Stockholm Notes: Lightning Speed Spring
Outfit diaries, pointelle, Salone highlights, and everything else that's been on my mind
Lightning speed. That’s what this spring feels like right now.
The kids have about 8 weeks left of school, but with a sprinkling of bank holidays leading up to their summer graduation, it all starts to compress. Weeks shorten, routines get interrupted, and suddenly it feels like we’ll be there before we even have time to register it.
At the same time, I’m grateful for those small long weekends coming up, especially when everything feels as busy as it does right now.
It’s a bit early to talk about summer, but what makes spring feel so intense in Scandinavia is what’s coming. By mid-June, those living in Sweden start disappearing for their summer holidays. And I’m not talking just a week or two, but often four to six weeks at a time.
So until then, it’s very much cram-everything-in season.
At work, we’re already talking about fall and Q4. At home, we’re wrapping up hockey with a couple of day camps (swim team, of course, continues forever). School is slowly winding down, and my 8yo (soon to be 9 - how?) is deep in rehearsals for his summer graduation song on the recorder (iykyk).
Below you’ll find my typical Stockholm Notes piece, starting with a short recap in outfits and other very thrilling (insert sarcasm) things from the past few weeks. Missing from these photos: the constant bickering of our eldest two, the toddler tantrums over a peeled banana, the mess, and the general chaos of everyday life.
But before that, a small note I’ve been meaning to share.
A small note
When I started writing here a couple of years ago, it was simply a space to write and collect thoughts around style, interior design and everyday life. I didn’t really have a plan for it.
Over time, it’s grown into something I care deeply about, and something that takes quite a bit of time to put together each week (sometimes twice a week depending on my work and family life).
Because of that, I have now introduced a paid layer alongside the free posts.
Nothing about the core of this is changing. For the foreseeable future, Stockholm Notes and many of the longer seasonal pieces will continue to be shared here, much as they are today. The paid layer is simply a way for me to add a bit more from time to time – more specific wardrobe edits, more detailed recommendations, guides, interviews, and more practical pieces.
If you’d like to support my work and follow along in that way, it means everything to me. And if not, everything you’re used to reading here will still be very much part of this space. This is just an added layer for those who want something more in-depth.
If you’d like to, you can subscribe below.
Scenes from the past few weeks
(The below includes affiliate links, more on that at the bottom.)
This past week marked my premiere for flats, and it felt so good to finally ditch the socks. These flats (ignore my pale pink feet) were a sale purchase a couple of months back, and I have to say, I’m incredibly pleased with how comfortable they are. A very soft suede.
The below is my idea of a good time. I bought a new pencil sharpener for my son on Amazon, and spent 30 minutes going through all the pens. Surprisingly meditative, at least.
I haven’t bought anything from Zara in the past year or so, but this men’s rugby shirt in navy felt like a real win. I went with a medium. The light blue suede flats somehow made their way into my cart too, and I’m very glad they did.
It was still chilly, despite all the ballet flat content above. This scarf has been my friend, draped over my coat.
And as you can see on my nails above, I was overdue for a manicure. Chose this berry red color after weeks in a nude.
A slightly frazzled photo I almost didn’t share since the sweatshirt wasn’t part of the plan and I didn’t feel particularly put together. But this is honestly how most days look, I don’t overthink what I’m wearing. I was freezing and needed something to throw over my shoulders. Featuring a few Arket favorites on repeat: this white polo, their french terry sweatshirt in a faded black and the brown pony hair belt.
This month, my 11-year-old is out selling Majblomman (May flowers), a Swedish charity tradition where children sell small flower pins each spring to help ensure every child can grow up free from financial hardship and exclusion. You’ll see people pin them on their spring jackets.
If you’re in Sweden and haven’t picked one up yet but would like to, you’re very welcome to use his shop, and the pin will be sent straight to your home.
I’m not usually an impulsive shopper, but these sneakers were a bit of an exception. I’d had my eye on them for a while, and when I saw my size available late one night, I decided to just go for it. You can find them here.
While down in the city, I stopped in to Toteme and a couple of other stores. It’s always so nice to see things in person. I’ve done a roundup of what I like right now here.
On the way home, I picked up these astrantia and thistles and have since filled the apartment with little vases of flowers. It reminded me how much I love having fresh flowers around.
Speaking of flowers, my geranium has been looking a bit defeated this past month. It really did its best to get through the winter, but it was time for a proper trim and new soil. Now it’s in that awkward in-between stage, looking a little sad while it gathers strength to come back to life.
Last weekend, we took a little trip to Zeta’s, a flower and plant nursery just outside Stockholm. Even though we don’t have a garden here, I made sure to soak up plenty of inspiration for Skåne. I also couldn’t resist bringing home some new seeds and a David Austin ‘James Galway’ rose, which I’m planning to plant when we’re back in a few weeks. I had David Austin roses in my wedding bouquet, and I just love them so.
I also stocked up on a few new seeds to plant when we’re back down south next time. As my spring has been intense as it is, I decided not to start anything indoors this year, so I picked out a mix of seeds instead, hoping for a more relaxed, let-nature-do-its-thing kind of growing season.
The weekend finished off with a little outing downtown with a stop at Eataly for Sunday dinner pasta, Singular Society to check out their items irl and a quick pop into stores along the way like APC. Those totes are so good!
It’s been a bit of a rough stretch for the little goofball in the photo above. She’s deep in full-on toddler mode, testing every boundary she can find. To top it off, the week kicked off with what seems to be a stomach bug for my daughter. Fingers crossed it passes quickly. She obviously read my latest Substack and got the memo on pink + red.
Style Watch
(The below includes affiliate links, more on that at the bottom.)
Boat Necks
If you missed it, I recently wrote about the basics I’ve been wearing on repeat this spring. As I’m writing this, I’m in my usual uniform: a long-sleeved tee and a cream Uniqlo cashmere cardigan.
But one piece I’ve been meaning to call out for a while now is the boat neck tee.
The cut has been popping up across Substack, Scandinavian brands, and worn particularly well by Finnish muse Sylvie Mus (I mean look at this!) and the beautiful Maria Hyde, who is always worth looking to for styling.
While people tend to label it as 90s nostalgia, I’d argue it leans more French in spirit and has kind of always been worth having around. A boat neck frames the collarbones so well and shifts the proportions just enough. It widens the neckline, balances the silhouette, and somehow makes even the simplest outfit feel more intentional than a standard crew tee.
It’s also easy to wear across different styles. With wide-leg denim or cargo/workwear pants, it feels relaxed but pulled together. With tailored trousers, it reads more polished. Under a blazer, it disappears without adding bulk.
Pointelle
In that same basics piece, I mentioned I was on the hunt for a white cardigan, ideally in pointelle.
I ended up picking one up from Uniqlo while buying basics for my kids. It’s soft, in an off-white shade, but slightly looser at the hem since pointelle cotton doesn’t quite hold the classic cardigan shape. I think it will come into its own more in summer, when that lighter feel works better. And when I’m not as pale as a sheet.
That said, pointelle is everywhere right now. It’s not a trend exactly, but it’s definitely having a moment again.
The small pattern adds a bit of femininity without feeling busy, which means even very simple pieces feel a bit more special. There’s a softness to it, slightly romantic, slightly vintage, but still clean.
Most importantly, it balances an outfit. Pair it with denim or anything structured and it softens the overall look.
Interior Wishlist
Maybe it’s the return of the sun, or just the fact that our apartment no longer feels like a dark cave, but lately I’ve been hunting for interior design inspiration everywhere. Thankfully, I’m not in one of those moods where I feel the urge to redo absolutely everything, which, to be fair, does happen from time to time.
Right now, I am just looking for little things that can add a tiny bit of newness to what’s already there. And when not looking at new, I’m always looking at vintage or antiques.
Apollo - State of the art of cooking and a party by Frederik Bille Brahe
Notes from the Scandinavian bubble
It’s Salone del Mobile week aka Milan Design Week, and Scandinavian brands are showing up with new collaborations and collection debuts. Later in June, 3 Days of Design takes over Copenhagen with even more from the Nordic interior world, but what I love about Salone is that it operates on a broader frequency. It has never been purely about interiors and fashion brands consider it just as essential as any runway week, and for good reason. It's where the entire creative industry converges.
There’s also a sense of play to it. Brands using the week as an excuse to experiment and be theatrical in ways a typical trade show or showroom never allows. (I wrote about the branded café trend that really took hold in 2024).
One of the biggest collab launches of the week is surely Arket’s with Laila Gohar – a 27-piece RTW collection that is now live. Case in point re the playfulness: Gohar is staging an installation at Salone where an old Italian carousel was transformed, swapping decorative horses for carriages shaped like giant vegetables — soundtrack courtesy of the London Vegetable Orchestra. You can see more pieces from the collab below.
This year, Byredo has an activation alongside artist Jean-Guillaume Mathiaut: limited-edition sculptural wooden seats finished in black Japanese ink. Very on-brand for a house that has always pushed at what a collaboration can be — last year they worked with Bethan Laura Wood on installations including a cargo bike roving the city as a perfumed vignette in motion.
Marimekko has made the Salone food pop-up its own annual tradition at this point. This year: Osteria Fiori di Marimekko, an aperitivo bar immersed in floral installations and signature prints, with food by Finnish restaurant Maukku.
I’ve long loved Helene Blanche’s textiles and wallpapers, and today she unveiled a new collection, Au Fil de Temps, featuring three designs: Silvia’s Cloth, Cross Stitch, and Painted Thread. It’s incredibly beautiful, brought to life through images by my fav Danish photographer, Emilie Holm.
Also live this week: Marie Louise Sjögren’s collaboration with heritage brass and silver brand Skultuna. Candlestick holders and a small brass candy and aperitivo dish. Mostly sold out, which tells you everything you need to know.
I mentioned in my last Stockholm Notes, that Svenskt Tenn has recently launched a new range of vases and pots. Their marketing team is, in my view, truly top-tier. They skillfully weave the legacy of Estrid Ericson and Josef Frank into the narrative, connecting it with new releases from contemporary designers while also revitalizing pieces from their existing collection. I just needed to highlight the bird bath by Masini, and the lovely little article with images from Estrid Ericson’s summer home Tolvekarna (drawn by Josef Franck).
On the table this week
If you’re looking for some dinner inspiration this week, I can highly recommend this greek roast chicken that my husband made this past weekend. The green cabbage salad is SO good.
And I’m dying to try the crispy chilli oil chickpea quinoa salad with a spicy tahini dressing from Ella Mills’ Substack. I’ve loved her recipes for years:
Three things I can’t get off my mind
Maggie Marilyn’s breton pullover. Especially with the pearls.
The Kule Nickerson tote. If Hermès Garden Party (on every secondhand/vintage alert I have) and LL Bean Boat Tote had a baby.
And Laura Vann jewelry and her new Tides of Movement pieces. If you've followed me here for a while, you'll have seen her pieces in countless collages. She works in an art deco-inspired aesthetic, but what makes her accessible is the use of CZ stones rather than precious gems (she does also have beautiful pieces in real diamonds as well). The result is jewelry that looks and feels expensive without the price tag to match. I especially love the red cord necklace, hoop earrings and the pearl pendant necklace. I have however saved more pieces to my ShopMy here.
And one last share – 4 pieces I’ve really enjoyed lately:
Consider this my official brain dump complete. Thanks for sticking around to the end — it means more than you know. As always, I leave you with some words.
Wishing you a lovely week. xA
A small note on affiliate links: some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I've been doing this for a couple of years now, and my approach hasn't changed — I only ever share things I genuinely like and would use or wear myself. The smaller Scandinavian brands or retailers I highlight often don't work with affiliate platforms at all, and I share them regardless.
If you'd like to see everything in one place, you can find it on my ShopMy.
Such a lovely read and images ! What is the brand of the coat you are wearing with that lovely scarf?
Congrats on this new chapter! I truly love reading you. The way you showcase style in real, everyday life is such a rare thing these days. Your eye for beauty is a reminder that there’s beauty everywhere. 🫶🏻