Article and Images by Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe
One thing about me is I’m gonna celebrate my birthday. I love being made to feel special and my birthday is always the perfect excuse to force others to adhere to that. My partner really wanted to take me on a “cold holiday” as he thought it would be a great idea to experience something new and of course, I was totally up for it! The choice was between Switzerland or Finland and after seeing the Aurora Collection resort on Instagram, Finland won by a landslide!
The Aurora Collection resort comprises of several different cabins with views you couldn’t possibly dream up in your head. The large windows in the sky view suite gives you the perfect front seat to the amazing Northern lights show (otherwise known as auroras), and the arctic suite comes with a fancy Jacuzzi and sauna. Both rooms are incredible and you really feel like you’ve been plopped right into the thick of the snowy Finnish forest. The staff are absolutely incredible and will help you build an itinerary that will fulfill your every desire. We went skiing, sledging with the cutest huskies, and snowmobiling – all experiences of a lifetime.
Aurora Collection
Address: 2 Koivutie, 99830 Saariselka, Finland
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HIGHLIGHTS
A compelling iceberg with its own sauna and private outdoor jacuzzi
BOOKING.COM RATING
9.8
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Other than where we were going to stay, my main concern was “what am I going to wear?”. You know that wherever I go, the lifestyle follows, and the -9 degree weather wasn’t going to deter me from giving the gworls (or reindeers should I say) a high fashion show, okay!
My partner hinted at the possibility of this trip in 2020 and since then, I’ve been extensively researching chic ski outfits. I had been searching far and wide (for years might I add) for this Chanel Coco Neige jumpsuit and I could not find it ANYWHERE! But guess who had it to rent? HURR!! I saw a friend wearing it and managed to get it into my hands days before my trip! Paired with these Chanel ear muffs that have been in my closet for a while and some uniqlo thermals, the Finnish girls were not ready for me!
I’ve said it once (okay, fifty level times) and I’ll say it again – this Prada coat is the best money I have ever spent in my lifetime! I wear it nearly every day and it is the perfect hybrid of warm and stylish. The waist belt gives is that extra je ne sais quoi creating such a gorgeous silhouette. I remember sweating at the price when I first bought it, but honestly, the cost per wear must be down to absolutely nothing the way I wear it! The bucket hat tied the whole thing perfectly and really made it into a lewk. Hands down my favourite outfit on the trip.
This look gave very Après-Ski but as cute as it looked, I froze my ass off! You guys have seen this Nanushka puffer before and I really wanted to give the girls rich lady ecru but honestly, I was so cold I had to change. The puffer is currently 70% off – run don’t walk!
As I mentioned before, I had already been buying looks since 2020, and l was lucky enough to snag this Fendi puffer jacket in the Net-A-Porter sale (hello 70% off!). The boots were also a steal as a friend kindly allowed me to use her staff discount so this look ended up being way cheaper than it needed to be!
Inside Mel’s Suitcase
