1. Pitch Perfect Two for the laughs I needed.

2. Gilmore Girls Gossip ... Immensely loving all the hype that goes with this new revival.

3.  Zoli Sippy Cup is a new toddlers dream...and this mothers.  

4. Swing life.

5. How this White Wine meets Spring.

6. Letting Lava Cake from The Middle Spoon melt in my mouth...

7. Attempting balance in all things... Some say it's impossible, I think it's necessary for me.

8. Touch Think Learn books for the wee learner

9. This Episode of Coffee & Crumbs which made my new mama heart soar. 

10. Les Miserables Finale which I will have finished singing by the time this post is up...Do You Hear the People Sing?

The Creatives is a gathering started in 2013 during a time I needed to be surrounded by other like-minded women.

What is a Creative?

Anyone who finds themselves in the process of making.  

Anyone who strives to take their inspirations and ideas into a new and unique form.  Be it on paper, in a song, or paired with wine...possibilities are endless.

What Happens at The Creatives Meet Ups?

You will find women who make a living with their creativity alongside women who love to colour, alongside women who are searching for a better avenue for their self expression.  

You will find a table that starts out small with its offerings of food, wine and conversation and grows in delicious treats, tinkling glasses and conversation that inspires as the night wears on.  

You will find that our atmosphere is kept safe, inviting and welcoming to anyone.

I am Hesitant

We know that there is a process of coming to The Creatives.  

Hesitations worth being debunked:

1. I will be judged for being too much/too little of a creative person.
2. I will have to share with others before I am ready.
3. I will have to have it all together.
4. I will have to know what I am talking about.
5. I will have to come and stay the whole night.

The above is from our fellow friend 'Fear' speaking.

Why Should I Come?

The Creatives is here to create a flowing atmosphere for any woman who wants to partake in an evening of delicious food, intelligent and intriguing conversation while colouring, making or simply listening alongside each other.  

The Creatives is here to be a welcoming community and take in the journey that each of us are individually in at any given time,

And maybe, just maybe, you will leave as inspired as I am.

Breanne and I originally met through our mutual friend, Jasmine Alexander.  So many times I was told, 'you'll love her!'  When the Creative Meet Ups started I didn't realize what an impact this woman would have on me.  Her inspiration, depth and creativity has fuelled not just me, but many others.  If I was to describe her, I would say: "She's the one with the charcoal in her hands and the twinkle in her eyes..."

1) How would you describe yourself?

I am a person.  A woman.  An artist.  I am a maker, a doer, a thinker, a feeler.

2) Currently, what is your medium of choice?

My medium of choice is charcoal. I’m in the process of experimenting with mixed media; Oil and acrylic paint, pastels, coloured charcoals, coloured pencils, graphite. Still, charcoal does seem to consistently find its way into my work. When the resources are available, printmaking is another medium I work in.

3) When we first met, I was struck by your ability to be down to earth and yet still maintain a high respect for your art and work. How do you keep your creative work important while also staying lighthearted?

It is far too easy to feel the weight of your work, and become apprehensive about your practice; Creativity is not a clearly defined road. Bruce Mau’s “An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth” has become a go-to resource and constant reminder to “be willing to grow,” “forget about good,” “love [my] experiments (as [I] would an ugly child)” and that “process is more important than outcome.”

4) At the end of the day, what drives you?

It is the process of creating the work that drives me. The studio is church; It is here I am able to spend time with myself, and both see and converse with myself in different ways; On paper, reflected on a canvas, through scattered thoughts in a sketchbook. To quote Bruce Mau again, “If process drives outcome we may not know where we’re going, but we will know we want to be there.”

5) What are you working on right now?

I am currently working on how to fit my art practice into my life outside of the institution. I recently finished my studies, and am learning routine and discipline that are somehow a little more straight-forward to manage while in art school, and surrounded by the support of other artists and peers. I am learning to find the value in my work in the midst of a society that reinforces the idea that what artists do has little value; I am learning to let that belief in what I do drive my practice. My goal right now is to continue making and working on my current body of work with the same intensity as I would within the institution. I am working on solidifying my practice under new circumstances.

6) Do you have any morning/night routines that centre you?

Establishing routine is part of my working towards this goal. A struggle I’ve noticed is flipping the switch “off” of work mode, and “on” to art mode. An approach I've taken to is gently remind myself when it's studio time. I do this by setting aside sufficient time for myself, going to my little studio space, and easing myself into my personal creative space either by playing an instrument, reading something related or unrelated to my practice, or journalling. Eventually, I end up at a piece of paper, canvas, or in my sketchbook.

7) If you were to pass on any advice/knowledge/wisdom to other creative seeking spirits, what would you want to say?

Make. Always keep making.

8) You have lived in various parts of Canada, as an artist which places have inspired you the most?

I’ve been fortunate enough to live, study, and make work over much of Eastern Canada. Everywhere has had something a little bit different to offer and has contributed to my work in different ways. I attended an artist residency at The Banff Centre in November 2015, and it was the first time in my years of making that I felt and saw shifts in my work corresponding directly to my environment around me. I truly fell in love with the mountains, and can say they had a direct impact on the work I was making at the time. The rest of Canada that I’ve spent time in have been places I’ve resided in, and so they’ve influenced my work for different reasons. Those influences tend to be more related to people than a place. I am very fortunate to have strong support systems of family, friends, and mentors in Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. “The Creatives” is among those.

9) You were and still are a member of 'The Creatives' group that meets here in Halifax, what kept you coming back every month? 

“The Creatives” is not only a kind of support system to me, but a group of some of my very close friends. “The Creatives” is made up of a group of unique and inspiring women. They are people with whom I can relate, but still, everyone comes from different places and offering varying life experiences, insight, and perspective. The women who participate in “The Creatives” are so much of what makes the group what it is. It is a safe place to come together with people of similar interests, aspirations, struggles, and discuss these things. Without fail, every month, I leave the group feeling hopeful and inspired. The connection and sense of community I feel with these women is a large part of what keeps me coming back.

10) You have had your work in various shows, what have you learned from those experiences?

Shows are great experiences - they serve as wonderful opportunities to share your work with the public, and create discourse surrounding it. They are also helpful in receiving different feedback to take back to the studio. Shows are exciting, and leave me proud, humbled, and motivated. It feels as though they mark different chapters in my art practice, and so encourage and propel me forward to continue to make new work.

The air is different and the sun is warmer.  There is a quickening in the beat of my heart that happens this time of year.  It's a knowing that around the bend there will be something that will take my breath away.  

Spring does this to me.  I get all frisky, jittery, hyper, feverish and completely strung out for living.

So I'll let you in on a few things that are making me mad for life.  

1.  A Deadline.

There is a rush of adrenaline that comes when a deadline is nipping at your heels.  Will it devour me before I reach the finish line? or maybe if I just push a bit further I might just make it.  And the thrill of knowing that the deadline is nipping at my heels only because I choose it to be.  Maybe I'll let it pass...maybe I won't.  Only it and I know how this story ends. 

2.  A Podcast.

There has been a burning happening in the depths of mine and another womans heart.  We have been seriously digging in all the rubble of life, art and love and carefully planning a podcast.  The launch date is still unknown, but we have been tending to this gem carefully and making sure we collaborate in ways that brings quality.  This has me on my tippy toes and near tears of joy.

3.  All the ladies.

I love women.  I am a complete feminist and love it when a woman rises strong amidst the rubble.  We were made to be strong warriors.  It's not a mistake that we are tasked with bringing forth new life.  Men are not built for that kind of stamina.  I have women who filter in and out of my everyday life who are beacons of warriors in heels, in shoes made for men, in  barefeet and in old socks.  I love their bodies, their minds and the way our laughter rings out in the night air.

And Spring days have a way of unfolding like a flower... here are a few I am all ants in my pants about:

1. Zoës first birthday.

Her first year of life has been a roller coaster of growth, change and events for all of us.  Celebrating this little golden arrows first birthday takes my breath away at the thought.

2. Mama & Zoës first road trip.

While Daddys away the girls will play.  We are making the most of the time alone together while Daddy is away this season and have planned many adventures to keep us loving and living life to the fullest.  

3. Les Miserables - A Choir Fundraiser

I joined a spectacular ensemble at Bedford Baptist to raise money for Syrian Refugees.  After almost two years off the 'theatrical' stage this thrills me to no end.  I leave rehearsals with goosebumps every time and cannot wait to spend a day performing these beautiful songs. 

To summarize the highlights of this month in the least amount of words.

1. The incredible filmography, production, story and altogether moving piece of "Twinsters", easily found on nextflix. 

2.  This song in rehearsal: "Stars". 

3. Vegas Volt on my lips...

4. Videos of this woman for days....

5. Reading Night Film is oddly interesting.

6. These words heal me.

7. Trying this day planner / journal concept

8. This TV Shows debut of it's updated look, from revengeful to playful.

9. Nights shared with this sister

10. All the Spring Planning

Why Capsule?

After having a baby and wearing mostly second-hand maternity clothes for the pregnancy I was anxious to get back into items that felt like me.

What I wasn't prepared for was the change in who I felt I was as a woman.  I looked at my closet and realized that these styles, colours and prints were someone else.

I felt different.  Very very different.

But the budget was small and the ability for me to just go out and change my whole wardrobe  was not an option.

So what did I do?

Seasonal Capsule Wardrobes.

Capsule Wardrobing is a buzz term on the internet and there are varying degrees on what it can mean and how to do it. For me, I decided it was this.

1) Assess Previous & Current Season items.

Winter, Spring, Summer & Autumn I would assess my clothes and make sure that every item I stored in a drawer or closet would not only be worn that season, but be loved and adored by me.

2) Identify three items that needed to be replaced, or added to the wardrobe.  

This usually includes something practical, something I have been drooling over and  a lipstick colour for funzies.

3) Quality over quantity.  

Having less means less choices to make every day and having really good quality clothing also means that I will get good wear and enjoyment out of each and every item. 

Clockwise: Black H&M Skinnys, 2 Turtle Necks from Winners (will be getting rid of one, both are starting to look worn), Red Plaid Button Up from Winners, Black & White H&M Quarter Length T, Dark Joe Fresh Skinny Jeans, Mod Cloth Dress, Nordic Leggings from Zulily, White & Black Forever 21 Cat quarter length sweater, Forever 21 Black Cat sweater, Circle scarf from Modcloth 

amygrace&Toby Ali '13

I am a terrible dancer.

This may come as a surprise, but it is true.

I don't know if I found dance or dance found me...But I do know we are intertwined now, a forever bond that keeps my feet to the rhythm.

On a whim in 2011, I decided I wanted to learn how to Swing Dance and thus the training began.  (albeit with a few years of basic figure skating under my belt, I understood only the concept of movement on ice.)  

You may not know it now, but I still struggle with the theory and fundamentals of dance.  As I do with most things.  

Watch me at a dance, and you may think I am making this up and it is all in my head.

Maybe that is where it starts.  Inside my head, I am my own worst enemy.  I fumble up on thinking through footwork, and I complicate moves by processing on overdrive.  I end up confused, tangled and out of sync.

Yet, I still dance.

In amidst all my doubts and clumsiness over myself I have become that woman who can surprise a 'lead' with a move that adds depth and creativity.  I can use musicality and personality to my advantage and I routinely and stubbornly practice moves until I have learned them.

Over all the flubs and flat out feet cringing moments, learning dance has taught me that no matter what may seem confusing, too much or too complicated, if the desire is there and I put dedication in, I will reach a level where I can look back and see how much I learned, can do and have achieved.

One clumsy foot after another.

Danielle and I met in 2014 while we attended the Pre Professional Training Program at Neptune Theatre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  She is vibrant, stylish and someone I now call a dear friend.  She lives in Toronto now and keeps my feed alive with her adventures.

Actor|Singer|Fashion Blogger

How would you describe yourself? 

Oh man....well, I’m someone who is very giving, and I like to do things for other people.  I’m determined.  I’m strong.  I’m funny and strange, and weird (in a good way!).  I like to be goofy.  Sometimes I can be shy and anxious too.  I think a lot of people don’t realize that about me at first.  Well, maybe the shy part, but not the anxious part.  I’m a small girl, with big dreams!

How has creativity manifested itself in your everyday? 

I’ve definitely found over the years that creativity is a way for me to centre myself.  If I’m feeling stressed, or tired, or even excited.  Being creative is a good way for me to express myself.  A couple years ago I read the book The Artist Way and it really changed the way I view creativity.  I find a big thing for me is giving myself the time to be creative.  I get cranky if I don’t have enough time to express myself.  

Currently, you are in Toronto, what is the atmosphere like there?

So far people have been pretty amazing here.  I’m lucky because I have some friends from Halifax, and a lot of friends from when I used to live in Montreal who now live in Toronto too.  So they’ve kinda taken me under their wing, which I really appreciate.  I’ve heard that it takes a year, and I’ve heard it takes two years, and some people say they are just feeling like they are getting a handle of the city after five years.  I’m excited.  There is so much happening here.  I’m constantly overhearing conversations in the street or just while I’m out, of other performers talking about shows they are doing.  I like to listen and see if I can learn anything from their experiences.  There are tons of open mics and the improv scene is INSANE!  So, so good!  So far the improv community has been really welcoming to me too, so I really appreciate that.  There’s definitely higher stakes here, but I like that.  I like that there is room to grow.

You became such a dear and solid friend during our year in the Neptune Theatre Pre Professional Training Program. In reflection on that year together what is your take away from what they provided us there? 

Awe, thanks girl!  You are very dear to me too!  I was certainly grateful having you there along for that ride!  PPTP really taught me a lot about how to prepare, how to be there for myself as an artist.  I was working a part-time job at the time, but it was really the first time that I just got to focus my energy just on acting and performance and creativity.  It was such a blessing.  I’m so grateful to have had that time to just be.  On the first day, and you might remember this, Chuck, the school director talked to our class and said, “you will never get time like this again.  Don’t F*** it up!”  and that always stuck with me.  It was so great to have that time, to grow and just be.  The first semester was all about process, not product and that was a real switch for me.  A lightbulb moment I guess, because it really taught me that it’s important to try things, and make mistakes and just to spend time on doing and exploring, rather than trying to make it perfect the very first time.  

Can we just reflect on how crazy it was that we were two of three girls in a class full of young guys?? What are your thoughts on how gender played a role in that year. 

Omg...yes, that was very unexpected!  Again, it’s such a blessing that you and me and Sarah got along!  In some ways I feel our class was less competitive...but who knows if that would have changed had there been more girls in the class.  I found it a big harder to get to know the other classmates initially.  But in the end, I love those guys so much!  I know we didn’t really have any drama, which was awesome!

You have played various roles in your acting career thus far, which has been your favourite? 

Ooo good question!  It’s hard to say.  A stand-out for me is probably the roles I played in Spring Awakening, the musical.  At first, I was disappointed because I wanted more singing roles, but in the end, I had such a blast playing those characters.  It was the first time I really played adult characters too.  I played Fraulein Knuppledick, Frau Gabor and shared the role of Fraulein Grossebustenhalter.  I just remember not wanting the run of the play to end.  I wish I could have kept playing those roles for sure.  It was fun because all three characters were so different and we really had room to play around and find the characters.

Your Fashion Blog continues to inspire me, how did fashion and personal style become one of your mediums? 

Haha, thanks girl!  Apparently I used to dress myself pretty crazy as a kid and my older sisters were always getting on my mom to not let me leave the house in what I was wearing, but she would just say that I liked what I was wearing.  I remember my sisters putting a very strong emphasis on matching haha.  But being a younger sister, I got a lot of hand-me downs.  So I’d get a lot of new to me clothes often, and there was usually pretty cool stuff because it was sometimes clothing meant for a slightly older age.  My mom is also a seasmstress, so she’d make us all clothes too!  We’d pick out a pattern and fabric, and she’d make something for us!  That was really cool!  Growing up I was in jr. High, getting my older sister’s clothes (who was in high school).  She had really good style and would lend me clothes or give me stuff that was sometimes barely worn!  

I think being one of 5 children, fashion just was another way for me to express myself and stand out a bit.  I didn’t always have a lot of money, so I’d have to search the sales racks and figure out how I was going to make several outfits from one top.  I also used to watch “What Not to Wear” with my dad!  He has really good style too!  So I learned about what sort of shapes look good depending on your body type/style.  

A big inspiration for me was when I spent a Summer living on exchange in Montreal when I was 17.  It was the first time I had a consistent job and I bought so many clothes!  The fashion in Montreal was and continues to be so inspiring to me.  Once I lived in Montreal again, I started to get inspired by vintage clothing, because you could often find it for cheap and it was well made.

So I guess it’s just my way to express myself.  And then after much peer pressure from you (jk!) I started the fashion blog.  Originally I didn’t think I was qualified, but then I realized that it can be whatever I want it to be and that I don’t have to know everything in order to do the blog and that I can just focus on what I do know and am interested in.  

Danielles Closet Blog

You were and still are a member of 'The Creatives' group that meets here in Halifax, what kept you coming back every month? 

Oh man, The Creatives are the best!  I miss them!  For me, I had a hard time coming back to Halifax.  Even though I was born there and grew up there, I moved away when I was 20, so moving back I didn’t know a lot of the community and I found it challenging at times to make friends.  I remember you inviting me to The Creatives wine night and I went, and immediately felt at home.  Everyone was so warm and welcoming.  And for me I really loved listening to the other women sharing their experiences and ups and downs with creativity and life and it was really great for me to have a place where I could talk openly and candidly about my struggleswhile feeling so much support!  And of course, then I became friends with most of the people in the group, so eventually it also became a place for me to see some awesome ladies who were now my friends!  It was really fun...oh and the wine and treats didn’t hurt either!

Do you have any morning or night routines that centre you? 

It comes and goes.  I love doing yoga in the mornings, but I go through stages of when I do it.  I’ll do it for a while, and then life will get busy and I’ll stop, then I’ll start doing it again.  The last few months I’ve been in such transit, I’d like to find a little more routine to my days. 

If you were to pass on any advice/knowledge/wisdom to other creative seeking spirits, what would you want to say?

Find your people!  Especially if you’re living in a new place, or starting a new creative endeavor.  You need people who will inspire you and who will be there for you on those tough days....and there will be tough days!  Listen to your gut and your intuition.  Go to events alone if you don’t have anyone to go with.  Introduce yourself.  Make stuff.  Remember, it’s just someone’s opinion.  My former acting coach used to say “You are stronger than you think you are!” and it’s so true!  Focus on what you want to do, not what everyone is telling you “you should do.”  GOOD LUCK!

Back to basics was what resonated at this meet-up.  We came back to the core women who have built this group and we welcomed back one of us who spend months away in Europe studying and working.

The past year was a growing one for all of us in many different ways.  In some respects, we have more questions than before.  In other ways we know better.  We have discovered that our questions are okay and that when we answer one set of questions sooner rather than later we will be faced with more and the journey will continue.

We coloured, caught up and Skyped with Jasmine Alexander who is currently teaching in Korea and finding a niche for herself until the end of this year.  One of our fabulous ladies brought a grouping of inspirational / motivational cards and we all picked one.  (The fortune cookie lover in me looooooved this)  I received 'Openness' which only emphasized my intentions and goals for this beautiful group.  I desire a safe and open place for anyone to come to and be blessed by the atmosphere of creativity and growth. 

Our Meet Ups are going Seasonal now.  

Monthly meet ups had it's time and place and now I sense a shift.  Shifts are always a good thing when we move with them.

I hope to see these meet ups find a place in 2016 that is deep, rich, intentional and connective.  I started the Meet Ups to be surrounded by 'makers' , now I continue these meet-ups for depth and growth. 

And what better time to pursue growth then the Spring?

Which is right around the corner...

"...not everyone is as motivated as you."  This has been said to me on more than one occasion, and every time it surprises me.  'Me? Motivated?  I guess.  I guess I am.  Yeah... sure.  I can't sit still for long, so it must be true.  I am motivated.'

Ladies & Gentleman, 

I am a fraud.  

I am not motivated in the slightest. 

Not the real me.  Not the me inside.  The me inside is a powerhouse at eating chocolate, binge watching seasons of television shows, and watching Ladies of London so my own life seems much less dramatic.  Yes... I am not motivated in the slightest. 

Yet there is a little nugget of truth that I keep inside for the days the chocolate chip bag is getting emptier and emptier.  On the days I feel less and less inclined to get up and breathe fresh air. 

The end result is greater if I (insert responsibility, work, chore, activity, hobby) than if I sit here longer.  

The end result is greater than...  Every time.

Last night I texted this to a good friend:

"On the topic of not being motivated:  this is me texting three minutes before dance class, before I walk in the door, wishing I was anywhere but here and that it was cancelled or something...because I'd rather be eating popcorn watching fuller house...Yet...The end result of this class is worth it...it has to be.  I love to dance...& yet, every day life drains me into less of myself until I am groaning about something I want to do."

In that moment, I knew that by texting this to her I would be dispelling my need to turn around and do what apathy wanted me to do.

I know who I am when I am apathetic.  She is not a version of myself I ever want to live with on purpose again so anytime I feel that apathy I reach for motivation as if it's my only lifeline. 

How I am Staying Motivated

1) Creating pockets in my days for my latest obsessions. 

Keeping certain times of the day for me to browse Pinterest, have a sweet treat, watch a new episode of my favourite show keeps me balanced in knowing that it will happen.  I will have that time to myself for my favourite (sometimes mindless) things.  I do not have to be ruled by them.

2) Doing one thing at one time.

Multi-tasking is a double edged sword.  Baking and listening to music is one thing, but watching a tv show, scrolling through Facebook and texting a friend at the same time is one way to loose the whole point of all three. When I mindfully choose a task and do it whole heartedly I enjoy it more and I am more likely to be satisfied by the time I am done.

3) Focusing on the end result.

With any task the end result is what matters.  What kept me motivated to loose the baby weight after birth was not the current moment.  If I was judging life by the current moment, I wouldn't have moved an inch from bed.  I remembered what it felt like to move with ease and dance with abandon and that was what I wanted to do again.  No biscuit, piece of cake or brownie was worth compromising me feeling strong again.  

4) Having a morning & night routine that centres me with anything that happened in-between.

A lot can happen in a day.  We can create soothing habits and promises to ourselves by bookending our days with certainty.

5) Identifying and staying accountable to those who will enoucrage and support my current lifestyle and goals.

Know who has your back in each different aspect of your life.

To summarize the highlights of this month in the least amount of words.

1. Got slammed by Disney Pixars 'Inside Out'.

2. Spoiled and kept warm by these Valentines Socks.

3. Gave him / us glasses to 'cheers' with.  (We do it with everything.)

4. It's "The End of the Day" all day .... cause Les Miserables rehearsals.  

5.  Was sent the free replacement for my broken water bottle (Only broke because baby girl tipped it off the counter with cap off onto tile floor.  Glass lip contacted first....smashed.)

6. Falling in love with boyfriend jeans.

7.  Had a rise in temperature to the fog, mist and mildness of east coast spring.

8. Had Shrove Tuesday with Family.

9. Found the podcast Serial ... now I know what all the fuss is about. ADDICT! 

10.  Read Permission & Persistence from Elizabeth Gilberts Big Magic book.  It's getting real. 

What are your jot notes from February ? 

"What do you do?"

It is common practice in a social situation to pose this question.  We ask it to connect, to relate and to compare.  We ask it, because in our culture, status is more important than being genuine.

Genuinely curious if the other persons 'doing' relates to you?  Genuinely interested in a life outside of your own?

Maybe.

But posed this way in North America, "What do you do?" implies multiple pressures that creates an inauthentic and highly judgmental exchange.  

I say this from all sides.

I have been the career woman who when asked launches into a unique description of a career and job that the person who asked knows nothing about.  I am shiny, interesting and almost awe inspiring to this person. 

I have been the student who when asked regales the tales of a career turned creative enthusiast who is studying her passions and teaching on the side.  I am bright, strange and almost intriguing to this person.

I have been the ill pregnant woman who when asked expresses hope for the future, a quiet present and is soaking in the inspiration of birth.  I am natural, pathetic, and almost wishful thinking to this person.

I have been the post baby woman who when asked quickly replies with health and wellness for the present, writing and project launching for the coming months and is focusing on the needs of herself and baby first.  I am annoying, boring and almost irritating to this person.

I am the creative woman who when asked chooses to reply by saying I am intrigued by how creativity works in our lives and currently I am studying and writing about it.  I also mentor others in creativity and I keep up with an almost one year old.  I am odd, joyful and misunderstood often by you.

Instead of asking

"What do you do?"

We should be asking:

What intrigues you?  How do you do life?  What would you call yourself? 

Ask more than just a question that will help you analyze someone, ask questions that will help you understand who they are as a whole being better.  Anyone can give you their 'work' description, but not everyone can explain whole heartedly what drives them and how they get through the everyday. 

Social media has created a wonderful and yet dizzying concept of what it means to be 'living'.  What it means to have a 'lifestyle'.  Scroll through some images, read some blogs and there we can define ourselves by the 'living' of others.  Yet, it may never truly be your own lifestyle.  Because you didn't own it.

Lifestyle is 'how we do our everyday'.  

The practice of owning and defining our lifestyle is life altering.  The process not only creates a vision for where we want to be, but gives us a very defined outline of how to live our day to day.  Days lead to weeks, weeks lead to months and months lead to years.  

So how do we figure it all out?  

1) What's your personality pace?

Are you motivated by a busy schedule?  High stakes, high rewards?  Are you drained by crowds and being rushed?  Do you desire synchronicity in work, relationships and play?  Do you wish others would slow down or speed up with you?

2) Where do you see yourself?  

City, country, lake, ocean, mountains, fields, weekend, weekdays, cafés, malls, etc?

3)  Identify Wellness.

Mental, Physical, Emotional, Relational, Financial.  Identify one thing in each that you desire.

4) A daily gift to yourself.

What is one small thing that you can promise yourself you will do that will make you happy? 

5) Pick three words.

What are three separate words that describe your desired lifestyle?

____

If you review these five mindful questions you will be led to defining a lifestyle that fits you.

Insert Your answers.

I am a (describe personality)  _______________ , who wants to be in/at (insert location) ____________ on the weekdays and in/at (insert location) ___________ on the weekends.  I routinely need to have (mental requirement), _______ , (physical requirement)__________ , (emotional requirement)_________ , (relational requirement)___________, (Financial requirement) and (any other form of wellness) ___________.  I will daily (daily gift) ________ to feed my spirit and ultimately I will keep ______, ______, ______ in mind as I go about my day.

sparkler |ˈspärk(ə)lər| noun1 a thing that sparkles, in particular:• a handheld firework that emits sparks.• informal a gemstone, especially a diamond.• informal a sparkling wine.2 a nozzle attached to the spout on a beer pump to give the beer a frothy head.

I am fascinated by the spirits who sparkle, by the spirits who could sparkle, by the brilliance of moments that deserve to be honoured with a toast, by the dazzle of a soul who has overcome, by the mundane of the everyday becoming the shimmer of the usual.  

These are moments and people who deserve to be honoured for their rarity. 

I want to celebrate the good and the bad.  I am thrilled by making the ordinary, extraordinary. 

How to join the Sparkler Affect?

1. Buy sparklers.  

Any sparkler.  Cheap, expensive, little or large.  

2. Use them.

When you come across a moment, person, decision, day that deserves a pause. 

3. Post your story.

Find The Sparkler Affect on Instagram @thesparkleraffect and use #thesparkleraffect to spread the sparkle.  Outstanding #sparklemoments will be reposted.

4. Spread the sparkle.

Take the intention of the sparkle affect into the everyday by giving yourself and others permission to feel the moments.  Honour each other in grief, celebration, confusion, love, adventure and grace with a sparkler in hand.  Pass a sparkler moment to others and watch what happens when we let the sparks fly from our hands into the world around us.

_____________________________

The Five Main Sparkler Moments

1) Special Occasions

Weddings, Baby Showers, New Years Day, Birthday, Canada Day, 4th July etc.

2) Goals Setting / Reaching

Setting intentions/goals/visions and reaching those intentions/goals/visions.

3) Friends, Family, Your Person

A day, or moment spent with family / friends or person, a special exchange between spirits.

4) Transition/Change

 Break-up, Graduation, School End, Move, end of season, month, day, etc...  

5) Personal 

A ceremonial moment with yourself.  Only you know what this is.

thesparkleaffect | sparkle | sparkler | Celebrate | sparklemoments 

"I can't draw a stick figure to save my life!  I am not creative at all!"

"I don't have a musical bone in my body!"

............................................................

Let's lay out some ground work for creativity and fast track this shall we?

 

You are creative.

EXHIBIT A:

CREATIVE. ADJ.  relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work: change unleashes people's creative energy |creative writing.• (of a person) having good imagination or original ideas: Homer, the creative genius of Greek epic.

FINDINGS:

1) Especially in the production of an artistic work, but not discarding works of other kinds. 

2) All of you is original.  You are the only you.  No matter what you do with your life, it is going to be original.  It is going to be uniquely you in only a way that you could do it.  You will create your life in only the ways that you know how.

Goal: 

Be uniquely and originally you.  

You are the creativity.

Fear | Awareness | Bravery |  

"Who do you think you are?"

Every time I stand up to act, dance, sing or write, I have a fleeting moment that I believe I am an imposter.  I am sure that by now it doesn't look like I am struggling.  That is what being a performer is all about.  You don't show the audience your fear.  You bring out the part of you that 'could' be confident and you stand in that 0.2% of yourself.  Confident. 

This was my year in theatre school.

Twenty-four and leaving a well broken in career for early morning rolling on the floor, yelling at the top of my lungs, singing out rhythms and creating theatrical montages with my body.  

"Who do you think you are?  You imposter!"

I saw the looks, heard the confusion and I felt the judgement. 

No matter which way you cut it, I was doing something many people thought I had already gotten out of my system.  The academics and MFA majors cannot fathom why an already careered adult would want to venture into a one year training program for the stage.

I decided my fear was less important than being true to the strong calling on my spirit.  I decided I would rather be an imposter then not at all.

I spent over eight months studying the performing arts.  It was everything I had dreamed.  Beautiful early mornings stretching my body and exploring every inch of my soul.  I was pushed.  I was given the floor to explore the wounds within my spirit.  

"Reach for more!"  I was told as I danced around a dress shirt.  A symbol for the people who have left.

"You are more intelligent than you think you are."  I was pulled aside after an in-depth discussion in class. 

"You have a powerhouse voice, now you just need to know how to harness it."  He said after a practice.

Yet.

"Who do you think you are?" echoes like heels in an empty hall. 

And I am here to tell you it still does.

The dark stiletto heels echo in my ears every time I stand up and say yes to doing what I was called to do.

And every time I say yes, there will also be a crowd of people with furrowed eyebrows and whispered thoughts behind doors.

And thats okay.

I am venturing into new terriority and as a stunning spirit declared truth over coffee.

"You better know who you are, because that voice is coming the more you step out."

If you step out, the voice is going to come.

It is going to whisper over your shoulder and it will make you quiver with doubt.  But the call is deeper.  The call is raw with dew and ready for you to step into.

I am here with hands open, ready to take yours into this journey of the unknown.  Where the voice of doubt grows louder and the call keeps us running faster and faster.

I want to run with you.

I want to dance with you.

I want to light a sparkler with you.

I want to stand with you.

I am a self proclaimed musical promoter.  I grew up on musicals, swing dance, broadway and old black and white film classics.  If someone started singing "Good Morning"  I would chime in and fill in where they left off.  

No, the song was not made for a viagra commercial.  (insert eye-roll here)

I remember the Christmas my sister and I received VHS tapes of "The Sounds of Music" with Julie Andrews and "My Fair Lady" with Audrey Hepburn.  That winter those two musicals played one after the other.  On repeat.  The dancing, the singing, the corepgrahy.  We soaked it in.

I have introduced many people to the classics.  To the new and the old of the triple threat world.  Song, dance and act.  

I have a confession...

I haven't been watching musicals (albeit once in a while) or listening to my adored accapella music for almost two years.  I have a lingering fear I will never sing, dance or act again.  That every time, is my last time. 

When I was pregnant I had to stop swing and blues dancing.  Nausea was my main symptom of pregnancy and when it did let up, my body still heaved at the thought of too much up and down. 

Somewhere in the pregnancy I began to avoid musicals, show tunes, and deep deep blues and jazz music.  It cut into me like a knife.  Like watching a lover be with another.  It was impossible for me to witness.  So I avoided my favourite city theatre, took all musical music off my iPhone and instead focused on reruns of Gilmore Girls.  Let it be said, Gilmore Girls is amazing.  Their references are on point and the ease of the narrative was perfect for me to rest to. 

I avoided the stage like the plague.  All for jealousy sake.  

This is what happens when we have a passion for something and push it to the side.  

It was fear.

Fear that I wouldn't ever sing, dance or act again. 

This year I am getting back into it.  It doesn't have to look like me moving to New York and pursuing the triple threat, it is me embracing this side of me and not feeling intimidated by that which also thrills me.

So far in 2016:

1.  I have joined a once a week intermediate Swing Dance Class.  The Follow Teacher is one I have not learned from before.  She is from another country and is bringing more skills into my dance repetoir.
2. I have joined a community choir to raise money for a Syrian refugee family.  They are singing through a famous musical and it is refreshing me on the technique of harmony and the rehearsal process.
3. I have picked out pieces and theory to work on the piano this Winter.  Finger excercies, Scale work, a contemporary piece, a worship song, & 2 classical pieces from a book I played years ago.  Going back to the basics. 

I can't talk enough about Pinterest.  It is my favourite form of inspiration.  It was years ago that I found Pinterest.  My best friend had told me about it and said that she was sure I would appreciate the site.  It took me a few weeks but eventually I looked it up and of course it wouldn't let me in.  At that time Pinterest was "elite" and you needed a friends referral.

"How are you not on Pinterest already?" my friend asked.

Half annoyed at her impatience I explained how I needed a referral.  She imediatly went in and requested me through email.

That is when I finally officially discovered pinterest.  Back then it was not as populated, used or known as it is today but there was also a mystery to it's wonder then.  Everything was like a shiny new magazine.  In that moment I abandoned my old scrapbooking ways and immediately switched to online pin boards that brought even more vision to my thoughts and concepts. 

Countless times I have had conversations with people and they have said it distracts them from doing what they want to be doing.  It overwhelms them with the amount of images and content, and it intimidates them.

With Pinterest it is all in how you use it.

Here is how I use Pinterest as a tool for living:

1) I streamline my content feed to my own preferences and interests.  

I go through all of the boards and Pinners I follow on a routine basis and make sure the only images that show up on my feed are exactly what I want to see.  With Pinterest, less can be more.  Now, Pinterest will also streamline for you, but the more streamline you are, the better your feed will be. 

2) My Boards are organized in a way that makes sense to me.  

For me it is : Amys Boards, Her Boards, She's Boards , Months, & lastly Shared Boards.  How you organize your boards are up to you, but I do suggest finding a method that works best for searching.  Alphabetical or order of importance are options. 

3) Use the 'like' button as a holding place for pins you are not sure about.  

Often times I will see a pin that says '5 ways to do ___' and I am not sure if I really want to pin it to a board so I 'like' it, check back in with it and it's link later before I pin it or unlike it. 

4) Find a routine that works for you.  

I have a few action items I do weekly through pinterest.  These are :  Food, D.I.Y./Activity, Monthly/Seasonal, Mama/Baby Activity.  Every week I pick a recipe I want to try, a new project I want to attempt or research, an activity to enjoy the season/month I am in, and one new activity to do with my daughter.  I do this because I never want pinterest to be full of "One days."  I want to stay active in trying new things and being inspired. 

5) Use Pinterest as an active vision board.  

Making vision boards is not a new thing.  For years the concept of scrapbooking, collecting, cutting and pasting has kept people inspired and interested in living.  My great grandmother had millions of articles, pictures and inspirational snippets cut out.   Use the concept that has been passed down to us to create an active inspirational spring board.  I have recently taken my favourite pins for envisioning 2016 and put them in a free online collage maker.  I know what the pictures mean and inspire in me but to someone else they may be different.

6) Have fun!  

Pinterest is not supposed to insite pressure or create new moms to feel scared of their childs first birthday party.  Making a full life is about using the tools around you to be happier and inspired.