Businesslike

Two more days of work and then I'm off to Berlin for the new year's celebration. A mini vacation is in place since they made me come to work during these "in between days". I don't really see the point when my email box is screaming of emptiness...

Speaking of work, someone once asked me to post about my work clothing and tips about how to look chic in the boring office environment. The trick I've learned, is to keep it simple with the basics but to also add something that makes the outfit pop, such as an interesting detail or accessory. The topic allows me to introduce something my lovely boyfriend got me for my birthday: a blazer/cardigan designed by our talented friend, Richard Söderberg. Richard's brand Obscur is a menswear label but the smaller sizes seem to fit me fine (you can get his clothes at least here, here and here). I've worn this number on several occasions since it's suitable for both office and free time wear. The piece looks professional, though it has that special "twist" which makes it look more interesting than those basic blazers or cardigans people would normally wear to an office. I kept the rest of the outfit simple with basic peg leg trousers, the only additional detail being on front of the white top. You can even add platform ankle boots to this outfit and no one would make a big deal because the cardigan is the true show stopper here. In a delicate way, of course.

I hope you all are enjoying the holidays, I'll be back next year!

Blazer/cardigan: Obscur
Trousers: Asos
Top: Zara
Ankle boots: Fendi

Battling through the winter

Apparently, this week, the first snow has reached big cities like Paris and New York; a pleasure we have been able to enjoy here in Finland for a few weeks already. This December has been exceptionally cold and with the temperature hitting -17 Celcius almost every single day this past week, it has been essential to dress very warm and wear shoes that won't slip on the icy pavements.

For three years now my best weapon for the winter has been this woollen H&M peacoat, and even though H&M is not one of those places I shop on a regular basis, this coat has truly been worth every single penny. It's shaped like a traditional peacoat but has interesting details on the chimney collar, shoulder, and sleeve area, making it look like an updated version of the classic militaristic model. Unfortunately I lost the collar strap when we moved, with that it would look ten times better.

You know, it's actually a tough job to maintain your personal style during the winter time but luckily, there are some ways of managing it. Layering has been my key to stay both warm and presentable when the times get tough and the temperature hits below zero. My grey knit dress and wollen tights (must stock upon those next time I'm in Berlin!) from COS have been fulfilling their duty exceptionally, as well as the Ann Demeulemeester boots which I hardly take off my feet anymore. However, I did get the winter soles done at the local cobbler, not only to protect against slipping but they're also a good way to protect the designer shoes from wearing off. The circle scarf I've borrowed from the more handsome half of our household, and I might not return it until I aquire one of my own (sorry, darling).

Now I'm off to crawling underneath the blankets with some hot tea, so enjoy your Sunday and stay warm!

Peacoat: H&M
Knit dress: COS
Horse riding boots: Ann Demeulemeester
Wool tights: COS
Bag and circle scarf: All Saints
Leather gloves: Vagabond

Pour on pour

You know you've had a good Saturday night when it has consisted of a crazy going away party for friends, dancing to Under Pressure with musical gestures at the local rock joint, pretty sturdy gluhwein, and singing along with 90's music videos at the local pizza parlor in the early morning hours.

The outfit for the evening got it's final form from things that I haven't worn in a long time, once again proving the fact that the best things can be found by browsing your own closet. I have been looking for a destroyed knit dress for awhile now, completely forgetting the fact that I already got one a few years back. The grey Pour dress was calling for something tougher to pair it with, so the pleather pants seemed like a perfect match. I'm also liking how the platform ankle boots cohere with the pants; it almost as if they were one. The outcome was very Rick Owenish but with my own twist.

At this point I'm very pleased about the fact that I have the new camera, there would have been no way of shooting the outfit so clearly in such low light with my old one. The pictures are a bit overexposed (at least I used manual settings in a very confined space, so please give me some credit) but otherwise the details would have not shown as much. I'm still looking out for the new lens, hoping that Santa will bring it for me this year (hint, hint).

Dress: Pour
Wool vest: Pour
Pleather pants: H&M
Platform ankle boots: Vagabond
Necklace as a bracelet: Lindex

We're living like skeletons

This black dress always makes me think of bones, so I've been calling it "the fish bone dress" ever since the mailman brought it to me. I was wondering where I've seen a similar dress before and suddenly it hit me: there was a white version in the Alexander Wang f/w RTW 09/10 collection. It's no wonder my eyes were glued on this whilst browsing the Asos.com's never ending morass of clothing.

Tonight should actually be a fun night, as we might go check out the great Joensuu 1685 (they're absolutely the best Finnish band at the moment!) or meet up with friends at the local British pub. We'll see how the night unfolds. Enjoy your weekend!

Dress: Asos
Draped cardigan: H&M
Lame leggings: American Apparel
Boots: Ann Demeulemeester
Bag: All Saints /Spitalfields
Bracelet: COS
Chain bracelet: Jimmy Choo for H&M

"There's a gaping hole in the way we are
With nothing to fill it up anymore
No flesh no blood just broken bone
A frame to hang our lives from
We're living like skeletons

Won't someone wake the dead in me
Won't someone shake the dust off me
Give me water give me bread
But don't give me up for dead
We're living like skeletons"
The Sound: Skeletons

Glass Candy, part 1

I figured that the secret of bringing the summerish cycling shorts to the freezing cold temperatures of Finland, is wearing tights and warm enough boots with them. Now that I look back at these outfit pictures, without actually even realizing it, my outfit for the Glass Candy gig was quite Alexander Wang inspired all the way down with the dress, cycling shorts, boots and the hat. I guess when a good collection is stuck in your head, it stays there like glue.

Lately shoulder pads have been making a huge return into my closet, and this moderately padded dress is one of the scores I made in Berlin last week (Berlin posts still to come, I promise, just need to go over like 300 photographs!). The Ann Demeulemeester boots are also something new, though second hand; I made such a steal with those in Berlin as well. Man, I love that city (I'm actually booking tickets to go back for New Years with bunch of friends). The bag and the bracelet are also from there.

Laura was looking fab as usual, and isn't hear feather thingy so gorgeous? I have so many pictures of the oh-so-fun night that I have to make two separate posts, so more about Glass Candy a bit later. Toodles for now, folks!

Dress: COS
Cycling shorts: MTWTFSS
Boots: Ann Demeulemeester
Bag: All Saints Spitalfields
Hat: Uniformal Warehouse via eBay
Bracelet: COS
Ring: Kalevala Koru

Everyday is a Halloween

Last night we celebrated the spookiest night of the year with good company, a Jack O Lantern, pumpkin pie and some red wine. We also ended up checking out the the local gothic club, figuring it was one of the only costume parties going on with music that would fit the mood perfectly. Such a fun night it was, too! Thank you my friends.

I did the classic trick and became a vampire vamp for the night, as I've always had a thing for those sexy beasts. It's no wonder I'm a total sucker for True Blood and anything vampire related. Tonight I will probably finally watch the Vampire Diaries (I always see the advertisements during Gossip Girl), especially when after realizing my boy Ian Somerhalder is part of the cast.

P.S., if someone wants to get a great set of vampire teeth, I can recommend these fellas, they have to be the best vampire teeth makers out there! Unfortunately they don't ship abroad but not to worry, I got my Sexy Bites via eBay.

P.P.S. Berlin is calling next week! Any tips?

Happy Halloween everyone!

Guest stars: Laura from Drop the Phone and her boyfriend
Velour dress: Second hand
Tights: H&M and DIY slashed tights
Booties: Vagabond
Ring: Kalevala Koru

Silent as the grave

Fashion Flux has been rather quiet for the past week, due to the fact that I've been suffering from terrible cold that has put me into bed for several days. Being sick has been enabling to enjoy the finer things in life, like watching movies and Married With Children marathons. Kelly Bundy is my hero!

Since my recent outfits have been consisting of just PJ pants and age old t-shirts, I will leave you with an outfit from last weekend. I met up with few other Finnish style bloggers in Helsinki for a project that we all still have to shh about. Let's just say that exciting things are going to happen in the near future.

Now I will crawl back to my bed and spend some quality time with the Bundys.

P.S. Remember you can still ask me anything you want! Hurry, if you want to have your questions answered in an up and coming post!

Picture by: Nelliina

Jacket: Diana Orving
"Waterfall" drapy cardigan: H&M
Dress: Asos
Lame leggings: American Apparel
Circle scarf: MTWTFSS
Platform booties: Vagabond
Leather gloves: Vagabond
Bag: Saddler

Barbie girl

Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted to organize costume parties; there is just something intriguing about becoming a totally different character, even if it's just for a day. Last night one of my long time costume party ideas came to reality, when we celebrated my birthday with a Barbie & Ken theme. Unfortunately I don't have too much material of my fabulous guests' outfits (and they would probably kill me if I published anything) but at least you can see my dress that I've been saving for ages, the decorations, and the amazing Barbie cake made by Laura's big sister from the Jauhot Suussa blog.

After Sing Staring and being stuffed from all the party food, we headed to Hang the Dj club which was also celebrating it's birthday. I was particularly happy when they played Prince's Raspberry Beret from request but naturally the birthday girl should get her wish, right?

I want to thank all my guests for showing up, you all looked so lovely! Next time we are dressing up for Halloween, oh yes yes yes!

Dress: Second hand
shoes: Urban Orginals
Clutch: Vintage
Gloves and ring: Stockmann

Innocent line

Yesterday I celebrated my birthday in a surprisingly cold weather with Indian food and some late night shopping. I wanted to dress comfy yet dressy, and I think this black tent dress suited the purpose perfectly. I guess I never really introduced this piece by Velour properly but it was one of the discount finds made last summer. I really like how the dress looks fitted on the front but when you look at the back, it's actually almost cape-like. Watch out, bat girl is on the move!

Dress: Velour
Cardigan: Roberto Cavalli for H&M
Jacket: Diana Orving
Shoes: Vagabond
Circle scarf: MTWTFSS
Bag: Lindex

It kicks like a sleep twitch!

I'm tired from last night's festivities and since I have only random, totally incompatible thoughts on my mind, I'm going to do the old bullet point trick to gather them all together.

• Recently I've been surprised how many good finds I've making at Lindex. They have really changed their image in the past year or so.
  
• I got these clip-on hair extensions from eBay and they made me miss my long hair. Even the pictures turn out so much better when your hair is just right. Say what you say, I'm growing out my hair again. In the meanwhile, these extensions will do.
  
• This outfit is sort of a combination of grunge and hail to the 70's which as you know, the 90's were inspired by. All I'm missing is the John Lennon sunglasses which I actually have laying around somewhere at my parents' house. I would also need a new pair of tall boots.
  
• Mansedance was great last night. I was grooving to all the great acid techno tunes of the Rephlex artists alongside with some hippies. I think I blended in just fine wearing what I was wearing, even though we are from completely different worlds.
  
• Met up with Sugar Kane and had a great discussion about hair and style. Must do that again sometime soon, in a less noisy environment though.
  
• This is the first and the last time I will smile in pictures. I don't particularly enjoy it when my gigantic cheeks make me look like my favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character, even though Donatello is cool as a cucumber.
  
• I almost have the whole outfit together for the Barbie themed b-day party of mine. I'm turning 27 on the 15th, can you believe? We are throwing the party on the 17th.
  
• My boyfriend and I have plans of going to Berlin in November which reminds me, I have to book the tickets soon. It's been 13 years since I last visited the city, and I couldn't be more excited to go back. Darklands here we come!
  
• Enjoy your Sunday lovelies!

Shaggy vest: Lindex
Wolf t-shirt: Souvenir shop in Lapland
Leather Shorts: Second hand
Tye dye leggings: Lindex
Necklace and wristband: Lindex
Bag: Second hand
Beanie: Seppälä
Platform booties: Bullboxer