There was a time when I'd give anything for not having men leer at my cleavage. Or at business meetings discussing cash flow or budgets, stare at the odd recalcitrant nipple, which had managed to penetrate through a bra and a summer blouse.But these days, to my shame, I actually miss the odd … [Read more...]
Finnish Christmas and Heirloom restaurant, and the Savoy…
I rashly promised someone over on Facebook that I'd blog the recipes for my Finnish Christmas vegetable bakes... sadly I never got round to it this year, but perhaps in 2015? I see from my archives that I have blogged several times about my Finnish food traditions (with pictures), so until next … [Read more...]
Coffee and Vodka – out now in paperback!
It's finally here! My family drama, Coffee and Vodka, is now out in paperback.Here's the blurb:Nordic Noir meets Family Drama‘In Stockholm everything is bigger and better.’ When Pappa announces the family is to leave their small Finnish town for a new life in Sweden, 11-year-old Eeva is elated. … [Read more...]
Father’s Day lunch at Heirloom, London N8
The Englishman enjoying his Father's Day pre-lunch pint.There's a new kid in the restaurant block in Crouch End, called Heirloom. Both the Englishman and I have been watching the changing shopfront of the restaurant on Park Road while walking past on our way into town on a Saturday, or passing … [Read more...]
Beauty: REN BB Cream
I don't usually (ever!) write about beauty products. That's basically because I use same products for years, only changing when I by accident stumble upon something new.But recently, I found a product which I was so bowled over by that I thought I'd share it with you. A few weeks ago when I was … [Read more...]
The 5:2 Fast Diet is a family affair
Having been going on about our new 5:2 Fast Diet to all and sundry for months now, I suddenly realised that almost all of my family are doing the intermittent fasting too!The Englishman wrote about his experiences with the diet below and our Daughter started the 5:2 fasting as soon as she went back … [Read more...]
Front Row Children
I thought I'd seen it all with reports that Suri Cruise is a fashion icon. She's, what, 6? It's crazy, right?Suri in heels.But today a picture of another 'coolest kid in fashion' emerged. Here she is, Aila, Alexander Wang's niece wearing - wait for it,'A Chanel handbag a mini … [Read more...]
Like mother like daughter…
Daughter, who's featured on this blog a few times before, has now become a blogger in her own right. (It feels very strange, I can tell you!)Using her pen name, Shmonn, she writes about film, her great passion (while mine is theatre…apple not so far from the tree..) in a very fresh and modern way. … [Read more...]
What’s your IKEA story?
The new academic year always seems to herald another trip to IKEA to get bright and beautiful bits of pieces for daughter's digs at university. But IKEA and I have a history going much further back than that.First time ever I visited IKEA was in the round, Guggenheim style, store in Stockholm in … [Read more...]
Olympics and patriotism..and dogs with medals
I was going to do a final post about the Olympics today and thought before I start I'd look at what other bloggers said on the subject. I clicked on Tania Kindersley' blog and there, as usual, she summed it all up perfectly. (If you don't follow her blog, you really must. She writes a … [Read more...]