emmalaiho.net/blog

New and improved, shorter and darker (can you tell I have a thing for scarves..)

Shopping strike confession time: Yesterday I got my hair cut, then broke down and bought a pair of jeans. They were really needed, since I have grand total of two pairs that fit me, and I don’t wear skirts, but, but… I feel slightly bad. Since stopping shopping I have also become really apprehensive of other peoples shopping (”What do you need that for!!”). I guess I am jealous of their nice new things. On the upside I have dug up all kinds of old treasures and worn those and after just two months I already feel like I’ve got more not less.

It’s an interesting experiment for sure. I wonder how I will feel about buying new stuff when I may need to in the Spring. Will I go completely nuts or not really feel the need to buy anymore like most green bloggers who’ve done some kind of non-buying year. Maybe I find that the 20 kilo suitcase that I can take to Holland will hold everything I need.

Stopping shopping
How to live with just 100 things
Buy-By Brian

P.S. Anyone want my copy of Not Buying it. I got it from bookmooch, but it’s in good condition. It’s the hardcover version. Leave a comment if you’d like to have it. Oh yes, no books buying either for me. Music is negotiable.

Fuzzy head, sore throat, stupid cold, go away!

Detektivbyrån - pics from the Finland/flow festival visit, so funny.

Today’s soundtrack: Siiri Nordin - Viimeinen Palanen (the last piece).

…
if this should be, i say if this should be-
you of my heart, send me a little word;
that i may go unto him, and take his hands,
saying, Accept all happiness from me.
Then shall i turn my face, and hear one bird
sing terribly afar in the lost lands.

(Some days one needs a little poetry.)

I don’t mind that it is autumn already, time for new work, new beginnings. I went to yoga class today, after probably a six months hiatus. I keep having this feeling that as long as I make time for yoga, everything else in my life will fall into place. Do you have something like that in your life?

soundtrack: Room Eleven - Lovely Morning
(I have a feeling there will be that kind of mornings..)

A postcard from Chile. Yes, it’s been a while. When will we have that coffee? I’ll bring the chocolates.

I really really want this poster by Frank Chimero. It would be good to have over work desk, to look at all times.

You think you’ll fall apart, but it’s just that new start - Ane Brun/Gillian

The last song she sang on Sunday, my new favourite. That show made my festival. Nina Kinert was there also, singing backing vocals. I like her stuff too; Pets&Friends makes me smile.

Sometimes just writing things out helps. And music. And red shoes (or red hairbands). Something tiny shifts a little. I think it’s time to start letting go completely.

P.S. I updated the portfolio a bit.

interesting interview on business side of being an artist

motto: Red shoes are good for the soul.
soundtrack: Renske Taminiau - I Get it & Waiting to be told (via Sia, naturally)

Sometimes you gotta wonder when the pain is going to stop. When will be the first day you don’t miss your best friend. It must be infinitely easier to be the first one to move on.

But. You sit with the pain. You dance in your red shoes (even when you don’t feel like it). You drink from both coffeecups in turn. You wait to feel the butterflies, when someone looks at you, again. Someday, again.

Now. It is what it is. No better life philosophy.

Still one more day of Flow Festival to go. Ane Brun today <3

p.s. (I like this.)

soundtrack: detektivbyrån (at Flow festival this weekend, I am also going to see Ane Brun!!)

A couple of rainy days now, a distinct feeling of Autumn. This Summer felt endless, yet where did it go? I spent a lot of time with family, picked some blueberries, got mosquito bitten, read a lot of books and tried to adjust to this new gluten free life of mine. I try to look for blessings in every difficulty I encounter, so I wonder if this might be the best thing that ever happened to me, because it’s teaching me about being more clear and assertive, taking my space and standing my ground instead of just pleasing everyone endlessly. There is no maybe or just a little bit with celiac, you know.

Right now I am excited about:
- my friend moving to Finland (and me maybe being able to rent her flat in the Hague for the spring, oh what a relief that would be).
- paring down my possessions (good to start early, I need to pack most of my stuff away for spring because there will be renovations while I am gone). It is good to have less stuff.