Happy Holidays

Magog, QC

I have the slowest internet imaginable at my grandparents cottage but managed to find a little spot nestled conveniently by the fireplace to sneak a couple minutes of tethering... what would monday be without music and holiday snapshots? I Can hardly believe it is boxing day. My youngest cousin made it very clear to me this morning, as I woke him up with a big 'merry christmas' hug, that ... 'Christmas is OVER!' Really? No way... I can keep this feeling strong for at least another week (or two), especially when I am surrounded by snow, friends and family. I think we have managed to eat, drink and laugh ourselves into a well deserved three days of sleep before heading up to Tremblant for NYE with my other MTL 'family', a tradition that is being resurrected at a time where it is most needed. Full of possibility, love and excitement... I have a good feeling about 2012... what can I say, the glass is always half full loves! What do you need to let go of this year? What intentions are you setting? What seeds are you planting?!?! Start thinking about what no longer serves you and let. it. go! No more self-depricating thoughts, no more harmful habits... shed those afflictions that keep you from being your best self and living your best life! Open your heart and recognize the beauty and possibility within you and that same beauty and possibility that exists all around you! Why not? Couldn't hurt... 

Sending you all warm hugs and love from chilly QC!

To absent friends & family 

To those near and far

To the people that shape my world and make it a richer place just with their presence... so much love. <3

Thank you. 

Mummy: My most favourite little eskimo

Lucy!

This Mix is all over the place - I know... one minute it's Dolly Parton the next it's an M83 Dance party... hope your favourite family of crazies is keeping you smiling! Enjoy... 

K x

In this special little place called Bayfield...

I was fortunate enough to be invited to see Ron Sexsmith in an intimate performance in the snow covered town of Bayfield last night. It never ceases to amaze me how much heart and power lie in the hands of one man and his guitar. I'm feeling very blessed tonight. I was never much of a Ron fan but this man is talented beyond words. As far as songwriting goes, he has written beautiful gems for the likes of Leslie Feist and Michael Buble. The modesty and intimacy of last nights performance is something i'll hold onto... until I find myself moved again by the artistry of strangers. 

Welcome to the world Benjamin Nicholas Russell (Sprout)! My extraordinary friend welcomed a healthy, beautiful baby boy into the world on Saturday. Chanti, you're courage is inspiring! This little guy is going to have a lot of adoring Aunties! 

Christmas is days away, try to relax... 

K x

Weekend Inspirations



Take me here.

Red Boots <3

Coffee

Layers of love

True Beauty

Only 9 more days until Santa's arrives!

Stay safe, stay happy and enjoy the hustle of the city. It may not be snowing but the spirit of the holidays is all around, just close your eyes. Oh and remember nothing is an obligation, take care of yourselves... run away somewhere quiet if you have to. I am.

K x

What would we do without music...

Maybe it's the roller coaster of my life that I'm on right now, or the pull of Saturdays full moon... maybe it's just this time of year... I feel happy, sad, grateful and empty - sometimes simultaneously. Luckily, there is usually a song that fits each feeling that surfaces. Even when things feel really heavy and your heart feels like it's got no place to go but down, there is most certainly a song that will take you somewhere else, even just for a moment.
When my earphones died on me this weekend before a long walk home, i wondered in a panic what life would be like without music... the thought of it was so depressing I nearly cried... then someone fixed my earphones. I'm in a very committed relationship with music.
This weekend I got to explore some new stuff I had never heard before and rested into some of my old favourites for those nostalgic moments that riddled my sunday.
Highlights from my weekend playlist... some that make my heart soar, some that make is ache and some that just give you shivers... Take care lovelies (be happy... give your tears to the tide)

K x

p.s. If you're looking for a good read today... The Telegraph: Toronto: A vintage heaven.

Full of grace... Full Moon magic...

I can't believe how stunning the Moon is tonight... after a week of savage emotional chaos, I am so grateful for tonights full moon. The beginning of a new lunar cycle marks an opportunity to consider what is no longer serving you and what is holding you back from living your best life. I like to write my afflictions down and burn them in a cast iron pot... ceremony is always a good way to really manifest that which you desire. As the ashes of your afflictions float away consider the new beginning you are being offered. A chance to choose your path. Open your eyes, see things, perhaps, differently. Change old habits and see what magic unfolds. This months full moon is particularly special because it is an eclipse. It is HUGE right now! If you're reading this on Saturday night, go find the moon and just take a moment to consider how unbelievably powerful it is. Mother Natures masterpiece! I posted a link below from an astrology site that gives a detailed overview of everything going on with the energy of tonights moon. It is pretty wild how spot on it is. Speak your truth, know your truth and you will be set free. 

...she pulls on my heart like she pulls on the sea...

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini

The moon in this full moon lunar eclipse falls at 18 degrees in the
sign of Gemini with the eclipse Sun at 18 degrees Sagittarius.
Communication (Gemini) and speaking your truth (Sagittarius) are in
the spotlight.  With Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, retrograde at 4
degrees Sagittarius at the time of the eclipse and with the Sun in
Sagittarius, we must be mindful of how we speak that truth.  Mercury
retrograde can garble our words and the Sun in Sagittarius can cause
uncensored words that can be hurtful to others.  In addition the
eclipse is square (challenge) transiting Mars (aggression, anger,
action), a classic configuration for “hasty words long regretted.”

It is much better to use this time to become aware of your own truth
to yourself.  Many of you are going through rather difficult Pluto
transits (deep transformation) that often involve loss of all your
carefully built structures such as jobs, relationships and a clear
sense of self.  Though Pluto transits can be devastating, they are
useful in getting rid of those things in our life that no longer serve
us or that have served their purpose.

This lunar eclipse is an excellent time to deeply consider how you
wish to rebuild the structure of your life.  That is, what worked in
the past but no longer works?  What can I salvage and what should I
let go of.  What would I really like my life to look like now and in
the future?  How can I take baby steps toward that life?

This lunar eclipse highlighting the Gemini/Sagittarius axis is ideal for finding

new inspiration.  Spend some time meditating on new ideas.  When Mercury
becomes direct after December 14th you can begin to try these new
ideas and to put the good ones into action.

New Years eve will be a powerful time when Mercury transits over the
eclipse point of 18 degrees Sagittarius.  When an eclipse point is
activated by a transit the power of that planet is added to the
eclipse dynamics.  In this case, it is an even stronger emphasis on
communication and truth.  However, on New Year’s eve Mercury is
direct, not retrograde as it was previously.  It is time to put your
ideas into action.

Happy Moon Bathing lovelies... 
K x

'tis the season

Image from Wit&Delight

This past week has felt like an eternity. I’d say I functioned at roughly 65% all week and yet still managed to come out on top. My loose definition of on top in this case is a result of making it through the week awake, uninjured with a short list of accomplishments and at least five reasons to smile. It only seems fitting I take a moment to apologize for my unannounced sabbatical from blogging and try to offer something of inspiration or at the very least motivation to make it through this rainy Monday.

Eight things that happened in one (long) week...
1. It is now officially December! I no longer have to hide my Christmas tree (which has been up since November 29th thanks to a very special, amazing human) AND when people are upset about something, all you have to do is remind them that it is the most wonderful time of the year.
2. Feist was in town on Thursday night and Bon Iver is coming tomorrow. Naturally, in anticipation I taught an entire 2 hour Vinyasa class devoted to these two. It was such an incredible night! Of all my years of teaching I’ve never watched a room of 25+ yogi’s so focused and open. It was an amazing evening to be a part of. Thank you for making that possible Ahimsa, my little home away from home.
3. I drove to Ottawa... and back. In one day. (I love you Jewel, I’d drive to the ends of the earth for you)
4. Danced until the wee hours of the morning with my two favourite wing girls. Click HERE just for a laugh.
5. Christmas movies are here! So far I have seen Arthur Christmas and Hugo (which is not actually a Christmas movie but it is a MASTERPEICE! At first what holds the potential for disaster; Scorsese, Children’s movie and 3D all in the same sentence, is actually a compassionate, intricate, beautiful film that is also a lesson on early cinema history. I loved it.
6. I spent almost 3 hours in the Eaton Centre and walked out smiling! (Just take a second to consider if that has EVER happened to you? I assure you it hasn’t unless you grew up in a small town and the mall was where you went for ‘fun’) I hate malls and generally NEVER step foot in them; too many people and nothing unique about what’s inside. However, for some reason, maybe it was the Christmas music in every store or the big tree or the unwillingness to actually spend but rather just ‘look’, I had a great time and left feeling totally inspired by DIY gift ideas and a little depressed that I can’t afford the things I really ‘want’. I also left with a bag from SEPHORA. This is what was inside ... some of my fave beauty picks for the holidays, with a little help from make-up artist extraordinaire, Marina)

7. My wish list is growing... This week I’ll be posting a few things I’m dreaming of and maybe it will help you get some ideas for people on your list.

8.  MUSIC MONDAY... I was lucky enough to be gifted with the new BLACK KEYS album El Camino over the weekend. It is AMAZING. Go get it for yourself or the music lover in your life. Repeat. Repeat. But try not to overplay ;)

never a let down...

 Hope your week is off to a good start...
Gros Bisous,
K x