You'll have to forgive me, I've been so busy lately with my family that my head is spinning. I sat here this morning thinking about Stockholm -- all the places we dined, the stores that we spent hours roaming, and realized that I haven't shared even half of all the great things we did in Stockholm. And I forgot to show you photos from two of my favorites stores in the world, Svenskt Tenn and Marimekko.

A room inside of Svenskt Tenn - an amazing store!

A few of you recently wrote in asking if Stockholm is a good city to vacation in the winter and I have to say no - for many reasons. Stockholm is on the coast and consists of about 13 islands so I imagine winters get very cold there. It also gets dark quite early - around 5:30 p.m. Being such a lush green city with lots of parks and gardens, I think one would really miss out on all the natural beauty if vacationing there in the dead of winter. So try the Spring, Summer, or my favorite, early Autumn. Now back to shopping!

Here are some views of the widely popular Svenskt Tenn (psst: a Svenskt Tenn shop opened in Liberty's in London a few years ago, did you know this?). Anyway, one cannot visit Stockholm without seeing this design mecca. In fact, one cannot decorate a home in "Scandinavian style" without owning something from Svenskt Tenn since it's a huge part of Swedish culture. At this massive shop, you can purchase fabric from the bolt by the meter along with pillows of all shapes and sizes, blankets, trays, handbags, furniture, lampshades and lamps, kitchen linens, anything and everything that you can imagine in your wildest dreams. Even furniture (swoon!). I was in textile heaven. I wish I could have taken more photos, but it was packed and I felt really odd running around with my big camera. {address: Strandvagen 5)

The Swedes are fearless when it comes to color and mixing patterns. Sign me up!

You also can't miss Marimekko, they have a huge store right around the corner from Svenskt Tenn. More fabric on bolts, clothing, bags, accessories, you name it. Overwhelming! {address: Norrmalmstorg 4}

I love this pattern, I had to photograph it. Lovely.

So much fabric to buy, and nothing was 'trade only'. Good design for all! So mark these two stores on your list of must-sees whilst in pretty Stockholm, Sweden!

(images by holly becker for decor8)