lovers.

Four months ago, I remember being in a the studio for The Lovers Cabaret auditions for "Lovers of Marley" and screwing up every single piece of the choreography.

It had been awhile since I being challenged in a new "style"of contemporary movement, and I felt like was letting my good friend (who was also the producer) down.

I gave it my all, but to be honest, I just accepted I was just not going to make it. 

I must have done something right...I was cast in the ensemble and was approached to take part in a choreography mentorship to have a piece in the show. I'll never know why the judging panel chose me, but I'm beyond honoured, even though that was months ago!

One week from right this moment, we will have finished our first performance of Lovers of Marley.

The process of working with a cast of dancers and choreographers essentially unknown to me (and I to them) has been extremely refreshing. Even better? As our comfort levels have grown with each other, this group of women have taken me for exactly who I am - twerking, silly, weird Portia and all.

This show will be unreal. From what I've seen it really is a work of art, celebrating not only the life of one of music's biggest icons, but also so many different women from his day and ours.

I love watching dancers of all different shapes, colours and from various training perform choreography from all over the spectrum to pure reggae.

Thank you to so many for your support throughout this process. I can't wait to perform for you next Thursday, February 6 and Saturday, February 8 at The Rickshaw Theatre.

One love.

buildings.

I had lunch this afternoon with one of my Artistic Directors I've worked with in both Toronto and Vancouver. 

Over the last six months, we've found that we've connected during very busy times of the year, and this was our first chance to meet and catch up with no holiday, show or rehearsal pressures. 

The last time she saw me, I was in such a different place - broke, tired and clueless. It felt incredible to be in front of her and really say it, out loud, 

"I'm happy. Really happy here." 

She smiled at me and her eyes lit up. Because we both know, it's true.

Just a note.

winter.

"Sometimes you're 23 and standing in the kitchen of our house, making breakfast and brewing coffee, and listening to music that is really getting to your heart. 

You're just standing there, thinking about going to work and picking up your dry cleaning. 

And also more exciting things, like books you're reading and trips you plan on taking and relationships that are springing into existence. 

Or fading from your memory, which is far less exciting. 

And suddenly you just don't feel at home in your skin, or in your house, and you just want home, but "Mom's" probably won't feel like home anymore either. 

There used to be the comfort of a number in your phone and ears that listened everyday and arms that were never for anyone else. 

But just to clam you down when you started feeling trapped in a five-minute period when nostalgia is too much and thoughts of htier person you are feel foreign. 

When you realize that you'll never be this young again, but this is the first time you've ever been this old.

When you can't remember how you got from 16 to here, and all the same feel 16 is just as much of a strangers to you now. 

The song is over. The coffee's done. 

You're going to breathe in and out. 

You're going to be fine in about five minutes." 

- The Winter of Air 

B&W.

I was thinking about it the other day...and my blogette is almost five years old. 

My oh my, where does the time truly go? 

Well, our official birthday isn't until next month, but stay tuned for some flashback posts. Black and white photos was one of the original content concepts - and here we are, still doing it! 

yourself.

I gotta say, this whole "working for yourself" thing is pretty interesting. 

It's true - for how much work and time put into a project equals your success. However, I've been very lucky to be a part of several teams who are truly shaking up the status quo in their fields. 

It's days like today that make it hard for me to remember ever working for someone else. I enjoy having the power over my schedule, projects and also am taking on not just work, but good work. 

New Year Resolution #1 in effect. 

Have a lovely Wednesday - hopefully spending the evening enjoying a glass to wine with good friends. I'll be in the studio with the beautiful cast of Lovers of Marley (we have only two weeks until showtime!) Do you have your tickets yet? 

instagram.

I gotta say, there have been some great 'grams coming up over the last few months. I've throughout enjoyed following and interacting with several brands, friends and to be frank, people I've never met via Instagram.

Here are the accounts that I'm following this month - guaranteed, they'll liven up your feed if you're looking for something fresh!

@TaylorSterling 

Founder and Creative Director of The Glitter Guide, Taylor Sterling is the ultimate girls girl. Some wouldn't stop to take a photo of an interesting wall or moment happening on the street. 

Taylor captures it perfectly, and reminds us to stop and smell the roses in life. 

@blushshop

Simple shots from the waist-down of outfits, perfection in the use of white backgrounds and snaps of this dog - basically, one of the loveliest accounts I've seen. 

@GQ

It's not secret that I'll go for a GQ-esque guy every time. Let's keep this dapper look, gentleman-ly feel and witty/smart work up guys, it doesn't just pass by us ladies. 

@treasuresandtravels

Three Vancouver girls, Tegan, Bethany and Lindsay, write the divine blog Treasures & Travels. 

As a relatively newbie to the city, I love following their site and 'grams to see where the ladies are munching, hanging out and spending the season. 

Hands down, these gals got it when photographing with natural light - a must-do in my books!  

I'm always on the hunt for great Instagram feeds to follow for upcoming blog posts (and life). If you know someone interesting that I should take a peek at, tweet or leave me a comment below. 

I'm also on Instagram shares a few treats from my life...learning new tricks daily!

Have a lovely rest of your weekend.   

I do not take credit for any of the photos used in this post. Photography belongs to the credited photographers, text belongs to Portia Favro. 

successful.

My friend shared this article posted on the Business Insider and found myself nodding and having a major check-in when looking over these points.

My biggest fear in life is being bored (or being boring)...the road to success is tough, but based on the taste of it I've had so far, so worth it.

You have to do the hard things. 

You have to make the call you're afraid to make.
You have to get up earlier than you want to get up.
You have to give more than you get in return right away.
You have to care more about others than they care about you.
You have to fight when you are already injured, bloody and sore.
You have to feel unsure and insecure when playing it safe seems smarter.
You have to lead when no one else is following you yet.
You have to invest in yourself even though no one else is.
You have to look like a fool while you're looking for answers you don't have.
You have to grind out the detials when it's easier to shrug them off.
You have to deliver results when making excuses is an option.
You have to search for your own explanations when you're told to accept the "facts."
You have to make mistakes and look like an idiot.
You have to try and fail and try again.
You have to run faster even though you're out of breath.
You have to be kind to people who have been cruel to you.
You have to meet deadlines that are unreasonable and deliver results that are unparalleled.
You have to be accountable for your actions even when things go wrong.
You have to keep moving towards where you want to be, not matter what's in front of you.

dan.

"It's better to make a mistake with the full force of your being, than you timidly avoid mistakes with a trembling spirit. 

Responsbility means recognizing both pleasure and price, action and consquence, 

then making a choice." 

- The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Dan Millman 

boom.

I'm very lucky to be surrounded by some strong, independent and very creative women in Vancouver.

Last night, I had the opportunity to partake in a "Goddess Circle" by my good friends and colleague, Karoline of Divinity Bones Yoga.

It was pounding rain, but as women from all walks of life entered the RoofTop Yoga studio, it felt like all my troubles washed away.

After our practice, we spoke quite a bit about what we wanted to achieve over the next year. Having just made a major change in my life and moving to another city, I was stumped and had a moment of doubt:

"What else can I do this year? What do I really want?"

I won't lie, I may have looked calm on the outside, but I was stressing hardcore on the inside.

Then it hit me...I want to work stronger, not harder, at everything.

I want to do work that matters and makes a difference - whether that's in dance, social media, writing, teaching, etc., I want to do good work, not just things that pass people by.

Yes, this will be a challenge and I might not be able to do it at full capacity right away (girl has gotta have money to eat man!) BUT, I can start putting those actions into place.

My mantra for 2014: "I wanted to to do it, so I did."

Boom. Let's do this. More to come.

liz.

Apparently today is Blue Monday...I ain't got no time for that. 

Lots on the go - 2014, you're looking good so far! 

Plus, we're just another day closer to Friday.