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Filtering by Category: Lifestyle

Memorial Day Sale Must Haves

Linnea A.

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Even though we’re not in America, we can’t help but take advantage of all the great sales happening this weekend! I’ve taken the guesswork out of online shopping and broken down my top picks for you. Enjoy!

McGee & Co. - 20% off with code SUNNYDAYS

Serena & Lily - 20% off with code SUMMERPREP

Lulu’s - 30% off sale items with code BEACH30

Lulu & Georgia - Buy more, save more

 Nordstrom Rack - Additional 25% off clearance items

Parachute - 20% off everything

Happy shopping!

xo

Linnea

Grapefruit Margarita with a Twist

Linnea A.

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Now that the sunshine and heat has been sticking around for awhile now (hellooooo patio season!), I thought it’d be the perfect time to share a new cocktail recipe. I’ve always loved grapefruits, so it’s no surprise that I love them mixed in cocktails! This is one of the most refreshing cocktails I’ve ever made, so enjoy :)

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Ingredients

For 2 cocktails

4 oz of your fave tequila

2 freshly squeezed grapefruits

1/2 oz simple syrup (optional)

Grapefruit sparkling water to top off the drink

Sprinkle of tajine spice

Sea salt flakes

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Directions

Step 1:

Cut a grapefruit wedge to rim the circumference of the glasses, then roll them with sea salt flakes and tajine.

Step 2:

Combine ice, tequila, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker and shake until the mixture is cold.

Step 3:

Fill your glasses with ice, then strain the mixture into the salted glass. Finish with a splash of grapefruit sparkling water, a sprinkle of tajine, and garnish with grapefruit slices. Give the drink a light stir and voila, enjoy!

xo

Linnea

The Perfect Gifts for Mama

Linnea A.

Mama’s day is around the corner, and there’s nothing I love more than spoiling my mama and Farmor with things they love! To help you spoil the special women in your life, here’s a roundup of all the things they’re sure to love… I mean, who wouldn’t? I’ve linked some faves below!

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Blush Travel Mug - for her coffees on the go!

Laneige Lip Glossy Balm - I swear by the sleeping mask and this is a new fave. I know she’ll love it too!

Silk Eye Mask - because she needs to get her zzz’s after all that hard work (and silk is best for anti-aging).

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5 - my mom and I swear by this stuff! We go through at least a bottle each every few months. Best hydrating bang for your buck!

Diptyque Feuille de Lavande Candle - a little bit of a splurge, but it will make the entire room smell like a field of lavender... if that’s not goals, what is?

Kitsch Silk Pillowcase - you spend at least 8 hours a night on your pillowcase, so invest in one! This one prevents creasing and wrinkles on the face - absolute game changer.

Smash + Tess Sweetheart Romper - so she can lounge around the house and still be as cute AF. Right mom??

Stone Diffuser (vitruvixlinnea for 20% off) - hands down my favourite diffuser, and makes the entire room smell incredible (few drops required). Need I say more?

Evening Rituals Kit (vitruvixlinnea for 20% off) - for winding down and helping her get the best nights sleep.

Herbivore Amethyst Exfoliating Body Polish - she needs time for self care too, ok? So buy her products she wouldn’t typically reach for, and she’ll be forced to make time for herself ;)

Gua Sha Facial Massage Duo (vitruvixlinnea for 20% off) - Gua Sha is one of my favourite parts of my skincare routine. I apply serums and oils with my gua sha set to help drain the lymph nodes and detoxify my skin. If she hasn’t tried it, she’ll love it!

Organic Pearl Hoops (10% off) - because what Mom doesn’t love pearls?

Cereal Paris Book - let’s be real - she would love to be in Paris shopping, eating and exploring. But if you can’t gift her with a trip, this is the next best thing.

Calpak Gold Spinner Luggage - if she’s already going on a trip, send her away with a shiny new luggage (if she’s anything like my mom, she’ll have no problem filling it to the brim lol).

Everlane Wide Leg Crop Pants - my fave pants at the moment, and very much my mom’s style too. Despite the high waist line, the fabric is stretchy, so she’ll be comfortable all day long!

And that’s it, that’s all. I hope you’ve found something she’ll love! 

xo

Linnea

May Mood

Linnea A.

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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  

Vanity Favourites

Linnea A.

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Oh, hello friends! It’s been a minute... and I’ve gotta say, between school, work, homework and workouts (with a few gatherings sprinkled in), the burnout has been REAL! The reality is, I wake up, workout (if I can’t in the evening), go to work, then head to school, and come home basically just to sleep... then rinse and repeat!! So it’s safe to say I barely have any energy these days. I’m trying to keep up, but I’m not gonna lie... the 14-16 hour days and tedious homework have been eating up a lot of my energy. Nevertheless, there are a few things keeping me sane these days, including fresh blooms and some new additions to my vanity! From decor to skincare, candles and everything in between, these are my current obsessions. Hope you enjoy!

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Dining with Fable

Linnea A.

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Although there are a ton of beautifully hand crafted plates on the market, hardly any of them are affordable - especially when you're supporting a small business. And once you grow out of your “Ikea-everything-phase”, it can be a little daunting figuring out where to go for your “adult” flatware and dinnerware without breaking the bank... they truly are your gateway to adulting! Enter: Fable.

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Founded because they, too, had trouble finding accessible flatware and dinnerware, Fable’s mission is to help create more meaningful moments at the dinner table - and bring the joy of shared meals to everyone while doing so. So when you make a purchase from Fable, they pay it forward by providing a meal to someone in need. How cool is that?!

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Based here in Vancouver, Fable launched earlier this year, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on their beautiful dinner and side plates.

Made of a strong porcelain, each piece is fired twice, featuring a flat surface and low rim edge for easy stacking (perfect for those with minimal storage space)! The plates are finished with a beautiful matte glaze, which makes them ideal for any occasion.

Available in speckled white or black, these plates are both microwave and dishwasher safe (hallelujah)! And if you’re in Vancouver, the shipping is free (or they can arrange for local pick up/drop off). It doesn’t get anymore convenient than that!

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If you love these plates as much as I do, I highly recommend giving them a shot. And lucky for you, I have a promo code for you to use! Use my link and code LINNEA10OFF for 10% off your entire order!

Now what are you waiting for... go get your new dinnerware!

xo

Linnea

April Moodboard

Linnea A.

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Well friends, April started out in the best way possible... travelling! To take a little breather after my first semester, I decided to go on a little getaway and jump on a plane to NYC. It was another incredible trip full of endless inspiration, amaaazing food, newfound motivation, and lots of love from old (and new) friends. I already can’t wait to go back... but more on my trip at another time. This month, I’ll be starting a new routine, heading to school a lot more frequently, and really trying to balance it all (without burning out). New content is coming very soon, and I’m excited to share it all with you! April, here. we. go.

xo

Linnea  

My Favourite Green Smoothie

Linnea A.

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Smoothies have always been one of my favourite treats/meals/snacks/the works - so much so that I’m almost guaranteed to have one per day, depending on my other meals. Because I love my green smoothies so much, here’s one of my favourite recipes!

 Ingredients

  • 1 handful of spinach

  • 1 handful of frozen raspberries (for a little tart kick)

  • 1/2 to 1 frozen banana (to make you happy and make the smoothie creamy)

  • ½ lemon, squeezed (to make sure you absorb the iron in the spinach)

  • 1/4 avocado (for healthy fat)

  • 1 scoop of maca powder (for energy)

  • 1 scoop of moringa powder (for extra dose of greens)

  • 1 scoop Vital Proteins collagen powder

  • 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

Directions

Dump all the ingredients into a blender (liquid last) and blend!

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Happy smoothie-making!

xo

Linnea

March Moodboard

Linnea A.

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This month... how do I even find the words! It was SOO fulfilling, almost to the point where I was overwhelmed with how great it was. It was short, but oh so sweet. I finished my first course while starting another, attended so many eye-opening field trips, reconnected with old friends and ladies that I LOVE (shoutout to Roots + Ardor - love you girls), and worked my butt off (especially with workouts). I learned to stop saying that "I'm busy", and replace it with "it's full-on right now", because “busy” is becoming a very negative term. Things aren't happening to me, I'm making things happen. It's all about the shift in perspective, and being grateful that you get to do all of the things you do! Just embrace the hustle, it’s as simple as that.

March has a lot more in store... I’ll be finishing my first semester (omgosh already?!), wrapping up a ton of projects, making a few home updates, and heading to New York for a little weekend breather! WHOOO cannot waitttt! Concrete jungle, I am so ready to see you again. I hope you have a beautiful start to spring!

xo

Linnea

The Best Heels for Spring

Linnea A.

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Heels. I used to have no problem wearing them to work, on weekends, out for dinner or drinks, events, whenever. I think it was mostly because growing up, my mom always wore heels (still does) no matter where she was going, so they always meant something special to me.

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Unfortunately, they’re not always the comfiest shoes to rock all day, and paired with the fact that I live in Vancouver where nobody dresses up, I rarely opt for heels. That is, until I found the Everlane Day Heel. The perfect, not-too-formal, not-too-casual heel that you can literally wear everyday (especially for spring), with anything!

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These heels look amazing with my favourite denim, and they’ll be so versatile for spring. Made in Italy, the block heel is only 2 inches high, giving you a flattering ballet-inspired silhouette that’s extremely easy to walk in... All. Damn. Day. And the sole? Oh my goodness does it have soul. It’s cloud-cushioned to perfection with an elastic backing for the perfect fit, so believe me when I tell you, these heels are seriously one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own… more comfortable than most of my boots and flats! And in case you didn’t already know, Everlane is always transparent about how much it costs to make their pieces. I’m all about transparency, so this makes it even easier to throw these bad boys into your cart.

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If you’re in the market for a casual pair of spring heels (in super fun colours, might I add), this is the pair for you! I highly recommend them. Happy shopping!

xo

Linnea

This post was in collaboration with Everlane. All opinions are my own.

My Morning Routine

Linnea A.

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We’ve all heard it before, but as cliché as sounds, routines really do make a difference - and a morning routine, in particular, can set the tone of your entire day. It’s been a resolution of mine to transform my morning routine into something I look forward to, and I’m getting closer and closer to my goal! There are definitely a few things that have helped make all the difference, so here’s a look into my typical morning.

Wake up with a grateful heart

As soon as I wake up, I say good morning to my little guy, and reach for my Five Minute Journal. Gratitude sets the tone for the day and pushes you to be appreciative of what you have, and search less for what you don’t. 

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Make the bed

As soon as I’m up and out of bed, I make the bed right away (without disturbing Dash’s beauty sleep of course… he loooves to sleep in). As little a job it may be, it’s one thing checked off the list, and it’s a great rule to live by in all areas of the home. Once I’m done with an area, I like to clean/tidy it. It’s so much easier to clean right away than to let things pile up. When you come home, it takes the same amount of time to put your coat in the coat closet as it does to put it on the couch. Make the effort to tidy as you go, put things back where they belong, and your to do list will become a lot easier to manage.

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Glow time

Next is my wake-up washroom routine. I usually shower in the evenings, so besides the obvious tooth brushing goodness, my mornings call for a quick face wash (or rinse, depending on the treatment I used the night before; overwashing strips the skin!). While my skin is still damp, I use my Vitruvi custom face oil to let it settle into my skin before I apply my makeup, and oh my goodness it is SO good. Vitruvi has created an incredible line of dynamic skincare with base and complex oils that allow you to create custom facial oils suited to your skin.

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My favourite mix is Sweet Almond Oil (one of my favourite scents on the planet - smells like Farmor’s baking!), mixed with Blueberry Seed Oil (extra conditioning) and Lavender Essential Oil (to soothe the skin, and because my middle name is basically lavender) or Cedarwood (both anti-inflammatory and a cozy, woody scent). If you’re curious about what mixture will work for you, take their quick skincare quiz to find out! If you’d like to try any of their products, simply enter vitruviXlinnea for 20% your order. You’re welcome :)

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Citrus detox

To cleanse my gut and jumpstart my system, I have a hot cup of lemon water on an empty stomach. It’s a habit I’ve been tracking daily, and it’s become such a soothing ritual!

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Diffuse and meditate

While I let my facial oil settle into my skin (it seriously makes my skin glow under my makeup, trust!!), I turn my stone diffuser on, and add a bright, citrus scent to wake up my senses. My favourite oil in the morning is Boost, which is a blend of Juniper, Lime, Grapefruit and Bergamot. I then take 5 to 10 minutes to sit with my lemon water and do a short meditation. Taking this time for myself has helped with the anxiety and stress of my *never-ending* to do list, and has helped me appreciate the journey I’m on that much more.

To be honest, I used to think of my life in its current state as being in “limbo mode” - like this “wasn’t it”… and sometimes, I still do! But guess what… this is the main event, so live like it! When I remind myself of that daily, it helps me appreciate my life (and influences how I live it) so much more. If you’re new to meditation, there are a ton of apps that can walk you through it. My favourites are Headspace and Calm. Even just listening to relaxing sounds is a great way to soothe your mind for a few minutes a day.

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Get ready for the day

After meditating, I switch my meditation to a motivating podcast, and jump into my makeup routine. My 10 minute work face starts with primer, followed by a light serum foundation, concealer, blush, brows and mascara - that’s it, that’s all!

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Make breakfast

If I’m craving coffee, or feel like I absolutely need it (most times I skip it because caffeine doesn’t actually do much for me) then I’ll make myself a Nespresso or an almond milk latte. For breakfast, I almost always have a variation of my Superfood Breakfast Bowl, oatmeal with frozen berries and almond butter, a veggie omelette, or a smoothie. I never ever get tired of these options! I quickly make my breakfast (if it’s not already prepped), and pack it with my lunch to eat at work.

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Go for a walk

Before I leave the house, I usually take Dash for a quick walk and some fresh air. With the cold weather these days, I haven’t been doing this as much, because my Dad takes him for the day and loves to walk him for me :D I’m spoiled, I know. Come spring, we’ll be going on runs in the morning before work - I just need it to warm up a little first!

Leave for work

When we’re back from our walk, I grab my bags (backpack if I’m going to school, yoga mat if I’m going to yoga) and my meals for the day before heading off to work.

Once I settle in, I’m ready to tackle my morning with motivation, intention and energy. I hope you’re able to incorporate some of these tips into your morning! What are your morning routines like, and what time do you wake up? Leave them in the comments below!

xo

Linnea

This post was in collaboration with Vitruvi. All opinions are my own.

Self Care Favourites

Linnea A.

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Although I’ve been sick for a few days, nothing beats a day of pampering and self care to make you feel like yourself again. And because I have so many favourites, I wanted to share my best picks with all of you! For the best essential oils, sprays, diffusers (in amazing new colours, might I add), Vitruvi is the way to go. They’ve also recently launched dynamic skincare… which I’ll be sharing more on next week. Oh, the excitement! If you’d like to try any Vitruvi products, simply enter the code vitruviXlinnea for 20% off your order.  No excuses - it’s time to start putting yourself first.

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6 Tips for Time Management

Linnea A.

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*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:

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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!!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

February Moodboard

Linnea A.

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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

How to Organize Your Linen Closet

Linnea A.

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Apologies for the late post guys… life kind of took over last week, and I’m starting to feel the brunt of all work-study-homework-Dash-clean-cook-minimal-play, but I’m trying my best to keep up with my content! I’m back at it with a peek into my linen closet transformation. To be honest, it’s always been an area of my home that bothered me. It never really felt “organized” even though I’d just spent hours folding and sorting everything in it. Because it’s pretty generous in size, it tends to be a place that always gets cluttered and messy, because not only do I store my linens/towels in there, but I store all my back-up stock/extra skincare/toiletries/essential oils in there too. Thanks to the huge organization kick I’ve been on (I organize my house pretty much every second of my spare time lol), it was finally time to revamp the closet, and reorganize it in a way that didn’t make me cringe every time I opened the door (ok, that’s a little dramatic, but the before and after will show you what I mean). Looking for organization inspo of your own? Follow my tips below on how to organize a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing linen closet!

Before

My linen closet wasn’t absolutely terrible before, but it was pretty bad. I had random decor and extra candles in odd places, lots of extra toiletries/products all over the place, and mounds of towels jam packed into the closet... clearly I don’t need that many towels for one person!

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After

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Stick to neutrals

To make the closet as aesthetically pleasing as possible, I stuck to neutrals the whole way through. All my sheets are white, and almost all of my towels are white as well (can you tell I have a thing for white?)… they really do brighten up a room so much! Yes, my hot yoga towels are fluorescent highlighter colours, and I have a few guest towels that are patterned, so I used woven baskets to “disguise” them and prevent them from clashing with the rest of the closet.

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Purge, purge, purge

As far as the rest of the bright towels, I went through them and purged a whole bunch out of my closet. Because a) they don’t bring me joy… they bring me pretty bad memories actually, and b) I don’t need them. And if both of those things are the case, donate those bad boys asap! You’ll free up so much space, it’s unbelievable. I used my biggest basket for all of my “extra” products that I actually need, and it works great for hiding the clutter-that-was!

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Use similar baskets

When styling your shelves, pick out baskets that are not only functional and big enough for you to use, but are cohesive in tone and pattern. That doesn’t mean you have to go out and purchase matching baskets, but look around your home for boxes/baskets you already have, then go to the store to fill in the gaps, keeping your tones and textures of your existing baskets in mind. I already had the baskets at the top of my closet, so I stuck to a woven, beachy vibe when sourcing the others.

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Fold with love

Last, but certainly not least is your folding method. In order to create a cohesive space, your folding has to be the same for every sheet, towel or linen you fold! This can be tricky when your sheets and towels are all different sizes, but once you’ve picked a size that fits well in your closet, mimic the fold with your other sheets/towels, and you’re golden! If you have a narrow space, the KonMari folding method will help you out too. But no matter which way you choose to fold, always make sure your crease is facing outward, so you can see every single item you have from one quick glance.

I’ll be shooting more of my home so you can see how I organize just about every space! What space would you guys like to see next? Leave a comment below, and I’ll get to it!

xo

Linnea

8 Inspirational Books I've Been Loving

Linnea A.

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Being part of a book club, I read quite a few books throughout the year. And because I’m a gemini, I tend to read multiple books at once, and squeeze them in whenever I can. To save some time, for self-improvement/wellness books that aren’t as fun to cuddle up with, I loooove to listen to them like a podcast. So like podcasts, I put them on while I’m commuting, cooking, getting ready, or even doing homework (multi-tasking at it’s finest). So while I’m sitting here blogging in bed, about to dive into another book, I thought I’d share a few of the books I’ve been absolutely loving, which will all inspire you to grow and be your best self in 2019!

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1. A Tribe Called Bliss

I read this book a while ago after listening to a few episodes of the Earn Your Happy podcast, but I recently picked it up again because I needed a refresher for 2019, and omg! It’s such a great book to help you realign, reevaluate who you want to be around, the energy you want to surround yourself with, and ultimately, who you want to become. Your tribe is sooo important for the life you want to live. Do you want a life of growth, prosperity and honesty? Or a life laying low, staying small and being meek? It’s a pretty obvious answer to me, but one that’s a tough one to address if you’re not ready for it. If you’re ready, pick it up for serious girl gang inspo.

2. Becoming

I’ve always loved Michelle, so it’s no surprise that her book made my list! If you need a push to feel empowered to do what you’re set out to do, give it a read.

3. The Magnolia Story

This book is one of my favourite books of all time. I absolutely love the story of Chip and Joanna Gaines, probably because I relate a lot to their story, and they’re just so darn cute. It’s also such a huge reminder that you can start out with literally nothing. One day your life really can change forever, and you can have a show, store, books, brands, a target collection - anything is possible with a vision! 

4. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

This has been one of my go to textbooks in my house for a very, very long time. And now that Marie Kondo has come out with her TV series, her techniques are becoming more popular than ever. But this book, along with the sequel, Spark Joy, are both so great to inspire you to live a clutter free life, full of the things that bring you the most joy! Unlike the show, she explains all the reasons behind her tips, and the importance behind them.

5. You are a Badass

Also a book I read quite a few months ago, but Jen Sincero really is a badass. I had the pleasure of hearing her speak at a Tony Robbins event, and she is amazing! She’s hilarious, doesn’t give a f***, and pretty much shoves the fact that you ARE a badass down your throat until you believe it. Read it to kick your butt into the right mindset for 2019. 

6. The Archetype Diet

As my latest read, this book blew my mind. The way Dana has been able to pinpoint 4 different body types down to how we think as women is incredible! I highly recommend reading this book to help you understand your relationship with food, and to learn what foods you should be eating for your body type! This book is serious food for the soul.

7. China Rich Girlfriend

Ok, maybe this book isn’t that inspirational, but some of the characters really are, like Rachel, for instance. Reading books like this is one of the reasons I love reading to begin with; you find yourself in places you’ve never been, with people you’ve never met, and maybe they’ll inspire you to go see those places and get out and meet those people! I’ll be moving onto book #3 soon, but it’s pretty obvious that I’ve been hooked since we read the first one at book club last year! 

8. Grit

If you love stories that push you to exercise perseverance and strength, this is just the book for you. Sometimes, we need to be reminded that other people have it way worse than we do, so we need to push ourselves even further to build that grit and resilience. Only then will we come out stronger, more independent, and more confident than ever.

What are your book recommendations to kick the year off right?! I’d love to hear them! Don’t be shy - leave them in the comments below or DM me on Instagram!

xo

Linnea

Winter Skincare Routine

Linnea A.

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In the dry winter air, it’s imperative that your skincare routine changes to adjust to the weather. I still use a lot of the same products that I did in the summer, but I’ve introduced a few new ones as well! Follow along for a full breakdown of my winter skincare routine; your skin will thank you later! 

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 In the morning…

Instead of doing a full cleanse of my face, I usually just rinse my face with water (to prevent over-washing), or swipe my face with Avene Cleansing Lotion (bought in Paris). On days that my skin is acting up, I use a cotton pad soaked with my tried and true Glossier Solution to clear my pores. When I ran out of my first bottle of this, I immediately noticed a difference, so it’s safe to say I swear by this stuff!

If you think of your skin as a sponge, it’s not going to absorb anything if it’s dry. You gotta make sure it’s moist and plump before layering on your products! To do this, I either spray Dr. G Hydra Intensive Mist or moisten my skin with The Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics to start with a hydrated base. I follow up with The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5 serum, and every now and then, I activate the circulation of my skin with a cold jade roller. This drains your skin of unwanted fluid and gives the skin a perfect glow.

If my under eyes need extra hydration, I love the Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment and SkinCeuticals Eye Balm. To moisturize my face, I use my Glow Recipe Watermelon Moisturizer for a lighter base, but if my skin is really dry, I use my favourite Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask under my makeup. To protect my skin from the sun in the winter, I use the Huxley Stay Sun Safe SPF 50, and it works great! It’s not too thick, and doesn’t smell horrible, either.

To prime my face before makeup, I either use the Benefit Porefessional or The Ordinary Silicone Primer. Both work wonders!

To summarize…

  1. Cleanse/refine

  2. Tone with chemical exfoliant

  3. Moisten skin with mist or essence before serums

  4. Apply serum(s)

  5. Eye cream

  6. Moisturize face

  7. SPF

  8. Makeup primer (if needed)

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At night…

In the evening, I use the Face Shop Rice Water Oil Cleanser to do my initial makeup removal, then, I fully cleanse with the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser - hands down one of my favourite cleansers! To do this, I more often than not use my Luna Mini Facial Cleanser to exfoliate and make sure I circulate the blood in my system and get all my makeup off. On days when I need extra exfoliation, I’ve been loving the Summer Fridays Overtime Mask. And it doesn’t hurt that it smells like beautiful pumpkins, either! Lastly, I swipe a cotton pad with Garnier Micellar Water to make sure it’s all off.

Next, I hydrate my skin with my fave Dr. G Hydra Intensive Mist followed by The Ordinary Buffet serum, then the best/most affordable multi-vitamin-for-your-skin oil, The Ordinary “B” Oil. On nights I want a more intense retinoid, I enjoy using my Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil! To seal all the moisture in, I use my favourite Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask (if you still haven’t bought this, I’m already on my 3rd tube because I use it twice a day… just saying). If I’m feeling super fancy, I’ll use the Laneige Lavender Sleeping Mask on top! And you better believe my lips are saved with the Laneige Sleeping Lip Mask or Glossier Balm Dot Com.

To summarize…

  1. Oil cleanse to remove makeup

  2. Gel/water based cleanser

  3. Exfoliate if necessary

  4. Micellar water or toner to remove ALL residue

  5. Moisten skin with mist or essence before serums

  6. Apply serum(s)/treatments

  7. Facial oils/sheet masks

  8. Eye cream

  9. Moisturizer/sleeping masks or both

  10. Lip masks… followed by an extra spritz of mist if you’re feeling luxurious :)

For the body…

To avoid dry skin, you can’t forget about your body! I try to dry brush my skin (as painful as it is) at least 4 times a week. To wash my skin, I’m obsessed with the Glossier Body Hero Shower Oil. To exfoliate, I loooove the Herbivore Coco Rose Body Polish, but the Trader Joe’s Lavender Body Scrub is basically a dupe! Post-shower, I follow up with either the Huxley Moroccan Gardener Body Oil or Glossier Body Hero Lotion. Both divine!

What are your tried and true winter staples?! I’m always looking for new faves, so leave them in the comments below!

xo

Linnea

A New Year of Intentions

Linnea A.

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As we transition into a new year with a fresh perspective and appreciation of the year prior, I can’t help but think about all the endless opportunities and possibilities this new year will bring. To start the year off right, I’d like to share some of my intentions with you, put them out into the universe, and potentially help you find yours. Here we go!

1. Share more. I’ve been encouraged to share more of my life, more of my real thoughts, rather than just my interiors, so that’s what I intend to do. I want to be as authentic as possible on here, so if sharing more of my personality and what’s really going on in my life can do that, let’s do it!

2. Start the day earlier. This is a tough one for me, because I’m not a morning person, and I struggle waking up if it’s pitch black out. I looove waking up to natural sunlight. But where I live, that only happens a few months out of the year, so I’m making an effort to wake up earlier, and in turn, go to bed earlier. I’m going to try to do 2 morning workouts a week (in addition to my evening ones), and hopefully see a difference in my productivity and energy!

3. Start meditating. As a frequent yogi, meditating isn’t far fetched for me, but I’d like to start making time for it. I hope to create a new morning routine that incorporates meditation (along with gratitude) to start my day off on the right foot.

4. Listen to the body. I did pretty well with this last year, but I want to continue listening to what my body is telling me. I also want to start lifting more weights and mix up my workouts. I used to love lifting weights, so I’m excited to get back into it.

5. Let the soul sing. This one might be a little woowoo for some people to understand, but it’s pretty obvious that people often ignore what their soul is trying to tell them. Friendship not working out? Cool, maybe it’s not the right one for you right now. Job is draining you? No worries, find something that doesn’t. Not happy in your relationship? Maybe it’s not meant to be. Is your home stressing you out? Ok, maybe it’s time to KonMari your entire place. It’s times that we cut out the noise, ignore the excuses, and listen to what our soul is trying to tell us that we find the right path.

6. Challenge yourself. The first few months of my year will be busy to say the least. Longer work hours, school, the blog, and making time for my dog, fitness, my well-being, family and friends is a lot to juggle, but I’m up for the challenge. I’ve created a schedule that I think will set me up for success, so I’m excited for the challenge, and can’t wait to start learning.

7.  Be more present, especially with the ones I love. Even though this blog requires tons of screen time and social media attention, I want to make an effort to be more present, whether that’s with loved ones, having dinner with friends, or exploring a new place, I want to continue living in the now. It’s so important to remember that this is the main event. We aren’t living in some limbo mode just because our life isn’t where we thought it would be. So live like it’s the main event! Don’t waste your time thinking what if, maybe later, it’s not the right time... because wake up! There is no better time than now.

8. Enjoy what you have. As we head into the new year, I want to start enjoying everything I have, and spending way less. I regularly practice the KonMari method in my home (and omg the show is so relaxing - she’s killin it), and it’s made me realize that I really do have everything I need. I shouldn’t be spending money on material items, because I don’t need them. So I’ll be focusing on enjoying the simple things I have, releasing what I don’t love, and living more of a simple life.  

9. Laugh everyday. Once my Farfar passed away, I realized just how much he made me laugh. I have certain friends that I literally have stomach cramps from being with all night because I’ve been laughing so hard, and I honestly believe that laughter really is the best medicine! Even on days that I’m laying low, I want to be able to laugh at least once that day. And if that means cracking jokes in the mirror, then that’s what I’ll do lollll.

10. Go out less. As I’ve got older, going out has become way less important to me. And when my friends have similar mindsets and lifestyles to mine, we honestly don’t find a need to go out or drink our faces off. Instead, we catch up on life, have deep convos, watch movies, cook meals, and just enjoy each others’ company. As weird as it sounds, I’m actually looking forward to drinking less, staying in more, enjoying dinner parties and living the hygge life.

11. Get active outside. As active as I was last year, I wish I got outside more. That’s an intention I’d like to set this year - embracing the fresh air, more hikes, more runs, longer walks with Dash, and maybe even a few bike rides.

12. Accept that this is where you’re supposed to be. Even though I never imagined being where I am today, I’m exactly where I need to be. I’m starting a new journey, expanding my knowledge about something I love, and so stoked for what’s to come.

I’m sure this list will grow and evolve as the year progresses, but it’s a great starting point. Let me know if any of these intentions resonated with you. I’d love to hear yours too! 

xo

Linnea  

January Moodboard

Linnea A.

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Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all enjoyed quality time with your loved ones over the holidays - I know I did! This month, I’m starting 2019 with a clean, organized, purged home... and it feels amazing! It’s already setting the tone for 2019 with a fresh mindset, and I’m feeling inspired to live more of a simple life. If you can’t already tell, my decor palette is leaning toward lots of white, black, neutrals, and lots of fresh greenery. I’m feeling ready to challenge myself at school, create new routines, lay low and focus, and nourish my body with loads of whole foods post-holiday. Curious about my 2019 intentions? I’ll be sharing those very soon! Happy 2019, all the best to you and yours!

xo

Linnea

2018 Recap

Linnea A.

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2018, you were definitely one for the books. There were a ton of ups and downs, but the amount of invaluable time I got to spend with my friends and family makes everything worth it, and without the downs, there are no ups. Here are a few of the highlights from the year…

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I took the plunge and finally started this blog, which has been on my mind for years. It’s been amazing to collaborate with some of my favourite brands, to share all the things I love, and to stretch my passion for interiors that much more. It’s easy to listen to the little voice in your head that’s worried about what other people will think, who will even take the time to read the posts, who will judge you, blah blah blah… but at the end of the day, WHO FLIPPIN’ CARES. This blog has been a passion project of mine, and continues to be such a joy for me to inspire all of you, as long as you’re still interested in seeing/reading my content! That’s all that really matters.

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I took travel extremely seriously this year, and I was fortunate enough to return to some of my favourite places, all while knocking multiple bucket list trips off my list! I went to New York (bucket list!), Toronto (still want to move there for a bit), Mexico, Milan, Paris (bucket list!) and Sweden (my fave), all while reuniting with so many amazing faces - my BFFs, friends of friends, and all my beloved family in Sweden. Travelling continues to be one of my favourite hobbies, and always will be. But one thing I know for sure? I LOVE being on my own schedule and travelling alone :)

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For about a year and a half, I’ve been part of a book club. It’s by far one of my favourite things in my life, and I look forward to our meeting every single month. I’m so so grateful to have these people (and babies) in my life. We read one book a month (which we vote on at the previous book club), and each contribute a food item to the dinner party based on the theme/setting of the book (we’ve got some serious chefs, so this is my favourite part). We then discuss the book over food and wine (lots and lots of wine), rate it, and choose another one all over again. These guys are amazing people, and I seriously hope the tradition lives on.

I started listening to podcasts, and they have changed my entire perspective on life. I find them so helpful, and such an easy, productive way to spend your time, rather than listening to music you always listen to. If you’re not listening to motivating, positive, educational podcasts while you’re walking, driving, cooking, working, reflecting, diffusing, whatever, start right now. I listed some of my faves here. You’ll thank me later.

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I continued making time for my health and wellness. My active lifestyle continued to be that: a lifestyle, which is exactly what the goal was. I still go to hot fitness classes at least 3-4 times a week, cut out pretty much all gluten and dairy, and thoroughly relied on so many incredible superfoods to nourish my body. I also started cooking and entertaining 840932840 times more, rather than going out... the hygge life is here to stay! I may not have much of a social life in 2019, but you better believe I’ll still be raining buckets on my yoga mat.

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I changed my mindset, and embraced all the pain/heartache/change/hilarious situations/obstacles that came my way. That’s where growth stems from, and you have to go through various uncomfortable stages in order to develop and evolve as a person. I started to take my mental health seriously, regularly found daily gratitude, and attended various events to connect with the soul. I realized that truth and brutal honesty is the best policy, even if it hurts sometimes, and even if people aren’t ready to hear it. I also learned that the people you surround yourself with have a major influence on you, your potential, and your mindset. In saying that, surrounding myself with people who are honest, just as willing to grow and evolve as I am (maybe even more so), and focused on their goals are the people I need by my side to motivate me, encourage me, and reach as high as I possibly can. Those resistant to growth will only hinder your own growth, because mindset is 100% contagious.

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My family and I surprised the hell out of my mom for her birthday, because experiences and memories are the best presents ever. She isn’t really a “gift” person, so I knew a party that she wasn’t expecting would be the best gift of all. And boy was it ever. She had no idea, and her friends from all walks of life were there to surprise her - some of whom she hadn’t seen in years! It was pretty epic… but now I owe her a dinner at Pepino’s, cuz that’s where she thought she was going :D

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I met so many incredible people this year, who I believe have each taught me something different, even when it comes to myself. I’ve taken time to reflect on my life and love it as-is (just like the IKEA section, imperfections and all), but I’ve also been striving to live the life I want to live, because it’s also become pretty evident that life can literally be taken from you in a heartbeat. No day is really ever guaranteed. And if you can’t stop thinking about it, don’t stop working for it. Which brings me to my next highlight…

I couldn’t strap down my passion any longer, so I’m going back to school, starting this month!! I’m beyond grateful for all the experiences and people I’ve met thus far in my marketing & pr career, but I’d be lying if I said I never think back on that time I attended an Interior Design Degree orientation in senior year, only to find out they wanted a portfolio worth of 5 years of my artwork and sketches to apply, and chickening out thinking that I didn’t have enough talent to take the plunge. But after being in Sweden this year and seeing all the incredible spaces I could be creating, I was sure. I knew I had to make it happen. It’s all coming full circle, my friends. It’s now or never.

All in all, it was an incredible year. I’m grateful for every memory made, every person I met, every soul I inspired, and every lesson I learned. Thank you for everything, 2018!

xo

Linnea