It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

CANDLES & CLEMENTINES

The past weeks have been a whirl 

of work & studies & studio play,

kids' concerts and school dos,

pre-Christmas parties,

glögg and clementines. 

So much so that it has shown

as a silence that unintentionally fell

over Sanctuary. 

Last night the humdrum

culminated in a feast 

for a bunch of creatives

I get to freelance with,

a few familiar faces

but others I'd never met in person.

There we were perched on vintage tulip chairs

in a friend's studio, candles flickering,

wolfing down an oriental feast,

chatting and laughing long into the night

as if we'd known each other for years. 

The year coming to an end

and moments like these

leave me in awe over the transformation

from twelve months ago. 

So much to be thankful for.

And now,

time for a slower beat,

for kicking off one's shoes

and softly waltzing 

into the impending Christmas holidays.  

x

NICE N' SIMPLE

Stylist Lotta Agaton & 

Photographer Mikkel Mortensen 

via LinkDeco

A glimmery reminder

When the winter sun does its surprise appearance,

it lights everything aflame

in shades of gold and blush and burnt ochre. 

As if trying to stop little old me in my tracks

in the middle of a hundred errands and to-dos,

which are suddenly thrown in the shadow 

of something much more mesmerising. 



I often bump into an elderly professor emerita and famous author,

who lives in the neighbourhood. 

I don't know her in person at all,

just of her,

but every time she passes me or us by,

she will lift her gaze,

look attentively at both me and the children,

and smile. 

Even when she's clearly in the middle of having

a deep and meaningful conversation

with her significant other close to her side.

There's something about seeing her

that fills me with a warm glow every single time. 

Her presence, warmth, 

and kind curiosity,

like that of a child's 

with sparkling eyes. 




I think it's these winter sun moments,

a few too many meaningless preoccupations,

and the silver-haired lady with her glittery eyes

that have been filling me to the brim with a desire

to be more wholeheartedly present

in what one does,

 in every chance encounter

on the corner of the street,

while the kids are brushing their teeth.

(And, on the flip side,

to surprise oneself by also politely hearing the word

'no' slip out of the mouth,

to make space for what genuinely matters.

I wonder why that's still so hard...) 



I do love that I could always get lost

in this space and a moment with you. 

Let's make the most of the weekend at hand,



Love,

R, x





p.s. thank you for leaving traces of yourselves over the past week,

I'll get back to you really soon, xx

MY DECEMBER MOODBOARD

Wishing you a special 1st Advent!

Credits:

December twinkle via Anewall

Bare landscape unknown

Getting cosy by Toast

Louvre in the snow unknown

Lucia saffron buns via Green Kitchen Stories

(Follow the link for the recipe

or purely for the visual delight.)

x

A YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING

We threw a little moustache party last night,

 clambering at midnight to the top of the building

to watch the fireworks exploding over the city. 

Grateful for friends,

who have shared this journey for so many years,

the ins and outs, ups and downs,

heartaches and joys.

And today -

that tingling feeling of a whole new year ahead,

like a blank canvas,

about to slowly unveil with notes and drawings and photographs,

familiar faces and surprise encounters.

So here's to a truly special New Year ahead,

taking each of us on along the path

that resounds with our hearts.

A year of magical thinking

aligning our steps.

Love,

R x

SPICES & PLUMES

The fragrance of cardamon and star anise 

wafting from the kitchen,

slow morning coffees with my camera,

quiet walk around the graveyard 

lit by candles against the dark sky,

dear ones around our table,

a snowless landscape abundant with hues and aromas. 

**

Keittiöstä tulvahtava kardemumman ja tähtianiksen tuoksu,

hitaat aamukahvit kameran kanssa,

hiljainen kävely kynttilöiden valaisemalla hautausmaalla,

rakkaita pöydän ääressä,

lumeton maisema tulvillansa sävyjä ja tuoksuja. 

x

NOËL D'OR

A Christmas Day greeting,

with a  dash of golden opulence

and the stuff of fairytales.

I confess that as much as I veer to pared-down, natural greens,

I have a fascination for golden, crumbling grandeur

reminiscent of Fanny & Alexander 

(watched it late last night,

after all the noise and excitement had faded 

following the day's celebrations)

and Paris of old.

Have a magical Christmas Day!

The cutest little angel by Paata Shubitidze

Golden door (leaving to wonder what's behind it…), unknown I'm afraid

Fairytale Lily by Arthur Elgort

Opera Garnier via

☆

Wishing you a lovely Christmas time

- a big whopper of a thank you & kisses for the past year!

x

'Tis the season

Oh my goodness, it's upon us,

just like that!

For me not really a new fad,

but a permanent state of my seasonal spirit

- a yearning for green & luscious simplicity at Christmas time…

(Although in these images all that green lusciousness

is spiced up with some 

rather fabulous frocks and top hats.)

Without fail,

William Garret is my go-to Christmas conjurer

for just that. 

Peace&Light for each one of us,

x