Sweden {Halmstad & The Beach}

Tuesday morning we decided to get out of town and head to the coast.  Christian drove Maggie and me to Halmstad, a cute town near the water where we walked around in the rain checking out the shops and Christmas decor.  Next we headed out to Hotel Tylösand, a super chic and modern hotel right on the beach filled with original art and photographs that I for sure want to stay at one day.  The hotel was closed for winter renovations but they let us wander around checking out the property, then we headed out to the beach where we walked along the sand in the freezing cold {I'm not sure I've ever been so bundled up on a sandy beach before!}.  It was so beautiful and I could just imagine how fun and energetic it would be in the summer.  After the beach we were starving so Christian found us a cool and cozy little restaurant in Halmstad right by the water where we warmed up with yummy soup before the hour plus drive back to the house.

not your typical beach footwear

the cutest little restaurant

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Sweden {A Snowy Walk & a Swedish Grocery Store}

On Monday we had another quiet morning and afternoon at home, but before the sun went down {which is pretty early in Sweden!} I just knew we had to go for a bundled up walk outside.  Maggie came with us for a bit so we all put on our warmest clothes and headed out for a neighborhood walk in the snow.  It was incredibly icy and cold so after Maggie headed back home C and I continued on through the forest, looking for animal tracks and trying to stay upright on the super icy streets to town.  The next day we headed into Ljungby to do some grocery shopping - one of my favorite things to do in a foreign country as the offerings are both so different {sandwich cake} and strangely familiar {american salad dressing}.  We stopped in the "systembolaget" {liquor store} for more glögg then made a quick stop at the smoked fish shop for Christian's favorite smoked eel before making our way back home for a warm home cooked meal.

the main road to town

so many animal tracks

home for the trip

our decorated tree

the tree in ljungby

so much glögg

princess cake for christmas

giant meringues

so many pizza kits

"american" salad dressings

sandwich cakes

my favorite part of the store - the chip aisle

candy

shopping at the fish market

smoked eel {christian's fave}

dinner

xoxo,

stephanie marie