Cosmic case

Ah saturday night, I’m finally peeling myself off the screen for a night out in Helsinki. But check out my new iphone case, pretty cool right?

Yasmin Kianfar

YASMIN KIANFAR shirt and skirt
MANGO heels
MICHAEL KORS watch
FASHIONOLOGY jewellery

A designer that definitely deserves a mention is the young Yasmin Kianfar. Better known for her cut-out pieces, this lady is one of those to watch. I could have used a steam iron for the subtle chiffon but had to trust the sea breeze to do it’s trick while we photographed these on a very special little island in Barösund.

photos by stefanie

OK then

WEEKDAY coat
COS shirt
GINA TRICOT pants
PHILLIP LIM bag
FASHIONOLOGY rings
RIVER ISLAND sneakers
AMERICAN APPAREL nail polish

Okay to the god damn wedge sneakers that I once hated. Fine, I take back my words. Or at least to some extent because I have to say I think a pair of hidden high-tops go quite well with a button-down shirt and a blazer and if there is going to be sneakers on 5 inch and up, they better come with heels. These ones are by River Island and simply the best ones I’ve come across.

To be all honest with you, I have been using these for a few months now and also got them in white. 100% worth the purchase though as there is people popping up everywhere asking me where they are from.. all my other designer heels are really jealous.

photos by teemu

The chilled life

RVCA cap
YASMIN KIANFAR t-shirt
ACNE pop trash jeans
MICHAEL KORS watch
FASHIONOLOGY rings
MANGO shoes

I’ve been spending most of my days barefoot and in these jeans that I managed to find in a shop in Corsica. It was more of a ‘I didn't find them - they found me' sort of thing with the jeans that originally sold out too quickly for me to understand that I had to have them. My dad though I needed new jeans after he saw these.. Oh if he only new the floordrobe situation I have going on back home in London. Anyway I switched to heels and this brilliant Yasmin Kianfar tee just before we left to Helsinki where I’m spending my next week catching up on design work.

Hope all fellow Finns and Skandis had a beautiful mid-summer!

photos by stefanie

Tapped and packed

AMERICAN RETRO waistcoat
HM shirt
MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA shorts
ISABEL MARANT wedges
RAYBAN sunnies

MICHAEL KORS watch
BORA AKSU x BRACHER EMDEN tote

Hello from Finland, right now we are celebrating mid-summer night! The sun is shining, and it should be up all night, so basically absolutely nothing to complain about. Before I left London I took my new Bora Aksu for Bracher Emden tote out for a walk, this perfect sized beauty will be available in Harrods new designers accessory room from August, but more about that later.

So off I go, celebrating the prettiest day of the year. However having an iced americano and some banana bread isn't too shabby of a workday either so for now I’m ok being either in London or Finland.

A Make-up post

Okay so a little post that I’ve been meaning to make forever... May I stress that I’m not an expert on this field, but under the years I’ve grown quite fond of few products, which majority happen to be Mac (see a little earlier post here). In real life I’m quite the make-up hoarder, but I just updated my stash and polished my palettes so here we go..

Foundation. L'Oreal's True Match is a miracle cream, covers everything and stays on all day. The foundation is created to match your skin tone perfectly, I usually have a selection of two or three shades handy, depending on the season (read: where I am that week). I also use different shades around my face. I vary between the warm (W) and neutral (N) shades.

Another great foundation is Giorgio Armani’s Face Fabric. A bit little less covering than the previously mentioned, but leaves the perfect matt finish. My mother uses this one as well, so simply worth the money. I use shade 3.

Concealer. Also from L'Oreal's True Match range, perfect for under eyes and small imperfections.

Powder. As well True Match by L'Oreal, choose a light shade as it adjusts to your skin tone.

Bronzer. I use Mac’s Matte Bronze and Bare Mineral’s Warmth for a bit more shine.

Blush. Mac again, I always go for a more brownish one, now using Pinch Me.

Highlighter. I found an amazing one by Shiseido in Sweden. Gives a silverish shine, good for cheekbones and lips, I use S3 - the tube will last you forever.

Brushes. I love The Body Shop’s range. They are artificial but I find them better than real hair, weirdly enough.

Eye shadows. Although being a quite new discovery for me, I love the Naked palette by Urban Decay. I also use a wide range of Mac’s shadows, favorites include: Cut To Fit, Swiss Chocolate, Red Brick, Tete-a-tint and much more.

Mascara. In my teens my friend introduced me to Maxfactor’s range of waterproof mascaras, almost 10 years later I’m not even thinking about changing. Waterproof because that way you can be assured the lashes will stay looking fresh all day. I vary between the different Maxfactor ones, faves are Masterpiece and the 2000 Calories one. I think all Maxfactor waterproof mascaras are very similar in consistence, just varies in types of brushes.

Eyelash curler. I could not live without this little thing, makes in my opinion a huge difference. Shu Uemura and Mac has the best one’s I’ve tried.

Kohls. Mac again for the pencils, L'Oreal's Super Liner for liquid.

Eyebrows. I use a brown colored gel, best ones are by Anastasia and Mac.

Lips. Hands down Mac all the way. For lipsticks I love: Creme D’nude, Snob and Saint Germain. In lip glosses I use Japanese Spring (by Daphne Guinness for Mac), Fashion Whim and Wildy Lush - which ps. smells and tastes like cake. I eat like one a week.

Other little faves... I’m addicted to The Body Shop’s coconut body butter, I would go as far as saying that everyone who smells it - will buy it. You are really going to want to eat it too, but don't - it's a disappointment. The hemp cream is amazing as well, I always carry it with me. When my lips aren’t covered in nude lipsticks or delicious cake lip glosses I use Smith’s Minted Rose lip balm.

So here we have it! I don’t necessarily go through this whole process every morning, but it's surely nice to try to inspire myself to pay a bit more attention to my face...

xxx

Western Miu Mius

Oh la la, it's sale season!! I arrived to London yesterday and had to run down to Selfrigdes to join in on the fun.. so say hello to my awesome new western mules by Miu Miu, I wanted thease for the whole season, ah finally mine!

xxx

In Bastia

Hi again, this time from Bastia! We decided to migrate to a more lively part of the island for our last two days in Corsica. So here we are in a charming old city with every corner so beautiful that I’m gladly adopting the role of an exciting tourist who wants to photograph everything.

Even a little bit of shopping has happened... New leo pants from a brand called Bel Air and beautiful Miu Miu’s!

ps. Remember to take part in my Athena Procopiou giveaway ending tomorrow!

photos by me and Ida

Greyhound heels

Not that it would in any way relate to my week in Corsica, but how brilliant are these greyhound heels that I photographed during fashion week? The shoes are created by Alain Quilici for David Koma.

Positive adjustments

TOPSHOP knit
HM shorts
ALEXANDER WANG shoes
RAY-BAN sunnies

Hi from.. ehem Corsica. While I was adjusting back to my London live, my friend called telling me about her heartache, so let’s say I’m here to help out a friend a bit, rather than just extending my vacation.

photos by ida

Comic

I did not buy that much during my trip to the Canary Islands, but when I found a little fully packed corner shop with dresses in every single color and material, I was dragged in. As fortunate as I was, a pair of crazy worn old cartoon shoes caught my eye and after convincing the shop owner (who was a character in himself and drank from a mug that said ‘I’m the only gay on this island’!) to part with the shoes he once acquired for display purposes only, I was not able to leave the shop without this one of a kind pair!

I think these (again) fall in to the category of not knowing when or where to wear them or if I have the heart to take out this brilliant pair, but they were simply too good to leave behind!

xxx

Athena Procopiou giveaway

Time for a giveaway! It’s been a while since I last had one. This time I am teaming up with designer Athena Procopiou who I’m sure has not gone unnoticed lately for my dearest readers. Athena is giving away a scarf from her Frida collection, just click to the site (here) and choose your favorite print! Then leave your email and name of the scarf in the comment box below.

CLOSED, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT TOOK PART!

Holiday outfits instragrammed

ZARA shirt
LNA shorts
ALEXANDER WANG shoes
RAY-BAN sunnies

MARNI x HM set
CELINE bag
MANGO shoes
RAY-BAN sunnies

ZARA top
ATHENA PROCOPIOU life on mars scarf
FASHIONOLOGY necklace
GINA TRICOT jeans
ZARA shoes
RAY-BAN sunnies

TOPMAN t-shirt
ZARA pants
thailand bracelet
PRADA sunnies

When I can’t carry my camera around, I always opt for instragram! So a few simple outfits from the week. Much love for the brilliant app, you can follow me on @5inchandup

xxx