Some day I will ignore my doubts

We spent probably one of the last sunny Sundays this summer at Kaisaniemi park near downtown Helsinki. It's very close to where I live as well, so it's a perfect spot for a lazy Sunday hangout: don't need to travel too far :). Talking of sunshine, I really love these round shades I got from Venice beach boardwalk, L.A., with only 8 dollars. Should have bought two pairs since I'm pretty good at breaking my favourite sunglasses...

Then a word about the headline. You can find that sentence written on a sports field fence with big letters at the park. What I would do is to change the first two words into "today". Oh well, who am I to say anything. I can never ignore my doubts concerning the weather in Finland. 

P.S. I want that dog!

Shades from random Venice beach shop, Victoria's Secret bikini, Gina Tricot lace top, vintage flowery jeans shorts, Italian vintage bag, second hand leather shoes. 

Design Markets & Fashion Film Festival

Last week was my "Fashion week". As part of World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 theme, Lasipalatsi organized a several day long set of fashion-related events. I took part in the Design Market and a lecture called Fashion goes mobile. I was also supposed to go to the opening of the Fashion Film Festival to see Blow up (1966), a fashion classic by Michelangelo Antonioni, but couldn't make it. I had a friend coming over who I hadn't seen in a long time so I HAD to bake her cupcakes. I know, sounds silly, but that's what happened. Will post about the cupcakes later, they turned out delicious! :P

Everything started on Wednseday with Design Market, where Finnish designers got to present and sell their artwork. Fresh, beautiful, and innovative indeed! Here are some pics of the pieces I found most interesting.

Mari & Arrow necklaces. Me likey a lot. Take a closer look at Tumblr: http://mariandarrow.tumblr.com/

 Very interesting t-shirt designs by 19st, a group of 19 graphic students. 

Iina Vuorivirta vases. A few years ago I probably wouldn't have been that enthusiastic about these beautiful pieces of art, but recently I've noticed my inner antique lover to give room for my inner modern design seeker. 

 Kauniste towels and trays.

&Bros colorful design.

 Pogostick Failure t-shirt, design called Vilho. An interesting detail for a girl from Eastern Finland: this brand is from Kuopio. They didn't have sizes left, but I need to get this. I want this dog!

Fashion went mobile

I was glad to get invited to an event 'Fashion goes mobile' on Friday. I went with my friend Karo, who had just found a fabulous DKNY purse (see below). Besides being super nice, the size is perfect for both day and night usage :).

The idea of the day was to introduce Ivana Helsinki and software developer Sunduka co-operation. Paola Suhonen has directed a short film, Miss You My Sailor, to introduce Sunduka Ringi, a service you can visualize your phone calls with. Also, Ivana Helsinki membership card will be available mobile this fall in Sunduka's mobile card service. 

Not only does Paola design the most amazing clothes and prints, but her directions are awesome, too. Can't wait to see her first long film 7 Heaven Love Ways at Flow festival tomorrow.

 Anne Kukkohovi interviewing Paola.

Sparkling wine and strawberries afterwards!

Fashion Film Festival afterparty

Before meeting up with the friend I made the cupcakes for, we rushed to Fashion Film Festival afterparty at Ivana Helsinki store at Uudenmaankatu. Too bad we could stay only for a short while.

Fell in love with these jumpers! 

 Downstairs looked magical with blue lights and video projector. 

Running to restaurant Farang in the worst rain of this summer. The whole outfit is second hand, except the umbrella.

Away above the Los Angeles chimney tops

The Griffith Park was on our to do list in L.A., but since we went there only on one of the last days of my trip, we didn't have too much time to spend. I could have wandered at the park and checked the other activities such as The Griffith Observatory exhibits for the whole day. Or two. However, at the southern slope of Mount Hollywood (where The Griffith Observatory is located) we got to see the breathtaking view over Los Angeles, which was amazing in itself. It's also a good spot to phorograph the Hollywood sign. By the way, did you know they have altered the sign during the years? Wikipedia says that for example in 1987 when the Pope visited L.A., the second L was covered to make the sign say HOL YWOOD. Rad! :)

 Zara blouse, second hand lace shorts, Michael Kors handbag, Jeffrey Campbell clogs, Cheap Monday shades, vintage jewelry. 

Sand in my toes

On one of my last days in L.A. we visited Paradise Cove in Malibu. It's a private beach you have to pay 10 dollars to get in, but for the money you get a less crowded area to enjoy the sun and you also get to bring your own drinks or buy them at a kiosk. Not that big of a deal for a Finn, though, since we wouldn't get arrested for drinking at a public beach in Finland as long as we behave well. Big deal or not, even for a person like me who doesn't drink beer, having a few sips of malt liquor in this hot weather was a total treat!

Second hand blouse, Victoria's Secret bikini, Weekday shorts, Cheap Monday shades.

Best second hand in L.A.

In L.A. you make better deals with second hand items compared to Finland. More people, more stuff to get rid of, so it's obvoious. At second hand stores in L.A. you can always see people lining up to sell their treasures to the store. That means they get a LOT of stuff to sell every day.

Based on my shopping experience in the city of angels, my recommendations for the best second hand store chains are:

1. Wasteland: Wasteland sells both second hand and new stuff, designer and generic brands. I've visited Wasteland in Santa Monica and Studio City. Shopping here is breathtaking both mentally and physichally: first, they play good music, rock and grunge, and the selection is amazing. Second: it is hard to not go through all the items, so it gets exhausting! :) Wasteland is a bit more pricey than other second hand places, so what you go here for are the edgy and personal pieces you can't find everywhere. They also have the best selection of second hand designer shoes, I found 2 pairs of beautiful Jeffrey Campbell's here. They also sell Unif, which has lately become a brand to drool over for me.

Footnote: the clerk in Santa Monica is a Kurt Cobain look-a-like ;).

 2. Crossroads: Second hand and new stuff, both designer and generic. I've visited Crossroads in Santa Monica and Studio City. For general brands and shoes Crossroads is a bit less pricey than Wasteland, and especially Santa Monica seems to have reasonably priced Marc Jacobs clutches on display almost every time I walk in. (Got one for myself, too, check the last photo of this post). You are not likely to find as unique pieces as you are at Wasteland, but then again this place is full of surprises. One good example is a pair of amazing hippie flare pants.

 3. Buffalo Exchange: Second hand stuff, both designer and generic. I've visited Buffalo Exchange in Santa Monica/Venice and on La Brea Ave. Pricewise this place falls in between the upper two. Perhaps BE is not that good for finding designer items, but definitely a place worth visiting. I spent 2 hours at the Santa Monica store and got a parking ticket! If you like Converse sneakers, you will most likely find a nice, cheap pair of them here.

P.S. Am I the only one who didn't know Converse All Stars are generally called also as "Chuck Taylors"? I've never heard anyone call them that in Finland. My American pals sophisticated me with this fact and told me a basketball player Chuck Taylor used to wear and promote the brand. I guess I've never taken a closer look at the All Star logo, or I'm just blind, but somehow I've missed his signature around the star. :S

Let's go surfing now!

I bought a LivingSocial deal by Smile's Surf School before the trip for one hour surfing class. It cost 39 dollars and was held at Venice Beach. I've never tried surfing before, have never even tried skateboarding or snowboarding (only skis), but despite of that it was easier than I thought. Even the teacher (Preston, whose pic you can find on the website) was surprised of how fast I learned, yay! I actually got to stand on the board for some time and ride on the waves (not seen in the pictures :D). Definitely doing this again!

What gave me the kick to try surfing was a dark, snowy night last winter when I saw an award-winning Finnish surf film Finnsurf . It was the coldest time of year and the film really made me long for sunny waters... and live to the fullest. Not only does the film tell about surfing, but also reaching ones dreams, no matter how irrational or impossible they may seem. 

So, here I am, living my dreams and SURFING!

The legendary Viper Room

The Viper Room, a legendary nightclub on Sunset Strip in Hollywood, is a place I wanted to visit already on my last trip to L.A. It never happened, so this time I made sure we go. This rock/metal venue was opened in 1993, partially owned by Johnny Depp (<3). No later than the year of opening, River Phoenix died of a drug overdose in front of the club. Later on, young Hollywood celebrities, actors and musicians were regular guests of the club.

Both big and new names have been seen on the stage. We went to see Pink Fuzzy Animals (among others). They had only played a few months together, which was hard to believe.

I was surprised to see a Facebook post by a friend I met 2 years ago in Hollywood: her band SlowStart is playing at Viper Room this month! Wish I could see that, really like their first single I feel for you. Besides being the lead singer of the band, she's an author, a photographer and what not. Take a look at her bold blog Under L. Marie.

Second hand lace/fringe top, Machine jeans, second hand heels, second hand handbag,
Carlings leather biker jacket.

They weren't  as pink and fuzzy as I expected.

After The Viper Room we headed to The Playhouse. It is rare to hear hip hop music at L.A. clubs (wouldn't think so but it's true... it's all about house and trance nowadays), but on that Saturday they had a hip hop night with DJ Justin Credible. We danced the whole night and had tons of fun. We also bumped into Nonso Anozie (a.k.a. Xaro Xhoan Daxos from The Game of Thrones) a couple of times. He chatted and danced with us for a while and seemed to be very laid back and casual celebrity.

Justin Credible @ The Playhouse