Good afternoon from Stockholm! It’s Saturday so I’m at the showroom where I work extra, but no one is here right now so I’m basically getting paid to write this newsletter. Excellent thinking on my part.

It’s been a while since I wrote a bitesize post, not because I didn’t have anything to share but rather I had too much to share and too much to do and blabla. So what’s been happening with you all? This seems to be the summer of elasticated waists and bermuda shorts, that’s for sure. Pants in general seems to be on everybody’s mind. Baby blue is back in a huge way, but don’t worry - tomato and butter are still doing their thing. Heidi Klum mistook the Met for her Halloween party, easy mistake. Did I miss something?

As the light has returned to us in the North, I’m craving lightness in the spaces I occupy. Open windows, fresh air, fresh sheets. Away with wool blankets and too much colour. I want every shade I see to feel like it’s been stirred into a bowl of milk and sugar. There’s something so satisfying about the texture contrast between linen, muslin, stainless steel, rice paper, sheepskin and wood that just soothes my soul. Scandinavian romance, with an edge.

I’ve been so curious to try the Wonderskin Lip Stain because quite frankly, it’s been all over my feed. It felt like something that was too good to be true, and most of the shades looked pretty ghastly BUT some looked really really good. I finally caved after visiting a shop in town where I complimented the woman in the cashier on her lips and she told me to go buy the lip stain, specifically in the colour Whimsical. I’m sad to say I am now hooked.

I apply it as a lip liner (beware, the applicator is really terrible but you don’t have to be precise) and wipe off after 15–20 seconds. And it leaves a kiss of a stain that stays put for about 6–8 hours, even through eating and drinking. What I like about it is that I usually feel as though I spend time making myself pretty with makeup and then spend the rest of the day applying lip product (whether it’s lip liner, gloss or simply lip balm) because apparently I eat it up in about 5 minutes. This provides a solid base for a really long time, and looks even better with a swipe of balm/gloss on top.

Since I will be spending my entire summer in workout clothes it was about time I upgraded my active wear. It contained, for example, leggings I got for free at a yoga event 10 years ago (!) and a top I got as a gift that I never liked. Not a great foundation for launching a Pilates career. My criteria was a) no $100 leggings and b) cute colours. I was also hoping for nice fabric but you know, beggars can’t be choosers.

After an afternoon of looking through different websites research, I eventually ordered a bunch of stuff from H&M. Specifically their Move collection. I must say I’m very impressed, both with the fabric, the fit and the colours. I ordered 3 leggings, 3 shorts and 4 tops. Will be returning a few things but overall surprisingly satisfied with my haul. Should I share specifically the pieces I loved or do you not care? It’s fine if you don’t.

My dad has been in the hospital for a week now and those of you who have been through the same thing know how the world just suddenly stops. And then keeps going. And you’re sort of trapped between two ice bergs slowly drifting apart, one being your sick loved one and one being the rest of the world.

My dad is doing better, and I’m honestly okay. But I’m tired. Scattered. Behind on a few things. Happy that people are reaching out and showing consideration whilst also deliberately not responding to things out of pure mental exhaustion. When someone you love isn’t doing well, all you wish for is for things to go back to normal. Huh.

is in Los Angeles and I’m so jealous I could tear my own hair out. I don’t know if she feels the same about me but she’s my online soulmate. We even have the same name!!! Go wish her a happy birthday too.

I’m currently reading a murder mystery that’s far more gripping than I initially thought when I bought it as a sort of palette cleanser. After this I really want to get my hands on Yesteryear because all my favourite readers are reading it, like . Have you read it? Is it the All Fours of 2026?

Don’t ask me how my low buy is going.

I don’t want to be too hard on myself because some things (like the workout clothes) felt like a necessary purchase, and also, my coping mechanism is to shop when I feel anxious (like about my dad) so things got a little out of hand. But I’m back on the low buy horse, if you can call it that. And I’m learning A LOT in the process, which is the point non?

Speaking of shopping, I got this pair of excellent jeans at Cos and will be living in them for the foreseeable future. That’s all.

Have a lovely start to your week, and give your loved ones some extra love. Talk soon x

Unless this is your first time reading my newsletter, you probably know that I am in university after a pre-30 career pivot that is taking a total of four years to complete. In addition to this, I thought it would be fun to turn my affection for Pilates into something more real and profitable which resulted in me studying to get my Pilates certification. I may or may not have also applied for a summer job where I need said Pilates certification, and getting the job, which means I have five weeks to complete the entire course whilst also doing my “internship” for uni. I’ve been travelling the past three weekends for different reasons, as well as taking a saunagus course, and oh that’s right - next week I’m travelling yet again for, you guessed it, another course.

This all may sound like I’m complaining. I’m not. I sort of love it actually, but I’m bad with going to sleep before 23 and therefore wake up tired. My brain feels fried, but in a good way. And I still have to write an example chapter to show my third graders tomorrow morning, because I’m starting a writing project with them called The House. (My house is called Honeysuckle House).

So, is this a perfect breeding ground for inspiring and awe-inducing outfits? No, my friends, it is not. It’s kind of the opposite. I probably should be planning outfits, applying all the smart tips about outfit formulas that float around on here, and using my style words to feel like myself. I’m not doing any of that. When I manage to drag myself out of bed at 6:09 am, after allowing myself exactly one tap on the snooze button, I generally hop in the shower, do my make up, realize I’m about to miss my bus and put on whatever feels comfortable and acceptable that day. It’s usually a pair of blue jeans, a tshirt and a knit or a blazer. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you guys but I’m a blazer woman now.

The only problem with this make-do “formula” is that I don’t like most of my jeans and most of my tshirts at 3 pm on a work day. (Was it that wrote about the expiry of n outfit back in the day?). Either the booty has gone saggy or the tshirt has pit stains or my stomach is bloated and the waistband hurts and my hair feels greasy. It takes a certain type of work outfit to make it past the 3 pm mark and still feel GOOD. Pieces that hold out well are jeans with a straight leg, classic pant-pants, button ups, grey tshirts, cardigans, and blazer-blouses (don’t know what else to call them)(but you know those suit-top things). Things that don’t hold up well are white tshirts, anything even slightly cropped, tight pants, skirts, and bulky knits. Might sound strange that I mention bulky knits in May but people were wearing down jackets on the subway this morning. Welcome to Sweden.

Straight leg denim. Pants with a capital P. Button ups. Cardigans. Do I sound like a teacher or what? Maybe we weren’t meant to reinvent the wheel but simply find a wheel that works for us. The one thing I keep coming back to as my way to feel put-together and more like myself are my done nails (red or nude only) and a blowout with volume. Let me have those two things and I’ll feel pretty okay at the end of the school day, no matter what kind of chicken stew I’ve had to wipe off of my sleeve after sitting too close to a nine-year-old. I think, for now, feeling okay is pretty great.

Within my slammed schedule I’m actually finding that I’m feeling more like myself than I have in a long time. It’s in the details, the nails and the hair, as well as the bigger picture, working towards a life I’m looking forward to living. Teaching, writing, instructing, enjoying. What makes you feel like you when you’re running on snooze buttons and willpower?

It actually is early evening. I’m sat in the showroom I work at to earn a little extra while I study, because there never seems to be quite enough. I do alright, I’m not starving, but I will also be stealing a roll of toilet paper from work before I go. Some of you probably know that I’ve spent the last three years studying to become an elementary school teacher, and this summer marks one year left. I’ve worked at the University library on the side and now, at a showroom for tiles and stone floors which is much more in line with my own interests. On top of this, I’m taking my Pilates certification, I’ve just launched an online shop with my mum and I try to spend time with friends and family when I can. Unfortunately, because I eventually want the scenario above to become a reality, I also need to go on dates. Dating really sucks, if you didn’t know.

Right now, I don’t have the natural next step to get to where I want to be. I thought I did when I met someone really special who introduced me to LA and showed me a sort of life I didn’t think was possible for me. I now know that it is, just not with him. And right now it’s feeling like maybe I’ll do this all by myself because the dating scene is just… no. The ones that I like seem to vanish into thin air as soon as I show interest, and the ones that like me usually turn out to be certified weirdos. I know everybody says “you’re on your own timeline” and “you’ll find love when you least expect it” but I can’t help but to feel like maybe the good ones are already taken. And then there’s the whole kids discussion.

I've wanted to be a mother since I was a little girl. It's the one thing that follows me in everything I do. As I was approaching 30, I felt A LOT of stress around having kids. Eventually I had to kind of let go and succumb to the fact that 30 is not old and lots of people have kids after 30 and I live in Sweden where having kids on your own is a possibility. Because not having kids is not an option. However, I’m now 31 which means my best eggs are probably all fried at this point.

When I picture motherhood, of course I picture cute tiny socks and sniffing the top of a sleeping baby’s head. But I’m not completely delusional. I know there will be sleep deprivation, hormonal rollercoasters, tantrums in the grocery isles, and more fun stuff. I just genuinely want to experience it all. This is usually when someone chimes in to say “oh but being single is so fun”. I mean I’m happy to trade places. I’ll take your cute kids and their lice and summer camps, This part of life, with an empty bed, single servings of pasta and choosing every movie all by myself and having no one to wake me up when I fall asleep on the sofa - yeah, I’m done with it thanks.

The family and the house I wrote about in the beginning? I haven’t found them yet, but I think I know where to look. In my heart, I feel like that house is waiting for me in LA. And I think I have to have faith that everything I’ve done, and everything I’m currently doing, is leading me right home.

Do you have a scene like this? That you can see so clearly it almost seems more like a memory?

Launching an online webshop the same year as you commit to a low buy is a bold move, I’ll admit. I think we can all agree people don’t generally need more stuff. And to be honest, that’s exactly my point. Well, mine and my mum’s actually. Starting a business with my mum is either the best or possibly the most chaotic decision I’ve made.

My mum has been an entrepreneur for most of my life. I remember getting picked up by my mum’s best friend from kindergarten and coming home to the chaos of the mosaic business they had started in our basement. When we moved to New Zealand, she painted the Auckland skyline in the most beautiful pastel water colours. In Spain, she started making jewelry. She’s run a blog collective and hosted yoga retreats. She’s designed people’s interiors. She’s a photographer. As you can probably gather, she’s a true force of nature when it comes to creation and I strive to be like her.

Another admirable trait that my mother has (which might have to do with the fact that she is, after all, my mother) is complete unshakeable belief that I can do anything I set my mind to. But this isn’t just limited to her daughters. She carries this core belief that every single person has the ability to create the life they truly want. I’ve seen her encourage her friends to apply for jobs, demand raises, leave relationships, start businesses, write books and more. She is truly the kind of person who gives you the nudge you need when you need it the most. We’re all lucky to have her in our lives. The catch? She doesn’t really do the same for herself.

Read more

I didn’t quit Instagram with a clear objective in mind. I just simply felt like I was spending too much time scrolling other people’s lives and wanted to take a break. Wanted to see what I would do with the time instead. And then I realised I felt less stressed overall. Less inclined to compare myself to others and had an easier time picking up my knitting. Drawing something. Writing in my journal. I preached about the freedom I felt, encouraging others to join me in what felt like real life. “Just try it for a week, and you’ll feel sooo much better! Promise!” It felt almost gratifying telling people “I don’t have Instagram” and seeing the surprised look on their faces. I’m embarrassed to admit, I did feel like I was slightly better than everyone else. And I still think people without social media are very rock ‘n roll, as would put it. Every now and then, I would download the Instagram app (because yes, I still kept my profile) and find a million hilarious reels in my DMs from friends - but then be almost relieved to delete the app again and clear some much needed storage space in my brain phone.

And then one day I didn’t delete it. I had noticed a message from someone in my DMs who doesn’t have my number and of course had to keep the app on my phone to keep the conversation going. And even when the conversation didn’t lead anywhere, the addiction had already stated forming again. It became the first app I opened when I woke up. The app I would scroll on the bus or the subway. I started sharing again, thinking how nice it actually is to get little snippets of my old friends’ lives though we rarely talk.

During a particularly stressful period in school, sitting down to write this newsletter felt overwhelming. As some of you probably know, propping up your camera, planning outfits, creating collages of images, and then putting all your thoughts into words – that takes time. A lot of time. I also feel a sort of obligation to not just spit out what everybody else is already saying. There are many topics one could “jump aboard” as a writer on Substack, if one simply wanted to stay relevant create output. But I am a firm believer in not just aadding to add, but actually taking the time to share the things that mean something to you. Where you can add a new perspective. A new thought. A different train of thought. Those are the principles of the writers I mostly enjoy, and respect, too. That’s when I began sharing some outfits on Instagram. Suddenly, sharing my style felt quick and easy. Not being shy in front of the camera, or feeling a need to prove anything with my outfits, I could simply record myself getting dressed in the morning and create a reel during the time it takes me to get to school. Easy peasy. This hasn’t gained me any followers or views really, but it made getting dressed just that bit more fun again.

However, all the benefits I felt from not having Instagram have obviously flown out the window. I find myself comparing everything from outfits to interiors to body types much more than I did last year. I have more anxiety and more brain fog. I feel less accomplished, more behind in life in general. None of which I was dealing with in these amounts when I had “quit” Instagram. This one app is considerably making me feel more crappy. So I should just delete it right? Well, I still enjoy creating these outfit videos. We don’t really do the same type of content here on Substack, do we. And also, which is the main point, I recently launched a curated online space together with my mum where we sell handpicked (or handmade) pieces for both you and your home (go visit SoleilSthlm.com and tell us what you think!). Every brand obviously needs an Instagram page. People rarely visit websites anymore and we anyways need to help people find us which is done through social media these days.

I seriously can’t seem to find a good solution. I can’t remember who it was (please let me know if it was you), but I saw someone who would take weeks off of social media and then do a burst of posting for a few days. That doesn’t feel like it for me though, as I’d get caught up in trying to remember what “schedule” I made for myself, when to delete it, when to post, etc.

I guess my question is, how do you all deal with social media? Specifically if you run some sort of a business that requires any social media presence? Is this the dilemma of our generation?

But as always, I’ll be sharing my favourite spots—the ones that are tried and true, and that I actually keep coming back to. My style leans heavily towards secondhand mixed with a few Scandi classics, and obviously books, interior details, and more, so this isn’t your luxury guide. Think more along the lines of beautiful finds, good vibes, and places that feel very Stockholm.

Where to shop

Mariatorget

This is one of my favorite little parts of Stockholm, probably because I grew up in this area. There’s something about this little park that just feels like a watering hole in the perfect spot, as it’s close to Slussen, Hornstull and Nytorget all at once. Around this spot you’ll find many secondhand shops, lots of focus on environmentally friendly picks and generally a more laidback vibe (this is what Södermalm is known for).

• Broadway & Sons (Hornsgatan 64)

Go here and find your new favorite pair of jeans.

• Brandstationen (Hornsgatan 64)

Such fun interior details, both vintage and new.

• A World of Craft (Hornsgatan 58)

• Humana (Timmermansgatan 23)

• A+:) (Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 8)

• Nitty Gritty (Krukmakargatan 26)

My favorite fashion store in Stockholm. Always great picks from current brands, the best staff, inspiring interiors.

• Papercut (Krukmakargatan 24)

And then pop in next door for some magazines and books.

• Nord Books (Sankt Paulsgatan 20)

My favorite book store in all of Stockholm. The guy that works there always has great recommendations, and honestly they have those books that no one else seems to have.

• Aplace (Bruno Gallerian, Götgatan)

A must-see store for all the classic Scandi brands. They also have a killer secondhand section.

Nytorget

Such a cosy place to just meander about on a sunny day, to get ice cream, do some shopping and people-watch. You ca basically just walk around the streets in this area and pop in wherever you feel like, and you’ll find interesting things.

• Aesop (Nytorgsgatan 36)

• 6/5/4 (Nytorgsgatan 27)

Want to feel like a surfer/skater/outdoorsy person? Or just dress like one? This is your place.

• Klättermusen Workshop (Nytorgsgatan 36)

• Grandpa (Södermannagatan 21)

• Sneakersnstuff (Södermannagatan 23)

Legendary.

Biblioteksgatan

If you’re coming to Stockholm to shop til you drop, this is your place. Here you’ll find a mix of the luxury brands, the high street, perfume, make up, interiors and fast fashion. When things get a little too much, take a stroll through Humlegården and pet some dogs. Go see Dramaten in its golden glory. Look at the architecture. Grab a cinnamon bun from Stora Bageriet. And then get back to it! You can keep yourself entertained here for an entire day, but MY personal picks are:

• COS (Biblioteksgatan 3)

• Caia (Biblioteksgatan 5)

Swedish makeup brand that does glowy skin so, so well.

• Totême (Biblioteksgatan 5)

The flagship store. The mother lode. The holy grail. Recently redesigned, so the pictures above are from the original space. Pay it a visit and find out what it looks like now…

• By Malene Birger (Biblioteksgatan 12)

Honestly maybe my favorite store in all of Stockholm interior-wise. The large wooden table, the sheepskin bench, the tiles (from the store I work at hehe), the lamps. Dream.

• House of Dagmar (Biblioteksgatan 12)

• Acne Studios (Norrmalmstorg 2)

• Rodebjer (Norrmalmstorg 14)

Sometimes they serve champagne on Fridays. Just saying.

• Byredo (Mäster Samuelsgatan 6)

• Flattered (Mäster Samuelsgatan 11)

• COW (Norrlandsgatan 18)

The best cosmetics/perfumery in all the land. Every single staff member is cunning, inviting and gorgeous. They have all the top tier brands. I always end up spending hours in here - as well as learning a new trick or two.

• Engelbert (Birger Jarlsgatan 13)

*Cries in diamonds*

• Soft Goat (Jakobsbergsgatan 3)

• (And honorable mention, the entire NK department store)

Other tips

These nuggets aren’t really around that many other great stores but still deserve a shoutout.

• Acne Archive

• Svenskt Tenn

• Bergenströms Rekvisita

• Judiths Secondhand

• Nordiska Galleriet

• Arkivet (either one, but the best one is Hötorget)

I spent this whole week writing, writing, writing. Unfortunately it was for school and so, not very creative or fulfilling. Today we had out peer examination though and Monday is the deadline which means I’m right at the finish line of this course. And after that we have my favourite professor in a Swedish course, which I’m very excited about. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and just lights up the room when she teaches. Mmmm.

With that being said, my brain is mush. There’s nothing in here worth writing about this week, and even if there was I don’t think I could put two coherent sentences together about a topic anyone would want to hear about (written algorithms for subtraction, anyone?). So I thought I’d share what I’ve been pinning and pining over during my scroll breaks.

I’m really into a simple outfit formula at the moment, probably because I’m getting dressed before my mind has had a chance to wake up. Pants and a good shirt is the level of style algorithm I can handle at 7am, nothing more. The way to make it look a little more intentional, or just personal, is to not be afraid of mixing vibes. I know we all know the “wrong shoe theory”, which has also branched out into various other “wrong xxx” theories, but what if it’s all just wrong? Many wrongs make a great outfit. (Was it Coco Chanel that said that?).

Try having at least one point of friction in texture, colour or level of fanciness in your outfit and the whole thing will feel a lot more interesting and will help you not feel like the outfit expired at 3pm. This is a note to myself, btw.

Since starting my new job with interiors, I am noticing a whole lot more texture in the home inspo I’m saving. I’ve started paying attention to things like grout colour and marble type, and even sizing of tiles in relation to the other elements of bathroom decor. From the images I’ve saved I’m also apparently craving a lot of whites – it just makes my brain go aahhhhhh. (In the yoga exhale way, not the Home Alone way).

I usually have a strong urge to spring clean once the sun comes out and I can see how dirty my windows really are, and this spring was no different. It doesn’t feel quite the same doing a huge cleanout in January because I know I still have about 2 or 3 months left of snowy slush to get through, but when the snow is gone, the gravel is swept from off the streets and the sun stays up past 5 pm I turn into those two British ladies who shamed people for their dirty stove tops on TV (just googled them, Kim Woodburn and Aggie MacKenzie). Out with anything that doesn’t spark joy.

So that’s it for now. If you want to keep reading,

Anna shared 6 brands she found via Substack (sharing is caring)!

Anna Eleri Hart

six style brands I've discovered via Substack

Before Substack, my brand discoveries came via algorithms, magazines, and the occasional 2am Instagram hole. Now they arrive differently, tucked into a newsletter from someone (or someone’s community…

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2 months ago · 10 likes · 1 comment · Anna Eleri Hart

Ofelia went to Porto and captured it beautifully (obsessed with her photography).

All The Above

A Weekend in Porto

A few weeks ago, my husband and I joined our Parisian friends for a weekend in Porto. Mostly everyone on the trip spoke French or Portuguese, so I got a lot of French speaking practice. Since we were primarily there to celebrate our friend’s birthday, we didn’t do any pre-planning and went with the flow. We did stay an extra day, which we used to wander around and do a little shopping…

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2 months ago · 5 likes · 1 comment · OFELIA

Kelly is spring shopping, and we’re all better for it.

All The Above

A Weekend in Porto

A few weeks ago, my husband and I joined our Parisian friends for a weekend in Porto. Mostly everyone on the trip spoke French or Portuguese, so I got a lot of French speaking practice. Since we were primarily there to celebrate our friend’s birthday, we didn’t do any pre-planning and went with the flow. We did stay an extra day, which we used to wander around and do a little shopping…

Read more

2 months ago · 5 likes · 1 comment · OFELIA

Julia teaches us how to make a house into a (fabulous) home.

ARTS & TEA

The Art of; Personal Spaces

Dear readers…

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2 months ago · 12 likes · 4 comments · ARTS & TEA

Maurene went to the F****ING OSCARS!

The Mauxdown

What the Oscars Are Like

If you’ve been following along on this journey since last year, congrats, you have made it to the final boss…

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2 months ago · 47 likes · 40 comments · Maurene Goo

Antonia has written a spring style bible, and yes, it’s that good.

Scandi Delights

The Scandinavian Spring Wardrobe

Am I too early to post this? It’s been almost a month since I wrote about the in-between season, and part of me wonders if I’m about to jinx the whole thing…

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2 months ago · 236 likes · 35 comments · Antonia

Giulia has found all the best brooches for you, so you don’t have to.

The Inside Pocket

Buy My Wishlist So I Don’t Have To Pt.4

If you’ve been a frequent reader of The Inside Pocket, you may have noticed by now my enduring love for brooches. There’s little I enjoy more than refreshing my wardrobe with something as small, and as impactful, as a brooch…

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2 months ago · 17 likes · Giulia C.

Elle teaches us all about The Perfect Stack™.

Elle Dresses Well

That's a stack

I used to be very afraid of being overdressed. I invented all kinds of rules for myself so I’d never look like I was trying too hard. One rule was I could only wear a maximum of two jewelry pieces at…

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2 months ago · 58 likes · 20 comments · Elle Sundberg

Enjoy! x

COS has become somewhat of a darling in my closet – a trusted mentor I can go to for a clear direction, a beloved rock in the sea that is the fashion world. Their pieces speak to me (and many of you) due to the simplicity of them, yet they more often than not manage to nail a certain drape or detail that make me reach for their pieces again and again.

I remember when COS first opened on Biblioteksgatan in Stockholm. I really wanted to understand the crisp navy, neon and silver pieces that hung on their hangers. But I just didn’t. There was a lot of scuba, nylon, netting. Zippers galore. I actually don’t know when the switch happened but I remember reacting to the fact that COS suddenly felt like a place where I found truly great pieces, again and again (probably some time in the beginning of my Substack journey). And now? Probably one of my top 3 brands.

Considering this, and not to spoil anything but, I was very surprised by their SS26 campaign featuring Vittoria Ceretti and Alexander Skarsgård. Not by the people per se, although that was a random pairing too, but by the complete lack of oumph.

Let’s dive right in.

What worked

Yum. This is absolutely divine. I know we’re all dying for a funnel neck right now, but with good cause because this looks like Top Gun slash Devil Wears Prada slash that incredible leather jacket your grandpa still has from the 80’s. The colour is delicious (and goes with anything), the leather looks buttery soft and I can see the styled a million ways, including schlepping kids to daycare (cool moms don’t care if their leather looks beat up).

I must admit I love this sexy little version of a suit. It’s definitely 90’s adjacent but doesn’t scream CBK in your face, unlike lots of other pieces that have been rushed to production since our collective Love Story brainwash. (I love Carolyn just as much as the next Substacker, but that doesn’t mean I want to cosplay her in my everyday life). I would wear this jacket with jeans. I would wear the pants with a tshirt. These are the kind of simple, classic, versatile, understated pieces that I associate COS with. Bravo.

This is basically the cousin of the leather jacket above, but in trenchcoat form. Again, just excellent. The colour feels timeless and very current at the same time. It looks chill and drapey, but the details elevate it just enough to still fall under the looks-expensive-as-hell category (in a great way). This is a coat you have for years and years that becomes MVP of your closet without you even noticing.

What didn’t work (for me)

Aaahh! Jump scare! Just to clarify, this is the bottom half of the previous photo of this divine trenchcoat. (Annoyingly, you can’t see the full size images on the laptop so you have to scroll back and forth to see the entirety of an outfit) (but maybe it’s deliberate so you won’t see these shoes?). I’m sorry but this is NOT a sexy shoe. It’s not even a cute shoe. It’s clunky, it has a weird shape, the leather band over the foot is too wide – I just can’t. Why (whyyyyy) did they pair this beautiful coat with these shoes? A) No one would wear these two together. B) I can’t picture any outfit where these boring *ss shoes would look good?

This is, again, the bottom half of a previous picture. Remember when everyone said Timothee Chalamet as a shoe would be one of those medieval slipper things? The COS design team seems to have thought “huh, let’s make those chic again”. I say, let’s not.

I am usually one to love white on white, but what in the hazmat suit is going on here?

I don’t get this dress. It’s not that it’s ugly or anything. It just isn’t… anything. It’s obviously wrinkly, which might be deliberate (probably), but the fit isn’t great around the chest and the straps begin too high up. What would one style it with? A denim jacket would be too boring, a leather jacket would be too rough, a cardigan would be too sweet. What would be the goldilocks styling here? Anyone who can tell me gets a special prize.

Aaaaahhhh! The shoes again!

Okay so I’m ending on not the worst one. I do like this jacket – it’s sexy and could be worn as a “the jacket is the outfit”-outfit (hi , , and others). But the skirt? It reads very Zara to me, in that it looks cool styled on a 16-year-old with straight hips but then when it arrives and you try it on you realize you’re not Gisele Bündchen, send it back and get on with your life. And the hem of the jacket against the waist of the skirt feels slightly awkward, but maybe it’s just this pose.

Okay - phew. I guess I had a lot to say about COS, huh. I’m honestly a little disappointed because their spring collection is pretty great, just like their recent collections have been. But this was not it (for me).

Again, if any stylists feel personally offended: I’m so sorry. You obviously have a vision that I am too simpleminded to understand.

Come back soon!

Usually the primary objective when going somewhere is finding a coffee, right? So that’s where we’ll begin. I’ll only be recommending my personal go-to places to make sure I’m sending you to places I can vouch for.

Where to find good fika (coffee and a treat)

Södermalm

• St Pauls Bageri (Sankt Paulsgatan 24)

  My go-to since forever. My parents live close by and I love hanging around Mariatorget so this is my most frequented café in Stockholm. They serve really great classic buns, as well as good breakfast food. The coffee slaps, too.

• Kaffe (Sankt Paulsgatan 17)

  A hidden gem with a true Södermalm vibe. Not the most impressive fika-wise, but will provide pretty great people-watching and is slightly off the beaten path. Very close to my favourite bookstore, Nord Books, as well as shopping on Götgatan.

• Komet (Tavastgatan 14)

• Stockholm Stadshotell (Björngårdsgatan 23)

  Want to see some Swedish celebs and feel posh? Go here.

• Beck Kaffebar (Tjärhovsgatan 3)

• Chokladfabriken (Renstiernas gata 12)

  Okay so this doesn’t look like much (and you probably want to take your order to go) but as a choco-holic, I need to urge you to buy yourself a couple of their pralines. My personal favourites are the passion fruit, the Earl Gray and the mint.

• Krümel (Renstiernas gata 20)

  The best cookies, hands down. They have two other places too.

• Lykke (Nytorgsgatan 38)

• Kaferang (Skånegatan 81)

• Café Pascal (Skånegatan 76)

• Il Caffè (Långholmsgatan 23)

Gamla Stan

• Chokladkoppen (Stortorget 18)

  This is the café we would go to when I was a child and wanted to celebrate because a) it was close to our school and b) they have the absolute best kladdkaka (mud cake) in all of Stockholm. Also super LGTBTQ+ friendly (which most of Stockholm is).

• Grillska Huset (Stortorget 3)

City

• NK Bröd (Regeringsgatan 47)

  If you’re anyways shopping at NK, or the surrounding areas, why not sit down and drink coffee from a proper porcelain cup? They do the yummiest little patisseries.

Östermalm

• Stora Bageriet (Sibyllegatan 2)

  Such a cosy place, especially when you can sit outside. Can get really crowded so try not to go during lunch hours.

• Bageriet Kringlan (Linnégatan 26)

• Riddarbageriet (Riddargatan 15)

  Again, a hidden gem (with very restricted hours). If you enjoy walking around and looking at architecture or just enjoying a stroll down Strandvägen, make sure to pass by here to grab yourself a fika.

Djurgården

• Rosendals Trädgårdskafé (Rosendalsterrassen 12)

  You honestly can’t miss this place. It’s essentially a café in the gardens of Rosendal, where they sell flowers, plants, pots, and more. The gardens are absolutely stunning (and huge), plus the walk to get here is practically mandatory for every Stockholmer to do at least once every season. Bring your camera because you’re going to want to capture every inch of this place.

• Djurgårdsbrunn (Djurgårdsbrunnsvägen 68)

Vasastan

• Stora Bageriet (Sankt Eriksgatan 88)

• Mellqvist Kaffebar (Rörstrandsgatan 4)

  A true Stockholm classic at this point. I would actually probably more recommend it as a breakfast place - their egg and caviar breakfast sandwiches are excellent. They even serve coffee oout the window in the mornings for people rushing to work.

• Lillebrors Bageri (Rörstrandsgatan 10)

  Cult favourite for buns and pastries.

• Systrarna Andersson (Karlbergsvägen 45)

• Ritorno Konditori (Odengatan 80)

  Opened in 1959 and the interiors have been kept the same ever since so you’re getting a glimpse of the past in this place. Either you love it or hate it.

• Bergstrands Bageri (Frejgatan 46)

  My friend M’s favourite, so I had to include it for her.

Kungsholmen

• Nothing, lol

These are the places I visit time and time again, that always just work. With that said, you can always go into a Fabrique and get a good coffee and bulle. They’re everywhere. And if you’re short on money and just want an okay cup of black coffee to hold in your hand as you stroll, you’ll be fine going to a Pressbyrån. They do student discounts too, so a small coffee will only cost you 15 SEK. That is honestly the correct price for a coffee. Oh and if you have kids, Mr Cake is the only place to go. Feels like if Willy Wonka made pastries.

Let me know if you think I missed something, or if you try any of these on your next visit. I’ll keep updating with new places I try - and I’ll soon post the next category: Food. Or should it be Shopping?

Just because it’s top of mind, who here has seen Hamnet? I just returned home an hour ago from a viewing of it together with and oh lordy lord. I almost felt rude rushing off after it was done but I needed to really let it simmer. Heartfelt experiences do that to me, where I feel like I kind of don’t want to taint the shockwaves with lots of other impressions and instead just live with it for a little longer.

Obviously, both Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal performed beautifully, heart-wrenching and honest. But it was more than that. The clothes, the dirty finger nails, the sibling relationships, the foreshadowing, the repetition of lines in different parts of the story, the reoccurring ominous black hole. The movie is based off of the book by Maggie O’Farrell and is directed by Chloé Zhao. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it, but do me a favour and go see it at the movies. You want to big screen for this one.

Right now I’m reading One & Only by my friend and it’s just what I need to help me feel closer to my beloved LA, which I very much have been missing between grey winter days, school assignments, bad dates and juggling two different jobs plus a dog. Getting to jump into a fun, smart and juicy love story that also has fantastic descriptions of outfits is just chef’s kiss. Thank you Maurene for writing such a dreamy book.

I also started reading Aleph by Paulo Coelho when I was stying over at my parents’ house last week because I forgot to bring One & Only, and wow it’s so good. I really didn’t remember the storyline but am now considering re-reading all his books during spring.

So about my Rule of 5… I don’t know if some of you are going to be disappointed when I say this but I did loosen the rules slightly from 5 new items in total all year, all categories. It wasn’t the most sustainable choice for me, although I’m tempted to give this year a go as a sor of test run and then maybe actually do a stricter shopping challenge next year. Anyways, I’ve landed in the sort of classic (?) way to do it which is supposedly 5 NEW items allowed, 7 secondhand items allowed, shoes and bags (and staples like undies) not included. However, I feel like max 1 bag and 1 pair of shoes per season should be more than enough.

So far I’m at 1/5 new items, 4/7 items (jeez), 1 pair of loafers and 1 bag purchased in 2026. The one new item feels really good considering we’re almost through Q1 (lol), but I guess I dove a little too deep into finding a great pair of new jeans and found 3. If I end up selling one pair (because I bought two that are similar shape, just different colours) I will deduct one purchase. Even though shopping clothes for summer is generally a whole lot more fun imo, I’m not too worried about going overboard for spring and summer. We get so few true, sunny, warm spring and summer days that I kind of am dying to wear the stuff I already own. Great!

PSA: I’m putting together a Stockholm City Guide and man is it going to be jam packed with recommendations for all of you! It’s been so much fun walking around my hometown in my head, reminding myself of all the great little spots we actually do have here. The only problem is, it’s turning out to be so long that I’m going to be dividing it into different parts, and I don’t know whether to do it by category (food/shopping/activity) or location (Södermalm/Östermalm/Gamla Stan). Please weigh in!

As you might have noticed, I’m not posting as regularly here right now which is due to the overwhelming amount of separate life puzzle pieces that I all of a sudden needed to piece together. I want to give this space the love and attention it deserves, write about things that genuinely light me up and interest me, and have some sort of value for you too. But right now, I’m not sure I’m able to give that - so I’ve been a little more quiet. I wish I could say that I only draw inspiration from everybody who’s absolutely killing it on Substack right now (no one mentioned, no one forgotten), and like 99% of my thoughts when I see what everybody is up to are “wow good for her!”, but there is also that 1% of my thoughts that are more like “you’re not as good as them”. I guess I share this because I know we all go through periods like this, and as women we tend to be really great at kicking ourselves when we’re already down.

So, if you like me have been feeling a little behind lately, just know you’re not alone. And keep reminding yourself that you’re in your own lane, own race, own pace. You’ve got this. I’ve got this.

I refuse to be one of those people who is like: I have something really special cooking for you guys, can’t wait to share more! But I have been working on the launch of a project (together with my mum ) now for months and it’s finally all coming together. This is one of those projects that I’m giddy to start revealing more of because I believe whole-heartedly in every part of it and I feel it represents a kind of aesthetic and business that I for one would love to see more of in the world. Like ’s handpicked vintage bag drops, ’ iconic tote bag, ’s incredible key necklaces, ’s cult nail polish, ’s perfectly curated IRL shopping experience, and more. Those heart projects that shine their unique light in the world.

My Pinterest is all cute shorts, drawstring pants and cute boys lately. I’m not mad about it, but I am dying to get some fake tanner on these flourescent legs of mine.

What are you watching? And why is it Love Story? What are you shopping? And why is it dumpling loafers? Ooh and I got some inside info about upcoming drops at Arket from today - how lucky am I??? But I don’t kiss and tell, I promise Alina.

Know of anyone that should be featured (maybe it’s you)? Let me know in the comments or reach out in DMs.

Hi! I’m Karin, a soon-to-be 35-year-old living in Stockholm, Sweden, with my fiancé Gordon and our two rescue cats. On Substack and Instagram, I share my love for minimalism and slow living – a gentler, quieter, more intentional way of life with less clutter, less stress, and less hustle.

Last year, I decided to truly practice what I preach. After ten years as a teacher, I left my full-time position to become a part-time school librarian. At the same time, I began attending seminars and conferences to support my long-term goal of pursuing a PhD and becoming a full-time historian.

Working part-time means my weeks have a different rhythm now. From Tuesday to Thursday, I’m at the school library from 9am to 3pm, and the rest of the week is dedicated to reading, writing, research, and rest.

Transitioning from full-time to part-time work has, of course, affected my finances. Thankfully, I’ve been able to save some over the years – and I genuinely enjoy the challenge of living intentionally. Being a childfree minimalist and homebody certainly helps, too.

Monday

Time to prepare for the week ahead! Since my weekends aren’t quite over yet – Mondays are my Sundays – the start of the week has naturally become my prep day. It’s when I buy groceries, cook for the days ahead, and catch up on laundry.

Because I’m intentionally keeping my expenses low, I make all my meals from scratch. No takeout, no coffee to go, no lunches from the school cafeteria. I focus on plant-based whole foods – nourishing, simple, affordable. To save time during the week, I rely on food prep. I cook and prepare several things at once, in batches. This week I made homemade granola and yogurt for breakfast (making your own probiotic yogurt is easier than you might think!), portioned fruits, greens, and oats into ready-to-blend smoothie bags, and cooked a big batch of bean soup, a leek pie, and a vegetable lasagna for lunches and dinners. I can’t say I love cooking, but I do love eating well – and having something healthy and ready to grab makes busy days so much easier.

I also lay out my outfits the night before my workweek begins. It’s my best defense against unnecessary stress and decision fatigue. My wardrobe is small and carefully curated almost – like a uniform – with pieces I wear again and again that always make me feel put together.

Maybe you’re sensing a theme: prep, prep, prep. I truly love a good routine.

Tuesday

My workweek begins! I love easing into the day, so I wake up earlier than I need to. Since I start at 9am, my alarm goes off at 6am. I feed the cats, blend one of the smoothie packs I prepared or cook a bowl of porridge, shower, get ready, and pack my lunch and snacks before heading out the door. Last but not least, I pour myself a cup of coffee into my thermos for the ride.

The roughly 50-minute bus commute is one of my favorite parts of the day. It’s when I enjoy that first cup of coffee, listen to a podcast or some music, or read a few pages of a book. At work, I open the library, make sure it feels cozy and welcoming, and spend most of the day helping students with their school work. I’m also in the process of starting a school book club – something I’m really excited about.

Wednesday

My mornings look the same throughout the workweek, so let’s talk about what a typical evening looks like instead! Around 3:30pm, I’m on my way home. The moment I step through the door, I do what I call The Big Shed. I change out of my work clothes, take off my jewelry and makeup, shower, and slip into something comfortable. It’s a small ritual, but it helps me transition from “work mode” to “home mode.”

Then I make a cup of tea and check in with myself. Depending on my mood and energy levels, I might do some gentle yoga, go for a walk, or simply sit quietly. This time of year, when the temperatures are at their lowest, I focus less on intense workouts and more on rest and restoration. Gordon usually gets home around 6pm. We have dinner, spend time together, maybe play a game, or each do our own thing for a few hours. By 9pm, I’m in bed with a book, reading for about an hour before falling asleep. Getting at least eight hours of sleep – ideally nine, and waking up naturally – has become my best remedy for stress. Back when I was teaching full-time, I had so much built-up stress in my body that no amount of sleep felt like enough. Now, about four months into this new rhythm of life, going to bed early feels like a luxury. For the first time in a long time, I truly feel well-rested.

Thursday

This Thursday, I met up with a friend after work. My favorite kind of date is simple: a museum visit, a fika (or ideally, both). We started with a stroll through the National Museum, which stays open late on Thursdays with a free admission. Afterwards, we went to Villa Dagmar and treated ourselves to one of my absolute favorites: their madeleine cakes served with soft, lightly whipped cream. I do love a treat, but when I indulge, I want it to be worth it. Something thoughtfully made, enjoyed slowly. No overpriced, off-tasting Starbucks-cakes, please.

Friday

My weekend begins! Sort of. I tend to think of Fridays as a dedicated, productive workday. Since my long-term goal is to pursue a PhD, I use this time to focus on academic work: writing an article, preparing presentations for upcoming conferences, attending as many seminars and research events as I can. My research centers on mid-19th century women’s dressing, so I spend many hours studying historical photographs and garments, paying close attention to fabrics and silhouettes. This Friday, I met with a lady who generously allowed me to study her family’s 19th-century photo albums. Afterwards, I enjoyed my pre-packed lunch and headed to the library for an afternoon of studying.

Saturday & Sunday

Since I’m a sensitive soul (yes, I’m officially on the ‘tism spectrum), I really need time to recalibrate after socializing. Sometimes an hour or two, sometimes longer. There’s honestly nothing I love more than a slow, quiet weekend at home. With Gordon away on a work trip, I had the apartment all to myself. I continued studying, writing, and reading, went for a long walk, listened to my favorite podcasts, and worked on a puzzle. I even had a small decluttering session and stopped by my local recycling station.

I feel my best when I keep my screen time to a minimum. Writing my article already requires hours in front of a screen, closely studying photographs, so I try to avoid mindless scrolling – even when I technically have plenty of “free” time. And speaking of scrolling and screen time. More than a decade of practicing minimalism has taught me that quality over quantity applies to everything. When I watch a film or a series, I want it to be truly excellent. Something immersive and captivating. The same philosophy as with those madeleine cakes: if I’m going to indulge, it has to be worth it. The moment I feel tempted to reach for my phone while watching something, I take it as a sign. Time to switch it off or pick up a book instead.

To sum things up,

I don’t dream of a “perfect” life. I’m simply building a soft, quiet and intentional one. One grounded in balance with a sustainable rhythm, a “work-life-balance” that I can carry with me for many years to come.

I do however dream of a society where we take better care of one another. Where mental health, social connection, and environmental sustainability truly matter. Where success isn’t measured by how much we earn, own or display, but by how well we live and how gently we treat each other. I hope to witness that shift in my lifetime.

Biggest of thank yous to Karin, for sharing your thoughtful week with us. I for one am so inspired to actually do all the prepping I think of doing but never get around to. There’s something so rewarding about doing future-you a favour, and you end up less stressed and more put together. I love the idea of making sure I have not only packed lunches for the whole week, but also snacks! And I can get even better at bringing coffee from home for university, which tastes bettre anyways so win-win.

Please let me (and Karin) now what you loved about her week! x

I just had my birthday weekend and it was filled with laughter, dancing, Nutella sandwiches, cake and hugs from loved ones. I’ve always really loved celebrating my birthday but with that said, the single years have been so much harder. No one to bring you coffee in bed, no one to decorate the apartment with flowers and balloons. It’s just a little more quiet. However, this year I was invited to spend the night at my friend’s house with her and her three daughters, which meant a 5:50 am wakeup by someone singing lullabies in my ear, as to not wake me (so cute). And then a 7 am wakeup with candles on a piece of toast that was also decorated with sprinkles AND handmade birthday cards. Couldn’t have asked for a better morning to be honest.

How are you? How was your weekend?

It’s still snowing in Stockholm. Is anyone surprised? What NY calls a blizzard is a normal winter’s day in Stockholm, and everyone is still expected to show up to work and school. I don’t think anyone is surprised to hear me say I’m very sick of this grey grey weather. Feels like I’m eternally wrapped in wool at this point, and my creativity within my closet is next to zero. Which is actually fine, because I still like the clothes I’m wearing - there’s just no spark. No fun. No zhuzh.

(And to anyone who’s style advice is to ditch the down jacket and the Uggs in favour for leather boots and a wool jacket - respectfully, no. Wool jackets are heavy, leather boots are slippery, and if I’m going to be soaked in huge wet snowflakes I want to at least be cocooned in softness.)

To be completely honest with you, I fell of the Rule of 5 wagon slightly. Not that I’ve bought a bunch of stuff, but I’ve been so close to quitting already. This past month or two have been challenging and making me question some things about my life like career paths, moving, what it is that I’m seeking and how I would actually reasonably get there. And when life sways we turn to our blankies, don’t we. My blankie of choice is (of course) shopping. Or I should say “has been”, because I really am trying to kick that habit. But old habits die hard.

What I ended up doing is buying a few things on Vinted to “try them on with my closet”. And obviously, most purchases were shit. A pair of Doc Martens I’d never wear (because I’ve already tried Doc Martens before and didn’t like them back then either), a pair of sunglasses that don’t fit my face shape, low rise bootcut jeans (what in the Simple Life was I thinking), etc. Good news? I can resell it all on Vinted and definitely get my money back. Bad news? I’m still leaning on shopping when I need a shock to my system.

Baby steps.

I was invited to the book club last week and it was so much fun, so interesting, so chic. Everybody was in all black, Toteme, Dagmar, you name it. The créme de la créme of Sthlm fashion Substack was there - oh, and me lol. They had read If We Were Villains (I had not because I was sort of invited last minute) so discussion revolved around elitism, Shakespeare, adolescence, expression/suppression of emotions and doing anything for art. There’s something about taking the time to engage in conversation with really, really smart women that just lights me up from within. The perspective of a top lawyer juggling work demands with parenthood, or the perspective of a software engineer who also does ceramics. Yes to all of it.

There’s also something about Swedes being so uncomfortable with talking about privilege. No one really wanted to put their finger on their own relationship to money, to elitism, to privilege. I shared how growing up I was usually in some sort of “inbetween”, being the most privileged in one friend group and the least privileged in another. At private school I was the poorest rich kid (and the weirdest, coming from a country they’d never heard of), in public school I was the daughter of a professional athlete and an interior designer which was always deemed cool enough to be accepted, invited, included. This duality lives in me and helps me adapt easily to most situations and circumstances I’m put in, but it has also made me feel like I don’t belong 100% in any group during different periods of my life.

I got a new job! I’m working with my mum at Stiltje, a showroom for different beautiful handmade materials for interior design. Which is fantastic, as we can now also sit together and work on our upcoming project that we’re launching in the next couple of weeks, hopefully. Being in an aesthetic environment all day is such a game changer for me, especially considering I’m usually at uni and that place is… not aesthetic.

Having interior design as a passion is hard when it’s not your job (or you’re not rich) because a lot of things you want are astronomically out of your price range. So you sit there fiddling with your Pinterest boards for the most part. But now? I get to be a part of putting together materials for bathrooms, kitchens, hotels, restaurants… Dream come true, truly.

I mean, I think that’s it for now? I hope to be more inspiring in the clothes department when the snow finally melts and the sun decides to come out. I don’t know when I’ll be back to sharing about my dating experiences though (but I did get accepted to Raya so maybe Single Diaries is about to get a whole lot fancier).

Arket does have strong basics/classics game, I’ll give them that. Their jackets are mostly fantastic. Pretty great knits, really good long-sleeved tshirts. I also appreciate their selection of shoes which I feel always seem to summarize the most popular styles of the season, but in only the best colourways.

And I do usually get something out of checking the Arket website because their general styling is pretty straightforward and easily imitated with pieces I/you already own. Classic colours, flattering cuts, elevated (yuck) with a sense of ease. So what happened in the SS26 shoot?

What worked?

This is my favourite look of the bunch. But honestly? A trenchcoat, light blue straight denim and a heel, for spring? Groundbreaking. Jokes aside, this look is almost a must in a spring lookbook and no one is reinventing the wheel because this wheel always works. The ears hair is what makes this look, as well as the retro shape of the heel. We’re a long way away from being able to wear these light layers in Stockholm, but when we get there I will be re-iterating this look for sure.

Red will keep be going hard this season and I’m all for it. Let’s keep wearing our red sweaters even when they go “out of style”, yeah? We’re mindful shoppers. I’m very into the sportiness of the jacket, with what looks like a nylon type of fabric and aa drawstring hood. Again, the hair fits this look really well (and I’m sure many of us will be rocking the slickback look this spring). Red on red on red? It’s a yes from me.

This is less of a look and more of… a dress. The drape, the fabric and the shade of pink all feel fresh yet like something that’s quite wearable. I would have liked to see this with one of those leather funnel-neck jackets for an early spring look. Arket has had a yucky warm shade of pink going for some time that is NOT my cup of tea, so I’m happy they decided to go more blush with this one.

What didn’t work (for me)

This one is so close to working, because I like the pieces separately. But it just misses the mark slightly, unfortunately. The dress is lovely, but I don’t think it’s very wearable due to the detailing and the length. It would make a cute rehearsal dinner though for someone who likes showing off their legs. The pants aren’t slim enough at the top to fit nicely underneath a dress, and the skirt of the dress is too straight to fit nicely over pants. What happened here? The shoes also disappear into the pants. A sandal (or just a different colour shoe) would have made a huge difference.

This is a mess. I’m sorry, but it is. This is obviously the same dress as above but with black (?) accessories? I’m really curious as to why they made that call because it comes across as a) too harsh of a contrast to be chill, which I personally believe is one of Arket’s 3 words and b) not giving a spring/summer vibe in the slightest. The height of the sock shoe cuts the leg at an awkward height, which is then made worse by the asymmetrical hem of the skirt. The way the dress is dragging across the floor makes me think it would do the same over the slushy streets of Stockholm and that, my friend, is not fetch. Why didn’t they lean into the sporty vibe and pair this dress with the Puma Mostro they have on the site? Or the zebra ankle boots? Or even the black mary-janes?

Why didn’t they just let style this outfit? I feel like the ingredients one by one are pretty solid, but they just don’t come together in an effortless way. The blazer is too long for the pants, and the whole outfit is too heavy to end with a pair of mesh (?) sock boots. They even threw in a brooch for good measure.

I’m personally not a fan of the short-sleeve balloon arm thing going on here, so maybe that’s what’s throwing me off but isn’t this just quite boring? They tried going for and ll black outfit with texture, but the fit doesn’t feel intentional in either the shirt or the pants. An even wider top or an even chiller pant would have conveyed the look for thoroughly. Feels like they just threw in that bag to get a photo with it, as it doesn’t match the vibe of any of the other pieces. Where is this woman going? (Nowhere, that’s where).

That was my hot take on the Arket SS26 lookbook - come back soon agin for more styling rants. I hope no stylists were hurt in the making of this post, it’s all said with wink. But yeah, step up Arket.

The last time I did this was in December 2024, and that time I also had the intention of doing this exact thing with all categories of clothing in my closet. That is still my intention and I intend on keeping it this time around. There’s something so satisfying about actually trying your clothes on before deciding if they stay or go (pretty sure both and argue this as well) - and bonus, you can pretend you’re Carrie in that movie montage.

As I’ve previously mentioned, I’m doing the Rule of 5 this year. That means I can only buy 5 new pieces of clothing during all of 2026. Some say to not include accessories, including shoes and bags, but that would be far too easy for me as I’m a shoe-o-holic. So what I’m not counting are things like underwear, socks and perhaps accessories like belts and sunglasses (which I never buy anyways). I do think I’ll allow the 7 secondhand items that are often added on top of the 5 new items, just because I’m having a bit of an existential crisis this year I’ve truly landed in my style this year and clothes are one of my biggest hobbies and sources of creativity. So, full disclosure, I have bought 5 pairs of denim that I wanted to try on with my own clothes to decide which to keep. But first, the ones already in my closet.

From slouchiest to slimmest…

• Weekday, Float

I remember getting these after seeing a pair of really slouchy pants on about 7 (?) years ago. They’ve really served their time in my closet because I’ve used them endlessly, both winter and summer. The cost per wear is practically zero at this point. I especially like them in summer with a more naked shoe. I haven’t used them a lot this winter though, and I’m not feeling super into them… Am I over the slouchy era? Funny thing is I thought these were barrel when I bought them.

• Lindex (Thrifted)

These feel like sweatpants, seriously. I don’t know if they have a cotton blend or if they’ve just been well-loved since someone owned them before I did but they’re like butter against my skin. They’re not the most flattering, I’ll admit, but they give a nod to low-slung 00’s jeans without reading too much Nicole Richie in Simple Life - and I love them in the summer as they’re really light and slouchy.

• Weekday, Ace

These were my favourite pair for a really long time and they do have a great width to them, but there is something about the way they make my backside look that just is not flattering. I didn’t include a photo here, but think looong. Again, they’re super comfortable but they don’t really make me feel great anymore. I just rarely reach for them? They do look pretty great in these photos, but there’s just an off vibe.

• Free People, Good Luck

I got these in LA and used them every. single. day. I know some are already over the barrel shape but I feel like I’ll never be over these jeans. I’m obsessed with the apple green colour (more vibrant IRL) and they make me feel like the coolest, chillest, hottest surfer girl in Venice Beach. They’re really tough to style in the winter though because I don’t like them with my Blundstones or my Uggs. Any suggestions?

• Levi’s, 506

I don’t know if I can admit this but these are technically stolen. (If you want the full story, comment THIEF in the comments). They’re pretty good and I like the idea of them, and with the little styling hack that I learned from the fit well in the waist, but they’re also slightly underwhelming every time I put them on. I can’t really put it into words because I DO like them, but there’s a knee-pouf that I don’t appreciate.

• DNM7

I got these last year ON my birthday to wear out that same night and they felt really great and then they lost their shape and they never really regained it? I’ve done the same trick here so now they fit better, but do they give me a bit of a ~crotch~? I wish I could wear white denim in winter, but they’re completely ruined the second I go outside at the moment due to slush being flung upon my legs from my big, big dog.

• Levi’s, 501 (Vintage)

My best pair. No notes. Would like to buy a longer pair in the future, but these work in every season and every setting. Make my ass look bowchickawowow.

And now, the newcomers

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Have you ever had that one perfect pair of jeans that just slapped? (Term I learnt in LA, still trying it out). I remember going with my parents for the annual denim shopping at Gul&Blå in Stockholm, picking out the perfect pair of washed mid blue, low rise, bootcut jeans. I wore them to death, until the stovepipe came and washed us all away. Skin tight, light blue, stretchy, and aaalmost impossible to button. Then the high rise straight jeans (with a cuff). And finally, the final boss, I discovered the Levi’s 501. To be completely honest I initially got them because my friend -who’s style i was obsessed with- tried them on at a secondhand store and decided she didn’t want them. Oh, well let me just swoop in and grab them then. They were so tight they made my stomach hurt and my cameltoe pop but it didn’t matter - they were cool friend-approved and made my ass look incredible.

I still have those jeans and they’re my favourite pair, but it genuinely took about four years to break them in properly. And every time I wash them, which isn’t that often, they feel like cardboard the first time I wear them again. They’re a good shade of blue that is easy to dress both up and down, they don’t drag on the floor but hit right on the top of my foot when I’m wearing flats (which is always) and I often get compliments on them. But other than that, I fear i might’ve outgrown almost all of my other jeans.

Okay so this isn’t completely true because I have a pair of white jeans and a pair of grey jeans that I enjoy wearing, but that I don’t LOVE. I also have a pair of wider light blue jeans that look great in some angles, but again, don’t LOVE (you can see those here). And honestly, I’m kind of over wearing things I don’t feel great in. recently wrote about how she’s starting from scratch when it comes to her denim closet after her body has changed after pregnancy - and the main takeaway for me was that you should always start by trying on your favourite pair of jeans and compare the other ones to those. Because why would you want to wear something that feels okay, when you have something that feels Great?

Problem is, like previously stated, I only have one pair that feels Great. And that’s no way to live, so I am officially on the lookout for another pair in which I actually feel Great. As some of you might know, I am doing Rule of 5 this year though so I guess most of this year will be about identifying what I’m actually missing/wanting.

Wash

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Something else that feels nourishing right now is connecting to my 4 core values (my “authentic code” - crafted in my TBM work) which are Aesthetics, Connection, Movement and Freedom. These words carry specific, highly personal meaning for me and help me ground down whenever I’m feeling a bit lost. I’m still doing the stupid Pilates challenge (movement), making sure to reach out to at least one friend every day (connection), and lately I’ve also been putting on a fashion show on my TV in the background while I’m working/studying (aesthetics). I bought myself flowers yesterday. I made myself some delicious chocolate bliss balls. I’m meditating daily. I dance while I brush my teeth. Just little things that make me feel somewhere between 0.5–15% better, instantly.

This specific picture made me do two things:

1. Try the colour combo heather grey + yellow (loved it, and then wore it the next day too which solidified my love even further)

2. Add a black shoulder bag to my wishlist

Black has always been tricky for me. I know it’s everyone and their mother’s favourite colour – it’s a safety blanket for many, a staple, a uniform. But growing up with a mum and a grandmother who both avoided it like the plague, I kind of just assumed it wasn’t for me. Too harsh for my soft colouring, too aggressive for my feminine vibe, too… black. I considered myself someone who was destined to stick to navy and brown for neutrals, and that was that. Cut to: Toteme. By Malene Birger. Anine Bing. All these Scandinavian brands that I adored made black feel like a necessity. The foundation on which all coolness and elegance rests. Over time I’ve started incorporating more and more black in my closet and last year, made Blavy one of my favourite colour combinations for that pulled together-feel.

Okay this could become a whole post on its own (and might now that I think about it), but TLDR: I’m making friend with black. My dream bag is this one from Phoebe Philo (brought to my attention by Lizzie Hadfield). Luckily, showed me I can get the same vibe for a slightly more friendly price in this bag from Parker Thatch (also loving the nylon).

This week I also hung up some of my art above my sofa. It’s one of those things where I’m always like “why didn’t I do this sooner?”. I guess I’ve been putting off turning this apartment into a real home, or at least making those (semi-)permanent changes, because I was kind of hoping I’d be out of here sooner rather than later. But not allowing myself to make this home feel personal isn’t going to help my next home come faster. Probably the opposite if anything.

Earlier this week, I popped by Nitty Gritty (which is one of my favourite stores in Stockholm). I was walking outside by accident and I couldn’t resist the pull to go inside. I was kind of testing myself I guess, to see how it would feel to be surrounded by all of these beautiful pieces (ON SALE nonetheless) knowing I wasn’t shopping for anything. The (very very) mild version of an alcoholic visiting a bar?

I think I pulled about nine things from the sale racks and brought them with me to the changing room to try them on. There was lots of ooh-ing and aah-ing, stroking soft fabrics, checking price tags. The Adidas x Wales Bonner zip-up as well as the Barena Venezia wool jacket were screaming calling my name. But in all honesty, it was also really fun to just try something on without any pressure of deciding if/what to buy (read all about my Rule of 5 here). I knew I wasn’t leaving with anything, so I could fully lean into my fantasy of owning it all for about 20 minutes and then abandon the thought completely as my walk continued.

I just started reading The Catch by Yrsa Daley-Ward and it’s one of those books making me long for bedtime so I can keep reading. Making me think “goddammit, why didn’t I think of this storyline”. I love a book that is relatable and unapologetic at the same time, where the characters not only feel authentic, but almost unlikeable. The way you feel about yourself sometimes, like “come on bro, pull up your socks”. I have a dream of one day writing a book (and thanks to all the encouragement I’ve been receiving on turning my LA-story into a book, I just might haha) and when I do, Yrsa’s way of writing is definitely going to be a huge inspiration.

My iCloud is (obviously) full and the other day I wanted to channel my inner virgo (*erhm* ) so I went to delete a bunch of photos. Well, just as I had marked somewhere around 900 pictures, I clicked something. The pictures were still there. Just no longer marked. Back to square one.

Is anything perchance in retrograde?

I know it’s a long way to go until we get to actual, real spring. But at least we’re in February, baby! My birthday month. So if you want a reason to treat yourself or take yourself somewhere nice, you have my blessing *forehead kiss*.

I didn’t really post all that much this past week because I know we were all feeling sad and confused and stressed, but I hope this was enjoyable. And I have some plans for the upcoming weeks which I hope you’ll like.

Until then, take care x

January has turned out to be a real outfit-repeater month for me. Perhaps said it all when she wrote “Winter dressing is straightforward. It’s a sweater and pants and durable shoes and a coat that can fit it all under. Some people love it (winter dressing), some hate it.” (read post here).

That’s exactly what I’ve been wearing these past two months, with a small exception during the beginning of December which I spent in Los Angeles. I wouldn’t say I’m in the camp of hating it, but I definitely get bored. A false sense of never needing anything else but a minimal closet filled with said pants and sweaters starts to form, until I remember that the rest of my closet is great and fun and something I actually use from April to October. And so, I put on the same pants, the same sweaters, the same durable shoes and cry get on with my life. This is a pattern that repeats itself, year after year, and usually reaches its climax in January. After said climax I surrender back into the outfit formula (lol) that I’ve already been using for about two months and accept my fate (until a ray of sunshine randomly appears somewhere mid-April which makes me throw on an obscure dress of some kind, freezing my legs off for an entire day).

This year is only different on one account. I can’t brighten things up temporarily by shopping “investing in pieces” to add to my sweater/pant/coat collection without dragging each wishlist item through a rigorous thought-process to make sure it’s Rule of 5-worthy. So far, only one pair of pants have made it. And to be fair, I bought them before I had fully decided on my Rule of 5 year so I can’t say that purchase was as carefully planned as I can already tell the others will be. But I’m very happy with them and have already worn them 5 times in 24 days, which I think is definitely acceptable.

I’m noticing that I’m in a sort of liminal space. I googled the meaning of “liminal space” to make sure I was using it correctly and what came up said something about thresholds and “a dark school corridor at night”. Yes. That’s where I’m at. I recognize everything around me as familiar, yet it doesn’t feel like usual. Like it’s supposed to. I’m definitely standing at a threshold but I’m not sure where it leads. And as you can probably tell, this isn’t just about shopping. But it also is about shopping. I feel like I’ve broken up with shopping but I still have all the letters (receipts), the sensation of holding hands (clicking “Shop now”), the memories (the saved carts). I want to drunk text shopping on Friday nights, when I’m lonely on my couch and I’ve seen the entirety of what Netflix has to offer. Even though I know there’s something better out there for me, I can’t help but miss shopping.

I wish I could say “I’m sure this will pass” but I’m not. Maybe I’ll manage to do the Rule of 5 and then be so h*rny for shopping that I splurge my way through 2027. Or maybe I’ll just go back to how things were, no epiphany having been earned from doing this challenge whatsoever. I guess either of those options is fine, I still want to challenge myself to do it. But I guess I kind of wish breaking up with shopping (for 2026, at least) felt more monumental. More “rom-com montage of woman realizing the world is her oyster”. So far, there’s been a lot of confused looks from friends and family, and suppressing the urge to change the rules of the challenge to allow for more, well, shopping.

I do hope there’s a slight boost ahead of me, as I look forward to purchase number 2 assuming it will be something more spring/summer-y. Will it be something from my wishlist? Will it be an impulse purchase of some vintage piece that steals my heart unexpectedly? Like I said, this is about shopping and it’s not about shopping. Do with that what you will.

I recently asked some Substack friends/fashion writers for help on how to tackle doing a low buy, and if they had any advice on finding inspiration in your own closet in general. (You can find their answers here). The lovely went above and beyond and provided not only valuable insight on how to find one’s personal style, but also the specific checklist she runs a potential purchase through to make sure it’s closet-worthy. Read her answers here:

Have you tried a low buy? How would you approach it if you were to?

Yes! In fact, I’ve been trying to do that over the last few months. I quit my job a few months ago to build a fashion tech company, and I had to give up my regular income to do this. I’ll admit that I enjoy expressing myself through clothing, and I’m a big fan of retail therapy. So I’ve had to be a lot stricter with myself on this front.

This means that if I’m thinking about spending money on something, I ask myself the following:

• Do I see myself wearing it next year? Or is it just something I’m getting specifically for an event? If it’s just for one event (exceptions apply, of course), then I should probably not get it!

• Do I have anything like this in my wardrobe? If I do, then I should not get it.

• Does it actually look good in real life, or does it just look good because of the model wearing it on the website? What does it look like on other people? Will it look good on me? It’s one thing to see it on a model, or even in reviews. But if I could see it on someone with my proportions, that would be amazing. As someone who sucks at returning things, not getting something right the first time means it’ll most likely end up unloved in my closet—I hate the thought of this!

• Is it good quality? What’s it made of? If the materials aren’t great... is it really worth spending money on? I want to own things I can wear for years. Again, if there are reviews that can help verify this, that really helps.

• What can I wear this item with? If I can’t find multiple items in my wardrobe that I can pair with it, then the answer is probably no.

I do feel that if I restrict myself too much, I might end up revenge shopping later. I think a lot of it is also about being more informed about what you’re spending your money on.

Have you had any insights into how to find your personal style in order to shop more consciously and successfully?

I’ve been writing about this a lot on my Substack! It has really helped me understand my own personal style more. I wrote about how my style evolved last year, and how my clothes became a reflection of the changes I went through.

This kind of outfit diary has really helped me understand what I gravitate towards, what looks good on me and what doesn’t. Over the years, I’ve gotten better at not buying things just because they’re trendy. I want to buy things that feel true to my style, not just because they look good on a model.

For me, most pieces I buy tend to be classic, versatile core items that I can mix and match with other things. Then, once in a while, I will invest in stand-out pieces that can complete any outfit.

Oh and Jess is also working on a GENIUS fashion app which I’ve had the pleasure of being one of the first people to try out and let me tell you, it’s so damn smart. You won’t want to snooze on this one.

Do you love or hate winter dressing? Have you ever boken up with shopping, or a boy any other habit for that matter, and found yourself in the liminal space?

Until next time x

Maybe you’ve heard already, but I’ve committed to Rule of 5 this year. I’m quite honestly already doubting my ability to go through with it, seeing as I have a perfect wool coat in my cart, chatted to about buying the winter boots and tried to sneak in an asterisk where I could maybe do replacements? Luckily, and some other smart ladies quickly called me out on my bullshit. Food goodness sake, it’s only one year? 12 months?

I am chalking this all up to a sort of “adjustment period”. And to be fair, I am kind of starting this challenge at the hardest part of the year (at least for me). This grey weather is far from inspiring, which is usually a good enough excuse for me to look to the sales for some fake dopamine. People around me (and online) are showing up in their new pieces, giving tips on what to look for, click on, invest in, stock up on.

As a sort of meditation, and an emotional reset to my challenge, I went through the tips I received on the exact opposite side of the shopping spectrum: how to shop LESS (read it here). I whittled it down to 12 tangible takeaways that will be my guide posts fo this upcoming year. I’m seriously considering writing them on a piece of paper and sticking it in my wardrobe. Maybe even making it my screensaver?

1. Less screen time.

This gold nugget came from and deserved first place in these 12 commandments. It speaks for itself but it’s easy to forget that looking at my small/medium/large screen is often just making me crave things I don’t actually need. Just today, scrolling though Instagram (I’m back, baby)(for now) I felt like I needed a lip stain, a new bra, an infrared sauna blanket, a new handbag and a baby. Before scrolling I didn’t have a strong urge to have any of those things. So, less screen time.

2. Discerning between inspiration and personal style.

really put her finger on something I’ve been trying to decipher for years. All those Pinterest boards with pictures upon pictures of beautiful outfits - yet, some of them just never felt quite right when I tried to replicate them. Because they weren’t my style. Inspiring, yes. For me, no.

3. Unsubscribe from marketing emails.

This one is self-explanatory, and something I’m doing daily. Who knew I was subscribed to so many lists?

4. Get real-life inspiration.

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To everyone else, hi! How are you? What have you been waxing lately?

Earlier this week, I posted about my Rule of 5 I’m doing this year and what advice some of my favourite fashion writers had for me (read it here). I’m actually really glad so many of you resonated with this post, because “Rule of x” or not, we all know we should be taking a long hard look at our consumption. It’s not about shaming ourselves (or others), but rather acknowledging that shopping is often emotional and/or done without enough consideration. I can only imagine how easy it is to say yes to receiving gifts from brands - you’re telling me I can shop without spending any money?? (I’m not there lol). But whether it’s to lessen clutter, save some money, be kinder on the environment, or all of the above, it feels really great to be more intentional about anything that is welcomed into your home.

Something else I’ve already found extremely satisfying is taking care of my clothes. I know, ground-breaking. But it DOES feel like shopping your own closet. Steaming, ironing, de-pilling? Ugh, so hot. The clothes just all of a sudden have a sort of sex-appeal. Like you meet for the first time again and can’t wait to introduce this perfect white shirt/knitted cardigan/straight leg denim to your besties the rest of your closet. Oh and I’ve already bought the first of my 5!! The first golden ticket went to a perfect pair of oversized straight-leg grey pinstripe pants from Ich Bin Ein Bornholmer - a fantastic brand by the incredible Flemming whom my sister has befriended on, well, Bornholm.

Here’s my entire wishlist, if you’re curious.

I’m obsessed with these Youtube videos. I put one on whenever I’m just pottering around my apartment, getting ready, studying or writing. I’m obsessed with the old man that keeps me company and the fact that the songs blend into one another AND that they’re all about espresso.

Speaking of Youtube, I’ve started doing this year’s Pilates by Izzy 25 day challenge. HOLY SMOKES. It’s so much harder than last year’s and there is so. much. planking. I’m powering through but in all honesty I prefer the 2025 version, and will be going back to that after these 25 days are over. Is anyone else doing it, or curious to try? (Probably not after me promoting it so positively lol).

I finally got myself a LED mask (it was like $20 on Vinted, why didn’t I do this earlier?). I’m really curious to see if it makes any difference mostly to the hormonal acne that pops up around my period or when I’m stressed (aka daily), as well as just overall brightening/tightening. I really want to believe all the people raving about them but there is something within me that is highly sceptical that lights with different colours can change the structure of my skin. Science is crazy. Are you using one and has it done anything for you?

Full transparency: I’m SO SICK of this weather. I don’t want to be negative. I don’t want to be this basic. I don’t want to yuck someone else’s yum. I don’t want to let the weather affect me to this degree. But I can’t help it. I wake up sad and I feel my shoulders tense up every time I zip up my down jacket, put on my slush-proof boots, wrap my scarf even tighter around my neck. I crave the sunshine, the warmth, waking up to a day that feels bright and inviting. My whole body is telling me I need to relocate, but unfortunately it’s not that easy. I am however fully convinced that Sweden will not be my forever home.

I recently picked my pens back up and started illustrating. I’m not ready to share anything yet (and I’m not necessarily doing it to share) but it feels really great. I sometimes get caught up in looking for inspiration, leaving the actual creating to be done at some other time, some other day. Some may say it’s because we’re nearing the beginning of the Year of the Horse (a horse that has, and continues to be, beaten to death lol) but I can feel myself moving from intake to output. I am also soon ready to share more about the project my mum and I are woking on together, which is something I am incredibly proud of. Nervous yes, but excited beyond words.

I finished Margo! I really did enjoy it, but I honestly thought I would love it more than I did? There’s no regret in having read it at all, I’m glad I did. The characters felt believable, the storyline was fun and something new, the way the story switched between fist and third person created a perfect balance between intimacy and distance between the reader (me!) and Margo. I could see myself in her, in her father, in Suzie, in the CPS woman even. But I just wish there would have been more flair? A more satisfying ending?

We’re reading Animal Farm by George Orwell for our next course and I can’t believe I’ve never read it? I started it last night because I couldn’t wait and whoa, you can just tell why some authors are considered Great. I obviously know the premise of the story and largely what happens, having had to sit through about 5–10 presentations in school where some lanky classmate described it with a voice that read “this is what Sparknotes said I should say”. But I’m still super excited to read it so no spoilers please!

Oh and you guys!! ’s book One & Only is available for pre-order and she’s even got a book tour going so if you’re in the US - make sure to go see her for me! I’ve obviously pre-ordered it already and can’t wait for it to appear in my mailbox, but since I’m in Sweden I’m hoping you guys can keep it in your pants until I’ve had the chance to read it too. Totally understand if you’re not though.

Ending off with a story that was hilarious after three glasses of wine in the moment, so I hope it brightens your day too. This Friday I was celebrating having completed yet another course at Uni with some classmates, and all of a sudden one of them pulls out a stick and poke set. I’m sure any zillenials can relate to the overwhelming sense of excitement that overtook my body at the chance of someone permanently etching something wobbly and asymmetrical into my skin. I felt alive! So, I promptly declared that anyone who wanted to enter the competition of getting the chance to mark my body had to submit an illustration of a sun (important thing to note is that sun in Swedish is SOL). One of my closest friends didn’t waste a second as she threw herself over a piece of scrap paper and starting working on her masterpiece. No one else seemed that eager to stick needles into my arm, so the rest of us kept pouring ourselves wine chatting away.

After about 20 minutes we were of course a little curious to see what masterpiece had been unfolding in the corner of the couch, where J had sat with razor-sharp focus. Luckily for us, she was ready to share. What followed was about 3 minutes of absolute silence, until one of our other friends finally said “that’s IT?” and we all fell into uncontrollable laughter. Not only was the drawing less of a drawing and more so two miniscule asymmetrical lines in the top corner of the paper, but instead of a SOL (sun), she had drawn a STOL (chair).

Now, why I would ever ask someone to permanently mark me with a chair is beyond me but I haven’t laughed that hard in months. So thank you J for that. I love you.