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Favorite Things / 12 : BTS Edition

I usually do a fun and detailed back to school post, but honestly I just didn’t shop like that this year. Since both my kids didn’t grow out of everything they owned (like they usually do) and the majority of their supplies are still in good order I just had to freshen things up/buy the things they outgrew. So instead of a really detailed post on outfit ideas and such, here are our favorite things that we have bought for back to school.
(but if you want a fun detailed outfit post, have a look at the past years — and see how much my kids have grown…cue my mom tears!!)

#livingthedream mini mioche tee #LIVINGTHEDREAM – Okay I’m biased, because this ones mine — the boy and the tee. This tee is the very first item that is part of our Not So Basics line at mini mioche. You know how I have collaborated with mini mioche in the past? 3 whole collections we have designed together to be exact, well since they do so well (you guys like them so much) and we are just such a great fit — mini mioche decided to make it more of a standard line! So from now and forevermore (okay not really, but it sounded better than saying; till an undecided time), little clothing designed by me and mini mioche will forever be known as NOT SO BASICS and available only at mini mioche.

charmit bracelet WEE CHARM BRACELET – I remember growing up, my mom had an old charm bracelet she has gotten and collected charms for when she was young, I always loved that thing, I thought it was so neat that she had a charm for all these important milestones in her life. I ended up just “inheriting” that instead of getting my own, but lucky little Harlow has one of her very own — and its way cuter than mine (my mom’s) ever was. Maybe not for back to school, but for after school.

soyoung lunch bag IS IT LUNCH YET? – Probably the nicest looking lunch bag around, plus it’s the easiest to clean and fits pretty much any container. The soyoung lunch bag, or cooler bag is also my favorite too. Yes I carry my own lunch when I’m not working from my kitchen table — and this is way cuter than my old brown paper bag.

jogger pants PERFECT SCHOOL PANT – we are a denim loving family, even the kids wear jeans 90% of the time. But as school, they both often like to wear “comfy pants” – which makes sense because they need to be comfy and ready for any activity. This year we found the PERFECT pants for King (so perfect I bought them in every color), it’s the jogger pant. Fits like a sweat pant, but in a khaki dress pant woven fabric — best of all worlds. King loves them most of all because they are mini versions of Daddy’s pants, always a good selling point. I actually got a couple of pairs from Old Navy too, because he just loves them so much.

stuck on you bottles PERSONAL BOTTLES – Rarely does anyone I know ever find their kids name in the personalized section of stores. So instead of even wasting our time looking (cause it’s for sure not going to happen for us), we just go to Stuck On You and place an order for personalized stuff. I’m excited for the kids to have these bottles for the school year, no more having to rewrite, or reapply labels that fall off 10 times during the year. And no more having to search that lost and found and not know which bottom is my kids or someone elses, because as much as I try to buy something that’s “different” there is always another kid who has it (and also loses it). They also have really great personalized everything, even labels if you’d rather that.

mini mioche jeans MOST COMFY SKINNY JEANS – Not even saying that because I’m totally biased, but these mini mioche jeans are the best. They are super stretchy so fit like comfy pants, have an elastic waistband (that doesn’t look like an elastic waistband, might I add) and they still just look like a really adorable pair of skinny jeans. They pair well with the jogger pants in those little closets, that is if you like having every pant in their closet be comfy, fit well and look good.

Any new back to school items you purchased that you/they just love? Share!

Filed Under: Daily, FAVORITE THINGS

Favorite Things / 11

Rosewater Mist to rejuvenate, balance and soften your skin. #face ROSEWATER MIST – My really good friend bought this for me, because she swore by it — so it’s basically tried and true times two. I flipping love it (clearly I have really smart friends), I mist it on my face every time I wash it — after my face is already clean, that is. It’s refreshing, smells amazing, it softens my skin, feels like it balances my skin out, even tightens it a little and it’s supposed to be really revitalizing and good for anti-aging (but I’m just trusting what I read on that one). You should try it, and if you want to hear more about it here is a quick link with more info.

rastaclat bracelets for kiddos (for the family) MATCHING BRACELETS – Basically our family friendship bracelets, we love these bracelets from Rastaclat I kinda want one of the adult ones that are just a thin rope with a knot. Also Harlow already snagged mine and claimed it as hers as well, so I probably need a new one.

the yoga onesie #yoga THE YOGA ONESIE – I never thought there would be such a thing as a conversation starter at yoga, but guess what there is and it’s called, the yoga onesie. I got this baby from Lululemon back in December, and it is my most favorite yoga outfit to date. I mean I just pop on one thing and have a full top and bottom outfit, done — it’s basically the lazy girls yoga outfit. It’s not available anymore, sorry guys — but every once in a while they come out with a new onesie. So for future reference when they do, it’s amazing.

tea-tox tea for an evening night-cap #natural TEA-TOX – I love me a really herbal tea, one that tastes like real health. You know the kind, that basically a really healthy hippy would drink? I know I’m really awesome at explaining things, but that’s just how I feel. I love this tea, I love the way it tastes and I love that it basically helps balance me out a bit on those days where I just didn’t really eat that well (summer days are like that). We also sometimes call it the pooping tea, which it sorta makes you do but that’s not really a good marketing term (even though it is a bit true). If you like hippie drinks and you like a good cleanse from time to time (probably not everyday) try this tea. Man I’m good at selling (eye roll).

matching sandals #birkfamily TWINNING SANDALS – Let me just tell you how much we all love our matching birk’s (or faux birk’s). King wanted sandals so badly and after searching high and low I realized the only type of boys men’s sandals I actually like are birk-like. And then Harlow wanted matching ones too and that’s what brought us here — and it’s awesome. Mine are Birkenstock’s, King’s are Birki’s, and Harlow’s are from Zara (if you care to know).

This series is “for real”, my favorite things — you can have a look back at a few of my other favorites.

Filed Under: Daily, FAVORITE THINGS, REAL LIFE

Favorite Things / 10

Rope Cross Body Bag SUMMER KITCHEN SINK BAG – Kitchen sink because it holds everything, PLUS the kitchen sink (probably, but not literally). It’s a giant circle bottom rope bag, that I have been hooked on since it came my way. I’m able to toss everything, all the kids junk, our days snacks, my camera and my usual bag stuff — it almost feels like my magician bag, cause I just keep pulling stuff out of it. Plus it looks really nice and beachy. It was a happy surprise that will most likely be my favorite summer bag (it also doubles as a pretty gym bag for Goodlife dates or of course my everyday yoga classes). Also birks, most comfortable/best all around sandal — pick a style any style (so many styles).

wireless mouse MAGICAL MOUSE – If you have a laptop you better get yourself a wireless mouse, apple or not (but apple). For the longest time I used my track-pad exclusively, what a wonderful thing to do if you desperately want to get carpel tunnel. Then I switched to a wireless mouse and magically all my wrist issues disappeared, I’m that Mom telling everyone with a laptop they should get one — so might as well put my Mom face on here too. Also, if you are ever in Toronto, Propeller Coffee is so…two thumbs up.

soyoung-bag OUR SNACK PACK – It’s a lunch/cooler bag, but since I claimed it as mine and I don’t actually pack a lunch (yet, I will when I start renting a desk in a shared studio space — excited!) I use MY lunch bag for weekend snacks. I like it a lot, it keeps all our food separate from all other things in my bag, and it keeps everything cool, it’s this perfect purse sized cooler bag that’s easy to carry. It also fits in my kitchen sink summer bag, which is pretty great.

nars-red-nailpolish PARK SIDE PEDICURE – The ultimate of luxury, this is true blue pampering right here. While the kids took turns playing TBall, I brought out my current favorite nail polish (Nars Dovima) and gave myself a quick half assed, pedicure. You gotta take tiny moments to yourself, whenever they are available. And for some reason red is my go to this season, probably because everything else in my wardrobe is monochromatic a pop of something felt needed.

GOLD STAR SUMMER SHORTS – After searching around for really good denim shorts for (what felt like) hours in a mall, barf. The mall is literally the last place on earth I’d like to be, but it was worth it for these. I’ll probably never take them off all summer, so be prepared to see me wearing them in every single picture.

facial-cleansing-oil FACE CLEANSING OIL – Say what? Oil to clean your face? It’s a little crazy I agree, but afterwards it feels a whole lot more like magic. My face has never ever been cleaner and blackheads, those babies just got washed away. I also clearly love Leaves of Trees, so far their all natural deodorant and this Facial Cleansing Oil are on everyday rotation. Since I had to google how to use oil for face cleaning, I’ll just link to that article so you can read from someone who has more experience than just a few weeks.

Filed Under: Daily, FAVORITE THINGS, REAL LIFE

Favorite Things / 9

favorite everyday essentials LIP BALM – Second to my caramex (which is a Canadian, winter lip requirement) eos is an essential and in my pocket all the time. It’s organic and comes in a handy sphere do you don’t have to dip your finger in to apply. Really it’s just great lip balm, the kids even have their own—or they did, before they probably lost it.

DRY SHAMPOO – I have tried many different brands, I’m sure you have too. Generally I found that most dry shampoos are good because they come in a handy, easy to apply aerosol spray can—that’s also really junky for the environment. But otherwise they aren’t always technically, great. This No Drought dry shampoo from Lush is the best I have tried and even though I have to manually apply (what is the world coming too!?) it’s still my favorite. And it smells like grapefruit, which is my favvvvorite.

ALL NATURAL DEODORANT – I’m bit of a hippie when it comes to deodorant, all natural always (for tons of reasons). The problem with almost all “natural” deodorants is (you probably smelled it) they don’t always work. So when you find a good brand you hold on to it for dear life, this one from Leaves of Trees is so good! I usually keep 2 different brands on rotation (Leaves of Trees is my newest 1 of 2 brands, addition), I find the key to making sure a natural deodorant keeps working is rotating between brands every few days. This new one I’m hooked on, smells amazing (I have the eucalyptus mint) and feels fresh when you apply—also I wear it to hot yoga everyday and come smell me, cause I don’t stink! *My other favorite deodorant but not pictured (my 2 of 2 deodorant brand) is from Lafes.

sneakers with support HUG MY FEET SNEAKERS – Running shoes but for everyday. My Chucks are probably feeling a little left out these days, I am hooked on my New Balance sneakers. The full support and incredible cushion is like a hug for my feet. They feel like my running shoes but look like my casual sneakers, I basically have a hard time taking them off when I come home.

jade yoga mat STILL MY FAVORITE MAT – I’ve said it before, actually I’ve said it a lot before. But my Jade mat is my favorite of all the mats I have had the pleasure of testing out. It’s grippy, thick but not heavy and oddly enough I love the natural rubber smell—it gets 5 stars from me. And clearly I love black, I like to practice life and yoga like a ninja, what can I say.

It’s been a while since I shared a few of our favorite things, I was about to text my sister and friend about this stuff and instead jumped for the post—this series is for real, my favorite things.

Filed Under: Daily, FAVORITE THINGS

FAVORITE POSTS OF 2014

Wow, 2014 – well where do I even begin with you? 2014 was pretty great, mixed with quite a little not so great – but let’s focus only on the awesome. I’m sure you’ve heard more than enough from others about all the amazing things they accomplished and all that they plan to do for 2105 – so I will make mine extra short.

I was thinking the other day about how this time last year when I was thinking (and writing down) about all the things I wished and wanted to accomplish in 2014. And then I realized, I pretty much made all of those things happen! Basically I blew my own mind. Looking back on 2014, I’m so proud of where I’ve landed. I started the year worried about what the heck I was going to do with the blog, work and my time when the kids were in school. I’m happy to report, my family, the blog and my freelance/consulting are flourishing and yoga is still a way of everyday life for me – magically enough I’m not worrying so much about what comes next because, it’s just happening. I’m super excited for 2015, I have big plans for you ’15! And instead of telling you all my plans, I’ll just let you know when I reach them – because I totally will. And I know it’s not always fun to read someone else’s lists of goals and resolutions, but it is sorta fun to make your own – so maybe do that instead?

So because it’s fun, here’s a quick look back at the 16 most popular and favorite posts (based on your comments, shares and pins).
1. #HANDHCALENDAR (pinned over 230K times on pinterest!)

2. I HAD NEVER

#yoga at home: how to make it a priority 3. YOGA AT HOME: HOW TO MAKE IT A PRIORITY

4. MINI MIOCHE X HEART + HABIT FALL 2014

5. CALM YOUR ANXIETY

6. THE UNIFORM SERIES

7. ALL TO MYSELF

8. HEART + HABIT for TOTO KNITS

9. EATING WORD SOUP

10. WHAT YOU DON’T SEE

11. WHAT COMES NEXT

12. KEEP THAT HAIR UP

13. YOGA TO FIT ANY BUDGET

14. HOW TO MAKE MORNINGS RUN MORE SMOOTHLY, WITH KIDS

15. EASY NUT FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES

16. SPRING HAIR FEVER

Not really in any particular “favorite” order, expect for number one! 2014 also came with a slow and gradual shift in Heart+Habit’s content, it came naturally (duh, I know). With the kiddos being in school full time now my mind grapes are able to focus elsewhere, so I took a page from you guys and I followed what you were responding to – and what you suggested in the survey back mid year.

This blog is still real and totally 100% me, but looking back on the favorites I see a theme, much more focused on living simply, with intent, stylishly and of course with yoga. Did I miss any favorites? Anything you’d love to see in 2015?

Filed Under: Daily, FAVORITE THINGS, SALES AND SHOPPING

THAT’S SWELL!

I’ve been meaning to tell you guys about my good friend Lesley’s new line of fine paper goods. I’ve been meaning to do a lot of things lately (monster sized, to do list), so maybe this is the start of me actually getting to those things? Here’s me hoping!

These fantastic prints and cards are just a snippet of the fantastic modern line over at Swell Made Co. My friend Lesley (let’s see how many times I can say, my friend before it gets annoying) is a talented designer with tons of experience (seriously so many years, she’s old bones – sarcasm font ) who finally decided to take the leap and branch out on her very own. If you like clean, modern and awesome things you’ll love what Swell Made Co has to offer. From sweet and simple greeting cards for every occasion, art prints that look super chic and will also make you smile, and a fun line of glam prints inspired by Toronto’s subway stations. I’m sure you’ll love her stuff as much as I do, head over and have a look – I double dog dare you!

Back to some of those things I’ve been meaning to do, this week is going to be a tad more quiet than usual. I know, I know the blog has been a bit more quiet then normal the past couple months, I’ve really been focusing on quality over quantity (I think, I’ve been meaning to tell you that?). Since it’s the holidays, I plan to take some holidays too (so it’s going to be semi silent for a bit) and I hope you do too! I have a few fun (I always think they are fun) year-end wrap up posts, and then I plan to put my focus my energy towards the new year. I have a few really fun things planned for the blog in January, things I’m pretty excited about. And because I need to get to more life things I’ve been meaning to do, I’m signing off for the day to hopefully have one last running around day, before my holiday relaxing can begin.

Don’t forget (I know you’ve already visited, because you’re awesome like that) to have a look and fall in love with Swell Made Co, and as always sharing is caring so maybe a pin, tweet or facebook share while you’re there?

Heart and Habit