Checkmate!

I have this bad habit of leaving all my "in need of sewing" type of projects laying around the apartment for ages, until I actually manage to do something about them. Same story goes for this checkered skirt I bought from Ranna last winter, and I can't belive why I've had this beauty hanging in my closet for this long, when all it needed was a little bit of taking in. The skirt gives a nice touch to simple outfits, creating an eye catching detail into the mix. A true new-found gem in the closet!

Yesterday this skirt came to it's own at a friend's housewarming party, where my boyfriend and I headed with the stylish Laura from Drop the Phone and her boyfriend. I love meeting couples who share the same exact interests as my boyfriend and I; while Laura and I talked all night about blogging and what not, the boys found a common ground with music and fashion. How convenient!

T-shirt: Martin Margiela
Blazer: H&M
Skirt: Vintage
Platform wedges: Vagabond
Bag & bracelet: Lindex
Ring: Kalevala Koru

P.S. I try to update as often as I can but I have such a busy month ahead of me, that regular blogging might be a bit difficult during the next weeks. Next weekend there is an electronic music festival, the week after that my Barbie themed b-day party, then another music festival and then there is the Halloween party we are organizing (for the latter I've ordered supplies all the way from the U.S.). So, hang tight!

Fashion blast from the past

One of my favorite threads on The Fashionspot forums is the Vintage Ads Archive which features advertising campaigns from the past (circa 60's- 80')s. Looking at these images just proves the fact that fashion really moves in cycles. It seems that the designers of today are just recycling the old designs; I can spot Stella McCartney, Balmain, Givenchy, Alexander Wang and Ann Demeulemeester snapping ideas from the images below. The funny thing is, without the crazy hair and makeup I could probably rock all these beautiful outfits this fall, especially that crazy leather dress.

All images from TFS

Plai'd again

Every fall I start obessing about plaid and even though I own a few plaid garments, I still feel that my wardrobe is missing some plaid action. I was browsing through eBay for an evening dress for my company's Hollywood themed Christmas party, when I came across this really cute plaid dress by Adrienne Vittadini. In fact, maybe the best vintage find I have ever made on eBay has been another creation of her's. Perhaps I will become a collector...

This baby should be mine in a week (and I'm sure it will look thousand times better on a real person). I am already seeing it in my eyes how I will accessorize and style it, can't wait!

Dress: Adrienne Vittadini, vintage
Source: eBay

As a reply to Ranna's post about eBay becoming ridiculously expensive, I totally agree. It seems that there are many vintage fashion hungry ladies out there. Luckily in my case, I was the only bidder and it was from a private seller, this dress cost only $9.90 plus shipping!

Spotted: Gossip Girl is back

Oh yes, the season premiere of Gossip Girl was last night and of course I had to get my hands on it right away. I was a little dissapointed that the outfits were still so summery because the school looks make the show much better. I'm not giving out any more spoilers though, I know how angry it makes those who have not yet seen the episode.


Speaking about Gossip Girl and back to school looks, I decided to dress up in the theme of the show. I don't know if I can ever leave the place in such a short skirt, so I might end up selling it at the Tell Me A Story Vintage. These burgundy tights are today's purchase, they really are this fall's must pick. I also found a cute second hand hat and an argyle shirt (which would btw totally fit the theme as well) but I will post about my findings sometime later.

Jacket: Vintage (stolen from my boyfriend)
Turtleneck: Lindex
Skirt: Second hand
Headband: Gina Tricot
Bag: Second hand
Shoes: Wedins

Stripes

This is a very quick post because I'm going to my little brothers party very soon. Later on we are gonna hit the local indie club. I'm wearing this cute little stripe dress I got from Ranna in our dress swap. Isn't it pretty?

Dress: Vintage
Belt: Second hand
Headband: Gina Tricot
Shoes: Skopunkten

Have a fun Saturday night everyone!

Boy about town

So if you have been wondering about my absence with this blog, its due to my laptop; it had crashed and I really didn't have the energy or patience to upload pictures on my incredibly slow PC at home. Now that the laptop is up and running, I can finally blog again!

Last Saturday I attended my friend's b-day party in the outfit pictured below. It has a touch of androgyny, therefore today's blog title is from the lyrics of the Jam song.

Shirt: Second hand
Pants: Monki
Shoes: Skopunkten

I have not worn this shirt in ages since it went missing at my parent's place for quit awhile. It's a pitty that it was in hiding, considering it has such an unique look and cut to it. My boyfriend always tells me that it looks like a 60's sci-fi space shirt, I guess I can see the resembelence in that. The shirt was only a few dollars from a local Goodwill in California and it's made of silk. The pants are the same grandpa pants as in my last entry, but in black.

On Sunday the local young designers boutique called Super Mukava organized a Design Market at a square that is located at the "French quarter of Tampere". A few stores were selling their samples and old stock items, and Super Mukava also put up a fashion show. Since I live on this street and it was within seconds of a walk, I went to see what it was all about and ended up buying a pair of second hand shoes.

Tomorrow I'm going to the Flow festival to see Kings of Convenience. I've been dreaming of this day for such a long time and now I finally get to see them play live (and the ever so cute Erlend Oye).

Saved by the bell

Yesterday I went to a costume party called Roska (translation is "Trash"). The dress code was 80's and 90's, and as a huge costume party fan, I decided to wear 90's gear from head to toe. Kelly from the American TV-show Saved by the Bell was my muse for the outfit. She always wore those tiny tops with mom jeans and had a huge wave in her hair.

I purchased the shirt a few years ago at H&M in Stockholm in the vintage section. At the time I was thinking that belly shirts will definitely come back in fashion some time soon. From what I've seen on runways lately, in fact, like it or not, they are coming back big time. I also bought a pair of second hand Levi's and made a scrunchie out of some excess fabric that I had. The earrings are my mother's and from the 90's, and the shoes I got from a friend long time ago. The party itself was not all that great because most of the people just bought some neon shirt from H&M thinking they're all that. I wish people would put more effort into costume parties..

And oh yes, I am doing funny poses just like they did in the 90's. Can you see the resemblance between mine and Kelly's look?

Shirt: Vintage
Jeans: Levi's, second hand
Shoes & belt: Second hand
Wayfers: Glitter
Jewelery: Mom's old

Strutting like a peacock

Last night was so much fun! I went to the local indie club and danced on the stage all night like a maniac. I wore another dress swap item of Ranna's collection, this cute little green piece. I have always loved the color green, especially this kind of emerald/jade green because it matches my green eyes. I forgot to take pics before the club so you'll have to deal with the following images. In fact I wanted to name this entry a headless chicken since I felt like I wanted to crop my head off from all these shots. However, the color of the dress made chose the Ark lyrics instead. Photographing is not so much fun at 4am and after heavy partying. Bear with me...

Dress: vintage
Shoes & bag: second hand

I'm off to Lapland. The next posts are timed but I will be back to answer comments, if there is any network up North...

p.s. Somehow this dress and these shots remind me of Beyonce's Crazy in Love video, don't ask me why because I am not a fan at all. Also, this is the kind of dress that you should wear black tights with. However, I thought it looked much better without. What do you think?

Sneak peek of Tell Me A Story Vintage

Yesterday Ranna and I took some outift pictures for the much talked about vintage store we are starting up. The store is called Tell Me A Story Vintage and we will make a separate blog and Myspace to feature the upcoming listings and provide the latest news. Tell Me A Story will have clothes, accessories and some shoes.

Here are some teasers for you to enjoy...

Blazer, dresses and shirts: Tell Me A Story Vintage
Photographer: Ranna
Styling: Ranna & Anna-Maria
Models: Anna-Maria and Minna

The pictures were taken on my apartment's backyard. Perhaps I should start using it as a shooting place more often, what do you think?

Today, being independence day in the States, I figured that the picture above would be a perfect outfit to fit for this occasion. Now I'm off to feast some American treats...

P.S. My new Canon PowerShot G9 is on its way from the States. Yay!

Lie down in the light

I tend to always talk about going to shows and this entry is no exception. A great indie folk artist called Bonnie Prince Billy was performing at the local club, and of course we had to go check it out. Tickets were rather pricey - 17 Euros - but the show was well worth it. I wore my new favourite dress; A vintage piece from the 60's which I got in a dress-swap from the lovely Ranna a few weeks ago.

Dress: Vintage
Shoes: Second hand
Bag: Second hand
Headband: Gina Tricot

The Gossip Girl inspired headband is my latest purchase. I have seen similar on many of my fellow fashion bloggers but never got the chance to get one for myself. The white shoes are worn solely for the comfort factor, since standing for an hour in high heels is a killer for your back. And no, I am not trying to purposely advertise the Lidl store but it happened to be the only place with decent light at 11pm.

By the way, I just ordered the Canon Powershot G9 camera thanks to Ranna's recommendation. It cost only 270 Euros which is almost 200 Euros less than if I would have bought it here in Finland. It should be here in a week or so, yay! I'm sure the picture quality will be much better since lately I've been surviving with my 5 megapixel cell phone camera.

Midsummer Roses

Last Thursday I went to see a French band called Zombie Zombie on a local club here in my hometown. According to NME Magazene, the band was supposed to be one of the "top 10 must see" bands of the summer. Ok, we all know how NME is always exaggerating things and for example responsible of starting the whole "nu-rave" term/phenomena in its false forms (like how the heck are Klaxons nu-rave? Only because they started the whole term by fooling about not being new-wave to NME). Anyways, my point is, do not always trust what NME has to say. Zombie Zombie was ok but nothing THAT exceptional, sounded more like artsy experimental electro which was hard to dance to. And oh boy, do I love dancing!

My principles have always been not to wear the same exact outfit twice but this weekend I made a little exception. I wore almost the same outfit both to Zombie Zombie and Saturday's indie club. Here is what I wore for the gig. I don't know how I did it but somehow I manage to look as pale as zombie myself.

Top: Dior Homme S/S 06
Skirt: H&M Trend
Shoes: Logo 69
Bag: Second hand

So, on Saturday I had again my beloved Dior Homme note top from S/S 06 with a puffy H&M Trend skirt. Words can't describe how fond of this skirt I am! Seriously, I want to wear it like everyday. I have been looking a Miu Miu-estque style skirt was ages and when I found such from the Helsinki H&M I was so thrilled! At least it has been worth every penny so far. On my feet you can see the Nine West inspired Dinsko sandals with a little wedge heel. They have also been my favorites since I got them last week. While taking the pictures it was cold and raining but the fashion trooper I am, I went through with it without my jacket.

Top: Dior Homme S/S 06
Skirt: H&M Trend
Shoes: Dinsko
Bag: Second hand
Rose pin: Second hand

I bought the rose pin from a local second hand shop on Saturday. It reminds me of these beautiful midsummer roses that are blossoming in my parents front yard.

Rose pin: Second hand

Speaking of Midsummer, Midsummer's eve is on Friday here in Finland, and I'm going to a friend's cottage in the country side. Most likely it's going to rain but I would like to wear something cute and maybe floral for this festive and magical occation...