Not A Model Weekly Mantra - Slow Down

Slow down. Do less. Act like an ant climbing up a stalk of celery. Relish in the nothing. Act like a child on summer vacation.

This week's mantra is all about savouring some kind of moment. Time seems to race by, even when the weather scorches and the backyards fill with friends. There is no way to stop it, so we might as well enjoy it.

“That is my problem with life, I rush through it, like I'm being chased. Even things whose whole point is slowness, like drinking relaxing tea. When I drink relaxing tea I suck it down as if I'm in a contest for who can drink relaxing tea the quickest.” - Miranda July

Everyday Beauty - Nicole

If Katie Holmes and Kate Middleton ran at blazing speed and morphed into each other, it would result in Nicole. (In my celebrity-hybrid opinion).

A recent art history graduate, Nicole spends her days working at an art gallery in Toronto’s Distillery District. Despite her title as a “gallery girl” she is nothing like that Bravo reality show with the same moniker.

With alabaster skin and golden eyes, she is undoubtedly a classic beauty. While I don't like dropping people into categories (what does "classic beauty" even mean, and who does it exclude?), it's hard to get past her striking appearance and stature. However, the moment she speaks, it is clear that her gregarious personality and warm laugh could easily make a King, or that boy across the lake fall in love with her.

Below are photos from our shoot in the Distillery District. Enjoy!

New Weekly Mantra - Ready or not

Some people make decisions conditionally.

If X happens, I will do Y, or I can't do A because of B, C, D and E.

While this blog post isn't a formulaic math test, sometimes the waiting until we are ready for something may never be so. I have many areas of my life that I condition decisions upon based on the arbitrary idea that I'll know when I become "ready." It's not like one day you wake up and a stamp appears on your forehead, smudged and bright green declaring the word, START. Sometimes you have to make a move before.

Below is this week's Not A Model mantra. Ready, set...

"It’s a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you’re ready. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now. Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any." - Hugh Laurie

Healthy Reading & Spring Running

It's time to shed.

Spring and the onslaught of summer brings a renewed focus on the body and on life. While January may think it's king for health resolutions, I believe the forcible shedding of everything heavy (comfort food, parkas) reflects the health ideal. The body (at least my body) craves lighter fare and increased movement.

I've recently started upon a new running path by the water that drastically has improved my mood on the city that I live in. While Ray Charles may have had Georgia on his mind, most people know that New York is always on my mine. However, through running by the lake, I've discovered a new found appreciation for Toronto and its beauty. I haven't felt better about this city in months.

I enjoy healthy living as much as I enjoy healthy reading. I also have a desire to become a nutritionist one day or a fitness instructor. Dreams be dreams. Until then, below are my favourite health blogs and websites. Enjoy!

Sprouted Kitchen - Husband and wife, Hugh and Sara show the world their spin on whole foods, through stunning photography and decadently healthy recipes. They also have a cookbook and a cult-fan following that will leave you craving unique recipes like Kale and Slivered Brussel Sprout Soba Noodles.

Chalkboard Mag - Chalkboard mag is the online magazine/blog of Pressed Juicery, a juicing company from California. Their blog features tons of daily content including health recipes, recommendations for natural beauty products, superfoods and how to spot toxic ingredients. My favourite posts are from their guest-editors who range from Jamie Oliver to Amanda De Cadenet.

Thug Kitchen - Writing about healthy eating doesn't have to be prim. Thug Kitchen takes the tough love approach through hilarious posts and unadulterated swearing about food. Their latest post for Guacamole states, "Can't cook, then mash motherf****" (Avoid this blog if easily offended)

The Wellness Warrior - Australian writer Jessica Ainscough was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 22. Since then, she reevaluated her life of partying, drinking and drugs and decided to get well. Her blog is mix of nutritional posts (she's a holistic health coach) and inspirational ones. She also writes about how one's mind can affect their overall being. Positive thinking and living plays a large part on this blog, and I quite enjoy it.

Chatelaine.com - Chatelaine has easily become my favourite Canadian magazine for decor, recipes and lifestyle. As I get older, it seems that Chatelaine's re-branding aligns perfectly with my calmer direction in life. Their online page boasts tons of recipes, health tips and interesting recommendations from doctors and nutritionists.

Everyday Beauty - Julia

While it is no secret that I love New York, a large reason for my reoccurring trips is to visit Brooklyn dweller, fellow Italian suburban expat and best lady pal Julia.

Julia's beauty lies in her compassion for others. This past year she lopped off her hair for cancer, and travelled to Rwanda to conduct eye exams. She's incredibly smart, (occupation: optometrist) but also street smart (read: a Jedi master of the New York City transit system). If you meet her in person she'll either squeeze you with a hug, or excitedly shake your hand - all while welcoming you into her space.

On a physical level, her smile makes you feel like you should try smiling more in case you look that good by association; while her short do accentuates her delicate features and cheekbones, without a lick of makeup. She's like a pint of champagne - all effervescent and bubbly, without the ornamental stemware.

Besides, she prefers to ask what's on tap anyways.

Below is the shoot, taken in Bryant Park. Enjoy! x

Everyday Beauty - Naho

You know those people, who sit around and gossip and complain the whole time you hang out with them and when you leave, you feel depleted and irritated?

Hanging out with Naho, or Na (as I affectionately call her) is the complete opposite of that.

Being around her is like doing a yoga class, while day-drinking in the sunshine, while laughing at a hilarious movie, while drinking your favourite cup of coffee, well..you get the idea. You feel happy and energized because she has good energy. The kind of energy that spills out and makes you want to be a more positive, outgoing and happier person. (I rarely have met enough people like this). When I moved the New York, she made the effort to take me around during the day on her days off because she knew I didn't know many people.

While she may be small, she is the mightiest. She's originally from California, has been on exchange to Australia, has parents who live in Hawaii and now lives in Brooklyn. She furiously bikes across the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan, where she weaves through gridlock traffic and pedestrians with ease and control. Do you EVEN know how hard that is? She has a kind, welcoming face with graceful features, and hair that is always spun and pinned, and arranged in a way that can't quite be duplicated; not that she would want anyone to.

You see, she embraces being different in a way that only makes people want to be just like her. In any case, we're all better for just knowing her.

Below are some photos (I forced her to take) when we went for coffee before one of my flights back home. Enjoy! x

Not A Model Mantra - Life Moves On

What does it mean to run away from your life?

To some, running away can entail: moving around too often, flash-pan dating, travelling too extensively and never finding roots. Restlessness can be perceived as a way to detach from day-to-day life.

However, I've been learning that whether you sit inside every day or meet a new city every night, time will still pass. Days can feel like a fresh flight or a long stall, but they will always continue to sweep forward. And if time passes the same way, shouldn't we embrace the so-called running? The open mind? The passionate pull?

This week's mantra is as follows.

"Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes. Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such." Henry Miller

photo credit: Prospect Park, Brooklyn. April 2013

Spring in New York - Not A Model Travel Diary

This trip to New York was the most confusing because of the season. The warmth of spring felt almost like summer, minus the humidity and bareness of the bod. It felt the most like old times compared to my fall and winter visits.

Upon my arrival we floated up to the roof to drink beermosas (exactly what it sounds like) and we all chattered about the gaps of information and anecdotes that you don't get via distance communication.

I discovered that in Greenpoint you will find a secret Thai restaurant in the basement of a bar. And only there will you inform your friend while she heads to the bathroom that you absolutely need to order dumplings, right now, at 1:30 a.m., before you head to the next place.

During the day, we ate pizza like we were in Naples, but more like the West Village. I also took Jules to my favourite secret (or not so secret) surf shop turned cafe patio that I used to frequent on my weekdays off in the summer. Ridiculously attractive surfer males, included. Always.

The weather brought Motown singers expanding their lungs on the sidewalk streets, and pink litter from cherry blossoms that reminded me of confetti from a church wedding.

Just like any other city that experiences the brunt of the four seasons, spring forces everyone back outside to rejuvenate and in my case, reunite.

Below is my first photo diary of spring 2013 in NYC. Enjoy! x