13 days.

Thirteen days. That’s how long I have before my exams are completely over.  I am at that fun point where they’re just a few days away and I feel ill-prepared and overwhelmed.  I always feel this way about now, but somehow always come out of it ok. From now until then, just about every free moment is (or should be) devoted to exam preparation.  Unfortunately, such a shift in priorities wreaks havoc on the state of my apartment and wardrobe. Big mess, no clean clothes – ugh. I actually went out and bought a couple towels the other day since I had none clean. How bad is that?! I entertained the possibility of getting a Groupon for discounted cleaning services a few weeks ago, but in the end I did not get it, and I wish I had.

On the bright side, from May 5 until August 19, I am off school except for one week in July for a one-credit hour evening class.  I have taken summer classes in the past as well as committed to other school-related activities, so with nothing but my full-time job going on this summer, this will be the most free time that I have had since summer 2008.

One of the most significant tasks on my summer sanity retrieval to-do list is a whole lot of working out. I used to workout quite diligently, but since school started a little over 3 years ago, it has been a stop-and-go sort of thing at best.  I have stayed somewhat thin, but I miss being in shape like I used to be.  Today I was looking at the website of Mary Helen Bowers, the former ballerina who trained Natalie Portman in the Black Swan.  I came across this photo and it made me REALLY miss being in shape and being able to work out regularly:

Source: www.balletbeautiful.com

Isn’t she so pretty?  Ballet dancers are so athletic.  Sorry for the boring post!  As of late my thoughts consist of school stress comingled with daydreams and little or no creative juices are present. I always enjoy running and dance, and my friend Sarah and I are going to try out hot yoga as well as take up bicycling. I would also like to try pilates reformer at some point. Whatever I end up doing, I cannot WAIT for summer break!

BALLET-INSPIRED FASHION: BALLET NECK TOPS & WRAP SWEATERS

I think I enjoyed my ballet warm-ups as much as if not more than my ballet costumes. I had so many cozy knit sweaters and tops that I would wear to ballet class.  Ballet warm-ups are meant to accentuate the shape so it’s only natural that the style of collar bone-baring boat neck tops and waist-accentuating wrap sweaters would become popular in mainstream fashion. I have a wrap sweater I got from H&M in 2003.  I held tight to my wrap sweater addiction even through the past few years where they, for a time, were nowhere to be found.  No other sweater style is as flattering!  I am happy to see that they have returned.

~ Ballet Practice Styles ~

Bloch V-Neck Sweater

Mirella Warm-Up Jump Suit

~ For Everyday ~

Banana Republic Ballet neck sweater

J. Crew Wrap Sweater

Free People We the People Solid Puff Sleeve Long Sleeve Tee

Jessica Simpson Women’s Gabriel 3/4 Sleeve Boat Neck Top

Victoria’s Secret Soft-spun Buckle-wrap

Nieman Marcus Tie-Waist Wrap Sweater

BCBGMAXAZRIA Wrap Sweater

 

All Saints Stripe Manila Pirate Cardigan

BALLET-INSPIRED FASHION: LEG WARMERS

Leg warmers are so practical if you want versatility in your wardrobe, that I do not know why they have not been more popular.  Dancers use these during practice, particularly during warm-ups, to – you guessed it – keep their legs warm.  Tights can only do so much.  Leg warmers can come in knee-high length or thigh-high, and can be worn pulled up cleanly or scrunched down.  They can be worn to the ankle, or sometimes pulled down past the heel to keep the feet warmer as well.

In fashion, they styles are equally as varied.  I love leg warmers because like tights, they allow you to get a bit more use out of your warm weather clothing in the fall and winter months, and also, they can serve as a good accessory to add texture and variation to an outfit.  I love wearing leg warmers underneath boots, with the tops of the warmers extending beyond the boots.  Not only is this a conveniently warm extra layer, but it adds texture and color as well.  I also love that it’s in style to wear them over pumps. From a distance they might look like knee- or thigh hight boots, and you can get more mileage out of your less cold weather-friendly shoes that way.

Alexander Wang.  Photos: www.style.com

Michael Kors. Photos: www.style.com

Qi Willow Cashmere Leg Warmers

By Malene Birger Leg Warmers

Juicy Couture Sequin Leg Warmers

ASOS Cable Soft Handle Mix Leg Warmers

Rag & Bone Shoreditch Leg Warmers

IS IT SPRING YET??

I started out this day with an adult intermediate ballet class at the local ballet company with my friend Kim ~ she talked me into it! It was rough! I have not had a ballet class for 7 years, and have not had a really “serious” one for 11.  This one was not particularly tough but I certainly struggled.  I will be heading back next week!

We have had so much snow and super cold temperatures this fall and winter that it is hard for me to believe it isn’t even February yet.  We have like 8 more weeks of winter. Are you kidding me?! Oh well – soon enough I guess. Time for homework. Have a good weekend!!

Distressed Denim by James Jeans
Platforms by Prada

BALLET-INSPIRED FASHION: TULLE

Tulle netting has been used in ballet costumes for centuries.  It is light and flexible and most commonly used in “romantic tutus” (the longer, skirt-like tutus), and “classical tutus” – the short, stiff tutus which were created when ballet steps became faster and more intricate – necessitating a skirt that minimized obstruction. Way back in 1998 when Sex and the City first hit the air, Carrie Bradshaw walking down the street in the tulle skirt and tank top seemed so outlandish – these days that style seems a bit more mainstream than it did then.  Now that the weather is chilly I see it less, but in the entertainment district in which I live, it was not uncommon all summer to see lots of girls in the same, albeit toned-down version of this tank top/tulle skirt combination.

I like the layers in this BCBGMAXAZRIA Tulle Tutu Skirt:

This Haute Hippie Silk Tulle Ballerina Mini Skirt is similar but a bit simpler and cleaner looking:

With its sweetheart neckline and silk bodice, this Kara Janx Presley Strapless Tutu Dress very much reminds me of some of my old ballet costumes ~

This Foley + Corinna Star Tulle Dress uses the same tulle fabric, but it is a bit of a departure from the more directly-ballet-inspired pieces above.

This Pierre Darre tank top is a light and pretty variation – I think it would look great with some boyfriend jeans and a not-so-flashy blazer!

BALLET-INSPIRED FASHION: THE BALLET FLAT

I danced from the age of 3 to the age of 23, and I miss it dearly. When I was little, “Star Search” and “Dirty Dancing” were about all the coverage the art recieved. In recent years I have been happy to see it recieve more coverage in movies like “Step it Up” and TV shows like “So You Think You Can Dance.” However, ballet still receieves far too little recognition in modern days. I learned tap, jazz, hip hop, and ballet, and ballet was always my favorite. The technique is far beyond even the most difficult hip hop or rumba or flamenco routine you might find on So You Think You Can Dance- which is why you will never find it on that show being attempted even by extremely talented professinal dancers of other styles. It can really only be done well with years of intense training specifically geared to ballet. It has been around for centuries and is so sensual and beautiful. Some may find it incredibly stuffy or boring, but I cannot get enough of the artistry, athleticism, and beauty of ballet.

I always love when fashion adopts certain ballet styles as everyday fashion. Right now I am especially thrilled because it seems like just about every element of my old ballet practice ensemble has some place in mainstream, modern style. I would like to share some of these over the next few weeks. I’ll start with an obvious one: ballet flats.

Ballet flats are so simple, practical, and commonplace right now it’s tough to imagine that just 5 years ago they were seldom worn by anyone. Here are some of my favorites that I either own or would like to get my hands on:

I love these Chloé Buckle Ballet Flats. These are more structured and fit for a polished work outfit.

Gap often comes out with styles I don’t understand, but on occasion they have some wildly genius and widely popular item that everyone wants. They definitely pulled it off with the Gap City Flat. It’s affordable and comes in 21 different colors, several textures including metallic, patent leather and velvet, and comes with a cute handy storage bag. These also have the split sole that you can find on many ballet slippers. I cannot say it does much for support, but it sure does make them comfortable!

Speaking of comfort and support, one of my favorite pairs of shoes I have is the Puma Arayla flat. Is it a gym shoe? Is it a flat? Wait! It’s both! I wouldn’t try to go jogging in these, but they are super comfortable and I get tons of compliments on them. In fact, I found them in the sneaker section of Piperlime believe it or not. I love these because some days I want to wear a tshirt and north face or other sporty-type jacket, and these are a much cuter but still “fitting” style of shoe to go with that getup.

Speaking of affordable, another of of my favorites is the “American Eagle” brand (not the junior’s store you’re thinking of!) Delilah flat from Payless. I wear a 7.5, but the 7 in these was too large, so I got the 6.5 It cut into my heel a bit the first day or so, but now they are one of my most comfortable pairs of shoes. I have them in black and the grey pair is in the mail 🙂

I cannot get enough of the Vera Wang lavender collection in general, so I had to include a pair of flats from it. This entire line has a romantic feel that reminds me of my old ballet costumes. My favorite is the Vera Wang Lavender Label “Luna” Jeweled Ballet Flat. I love the look of it (like a fish or a bird, I am a sucker for shiny objects), though I have not tried one on and I am having trouble picturing what a peep toe would look like on a ballet flat.

And finally, I have also noticed some shoes go a step further by mimicking not ballet slippers, but the box-toed shape of pointe shoes – like these Kate Spade Flash flats.