(New Blog Post) What is your Morning Routine?

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What is your morning routine?

It is incredibly important to have a consistent and structured morning routine. Many successful people talk about their morning habits and the significance the structure has had in their overall success in life and business.

When you start every day with healthy habits and focussing on what is important for you in your life you consciously and subconsciously take actions towards the life you want.

The main benefits of a morning routine performed every day is that not a day will go by without you thinking about your goals and what you want to reach which in turn helps you achieve them

Depending on what your morning routine consists of it can help you with everything from getting more focussed and effective to getting into physical shape.

My morning routine could definitely use some work and a big goal for myself from now and into 2017 is to set myself up for daily success.

My morning routine in reality: 

I wake up, my first thoughts and words are “Thank you God” and then I grab my phone, and check emails, I do a bit of social media scrolling, I get up out of bed, brush my teeth, wash my face, prepare a glass of water, lemon and apple cider vinegar, I drink 2 glasses, then make a smoothie. Then I tackle the work for the day. Which usually consists of emails, and planning a shoot, event or video drop.

I don’t take much time for myself with this routine, I don’t meditate, my prayer time is not set into place, but instead just happens as a conversation with God while I multi-task. And exercise? That is more of an after thought rather than a “must do” part of my day. The only true structured part of my morning is my water consumption and not sleeping past 8:30 am. I’d really like to do better.

My morning routine goals?

Wake up by 7am (7:30 latest, I love sleep lol). “Thank you God”, drink my 2-3 glasses of water, meditate on my goals and thoughts. Conversation with God, and 30 mins to an hour of free form, creative writing.  Head to a hot yoga or bootcamp class. Check emails when I get home, and then get into work mode!

In a perfect world this is the regular start to my day. I’m learning daily, that life is all about, “How to Win” and “what do you need to do to win? What does winning look like for you? Because it’s different for all of us, some people can operate on 4-6 hours sleep while others need 8. Some people need quiet time before bed and others can fall asleep in the middle of a party and wake up 30 minutes later refreshed! It takes a while to learn what you need and don’t need, what a perfect situation looks like for you and what you can tolerate or handle. My 2017 education plan is going to focus on what “winning” looks like for me and what are the chess moves that I need to make, personally and professionally in order to WIN.

Today I’m starting with my morning routine.

What does your morning routine look like? What habits have helped you?




(New Written Post) 2016, Discomfort, Patience & Faith

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I broke my camera. I honestly feel lost not being able to use it everyday, edit and post a video. I hate missing a #SelfLoveSaturday so today I’ll be writing instead.

I’m in between apartments right now so my life feels a little more chaotic than usual, and even though I think I’m doing a pretty good job of riding the wave I can’t wait for just a bit of calm and to be settled. I think Mercury is in retrograde though so the uneasy feeling I have doesn’t surprise me. I have a mix of emotions going on that I need to settle but i’m not exactly sure how, which is why this post is going to seem like a big vent session. For the Leos:

Mercury enters Capricorn, one of the hardest working signs in the zodiac, on December 2. Mercury in earthy Capricorn will stimulate the sector of your chart that rules your day job and your responsibilities, as well as your health and habits. Expect to do a lot of talking about these issues this month! But don’t expect everything to move full speed ahead: Mercury retrograde begins on December 19.

I have a friend that I love dearly but there’s a few things that are annoying and concerning me that have come up in the last little while and truthfully my guard is up. I have a love/hate relationship with my own guard because 1. I hate the uneasy feeling & 2. It takes a while for it to go back down.

I know that my intuition is sharp and I don’t gain these feelings for no reason, but I haven’t figured out yet how to deal with the emotions & energy in a positive way. In a way that helps me to understand myself, my boundaries and my friends. In the last 5 years of my life I’ve had a few changed friendships because of this feeling but I’ve yet to come to terms with it. I still blame myself for the discomfort and loss of friendship, I question if I’m just a bitch or too sensitive. And I get frustrated that I haven’t learned how to channel and express these emotions in a clear and positive way.

I want to, I need to.

I’m ready for 2016 to be done with, it was a rocky year for me. I made a lot of upward progress in 2015 and then ’16 came and said “lets walk through this Quick Sand instead.” I fell into a depression again, I gained, lost and gained weight. I’ve struggled all year with what I’m supposed to be eating, if i’m not on a detox, then I regularly wake up with an upset stomach. Literally as I type this right now i’m in discomfort. I lost my relationship with my boyfriend (though I’m in a better place with it now) and I had a good chunk of the year where I had no clue what I was/should/need/want to do. And i’ll be honest I’m only holding on by a thread to the few confirmations that I’ve had in this later portion of the year. And that’s probably the most interesting part of it all — normally in my business as soon as Thanksgiving approaches things slow down a lot, but right now for me, its actually picked up. I’ve been filming for my production company like crazy, and its great! Its rewarding and exciting! I’m doing my best to have a different new year, a different outlook and experience and I actually think the work is going to pay off.

Like I said 2016 was not my favorite year of life but through it all I’m still optimistic for next year. I think a lot of good is going to happen so i’m anxious and ready for it to start. I’m going to try to figure out how to deal with my discomforts in a positive way that serves myself and those around me. And i’m going to continue to apply patience and faith to myself, and my years. Patience while in a struggle and faith that in the end it will all be okay.




(New Video Post) Gloing Up? What Now? #SelfLoveSaturday

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Happy Self Love Saturday!!!

So we’re in phase one of the “Glo Up” what do we do now? This is when we plan, strategize and then execute. We know we want better for ourselves and to change and now the only thing to focus on is how? How, why and what do we need to do? I love strategy, it gives me energy to come up with a new plan and I’m truly excited when I begin to execute it. The last 2 weeks have been spent, dreaming, analyzing and planning for my future and accepting my present state. I feel hopeful, grateful and a lot more energized.

Take this weekend to make a plan for yourself, check out my video below and let me know how your beginning is going!

(New Post) A Quick & Beautiful Stay @GodfreyHotel #SoloTravel #Chicago

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A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking my first solo weekend getaway to Chicago and staying at The Godfrey Hotel and I had an amazing time!

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Chicago reminded me of my home town, Toronto it had a small-big city energy and my uber driver told me people refer to it as “A cleaner NY” which is the same thing that people say about Toronto. Chicago is a beautiful city, full of friendly people and it really was as clean as an average Canadian city lol.

I stayed at The Godfrey Hotel in downtown Chicago and the staff treated me amazingly! Big shout out to Molly and Joey for being so gracious! My room was huuuuuggggge, with a simple but elegant decor, 2 big screen TV’s and an amazing view of the city. This was my first time having a solo getaway, I was in Chicago for my #BlackActressEvent but normally my work trips are a day in and out of a city but this time I wanted to treat myself and have a chance to be in a new city and have a bit of quiet time. The Godfrey Hotel has an amazing italian restaurant located in the lobby called, “Dolce” and italian food being one of my favs naturally I had to go and they had my favorite fish, Branzino, on the dinner menu and they did not disappoint. I did a couple vlogs (watch HERE & HERE) while I was there, a lot of meditation and put into action the practice of gratitude in the present moment. I felt very happy and at peace focusing on the present and loved every moment of my trip. Thank you again to the friendly staff at The Godfrey, Molly and Joey, The Creative Cypher and everyone who made my trip to Chicago so much fun.

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(New Video Post) 21 Day Detox Complete! [Vlog] #SelfLoveSaturday

Happy Self Love Saturday!!!

I did it! Woop! Woop! Completed the 21 Day Detox and look and feel great! Like seriously, so much more energy, focus and positivity was brought into my life over the last 21 days. My next challenge is a 5 day raw challenge, I’ll only be eating raw vegetables and fruits and nuts, seeds, juices and smoothies. Writing it out, it sounds pretty extreme lol but it’s only for 5 days and I really want to cleanse my system in every way possible so I’m excited for the challenge. For those of you who are doing the 21 day challenge with me, keep going! And if you’re thinking about starting it, I strongly encourage you to! You can find all the rules HERE

To follow my 21 day Detox Vlogs, click the links below

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7 &8

Day 9 & 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15 & 16

Day 17 & 18

Day 19

Day 20 & 21

 

(New Video Post) “Make Lemonade” [Vlog] #SelfLoveSaturday – Day 14

Hey guys!

It’s day 14 of 21 in the detox! Woop! Woop! I’m so glad I started the detox and that I’m this far in! I’ve seen so many positive changes and that’s what I was seeking in the first place so I’m very thankful.

Today I’d like to do a check in for any of my friends who have been suffering from anxiety and depression? How are you doing and feeling? If you’re comfortable, please let me know what you’re doing, if anything at all to help with your feelings? If you haven’t started the detox I greatly encourage you to do it because cleaning up your diet helps a lot of depression.

As well today’s video is all about “making lemonade” out of the lemons that life throws you, leave me a comment about a time in your life that you made lemonade. Check out the video below and enjoy your weekend!

(New Video Post) #21DayDetox Days 7-12

This detox is flying by! I’m now really getting the hang of it and loving the way I feel so it’s been easy for me to resist the breads/grains and sugars and dairy. I’m already planning want permanent changes I want to make when I’m finished the 21 days, so far I’m thinking I’ll definitely cut the dairy, I had already greatly reduced my cheese intake but doing this detox has showed me that I really don’t need or miss the cheese and even though I absolutely love bread I’m not a fan of how it makes me feel so I’ll probably do a big cut back on that as well.

How is the detox going for you? What day are you on? Check out my update videos below! xo

(New Video Post) “Let’s Get It Together” [Vlog] #SelfLoveSaturday #21DayDetox

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Happy Self Love Saturday!

This video marks day 7 of the my 21 day detox, for those of you who are doing it, how are you doing? Today I woke up without gas or tummy aches so I’m feeling pretty happy.

In this video I want to reflect on Self Sabotage and why/how we do it to ourselves and why its important for us to try our best to stop! If you notice a certain pattern of behavior that you do that always ends in the same result of NOT getting what you want, then it’s time actively do something different. In the book “The Artist’s Way” they use a great analogy of treating your talents/potential like a young inexperienced horse that you need to pull along because they are going to have fears and doubts and resistance.

Looking at self sabotage in this way is really helpful, but along with talking about self sabotage I want us to start to hold each other accountable and I believe it’s time to look amongst your friends and talk about your wants, dreams, desires and goals and how we can all help each other to grow and ultimately WIN.

Check out my video below and let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Xo

(New Video Post) #21DayDetox Days 4-6

Hey guys!

I’m officially on Day 7 of the 21 Day Detox, you’ll see a recap of my day in tomorrow’s #SelfLoveSaturday video but for now catch up on Days 4-6 with me. So far the challenge is going well, I’m still craving donuts, cupcakes and cookies but I’m keeping strong and not having them. I’m also recognizing how often my brain/body trys to sabotage me by telling me “it’s okay to cheat…just have one” etc etc. The mantra “don’t cheat yourself” keeps going around in my head like a loop and it’s working! If you’re doing the 21 day detox let me know how you’re doing in the comments below.

(New Video Post) #21Day Detox Update Days 1-3

Hey guys!

How many of you started the detox? How’s it going so far? It’s Nov 1st so this is the perfect day to start and you’ll be finished before Thanksgiving! (That’s for my foodies who may be worried).

I started 3 days ago and so far it’s been interesting, I’ve been traveling so my food in take has been adjusted naturally because I’m not in my comfort zone. But I’ve been doing pretty good, the challenge for me is always the sugar! Sugar is in everything and I’ve yet to feel like fruits were ever enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. Don’t get me wrong I always enjoy the fruits, but it doesn’t compare to a donut and cupcakes or chocolate. On this reset I really want to gain will power, often times thats what I feel is my hurdle when it comes to eating healthy and sticking to a clean diet. I’ll be going strong and then go to an event and I just have to try one dessert or I’m invited to a game night and there’s a bread or dip or pizza or something that I know I shouldn’t be having but I’ll go for it anyway and five pieces later and a sore tummy and I’m filled with regret. The indulgence just isn’t worth it but my eyes are bigger than my stomach so this is a lesson I keep learning over and over again.

I’m hoping this reset is going to be the trick to keep me on a path of sticking to an eating plan that helps my body and puts me in a position of control with my body rather than feeling like I have none. If you’re subscribed to my youtube channel than you would have seen my first 3 daily vlog videos tracking my progress, it’s been a very interesting process to do the daily vlogs along with eating healthy but I’m glad i’ve committed to it because it’s holding me accountable. Check out the first 3 vlogs below and let me know in the comments how your detox has been going. Best of luck! xo