Free coffee and S-shaped (‘S’ stands for Sauli’s) homemade cookies are served by enthusiastic volunteers that can answer to the public’s questions about presidential candidate Sauli Niinistö. I met with volunteer Tuija Saukkonen at Café Niinistö in FORUM’s Kukontori who offered all her spare time supporting Niinistö’s campaign.

“I have decided not to follow all what is being written in the press and on the Internet but of course I follow major newspapers and hear lots of discussions here at Café Niinistö since people are eagerly discussing about the latest polls that show Sauli in the lead”, comments Tuija.

“The President is the value leader of Finland. Niinistö has the power to unite people. He can be the President of all Finland from Helsinki to Lapland!”, says Tuija when I ask her about how she believes Niinistö makes a difference and is suitable for the highest position of Finland’s democracy.

Sauli Niinistö from the National Coalition Party and Finland’s former Minister of Finance is running for office along with Pekka Haavisto from the Green League and Finland’s former Minister of the Environment.

Sauli Niinistö won the first round with 37.0% of the public’s vote and is facing off against Pekka Haavisto, who got 18.8% of the votes, in the second round, which is held tomorrow on February 5.

Text: Chryssa Skodra

Photos: Kim Ekman (Vision51)

New arrivals can be found in the Vero Moda store in Forum. Cute cardigans, chunky knit sweaters in sharp or natural colours and travel bags. I fall in love with those soft and colourful blouses and tops.

Text: Chryssa Skodra

Photos: Kim Ekman (Vision51)

Club Glitter is the Glitter’s customer club, one of the leading fashion chains of jewellery and accessories in Northern Europe. As a member you will know all the news first, you will get special offers and invitations to our shopping events.

On February 1, Glitter Forum invites its costumers for a special event that takes place from 18:30-21:00. Get ready to be pampered with snacks, styling tips and special offers!

Becoming a member of Club Glitter doesn’t cost a thing. All you need to do is submit your information here or visit the Glitter store in Forum!

The new Let Spring Begin has already started in Glitter which features an assortment of jewellery, watches, accessories and hair products in lovely pastel and earthy spring colours.

Text: Chryssa Skodra

Photos: Kim Ekman (Vision51)

I also dress to express my different styles for various occasions! Recently I discovered what I was looking for! Beautiful mobile phone cases since I have lost my own case..

Take a look at these beautiful mobile phone cases below in three colours red, golden and black suitable for most smartphones! I can fit my Samsung Galaxy S, so we got a winner! I want them in all colours. and with a price of 11,90€ it is affortable.

For iPhone uses you can find a glittery selection of two pieces with pink and black jewels! They also have a chain so you can have your phone on you, while dancing on the dancefloor in a club!

These old skool tape-looking cases are becoming popular recently. Found in Glitter Forum in three colours for 7,90€.

Text: Chryssa Skodra

Photos: Kim Ekman (Vision51)

In Finland, having warm outerwear and headwear that make you stand out is paramount if you want to stay warm. In Ajatar Forum you will find amazing, high-quality insulated coats with fur details and headwear in affordable prices. Ajatar offers great discounts in a variety of coats and hearwear!

Ajatar’s philosophy is based on making every woman find their inner goddess and look stunning in a coat that represents their personality.

Here are my favourite pieces from Ajatar. This is a warm and well-insulated long jacket up to the knee from Nobis Canada paired with a cute hat in beige with a fur detail on top

Below I think I look like a Russian Grand Duchess!

Ajatar offers a great variety in winter accessories and lovely hats! You can never have too many! Some of the best colours and brands can be found below!

Text: Chryssa Skodra

Photos: Kim Ekman (Vision51)

Returning back from holidays is usually a period of adjustment to work/school rhythms and setting personal goals for the new year. Some are realist, some more optimistic. Some are followed though, most are not.

My resolutions tend to be really extravagant since I was very little, for instance when I was 12 I wanted to be a Guinness World Record holder for having the longer nails! Now that I’m next week turn 28 (Jan, 18!) I have set a few short-term goals.

My resolutions for 2012:

1. Get physical exercise! I think dancing would be a great choice for me! Why not attending Zumba or hip-hop classes? That would help me get away of my computer screen and engage me into a fun activity with other people and music.

NOTE! I need to go to Stadium FORUM to check out outfits!

2. Plan trips in places I’ve always wanted to visit! Top of my to-visit list are: Las Vegas for the International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, held in January (I’ll plan it now for January, 2013), Lebanon for the great cuisine and China to visit friends and be absord everything this vast country has to offer!

NOTE! Have to drop by Finnmatkat in FORUM and ask for special offers!

3. Take up knitting as a hobby! Are you wondering why kniting? I wouldn’t say I’m a crafty person but I think knitting is a calming and creative hobby plus you are in control of the whole process and the outcome from A to Z.

NOTE! Have to go to FORUM to get all the materials I need for my first scarf! A ball of yarn and a pair of needles, so simple.

4. Stay in touch with friends. Call my friends on the phone at least once a week and ask them out for a coffee or lunch.

NOTE! Fazer FORUM has a great selection of snacks during daytime and Tamarin on the other end of FORUM offers great lunch choices for those working downtown.

5. Get engaged/married on 12/12/12! :)

NOTE! I have already selected the ring from Kultakamari in FORUM!

Text: Chryssa Skodra

Photos: Marko Korkeakoski (www.korkeakoski.org)

FORUM has been decorated with christmassy colours since November already and welcomes the visitors to experience their festive gift-shopping.

In INDISKA, on FORUM’s second floor, you can find all kinds of beautiful decorations for your home that could also be small gifts for colleagues and friends. Take a look!

I have been checking various stores in FORUM to find out cool gifts for everyone! Here is my Christmas gift-selection.

Gifts for ladies:

Yves Rocher beautifully packaged skincare gifts that would make any woman happy.

In Forumin Kulta, I found gorgeous jewellery from various collections. Below there are jewellery of Aagaard design.

The Danish firm Aagaard is one of the leading jewellery manufacturers in Scandinavia and their jewellery express individuality and unique design. This Aagaard flower ser of ring and necklace can be found in Forumin Kulta. A perfect present for a lady!

Gifts for him:

The two ThinKing credit card holders are designed by Aki Pesonen from Eteläranta in Helsinki, Finland. ThinKing credit card holders are uniquely looking, slim and lightweight. They can hold up to four cards securily inside. (Size: Height: 88 mm / Width: 62 mm / Depth: 8 mm)

Gifts for kids:

Children’s tableware sets designed by Lisa Lindahl only for 69€!

Hyvää Joulua, everyone! (‘Merry Christmas!’ in Finnish)

Enjoy the holidays!

Text: Chryssa Skodra

Photos: Kim Ekman (Vision51)

Apart from the X-mas vibes around Forum, stores have started getting ready for the holiday season. New products have arrived at Yves Rocher! The Fleur de Noël collection for 2011 features Charming Spices candles that bring the spirit and warmth of Christmas to your home as well as fragrance sticks and home fragnances that can create a warm and romantic atmosphere during the cold winter nights.

This is an excellent idea for X-mas present for your friends! Also, I got a lovely hand cream from Yves Rocher because my hands are so dry during winter. The Fruit de Noël limited edition handcream is extremely moisturising, very light and with a sweet scent derived from the combination of orange, pergamont and graprfruit oils.

Lastly, another limited edition product for this season, is a collection of 3 mini-soaps in an ecological package that could be an ideal choice for a gift to a little or big girl! :)

Text: Chryssa Skodra

Photos: Kim Ekman (Vision51)

SixDegrees has an average print run of 50,000 copies, which can be found in 500 distribution points in the Greater Helsinki region, Tampere, Turku, Oulu and Jyväskylä. So, my face is on all of those copies! I have to bring one copy to my parents!

Heather Sutherland, the writer of the article, has done an excellent job writing about blogging as a phenomenon that is growing into mainstream media.

Here is a small part of her story and my interview:

As blogging becomes more mainstream, is it also becoming something you could make a living from?

Blogging has left behind its late ‘90s stereotype of being something that geeky teenage boys do in their bedrooms, and is now a firm part of modern day culture enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Business bloggers, fashion bloggers, health and fitness bloggers, parent bloggers, expat bloggers, political bloggers, technology bloggers; millions of people around the globe use blogs to share ideas and information.

“I’ve received tons of email from the four corners of the earth from Finnish expats, international visitors and foreigners living in Finland that could relate to my stories on my original Finnish blog about life in Rovaniemi,” explains professional blogger, journalist and Spin FM radio host Chryssa Skodra.

Skodra, who currently blogs for FORUM Shopping Centre in Helsinki, and for Fujitsu as a brand ambassador, first started blogging when she was at university in Athens, receiving considerable media attention for her efforts. After sharing her thoughts about life in Rovaniemi when she lived there, she now blogs about technology and fashion.

“It is a dream come true!” Skodra exclaims, when asked what it’s like to be paid to blog. As FORUM’s first ever English-language blogger, Skodra writes about fashion, lifestyle trends and events that take place at the shopping mall. “I interview shop managers, personnel and visitors, try the services and products that FORUM offers and report back to the world.”

“It is hard work though,” she continues. “I am not writing one or two sentences and uploading bad quality photos snapped on a phone. I have a high quality standard, therefore it is time and energy consuming to come up with an interesting concept for my next blog post, to contact and arrange interviews, borrow clothes and products for photo shoots and work on the aesthetics with my photographer, Kim Ekman.”

In keeping with her passion for blogging, Skodra has also been chosen to be one of Fujitsu’s brand ambassadors. “In Autumn 2010, 53 people from 8 countries were selected as Insiders (bloggers) and brand ambassadors for Fujitsu. We were given a specific model of Fujitsu Lifebook laptop and we had to test and review it for our LIFEBOOK4Life blog. They even flew me to the CeBIT 2011 in Hannover, Germany for the world’s largest IT trade fair to interview IT experts.”

To read the full story, click this link: The new face of blogging

However, everyone hides a kid inside them and I most definately love to have fun. I walked into Buttericks in Forum and I let myself go! This post is the outcome of some of the most hilarious moments thoughout this time I’m writing for FORUM!

Take a look! Here is the secret daughter of Lady Gaga and Liam Gallagher from Oasis! Rumours say she lives in Helsinki!

And here is a female superhero, The Invisible Woman! I have always been fascinated with myths and creatures or humans that possessed magical powers. If I would have one special power that would definately be invisibility!

If you had a magic power, what would it be?

The Invisible Woman wears her invisibilily cloak and dissappears from sight when need be!

Happy Halloween!

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Text: Chryssa Skodra

Photos: Kim Ekman (Vision51)