It had been such a casual, fleeting moment. That afternoon in 1990 when my mom came upstairs to ask me if I’d like to join dance. I paused and looked up only to shrug, “Okay,” as I continued to play with my dolls. I remember bits of it too, those first classes, even though I would’ve only been 4 years old. It often happens that way. These tiny, insignificant little things that end up being an absolutely life changing moment in time.
For 25 years, the dance studio has been my second home. Inside those stone grey walls and through the blue door, is a place where I learned discipline, nurtured my creativity, and experienced incredible triumph. I’ve been a butterfly, an international spy, and a cavewoman. I’ve done a Ukranian Waltz, a Cell Block Tango, and demanded R-E-S-P-E-C-T (in tap shoes, no less). I formed lifelong friendships that will forever be bonded together by our memories on the stage and in the classroom.
Looking back on these hilarious moments from my teenage years and early twenties absolutely warms my heart and often leaves me in a fit of giggles. An obsessive crush on Ashley Parker Angel, complete with an O-Town/APA fan page? What a random choice. Wearing completely ill-fitting clothing, including low rise denim sans pockets? A right of passage, I suppose, but embarrassing nonetheless. The task of navigating my way through post-secondary. Moving out and experiencing shenanigans with my roommates and our nightmare neighbour. It’s so fun to think back on these times and smile. These small moments in life don’t often feel special until you’re sitting in your living room a decade later and reflecting on them.
I feel so grateful for everything that I’ve been lucky enough to experience so far in life. Can’t wait to do this again in 10 years and think about what an adventure my twenties have been, don’t you think?!
If you missed our full stories, be sure to check them out here. And big thanks to Mode and Neutrogena for letting me participate in this awesome Tale Of Transitions project!
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Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Neutrogena® Canada via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Neutrogena® Canada.
Oh, how I do love a classic black and white pairing. These silk window pane printed trousers with a delightful neon drawstring have made their way out of storage for spring. And this new Gentle Fawn vest just so happens to be the perfect length to break up the print and give that good ol’ illusion of a slimmer silhouette.
Speaking of which, I’m back on the #2015STRONG train. Nothing can lift spirits like eating well and moving. Haven’t worked my way up to a full fledged workout regime, but Rome wasn’t built in a day!! It seems so simple, but little efforts have been making the biggest difference. Just drinking more water and getting a good sleep has really helped. I really do overthink the lifestyle change, but achieving a healthy body and mind can often be about those subtle habits. More about this soon. Hope your week is off to a great start xo
I’ve always loved summertime, especially when it comes to hair styles. Having such a thick and sometimes out of control mane, I live for the days when my hair dries twice as fast! I’ve teamed up with TRESemmé to help make sure your 2015 summer hair story is the best one yet! Keep up on instagram as well as via #SummerHairStory, and enjoy a few tutorials below. From those long days at the beach, to festival-worthy boho waves, and glamorous curls, this summer hair story is sure to have a happy ending!
Beach Waves // TRESemmé Sea Salt Spray
This is my summer go-to. With its naturally ‘confused’ texture, somewhere between straight and curly, my hair tends to just take on whatever form I give it. The last few years, my mane has really embraced its natural waviness and with the help of a sea salt spray I’m able to achieve those beachy waves. If you also have multiple personality hair, or already wavy/curly hair, then this look is for you! I apply the TRESemmé Sea Salt Spray to damp hair and then use my hands to scrunch the product in. Some people diffuse to dry, but that turns my hair into a giant afro of frizz, so I just let things dry on their own, using my hands to occasionally scrunch/toss it.
Boho Waves // TRESemmé Wave Creation Sea Foam
A perfect casual curl, I love boho waves for everyday. I worked the TRESemmé Wave Creation Sea Foam through my damp hair and then did a rough blowdry on high heat (meaning I used my hands to toss and flip the hair around so it doesn’t dry with a set part). Using a curling wand, randomly select small sections of hair to wrap around the wand. My hair is really long right now, so sometimes I need to move the wand downwards with the same section of hair. I didn’t curl every single piece, which helps create that more natural boho feel. I then ran my fingers through my hair and finished it off with hairspray.
Glam Curls // TRESemmé Ultra-Brushable Hairspray
Sometimes, all it takes to be that extra bit glam is just changing your part! To achieve something with a little more drama, do a rough blow dry, as mentioned above. Then using a comb, find a side part that works for you and start curling with a flat iron. This time, make sure to curl every piece and hold the flat iron on a downward angle for added curl. Using the comb again, I then took sections of hair along the root and back combed for a little extra volume. Spray the TRESemmé Ultra-Brushable Hairspray and gently brush out the curls. I find it helps to curl/twist the curls with your hands after brushing it out so that it doesn’t lose the beautiful shape.
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This post was brought to you by TRESemmé via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of TRESemmé.
Pop the champagne! It’s time for a good ol’ summer bash! My good friend Jen, from Prairie Girl in the City, and I will be hosting a party on Thursday from 6PM-9PM at Shoes On Fourth. One of my absolute favourite local spots, this lovely boutique is full of really good quality footwear for an array of personal styles (they even have shoes for the fellas). Their in-house Miz Mooz brand is one of my go-to’s when it comes to heels, as they fit my awkwardly wide feet and are always offered in a pop of colour as well as classic neutrals. My Miz Mooz shoes ALWAYS make a statement but are secretly still comfortable…aka the perfect shoe!
I’d LOVE for you to join the fun on Thursday. The details are below, including an awesome discount, the chance to win gift cards, swag bags, and donations to Dress for Success! See you in a few days 🙂
Such a blast getting to work with Neutrogena on this project! Can you believe who my teenage crush was?! My friends still tease me about it! Be sure to watch all of these hilarious videos full of our different tales of transitions into our twenties. Enjoy!
