...auditions...

...i often get asked what it's like going to auditions... well, not gonna lie, they are scary!  through the years, i've learned different strategies and techniques to help me cope with nerves.  i've also learned that nerves are important, and the key is to use them to my advantage.  i've been taught that nerves show a sense of caring...so, what to do?  keep going, keep living, and keep learning through these experiences...more to come!


top - baby rib crop T - american apparel - available now in store and online!
trousers - h&m - summer 2015 season - sold out

...hump day haven...

...afternoon lovelies!  sorry for the delay in posts,  been enjoying life way too much to chill! yup, that's not good. balance is key after all:) 

 "so many people spend their health gaining wealth, and then have to spend their wealth to regain their health." a.j. reb. materi 

kimono - brandy melville - summer 2014 season - no longer available 

...fresh face day...

...why is applauded when girls/women are "brave" enough to take photos sans makeup?  shouldn't this just be the norm? let's make this the norm!




top - sleeveless printed blouse - zara - spring 2015 season - no longer available

shorts - fox black bandits - one teaspoon - available in store and online!

...don't worry...be happy...

...i love august! growing up, i remember hating the month, as it inevitably signalled that "back to school" was the ever looming little black cloud.  silly me, I was so focused on what was to come, that I stopped living in the moment... this is something i have struggled with, and continue to struggle with today.  what is it that causes so much worry and anxiety?...oh right, it's worrying about what I cannot control... the future...so, what have I been doing about this problem? stopping to smell the effing flowers! geez! tomorrow will worry about itself.


top - fine knit top - h&m - available now in store and online

skirt - luna - the scoop vancouver - no longer available

shoes - aldo - fall 2014 season - no longer available 

purse - Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Clutch with Strap- no longer available

...redefining "mom" style...

...growing up, i remember my mum taking many fashion risks. it wasn't that she followed trends, she definitely made her own.  she was all about the dropped crotch, collared tanks, and platforms long before they made their comebacks in the 2000's.  she just wore what she wanted.  anything that made her feel comfy, happy, and fabulous.  i suppose i've adopted some of these qualities...minus the fabulous...lol.  i'm all about t-shirt dresses right now. they are so easy,  can be dressed up with stilettos, or down with chucks or birks.  also, they don't need to be dry cleaned, and flatter every body type.  


t-shirt dress - glamorous - woo to see you boutique - spring season 2015 - no longer available
chambray - tna - aritzia - no longer available
earrings - vintage - my mom's jewelry box...yup!

...missin' the kid...

being a grown up is hard!  who made the rules?  i do know one thing.  having a kid really has changed my perspective on getting older.  we dropped off the munchkin in kelowna on the weekend for summer camp, and i started missing him before he even left the car.  kids can keep you feeling young if you let them.  how stoked am i to go to the movies to see the latest disney/pixar flicks? or playing all my favourite board games on a weekly basis? or riding bikes and exploring our beautiful city?  i could go on forever! kids rock! jaelen has brought new meanings to love and joy....feelin' super grateful!


top - my own vintage value village special! 
trousers - animal print joggers - topshop - summer 2014 season - no longer available 
shoes - wedge sandals - aldo - no longer available

...dance...(a day late...not a dollar short...)

...to all my fellow movers 'n' shakers out there, happy(post)national dance day! although, i prefer to celebrate this day everyday...  dance has been, and will always be a huge part of my life. not too sure where i would be without it...nope, not gonna think about that.   despite retiring from competition three years ago,  i continue to use this art form in almost every aspect of my life.  from acting, to teaching, to staying physically fit, dance continues to give me emotional, and physical satisfaction.  ever thought of taking a class?? my all time favorite drop-in studio in vancouver is harbour dance centre.  they offer classes for all ages, all levels ( including brand new beginners!) check them out here!

scarf - classic silk chiffon - alexandre mcqueen - available in store and online!

chambray - community veritas shirt - aritzia - available in store and online!
trousers - talula andreu pants - aritzia - available in store and online! 
shoes - aldo - fall 2014 season - no longer available

...being me...

...it's taken years for me to feel comfortable in my own skin, and let me just say, i'm still far from feeling 100%.  however,  in the last little while, i've started to embrace myself;  flaws 'n' all....boy is it feeling good! ".....be yourself, cause an original is worth more than a copy..." - author unknown 

...the gluten free lifestyle...

...for the skeptics out there calling the gluten free revolution a "fad" or "trend," i urge you to do just a tiny bit of research on the subject.  my husband found out six years ago that he had a wheat/gluten allergy, and let me tell you, he thought his life was over.  gone were the days of bread, beer, and soy sauce....yes, i said soy sauce.........or so we thought.  i had to re-learn how to cook/bake everything gluten free...not an easy task at first, but now it's how we roll, and i would never turn back!(i adopted the lifestyle change as well)   living in vancouver is one of the best places in canada to live for those with food allergies.  the options for dining out with food restrictions are endless.  it is also great to see major restaurant chains adding gluten friendly options to their menus.  one of our new favourite places to grab a quick bite is smak cafe on west pender st. check out their "butterless chicken" option...to die for!


want more info on living a life free of gluten? check out these blogs!!

With Style & Grace

Gluten Free Goddess

Gluten Free Girl

Gluten Free on A Shoestring

...casual monday...

..it's the start of a new week, take it easy.  do you live to work? or work to live?  if you answered yes to either,  take a second! we only get one chance at life.  spend pockets of time throughout your day just being peaceful and present...you'll be glad you did:)



dress - racerback body con dress - forever 21 - available in store and online!
chambray - tna marshall shirt - aritzia - available in store and online!

...qotd...

...the best dreams happen when you're awake... - author unknown       happy sunday!





tee - men's h&m that i stole from tyler loooong ago...then took to it with scissors....voila!
jeans - mid rise skinny jeans - forever 21 canada - available now in store and online! 
purse - Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Clutch with Strap- no longer available
shoes - birko flor arizona - birkenstock - available in store and online
necklace - my own vintage gangsta chain 

...family jam day...

...yeehaw! it's sunday, and we just had the best day.  spent some time chowing down at the naam in kitsilano, which is pretty great for yummy veggie cuisine (try the gluten free pizzas!)
then stopping in at zulu records and perusing their free record bins!  look what I found!

...friday's smoothie share!

here is an old fav of mine, the ultimate nectarine smoothie! this one is vegan & gluten free with these guys just coming in to season, it's time to stock up.  buy em'  by the tub, chop em', and freeze! 

• 2 whole soft nectarines, cut into chunks
• .5 cup Almond Milk (or any other dairy substitute)
• .5 cup coconut cream.....the thicker the better:)
• Ice cubes
• 1 cup Mango, fresh or frozen in chunks
• dash of vanilla powder or a few drops of pure extract.
• nutmeg to garnish
• 
  

Add the fruit, coconut cream, almond milk, and vanilla to blender. Pulse to combine, then add ice cubes and continue to pulse until you've reached a thick consistency.  Garnish away with nutmeg. Makes 2! 

...find one thing every day, that inspires you...

...i stumbled upon this lovely vancouver blogger's site the other day, and her post made my life...please check it out, you'll be happy you did.  Her Waise Choice - post on beauty - thoughts about aging & appearance   i think it is so important that women stick together, and continue to build one another up. there is no competition, there is only originality.... 



romper -urban outfitters - one teaspoon - goodtime - available now in store and online!
bralette -  victoria's secret - peek-a-boo triangle bra - available now in store and online!
clutch/wallet - louis vuitton - zippy wallet - monogram empreinte - available now in store and online!

...fresher air...

...after a week of smokiness, the bc fires are still a blazin', however, the winds have shifted a bit,  leaving us with some cleaner air.  hoping to get back to the running routine this week as well, after resting the ankle for the last 5 weeks. will keep you posted!



dress - h&m spring 2014 season - no longer available
purse - totally mm monogram canvas - louis vuitton - available in store and online
shoes - birko flor arizona - birkenstock - available in store and online

...heatwave...

...this summer has been like none other! apart from the forrest fires and lack of rain, we have gotten spoiled in vancouver this 2015!  it feels a little bit like the okanagan heat growing up.  i'm getting excited to get back to my physical routine of dancing and running.  it's been just about four weeks since the doc's told me to take it easy due to a tendon injury in my ankle.  can't wait! 



shoes - nine west - no longer available 
pants - catwalk studio - no longer available
shirt - vintage -
hat - topshop - classic wool fedora - available both in store and online
purse - louis vuitton - cluny epic leather bucket bag vintage - www.nastygal.com - sold out
sunny's - aldo -  Chatel  - available both in store and online!

...dayz off...

...on this great day of independence, the entire family has a day off!  this rarely happens, and when it does, man, is it the best! we are gonna cherish this time, as porky is off to a big, exciting camping trip tomorrow for 5 days! don't ask me how i'm gonna survive without him....i'm not. he has assured me that he will still miss us, but, i'm not so sure....anyways, happy fourth of july to my USA family!  


top - zara - 2014 summer season - no longer available
jeans - forever21 - mid rise skinny - available now both in store and online
purse - louis vuitton - totally mm monogram canvas - available now, bot in store and online

jeanz 'n' stripes

...oh! canada!

...feeling thankful and blessed to live in a truly free country:)  happy canada day everyone! keep luvin' and sharing!






top - topshop - fall 2014 season- no longer available
shorts - lifetime - no longer available
chambray shirt - forever 21 - available now! in store and online
purse - louis vuitton - monogram vernis rossmore "PM" - 
hat - topshop - classic wool fedora - available now! in store and online
earings- swarovski - thankful light azore earrings - available now! in store and online
sunglsasses - aldo - chatel - available now! in store and online

...staycation...

...british columbia is shattering temperature records all over the place right now....31 degrees celsius here in van yesterday!  spending the day at the beach, and going for lazy strolls around downtown truly make me feel like i am on vaycay!  what's not to smile about!?

top - silence & noise -  urban outfitters  available now! (online only)
trousers - vero moda - razia 3 pant - no longer available 
shoes - dulcet by dolce vita -  heeled fisherman boot . no longer available
purse - louis vuitton - cluny epic leather bucket bag vintage - www.nastygal.com - sold out 

...summer clouds...and flying ants...

...so, while enjoying this humid/cloudy Sunday, I've noticed that my dear city is under attack from these crazy-looking flying ant creatures...anyone know what they are called?/where they come from? please help, as it has cut our afternoon stroll short, and I'm afraid to go back outside...despite that,  i'm having the best day:)





t-shirt-Project Social T LA  -available now!
skirt-Pins And Needles- urban outfitters - fall 2014 season-no longer available
shoes- Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars - always available:)
purse- Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Clutch with Strap- no longer available
sunglasses- aldo -  Chatel  - available now! 

finally! a place of rest! bugs, be gone!

...cars...

...boys and cars... i like cars too! granted, i'm no enthusiast, but i know when i see a good car...it's definitely fashion...in it's own way. now, living in vancouver, i am constantly surrounded by beautiful vehicles.  over the last few years the man has been schooling me in everything car....ya, i'd say i can hold my own:)

1969 Porche 912 Coupe...aka my dream mobile

...infusions...

...i'm all about mixin'... gone are the days where sticking to one concept was the 'thing.'  my momma still tells me not to mix patterns with patterns!  sorry Gmo! rockin' mismatched is my go to this summer;) 


open toed booties=aldo (fall 2013) no longer available.
jacket=zara currently available in store and online.
tutu=own

boots 'n' tulle  

...this is gonna be fun!

...hey guys!! i just wanted to create a compilation of fashion ideas, beauty busts, life hacks, and stuff I love to inspire and share.   i am professional actor and dancer, as well as full time lover and mom. going through this crazy life i've found that through sharing ideas and building each other up, we can really maximize on this thing called life;)  

me*