THE DAYS OF THE DANDY

It has been a while since I went out treasure hunting, but this week I was able to find a real treasure - a vintage tie - all the way from California. 

The lovely bookmarks are from the back room of an old paper shop in Sweden and are from the 1940s.  The beautiful book (Yoga Erotica) that I'm reading which is more yoga than erotica was given to me by my book-agent. If you know some Swedish and want to find out more then drop by the authors' own website.   

AUTUMN SET IN MOTION

It is about that time when the wind changes, new things are on the horizon and things look more optimistic. They call it autumn and I love it. It is the season for new starts - most of us have had our holidays and are geared up to get cracking on with our lives.

It's the season when we change from using light cottons to nice soft wool that will keep us warm during the winter. I must confess that I have become such a wool snob recently - only the finest wool is good enough. Out are all the horribly itchy wools and plastics and in are posh wools with hefty price tags. It's worth it, I keep telling myself, because it does feel nicer when working with those fibres.    

I love the autumn and I'm eagerly awaiting the cavalcade of colour that is to come. Bring it on.  

MEE WEEK

COSMETIC SURGERY: It has been a very busy week the main event being that the roof has come off the house. It's on purpose. The roof didn't just decide to come off. It needed some new batons and tiles so that it can still function as a roof.

ACORN ANYONE? Found this random gadget in an old-fashioned homeware store. Asked the lady what it is for and she told me it was for those string-light-switches. What a clever idea.   

TREASURE HUNTING: I didn't stop shopping there. It has been a while since I went treasure hunting. I picked up this lovely hooded lady by Jean-Jacque Henner.  A wall-clock with big letters because now that I'm 30 I should look after my eyes. Plundered some retro glasses + jug for the cocktail bar.  

SELF-CENTERED: Then I had a vain moment. Alright, we all have them now and again. Maybe I have them a little too often. Gosh, I look smug. 

CROCHET: I have been watching too much Mad Men lately. I think all my crocheting is becoming very 60's inspired.

ROYAL WELCOME

There is a lot of jubilee-ing going around here in England as the Queen is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee. I have never seen so much bunting in my life. Keeping to the theme I'm showing you this cool reusable gift wrap. It is not made of paper but fabric - a la Japan - so can be used more than once. Problem is that it is too nice to give away. 

Clever people over at Ever Green Wrap.

Last week I sent my book to a lovely Dutch publisher - so everyone in the Netherlands look out.  Crochet for men is coming your way, in the not so distant future. 

HELLO LADIES

Found these charming ladies in a charity shop a couple of months back. Now that the sun has finally come out they are ready to show off their beach bodies. 

Hope the sun is shining wherever you are and that you at least have one cocktail. It is Friday, after all.

HAPPY WOOL

This Monday I went to see my publisher in Gamla Stan in Stockholm and on my way there I ran past the most amazing shop - Happy Colors. They have some awesome wool in... you guessed it: a multitude of colours! 

What I should really be doing is warning you to keep away from the place so you don't have to declare bankruptcy after walking out of the shop. But that is not how I roll. I dare you to go inside without buying anything!

Next question is what I should make with all this cool stuff. 

SAY MY NAME

Have been rummaging around in some Swedish flea markets. Found a seasonal and a childlike treasure.

TEA TIME

Just want to show off my new flea market find. A jar for lose tea. Cleverly designed with a hatch on the lid to pore the lose leafs from. Clever designers.

KYNOCH SCARF

Love the brand of this old scarf. I gave it to my dad for xmas, who likes his new scottish scarf.

ANNIVERSARY

The first take of my birthday presents photos.

PHOTO 2: I'm quite proud of my typically Swedish birthday cake called Prinsesstårta (Princess cake). It should really be called Prinstårta (Prince cake) as it is for me and the fact that I made it. 

PHOTO 3: Monkey spice set and wool is from my flatmate who knows my obsession with kitschy things and wool.  

PHOTO 4-6: Birthday gift to myself - hence why the price is still on it. Nice philosophy book and blow brush for the camera. 

PHOTO 7: Knitted sock stamp. Brilliant! On my parents package there were loads of cool stamps.

WAFFLE STITCH

Finished a hat in waffle stitch and found some treasures at the local flea market. Can you spot me in the last photo - where's Wally/Theo?

IT'S A GIRL

You are looking at my new baby. She might not look like much with dented sides and missing lens cover but she works like a pistol. She is a little bit worse for wear, but that would be true for anyone who has lived the last 10 years in a box hidden in an attic closet.

I have named her Berta.