rose.

Likely because Valentine's Day is coming up in a couple days, but lately I've been enamoured with anything pink, fluffy and utterly girly. 

Life is just more fun when you embrace what you love. Right now, I'm addicted to florals and pink. What's a gal to do?

tiesto.

Happy Valentine's Day! 

I'm surrounded by so many people I love, love my work and honestly, am pretty in love with life. I know it's cheesy to say that, but over the past year it's been become evident to me how important it is to be happy. 

Enjoy today and celebrate the love around you - as I've seen this year, it has many facets. 

I'll also be jamming out this for most of the day. Obsessed. 

And this new treat from JT...

fries.

This is probably one of the sweetest videos I have ever seen about love and Valentine's Day. I dare you not to have a smile permanently on your face while you're watching it.



Looking back, my first Valentine and I were probably around this age as well.

I remember being in early elementary school on Valentines Day when we all made little cards, and were very excited to pass them out to every person in the class.

I always made my mother help me make mine by hand with real doilies, glitter and way too much pink (I don't think I ever wanted to buy the pre-made Valentine's Day cards).

I remember moving around the room, putting my handmade cards in every one's mailbox, and when I came back to my desk one of the boys in my class, Alex, was there waiting for me.

He had given every one else a Valentine already but me. Instead, he stood there with my Valentine and a little red box of chocolates, with "Portia" written in cursive on it.

In my six-year-old mind, I was pretty freaked out. I had a crush on a totally different boy in the class, and somehow back then, I had enough knowledge to recognize how much that would hurt Alex to blow him off. Putting yourself out there at that age is no easy feat.

I remember accepting the chocolates and making an effort to sit next to him during the rest of the week in class when I had the chance. I guess I thought that's what a lady would do.

There are two lessons here:

1. Manners at a young make a difference.

2. That little box of chocolates really made me believe in love. It doesn't know any age or limits, just sometimes, the timing isn't right.

I unfortunately moved about a year after this and never saw Alex again. I don't even remember his last name, but man if he's anything still like that little boy, 18 years later, I'd give him a chance again.

language.

"I think we all speak a different kind of language than each other,

but you sound a whole lot like coffee on a Sunday morning 

 and the rain is falling bitter against the windowpane and your elbows are making holes in the countertops, 

and I only want to tell you that I wish I was as close as the threads of your 

t-shirt, 

and if I can’t be that, 

then I’ll be content withdrinking my drink beside you, 

with the rain sloppy open mouth kissing the roof, 

trying to dismantle the etymology of a conversation that falls out of the realm of words."

- Shinji Moon, He Loves the Rain 

Swoon. 

lovestruck.

I love Valentine's Day - mostly because I believe in love, pink and can't get enough of days meant to celebrate some of the things in life.

I think I said this last year, but I believe in living your life in love, or loving everything in your life, so you're never truly alone.

It all comes down to the days and actions we put into them before and after Valentine's Day (during this part of the year) - for me, it's been amazing to see the true colours of some of my peers, but also the strength of others who back each other up. You're all my Valentine this year.

Happy Valentine's Day! I leave you with this sweet little video:

salsa.

Oh my goodness, the month that I have been waiting for, for so long is just about here!

The February blues are stinky. So, along with my idea of celebrating each day like it's my birthday, I've renamed it the February Pinks.

I start my internship with Canada AM this month (which is an experience I'm looking very forward to), it's Valentine's Day soon (who doesn't love a whole day about love...whether you're single or betrothed) and it's slowly getting a little bit more light out later each day.

January is the slump month for me - so many things to catch up on after the Christmas season, the snow and cold, fighting the new, huge crowds at the gym...so February is a little bit more relaxed.

I've been lucky to have a great opportunity to get so many pieces written and broadcast on The Ryersonian, and now as a content reporter for the site/publication, hope to dedicate myself to the newsroom as much as I can.

Of course, there's got to be a balance. I'll be dancing in a show coming up soon and in a flash mob on Valentine's Day. Want more details? Send me an email or tweet me anytime.

I heard this great quote a few months ago, "Lack of passion is fatal" - I've been hoping to live and breathe this everyday.

PS as we head into the Superbowl weekend, I leave you with this divine little video - I hope to be recreating this on Sunday with my girls!



As well, I hit over 1,100 individual hits on the blogette this month! I'm absolutely over the moon and can't thank my readers enough for checking in and following my musings.

Merci beaucoup! Je t'adore.

vday.

Contrary to most, I actually love Valentine's Day, especially when I'm single.

Say what Portia?

Seriously, how much fun is it dressing up in pink and red dresses, eating as many chocolates as you want and just letting yourself enjoy the day. There's no need to get down on single-awareness-day.

At the end of it all, the relationship that's the most important is the one I have with myself - no matter what's going on in the world around me. I've never had a bad Valentine's Day where I felt sad. More and more, I can see how surrounding yourself with people who matter and love me for who I am is really what matters. To be completely honest, I'm still really trying to figure myself out, and after a dating/love spree, things are finally starting to match up and fall into place. There's always time, why be down?

This year might be a little different. I'm dancing around with a new beau, so things are interesting. However, national holiday or not, this will not remove me from the annual spoil-yourself-day.
Get a pedicure. Buy yourself flowers. Read a good book. Think of how beautiful it is to do whatever you want just for you, only you, forever you. Let yourself be selfish. It only comes once a year - indulge in it.

Will I? Absolutely, unless my new prince shows up with distinct pair of glittery Louboutins at my door, then I'll be willing to pencil in a rain check with myself...