notes.

My mother is the most glamourous woman I know. She's been my greatest teacher, mentor and therapist about anything and everything in life.

As I've grown up, so have our conversations. I'm so thankful for an open and honest repore with her.

She's taught me everything I know, and most importantly, how to be a lady.

Here we are, lady lessons from my mother: 
2015 edition. 

1. Never wear the same thing two days in a row:  your shoes, your bra, etc. Give everything at day to air out and also, it will hold the shape better. 

2. You really only need two heathcare practitioners as you get older: your chiropractor + your gyno. 

3. Always have an awesome haircut. You wear it every day after all. 

4. If you're tired, frustrated or upset, make a cup of tea and read a book. By then it will be time for bed. You'll wake up on a new day with a new perspective on how to tackle things.

That's all. Thanks Mom. 

learnings.

I've learned a couple simple things about myself over the past year:

1. You're smarter than you think.
2. Go with the flow...but listen to your gut.
3. How to function on any amount of sleep.

Lesson One: After spending my first year post-university struggling to find consistent work, I can see how much I was my own worst enemy.

As a dancer, we're given "notes" at the end of every performance. I'm used to being called out for my mistakes in front of an entire company. I learned how to take those corrections, apply them and show a level of respect for the director, producer and cast.

It's true - even if you know 100 amazing and positive things about yourself, that one or two negative comments and critiques can eat you up inside. I was my own worst enemy last year, and although I projected a positive outlook, I beat myself up (mentally) often.

My solution to this was fairly simple: when you start to believe in what you're doing (and take no prisoners) others will too.

I was able to have a fresh start in Vancouver, and realize this strategy could have totally backfired. Luckily, it hasn't!

Lesson Two: As I've moved farther in the dance and communications world, my job can change in mere moments (especially when breaking news occurs).

Jumping on board and changing course is important. It is my job not to lose the audience. However, it is just as important to know when to jump off the ship when things are taken too far.

Don't be a social media bully - even toward a famous person - if you wouldn't say something to their face, don't say it online.

Lesson Three: Naps, Saturday mornings and one super early bedtime during the week is key.

Between handling my own clients, working in sales and as a dance teacher/performer, I have a lot of early mornings and very late evenings (again...going with the flow of when meetings happen!)

Besides a good cup of coffee in the AM, if I can hit the hay an hour earlier than normal on one night during the week, it makes a difference. When I get a weekend morning to turn off my phone, I take it.

Just a thought. Or three.

femme.

Last Friday night, I was having drinks with a girlfriend in a cozy pub after a wild work week.

After the first pint, the topic of conversation moved into an interesting territory - people's quirks. 

We  reminiced and fawned over some of our favourite things about people we either know (or don't), whined about another's behaviour, and little things we wanted to incorporate into our lives in the upcoming year. 

My friend said something interesting that really struck me. She said we all have our own little tidbits and guidelines to life, and there's probably someone out there trying to mirror one of them.

"You have your own rules Portia, think about it. We all do. It's the little mantras we repeat daily. The habits we have picked up. We do it without even knowing it."

This got me thinking. We have been idealizing certain people for their lifestyle choices forever. I have a little book about how live more like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and other startlets. But what about the people around us? They're the ones with the goldmine of secrets.

I'm going to start asking and recording for two to three little mantras/details of what some of the ladies around us live their lives by. My hope is to have a list maybe at the end of each month of things I admire and notes to live life by.

Notes on December 

Have a signature beauty look - whether it's red lips, cat eyes, et cetera, be your own icon. 

Relish your days off and take full advantage of them. 

Always have your fingers and toes polished.

Never underestimate the power of a handwritten card. 

Have a bottle of champagne in the fridge chilled at all times. You never know when you'll need to celebrate, or sometimes the celebration is because there's champagne in the fridge. 

Got a manta/note? Let me know! It could make next month's list. Tweet me (@PortiaFavro) or comment below.