The first step I'd like to share with you is to take a precious moment of introspection and reflection on the past year. A moment of introspection allows you to see all the wins or failures you've experienced over the past year. Looking back on these events with a lot more hindsight, personally helps me to have a better overview of the life I want to lead. Sitting with my tea steaming and a soft candlelight to accompany me, I take the time to carefully revisit the habits I wish to cultivate and those I'd rather leave behind. It's a necessary, almost crucial moment, allowing me to take stock, learn from past experiences, and make space for the new. For me, this moment of solitude proves to be a truly necessary time to start the new year with a clear vision and renewed deep intention.
Now that I've taken this moment of introspection, the second step for me is to visualize the new year. I particularly like to start this step by choosing a meaningful word to keep in mind throughout the year, a kind of personal compass to guide my year. Next, I set realistic goals and habits to integrate over the coming months. To do this, I like to start by writing everything down in a notebook and then launch into the creation of a "vision board". This can be paper or digital, and can contain images as well as inspirational words. Rather than focusing on what I want to eliminate, I prefer to ask myself what I want to implore more of in my life. For this year, for example, I aspire to more present moments, more kindness towards myself and others, more intentionality in my actions, and more time dedicated to rest. And you, what are the things you wish to incorporate more into your daily life this year?
The third step in my approach to a smooth start to the year is to practice the present moment. For me, this means actively engaging in activities that promote mindfulness on a daily basis. Walking in nature, sharing gentle moments with loved ones, taking a relaxing bath or devoting time to breathing and meditation are practices that help me anchor both my body and my mind in the present moment. By dedicating precious time to these activities, I not only cultivate a deeper connection with the present moment, it also helps to reduce daily stress and increase my gratitude for the simple things in life. These deliberate pauses in my day become calming moments, creating the space for the balance I need to better navigate the challenges and joys of the new year ahead.
The fourth step for me is to incorporate new things, a beautiful and gentle way to start the year in my eyes. After creating space in my life, I like the idea of introducing fresh and inspiring elements. Personally, I like to dive into the creation of a new playlist, start an empty notebook, begin an exciting new book, or even refresh my space by lighting a new scented candle. This year, one of my goals is to incorporate more reading and journaling into my daily routine, because I know how much these activities provide true well-being and deep relaxation. What exactly is journaling? The term "journaling" refers to a daily writing practice. The idea of journaling can depend on the method you choose, from recurring questions to freewriting to making to-do lists, there are many variations to journaling. This activity helps me a lot with managing my emotions. It helps me to have an outside view of circumstances and to be more willing each day. So I plan to consciously dedicate a good 30 minutes each day to doing these activities, rather than spending time on social media. It's certainly psychological, but these little novelties go a long way to helping me start the year on the right foot, with a slight sense of renewal!
The last important step in my preparation for the New Year, now that I feel well aligned, is to devote some time to planning. Planning is of paramount importance to me, as I've come to understand over time how essential a role it plays in limiting unnecessary stress. I really enjoy using a weekly planner, a tool that allows me to get organized and visualize my week as a whole. What's also great is that it's as useful in my personal life as it is in my professional life. Thanks to this practice, I can have a clear overview of my schedule, which makes it easier to make clear decisions. It helps me to say "yes" and "no" with confidence, while allowing me to invest 100% in each activity and limit the feeling of overload. One aspect I particularly want to work on this year is investing my time in the right things that are worthwhile, by focusing on what is really meaningful to me. Planning is therefore an invaluable ally in helping me to achieve this goal!
So I hope these suggestions can inspire you to start the New Year with renewed sweetness, guided by healthy habits and kindness towards yourself. Often, in the frantic pursuit of achievements, we forget the fundamental importance of taking care of ourselves and being intentional in each of our actions throughout the day. With the help of these five ways to start the year gently, let's remember that true accomplishment lies in creating a balanced rhythm of life tinged with life's simple little pleasures!
I wish you a happy new year. Full of love. đ€
Sara from Mimi Xx
First of all, big cozy sweaters, stockings and Christmas pajamas are my must-have essentials for living the Christmas season to the fullest. Nothing beats the warmth they give me on those wintry December days. For me, being wrapped up in a cozy blanket is the ultimate secret to a comfortable and festive atmosphere!
Every year, I make sure to preserve my other holiday essential: a delicious homemade hot chocolate. Seriously, there's nothing like this comforting beverage to accompany me in my relaxing and festive moments during Christmastime!
Here's my favorite little recipe:
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder ;
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (depending on how sweet you want it);
- A pinch of salt;
- 1 cup milk of your choice (oat milk for me!) ;
- Œ teaspoon vanilla extract ;
- A pinch of cinnamon and a handful of marshmallows and gingerbread cookie crumble to decorate and add a little something special.
Wrapping Christmas presents for my loved ones is another precious little moment I look forward to every year. I enjoy choosing the gifts as much as wrapping them afterwards! Making myself comfortable and applying myself to writing little intentional words for everyone really is my favorite thing. Each word, each unique wrapping and each delicate combination of festive papers and pretty ribbons are truly an expression of the affection I have for my loved ones. So this little creative moment is simply a great synonym for relaxation to me!
During the holiday season, I also love to immerse myself in listening to Christmas songs. It's a tradition I savor to the full for several weeks at a time. Soft, relaxing and acoustic songs are my favorites, as I believe they create a cozy atmosphere that perfectly captures the spirit of the season. My playlist accompanies me throughout December, bringing a joyful, festive touch to every moment. It's the perfect little soundtrack to accompany every warm moment and create a lovely atmosphere in my home.
Another festive tradition I particularly enjoy is making gingerbread cookies. For me, it's a soothing and delicious activity that so evokes the warm spirit of Christmas. The simple act of preparing the dough and letting the scents of cinnamon, ginger and other spices from the baked cookies fill the kitchen instantly takes me back into the holiday mood every time. And the best part? It's that sharing these carefully decorated little treats becomes a beautiful way to give sweet attention to those around us during this special time. đ€
My unashamed favorite movies are the romantic ones, but the ones that hold an even more special place in my heart are the quirky Christmas movies hihihi. Watching them is a real pleasure that I'll never tire of. Their predictability makes them incredibly comforting for me. Sitting on my sofa, in comfy clothes, with a little Christmas candle in the background, a nice hot chocolate and a cookie in hand, it's simply an incomparable moment of relaxation for me. Really nothing can compete with these moments, haha! đżđ
So here are my six favorite ways to enjoy the holiday season! Hopefully this can gently inspire you to create sweet little moments to quietly wind down and fully appreciate the simple, beautiful things that are part of the festive season!
Happy holidays, lots of love and see you very soon!
Sara âïž
PS : I highly suggest you to listen to Bon Iver or Novo Amor songs while reading this blog post. :) You can even add fuzzy socks, a warm blanket and a candle burning in the background to set the mood even more. Fall atmosphere guaranteed hihi!Â
For me, the ideal autumn day really begins with a slow, relaxing morning. I especially like to take my time enjoying mornings off, knowing that they are rare and precious. There's something different about the comfort of blankets on a chilly October morning. It just doesn't feel the same. I also enjoy lighting a delighting candle in the background as I enjoy the last few moments in my bed in the morning. These days I like to light our Foresta in the pretty 5.5 oz reusable mug! I really like the little extra touch of coziness that the sweet glow of a candle can add to my room.
Then comes the time to choose a nice fall outfit for the day. I take care to choose an outfit in which I feel good, comfortable and warm, knowing that I'll be spending a good part of my day walking outside. When I'm short of inspiration, I take the opportunity to do my little tour on Pinterest to try and recreate what inspires me, and it works every time! I love autumn fashion, even though it doesn't last that long, and that's why this preparation part of autumn mornings makes me so happy hihi. I'm making the most of it while I can!
Here's my Pinterest board of fall fashion inspiration :Â https://www.pinterest.ca/saraocnr/fashion/fall-outfits/. I also invite you to create yours with your own fashion taste!
 I then take public transport, my autumnal playlist in my ear, down Park Avenue to the cutest Mile End coffee shop in my heart: café In Gamba. Its earthy, plant-laden decor immediately makes you want to spend some comforting time there, especially on a rather rainy day. As well as appreciating its warm atmosphere, I also love the quality of the products they offer. My October classic, by far, is a good hot chai latte with oat milk to accompany my sweet little moment of reading all of that, in the quietest corner of the coffee shop.
Afterwards, I take the opportunity to wander around the little boutiques! Mile End is such a great place to discover new ones! For my part, I tend to go to the ones I already know and that I like to go to regularly to see what's new there. On my ideal autumn day in Mile End, I like to go to the V de V home decor boutique and the little stationery shop Boucle et Papier on St-Laurent. I'm especially fond of their little candles and notebooks. In fact, I was so excited when I spotted our Mimi products at Boucle et Papier. â€
What better way to end this pleasant, peaceful day? By taking a walk on Mount Royal Mountain. For me, it's the perfect place to get some fresh air and contemplate the beautiful colors of the trees during the fall. I like to finish my walk by stopping the BelvédÚre of Mount-Royal to admire the view of the great city of Montreal from above. It's as magnificent and impressive as ever, whether you consider yourself a tourist or not. A hike up Mount Royal surely is one of my must-do autumn moments every year!
So here's a glimpse of an autumn day in Montreal for me. Thanks for taking the time to read it! I hope it inspires you to create your own little ideal day that will allow you to enjoy sweet moments in this beautiful season.đ
See you all soon,
Sara From Mimi đ€
]]>What could be better than creating a new fall wardrobe? It's such a great way to soak up a new season! I love the beautiful neutral, earthy color palette of fall! Beige, brown, white and terracotta are really some of my favorite colors. Sweaters, cozy scarves and beanies are all staples I look forward to adding to my fall wardrobe every year. I personally love pulling out my entire fall wardrobe at the beginning of the season and sorting through it so I can then add a few new pieces to my wardrobe! đ€
Another aspect I particularly enjoy about this sweet season is stopping to take in the splendor of the breathtaking scenery. Being in awe of so much beauty always teaches me a little more about living in the moment and being in constant gratitude and appreciation. That little moment when the leaves change color doesn't last long, but is so precious to me. Walking through the crackling leaves, gently turning my head and catching a glimpse of trees filled with bright orange and red will always remain a central part of autumn for me. đ
Another fall essential for me would be the famous candleees !!! đŻïž Every beginning of fall, aside from looking forward to wearing cozy sweaters and admiring the beautiful colors of the trees, I get all excited about getting my new candles in comforting various fragrances. Eucalyptus, pumpkin, spice and forest scents are my particular favorites during this time of year. I love having a small candle in the background both while I'm working and when I'm resting in the evening. It's amazing how the gentle glimmer of a candle can comfort me and transport me to an autumn atmosphere in an instant!
Just as I like to create a fall wardrobe, I also love to create a cozy decor in my bedroom to accompany me into the new season. Personally, I find that decorating your environment according to the theme of the current season really allows you to immerse yourself in it and enjoy it to the full! Having a calm, peaceful and comforting environment is very important to me. That's how I feel good. I like to incorporate little autumnal touches into my room without changing everything, to save time and money! My favorite little things to add are of course lots of different candles, bouquets of dried flowers as well as warm blankets. đ€
What could be better than painting your nails in autumnal colors on a rainy Sunday afternoon? I love taking advantage of the current season to pull out all my autumn nail polishes and alternate between the shades of browns, oranges and beiges I own. If you're like me, you'll even try to match your outfits with your nails, it's so much fun to do hihi! The best part is listening to an autumn playlist while painting your nails!
If you're looking for a good playlist to get you in the autumn mood, here's the one that's constantly with me this time of year: my favorite playlist of the moment for a comforting fall season. đ§Ą
Comforting beverages are absolutely part of my daily routine during the fall, I always have one on hand! â In my opinion, there's really nothing like a warm beverage to warm the heart, plus in my Mimi reusable coffee mug, it's simply the perfect match. Among my favorite autumn drinks, you'll definitely find tea and matcha. Out of the hot beverages I'm particularly fond of, I really enjoy sipping David's Tea's pumpkin-spiced teas and Tazo chai tea!
Lastly, I like to take advantage of autumn to simply listen to my favorite comforting series in cozy mode in my bed and cozy blankets. Bonus? Taking the opportunity to do this on a rainy day when I don't have to feel guilty about doing it all day! Fall is a beautiful season filled with great activity opportunities yes, but it's also a time to dare to learn to slow down and rest at home. My favorite fall series is definitely Gilmore Girls as many of you too I think!!! This fall, I invite you to choose yours and settle in comfortably to do the same, just because it feels good. đ§Ą
Here are my favorite things to do every day to make the most of autumn! Hopefully they can inspire you to do the same. âš And you, what are your favorite autumn rituals? Wishing you lots of good, sweet, comforting moments in this beautiful start to October! đ
See you very soon for another blog post,
Sara From Mimi xx
The first activity I'd like to suggest is a peaceful walk in nature. It can be a hike or a run, whichever you prefer! Whether for intermediates or beginners, it's an activity that always feels good. Among the many beautiful places in our province, Mount-Royal Park, Mount Saint-Hilaire, Mount Saint-Bruno, Park National of Oka and de la gorge Park in Coaticook are just some of the great options. The reward and satisfaction at the end is undoubtedly admiring the beautiful view from the top of the mountain.
This is a great activity for lovers, friends or family. For maximum comfort, all you need is a suitcase and a vehicle with cushions and blankets. And because movies and food go hand in hand, bring along your favorite snacks to go with it! These include Cine Park of St-Hilaire, Cine Park of St-Eustache, Cine Park Orford in Sherbrooke and Cine Park Belle neige in Val-Morin.
A day of swimming at both the beach and the pool is another great refreshing idea to take advantage of the warm weather. There's something so relaxing and pleasant about a dip in the water and a tanning session in the sun. Faithfully accompanied by my favorite Herboria Mimi swimsuit, it's an even more successful day hihi!
What could be better than an afternoon reading peacefully in the park on the grass? This simple activity will let you soak up the sun, relax and unwind for a while. Choose your favorite park from the abundance of them we have here, and enjoy! Happiness is simple when you take the time to realize it! Some of my absolute favorite pleasant parks in Montreal are Laurier Park, Jeanne Mance Park, Lafontaine Park and Outremont Park.
Would this be a summer activity list if I didn't include an ice cream outing? I don't think so! Summer's the time to enjoy ice cream and try out the great places we have here! Among the famous ice cream shops out here, my favorites by far are Icono glace, Havre aux glaces and Kem Coba! Choose your own favorite and enjoy it too!
Admiring the sunset is, and always will be, one of my favorite activities. Whether in a group or on your own, contemplating the beauty of nature around you is a great way to stop and enjoy the moment. Summer is the perfect time to have a lovely picnic on a blanket with a glass of wine and a beautiful sunset. It's guaranteed to be full of pleasant moments and precious memories!
It's also the perfect time to take advantage of the famous terrace season! Let's make the most of the time we have left to dine outdoors with our loved ones, while it's still the right time. There's certainly no shortage of terrace options out here! My favorite terrace restaurant is definitely the No. 900 Pizza for its delicious pizza!
If you love flowers as much as I do, this is your kind of activity !!!! I truly consider myself a flower lover. đŒ I just really enjoy spending time smelling them and gently admiring their captivating beauty. My favorite place to do this, by far, is the Montreal Botanical Garden. No matter where you are located, there are plenty of beautiful places for you to do it!
August is also a great time to pick blueberries and raspberries. It's a sweet idea for an outdoor activity on a day off! Afterwards, you can enjoy them and even cook with them if you feel like it! Here are some great places to pick your own little fruits: A. Belisle & Fils, la BleuetiÚre Point-du-jour, la Ferme Forget and la Ferme Giroflée.
The last of my favorite activities is to take advantage of the end of summer to enjoy your favorite frozen drinks. On a hot day, there's nothing more refreshing than a good iced drink. With my Rosita - coffee yo mug in hand, I like to know that I've got just the thing to cool me down on that day. I'm personally a huge matcha fan, but iced coffee or chai can do the job as well!
I hope this has inspired you to enjoy the last few days of summer by creating precious little moments and memories. Take care Mimis, and I'll see you very soon for another blog post!
Sara from Mimi âš
]]>I'm back today with a brand new article! As you probably already know, we've just launched our new free personalized swimwear advice service. âš Itâs such a lovely service that I'll be personally handling with my dear colleague LĂ©a. đ
Here I'll give you a more in-depth presentation of the reasons behind the introduction of our virtual consultations and how they work too. So you'll have all the information you need to decide whether to take an appointment with us!
We all know that buying swimsuits can be a hard thing to do, especially online. That is why we wanted to offer you this additional personal assistance to help you navigate the process of buying bathing suits and find the beauty and the enjoyment inside of it!
I personally find that swimsuits online shopping can be quite overwhelming and intimidating. Having so many bathing suits choices to choose from while not knowing which size and color to take as the exact feeling of the material is something I have often experienced and I know a lot of us do. As someone who prefers to try things on before buying them, I donât always go for online shopping. But the reality is that online shopping saves so much time! If I knew that a service like ours existed I would 100 % be more inclined to buy swimsuits online! Knowing that I wouldn't have to go through this process alone and that I would be accompanied by professionals who know their subject and desire to help me find the best fit for my bathing suits would make me so much more confident to do my swimsuit shopping online!
With the arrival of our new swimwear collection and the whole new chart size, we really wanted to answer a need that we thought was there. The goal is to give you advice depending on your needs and preferences and answer all of your questions! To help you find a bathing suit that you love and feel good in. This is also a super great opportunity for us to get to know you and connect with you, our precious Mimi customers!Â
Itâs super simple! You will only have to go to the virtual consultation page on our website. Here you are going to be able to choose a time for your appointment and to answer a questionnaire that will help us to advise you after. That meeting will last from 30 min to one hour! This will be the perfect occasion for you to ask us all of the questions you may have. To learn how to measure yourself correctly! We will propose models, colors and different prints that are perfect just for you.
You should be able to get out of this appointment with a fresh perspective towards swimsuits shopping! This is a service that you really donât want to miss out on! There may even be some exclusive promotions for you to find. đâš
I really hope that this has inspired you to try our brand new service and take an appointment with us. We canât wait to meet you!
See you soon Mimis đ€đ€
]]>As the beautiful weather is finally with us and our new swimwear collection is officially out, I'm writing to you today to tell you a little more about OCEANA! I sat down with our dear Co-Founder Camille recently so she could explain in more depth the beautiful inspirations behind the new collection. I find it so relevant to have access to this beautiful information! I find that they allow us even more to let ourselves be transported into the collection and its universe. đâš
First of all, Camille told me that when it's time for her to think of a new theme, she really goes with her gut feeling. That's what allows her to be totally free in her creative process! She starts by thinking about what she'd like to wear and what she visualizes when she thinks about the collection in question, and then starts to draw from a specific detail.
In the case of the OCEANA collection, the famous Oceana model initially started with drawings of shells and seaweed inspired by the aquatic world. Camille also wanted to add a touch of botanical inspiration by including flowers in the collection (such as the Herboria and Moonflower models), which are one of MIMI's signature elements, as well as vegetation and branches. OCEANA is totally inspired by the union of the botanical and marine worlds. OCEANA's designs were conceived and created on the basis of all these elements.
As for the collection's neutral colors such as Dunes and Sunset. These were subsequently found to match perfectly with the rest of the collection's patterned models. It's by doing this that she can ensure the coordination of the famous mix & match looks that can be created with the collection's swimwear! Camille explained to me that just as many customers like to create mix & matches as clients that choose the same pattern for top and bottom, so it's really important to make sure that solid colors work well with the rest. As for the choice of colors, our designer really goes for her favorite colors, not necessarily according to trends, but really according to her instinct. And all that, both the choice of colors and the patterns, is really what makes MIMI so original in my opinion. đ€
After trying on all the models in our new collection during our swimwear training at Mimi, I recently bought my own Herboria set in the Lima top and Paloma bottom. And I can't wait to wear it! This soft print is so perfect for me, who loves flowers, nature and delicacy! I love the fact that there are so many patterns and prints to choose from, so there's something for everyone. :)
So I hope this article has given you a better understanding of OCEANA's universe and inspirations. Â
See you soon for a new article, Mimis đ·
In the meantime, I invite you to get your new Mimi swimsuit if you haven't already! đ
]]>Mother's Day is a special day to show appreciation and love for the women who raised us. Every year, we have the opportunity to express our gratitude with a special gift that shows just how much we care. But finding the perfect gift for mom can be challenging, especially if you're looking for something unique and thoughtful. To help you out, we've compiled a list of gift ideas that are sure to make your mom feel loved and appreciated on her special day. đŒ
The first gift idea on our list is our famous ready-to-give gift box specially designed for Mother's Day. The Petit Jardin box is the perfect gift for moms who enjoy self-care and relaxation. This beautiful gift box includes exclusive Mimi & August products such as a 100% natural soap with shea butter and essential oils of lavender and sage, a bamboo soap dish, an exclusive Petit Jardin candle designed for relaxation, and our popular Olive Branch earrings.
The Petit Jardin box is truly the perfect gift if you're looking for a little something to give your mom! It's both a super pretty and simple gift to give. It's always nice to receive and really allows the person who will receive it to discover all kinds of beautiful products. It's also a great way for that person to take care of themselves.
We all know an organized mom in our lives. Why not use this characteristic to find a gift that could please her? The Mimi team suggests you make a small set of stationery items to allow the most organized moms to plan their activities in their daily life. Mimi's stationery items are beautiful and practical, what better way to get organized?
Our stationery items include notebooks, notepads (perfect for to-do lists), and daily planners.
Other great gift ideas are candles and room mists! As a mom, creating a warm and inviting home is essential. One of the easiest ways to achieve this cozy atmosphere is by lighting scented candles. Not only do they add a lovely aroma to your home, but they also create a relaxing ambiance that can help you unwind after a busy day. Our candles and mists with soft and pleasant smells allow to perfume the rooms gently and to bring a comforting scent that any mom would love.
Mimi offers you many different scents and sizes of candles and room sprays. :)Â So there is something for everyone!
Mimi's advice: In addition to being too cute, the small sizes of candles and mists are really great to discover new scents to your loved ones! Personally, we love the Botanica candle and the Botanica room spray that gently scents the rooms with its light and fresh smell. âš
If your mom is a coffee lover, why not take advantage of their love and passion (not to say obsession hihi) for coffee by creating a small coffee survival kit? This kit include a bag of quality coffee from a local company, one of our beautiful reusable coffee mugs, and a delicious Cafecito Chocolate in collaboration with Mimi and Qantu. You can also add one of our coffee-related shirts (Not Before My Coffee Yo or sorry I'm latte), little coffee stickers and Moka Espresso Pot pin to complete the look. â
This gift idea is specially designed for those who aspire to always be comfortable in their daily life! Your mom or your friend is working from home every day? You know she'll appreciate receiving a cozy sweatshirt or a small pair of original socks to accompany her days?
Why not offer her these two beautiful products! Comfort lovers will never say no to a new comfy sweatshirt, especially if it's a Mimi sweatshirt!
The second to last idea we have for you is great for those who love pretty accessories! Whether it's jewelry or hair clips, Mimi has many great accessory choices for you.
We invite you to visit our website to see all of our hair clips, earrings and necklaces! You won't be short of choice, that's for sure. :)
We couldn't offer gift ideas without mentioning our beautiful greeting cards specially designed for Mother's Day! We are so proud of them. These are not just any cards, as each of their illustrations are lovingly created by our dear and talented Camille, the co-founder of Mimi. â€ïž
Plus, our greeting cards are text-free inside, so it's perfect for you to write your own lovely words. It doesn't have to be too long either, handwriting a note to a loved one is always a pleasure to receive and can brighten the day of the person receiving it.
I hope this has inspired you to think of some sweet items to give to your mom this year. I wish you a beautiful and sweet Mother's Day. âš
See you soon Mimis!
Sara đ·
]]>While hair accessories continue to be used in various ways over time, clips and barrettes are the must-have accessories of the moment. We don't know about you, but our drawers are quite full of them hehe!
Due to the great demand of her customers, Mimi recently decided to join the trend and release a new collection of hair clips. You really see them everywhere and they are loved by everyone. We totally understand why!
Their advantages are that they are easy to use and can add a little original touch to your hair and your daily looks. They are perfect for a chic yet relaxed look on busy mornings when we can't afford to spend too much time on our hair. Moreover, it is pleasant to use them since they come in many sizes, shapes and colors. There's something in them for everyone and it's perfect for having fun creating different hairstyles!
Here are five ideas for styling your hair with your clips and barrettes :
The first hairstyle we recommend is the messy half up half down. To do this, you will need a medium-sized hair clip. Here we used the Nairobi one. You just have to take half of your hair at the top and then create a half messy bun that you can then attach with the clip of your choice. You can also take out two locks of hair at the front of your face to complete your look if you wish.
This hairstyle is super convenient and quick and adds a little extra to the hair. Since it can be both casual and more chic, it is possible to wear it under the circumstances of your choice. This is our go-to look at Mimiâs!!
The next hairstyle that we would have to present to you is called hair up in a claw clip. It is perfect for bad hair days, since all of our hair is up! To complete it, you just need to use a large hair clip of your choice.
In our case, we chose the Azure clip. Then you just have to take all of your hair by rolling it up and then tie it with your hair clip. You can choose to take out small strand for a more effortless look or tighten the clip without taking out any strands for a more sophisticated look.
This hairstyle is also very versatile! It can do just as well for a study, work or sports session where you need to get your hair out of the way or simply to elevate your look a little. This is a hairstyle that is both beautiful and useful. What could be better !
As a third hairstyle suggestion, Mimi suggests the small sided braids. For its realization, you will simply have to make two small braids on each side of your head. Then, attach the bottom of these with small rubber bands and the top of each of the braids with two clips. Quite simple !!
The suuuuper cute mini Milan clips were used in this photo.
It's a simple, delicate and feminine hairstyle and that's why we think it's a great addition to any outfit!
Another easy-to-create look idea would be the classic half ponytail, but embellished with original and different barrettes. To create it, you only have to take the top half of your hair and then tie it up. These are the pretty Palmeras and Camélia barrettes that are presented above.
Mimi's tip: If you really want to be sure that it lasts well all day long, we recommend that you tie your half ponytail with a small transparent elastic before adding your barrettes!
Our team particularly likes this look since it is original and different from the half ponytail that we are used to seeing everywhere. :)
Finally, we suggest the one sided hair clips hairstyle. It is beautiful and very simple! This look requires you to take two barrettes and then place them one below the other on the side of your hair that suits you best. The classic tortoise barrette duo is the one we have opted for here!
What is good about this hairstyle is that it is minimal and elegant. It can easily be achieved while being ideal for a chic evening requiring a slight touch of elegance.
We are hoping that this gave you great inspiration for your next hairstyles and the desire to get on board with the trend of hair clips and barrettes if it is not already done. đ€
Now it's your turn to have fun creating different looks with them. âš
Ps: Don't hesitate to mix and match our barrettes for little more original and sought-after looks!
See you soon. đ·
]]>February is coming to an end, which means spring is now fast approaching, but the reality is also that winter is still upon us for now. We are tired of it at this point, and it's totally normal! Although we unfortunately cannot speed up the process, we can still choose our attitude as well as the lifestyle habits we will maintain on a daily basis. Romanticizing winter by looking for the beauty and the good while highlighting its benefits greatly helps to get through this season differently, and maybe even find pleasure and comfort in the midst of it!
Are you looking to include more sweetness in your daily life? This article is for you:) Keep reading to know our essentials for a gentle winter period that feels warm and good to the heart.
Our first tip for you would be to create yourself a cozy evening routine. A routine that will allow you to really relax at the end of your day. It's no secret that winter is hard, it's often gray, the days are shorter and we are more often at home in the evening. So why not take advantage of this icy period to warm your heart inside your home, to slow down a little and take time for yourself according to what makes you feel the most good.
Winter is the perfect opportunity to romanticize everything and take a candlelit bath, to read with a good cup of comforting tea in hand or to listen to your favorite show wrapped in a large comfortable blanket. Comfort guaranteed :)
Our next tip is to take inspiration from the famous concept of hygge. Haven't you ever heard of it before? Hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah") is a word of Danish and Norwegian origin. It refers to a sense of well-being, a cheerful mood and an intimate and warm atmosphere. It is a state of mind considered positive provided by a moment considered comforting, pleasant and friendly.* We all agree that we need more of this type of comfort this season!
Among other things, you can practice hygge by introducing dim lighting into your daily life (be careful, never use the big lights in your home!!), but rather a lot of candles and small lamps to gently illuminate your evenings. This is really the perfect recipe for a comforting atmosphere.
One of the keys to a down spirit is also inspiration. It helps us to find motivation on a daily basis and to get out of the winter blues. It is everywhere when we take the time to be more attentive to what surrounds us. There is no "right" way to find inspiration since it remains subjective to everyone, but we still offer you some beautiful ways to inspire you on a daily basis.
This can look like :
Practicing thankfulness is another great tip to get through the winter more enjoyably. Being aware of what you have rather than focusing on what you don't have helps to appreciate the present moment more and see the beauty in each season. Keeping a gratitude journal is also a great way to practice being grateful on a daily basis.
We can never say it enough, taking care of your mental and physical health is so important and essential! Especially during winter, when the latter are much more likely to be affected. Taking care of your health can look like many things such as sleeping well, eating well, exercising and especially enjoying the sun and fresh air when you can. It's crazy what a walk outside in the sun and a little fresh air can do to our spirit!
Another tip Mimi could give you to help you get through winter would be to take the time to cook yourself homemade meals for the season. Same thing here, cold weather is the perfect time for comfort food. So put on your apron and accompany yourself with your favorite music to cook something!Â
You can also take advantage of this winter period to warm up with hot drinks according to your preferences (coffee, tea or matcha). It's always nice to enjoy a nice hot drink in a nice little coffee shop, but it can also be done very well at home, it's up to you to see what suits you best :).
It may sound simple, but it's so important! Life and human relationships are far from always being easy, but the beauty of it is that we can always choose to surround ourselves with people who really do us good. It's gentle to the heart. Even more so during this time, we invite you to invest in the small quality moments shared with your favorite people. Why not take advantage of this time to find comfort in winter activities or intimate dinners with friends at home?
Finally, at Mimiâs we believe in self-love, because there is nothing more beautiful than learning to simply love yourself. Loving yourself can seem like many aspects, but it can simply be to do something good and pleasurable for yourself, to spoil yourself with small things and simple moments, to surround yourself with more sweetness on a daily basis. And there doesn't necessarily have to be a reason or opportunity to do so.
There are many beautiful ways to treat ourselves, here are some for you:)
Hoping that this has inspired you to include more sweet moments in your daily life and that it will help you get through the hollowness of winter while waiting for spring to appear. đ€đ·
*Reference : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygge
]]>As I sit down to write this message, my heart is filled with so much gratitude and emotion. I can hardly believe that it's been over ten years since I started Mimi Hammer Swimwear, and what a journey it has been!
I still remember the early days when I used to make all the swimsuits myself. Back then, it was just me and my passion for creating beautiful, high-quality swimwear that women would love to wear. And thanks to all of you, my dream started to take shape, and my little business began to grow.
As our business continued to expand, I realized that I could no longer keep up with the demand by myself. It was a difficult decision, but I knew that I had to find a way to meet the needs of our customers while still maintaining the high standards of quality and craftsmanship that we are known for.
That's why, four years ago, my team and I made the decision to transfer the production of our swimsuits to Peru. It was important to us to find a place where our swimsuits could be made with the same care and attention to detail as when I made them myself.
At Mimi, it has always been important to me to offer comfortable and unique swimwear. This is why for several years we have focused our efforts on high and extra high waisted swimsuits (which are very difficult to find on the market) as well as on ever more inclusive and well thought out bathing suits models, which you would be confident enough to wear and enjoy. In this same perspective of comfort and inclusiveness, 2 years ago, we therefore decided to embark on the integration of sizes up to 4XL in our range of swimwear.
Our first collection was obviously not perfect, but we quickly understood that there was a real demand on the market for this type of product and that is why we decided to throw ourselves fully into this beautiful project: accessible swimsuits that are ethical, inclusive and that could be worn by as many women as possible.
After having previously collected the comments and opinions of our customers on our complete swimwear line: size too small, lack of support in certain sizes, ties and straps not suitable for plus sizes, and more, this is where we have decided to embark on the work of improving all our swimsuits as well as all our sizes. (This is one of our BIGGEST changes.)Â
This change happened because we listened to you, our valued customers.
We would have liked to make these changes some time ago, but the spontaneous arrival of Covid-19 meant that we were limited in what we could do. Without a trip to Peru, it was difficult for us to initiate such significant changes to our swimwear line.
Fun fact: Did you know that all the women who wear our swimsuits on our website and on social media are Mimi customers and not models? From the beginning of Mimi, it was extremely important to me to promote all body types and promote diversity so that every woman could feel confident and represented with our swimsuits and clothes. The image of Mimi is you!
After 2 years of pandemic and once travel restrictions were lifted, we were finally able to return to Peru in May 2022. It was during this visit that we were able to start the big changes to our swimsuit line ! It was also at this time that we had several meetings with our production manager Katty. You don't see her often on our social media, but Katty is an essential asset to our production team. She takes care of the management of all our productions, both our clothes and our swimsuits and she is our point of contact there. (We talk every week!)Â
After several days of working there as a team, we came to a first new version of all our swimsuits on paper. (the work was just beginning!) Once back in Quebec, and after several more weeks of work (as much on our side as Katty and her team), they were able to start designing samples, like creating new patterns , fabric cutting, sewing and finishing. After 3 months, it was in August 2022 that we received our first real samples! YEAH!
One of the most stressful steps has arrived! Once we received the samples, we had to have you try them out! We contacted clients we know well, who had already participated in our various photoshoots before (and therefore who knows our swimsuits well) to get their opinion on the new swimsuits line. :O
After the first fitting, we had new modifications to make, and therefore new samples to produce. (as we expected, it was not #love at first sight, but we were still on the right track! ) Katty even came to visit us in Quebec to participate in the second fitting session in November 2022, to better target our needs and those of our customers on the major changes that needed to be made on the different swimsuits.
Since August 2022, we are in our 4th round of samples and fittings! It has been a very long process, but so necessary! We want our swimsuits to be designed for all womens and doing things well takes time.Â
However, each new fitting session confirmed one thing: we were going in the right direction with our changes! ( PHEW! ) The feedback gathered during these sessions was precious each time, and it allowed us to make relevant changes to all of our swimwear.
Here a few changes that we brought to our swimsuits :Â
At Mimiâs, we have been selling swimwear for years, so we know how difficult it can be to shop for them, whether itâs online or in-store. We wanted to make this experience easier, simpler and most importantly, make everything as positive as possible for once and here's what we're going to do for it.
I hope with all my heart that you will like this new swimwear collection and once again, thank you so much for being here and being part of our loyal and valuable clientele. Without you, Mimi would not be where she is right now and I will be eternally grateful for that. â€ïž
SPOILER ALERT : Our new collection, with all the changes, improvements AND the integration of new swimsuits models (yesss!) will officially be released in May 2023!
The wait will be worth it, we guarantee it.
In the meantime, help us make room in our warehouse for all these beautiful new arrivals that will get here soon by buying one of our old models at 50% discount. This will help us continue to offer you swimsuits well created, thought and adapted for you.
Camille xxx
]]>Youâre searching for romantic and creative activities to share with your sweet half this year for Valentineâs day? This blog post may be for you ! At Mimiâs, we invite you to invest in those small moments you can appreciate together so that you can come back to the essential. Letâs not forget the importance of those. Those quality moments are precious ! They give us the ability to grow closer to each other and to create beautiful memories. The beauty in it is that it doesnât have to be too expensive. It is possible to use our creativity to differ from our usual restaurant dates. That is the reason why our team has some fun and creative interior and exterior dates to suggest to you so that you can spend some sweet and romantic moments this Valentineâs Day.
Here are some ideas to create some intimate moments at home :
What if you and your partner took the time to underline your appreciation for each other? Communicating with words can be hard sometimes, but putting them on paper can be a really good alternative. That is why we propose that you and your sweet half write kind words of love to each other with the help of our lovely notebooks. This is going to help you share freely your love to each other while giving you the ability to grow emotionally closer. It is also going to create beautiful memories to keep in your archives.Â
Why not create a couple bucket list together in the comfort of your living room by the light of a beautiful candle and your favorite playlist in the background? It's a moment that may seem simple, but so precious at the same time ! These moments when we take the time to sit down and share all our aspirations and wishes for the years to come not only allow us to get closer by getting to know each other even better, but also to simply dream together of the future. At Mimiâs we really like notepads specially designed for to-do lists on which you can easily have an overview since you can check off the activities that are done as you go along. We advise you to detach the sheet and hang it on a wall where your bucket list can be evident. That way, there are no excuses for forgetting it afterwards!
Nothing better than a quiet evening at home with the person you love, right? It's simple since it requires little planning, it's always pleasant and it certainly creates good little precious moments. The great thing about these little evenings is that there are a whole lot of ways to create one in our image according to our preferences. If you're more of a romantic candlelight evening type where you cook a meal together and dress cute, we suggest you create a little romantic dinner and put on the effort on the atmosphere, the music, the smells by opting for beautiful romantic music and comforting-smelling candles for a guaranteed intimate atmosphere. If, on the other hand, for you, an evening at home rhymes more with a movie marathon, then opt for that instead! Cozy socks and matching sweaters accompanied by a good comforting meal and a glass of wine in hand will be the perfect elements to prioritize for a successful cozy and relaxing evening.
Here are some ideas to create some intimate moments outside :
The Old Port is such a beautiful place to walk around and do activities! There is truly something magical about the unique vibe this historic place can give us, which is why we think it's a great idea of place to create some quality time between lovers on Valentine's Day. Among the many activities that are possible to be done there, we believe that nothing beats an evening of skating in the Old Port. Whether you are comfortable with skating or not (giggling guaranteed if not), it is certain that you will spend an evening filled with beautiful memories. It is also a good opportunity to enjoy the winter activities of the season while sharing a pleasant evening. Another good idea would be to spend the day at Spa Bota Bota, also located in the Old Port! If you are looking for an intimate, romantic and relaxing activity to spend with your person, this is really the ideal place for you. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to come and visit our shop in the Old Port and find yourself a swimsuit !
Because a short walk in the forest will always remain one of the best remedies for some sweetness, another activity idea to do this year for Valentine's Day would be to go for a walk in nature. There is something therapeutic in simply coming to recharge your batteries in the heart of the latter for a moment. It's also a great way to spend some intentional time with the person you love away from the outside noises of the city. Why not go to Parc du Mont-Royal to breathe some fresh air and admire the beautiful view on February 14? We don't know about you, but we'll never get tired of enjoying this super beautiful and accessible place. Were you looking for an opportunity to wear your new Mimi beanie? Well here's a really good one !
Have you ever heard of Candlelight music concerts? This is the romantic place to enjoy beautiful music in a totally magical atmosphere lit by candlelight for an evening! It's quite majestic setting being located in an old cathedral in Montreal is based on the concept of a musical experience aimed at paying tribute to different musical artists using different musical instruments. A concert specially designed for Valentine's Day is planned for this year. Intimacy, beauty and softness will certainly be met. Tickets are still available if you were looking for a way to celebrate this special day !
Hope this encourages you to create good little moments with your person this year for Valentine's Day.
]]>We often associate Valentineâs Day with the idea of the classic date or the perfect gift and the romantic relationships, but what if we learned how to see things a little bit differently? By remembering this is not the only important thing. Valentineâs Day can also simply be the celebration of love in all its forms ! It is the perfect occasion to remind our loved ones how we love them, to spend a beautiful evening with our friends or with our family or even for exercising the principle of self love and take some time for ourselves. At Mimiâs we believe that it is also the little moments that count. Letâs see together in this article how it is possible to create those sweet ones this year for Valentineâs Day.Â
Valentineâs Day is also the opportunity to show our beloved ones how much they count. It may be your sweet half, your bestie, your friend or your family. Everyone deserves to know their worth through your own eyes. Do not underestimate the importance of words of affirmation in your relationships ! Greeting cards full of tiny words of affection are a beautiful way to communicate our love to the ones that we love the most.Â
At Mimiâs, comfort totally equals candles. We think that there is truly nothing better than a delightful candle to perfume a Valentineâs Day evening. They will add a warm feeling to your place while also enveloping your rooms with a pleasant smell. A candle is also the ideal gift to offer to someone we love. It is clearly a beautiful attention to give and we realistically never have enough candles ! Â
Mimiâs Team has a big crush on the Flora Candle that reminds us of romance and gentleness with her floral perfume of rose. She really seems like the ideal smell to celebrate this special occasion in all its sweetness. I donât know for you, but as simple as it looks, candles really have a way of putting a balm on our hearts in every moment. So why not opting for a cozy dinner at home accompanied by the warm light of a candle? Absolute comfort will be met !Â
Your favorite person also really loves coffee? Youâre in luck, because our candle mugs are actually reusable ! After using them entirely, you can transform them into coffee mugs or in a lovely jar to use as you prefer. #coffeelover
Because a good atmosphere can really change it all, Mimiâs team suggests you to add a little fresh touch in your home by opting for a room spray that will perfume all of your favorite rooms. (Mimiâs Team loveeed the Cieloâs smell) If you are searching for the perfect spray, stop searching. This will give your room a fresh and soothing atmosphere with its soft notes of figs, cassis and amber. Romantic ambience guaranteed.Â
Our sprays are surely a beautiful element to add to your Valentineâs Day evening. We recommend you to simply add a few sprays beside your bed for a delicate, soothing and small romantic touch inside your space. Smells are often associated with memories, they will help satisfy your sentimental side by capturing little precious moments during this special day.
We think that another great way to treat ourselves or our loved ones is by offering beautiful jewelry. Who doesnât like to receive a new piece of jewelry? Itâs a small attention that is always pleasant and that can help testify our love to the ones that reside a special place in our hearts.Â
While staying in the same theme, our earrings « You stole my heart », in shapes or little hearts, instantly remind us of the celebration of love. They seem like the perfect pair of earrings to offer to ourselves or a beloved one this Valentineâs Day. It is also a really good way of subtly saying to someone we love them ! Â
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We hope this can give you a few ideas to celebrate Valentineâs Day by creating tiny moments and small gestures to you and your people this year.Â
You want to share your lovely finds for Valentineâs Day with us? Tag us at @mimiandaugust !Â
]]>Put your candle jar in a saucepan and add water to half of your pot. Heat at low temperature and place your pot inside for about ten minutes. Once the wax is completely melted, remove from the stove and pour your melted wax onto a new candle.Â
Little advice : If you have a diffuser at home, you could also melt your wax and then drop it into your diffuser. This way you maximize your wax and avoid waste!
Here is a short video on how to use this method
Here is another great way for removing wax from a candle jar. Boil some water and pour into the candle jar. Let it sit until the water turns cold. The water will melt the wax and after a few hours the wax will set at the top of the jar. Simply remove the excess wax and add it to your diffuser at home or to a new candle!
Here is a short video on how to use this method
Place your candle jar in the freezer and wait for about ten minutes. Take the jar out of the freezer and using a spoon, simply collect the wax at the bottom of the jar. Simply add the wax to your diffuser to enjoy the delicious smell of your candle!
Be careful not to leave the jar in the freezer for several hours. The pot canât stand the cold that long! ;)
Here is a short video on how to use this method
Once your candle is finished, you can simply clean the jar with a sponge using warm water and soap. If your jar has traces of soot, don't worry, the hot water and soap will make them disappear. You are now ready to give your candle jar a second life!
As you can see, there are several methods to remove wax from candle jar, hopefully, you found the method that suits you best. Our personal favorite is by far the boiling water method for its simplicity and efficacy!
Visit our online store for the complete selection of natural scented soy candles or eco-friendly reusable Café Yo Cup.
]]>If you didn't already know, the jars of our classic candles were specifically designed to be reused. Thatâs right! After enjoying your beautiful candle, you can simply clean the container and then reuse it endlessly for drinking your favorite beverage. For us, it's coffee without hesitation!Â
If you've ever visited our physical store in the Old Port of Montreal, you may have noticed that we are big plants fans. Here is one of our favorite tips for collecting our candles: use them as mini planters!
During the first use, make sure that the wax melts on the edges of the candle jar to prevent tunneling.
Always trim your wick to about 1/4" before each utilisation, using wick trimmers or simple scissors. This allows a clean and safe burn, as well as increasing the candle lifespan.
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See our Natural soy scented candles
Never leave a candle burning unattended, and keep away from windy spaces. Plus, a candle should not be burned for more than four hours at a time.
Make sure that your candle is sitting on the perfect surface (flat, out of reach of pets and children, away from draperies). You can even put a coaster under your candle, to protect the surface below from the heat.Â
Stop burning your candle if only 1/4" of the wax is remaining: this can overheat the jar.
Keep the candle wax free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times. This trick will help your candle last longer and smell good every time.
If you ever spill wax on a surface, simply clean it with hot water and soap. Itâs super easy to clean up!
See our Natural soy scented candles]]>Thanks to an ecological conscience that is developing more and more, new recycling technologies have appeared and it is currently possible to produce nylon and polyester (the two most used materials) from recycling or regeneration, using the plastic that is polluting the sea as a raw material. Thus, the residues are taken from the sea and used instead of the classical petrochemical substances. The fibers and yarns produced through these recycling processes are then turned into beautiful, high-quality fabrics that we can use to produce our Mimi & August swimsuits.Â
Created in Italy, The ECONYL fabric is produced from synthetic waste such as plastic and fishing nets coming from the oceans. The regeneration process of this fabric makes it possible to use less and less water to transform those sea wastes into high-quality new nylon yarn (that are as good as some brand new fibers)!
If you were wondering, the answer is YES: ECONYL can be infinitely recycled and reused, unlike some other recycled fibers. The ECONYL will always keep its shape and durability, and the transformation process does not weaken the fibers.
The ECONYL fabric is usually used for carpets and apparel, especially stretchy pieces such as swimsuits and leggings.
The first step of the circular transformation process of ECONYL is to collect post-consumer plastic in the sea and clean them out. These wastes are collected all across the globe, including the United States, Canada, Greece, Egypt, Thailand and Norway.Â
The ECONYL fabric is made from the following pieces:
In addition to helping the environment with its circular production, the fabrication process of ECONYL is good for the oceans. Indeed, non-biodegradable nylon wastes constantly harm the sea animals such as sea turtles, dolphins and more. Since the ECONYL fabric is made of plastic wastes, many volunteers are helping collect the unwanted pieces and sending them to the ECONYL transformation center. The oceans are thus a little cleaner, and there is less waste in the water that possibly can harm sea animals.Â
Secondly, itâs time for waste preparation. The pieces are chopped out into flakes and then being sent off to the transformation center to depolymerised and extract the nylon from the tiny pieces.
After, the ECONYL is processed into yarn fibers. The yarn is then ready to be transformed into beautiful swimwear!
The final step is the re-commercialization of the fabric. The goal is to create products that are endlessly regenerable.Â
Reusing past-consumer products is great for the environment, since the ecological impact is much lower than sourcing new materials. The best thing that we can do for the environment is choosing circular-process products, and keep them for a long time.Â
Any other questions about our ECONYL swimsuits? We will be glad to answer them at info@mimihammer.comÂ
Based on :
]]>Millions of hectares of forests are lost every year due to deforestation. Yet trees are the pillars of the world: air purifiers, habitats for many animal species, climate fresheners and more.
Reducing our ecological footprint is a very important aspect for us and it is through small changes that we can make a difference on our beautiful planet. For example, our packaging is 100% recyclable and some is compostable.
Always in line with this desire to pay attention to our environmental impact, we have decided to go further and call on our community to take action and work with the organization One tree planted in order to give back to our planet.Â
1 tree will be planted in the province of Quebec for each reusable bag sold. Double victory! In addition to reducing your daily plastic use, you will help a forest.
Together, let's add some green to our planet!
Created in 2014 in Vermont, One Tree Planted is a non-profit organization that focuses on reforestation. When Matt, the founder, started the adventure, his goal was simple:
"make it easy for people to understand the importance of trees and make it even easier to get trees in the ground."
In 2020 alone, the organization planted more than 10 million trees. For 2021, the team wants to double that number. With reforestation projects in North America, South America, Asia and Africa, One Tree Planted takes care of planting trees to restore forests after fires & floods, promote job creation, build communities and protect biodiversity.
There are several reasons why trees should be protected:
There are several other reasons why trees should be protected and if you want to learn more, we invite you to consult the links we have shared with you at the bottom of this blog post.
When you buy a Mimi & August reusable bag, you will plant a tree in the heart of a reforestation project in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. Following an agricultural plan that never occurred, several acres of land were cleared. Thanks to your help, this forest will be back!
Through this collaboration, we want to educate our community about the importance of sustainable forest management. We will do our part and help the reforestation as long as we can.
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We have chosen to put forward our reusable bags for this collaboration with One Tree Planted.
Many single-use plastic bags are still used in large quantities, either by businesses or for personal use, dramatically increasing the amount of plastic in landfills. A simple solution to help this situation is to use reusable bags.
We have created an article to explain the benefits of using reusable bags. Click here to learn more.
We will gladly keep you updated with the number of trees planted on our socials. Do not hesitate to share this good news with your friends!
Reference: https://arboquebec.com/importance
Reference : https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/fr/
Reference: https://onetreeplanted.org
]]>We really enjoyed collaborating with her on our new CafĂ© Yo Cup reusable mug: Little Spring. Learn more about Joannie Houle, a kindhearted artist from Montreal.Â
That's all Joannie Houle needs to start her day off right and start creating. Her greatest achievement? Being able to do art on a daily basis.
Joannieâs artistic crystallization began after her studies in Marketing. In fact, she has never taken any professional art courses. Self-taught, she learned to paintand illustrate on her own and decided to combine her two passions: art and business, which led to Joannie opening her online store in 2015.Â
"Even during my studies in university, I loved painting during my free time, it allowed me to explore my emotions and reduce stress. Art has helped me focus, find balance and well-being."
Her favorite artists consists of painter Amy Judd, Oana Befort and her colourful illustrations and the paper art by Ann Wood. When Joannie does not create art, she can be found in her kitchen cooking or playing around with her camera.
So, what does Joannie do to be productive? Set realistic daily goals in order to be well organized and on top of her things. She is always more creative in the morning, so she takes the afternoon to do research, respond to emails or do management tasks.
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Collaborating with other artists is extremely important to Joannie, since itâs a source of inspiration for her work.Â
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Joannie wanted to create a pattern that was both delicate and colourful, announcing the arrival of good weather and the first blooms. She opted for a composition of different wildflowers that can be seen at the beginning of spring! Featuring buttercups (Ranunculus), forget-me-nots (Myosotis) and many other spring flowers, the Little Spring CafĂ© Yo Cup is the perfect reusable mug for a bright sunny day.Â
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Itâs the love of flowers that inspired Joannie for her new design. Her favorite flowers? She canât decide! She definitely enjoys wildflowers, which she loves to illustrate and observe in nature. She also appreciates the simplicity and delicacy of daisies.
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The first thing Joannie needs when she wakes up is hot, hot coffee! The following recipe is one of her favorites, which she will definitely drink in her reusable cup
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Maple and cinnamon latte
For an iced version, just add a few ice cubes and you're done!
Follow Joannie on Instagram to learn more about her new projects (@joanniehoule_art).
Wanna tell us your favorite coffee recipe? Tag us at @mimiandaugust with your Little Spring CafĂ© Yo Cups!Â
After meeting with her husband, Nada Nour El Hak explores third-wave cafeÌs and found interest in discovering and tasting coffee. This new passion, combined with her love for visual art and photography, gave birth to her personal account @moonlightx0, that discusses about coffee, fashion and literature.
When we asked Nada where her interest in clothing came from, she told us that she had always been a big fan of fashion, but what she calls « her existential clothing crisis » opened her eyes. After this episode, she decided to start wearing the hijab. However, north-eastern African clothing wasnât her thing:
How can I respect my religious choice and dress myself so that I can express my passion for fashion?
After trying on several styles of clothing, Nada was inspired by the looks of the 70âs and started remixing classic pieces with more playful clothes. Her style is never definitive; however, it changes with the seasons and according to the general mood of our fashion fanatic! Sheâs always looking for beautiful vintage clothing. To find unique clothes, she goes shopping at Renaissance, the Value Village and smaller thrift stores in Montreal.
Our coffee lover explains that it was her husband who helped her develop a passion for coffee:Â
It is always nice when you travel together, to write a list of the coffees that you could visit, test and discover new flavors that have never been experienced before.
For Nada, the description of a great coffee shop is very simple: know how to make a good shot of espresso and foam the milk properly.
Our guest shared her three favorite coffee shop in Montreal: the Pikolo espresso Bar, the Odessa CafeÌ and the Difference CafeÌ. The peculiarity of these places? A great talent and a strong knowledge in coffee making.
Nada is also a good reader. Her favorites? Harry Potter (discovered thanks to her big sister) and Emily BronteÌâs classics.
In addition to fashion, coffee and reading, Nada loves spinning classes and can be found at @Spincomontreal. Of course, she enjoys family outings with her husband Hemmrik and their son Omar. And just like us, she loves jumping into her cozy bed after a busy day (and never getting out)!
She mentions some of the most important figures in her. First, her mother, whom our coffee fan expresses as being extremely strong and courageous:
If one day I could possess as much goodness in my actions as my mother, I would have accomplished many beautiful things.
Other important members of Nadaâs family, her sister Ichrak, whom she nicknamed « her second mother », and her husband Hemmrik, that brings balance in her life. Finally, she mentions their son Omar, whom she loves with all her heart and who knows how to keep her busy day and night!
Upcoming projects? Nada wants to experiment new platforms such as Youtube or a blog. You can follow her on Instagram here: @moonlightx0.
Coffee Questions
How many cups of coffee do you drink per day?
There was a time when I had three or even four coffees a day! Now, I stick to one in the morning and sometimes a second one in the afternoon if the night was short.
How do you like your coffee?
ICED!!!!! I sometimes take an iced latte, even in winter.
Finish the phrase: I am a coffee lover because...
The flavours that are discovered and enjoyed in every cup of coffee are never the same.
Here are a couple of tips to reduce the use of plastic bags, while improving our ecological footprint.
Every second that passes, 160 000 plastic bags are used in the world.
Plastic is unfortunately a consumer product, which means: the more we use them and the more they are produced.
On average, a plastic bag is used for 12 minutes.
Often, they are thrown directly after one use. Only 3% of the plastic bags will be recovered.
The production of plastic bags requires the use of a large amount of petroleum products, water and energy.
This conception generates many greenhouse effects that are responsible for global warming.
If one person only used reusable bags during their lifetime, that would represent 22,000 fewer plastic bags in the environment.
Each person can make a small gesture for the planet and make a huge difference. Let's be aware of our surroundings to avoid the use of plastic bags!
Get a reusable bag. Easy to store and durable, getting yourself a reusable bag is a practical option to avoid the use of plastic bags. Plus, you can find more and more cute ones!
Use cloth bags for your fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. You can even make your own little bags with leftover fabrics hanging around the house. Another great way to save the planet!
Turn to bulk. Buying bulk is an excellent way to reduce our use of plastic bags. It is important to arrive at the store well prepared with cloth bags, containers, jars. There are many options for shopping in bulk!
Refuse plastic bags. Sometimes we forget about our reusable bag at home. If that occurs, once you are at the cash desk, you must ask yourself the following questions: Do we really need it? And is it possible to carry these items in our hands? If the answer is yes, let the employee know that you donât want any plastic bags. Often, they even sell reusable bags at the cash for a dollar or two.
Cook more. Products that come straight out of our own kitchen do not need plastic bags. Also, buy your fruits and vegetables when they are in season, since they are most likely locally produced, which reduces ecological footprint, due to transportation.
Nothing forces you to throw them away. Think about how you can keep them for as long as possible. Pack, cover and protect your items. Next time you go on vacation, remember to cover your shoes with your old plastic bags to avoid dirtying the contents in your luggage!
At Mimi & August, we strongly believe that it is important to say no to plastic bags, to avoid waste and to respect our environment. To learn more about plastic and its harmful use, visit the websites of Ăquiterre and the David Suzuki Foundation.Â
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]]>After a couple of years of uncertainty, Vanessa finally found her passion: decorating and visual presentation. Ever since she finished her education, three years ago, sheâs created her own company that included her blog, her interior design services and graphic design joint with her husband.
For her, the importance is not the appearance of a room, but the overall energy that it brings. Her best decorating advice? Trust your instinct and listen to your desires instead of following the latest trends.
For her creations, Vanessa is mainly inspired by her daily life:
It allows me to have a vision that is 100% unique and that is my own, because there are no two Vanessa BĂ©lands in the world.
She also draws her inspiration from popular culture to create playful and colorful products. Sheâs also inspired from peopleâs childhood memories to create feel good products.
Vanessa started her YouTube channel on a whim. In terms of her blog, the decision was a lot more thought through. This medium allows her to express her states of mind and to showcase her decoration projects. In both cases, it allows Vanessa to offer her followers an incursion into her daily life.
Why the name âFleur Maisonâ? Vanessa is a fan of flowers and decorations. Since then, the two words never left each other and people have adopted it immediately.
This colour brings her joy and inner peace, while also reminding her of good memories like her wedding dress, her first home and her company logo. She can also count on her husband's approval, since he loves pink just as much as she does! Moreover, the greatest achievement of Fleur Maison is undoubtedly her love story with FĂ©lix:
He is my whole universe and there is not much I wouldnât do for him. He supports me and encourages me, pushes me and loves me.
It's been 8 years since theyâve been in each other's lives. We only wish them nothing but happiness!
Follow Vanessa on social media to be aware of all her new upcoming projects! @fleurmaisonÂ
You can also visit the coupleâs online shop:Â https://www.etsy.com/ca-fr/shop/fleurmaisonco.
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]]>Brodie described his love for Barcelona and how it has had such an impact on him from the very first day he traveled here. He happened to have fallen in love with the city from a school trip of two weeks and he knew from that moment on that he would live there one day. Brodie explains how he liked how creative and artsy the city was while incorporating such historic architecture and urban planning, and how he could also practice his Spanish here while still being in a European atmosphere, not to mention it being situated between the sea and the mountains. He also tells us about the friends heâs made in the city:
âThe friends I've made here and the energy they bring is always just so inspiring, that I always come back.â
His first spot for an all-around beverage experience is the Boxcar Social, located in 4 different areas around town.  They curate coffee that's been roasted (and grown) all over the world, and not only specialize on serving the best cup possible, but also in supplying a wide list of great beers, wines, and even whiskies. Another one would probably be The Library Specialty Coffee, even just based on the interior design alone (super minimal and beautiful), but it doesn't stop there. Jeffrey now roasts his own coffee in-house and serves not only espresso drinks, but pour-overs brewed by hand as well, so you know they're good! Strange Love is just another one of his many favourites, but what he love about them is how they at least have 2 or 3 different espressos and pour-overs on hand at any time, and what's cool about their Queen Street location is that it's almost like a little market place complete with a clothing shop, tattoo parlour, and soon to be their own food.
He had a hard time choosing the best cup of coffee, but he does have a fond memory of expressos he had at Prufrock in London. Another memorable cup of coffee was one he made on a mountain in Indonesia with my Aeropress and hot water from a thermos just after sunrise with locally-roasted Indonesian coffee.
Over the years, Brodie experimented with many different styles of photography, some he liked and others he quickly avoided, which is how he is finding his niche in lifestyle and product type photography and he incorporates this theme when taking photos of coffee and the culture that surrounds it. In terms of the most liked, Brodie laughs and explains that he has a habit of taking photos of himself, and his favourite picture is one with him and his brother,Â
âIt was earlier on in my time with a camera, and we were just playing around with different scenarios in my house at the time â I put the camera on a timer and just through the Ace of Hearts at the lens a bunch of times until I got what I wantedâÂ
Check out Brodieâs Instagram for more @thenomadbrodie.
Brodie is a huge fan of the documentary process and has been a part of several in Asia, that are still unreleased. One of the documentaries that he recently helped premiere in Toronto was made by a few friends of his from Czech about his favourite form of coffee brewing, the Aeropress. Here is a quick cameo of it: https://aeropressmovie.com/.
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Coffee questions
How many cups of coffee do you drink per day? Maybe 4 or 5? Depends on how many cafés I'm visiting, and how many different coffees I want to taste.
How do you like your coffee? I always drink it 'neat', unless it's a signature drink that someone has designed for my tasting pleasure like the Cardamom Oat milk Lattes at Fika or Brodflour in Toronto!
Finish the phrase: I am a coffee lover becauseâŠcoffee always loves me back ;).
We were completely charmed by Jacinthe Hall, a mom, an artist and someone who is passionate about embroidery and photography. Meet this inspiring woman who likes all things "beautiful, creative and different".Â
Jacinthe met her soulmate at the age of 16, and it took her 10 years of treatment and hope to finally be able to have what she calls "her miracle baby"; Marcus. Since then, they live the perfect happiness. The balance of their daily life is based on simple moments. The love she brings to her family is definitely reflected in her photos.Â
"We are fervent followers of slow living. For us, it means, take the time; the time to appreciate the little moments of life as much as the big ones and to live with intention »
At risk of depression, Jacinthe was looking for a new creative activity. No one knew that this hobby would turn out to be a real passion of hers! For her birthday, she asked her sister to get the basic embroidery kit.
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In January 2018, an artist was born. Today, she makes many works of art with a nature theme. She is inspired by everything around her like : leaves that change colors, current seasons, and also her sons drawings. She also accepts custom requests from her clients.
Art has always had a great place in Jacinthe's life and she is also a fan of many other artists. Among those who inspire her are Lysa Jordan, tattoo artist Yann Black, illustrators Lucile L, Joannie Houle, and many others.
"It's a way for me to channel my emotions in a positive way, to empty and refocus on myself. For me, art is a painting, a photograph, a musical piece, but above all, itâs to observe the beauty that surrounds me, like the way the sun that hits the ground or the way the leaves move in the wind. This is how I integrate it mostly in my daily life. "
To this day, the public's growing interest in her artistic creations still surprises Jacinthe. She is currently working on opening her store/gallery which will offer unique designs, the option of custom orders, courses, and more.
We hope that this project will allow her free up her kitchen table, which is always too crowded with sketches and embroidery!
Photo credit:Â Em Dubin
Laura Supnik was born in Pennsylvania but has now been living in Brooklyn for 2 years. Her passion for drawing has been there her whole life, but it was in her senior year in high school that she discovered that she liked the illustration style more than the others.Â
People later started to ask if they could pay to have some of her works and it is then that she realized she could make a job out of it. She started doing some projects on the side but is now drawing full time. One of her favorite illustrations is a recent one she did with Converse. It was a dream for her because she loves their shoes. Check it out!
Laura doesnât have a defined office space in her apartment, but she likes to go to nearby coffee shops to get work done. Her work load changes everyday. One day, itâs shipping orders from her online store and others, itâs meeting people to discuss new projects.
Why this collaboration? Simply because she wanted to do something cute and fun like Mimi & August!
Visit her website and follow her on Instagram (@laurasupnik)!
Tulum is renowned for their ability to adapt to the slow and calm rhythm of life. Taking a break and just enjoying the small moments are their speciality. On the main street, and in the narrowest streets, you can find small cafes and restaurants. During the day we enjoyed stopping by those restaurants after a long day walking in the sun. We also loved the little spots by the beach where we could stop and chill with a view over the sea (not bad at all).Â
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Tulum art Club
Why? Itâs the perfect spot to work on your projects! Be inspired by all the art on the walls and be sure to attend the local expositions for free. Also, the smoothies are amazing (like so f* good).
Check it out here : http://tulumartclub.com/cafe/Â
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CafĂ© KiâBok
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We all love to not feel like a tourist in a new country ; well to avoid that, going to a restaurant filled with locals is your best bet. It might not be inviting at first, however the dishes are less expensive and even more tasty!
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The ruins of Tulum
Cenotes
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Make sure to go to the Grand Cenote
Dos Ojos
]]>We met with Instagram girl Juliette Bélanger-Charpentier (@juliettebelangerc) a few weeks back. She is mostly known for her remarkable coffee picture, but she also has an amazing eye for design. Yes, she knows how to create a setting, a vibe, a mix of colors and textures, basically how to make a home a good one. We decided to meet with her so that she could show us her new apartment and give us exclusive tips on how to make yourself at home.
The key element that Juliette likes to put out front in her bedroom is her bohemian « macramĂ© ».  She really wanted to create a natural and warm space for her bedroom. Precisely, it is the room with the best natural light and she used that to mix more subtle elements. With neutral and pale tones such as grey, beige and wood she managed to create a comfortable bedroom that inspires tranquility. Â
Where to find it.
« Macramé » : Urban Outfitters (online)
ï»żThe key element to her beautiful living room is her magnificent mid-century table. The mirrors on the table make the room look way bigger than it is and it also provides an excellent storage space (we are freaking out!)
Oddly enough, the living room was the space where there was less light. Juliette then had to work with this and decided to create light with neutral but dark elements such as orange, brown, black a gold. The use of darker colors will in fact create an illusion of warmth. Also, she decorated the living room with tons of candles and yellow lights (instead of white!) to create a cozy vibe. Her personal advice : it is always important to have an element that joins every room together so that you have a continuity in your style.Â
Where to find it.
Table : West Elm
In the dining room, Juliette wanted to create an open space where she could invite people and also promote elements that nurture creativity. She therefore integrated a musical corner with a turntable and a vintage typewriter.
Another great element in this room is her china cabinet. When she moved it the cabinet was old and outdated looking with glass doors and made of mahogany wood (a big no no for a warm and open look). She then decided to repaint everything, and I mean everything, and open the space by removing the doors and adding multiple shelves. It was important for her to have a china cabinet that was practical, but also thoughtfully designed.
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Where to find it.
Smiling cup : Vestibule
Chairs : Structube
Working table : Ikea
Dining table : West ElmÂ
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Juliette admits that she has a strong passion for rose gold and copper styled elements. She decided to add this personal touch of hers in her kitchen. She explains that those styles mix perfectly with a white kitchen. To make her very own Pinterest kind of vibe in her kitchen, she was inspired to create a station where she could hang her utensils and such. She decided to decorate this very special station by herself with : a pole from Rona, painted bathroom hooks and stylish utensils. She completely transformed a kinda boring space (the microwave space) into something essential and pretty to the eye.
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Where to find it.
Rose gold utensils : Homesense
Pots : StructubeÂ
Being in the Plateau often means having to deal with small spaces. Julietteâs bathroom is, in her own words, extremely small (yes, the pictures make it look big, but donât be fooled!). It was again extremely important to create an illusion of a bigger space.
How?
On a side note : Juliette loves taking baths and it is a moment of great relaxation for her. As such, it is essential to have a tray for ready (or watching Netflix) and to have a natural light (yes!). Nothing better for tranquility.
Where to find it.
Tray : Simons
Storage Baskets : Aubainerie
Storage shelves: Homesense
Shelf with mirror : Rona
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