Shopping

Sofo is the coolest shopping enclave in Södermalm, showcasing emerging Scandinavian labels.

When I was in Helsinki two years ago I came across this quintessentially Swedish label with the coolest name: 5th Avenue Shoe Repair. The collection is monochromatic with focus on intricate sartorial cuts. It looks extravagant and yet so portable.

I cannot finish this excursus of all Swedish-related things without mention of the home of all homes: IKEA. No need, of course, to pay a visit to this sanctuary of affordable home décor, but I cherry picked some of the classic must-haves for your convenience:

Clockwise from top: The ubiquitous DOCKSTA table, TIRUP swivel chair, IKEA Swedish meatballs and New Printed Fabrics.

Swedish Massage

I would spend the last morning of my trip in a SPA and indulge in a Swedish massage. Sturebadet is an historical SPA which hosted stars of the calibre of Greta Garbo.

If you prefer a more minimal environment, then Yasuragi is where you can spend Zen moments and receive a soothing treatment before boarding your flight home.

The Lady Behind

Originally Italian, AmicaCarmilla has been living in north-west London for too many years with her newly-wed English husband, who works with wines. Alongside her day job in professional publishing, she is an eager yogini with a passion for all sweet things in life: design, fashion, body, & soul, art, travels and funky life style. Her BLOG is a personal collection of quirky findings, all according to AmicaCarmilla’s taste and style. Blogging and reading blogs is indeed one of her favourite past-times. It procures her a vicarious enjoyment and the opportunity to share and love.

Text by Guest Contributor AmicaCarmilla, blogger since 2005. Catch her at www.amicacarmilla.blogspot.com.

Dining

Allmanna Galleriet 925 exudes a certain degree of shabby chic ambience. It is a restaurant, bar and club, all in once.

Sightseeing

I would happily get lost in the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan (the Old Town) and spend a substantial chunk of my time in the galleries and design shops of Skeppholmen, the Museum Island.

The visit would not be complete without a stroll in the up-and-coming district of Kungsholmen and amongst the cutting-edge boutiques and cafes of Södermalm.

If I had to pick one of Stockholm’s many islands, I would choose Djurgården. It is royal parkland, with open-air museums and galleries dotted about.

We continue next week with some shopping and sauna treats from AmicaCarmilla!

Text by Guest Contributor AmicaCarmilla, blogger since 2005. Catch her at www.amicacarmilla.blogspot.com.

Pop Culture

Before visiting a place, I like to immerse myself into its popular culture through films, art, design and food. It is a way of getting into the *globetrotting mode* and fully suck in the zest of it.

Aside one of the most acclaimed Swedish directors, Ingmar Bergman, I appreciate the work of Lasse Hallströmon Chocolat, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and, above all, Life as a Dog (photo above).

Together is a fun film by Lukas Moodysson exploring the messy dynamics of a modern commune. It is a film of *real feelings*, funny and sweet at once.

Scandinavian design is renowned world-wide. One of the reasons behind its popularity must be linked to the fact that cold climates make you productive and creative. I recently stumbled across this lush Swedish design magazine: Skona hem. If you want to take a peek at original Swedish houses, take a house tour around Swedish designer Benita Larsson‘s house. I also recommend a couple of eye-candy design blogs, rigorously made in Sweden: Emma Designblogg and Om Hoom Sthlm. 

Viaggi e Sapori is a food blog created by an Italian lady living in Stockholm and conveniently bilingual (Italian and English). She mainly cooks Italian cuisine, but every now and then she throws in delicious Swedish recipes, such as Yellow Pea Soup, Swedish Potatoes Gratin and Pyttipanna.

We continue next week with dining and some other surprises from AmicaCarmilla!

Text by Guest Contributor AmicaCarmilla, blogger since 2005. Catch her at www.amicacarmilla.blogspot.com.

Stockholmers have an incredible quality of never taking things too far. Whether it’s in design, architecture, fashion or catering, Swedes just seem to achieve the ideal balance. They’ve even got the perfect word for it, lagom, which means ‘just right’. -WALLPAPER

This description wraps up nicely the captivating duality of Stockholm: a cosmopolitan capital taking the foreign influences to heart while retaining self-awareness and Nordic coolness.

First of all, make sure you have a Wallpaper City Guide at hand. It is pocket-size, easy to flick through and at £4.95 inexpensive. I like how the blurb reads: "discreet so that you don’t feel like a tourist"—the worse nightmare of many city-trotters.

Where to stay 

If you feel nautical and wish a sea view, J Sealodge Gashaga is the place for you.

The ship hostel is a quirky alternative with the same ambience at affordable price. Its superb location on a central island and ecological breakfasts are a plus.

Alternatively, Birger Jar Hotel offers contemporary bedrooms, each created by a different local designer. I particularly like the bold prints of suite 621 designed by interior design company Svenskt Tenn.

What to pack

It is a cold country and rather freezing for more than half of the year. It is thus paramount that you keep warm as cold feet may affect the quality of your stay. Even though winter days are so short that you feel obliged to make the most of them, I personally find Nordic cities in the cold months authentically charming. So, assuming you will be visiting in the coming months, the question is: how to be warm while retaining that chic city look?

Snowflakes by Amicacarmilla featuring Dsquared2 accessories

You could take inspiration from the many street style blogs out there, or play safe and pack a technical gear that works also outside the ski runs.

Stockholm city Look by Amicacarmilla featuring Acne jeans

If it is not a minus degree temperature, this practical, vaguely nautical look, will do. We continue exploring Stockhom with AmicaCarmilla next week! Stay plugged!

Text by Guest Contributor AmicaCarmilla, blogger since 2005. Catch her at www.amicacarmilla.blogspot.com.