Two Tone Ballerinas

Some days ago while browsing some online shoe stores for spring inspiration I found Vagabond's two-tone Aida ballerinas. I loved the combination of beige and black and the patent leather toe detail. I have now spotted several models of two-tone ballerinas that I love. Unfortunately, my vagabonds are gone from the online store but I tried a pair yesterday in a shop and maybe they are still there... I still have these options though.

Alberville:

Hispanitas:

Vagabond:

French Sole:

Which ones will be mine...

And yes, these are the parents of them all:

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes...and Lunch in the City

Soon I will drown in boxes and in stuff. Soon I will give up...I want to give, sell, post - GET RID OF stuff. We have packed only some stuff from the living room and 1 closet and we already need to think the route to walk in the apartment among loads of boxes. We got MORE boxes at Ikea (need to admit they are great) and I managed to grab a lamp to put over the dining table in the new home. It is still in the box but I already have a vision of the dining area with the lamp and newly painted wall. Maybe it will come horrid, let's see.

It was so great to walk in the city and eat a good lunch at Tamarin. We had spring rolls as a starter and I had rice with chicken, pineapple and cashew as main course (portion was huge, so it was enough for my avec too). Next week I will not have chance to eat that well. I guess...

Esprit Zigzag Dress

My "spring, please please, come" purchase is this Esprit knitted zigzag dress which reminds of Missoni items quite a lot. I fell in love with it looking at the shop window, walked in, tried on and instantly decided to buy. It has a perfect fit and very flattering material and colors for me. I just need some more tan. In the picture I am wearing it with Bronx lilac sandals. This is a very quick and unsuccessful picture, but I am hoping to get a better version soon. ;) I was thinking of other ways styling this dress for +10 weather...I am not a fan of nude tights really...but i think this would work with brown opaques, booties and leather jacket...

Cos Curved Hem Knit

I have recently ordered from Cos online first time and I am very happy with my curved hem sweater purchase. It is a fine knit of cotton and silk and I like the longer hem on the back and shorter on the front. It drapes very beautifully, maybe picture does not really describe it too well. It is something one needs to wear and see in move. Today I combined it with my very very old (almost antique soon) necklace from Seppälä, jeans shorts by JC and black opaque tights. White ceramic watch is by Swatch. I am sure it will be great in summer with white clothes (white jeans, silver sandals...) and in the office with a pencil skirt and black pumps.

Helsinki Winter Garden & Sininen Huvila

This so far warmest and sunniest day of this spring we spent in Töölö: at the recently rennovated Winter Garden and then having a famous generous portion of cranberry juice at the Sininen Huvila cafe in Töölö bay.

Winter Garden was definitely worth the visit considering I need to pack for moving and I am extremely tired (which can be seen in picture - is it spring or lack of sleep for last 9 months, i do not know). Tall old-style greenhouses glory has been preserved successfully and the garden is full of beautiful romantic corners to read a book or have a small picnic. All in all, the place was breathing french style (for me) and I felt for a moment I was not in Helsinki at all.

Short walk from the Garden across the bay is the Sinine huvila cafe, where I spent many baby moments and they still have those huge portions of various berry juices. This time I took cranberry. I looked at the clock later and realized we spent 2 hours there. I could actually breathe the sea air. Sun was very warm, it was perfect...

She Carries The World in Her Bag...

Recent shoe challenge and my MJ new comer inspired me for the handbag post and creation of a new challenge.

This challenge goes to: Sofia, Satu, Camilla and anybody else who finds this post.

1. Most recent purchase. For me it is my new Hilier and the post can be found here.

2. The faithful friend. The bag that is always saving the day when I can not decide what to wear is this Lancel Flirt in Chocolate (a gift from my husband for my 30th birthday).

3. Favorite business / formal bag. I got 2.

This Longchamp in sand. I got it in purple first but then exchanged to this color.  A4 papers fit perfectly and it looks like I mean business.

And this snake Coccinelle. It simply feminizes any outfit and it also works as an evening bag.

4. Best holiday purchase / sentimental memory bag. That would be my Kesslord's chain handled hot pink one. I bought it in Paris in Bon Marche on our wedding trip. It associates with our trip to Versailles on a very sunny day where I wore it for the first time.

5. The eye catcher / wildest purchase. That is without any doubt my Coccinelle in acid green that I bought in my last month of pregnancy so I blame the hormones. Acid shades seem to be "in" this summer as well, though.

6. The dearest gift. I got this light purple Aigner from my husband on Valentines day this year and I cant wait to wear it with spring and summer outfits.

7. Favourite evening / small bag.  I can not choose my favourite. I put all my favourites in this picture.

 From left bottom: golden leather shoulder bag / clutch with paisley beading is by Accessorize and some 6 years old but it goes with everything and I love it; bow textile bag is by Zara and it looks amazing with denim outfits especially, add a playful note to most everyday clothes; quilted leather bowling mini bag is by Karen Millen and it can be both evening and business bag - comparable to Chanel's 2.55, very versatile; beige bow studded bag with a chain is by Zara and has been a very faithful friend, leather is very smooth and beautiful, it was a bargain; silver leather clutch is vintage from Moscow: my mum bought it for herself back in 90s when we traveled to Moscow for summer vacation and now it is mine (i remember nagging for it whole childhood from her); beaded clutch is by Accessorize and it was my wedding bag.

8. How do you store your bags?

Now they are in their dustbags in 2 textile boxes sorted by season. But I would like to have big shelf where they would be all on display. Need to see where they find their place in our new home.

9. The bag that associates with summer / you would wear only in summer?

That is my Ameko Japanese inspired drawstring bag which is made of exquisite leather and is amazingly nice to hold. It is made with a great attention to detail and style. When I can wear this bag I know that summer is here.

10. What is a bag you dream about?

I dream about Celine Boston tote. I like it in double color. I know where to find it, but...I need to find an excuse to go there. Can you figure it for me? :)

11. What is inside your bag - most of the time?

I always have my wallet,  home and car keys (I try, I try my best), my phone, chewing gum and a small beauty case by Marimekko where I always have my mascara (Chanel), compact powder (Dior), lipstick (Armani), perfume sample (it is Oh, Lola! by MJ now) and mini hand cream (L'Occitane, they sell them in small tubes which is great). Sometimes I have a bit more extraordinary items in my bag (read - all stuff kids can not carry in their hands) but most of the time it is the selection above. That is why I recently prefer medium sized or small bags, my stuff is in much better order in those.

Mini Hilier by Marc Jacobs

This little friend I was waiting for quite long...until Shopbop campaign. :) Mini Hilier bag by Marc Jacobs in faded aluminium. I like the color: it is warm light grey. Cross body function comes handy for a mum. ;)

Print Mix: Boden Trench & Marimekko Converse

Meet my new spring and summer friend, print Boden trench. Shops are full of beige classics and I had to get this one. There is something in that bubble print and the color combination of navy and beige emphasized with red stitching for maximum effect. This trench is a Teflon coated cotton and it has a very beautiful red & beige lining. Practical, different, mine. And I think it has made good friends with my new Marimekko Converse. Print mix task completed. :)

P.S. More closet news coming very very soon...

♥ 1 Year ♥

It has been one exciting year since we got married. Today it is raining like one year ago, only much much more...

Today I received this love lock from the jewelry shop and we are going to lock it on the love bridge tonight. Happy Anniversary to My Special One!

Today Last Year...

...I was preparing for a wedding, meeting my friends from St-Petersburg and packing for Paris. I was 24 weeks pregnant and I could already feel and see a little bump.

Now missing Paris and waiting for tomorrow I am going for a walk with Leo who is now a 8 months old BIG boy.  Today I am wearing something that reminds me of Paris.

T-shirt and shorts - H&M

Cardigan - Zara

Belt - vintage

Owl charm - Pilgrim

Watch - Swatch

Boots - Billi Bi

The Shoe Challenge

This is an answer to the challenge sent by Sofia in her blog.

Me and shoes - we have quite special relationship. If you tell about me to my former or current colleagues the first association is the number of shoes next to my desk. In my previous job i stored them in the open office's floor and in the current I got own room and I can hide my sins in the closet.

I own very different shoes but I include only spring/summer season into this post. My needs in shoes also have changed during 2 pregnancies and after them so I have gathered some pairs that I wore just a few times and need to get rid of. My shoe collection definately needs a revision in the near future and hopefully they get a nice storage space in the new home.

1. My newest addition are Marimekko Converse (which I already wrote about) but before those from s/s season are these textile shoes bought on a whim 2 weeks after I gave birth to Leo from Brandos - "for office", you know.  It was a very "logical" step, I admit, but now I have them. My second pair of textile shoes ever. I guess I fell in love with zigzags. Bought to wear with "everything" (skinny jeans, LBD).

2. My favorite shoes. Must be these (second textile ones) Ted Bakers - my wedding shoes. I got them by mistake. I was ordering them in pink color thinking pink means subtle pink shade but when I opened the bright green Ted Baker box at the office I saw these beautiful salmon pink stilettos. I did not doubt a second whether to return them. And they made a great centerpiece in my wedding outfit. They have also been to Elle and received a lot of comments on the event and online.

3. Favorite color and size. Anybody who reads my blog and especially knows me also knows the favorite color - purple. I have some purple shoes as well. My next dream is to get red stilettos.

These are bronx heels I bought last spring, "for office" :))

And these Julie Dees I got about same time to manage through the last weeks of pregnancy but they are quite cute otherwise for a day off.

My size is the smallest female size - 36 and I am sometimes lucky to grab sample pairs or to find something nice in junior departments.

4. For how long do I wear my shoes? there are some shoes i own for 5-7 years. But I tend to quickly get bored of shoes.

5. Shoes I would never wear? These crocs sandals, even though they are so pretty purple. I have Crocs rubber boots yes and my children have Crocs shoes but these are not my thing...

6. Most comfortable shoe to walk in. Maybe here I would mention 2 pairs. 
My suede leopard platforms (bought at Halonen some 4 years ago).

My black kitten heel Högls with bows. 

7. If I could choose any pair of shoes, completely for free,  I would buy my first Laboutines in red.