Feeling Sassy at Brass Vixens

As a part of a Love a Heart date, I got to spend some quality time with the lovely Reggy at Brass Vixens for a private lesson.

Brass Vixens is Toronto's first pole dancing studio, located at 721 Queen Street West. In addition to pole for all levels, the studio offers classes in cardio hula hoop, Kangoo jumps, aerial fitness and burlesque (with the Toronto School of Burlesque beginning to share space across the hall very soon!) They also do private events for all sorts of occasions including birthdays, bachelorettes and "I'm so over him" parties. Reggy and I got a taste of chair and floor work during our private lesson with Dawn.

Dressed in workout clothes and heels, Reggy and I had a blast learning the basics of chair and floor work. There was a lot of sexy strutting and leg work and hair flips and shaking our bon-bons. We learned that apparently I have some natural affinity for chair work? Who knew.

 

Oh yes, that happened. 

Not sure that I'm going to be rolling off a chair in real life anytime soon, but the class definitely armed us with some fun new moves and added confidence. After running through a slew of basics we put everything together into a couple of fun and sassy routines. 

 

The class was also an amazing ab, arm, back and leg workout. Total body fitness all the while feeling kinda hot? I'm in. 

The studio has a bunch of specials on for first-timers and people who want to give their classes a go. After the class I scored a sweet Team Buy that's happening right now for a 10 class pass for $59.  I can't wait for the deal to go active so I can get into my first pole basics class!

Thanks to Reggy for being a sweet date and Dawn & Brass Vixens for showing us the ropes! Definitely looking forward to spending more time at the studio.

A date with me costs...

As if it wasn't enough to be on the cover of The Grid's Dating Diaries issue, my Valentine's Day included being auctioned off for charity at Love a Heart.

I spent the evening running around The Hideout laughing and smiling and catching up with friends in a sparkly dress with fancy hair. So many of my favourite people were there for moral support

to join the ranks of those being auctioned off and take off lots of clothes

and host (and be generally all kinds of awesome)

I was one of the last gals to hit the stage. All nerves had worn off and I really just thought the whole thing was hilarious by that point. Shawn took great care in getting me auctioned off, and Shannon joined us onstage to say extra nice things about me. I ended up fetching $450 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, which helped bring the total for the evening to more than $11,000 and that's pretty cool. Not to mention the fact that I get to go on a fancy pants dinner date with a handsome guy, all in the name of charity.

Maybe Valentine's Day isn't so bad after all?

Thanks to Chris Luckhardt for capturing some great photos of the night! 

Wanna buy a date with me? You can. At Love a Heart.

I can't believe I just typed that title. 

On Thursday February 14 (aka Valentine's Day) you could have the opportunity to win a date with yours truly at Love a Heart in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation at the Hideout on Queen West.

Last year's event - I need to find a great dress for this year!!

Shenanigans with lovely Christine

Last year I merely attended as a friend, supporter and trouble-maker, but this year I will be on the auction block alongside an impressive list of Toronto's most awesome bachelors and bachelorettes. Shannon does a great job at putting together some pretty super date packages for those being auctioned off and the bidding starts at $25 for each participant. It can get pretty heated (people want those dates!!) and last year they raised over $11,000 with the top bachelor going for over $1,000. Wowzers.

My sweet friends Shannon Kelly and Shawn Hawaii will be hosting once again and it's sure to be a hilariously fun evening for the cause! Tickets are available for $5 either online or at the door and the festivities will start up at 9:30. If you're looking for a fun way to spend your V-Day, you should definitely come out.

And bid.
Maybe on me.
I'm a fun date, I promise.

*Cue terror and hunt for an amazing dress*

2013 So Far

We're a little more than a week into 2013 and so far I'm liking this new year...

• I am following the intentions I set at the end of 2012 and also having fun working on my January goals.
• While I simply attended last year, this year I've agreed to be auctioned off for charity.
• The cool folks at Beach Body Canada have sent me Insanity to check out and I'm starting this weekend. Two people have told me that they've barfed following the fit test. I'm thrilled. 
• I've been reading some inspiring posts about 2013 and feel good about what's ahead... 
• I did a photo shoot for an upcoming show/project that I can't wait to share with you. 

MJS Photography

MJS Photography

It's going to be a pretty awesome and inspiring and emotional time here on the blog and in my life in February. #lifeissweet is on its way and some pretty incredible people are involved. Details are coming!!

My favourite quote of the moment:


“Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won't either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself you tasted as many as you could.”

~Louise Erdrich