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....

Honoring the dead and their guardian statues in Milano

When in Milan, Italy, weather you have a month, a week or just 24 hours, there is one place that is worth the visit above all the other places in town.

Cimitero Monumentale.

Traditionally it is were all the important and rich Milanese families were buried, and since we are in Italy of course nothing is done without a certain dose of style.

In Cimitero Monumentale the dead simply buried underground with their names carved in a rather sad stone is not an option. They are all honored with small castles, amazing statues and sculptures, with an oasis of flowers and lush trees casting their mysterious shadows around.

The catacombs, where the cremated are resting for all eternity, offer a tad more spooky light over the whole scene, but I hope the photo-gallery underneath will be able to capture some of the magnificent and a tad melancholic essence of this amazingly peaceful place.

http://www.monumentale.net/

The photographer in action.