GIFTS AND NICE THINGS

I received a wonderfully sweet little present some time ago – a vintage cameo brooch from Agatha. Thank you ♥

We’re on the winning side now – they day is longer than the night and we are going towards lighter all the time!
It's such a great feeling to notice that it is light already around five when I get up for the morning shift! No sunshine, but a light sky and lots of bird song. The huge moon still hangs around until about seven. And the evenings are still rather dark.


So the swallow reflector brooch I got from my mother still comes in handy! It works with a magnet so you do not have to make a hole in your jacket in order to wear it.


Also, you have time until tomorrow night to vote for your favorite styling! I'll head over to the studio tomorrow, me and the other stylist will hang around in the background of the show, which will air live at 18:30.

You can still help me win you know, so if you haven't voted yet - do it! if you have, thank you, and please go again:)
Find my styling here. Vote by clicking the green Tykkään-button.

And...
Last but not least the nice ladies of Vivien of Holloway are once more offering all you readers of The Freelancer's Fashion Blog 10% off your onlone purchase. THe code is VOH_F4shionF4b and it's valid until June 30th. Happy shopping ♥

STUFF I GOT AT HELSINKI VINTAGE

Pardon my French but I could not come up with anything more creative in the headline up there...

A table lamp for that corner specifically as it always lacked something. (As one can see form the picture, one thing it does not lack is cats.)


A little glass surfaced pinstriped 50's flower table, one of those you could see in my Helsinki Vintage post. I originally intended to put the lamp on it but it sat better on the other little table (which is bought form the same guy earlier btw), so maybe I will use this one as a flower stand instead; that's what it is intended for in the first place. Although right now it serves as kitty stand.


And a little basket. I have quite a lot of baskets and bowls lingering around at home, that tend to fill up with just whatever but bowls and baskets are quite easy finds and that my hands tend to grab. My sister said this one would at elast be really good for when I have three apples around but it actually only fit two.


I got Eddi a pair of 60's deadstock sandals. The brand is Fredrik which is also Eddi's name! They were a little bit too big though and he was not that thrilled about them. (Yet, he'll grow in to them.)


He was however very much more thrilled over the cheerleader suit I got from Americana (which looks surprisingly good on!) but a little disappointed to hear that I do not intend to wear it around town. One might catch it on stage at some point though...

A LONGER LUNCHBREAK AT HELSINKI VINTAGE

So, yesterday it was the same procedure as last time Helsinki Vintage was on; off with the working gear and on with the skirt and the lipstick for a quick lunch break visit of browsing, admiring, super fast shopping and some mandatory socializing at the fair.


I pretened my hair was short; rolled it inwards towards the neck.

So many things, so little time...
Thanks to Gina at Americana for the give away tickets!

Then it was off with the lipstick and back to work.

But I actually managed to buy something; it was a good thing I had the guys from work pick me up with the van. Possible photos to come later on.

DRESS-DREAMING

Lately 've had a huge need to browse dresses online and a craving to buy everything I see, mostly those with big skirts, in patterns or floral prints. Blame it on the spring to be. Or just on my vanity.

There is but only one reason I don't buy all of the above for example, and it's the one that I still seem to have some sense of reality when it comes to dress shopping - I am very well aware of the fact that I can't fit all dresses I already have in my wardrobe. Sigh. (Wellfare country problem)

HOwever, I have been adding some items to my other blog, clothing you've seen here before. Not always easy, but that's the way it has to go. Most of yesterday's additions are sold by now, but there is more to come so check it out!

And, therefore I feel entitled to get something new now doesn't it?

I had a vintage dress orgie over at Hoochie Mama Jane some days ago, damn, why did all those dresses have to fit so well! They were fancy frocks in silk and sateen though, I was more thinking of getting myself something for everyday wear. Sigh, again, or then I guess I should just go to more parties...

Dresses above, in consideration, from the left to the right: Pinup Couture, Big Beautiful Barbara Brown, Tara Starlet, Bernie Dexter / ModCloth, Pinup Couture.

KEEPING A GIFT FOR MYSELF

I got myself a new art deco inspired hat. Or head piece, however you like to see it. Originally I did buy it as a gift for someone else, but as soon as I left the shop I got doubtful and at home I thought - what the hell! I'll keep it!

I mean, it even has a tassel for heaven's sake!

The hat is made by Linda in Ansa and the bangs are fake, re-coloured from platinum and thus useable for me again. I had to give the ends of my hair some fresh tint too as they are so bleached they started loosing colour and going matte. We only had to colour half of the hair however, as it is growing out in the "right" colour.
(My hairdresser is an old friend of mine, Josefin, and she works at Prof downtown, in case someone's interested or want to pay her a visit or so.)
The sateen outfit is Vivien of Holloway.

THE JAFFAS

Some years ago I mentioned the Jaffa posters here on this blog; soda advertisements from the late fifties and early sixties that made the billboards again in a retro campaign a few years back. I've always wanted these posters and for some reason I kept on wondering how to get them until it last summer struck me - what the hell is wrong with me? Few things are ever further than a google away!
(Yes, really, sometime I am so old school I actually forget about the internet and think I have to find stuff in real life.)

A few minutes later two of the Jaffas where on their way home to me.

The posters are made by Erik Bruun, one of my favorite Finnish graphic designers (I really love this one too for example :). They can be ordered from his shop.

PREPARATIONS

I'm at work in Siberian weather loaing like hell until midnight, but yesterday and this morning I prepared a lot of things and put ourselves in the Christmas mood!

With a martini and some Sinatra we decorated our small Christmas tree last night.

It's actually the first Christmas tree I've had since I moved away from home a decade ago!

I usually pack a lot of my gifts in old newspapers - saving money, saving nature. Normally I go for the daily papers I've read at home, but this time I picked up some free chinese magazines in my local supermarket (apparently Tapiola is full of Chinese readers?). I make the cards out of lace-like cake paper or left over gift paper from last year.

If you have no idea of what gifts to give, a pretty bowl (from the flea market/super market/fancy store, however you like it) filled with fresh fruit would at least be appreciated by me.

I baked heaps of gingerbreads! Spelt gingerbreads with a hint of orange and another set with almonds.

Eddi wasn't totally happy with being dressed in my apron, having to mix the other dough. But he did enjoy eating it later on.

Saved some for ourselves, while the rest is meant to be decorated and given away.

The decorated ones turned out surprisingly ugly though. For a while I considered saying it was Eddi's kids who baked them. Disappointment. But well, I'm good at a lot of other things! And they do taste good.

I also gave myself a little Christmas present!I had already give up on receiving these before the holidays, but then the delivery boy arrived only minutes before I was on my way to work. Ave Maria was playing in hte background when I opened the parcel. It was a very beautiful moment.

And very beautiful shoes!It is however minus 20 C outside so I won't be wearing these beauties for some time. Well, except for indoors.

Bonus cat-in-the-box!

How are your Holiday preparations coming along?

Ok, Edit : it's almost minus thirty, not 'just' twenty.

PICTURES FROM HOOCHIE MAMA JANE

I took some pics over to HMJ when I was Christmas shopping there last week. The tiny store is filled with pretty jewellery (check out the Christmas calendar on Facebook!), and as you know I bought both myself and others some.

I'm still dreaming about one of the deco earrings, only I am not sure which pair to choose - I love the big and blingy ones, but I am no longer used to wear heavy earrings and I feel they make my ears "hang". But like they saying goes in Swedish "vill man vara fin, får man lida pin". The are selling out fast though so I'd better make up my mind!

(If you are in the neighborhood I also recommend a trip to Ansa!)

WHEN JUST AT HOME pt.1

Every now and then, quite often actually, I get the question weather I always dress up, what I wear when hanging around the house, do I ever wear jeans and sneakers (no, but I quite often go to work like this) , do I " always look vintage" (I hope nobody gets offended but that question amuses me a bit, as you know, I do not aim to look like anything except than just good although my inspiration may come from the old days) and so on.


It of course really depends on the day and my schedule, but if I'm not going anywhere in particular I naturally choose not to wear the most delicate clothes but go for those more durable and, most of all, comfortable pieces in my closet. I prefer those kinds of items that can easily go from leisurly dressed into being dressed. In winter for example, my vintage knitted skirt that stretches in the waist.

Here is a new favorite of mine; the black soft Vivien-dress made by my friend Olivia Rouge:
Comfy as a night gown, but easily dressed up with some lipstick and heels! (note that I asked to have mine made a bit longer, the model on this dress is shorter in the shop)


And also, note that Olivias shop can be viewed in English nowadays and she also ships worldwide without you needing to write some extra emails, just click and buy!

TIME TO TAKE OUT THE WINTER BOOTS AGAIN

And so I have; taken them out and in to use. Although it still is pretty warm* and wet over here; I wouldn't have had to quite yet.

*)=That of course depends on what you compare it with. Warm as in plus degrees yes, but the weather is still totally, like we say over here, from the arse.

I got these boots last year as I needed shoes for winter and thought they were pretty ok, although a bit 'trendy' for my taste due to the extra zipper on the side without any use. However, they turned out to be super comfy, kept warmth surprisingly well considering they are made out man made materials only, they fitted an extra pair of socks and still made my feet look super tiny and they did not let any water in when it was soggy and wet. Nor did I really think of that zipper either. So, it was a smart buy, I wore them a lot and I almost worn them out. That's why I was smart at the end of last winter and bought myself another pair! So far I'm still wearing the old ones, and saving the extra pair for later.

Anyway, I have received lots of questions from people elsewhere about the boots and where to find such; mine are from Din Sko, a shoe chain here in Scandinavia with rather cheap shoes, often considered to be of rather low quality. (Funny thing is, the shoes I've worn most for daily use and have lasted a long time have been form Din Sko...). The company makes new collections every season so I'm afraid they do not carry these shoes any longer (although they seem to have an uglier version available).

But, perhaps this will interest some of you; I spotted a smiliar kind of skiing-inspired boot on ModCloth; the Bowery Boot!



Oh, a little PS. still concerning shopping : Shabby Apple is offering the readers of The Freelancer's Fashion Blog a 10% discount for thirty days; Monday November 15th to December 15th! Shabby Apple has lots of lovely dresses, jewelry and other accessories. The code is freelance5810 and the shop can be found at shabbyapple.com.

THE VIVIEN OF HOLLOWAY DISCOUNT CODE

I got an email form Vivien of Holloway apologizing that there has been problems with the discount code I wrote about earlier!

It should however work fine now, but if problems occur please let them know at marketing@vivienofholloway.com

The code is VOH_F4shionF4b

ONE ABSOLUTE FAVORITE AMONG MANY

I seldom have the time to take any outfit photos of myself when going out (you know as in out-out, to a show, venue, party or so) mostly because I am always a bit late and also as my going out nowadays almost every time includes me performing somewhere.(Which means that I leave the house for the stage check in rollers and comfortable wear and do the dress up backstage at the venue.)

But, sometimes I do manage to get a pic taken - here's me in one of my favorite going-out outfits; a curve-hugging halter neck pencil dress with matching bolero from Vivien of Holloway.

I think it also works for more formal occasion, business meetings, lunches and such, as long as you keep the bolero on. You may remember that I have the same combo in red with white dots too, as well as a sateen sarong combo.

Well anyway, to the point; as you know Vivien of Holloway is one of my favorite brands, and the people there are really nice and helpful - now we've worked out this little thing togehter that should please all of you lovely readers:
You get a 10% discount when shopping online on www.vivienofholloway.com until the end of this year!


Use the code: VOH_F4shionF4b to get the discount.
The code can be used once and is valid until December 31st.

OH JUST FCK IT!

Seems that I around autumn get this urge to rationalize my wardrobe, get a few pieces that goes with everything and at any place while I want to get rid of all that that has no absolute meaning or serve any specific purpose in my wardrobe. (Yeah, good luck). Sitting here at work writing down what I would need and what needs to go or be replaced in smarter way (read: how can I justify getting these certain things) on small post-it's here in between the ships, while also browsing those dangerous sites I keep on visiting although I should know better it struck me: who am I kidding?
I do this every year.
My wardrobe is still not that much more functional than it was last year and will never be perfect (although it is very nice).

I mean how could I possibly claim that the Trashy Diva leopard mid season jacket I just ordered serves any important function to me living in a country when such jackets can be worn about four months a year divided in two month-periods? When I already have as many mid-season jackets as there are weeks per mid season (sort of)? That I had any important reason to buy it? Time to admit: I may get annoyed on the fact that it is considered normal to just buy buy and buy for the fun of it,to get something new every month (or week!), regardless weather it is vintage or brand new (I'm not thinking in terms of ecology or such, but in material). But I do it myself. A lot. Hehe.

So cut the crap, I need a pinafore skirt.

In green I think; the only question is: pencil or A-line?
Vivien of Holloway or Nudeedudee?

♥ PLAYFUL PROMISES COMING UP ♥

I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with Playful Promises already?
If not, then hurry up and give them a look; I'm sure you will like it:


Playful Promises is a London designed brand with a range of playful and flirty lingerie, swimwear and gifting in delicious colours and shapes with cute packing - I love the candy pants for example!

Playful Promises was created in 2004 and can be found in stores around the world as well as in their own shop in East London and of cores online: www.playfulpromises.com

Here's a little sneak peek of what's to come later this fall:


So, now I'm of course more than pleased to be able to offer one of you the chance to win a Playful Promises' Please Me Please set!

The winner can choose between a bra or a basque, and a brief or a thong. The sizing goes from XS-XL and 32A-26DD.

How to enter?
Visit the Playful Promises site and leave me a comment telling me what your favorite Playful Promises product is! Make sure your blogger profile is available/blog link working, or if you do not have a blog or site, remember to leave me your email in the comment so I can reach you afterwards. One only comment per person!

You may get another entry if blog or tweet (or post on a forum) and link to the give-away. Leave me another comment telling me you've done so, linking to your post in question.

The give-away ends in one week, September 28th! I will draw the winner randomly the nest day.

Last but not least, you also have the chance to shop at Playful Promises with a discount of 20% until then!
Use the code fashion.

Good luck and playful shopping ♥