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! I feel like I start every post commenting about the snow... But it certainly has taken over our lives hasn't it? We have had a big week over here at casa Peres/Pettinato. Pedro's sister, Laura, arrived from Rio just before the massive storm last Saturday. We spent the weekend/week in the kitchen - cooking up delicious meals, visiting with friends, and doing yoga. It was a great visit. I'm hoping that when I look back on this year, I think less about the snow, and more about the happy memories that we have created.

I don't know if you follow me on Instagram (if you don't, you can find me @photolexx), but I've been completing a 365 Project. I wanted to challenge myself to create a photo diary, and actually photograph something every day. I am 51 days in, and I have to say, I'm loving it. It's been so much fun curating the images in my feed, and actually thinking about what I am shooting. It's also been an interesting experience using my iPhone as a "real camera". My SLR isn't always the most practical option, but I've always got my iPhone on me - so there's no excuse to not take photographs! (Though I've also been forcing myself to use my SLR more frequently.) It's just a really low-key, enjoyable project. It makes me super happy that I have really been embracing the things that I love lately.

Check out some of my adventures below!

I guess you could have just looked at my Instagram feed, but that's not really the point of the project. I liked putting this grid together. It was so nice to go through the photos and remember something special from each day. Maybe I will create a book at the end of the project :)

OH! I finally upgraded to Adobe Creative Cloud, Yosemite OSX (on my laptop), and iOS 8 (on my phone). And finally set up my iCloud account so it functions. Wow, it feels good to have entered the world of 2015 technology. Was feeling a bit left behind there. Everything is running smoothly now, and it is GREAT.

I also finished putting together my first post for Mass Musings! It comes out on Monday. So check back (here + there) for more info on that soon. I will be posting about yoga + travel a couple times a month.

I'm off to eat a late lunch smoothie bowl + get on my mat. Rachel Brathen (@yoga_girl) just released a whole bunch of yoga videos with Gaiam, so I am about to give a couple of those a try. Then it's off to an izakaya date night for Pedro + I (OMG it's our 6 year dating anniversary this weekend <3)! Have a good one.

Until next time - peace, love and groovieness,

Alex