get back to the basics

Life can be overwhelming. With various duties and commitments to with-hold, sometimes we just need to take a minute to relax and admire what a work of art life really is.

Wear my heart, where my head should be
And light up the rest of me
'Cause in dreams they wont fall apart
Through the start, it starts
When your life is a work of art

(Work of Art - Rachel Platten)

It's nice to just get back to the basics. Like, going on a retreat, or camping, or by simply sipping some tea by the fire. It gives you time to really think and relax. It refreshes you. It's good for your soul.

Take some time to just smell the roses

and have some alone time.

You deserve it.

happy Saint Patrick's Day!

hello spring!

Winter finally seems to have ended - it was in the mid-70s today!
I love the spring-time for so many reasons. The cool breezes just make me want to dance around in a sundress.

And the flowers & trees are so pretty! Seeing them bloom inspires me. 

Flowers are pretty anytime of the year.

But of course I can't forget about the fresh, brightly colored wardrobe!

And besides, it means summer is coming in a little bit.

All images are from weheartit & are hyper-linked

What do you ♥ about spring?

Royal Ballet’s Alice in Wonderland

Doesn't her facial expression make you laugh? :)

FEBRUARY D.O.T.M. - Juliet Frishette

Honestly, I usually don't like Acro dances all that much after seeing the same tricks used over and over again. But Juliet Frishette is different.

Her latest acro solo, Unravel (above) is breathtaking. Not just are the tricks spot on, but her movements are so graceful and precise. And boy, would you look at the muscles on her legs? I can't believe she's only 12 years old. 

David Hofmann photography

As side from being a dancer, Juliet is also an actress. Just recently she was filmed in an episode of Modern Family. She has also been in a Capri Sun commercial, a Sharkies Fruit Snacks commercial, and in a Palm Springs Int Film Fest Commercial.

Juliet resides in Living in Los Angeles, California. She holds numerous titles as a competitive dance and gymnast. I really admire Juliet's fierce stage presence and strength. 

Find Juliet Frishette on Youtube and ExploreTalent!

inside out (pointe shoe tip)

If you are a newbie on pointe (like me!) than chances are you probably wear some sort of padding (if not you are one tough cookie :)

In the past lambswool was one of the main forms of pointe shoe padding but now-a-days products like Ouch Pouches by Bunheads seem to be increasingly popular. I myself wear ouch pouches. Practically every dancer en pointe at my dance school wears them. They are durable, small enough to fit inside a pointe shoe bag and easy to find in stores. However I have noticed that over time Ouch Pouches don't seem to serve there purpose as well as they did when they were brand new. They provide less comfort for your toes. One solution to this problem that I have found is to turn your Ouch Pouches inside out. It really does work! A fellow dancer of mine also does this and it has worked for her as well. I turn my Ouch Pouches inside out ever other week and they feel new again.

Bunheads' Ouch Pouch

Another thing: don't leave your padding in your pointe shoe when you're not dancing. I have been told this various times by pointe shoe fitters, dance store owners and my very own teacher. Sweat collects in your padding and leaving them inside pointe shoes can damage them which you don't want to happen. Instead, after dancing take off your pointe shoes, take out your padding and leave it inside of your pointe shoe supplies bag (if you have one) next to your pointe shoes. Then leave the entire bag hanging on your bedroom door handle for awhile to give it time to air out.

BLOCH pointe shoe bag

Have  a dance-tastic weekend,

Caitie