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✈️ From Iowa to Sweden: My First Days in Stockholm
My first few days in Sweden were unforgettable! From breakfast at the cozy Zinkensdamm Hostel to exploring the cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan, this trip was the perfect start to my study abroad adventure in Stockholm. Here’s how I kicked off my Swedish journey — with great food, beautiful views, and a little bit of…
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A Hidden Gem: Exploring Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn completely stole my heart! From medieval streets to seaside views and the best cruise cocktails ever, this two-day getaway from Sweden was pure magic. Here’s how my friends and I explored Estonia — one cobblestone at a time. 🏰✨
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College Throwback: A Night at Johnny’s 🍻
Nothing hits quite like a night at Johnny’s — buffet runs, lemonade refills, and all the Cyclone pride you can handle. A nostalgic love letter to Hilton Magic and the unforgettable spirit of Iowa State. 🌪️❤️
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Inspiration Boards & Unapologetic Role Models
Creating an inspiration board isn’t just about goals — it’s about surrounding yourself with reminders of courage, confidence, and authenticity. These incredible womxn inspire me to live unapologetically and lift others along the way.
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Following My Grandma’s Footsteps in Sweden: Reflections on Equality, Culture & Connection
While reading through my grandmother’s 1986 diary from Sweden, I was struck by how her reflections on equality and freedom still resonate today. From families picnicking on palace lawns to conversations about women’s rights, our experiences — decades apart — beautifully intertwine.
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A Sense of Unity — Connecting with My Grandmother in Sweden
Reading my grandmother’s 1986 diary entry from her trip to Sweden reminded me how deeply connected we are across generations. Walking through the same serene forests she once described, I felt her presence and our shared sense of belonging to the land that shaped our heritage.
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From Rape Culture to Consent Culture: What We Can Learn from Sweden’s FATTA Movement
FATTA, a Swedish movement born from outrage and hope, redefined what consent means in Sweden — and it’s time we do the same in the U.S. Learn how a grassroots group inspired change, challenged old laws, and what we can do to bring a “party of consent” to America.
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The Stories That Built Me
During the holidays, my parents shared family stories that reminded me how deeply resilience runs in our blood. From my great-grandmother’s quiet defiance to my great-great-grandfather’s strength in the face of prejudice, these stories aren’t just history — they’re the foundation of who I am. Remembering where we come from isn’t dwelling on the past;…
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The Magic That Stays With You ✨Page 394
Harry Potter has always been my go-to comfort story — from dressing up as Hermione in elementary school to finding new meaning in Severus Snape’s complexity as an adult. Alan Rickman’s portrayal still reminds me that magic, like humanity, comes in many shades. Always. ⚡
Welcome to a softer kind of lifestyle blog
Cozy stories, honest moments, heartfelt travel, and the beauty in everyday life.
Featured Stories
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Maybe Faith Isn’t About Having All the Answers
As a child, faith felt simple. As an adult, it’s become more complicated. This isn’t a story about losing faith. It’s about learning to hold faith and doubt at the same time, finding hope in a world that often feels broken, and wondering whether faith is less about certainty and more about continuing to hope…
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East of Eden, Empathy, and the Question My High School Teacher Asked Me
Netflix’s East of Eden left me thinking about far more than generational trauma and the biblical echoes of Cain and Abel. It reminded me of a question my high school teacher once wrote in the margins of a paper about Of Mice and Men: “Where is your empathy?” As I reflected on Cathy, Cal, timshel,…
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Five Studio Ghibli Films I Return to Again and Again
Princess Mononoke and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya hold a special place in my heart — two breathtaking stories that feel equal parts magical, emotional, and deeply human. In this post, I’m sharing my favorite Miyazaki (and Ghibli-era) films and why these beautifully animated stories continue to comfort, inspire, and spark wonder in my…
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