I grew up dancing. I love it with all my heart. It is in my bones.

My favorite jam here in LA to take classes is The Sweat Spot. A place where folks of all skill levels come to share their love of dancing.  Twice a week I head there to remember why I fell in love with dancing.

For some, the dance floor is a familiar friend.  For others, it is something to be feared.

Leave your ego at the door.

Leave your competitive edge at the door. Kick your shoes off and join the owner, Ryan Heffington, in some moves that leave you sweaty and full of joy.

He is revolutionizing what dance is by opening up a space that invites you to be free and focuses on fun and exercise for all that dare to try it.

All of which does a body great.

{that’s me on the right}

I have always been intrigued by old school Hollywood: the glamour, the fun, the magic.  I read up on the history of not only the actual city but the business and creation of the movie business.

It leaves me wishing I could have witnessed it for myself (see Midnight in Paris and perhaps not).

Clips like this one give you an idea on how things have evolved.

{taking chances is what stood out the most to me here}

Bette Davis is one of the original screen sirens whose passion is apparent in everything she does.

As Oscar season is upon us, let us not forget that Bette Davis was nominated 10 times and walked away with the golden statue twice.

When she speaks, I listen.

A movie quote meets vocabulary builder continues here with one of my go-to favorites:

You’ve Got Mail.

While shopping at the farmer’s market shopgirl says to NY152:

“His address? No, no! He would never do anything that prosaic!”

:: {Prosaic} ::

/prōˈzāik/

adjective

2. Commonplace; unromantic.

Learn. Love. Be Rad.

Who doesn’t love a little bit of Feist?  Especially on a Monday morning.

Leslie Feist is a Canadian bad ass {ass :: a singer songwriter} who does her thing as a solo artist {1234 and the iPod} and as a band member {Broken Social Scene}.

Her vocals are like that of an angel.  A super hip angel.

Her beats are chill and dichotomous by being rooted in sexiness and innocence.

How Come You Never Go There by Feist

{preview from new album that is to be released in october}

Play that funky music white girl.  I will wait with much alacrity for those beats.

We are gonna start off with just one so your brain doesn’t explode and so you can check this off of your list as you go along and learn it, if you haven’t already.

I like being able to be self-reliant and kick ass at life skills.  I mean, who doesn’t, really?!  I find that most of us either forget about things or think: I will learn that one day.

Today is that day.

Without further ado, number one.  Maybe it is because I am in Alaska right now and this one comes in handy; furthermore, there are several times in my life when I can recall using this skill or wishing I had perfected it.

1.  Building a fire.

First, I love a chick who can build a fire.

Show those eagle scouts what’s up.

Or if you are a dude reading this, there is something very primal and hot about a man making a good fire on his first try.

Second, you never know when you are gonna have to bust this one out in a survival moment.  Uh, 127 Hours?  Like I said, learning skills that were once upon a time considered basic.

You would also be surprised to learn how much goes into building a proper fire that will last and do its two main functions: provide light and heat.

Kindling, air flow, placement.  Very scientific, architectural shit going on here.

Learn it.

It is gonna happen: rejection.  Especially as an artist.  We put our souls out there for others to stand in judgement to say “yes!” or “no!”.

It makes us stronger.  Better in fact.  With every rejection, there is something to learn.

Harrison Ford once famously said:

“There are a thousand jobs I didn’t get.”

This coming from a man who toiled in film for more than 10 years before finally getting his break in Star Wars at age 35 playing the hottest character to walk the planet.

{dead heat on a merry go-round :: 1966}

{harrison ford uncredited as bell-hop}

Fred Astaire left us as a legend of the silver screen.  He was a man who could do it all, and do it all well, as a singer, a dancer, and an actor.  “Can’t act. Can’t sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little.”  That’s what one talent scout had to say about the young Fred Astaire.  Imagine if he had listened to him; we would have been deprived of one of our greatest talents.

{madonna received this rejection letter}

{a year later :: everybody was conquering the charts :: the rest is history}

I love hearing stories such as these.  They provide me with hope and adds more fuel to my passion of what I do as an artist.  Plus, how pissed would I be if Holiday were never created…what would I put my makeup on to?!

I am lucky enough to call Alaska home.  The beauty of the state envelopes my soul and I leave renewed, happy, and inspired.  It is the one place on the planet where my heart grows bigger, more compassionate, and lighter.

Whittier is an hour and a half and one looooong tunnel drive away from the amenities of Anchorage.  Its main attraction: the water.

{before you get to whittier, portage glacier calls your name}

{the small glacier, the far right, once occupied most of the water}

{glacier retreat}

{the many boats of whittier}

The town smells of salt water and the minute you exit your car you immediately notice the chill in the air that bites you harder here because of the water air and wind.  There are about 4 choices in places to grab a bite, all hosting the expected Alaskan fare: seafood.

Kayaking, fishing charters, and glacier day cruises are the reasons why one would head on over to Whittier.

Three amazing reasons.

{stopping at one of the many scenic turnouts on the highway}

{the alaska railroad is seen much throughout the summer}

{it is dressed in alaska’s colors and always adds an element of nostalgia}

{my mom and i taking a day}

Whittier is the gateway to Prince William Sound and it is a glimpse at what is charming about my home state: ease, simplicity, and grandeur.

On date nights, I try my best to incorporate my style rules into my outfit choice for the evening.

First rule of Date Night:  Look hot.  Notice I said hot.  Not trashy.  Hot.

Date Night isn’t the time for cutesy or frilly.

Save that for Sunday brunch with the girls.

dress :: rachel pally

booties :: elizabeth and james

clutch :: banana republic :: you know the link

bracelet :: vintage from my grandma’s hut in thailand

headband :: flea market find :: bedford falls headwear

photo credit :: elliot smith

I love to look like a polished princess with an element of hot.  Think Blake Lively and Michelle Monaghan.  H.  O.  T.

After watching Breathless {1960} late last night, I woke up inspired by stripes, a need-to-commandeer staple in every gal’s closet.  The pictures demonstrate how much stripes jump off the page.  Furthermore, while high-waisted shorts get a bad rap as being “mom shorts,” they make my waist skinnier and I love the overall look.

Stripes are the quickest way to look lively and fun; the throwback component is a plus.

hat :: eugenia kim for target

tank :: forever 21

shorts :: bcbg

flats :: mia

rings :: jewelmint

my hair was a crazy mess today :: easily fixed with one a cloche

{pronounced clo-sh :: like kosh from kosher salt}

Off to the store!

Throw on a little bit of red lipstick, a vintage inspired poncho, and a pair of cutoff jean shorts and out the door I run to meet up with friends for a late brunch at my favorite local spot, The Park.

My favorite thing about this outfit: mix and match. Cas meets fancy.

poncho :: bar 111

nude tank :: arden b

jean shorts :: mossimo for target

space shoes :: madden for steve madden

bracelet :: h&m

lipstick :: armani red

{tease the crown for some height and pull it into a bun for instant chicness}

 I heart brunch.