Beware of Crap!
Ladies, I kid you not. This is what you’ll get if you dip your feet into crappy shoes: blisters, bruises, black toe nails and bunions. Been there, done that. Trust me, it’s not worth the trouble.
Back in the days I used to waste my money on cheap junk. It took me almost 30 years to understand that the size of my wardrobe or the number of shoes I own doesn’t necessarily make me look good. On the contrary, can you imagine how I must have looked, limping the streets in my shoes made of man-made materials!?
Please, do yourself – and your feet, for example – a favour. Join the ever so lovely and quick-witted Sugar Kane of (swim)suit issues, me and a great bunch of other style-conscious groovy cats and steer clear of crap. It’s quite simple, really. Instead of buying something small and meaningless every week, why not saving for something you have coveted for ages. My shopping list includes a pair of Minna Parikka shoes.
What’s on your list?
P.S. If you’re a Finn, you can read Sugar Kane’s inspiring post about the subject. Conscious consumerism rulez!
Sanna 23. July 2008 | Shoes | Comment [3]
Silver Bracelet vol. 2
Last week I visited my mum’s cottage in the middle of nowhere, and we decided to do a little Tour de Trinket to a tiny town nearby. Despite the fact that this town has just a handful of inhabitants, their flea markets (yes, in plural!) offer a wide selection of most wonderful things you can possibly imagine.
Instead of mindless splurging, I came home with this beautiful silver bracelet. When I found the bracelet, it was covered with a thick layer of silver oxide. It was all black and grubby, and for awhile I thought there’s no way to restore this item’s beauty. I decided to buy the bracelet though, since it cost me less than a glass of wine in my local pub.
I managed to clean the bracelet, and I must say it’s one of the most beautiful jewels I own. I found out that it was made in 1966 by a Finnish goldsmith company called Salovaara Ky, which is nowadays out of business. I have a feeling that they made similar style rings as well so I guess I should pay a visit to the local antique stores in the near future.
Sanna 22. July 2008 | Accessories | Comment [4]
Weirdest Shopping Experience - Ever
Approximately one year ago I decided to avoid fast fashion and cheap high street stores because my wardrobe and closets were full to the brim with junk. Earlier this year I finally cut back on purposeless vintage shopping as well. An important part of my shopping rehab experience was to get rid of all the useless things so during the spring I sold and auctioned off three fourths of my clothes. Finally I can proudly say I’m stuff-free!
Yesterday, at long last, I went shopping. I had with me a shopping list of truly indispensable items and money to burn. Funnily enough, I came back empty handed. I couldn’t find anything that would have made me 100% satisfied. The clothes I tried on were somehow off; they felt impersonal or they were of poor quality. Back in the days these things wouldn’t have prevented me from buying some of these items since the clou of shopping was always the event of purchase or the image or the look I was after. Suitability or quality were completely secondary issues for me. But not yesterday.
It seems my blossoming shopping addiction is finally dying back and I’m slowly beating the stuff problem. Yay! Kudos to me! Today I will travel to Helsinki to see what the capital has to offer. This time I’m ready to make the effort and I won’t be content with something less than perfect. As Madonna once put it (well, she was talking about men but it fits for clothes as well): You deserve the best in life, so if the time isn’t right then move on. Second best is never enough, you’ll do much better baby on your own.
Sanna 26. June 2008 | Shopping | Comment [4]
Second Hand Shopping in Dublin
I have received a bunch of emails from other vintage lovers about second hand shops in Dublin. If you are loaded with cash, you might want to try A Store Is Born or Eager Beaver but if you are a bargain hunter and man made material avoider like me then Dublin has unfortunately less to offer.
There are a few second hand stores in Temple Bar but the selection isn’t anyhow impressive. Some my friends living in Dublin told me thrifting and vintage is not that fashionable in Ireland than it is in other European countries. For example, I’m after good quality vintage dresses, shoes, coats and accessories. Vintage supply in Dublin on the other hand seems to be more about Levi’s jeans, Lacoste polo shirts and band t-shirts – great for those 80’s lovers out there, frustrating for us swinging 60’s fans.
Anyhoo, I’m a frequent Dublin goer and I’d love a tip or three. Would you mind whisking me a note if there indeed were some flea markets worth to visit? Your help is highly appreciated. Thanks!
Sanna 21. June 2008 | General | Comment [2]
Role Models
The ever so witty and lovely Sugar Kane of (swim)suit issues mentioned the other day that you should pay attention to your own individual features when choosing your style role models. At first I thought I don’t have particular role models at all and I was whining about this at Sugar Kane’s comment box. But on reflection I think my style is highly influenced by a certain style type.
There are a bunch of women I consider extremely interesting style-wise. These intriguing women are all fictional, they’re slightly uncanny characters and they have outstandingly strong features. They all dress in black, they have an attitude to die for and some of them even look magnificent when kicking ass and running on heels.
I might as well call these characters my style role models. May I present: Catwoman, Marla Singer, Renee Madison and Irma Vep.
Before you draw any equals between me and my style role models I must warn you that my personal style is hardly as interesting as the look of these gorgeous characters. There are some similarities, yes, but perhaps I wouldn’t be able to pull off such a full-blown edgy look. Sure it would be fantastic to be an action heroine or femme fatale but as it turns out I have a loads of work ahead of me if I ever want to get my act together.
Do you have any role models?
Sanna 5. June 2008 | Style Inspiration | Comment [2]
