Truly Felicia

The Grand Budapest Hotel

I would happily live in any Wes Anderson movie. Plus, I've had a serious crush on Ralph Fiennes since I first saw The English Patient. I can't wait to see The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Summer Staples Fall Investments

In just three short days we are off to California. Even though we've had the most amazing fall in Stockholm with sunny days and crisp air I'm looking forward to warmer weather. What to bring? An empty suitcase is one idea, then we'll just have to shop our way along the coast. 

Well, I'll at least bring some summer staples. A travel wallet from Smythson to keep all those documents in order. Céline sunglasses. A large clutch to take me from lunches to dinners. Boyfriend jeans because they are comfortable enough to drive in and stylish enough to wear while eating out and museum hopping.

As for fall investments, where to start? I'll definitely invest in all different colored Equipment shirts and also their cashmere. I can't get enough. I've been eyeing Salvatore Ferragamo Varina flats for quite a while. I like how they are over the top preppy. Paired with well worn jeans they'll be perfectly balanced. Ashley Pittman's fair trade jewelry caught my eye a while back. Her Helini earrings are perfection. After summer's bright nail polishes I'm longing for an everyday nude, perhaps YSL's La Laque Couture in Beige Leger will do the trick? And of course, the amazing Donna Tartt will finally grace her readers with a new book. The Goldfinch is out October 22. Be sure to read this conversation with her editor, Michael Pietsch, in Slate.

Moving

We're moving. It feels strange that when I say I am going home, it's not to our apartment but to a very small one that we've rented from now until October.

In May, when neither of us was sleeping very well and Mini was waking up several times a night, we decided we needed a bigger apartment with at least one more bedroom. At first I was hesitant, I've always found strength and security in my home and where I live has been important. In fact, when it comes to my home I don't like change. I like the same. I like coming back to the same place after we've been travelling, I like traditions and celebrating birthdays in the same kitchen and I like having a constant when other things change. Now, we decided we would sell without buying a new place first and the thought of not having anywhere to go, especially with a small baby, was nerve racking. And how would we ever find a better apartment? Ours was amazing, the light came in from the south and west and we had a balcony overlooking the water. This was also the first home we bought together, where we planned our wedding and found out we were having Mini. How do you leave that place?

Well, said and done, we sold our apartment in less than three weeks and I spent three days in limbo until we found a new one. Which was much, much quicker than we had anticipated and for that I am really grateful. Now, I feel completely at ease. Probably because our new home is so great and will suit our needs much better. For the time being we are renting a lovely albeit small apartment and then we're spending a couple of weeks in California before we can move in. I'm really excited, although I will certainly miss this place.

- all photographs by Johan Nilsson for Lagerlings

On My Mind

Considering: Palm leaf wallpaper from the Beverly Hills Hotel. Coveting: J. Crew Studs and Stones Embroidered necklace $198. Wearing: COS Pocket Tee €25. Anticipating: Guldknappen produced by No Ordinary 12. Dreaming: Big Sur in California. Snacking: Swedish raspberries.

Baby Bliss

How did I get so lucky? This wonderful, beautiful and really very strong willed little person simply swept into our lives and changed everything. We love her to bits. I know what I imagined motherhood would be like, so far it has been quite different. Believe me, there isn't a book in the world that can prepare you properly, and I've ploughed through quite a few. Actually, I still can't really believe I'm a mother and that SHE will be with us always. It makes my head spin thinking we will one day have a teenage girl. How on earth will we handle that?

The last eight months have been the most turbulent, overwhelming and sometimes stressful but also the most beautiful, empowering and blissful of my life. I've learned so much about myself and I am sure I'll keep learning as time goes by. For one, I know now that everything will not go as planned and if something actually does go as planned I really shouldn't count on it going as planned the next time. A baby is just that, a baby, and babies do not read calendars, wear a clock or do what you want them to do, they simply are. Which has taught me to simply be and it feels amazing. Before baby, I had a hard time not planning every second, especially weekends and in the beginning I had a hard time understanding why Mini didn't sleep or eat or do anything really according to the books. Now, we sleep, eat and play when we feel like it and I have learned to say no or maybe to parties, lunches and other social gatherings. My fantastic friends seem to accept that this is the way it is with me now and that has made it a whole lot easier. I don't feel guilty.

I've also learned that those first few weeks are the hardest. Mini was colicky and we spent many evenings rocking and trying to comfort her. At the time I felt there was no end in sight but thankfully, at eleven weeks the worst seemed to be over. Colic or not I think the toughest thing to tackle is the sleep deprivation. But it does get better! Mini now sleeps through the night...and then some nights, for some inexplicable reason, she doesn't and I wake up feeling like a zombie! The sometimes total lack of sleep is probably the biggest chock to most new parents. Everyone tells you you won't sleep very well or at all during the first year but you chose to not listen or you think oh, that...well MY child will be different, she'll sleep through the night and if she doesn't I've read this, this and this book and I know EXACTLY what to do to get her to sleep. Well, I've found the best way to handle the sleep situation is to accept it and try to find some comfort in the fact that eventually she will sleep through the night.

Well, it does get a whole lot easier. And more fun! Mini truly makes our world go round and like most enamoured parents we watch her development with awe. Hearing her laugh out loud when Andreas tickles her melts my heart. I love them both so much.

- photographed by Andreas