mags.

This is it.

The final issue of McClung's Magazine, spring 2012 is done. After this month, I turn my social media passwords and duties to the next director.

It's hard to believe how much time has flown by during my time at Ryerson, and in particular McClungs. I owe this little magazine a lot...it was where my first article, about Barbie being a positive role model was published.

A photo shoot with a long blonde wig, a few edits and months later, I still get that tingly feeling in my fingers when I am holding that issue in my hands.

I remember thinking for the first time, I did it, I really did it.

After working as a copy editor last year and now closely with my close friend Katie Engvist, a photographer, we really hit out stride with styling, creating concepts and shooting the photo essays over the 2010-2012 school years.

As I close the page on this magazine, make sure to check out my final photo essay I had the privilege to style and work on.

The concept was developed as "anti-beauty products" and listing the dangers in makeup. I had so much fun working with some of my favourite people to create the look and a feel for the shoot.

Here's a sneak peek:

You see the photo essay and can read the entire spring 2012 issue of McClung's Magazine online here.

pinning.

After many a month, I finally have decided to start sharing my Pinterest account and "pins" publicly.

I have had an account for awhile, and especially when the Pinterest phenomenon blew up, I really drew back from the entire process. Everyone was judging everyone else so harshly on what they were categorizing, pinning random things and I just didn't like it.

But holy smokes, pinning is addicting. When I finally decided to start making boards and really categorizing, I found myself spending lots of time dabbling in various boards and finding great ideas for DIY's, food, home decor and more.

My name is Portia, and I and turning into a Pinterest addict.

Now, after searching through friends and colleagues to people who really are making some interesting finds with their pins, and not collectively aggregating them into a "inspired" (we're all inspired by the world around us...we get it) I have decided to try to do the same.

Here's a sneak peek...I'll warn that I pin similar things to the blogette. And no future wedding board for me - just ideas for my next cocktail party.


PS hope to see you tonight at the McClung's Magazine sping 2012 issue launch party! Come celebrate with the masthead and find out who the next editors-in-chief will be for the 2012-13 school year. 9PM, The Loose Moose (146 Front Street)

Check out the Facebook invitation here.

I will also be posting some pictures from the last ever photo essay I will have styled for McClungs soon. The issue will be online soon as well for all our readers not in the Toronto area. Will post the links ASAP.

shining.

Whew today is a busy day - I have events and things happening on both sides of the country, thank goodness for the Internet to help me out!

Today my dancers from Reflections Dance Studio head into their first competition of the season in Vernon, BC. I choreographed about a half dozen solos and one duet, and this the first time my work is being showcased in a competition environment. I am so proud and over the moon excited for my dancers, and can't wait to hear how they do, what the judges think, etc.

I'm a touch nervous because my choreography is a bit out there, but my dancers look so fantastic when they're performing it, I know it will shine through.

My mantra for dance, which I adapted from an previous artistic director:

There is choreography for every
body.

Have fun, live in the moment and enjoy these days dancers! I wish I could be there more than anything.

I found out the piece I choreographed for Kelowna Secondary School's dance team (this was my high school, so much pride) placed third at the Driven Dance Competition in Kelowna, BC in the character division. Congrats ladies!

On this side of the country...another year has come and gone, but the good news is that there's a ton to celebrations to be had!

I have had a blast working as the social media director for McClung's Magazine over the past school year, and have had the opportunity to meet and interact with some amazing people. I'll be hanging up my logins in a few weeks, but not before we celebrate and launch the spring 2012 issue of the magazine!

Check out the event on Facebook here: can't wait!

(A little bird told me that spring 2012 issue will be hitting the stands tomorrow, Friday, April 13 by the way...)

Looking forward to summer, a new apartment, a few new gigs (journalism and dance-wise) and a new kind of life. Feeling very blessed.

Stay posted for continuing updates!

spicy.

It always creeps up on me, and I can't help but fall into it.

It's that time of year again - I'm working on styling and coordinating another photo essay for McClung's Magazine.

I'm blown away when I see things starting to come together, especially when time is limited. I'm very lucky to be surrounded by beautiful, passionate and talented women (and men!) who are willing to help and really make a difference in my life and the community around me.

The other part of me sees how this is totally not work to me. Of course, working full time for my internship and commuting and dancing takes a toll on the sleep meter, but these extra projects are the spice of life. How many people get to say they worked styling and creating the concept for a photo shoot in a national magazine?

Sleep? Nah. This is worth the lack of it.

The concept for this shoot is quite unique, and I have a fantastic makeup artist on board to help make the looks we have been dreaming and imagining in our minds a reality.

Make sure to stay tuned to the McClungs and my Twitter feeds this weekend for sneak peeks!

We have some tricks up our sleeves this time around...

wife.

Today is the day!

After many a month of handling the social media, editing and handling a few articles and then contacting models, grabbing clothes and styling the photo essay in only a few days...the 2012 issue of McClung's Magazine is finally here!

Here's a sneak preview of our photo essay, a satirical look at 1950's housewives, and the rules of "The Good Wife".



This would not have been able to have been possible without the help of our photographer Katie Engqvist, editors Niki Singh and Sam Anderson, and of course the time, effort and clothes of all the models!

It was just a treat to work with so many inspiring people to put this issue together, and there is an abundance of fantastic articles by some very talented writers.

Make sure to look for the magazine on Ryerson's campus this week. You can also read the entire issue online here. (especially pages 19-23)

Hope you have a great weekend off from the first official workweek of the year - I'm looking forward to starting work in the Ryerson newsroom next week and finishing my last semester of university. How time flies!

housewife.

So I had a little bit of a different Friday night than usual - last week our photo essay for McClung's Magazine fell through and I was asked to take on the new editorial shoot.

After brainstorming and pulling inspiration from all over for the past week, I expanded on our original idea, which was to satirize 1950's housewives. We found a text online with all the "rules" for women to follow to be a good wife and mother, and decided to do a tongue-in-cheek version of each.

Once I had my gorgeous models on board (all journalism girls who stepped right up to the plate to help a fellow comrade) we met and I went to work styling, teasing and curling hair, and painting cat eye black liner on everyone.

One of the girls I had was a splitting image of Billie Holiday, so I accessorized with a giant flower, pearls and ruby red lips. Another, had the tickets hair that we pulled, hairspray-ed, and texturized to pieces.

I love my job. The photos turned out beautifully, and I'll be making my McClung's model appearance for the third year in a row as well!

Make sure to check out the magazine December 15!

concept.

Basically how I hope to spend my winter break with my girlfriends.

Happy Sunday! One week left of school - we can do it!

PS stay posted to my Twitter account and McClung's Magazine's webpage - I'm organizing a concept for our photo essay that's lots of fun and features some awesome women. Sneak peeks to come!

PPS love the music in this video!

mcclungs.

After being a writer, copy editor and Barbie model (true story) for McClung's Magazine, I am happy to now announce another line that will be added to my resume - social media director and handling editor!

Basically you will be seeing me promoting and sharing updates about our writers, editors, art and marketing department as we work on getting the magazine ready for publication in the winter. Expect pictures, quotes from interview subjects, sneak peeks and other feminist-related material on our Twitter and Facebook page from yours truly and some of the other online editors.

Even more exciting, we'll be starting an online contest to get YOU involved in McClung's. Have you wanted to write for us or feel like you have a story to tell? Get those creative juices flowing and keep your eyes peeled for details!

While you're at it, make sure to follow us on Twitter and "like" our Facebook page so all the latest updates.

Questions, comments, concerns? Contact us!