Fashion Stock Sale 2013 – Vanha ylioppilastalo

We follow fashion. And we want to find good deals. Hence we actively visit fashion markets and sales, when multiple different vendors come together to show their wares and make offers you can’t refuse. Yesterday we participated in Fashion Stock Sale event organized by Lumi accessories and Elle magazine.

Many of the usual suspects where there, but luckily we did not find that much “must have”-things and for the rest had our senses on, which meant that Satu agreed to leave even Minna Parikka’s shoes behind. They are gorgeous pieces of art, but still not in the mandatory section.

Paloni had Päivi & Janne Brunou’s items nicely visible for all the world to see.

Great designs from Mäntsälä.

The most important purchases and finds we made from our old friends Chao & Eero — extremely talented jewelry makers from Lahti. I’ve been a fan of their work for a long time, having bought previously one ring for myself, beautiful necklace for myself — and of course our engagement rings from them.

This time I invested into silver cufflinks that I have wanted to get for a long, long time. For Satu I purchased something absolutely fabulous – but will not show it here in the blog. It might be seen later on, when Satu wears it.

For everyday use I found a really nice accessory from Lumi.

Beautiful and small leather wallet. Luckily for much cheaper price than the suggested retail price.

Just a day in Helsinki …

We spent a rather nice leisure day today in Helsinki.

I started the day with a nice really slow run to heal my sore legs. After the run I switched my running shoes to my stylish walking sneakers, old school -style Karhu Fulcrums.

We met in Sörnäinen to enjoy a lunch in Fafa’s at Vilhonvuorenkatu. Best falafel in Helsinki.

Summer terrace was a great addition to Fafa’s – as you can enjoy the sun also while waiting for your food, instead of just hanging inside store.

After getting food we went to the Kaisaniemi to see the World Village Festival.

Seeing also the Koff beer tram. One of the nicest ways to take a sightseeing and drink beer in Helsinki.

World Village Festival had activities starting all the way from the Railway Station’s square.

Poetry sessions in front of Aleksis Kivi statue.

Drum circle on the way to Kaisaniemi park.

And finally the park area.

Might say something about the festival later on. Now it is sufficient to just say that it is nice to see all kinds of activities in Helsinki center.

At the same time there was a youth theater festival going on in national theater.

… adding few youthful characters to the flow of people in the area.

As the weather was so superb, we spent rest of the day having a barbecue at our friend’s house.

When we returned to the city, we witnessed the largest trap we have ever seen for those who try to use public transportation without a ticket. 12 or so ticket inspectors, multiple security guards to provide muscle and backup — and even two police officers.

All and all, not bad day.

Born to run – a great read

I finally had the time to read “Born to Run” – which was suggested to me already a long time ago. Magnificent and fun read about the history of barefoot running – as well as evolution of human beings.

Even if you are not a runner the book is a fun read and gives good insights also to how we might have a fully wrong initial thinking going on even on our fundamental concepts like how we walk and run — and what can be good for us.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Born-Run-Hidden-Ultra-Runners-Greatest/dp/1861978774

I love my New Balance MR10yb2 – shoes, but they have a one design flaw

Few days ago I upgraded my running shoes to New Balance MR10 model and eagerly took them for few spins already in London. Absolutely magnificent shoe for me. Felt so light, fresh and good in my feet. And look great.

However after few runs in Finland — once back home, I noticed a potential design flaw that is annoying at least here in Finland.

See the bottom of the shoe.

This shows the section under your heel.

It is a hole, which I assume is there to give flexibility and more movement to the sole. And I assume that it also works pretty well.

However it also collects huge amounts of small rocks into it.

These small rocks were in my shoes after just one run. Second image includes Ikea furniture supertool for size reference.

I’m yet to see whether this has any long term effect on how durable these shoes will be – but will keep an eye on that. In any case I have already another pair coming from another online retailer as I was so happy with these shoes and how they feel. I sincerely hope that these small rocks do not cause any damage to the shoe and that I have hundreds and hundreds of kilometers to be run with these shoes.

Some love for Krista Siegfrids

It was such a shame that Krista Siegfrids did not get more love in the official Eurovision-vote. This acoustic version of bubble gum-pop song Marry Me! shows that besides being good entertainer she also has some real singing skills.

http://kristasiegfrids.com/archives/14873

Too bad it seems that Ding Dong!-album does not make the most out of the potential and is mostly annoying – sounding a bit like Kei$ha. “Can You See Me?” is the only really strong song, and that is a quiet ballad.

Though “Marry Me!” will not be remembered as a pop gem you do have to appreciate the energy and effort that the whole team Ding Dong has attacked the project.

Silly entertainment, but done so well that people got excited.

The last time I was excited about Eurovision, was 2006 when we had something completely different.

Getting to London – and going out for a run

What is wrong with me. I come to London and instead of first heading down to a pub and having paint of excellent ale or bitter, I just switch into my running gear and go out for a run? Seriously. What is wrong with me.

Yesterday was such a beautiful day with sunshine and warm weather, that luckily I was not the only one with the same idea. Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park were filled with people strolling around and enjoying their day – as well as hundreds of runners who were either enjoying a nice run or enjoying the pain they got from a not so nice run.

I had so much fun running from Queensway all the way to the Speaker’s corner – around the end of the park and through the Flowers walk back to the Queensway and to the embassy area – where I did my cooling down walking after the run. A short 6 kilometer run and the walk afterwards were just perfect tools to get me up and running after the early morning flight to London – and get me once again oriented into big city life with people swarming everywhere.

And yes. I love every single moment of it.

Metrics for fun and improvement

When I train, I use sports computer to take log about my body’s performance and use the data to study how I’m doing – though I am not a serious sportsman in any way. I’m mostly following only the time used as well as kilometers collected and exercises performed on different training levels. As my goals have been just to keep my fitness level high enough to be able to carry on and perform well in everyday life, I haven’t put any more effort in to it — even though I have read numerous different training programs and theories. So no wonder my performance hasn’t really improved either. I still run about the same speeds I have had for some time, and have the normal stamina to run half a marathon without practice or any energy fill ups.

For long time it hasn’t been a problem in any way. I’ve been happy go lucky camper.

Now it start to be a problem as everyone else seems to be running longer and faster – and even without any or almost any practice. It is time to change things.

The good thing is that I should have all the equipment and knowledge ready, to do something. With the Suunto Ambit I get detailed information about my body experience and performance. Suunto’s Movescount provides nice overall view about the data, but much more detailed reporting and analysis can be done on Firstbeat’s Athlete — with is a superb desktop application for any sports geek. Athlete also has a simple training coach function, which creates simple training calendar — putting variance to your target training effects and keeping score on your training load.

I’ve already started to add to my schedule some maximum performance training to push my running technique and speeds up, as well as low performance training in the form of walking and swimming to balance these hard sessions and to get some relief to sore muscles. Backbone of my schedule should still be regular endurance trainings. During these long runs and bicycle trips I finally have time to listen through my Audible library’s books from the ever long todo-list, so a clear win-win-win for me.

We shall see whether my tuneup and usage of all these metrics from just fun towards the improvement goals have any effect.