Ballet News: Cupcakes & Conversation

I came upon Ballet News via Facebook and fellow dancer friends; I'm so glad I did, because in the past few months I've found some of the most interesting videos, interviews, beautiful photography and artwork, and just general fantastic ballet news! One of my favorite features of the Ballet News website is their 'Cupcakes & Conversation'.  Umm cupcake...?  You've got me. Pair it with interviews from dancers with companies around the globe (corps de ballet to principal... another feature I love), and you've got the perfect mix of goodies!  Take a look at these beauties below!  I'm sure I'll be blogging about Ballet News much more in the near future and I encourage you to check out the link here.  Enjoy!

Primrose Bakery - photo from Ballet News

International Princess Project: Pajamas for a Cause

A few weeks ago I blogged about the game Pretty Pretty Princess, and I often do blog about how my students love to be princesses and the Ballerina Birthdays I do can be centered around much loved fairy-tale princesses that little ones can't get enough of; princesses have universal appeal.  (I mean, who doesn't love Kate Middleton)?  Not long after my Pretty Pretty Princess post I came across he International Princess Project on Hello Giggles.  Hello Giggles is a favorite site of mine (I've garnered a few DIY crafty projects from them in the past, click here to check it out), it's witty, girly and full of beautiful things, like The Princess Project.

International Princess Project is a non-profit that works to encourage empowerment of women formerly enslaved as prostitutes.  The women who are able to escape this horrible life have a hard time finding work or family members and the route to reinstating themselves into society can be a rough one.  International Princess Project helps these women to become self-reliant, teaching them marketable skills and giving them tools to support themselves.

That's where the pajama part comes in: Punjammies provide savings accounts, fair-trade wages, and recovery care for the exceptional women who made them.  I thought this was such a wonderful project I wanted to share it with you.  I feel so lucky to be able to teach little girls how to be and feel graceful, special and powerful - all the qualities we think a 'princess' would have.  

For those other little girls and women whose reality is something quite bleak in comparison to what most of us know, and who don't have those people, such as teachers, or an outlet or culture in their life that supports and cultivates those 'princess' qualities, this is a wonderful way to give some hope to the women who are striving to find those qualities in themselves and in their lives again.  Please visit the Hello Giggles site here, and the page of the International Princess Project here.

Tiara Flower Crowns

In anticipation of an upcoming Ballerina Birthday party next month, I'm practicing making and experimenting with crowns - the craft requested by the ballerina birthday girl.  These are delicate and girly versions, they remind me of the first buds of the spring season.  I also love the ribbons streaming down the back, something so ethereal and fairy-like about these flower crowns.  I remember my mom making me some of these from real flowers, now that takes delicate handiwork!  I don't think the real thing will survive for a Ballerina Birthday, amongst the excitement of little fingers, but I'll continue to experiment and share ideas and inspirations and would love to hear your comments and feedback!

Pretty Pretty Princess

You know how sometimes out of nowhere seeing something or someone will trigger a long forgotten memory and a wave of nostalgia and memories come rushing your way?  I had one of those moments yesterday when a brief conversation with an old time family friend reminded me of family gatherings of long ago.  Summer and fall days spent in a cabin surrounded by trees, creeks and wonderful California nature, bunkbeds, my mom's home cooking, and board games to pass the rainy days with.

I realize that nowadays board games are something of an antique.  Wii's and Playstations are more de rigueur, but there's something about gathering friends and family around a board game that that just brings a smile to my face.  One such game that I have fond memories of is Pretty Pretty Princess.  I have to say that I was quite the pretty pretty princess in my day, so this game was right up my alley.  The simple rules allow players to move ahead spaces and take necklaces, rings and eventually (if you're lucky) a crown to advance on your journey and win the game.  This old school video sums it up pretty perfectly (enjoy the throwback to the early 90's TV ads)...

After doing a bit of research, it looks like Hasbro has updated the look of the game (here's the link on Amazon), which I think is fantastic, considering it's a perfect game for all aspiring princesses, ballerinas, fairies, etc... In fact, I might just get myself a new game and put it in my arsenal of games to play during Ballerina Birthdays!  (Just in case you're wondering Pin the Tutu on the Ballerina is another personal favorite).

Ballerina Tea

Well with Valentine's Day over and March around the corner, I'm itching for spring.  The Bay Area hills have started to turn green and I see buds persistently trying to poke out, the signs of spring are beginning and I love it!  I have a few spring Ballerina Birthday parties coming up which I'm really looking forward to, and in anticipation and celebration of spring I've been searching for inspirations and fun new ideas.  I suppose tea isn't a specifically spring thing, but it does conjure images for me of lounging outside among green grass, flowers and roses with something to sip and enjoying the sunshine after a cold winter.  I've always been a fan of tea: iced, hot, pots of, and parties!  I remember my mom teaching me about English tea traditions, reading about the history of tea, and visiting several beautiful tea houses with her.  (Camilla Tea Room in Benicia has always been one of our favorites).  Although I don't think of tea as a specifically girly thing, tea parties do bring to mind visions of small tea cups and saucers, mini sandwiches and scones, and little girls giggling over petite treats.

I found the blog 'Stylish Children's Parties' and a submission by Melissa on a beautifully done ballerina tea party.  It looks like the epitome of imagination, fun and little girl delight.  I suggest you check out the blog here, and I've included some of the beautiful photos as well.  This party definitely provides some wonderful inspiration; now in addition to itching for spring to come I'm itching for a ballerina tea party!

Valentines Pas de Deux

Happy [belated] Valentine's Day!  Thought I'd share this beautiful pas de deux by the Joffrey Ballet.  (Remember from the ballet vocab post what pas de deux means?!  It's ok if not, you can refresh your memory here).  Happy Friday and enjoy!

Ballerina Valentines

Happy (almost) Valentine's Day!  Or, as my students like to call it 'Valentime's Day', which when you think about it, is appropriate and logical... it's time for Valentine's, hence... Valentime's.  : )  The cute packaged Valentine cards are all on the shelves, along with themed stickers, singing cards, and conversation hearts, and all these are fun, but I do like a little bit of a personal and homemade touch, so I was inspired this week to make a few DIY Valentines for a few of my students.  I had some leftover scrapbook paper from my New Year's Resolution craft (click here for the link to that post), and I wouldn't be much of a ballet teacher if I didn't have ballerina stickers on hand, so armed with those items and a bit of creativity I made these two ballerina valentines.  They were super simple to make and I think they turned out pretty cute!  So if you're looking for some inspiration and/or something new and fun to do for the upcoming V-day, rummage around in your craft supplies (or just pop over to Target or Rite Aid) and you'll have some sweet notes in no time that any ballerina (aspiring, former, or enthusiast) would be head over heels to receive.  Happy Hearts Day!