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

It’s early in the morning, and I am faced with a familiar scene. Opening the window in my yoga space, I allow that first breath of fresh air to fill my lungs. I move quietly, unrolling my mat in one swift motion; a movement I’ve made many times before. My mat - a place I know that I can always come back to. A place to move, to breathe, to feel connected, to meditate. I burn some sage to clear the room, and proceed to light my favourite scents. Lavender, evergreen, and jasmine fill the air, and I gently pluck my mala from the bowl in which it rests. I sit down and fold my legs into sukhasana, and close my eyes. I let the wind from the open window lightly brush my hair out of place. I slowly breathe in and out, basking in the stillness. Placing my hands together, I clutch my mala beads in front of my chest, and bow my head. I whisper the words, “You are exactly where you need to be,” and use my hands to connect my head and my heart. Holding my mala in my right hand, looped over my middle finger, I begin to recite my mantra, over and over. Carefully, I pull the beads towards me with my thumb. The sunlight falling through the shades feels warm against my skin, and it is in this moment, that everything else begins to fall away.

To read the rest of the post + see more photos, head over to massmusings.com! I wrote a piece about using a mala in my practice, and apparently people liked it - so that's cool. I feel so incredibly grateful to be able to share my practice and connect with you all in so many different ways.

I know I haven't been around much lately, but I do post on Instagram every day if you're wondering what I have been up to. Pedro's family was in town from Brazil, so we have had a busy couple of weeks. But I'm taking photos (a lot), and writing (a little)

The site is in need of a re-design, and I need business cards, and so does Pedro. Life keeps moving on and on (after it seemed like time was standing still), and I have so many things to do + share + make. I'm just letting this space be whatever it becomes, and that's ok.

I'm enjoying watching Boston transition from Winter to Spring to Summer. Everything is in bloom, and there is so much life everywhere. We have been taking Rudie on long walks through the neighbourhood (which is so much fun). And I do yoga with the window open, and the birds chirp, and the sun shines, and everything is alright.

The city is alive, and I can't wait to explore.

Until next time - peace + love,

Alex