The April issue has come to an end. Thank you so much reading this month’s Sweden With Love! In case you missed a story:
• Editor’s Letter: Welcome to April!
• Giveaway: We extended the Paloma’s Nest giveaway and the winner is Sarah Coehnen. Congratulations!
This month I’ve learned two important things. First, my feature on Scott Neeson — photographed by VII Photo’s Ron Haviv — changed my life in a big way. I’ve never been one to obsess about getting rich. After all, I decided to become a journalist and that’s not exactly the fastest way to make millions of dollars. But throughout my life, I’ve been guilty of thinking I’d be happier if I had more. Mostly, I’ve had house envy: I always felt life would be better if I could live in a fabulous house located somewhere ridiculously expensive. Preferably without a mortgage. But talking to Scott — who had actually lived in one of the stunning houses I always coveted — changed my ‘need for more’ in a way I never thought possible. I feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Don’t miss his story.
Second, my feature on actress Tanna Frederick, who stars in next month’s The “M” Word by film maker Henry Jaglom, made me realize how much I love people who live with passion. People who are so busy “doing their thing” that they simply don’t have time to worry about what everyone else is doing. People who, when you hang out with them, make you feel as if you want to go out and conquer the world. Climb a mountain, if that’s your dream. And shout from the top.
At the grocery store this week, I was bowled over by a stranger letting me step ahead of her at the checkout line. It was such a simple gesture, but it made my heart swell with happiness. I try to teach my children about acts of kindness, and this reminded me of why they are so vital. This small act of kindness, bestowed upon me by a woman who saw a mother with a full cart and a tired two-year-old, changed the course of my day. It had little to do with me being able to check out faster. What I experienced was a stranger pulling me out of my self-centered point of view and reminding me that we’re all connected.
Thank you for reading this month’s issue of Sweden With Love! I’m leaving you with three beautiful — and easy-to-pin — quotes that spoke to me these past weeks, reminding me to try to live my life to its fullest. I hope they speak to you as well!
The July issue has come to an end and what an amazing month it’s been. The July Cover Story, an exclusive interview with Unforgettable star Poppy Montgomery, was picked up by several outlets including People.com, who turned it into their top story on their website. You can bet I was jumping with joy!
We also visited Swedish illustrator and artist Linn Schrab, who was this month’s Creative Crush. Thanks to Cookie + Kate’s delicious vegan Chai Coconut Ice Cream, I finally ended my year-long ice cream hiatus. And it was worth it! I went the easy-breezy way for this month’s Ask Five with the question “What’s Your Favorite Summer Ritual?” If you missed the delicious answers from Gossip Girl actress Kelly Rutherford, DIY Network’s Kitchen Crashers star Alison Victoria, Sweden’s Biggest Loser fitness expert Tanja Djelevic, SFGirlByBay’s editor and founder Victoria Smith and florist and event designer Mindy Rice, click here! You might pick up a new favorite summer activity. I also shared my latest Kids In The House video, where I tell you what you really need for your baby’s nursery. I’m a minimalist, so you might be surprised by my opinion on the conventional “must-haves” I don’t think you need.
As I was finishing up this inspiration board, I realized I had included more than one quote that encouraged movement or change of direction. It was so typical of me that I had to finish up the board with the title of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s wonderful meditation book, “Wherever You Go, There You Are.” Now, isn’t that true? It’s something I have to remind myself of daily.
This month was so filled with highlights for me, starting with my exclusive interview with actress and lifelong activist Maria Bello on her heart-wrenching work in Haiti, with photographs by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Hume Kennerly. Maria is not one to give a lot of interviews, and this one meant a great deal to me because it shows a side of her that not many get to see.
The May issue has come to an end and it’s been a great month! We kicked off with an exclusive interview with four-time Grammy-nominated artist Jewel — a story that was picked up by People.com and In Touch magazine — and the monthly My Daily Joy feature with Army Wives star Catherine Bell. To honor Mother’s Day, I asked my generous friends Tori Spelling, Nancy O’Dell, Mindy Weiss, Elizabeth Messina and Constance Marie to share their best “mom tips” with us. Their clever and funny advice exceeded my expectations! This month’s At Home feature took us to the lovely Santa Monica house of Gossip Girl actress Caroline Lagerfelt. I’ve spent many happy hours in Caroline’s home, so it meant a lot to me to be able to feature it. Photographer Meg Smith showcased her love for her native Napa Valley with a soothing selection of film images for Sweden With Love’s monthly art show Curated, acclaimed pediatrician Dr. Jay Gordon kicked off the new section Mindful Living with a must-read interview, Cookie + Kate shared her gluten-free rhubarb crisp and Swedish ceramic artist Mia Blanche showed us why she’s worthy of this month’s Creative Crush.
Last but not least, I’m sharing a selection of quotes that speak to me right now. I recently started re-reading meditation teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn’s wonderful book “Wherever You Go, There You Are.” Even the title makes me smile! It’s one of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read and I’m hoping it’ll give me the push I need to start a meditation practice. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for over a decade, so it’s about time. Who knew it could be so hard to sit still for a few moments every day?
It’s Friday, the sun is shining and it’s Memorial Day weekend! I’m heading off to a small island for a little getaway. But before I hop on the ferry, I have to pack for five people, make a batch of Cookie + Kate’s gluten-free vegan chocolate chip cookies and teach a yoga class! What are your plans? Whatever they are, I hope you have a beautiful and relaxing weekend. I’ll see you back here on Wednesday!
xo, Ulrica.
The April issue has come to an end! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I’ve loved creating it. This month, Switched At Birth star Constance Marie (also known as George Lopez’s long-suffering TV wife!) showcased her gorgeous cottage-style home in Los Angeles in an exclusive interview with photographs by Elizabeth Messina. We got to experience India Hicks’ magical life on her island in the Bahamas through her own photographs (My Daily Joy with India Hicks). I launched a new section — Design Insider — thanks to my interview with Alison Victoria, the awesome host of DIY Network’s Kitchen Crashers! My inspiration was kicked into high gear by GG Benitez, Sam Godfrey, Alicia Shaffer and Brenna Britton, whose answers to this month’s question “What’s The Biggest Risk You Ever Took?” were awe-inspiring. I introduced you to Swedish artist Sanne Dahlstrom’s humorous and beautiful pottery. I got the chance to show you one of my favorite houses in the world in April’s At Home story, featuring Kids In The House founder Leana Greene’s oceanfront home in Santa Monica. Fine art film photographer Jose Villa — in this month’s online art show Curated— transported us to Havana, Cuba, with his collection of life-affirming photographs. And finally, Carrie Bell won April’s Giveaway: a Classic DODOcase iPad case!
I leave you with a little inspiration and a few Words To Live By. The two that resonate with me right now are the quotes by Dr. Seuss and George Eliot about friendship. I’m so grateful for the friends in my life who fit the descriptions in these quotes. They make me feel I’m alright just the way I am!
The March issue has come to an end! I hope you’ve enjoyed my new concept of running Sweden With Love in the spirit of a monthly magazine. We had the “March Cover Story,” an at home exclusive with Entertainment Tonight’s Nancy O’Dell. I introduced the first “My Daily Joy” with actress Kelly Rutherford, and “Ask Five” with singer Lisa Loeb, author Anita Hughes, yoga instructor Elizabeth Folk Blanchard, event planner Lisa Vorce and photographer Silvana di Franco. We visited Gutsy girls Sienna Yaun and Juliet Totten from New York City’s Poppies & Posies. I launched the first “Curated,” an online art show that this month featured photographer Judy Parker. In between, I added some love from Sweden with a feature on textile artist Lina Odell Jarlemyr and a tour of a 19th century former hotel turned artist residence. And we had a sneak peek of my first video from the new parenting site Kids In The House!
I’m leaving you with a little inspiration and a few quotes that I love. Of all these, the one that makes my heart absolutely jump with joy is the quote from author Jack Kerouak. Which one do you love? Do any of these quotes speak to your heart, and if so, why? I’d love to hear from you.
