Bar Carts!

I'm officially obsessed with Bar Carts. The only debate is whether to eventually purchase a ready-to-go, got-all-the-fixings, serve-it-up, bar cart... or to start a DIY project and create something that's made for us.

I love how the carts below are perfectly styled for their environment and really show the design style of the homeowner. I bought Chris a beautiful decanter for an anniversary gift a while back and we have yet to fill it with anything. Now mark my words, one day we will have a beautifully styled bar cart like one pictured below, anniversary decanter and all!

Some of my favorite bar cart stylings include:

-Fresh flowers or potted plant

-Sparkling water and tonic/soda in glass bottles.

-Cocktail recipe books

-Fresh fruit ready for garnishing 

Artist's Pledge

Every once and a while I get myself into a funk. I forget why I chose the career of an artist, and I get upset when i'm not working constantly, when I make a mistake in rehearsals, and when I feel uninspired. The truth is, this happens to everyone working in the arts and I KNOW I am not alone. 

Today I spent some time online looking for some inspiration and motivation to do something creative with my free time, whether it be dance related or not. I was lucky enough to stumble upon this wonderful artist's pledge and it really lifted my spirits. I can't tell you who wrote it but if you know, please pass along the info. 

It's exactly what I needed to read and I hope you find something wonderful in these words as well. 

I hereby do solemnly swear,

To approach each day with curiosity

To pay attention to the world around me,

To be brave and courageous,

Silly and embarrassed,

Thoughtful and enthusiastic.

I vow to take chances and to stretch my limits

In the knowledge that there are

No mistakes,

Just bad follow-through's

I acknowledge the need to abandon my ego

In the service of art

And in the spirit of ensemble

And generosity.

To better understand the nature of my materials,

I promise to experiment

With light, line, sound, gravity, language

And bit ideas.

I promise to think, feel, move, breath,

Experience and understand.

I vow to dream,to imagine, and to enact

I vow to treat myself and every other

Inhabitant of earth,

With compassion, kindness, and respect.

I vow to live fully every moment I am alive,

And to put something beautiful in the world

That wasn't there before

In order that I may help to put a grin

On the face of the future.

Artists that inspire me. Who inspires you?

Bobby McFerrin

Gene Kelly

Sylvie Guillem

The Perfect Winter

I don't know about your hometown, but this LA weather has been super bizarre. One day it's freezing and all the clouds are black, then the next day it's beautiful outside, 80 degrees, and sunny. Can you say global warming? Anyway....

Chris and I are so excited about winter that we've already broken out the wool socks, beanies, fleece blankets, and candles. We've also already started to plan our trip to Park City with my sister and her boyfriend to visit my Aunt and Uncle for the Sundance Film Festival in January!

Due to my excitement, I'm going to ignore the perfectly sunny day outside, take advantage of my day off, pour another cup of tea, and show you a few things we love about winter!

Tea! A few of my favorites are PG Tips, English Breakfast, Green, and Peppermint! 

Dates by the fireplace! Chris is a picnic pro, inside or out of the house. I can always count on him to prepare a delicious snack for fireplace hang times.

Candles! You can never have too many candles. The best thing about winter candles are the amazing seasonal scents. My favorites: pumpkin, cinnamon, and spiced apple!

Cozy Socks! Well, all winter clothing will do.

As you may have read in other posts, this year has been filled with many firsts for us. This winter we'll be able to add so many more to the list!

- Chris's first Thanksgiving in the US

- Chris's first winter Christmas

- Our first Christmas together

- His first time seeing me perform in a ballet

xx D

Our dream home

What a jam packed year this has been so far. I can barely believe it's already November! 

Chris and I have made so many life changes in such a short amount of time, but there is still one more page in this chapter we have yet to turn. Buying a house. 

Like every young couple, we have our own ideas of a perfect home. One filled with beautiful wood floors, the amazing smell of Chris's cooking, and all the little nicknacks we've collected throughout  our lives together. Not to mention being able to find a special home for each and every one of our wedding gifts (which are currently taunting us from their Tetris stacked nooks in our bedroom).

For the most part, Chris and I have similar taste in homes...wood floors, space to garden, eclectic furnishings, splashes of color, and clean spaces. Thanks to Pinterest i've been able to compile all the wonderful ideas the internet has given me for decorating and organizing, so when the time comes for us to finally move into a place we can call our own, you can be sure i'll be ready! 

A few tips for decorating:

- Take pictures of store displays (my favorite's are Anthropology and Crate and Barrel)

- Neutral. Start with simple furnishings and neutral colors. When you're ready for an upgrade, you can always refinish your wood furniture or add another color to your walls!

- Personalize. Decorating your home is like dressing yourself in the morning. If you put on a super out there jacket from Urban Outfitters, it's going to be obvious when you see someone wearing the same thing. How can you have a personalized feature piece of art if you bought it from Target.. just saying. I mean, I would much rather see a DIY piece of art than an imitation Andy Warhol than everyone and their mother has. :)

And with that, I leave you! 

xx D

Nutcracker season

That time of year has come again! Time to sew point shoes, break out the legwarmers, and pack a few extra tea bags in my dance bag. That's right! Nutcracker!

Nutcracker season was always my favorite part of the year when I was young and dancing at Pasadena Dance Theatre. It's been a few years since I've participated in this magical ballet and although I thought I wouldn't be performing in this show again, I'm more than ecstatic to be back!

The only problem is that I knew what I was getting into...but my feet didn't. Ouch!

Here are a few things that have really helped me get back into the magic of nutcracker rehearsals, including a few new tricks and suggestions I picked up from other dancers!

1) Capezio pro ballet flats. Dancewear companies are always coming out with new crazy looking ballet flats but these puppies have never failed me. Every once and a while i'll switch to leather, for the longevity.

2) Apples, and lots of 'em. I used to never be able to finish a whole apple myself but I think it's safe to say that since this is one of my hubby's favorite fruits, i've been eating more of them.

3) Freed pointe shoes. I've tried so many pointe shoes and have had a lot of difficulty finding ones with a long enough box to fit my low arched feet. My last pair were Bloc Alpha (3/4 shank) but I have high hopes for my new Freeds.

4) Green Tea. You can never have enough green tea. It's great hot or cold and can you say antioxidants?!

5) Body wrapper full body tight. I love these tights for a couple of reasons. First of all, I throw away the removable straps right away. Because of all the extra fabric, these tights are super comfortable to wear folded over your hips, and you aren't left with any rolls due to tight elastic. 

6) Sour Patch Kids. I would be happy with reeses, yogurt covered pretzels, or snickers (to name a few) but sometimes I just need a delicious boost of processed sugary goodness!

7) Sippy cup! (or at least that's what my husband calls it). These wonderful inventions keep my iced drinks cold and the inside doesn't stain when I put tea bags in it.

8) Almonds. The 3 Ps... perfect protein portion. The perfect snack to much on between rehearsals.

9) Epsom Salts! Unfortunately I don't have a bath at home but I'll use a plastic washing tub and fill it with 1/2 C salt and warm water to soak my feet. 

10) My favorite leotards, mostly Yumiko and Class In. 

11) Oder eaters/ disinfectant shoe spray. Enough said.

To keep up-to-date on Nutcracker rehearsals at Pasadena Dance Theatre, be sure to follow us on Instagram here!

@deannaannaed

@pasadenadancetheatre

Tickets for the Nutcracker are on sale now at pasadenadance.org

xx D