Thursday, July 21, 2011

Seriously Cool Ways to Play with Herbs


It’s not always easy to have a garden when you live in the city. I think that’s why so many of us stick with growing herbs in little pots when summer rolls around.
Lucky for us, and you, there is no short supply of cool gadgets and stylish ways to
make your herb growing fun.



The designers at Normann Copenhagen have come up with the perfect space saving Herb Stand. Herb Stand organizes your herbs and keeps them tidy, without being boring.  Scissors and herbs are gathered together in one place, making it easy to season your food.

Have more than a few chives to chop? Check out the Five-Blade action of these Stainless steel Herb Scissors. These dishwasher safe scissors will make quick work of pile of parsley or bunch of basil.



Want to chop you herbs more efficiently? You will need the Chop Knife by Normann Copenhagen. This razor sharp knife allows easy one-hand chopping. And yes, you will look cool too. Seriously great gift.



Now that we’ve got you thinking of herbs and gardening, perhaps a little inspiration will get you moving. We highly recommend GardenAnywhere an extremely informative book by Alys Fowler that can help you turn any little spot of land into a perfect mini-garden.



Combine the book and scissors, or perhaps the Knife and some fresh herbs and you have one fantastic gift idea….or present for yourself. Happy Gardening.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Serve with Sagaform SOS

Sagaform SOS will help you to bring summer to your table. 

Sagaform 'SOS' Serving Bowl, $16
Sagaform 'SOS' Decanter, $30
Sagaform 'SOS' Herring Forks, Set of 2, $15
Sagaform 'SOS' Jar with Lid $21

Sagaform 'SOS' Butter Knife, set of 2, $15



The SOS series is designed by duo Björk-Forth for Sagaform

Pia O. Björklund and Magnus Forthmeiier were trained at the School of Textiles at the University College of Borås and have worked with fashion for a range of Swedish businesses for many years. Since 1997, they have jointly run the Björk-Forth design studio, where they carry out freelance assignments in textile and product design for companies in Sweden and elsewhere. In addition to freelancing, they also create new products in their own collection for the Swedish design company Rotor, primarily from stoneware and textile.




Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Sweden Competes in the Semi Finals of the Women's World Cup


Sweden Competes in the Semi Finals of the Women's World Cup
Sweden v Japan 2:45 pm EST
Today, July 13, 2011
Watch LIVE online or check your local cable listings

Support Team Sverige: Sweden Soccer Tees on Sale now at ShopSwedish.com 
Sweden Soccer Tees originally $19.95
Women's World Cup Price $11.97
Sizes S,M,L,XL, XXL
Available in Blue or Yellow 
Imported from Sweden, 100% combed cotton

Order Blue Soccer Tee at World Cup price.
Order Yellow Soccer Tee at World Cup price.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

July in Sweden: Eat. Drink. Be Merry.

ShopSwedish.com is excited to offer Falksalt, Sweden’s oldest and most popular selling salt.

Once there was only one kind of salt on the spice-rack, but that was long ago. Today, Sweden’s Falksalt offers a wide assortment of salts sure to enhance your culinary repertoire.
Falksalt comes in a variety of infused flavors, from citron to rosemary, garlic to chili; the delicious and unique flake salts impart robust but delicate flavor to your finest cooking.

Have you ever tasted tomatoes, right off the vine?
Try sun warmed tomatoes, sliced with a pinch of Sweden's Natural Falksalt Crystal Flakes on top. 

Enjoy happy hour with Falksalt Citron


Makes 1 glass
1 shot Vodka
1 shot Sour Apple Liquor
1 cup of crushed ice
Champagne

Mix all ingredients except Champagne in a blender and pour into a cocktail glass. Top off with the Champagne a pinch of Falksalt Crystal Flakes, Citron.




Clock off, tune in, chill out
"Short sleeves, bare midriffs, ice cream, fishing in a country lake. To counterbalance a life of functioning infrastructure and technological modernity, people are nostalgic for the primitive, rural life." The Year in Sweden by Kim Loughran



Filled with breathtaking photos and insightful narrative, The Year in Sweden offers readers a month-by-month glimpse of Swedish life, whether it be the bustle of beautiful Stockholm or the serene wildness of Sarek National Park.


Find out more about how Swedes celebrate summer and the rest of the year in the book The Year in Sweden on sale now in the online bookstore at ShopSwedish.com

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

OUR NEW FAVORITE HAPPY


We get very happy and excited around here when we come across a new Swedish designer yet to make a splash in the U.S. We get even more excited and happy when that designer has wonderful and funky products for us to offer.

Case in Point - Swedish illustrator Ingela P Arrhenius, whose aggressively happy designs are brightening up our store room.

Her book, 100 Wood Block Figures, showcases an exhibition of her hand painted wood block figures. Since all of the figures in the book were sold and dispersed, she calls it her “family album.” We dare you not to smile as you scroll through the images below.




Ingela’s designs are also available on greeting cards. The cards are on their way and will be available in our store this week. Just try to pick a favorite.



Of course there are Tea Towels and Dishcloths too. The Tea Towel comes in one great retro(y) design available in three different color combinations. The Dishcloths feature your choice of a Cat, a Rooster, or an Owl. Good luck choosing, you should probably get one of each.



Rounding off our Ingela Funfest is her inexplicably addicting and original book 142 Actors, which is, of course, a book showcasing Ms. Arrhenius’ interpretations of a German talent catalogue circa 1933 that she found on her bookshelf. Go ahead, re-read that last sentence, it still won’t make any sense, but the little book is fascinating and inspiring and would look stellar on your coffee table.


 (Almost all images courtesy of Ingela)

You can learn more about and follow Ingela on her blog at www.ingelaparrhenius.com, and of course order all of her happy happy products @ shopswedish.com

Our Haiku winner and her winnings

Sarah Erickson Lume stopped by ASI to pick up her Summer in the City gift package.

Seriously, is there anything cooler than a carafe wearing a jacket?

Thinking up a new contest soon, perhaps something to do with inanimate objects wearing jackets.... 

Congrats again to Sarah for her winning Haiku!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

We Have a Winner

A big heartfelt thanks to all of you who participated in our Haiku contest.
So much fun to read the posts each day.

We are happy to announce that Sarah Erickson Lume is our grand prize winner with her Haiku:


                                              new road construction
                                   I turn the radio on
                                   I take my watch off

                                    
Sarah will receive the following Summer in the City prizes:
1. Klippan MOA Blanket: Perfect for a summer picnic
2. Eva Solo Fridge Carafe with Neoprene Cover:Lime - What is cooler than a carafe with a jacket?

3. Bengt and Lotta “Flower Power” Cutting Board:  newest pattern from Sweden's hippest design team! 

4. Camilla Läckberg's The Ice Princess: After having lunch with her at ASI, we had to include her book!                

 Congratulations Sarah!

Thanks to everyone for playing.








Tuesday, June 14, 2011

More Haiku Love


Sarah Erickson Lume
Bird songs ricochet
off of night’s heavy slate roof
landing lightly here.
Lin Nelson-Mayson
Black truck, steamy hot
Open windows - more hot air!
Drive fast! Cool me now!
Kirk Duffy
A Swedish summer?
Only the year you don’t go;
The grass is greener.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Summer In the City Haiku (vote for your favorite)



Carolyn Johnson Spargo
sensommarnätter
två människor vid vatten
dröm om framtiden

On late summer nights
Sarah Erickson Lume
how do bugs survive
such long winters she asks me
as she stomps on ants
Dee Schlong
Haiku Entry:
Rolling hills happy,
Searching for smiling flowers,
Sun fills my spirit.
Kristin Bergstrom Gibbs
Warm, alive again
Run,walk, bike,soak up the lakes
Each day a gift,skol!

Sturdy legs, bright red;
The Dahl horse enjoys summer.
Simple, cheerful, grand.
Chad Snelson
Movies and Music
The Walker almost blew it
Red Wine in the Park
Danielle Langehaug
Wow, I am tired...tired.
How many syllables are
there in Haiku? Two!
 
Sarah Erickson Lume
summer rain won’t stop
her from doing a cartwheel
in the kiddy pool
Cheryl J. Olson
Svenskarnas Dag nears
Music, food and dance abound
4th Sunday in June
Judith Erva
ja i am swedish
no i don't color my hair
stop asking me that
Susan Brower
Is DQ open?
I’ll give you ten bucks if you
Get me a blizzard
Kari Volkmann-Carlsen
Warm People
Shoulders unhunched, breathe
Life's a full-bodied smile
Stretched on a green lawn
Sarah Erickson Lume
light pinwheels through trees
crashing into swing sets and kids
without making a sound
Brad Neuhauser
Picnic planned today
Morning wind blows in a storm
Beach ball at the curb

Friday, June 3, 2011

The Haiku Contest is Heating Up ( vote for your favorite)


Matthew J. Kinservik
Birds are *really* loud
Open windows, bright mornings
Summer wakes me up
Katy Freed Epler
Oh, the pressure's on
I'm not good at poetry
But here goes nothing
Peggy Korsmo-Kennon
Desk chair spins she exits
Red kayak leaves beach and floats
Auto-reply Out
Sarah Erickson Lume
new road construction
I turn the radio on
I take my watch off
Elyse Ericsson
Sandals on bare soles
Tires whirring, gears clicking, squeaks
Summer sings gently
Paul Kruse
Summertime is here
Glogg is out of season now
Elderflower gins!
John Podeszwa
古池や
スウェーデ飛こむ
水のおと
Yvette Webster
Lovely lake water
Laps softly against my feet
In summer I bloom
Nina Clark
Note: bike with mouth shut-
Gnat clouds on the Greenway trail
Make an icky snack.
Ramona Harristhal
Green as green can be,
We wait so long for heaven.
Sit and drink it in!
Savage Press
Buzz buzz cicadas.
Hum hum streetlights and cool rum.
Kids running in sun.
 

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Haiku Entries!

The Lakes 
We’re out at the lakes
Cooking burgers cooking steaks
What’s in the cooler?
President Bruce's Haiku
Bike trails, boats and sails
Lakes and pails, baseball with hail
Minneapolis
Summer Swenglish
Sommar sol och strand
Sunburn with no spf
Sand mellan tårna
Sommar svenska Haiku:
Svenska skärgården
Räkor Kräftor i magen
Fjällbacka är bäst
 
 

 

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Summer in The City Haiku Contest

It’s Finally Summer in the City, and time to celebrate with ShopSwedish.com’s Summer in The City Haiku Contest

It’s easy and fun to enter!

Simply write a Haiku about Summer in the City 
(C’mon you remember, 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables)

Post it on ASI’s Facebook Page

Enter as many haikus as you like

How to Win:

Each Day we will repost the Haiku’s on our blog at ShopSwedish.com
for people to vote for their favorite.


Visit the blog and become a “Follower” (just click “FOLLOW” on the right side of the blog page) and you will become eligible to vote

It’s that easy. 
Vote early, Vote often.

What you Win:
The author of the winning Haiku will win a hand picked bevy of summer essentials from some of our Favorite Designers worth over $200.00

ShopSwedish: Best kept secret or next big thing?

ShopSwedish featured in June issue of 
Cooking Light Magazine!
Lookie here!  Page 24!


This is a "pretty big deal", Museum Shop Manager, Danielle says. "The Museum and Shop are closed to the public until November 2011 for ASI Campus Expansion but we are open 24/7 at ShopSwedish.com!"





Sagaform Pie Plate
$35

Order Online
or contact Kate at 612-870-3378
M-F, 8:30-5pm
to place an order.



Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Cooking with the World's Favorite Seasoning


Product of Sweden, made from pure, 
Mediterranean sea water

.


Perfect for cooking, baking, grilling, and of course gifting to your favorite foodie.  Available online at ShopSwedish.com in Original, Black, Rosemary, Citron and Red Chili.


Hej Ann!  BBQ season is here in the US. 
Is your "Swedish palate" up for the Red Chili challenge?




Salt in all its forms is a hot culinary trend. 
It enhances any savory dish and makes the taste buds sing. 

In this beautiful book, top cook and food stylist Valerie Aikman-Smith introduces you to all kinds of salts, from Hawaiian Red Alaea Salt to Jurassic Salt. Once you've tried Valerie's stunning recipes you will never look at salt in the same way again.



Halmstad’s Falksalt is a small family owned company in Halmstad founded in 1830, and is now the dominant salt brand in Sweden. Both professionals and consumers prefer their brand because their focus is on salt and salt only. Being a small family owned company they put their heart into meeting customers' requests, no matter where they're from.

Monday, May 23, 2011

My visit to Bombadill Design in Hägersten Sweden. By Ann

 
Birgitta Sjöberg and Sara Högberg, the owners of
Bombadill.
Look at the Kanelbulle rug on the wall behind them. That's on its way !!!
These are some of the goodies that will be here soon. Just check the website.
The Popcicle and Icecream Cones are rattles for your babies and toddlers.


How about a Princess Tårta for somebody's birthday?

Kanelbulle, Lussekatt, Candy Cane and a Gingerbread House. Great Christmas Toys for Little Ones.
And Christmas is right around the corner,  but lets have some warm weather first.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Contest still rocking at ASI's Facebook page

Our favorite entry so far! Thanks for the laugh Shannon
 
‎1) It's orange.
2) It's a bottle wearing a jacket.
3) Four words-Summer of Iced Tea
www.shopswedish.com

Friday, May 6, 2011

Facebook Contest Starts Today!

Back By Popular Demand!

Find It  Post It  Win It  Facebook Contest

Official Rules:
Snoop around the site, find the item you wished you owned, or want to give as a gift.
Post a picture of the item (or the link from shopswedish) and tell us why you love it on ASI's facebook page:
  http://www.facebook.com/#!/AmericanSwedishInstitute
You will be entered to win that item. That's it, no crazy restrictions.
If you love more than one item, go ahead and enter more than once. Tell your friends,
Tell your husband, your wife, your girlfriend, well, you get it.
Contest ends May 13th.