Now in its third year, Helsinki Design Week whipped up into full gear this week, providing a Nordic alternative to London Design Week--though we met some folks taking in both (charge those camera batteries!). Essentially taking shape over three venues--Habitare at the convention center, Design Partners at the Cable Factory, and shops, galleries, studios, and museums in Helsinki Design District--there is a ton to see here. And a ton to eat. Eat & Joy is organizing restaurant tours, and if you decide to take in some (naked) sauna and bath action, you'll be hard pressed to find enough hours in the day to see all the emerging--and established--design talent around. (Bonus: check out the Ateljee Bar atop the Hotel Torni for a local treat called the "Long Drink"--a gin and grapefruit soda melange originally created for the tourists of the 1952 Olympics here.) Full galleries of Helsinki Design Week up at Core77 shortly!