#44. All Eyes On Archives, Part 1
Cristina Gareau, Sewla Dahab, Anna Lengstrand, Meghan Rekis & Lauren Mycroft.
Ever since I got off Squarespace and on Substack, my heart has been mourning the loss of all the All Eyes On spotlights that were left on that platform. I had interviewed a total of 50 inspiring, beautiful, creative people from early 2020 to mid 2022. It seemed like such a shame to just lose these interview into the abyss of the internet. So I’m bringing back my favourite 20, in a 4 part series! I’ve meticulously gone through each interview that made the cut, and selected my favourite photos and answers.
This first round includes some gems - Cristina, photographer extraordinaire, who I was lucky enough to have as my wedding photographer; Selwa, who I recently got to know better before my own move to Puerto Escondido; Anna, who is still a major badass and girl-crush to me; Meghan, a likeminded health practitioner and culinary wizard, and; Lauren, who’s work never ever ceases to amaze me.
I hope you enjoy the throwback as much as I do!
All Eyes On: Cristina Gareau
How do you typically spend a day off?
With friends, surfing and beach fires.
What’s the story behind your home and how long have you lived there?
Oh there is quite the story. It’s an old mid-century house which is a little crooked. It used to be in Vancouver where YVR is. When Vancouver’s airport became international in 1968 and the expanded the terminals, they had to remove some houses. They decided to barge them to Ucluelet where housing was needed for the workers. And my house was one of them.
Describe your personal style / style philosophy.
I’ve always loved European fashion. I love very simple outfits with good quality materials and colors that will age nicely and last forever.
Your three wardrobe staples, go…
Vintage wool sweater, good pair of jeans and large glasses.
What qualities do you look for in your friends?
Kindness, sense of adventure, and caring for the environment.
What’s one trend you're currently loving and hoping to stay for the long haul?
Questioning ourselves.
You decide to treat yourself. How do you indulge?
Tiramisu.
If you could rename yourself, what name would you choose?
Nanou is my nickname but I wish it was my official name.
All Eyes On: Selwa Dahab
Are you a morning or evening shower-er?
Both! Morning showers just feel so good and refreshing, while in the evenings, I love to visualize my energy field clearing and ‘washing away’ the day.
How do you typically spend a day off?
I love to grab a latte and go for a walk exploring different neighbourhoods, sit at a cafe and read, hit the beach and bask in the sun, or go to a yoga or pilates class. It varies based on my schedule and what my body and soul are desiring that day. I’m also quite introverted, so I love spending full days alone at times.
What’s the story behind your home and how long have you lived there?
I moved to Puerto Escondido, Mexico in November 2021. I really followed my intuition and took a leap after realizing I was the only thing holding myself back from living somewhere I felt aligned with, that was warm, sunny and where I could do ocean dips all year round. I got rid of a lot of my belongings, put fall/winter clothes in storage along with a few small furniture items and pieces of decor that are dear to me, and left within a matter of weeks after making the decision.
What are a few favourite things that you cherish in your home and why?
My book collection, even though it currently sits in storage. I love to read, and something about having a physical book that I can pull out anytime, carry with me, and fold pages that speak to me to go back to later comes with a certain pleasure.
Favourite meal growing up?
Spanikopita! I grew up on Mediterranean cuisine. My mom is an amazing cook and her spanakopita is to die for. It’s still my favorite and she still makes it for me to this day whenever I visit.
What’s one trend you're currently loving and hoping to stay for the long haul?
Rest and leaving behind hustle culture. I’m not sure if this is even a trend everywhere, but it’s been big for me. I used to be in survival mode working hours on end, and I’ve truly released this desire and now make sure to only take on projects I’m really passionate about and prioritize rest.
You decide to treat yourself. How do you indulge?
A massage.
Guilty pleasure?
Putting my phone on ‘do not disturb’ and spending the day solo.
All Eyes On: Anna Lengstrand
First thing you do in the mornings?
Since I work for myself from home, my days are a blend of weekdays and weekends in one. We have a horse property with many animals that need to be fed early, so I never really sleep in very late and most mornings look the same. I love the early mornings. To sit down with a chaga boosted coffee and a book after all the chores are done. So I try to do that daily. Calm me-time. My favourite part of the day.
How do you typically spend a day off?
I don’t really take full days off. I like to do some fun activities everyday, but also squeeze in a few hours of work (jewelry making or taking photos). But I love going skiing, snowmobiling, cross country/skate skiing, hiking, camping, and also going for extra long rides with my horses.
What are a few favourite things that you cherish in your home and why?
Our barn and property, I love the forest and the large fields. My garden. And inside: our wood burning fire place and the big bright open kitchen.
3 things that are always in your kitchen?
Sourdough starter. Great quality coffee. A nice bottle of red wine waiting to be paired with a nice supper. And honestly: always dog and cat food haha.
Favourite meal growing up?
My grandmother’s home baked bread. The dry reindeer meat that grandpa got us. Also reindeer stew served with lingonberry jam and potatoes. My mum’s root veggie soup with mustard and sausage. And always, Swedish cinnamon buns!
Describe your personal style / style philosophy.
I think I have a Scandinavian style mixed with a touch of western.
All Eyes On: Meghan Rekis
First thing you do in the mornings?
I have practiced (my version) of the Five Tibetans Rites for probably 6 years! This series of stretches may take 20 minutes, I rotate my neck, stretch like a cat, combine it with sun salutations and breathing techniques. I do this before checking my phone or attending to household tasks. I always get bright light early in the day, cold shower, take probiotics - feed my sourdough starter. This prepares my focus and any analytic/detailed type work that comes after I brew coffee.
How do you typically spend a day off?
Weekly farm stops in Saanich or depending on the time of year, I'll get out to forage mushrooms. Typically spent with more involvement in the kitchen- like rolling out sourdough seedy crackers or pasta noodles.
What’s on your bedside table?
Probably some acupuncture needles, Aesop’s sage leaf oil.
What’s the story behind your home and how long have you lived there?
I admired the front landscaping before moving in with my partner, no grass, palm trees, fig tree and raised garden beds. Perfect zone to capture intense sun. I considered the outside more significant than the inside.
Favourite kitchen utensil / gadget?
Mandoline, scale, polaris knife, Aarke carbonator.. Timemore coffee grinder.. I could go on!
Your go-to, no fail recipe?
French lentil dahl, it doesn't matter how you do it, or mix up the spices or leave something out- It often satisfies with or without extra protein, plus it only requires one pot!
Coffee or tea?
I would give up tea before coffee, if that is the question- But I rely on tea later in the day.
Describe your personal style / style philosophy.
I laugh because my sister is a fashion designer but I wear the same pants everyday in different colours. Less decision, less thought.
I pair technical rain wear, often monochrome, often unisex, with funky pattern socks or a linen top. People will think I'm always out for a hike, and ya know I probably am. My style will be the same I'm sure when I am 70.
You decide to treat yourself. How do you indulge?
Make a raw cheesecake or medicinal chocolates! It would be ODD not to have chocolate once a day.
Keys to productivity?
Green space + higher ceilings is better for more abstract work and earlier in the day, and confined spaces for narrow studying and later in the day.
Dedicating short time slots, viewing vast distances in between heavy amounts of screen time.
Tell someone what you are going to do- accountability helps create imaginary deadlines
I depend on visualization for any pursuit, small or large.
Running; cuts procrastination in half when I can talk myself through it during the run.
All Eyes On: Lauren Mycroft
Do you hit snooze?
I have 3 kids under 5 that wake me up at often an ugly hour so haven’t used an alarm in exactly 4 years and 11 months when my first son was born.
How do you typically spend a day off?
I usually like to get everyone outside before about 10 whether that’s to meet up with friends or head out for a walk or bike ride. I love sneaking off to meet up with a friend on my own for a walk or a drink if I can. Without fail, I spend a couple hours in the kitchen making a nice dinner for everyone or doing some baking with the kids. Taking my time making a meal is something I really cherish and reminds me of my former self, pre-kids.
Favourite room in your house?
That’s a tough one… It depends if I’m looking for alone time or not! We spend so much time in our living room all together and it's a beautiful, light filled room but we just redid our kitchen and I love cooking so it’s definitely my happy place when I want some peace.
Any supplements you take / witchy elixirs you swear by?
I take magnesium bisglycinate for sleep, anxiety and digestion and everyday. It works wonders for me. Also fish oil.
What qualities do you look for in your friends?
I like driving home from hanging out with a friend and feeling completely inspired and excited or having the feeling that my stomach muscles are sore from laughing.
Keys to productivity?
Having a clear mind! I never paint if I’m feeling anxious. I can feel other negative emotions and get away with a successful studio day but I am most productive when I’m calm and grounded. I just listened to a good podcast on productivity and the takeaway that’s currently working for me is writing a list of what I have on my plate and then circling the three things that need to happen that day.
