I 'Heart' Paper Lighting

In all the time we have been in our house the one thing that we haven't ever really tackled were our hardly bright enough, light fittings. We have lurched from one Ikea lamp to another, always complaining about the house being too dark, especially during the endless winters, yet never feeling decisive enough to invest in a stunning Danish design icon to hang in the window. Mostly because we still live with the "what if the children damage it with a Nerf/football/marble/elbow/conker" etc etc but also because it has taken me a while to feel confident enough to embrace my own style. Thanks to my Pinterest addiction and a general absorption of Danish design I am very happily trailing my way through the auction houses and second hand websites in my search for furniture that not only fits our lives but that tells a story too.

Yet the lights remain a problem. I haven't yet bought any second hand lighting, the thought of rewiring puts me off purchasing too good of a bargain. So this week feeling in need of a creative challenge to distract me from the school holiday's I set about recycling a very standard Ikea paper globe shade.

All it took was one old book, a left over from the Paper Flower Wreath. A fully loaded hot glue gun and a large heart punch that I had ordered to use for my wedding decorations. The rest was simple really and just took a little patience on my behalf and perhaps slightly more from the boys. They actually helped too, taking it in turns to punch out the pages from the book as and when we ran out.

The boys and I were so excited by the finished product, we all totally love it and had to take it in turns to switch it on and off. It looks ever so slightly reminiscent of the iconic Danish PH Artichoke but done completely in our own way with our own story. In fact we loved it so much that the very next day we turned the hearts upside down and covered our very dilapidated corner lamp too.

There is just one dimly lit problem to our new lighting art works, they are indeed more work of art than lighting. We still need new light fittings in order for us to be able to appreciate the now beautiful old ones.

A Wreath of Knowledge and Friendship

I have often wished that I had been born with a rather more practical brain rather than a creative one. That it would have been possible for me to go to university and study to become a doctor, without looking at the hospital gowns, thinking what could be done to make them more fashionable. Or to have been a lawyer and memorize all the facts and fight for the rights of those that can't, but again, those gowns and oh the possibilities. I quietly envy those that can.

But I have had to accept that I am me and in doing so have learned to embrace my creative brain. I really need to make things, to shape things, to renovate things and to craft things. Not a day goes past where I haven't felt a need to express myself. The ones that do are often challenging and frustrating, like a runner who cannot run. Hence the copious amounts of baked goods I concentrate on from time to time. Relatively quick, fun to decorate, good to eat. Except that a rabbit shaped biscuit is not going to get the jobs done. A rabbit shaped biscuit cannot go to work and help someone. Rabbit shaped biscuits look pretty but eat too many and....  It feels quite self indulgent to spend a day on myself, lost in my thoughts, paint brush in hand. My husband goes to work and works very hard and I feel guilty that I am not contributing finanically. Which is partly why the list of things I'd like to make gets ever longer, as I do not allow myself the time to start something that can take hours to finish.

I find it much easier to allow myself to make such projects if they are for other people. Hence why I am so excited about this beautiful wreath. I first saw the idea on Pinterest many moons ago and thought I would like to try making one myself. It got added to the pile of 'must do's when everyone is away and all the washing is done' in my brain, alongside the revamped dining room table and used pallet coffee table. That is till couple of weeks ago. A friend posted on Facebook about paying it forward and a promise to send a gift to the first five people who commented on her status. I commented and in turn reposted. Five people wrote on my status and here I am two weeks later having completed gift number one.

I took a wreath from the local art shop, a copy of Sophie's World, whose pages were ever so slightly aged and a hot glue gun. Blogger By Stephanie Lynn, the creator of the original I saw on Pinterest, wrapped her wreath in pages from the book. This is in case there were gaps in the flowers and once done, away I went. I modified the instructions slightly and used a page per flower, tearing the page from the book, folding it in half and cutting a circle. Then I spiraled the circle and started building a flower from the centre of the spiral outwards.

The wreath took a long time and is the result of several dedicated evenings on my own while my husband was traveling, so if you want to try yourself prepare to give it some quality time. In fact, I used the entire copy of Sophie's World and had to move on to Kerouac to finish the wreath, read what you will into that literary combination.

Now, my wreath may not win the nobel prize nor predict the weather for February, but I am very pleased with it. It will soon be with it's new owner here in Copenhagen. Our pages may not be aged just yet, but the story we created went full circle and it is my gift to her in recognition of all the hours we spent together and the invaluable knowledge I gained from doing so.

Ten Books for Christmas

There is a downside to having an extended, late summer holiday, I was drifting quite happily along adjusting to autumn until I realised we could begin our chocolate Christmas calenders this week, the ones I have yet to buy. I can already see a shortage of star shaped window lights in Ikea and I was hugely amused by the life sized bark reindeers that appeared out of the dark at my side one evening when I popped in to buy milk from our local store. Tis indeed now the season to be jolly and I ought to make a call to the elves of organisation.
Thankfully I have found some really wonderful shops here in Copenhagen in which to purchase special something's for many special someone's and I shall start doing so in ernest this week.  Today though I would like to share some gift ideas from my most favourite shop of all. Books and Company in Hellerup.

A Christmas Carol and other Christmas Writings.
Charles Dickens.
A wonderful Christmas story for children beautifully presented in a hardback fabric book. An instant classic that will feel at home on the bookshelf throughout the years.
The Giant Play and Learn Book,
Pascale Estellon
A personal favourite of mine, This book given along with a pack of colour pencils, a glue stick and a pair of scissors from Father Christmas almost guarantees a lie-in as the lucky recipient sets straight to work with this highly interactive book.
Jamie's Great Britain,
This time Jamie Oliver goes local, bringing recipes from the lengths of the UK. There are some delicious dishes that need to be created and enjoyed, going a long way to re-establish the reputation of real British food.
Storyteller, The Life of Roald Dahl and Going Solo.
This biography of Roald Dahl was my holiday reading and I was so consumed by his life that I felt quite bereft when I finished. I felt very inspired by the great Norwegian, he used his life for living and experiencing. The timeless children's novel's that he wrote at the end of his writing career remain close to the hearts of many and are of course a must for any child.
Scandilicious
Signe Johansen
This is a recipe book written by a fellow blogger following on from the huge success of her Scandilicious website. Written in English and  packed full of Scandinavian flavours this is one of my favourite recipe books at the moment. I shall revisit this book after Christmas and share some treasures with you.
Atlas of Remote Islands...50 Islands I have not visited and never will
Judith Schalansky
The moment I saw this book it was love at first sight, I would happily enjoy it without even opening the beautiful pages to read a single line. I think it is me in a book. Yet, when I did open it up, I was instantly hooked by these far away lands and their stories. A definite must for me and a copy for my Father.
The Bippolo Seed and other lost Stories
Dr Seuss
My five year old has this and it has been our bedtime story for weeks now. Great to read to children over and over again which is, quite frankly very important when the twentieth reading looms large.
Nordic Bakery Cookbook
Miisa Mink
I bought this book in the summer and found recipes that are now as familiar as good friends. The soft cinnamon buns are my children's favourite and I love the smell in the house as the soft spiced dough grows expectantly in the oven oozing its sweet cinnamon filling. The savoury pies are also good and certainly use the easiest pastry recipe I have found so far, a wonderful exploration into Scandinavian cookery.
Hans J Wegner
Danish design, a great gift for anyone with an interest or indeed a connection to Denmark.
Christmas cards by Prickle Press
Printed and forest friendly, these cards are beautifully simple, feel amazing and emanate Christmas wishes. Buy in singles or packs.

These are just a few of my recommendations, we photographed many more but I recommend finding an hour in the day to go and spend some time browsing with a cup of coffee. I will certainly buy some books for my loved ones, I just hope I can resist the life sized reindeer next time I need to buy milk.
All books can be purchased in store or ordered  over the phone, please see the link for contact information.
www.booksandcompany.dk
This post is for our dear friend far away, who is with us in good wishes whilst experiencing a Christmas season in an altogether different culture and climate.
A little bit of a Books and Company Christmas for you xx

Books and Company

When I moved to Copenhagen in 2008, I wondered how long it would take me to feel at home here. At times it felt like an impossible challenge and I think it took a good year to really begin to feel the process was under way and an easier familiarity with the cycle of Danish life had begun. Certainly enough time to experience the four seasons and the change of lifestyle that each brings in terms of what we can use and enjoy here.
It wasn't until late 2009 that I was lucky to enough to find my 'home from home', a place I can visit at any point and instantly feel as welcome and as comfortable as I do in the home I have created with my family. That place is Books and Company, a friendly and inviting bookshop in central Hellerup, it is for me, the heart of my Ex Pat community. Situated within ten minutes of the two main International Schools and a five minute walk from Hellerup train Station, Books and Company has become a meeting place for both Ex Pats and of course resident Danes.

Isabella, the owner of Books and Company, has built a warm and friendly team who quickly welcome old faces and new. I often pop into the shop during my working week having dropped my children off at school and prior to returning home to the quiet routine of keeping house.Those early morning cups of coffee are my favourite of the day as not only is it genuinely great coffee but I am certain to bump into someone familiar with whom I can catch up and share conversation. Vital when the next few hours will be spent with a charming but conversationally restricted toddler. Sometimes I will see many friends but in the moments when it is quiet, I find the perfect space to step away from the stresses of life.

As for the books and magazines, you will find an incredible selection of publications immaculately presented and updated constantly, it is frighteningly easy to walk away with a book for all occasions. Isabella has an excellent selection of children's books too with some treasured memories of my own childhood reading tucked in alongside The Gruffalo and his friends. New magazines are delivered each week and you can always find an English language paper on hand to peruse whilst sipping your drink in the rear of the store.
 The discreet layout of Books and Company has obviously been well thought through and completely lends itself to creating a versatile space that adapts well to customer needs. (You shouldn't miss the toilet either, it has the best wallpaper out of any convenience in the city!) I must not over look the many 'extra curicular' activities too, chose from one of the original themed birthday parties available for your child. Or bring along your pre-schooler for an interactive story time. In the evenings Isabella holds events covering many subjects with some excellent speakers to inform and teach. Look out too for the gallery nights showcasing artist's work.

My children love the shop just as much as I do and I wait for the moment each day after I have scooped them up from school when they ask pleadingly if we can 'go to the bookshop, pleeease'. I am quite pleased that they do, what parent would be cross at a child who wishes to go to a book shop as a treat and besides it's possibly the only place that we all equally enjoy visiting. So I find myself there with all three at least one day a week after school. Once there they choose from the selection of cold drinks available then contentedly head round to the children's section which is bursting with stories to be shared. Okay, the toddler amongst us does not do that but there is plenty to entertain him until we recognise the glint in his eye that announces he is bored and ready to re-merchandise for Isabella.

If you are new to Copenhagen and feeling a little bit lost, make sure to take a visit. There is a very welcoming community and it starts right here.