Helbf14 outfit

Hello there, I've been lost in time and space for a while. Here's a look from last weekend's Helsinki burlesque festival, brought to you by my camera phone, so the quality is what it is. The theme for this year's festivities was Tropical Tornado, not the easiest theme when you glance at my wardrobe's oh-so colorful view, so imagination had to try some little magic tricks here and there! But venomous insects and black velvet nights are very tropical, right? 

(the spider in the hat is a gift from Bodyjewelleryshop, other things are old second hand purchases and DIY.)

I didn't have a photo pass for the festival and there's only so much a phone can do, so instead of photographing I concentrated wholeheartedly on enjoying the brilliant shows and working. We had a part in taking care of VIP lounges with my friend, felt so nice to help even a little. I wish I could come up with something else than simple words like "amazing" or "awesome" to portray the stage numbers, but you'd have to see them for yourselves to catch the magic. Loads of respect for the performers, so much love and creativity had been poured into those acts and it showed.

Each year the festival gets bigger, but still somehow succeeds in maintaining a warm atmosphere. Madly imaginative costumes and beautiful, beautiful people. I can't even begin to think how many exotic hair flowers were on the venue this year, but I sure thought about counting them at one point! So glad for meeting some of my readers there, I hope to see you there next year as well! ♥

Birthday outfit

Spike jacket ~ second hand + DIY  / dress ~ second hand (COS) /bag & gloves ~ vintage

shoes ~ Minna Parikka / earrings ~ Fashionology

I'm so happy about last night! So relaxing to just to share the day with my beloved, without any fancy plans or schedules; just talking, watching movies and having a few drinks. We went out for a walk and some Chinese food before the sky went dark, and took these pics in front of an eerie old house near our place. It's quickly starting to get really cold outside, so it's almost the last call for pretty peeptoe heels before the ground gets swallowed up by frost. As much as I'd love to continue the high heeled season, I'm not complaining. I enjoy the chill, makes me feel more alive somehow.

PS. My love got us flight tickets to Berlin for my birthday present! It was a mutual plan though so I knew about it in advance. ;) So, if there are any Berlin dwellers (or other lovers of the city) among my readers that could give us some tips on where to go and what to see, I'd be really, really grateful! ♥

24

(today's face / birthday card made by my love, Frankenweenie movie was included. I love Mr.Whiskers!
today's shoe choice / one of my fav wines, also a gift)

I was born exactly 24 years ago in the middle of the night and a starry sky of the deepest black, I've been told. Another year has passed and I must admit that I've grown a lot during this one.  I wonder what this new age will bring on my way. Mostly positive things, I hope!

I love parties in general but prefer to spend my own birthdays in quiet, accompanied only by my love, some movies and red wine. I've had the most wonderful day and it seems it'll continue the same way, next stop is Sleepy Hollow! 

PS.Happy World Animal Day to all animal lovers! ♥

Japanese Whispers

Some moments are like special glimpses of life with surreal undertones, little sequences that afterwards feel more like a beautiful dream.

I'd like to share one of those moments from this summer with you, a picnic with two wonderful, always inspiring ladies that I'm proud to call my friends. The photos are phone quality as I didn't carry my camera with me, but they open a portal to the evening nonetheless. I had no idea about a Japanese garden in Helsinki, but I'm glad I had the chance to experience it, and in such an elaborate way!

♥

Special thanks go to Laura, if I only had known what kind of a prop she took with her I would've definitely put some more effort on my looks and wrapped myself inside a kimono. Just look at those treasures she brought with her; black silken lamps, cherry blossom embroidered blankets, black sushi, paper plates, everything! Even the precious visiting dogs fit the atmosphere somehow.

Here's my outfit for the evening, no oriental vibes there but I'll fix that for the next time. Which I sincerely hope will come someday!

Diamonds are a girl's best friend

I've never desired real diamonds, with their sparkling cuts and heavy prices that are often paid with blood. But the music of King Diamond is another kind of diamond. I saw the godfather of spook stories and metal tales last weekend at Tuska metal festival. For some reason I hadn't attended it before although I've grown roots in the metal scene since I was a little girl, so it was about time to fix that!

source

King Diamond is a fairly new thing for me, as I was introduced to his music through my love's record collection. At first I chuckled at his rather unique voice, but the amusement grew quickly into amazement. Long live the King! The show was better than we expected, it was a true pleasure to see the old rocker perform so purely and full of heart! He kept the stage's ghost theater alive with his grimaces and flawless sounds, and we didn't even mind that he didn't play our favourite songs.

Otherwise Tuska was full of sunlight (to the joy or agony of all black-clad citizens), cold, over prized beer and the biggest pit I've seen in a while. King Diamond was the only act that I went there for, but I also checked out Testament, Kreator, Dark Buddha Rising, Ihsahn and some other bands I've seen before. Good times, fellas! 

Masquerade

Some parties rock, but some parties rococo. 

I believe some of you might remember my old dream to take part in a masquerade, and now I finally have! These photos (mine and others' alike, please don't steal them) tell a story of a sunny Saturday and the night that followed. A pastel-hued dimension that took its place a little over a week ago.

Sweet and beautiful Ida was our birthday lady, our queen (or khaleesi) and the sole ruler of the night. ♥

Find the ghost from the pic ♥

Blogging mollies! From the left: Leena, me, Lady Satin and Sasetar

-"You fight like a dairy farmer!"
-"How appropriate. You fight like a cow."

"A SCANDAL!"

Chandeliers cast our shadows on the walls and excited chatter filled the rooms as people made their acquaintances. With bows and curtseys, naturally. I love parties with new faces, and it made it all even better to see how much people had put effort in their costumes! Gorgeous lords and ladies filled the damask-covered rooms. Besides the delicacies, the historical drama and the nearly civilized drinking, there was also some extra nice entertainment involved. 

A duel of swords and wits à la Monkey Island! Treasure hunting! Burlesque show by Lunar Madness! Oriental dance of sabers! Troubadour ballads! Rococo disco! Gossips and photo shoots! And above all, such scandals that only the mansion walls can whisper of them.

I made my dress at the eleventh hour, completely from second hand ingredients. I found a ghastly 80's polyester creamy dream wedding gown with nearly legendary puff sleeves, and turned it into something that resembled a rococo dress. It was quickly made and it looked nice enough, but I was honestly surprised to hear such lovely compliments about my outfit! I even won the costume prize for Queen's Favourite, I felt so honoured! 

My noblewoman's title was Countess Morella Augusta Vladimira von Hexenvogel. 

After each glass of wine it became harder to remember that.

Thank you Laura for the pics! ♥

The day had a shakespearean charm to it, we walked and danced as if in the mists of some fae magic or a parallel universe, open for just one night. And in the strikes of the chilly morning hours the spell vanished, leaving lush memories and happy souls in its wake.

My sincere thanks and love to every lord and lady, the old friends and the new! ♥

Photo by Henry Söderlund photography. You can *click* it larger!

(photos 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 & 26 weren't taken by me. 

They're from Ida's blog (Shadow Selves), Laura Koski, Maria Maunula and Henry Söderlund.)