If you know me, you know I’m a big fan of Oprah.
Just discovered this inspiring video on youtube where she tells the famous story of how her life changed when she read The Seat of The Soul by Gary Zukav and when she got cast in A Color Purple. Love you Oprah!
Wonderful books
I’ve read so many wonderful books this summer. My favorites that I really recommend are:
Raising Kanye by Donda West
Principles by Ray Dalio
The Secrets of My Life by Caitlyn Jenner
…and all things Kardashian by Kris Jenner
Tenk Enkelt by Carina Poulsen (Norwegian only)
It’s just so beautiful when these people share from their experience and thoughts on how to do life.
If you want to get inspired pick any one of them and enjoy!
Cherries is out now!
My new song Cherries is out now! I produced it myself (the actual editing and mixing in Pro Tools).
I’ll be releasing a lot more self produced music this fall.
I’ve spent the last year learning Pro Tools and Logic (music production programs).
My first few years in the music business was filled with so many people trying to take advantage of me and trick me because of my genuine love of music and because I’m a female.
You would be surprised at some of the names and stories.
Going forward I hope I can inspire other ladies in the business, and girls who want to get into making music. You don’t need a record deal, a producer, or anybody to believe in you, to make music.
All you need is your own creativity, determination and self-respect.
I’m not saying that it’s not good to collaborate with others - just as long as that’s what it is, and you pick the right people.
But just remember that no matter who you are and what you want to accomplish,
you don’t need anyone to get started or move yourself forward.
A thanks to all my jazz musicians - I was lucky to link up with you and still have you in my life - it’s incredible to be surrounded by individuals who actually have a true love of music after my rough start in the music business encountering people with zero integrity.
Thanks Adi, Taber, Darrian and Ken for playing on this track and some of the upcoming ones - chopped it up a bit on this one - you can hear more of their beautiful playing in upcoming tracks.
Chorus written by Lew Brown. Verses and break by me.
This mix is dry, bassy, minimalist and perfect for a chill Sunday - just like I wanted it to be. Hope you enjoy and thank you for supporting me and my music. I’m only getting started. Seena
Soneva Jani I <3 You
For my first time visiting the Maldives I think I hit bulls eye choosing to stay at this amazing place! Soneva Jani had everything I wanted and more. Made a video of my stay which you can check out above :)
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF TWA HOTEL
My flight from NYC/JFK to OSLO/GARDERMOEN ended up being really delayed. Since it was in the middle of the night with no restaurants or lounges open I decided to take the (free!) Airtrain from Terminal 1 over to Terminal 5. Why did I do this? So that I could check out the new TWA Hotel of course! Check out the video I made and please like and subscribe if you want more content as I’m going to upload a lot to my Youtube channel in the coming months.
Xo,
Seena
My Fave Hike In Iceland
My fave hike in Iceland comes with an optional dip in a hot spring river! If you find yourself in Reykjavik looking for a nearby hike, I recommend renting a car and driving 30-45 minutes to Reykjadalur. The hike up to Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is beautiful! It’s easy to follow the main path and the incline will definitely get your heart rate up, even though it’s not too difficult a climb. One note: If you are scared of heights you might have to turn around at a certain point; about halfway into the hike the path winds around a valley where the edges are pretty steep.
Once you are close to the part of the hot spring thermal river where you can bathe you have to pass through an area filled with steam blowing from nearby hot springs - simply amazing!
The hike to Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is about 3 kilometers in each direction.
You’ll understand it once you’ve reached the area you can bathe in, as it boasts a few changing-screens (FYI they are not enclosed so people can still see you change) and steps down into the river. Don’t forget to bring a towel.
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This is just one of many incredible hikes in Iceland and I can’t wait to go back and do more! Let me know if you have any suggestions!
Benefits of Matcha
Every year as spring comes around I find myself craving Iced Matcha Almond Milk Lattes. The one above is from my fave place Cha Cha Matcha. Here is a list of just a few of the many benefits of Matcha:
It’s super high in antioxidants, which can prevent aging and chronic ilness
It specifically contains the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate which can prevent free radical damage to cells
It has approximately 3 times the caffeine and 10 times the nutrients of regular steeped green tea
It brings a focused, alert energy without the jitters coffee can bring with it
Enjoy!
Xo,
Seena
Ikigai
Are you familiar with the Japanese concept of Ikigai? Directly translated it breaks down into ‘iki’ which means life and ‘gai’ which means worth. So Ikigai = life’s worth; It’s a philosophy and way of living for the most meaningful life. This graph explains it:
There needs to be a balance between all the components in the graph above in order to experience Ikigai. I feel like the Ikigai graph also speaks to us as a reality check, because it demonstrates that it’s unrealistic to focus on one or two of the components and expect a complete sense of happiness and meaningfulness.
xo,
Seena
Windy Day
‘Windy Day’ by Konstanin Yakovlevich Kryzhitsky (1858 - 1911)
The Old Man & The Sea
Have you read a lot of Ernest Hemingway? I haven’t but I recently decided to check out two of his books;
‘A Moveable Feast’ and ‘The Old Man And The Sea’. They are both pretty short and available as audiobooks.
‘The Old Man And The Sea’ touches on a few different subjects.
At first glance it’s a simple story of an old fisherman that hasn’t caught a fish in a very long time,
but he goes out fishing again.
It takes him days out on the open sea, but he finally catches a huge marlin,
only to have it eaten up by a shark while trying to transport it back to land.
To me, the general deeper meaning of the story is of course about resilience and not giving up,
but on a more specific level it’s also about proving to yourself that you can uphold your standards and push yourself to your own limits, while being respectful and humble to your environment.
Because in the end when you return to the shore you are left only with how you acted and not with what you caught.
There are plenty more moral lessons in this book, but you can check those out for yourself if you want :)
xo,
Seena
Two Netflix Faves
My new favorite Netflix show is 'Selling Sunset'.
It just came out on March 22nd, and I’ve already finished the first (and only) season.
The show centers on five fierce real estate agents in West Hollywood.
If you love LA, real estate and RHOBH you should definitely watch this!
Also, I’m so happy that one of the other shows I love is coming out with Season 3 on March 29th.
’Santa Clarity Diet’ is a super funny horror comedy show about…well you can see for yourself:
My fave way to start the morning in Rome
15 Likes, 0 Comments - Seena (@seenamusic) on Instagram: "#good #morning #rome"
Saw somebody eating donuts today and it made me flash back to one of my favorite memories from the last time I was in Rome: Getting up really early and jogging along river Tiber with the final destination being Pasticceria Boccione in the Jewish Quarter for some freshly made donuts. You should try it!
Arrive right when they open at 8am.
Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Xo, Seena
Hemingway
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“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.”
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The truth
:) Xo, Seena
Inspired by: Kenneth Blom
Discovered this artist from my home country of Norway earlier this year. Love his style and the moods of his work. His website is www.KennethBlom.Com. Enjoy.
Three Tulum Favorites
One of my favorite vacation spots that I can’t wait to go back to is Tulum. I find myself dreaming back to my trip there a few years ago on these cold winter days here in New York City. Here are three of my favorite things I wouldn't mind doing again:
Waking up to bird song and a view of the ocean at hotel Mi Amor.
Biking down through the whole beach community on the main road, then:
Eating lunch and hanging out all day at Be Tulum.
Sway is out now <3
About Hope
Last week I stumbled over what must be one of the saddest sentences I’ve ever read: “Hope is just delayed disappointment”. It’s so dark to me, also because I find that sentence to carry truth in it. But I don’t agree with it fully. Because yes, hope can be a form of delayed disappointment half the times or even nine times out of ten, but not every single time. What makes hoping worth it is that one time something works - that makes all those other delayed disappointments into stepping stones to your success. But I realize it’s easier to take that view looking back, of course. And I guess it also depends what it is you’re hoping :) Hope you’re having a good day and that all your dreams come true. Xo, Seena
Don't Wait
Don’t wait for someone to do right by you. Sometimes you have to take charge and do right by yourself.
I don’t mean in a violent or negative way of course!
Peace,
Seena
At Your Own Pace
Hope I can inspire you today to stress down and go at your own pace with whatever project you are working on. Your well being matters just as much as the end result - if not more :) Namaste <3