Malapascuan style

Malapascua, the island of beautiful beaches and great diving. All that is true but having traveled quite extensively in asia, I must describe Malapascua as the island of warmth -both in temperature and in peoples' behavior.

I met a couple who said it hasn't changed a lot in 10 years, which is a true miracle during todays tourist industry that has turned places like Koh Samui, Phuket and Bali into something quite different from a decade ago.
that is not to say that the local teenagers don't entertain the quirks of todays fashion and global music scene but the feeling all around is still true Malapascuan.



One can find all the necessities in life on the island. There's a bakery, clothes shops, convenience stores, lodging for all budgets and good restaurants and diveshops all over. The only thing lacking is medical services alltogether so stock up on everything you might need in that area. I usually travel with at least some basic painkillers and antibiotics and already a pack of penisilin has saved us a day-long trip to Cebu.


It's also fun and interesting getting to know the people. Everyone is generally friendly and don't seem to mind sharing a few moments answering questions. The kids I spent some time with during a celebratory lunch among neighbours are eager to learn about everything and already know a good deal - the education system here is great and at least the 12-yr olds seem to know a lot more about life than I did at that age.


More info coming up soon about this lovely place, so start plannig your trip!

Yummy Mums..

New giveaway glossy-paper Mums was released in Finland yesterday night.

The swedish magazine continues a pathway laid by Vice putting a new exciting spin to it.

Launch party in Helsinki took place in the Diesel store in the heart of the city. The party crowd was entertained by a quirky musical act and bondage mermaids that were cruising the area tied up in various ways were a huge hit.

Chief editor Petter Mollenberg and fashion editor Martin Bergström seemed to enjoy the night meeting helsinki fashion-goers and sipping away at the launch and the afterparty held at Siltanen restaurant whose restaurant manager Richard McCormick was spinning the records at the party.

It's great to see new things being put together by enthusiastic people and although swedish isn't my mother tongue the articles are an easy read and it's never a bad thing to brush up :)

como te llamas?

Finally a new, exciting bar emerged in Helsinki city center. It has been long awaited since the Kallio area has admittedly taken over as the hippest place to be in town. Lots of great places there, but it's lovely to have somewhere in between home and work where the atmosphere folds you in the warmth again.

Llama Bar is a pleasant surprise. A cluster of of furniture and decor creates a bazaar feeling yet leaves space for activity around the small premises. They'll be serving lunch starting next week but already you can find sorts of little eatables.

A bar serving snails cooked in herbs as a snack can't have the wrong idea what this town needs. Only time will tell wether it's going to be the new favorite of everyone or claim its place in the row of punavuori's classics.

Sirkus Finlandia

Sirkus Finlandia has toured the country for decades already and are residing in Helsinki for another couple of weeks.

I went to see their show this year and was disappointed by the increase of animal acts. Though well kept, the animals showed clearly visible stress and anxiety surely caused by the touring.

Sea lions should definitely be living in the beautiful big blue instead of a portable tub on a sand field.

This defect also unnecessarily undermines the other brilliant and entertaining performances.

Antti Suniala being the only Finnish solo artist touring with the circus this year lives up to his reputation as being one of the most talented fire-jugglers in the world.

Also the acrobats and other performes are clear professionals and the house clowns best I've seen in a while. They worked hard in keeping the audience interacting and entertained in between acts.

So go and have a good laugh and get infatuated with the 'bending man' and if you agree with me about the unnecessity of animal acts please voice your opinion at least by not applauding during them. It's ok to have the fun family moment as an educational one too and the statement 'without animals there would be no circus' I extracted from the uneasy Master Of Ceremony has been triumphantly unvalidated by Guy Laliberte, founder of Cirque de Soleil.

I believe that Sirkus Finlandia has the potential and know-how to develop into a house of great performes without the need to showcase stressed wildlife as a crowd-pleaser.

Tigi Photo Awards Finland

Last night the long awaited show of Tigi creative team was finally again seen in Helsinki as part of the Tigi Photo Awards. Despite the worst weather we've seen this fall the event was a success and the party stretched well into the next day.

Led by Nick Irwin, Maria Kovacs and Akos Bodi did a demo presentation on the snazzy and beautiful of today's hair. I personally think I'm yet to see hair too big and enjoyed the show thoroughly.

Local make-up team did a great job as well in participating in creating the look for the show styled by Jiv. At least Tintti has some detailed material on the make-up in her blog.

two of my favorite photos featuring -surprise surprise, BIG hair!

I'd welcome more international teams to present their knowledge here so big hugs to

SKT-group for putting together a quality event!

...down memory lane

Must say it's been a great summer and what's even better -it seems to still be going strong. You can see people enjoying the rays of sun still warming the bicycle rides to work in the morning, spontaneous picnics in the park and strolls around town.

I couldn't find satisfactory words to describe the good times of past months so i decided to put together my all-star set of summer 09.

_Design Fashion_

Had a great time putting together a fashion show with professionals at the opening of helsinki design week. Seductive make-up and sleeked hair were the key frames for elaborate gowns and innovative new design. Make-up artist Mariela created the plastic lace masks out of a table cloth! Here's my favourite shots from a great looking show :)