Dear readers, I am so hoping that your summer – wherever you are in the world – is off to a great start!I am taking a few weeks off myself and intend to do nothing but to smell the roses, pick berries, listen to the bull frogs, wiggle my toes and just be with my wonderful family & friends! I will be back on August 1st! Stay safe & happy!

Images from Flickr. (Sigurdhsson, NorthofSweden).

Trotting around Stockholm I was quite taken by the lovely and romantic yet modern clothes so many beautiful women of all ages were wearing. Yes, indeed Stockholm is a very trendy and brand conscious city but I did not expect the trend to be quite so feminine, relaxed and Swedish folkloric.

I feel that the Swedish fashion brand (and oh so wonderful) Odd Molly set the tone a few years ago, but now the style is everywhere and even more Swedish vintage looking.

I am now in awe of two, for me, new Swedish brands – Ewa i Walla and Melmelli. Yes, I brought home a few pieces! And wait until you see my new cool Swedish clogs! (Swedish clogs are VERY in right now and go well with the whole look).

What do you think? Anything you would wear?

4 images above: Ewa i Walla

4 images above: Melmelli

Out of this world wonderful clogs from the Swedish designer Åsa Westlund. Traditional Swedish clogs made modern. All handmade with hand painted kurbits flowers from Dalarna (a decorative style of painting that was very popular in Sweden between 1780 and 1870).

Imagine these bedrooms for the kids in the summer home! They would never want to leave! I find these rooms simple, fresh, happy and very charming. Just the way kids should have it! (And of course the hardwood floors are Swedish white). I am so adding these photos to my personal inspiration folder.

Images from Skona Hem.

To My Blog Friends - enjoy your 4th of July! On the national day here in the US we will celebrate with family & friends equipped with loads of lovely food & drinks and a massive amount of anything red, blue and white! And fireworks of course! Happy, Happy to you all!

Images from Martha Stewart.

…of the lovely Åsa Lindström cup is… Drum roll, please!!!! (My husband got to do the honor and pull the winning comment from the “hat”)... Ms. Sylvia R. CONGRATULATIONS! The cup will be shipped to you next week. I hope you enjoy it and treasure it for a very long time.

This was fun! Thank you all for the lovely comments. They mean so much to me. You are the ones who keep me motivated and happy every day. In the early fall, when people are back from their long vacations, I have many more fun activities up my sleeves.  Don’t forget to check in then!

Warm, lovely thoughts to all of you. Wherever you are in the world, I wish you a truly joyous and relaxing summer.  (I will write a couple of posts next week, and then I am taking a few weeks off myself).

Görvälns Slott (castle) is a newly renovated hotel located in a nature reserve only 30 minutes outside of Stockholm.

What a splendid, unusual treat it is! Swedish classic chateau style living in a beautiful old setting mixed with a totally unexpected chic international rococo design style, combined with Swedish design elements. This is a colorful hotel without being overwhelming. There are plenty of activities and things to do at and around the castle. The food is supposed to be lovely, using only locally picked ingredients.  I might pay a visit on my next trip to Stockholm. If any of you have already had the opportunity – please share your experience with us!