dinner.

The other day, someone asked me an interesting question that really got me thinking.

"If you had a dinner table set for you and three guests, who would they be?

They can be living or passed, and at any age." 

I knew my answer right away. I would love to have dinner with:

- Karen Kain, the current Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada 

 - Late German choreographer Pina Bausch, right after she choreographed "The Rite of Spring" 

- Nico Archambault, the first winner of So You Think You Can Dance Canada. 

If I could, I would also sneak a chair in to seat Michael Jackson during the "Thriller" heyday. 

I would be fascinated to hear each of their views on dance in 2013. Is it too commercial? Do average people still go to the ballet? What needs to change? 

With digital technology connecting us more than ever before, we can watch and share dance content so easily. As a choreographer, YouTube has become a huge source of personal and artistic inspiration, and has allowed me to watch full performances from around the world. 

However, I do wonder if this is actually helping or hindering our art. There have been many artists caught copying choreography from performances they have never seen in person. Some argue it's artistic plagiarism. 

For Pina Bausch and Michael Jackson, they both were apart of iconic moments in dance and movement that have and will continue to be reinterpreted and copied to no end. How do they feel? Was there ever any doubt while working and performing these pieces that it wouldn't work? Can they grasp what their impact was, and still is to the dance community? 

From there, I would be interested in hearing from Kain and and Archambault if what Jackson and Bausch did for dance really was significant. The National Ballet of Canada and So You Think You Can Dance Canada are obviously very different stages for movement, but in many ways, they have the same roots. If not, who would they identify as the movers and shakers (pun intended)? 

Of course, after dinner I would suggest that we all go out dancing. 

I've started asking my peers this same question, and have gotten some really interesting answers. 

Some talk about sitting down with grandparents they never knew, the future President of the United States, Beyonce, the actor who played Big Bird and so on.

So now I ask you...

If you could have dinner with three people of any time period, at any age, currently alive (or not), who would they be? 

Just a thought. 

top5.

These summer days are just flying by on me - I can't believe the first of August is coming up this week. 

I've had some fantastic opportunities to take advantage of both a B.C. and Toronto summer, and it's still not over. My biggest goal is to see, do, eat and explore as much as possible before fall. 

Appropriately, I have themed this month's Top 5 list around this warm weather. 

Read it, take notes and then get outside and enjoy that sunshine! 

Songza. 

I'm obsessed with Songza. This "music concierge website finds the perfect playlist based on the time of day, activity and your personal preference of music. 

With guest curators, the best of the summer and HBO Girls-themed playlists (Marnie's is my personal favourite), Songza is guaranteed to give you the best music of the season. 

The Painted Girls. 

I kicked off my summer reading list with Canadian author Cathy Marie Buchanan's "The Painted Girls. 

Inspired by the Degas's Little Dancer Aged 14 (pictured above), Buchanan paints an incredible story about three sisters, the Paris Opera and one of the era's most famous criminal trials. 

If you like historical fiction a la The Other Boelyn Girl, this is a like-minded, well-researched and indulgent read. 

Caravan Farm Theatre 

Nestled in Armstrong, B.C., the group of players at the Caravan Farm Theatre puts on outdoor shows in both the summer and winter. 

Don't be fooled by its location - several of this season's actors have major credits, including work at the Stratford Festival and for Cirque du Soleil. They're performing "Head Over Heels" (a modern interpretation of Shakespeare's "The Twelfth Night" until August 25.

Beyonce 

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Queen Bey. Her Mrs. Carter tour is coming to Vancouver this November. I got my fingers and toes crossed I can stumble upon some tickets.

London 2012 

A year ago this past Saturday, July 27, the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics kicked off one of the best times of my life. I can't believe how much time has passed since the Games - can't wait to see what's to come on social media for Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016! 

instagram.

Hello, my name is Portia Favro and I am an Instagram addict.

When I started using the popular photo-sharing application in 2011, it was solely to make my photos more interesting with the filters. It was free, easy to use and immediately changed the way I took photos.

Two years later, it's one of my essential networks for both personal and business use. I urge many of my clients to use Instagram, or at least be aware of its impact.

Like many of the big social media networks, there are a plethora of users. For most of the general population, the feeds include blurry pictures, some odd hashtags and a fair deal of food photos (which is never a bad thing!)

However, I think there are a handful of brands and users who are creating some incredible content on the application that hardly get noticed. So I've decided to feature my favourite Instagram accounts/users every month - these may be feeds that personal, professional or brand-focused, but are always inspiring and full of major eye candy.

Without further ado, here are my "must follow"accounts on Instagram. These guys and gals are doing it right!

@JillianHarrisDesign

Remember this Bachelorette? Jillian Harris is a true B.C. gal, and her Instagram fed truly reflects that. I love her healthy mix of design, food and personal photos from across the province/country! Her smile is infectious, and I truly feel that she takes the time to plan out and execute great content. 

@TheStoreOnQueen

I met Angela and Vava after they came to see a show I was performing in Toronto. We've run into each other at events in the city, and of course, at their divine boutique, The Store On Queen. These ladies are so passionate about their brand and their strong friendship, which is reflected through their feed. Their daily outfit posts are always full of life, colour and of course, lots of sass. I'm missing TSOQ! 

@donalddrawbertson

As another blogger put it - these are the best sketches, ever. I think I may have "liked" every single post since I've started following, no joke. 

@coachblkwomen

The pictures from the desk of the Coach Women's Legacy store on Bleecker Street in New York City are just, awesome. These shots are real, and even though the lighting, colour, etc., isn't always perfect, it doesn't matter. It humanizes the brand/feed and bring the streets of NYC (one of my favourite places in the world) to the palm of your hand daily. 

There you have it - my top four Instagram accounts of the month.

I'm anxious to hear what your favourite feeds are on Instagram. Let me know on Instagram (@PortiaFavro), and I'll feature my favourites next month. 

Happy Friday! 

All photos via the Instagram users. I don't own any of the photos from this post - just the writing! 

16hours.

"In order to be, you must do. 

All great things start from that one adventure. That one dream. That one idea. That one step. 

To adventure is two find yourself whole. 

To adventure is to have a story at the end of all this. 

The place you see, the things you make and the people you meet will fuel you forever. 

Choose to see beauty where others see none, and strive for greatness, always. 

Do more. Be More. Feel good being lost and explore always." 

- 16 Hours Magazine 

sorbet.

Upon some highly scientific research this morning (scrolling through Twitter mostly), I have found out that it is actually National Ice Cream Day! 

Depending on where you are living this summer, late July is notoriously one of the hottest times of the year. 

Personally, when I think about ice cream, I immediately think of milk. Hot milk in the summertime just makes me think of this scene from Anchorman. 

Never fear! I've decided this is a great opportunity to get creative. Let's make sorbet! 

I posted a photo of my sorbet creation on my Instagram feed last night, and immediately, one of my friends posted that she needed the recipe. 

Without further ado, here's my easy, peasey recipe for my mango and strawberry sorbet. 

Ingredients: 

One cup of fruit - I recommend half a cup frozen and the other half cup not. 

The juice of a lemon 

The juice of a lime 

Optional: Agave nectar 

Optional: One banana 

Put all ingredients into a small blender and mix. I recommend using a Magic Bullet or personal hand mixer to create smaller amounts. Blend until smooth and there are no more chunks (at all!) of frozen fruit. 

Options: 

If it's still a little tart, add one teaspoon or Agave nectar or sugar

If you want your sorbet a big creamier, add a banana 

Enjoy! I put my sorbet in the freezer for about 15 minutes to let it set. Can be stored easily in a freezer in Tupperware. 

midnight.

If you see one movie in theatres this summer, I urge you to make it Before Midnight. 

One of the fabulous things about these warmer months is having the time to take in those easy pastimes. Also, a few of the days I've been home in Kelowna have been so hot that I could hardly stand it.

So why not escape to the cool, fresh, air conditioned movie theatre?

 Last week on "Cheap Tuesday", I'm sure nearly everyone in line was actually there to see Despicable Me 2. 

So we chose to go to Before Midnight. 



Having seen Before Sunrise many years ago, I was eager to see how the storyline would progress since we last saw Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Deply).

The conclusion? It was perfectly imperfect.

I applaud Hawke and Deply for their portray of a very "real" marriage. The chemistry, reactions and dialogue, which was also written by the actors, is superb. In many ways, I saw the moments between many couples whom have been together or married for a long period of time.

Is their relationship "messy"? Some may argue that. However, I think out of all, the movie was a snapshot of what the modern relationship is actually like. Happily ever after can come in many ways. It's doesn't have to be defined by marriage, a house in the suburbs and fancy toys.

As well, the cinematography in the movie is quite unique. Many of the scenes where there is a long dialogue between Hawke and Delpy has been shot in one or two frames. This leaves little or no room for errors!

After all the movies I've seen this year, Before Midnight is refreshing. Definitely my must-see pick for the summer.

solo.

My knees are weak, arms are heavy. There's no vomit on my sweater. I haven't had Mom's spaghetti in months (she lives three thousand miles away).

I'm nervous, but on the surface I look calm and ready.

At least, that's what everyone told me. 

marnie.

Happy Monday! 

This past weekend was full of a few of my favourite things - good friends, warm nights and the Okanagan's Largest Outdoor Yoga Class. July in B.C. is one of the best times of the year, and I'm soaking up every moment as much as I can. 

I've been obsessed with Songza over the last few months, but especially the playlist inspired by Girls character, Marnie. Right now, it's the perfect summer playlist. 

Take a listen...enjoy! 

airports.

"The best part about airports lies in what they symbolize. 

Airports are places of bookends: new beginnings and long-awaited endings, arrivals and departures, hellos and goodbyes. 

We start in one city to end in another hundreds or thousand miles away. 

You enter from a desert and exit into a blizzard. In from winter, out into summer. 

In from familiarity, out into something completely foreign. Or vice versa. 

An airport is a place of transit, and not just geographically. I wish there was some sort of time-lapse to show how people change between departures and arrivals. 

When I arrive back home from being away, I’m never the same person as when I left."

- Alex Brueckner

365.

As a dance teacher and choreographer, I meet and interact with people of all ages and walks of life on a weekly basis. 

However, when I'm promoting my classes, I am guaranteed to get at least one person say to me "But I can't dance," at least once a week. 

I stumbled upon this video this afternoon which proves anyone can dance. My argument has always been, if you can move, walk or run, you can dance. 

Check out the video below:

You know that saying, "a year a go you will have wished you started today"? 

Case and point here my friends. 

Start today! I'm assisting at Dancing in the Park (run by the City of Kelowna) tonight at Stuart Park. Class starts at 7PM, and we'll be doing some ballroom dance! Bring yourself and a water bottle, and be ready to dance under the stars! 

richmond.

I'm a list maker. Plain and simple.

Whether it's my to-do list, my favourite songs of the season or goals I want to achieve - I like having things written down and laid out. 

Every summer, I make a list of everything I want to try to see, do or explore in whatever city I'm living in (you can check out my 2013 one here). 

I'm a strong beliver that there aren't  many things more satisfying than crossing tasks off your list.

This past weekend I was lucky enough to do this at the end of the weekend. I stroke off my first goal in July, by visiting the Richmond Night Market. 

With my parents by my side, we got to the market around 8P.M. on Friday night.

We learned two things:

 First, there is no need to come super early. All the stands stay open all night.

Second, if I am ever in them market for coloured contacts, decorative phone cases or interesting jewelry, this is definitely the place to be. I was floored by just how many tents there were of things to buy!

As the sun set, we meandered our way into the food section, and discovered this is where the fun really begins.

bill.

Wise words. 

Have a great weekend darlings! 

playlist.

This week has felt like one of those class summers from my childhood. Every day (so far) has been hot, lazy, and spent in the sunshine sipping on cool drinks.

I've also had the luxury of spending some extra time with my family and friends, which I haven't had a chance do to in well over a year since I'm usually teaching workshops or working a gig when I'm back. 

By the sounds of it, I brought back a bit of the heat - it's been rainy in B.C. since late May, so we're all out and soaking in the warmth as much as possible. 

Of course, we need some good tunage to go along with these hazy days - this playlist is a mix of my favourite pump up jams to listen to while snacking and preparing dinner, and also mellow favourites for hanging by the pool and under the stars.

Well, what are you waiting for? Pour yourself a drink, put on a floppy hat and turn on the tunes!

I want to know - what are your favourite songs of the summer? Share them in the comment section below, I would love to make a playlist of reader favourites soon. 

Enjoy! 

pearl.

Growing up, I remember having a reading list during summer vacation of books I was required to read before the prior school year.

Even though I loved to read, I detested not being able to choose what books I wanted.

The summer before my sophomore year of high school, I required to read several historical fiction books in preparation for my AP European History class. I also was required to buy my textbook so I could highlight and make notes in it like a real university student.

I remember getting required books and starting to flip through the pages of the text. I was captivated by the photos - especially of the European art we would be studying in context to the various time periods.

One of the photos in the textbook was the same as the one on a historical novel - The Girl with a Pearl Earring. I had never heard of Vermeer and had no interest in learning more about Holland. But for whatever reason, this image of the turban-clad girl with the piercing eyes struck me.

I started reading Tracy Chevalier's fictional novel of the same title, and absolutely fell in love with the text. To this day, Girl with a Pearl Earring is still my favourite book.

Little did I know that about five years later, I would come across Vermeer again in an art history class during university. Our final essay assignment was to analyze and study every angle about a piece of art we had discussed during the semester, and I immediately know what I would do.

My study of Girl with a Pearl Earring had me running around Toronto to paint stores studying the pigments and other colours used for the piece, slipping into the University of Toronto's main library to access their expansive art history book collection and writing over 2,000 words about the mysterious girl.

My friends have even gotten into it. I've received cards, books and little quotes all reflecting elements of The Girl with a Pearl Earring. 

As I start to compile my reading list for the rest of the summer, I'm grabbing as many books as I can that I haven't read. However, I stumbled across my original copy of Girl with a Pearl Earring from all those years ago and knew it was time to fall back in love with the story again.