Breaking Pointe: Would you rather not know what goes on?

I adore behind the scenes photos of dancers way more than stage or studio photos; 

it's raw and uninhibited yet still incredibly graceful. 

So when I heard about CW's new series, Breaking Pointe, 

a show about the backstage life of dancers from Ballet West, I thought: 

"Perfect! Now everyone can see how crazy this world is!"

Then I thought, "Oh dear. Maybe the world doesn't want to see it."

After all, dancers pride ourselves on making even the most difficult moves look effortless.

How would the world react if they knew the pain that went in to making the magic they saw on stage?

Either way, I thought I'd share a few photos from Breaking Pointe's website on the CW.

Then maybe you can decide for yourself.

All photos by Erik Ostling.

Love her stance, you know there's drama brewing. Or they're just talking about Bunheads, which airs in June.
PS... standing like that is a big no no because the oils of your hands ruin the tutus.

Okay, taping toes might not be the most graceful thing, but I swear half a dancer's life is putting tape on your feet.

Breaking Pointe aired last night on the CW.

Did you watch it?

How do you feel about behind the scenes footage?

Would you rather not know and just enjoy the beauty that is on stage?

I have a long association with Ballet West as my former ballet teacher danced there.

Pretty sure the Nutcracker costumes I wore growing up were old Ballet West throwaways.

Summer Breakfasts

Summertime calls for special summer breakfasts, don't you think?

Gourmet eggs, apple sausage, and crispy baked potatoes with a side of fruit is perfect before a day of surfing, beach lounging, kite flying and all the fun activities found in a J. Crew ad.

While in Monterey, my sister in law made the most delicious breakfast that was so pretty I couldn't resist taking a few photos.

Some of the food cooking on their gas stove.
She put fresh herbs, red roasted potatoes, cheese, and a dash of onions in those eggs.

She got those potatoes so crispy!

Fresh fruit. Typically not a fan but the raspberries were so sweet they tasted like candy!

What's your ideal summer breakfast?

Side note:

After coming back from our trip,

I ate a cookie for breakfast the next day.

Then a rice krispy treat for lunch.

And then a handful of gummy worms for dinner.

The studio was out of snacks and it was a loooong day.

Uncommon Bracelets: Bike Chains and Guitar Strings

I like my jewelry simple but interesting.

Everything I wear has a story behind it and makes for good conversation at parties.

Celtic knots from Scotland, cancer bracelets from friends, and wedding rings from, you know, my wedding.

That why I got real excited when I found these bracelets over at Uncommon Goods.

I've seen guitar string bracelets and I love them, but bicycle chain bracelets?

As a bike riding lover, I my heart beat faster just thinking about wearing such a fun piece of jewelry.

I love the quirkiness of both bracelets and I love how they express two of my loves:

Biking and music.

Bonus points for the bike bracelet:

It's only ten dollars and it's easy to clasp on and off

(a must for a clumsy person like me).

 What kind of jewelry suits your fancy?

 Uncommon Goods has a ton of other cute jewelry like this, 

including a zodiac bracelet with your star alignment engraved in it.

For real, their name says it all, although I think they should change it to:

"The most random but fun things you'll ever find on the internet."

Just sayin.

Dancing on the Rocks

Did you all have a good weekend?

I just came back from Monterey with sand in my toes, salt in my hair, and a smoked mozzarella and prosciutto pizza in my belly. 

It was too cold to swim (sad), but the rocks were just perfect for climbing, dancing, and trying to figure out how to get back down again in flip flops.

I always forget that part when I'm being adventurous.


Also, remember when I said I wanted to one day live on the beach?
We saw a house for sale while walking around Carmel. 
How much?
Just short of 7 million.
I, um, am thinking we'll be looking at another beach.

ps... thanks for all your comments on Friday's post.

My anxiety level is just beginning to calm down a little.

I have good news. No, I have great news. And I need your help.

Photo by Susan Yee of En Pointe Photography

I've actually known this for a few months now, but for some reason I've been lagging sharing the word despite my excitement. Has that ever happened to you? You are so excited about something that your mind goes numb? And then there's this need to express the news perfectly because it means more to you than posts about bacon or cheesecake. 

Yes, news is bigger than bacon or cheesecake- this is big time stuff.

In July I'll be speaking at Dance/USA's 2012 Conference. Lauren Warnecke of Art Intercepts asked me to speak as part of a forum she's heading up about blogging and writing in the dance world.   Some of the most successful dance writers, editors, bloggers, etc. in the U.S. will be part of this forum and I am doubly excited, triply humbled, and quadruply  scared out of my mind that I'm going to say something incredibly stupid. 

For instance, when she asked for my bio for the website, I forgot to include that I was a blogger. 

Rule number one: 

If you're going to talk about your blog, you should probably remember you have one.

And this is where I need your help:

Since the professional world is going to be listening to my thoughts about blogging, I feel like I should spruce up the blog layout a bit. I want to say thank you to all who have offered, I'm sorry I haven't taken up the offer, and I do love you; it's just that the thought of changing the format and look of this blog is overwhelming.

Where do I begin? What information do I need? What questions should I ask the blog designer? 

So I ask you: 

What tips would you give someone who is redesigning their blog?

You can see my bio and photo on Dance/USA's page.

They, thankfully, added my blog to it. Whew!

First Bike Ride Memory

Photo by Slice of Pink

Recently, I came across the spot where I learned how to ride my bike.

The unexpected encountered happened as I was riding with a little three year old who,
crazily enough, already rides a two wheeler no problem.
As we pushed through the winding paths and felt the breeze off the thicket of trees,
a feeling of nostalgia whipped through my body and I slowed down a little.

The memories came flooding back..

...my dad running behind me
...realizing he had let go
...the fear setting in
...the fall into the ivy leaves
...streamers on my bike floating in the wind
...my chubby body lying in shock
...trying again.

Do you remember learning how to ride?

Who taught you?

Did you fall right away or were you a first-time pro?

Summer Love: Ice Cream Socials

When's the last time you went to an ice cream social?

After last weekend, I'm in the belief that adults don't get enough of them.

Mr. Branflake loves ice cream 

(he eats it for breakfast without blinking an eye) 

so I threw him an ice cream sundae party as part of his graduation celebrations.

I'll be honest, out of all the dinner parties I've planned, this one was the most fun.

Ice Cream + Foods on a Stick + Dining Al Fresco = 

Happy, Smiling Guests

Some of the toppings included: toasted coconut, sprinkles, heath bar crunch, mini Reese's PB cups, peanuts, strawberry syrup, caramel sauce, brownies, fudge, and marshmallows.

I saw donut hole kabobs on Val So Cal and fell in love.

I'm definitely repeating this for our 4th of July party.

 I bought tons of popcorn and let guests have their own popcorn bags. They loved it!

On the right: ham and cheese crescent rolls seen here.

Bruschetta 

Caprese Salad on a Stick

 My personal favorite: salami and smoked mozzarella cheese sliders with basil mayonnaise. 

This is just the beginning:

I'm convinced that a party is not a party without a sundae bar.

How about you?

What makes an awesome ice cream social?