gnome rider.

i am often referred to as the elf by my sweetie and the reason is quite self-evident: i walk hunched over and in long, flexible paces that make me look much shorter than i actually am, i am constantly preoccupied and look a little lost and my beanies are always either pointing towards the sky or just way too deep down my forehead. hence, not yer coolest street strider.

as an example of my less than credible fashionista being, last weekend i took some time to clean and tend to my bicycle and, obviously, had a bonafide elf-look going on.

cashmere beanie by cos, scarf by bernhard willhelm, sweater by uniqlo, pants by gina tricot, sneakers by converse.

the fact that i get preoccupied with things makes me rather clumsy – i tend to fall just walking to places which is either funny or not depending on your point of view –, and i am no better behind a wheel or on some. during the years i've lived in helsinki i have not dared to ride my bike. narrow streets with cars, buses and trams is not my idea of a fun challenge and despite considering myself adventurous, i do not nestle any sort of a death wish.

however, i am about to face my fears and get on the road with my trusted old "glide deluxe". the problem is that i have no safety gear and, quite honestly, i need some. i had a fairly cool helmet some years ago – 'cool' meaning space balls lookalike – but i lost it during one of my latest moves.

i tried shopping online, but have not really lucked out. thus, i'm asking you to help this sprite get her wheels going: do you own or have you stumbled across any decent-looking bicycle helmets lately? let me know, please.

p.s. the creep that stole the skull-shaped caps from my valves, just want to tell you that you can return them by emailing me in the above-right address. thank you.