My days

I keep wondering where all the time goes. Sometimes it feels like a week goes by in a blur and I realize it's Monday again, and I haven't accomplished much anything, besides survived yet another week. So with all this in mind, I want to share my typical week with you and then think about ways to be more productive etc. When I hear the word "productive" (let alone write it) I want to laugh. I'm not the type to worry too much (used to be, though...) 

I don't have a regular work schedule. I like it more often than not, but sometimes it gets on the way of my social life. Most people I know have the weekends off, and I'm working through most weekends.. So basically I'm usually working Thursday through Sunday or Monday, more evenings than mornings, either from 4pm -10pm or 10am-4pm. Occasionally I have a free weekend, but my usual days off are Tuesday and Wednesday. But like I said, my schedule isn't regular, and I work whenever. For example this week I'm working Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Not too rough ;) 

Working more evening shifts has caused my rhythms to be all over the place. I go to bed after midnight, sometimes as late as 3am, and get up no earlier than 10am. I'm so not a morning person and trust me when I say I've tried. Before and after work I cook, try to remember to read (I've been reading so little lately, it's almost a crime), sometimes I see my friends and/or go run some errands and when I'm really bored or out of my mind, I clean. I also try to work on my novel whenever I can. I am trying to find a solid time of the day to do that, because I would love to make it a routine. I work on it every day, but I don't get much done everyday. Sad face. 

On my free days I like to just relax, hang out with friends and reset. I'm a Netflix-addict and active in the social media, Facebook, Instagram... I also work on my novel and have some quiet time. I'm a private person and like to keep to myself, as much as I love my friends. I guess you can call me shy, at least until you get to know me ;) 

I guess getting my daily rhythms in place I could save more time and then be more productive. But like I said, I don't worry too much. I've learned the damage of too much stress the hard way and choose to look at life with a positive attitude. Of course I have times when nothing seems to work out and it gets me down.. Don't we all? But the artsy, hippie side of me usually takes over and I know I'll be ok in the end :)  

To 

Indian Summer

This year we have been enjoying an unusually warm weather for this season (I'm sorry if I'm boring you out with my constant weather babbling! I kind of annoy myself, too, but I'm a Finn, and weather is a constant topic here.) It's supposed to start cooling down soon, though. It feels weird being able to walk around in tees and ballerinas when we're half way through September already.

Today was probably one of the last remaining warm days, and I got to enjoy it with a couple of friends after work.

Just a quick reminder: I can be found on Instagram as well, my username is grasshopper89 :)

It gets chilly almost right after the sunset. Almost time for the new clothes ;) I found a cute scarf today that I think I'll buy the next time. Why didn't I buy it today? It's blue with white start... or white with red stars. I think I'll go with the blue one.. feeding my americanflagobsession. American by heart<3

How's your weekend going? :)

Iira goes blonde, part 1.

So, remember that list of changes I wanted to make?

One down. I went to the hairdresser's on Tuesday. It's not really something worth mentioning, unless you're me. I can rarely afford to go have my hair done by a professional. My hair is long and thick, and it costs a whole lot to have it cut and colored. But every once in a while I go :) This time I wanted to try the oh-so-popular ombre-style. I've actually tried it before; a year ago I had my hair done in Portland. My hair was dyed very dark but the tips were blonde. It turned out really pretty, and it was done by a student, so it was cheaper. Now I wanted it a little different, so we started the process.

The colors in this picture aren't exactly right, but pretty close. This time around my hair didn't get as light as I would have preferred, but I'm not surprised. I've been coloring it dark for over a year now, so going back to blonde is going to be a long process, and I don't want to ruin my hair as I go. I'm still very happy with the result. I will be going to Florida in a few months and hope the sun will lighten my hair some more ;) might just save me another trip to the hairdressers. 

What comes to the other parts of that list, I'm hoping to get some shopping done next week. I'd love to get a new scarf and maybe a cute fall knit. Although I did get one recently; I will have to do a post about my fall clothes! It's still too warm to be wearing knits and scarfs (the weather's drunk and should go home) and I can't wait to wear in my new clothes! <3

Have a great weekend, y'all!

cozy and warm

It's 70 and sunny, but the sun doesn't feel as warm as it does in the middle of summer. Today I put on my mom's wool socks. I know, right?! At least I don't wear them all year round, like my dear momma does ;)

In my previous post I was talking about change, and how fall has always been a perfect time for that.. well, after that post and some thinking, I've come to the conclusion that this fall will be no exception. It doesn't matter how small that change will be; a change is a change. 

-I will change my hair (but you already knew that...)

-I will change my blog. It's going to be a hell of a lot more interesting, I swear. If not, then feel free to find me and give me a good ol' slap in the face. 

-I will change my wardrobe. I'm in desperate need of new clothes. I've taken so much more interest into fashion lately, so this ought to be fun!

-I will look into YouTube Channels and consider one of my own (yikes!)

That's a lot, already! I'm feeling really good about this :) Excited for new things! 

Have a nice weekend!

What now

The fall is my favorite time of the year. It's when the weather cools down; it's not too hot and not too cold. It's perfect. Trees turn yellow, orange and red. It's a time for change, for new and exciting things. Or at least it used to be.

 

This fall I have nothing to look forward to, except for my pay day so that I can go and have my hair done. Last fall I traveled to Portland for three months. Two years ago I quit school and faced the exciting reality of a working girl. This fall I'm staying put. Same job, same everything. I think the fact that there's really nothing going on has killed my creativity. 

I feel powerless. What used to be my passion isn't natural to me now. Writing. Creating. Art. My life is too boring now. Some say it's a good thing, but I really do wish there was more action in my life. I would have more to tell you. But I guess writing about not being able to write like I used to is better than nothing? At least I'm writing. 

I wish it was December already. In December I get to step on a plane and visit my other home. 

Until then... I think I'll book that hair appointment first thing on Monday. 

Later, lovelies :) 

redbluewhite

Hello :)

Oh my goodness! Summer has gone by so fast. It'll be over in a month.. Maybe less than a month. Not all around the world, but here in the north. Not complaining, I'm actually really looking forward to the fall, it's my favorite time of year. I can't wait to do a little shopping for clothes, get some new scarfs and maybe do something different to my hair. I will also try to blog more frequently; a promise I've made before, but haven't really delivered. Sorry :( 

Currently I am enjoying my first weekend off since June. I am so happy to pick up the pieces of my shattered social life. Yesterday I spent the day with my family and today I went to Helsinki with a couple of friends. We found out that some other friends we hadn't seen in a while were in town as well, so we all hung out together. We circled around the city and popped into some stores that held sales... And I just couldn't help myself..

I bought this bag. It just screamed out my name and I had to get it. I'm kinda sucker for American flag -patterned stuff. I own a pair of American flag converse shoes. Can't wear them with this bag, that would be too much... I know, right... But I love this bag!! And I can just keep telling myself that I needed it :) 

What else... Well, my feet hurt from today. It was a mistake to wear my new ballerinas. In my defense, we did a whole lot more walking than I had anticipated. Blah blah. 

I will tend to my sore feet and wish you all a happy weekend :) I will get back to you soon (hopefully!)

-me

Not dead

Oh my goodness... Sorry for not writing. Again. I feel bad :( sorrysorrysorry.

Blogging used to be one of my very favorite things to do, but lately I've been feeling like all the ideas just escaped from my head. I want to write, it's basically all I want to do, but there's nothing to write about!! I could tell you about the major writer's block that's been bothering me for too long, but writing about writer's block... meh.

My internet failed a couple of weeks ago, just stopped working. Both my laptop and iPad have the same carrier, which had some problems, but my phone has a different carrier and so I was able to run errands online (facebook) with my phone. Not having Netflix take all my time, I had to get creative. I got a lot of reading done (Stephen King's On Writing is uh-mazing!!) and worked on my novel. I'm not completely happy with what I came up with it and might just erase everything and start all over. But at least I'm writing something. There should be a way to transfer images from one's head to paper.

A while back I realized this summer is almost over (here in the arctic at least) and I have worked through most of it. I have vacation days that I'm saving for December, when I will be traveling to the States. Totally worth working for the summer, and despite my hectic work schedule I feel like I have improved my social life from what it used to be. At least my friends seem to know I exist nowadays ;)

So yeah.. That's what's up. There's always something. Sometimes I wish there was nothing.. Hope you're all having a good weekend :)

xxo