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.