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

Happy Monday, friends. It's snowing again in Boston, in fact Pedro's home again with another snow day. I think that's 4 in two weeks now. Needless to say, I'm feeling a little blue from being cooped up inside for so long. Plus, I've been battling a cold, which made has made it hard to do anything at all.

Best way to cheer oneself up? A little music, a little dancing, a little vinyasa flowin' (finally, because I can sort of breathe), and a little photographing. I'm feeling a whole lot better now.

Here's a little CURRENTLY post, because I haven't done one of these in awhile, and I've got stuff happening in my life (well, sorta, sometimes)!

CELEBRATING

Pedro and I are celebrating the one year anniversary of our elopement! It was yesterday, February 8. We are the luckiest couple in the world and got to have two weddings (we eloped on February 8, 2014, and had a big fancy wedding 6 months later on August 9, 2014), so we are going with our "wedding date" as our official wedding anniversary. We're complicated, haha. BUT, I thought we should still acknowledge that we have officially been married for one year. And what a crazy/awesome/scary/fun/ridiculous/fantastic year it's been. So glad I get to be crazy in love with you forever, Mr. Peres.

The above photo is actually from our Junction (our old neighbourhood in Toronto) engagement shoot. I should probably share our engagement shoot + wedding photos at some point, shouldn't I? They were taken by the lovely Lisa Mark + Justin Hines of Lisa Mark Photography. I've known these two since I was a teenager (Justin and I worked at a record store together - and coincidentally, half our bridal party also did), so it was really fun to have them capture all our wedding memories.

LISTENING

I can't get enough of New Order's, Substance. This is nothing new, because I think I first heard the album about 10 years ago, but it hasn't been on my playlist for a little while. Seriously though, I'm hooked and bouncing around from the opening chords of Ceremony (which fun fact, is on the Marie Antoinette soundtrack - it's not the best movie, but it's super pretty and like most Sofia Coppola movies, has a FANTASTIC soundtrack). I probably listen to way too much British post-punk / new-wave / awesomeness, but whatever. It's the best. Now go listen to Blue Monday, or stream the whole album from the video link above. You'll be bopping along before you know it.

WATCHING

Twin Peaks! Oh my god, guys. How have I never seen it before? David Lynch, you are too good. I have a strong urge to start wearing midi skirts and thin knit sweaters (here's lookin' at you, Audrey Horne). I keep trying to guess who killed Laura Palmer / what the hell is going on in that crazy town, but have been wrong every time. Finally! A show that surprises me (even though it came out in 1990)! I love the symbolism, the mountains of donuts, and everyone's obsession with coffee. And that crazy mini David Lynch kid with the creamed corn? So many little details that are just SO GOOD. If you haven't seen it, watch it now! It's on Netflix, and hulu - ready for your viewing pleasure. I'm already on Season 2. I knew snow days were good for something. The best part, Twin Peaks is returning to Showtime with 9 episodes in 2016.

DREAMING

Of California! We are finalizing our plans for our (somewhat delayed) honeymoon! We've decided to take a trip to Venice Beach + Los Angeles in early March, and I AM SO EXCITED. Perhaps Los Angeles is not a typical honeymoon destination, but then again, we aren't exactly the most conventional couple either. I've been longing to visit the west coast for as long as I can remember, and now the dream is finally coming true! Plus, y'know, we get to escape the tail-end of winter, so there's that too ;) West coast here we come!

Peace, love and grooviness,

Alex