FOUR THINGS RIGHT NOW

Or actually, turns out, two days ago, when I though that I had pressed Publish.*

Painted my nails five shades of red.

Took a little nap in my little in-house jungle. It's this spot here.

Read up on some pilates and anatomy.

Although right now I'm mainly waiting to get back to another kind of read.
We sometimes read crime novels together with Eddi and the new Kepler one is pretty addictive.

*)Sometimes I find drafts in my email spooking around too that I thought I had already shipped away to their receiver. To the extinct I thought there was something wrong with my account. But I guess it's just me failing at multitasking...

WEIRD AND PRETTY; PRETTY WEIRD

I am a sucker for fancy books with fine pictures. It's not only one or twice I by accident pop by the big bookstore and arrive home with a bag heavy of art deco, vintage ads or fashion history.

My latest add of picture books is one with strange, funny and scary photomontage postcards form the early 1900's. Surrealism before the actual term!

A few of these -or, similar- were familiar from the wonderful world of the internet already but most were such I haven't seen before. Some are quite cute and pretty but some are just so weird it's awsome.

I mean who wouldn't be super happy to receive a card with a terrified baby being lifted by balloons on? There's also one with a frightened kid and a super scary doll in a corner.


Or this man coming to -or still strong in- faith while about to drown in the ocean?


No? What a about this one here then? Two lovely girls and a puppy. It says 'Today a rose, tomorrow...' Pretty sad actually.



These baby kale heads might give some laughs though. Or the mixture of fish and obnoxious child.
Not that it actually is that weird sending weird stuff (cards) to each other. The same we send each other nowadays too, posting weird stuff on Facebook. Or, I don't know about you, but that's what I do at least :)


Here are some cat ladies.


And spider men.


A dude in an egg.

Plus a little pop art before pop art! Sort of.

I like these collages of stamps, photos and pieces of fabric. Looks like something out of Etsy, heh.

The book is in Finnish; "Ihme ja Kumma".

SMALL AND BIG EMBROIDERIES

When Dag got his name he was wearing the same frock Eddi and his family has received theirs in. The tradition is also to embroider the name of the new family member into the frock. A very nice tradition yes, although the embroidery part has given me a wrinkle or two between he eyes. Not my favorite thing to do, as I hate to have to be so precise.  Which is something that works fine for me when drawing on the computer, but less fine with anything by hand. Although, I did do some nice butterflies in different coloured yarn with pearl applications on some of my dresses and pockets back in the days when I was 17 and an art school hippie girl. But that was then and back then was a long time ago.

Quite suitably, I received a present - an embroidery inspiration book by Karin, crafting glady extraodinaire. I remember visiting her blog earlier and being impressed by her cute and pretty embroderies applied to all sorts of things. "Små och Stora Broderier" is her second book, and as the name says, it consists of ideas and how-to's for both small and bigger embroideries.

This was sent as a personal gift to me but I was later contacted by her publisher with a copy and asked to review it.

 (Bonus baby feet)

 The book features decorating traditionals items like cushions as well as more modern and funny items too.

 If you do not want to draw the patterns yourself everything featured in the book is available for copying.

And also explanation to how the stitching is done. (See, this is what I need! I only ever knew how to make those loop-stitches. And had sort of forgotten about them too. Not that this will help me get those name letters any more precise or neat, but at least now I have more ways to try out now:).

I mainly thought the book would be enjoyable from an aesthetic point of view for me with nice pictures and so (which it is and it has, with a clean and pretty layout) but it actually made me want to try and do some embroidery too...that also is one of the ideas of the book; to serve as ideas and inspiration both for those who have never touched a needle and a thread, and those who already know their way around decorating items with those, but mostly to awake the lust to start doing something with your hands.

So, to share the joy I have another copy to give away for one of you!

I will ship the book anywhere to whoever wins, but note that the book is in Swedish, being of most use for Scandinavians. However, the pictures and instructional drawings also take you quite a long way even if you would not understand the text.

To enter, it's the usual : leave me a comment on this post. (You don't have to be a follower of this blog, but then again, isn't it a little, well, embarrassing just wandering around the internet participating in giveaways?) I will draw the winner randomly so please leave me only one comment. Really, one. It will screw things up otherwise. And, make sure you are reachable to me trough that comment, as in trough a blog or (working!) link, contactable profile and so on, or leave me your email. 

If you share this you can get another entry by commenting again and leaving me the link to your post.

You can enter until next Tuesday; September 18! I will draw the winner shortly thereafter.

ROCK N' HAIR

I was sent a new book on hairstyling: Rock n' Hair, made by a team of vintage loving ladies!

The book has been available in German before, but has now also come out in English.

This differs a bit from the other books on vintage hairstyling I've come across: it serves more as a source for inspiration and gives small tips on how to get a vintage inspired look for everyday wear. The styles are such that you should be able to make them without a lot of preparation before; new takes on classic do's.

The hairstyles are divided into everyday wear and special occasions, and the do's are labeled simple, moderate or difficult - but all in all, the difficult level still is something you could pull off even tough new in the game.

Some of the hairstyles seem very easy to make by following the steps, but with others I feel there could have been more pictures. However, I also think it is a good thing not to have too many step-by-step pictures, as we all have different hair and cuts and what works on a particular model might work a bit differently for you; you still get good guidance from the text in the book and you can use the pictures mainly as ideas when styling your own hair.

The book also has some extra spreads with inspiration-pics, as well as a short section on men's hairstyling and make up.

I actually like the layout of this book better than the one of some other similar ones; it is simple and fresh.

This would make a good book for those who are not used to styling hair and to those who like vintage style and do not know where to begin.  For the pros, this might be a nice extra in the bookshelf- if you know your way around pin curls and such a bit more already I think this book will mainly serve as giving new ideas or variations on the hairstyles  already in your repertoire. Also, if you otherwise do not really go for retro or so but need a look for a fancy party or themed event both for you and your hubby this could be a good source!

Last but not least, the nice lades from Rock n'Hair has offered one lucky reader the chance to win a copy!

The winner will be drawn randomly. You enter by leaving a comment on this post, and you know the deal: only ONE comment per person, unless you share this giveaway out there somewhere on the interwebs. You get another entry per share.  If you share it, leave me a link to your post/mention. Also, as the book is made by a small team and lots of goodwill I think it would be nice if you'd link to the Rock n' Hair site -http://www.rocknhair.de - in your mention too.

Make sure you are reachable to me trough your comment!

The giveaway is open for a week, until June 13 and the winner will be announced shorty thereafter.

(Unless I'm giving birth or so, then it will take a few days longer. You never know).

If you don't want to try your look you can get the book home straight away by ordering it from the Rock n'Hair team, or via Amazon. Happy styling!

WEARABLE VINTAGE FASHION & SECONDHAND AND VINTAGE LONDON

I have a lot of books at home about art, design, vintage and fashion, and also titles on all of those combined. Which I always thought would be nice to feature in posts (although few posts have seen the, how would you say it, light of the world wide web so far...)

My latest book is by Jo Waterhouse and Clare Bridge, Wearable Vintage Fashion, a book I had been waiting for but then forgot about until it came up in an email conversation and then down the mail slot in my door.


The authors of the book are vintage enthusiasts and run a vintage store in the UK; Secondhand Rose. The book covers fashion styles from the 1920's to the 80's in perhaps a little different way than we are used to see vintage fashion being represented; quite down to earth, rather practical. The book does not present items that designer pieces photographed at a museum nor is it illustrated with vintage fashion editorials and adverts, but the clothing pictured are from the authors' vintage store or borrowed from friends and relatives, items that have really been worn or are in use. The photos in the book are also of friends and relatives, shots from real life.

Each decade is presented with some text and key items for both daily and fancier wear, the over-all style presented. What I like is that also items from different decades are brought up when discussing a certain style, not ruling anything out. Like some seventies pieces that fit 30's style and 80's goes 50's or example, showing how fashion recycles itself and how you can take advantages of different periods when trying to recreate a look for everyday wear. The book also recreates one style icon per decade in a don't-take-it too-seriously kind of way, with good tips for masquerades or theme parties.

In the end there is a section of street style, with what I am sure will be a lot of familiar faces for many of you. And why did I mention I had been know about the book to coming out?


Well, that's since yours truly is also featured in a spread :)

At the same time as Wearable Vintage Fashion I also got a guide book on vintage shopping in London; Seconhand and Vintage London by Andrew Whittaker:

When I was in my later teens the thing for me and my friends was to move to London after school was over. We saw movies like London Kills Me and read UK magazines, listened to brit pop. Well, dreams changed, none of us moved there. In fact, I haven't even been threre. Yet.
But anyway, most people find London a good city for vintage shopping and thrifting. So when I do get to go there to dig in on the selection this guidebook will come in handy -  Secondhand and Vintage London is part of a shopping guide series being made (so far  a Berlin version is also available, which I'd like to see as I have had the chance to browse stores over there a few times and have many trips there yet to make again).

The book is divided in sections, like Clothes & Accessories, Books & Music, Home &Garden etc, and each section is organized according to stores per area.  There are over a hundred shops and markets featured. The stores are labelled according to a three-step price scale.

Both books are published by Vivays (- they have quite many books on art and vintage!).
You can't order the books directly from the publisher but find them on Amazon for example.

And, and, in honour of finishing off my "give away week" (which I intended to do last week already but that a nasty flu stopped me from), one of you will have a chance to win either one of these books according to your choice!

To enter, leave me a comment on this post, and let me know which of the books you would be interested in. As usual, this is open to everyone out there. The winner will be drawn randomly which means only one comment per person (and once again, make sure I can reach you trough that comment)! If you however mention and link this give away somewhere out there on the interwebs you can leeave me annother comment showing me you'v done so, which of course will give you another entry.
The give away will be open for one week; until Wednesday March 28th.

A GIFT

I have the silly little habit of always asking "oooh did you bring me presents?" if the husband has been elsewhere for a day or two. Today as Eddi got home after a work trip I was so concentrated on the take away sushi I he had picked up for me (really that is what kept me not dying from boredom and sickness here today, the thought that I would actually get some suuuushi..) that I totally forgot to give the present thing a go.

And this time he really had a present !


A book with Eric Bruun's designs!

(Yes, those are my sick little sock covered feet)


Eric Bruun is one of the more famous Finnish graphic artists and my favorite one. He was active since the late forties until the nineties and int's interesting to follow one artist's works trough that time span.

VINTAGE & AMERICANA

I was about to get myself Gina Holdar's book A-Z of Classic American Clothing, but Ina was quicker and got it to me for Christmas!

It's a good book for anyone interested in American clothing, Americana, or just clothes and also vintage in general, as it is full of useful things to know as well as fun facts. You can get the book via americana.se. The author, based in Sweden, also runs Americana Classic Vintage, and a web store will launch later this month. Americana classic vintgae can also be seen at Helsinki Vintage this weekend.

And now, listen up all of you who will or can be in Helsinki this weekend:
Americana is giving away two tickets to the Helsinki Vintage happening!

The event will take place next Sunday; March 6 - I don't know what evil powers decide it has to be the same weekend as I work, every single time, but luckily the harbour is close so I'll have a chance to stop by.

Anyway, to enter the give away, leave me a comment on this post, and yes, as usual, be sure I will be able to contact you.
Stay put next Friday then as I will draw the winner randomly and let you know the same evening!

And yes, if you post and link to this competition somewhere on the interwebs you get another entry per link, by leaving me a comment and linking to said your mention.

Good luck - and see you next Sunday perhaps :)

COME TO FINLAND!

Posters and postcards from the Come To Finland book; a book about vintage travel posters for Finland. I love old travel posters, and well, old posters in general. It's also interesting to see branding for Finland from back in the days.

You can browse the book as a whole online - I found some posters I remember form my childhood that were on the walls of our summerhouse (they still are actually). You can buy the posters and cards separately too, but I'll go for the book (and I actually intend to get it now, and not wait for some years like I unintentionally did with the Jaffas...)

EDIT : I have to add, as I realized many of you do not know; it's interesting and a bit sad too perhaps to see the poster for Wiipuri - Finland lost that big and old city to Soviet after the war, and tens of thousands of people had to leave their homes, buildings and businesses behind. Some of my family lived there in the early 1900's too.

SWEET TEETH

The mail man dropped something very nice through the mail drop this morning; my Milk Toof book I had ordered not that long ago but almost forgot about already! Which of course made me very happy since I've been in love with these small theeth a long time.
Oh ♥









If some of you are not familiar with My Milk Toof yet, I suggest you take your time and browse trough the whole site. You'll love it! It's the sweetest blog I know. The book is sold out by now though, but I'm happy I was there in time to get myself a copy.