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Preparations for the annual Elle gala started well on time…

My favorite designer, Kristina Viirpalu, before the gala. Rock cool already.

Even cooler and rocker, when ready…

Kristina was wondering if maybe her dress would be too much for us Finns.

Carried with such dancer’s elegance – and figure! – no way, say I.

Sissi… Flaming curls for the hair, naturals for the face & nails.

After a some (red) thread & a needle, everybody was practically ready…

Photo Pipsa Lagus

Off we were, to the suites of Kämp Hotel. Time for a glass of champagne, some mood music and dance…

dresses Kristina Viirpalu

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Last minute stitch…

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At Kämp were also Pipsa Lagus (hiding behind the camera), Sirpa Kajo (Sirpa’s dress from France, necklace Miu Miu, borrowed from daughter Heli) and of course Sirkka Siiskonen. The primus motor of our adventures.

Only one pair of these dreamy stockings by Kristina were ever made. But she promised to have another pair made especially for me ♥

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I wasn’t invited to the gala, but I was invited to join the pre-gala excitement with my friends… Such lovely ladies; such a lovely time we had..
Photo: Pipsa Lagus

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Red hot Sissi.

Pipsa’s deep blue dress, adorned by golden beads and a chiffon hemline had been especially made for her. Perfect, such perfect look and fit.

And off for the evening everybody!

~*♥*~

~* Hard at work *~

Haha, I’ve been blogged! Thank you for the compliment, Northern Charm ♥

And bytheway, look at my gorgeous new objective!

I bought it especially when during one single week, I was (well, LadyBohemia was) invited to feature this fashion show by Kristina Viirpalu, the  personal wardrobe of Sari Ihatsu from Ajatar, and the exhibition opening of Anna Gav.

Such an honor all this wonderful hulabaloo has been for my little blog, that I decided to rise to the occasion, even technologywise.

We don’t know each other very well yet, my new objective and I, but he already looks very pro,

don’t you think.

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~* Lady Lumière *~

Last week, LadyBohemia got an extraordinary opportunity. To dive into the wardrobe of Sari Ihatsu, the Managing Director of Ajatar.

Sari actually presented me the most stunning jackets that she has acquired for herself during her 20 years as the head of Ajatar. And I got to choose which ones I’d photograph for LadyBohemia!

Not only is her wardrobe the most impressive I’ve ever seen, Sari was simply the loveliest, most interesting person imaginable. We had so much fun during our photoshoot… Here’s the first little look; I’ll show you all the rest as soon as  I find a moment…

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~* soft relaxed lbd *~

Lace on silk, satin bag with rose detail, feather for an earring. Comfy, easy, ready to go. Anywhere.

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~* Art beads *~

I was invited to the opening of 10-years celebration of jewellery designer Anna Gav at the art gallery 4-kuus. And I honestly don’t know which impressed me more, the sweetness of Anna or her talent. I’ve owned a black beaded necklace by her for almost ten years but wearing it will be completely different, now that I associate her loveliness to it.

Anna Gav!

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So many pieces were beautiful, but I (particularly) fell for this necklace:

and for the purse titled Swan Lake, below:

Anna’s exhibitions shall stay at Galleria 4-kuus on Uudenmaankatu 4-6 (Helsinki) till 26th October. A perfect little visit after your Sunday brunch tomorrow?

~*♥*~

This image is so perfect with the drumming of rain on the roof of our attic flat.

Photo: Samsara

I think I need a cup of warm tea. A good book. A blanket.

And that’s ALL I need in this world.

~*♥*~

~* Family *~

My day started by a little message through which one could taste the salt of tears. The father of a 10-month old baby had been deported yesterday. His girlfriend and child were given 15 minutes to say their goodbyes.

Another salty message. A dear friend had lost her stepfather last night.

A salty conversation. My sons, again, got deep and philosophical about their Pappa. It’s amazing how clearly they remember him ❤. We had a long, such good discussion. It’s getting crowded in heaven, they figured. But maybe their friend N-N’s granddad also likes fishing, maybe he’ll also have an unruly politically incorrect sense of humor, and the old men will have a great time together.

Serge just took the boys and god-daughter to the circus. This long-awaited trip prompted such vivid expressions of joy that by now the whole building knows circus is in town.

And after the circus, we’re having a sleepover by 8-year-old N-N. Kids have ordered three mattresses on the floor, side by side, and firmly decided to stay up all night. They also have dangerously fond memories of a previous sleepover after which we woke up to artwork having been drawn all over the walls…

Just before rushing out the door for the circus my youngest son stopped to ask “Maman, are you going to die and go to heaven one day too?”. A question I’ve had to answer to my sons all too often, to which there is never an answer both honest and comforting. So I opted for trying to buy time. “Yes, but not for a long longest time. I have a feeling I’ll live to be very old.” He had another concern: “If you go to heaven you can’t give me kisses anymore. I’m not gonna like that.” Oh, you can believe how my heart quenched when his 5-year-old face grew sad. “Listen, I’ll blow kisses your way all the time then. Every time you’ll feel a little wind on your cheek you’ll know it’s me.”

This, to him, was acceptable. Off to the circus then.

So, it’s a full house of tears and laughter today.

Family ❤. So many big things, so many little things.

So many little things that are the biggest of all.

A song my heart is singing today.

~*❤*~

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My black & white jewellery are handmade unique pieces by Fine van Brooklin; inspired by the 20,s flapper girls and charleston, made of Czech glass beads, silver bits and vintage pieces.

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Last summer was one of the hardest of my life – many people close to me fell very ill, got divorced, lost their families, lost their work, livelihood, self-esteem.  I tried to capture the good moments, either in pictures or in text, to show them to you here in LadyBohemia but even more importantly, to remind myself that they do exist.

This walk in one of my favorite cities in the whole world, Barcelona, was one of the happy moments that kept me going.

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Hope you enjoyed this little stroll too.

Thank you Serge, for the loveliest birthday gift ever ♥.

Thank you Eric, for the Photoshop for Dummies 🙂 .

~*♥*~

~* Tallinn by Night *~

Photo Jari Laaksonen, Very Prestige

…was dutifully explored by the d’ORO guests.

Fashion editor Nina Nuorivaara, Marika Nöjd (Tallink Silja), Sissi Siiskonen (Press & pr d’Oro), one LadyBohemia; soaked & happy.

Our night was off to a rocky start though… After the show, it was pouring rain outside. However, we decided to catch a bit of fresh air and walk to dinner… Which, as the restaurant turned out to be somewhere, far, and nobody knew exactly where, prompted a passionate debate amongst our little group over which one of us was MOST made of sugar.

My Italian soft rosa silk strappy heels gave Mikael a run for his money but this one he won. I walked, ran and hopped over paddles all the way to the restaurant, cheerfully I might add,  whereas Mikael went on full strike and only joined us after finding a taxi :).

We were offered a wonderful fusion dinner at the most sympathetic and atmospheric little restaurant called nAnO, a first ever mixture of Indian and Greek soul food I’ve tried. Sounds funny, tastes yummy. Our beautiful hostess Beatrice took such good care of us… Her husband even carried my bags to the restaurant!

I was very reasonable and sensible throughout our visit, didn’t go to the night club, didn’t go shopping with the others, got a healthy 10 hours’ sleep… Until I came across this black beauty by Kristina Viirpalu.

Well you can guess… I really, really wanted to take it home with me. But another lady had reserved it first.

I asked her what she thought… And she thought long and hard. Then, everso sweetly, she concluded that as she lives next door from Kristina’s, it’s easier for her to come across another unique piece that fits perfectly, than for me coming all the way from Finland. So she let me have the dress.

And although she laughed, there were a couple of tears in her eyes.

Wow, how impressed I’ve been by the Estonian ladies during this trip… Dear Beatrice, dear Ene, dear Kristina. Thank you for all your hospitality and kindness.

These flowers are for you ♥.

~*♥*~