Cloaked in winter

Winter walk outfit from the other day, accompanied by crackling veins, levitating hair and -20°C.

Had my villainess boots, winter cloak and at least five layers of tights on, 

not to mention the amount of scarves and other layers beneath the cloak!

Winter makes all northeners wizards in the craft of layering.

hoodie Ovate / cloak and all other clothes thrifted, from charity & second hand shops / boots eBay / bag vintage

I've been busy again, rearranging things in life mostly. I carried a huge amount of robes, books and home decor to the local flea market yesterday, and will likely list some things on eBay too in the near future. I'm on a steadfast saving quest at the moment, as my camera is breaking down and the laptop I'm using has half of its circuits in the grave. The downright otherworldly noises it creates make me a little fearful for the future of my blogging, haha! It's a wonder how all gadgets break down at the exact same time, as if they had a secret electronic conspiracy to get their host in trouble at the worst of times. But otherwise I'm in a good mood, working on a few small projects that I can't wait to show you! ♥

21: Ouija dress

Weary traveller here, hello! I've had such busy days again, phew. Now I finally arrived to my childhood home to spend Yuletide with the family, but I decided to snap a few pics on this dress before going to bed. I got it as a payment for doing some modelling hours for Evil Clothing a while ago. I'm especially fond of the longer hem and the detail between shoulder blades.

This garment feels more special to me, because I happened to design the fabric! (The dress itself is designed by Jenni Salmela) I've made some other fabric designs for the company as well, but somehow I feel a little shy about typing any work related stuff here, although I really love doing them! Find some moths, occult tones and Cheshire Cats, and you just might find my sketches behind the lines. :)

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!

Well I solemnly swore that I would never wear beige, but crazy spandex (another thing I thought I wouldn't wear) does tricks to your mind. Especially when it's covered in an irresistible map print! 

I immediately knew I had to get my hands on this piece from Black Milk Clothing's Harry Potter-collection and snapped mine the very minute it was released.  Mischief managed! I wished to snap a few other things too but I'm trying hard not to buy too many new things these days, with a few exceptions like this of course. Although the fabric choice isn't fully "me", I feel spellbound by this mini dress!

(I look so haughty in this pic that I scare myself a little!)

So guess what's my plan for tomorrow and the days to come? That's right, HP all the way. I watched them all not three weeks ago (!) when I was visiting my parents but hey, sometimes a little too much of Hogwarts isn't still enough. 

(I'm still waiting for my owl to arrive.)

Wednesday

This Wednesday proved out to be a pretty good one! Lots of plans and secret crafts and some roller derby goodness to sweeten (and sweaten) the last hours of the day. Here's what I wore today (yet again the shoes were different for outside walks, damn you Finland). I enjoyed this outfit surprisingly much, it's girly feel was something I'm not quite used to, and also because it reminded me of one of my all-time favourite girls, one that I can always relate to. Not too hard to guess who, but you can find the answer by scrolling to the end of this page. ;)

The dress is a combination of a thrifted collar and a black dress I got with a H&M gift card. My fingers have been buzzing to create this project for months! I just couldn't find the suitable dress before. The sweet round peter pan collars weren't my cup of tea as much as these sharp ones. The pointy collar makes the outfit feel a tad more mischievous, but the spiked shoes might have something to do with that as well. I fished them from eBay a while ago, somehow Jeffrey Campbell shoes usually remind me of dinosaurs! These are my first ones and I might name them after stegosauruses because of those spikes. :> Sadly they're a tiny bit too large for me so I'll probably have to let them go and try to hunt down smaller ones.

And I just had to add these gifs here! (All found from tumblr.)

And the best one!

"Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?":

Hehee, I love it! 

I think I might watch some Addams Family with a cup of steaming tea now, 

hope you have a great night!

Secretary dress + Miss Windy Shop giveaway!

*sponsored post*

I received a mysterious pink package in the colour of sweet cotton candy, but the contents of the wrappings were even sweeter. This stunning Secretary dress by Bettie Page Clothing was a gift from Miss Windy Shop, thank you so much! ♥  I find the dress quite dreamy, it hugs the figure and emphasizes the waist just the way I like it. I've been looking for a new black dress, simple but with a certain twist, to match everyday challenges and my style, and this one filled the gap wonderfully. The dress lies more in the vintage realm but it's easy to goth it up, depending on the way I choose to accessorize it. 

The dress makes me want to click away on an old typing machine, paint my nails in slow motion and wear cat eye spectacles just for the fun of it. Too bad I don't have those!

And here's a little treat for you lovelies! Miss Windy Shop is a fairly new Finnish web shop that specializes on feminine pin-up gear for all shapes and sizes, and Miss Windy wished to arrange a giveaway for my readers. So here's how it goes!:

♥. The giveaway is open for all my readers, also international ones! You don't necessarily need to be my follower through Blogger to participate, although I'd appreciate that since you're obviously reading this. ;)
♥. You can enter the giveaway by leaving me a comment in this post. Simple as that! Just remember to add your email address so that I can get in touch with you!
♥. Last time I held a giveaway I asked for your favourite quotations, but now I'd love to hear what's your favourite love song, if you have one. This part isn't mandatory, I'm just being curious.
♥. You've got exactly one week to participate before Lady Luck draws the winner. The giveaway ends on 29.1.2013, be sure to participate before that!

And you all must be wondering what the shining prize is? 

A gift card to the shop, value of 60€! There's also some discounts going on in the shop, only today.

Little Black Riding Hood

Some wintry outfit snaps from a snowy walk, featuring my new winter shield. I was wearing the fluffiest thing in my wardrobe for the very first time, Solveig coat by Tiia Vanhatapio. It's a special Christmas gift found by me and sponsored by my folks. I've been craving for a soft, hooded mantel for so long and then this one popped right before my eyes, an extinct creature from an older collection of one of my favourite designers. Lucky me!

winter coat ~ Tiia Vanhatapio (second hand) /  leggings ~ Actual Pain / boots ~ eBay / gloves ~ second hand / bag ~ Lindex

The massive hood offers a soft sanctuary from the cold winds and cold glares. The voluminous texture and dark purple lining (which you can't see here) give it an ounce of drama and most importantly, it's warm. And it makes me look a bit like I've escaped from the pages of Where the Wild Things Are or some other fairytale, so that's a wild bonus. Looking like a monster without being one sounds like a good plan.

Q&A! Part Two

(FINALLY! Took me long enough :-D)

BEAUTY

Q: Where do you get your inspiration for make-up and paintings?
Everywhere! Poems, fairytales, nature, science, stylish details, whatever moves my inspiration. Paintings are mostly originated from dreams and ideas that flash into my head, sometimes I've subconsciously used images I've already seen. Like inspiration always, they're just a reflection of things I've encountered, felt and admired.

Q: Did getting your septum pierced hurt much?
Not much, but the pinch hit the nerve and made my eyes teary.

Q: Would you like to reveal your future tattoo ideas?
Nope, they're something I keep as a secret until they come to life. 

Q: Does you boyfriend have tattoos/does he like yours?
No he doesn't have, he planned on getting some when he was younger but now he's glad he didn't. He likes tattoos a lot though, and of course he likes mine. But I wouldn't count his opinion if he didn't, it's my body and skin after all. :)




Q: Have you thought about getting more tattoos or piercings? What are your favorites from the ones you have? 
Piercings- I doubt it, but I'm going to get a lot more tattoos. I'm going to be a picture book when I'm all grown up! I've always loved tattoos, I found them fascinating in my early years and now that I can have them, I'm unlikely going to stop. I don't want a fully tattooed body, but it's going to be pretty heavily tattooed. I wish I had a regular job so that I could get them all the time, heehee.

My favourite piercing is septum, and I love all of my tattoos. But the little hidden birdie in the victorian lady's portrait is somehow special. Too cute!


Q: Do you have any more tattoos which you didn't show on your blog?
No, I have only these eleven ones at the time.


Q: Do you ever feel insecure about your body? Are there some things you'd like to change?
I guess sometimes we all have felt a bit insecure about our bodies, but my love always stops me before I start ranting and I love him for doing that. Women are way too obsessed about their looks, weight and so called flaws! It's crazy! In all that it's too easy to forget how unique and beautiful we all are. The modern ideal of how a woman should look like is altogether sick, body types are so different and we should embrace that. Health and happiness are always the most important things.

I love my body and wouldn't change anything in myself, now matter how low I might sometimes feel when my huge derby thighs don't fit into some pants. But hey, I don't even use pants! And the other side of the coin is that they're muscular and strong, so that's what I focus on. The "flaws" usually become funny and beloved details when you truly accept them. Like my tooth gap. ^.^


Q: What make-up base do you use?
Everyday Minerals/Lily Lolo mineral powders or Missha Perfect Cover BB cream+powder combo.

Q: What brand of eyelashes do you wear?
Whatever I get on my hands, but I prefer Red Cherry, Ardell and StarGazer lashes.

Q: What is your view on make-up, where's the line of having too much make-up on?
When you feel like you're carrying too much on your face and don't feel good about your reflection. The line is defined with each person themselves. :) I think dark eyes and dark lipstick go well together, though many experts disagree!

Q: Do you believe that natural beauty is THE thing?
The so called natural beauty is a paradox. I don't see that shock colours and dramatic make-up are any more superficial or fake than the stuff that "natural looking" people put on themselves. It's the same amount of hair dyes and make-up, the colours are just different. A natural looking beauty can carry much more artificiality on her than a dramatic looking one, ranging from all kinds of extensions to fake tan and plastic surgery.

It's completely another thing to look beautiful without any make-up or other chemicals, I do highly appreciate a natural beauty like that! One of my best friends doesn't wear any make-up and she is gorgeous. But I feel all women are entitled to do whatever makes them feel pretty, make up is a great way to express creativity. :)


Q: How long does it take to do your daily make-up?
About 10-15 minutes.

Q: What's your favorite beauty product?
I couldn't decide on just one, so I made a top 10 post about this! *Here*.

Q: Do you wear make-up at the graveyard?
I don't work there anymore, but I used just a hint of mascara and fixed eyebrows, sometimes liner. The dead sure didn't mind if I didn't look all fixed up. :>

Q: Is your skin naturally that pale? Do you know any treatments that can make skin more pale if it has been tanned or sun damaged?
Yes, my skin is naturally very pale. There's a lot of pallor treatment cosmetics in Asia, including BB creams, and I've heard that products that contain arbutin make your skin lighter..? Sorry, can't help more specifically since I don't have the experience.

Q: Could you put up some eye makeup tutorials please because your eye makeup is always totally perfect and I'd love to see how you manage it so nicely!
I believe the most efficient way to learn is to try and not to lean too much on tutorials. :) I could consider it, but I'm seriously not a great teacher nor a make-up guru, and there's already tons of tutorials out there. I just mix and paint my face the way I like and I recommend that!

Q: What would you do if you were walking outside and the wind started to tear your false lashes away?
At first I'd laugh at myself heartily. :D And rip them off and glue them back on when I'd get wherever I'm going. This has actually never happened!

STYLE

Q: Have you always dressed in black?
The first time I really started wearing black was before junior high school, I was about 11 years old and a tiny metalhead. After that I made some punk rock experiments and before high school I went back to black. And at once I felt like I was at home again.

Q: The biggest style mistake you have ever made? 
I don't see things as mistakes, there's just been some wild experiments. I have no regrets! 

Q: Do you shop for clothes online? If so, what are your favorite online stores? 
Ebay and Etsy, great second hand and vintage finds. Those are my favorite sites!

Q: What kind of styles do you find aesthetic?
Many kinds, but usually the best ones are dark and creative. Different subcultures, high fashion, futuristic spices.. I'm into a lot of different styles! It's great to see when the style melts perfectly on the person.

Q: Don't you ever get sick of wearing black?
Nope.




Q: I'd like to know when did you become gothic (is there a story behind you'd like to tell us?)
I've been inclined on the darker and more mysterious side of life ever since I was a child, but I wasn't "gothic" music and style wise before the age of 15-16. I did wear black when I was much younger, but I was more of a metalhead then. But I've always enjoyed stories of vampires, ghosts and the unknown, so it was natural for me to develop into the person I am today.

Q: Sometimes you wear military clothes with a sexy twist. Where did you get those?
Most of those are from flea-market, DIY or Lip Service (second hand) and the ones from Futurstate I bought from some goth store in Paris. But you can get those from Futurstate's website and ebay too. :)

Q: Which size of Lip Service do you wear? Bottom and top.
S-M, usually M. It depends on the collection.


Q: What are your safety clothes when you'd just like to stay and sleep but you'll have to go to some appointment?
A simple, comfy black dress, great shoes, red lipstick, possibly a little black beret and a trench coat. Fast, simple and even remotely chic.

Q: Did you had/have a fashion icon growing up/now or an icon that you admired so much?
I don't think I've ever had a fashion icon, not anyone I'd follow at least. Does Darth Vader count? ;) He does wear black! I really enjoy the work of some talented people and I deeply admire their special qualities, but I don't have idols.


Q: How do people react on the way you look? Do people approach you easily?
There are so many different reactions. Grannies and kids are usually the best ones, grannies give lovely compliments especially on vintage looks and kids like to smile and stare (or they look horrified, mwahaha). The worst commentators are usually drunkards, junkies, teenagers that move in packs and some stuck-up middle-aged housewives who don't even try to hide their fear or disgust. I just smile at them to make them feel uncomfortable about their shallow prejudices. :) It's weird to get strong feedback because I don't feel that I look so different, and I try to be as kind to people as possible.

Q: What kind of outfit would you never wear, at any price?
Genuine fur coat+Jump-in overall+ugly middle-aged lady's shoes with a kitten heel and a blunt tip or Crocs. Oh the horrorrr.

Q: What will you do if you get tanned? Could you go on a holiday in Spain?
I dreamed of this question one night! I was SUPER tanned in the dream and I thought I would scream my lungs out, but I just woke up giggling. So I'd really just take it calmly, it's not the end of the world. But I don't tan easily so I'd have to lie on the beach for a week to get some bronze on my complexion.

And I'd LOVE to go to Spain, anytime! As long as it would be a cultural trip, not some lame beach holiday.

Q: Would you dress up as dramatically if you were "uglier"? Or if black colour wouldn't suit you?
Why on earth wouldn't I..? It doesn't matter what other people think, and all people have some pretty features!

FOOD

Q: Are you a vegetarian/vegan? I'd like to hear your opinions about vegetarianism and mass production.

I could write a novel of this matter, but I'm just trying to sum it all easily up here. So, YES,  I've been a veggie for over 10 years now. I emphasize on a vegan diet but I'm not a strict vegan, although I'm aiming for that. I own some leather shoes but prefer to buy them second hand. At home I make only vegan dishes and bake vegan delicacies, but at restaurants and friends' homes I easily bend to lacto vegetarian choices if I'm super hungry and there's no vegan options available.

For me vegetarianism is the only way of life that feels natural to me, I do not wish to add any more pain to this world through my actions. I am a veggie for the sake of my own mental and physical health, for ethical reasons and for the environment. Carnivorism and mass production are one of the top reasons for why this planet is crumbling down and that's a harsh fact. I don't see the difference between humans and animals and I feel that we're equally valuable. If anything, we should take responsibility for the well-being of all animals.

BUT these things are not all black and white, like both sides seem to think. Like Jonathan Safran Foer said; "I’m not better than anyone, and I’m not trying to convince people to live by my standards of what’s right. I’m trying to convince them to live by their own." Every person has their own way, and I believe everyone can make a difference! I have friends, such as my other half, who eat fish and occasionally meat too and are still strongly against fur and animal cruelty and sign petitions. It helps the animals if everyone does something. I may be an idealist on this, but I strongly believe everyone can do their part to give a better life to animals on this globe. They deserve it.

Wow, this turned out to be a mini novel after all, sorry and congrats if you read it all.

Peace ♥

Q: What kind of breakfast do you usually have?
Something like this, with different variations!: Blueberry/soy milk/maca root powder/hemp protein/coconut oil smoothie, coffee or green tea and sometimes oatmeal, fruit or bread. And even potato chips, haha. But I never eat when I get out of bed, just an hour or three later. That's why my breakfast usually consists of liquids.

Q:Your favorite food?

 At the moment everything with tofu, ginger, mushrooms, coconut milk and chili. But I guess my favorite dish is a green curry thai veggie wok with air-dried noodles, since I cook it almost every week. Thai food and oriental food in general is so goood I could die while eating it.

Q: Do you have good vegan recipes? What do you put on top of bread?
My favorite stuff on bread is an olive oil and avocado mixed paste + ruccola, basil, cucumber, black pepper and a pinch of good quality salt. Yummmmy! I have loads of simple and delicious vegan recipes in stock but I'm not sure if I'm going to post them here, after all this isn't a food blog. And I'm not such a great cook,  I usually just circle the same recipes around.


Q: What coffee/tea do you normally buy?
My love buys our coffee and I'm responsible for tea. I usually buy loads of different flavours from the Ounce, a little tea shop in Helsinki. My favorites are flavours "Romeo and Juliet" (green tea with rosebuds, too delicious) and "Alice in Wonderland" (green tea with strawberries and pink chocolate flakes). I love green tea and drink it on a daily basis!



Q: Your favorite wine?
Mmmm, I love red wine too and almost anything goes! But Douce Nature, Cycles Gladiatoire and Fairhills have stuck on my mind, all red and organic. If I'm running low on money, then I usually go with Gato Negro or El Tesoro, it depends.

Q: Give us an example of what you eat during a day?
Here's yesterday's consumption, pret-ty basic stuff:

• a huge cup of green  tea, vitamin pills (B12, D), smoothie (soy milk/soy yogurt/blueberries/maca powder/hemp protein/raw chocolate powder/coconut oil), coffee.
•  2 plates (lunch&dinner) of couscous, soy patties, salad (salad leaves, avocado, hemp seeds, cucumber, tomato) and olive oil. Lots of it!
• chia seed jello, almonds, and potato chips. :D Usually I eat a lot of fruit but not yesterday, it seems.
• during the day I drink tea, coffee, tea, tea and lots of water.