With Bella in Hampstead Heath

Look who's in London! Bella, my lil' sister, arrived Friday night but since I had to work yesterday, today was the first day we really got to hang out. And where's better to do that then my best place all categories, Hampstead Heath.

After a long walk with a picknick break we finally arrived where we were going.

The Pergola and Hill gardens.

It looks a bit like a mixture of Rivendell and the south of France, which obv is a great combo.

Bella, who's just finished her Masters degree in biology, taught me the name of every tree, plant and flower there was.

This one, called Wisteria, was my fave.

There's no better way to cure a hangover then to hang out in nature.

Afterwards we took the tube down to Chelsea for a late lunch and a teeny tiny bit of shopping before we headed home and had dinner on the roof. 10/10 Sunday.

Living room change over

We've changed some stuff around in the living room – and we've got a new rug. 

All the furniture is from Ikea except for the table that's a flea market find and the wooden stool that our friend Ludde made and gave to us before moving back to Sweden. The cushion is a market find from Istanbul, the marble tray is from TGR and the paintings are flea market finds as well.

This summer...

I'm traveling to...

Stockholm, Gothenburg and (hopefully) Berlin. But apart from that I'm going to stay in London and enjoy summer here, which feels a-okay.

I'm dancing to...

House tracks with quirky synth loops that goes well with sunshine and spilled beer. Like this one.

I'm wearing...

Sunglasses and slippers. Always.

I'm looking like...

Probably something like this most of the time. Attitude: who cares.

I'm eating...

Corn on the cob and ice cream.

I'm drinking...

Bubbles.

I'm doing...

Pilates on our roof.

I'm feeling...

Calm with an occasional rush of happy is all I ask for.

I'm reading...

A short history of England to learn a thing or two about the country I've been living in for almost two years now. Caitlin Moran, cause I haven't read anything written by her yet and I feel like I perhaps should. JK Rowling's Fantastic beasts and where to find them, to prep for the next movie (100% dork). And then I'm re-reading one of my teenage favorites, Alan Warner's Morvern Callar. The text on the back of the book reads "This is a story about betrayal, techno, religion, pedicure, sex and death." I can see why teenage me was mesmerized.

I'm looking at...

The new seasons of Game of Thrones and Girls. But I honestly wish to look less at my Macbook and more at the pages of an actual book.

What's your summer plans?

Plant goals

All pictures are from my Home map on Pinterest.

Licorice and lamps

Yesterday I went to Ikea to buy the lamps below for our bedroom. The whole idea with getting a bedside table each was to get a lamp each to be able to read before falling a sleep at night, but things take so much longer then you expect them to, right? Anyway, yesterday I finally got myself on that train but when I finally got there the fkn lamps had sold out, and I had even checked the in store availability in the morning. I was so sad and tired and frustrated I didn't buy anything except a salad bowl and loads of licorice and different cookies. And a rosehip drink. Yum.

Anyhow, when I got home again, with hours spent on what felt like absolutely nothing, I realized you can order the lamps online. So I did, and when I was on it a couple of other things that I've been having my eyes on for a while, slipped into that virtual basket as well. A rug for the living room and new bar stools for the kitchen for example. Now I just have to wait for the order to arrive before I can finally get to read all those books in bed!

Up on the roof

Yesterday P bought a ladder meaning we can finally climb up on our roof and enjoy the sun and the view. We had a small rooftop picknick to celebrate but unfortunately yesterday evening was really cold so we didn't stay long. But I promise I'll spend every left over second up here all summer. And I'll keep you posted about it.

Bucket list

Inspired by Swedish blogger Flora I decided to do a bucket list (even though I've never understood the use of the word 'bucket' in a things-you-want-to-do-before-you-die-list) – But wow, how motivated you get from doing one. Everyone should make one of their own! And then renew it once in a while, tick things off and add new ones to it. Here's my bucket list of 30 things, including a few that I've already ticked off.

1. Visit Tokyo
2. Grow my hair out and try to keep it long
3. Get a flat or house with a balcony or garden and a big kitchen with a massive kitchen table
4. Get a diving license
5. Get a house in the countryside
6. Refurbish an old house (maybe that country house above)
7. Finish my masters degree in aesthetics
8. Learn how to dj
9. Take a course in graphic design
10. Start my own business; maybe a shop, a gallery or a B&B

11. Get a driver's license
12. Go on a road trip in the US
13. Make my blog grow
14. Get married to P and have a hell of a party
15. Get stronger physically
16. Learn to skate (on a skateboard that is)
17. Take a ceramics course
18. Do more ceramics
19. Make the most out of our time in London
20. Get better at handling stress

21. Read more books
22. Get a dog
23. Do more yoga & pilates
24. Complete the running challenge
25. Evolve at work
26. Have kids one day
27. Go hiking in Scotland
28. Get more tattoos
29. Stay curious
30. Travel to every continent of the world

Hackney Attic's mini guide to Brighton

I made a mini guide with my favorite spots in Brighton from our trip. If you have the chance – go there! 

I'll definitely be back.

Best take away coffee: The Lanes Coffee House

Best no waste food concept: Silo

Best breakfast in bed: Fab Guest

Best yardsale: Diplocks Yard

Best flea market: The North Laine Antique & Flea Market

Best photo booth: Snooper's Paradise

Best indie vintage: Wolf & Gypsy

Best place to get something to read on the train home: Magazine Brighton 

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Best beach burgers: Lucky Beach

Best vintage warehouse: Beyond Retro

Best kitchen supplies: Utility

Beach season

If you live elsewhere it might be fair to say it's almost beach season! In London, not so much. Ever. But with this beach kit I feel ready if the opportunity would present itself. 

Swimsuit, & Other Stories | Sunglasses, Beyond Retro | Book: Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita | Spf 30 Invisible cooling Spray, Soltan | Vintage Adidas slippers, Blitz

Last day in Brighton

Last day started off in the best possible way – with breakfast in bed.

But since it didn't include any coffee we decided that was what we had to find first, before the day could really start.

We went to Silo, which is a café, brewery and restaurant with a no waste concept. How great is that? The coffee and brownie was equally amazing.

I named it best brownie I've ever had.

Just around the corner from Silo is Diplocks Yard, a yardsale full of books, porcelain cats and furniture.

There was still a few places that I wanted to visit before heading home. For example Wolf & Gyspy Vintage.

 And Magazine Brighton, one of the best magazine shops I've ever been to.

When it was time for lunch we wanted fish and chips and this one at White Rabbit was crispy and perfect.

After lunch, before taking the train back to London, we hang out in the park by the Pavilion, and what happened there you'll all know by now.