Category Archives: Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Home Decor from a Rubbish

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This week we are moving to a new unfurnished apartment, and of course my mind started to wonder around decorating our new space. Especially here in the north home and its decoration is super important. You know what I am talking about – Scandinavian designs and homes.

I even went to an annual Habitare fair which is a big decoration happening here in Helsinki. It didn’t help: there were all these beautiful and expensive furniture that I would happily take to our new home.

Then I started to wonder, wait a minute, what I am doing? And: which empty gap I start to fill with this decoration madness. Of course as a stylist I love beautiful and esthetic things. Beauty is important thing for me, and it does matter, in what kind of mug I drink my morning coffee and I do appreciate design things, but still, I like more homes that are imperfect – homes that you can actually see that people are living there. For me living almost five years abroad have thought me more laid-back attitude what comes about home decor. For me the cozy atmosphere is more important than perfect matching decoration. Actually, nowadays I get suspicious if I enter to a “perfect” home. I start to wonder: what is this person hiding? I get curious and I would like to look at that person’s fridge to see is there anything, does this person make lunch and dinners or is it just empty.

Ok, imperfect home is more my style than that Pinterest-style perfect, but I do have some principles what comes on colors and style of the furniture. As you might know, my intention for the new home is to buy almost everything in used and in low cost (who knows where we are in next year). So when the former inhabitant told me that he would sell us his Ikea furniture, like a sofa and a bed and some furniture for the terrace, I said yes, super! It would make our moving in so easy, but then I saw the price tag: he was asking from those things more than 500 euros, furniture that I didn’t even like. No way! I slept over the night and the following morning I wrote an email to say no for this proposal. I could not have made that cozy home, if I saw that grey sofa every day. I rather have without a sofa!

Then the universe listened.

I was returning to our Airbnb apartment, when I saw a little rattan sofa abandoned on a dumpster. I called to my mum (who came to visit us for a couple of days) and together we carried it to our place. At the same time from the dumpster I did some other findings too. I found a couple of rattan baskets, two footstools and a carpet. Just to renew the fabrics for the sofa and the footstool, and they will be fine!

And what about the other furniture? Our lovely landlady promised to give us a kitchen table and bed, which she will not need. Voilà, our zero waste home starts to be ready.

To summarize my decoration philosophy, it goes something like this: use your creativity, create cozy atmosphere and go more zero waste mentality in mind than making that copy of perfect Pinterest image home – after all the everyday happiness is somewhere else than in that perfect decoration.

And welcome to our home, anytime! You can even look our fridge!

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Recycle, get rid of stuff and set yorself free

Let it go

A slow down list for autumn

 

Lifestyle

Let it go!

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Often in the beginning of a yoga or meditation practice the teacher guide us to breath in with our nose and breath slowly out with our mouth and at the same time to let go of something we are holding in, like negative feelings, stress or nervousness.

This kind of meditation mantra is a part of my daily meditation moments. In concrete level this “let it go” process has been part of our life in the past couple of weeks now between this moving hell. Instead of carrying all the old stuff from Spain to our summerhouse in Brittany, we decided to say big NO. It seemed pointless to just put those things on hold and not to be sure, if we ever going to use them. So with help of our lovely neighbor we put on sale a lot of furniture, terrace chairs, two fridges and washing machines. And most of it, we sold very fast. It feels good to give those objects a new life, but also it feels good in that “let it go” level. It almost feels like all these old stuff was holding us back. Now I feel we have make space for something new.

And with new I don’t mean that we are going to replace the sold stuff with buying something new. Our idea is to use those money that we get from selling the furniture to decorate our new apartment with second hand furniture.

Also, I did this cleaning up ritual again in my wardrobe, too. As we only have a car that we are going to fill with all the everyday stuff and clothes that we will take to Finland, we have planned really carefully what we are going to take with us. This means intentional cleaning and letting go process in my wardrobe. I ended up giving (again) clothes to the charity shops, and now what is left is only my favorite ones. When going through my closet, I kept in mind this information: we only use about 10 percent of the content of our wardrobe. So why the hell should I bring all these clothes to fill the closets of our new apartment? Nope I won’t do that. This time everything is thought in a mindful way.

I have to say that a little by little, I start to breath in a more minimalistic lifestyle, and it seems to fit me inside and outside.

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Recycle, get rid of stuff and set yourself free

A slow down list for the autumn

Lifestyle

A slow down list for the autumn

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Normally autumn means a new start for me. I always try something new and enroll in some exiting class. This fall I decided to do differently.

I had to admit that right away I started to look at the new activities in Helsinki. Maybe a language or a painting class? Or maybe learning a completely new skill and challenge myself?

Then I said to myself: slow down. I am going to fill my calendar and end up having hardly any free time. Then again I do have a couple of unfinished writing projects that I have to get done.

Eventually, I enrolled in two classes. The other one is a weekend class to learn fashion illustration and the other a mindfulness class that I am on a waiting list.

Also, instead of making hard core To do -lists, I decided to make a slow down list for this fall.

For me it looks something like this:

Regular and guided yoga classes in Helsinki. Hopefully I will find some place to start teaching yoga,too.

Meditation moments in mornings and before going to bed. Now I have been doing Sarah Blondin’s ten days meditation program ” Coming home to yourself” using Insight Timer application. Highly recommendation.

More family time and spending free time in nature. Not anything too difficult, but just simple walks in the forest and discovering natural areas near Helsinki.

Really listen to music (records!!) without doing anything else – like in those teenager years.

More reading time and going to a local library.

Reactive my sewing skills.

More pampering moments in a beauty salon.

And that’s about it.

What do you think my slow down -list? Did you find something for yourself too?

What’s in your slow down list?

 

 

 

 

Lifestyle

This autumn everything will change again

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This summer hasn’t gone like I planned. I didn’t spend a relaxing and easy-going summer – no I surely didn’t. To be honest this summer has been heavy in a mentally and physically way. Mentally because I have been processing a lot about our future and where would be that ideal place to be right now, physically because I am pregnant. This was surprise to us. Of course we were thinking about the second one, but not in this moment. Then this “surprise” pregnancy leaded us to think our life all over again.

And oh boy those hormones! Every other day I have been crying because I wanted to stay in Catalonia, in the other days I wanted to move back to Finland. All the decisions making made us tired. I mean that was the only thing that we were talking about as a couple. It ate all our energy.

Thought, the final decision was kind of clear and evident. We knew what we have to do. We realized that the 400 square metre house and its renovation, baby coming, to take care our daughter and my husband running two companies – well, all together it would be too much. We needed to make our life simple again.

We decided to try to sell the house and see what happen. And in a month we did sell the house. We took it as a sign, that this was the right decision. And in the end we get our investments back, so in a way we can think that we were living for free in Catalonia all the months that we were there.

Some might think that we were a bit fool and ask: was it really worth it?

Yes it definitely was, because we got to realize our dream. If we haven’t moved to this little wine village we haven’t got to know the actual village life, learn more about new culture and most of all to get to know all this lovely people around us. We experienced so much, and in the end I learned a lot about myself.

Also, I learned the downsides when you realize a dream.

I learned that we need to return to Finland so that we can start dream again of moving back to Catalonia.

So, on the road again.

Stay tuned,

Xx

Satu

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Plan B

5 things that are differently

Lifestyle

5 things that are differently

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Ok, I have been living in Catalonia now about a month and already I have noticed that some things have changed.

Here is what I have noticed:

Before: I rushed around Paris to go from place A to B and then C…After when I got back home I was feeling tired. I used a lot of my time to just to get in different places – that takes time and energy.

Now: We mostly pass our time in our village. Things are simple. We take our daughter to the nursery, do some grocery shopping and get back to our house; we work and then pick up our child around five. We only go to Barcelona like once in the week, and we plan beforehand what we are going to do. I do love to walk around in the city when I am on a weekend holiday, but everyday life I prefer to keep things simple and efficient. To put in other way: Big cities makes me tired these days.

Before: The time passed fast.

Now: I feel like I have earned some extra hours in my day. Before picking up our daughter I have finished my to do -list and I still got time to sit down on our terrace and look at the view. And nope, I don’t take any extra hours from my sleeping time.

Before: We went to an expensive and badly filled organic grocery shop in Paris, and I hated it to go there every time. People where in the bad mood, the lines where long and there where hardy place to move with trams and the shopping cart.

Now: Our local grocery shop is literally full of local and fresh fruits and vegetables. It makes me smile every time I go there.

Before: I used to stay inside most of the day.

Now: Even when it is wintertime in here, I have spent more time outdoors than never before. It is so good for my mind and body to spend more and more time outside, to take care of our garden or just to work at our terrace. Naturally I sleep well.

Before: I was planning our next trip all the time. (Afterwards I have realized that it was because I wasn’t happy to live in Paris.)

Now: I don’t miss to be anywhere else or I don’t need to be planning our next trip. I am absolutely happy to be here.

So I guess I have to admit that we have found our ideal destination, and I have started to become a real senora.

 

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Why did we move to Catalonia?

New start

Lifestyle

Why did we move to Catalonia?

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So, I have written about our new start here in Catalonia, but I haven’t really opened up, why we wanted to give up our life in Paris and move to a new country and to a place where we don’t know anyone.

So this blog text is about that.

Firstly, we wanted to give our daughter the best possible place to grow up. Secondly, we wanted to move somewhere in Europe where the climate is warm and most of the time nice. Also, we wanted to give up the hectic life in the big city and slow down.

Shortly, we wanted to find that ideal place where we could be on countryside and have our own garden, but still be next to a big city.

Also, we wanted to live more to our values and in more ecological way: to recycle better, buy local food, doing things by ourselves, and just enjoy everyday life in a natural and healthy environment.

We were thinking about South of France, Italy and then Spain. The final decision was made when we had visited Barcelona region a couple of times. And when we found this little wine village near Barcelona, we were absolutely sure, that this could be ideal place for us. Also, we learned that the village is really international: there is an international school near by, and lot of people speaks English. These things made the decision-making easy.

Before, I remember, that I used to make plans for our next trip to this and that location. Afterwards I have realized, that it was, because we weren’t happy living in where we were. We were always looking for some excuses to get away. Now, I love the idea that I can just be here. I can diminish my ecological footprint when it comes to travels, because, in general, I don’t need to go anywhere. I am happy here! The weather is nice, the sun is shining, I can be in my garden, and the rhythm of the life is slower than in a big city. Even original everyday stuff, like doing laundry, makes me happy, especially when I can put the laundry to dry outside.

The only thing that is presenting less ecological values is, that we needed to buy a car. Yep, not proud of it, but it was kind of mandatory here. Thought, we do use the car wisely and basically only on weekends. We walk to the nursery and the village (this is so good sport when we need to climb back to our house!) When it gets warmer, we will do daytrips by our bikes. Anyway, we found it better to do road trips in South of Europa by car than taking a plane to somewhere far.

So that’s about it. Now you know why we are here:)

Between the lines what I try to say is, that if it possible, it is better to live by your values and make the choices that make your everyday life happier. It is better to find the actual moment and the environment pleasant than hastaging #throwbacks or just living in the future and waiting for the next summer holiday. That is what I think.

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Plan B

New Start

Next Stop: Badalona

Lifestyle

New Start

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Ok, so we have moved from Helsinki to Barcelona region. To be honest it was a bit shock at first. We were living in Helsinki and Paris and now we are about to install in a small village near Barcelona.

In the first a couple of days I was sure I am never going to adapt this, but then in the forth morning my prejudices were gone. I was feeling happy and the hostess of the house who has always lived here. My husband couldn’t help wondering: What the hell happened? Few days ago you wanted to go and now you are happy to be here. Yep, I am. Ok, there a million thinks to do in the house, but the garden and the view are something that I am going to be happy every day. I am going to write more about our life changing project and the reasons why we decided to move from a big city to a small village.

Stay tuned!

 

Lifestyle

Lets dream big!

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One of my New Year’s Eve tradition is to make a dream map for the next year. I think it is a good way to start a new year when you do a little check in with yourself and write down your goals in life. Instead of making new year’s promises that you can’t keep, it is more optimistic to create a mind map and dream. Also, when you make the dream map every year, it is nice to look at them after years and see how the dreams and the goals changes. Four years ago I was dreaming about living in Paris, but now I couldn’t see myself and my family to live in a big city like Paris. Instead of I dream about my own garden and finishing my yoga teacher’s training.

I recommend this tradition to you, just cut down some pictures from the old magazines and glue them to a paper and write down what you are dreaming of. It is a fun tradition! Just try it!

So, what are you dreaming of?

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Good Vibes for the New Year

10 vinkkiä kaamosta vastaan eli näin pysyt energisenä läpi pimeän kauden

What’s up for 2017?

Lifestyle

Good vibes for the New Year 2017

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Wild New Year’s Eve party and a lot of promises for the new year.

No, no, no!

This is how our New Year’s Eve went when we celebrating it for the first time as a family:

Delicious pizza in a local good-old restaurant. As a bonus a glass of wine.

After dinner we went to see a big fireworks show, which was organized by my home town. Well, we were there an hour before it all started. As a result, we were stayed in the car at a parking lot and waited and waited. (Mum can remember all schedules, can’t she?)

After that there was a sauna waiting. And to be honest, I couldn’t imagine anything better, when it was cold, dark and windy. Even the idea of a wild home party came second. Nope, we weren’t moving anywhere from the house.

After the sauna I created my mind map for the new year. It is kind of childish, I know, but it is my thing. It clears my thoughts and goals in life.

And of course a bottle of champagne was well needed…and some talk about what we are going to do in the year 2017.

Because we tried not to be that boring couple who goes to bed before midnight, we watched a wild Abba movie on TV. While the plot was as bad as it could get, the costumes were top of the top!

Next morning, the first day of the year 2017, I woke up sick.

Our year of well-being didn’t start as we hoped, but some good old bed isn’t a bad start after all. Anyway, reading in bed is always a good idea. Now I got to go back to finishing the much talked about #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso.

I wish you all an easy start for the new year!

 

Lifestyle

How was the year 2016?

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At this time of year it is time to make plans for the next one, but before moving forward, I want to look closer at this year.

As you know, the biggest and greatest thing ever was the birth of our baby girl, and of course the busiest job was looking after her. As grateful as I am of being at home with her, it is not always easy to combine work and family. But being the power woman that I am, I need projects of my own and I just can’t be that kind of mother who doesn’t have a life outside the home. (Actually, I have no life outside the home as I am working from home, but you get the point, right?)

Anyway, after looking back at this year, it is kind of wonder how I managed to work, keep this blog updated and do some studying, in addition to taking care of the baby. So I guess I am a living example that it can be done!

As for my personal life this site has been the biggest project that I got myself into. And I am thankful that you have decided to click this site over and over again. I guess it means I am doing something right. I promise you I will keep on writing honestly and straight from the heart wherever I am.

On my mind map for 2016, I found a picture of a sunny beach. Nope, we didn’t go on a relaxing beach holiday this year. Instead, we went to Barcelona a couple of times and spent the summer in Brittany. By the sea, yes, but in unpredictable weather. Next year a long beach holiday is in our mind map for sure, as we haven’t been on honeymoon yet. Also, I am certain that next year is going to be more peaceful and more about traveling as this year was. I have to say for both of us, it hasn’t been such balanced time as that we hoped. A lot of stress for my husband as he is an entrepreneur. Long working hours, making big decisions, then at the end of the year a close one because seriously ill. 

As we were walking in an idyllic winter landscape here in Northern Finland we decided (and hoped of course) that the theme for the year 2017 would be well-being on all levels in life. And let’s face it: the whole world needs that after this crazy year, which will be remembered from horrible terrorist actions, the refugee crisis, the strange US presidential elections, and the passing of so many big stars, like David Bowie and Prince are gone. Yes, we definitely need to hope and make actions that the next year will be better and, above all, a peaceful one.

So look back to your year and think about what could be better next year, and what you could do to make yourself and others feel better.

Peace!

And… let’s dance, like Bowie used to sing.