Originating in Sweden, living lagom is a lifestyle philosophy which emphasizes a sense of balance and moderation. The term lagom is defined as the principle of living a balanced, moderately-paced, low-fuss life. Living within your means, reducing waste, and prioritizing sustainability are just a few examples of a lagom lifestyle, yielding a greater sense of happiness and reducing stress and anxiety. Interested in lagom-living but not sure where to start? Read on to learn how you can use this Scandinavian principle to lead a more balanced life.

Next, discover how to create a healthy home environment, and learn why biophilic design is worth incorporating into your home.

As the place where we spend most of our time, it’s no surprise that how we live at home directly impacts our overall health. Empire’s Vice President of Sustainability & Innovation, Andrew Guido, shares his advice on how you can create a healthy home environment to ensure the quality of your living space is top notch.

Looking for some more helpful tips? Check out our advice for all things cleaning and why biophilic design is worth incorporating into your home.

Image courtesy of: Amazon (LEVOIT Air Purifier).

Hosting a garage sale can be a fun way to declutter your home, make a little extra cash on the side, and meet members of your community. As a garage sale attendee, there’s nothing quite like the thrill or excitement of discovering something novel and new. As a host, it’s comforting to know that the pieces you once loved will finally get a new lease on life. Thinking about hosting a garage sale? Take some time to plan ahead to ensure things go smoothly.

There’s no denying that Sunday scaries can creep up on you after a fun-filled weekend, leaving you feeling unprepared for the week ahead. While Sunday is typically known as a day of rest, it can also be used as a day to plan, prep and get organized for the week ahead. Setting aside some time to get your affairs in order will make you feel more at ease by the time Monday rolls around. To help you get started, we’ve created a ‘Sunday Reset’ guide to keep you on track and get your week started right.

Looking for more ways to stay organized throughout the week? Check out the best cleaning style for your personality type and the ultimate key to a tidy home.

As the old saying goes, out with the old and in with the new, and that couldn’t be any more relevant with the beginning of the spring season now fully realized. Flowers in full bloom and sunnier days usually trigger thoughts of spring cleaning — an arguably difficult time for many if you don’t have a solid plan of action in place. 

The problem usually lies in trying to tackle your household chores with a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Since cleaning is rarely anyone’s favourite activity, why not try and “hack” the process?  Make cleaning and decluttering something you enjoy by tailoring your cleaning methods to fit your unique personality with our handy guide below.  

When you’re surrounded by a sea of books, it can be hard to choose your next read. From romance to thrillers and everything in between, your local bookstore is likely jam-packed with titles you’ve never even heard of. To make your search a little easier, we’ve enlisted the help of our Content Specialist and resident literary enthusiast, Miriam El Abbassi, to give us a breakdown of a few new releases we think you’ll love.

The Maid by Nita Prose

Miriam’s take: “This is a delightfully heartwarming read thats less about the murder-mystery at hand and more about the loveable protagonist at its centre. If you’re ever in need of a pick-me-up, I highly recommend The Maid.”

Wahala by Nikki May

Miriam’s take: “This is a refreshing perspective on friendship in a world where it feels like things can get a little repetitive.” 

Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brene Brown

Miriam’s take: “This won’t be something you read cover-to-cover, but it will be something you pick up when you just can’t find the right words. Atlas of the Heart helps you navigate the highs and lows of human emotion during the most turbulent times.”

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

Miriam’s take: “While very reminiscent of The Handmaid’s tale, this book is a more modern take on this familiar dystopian universe”

Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner

Miriam’s take: “This book will have you glued to its pages at all hours of the night. You’ll want to devour it all in a single sitting and savour it all at once. While the thrilling nature of this story is intriguing, it’s the layered characters that keep you wanting more.”

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Miriam’s take: “For those who’ve been waiting since The Martian for another fun-filled sci-fi novel, I’m happy to report this book goes above and beyond.”

If consuming content in an audio format is more your style, check out our roundup of podcasts we think you’ll love.

Images courtesy of: Goodreads (The Maid); Goodreads (Wahala); Goodreads (Atlas of the Heart); Goodreads (The School for Good Mothers); Goodreads (Before She Disappeared); Goodreads (Project Hail Mary). 

Subscription services allow you to experience something new without the hassle of a major commitment. It makes sense why these unique offerings have grown in popularity in recent years, with offerings spanning a number of different categories. Whether you have an incredibly niche interest or want to dip your toes into a new hobby, there’s definitely a subscription service for you to try. For those looking to support local, we’ve rounded up a few Ontario-based subscription services you’re sure to love. 

Subscription services are always a nice way to treat yourself if you’re ever looking for a little pick-me-up, but they also make great gifts to friends or family. You can add one of our suggestions to your shopping list, or check out our gift guide for even more inspiration.

Images courtesy of: Living Peachy (Living Peachy); Bare Mountain Soap Company (Bare Mountain Soap Company).

Subscription services are a great way to treat yourself on occasion, but they also make amazing gifts for friends and loved ones. Add one from our list to your bundle, or check out our gift guide  for a few other suggestions. 

Images courtesy of: My Paper Box (My Paper Box); Pinterest (Foxed Box). 

Subscription services are the gifts that just keep on giving, and whether you’re treating a friend, a loved one or yourself, they’re a ton of fun to receive. The best thing about subscription services is no matter what your tastes are, you’re bound to find something that piques your interest. If you’re on the hunt, why not start local? Here are a few Atlanta-based subscription services we think you’ll love.

Now’s the time to support your local businesses, and show them some extra love when you can. From the best local coffee shops, to the best spots for southern barbeque, we’ve curated a selection of local guides to help you along. 

Images courtesy of; Jeannie Phan (Atlanta Magazine); Wedding Wire (Georgia Crafted); Garnish & Gather (Garnish & Gather).

As we enter a new year, thoughts of starting fresh tend to float about in our heads. January often signals new beginnings, and a time to reflect on the year that’s passed. It’s also an opportunity to reinvent ourselves and our lives, shaping our trajectory in whatever direction we’d like.

As the old saying goes, the world is your oyster, so what better time to map out your goals and aspirations than right now? It can be hard to sustain continued growth once the high of a new year wears off, so here are a few ways you can get ahead this year and avoid burnout.