LadyBohemia — Champagne RSS

One more sign of spring was the spring fashion show at Helsinki's best shoe (and clothing) boutique, Nina's. [caption id="attachment_12672" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Peekaboo![/caption]

Hmmmmm... What's in store for us... Hidden behind the velvet curtain...

Well well... Gorgeous clothes; Dries van Noten, Carven, Chloé and Céline bags, Louboutin and Repetto shoes. [caption id="attachment_12715" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo: Nina's[/caption] This flowy silk dream on the right just must be worn with flowers in one's hair, barefoot... You can just imagine the sandy beach beneath her feet. I especially loved the hats. [caption id="attachment_12679" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Sanna Saastamoinen-Barrois with Niina Kurkinen[/caption] Sanna Saastamoinen-Barrois (http://sannasaastamoinen-barrois.blogspot.fi/) is in my opinion one of Finland's most talented photographers - I admire her innovative ability to look at things from a completely new angle. I especially enjoyed the work she did on the theme of circle, bringing together the roundness of balloons and the figure of her pregnant friend Pipsa Hurmerinta. Beautiful, sensual, elegant. Something totally new and fresh compared to the tired Demi Moore repetitions. You can see this work of art, Swirling Light, in the latest Image, and later on it'll be exhibited in Paris. Sanna's husband Jeremy Barrois has also directed a video on the theme... Go check it out, it's beautiful. Well, back to the fashion show... And all those funky, sexy, cools shoes... * Those Louboutins I want! * [caption id="attachment_12681" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Virpi Suutari & everybody enjoying the sweet treat...[/caption]

That's the sign of a REAL pro... When u don't need a huge impressive camera to capture the moment.

[caption id="attachment_12682" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Sanna & Pipsa Hurmerinta[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_12695" align="aligncenter" width="397"] Anna is wearing electric blue Louboutins and a striking Carven dress, all from Nina's. Purrrrrfect with her flaming hair.[/caption] The lovely Anna Puu swooned us with her soft voice and sweet guitar... She claimed she doesn't really know how to play it, and then proved herself wrong :). Niina with the Top Chef, tv host, model, mother to be beauty Pipsa Hurmerinta. I especially love this picture of Sanna, as she's watching the performance of her friend Anna Puu. In the warmth of her expression, you can almost touch the closeness and friendship between the two. Sanna has also photographed Anna's album cover and directed her video "Kolme pientä sanaa", which was just nominated for an Emma award for the best music video of the year. Uhhuh knowing all that makes me rather self conscious about publishing these little photos of mine... And back to fashion... This was my choice, the sweetest tiny beaded Jamin Puech bag. [caption id="attachment_12687" align="aligncenter" width="390"] I was wearing a Jasmin Santanen lace shirt with velvet burgundy Jasmin Santanen trousers. Comfy, soft, beautiful all time favorites.[/caption]

Hih... Sanna with her tiny camera, Niina with her even tinyer Pikku Myy mobile..

Virpi - below - has just directed a documentary slash movie called Hilton... It tells the story of young adults, outcasts, drifters, drop-outs, living in a rather gross block building in Eastern Helsinki. The Hilton. I ACTUALLY USED TO LIVE IN THAT VERY SAME BUILDING! Two awful years. When I was a young, totally broke student. I haven't seen the movie yet but I simply have to make that trip down memory lane one day... Easy it's not going to be. Just seeing the movie posters reminded me of one night, as I was coming home from work, and the police were there with an ambulance. Somebody was carried out on a stretcher, with a white sheet over his whole body. A neighbour of mine. He was dead. Not of natural causes. * [caption id="attachment_12689" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Daniel Pallillo, Sanna Saastamoinen-Barrois, Anna Puu.[/caption] This last pictures captures the feeling of our evening rather poignantly. Intimate, fun, interesting. Beautiful fashion and the nicest, most inspiring people from all walks of life coming together. Niina truly can create an ambiance. Thank you for having me, I had a lovely evening with you ♥. ~*♥*~

Tea time filled with secrets and dreams, secret dreams, still only spoken about in whispers, but actually becoming reality. So many pieces are just falling into place that I simply can not believe it. I really thought that Lady Luck had abandoned me for good but now, I find myself in her favor again.

Can't wait to tell you what we're planning, plotting, preparing... But this I can say already. I just know you are going to love it. As soon as there are names on papers, I'll let you in on what is my future. Now please, my dear readers, keep all your fingers and toes crossed for me...

* [caption id="attachment_12483" align="aligncenter" width="230"] Today's outfit consisted of old meeting new as is the case oftentimes... Burgundy leather skirt, a find from Paris some 15 years ago. Odd Molly silk blouse. Suede ankle boots, Calvin Klein, found secondhand from Kaivarin kanuuna. Stockings, found from London some 10 years ago, worn the first time here.. Pearls on my hips, a gift from Oona Elena Kassila. Golden bracelet, gift from my father, 34 years ago from Zambia.[/caption]

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* * * Photos by my darling friend Pipsa Lagus. Whilst I'm a dreamer par excellence, Pipsa is a primus motor in making (my) dreams happen ♥. ~*♥*~

It's difficult to write when you're speechless and breathless. Last night was one of those nights that originally inspired me to start writing LadyBohemia. I discovered something, magical, that I'd like to share with you.  [caption id="attachment_12458" align="aligncenter" width="500"] At Tango Frostbite festival, celebrating 100 years of Argentinian Tango in Finland.[/caption] Argentinian tango. A world of it's own it is... With etiquette full of poise, grace and passion. The men don't actually ask you to dance, with words that is. They invite with a look, oftentimes from across the room. Without a word, the couple move to each other and for that moment in time, everything else disappears. The woman follows the man's moves with total intensity, oftentimes with eyes closed, as they create their own universe, improvised and incredible. I can imagine this to take place in a smoky club in Buenos Aires, but my little Helsinki... Thank you my darling hometown, for once again blowing my mind wider open. A beautiful dancer Katja sat down next to me and explained. "During the dance, you need to feel that this is the only man in the world, the love of your life." Oh it was perfection. My friend Sissi, who actually had the idea to introduce us to Argentinian Tango, now has a new hobby. She has enrolled on tango classes. I'm not quite sure if I'd dare... But must admit, I'd want to. Tango can save your life, whispered Katja in my ear. I believe her. ~*♥*~

On Wednesday, I was invited to the movie premiere of "21 ways to ruin a marriage". What a great evening we had... Movie was feelgood funny, new and old friends were all around - an evening of laughter and friendship it was.

The dress code for the event was, of course, a wedding dress. The fairest of all the brides amongst the cast & crew was our lovely Duchess Hannele with her vintage inspired lace wedding dress, soft white Dior boots and a three-string pearl necklace. Chic, sophisticated, feminine. Accessorized with the warmest smile. [caption id="attachment_12062" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Make-up artist extraordinaire Hannele Herttua with a bona fide fashionista and make-up artist in the making, Jemina Pouttu.[/caption] The rest of us dressed up - or down - in a very unwedingly fashion. The queen of the fashionistas in attendance was, once and again, Heli Kajo. She had a quirky turquoise bag to go with her fuscia top and gold jewellery. Cool bold colors that I could never pull off... And Heli always does. Black pailleted dress, Givenchy suede over the knee boots, vintage silver and marcasite earrings (a gift from Pipsa!), and a Chanel bag was as weddingly as I got.

One of the truly lovely people I got to meet that evening was Laura Reunanen, who had just published her first album the day before! She was so kind and even gave me a copy of her cd - Café de Abejas: Mascot Moth - and I must say... I haven't stopped listening to it since. And could you imagine, this lady has actually composed "Les Fleurs du mal" by Baudelaire into chanson. My imagination wouldn't ever have reached those highs... But in fact, my husband gave me that very book by Baudelaire for Xmas...  Now I have just the music to listen to, when I dive into his poetry. Incredible.

* * [caption id="attachment_12088" align="aligncenter" width="422"] True class: lace dress Zara, pearls Kristiina Metsi, lace cuffs Moonalia, boots Dior.[/caption] Then there was the afterparty... With complimentary wedding cakes, perfectly styled for each of the impossible marriages of the film. [caption id="attachment_12053" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Vesa Vierikko and director Johanna Vuoksenmaa having a blast[/caption]

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The cakes were too yummy... This is what the table looked like when we were through with them.. The beautiful Jemina had real problems at the afterparty... There was such an interest for her phone number that our table was surrounded by quite a buzz throughout the evening... Not to mention the bombardment of text messages, after her number was discovered... [caption id="attachment_12065" align="aligncenter" width="382"] Jemina's shimmery Celine purse from Luxbag[/caption] Hannele and Torsti. Such an aura of love there is, around and between these two... Just being around them makes one feel warm. * Pipsa my lovely! The one, the only, the indomitable. The heart and soul of every party. AND a shoulder to cry on when the world roughs a little person up and down and all around. [caption id="attachment_12059" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Eeva Hautamäki & Hannele Herttua.[/caption] I get you, Johanna Vuoksenmaa. After this movie, I too wanted to kiss Armi Toivanen. Or Riku Nieminen, if I'm quite honest... Never ever again will I associate that man with Munamies :) . Sorry dear readers outside Finland, there are things that just don't translate... I'll finish with this scene - one of the funniest in the movie. Sorry, no translation.... EILA: Mites isäs otti tän, kun siitä ei oo nyt kuulunu mitään? Se on yleensä joka kesä, kun mä oon vieny matot ulos, niin napannu ne ja pessy ne jossain vaiheessa, mut nyt ei oo tapahtunu mitään, vaikka ne on ollu siellä jo pari viikkoo. SANNA: Etkö sä halunnu, että se jättäis sut rauhaan? EILA: Ei nyt kaikkia traditioita tarvii silti katkasta! Vaikken mä isääs enää rakasta niin kyllä mä hänestä välitän" ~*♥*~

Getting ready for my date with Santa... * Santa had decorated my present with angels... And this is what I got! * [caption id="attachment_11494" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Silk dress from Férrer - note the delicate lace adornments on décolté and sleeves, crochet lace on hemline. Over the knee suede boots Givenchy, silver and pearl earrings antique finds from St. Tropez. Hairband Accessorize.[/caption]

We had the a real heartbreaker of a Santa...

[caption id="attachment_11495" align="aligncenter" width="295"] Photo of Santa: Jari Laaksonen[/caption]

Santa's angels:

[caption id="attachment_11509" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Pauliina Lindsberg, Niina Nuorivaara, Sirkka Siiskonen & moi.
Photo Mikael Hytönen.[/caption] A warm thanks to D'Oro Press and PR for offering us this evening filled with friends, good conversation, fishing for gifts (!!!), and the sweetest visit by Santa I've experienced... well, ever ♥. ~*♥*~