Happy New Year! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful Christmas and are ready for a 2018 filled with Nordic inspired adventures.
This year is a big one for me. In March I turn the big 4-0! I’ll be honest with you, I’m not feeling good about it right now. As I sit here, just a couple of days back into the old routine, what better way is there to get focussed and excited about the next twelve months, than by sharing some of the things, big and small, that I’m very much looking forward to?
1. Travelling: Oslo
To celebrate my major milestone we’re off to Oslo for a few days of family time. While we are now total pros when it comes to holidaying in Denmark and Sweden this will be our first trip to Norway.
Exploring a new city is always an amazing experience and with its world-class galleries and museums, stunning architecture, royal gardens, seafood and shopping (did I mention it was my birthday?) I’m sure many happy memories will be made and shared right here.
2. Visiting: BLOX – Danish Architecture Centre
If I told you we were also heading back to Copenhagen this summer you wouldn’t be surprised would you?
A must visit for this trip however is BLOX which is set to open in the spring. I’ve watched this new cultural centre being built over previous visits to this magical city and now I finally get to see inside. With a restaurant, exhibitions, bookshops and most importantly for my toddler, a playground I really can’t wait.
3. Improving: String shelving
this year we are finally going to invest in a true classic, a Nils Strinning shelving system for our family room. back in the day when all i had to worry about was keeping my back copies of Elle Decoration in pristine condition it seemed a bit over indulgent, but now with boxes of Duplo, an every growing collection of toy cars and things that seem to be constantly lighting up and singing at us we need to claim this room back as our own, well after bedtime at least.
Thankfully for us the fab Utility is on hand to help us create the much needed storage solution we are looking for.
4. Watching: Finding Hygge Film
Aside from the obvious conclusion to The Bridge (come on BBC!) and the second series of Trapped later in the year I’m very much looking forward to watching this documentary film and understanding more about what hygge really means to real people.
Also one of the loveliest bloggers, That Scandinavian Feeling has also written a great post about the film if you want to find out more.
5. Reading: Gone Viking by Helen Russell
It was Helen’s first book, The Year of Living Danishly that changed my love for Denmark into a total obsession so you can imagine how much I need to read this novel.
Due out on 19th April, we follow frazzled mum (I can relate to that) Alice Ray and her troublesome sister (I can relate to that too!) on a crazy Danish adventure.
Images 3 and 4 from respective brands and venues, images 1, 2 and 5 by Nicola Capper.
Sounds like you’ve got a fun year ahead! The more we look into it, the more the Nordic way of life seems like near perfection. 🙂
If it’s any consolation, I am right behind you, 39 in Feb and so I need to make plans for the big 4-0 next year too! Looking forward to seeing pictures from your Oslo trip!
Great ideas and so good to set up nice things for the year ahead!
Looks like a fun year ahead for you. I’d love to visit Oslo and Copenhagen. May have to get some tips from you once you have visited! I’m just on my way home from Berlin and feeling a little sad that I have to go back to work tomorrow 🙁
Already so jealous of your impending trips!! (And so with you on The Bridge!) I feel a good bit of #treatyourself mentality always helps an unwelcome birthday feel better… Have you got anything planned? x
Sound like some really great goals you have there. Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway are top of my travel list too. Only ever been to Stockholm and Helsinki so lots still to see. Thanks for the heads up about the Hygge film. Looks really interesting.