The Scandi Lover Gift Guide | Christmas

scandi lover gift guide showing variety of books on Copenhagen and ScandinaviaThe Scandi Lover Gift Guide

If you’re anything like me you’ve probably spent the last few weeks window shopping – both physical and online – for potential Christmas gifts. I don’t like to make it easy for myself though. I enjoy visiting as many shops as possible, so I can make sure I get a good idea of what’s on offer this year. But that’s time consuming and if I can help anyone save time, or recommend something they haven’t thought of, then my blog’s work has been done. So without further ado, here is 2018’s ‘The Scandi Lover Gift Guide’. And I’ve made sure to pack it full of my favourite products from the year. Enjoy!

The Scandi Lover Gift Guide

As you can see I’ve focused on brands and products from a range of price points. I’ve included items I have in my own home, so you know that I can vouch for their quality and assure you that they are worth purchasing.

I included three of my favourites books this year, as I think they fit perfectly into any Scandiphile’s lifestyle – you have interior design tips for the home by Bungalow5DK, timeless fashion advice by Pernille Teisbaek, and a tour of Copenhagen with recipes by Trine Hahnemann.

I also added some bits for the home, to create that perfect ‘hygge’ feeling. What better way to do that than with a glass of something delicious, some candle light, and a mini urban jungle? And who could forget the accompanying Christmas food? Liberty has such a beautifully packaged selection this year, I couldn’t resist suggesting them.

If you enjoyed The Scandi Lover Gift Guide, check out the rest of my Christmas Gift Guide series.

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24 Hours in Aarhus, Denmark | A Travel Guide

24 Hours in AarhusIt can be pretty tough visiting a new city, or country. You’re not sure where to eat, what to see, or even where to stay. Well I’m here to change all of that with my handy guides! They’re full of tips, tricks, and the best places to go. So stop worrying about how you’re going to make the most of your time in a new place; here are my recommendations for spending 24 hours in Aarhus, Denmark!

24 Hours in Aarhus

24 Hours in Aarhus, Denmark

  • Do breakfast at Bills Coffee 
    • The Danes know their coffee, but they know their pastries even better. And Bills Coffee won’t let you down on either front. They offer up the best pastries in town (in my opinion), and a relaxing atmosphere. Don’t be afraid to chat to the staff – who are super lovely – they’re full of great recommendations.
  • Tour Aarhus City Hall
    • If there’s one thing you don’t want to miss in Aarhus, it’s the city hall tour. This architectural marvel is the epitome of Danish design. You can find photos and tour information here.
  • Enlighten your senses at ARoS
    • The art museum features an array of amazing artwork, and possibly the world’s most colourful rooftop.
  • Refuel at La Cabra, Coffee Roasters
    • This ridiculously stylish coffee shop also offers up plenty of fresh, local produce. My recommendation: the crayfish sandwich, which is hands down the most delicious sandwich I’ve ever had!
  • Fancy some retail therapy?
    • The streets around Vestergade are littered with independent designers, well known brands, and Magasin department store.

24 Hours in Aarhus

  • Take a bus out to the Deer Park
    • Just a 10min ride from the central bus station is Dyrehaven (Deer Park). This piece of woodland is open to the public, but you’ll have to share your walk with some of Aarhus’s friendly deer – and there are lots of them!
  • Stop by the beach!
    • The woodland borders the Kattegat sea by Dyrehaven, and it’s absolutely beautiful. There are showers and changing facilities for those who are brave enough to take a dip.
  • Choose street food for dinner
    • Conveniently located next door to the bus station is the Aarhus Street Food market. You’ll find a wide variety of cuisines, including traditional Danish food. But don’t fork out on the alcohol, instead…
  • Finish the night at a local craft beer bar
    • Mig og Ølsnedkeren is a cozy – some might even say hygge – spot, filled with groups of young stylish friends and couples. Their main offering is a variety of specialised craft beer, but don’t worry they also serve other drinks.

24 Hours in Aarhus

If you have some extra time…

  • Visit Den Gamle By
    • A must-visit for budding architecture nerds and historians alike. Den Gamle By is a small recreation of a Danish town throughout the years, including houses, shops and more.
  • Pop by the Botanical Gardens
    • Nestled right next door to Den Gamle By, and with free entry too! It’s small, but worth a visit – especially for the butterfly room!

Well there you have it, my travel guide to 24 Hours in Aarhus, Denmark!
And don’t forget to check out the my other 24 Hours In… guides.

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Danish Design Heaven at Aarhus City Hall | Denmark Guide

aarhus city hallAarhus City Hall | Rådhuspladsen 2, 8000 Aarhus C | Map

You know you’re an architecture geek when you base your holiday around a building. Ok well I didn’t base my whole holiday around seeing Aarhus City Hall. But it was definitely number one on my to-see list!

Aarhus City Hall

Stepping inside, I felt like I was walking into a film. Or perhaps an episode of a classic tv show. That’s the only way I can try to get across how magnificent the interior is in Aarhus City Hall. Every single detail of the building has been thought out meticulously. Right down from the gleaming gold of the banisters, to the delicate flowers adorning the walls of the marriage ceremony room. It was like stepping into Danish design heaven.

Built by Arne Jacobsen, the city hall represents Danish architecture and design at it’s finest. The building may be over 75 years old, but Aarhus City Hall is timeless.

How? When? Where?

Although the main floor is open to the public, naturally you can’t just wander around the whole of the city hall. Luckily guided tours are offered in both Danish and English, for around £9 (80DKK). These tours take place on Saturday mornings at 10-11:00 and 11:30-12:30. You’ll be able to see rooms and halls that are usually restricted to the public. And if you’re lucky – and there isn’t a wedding scheduled – you’ll be able to go into the beautiful marriage room, which is covered in hand painted flowers (matching every season). Of course some parts of the city hall are still restricted to staff only, however the tour allows you to see a side of the city hall not open to the public. It’s definitely not to be missed, whether you’re an architecture geek or not.

Don’t forget to check out more of my Denmark travel posts.

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My Top 5 Foodie Hotspots in Aarhus, Denmark | Travel Guide

Foodie Hotspots in AarhusMy Top 5 Foodie Hotspots in Aarhus, Denmark

Hands up if you have trouble deciding where to eat out on a regular basis! Insert raised hand emoji here. I constantly have trouble trying to remember restaurants, or find something new in London, let alone a new city. So I did quite a bit of research when we visited Aarhus recently. However I also wanted to leave some options up to chance, and find something truly amazing. Because there’s nothing better than being surprised, right?

So here are my top 5 foodie hotspots in Aarhus including a selection of cafes, restaurants and bars.

My Top 5 Foodie Hotspots in Aarhus

  1. Bill’s Coffee
    • Let’s start with breakfast. And what better for breakfast than Danish pastry and coffee? The pastries at Bill’s are heavenly. The coffee is some of the best in Aarhus. And the staff are friendly and welcoming. Perfect, no?
  2. Mig og Ølsnedkeren
    • If you’re a fan of craft beer, this is the place to relax after a long day. The selection of beer is insane, and the atmosphere is very chilled (read: Danish). It’s perfect for a hyggeligt evening with friends or family.
  3. Pinden
    • I’m a firm believer in taking in a country’s traditional delights, and Pinden is the perfect spot for delicious Danish food. Don’t forget to finish your meal with some snaps (Danish schnapps)!
  4. La Cabra Coffee
    • For a lunchtime snack and a caffeine pick-me-up, you can’t beat La Cabra. The fresh crayfish sandwich is hands down one of the yummiest meals I had whilst in Aarhus. So much so that I’d happily marry it!
  5. Den Lille Kro (The Little Inn)
    • If you fancy spending a little more, and want something special, this is your place. The Smørrebrød (Danish open sandwich) is delightful, and some of the most impressive I’ve had. Not to mention THAT burger.

Bon Appétit! Or as they say in Denmark, ‘Velbekomme’!

Don’t forget to check out my other Denmark travel posts!

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A Rainbow of Art at ARoS | Aarhus Travel Guide

Aarhus Travel GuideA Rainbow of Art at ARoS | Aarhus Travel Guide

I couldn’t decide where to start when it comes to gushing about my recent holiday to Aarhus, Denmark. The city captured my heart, and my camera (duh, I’m a blogger). So after much deliberation, I decided that my Aarhus travel guide should start at the beginning of my trip. And if it also happens to be the most colourful part, well that’s a bonus.

Aarhus Travel Guide

You may ask me “where?” when I mention Aarhus. But for fans of the Danish life, you’ll recognise it as Denmark’s second largest city – after Copenhagen, naturally. And it just so happens to be European Capital of Culture 2017. So after falling in love with Copenhagen, I decided to see what else Denmark had to offer. And with a title like the capital of culture, Aarhus seemed the perfect place.

My first stop in this new city, was the famous ARoS art museum.

ARoS

ARoS is one of the main attractions at Aarhus, and you can understand why when you notice the ‘Your Rainbow Panorama‘ at the heart of the city’s skyline. But it isn’t imposing, nor is it ghastly against the traditional red roofs. In fact it’s beautiful. Of course it’s open to your own interpretation, but to me it felt like it was saying everyone is welcome in Aarhus. However whilst it may be incredibly Instagram friendly, there’s much more to ARoS than Olafur Eliasson’s colourful masterpiece.

The museum really does feature a panorama of art. For a city that isn’t exactly on the top of the art critics list, I personally loved the installations and exhibitions currently on show. The quality of artwork and artists featured is some of the best I’ve seen. ‘No Man is an Island – The Satanic Verses’ features some big big installations, and they are certainly impressive. Yet it was ‘THE GARDEN – End of Times; Beginning of Times’ that won me over. Not only is it incredibly immersive – without becoming a novelty – but it features some thought-provoking messages, such as man’s relationship with nature.

If you’re in Aarhus, the ARoS art museum is a must visit for any culture fans.

Don’t forget to check out more of my travel posts.

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The Fight for Fresh | NUORI Vital Foaming Cleanser

NUORI Vital Foaming CleanserThe Fight for Fresh with NUORI Vital Foaming Cleanser *

Ok let’s not go into how long it’s been since my last beauty feature. Maybe I got a little too comfortable in my skincare regime and neglected that side of my blog? Quite possibly. Even so, beauty and skincare products are still a major part of my daily life. In fact I’ve been discovering – and using – so many awesome beauty products recently, that’s it has reignited my love for it.

So today I wanted to share a little secret with you, all the way from Denmark. It’s from a perfectly packaged brand who knows exactly what they’re doing with natural ingredients. Here’s my review of the NUORI Vital Foaming Cleanser.

The Fight for Fresh

I was a little confused when I first looked at the albeit gorgeous packaging on my NUORI Vital Foaming Cleanser. It said ‘Start using by…’ Wait, I’m sorry what? We’re all so used to expiry dates, and best befores that this threw me off entirely. Luckily it was explained on the packaging as a date that I should be paying a lot of attention to. Why? Because each product is stamped with a date which you should start using it by (at the latest). This means you’ll benefit from optimum freshness and efficacy of the 100% natural ingredients used.

You see, NUORI’s products are freshly blended every 12 weeks into small batches. Effectively making each product it’s own little  celebrity. Whilst the premium packaging minimizes exposure to air, light and bacteria. NUORI’s products are free from parabens, synthetic colour, synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, petroleum, PEGs, surfaces, MEA, DEA, TEA, polypropylene glycol, phthalates, and silicones.

That’s some pretty damn modern skincare right there.

Is NUORI Vital Foaming Cleanser worth it?

Quite frankly yes, because it wondrously manages to checks all of my boxes:

  • 100% Natural ingredients
  • Kind to sensitive skin
  • Non-drying
  • Smells great
  • My skin loves it
  • Travel friendly

As for cost, well price is always going to be a big factor when it comes to skincare. However after years of trying out different products I am fully on the side of re-buying those that I love. Yes, even if they do cost a little bit more. And that’s where I stand with the NUORI Vital Foaming Cleanser. Taking in to account the utter lack of nasties, and complete joy of usage, I think it’s worth the £25 price tag.

You can purchase the NUORI Vital Foaming Cleanser at MOI MÊME.
Read more of my beauty reviews and recommendations here.

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5 Must Visit Copenhagen Restaurants | Travel

Copenhagen Restaurants5 Must Visit Copenhagen Restaurants

Figuring out where to eat can be such a pain, whether it’s at home or abroad. I’m usually the one tasked with finding somewhere too. Thanks to my blog, my friends and family seem to think I’m the dictionary on everything food related. Enter me, having an anxiety attack because I feel like I have to come up with somewhere right there and then (read: in 60 seconds).

So when I go away on holiday, I always make sure I do my research. I don’t want to be the person that relies on friends, or desperately asks Twitter on the spot. Plus you never really know if someone has the same tastes as you, and you don’t want to end up wasting money. Bad, expensive food is the saddest kind of food. Therefore I took my time (and knowledge of the internet) when we headed to Denmark recently. I was gonna boss those Copenhagen restaurants!

5 Must Visit Copenhagen Restaurants

I wanted to do my bit, and add a little suttin’ suttin’ to the array of Copenhagen restaurants posts out there. Blogs were a big part of helping me find some gems whilst I was in Denmark, so I thought I’d return the favour. I’ve chosen a variety of restaurants, and tried to pick ones I haven’t seen on other blogs/sites – minus one (bonus points if you know which one).

  1. Fætter & Fætter
    • Yes, this is a toast bar. For Brits, that translates to toastie bar. So you can expect lots of cheesy, crunchy deliciousness from this beautifully decorated restaurant.
  2. DØP
    • The Danes love their hot dogs, and this is one of the best known places to get one. You’ll find the trucks scattered around Copenhagen (the site has a map). These are a must-have, and they’re so affordable you’ll definitely have an excuse to try them all.
  3. Tårnet
    • Conveniently located in The Christiansborg Tower, this restaurant is redefining Danish food. The decor is to die for, but don’t worry, the food doesn’t suffer. It is every bit as elegant and gorgeous as it’s surroundings.
  4. Mad & Kaffe
    • This one is for the Instagram lovers. Or just those that like their food with a touch of fun. After waiting in the queue (this place is super popular), you’ll be seated and given a piece of paper to fill out. You select your choice of dishes, then sit back and enjoy.
  5. Københavner-caféen
    • It may look a little dated, but this is the place if you want to try traditional Danish food. The pub-like surroundings make for a relaxed environment, and the food is incredibly flavoursome. Try the Flæskesteg (Denmark’s national dish) – pork, crackling, caramelised potatoes, gravy, cabbage, and pickled vegetables.

Bon Appétit! Or as they say in Denmark, ‘Velbekomme’!

Don’t forget to check out my other Copenhagen travel posts!

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