Happy sparkling new year!

OUTER BEAUTY

The last day of 2012. Have you had a good year? I had a year with both ups and downs, like most of you I guess. If I can choose only one highlight this year it has two be the two weeks, which included my 40th birthday, that we spent with the whole family in New York and Connecticut. Otherwise, I actually can´t wait for this year to turn to 2013. Being older, and wiser, I have given up on unrealistic new years resoloutions like dieting, eating strictly this or that or exercising five times a week. Instead I try to set some nice intentions for my mind, e.g like be positive, start every day with a clear intention or end the day by thinking of only good things (definitely provides a better sleep:). Or set a theme for the whole year. This year I think I am going for that spark. Be sparkling. What are your intentions for 2013?

I wish you the best new years eve

and look forward to spend a new,

even better and more sparkling 

2013 with you!

{Images from Pinterest, #3 from Rachel Zoe}

BON Weekend!

 

 

INNER BEAUTY
Some wise words to bring with us into 2013 for this years last weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

{Image from Pinterest via 1 everlytrue.tumblr.com 2 breakfastatyurmans.tumblr.com}

EXPERT TIPS - How to care for winter hair

OUTER BEAUTY
Most of us are affected by the cold and dry winter climate. Have you noticed that your hair is as well? I definitely need to pay extra TLC to my hair during the winter months. Here are some  helpful advices that sounds great from one of the leading UK experts on hair; Philip Kinsley, as told to Harpers Bazaar UK. Although I have to admit I don´t shampoo my hair daily as he mentions more than one time, maybe I must reconsider that...

Why is our hair so much harder to manage in the winter months?
I call it the ‘winter woes’, I have no doubt that it's the worst season for hair, not least because it tends to be the most stressful time of year and this can affect hair behaviour and cause scalp flaking and itching. Cold weather can also lead to drier, frizzier hair due to constant changes in temperature between central heating and back into inclement weather.

What is your essential tip for helping fend off these ‘winter woes’ and keeping hair healthy?
Winter hair seems to take on the characteristics of older hair: dry and brittle. Therefore, diet is an important factor. Even though salad and fruits may not seem appealing in cold weather, their nutrients are still essential for hair.

What is the best pre-party trick for reviving dull, lacklustre hair and getting the shine back?
If your hair looks good you feel good...and the reverse is true. Hair is deeply psychological and can affect our moods and morale. The first tip to get fabulous shiny hair is simple: shampoo and condition daily.

Is there any other way you would suggest boosting your hair's natural volume?
A volumising shampoo is key. Build on this with more volumising products for a full bodied look. But, remember, the cleaner the hair the better for your type of hair. So shampoo daily.

How can we make that glossy, lightweight post-haircut feeling last for longer?
The best way to maintain glossy hair for longer is to shampoo and condition every morning with the appropriate products for your hair type. Blot the moisture off with a towel and apply a leave-in conditioning, styling, shine product and gently blow dry straight (as straight hair shines more).

And on the same token, how can we make our hair colour last longer?
Choose premium hair products which claim that to keep colour looking fresh. It is also important to condition after every shampoo. The sun also makes hair colour fade so I would always advise keeping your hair protected every day.

 

{Image via Pinterest}

Fancy some skiing?

OUTER BEAUTY

After the lazy holidays...wouldn´t it be dreamy to go to Aspen, Colorado for some skiing? 

This gorgeous chalet owned by a New York couple is featured in the January issue of Architechtural Digest. “The husband is a true modernist, so he would have lost his mind in a log cabin. And she’s a bit more traditional, so the idea of traveling all the way from New York to Colorado just to be in a minimalist white box wasn’t going to fly,” Sofield (the architecht) explains. “The strength of this house lies in the tension between their aesthetics.” This is a real homey home with specacular view over the Aspen mountain. I could dream myself away in that livingroom for hours. And I can´t wait to put on the skiis:)

{Images with permission from Architechtural Digest. 

Photography by Scott Frances}

Merry Christmas!

OUTER BEAUTY

I hope you´re having wonderful Christmas days with family and friends. Me and my family are spending a very white and snowy Christmas at my sisters house outside Stockholm with her husband and their three children, and joining us are also our parents. This years' celebrations starts in the afternoon on Christmas eve by going to the local church listening to Christmas songs. The husbands stays at home with the youngest children preparing the food (great set up:). Church is followed by our all-time favourite, Champagne and blinis with löjrom (vendace roe), before digging into the big typical Swedish Christmas buffet that goes on for hours...after that, Christmas presents opening. Big thing. Mostly for the kids though. During presents opening me and my brother-in-law always eat a lot of marcipan. Which is weird every year since eating so much during dinner...but after all, it´s Christmas. 

Wishing you the best Christmas, 

with a lot of love. 

A mental holiday - for even more happiness

INNER BEAUTY
Happy holidays! Have you thought about how the holidays can be even happier? By actually checking out from your own problems, small or big, for a limited time (it´s easier with a time limit). We all have our issues, everybody does! The other day I came up with the idea for myself, when dwelling over some issues, that it would be so nice not to think about it, at all. Like give myself a mental holiday. So I simply decided then and there that over the Christmas holidays I will not dwell on it. When the issues pop up anyway, they definitely will, I will firmly steer my mind in another direction and greet them with another approach. I have all the tools for it. That´s the least I can do for myself. And if I miss the problems too much, I am sure they will be happy to pop up again after the holidays. Or, they might have been solved or can be seen in a different light. What do you say, shall we (try to) take a holiday from it all?

{Image from Pinterest via tumblr.com, edited by me}

Christmas is in the details

OUTER BEAUTY

For these bussy days, here are some inspiration for a stylish Christmas with details. We are invited to a Christmas drink today, then it´s time for serious preparations...Have yourself a merry little Friday:)

{Images from Pinterest via 1camillestyles.com 2weheartit.com 3bellevivir.blogspot.com.au 

4design-decor-staging.com 5 inspired-design.tumblr.com and Pinterest}

   

The smaller version...

OUTER BEAUTY

With a one and a half year old little boy in the house we, a bit sadly, decided that we shouldn´t have a Christmas tree this year. The temptation to throw all the Christmas tree balls onto the floor is just too big...Then I found these beautiful and practical solutions when one doesn´t want that big tree at home, so the whole thing feels much better now:)

{Images from Pinterest via 1 stylesncream.blogspot.com 2 Pinterest 3 marthastewart.com 

4 weekdaycarnival.blogspot.com}

Words of wisdom for celebrations

INNER BEAUTY

This season is about celebration. Who doesn´t love to celebrate? Sometimes it´s good though to remind ourselves why we celebrate and to really enjoy it. These wise words about life's celebrations are from the great book "Love yourself - Live your spirit" by Sonia Choquette. I especially love the last sentence, since I didn´t use to see it that way, but it´s oh so true. Be kind to yourself, and be your own best friend. 

"You don´t need an excuse to celebrate. To love yourself and all of life's abundance and blessings is reason enough. Life is a beautiful gift, and every day brings with it so much cause to celebrate that it´s simply time you do. Don´t wait to be invited to life's party. Be the party yourself. Start by celebrating the little things. Rejoice in good days because you accomplished positive things. Celebrate difficult days because you got through them."

{Image from Pinterest via capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com}

All I want for Christmas...(part I:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUTER BEAUTY

What do you want for Christmas? With three children it´s more about the children these days...but of course, most of us do like to get something at Christmas...I prefer a few gifts that I really like before several unwanted, unnecessary gifts. My beautiful friend Charlotte Bonde is a jewellery designer, a favourite by both Swedish Princesses and Swedish fashion people like Martina Bonnier and Elin Kling, and Charlotte always has so many pieces that I looove (so this is not a sponsored post). For now I have my eyes on that gorgeous smoky quarts necklace with stars...Besides a webshop Charlotte has a trendy little showroom at Riddargatan 20 in Stockholm. Drop in and look at her fabulous jewellery and accessories (price range for earrings from 500 SEK) for Christmas. You will meet a cool but very humble and sweet jewellery designer who is truly passionate about her work. 

 

The Monday Peptalk - (the last of the year:)

INNER BEAUTY
We all know that optimistic people tend to live longer, happier and healthier lives. There are tons of optimistic rules and suggestions for a better life. According to Dr Tim Sharp at the Happiness Institute we can train our mind to adopt an optimistic outlook in five simple steps, as told to Body + Soul Magazine. These rules are some of the best I´ve found, since they´re simple, realistic, doable and asks the right questions.

1 Banish negative thoughts
It's important to forget any self-sabotaging thoughts as these will obstruct you from accomplishing your goals, says Dr Sharp. To do this, follow his three-point plan:

• Become aware of your thoughts. Many of us live on autopilot. Ask yourself, 'What is going through my mind?'
• Are your thoughts harmful or helpful?  Ask yourself: 'When I think this, how does it make me feel?' 'What impact does it have on my life?' 'Are they constructive?' If the answer is 'no', create a more positive inner dialogue.
• Find your own affirmation: "If your thoughts are having a negative impact on your self, then it's time to find more constructive thoughts. The ultimate goal is to find thoughts which help you accomplish what you want or need to do."

2 Make it happen
Visualize. 'If I could wake up tomorrow with a fantastic life, what would it look like?' 'What would I be doing that I'm not doing now?' Once you have a clear positive picture in your mind, the next step is recognising your goals and breaking them down into achievable steps. 

3 Don´t go overboard
If setting goals in previous years has lead to disappointment, Dr Sharp recommends making smaller more achievable objectives for greater results. "Focus on the most important thing you could do to make a positive impact on your life over the next 12 months," he says. "Sometimes if we can make just one positive change – whether it be giving up smoking or exercising more – it can be the catalyst that kick-starts a string of other positive changes."

4 Focus on what you´re good at
"We tend to get a much better return on our investment if we work with what we are already good at," Dr Sharp says, suggesting asking yourself, 'What am I best at?' 'What energises me?' 'What inner attributes do I have and how can I use them more?' "When you focus on intensifying your strengths, you will typically perform better and have a deeper sense of satisfaction," he says.

5 Self reflection and gratitude
Finally, Dr Sharp says the best way to infuse more happiness is to be grateful for all the good things in your life and focus on what you have and less on what you don't have.

Happy Monday! 

Soon the Holidays!