Wanderlust Part I. - Kakslauttanen, Finland

This is real life (in the Finnish Laplands).

I don't think there could be a more perfect day for sharing these vacation photos than today, a snow day here in NYC. (For the record, snow days are decidedly less awesome when you work from home..!) Since I am a photography-monster (I took nearly 1,000 pictures!) and our trip included 2 distinct parts, I'm going to break this up into 2 posts and hopefully share some wanderlusty images combined with helpful tips. Here goes!!

So to answer your (likely) first question, Dr. H and I decided to travel to northern Finland, in search of the Northern Lights, because of a picture I saw on Pinterest. I sh*t you not. I've always wanted to see the Northern Lights so when I saw THIS picture and was like "I want to go to there" Dr. H said "looks cool" and off I went to plan a trip of winter adventures and magical sky seeking! We settled on the Finnish Laplands, and Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort because of the great accommodations and activities options. The hotel arranged everything we did for us (which was clutch since we were doing our own planning). Our flights were through Helsinki (southern Finland) to Ivalo and then the hotel transferred us to their arctic wonderland about 30 minutes further north. We were there for 3 full days and nights... Ok enough talking... picture time!

There is never a guarantee that you'll see them, but we did,
on night one right outside the main lodge of our hotel!

We stayed in the Traditional House, an almost century old structure. We built
our own fires each day and everything. It was pretty badass.

I cannot describe to you how magical seeing the Aurora is. It reminds me of that
scene in Sleeping Beauty when the 3 fairies are fighting "pink! blue!" and flashes
of colorful light are filling the sky. They move and "dance" They are magic.

For our day 1 activity we did a Husky Safari. It was INSANELY awesome!
Dr. H and I had our own sled and took turns driving these beautiful beasts.

Daylight lasts only a few hours this far north this time of year. We took a
walk around 2pm and that's when I snapped this picture. 

Another mid-afternoon sunset shot, because OMG gorgeous right!?

Night time snowmobiling anyone!? Notice how bundled we all are...
it was about -25 degrees outside (pre-windchill!!!) 

During the day you can see how the heavy snow transforms the trees into
"snow monsters" which bend in all sorts of funky directions

That time we went for a "1 km walk" which ended up being about 3 km, all uphill

The week after Christmas, we put the reindeer back to work.

Into the woods...

This photo was taken after about 5 minutes of stunning Northern Lights views.
My camera wouldn't cooperate and I gave up on getting a picture and just soaked
in the beauty. And then I decided to try one more time to get a snap...

REALLY glad that I did.

Back on the snowmobiles by day which was really freakin amazing.
(check out the GoPro placement on the front of Dr. H's helmet)

I cannot even handle this. This is REAL!

The reindeer farm was unexpectedly awesome. 

Sup?

It is so cold here that the snowflakes fall to earth in perfect fractal form.

A few important things worth sharing:

- There are lots places in the world where you can go to see the Northern Lights. For a list of top locations, click HERE.

- The best time to try to see the Northern Lights in most regions is between late Sept and late March

- Plan in advance (duh): While we did stay at the resort that inspired our trip, the igloos were sold out by the time we made our inquiry (barely 60 days in advance, so I can't be too upset). Since the Northern Lights have a "season", the hotels with optimal viewing book up early. Plan accordingly!
- Pack right: We did not mess around when packing for this trip. We took the forecasted temperatures to heart and purchased new boots, gloves and plenty of "base layer" clothing (We wore Uniqlo HeatTech, cheaper than the EMS-ish/sports brands and SO SO good.) I left the cute clothes and high heels at home. I was packed perfectly and though it was FREEZING, I rarely felt cold.

- Dare to be adventurous: I was pretty nervous about snowmobiling until I tried it. Dr. H doesn't love dogs, except, as it turns out, when they're huskies pulling him in a sled. A trip like this is wild through and through, so once you get there, be brave. 

- Expect the worst (hope for the best): For weeks leading up to the trip, we reminded ourselves that we might not see the Northern Lights and became determined not to let this ruin our trip. Just like any trip that centers around an activity/weather you can't guarantee, go into it prepared to make do without. That way when the sky lights up green on your very first night, your joy and amazement will be immeasurable. 

Hump Day Distractions

So true.

Hellllooo out there from blustery, soggy NYC! For grey day number 2 here in the city the weather gods have at least given us snow flurries instead of steady rain and for that I'm grateful (#desperate). Here to help you over the hump and through this gloomy weather are some goodies from around the web. Enjoy!

* Looking forward to more stunning snowy days ahead, like THIS.

* I want YOU. I want you so baaaaaad babe.

* For my fellow yogis. 

* What you and your kiddos should not miss this holiday season in NYC.

* Adding this to the dinner queue. 

* Because everyone knows someone who is always complaining that they're cold.

* A nifty little tool for anyone who uses Google on multiple devices. 

* Child geniuses.

Hump Day Distractions

Me neither!

Friends. It is day 3 and the cold rages on. This is both literal and figurative as NYC is enduring a frigid 20-something degree day while I personally am still enduring a stuffed nose, icky cough and voice that sounds like something straight off the sex chat hotline (so hot). Here to get us through the day and over the hump are some goodies of the internet variety. Go heat up some tea and get your click on:)

* A cool giveaway opportunity for the bike-loving little in your life!

* If you love food like I do, this game is going to be a lot of fun (also, gut wrenchingly difficult).

* If you buy me this room, I will prepare Thanksgiving dinner for the fam for life. Promise.

* Calling all ballers/Brooklyn Nets fans (is that a thing that actually exists?!), THIS is for you.

* Brilliant!

* Seasonally appropriate and perfect for soothing a sore throat. Time to get yo soup on!

* Breaking news. BREAKING F*CKING NEWS!!!! (emoji lovers rejoice... there will be a taco!)

Whomp whoooomp.

That little guy on the right? That's me.

So remember last week when I was all "huzzah! spring is here!! Buy some new converse, smell the flowers, soak in the sun" rejoice-y!? Well this morning when the thermometer said 21 degrees and I had to take my sad and quasi-frozen pansies and tulips off the terrace, all that joy slipped away faster than you can say "where's my puffy jacket?" And with tomorrow's forecast of  snow seeming more and more plausible, I'm about ready to cry me some wimpy, "I just want to wear my pastels" tears. Sadsies. 

Since I'm feeling lazy, unmotivated and generally annoyed at the universe for sending us this relentless and endless winter, I thought I'd share some pictures of adorable animals today. Because nothing turns my day around like procrastinating on the internet, staring at cute little critters. 

It's gonna be alright bud.

I'm pawsitive this will cheer you up!

Wake me when it's over.

Here to help make the cold more bear-able

All ears if you need to complain about the cold!

Hump Day Distractions

The rewrite.

I had to read that pic twice, but once I got it, I could not stop laughing. "Everything". Hehe. Annnnyways, how we doing friends? Are you managing to stay warm!? As if the first full work week post holidays wasn't torture enough, Mother Nature threw in a little polar vortex to keep things interesting. Lordy it is COLD!! Here to help you endure (the week and the temperatures) are some goodies from around the web. Enjoy!

* The cold has never looked so beautiful.

* Fellow cheese lovers, brace yourselves... Cheesepocalypse is near.

* 8 little tricks to help you beat the blues (via exPress-o)

* This week is apparently actually designated as one of the most depressing of the year (yikes!) so HERE are some silly somethings to lift your spirits. (that hedgehog! I die!)

* Dinner tomorrow. It's gonna be Quinoa-tastic!

* Because dragging yo ass outta bed to exercise before work is even more awful in the winter, here are some tips for making sure it actually happens.

* P&G is back to make sure you cry during the Olympics again.

* Poor ducky!!! (thanks sis!)

* Spotted on Pinterest (in case Dr. H asks you what I want for Valentine's Day :)

* THESE parents are insane (in the best possible way!)

* Do you watch SYTYCD? If so, you must watch THIS.

* I work in an office and this list is 100% accurate.

PS- according to my Mom (who is an expert in such things), today is National Bubble Bath Day! I suggest we all celebrate!! 

Brrrr!!

The lone wolf says "winter is coming..."

Hello and happy Monday my merry friends! Here in NYC we woke up to mighty chilly temperatures (38 degrees!!!) which was a real shock to the system after Saturday's "leave your coat at home" sunshine. In an effort to get us feeling cozy and warm, I thought I would share a few hearty, hot and tasty recipes. Time to get cookin!!

Slow cooker bolognese sauce sounds just my style. This recipe from The Kitchn lets your slow cooker do all the patient simmering for you and the basic ingredients make it easy to prepare. Perfect for Sunday dinner, I can't wait to give this recipe a try. (Pin it HERE)

This is the self-declared "Best EVER Black Bean Soup" so I think it's worth a try! With only 8 ingredients (and 1 is water!) this recipe from Comfy in the Kitchen is easy enough to whip up after work and would be perfect over rice as a chilly evening supper. I think I've got tomorrow night's menu all figured out! (Pin it HERE)

Another hearty but healthy (and comfort foody!) dinner option, this vegetarian quinoa chili recipe from Cooking Classy may seem intimidating when you look at the ingredients list, but I'm willing to bet it's just a matter of checking your spices supply and you'll already be halfway there! Easy to whip up once you've got all the ingredients on hand, I can't wait to serve this one up sometime soon. (Pin it HERE)

I am actually salivating over here... These cheesy chicken parm meatballs from Tracey's Culinary adventures are much easier to pull together than I would have expected and anything that has a surprise cheesy center is a winner in my book. Dr H better be hungry because I have some serious cozy cooking to do!!! (Pin it HERE)