LIFE: 26 Before 27

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

THE FOOD + LIFE: Acai Bowls & Mass Musings News!

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