Grand Jeté

The days are getting longer and our evenings are being stretched by the spring sun. There is nothing more gratifying to me then driving into the long shadows in the late afternoon. While I begrudgingly welcome warmer weather and sun I am still trying to get the last of fall/winter wear wardrobe kicks on. In fact I have a pair of short booties on their way to me from a gilt sale (which honestly I can wear at night here to go out etc) AND I recently bought some awesome boots I've lusted after for the last 6 years. A "destiny item" I will get to on a later blog post. Hopefully rainy days are on the horizon.


At a young age I accompanied my best friend to a Christmas performance of the nutcracker. Upon arriving back home I announced I wanted to be a ballet dancer. My parents being the wonderful supportive parents they are promptly enrolled me in a local ballet studio. I was 2. From that point on I danced ballet (and jazz and character etc) on average 5-6 days a week just about year round until I about 15.  By then I was jaded by the idea that I would never be a professional ballerina, angry at the constant time constraints and the way the ballet culture seeps into your life and being. Couple that with normal [hormonal] teenage angst and being unable be involved in other activities such as musicals, dances etc. I quit.... not before head butting more then once with the strong matriarchal Dutch director of the ballet co. but I threw in the shoes...and leotard and tights and never really looked back.

There are few things that to this day match up to the experience and emotions I felt when I was a dancer; like losing yourself while dancing only to look up bewildered once your focus somehow gets brought back down to earth and you realize you've either gone through the motions automatically- mind wandering or the graceful image of yourself in the mirror is now in sharp relief. I loved the excited feeling standing fully costumed with garish "so it can be seen" makeup backstage, lights dimmed with the orchestra at your feet. The blood, blisters and body aches and dancing in constant fear from one teacher who ruled with a booming french voice and an even bigger staff. He would pound out the count on the floor in, only to pound it even harder if someone messed up, absolutely mortifying if it happened to be you as he berated you in French and English. and oh the look. The leotards (black) and soft chiffon skirts tied over tights, pink ballet shoes with satin ribbons. Lean lithe bodies with hair pulled into a tight bun. God forbid you cut your hair to short to pull back. I now relish those years I devoted myself to dance.

So it was rather fitting when one of the dear girls on fashionism pointed out this dress looked like a ballet outfit. I bought it at H&M because lately I've been attracted to mauve, gray, cream and soft pink and upon seeing this dress and the pretty pleats had me doing a return trip to the Beverly Center to purchase. I originally wanted to wear it with mint but I loved how after adding a silk sash, tights and a throw on cardigan I did indeed feel a bit ballerina-ish. Just an ish though.

The neckline is incredible drapey and I think im on the cusp of boob size who can wear this (more then once I looked down horrified to see boobs and bra) The material is polyester but doesnt feel or breathe like it. very good buy for like 30 bucks. I dont know though how I will..if I will wear it in the summer. It is a bit short and sheer that only works in my eyes over tights and with layers. It came I believe in pale pink, sand or a matte champagne color and this muave.

~ pale Grey chiffon dress: H&M

~ long cream cardigan: Urban Outfitters kimchi and blue house brand

~ heels: Dolce Vita " Maiya" pumps. find them here and on sale!

~ AC City tote in glazed black. Worn here as well

~ hue tights