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Here's to doing something wild and out of character. I just did. OhBoy I'd almost forgotten how good that feels. ~*♥*~

When my youngest son was 3 or 4, I encountered a situation every parent dreads. In a crowded tram, he pointed his finger at somebody and asked loudly "Why doesn't that man have any hands?". I tried to open up a conversation on how we are all born different yet equal, while the man in question clearly wanted the earth to open up and devour him right there and then. Once we got home, I explained that next time, when we come across someone who's different, it would be better to wait and discuss it at home. That pointing at somebody who's not like the majority of us can make them feel uncomfortable and sad. Although I tried to say this gently - I know his question was innocent and he hadn't understood it could hurt someone - his eyes welled in tears. "But I didn't know that! I'm little, I don't know everything!", he sobbed, really upset at himself. And he never forgot that incident. A few days ago, we went to a pharmacy and a man came in. He was an adult, but not much taller than my now 5 and a half year old son. I went about my business and suddenly realised that my youngest son was making a tour around the pharmacy, meticulously aisle by aisle. Once, twice, three times all around. Then he came to me and said with a lowered voice "Mama did you notice that man? Was he an adult or a child?". "Can we talk about this at home", I responded. "It's ok," he said proudly "I checked the full pharmacy three times. He's not here anymore. I wouldn't have asked otherwise." Whenever I get the blues and feel like I've done nothing right in this life I only need to look beside me to find something perfect, happy and beautiful. And I know that at some point, I've taken the right turn. My guys! My oldest son who understands me better than anybody else in this world. I don't need to say a world - he already gets it, whatever it is. My baby, so big now. With such a wise lionheart that every day he makes me proud. ~*♥*~

* My light as air Kenzo scarf is feeling playful ♥. * ~*♥*~

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 ♥. ~*♥*~

The lovely Tita Sirén from Bottega Verde invited us to celebrate the arrival of spring, in Tuscan style. With freezing Hel all around us, we did our best ♥. The wonderful Café de Abejas were there, treating us with a live concert. Honey for the eyes as well as ears. Such a charming couple they are, that it's a pure joy to follow their success ♥. Despite the, öhm, shall I say weatherly limitations, we were determined to color things into spring. I'm a living proof of how one 1 mm wide detail can make anyone look pro... You wouldn't believe how many doors my red stripe, the Canon one, has opened for me. Thanks to this little stripe, I've been invited backstage in fashion shows to photograph models getting ready, to interview designers behind the scenes, give comments to magazines and even once to a tv (!). Huh, I say. * Queen of the day, Tita Sirén. Our hostess, with the right kinda sparkle in her eyes. My favorite couple, Hannele and Torsti. If ever there is a match made in heaven, here it is. I had met these two lovely people only once, when already they started helping me out with something that I had tried to work on for two years... And alone I was just too technologically challenged to get anything right. I couldn't find anybody to help me out.. But with Hannele and Torsti, I didn't even need to ask. They just realised I was in trouble and started helping. Their generosity and kindness has touched me more than I can say.

The Beautiful Leena Sarvi with our hostess Tita.

I've always admired Leena's look and graciousness, but in this event she actually approached me and told me she loved my style!!!

Wow, got completely flustered! What a compliment, and from such an elegant lady nonetheless! somehow, I managed to blurt out that I also really loved the creamy beige furry vest she was wearing. She told me she'd found it from Ajatar AND the following Monday I actually found the very last piece there, and got it as a gift :) . Wow! I'm on a roll here.

Heli Kajo, below, didn't want to be photographed without make-up and with new experimental hair - but as she always has the coolest accessories, those I immortalized. A large golden Donald, furry ginger scarf, pinkish hair. I could never pull something like that off, Heli always can.

I love, loved, loved Leena's coat as well... But this gorgeous work of art is a unique piece in Finland. Just look at the silver and rhinestone decorations in the back and on the sides.. Uh, wow. *

Friends, friends... The salt, spice and sugar of life.

* * [caption id="attachment_12652" align="aligncenter" width="305"] Okay, the dress was: shirt with satin ribbon under the chest, find from France, tweed skirt with lace detail Férrer, bag Chanel, Italian boots gift from Pipsa, silver bracelets handmade, gift from my dad when I was 6, from a Zambian silversmith. He gave them to me in adult size so I'd always remember that period of my life.
I do.[/caption] Afterwards, we all went out to eat together... And if it's true what they say about laughter prolonging one's life, I owe at least one future decade to Pipsa and Lalli's past adventures. [caption id="attachment_12660" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Pipsa Lagus, Lalli Savolainen[/caption] * * ♥ My friends ♥. Love ya. ~*♥*~