// I have decided…

Posted on | July 28, 2010 | 9 Comments

…to invest a good deal of time and lots of effort for my fitness and well being in the following six months. I have my reasons — like vanity — ah! and this thing called health. I have realized that even though I have improved a great deal of things in my diet and daily activity I happen to be a person with some genetic burden — and some behavioral patterns too difficult to kill just by myself.

So I signed in to Lean Eating program in Precision Nutrition, starting on next Monday. I considered personal training, too — but it is too expensive for me right now. Plus I actually don’t need help in the gym — and selecting the right professional is really difficult — and I’m an unsocial bastard and don’t really enjoy fiddling with the calendar. The online support will hopefully be sufficient.

I picked this particular program, because it is centered around actually changing the habits and lifestyle, is long enough to give results — and permanent changes in habits, the credits of the coaches are impressive, the best results of people who have attended this program are even more impressive, I believe that I can get relatively personalized coaching plus peer support in the program, Precision Nutrition principles are very much about what I believe the healthy human diet to be and I would very much like to look like Linda Hamilton in T2 one day (minus the guns and cig, I’m all about world peace and fresh breath…).

So, I’m just asking… …are you interested in reading some updates about how it is going?

Posted on | July 28, 2010 | 9 Comments

// Cast in resin

Posted on | July 27, 2010 | 3 Comments

Oh perfect! Resin bangles, cuffs and bracelets by Carlos Sobral. White spiked one in collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld. Love how the circuit boards are used in the black ones.

Posted on | July 27, 2010 | 3 Comments

// Sun dressing

Posted on | July 24, 2010 | 5 Comments

Uh, there is not much happening here, fashionwise. The summer has been exeptionally warm and I’m shuttling between home and the nearby parks in old sundresses, sloppy shoes and sunglasses. This old Zara dress is one of my favorites, the sturdy guipure lace upper fits perfectly and the straps have actually nothing to do with keeping the dress in place. The material is very lightweight cotton silk blend, heavenly in the hot weather.

And when it goes even more casual: cut offs with slouchy tank tops. I love the tie dye in this American Apparel one — and the cut is excellent. A bikini top or an exposable bra is essential underneath (at least with my sense of modesty) — and I like the addition of sheer bra peeking from the arm holes. My Bodas jabouley lace ones and this neon purple Monki mesh bra (a bargain from Monki Helsinki opening — but excellent fit, I’m certainly getting more of these!) have been in constant circulation.

I got one thing from the sales, though. This mohair dress is from Ivana Helsinki and I have been stalking it since I found the pictures of the collection from the Copenhagen fashion week. Well, actually this was not a sale purchase, but a sample piece that miraculously fitted relatively well. Couple of days ago I saw a girl sporting the same dress in different color — but personally I don’t have the nerve to use this kind of material in this weather. So I’m just saving it for the autumnal layers…

Posted on | July 24, 2010 | 5 Comments

// Not about clothing

Posted on | July 21, 2010 | 2 Comments

// Recycled lace

Posted on | July 20, 2010 | 4 Comments

I made this quick fix for my vintage lace addiction from quite mundane garments: a second hand crocheted cardigan and a piece of bobbin lace which originally adorned a piece of bedlinen. The cardigan I got for 2 euros from the local charity shop — it was broken, slightly stained and the shape of it was not particularly fetching. But I liked the lightweight crochet with subtly 3d flower motif — and the fact that the years of use had given the fabric certain softness, often lacking from crocheted items. I’m happy how the two shades of white combined look like and how the front turned out — but the back is not perfect, I run about 15 cm short of the bobbin lace to finish it as I had planned. The construction idea is stolen directly from this Magda Berliner top I saw in wonderful Res Pulchrae blog — but the body is slightly longer.

It is not at its best over just a lightweight bikini top (that gives almost zero support and no flattening for my chest), but I’ll bet that it will be an useful layering piece. And I promise that I will not play with the Poladroid all the time — but the pictures were utter crap so I did what I could… (yeah, excuses… =))

Posted on | July 20, 2010 | 4 Comments

// Summer hair

Posted on | July 18, 2010 | 11 Comments

So… …I did it… …please call the fashion police. Bought a crimping iron from local supermarket sale, cost me about 30 €. But I really think this look sort of works for my natural ash colored hair. I look more like something (friendly) that came out from the woods than eighties pop star (not that the latter would have been a bad option, either). Sorry about the flood of pictures, I just got bit too exited with Poladroid (that happens all the time I’m using it — can’t even think what will I do if I get my paws all over Hipstamatic…) — the exitement even overcomes the awkwardness of putting face pics to the blog. At least I’m not pouting…

I really am a lazy ass with my hair — I have been at hairdresser’s once in past few (3 – 5) years and stopped dyeing my hair about three years ago. I’m not a huge fan of the dyeing chemicals and the psoriasis in my scalp does not really encourage with experiments (actually it is now in pretty good control, but still). And I hate the feel of hair products in my hair, the worst hair for me is the kind of that does not even move because of all the stuff put into it. So I’m often just keeping my hair in loose bun, ponytail or something else really unimaginative with zero or minimal amount of styling products. I’m certainly aware that even some sort of defined look on my hair type needs a ton of product, so most of my hair experiments are limited to very special occasions, only.

But I do like fancy hairdos on other people, everything from shock colors to outrageous cuts and exotic treatments. This might be the closest I’m getting to that from my premises. The fluffy, ample texture of crimped hair does not really need any boost from chemicals — a simple heat protective spray might be good, but not totally necessary.

Posted on | July 18, 2010 | 11 Comments

// Autumn sorted out

Posted on | July 15, 2010 | 6 Comments

I think that I’m less inspired by the autumn fashion than usual. The fashion press is sort of exited about the retro vibes and wearable classics, but in a sense of inspiration they don’t do much for me. Celine was practically the same as summer collection with just a bit heavier materials, Marc Jacobs was — dare I say — boring, Prada managed to look somewhat fresh in spite of the heavy retro feel (but still — dare I say — uninspiring), and all that camel color in numerous shows really made me yawn. And I’m not particularly delighted about the black-red combination resurrected in many collections. Of course there were some highlights — Alexander McQueen last collection is breathtaking (but so inaccessible that I’m not sure if it inspires me) — maybe a bit more accessible use of feathers in many collections, remembering instantly Demeulemeester and even Marni, chalk stained “tough geek” collection of A.F. Vandevorst, accessible looking “preppy grunge” collection of Rag & Bone with some nice layering inspiration, Rick Owens was rather impressive, the return of velvet and shearling in many collections, some collections with neat ethnic vibes… …yes, there is more, but I’m still not too inspired. I know that this is totally unnecessary whining from a person with zero fashion credibility…

…an that makes me think that maybe it is just the summery weather we are experiencing here. Or I need the autumn Collections edition from Elle to propel my enthusiasm. Second thought — those two might mix pretty well!

Still — I have sorted out what I would like to have for next autumn/winter — and that is not much.

Some shearling — preferably a luxurious aviator jacket from Acne — but I’ll bet that I have to settle to some vintage. Or maybe I could rework my mom’s old shearling coat.

Or this lovely hat from Gudrun og Gudrun. Would be immensely practical in Finnish weather. Actually everything shearling would.

A cape/poncho. Preferably with ethnic look. I surely don’t want to be one of those wearing the Chloe cape copy now available (or at least for the autumn season, check H&M) from every self respecting high street chain. I’m thinking some South American feel with not too ornate decorations, maybe something simple, rugged and handmade like this poncho from Ecuadorian Hands. Would look great over my regular jeans and boots — could even blow the dust off from my old brown Mulberry Phoebe bag.

Something velvet. For some reason I have been eyeing bags a lot, this Kyoko Wanai for Fairy Woodland piece from Yoox sale is pretty awesome — totally unnecessary, but so pretty, striking directly to my dark romantic nerve.

But maybe I’ll check Carin Wester and Dagmar for some plush wear. Sorry, I broke my nerve when trying to find some decent sized images — but there is some wearable velvet action happening within both of these collections.

An perhaps some feathers. There are lots of them in ASOS sale. DIY would also be a good option.

I definitely will bump to numerous desirable items when the season actually starts — but these I could probably justify… …sort of…

And no — these don’t match. But they would complement my current belongings in delightful ways…

Posted on | July 15, 2010 | 6 Comments

// Odd couples

Posted on | July 15, 2010 | 2 Comments

I know that many women are extremely exited about weddings and plan their own to the last detail. I tried to get to that mood, but it felt so unnatural. So ours was very small and intimate with minimal preparations — a short visit to magistrate with only witnesses and officials present, continued with a dinner in a beautiful restaurant just for closest family members.

Maybe my mind would have changed just if I had seen these cake toppers from Melabo.

Or then again, maybe not. For anniversary cake, perhaps (maybe a lamest excuse for eating a cake, but do I really need any excuse)? And then decorating the apartment, happily ever after?

Posted on | July 15, 2010 | 2 Comments

// Jewelry DIY:s

Posted on | July 14, 2010 | 7 Comments

Crocheted earring utilizing regular jewelry wire. I need more of it to make a pair. This took about 10 meters — and it is quite large, sweeping my shoulder when I’m wearing it.

A simple chainmail cuff with four to one weave. Just wanted to practice the technique with a very simple item — but I think that I ended up with quite usable piece! Closed with seven parrot locks — but I’m considering making it just a bit larger so I can just pull it to my wrist. And maybe a bit wider, too. But I need more jump rings!

Posted on | July 14, 2010 | 7 Comments

// Mandatory cutoffs

Posted on | July 11, 2010 | 4 Comments

I don’t really like shorts — but do appreciate their practicality in this weather. I think I have four pairs, old Diesel striped and pouched ones, two pairs of denim cutoffs and one slightly safari inspired and more formal H&M pair I got earlier this spring. The cutoffs I have bought ready made — which is more than lame, really. Why — well, I like my jeans close fitting at the top — but my cutoffs as loose as it is humanly possible without them actually falling off, so I have no use of my old jeans as a cutoff material. And I hate trying on second hand jeans. So that’s the excuse… …but I definitely don’t go for branded denim with these. Actually I’m not sure if these are from H&M or Lindex — or even some supermarket — I have removed the itchy tag attached inside the waist band.

A long sleeved shirt is often accompanying my shorts when I have to make it to the town. This cotton voile one is By Malene Birger, sunglasses Ray Ban and shoes Topshop.

Posted on | July 11, 2010 | 4 Comments

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About

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Contact: kamicha (a) gmail dot com

I'm especially interested in young designers creations, non-established labels and indie fashion. So if you have something interesting to show, feel free to contact!

You can find Finnish design from both specific and some outfit posts - but both are tagged.

You might be also interested in DIY posts, How-to posts, DIY ideas - or my adventures in Etsy =).

More about me and this blog.