May Day Celebrations

May Day celebrations

Tomorrow is the 1st of May…

Where did this spring go?!? Well, they say time flies, but still…

I’ve been reading lots of articles and blog posts by and about people who are loving their new home-bound lifestyle with tons of more time for family, hobbies, and contemplating the meaning of life.

Seriously, who has time for all that?!?

Normally, late winter and early spring (March-April) is the least busy time for me, as far as work is concerned. That’s when I catch up with friends, TV shows, and whatever is going on in the world. I resume long-abandoned creative projects and start new exercise regimes, or clear out the flat, my wardrobe, and my head to make room for something new or to gain more space. But this year it’s different.

I’ve been working like crazy almost every day, preparing my summer courses, now due to take place online rather than in the classroom. I haven’t had time to read books or listen to music, let alone discover the meaning of life. Unless it’s working till you drop. The meaning of life, I mean.

Anyway…

Tomorrow is May Day, or what we here in Finland call Vappu. And today, May Day Eve,  is the day when we celebrate spring: go out and party, get completely drunk and disorderly (hey, this is Finland, this is the closest thing we have to a carnival here), watch a group of students being hoisted up in the air by a crane so that they can place a huge hat on the head of a statue of a naked lady (yes, really, it’s a thing, and I wrote a blog post about it a few years ago). And tomorrow people will go and have a picnic in the park (with champagne and herring)…

Except none of this is taking place this year, obviously.

maxidress

vappu

Marimekko maxi dress

But we can still have a Vappu party. At home, just the two of us (hubby and me, that is), after hubby gets off from work (= his back-to-back video calls and meetings, standing at his makeshift ironing board desk).

These pictures are from our ‘practice round‘ last weekend. We needed a practice round in case hubby needs to work late on the actual day and I’m left to celebrate Vappu on my own….

maxidress over 40

Outfit details (all old):
dress and socks: Marimekko / earrings: Aarikka

Tiina

How are you celebrating May Day?

Linking up with:

Elegantly Dressed and StylishHigh Latitude StyleA Labour of LifeCurly Crafty Mom, Doused in Pink,  Not Dressed As LambLiving on Cloud NineElegance and Mommyhood, Nancy’s Fashion StyleShelbee on the EdgeA Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashAway from the BlueMummabstylish Mutton Years Style and I, Independent Fashion Bloggers

23 Comments

  1. 30 April 2020 / 7:35 pm

    Happy 1st of May (in advance) and glad that you had a ‘practice round’ last weekend!, it’s a great idea!.
    We usually have some marches on 1st of May, but most people would make the most of this long weekend and run away to their seaside apartments. Which is impossible nowadays.
    Love your dress and love how fab you look celebrating!, cheers!
    besos

    • Tiina
      Author
      5 May 2020 / 1:04 pm

      Thanks!
      The practice round was very useful, as the actual May Day Eve (which is when we celebrate) was a work day for hubby.
      I miss the sea, too! OK, it’s only 30 minutes away by train, but there’s really nowhere to go as all the restaurants and cafeterias are closed. It’s amazing how we start appreciating all the little things now that they’re not available, isn’t it?

  2. mireilleftm
    30 April 2020 / 8:19 pm

    Happy May Day! Good idea about the practice round just in case. This May my parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, my mom is turning 75 and it is Mother’s Day too (all within 5 days). Not sure how we will celebrate but we will celebrate! Even if it is only a nice delicious take out dinner on the porch!
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      5 May 2020 / 1:06 pm

      Thanks!
      Yes, maybe a practice round should be mandatory, for all major celebrations and holidays…
      50th anniversary! That’s impressive, and certainly worth celebrating, one way or another.

  3. q
    1 May 2020 / 9:50 am

    Hauskaa vappua! Are you planning to have an isolation picnic at home today? -q

    • Tiina
      Author
      5 May 2020 / 1:07 pm

      Hauskaa vappua!
      It feels like everyday is an isolation picnic, these days.

  4. Flora
    1 May 2020 / 12:56 pm

    When I was a child, in Scotland, I was told get up at dawn on the first of May and wash my face in the dew so that I would always be beautiful. I’m 73 and when I looked in the mirror this morning I cursed myself for not doing it. You obviously did as you look lovely in your party dress I hope you can celebrate in ernest later with your man.

    • Tiina
      Author
      5 May 2020 / 1:08 pm

      Oh, that’s so sweet of you to say that! Thank you.

  5. 2 May 2020 / 11:23 pm

    You look fabulous in this dress. The bold colors and pattern are hard to pull off, but you do it in such an easy way as if you were born in this stunning dress.

    • Tiina
      Author
      5 May 2020 / 1:12 pm

      Thanks, Nicole. I collect these huge Marimekko dresses. At times they make me feel as if I was wearing my nightie, but they’re just perfect for when it gets really hot and all clothes feel oppressive. It turns out they work well as ‘house dresses’, too, as an alternative to lounge wear.

  6. 4 May 2020 / 12:30 am

    happy belated May Day, I LOVE that dress – it is fabulous and you look wonderful

    • Tiina
      Author
      5 May 2020 / 1:17 pm

      Thanks, Juliet! I got the dress at the Marimekko Outlet sale last year. I usually get a big dress such like this one for summer, I have. a few of them already. I call them my ‘hot weather wardrobe’.

    • Tiina
      Author
      5 May 2020 / 1:17 pm

      Thanks, Regine.

  7. shelbeeontheedge1
    5 May 2020 / 2:59 pm

    Tiina, first of all, I am loving your cute socks with your amazing dress! That is so how I would style this dress while staying at home! Perfection. And what a fun way to celebrate May Day…both the traditional way and the lockdown way. Since May 1 is my son’s birthday, we have a celebration every May Day but for different reasons! This was a fun post and I hope you and your husband had a great evening celebrating in your own way! Thanks for linking up with me.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      6 May 2020 / 9:50 pm

      Thanks!
      Well, the socks are just the perfect colour, I couldn’t resist…
      And happy (belated) birthday to our son!

    • Tiina
      Author
      11 May 2020 / 11:07 am

      Thanks, Emma!

  8. 11 May 2020 / 11:00 am

    Such a fun maxi dress! I’m glad you still got to celebrate – and celebrate early! Even though you are so busy 🙂 I’ve found the home isolation time to be really busy too – it’s hard juggling work and kids but it’s been nice having them around all the time too. 🙂

    Hope you had a good weekend! It was a big day here, first day back at school for my son today after 6 weeks – it was closed because of the virus!

    Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! The new link up is live on my blog now, I’d love you to join again.

    • Tiina
      Author
      11 May 2020 / 11:09 am

      Thanks, Mica.
      I think I’ve been busier with work than ever before. I can’t even imagine how hectic it must be for people who are trying to juggle working from home and taking care of their children. You must be as happy as your son that he can go back to school.

  9. 4 June 2020 / 11:12 am

    I love this dress on you too. Again a very lovely print. But eh.. what’s that with the socks? 😂😘

    • Tiina
      Author
      4 June 2020 / 11:35 am

      Thanks, Greetje! About the socks, in Finland we don’t usually wear shoes indoors at home (or if we’re visiting someone in their home, whatever the occasion). It’s customary to take off your shoes as soon as you enter. So, never mind how you’re dressed (suit and tie, evening gown, whatever), it’s shoes off at home. (you can imagine the photos in various parties, everyone dressed to the nines, in their socks…).And in this particular occasion I wanted the socks to both match and contrast with the dress (OK, I don’t have socks with flowers…)

      • 4 June 2020 / 12:10 pm

        I think taking off your shoes indoors is very wise and civilized. The Japanese donit as well. All that dirt on your floor… not hygienic. Mind you… I would opt for indoor slippers. Cute ones.

Leave a Reply