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As tradition says, December 13:th Swedes listen to Lucia and her friends singing the darkness away, spreading light to shine the way to Christmas.  Klicka här när du vill redigera. The celebration of Lucia on December 13, is probably one of the most Swedish of traditions. There are special songs for this day and every school and kindergarden has their own Lucia celebration. Originally Lucia was a Saint from Syracuse, and how she became a Swedish tradition is a long story. December 13th was told to be the darkest night of the year, and in the old believes people were afraid of all kinds of evil that might be sneaking around the house on a night like that. So they would stay up all night if possible, eat and drink, light candles and try to withhold the darkness. Then came Christianity and the old traditions had to be modified to suit the new believes. So we imported a Saint from Italy, who got to bear the tradition on her shoulders. Lucia has a crown of candles in her hair, and her maidens carries one candle each. Lucia often comes with a tray of coffee, gingerbread cookies and saffron buns. And most of all, she comes with the light and the knowledge that Christmas eve is eleven nights away. Nowadays, Lucia comes with an entourage of maidens, Staffans (boys with cone hats with golden stars), ginger bread men (!), and a couple of Santas. Just writing this in English makes me realize how difficult this tradition is to describe in words. I guess you just have to come to Sweden for december 13 to experience the whole thing. It is a beautiful and a bit magic tradition and nothing beats a Lucia entourage at the kindergarden with a bunch of Lucias with plastic crowns all singing a bit out of tune.  We wish you a very happy Lucia, wherever you are!
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“My idea of Christmas, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” Bob Hope I just LOVE this quote, it is so easy to get carried away with all the holiday preparations and forget that what really matters is our loved ones. What would Christmas be, if we would not have anyone to give presents to, nobody to share our meals with and noone to wish a happy Christmas? There are so many lonely people out there, that don´t look forward to the holidays at all. This year we light our candles for them. And I will hug my loved ones an extra time, being gratful for the greatest gift: Friends and family!  If you like to do some shopping from home, take a look at our webshop below! Read more about Born in Sweden brand, click below: “The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.” Paulo Coelho Advent is coming up and stores are blasting out Christmas music and internet is overflowing with decoration must-do´s. Take a moment to think about what is really necessary. Some pine branches, moss and apples goes a long away. And of course… CANDLES! Invest in what really counts.... Family, friends and spending time together. Trying to let go of the pressure from all around and make space for hugs and laughs. The forest will supply you with most, for the decoration and if you need a nice candleholder, check our website below. Enjoy this time leading up to Christmas! Candlelight to you all! A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. Colin Powell From an idea on the sketchboard, to the finished product, is a long and sometimes bumby journey. A vision, the mind set on a goal that sometimes takes way longer than anticipated to achieve. Above is our newest item, HEX winerack, that not only stores bottles, but embraces them in design. A sculpture for wine if we may say so.  It took us a while to find the right producer, the right finish and the right feeling in the material. We also wanted to introduce this product that we are so very proud of in the best possible way, and therefore we hooked up with a group of incredebly talented and ambitious young guys, who got free hands to create a mini-movie with HEX in the leading role. Roll out the red carpet for HEX: (30 sek) We were very fortunate to visit STUDIO GOTLEY in the amazing old factory in the Netherlands where they work. It felt like this definetely were the surroundings to be creative with HEX and we believe we were right! THANK`S TO: Matz Borgström - designer of HEX Studio Gotley -moviemakers The Dream- For constantly living the work and work in creativity.
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Living in the north unevitably brings a massive darkness this time of year. It is dark when we go to work and dark when we come home.
It is so easy to get trapped in the ongoing complaining about how dark it is and how tired we get...
But I would like to try to turn it around… Imagine how LUCKY we are to be able to have this time of restoration, when it is ok just to snuggle up in the couch, read books, watch series and enjoy being at home.
And of course… LIGHT CANDLES!
Candle light brings peace to the mind and cozieness to any room, ugly or pretty, clean or messy.
It is so easy to get trapped in the ongoing complaining about how dark it is and how tired we get...
But I would like to try to turn it around… Imagine how LUCKY we are to be able to have this time of restoration, when it is ok just to snuggle up in the couch, read books, watch series and enjoy being at home.
And of course… LIGHT CANDLES!
Candle light brings peace to the mind and cozieness to any room, ugly or pretty, clean or messy.
"Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle"
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
So... Try to embrace this time of year instead. Light candles, drink tea, hug your friends and family and enjoy the fact you don´t have to worry about sunscreen for a while...
Since we live on the west coast of Sweden, this is where we usually spend our weekends and holidays. The beauty just around the corner makes it hard to leave. But. We took a trip to the east coast for a change and completely fell in love with Öland.
Swedens second biggest island, with top score of sun hours (this is important to every Swede...) and so much to do. We will definetely be back. Soon!
Swedens second biggest island, with top score of sun hours (this is important to every Swede...) and so much to do. We will definetely be back. Soon!
ÖLAND:
The variety of the landscape, the ocean, the farmland and of course the windmills, spread out just about everywhere. There is really something new to discover around every corner.
We can especially recommend Capellagården, the school once founded by famous Swedish furniture designer Carl Malmsten. Lovely environement, beautiful gardens, inspiring in every way.
And yes, they have a cafe. Check out their opening hours here:
http://www.capellagarden.se/besok
Ölands unique world heritage landscape called Alvaret, is another reason to visit. When travelling north on the island, suddenly the landscape changes and becomes something completely different. Wild, flat and with a vegetation all of its own. Amazing!
Photo: oland.com
Another benefit of Öland, is that we have one of our facories there producing our trays and cuttingboards. With a location like that, we will most likely go visit more often!
Another benefit of Öland, is that we have one of our facories there producing our trays and cuttingboards. With a location like that, we will most likely go visit more often!
"He who owns a garden and a book collection lacks nothing."
-Cicero
-Cicero
My husband loves golfing. I tried, but did not get hooked. Instead I have come to realize I love gardening. I truly enjoy getting dirty from top to toe, dig deep in the soil and plant new things, care for them, water them and hope they survive. And then the reward... fresh flowers to place in our lovely vases.
Right now I have an obsession with stone. Since we have a typical west coast garden, we have lots of stone, rocks and wind. So, I try to use whatever I find in the soil to make little pathways of rocks and plant in the small natural crevices.
Eventually this will be a peaceful place to just breathe, enjoy and meditate.
But for now, it is my sport when my husband is on the golf corse, my therapy and my joy.
Eventually this will be a peaceful place to just breathe, enjoy and meditate.
But for now, it is my sport when my husband is on the golf corse, my therapy and my joy.
"He who owns a garden and a book collection lacks nothing."
-Cicero
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel
read only one page."
-Augustine of Hippo
read only one page."
-Augustine of Hippo
 We have been eating and eating and eating the most amazing food at local restaurants getting fantastic help to order from someone speaking English. I am so grateful. I love my job, and it is fantastic to work with my husband. | We produce as much as we can in Sweden and Europe, but we also have valuable long term relations with factories in Asia. Kim has been travelling there longer than he wants to admit, but for me it is still quite new and fascinating. I find China so interesting and double sided. One the one hand, it is extremely technically advanced, far ahead of Sweden, and on the other hand people are using home built vehicles with lawn mower engines as transportation. One restaurant has a heated, self cleaning toilet seat, and another has something indescribably cracked and filthy hole in the floor. The huge contrasts makes it so interesting. And the food! The food...  |
We are fortunate to experience people, places and tastes we would never had at home. Here some mixed photos from China.
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel
read only one page."
-Augustine of Hippo
read only one page."
-Augustine of Hippo
Today we welcome spring. We listen to choirs singing the traditional spring-welcoming-songs. We watch the students taking their hats on and having big festivities the cities with tecnical universities. We are lighting fires and holding hands with loved ones, freezing in way to light summer clothes.
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Supposedly we are celebrating Valborg as a memory of a Saint from the 700:s named Valborg. Even the Vikings were lighting fires and having a party this day to welcome spring. In the middle ages people were lighting fires before they let their cattle out for summer, to scare away wolves and demons. Nowadays, there are not too many wolves to scare away, but singing in the spring and meeting people around a big fire is still a nice tradition. So, happy Valborg everyone!
VITSIPPA- Anemone Nemorosa- WOOD ANEMONE
 | AFTER A LONG AND COLD WINTER that never seemed to end, here is sping at last. When the Wood anemones (vitsippor) are blooming everywhere around trees still naked without leaves, I feel like life is returning. Vitsippa bears hope of summer and short sleeves, just as Lucia carries hope of christmas. I am so grateful spring is finally here, and spent the whole day in the garden, with a smile on my lips. Welcome lovely spring! |
| STUMPASTAKEN is made in Sweden of recycled aluminum and is by now a Swedish design classic. This year we are introducing vases for Stumpastaken, perfect to combine with candles for the ultimate table piece. The vases will be available in stores sometime late summer, I can´t wait to explore all possibilities this will add to an already very useful design item. The whole Stumpastaken range is available in our webshop |  |
About us:
Kim is originally Danish with a Norwegian mother and Veronica is all Swedish. We live on the west coast of Sweden and run the design brand Born in Sweden with a true love to the all Scandinavian lifestyle.
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