If you’ve read this blog a while you know that traveling is as big of an interest as style and fashion is for me. It has always been a big part of my life, to travel and discover new places, and 2011 was no exception. It has been a fantastic year of travels for me and I’ve visited a great mix of big busy cities, warm places and relaxing spots on the country side. I thought I’d try to sum up this year and the places I saw in a few photos and sentences, now that we only have a few more weeks left of 2011.
Madrid, SPAIN
The year started in January with a trip to Madrid to renew our American visas. It was not my first time in this beautiful city but yet it felt like I saw it on a whole new way. I just soaked up the sunlight, the impressive architecture and cozy plazas where it was already warm enough to sit outside for a café con leche. We met friends and family in the Mercardo de San Miguel and had delicious oysters from Galicia, Rioja wine and incredible cheese.
Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA
In March I headed to “sunny California” and to Los Angeles. I’ve never seen so much rain in my life, the first three days it just poured down. After it cleared up I focused on vintage shopping at Jet Rag, Wasteland and American Vintage where I did some great finds! I explored Echo Park and Silverlake and all the cozy coffee shops and shops around.
San Francisco, CALIFORNIA
From LA I headed to San Francisco, excited as it was my first time in this charming city. I loved the pastel colored houses, the trams and the sushi in Japantown, yes the sushi in SF in general was just out of this world! We visited friends and had fresh sea food at the Fisherman’s Warf. Even though the wind was cold it felt like spring had arrived because the cherry blossoms were just about to bloom.
Basque Country, SPAIN
In early May we were once again headed to Spain, but this time to Basque Country in the north, where my husband is from. We went to a beautiful wedding where I wore this Kate Moss for Topshop dress and danced all night – nothing beats the weddings in Spain! Then we did a road trip seeing cities like Bilbao, Vittoria and San Sebastian on the Spanish side…
Pays Basque, FRANCE
… but the journey continued into the French side of Basque Country and we stayed in the beautiful beach town Biarritz. We had wine on the small bistros on the street and went to Saint Jean de Luz and had the best Moules Frites I’ve ever had in my life!
SWEDEN
In July I decided that my exile from my native Sweden had been long enough. After one year I was craving the Swedish simplicity and my mom’s home cooked meals. I went home and I had filmjölk at least twice per day during the five weeks that I spent over there (something that is impossible to find in the US). And I fell a little bit in love with Stockholm again when I spent a week there, with my friends.
COSTA RICA
In October we headed for a tropical vacay in beautiful Costa Rica. Being able to discover both the cloud forests and the untouched beaches of the Guanacaste region made this trip completely unforgettable. I can still recall the sounds of the forrest next to our cabin, the sound of the river that made me fall asleep like a baby at night, and the fresh air in the morning.
Now December is here and I’m back in Sweden to celebrate Christmas here with my family. I don’t have that many photos interesting enough to share yet as my time here mostly consists of eating, sleeping and lounging in front of the fireplace (hey I’m not complaining!). But this is actually not my last trip this year… right after Christmas I’m off to Paris to celebrate New Years Eve! I can’t think of a more beautiful or romantic place to end this year and to start off the new one with the one I love.
