100 Days until Christmas

15th of Sept. marked a special day for all Christmas enthusiasts worldwide:)

We, at Funky Homo sapiens, also celebrated the magical day by producing our first Christmas Funky Bambi, literally named "2012 Christmas Countdown":) She will also be sporting our 2012 Christmas cards that will be available more towards the special holiday season;)

HERE you can see our first ever cards, printed last year:)

We had a pretty laid back day. I took most of the noon to finish off the Funky Bambi, browsing through the decorations to build up the modest photo shoot.. only to realise couple of hours after the first pics were published, that I had totally forgotten to attach the ears, ha!

We had a Christmas "test luncheon"; melon and raspberry salad, that didn't really go with the main course, hah:) Yummy, but too fruity for this occasion!

Not RAW, but could have easily been! I wanted to test Mr Fearnley- Whittingstall's caramelised carrots combined with his roasted Brussels sprouts and shallots- recipe from his River Cottage, Veg Everyday- book:) Wanted to make something easy and traditionally English, and to try to make generally not-so-liked Brussels sprouts taste yummy witch they sure did! I have also always hated cooked carrots (excellent basis for a "Christmas meal", eh?), but they were so heavenly yummy, ahh!

For a dessert I made Maria Lönnqvist's RAW Blueberry - Chocolate muffins. My icing didn't come out as creamy as hers, and for some reason this recipe didn't suit me. Hubby loved it though, but it was so heavy for me that one bite would've been enough. The bush blueberries added a lovely fresh juiciness, and the raw chocolate / date base was nice, but combined with the icing, was just too much (for me). And I'm having slight problems with most of the RAW recipes containing so much coconut (icing was made with coconut flour). Ever since I was a kid I've had this same hiccup, and now I'm starting to think if it's just my body trying to tell me that coconut doesn't suit me.

If you have a chance, please have a go:) I think I will try to make something similar for Christmas anyway, I will just have to find a different icing:)

Evening was spent with Billy Bob Thornton as "Bad Santa". Heh, as with my food, the film I had anticipated for so long wasn't really ones quintessential Christmas movie, but it was ok and had couple of good laughs. If the unnecessary rump scenes with "Mrs Claus' sister" were cut out and the plot juiced up a little, it could've been rather perfect and entertaining (as a Christmas movie, but then again it hasn't really been designed to be one, hah):)

Have a happy 100 Days until Christmas- weekend!;)

Ho- ho -ho

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Turku Botonical Garden

We had a mini break away- day in Turku, west coast of Finland, earlier this week. Not being sure what to do, we decided to visit the Botonical Garden located in beautiful Ruissalo, approx. 10 mins drive from the city centre. It was indeed well pretty, and I ended up purchasing couple of seedlings including one of my ultimate favourite; a Horse-Chestnut, yei! I hope it'll make through the winter:)

... And we had a lunch at lovely Restaurant Kerttu located by the river side:) We ordered taster plater of "all" the side dishes, 2 x Vegan Burgers which were supposed to have sweet potato (bataatti) fries, which we were quite excited to try out, but unfortunately the restaurant had ran out:(

1 x Crayfish + Samon Toast

and 1 x Heavy Kerttu Light (restaurant spec.)

We waited for an hour for the starter, and additional half an hour, if not longer for the main course (ordered the same time). Because of the non- existing sweet potato- chips we were offered a complimentary coffee, but by the time the meals arrived we were already in a hurry. As an establishment Kerttu was very basic, pleasant, and easy going; good large sized terrace and enough shelter from the beaming sun. Drinks and orders were placed at the counter inside. I don't really mind as such, but at this "some-what-tropical" weather, a waitress for the drinks would've been a nice addition.

The vegan burger was tasty and superbly seasoned. Even the chips were probably one of the best I've ever tasted, even not sweet potato;) heh. Would, and probably will, visit again:) Thank you
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Making of.. Product Shoot

Product Shoot for NEW!

Funky Homo sapiens padded Funky Bambi pouch

designed for mobile phones with a touch screen

All rights reserved

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Halutaan Vuokrata: Työhuone / Myymälätila / Liiketila

Kasvavalle muotoilualan pienyritykselle
katutason työhuone tai liiketila
Helsingissä
askelilla Etu-Töölö – Kamppi – Punavuori
minimi 20- 30m² ja ylöspäin

Yhteydenotot & tarjoukset:
Saia Ikävalko & Kati-Annika Aalto
Muotoilija
Funky Homo sapiens
info (AT) funkyhomosapiens.com

Kiitos tuhannesti!
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Ellu's Chair, part. 2

Remember this?

Ellu's chair has finally been delivered, yei!

I ended up going over budget with nearly 100euros from my own pocket, but no matter; I thought it was totally worth it as there was supposed to be parts that were a keeper, but the cigarette smoke never faded so the chair had to be pulled a part completely and washed through out:) Smell is bygone, so I couldn't be more pleased:)

The "refilling" was made using historically authentic materials, exact the same that were removed:) I found an excellent upholstery tools / material supplier from Lohja, which was a definite bonus:) + I added some organic Finnish hemp for structure:)

Here's the chair back in January 2012
(grrr that hideous green dining table, new curtains though:))

And here we are , finally delivered to its rightful home:)

I hope the chair has many, many happy family years to come:)

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34th Birthday

Lovely hubby's 34th birthday evening spent by the seaside

at Haukilahden Paviljonki in Espoo

Starter from the a'la Carte: Cazpacho Soup

Starter from the a'la Carte Menu: Goat Cheese Salad

Broiled Baltic Herring and Mashed Potatoes

Dessert: Fresh Strawberries with White Chocolate Sauce

Excellent, ever so lovely and kind staff, thank you!

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Muggles Have Garden Gnomes too, you know

"Muggles have garden gnomes, too, you know,"
Harry told Ron as they crossed the lawn.

"Yeah, I've seen those things they think are gnomes,"
said Ron, bent double with his head in a peony bush,
"like fat Santa Clauses with fishing rods.."

(J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)

Gorgeous Gnomes for all Gnome- lovers worldwide:)

HERE

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