remember to breathe...

Does life ever make you feel like you're drowning? Like no matter what you do, or how hard you try, you just can't get ahead? Well i've felt this way for the past few months. Not sure what exactly triggers the feeling, but it's there, and it fucking sucks. Whenever I'm feeling totally overwhelmed, I have one technique that is a guaranteed success. Breathing. It seems really stupid to say, because duhhhhh we're always breathing. But when do you ever focus on breathing, just clear your mind and breathe. Focus only on inhaling, filling your lungs, than releasing. When I do just this, my mind settles, I think clearly and calmly and the problems that were once overwhelming become trivial. Close your eyes, inhale deeply, feel the air fill your chest. Exhale, slowly, feel your lungs contracting, calm. Repeat.

swedish songstress, Miss Li...

Even though hiphop is my true love, i do tend to be easily distracted, and today miss Lykke Li has been stealing the spotlight. I've been a huge fan of Lykke Li since the first single I heard of hers "little bit" back in 08? it's still one of my favourite songs. It reminds me of one of my best friends Lauren. She is the one who introduced me to this twenty something swedish songstress & since then i've been head over heels. I love the moods that her music depicts, her use of instruments (most of which she plays herself), and her powerful soprano. So, if you're into indie/pop/electronic goodness, give her a taste. Sure to please the senses.

summer summary...

It's friday morning, 10:02, and I'm feeling fantastically optimistic. Not quite sure why or what for, but I feel good. It may be the season change, isn't fall fantastic? What the new year is to most people, fall is to me. It's the beginning of the year, maybe it's a mindset I have since school, but it holds true. Sure summer is fun, but fall is breathtaking. The colour, the clothing, the pumpkin spice latte, the cold air in the morning, the scarves, the blankets, the crunchy leaves that cover the ground, but above all else... opening day is just around the corner (49 days, but who's really counting?!). I've been trying to make an effort to embrace the seasons, for the past few years I've hated every single season with the exception of winter (If you know me, you know why). But since moving from Saskatoon I've truly been able to enjoy all periods of the year. This summer was amazing for us, stampede breakfasts(fucking madness), we took a few day trips to the mountains, enjoyed the city's nightlife (a little too much some nights), put our new cruisers to work, saw some of our favourite artists in concert, got tattoos, went to a few festivals, and took a week long road trip through the Okanagan to Vancity, and really just tried to have fun! Gotta love not having children! Those little fuckers ruin everything. Peep game...

Riverside doobs with the homies (Saskatoon)

Jazz Festival, The Roots (Saskatoon)

Beach Life with Gizzy (Shuswap Lake)

Winery Tours in the Okanagan (Recline Ridge, Tappen BC)

Oceanside Coffee, Revolving Restaurant (Vancouver)

Gastown (Vancouver)

Banff Daytrip

Dreambank...

My Dream is to embrace life. To live my life to its maximum potential. I long to embrace each opportunity, accepting each experience as a contribution to the person I’m supposed to be. I dream of seeing the world, indulging in cuisines I would have never thought to try at home. I dream of learning languages, and being able to communicate with people who share different views of the world. I dream of letting go of any insecurities that may hold me back from embracing the world. I dream of letting go…

-Lucille Skjarstad

ink...

Well... the time has come. Shaky hands, sleepless nights, and overall daily anxiety. It's tattoo time! I love the week before a tattoo, its crazy, nerve-wracking, and very very exciting ... you know that your body is about to change forever, and for me this is my largest tattoo to date, so i'm extra antsy. The week that follows the tattoo is an even bigger deal, but I'm a fan of the anticipation. Ty & I booked appointments with a fantastic tattoo artist, Hilary Cooper, back in February, and the time has finally come. Ty is getting an angel on his left arm (pics to soon follow) and I'm getting a dreamcatcher on my left leg. A little homage to my aboriginal culture. I've wanted to get a dreamcatcher tattoo for awhile now, but didn't actually commit until we went for consultations in Feb. But, very much looking forward to it, stay tuned...