B+C Studios in partnership with Avocado Mattress
There's nothing like the feeling of waking up from a great night's sleep. But sometimes stressful days can turn into sleepless nights. We teamed up with Avocado Mattress to share our favorite sleepy time tips so you can get a restful 8 or so hours this week and beyond.
A clutter-free, zen-ybedroom is pretty much essential for easing into a sleepy state. Design yours for rest and relaxation (clothes in the closet, tech out of the room, and a few sleep-inducingplants doesn't hurt) and you'll start to do both. Still find yourself tossing and turning? It might be time to invest in a good mattress — seriously one of the best #adulting buys we've made so far.
And what we love about Avocado mattresses and pillows is that they're super comfortable but they're also designed to be healthier for people and the planet (think sustainable, socially responsible and toxic-chemical-free in every possible way). The company donates 1 percent of all revenue to environmental non-profits too — so you can feel good about the planet while getting a good night's sleep. Win-win.
Before you get all snug in your Avocado bed, try this sleep-inducing spritz on your face or pillow. Mix five drops of lavender essential oil and five drops of chamomile essential oil (both are really good at lulling you to sleep) into one cup of distilled or mineral water. Transfer to a spray bottle and spritz away in all your self-care glory.
It's so easy to stay up late binge-watching your favorite shows, getting cozy with your favorite characters, only they don't have to get up early in the morning. For a more restful sleep, move the action from your eyes to your ears. Turn on a podcast or start listening to one of your new audiobooks and let the soothing storyteller help you get some shut-eye.
Himalayan salt lamps can create an ambient light soothing for sleep. Place one on your nightstand or if you really want to sleep like a baby curl up underneath a gravity or weighted blanket. These simulate the feeling of being hugged and help calm the nervous system so you fall asleep faster and longer.
Cozy up to a warm, calming drink by mixing four parts dried chamomile, two parts dried lavender and two parts peeled and dried ginger (add lemon and honey if you wish). Some cool things about chamomile: it triggers the release of hormones like serotonin and melatonin, which can combat stress, and it has anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce tension headaches and migraines.
Nothing keeps us more awake than our busy brains. Let that stuff loose. Grab a notebook or your phone and jot down every list item you can think of to stop that never-ending thought train. With every item on the list you'll start to feel yourself relax.
OK, so we know we should leave our phones in another room but it is SO HARD. Still, if you're struggling to get the sleep you need it might be worth investing in an analog alarm clock. The blue light emitted from our phones throws off our internal clocks, or circadian rhythm, disrupting our sleep. Texting and scrolling can go on longer than we expected too, like way past our bedtime. An old-school analog clock will wake you up bright and early without that temptation.
Ready to score some sleep tonight? Check out the nontoxic, organic mattresses from Avocado Mattress before you hit the hay. So worth it. Nothing better than feeling like you had an amazing night's sleep while feeling good about a product made with the planet in mind. Good night!
Illustrations by Marisa Kumtong
If you're anything like me, you treat Christmas like a whole fashion show. Whether it’s a wholesome family dinner or a (not so wholesome) party with hometown friends, I always plan to pull a look or two.
As opposed to years past, I’m looking to shake up my Christmas outfits a bit, playing with multiple patterns, cozy (yet stylish) layers, and, of course, a good pair of boots. Looking for inspo along those lines? We’ve got all the Christmas outfit ideas you need to stun at this year’s festivities.
Kayla Walden
Sparkles are extremely festive this time of year – go all out with a sequined dress to really embrace the Christmas spirit! You can find so many similar options at Anthropologie and Nordstrom. When paired with some cute ballet flats, you'll be feelin' like a little Christmas fairy in no time.
Haley Sprankle
A blazer will never fail to make your Christmas outfits look sophisticated. Layer one on top of a basic cable knit sweater for a classic feel (that'll also keep you super warm)! From there, trousers or tailored jeans will do. Don't forget to accessorize with red Christmas nails and a bold red lip color!
Jasmine Williams
Layers, layers, layers: it's the name of the Christmas outfit game, especially if you live somewhere super cold. But a practical 'fit doesn't have to be boring! Start with a comfy turtleneck and pants (over some leggings for extra warmth), then go crazy by mixing colors and patterns. This plaid + leather combo will be on repeat. Step into your favorite winter boots to bolden up the look!
Ali Ives
Statement jackets are the way to go. This leather one is lined with a furry material that not only holds in your body heat during outdoor excursions, but looks so chic, too. Layer one with some leggings, a black mini dress, and a bright red sweater like this one so you feel cozy all day long! Don't forget the boots, either! 😍
Haley Sprankle
Hair bows are the perfect accessory to rock alongside your Christmas outfits. From sleek sweaters like this one to more formal dresses, they fit the occasion oh-so nicely.
Haley Sprankle
For a *spicier* holiday get-up, don't hesitate to reach for your fave tall boots and little black dress. It's a no-fail combo! With an all-black situation like this one, you won't have to spend extra time worrying about if your outfit is matching perfectly or not. Wear the two pieces with some sheer black tights, or get creative with colored ones, like a bold red or sparkly white.
Kayla Walden
If your personal style leans more preppy, this is the Christmas outfit idea to copy: loafers and a pleated skirt instantly make you look dressed up, but the nice part is you're not sacrificing comfort for style one bit. This outfit formula can span over endless color combos, but we particularly love the burgundy-leaning look with this one.
Meredith Holser
You can never go wrong with a good green or red plaid dress. Bonus points if it's vintage, like this one! You can easily dress it up with tights and a cardigan, with boots or ballet flats to match!
Kayla Walden
Velvet dresses have our hearts (and closets). The material evokes a very vintage-y Christmas vibe that you can style over and over again. We're currently eyeing similar styles to this one from Target and Anthropologie!
Rachael Sprankle
Sequins shine again! If it's Christmas party time, you truly cannot go wrong with an eye-catching ensemble like this one. You'll leave the whole crowd stunned. A sequined dress also makes for some ahh-mazing Instagram pics! 📸
Ali Ives
Bundling up this winter doesn't have to be drab. Throw on a plaid scarf on top of a layered look to embrace all the Christmas vibes!
Kayla Walden
Playing with different materials and non-traditional color combos might just surprise you when it comes to creating the coolest Christmas outfits. For instance, this 'fit combines leather and suede, which contrast each other beautifully. You also might not immediately think of black and brown working well together, but this outfit idea defies all fashion "rules" in that regard.
Haley Sprankle
For a Christmas-y night out (ahem, bar crawl, anyone?), don your cutest holiday sweater with some comfy jeans and boots. We've found some really great options for fun holiday sweaters that are still super stylish!
Haley Sprankle
Get you a good tall black boot, and your Christmas outfit ideas will go far. They work wonderfully with everything from maxi dresses to midi skirts!
Kayla Walden
No matter what you wear this Christmas, there's always room for a playful (and festive!) hair bow.
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No matter your budget, a walk through IKEA can satisfy the urge to decorate just for the fun of it, from colorful textiles to casual feel-good spaces. We’re so excited about all the recent drops and collabs, like the Marimekko match made in Scandi heaven, or the vintage cataloges release. This April, get ready for a stunning, color-bursting collection designed by nine Latin American creatives.
Courtesy of IKEA
ÖMSESIDIG, or mutual in Swedish, is a limited-edition collection of 30 products, including glassware, tableware, decorations like garlands and lampshades, and bold textiles inspired by gatherings of good people, good food, and good vibes. The collection is a nod to IKEA opening stores in Chile, Colombia and Peru. Rising design stars from the region hail from a variety of creative scenes like art, fashion, food, design and architecture.
Courtesy of IKEA
“I have drawn a lot from my personal experiences and enjoying celebrations throughout my life in Mexico, from having family dinners and hanging out with friends in middle school to getting older and going to the cantinas,” says Liliana Ovalle, a product designer from Mexico who now lives in London. “One thing that was present everywhere, through all these stages, were the limes." The familiar idea of lime-filled tables made Ovalle realize she wanted to capture the aesthetics of the lime in a set of bowls.
Courtesy of IKEA
Ovalle also designed a set of glassware for the collection where she explored blowing glass using a particular style from Mexico. “I created a speckled confetti effect with colorful spots, which made that product development an exploration of a new process itself.”
Courtesy of IKEA
The iconic IKEA FRAKTA bag also gets a fresh take from Colombian multimedia artist Diana Ordóñez, who drew inspiration from masks commonly worn at Colombian carnivals. “Colombian culture has many festivals, and masks are used as a way of expression, a moment when you can be a monster, a bull, a cow, a woman, a man. For me, the mask is an interpretation of the many characters that are inside of us,” she says.
Courtesy of IKEA
Just in time for spring, there’s also a waterproof picnic blanket, outdoor tablecloth, candle holders and serving ware, like stainless-steel utensils designed by Abel Cárcamo Segovia. The curved shape was inspired by the movement of the cueca – the national dance of Chile. Other more neutral pieces include a solid pine hand-carved stool by Ovalle that could be used for extra seating or serving space.
Courtesy of IKEA
These vibrant pillows by Chilean multidisciplinary artist Trini Guzmán will certainly steal the show at your next get-together. “It has been important for me to be fearless and to shake off any kind of prejudice of what an artist should or should not do,” she says.
“As a young female artist in Chile, I was very scared of creating and exposing my process, and of not finding a place for me. Then I understood how important it is to take up that space, to own it, and treasure your own vision and voice,” she adds. We love her idea that creativity is not a competition and that we all have something to contribute. “When you dare to empower creatively there are no boundaries, you push the limits of possibilities, open up for new opportunities and pave new roads. I feel that is what creativity is all about: not something exclusive or a competition, but a tremendous abundance and potential that lives in every one of us.” Guzmán also designed wall art speaker covers, garlands, and cards for the collection.
Rice paper lanterns are typical of IKEA, but the lanterns in this collection get a Latin American twist. “I was inspired by piñatas and paper decorations but I found that there was a nice connection with other festive decorations from other cultures,” says Ovalle. “Celebrating is universal and also considering the international reach of IKEA, it made me look for equivalents in other parts of the world, such as paper streamers and party poppers from the UK and China.”
Her rice paper lamp has the effect of paper hanging from a broken piñata, left over from a party, something that feels familiar and translates beyond borders.
“I’m hoping that my designs will contribute to making gatherings and celebrations more lively and more colorful, encouraging coming together with friends and family. I hope that people will get messy with the products!”
The ÖMSESIDIG collection will be available in IKEA stores in April.
Want more home decor inspo? Check out our Home page and follow us on Pinterest!
Images courtesy of IKEA.
