I wanted to wait as long as possible before putting ads on my blog(s), but I can no longer put any of my own income towards the running costs of this blog or my shop due to the price of living in Vancouver... In order to keep going with my dreams, I am opening up sponsorship! 100% of the money generated by sponsorships will go right back into Pirate+Lilac's cost of running and expanding. We're starting out small with only 9 spots up for grab every month so sign up quick!! More spots will open in upcoming months as our readership grows. To learn how to sponsor Pirate+Lilac visit our brand new sponsorship page! To kick off our new layout + new sponsorships, we're offering 50% off all sponsorship spots if ordered by July 31st, 2012 @ 11PM PST with the code August50 at checkout.

If you are an up-and-coming blog with similar interests to Pirate+Lilac (fashion, style, DIY, thrifting, adventures, etc) you can consider "swapping" badges with us. Please visit the sponsorship page above for more information.

current giveaways recap

We've decided to call these trio of giveaways our End Of Summer Giveaway Special! All deadlines have been extended until September 21st, with the winners being drawn on September 22nd (first day before fall!!) and notified by e-mail on that day. We will be adjusting all dates over the next few days, so disreguard anything that has an earlier date.

Giveaway 1: Essie Polish Prize Pack
{Open to Canada and USA residents only}

We're giving away one Essie polish prize pack featuring 1 full size bottle of All-In-One base, 1 full size bottle of their new shade "Lilacism", and 2 full surprise shades of my choosing! Visit this page to enter.

Giveaway 2: BYV Class Card
{Open to Vancouver, BC and surrounding areas only}

New to Bikram hot yoga? Already a student? Who couldn't use a few more classes to further their practice? If you live in the Vancouver, BC area you can enter to win a 5 Class Card c/o Bikram Yoga Vancouver. Visit this page to enter, or scan one of the posters with your iphone at the Kitsilano and West End BYV locations!

Giveaway 3: Large Sponsor Spot on Pirate+Lilac
{open Internationally}

To celebrate our new sponsorship spots available on our blog, we're giving away one large spot for free! Who couldn't use some free publicity? Visit this page to enter!

The toughest thing about being a "grown up" is budgeting... especially when you live in an expensive city like Vancouver. Cam + I discussed moving, but we both love it here + want to try to make it work better than we have been. Living paycheck to paycheck is such a drag, and we never end up with savings for our future. Not anymore! I've put together a pretty awesome budget plan for Cam + I and we've decided to go off debit cards all the time and try a more cash based approach. So far so good. I'll keep you updated, and even post a photo of my super awesome budget book I've got going on. Thrifty girls always survive!!

Until tomorrow...

{Photo by Ahmed Zahid}

Last Wednesday + today we ended up skipping the weigh in. I was honestly waaaaay too scared to see if I had gained any weight, as Cam + I both took a week off from the hot room for sun burns + enjoying the weather. I'm so glad we did (honestly) because I tend to hermit when I have a project + not enjoy the weather except what I see out my window (sad but true). I'm planning to get into the hot room tomorrow, as I want to get healthy before my 25th birthday!!

Pranayama Blogging

I've decided to make a second blog to focus on our yoga practice + paleo eating. Pirate + Lilac is more of a fashion/style oriented blog, and I've always battled with trying to fit our fitness + paleo aspects in (plus not being able to post cute photos of treats just because I don't personally eat sugar or gluten is just not fun for me or you!). Honestly I'd rather just seperate the two so I don't alienate fashionistas who may not practice yoga, or yogis who may not care about fashion. Either way, I respect your opinions, and going forward "Wednesday Weigh In" will focus on stats and my learning experience, but not on the yoga practice itself. I will still post recipes here and there, but for more in depth paleo menu choices and all things yoga make sure to head over to Pranayama Blogging. (not up as of today, but will be in the next few days!!) I'll try not to do too much cross-posting so you can subscribe to both!! ♥ Cam will be posting on Pranayama Blogging as well!!

Until tomorrow...

Vancouver weather has yet again plunged into cold and rainy days. During the summer season, our rain is intermittent and sometimes hits by surprise. Sometimes it's still warm, other times there's a cold chill in the air that requires a cover-up of somekind. Here are my favourite picks for those not-so-summery-summer days/nights:

What do you like to have on hand when the weather suddenly turns chilly? Do you prefer cardigans to jackets? Both? Or do you just grin and bare it no matter your outfit choice of the day? Leave us a comment below!

As soon as we can we'll be thrifting our own light jackets and cardigans, so make sure to check back!

Until tomorrow...

I freaked out this morning about installing my new layout hahaha. I am so excited! I hope you also enjoy the colours and simplicity of this layout, roomier space for better quality photos, as well as the new sidebar! Much easier than having to scroll all the way to the bottom like in our previous layout! I'm still tweaking it a bit so if you see anything off, rest assured it will be fixed by tomorrow!

Hey readers. I'm a bit sombre after someone stole my iphone. :( I've been dealing with cancelling, reporting, etc etc so I will not be blogging until next week. Have a double great weekend to make up for mine!!

Until next week...

Along with July, August, + September being 3 months full of Bikram yoga + Paleo eating, I also dub thee giveaway months! Read on below to get your hands on some awesome free swag!

Giveaway 1: Essie Polish (Canada + USA residents only)

{Photo by Joana Afonso}
To celebrate the launch of the Pirate + Lilac Blog, we're giving 1 lucky winner an Essie prize pack we've put together (including 1 full size bottle of All In One Base, and 2 full size surprise shades), and 2 runner-ups will recieve a full size bottle of Essie's gorgeous shade "Lilacism".

How to Enter:
{1} Must live in the USA or Canada
{2} "Like" Pirate + Lilac on Facebook
{3} Fill out the form below, and done!


How to Get 2 Extra Entries:
{1} Complete the above
{2} Follow Pirate + Lilac on Twitter OR Bloglovin' OR join with GFC on the sidebar >>
{3} Leave a comment on this post with your additional entry requests if you've already submitted the form once please!

Must enter by September 21st, 2012 @ 6PM PST to be eligible. Winner will be drawn at random using random.org on September 1st, 2012 and notified by e-mail.

Giveaway 2: Bikram Yoga Vancouver Class Card
(open to Vancouver, BC + surrounding areas only)

There Are 4 Ways to Enter:
(4 entries total per person)
{1} Fill out the form below for 1 entry


{2} "Like" P+L on facebook and fill out this form for 1 entry

{3} Follow @PirateAndLilac on Twitter and fill out this form for 1 entry

{4} Scan posters at the BYV Kitsilano or West End locations with your iphone or andriod for 1 entry.

June Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Holly who won a complete outfit from Pirate+Lilac's upcoming vintage store! Make sure to check back August 1st for our official launch!

Today is my first class back in the hot room at BYV! I had to take a week off for sunburns, and Cam still can't practice (his legs are super red)! We bought an organic sunscreen but failed to put it on after the 2 hours mark. I definitely wont do that again!!

Until tomorrow...

Results at a Glance

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

Kellee's Progress: So far I've lost 8 pounds since starting the challenge. I know this is probably mostly water weight, but I'm still happy to see it go!!

Cam's Progress: So far Cam has gained 3 pounds. We're still finding a balance with eating paleo and making sure we both have enough nutrients and vitamins every day as well as good fats!

What We Learned Last Week

{Photo by Lululemon}
Kellee: Most of the our "cants" are actually fears. I've been scared of going into camel completely. I know my spine can handle it (back bending in half moon is my favourite!), but I kept telling myself I "couldn't do it because of my anxiety." It's true camel brings up a lot of emotion in me (and others), and definitely makes me a bit dizzy after, but as soon as I made up my mind that I COULD do it, I did... and it felt amazing. I wanted to cry afterwards I was so happy!

Cam: Slow down and breathe; it's not always about rushing into it and being perfect from the beginning. You need to breathe, slow down, think while you are doing. Also, hydration means more than just drinking water; electrolytes are key as drinking tons of water isn't going to help you from cramping in the hot room. Make sure to have plenty of cocowater, gatorade, lemon/sea salt in water, or whatever you chose as your electrolyte of choice.

This Week's Pose

{Photo by Bikram Yoga Vancouver}
Half Moon Pose with Hands to Feet Pose will be our focus this week. After Bishnu Gosh day Cam and I are incredibly sun burnt, so we've had to stay out of the room for a few days. I'll be back at it tomorrow though! Yay! Check back next Wednesday for what we learned from this week's pose, and tips we've learned from the teachers in class.

Enter to Win a Class Card c/o Bikram Yoga Vancouver:
Entry Number Two!

If you think you missed out on last week's entry chance, never fear! You have until August 31st to enter, and we'll give you a new way every Wednesday!

To Enter:
{1} Fill out the form below for 1 entry


{2} "Like" P+L on facebook and fill out this form for 1 entry

{3} Follow @PirateAndLilac on Twitter and fill out this form for 1 entry

{4} Scan posters at the BYV Kitsilano or West End locations with your iphone or andriod for 1 entry.

Next Wednesday we'll be posting more paleo meals, and what we've been doing to keep up our calories for class! I've been working hard on getting Pirate+Lilac's shp up and running as well, so stay tuned for news about the launch date!

Until tomorrow...

Things have been crazy busy in my life lately, so I ended up taking an unintentional hiatus. Woops! I'll be back on track with tomorrow's post. We'll also have another entry chance for our July Giveaway. For now I need to soak my skin in aloe, as this Vancouverite has definitely been taking advantage of our late summer arrival! :)

Until tomorrow...

{Photo by Neal Fowler}

Our challenge is officially underway! Cameron + I have already been eating paleo, but as of tomorrow morning (yesterday for Cam, who came to a class while I was at work ♥) our yoga practice begins again! I can't wait. I was hoping to get into class today, but I realized last minute I have a meeting at noon today! Eeps! Usually I would get panicky about not being able to practice when I want to, but I'm learning to stop thinking of Bikram as something I "have to do". Sure, it works every single muscle in the body and is an amazing source of exercise, but for my own practice, I don't want it to be inconsistant with months on and months off. I want my practice to be part of my life weekly. So, although I'm busy for 12 hours of my day today and can't make it into class, all I can do is breathe, smile, and get up for class tomorrow!

Win a Class Card c/o BYV!

{Photo by BYV}

Every Wednesday Pirate + Lilac is giving you a chance to enter to win a 5 class card from BYV. New to Bikram Yoga? This is a perfect chance to try it out! Already a practicing student? Who couldn't use another 5 classes for free to further their practice? Check back every Wednesday for a new way to enter!

Complete the Following to Enter:

{1} Fill out the form below for 1 entry


{2} "Like" P+L on facebook and fill out this form for 1 entry

{3} Follow @PirateAndLilac on Twitter and fill out this form for 1 entry

{4} Scan posters at the BYV Kitsilano or West End locations with your iphone or andriod for 1 entry.

See you in the hot room, Vancouver!

{Photo by ankakay}
I was hoping to get a blog post out yesterday for Canada Day, but I woke up with a misplaced rib two days ago! Gah! Cameron felt so horrible for me, I could see it on his face. I couldn't stop the tears from falling and I could barely breathe (it hurt at the top and end of every breath. It felt like someone was stabbing me at the top of my ribs over and over). Luckily I have an amazing sister, who also happens to be a physical therapist, and who immediately sent me some adjustment exercises by email. To be honest, I was a bit skeptical (I know my sister is talented, but I kind of looked at the simplicity of the exercises and was like, there is no way this is going to help...) and it hurt like crazy while I was attempting the exercises, but I woke up 2 days later with no pain whatsoever! I can take full deep breaths and it doesn't feel like I'm being assassinated! Yay!! I was so worried with my bikram & paleo challenge going on this month that I'd already be at a disadvantage, but I feel right as rain! (Sorry to mention rain, Vancouverites... I know we're all a bit touchy considering the sun has been a little less than social with us this summer!)

Speaking of the Bikram & Paleo Challenge, Cam & I have our first grocery shopping trip today! My list is meats and veggies. A few fruits. That's it. Simple, quick, and the recipes I have planned this week look delicious! We'll be posting What We Ate posts periodically along with photos and descriptions of what we cooked for our paleo meals! My sister has been thinking of starting a paleo blog... Here's my shout out to you Melanie: Please do it! Cameron and I need more recipes!! :)

If you're interested in entering to win a class card c/o Bikram Yoga Vancouver I will finally have the deets posted up by this evening. Your first chance to enter is this Wednesday, (Happy) July 4th!

Don't worry fashionistas, I have an international giveaway for July that will be posted in a few days!


{Photo by Cameron ♥}

It's time for me to head off to the grocery store. I've planned meals up until Saturday, as we're going to try to do a fair amount of our shopping at the Kits Farmer's Market on Sundays from now on!

Do you shop at farmer's markets, or grocery stores? Do you only shop organic or a wide range? (We are on a strict budget so we tend to buy organics that are on the "dirty" list, and a mix of organic and not for the rest.) Comment below, or on twitter!