WE LOVE WEEKENDS!

Many exciting things have been going on this week and I got more confident that I will be doing something fun for living in the near future. Because dreams do come true. I keep seeing it in my meditation and subtle signs everywhere. I'm adding a little bit of work to it and soon I'll be where I want to be. Not pushing through, but just going with the flow. If it's meant to be it will be. 

Photo 1: Saara Photo 2&3: Beto Guzman Abundes

We are moving to our new place on Saturday and saying goodbyes to this mile high townhouse in the heart of one of the coolest towns we've ever lived. We were here only for a year and decided to move because it's just too much space for the two of us (plus cats). So we're moving to a smaller place (2 bedrooms instead of 5) and saving tons of money so that in a year we can make a power move who knows where. We got a year to decide.

Have a great weekend!

Muutamme viikonloppuna uuteen kamppaamme ja sanomme hyvastit kivalle rivarillemme keskella lempikylamme keskustaa. Emme muuta kauaksi, noin viiden minuutin ajomatkan paahan, mutta emme ole enaa ihan keskustassa joka oli elamantyyli jota rakastin paljon. Muutamme siis pienempaan asuntoon jotta voimme saastaa rahaa vuoden ajan ja paattaa missa haluamme jatkaa elamaamme. Kalifornia ja New Mexico kummittelevat mielessamme joten saa nahda millainen tyotilanteemme on vuoden paasta ja jos oikeasti otamme hypyn tuntemattomaan. Jannittavaa! 

 Tama viikko on ollut mielenkiintoinen kaikin puolin ja antanut taas toivoa siihen etta en tule olemaan jumissa lopunelamaani tyopaikassa josta en pida. 

 Ihanaa viikonloppua!

YOGA AT CLAY ROOFTOP

Last Wednesday was the summer solstice, the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Ancient pagans once celebrated the summer solstice as a day of healing and fertility. I did not join the yogis in Times Square to celebrate, but the day after I was invited to the CLAY Health Club and Spa for some fun in the sun. Lole had partnered  with CLAY and brought us a wonderful yoga class in their beautiful rooftop in 95 degree weather (35 celsius!). I was afraid I was going to be the only crazy one going to do yoga outdoors during the heat wave, but I sure was not alone. We had a full house of brave yogis and yoginis ready to salut the sun and get an intense, hot workout from it.

Photos 2 & 3 by Lole 

I felt great after the class! I've had a bit of a break from all exercise and my muscles were thanking me for this extreme stretching they received. My lungs were excited for all the deep breathing I did for the hour. Deep breathing is something I'm trying to include more in my days, since I've noticed that I tend to do shallow chest breathing as a result of being so tense and stressed without even always noticing it. As a result I'm not inhaling enough oxygen or exhaling enough carbon dioxide, which can have consequences such as fatigue, mental fog and decreased tissue function. I'm already doing deep breathing during my 5 minute morning meditation which I usually do on the train on my way to work. Another good way which I hope to start making a  habit is a 30-minute walk, daily. Somebody please kick my butt!

"Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one's being, from bodily health to self realization. Yoga means union - the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul. Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day to day life and endows skill in the performance of one's actions."

 B.K.S. Iyengar

Viime keskiviikkona oli kesäpäivän seisaus, virallinen alku kesälle pohjoisella pallonpuoliskolla. En mennyt jooga-tapahtumaan Times Squarella, mutta sen jälkeisenä päivänä minut kutsuttiin CLAY Health Clubille pitämään hauskaa auringossa. Luulin että olisin ollut ainoa hullu joka osallistuu joogatunnille ulkona 35 asteen helteessä, mutta paikalle saapui kuin saapuikin kymmenia ihmisia.

Olen pitänyt hieman taukoa kaikesta liikunnasta ja lihakseni kiittivät minua tästä äärimmäisestä venyttelystä jonka ne saivat. Syvähengitys on jotain jota yritän tehdä enemmän päivittäin, sillä olen huomannut, että minulla on tapana hengittää hyvin pinnallisesti luultavasti stressin ja jatkuvan kiireen takia. Tämä voi aiheuttaa väsymystä ja mielen sumuisuutta (jota minulla riittää). Olen tämän takia pyhittänyt aamuisin viisi minuuttia syvähengitykseen aamumeditaationi aikana jonka teen yleensä junassa matkalla toihin. Tämä on hyvä alku. Toinen suositeltu metodi, joka toivottavasti muodostuu pikkuhiljaa tavaksi, on 30 minuutin kävelylenkki, päivittäin. Tarvitsisin vain jonkun joka voisi ystävällisesti potkia minua persuksiin ja patistaa ulos!

MET ROOFTOP WITH ANNABELLA

The other Friday I took a nice walk through the park from Central Park West to 5th Avenue and met with my fabulous friend Annabella for some after-work museum fun at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Most days I prefer going straight home, but some days I just crave for some girly chit chat over a glass of wine. Fridays are the perfect days for that since Saturday I'm allowed to sleep in... Well, at least until 9am. Sunset over the park is stunning and just reminds me why this is such a great city even I often dream about leaving it behind for something more peaceful. 

Annabella owns an ethical fashion e-store Missqa together with her sister Viola. Check out their blog here and get inspired!
Have a wonderful week!

"Worrying will NEVER change the outcome"

Toissaperjantaina tapasin ystavani Annabellan kanssa Metropolitan Museon kattoterassilla toiden jalkeisen museohuvin merkeissa. Pitka tyoviikko on ihana saada paatokseen rentoutumalla, tyttojen juttuja puhellessa kera viinilasillisen. Auringonlasku puiston ylla on kaunis ja tuo pintaan ne tunteet joita minulla oli tata kaupunkia kohtaan kun ensimmaisen kerran tanne saavuin. Jannittava paikkahan tama on elaa, mutta yha useammin huomaan kaipaavani rauhaa. 

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Beautiful evening walk in our town

I've been experiencing some random technical difficulties with blogger, therefore my scheduled posting about my Met Rooftop date with ecofabulous Annabella didn't publish today. But I just wanted to wish you a wonderful weekend! And for all the Finns and other Scandinavians; Happy Midsummer!

Hauskaa Juhannusta!

THURSDAY AT IVANA HELSINKI NEW YORK

 Last Thursday I was invited to a cocktail party and fashion show by the Arctic Circle-Finns of New York and Ivana Helsinki. Luckily I hadn't eaten dinner yet because these delicious and colorful Karelian pies from Northern Rye were waiting for me as well as some good old Fazer candies for dessert. Perfection!

 

Ivana Helsinki is known for their use of high quality materials, bright colors and bold in-house print designs. I've been dreaming about this dress from their Indian Summer collection since I saw it a few months ago, but I'm still trying not to buy any more clothing because I think I have enough... And with all these moves ahead of us (first one in two weeks and then again in a year) I don't need any more baggage to pack and carry. Although, if I was to see this dress on sale I would get it in a heartbeat. It's just so me. The colors and all. 

All and all it was a fun night filled with Finns and fashion and I was able to catch up with people I haven't seen in a while. If you are interested in joining the Arctic Circle, check out their group here (it's free) and just show up for the next event!

Hope you are all having a great week!!!

Viime torstaina minut oli kutsuttu cocktailkutsuihin ja muotinäytökseen, jarjestajina Arctic Circle-Finns of New York-ryhma ja Ivana Helsinki. Onneksi en ollut ehtinyt syöda illallista vielä, koska paikan paalla minua odottivat herkulliset ja värikkäät karjalanpiirakat. Rakastan karjalanpiirakoita! Fazerin ihania karkkeja nautin jälkiruoaksi. Taydellista! Ja ehka lasi kuplivaakin meni siina sivussa...

Jos olet kiinnostunut liittymaan Arctic Circleen klikkaa tanne ja ilmaannu seuraavaan tapaamiseen!

SNAPSHOTS OF LIFE LATELY

Another workweek over. Weekend here we come! Our move is only two weeks away and we need to start packing fast. Therefore it's most probably going to be very uneventful two days. Or maybe not. We shall see. Happy weekend!

Yksi tyoviikko taas takana. Ihanaa viikonloppu! Muutto uuteen asuntoomme haamottaa kahden viikon paassa ja meidan taytyy vakavissamme aloittaa pakkaaminen joten tasta viikonlopusta ei varmasti tule kovin mielenkiintoinen. No ehka me jotain kivaa keksitaan. Hauskaa viikonloppua!

PINK PICNIC

Images tell the tale...

Pink symbolizes unconditional love. Wearing it encourages a sense of affection, increases sensitivity, and challenges you to confront your vulnerabilities.

SNEAK PEEK OF OUR PINK PICNIC

This past Saturday we gathered the girls and headed out to the Great Hill in Central Park (near 110th & Central Park West). The theme for this picnic was "pink". Just because. Well actually we've been meaning to have this picnic since Hanami. The original idea was to picnic in Brooklyn Botanic Garden under the cherry trees wearing all pink, but it got pushed back due to scheduling problems and the fact that you are actually not allowed to have picnic in there. So finally we were all able to commit to a date and the weather was looking alright and there we were in our pink dresses, hats, foods and drinks enjoying our long-awaited Pink Picnic. 

More photos coming soon! It's been a busy bee week and weekend, but luckily this week should be slower. Enjoy your week!

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Viime lauantaina tapasimme tyttöjen kanssa ja suuntasimme Great Hillille Central Parkin pohjois-osaan pienelle piknikille. Teemana meilla oli vaaleanpunainen. Ihan muuten vaan. No oikeastaan ​​meillä on ollut tarkoitus mennä piknikille jo Hanamin aikoihin mutta se on siirtynyt ja siirtynyt ja kirsikkapuutkaan eivat enaa kuki. Alkuperäisenä ajatuksena oli menna Brooklynin Botanic Gardensseihin kirsikkapuiden alle pukeutuen pinkkiin, mutta se ei koskaan onnistunut, koska ensinnakaan Gardensseissa ei sallita piknikkeja. Vihdoin saimme kuitenkin porukan kokoon ja vaihdoimme puistoksi Keskuspuiston, ilmatkin suosivat ja nautimme hauskan Pinkin Piknikin. Lisaa kuvia tulossa pian! Ihanaa viikkoa teille kaikille!

CHOCOLAT IN HARLEM

Here's another wonderful spot we found by accident on our rainy day adventure in Harlem, Chocolat. As soon as we walked in the atmosphere just made us want to stay. Plus the friendly service. Not to forget the groovy tunes the live band was playing. That's when we knew we had arrived. We ate some peanut butter cake, tea and cocktails and sang and jammed the night away.Awesomeness!

You'll definitely see us back here this summer. I've been missing those hot Harlem summer nights...

Have a great weekend loves!

Toinen aivan mahtava paikka jonka loysimme aivan sattumalta sateisena iltana Harlemissa oli Chocolat. Heti astuessamme sisalle tunnelma sai meidat jaamaan. Samoin ystavallinen palvelu. Seka groovaava svingi livebandilta joka oli juuri soittamassa lavalla. Silloin tiesimme etta olimme loytaneet perille ja tulisimme tanne viela takaisin monesti taman kesan aikana. Ai etta kuinka olen kaivannut lampimia kesailtoja Harlemissa...

FINNISH DESIGN IN AMERICA

I received this fun challenge ages ago from Jenni to list Finnish things we have in our home. I finally got a chance to look around the house last weekend and see what I could find. Most of these items were gifts from my family because I do always ask for something from Marimekko when they inquire what I would like for them to bring for me. Above photo shows the most beloved necessity :)... That I can actually buy from our nearby liquor store.

I loooove Marimekko napkins! So much color and fun for any party. Pentik's reindeer napkins are waiting for winter parties.

During my last visit to Finland I went a little crazy with Moomin mugs and bought about six different kinds. Most of them are still packed and now ready for our next move at the end of this month so I didn't get a chance to photograph them. The cup on the left is from Marimekko.

These colorful dishtowels and aprons are from Pentik and Marimekko. 

Pentik's reindeer candle holder and Mariskooli.

Large Aalto vase my grandmother gave me.

Pentik stacked ball lamp base.

This Marimekko canvas basket holds all my large bracelets and bangles. And a head massager...

Kakunpalasen Jenni heitti minua haastella jo ajat sitten ja vihdoin viime viikonloppuna oli hetki aikaa katsella ympari kamppaa ja etsia suomalaisia tavaroitamme. Kylla niita jonkin verran loytyi vaikka voisihan niita vahan enemmankin olla. Varsinkin Marimekon astioita... Ja Iittalaakin. Mutta joka tapauksessa talosta loytyi vahan Finlandia Vodkaa :), Marimekon ja Pentikin servetteja, Muumimukeja, Marimekon kupit, Marimekon ja Pentikin tiskipyyhkeita ja essuja, Pentikin poro, Mariskooli, mummiltani saatu Aalto-maljakko, Pentikin ihastuttavat pallolampunjalat jotka sisko tanne joskus raahasi (kiitos vaan) seka muutamia muita sekalaisia Marimekon tuotteita kuten pyyhkeita ja lakanoita. Mutta nekin on pakattuna jossakin. Voi tata muuttajien iloa...