do you have a morning ritual/routine?

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I recently read a book that talks a lot about the importance of having a daily rhythm, something steady yet flexible to guide you through your days. Having a morning routine was particularly emphasised; the author even said that her mornings seem a little bit like groundhog day!

I wrote a while back about not checking my phone first thing in the morning. It's still a work in progress, but I'd like to take it a step further. I'd like a morning routine/ritual. Now, if you've been reading my blog for a while you'll know that I am not a morning person, which I've decided is even more reason for me to focus on starting the day off right.

I'm kind of thinking out loud here, but here is how I'd like my mornings to go (roughly).

• wake up between 7 and 8 am
• NO phone checking
• have a cup of hot water with lemon as I make breakfast
• eat breakfast and drink tea
• shower, wash face, brush teeth
• get dressed (hair and wee bit of makeup as well)
• tidy and then, and only then, start work

Ideally I'd like to include a short meditation and maybe even some yoga, but for now, I'll keep it simple. They say it takes 21 days to form a new habit, so here goes...

Do you have a morning routine? Or are you more of a rush out the door with a coffee in one hand and a piece of toast in the other? (No judgement, this was me, last week).

a mile in her shoes

Hi friends! I just wanted to let you know that I'm over on Rebekah's awesome blog, A Mile in Her Shoes, today dishing about my favourite pair of shoes. Come on over and say hi!

a cozy scarf

Like I said in my last post, the weather has shifted again and our days have been drizzly and grey. I've been bundling up against the cold, grateful for hand knits and heaters.

This little scarf is one of those super simple hand knits. I used chunky black wool and purled every row. When it was done, I sewed a couple of wooden buttons to one end, buttons that don't need special holes - they fit through gaps in the knitting just fine.

Easy, and much more successful than the last knitted project I shared :)

apple crumble yum

This weekend was a wellies and peacoat kind of weekend. A weekend of sniffles, a sore throat and a cold I've been trying to shake. So I stayed close to home and drank lots of green smoothies, coconut water and warm, comfort foods.

Last night I felt like baking so I whipped up a simple crumble with the apples I got at the market earlier that day. I used this recipe that I've posted before, just swapping the pears for apple slices. Though I have to say, if you like topping, you may want to double just that part of the recipe. Either way, comfort food at its finest!

giveaway winner

I just drew the winner of the Alexandra Wallace photography giveaway, and I'm excited to say that it's Meagan from The Egg Out West! I'll email you Meagan :)

green (and more thoughts on iphones)

I've been AFK (nerd speak for 'away from keyboard') for the last few days so I've only just gotten around to reading through the comments on my last post. It was great to hear everyone's thoughts, and struggles. I wrote this post because I really am the worst. My iphone and I are glued at the hip, and it's been bugging me lately how much I rely on it.

Tania made an interesting point; after her smart phone was stolen, she had to revert back to using an old mobile which she described as her "own little phone rehab." I think I may need my own phone rehab!

Moving along, here are some bits and pieces of green I've been noticing around my home lately...

red

p.s. last chance to enter to win a dreamy print from Alexandra Wallace Photography!

do you bring your iphone to dinner?

(totally unrelated photo)

A little while ago we talked about checking our cell phones first thing in the morning, and I loved reading all of your thoughts! As it turns out, must of us do check our phones first thing in the morning, and most of us are trying to change that habit.

This got me thinking more and more about cell phones, and how I can be more conscious about using mine. One of my favourite yoga teachers, Jessica Stickler, says that she doesn't bring her cell phone with her when she goes for dinner with someone.

I have to say that I hate it when I go out for dinner/coffee/a drink with a friend and they keep their phone on the table the whole time. It makes me feel like they're just hanging out until a better option comes along. Of course, I am totally guilty of doing this as well but I'm trying to change.

For now, I'm trying my best to put my iphone on silent when I'm with friends. I've noticed that this helps me to feel more present and much more connected with the person I'm spending time with.

So I'm curious, do you have any of your own iphone-rules? Do you bring your phone out to dinner, or leave it at home?

(p.s. don't forget to enter the giveaway for a beautiful print by Alexandra Wallace)

sunday is my favourite

Sunday is my favourite day of the week. While midweek days off are nice, there's just something about a leisurely Sunday, where you have no plans whatsoever, that makes my heart sing. Slow bike rides, Addison Road Markets, fresh coconut, tree climbing and a treat from Gorman - my idea of a perfect Sunday.

Alexandra Wallace Photography Giveaway!

Edit: Giveaway now closed

Meet Alexandra...

(photo by Michelle Roller)

She takes beautiful, dreamy photographs like this...

... or this...

Stunning, right? Alexandra is a California based photographer and visual artist with a blog you can check out here. I can't quite get over how amazing these photos are; if I were in California I would totally be hiring her to take my photo! She has generously offered This Little Port readers a chance to win a lovely print from her shop...

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

Head here and tell me which print you would choose if you win

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES (please leave a separate comment for each entry) :

Follow This Little Port

Follow me on twitter

Tweet/blog this giveaway

Follow Alexandra's blog

Follow Alexandra on Twitter

A winner will be chosen at random on Friday 20 July. Good luck friends!

my creative space: comedy edition

For every project that I successfully complete, there is usually a dud. And that dud is often comedy gold. This is one of those comedic jackpots. It's a bikini that I knitted.

Uh huh. A knitted bikini. When I finished knitting it I was so impressed with myself. I mean, just look at all that shaping! Sadly, as soon as I actually tried it on I was less impressed. It is hilarious, so hilarious that there's no way I was going to put it on for a photo. Let's just say that the bottoms look like a diaper. The top's alright, but hardly water appropriate.

If you have any crafty disasters that you'd like to share/get off your chest, please let me know! I'm dying to hear...

on loving sydney

I've been a resident of Sydney, Australia, for 4 years now. FOUR YEARS. I can hardly believe it myself.

And while I was feeling a bit bored and cynical before I went to Vancouver, the brief time away seems to have rekindled my love affair with this city I call home.

Ever since I've been back I've been marveling at the beauty that surrounds me everyday. Yesterday I was early to class so I popped down to the beach where I was greeted by this breathtaking sunrise. Luckily for me, I had my camera in hand.

To be honest, I don't know where I'll be in a year, in 5 years, in 10 years.... I never thought that I'd stay here forever. For now though, I am so grateful that I get to live here.

holy guacamole!

Breaking news friends...

Our avocado tree has just given birth!

Ok, so we always knew that we had 2 avocado trees in the backyard, but until recently neither had borne any fruit. My flatmate and I were so excited today to step outside and pick some avos straight from our tree. We both had avocado toast for lunch, and I'm sure we'll be making guacamole soon. I think I'm just so excited because this kind of thing would never happen in Canada!

my life in iphone photos round 18

The above photos are all leftovers from my last few days at home in Vancouver

From the plane / back at my house

cycling to the markets

amazing sunrise / street art

wearing yogeeks

cool buildings

early morning incense / a card from my mom

carrots in love

All photos are instagram or VSCO cam. If you'd like to follow along on instagram, my username is: thislittleport