BURLESQUE NEW YEAR EXTRAVAGANZA

Happy New Year!
For the third time on this blog actually.
Two Years ago the evening was spent in Amsterdam, last year it was dinner in a red dress among friends and this year Tinkerbell, Lola M & I from the Itty Bitty Tease Cabaret as well as my beloved E. are on our way to Tampere to do a show tonight among other burlesque belles such as mimi de Frou Frou, Marie la Mint and Sugar Kane. New Year Burlesque Extravaganza!





Photos by Frej Linna

See you there and if not, have a great night!

A NEW PAIR OF PARIKKA'S

I think one should always be happy about and appreciate every single gift and present one gets, but when your boyfriend gives you a pair of Parikka's for Christmas it's OK to be a little bit more happy about that than all the rest.

I originally got a pair of red booties but they were a bit too big and the smaller ones out of stock so I changed to these soft pink ones. And that's just as good.

ALLMODERN AALTO GIVEAWAY

Well hello everyone - I hope you all had a nice Christmas with friends and family, a lot to eat and lot's of presents to unwrap. I did. But you know what, about the presents. In most cases - in my case at least - it is more fun to give than to get. So why not top Christmas off with a nice give away? From Allmodern.com! AllModern is a online store carrying furniture and home decor from design brands like Vitra and Alessi for example, as well as some classic Finnish design like Iittala and Artek. Prices vary from afforbable to exclusive.

I am now very happy to announce that one lucky reader will win a Iittala Aalto vase! If you could ever have only one vase it should definitely be this one, as the Aalto vase is such a classic design piece. I think every home should have one - I had one too, a special edition one actually, which I got from my parents for my graduation. My cats broke it within two weeks. A sad story yes, but- back to the good news again: the vase you can win is a classic large clear one, and all you have to do to enter is to leave a comment on this post!

There is one little but however - I'm afraid this contenst is only open for those of my readers living in the US or in Canada. I'm very sorry for that. But I will arrange something small here really soon for everyone everywhere to particiapte in!

The give away will be open until Wednesday Janyuary 6th! And don't forget to leave me your email if you don't have a blog. Good luck!

(Ps. Check out the Klaus Haapaniemi for Iittala Taika series too! Some items are on a discount and very worth getting, I love them myself...)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Last week many posts remained unwritten as I did a lot of running around preparing for the Holidays, doing shows as well as working in a freezing and snow filled harbour. The following days from now on will be the opposite as I'm heading away fro the city and plan to just eat and relax.

The picture is taken by my father in the seventies, it's from our summerhouse. In winter though, obviously. It's the most Christmassy photo I know and I've posted it on my blog a couple of Christmases ago, if you thought it looked familiar.

So you all go on and have a Merry Christmas, and if you don't celebrate it, well, just have a real nice and calm weekend then!

Sneak Peek Into Fall 2010 Wedding Gown Trends

It's that time again - bridal market in New York. This is where all of the top wedding gown designers showcase the styles that we will be seeing on brides getting married in the fall of 2010. Here is a sneak peek into some of the top trends for fall 2010 wedding gowns, hot off the runway.

For the unfamiliar, this is how bridal market works. The designers present their runway shows to the bridal shop owners, who in turn will order samples of their favorite gowns to carry in their stores. The gowns ordered from the collection that was just shown will not begin to arrive in the bridal salons until January (or later) of 2010. Given the 4-6 month lead time needed for a bride to order a designer gown, the wedding gowns ordered from the showroom samples will not be arriving until the summer of 2010. That is why the collection of bridal gowns on the runway in the fall of 2009 is referred to as the Fall 2010 collection: those are the first brides who will be wearing these fabulous frocks.

Each wedding gown designer has their own style, and yet there are inevitably trends across the industry as a whole. In the previous few seasons, trends like the one shoulder gown and the empire waisted Grecian goddess look ruled the runway. The Fall 2010 collection of bridal gowns went in a different direction. The one shoulder look, while still popular for bridesmaids, is beginning to fade for brides (as fresh as it looked when new, this was a trend with an obvious shelf life).

One of the biggest trends for the Fall 2010 bridal gowns is skirts with lots of texture and movement. Ruffles, tiers, vertical ruffles, appliqued flowers; all of this and more covered the skirts of the gowns. Plain is definitely out. Full skirts were in evidence, as were plenty of modified trumpet skirts. Many of the gowns had a good bit of drama in their silhouettes. Ethereal tulle skirts are also in style for the upcoming season.

As we saw for the Spring 2010 collection, fabric embellishments are very popular, more so than heavy beadwork or embroidery. Favorite accents include oversized bows, fabric flowers, and bits of lace. This type of tone on tone textural ornamentation pairs beautifully with crystal bridal jewelry sets, rather than heavy rhinestones. Bridal jewelry sets should have movement (such as swingy earrings), just like the gowns with which they will be paired.

Strapless gowns ruled the runway yet again. Although plenty of dropped waists were in evidence, there was a strong trend towards gowns with natural waistlines with full textural skirts. Many of the bodices on the wedding gowns also had some texture. Shirred or gathered bodices are very popular, even with all of the focus on ruffled and tiered skirts.

Short dresses remain a growing segment of the offerings for brides. Whether for City Hall chic ceremonies or second dresses for receptions, there are numerous shorter gowns from which the Fall 2010 bride will be able to choose. Overall, the Fall 2010 bridal gown collection appears to have a lot of beautiful dresses for brides with a variety of different styles.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Sneak-Peek-Into-Fall-2010-Wedding-Gown-Trends&id=3124384

THE ANATOMY OF DRESSING WHEN IT'S REALLY REALLY COLD

It has happened. Real winter. It's really cold here. Minus a lot. Like it should be this time of year.
Only it hasn't been like that for years. But so far so good, we still haven't reached the part when it actually hurts to breathe. (But after a few hours work outside by the sea it hurts by now already I tell you, but I've done worse during past years. Not complaining though. Now that we're getting a white christmas and all).

I'm watching teenage girls and selfaware chicks freeze their behinds off in short jackets and skinny jeans. The sadistic asshole part of me secretly laughs at their vanity (or stupidity, however you want it) and makes me feel so relieved that I don't give a damn anymore in that sense - my first priority is to stay warm. (I saw a girl last weekend, visiting a Christmas outdoor fare, wearing satin peeptoes in the snowstorm. Not even I would go that far even though I may push it with wearing open heels as long as possible). I go for what Underbara Clara calls "The Finnish Winter War Chic". Something that she of course says with a pinch of salt and a whole lot of humor, referring to how Finland pre- WWII resisted the Soviet army with the help of an extremely hard and cold winter. And well with a whole lot o f military strategy too. (Those who know their history might find that slightly ironic since those who have tried to invade Russia or The Soviet failed, conquered by the cold. But this time it was the other way around. Sort of.)

But OK enough on war strategy now, the thing I'm after here is the dressing warm to survive the cold, making it nice with layers of knitted socks and sweaters, scarfs and thick jackets. And keeping warm is of course a strategy of it's own.

So here whe go:
The Anatomy of Dressing Warm When Really Really Cold Outside (& still trying to look good).

Fig.1The thing with layering, not the layering thrifty fashionistas do when they pair dresses tops and cadris, but the one that will keep you from freezing, is to have a lot of them - the layers- keeping tight but not being stuffed or unable to move. That will make you colder actually. You might want to add another pair of socks or leg warmers, and perhaps a long sleeved blouse under that cardi too, depends. (Oh damn it takes so long to get dressed in the morning!)


Fig.2But we're quite not done yet:

Fig.3They say the cold will last for two months still. If that's the case this is what I'll look like everyday for two months then. Versatility, yey!
...Unless I get myself a new winter jacket... (hehe).

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

I'm wearing birght red and gold Christmas flowers in my hair that I got from Rascal. Aren't they just perfect for the season?


The 'do is a variation and slightly more difficult version of the basic chignon I do with a roll; rolling my hair in pin-curls, fastening them standing, not flat. I normally lay them a little more sideways so that the swirl will show, but this time they are pretty much just rolled straight upwards and fastened. You can make the hair do the other way around too, rolling the curls downwards. That's a fun making-long-hair-short look. But more on that some other time :)

BURLESQUE UPDATES

I'm so busy nowadays I almost forget how to breathe from time to time. But it's a good thing also (not the un-breathing, the busyness) resulting in more than plenty great events and shows coming up:


First of all, we are going to throw a great night at Storyville on Friday! Sotryville is ranked as one of the best jazz clubs in Europe and we will present some new numbers there!

The last Wanted of the year is on Saturday 19th. Sally Vanilla will be our guest star and I will perform a duo with Lola.


On New Years Eve I will load my last ship with my hair pin curled (that's the thing with work like that, it happens every day no matter whan celebration or holiday it is...) and then do my make up in the car while heading from Helsinki to Tampere for the New Year Burlesque Extravaganza. E and I intend to do a lot of swing dancing after the show; Sweet Jeena and her Lazy lions are playing. We've performed with Jeena's rockabilly ensemble some times before, but she also does great swing. A very talented lady indeed.
Get the tickets and dinner cards from Vaudeville Boutique.

And more: Club Wanted will celebrate it's first birthday on January 2nd at a new location, Bar Loose downtown!


Tinkerbell and I will perform in between to great bands on January 5th at Lepakkomies. Look out for the surprise guest!

Together with Sally Vanilla we'll throw in some burlesque-a-go-go to the tunes of the Patsy Walkers on their gig at Loose, January 16th. Plus an not-yet-confirmed but-will-be-great happening in the end of january...

I'm going to try and throw in some celebrating Christmas and a small trip to Oslo in between too. And remember how to breathe.

BRING IT ON

I have bought myself a pair of winter boots.


They feel quite robust compared to what I normally wear so I wasn't sure at first but then again they are winter boots , they are supposed to be a bit heavy. And they're still rather slim on the foot plus have a nice firm heel. Makes me think of old school skiing boots!

I also got myself a pair of warm tweed pants. (Pants! Me! Again! What's going on here? I guess I go both ways now, dresses skirts and pants...).

This makes me pretty well prepared for whatever winter has up it's sleeve this year. So bring it on I say, bring it on.

BLUE & WHITE

I have been asked to do a review on a party outfit by Very.co.uk; theHolly Willoughby contrast dress with cummerbund detail, the Love Label Lavish frill suede platform shoes and the French Connection fabric quilted bag. Well who would say no to that?

Arriving just in time and colour-wise, white and blue, the outfit is perfect for the independence day of Finland, today, December 6th! (Although the color combination actually is white-blue-black, which really makes me dressed up in the colors of Estonia but let's not get picky here. Plus I'm a quarter estonian anyway so...)


The Holly dress is far more fancy than on the pic in the online store! It's a dress for fine occasions. The material feels good. The fit is alright, but I am, as always, between sizes - what fits my behind and does not stretch over the shoulders is once again too big in the waist. I might reach for my sewing machine on this one, but so far it was easily adjusted by taking the waist in with a large sequined safety pin in the back; just folding the belt and fastening. Otherwise I have to admit I think this dress would gain on having the belt removed, or the cummerbund could rather be in horizontal pleats like the tuxedo cummerbund, smoother, more plain. Sometimes less is more, and the waist would appear smaller if it wasn't for the belt.

But sometimes more is more and just right! The shoes are over the top - in a good, delicious way. Very burlesque. I love the blue color! I chose blue since I thought red might be too, hmm, obvious somehow. (And like my boyfriend said, a bit 'too sexy' perhaps.) Plus everybody needs a pair of blue suede shoes, right? These shoes also come in grey which I think would be the most perfect for this dress - and otherwise too - but there are only big sizes left. So if you have bigger feet, go for it! I normally prefer shoes with a slightly thicker heel for the sense of comfort and everyday usage, but these are still alright to wear due to the platform. These will be swell for burlesque nights and shows!

The bag is the exact same color as the shoes! I think most shoulder bags get a fancier look when worn as a clutch so for this outfit I have put the chain strap in the bag.

Now what? The Finnish independence day is quite a serious celebration and no carnival. So fancy dinner and then the president's independence ball on TV.

PS. there is a discount over at Very which lasts tomorrow still; 3 items for the price of 2!

NOVEMBER ROSES

(I'm may be getting bit arty and poetic here now, but - )





it's time to take out the November roses,

and put up the December star.

( I may be one week after schedule but hey, better late than never :)

OFELIA

This weekend it's time for the third Ofelia Market! Like last year I will be modeling in the vintage & hand made items fashion show, this year with the rest of the Itty Bitty Tease Cabaret for Vaudeville Boutique as well as do a light version of our parasol number for Tyra/Punavuoren Putiikki, but on Saturday only. On Sunday I will spend some quality time with E out in the countryside.

Platinum Wedding Rings

WEDDING RINGS

Platinum Wedding Rings

Sterling Silver Wedding Rings

WEDDING RINGS

Sterling Silver Wedding Rings

Ideas For Christmas DIY Wedding Invitations

Christmas is a magical time of the year. Planning a wedding at this festive time is a perfect idea. Everyone is in full festive spirit and ready to celebrate a joyous occasion.

The cost of ordering your invites from stationers can be very pricey. Once you have recovered from the shock of the quoted prices. You maybe start to think about making your own home made wedding invitations.

How about trying to make a Christmas tree design. Everyone can draw a tree, have a go. You know you have a creative side inside just waiting to surface. The tree can have decorations on each branch. The traditional colors of red and green still hold a special touch today in everyone's heart.

You can add a little creativity to the tree by choosing different colours to make your Christmas theme. Silver and white is a great choice as a color theme for the festive period. You may decide on having pink decorations on top of a pink tree. For the Goths there is a brilliant black tree with black and white decorations. Your color choice is endless.

A fantastic invite would be a normal square shaped card. Brides can choose to have a little header at the top of the wedding invitation with both names. You can also add the wedding date for a special touch.

You can make an amazing invitation by choosing a normal shaped card. A card which opens out to the side would be an ideal choice to start with to show off your unique invite. On the front of the card you can punch holes in various wintery shapes. A snowflake would be a good design to start with for your invitation. Insert a different colored wording on the inside of the border of the invitation to show your design off to its fullest. The special hole punches can be purchased from local supermarkets or craft shops.

Couples can choose a plain white card with a red border. This is a very elegant style and simple design to complete. The border can be plain red in colour or have a pattern. Both choices will wow the wedding guests.

Source : http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=1386900338704492379

IT'S SNEAKING UP ON US...

I was going to write a bunch of stuff about Christmas colours and bla bla bla but I'll skip that, keep it clean and simple : this is what I was wearing today. Very inspired by the season, perfect for drinking glögg. Dry enough, but too cold for the shoes though, as I got to notice later. (I went to my hairdresser today and she commented that I'm obviously not heading to work afterwards :)


The dress is my fourth and last in the series of dresses to easily dress up and down. (Notice how good I am at linking myself here today :P) It's also from Barbara Brown, the only one which did not fit perfectly without some slight altering:

I had to open and take in the seam in the waist a bit since it got strangely puffy there.It was a bit to loose around the shoulders so I added a satin ribbon in the back, tying it into a bow to avoid the dress slipping off. You know I like fixing my dresses with ribbons.

LISA's HAIR ORCHID TUTORIAL

Lisa Freemont Street did a video tutorial of the hair orchid I did for my sister some time ago, but for shorter hair. (And she also gave me a sweet nice puff :)

The orchid turned out beautiful. I'm always happy to see readers try out the styles I've presented!


You can check out more of Lisa's vintage style tutorials on her youtube channel, they are very good.

EDIT : if you're afraid it won't look good with dark hair, add two ribbons to the ponytail, so that you put the elastic around the hair and the ribbons as well,the ribbons folded in half so that the middle of those are where the elastic is; you'll get four pieces of ribbon hanging along your hair. Grab one of these for each upper roll, making sure it shows in the curl. Let the last two ribbons join the lower bigger roll. That way you'll get some contrast to your dark curls. This should be a nice add to light and red hair to, of course!

NEW SHOES

Oh the thrill of opening up that fresh box of shoes that's just arrived.
You know I love it, as seen before!


Exciting...

Ta-taa!


Ehh... what?
Hehe. I just had to. I can't be too serious here all the time now can I.
And these really are new shoes of mine you know. Workwear boots for the harbour.

You can't really beat workwear boots when it comes to keeping warm and having you feet feel, well, stable. Sometimes if the weather's real shitty I put my heels in my bag and let my boots take me home from work.

Wedding Cake "Halloween Day" Design

WEDDING CAKES

Wedding Cake "Halloween Day"

Married at the time of the Halloween day is something special. But to take an idea for a theme wedding on halloween day so needed something different and fit with it. By making decorations, wedding cake and the bride's dress with a motif that is often used in halloween event. For the wedding cake you can consider this wedding cake design is themed halloween with orange the dominant color.