Tom Newton

I’m soon approaching that age in life when women start feeling an urge to splash out on high-end skincare products... and when things that never mattered to me now matter. Things like Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Collagen, Propylene Glycol Hylorounic Acid and lots of other complicated jargon.

Though the thought of being forever young sounds inviting to some, what resonates a lot more with me is the chance to age gracefully and naturally.

Lines of expression are exactly that. Marks on our faces that say we’ve laughed a lot, that we’ve had a full life. That we’ve aged—therefore we’ve had the privilege to LIVE.

The “beauty” industry is there, waiting for us to start questioning how to go about flash-freezing our age (on our faces) so they can fill our minds with more doubt and more worry—making it seem glamorous and necessary to buy the most expensive “miracle” products; products that contain things we cannot even pronounce, let alone pinpoint what it really is that we are putting on our faces.

The one thing they do not tell us, though, is the most important and least glamorous secret... and that is that good skin starts from within. Literally, health starts from your gut. Isn’t that so enticing? I know it isn’t, but that is the honest truth. Your gut is the most responsible for your immune system, where detoxifying enzymes and nutrients are created—so smothering a detoxifying mask on your face every week or spending a ridiculous amount of money on masks containing rich live nutrients serves no purpose if you are not eating well.

Your skin is very telling of how well you eat and how much water you drink. So before you make an appointment with your facialist or ask your dermatologist how many creams, balms, serums etc. to buy, make sure you are battling the war from within:

1. Start your day with lemon I know coffee is a bare necessity or at least it is for me... but do not run to your coffee machine as soon as you wake up. Instead grab a tall, lukewarm cup of water and squeeze in half a lemon. This helps flush your digestive system and re-hydrate your body after your 8 hours (you better be sleeping at least eight!) of sleep.

2. Take it down a notch Have a de-stressing routine daily, whether that’s hardcore exercise, yoga, meditation, a walk through the neighborhood or time of prayer. Look for ways in your day to find balance and peace; this does very well to your soul AND gut.

3. Drink a lot of water (duh!) Like you’ve never heard this before. I know you have but, really, DO IT! Water is the best way to detoxify your system, it hydrates your skin and helps your digestive system—and who doesn’t want that, right?

4. Eat probiotics and lower your sugar intake These 2 go hand-in-hand because sugar depletes good bacteria from your gut... so while you might want to introduce yogurts and some sort of pickled vegetable to your diet in order to produce good bacteria, you may also want to make sure that those are not filled with sugar.

5. Hail to all vegetables! Make sure that the biggest portion of your meals is a good amount of vegetables (preferably steamed or sautéed). Why put a Vitamin C mask on your face when you can be eating delicious berries, tomatoes, baby spinach…

Finally, let me tell you this: Beauty products, in general, should be there to enhance your natural beauty, not to change or mask your best traits. Show off those freckles, be proud of how thin or plush your lips are. Leave those eyebrows alone and please, protect your skin from the sun and clean it with love.

Non-optional to have at your disposal: A mild cleanser, a good balm and sunscreen (always!).
How do you take care of your skin? Care to share?

Photography © Nordic Design Collective Nordic Design Collective is a Swedish-based shop like no other. The owner and curator Maria Richardson focuses on creating a marketplace, passionate about supporting independent designers from the Nordic region. She picks like-minded Designers for her shop that are able to convey the same passion she has for hand-crafted pieces and shares beautiful stories about these geniuses' minds, processes and lives. The entire shop concept and the hard work put into every section of it speaks to how much passion goes into creating, curating and supporting this amazing group of Artists.

Nordic Design Collective's Manifesto says it all - and it's not only inspiring to us as buyers and admirers, but also to the people who are behind the crafting tables. The images above are part of a wonderful set of prints by Details by M - Nordic Design Collective supports other amazing artists sauch as: Camilla Engdahl Dan Isaac Wallin Eva Levin Jenny Kåberg Metalldesign Jois Lundgren Jollygoodfellow La Boheme Magdalena Tyboni Saga Melina and Toril Bækmark - to mention but a few. You can learn more about Maria and Nordic Design Collective by visiting their Facebook, following on Instagram, subscribing via Bloglovin' and following via Twitter or Pinterest. Maria has also kindly created a coupon just for our readers. You can get a 15% off discount by using this code: blogmilk15 and support these wonderful Artists. Expires: August 14th 2016.

Photography © VifaVifa is an award-winning speakers brand that has made their way to every Minimalist's heart. Their passion, abilities and ethical approach to their designs is undeniable and a proof of that is their recent collaboration with textile Danish power-house Kvadrat—The Helsinki speaker above is one of the many from their new collection. As is the case with all of the products: The fabric was specifically created to let sound pass perfectly through the woolen threads. The solid aluminum frame is molded in one piece to avoid any assembly marks or frail spots. And the leather strap has been carefully selected and crafted by Swedish leather manufacturer Tärnsjö Garveri.

Photography © Northern Lighting Nordic Lighting is an Oslo-based shop established in 2005 by a group of designers, tastemakers and innovators from around the world. Whether crafted into pendant lights, floor lamps, wall lights, table lamps, candle holders or tea lights, each product they make enhances the quality of ambient light and creates a breath-taking atmosphere. Their products are known world-wide and widely used by some of the most inspiring business and creatives.

Photography © Muuto Muuto Does it again with the new, stunning Framed Mirrors by Anderssen & Voll. A series of mirrors in two sizes and three color versions. Mirrors with colored glass that challenges the function of a classic mirror and adds the dimension of decoration to an interior setting. Combining different mirrors together creates the playful, warm and eye-catching visual you see above.

Photography © &Tradition &tradition brings back to life the classic, Verner Panton Flowerpot Pendant in a contemporary range of colours and it's accompanied by the feeling of the original Panton lamp for the generation of peace, love and harmony. Verner Panton started out as a painter before studying architecture at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. After an apprenticeship with architect and designer Arne Jacobsen, Panton pursued a path in furniture and interior design, where he became famous for his avant-garde designs.

Photography © Aesence Mother's Day is around the corner and though I'm not one to make giftguides, I decided this time I'd just give you unsolicited advice about what I think would make great presents for moms who are also minimalists. Here's the list: This beautiful bottle opener by Umbra, the statement bag for a minimalist: Drawstring Purse by Baggu, the classic Arizona Sandals by Birkenstock - also perfect for Summer. This beautiful Mur Coat by Mango, the gorgeous CH24 Y Stuhl Chair by Carl Hansen, a minimal alarm clock by Menu. Gorgeous brass bluetooth speakers by Leff Amsterdam, the Strickpullover by Espirit, the Turning Table by Menu, this basic white sneakers by Mango. Sexy Yaschloe bra by Yas and last but not least this lovely Contour Key Ring (which I need) by Karl Zahn.
What would you like for Mother's Day?

Photography © Fabian Fabian is a designer focused on the balance between the three following factors – practicality, comfort and aesthetics. This criteria determines the shape and the outcome of his designs, resulting in simple, minimalistic and refined product. For his graduation thesis, Zeijler designed ‘Momentum’ and ‘Pūrificātum’ – two products concerned with the purity of air. I just found this really late today but this is the style of design that makes me giddy. I love seeing people re-invent in a way that it's impossible for anyone to argue that these ideas are the future. Such a brilliant job, I can't wait to see more.