H&M Home Favourites

Hey lovelies, it’s been a minute. Today I’m bringing the blogging back with some of my favourite H&M Home finds. I’ve loved H&M ever since I discovered it in Sweden before it’s arrival in North America (a VERY long time ago), and their home items kill it every season, no fail. These items do sell out very very fast, so if you see something you like, you better make that purchase asap (or set up notifications for when it comes back in stock)! I’m sharing some of my faves from their current collection, but be warned, some of it may already be sold out. Happy shopping!

Soft Wool Blend Throw | Ceramic Candlestick | Printed Cushion Cover | Sundried Linen Fabric Candle | Firewood Fig Candle | Glass Vase | Ceramic Wavy Vase | Silver Candlestick | Braided Storage Basket | Ceramic Circle Vase | Large Ceramic Vase | Utensil Crock | Fluted Vase | Eucalyptus Candle | Glass Storage Box

xo

Linnea

April Inspiration

Well folks, after the longest month of all time (and we thought Jan was long), it’s finally April! Hopefully, that means warmer weather, flowers blooming, brighter colours, and ideally, more cheer and positivity. I know I haven’t been as active on the blog as of late, but to be honest, I haven’t found that much “extra” time to spend on here! I’ve been working from home, finished school just last week, and it starts back up again this weekend with my next semester (no disruptions, crazy!). During the free time that I do have, I’ve been decluttering/reorganizing my parents’ entire house, doing at-home workouts with my family, and taking turns cooking homecooked meals everyday for the fam.

Things that are inspiring me and helping me stay positive throughout all of this:

• Laughing at TikToks (and learning all the dances with the fam)

• FaceTime dates with my friends and fam, who I miss dearly!

• At-home workouts, sometimes on Zoom calls with friends

• Rewatching a series I love, like Lost. Omg, I forgot how good it was. Amazon, please don’t take it off Prime… pleeeease.

• Cleaning everythinggggg

• Cherry blossoms

• Free IG Live concerts from your favourite artists

• Simple interiors, and a simpler life

I wish you all a safe, productive month everyone! Please continue to do your part, staying safe at home, planning out your meals for at least a week at a time, and cooking as many of your meals as possible! Let’s limit the time we spend outside of our house, and remember, be mindful of your traffic. You should definitely be able to count where you’ve been on one hand in the last two weeks.

xo

Linnea

March Inspiration

Spring, ahhh what a breath of fresh air. All of February, I’ve been trying to get out of a very restrictive mindset - it seemed like no matter what I did, I prevented myself from doing more. Going forward into a fresh month, I hope to find every opportunity to do more, give more, be more… without the burnout.

First on the agenda: prioritizing my sleep. I just finished “Why We Sleep” for my book club, and let’s just say… it all comes down to sleep—everything you do is affected by it. Sleep should hands down be your #1 priority!! In other news, my final classes have been secured, and I’m well on my way to graduation in a few months! I cannot wait to have more of my life back, start designing, and be productive on my own time. I’m already used to the side hustle life, so bring. on. the. projects!

Things inspiring me lately;

• Cherry blossoms, and bright, natural light

• Sunshiiiiiiine

• All the loving, supportive people in my life

• Surprise messages and visits from old friends

• Pistachio green

• Dramatic stone countertops

• London, baby ♥️

Have a great month, lovelies!

xo

Linnea

November Mood

Progress, progress, progress. That’s my overall mood and focus for the month. I’m doing my best to make the most of every minute, and trying to be as productive as possible. 

Free time commuting to school? Cool, let’s get this blog post finished. Having a slumber party? Nice, let’s make sure we work out and meal prep while we’re at it. More time? Awesome, let’s work on some concept boards and catch up on this month’s book club book in the bath... and yes I really made time for all that this weekend!

Doing all these things at once isn’t easy, but it will be rewarding, and that’s what I’m focusing on. Another thing on my mind? Sweden. It’s on my radar, and I’m trying to finish school at lightning speed to get there sooner rather than later. To be honest, I’m feeling that I need a break from the city. I’m starting to take it for granted and, dare I say it, getting pretty tired of it. 

I need a challenge (not that I’m not already challenging myself) but you know, a real challenge. One that forces me to leave my comfort zone, perhaps move to a totally different country, learn a different language, and gain a new perspective on life. It will happen eventually, I know it! 

In the meantime, your girl will likely be working 7 days a week, 13 hour days. You don’t know what you can accomplish unless you push yourself to test your limits, so give yourself that push! And just a friendly reminder go-getters: we’ve got less than 2 months of the year before the next decade (2-0-2-0!!), so November, let’s get it! 

xo

Linnea

September Mood

Oh, September. I’ve been waiting for you for a while. I know it’s bound to be an exciting, eventful month, but it also means summer has come to an end, and the whirlwind that is September has finally arrived. It’s been a crazy, eventful summer, and I’ve accomplished a lot, but I think I’m ready for it to come to an end.

I’ve got a lot going on, not only in my life, but in the lives of those around me. When people around you are going through a tough time, it immediately puts things into perspective and reminds you to snap out of it and realize how great you really have it. Less self, more love.

Speaking of love, I’ve got not one, but two weddings, one of which I’m very fortunate to be a part of! I can’t wait to see my bestie walk down that aisle… cue Linnea’s ugly cry at the altar! T minus 9 days until the big day.

On top of that, design school starts again next week, which I don’t think I’m quite ready for. I was in a good momentum going from one semester to the next, so it’s going to be a little challenging for me to switch from no classes/0 hours of homework to 4 classes/40 hours of homework a week. Hello no social life, we meet again.

But it will be good for me. I’m excited to get back into doing something I love solely because I want to do it. It’s the thing that gets my heart pumping and the industry I love most! I’m also excited for fall, chilly weather, and more time spent at home. Hygge life, here I come.

And remember, everyone’s going through something in their life, so be compassionate to those around you, offer love and support whenever you can, and most importantly, be kind. Have an amazing September, lovelies.

xo

Linnea

Holiday Home Tour

Well, we’re already halfway through November, and for some reason, everyone’s SO on the ball this year with getting into the Christmas spirit (hellooooo Hallmark movies), so to help inspire your holiday decor, here’s mine! And I included a TON of DIY’s this year - all so easy, but lovely nonetheless. I’ll be breaking down how I did each of them in a different post, because there are quite a few! Hope you love this year’s decor - it’s probably my favourite I’ve done thus far, and that’s saying a lot! Shout out to my bro for helping me shoot my space and for some of these amazing photos - it’s a lot easier when you’re not doing everything by yourself! Ready for the grand tour? Let’s go.

Bedroom

Bar Cart

Console Table

Living Room

Kitchen

Which vignette did you love the most? I love so many that I can’t choose. Happy decorating, hope you’re inspired!

xo

Linnea

Decor Inspo: Ett Hem Stockholm

The first time I heard about Ett Hem, I was watching the Netflix documentary “Abstract: The Art of Design” back in February, and I absolutely fell in love. I knew I had to put this beautiful homey hotel on my bucket list, but I had no idea that I’d be able to cross it off just a few short months later.

Well, the universe works in mysterious ways, and Stockholm was added to my 2018 list just like that. So you better believe I planned a full day at Ett Hem, walking around the property, soaking in the scenery, inhaling all the different scents (their signature scent is amazing, sandlewood is my faaaaave), and appreciating every single design element and detail of each space. And that was the thing. Every single space was different. The overall feel to the space was welcoming, mature, traditional, and sophisticated, with a few pops of colour and unexpected quirks - just the way a home should be. Originally owned by Carl Larsson, the house was converted into a boutique hotel in 2012, designed by renowned interior designer Ilse Crawford. If you love Scandinavian design (and a mix of old and new) as much as I do, you’re in for a treat.

Without further ado, here’s a full look into my day at Ett Hem! Oh - and if you’re heading to Stockholm, make sure you eat in Ett Hem’s beautiful open kitchen, too. You’ll be treated exactly like house guests, served with a two-course, family style meal-of-the-day (yes, the menu changes everyday, just like a home). The price may be a little steep, but I promise you’ll thank me after you get there! One of the most memorable, healthy, fresh meals of my life!!!

Did you love it or did you love it?! What was your favourite room? Mine was definitely the greenhouse. House goals or what! Hope this tour inspired you as much as it did me.

xo

Linnea  

Bathroom Goals

As the smallest room in my apartment, I have a love-hate relationship with my bathroom. By no means is it a terrible bathroom, but a girl can (and will) dream of having that bathroom. Especially because I used to have quite the bathroom (it was seriously #bathroomgoals - RIP). With that being said, I've dreamed up a room that I absolutely love - and who knows, maybe a small renovation's in my future! With these finds, it's not as expensive as it looks, so I might as well dream it up. Here are a few elements I love, as well as where to find all the goods!

Gold Fixtures

Neutral Tones

Beachy Elements

Female Form Planter | Superlative Hand Soap | Round Black Mirror | Vintage Cream Rug | Rustic Blanket Ladder | Brushed Brass Faucet | White Subway Tile | Plush White Towels | White Vanity with Marble Countertop

If you're looking for some quick bathroom fixes to get your little room up to snuff, I highly recommend checking out both Amazon & Wayfair's selection of bathroom essentials! What's your favourite part of this dreamboard? Leave it in the comments below!

xo

Linnea

Tracton Towel Set // More Bath Towels	Cotton Bath Rug // More Bath mats	Decorative Ladder // More Blanket Racks	Bathroom Faucet // More Bathroom Faucets
Colton Wall Mirror // More Vanity Mirrors	Whale Tail Hooks // More Wall Hooks	Edge Floating Shelves // More Wall Shelves	Marble Curtain Hooks // More Shower Hooks

The Best Coffee Tables

Coffee tables are one of the most important elements of a living room. Not only are they functional, but they ground the room, too! I've been asked a few times where I found my coffee table, and the answer is, it's from a warehouse sale a very long time ago, before I even knew I needed it! But if you're looking for a similar table, I've done my very best to round up some of my favourites for you below!

White Top with Black Base

White Top with Gold X Base

Wood with Black Base

Glass with Gold Legs

Concrete Coffee Table

Paquita Coffee Table

Zylla Coffee Table, Antique Brass

Andie Coffee Table, Walnut

Allie Coffee Table, Black Marble

Orseline Coffee Table

And with that, I hope you’ll find the coffee table of your dreams! Happy shopping :)

xo

Linnea

Mexico Travel Diary

Hi lovelies! As you probably know, I just came back from a relaxing trip to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, so I'm sharing my thoughts and experience staying at Ocean Riviera Paradise below. It was my first time visiting Playa Del Carmen, as I've been travelling to Cabo San Lucas since I was a wee little tot (my aunt and uncle used to own a place there!). I absolutely loved the jungle, and the resort was so incredible. It was pretty big, but it wasn't too big where you weren't able to walk from one end to the other - I would say the size was perfect. Now let's dive into the vacation, so I can relive it all over again.

The Resort

My expectations weren't overly high, because my previous all-inclusive experiences were mediocre at best; the food usually sucks and the decor is meh, not gonna lie! Then I looked up this resort a week before my trip - and OMG. I was absolutely blown away by the photos.

After about a 6 hour flight, we arrived at the resort, and I remember just staring at the entrance of the lobby from the shuttle bus, in complete awe of our new home for a week. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was, and this resort was hands down, the nicest place I've ever stayed at (I'd even say the design was nicer than the prestigious Ayana Resort in Bali!).

Once we walked into the lobby, we were immediately taken aback by the signature lobby scent - clean, refreshing citrus-ey goodness that I'm still dreaming about to this day. The design of the entire resort was so well thought out - every detail was accounted for. The lobby was decked out with modern, beachy boho accents, so if you know me, you know that's exactly what I love. The high ceilings were graced with bold beams and straw pendants, surrounded by palm leaves, plants, wicker and leather furniture, library walls - the works. If you love design as much as I do, you'll loooove staying at this resort. The designers really did think of every detail in every single space.

Rooms

Continuing my obsession with the design, the rooms were so beautiful, with dark wooden beams across the ceiling, luscious, fluffy beds, a relaxing sitting area, and a ground floor patio with your own tanning bed, swing chair and sitting area. Talk about a relaxing hideaway!

Food

Now like I said before, my expectations for food in Mexico is never very high based on past experiences, but I was pleasantly surprised. The resort had 10 restaurants and 12 bars in total. My favourite was La Locanda, the Italian a la carte restaurant. The burrata was mind blowing!

The steakhouse, Mexican restaurant, and all day buffet (plant walls for days) were also very good, and I loved being able to eat overlooking the beach at Pez Vela.

The resort also has a diner called Route 66, teppanyaki restaurant called Sakura (Vancouver's obviously better), a fine dining restaurant called Blue Moon (didn't get to try it, but I'm sure it's bomb), and a few snack bars (including a fresh crepe bar - omg yum) by the pools.

My favourite bar was the main lobby bar, because I mean, look at the decor! And their cocktails were top notch. If you wanted a good drink served in a real glass (lol), the lobby bar or adjacent piano bar is where it's at. I'm still dreaming about their fresh pressed espresso martinis! Lastly, there's an ice cream parlour dishing up 10 flavours every day. Let's just say I wasn't mad at that.

Coffee

Now for coffee, I'm a little bit picky, so I was ecstatic that the resort had its very own coffee shop for my daily caffeine fix. Yes, everything you wanted and more was included! It was by far one of my favourite hang-out spots (before and after the gym). It was designed to be a cool, masculine-style space with top-of-the-line espresso machines, freshly baked pastries, and fresh fruit smoothies, too! Another thing I loved at this resort is that they didn't put straws in anything, unless you asked for one. They're definitely doing their part in order to waste as little as possible. I'm an avid straw user, so I use these amazing silicone straws at home!

Activities

To make the most of the trip, my brother, dad and I worked out (or did something active) every single day, and it made us feel so much better throughout the trip. I've typically been on tropical vacations where nobody else wants to work out or do anything (whaaaat a buzz kill), so it was a nice change to be pushed and motivated by the boys. It also prevented us from making terrible choices at the buffet and at dinner, so A+ for that. We usually started our morning with an espresso shot, then an early morning workout at the gym, followed by a fresh smoothie before breakfast.

Other mornings, we did yoga on the beach followed by fresh pressed juice, just the 3 of us and our amazing instructor. Shout out to everyone else for not attending sunrise yoga - you gave us private classes!! It was so relaxing; I couldn't believe how lucky we were to be on the beach greeting the sun, breathing in the ocean air and being one with the sand - definitely one of my highlights. Inhalo, exhalo.

Throughout the day, we'd swim in the pools, the ocean, play beach volleyball (still have sand burns from that, and my team almost beat Tristan's), do zumba on the beach (reluctantly, for everyone to watch), then workout again, if we weren't too tired. I have received a few questions about the seaweed on the beach, and yes, it's there, but it's still a beautiful beach, and I honestly don't mind swimming next to a few plants.

Back at the resort, there were also multiple foam parties (sooo much fun - s/o to Ash for sneaking in and getting a squirt shot right before being kicked out), aquafit classes, a bowling alley, salsa lessons, and so much more. To say that there was enough going on throughout the day was an understatement! 

Entertainment

The entertainment team at the resort did such an incredible job making sure everyone was having a great time. They're literally working almost every hour of the day - I don't know hoowwww they do it! Throughout the day, they'd get everyone involved in whatever was happening, and remind us what was on the schedule for that day. Every night, they put on a theatrical show in the theatre (which was massive, by the way) and I was actually really impressed with their talent. We watched a pop show, the lion king (amazing), and a circus show similar to cirque de soleil (the best of the 3 - omgggg these people are strong!).

Excursions

Outside of the resort, we did a day trip to Tulum to see the Mayan Ruins and the beach. It was a super hot day, but I'm not one to complain about that! The ruins were beautiful, but next time I'd like to go to Chichen Itza instead.

We also went to Rio Secreto, the secret underground river. Yes, we went in a cave while everything was happening in Thailand... but that didn't stop us! It was by far one of the coolest experiences I've ever had, and I can't wait to do a different route. Basically you walk through the jungle, and walk down a staircase into a fully enclosed, all natural cave. Some parts have the clearest water you ever did see, while other parts are dry, with crystals and rocks surrounding you everywhere you turn. I could spend hours in there - I absolutely loved it!

All in all, this was a vacation to remember, and I'd definitely go back to Playa Del Carmen to explore more of the town, see more ruins, explore more cenotes, and stay at this resort again (at least for a few nights)! If you want more info, feel free to reach out by commenting below or sending me an email.

xo

Linnea

Secrets to Tackling a Gallery Wall

I've had gallery walls in every single place I've lived in, and it's no coincidence! They're the easiest way to make an impact in a room (next to paint), all while letting your interests and design style shine. I always tend to put a gallery wall above my bar cart, because it just makes it look so much better. There's something amazing about pictures in frames - they can transform a space in a matter of minutes! The biggest hesitation with gallery walls that I hear is that people don't like putting holes in their walls... well I have a big secret!

no hole no problem

Never once in my 3 apartments have I ever put up a gallery wall with nails. I have always used command strips. At first, I used them because I was renting, and I didn't want to have to patch any holes and repaint everything. I quickly realized how amazing they were, and I've been using them for pretty much everything ever since. 

mix it up 

Once you pick up your command strips, you gotta start looking for your frames. Some people like uniform frames of different sizes, but I prefer a mixture of colours, sizes and textures to keep the wall interesting. If I can, I mix new frames with vintage ones, and include mats in some frames, and no mats in others.

3D is key

I also love to include something unexpected on the wall, like a magnifying glass, a stag head, unique hook, or a vintage keepsake. There's nothing worse than a boring, predictable gallery wall. Add some 3D interest, and you'll love it more than you ever thought!

get on my level

You can put up a gallery wall by yourself (I've done it many times), but it does help to have another eye when you're making sure everything is level, especially when using command strips. I usually balance my mini level on the top of the frame, place it on the wall where I want it, make sure it's leveled, then push it into the wall to make sure the command strips are secured.

the best prints in life are free

I used to buy prints, but I don't even remember the last time I did that. What's the point? There are so many images and free prints out there that you can take advantage of. My favourite photos are on Unsplash, which is like iStock, but not. Waaay cooler, and all free. I also love flipping through *quality* magazines and coffee table books for prints that I love. You'll appreciate the print more on your wall than you will in the book, so why not? May as well make the most of your book.

similar tones

Lastly, when choosing your prints, make sure they all tell a similar story and have common tones throughout them. You don't want to have overly-saturated photos next to airy vintage looking snaps. Place all of your prints side by side, and move them around; pick and choose until you find a combo that you absolutely love. It's ok if you sleep on it, because getting it right takes time. The magic of a gallery wall is that you can literally switch out the prints whenever you want, depending on your mood.

Where are your go-to places to pick up gallery wall prints? Leave them in the comments below!

xo

Linnea

Linen Bedding

Spring has sprung, and I've completed a spring refresh, as well as a ton of spring cleaning around my home. Cleaning and decluttering aside, one of the updates I made was the switch to linen bedding. Maybe it's the breathability, or the washed-linen look, but I love it so much, and it's definitely worth the investment. If you're looking for a fabric that immediately transforms your bedroom into a relaxed, coastal getaway, this is it! Here are some of my faves:

Washed linen duvet cover set, H&M Home

Linen Plain Weave Duvet Cover, Muji

Linen Duvet Cover Set, Parachute

Soft-Washed Linen Duvet Cover, Anthropologie

Sweetest dreams,

Linnea

Floating Shelf Inspo

I've been planning on putting up floating shelves in my kitchen for a while now, and I think the time has finally come to get cracking and do the damn thing! I plan to store some extra plates, mugs and knick knacks on the shelves, so they have to be durable and strong enough to hold everything - without ripping the wall out. I thought about hiring someone to make the shelves, and put them up (because my walls have concrete behind them), but I think I've decided to just do it myself. A little DIY can't hurt nobody... or can it...

Either way, I'm sharing a round up of my favourite kitchen shelves I've come across thus far, in hopes to create a similar look with mine - coming soon! Of course, I'll take you through the whole DIY process once I get there.

If you have any great DIY shelf tutorials, I'd love to hear about them! 

xo

Linnea

How to Style a Nightstand

As the first and last area you see when you wake up and when you go to bed, your nightstand holds a lot of importance. And believe it or not, the way it's styled, the things that are on it, and its cleanliness can either help with a restful night's sleep, or discourage any sleep at all. It should be home to some of the things you love, your holy grail bedtime products, and maybe even a book or two that you're reading at the moment. If you're unsure of exactly what should be on your nightstand, below are my go-to guidelines.

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Books you're currently coveting

Although we're all guilty of it, technically, the bedroom should be an electronic-free zone, and your phone should either be charging away from the bed, or in another room. This is something I'm working on, but to help stop habits, you usually need something to replace them with. My solution? Books! I'm proud to be part of a book club (who I love very very much - my friends are the bombdiggity), so I'm always reading 2-3 books at a time. Having the books I'm reading on my nightstand is not only a good reminder to read the books, but promotes screen-free time before bed. And bonus - your books will make your nightstand look well styled in a matter of seconds! 

Lighting

Speaking of reading in bed, you'll need some lighting to be able to see what you're doing. Lighting can make ALL the difference in a room, so make sure you invest in some classic table lamps or wall sconces - ideally in a style that's complimentary to your bed. 

Coasters

If you're an avid water drinker (sparkling is my preference) like I am, you likely need some coasters on your bedside table. My home has no shortage of coasters - I'm sure everyone I know can attest to this, so you better believe I've got a few hanging out on my nightstand.

Beauty products

I have quite a few holy grail products, and I find that if I see them, I remember to use them. This is no different for night time products. And usually, my beauty products are aesthetically pleasing too... because branding gets me every time. I am in Marketing, so... duhh. Lay your favourites out on your nightstand, and you're good to go!

Scents

When I need to relax, I love to light a soy candle or diffuse some lavender essential oil to help me sleep. Both work well, but if you're not staying up for long in bed, just put your diffuser on, and to sleep you go! My favourite diffusers and blends (refresh is my absolute fave) are from Saje Wellness, but they're available pretty much everywhere now.

Flowers, plants or both

Fresh flowers on the nightstand aren't an absolute must, but they do make a tremendous difference. Sometimes, buying roses or fresh flowers every now and then is worth your while, especially if they boost your mood. And of course, for everyday essentials that aren't so pretty, utilize the storage in the drawer of your nightstand. I keep all my evening vitamins there, so I remember to take them before bed. Once you have these key pieces, add some personal flare, and you'll get a restful night's sleep in no time. Let me know what your nightstand favourites are below!

xo

Linnea