keskiviikko 31. lokakuuta 2012

Something to drink?



I decided to open the secrets of my kitchen cabinets to you! The issue about tea might be clear by now, but not just any tea, the Kusmi tea is my absolute favourite! They've got so many different blends from detox to serious black tea aromas! I found this brand in Paris a few years ago, and nowadays I've seen it in Stockmann, which is wonderful! The Kusmi tea company was founded 1867 in Paris so they do know a thing or two about the subject. It's delicious!! Check out www.kusmitea.com



This is David Rio, a chai and tea company from California. This stuff is so yummy that it's difficult to put into words! I haven't yet seen these products in Finland, even though I did suggest Anton&Anton they'd start bringing it here! I was introduced to these amazing chai drinks in Stockholm, and stocked up last spring in Berlin KaDeWe. It's really big over there now. Check out www.davidrio.com



Then the Whittard of Chelsea! This will take your tongue away! I think maybe the British now how to make excellent warm drinks to get some light in middle of the rainy seasons! This is just so heavenly, both of them! I got the white chocolate from London early this year and fell in love! I should have bought more, always should buy at least two of anything you think will melt your heart, but luckily a sweet friend of mine went back and got me these two! Check www.whittard.co.uk

I mix all of these two latter ones in milk. I heat it first and then add the powder. For some time now my stomach's had a little difficult time with milk, but I've used lactose free-milk, which works great with these too!

Also, if the situation requires, I might add a drop or two of mint liqueur or Amaretto, and I don't have a care in the world! They might work best in regular cacao though. But anyway, my winter is definitely saved by these amazing warm drinks, woohoo!!


tiistai 30. lokakuuta 2012

An idea








I like to go through stuff at antiquarian bookshops. These places are mysterious. The smell, the decoration, the atmosphere, it's like a lost world. A lost world of books to be found again. At one point I found a pile of old sheet music and that was a jackpot! The covers were really beautiful, little pieces of art really. I bought several and thought how could they get a new life. In frames, of course! I got different ones, put them in and oh it was perfect! A few of them are on display above our piano, one is even in the bathroom! I've also given them as gifts. It's a really unique and beautiful idea!


maanantai 29. lokakuuta 2012

A walk in the sun









Waking up so early today gave me time to go outside before work. That was a good thing, it was so beautiful and sunny! The leaves are about to drop, even the last ones, so it was just perfect to still see the colours so bright.

Good night to you all, I'll pour some Kusmi Prince Vladimir-tea in my mug and start thinking sleepy thoughts!


At home!

So nice to be at home after a long day! We have a fireplace and soon we'll start using it again after the summer. But in windy days like today it's lovely to listen how the wind twirls inside it. It's one of those sounds that belongs here, to this home. Our fireplace can sing, that's what we always say.

I thought I just have to share the recipe for the oh-so-heavenly mudcake! It super easy, fast to make and doesn't cost a thing. Or maybe at the end if one has to start looking for new pants after having all the delicious moments, but let's not worry, we need this for the long winter! Here we go:

3dl sugar
1 1/2 dl flour
2 teaspoons vanilla sugar
1/2 teaspoons salt
4 tbl spoons cacao
150g melted butter
2 eggs
1 orange skin grated
powdered sugar on top after it's chilled a little

Just mix the dry ingredients and the peeled orange skin together, then the eggs and the melted butter in a separate bowl. Mix these two together and put the dough to a buttered dish and to oven in 200C for 20 minutes and you're done!




It will be soft from the inside, kind of 'raw', but that's the muddy part of the cake! Enjoy it with good tea, whipped cream or vanilla ice cream or just like that, happy faces guaranteed!

Have a cozy evening!


Jet lag



Everytime we change the clocks I get a little confused rhythm-wise. It's only one hour so it's mainly just funny that it would really have an affect on my sleep, but it does! Here I am, 7am sitting in the dining room, after lying awake in bed for about an hour, candles lit, tea in a mug, computer on, blogging a new blogpost! If anything, it's efficient, that's for sure! I could have slept a little longer, I only have to go to work at noon, so I wasted a good chance! But that's ok, it's a nice atmosphere, warm, woollysocks in my feet, candle light, tea..sweet. Have a beautiful Monday everybody!


sunnuntai 28. lokakuuta 2012

Family Sunday



Today we had a family gathering at our place, even my Grand Mother who's 90 years old, came. We were celebrating a couple of things: one birthday, one post-wedding-bash, and one just-for-fun! It was so warm and cozy, I consider myself lucky to have a close family. Even though we've had our share of challenges and sadness, we hold on to each other. My Grand Mother is very dear to me, she's got a killer sense of humor and the largest heart. She's had seven children, taken care of them and her own mother who lived to be 101 years old. She still lives at home, cooks and bakes and stays positive about life. If I ever got even a little bit of her attitude, I'd be a lucky girl with quite little worries!







Before everybody came I was a maniac in the kitchen! I made two cheesecakes and two mudcakes. Both of them are super delicious! I had blueberrys in the freezer so I used those, otherwise it's a regular vanilla cheesecake. The mudcake consists mainly of butter and sugar, but I added grated orange skin to it which gives it a wonderful fresh taste. I just love the combination of chocolate and orange, and the darker the better! On top of all this we had a huge cake from Emil Halme-bakery, Espoo. It's a very traditional bakery, must be a hundred years old already, seriously good stuff. So a whole lot of cakes, I'd say! Now it's time to lay down the sofa and try to digest all these goodies!




lauantai 27. lokakuuta 2012

The perfect Saturday





It's been such a lovely day outside! Walking, wandering, food store, salmon sandwich, smiling people; a very relaxed Saturday, that's what I like! This evening is going to be busy though, I have to prepare things for tomorrow, we are going to have guests over! I'll make something really good and sweet, and definitely will let you know! But first off to see a friend's newborn baby girl, sweet! Bye!


Pretty things








The sunshine continues, brilliant! Lifts up any spirit, works both for body and soul!
I want to share a few pictures that I took about two weeks ago. One of my favourite places in Helsinki is Moko Market in Perämiehenkatu, Punavuori. It's filled with pretty things, candles, luxurious selection of teas and delicates, and the cafe is excellent with big portions of salads and healthy shakes and smoothies. This idea of a concept store is quite new in Helsinki and I'm so glad it has entered here! It's a place for happy thoughts and good every-day life. If I'm feeling blue and have the time, that's where I go, treat myself with a huge mug of tea and might even buy something small for myself! Try it, I promise you it works!


perjantai 26. lokakuuta 2012

The rest of Friday






Good evening!
It's been a nice day with the sun and the crispy weather! Once I got out I did some necessary and unnecessary things which was good, because I wasn't in a hurry! I had lunch at Lungi in Korkeavuorenkatu which is one of my favourite places, once again, they're so many.. Had a goat's cheese salad with beetroot which was good, and after that headed to Cafe Balzac. I strongly recommend this place, go there if it's new to you, or if it's not, go again and just enjoy the atmosphere! It's a small, real pretty, and real cute place! Everything they have is exellent, the selection of teas, wines, salads and sandwiches, and the music. Nice, nostalgic jazz, I think I went to Paris during the time I spent there! Foodwise they prepare everything themselves, you can really taste that the ingredients are good, it's wonderful. My friend found the place in the summer and since that I've noticed that my feet just take me there quite regularly! It's situated in one of the courtyards in Iso Roba, right soon after Black Door. Oh, heavenly!



Hats!

 No.1
 No.2
No.3


Well this is something, it snowed last night! It looks a little chilly outside, slippery and windy too. This gives a good challenge on what to wear to keep warm! Although I've already taken out my boots, scarves and such, it still leaves the question of hats! I'm a big fan of hats. Yesterday I wore my good old beret, I've had it for years and love it! It's so versatile, you can wear it in many ways and shapes, and it gives a good boost to the rest of the outfit. But I do have others as well, and now is the perfect time to start exploring! Bring it on winter, I'm ready!

No. 1
This is so pretty, I found it from Hietsu flea market last summer. The girl who sold it to me was so kind, couldn't wear it anymore because of her seriously cool dreadlocks. I convinced that this beautiful light yellow angora woolly hat will get a good home!

No.2
This is from the Finnish brand Costo. They're so much fun and spread joy where ever you go! Not to mention the ecological side of their products. Highly recommended!

No.3
I got this cool, knitted black turban from Asos and accessorized it with a chunky ghetto gold brooch!




 No.4
 No.5
No.6




No.4
Costo again!

No.5
This is from Stockholm's Götgatan, wonderful old style hat boutique from a few years back. It's got a nice retro feel to it!

No.6
This fur hat I got from my Mother who had it specially made for her in the sixties! This is wild! So original and so today too! For serious minus degerees!


torstai 25. lokakuuta 2012

Sunshine!

I don't have to work today except for the evening, so I headed down to the centrum to take care of some errands. I had some pictures developed, walked a little, looked at the sun, had a quick bite to eat and hopped to tram no.6 which took me to Arabia. I wanted to check out the Garage Sale which I heard was happening in Hämeentie 157. Sadly it was a little disappointing, I thought it would have been a bigger event. But I did go through all in IvanaHelsinki and quickly checked Bombo and Neroko and came home. In general I'm a huge fan of Finnish design, I've been following Paola Suhonen from the start, Minna Parikka is one of my absolute favourites, Katri Niskanen makes beautiful clothes as does Tiia Vanhatapio as well. I think it's cool that young women bravely go after their dreams and catch them also! We have a lot of talent over here and it's important to be supportive. Together we are more! Hooray!

                                           Here's a few pics along the way, bye for now!








                                         



Something about me





I thought I'd share some information about myself! It's nice to know a little bit about the person behind the blog, makes you connect a little more!

This is what I do for a living: I'm a musician, I play the clarinet. Music has been in my life for as long as I can remember and I feel blessed and privileged to have made it my profession. I've always had wonderful teachers and mentors who have guided me to the right direction with the challenges, ups and downs. It takes a lot of discipline, especially while growing up I think, but once you make it through the tough years it can give you so much, take you to places and actually teach you a lot about yourself. The journey goes on your whole life. I think the minute you think you've learnt it all, you stop developing right there. There's always new things, new approaches behind the corner if you just have the strength to look around! But isn't this true in everything? If you're curious about life it gives you a lot more. The good and the bad, but that's always better than just plain grey, right?

Have a beautiful day everyone!




keskiviikko 24. lokakuuta 2012

A quick hello!


This day sure turned out to be a lot busier than I thought it would! So I'll just hop into my orange shoes and keep running! See you later!






Shoes!



I got these beauties already in the summer but they seem to work fine in the autumn as well! Colour therapy I'd say!







tiistai 23. lokakuuta 2012

Evening tea




One of my favourite moments during the day is having a nice big cup of good tea in the evening. I drink loads of different teas, sometimes I even mix it myself. Now there's a blend of darjeeling and vanilla in my mug, with honey and milk. It's so good and comforting, gives you a good feeling. When I was little we always had evening tea at home, the whole family would gather together. Maybe that's why it still comforts me? Good night everyone, where ever you are!







Green!


My new bag and gloves!