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

Well it certainly is a snowy morning on the east coast! While the blizzard rages (or, y'know, snow falls peacefully) outside my window, I can't help but look back on photos from our recent trip to conjure up memories of sea salt, sand and sunshine.

Enter Praia da Engenhoca. A beach in Bahia, it's nestled at the foot of a tropical rainforest - 12km outside the surfer town of Itacare. Known for it's waves, Engenhoca is a favourite surf spot, but it's not exactly the easiest to get to. Though a short hike through the rainforest is not a bad trade-off for a day spent on these shores.

Sitting on that beach made me feel so small in this great wide world. It became very clear to me that I am SO incredibly lucky. There were so many crazy twists and turns of fate that brought me to be in that exact moment. I mean, how did I end up on a remote beach in the Northeast of Brazil? And how did I hike THROUGH THE RAINFOREST to get there?

IT WAS AMAZING.

I'm incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to visit and explore this little corner of the universe. And, I'm so happy to have been able to explore it with this crowd! Without them, I quite literally would have been lost (and wouldn't have had nearly as much fun). Here we are drinking from coconuts on the beach, because let's be real - it's the best way to drink coconut water.

Ok, I'm sorry guys, I'm not really giving you the full picture here. In order to do that, we need to talk about THE FOOD:

We ate REALLY well on the beach. Pedro's cousin, Dante, is a sous-chef at D.O.M., in Sao Paulo. He and his girlfriend, Kafe (who is also a chef, and all around awesome lady), made us tuna ceviche, grilled red snapper, okra, potatoes and onions. They cooked in a fire-pit that we dug with our hands (and ok, rocks... and I didn't really help that much... but I took photos)!

Maybe I just watch too much TV, but I felt like Anthony Bourdain on Parts Unknown. Seriously, I had to keep asking myself if it was real life. It was some real Travel Network-like business.

Visiting Engenhoca in the way that we did, was such a unique and amazing experience. From the incredible vistas, to the perfect crashing waves (and the most delicious food ever), Engenhoca was truly a paradise.

Maybe you just see a beach, but what I saw was a shift in my perspective.

That this earth is a vast and wonderful place. That I am capable of a lot more than I give myself credit for. That I am the luckiest girl in the world. That sometimes you just need to be OPEN to new things, and stop worrying all the time. And of course, to breathe, and just LOVE, fully and unconditionally.

I had never been to a place like Engenhoca.

It truly opened my eyes, and cracked open my heart.

Peace + love until next time,

Alex