bond.

La vie est belle. 

There are things we can't always explain. Nor should we. 

There are moments that take your breath away when you least expect it. 

There are times when everything starts to come together. Sometimes, things fall apart. 

I'm one week away from debuting my first full show as a producer + I'm over the moon. I'm so proud of my dancers, the process, this story and everything. 

I know I'm going to feel a huge void after 7 months of work. It's inevitable. It's going to hurt. Maybe I'll be ready for it to be finished. Maybe not. 

Either way, it's a major step as an artist and performer. 

See you on the other side my friends. 

maaay.

In the wise words of JT - it's going to be Maaaaaaay. 

Over the last 3 years, May has always been a month of surprises, work, travel and change for me. In 2013, I was in Vancouver for a hot minute and it convinced me to sell everything I owned and move! 

These past few weeks have been nothing short of lovely. Busy, especially with producing my first show with The Lovers Cabaret and teaching more than ever, but all good. 

Here are a few of my favourite shots from my travels (all taken on iPhone!) 

Fresh blooms in my neighbourhood.

Night at Kits Beach.

Volunteering and cheering on the babes at the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival. 

A roomie date night at Ballet BC. 

Is this place even real? Stumbled upon Paradise Cove in Malibu, CA.

My friend's Malibu home - I call it "The Secret Garden"

Views from above. Zuma Beach.

Excuse me while I kiss the sky. North Hollywood. 

Pin-up's and palm trees en route to the dance studio. 

Mantras at Movement Lifestyle Dance Studio. 

A killer weekend working with Galen Hooks one-on-one in Los Angeles! 

chosen.

What's the happiest place on Earth? 

Disneyland? In your lover's arms? Home? 

These past few weeks - between Kelowna, Toronto, NYC and Vancouver, I found home in my chosen families. I've had friends who's travelled far and wide, and those who've stayed close to their roots. 

I've struggled with where to call "home" after moving every few years growing up and now as an adult. 

Travelling around has made me realize Vancouver is home, geographically. 

This weekend, I remembered where home really was. 

On stage. 

Flanked by dancers. Lights. An audience. I don't even have to move big, far or wide. I can just relax and be. 

Welcome to my home. 

thanksgiving.

Last year, one of my colleagues said to treat each day like it's Thanksgiving. 

That really stuck with me - I'm so healthy, happy and living my dream work-friends-passions-interest-wise. 

Last night, I took a step outside of my comfort zone and performed with another dance group in a very different venue, crowd and style then what I'm accustomed to. 

In turn, I ended up connecting with some absolutely fabulous women and gents (inside and out!) and was invited to Portland, Oregon to perform in the future. 

Needless to say, I'm thankful. 

Thankful for going with my gut. 

Thankful for the support of my friends and colleagues. 

Thankful to be one hundred per cent myself. 

As we head into the next week and Thanksgiving weekend in Canada (I'm heading back to Kelowna for some family time, and couldn't be more excited), I'm really reflecting and soaking in all that's happened this past year. 

Thanks universe. You've been awesome. 

tiki.

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

I'm going to let that sink in for a moment. 

Not going to lie, the last couple weeks I've felt like I was in a little bit of a plateau. I've not been 100 per cent sure what my next move was going to be in the dance world - especially after a year like this.

Looking back, I'm on the eve of the anniversary of my life changing. While working on the show "Mistresses" with The Lovers Cabaret last summer, I found out quite a bit about who I was and where my priorities laid. The past 10 months especially have been about embracing that to a full tilt.

Over the past 5 days, the my life shifted again.

First off, my show with the Army of Sass Vancouver was hands down, my most fullfilling term as a teacher. The wonderful thing about working with adults is that they realize how much of an impact and change they are making.

Children don't always understand how much they have improved, whereas adults (especially in the age of YouTube) and watch themselves and "connect the dots".

I got to sit back and watch the show, audience reactions and much more from the sound booth, and it's safe to say my heart swelled 10 times its size.

How things have changed since I was a student in the program - I'm so happy I stuck with my gut and kept dancing when so many people told me it wasn't a good idea.

The Army of Sass - Vancouver Privates dancers. 

One of my lovely students, Claire. 

From week one to Saturday night, I have never been more proud to see women embracing their bodies, attitudes and lives on the stage.

Numba two...about a year ago (actually when I was working on Mistresses) I was attending a plethora of burlesque shows to learn more about its true style, the classic tease and also just out of pure fascination and urge for entertainment.

Vancouver is wonderful and a very rich city in burlesque and cabaret shows, classes and talent. Throughout my tour de shows I stumbled upon a few dancers who completely took my breath away. One ran a tiki-themed, 1960's go-go night at The Shamefull Tiki Room on Main Street, and I was immediately hooked on her social media presence, and drooled over her tiki-themed posts.

Fast forward a year later, and I had the chance to take her go-go dance class, and the producer picked me to dance on Sunday night in a preview for new students, for the show.

The wonderful thing about the work I did this past year (especially with a highly interactive show, SYN) is that I love being in a room of people I don't know. I'm pleased to share I'll be shaking it at the Go Go Bungalow at The Shameful Tiki Room on August 30!

Dancing at Lydia DeCarllo's Go-Go Bungalow at The Shameful Tiki Room.

So here we are, just a day after the summer solstice, and according to astrology, The Summer of Love (more here...I know, but I'm learning to love and wholeheartedly embrace it all). My life is going to change yet again. Here we go. Time to take the plunge.

Stay tuned. 

yay.

There's something really wonderful about growing into who you really are. 

Happy. Happy. Happy. 

don't.

"I know you've heard it a thousand times before. 

But it's true - hard work pays off. 

If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. 

If you don't love something, then don't do it." 

- Ray Bradbury 

chapters.

Currently listening: Patti Smith's cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

The last month has certainly been an interesting one. I know there was a ton of this "New Year, New You" mantra-ing happening, but I really wasn't feeling it. In fact, I felt exactly the same moving into the new year as I felt leaving 2014.

I sat down with one of my good friends and Producer for several shows I've been a part of the other night, and we hashed it out. January 2015 was hard. T

here were a lot of things that went south during a time of refreshment and renewal. On the flip side, I experienced and found success in several places I didn't think would be profitable (like booking my first TV show!)

However, it's ending. Tomorrow is a fresh page of a new month. For me, I feel like it's my time to step into a new chapter.

I'm thrilled to be expanding my personal brand of dance work and choreography, and am taking on new projects, teaching more classes and brainstorming ways to travel, share and showcase more of what I love to do.

Right now I'm in the thick of building www.portiafavro.com with a full class schedule, background and demo work in all my areas of expertise and creativity. It's a long time coming, but I'm en route!

Have a wonderful weekend friends. Tomorrow, it's a brand new day.

steps.

I've learning a lot this week. It's been busy, full of of challenges and made me realize where my priorities really lie. There are a few exciting projects and bookings on the go...and I can't wait to share more with you soon. 

For now, it's me, a quiet evenig in, a cup of tea and Suits (my latest obsession). 

Stay tuned dears.  

creative.

It's comforting knowing others are going through (or have been) the same things you are.

I'm feeling very, very creative. Very open to opportunity and new things. I'm in the thick of taking the next step in my process as an artist.

With great power also comes great responsibility (thank you Peter Parker). I'm taking on extra artistic development classes, connecting with like-minded and radically different creators and finding out more not just where I want to put this power, but also how.

I don't know that yet. I'm still looking, researching, trying and finding out a little more each day.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Here we go.

abode.

Home. Home. Home. 

Home has changed a lot...physically quite a bit in the last few years (yay for apartment dwellers) but also emotionally. 

Every year, coming "home" for the holidays changes. Sometimes it's to the place my parents and other family members are living. Other years it's far away from it all. 

There have been many Christmas's over the last seven years where one or more of my siblings or I have been away or needed to leave year because of a work commitment, et cetera. This year, one of my brothers is working at a ski hill, several of my friends are in and out of town with family commitments, and couples are splitting their time in-between two provinces or cities.

We're growing up. 

Since moving in 2013, I found a place for my roots to be nourished to grow. I've noticed a drastic change in my behaviour and attitude this holiday season. Other years, I've run around like a mad woman socializing, laughing, leading workshops and honestly, having a grand 'ol time. Bcak then, that's how I sought comfort and stability.

I know it's freaking corny, but home this year is with the people I love.

Since I've been back, I've been hanging closer to home. My dearest of friends, family and I have a couple little traditions and social engagements, but they're very personal and small. 

Merry Christmas friends. May you have a beautiful holiday season. 

freddie.

Here we go...only four more sleeps until we debut the next show in the Icon Series, Lovers of Queen.

I'm so honoured to be portraying Fairy Mary and dancing in a principal role in the show. I've been challenged physically and emotionally throughout this process, and have grown so much as a dancer.

Tickets are still available online: www.theloverscabaret.com/tickets 

The show must go on. See you at the theatre this weekend.

top5.

Getting back into the swing of things...it's time for Top 5 post.

There's no shortage of fun things happening at this time of the year (amist the busy schedules we all have) but these are a few things that caught my eye or have been on my mind lately. 

Vogue's Shoot. 

One of the most beautiful and raw editorials I've seen in awhile. 

How To Be Parisian. 

My next read AND the best Instagram account I've followed in a while. 

Tove Lo. 

Can't stop listening to Tove Lo. My favourite track of the moment, "Talking Body".

Flash Tattoos. 

Temporary tattoos for grown-ups. I can't resist covering my arms and pretending I have a sleeve of tattoos. That's what they're for...right? 

ORU Vancouver. 

I stumbled into ORU by accident with a friend a couple months ago, and it's become one of my go-to cocktail bars. Josh makes a mean pumpkin spice sour and will customize cocktails based on your taste palate. Go, I tell you.