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.

5 Reasons to visit southern Norway

Visitors to Norway often rush straight to Oslo, bergen or Stavanger. But southern Norway is a special place of history, culture and scenery

Fiona McKinna

Jun 23, 20244 min read

Do Scandinavians wear shoes inside?

Do Scandinavians really always take their shoes off? It's a hot debate and if you are visiting Scandinavia it's definitely worth knowing

Fiona McKinna

Jan 15, 20243 min read

Velkommen Desember

Welcome December! Let's look at what December in the Nordics brings and some of the traditions we'll be exploring more in the month ahead.

Fiona McKinna

Dec 1, 20233 min read

Summer on the southern Norwegian Coast

Join me for a little Scandinavian escapism and a journey along the southern coast of Norway

Fiona McKinna

Jun 16, 20233 min read

The Harryhandel, some Modern Norwegian culture

I want to tell you about a bit of modern Norwegian culture that you have probably never heard of unless you live in Norway or Sweden. ...

Fiona McKinna

Jun 9, 20233 min read

Shopping in a Norwegian Supermarket

Supermarkets in other countries are always exciting. Would you like to join me on a virtual shopping trip to a Norwegian supermarket?

Fiona McKinna

Aug 5, 20225 min read

Edvard Munch, A Less Tortured Side to the Artist

Edvard Munch is one of Norway's most celebrated artists for his striking and memorable art. There is much more to him than the Scream

Fiona McKinna

Jul 26, 20225 min read

7 Ways To Experience Scandinavia at Home

Bring a little piece of Scandinavia to your everyday.

Fiona McKinna

Jun 26, 20223 min read

10 Norwegian Finds to Carry Home

Let's daydream for a moment about travelling once again. This fun post is about the things I'd bring home from Norway if I was a visitor

Fiona McKinna

Oct 12, 20214 min read

Beautiful Bunads, Norwegian National Costume

Bunads (Norwegian national dress) are an important part of Norwegian cultural heritage and take a huge amount of skill to make.

Fiona McKinna

May 15, 20212 min read

Påskekrim, The Norwegian Detective Fest

Påskekrim is not the cosy, hygge Nordic activity you'd expect at Easter, but something completely different...

Fiona McKinna

Mar 31, 20212 min read

Hyttelivet, More Than Just a Trip to the Cabin

Hyttelivet or the cabin life is an integral part of Nordic living and something that Norwegians cherish. See my tips for your own hytteliv

Fiona McKinna

Mar 23, 20213 min read

Stavkirke, The Iconic Norwegian Stave Church

Norwegian stave churches are a mix of fairy tale and gothic novel. They are striking and menacing, but beautiful.

Fiona McKinna

Mar 16, 20213 min read

For the love of wool!

The love of wool in Norway is seeing no signs of ever waning. Wol is warm, versatile and reliable and keeps you warm in the coldest climes

Fiona McKinna

Mar 2, 20212 min read

Friluftsliv, Your Life Outdoors

Friluftsliv is the word used in the Nordic countries to describe life outdoors. Being outside in nature is hugely important here.

Fiona McKinna

Feb 16, 20214 min read

How to Do Winter Like a Norwegian

The Norwegians really now how to enjoy winter. I have some tips to help you enjoy it too.

Fiona McKinna

Feb 8, 20213 min read

Blåsmesse on the Primstav

Blåsmesse is a special day on the Nordic Primstav that falls on 3 February

Fiona McKinna

Feb 3, 20212 min read

Turmat, the Special Food for Trips

Turmat is food that can be enjoyed on trips. It's easy to carry, but filling and fun. Here are a few tips to inspire you

Fiona McKinna

Jan 27, 20212 min read

The Power of the Dugnad

The Norwegian dugnad is a voluntary activity that holds a special place in Norwegian culture

Fiona McKinna

Jan 19, 20212 min read

Midtvinter, Midwinters Day

Midwinters Day on the primstav is marked by the symbol of the bear. You must be cautious not to wake it!!

Fiona McKinna

Jan 12, 20211 min read

Living a Nordic Life

5 Reasons to visit southern Norway

Do Scandinavians wear shoes inside?

Velkommen Desember

Summer on the southern Norwegian Coast

The Harryhandel, some Modern Norwegian culture

Shopping in a Norwegian Supermarket

Edvard Munch, A Less Tortured Side to the Artist

7 Ways To Experience Scandinavia at Home

10 Norwegian Finds to Carry Home

Beautiful Bunads, Norwegian National Costume

Påskekrim, The Norwegian Detective Fest

Hyttelivet, More Than Just a Trip to the Cabin

Stavkirke, The Iconic Norwegian Stave Church

For the love of wool!

Friluftsliv, Your Life Outdoors

How to Do Winter Like a Norwegian

Blåsmesse on the Primstav

Turmat, the Special Food for Trips

The Power of the Dugnad

Midtvinter, Midwinters Day

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