The quest for silk

11/05/2016
Style
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I love finding treasures at second hand and vintage shops. Lately I've even found garments even though some of the best finds I've found while looking for something completely different. I've also stumbled upon a garment that I didn't know I needed until recently, the silk knit top. I found one not long ago that I've used a lot and now I'm always on the lookout for them. Why do I love this 90's business woman wardrobe staple you might wonder? They're so comfortable and you can wear them all year round. You also get all the benefits of silk but don't have to worry about ironing as much, compared to let's say a blouse from woven silk. My silk knit top count is now up to four. I almost didn't buy the most recent one. The fit was perfect but it was in this beige colour I felt wouldn't work on me. So I decided to dye it purple! The starting point, a very soft but very beige silk knit top. At first I thought I'd try to get an even purple colour but in the end I went with tie dye. I just love the randomness and the patterns you can get…

Beige Suede

16/09/2015
Style
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I found this cute bag at a second hand shop a while back in Vaasa. I immediately liked the size, materials and the details but me and beige? I have not been a big fan of the colour since that beige and navy phase I had ca 1999. The length of the strap also bothered me, I'm very picky about that sort of thing, occupational hazard i guess.In the end I asked myself the fundamental question, as pretty as this bag is, will I actually use it? The answer was yes, if I shorten the straps to handles and use the bag more as briefcase. This was quit easy as the straps were removable. Straps attached with buckles are quit brilliant thing!

Antiques Fantastique

08/09/2015
Inspiration
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I'm very proud of myself I have to admit. I've managed to do something that's been on my summer to-do list for years now, to visit antique and vintage markets outside Helsinki. Luckily for me I have friend who was willing not not only to join me but also give me a ride! Billnäs was our first stop before heading to Fiskars and boy was I pleasantly surprised! There was such wide selection of products and this was just outside the main event. As lover of glass in all forms and colours this event was really a feast for the eye. I saw a lot of beautiful things I wanted to own but when I really thought about it I didn't really need or have space for any of it. The only thing I wished I'd been able to buy was the antique rings I found at one stand. I have no picture of them 'cause I was too busy drooling over them that I forgot I had my camera with me Though I came home empty handed I hope to make a visit to these markets a yearly tradition. There are so many interesting products and I really get inspired. It's like going…

In florals we trust

22/07/2015
Style
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Ever since I bought THAT red coat last year, I've been re-examining which coat shapes work for me and dared to try on silhouettes that I before might have considered to be too oversized for my body shape. When I was in Vaasa over midsummer I was doing my usual second hand round when I stumbled on this floral print. I loved the print straight away and wanted to buy the garment but I couldn't figure out if it was a coat or a dress so I ended up deciding that it was probably some grandmother's pyjamas from perhaps the 70's. I hesitated for a moment to try it on since it was size XL which meant there was a lot of fabric and the scale of the print magnified that. But you know me, I'm a sucker for prints (especially florals) so I had to buy it. I figured I'd change and decrease the amount of buttons, add a belt and wear this floral tent as a coat. I can honestly say that this is one of the best purchases this year! Though it's oversize it's well proportioned and the big pockets (that you can barely see because of the…

Lucky finds

04/06/2015
Style
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A few weeks ago I hit the jackpot at a local second hand store and actually went home with a few garments. It's very rare that I find several pieces at the same place at the same time! I was a bit surprised to find this barely used Nanso t-shirt . Nanso is one of few companies that still manufacture some of their products in Finland. These mom jeans will be cut into shorts, possibly dyed and printed as well. We'll see. . . I only wear skirts during the summer and the last time I bought one was probably in the late 90's (yes I'm that old!) But I love florals and the colours of the print intrigued me so much I had to at least try it on. It fit perfectly so I bought it. Even though I've lived in Helsinki for almost 5 years I still feel I haven't found the best second hand and vintage stores in the city. I know they exist, I just haven't discovered them yet. So, if you guys have any tips, let me know!