Easter High Tea

To kick off the Easter long weekend, I took a quick trip to Neverland. My colleague Tracy and I have made a tradition out of going to Neverland Tea Salon together every so often, and we follow our treats by heading to W. 4th to do some shopping. We always have a great time - it's amazing how much joy positive, sweet people can bring to your life!

I opted for the gluten and dairy omitted option, and according to Tracy, mine was overall better than hers. I was blown away by their gluten free bread - fluffiest I've ever had. And the scone! My God... GIMB. They also have vegetarian and vegan options - the only high tea place in Vancouver that offers those, so I highly recommend paying them a visit. 

My favourites out of the savouries were the citrus scone, the egg salad sandwich, and the pulled jackfruit sandwich. It literally tasted exactly like pulled pork - I am still in awe!

As far as tea goes,  my favourite is always the Summer in Provence - it's a black tea with hints of lavender, and you know how I feel about lavender :) I also tried their London fog  with Almond milk, and it was equally as amazing. 

Definitely planning on coming back for Mother's Day, because my mom and Grandma would love it. I hope you all have a very Happy Easter my friends!

xo

Linnea

5 Tips to Help Organize Your Life

With aspirational social feeds and blog photos that make everything look perfect, life can look pretty on the outside, but the reality is, life is hard! And adulting is even harder... no one teaches you how to do it, but you're expected to figure it out as you go. On top of adulting, if you have multiple things on the go like I do, things can get a little tricky when your trying to balance it all.

I've thought about this a lot, and even though I'm a pretty busy person, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my life, and all the frustrations and joys that come with it. But it's taken a while for me to develop a routine and a way of managing my time that works with the amount of commitments I have going on at once. Now I'll preface this post by saying I'm no expert, but if you're curious about how I prioritize the things that are important to me, I may have some insight into how you can manage it all (or appear to, anyway)!

1. Lists, lists, lists

Even though I have computer screens and my phone in my face all day long, I still live heavily off of real, written lists. If something is on my mind, I write it down. At the beginning of the week, I write out every single one of my to do's for the week, including:

• Work to do's
• Upcoming blog posts/photos I need to take or edit
• Freelance to do's
• Personal chores and errands
• Meals and grocery lists

Yes it's a lot, but it really helps to declutter my mind and preps me for the week ahead. Bullet journaling is also another list I try to incorporate daily; it's incredible how much writing something down will clear your head.

2. Use a calendar (and colour code it)

Ok, this may not be for everyone, but once something is confirmed or even tentatively scheduled, I put it in my Google calendar immediately, and sometimes I even invite my friends so they don't forget (lol s/o Megan!). I may be a little OCD with my colour coding, but my calendar is always jam packed like a pretty little rainbow, and I love it. I have a colour specific to everything, including fitness classes, blog posts, dinners/events, book club nights, bills, package arrivals, etc. Without my calendar, I'd likely forget it all!

3. Schedule in "you" time, or things that bring you joy

Whether it's reading a book before bed, lighting a candle, doing my nails or taking Dash for a long walk, I always try to fit "me" time in whenever I can, and I block out that time on my calendar. It's so important, especially if you have a stressful life, and tend to say "yes" to almost everything like I do. Someone needs help planning an event? Yes, I can help. Someone needs social media guidance or help decorating? Yes, I'll help with that too. There's something about saying no to people that I have trouble with, but sometimes, it's necessary.

It's safe to say that I'm often burnt out by the end of the week, so Sundays are like a breath of fresh air. They've become a day of picking up the house, meal prepping, and unwinding - super duper necessary.

4. Make time for friends and/or family once a week

I see my family regularly throughout the week, so prioritizing their time isn't an issue for me. As far as my friends go, I've met them through all walks of life, so many of them don't really know/hang out with each other. Because of this, I make time for each of them, so I usually see at least one of them every week. They've become my ultimate stress relievers, because they give me the energy, motivation and confidence I need to keep going. Women supporting women is a powerful thing, and after a dinner or catch-up with my besties, I feel 100000x better than I did before, which is exactly how your friends should make you feel. I have the utmost respect for them, so prioritizing them is a must in my books. Flaky, negative people aren't worth your time!

5. Take a deep breath

When people try to make plans with me the night or week of, I often laugh at the idea (sounds so mean, I know) but the reality is, I plan my days out at least a week in advance, and my calendar makes sure I don't miss a beat. But when everything is said and done, you have to take a deep breath, catch up with yourself, and prioritize conflicting events. There's something to be said about spontenaeity, and because I say yes to so many obligations, I've learned the importance of saying no, too. You can't maximize your full potential if you're too tired or stressed, so some nights, you just need some time to yourself, or time to do something completely out of the norm. There's no point in exercising or working on extra projects if you're too burnt out to begin with.

And with those tips, I'm able to somewhat get everything and more done in my schedule. Ironically, I used to think I was a lazy person outside of my work (and maybe I was), but if you called me lazy now, I'd have a few reasons to argue otherwise ;) Push yourself to your limit, and you'll accomplish more than you ever thought possible. I hope you're able to utilize these tips! And with that said, back to hustlin'.

xo

Linnea

Gluten Free Banana Waffles

In light of #InternationalWaffleDay today, I thought I'd share my favourite gluten free waffle recipe I've tried thus far! And bonus, they're vegan too! As long as you control your toppings, this recipe is a delicious healthy breakfast. 

For the waffles:

• 1 banana, mashed

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1/2 cup almond milk

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp chia and hemp seeds (optional)

• 1 cup spinach (optional, if you don't mind green pancakes)

Blend the ingredients together in a blender to form a batter. Heat your waffle iron, grease with coconut oil, and let each waffle cook until golden. If you don't have a waffle iron, you can make these into pancakes too, but I've found my mini iron to be  soo  handy!

For the toppings:

• 1/2 banana, or fruit of your choice

• 2 tsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp almond butter (optional - I just loooove almond butter)

Drizzle and dress your waffles, and there you have it, guilt-free waffles! Happy #InternationalWaffleDay, let me know what you think once you try the recipe! 

xo

Linnea

Bullet Journaling

Bullet journaling has been a part of my daily routine for a few months now, and it's made such a huge difference in my well-being. Not only does it change your mindset with a positive intention to start your day, but it puts the small things into perspective, and it really makes you reflect on all the great things that happened during your day.

Gratitude is so important, especially when you're not feeling your best, or unfortunate things are happening in your life that you can't control. I've had my fair share of ups and downs, and it's helped me tremendously. Just when you think that things can't get worse, sometimes they do, so by reflecting on the good things that happened throughout your day, they overshadow the bad, making you much happier and thankful for your day.

I've been using my Five Minute Journal for a few months now, and I love it not only because of the minimal design (or the fact that's it's Canadian, made by 2 of my favourite Youtubers - s/o Alex and Mimi!) but it's so easy to use. It's a dateless journal (meaning you can skip days and not feel bad about it), and you write in it morning and night. In the morning, it asks you to list 3 things you're grateful for, 3 things that would make your day great, and one positive affirmation about yourself. At night, you list 3 amazing things that happened during your day, and what you could have done to make your day a little better. This one pushes you to strive for improvement! The whole process literally takes 5 minutes out of your day to complete, and there's a different quote or challenge on every page, allowing you to reflect on that message throughout the day. 

The journal has pushed me through some really hard times, especially with loss, but now I'm able to look back on the times that I was sincerely happy spending time with those loved ones. If I didn't document my happiness on those days, it would have been a lot harder for me to cope. 

So do yourself a favour... buy a Five Minute Journal! It will change your life for the better, I promise.

xo

Linnea

Coffee Table Books I've Been Loving

If you haven't already noticed, I have a slight obsession with coffee table books. Mostly those within the realm of home styling and entertaining, but I do love a good cook book as well! The purpose of my coffee tables books is threefold:

1. To accessorize my home, scattering the books throughout my space
2. For daily inspiration, whether that be through photos, content, styling or blog ideas
3. To pick up and read a physical, hard cover book!

I'm loving the collection I've curated thus far, so I thought I'd share a few of my favourites to get your collection started:

1. The Kinfolk Home 2. See San Francisco 3. Eat Beautiful 4. Eat Drink Nap 5. The Beauty Chef 6. The Kinfolk Table 7. All in Good Taste 8. Oh She Glows Every Day 9. Gypset Travel 

What's next on the list? Probably Magnolia Table... because #Gaines (Joanna Gaines, of course)!

xo

Linnea

Berry Protein Smoothie Bowl

If you know me, you know how much I love smoothie bowls, and smoothies in general. It's my go to breakfast M-F, and on weekends, I always treat myself to at least one smoothie bowl, whether that be an acai bowl, or some sort of protein bowl. There are soo many good smoothie recipes out there, but I love trying different variations on my own. Here's my latest creation:

For the base

• 1 cup frozen mixed berries

• 1.5 cups frozen spinach (I always add spinach to every recipe for extra iron)

• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

• 1 tbsp almond butter

• 1 scoop coast protein vanilla protein powder

• 1 tsp maca powder

For the toppings

• Fruit of your choice (I chose banana chips because I didn't have any fresh fruits)

• 1 tbsp chia and hemp seeds

• 1/2 cup gluten-free granola

Put all the ingredients into a blender. Blend, pour, sprinkle, and enjoy.

xo

Linnea

Current Skincare Favourites

It's no secret that I'm getting older...I mean, who isn't? And with that in mind, 2018 is the year that I'm putting myself first in all aspects of my life. Sounds a little selfish, but if i'm gonna do it, now's the time. In doing so, I'm making my health, nutrition, and beauty from within more of a priority. Skincare goes hand in hand with that, and I have quite a few favourites to share.

First off, let's just say one word. Serums. Oh my goodness, these bad boys are changing the game. I used to use some higher-end drugstore serums that made my skin feel nice and made my makeup application super duper smooth, but I never looked at the ingredients... I was all about the price. Since then, I've experimented a bit with different serums for various issues/benefits, and let me tell you, I am obsessed. They are one of the best inventions ever. Especially when you apply them with your refrigerated jade roller...game changer.

Without further ado, here's a roundup of my absolute faves:

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil: This is a little of a splurge, but this retinoid is everything. Not only is the bottle amazing to look at, but the potion inside is magic, and I love the smell, too! The chamomile essential oil in this seriously makes me sleep like a baby.

Glossier Super Pack: Glossier's a brand that's doing big things in the skincare industry, and their packaging gets me every time. For tired, dull skin, use Super Glow. For breakouts, use Super Pure, and for dehydration (aka hangovers), use Super Bounce. These small but powerful serums really do work, and I love them, but I've found that they're almost identical to The Ordinary's products, so if you're on a budget, buy those instead!

The Ordinary, everyfreakin'thing: I use A LOT of products from the Ordinary, and I love everything about them. They're Canadian, have perfect minimal packaging, AND they're all silicone-free, alcohol-free and cruelty-free. But my favourites are the Hyaluronic Acid + B5 for instant hydration, as well as Niaciminide + Zinc for blemishes and redness (these are equivalent to the Super Bounce and Super Pure, above). I also love using The Buffet as a daily "anti-aging" multivitamin for my skin, as well as the Granactive Retinoid 5% in squalene, which is similar to the Sunday Riley Sleeping Oil (without the nice smell and at a much cheaper price).

Jade Roller: Besides the fact that serums are amazing on their own, I've grown to love applying them with my jade roller. It's a super affordable tool that you can put in the fridge for the next time you feel puffy. The feeling you get when you apply your serum with the cooled jade is incredible! Seriously, try it.

Thayers Witch Hazel Lavender Toner: I've been using this toner for a while now, and it's great for calming and purifying the skin before serum application. Plus, it's lavender, so bonussss! 

What are your go to skincare items? I'd love to know if you have any favourite invisible SPF's! 

xo                                                                                                                                                  Linnea

Making Wellness a Priority

This year, I decided to finally get down to the bottom of my nutritional health. I eat a pretty healthy diet overall, and I religiously hit up Oxygen Yoga & Fitness (mostly fitness) at least 4 times a week (#ilovemylife), but I still felt like something was off, so I decided to see a nutritionist. I started the first week of 2018 by seeing Jenn at My Edible Advice, who tested all my intolerances in one go. She was super helpful, and I've been eating a gluten-free, dairy-free diet ever since. 

Because I didn't eat much dairy to begin with, cutting out dairy wasn't very hard for me. Now, I simply switch out my cheeses for dairy-free cheese when absolutely necessary (or stay away from cheese altogether). On the gluten side of things, I'm used to cooking gluten free pasta and eating minimal bread anyway (I never dared to buy it at the grocery store, because that's too dangerous lol), so I didn't think it would be difficult.

As it turns out, there are so many gluten-free, dairy-free/vegan options out there, so I'm not finding it that hard! If anything, I've found that this new way of eating has pushed me to stop and think about what I'm consuming before I consume it. Before, I tracked my calories, but I never thought about exactly what was in my food. Now, I take a minute to look at ingredient lists and take my time at the grocery store, especially with gluten free items. They load some of those products with SO MUCH crap, so be careful!

If you haven't visited a nutritionist, and aren't sure what you should or shouldn't be eating, I highly recommend visiting one. My session was only an hour long, and it was a painless test for intolerances of every type of food possible. A lot of the reason why so many people are intolerant to dairy and gluten is because of the harsh genetically modified foods we have available in North America. If you can find ancient grains that haven't been modified in anyway, then they're probably safe, but the other ones, I recommend staying away from. That being said, if I happen to be in Europe (which I will be this fall), I'll eat everything and more, because their grains and cheeses aren't nearly as genetically modified as the crap that's available to us here :)

After 2 months of my new way of eating, I've annoyed the s*** out of my family and friends, but I feel awesome! I'll check back in a few months time to let you know if there's anymore progress ;)

Next up, wild rose cleanse!

xo                                                                                                                                    

Linnea

Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hello world! I can't believe I'm finally taking a leap of faith and starting what should have been started a very long time ago... my blog! Over the years, I've dabbled in various aspects of marketing and public relations, so I've been involved with media, influencers and the "blogging world" for quite some time now, but I never found the courage to start one for myself. This year, my passion for pretty much everything lifestyle just couldn't handle being strapped down anymore, so I needed to make this blog happen... and here we are.

My blog name, linneacarmen is a true reflection of my heritage. I'm named after two ancestors; Linnea being the middle name of my Swedish great-grandmother, and Carmen being my Filipino great-grandmother's name. Needless to say, my name holds a lot of importance to me.

I'm a born and raised Vancouverite with an insane love of interior decor and home styling. I believe in creating spaces that make you feel good, that you feel comfortable in, and that really make you feel at home. If you don't surround yourself with things that mean something special to you, why bother living in that space? Why do you have those things if you don't love them? In my opinion, a home should be a place that inspires you daily, and that comforts you when you have nowhere else to be, and nothing else to do. I believe you should love being at home.

Over the last year, I've grown to absolutely love being at home, and believe it or not, I never used to be a homebody. I was always someone who made an effort to keep busy, whether it was with friends, family, dinners, workouts, what have you, I was always trying to avoid being at home.

Then life threw me lemons, and I had to leave the home I was living in. I was determined to go on the hunt for a home that I could call my very own. Once I found it, I put every ounce of energy into it to create a place I couldn't wait to come home to. Yes, it's a work in progress, and I change my mind on the daily about where to put things or how to style them, but I've grown to learn that that's just how my brain works... I'll never be completely happy with how something looks (most interior lovers aren't).

Another thing that helps to love being at home? Living alone! With my bichon poodle, of course. I never thought I'd like living alone, but trust me, it's pretty much the best thing ever. If you have the chance, I highly recommend it. 

Now that you know a little more about me, I hope to inspire you in some way with this blog. Always feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or just want to say hello!

xo                                                                                                                              

Linnea