lauantai 30. marraskuuta 2013

At the movies!

So Yesterday we went to see The Counselor.
An impressive cast with even the magnificent Bruno Ganz in a small part!
It was ok, though husband promised next time we'll go for a romantic comedy...!

I don't think the film is always even the point. The most important thing is to sit next to your loved one and close your eyes in his armpit when heads are being cut off on-screen!!
That's love!!




perjantai 29. marraskuuta 2013

A Lunchdate!

I met with my dear friend today for a lunch!
A while had passed from our last get-together so it was so much fun and sweet to sit down with her!
I think we could talk for hours! 
She's the Mariage Frères-tea-inthusiast I've told you about! My sweet girl, let's meet soon again!!

So we agreed to meet in a fairly new place, Café Kuppi ja Muffini, in Kalevankatu, and it was a delicious experience!

Dreamy cupcakes welcomed us, they make them really small too, mini versions! For lunch they serve two different salads every week plus a soup that changes daily. We went for the salads and they were really good!!
Tea, coffee and the beautiful interior crowned everything, the space is beautiful!
It was crowded with people and I can totally understand why: good food in beautiful surroundings gives you a good spirit, an oasis in the middle of the day!

They also do catering so there's a tip if you're looking for something special!

Go pay a visit in Kalevankatu 17!!






There's a rocking chair with the sweetest quilt ever!!
My friend made me laugh like crazy by saying something I cannot repeat in public!! I think I added up a few years more to my days!! Thank you dear!!



Now we'll start heading for the movies with sweet husband! A movie-date it is, yay!
Happy Friday everyone!



keskiviikko 27. marraskuuta 2013

Auf Wiedersehen!

Yesterday was my last day! 
I was home late in the evening and felt so happy to be next to my other half again!

A perfect mini-break it was, and I can't wait to go back!!




maanantai 25. marraskuuta 2013

Sunshine!

Today was a beautiful day!
Crispy, clear weather that made me smile!

I took care of some shopping today, souvenirs and something to fill our kitchen cabinets with!
I love to visit foodshops abroad, there's always something good and different to take home to!

But first I needed breakfast. Literaturhaus in Fasanenstraße it was! I love this place. Time stops and the beautiful high cealings, the paintings, the atmosphere takes over.




Nächste Station: KaDeWe

The food department is my passion!
David Rio chais, finger salt, coffee, all things luxurious came along!


Schloss Charlottenburg





I walked a long while in the park.
A beautiful place even at this time of year without any flowers, leaves in the trees or anything. Maybe it makes it even more impressive?





Afterwards I visited a sweet friend at their oh-so-beautiful home next to the castle and river Spree...Oh my dear friends, the apartment is amazing! I was gasping breath!
We had tea and treats and a good talk, the children were the sweetest, we played with legos too!
Hugs my dear!!

Let's sleep tight, I'll be dreaming of rooms 4m high...


Einen schönen Sonntag!

Today has been a day of many emotions. First setback was to realise that all my flea market plans went out the window because of a memorial day! Boohooo! 
I always want to be here on a Sunday because of the flea markets! 
Well, I didn't let it bother me for long, after all I'm here, aren't I?!
I had a long, beautiful breakfast in my other favourite: Der Platzhirsch in Arkonaplatz!

It's such a perfect place to be!
The interior is so pretty and the food is great! You should remember this place if you're going to Berlin, it's absolutely worth a visit!
It's always a must to me since it's right next to the Arkonaplatz flohmarkt. 
I like this flea market a lot more than Mauerpark. Compared to Mauerpark this one is more local, very nice place with the opportunity to make good finds! 

Der Platzhirsch:



Delicious!!


Cafés and Berlin belong together!
No matter what day it is every place is open all day until late in the evening, you get table service and a relaxed atmosphere, not to mention the beauty of decoration which pampers the soul! 
I love it!!

I wandered through Prenzlauer Berg, took some pictures and stopped for a waffle and hot chocolate! With Cointreau! Yummy!



Here's my sweet waffle supplier, Kauf dich glücklich! 
I feel like Alice in Wonderland when I enter this place!
Some ten years ago, when my two friends moved here to study, this was pretty much all there was in Oderbergerstraße. Otherwise it was almost waistland. The buildings still had gun holes on the walls, it wasn't wise to go further at all in the evenings.
Now it's such a lively street leading to Mauerpark, the whole place is filled with tourists, talk and laughter, and the façades are shiny.
This happens in every big city in the world, and it's a good thing, but something crucial gets lost during the proggress, I think. 
Nevertheless it is still one of my favourite kietz's in Berlin!



After all this I tried my luck in the concert scene: my big favourite Max Raabe performed here Yesterday and today, and ofcourse every single seat in Admiralspalast was sold out.
I went to Zoo to check the last minute ticket office, traveled back to the theatre's own ticket counter and nothing. But then I noticed a lady holding two tickets and I asked her if she was selling them. Yes she was, I bought the other one!!
I couldn't believe my luck!
And a very good seat too, wohooo!

Max Raabe is fantastic!!
His minimalism and absolute style on stage are all such a treat, I like the humour, the arrangements, the whole package. Plus the band, Palast Orchester, is amazing!
Mack the Knife was on the list of many world famous Berlin-cabaret-schlager songs that exist!

I think I was in heaven!!



Ok, now I have to start sleeping! See you again tomorrow and good night!!


lauantai 23. marraskuuta 2013

Hallo Berlin!!

Ooooh, I'm in heaven! 
Hours spent walking, wandering, this just is where half of my soul lies.
I'm so happy to be back, I always keep coming back, that's what I do! This city has been a part of my life for so long, involving some of my closest and dearest friends, it's almost too difficult to describe it. 
This is my second home. That's what it is.

Having just a few days to spend here, I follow my old foot prints: Kreutzberg, Bergmannstraße, Prenzlauer Berg, Helmholtzplatz, and everything in between!

I started with breakfast in one of my all time favourites:
Café Molinari in Solmsstraße, Kreutzberg



Yogi-tea with milk&honey, my absolute favourite! I'll stock up my tea selection, Yogis are a lot cheaper here!

Berlin brekkies are awesome: they serve it everywhere at least until 5pm, you can get anything from full plates to omelets, mit prosecco, natürlich!
My favourites include the fruit salad with muesli and yoghurt/quark. The Germans do the muesli better than anyone in the world!!




Guess who's getting the Ich Liebe Dich-one!!








Tomorrow's a new day, and I can't wait! That's my only problem during these visits, I can't stay put!
I'm not anywhere near a clubber or anything such, but I just think in general sleeping is overrated, it's waisting time!
I'd just walk and breathe this city through me until it's time to go back home! 
But I do realise that's what I need to do, so I'll see you again tomorrow!
Sleep tight meine schätze!





perjantai 22. marraskuuta 2013

Something unexpected!

This week is finally done!!
And the many weeks before this!!
It's been heavy, I don't think my brain could take in anything for a while!
Heavy but rewarding at the same time. Definitely.

Thank you for your patience over here. 
I'm happy to let you know that in two hours I'll be on a plane taking me to Berlin!!
A result of a very spontanious and surprising turn of events!!
And I'll keep you all with me every day!

See you later my friends, soon!!





perjantai 15. marraskuuta 2013

A date with Mom!

I had a free day today, hooray!!
After a hard week it felt heavenly! I went for a walk in almost-sunny daylight, had lunch in Tori, bumped into a dear friend, and later met with my sweet Mother!

We'd made plans to go see the new exhibition in Kaupunginmuseo's Hakasalmen Huvila: Rasvaletti.
Oooh! 
Photographs from our dear Helsinki in the 50's!
It was such a treat to be there with her. Even though she was just a small girl in the 50's, it all looked familiar in her eyes. We looked carefully all the streetcorners and buildings, the ones that still exist and the ones that don't.
It always makes me so sad to see what could've been if they'd saved them. 
When Helsingin Sanomat had the series of the torned down buildings I had to stop following it. Just got too angry.

It also made us think how innocent everything looked: the Olympic games, vappu celebrations, photos of blooming spring. Lots of children, happy faces, Linnanmäki. 
Life was a lot more simple then. Harder but simple.


Hakasalmen Huvila, one of my childhood's idols's, Aurora Karamzin's, town house is a beautiful place! 
I was so intrigued by her life. It's a wonderful thing they turned it into a museum for us Helsinki-lovers, just like she was! 
But I also adored Madonna, so there really was a range of female icons in my life!



Beauty queens!
Two ladies were looking at these at the same time with us and soon they all (my Mother included) started gushing about who was who!


Hair salon!


Just like Pinkki Paplari!



Afterwards we walked to Museokatu's Exhibitionists for coffee and tea and a bite to eat. 



A perfect day it was! 
Dear Mom, love you!!

Go see the show, it's beautiful!!