Hot and Sticky Sightseeing

dressing for hot weather

Damn it’s hot!

No, I definitely don’t like hot weather. I know, summer is short and all that… Feeling sticky and hot (hot as in uncomfortable, not hot as in sexy…) just makes me irritable, and long for winter. Yes, really. As much as I hate cold weather, I may hate hot weather even more. I suppose I would be the perfect candidate to live in a controlled environment with an even 20ºC / 68 ºF  year round. That would be paradise…

In order to beat the hot weather, and to stay at least minimally comfortable (forget cool), I’m wearing linen, and long sleeves to protect my skin from the sun. Yes, of course I’m also wearing sun screen. I may not wear it every day, but I won’t forget it when I plan to spend the day ourdoors, or go sighseeing, like today.

Staycation Sightseeing

This is the last of my staycation posts. Now that we’ve done the nature thing, and the picnic thing, and in general been around water quite a bit, it’s time to do a bit of sightseeing. After all, that’s what I always do on holiday: keep an eye out for interesting architectural details. And take pictures of them, just for fun.

But first, let’s get a little bit of water in the photos, OK? It’s a hot day, after all.

Katajanokka

over 40 blogger

OK, that’s better…

No, I don’t live anywhere near here… But in my heart I’m a city girl, and I love the sea, and living just about anywhere in the centre of Helsinki would be a dream come true. A very expensive dream, though, which explains why I don’t live anywhere near where these photos were taken. But hey, a girl can dream, right?

Anyway, these photos are from all over Helsinki, in no particular order, so let’s call this an overview, just to give you an idea of the typical architecture. Yes, just like there’s water all around (the southern) Helsinki, there are Jugendstil buildings such as these just about anywhere (except in the suburbs, of course).

Jugendstil in Helsinki

Jugendstil

Jugend architecture

Home Sweet Home…

Of course, there’s more to Helsinki than the sea and early 20th century architecture, but you’re seeing it through my eyes now. Yes, it’s a limited, edited point of view, for sure. But I wanted you to see what I love about my home town.

My home town. Such loaded words.

hot weather outfit

I wasn’t born here, but I’ve spent about 35 years of my life here, except for a few extended stays abroad. Yet, this is the place I’ve always come back to, after my forays into the wide world. But I’ve never really thought of it as my home town before, just a place I happen to be living in, for the time being. You know, temporarily.

Recently I’ve been thinking about this a lot, why I’ve never ‘settled down’, or put down roots anywhere. Or maybe I have, in a way; after all, 35 years is a long time… 

Clearly, I have some sort of an attitude problem. FYI, that’s a euphemism for ‘I’m totally neurotic and screwed up’…

But this summer has also got me thinking about what it feels like to be seen as an outsider. And I’ve realised that I don’t like it, even though it never bothered me before (I’ve felt like an outsider, for many reasons, most of my life, but it’s a topic I find too boring and unproductive to discuss here).

Anyway, I’ve come to the conclusion that it would be nice to call a place ‘home’, to feel that I belong there. So yes, I’m going to call Helsinki my home town. After all, we have 35 years of history behind us, Helsinki and I…

Outfit details:

shirt: marks and Spencer (old) / skirt: Seasalt Cornwall / 

bag: Coach (old) / shoes: Clarks / sunglasses: Marimekko

How do you feel about your home town?

Tiina

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18 Comments

  1. Nancy's Fashion Style
    4 August 2016 / 6:05 am

    Haha, reconizable! I live in a village for over 25 years now, and when we where searching for another house two years ago, we ended up in the same village! Still loving that skirt!

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2016 / 11:33 am

      Well, I've been living in my flat for maybe 13 years now, and I still consider it 'temporary'…

  2. Jill James
    4 August 2016 / 6:46 am

    Not a bad place to call home with all that impressive scenery.Maybe that old saying, "Home is where the heart is" applies. I have lived in the same place mostly for the best part of my life , should I have moved on earlier probably but that is another story. Try to enjoy the Summer.

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2016 / 11:35 am

      'Should have moved earlier'… I think I can relate to that. Then again, I've been shuttling between two homes, and two countries, for 20 years. Maybe I have commitment issues..,

  3. Julia @ When the Girls Rule
    4 August 2016 / 8:32 pm

    I am often envious of people who feel part of a town. I've lived in my current place for 14 years and still feel like an outsider b/c we seem to be so different from the norm here. I wonder if some of us are just tumbleweeds at heart and no matter how long we're in a location we're always thinking of the next place?

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2016 / 11:40 am

      Oh me, too! Envious, I mean. It must be wonderful to feel 'part of' something, I never have. But maybe, to some extent, it is a choice: I can 'decide' to belong… I don't know. I definitely understand feeling different from the norm, that's the story of my life! But maybe we can sort of get used to being an 'outsider', or sort of make peace with that feeling of not fully 'belonging'?

  4. Shybiker
    5 August 2016 / 2:59 pm

    Beautiful town. We tend to take where we live for granted. Examining it with new eyes is pleasurable and enlightening. Oh, and you're right, Summer heat sucks. 🙂

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2016 / 11:42 am

      Yes, that's true, we do take it for granted. Maybe it's also good to notice the familiar, and appreciate what's good about it.

  5. Dawn Lucy - Fashion Should Be Fun
    6 August 2016 / 12:05 pm

    Cute summer look and great photography!And thanks for sharing with Fun Fashion Friday! Have a wonderful weekend!OXOXDawn Lucyhttp://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com

    • Tiina L
      7 August 2016 / 8:55 am

      Thank you.

  6. Jessica Jannenga
    6 August 2016 / 3:45 pm

    I know exactly what you mean, I am not a fan of the very hot or the very cold! I agree, and am right with you with the sweaty hot temps we are having. Love the outfit, fan of the skirt and I enjoyed reading about your excursion!Thanks for linking up to My Refined Style http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Tiina L
      7 August 2016 / 8:56 am

      Thanks, Jessica.

  7. Natalia Lialina
    7 August 2016 / 7:09 am

    Helsinki is beautiful – and so is your skirt!I feel that I am a nomad, I am not quite at home anywhere – I am as outsider in the US as I was in Russia.But that's the beauty of it! Because on the flip side, I am at home pretty much everywhere.

    • Tiina L
      7 August 2016 / 9:00 am

      Yes, I agree: being an outsider has its perks, too. It also provides you with a vantage point from which to observe your surroundings and maybe see things from a slightly different perspective.

  8. Alice Warren
    8 August 2016 / 5:26 am

    These pictures are beautiful, thank you for sharing a little bit of Helsinki. Love your outfit!Thank you for being a part of TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you soon! Alicewww.happinessatmidlife.com

    • Tiina L
      8 August 2016 / 7:45 am

      Thanks, Alice!

  9. Shelbee On The Edge
    8 August 2016 / 8:56 pm

    Well, Tiina, you and Helsinki are both beautiful! And I am with you on that paradise at 68 degrees. Maybe 58 would be better. So if you find that place, please do let me know. I have had enough of summer as well!Thanks for linking up with me On the Edge of the Week!Shelbeewww.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Tiina L
      9 August 2016 / 8:49 am

      Thanks, Shelbee. Oh summer is nice, I just prefer it a bit on the cooler side…

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