So this is the new year and I don't feel any different

My New Year's outfit doesn't sparkle or shine but it is, once again, inspired by Givenchy's fall/winter collection (I honestly think I will never stop being fascinated by it). The ruffled sleeve button up is on me for the first time after I purchased it back in November, same with this tulip/diamond shaped skirt that I got from Sweden. The shape kind of reminds me of the fools outfits back in the renaissance days with its exaggerated "side wings".

Shirt: Comme des Garcons for H&M
Skirt: Monki
Shoes: Vagabond
Belt: Second hand
Ring: Kalevala Koru

If you remember my Xmas wish list, you might recall I was lusting over the Givenchy open toe strap shoes. Well I didn't get the real deal but I did find these amazing shoes from Vagabond while shopping for Xmas gifts with my boyfriend. They kind of have the Givenchy feel with the open toe/straps combo but with much less heel. My feet will thank me after all the dancing that I'm planning on doing today.

Happy New Year everyone and see you next year!

Etsy update!

We have added plenty of new vintage items to our Etsy store, so if you have some Xmas money burning in your pocket or want something cute for the upcoming spring, I suggest you check out our latest additions. Ooh, all that lovely vintage!

Beautiful 1970's dress, size S/M

Sexy 1980's leather skirt, size S/M

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche houndstooth blazer, size S/M/L

1980's white dress with floral embroidery, size S/M

1980's perfect little black dress, size S/M
Pictures © Satu Kemppainen

And many more at Tell Me A Story Vintage!

Running with scissors

Although my Xmas was very quiet this year due to my dad passing away just a week before the yearly event, our family still managed to put it together somehow. I really don't want to put down the holiday spirits of my dear readers by talking about the sadder subjects in life, so let's bring this blog back to it's original purpose; fashion. Since I haven't been much in the mood of taking outfit pictures or dressing in anything special, I will feast your eyes with the lovely Xmas gifts my boyfriend gave me this year. These might not cure a broken heart but they are rather heart-warming indeed. Thank you so much babe!

Scissor necklace: Ann Demeulemeester
Shield ring: Kalevala Koru

I also want to thank you readers for all the lovely comments and sending your condolences. You really make my day. :)

P.S. I promise to come back with new outfit pictures very soon!

Daddy's girl

You gave me green eyes and curly hair
You were modest and always so fair
I could always come to you, no matter what
You put us first, not holding anything back

You were the best dad a girl could have
I miss you, I love you and I want you back

Please dry my tears, guide my way

I hope that we meet someday

Thank you for the best 26 years of my life, dad.

Your girl always,

Anna-Maria

Bursting the bubble

Friday's festivities didn't end at the Hollywood party, I actually came home for a quick change and headed to the local indie club with some friends. Not being able to get over the Givenchy fall/winter 08/09 RTW collection, the outfit of the evening was, yet again, inspired by it.

This skirt is actually a project of mine that I've been working on for a few months (procrastination included). Surprisingly, it got done right before the party. A bell-shaped pleather skirt with a high waist and a really huge tulle underneath was the original idea but since the fabric didn't work like I wanted it to, the skirt turned out to look much better in a bubble shape. This project demanded blood, sweat and a new sewing machine (the old one broke while sewing it!) but I'm quite pleased with the end result, especially when this was my first time dealing with this type of rough material. In real life the pleather is actually more matte than in the pictures but at least you get the picture. As excited as I am about this new skirt of mine, I have to admit that the wrinkled white button up shirt has been one of the best purchases in a long time. It's so versatile since you can tie the ribbons anyway you like. Very Givenchy-esque, yes?

Shirt: MTWTFSS
Skirt: Self-made
Shoes: Urban Originals
Bag: Bianco

Hollywood

On Friday I attended a Hollywood themed company Xmas party. Instantly I knew I wanted to wear something in the vintage spirit, to catch the "old Hollywood" vibe. Having searched eBay for 2 months prior to the event, I came into the conclusion that there was no point of buying a dress for just one day, especially when you have friends like Ranna with a closet full of vintage party dresses. As I was modeling for our Etsy store's lookbook, I got to try on this amazing cobalt blue dress of hers. It was love at first sight; this was THE dress for the party. This amazing piece will be for sale at Tell Me A Story Vintage, as soon as the fall/winter stuff is up.

The dress definitely demanded a hair updo, so now I am fulfilling one reader's request to having my hair tied to the back. I also wanted to give the dress a modern twist with the double layer belt and studded platform sandals. I was pretty pleased with the outcome, especially when so many people gave me compliments on my outfit during the night. Thank you Ranna so much for letting me borrow the dress!

Dress and cape: Tell Me A Story Vintage
Gloves: L'acessor
Belt: Second hand
Bag: Bianco
Shoes: Urban Originals
Cigarette holder: Naamiohuvit

Writers block

It really seems like ages since I last posted, and as I logged on today, I noticed it's been exactly a week. They say a blogger shouldn't apologize to their readers for not updating but what about when you truly feel bad about neglecting the blog and your readers? Believe me, I really wanted to update so many times but this lack of daylight has been making it impossible to take decent pictures and my beloved photographer has been suffering from a cold for the past week. I must admit that this darkness has made me feel a bit under the weather, so writing in general has been hard for me. Damn this darkness!

To bring you back to happier subjects, the new fall/winter stuff should come to our Etsy store any moment now. The studio photos are getting finalized and Ranna and I are hoping to open the store asap. So if you are quick enough, you might be able to get some filling to your Xmas stockings right in time.

Here are a few tastings of what's coming up...Photos by Satu Kemppainen.

© Satu Kemppainen
Blue tunic: Tell Me A Story Vintage
Long cardigan: Tell Me A Story Vintage
Floral dress: Tell Me A Story Vintage
White dress: Tell Me A Story Vintage
Hat: Uniformal Warehouse
OTK boots: Bronx

P.S. I pinky promise to update tomorrow again as I finally will have some outfits to share!

These grey days

Today I visited my parents for a formal dinner to celebrate the Finnish Independence Day. We were looking over photos from last summer's Norway trip and doing what most Finns do every 6th of December, evaluating the evening gowns of the guests entering the president's Independence Day ball and toasting to the celebration. It seems that burgundy was the hit color amongst the guests this year.


I wanted to wear something comfortable so I grabbed something I haven't worn in ages; a puffy sleeve shirt bought from California two years ago and high waisted jeans that have been waiting to get re-colored for a year now (yep, I'm lazy...). Since the high waisted jeans need something extra to fill the extra length, I tied the twofold second hand belt around my waist.

Puffy sleeve shirt: Urban Outfitters
Jeans: Weekday
Belt: Second hand
Heels: Dinsko

Now I'm off to the evenings festivities which consist of going to the local indie club (no surprise there). Happy Independence Day to my fellow Finns and others, enjoy your weekend!

I love you but I have chosen darkness

Since indoor shots are not pleasing my artistic eye as much, today's outfit photos required me to stand in the rain and cold for the shoot. It feels like the days are so dark that even during the lightest hours, this is the best you can get. I wish that the snow that once melted would return, especially when we are just few weeks away from Xmas.

Sweater: Monki
Shirt: Sunday Sun
Jeans: Cheap Monday
Boots: Bronx

Today's outfit is constructed around oddly cut and dark pieces. Both the sleeveless "scarf" shirt and the sweater have been unused for awhile, waiting for the darker days to come. Well, the darkness has definitely arrived.

I'm a television girl in a television world

During our Sweden trip the local Finnsih TV station wanted to make a story about the Finnish fashion bloggers and our spending habits during the weakened economy. The following video clip is in Finnish but basically what I'm saying is something along the lines of, "I follow other fashion blogs to get inspired, and if my readers can get inspired by my blog and style, I'm happy". It doesn't really have anything do with the ecomony but when they asked me reasons for why I have a blog, that was one of them. It's really horrible to watch yourself on TV, especially when I wasn't given any time to prepare for the interview. Here is the end result (forward the clip to 9 minutes):

Uutiset tisdag 02 december 2008-12-02 17.45.

Xmas wishlist

Every Christmas I want to say no to presents but knowing my family and boyfriend, it's not an option. Who knew that I have been that nice? To ease their pain of what to get me this year, I created a wishlist for Xmas. These are things that I have been eyeing on this fall, and to my surprise, some are actually possible to implement.

Sources: Gifts.com, Pulju.net, Sophosilver.com, Amazon.com, Shoeblog.com

1. Long leather gloves. I have been looking for the perfect pair for two years now. Weekday store in Sweden had black ones with a zipper, and for one reason or another, I have said no them three times already. Stupid me...

2. Durable umberella. I have to thank Honey Junkie for this idea. She has proven to us that this Senz Stealth magical umberella actually works in the raging wind and rain. I have broken way too many umbrellas in my lifetime; could this be the answer to all my problems?

3. Shield ring. After admiring something similar on the fingers of some fellow fashion bloggers, I really want one myself.

4. YSL Rouge Pure Shine Lipstick, no. 1. I can not live without this lipstick! It's seriously so red, soft, moisturizing, shiny and long lasting that no other lipstick can beat it. Besides, it has the most beautiful case too!

5. "The Givenchy" shoes. I know these are something I can not get for Xmas but a girl can dream, right? If anyone knows a store that sells the knock-offs, please let me know ASAP!

Whats on your Xmas wishlist this year?