a bedtime story.

i've probably mentioned this before, but i have the (annoying) habit of asking simon to "tell me a story". i tend to do this a lot at bedtime, because a part of me (still) loves falling asleep to the sound of someone's voice.

well, last night when simon wasn't home, i suddenly had the idea to load up an audio book onto my iphone and listen to it in bed. (i listened to it on the speakers. headphones and pillows = ouch.)

upon the recommendation of a friend, i got the book the girl with the dragon tattoo, (originally the swedish book män som hatar kvinnor). and well, an hour later, i was still wide awake in bed.

the book is not only vaguely familiar to me because of its swedish backdrop, but it's also incredibly intriguing and suspenseful. not to mention that the narrator, simon vance, has the perfect, british story-telling voice.

i can hardly wait to get back into bed tonight so i can hear more of the story!

tell me, have any of you read it? and do you ever listen to audio books at bedtime? it's so lovely; i highly recommend it.

bikes, fountains, buildings and elephants...

here are just a few more photos from our trip to chicago... i've been experimenting with black and white. let me know what you think!

travel tips.

no matter how much you love your new sneakers, it's probably a good idea to pack more comfortable, broken-in shoes for walking around a big city.


sit outside, sip white wine, and munch on fresh bread and salad in the sunshine. even if it's noon.



our hotel was brand new, so we got a fantastic deal, and the staff went above and beyond. i highly recommend looking for new hotels for your next travel adventure.


and our specific hotel was not only pet-friendly, (perfect for our imaginary pup) but also had a complimentary wine hour in the lounge every evening. yay!


and if you're ever in chicago and interested in visiting the top of the hancock building, skip the entry fee and simply head on up to the 96th floor and visit the restaurant and bar. beautiful view of the city.


and oh, remember to turn off the zoom when taking pictures of yourselves in the park. :)

scenes from chi-town.

hello! we're fresh back from chicago, and i'm easing back into reality by watching the boston marathon (on television) and sipping some home-brewed coffee. and of course, i am catching up on all of your lovely blogs. i missed you guys!

our weekend was incredible. chicago is an amazing city, and simon and i shamelessly ran around the city with permanent grins on our faces.

and i must say... simon is a very good travel partner. he lets me talk to strangers (which i am apt to do) and effortlessly jumps into the conversation. he also doesn't flinch when i have to stop every hour to use a bathroom, or put band aids on my feet or find a more suitable purse. :)

i took a billion pictures, so, for today, i'll show you some highlights. i'll share many more later this week!

we took a river and lake boat tour and learned all about the history of chicago and its architecture. brilliant.

we got lucky: the weather was really nice and chicago was in full bloom. so many pretty colors everywhere.

we spent several hours at the field museum and saw the world's largest t-rex!
how was your weekend?

little surprises.

the other day, simon picked me up from work and as soon as i got in the car, he handed me my favorite sparkling water (and a cup of ice!) just because.

the truth is, he does things like that all the time. but it never gets old and (funnily enough) always catches me by surprise.

on this particular day, it really reminded me how far the little things go. it made my (semi-crappy) day, a thousand times better, and as we drove away, i poured the drink over the crackling ice and took a big gulp. "ahhhh."

so i ask you... what little, unexpected thing could you do for someone today? :)

(photo credit: sannah kvist)

pretty things.

etsy will be the death of me. in the last month alone, i bought a fun ball garland, a set of brass swans (aren't they romantic?) and a vintage brass sail boat.

and i still can't help but browse etsy every day. is there a support group for this? :)

p.s. as you can tell, brass is the new black. :)
p.p.s. these photos were taken with my new camera! i'm in love.

one of my favorite poems.

when faces called flowers float out of the ground

and breathing is wishing and wishing is having-

but keeping is downward and doubting and never

-it’s april (yes, april; my darling) it’s spring!

yes the pretty birds frolic as spry as can fly

yes the little fish gambol as glad as can be

(yes the mountains are dancing together)

when every leaf opens without any sound
and wishing is having and having is giving-
but keeping is doting and nothing and nonsense
-alive; we’re alive, dear: it’s (kiss me now) spring!
now the pretty birds hover so she and so he
now the little fish quiver so you and so i
(now the mountains are dancing, the mountains)

when more than was lost has been found has been found
and having is giving and giving is living-
but keeping is darkness and winter and cringing
-it’s spring (all our night becomes day) o,it’s spring!
all the pretty birds dive to the heart of the sky
all the little fish climb through the mind of the sea
(all the mountains are dancing; are dancing)

e.e. cummings

(photo credits: skullkid, cinderellusion, hearblack)

the art of doing nothing.

yesterday, simon took a mid-day nap on the couch (a very rare thing). i wanted to be in the living room too, so i tiptoed around and was determined to be as quiet as possible. our living room windows were open, the sun was soft and warm, and eventually i decided it was the perfect opportunity to just do nothing.

so, i plopped myself into our big living room chair, enjoyed the slight breeze on my face, closed my eyes and just sat. it was perfect.

occasionally i looked over at simon and saw him peacefully breathing. and every once in a while, i heard passersby on the street or a car in the distance.

i have to say that in that moment, for whatever reason... i felt like everything was right with the world. have you ever had a moment like that?

(photo credit: under the leaves)

dear frida, can you teach me your ways?

how rockin' is this chick? seriously. i'd love to hang out with her for an afternoon and have her take me shopping. then afterwards, we'd sip coffee in a cafe (the smoky kind with graffiti on the walls) and she'd tell me all about her cool swedish life. you can come along too, if you'd like?

(all photos, styling and credit to frida johnson)

home inspiration.

i adore these photos and would move right in if i could... look at that kitchen table! and that lamp! and that night stand! and isn't that throw just the perfect muted rosy pink? swoon.

i think i need more pink in my life. (simon? what do you say?)

(photo credits: norwegian stylists krakvik and dorazio)