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

Wow guys, it's already been 3 weeks since I last posted... I kept meaning to turn on my computer and put a post into action, but it seemed like there was always something else calling my name (or an excuse not to complete a post). I just got so concerned that I wasn't going to be posting at the right time of day, or that I wasn't following any kind of schedule, that I just ended up not posting at all. Silly, right?

Fear not, as I settle back into some kind of normalcy + routine, my posts shall too.

Just to give you an idea of what we've been up to around here (because we have been up to a lot), here are a few updates!

We were pretty busy putting the finishing touches on our apartment and preparing for what I will fondly remember as the month of house guests. I will share photos of our apartment later this week! I'm excited to share our completed spaces with you. It has been a lot of fun collecting pieces that reflect our personal styles to fill our home with.

My parents came to visit from YYZ (it was their first time in Boston). We did some touristy things like visited Fenway Park, and ventured to the North End for a little (or rather large) pre-dinner snack from Mike's Pastry. I can't say I've ever waited in line for a cannoli before, but these guys were well worth the wait!

As someone who always lived within 40 minutes of their whole family, the whole moving away thing has been sort of different (who knew it was so hard to make friends at 25?)... So it was really nice to have family in town for a few days. This is my parents on the tourist trolley. It was rainy that day and I didn't snap too many photos.

Pedro and I roasted our first turkey and hosted our first (Canadian) Thanksgiving - and somehow, we actually managed to pull it off. The turkey was tasty and even had some bacon on top to make it extra juicy (thanks for the tips G-Ramz).

After my parent's left, a family friend of ours, Marina, stopped by Boston on the east coast leg of her adventures. We had a blast exploring the city, and indulging in lots of delicious eats (our visit to James Hook & Co. for lobster rolls and chowda was definitely a highlight)!

We meandered around Cambridge, spent an afternoon at the Boston Common, spent too much money on Newbury Street, stayed out late in Allston, and went to Church in Fenway (hehe.. for brunch silly! Try the truffle fries, yum)! And we stopped by the Kate Spade Saturday 30% off sale at the Prudential Center last weekend, and scored some serious goodies.

My yoga space is not complete, but is certainly functioning! I still need to purchase some props, candles, some plants and maybe a find a little buddha for the space - but it's really nice to have a designated area to practice. My new Manduka Pro Lite mat arrived a couple of weeks ago, and I love it. Every time I unroll it, it makes me smile. #Soulmat indeed!

AND THEN!!! Sunday was Pedro's 28th birthday! We celebrated on Saturday with his brother, Daniel, and his sister, Laura, was with us via Skype. I baked my first cake from scratch (it was a brigadeiro cake at Pedro's request), and it sort of turned out.. haha.. I used a recipe from the internet that called for far too many eggs. But that's one thing off my list of goals for this year!

Pedro and I then went to see Boston ska veterans, Big D & the Kids Table, play Operation Ivy's, "Energy", at Brighton Music Hall. It was a lot of fun.

Sunday was Pedro's actual birthday. We had brunch at Deep Ellum in Allston, and spent a quiet afternoon at home watching Thelma & Louise, and chatting with family members via Skype + Facetime. I gave Pedro a homemade card (with a badly drawn version of a photo from our e-shoot), a new wallet, and an awesome Fred Perry polo.

We found out some big news regarding our upcoming honeymoon, but that's another post, for another day when we have more concrete plans.

So yes, while I've been away from the blog, I have certainly been busy. And while with the upcoming holidays, our travel plans, work, yoga, life, etc, it certainly doesn't look like things are going to slow down - I promise to be around here a lot more often. Whether it be at 10:30 AM, 7 PM, or 2 in the morning.

Peace + love until next time,

Alex