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Goodbye Letters

At our farewell party of LadyBohemia Boutique my darling friend Mericke said something that stayed within me, raised some clear inner certainty.
'Only allow people that make your soul chime stay in your life. I see there are so many others that suck the life out of you'. 

She had watched me recently, and was incredibly accurate in pointing out moments that had taken away my strength and spirit, left me wasted as desert land. A conversation of ill will that I didn't manage fight off, a text, a belittling look. Not the fault of anyone else but mine for letting it be.
I went to my safe place, my little beloved shop, late in the evening and lit up my candles. And suddenly it was clear who is loving, true, walked the walk they talked. Of course most of it was already set in my heart but some of my disillusionment, sorrow, forgiveness came through during that lonely night. I stayed there, at my shop, till something close to 5 o'clock in the morning.
I said my quiet goodbyes and I made them kind. Despite tears I knew by the time the candles would all die out I could have my peace. 

I listened to music so beautiful I just needed it, stared at the candles. And wrote letters. Letters of all the love shared - let's face it, nobody could really hurt you if you hadn't loved them - asking for forgiveness of the wrong I had done, letters of closure, letters of letting go. 
I know better than to have loose ends in my life. If I love somebody I make them feel it every chance ever. Sometimes there is no tomorrow.

Despite, there were things and people to say goodbye to, dating back no longer than weeks - how quickly does it happen! - haunting me.

Most likely nobody will ever see these letters I wrote. I think they will be of no interest to anybody but me.
But I am set free. 
Goodbye my friend. I sincerely wish you all the best.
 

~* Memory *~

Something most extraordinary happened to us today.

When bringing my children home from school, my son gave his seat to an elderly man who came  to sit next to me and my boys, us climbing then to sit on top of one another. This man started chatting us up, about interesting things, stuff we wanted experience in life. 

He wanted to ride a helicopter. And kick around on a scooter, like my sons. Among so many other things that made the eyes of my boys dangerously shine.

My dream is to dance the Argentinian tango. In Buenos Aires, preferably. And some day, to visit Tibet.

But the amazing thing was - I saw it in the eyes of both my sons, they felt it too - this man so incredibly resembled  my father (whom my children had lovingly called Pappa like I'd called my father's father before him - a family tradition). It was truly like having our Tapsa Pappa back for a moment. The same untamed laughter, same politically incorrect spanter. No concern of what anybody around us thought of his loud voice. Such beautiful an encounter, and not in the least bit sad.

When we waved goodbye to this man, my oldest son said it first. "Maman, did we just make a new friend or is he actually an old friend, if he's just like Pappa?"

My little one commented; "I was starting to forget what Pappa was like but now I remember again."

"Never forget! You can never forget Pappa!" ordered my eldest.

We walked home in silence. A rare silence, all of us filled with a rare  gratitude.

We had had him with us again, even if only for a moment.

~*♥*~


Arctic Wonderer

"I am the  northern star that you only seek in the dark. I am the cold that feels warm in the darkest night.


I am the whispering sound of the broken ice. I am the fallen fractals in a crystal form dancing in the moonlight."
I had to quote the words of my talented friend Oona Kassila. There simply are no other words, no other photos of this Arctic Wonder of ours. 
This dress is a Moonalia Dream, sold.
 Dress by LadyBohemia, sold out.
The dreamy top and wrist warmers are by Moonalia Dream, the shawl by LadyBohemia Boutique, sold out.
Magic is Nuuksio, Oona, and Johanna. 
I've really rarely absorbed the beauty of my country in all it's wonder.. It took somebody else's vision to expand my vision.  
Thank you my beauties for again making even me feel like an Arctic Wonderer. You have captured the soul of our North. 

Photography, textile art and (the beautiful part fo the) text: Oona Elena Kassila
Model: Johanna Alatalo
Clothing: mostly Moonalia Dream, a little bit by  LadyBohemia Boutique

Sisters are doin' it for themselves

We held a beautiful fashion show between Boutique Kaarina K, House of Elliott and my LadyBohemia Boutique, at the Helsinki Contemporary art gallery. I'll show you all the beauty, but also tell u about the disasters just about to happen.. 
This dress worn worn by the radiant Sahra is still available, at half price until 12.12. (our LittleXmas party) - now at 250e. Very glamorous, open back, hand embroidered with lace patterns and pearls.  Flawless, despite having been worn once at the show.
A gorgeous silk dress, delicately embroidered by little pearls, adorned with a silk ribbon... The hemline is silk lace. This one is a unique piece.
The coat is entirely made of mink. Highest most luxurious quality ever. I have one piece left, price 495e. 
Elena is holding a coat that was sold out, one piece of the knit dress adorned with beads remains. 
Our beautiful Valeria in black lace. No words needed.
Bella Sahra wearing the same model as Valeria above, only the fabric is so different, giving a different vibe. This one is slightly shimmery rose gold. You can see more photos in our webshop: 
https://ladybohemiashop.com/collections/dresses/products/golden-goddess-maxi-dress
This unique Italian shirt was sold out before the show started... But beautiful fitting trousers we have, in many colors ;)
A French fur coat entirely embroidered and decorated very elegntly... A treasure of a piece. A dreamy shade of hazy blue... Unique piece.
Valeria in her boho lace <3
The most beautiful Sahra in this world, as she just showed up in this dress and shawl they were immediately sold out. 
An Ode to Freedom! Thank you wonderful Liisa Tirronen,  for sponsoring us with the best of sparkling, created to celebrate our 100 years of independence <3.
Happy customer, happy shopkeeper. Oftentimes, new friends <3
Sahra and a shawl of silk and velvet. Some women are just created to wear the most beautiful gowns. In her case, I definitely don't rule out minidresses either..
My beloved support team. My sweetheart Oona, the best Annika in the world. The calmest, most positive, effective and lovely people in the world. They just look at me in the eyes and say 'Hey, we'll make it work. It's gonna be okay.' And I actually believe them as I know they believe it.

My darling friends. I don't know in which gutter I'd lay in without you. 

This time, there was a Slush event elsewhere in town, and slush snow everywhere, during this very evening of our important fashion show... Meaning we couldn't pre order or get a taxi. Having tried to get a lift for almost 2 hours, some10 minutes before the event, most of our stuff was still at our store... Suitcases for the fashion show filled with clothes, clothes racks, table, accessories, shoes, decoration... etc. etc. Way too much to carry to the gallery by any means. 

Oona remained calm and fixed it all. 
Annika went through three parties during that day... And still smiling...

Oona and I finished off the evening at 3 AM. Not partying, dragging, carrying, pushing and pulling our stuff back to the store from the gallery.

Around midnight we realised neither of us had eaten anything during the whole day.

Rarely has food tasted better than that take out.... And rarely has laughter been more out of control.  
Jewelry by House of Elliott <3. 

Thank you all my friends for making this dream come true. Much love to you all:

Photos: Eric Leraillez
Models:
Sahra Ali
Elena Diamond
Maarit Hilpelä
Valeria Auväärt
Charm and grace (organizing everything): Oona Elena Kassila
Sales: Virpi Korhonen

The absurdity of it all

Woke up to a reminder of just how desperate, hectic and horrible moving out of the home Kalle had bought for us had been - filling a hundred moving boxes in one evening, finding a moving company for the same night, actually finding a place to move into at a moment's notice... All this, two days after his death.
My friends did everything, the house was full, some of these wonderful people I'd never even met, all coming together to save me at my utmost  shipwreck heartbreak moment.
My personal contribution was finding a corner in the bathroom, hiding there and crying like I haven't cried since I was a baby.

I heard somebody calling worriedly: 'Has anybody seen Kaisu?' And another voice answering: 'She's there crying on the bathroom floor'. Then a third, commanding voice: 'Nobody else collapses tonight but Kaisu. The rest of you, save it for tomorrow! Now pack!'.
So. This morning kids wanted cacao with their muesli. Found a box that was half filled with cacao, the top half stuffed with my antique jewelry. Lid closed with scotch tape.
Thank you dear friend, who ever you are, for this creative solution :).
I never thought I'd laugh at the memory of that night but this morning, I came close.