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Filed Under: Daily, Our Style, STYLE AND ATTIRE, Uniform

Uniform / Hot Humid Summer Days

hot humid summer days uniform / hot humid summer days top: American Eagle/Don’t Ask Why – shorts: Aritiza – sandals: Birkenstocks

A crop top!? How dare I!! Let’s just start right there, shall we? When it’s hot, like 32 degrees with 94% humidity you simply wear a crop top. Any extra possibility of a breeze hitting you is a good thing, and that small break in the fabric at the mid-section area is like a mid level air conditioning point. Plus in my humble fashion opinion, high-rise bottoms make a crop top totally cool (mostly breezy cool).

The weather has been hot (like classic Toronto, summer HOT), but hey I’m not complaining, just you know making conversation since it feels like it’s been a while since we really chatted. Oh hey, before I forget; I FINALLY finished my little FAQ and it’s been updated on my About page — I don’t know why it took me so long, the small simple things oddly do sometimes. Well anyways, you should look and make sure I covered everything/your burning questions and if not, just question me below.
So, Chris has been working like crazy and not home too much so I’ve had to re (re) adjust my summer schedule a bit. Kids come first and then work time second — which is why things have been a tad more quiet then usual here on the blog, summer is all I have to say about that. So that’s basically what we’ve been up to, a whole lot of swimming to beat the heat (you can win some really cute swim suits in this post) and a whole lot of just the three of us hanging out — and of course me stressing about not getting enough done, by hey what’s new?

[Harlow’s Dress is from our heart and habit x mini mioche spring 2015 collection] [King’s Tee is from Jcrew and shorts from Guess]

Filed Under: ADVICE AND INFO, Daily, Giveaways

How To Get Past Water Fears in Kids + Sunuva Giveaway

summer swimning Slowly but surely, my kids are close to being better swimmers than me. That’s also not saying much, because I’m less then stellar (to make myself sound better than I am) but at the same time it really is. Swimming in my mind, maybe because I’m not the best swimmer, is like reading. It’s a life skill they NEED to learn. Luckily, like reading, it’s a pretty fun and fantastic life skill. This is the first year that both kids, are pretty much swimming like little fishies and the first year that both are deeply in love with the water. They have both had a bit of a love hate relationship with the water, sometimes being down right afraid. But they (we) persevered and lately they are both talking about how happy they are that they did. (there is really cute/useful giveaway at the end)

Has your little one had a love hate relationship with swimming? Because it is often nice to hear from someone who has TOTALLY been there (oh those sad scared tears….heart pains) these are some of the things we did to get over those scared/not-interested-in-swimming-even-a-little-bit, bumps (because they are just bumps in the road):

CANCEL THE SWIM LESSONS – not usually a good thing to do, because quitting is never a good example to set. But there is also no sense in forcing them to do something that they clearly don’t want to do. And I found with swimming, the more you force, the more they resist and unlike other activities the fear of water can leave a more lasting effect/memory. So cancel this session and just drop the whole concept of swimming for a while, let the things breathe a little….literally.
SKIP A SESSION – if they are still talking about how they are scared of bobbing their head underwater or maybe something else that was scary about their last lesson (maybe just the water in general). Sadly sometimes it was just the teacher, just like regular school a good swim teacher is worth SO MUCH and a not so good one? Well that can quickly turn them to against something they otherwise previously loved. So what we did, in all situations is let the whole swimming situation breathe a little. We skipped the next session of swim lessons and gave them time to grow and maybe forget a bit.
GO FOR FAMILY SWIMS – when you skip a session, go for weekend family swims just for fun. Even stay in the kiddie pool (with allll the pee — ewwwwwww) and just let them play. Create FUN memories of swimming, that will hopefully help replace or over power the scary ones.
CHANGE THE LOCATION – after skipping a session, I always go back and sign them up again but I ALWAYS choose a different pool for the next swimming lesson. Something as simple as a different pool and teacher roster can change SO much, sometimes after the break the fear they had with the water is pretty much only associated to the pool they were at — or at least easier to talk them into trying (and all you both need is to try). So switch it up, it’ll probably be a bit more interesting for you too – new place, new people.

Also you know what helps, sure it sounds silly but it sometimes does; new swim gear to get them all excited for swimming again. This summer we broke past a few fear barriers and both kids are literally begging to swim every single day and really how could I say no, so if you’re looking for us the last 3 weeks of summer vacation – we’ll be at the pool.

no swimming fears Sunuva, my (honest to goodness) favorite swim company for kids; their suits just fit so perfectly on Harlow and the trunks are just the perfect length and fit for King. Plus the prints are always adorable AND they also happen to have full UV coverage on all their swim – which is like the goggles on a swimming day (icing on cake reference, no?).

Sunuva wants to give ONE of you a $135 CAD gift card (which equates to appx $111 USD and 100 pounds) to shop online at Sunuva for your little fish (maybe for their next swimming session?). (open internationally)
Entering is easy: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Daily, MUSIC AND BOOKS

9 Summer Reads, For The Last Leg Of Summer

9 Summer Reads, for The Last Leg of Summer This week has been a different one for me and a pretty quiet one for the blog, well sorta — I woke up Tuesday morning to find out the blog had been hacked. How does that happen? What does that mean? I don’t totally know and I am still trying to figure out those things, but after almost 3 days of working solely on cleaning things up and securing everything, I think I’m in a good place and dare I say back to normal. And sadly know a lot more about this hacking topic then I ever wanted to know. It’s pretty crappy that this stuff actually happens, but it does and it’s really crazy stressful (I had a few stressed crying moments in there). So since that’s where my head has been posting has been much more difficult, more difficult than my difficult summer posting (summer is hard with the kids home, but you know that).

This post is fully written and brought to you by my little sister, who really isn’t that little it just sounded good to add that in. She suggested that I write a must read list for the blog, and after I embarrassingly told her how long it’s been since I finished a book (don’t ask me how long, I’m not telling) and at the moment I am the last person to share a must read list — actually I said I need someone to share a list with me, so I can find a new book to read (or any book). She kindly shared a list with me, well us — because I’m sharing it with you. Hopefully Dawn, that’s her name in case I forgot to officially introduce her (I am forgetful that way) and she is wonderfully smart, witty (when not talking about serious things like books), creative and all around fantastic — well hopefully Dawn, will pop in here a bit more often because it’s fun for me and hopefully for you!

9 SUMMER READS, for that end of summer crunch – a pretty vast variety of topics, something for everyone on here:

The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath
For anyone who may have struggled with mental illness, this is highly relatable, but oddly humorous and beautiful. If you have experience with any of Plath’s other works you know her poetic style and detailed imagery is completely engulfing. It’s also a pretty quick read if you are short on time. I believe this is slightly autobiographical of some of Plath’s own experiences and struggles.

The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
Another short book, but a classic. It is wonderfully introspective and deep, if you are willing to drive similarities to your own life. I love the simplistic take on one’s journey for purpose and choosing the right path in life. Although I am agnostic, I can appreciate and relate to the questions asked and love the appealing and imaginative solutions the author provides.

The Disappearing Spoon – Sam Kean
I have always had a mild interest in the periodic table, but never totally understood it. This book makes connections from the table to real life stories and anecdotes that will make even the biggest chemistry dunces among us opt for the science card in Trivial pursuit on the next go around.

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness – Susannah Cahalan
Recommended to me by Brandy (probably the last book she read), this is a young woman’s own experience with a relatively unknown disease that took her from a highly capable journalist to a catatonic patient in a very short period. Written and researched by the author, it has a powerful message and will give you some perspective on what you take for granted everyday.

The Devil in the White City – Erik Larson
This well researched story based on true events in the late 1800’s ties the lives of two seemingly unrelatable men to paint a picture of innovation and murder that will keep you reading. This is the first book I have read by this author, but several more in this style exist on my future reading list. If you want to be entertained and learn some history, this is a good place to start.

The Selfish Gene – Richard Dawkins
Although well-known for his strong and often controversial opinions, Dawkins is well researched and provides an interesting and insightful look into genetics and evolution. A wide array of books by this author are waiting on my “to read” shelf. Highly recommended even as an introduction into this topic.

*And then I went and added 3 books I want/plan to read, to round out the list to a cool 9.

The Girl On The Train – Paula Hawkins

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing – Marie Kondo

Everything I Never Told You – Celeste Ng

*written by Dawn Yanor for Heart and Habit

What do you think? Any books you want to read? Any books you would highly recommend?

Filed Under: Daily, YOGA

It’s All About Consistency

It's All About Consistency #yoga #practice When it comes to doing something new, something out of your ordinary and often just something healthier than your every day norm it’s all about creating habits. It’s hard to do something consistently without setting a habit, but it’s hard to make something a habit without actually doing it consistently — the old chicken before the egg or egg before chicken debate. In my humble opinion the only way to make something a habit is to just jump in and start doing it consistently from the get go.

For me and yoga it’s pretty much all about consistency, I practice constantly and I try my darndest to keep it like that and for good reason. Even though I truly love my practice, if I let up on the consistency a little it totally screws me and my habits right up. For instance, last week I had a really difficult time getting to the studio (kids, life, blah blah excuses) — I only practiced twice all week, which sounds really great because it’s better than nothing, I know. But since I missed so many days in between, it started to actually get easier to talk myself out of waking up before everyone else to get to that 6:30 am class and my habits were quickly switching to sedentary relaxing over yoga practicing — which just didn’t feel good at all.

The relaxing, living more sedentary comes pretty naturally ( you don’t need to try to do “nothing” and crave a whole box of Oreos) which is why for me I need to make something a habit to keep me from that natural tendency of couch potatoing (it’s an action). I don’t actually know if it’s like this for everyone, is consistency super important for you to keep up with healthy goals and routine?

I often get asked why I practice yoga everyday (also how, but part of the how is mixed with this why). And my answer usually is “because I love it“, which is true I really really do. But I also practice everyday because I require the consistency to keep at it, to keep it a habit. I know that yoga makes me a better human being, that I literally need it in my life, that it resets my days and all those reasons are enough to keep up with my practice but some days it would be a struggle to get going if it wasn’t a habit and it would probably be much more sporadic of a practice. So basically, the key to success (a huge part of the key) is consistency.

It's All About Consistency #yoga #practice

Do you find you’ve fallen off the wagon a bit during the summer? Or maybe a vacation got in the way of your healthy routine? Yes? Guess what, me too. And I can honestly say the best way to fix that, because beating yourself up about it surely won’t help even a tiny bit. Is to jump back in, cold turkey (does cold turkey work as well when you are starting something?) and do it (do it) today, tomorrow and every other day this week (more specifically, for getting back into yoga).
Do it till it feels normal again and the couch potatoing/relaxing in the sun feels more abnormal. Still relax and couch potato, just save that for after you did your consistent workout/practice. What do you guys think?

The posts on H+H are focused on helping you cultivate your simple, stylish and content every day — so if you want to easily stay updated with future posts (yoga and otherwise) sign up to have all our posts sent directly to your inbox

Filed Under: Daily, MIXTAPE, MUSIC AND BOOKS

I Made You A Mixtape / 04

i made you a mixtape / 04
Mid summer and I’m all about the upbeat semi relaxing tunes. The start of summer focus always goes to THE summer playlist, the summer vibes that will go along with the awesome summer you plan to have. But for me, about mid way through summer I’m often craving calm and stillness — like I just need to soak up every-single-last minute left of summer, not pump up the beats and race it away. So I made you a playlist (or a mixtape because it just sounds better) full of songs that fit with a late afternoon trip to the lake (with some awesome sandal tan lines, of course), that work great for hanging out with friends or laying on your back dreaming of more days just like today. Hope your summer has been amazing so far!

Looking for more mixtapes? Check out the past (so far) three for more great tunes.
*this playlist is on spotify, all you need is a free account to listen!

Filed Under: ADVICE AND INFO, Daily

That Anxious Feeling: 6 Things You Can Do To Kick Anxiety Away

That Anxious Feeling: 6 Things You Can Do To Kick Anxiety Away Anxiety is not my studied expertise, but I have years of first hand experience with it — self made expert if you will. Anxiety can come in so many different shapes and sizes, anxiety or panic attacks are different for everyone. Some of us have chronic cases of it, others sporadic or maybe just a few cases (can count the episodes on your hand) in your lifetime. Whatever your case, it’s ridiculously common, always very frustrating and often can be a little scary. I have many tried and true methods I use to prevent or help deal with my own anxiety episodes or panic attacks, but I thought since I myself have just finished and overly anxious (for no reason what-so ever, as it sometimes goes) week today would be a good time for me (and for you) to go over again a few “in the moment” things you can do to help get over that anxious feeling.

Heart and Habit