Sunday Strolling in Copenhagen I

I decided to stroll through Kongens Have - the King's Garden today after my rendezvous with Alina and noticed how pretty the light was. 

I ran a few errands - and because it's still too cold for summer dresses I decided to head home and watch a few more episodes of Phryne Fisher... yes, I'm addicted :-)

Chez Antoinette

A good tip to pass on when visiting Copenhagen is to explore the court yards. Many of them hide gems like this lovely and very charming Konditori Antoinette. I spent a few hours there today with Alina and ordered my usual café latte and a quiche lorraine. We both decided to return soon for their afternoon tea.

Weekend Inspiration #59

The Magic of Flowers

My awesome flower shop Pigen og Blomsten/The Girl and the Flower is closing down for the summer so I stopped by today and treated myself to a beautiful bouquet - and I'm already slightly obsessed with it. Seriously, are there anything lovelier than flowers?? 

Resso Espressobar

Spring is honestly no where in sight and today it rained in Copenhagen. I had some errands in the city after a work meeting and popped into the bookstore Arnold Busck and realized it's been ages since I've browsed books - a favourite past time of mine. You're welcome to take a few books with you to the café Resso and I picked a new book about Coco Chanel and was reminded, yet again, that fashion fades, only style remains. 

Two Cute Shops

It's always a pleasure to discover new shops on Christianshavn (like this new nostalgia shop) and also to pass old favourites like my flower shop Pigen og Blomsten (The Girl and the Flower)

The little "blue" nostalgia shop probably has a name which I haven't figured out yet because my eyes always catch the window displays of knitted ponchos and cool sweaters and also the little push cart with flowers. I still need to go inside but it looks promising with gadgets and knick knacks. 

My favourite flower shop is always overflowing with colours and I just love it so and have to mention its owner Lisser who is as nice and sweet as can be. I buy all my plants there and wish I had a balcony so I could add more. I did a post on Pigen og Blomsten here

These shops are located on the cobbled stone street Overgaden Oven Vandet which consists of private homes except for The Royal Danish Naval Museum (Orlogsmuseet) so I think these boutiques, with tons of personality and charm, are such positive additions.

PS I visited the Orlogsmuseum in March and it's super interesting. The navy is a big part of the Danish identity and you can even dress up like the Norwegian naval hero Peter Tordenskjold (Thunder Shield) which I did, of course :-) I have to say that his long black locks didn't suit me but his red wool uniform made up for it. He was killed in duel in 1720 at the age of 30. In Denmark and Norway he is among the most famous national naval heroes and today his picture adorns our matchboxes. 

Miss Phryne Fisher's Murder Mysteries

"Well, you should see what I can do with a garter..." Allow me to introduce you to Miss Phryne Fisher - girl about town, feminist (without being boring about it) and most importantly: Lady Detective! 

The scene is set: Melbourne in the late 20ties, speak easies, boot legging and murders én masse (Phryne only seems to know people who're involved in murders - wuhu, it's so great) 

She lives in a beautiful house (with red iron castings) along with her butler Mr. Butler, her faithful maid and companion "Dot" and her adoptive daughter Jane. Her closest friend and confidante is Dr. Elizabeth Macmillan (or Doctor Mac) and Phryne depends on her good friends Bert and Cec to handle the more unsavory aspects of her investigations. 

Miss Phryne works closely with the handsome Detective Inspector Jack Robinson and she is almost (well, all the time actually) on the murder scene before Jack and though it might irritate him in the beginning he starts to rely heavily on Phryne and her insight. There's lots of unspoken sexual tensions between them which makes for great chemistry/comedy/drama. 

Phryne Fisher is a woman of means and incredibly stylish which makes the series a visual joy. Her signature style is her bobbed hair, red lips and pearl-handled gold pistol. Because she grew up poor she possesses a strong social justice and after experiencing personal heartbreak (her baby sister got kidnapped) she makes it a point to live her life. She drives her own car, her beloved red 1923 46CV Hispano-Suiza, speaks Chinese and Russian, can fly a plane... well, let's just say that in every episode she masters a new skill :-)

 

Australian actress Essie Davis brings Phryne to life (the series are based on the books by Kerry Greenwood) and you can enjoy season 1 & 2 on Netflix. Season 3 is done and hopefully it soon airs on Netflix. 

The Stillness Of Early Summer Mornings

The stillness of  the early morning scene, when I leave my home to go to work, enables me to take in and enjoy many of the things which pass me during the hustle and bustle of my day. 

The scents seem more generous with their offerings than in the afternoon. The colours of the buildings, the trees and the water seem stronger and more vibrant. The chirping of birds makes me think they must be sharing wildly exciting news. Lastly, I still find it thrilling to be completely alone without no one in sight. 

So here's to early (quiet) summer mornings on Christianshavn :-)

This Morning in 35 Seconds...

I can't think of a better way to start the day than strolling by the canal. It even makes Monday mornings bearable. I realize it's been a while since I last posted a picture of Christianshavn so here you are.

In 35 seconds I managed to pull out my phone, take this picture while juggling both my computer bag, my purse and a coffee-to-go and making it across the pedestrian crossing before the lights changed (and you have to wait one whole minute and a half before it's your turn again...) Can you tell how windy it was by looking at the trees :-)