Lee Van Cleef, bad ass pipe smoker

Pictures of Sweden

Crayfish party

A beautiful view of lake Mälaren 

Old-fashioned window closure

Courtyard of the Royal Palace 

Stockholm Icebar 

Pike

Stubborn MC Stockholm

Gamla Stan

Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit 

Östermalms Saluhall

Platina

Platina sits on a busy Stockholm street. Owner Sophia Björkman has done a good job setting it out from the crowd. Entering the gallery jewelry is displayed in small white cubes placed along the walls at differing heights. The cubes' size and enclosed sides help to create an intimate setting between viewer and object. On the first floor one can find the jewelry of artists Adam Grinovich, Karin Johansson and Lisa Walker to name a few. The basement floor is reserved for exhibitions. Currently on view is Sophia's own work. In the first room of the basement, Sophia has carefully suspended elements of white oxford shirts, sleeves and collars are reconstructed into pendants. In the second room is a large grouping of brooches, bones or bone like structures encased in stocking material.

Along with jewelry there is also a nice selection of books. I purchased Alla, a catalog of brooches made by 29 different artists and their reaction to a political change in Swedish parliament.

Björn Borg

Claimed the greatest maker of underwear, I had to stop in to Björn Borg. I walked away with polka dot print shorts. I was struck by the price, 239 Swedish krona or 37 US dollars. Lucky for me they were 50% off. But who can put a price on WOOHA!   

Sweden

The cottage where Jessica and I stayed on the coast of Mälaren lake.

My wife and I just returned to the states from a wonderful trip to Sweden. We met lovely people, ate authentic Swedish cuisine and walked the cobbled streets of Gamla stan. Many posts to come...  

La Frontera at Velvet Da Vinci

My First Briar Pipe

A few days ago I was introduced to my first briar pipe by Eric Chaika, owner of Red Carpet Smoke Shop. I tried holding several pipes of various styles and weights before making my decision. I also walked away with pipe cleaners and a pouch for keeping tobacco. Eric has a strict routine to breaking in new pipes and suggested I follow. For my first six smokes I am to fill the bowl of the pipe only a third of the way. Then, for the next six smokes I fill the bowl two-thirds of the way. And finally the pipe can be packed full.