dreaming of helsinki.

oh so pretty


cute and modern coffee shop
stunning architecture


the brightest yellow gelato i've ever seen
heart of polas
marimekko curtains in sara and jussi's apartment


sara and jussi <3
sara and jussi's apartment

Yearning for an adventure. Can you tell?


fish pastry
rice porridge pastries in the market
design/furniture store
fresh finnish strawberries

In ways Helsinki was as exotic as I expected. It was only dark from around eleven until four in the morning which felt completely bizzare, although helpful when we had to wake up at five for our flight. I can't imagine the winters with only four hours of light all day. I would be seriously depressed, but Sara said everyone is used to it and takes lots of Vitamin D.

Another interesting thing is that they have no concept of small talk. Sara said they don't even have words for it in Finnish, which definitely goes with their whole life philosophy of efficiency. Even their amazing decor revolves around practicality. I'm obsessed with the focus on white with bits of bright colors. Marimekko is a huge designer and you recognize the same prints everywhere. The whole city feels like Ikea, but better.

finnish friends.

picnic in the park

The highlight of our trip so far has been meeting new friends, Sara and Jussi. Sara and I found each other via blogging, and she and Jussi graciously offered for us to stay with them during our short stay in Helsinki. We could not have asked for better friends to show us around. They made up our couches with Marimekko matching sheets, acted as translators and taught us Finnish words (Hei! Moi! Kiitos!), walked with us for miles and miles around Helsinki, talked to us nonstop and answered our millions of questions, took us grocery shopping at Stockmann, bought cheese, fruit and sparkling wine for a picnic in the park, and made us feel totally comfortable and at ease.

ice cream on the baltic sea
picnics = happy
sara and jussi

Sara and Jussi have such a gorgeous life together (photos of their picturesque Scandinavian-style apartment to come) and I loved being a part of it for 24 hours. I hope I see them again very soon.