This is my Notebook

Starting again...

2011-05-26T14:06:00.000+03:00

I've decided to make some differences to my blogging habits (read more here). Therefore I'll stop updating this blog and start again. You are welcomed to my new blog here! Please remember to update your blog roll and feed reader as well!

Yes I'm a Dreamer

2011-05-10T08:20:00.001+03:00

{via}

On a Sunny Sunday

2011-05-08T20:51:00.001+03:00

Signs and street art.
Lots of light
and lots of white.

Born this way

2011-05-04T15:20:00.001+03:00

{via}

Tea, anyone?

2011-05-02T16:48:00.002+03:00

{via Threadless}

I drink a couple of cups of tea during the day at work, when sitting at my desk and simultaneously doing whatever I'm doing (work, mostly). But the cup I need the most is the afternoon cuppa. The one I drink when there's still couple of hours of the day left, but I'd be ready to go home already. Then I need to take a break to shake off that worn out feeling ang to get a little more energy to spurt the rest of the day.

In order to give myself a proper break and take full advantage of that crazy 12-minute break I have, I've started to get out of the library. I go downstairs, to the entrance hall, and sit in the farthermost corner behind the plants. It's very peaceful in the hall in the afternoons and I'm not easily spotted behind the greenery even if a colleague walks by. The air conditioning blows a bit and it feels like I were sitting in a tiny jungle. Only ten minutes of sitting there makes me feel more energetic and helps me through the rest of the day.

Taking breaks is important. So is drinking enough tea.

Exactly!

2011-04-29T23:12:00.002+03:00

{via Pinterest, original source unknown. Sorry!}

This is the feeling
I couldn't express,
but had the whole day
yesterday.

Missing

2011-04-28T11:03:00.002+03:00

Today I miss
(at least)
London,
old friends
and my 15-year-old self
(who didn't know
anything about depression yet).

...

2011-04-21T14:16:00.003+03:00

{via}

This week has felt very long, probably because I've been worrying so much. My mum has been very sick and it has really scared me. But she's getting better and the Easter holiday is here, so today we are traveling to see some friends and my boyfriend's family. I forgot my camera home and am bummed about it but no can do - there won't be any pics taken by me until we get back on Saturday. I am planning to post some inspirational photos (taken by others) arranged by Easter-related colors, but we'll see what I have time for. See you soon!

Okay

2011-04-19T20:40:00.002+03:00

{via}

{via}

This is what I keep
repeating in my head,
over and over again.

And things look
a bit better already.

Oh Spring

2011-04-18T08:29:00.002+03:00

{by Alyssa Nassner via My Owl Barn}

{by Gayana}

Yes, spring is here. Yesterday was officially the first day of spring. At least in my world. It was warm for the whole last week, so maybe the spring started to someone else for week ago already. But for me, yesterday was it. Here is why:
- I used my Converse All Stars for the first time
- It was so warm I went out without a jacket
- I saw the first Tussilago Farfaras
- It was so sunny and bright
- I had the first ice cream cone outside
- I blew lots of soap bubbles
- I fed ducks in the park
- I just had that very happy spring feeling for the whole day

Other reasons to be happy:
- Our home is starting to look like home more than a garage
- The living room is tidy and cozy
- I can soon start to decorate my crafting space
- Easter holiday (a four-day weekend) is coming, and I have nice plans for it
- I've got some nice crafting inspiration and ideas waiting to be put to action

Oh Joy

2011-04-17T19:20:00.006+03:00

You are always trying to keep it real
I'm in love with how you feel
I don't see what anyone can see,
In anyone else
But you.
The Moldy Peaches - Anyone but you

This weekend I've been so happy.
Bursting with joy so much it's almost scary.

PS. Spring is finally here! Yay!

Life is a Rollercoaster, at least my life is

2011-04-14T20:34:00.003+03:00

Today I had both ups and downs,
but I think when time passes
I'll remember the ups better
than the downs.

A Real Kitchen Would Be Nice, But...

2011-04-13T21:01:00.005+03:00

In this apartment
we don't have a real kitchen,
just a small kitchenette.
But at least it's easy to watch
him cook when sitting in the
living room. Which is actually half-a-kitchen
nowadays, as the kitchenette
is too small for all the necessities.
For example, our former
kitchen table is nowadays
a living room table and
our freezer and microwave
locate in the living room as well.

I guess these are the sacrifices
people always say you have to make
when you'd like to live near the city center
in the most expensive city of the country.

I want to read

2011-04-08T20:37:00.004+03:00

{via}

I haven't had any time for reading lately.
Only ten minutes here and there,
on a train or in bed just before I fall asleep.
When I was younger I used to spend whole days
just reading and reading.
Oh how I miss those days.

I have a pile of books I've started but
not read for more than ten pages or so.
I have several magazines I haven't even opened.
This weekend I'm planning to do some
serious reading, I tell you.
That staying in bed for the whole day
and reading until my eyes are too tired
- kind of reading.
Like in the good old days.

I hope you have a nice weekend as well.
What are you reading at the moment?

Spring Colours Week: White

2011-04-08T18:47:00.003+03:00

Well, I had fun with colours this week.
Spring Colours Week is at it's end now,
but I'm already waiting for the summer week.
Until then, I have to start to photograph more.

Spring Colours Week: Lavender

2011-04-07T07:56:00.001+03:00

Spring Colours Week: Pink

2011-04-06T10:13:00.000+03:00

Spring Colours Week: Yellow

2011-04-05T21:08:00.001+03:00

Spring Colours Week: Greens

2011-04-05T08:05:00.003+03:00

For a moment, let's pretend it's still Monday.

Why? Because it didn't occur to me until this morning that Poppytalk's Spring Colours Week was here already, and I kinda missed the first day. But because I've been wanting to take part for ages now, I decided not to care about this little detail. I'll post my greens (Monday's color) now, and my yellows (Tuesday's color) this evening. It isn't that serious, right?

To find out more info, head here and to see amazingly colorful photos from other participants, click here.

PS. These photos aren't new, so you might have seen them already. But most of you haven't, and I hope those of you who have don't mind the recycling. It was long ago, right...

A Gray Day

2011-04-04T15:28:00.006+03:00

{via snug.online}

It was gray and foggy and rainy
for the whole weekend,
and Monday didn't bring any difference.

I'm trying to keep the gloominess away
by thinking of cherry blossoms and tea parties
and bunnies and walking barefoot on warm grass.

I also try to adopt this way of thinking
to like gray more:

{via}

Plan for the Day

2011-04-03T09:59:00.001+03:00

{via}

Sugar, No Spice

2011-03-31T06:53:00.006+03:00

A couple of years ago we both read the book La libellule se ses huit ans by Martin Page. Apparently the book was never translated to English, I read the Finnish translation as I don't know any French. Anyway, in the book there's an episode where the main character offers tea to her guest. She doesn't put any sugar on the table but just says "I hope you're not one of those idiots who put sugar in their tea".

And here's the thing: I put a lot of sugar in my tea, I never have my tea without it. So when we drink tea my boyfriend often repeats the line of that character from the book. And every time I answer "No, I'd just like to have some tea in my sugar".

My boyfriend then, well, if somebody offers him sugar with his tea or coffee he always says "No thank you, I'm sweet enough without it".

Well, that was a little story of my life.
Whether it interests anyone, I have no idea.
I just felt like telling it.

Just Like my Notebook

2011-03-29T20:42:00.001+03:00

I've been thinking a lot of blogging lately.
What it means to me, what I'd like to blog about.
How I'd like my blog to look like and who I'd like to read it.

My blog is my creative outlet.
Just like my notebook.
It includes words and pictures, both helping me to express myself.

I'd like to tell you little stories of my life.
About my musings, feelings and thoughts.
About my daily life and what happens in it.
Sometimes those little stories might be sad, sometimes happy.
Just like my life.

I'd also like to share my inspirations.
Internet is full of pretty pictures, good ideas and lovely things.
I prefer self-made and self-photographed material here in my blog,
but am still going to share pics and pages from other people too.
To tell you what I love and what makes me inspired.
And because I often find out that somebody
has already explained how I feel and did it better than I ever could myself.

So my blog is still going to be a mixture
of many ingredients.
My blog is a combination
that resembles me, the writer.
Just like my notebook does.

Monday's Motivation Post

2011-03-28T08:56:00.002+03:00

{By Gemma Correll}

I don't mind Monday,
but what really bothers me today
are those couple of sentimeters
of fresh new snow we got
during the night.
I was beyond bummed when
looking out the window this morning.
Oh spring, don't you ever come here?

{by Steph Says Hello}

This awesome print makes me feel better though.
Hope it helps you too
in case Monday feels like an old friend
you wouldn't care to meet on the street.

No-one Can Be Unhappy When Having Balloons

2011-03-26T08:11:00.000+02:00

{via Unstitched}

If somebody wanted to give me 25 balloons with birthday wishes for my next birthday, I wouldn't mind. Awesome idea and pretty pretty pictures spotted at the Unstitched-blog.

An Afternoon in a Café

2011-03-25T19:17:00.004+02:00

On a Tea Break, Again

2011-03-23T17:46:00.001+02:00

{All pics by Karin Vivar}

You might (or might not) know that I love tea- and coffee cups. I even collect them. And photograph them. Photographs featuring pretty teacups always make me happy, and this time was no different. When I stumpled upon these lovely cup photos by Swedish Karin Vivar, I had to smile. Especially love the one with the apple splash!

Spring in my Kitchen

2011-03-21T18:11:00.003+02:00

Today it was grey and miserable outside, and cause I miss spring so much it almost hurts, I decided to cheer myself up with some flowers. What would be a better way to celebrate spring inside when it's still winter outside?

When I arrived home with my tulips I realized the one and only ugly vase I own is still in a box, and I have no idea which box is the right one. Solved the problem with a teapot my mom gave us recently. And I have to say I love how it looks. And yes, I feel more cheery now.

Today was a free day

2011-03-20T20:38:00.003+02:00

Today we decided to take a day off from the crazy moving process and just rest. This was my first free day in a month (have been working all the weekdays and moving all the weekends) and I was so exhausted, felt like I couldn't take it anymore. So today we ate a good breakfast, had tea from our new owl teapot, took a nap, walked around and stopped to read magazines and newspapers in a cafe. And oh, how much better I feel already. Next weekend we'll do one more moving trip and finish the cleaning, and then it's finally over. Yay! Except the unpacking, it will probably take several weeks, but who cares. I'm getting used to living in a garage already.

Now a bubble bath and then to bead. Today's a whole new Monday, again. Good night!

Cute and lovely and pink

2011-03-19T10:01:00.001+02:00

{by Luci Everett}

Lately I've enjoyed searching party inspiration online. Not that I were planning any special events, or even a little get-togethers. I just enjoy watching colorful photos of balloons and cakes. I also enjoy of this handmade party book by Luci Everett. So cute and lovely and pink.

All I need is plates

2011-03-18T16:50:00.001+02:00

These adorable plates made by doe-c-doe stole my heart.
But that one plate to die for at the moment would be this
bear plate by Jimbobart:

I so want to hang it on our kitchen wall,
it would be perfect there!
Bearrific, indeed.

PS. I might have purchased it already...

Fact of the Day

2011-03-17T18:46:00.003+02:00

Everything looks prettier
when you add some fairy lights.
(Adding some curtains could help too.)

I could live there

2011-03-17T08:16:00.003+02:00

Yesterday,
when coming out of a grocery store,
I spotted some nice, colorful buildings.
I'd like to see more houses like these
in Finland instead of all those gray, white and
brown ones.

(I live in a beige one and I had to go
to the balcony to check the color
before posting this, as I haven't
paid that much attention.
Just registered the building was ugly
and that was enough information for me.)

Feels Good...

2011-03-16T17:43:00.001+02:00

{by Mary Kate McDevitt}

Except I didn't get anything done today.
Therefore posting this for tomorrow and
a new (hopelessly) productive day.

Something New, Something Blue

2011-03-15T19:43:00.008+02:00

Lots of things have changed in my personal life since I last time actively wrote this blog. I finished my thesis. I graduated. I got a job. I took that job, even though it was in another city. Which led to a situation where my boyfriend had to get a new job in that new city too. And then we moved. Or actually have been moving for couple of weeks now, the process isn't completely over yet. One more trip with a car full of stuff and cleaning of the old apartment are waiting to be done. And now we live in a place that looks more like a garage with those boxes everywhere, so there's lots of unpacking to do as well.

My boyfriend gave that globe in the pictures for me for Christmas two years ago. It's one of those single items that are very precious to me. From the last picture you can see that the distance between these two cities in Southern Finland ("Hels." and the other one on the left side of it) isn't very long, but it still feels like it. I'm glad I have my globe to bring me comfort in a new city I've never lived in before. This is like having a new start. In a good and a bad way, both at the same time. I'm excited and frightened by turns.

Let's see what happens.

Little Tuesday Escape

2011-03-15T14:15:00.005+02:00

{via Irene Suchocki}

I so love these colorful, whimsical, fairytale-like photographs of Irene Suchocki. They make me wanna pack a little red suitcase and travel somewhere where you can live in a bright pink house (according to Irene that's in Burano, Italy) or ride in a ferris wheel like that. Sitting on a beach under such a cute umrella wouldn't be bad either.

Moustache Monday

2011-03-14T08:22:00.002+02:00

Awesome moustache nails!

{via Pinterest, original source unknown}

Magical springlike feeling, at least in the pictures

2011-03-11T13:03:00.006+02:00

{via Ruche}

It's raining wet, slushy snow outside and I know my shoes will be wet at the very moment I step out of the door. The spring seems to be ages away, and I couldn't miss it more. These pictures from Ruche Lookbook (spotted via Shimmer Like Gold) made me feel a little better. I love that spring scenery free of snow but not looking too green or flowery. Just like the first days of spring.

Dreaming of...

2011-03-09T11:27:00.003+02:00

{via}

This morning I had a dream of blogging. It was just a quick one between two beeps of my alarm clock, and frankly, I no longer have any idea what happened in it. But when I woke up, I felt quite inspired about this thing again. And even about blogging in English, which has felt like a burden lately.

It must be annoying when I pop up here and then disappear again and am away for months. Sorry about that. I'm trying to be more present from now on. If there's still someone out there I'd like to hear from you. How are you?

Something scary happened yesterday...

2010-12-04T22:53:00.001+02:00

We were on our way to flea markets. I was very happy right then and totally lost in my thoughts. Which is all right cause I don't drive. My boyfriend did the driving and he did a good job. The streets were slippery though, but they usually are in wintertime. That's normal, and people who live in Finland are used to it. What people aren't used to, or at least I am not, are big black city jeeps ignoring the traffic regulations.

Right in the middle of a crossing of two streets that city jeep hit our car. Apparently the driver saw us too late, even though he was the one who should have seen us, cause we were the ones with the right of way. He came from our left and was in the crossing at the exactly same time with us. When my boyfriend saw that car, he braked as much as he could, of course. But the driver of the city jeep did the exact opposite and put his foot down. He evidently tried to get out of the way, but instead hit our car harder than he would if he had braked instead.

Long story short, no-one was hurt badly but out car. That poor thing is kinda smashed right now, and will very likely be written of. Me and my boyfriend have lots of bruises and some muscular pain, but are otherwise okay. (My knees are bright blue right now, which looks kinda quirky.) The two men in that city jeep got hardly a scratch to their car, and were just terrified, not hurt. It was their mistake totally, and their insurance will take care of the rest. The crappy thing is that we don't have a car anymore, and the refunds hardly will pay for a new one.

I never would have believed it, but I miss our car. It was old and crappy, but it was ours. It also made life easier and more comfortable. I miss Sunday rides and trifting trips we made together. I miss sitting in the front seat and listening to the radio. I think I won't be doing it for a while, I am just too scared to sit in the front anymore. I was afraid of cars even before this, but now, well, now I can hardly take a bus.

It's good to be okay. I'm so happy nothing worse happened.

S is for...

2010-11-26T09:35:00.001+02:00

{via}

...sequins

...sunshine

...superheroes

...sea

...sugar

...squirrels

...sleeping

What?

2010-11-24T11:08:00.004+02:00

I haven't written anything in this blog for two months and still have got some new followers. That doesn't make any sense, but sure is awesome. Thank you, you made me give this blog another try. I had almost decided to let it go and start something new. That might still happen some day, but not today. Today I'm here with you.

I'll try not to have such breaks in the near future, but cannot promise anything. Sometimes you just lose the inspiration, you know. And sometimes it returns and you feel fresh again.

Love,

Miss Notebook

P.S. I love you.

P.P.S. My brownie looks like that cause my boyfriend finds it entertaining to start cutting things from the middle. If he eats pizza (with fork and knife, not with hands), he cuts a round hole in the middle and starts eating from there. If he eats ice cream from the container, he starts spooning it right from the middle. Usually it makes me crazy, but this time I could not be mad. Someone giving you a brownie heart is too cute to be mad at.

Moustache Monday

2010-09-27T18:18:00.002+03:00

{via}

Two of my favourite things together:

cats and moustaches.

Apples Everywhere!

2010-09-11T09:03:00.001+03:00

It was silent in the garden,
and then suddenly:
a sound combining plop and bonk
when yet another apple
fell from the tree.

An Empty House

2010-09-10T11:00:00.001+03:00

Sometimes it's nice to be home alone.
Especially, if it isn't your home.
Today I'm wandering around
my parent's house
and spotting details.

My Style Alphabet

2010-09-08T01:15:00.002+03:00

I was tagged by Miss Piparminttu to write down my personal style alphabet. The original challenge didn't say anything about pictures, but I chose to add them just because. All pictures by me, and most of them even somehow related ;)

I would like to see Amanda, Allie, Jemina, Anna and Norsis to do this. Anyone else can too, if they just want to. Feel free to use the language easiest for you and not to stress about the pics.

A is for Accessories.

Honestly, I'm an addict.

B is for Buttons.

Fancy ones are my favourite way to brighten up a dull cardigan.

C is for Colour.

Wearing a colourful outfit makes me feel happier.

D is for DIY.

Because I love any kind of crafting.

E is for Earrings.

I prefer big, fancy, quirky ones.

F is for frocks.

I love them.

G is for Glitter.

I secretly love it.

H is for Hem.

I prefer the knee-length.

I is for Imagination.

That endless source of style inspiration.

J is for Joy.

I believe style is supposed to be fun.

K is for Knitwear.

I wouldn't survive the winter without it.

L is for Layers.

Easy and stylish.

M is for Menswear.

I buy most of my jumpers and t-shirts from the mens department.

N is for Nail Polish.

An easy way to add color to any outfit.

O is for Over the Knee.

When I was in upper secondary school,

I wore mostly skirts with long,

colorful socks.

I wanna reinvent that style this fall.

P is for Pink.

My favourite hair colour ever.

Q is for Quirky.

If I had to explain my style in one word, this would be it.

R is for Rainbow.

The perfect colour combination.

S is for Stripes.

My favourite pattern.

T is for Tulle.

I wish I could wear a tutu in daily life.

U is for Used.

I buy most of my clothes second hand.

V is for Violet.

My latest colour crush.

W is for Wellies.

They're so practical in our climate.

X is for XL.

As it's my size, and I'm sick and tired of being ashamed of it.

Y is for Yellow.

One of the biggest style tragedies

of my life is that yellow doesn't look good on me.

Luckily I can still use it in accessories.

Z is for ZZZZ.

Sleeping well and enough makes anybody more beautiful.

Sunday Ride

2010-09-06T19:51:00.002+03:00

We took a ride yesterday,

having a car gives all kinds of new opportunities

to spend weekends. Originally

we were planning to go for a picnic,

but is was grey and rainy...

... so we drove to the cutest little café

near Ruissalo.

I love that little red wooden house

with the lovely granny-style

decoration. And...

...they had the biggest donuts ever!

I'm so sad the café is so far away.

Otherwise I would visit all the time.

Moustache Monday

2010-09-06T13:11:00.001+03:00

{by Marc Johns}

I Just Fell in Love...

2010-09-01T23:13:00.004+03:00

... with Timothy Karpinski's artwork.

If I was a cat, I'd get down like that

Our book is thick, I skipped chapters

Meet me up there

Sleeping Heart

Honest-tea for you and me

My Favourite Colour is Rainbow

2010-08-31T21:36:00.001+03:00

{source unknown}

{source unknown}

PS. Still remember:

{source unknown}

Moustache Monday

2010-08-30T20:21:00.004+03:00

Okay, let's try this again.

I started this meme in the first place,

it can't be that hard to keep doing it,

for God's sake.

Say hello

to the Moustache Monday

beard edition

{source unknown}

{via}

Sigh...

2010-08-30T09:08:00.002+03:00

{source unknown}

{via Design is Mine}

{by M. Fayre}

Back to school today.

I have to say I don't feel that excited.

Always, Sometimes, Never

2010-08-27T23:58:00.003+03:00

The idea for this post is from Here Comes the Sun,

head over there to see Amanda's.

I always...

- sweeten my tea

- mash my potatoes with the fork

- tell little stories to myself before falling asleep

- play with crafting ideas in my head

I sometimes:

- dance around and sing on the top of my lungs when I'm home alone

- bake things just because of the baking, not because I'd like to eat them

- get really sad without any particular reason

- step on the white lines only when crossing the road along a zebra crossing

I never...

- eat blue candies

- skip my daily nap, if I only can choose

- forget to tell people how much I hate sweetcorn

- wash the dishes instantly, which always annoys me later on (like right now...)

What about you?

Dear so and so...

2010-08-24T10:51:00.006+03:00

Dear sky,

please don't rain on my books when I bike to the library.

Dear jumpers and cardigans,

It's lovely to wear you again.

Dear former boss from London,

thank you so much for the chocolate you sent me!

Dear burnt orange,

you are my favourite color today.

Dear bargain store,

I would appreciate it so much

if you still had that lovely yellow yarn left.

Dear boyfriend,

I promise I'll sew up your jeans and

finish your new mittens

before it gets really cold.

Dear hand-knitted beanie,

thank you so much for saving this bad hair day.

Dear rich people,

could someone send me money for a hairdresser?

Dear S,

this morning I had my black tea with milk and honey,

and it was oh-so-lovely.

Therefore I'll promise I'll never mock

your tea-drinking habits again!

With lots of love,

Miss Notebook

The best of seasons right after spring

2010-08-23T22:24:00.006+03:00

I couldn't fall asleep cause my toes were icy-cold. I tried to snuggle and cuddle up next to him to get warmer, but it didn't help my toes. And because icy-cold toes on your side aren't the nicest way to wake up, I let him be. Gave up and tried to find a pair of knitted socks in our dark bedroom.

I also wore tights today, first time after the end of April. It felt weird. So did the observation I had to close the balcony door at 8 pm cause it was chilly in the living room. For the whole hot summer it's been open day and night. We've also been sleeping with the window open since May. I guess soon we have to close it because of the cool, but I wouldn't like to, because the breath of fresh air has become so good friend of mine. Sleeping without it feels so...airless.

I guess it's official now.

Fall is here.

Welcome friend!

Not the Band Though

2010-08-15T00:03:00.000+03:00

{via PostSecret}

I do that too.

Especially on days when I have

to queue at the pharmacist for 45 minutes

with all those coughing grannies

just to get more pills

to get along with my life.

"Yes, I'm perfectly fine.

This is only a placebo."

Good Morning Sunshine, Want a Cuppa?

2010-08-14T11:00:00.001+03:00

I love peaceful, slow mornings with tasty breakfast, lots of tea and a good mag to read. I picked this mag cause the colors on the cover matched so well with my glass of orange juice :) And even though that teacup is ridiculously small I just had to purchase it from a flea market, because it reminded me of those Russian rose-patterned scarfs I adore.

(I have to say though: this morning wasn't peaceful and slow at all.

These pics are from yesterday.)

Simple is good

2010-08-13T21:57:00.005+03:00

I made this post as a part of Elsie's blog project. The point of the project is to choose four personal goals to achieve before 2011. Goals are supposed to be simple and activity oriented ones that would make you life happier and richer on daily basis. Read more about it here.

So, after thinking about it for some time I've decided that these will be my simple goals:

1. Photographing more on film

Most of my film cameras are lomography cameras that I lusted over for ages but haven't used that much when I finally got them. So it's high time to get back to film and plastic cameras. Those pictures are so pretty and always make me happy! I also have an old camera with a half-taken roll of 120 mm film inside, time to finish it too.

2. Taking more walks

For the sake of getting fresh air and exercising a bit. Probably on a "walking instead of using a buss for short distances" - basis.

3. Journaling and doodling more

Art journaling makes me happy every time I do it, but it's still easy to push it "for tomorrow" that actually never comes. I also like doodling, especially all kinds of doodle projects, but seldom do it just because I suck at drawing. Time to reject the excuses and get some artsy doodling/journaling done.

4. Doing nice things to other people, both strangers, friends and frengers.

There's always room for nice actions in this world, and I love to make people around me happy. I already have some plans including i.e. surprise mail for friends and giving compliments to strangers.

Part of the project is to blog about achieving your goals, so you're gonna hear more about this some time. Before 2011, for sure.

Nighttime Thoughts

2010-08-10T00:57:00.005+03:00

There are some happy young people living below us.

I can hear them laughing plenty of times a day,

and they often sit on the balcony chatting in different languages.

It's many of them all the time, and I have no idea

who is really living here and who just visiting.

Not that I care anyway.

It sounds like they were having the summer of their life,

and that thought makes me happy.

It also makes me feel old somehow.

I miss those long long summer holidays from my childhood.

Well, I've had a long holiday this summer as well.

Mainly cause I just dropped everything I planned to get done

because I felt exhausted.

But I can't help that nasty feeling that comes

when you know you seriously should do

some work instead of just hanging around

and having fun. It differs from the childhood,

when the main thing was just to enjoy.

It is so wrong

2010-07-26T23:58:00.000+03:00

{a softer world}

Window Shopping

2010-07-25T11:46:00.004+03:00

If you have some extra money,

I can help you sped it at Urban Outfitters

(all pictures from their European webpage).

I also wish we had a store here in Finland,

cause window shopping gets even better

if you can touch things.

(Not sure though if it's then called window shopping anymore.)

Letter Shade

Polaroid Notes

Street Cleaner Vacuum

Tea Sub

Hot, Hotter, Super Hot

2010-07-14T19:18:00.007+03:00

Things I miss at the moment:

- winter

- hair conditioner

- ice cream

- (the) boyfriend

- shower

Read between the lines:

I've been at a summer cottage with my family for few days now. It's boiling hot, so I think about snowflakes and ice a lot. Our water pump is broken, so I've been washing my hair in a lake lately. And ice cream, well is there someone who doesn't miss ice cream all summer time?

What a lovely way to start a day

2010-07-09T09:43:00.003+03:00

I found these in my inbox first thing this morning.

Aren't they awesome?

And yes, this cat can recognize herself very well...

By Alessandra Cimatoribus

Hello Catty

2010-07-04T15:56:00.001+03:00

There was a medieval fair in my city this weekend, and I visited it twice. Yesterday we spent half of the sunny, hot day in the crowd browsing through the booths, eating medieval-inspired food and looking at the actors performing little episodes. And when I came home, I had a this grey sympathetic cat in my bag.

You see, I fell in love with it's quirky smile, subtle presence and those whiskers. I'm kinda sure the cat inside me looks a lot like this one. My sister-in-law-to-be laughed when I carried it around "like a baby". Now it lives in my bed and I crab it's tail whenever I have nightmares. Have had quite many lately, so I wish this little catty being is good at watching my sleep.

This other cat is a present from my boyfriend. It's from the fair too, he gave it to me yesterday. I changed the chain to it (there was originally a black string), as I found the necklace cuter that way. Anyhow, I love it. And I have quite a few catty craft projects in mind at the moment, so if you wanna see them, make sure to check out the craft blog frequently.

I swam like a fish

2010-07-02T23:14:00.004+03:00

I've lately, well - for the last 19 days, been doing Janel's 30 day journal challenge. (Click the button above to learn more!) It's kinda part of the challenge to share your pages, in a blog or flickr, but so far I haven't done that. Because 1) Most of my pages are ugly and 2) They are way too personal. I've enjoyed the challenge a lot and tried to make the most of it on the personal level. So I decided I'm doing it for myself and myself only, and therefore not going to share. But today I wanna show you one page, my day 15. This is a special occasion.

Why? Because I swam in the sea today! First time for years actually. And I loved it. Working on the other goals too. Like the write write write -part, 5 pages of progress this week. Also going to go to the family visit next weekend, so that's almost done. Next: laughing in the library. What, something wrong with that? Don't worry, the little librarian in me does know not to laugh too loudly.

Feeling Sentimental

2010-07-01T11:44:00.005+03:00

This morning I opened the Marmite sandwich case that has waited on my desk since I unpacked my bags last Christmas. There isn't anything valuable inside, but for me those little thing are precious. Because of the memories they hold.

Inside there's a chestnut I picked on my first day to work in London, and an acorn I took with me on the second day. A quirky bottle cap I found during my lunch break from that little park-like area behind the cafeteria. Various pebbles I picked for various reasons during those three months in that city. A piece of glass from a broken bottle from the bus stop I saved just because it looked so beautiful in the car lights. And lots of seashells from Brighton beach. Bigger ones, and then small pieces that look more like pebbles than seashells, as they are smoothed and eaten by the sea. I remember how my boyfriend laughed when I had my pockets full of them. I remember the wind in my hair and the salty splashes on my face. Those little things still smell like the sea and when I hold them in my hand I remember that precious day in that little funky town with the boy I love. It was probably one of the best days during my time in the UK. And after that memory come all the other ones, and I can't push them back to where they came from. I feel happy and sad at the same time when I remember things. And I don't want to close that little sandwich case anytime soon, because those pebbles in my hand have a meaning.

The same thing happens when I open the conditioner bottle in the shower and that smell of hops takes me back to the crappy bathroom with a smelly carpet and a cold bath tub under my feet. Or the taste of cherry coke, that reminds me of that long sunny Saturday when I got lost between Govent Garden and Leicester Square and walked for ages until I found a place I recognized. It might have been one of the best adventures I had in London, getting lost in the middle of the city on an average day.

I miss those times. I miss that city.

I wanna go back even though I know it wouldn't be the same for me anymore.

--- --- ---

2010-06-29T16:42:00.004+03:00

The longer you stay quiet, the harder it is to start talking again. Or writing, in this case.

To be honest, I've started plenty of times during the past week.

And always deleted my text before posting.

None of the things I've tried writing about seemed to be interesting enough,

and the writer's block got worse and worse.

But maybe, now when I've got this out of my heart,

I will be able to write a real post tomorrow?

Let's see.

I know what you mean...

2010-06-19T20:33:00.002+03:00

{via}

For all the angry kitties

out there.

I do not care what the world thinks anymore

2010-06-14T17:29:00.003+03:00

- I love you, you know that?
- Yes, yes I know. But when I feel bad I start to think
I am ugly and fat, and therefore you cannot really love me.
- You are beautiful and fat, and I so love you.

Somehow this made me feel better.
Maybe it is finally time to be proud of myself the way I am.

Me Neither

2010-06-13T10:41:00.000+03:00

{via PostSecret}

The Time is Now

2010-06-12T18:24:00.001+03:00

{via}

In need for a little getaway?

Me too.

Pack your bags and meet me there.

It's going to be fun.

I love you because...

2010-06-11T19:07:00.003+03:00

...you are silly. And not afraid to show it.

You make me laugh, even when you're not here.

Like today, when I found your shopping list under the microwave oven.

I have no idea why it was there, but even bigger mystery is the third thing on the list.

It might be a bit hard to find it from our corner shop, but I'll try my best tomorrow.

See, the list looked like this:

-ketchup

-milk

-little squirrels

Dear Notebook,

2010-06-11T09:51:00.005+03:00

I'm sorry I've been ignoring you.

I've been really busy lately,

which is a bit absurd, as I still haven't got anything done.

Busy being lazy, that's what I'm good at.

Today I'm wearing jeans,

can't remember when I last time had trousers on me.

My boyfriend's hoodie, my new brown hair

and a pair of nerd glasses put the last touches to this style,

not typical for me at all.

The perfect disguise.

I feel I'd like to be someone else today.

I have a long day ahead of me.

Have to do the things I skipped yesterday cause I felt like sleeping.

To be honest I feel like that today too,

just want to crawl back to bed,

but sometimes you have to get something done.

And I have to clean this mess around here,

wash the dishes finally.

Dirty dishes everywhere make

it harder to think.

Without further ado,

here I go.

See you soon,

blog dear.

Love,

Inari

Small things become big things when your ankle hurts

2010-06-01T19:00:00.004+03:00

Today, at the doctors, they wanted to X-ray my ankle. I tripped on my own feet yesterday, and this morning my ankle was twice as big as it should be. Anyway, when I walked to the X-ray, the smiley chirpy nurse stopped me. "You are not pregnant, right?" she asked. In a smiley chirpy tone. "Not that I know" I answered without giving it so much thought. But the nurse wasn't happy. "I really hope I'm not", I continued, when she didn't let me walk into the room. For some reason she was staring at me. At my belly, to be exact. "You're not trying to get pregnant or anything?" she double-checked. "No, I'm using birth control. It's actually very unlikely I would be pregnant." "Hmmm", she mumbled still looking at my belly. "I guess it's all right then. If you're sure." And only then she looked at my face and smiled. With a smiley chirpy way.

It took me 35 minutes of sitting in the hallway and waiting for the results before I understood why she was repeating it so eagerly. Yes, I'm 95 % sure I'm not pregnant and I just had my period. I guess she should believe me, or at least believe I know better than she does. And yes, if I look like I were pregnant, that's just because I'm fat. And I know it too, you don't have to rub it to my face with your fake-concern of my baby-to-be. At least not on a shitty day like this.

That X-ray cost me 90€.

Apparently I still wasn't paying enough to get some delicacy.

Moustache Monday...

2010-05-31T22:52:00.002+03:00

...is back!

Sorry for missing so many Mondays,

trying to make it up to you later.

An ashtray spotted on the Kupittaa railway station,

Turku, 28.5.

100 Things in the World I Love

2010-05-30T11:05:00.003+03:00

Andrea's list at Hula Seventy inspired me to write one on my own.

1. dandelions
2. orange-colored teacups
3. scent of lilacs
4. polka dots
5. weird haircolors
6. the sound of raindrops on an umbrella
7. watching the clouds
8. picnics
9. swimming in the sea
10. ice cream on a hot day
11. hot chocolate on a cold day
12. text messages from a loved one
13. postcards
14. frogs
15. crocheting
16. summer dresses
17. reading a good book in the garden
18. swinging
19. fake moustaches
20. horseriding
21. baking a chocolate cake
22. good food you didn't have to make yourself
23. scent of old books
24. big sunglasses
25. scent of sunscreen
26. beautiful coffee cups
27. cherry Coca-Cola
28. reading magazines
29. bike rides
30. flea markets
31. colorful beads
32. eating apples from a tree
33. oranges
34. photographing
35. toy cameras
36. 120mm film
37. old black&white photos
38. the colour of the water in an indoor swimming pool
39. buttons
40. yellow flowers
41. walking barefoot
42. letters
43. boys with long hair
44. smiling babies
45. strawberries
46. silence in a cathetdral
47. rocking chairs
48. cherries
49. patchworks
50. summer cottages
51. sitting outdoors with your tea on a summer morning
52. reading a newspaper with no hurry
53. summer nights
54. whistling
55. collages
56. old telephones
57. tulips
58. colorful nail polishes
60. graffito
61. ferris wheels
62. hot air balloons
63. new sneakers
64. drying laundry outside
65. rollercoasters
66. guerilla art
67. art journaling
68. bubble baths
69. cotton candy
70. sandwinches
71. strawberry margaritas
72. surprise presents
73. wish jars
74. colored pencils
75. handwriting
76. chocolate cookies
77. origami
78. pretty fabrics
79. dangling earrings
80. button rings
81. typewriters
82. photo booths
83. stripes
84. shadows
85. long showers
86. sitting in cafés
87. daydreams
88. taking a nap
89. animations
90. picture books
91. cheese cake
92. meringue
93. sandy beaches
94. red skirts
95. enamel brooches
96. rainbow colors
97. gusts of wind
98. lazy cats
99. lockets
100. bracelets

Morning Dialogues, part 2

2010-05-26T12:55:00.004+03:00

- What's the time?

- Wait... *turns to see the clock*

- Shouldn't women have a biological clock or something?

In that case you shouldn't have to turn.

- Oh yes, and my biological clock says 'baby'...

- !!

- ...But our alarm clock says twenty past eleven.

Things to do on a rainy day...

2010-05-24T17:25:00.004+03:00

It's been raining all day today. Of course, as it's my laundry day, and I was hoping to hang the sheets outside to dry. But rain hasn't been able to ruin my day completely, it's been actually kinda nice just stay indoors and do small things. I made you a list of possibilities, just in case you are feeling bored.

- Look out of the window and watch the raindrops fall.

If you see any birds, pay attention how they won't get wet.

And don't you forget to wonder why.

- Dream. A lot.

I've been dreaming of distant cities and flying, for instance.

- Watch some movie you've been planning to watch (again) for a long time.

Mine was Little Women.

- Read a book you haven't read yet.

Keri Smith's Guerilla Art Kit was my choice today.

- Take a nap.

A necessity for a rainy day.

(I personally do it even on sunny ones.)

- Write something, or doodle at least.

Aiming to do some art journaling next.

- Craft something.

I'm still crocheting.

And planning to continue sewing later on.

- Cook something you like.

Mmm, macaroni casserole.

- Take a bath or a long shower.

I've been dreaming of a bath tub as well.

- Think back some lovely times of your life.

My mind is in London today.

- And if you love making lists, make one of things to do on a sunny day.

The weather forecast for tomorrow looks promising.

And now I'll continue my rainy day experiences.

Have a nice day whatever kind of weather you have there.

Hair and Sarcasm

2010-05-22T10:26:00.004+03:00

{via}

- Good Morning, little cat.

- Morning.

- What's the time?

- Ten past ten.

- What are cats?

- Meow?

- Wrong. They are full of hair and sarcasm.

Today I...

2010-05-20T08:49:00.003+03:00

...feel sad for some reason, right from the beginning of the day.

...am tired cause I didn't sleep well at all.

...have a full day ahead of me.

...think I should post more to this blog.

...am happy cause my new neighbors decided to stay

(I'll tell more about that later...)

...wear a pair of bright green leggings and can't decided if it looks awesome or terrible with my purple hair.

...am planning to crochet a lot

(need to sit at school, you see...)

...have some other plans too.

...wait eagerly for my one-week-holiday to start.

...wear jingly earrings and love the sound of them.

...miss comments from you - are you still there?

Dreaming of...

2010-05-14T19:43:00.000+03:00

...summer.

In a Botanical Garden

2010-05-13T21:38:00.003+03:00

This isn't weird, this is extraordinary.

2010-05-12T15:32:00.003+03:00

Yes, I dyed my hair again.

Being a redhead was fun, but

oh my, how I had missed bright, unusual colors.

I love the color so much, even though

it's a bit dark for me.

I guess I just have to welcome my inner goth

to daylight.

Laundry Day

2010-05-11T20:18:00.003+03:00

I like doing laundry. It's my favourite of housework, cause it's so easy. I also love the smell of the clean clothes. Doing laundry is especially nice at summer, when you can dry it outside. I tried it today, cause it seemed to be warm and sunny. But then I turned my back and took a nap, and it of course started to rain. I was so annoyed.

Wow!

2010-05-09T21:02:00.007+03:00

{All pictures by Oka Morikawa}

My heart jumped a bit when I stumbled upon these pictures.

Why? Because I know that bride. She was one of my best friends in secondary school. We sat next to each other at almost every course for three years. And I know that was long time ago and I haven't seen her in years (six or so), but before I saw these pictures I hadn't realized how long time ago that really was.

According to the photographer who took those pictures she is nowadays a professional model living and working in Hong Kong. And, of course, she's married now, as these are her wedding photos.

And what am I know, after these years? I'm a broke student and a librarian-to-be who lives 150 km away from the place we went to school together with that girl in the pictures. Not that I wasn't happy with my life. I actually am. I have a life that suits me. Still, it feels very weird to hear what kind of things have happened to people you once knew.

Anyway, I miss her. And I miss those old times.

You can help!

2010-05-09T15:00:00.006+03:00

After thinking about it for a couple of days, Diana Mini is definitely the camera of my dreams. At least at the moment - I dream a lot about cameras. Anyway, I just built up a photography section in my shop where you can purchase A4 prints of my most beloved pictures. There are eight options at the moment, but more to come in near future.

At least some of the money got from the photographs will be used to reach my dream and fund the Diana. Please check out the shop out and share the word if you know someone who would like to have a print. And if you want to read more about this, check out my craft blog Ikomi.

PS. Sorry for those who read both blogs and now got the information twice. But at least the pictures are different...

Guilty!

2010-05-06T11:00:00.003+03:00

{via}

Oh yes, yes you did.

And I keep you (at least partially)

responsible for all those years I spent

feeling abnormal and ugly

because of my flat, thin hair.

Which, for your information,

is the NORMAL hair type with at least

three-fourths of Finnish ladies.

Because of this I won't be watching or buying

any of your movies, shows or products

before you have a flat-haired, partially bald

heroine that looks AWESOME all the time

with her hairdo.

Or one with a mohawk that won't hold up,

cause that's what happens in a REAL word

with GRAVITY, at least if you're not ready

to put glue in your hair.

I hope you feel guilty and sorry.

And yes, I do have a bad hair day.

Again.

Cute or What

2010-05-05T17:26:00.002+03:00

{All the pictures via Poketo}

Diana Mini is something I want really bad right now.

No matter I already have 9 cameras

(yeah, I know I said 8 earlier,

but I made a minor miscalculation back then).

Oh yes, I'm hopeless.

And so in love with it!

Something New, Something Cool

2010-05-04T15:59:00.003+03:00

I've got a new bike! No, not the one in the picture, that's somebody else's old bike I spotted one day. It's very beautiful, that one in the picture, don't you think? Anyway, I'll show you some pictures later about mine. But not now, now I'm too busy to go for a ride :)

Like Straight from my Childhood

2010-05-03T21:47:00.000+03:00

On Saturday night when we were out in a bar, the DJ suddenly played this song. It was my favourite as a kid, and this version is made by one of my favourite bands. So I started singing along, and the girl sitting with me joined. Soon the whole bar was singing on the top of their lungs, including the DJ. That was a bit weird, but so so fun.

One Lovely Spring Weekend

2010-05-02T13:29:00.005+03:00

This has been a good weekend. I spent Friday eve with my best friend, it was the best girl's night in a long while. Food, drinking, talking and Skins marathon. Then on Saturday I had an inside picnic with schoolmates. We had lots of food and lovely sweet treats. In the evening I went out with my bf and his friends. We came back home after three a.m. and slept late this morning. And it's only Sunday, so there's still time left before the weekend is over.

In the pictures there are some "first things" from this weekend. The first rainbow cake I've ever had (made by my lovely friend - I'm still amazed someone can bake something so colorful and beautiful), the first time in a new bar and the first ice cream cone of this spring. Good times.

Cakes and Minor Points

2010-04-29T20:14:00.003+03:00

I love baking, and I do bake a lot. Sometimes it's planned beforehand, but I mostly do impulse baking. In that kind of situation the things I make vary a lot according to my mood.

When I'm stressed, I mostly bake bread.

When I'm disappointed or sad, I make cupcakes.

When I'm happy and feel good, I usually bake cakes.

Cookies are made on tired days,

and pies mostly when I feel like I need baking, but can't specify my feelings.

And sometimes when I'm pissed off or furious, I act like today. Bake weird things. Things I normally don't bake, or even eat. Like these confections in the picture. I'm pretty sure they're far too sweet, and I usually don't do icing, as it's tastes just like sugar and nothing else. But that's all right, cause baking made me calm down. In contrast to that the outcome is just a minor point.

...

2010-04-28T23:06:00.003+03:00

{via Design Crush}

Oh, Meow!

2010-04-28T21:48:00.003+03:00

{By Celine from Bonjour}

These pictures just made me feel so happy.

Well, cats always have that effect,

but I mean even happier than usually.

Super happy.

Meetings, part 2

2010-04-27T16:51:00.003+03:00

I was on my way home, and feeling exhausted. I'm getting cold, I'm afraid, so I didn't feel well in any way. I was crossing the street when the lights turned red so I had to stop on the last traffic island of that three-part zebra crossing. I waited until the cars passed, and cause there were no more coming, I just went on. I know I'm not supposed to, but I have to say I only do this when I've double checked every direction and seen there's no cars at the moment. If there is one getting closer the crossroads I wait my turn. But as I said, there were no cars on the road, so I crossed.

I guess I shouldn't have done that this time, cause on the other side of the road there was a woman waiting with two small kids. She glanced at me in a very disapproving way, which is understandable, as I was being a bad example for those kids. I felt bad for it, until I passed them. Cause at that moment the woman leaned on her little son and I heard her to say at a very loud voice: "Honey, remember not to be that stupid yourself, ever."

At that moment I just had an urgent need to stop and say to that kiddo: "Honey, remember not to do OR leave undone anything in this life just because they told you so, ever." But when I'd finally got my sentence sound right, the lights had changed green and they were crossing the street already.

Meetings, part 1

2010-04-27T16:34:00.004+03:00

Today I passed some lovely colorful nail polishes on the cosmetic section of a local department store. Of course, I had to stop and look closer, as if my nail polish collection in 20 colours wouldn't be big enough already. Next to the table there was standing a blond salesgirl and cause she was looking at me, I explained her I had to stop because of the colorful view.

"Aren't they wonderful?" the girl chirped. (Yeah, chirped, she was very chirpy). "I know this sounds SOOO weird but I've been thinking I would love to polish each fingernail with different color for the first of May." Before she had time to chirp anything else I showed her my fingernails, painted with five different colors. On a regular Tuesday. Oh mi God how wild! She didn't say anything else, just smiled in a "my customer is really weird and has bear ears in her hat, but she's a customer so she's right"-way. I encouraged her to put her plan in action and said that first of May is the perfect excuse: no-one would think she was weird or anything. For reasons best to known herself she looked like I wasn't the authority to believe in this situation.

Can you see the difference?

2010-04-26T22:04:00.003+03:00

When I moved into this apartment

(09/2008),

my jewelry wall looked like this:

Nowadays

(04/2010)

it looks like this.

And I desperately need a third

earring-hanger,

as almost 30 pairs of earrings

are missing from the picture just because

they didn't fit.

No, this is not a problem.

This is just happy collecting.

I wish I could fly

2010-04-24T18:57:00.001+03:00

If I could do anything, I would like to

- fly, just fly without any tools or vehicles

- meet some dead relatives

- be a (real) cat for a while

- travel around the world with no rush

- craft and photograph for living

- have no stress about anything

He said my legs look like barcodes

2010-04-23T17:19:00.003+03:00

Today I'm celebrating spring with crazy tights, car earrings and color-coded nails.

First I tried to polish every nail with a different color, but in the end it didn't look that good. The darker shades didn't go together that well, so I ended up coloring my nails in both hands the same way. And I have to say I like it. Especially on a rainy and grey day like this.

Tea Break

2010-04-22T10:43:00.002+03:00

I love tea and coffee cups. I drink no coffee (it tastes so bad) and I prefer my tea in mugs, but I still have over 20 pairs of coffee cups. Nowadays I only buy ones that really are special some way (at least for me) and usually trifted. I love going to flea markets and charity shops to see cute cups. I just try to avoid buying, as there's no space in our cupboards anymore.

In the first picture there's my new tea mug. Now I just need some raspberry tea to drink from it. In the second picture there's a pair of coffee cups I just somehow fell in love with. The ones in the last picture are meant for crafting. They are all uneven and some of them have cracks, but I still had to get those. So cute, no matter they're too small to be usable in a kitchen. Crafting is just such a perfect excuse. Some more pincushion cups are going to be created in the future, I guess.