Vanity Favourites

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!

Diptyque Baies Candle | Vitruvi Essential Oils (20% off with vitruvixlinnea) | Glossier Mango Balm Dot Com | Rose Quartz Necklace (10% off!) | Glossier Cloud Paint | Glass Jewelry Box | Glass Cube Box | Twist Midi Hoops (10% off!) | Glass Vase | Elements of Style | Eat Beautiful | Glossier Super Serums | Vitruvi Stone Diffuser (20% off with vitruvixlinnea)

xo

Linnea

Before & After: Kitchen Transformation

To say that working with Wayfair on this kitchen transformation was a dream… well that’s not saying enough! I’m elated to be working with a company that I love, especially when they can help me share tips on how to improve your home.

Now it’s no secret that this (mortgage-paying-night-student) girl is on a budget, so a renovation is not anywhere in my near future. Because of that, I wanted to make a few small updates to my kitchen that were economical, yet made a big impact. And with just a few additions, I was able to make that happen. Check out the full transformation below to see how you, too, can update your kitchen without breaking the bank!

Before

It’s not that I didn’t love my kitchen before, but I knew I wanted to make use of the blank wall with some shelves, and potentially play with a little bit of black. 

After

To make these updates, I did three things. I switched out the kitchen faucet, kitchen hardware, and installed floating shelves. Let’s just ignore my different sized bulbs for now… the new one is arriving soon lol!

Kitchen Faucet

Finished with a matte black coating, this faucet is all that I wished for and more. Not only does it look pretty, but it’s just as functional as my old one, with a pull down hose and sprayer (super important)! It’s incredible how much a faucet can change an entire kitchen.

Kitchen Hardware

To tie in with the faucet, I introduced matte black hardware on the cabinets. The old hardware was dated and wearing out anyway, so it was time for a change! The cabinets are a lot easier to open now, too! 

Floating Shelves

And the moment we’ve all been waiting for… the shelves!! I knew I wanted floating wooden shelves for a very long time, but they had to be the right measurements, and I wanted to ensure that they came with hardware that would support a few decor pieces to have on display. Luckily, I found a shelf on Wayfair that had my exact measurements I was looking for, so I got two, and they give the perfect amount of warm and rustic to my bright, white space. I love displaying some of my Farmor’s heirlooms on the shelves, including a vintage canister meant for flour. It originally belonged to my Grandpa’s Grandma… so it dates way back, and it’s extra special to me. Other items you can put on display include greenery, glassware, candles, cutting boards and storage jars, to name a few!

Shop the look:

And with that, I hope you’re fully inspired to make a few small tweaks to your kitchen (especially with the things you don’t love about it), because at the end of the day, the more you love your kitchen, the more time you’ll spend cooking in it! Have you made any kitchen updates lately? Share them in the comments below!

xo

Linnea

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

Dining with Fable

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.

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?!

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!

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

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  

Travel Planning 101

Well I'm off to New York next week, and I couldn't be more excited about it! It's hard to believe that I was there for my first time ever less than a year ago (read here for part 1 & part 2), and here I am visiting again!! Oooh, the inspiration and knowledge I’ll gain! You’re probably wondering how I plan all my trips in between everything else, and how I book my flights. And trust me, trip planning isn't for everyone, especially if you're not organized. Lucky for me, I'm a little too organized, so trip planning comes naturally. To help you have a better, more seamless trip, I'm sharing my trip planning tips below!

Track your flights

Once you decide what dates you want to get away or where you want to go, always track your flights to keep an eye on prices. I regularly track Google flights for specific destinations I want to visit, and I use Hopper as well to keep an eye on the best time to buy my tickets. Other sites that help with finding the best flight deals are Sky Scanner and Momondo.

Be spontaneous

 Another thing I do to save money is I subscribe to YVR Deals and Next Departure. And YOU GUYS. They literally do all the work for you! If you have a job that’s pretty flexible with your vacation time, then this is the route for you. They send weekly flight deals all around the world, so you could be sitting at your desk job one day, and heading on a plane to Peru a few days later! The deals are incredible, and they let you know what dates will work best on the flight websites. One thing to keep in mind: the deals go FAST so you don’t have much time to decide. Act on it as soon as you see it, and you won’t be disappointed. You’re welcome :)

Pick your stops (and your outfits)

Before you book any accommodation, figure out how many stops you want to make on your trip. Are there certain hot spots you want to see? Specific cities you want to visit? Restaurants you want to check out? Make sure you plan out your route, make any necessary reservations, and figure out your overall plan. Make time for those things, and ensure you have enough time to stop there. P.S. - If you’re suuuper into planning like me, I create full-on itineraries (sample linked here!!) with times, addresses, photo ops, contact information, confirmation codes, and even outfits I’ll be wearing! That ensures I don’t miss anything I have on my list, and it makes packing so much easier.

Define the purpose of your trip

Depending on the purpose of your trip, your planning is going to look different every time. What are you looking to get out of your trip? Do you want to learn new things? Meet new people? Experience the destination like a local? Exercise? Relax? Take photos? Maybe it’s a combination of all those things, but either way, figure out what you want to get out of your trip, then go from there. There’s no point on planning activities that don’t give you what you’re looking for, so if you want to relax, maybe don’t go to New York… Bali is a much better bet - ya dig?

Have fun

And of course, make time for fun. This is your vacation, after all, so don’t forget to unwind, loosen up a little, and live in the moment. There’s nothing worse than focusing so much on social media, or little things happening at home, but you have to remember that this is your time to recharge, and those things can wait until you’re done recharging your battery.

Get travel insurance

Last, but certainly not least, buy travel insurance!! I may be a little biased being in the industry, but I’ve seen multiple friends of mine having to use their insurance, because you really never know what accident or emergency can happen when you’re having the time of your life. Do yourself a favour and get coverage!

I wish you all an abundant 2019 full of all the trips, safe travels!

xo

Linnea

My Favourite Green Smoothie

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!

Happy smoothie-making!

xo

Linnea

Spring Bedroom Linens

Now that the sun is rising a little earlier, the birds are chirping, and hallelujah, it’s finally starting to be bright out as I’m getting up, it’s about time I make a few spring updates in the bedroom. And where do I get my bedding of choice? You may not believe me, but it’s H&M Home! Now I know we don’t have any stores here on the west coast to see their products in person, but their stuff is seriously such high quality, especially for the price. I had the pleasure of visiting various locations across Europe last fall, and I’m still shopping online for more - it’s just that good (and for a Swedish girl who loves Scandi style… hello, it’s a no brainer)! I’ve been purchasing my textiles from H&M Home for a while now, because I love being able to just purchase cushion covers that I can switch out seasonally (using these Down Pillow Inserts), rather than purchasing new pillows every season. It’s a money saver aaaand a huge space saver, too!

My first purchase from H&M Home was my Washed Linen Duvet Cover, and it’s hands down my favourite duvet I’ve ever owned. To pair with it, I wanted to add a few fresh pieces. For starters, new cushion covers for my throw pillows! Pom poms have always been a quirky detail that I love, especially when they’re neutral. These Pom Pillow Covers give me all the Bali vibes I ever need (Kim Soo probably sells something similar), so I can dream about being there all over again.

Next, I wanted a bedspread that made a statement at the foot of the bed. I opted for this beautiful Cotton Muslin Bedspread, and the texture balances the soft whites so nicely. 

Finally, to add little glimpses of spring, I wanted to bring in some soft texture for my plants, along with fresh scents. I found this beautiful  Stoneware Plant Pot for my bedside table to sit beside one of my favourite scents - Sandalwood!

Shop the look:

Soft Throw | Cotton Muslin Bedspread | Glass with Gold Vase | Stoneware Plant Pot | Down Pillow Inserts | Pillow Pom Covers | Spotted Candle | Sandlewood Candle | Woven Basket | Hand Candleholder

H&M is coming out with a lot more for spring - I’d love to know what you’ve got your eye on from their new collection! Enjoy your spring decorating :)

xo

Linnea

This post was in collaboration with H&M Home. All opinions are my own. 

March Moodboard

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

Kitchen Inspo

Now that Spring is right around the corner (it’s almost March, holy mokes!), I’d love to start crossing things off my home improvement list. First up: my kitchen. There aren’t any major kitchen renovations I’ll be doing just yet (hello, this student’s on a budget!), but there are a few updates I’ll be making to revamp the space. And it really goes to show that a few simple updates can make all the difference. For my kitchen revamp, I’m thinking matte blacks, whites, wood tones, open shelving and a touch of gold and greenery. Fail proof recipe if you ask me! Get ready to swoon.

Matte black fixtures

Black cabinets

All white everything

Open shelving

Shop the look

I’ll be making updates to my kitchen in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for my full kitchen transformation! I’ll be sure to link all my sources, so you can make the same budget-friendly updates to your space, too!

xo

Linnea

The Best Heels for Spring

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.

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!

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.

The Day Heel, Natural Suede

The Day Heel, Cognac Suede

The Day Heel, Bone Stacked

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.

Spring Decor Picks

As hard as it is to visualize that Spring is around the corner with all this snow, it is… and I couldn’t be happier about it! Brighter skies, warmer weather, flowers blooming, fresher air… yes please!! And with spring comes spring cleaning, and inevitably, a chance to breathe new life into your home with fresh decor and storage solutions. Here’s a roundup of what’s been inspiring me lately.

Table Lamp // Olive Tree // Lonnie Pillow // Striped Throw // Measuring Cups // Coffee Maker // Bloom Candle // Floor Cushion // Wall Hook // Storage Basket

My Morning Routine

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. 

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.

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.

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 :)

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!

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

Bath Caddy | Sleep Mist | Coco Rose Body Polish | Lavender Essential Oil | Eucalyptus Essential Oil | Calm Bath Salts | Bath Pillow | Body Butter | Pink Clay Exfoliating Mask | Byredo Bal D’Afrique Body Lotion | Brand & Iron Sandalwood & Lavender Candle | Silk Pillowcase | Cleansing Bath Milk | Towel Hair Wrap Set | Summer Fridays R+R Mask | Vitruvi Stone Diffuser | Rose Quartz Gua Sha Set

Happy pampering!

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

Swedish Decor Inspo

This post is a loooong time coming, but I’ve been reflecting a lot on my time in Sweden as of late, and being there for a week was exactly what I needed to kick my butt into gear and GET INSPIRED. I felt like a kid in a candy store everywhere I went - it’s like I was meant to be there in that moment, meant to be inspired, and meant to be Swedish. I love absolutely everything about the Swedish culture (the food, the lifestyle, the traditions, the people, the country itself), but one of my most favourite things of all is the insane Swedish eye for design. Scandinavian design still is and always will be timeless. I have a Swedish design magazine from 2010, and every single page is still relevant, because Scandinavian style is forever. It’s probably my favourite design style of all, and there was oh-so-much of it in Stockholm - even in the homes of my relatives and friends from Dalarna, as seen in some of the photos from my trip below.

Store after store and space after space, I would find myself ooh-ing and ahh-ing at everything I saw. They really know what they’re doing over there. So, in time for the new year, I thought I’d share a round-up of my favourite Scandinavian-inspired spaces from the trip. Who knows, maybe it will inspire you to incorporate more Scandinavian style into your home! Get ready for some serious decor goals.

I hope you’re as inspired as I am to incorporate more vintage decor and Scandinavian style in my space, and mahbe even get started on tackling my big home improvement goals this year! 

xo

Linnea

How to Organize Your Linen Closet

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!

After

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.

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!

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.

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

Living Room Refresh

The day after I hosted a few of my girlfriends for a post-holiday dinner party (some of whom I’ve known for 22 years!!), I immediately had an urge to strip my home of all of my holiday decor... it was time for a refresh! I took down every single Christmas item, placed everything on a table, and started rearranging all of my home decor with the help of my childhood bestie, Nat. We went over every section of the living room, making sure each area of my home had a clean, fresh look. Looking to find out how you can do the same? Use our tips below!

 1. White space. Before you put anything back, think about the placement of every item. Position it in a way that it’s intended to be there, not mindlessly stacked or jammed into a corner. Also, test out new items in new spaces. If you’ve had an item in a certain spot for a long time, maybe it’s time to move it! It might make all the difference, and you may end up loving it even more in its new home. Thoughtful placement provides more white space between items, allows your room to breathe, and makes it feel a lot lighter going into the new year.

2. Plant life. Nothing says new year, new you like some fresh greenery. It helps you start the year off fresh, provides oxygen, adds a bright, lively energy to the room, and ultimately, is just beautiful to look at. My infamous plant that I had draping over my bookshelf was healthy, but it was looking a little sparse and scraggly in some areas, so I felt like it needed a trim. Thank goodness Nat’s a green thumb; she took matters into her own hands and gave my baby a much needed haircut! From there, we moved my plants around the living room until we found new spots that made sense. In the end, my plant corner turned out to be one of my favourite new spots in the room.

3. Make room for the things you love. While we were restyling all the vignettes, we paid extra attention to the items we were putting on display. When restyling, it’s a great time to declutter and purge items you no longer need, and focus on styling with intention. I wanted to love my space all over again, and to do that, I only put the things I absolutely love on display. Items you aren’t sure about or you have no connection to should NOT be living their best life in the spotlight of your living room. Donate those bad boys and style away. Also, don’t think that this means “go out and buy things I love”. You already have things you love in your home, so use them and show them some love! Be grateful for the things you have, and you’ll enjoy them that much more.

4. Define your space. Once I took down my Christmas tree from the corner of my living room, I really started to love having it free of clutter. I used to have another bookshelf there (from my office at my old apt), but removing it from the room opened up the space entirely. To make better use of the corner, I created a nook with a plant and chair that I can use for reading, writing, meditating, working on my sketchbook, journaling... literally whatever it is I want to do! I now have a nook dedicated to “me” time, which goes hand in hand with supporting some of my 2019 intentions, and I couldn’t be happier about it. 

And that’s it, that’s all! How are you refreshing your space for 2019?! I’d love to hear some of your tips! 

xo

Linnea  

8 Inspirational Books I've Been Loving

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!

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

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! 

 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)

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