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A Guide to Bowden SunMaze & Eagle Creek Farms | Bowden SunMaze September 2020 | Sunflower Field Near Me | The Best Alberta Sunflower Field | Alberta Sunflower U-Pick | Bowden SunMaze Sunflower Field Best Time To Go | Bowden SunMaze Cost | Eagle Creek Farms Review | Sunflower Field Instagram Tips | Cottagecore Aesthetic | Smiling brunette woman wearing a cream Crêped Cotton Dress and woven fedora laughing in a field of sunflowers at sunset | Calgary Lifestyle Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Fall, Fashion, Flower Education, Flowers, Inspiration, Life, Local Love, Summer, Travel

A GUIDE TO BOWDEN SUNMAZE & EAGLE CREEK FARMS


It’s sunflower season — and I’m absolutely elated! Whether you’ve followed along for just a couple of weeks or a couple of years, you’ll know how much I adore sunflowers. From bringing them into our home, to incorporating them into my FLOWER content, to road-tripping to see fields of these sunny blooms, sunflowers have graced the pages of JustineCelina many times! If you’re reading this post, there’s a good chance you love these sunny, quintessentially summer blooms just as much as I do. Last year, my Mom, little sister and I headed north to visit Bowden Sunmaze & Eagle Creek Farms for an unconventional girls night, to catch a glimpse of their renowned sunflower fields at sunset — and it was an absolutely beautiful evening. Each summer, I looking forward visiting when they reopen for the season! 

If you’ve always wanted to visit a Sunflower Field or U-Pick Flower Field but aren’t sure what to expect, this post is for you! I’m thrilled to bring you along on our trip to Bowden Sunmaze & Eagle Creek Farms as I detail everything you’ve ever wanted to know about visiting a sunflower field and flower u-pick — from location, to cost, to activities, to the best times to visit, to my best sunflower field photography tips! Craving a little adventure as we transition into autumn and want to see these stunning Alberta Sunflower Fields for yourself? Be sure to visit their website and socials for the latest updates regarding the current season. If you’re looking for a family-friendly outdoor activity, or are simply yearning for a cheerful digital escape, join us as we visit Alberta’s Bowden SunMaze on a gorgeous midsummer evening! 

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H&M Wildflower Collection Review | Brunette woman wearing a H&M A Meadow of Wildflowers Collection Smock-Detail Dress on a rolling hill with yellow wildflowers | H&M Wildflower Collection Canada | H&M Wildflower Collection Canada | Spring/Summer 2021 Trends | The Best Cotton Dresses 2021 | Boho Spring / Summer Outfit Ideas | The Best H&M Dresses Summer 2021 | Alberta Wildflower Field | Cottage Core Fashion | Cottagecore Outfits | Calgary Creative Lifestyle & Fashion Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Fashion, Inspiration, Jewelry, Spring, Summer, Travel

H&M WILDFLOWER COLLECTION REVIEW


Friends and fashionistas, I’m thrilled to share my first FASHION post of 2021 with you (it’s about time, isn’t it?!) dedicated to H&M‘s ultra dreamy A Meadow of Wildflowers Collection! Although my personal style and shopping habits have changed significantly as a result of the pandemic, I eagerly comprised my wishlist as soon as I saw previews of this collection pop up online last month. H&M‘s Wildflower Collection is a Spring 2021 release hailing from their Conscious range — featuring elegant, timeless silhouettes made from 100% organic cotton and linen, inspired by their print designers favourite wildflowers recreated in watercolour. Of all the limited edition collections H&M has released (many of which I’ve worn, loved and featured here at JustineCelina over the years!) this the collection of dreams for my free-spirited, art college educated, flower loving soul!

As soon as the (partial) collection arrived online in Canada, I ordered every piece on my wishlist available in my sizes. Shortly after their arrival, we spent an evening venturing around the stunning natural landscapes near my childhood home in rural Alberta capturing these images — and it felt incredible to get excited about shooting fashion content outdoors after a long winter! As of publication, many of these pieces are now sold out online — and some pieces on my wishlist also aren’t yet available online, but are available in store, so I suggest keeping an eye out for online restocks or using the in-store locator to source specific pieces near you. That said, I wanted to publish my dedicated H&M Wildflower Collection Review for you as soon as possible, so you can use it to inform your collection purchases! Accompany me to the sun drenched, wildflower laden fields of the Alberta prairies for my bohemian spin on the collection, styled up with spring and summer accessory staples. As always, this post is complete with shoppable links for both Canada and the US!

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September 2020 Soundtrack | A 26 track playlist featuring an hour and a half of eclectic, feel good, easy listening tunes spanning genres | Boho Summer 2020 Outfit Ideas | Summer Capsule Wardrobe | Classic Summer Outfit Ideas | Brunette woman wearing an Oversized Fringed Brim Straw Hat in a Sunny Golden Wheat Field before harvest | Transitional Summer Meets Autumn Fashion | September Style | Calgary Alberta Fashion & Lifestyle Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Fall, Fashion, Music, Summer, Travel

SEPTEMBER 2O2O SOUNDTRACK


My favourite month of the year has flown by, which means it’s time for another MONTHLY SOUNTRACK! My September 2020 Soundtrack is short n’ sweet, featuring an hour and a half of eclectic, feel good, easy listening tunes spanning genres. I actually spent the majority of the month pouring over my MUSIC archives and listening to my fall soundtracks from years past, rather than new music — and they transported me back to some amazing times! In fact, that’s the very reason I began publishing my monthly soundtracks here at JustineCelina 5 and a half years ago. I now have an extensive library of beautiful memories categorized by month — like a musical time machine to any specific season of life I choose. How incredible is that? As always, thank you for coming along on my musical journey as I share what’s pumping through my speakers each month to help to keep myself inspired, focused and happy. I hope you’ve also enjoyed listening to them as much as I have!

That said, my September 2020 Soundtrack is full of some beautiful new tracks I’ve had on repeat all month long! The Midnight’s Dream Away, Wrong For Me’s Otherwise Fine, Pretty Light’s Only Yesterday, Mon-Day’s Fly High, I See Colors Memories of You, Restless Beat’s Interest, Goth Babe’s Moments / Tides, Arlo Park’s Eugene, Jamie Drake’s Redwood Tree, Grady’s Garden (it seems I’ve had a track with GARDEN in the title every month this summer — I can’t wait to share more about ours later this season!), SUMif’s Walking Away, Luna Shadows malibu bb, ford’s In My Eyes, Handbook’s Careful and Sol Rising’s Beauty Everywhere. Wishing you a safe and healthy month ahead, friends!

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Summer 2020 Lookbook | Boho Summer 2020 Outfit Ideas | Summer Capsule Wardrobe | Summer Quarantine Outfits | Classic Summer Outfit Ideas | The Best Linen Dresses 2020 | Sunset Photoshoot | Summer to Fall Outfit Ideas | Classic Affordable Summer Style | Summer 2020 Trends | Brunette woman wearing a sage green Zara Rustic Dress, Straw Tassel Bag and Oversized Fringed Brim Straw Hat in a Sunlit Barley Field during Golden Hour | Calgary Alberta Fashion & Lifestyle Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Fall, Fashion, Garden, Inspiration, Jewelry, Life, Lookbooks, Summer, Travel, Vintage, Wellness

SUMMER 2020 LOOKBOOK + STYLE CONTENT UPDATE


Friends and fashionistas, I’m absolutely elated to bring you the first LOOKBOOK I’ve published since April — my Summer 2020 Lookbook! It would be an incredible understatement to say that 2020 hasn’t shaped up the way any of us could have predicted and that our lifestyles have changed dramatically as a result of COVID-19. While FASHION is one of my true loves and lifelong passions, I made the decision to pause my regularly scheduled seasonal LOOKBOOKS from May through August to embrace a slower pace of life, navigate through some incredibly difficult situations and make a conscious effort to be grateful for what I have, while being mindful of my spending. Given the state of the world and the economy, it simply didn’t feel right to promote purchasing new clothing during the height of a pandemic. And to be completely transparent, I was also feeling quite uninspired fashion wise as all of the events, meetings and occasions that would typically inspire my style content had halted — as I’m sure many of you can relate! Although I was able to experiment with self portraiture and push the boundaries of my home studio set up to produce some beautiful content during quarantine, it’s safe to say I reached the limit of how of many chic loungewear outfit ideas or breezy spring dresses I could shoot in my Living Room with my self timer and tripod! 

A change of scenery after 3 months of quarantine was exactly what I needed to feel re-inspired — so I packed up and headed to my childhood home in rural Alberta to enjoy the peace and tranquility of  the country while capturing my Summer 2020 Lookbook (with my Mom back behind the lens for many of the images I’m sharing today!). This summer I find myself seeking simplicity and comfort in every area of my life — and that’s definitely reflected in my wardrobe. Purchasing timeless, easy to wear pieces in multiple colourways has been a common theme this summer — and I’ve expanded my summer wardrobe with some fantastic, affordable basics I know I’ll enjoy for years to come. While I’ll always enjoy incorporating trends into my wardrobe in a way that’s authentic to my personal style, this year, I find myself increasingly drawn to classic pieces. These days, fashion moves fast — and I find myself moving in exactly the opposite direction as I mindfully curate my wardrobe. I’ve been living in breezy, effortless silhouettes made from linen, cotton and natural, lightweight fabrics — my summer style has never been more casual (or comfortable) and I’m fully embracing it! Adventure to the tranquil Alberta prairies with me today as I fuse my love of free spirited fashion and stunning natural landscapes in my Summer 2020 Lookbook — featuring 12 effortless, accessible, classic seasonal looks, plus tips on how to transition key pieces into autumn. I’m also sharing the first glimpse of our Country Garden — so pour yourself a glass of rosé and join me for a relaxing prairie roadtrip!

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4 Healthy Saskatoon Berry Recipes to Try This Summer + Where to Pick Saskatoons in Alberta | Vegan Gingered Saskatoon Peach Crumble | Wild Saskatoon Berry Crumble | Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet | Summer Bounty Salad with Saskatoon Cider Vinaigrette | Gluten Free Saskatoon Citrus Banana Bread | Plant Based Serviceberry and Prairie Berry Recipes | Dairy Free, Gluten Free and Refined Sugar Saskatoon Recipes | Calgary Lifestyle and Food Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dinner, Food, Gluten Free, Local Love, Lunch, Paleo, Roundups, Salads & Bowls, Summer, Travel, Vegan, Vegetarian

4 HEALTHY SASKATOON BERRY RECIPES + WHERE TO PICK SASKATOONS IN ALBERTA


It’s the height of summer here on the Alberta prairies — which means our saskatoon berries are ripe and ready for picking! Longtime readers will know I have quite an affection for this quintessentially Albertan berry, and every August, my saskatoon recipes become the most viewed pieces of content here at JustineCelina. Today I’m compiling them all for you in one convenient location with this 4 Healthy Saskatoon Berry Recipes roundup, as well as sharing Where to Pick Saskatoons in Alberta! If you’ve always been intrigued by these antioxidant-packed berries but have never known what to do with them (or where to find them!), you’ve come to the right place! Consider this post your one-stop resource for everything you’ve ever wanted to know about saskatoon berries as I share my favourite saskatoon berry picking spots and tips along with 4 plant based saskatoon recipes incorporating them into seasonal breakfast, baking, salad, cocktails and dessert!  

Have you ever tried a saskatoon? While they’re sometimes called Serviceberries, Juneberries or Prairie Berries and resemble blueberries, they actually taste quite different. Believe it or not, Saskatoons are actually more closely related to roses (hailing from the Rosaceae family) and have a deeper, richer, nuttier flavour that’s somehow wilder than blueberries — it’s very distinct and difficult to describe! Saskatoon berries also pack a nutritional punch, containing high levels of protein, calcium, iron, and antioxidants — making them a wonderful addition to a balanced diet. If you live in an area where saskatoons grow, I highly recommend getting out to sample them for yourself while crops are at their peak. With the intense heatwave we’ve been experiencing lately, this year’s crop will likely fade before mid August — so there’s no time like the present! Since the season is fleeting, I was eager to publish this roundup for those of you looking for extensively tested saskatoon recipes that utilize local, seasonal ingredients and are free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar. If you’re picking saskatoons this summer and are looking for some fresh ideas (or details on my favourite saskatoon u-pick locations), I’ve totally got you covered! 

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July 2020 Soundtrack | Chill Summer Playlist | Inspiring Summer Playlist Spotify | Dreamy Summer 2020 Playlist | Brunette woman in a field of canola at sunset wearing a lemon print sundress | Yellow Flower Field | Wheatland County, Alberta, Canada Canola Field | Summer 2020 Bohemian Style Ideas | Boho Casual Summer Dresses | Summer 2020 Fashion | Best H&M Dresses Summer 2020 | Alberta Canola Fields 2020 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada Creative Lifestyle Blogger and Entrepreneur// JustineCelina.com
Fashion, Flowers, Music, Summer, Travel

JULY 2O2O SOUNDTRACK + THE PERFECT LINEN SUNDRESS


My July 2020 Soundtrack is undoubtedly my favourite of the year — and I’m so excited to share it with you today! This 33 track playlist features nearly 2 hours of ultra dreamy, uplifting tunes that have been decorating my summer days and keeping me inspired. MUSIC has always played a big role in my life and is inherently tied to my creative process, as I’m always listening to music while I work away on various projects before I bring them to JustineCelina. July was a very creatively fulfilling month with the perfect mixture of fresh scenery, local travel, lots of gardening and many photoshoots with our stunning Alberta prairies as a backdrop — and this feel-good soundtrack encompasses all the creative, happy vibes July was made of!

This month I could highlight every single track in this playlist as a favourite — so instead, I’ll just let you take a listen! As I did last month, I’m also infusing some STYLE content into this month’s Soundtrack and introducing you to my perfect linen sundress — which I purchased in 5 colourways and have literally been living in all summer long. If you’re interested in additional details, you’ll find them towards the bottom of the post, along with an update on when you can expect my Summer 2020 Lookbook, which I’ve been working away on BTS all month! (Canadian) friends, have an absolutely wonderful long weekend — and whatever you’re up to, I hope you all stay safe and well!

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Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalritas | Mango Margarita | Coconut Mango Margarita | Smoky Mezcal Cocktails | Mango Mezcal Margarita | Tajín Salted Rim | Mezcalerita Drink | Best Mezcal Oaxaca | Mezcal Margarita Recipe | Simple Mezcal Cocktails | Vegan Mezcal Cocktail | Oaxacan Mezcalrita Recipe | Mango Margarita Cointreau | Dairy Free Mango Coconut Cocktail | Refined Sugar Free Margarita | Calgary Cocktail Photographer and Stylist | Calgary Lifestyle, Food and Cocktail Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Dairy Free, Entertain, Fashion, Summer, Travel, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

CREAMY COCONUT MANGO MEZCALRITAS


Friends, it feels absolutely incredible to be back today with a fresh COCKTAIL recipe! It’s been quite awhile since my last blog post — between a wonderful, 3 week workcation in the country, to making the most of some business-related travel in Edmonton (where we enjoyed a little weekend getaway!), I’ve been (safely) bouncing around all over the province like a true digital nomad this month. Although I’ve had my camera and laptop in tow and have still been creating content, keeping my socials updated (have you stopped by Instagram lately to see what I’ve been up to?) and working on some exciting projects, I couldn’t find the time to actually sit down, process and edit imagery, write long-form content and publish a blog post! Instead, I had some long overdue development tasks taken care of behind the scenes here at JustineCelina to get the site back in pristine working order (hopefully you haven’t even noticed!). Overall it’s been a very lucrative and productive month, although blog content took a back seat — so thank you for your patience and understanding! I’m thrilled to be back with this clean slate, feeling refreshed and ready to bring you tons of summer content — commencing with these Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalritas!

I’ve been sipping away on these jubilant, Oaxacan-inspired cocktails since Cinco de Mayo when I whipped them up for a festive night in, simply using what we had on hand — and the results were absolutely delicious! My Creamy Coconut Mango Mezcalritas are a perfectly balanced libation that are equal parts smoky, citrusy, creamy, spicy and sweet — and are (as always!) free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar. A healthy dose of hand-crafted mezcal and creamy coconut milk combine with fresh mango and lime juices, along with a splash of Cointreau, agave nectar and just a hint of red chilli before they’re shaken over ice and strained into a Himalayan pink salt and Tajín rimmed glass. Make the most of this very welcome heatwave with an inspired seasonal sip that will virtually transport you to a tranquil ocean shore from the comfort of your own home, backyard or patio! Cheers to finding new ways to bring TRAVEL into our lives this year!  

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