the gift chalet - scandinavian food and gifts

since childhood i have made many trips to this quaint, family run scandinavian imports store. it is filled with hand crafted gifts, linens and my personal favorite, foods. there are so many things to see in the gift chalet - i love the wonderfully textured linens and table runners below -

there is a wonderful variety of hand painted and carved dala horses, a symbol of sweden, as well as other whimsical animals -

and the food selections are spectacular!! there is everything from scandinavian candies and sweets to bread, cakes, jams etc. there is even a deli counter where you can order traditional potato sausage and other meats, cheeses, even a variety of pickled fishes.


i loved this simple glass chandelier - wouldnt it be perfect on a summer porch!!
our swedish family traditionally celebrates with a large feast on christmas eve, a smorgasbord, so after our trip to the chalet we are all ready to prepare this holiday meal - more about this in another post.

simple sundays- after the storm

a few of my favorite things - winter whites

some things i love that remind me of a white christmas! i love the textures and all of the different but lovely shades of white

items as follows:

anthropologie colossal cable throw

bistro cutlery toast home

garland lobster and swan

ornament card warpeDesign

oeufling everyeskimo

inspired by white

I first saw this space in the pages of housebeautiful - i find everything about this light, airy and bright space to be inspiring! love the way all of the white plays off the honey colored floors!

wreaths o' plenty

i have been thinking about simple ways to decorate for the holidays - i found some serious inspiration on the website of colonial williamsburg -i love that most of these wreaths are simple, chic and uses everyday materials in their creation -

loving the use of a simple scollop shell and the frosty blue of the juniper berries - lovely for a costal cottage -perhaps the ones with fruit would even be snacks for squirrels and birds after the holiday!

simple sundays

sit back and relax

saw this gorgeous chair in the pages of house beautiful. i think its so stunning - it has such strong lines with an air of casualness that is so inviting. i can just see two of these flanking a fireplace or i love the thought of mixing these in with an ultra feminine decor for a bit of understated masculine presence.

this chair is called the TG-15 Lounge by katavolos, littell and kelley.

simple sundays

typically i post a photograph that i have taken on simple sundays, but this morning, i just couldnt resists sharing this particular image. i think its so romantic, right down to the discolored water mark in the corner. found via myparentswereawesome

enjoy

when the weather outside is frightful -

woodland direct

aubin & wills

even though i no longer live in new england - i still think fondly of nights spend curled up in front of the fire place. here are a few stylish way to get your fuel from the outside, in!! these last two are from northline express

enjoy.