Hello friends! Right now, I feel like a chicken running around with my head cut off. I'm trying to meet some crazy deadlines on a couple volunteer projects, and unfortunately I've been neglecting ME. In an effort to remedy that (and adjust my work/life balance) - I'm here, putting together a little CURRENTLY post for you, because sharing things I like in this space makes me smile.

LISTENING

Pedro and I were listening to a playlist on YouTube, and this song came on. We both just kind of looked at each other, and were like, "this is awesome."

First of all, it just makes me want to dance around. Perfect for some early summertime fun. Second, there's a Prince Buster sample. Third, Protoje rocks some SICK bespoke suits and hats in this video. Seriously stylin'. Get your reggae on and groove to the sweet sounds.

PHOTOGRAPHING

Last weekend, the Mass Musings Tribe met up at Arnold Arboretum for a Festival Season themed shoot. (Above is the magical @scarletroots, and you can spot @lizandlavender in that first photo up top.) I managed to take some really great photos that have me planning my next shoots ASAP. I'm looking forward to shooting some fun yoga photos out in the middle of nowhere with my BFF while I'm back in my hometown (oh yeah, did I mention I'm headed for the Great White North?)!

I'm keeping up with my 365 Photo Project, so hooray for that. I think it's Day 160? 161? Longest time-based photo project I've done so far. Hooray!

TRAVELING

I'm homeward bound next week! The Peres - Pettinato fam is headed to Toronto for some summertime fun (watch out, Rude Boy is coming for you). I'll be hanging out in Toronto, and the suburbs for awhile if you want to hang out! Let's go to yoga class, eat tacos, drink iced americanos, hit the beach or the park, go for a hike, or... invite me over and I will come hang by your pool (I'll bring the sangria + guac) ;)

I'm so looking forward to photoshoots, visiting all my favourite (yeah, with a "u") spots, and a bunch of annual summertime family events that I will get the chance to be a part of.

PRACTICING

I've been doing so well with keeping my practice consistent (I try to practice 5x / week). Rachel Brathen (@yoga_girl) mentioned a little while back, how when she doesn't want to get on her mat, she will make herself do 10 rounds of Sun Salutations. By the 7th or 8th she can't remember why she didn't want to get on the mat in the first place. I've been trying to apply this to my own practice. The times I don't want to get on the mat, or when I "don't have time" to get on the mat, are often the times I need it the most.

Also not really related to my practice - but I'm practicing with my hula hoop! It arrived from Hipnotic Hoopla arrived today. I'm terrible, but I'm practicing keeping the hoop on my waist. Can anyone recommend some hooping tutorials? The lovely @scarletroots taught us how to hoop at Arnold Arboretum last weekend, and I just had to get in on the fun.

EATING + DRINKING

Pedro and I went to a new neighbourhood spot in Brookline called Sunny Boy! It's such a cute little spot, with a really great vibe. They have awesome food + drinks. I tried the Nitro Cold Brew Coffee, and it was bomb. Highly recommend. Sunny Boy focuses on serving REAL food, which is exactly what we've been looking for in the area. House-made sodas, delicious coffee, whole foods, acai bowls, yummy snacks, White Russians + Mai Tai's (and cheap beer), what more could a lady ask for in a local spot? Not much, but the sweet staff were a plus too! Check out Sunny Boy in Washington Square, you won't be disappointed.

WATCHING

OITNB, DUH! Bye, going to watch it now, while I play with my hula hoop.

Peace!

Alex

Hey friends! I hope that you're all doing well and surviving the tremendous amount of snow that has been dumped on the Northeast (or maybe just the North in general). To stay warm, I've been doing my best to conjure up memories of sunny days and warmer climates.

Maybe it's just me, but I associate a lot of happy memories with food. In my family, most milestones are celebrated with gatherings full of beautiful and bountiful tables. With my background, t's certainly no surprise why I love to eat!

Today I'm going to share one of my favourite things that I ate in Brazil. Acai! I usually eat it blended into a bowl, but you can have it in a juice or smoothie too.

What you need:

1 Sambazon Pure Unsweetened Frozen Acai Berry Superfruit Pack

1/4 cup of Bear Naked Fit Granola, V'nilla Almond

5 (ish) raspberries

1 banana (1/2 for blending, 1/2 for topping)

1/4 cup of frozen blueberries

1/3 cup coconut water

Throw the acai, 1/2 a banana, blueberries, and coconut water in the blender. I like to use the puree setting, for a few seconds, and then turn it down to the mix setting, to get to the right consistency. Serve in your favourite bowl, and add your toppings!

Acai is traditionally served with honey, but I like to throw some coconut chips and a drizzle of all natural maple syrup on top. I am Canadian after all!

My way is not exactly traditional, but it's the blend that I like. You can follow the directions that Sambazon recommends, or come up with your own recipe! Follow breakfast artist, Ksenia @breakfastcriminals, for some crazy delicious acai bowls, and other awesome eats! Want to start your day with a little more love? Grab the heart bowl, and fill it with your favourite morning snack.

Serve with an Americano, and you're all set! Just watch out for any hungry Rude Boys! I like my Americanos with milk, so I use Alchemy Espresso beans from local roaster, George Howell Coffee. So delicious! There's nothing like a good breakfast and the smell of freshly ground espresso beans (and maybe a little vinyasa flowin') to wake you up in the morning.

ON ANOTHER NOTE, LET'S GET TO MY NEWS!!!!!

I have joined the team of local lifestyle blog, Mass Musings, as a Contributor! I am so excited to be joining the Mass Musings tribe. MM provides inspiration for the creative individual, and I just love Kayte's (Founder/Editor of MM), vision for the site. So, at least once a month you will find me over on Mass Musings, sharing my words and photographs. I'm hoping to start a travel series and explore New England, what do you guys think? That is, if it ever gets warm enough for me to want to venture out of the apartment...

What does this news mean for YYZ->BOS, exactly? Well, there will be a few changes. First off, more posts! Not everyday, but I am guaranteeing 1-2 per week. Second, you may have noticed I have taken down the PORTFOLIO section of my site. It has needed a MAJOR overhaul for a long time, and well, at this point I think it's doing me more harm than good. Which brings me to my third point, I'm working on a little re-design/re-brand. The header and design of the site was always meant to be temporary. I threw it together in an afternoon when I decided to create this space. But now, it's time to put in the work.

So excited for so many new adventures.

Peace and love until next time,

Alex