December Fitness Routine

Ok, recently I've decided that I need to step up my workouts. A few crunches and releves aren't cutting it. I've moved past that stage. It's about time. I've been doing them for 2 1/2 years.

After doing a bit of research (and by research I mean Pinterest) i concocted a recipe for my daily workout.

FIRST OF ALL. I am taking this pledge:

1. Drink one glass of water every hour. It will make you feel full. 2. Drink ice cold water. Your body will burn calories just getting the water to a normal temperature to digest. Also it is great for your complexion. 3. Drink 3 cups of green tea daily. It will help boost your metabolism, plus its anti-oxidants make your skin look great. 4. Take vitamins daily. Do not take vitamins on an empty stomache, otherwise they have nothing to catalyze with. 5. Eat ice or gum when hungry. This will make your body think it had food without the calories. 6. Eat spicy foods. They raise your metabolism. 7. Take cold showers because your body will burn calories to heat you back up. 8. Brush your teeth so you won’t be tempted to eat afterwards. 9. Wear a rubberband around your wrist. Snap it when you want to eat. 10. Use smaller plates and utensils so it seems like you ate more. 11. Chew each bite of food thoroughly and then take a sip of water between bites. You will feel full quicker and will not eat as much. 12. Sleep at least six hours a day. If you get less than six this can lower your metabolism by 15%. 13. If you start to feel hungry do sit ups. 14. Pamper yourself! Give yourself a facial, paint your nails, anything to make you feel pretty. 15. Keep track of everything you eat to manage your weight better. 16. Keep good posture, burns 10% more calories when you sit up straight. 17. Make a list of all the “bad” foods that you crave and tend to binge on. Each day, pick one to take out of your diet that you cannot eat again. Take one off the list each day until there are no more bad foods you can have. 17. Avoid alcohol! A shot of liquor has 100-120 calories, a glass of wine has 80 calories, a lite beer has 110-120 calories, and a regular beer has 140-170 calories. 18. Avoid eating anything bigger than about a cup, your stomach will expand and then you’ll get hungry more. 19. The smell of coffee is thought to supress appetite. 20. Wear applied lip gloss. It makes you more aware of what’s going in your mouth. Also, flavored ones may help with cravings. 21. Have 6 small meals a day. 22. Low calorie hot chocolate curbs chocolate cravings, and makes you feel full. 23. Take a picture of yourself wearing a bathing suit or something equally important to you, look at it before you want to eat. 24. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to realize the stomach is full. 25. Eat lots of fiber. It makes you feel full and takes fat with it out of your body. The natural cleansing helps improve both your energy level and overall feeling of wellness. 26. Before you dig into that cake, bag of chips, candy, or whatever, take a deep breath and count to 100. Usually by the time you get to 100 you will have convinced yourself that you don’t really want it. 27. Celery actually burns calories. Every hour eat a stalk of it. Not only will it fill you up, but it will also get your metabolism kicking. 28. Read the nutritional information. Remember, fat-free does not mean calorie-free. 29. Keep an eye on fiber content. Get as much fiber into your diet as you can, while cutting fat and calories. 30. Don’t eat a lot at once. Spread your food throughout the day. This will help to avoid binging and keep your metabolism going. 31. Avoid alchohol. 32. Do not eat in front of the computer or TV. This distracts you from recognizing you’re full. 33. Stay away from Slim-fast and other so-called “healthy” candy bars and shakes… one look at the nutition facts will tell you why. Save yourself the money, and the calories. Buy yourself some flowers instead -- they make you happy. 34. When having cravings try drinking a tall, icy glass of water with slices of lemons or oranges - sometimes what you think is hunger is really thirst. 35. Remember, an occasional binge doesn’t hurt, in fact it’s quite beneficial if you have reached a plateau (stopped losing weight). Just don’t binge too regularly! 36. Love and respect yourself and your body.

It's quite the read, but read it through and you will want to take it with me.

SECONDLY, I am going with this plan:

"Set your alarm for 6am. Don’t groan when it goes off and pull the covers over your head, get up and start your day. Put on a baggy top and running shorts. Go downstairs and pour yourself a nice big glass of ice water. Cut up some fruit and mix it in with yogurt. Add some granola. Now go outside. Stretch for 10 minutes. Skip for 5 minutes. Jog for 10 minutes. Run for 10 minutes. Walk back. Lay out a towel on the ground and lie down on it. Do 50 crunches. Yes, they hurt, but they are 100% worth it. When you’re done, get in the shower. Use a nice smelling shampoo and matching conditioner. Shave your legs and wash your body. Exfoliate your face. Get out of the shower and let your hair air dry. Look in the mirror. Do you like what you see? If you do, good for you. Do this every day and you will continue to love yourself. If you don’t like what you see, do this every day and pretty soon you will. Being lazy might feel good at the time, but being active feels better in the long run. How badly do you want it?"

Now, to that plan I am making a tiny adjustment. Along with the 50 crunches, I am adding:

3 sets of wall holds, for as long as I can

15 to 20 bent-knee push-ups

20 chair dips

40 second plank into tummy tucks (as many as possible)

30 donkeys

20 front lunges on each leg

Jumping on the trampoline for (at least) 10 minutes

SO. here is the total workout:

"Set your alarm for 6am. Don’t groan when it goes off and pull the covers over your head, get up and start your day. Put on a baggy top and running shorts. Go downstairs and pour yourself a nice big glass of ice water. Cut up some fruit and mix it in with yogurt. Add some granola. Now go outside. Stretch for 10 minutes. Skip for 5 minutes. Jog for 10 minutes. Run for 10 minutes. Walk back. Lay out a towel on the ground and lie down on it. Do 50 crunches. Yes, they hurt, but they are 100% worth it. Then, 3 sets of wall holds, for as long as I can. 15 to 20 bent-knee push-ups. 20 chair dips. 40 second plank into tummy tucks (as many as possible). 30 donkeys. 20 front lunges on each leg. Jumping on the trampoline for (at least) 10 minutes. When you’re done, get in the shower. Use a nice smelling shampoo and matching conditioner. Shave your legs and wash your body. Exfoliate your face. Get out of the shower and let your hair air dry. Look in the mirror. Do you like what you see? If you do, good for you. Do this every day and you will continue to love yourself. If you don’t like what you see, do this every day and pretty soon you will. Being lazy might feel good at the time, but being active feels better in the long run. How badly do you want it?"

THAT is my December pledge.

oh. boy.

ONCE AGAIN.

I go through a long bout of being unpredictably silent. Oh, me. Why are you so fickle? One moment you LUURRRVVVV blogging, and the next you don't post for a month!!!

Aye Aye Aye.

At times like these I wish I was a pirate.

here is what happened since my last post:

1. HALLOWEEN. I went as none other than Jack Sparrow.

2. I went to DisneyWorld. (fun stuff)

3. I went to the mountains for a weekend.

4. I had Thanksgiving dinner with my best friends and their family.

5. I got sick.

6. I watched every Disney Princess movie in a row.

7. I am watching last year's Spring Concert with my 6 year old sister while she sings every single song. Did I mention she has Ethel Merman's voice?? Yeah, I have a headache in places I have never had them before.

7. I decided to blog while I still have the chance.

8. Did I mention I haven't been at school for 3 weeks? vacation + Thanksgiving break + sickies = i'm gonna get smacked with reality like a one-eyed porcupine.

whew!

So, while I veg out on the couch with oreos and ballet concerts, I decided to get stuff done. Pointless stuff that means a lot to me. Like blogging and making a work-out routine. My all-time biggest excuse for working out it that I don't have a routine. Well, while I still have time, I am making one!! I will post later when it is finished! I hope that some of you will take the pledge with me :)

Sincerely,

Rebecca

I couldn't have said it better myself.

I am so embarrassed about my July post. I will NEVER quit dance and I will try my hardest to NEVER quit Plies. I cannot thank you enough for all of your encouraging comment - I love you all so much!! And for that other dancer...... well, she's 2233.2 miles away. Ancient history.

In the meantime, I will give you a run-down of what has happened since then.

1. I visited with a good friend who I hadn't seen in 8 years
2. I had another bithday
3. School/Ballet started
4. I planned a trip to Disney
5. I auditioned for Cinderella
6. I got the part of one of the stepsisters
7. On September 29, 2011, I made a trip to Dance Fashions Superstore with my ballet teacher to try on none other than.................POINTE SHOES.

Yep, I got my pointe shoes. I haven't even had them for a week. They don't smell bad yet :)

Quick question for experienced dancers: Is it normal for the satin to come off of the toe within the third wear? 'Cause mine did.

Well, are we caught up? I hope so.

I decided to change my theme to Halloween, so I would be obligated to change it in less than a month, ensuring that I will stay connected with Plies :)

Love,
Rebecca

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies

Hey ya'll! It's a rainy Labor Day down here.......... and so Pinterest consumes my day, instead of homework.

I am a nerd. via Pinterest (duh!!)

I am a nerd. I KNOW I should be working. I feel so bad, skimping out on homework to blog and repin and repin again.

It's time to get the pack of 318562881356 cans of Pumpkin at Costco...... via Pinterest

But what a loverly day to sit back and bake some pumpkin chocolate chip brownies. Yep, I've got a recipe for ya'll! It's time to get the pack of 318562881356 cans of Pumpkin at Costco....... It's fall! Finally...... for any others out there who live in the South, you KNOW why I am so happy. For others who are unaware, it is HOT. Too hot. So hot its not fair. I can't wait until its cold.

Recipe Adapted from this loverly lady.

Enjoy!

I am so sorry about the last post. I meant most of what I said, except for the quitting parts. I will keep Plies alive, but I can't post everyday. I am definitely keeping up ballet classes. After taking my first summer ballet class yesterday, I replenished the aching part of my body. My mind clouded with thoughts as my pique turns got faster and faster. Eventually, I did a semi-double without falling over. That's a first for me. My body does not like turning.

Thank you so much for all of the warm comments. I have never felt more cyber-loved. I know that I am not strong enough for pointe, but I just want to be. Because that other girl has never been nice, I felt like she didn't deserve them, you know?

Will return,
Rebecca

a depressing matter

Hi. I am writing this post while I am on vacation because it needs to be written. Other posts have written about the general matter, but this post is coming from my heart. I woke up this morning in tears because my feelings were so strong.

Last night at a Fourth of July party, a fellow dancer came up to me. She is quite younger than me, very immature, but she has amazing feet. She asked me when I was getting my pointe shoes. I told her the truth, this fall or winter if I work hard. She responded in a snotty way, "I am getting mine Thursday." Now, you must understand, my dance teacher is so kind, she sends out an email saying who will get their pointe shoes, so that no other dancers have the shock in class. I was told of three dancers getting their pointe shoes by my mom several weeks ago at home. When this dancer told me of this, I was shocked, and it was all I could do not to burst out in tears.

It's not selfish. You might not understand, but I've worked harder than that dancer. No doubt I am happy for her, but it's just depressing.

I sometimes doubt if ballet is worth all of the heartbreak. Maybe I'll quit after summer term. I don't know. Maybe this is just one little speed bump in life that has flattened my tire. Will I wrangle enough courage to put the spare on? Or will I wait for someone to rescue me?

Dancing is heartbreak. As long as I dance, my heart will break. After I get my pointe shoes, there will still be more instances. Why me? Why couldn't my mom have put me in ballet class when I was two? It's not her fault. I have so many thoughts spewing out of my fingers.

Alone in this messy room, I feel small and weak. I have a voice telling me it;s not worth it. "Why don't you just stop the painful mornings of prepointe? Throw away that theraband. Just throw out your ballet bag and never return to classes!"

My face is damp with tears. It took so much guts to write that. Ballet is hard, but that's why I do it. No one knew about these hidden feelings, but now you do. I had them all bottled up inside. I had to let it out. If I told one of my ballet friends, it would get around and make a huge fight with that one dancer. If I told a non-ballet friend, he/she wouldn't understand and would flip out over my tears. If I told my mom, she would make me do something I didn't want to do. Talk to that other dancer. That's the last thing I want to do. I never want to see her face again. She's moving in a few weeks. This may sound horrifyingly horrific, but I can't wait. Her brother is one of the sweetest boys I've ever met, but she has been nasty and rude ever since I met her.

I hate ballet. I love it, also.

I'm sorry I ever promised to keep up with posts. I knew I couldn't. I might not ever again. I might come back, once a week, month, year, but I'm not sure. For now, I just want to curl up in a corner and die. I love the 3 people who read my blog with all of my heart, and I will cherish you forever.

Goodbye.

Going on vacation. Will return on Monday, July 11th. Hey, at least I warned you this time. I may have a few posts from my phone, but I may not have internet connection out in the booneys.

Soon I will post a tutorial. I prepared one for you, but then I found out that someone has made something exactly like it, and I wanted to avoid getting accused of stealing it. But I will give you one. Unless I get paralyzed, decapitated, lose an arm, leg, or any other valuable body part, receive an iron lung, have a heart transplant, get in a car wreck, get amnesia, break my ankle, get appendicitis, or something possible but not likely happens.

I swear on my very own pas de chats.

I have a tutorial coming up for ya'll. No, I didn't miss a post.

It's raining.

Strange things happen in my sewing room while it's raining.

Strange things.

Like tutorials.

Stay tuned for the next episode.

My Dream Laundry/School Room

Whadya know? I did put a thoughtful (husky) post in for tonight? How generous of me!!

I got Photoshop working sooner, so I made one (three) of my color palettes that I used to make forever ago!! This time, they actually are for something. Not just random pics.

I was browsing Pinterest (my all-time favorite thing to do now that I made an account this afternoon), and I made a board of a bunch of stuff I would like in my dream home. Now, I have one of these, so I will be printing out pictures and sticking them in it.

Here is the first collage:

Top left-hand corner: Loving the fabric mini-curtain! I would use some Cath Kidston Fabric. I love the map, which gave me the idea of combining the laundry room and school room (I am going to homeschool). I can do laundry while I teach the kiddos! Perfect!

Lower left-hand corner: So cute! I love this!!!

Lower right-hand corner: This is just too cool. I thing I would wait to make this until my kids were older (5-10) and I would put their favorite books on the steps.




Lower left-hand corner: Can you tell I'm in love with window seats? I just love the magical feel! I would stock the bottom shelf with vintage books of all sorts, like this one.

Center: Why did I never think of organizing books by color? It looks so shabby, yet elegant.

Upper right-hand corner: More window seats...



Left: Oh yes! I would have loved to do my schoolwork in a tent! Plus- no bug bites! I love the precious chandelier!

Right: This is a great idea! It would fit perfectly in the laundry room! Plus, un-dealt with mail can haunt me forever until I deal with it.


I hope you enjoyed my fantasy dream room as much as I did!!

tonight..... there may or may not be a post. well, actually there will be because I am posting now. what I mean is, there might not be a fat post. husky, chunky, if you will. it will be kind of bare and scrawny.

I am finally installing Photoshop.

This might take a while.

How Graceful is Green Tea?

Recently I was reading a post on BalletDancersGuide.com about the importance of Green Tea. Occasionally I drink tea, but I didn't think it was as healthy as water until I did some studying.

This is a table I created of the three main vitamins and antioxidant found in Green Tea.




If you can't read it, click on the image and it will get larger. Green Tea contains lots of vitamins, and us dancers love vitamins, don't we?

You could have a meal of Crab, swiss cheese, blackberries, potatoes, and chocolate for dessert, and you would have the same vitamins as you do in a single cup of Green Tea.

Before you get all "Well, maybe in the winter, it's hot now." You will forget. So, this summer try some iced Greed Tea. Brew some up, and pour it onto some ice. It tastes the same, same vitamins, but it's summertime! We can't be walking around the house with a cup full of hot tea! We might melt!



What's even better that iced Green Tea is Green Tea Ice Cream. Yum........ If anyone has a good recipe for it, please tell me! I will be testing....



If you drink at least one cup of tea (not including ice cream) per day, I can guarantee that you will see an improvement in your dancing. Depending on your body, it might not be big, but it will be an improvement.

Shopping for Leotards

Warning: this is a post for girls ONLY!!

Ugh. Shopping for leotards. Everyone hates it. Ugh. Double ugh.

I can help you search for leotards by following these simple rules, online and in stores.

My all-time favorite online dance store is discount dance. It has trust-able products at affordable prices. Nuff said.

The best brand out there is Eurotard, which Discount dance does not sell unfortunately. I own 4 leotards currently, two of which are Eurotard, 1 is Body Wrappers, and 1 is Capezio. To be honest, I dread wearing the Body Wrappers and Capezio. It's horrible.

This is the Capezio one I own. It has no shelf lining at all. Shelf lining is the extra piece of fabric on the front of the leotard for extra support. You ALWAYS want extra lining.

Plus, This on has a very funky bust seam. It bunches and twists all weird.

This is the other one I have. I hate wearing this one even more. Where do I start? This one did not have lining, only in the bust area, so it is not firm around the stomach area. This lining was described as "supportive". HUH! It's not at all. While I was dancing, The sides kept slipping inwards, and somethings that were not meant to be exposed were almost exposed. To keep it from slipping, I had to sew the straps, which were loose. It still slips. The back is very low, which I prefer, but there is also very little fabric around the rear area. The elastic around the leg holes is very tight, which makes a odd lumpy figure on my seat. Save yourself, don't buy any Body Wrappers Leotards. I also bought a nude camisole which is the same way. Yeesh.

Save everyone else, too. Have you ever tried Natalie, Dance Department, or any other brand? Have you had better luck on other websites? Write a review! Comment or post the link here on this post and it will be shared for everyone else!

The Perfect Ballet Body

Let me introduce a new part of Plies, Class is in Session. This is where I let the lectures that bubble inside of me loose. Just Kidding. I am going to be your "Educator" for numerous things. No, I believe in self education, so actually you will be your educator. You will read my thoughts, and then brew on them until you do something about it that makes you happy. Let's get started!

Our first class is about the perfect ballet body. Don't click that red button in the right upper corner. Just don't. This post will benefit everyone who reads it. Trust me.

Take notes! They will come in use when you are feeling down. Keep them in your ballet bag. When taking notes, make little bubbles. Bubbles make me happy.

Bubble #1: No perfect ballet body.

It's true. If you think about it, there is no such thing as a perfect ballet body. But there is such a things as a beautifully translated body whilst dancing. See the difference? If you don't, I will tell you. A perfect ballet body is something you may never acquire, but you can control a beautifully translated body whilst dancing. This is not to be confused with "lying" to everyone. That is not a good quality for a dancer to have.

Bubble #2: Use, don't clench.

When dancing, you use muscles, correct? When muscles are used, they change shape, correct? very rarely do they make you look heavier. For example, your abs. When you look in the mirror, and turn to the side, lift you shirt up. I'm not one of those idiots who just tell you to "embrace your body the way it is, because it will never change". Look at your stomach relaxed. Not everyone's is a pretty sight. Now, use your abs. Don't suck in your stomach, don't clench. Just use them to hold a beautiful alignment.

Bubble #3: The Healthy You.

Even though I cannot see you, you probably look 100% better than you did relaxed. Now, Don't walk around everywhere with your abs clenched, that's not what I'm getting at. And don't suck your stomach in either. Sucking in your stomach and using your abs do the same thing, but they have a different result. They both make you appear thinner. But using your abs makes you look healthier, not thinner, not heavier.

Bubble #4: (choose your own) Adorable, Beautiful, Cute, Delightful, or Elegant

When choosing your body type, you can't lose! The best way to choose you body type, is something called a Missus Smarty Pants ID Me. Let me walk through the 5 basic body types. I am going to use the descriptions from the website. All credit to MSP.

Your legs are slim and your bottom isn't very big or round. You have hips that are narrow. Your torso is straight with little waist definition. Your shoulders also appear wider than your hips. Your bust is usually small to medium. You would like to have more feminine curves.

Many people envy your shape, but you're not sure what to wear to look your best. A Personal Profile will show you how the right clothes can really add the feminine curves you want!



(This is my body shape)

You have a feminine shape, but sometimes your clothes make you appear heavier than you are. You're not always sure what styles are best to play up your assets.

Your legs are fairly shapely and your bottom is rounded. Your curvy hips balance with your shoulders. Your waist is defined to undefined. Your bust is usually average to full.

Your hourglass shape is the desire of most women, but knowing how to dress it will get your looking your best everyday!



Your bottom half is larger than your shoulders. You carry most of your weight below your waist. Your waist is defined to slightly undefined.

This is a PLUS size body type.

Your legs, hips and bottom are ample. You may have some waist definition. Your shoulders are average to smaller compared to your lower body. You carry most of your weight in your lower half.

You want coverage, but don't want to skimp on style. MSP knows the fashion industry is only now realizing what REAL women look like! MSP will get you up-to-date and delightful!



This is a PLUS size body type.

Your legs are fairly shapely to full. Your waist may have some indentation to undefined. Your bust is usually full and your shoulders broad.

See how pleasant it is? I am proud of being a "B"eautiful person! Have you noticed that none of these REAL body types are ballet bodies? hhmmm......

You are a beautiful person. You may not be as strong, tall, thin, graceful, or pretty as the dancer next to you, but you are beautiful, inside and out. The world or your classmates don't determine how beautiful you are, you do.

Princess Camp Diaries: Pictures

During the Princess Camp Diaries Week, I had left my camera at the studio on numerous occasions. These are the photographs that were trapped on a little blue card in a silver box. There were so many, I had to put them on slideshows by the day. There are no photos of the first day, because I forgot my camera, and someone took photos of the performance with a fancy camera.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Princess Camp Diaries: Day 5

Last day! I will definitely miss my little girls!

I have decided that the post above you will be a post of pictures. I don't want to re-edit the other posts.

Yesterday, my teacher gave me all of the little girls' coloring pages. I have a binding machine at my house, so last night I bound all of them together with a personalized cover for each girl.

This is Elle's cover.... can you tell?

I brought the coloring book this morning, and today the campers drew a picture of themselves on a blank page in the back.

You know the routine already, games, stretching, ballet class. Next was snack, and after that our dance teacher gave a devotional. After talking with our little campers, we practiced each dance once or twice.

Finally, it was time for the performance. All of the moms and dads arrived and took seats outside the marley floor. The first dance to be performed was Maggie's dance with Isabella, Elle, Lilly, Gracie, Kariss, and Meredith. These were the younger dancers, ages 4-5. They danced to a song from the Beauty and the Beast, "Something There". Alaina helped with that dance.

Next was Savannah's dance with Jadah, Nedage, Lucy, Marin, Hailey, and Erica. These were the older campers, 6-8. They danced to "Ever After" by Carrie Underwood from the movie "Enchanted". I helped with this dance.

Yes! It was my dance! The finale! It went perfect. We waltzed through Belle, swam through Ariel, swept through Cinderella, skipped through Snow White, and napped through Briar Rose. It went easily without any falling, tripping, or yelling. It was so cute!

After the performance, we gave our little campers their boxes, and talked about what good princess qualities they had. Over the week, we had been slipping little rewards into decorated boxes when a little camper shared, helped, cleaned up, etc. The week before the camp counselors had a huge sleepover while we decorated the boxes.

Then we had to clean up. ughgh. But it went pretty fast with all of us working. Afterwards, we had lunch, then we went home. Then, I wrote this post. Tada!

I hope you enjoyed your virtual princess camp! Pictures above!

Princess Camp Diaries: Day 4

Whew! I am sooooo tired!

Today was as usual, we colored, I made Cinderella and a dancer from our recent concert. We played free dance and made a straddle split "pizza". Kiera taught the ballet class again today, and Savannah did music. After barre, they did skips and leaps, and all of the camp counselors did a combination for the little girls.

After ballet class, we all had a huge tea party (once again I will post pictures later because I left my camera at the studio). We had small treats like cupcakes, cookie, brownies, and rice crispy treats. We also had sugar cubes and cream to go along with it.

After tea, we read stories and took pictures of the campers on the throne (pictures!). We went over the dances, and then played games until all of the parents got there.

four days down, one to go! aaahhhhh...

Princess Camp Diaries: Day 3

Third day... this post might be a bit bare...

Once again, we colored while everyone waited. Lucy, Jadah, and I drew Coppelia this time.

Same as yesterday, we stretched and played movement game that had a princess theme.

Savannah led today's ballet class. I helped with her music.

My mind is kind of blurred right now, I can't exactly remember what we did in the center, but it was most likely skips, leaps, runs, twirls, anything princessy. I know that the play Rocks in the Garden, a freeze-dance game.

After a short snack and some lemonade, we listened to Kiera give the devotional again, and we played Frog, Frog, Princess with the campers.

After practicing their individual dances, the older and younger campers joined to learn the end of my dance. My song is The Princess Dance on Disney Princess Tea Party.

For a craft, we traced our camper feet in first position, which, because of their poor turnout, made the shape of a heart. They then decorated it with stickers and crayons.

Sorry about a small post, my memory is kinda wiped today. I'm super tired.

Princess Camp Diaries: Day 2

Second day down! Three more to go..........

The campers came one by one, and they sat down and colored. Jadah, Lucy, and I colored The Firebird and Sylvia.

Like Monday, we were led onto the marley after coloring. Emma and Maggie led us in some games and stretching.

Today, Kiera taught the ballet class. I felt bad because all of the little campers wanted me to teach it, but they had fun anyways.

Kiera led them in some skips, leaps, ballet walks, and some free dances.

Like Monday, we had snack, and then we did a devotional with Alaina.

Our little girls were really eager to get all costumed-up, so we picked out their costumes, and then I taught them my dance. Because it was longer than the others, I wasn't able to finish it.

After this, we took their costumes off, and we headed into the back room the make crafts. Today, we made cards for loved ones. Jadah was hiding her card from me, because she made it for me. So sweet!

All of this also took about 3 hours.

Yesterday I promised pictures. Today I left my camera (memory card) at the studio. Sorry!

Post again tomorrow!

Princess Camp Diaries: Day 1

First day of Princess Camp off my plate! Whew! It actually went pretty easily.......

When each camper arrived, they were led to a room where there were coloring pages and crayons for them to draw with. Each camp counselor was assigned two campers to be "buddies" with. I was assigned two young campers named Jadah (Jay-duh) and Lucy. Jadah got there first, so I sat down and drew Snow White. Shortly after, Lucy arrived and we drew the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Afterwards, we were called in to begin camp. Our first activity was movement games led by Emma and Maggie, two twin sisters in my level. We played "Princess May I?" (Mother May I?) and "Frog, Frog, Princess" (Duck, Duck, Goose). After that, we began our stretching, also led by Emma and Maggie.

And finally, it was my turn. I got to lead the entire ballet class. SO fun! We first started with barre, plies, tendus, echappe, etc. Nothing too complicated.

But when we got to corner work, then the princess stuff began! We began with skipping, one way across the floor. To get back to the other side, we ran and leaped over pointe shoes. Next, we practiced our princessy ballet walks on a high demi-pointe, one way across the floor. After this was everyone's favorite. A fellow camp counselor, Kiera, volunteered to be a prince. She got in the center set one hand on her "sword", puffed up her chest, and had a very princey look on her face. All of the campers were laughing. Once the laughter died down, they walked on their tip toes to the "prince" took "his" hand, walked around "him", and then gracefully walked offstage. So cute!

My ballet class was over. Sadly, it was the only ballet class I will teach this week. But I did choreograph the finale that they will perform this Friday. After ballet class, we had a snack, and we all sat around our beautiful throne (will post pics) and listened to Kiera give a devotional.

The camp counselors each picked out two costumes (old ones that my teacher had brought) and gave one to each of their buddies. I gave Lucy a pink satin tutu, with a bow on the bodice. I gave Jadah a purple Rapunzel dress. They did a little free dance, and then we started choreography. The two dances were taught today. On Friday, there will be a ball, and three dances will be performed. A dance with younger girls, older girls, and a finale with all of them. I choreographed the finale. Today, I helped teach the older girls.

After this, we took their costumes off, and we headed into the back room the make crafts. Today, we put little foam flowers in little flower pots. After THIS, we headed back into the studio, and played games until their parents arrived.

All of this took about 3 hours.

hfbghfghghghfhfghfhghfhgh! (I was trying to whistle)

Sorry no pics today. I forgot my camera ;)

I will take pictures tomorrow!

Until then!
(did you notice this wasn't a late post?)

again with the late post! i am such a ding-dong......

my late posts are officially going to become things on Etsy. sorry, Amazon people.

what a pretty headpiece!


ok. good night ya'll.

7 minutes....

until tomorrow. sorry for being so late on today's post ;). I was at a local laser show since 4. fun stuff.

today I am going to share with you an incredibly awesome item I found on Etsy.

so cool.


good night! sleep well ;)

Tutorial: Anthro Knock-Off Turban Headband

My first day! I cannot believe it! To be fair I was............

Ahh, no excuses, so I prepared a tutorial for ya'll!

I was browsing Anthropologie a while ago and I found this adorable headband!

Sosostris Headband


My Headband


Pretty cool, right? Here is my turorial:

Supplies:

1/4 yd knit fabric (or an old piece of clothing)
Matching Thread
Ball point pins (optional but kinda necessary)




I used fabric, but You could easily use an old sweatshirt, pj pant, or a t-shirt.



I did all of the math for you, so you don’t have to measure your head. Cut a piece that is 9x30.

Note: Some knits like to roll up on the edges, like mine. Don’t let this scare you.



Fold your piece right sides together and pin with ball point pins along the long edge. Sew a ¼ inch seam across the cut edge.



Turn the tube inside out, and center the seam in the middle.

Note: Do not press.



Turn the tube outside (no seam) facing up. Tie a large knot, and twist the two “arms” until they both have the outside facing up. Don’t tie the knot too tight.



Wrap the thing around your head, making sure it isn’t too tight/loose. If it is too loose, determine the seam allowance by how loose it is. If it is too tight, pull the knot tighter and do a ¼ inch seam.

The seam you will be making is the two cut ends of the headband, right sides together. If you have a serger/overlock, finish the seam.



Tada! Your finished product!

well.... this counts as a post for today.

creating a tutorial for ya'll. it's an anthro knock-off. super cute.

i couldn't post it today because I ate too much junk food yesterday and I am not keeping my meals down :( i hope I get better before monday! (i have to teach a ballet camp for 4-9 year olds) Because I am so sick, my creativity is stunted. sorry.

ok. good night. post to you tomorrow.

last time....

I will take no more unexpected, inconvenient, and rude breaks.
I will take no more unexpected, inconvenient, and rude breaks.
I will take no more unexpected, inconvenient, and rude breaks.
I will take no more unexpected, inconvenient, and rude breaks.
I will take no more unexpected, inconvenient, and rude breaks.

I am training myself.

I am setting a goal.

I am going to post once a day all summer.

For every day that I skip a post, I will whip up a tutorial for ya'll.

Comment on any post. anytime for tutorials you want to see.

Bye.







Wait! Don't leave!

I have something to show you.

buy it

isn't it awesome?

Ok, you can go now.



Wait! Now.

In a trance....

Anyone else stay up all night Thursday? I thought so. There is something magical about a royal wedding sleepover...........

Everything in my life seems so unfair after I witnessed a regular girl becoming a princess like that! (i was snapping)

At least I have the special book-thingy about the wedding.

Isn't he dreamy????


Most of my friends are swooning over Harry. But not me.


Umm, why couldn't have at least combed his hair for the royal occasion?

Did anyone else see Harry's little peek during the wedding? I did. My friends and I kept rewinding and trying to figure out what he said. We finally agreed on "Dude, she's hot!"


Who are you in trance from? William or Harry?

My Spring Break........

Remember when I posted about Hoppa Bunny? Yeah, well i got bored that week. Here are the finished products.

Copycat Goodness

Ahhh, Spring break. Sometimes you get bored. Most of the time, since you have no school, you are sucked into occupying your chatty 5-year-old sister.

"Can we do a craft? Why not? Please? PLEEEEAAAAAAASE?!?!?!?!"

After being pestered for hours about making a craft, I agreed. But, since I am a crafty person, I decided to go all out. I wasn't going to make homemade crayons or playdough. I was going to copy something vintage off of Little Pink Studio. Yup. I was clad in battle-gear (pajamas).

After scrolling through a couple of posts, I came upon this lovely. I was intrigued by the mosaic, and my sister immediately pointed out the miniature bunny below the image in the top left corner. I decided to make my own.

So after hours of work, my fat fingers could hardly attach teeny tiny eyes to the head. This rabbit is TINY. Here is my slideshow of the finished product.

So, like I said before, it was hard. But I was satisfied.

Later, I found that the bunny in the picture (the one I copied) was made from a free Martha Stewart tutorial. THERE WAS A TUTORIAL??!?!?!?!?!

Oh, well. I became so obsessed with them, I decided to make families and sell them. Have any ideas for prices? They are tricky and time-consuming, but I don't want to ask for too much.

Now, I am going to relax on the couch and watch Tangled with my sis for the 293809277237830732277th time.