Memories of a summer holiday

As soon as I started my summer holiday, we began packing the camper-van for our trip around southern Finland. Our first stop was Pori and the beautiful beach at Yyteri. The weather at the time was terrific and we were too busy enjoying it to take any photos worthy of publishing. After a couple of days we traveled on to Hankoo at the southernmost tip of Finland, where I made friends with a headless soldier.

Hankoo was really nice, there was an area with loads of old wooden villas with beautifully crafted terraces and balconies. The sunset at the camping area where we stayed was quite lovely too, and there was entertainment too! 

The next day I went thrifting in Ekenäs while Mr. Kitten rested on the beach. I found two 50's magazines, a scarf and a tablecloth for our foldable camping table. We moved on to Raseborg where we checked out the castle ruins and saw a modern version of "the Wizard of Oz" played out on an outdoor stage, featuring my younger brother in a few minor parts. Halfway through it started raining...Good thing I had my umbrella with me!

 

 

After the play we hung out at my brothers place and listened to the thunder until it stopped and we drove to a 24 h petrol station for some shut-eye. The next day we went to Hämeenlinna where we spent the weekend climbing towers and visiting the castle. Relaxing, sauna and grilling Finnish sausages on the barbeque was also part of the program.

  

Our next stop was Helsinki. We went to museums, did some sightseeing and shopping. I visited several vintage stores without buying anything, as expected the prices where a lot higher than at the flea-markets I usually buy from. My own collection of vintage tripled in value, at the least! I did however find a UFF-charity shop by accident, where I found a second hand h&m dress with a fifties feel to it. It was mine for 8 euros, also more expensive than charity shops around here. But this was Helsinki price...

A few day later we were in Porvoo. We saw the lovely old town and a Swedish lady complimented me behind my back. She thought I looked like a princess in my poufy 50's style dress and wide brimmed hat...

 

We traveled on to Kotka. Did some more relaxing and barbecuing and walked along a nature trail by the sea. The next day we went into town and saw a man-made waterfall in one of the parks. I went thrifting again and this time I found a black vintage hat and a red umbrella/parasol. 

 

Lappeenranta was next on our tour. We saw their big sand castle which turned out to be a sand circus in reality, but none the less fascinating. I did some more thrifting and found a basket for my bike and a big piece of denim fabric for 2 euros. The ladies behind the counter spoke in Russian among themselves and the border felt kind of close.

The next day we crossed it. By boat. We went on a cruise on the Saima canal, through eight locks, and arrived in Vyborg, Russia in the afternoon.

Vyborg used to be part of Finland before WWII and the castle was built before that, when Finland was part of Sweden...

 

By nightfall we were back in Finland again. The next day we set our sight homeward, and on the way, we stopped at Olavinlinna.

We also drove along one of the most famous and spectacular ice age formations in the country, Punkaharju ridge. By now the temperatures had dropped and it had been raining on and off for a couple of days,  and going home was almost starting to feel okay.

Our last night on the road was spent in Kuopio. We got home without any major mishaps, despite our 23 year old car. A few days later though, when we were gonna use the camper van again, one of the shock absorbers gave up...

Summer update

 Summer is happening and like so many others, I too am busy living and not so busy blogging. This week has been especially busy as I'm working longer hours than I normally do, so even less time for blogging! Anyway, here's an outfit I managed to photograph the other week. The capri pants used to be just normal length trousers with the belt loops lower down, but not anymore! I just love it when I'm able to make something just how I want it. These capris have had a lot of use already...

For some reason I have been working every single monday evening the past 5-6 weeks, all but one, which means I haven't been able to go the the monday car boot-sales more than once. When I did go, I found some lovely things with hearts on them. I've seen the jar many times before, but always more expensive and in worse shape. The jug has already become a flower pot and suits it purpose very well.

 

I don't know when you'll hear from me again, as my holiday starts in two days and we have great plans to travel around Finland in our camper-van. We've been thinking along the lines of going down the coast stopping at Pori, Naantali, Raseborg, Ekenäs, Hangö, Helsinki, Borgå and Lappeenranta, from where we'll take a mini-cruise to Viipuri (Russia) and then make our way back home again the inland way. Feel free to leave tips on great places to shop vintage along the way, places to see and cafe's where you'd like to have a cup of tea and talk about sewing/vintage with me while I'm passing through.

Until I have the chance to write again, Have a fantastic summer!

Love, Kitten

Grand Canaria 2011 and seven things you didn't know about me, part 5

Warning! Picture heavy post ahead! I thought I'd share some photos from our week in Grand Canaria. First photo is taken on the way to the beach, with me wearing the best thing I have ever thought to pack with me on a trip to the beach; a hat! I wore this hat every day, changing the colour of the flower on the side or swapping it for a scarf to match whatever else I was wearing. It was great at filtering out those rays of sun that always glitter at the top of my glasses and try to get in my eyes...

The beach we went to all week was the dunes of Maspalomas, which looked a lot like a mini desert. Loved it!

We also rented a car for a few days and went driving along the serpentine roads of the beautiful west coast.

 

We saw some pretty breathtaking views... 

 

The next day we were back at the dunes again.

We did some more driving around, and noted that the dunes were visible from pretty far a way.

This was apparently the grand canyon of Grand Canaria, breathtaking!

We saw Roque Nublo.

 

...And drove above the clouds!

Here I am, with a white flower in my hat, looking out at Roque Nublo from the highest point (or a few metres from it) of Grand Canaria, Pico de Las Nieves. In the far distance you can also see the highest piont of neighbour island Tenerife, Pico del Teide.

The next day we drove to Puerto Rico and went on a boat trip to spot wild dolphins, and we did!

On the way back to port I got seasick though. But it was worth it!

 

The last day we had the car we drove to Palmitos Park and this time I wore a scarf around my hat.

We saw all sorts of animals and birds and some beautiful orchids.

 And more dolphins! Although these were very well trained...

Seeing this monkey in action, especially when running, me us realize we are not so different after all...So human-like, or maybe we're the ones who are monkey-like?

We spent the last day at the beach and I made an attempt at swimming in the Atlantic ocean. It didn't go to well, the waves were really good at moving those rocks around my feet...I came back with several small cuts on my feet, I guess I should have tried swimming at a less rocky part of the beach. (The photo above is taken on a different, even rockier location.)

Skin problems and sea-sickness aside, we had a wonderful trip. It wasn't too hot and we still had great weather every day, I think I might go there again!

Continuing on the seven things you didn't know about me, here's something else;

I wanted to be a rock star when I grew up...Or an actress. Or musical artist! I'm not too bad of a singer actually, but...When I got older I realized that that kind of lifestyle wasn't for me. I like routine and stability too much, no touring or moving around and never knowing what I'll be doing after this tour is over etc. I prefer weekend trips and that sort of things and having a steady job and staying in the same place not too far away from my family. But every time I'm at a concert or see a play or musical or burlesque act, that longing to be on stage awakens, until I remember why it's not for me again...

For the record, both a cousin of mine and my brother are actors who both sing and dance, which of course makes me wonder once again if I could have made it...If they can do it you know. For now I'm sticking to dressing like a star though, hah.

What did you dream of becoming when you grow up?

Back in Finland and seven things you didn't know about me, part 4

Hello everybody! I'm back from Grand Canaria and a lovely holiday with fantastic weather every day and amazing scenery lot's of sand and lot's of sun. We had a wonderful time although I was suffering a bit from my skin problems, but you don't want to hear about those now, do you?

Since I've been back I've done nothing but trying to recover from the trip and work, work, work. Tomorrow I've got the day off but that's only cos I'm going to Vasa to get braces for my lower teeth, yey. Or not. But I try to think positively and have planned a second hand shopping route as a reward. Next week when I have more time I will go through my 600+ holiday photos and select some to publish here, until then I leave you with another fact you didn't know about me!

I have never smoked a cigarette or anything else for that matter in my whole life. Honestly, never even been tempted! I guess I've had it easy since pretty much none of my friends have smoked (much) either but that does not mean that I've never been offered. The biggest reason I've never wanted to try is that I've always disliked the smell. I love it that it's nowadays forbidden in public spaces so that I don't have to be affected by it. I also never really got the point of smoking, I mean can it possibly taste /feel good when it smells so bad? And why waste money on something that is ultimately bad for your health? You can do it if you want to, just don't stand too close to me right afterward, please...

Bulgaria + 24 hours in Istanbul

A few weeks ago Mr Kitten and I went on holiday to Sunny Beach in Bulgaria.

Only to take a bus-trip to Istanbul where we spent about 24 hours seeing some of the sights...

...and on the highest hill in Istanbul, on the Asian side of the city, Mr Kitten proposed!

I didn't come as surprise though, as we had talked about getting engaged on our trip, but anyway, it was nice and the view was pretty spectacular.

The next day we bought some white gold engagement rings from one of the many places selling gold in the city, before heading back to Bulgaria.

Sunny beach is a really touristy kind of place, with not much to do but take it easy, hang out at the beach/pool, eat, shop and party. But that's why many people go on holiday now isn't it?

It was good to get away, and I especially liked visiting Istanbul, as it really felt like you were somewhere else with all the mosques and minarets everywhere. Somewhere closer to Asia.

Patriotic taste

Dark blue and white seem to be my summer colours of choice, or at least that is what these pictures suggest...

The dress I'm wearing for my brother's wedding is also dark blue, and will be worn with white accessories (see the pattern?).

Note the shoes (to be worn at the wedding). They went on their first test run/walk on the same day as I tried out a potential up-do, also for the wedding. Although I won't wear the bandanna for that occasion...

Now I'm off to bed because tomorrow we are getting up bright and early to drive for six hours, in order to get us to the plane that is going to take me and Mr Kitten to Bulgaria! Yes, I've got some time off from work and I'm gonna make the most of it. See ya when we get back!

Gone skiing.

So here's the recreated outfit that I wore to the theatre. The caravan is a tricky place to take photos, so you'll just have to imagine my hair curlier and with better rolls, he he. The few comments I got from relatives also seeing the play was that I looked like I could have been a part of it. Goal achieved.

No more time to blog now, as me and Mr Kitten are heading off on our next adventure; skiing, slalom, dancing and spa in Lapland, with the caravan of course. I'll be back in a few days, in the mean time, have a fabulous easter!

December 17:th

I'm back from a well deserved long weekend away. Mr. Kitten drove our RV down to Aura on Saturday where we danced the night away to a fabulous big band. Really great music, made me wanna learn to jive and lindy hop and all sorts. I wore my new(=second hand) checked shirt, but with wide black trousers and not a skirt.

The next day we drove to Turku and spent the following two days walking around shopping centres and flea-markets. I didn't really buy much, just a pile of old photos that I may try to scan at some point, a simple top, two slips and a skirt that was way to big for me, which I'll try to alter. And a nice, almost cat shaped candle holder.

At work we're coming up to the busiest time of the year, and I'll pretty much be working non-stop until x-mas eve. Sigh. Oh, well it's only a week out of my life when I will have no life. Maybe I'll survive. Have a lovely holiday everyone if you don't hear from me in a while...!

6/11/2009

This is my new second-hand coat along with my new shoes.

And here's the result of my latest sewing project;

I might wear it for our upcoming work x-mas party.

And in case anyone was wondering, this is what I wore yesterday when I went grocery-shopping.

And finally, Mr Kitten and I put my old rusty car aside and bought this second hand beauty;

No more hotel nights, when we've got our own little house with us...!

P.s. That dress is still for sale...until monday!