February is finally coming to an end. What a tiring month. The global political situation feels heavy, and nothing about it brings a sense of hope. It’s as if humanity is losing its grip. Every day, I scroll through the news, hoping to find even a sliver of good news. only to come up empty.

I started the month with a knot of anxiety in my chest. And now, on the last day of February, that feeling hasn’t faded much. Reading the news drains me, yet I can’t seem to stop. Maybe I should cut back a little. But curiosity keeps pulling me in.

Still, life moves forward. And I remind myself to gather even the smallest moments to be grateful for.

Café Visits and Coffee Discoveries

Visiting St. George Bakery

One Saturday, instead of heading to Espresso House like I usually do, I decided to visit St. George Bakery. They offer a bakery breakfast buffet, porridge, freshly baked bread, sweet pastries, sandwiches, soups, salads, smoothies, and, of course, coffee. The bakery is located at street level inside Hotel St. George.

I had seen plenty of praise for their matcha latte and scones on Google Reviews, so I decided to give them a try. The matcha was light and smooth—pleasant, but a little too mild for my taste. I prefer the bolder flavor of Andante’s.

The scone, though, was wonderful. Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside—just the way I like it. They let me choose between blueberry and apple jam, and I went with apple. If it was freshly made, they did an excellent job—the subtle sweetness paired perfectly with the warm scone.

Would I go back for the matcha? Probably not. But the scone? Absolutely. Highly recommended.

Exploring Myllypuro: Yesterday Cafe

Myllypuro is a part of Helsinki I hadn’t explored before, so while I was in the area after visiting Mic and Mim, I decided to take a walk and see what it had to offer.

One place I had been curious about was Yesterday Cafe, a cozy spot with books scattered in every corner, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The coffee itself was decent. I ordered a cappuccino, and while the flavor was just okay, the milk was whisked perfectly, making each sip smooth and velvety.

As you can see in the picture, books and magazines are tucked into every corner of the café, so you can easily find something to read while enjoying your coffee. And if you prefer to bring your own book, they have plenty of comfortable seating, making it a great spot to sit back, relax, and read.

Visiting Sävy Kahvila

One weekend, while I was in the neighborhood near Mustan Kanin Kolo bookstore, I finally had the chance to visit Sävy Kahvila. I had been meaning to go for ages, but since it’s a bit far from our usual weekend spots, I kept putting it off. This time, though, it was the perfect opportunity. I was already nearby.

When I arrived, the café was packed. I had to wait a bit to get a seat, but once I settled in, I ordered a cappuccino. I didn’t have any particular expectations, so when I took my first sip, I was pleasantly surprised. It was smooth, rich, and had tasting notes similar to Andante’s. I was genuinely impressed.

As I sat by the window, I noticed books stacked nearby, and among them, James Hoffmann’s The World Atlas of Coffee! I had been searching for this book for months. The eBook version wasn’t even available so I was beyond excited to finally find it.

I spent the next hour sipping my coffee and reading, completely absorbed. Sävy Kahvila turned out to be such a cozy and inviting spot, definitely a place I’d love to revisit.

More Laskiaispulla (Semla) Varieties in Andante

February might be over, but laskiaispulla or semla can still be found in Helsinki, including Andante, where they serve unique and delicious Laskiaispulla with a different flavors every week. A little bit recap, last month, I tried a Red Velvet Laskiaispulla from Espresso House and a Black Sesame Miso Laskiaispulla from Andante.

Mid-month of February, Andante offered Earl Grey in Honey Bun and Sakura Tea in Honey Bun. I went with the first one. Then, another week, they introduced Lavender & Blackberry in Chocolate Bun and Miso & Banana in Chocolate Bun, I picked the latter.

As always, Andante’s creations impressed me. I’m not the biggest Earl Grey fan, so while it was an interesting tasting experience, I probably wouldn’t order it again. No offense, it was really good but just not my personal preference. But I absolutely loved the Miso & Banana in Chocolate Bun. I’ve always been a fan of Andante’s miso cream, and this one was no exception.

If you ever find yourself at Andante while they have a dessert with miso cream, do yourself a favor. Try it. Highly recommended!

Other February Highlights

Looking for a Portable Photo Printer

I’ve been wanting to stick some memorable photos into my Hobonichi, so I did a little research on r/hobonichi. The Canon Selphy seemed to be a favorite. It got plenty of glowing reviews. Curious, I decided to check it out at a local electronics store.

Turns out, it’s not available in stores. Ordering online would take anywhere from two weeks to a month. Not ideal, but that’s okay. Maybe now isn’t the right time anyway.

For now, I’m enjoying writing in my Hobonichi Weeks, and honestly, the pages are already packed with words, little stickers, and everything that makes it feel like mine. Maybe next year, if I switch to a Hobonichi Daily, I’ll have more space for both my thoughts and printed photos.

Bought Another (!!) Hobonichi

Yes, I bought another one. I can’t help it. I guess I’m addicted! But honestly, it’s a justified purchase because I actually need it. My current notebook, with its Moomin cover and 179 pages, is nearly full. I only started using it two months ago, but my thoughts have been so loud that I’ve already filled most of it.

This time, I stopped by Mic and Mim and picked up a Hobonichi Plain Notebook A6 by Keiko Shibata. I chose the A6 size, hoping it would fit into my small Marimekko Baby Gratha Unikko which, for reference, measures 15 cm (width) × 15 cm (height) × 6.5 cm (depth).

And to my delight, it fits perfectly! So if you’re wondering, yes, the Hobonichi A6 fits comfortably in a bag of this size. A compact little companion for all the thoughts I need to spill onto paper.

Finding Stickers for Journaling at the Recycle Center

Ever since I got into journaling, I’ve been on the lookout for unique stickers to decorate my pages. Someone on Reddit suggested checking out Kierrätyskeskus, especially the locations in Kaisaniemi and Redi.

Since I was working at the Helsinki University Library, I decided to visit the Kaisaniemi branch, which is conveniently located downstairs. I had always assumed they only sold clothes and tableware, so I usually just walked past. But this time, I took a proper look and I was impressed!

I found some vintage-style stickers priced at just 1–2 euros, along with a variety of scrapbooking materials at incredibly cheap prices. Definitely a treasure for anyone who enjoys paper crafts!

I didn’t buy anything this time. I’m still figuring out what my journaling style truly is. But once I know exactly what I want, I’ll be back for sure.

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February has come and gone, carrying its weight of uncertainty, small joys, and restless thoughts. I don’t know what the next month will bring, but I hope for peace, both in the world and within myself. And if not peace, then at least moments of stillness that remind me it’s okay to pause, to breathe, and to keep going.