stylenotes

Time for Spring fashion at Stockmann's. Another store promotion with balloons!

Spring Designs 2

I prefer this design to the previous one.

Spring Designs 1

Looks like Marimekko is advertising its spring collection. Pretty colours!

Marimekko Corporation is a leading Finnish textile and clothing design company that was established in 1951. The company designs, manufactures and markets high-quality clothing, interior decoration textiles, bags and other accessories under the Marimekko brand, both in Finland and abroad. Official Website

Capped Castle

It's unfortunate that these beer bottle caps were found in the children's playground. But the kids have made something good out of a bad situation. Not to worry, the caps have been cleared.

Wire and Recycle Art 6

Still have one more for the wire and recycle art. You can't see it clearly here but there is a bulb inside. It lights up as well.

Break away

I saw this scene near Martinlaakso bus station yesterday. I was curious why the police van was parked there directing traffic while this piece of 'box' was stuck on the street. I immediately took out my phone and took a shot from the overhead bridge I was standing. Then I looked on the other side of the bridge.

It was too far to take the shot from there and so getting off the bridge and walking ahead, I saw the other part of the 'box'. It had seemed that the rear end of the lorry had somehow broken away from it. Maybe it was too high for the bridge. No idea how it happened but it was a good photo opportunity. ;-)

Wire and Recycle Art 5

This is the last for the wire and recycle art. A pretty sandal keychain.

Wire and Recycle Art 4

The guitar player. Besides these large figures, there are also smaller art pieces which can be used as keychains. Have a look at them tomorrow...

Wire and Recycle Art 3

It's a radio! As you can see, it plays when connected to a battery. Nice!

Wire and Recycle Art made by Francis Mushonga from Zimbabwe.
For more info contact: mushongafrancis@yahoo.com OR mushonga263@gmail.com
+358442762099 / +358408734583

Art on display at The Ullanlinna School, Neitsytpolku 2 B, 00140 Helsinki

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Wire and Recycle Art 2

The small bird is made of plastic. It was quite soft to hold.

Wire and Recycle Art 1

As mentioned last week, here are more details about the wire and recycle art displayed in Ullanlinna School. Ullanlinna School is the kindergarden where I work part-time.

These art pieces are made by Francis Mushonga from Zimbabwe.
For more info contact: mushongafrancis@yahoo.com
mushonga263@gmail.com
+358442762099 / +358408734583

More of his art pieces will be displayed this week.

Graffiti at Ilmala station

Still in pasila library

The label reads:
Martin Black (American: born 1962)
CONNECTIONS 2000
Hot-sculpted glass
Presented to the Helsinki Library by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Time for reading..

Pasila Library in Helsinki. Calm, quiet and peaceful..

Spare change, please...

In the past months, there have been a lot of reports on the increase of beggars in the Helsinki city region. Most of the beggars are refugees from Romania. The government is worried that the number will increase in summer when the weather gets warmer.

It is not illegal to beg here but the government is worried about the city's image. So they are trying to curb the problem by taking the children into custody. The authorities are hoping that this would force them to stop the act.
Well we'll have to wait and see...
Read and view videos at MTV3 news (in finnish)

Sandcastles and Snow

I was at work today and the kids were making sandcastles in the park. Yes, it was a nice sunny day with temperatures about 7 deg cel and the snow is melting away slowly but surely.
Hope you noticed the snow in the photo ...

Theme Day: Water

This Month's theme is Water and here's a bottle of WATER.

Hundijala VESI is a vodka from Estonia. VESI = WATER (in finnish and in estonian) has 80% alcohol content. Vesi is a proper word in finnish and it actually does mean water. dictionary result for the non-believer ;-) This bot was a gift from a friend for my husband and I have yet to taste it.

theme day id=13

Here are the other 177 sites participating in today's theme day.

theme day id=13

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Eric, Paris, France by Gordio, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Parking Meter

This is an older version of parking meters here in Finland. Don't usually see this kind of meters in most places here.

Wired up.

Taken on the same day. More details to follow next week ...

Metal Rhino!

An artist is displaying some of his works at the place where I work. He apparently has a website but haven't had the chance to get those details. More details coming soon...

Exposed!

A traffic light in the city all exposed. Had to take a quick shot before the lights changed.

Pasila crossroads

3pm today in Pasila. The sun was shining and as you can see the snowfall from yesterday is already melting. It is expected to be all gone this weekend when the temperatures are above 0 deg celsius.

This is quite a busy intersection as the Pasila train station is in the right hand corner and trams also commute this route.

Snow again!

Housebound again. I was hoping for spring to arrive. Not this much snow... :(

Good taste!

This cocoa by Fazer is yummy. I've been with the flu the past week so haven't been out of the house. Maybe tomorrow...

Reflector

Due to the long dark nights here, it is vital that everyone wears a reflector so that they can be noticed by vehicles in the dark. Reflectors come in various shapes and sizes here. Like this dolphin one here.

Happy Easter!

The Narcissus is associated with Easter here. I don't really celebrate Easter. Just had a quiet day at home. The Easter egg was painted at my workplace (a childcare centre) as a sample for the kids to follow.

Teräsbetoni in Concert 2

Here is a close-up of the lead singer Jarkko Ahola. He is also the bass guitarist. The concert was great! Hope they do well in the EuroVision 2008 song contest.

Teräsbetoni in Concert

This was taken on wed 19.3 at Tavastia, a concert hall Helsinki. Teräsbetoni (Finnish for "steel reinforced concrete") are a Finnish heavy metal band. They are this year's candidate for EuroVision song contest.

Peace

This gathering was near Kamppi Shopping centre yesterday to remember the start of the Iraq War on 20th March 2003. Rauha Irakiin = Peace for Iraq.
Finland has asylum seekers from Iraq.

Safety first...

Careful!

It's slippery... Sign on the train door.

Mr/Ms Price Circus

HintaSirkus minus the legs ... Need to focus more and be more quick with my shots.

Waiting for spring ...

Corona Bar & Billiards

This portrait of Matti Pellonpää, a Finnish actor and musician hangs in Coronoa Bar & Billiards in Helsinki. It was co-founded by Mika Kaurismäki, brother of Aki Kaurismäki. Matti Pellonpää has acted in 18 of Aki Kaurismäki's movies.

Little Miss Balloon

I was trying to take a shot of the walking 'ad' that read Hinta Sirkus = Price Circus but he was moving around a lot that the shot ended up as above. I got Little Miss Balloon instead ... ; ) Taken at Forum, Helsinki today.

St. Henry's

One of two Catholic churches in Finland.

Is it still on?

Happened to get this shot today. What a coincidence! Still checking ... ;-)

Is your lipstick still on?

Usually trams are green in colour. It's not usual to see trams have full ad all over. This was very striking. Taken today at the city central.

Mini Casino

Play the slot machines while you wait for you train at Pasila train station. They even have a roulette tabl., Are there slot machines like this in your city?

Know Knorr

Eat colour with Knorr.

Mammoth Sales

at CityMarket in Jumbo. The balloons read Mammutti Markkinat = Mammoth Markets

First Snowman

I think this is the first snowman i've seen this winter...

Sweeping Sales

at Kamppi now till Saturday.

More snow

Snow has stayed on today. Kids were sledding and cross-country skiers were out. Expected to be freezing tomorrow as well.

Oh.. this scuplture is in the school cafetaria.

Confused...

It snowed today. Temperatures were below 0. It has been a bad winter. We haven't had much snow. Feb was supposed to be the coldest month but temperatures were been between 2 to 5 deg Cel. Whenever we do get some snow, it melts away the next day.
Most Finns are just waiting for spring to come and SUMMER! It's just too late to have snow now.

Fan of graffiti?

There is no lack of graffiti here in Helsinki/Vantaa. Graffiti is found on buildings, train stations, bus stations, buses, trains etc.. This is found in Myyrmäki train station. This will be the FINal one for now...

writings on the wall

This was found on a child's clinic in Vantaa. Not sure what it means..

March 2008 Theme Day: Graffiti or street mural

It's theme day again and I have chosen to post this graffiti in a toilet cubicle in Tennispalasti (cinema) in Helsinki.

Here's a close up of the finnish text in the left hand corner. From what I can make out it roughly says: what if something could make all the women very crazy??? One band .... (not sure wat's here) WONDERFUL! Rather Antti Tuisku (even though I dont't listen to him)

Antti Tuisku is a finnish male singer.

Below are the other cities participating in today's theme day:
Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Chicago (IL), USA by U R us, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Wrocław, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,