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. 

nov.

Everything I'm into right now: sweet treats, Lana del Ray, New York, breaded men & fresh flowers. 

Have a good day friends. 

moon.

This past month has been wild and wonderful.

At the beginning of Fall, I decided to focus my energy and time into my dance career and taking it to the next level. After a summer of training, resting and learning, I'm now finding how to cultivate my power and use it in the most effective way possible.

Since the Canadian Thanksgiving, I've had a dance gig, show or performance every weekend, and will continue to until mid-December.

But some days are better than others. I remember reading an article where prima ballerina (and my idol) Karen Kain said she would wake up some mornings and feel like her ankles were shattering because she was in pain.

This past week, I woke up every morning with a new type of pain. Hip, knee, back, neck...places I've never been hurt before suddenly ached. I almost backed out of a performance, which I DO NOT DO, thinking about my body.

During the full moon the other evening, I laid wide awake in bed. I was exhausted but couldn't find a way to calm my mind and get my much-needed sleep.

Then it hit me: I was waiting and scared to go to sleep because of what pain I would wake up with in the morning. I was stressing myself out over something that I had little control over and had not even happened yet.

I got up, donned my leopard robe and went outside into the black night outside my apartment (thank goodness for my little private backyard) and looked up at the moon.

I'm not spiritual, but I do believe in the feminine energy and personality of the moon. I feel a shift and a change during it's movement, and find myself watching her whenever I get the chance.

Then it clicked: I'm in control of it all. My body. My mind. My pain.

Everything that was making my brain run wild is an opportunity, a gift and a challenge. But it's my choice - I could back out if I wanted to. Right now. Forever.

But I don't want to. I'm here. I want to do this with my life.

I went inside and drifted into the deepest sleep I've had in weeks. I awoke with no pain.

This is my choice. My destiny. 

Let's do this. 

Thank you Moon.

oscar.

"I've lived every day to the fullest, and I've had a marvelous time. 

I've tried to be nice to the people I care about, and ignore the ones I don't. 

I enjoy what I've done." 

- Oscar de la Renta

25.

As I get older (I do have a birthday coming this week...) I realize more and more how much time matters.

Sunday morning coffee.
Holidays with my family.
Late night cocktails with good girlfriends.
Days off.
Jam-packed days of dance rehearsal.

The list goes on.

I never, ever really thought I would associate myself with a quarter-life crisis. I just didn't have the TIME for it. I'm extremely happy and satisfied in my career, relationships and extra-curricular activities.

But lately, I've run into feeling a touch off-kilter at random parts of my day.

Holly Golighty said it best, "...the mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid, and you don't know what you're afraid of."

Am I afraid? At times, absolutely. With power comes respsonsibility, trust and guidance. I must respect that, especially with current opportunities I'm pursuing.

Am I afraid? Not at all. I'm finally where I'm supposed to be. Every single day is a new challenge. I don't know what next week looks like. I love it.

Bring it on 25. Let's do this.