Travel lover and mum to four-year-old J, Katja Hyytiäinen lived abroad for over 20 years before returning to her Helsinki homeland. She made a lifestyle choice to support the planet and its people and in 2010 started one of All Abroad Baby’s favourite online boutiques in Europe. Here she tells us that the Finnish are crazy about colourful jeans, the Moomins, pram curtains, Lohikeitto and Korvapuustit… 

What do you do?
I’m the founder and owner of eco bohemia and ECO FINLAND. eco bohemia is an eco-friendly and stylish online boutique/agency and ECO FINLAND is the first Finnish eco directory of Finnish businesses, services and products in Finnish and English.

What is your neighbourhood like?
We live in Helsinki, Finland. Helsinki being the capital of Finland there is always lots to do. You can get around easily and don’t really need a car.

What do you and your son do on a regular day out?
Weekdays are work, day care and the evening routines. But on the weekends we like to craft, go to parks, walk our dog, go swimming or visit a museum or friends. Then maybe grab some lunch at a cafe and an ice-cream from the little stands all over Helsinki. In the summer we enjoy going swimming in one of the many lakes or kid’s pools.

What is the biggest media story at the moment in Finland?
The financial situation in Finland and how the government is planning to keep the economy stable with the planned savings measures.

What is the biggest TV show in Finland right now?
The Voice Of Finland, it’s similar to Idols, except the judges can’t see the performers, they can only hear them.

What have Finnish politicians been arguing about lately?
Is the government doing cuts from the right places.

What is a popular product for babies or children in Finland right now?
Pram curtains, cloth diapers and The Moomins products.

What’s one of your favourite decor items in your son’s bedroom?
His cloud mobile by The Butter Flying, a French interior designer from Montreal in Canada, and his black bear print by illustrator Kerry Layton, who’s based in London and runs the blog Seventy Tree.

What about women’s fashion, are there any particular fads going around Finland at the moment that you’ve noticed or that you like?
Colourful Jeans

What is a Finnish recipe that is loved in your country?
Salmon soup (Lohikeitto) and cinnamon buns (Korvapuustit) for dessert.