Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Pink hair


Pink hair, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Great surreal photo.

As seen here:
http://seaofshoes.typepad.com/

Pinkish hair


Pinkish hair, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.
Great photo by the Sartorialist, taken in Stockholm. Wearing Converse sneakers with skirts and dresses seems to be all the rage there. I love the whole look of this girl.

As seen here:

http://www.thesartorialist.com/

Friday, August 26, 2011

Beduin child


IMG_3910, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

This little guy kept clapping his hands - I think it was his way of advertizing the camel rides.

Camel ride


IMG_3917, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

In a beduin village in the Sahara desert.

Puppy


IMG_3935, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

With my new friend.

Bedouin woman


IMG_3906, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

A bedouin woman in traditional dress - except for the shoes!

Scarf


IMG_3870, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.
The photo shows the traditional way of tying a middle Eastern scarf. It's pretty complicated but I was shown how to do it several times so I might be able to do it myself. Note that this is the scarf worn by men in the middle east, women dress differently.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Airport


IMG_3459, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

At the Helsinki airport, on our way to Egypt. The Japanese cotton jacket is a recent purchase from Helsinki. The pants are from India. Backback by Samsonite.

Ali Baba dress - part 2


IMG_3521, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Ali Baba dress


IMG_3522, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Silk harem pant "dress", or actually a sort of pair of over-alls. I bought it in Palolem Beach, Goa. This was taken at our hotel in Hurghada, Egypt (Grand Resort). The jewelry I'm wearing is silver and turquoise, also from Egypt.

Pink beduin


IMG_3870, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Waiting to go on a quattro (four-wheeled motorbike) safari. Our guide tied our scarves in the traditional way - it's very complicated. It also allows your nose and mouth to be covered when needed.

Sahara desert


IMG_3889, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Riding a quattro in the Sahara desert. Another absolutely amazing experience.

Snorkling


IMG_3712, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Red Sea


IMG_3719, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

After snorkling in the Red Sea in Hurghada, Egypt. Amazing experience. T-shirt from Hard Rock Café, Hurghada.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Sarong


IMG_3419, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

I am ironing my sarongs in preparation for Egypt - can't wait to hit the beach and to feel the heat!It's already so cold here in Finland; I wanted to wear gloves today! This sarong is from Goa, India.

Blood red


IMG_3427, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

My husband caught this amazing blood-red sky from our balcony.

Ready for Egypt


IMG_3414, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

I did a pedicure and my feet are now totally ready for Egypt! Shoes from the thrift store UFF, for 6 euros. They are leather.

Ivy


IMG_1941, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Colourful doors


IMG_1946, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Father and child


IMG_1945, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Typical


IMG_1957, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.
When I think of the South of France, I imagine something exactly like this. Having gone to a French school (in Finland) since age 4, I had heard nice things about the South of France my whole life. Still, it took a long time before I actually got to go there and explore the area.

The amazing thing is that the South of France is not over-rated: it's every bit as beautiful as one imagines...well, perhaps even more so.

Dream if you can a court yard


IMG_1966, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.
Adorable little court yard - wish I was there right now, sipping a glass of red and reading a good book. It's getting a bit chilly in Finland already. Well, luckily we are leaving for Egypt on Monday. Time to start packing my bikinis...and burqas? Just kidding. But seriously, I will pack a lot of my Indian salwar suits for when we leave the hotel compound.

Right up my alley


IMG_1967, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

The perfect little street in a Southern French village.

Everyday objects


IMG_1969, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

There's something so perfect about this display of everyday objects by the front door in a French village.

Clouds


IMG_1981, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

This photo could almost be a painting, so perfect. One day when we settle somewhere (hopefully Italy), I'll have poster-sized prints made of some of the best photos over the years. This might be a good choice.

Mountains


IMG_1987, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Most Finnish people are fascinated by mountains - even small ones - since we don't really have any in Finland. Taken somewhere in the South of France.

Macaroons


macaroon, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.
Cute little macaroons, as seen in the Fashion Toast blog. They seem to be all the rage these days, I am seeing them everywhere (e.g. in the wonderfl TV series "Gossip Girl"). I even found a recipe for them in a Finnish magazine. I have not tried it yet because of my diet. But when I get to the maintenance stage of my diet (between 58 and 62 kg), I'll be able to have something sweet sometimes...like maybe once a month or something. By the way, it's funny that I never tried macaroons in Paris eventhough I lived there a year as a student. I finally tried them at a work event in Finland. I like them because of their cute pastel colours.

As seen here:
http://www.fashiontoast.com/page/2

Grapevine


P1080263, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

I don't know why I find vineyards so beautiful. Because of what they produce? Photo taken somewhere in the South of France.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

St. Tropez houses


IMG_2097, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Vineyard


IMG_1980, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

This would be my dream house: next to a vineyard. This is taken somewhere in the South of France.

Scenery


P1080259, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Amazing scenery, somewhere in the South of France.

Pinkish house


IMG_2091, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Another lovely house in Saint-Tropez.

Villa, part 2


IMG_2088, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

The same villa as in the previous post, from another angle.

Villa


IMG_2085, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

I love the terracotta colours used in Southern Europe and the tile roofs that are visible everywhere. This was taken in Saint-Tropez.

Full moon


P1080255, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

Full moon over Aix-en-Provence. I studied French at the University of Toronto and we had an exchange program with the university of Aix. I did not want to go there - for the simple reason that I did not want to pick up any Provencal accent! It seems a bit silly in retrospect. So I went to Paris instead. Well, it was a better choice. It took me two decaces to finally get to Aix-en-Provence. What can I say, gorgeous city!

Photography


P1080253, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

This is me at my happiest: perfect weather, a gorgeous pizza in front of me, a glass of good French wine, having lunch with my husband in the South of France - and yes, taking pictures, as always.

The green wrap around top is one of my all-time faves. I think it's from Mango, but I can't tell because I've cut the label off. It's dreamy soft (always very important for me) and it can be worn in many different ways. I use it as a cardigan (as here) and even as beach cover-up. I've also worn it at night with an evening gown. I do so love all-purpose clothing! These days I often use my dresses and tunics also as night gowns.

Door


P1080241, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

A gorgeous door, bathed in sunlight, in the Southern French town of Arles. We were there in June 2009.

Saint-Tropez


P1080337, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.
In June of 2009, we spent a couple weeks travelling around the South of France. This was taken in St. Tropez.

Hat: Marimekko
Sunglasses: Alain Mikli
Purse: Furla (thrifted)
Top: Diesel
Jeans: Armani Jeans

Indian style flannel


IMG_3379, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

I love these flannel bed sheets. We are renting a furnished apartment, so the sheets come with the place. They look very Indian in style and colour, but they are made in Portugal.

Hand washing


IMG_3368, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

I washed my sarees by hand. The pink dress on top of the saree on the right side is from Tallinn, Estonia. It's a unique creation by a young Estonian designer. There's a shop in Tallinn that sells only the clothes made by young designers. I bought many unique pieces there quite cheaply.

Rainbow


IMG_3386, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.
I finished my first rainbow coloured sock. It's not for me, it's a very large men's sock. I am knitting this pair of socks for a charity project.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Raspberry hanger


IMG_3409, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

The hanger cover is not just cute, it also serves a purpose: it makes the hanger less slippery, so clothes such as this one stay put better. The pink top is from India. The hanger is from Ikea.

Just hangin'


IMG_3407, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

I made this hanger cover tonight in about 4-5 hours while watching TV.

Cool camel, part 2


IMG_2668_x, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

He's so cool with the hat!

Cool camel


IMG_2668_x, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

This guy walked by our hotel in Alanya, Turkey several times a day. He was offering camel rides.

Monday, August 8, 2011

It's working!


IMG_3357, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.
I've now lost a total of 10 kgs (22 pounds) since last summer! I'm not yet at my goal weight, but well on my way.

Bikini: Speedo
Hat: Marimekko

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Bandana


IMG_3288, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.
My silk tunic from India is almost like a giant bandana.

Red, red wine


IMG_3301, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.
Enjoying the sunshine and a glass of red at the William K pub after a hard shopping trip in Sello (Leppävaara, Espoo, Finland).

Green onyx


IMG_3304, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.
A close-up of my green onyx bracelet - I love how it looks when the light hits it. It's from a set (necklace, bracelet & earrings) called "Absinthe" by Leena Collection.

New sandals


IMG_3303, originally uploaded by Pink Lady on the Loose!.

And here are my husband's new sandals, this time by The North Face, i.e. excellent quality. We got them on sale, so we only paid around 40 euros for them. We're hoping they'll last him several years.