My Creative Blog [Search results for Sweden] 

Europe, full of diversity and exiting history. Take a look. There are a few more pictures of Norway at the bottom, since it's closest to my heart.

Happy Monday to you all!

For a  long time I've been searching for the perfect ring, and have had my eyes on one at Katts of Sweden. Today I decided to buy it. The size is always a risk when buying online but I hope I got it right. Luckily it's possible to return it.

Since my Man recently became the head of security at The Swedish Royal Opera House, I thought I'd publish a blog about the historic building.

The opera company was founded by King Gustav III and its first performance, "Thetis and Phel'e" with Carl Stenborg and Elisabeth Olin, was given on January 18, 1773; this was the first native speaking opera performed in Sweden.

But the first opera house was not opened until 1782 and served for a century before being replaced at the end of the 19th century. Both houses were officially called the "Royal Opera", however the terms "The Gustavian Opera" and "The Oscarian Opera", or the "Old" and "New" Opera are used when distinction is needed.

The original Stockholm Opera House, the work of architect Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz was commissioned by King Gustav III, a strong adherent of the ideal of an enlightened absolutism and as such was a great patron of the arts.

The Swedish Opera company had first been located in Bollhuset, but there was a need to separate the Opera from the theatre and give them separate buildings. Construction began in 1775 and the theatre was inaugurated on 30 September 1782 with a performance of the German composer Johann Gottlieb Naumann 's Cora och Alonzo . It was also the place for public masquerade balls, events inspired from the famous opera-balls in Paris, which was open for everyone wearing a mask at a cheap cost and somewhat ill-reputed.

The Gustavian opera building in 1880:

The building was very imposing with its center Corinthian tetrastyle portico supporting four statues and topped by the royal crown. The four-tiered auditorium was oval in shape, had excellent acoustics and sight lines. The sumptuous foyer contained neoclassic medallions and pilasters.

It was in the foyer of the opera house where the king met his fate: during a masquerade on March 16, 1792, he was shot by Jacob Johan Anckarstr'm, and died 7 days later. (In turn, this event inspired the opera Un Ballo in Maschera by Verdi.)

Following the assassination, the opera house was closed until 1 November 1792, when it was opened again, which by some was considered shocking.

The son of Gustav III, King Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden, did not like the Opera, possibly because of the murder of his father, and disliked the fact that the scene of his father's murder was used as a place of amusement and leisure, and when a frivolous play was performed for his queen Frederica of Baden in 1806, he decided to close it down. It remained closed until 1809, and when the king was deposed, it took until May 1812, before it was organised enough to be fully opened again.

You can find more information here!

Good morning. Early start today (as every day). I love those early hours when the sun comes up and it's quiet and the cats are the most loving. They crave attention and couldn't care less that I try to watch the computer screen. And I love it!

Yesterday I got the news that one of my closest friends is getting married. Fantastic news and I can't wait. The only frustrating thing is that Sweden's event of the decade happens on the exact same day; the Crown Princess Victoria is getting married and I had planned to glue myself to the TV. Oh well, there will always be a thousand reruns, I don't think I'll miss it.

In the year of 1891. Europe's aristocracy and upper classes sought new and exciting destinations with spectacular scenery. The clientele for which the Union Hotel in 'ye by the Hj'rund fjord opened its doors that year was fastidious. The guest register showed a line of success: Queen Willemina of the Netherlands, Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany, King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway, and Queen Maud and King Haakon VII of Norway were some of the royalty who enjoyed their stay.

The historical hotel was restored in the original style in 1989, and now appears as it did in its heyday. All rooms are deliberately without TV, radio and telephone to give the hotel an even stronger feeling of La Belle 'poque.

Union Hotel is in and eyesight from the fjords, the mountains and the scenic Norangs-valley — one of the narrowest valleys in Norway with only 250 meters from side to side.  The British mountaineer William Cecil Slingsby — the discoverer of the Norwegian mountains said it has 'the proudest view in Europe'.

The hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of Europe.

Octomum feels guilty over having her eight children. No, really? What a surprise...

Swedish Crown Princess Victoria gets criticized for wanting her father to give her away. Her traditional thinking provokes women liberators and suddenly the very modern Victoria is said to be unmodern and a destroyer of the fight for the liberation of women. What they don't reflect over is that perhaps she has a mind of her own and has made a conscious choice to be given away. I get so fed up over this fight that clearly goes too far at times, it has almost become pathetic and tiring. In Sweden anyway. Get over yourselves and let women chose for themselves!

And finally, an old Swedish couple who's lived together for 63 years is now forced into separate homes by authorities. It sickens me! How can people be so cruel? How can they live with themselves? It makes me really really hope that they themselves be forced from their loved one the final years of their life. Again; sickening!

Check out this absolutely amazing apartment! And it's for sale. In MY town. And. I. Want. It. Badly!!

Don't miss the beautiful fireplace. Fireplaces in cast iron is normal to see in Swedish homes but this one is so special. I've never seen one like it. I could buy this home only based on this object.

The prize tag is SEK 2 350 000, which isn't to bad for a renovated two story apartment with French balcony in the best area of the city!

The apartment building is a so called Governor's House, named after Albert Ehrensv'rd. The story behind it was that in the 19th century it was only allowed to build two stories high houses in wood and so one crossed the red tape and built the first floor in stone.

This way of building is typical for Gothenburg but can also be found in other places of Sweden.

Most of these homes were built for the working class and usually they had one room and a kitchen where up to 15 people lived together. Today the apartments are very popular amongst small families and it's hard to find one to buy.

Enjoy the photos!

Source: Stadshem

17th of May 1893 by Norwegian painter Christian Krohg (1852'1925). Note that the flag does not have the Union badge of Norway and Sweden, the so called sildesalaten (Herring salad).

Source: Wikipedia

During the Winter, plants and pots sits in the garage workshop, but when Spring arrives they move out in the sun.  The owners have designed the plant table themselves and it's a perfect working place.

The old garage has been renovated with Cement floor and ceiling tree balks. I love the colour of the tree!

Most of the furniture has been found at flee markets and auctions, and the working tables, as mentioned, the owners made themselves.

The plane bench cost just about nothing at an auction and the garden tools was bought used in Sweden.

The doors, with original numbers still intact, come from an old drying room.

Outdoor kitchen. What a dream a hot summer! This mobile kitchen is self made and just so smart and pretty.

So, Turkey has it's own version of Vogue. Not even Sweden has that. Not that I ever buy the magazine but still, that's a surprise.

Through the blog, dress, design and decor, I found these beautiful goldy photos, which supposedly are from Vogue Turkey.

Hugs, Bettina.

It's still hot here in mid Sweden and to be honest it's beginning to test my strengths. I know I shouldn't complain but 30 degrees can be a bit of a shock on the Scandinavian body. We're used to snow and polar bears, you know. ;-)

The Greeks however'.

Hugs, Bettina.

Today, Sweden celebrate midsummer with the blue and yellow flag raised and likewise the traditional 'midsommarst'ng', decorated with flowers. Friends and family gather to eat good food (especially fresh Swedish strawberries), dance, play games and just relax in, hopefully, the warm, sunny, bright Scandinavian summer evening.

Tonight the sun sets a little after 11 pm, but still the darkness keeps away and about 3 am the sun rises again. It's happy times and the fact that we're already going towards the darker season doesn't matter. It's summer!

Have a happy midsummer evening!

Hugs, Bettina.

Did you remember to donate to The Breast Cancer Awareness this month?

The US: http://www.pinkribbon.org/

The UK: http://www.pinkribbonfoundation.org.uk/

Australia: http://www.pinkribbon.org.au/

Germany: http://www.ueberleben-mit-brustkrebs.de/

Austria: http://www.krebshilfe.net/kampagnen/pinkribbon10/ribbon06.shtm

Sweden: http://www.brostcancerfonden.se/

Swden: http://www.cancerfonden.se/sv/rosabandet/

Norway: http://www.rosasloyfe.no/

Canada: http://www.cbcf.org/

Adorable santas from 'sas Tomtebod. The santas are handmade and the material are 100 % natural from Gotland in Sweden and Iceland. The wool along with warm water and soap becomes felt, and then it's hand shaped into caps and noses. The sheepskin becomes beards and hair and voil': the somewhat blind santas are born.