Life Is Too Short For Bad Coffee

Darkening autumn evenings and rainy days need some lightening up with simple pleasures like taking some quality time, relaxing and having a nice cup of coffee at Brooklyn Cafe.

Furthermore Punavuori is a charming neighbourhood to stroll around and enjoy November.

Hooked From The First Bite: Rulla & Nudge

Nudge is a coop store by few selective companies with ecological mindset located at Yrjönkatu in Helsinki.

Nudge, Yrjönkatu 30, Helsinki

Store has beautiful interiors and so many fascinating clothes, cosmetics and decoration items to discover in a pleasant athmosphere.

Perfect time to discover Nosh children's clothes before Christmas shopping.

I also found lots of stuff for myself, like Bio Nature cosmetics, ethical clothing by Yalo, shoes by Idun's Apple and decoration items from Kolme ja puoli. You can also test the different shades of nail polish in the nail bar so it is easy to spend time here (and shop). 


















And maybe the best of all Rulla restaurant with delicious rice paper rolls.

I tasted 4 different flavours and got hooked from the first bite! Salmon, beef and prawns all worked really well with salad and vermicelli. Normally I do not like coriander, but it did not bother me in the rolls.

Tangy taste of the fish sauce dip sauce is so addictive. Here I want to come to eat again and again and again...

November Evening Panel Discussion

Juha Itkonen is one of the top names among the new generation of Finnish authors He published his first novel in 2003 and has been awarded and has won many awards since that. His latest book Hetken hohtava valo is kind of a chronicle telling story of few generations, their relationships and how the time and technology changes during the story.

I am not that big fan of Itkonen's books, but was excited about going to listen the panel discussion held at Kom Ravintola. Tonight's third Valoklubi handled the issue of "What is progression" with really interesting guests: Member Of Parliament Pekka Haavisto, Doctor Of Political Science Pilvi Torsti and business man and trainer Jari Sarasvuo. And the latter managed to get on headlines on yellow press by rushing away from TV show in order to make it on time for this free event (and he arrived a little bit late).



 

Inspring discussion with multiple themes from the end of the world to aspiring hope for the future, equality, civilization, religion, tolerance, technology and encounters. I must say that I really admire Pekka Haavisto's viewpoints and his charming character. 

 

And music by Jarkko Martikainen.

Impossible Love or The Love Story Of The Century

It makes me so delighted when institutes like libraries arrange interesting free events. So needless to say how pleased I was with Töölö library hosting an event with Finnish (Swedish speaking) author Märta Tikkanen around topic Impossible love.

Märta Tikkanen's books are mostly telling about women's status in society and the best known are The Love Story Of The Century (Vuosisadan rakkaustarina) and Man Cannot Be Raped (Miestä ei voi raiskata).

One got to admire her drive and energy as she has been touring in Scandinavia ever since the latest book Emma and Uno was published in 2010.She told fascinating stories of her childhood as well as her family's history since the theme of the latest book tells about her Grandparents and the love relation between them. Märta compared this big love story to her own with the author Henrik Tikkanen. Besides Emma and Uno she also read captions of her books Two (Kaksi) and Little Red Riding Hood (Punahilkka).

I cannot wait to start reading Emma and Uno!

 

My New Favourite Brunch in Helsinki

Culture Factory Korjaamo has so many great things going on, like concerts, theatre, art exhibitions, book shop, tram museum etc.

Now they also have re-newed brunch by New York Ninja, which instantly became my favourite one in Helsinki.

Good buffet with wide selection of salads, vegetables, fruit, yogurt, eggs and bacon etc.

And the dessert cakes were heavenly!

For brunches I also like Dylan a lot, but Korjaamo is much more convenient due to its location in Töölö and also for the athmosphere.

The Curve Is More Powerful Than The Sword

I have not really been interested in Burlesque, but have inevitably noticed that it has became more and more popular and is often also noted also in mainstream media.

Today I went to listen a lesson about the history of Burlesque at Arbis library and I am glad I did. This event was part of Nordic Culture Festival Ting.

Lesson was held by Bettie Blackheart "Queen Of The Firetassles", who is among the top Finnish burlesque performers and has been taught by the legendary Satans Angel, who was the originator of fire tassel twirling.

Bettie is the founder of the Finnish Institute of Burlesque (Suomen Burleski-instituutti) and has been one of the few people bringing this scene to Finland. Her lesson was catching with lots of history, theory and photoes of different styles and artists.

Bettie got me somewhat interested about the scene so the next thing I am going to do is to see the movie Tournee (On Tour) and then maybe go and see The Helsinki Burlesque Festival in March.

Some Thoughts For November

Can it really be already November? The days just fly by and the year end is approaching fast.

Soon it is once again time to do New Year's resolutions. But I decided to do some "end of the year resolutions" instead.

I saw this inspirional text somewhere and hopefully November really is the time for a change as the text promises :-)

It is good to keep in mind that every day counts.

And also important to concentrate more on a present moment.

The key is not to prioritize what is on your schedule, but schedule your priorities.

There is always a way to go if you look for it.

I really believe that there is something great awaiting around the corner...

Seize the day!