On my way home I popped in the Iittala shop on Pohjoisesplanadi to have a look at their sale products. Nothing for me there but instead I discovered the new KoKo mug in lovely pale pink and mint! Had to buy one each, they are so beautiful and just what I’ve been missing, a bigger mug. I’ve been so in love with the thin Kartio (35cl) glasses that I bought another two in sea blue. By the way, Iittala still has -30% sale for their members until the end of January so use it! And if you are interested in the KoKo mugs, they are on sale -20% in Sokos in February… It was actually very funny in the Iittala shop – as you are a member you tell your name at the cashier so when I told my name, the sales woman asked me if I’m from Kuopio, and I said yes, and she said that she has voted me in the parliament elections some years ago!

I also popped in to the Minna Parikka boutique on Bulevardi and Minna herself was also there. We had a nice chat and she showed some pictures from her upcoming spring/summer collection which looks great by the way, colorful, bright and fun! She also said that she’s decided not to move to London at the moment which I think is great for Finland and Finnish design & fashion world.

Last weekend I made my first ever American pancakes and they were simply delicious! I put some blueberries into the dough and we had them with honey and whipped cream, ooh la laa…

The presidential campaigns are heating up in Finland and I’ve also participated in a few acts supporting Pekka Haavisto. He’s in Kuopio today by the way so come and meet Pekka if you are still hesitating who to vote! Check the schedule of his visit here.

These pictures of the flash mob by Pekka Mäkinen:

I have to get to cultural economics now…I am a great and productive researcher…

Have a great day!

Johanna

I’m still waiting to hear from few funds but somehow the situation doesn’t seem very promising. I have a similar situation with the international collaboration that I’ve worked on with Rebecca French. So let’s see what happens…

This week I spent two days thinking about multicultural cultural policy and cultural diversity in Finland. Multiculturalism has become more present in the Finnish society since the 1990s but why is it still in such an infant stage in the Finnish cultural policy? It’s about time for the Arts Council to reconsider and rethink their organization, structure, strategy, and funding decisions!

Minzi is one of my favourite clothing shops in Finland. It’s located in Jyväskylä where I spent a few days this week. Actually the first item I ever bought in Minzi, was a Lumi Accessories handbag a few years ago. It was on sale and advertised on their website. So I emailed them and asked them to send it to me to Kuopio – which they did. This is the kind of service I like! Since it’s the sales time at the moment, I went to have a look what they had in Minzi… and found this gorgeous Tiia Vanhatapio hat which I already had a look at earlier in the autumn but it was a bit too pricy for me. But now it was on sale and I’m a happy owner of my first Tiia Vanhatapio item.

My glasses by Kenzo, the woolen scarf by Marimekko.

And the silver ‘Carpe Diem’ pendant by Efva Atling.

Johanna

My daughter lent me a pair of earrings for the occasion.

I was wearing my new pink Minna Parikka Women are dangerous animals boots and was surprised I didn’t have to change into anything lower during the whole night. They are high but surprisingly comfy to wear (and even dance in!).

I bought them on sale (-50%) in Minna’s online store where for example now the gorgeous Corona handbag in pink is also on sale. I saw that at least Nelliina and MouMou have purchased that bag which I also desire but I went for the shoes… this time.

This week I’ve had a place in the CityPörssi second hand shop and went to take it down today. Before I’ve been really satisfied with the sales but not this time… Well, I did sell something but not nearly as much as the last time.

Yesterday I drove my daughter to Chrystal Cup in Mikkeli, an international ice-skating competition. Woke up before 5am and left Kuopio at 5.50am… the weather was ok but I was so tired and it was really boring to drive there and back on the same day.

On the way back, we stopped in Unnukka, in the Iittala outlet store and bought a couple of the very thin Kartio glasses designed by Kaj Franck. They are divine, thin, hand-made glasses to celebrate 1oo anniversary of the birth of Franck. By the way, for Iittala members they now have -20% until the 15th of Jan!!!!

Tomorrow I’m back working full time after the Christmas break – meetings, appointments, dentist, a day in Jyväskylä – a busy week ahead.

Johanna

Now I’m happy to be back home, catching up with my own work, reading, writing and exercising this week. Just what I like. And this week my daughter has a ice-skating competition and my friends are getting married so I’m really looking forward to it all.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, the sale started today in Minna Parikka’s online shop. Pretty amazing shoes and bags -30% and  -50%…I’ve already check out from the shop…

Have a great week!

Johanna

And I swear I wasn’t looking for and didn’t even know where the Marlies Dekkers‘ shops are, but this came on my way:





In one of the vintage shops I saw the exact glittery top that I bought in the 1980′s from London and which has been stolen from the performance I don’t have anything to wear.

I had a wonderful Saturday morning at the Farmers’ Market in Nordmarkt and the most delicious apple pie and coffee in Cafe Winkel. I bought tons of Dutch cheeses for Christmas – they are the best. I’m a very big fan of old gouda, especially the ones made of goat’s milk.

We performed Twirling World in Rabozaal, a new space between the city theatre and Melkweg. The space was great, a huge stage with a big seated audience. We just used the stage, cutting of the seating with a metallic wall.



The performance itself went ok, I think, but the day building up the show, trying to do a run through, warm-up, prepare and to get all the necessary stuff was very stressful. Two things I learned: Twirling World cannot be toured without my own technician and I need to have my own private accommodation.
This is the painting of the Amsterdam show:

I’m sorry I haven’t been a very active blogger recently. I’ve been extremely busy and therefor a bit too tired and stressed at times. But now I’m trying to relax and take it easy. A party with a group of girlfriends today – really looking forward to it!

Johanna

We were rehearsing yesterday in a studio in DasArts but Twirling World is very difficult to rehearse without the set up and the right space.  But I think we are ready and prepared and at least for me, the logic of the performance is very clear.
Ooh, and it’s so nice to be in Amsterdam! What nostaligia, what memories. It’s all a bit too much really.
And yesterday it was so great to see Maija and Jyrki and Tuovi and Pia…

Well, hope to see you tonight!

Johanna

Johanna

Do you remember my chili plants? They grew very well and I’ve used the harvest already for a while. And this is what I’ve left to dry. Beautiful & very very hot!

Today I’ve been reading and writing an article but there’s much more to read and write. Tomorrow I’m off to Jyväskylä. And I’m performing Acts of Clothing on Saturday so need to rehearse, go through the clothes, the stories of my life… So it will be a busy week.

Johanna

But I did get my new glasses today so I’m happy!

Glasses Kenzo. Dress Nanso Black Dress collection, model Can I call you dear?

Have to get some sleep now.

Johanna