OOTD: Past Florals

Confession: I forgot I took these photos.

So this is an old outfit of the day. A fashion blog version of #latergram.

It was still sunny in Aberdeen when I took these. I went on a little trip down to Stonehaven to see if the local boot sale was decent (it wasn't), and dressed in my favourite summer sale finds.

 I'm not wearing any shoes! *gasp* 

I never wear shoes around the house, and I guess I was too distracted to put any on for this photo. So I'm sorry, but you will have to excuse my bare feet. It was summer so it's sort of acceptable, right?

Dress: ASOS, Bag: ASOS (both out of stock now)

I'm love florals, but I'm not a ditsy print kind of girl at all. Which is why I find the bolder floral print of this dress just so perfect. I hope to get some more wear out of it in the cooling weather still before I need to pack it away for winter. Maybe paired with a cosy jumper or cardigan...

Until next time,

Jenni

This Week I Love... #5

Where does the time go? Seriously, I swear it was Monday like, yesterday. Oh well. It's time for my weekly favourites!

Vampy Nail Polish

Image via Pinterest

Autumn is almost here and I can't wait to wrap up in a scarf, put on my leather coat and paint my nails a vampy red shade. I bought some new shades from Boots this week, stay tuned for a haul post...!

Boots

 

Image via Pinterest

 I'm definitely all about autumn this week, and that includes a nice pair of leather boots, perfect for colder weather. Preferably paired with sheer tights, dress, leather jacket and a chunky knit scarf, as in the above picture! I haven't found a perfect pair to invest in yet, but I'll manage with my trusted Hush Puppies Fieldfare boots until that happens.

Candles

Image via Pinterest

 Aaaand continuing with the theme of all things autumnal! I've been burning candles every evening this week. There's just something about a room lit with just candles, and the reflection of the light against the windows. Magical.

The candleholders in the photo are called 'Kivi' (stone) and are made by Finnish company called Iittala. I have six so far, but my ambition is to be able to create a similar scene to the one portrayed above. ;)

Just three weekly favourites this time, hope you enjoyed them!

Until next time,

Jenni

Moomins and things

So last week, I flew to Finland. It had been over 7 months since my last visit, and I was beyond ecstatic to spend 6 days gorging myself with Karelian pies, blueberry soup, salmiakki and my mum's cooking and baking.

Usually when I go to Finland, I don't really look forward to it that much, besides the prospect of seeing my friends. I do it out of necessity, a sense of duty: I need to see my family, because I know they miss me. I never seem to miss them. I know this sounds cruel. It's not that I dislike my family, I just tend to be quite busy with my own life, and content to see them when I go back twice a year. But this summer, I've really missed Finland, and Helsinki in particular. It was obviously nice to see my family, and I missed my friends, but what I really missed was my home country.

I set roots in the UK pretty much immediately when I moved to Aberdeen. I never had any intentions of moving back to Finland, and UK felt like home. Or home enough (I think it's complicated word). My needs for all things Finnish were satisfied with my biannual visits. This time however, I felt absolute joy at going back.

I didn't take time to blog while I was away, since I only had 6 days to spend with my friends and family and my schedule was packed. But I took a lot of photos with my brand-new iPhone 5S, so I thought I'd share those with you. Some were posted on my Instagram (here, if you're interested!) already, so you might have seen them already.

I went to Tove Jansson art exhibition at Ateneum. It would have been her 100th birthday this year, and there are events all over the world to commemorate her. I'm a massive Moomin fan, and I absolutely love her illustrations and artwork, so it was an incredibly inspiring visit for me. I wish I'd had a notebook to do sketches, as no photos were allowed. I did buy this tote bag as a little souvenier though!

I also managed to get my hands on the Finnish edition of The Hobbit, illustrated by Tove Jansson. So happy. I'm a big Tolkien fan as well, so it was lovely to finally get this edition. Even if I prefer the books in English. ;)

I also visited the Moomin mug exhibition at Arabia Gallery. As a Moomin mug collector, I was quite excited about this, despite it literally just being a room filled with mugs. ;) 

I managed restrain myself and only bought a single Moomin mug and two candleholders at the Arabia-Iittala shop. And they were all on sale too! The Moomin mug and the red candleholder (which is called Kivi, aka 'stone', by the way) were both half price or under so definitely bargains, and the blueish Kivi was a dye-experiment outside the normal colour charts so it was only 6 euros (the blue shades are normally about 15 euros each at full price).

As three out of seven in my group of friends from high school celebrated birthdays in August (myself included), we decided to go and have some cake. At Kakkugalleria's cake buffet. That's right, a cake buffet. We all managed about 6 slices (we shared some, thus the photos of more than 6 slices).
Cake > Lunch. Considering that I had just visited a cafe at a nearby department store where a slice of cheesecake was 8eur a piece, the 11.90eur we paid for the buffet (including a massive cup of tea or coffee) was a downright bargain!

Apart from adding more homeware to my collection and indulging my Moomin obsession, I also filled my suitcase with tea from all my favourite tea shops (but the best one will always be théhuone, pictured above), a lot of yarn, ryebread and Finnish confectionary. You know, the important stuff.

Sorry for the very text heavy post, I hope it wasn't too boring!

Until next time,
Jenni

This Week I Love... #4

It's Friday again, so here I am with my weekly Friday post... except not.

I'm currently in Finland, at "home" (I have a problem with word home because of reasons but to keep it short, I mean I'm at my mum's) and I just cannot bring myself to make the "usual" Friday post. It's late, and I've been enjoying the bubble of life that is very different from the one in Aberdeen.

So I wanted to share things I love about being "home", this week.

Food

Karelian pies via Snellman.fi

It's such a luxury to have someone cooking and baking for you. I haven't spared a single thought to healthiness (my mum is not stingy with cream and butter), and though my waistline might not appreciate it, I'm content to spend this week like this. On a holiday.

Helsinki

Helsinki Design District via Visit Helsinki

I love Helsinki and I missed it so much. I've visited all my favourite places and shops and bought some things to take back with me (mostly tea) and I know I'm going to miss it when I leave.

Moomins

Moomin products via Arabia

They are everywhere and I love it. But I'm also trying to be sensible and not spend hundreds of euros on kitchenware and textiles.

and last but definitely not least...

Friends

I left a close knit group of friends in Finland when I packed my bags in September 2011, but it feels lovely to know that everytime I go back, it's like no time has passed. I've seen some of our group already, and will see the rest (of those present) tomorrow for a CAKE BUFFET at Kakkugalleria. Yes, you read correctly, a cake buffet. I will report back.

Do you miss your hometown/country?

Until next time,

Jenni

OOTD: The Not-So-Secret Garden

Sunglasses: Marc O'Polo via TKMaxx, Cardigan: Red Herring (old) via Debenhams, Dress: H&M (old), Shoes: Primark

A few weeks ago, I decided to brave the outside world with the intention of shooting outfit photos, and enjoying the rare bit of sunshine with a book and some snacks. I stopped at this little "secret garden" in the middle of campus at a somewhat awkward time in the afternoon when most people who still work on the campus are leaving work. 

A fair few people like to cut through the garden to get back home.

Cue me awkwardly setting up a camera (on an edge of a flower bed, since I was too shy to put up a tripod and underline my intention of posing on a camera to all the passers-by haha), setting a self-timer and pressing the shutter button... only to have someone walk into the garden. This of course resulted in me dashing for the camera and stopping the shooting half-way through the clicking of the shutter.

Oh dear.

 

Next time (if there is a next time, with weather like this), I think I'll try my luck at the actual secret garden a bit further away. Since it's full of flowers, and hardly anyone goes there. Especially if I manage before September...

That said, the reason it took me so long to publish these photos was because I didn't really like them. They seemed so clumsy. Which is why there is only one photo of me and my outfit!

I don't know why, but I feel very frustrated and unhappy with my photography at the moment, and I'm not sure what to do. Photograph more I suppose, as I am definitely rusty. I've never been one for much photo editing before, so I think I need to do some research on that as well.

How do you deal with passers-by when taking photos? Any other photography tips?

Until next time,

Jenni

This Week I Love... #3

I can't believe it's another Friday (late on a Friday, but still Friday)! Where are the weeks disappearing to?

Crochet

photo via Ravelry

I'm determined to learn to crochet. I've been knitting for years, and dabbled with crochet, but never actually learned how to do it (my version of crochet has mostly consisted of making random knots with a hook to add details to knitted works). I'm knitting Love Scarf (pictured) now, and though it doesn't look quite as neat and pretty as that one, I'm quite pleased with the result so far!

Reading

photo via Pinterest

As an English student, I obviously read a lot. However, this summer (since I started working) I've noticed my time being taken by other activities. I've picked up books again this week, and now I can't stop reading! Can I just take a day off work to sit on a comfy chair with a cup of tea...?

I'm currently reading Angela Carter's The Magic Toyshop and, dare I admit it, Cassandra Clare's City of Heavenly Fire. Well, in the case of the latter, I'm actually listening rather than reading it. It's great accompany to crocheting, or walking to work. YA novels are great for that — it's like TV. They are entertaining, but don't require your undivided attention.

Les Mills Bodybalance

photo via Pinterest

I've been going to Bodybalance classes for a good few years now, and I've loved it from the first class. Which is why I keep going back. This week however, on my Wednesday night class, I felt so good. I can't remember the last time I felt so strong, so flexible and so relaxed at the end. I loving Bodybalance more than ever.

Florals

 

 Autumn Posy Necklace via Etsy

Last week I loved fresh flowers, now I want to wear flowers. Be it a pattern on a skirt, dress or a top, or accessories like this gorgeous autumnal flower necklace from Layla Amber on Etsy, I want it in my hands. Especially that necklace.

Until next time,
Jenni

Wishlist: August

It's my birthday month! I thought I'd celebrate with a little wishlist post, sharing some of the things I really want this month.

August means that the end of summer is nigh, and we can start looking forward to (or dreading, depending on your view on the matter) to cooler nights, darker evenings and all things autumnal. Like candles, hats and steaming cups of tea (not that I don't indulge in the latter whatever the season).

1. ASOS Petite Exclusive Mac With Nautical Lining
I just really want a trenchcoat. They don't have a petite one in black, so I might have to go out of my comfort zone and go for tan. Which is a colour I've never worn. It's for professional, trendy, cool people. This year, I'm trying to learn that I can wear whatever I want.

2. Cat Pillow
I've already got an official grey Pusheen plush that my boyfriend got me as a cheer up after the first few months apart. But this one is bigger, and you can get it in white. So Pusheen definitely needs a friend.

3. Lily Flame Rhubarb Candle
I know, I know. Rhubarb is for summer. But as I spend as much time of the year as I can get away with by burning cinnamon, spiced apple or gingerbread scented candles (i.e. Christmas candles for most people), I figure I can get away with it. Throwback to summer!

4. Floppy Hat

I've been wanting A Hat for ages now, but I always felt I didn't have it in me to pull it off. The time has come to be brave and try! New mantra: I can wear whatever I want.

5. Cat Flats

Oh, the cat flats. I've been wanting a pair for ages, but I always shy away from buying ballet flats since I destroy them so quickly... maybe this time?

6. iPhone Wallet Phone Case

7. Marauders Map iPhone Case

8. Old Book iPhone Case

I still have iPhone 3GS. It's been through a lot, and it's a miracle it's still working and doesn't have a single crack on the screen. But it's time for an upgrade. I've been told that I'll be a happy owner of a new iPhone after my birthday. There's just one problem — there are too many cool phone covers! The latter two are making the bookworm side of me squeal a little bit in excitement.

What's on your wishlist this month?

Until next time,
Jenni

This Week I Love... #2

 I can't believe it's August!

Here come this week's loves. I know, I know, I missed last week. But I intend to keep this up!

Pole dancing

via Polecats Manila

I took my first pole dancing lesson this week, after wanting to try it out for about a year and I LOVED it. My shoulders and arms ached the next day and I had bruises and was generally sore all over. A winner in my books! I really need to work on my upper body strenght though, big time!

Fresh flowers

via Pinterest

I picked a bargain bouquet (15p, down from £15!) from Tesco on Sunday evening and this week I've enjoyed the gradual opening of the white lilies of it. All of the six lilies were unopened when I bought it, so the bouquet was seriously an amazing bargain! Now I think I'm going to have to buy more fresh flowers when these die though. Oh dear.

Salads

via Two Peas and Their Pod

I don't know, I'm having a very salad-full week and I'm loving it! I haven't had salad in a long time as I became a bit uninspired by them – and during cooler months I tend to gravitate towards hearthier foods such as curries and stews. This week however, I am making salads pretty much every day! This might have something to do with my recent buys from Tesco: their own Healthy Living Carrot and Ginger dressing, as well as Brianna's Dijon Honey Mustard dressing (finally available in UK supermarkets!). I really want to try Brianna's Rich Poppy Seed dressing next!

This chickpea, avocado & feta salad from Two Peas and Their Pod is on the menu this week, once my avocados ripen up!

This Old Thing: The Vintage Clothes Show

via Amazon

Dawn O'Porter's show on Channel 4 has been a constant of my Wednesday nights over the past six weeks. While I've been familiar with vintage for a few years now, I've always been more of an admirer than a wearer of vintage. Not for the lack of desire though, but I've always been kind of nervous about it, and I like being quite "safe" with a lot of my clothes choices. I've been really inspired by the show though, and want to give vintage another try — this time by being more open-minded about different styles and prints. 

Until next time,
Jenni