Cilla's

You know those type of shops where you just feel like buying absolutely everything, and everything looks beautiful and seems to have it's own special place. Cilla's fits this description to a T. It's an exquisite small boutique located in Alppila neighborhood - near Kallio - that specializes in lifestyle products: from organic candles and soaps, to sustainable home decor and homewear.
The lovely owner Cilla’s started this shop as a "feel good" webshop offering a small boutique-type service and atmosphere on the internet. She wanted to create a lifestyle concept where you could find several "feel good” products to make your everyday life a little bit more beautiful and cheerful. 
The actual store opened in Alppila Helsinki in February 2014 and Cilla’s Feel Good product line was launched in November 2014. 

When you are in Cilla's you understand why for the founder:  

"Feel good also means sustainability"

 Finns can sometimes be known to be more on the conservative side when it comes to interior decoration. They tend to go all the way during big family celebrations, e.g. Ylioppilasjuhlat - Finnish high school graduation celebration - or Rippijuhlat - Confirmation or Communion celebrations. 

Cilla wanted to make it easier for people to make their homes extra cosier and livelier, by adding small changes and details, such as new cushions, lanterns or tea selections and cups.  So you can change your insides without having to go all over the top. 

And that's exactly what InsideOut Helsinki loves about Cilla's: the attention to detail. Everything is tasteful, and high quality. And you really do feel that by buying a set of towels from the Organic Company, Cilla's special handsoap, and a scrumptious homemade cookie mix, your home will feel well ... more like home :).  
Cilla's is there to help you create the perfect environment of togetherness and take a break from the hustle and bustle that life can throw at you. 

Cilla is not originally from Helsinki but loves living in the capital. Like InsideOut Helsinki cofounder Emilie, she fell in love with the peaceful atmosphere here, the perfect mix between a big and small city, where it's easy to get by, and not stressful like other European capitals. The idea of a truly feel-good shop couldn't make more sense than in Helsinki. 

What we love about the boutique is how attentive to customers it is. Constantly renewing itself, seeking new opportunities to meet customer's expectations and wishes, and having them feel like they are also a part of Cilla's adventure. 

=> Good to know: The Viipurinkatu Shop will soon turn into a small Christmas boutique, filled with adorable gifts and decoration items, as well as new products from Cilla's line at the beginning of 2016. 

Further information:
Address: Viipurinkatu 8, 00510 Helsinki
Phone: +358 442220269
Email:info@cillas.fi
Website: www.cillas.fi
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 11am-15pm

Helsingin kahvipaahtimo

Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo is the perfect embodiment of Finnish taste, simplicity, eccentricity and their sacred love of coffee.  Located in the quaint Vallila neighborhood - one of Helsinki's preserved historical hoods made up of old fashion wooden houses - the coffee house is the perfect place to snuggle when the darkness and cold settles in.

The story behind the place is quite interesting. The founder's - Benjamin Andberg - love of coffee started as a teenager in Pietarsaari. Roasting green beans on a pan over a gas-stove - or “learning by burning"-  eventually led him into buying his first roaster, and then attending the London School of Coffee in 2007 and winning Finland's Cup Tasters' championship in 2010. He then got to know other fellow coffee lovers, and founded Kaffa Roastery in 2007. The story of Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo began in 2011 after Benjamin sold his share of Kaffa Roastery – with Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo, he wanted to do things a bit differently. 

Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo perfectly reflects Finland's love for vintage and second hand treasures. When your eyes wander around the coffee house, you can find fun random objects - from deer antlers to a door (!) - but always placed and organized in a tasteful way.
That's not the only reason to push the doors to this little nest. Its coffee is really one of the best in Helsinki. When asked precisely what makes Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo special, owner Benjamin answers:

“Our coffee” a response you’d expect from a coffee roaster, right? Our coffee doesn’t try to mimic what everybody is doing in coffee now. We know what we are doing, and that why it’s easily approachable and not too high-flown. No unnecessary mystification, just top quality. Päiväkahvibaari is quite special, too!

=> Good to know : the coffee house used to be a horse stable, then a garage and a warehouse.

Vesa Hoikka, as a spokesman, who told us Kahvipaahtimo's story - isn't originally from Helsinki - fell in love with Suomiland's capital. They particularly enjoy biking through the city, and wandering around Helsinki's "Laakso" neighborhood, where you can cross country ski during colder months. The owners also recommend visitors to visit Kulosaari, with its ancient villas and Wihuri castle.

=> Insider tip : Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo, with its delicious coffee and inner warmth, perfectly represents Northern coziness. Furthermore, the coffee is cheap - you have an excellent cappuccino for 2€50- and they also serve delicious homemade sandwiches and baked goods alongside their coffee selection .

Further information:
Address: Päijänteentie 29, 00510 Helsinki
Opening times: Mon-Fri: 07:30-17, Sat: 10-16
Website: http://helsinginkahvipaahtimo.com
Contact: tilaukset@helsinginkahvipaahtimo.com / vesa@helsinginkahvipaahtimo.com

Kaiku

If I designed a club it would look like this one. A big wooden box, a great sound system, a Rotary mixer in the booth and working turntables (which is not a given these days, unfortunately). Combine that with a very open-minded crowd and great programming and you have Kaiku. The people behind this place are in it for all the right reasons and pure love of music – and you will notice it when you’re there - The Guardian

Kaiku - which interestingly enough means "echo" in Finnish-  is one of the first clubs Inside Out Founder Emilie was introduced to when moving to Helsinki. Located in the trendy Kallio neighborhood, the club is established in a former warehouse which used to manufacture matches and bread. The complex is now the home not only of Kaiku, but also several other of Helsinki's top nightlife spots, such as Siltanen and Kuudes Linja. It's a great escape from some of central Helsinki's more mainstream and commercial clubs.

Recently listed by the Guardian as one of Europe's top night clubs, music lovers from around the globe flock to Kaiku, to listen to some of the best DJs in town, and worldwide as well.

Don't feel discouraged by the usual long line that will await for you on weekends. Because, Kaiku is definitely worth the wait. You see this isn't your typical nightclub. The vibe and feeling you get depends on where you are. Outside, under the patio, is a laid back ambiance, where you can sip a beer, and enjoy the fresh air before going back dancing. A floor above is a cosy bar, with chairs and table, and a Berlinesque decor to hang out in, before joining the spacious dance floor, and vibrating to the pulse of an amazing sound system.

Kaiku has some pretty amazing bartenders as well. You can enjoy a sip of club Maté, before getting lost in time to the music.
=> Good to know, the music depends on which DJ is playing, so make sure to check out the program beforehand. The sound here is usually techno and house.

Further information:

Website: http://clubkaiku.fi
Address: Kaikukatu 4, Kallio, Helsinki
Phone: +358 45 1111466
Open everyday from 10 pm to 4 pm.