lalaland.

Hello from the other side!

Since April 1, I've been out of town and travelling for work, dance and pleasure approximately 28 days. Holy smokes.

It hit me the other day that last year I was writing out goals as part of new year's circle and I found myself continually writing down and vocalizing that I wanted to teach, dance and travel more.

Well, here we are. I got home from Los Angeles this past Monday and went straight into work all week. This included teaching and choreographing my feet off, as well as assisting to produce both my Army of Sass and The Lovers Cabaret shows this June and July.

This coming Tuesday, I'm packing my bags again and heading home(ish) to Kelowna to teach at my old high school, a couple masterclasses and connect with my friends out there.

Hard work pays off. Finally, so many things are coming together. They aren't perfect, by any means. I'm learning to deal with things on a totally different level as a producer and leader, not just a dancer.

I feel strong in my decisions. I feel valid. This work is good and I'm stoked to be doing it.

Also...Los Angeles rocked my world.

I'm still processing a lot of what I learned, saw and attempted. But to say the least, Galen Hooks gave me that extra push to conquer some major habits and break them. (See more about that on my Instagram).

This entire year has been a big one for me. I've learned how much I can rely on myself and my skill set to make anything happen.

I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true.

Have a wonderful weekend. A glass of rose wine is calling my name!

2015.

Hat's off to you 2015...you rocked.

Thank you for a wonderful year of dance, work, shows, friendship, travel + so much more. This pin-up is off the grid until 2016. Stay tuned for fresh things a'coming!

Here are a few of my favourite moments.

Back To Basics - Army of Sass show with Alicia 

The Lovers Cabaret presents: SYN (Photo by Kristine Cofsky)

The Lalonde Wedding - Playa del Carmen, Mexico

My debut at Go-Go Bungalow at The Shameful Tiki Room 

Canada Day on the water 

Camping in Squamish, B.C. 

One of my besties since grade 11 in Kelowna.

Araxi Long Table Dinner at North Arm Farm. 

On set for "Howl" (short film) 

Shooting the Holiday 2015 campaign for Gloss Boudoir 

First trip back to Toronto since I moved. 

Soaking up New York City in October. Heaven.

The Lovers Cabaret presents: Lovers of Zeppelin

Guest performing in "Wonderland" for Army of Sass Kelowna + Whistler

My students from the Army of Sass Vancouver before our big show. 

vic.

One of the things I've really been enjoying about being back in B.C. is the accesibility to travel and explore new cities in the province. 

Last week, I came back from Prince Rupert on Monday, slept in Vancouver for three nights, and then was off to Victoria with one of my best friends to visit a university gal pal. 

Between catch ups, celebrating a new home and a bit of wine, my friend Katie pulled out a hardcover photo album. We proceeded to walk through our university experience in 100 or so photos she had collected from Facebook, disposable cameras and personal files. It was such a simple, but monumental moment in our friendship. 

Seeing our faces on the pages showed how much we had been through, and the physicality of photos really brings back memories. 

New goal: continue to print photos. It's a simple, but lost practice now in the digital era. I'm bringing a touch of it back, starting with a few snaps from our trip: 

B.C. Parliment buidlings 

Victoria Harbour 

I'm still dreaming of this brunch from Lady Marmalade

Three B.C. musketeers  

The ever-stunning Empress Hotel

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.

2013.

So, 2013 was a big learning year. 

A lot things didn't work out...but then again, sometimes not getting what you want is sometimes a remarkable stroke of luck. 

Thank you 2013 for showing me what my limits were, then breaking them. 

Thank you Toronto for being sweet to me for five years. I'll be back soon. 

Thank you Vancouver for taking me for exactly who I am. 

Without further ado, here's a few highlights from this past year. Looking forward to 2014! 

Let's do this. 

Kicking off the new year on the renovated set of Canada AM

Stepping back in Puerto Vallarta 

Celebrating Deona's big debut in the Shawn Desman "Alive" movie 

Emceeing The Vibe Dance Competition in Kelowna, B.C. 

Reuniting with one of my besties after a year

The moment I decided to move to Vancouver

Watching my Army of Sass Corporals perform my choreography at The Chic-a-Boom Room, Toronto

These girls.  

Au revoir Toronto!  

My cousin Mike and marries Stacey in Vancouver. 

Not a shabby way to spend the summer. Kelowna, you're lovely. 

The official move to Vancouver., brothers in tow. 

Thanksgiving in Kelowna. 

Changing of the seasons in Kits. 

After winning second place in Vancouver's Next Bombshell with one of my favourite ladies by my side. 

Celebrating the success of Sexy and Wealthy in Heels Vancouver at our launch. 

Beyonce. That's all. 

Working with The Lovers Cabaret on our next show, "The Lovers of Marley"

Performing as "The Lady" in High Heel Revolution at The Chic-a-Boom Room in Vancouver

The Favro Family Christmas Card, 2013. 

lemony.

"It is a mircale if you can find true friends, and it is a miracle if you have enough food to eat. 

And it's a miracle if you get to spend your days and evenings doing whatever it is you like to do. 

And the holiday season - like all the other seasons - is a good time not only to tell stories of miracles, but to think about the miracles in your own life, 

and to be grateful for them." 

- Lemony Snicket, The Lump of Coal 

vancity.

I just put two and two together that I have been officially back in B.C. for two months (is that enough two's for you?) 

So many incredible things have happened in the last few weeks in my home province - good times with friends, reconnecting with family members at weddings, celebrating the start of new lives and adjusting to a couple big changes on my end. 

Was it hard to come back? Of course. 

I've definitely had a couple moments when I thought to myself, what on Earth were you thinking Portia? 

But that too has past and I'm ready to start the next chapter this fall. 

Without further ado, here are a few of my favourite moments from summer 2013 as I start to pack away my short shorts - it'll be missed! 

Performing in High Society Cabaret at the Chic-a-Boom Room (my last TO show). 

In Niagara Falls with the Army of Sass dance teachers. 

My final night in Toronto - missing these ladies. 

Vancouver - my cousin Mike gets hitched. 

The Caravan Farm Theatre, a gem of the Okanagan. 

Celebrating Rochelle's birthday in Vancouver. 

Teaching at Dancing in the Park. 

Alicia and I - giggling, as per usual.