From lifestyle

Home-Friendly Ideas for the Long Weekend

Long Weekend Ideas | Femmesociety.ca

 

Although the long weekend has arrived, it’s important to consider how to enjoy your time while maintaining the social distance protocols for our province. If you’re like me and your travel plans have been put on hold and you’re still not encouraged to be in public spaces in groups, then I’ve got good news. I’ve rounded up some affordable, home-friendly, long-weekend approved ideas to keep you busy and having fun.

1. Get moving

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Pop Queen Cardio (@popqueencardio) Jared has transformed his in-person, dance cardio classes to a Zoom live-stream format twice a week for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own home. If you like pop music (think: Britney, Ariana, and Beyonce) and love finding new ways to get a good sweat, then look no further than Pop Queen Cardio (you can thank me later). Learn more about Pop Queen Cardio in this recent interview.

When: Saturday @ 11am and Tuesday @ 6pm

Class Info: All streaming links here

2. Try a new recipe

Long weekends are the perfect opportunity to try your hand at something new. I’ve been following @laurennicolefoot and am loving the recipes she’s shared lately. From smoothies, salads, breakfast dishes, and desserts, there’s a lot to choose from. Specifically, I’ve been wanting to try this Creamy Lemon Angel Cake. The ingredients are so simple and the end result is just so pretty. It would also make a perfect birthday cake!

Link to recipe: Creamy Lemon Angel Cake

Long Weekend Ideas | Femmesociety.ca
Photo Source: laucole.com

3. Tackle Your Budget

Normally, financial planning isn’t something I would consider fun but, hear me out. I recently listened to Nicole Wilson (@budgets4millennials) on Cool Mom 101 podcast and she gave me a whole new perspective on money management. Nicole recently launched the Budgets 4 Millennials Budget Guide which is a simple budgeting worksheet designed to help track bills and expenses and ultimately helps you see how small changes can make a big impact on your finances. I’ve been LOVING the worksheet and I asked Nicole if I could share it so you can try it too. Thanks Nicole!

Budget Worksheet: Budgets 4 Millennials Budget Guide

Podcast Episode: Cool Mom 101

Book: Living in the Red, Nicole Wilson

4. Step Up Your Gardening Game

What long weekend would be complete without some gardening? Gardening can be so therapeutic and is a great way to get outside and enjoy the weather if it’s nice. I’ve been following Ashley Brooke (@ashleybrooke) since literally the beginning of Instagram and if you also follow her, you’ll know her and Ryan have the best garden set up. This blog post shows exactly how they installed a drip line in their garden to automatically water all of their plants. Genius right?  Even if you’re not prepared to install drip lines just yet, the long weekend is the perfect time to tackle any home and garden project you’ve been putting off.

Blog Post: Drip Line Set Up

What are you going to try this weekend?

 

5 Spotify playlists to boost your mood

I don’t know about you, but my mood can feel a little low mid-week, especially during these quarantine times. It’s actually quite remarkable how a good Spotify playlist can change my mood from blah to shake-my-booty almost instantly. And with everything going on right now, I think we deserve all the booty-shaking moments we can get!

In today’s blog post I’ve rounded up my Top 5 Spotify Playlists to Boost Your Mood. From throwbacks, to tropical house, to Britney moments, and even a few classic rock surprises, there’s a little something for everyone.

1. Virtual Dance Party – Pop Queen Cardio x myMomentum

VIRTUAL DANCE PARTY – POP QUEEN CARDIO X MYMOMENTUM

With Dua Lipa, Lizzo, and Britney… I dare you to not dance to this mix. PLUS this playlist is for an actual Virtual Dance Party! Pop Queen Cardio and myMomentum are teaming up every 1st Friday night of the month for a mega virtual dance party. Claim your spot on Eventbrite now!

 

2. Dew’s Pump Up Playlist by Dew Edit

DEW’S PUMP UP PLAYLIST BY DEW EDIT

Confession, I have listened to this playlist for like 3 days straight and can’t stop. I always find myself putting Higher Love – Kygo, Whitney Houston and Happier – Tiesto’s AFTR: HRS Remix  on repeat and bopping for a very long time. I hope you will too.

 

3. Aloha Free: Tropical House Vibes by Aritzia

ALOHA FREE: TROPICAL HOUSE VIBES BY ARITZIA

If you’ve ever shopped at Aritzia and Shazam’ed the music, you’re not alone. Aritzia is known for their killer in-house playlists and this one is definitely some of their best work. My girlfriends and I are personally responsible for a few hundred plays and I think you’ll understand why. Repeat please!

 

4. The Everygirl Listens: Good-Mood Songs to Blast in the Car

THE EVERYGIRL LISTENS: GOOD-MOOD SONGS TO BLAST IN THE CAR

The Everygirl is not only my favourite blog/media outlet, they are also my go-to for music! This playlist is the perfect combination of Top 40 hits like Where Are U Now – Justin Bieber, classics from Queen and Bon Jovi, and anthems like Man I Feel Like a Woman – Shania Twain. This playlist has it all!

 

5. Lover Radio by Spotify

LOVER RADIO BY SPOTIFY

I’m a big Taylor Swift fan so I usually in the mood for anything of hers. The other day I clicked on the song radio for Lover and came across this gem. It’s the perfect balance of easy-going yet upbeat songs by a variety of artists. If you like the Lover track, give this playlist a go!

 

 

3 things I’ve learned from moving to a new city

At some point in our lives we experience the adventure of moving. Whether its across the globe for a job or even to a new neighbourhood within the city, people move from place to place all the time.

Personally, I love moving and find it quite exciting! I love having new surroundings and starting “fresh” in an environment that’s unfamiliar yet so inviting at the same time. Regardless if you LOVE moving or despise everything about it, moving can be a real shock to the system (especially if it’s a far one). It can take us out of our comfort zones, away from our circle of familiarity, and challenge our definition of “home”.

Having moved to a new city only a month ago, I’ve made a quick list of the top 3 things I’ve learned thus far in my experience. Although calling Kelowna home hasn’t been a walk in the park, these 3 tips have helped me in times of uncertainty while finding my new definition of home

1. take your time

This is probably one of the most frustrating parts about getting used to a new place. Learning all the streets, routes, one-ways, quickest way to work, where to get the best pancakes, what daycare to take your kids to and so on… Like how much better would it be if you could get a manual with all this stuff? Well until that happens, take your sweet time while getting to know this new place called home and you’ll eventually get there. In your spare time, go out and explore and make notes of what you see. Is this city family oriented? Are there inviting public spaces or sketchy places you want to avoid? What are the people like? In time you’ll be able to naturally flow from one day to the next without even thinking about it.

2. find likeminded people

Depending on what your definition of likeminded is, it can mean a lot of things. Likeminded in personality, interests, style, etc. If you don’t know a soul in your area and you’re an avid cross-fitter, try checking out the CrossFit gyms around town and you’re bound to find a group of people you can connect with. If you’re into coffee shop vibes and chilling out with a latte, scout out all of the coffee shops in the area and again, you’re bound to find one that fits with your personality. It doesn’t hurt to make friends with a barista either, just saying. Lastly, I recommend finding organizations that do day-trips to fun places (like wineries in the summer or mountains/ski hills in the winter) and go on a trip that interests you. Yes, by yourself. I’ve done this on a few different occasions and every time I’ve met a ton of new people and made friends I never would have met otherwise.

3. be yourself

I saved the most important one for last. This one is huge, people. Moving to a new place can mess with your head, for lack of a better term. What I mean by this is that in all the excitement of your new home and starting fresh, there is always pressure, to some degree, to fit in. Fitting in isn’t the problem, it’s conforming to the standards and expectations of your surroundings that can be harmful and may go unnoticed. No matter where you move to or find yourself, never stop being the unique, weird and quirky person that you are. You have a unique set of personality traits that should never be hidden away or suppressed. “It’s much easier to love yourself when you are being yourself.” (Dan Coppersmith)

3 things i've learned from moving to a new city

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Have you moved to a new city recently? What was your experience like? Do you have any tips for adjusting to a new home? I’d love for you to let me know in the comments below!