Mama Shelter, an inspiring and entertaining hotel in Paris. Always something to look at, read or games to play. We never actually took the time to do either of this while there. Paris is a big city with many corners and alleys to check out, so no time playing boardgames. The hotel is designed by the designer Philipe Starck. It’s very playful done, and the place is full of small funny details. The roof at the toilets has a small TV showing old french movies, face masks are hanging over light bulbs in your room and the tables in the pizzeria has got boardgames painted on them. At the weekend there is live music or Djs playing. I do recommend this place!

The place to go to get starstruck in Paris. This place didn’t disappoint. We could keep half an eye on the most beautiful macaron I have ever seen, and the other on Leonardo Di Caprio. The place had a chilled atmosphere despite the chandeliers and velvet velour chairs. You can pop in here for a cup of tea, champagne, lunch or dinner.

www.hotelcostes.com

Paris was as expected beautiful and overwhelming! Loved the wide streets, stunning architecture and lots of small bakeries and cakeshops. The first morning there, my sister and I stumbled across this local market. Here the locals were showing up early to get meat, vegetables, artichokes, beautiful cheeses, seafood and flowers. All needed for the weekend. The closest metro to this would be Porte de Bagnolet. It’s located on Rue de Bagnolet.

The winter is still here in Norway. I must admit that it would be nice to not see too much more of it now. I’m ready for spring! But, when you wake up to this view it’s quite ok! This is out on the countryside, just outside of Lillehammer 6.30 on Saturday morning.

Ålesund, my hometown and one of the most beautiful towns in Norway. The weather is always a bit unruly, but somehow it’s something a bit charming with that as well. Like seeking shelter inside at one of the small local cafes, “Trankokeriet” when the storm is riding of. This little place is also full of antique and second hand treasures. I left there bringing with me some glass milk bottles, a wooden case and a few vintage suitcases.

Trankokeriet Antikk
Moloveien 16 b
6004 Ålesund

Trysil is the place for white snow, blue skies and endless ski tracks. Just came back from a weekend there and feel all relaxed out. I’m Ready to start a new week in Oslo while I will dream back to this place! I kept seeing the old style “Spark” everywhere and got very fascinated by them. I used to have one as a kid and you can get around really fast with them if it’s the right conditions for it. Quite practical when you are going to the shop.

Nor Toma on her way back to work after a quick stop at Beyond Retro

Nice girl at 6/5/4, a surf and clothes shop

Quida at Beyond Retro

SoFo is one of the places I totally felt in love with while spending just a few days in Stockholm. SoFo is a part of Sødermalm, and is the place for cool vintage shops, cafes and restaurants. It has an industrial feel, and for a few hours there it felt like being back in the urban streets of Melbourne. You can tell that the people you meet here love this place as well.

Another charming town with alleys, bikes, cafes and colorful houses in Denmark. Some of the houses are from the 1500s to 1800s. Well worth a stop if you a driving past or coming in with the ferry from Sweden.

After a couple of days in Copenhagen we drove north to this beautiful small town on the coast of Denmark. It was peaceful and magical at this time of the year. In the summertime Hornbæk is a popular beach town. In the wintertime the small houses looks like taken out from a fairytale! Thanks Karoline and Håkon for sharing this place with us!

Happy New Year everyone! 2011 is here and we got another year ahead! This year started in Danmark! I love to get inspired by the many small cafes, shops, shelves filled with organic food and endlessly cool bikes to take photos of. Now back in Oslo after cleaning the flat, organising the wardrobe and two hours at the gym today I feel ready to start a New Year!