Bridesmaids sister weekend

What a weekend, again! Summer temperatures in May! My sister visited and the sunshine drenched the city. Julia met her fellow bridesmaids Gloria and Michelle. Julia and I enjoyed the national ballet for free, roamed around the World Village Festival, went shopping, had ice cream, celebrated the eurovision with Gloria's pizza, visited Suomenlinna and so much more. Julia agreed to take some photos of us on Friday night, though we were mostly jumping around during the session.

Perfect clouds heading to Suomenlinna in the ferry, Ben and Jerry's and World Village Festival.

Had to try out my tele zoom on a bird.

Photos by Julia.

Invitations in the mail

We are this happy to announce that the invitations are being mailed out.
Some of you might have gotten yours already :)

3 months until the wedding!

 Only three months until our wedding :) Héctor and I always celebrate the 11th each month, it is our special day. Happy spring!

Macarons!

I just wanted to share these before I go.
Daniela is a scientist. A real Phd one. And she knows how to make heavenly macarons.
Wouldn't they look nice on my thrifted cake/cookie stand?
 *Hint hint*
/Joanna

Daniela's first of May macarons. Words cannot describe them.

Our slighly crooked cake stand and a flower tea pot (I broke the lid in the second hand shop, had to buy it - was cheap)

 

Do it yourself?

I made a heart garland in March, trying to imitate this idea. Took me a while to make a 30 cm long one! And I was hoping on having tons of these, long ones, for the wedding. Oh my. I admire the DIY people. My garland might stay in our kitchen.

Weekend at last. Héctor is working downtown and I am bed chilling, looking out at the pale sky. It must smell nice outside, it rained last night. Taking a look at some easier DIY projects before setting off to a friend's hen party brunch.

Later today: ribbon making, band photo editing for Héctor's upcoming gig with Shred, some writing and possibly a few get-togethers in the night, etc. The laundy has piled up and our vacuum cleaner broke yesterday. But hey, it's Saturday. A calm and nice one.

And yes, we found great clothes for Héctor yesterday. Super handsome.

/Joanna

Mission accomplished

All went well yesterday at our interviews in the catholic church. It was very serious, and very beautiful. Strong. We double checked some formal matters as well. A lot to keep in mind! We even had an idea for a story! Love in the eyes of the lutheran, catholic and ortodox church. To be continued.

Today I brought my dress on the metro and the tram to work since I had an appointment to look for wedding shoes downtown. Not all shops require appointments, but they sure get full on weekends anyhow. Better to go on a week day, even during office hours. Quite the conversation starter carrying around a wrapped up wedding dress!

I found a comfortable, yet beautiful pair of shoes perfect for the dress hemline. I placed an order and will get my size in about 6 weeks. I am sometimes surprised how unflexible the wedding industry can be in Finland, most shops only get shoes once or twice a year, and many of the collections that arrived in January are now short in sizes, since most brides seem to be early birds. I've been looking around quite a few shop.

Tonight it's Hector's turn - Lets see if he finds what he is looking for. According to Peruvian tradition - as far as I've understood it - the groom cannot see the bride in her dress before the wedding, but the bride is allowed to look at the groom's clothes, even help pick them out ;)

I think the dress will spend the weekend all alone here in the office since it needs to be taken downtown again for some small changes, just a few additional hooks here and there needed.
You'll understand why on the 11th of August :)

Inspiration and frame hunt

This wedding makes me swoon! The peachy colors, the harvest season style, everything. Imagine exchanging the blue for purple...

On another note: we are looking for some nice old frames for you dear guests, just imagine the party portraits! Like this.

My guess is second hand stores in Jakobstad might have them. What do you think?

Suddenly, every guest became a Shakesparean star. Blogged by style me pretty. Go here for credits.

/Joanna

Ecumenical procedures & Wedding Preparation Committee

Today we have an interview at the catholic church in Helsinki. After that we will be free to get married in the lutheran church and our marriage will be recognized by the catholic church as well.

We met two lovely Finnish-Italian couples at the catholic pre-wedding course we began this winter. One of the couples came up with a brilliant name for our newly formed friendship circle; Wedding Preparation Committee. So far, the committee has met once for Peruvian lunch/dinner/extended hang-out. Today, a part of the delegation meet again for some well needed espresso at Ciao! Caffe.

Looking forward to it!

/Joanna

We make sure to fit the odd coffee in between work, studies and other projects.
This one enjoyed last weekend at La Torrefazione.

Crisp light & vintage birds

 We enjoy crossing a green area heading home from the metro station at night. Especially now with all the birds singing at night; everything intoxicated by spring. Still light around 10.30 pm, it's almost ridiculous!

Disclaimer: Fashion blog tendency warning begins here

Bright, blue, crisp nights. Just like the blue beach dress with birds and cliffs and waves that I got at a pop-up second hand shop at Karin's place around easter. Wearing a pair of  leather pumps thrifted at Valtteri for just a few euros as well (Yes, it was quite cold posing for this photo). Thanks Michelle for taking me! These white birds and pearls also come from the same pop-up event. Love them - might come in handy in August as well. As a cake topper, perhaps?

/Joanna

Lovebirds waiting for August. Pearls already in use.

Beach dress waiting for summer. Photo by Héctor.

Creative process

We spend the weekend making invitations before celebrating May Day and spring carnivals, Vappu. Héctor cuts and measures with great precision, care and attention. I am in ave. I'm better at the quick and artistic stuff.  However, the first batch went out today! Awesome! Just a few more tweeks and everything will be ready and set to go! We are very excited. The kitchen table has been turned into a funny arts and crafts-sweatshop. In order to fuel up a bit tonight, we tasted some chocolate goodies. Field research continues for the wedding reception...what a wonderful excuse to indulge a bit. Héctor is frying hamburgers now. And I will make some ribbons. The ones I made yesterday came out a bit crooked, was sleepy after a wonderful first of May picnic in great company.

/Joanna

Leftovers of two cutting procedures (top ones by Héctor, the lower ones by me)

Oh yummy!