may your may week be happy

Like a thoughtful kitty on her favourite treet stump amongst an abundance of red red flowers.



Like a happy hamster on a scoooter.



Like a very relaxed and perfectly normal British Shorthair named Ztina.

Whatever your weekly attitude of choice is, 
I hope you'll have it!

my favourite sourdough bread

One of my favourite sourdough breads is this loaf - which went really well with Little Loaf - called 'Kårsta-limpan' (Kårsta is an area nearby the bakery and 'limpan' is 'the loaf' in Swedish) from Vallentuna Stenugnsbageri (stone oven bakery). 

I may have other sourdough favourites too, but this is the one bread I have the longest relationship with - I've bought it regularly for over 6 years now.

It's a great big loaf and it makes excellent toast. With different toppings a couple of toasted slices make for a lovely breakfast with a cup of tea.

Do you have a favourite sourdough bread? 

How do you enjoy it best?

the best little gardeners ever

When I spotted the symmetric, delightful trio on the veranda in the corner of my eye I could only hope they would remain still for another camera minute or so. 

Of course, the one and only lens louse Ztina had to play a part in this. So she came running. With a priceless miffed expression on her fluffy face.

I'm so blessed sharing my life and house with these characters. Despite the constant-ish poop scooping, the hair- and grassballs, clawing where there should be no clawing and the odd pee wee out of place. We all have our quirks and less than pleasant features, all beings alike. 

And that aside they are pretty darn amazingly adorable and fun. A constant source of smile, laughter and cuddles.

sunny yellow day

Such a lovely early summer day called for the pineapple shirt. And lots of yellow in general.

And an adorable neighbourhood meet cute with Tingeling.

Happy day. Yellow day.

social media marketing for creative professionals

Today Prosit and I held an inspiration talk on social media marketing for creative sole traders (artists, actors, directors, art directors, singers, musicians, dancers and alike) at the Theatre union. It was really enjoyable and interesting, for me too. Lots of discussions and views on different social media channels, preconceptions and very varied opinions depending on age and profession. Seriously fun and developing. Got lovely feedback and it was a nice boost, plus I see room for future change, improvements and fine tuning.

I had great help from certain clever felines and small sized woollies of course. The Power Point presentation used I later compiled into a slide share - in Swedish only. It's a lot of information and a synoptic take on different social media channels which makes better sense combined with a talk and discussions obviously, but it might be inspirational without that too.



When I got home I thought a lot about how I myself can change my marketing and perhaps try new channels. By now it's obvious I'm no fan of Facebook, I may use it but not enthusiastically, I also do it as a part of social media management for clients but when it came to my own company page I created in March 2012 it wasn't published. Because I just couldn't be bothered with Facebook as a channel for my target groups and potential clients. And as long as my other channels work that's fine. I'm a firm believer you should use the social media channels you feel comfortable with and do best. And when you find clients and assignments that way it is a sign you do it right.

But today, after the vivid discussions about Facebook as a sometimes decent marketing channel for creative professionals I got curious and decided to go public with the Prosit Ord & Bild AB Facebook business page. But I don't see myself as being very active on it from here on, my three main channels are still LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Though I will try it out, see how far it organically reaches (no boosting or advertising, that's so not my cup of tea) and if it possibly will send any new and interesting clients my way.

To me there are no universal truths or foolproof marketing strategies when it comes to using social media channels. There are however good advice plus common sense that give you the best prerequisites to success. And as most things in life, what's considered success is of course up to you, your expectations and needs and not what any "experts" and others say or think.

Try it. Embrace it, even love it or discard it. Go with your gut feeling. And have fun. Things do work much better when you're having fun. That IS an universal truth.

colourful candy dandy architecture stockholm

Whenever we pass this colorful suburban business park / residential area beside the highway E4 into Stockholm city I wish I could take pictures of it. Something which alas is not doable from the car.

But today we made a detour with a photo purpose. It's a lovely piece of sculture up close! The surrounding buildings and architecture isn't of a very pleasing kind, but the candy colours of the 'polkagris' candy cane art and two facades of two nearby buildings are amazing.

Stunning. Happiness instigating. Colours ftw!

EDIT: I just learnt from a local politician on Twitter that the piece of art is called Dandy. That it was inaugurated in August 2014 and that the German artists who made it tell the story of its inspiration in parts is the nearby motorway and in parts a snazzy saundering dandy in striped trousers. The sculpture is 15 metres high and the perception of it changes depending on the angle.

the blue tits bird craft

On yesterday's visit to Alsta gardens I spotted some adorable birds in general - there was an art and crafts exhibition on birds and insects - and blue tits specifically.

So, do you think I could resist getting one of these adorable blue tits crafts? And if not, which one might I have gone for?

sunday windows with spring views

what a wonderful sunday it was! glorious weather, a fun roadtrip, an inspiring garden visit and to round things off some work finished.  

looking forward to the first week of may, it's going to be all sorts of awesomeness  i'm sure.

happy week to you too!

blueberry sweet bread

you're going to have fika with a piece of this blueberry bun thingie? and you need a quality inspector before you dig in? no need to ask twice, i'm your cat for that!

sniff a little here.

lick a bit there. 

yes i do believe it's ready for human consumption now. glad to be of service. i can see you're really grateful for my help. you're welcome, no need to make a fuss and funny noises.

goodbye april, hello may

I know, I still haven't written that a year in 12 pictures post for 2014, and somehow it seems doubtful I ever will. Although I think it's a lovely thing to do, a way to keep track of progress, ups and downs, happiness and sorrow. And it's nice to sum up each month in one picture only. Plus a few sentences.

But I'll do a short summary of this past month of April instead, since it's been a rather full and fun month. And surprising.

:: I started a new longterm assignment. Which so far has been a blend of exciting, fun, interesting with a not unsubstantial part confusing and babel of tongues. I've used my knowledge and I've learnt new stuff. Including how very different Swedish corporate structures and hierarchies are compared to other countries. A how uncomplicated and smooth things could be if other countries and corporate structures were more like the Swedish. That's certainly an interesting firsthand insight. Things will of course improve and communication run smoother the better we get to know eachother. But after a month, the first month or many more, this is my impression.

:: I've discovered a fabulous grapefruit body butter, lemon and thyme bread plus a vanilla bun to swoon over (to be written about later).

:: I've baked some amazing pineapple pies. Droolworthy. Really.

:: I've had a wonderful pedicure. I think it has been at least 10 months since the last, my feet needed that. Because there's only so much an express pedi gadget can do.

:: I helped a poor butterfly with broken wings to a peaceful last few hours. It was the obvious and right thing to do. Perhaps there was good karma.

:: I discovered colouring books for grown ups and pencils, oh pencils...

:: I made an adorable (if I may say so) amigurumi donut.

:: And then I and the donut attended a lovely sustainability conference with such a nice and isnpiring ambiance and loads of good, likeminded people from mainly the travel, hotel and tourism-industry. Made great new contacts, some of which I hope to collaborate with in the future.

:: There have been two birthdays celebrated (M and my mum's) and I had such fun preparing their respective gifts.

:: I got more happy lights. Because you can't have too many of those.

:: There have been plenty of gorgeous cherry blossoms - although sadly I never got the chance to experience the Kungsträdgården ones when they were in full bloom. I'm quite disappointed that things turned out that unfortunate way.

:: I attended a big healing and seance. Yes really. Thanks to a quirky and inspiring friend of mine. Overall it was a huge disappointment, the thoughts on healing was interesting and I don't doubt this medium and others have certain features and abilities of communication that set them apart from most of us. But seriously, this is something that shouldn't take place in a large setting like that but on a more personal and intimate level with only a few attendees. This setting is clearly more hawking than caring. I'm also fascinated and surprised that there were obviously so many adoring hangarounds who attend this guy's every event. My friend knows his work well and has all his books, me I hadn't heard of him. And after that evening I'm admittedly not interested to learn more.

:: I bought a fantastic new zebra scarf.

:: I had great meetings, on both a personal and professional level.

:: The pug named Malte will make an international paw print.

:: Spring has most certainly arrived. There has been lots of sunshine, budding and blooming flowers. Chilly winds and warmer days. And on one of those warmer days I tried my first rice icecream and it was heavenly.

:: I gave you the chance to sign up for a lovely novella subscription with a decent discount - use it before May 10!

:: I said bye to a former favourite photo app and rekindled with an old one.

:: I'm now preparing for and putting the finishing touches to a fun inspirational breakfast talk on social media marketing for creative sole traders I'm doing on Wednesday. Such fun that will be I'm sure!

I'm looking forward to May, 
there's excitement in the air, 
possibilities unknown and 
there will be the lilacs time of the year ~