Can someone please tell the weather gods it's May, not November?!

The Canada Goose is coming out again today.  I thought I was joking this weekend when I said it would make another pre-summer appearance.  Apparently not.  It's under 5 degrees out there, and I can see snow.
My parents live in Germany, and it's been 27 degrees there on several occasions over the past month.


On a happier note, I'm going to get my lashes re-filled at Maarit Leikoski's salon today, and the man and I are off to the gym now while our new pup sleeps in his pen.

xx

Dream of shopping on net-a-porter.com?

I know I do!  Pretty much everything on the site is out of my current price range.  But there's a tiny twinkle of hope - in celebration of the site's 1millionth order, one lucky lady (or gentleman of course) will win a 25,000 GBP shopping spree on the site.  I've entered, and although it'll diminish my chances, you should too.  Good luck!
I'm off to enjoy my friday night now, first with a lovely bottle of white vino at home, followed by blinis with roe and more vino.  One new thing I've learned to love about Helsinki - Blini Viikot take place every year during January and February in numerous restaurants across the city, and I'm loving it!

x

Best winter boots ever ever ever!

My boyfriend is the greatest - we headed up to Lapland for New Years, and as I was panicking about turning into an icicle, or at the very least a very unflattering shade of blue, he very kindly got me the best ever winter boots.  Made by Helly Hansen and available at Stockmann, these are a size too big for me, but that's great!  More than enough space for that extra pair of wool socks... My toes haven't been cold since!  If I could afford it, I would get these in black as well as it's definitely more slush and sleet friendly.
Thanks baby - I love my booties!

x

Iittala lighting up these dark winter nights

Though they are a very obvious choice in Finnish homes, I do love Iittala's various different options for candles.  We've got the small "kivi" lights in various colours including the light pink and blue pictured here.  The small clear lantern was a gift from friends for our engagement, and the tall white one is our latest purchase from the Iittala store from a few weeks ago.  It's currently perched on our large windowsill, and I can't imagine our living room without it!  Is there anything better than candles and fairylights to light up dark winter nights?

x

Candleholders by Iittala

Today's crush

Seeing bits of blue sky and small, shy, weak rays of sunshine after possibly the grayest two months in history feels like... well, it's almost like being re-born, isn't it?  Who knew that just when I thought I couldn't take any more gray, just when the rain, clouds, and everyone's accompanying depressiveness were becoming too much to bear, the weather would turn and make everything ok again.  Just a few days ago, in the words of my fiance, Helsinki was not too different from Mordor, and today the city is positively shining!

With this beautiful weather comes a cold crisp iciness which blows straight through the city.  The freshness is surprisingly energizing, but it does make me wish I could get my hands on this Canada Goose jacket.  I swore I wouldn't wear black this winter (the winter streets of Helsinki are filled with people dressed in nothing but), but it just looks so warm and practical.  Am I sounding any more Finnish to you yet?

x

Canada Goose Women's Solaris Parka in S, available from sportinglife.ca

Winter hair and beauty saviours

Tigi Bedhead After Party, Ghd hair straighteners and Aussie leave-in conditioner to smoothe dry winter hair / Givenchy Prisme Again blush and Guerlain Terracotta bronzer to bring some much-needed colour to a pale winter complexion / Chanel Inimitable mascara in black to make your eyes POP / Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask to moisturise dry tight skin

Nothing like a Burberry down coat to keep me warm this winter...

This week has been a complete crazy emotional roller-coaster.  I've started my first Helsinki job, hated my first Helsinki job, resigned from my first Helsinki job, and signed a contract for my second Helsinki job.  What's in store next week?  Let's hope it's an exciting but drama-free week at the second Helsinki job.

With so much going on, I've hardly noticed the weather turning absolutely freezing, quite literally.  It's late at night, and I'm sure the temperature is well below zero.  Good thing I found my perfect winter coat last week!  It's nothing like the fur-collared dreamcoat I was looking for, but I fell in love the moment I tried it on.  The winters here are filled with dreary greys and blacks, and I want something happier this year.  And yes, I know it's impractical, but that's what dry-cleaners are there for.

I want, I want!

Yes, it's not winter quite just yet, but this morning's heavy rain showers have brought in the colder winds and autumn is definitely well on it's way. I've always loved the seasons, not least because of the changing fashions and wardrobe updates they help justify.

Why, oh why can't any of my fave brands ship to Finland? Right now, I'm wanting these Ralph Lauren snowboots; what cosier way to skip, hop, and jump through the snowy streets of Helsinki, jet your way to Lapland in, this winter? Bring back the moonboot!