modkid has added a photo to the pool:

The BLUM Spring Collection 2008 by MODKID was inspired by the modern simplicity of Scandinavian design. Using solid knits in vibrant colors paired up with authentic Marimekko fabrics, these pieces are easy to wear and make a statement wherever you go.

There are currently 10 mix & match pieces in the BLUM Collection. All items will be made-to-order, so please allow 10 – 14 days for construction and delivery of your custom-made MODKID item.

Blüm Spring 2008 Collection, by MODKID.
Made-to-order.
Blogged here:
modkidboutique.blogspot.com/2008/03/modkid-meets-marimekk…

Now take a break from design and return to life in Nordic Countries, to be correct, in one of them - Finland.

When I opened up my RSS reader and checked the Finland for thought feed, I don’t believed my eyes and sat down stagnated a while. My first impression was scaring, judge itself:

Helsinki and Vantaa police spot-checking foreigners without residence permit
Inspections in shopping malls and stations

The Helsinki and Vantaa police departments have stepped up the inspections of foreigners’ residence permits. Police officers are making spot checks in places where foreigners typically gather, including shopping malls, railway stations, and harbours.

In Vantaa, spot checks have been made in the shopping centres of Myyrmanni and Jumbo, among others. In Espoo, random inspections are not worthwhile, as the number of targets would be comparatively low, says Chief Inspector Aaro Väätäinen.

Anyone looking or sounding foreign can be chosen as the target of spot checks. ”A foreigner is always obliged to explain why he or she is in Finland. However, they do not have to carry all relevant documents with them all the time, as the facts can be checked through a computer network” reports Chief Inspector Jouko Aromäki from the Vantaa police. ”At some point we will certainly have a meeting involving the police, the Customs, and the Border Guard in order to discuss how the authorities are to cooperate in the matter”, notes Jaakko Heinilä, the head of the Investigation Unit at the Helsinki Immigration Police. ”The point of these checks is to maintain order and security in public places, with a view to the wellbeing of all citizens and residents of this country”, stresses Heinilä.

Here is important point of this publication that giving the whole story more bad smelling twist:

Typically, a foreigner without a residence permit comes from Africa or from the Middle East. Unable to present any identity card, he or she has come into Finland through another Schengen country, without facing border immigration control formalities.

Obviously, these checks will be focused mainly on non-caucasian race persons.

Read the whole article on Helsingin Sanomat:

There is a big discussion on Finland for thought blog, evoking many different points of view.

Ombudsman of Minorities Johanna Suurpää already addressed some concern about this issue on the pages of Helsingin Sanomat.

I am personally, started to think where can I buy a special purse to carry my ID…

About the photo used in this article:

Who’s there?

I sometimes feel like someone’s watching me. Seriously though, this statue is called ‘Daybreak’ and it was made by one of Finlands most prominent sculpters - Wäinö Aaltonen. It stands in front of the Bank of Finland Security Printing House, Rauhankatu 19, Kruununhaka. That’s why the security camera is there.

Uploaded by Kikeb to Nordic Design Photo pool on 26 Feb 07, 10.36PM EET.

“The Nordic Region should be declared free of genetically modified organisms and the Nordic countries should join other European states like Austria, Greece and Poland, which have already declared themselves GMO-free zones,” according to a proposal by the Lef-Socialist Green Group (VSG) on the Nordic Council.

“Research suggests that the use of genetically modified products has a negative impact on health,”(…) “It would provide a boost to sustainable development and underpin the positive environmental and health image the Nordic Region aims to project,” says the Group. Full article [www.norden.org]

read more | digg story

We wrote already about this escalator on Nydalen Metro Station in Oslo. Now readers of NDB can enjoy also the video of this cool light installation:

Thanks Andreas Lunde for this video!

CSS Nordic is an innovative CSS Gallery for Nordic web designers.

Via Design in Europe - news archive - finland

Link: CSS Nordic

We wrote recently about initiative of authors of Home Rejuvenation blog to find out which design blogs and bloggers influence the discerning readers and the rest of the blogging community. They decided to make an email survey, where their readers voted for ten best design blogs.

Here’s a rundown on the 10 most influential design bloggers:

1. Bloesem (www.bloesem.blogs.com)

1. Sfgirlbybay (www.sfgirlbybay.blogspot.com)

1. NotCot (www.notcot.com)

1. Swiss Miss (www.swiss-miss.com)

1. Oh Joy! (www.ohjoy.blogs.com)

1. Desire To Inspire (www.desiretoinspire.blogspot.com)

1. Decor8 (www.decor8.blogspot.com)

1. MoCo Loco (www.mocoloco.com)

1. Apartment Therapy (www.apartmenttherapy.com)

1. Design*Sponge (www.designspongeonline.com)

You can read the rest of article with detailed info of each of 10 most influential design blogs on Home Rejuvenation blog.

Here are my personal favorites among winners, and some of them are from friendly sites of Nordic Design Blog.

Home Rejuvenation

Stan from Home Rejuvenation Blog informed me today that they are conducting a survey to find out who the 10 influential bloggers (blogs) in our design community are. The purpose is to find out the best in design blogging.

They wrote:

Let’s face it - there are too many design bloggers out there, each with their own distinctive style and voice. But we never know who, in most bloggers’ and readers’ hearts, the movers and shakers of the design blogging world are. Simply because nobody has ever bothered about finding out?

You can read more about this initiative on their blog: Home Rejuvenation

Or you can vote directly by this email.