FASHION / Accessories, shoes/sandals

Spring/Summer 2012 new shoes! Sandals, to be specific.

Yesterday, in Hki, I browsed through a magazine featuring the coming season´s new shoes, and was shocked, when I reached the sandals section!

Just take a look at these catwalk picture sandals, worn by the slim models!

IMO, just horrible.

Having no intention of buying the magazine ( 1. ), over 70€´s, I snatched randomly a few pictures ( 2., 3., 4. ).

These pictures show the average sandals in the magazine.

Ouch, ouch. Young women with already bad feet, wearing shoes way too small for their feet.

Looking at the pictures, is definitely not encouraging me to buy sandals.

Last year, I decluttered my shoes. For one simple reason. They were all too small for me.

Perhaps, due to my age, I have gone up 1/2 size; perhaps, when buying the shoes - in my vanity - I have wanted to buy a size, that " looked smaller and thus better ", but which at home, and finally, walking on the streets of Helsinki, started to hurt my feet, to the point, that walking was impossible.

So, I sold all my previous shoes. There was absolutely no sense to keep something, I was not able to wear.

Yesterday, we had -23°C in the evening, when I came home.

I wore my laced up Tod´s boots, which are one number up my " now " normal size. My feet were not cold at all, as the shoes were generous in size, and I was able to move my toes easily around inside them. What a lovely feeling!

When my feet stay warm, I stay warm.

Looking at the feet of the models above, I feel sad. Sad for their feet. What will the future of these feet feel like?

Do you instantly manage to buy shoes, which fit your feet perfectly? Do you know your correct size?

What about the pointy end shoes and boots, how on earth are they wearable ( not forgetting the skyscrapers )? Do you like sandals?

Please share your comments, experiences and views about shoes. Thank you : )!

THOUGHTS 76 / Dieting

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. True or false? You decide.

The latest study from US proved, that there is no one magic diet, which is more effective than the other.

If I understood the report correctly, each diet is ok, if you like the food suggested on it, and follow the rules religiously. Forever?

Naturally we all know, that in order to loose weight, you must eat less.

It is as simple as that.

Loosing weight by only adding activity is quite insignificant.

Activity, sports is vital for our mental health, I definitely agree. But one does not loose weight only by adding motion.

For a period of two years, I walked briskly 7 days a week with Boris 1-2 hours a day. I also did the stable work. We had four horses at the time. I did not loose any weight.

I have never been on a diet. Actually I have never even been interested in different diets.

I am, however, trying to maintain my present weight, which might one day be 1 kilo more than the day before. So, then I will eat a bit less the next day. To get " balanced " ;).

I believe, that in order to loose weight, something in the brains must " click ". A psychological change towards food is needed.

I won´t refuse chocolates, ice cream or cakes, but when I eat the unhealthy stuff, I skip my regular meals.

I prefer rye bread, vegetables, fruits and cheese. Being a lacto-vegetarian, I take my vitamins ( iron, multi-, B, C, E ) in pills.

I eat, when I feel hungry. This is usually in the afternoon, as we wake up early.

By no means, is my diet the perfect ( ??? ) one. But I follow it faithfully ; )!

Please share your experiences on diets, have they worked for you? Have you been able to keep your weight at a steady state? Permanently?

FASHION / Comfort wear

The blogs I follow or visit, show new clothes for all the seasons. Clothes for work, travel and parties.

I seldom see clothes people ordinarily wear at home. Yet most of us, spend quite many hours at home.

My blog makes no exception.

I have shown pictures I " might " wear for some event, clothes, I have actually worn for some occasions, but they are clothes, I quickly remove once at home.

My everyday uniform at home has been: jeans/ cargos and a long sleeved T-shirt. Boring.

I long for some change.

What about an angora/wool tulip shaped sweater/dress, with a fleece lining and pockets - just for fun - on the sides?

Yes, I know, mine is quite short, but I wear it with opaque 80 Wolford tights, and I am at home.

I like the revealing neckline, as I have nothing to hide ; ).

I could imagine throwing my ankle length coat over this outfit, and wear it informally elsewhere as well.

I don´t like layering, and wearing this " oversized " knit, I can avoid it.

What about you, what is your comfort wear? What do you wear at home? What would you wish to wear?

Please share your secrets : )!!

P.S. For clarification, the clothes and accessories shown and featured on my blog, don´t necessarily all not end up in my possession.

HOME / Life at Hagalund

This is the scene I meet every morning entering the stable ( 1. ).

The horses have had their morning oats and hay and are waiting in their stable rugs to be let outside.

It is a -8°C morning, and I decide to double rug the three of them, as they are staying out all day.

One by one, each horse gets his own rug on.

Hampel ( 2. ) has had his winter rug since the late 1990´s, and the Rambo rug has really served well through the many winters.

It was only natural, that Miss M´s horse got a Rambo of his own ( 3. ).

Our guest horse, Mr. B ( 4. ), has a different kind of rug. At times I get frustrated, because the rug is much more complicated to throw on, as it has small buckles here and there.

Morty ( 4. ) has a rug of his own. So small and simple.

Finally, all the boys are out.

I can start my daily exercise. Luckily, it is Saturday tomorrow, and my husband takes over at the stable ; ).

Wishing you all a nice weekend!/m

ART / Miniature sculpture

Sometime before Christmas, I saw a silver ballerina at Harri Syrjänen´s ( goldsmith & leather artist ) workshop.

It was not on display, it was somewhere in the back of his shop. I asked if I could buy the delicate small ballerina, as I already have a small collection of Harri´s silver objects; sculptures.

The ballerina lacked a pedestal though, and together we agreed on a bubbly acrylic one.

A few days ago, Harri sent a message to me, that the ballerina was ready.

So, yesterday, on my Helsinki day, I picked it up.

Today, I placed it on the small antique table in our living room, and you can see it in the first ( 1. ) picture.

As a small detail, the leg of the ballerina, can be moved, and her dress turns as well.

Since I have many small glass tables around the room, the acrylic pedestal works well in it´s surroundings.

Harri Syrjänen signed his book for me ( picture 2. ).

I found a picture of the artist himself from the book ( 3. ), and he looks very much himself; tall and sparkling friendly eyes.

Visiting Harri´s workshop is always a pleasure for me. He is very polite and always on a good mood!

If you wish to know more about HS, you can google his net pages, simply: Harri Syrjänen.

THOUGHTS 75/ My marriage

I moved from my childhood home as soon as I finished school.

I wanted to have a home of my own, I wanted to get married and have a child as soon as possible.

In two years, I was married. Next May my husband and I are ( hopefully ) celebrating our 38th wedding anniversary. Compromises were made already in the very beginning. We had to wait for a while for our daughter to be born ( my husband is not as hasty as I am ).

What about the marriage?

For us, marriage is much about being able to make compromises. There have been good times and there have been really bad times.

There has been quarreling and shouting. The girls have had to witness it all. For this, I am sorry.

But, the thought of actually separating, has never been an option for us.

After a quarrel, we have always " made up ", and life has gone on.

When I look back at my family history, no one, from my mother´s side, nor from my father´s side of the family, ever divorced. I lack the model.

There have been times, when I have played on the idea of packing my bag, but it has only remained as a silly thought. Where would I go, how could I leave everything dear behind me?

Looking back at our soon 38 years of marriage, I feel content. I got what I wished for; a marriage and a child. Actually I received more than I ever dreamed of. I have a good marriage and two wonderful daughters: )!

Please share your thoughts about the topic. Perhaps you would like to tell something about your own marriage, why you never got married, why your marriage did not turn out like you expected?

This post of mine was inspired by Lisa from Privilege, who wrote an honest post connected to divorces in her blog last Saturday.

The pictures above, were taken last Saturday, my husband managed to catch the blue morning moment.

FASHION / Shirt

This is my only shirt. It matches perfectly with the coloring of our nature outside. It matches my mood.

The shirt has a divided scenery pattern in white and grayish black. A shirt in 100% cotton, simple, with a modest, non-pointy collar, somewhat shaped in its lines.

It can be worn over a skirt or pants, or loosely tucked inside them.

I like to belt it with croc, as the colors match. Naturally my everyday crocodile bag gets carried along.

A shirt is not a typical piece of clothing for me. I dislike the " strictness " of a shirt.

I dislike sharp collars.

However, the collar on this shirt, settles smoothly and, and with ease, when I leave the top buttons unbuttoned.

This shirt is from the spring´s new collections, but the belt was bought on a discount, already a year ago. Both from one of the small shops here in Helsinki, which I visit occasionally. Both from the same brand.

The sales are still going on, but some few pieces for the next season can already be found.

Have you set your eyes on anything new yet?

P.S. As a reminder, all the clothes and accessories featured on my blog, don´t end up in my possession.

P.S.S. pve-design, thank you for joining as a follower of my blog. I just took a quick look at your blog, and I see everything beautiful there. I´ll be back asap : )!