HAPPY NEW YEAR my beautiful friends!! Oh gosh, 2018 was the fastest year of my life + although I have loads to write and share with you all (promise, I will be getting back to this blog more—I have had some crazy exciting things happening–no I’m not pregnant LOL!), I am most excited to share this beautiful Boss Babe for the month of January!
A New Year brings new (and old!) goals + dreams to mind and mine often go towards my health + wellness. Andddd I couldn’t think of a better lady to start our year off right. I’ve known Christine since I was 15 + we have literally been soul sisters from the very first time we met. I have never met anyone with such a BIG heart–Christine has a heart of gold and I am inspired daily by her pursuit to living a more intentional + beautiful life while continuing to bring the arts to as many people as she can. Neen, as my children so adoringly call her, is a bright light and a woman I am thrilled to celebrate + share with you all. I could talk about her for days–she’s that amazing.
Meet Christine.
Hi Everyone!
I’m Christine.
I’ve known Holly since we were in grade 10 when we met at Canterbury High School in Ottawa. We have shared so much together over our 17 years of friendship and I could not be more grateful to still call her my BEST FRIEND! I am so honoured to be January’s Boss Babe and can’t wait to start off a new year with you all!
A little bit about me. I am a tap dancer, actor, creator and server at an organic health-food restaurant.
I grew up performing, whether it be in school plays or dance competitions, and later studied theatre in University. I have been very fortunate to get to continue to perform professionally in Toronto and around the world. I have toured for the last 8 years with a dance company called The StepCrew as one of their principal dancers. It has been such a thrill to get to travel to some amazing places (my fave being Japan!), while also having the opportunity to perform and do something I love!!
When I am not on tour I keep quite busy in the city. I work at an organic restaurant called The Beet which has delicious healthy food, juices and smoothies! I’m currently finishing my Yoga Teacher Training and usually frequent a few yoga classes a week. I love to try new restaurants and check out interesting art events or exhibits around the city. Oh, I am also learning how to play the drums…AND my teacher tells me I’m actually not too bad! Haha!!
Thanks for reading!
Happy New Year and all the best for 2019!
Andddd my absolute favourite part of my Boss Babe features, the famous FIVE questions! Read on to learn a little bit more about Christine!
Well, I am a bit of a night hawk so mornings have never agreed with me. I am actually currently working on establishing a better morning routine and trying to wake up earlier. Usually I am up at 8 or 9 depending on what I have going on that day. Last year, as one of my New Year’s resolutions, I started meditating in the morning and that has made a HUGE impact on my day-to-day life. I also have to practice 10 minutes of breath-work (or Pranayama) everyday as part of my Yoga Teacher Training course, so I am trying to incorporate both of these things into my morning routine. I also try to consciously start my day with a smile, it might sound silly but just this simple practice can set the tone for my day! After my morning meditations, and if I am not working, I will head out to a movement class and then grab a coffee at one of my favourite cafes and do some work on any projects I might have on the go!
There is no such thing as perfect. Our failures are where we learn our greatest lessons and discover our deepest truths. Hmmm, I think I might still be working on this.
Also, speak up just a little bit…don’t be afraid to let the world listen to what you have to say, and see you for who YOU are.
Move, Move, Move! Sometimes this is a dance party in my living room, a restorative yoga class, hitting a bike trail or a walk around the block. I know for myself, and for most everyone, we carry our stresses on our body. Moving my body in different ways helps me to release anxieties on a physical level, and in turn, helps to regulate my emotional state as well. I am also a firm believer in just letting yourself feel whatever you are feeling…like really go to that sadness, find compassion for those butterflies in your stomach, or get curious about that jealousy…but then face them, let them go, and jump into motion again with your new found discoveries as a guide. 
I love anything Pema Chodron has to say but one of her quotes I really love is:
“You are the Sky. Everything else- it’s just whether.”
Cleansing Facial Oil!!
My skin has always been extremely sensitive and has definitely gone through some icky phases including adult cystic acne and extreme dryness. After getting a facial at Province Apothecary, an organic skin clinic in Toronto, I discovered oil cleansing and it totally transformed my skin. Cleansing with a facial oil cleans my skin without leaving it feeling dry/tight and it doesn’t disrupt the PH levels of my skin, plus it really helps with hydration. I also love my dry facial brush and jade roller…it feels like a natural facelift, google them for all the benefits and techniques;)
Isn’t she just perfection!? If you’d like to follow Christine on her adventures, please don’t forget to follow her on her Instagram and she will be taking over the HBXO tribe every Wednesday and I know she will be providing so much value, it’ll be insane! If you’re not a member of the group, we’d love to have you!
Thank you so much Christine for sharing a little bit of your story. As always, I am inspired + motivated by you.
XO