Music Mondays is Back!

Heeeyyy long time no see!

I could start explaining the reasons why I took a break from writing, but I'll save it for another post. I needed some time off and I've also thought of making some minor changes to my blog. The concept stays the same: I write from the depths of my heart, because I just don't know any other way. But the appearance and the way I present it might change...it's all still in process.

Any who!

My husband first played me this songs a month after he randomly found it on youtube. It's been watched over 200 million times, so there's a great chance that you've already seen it or at least heard it. It's by a Belgian artist called Stromae who I've never heard of before, even though he's been successful in Europe and has had Kanye West featuring on the remix of his hit single Alors On Danse. The song is in french so for you to get the full picture of it, you need to click on the settings and add subtitles (they only have them in english, but isn't it genius??). The style of music isn't necessarily what I usually listen to, but this song is so powerful in its message that it moved me at my core. Stromae's videos are often really well and interestingly made and I just love when the visual empowers the song to reach its full potential. And this is a perfect example of exactly that. I've watched the video several times, first just reading the lyrics (subtitles) and then taking in the message the video conveys. I suggest you take the time to really listen, watch and process this song, I'm pretty sure many of you can relate to it in one way or the other.

xxx

Ps. Vevo might not let me play the song on my site, but you can click on the link "watch on youtube".

Music Mondays

I'm always happy to share some good music from my very own country, aka the ever so cold Finland. Our generation is really the first one to actually being able to ask the questions: "What do I want to do? What are my dreams?" instead of what I have to do and how do we survive. Those questions bring along their freedom but as we know, freedom also comes with responsibility and the need to step into the unknown that our future is. Trying to use our heart as the navigator isn't always that simple and a lot of times pretty scary. But change is in the air and more and more people are choosing the road less traveled, defining their own destiny instead of letting circumstances define them. 

Without further ado, let me present to you Lake Jons. A band consisting of three brave men, ready to take over the music scene with their dreamy sound and definite lyrics. I'm not even a heavy folk music consumer, but this band is on to something beautiful that will most likely stop anyone in hearing distance and want to listen more carefully. They have released two singles of which this is their very first, followed by "Elder" that was made public a few weeks back (watch the video here). Both of their videos have been exquisitely executed and will leave you pondering on their deeper meaning long after youtube jumped you to the next suggested video. 

Enjoy!

xxx

Should Monster

The past weeks I've been re-evaluating my actions and priorities. I noticed that I have beliefs and ways of living that don't necessarily represent who I really am, but who I think I need to be. The process began when my husband abruptly announced that someone is coming over in ten minutes and to my horror, our home was a at a state of chaos. This person had been to our place before, but this time, for whatever reason, I hadn't taken the time to take care of our home and it represented the absence of my efforts. Obviously I freaked out and started a cleaning operation so fast that Superman would have had trouble to keep up with me. During those ten short minutes I also used my words to express my numerous thoughts on how intensely I dislike situations like this and let my husband know what kind of a puddle he had pushed me in. As a kind and loving man he didn't waste a minute and helped me with my operation, but he also took a moment to ask me why on earth I'm making this such a big deal? Why do I care what this person thinks of our home? Obviously those words went straight into one ear and out the other, but after my anxiety had dropped enough I finally heard what he was saying...

I grew up in a family where my superwoman mother always took care that our home was in mint condition. She taught me valuable lessons that I'm grateful to have adopted as my own, but somewhere in the midst of living in our Finnish culture I learned that the state of my home represents me as a person. So if someone saw our mess, I felt like a failure. For the first time I recognised that lie and I realised that I had other standards as well, that make me feel very little if I don't reach them. Taking care of my home is still important to me and order around me gives me peace, but instead of it coming from an external pressure, it should come out of my own desire of having a clean home. The same goes with working out. If I drag myself to the gym simply to please others (with the body I might achieve), I've already reduced my chances of success to a minimum. Keeping up to those external standards is exhausting and usually leads to taking time away from things that really matter. As an achiever it's easy to get hung up on just executing some list of should do's, without even taking a moment to evaluate what I need to prioritise. 

Now I've taken some actions to kick that "should monster" in the guts and figure out what I'm really supposed to be focusing on. Instead of listening to that nagging voice telling me all the things that I should be like or I should do and accomplish, I take a deep breath, evaluate whether what I'm doing is to keep up some facade that doesn't even represent who I am, go back to my list of priorities to remind myself of my true identity and work from that standpoint. Time is our most valuable possession and filling it up with those "should do's" is not using it wisely, even if it satisfies the need for accomplishment. Working out of my true identity makes me also the most productive and accomplished I could be.

Do you have a "should monster"? Are your actions rooted in pleasing others or trying to fit a social norm? Is your motivation ingrained in external pressures or are you living from the inside out?

These are the questions I've been asking myself and maybe they'll bring fresh insight to your daily life as well.

Have a wonderful, hope filled week! 

xxx

Photos by my Love

Shirt: BikBok

Jeans: Billabong

Trench Coat: Zara

Shoes: Dr. Martens

Bag: Calvin Klein

Music Mondays

If you've wondered where on earth I was last week all I have for you is just that busy life took hold of me and now, after finally having a good night sleep behind me, I feel more or less back to normal. The past weeks have been all kinds of things really, we'll see what this weeks post will be about...

But for todays Music Mondays I picked an artist that I'm honestly not completely familiar with. She's one of those singers that I've wanted to get into for a while, but just never taken the time to really dig into her work (which I love to do with every new sound I come across with). She's not new to the scene and a lot of you have already heard her work. I chose her latest single, Unstoppable, because I felt like it gave words to my state of mind at the moment. And also because the music video is just beautiful in all its simplicity. It felt so refreshing to actually watch a woman dancing, without her twerking and showing off every bit of her body. Don't get me wrong, I love to dance and shake and you know, all of it, but it seems to be the number one way to get attention for too many and I'm excited to see female artists trusting her talent and skills instead of guaranteeing views with nudity. I hope June has treated you well and that this song will make you feel Unstoppable!

xxx

Flaws And All

Lately I've been bombarded with posts and videos everywhere challenging my perception of beauty. I often feel like certain things are highlighted in certain seasons, so that we are able to grab hold of what we should be growing in. If you're a guy reading this, don't give up just yet, thinking this is for girls only. You actually play a huge role in this subject and I would love to invite you to see things "from the other side". 

Women have grown angry and disappointed with, what should be the society we live in, but ends up being ourselves. As I've shared before, I've come a long way from the 16 year old girl who pretty much hated herself. I've also thought that my perception of beauty has been pretty good, accepting all shapes and forms, flaws and all. Until I stumbled upon an angry woman's post (or rant) on how much she hates the whole "flaws and all" trash talk. It's definitely visible everywhere, from shampoo adds to fashion magazines, and I've thought it's a great first step towards a less repressive view on beauty. But that one angry post showed me how closed eyed I've been and how it's really more like a teeny tiny baby step. Accepting our flaws is great, but the truth is that it leaves us at a very superficial level of confidence. By doing that, we accept with it that there's still some utopian beauty standard that we fall short of (hence flaws). Looking at the situation as it is, with hundreds, probably even thousands of years of history where women have been pressured to fit some kind of mould/trend of the season, it's easy to withdraw to a defeated shrug. But that's not us, am I right?

For women to actually become completely free in this area, we have to attack the very root of why almost all of us have battled thoughts of feeling ugly, fat, disgusting, fill in the blank... All our lives we've been fed a certain image in movies, magazines, tv, commercials, setting up a standard for the beauty we need to possess. Sadly, I remember vividly how as a young girl I absorbed those images, making me a believer of "that's what I want to be (look like) when I grow up". One of the shocking articles I stumbled upon was an interview of several Brazilian women and girls, who've undergone plastic surgery, most of them at the early ages of 15-18 years old, because everyone does it and if you don't, basically, you're not a woman. It made my stomach do a backflip and I saw this vivid image of women around the world, obsessing about their looks, spending endless amounts of time and resources to fit whatever standard is the hottest at the moment, while men focus on their careers, enjoying life and pursuing their passions. 

This is a subject that I have to come back to probably multiple times because of its magnitude, but I want to leave you today with a few questions. Who defines your beauty? The "media king", aka businessmen making a crap load of money off of your insecurities? The men in your life? The women around you? Who have you given the power to declare whether what you look like is good or bad? 

We are powerful. We are beautiful. And we possess the strength to set up a new standard of beauty that says that our chubby thighs or skinny legs, our cellulite and stretch marks, our small boobs or flat butt, our bouncy belly and short legs are not flaws. They are all parts of our beautifully and flawlessly created bodies and it's about time we started celebrating them! Maybe then we'll have the time to put our efforts into making history. 

Are you with me?

xxx

Photos by Anna Laulumaa <3

T-Shirt: Sincerely Jules

Jeans: Topshop

Booties: Acne

Sweater: Zara

Sunglasses: RayBan

Music Mondays

You know that state of being so in love that nothing even matters? You spill that milk and just giggle at how clumsy you are, you trip on those stairs and can't stop laughing at how funny you must have looked, someone runs into you spilling coffee all over but you just see the smiley face it created on your shirt. Birds sing the most beautiful harmonies and trees dance to their melodies. Some call it euphoria, some a state of complete foolishness. I've come to the conclusion that it's meant to be tour norm. We have been created for love. By love, to be loved and to love. If that space in our hearts isn't filled with love, we will try to compensate the deficiency with anything we can find. That's where unhealthy habits, addictions and codependency kick in. No things, no wealth or success and no human can fill that place. It's something greater than all of us. It's not of this world. It's too good to be true. We must first receive that love to able to give it away. We often try to achieve it the other way around, but it doesn't work that way. You can't give from what you don't have. That love is given us freely, but our part is to no longer fight it and open up to receive it. Just like a gift.

A combination of Lauryn's and D'Angelo's voices is what I would call heaven on earth. They flow together like sweet mountain brooks, refreshing my soul with every note. I come back to it frequently and it's still just as good after hearing it thousands of times like it was when I first heard it. It's not just the sounds, but the essence behind it, the vibe and white they're releasing with each word. So sit back and let this love song just take over. It's my gift to you today :)

xxx

Freedom

I still remember the first time I really heard about human trafficking. It was almost precicely three years ago just before we left California and were preparing to move back to Finland. Of course I had heard of human trafficking multiple times before. Stories about children being sold to the pleasure of greedy tourists somewhere in Asia, people being scammed into slavery through false promises of a better living somewhere abroad... But it wasn't until I heard a visiting speaker at our school talking about the subject that something changed in me towards it. Her name was Erica Greve, the Founder and CEO of an anti-human trafficking organisation called Unlikely Heroes. She laid bare the cruel facts, 27 million slaves (more than double the number of Africans enslaved during the trans-atlantic slave trade), nearly half of them children, making it the 2nd most lucrative crime in the world and still growing. But she didn't leave us in the state of depression those kind of facts can generate. Instead she shared what they had accomplished around the world through their organisation and challenged us to open up our eyes and see that we all can do something. And if we all do, we can actually change the course of history, just like Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King had done before us. In the end she challenged us with a question. Most of us have read in our history books about the sickening events of WWII and its mass murders of Jews and how not too long ago our society regarded slavery as a norm. Reading about these things makes us ponder how could anyone allow something so detestable take place and contemplate why only a few dared to oppose what was going on around them. Erica asked us, will you be one of those people just watching silently from the side, or will you join those who dare to make a differencet?

That question changed me. It resonated with something much deeper inside of me and I knew I couldn't just walk away and forget all about it. In that moment I made a decision that I will never again be just a bystander. The fact that I had this revelation just before we were leaving the US made me sad, because I didn't know of any similar organisations in Finland that I could join. But I knew that what happened was bigger than me and it would all work out just as its supposed to. So since I wasn't able to right away put in my time and sweat for the cause, I decided to support financially an organisation monthly until the time I might be able to do something more. Little did I know that around the same time of my epiphany, an anti-human trafficking organisation was being established here in Finland and after six months of being back in Finland I found my place as one of its members. V.A.L.O - ei orjuudelle (Light - no to slavery) is still a fairly new organisation, but we are crazy enough to dream big. This year we organised an event called Run For Freedom  for the second time in Helsinki, raising over 17000€ to fight human trafficking! I'm still in awe of how everything really worked out.

Our world is filled with problems to be solved and people to be helped. At times it can get overwhelming hearing of all the cruelty happening all across this planet and the truth is, you can't change it all by yourself. The beauty of our uniqueness is that we can all find our own place and calling and pour ourselves into the things that resonate with us. Maybe you're passionate about the preservation of rain forests and wildlife. Maybe you want to fight for everyones right to receive an education or you dream about finding a cure for cancer. At the moment it might seem like there's not much you can do and all the doors appear to be shut, but as I've had the privilege to experience first hand, when we're faithful with the little, we will get the chance to be part of the bigger. All you need to do is follow that passion and not let hopelessness quench your fire. Yes, there are more slaves now than ever, but there are also more people on this planet than ever before and I believe that as the rest of us who live in freedom unite to fight for those who can't fight for themselves, we will change the world. 

So the question I want to leave you with today is: Will you be one of those people just watching silently from the side, or will you join those who dare to make a difference?

xxx

Photos by Adriana Dobrin

Denim Jacket: BikBok

Jeans: Zara

Shoes: Vans

Tote: Run For Freedom

Music Mondays

I'm not sure if I've shared this with you before, but my name means literally Summer Winds (plural). Growing up, tangled in my identity crisis, I wanted to change my name and didn't feel like it was my own. Now that I'm over those shenanigans I know my mother couldn't have picked a better name (thanks mum <3). Everyone who knows me, knows my deep affection towards the warmth and brightness of our invigorating Sun. In other words, Finlands cold climate is not really my preference. In all honesty, I'm waiting for the day we pack our bags once again and move to a place that resonates with the song in my heart (and that's somewhere warm and beautiful). But until that day, I've gathered all kinds of tools and inspiration how to survive through the coldest and darkest months and how not to get depressed when it's almost end of May and the temperature hasn't hit even close to twenty celsius. 

This song is one of my cures. First of all it makes me think of L.A. beaches with their white sand and tall palm trees, thanks to Baywatch, but it's also just one heck of an uplifting song! I think the beginning and end of the song, with the dreamy synth sounds and demanding drums, are what made me really fall in love with it. The piano patterns are pretty dope as well... Whether or not you're a fan of classic rock, I'll suggest you still turn this song up, close you're eyes, and sing to it at the top of your voice.

"Some people stand in the darkness,

afraid to step into the light..."

Go on! You'll figure out why it's one of my top ten gloomy weather (or life) remedies ;)

xxx

High and Low

The older I get, the more I realise how much life is about layers and seasons. When I turned eighteen I thought I had arrived (lol), when I was twenty-one I realised what a baby I was at eighteen, but definitely was so much further now (haha). Now, at twenty-five, I feel like stepping back into kids shoes again. Sure, I've walked through some rough terrains, build some muscle along the way and I'm more at peace now than ever in my life, but life has no cap for the amount we can grow. So unless we're able to keep the attitude of a child, mesmerised by life and willing to humbly receive teaching and guidance, we will miss out on the glory reserved for us. 

That's really where I've been this week. I've had some pretty major frustration with why certain things seem so ridiculously hard to get over, like I'm bumping my head on that same brick wall over and over again. Actually walking into one of those really clean sliding doors, thinking that it's open when it's not, is the perfect image of how I've felt. Then a good friend sent me a speech that was exactly what I needed to hear with the speaker saying:

 "When you climb mountains you can't jump from one peak to another. You have to go down low, back to the valley, to be able to move on to the next one."

 First of all, I love how this goes so well with my dearly beloved mountain metaphors. But all in all it was exactly what I needed to be reminded of. I can't even count how many times I've gone through the thought process of "Oh now I got this/I've mastered this/I've conquered this", thinking the learning was over and I had graduated. When in reality I only graduated level one, pushing me into the oh so unfamiliar level two where I once again have to face the fact that I'm back to being a newbie. At times it's frustrating. It feels hard. It's humbling...yes, it's very humbling. But it's what keeps me grounded, building the strength and stamina that I need for longevity and staying persistent.  It's the humbleness that keeps me from trying to push through any closed door, but instead be patient and focus on what I really need to work on, my heart.

We'll never "arrive". If you think you have, my friend, you are missing out on a whole lot! Even when you reach that dream of yours, however big and wonderful it is, you'll gaze your eyes on the next mountain peak and start the journey all over again. Somewhere along the way we'll realise the importance and value of the low valley seasons and we'll also be able to move through them much quicker when we're not dragging our heels the whole way. Life won't only be enjoyable for the moments were basking in success, but even the lowest seasons will become gems in our crowns.

xxx

Photos by Eino Manner

Romper: Vintage

Shirt: COS

Trench Coat: TopShop

Kneesocks: BikBok

Booties: Zara

Bag: Michael Kors

Sunglasses: Michael Kors

Music Mondays

I've almost posted this song so many times that I'm not sure anymore whether I have or not...but this is a piece that's well worth posting twice. I love instrumental music, especially when I need to concentrate on something intensely. Lonnie Liston-Smith's "A Garden of Peace" is capturing in all its simplicity. It's one of those songs that doesn't dazzle with complex melodies or chord patterns, but rather draws the listener in with its every note, inviting them to hear the story behind it. I find instrumental music fascinating also, because it lets the listener create their own version of the story. I think everyone can feel inspired by this music, even if it's just unwinding the day to its tunes and placing the events of the day into its melody.

I hope you're having a wonderful week and can bring some peace and calm to it with this beautiful piece of music.

xxx

Spring Storms

A few days ago, as I was sitting in our sauna contemplating the day and past week (sauna's are a norm in Finland - we have five million inhabitants and three million saunas) and I felt a heaviness come upon me. A few things felt so overwhelming that it was difficult to fight off anxiety and the deeper my thoughts fell into that pit of problems and issues before me, the lower my mood sank. These were things that I didn't have control of and every time I tried to think of actions on my part, I realised it would end up with me trying to take over things that weren't mine to control. As I stepped into the cooling shower I had a flashback of an incredible story where curses were turned into abundant blessings and I remembered the words of someone wiser than me saying that all our opposition is only there to strengthen, heal and bring growth to our lives. So instead of going down that never-ending spiral staircase, I took hold of what I was able to control, my mind! I began to declare the opposite of my depressing thoughts and say out loud the things I was hoping to take place instead. It might sound a tad crazy or like I chose denial, but the moment I changed my mindset, the heaviness lifted. I basically made the choice of either partnering with destruction or growth, darkness or light, and I chose the latter.  What happened was that like a cloud in front of my eyes was lifted and I was able to see clearly again. I remembered the moments in the past where I had felt hopeless and how even the toughest battles in my life have led to bountiful harvests.

Denying a problem never leads to freedom. But looking at an issue face to face and deciding that it won't take me down but will turn into diamonds, no matter how much pressure it will take, is going to set me up for the opportunity of growth and success. When our minds are focused only on the things that can go wrong, we end up missing the chances to turn things around for the good. I don't think positive thinking by itself is always enough, we need to have deeply rooted truths to carry us through the moments where faith is truly tested. No matter how hard we work, how right we do everything or how perfectly we live our lives, problems will arise. None of our actions are going to change that fact. But what does change, is our capability to face them, harvest the gold hidden in those troubling times and ability to sustain our peace through any storm to the extend, that we'll be able to expand that peace to calm those raging winds. In the end we'll maybe be able to see every problem for what they really are...well camouflaged upgrades.

xxx

Photos by Adriana Dobrin

Sweater: Urban Outfitters

Printed Pants: Zara

Sneakers: Nike Air Max

Music Mondays

Todays tune is one of those that will live forever. It's an incredibly inspiring piece of art by itself, but I chose it because this video is such a great representation of the power of music. The song has it's own music video (watch it here), but I had to share this famous clip that is modestly remember as one of the greatest and most influential moments in the history of television. The dramatic and dreamlike filming combined with the rich colours that using actual film creates (even though digital filming has it's obvious perks, I'll always enjoy the softness of the old school method) are fascinating, but it's the music on the background that really makes this scene unforgettable. Can't you just feel that warm wind in your face as the chords smoothly change and the intensity in the atmosphere as the drums kick in? That's the power of music.

xxx

Queen

It was a raining cats and dogs kind of day and in need for comfort I opted for a photo shoot on our balcony with a hot cup of tea making it real nice and cozy. Summer takes a long time to arrive up here and even if Spring generously gives some warm days, it usually stays in pretty brisk temperatures. Writing this blog, I often have many ideas on subjects I would love to write about, but my core value has been that I don't want this to become just a lecturing blog, but a real reflection of my journey. It's not always easy, since privacy is something I value, but I believe in the power of an honest testimony and if my journey can help even one soul, it has been well worth it.

When I did the Clifton Strengths Finder test, my number one strength was Futuristic. It basically means that the future fascinates me, I love to "peer over the horizon" and envision what could be, in very vivid and detailed images. I laughed out loud when I first read the description, because it was so accurate. "Wouldn't it be great, if…" has been one of my most used sentences. Basically, I'm a full on dreamer. The challenging part was, that even though I had no problem seeing myself in full action, doing the things I dreamed of, I didn't have the tools to actually make them happen. See, I could be the most gifted, inspiring and creative person on the planet, but if I did nothing else than sit on the couch, most probably, nothing will ever happen. No angel or magic is going to lift me up and suddenly put me where I dream to be. Even if God himself tells me who I am and what I will do in life, it still requires at the least my active partnership. Wanna know why?  Because we aren't puppets and we're not powerless. The reason for my inactivity was rooted in my belief, that I wasn't powerful to make them reality. It revealed how I saw myself; just like a puppet, running around in life, unable to affect the things taking place around me. Life is full of things that we can't change, our upbringing, things in the past, and they can create a challenge. They can make that mountain in front of us steeper, but guess what? We're also going to be the fittest when we reach the top. 

In my process, I've realised that I'm very blessed to not have been given sudden success and that when I was sixteen, I din't get everything I dreamed of. I wasn't ready. Even in nature, if you climb up a high mountain too fast, it will lead to the potentially serious and even life threatening mountain sickness, because you're body didn't have the time to adjust to not having as much oxygen. You've probably heard a million times, that it's the process that makes us rich, but it's also the process that determines whether we're going to last when we're on top. It's our inner world that determines a lot of what's going on on the outside. I heard of this project, where people who had been homeless for a long time were given brand new homes, palaces in their eyes. After a short period of time though, the homes were pretty much wrecked. Having to live on the streets, the people never had something like these houses to look after and take care of. Our inner world will always manifest on the outside. 

So instead of just waiting for that moment of success, I'm learning how to build something that will last. My inner world is being moulded. I'm learning to enjoy and live in the present, discovering the resources it presents. I'd rather be a Queen without a palace, than a pauper just living in one.

xxx

Photos by Anna Laulumaa

Sweater: Madewell

Jeans: Zara

Music Mondays (..or Wednesdays)

I know, this weeks Music Monday is horribly late and I don't really have any other excuse than that I've taken extra time to rest and replenish my heart and soul. So todays pick reflects my thoughts and emotions from the past days… I truly believe that whatever adversities we face, we are always equipped with everything we need to face them and to turn them into victories and upgrades. Often times the magnitude of the problem or hardship represents the size of the reward on the other side of it. When we're facing an enormous obstacle in front of us, it's crucial to find a different perspective than just staring at it day and night. We need to consider how far we've come this far, the barriers we've conquered and victories we've gained in the past to build up the confidence that this too shall pass. We also need to set our eyes on the goal and the journey to get there, so no matter how big the issue before us is, we see that it's only a small part of our overall journey and even if it slows us down for a moment, it won't be able to stop us. 

The Winans' album Heart & Soul has been playing on my stereo for days. I love how they've blended Gospel with RnB, creating such a smooth and lyrical flow. Playing this record in the mornings has been my re-set button for any gloomy and rainy days, giving that extra boost to remind myself that despite of any hardship there is so much to be thankful for. So much indeed, that after counting my blessings the gloominess has vanished into thin air…

xxx

Effective Rest

We are the generation whose Instagram feeds and Facebook pages are filled with motivational quotes, trying to inspire us to work harder, push through the pain and make things happen. In some ways I'm grateful for it because honestly, I'd rather be bombarded with encouragement than negative and depressing words. But we've all experienced that point where life isn't just that simple and hearing someone say "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" makes you want to punch them in the face and ask if they still think that way. Last week was one of the heavier ones for me. I tried to follow all the rules and do the right things to get me out of that funk, but nothing seemed to work. The harder I tried to work and push through it, the more frustrated I became and everything I did, felt like running uphill and upwind. True success does take a lot of hard work and dedication, but what are the keys to being able to persevere when we're faced with physical and/or mental obstacles? 

I actually had to stop and take a moment to re-evaluate the situation. I noticed how I had been comparing myself to others and as a result, trying to make things happen like they did. It's good getting inspired by others and following the footsteps of those who have gone before us, but like my friend said it so well, we are like different trees and the growth process looks different for each of us. I've learned to nurture that quite inner voice and it had been telling me to stop and rest, but I was fighting it, because I was afraid. Somehow I thought that resting equaled giving up and I was too keen on doing the opposite. But when my frustration reached its peak, I was ready to surrender. Finally I took a day to recharge and meditate on truth and as I found my peace again, everything else began to flow from it. Even though this is a truth I've always known in my head, it took the experience for it to travel into my heart; one form of effectiveness is rest. If we continue on striving and toiling without taking the time to breathe and refocus our vision, we easily end up somewhere completely else than what was planned. I'm eager to run after my dreams and reach the stars, but most importantly I want my heart to prosper. What is it worth to have a fat bank account and success at your hand, when on the inside you're withering? Don't be afraid to listen to your heart, even if it takes you somewhere else than the "ten steps to being successful". Your life is worth more than money and your heart more precious than any riches.

xxx

Photos by Adriana Dobrin

Dress: Mango

Leather jacket: Zara

Booties: Zara

Cross body: Handcrafted in Argentina

Music Mondays

I've always had sweet spot for smooth male voices and especially if it's four really good ones melted together in beautiful harmonies. Todays pick is the undeniably suave vocal group Boyz II Men's version of New Edition's classic "Can you stand the rain".

"Sunny days, everybody loves them,

but can you stand the rain?

Storms will come, this we know for sure.

Can you stand the rain?"

I feel like it's encrypted into our system to long for that unconditional, unwavering love that will stand any rain or storm. At times it seems like I'm bombarded with facts that try to convince me that it's an impossible quest, but I have tasted it and I know it is real. Love is like a seed. Planted into good soil, watered and nourished, it will only keep on growing, shooting it's roots deeper and producing the sweetest fruit you have ever tasted. Listening to this song makes me want to write poems and paint my words on a canvas in a rainbow of colours… And now it's time for you to be seduced by it :)

xxx

My Riches

Last week I experienced the surprise of my life… One of my best friends, who's just like family to me, had schemed together with my husband to completely rock my world by having her fly to Finland for my birthday. Never in my life have I experienced a shock like when I suddenly saw her walking in through our door. I think it took me a good thirty minutes to really understand what happened. Now she's long gone, but I feel like I'm still processing all of it. 

Part of me understands that I could have never done anything to receive such unconditional love, but on the other hand there is a lot of work behind it. I have a few people in my life that I pursue fiercely. These are people that I have a covenant with, to do life together and to always support and stay vulnerable with each other. My husband is obviously number one on this list. I've noticed that for many a partner or spouse is the only one who gets to play such a significant part in life. I can't imagine loving anyone more than I do my husband and his love towards me has been one of the most powerful forces in my life. But even in all his greatness, he is not supposed to fill my every need. He is my husband, best friend and lover, but he could never be a sister or brother to me. In our world all love seems to be sexualised except for blood relations. Thinking that way steals us from some of the most beautiful encounters in life. Pursuing these relationships has at times felt risky and even scary, like sharing your heart always will, but the reward of experiencing such pure and transforming love is more than worth it. I've said it before; these people around me have played a huge role in me being who I am today and if I'm ever giving an acceptance speech anywhere, I'll be one of those boring never ending ones who aren't able to end one sentence without bursting into tears.

When we took our friend to the airport after her week here, I felt uneasy. We stayed up until her flight left in the morning (I might have rested my eyes for a moment..) so I was pretty exhausted the rest of the day, but I new something else felt off. After walking through different reasons why I'm feeling such anxiety I got to the root. I missed my friend. Even though we've done long distance for years now and we've said goodbye so many times before, it still hits me every time. Keeping our connection strong with FaceTime and Whatsapp is something we're used to, but having her here for a week reminded me of how it was when we still lived in California and how I was missing out on the day to day life together. I surprised even myself by what a waterfall my tears created, but after a while of just letting it  out I felt much lighter. That great pain my heart was experiencing was proof of the great love I have the privilege of giving and receiving with the special people I have in my life. Even though I hate goodbyes and my heart is torn by the fact that so many of my closest people live far away, the reward of seeing their face even for just a week makes it all worth it. I feel incredibly rich and this wealth can't be measured with silver or gold. It's the richness of an open heart, able to receive that unconditional love and willing to give it back in return. It's the wealth of lives entwined together so closely that there's nothing you ever have to face alone.

xxx

Photos by Adriana Dobrin

Parka: Sams ø & Samsø
Dress: Zara
Plaid Shirt: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Wolverine
Sunglasses: Rayban

My Fav's: Dandy

As you all probably noticed, I cut my hair into a fresh bob! Or better said, Sumi from the exceptional hair salon Dandy, cut my hair into a fresh bob :) I'm very picky about who gets to touch my hair and am lucky to have found a hairdresser who understand my ideas and is able to transform them from vision to reality. Since I am visually tuned, I love stepping into this salon. Having the privilege to have someone else do my hair is something I consider a luxury, taking a moment that attends to all of my senses is like food to my soul. I mean, how many places do you know with incredible wall art and interior decor like this? Their website has such an accurate description:

"Dandy is about flash, flair and flamboyance. We weave vogue with clean-cut finesse and combine class with a bit of street swagger. Dandy caters for the discerning client, out for style, grace and personal edge."

Not only is Sumi creative with hair, but she's fantastic with make-up as well, so if you're looking to get a whole package of fabulous for any event, she's got it. She's been responsible for the adorning of TV-shows, movies and celebrities as well as brides and birthday babes. Don't be misled, all you handsome men, this place serves men as well and are excellent in their barbering. Dandy is also expanding! This summer they are opening a new salon and bringing their craftsmanship to Kallio, Helsinki. For years I've enjoyed coming here and am excited to see what they have come up with for the new location. So if you're on the look out for a new and fresh touch on your looks, don't look any further!

xxx