Let’s list again - as if there was no tomorrow :)
I do wonder why I have this urge to do this - or much more this feeling of guilt when trying to decide not to do it this year?
Most of this year I have worked on becoming much more aware of what I want to do and why. This is proving to be very challenging let me tell you and as I dive deeper into this matter I find this increasingly difficult. It´s like this is my life challenge. Shutting of my rational head and simply letting my body do the decision making.
But the thing about these recaps is that I truly love reminiscing old school memories. I started to do these yearly summaries back in 2014 and I have always loved lists so I guess it´s just the way it should be. The fun part is reading the old ones as the years go by. It´s a little like a diary.
So here goes this years little best of list.
It might be worth mentioning that I have been on sick leave the last few months so as this year is rapidly coming to an end and as I am finalizing this years, this magical new year has already started it feels like I am about to embark a new era. Excited to see what this year will bring feeling a lot better than I did some months ago. So the positive progress is a fact.
Favorite restaurant moment:
Ambra // Copenhagen
Probably one of the prettiest Italian restaurants in Copenhagen. For us oldies, who actually remember the hyped restaurant from back in the days: Umami, I guess this place becomes even more magical because the space is so completely different now. We went here with my husband´s parents who love Italian food as much as we do, we had our little person with us and I felt so utterly happy. The food was simple but so good, and the space is honestly breathtaking.
Estelle // Berlin
Sometimes, everything is just right. The music: 90´ies RnB, the service: cool, colorful, fun and yet so friendly, the company: a sister you have not seen in too long, the city: “Berlin du bist so wunderbar Berlin”, the food: great flavors, fun textures - comfort food but so very, very fresh ! Honestly I had such a hard time choosing “the one restaurant” to spend our Friday night at when we were going to Berlin. But ESTELLE in Prenzlauer Berg turned out to be the perfect spot.
Best drawing:
This might be nepotism in the simplest form. Sorry for not being sorry, but I really like this one. This was such a magical day, hanging out at Tilda & Karl with my smallest family member, enjoying time to read a little in a magazine, drawing and having cake. She has for a long time this year been drawing all sorts of cat´s - will try to push her into dogs now …
Favourite art exhibition?
As I have not been on instagram / facebook for many months, I am no longer on my A - game when it comes to what exhibitions, cultural events and new restaurants to check out. Guess I am trying to embrace JOMO - missing out and being proud of it. Every now and then I am stil enjoying the Copenheaven life though, but in a much slower pace than before. But I have a true interest in art and I do love to spend time in museums, so a few museums have been visited this year.
Gammelstrand, Arken, Giacometti at SMK, Tate Britain, König Gallerei, Louisiana, Maria Callas Museum, Ordrupgaard, DAC, Kronborg, Liljevalcks.
Danielle McKinney / about a moment - in a moment // Kunsthalln - Copenhagen
I needed a moment to myself after Christmas. We had spent Christmas on our own which was just perfect but we had spent a lot of time together so a little break was just right. I have been wanting to see this new exhibition space for some time and it did not disappoint. Beautiful light, very good size, very sleek and these paintings - portrayed strong, empowered and sexy women. It was beautiful and with such poetic brushstrokes and I very very much liked the colors.
Alekos Fassianos // Athen
I love it when people have good ideas and tips and tricks when you are traveling somewhere. This tip came from a dear friend who loves great illustrations, prints and colors as much as I do. This museum for sure was such a jackpot. To be honest I had never heard of Fassianos before - but we came across his works of art in Athens so going to the actual museum was full circle. Such strong colours - and quirky perspectives. So spot on in capturing the Greek culture - we all loved this little playful gem of a museum.
As her Royal highness: Dronning Margrethe decided to pass the torch on to her son during her annual speech on New Year’s Eve, last year, we witnessed the coronation of Kong Frederik this year. Or more accurately we stood in the middle of a huge crowd and waved when he and his family came out to the balcony and spoke to the people for the first time. Really moving - such a big moment. All three of us enjoyed it a lot. Even though we saw astonishing little - we were surrounded by nice people and had plenty of snacks in our pockets, so we were good. I guess, we are raising another little royalist. I of course also stood in line forever at La Glace so I could get us the official La Glace royal cakes. They were absolutely worth it! And it was such a fun experience, as the other people in line were hilarious. Honestly a fun couple of hours - it made me feel like a true Dane.
Speaking of La Glace - I do remember meeting my Line Friends here for “lunch” at some point this year. Which I would like to mention as this is for sure the perfect lunch spot. Their strong black coffee paired with a really nice bread with cheese and topped off with a little cake for dessert. It may be the perfect moment of everyday decadence. Not much for the fainted hearted and maybe not something my cholesterol would approve of every week but hey you only live once right …
Did you visit any special people / places?
This year I feel that I am starting to get back on track, I saw more people than I feel like I have done in years. When I travel - get out of my regular everyday life I feel so much lighter. My head works better and I think more clear. Speaking different languages that I normally do, painting my lips red, wearing my power suit and just enjoying life not taking things so seriously do really work magic every now and then.
April // Stockholm
Spending a cold weekend with Mimi & Julia was truly wonderful. I hate having a hangover but with these people it made sense. Ate so much wonderful food, and laughed so hard and felt like myself again even though I was clearly not doing very well. But taking the train up to Stockholm to meet with the loveliest people - where we had spicy Asian food at the Asian Post Office, sipped fancy basil smash cocktails, drank beer in big old school leather chesterfield sofas, sang karaoke late, late at night, saw art at Liljevalcks and had coffee at Komet turned out to be a very good idea.
October // Obersdorf
Obersdorf with my mum - such an amputated trip. My sister had a serious motorcycle accident just a few weeks before. We were suppose to go all three - we decided that I should come to Munich and see my sister so I could see for myself that she was doing okey. My mum and I drove to Obersdorf by ourselves the next day. It was relaxing but with such an intense feeling of making the most of each day as life is precious. My sister and I have spoken more on the phone this year that we have done in ages and more importantly we have agreed on keeping it that way. A good plan. Remember to call your loved ones.
November // London
36 hours in London with David made me feel alive again. Thanks for being the best sport. Had such a moment of gratefulness as we lay there in this tiny hotel room, sipping tea and eating biscuits - THANK you - The Hoxton, Shepards Bush, you truly made us feel home. Who would have thought that a trip to London with NO plans could turn out so nicely. David is the best traveling partner as he is as spontaneous as me and we enjoy the same things. A trip to the TATE Britain, tea at Liberties, a quick look at the Harrods Christmas Department, Notting Hill and Portobello Road, a cocktail and burger in a great, busy hotel bar, Chinese dumplings and oozing around in a wonderful bookshop. What more do you need?
December // Berlin
Being on a budget in Berlin with my sister was great fun. We had wonderful breakfast at, Frühstuck 3000, looked at great art at König Gallerei, drank very nice coffee at the barn, 21 grams and acid. Ate great burgers at five guys and grumpsious donuts at Bramnibal and strolled the cold and gray streets of Berlin. Just the two of us. Tried not to go to places I knew from way back but just explored together and hang out. It’s was a short and slow trip and thanks to Joy Denalane and Max Herre we enjoyed such a great concert. Most certainly the best concert for this year.
How did you spend your summer holiday?
We had the summer holiday of our lives. More honeymoon / summer holiday / trip of a lifetime kind of atmosphere. I have a hard time believing that we will ever spend a better summer holiday ever again. Our life peaked there even though also here the start was a little turbulent …
Two weeks before my doctor pulled the breaks - as she put it. You will never do this yourself so I will do it for you. I was completely exhausted and very, very stressed out. So a few weeks before the holidays I was on sick leave - a sick leave that ended being a few months long.
But miraculously I had a sense of ease over me as we boarded the plane to Athen. We had done our best to pack light, the trip had been planned really well and I had this sense when we get to Greece I will be okey. The 36 degrees in Athens and the hectic hustle and bustle threw me a bit over board, but we took it slow. And as my man had been so wise to change our accommodation to a little apartment instead of a hectic hotel, so we had a place to withdraw in the cool airconditioned space.
Athens was fun though, very hectic and so big and overwhelming in the heat with a little person. But nice people, good coffee, lots of ice cream, interesting architecture and so much great typography and street art. We even came across the Maria Callas museum and what I think is Athens only public playground. A huge playground in a public park that we basically had to ourselves. We also had a great dinner at Farao - a very good tip from a friend. A first glimpse of the very high food game in Greece.
SYROS
The minute we stepped on the ferry boat to Syros - our first islands, there was a calm feeling to it and as we stepped off the boat we only had to walk for a few minutes before we were welcomed by the sweetest family. I honestly felt we had hit the Jackpot. We LOVED Syros, taking the local bus to the small beaches and doing food shopping in the local supermarkeds and bakeries downtown. The wonderful back alley restaurants and all the sweet people. This is also where our Greek Salad addiction started. There was an old school swimming spot in the middle of the city that we also loved.
PAROS
Next stop Paros - it took a few days. We needed to land here, as our original accompany action had been canceled we needed to adjust a little. But as we found a fisherman’s boat that could take us further out to a beautiful beach we were almost set. The crowd was younger and more festive but we had a lovely, quiet accommodation with a small terrasse. Just next to what happened to be the best bakery ever. The island had a completely different vibe than Syros, maybe more the idyllic Greek feel, but a bit younger and we must admit we are getting older so a slower pace suits us better.
NAXOS
This was the biggest of our islands - but we had booked an accommodation in the old town so we did not quite grasp the size of the island. The beaches were amazing - and as the season was moving towards the end it was nice and empty. We really enjoyed the long sandy beaches and had lovely food. As our apartment was just above a family run taverna whose owners also owned the apartment we were greeted so warmly every day and really enjoyed ourselves.
Ending the almost three week long trip with a stopover in Athen - was a good idea. Especially as we had booked a hotel with a beautiful view and a roof terrasse with an infinity pool. Where we spent many hours and really enjoyed the rest of our holidays. We even got to spend a few hours at a lovely museum and found a wonderful coffee shop: Anana.
How did you spend your birthday?
This year my birthday was spent in Greece - such a good idea. My family knows me best. Waking me up with a wonderful breakfast and sweet, thoughtful presents. Continuing on to the beach, where we swam all day, relaxed and read books and in the evening we went into Syros town. Where we had booked a table at MAZI, a pretty restaurant in an old ruin with this beautiful bougainvillea ceiling - we even had a nice glas of wine at this wonderful little wine bar beforehand and the best finale was going to a desert place where we had iced coffees and ice cream late at night.
Thank you also to the Italien lady who complimented me in my wedding dress - Bellissima, belissima :)
Best series?
One Day, Eric, Lykkeland, So long Marianne, Die Kaiserin and a few more …
Best books?
This is so tricky, as I have read so much this year.
Man skulle nok have været der / Thomas Korsgaard + Kun til navlen / Linea Maja Ernst + Jente, 1983 / Linn Ullmann + Stygt og pent / Ragnhild Brockmann + Hjem / Moussa Mchangama + Højtryk Lavtryk / Meg Mason + many, many more …
Next on my list is Underskud / Emma Holten & Intermezzo / Sally Rooney.
Any good coffee?
ACID in Berlin. We have made wonderful coffee on our V60 pour over at home this year and one of my guilty pleasures will always be going for a good cup of coffee or buying a good bag of coffee beans. I might not have much money but what I have is spent on food and beverage.
My sister and I had really good coffee in Berlin - but ACID was for sure next level and is my best coffee this year. What a sleek and beautiful designed place - next time we will try some of their baked goods as well. This time a flat white to go was just perfect.
