10 Things I've Learned in 2020

As we put a close to 2020, I'm taking a look back on the year that changed everything, for everyone. We started the year off with the theme of 20/20 vision - hoping to achieve our goals, dreams, trips, and more. Little did we know that the entire world was going to be shaken up. We were forced to rethink everything, take a step back from the hustle, and refocus on the things that matter most. A clearer-than-2020-vision, if you will. My year was full of hard work, focusing on my goals, adjusting to change, overcoming fears, and welcoming new challenges. Without further ado, here are just a few of the things I've learned from the year that was... 2020.

1. Connection is everything.

Even if it's a short FaceTime or coffee date, connecting and catching up with someone can change your entire day. We all experienced the power of connection this year - both virtually and with the ones we love. I haven't seen many of my closest friends much at all this year - some are in other parts of the world - but weekly FaceTimes are pretty much a ritual at this point. It's amazing how much one person can boost your mood!

2. You're not superwoman, and you don't have to be.

You can try as hard as you want, but you have to remember to rest. I started the year very ambitiously with 4 design courses while working full time, and although I knew I could do it, I eventually broke down from the workload, and had a panic attack in a line-up at Staples. I fainted, as my old self tended to do, and woke up to a bunch of strangers staring down at me making sure I was okay. It was a major wake up call to go back to the basics: nourish, move, sleep, repeat. I was going 8383729 miles an hour, and I needed to take a moment to slow it down, rest and just breathe. Little did I know this was some major foreshadowing for the year ahead.

3. Discipline is no easy feat.

This year, like everyone else, I was forced to stop attending my fitness classes and seeing my yoga fam, and that was a big part of my self care routine that was completely cut off. Thanks to quarantine, I had two, sometimes three workout buddies to run or workout with almost everyday, but I was still missing my yoga studio deeply. Having said that, self-discipline is hard. Working out from home is NOT my forté, because I'm someone who needs external encouragement to push harder and keep going. Adapting to the workout-from-home lifestyle has been a struggle and a half to this day!

4. Family time is underrated.

Quarantining with my brother and his gf was definitely one of the highlights of my year. It was nice to avoid isolation during such a trying time, and the cooking-cleaning-workout rotation was VERY much appreciated! It was also a great chance for me to spend time with my brother before he moved away, so that was a blessing in itself.

5. When it rains, it pours.

Along with the rest of the world, I felt like bad thing after bad thing kept happening, and as a mostly positive person, the negativity was really weighing on me. Just as the pandemic was starting, Dash was attacked by the neighbour’s dog, then attacked again 2 months later. A month after that, my Grandma was diagnosed with cancer. The whirlwind of events in combination with my school workload, the travel industry dwindling, and the uncertainty of it all was very heavy, but I kept reminding myself to look on the bright side. At the same time, we were all asked to take a big look in the mirror and recognize our privilege across the globe - we all have tons of it. Recognize it, and find ways to support those who don’t.

6. It's okay to have a bad day.

It's ok to be sad and to have a bad day. You wouldn’t be human if you had beautiful, blissful days all the time anyway. The bad times are what build character and make you who you are. But remember: you can still find golden nuggets in each day. Journaling in the morning and in the evening can help you recognize those nuggets - and make you appreciate each day that much more. Highly recommend it.

7. Friends are real-life heroes.

I have some of the greatest friends a girl could ever ask for, so it's very important to be the best friend I can be in return. Spending any amount of time with my friends immediately lifts my spirits, and my girls trips this year did wonders for my mindset and overall happiness. My book club also didn't die in 2020 - we remained strong over Zoom, and even got to meet our newest bookie irl this summer (2 more coming 2021)! I love each and every one of you!!

8. Clear communication trumps all.

Lessons are constantly learned, unlearned, and relearned again. Remember not to force anything; clear communication is the only way any relationship can work. If you’re not communicating (or being communicated to) effectively, you’ll end up in a huge misunderstanding at the end of the day, and that’s a waste of everyone’s time.

9. If you want something, go and get it.

Want to switch careers? Do it. Go back to school if you have to. Want a new job? Find one you're passionate about and go get it. Want to conquer your fears? Go and do something that scares you. After years of not needing to drive much, I’m finally driving again, and I have no idea why I waited so long. Something so basic and trivial was accomplished in one day of being back on the road. Our fears are often much bigger in our minds than in reality. You might be surprised at how easy some of them are to overcome!

10. Trust the timing.

Time. Is. King. There are so many events in my life that I never understood at the time, but you have to trust the timing. If something doesn't work out, it wasn't meant to, at that time. If something comes back, maybe now is the right time. This has happened to me time and time again, and it couldn't be more true. You never know unless you trust the process and let things be when they need to be.

And with that, my friends, I welcome 2021 with open arms. Not that it will be any less difficult - it will be full of its own challenges - but perhaps we'll all have a slightly better, less self-focused outlook on life, and on what matters most. Sending love and light to all of you for this new year! ✨

xo

Linnea

September Inspo & Catch-Up

Hi guys!! I haven’t been on here as often as I would like, and I apologize, but that will change - I’ll be posting on here a lot more regularly again. To be honest, with this roller coaster of a year, I think I just needed an extra long break after school, especially with the side gigs occupying the majority of my time outside of work… I’ve just been drained all around. But all good things! With the arrival of September, it always feels like it’s a fresh start, a clean slate, and the perfect opportunity to reset your goals, check in with yourself, and reach for the stars. I’m already taking on e-design clients on the side, and I’m really excited to bring you along during the process!

If you need to update your space or have no idea where to begin in terms of selecting furniture and decor, that’s exactly what my e-design service can provide. I can create everything from floor plans to furniture selects, mood boards and everything in between. Feel free to email me at linneacarmen@gmail.com if you’re interested, and I can walk you through the full process/answer any q’s you have!

In other news, I had a great time getting away to the Okanagan and forgetting about work for a weekend! It was just what I needed, and we felt completely safe the whole trip (and trust me, I was so scared about covid!!). This month, I’m feeling inspired, refreshed, and very ready to just chill out indoors for fall. Nothing like sipping on one of my 827392 bottles of wine I brought back and a great TV show to binge! I hope you all have a promising fall transition - sending lots of love your way.

xo

Linnea

August Mood

As the last month of my full summer “off”, it’s a bittersweet feeling. I’ve been trying my best to squeeze the most out of my summer because I know September’s coming any day now, and it’s going to be one of my busiest months yet (my bff’s getting married!). This month, I’ll be taking time to reset, refresh, and recharge. Even though my travels have been mini summer trips, I still feel like I’m barely ever home, so I’m very much looking forward to staying home for the fall. In terms of inspo, I’m currently obsessed with neutrals, calming interiors, out-of-the-box gallery walls, and greenery of all sorts. I’ll be focusing more on interiors as soon as I head back to school, and I’ll finally be learning AutoCAD - whooo! In the meantime, I’m game for more fun in the sun, concerts, friends, birthdays, and another mini trip!! Happy summering :)

xo

Linnea

May Mood

Oh hello, May! I’m welcoming you with open arms because I’m so excited you’re here! Spring weather has finally arrived, things are being crossed off my to do list, and I’m ready to dive into spring.

To be honest, April wasn’t the greatest month of all time... it was full of late, restless nights, early mornings, and constantly trying to make time for meal prep and workouts, despite being dead tired (I’ve never felt so tired and drained in my life!). 

For first semester, my schedule was pretty easy for the most part, and because the classes were “theory” heavy, I excelled in all of them. But this semester, I’m taking three in-person courses that are all more challenging, and require hours and hours of practice to make perfect. It’s not like you can just learn to draw/write and immediately apply what you learned... if my left hand smudges the page or makes a mistake, it’s literally back to the drawing board until I get it right (which is usually hours later). So it’s an experience, to say the least, but it’s a cool experience nonetheless and I’m loving it!

On another note, I’ve been busy with the bridesmaids planning my bff’s 15-gal bachelorette (yes, you read that right... 15!), and I’m getting sooo excited to get away!! But more details on another day :) here’s a little bucket list for the month:

• Get outside and run
• Do a spring purge; sell unwanted items
• Finalize blog calendar
• Celebrate Dash’s 4th birthday (holy crap where has the time gone) 
• Stop and smell the roses
• Embrace the homebody life (you’ve got no energy to go out, anyway) 

Let’s do this May!

xo

Linnea  

6 Tips for Time Management

*This giveaway is now closed*

Between working, going back to school, eating healthy, spending time with friends, and ultimately, keeping up with life in general, time management is definitely necessary - especially at the beginning of the year.

Thanks to JORD watches, I’ve been able to keep up with the chaos-called-life (and look like it, too)!  They’re an amazing company that’s passionate about making quality, hand-crafted watches. I don’t know about you, but having a watch that pairs well with everything I wear helps me keep track of my time, and gets me where I need to go. And since 2019 seems to be “the year of organization”, I thought I’d share my tips on how I organize my time while reaching my goals. Read to the very the end, and you’ll have a chance to win $100 to shop at JORD watches (*enter HERE for the giveaway)! ! Without further ado, let’s get to my time management tips:

Plan ahead

Planning my week on Sundays has saved me time and time again. To make sure I eat healthy all week, I simply take a few minutes every Sunday to choose healthy meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, go to the grocery store with a list (just stick to produce and protein sections!), then meal prep for Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday, it’s time to cook my next few meals with the remaining groceries I have in my fridge.

To get my workouts in, I usually workout the same days of the week, every week. Scheduling workouts in your calendar keeps you accountable, and ensures you’re making time for your body.

If I were to slack off on the weekend, I’d probably be eating takeout almost everyday (gross), because I don’t have time throughout the week to sit down and pick out a meal, go to the grocery store, and cook the meal. That’s just unrealistic (unless I’m using a meal kit delivery service). Similarly, I can’t be at work on a random day and think, “Yeah, I’m gonna work out today.” I need to be in the mindset that I’m scheduled/booked to work out that day, otherwise I likely won’t go. Find what works for you, and just do it!!

Track your habits

To be mindful about my habits I like to take note of, I have my trusty bullet journal to thank. I’ve been tracking each habit with a W or L for everyday. It’s a great way to keep yourself accountable and remind yourself daily of your goals - because let’s be honest, you’re not gonna remember the half of them come Feb. 15! Plus, it’s way less clutter (physically and mentally) if you have them all on one page, so you’re not wasting time and energy writing them all over the place. These habits can be anything from drinking lemon water first thing in the morning, to not buying coffee/lunch, or simply remembering to take your vitamins!

You may think that writing things down is a complete waste of time, but research shows that writing notes on paper helps you recall the information a lot better than typing, and it drastically improves your understanding of what you’re writing down.

Prioritize your time

I’ve talked about using my colour-coded Google calendar before, but I’ll say it again. It’s so helpful to block time in your calendar for meetings, events, tasks, bill payments, cooking, and even “me” time. I also highly recommend saying no whenever you feel like you’re stretching yourself too thin. As much as I’d like to spend more time with my friends, sometimes, downtime is exactly what I need.

Learn to single task

Focusing on the task at hand is the best way to get things done - especially if you complete your gruelling tasks first! As a gemini, single-tasking is actually really difficult for me. I tend to start a task, get bored, and start a new one… all while leaving the other task for “another time”. This isn’t a habit I’m proud of, so I’ve started setting a timer to complete one task at a time, and it’s become a game-changer! It’s also a great way to find out what tasks take you wayyy too long to complete.

My productivity has increased tremendously since time-blocking, and it’s been so nice to have a beautiful watch to check the time during my tasks. Lately, my favourite watch is my Sier Arcadia watch. The one-of-a-kind dial is rough cut from black marquina marble and paired with rose gold hardware, making it so unique! And for a gemini who can never make up her mind, being able to decide whether I’d like to use the tan leather strap or the rose gold mesh strap is the BEST part - it suits any occasion no matter what.

Put your phone down

Because I work a lot with social media, my phone can be a verrry dangerous rabbit hole… but guess what! Nothing crazy happens if you ignore your phone for a few hours... the world doesn’t end, your friends won’t cut you if you don’t respond right away (or at least mine don’t lol)! So put down that phone, focus on the things you need to do, and keep screen time to a minimum. You’ll gain at least an extra hour a day, just watch.

Lower your expectations

With so many things on my plate, it’s pretty obvious that my expectations for myself are high, but if you can’t get everything done during the week, don’t beat yourself up about it. Prioritize it for the following week, and move on. Things don’t move unless you do, but you also have to remember to give yourself free time, too. Too much structure is never a good thing!

If you’ve read through all of my tips up until this point, bravo!! I’m so grateful to all of you, so to thank all of you for being here, I’ve partnered with JORD watches for a watch giveaway! Simply click the link below to enter to win $100 toward a beautiful JORD watch of your choice. You’ll also receive 10% off just for entering, so spread the news about the giveaway!

Enter HERE.

This giveaway closes on March 5, 2019 at 8:59PM (PST). Good luck!

xo

Linnea

*This post is in collaboration with JORD Watches. All opinions are my own.

Wooden Wrist Watch

February Moodboard

Believe it or not, the first month of 2019 has come to an end! I had sooo much going on, but I made sure to chillax a little too. For starters, I went back to school (the first day was soo weird, but in a good way... and yes, I’m loving it), saw friends pretty much every weekend (necessary), refreshed my home for a clean start, meditated and reflected a lot, tried new things, and worked out/did yoga as much as my schedule allowed (s/o to all my amaaaazing instructors this month, including Will who literally SINGS to you during class and guides such beautiful meditations!). For those of you that have already dropped your resolutions, reality checkkkk... it’s time to get back on track. You still have a whole 11 months to crush ‘em! But don’t you worry, I’ve got a post comin’ at you next week to help out with that.

This month’s hopefully going to slow down a notch, but it will still be one for the books. I’ll be starting a new course, so my schedule will be all over the map again, but I’m looking forward to keeping up with my intentions and fully embracing change. Yes, it can be exhausting to feel like your mindset is  constantly evolving, but if it brings growth, I’m a-okay with that. No matter what you’ve got on your plate, it’s all about perspective. Stay positive, believe in yourself, and keep working toward your goals. Have a beautiful February, loves!

xoxo

Linnea

Paris in Three Days

If you’ve been waiting for this, I’m sorry! I feel like I needed a vacation from my vacation, and that included a break from writing about it. But now that it’s been about a month, I’m ready to relive it all over again. First up, here’s a look at how I did Paris in 3 days. Fair warning: this was mostly an eating, drinking, walking around type trip, so if that’s not for you, this itinerary won’t be either. My original itinerary definitely included a lot more than what we actually did, but that’s what happens when you’re tired, need sleep, and do chambongs every damn day, ok! Alright, here we go.

Day 1

We arrived in Paris around 11:30AM, but our Airbnb wasn’t supposed to be ready until 2:00, so we took a bus all the way to the luggage drop off, only for them to tell us our place was ready. What a time suck! I told you things don’t always go as planned. Regardless, we took an Uber to our place from there, settled in, and freshened up. Once we were ready to rock, we headed out the door for some much needed food (et vin).

2:00PM - Lunch at Le Petit Poucet

We sat down at one of the first cute cafes that we saw, and immediately got a taste of Paris. We ordered French fries and the most incredible burgers with house made sauce on the side. Just a little disclaimer: I don’t recommend going from Italy straight to Paris, because it will take some time for you to get used to Parisians and their attitude, as opposed to loving, welcoming, hospitable Italians. Maybe go to Paris thennnn Italy. Much better plan. Regardless, the spot we chose was so cute - I could have people watched in Place de Clichy all day!

4:00PM - Sacré Coeur

Our Airbnb was pretty close to the Sacré Coeur, so we thought that’d be a great way to spend the afternoon. We made a pit stop at the liquor store, bought some disposable flutes, and walked over to Montmartre! This was hands down one of my favourite days in Paris. I absolutely LOVED Montmartre, and wish I had more time to spend there. The cobblestone roads and buildings were so adorable, and once you get closer to the Sacré Coeur, all the little shops make you feel like you’re in a Christmas movie - ahh I can’t wait to go back. We spent the afternoon just enjoying the beautiful view !

6:30PM - Wine Stop #2 (Don’t judge)

We quickly realized that whatever we bought just hours before would not last us very long… especially with our intention of chambonging all over the world. We picked up a few more bottles, and headed straight to our apartment to chillax a little before dinner.

10:00PM - Dinner at The Little Italy

A few hours (and many, many chambongs) later, we headed out to dinner. We decided to check out a cute spot called The Little Italy just down the street, and it was hands down the best meal we had in Paris. We all ordered the fresh truffle pasta (which was served in our very own copper pans) and it was soooo good omg. I’ve never ever had a truffle pasta this good. Next time I go to Paris, I’m definitely coming here again! Oh, and we were a little drunk during this dinner, in case you can’t tell in these photos :D

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12:00AM - Drinks with Friends

To cap off the night, we met up with some Parisian friends at a bar/club. It was great to meet some new faces and speak drunken French all night. I’m pretty sure I tried to hold as many French convos as possible (the only time the French 12 language award came in handy lol) and they actually believed I spoke fluent French! Pretty solid first night in Paris… but bed was calling my name.

Day 2

9:30AM - Coffee

After the very first solid sleep of the entire trip, we got ready for the day (lewks and all), and headed out for some much needed coffee before heading toward the Arc de Triomphe.

10:00AM - Arc de Triomphe

When we arrived, I was blown away with how big it was. It was so beautiful! We walked around a little, as well as underneath (that’s where the lineup is to get up to the arc and see it), and of course, took a few photos here and there. We contemplated exploring the Champs-Élysées afterwards, but none of us were really in the mood for shopping, so to Eiffel we went!

11:00AM - Eiffel Tower

The walk from the Arc de Triomphe to Eiffel was absolutely stunning. We took a route that wasn't very busy, so it was nice to take our time enjoying the scenery and the beautiful Parisian architecture. Once we got to the Trocadéro, the view of the Eiffel Tower was beautiful! It was a little obstructed because of the fashion week set up, but that’s ok. We came, we saw, we conquered. The original plan was to continue walking towards Eiffel and maybe even have a picnic, but it started to rain, so we had to improvise.

12:00PM - Lunch

Instead, we chose to have lunch at Le Malakoff at the Trocadéro, and yet again, another beautiful café. You really can’t go wrong with which café you choose, because they’re all so damn cute! We spent quite a bit of time relaxing while the rain poured, and decided that shopping would be our next activity for the day, due to the annoying torrential downpour.

3:00PM - Galeries Lafayette

Despite the rain, we made it to Sephora and Galeries Lafayette for some rainy day shopping. The store was absolutely stunning, but I wish I had something in mind that I wanted to buy. Yes, I had A TON of candles and perfumes (Le Labo Gaiac 10 - whyyyy did I not buy it, Byredo, Diptyque) on my list, but those are all heavy/liquid items, and I knew that would be troublesome fitting into my luggage and dealing with the weight situation. Looking back on it now, of course I wish I purchased something special that I’d been wanting for so long, but all the more reason to go back.

5:30PM - Chillax

Finally, it was time to put the feet up, chillax, and maybe do a chambong (or three).

8:30PM - Dinner at Le Dulcinéa

We headed out to dinner in an area that we ended up loving (super artsy and lively) which was pretty close to our apartment, right by the Moulin Rouge. I believe the area is called Pigalle - St. Georges (the red-light district). We ended up at an Italian restaurant (surprise, surprise) called Le Dulcinéa, and once again, amazing food. Slow. Clap. You’d think we had enough pasta in Italy, but we actually ate pretty healthy, home cooked meals for the most part, so we gave ourselves permission to carb it up hard in Paris. The servers were all amazing (cuz they were Italian, shocker), the food and drinks were awesome, and I’d definitely recommend!

11:30PM - Drinks by Moulin Rouge

We were meeting up with a friend later on that night, so in the meantime, we killed time right across from the Moulin Rouge at a random bar. I honestly have no idea what it was called… all I remember is that the service was terrible, my drink was disgusting, and I’d never go back :D next we headed to the Boumboum, then headed home!

Day 3

10:00AM - Café Kitsuné

Deanna and I had been wanting to go to Café Kitsuné for a while, so it was on our must-do list. I ordered an almond milk matcha latte and a matcha financier, and they were both so bomb. Loved this place, their merchandise, and their branding.

11:00AM - Palais Royal

A quick skip and a hop later, and we were at Palais Royal! Deanna and I both spent some time on those stumps - you should have seen Maria’s footage of us during our shoot with our dad shoes… LOL I’m dead just thinking about it.

12:00PM - Louvre

I didn't really have much desire to go inside the Louvre because I’ve heard it’s crowded and overrated, but I did want to walk through and at least see the outside of it. So that’s exactly what we did! We walked through, took some snaps, and walked over the bridge to Saint Germain for some lunch. PS did you SEE the Louis Vuitton show at the Louvre?! UN.REAL.

1:30PM - Lunch at Café de Flore

We made it to Café de Flore in Saint Germain for lunch. It was a beautiful, classic French restaurant, and it had so much history! My salad was great (I desperately needed some veggies), but overall, I would say it’s a little overpriced/overrated for the food quality.

3:30PM - Musée de l’Orangerie

It was still raining a little bit, so our next best bet was to visit a museum. The only artist I was really interested in seeing was Monet (hello, Linnea in Monet’s Garden is my favourite book), so we all decided that we’d head to Musée de l’Orangerie to see the water lilies. They were massive paintings, and they did not disappoint! 

6:30PM - Pigalle - St. Georges

We knew we wanted to go to Pink Mamma for dinner at least once, and because they don’t take resos, we tried to make it down there as early as possible to put our name down. While we waited for our table, we grabbed some drinks in the Pigalle - St. Georges area again because there are so many cute spots to choose from!

8:45PM - Dinner at Pink Mamma

Once we got to Pink Mamma, we were absolutely floored. It’s a beautifully designed Italian (cough cough, duh) restaurant that’s made up of 4 different floors - each with different themes and different food cooked on each floor. We luckily got to sit on the very top floor, which is the nicest of them all! The ceilings were decked out in plants and chandeliers, the servers were so sweet and welcoming, and the high energy in the room was infectious. The food didn’t let us down either, and I’ll definitely be back!

11:30PM - Drinks at Le Depanneur Terrasse 

To end my time in Paris, we had one last drink at a cute restaurant called Le Depanneur Terrasse. Great music, awesome decor, and “very Vancouver” vibes in there.

The next morning, I left the girls bright and early to leave for the airport to head to Stockholm - but not before a quick crepe for breakfast! I absolutely loved my time in Paris, and I’ll definitely be back… maybe with more shopping in mind, less eating/drinking and more sightseeing. Here are a few things I wish I did, but didn’t have time to do:

• Shop in Le Marais and Champs-Élysées
• Explore Jardin du Luxembourg
• Have a picnic at the Eiffel Tower
• See Montparnasse Tower
• Visit Notre Dame
• Take a day trip to Versailles
• Eat at Relais de l’Entrecôte

And that concludes my Parisian diary! What are your go-to spots in Paris?! I’d absolutely love if you left them in the comments below <3

xo

Linnea

October Moodboard

Hello fall! If you haven’t noticed, I was in Europe for the latter half of September, so it’s crazy that it’s already October! I was only gone for 2 weeks, but it felt much longer than that. I’m definitely travelled out for a while... there’s something about travel that makes you appreciate your home that much more. I can’t wait to unpack, purge a little, and make my house as cozy as possible for fall. I picked up a few home items by Scandinavian designers in Stockholm, so I can’t wait to use them!

I’m determined to focus on staying home (hibernating), spending time with Dash, getting back into the workout routine (omg I feel gross without working out), and cooking good quality, wholesome food pretty much every day. October, let’s do this!

xo

Linnea  

My Signature Stack

I've been trying to create my “signature ring stack” for what feels like years, so when I finally found what I was looking for, I was over the moon! I’m a big believer in investing in everyday jewelry that will last, and I used to be a huge silver-lover, but I’ve been over it for a while. Let’s face it: gold is the new black. GLDN, to be exact. When they came into my life, my ring stack dreams literally came true. All of their pieces are hand-crafted and engraved in La Conner, Washington, which is so crazy because I used to visit La Conner all the time as a kid! I have so many great childhood memories there… and the GLDN team is beyond sweet. Just genuinely good people… people I absolutely love working with!

If you haven’t heard of them before, they literally have soo many options, from simple stacking rings to engraved, personalized pieces, so you’re sure to find something you love. A signature stack allows you to dress up your everyday look, all while shining a little bit of that personality you have with how you style your rings. Plus, you get to mix and match in so many ways, so you’ll never get bored. I knew I wanted simple, everyday rings that could be worn together, and so far, I’m thrilled with the progress of my stack!

First up, the classic, elegant Kenai Stacking Ring. It’s the perfect polished gold, so comfortable to wear, and ideal to buy in multiples! If you don’t love solid 14K gold (but I mean, who doesn’t), they have other material options available at different price ranges, so you can choose exactly what you want.

One of my favourite rings from my stack is my Marcie Small Oval Ring. I knew I wanted a personal touch of some sort, and because I’m a gemini through and through, my zodiac sign made the cut. I luuuurve it.

Last but certainly not least is my Personalized Rhone Band. The width of the band is just right - not too skinny, and not too thick. And to personalize it, I had to put my one and only’s name down, duhh! Absolutely love how it turned out.

And that, my friends, is my signature stack so far. Next on the list? Probably a thick pinky ring - just need to decide what kind. What are your go-to places to buy your everyday jewelry? Let me know in the comments below!

xo

Linnea

Forever in Blue Jeans

I've always been a big denim lover, and I've especially been loving the family denim trends: mom, dad, boyfriend, girlfriend, your brother's friend, the works. But although these denim trends are flattering, the comfort level of thick, rigid denim just doesn't quite scream "let's get cozy by the fire", yenno? So what's the next denim trend for fall, you ask? Comfy, stretch denim that actually looks like real denim - a no brainer if you ask me.

Thankfully, Everlane answered my prayers with their newly launched Authentic Stretch. If I wasn't already obsessed with Everlane before, I am even more so now. The Authentic Stretch line is made sustainably (no surprise there, because ALL of their products are), and actually looks like rigid, authentic denim - with all the comfort of stretch jeans. Yes, there are other stretch denims out there, but they don't even look remotely close to real denim - and let's be real, they look cheap! I don't know about you, but there's nothing worse than cheap-looking-denim. I'm telling you, this new wave of denim is something else.

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My favourite pair from the line is the High Rise Skinny Ankle Jean in Mid Blue, but I definitely want this pair in all the washes. They have a form-hugging fit, and the fabric is made of 4% stretch that literally lifts and snaps back - without any of the annoying bag out (I can't tell you how many pairs of boyfriends jeans I have that are too big now!) Plus, the hardware is simple and timeless, with a leather patch that just gets better with wear.

If you've never heard of Everlane, you're in for a treat. I've been a fan from the very beginning, and visiting their storefront in Soho was an amazing experience. Pretty sure I spent at least an hour in there. Now what you waiting for, get shopping!

Authentic Stretch High Rise Skinny Ankle

Authentic Stretch Mid Rise Skinny

Authentic Stretch High-Rise Cigarette Ankle Jean

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

September Moodboard

SEPTEMBER. It's crazy to think that it's here tomorrow, because it feels like just yesterday that I was at the PNE... but that was literally a year ago! There's no doubt in my mind that this month will definitely be a fun one - probably one that I'll remember for the rest of my life. So many great things to look forward to: trip planning, parties, trying to soak up as much summer as I can, and last but certainly not least, my much anticipated trip to Europe. I don't think it's quite hit me that I'm going yet, but it's happening SO soon! I'm looking forward to revisiting Milan after 10 years, finally checking Paris off my bucket list, and returning to (one of) my motherland(s), Stockholm, Sweden! Cannot wait for some much needed time with my girls, eating all the food, drinking all the vino, taking in the fashion, visiting my family in Sweden, and living that hygge lifestyle IRL. Here's to new adventures, new memories, and new friends. I love you already, September! 

PS - Milan/Paris/Stockholm reco's are MOST welcome ❤

xo

Linnea

August Moodboard

Oh my goodness, how is it already August? I usually feel like the summer goes by at a nice, easy pace, but this summer has felt like an absolute whirlwind, probably because I took a summer vacation. I've done a lot of things so far, but I haven't nearly checked enough boxes off of my summer bucket list! So for August, I'm going to try to work out just a tad less (because I'm always at Oxygen) so I can take the time to enjoy these summer nights and a slower pace of life. I’ll likely start taking advantage of the new 6AM classes to get my workouts done in the AM!

Now for August. It will be a busy month, but I'm excited to finally have some much needed GNO's with my girlfriends (they single, gents!), more boating, Tony Robbins & Friends (can't waaaait), hopefully some beach days, Safe & Sound Fest, trip planning, a few more friends visiting from out of town, and last but certainly not least little babe is coming into the world!!! I'm so stoked to be an Aunty, and I can’t wait to find out if it’s a boy or a girl - it's gonna be surreal! I'm also hoping to do a few seawall runs, a few more spin classes, and of course, some happy hours - Aperol Spritz in hand. Let's do this August!

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

Vacation Must Haves

July has arrived, meaning I'm finally sun bathing in Mexico! I've been dying for this vacation, especially because we've been so sunshine/heat deprived in Vancouver this year. While I prepped for my trip, I thought I'd round up a bunch of my Mexico essentials - outfits, skincare, accessories and all!

Swim Tank | Swim Bottoms | Printed Headwrap | JORD Wooden Cassia Watch | Gingham Dress with Knot | Gingham Jumpsuit | Denim Jumper | Crop Top

Outfits & Swimwear

I'm going for a very relaxed vibe on this vacay; lots of crop tops with culottes, summer dresses, denim, and of course, linen. I can't live without jumpsuits, skirts, shorts or bodysuits, so you better believe my luggage is full of them! As for swimwear, I'm still loving high cut one pieces, as well as bandeaus for optimal tanning, and some tank styles. 

Accessories & Skincare

For accessories, I packed tons of sunnies and hats and straw bags - because switching up your accessories can transform your whole outfit! For skincare, first and foremost, Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask is number one, followed by my new Dewy Sunscreen Spray... you guys, this stuff is amazing! Its SPF 50 and it gives you the nicest glow to set your makeup. It will definitely be empty by the time I return. I'll also be using lots of Balm Dot Com, and my favourite Sleeping Lip Mask by Laneige.

Jet Lag Mask | Glossier Balm Dotcom | Cateye Sunglasses | Sleeping Lip Mask | JM Solution SPF Glow Spray | Bamboo Clutch | Straw Hat | Slingback Espadrilles | Star Sneakers | Rattan Round Crossbody | Black Basket Tote

I may be a tad bit of an over-packer, but when else do I get to wear all my clothes lol. A vacation is the optimal time. Anyway, time to work on my tan. See you in a week, friends!

xo

Linnea

July Moodboard

July... how I love you! It's usually a whirlwind of busy events, and this year's no different. I've got multiple friends visiting from out of town, girls nights, a trip to the States, my cousin's wedding, a week in Mexico (whoohoo!), a huge project launching at work, sunny beach days, fireworks on the boat, and so much more. Jam packed, but wouldn't have it any other way. This month, I'm feeling inspired, grateful for everyone and everything in my life, and focused on constant self improvement. Looking forward to some much needed vitamin D (hello summer where are youuu) and simply relaxing. Feeling great, feeling good, hbu? Happy July loves!

xo

Linnea

Wooden Watch Giveaway: A Timeless Summer Accessory

*Thanks for your entries! This giveaway is now closed*

As the weather warms up, I can't help but gravitate toward neutrals, linen, straw and wooden accents - especially when it comes to summer accessories. You already know how much I love my woven straw bags, and I've found the perfect wooden watch to match them all!

My favourite wooden accessory

I recently stumbled upon JORD watches, and absolutely fell in love with their all-natural men’s and women’s wooden timepieces. My favourite of them all is the Cassia watch in Zebra and Ivory. It’s made of natural zebrawood, with subtle hints of gold detailing throughout the strap, and a domed sapphire glass face with classic roman numerals. The strap is dainty enough to be worn everyday, and you have the option to engrave the backplate, so you can customize it however you like.

Packaged to perfection

When I received my JORD Cassia watch, it was packaged ever-so-nicely in a beautiful wooden box, which can also be engraved to your liking. I especially love the tone of the box - it's a great neutral storage piece in my home!  

Unique graining

The colour of the zebrawood is remarkable, with different grains running throughout the watch. Because of its unique colour, it matches perfectly with all my summer outfits, and I can’t wait to wear it on my upcoming trip to Mexico. Bonus - it's water resistant too, so I don’t need to worry about wearing it by the beach or the pool!

Does this sound like the perfect summer accessory to you? Well, you’re in luck! I’ve partnered with JORD watches for a giveaway.

Enter to win $100 toward a beautiful JORD wooden watch of your choice by clicking the link below. You’ll receive a 10% off coupon code just for entering, so be sure to let your friends know about the giveaway!

Enter HERE.

This giveaway closes on July 22, 2018 at 11:59PM (EST), and all promo codes expire on August 5, 2018. Good luck!

xo

Linnea

Wooden Wrist Watch

Summer Skincare Routine

Skin. It's been a big part of my life these last few years, and I'd pick skincare over makeup any day. Now that I've pretty much become a skincare junkie, here's my tried and true skincare routine, morning to night. And lucky for you, I've linked all the products I can find, so you can easily shop my routine.

AM Routine

In the morning, my routine varies depending on the products or masks I used the night before. If I used a hydrating sleeping mask (which I usually do), then I just do a simple water rinse. If I have various products on my skin that aren't safe for the sun, I'll do a gentle wash with Paula's Choice Moisture Boost One-Step Cleanser or the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser with a Konjac Cleansing Sponge. Don't waste much money on these - Miniso has them for like $2! Next, I'll tone my skin with Glossier Solution. Absolutely love this stuff.

This is where my routine changes, based on what my skin needs that day. If my skin is calm, I opt for hydration, always. I've mentioned these before, but my go-to hydrators are The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5, followed by The Buffet. If I'm breaking out a little, I use Niacinamide + Zinc, and if I need some brightening, I'll use Glossier Super Glow.

After serums, it's time for moisturizer. And again, Miss indecisive changes it up everyday, but I use either the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM with SPF, or the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer (amazing), followed by the Glossier Invisible Shield (which is a clear SPF 35 gel without flashback, but is only available in the states, fyi). It changes depending on my mood, but don't ever skip SPF! I can't stress enough how important it is.

To hydrate under my eyes, I switch between the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream and the Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream. In my opinion, the CeraVe is a very close dupe to DE, just not as creamy, and waaay more affordable. To prime my skin, I use the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask (yes, it works as a makeup primer AND quick mask AND sleeping mask AND moisturizer - highly recommend on all accounts) or The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer. Et voila, my skin is ready for makeup application! Yes, it's a lotta steps, but I'm so used to it now that it takes no time.

PM Routine

To wash off the day, I use The Face Shop's Gentle Oil Cleanser to get all my makeup off (without water). Then I do a double cleanse with the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser and pat my skin dry. If I feel like I need to exfoliate (which I do 2-3 times a week), I'll use the Face Shop's Smart Peeling Cleanser, which literally peels your dead skin off - it's so satisfying to use! 

To tone my skin, I'm currently using the Rose Water Spray from Trader Joe's, and it's actually so good. I think it was like $3. I'll follow that with one of the serums I mentioned above, then some sort of hydration. For anti-aging purposes, I like the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil as well as The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalene. If I need more hydration, I use either the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask or the Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask. If you love the smell of watermelon and Korean skincare, you'll love Glow Recipe. Use this link for 15% off your entire purchase!

For eye cream, I use one of the two I mentioned above, then smother my lips with the Laneige Sleeping Lip Mask - it's by far my favourite lip product (next to Glossier Balm Dotcom). After that, I'll make myself a cup of tea, do some reading, then head to bed for a good night's sleep. 

What are your go to summer skincare secrets? Leave them in the comments below!

xo

Linnea

In a New York Minute: Part 2

Okay loves, back with my NY city guide part 2. I hope it helps you when planning your next trip! I absolutely loved my time while I was there, but my appreciation for travel and the places I visit increases significantly once I'm back at home... and oh my goodness, what I would give to be back in the city. Also, a BIG shout out to my friends Andrea and Jason for being so generous and for showing me around - my trip wouldn't be what it was without you! Ok, here we go.

Day 3

8:00AM - Brooklyn Bridge

After my first solid sleep of the trip, I walked over to the Brooklyn Bridge. The view from the bridge is something else, because you really can see the whole NYC skyline. The bridge was so close to the apartment, so I'm glad I made the trip!

9:30AM - Fika

After walking over the bridge, it was definitely time for coffee. I found this super cute Swedish coffee chain called FIKA in the financial district, which means "coffee break" in Swedish. They had strong Swedish coffee, and all my fave fixin's (princess cake, dammsugare, mazariner (almond tarts), almond croissants, kanelbullar (cinnamon rolls)... they had it all). Thankfully, I controlled myself, but OMG was it good. I would definitely go back next time for sure.

10:00AM - Statue of Liberty

A short walk over to Whitehall Terminal, I jumped on the Staten Island ferry (which is completely free, btw), to see the Statue of Liberty from the water. She was a lot bigger than I thought she'd be! If you're looking for a budget-friendly, fast way to see her, I definitely recommend jumping on this ferry, because you get a view of the statue to and from Staten Island, and you can just jump on the next ferry back to Manhattan once you get to the island. Time was of the essence, so that's exactly what I did! Highly recommend.

11:00AM - World Trade Centre

Once I got back to Whitehall Terminal, I walked over to the World Trade Centre, walked down Wall Street, and popped into a few stores to do some shopping around Fulton Center. I dropped my bags off at the apartment, and headed back to the subway to spend the rest of the day in Soho. 

12:45PM - Laduree

I went to Laduree for lunch, and treated myself to an Ispahan and a lavender macaron with a pot of Marie Antoinette tea... so good! Thank goodness macarons are gluten free :) The patio is soo stinkin' cute, I couldn't put my camera down!

1:45PM - Shopping in Soho

The rest of my day consisted of jumping from store to store, trying things on, crossing off the spots on my list that we don't have back home (Everlane, Sezane, Little Cupcake Bakeshop, Madewell, Mansur Gavriel, Glossier, Byredo, etc). My first stop? Nike. Because I NEEDED new shoes - my back was dead.

I spent the rest of my time at Everlane and Glossier... but Glossier takes the cake for taking all my money in New York lol. I came in with a long list, and the girls in there thought I was crazy... but #noshame.

7:00PM - Rooftop BBQ 

After meeting up with Andrea for a little more shopping, we walked over to Jason's apartment, and went grocery shopping for dinner. The two of them made the most incredible dinner, and I literally had the best steak of my life. I don't know how you do it Jason... but DAMN. And I don't even like steak! 

We ate dinner on his rooftop patio overlooking all of NYC. You could see both the World Trade Centre and the Empire State building, and it was definitely the highlight of the trip. I felt like I was on cloud 9 all night, and couldn't believe the million dollar 360 view. Can't thank you enough!!

11:00PM - The Jane Hotel

After freshening up, Andrea and I headed out on the town for the Jane! It felt like a house party in a fancy, old fashioned mansion, and the music was bomb - always a plus.

1:00AM - Marquee

A few hours later, it was time for Marquee! We met up with some Vancouver friends and listened to Oliver Heldens DJ the night away, all while laughing at the table beside us quite literally throwing bills in the air. It was the most obnoxious thing I've ever seen. I got home in time for 2 hours of sleep (especially after I finished packing), then it was time to wake up again. 

Day 4

7:00AM - Royal Wedding with Mimosas and Marathons

The wake up call for the marathon was a little early for my liking, but we were all present at Jason's apartment to catch bits of the Royal Wedding, make marathon signs, down some coffee with oat milk and sip on boozy mimosas! Nothing like more champagne to keep you going.

8:00AM - Uber Around Brooklyn

To catch the marathon runners, we uber'd to Brooklyn and chased the three of them around, trying to find the best spots to see them so we could embarrass them with our obnoxious signs and cowbells. Yes, we were those people.

11:30AM - Brunch at Krupa Grocery

After some well deserved celebratory beers in Coney Island, we all headed to brunch in Brooklyn at Krupa Grocery - SUCH a cute restaurant and such tremendously good food! I'd definitely go back here to eat again.

3:00PM - Goodbye for now

There was torrential downpour by this time after brunch, but I needed to be at the airport by 3, so I rushed in an uber back to the city to finish packing and deal with my overweight luggage situation (thanks Glossier), and booked it to the airport. I made it just in the knick of time, and it was finally hitting me... my New York visit was over!! I was pretty sad, but I was excited to be continuing on to Toronto to visit more friends of mine (more on that trip later).

Overall, I did pretty much everything I set out to do on my itinerary. There were a few spots I missed that I wish I went to, but I'm pretty proud of how much I was able to accomplish in the few days I was there. One of my best trips, by far, and I can't wait to come back to NYC... likely sooner rather than later :) 

Do you have any must do/see things in NY? Let me know below!

xo

Linnea

Lavender Lemon Cocktails

It's no secret that I have a major obsession with lavender scented things... and the same goes for lavender flavoured things. Ice cream, kombucha, tea, cookies, bread, cocktails... pretty much anything that has a hint of lavender in it, I will looove. 

And with the sunshine finally making an appearance, it's the perfect time to share my favourite homemade Lavender Lemon cocktail, just in time for patio season. Here we go!

Ingredients

• 1 oz. vodka
• 1/2 lemon, squeezed (I like it tangy, but do this to taste)
• 1 tsp. lavender lemon simple syrup
• 1 can homemade lemon sparkling water (or La Croix)
• Dried lavender, for garnish

Directions

1. In a cocktail shaker, pour 1 to 2 ounces of vodka (depending on what you need that day), followed by some lemon juice, and lavender simple syrup - the star of the show.
2. Add some ice to your shaker and give it a whirl.
3. Top your cocktail glass with your shaker creation, and finish with some lemon sparkling water for a little punch. Tip: if you'd like to add a hint of another flavour, top your cocktail with some mojito mint, and you're set! 

Cheers,

Linnea