What we're listening to: Christmas music

'Tis the season!  We're officially into December, and personally I've started listening to a great deal of Christmas music.  I thought it'd be fun to put together a mix for you guys - a blend of classical, alternative, and pop tunes to get you in the holiday mood.

5 Swedish beauty brands you may not have heard of

AGONIST "is a Nordic fragrance brand launched in November 2008. AGONIST creates pure 100% natural fragrances inspired by the Nordic climate and culture. Raw materials and product give form to a Swedish but even more Nordic clarity, – fresh with a vigourous weight and beautiful low tones."

BJÖRK & BERRIES "is an ecoluxury beauty brand derived from Swedish nature and traditions. It all began with hand-picked birch leaves that were turned into natural perfume. Our experts refine natural and organic ingredients of the highest quality into essential products for face, body and home for the caring consumer in the contemporary world." 

BYREDO "is a Stockholm based fragrance house founded in 2006 by Ben Gorham. Products currently include perfume, home fragrance, body care products and accessories. All products are made in Sweden with a distinct focus on craftsmanship and quality."

ESTELLE & THILD "is more than just a organic brand: it's about providing a sustainable, effective skin care solution with a feeling of everyday luxury."

FACE STOCKHOLM "is the only Swedish cosmetics company that offers makeup and skin care that is true to the Swedish beauty ideal – naturally based, trend forward, simple, clean, gorgeous and fun. FACE Stockholm offers a spectacular and unrivaled range of colors and uses only the highest quality ingredients."

Thanksgiving surprise: Cathy's Pumpkin Pie recipe

1 pie crust (homemade with this recipe or ready made)

1 can of pumpkin (15 oz)

1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14 oz - but I don't use all of it - I use probably 12oz)

2 eggs

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare pie crust (or unroll the ready made crust) and put it in a pie plate. 
• In a large mixing bowl beat the 2 eggs. Add the whole can of the pumpkin to the eggs and mix well. 
• In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Mix until well combined. 
• Add the brown sugar and spices mixture to the pumpkin and egg mixture. Mix well. (It should look darker once the sugar is added) 

NOTE:
When I add the condensed milk, I open the can about 3/4s of the way (so the lid keeps the milk from running out super fast )and pour the milk into the pumpkin mixture (mixing all the while as the milk is being added). When the condensed milk starts to slow down on the pour, meaning that it's coming out at a trickle, I stop. Usually there is a good coating of condensed milk left in the can. When it settles back down it looks like quite a bit so I'm guessing it's about 2 oz from the 14 oz can, but it may only be an ounce. The one thing you need to know about pumpkin pie is that it's pretty forgiving. If you add a little too much milk or a little too little milk, it's really not going to matter. When I measure in the sugar, cinnamon, cloves - I'm not super careful. If there's a little more - I don't sweat it. It always turns out yummy.

• Once you have all your pumpkin and condensed milk mixed, use a scraper (so you get every last drop) and pour it into the pie crust. 
• Cook for 13 minutes at 425 degrees, then turn the oven down to 350 degrees and cook for anywhere from 30-50 minutes longer. You'll know the pie is done when the pie filling kind of puffs up and a little crack forms in the pie (like a crack in the dirt in the summer when it's dry out). 

NOTE:
If you don't get a crack after 50 additional minutes I would still take the pie out - you don't want your crust to burn and the pie is just being stubborn! Sometimes, even when it's cooked, the middle will still look shiny and wet. Touch it gently in the center if you're worried it's not cooked - if it's mushy, then you're right - it's not cooked - leave it in longer but check it every 5 minutes or so. If it is not mushy and a little stiff, then it's probably done and you'll be safe.

Let the pie cool, top with whipped cream, and enjoy! YUM!! : )

how to become a RUNNER when you REALLY HATE RUNNING

DAY ONE:  Make yourself a running playlist.

Awesome, you're done.  Nice job.  

DAY TWO:  Create your perfect running outfit.

Get dressed up to go running.  Socks (warm ones if it's cold out!), sneakers, leggings, layers... if it's cold, add a scarf, ear warmers, giant mittens... anything to make you completely adorable... slash unrecognizable to people you may walk/run past (for those of us who feel self-conscious when we go jogging).  Choose dark colors, then admire your reflection - see, already you look slimmer!  Put your running gear into a neat little pile, or even into a gym bag, and set it in plain sight for tomorrow...

DAY THREE:  Take a stroll!

You need to figure out your running path.  So today, get into your awesome running wardrobe, grab your keys and put in your headphones.  Go out after dark and take a walk - no running at all tonight.  Just mentally map out a track and walk the entire thing - no cutting corners!  Ideally it should be a sort of loop that begins and ends at your doorstep; perhaps a lap of the neighborhood?  Make sure you are able to stay on the sidewalk for the entire path.  Keep your playlist going from the moment you leave your house until the moment you come back in through the door - then see how many tracks you were out walking for.  Ideally you should have been walking for about 15-20 minutes (or approximately 4 songs).  When you get home, stretch and then hit the showers - you earned it! 

DAY FOUR:  Take the same stroll!

"Ugh... again?  But I just did that yesterday."  Can you remember the path you forged yesterday? Make sure you get all dressed up in your confidence-boosting jogging attire, get your playlist going, and do your lap again.  Maybe as you're going around that last bend, if nobody's around, try jogging for like ten seconds.  Walk the rest of the way home.  When you're back in your room, stretch and then hit the showers - you REALLY earned it today!  Spend the next hour looking at fitness- and running-themed Tumblrs.  Bask in the fact that you are now officially a member of that community.  Maybe start your own health-themed Tumblr.... 

DAYS FIVE & SIX:  Consider quitting; instead, pick up the pace.

Now that you jogged for a few seconds, you realize it's not actually that awful.  Especially since you can stop as soon as you get tired.  Today, set out on your walk with the intent of jogging at least a portion of it.  Start to realize that you get home much more quickly when you jog instead of walk.  Continue to go test this theory every day (try to keep the time of day you run consistent - personally I think the evening is better because you can end your day with the feeling of accomplishment that comes from a laid-back/low-intensity walk/jog).

DAY SEVEN:  Take a day off.

Do whatever you want.  Just make sure that the next day, you get back out there!  In the following weeks, as you realize that the workout ends more quickly when you run it instead of walking it, you might just find yourself running the whole thing.  At this point it's all you.  You may find yourself wanting to actually START your day with a jog.  And maybe doing two laps will eventually turn into three, then four laps...

EVENTUALLY:  Enjoy it.

Studies have shown that it takes 18 - 66 days to make something a habit.  It could take three weeks or more to see results physically, but you will start feeling them very quickly.  No matter what you do, every day you'll have the satisfaction that comes with getting into workout mode and walking out that door to exercise!  And believe it or not, that self-esteem boost is what will ultimately get you addicted to running.  You'll see.

Tried-and-true: the PERFECT pancake recipe

American measurements:

For the dry mix:

1.5 cups flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

For the wet mix:

1.25 cups milk

1 egg

4 tablespoons butter (melted)

1 teaspoon vanilla

European measurements:

For the dry mix:

4 dl flour

30 ml sugar

15 ml baking powder

4 ml salt

For the wet mix:

3.25 dl milk

1 egg

60 ml butter (melted)

5 ml vanilla

I have made American pancakes on three separate occasions now for groups of my international friends, and this recipe I have been using always produces the most perfect, fluffy, golden pancakes.  Just thought I would share it - I have it in American and European measurements.  Side note: my favorite topping for these is Nutella, bananas, and brown sugar - yum!!

Instructions:

1. Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately.
2. Make a well in the center of the dry mix and gradually add the wet mix.  
3. Only mix until there are no dry lumps - the less you mix, the fluffier the pancakes will be!
4. Rub a thin film of butter over a frying pan and give it some time to heat up.  
5. Spoon batter on the skillet and flip when you see bubbles appearing all over the pancake.  
6. Flip again, and once golden on both sides - EAT!

The quest for the perfect winter coat

It was snowing yesterday morning when I woke up.  I live in southern Sweden, but even so, it's kind of early for snow.  I was so psyched when I saw it, until the realization that my fall peacoat wasn't going to stand much of a chance against below-freezing temperatures dawned on me.  It's officially that time of year when we start to go shopping for layers.  Scarves, new pants, boots, mittens, and of course, winter outerwear.  I am having a hell of a time figuring out what kind of coat I want, there are way too many options.  I figured I'd break this down, so you guys can help me decide. :)

Mackage

Let's start with vests.  There's something adorably collegiate about the combination of a chunky knit sweater or a soft layering shirt beneath a puffy vest such as this understated Gray Colorblock Plaid Puffy Vest from Trou‎vé.  You can get a vest with a detachable hood, such as this furry one from the North Face.  Even without sleeves, that will keep you super warm.

If keeping warm isn't really an issue where you are, I recommend just going for a leather jacket.  You can't go wrong with this, it's one of those things you'll be able to wear forever.  My favorite adaptation of the leather jacket is one with a bit of shearling, perhaps lining the collar like this Mackage Moto Jacket.  If you want a warm leather jacket, you can get one with an extra lining, but the added bulkiness might detract from the slimming aesthetic of a leather jacket.

Trou‎vé

Peacoats are great for layering, and if you get a long one that almost goes down to your knees, like this one from Victoria's Secret, you might be able to survive the winter.  But you'll need scarves and sweaters abundant for underneath (not necessarily a problem...).  If you want something a little flashier, you can get one with fur trim, like this one from ASOS.

Peacoat from ASOS

Speaking of fur, if you want to look like a true fashionista you can get your hands on a faux fur coat or best.  These are a little too crazy for me, but I'm seeing them more and more often...  Check out this one from Revolve Clothing: it will make you look like you killed Hedwig and turned her into a vest.

If you're going to get a long coat, you might also consider a trench.  They usually tend to be better-suited to rainy autumn weather, but you can layer up underneath and be ready for snow season as well.  The best thing about these is that they're windproof, so if you live in London or Paris... or Seattle, it's a much more realistic option than a full arctic parka.

Revolve Clothing

But if you live in Scandinavia (like me, currently), and the words winter is coming raise hairs on the back of your neck, then you have to go all-in and buy the most bulky, down-stuffed, lined parka you can afford... windproof, snowproof, stormproof, lifeproof.  I found some relatively affordable options.  If you like the rustic look, read Kinfolk, or call yourself a hipster, check out this rough-looking winter coat with plaid lining by Obey - ASOS has a cheaper option with plaid sleeves here.  When it comes to fur-lined hoods, Mango knows their shit: I can't get enough of this dark green parka's hood... in fact, this is probably my favorite out of everything I've looked at.  Shearling lining is great too, and this ASOS jacket with a whole detachable shearling lining is probably the steal of the season.  It comes in black and khaki.  Mango offers this "teddy-lined" hooded parka if you're not into fur but want a soft lining to your coat.  Not a hood person?  Victoria's Secret has this cute puffy moto coat.  It almost makes me like the puffy coat style.

Can't decide which is cutest?  Yeah, me neither.  I ended up choosing a bunch of options, and then I let my wallet make the decision for me and just went with the cheapest one.  Boom.

The smell of coffee | how to savor your daily cup of Joe

I think Sweden has given me a coffee addiction.  I was certainly no stranger to the hastily-bought mocha on the way to class during my undergraduate years (and I will always have the fondest memories of afternoon coffee dates with friends at our little campus cafe, The Grind), but it wasn't a regular habit until I moved to Uppsala.  The typical collegiate American's coffee intake is laughable in comparison to that of the average Swede.  Only Finland natives drink more per capita.  Maybe it's to stay awake during all those long nights, I'm not sure, but the Nordic countries have institutionalized the daily cup o' Joe.

The untranslatable Swedish word fika describes the daily tradition of taking time for a coffee-and-pastry break (or two or three...) with friends or coworkers.  I just love this Kinfolk article about fika, as well as the cheeky Gevalia advertisement at the end of this article.  The idea of fika gets at the pause-button effect of drinking coffee.  It's a practice that embodies the temptation to siesta at any time of day.

But I also love waking up with coffee.  Personally, the smell of coffee will always be my favorite part of the experience.  It reminds me of Sunday mornings at home as a child.  My father always puts a huge spoonful of cinnamon in with the grounds, and that will always be my favorite smell/flavor.  Whether you're a morning person who starts the day with an automated coffeepot, or an afternoon cafe-frequenter like myself, here are my humble suggestions for savoring your daily cuppa.

1. Invest in a French press.  I recently got myself the classic Bodum Chambord, and there is no more aesthetically pleasing or simple way to make your own coffee than tossing the grounds in the bottom of a French press, filling it with boiled water, and then taking it to your cozy corner of the apartment and kicking back.
2. Clear your desk.  Coffee drinking is best suited for reading the news, checking your social media, and curling up with that book you've been letting gather dust on the windowsill.
3. Find your favorites.  Your favorite cafe, your favorite barista... or perhaps your favorite brewer (mine is the Swedish brand Arvid Nordquist).  Whatever atmosphere or taste makes the experience yours.
4. Have it your way.  The personalization doesn't end with the package.  Add a bit of cinnamon or even some cocoa powder when brewing your own coffee.  And after pouring, don't forget to add milk, cream, sugar, Stevia - whatever makes it particularly delicious to you!
5. Pair with the perfect treat.  Whether it's a morning croissant and egg, a Swedish cinnamon bun, or a slice of chocolate cake after dinner, coffee is lonely without something scrumptious to complement the flavor.
6. Read something.  Morning news?  Tumblr?  Your favorite food blog?  The newest issue of Elle or The Economist?  Or maybe a couple chapters of Game of Thrones if you're feeling ambitious... find the perfect read to go with that lazy weekend coffee.
7. Drink outside.  Whether it's a warm summer afternoon at a busy street cafe, a rainy morning on the porch of your house, or a day with snow falling past your apartment balcony, take at least a few moments to stand or sit outside and sip your cuppa while breathing fresh air and taking in the world around you.
8. Fika with a friend.  Having a cup of coffee can be a great retreat to clear your head, but obviously it's also a fantastic social lubricant.  Make a pot and invite a friend over, or meet an acquaintance you want to get to know better out at your favorite coffeehouse. 
9. Savor.  Take your time with that first sip.  Make sure you breathe in before you sip, inhaling the aroma.  Sip, savor, smile.  Repeat.

24 hours in Stockholm

The Venice of the North.  Spanning fourteen islands, and situated within a wider archipelago made up of tens of thousands more, Stockholm is a city well-acquainted with the sea. So the best way to get acquainted with the city is by boat.  Start your day on a Stockholm Sightseeing tour, such as "Under the Bridges of Stockholm," which will take you for a couple hours out around the city.  The Baltic and giant Lake Mälaren meet among its many waterways, and you'll be able to see everything from the main skyline of Östermalm (above, top) to the Brooklyn-esque island district of Södermalm.

Of course you'll eventually want to explore these areas on foot.  Stockholm is a very livable city: it's clean, crime and homelessness are low; there's an unbelievable number of places to shop, eat, and sit down for a cozy fika; and there are cultural must-sees for everyone, from the Skansen to the ABBA Museum to Vasamuseet, a museum containing an entire salvaged 17th-century ship that sank off the coast of Sweden. Skansen is the Swedish version of Colonial Williamsburg, only it's way more epic because it covers practically half of the Stockholm island of Djurgården, and it includes a zoo of Nordic animals.  If you want to feel like you've walked through Swedish history and gotten a glimpse of all the regions - including the northern Sami villages - simply visit Skansen.  The park is a vast expanse of recreated farmsteads and timber sheds, mills and belfries, glass workshops and stables...  It's a beautiful, immersing experience.  My personal favorite was seeing the Sami village reindeer (photo below), and watching the wolf pack in the zoo.  There are also squirrels and peacocks that run all over the park, and be warned - they're not afraid of people!

Making your way through the main bustling district of Norrmalm around the Central Station, pop into the Stockholm Urban Outfitters at Biblioteksgatan 5.  It's housed inside what used to be the Röda Kvarn (Moulin Rouge) of Stockholm, a beautiful old building reminiscent of an opera house (see photo below).

Make sure you take also head to the south side of town and stroll through Södermalm.  You'll spot some hipsters and find more than a couple places to buy lunch, fika, or an Indie literary magazine.  Speaking of magazines, if you want a really neat bookstore that also has a fantastic collection of old and hard-to-find DVDs and periodicals, check out Papercut.  You can see their selection on their website here.

As the sun starts to set, make sure you take a stroll through Gamla Stan, the small island at the heart of Stockholm, and the oldest district of the city.  The dusk light will lend itself to all the old orange and pink pastels of the buildings here.  In Gamla, you can step down into hovel-like cafes that were stables and wine cellars as far back as the 1500s!  You can get lost in cobbled alleyways and winding streets, only to turn a corner and find yourself before a beautiful old cathedral, a bronze sculpture atop a fountain, or perhaps the Nobel Museum, which is small and definitely worth a quick walk-through.  Make sure you step into one of the many chocolate shops or cafes and grab something sweet.

If you're staying in Stockholm for a couple days and want an awesome hostel choice, stay at the af Champan, which is the white ship pictured above.  That's right, they converted that standing ship into a hostel.  You stay in cabins below-decks.  I haven't tried it yet, but looks pretty awesome.

Winter is coming | a dozen ways to prepare

It's now 100% autumn, and I'm sure many of our readers have already started to feel the chill of winter creeping in - here in Sweden, the leaves are all pretty much gone, and the other morning I woke up to snow.  Snow.  In mid-October.  Winter is coming (I happen to be reading Game of Thrones right now, which only makes it more fun to talk about this), and to be honest I can't wait.  I love winter, it is by far my favorite season.  But the anticipation leading up to it - autumn - can be just as fun.  Here is my personal checklist of things to do to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the coming months of darkness and cold.

1. Start getting up earlier.  The days are already starting to get shorter (by December in Sweden the sun will be setting at 3pm!), and your body will start to drag as that sun vanishes earlier and earlier.  Beat the blues by conditioning yourself to get up an hour (or two!) earlier than normal.  Use that extra time to...
2. Exercise in the morning.  Best winter weight gain by starting this practice now, in the fall.  Because we spend so much time sleeping and sitting around and eating once it gets cold out, the best way to keep your metabolism revved is to start your day with some simple movement.  Yoga or some basic ballet conditioning are a great way to wake up your body, and they won't seem as daunting as a jog in the snow - although, if you're a morning person and feel compelled, definitely go do that instead!  Personally I like to take it slow in the morning, so setting the small goal of doing a couple Sun Salutations in the morning means that I'm much more likely to actually get up and do them.
3. Buy a gigantic sweater.  Nothing is comfier than a sweater 10 sizes too big.  They are one of the easiest things to find at second-hand stores, so do a little thrift shopping and invest in a giant frumpy knit sweater that covers your butt.  It will be your favorite thing to fall asleep in, or to curl up in with a book when the snow falls.
4. Let there be light.  Invest in a couple new scented candles or string lights to add a bit of cozy ambiance to your room.  You'll love it during those long nights and cloudy days.
5. Get re-acquainted with your bookshelf.  With the holiday season coming up, it might be wiser not to buy a bunch of new books.  Instead, go through the books you already have.  Look harder, and you will likely find a book or two that you never read.  Even better, you might find an old favorite to re-read, like a Jane Austen novel or The Golden Compass.  If nothing catches the eye, borrow a book from a friend.  A second-hand book, with its creased spine and folded corners, fits the autumn spirit better.
6. Take it easy on the pastries.  Your body is going to suddenly love fatty and sugary foods more than ever, because your polar bear instinct is kicking in for winter.  Just be aware of this and don't go too overboard with the holiday chocolates.  Instead...
7. Get some vitamin D!  Start eating salmon, milk, eggs, and ricotta cheese if you start feeling a bit of the winter blues.  These are some of the top sources of vitamin D!  Pretty much all fish will be a good option.
8. Go for walks.  That crisp autumn air is good for you, and don't you just love layering up and grabbing your favorite scarf?  Take your BFF or your dog for a stroll through the park and admire the orange and red leaves.
9. Kill some time.  Come up with a new pastime in advance, something to fill those idle hours of the coldest months of the year.  Do you want to master a dozen new breakfast dishes?  Write a novel?  Find something that can done in the comfort of your home, and get started now.
10. Revamp your wardrobe.  Evaluate your 2012 fall/winter wardrobe.  Are you boots falling apart?  Do you need a new coat?  The five core elements to a fall ensemble are: ankle boots, coat, scarf, sweater, and dark trousers.  Shop for a new one of any of these; you'll certainly be using it enough to make it worth the investment!
11. Get re-acquainted with friends.  Look up a couple buddies you haven't caught up with in a while.  Go out for coffee.  The end of the year should always be devoted to re-establishing the connections that you want to keep in the new year.
12. Find a snuggle buddy.  Dog or human.  Unpack a knit blanket that hasn't been seen since last winter and you're all set.