Fabulous Tictail Stores

1. Mia Blanche Keramik

Extremely pretty handmade ceramic from Sweden. Pretty colors and designs. The milk jug is my favorite. 

2. Mia Valgren Illustration

Mia Valgren's prints are beautiful and full of stories.

3. Audrey Jeanne

This lovely French Tictail store gives me great vibes. I'm not a cat person, but I love those cat notebooks.

4. Havie

Two brothers from Tel Aviv design cool handmade products. I think their wallets are cool.

5. Ihana Shop

I'd love you to check out my own Tictail store, too. I sell handmade jewellery.

Win an In Post Ad

Here's a small giveaway to celebrate the New Year. Price: In Post Ad for 1 month.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enjoy your small blog

The blogging world (and Pinterest etc) is full of "how to grow your blog" posts. We all (Yes. I generalise.) dream about having a super popular blog. 

I want to remind myself to enjoy my small blog. Here's why:

1. Every comment makes your day

Stop being jealous of blog comments. If you'd get them as much as those "big bloggers" do, you might not appreciate them as much as you do now. What a joy it is to read your reader's thoughts!

2. You can break the rules

If you don't feel like following those "holy blogging rules", then you can just forget them. Stop thinking about social media, statistics, SEO, traffic, etc. Just have fun. 

3. Your followers really want to follow you

It's easier to follow big blogs. I think it's psychological; we like to do things that everyone else is doing. I'm not saying that that big blogs are not worth following. Instead, I think it takes more to follow a small blog. So if you get a follower, she/he really enjoys your blog. Yay!

4. You can always learn 

I've noticed that when I'm humble, I learn most. Having a small blog keeps you humble and gives you an opportunity to learn. 

5. You are a dreamer

You can still dream about being the proud owner of that popular blog! Your not there yet, but dreaming is wonderful.

Are you enjoying your small blog? Or are you a "big" blogger who still appreciates the small things?

On our way to Christmas

I've started to read Luke. Even after one chapter, it's been a blessing and it has brought me true Christmas spirit.

Luke 1. 

I love how God decided to send his Son here for us the way he did. 

Even before Jesus was born, God made sure his Son's birth would be anything but ordinary.

What makes Luke 1. so wonderful, in my opinion, is that God wanted to use two women. And not in a boring way! He showed his power through these women's lives. 

Mary:

My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name.

I really need you, Christmas!

It's been crazy 2 months. I'm pretty tired right now. I was suppose to graduate (finally) this month, but because I had to go to another town to do my practicum in November, it's not possible. 

I hope and pray I can finally call myself a qualified guidance counsellor in January or February. 

My busy schedule has affected this blog too. I guess, because of all the stress, I've lost a bit of my inspiration and creativity. I've been a bit sad about it because I love my blog. It even got so bad, that I had to read my own post: How to find things to write about.

That's why I need Christmas so badly. I need to rest and forget all the school stuff. I want to be inspired to blog again.

Have you ever experienced something similar? How did you overcome it?

Best Christmas Songs

1.  O Holy Night

2. Now behold the lamb

3. Have yourself a merry little Christmas

4. Joy to the world

5. What child is this

I love Christmas songs that highlight what Christmas is all about. What are your favorite Christmas songs?

5 Random Things

1.  Have yourself a merry little christmas

I'm loving Coldplay's sweet version. 

2. Popular posts in November

Let's give someone a merry little christmas

Learning To Say Yes

Dear Santa

3. Christmas cards

I'm part of a blog community, called Prayerful Bloggers. We are going to do a Christmas card swap. Can't wait! I've also sending cards to some of my friends and I'm going to mail them tomorrow. 

4.  Mother of Mine

Last week's Movie Buff Sisterhood movie was Mother of Mine. Read our thoughts HERE.

5. Homeland

I cant't wait for the next episode!

Mother of Mine

This weekend we celebrated our independence here in Finland. With the Movie Buff Sisterhood we watched a Finnish movie called Mother of Mine.

It was really interesting to hear Ashley and Claudia's thoughts about the movie, because they don't share the emotional bond with me. (They're cultural and historical background is different.)

"During World War II, more than 70,000 Finnish children were evacuated to neutral Sweden to avoid the conflict. "Mother of Mine", the latest from the award-winning Klaus Härö (Näkymätön Elina (2002)), tackles that painful patch of history in a tale of 9-year-old Eero, a child who increasingly feels abandoned by his biological Finnish mother and yet not attached to his Swedish surrogate mom. When he is returned to Finland, his confusion intensifies." Imdb

This movie...

Made us feel

Claudia: I was particularly moved to anger though, in seeing Kirsti engulfed in a trance of grief after the death of her husband. More than anything, I sympathized deeper for Eero. Even more upsetting to me, was when Kirsti completely surrendered Eero all for the sake of fear and wanting to seal her safety by marrying the German solider. Still and all, I was pleased with how each character grew and how their lives exuded integrity and resolve. 

Ashley: I really felt the most emotion because of the things that Eero had to go through. I always enjoy watching movies that involve any of the wars because it allows us to have a feel on what the families went through! 

Me: I was shocked how blind people were to see the needs of children. I was quite heart broken, actually. I also felt quite hopeless about the numbness that great losses cause.

The Characters

Mother of Mine is full of great characters. Ashley, who was your favorite?

Ashley: The most interesting character had to be Eero to me. To be sent from the only family you know to a completely distance family is scary enough! Then you pack on the war that's going on. He completely had to adjust to everything all over again. I really feel that with his mother(biological) going into that deep depression it made it hard for him to accept love from his foster mom. They both had to learn to accept and love each other. 

What about you Claudia?

Claudia: Most interesting to me was Mother Signe. She was untouchable and the most enjoyable character, in that it took a great deal of time to uncover the mysteries surrounding her personality and emotions. I couldn't understand why she rebuked Eero so harshly, but when we came to identify the reasoning behind her pain, it all made perfect sense and I immediately fell in love with her courage and decision to love Eero. Did you cry when she was separated from Eero!? Oh my word, such a gripping movie!

Did I cry? I was sobbing when she ran after the car. But I have to agree with both of you. Eero and Signe were the most interesting characters.

What is war like in this movie? How is it discussed and described?

Claudia: The ambiance of war is inescapable, right from the opening sequence. We see the disarray and fear that WWII evoked; it was overwhelming and at times, difficult to watch. I was heartbroken for both Kristi and Mother Signe, having lost a child each in their own way, and the children! Oh my gosh, I was completely undone when I saw the children separated from their mother's. I honestly do not know what I would do given the circumstances. I want to say that I would hold on to my babies, and avoid giving them up all together, but then again, would that be selfish in my part?

Ashley:  Watching the horrors of the war is always difficult to watch. The pain of losing a loved one, getting uprooted from your family, losing your way of life, and your town being destroyed!! I think we need these types of things because it allows us to grow from them and learn them. It lets you appreciate what you have now!

I think that Mother of Mine talked about war in a refreshing way. We couldn't see it, but we could hear and feel it. We were able to see that war follows a human being for the rest of his or her life.

Have you seen Mother of Mine? We'd love to hear your thoughts!


Our next Movie Buff Sisterhood movie is Miracle on the 34th Street December 15. 

Celebrating my home country - Finland

You have no idea how long it took my to write that topic. It's hard to say "home" because I'm a TCK (third culture kid: I grow up abroad), but I consider Finland my home country - my other home country.

Anyways, today (or it's actually yesterday here in Finland) we celebrated Finnish Independence Day.

I decided to create a Pinterest board about Finland, so you can see what it's like here in this cold Nordic country. And just to be clear, no, we don't have polar bears walking on our streets. 

Follow Mrs K's board Finland on Pinterest.

With the Movie Buff Sisterhood we watched a Finnish movie, Mother of Mine. Tomorrow I'll post more about it. It was fun to hear what my non-Finnish Movie Buff sisters thought about it.

Check out my friend's nail art! She celebrated our Independence Day by painting Northern Lights on her nails. 

Cheap In Post Ads

Hi everyone!

I changed things a little, because I've noticed that sidebar ads don't give us enough traffic. I decided to give my own sponsors better service. Now you can get your ad under my every post. 

Usually in post ads cost a lot. But great news, my in post ads are quite cheap! Just 4$ per month! And an extra month is just 2$ with a  discount code: 2nd50 (If you've won an ad, your old codes are still valid!)

Go here to get your In Post Ad or buy below.

Are you blogging difference?

I am so glad that the Strong & Influential Sisterhood blog is now up and running. I'd love you to go there and follow us! We are on Facebook, too.

If you'd like to become part of the sisterhood, you can do that now on the blog. We'd love to have you. 

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 by cabancreative

December topics!

Merry Christmas fellow bloggers! I think I can say that, because it's December. 

Above you can see the Blog Challenge December topics. So choose one or several, write about it and share your link below!

I would also ask you to put the Blog Challenge button somewhere on your blog. That would be very thoughtful of you. You can find the button and more info about the Blog Challenge HERE.

Get a chance to win this book:

Read more HERE.

An InLinkz Link-up

5 Random Things

1. It starts tomorrow!

If you don't know what I mean, go HERE.



2. I was nominated

Claudia, from This Is My Soul Called Life, nominated me for: 

I already posted one award post this week so I'm going to cut some corners with this one. I'm not going to nominate anyone, but I will tell 7 things about myself.

- I can get so into a hockey game that I get sick (fever)

- I'm NOT a morning person
- I can watch BBC's Pride And Prejudice time after time
- I'd love to write novels
- When no one's watching, I pretend to be Elphaba and try to belt out Defying Cravity
- Coca Cola is my weakness
- I don't like Twitter. I've tried to learn to like it, but no...


3. I need THIS mug

4. I might have found the reason for my back and shoulder pain

Is your smartphone damaging your spine? Read THIS article to find out more.


5. December!

New Blog Challenge topics can be found on my blog tomorrow. Yay!

Would you like to have this book?

If your answer is yes, I have good news for you. One blogger gets a copy!

All you have to do is participate in the Blog Challenge in November, December and/or January. 1 link equals 1 raffle. So link up as often as you want to get a better chance to win!

Start now! November's topics:

Blog button and rules can be found HERE.

An InLinkz Link-up

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

My Movie Buff Sisterhood sis Claudia nominated me for the Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award. Yay! Claudia is a lovely lady who writes killer book reviews. So if you ever wonder what to read, head over to her blog!

The Rules 

• Thank the blogger that nominated you, and link back to their site
• Post the award on your blog
• Answer the 10 questions you’ve been asked
• Nominate 10 other bloggers and as them 10 questions

Claudia's questions

1. You are at a Karaoke party, what song will you be singing?

Oh dear, so many songs to choose from! Maybe... Think Twice by Celine Dion. (I know, it's a "suicide" but you got to aim high, right!)

2. If you could ask any author, celebrity, famous person 3 questions, who would that said person be and what 3 questions would you ask? 

Jane Austen. I would ask her 1. How did Mr Darcy come to life? 2. Did she ever feel tired of writing by hand? 3. What are her writing tips?  

3. Name five things that are in front of you right now

iMac, a pen, a glass of orange juice, a grey wall and post-it notes about my master's thesis. 

4. What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I'm not a huge outdoors person, but I love to swim and relax at a summer cottage by the lake (that's a very Finnish thing). THIS is what I mean. 

5. What did you aspire to be when you were a small?

Flight attendant or wedding cake baker.

6. Who is the most inspirational person you know?

My big sister. She is brave and creative.

7. What is the one thing you do that often gets you into trouble?

Leave everything to last minute. 

8. I have to ask this questions because I’m a die-hard superhero fan; 

so, if you could be any superhero, who would it be and why?

Charlie's angel. 

9. What was the last movie/TV show/book that made you cry?

Game of Thrones.

10. Make a wish!

I want to graduate during December or January.

My nominees

First of all, don't feel obligated to participate! You won't hurt my feelings if you don't want to do this. I just want to let my readers  know you, because I love your blogs.

1. Robyn @Robyn's Nest

2. Ashley @A Faithful Passion

3. Katjamaria @Katjamaria

4. Susannah @Simple Moments Stick

5. Bailey Jean @Brave Love

6. Elizabeth @Oak & Oats

7. Mary @Eat Drink & Be Mary

8. Paige @Moments for the journey

9. Stephanie @Just a little bit louder

10. Ashley @ That Southern Mama

Questions to my nominees

1. What is the best thing about your blog?

2. What is the cutest search word lead to you blog?

3. What inspires you?

4. Are you a neat or messy person?

5. What is your favorite quote?

6. If you could choose one song to describe your November, what would be?

7. What is your relationship with notebooks like?

8. Do you use plastic bags or reusable totes etc. when you go shopping?

9.  A Spa day with your friend or a crazy work out at the gym with your brother?

10. Who is your hero?