Opiates

Lisa Larson X Skultuna Lisa Larson, born in 1931 and passing in 2024, remains a central figure in twentieth century Swedish ceramic design. Her work stands as a widely recognised expression of a period marked by both artistic clarity and enduring craftsmanship. Her design language is defined by warmth and humour, often accompanied by a subtle sense of irony. Between 1954 and 1980 she worked at Gustavsbergs Porcelain Factory, a formative chapter in which many of her most recognised ceramic works were created. Her significance within Swedish design history is further reflected in her representation at the National Museum. In 2023 Lisa Larson spoke of her long standing interest in materials and her anticipation of seeing her figures interpreted in brass through a collaboration with Skultuna. Having primarily worked with clay, she described brass as an ancient and genuine material that had always fascinated her. Find the collaboration here  Image courtesy of Skultuna

Holiday Gift Guide December 24th To capture the holiday in motion I have long looked for a camera I can bring with me, to finally put the phone away for a moment and still catch the beauty of everyday life. This year, at the very top of my wish list, is the Leica Q3 Monochrom. Designed for those who love pure and authentic black and white photography, the Q3 Monochrom features a specially developed full-frame sensor with no colour filter and no low-pass filter. It captures only light, delivering exceptional sharpness, a wider dynamic range, and beautiful tonal depth that reveals even the most delicate details. Crafted in Germany, it also comes with IP52 weather sealing to protect against dust and rain, making it a trusted companion in any environment. One of its most important updates is support for Content Credentials, allowing photographers to create image files whose authenticity can be verified, a valuable safeguard in an age of AI-generated visuals. The Leica Q3 Monochrom is priced at 77,990 SEK and you can find it here  Image Courtesy of Leica

Holiday Gift Guide December 23rd Lisa Yang – The Ylda Balaclava Since we are based in Stockholm, we are used to snow, rain and cold windy winters that demand warm and durable layers, yet we still want to feel stylish and fashion forward. We love Lisa Yang’s sporty yet feminine cable knit balaclava in beautifully soft grey cashmere. It is perfect pulled up to protect the face and hair from harsh weather, but it looks just as chic worn down when the temperature is milder. You can find The Ylda Balaclava here Image Courtesy of Lisa Yang

Holiday Gift Guide December 22nd Jo Malone London — The Scent of the Season Jo Malone London’s Sandalwood & Spiced Apricot Cologne is the kind of fragrance that instantly feels like the season. It opens with the warmth of a festive drink, wrapped in gentle spice and sweetness, before settling into the creamy softness of sandalwood that lingers beautifully on the skin. Vanilla adds depth and richness, while cardamom brings a fresh lift that keeps the scent playful rather than heavy. With its blend of warmth, smoothness and subtle indulgence, it is a fragrance that captures the spirit of winter evenings and makes a thoughtful, elegant gift. You can find the cologne here Image Courtesy of Jo Malone London

Holiday Gift Guide December 20th CELINE CHARMS I have always loved charms. When I was a child, my friends and I collected little tokens for our bracelets, each one carrying its own meaning, wish, or memory. Something I would truly love to receive for Christmas is a bracelet and charm from CELINE’s new Charm Collection. Presented in beautiful layers on the runway, the charms feel like small personal statements. Each one is meant to be chosen because it resonates with the wearer, and to be collected over time so that every piece becomes part of a growing story. They can be worn on chunky bracelets, necklaces, gourmette chains or even pins, which makes them playful, versatile and deeply personal. The collection mixes gold and silver finishes and brings together CELINE’s iconic Triomphe with heritage symbols and new seasonal designs, allowing each person to create their own expression of style and individuality. Perhaps it is time to begin a new Christmas tradition, where you receive a new charm every year to mark the moment? Find the charms here Image Courtesy of CELINE

Holiday Gift Guide December 21st Helly Hansen Ski Sweater Planning to spend Christmas on the slopes? Then the Women’s Bliss Ski Knit Sweater is the perfect gift for you. Warm and flexible with its blend of 80 percent wool and 20 percent polyamide, it has a subtle side slit that allows it to move beautifully with your body. The design brings an instant sense of classic alpine elegance which, to be honest, is the only alpine style we really want. Find the sweater here Image Courtesy of Helly Hansen

Holiday Gift Guide December 18th A Festive Stay at Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden Who would not want to spend the holidays in Dresden? During the festive season, the city is filled with the aromas of gingerbread, mulled wine and cinnamon, and Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden captures this atmosphere with timeless elegance. Throughout December, the hotel offers a full programme of seasonal experiences, from beautifully decorated interiors and festive cocktails in the lobby to traditional culinary celebrations. Rooted in Saxony’s rich gastronomic heritage, Das Palais Restaurant serves a classic braised goose menu throughout the month, featuring winter flavours such as red cabbage, caramelised chestnuts and saffron pear. Afternoon tea at Amalie Patisserie and Lounge takes on a celebratory tone with Dresden Christmas stollen and festive pastries, served alongside sandwiches and scones by the fireplace, accompanied by a glass of Taittinger Champagne. The festivities continue with Christmas Eve lunch and dinner at Das Palais, followed by a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner at Bel Etage with a Champagne reception and carefully selected wine pairings. To welcome the new year, guests are invited to the historic Kurfürstensaal, transformed into an elegant ballroom for a glamorous New Year’s Eve celebration with live music into the early hours. Image Courtesy of Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden

Switch Nails Flagship image courtesy of Switch Nails Switch Nails is a Swedish brand elevating press-on nails to a new standard. With trend-driven colors, multiple shapes, and impressive staying power, you get beautiful nails without harming your natural ones. A new top coat refreshes already-used nails. Easy to apply, easy to remove—and now opening the world’s first press-on nail flagship store at Drottninggatan 73B in Stockholm.