Zara Inspiration: Nude & Red

I have been a good customer of Zara recently. Among other good purchases I got a very nice floral blazer from there couple of days ago. I hope to show some outfit pictures of it soon.

Zara is a great place for inspiration. Their goods rotation is weekly and they really grab the trends at once. I have been very inspired by the combination of red & nude. Plus I am still in search of perfect nude patent heels. I also found a perfect light leather jacket there. And i want that red frindge bag...Well, here are they all, what's your favorite?

Gold, Gold, Gold :)

For some time already I have been looking for a classical shaped watch in gold tone. Michael Kors would have been an obvious choice but all the models are so masculine and huge for my tiny wrists. They simply look ridiculous on me. I love the look on others though. 

Anyway, the correct timepiece was found predictably from Gala, a Just Cavalli gold watch (my third piece by Just Cavalli). I really like the classy, brave style of Just Cavalli jewelry with just right amount of sparkle. Gold-plated Calvin Klein ring came along as well, it looks very sensual on my finger with its fluid shape. I really appreciate the kind service of Gala shop assistants each and every time and would recommend the store to all.

I think, my new watch will sharpen any business look and look great with sun-kissed skin and summer outfits in florals and stripes. Now only need to wait for summer to come to Finland. ;)

Bows & Dots for Laura

Laura is turning 5 on Wednesday and she is expecting Her Day a lot. She knows there will be grilling evening and a cake. And on Sunday there will be a party. And she also has been persistently asking me for things from Accessorize shop. Last time we were there she picked a playsuit with bows, shoes, a bag and a swimming suit of course. I loved the idea of 2 tops alternative tops in the package.  Why don't they have same things for bigger girls??? :)

Summer Outfits

I finally got some shopping inspiration after a long period of "not knowing what suits me and what I want" (happens to me once in a while).

Anyway, today I found some treasures in chain stores like Vero Moda (I normally do not shop there) & Gina Tricot (usually bought only lounge clothes from there).

I need to say jersey is the material that flatters me like it does everyone else and I can buy a jersey item without trying it on most of the time by picking XS/S size. And stripes are so french chic...So 2 stripe jersey dresses came along home with me from Vero Moda. Here is one of them. Belt is my old own. I love to wear stripes with oversized gold jewelry. It looks so nonchalant chic...

These shoes are from last year - SOS purchase at Stockmann. I was huge as balloon and my feet were swollen. I got these cool sandal boots in brown suede and they are heavenly to walk in. I was wearing them a lot last days of pregnancy.

At Vero Moda I found a blouse I totally fell for. Colors, viscose fabric, black borders, model - I love everything of it. Trousers (I thought I wouldn't give up to the print trend!) are by Gina Tricot. Guess why I bought them? :)))) They are also amazingly comfortable and lovely in summer with thin, breathing fabric. Those two things came together into an outfit I will be wearing a lot, I am sure. Black jacket and i am ready for office, non?

Wanted: Sandals

Now in search of a perfect sandal (again) I have browsed some options in Brandos (all under 200 eur). I need to choose soon. Help!

From left bottom: Emma go (lovely plastic details); bow sandals by Esprit; chain detail sandals also Esprit; center - Stylesnob (here is a fan obviosly); silver cool greek vibe by Vagabond.

Cos is here!

So happy Cos is now in Helsinki and in the best shopping gallery - Kämp!

Here are the items I will be looking for when I get there. What's yours?

Day Grilling Party With Girls & Kids

Today we are lucky to have sunny weather again so girls came over with kids to grill and to chat. I need to say it is totally different with kids - grilling and chatting. Everything happens maybe 10 times faster than you would have wanted to...But good it was anyway!

Summer In the City & One Coral Skirt

Totally spontaneous decision to go to city for a walk...We took a direct bus (so lucky with these connections here) and in 10 minutes we were in the beating heart of the city.

Did I tell you that I have fallen in love with all pretty ballerinas again. I used to be sceptical of them as I am so short. But my Stylesnob diamante ones were quite nice to wear today.

Shops are full of lacy items in ice cream colors. Isn't it quite boring? I have hunted my lace dress in cream already 2 years ago. I think whole Helsinki will soon have those lace shorts... Below picture from Mango store. Zara looks about same. :)

In the city we managed to catch even the change of Spanish embassador in power.

Then a quick peek into Olkkari where I got too many things (more on that later).

But guess what - this season fashion has offered me one great thing - asymmetrical hem. I love long skirts but I am petite and I look like gnome in them. Salvation - asymmetrical / tail hem.

Ta-da! My coral plisse skirt by Mango. Welcome to my closet!

Also totally applicable in a business wardrobe with my pastel pink knit jacket by H&M.

P.S. Sorry for the mess in pics: i was in a hurry to kindergarten. Soon my dance class starts - so excited as have missed it for 3 weeks.

Come On In

There is still something to be said about our new home, I guess. One place I really like for its efficiency and functionality is - entrance. In none of my apartments before I have had such a practical entrance with sitting places for 2 persons and good storage for clothes and shoes. The benches are by Ikea PS collection. I love the atmosphere of it and other items can be seen here.

I also like the black theme...And my New York poster seems to have found a right place there as well.

Now we take a short shopping trip to Lastenhuone. Let's see if we come back with something nice...

Weegee Avec Laura & Leo

Yesterday we visited the modern art museum Weegee with kids and I really loved the experience. There were small enough exhibitions for little people to concentrate on and also there was the Futuro house out there which was of course a lot of fun for kids.

Sis. deli cafe offers great home food buffet and lovely smoothies and great variety of drinks and pastries. On weekends they have brunches which we will certainly try as museum is a walking distance from our new home.

Now I stop talking and show some pictures. :) Sorry for the quality, my camera was out of battery and this are shot with my phone which has been covered with corn puree (blame who?).

Now back to the garden to get a suntan. :)

Some summer outfit posts coming soon...

Stockholm Rewind: Shopping

A little post on my micro shopping in Stockholm. Can't call it shopping really but still couple of useful things I managed to bring back here.

My obsession over Muji acrylic storage is unexplainable. I am NOT an organized person and I DON'T have all things in their places, unfortunately. But I love the idea of seeing all my jewelry at one glance, yes. So here is what I dragged back here with me. Jewelry boxes (two of them) by Muji. And the box set looks great with the other items on my dressing table.  Why don't they establish Muji in Finland?

On the way to Sweden - in the airport - I bought the most amazing perfume by Dior - Miss Dior "Blooming Bouquet". Shop assistant said they do not sell this fragrance anywhere else in Scandinavia except Finland. What a surprising piece of information, I have to say...Anyway, the fragrance is one of the most non-trivial ones I ever had. It is floral but it is not sweet, it is feminine but it is not obviously feminine. It is what I would like to smell like. And the bottle - it fits my dressing table too. On the boat - way back home - I also got Marc Jacobs' "Rain", could not resist the smell of fresh water breeze. Total opposite of Miss Dior. Cold and rough and cool. There are those rainy days, too...

In Stockholm I was tempted a lot. I almost walked into Tous in Sture Gallerian but had to continue into a restaurant to feed the boys...ah, well they have Tous in other countries too. I need to travel there this summer! i mean, to Tous shop. :)))

Yes, I did not forget about kids. In Åhlens (where I got Muji items) i also bought book stands for kids - owls, naturally, in my new crazy obsession color combination - red & white.

To continue the red&white theme, here are Laura's souvenirs from Sweden: red Converse (Leo got same in black) and striped tights by Po.p. Lady was wearing them today at Weegee modern art museum already. More on that later...

Now need to wish good nights and go to catch some sleep. xxx

Stockholm Survived and Enjoyed

Now time for some words about our Stockholm trip. It was a real trip with adventures: some good, some bad. :) Unfortunately, boys got sick just on the departure day (Thursday) and I had a whole arsenal of alergy and asthma medicines with me. Leo was quite bad mood first day and it was hard to concentrate on things but we had a great time during the weekend.

Friday was a little cold but sunny and we had an efficient walk through Gamla Stan and The City with quick peeks into NK, Åhlens and Sture Gallerian. More on shopping later but I could do 10 times more there, especially for home decor (Pub remained unvisited and I saw people carrying lovely things from there).

And cherry blossoms were fallen off in the alley already...:)

 Our lunches and dinners were quite efficient too, as little man did not want to sleep at all - EVER. Still we had managed to taste lovely pastries and visited the most amazing fish restaurant in a food hall of Saluhallen. 

 I can really recommend this place for anyone who appreciates good fresh fish and traditional food. 

In Stockholm we stayed two nights at Hiton Slussen with amazing views over Gamla Stan. Slussen is a nice area to walk as well with nice boutiques (Twist & Tango spotted there too) and trendy bistros. Here is the bridge connecting Slussen to Gamla Stan.

Gamla Stan...

Saturday morning we were supposed to fly home...BUT we liked the stay so much and were so lazy to wake for the flight that we decided to stay till evening and take a ferry home. It was a good choice because we caught a real summer in Stockholm. Sunday we walked the Strandgatan (shore) and Hamngatan for some shopping.

Leo finally asleep...

 And us finally enjoying the trip:

Our trip back was one of the most romantic experiences. We had a mini suite on 11th floor of Viking Gabriella with an own tiny balcony. Open sea views, watching sunset and a glass of a sparkling wine...I also loved to wake up to an open sea view.  Stockholm was great and we will be back again!