Hello friends!

The last couple weeks have been pretty crazy - but don't worry, I'm still here! I've just been busy letting life happen.

I thought I would do a little CURRENTLY post to bring you up to speed on all things Alex. So let's get to it!

TRAVELLING

It's weird to say I'm travelling, because I'm actually in my childhood home at the moment. However, I've been hopping on and off planes, trains and automobiles a lot lately. Sometimes feeding my overwhelming case of wanderlust is super satisfying, and at others, all I want to do is just stay still. I'm a walking contradiction... what can I say? I'm finding more and more that no matter where I am, yoga helps me to feel grounded and connected. Wherever I go, it's comforting to know that my practice is still the same.

I'm currently working on some travel posts (for my blog, for Mass Musings, and another fun collab) - so keep your eyes peeled for those in the coming weeks. There will be lots of lovely photos + travel tips (and maybe even a carry-on essentials post) from our time spent in Brazil, California, and my stay in Toronto.

Next on the list (fingers crossed) is Asheville, NC!

LISTENING

"You can't start a fire without a spark."

I was in a yoga class the other day, and while we were in Savasana, the teacher played a cover of Bruce Springsteen's, Dancing in the Dark. For some reason, it just resonated with me. You can't start a fire without a spark. Maybe it's because we spent an hour building fire with our movement + breath, but I've had it in my head since then. I searched and searched for the right cover, but I couldn't find it (I need to ask the teacher next time I'm at the studio). Though I did find a couple that I really liked! I love the original (Bruce is The Boss after all), but I'm a sucker for a slow song + an acoustic guitar.

FEELING

So incredibly inspired. And for that matter, so so so happy.

Travelling + working + photographing + making + loving + moving + breathing + practicing + meditating + accepting + reading + writing + listening + living...

Suddenly, everything in my life is starting to make sense. It's not perfect by any means, but as the dust settles (from the chaos that was 2013-2014), it just feels right.

Start living the life that you want to lead today. Why wait? If not now, when?

READING

Yoga Girl by Rachel Brathen

I probably talk about @yoga_girl too much (ask Pedro), but I just think she is a pretty rad yogi, and a talented writer. Rachel often posts her words on Instagram (along with some of my favourite yoga photos around), but you can also read her pieces on Elephant Journal, or on her blog.

Yoga Girl, the book, was released in North America yesterday! I, of course, picked it up, and have been working my way through it. Part memoir, part recipe book, part yoga guide - Yoga Girl, is nothing short of inspiring. Rachel talks about finding her path to yoga and happiness, and encourages others to create + cultivate balance and love in our own lives. I may have shed a tear or two reading about her journey, and contemplating my own.

I love Rachel's approach to yoga, and life for that matter. She's just, relatable, perhaps? Authentic? Real? Anyways, if you're looking for a good read to help you think about your practice (in an accessible way), this book might be for you! Plus, there's a bevy of beautiful images to feast your eyes upon too.

If I've learned from Rachel Brathen, it is to show yourself love. To show love to others. Just love. And of course, to practice #YogaEveryDamnDay.

And always remember - you are enough. Just as you are.

MISSING

Pedro, Rudie, and the California coastline.

I'm having a great time with family and friends here in Toronto. I'm going to yoga, visiting all my favourite spots, etc. - but I miss my boys back in Boston! I've only been gone a week, but I would love to be snuggling on the couch with them right now.

In regards to California, it was amazing. I have been a lot of places in this world, but I had never felt more at home. From the second I stood in the Pacific Ocean, while the waves crashed against the shore, I just knew. It's a strange and wonderful feeling when you finally end up where you are meant to be.

I am going to do my best to cherish our time on the east coast. It was such a big step for us, and a huge part of our journey. I will admit though, it is hard with our 2016 west coast move date looming in the distance. I just can't believe that my wildest dreams are coming true. It's so surreal, not to mention exciting. Time certainly does fly by, doesn't it?

Until next time - peace + love,

Alex

Hey guys! TGIF, amirite? This week I'm especially happy that it's Friday, because tomorrow is... dun dun dun.. MY BIRTHDAY! Let the festivus begin! We then move the clocks ahead an hour (YES MORE LIGHT THANK YOU, FINALLY!), which means Spring is on her way. AND AND AND on Sunday, Pedro and I fly to California. Words can not describe how excited I am to head out west for the first time. I've been dreaming of California since I was 13 years old (or since I was 5 if you want to count my San Francisco/Full House dreams), and it's finally coming true. Our plan is to move to LA for Pedro's last semester of grad school, so this trip is our "let's check it out and make sure we like it," kinda visit. But what's not to love? Surf, sand and sunshine - I'm in.

Side note:

I've been playing with hand-lettering / handwriting / brush lettering / calligraphy lately. I'm not great, but I'm practicing! Like the graphics I made? The photo below is one I took on a beach from our trip to Itacare, Brasil. I hand-wrote "Let's Get Lost" ON A PIECE OF PAPER, with an actual BRUSH PEN, then scanned the image, turned it into a vector, etc. I am really loving this process. It's a lot of fun.

For the last few years, a couple days before my birthday I write a list of things I would like to accomplish in the coming year. These goals are smaller, and a little different from the goals I set for my long-term vision - but there is some overlap. I meant to check back on my list from last year in this post, but unfortunately, I think my notebook got left behind in Canada... Ooops!

However, I did put together a list of 26 BEFORE 27, and I'm sharing it with you below! Some tasks are easy (like, going for a hike), while others are a little more daunting (pin-up style photo-shoot :S - eek!) - but I'm looking to continue growing, and really let go of my fears this year. SO LET'S DO THIS!

1) Go to Los Angeles, CA.

It's happening! One down.

2) Practice hand lettering.

I've started practicing lettering (and different techniques) every day. I don't really know what I'm doing (except what I learned from my childhood obsession with calligraphy), but I'm having fun, and currently taking some Skillshare classes.

3) Re-brand + make a new business card.

I've been thinking about this for awhile. This website was set up quickly, and I would love to design a new header (with hand-lettering), and have some new + beautiful letterpress business cards made. My old ones still have my old Toronto info on them... Oops! Soon my friends, soon.

4) Get into handstand.

I've just begun my journey to handstand. It will take a long time, but I'm being patient. Even if it takes more than a year, I'm dropping my fears and flipping them (literally). Building strength, opening my shoulders, and creating balance. I've got this guys.

5) Push myself out of my comfort zone. Work with (another) photographer on a pin-up style photoshoot.

Eek, I put this on a list of goals when I first started working with a trainer (who is also my BFF) over 2 years ago. And I still haven't done it. While my body (and mind) has come a long way since then, it's still pretty far from where I want it to be. I still jiggle in all the wrong places, but I'm learning to love my body for all the things it can do - rather than hating it for what it can't. #RadicalSelfLove people!

SO I've decided I'm going to go for this. I want to work with a photographer on a pin-up style shoot (because when I'm not wearing yoga pants, I like to glam up and wear swing skirts), where I am the SUBJECT, instead of behind the lens. Terrifying, but I'm gonna crush my fears, because if not now, when?

6) Open an online shop (on my website).

I want to sell paper/printed goods, prints, iPhone cases, journals, etc., that I have designed on my website. This will take a lot of work and planning, but it's something that I would like to launch by next year.

7) Help organize a community event.

I miss being involved in the community! Ideally, I would love to help organize an event with a yoga studio. Or maybe work with Kayte at Mass Musings to put together a fun blog event.

8) Put together a photo book for my 365 Project.

Not anything crazy... I made a couple of photo books for my parents + in-laws with our wedding photos, so I would like to make something similar. I don't want to publish + distribute it or anything. I would just like to have a record of it for myself.

9) Go hiking.

I don't know why, but I want to be someone who hikes. I really don't enjoy running as much as I once did... But walking up massive hills, through nature, and seeing cool things - that I can do! Plus, I can take pretty pictures on my adventures. Haha. Hoping this gets accomplished on our trip to LA!

10) Visit Asheville, NC.

It's such a beautiful place. My aunt has lived there for 20 years, and I have very fond memories of visiting when I was a child. I haven't been in 10+ years, but I would LOVE to go. Yoga + hiking + mountain living... I'm so excited. I am going to try to plan a trip for the spring time (when I return from my Canadian travels in April).

11) Decorate our home for the holidays.

This one is hard, because we are never around for Christmas. BUT, I love the holidays! I would really like to start collecting + making some of our own decorations, while starting traditions for our little family.

12) Hang art on our walls.

I am SO BAD at this. Our walls are so bare (except for shelves) and it's killing me. I have so many prints (both my own + from other artists) that I could hang, and I just haven't. I would really like to hang up a gallery wall in the next couple months. I just need to buy frames!

13) Print photos, and don't just let them sit on hard drives/SD cards!

Ditto with this one. I NEVER print photos anymore, and it makes me so very sad. One of my favourite memories is looking through old photo albums. I am SO GLAD that my mom (and my grandparents) put together an archive of our family history for me. Also, as a student I spent most of my days in the darkroom - so not printing photos feels almost criminal. I bought a printer, I bought photo paper. This is happening.

14) Experiment more with healthy recipes + food photography/food styling.

I'm working on this one. I've realized just how much photography means to me (as if I ever forgot...), and how much I love styling shoots (especially when there's food involved). Maybe I'll take a food photography class? Maybe I'll take a healthy cooking class? I'd really love to come up with recipes and photograph them (at least once). So we'll see what happens.

I'm just focusing on DOING WHAT I LOVE, and it's working for me so far. I can honestly say, I've never been happier.

15) Take a calligraphy workshop.

I want to take Laura Hooper's Calligraphy Workshop in Boston, on April 26th! It's selling out fast, so I have to make a decision soon! It's expensive, which is why I'm still undecided.

16) Save $$ for yoga teacher training.

In the next couple years I would like to do my YTT. The only thing holding me back right now is the money (which is lame)... I don't necessarily want to teach yoga as a main source of income, but I am looking to deepen my practice. I would also love to teach yoga to kids/young adults, and organize community events combining yoga + movement + creativity.

17) Write something. Anything! Start a project and finish it (TV show, web series, novel, memoir - SOMETHING!)

While I have been writing more as of late, I want to collaborate on a writing project with my friend Spencer. We have been talking about writing a web series/TV show for some time now (years), and I would really like to put that into motion. Pedro and I have also talked about writing together, so that is something I would like to explore as well. AND, I have so many ideas for short stories/essays/etc. that I could easily turn into something. SO many ideas. SO many possibilities. I JUST WANT WRITE SOMETHING AND FINISH IT.

18) Make friends in Boston, MA.

Making friends is so difficult when you aren't in school and work from home. I'm still new in Boston, and while I've recently made some connections, I still spend most of my time hanging out with Rude Boy. Being shy doesn't help when it comes to approaching people, so this is another thing I need to work on. I will make friends in the city I live in!

19) Wear lipstick just because.

Because I wanna be a badass babe who rocks lipstick every day (or y'know, some days, when I feel like it).

20) Start a skin care regimen.

I probably should have started this years ago. I've never really worried about this before, because my skin is pretty clear (aside from a blemish every now and then). I just kind of wash my face in the shower, and throw moisturizer on when my skin feels dry. But I am getting older. It's time. I should probably look into skin care. I'm lost. Any suggestions friends?

21) Do my taxes (on time).

Ever since my dad's accountant stopped preparing my taxes for me, I have been such a failure at doing my taxes by the deadline. But I am an adult lady, and I'm going to file my taxes on time. Why do I suddenly feel like Ilana on Broad City? Whatever, come April, those taxes are gonna be filed.

22) Buy a watch (and wear it).

I used to work in an office, and wear a watch every day. Then I became a freelancer, and my watch batteries died. I need a new watch. I will wear it, and not stare at my phone to know what time it is.

23) Go to the eye doctor, get a new prescription, get new glasses.

I have needed a new eyeglass prescription, since I got my glasses in 2010. Wow, it really is time. I'm making the trip to Warby Parker, ASAP!

24) Take at least 1 photo every day.

YES! Doing this, and loving it.

25) Love more.

Always.

26) Worry less.

Thanks for reading guys! Do you have any goals you want to accomplish before your next birthday? Big or small - share them with me! I'd love to help you make 'em happen :)

Until next time (when I will be 26) - peace + love,

Alex