Ramblings on a Saturday

I woke up early this morning to a very cold and grey Bergamo. The change of the weather lately came as a bit of a shock. About two weeks ago, I took my pre-school kids to a vineyard next to our little school. We walked around picking grapes, looking at plants and just spent such a lovely afternoon basking in the sunshine, wearing t-shirts. Even though I love a chunky knit and a nice coat as much as anyone else, I just don't cope very well with cold. We live in a very old house that is a true pain to heat up. This might also have to do with the fact that me and Andrea have very different opinions about what is warm enough. Needless to say, we've been fighting a quiet war this past week. Whenever I'm at home alone, I turn the heating up. A LOT. Andrea comes home, I might take Charlie out for a walk, and whenever I get back, the temperature has mystically dropped a few degrees. And so it goes on. And on. We'll keep doing this until the sun and warmth returns, preferably already in March or so.

Next weekend, Andrea's cousin is getting married and I've been searching high and low for the right dress. Mission failed miserably. The shops are all packed with little numbers in black, grey or beige but I have my heart set on something fabulous and colourful. I've mentioned this before, but Italian women (at least up here in the north) really do seem to prefer darker colours and me, invece... let's just say that my winter coat this year is apple green and my scarf bright orange. This all leads up to on thing: I'm gonna have to go in to Milan today and trust me, I'm not looking forward to it. Milan, for those who didn't know this, is called 'The grey city' by the Italians themselves. There was a time when I secretly nurtured a wish to eventually move from Bergamo to Milan. Those days are over. Milan is busy, busy, busy, the people all seem very serious and the city itself is.. well.. actually kind of grey. I've never met an Italian who likes Milan. They all hate the city and they all think that the milanese are bastards. Whether or not this is true, I'm going to leave unsaid.

Anyhow, wish me luck on this shopping venture that should be loads of fun but instead feels like the worst pain the ass.

Hope you have a lovely Saturday! Pin It

Carpet day

MAN what a day. This morning, Charlie was scheduled for spaying which I've been dreading, to say the least. I don't know about you guys, but I tend to abuse Google just a teeny tiny bit whenever I have to make a big decision or whenever I worry about something. Let's just say that the past couple of months, I've probably googled everything that could possibly have anything to do with spaying or neutering, and I've been changing my mind back and forth up until the very last minute. Let me start by saying that neutering and spaying is something that's considered pretty normal in Italy and in other south european countries. There are many mixed breed litters born here every single day, and many of the pups end up being put down or dropped off at a dog pound (I've visited one and believe me, it was not very pleasant). Andrea's also been feeding me horror stories (unfortunately true ones) about puppies being left to die in boxes on the highway in the south of Italy. Let's not start thinking about that one. Anyways. Veterinarians here generally prefer to do the procedure before or just after the first heat and our vet, a very pleasant man, has been asking us since our first visit about our plans for Charlie. It might sound terrible, but I kind of understand why the Italian veterinarians have such a positive attitude towards neutering considering they probably have to put down perfectly healthy pups all the time. Our no 1 reason for doing this, is to prevent a number of possibly lethal diseases associated with unfixed dogs. Since we chose to do this when Charlie's still kind of young, the risk of her getting some of these have been reduced to almost zero. We also know that she was at actual risk of getting theses infections and diseases because of her physiology and with that knowledge, it felt like the right thing to do. We also know that we don't want her to have pups because we're both kind of emotional about lady C (me more so than A) and there is no way in hell we could ever give away her future pups and not get to control what their lives will be like. With that said, I've still had sooo many doubts about doing this. It's not really considered ok to spay a healthy dog in Sweden and people (read: dog "experts" who have nothing else going on in their lives but posting mean stuff on dog forums) generally  disapprove of this procedure, unless the dog is already sick with cancer. There's lots of philosophy and ethics baked in to all of this, and no matter how you twist or turn it, there'll always be arguments from both sides that sound reasonable and well thought through.

Enough said. We did it, and I've been spending all day with her on the carpet, resting. This is actually the worst part of this entire procedure for me because I can see that she's in pain, she hates the cone (of shame) and that she's extremely tired and a bit sick from the anesthesia. She's not allowed to eat or drink and she's just absolutely nothing like the energetic, happy, silly dog I dropped off at the vet's this morning. Yeah about that. She loves going to the vet. She absolutely adores him. Maybe because he kind of looks like a younger, not so rough, more good looking Clive Owen. And he always lets her lick his face as much as she wants. I'm getting a bit off track here. But you get the picture. I'll be hanging out on the carpet for as long as she needs me. I tried watching the Twilight movie while doing it but it oh-so-god-awful-terribly bad that I just couldn't go through with it.

Anyways. That'll be my exciting Friday night. I might have to add a glass of wine to this misery. I hope you have a more sparkling evening planned, wherever you are. And I hope that the world's loveliest dog is a bit more like her self when I wake up tomorrow morning. Pin It

Thank you baby

YAY, my birthday shoes finally arrived! Not that I'll be able to wear them on my birthday in ten days since it'll probably still be too cold, but a girl can always dream.

Today, I had my second Italian lesson. After the first one, I felt kind of hopeless, realizing how much I don't know and how complicated the Italian language is. After a few hours of sulking, I decided to sit down and really try and yesterday, I spent 6 hours just reading, writing and studying Italian. Today I felt a bit more confident when my teacher arrived, and I think that I'll eventually get the hang of it even though it is WAY more complicated than any other language I've ever studied (which would be English, Spanish, French, German. I was hoping that Spanish and Italian grammar would be kinda the same, but I was only fooling myself). I'm not giving up though, I WILL make the Italian language my bitch even if it takes forever. 

Because of this sudden discipline, I haven't been sewing anything the last couple of days. I still have to finish my refashion project (tricky because the few pieces of fabric that I have seem to shrink all the time) and I have a dress in mind that I want to try making. 

Oh well, all in good time.

Have a lovely Wednesday!

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A Swedish freak

Oh, this Danish vintage sofa. Not overly practical (or comfortable) I admit, but so gorgeous. I'm getting kind of tired of Italian "vintage" shops and their likes - the furniture is just never what I'm hoping for , nor are the prices (initially, I always think the price tag is some sort of joke. And then I realize it's not). If you like heavy, huge pieces made out of dark wood this is the place for it, but I have yet to find anything resembling the sleeker and, at least according to me, more beautiful designs so very familiar to us Scandinavians. 

I sometimes feel like somewhat of a different species here in Italy. My taste in things, clothes and music seem to differ from your average Bergamasca. Women in the north of Italy kind of look the same to me (as do men but I tend to observe women more than men, simply because they're usually more interesting to watch). They are generally really pretty, wear the same kind of clothes and shoes in dark colours, their hair is kept long (and, I have to admit, gorgeously shiny and well groomed). And then, the biggest mystery: the way some women greet their female friends with something that could easiest be described as... baby talk? I mean, I also love my girlfriends to death, but pretty much every day I hear grown-up women address each other in this very high pitched voice and it's freaking me out a little bit. Some of Andrea's friends greet me the same way, and I never quite know how to respond. They treat me, meaning well I'm sure, like a puppy or a tiny baby goat or something similar, not a soon-to-be 31-year old.

Other mysteries I'm battling with at the moment are a) why snow is the tastiest treat in the world to my dog b) why my housebroken dog started peeing inside again - see A I guess c) why my dog all of a sudden has an extreme obsession with panties and socks and d) how the hell I'm gonna survive this cold we're having at the moment. To be continued. 

This upcoming week should be interesting. I'll be starting with Italian private lessons tomorrow, here at home. The schools were just too pricy and the classes too slow, so when I encountered this Italian lady (who also happens to be a teacher) through her Swedish mum, I felt that it could be a good solution. I am extremely tired/ashamed of my crappy Italian and I can't wait to have an actual conversation with Andrea's lovely grandfather who wants nothing more in life than to be able to speak to me. 

Have a great Sunday!

Tiny footnote: please don't get me wrong: I'm not saying that Italian women don't know how to dress because they do (Milan, anyone?). I'd just wish for a little bit more colour and originality, that's all. 

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Tiny update

Oh my, oh my, where did the inspiration go? I've been busy being busy in real life so to speak, and have had no time or energy for the blog. I've been cuddling Charlie and going for walks in the woods, reading 1Q84 and wishing for it to never end, continuing my hunt for a reasonably priced Italian class (and deciding to go for private tutoring instead, at least for the time being), making a hugh batch of Caponata, finishing one dress and starting on another, working on my C.V and enjoying the unexpected but oh so welcome spring weather we've been having. Last weekend, I went back to my beloved Berlin, which was... cold and great. I spend my time strolling down my old streets, hugging my friends and I went back to my old job to see my ex co-workers and kids. Seeing my old class was so wonderful and I really had the most amazing time with my kids. When it was time to go back home, however, I was strangely relieved. I felt so good coming back to Italy and so sure that this is the place for us right now. Even when my boss offered me my old job back, it felt like the easiest thing in the world to turn it down. Needless to say, this kind of gave me the little extra boost I needed to really start planning for the next couple of months and I'm very excited to see what the future holds. 

If I haven't been giving my blog much love lately, I've been putting more effort into my Pinterest page. Feel free to check it out! I happen to know that the coral coloured shoes with cut-outs and laces are on their way home to me as we speak. Andrea is the most amazing person in every single way, but he hates buying gifts for people because he feels that he can never find the right things. I, however, know that this isn't true. For my 30th birthday, he very secretly ordered a Singer heavy duty (that is now one of my best buds) from the U.S. Needless to say, I almost fainted when I came home from work and found it on our kitchen table. Now, how's that for gift finding?! Anyways, when I found these shoes and very innocently pointed out that it's my birthday in less than a month, we both agreed that these would be the perfect birthday gift for yours truly. Very pleased with that deal, I must say, and so is Andrea. 

Today, a friend of ours is arranging a market for small designers, all DIY & handmade and of course, right up my alley. Looking forward to that! 

Have a lovely Sunday! 

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Pack a bag and go

My mind is in a travel mode at the moment. I want to get away for a bit, see something new, talk to people I don't know, taste something different. I usually love big city trips, but this time around, I want sun on my skin, a salty breeze, that sharp summer light that almost hurts your eyes. Last summer, me and Andrea had an excellent plan that worked out really well. We started off in Sweden, where we hung out with my brother, went to a small cottage in the archipelago outside of Stockholm for a couple of days, saw my parents and went to Malmö/Copenhagen to see my friends. People always seem to think that Swedish summer is crappy and cold, but it's more complicated than that.  It is unpredictable, and you never know when it's gonna come or leave. In other words, us Swedes really try to make the most of a sunny day. At the same time, and I totally understand that this is because I'm Swedish myself, but I absolutely love Swedish summer. There is something so bitter sweet and totally seductive about it. The nature is so beautiful and lush it's almost painful and it never gets really dark. 

After Sweden, we went to Italy. Our plan wasn't really set so when we took off, we didn't know exactly where we wanted to go. We ended up visiting Florence, Siena, Sam Gimignano, Pisa and the lovely island of Elba. It was truly an unforgettable trip - not only because of the fact that I got the worst sun burn of my entire life. The nature completely blew me away and I can't wait to go back to Tuscany - truly my no 1 favourite place in Italy. 

Please spring/summer, come now. I need this badly. 

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Last day of the year

Photo via Pinterest.

The last day of the year is a sunny one in our corner of the world. We went out this morning to visit some local delis and to get some stuff for tonight's dinner. We came home with fresh scallops, shrimps, calamari (that I very recently started enjoying), cheese, chili jam (amazing), freshly baked bread and a bag of lovely veggies. A bottle of bubbly has been lying in the fridge for over a month and yesterday I got some raspberries and Mascarpone that I will use to make a dessert. 

I don't really believe in New Year's resolutions but I do hope that I will be even more crafty, that we will be healthy, that I will learn Italian properly and that I will start using my running shoes that at the moment mostly serve as taking-Charlie-out-for-walks-shoes. 2011 was a very eventful year for us with lots of changes, and I'm hoping that 2012 will be even more sparkly and interesting!

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Back to business

Well hello! Im back in Italy after having spent a lovely Christmas in London with my family. The days went by way too fast, but it was so good to see them again. We celebrated both the traditional Swedish and British way, which meant Swedish food and presents for the kids on the evening of the 24th and lunch, relatives and more presents on Christmas Day. I cuddled my niece and nephew enough to last me a while, over ate at every meal and even managed to squeeze in checking out the sales on Boxing Day. It was absolutely crazy, but I couldn't resist sneaking in to Liberty to dream about their fabrics and to fondle a Marni coat that was still hugely over budget for me at £470. I guess I'll just have to way until the Marni collection for H&M comes out - I bet the prices will be a bit friendlier.

When we got back on Tuesday afternoon, we simply re-packed and took off again to see Andrea's parents and to pick up Charlie who spent Christmas with them and their dogs. She's exhausted from five days of playing, gained 4 kilos while we were gone and is now refusing to eat her normal dog food. We made a few stops on our way there to check out some local thrift stores.

This photo really doesn't do this amazing colour justice. It's a deep, rich blue and from what I can tell, the cardigan is hand knitted and in great condition.  

This pale yellow wool knit is already a huge favourite. It's super warm and perfect for the current Bergamo weather (chilly and a bit windy).

This dotted dress looked like absolute shit on the hanger, but once I tried it on, I knew I couldn't leave it behind. It's longer than most of my dresses but I think I'll leave it that way. 

I also got two pairs of flats that I will be using when it gets a little bit warmer here. I especially love the first pair, made in Florence. I always get so curious about the previous owner whenever I pick up vintage stuff. Who wore these before me? I'm picturing a tiny, Italian lady with shaky knees and an equally tiny husband. 

I don't know about you, but I always feel a bit uneasy between Christmas and New Year's Eve. I guess it might be the food, the lack of exercise, the constant sleepiness or the fact that you've been spending time with your loved ones and then, if your situation is like mine, leave to go back to wherever your home is. I'm comforting myself with the fact that one of my dearest friends will be visiting us next week. I haven't seen her since June, and so much has happened since so I'm really looking forward to long talks and catching up.

How was your Christmas? Have a lovely Thursday!

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Counting down the days

This weekend was great. New star patterned (my first! I'm a stripe girl every day of the year) shirt dress. Love shirt dresses. Walking around town in sunshine. Watching Drive. Finding veggie sausages!! Panattone and bubbly to the tones of blue grass at a clothing shop here in town. Listening to S.B.T.R.K.T while cooking. And the best of all: driving up to the mountains close by to check if there was any snow (ski season is drawing nearer) and if so: to see how Charlie reacted to it. It was instant success. It sounds kind of cheesy and this might be hard to understand for dogless people, but there is something squeezing my heart very tightly whenever I see my dog pal so happy.

I'm so so much looking forward to this week. Today, Andrea is selling his old camera (that I'm using more than he is) and getting a new one, and I am so excited to try the new one out! We're also gonna get some small Italian stuff for the Christmas dinner table (Chili jam and Tarelli anyone?). Wednesday, we're going to Andrea's parents to spend the night and to drop Charlie off. She'll be spending a couple of days at the country house and even though I know she'll be fine, I kind of miss her already.
Then finally, it's Thursday evening and we're off to London. When I wake up on Friday, I'll be with my family and with my favourite people in the world: my niece and nephew. Can't wait!

Oh, and the old run-down hotel... how beautiful? I might just buy in and transform it into a Swedish cheese shop/sewing studio/workshop for A/flats for everyone I love. Have a lovely Monday! Pin It

Darkness and light

Wow, it's really starting to feel like December! I don't know what it's like for you guys, but it gets dark here so early! We've had a visitor from Berlin here this weekend and today, we took him up to the most beautiful part of Bergamo, Città Alta, for a stroll and a look around. It's been so grey and gloomy all day it's driving me mad, but at least the Christmas lights bright up my life a little bit. I love the way Italians prep their streets and squares with holiday lights and chestnut roasting.

I've done my Sunday stuff, I had some Glögg, did some sewing and talked to my mum on the phone, so now I'm hoping that someone wonderful (blink blink) will feed me his delicious food (blink blink bonanza) and tuck me in on the couch with a blanket, a sleepy pup and hopefully a great movie. Have a lovely Sunday!

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The big sleep

This past weekend was a weekend of sleep-ins. The three of us slept in little piles, on the couch, in arm chairs, on the bed, on the floor (Charlie). Much needed I'd say. The rain kept pouring down outside of our windows but we just closed our eyes and shut it all out, with a few exceptions. Friday, I did some serious cleaning of our flat and fixed up my craft space a bit. Started on a new dress. Got tired of it. In the evening, we went to Milan to have dinner with some friends. It was oh. so. lovely. to be in a big city again. The lights, the people, the noises. It filled me up and made me kind of sad at the same time. I don't think I realized how much I've missed it.

Saturday, a friend of ours was dj:ing and celebrating his birthday. I put on some red lipstick, we left Charlie (sleeping) at home and went there for some drinking and chatting. Sunday was all about movies on the couch, baking saffron buns (YUM) and drinking glögg. And sleeping, of course.

Monday again. It stopped raining and it's time to get out of this little bubble of ours and get started on a few projects. I feel the dress calling my name so I think I'm gonna have to give it another go. Have a lovely Monday!

Oh, the song by the way. I love Florence and this is just too beautiful not to share. Pin It

Make your own lake, let it flow

I can't believe it's already December! These past months have gone by in a whirlwind and soon, it'll be a new year. In just a few months, we have moved countries, gotten a dog, started up Andrea's business here, settling in. It hasn't always been easy, but I feel more and more that this is a good place to be right now. I feel ready to sit down and really think about what I'm going to do here. My work situation the last couple of years have been somewhat of a roller coaster. I studied at the university for almost six years, became a social worker and had a steady job working at a treatment center for children and families. It was a great job, fun colleagues, but I started to feel worn out after a couple of years. It was an incredibly intense place to work: long days, evenings, sometimes nights, weekends, holidays. I worked at the department where children came to stay without their parents, and needless to say, you get caught up in it. The job became my priority in life, and I started noticing that I had a hard time letting go of my work even when I wasn't working. After an especially difficult and emotional case, I felt I needed a change. 

I decided to move to Berlin for a few months and to return to Sweden and my job when I felt ready. I didn't know anyone in Berlin but quickly found a flat, a language class and met some amazing people. After two months, love hit me like a bomb. I met Andrea on the day I was moving out of the flat I was sharing with his Italian friend. It was instant attraction and I somehow mustered up the courage to ask if he wanted to grab a beer with me. The days leading up to our first date, all I could think about was those huge, blue eyes. We spent an unforgettable evening together, sneaking in to a club, dancing and flirting and ever since, it has been him and me.

Alright, so Andrea was in my life and there was no way I could ever go back to Sweden without him, being crazy in love and all. I started looking for a job and found an international school outside of Berlin. I got a job as a teaching assistant and stayed there for the entire school year. I didn't like it much. It was a school for the elite: wealthy kids and very demanding parents. Co-workers who barely knew your name (one of them called me Carmen for a year. Seriously? Carmen?) and a long commute every day. At the same time, Andrea and I were looking for a flat together. I had to move out of the flat I was living in and moved in with him in his tiny, tiny room in a flat that he shared with 6 other people. Anyways. After 6 months, I got to work with an amazing teacher and her group of 5-year olds, which was a lot of fun. She, however, decided to go back to the U.S and I found myself realizing that I would either have to stay and work in a group where I didn't want to be, or find myself another job. I managed to get an interview at another school, in the heart of Mitte, and loved it from the first second. The school was dynamic, the kids great, the location fantastic and the co-workers and my bosses the greatest people ever. It was with a very heavy heart I resigned, letting them know that I'd decided to move to Italy. I still miss my co-workers and my kids so, so much and I'm really looking forward to eventually going back to see them all.

All this leads us up to here. I've been wanting more time to focus on sewing and doing other creative things, and when we moved here, the plan was for me to have a few months off to be able to do this. Now I feel that it is time for me to take the next step. I want to to find a job or something to do that will give us some financial relief, but I also want to keep creating. Me and Andrea have so many plans and projects that we want to realize, but it all takes more money than we have. I know for certain that I, at least for now, have no desire to go back to being a social worker. This might not be forever, but as for now, I feel that I need to get my hands dirty, I want to be a part of something creative and exciting, to meet people who inspire me and push me to learn and get better. I don't regret getting my degree, but looking back, I can see that I was young and idealistic and even though I truly believed that social work was the one and only thing I would ever want to do, things can change. Sometimes I get a bit blue thinking about the career I gave up, especially when I talk to my Swedish friends who all have great jobs, money in the bank, a future that is way clearer than mine and some sort of security. At the same time, I have this. I have the freedom and the sudden opportunity to think about what I really want. Sure, I'm as broke as a church rat, but this is my chance to figure out what I want to do with my life.

With the new year around the corner, I need to be making steps in the right direction. I have a small lead on something that could be very exciting, and even though just the thought of applying makes me extremely nervous, I need to do it. I don't have the right degree for any sort of creative job, but if you never try you'll never know, right? With that said, today I will be working on my C.V.

Have a lovely Friday! Pin It

Christmas

I am not, nor have I ever been, a big Christmas fan. There is something about the holidays that makes my stress level rise and I always feel that I just want it done and over with. Sure, the food is great, I love seeing my family but all the expectations and the buzz around it usually makes me wanna crawl under a stone. Since leaving Sweden, this has started to change a little bit. I guess that traditions might become a bit more important when you're away from home. When we lived in Berlin, we used to take our friends to the Swedish Christmas market to stock up on Glögg (mulled wine - what we drink all through December), pick-and-choose sweets, saffron buns and other typical Christmas treats. Yesterday, when driving home from Andrea's parents, we stopped by IKEA in Milan to to get some small stuff for the house and to get some delicacies from their food shop. Now, to call what IKEA has in their shop delicacies might be to be a bit too kind - they recently stopped selling Swedish brands and launched their own IKEA line of products - but it is, nonetheless, a great place to get the most necessary stuff. I went home with some cheese, ginger bread cookies, Glögg and a mix of almonds/raisins. I also got the Advent star for our small kitchen window. I thought that this was a universal Christmas decoration, but I have yet to see it in Italy or Germany. Back home, you would see these stars in practically every window, and they make a cosy, warm light. 

Anyways. This year, I'm looking forward to Christmas. We will be in London with my mum, my brothers with girlfriends and the most important people ever: my niece and nephew. The last two Christmases I've spent without my little monkeys, so I'm so happy that I get to be with them this time. I will also get to celebrate St. Lucia! Apparently, a restaurant here in Bergamo will be hosting a Swedish Lucia celebration and only disease or death will keep me away from that. December might not be so bad after all. 

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Saturday bliss

Picture by Irene Suchocki.

Oh Saturdays. Even though I no longer have a 9 to 5 job, there's still something special about waking up on a Saturday. The possibilities seem endless and the light is a little bit kinder, softer. Today we're going to a flea market a few kilometers away. I'm pretty excited about it, since I've been wanting to go there since we first moved here. The market is on during the last weekend of the month and we somehow managed to miss it every single time. Vintage and second hand is a tricky business in Italy. We've found some amazing things on internet for no money at all, but at the same time the few vintage shops that I've been to have been ridiculously pricey. For me, vintage and second hand should always be cheap. I'm not prepared to pay an arm and a leg for an old dress - not because it's not worth the money, but rather because it takes away the fun and excitement of making a great find. 

Tomorrow we're going to Andrea's home village to see his folks and meet their new dog. We're going to spend Christmas in London with my family and Charlie will be hanging out at the family country house with some dog pals. In other words; we need to make sure that she will behave like a lady around the new guy. I always enjoy going to see Andrea's parents, not only because they're lovely and the food is amazing, but also because I really like the village and its surroundings. It's hilly, green with plenty of vineyards and farms and no matter what time of year, it's really gorgeous. Andrea's family owns a small food shop and we always end up leaving loaded with cheese, salumi (for Andrea only) and all kinds of delicious stuff. 

Alright, better go make myself some breakfast. It's a sunny day and I can't wait to get out!

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Keep calm

Via Etsy.

The skirt I'm making is slowly transforming from pieces of fabric into something wearable. The only thing left to fix, is the dreaded hem. I decided to blind stitch it using my Singer and let me tell you, it's a nightmare. I've never done blind stitching before, but when done correctly it looks really great. It's just not working for me. Learning from my many sewing mistakes (just go for it! don't measure! who needs pins? ironing is boring!), I've been test stitching on several scraps of fabric but when trying to stitch the real deal, it's a completely different matter. In moments like these, I really miss my mum. She's truly a wizard with all things hand made and crafted. Me and my older brothers used to wear the stuff she made as kids - this was the 70's/80's and velour was hot hot HOT I tell you. Anyways. If she was here right now, I'm sure she would've adjusted her glasses, taken a deep breath and just fixed it. Oh mothers. They're pretty great.

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Snapshots

Caught red handed.

The suitcase we found in Novegro the other day.

Oven mit by Pollaz.

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A room of my own

I'm not feeling too lovely today. My neck and back is aching and I'm really tired. I woke up last night and couldn't go back to sleep and for a couple of hours, I was lying awake thinking about projects and ideas, worrying about things and people. I have a doctor's appointment today and after having read this post late last night I just couldn't stop thinking about it. It makes my own worries seem a bit stupid and I'm routing for this lovely young lady with all I've got. 

I think I will be spending some time in the room above today. Ever since me and Andrea moved in together, I wanted a little corner of my own. When we moved into this flat, we decided that this would be a combined guest room/work space for me. It's pretty nice to be sharing your life with someone who understands this need, I must say. 

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Different view, different life

This is what I saw when I looked out the window of my Berliner flat. We used to live in front of these huge paintings by Blu, and every day people would come there to have a beer with friends or to sit by the water for a while. 

This is my current view. Not too bad either. Looking at these pictures reminds me of how different life here is. Berlin really is everybody's baby and it's true what we all say: Berlin is a world of its own. A place entirely unique. When we first moved here in August I was struggling with missing the city and my friends and even though Italy was in full summer bloom, I barely noticed the beauty that surrounded me. It was almost like going through a break-up. I would cry because of the heat (even though I love summer), cry because of the fucked up electricity, cry because I saw our things in this flat and they all reminded me of my old life and I would cry and cry and cry about absolutely everything.

When I go through iPhoto and look at the pictures from our first weeks here, I'm blown away by how many gorgeous things we saw and did. I guess that my state of mind at the time just did not allow to me appreciate it. A few months have gone by, and I am feeling better and better about being here. I'm hoping that this could be the place for us, but I guess only time will tell. Some lovely Berliner friends are trying to persuade me to visit in December but I still haven't made up my mind. I don't know if we are ready for a reunion yet, me and Berlin. But then again, maybe I will see the city in a different, less romantic light (winter in Berlin sucks) and come back to my real life even more determined to make it work.

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New week

So once again it's Monday. I tend to lose track on weekdays and dates right now. I always had a steady job with meetings and planning and stuff that needed to be done in a certain time, and now I find myself a wee bit lost. I can't even remember the last time I opened my Moleskine calendar (honestly I don't even know where it is). Today is another sunny, beautiful day and I spend the first couple of hours of the day exploring Illustrator. When I checked the time, I realized that I had been working for four hours. A lot of fun, but a bit tricky since our version is in Italian.

I am working on finishing the work apron I'm making for Andrea but it's not easy with Charlie constantly wanting to help by checking if the measurement tape is edible, the needles sharp enough and so on. I'm making the apron out of an old IKEA curtain that we used to have in our old flat. It's a great, super steady and thick cotton so I think the result will turn out pretty good. I will be introducing my man and what he does in another post, another day. Let's just say that he is incredibly driven and ambitious and that what he does is pretty fucking cool.

Oh, and the Indian food yesterday? A bit of a disappointment to be honest. The salad that came with the Samosas was the saddest thing, we didn't get any rice and the Nan bread and my Palak Paneer were made with very, very small diners in mind. 

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Alright, here we go

Surrounded by mountain tops in a country where I don't speak the language and very few speak English, the idea of starting a blog has been occupying my mind for quite some time now. I am Karin, a Swedish lady who left the northern cold for Berlin where I met the big love. After a few years of living in wonderful, glorious Berlin we decided it was time for a change and moved to the north of Italy. I am currently working on raising our puppy lady Charlie (a very challenging project) alongside trying to learn Italian (impossible) and starting up my own sewing and knitting projects (hard to do with a dog that loves the taste of wool). This will be my own little blog space where I will be sharing glimpses of my life and introducing you to all the things I constantly fall in love with.

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