How To Be A Woman is the best book I have read for a long time. I bought the book from London last autumn and totally adored the book.
Caitlin Moran is genius, sassy, witty and funny! I really like her style to write about serious issues with humour and without preaching. The main message is that women can choose themselves what they want to do (regarding their body, family, work etc.) and nobody should set strict rules what it is to be a woman. You can absolutely call her an ambassador of the modern feminism.
Caitlin in Helsinki 28.8.2012
Now we got this brilliant book also in Finnish (Naisena olemisen taito) and there has been interviews of Caitlin in several Finnish women's magazines. Certainly inspiring articles giving something to think about.
Olivia 9/12, Gloria 9/2012
And today it was also a press conference in Helsinki where I managed to infiltrate. She really made a positive impression being so down-to-earth, talkative, friendly, wine-liking and entertaining character, who all suddenly burst out singing or telling jokes.
After the interview I even got to chat with her a bit and she did complement my Efva Attling necklace :-).
I highly recommend everybody to read and enjoy this brilliant book!
“I want a Zero Tolerance policy on All The Patriarchal Bullshit.”Caitlin Moran: How To Be A Woman
It is always so much fun to gather friends together to enjoy good food, few drinks and many interesting conversations. Although I am no master chef, it is lovely to invite people over for a dinner.
This Saturday's dinner was twice as nice as I did not cook and therefore was completely stress-free :-).
My friend's husband made the most delicious meal for us. We had Italian theme with food (and Swedish + Finnish theme with music). As starters it was Crostini with salsa (coriander, tomatoes, onion, pine nuts, olive oil and spices), mozzarella cheese, Fennel and Italian salami.
Main course was chicken fillets marinated with self-made tapenade and accompanied with oven roasted vegetables.
I had promised to fix the dessert so that was not self-made, but bought Pannacotta.
Rautatalo ie. The Iron House is office block opposite Stockmann, which was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1950's.
Premises are usually not open to public, but now it was possible to visit the building as Helsinki Design Open event during 4 days in August.
The inner courtyard The Marble Hall with the Cafe was really stylish. It really is a shame that this venue is not open to public as it was really charming. One would like to have an opportunity to visit places like this, which are important part of Helsinki history.
Once again it wasso gratifying to state how simple and stylish Finnish design is.
"We should work for simple, good, undecorated things... things which are in harmony with the human being and organically suited to the little man in the streets" Alvar Aalto 1957
Restaurant Day is a food carnival when anyone can open a restaurant for a day. The first Restaurant Day was organized on 21st May 2011 in Helsinki, Finland and now this event has spread all over the world. Now it is arranged 4 times a year and of course summer time pop-up
cafees and restaurants are more in the outside and in colder periods in
the basements and other inside locations.
Event seems to become more and more popular each time and there are vast number of participants with various different concepts. It was even chosen as The Best Cultural Act in Helsinki 2011.
Ravintolapäivä Aug 2012
Ravintolapäivä Aug 2012
I have been away from Helsinki quite a few times when it has been Restaurant Day, but the first Ravintolapäivä I visited was August 2011. We went around Töölö pop-up places as my friend's kids though it was so exciting to buy waffles from the window of somebody's home (Vohveliruutu). And they were right, it was great fun!
Restaurant Day Aug 2011 (photo from VisitFinland.com)
Got to admire how people have come up with amazingly creative conceps and fun ideas like to Royal Cake Cafe (Kakkupalatsi), which had delicious biscuits with fun royal names such as "Victoria's Secreat", "William's Wild Cookies" etc.
Ravintolapäivä August 2011
Around last November's Restaurant Day there was a big discussion around alcohol being served without a licence in the events. Unnecessary fuss since nobody is professionally selling alcohol and it would be nice to be able to buy a beer with your meal. We visited Creole kitchen (Jatsia ja Jambalayaa) in Katajanokka and also the police visited the place checking that there was no alcohol served... Well, the food and athmosphere in the basement was great as well as mudcake and water.
Ravintolapäivä Nov 2011
It is always nice to participate events like this (from the customer side I mean). I sincerely hope that Ravintolapäivä manages to keep it nice spirit and soul so thatit does not become commercial.
Flow Festival just seems to get better year by year. The way the whole area has been built up is amazing.
Really nice and suitable area for city festival with good arrangements.
I must say the area looks really pretty in the dark with all the lights turned on.
The artists I waited the most this year were Bon Iver and Feist and I was so pleased after seeing them live. Bon Iver played on Wednesday in an opening concert when the whole area was not even available, only the Nokia Blue Tent. That was perfect place as the sound was the best in there.And his voice as amazing live as on the album.
The actual festival started on Friday and we arrived just on time for Yann Tiersen, who did not meet my expectations of hearing the Amelie soundtrack. After that we checked Antero Lindgren at Open Source Stage and I definitely want to see him again in a club, because the sound was not the best possible on the outside stage.
Miike Snow was a positive suprise and I think Lykke Li was great. Her show was very similar to last year's Popaganda Stockholm gig and I really like the song on the latest album.
After Lykke Li we listened to some Charles Bradley, but that music is not really my genre so Friday ended just after midnight.
Third Flow day Saturday started with Ane Brun, who has really beautiful voice.
I especially like her Worship duet with José González, Norwegian song Du Gråter Så Stora Tårar and overall the latest album It All Starts With One.
Then it was just free hanging in the area, briefly checking out Horace Andy, Karri Koira and Saint Etienne.
The final act on The Main Stage was The Black Keys, whose gig really made the day!
Sunday started with great Finnish artists Manna, Pepe Deluxé and French Films. I was really looking forward to seeing Friends, but was really disappointed them playing live. Although Samantha Urbani is charismatic the live show just did not give me anything.
So I just keep on listening Friend's hit I'm His Girl on the album.
But Feist was so amazing live. Although I had high expectations and I had heard positive comments from her Way Out West gig on Friday, she managed to top everything. This artist I want to see again.
After Feist we checked little bit of The War On Drugs before Björk started her show. It was not allowed to take photoes so that the artist could concentrate 100%. Little bit interesting since it should not disturb if one is not using a flash. Well, now I have seen her and she really has a gorgeous voice so that was an experience.
But after Björk came a really intensive St. Vincent gig and she really gave it all!
Lots of artists (at least Friends, Feist and Björk) made a statement for freeing Pussy Riot, which was extremely positive and one could only hope that this media attention helps the situations. So sad that this can happen in today's world and really effect on my opinion about Russia.
Weather was a little bit chilly this year, but no rain, which was the main thing. It was quite easy to get out of the festival area and catch a bus home
so you did not need to rush away, but you were able to stay and watch
all the late acts you wished for. Summa summarium:it was super and hope to go again next year.
