Old School Toys in Porvoo.

Today I’m about to introduce you to one of the gems in Porvoo Old Town: toy shop Riimikko (in the Finnish language the word ‘riimi‘ means rhyme and that’s what I interpret the title to resonate).

The shop is located in Välikatu, near my favourite cafe Helmi and the well-known Brunberg factory shop.

Even though the prices are kinda high (understandable for an artisan shop), it’s always completely free to step in and wonder…

Toy shop ‘Riimikko’ has several smaller rooms (as many of the old buildings do) filled with treasured details that surely will fascinate children of all ages. Including me.

I just wish I could live here and get to use the stairs into the mysterious-looking rustic balcony! I also absolutely love the retro posters.

The simple-looking old door will lead you to a nostalgic trip back to your childhood – or provide an adventure for the younger generations.

Yours,

Miah

Advertisement

Porvoo Landmarks.

Even though there are dozens of posts about Porvoo in my blog, there’s really not one all-encompassing one addressing the most famous landmarks or the general vibes of the Old Town. So here is one for you guys now!

The red granaries above have been standing beside the river since the 18th century when they were first painted with the traditional type of red ochre paint. Nowadays they are used as apartments, restaurant and small shops.

The gorgeous Porvoo Cathedral was build on top of a hill in the 14th century which makes it one of the oldest churches in Finland. It’s also holds very important historical value as the venue of the Diet of Porvoo that took place in 1809. According to the general historical interpretation that’s when Finland originally become an autonomous state (under the Russian Empire).

The Cathedral has been burned or otherwise destroyed or tampered multiple times throughout its colourful history. The building we see today is the end product of another reconstruction after the last arson that sadly took place in 2006.

Just look at the marvellous work of craftsmanship!

If you visit the small plaza right next to the Cathedral, you can find yourself walking in another time – an experience completed with the sight of vintage cars and small shops everywhere.

I adore the contrast between olive green and red ochre – completed with the lanterns and neatly made autumn plantations.

Some of the local residents/businesses had put out small baskets of apples for passers-by to grab as a snack. I love these kinds of small acts of consideration towards one another!

What comes to the city of Porvoo nowadays, above you can see the town hall is it is today. (Or in August at least.)

The ‘shop of dreams’ above. The shades of the vintage yellow are also very much prevalent in Old Porvoo.

Another shot of a well-made old building in my favourite colour…

Back to the old town hall square. The red building above is actually the Old Town Hall that was built in 1762-1764 – serving as a museum these days. Minors under 18 years old get a free entry, and the exhibitions are opened from Wednesday to Sunday at 12-16 o’clock.

There’s also benches in the shade for the tired wanderers…

Yours,

Miah

What I Love about England.

Verdant evergreen plant growing wild (or half wild) literally everywhere.

Old darkened gates and porches – more often than not leading to private yards of the lucky upper-class people.

Funny street signs. Do you think that me laughing at this could even be categorized as the ‘famous British humour’?

Amazing old churches everywhere. So romantic, almost Gothic vibes that make you want to read ghost stories under the blanket with a warm cup of tea…

Another, really similar-looking church to the one above.

British song-making tactics and vibrant lyrics. Referring to a quite well-known case of Eleanor Rigby with the actual place which the song got its name pictured above.

Especially in Liverpool these places just exist all around. Am I the only millennial fangirl gasping when realizing that I’m actually walking on that Penny Lane!

The plant above, Lamprocapnos spectabilis, is called ‘broken heart’ (särkynytsydän) in Finnish. It’s probably one of the first cultured ones that I learned to know when I first became interested in botany as a child. I can still quite vividly remember looking up the plant from a huge gardening edition while visiting the local library as a 6-year-old or something.

Old railroads and stations almost straight out of Harry Potter! (Yes, you get all the clichés here…)

Yours,

Miah

Freida Mo’s – Finally!

Remember the rant I had about missing out the opening weekend of a new vintage boutique the last time I was in Liverpool?

Well, I finally got there – may I introduce you to Freida Mo’s bakery, vintage and vinyl shop on Lark Lane!

The lovely garden gate invites you to step in to the small but enchanting place of everything cute.

I have to confess having a serious fan girl moment when asking in a shy Scandinavian way if I could take some pictures for my blog. The nicest owner (below) was thrilled and even accepted posing for me in one of the shots!

This is the day dress I got – placed onto the chair while I was taking all the pictures I needed.

The collection consists of selected pieces prior the 1980’s. Students like me can also appreciate the reasonable prices: with 20-30 pounds you can have an ageless piece of clothing.

The owner told me that all of the jewellery on the table is hand-made by her.

Like promised in the sign outside of the shop – there are special find for the vinyl enthusiasts as well!

You know that you have found a good place to shop when even the toilet is decorated well and according to the theme. It’s not about running your business just because of the money but because you really care about giving your customers an overall experience that will make a lasting memory.

But Freida Mo’s isn’t just about what to wear – it’s also about taking a deserved moment of rest with delicious tea and dream-like cupcake (or two).

Like my companion said, the secret in succeeding these days is not just what you sell, it’s how you sell it – otherwise, what you have to offer in the post-modern economy based on fast, disposable consumerism. I feel that it has become a time to step away from the faceless capitalism into a more community-based form of sustainable living where you know what you’re buying and from where it has came from.

Luckily there are places like Freida Mo’s who provide a sense of truly whole-hearted customer service and a unique collection of carefully selected high-quality items!

Yours,

Miah

Gasp – Vintage!

Next in the ‘Lark Lane series’ is a vintage (or even more like antique) shop called Gasp Vintage.

Even though I personally am more of a clothing freak, I’ve always found it pleasant to come and check out what kind of cool stuff Gasp has this time.

The shop is basically almost like an old warehouse full of unique finds ranging from old plane or theatre seats to small porcelain cups.

What I love about the place is its colourfulness and variety of even strange objects sometimes!

Design for the tea-lovers!

I have really wanted to get some of those reproduction retro posters but so far I’ve just been too worried that they’d get all wrinkly in my backpack. Well, maybe next time! Tell me in the comments section which is your favourite – and maybe I’ll even send it to you…

Yours,

Miah