It's been nothing but tears, long drawn out goodbyes and lots of revision this week. Week 12. The end of Ballymaloe January Course 2013.

We had our practical exams (mine not so good considering I dropped my chicken on the floor and cut myself. I can laugh, now!) then our three theory exams (better than the practical!) and now we have left. Before we left however, there was dancing, food (how could we not) and lots of laughter. Our final supper as we called it with the inspirational Rory O'Connell cooking. What a meal.

I have learnt so many things over these last 12 weeks, met some inspirational people and most important to me, is that I have finally found something that I know I want to do, in any context, for ever. I have found my thing. And that makes me so happy.

I could not though, have learnt as much about myself or cooking, succeeded in so many ways without the help and support from the fabulous and talented team of teachers who work at Ballymaloe Cookery School. Unfortunately they weren't all at our farewell supper but I want to say Thank you. Thank you so much.

Finally to Tim and Darina Allen, Rory O'Connell and Rachel Allen. This journey, my fun, wonderful, sometimes heartbreaking journey could not have happened without you all. I can't wait to pass the message on, teach more people how to cook and make you proud. Thank you.

So what next you, those lovely people who have been along on this 12 week journey with me, ask? I have a job! I'll actually be working in Ireland for a family but before that, I am off to work with the talented Sharon Hearne-Smith and Neven Maguire. I am so excited and grateful for this next great opportunity. So keep reading to find out the next chapter. 

See you later Ballymaloe, I'll be back.

Win an industrial pendant light!

To wish you a very happy easter I've collaborated with Mette from Make-Living blog on a very exciting give-away! Mette makes these fab industrial pendant lights here in Sweden and has recently launched a small webshop here. The light comes in 5 colour ways and one could be yours - yay!

To enter all you need to do is:

- Visit the Make-Living website to see the complete colour range.
- Write and tell us which colour you would most like to win in the comment section below.
- Like the Make-Living Facebook page.

The competition is open to everyone and closes Thursday 4th April at 12.00am GMT. The winner will be announced Friday 5th April. Don't forget to leave your contact details!

Wishing you all a super happy, relaxing Easter.

See you Tuesday x

Guest post: Monochrome in Malmö

I'm Hanna from Doyoufancythis.com. It's such an honour to write a guest post here at My Scandinavian Home and I wanted to find the perfect home to show you. Since I know Niki likes monochrome colors and interiors in black and white I think this Malmö apartment is perfect for the occasion. This minimalistic, yet cozy space is located in the picturesque square of Davidshall in Malmö and is really something else. Just look at those great white walls and the dark wood, the almost to-good-to-be-true terrace and the sophisticated colors throughout. I hope you'll enjoy this lovely apartment and Niki, have a great vacation! /Hanna of Doyoufancythis.com.

Bilder: Bo-Laget Fastighetsförmedling

Guest post: fab Stockholm home tour

Hello everyone! I'm Dagný Björg from Feel Inspired blog. Easter is just around the corner, any of you have plans yet? We are skipping town to stay at a summer cabin with nothing but good food, good friends and a good book as soon as our Easter vacation starts. A great way to relax and recharge I think. Today I have for you a home tour of this charming apartment in Stockholm. I love it's hardwood floors and how alive the apartment is thanks to the colorful and playful decorations. 

Hope you enjoy and hopefully we'll meet on my Feel Inspired blog soon!

Love, 

Dagný Björg

Guest post: A Malmö masterpiece

Hello I'm Catherine from Nordic Design blog. I am very happy to collaborate on another beautiful blog promoting Scandinavian design and it's greatness. This beautiful home in Malmö, Sweden has the most amazing ceilings and beautiful parquetry flooring. The eclectic style is amazing! We love how the owners, Julius and Sara, successfully combined the old and the new - it's filled with character. And that shade of green in the dining room is great. What a gorgeous place!

Stylist: Emma Persson Lagerberg Photos: Petra Bindel Source: Elle Interior Sweden

Penultimate Week

Last week was our penultimate week at Ballymaloe Cookery School. Nobody can believe it, we've started thinking about our futures (even more seriously), I've started applying for jobs (yeah, crazy!) and I've also started revising. Can't quite believe it.

Sunday was a special family dinner with the girls. Lots of chat about our final menu, what we've learnt and where we are going.

On Wednesday we were lucky enough to have a guided tour around Ballymaloe House and speak to the legend that is Myrtle Allen. Lucky us! We saw some fantastic stuff, the wine cellar with Colm, the Grainstore which is an event space and also these bad boys below!

These are two of my friends here at Ballymaloe Cookery School. I love this image!

Wednesday we also had sushi class and was lucky enough to try this fellow. The Oyster Plant which actually tastes like oysters!

And this beautiful plant is the Wasabi plant.

The atmosphere has changed too, everyone is a little more serious, practise for our practical exam is being sneaked around our daily menus and the are some heart to hearts going on.

It seems every time we have Rachel Allen for demo there is some wonderful animal she has to hold up! This time it was the stunning Thornback Ray.

We finished Fridays demo with an iced lolly. YUM!

Do you prefer less or more?

These sitting room snaps were recently taken by Line Klein for Alt Interior which featured a story about how to style your sitting room in different ways using the same fab sofa.

One sofa, two different spaces, which sitting room would you prefer? 

With kind permission from photographer Line Klein, Stylist: Nicola Kragh Riis

As you know I'm off skiing tomorrow - yay! But I'd never leave you high and dry and have lined up a series of fab guest posts including a very exciting Easter give-away next thursday which is not to be missed!

Before I hit the slopes (how much do I love writing that?!), here are a few links from around the web this week:

Loving these Danish iconic prints. And these wonderful photographic prints by Max Wanger  as seen in Bri Emery's LA home.

If you're hosting friends or family over Easter and are in need of some festive table inspiration check out these fabulous Scandinavian table spreads.

Easter renovations / shopping? Don't forget my wonderful sponsors who make this blog possible including Design Collectors (15% off with MYSCAN)! New socks from here, Nest for Hay, Muuto and countless other cool Scandinavian items, Loja Dada for the cutest kids clothes you'll ever see, cool shop LET LIV for you Ozzies and New Zealanders and The Reclaimed Flooring Company for the wood flooring you've always wanted but never known how to get (until now)!

I hope you have a wonderful week and a really lovely Easter!