playlist.

There are many components that come into making a workspace comfortable. For me, music plays into the equation as much as a comfortable chair and good desk do.

Here are a few of the tunes I've been working to over the last few weeks - lots of light trance and mellow beats, singer-songwriters and what's a good playlist without a little Marley in the mix?

Enjoy.

splendid.

Happy Friday darlings. 

This past week has been full of a few highs and lows, but I'm thrilled to be embarking on a new venture next week. 

Have a splendid weekend. 

luxurious.

'Tis the season for bright days and chilly evenings. I'm planning on fully taking advantage of these last days before the winter weather is upon us. 

On the menu for the next few weeks: 

- Apple picking 

- Visit a pumpkin patch 

- Visit the Richmond Night Market one more time 

- Discover more Kitsilano restaurants (and munch outside!) 

- Bike through Stanley Park 

surprise.

"May your coming year be filled with magic, dreams and good madness. 

I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful. 

And, don't for get to make some art (write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can). 

And somewhere in the next year, I hope you surprise yourself." 

- Neil Gaiman 

weekly.

Growing up, I craved weekends - I was an odd duck who wanted all the time I could to work on my projects, homework and what not, so my evenings during the week could be spent dancing, not studying. 

In the "real world", I'm honestly surprised and pleased to say I haven't swayed from this work method much. 

Between rehearsals, dance class, teaching, events and what not, I find Saturday and Sunday my days to recharge and catch up on work that just didn't make it into the Monday to Friday mould.

Thus, I'll be focussing more on posting throughout the week, and less on the weekends - hey, I gotta take advantage of this beautiful autumn weather we're having!

Last week in Vancouver turned out to be one of those fabulous ones when a lot of things truly fell into place. Here are a few of the highlights from the last weeks of summer and the first taste of fall:

Incredible sunset caught just before the Richmond Night Market 

Photo via Tina Mandl - my favourite town between Kelowna and Vancouver 

The dancers of ARC Dance Company in my jazz technique/choreography class 

A huge turnout on the first night of the Army of Sass Kelowna, Fall 2013 session

Taking in the Dinner by Design tables and much more at the Interior Design Show West  

My first trip to the Kitsliano weekly farmers market 

Working with the students of the Scholarship Dance Program, Vancouver, on social media and online marketing

instagram2.

This past July I posted an entry about my "must follow" accounts on the photo-sharing network Instagram.

Like my work life - I like to aim big, go big and reach out to as far as I can. The amazing thing about social media, is that you can directly interact with several big names in whatever industry you're interested in. 

I featured four accounts in that post who have caught my eye - never did I expect three out of the four of them to reply, retweet and share my post.  Big thanks to The Store on Queen ladies, Jillian Harris and Coach Bleecker Women for the support! 

I had several readers reach out and ask me to do series of "Must Follow" accounts - without further ado, here's Part 2! 

@StyleWithinReach

I have been following Caitlin's blog, Style Within Reach, and her work on The Glitter Guide for a whole now. I love her tangible, lively photos on Instagram. Unlike many staged posts, hers never seem "stiff".

Highlight: Her posts from New York Fashion Week captured some of the best details off the runway. The centre photo (above) is a piece seen at the Cynthia Rowley show. 

@BonAppetitMag 

Yes, Instagram is all about food photos, so it's no wonder Bon Appetit Magazine's collection has some of the best. My personal favourites are shot inside the Test Kitchen, and their mini how-to videos are some of the best I've seen. 

@LemonStripes

Travel shots, bright colours and a touch of classic style? Julia Dzafic, your Instagram photos make my heart go pitter-patter! I especially love how genuine Julia's beauty shots are - in an age where selfies and head shots are uber-posed, Julia's megawatt smile certainly appears organic and real. 

@Petite_Pearl

I have probably "liked" roughly 90 per cent of Vancouver-based wedding planner Jessica Minnie's Instagram photos. It looks like she's had a busy summer travelling around B.C. to make wedding days come to life - I particularly love all her detail and live shots throughout these evenings. Thanks for a summer of lovely shots Jessica! 

There you go - these are my top four Instagram accounts for September. 

I'm always on the hunt for interesting, new and fresh feeds to follow. Let me know your favourites on Instagram (@PortiaFavro). 

Until next month...have a great weekend! 

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

surrender.

While some have gone back to work, school and commitments with the start of September, I have gone back to the yoga and dance studio. 

After an old injury reared its head earlier this year, I stepped off the mat because I was literally in too much pain. I danced as full as I could, but still held my freedom and ability to just let go. 

After several months of rest, strengthening and revaluation, this is the first week I have truly felt one hundred per cent myself. 

I have written a bit about my relationship with dance - it's what fuels my heart, my release and in a totally unexpected turn of events, has become steady co-career. 

Tonight in yoga class, my teacher was talking about surrendering not just your body to the movements, but also your mind. Earlier this week in dance rehearsal, we spent and entire hour focusing on freestyle movement. 

In both of these cases, you could only move if you felt compelled. Maybe the song didn't do it for you, or maybe it did. Maybe you had a bad day. Maybe you had the best morning in weeks. 

Whatever it is, having two back to back lessons about tapping into that inner surrender has totally changed my perspective this week. 

I think it's helped me finally let go of that fear. Fear of pain, hurt, pushing too far, not going far enough. 

I'm fascinated by the feeling that I'm back, yet I feel like I never left. 

Just a thought. 

B&W.

I live for the applause. The way you cheer and scream for me. 

Give me the thing that I or turn the lights down. 

Raise your hands and make them touch. 

- Lady Gaga "Applause"