New Blog

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This is my new blog.

www.mmforsberg.com/blog

Paris: Made by hand

First off, this summer has been a whirlwind of adventure and I have savored it all.

There are so many pictures, addresses to quirky small cafes and shops, hiking routs in the swiss alps and where to have gelato in Milano.

At the moment I will skip all that, and take you away to Paris, a wonderfully romantic city I did not visit this summer, however I came across this petite book called "Paris made by hand" that was so lovely that I instantly ordered it on amazon. One day later it came in the mail.

It is a wonderful piece of art when it comes to things made by hand.

In the consumer world we live in, it is is refreshing to dive in to the world of artisans in Paris, who still make things by hand.

Do yourself a favor and order it today, so you can wake up tomorrow, make yourself a cup of tea and mind travel to the streets of Paris.

Have a great day, and I will be back with more on this summers adventures in a bit.

Summer Love

I found this short film today. It is too charming not to share with you. It is actually made from 4500 + still photographs. Shot with a Canon EOS 30 D camera. I will post more about my whirlwind summer of travels soon, but as for now, I think I need a moment.

New York, a page form my petite black book

I went on a mini break to New York for some weeks ago, and came across some truly great places to dine and shop thanks to my fashion designer friend... Mr Butler.

Here are some of the must visit places form my petite black book:

If you feel like Pizza, this is the place. It has a great Italian family run pizzeria style interior, and you are most likely not the only one to ask for a table, so call ahead.

Lombardi´s

32 Spring street

New York City 10012

Then... on a full stomack you want to get a haircut at a fantastic barber, trim the beard and pick out a perfect handmade suit from the hidden pearl of a mens store:

Freemans sporting club

8 Riverton East store front

New York

NY 10002

Ahhh, and then you have to swing by the restaurant at the back of this alley to reserve a dinner-table for 2 for a one of a kind experience later that night. They dont take reservations via phone, this is a place where personal engagement is appreciated:)

Have their triple cheese macaroni and dine in fromage heaven.

Freemans Restaurant

at the end of Freeman Alley, Rivington between The Bowery and Chrystie

New York

To kill time between barbershop and dinner at night.... head to the Met and soak up on some great art, drink a latté in Central Park while reading up on current global events, swing by the Apple store on 59th, and if you are lucky there will be a classical concert at the Gershwin hotel that is something not to be missed.

Thats it for now!

One more thing though.... if the Met feels to daunting to swing by in one afternoon, go to a petite and original contemporary, tribal and aboriginal art gallery that is a favorite of mine:

Gallery nine 5

24 Spring street

NY 10012

Greyhound

(photo by Bernice Abbott from:www.hackelbury.co.uk)

Tomorrow morning I will board the Greyhound that will host me for the next 68 hours across America´s vast landscape.

It will be nice to leave for a mini break. I am assuming the phone will die after a day or so, and without internet , there really is nothing left but your own thoughts accompanied by a chosen soundtrack on the ipod, and the occasional interruption of a talkative person who feels like sharing their life story.

I believe I will rather enjoy the pause from my life.

Upon arrival In New York on Tuesday the feeling might have changed ever so slightly. 

Time will tell.

Moab

There is a place in the south east of Utah state in the US that is quite incredible. It is a national park full of amazing natural arches, balancing pillars of rocks and a horizon line to die for. 

It seems to be heaven for rock climbers, bikers and other outdoor lovers. 

For me it was other worldly magical. 

The red rocks against the blue sky. 

The thousands of stars that covered the black sky at night, the warm powder-like sand, and the fact that thousands and thousands of miles from home you can get Swedish pancakes with Lingonberry in the middle of no-where.

I believe the Scandinavians has influenced the world in the same way McDonald's has. In the most surprising God forgotten places on the planet, scandinavian food, Viking helmets or pictures of beautiful swedish girls pop up in the same way the golden arches does.

 Luckily there was no sign of a McDonald´s in Moab, only the swedish pancakes.  So while taking in the beauty of this place, and planning  your next hike, bike-ride or climb, fill up the food tank on this little cafe on main street.

Jailhouse Cafe

101 North Main Street

Moab, Utah 84532

Workstation

Many of us have a place where our creative juices can flow. My mother for instance has a little bench with a bar chair in the laundry room where she creates poems, costumes and has a fantastic mood board. But then again her laundry room has tile stone floor, windows from floor to ceiling with the view of the garden and the sunrise. It is the most light filled room in the house. I on the other tend to make my work stations look quite the same no matter where in the world I am. It is here I write my stories, work on my next collection and daydream. I wanted to label the place I work and spend most of my days, so I stole the label "Workstation" from a great friend I used to spend much time with. So here it is, the place where I "live".

USA

Norway

Women's Day!

...because in Norway, the 8th of March is Women´s Day, and this petite book should be read at some point in the life of all women out there. 

Nothing mindblowingly deep or profound, yet its the most delightful book out there on the most important topics of a woman's life. 

Simply, 

eat, 

pray 

and love, 

and 

you will be alright.

New York New York

On my way back to Utah In January, after having spent Christmas in Europe, I had one whirlwind of a stop in New York.

Here are some musts from my little black book:

Eat!

MoMoFuKu

Noodlebar

171 first ave. nyc 10003 | btwn 10th & 11th

http://www.momofuku.com

Republic

Restaurant, bar, noodles

37 Union Square West, New York.

www.thinknoodles.com

Max Brenner

Chocolate by the bald man

Creating a new chocolate culture in the world.

Union square, 841 Broadway

&

East Village, 141 2nd Avenue

www.maxbrenner.com

(Picture from New York Magazine)

Want to read more about this place?

http://nymag.com/restaurants/reviews/underground/19680/

Walking through the streets of Milano.

Oh, to be an Italian garbage bin.

No one does litter like the Italians. 

I saw this bursting garbage bin on a random sidewalk, on one of my early AM walks through Milano this Christmas. I had to smile. Because let´s face it, if you are a garbage bin carrying all kinds of disgusting trash in your embrace all your life, then I think being filled with empty San Pellegrino bottles, that might or might not have a red lipstic smudge on it from a passing Sophia Loren, would bring you garbage heaven dont you think?

Just a thought...

These pictures are just random shots from Milano on one bleak winter morning. 

A beautiful haze of gray dimmed the city lights, and made my meander quite otherworldly.

Nothing, grand, nothing big, just a morning stroll amongst genuine, and not so genuine expressions of art.

Il Duomo. 

Majestic, and engulfed in mystery. 

No matter how many times I visit her, she never seizes to impress me. 

She possesses an allure of mystique and beauty that always gives me the chills.

On these mornings, I always pay the many basilicas and churches a visit. 

They are many. They are beautiful.  And they are filled with incense, frescos', mosaics, paintings, ornaments, sculptures, and locals. 

They are all worth a visit to indulge in art, contemplation, and pure amusing observation of the local milanese.

Beautiful details from a wall outside a basilica.

It´s hard to capture the bleak winter light of Milano that was perfect for my little morning stroll. Nevertheless, those strolls are what I love the most about traveling. No tour-guide, no maps, no stress, no agenda, just the city and you. 

And the best part..... at the end of the stroll there is always a bar to indulge in a cappuccino or two.

Buon Viaggo!

Winter Wonderland

When I was a little girl, we used to go cross country skiing by our cabin up in the mountains during the winter months. For sentimental reasons, I am posting some images from our cabin in Trysil in Norway, and how we looked back in the days when pastels were the color to sport regardless of the season.

My dad on top of a mountain, taking in the vista.

Our family, minus my beloved sister at Langkjølen, post snacking of orange, hot chocolate, and some old candy from a pocket in moms skiing jacket.

Mom and I poking our heads out of the main door of the old cabin one early morning.

Now, if you happen to be in Norway and you want to experience the wonderful snow. You have many skiing resorts that are worth checking out. 

Here my two suggestions:

For skiing and afterparty try Hemsedal

www.hemsedal.com

www.virtualtrysil.com

However, I prefer Trysil resort, for its grandeur, beautiful landscape and because of its close vicinity to small towns where you still can experience the traditional Norwegian atmosphere.

Next time you are heading to Switzerland to go skiing, try Norway instead, and fall in love.....  I know you will..

cool travel guide: Breakfast in bed and the romance of train travel revisited

cool travel guide: Breakfast in bed and the romance of train travel revisited

Ladurée

There is this little tea salon in Paris that I am dying to swing by this Saturday afternoon. As a friend of mine and I agreed a while ago, everyone needs a little naughty weekend in Paris from time to time. When on this naughty weekend in Paris, remember to swing by this family owned tea salon founded in 1862 called Ladurée for some macaroons in all the colors of the rainbow.

Not only is this pastry shop legendary, and oh-so-good, but the artwork on the walls and on the ceiling is done by the turn of the century painter Jules Cheret making it an art salon ready to seduce the senses.

http://www.laduree.fr/

So when you happen to be in Paris on a perfectly naughty weekend.... do dress up in the chic Parisian way, and let yourself be seduced.

Restaurants in Milan

Here is a petite page from my little black book in regards to a handful great spots for taking a bite in Milan.

Zero Due

Via Cucchiari Domenico, 20

20155 Milano (MI), Italy

+39 02 34592676‎

I dont have a picture from this one, but think Italian gourmet in a setting of old basilica type interior with a hyper modern transparent glass floor.

Fabbrica Pizzeria 

con cucina

Viale Pasubio 2

Milano, Italy

+ 39 02 6552771

 Here is their link:

www lafabbricapizzeria.it

For a slice of Milan all to yourself, go to Vittorio Emanuele. 

Try Auto Grill despite its unappetizing name, on the third floor. 

Order Risotto Milanese and sit by the window with your own personal view of The Duomo.

 I do this every time I am in Milan. 

It is a must.

The absolute hottest bakery in Milan right now, without skimping on flavor. I always swing by this modern haven of traditional goods.

Princi

Here is the link with addresses and directions:

http://www.princi.it/

If you happen to be there for your early morning Cappuccino, the bakers are doing their thing right in front of you with

only a separation of a stylish glass wall.

Enjoy!

Magazines

 Übercool magazines that will make you´re toes tingle with excitement for each edition.

Il Café

Emporio Armani Café

P.ta Croce Rossa 2

20121 Milano

Just because you can....

Architectural snack

The Opera house in Oslo by night...

This is the view from the Opera entrance with the lights bouncing off the water making it a bit magical.

The roof is built like a mountain side, with steep edgy sides. When on top a view of the capital enfolds and is quite breathtaking for a proud Norwegian to behold.

The city mirrors its face in the glass walls of the building. 

The structure of the inside is of wood, while the floor and basic ground floor being in marble. The contrast are stark and giving it all a futuristic silhouette. 

When in Oslo this is a must see, giving you quite the introduction to the small yet beautiful capital of Norway.

Milan part one

Milan is truly a shopping Mecca like no other. The city and its inhabitants oooz style and fail any attempt to not seem all stylish. So here is a stylish list over "miss-me-not" things in Milan for all the senses.

Corso Como

We might as well start at the top. This secluded place in Corso Como just 3 min metro ride from the very center of Milan offers all you need to feel alive, cultured, relaxed, sooo stylish, and a dash of intellectual.

http://www.10corsocomo.com/

It used to be the "IT" place for the über fashion pack of Europe, with its perfectly provoking, ahead of the crowd and deliciously fashionable store of the latest Prada, Balenciaga and Hussein Chalayan and much, much more. I must admit that I felt a tad overwhelmed with delightful emotions when I touch a impeccably beautiful floor-length creme colored dress by Vionnet, the first collection after the french fashion house reopened with Sophia Kokosolaki as its head designer.

Then there is the gallery. This month, May, they have two exhibitions. Families around the world and war shots form a handful very skilled photographers.

So after some shopping that will totally empty any well filled bank account, hit the gallery, the incredible bookstore on the second floor. Then relax the rest of the evening under the stars in the back yard lounge and restaurant where the mandatory bread is replaced with chocolate covered apricots.

Vittorio Emanuele

Ok, so I just had to toss this logo in here. Humor me, for one cannot go to Italy without allowing oneself to enjoy at least a visual of a Prada. Right next to the famous Duomo in the city center you will find the most exquisite shopping mall ever!

If you have ever been to a mall, abandon that image of a tasteless food-court, mainstream brands not to mention the tasteless and destructive to the esthetic eye kinda architecture. Vittorio Emanuele is something completely different. Prepare to actually for a moment forget that you are there for the shops and catch yourself staring at the ceiling, the mosaic on the floor, the sculptures and.... wait for it.... while the scenery is breathtaking like an italian art museum, the stores very high end, what really caught my eye was the aged whit-bearded man that was an onlooker from a secluded corner.

I wonder what he is thinking....watching all the buzz from a distance..

More to come....