five faves

Published on August 19, 2024August 19, 2024 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

I hope that you are having a wonderful summer so far! I made an effort this year to get out and enjoy the warm weather more even if that is just in the form of a daily walk around my neighbourhood. While some days are easier then others to get out the door, I am grateful for the opportunity to enjoy a bit of fresh air and my deepening tan doesn’t hurt either.

Although it has been a while, here are my Five Faves that I am currently loving:

Slow Weekend Mornings – on the weekends I try to go for a walk as soon as I wake up, this allows me to get in some movement early in my day and sets the tone for a great day. As I am not so rushed on the weekends, I have developed a habit of picking up a croissant from my local spot and enjoying it with a good cup of coffee. It’s a simple routine but I often conquer the rest of my day with a sense of calm and nourishment that I don’t normally feel.

2. A simple manicure – I will let you in on a secret, I hate the process of getting my nails done but I love to have manicured nails so I suffer through it. While I have been getting coloured french manicures done for the past few years lately I am hooked on a blue French. So simple and clean yet a cool twist on a classic. Knowing how much I love it helps to make the suffering of getting the actual manicure worth it.

3. My love of podcasts has been well documented on this blog. Lately I love to listen to them on my walks in the morning. The latest episode of Building Billions with Natalie Dawson featuring Maggie Sellers was definitely my favourite from this past week. I am a huge Maggie Sellers fan – if you haven’t heard of her then I encourage you to check out her Hot Smart Rich newsletter. She is smart and beautiful and not afraid to show it. Exactly the type of motivation that I currently need in my life.

4. Japanese Risotto with Salmon – I rarely cook lately. I am not sure if I am distracted or if I am just being lazy but I can’t remember when the last time was that I cooked a meal from scratch. Yesterday though, I was browsing on Pinterest when I came across a recipe from Serving Dumplings (www.servingdumplings.com) for Japanese Risotto with Seared Salmon. It looked delicious and not overly challenging to make and I decided to give it a try. It was delicious and the act of cooking and nourishing myself was exactly what I needed. I will be keeping this recipe on rotation moving forward and I can’t wait to try other recipes from this site.

5. Reminders – the past few years have been a weird struggle for me. Nothing crazy has happened but I continue to find myself in situations where I don’t feel like I belong. I have often keep quiet to keep the peace and have more often then not felt like I am being walked all over. It always seems like it is up to me to be the bigger person, make others feel better all the while internally struggling to feel heard and respected. Needless to say, it has been a lot. Lately though my exhaustion has come thru and I find myself no longer able to just move on and make everything better at the cost to my own self esteem. Like everyone else on this planet I bring a lot to the table and I am tired of feeling like I need to justify my existence or expectation to be treated with respect. Reminders like the above often pop up on my Instagram or Threads feed and more often then not they are resonating with me. Reminding me that it is ok to expect fair and respectful treatment. I am worthy just like everyone else. I love these reminders and I am grateful every time one pops up.

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today, what are you loving lately? Let me know in the comments below. I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

Five Faves

Published on March 4, 2024March 4, 2024 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

It is finally March! The days will be getting longer and the weather will be warming up and I cannot wait! The time between the holidays and spring are always a little challenging as the weather is often cold and grey. Thankfully I have found a few things that I am loving that have helped my days feel a little less grey. Here are my Five Faves for Jan/Feb 2024:

Try – Salt & Stone Hand Cream

I have been a Salt & Stone fan for a few years now. It started when I read about their clean deodorant. I soon graduated to their body wash and I have been devoted to both ever since. Recently I picked up their hand cream and now I can’t imagine not having a tube with me at all times. My favourite scent is Santal Vetiver but I intend to try out the Rose Oud scent very soon.

Watch – Kin

One of my favourite things about visiting my parents in England (aside from the obvious) is an opportunity to discover tv shows that I may not have known about otherwise. I love binge watching a series with copious mugs of tea and a snack or two. On a recent visit I discovered a few tv series that I enjoyed but Kin is the one that I really got into. Based in Dublin, this Irish series is about a drug dealing family that goes after a cartel when their son is killed. While it starts out a bit slow, things pick up and I was hooked until the end (there are two seasons and I am now hoping for a third). If you are looking for a new show to watch, I highly recommend this one.

Read – The Murder After The Night Before

I used to read a lot when I was younger but over the years my reading habit slowed down to a snail’s pace as I let other things in my life take priority. After making a half hearted effort and failing to get back to my love of reading, I decided to set a reading goal for 2023 of 16 books. I knew that it would be challenging but I was determined to achieve it. I finished 2023 having read 24 books and have set a similar goal for 2024. Passing thru Heathrow while travelling is a great opportunity to discover new books and my most recent visit was no exception. The Murder After The Night Before by Katy Brent was a spur of the moment pick up that turned out to be a really enjoyable read. It’s about a woman who unwillingly becomes infamous on social media during a night of drinking. The next morning she discovers that she is trending everywhere and shortly after discovers her best friend has drowned in the bathtub. Convinced her friend was murdered she sets out to discover the truth. If you are looking for a good beach read (or something lighthearted) this is a great option.

Listen – The Mel Robbins Podcast, The 51% Rule (and 3 more Strategies to Think Like a Millionaire)

I love listening to podcasts especially the ones that are focused on self development. The Mel Robbins Podcast and The Diary of a CEO are two of my favourites so when Steven Bartlett (the host of Diary of a CEO) was on The Mel Robbins podcast I was thrilled. This was such a good episode and one that I will referring back to again and again. The past couple of years I have kept myself small, trying to avoid any attention and just feeling miserable due to a challenging work environment. I spent a lot of time feeling like I wasn’t good enough and down playing my intelligence. I was clearly in the wrong environment. Thankfully I am no longer there, and I am working on rebuilding my confidence, finding my voice again and reassessing what I really want my future to look like. This episode got me excited to try to re-evaluate, to jump before I feel 100% ready. It also reminded me that life is short and I don’t want to have regrets. If you are feeling like you are at a crossroads in life or you just need a reminder to seize the day, then this episode is a worthwhile listen.

Try – Threads

Another day and another new social media app to try out. I never got into Twitter (now known as X) as I always preferred more visual apps such as Instagram. After listening to the podcast episode that I mentioned above, I decided to try Threads. It’s a text based conversation app similar to X but it is from Meta. I make an effort to post almost everyday, normally just random thoughts and feelings that I am feeling in the moment. It may not seem like a lot for some, but for me it requires courage to randomly put my thoughts out to the world. As I am getting more comfortable, I am really enjoying Threads. I only follow accounts that I resonate with and I often feel inspired by the words of wisdom that have appeared on my feed. If you are looking for a place to practice your writing without commitment, I highly recommend Threads as a good place to start.

I hope that your March is off to a wonderful start. What are you loving lately? Let me know in the comments below!

I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

Five Faves – March 2021

Published on March 15, 2021March 14, 2021 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

I has officially been one year since the world came to a screeching halt, and while lock down measures have loosened in some parts of the world, here in Montreal we have settled into a new normal. We are still under a curfew and restaurant dining is a distant memory, but hopefully with the vaccine roll out things will improve especially as we enter a warmer season. Maybe it’s all of the time that I have had to spend alone over the past year but the truth is that I am struggling. Some days are better then others but lately I have been feeling a little low. In order to counter these feelings, I have been searching for and indulging in things that I enjoy and brighten my day. Here are my five faves for March that I am currently loving:

Bala Bands – I have been eating a lot of junk food over the past year (potato chips are practically a food group for me at this point) so naturally I haven’t been feeling my best. I have been working out, but without access to a gym (they are shut down) my workouts feel limited and uninspired. When the lockdown first started I purchased the Melissa Wood Health fitness app and I loved her workouts but eventually I got lazy. In order to motivate myself to get back to feeling good I treated myself to a pair of Bala bands which Melissa often uses in her workouts. These 1 lb weights are great for both lower body and arm workouts and I feel strong every time that I use them. If you are looking to add some weights to your workout I highly reccommend these bands as they are both functional and stylish.

Sumo Oranges – My tastes have changed quite a bit over the past year. Black pepper and oranges are two items that I find myself gravitating towards on a regular basis. I had heard of Sumo oranges on Instagram a little while ago so I was curious when I saw them at the grocery store a short while later. They are not cheap but my curiosity got the better of me and I had to buy one to try. I am now completely hooked! For those of you who have never heard of a Sumo orange before, it is a cross between a mandarin orange and a naval orange. They are a larger seedless orange with a thick skin (which makes it super easy to peel). Sweet, juicy and filling and they re helping me to keep a lid on my previously mentioned chip addiction. Love it!

Hermes Tokyo Store – Hermes has always been one of my favourite fashion houses. Despite the astronomical prices I love the the history behind it, the quiet elevated luxury and elegance of the brand and the traditions that they have carried forward. This past week, Hermes entered a new chapter in its history by announcing a new bag made with mushroom leather. I love that the traditional leather house is making strides to evolve with the times and work with new materials while still maintaining brand integrity. Hermes also announced the opening of their new store in Tokyo and it is gorgeous! It is the brand’s first street location in Japan since opening the Hermes Ginza location in 2001 (all of the other Hermes stores in Japan are located in a mall) and they did a beautiful job designing this location. Bright and welcoming and quietly luxurious I am in love with the design of this store.

Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy – I have always been a fan of actor Stanley Tucci’s work so I was thrilled when I first saw the promo for this new show on CNN Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy. A great actor exploring one of my favourite countries sounded like a match made in heaven to me. Thankfully this show has exceeded my expectations. So far I have watched him explore Naples, Rome, Bologna and Milan and each episode has me dreaming of getting on a plane and exploring the world again. I can’t wait! If you are also suffering from a serious case of wanderlust, I highly recommend that you check this show out to help to tide you over until you can travel again.

Monday Girl – This past year has me seriously reconsidering my career path and what I would like to achieve in the future. As I have been trying to figure out how to achieve my goals, I have been researching different career websites and support groups which is how I found the Monday Girl. They have an inspirational Instagram account (@mondaygirlto), a bi-weekly newsletter filled with career tips, job posting and ways to connect with likeminded women. I love it when women support other women both professionally and personally and I am loving this community that the founders of Monday Girl have created. If you are looking for a little extra professional motivation or to join a community of like minded women this may be one that you want to check out (www.mondaygirl.ca).

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today, I hope that you have a beautiful day and stay safe out there! XXS

Five Faves

Published on October 12, 2020October 12, 2020 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

I hope that your fall is off to a great start! Here in Montreal we are back on a partial lockdown which means spending a lot more time at home. Thankfully being in lockdown has given me a new appreciation for my home and it has forced me to actually work on my space rather then just dream about it. It has also forced me to learn how to prioritize my mental health and incorporate methods to relax and unwind into my lifestyle. This weekend is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada but due to the lockdown there are no gatherings allowed. While I normally enjoy a holiday meals with loved ones I have never been a fan of the standard turkey dinner. Seeing as how I am alone this year I decided to do something different, so I am channeling my inner Samin Nosrat of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and having beef ribs, jasmine rice and green beans along with a glass of my favourite red wine. I am looking forward it even if it is unique as a Thanksgiving meal. This year has been challenging in many ways, which has made me incredibly grateful for things that make me smile, that I enjoy and make me happy. Here are five faves that I am currently loving:

I have been a fan of Tracy Tutor since she first debuted on Million Dollar Listings Los Angeles. I have always been a fan of the show but it needed some powerful feminine energy and Tracy Tutor was the perfect addition. She has endless hustle, an incredible sense of style and is nobody’s pushover which makes for great television viewing. While her and I are in a similar age group she is who I want to be when I grow up. When I heard that Tracy had written a book I immediately ordered it. It’s an easy read, written with Tracy’s honest, hardworking, no nonsense attitude and encourages the reader to push forward despite the fear that they may be facing. And the cover is absolute goals. She looks strong, powerful and in control which is exactly how she wants the reader to feel all the while embracing their own personal fears. I enjoyed this book and will be referring to it often when I am having doubts about myself.

My best friend recently gifted me this notebook. I love the pretty mint green colour and the Coco Chanel quote is always a perfect reminder. The notebook sat on my counter for a couple of days while I thought about how I wanted to use it. One morning while listening to a podcast while getting ready for work the practice of having a gratitude journal was mentioned. I had heard of this practice before but I had never really connected with it previously. This time though, the idea of gratitude journaling sounded like just what I needed, and I now had the perfect notebook to journal in. It’s too soon to call it a habit just yet, but so far I am really enjoying this practice. I find that for me the best time to journal is right after dinner. Everyday I think about my day and find ten things that I am grateful for. Some days are easier then others, but I have found that even taking some time to consciously think about how fortunate I am to live in a safe and comfortable home, that I have clean running water and food to eat and even the fact that I woke up in the morning. These are all things that I am incredibly grateful for and have often previously taken for granted.

I love listening to podcasts in the morning and I enjoy reading Domino magazine so I was thrilled when I heard that they now had a podcast. The first guest was one of my favourite designers Kelly Wearstler so of course I was immediately hooked. My favourite episode though was the recent one with design genius Jenna Lyons. I love Jenna’s work, from her time at J Crew to her swoon worthy homes that have been featured in Domino and in Athena Calderone’s Live Beautiful. I am so excited for Jenna’s upcoming projects which include a show on HBO Max and designing hotels. This episode in many ways reinvigorated my love of design and desire to learn and grow. Love it!

All of this extra time at home has me spending a lot of time in front of the television. While this is not ideal, and I am making a conscious effort to do other things like cook and read more, there are a few shows that I am loving at the moment. Emily In Paris has gotten a lot of buzz since it was released last week. While there is a lot about this show that could use some work (how exactly is she affording all of that Chanel on her salary?), there is also a lot to enjoy. Like many, I have dreamed about moving to Paris and experiencing all the magic that the city has to offer, and this show has helped to fill my travel dreaming heart while I am in lockdown. And while I didn’t love Emily’s outfits, her boss and Camille’s wardrobes more then make up for it.
Bad Boy Billionaires India popped up as a Netflix recommendation for me this past week and I was intrigued so I added it to my list. It is only three episodes with each one profiling a different Indian billionaire’s downfall. It’s eye opening and interesting and I binged all three episodes in two days. If you are interested in seeing how people around the world got too big too fast and were unable to sustain it then this show may be of interest to you.

This is Paris is a YouTube documentary that has gotten a lot of attention. I had heard that it was quite good and thought that I would check it out for myself. I loved it. The behind the scene insight on a celebrity that is often written off or badly characterized was intriguing and a great reminder that there is often more to people then what they seem or what they are willing to show you. While my life couldn’t be more different then Paris Hilton’s I connected with the subject matter in many levels and appreciated the insight that the documentary provided. It is a worthwhile watch.

All of this time at home has me focused on my environment and how to make it as enjoyable and comfortable as I can. One thing that many overlook is the scent of a home. I have been searching for many years to find a home fragrance that I loved. The standard ones from Glade and other popular brands seemed artificial, and I have lost count of the different brands of candles that I have tried in the hopes that something would stick. While browsing a home goods shop earlier in the summer I came across Laboratorio Olfattivo’s Zen-Zero fragrance and decided to give it a try. I love the combination of ginger, cedar wood and sandalwood and it leaves my home smelling fresh, cool and comforting. I will be picking up the Zen-Zero diffuser next to help to elevate the fragrance of my home even further. The scent makes me happy and has elevated my home environment, love it!

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today! I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

Five Faves While Social Distancing

Published on March 31, 2020March 30, 2020 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

It feels really weird to be writing this post today. Regardless of where you are in the world right now, you have been touched in one way or another by the global pandemic that we are currently experiencing. While the situation is frightening and anxiety inducing, it has also really given me some perspective and allowed me some time and space for some much needed clarity in my life. I wanted to share my five faves at the moment that are helping me to stay sane, keep my anxiety at bay and smile a little bit brighter as we take the steps necessary to flatten the curve of cases of COVID-19. Here are my Five Faves while practicing social distancing and self isolation:

Working out with Melissa Wood Health

Like most people I have been forced to modify my workouts. I am a bit of cardio junkie so not being able to hop on the treadmill or elliptical trainer at the gym has been a huge change. I decided to embrace this as an opportunity to switch up my work outs and I purchased a subscription to the fitness app Melissa Wood Health. The moves are low impact and seem so simple but it is so hard! It is a great way to challenge my body and keep me active while I practice social distancing. If you are looking for less expensive ways to work out then hop onto Youtube, there are a ton of videos there that will help you to get moving and relieve some stress.

Cooking with Jennifer Fisher Kitchen

I have always been a fan of Jennifer Fisher. If you are unfamiliar with her, she is a very talented NYC jewelry designer who is also a really good cook. I have been loving all of the recipes that she posts on her website and she walks thru a lot of her recipes on Instagram Stories which really helps to keep me motivated to try new things. Over the past week and a half she has been posting more recipes and videos and everything looks so good! Since I began self isolation I have made her banana bread recipe twice, sautéed artichokes and her recipe for twice baked potatoes. Whole roasted cauliflower, pantry soup and more banana bread will be a part of my meal planning for this next week. If you are looking for some delicious and easy recipe inspiration check out her recipes on here Instagram page @jenniferfisherkitchen or on her website here

Jennifer Fisher’s My Mom’s Da Bomb Banana Bread – it is sooooo good and addictive!!!!!

Live Beautiful by Athena Calderone

If you have been following this blog for a while then you know that I am a total design junkie. Athena Calderone is the creator of the gorgeous blog Eye Swoon (www.eye-swoon.com) and she just released her second book Live Beautiful in early March. Within this book, Athena goes into the homes of incredible designers around the world and shows us their spaces and their design choices. The homes are gorgeous and endlessly inspiring. If you are searching for a gorgeous design book to get lost into for a few hours or if you are searching for some fresh inspiration this book is for you.

Breathing App

My job in manufacturing has issued temporary layoffs during this uncertain time and I live alone so there have been moments that I feel a little uneasy and anxious. I think that it’s important to acknowledge these feelings rather then suppress them, sit with them and unpack them to really understand why I am feeling the way that I do in that moment, so that I can move forward in a healthy manner. A part of this process is learning to take moments to focus on my breathing. Some people are trying meditation during this challenging time but I have had better luck with consistently taking moments to focus on my breath so this is the method that I am sticking with right now. The Breathing app is something that I heard about last year and immediately downloaded it. Developed by Eddie Stern and is inspired by resonance which is “the scientific name that describes what happens when our heart rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure and brainwave function come into coherent frequency.”(via http://www.eddiestern.com). It helps to regulate your breathing so that you instantly feel calmer and more relaxed. You basically follow a ball – as it expands for a count of 4 you inhale and as it contracts you inhale for a count of 6 for a total of one minute. You can adjust the breath counts to what you feels what works best for you. The app is free and I have been using it at least twice a day (morning and night) and I cannot recommend it enough. If you feel that you need some help taking a moment to help regulate your breathing and feel calmer in the moment then this app is worth trying.

Ugly Delicious Season 2 on Netflix

I love food shows and Ugly Delicious is no exception. Season 2 dropped on Netflix earlier this month and it is soooo good! This time off has allowed me to catch up on a ton of shows that I have been meaning to watch but this series really stands out. I especially loved the episode about Indian food which featured the supremely talented chef Floyd Cardoz who sadly passed away last week after being diagnosed with COVID-19. I love learning about cultures thru food and Ugly Delicious does a great job showcasing both the similarities and subtle nuances between cultures. If you are searching for a cool, fun and interesting show to binge on then Ugly Delicious should definitely be on your list.

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today. Please feel free to share in the comments things that you are currently loving, and tips that you are using to stay sane during this crazy time in the world. Please stay safe and take care and I look forward to hearing from you! XXS