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Living a Nordic Life
Welcome to Living A Nordic Life, helping you live a Nordic Life, wherever you are.
From my home in southern Norway I'd love to share my Nordic lifestyle, cooking and surroundings with you, and show you how I have discovered that you don't need to live in Norway to enjoy and embrace a Nordic lifestyle and way of living.
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What I Don't Want To Lose About Norwegian Life
After many years in Norway, there are certain things about everyday life that have become part of who I am. From the habit of going outdoors whatever the weather to appreciating the changing seasons and finding pleasure in simple things, these are the parts of Norwegian life I hope to hold on to, wherever life takes me.

Fiona McKinna
6 hours ago4 min read


Five Gentle Ways to Tell the Story of Your Seasonal Paper Crafts
Discover five simple ways to photograph and share your handmade seasonal decorations, from quiet still-life portraits to close-up details and gentle moving images. With a little natural light, a thoughtful background and materials you already have, you can preserve the small details that make each creation special. A cosy, Nordic-inspired way to seasonal crafting, without the need for perfection or expensive equipment.

Fiona McKinna
1 day ago5 min read


Nordic Grannycore: The Cosy Aesthetic That Makes Life Feel Slower
Nordic Grannycore aesthetic celebrates slow Nordic living through knitting, baking, cooking from scratch, gardening, fermenting, and slow hiking. Rooted in seasonal rhythm and simple traditions, it embraces warmth, handmade gifts, and mindful outdoor life. Discover how Nordic women keep old skills alive through cosy, sustainable, and deeply comforting everyday rituals that connect home, nature, and community.

Fiona McKinna
Oct 25 min read


5 Great Reasons to Live in Norway
For so long Norway has been somewhere many people would love to live. But why? Let me share my 5 big reasons

Fiona McKinna
Sep 214 min read


Let's Holiday Like We're Norwegian!
Many Norwegians happily spend the holiday in their own country. There are lots of things to learn from this and we can do exactly the same ourselves with a few tips to get started.

Fiona McKinna
Aug 94 min read


How To Embrace a Scandi-Inspired Home
You don't need to live in Scandinavia to bring some beautiful Scandinavian touches to your home. With a few simple changes and Scandi-inspired touches your home can be welcoming and hygge.

Fiona McKinna
Aug 34 min read


How to Have a Beautiful Nordic Lawn
Keeping a lush, green lawn in a northern climate isn't always easy. Long winters, frozen ground and short growing seasons all put grass to the test. In this guide, I share the lessons we've learned caring for our own Nordic garden, from choosing the right grass varieties and adjusting mowing heights to aeration, fertilising and smart technology. With a little planning, you can enjoy a healthy, resilient lawn that's ready for summer.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 106 min read


Living With The Midnight Sun: When Evening Never Quite Arrives
What is it really like to live with the midnight sun? Across Norway and the Nordic countries, July brings long days, bright evenings and a unique relationship with time. From late-night walks and outdoor living to the practical challenges of sleeping when darkness never quite arrives, discover how the midnight sun shapes everyday life and why Scandinavians treasure these fleeting weeks of endless summer light.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 104 min read


Metsäkävely: The Finnish Habit of Forest Bathing
Discover the Nordic art of metsäkävely, or forest walking—a simple, mindful way to reduce stress and reconnect with nature. Learn how this Finnish tradition brings calm, boosts wellbeing, and helps you slow down in every season. Step into the quiet of the trees and experience the restorative power of the forest in your everyday life.

Fiona McKinna
Dec 1, 20254 min read


The Rise of Digital Nomads in Scandinavia: Tech & Lifestyle Trends
Picture this: you’re sipping coffee in a sleek Copenhagen café, laptop open, surrounded not by students but by nomads juggling clients across time zones. Scandinavia has quietly cracked the code—blazing internet, eco-friendly cities, and a culture that says yes to balance. Whether it’s kayaking after work in Sweden or networking in Oslo’s co-working hubs, the Nordics make remote work feel less like a grind and more like a lifestyle upgrade

Fiona McKinna
Sep 6, 20254 min read


Why keeping your distance matters more in Nordic culture
Giving one another space in the Nordics is a really important part of the culture. It shows respect and thought for others.

Fiona McKinna
Mar 23, 20254 min read


Lapskaus, Norwegian Beef and Vegetable Stew
Lapskaus is a firm favourite in Norway and a well loved comfort food. It's a dish that is simple but delicious and so easy to make

Fiona McKinna
Apr 12, 20243 min read


Nordic Easter traditions you may not have heard of
Easter is a time for slowing down a little in the Nordics and enjoying the arrival of spring with some more unusual traditions and habits

Fiona McKinna
Mar 18, 20244 min read


The Norwegian love of cross-country skiing
Everyone knows that Norwegians love to ski and they seem to be born to it. There are some things about it that might surprise you

Fiona McKinna
Mar 10, 20244 min read


New skills to learn for a creative year
Learning new skills gives us a wonderful feeling of achievement and fulfillment and even better if they are useful and traditional crafts

Fiona McKinna
Feb 25, 20244 min read


What are Norwegian ski resorts like?
Norwegian ski resorts are rather different to the famous resorts of the European Alps. What can you expect at a Norwegian ski resort?

Fiona McKinna
Jan 28, 20245 min read


Lille Lørdag, Celebrating the Middle of the Week
Appreciating the simple things we have in our lives can raise our level of happiness. Lille Lørdag is one of those ways of celebratiing

Fiona McKinna
Nov 20, 20234 min read


Weird food that is eaten in Norway
Weird food is a matter of opinion, right? One person's weird is another's delicious. So what unusual food can we find in Norway?

Fiona McKinna
Jul 11, 20234 min read


My Nordic Belgian Waffles
Cold and foggy autumn mornings are just begging for the warmth and comfort of a waffle topped with something decadent. Hygge on a plate!

Fiona McKinna
Oct 28, 20223 min read


Mellommatkake, The Cake for Between Meals
You can never have too many cake recipes, right?!! Mellommatkake is an easy, light cake that is perfect for fill the gap between meals.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 2, 20222 min read
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