in season, and in the Instagram post below, they wrote “in the wait on cloudberries,” hinting at what’s coming next. Pom & Flora is one of my favorites, and it’s included in my roundup of cafés, coffee spots and bakeries in Stockholm you can find here. For more inspiration on blueberries, scroll on.
Kasti Studios is a Swedish indoor shoe brand that will have you longing for colder days. Though, if you’re living in A/C land, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind slipping into a pair right now.
I was drawn to the glow of these handblown glass lamps from Jason Blak Bengtsson. Straight into the save folder.
I am waiting patiently for the launch of Sweden-based sleepwear brand Lo Franchetti. The brand is so up my alley. How special is it that Lo Franchetti used her mother as a model for the first campaign?
Red is here to stay for fall, and Scandinavian brands are leaning in. Soft Goat has its lovely chunky V-neck, while ARKET offers an oversized knit. Over at Toteme’s menswear, there’s a red anorak and their womenswear classics include the turtleneck in poppy, and COS has a great wool polo sweater, plus a slightly more muted red version of its popular cashmere turtleneck.
Accessories are getting the red treatment too. Anonymous Copenhagen’s Classic Cloud Bag comes in a ruby red, while COS has a croc-effect clutch for an easy pop of color.
Outside of Scandinavia: AndDaughter has their slouchy t-knit and Róhe has their cardigan and their scarf. Etc, etc, etc.
This fall, Millesgården is bringing the retrospective Barbro Nilsson (the textile artist who led Märta Måås-Fjetterström’s studio for nearly three decades) and Robert Nilsson – Liv i färg och form to Stockholm, exploring the life and work of two fascinating figures in Swedish art and design. I’m really looking forward to seeing this one. (12 september 2026 - 29 mars 2027)
I’m ready for a tall boot comeback. ATP’s new boots remind me of Celine’s iconic old ones (they had a slightly higher heel). Such a perfect length of boot to wear under a long skirt or midi dress.
Alice Betts has launched A.Lace – freshwater pearl necklaces inspired by her childhood memories of discovering her mother’s pearls while growing up in Singapore. Strung on silk and made slightly longer than the classic pearl necklace, they come in both classic and baroque styles. So lovely.
Segue from Scandinavia to Spain… aka Massimo Dutti. I couldn’t wait until my next Saved + Collected to share the latest looks, which I think have been brilliantly styled. And if you’re not already on the Massimo Dutti denim train, even my friend Lo Franchetti now gets just how good they are after scoring a great pair this week.
(The below includes affiliate links, more on that at the bottom.)
A slouchy suede bowling bag for fall. The bowling bag shape paired with a slim strap gives it a slightly more feminine feel.
It looks like a sweater draped over your shoulders or hips. Plot twist: it’s a scarf.
Lié Studio’s lovely sunglasses, but in a burgundy color.
Another sweet pair of ballet flats for the coming season.
My friend Carolina Storm recommended this book, and I immediately added it to cart.
Lip balms keep disappearing from my bag, so it gives me all the reason to find a new one.
I just got rid of our old duvet, so I’m in the market for new bedding and would love to try the latest bedding from Nordic Knots.
Reusable eye patches, but make them depuff this tired face of mine!
A lovely blue somewhat different shirt.
If you love wild blueberries as much as my kids do, and fancy a little Swedish inspiration while you’re at it, I’d recommend checking out Johanna Bradford’s Substack. She shares a recipe for a wild blueberry “bulle” (bun) that I’ll be trying as soon as the busy weekends give me a little time.
I loved Jennifer Klee’s R.E.P.s method piece. This sentence alone should make you jump on over there and read it: “So this is what I’ve been missing lately, and perhaps this applies to you too? Not buying more stuff, but giving ourselves more opportunities to decide.”
I am so happy Franziska Steinle was back in my inbox this week, and her imagery and outfits always inspire me. As the daughter of an Austrian, I go weak at the knees over her dirndl worn in Salzburg.
I hope you all have had a nice week. It’s been the first week back at school for our kids, and in the past two weeks, my daughter turned 4 and my eldest son turned 12 (we can talk about how emotional I get around birthdays another time). Big things to celebrate, but I’m also ready to take it easy this weekend (with a side of hockey practice).
With all the school starts this week came a little girl who was feeling quite nervous about starting in her new class, now officially on the big kids’ side. So we did what we’ve always done with our kids when the school nerves kick in: drew a little heart on each of our hands. She can press hers during the day whenever she feels nervous, knowing I have the same little heart on mine. And, of course, I promised I’d press mine too.
Maybe that’s a little bit of what I’ve been doing these past few weeks too. Finding small things that make everything feel a little more manageable while I find my footing again. Although in my case, apparently that means rearranging furniture with no real plan and cleaning out closets rather than drawing hearts on my hands.
And as always, I leave you with some words.
XA
A note on affiliate links: some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.
Many of the smaller Scandinavian brands and retailers I include do not work with affiliate at all, and I will always include them anyways.
If you’d like to see everything in one place, you can find it on my ShopMy.
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