Doris & Duke – Vintage and Modern.

One of my most passionate dreams for the longest time has been to visit Doris & Duke – Vintage and Modern shop in Old Town Porvoo.

Unfortunately for me, I have always either been too busy to visit the location or the shop has simply been closed at the time.

This time though, I was determined and opportunist enough to check the opening hours in advance. Hooray internet and social media!

The shop is divided into two parts according to the origins of the pieces: if they are modern reproductions or actual vintage items (not that there’s anything bad in either of them – they’re all lovely as seen from the pics).

I would definitely recommend visiting Doris & Duke for those who are especially interested in pin up fashion. Just look at those fluffy petticoats hanging out of the fitting room ceiling!

Gorgeous fitting room table!

Of course I couldn’t get away without finding something to try on. I actually ended up buying this vintage dress (above) from the 1970’s. The price, 20 euros, wasn’t bad for a student budget, either.

The vintage side is behind the counter.

You know I had to.

Doris & Duke isn’t just about clothing since there is literally heaps of accessories and jewellery from which to choose.

The prices of the vintage items may vary a bit but overall I’d say that none of the stuff is at least badly over-priced.

This side of the shop is dedicated for the colourful retro items.

For some reason I just found the black sing to be highly amusing to me. Though I should probably get the silver one for the university seminar…

Even though I personally feel that the vintage side of Doris & Duke is meant more for me, I still know a couple of friends who would absolute love all of the reproductions.

Urho K. Kekkonen (replica above) is still one of the most well-known presidents of Finland.

Without starting an unnecessary political rant, I just want to point out that it is really funny to print a black-and-white picture of a respected old male figure with his own words ‘saatanan tunarit’ (something like ‘fucking morons’) into the parking indicator we use in Finland to tell when we have parked our vehicle. And yes, people move around the meters if the allowed parking time is running out. I think it must be a pretty very universal phenomenon to try to avoid a ticket. With this indicator I don’t think it would even be a proper chore.

Yours,

Miah

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Obey Your Chihuahua.

Made of bricks.

Broken windows in brick buildings, horses painted with graffiti…

…you guessed right – I’m back with another post about the alternative venue called ‘Cultural Stables’ (Kulttuuritallit in Finnish)!

A little peek to the stage and dancing/hanging out area.

On the bottom left an old poster of photo exhibition the local animal rights group had for their 10th anniversary a couple of years ago. Also some big bulb fairy lights and re-used decorative stuff.

A close-up to the counter of the vegan cafe we had during the events. Free food for the musicians and affordable prices for everyone else!

Can anyone translate the letters beneath the panda drawing?

This swing is kinda pushing the structures to their limits when in use but no one really cares. I guess, you only live once?

Smash fascism is kinda self-explanatory. Or if not, you should probably piss off from this blog to be honest.

DIY work in progress.

Symbol called ‘kirkkovene’ painted right next to a very on-point command. The word can refer to the kind of rowing boat used in rowing competitions – or a ‘vulgar’ drawing of vulva. I personally think (from a third-wave feminist perspective) that it can be used to reclaim the meaning of pussy from being a taboo to empower femininity.

Lovely autumn/fall colour scheme!

The running red chilli painting above reminds me of the art made for the film ‘Across the Universe with the red juicy strawberry.

Gotta love the vibes!

With ghostly face painted onto the cement wall I shall end this post!

Yours,

Miah

Ghetto Golf Liverpool.

While I’m out in Liverpool making some new memories, I decided to give you guys a glimpse of one of the places I got to know on my last visit here.

Fairy lights, magic mushroom paintings…

The place is officially called ‘Ghetto Golf’ and it’s simply a chilled-out place where you can have some drinks and burgers – and play ‘crazy (mini)golf’ with friends!

I want to clarify regretting nothing by posting this. I think the interiors are frickin awesome!

You just gotta love Ghetto Golf’s clever little third-wave feminist hipster slogans painted in the weirdest (or the most familiar?) places.

Had to add my favourite Hole song since ‘Violet’ has been stuck in my head while making this post.

Personally, as a person suffering from IBS, I absolutely adore the toilet humour as decorative element!

Choose which monkey to associate yourself after your hit-or-miss.

A place with a painted camper van inside can’t be that bad. Gotta appreciate those fellow van-golfers!

Yours,

Miah

Volunteering at a Multicultural Festival.

Like I hinted in my last post, the last couple of weeks have been busy with all kind of work from assisting at a conference to desperately trying to finish a couple of essays at the university.

I was also working at an annual multi-cultural festival in Helsinki, called the World Village (‘Maailma kylässä’ in Finnish). Hence, the last weekend of May was filled with activism, meeting good people and running around enjoying the festival atmosphere! Check out some of the pics (taken with my phone, unfortunately) below…

The festival is especially known for all kinds of food stalls offering a wide selection of ‘ethnic’ dishes.

Another thing is a colourful selection of clothes and jewellery from all over the world!

I ended up finding this second-hand cotton wrap skirt that I wore for a relatives graduation party the next week.

The main stage in the back of the area was the key point for all kinds of performances.

Vegan banana cake and rhubarb pie.

 

The (exceptionally) hot and sunny weekend was filled with excitement, stress, good food, nice people – and a slight sunburn. The overall experience was exhausting but very pleasing as well. I am looking forward to next time in May 2019!

Yours,

Miah

Photographing an Animal Rights March.

Hello guys and sorry for not posting for a while… To be honest, sometimes (academic) life, activism and even paid jobs come between blogging. However, me and my dog are doing great amongst this crazy adventure called life – and new content is on its way, I promise!

Let’s start catching up with this photo post about the worldwide Close Down All Slaughterhouses march I was documenting in Helsinki yesterday. If you’re not really that interested in animal rights, this post also provides you with a glimpse of Helsinki counterculture. Without further due – here’s the best shots from yesterday!

On the left: “Violence against animals is truly cowardly.”

 

Leaflet for the event: “Let’s close down all the slaughterhouses. Worldwide march in Helsinki on Saturday June 9th at 12 o’clock.”

On the left: “You can live without violence against animals. If you want to.”

On the right: “Close down the slaughterhouses. Speciesism is an unjust ideology.”

 

In the middle: “All animals want to live and enjoy life.”

The march approaching the centre of Helsinki. Behind you can see the Ateneum Art Museum.

The dress code for the march was red.

The march approaching the end point. In the background you can see the tower of the National Museum of Finland.

In the end there were speeches, of course.

It all comes down to standing up and saying aloud even something that feels impossible at the moment: closing down all the slaughterhouses that still contribute to the systematic and unjustified slaughter of millions of animal individuals each and every day. Compassion, animal rights, veganism – that is the future for the future generations and for the planet.

Please let me know what was the march in your home city or country! Would you like to participate or organize an event like this in the future? All comments and viewpoints will be appreciated. 🙂

Yours,

Miah