Memories & New Year

After my Sissi-marathon I started remembering my visits to Vienna. During our tours in Europe we've stopped over there several times, and played in the famous and prestigious golden hall, Musikverein, which no doubt are one of the highlights of the past years. I remember we stayed close to Schloss Schönbrunn which also happens to be one of the filming venues of these old movies! It's a breathtaking castle with a beautiful park, statues and fountains. The last time we were there was just before Christmas 2009, and there was this big Christmas Market in the courtyard. It's been so wonderful to see this place, as if I'd always been there because of the films!
Vienna is truly amazing also otherwise. You can sense the certain old European charm and wealth, it's been one of the most influential capitals over the centuries. Of course politically but also in science, arts and music. The buildings are beautiful, white and old, there are a lot of beautiful cafés with table service and white table cloths, you can see horses with carriages, not to even mention the old imperial centre. My romantic soul is just overwhelmed!
And as it so happens, we get to see the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert yet again on tv tomorrow, from that particular golden hall!
So once more, Happy New Year sweethearts! I'll start preparing escargots with an extra-super-mega-amount of garlic, that ought to scare my awful flu away!
See you next Year!

Liebe Romy aka Sissi

Ok, it's official, I'm sick. I was feeling so rotten Yesterday I could not bring myself to do anything. Such a sore throat and a bad cough, constantly tickling, I couldn't sleep well at all. I don't have any fever but my whole body was aching and the whole skin was really sore. Plus I lost my voice! You should've heard me, I sounded like a crow! Or then the complete opposite, as my husband said, I was one hoochie mama..! Oh well, I had this one coming alright, it started already during Christmas but I was in complete denial about it. And then the weekend with all the nice friends, wouldn't have missed that in a million years! So here I am now, have conquered the sofa for two days in a row, a pile of tissues, tea and some chocolate on the table beside me. And the most important thing: The Royal Edition of the old German film trilogy Sissi! This is my true treasure! I have loooved these films forever, I have loved and admired Romy Schneider since I was a little girl! Oh the dresses, the hair-dos, the landscapes, castles, everything! This trilogy has been a hit in our family for decades. It was made in the 50's, so I'm representing the third generation of women in our family to be under the spell of the Austrian Empress!
I got my dvd-box some few years ago from Berlin, it's covered in red velvet with golden highlights! Truly royal!
And may I just point out that Romy Schneider had her own hair throughout the film! That's so amazing! Look this up if it's new to you, you'll love it!

Otherwise it's New Year's Eve. I don't feel it at all..well, maybe it'll get better. Anyway I have to listen to myself now and rest. But have a wonderful celebration where ever you are! Let's make dreams come true and wish for happy things for the New Year! Sweet thoughts to you all!!

Liebe Romy aka Sissi by aveceva on Polyvore

Friends from London!

Ooh this has been a busy day but such a nice one! We met with dear friends who are visiting from London! They spent Christmas over at their summer place and now came to town. First we met briefly at our local café and then continued to my beautiful Goddaughter no. 3's place! We all live really close to each other so it was very convienient! I'd baked a quiche from the rosolli that was left from Christmas, added some smetana and blue cheese into it, then some joulutorttu, the rest of our huge salmon, leipäjuusto..oh we had a good after-Christmas party and that was the point! To make something from the left-overs! Such a cozy night, we were planning next summer, since this lovely couple is getting married! In London! Brilliant!
Oh have to cool down now, it's already late and am desperate for a good night's sleep! Will dream all things pretty and pink I suppose, after all this wedding talk! Well that just suits me fine! Good night you all!

Headpieces!

You all know by now about my passion towards hats, so you can imagine my reaction when I saw these beauties in China! I couldn't make up my mind so I took all four which I liked so much! They were really cheap and I made the lady very happy so I thought why not!
I just love the vintage feel in them, the shades in the colours, the whole look! It can be fun and girly, or it can be a sort of femme fatale as well, as you can see..! Sometimes I think I must be living in the wrong decade when it comes to clothing and accessories! But it can be fun to mix and match things and that's what I thought to do! I wore number three in Christmas Eve and now am about to leave to a friends house wearing the first one! It's Friday night so let's have fun my friends!

The day the rain came

Today we woke up to the rain. How depressing! All that beautiful white snow now looks dirty and sleety. Not nice at all. This weather is also a serious hazard for pedestrians as the snow that's been lying on rooftops now gets really heavy and comes flying down. It's tricky when you have to look down to your feet for not falling down since it's so slippery, and at the same time up to the sky for not getting a piece of icy snow on your head! I managed to make my way to the tram stop and went to the center. I was on a mission to find myself a new pair of black leather boots! My old ones have served me good but are officially in a really bad shape with no form whatsoever, plus two holes so that my toes have just been freezing! I was after a really basic model with low heels, ones that are easy to just hop into. I have my good old Campers with heels for something little more special but needed this type of pair as well. And a miracle happened: I went to Stockmann, thought to start from there and then run through the whole city and go mad, but the first pair I saw and tried on is now right here in front of me! I couldn't believe it! I will remember this forever. I'd say my timing was perfect. There were still boots left before the huge crowds of sale shoppers take over. Hooray for myself!
Also found something small and pretty from Furla..my feet just took me there! It's a set of three small purses for multiple purposes, keys, tissues, some make-up, pens etc. Love it!
Now it's been a sweet evening with a movie, excellent Kusmi peppermint tea and some Christmas treats, maybe a little too many.. Soon off to bed and towards a new day! Hope you had a good one too, hugs!

Amazing Adele

Today my husband and myself drove over to my Mother's to have dinner with family. It was the Day III of our Christmas celebrations. Stomach full, once again, of her cookings! It was so lovely and warm, this has been yet another beautiful Christmas, and I feel blessed to have been surrounded by the people I love the most.

On the way back home we listened to Adele who has absolutely stolen our hearts. I don't remember when was the last time I was so amazed by a voice, must be years ago. She's not a newcomer in our cd-collection, but she just constantly wows me every single time. There was a concert on tv the other night, live in Royal Albert Hall, London, recorded some two years ago, time before her surgery when she'd just hit the jackpot. She was so charismatic and beautiful, just standing there on stage in her beautiful dress and bare feet and sang straight to the hearts of the audience.
To me she's an old soul. I don't understand how a 20-year-old can write songs like that, or sing like that. She's pure gold and I can't wait to hear more, follow her career and just silently feel her move my heart.

You can get a glimpse of her here.

Amazing Adele by aveceva on Polyvore

Goofing around!

For this one I'll let the pictures do the talking.. Have a good evening sweethearts!

Day II

Again we are VERY satisfied! Loads of fish, again, including fish eggs, smetana and onions, our favourite. Goes so well with rye bread too! It's been good and comfortable, just being together.
We thought of maybe still taking a walk to the cemetery to light candles for the loved ones. I think this tradition is important, and it's always so beautiful when hunderds of candles are lit. It's a sea of light, just beautiful.

Warm things!

                   Santa knew how our old building gets a little cold during winter! I'm all set now!

Christmas Eve!

This is how our Christmas Eve looked like! We were at my sister's, had eggnogs, porrige, sauna, a walk with the beautiful dog. My sister makes the world's best eggnogs, oh so sweet! We prepared the dinner and sat down, ate the specialties of Christmas, the many fish, the Waldorf salad, all the traditional food, and just took time to enjoy! Such a beautiful Christmas Eve with the closest family, felt so good!
Today we'll be at home with our own gang, just unwind and start fixing another big Christmas feast! Sweet thoughts to you all, now's the time to rest and enjoy! Hugs and kisses everyone!

Wrapping up the presents!

This is one of my favourite things when it comes to Christmas: wrapping up the presents! I start in the morning when it's still all quiet, light up the candles in the tree and take over the entire livingroom! I put on some music and take out all my gift wrapping arsenal! It's such a sweet moment just for myself and the close ones I'm wrapping the gifts for! I don't exactly know how sound I might be about this but I blame my sister who started this years ago with her beautiful wrapping papers and ribbons! Here's the result this year:

The Christmas Tree

It's here and it's so pretty! We've had joulutorttu and piparkakku and now it's just wonderful to sit on the sofa and look at it! I feel good after a busy day of taking care of things and preparing. Soon I'll turn in, a good night's sleep is guaranteed! Sleep tight!

Ginger bread!

This is what's been going on over here! I've started early already, prepared food and baked at the same time!
We're getting the tree today, yey! This time it's different though, we usually get our Christmas tree from our summer house, but now there's so much snow that going into the woods is just impossible. It's been such a beautiful thought! But I'm sure we'll get a fine tree from the market place too! Sweet thoughts everyone!