MY HAPPY PLACE: #ONUNIONSTREET

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HEART BOOPS TO ALL OF YOU

Twin Love <3 

I think I dislike Valentine's Day for the same reason I'm not fond of Christmas. It's the materialism, the expectations, and it can be isolating for single people, despite how fun Galentines is. 

I wanted to write a post about love. It's not a topic I touch on very often but something I do think about quite often. Being single for over a year now, I've had the opportunity to really explore what love is. Nothing like mending a broken heart by thinking about love and what it really is! In all seriousness, I've been learning to love myself and in doing so, I have experienced all of my relationships change for the better. And when I say relationships, I mean friends, family, colleagues, animals, and so on. 

Writing about love feels as awkward as writing about yoga. They're both so experiential that putting them into words feels funny. 

I think there's a huge disconnect in how we're told to give love and what it actually means to love someone. Buying your girlfriend a dozen roses will make her happy and she will feel appreciated, yes. But that isn't why she loves you. She loves you because when she's having a bad day, she knows that simply hearing your voice is comforting. When she's feeling happy and excited, she knows that she can share that with you. 

Your friends love you because you're there for them. You'll make time to spend with them in a world where everyone is "just so busy". 

Your dog loves you because... well just because. 

Love can be scary because it makes you feel vulnerable. Allowing someone to touch your heart and being able to touch theirs in return can be terrifying and beautiful in the same breathe. 

Do you feel me? 

On this day, I think we can all find comfort in that we're all the same. We all want love. We all have so much love to give. Today and everyday, show the people in your life that you love them by making time for them, by looking them in the eye when they speak to you, by truly listening to what they have to say, by holding space for them, by giving them a real hug where you feel your hearts' boop (when your hearts touch ever so slightly), and by letting them know that you value them being in your life. 

Happy day to all my Valentines. 

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK

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Night Bright

Sweet and sour. Bright with subdued. Darks with brights. 

We've been seeing these trends float around for some time now but for me, they never get old. Colourful clothes make me so happy. There's always a way of re-inventing yourself by mixing and matching different colours and patterns. I find that when I wear bright colours, I not only lift my own spirits but I notice it affecting the people I see throughout the day. Especially during Winter in my city. It's grey, white, slushy, messy. So I think a bright outfit ~and lip~ is refreshing to see. 

I wore this out with my gal pals for my very first Galentine's Day. I've been a single lady for almost six months now. It's been a journey of mending a broken heart mixed with self love and discovery. I go through phases of feeling sad, happy, lonely, and free. I was actually looking forward to spending time with my best friends this Valentine's Day. It's a day to celebrate love, whatever that may look like. I've been trying to find love in all of the non-traditional ways. In learning to love myself and others to my greatest capacity, I find my loneliness subsides and my heart opens to new possibilities. So cheers to that!  

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Yogi Adventures: Part 1 / January

As some of you know, I'm embarking on a journey to self-mastery. It takes the form of a Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training hosted by the one and only Kulmeet. The training partakes over one weekend per month, for six months, and last weekend was the first training. It was like my first day of school all over again, heh! 
I want to share my yogi adventures with you since this is such a big part of my life and who I am. Kundalini yoga has helped me get through so many difficult times. My regular practice has taught me how to properly breathe (I know, right?), I've learned how to be more tolerant and patient, how to relax in stressful situations, and it's changed my relationship with pain. It's helped me become a stronger, more peaceful and gracious human. It has only done me good. 

However, I didn't become the person I am today overnight and without work, let me tell you. This type of yoga is weird. It's hard. It will test you. But if you can work through your negative mind, you will reap the rewards. 

Kundalini yoga is known as the yoga of awareness. It's a science of the mind and body, to elevate the spirit. It is a non-denominational spiritual practice. It's yoga for everyone. 

Last weekend I was surrounded by 13 fellow yoga students, many teachers, and friends. We learned about the origins of Kundalini yoga, how to properly do different assanas (postures) and pranayamas (breathing styles), I FINALLY participated in my very first Sadhana (early morning meditation), and we learned how to modify exercises for individual strengths. 

We had two teachers instructing this weekend: Guru Dharam from Sweden and Siri Sat from New York. We had lectures, discussions, demonstrations, watched a movie, did yoga sets, meditated, chanted, laughed, cried, and ate some delicious vegetarian food while sipping homemade yogi tea. Shoutout to the lovely kitchen peeps! 

I felt like I already knew so much about Kundalini yoga until this weekend. I now know I am just scratching the surface. The more I learn, the better my practice is. I want to become a better teacher to help the people in my life and myself. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the discussions I had with the students and teachers. Each conversation was so deep and real. One of my favourite parts was when we all shared a little story about ourselves. Learning about how and why others practice this yoga was so cool. People practice to become the best version of themselves and the stories of how they got there are so beautiful. 

I'm truly so grateful for the opportunity to take this course. This one weekend has changed me so much already. I can't wait to continue on this journey and see where it takes me. 

Oh, and I have yogi homework! We were assigned a 40 day meditation and kriya (yoga set) in order to learn how to have a daily practice. It's not going to be easy but I do know how good I will feel. 

Thank you for reading and following along on my journey. If you ever have any questions about Kundalini yoga or anything really, never hesitate to get a hold of me. 

Sat nam! 

Atmadev (this is my spiritual name, it means whose soul is attuned to the divine) 

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Livin' my life like it's golden

I threw this outfit together for a wedding reception over the weekend. Blazers never fail me and gold always adds some life to any outfit! I've been wearing a lot of black lately and livening it up with colourful accessories. 
Who's wedding? Well, me and Rosie kept in touch with our writing teacher from high school and we had the great pleasure of seeing her on one of the most memorable days of her life. It was heart warming to see her in her white gown, surrounded by so much love, looking so happy with her new husband. 

blazer: value village $7, skirt: american apparel: $17, clutch: gifted (Rosie's mom), boots: expressions the bay: $20, bangle and ring: value village, $2-18, shirt, necklace and bracelet: inherited from Grandma Kitty Kats (she has the best stuff!) 

All photos taken by Rosie Waugh.

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Dear Grandma Kitty Kats

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that my grandmother, Grandma Kitty Kats, passed away on August 31, 2013. After surviving several heart attacks, and spending three weeks in the ICU, she had many other complications and passed peacefully, surrounded by love. 

I had never lost someone so close to me before and while I know most of you didn't know her, she meant the world to me. She's touched so many lives and inspired so many, while she was living and even now after death. Her passing has really hit me (and my whole family so hard) because she was literally our rock. We could always, always, count on her and everyone would call her whenever we had a problem, needed someone to talk to, or simply wasn't sure how to cook a spaghetti squash (thanks gram).

When someone dies, we all have regrets. We all wish we could've, should've, would've visited more or told them how much we love and appreciate them more than we did. Reality is we can't go back in time (they're still working on it) and all we can do is reflect on what did happen, what we did say, and the love we did and still feel for that person. 

My grandma really lived her life. She lived for family and for herself. She did the things she loved. She painted, she gardened (even with a sore back and allergies), she cooked, and most importantly she loved her family unconditionally— truly.

She's taught me so much throughout my life and was an extremely positive influence for me growing up. I'll always remember the time we spent together and the love I felt every second we were together. What her life and death has taught me and my family is extraordinary. 

She's inspired me to treasure each moment, to love unconditionally, and to do what makes me happy.

And for that, I am forever thankful. 

Grandma Kitty Kats, I love you so much and I'd like to sincerely thank you. I'll never forget the way your soft skin felt when I hugged you, your laugh, your gorgeous hair, your pearls, the way your sticky buns taste, the way you said "again" and "roast beast", your delicious iced coffees, and the way you loved me so much. And while your body is gone, I still feel you here with me and I always will, until we meet again.

rest in peace

These are from grandma's garden. She called them "talking flowers" because when we were little, she would make the flowers talk with her hand :)

I'm not sure if you ever got to see how your flowers turned out, Grandma, but look,  they're beautiful. Just like you.

The picture board we made in memoriam of her life.

The name 'Grandma Kitty Kats' was officially created when I was a small human and couldn't differentiate the two grandmas and she had two cats.

Couldn't have made it through this hard time without these ladies- my beautiful sister and cousins. Family, love, support, music, art, and photographs are what helps me cope.

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The Beach.

Me and my twin sister Lisa finally got a super sunny, gorgeous day where we both had the afternoon off and decided to take full advantage by going to the beach. We love going to the beach together. Lisa usually sits and reads while I either take pictures or listen to music. I wore my favourite (and only bathing suit) with my blue high waist shorts and go-to beach sandals. These sandals are literally on their third summer and I'm always amazed at how they're still holding on. My sunglasses are a new addition from Joe Fresh. I love them so much that they made it into my new header! Thoughts?

Going to the beach is the best way to relax, spend time with people you love and catch some much needed sun (but don't forget the sunscreen!)

Have you gotten to visit the beach this summer?













Pictures taken by Lisa Kidd and myself.

bathing suit: winners, $35 shorts: winners, $20 bag: KGB black label, $80 shoes: urban outfitters, $38 sunglasses: joe fresh, $9

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It's in the genes.

This past weekend was incredibly refreshing and relaxing- two words you wouldn't have heard me use to describe my weekends in a while. Relaxing, sure. Refreshing, though, is a very special word. Feeling refreshed- to me- means seeing, hearing and learning something new. I drove down to my aunt Bev's house in Pembroke (about 1.5 hrs away) for a night. We both adore fashion, design, and are into eating healthy so we had lots to talk about and there was a lot I learnt from her. I think a love for fashion must be ingrained in our genes as my grandmother had an amazing sense of style (and still does), many of the paintings in my aunts house were either done by her or my grandmother, and my great grandmother used to make the most beautiful clothes. She first gave me a tour (see below her beautifully decorated abode), we then chatted and caught up, went out for dinner, and returned to her house to rummage through all her old fashion illustrations and favourite fashion books (she's got a tonne!) Sunday morning was spend turning my $1 piece of white rabbit fur into a beautiful and glamorous clutch (stay tuned for the pictures). 
She's so talented. And I know that word gets thrown around a lot, especially in fashion, but this lady IS talented. We have a similar sense of fashion and tend to like a lot of the same things when it comes to fashion and personal style. I regret not taking any pictures of her fashion sketches and pieces she's made because I don't think I can convey how beautiful her work is in words. To give a bit of back story- she once lived in Toronto, working in the Toronto Fashion Incubator and as an assistant to Arthur Mendonca but now works as an engineer. So she knows her stuff and she's very good at it. I loved going through all her work and hearing all her amazing stories. I can't wait to spend many more weekends with her- we were both so glad we made the time to get together and really get to know each other. If you're lucky enough to have relatives near you that you haven't got around to visiting, go now! You'll never be not busy so make time and go. You'll be surprised at the good it'll do.

Dining room.

Chandelier at night. 

Living room.

"Americans in Paris" - living room.

Living room- adore this ottoman. 

Just a few of her fashion books in the "Paris" themed room (guest room).

My grandmother in 1959, guest room. How classy?

Paris.

Paris.

Caramel in Paris.

Aunt Bev. 

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Forever Four

Forever Four: 

Forever four stands for my two first cousins, Ashley & Brandy, my sister Lisa and me. We've literally known each other forever and hence why we're forever four. And although they've always lived at least 5 hours away, we've always managed to see each other a few times a year. Our group dynamic was built on a foundation of unconditional love and support. We 'get' each other and we go together like PB & J. They're an amazing support system and since we know each other inside and out, we're able to listen and give advice in the most thorough way. I can always depend on these ladies, to have a fun night or pillow talk,  through the good times and bad. Most of all, we have the most fun together. When you're so close with someone, it doesn't matter what you do because we manage to make anything fun as long as we're together. We're constantly entertained by each other and we feed off of our energy.

This week:

This week was refreshing for me spending time with some of my favourite people as well as SLEEPING IN! It was wonderful- I think I must've slept in till 11/12 everyday. I strongly suggest taking a few days off and spending it with close family and friends, you'll feel like a brand new gal/guy. Taking time to relax is something I've been working on for the past few months and although some would argue, I feel like I'm making progress. I'm learning that some things can wait. In my case, if my room goes a few days uncleaned (I admit it), then so what? I understand cleaning is therapeutic for many (even me) but I'm trying to not be so paranoid about things getting done. Because I'm realizing that life really is about people. When you die, all that's left is the inspiration you had on others and the difference you made while you had the gift of life.

The outfit:

This is an outfit I wore for a casual evening of Starbucks and the movies (we saw Silver Linings Playbook- loved it). My cousin let me borrow her blouse because she knew how "me" it was. I loved it and am thinking of purchasing my own! The velvet skirt was originally bought by my sister but it didn't fit her quite right so she generously gave it to me. This is definitely a casual look for me and I was so comfortable yet still felt a tad quirky. 

Shopping Hiatus Update:

I am SIX days away from being done. AKA I have not purchased any clothing or accessories (minus a pair of work shoes- needed!) in almost two months. I have to say it has been insanely hard. I did not anticipate such intense cravings and urges to shop. The hardest part for me has been not thrift shopping. That is for sure my biggest weakness (that and chocolate). And as hard as it's been, I feel proud of myself. Contributing to accomplishing a goal feels good. I feel like I have more control over my shopping and I've had the opportunity to really know my wardrobe inside and out and to really enjoy the clothes that I am so grateful to have. 

Forever four: Lisa, Brandy, myself and Ashley.

We were blessed with this beautiful sunset on the ride up. Snapped from the car. 

 All outfit photos taken by Lisa. 

Outfit specs:

jean shirt: joe fresh, $14

blouse: borrowed

skirt: joe fresh, gifted 

leggings: sirens, $10

necklace: aldo, $10 

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