Why hello there friends. It's always too long between posts, isn't it? If you've been following along with me on Instagram (I'm @photolexx), you know that the holidays have been in full swing around our little home (YASSSS for crossing another thing off my 26 before 27 list - decorate for the holidays).

I've decided that this year, I'm going to participate in Darling Magazine's, "#12DaysofDarling" winter photo challenge. I thought it would be a fun way to challenge myself and make some pretty pictures.

I have been using Instagram as a blogging outlet, because I find it so easy. However, with the app's latest update, there is a noticeable shift moving away from text heavy posts. I guess that means it's time to take my content back to where it was originally meant to be read/seen/shared - this space! This little experiment in posting will have me "micro-blogging" on YYZ to BOS, instead of on Instagram. Shifting the medium to make it work for me (and I like the sounds of that).

Today's challenge was to photograph what makes you merry. You can see my photo above.

May your days be merry and bright. What makes you merry? For me - it's light!

This season is all about creating the warmth + light that is lacking from these long, cold, winer nights. So I am finding ways to shine a light in the dark.

Waking up an hour earlier to bask in the morning glow with my coffee. Lighting candles for my evening practice, and sparking a fire with warm vinyasa flows. Using an off camera flash + bounce for photos (as seen here), because let's be honest - my apartment gets 0% light these days.

So this is me reminding you to make this holiday a mindful one. Keep your yoga + meditation practice (if you have one) consistent. Take lots of deep breaths full of cold air, and warm hugs from close friends. Cherish small moments of calm amidst the chaos.

Be present, spread love, and shop small.

Pssst... speaking of shopping small - stay tuned for my yogi gift guide up on Mass Musings and YYZ to BOS next week!

This weekend, along with Kayte from Mass Musings, I will be at the WELL Summit in Boston. For the first time since Yoga Teacher Training, I have the opportunity to dedicate all of my attention to my practice, and I am SO EXCITED. There are some really interesting workshops happening, and I can't wait to dive in, and put in the work. While I try to live my yoga every day, (#yogaeverydamnday, anyone?), I am looking forward to a few days of wellness, learning, meditation, yoga, nourishing foods, and good company.

I've been feeling all the yogalove this week preparing for my wellness weekend. I've been switching up my practice a little bit to keep things fresh. I didn't have the best week (asana-wise) last week, so I wanted to make sure this one felt better. I went to TWO different studios (South Boston Yoga & Down Under Yoga School), and even tried an Iyengar-style Rope Wall Class. It was super different from my usual Vinyasa Flow practice, but left my shoulders feeling AH-MAZING.

And then, my lovely friend Meagan of Boston-based mat company, Mello Mae, gave me one of her jute mats to try (you may have seen it pop up in my Instagram feed)! So far I am loving it! It's lightweight (which is important to me), super grippy, eco-friendly, and super cute :) Expect a full review soon, but I just couldn't wait to share it with you. For every mat sold, Mello Mae donates $1 to a health + wellness charity - how awesome is that? Plus, you can support the community + shop local - hooray!

My asana practice isn't the only thing that got a kickstart this week. If you take a look around - you may notice things are a little different. I've been working behind the scenes to spruce it up around here. Bear with me as things may change in the next few weeks, but I hope you're digging the new look, and the site is easy to use.

Peace + love,

Alex

Jute Yoga Mat c/o Mello Mae, but thoughts and opinions are my own.