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Living Lagom
Omysa Design
S a u n a
Sauna. noun. A small room used as a hot-air or steam bath for cleaning and refreshing the body.
Sauna has undoubtedly changed my life (and holy shit my skin too) and I’m begging you to give it a try if it’s not already in your wellness routine. The Fins do NOT fuck around when it comes to sauna, and it is absolutely a daily ritual practiced (in the buff) by just about everyone in this beautiful country. Such a rich tradition in my opinion. Most private homes boast their own, and almost all apartment complex’s, gyms, hotels, community centers have a communal sauna. In true Finnish nature, a real sauna experience both begins and ends with a cold shower OR ideally a dip in the nearby open water or SNOW. In many cases, a bundle of birch, referred to here as vihta are used to gently whip the skin while “bathing.” Using a sauna whisk promotes better blood circulation, cleans the skin and enriches ones entire body with overall health. The most common whisks are made from the twigs of young eucalyptus, oak and birch which additionally deliver major aromatherapy. I’m very much into this. So in honor of my absolute favorite part of each day here in Finland, I’m bringing you the most BEAUTIFUL European saunas I’ve laid my (virtual) eyes on. Breathe deep.
Agora Sauna: Norway
Löyly Sauna: Helsinki, Finland
Soria Maria Sauna: Oslo, Norway
Mama Thresi Sauna: Leogang, Austria
Arctic Bath Sauna: Swedish Laplands
Private Sauna: Lapland, Finland
GRLPWR| chicks you should know
C L E O W A D E
As an ever-evolving woman living in the 21st century, I find myself immersed and enamored with woman who are consistently making a difference in todays rotten world. Activists, mothers, designers, philanthropists, politicians, wildly successful business women- whatever it may be, these chicks bring me both joy and movitation, and that alone is worth sharing. And while the Harriet Tubmans, Rosa Parks, and even the Katherine Switzers truly paved the way, I think its quite clear that woman are ruling the world today, more than ever. Just take a quick glimpse at the most recent US elections:
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Youngest woman ever elected to Congress
IIhan Omar & Rashida Tlaib: First Muslim women elected to Congress
Sharice Davids & Deb Haaland: First Native American women elected to Congress
AND Ayanna Pressley: The first black woman elected to Congress in my former state of Massachusetts.
As you can see.. the future is most certainly FEMALE!
So for those who know me further than this site, Cleo Wade won’t come as a surprise. Frankly you might deem it too typical- but she’s made such an impact on my personal point of view, I can’t help but share her vision. Cleo is an artist, poet, and author & her work speaks to the power of self-love, the impact of beloved community building, and the importance of social justice. Her love notes found in her best selling book, Heart Talk: Poetic Wisom for a Better Life, act as daily affirmations and they are most certainly my favorite way to fall asleep and begin, each day ❤
For those who aren’t familiar, Cleo Wade’s HEART TALK
Living Lagom
Righteous entry breathing all things Lagom: Amber Interiors. Amber Lewis, LA
It could all be so simple…
For those who aren’t familiar – I am currently living in Europe. Given the title to this outlet, I’m sure you’ve gathered that much, though I felt it necessary to specify. As a brief run down for those remotely curious, I have just spent the last six weeks living in Riga, Latvia and just recently (yesterday) transitioned to Finland as I’m graciously following my amazing other half – whose career led us abroad. Though I’m only a quarter of the way into this eight month adventure, my time has already made immense personal impact.
Whatever proverbial “fears” I left America with seem to have dissipated as my flight touched down on Latvian soil. Perhaps my innate naivety played tricks on me, allowing me to feel as though my 29 years living in a free, modernized country with access to everything I so desire would lead me astray and awry in a city so foreign. And yet, while everything is very different, life really is still so much the same. And no… Riga is far from foreign. Anywho, a few years ago I stumbled upon an article from Marc Chernoff and to this day, one of his paragraphs will forever resonate. At this time in my life, especially:
“When you get to know people with different ethnic backgrounds, from different cities and countries, who live at various socioeconomic levels, you begin to realize that everyone basically wants the same things. They want validation, love, happiness, fulfillment and hopes for a better future. The way they pursue these desires is where things branch off, but the fundamentals are the same. You can relate to almost everyone everywhere if you look past the superficial facades that divide us.”
It’s really quite simple, isn’t it.
To live is to BE
Eläva|Ollessa
Elävä: verb; Finnish
Ollessa: verb; Finnish
- The simple act of being
I knew this time would come. Travel and change: a gritty combination which (whether permanent or temporary) perpetually prompt monumental inspiration, boundless self progression and in my case, the innate desire to spark up that tiny creative piece of my soul that truly keeps me the most sane.
So there I stood; in personal discourse: to resurrect Gimlet To Green or to re-invent the creative outlet it was, in a completely new way. And so as time passed and my mind perused different ideas, I decided to begin again. For three years ago was only three years ago…yet over those 1,095 days, my mentality, perception and heart have vastly evolved. Quite a few “Gimlet” fundamentals will forever remain, and boys, if DimeTime is a must to keep you at all engaged, the weekly glory shall continue…
So if you’re simply passing by, or choose to stay loosely connected, I hope Elävä|Ollessa (A|O) leaves you even a tiny ounce richer (with love, knowledge and creativity) than before you opened its virtual pages.
Elävä | Ollessa 