Camp Ballet: Mr. B's Ballerinas

It's one of those things that is simultaneously intriguing, inspiring and terror inducing:  George Balanchine's legacy.  

I think that Balanchine is far and away the choreographer that I personally like the most.  I love both viewing and dancing his works.  I love the Balanchine style, but alas, I was never going to be a Balanchine dancer.  I was never going to be accepted into the School of American Ballet.  And while his choreography suited me quite well, and my training was primarily Balanchine based, I would never be a NYCB dancer because I knew from a very young age that I did not possess the "Balanchine Body." 

But what can you do, eh?  Nevertheless, Balanchine is like one of Ballet's Biblical characters; a Messiah of Dance if you will.  People are always quoting him, questioning him and struggling to wrap their heads around his genius.  He gave so much to dance and he was such a complicated person.  He was so influential and such an enigma.  Understanding Balanchine, the person, is like trying to understand Shakespeare-- a lot has been embellished and remains a bit of a mystery.  

But that's why I want to see this film.  It looks incredible and it tells the story of Mr. B through the interviews of his ballerinas, most of who were also his artistic muses and his wives.  Really intriguing stuff!

Carla & Leo's World Of Dance!

 

 Last week, I was invited to attend a book launch party for the new children’s book, Carla and Leo’s World of Dance  (please excuse my crummy iphone photos!)  Penned by model and former dancer Agatha Relota,  the book tells the story of two friends learning different forms of social and ballroom dances thanks to the instruction of Miss Penelope.  The book’s forward is written by actress Jessica Alba, and as such, the launch party received plenty of media exposure.  The event was decked out with proper Hollywood glitz, PR people and EXTRA, and was held amongst some of the rarest first edition books in Los Angeles.  Dragon Books houses floor to ceiling shelves of antique and priceless books.  Just getting to browse around these literary treasures made the trip up Beverly Glen Canyon worth the effort, if the wine and balloon artist wasn’t enough.

 But of course the real star of the evening was the book itself.   Carla and Leo’s World of Dance aims to educate children about traditional partnering and ballroom dances without giving it the stuffy quality it’s usually veiled in.  The book explores different cultures, different movements, music, geography and friendship. And each of the 111 pages are beautifully illustrated by famed fashion illustrator Thierry Perez.  Using both sketched watercolors and photographs in a gorgeous melange of color, artistry and style, the look of this book is somewhat stunning and truly unique.  

the boy in the stacks

While its somewhat simplistic depictions of many of the dances aren't quite sufficient to really give kids a strong comprehension of the dances, the book does succeed of imbuing youthful enthusiasm to the foxtrot and the Viennese waltz, which I think is simply fabulous.  Soft spoken author, Relota, shared her passion for dance with me and explained that through this book she wanted to show kids how fun and exciting traditional social dances can be.  If that's her goal, then I think Carla and Leo fit the bill.  It's fun, it's visually stimulating and I think kids will enjoy it.   

me with my gift bag!

And as one final perk, a portion of the sales proceeds are going towards an organization called Dancing Classrooms.  It sounds to me like they do what Antonio Banderes does in the film about the at-risk, inner-city teenagers, but this company is, well real and they teach social dances to 5th graders rather than teens.  I spoke for a while with their west coast director and her enthusiasm for the cause was inspiring.  Dancing Classrooms' results show that the dance classes they've brought into these elementary schools catalyze a shift for the better in the students grades, behavior and physical and social well being.  It provides a fun, stimulating challenge for the kids that seems to be unique to dance.  All in all, it's definitely a cause worth dancing over!   

movies please, pass the popcorn!

Right On Target

When I was in college, I spent my summers working as a camp counselor for a family camp called Bruin Woods.  It was an upscale woodsy resort for UCLA alumni and their families.  All the staff were current UCLA students you see, and it was a bit like Dirty Dancing....I was part of the entertainment team, teaching morning fitness classes and dance classes and performing in the weekly shows.  But I also taught Archery.  

While it was never my goal to get my archery certification and teach 7 year old how to use a weapon, somehow I got placed in this position two years in a row.  I kinda hated it, but I made the best of it and actually had a lot of fun with it in the end.  So I'm loving this current arrow trend that's happening right now on Etsy.  In a funny way, arrows and archery hold a very special place in m y heart.  Here are a  few of my current loves....

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thinking of getting this to hang at work ;) source

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Play-Tone Times

I was watching That Thing You Do the other night and I was reminded not only how much I like that film, but also how fabulous it's production design and costuming is, especially in regards to Liv Tyler's adorable outfits.  I also like her cute 1960's hairdos.  So fab!  I think I may have to do a new Screen Style post a la The One-ders!  I'm also digging the retro play-tone label and the blue and lime color combo! 

Just to Piggy-Back on That....

Happy Friday!

I used to hate it when people would say that phrase, "just to piggy-back on that," yuck!  But anyway, the point is that I wanted to give y'all a bit more information on my July Sponsorship Swap.  I've gotten a few requests and I couldn't be more thrilled.  If you want to be a Lilac and Lace sponsor for July, send me your blog or shop button formatted to the size below. 

Email me at sugrplums (at) gmail dot com and I will give you all the other pertinent information.  I hope you join me for a fabulous bloggy month!

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The boy and I are going to see Don Quixote tonight performed by the Nacional Ballet de Cuba.  Man I am giddy!  Can't wait to share how it goes with you! 

Free Trade Sponsorship

Ok, so the whole sponsor thing seems to be a hot button topic of late.  Let me just start out by saying that I appreciate everything that my sponsorships have done for me.  I've sponsored a few blogs lately and I feel that it has only been a good thing.  I've gotten great exposure, the chance to write for some stellar blogs and I've made a few new blogging buddies as well.  However, a lot (not all, but a lot) of sponsorships have gotten kind of expensive and involved lately and in my case, I think it's time to take a break. 

But I still like the idea of supporting other bloggers, spreading the word about new (and old, but maybe unknown) blogs.  So here's my official call for a July Sponsor Button Trade.  

How does it work? Easy.  You sponsor me and I'll sponsor you.  I'll put your blog or shop button on my sidebar and you put my blog or shop button on yours.  You can participate in a monthly giveaway and you can do a guest post if you like.  I will do one post during the month introducing all my "sponsors," but all of this will be 100% totally and completely free.  Interested?  You should be, it's a steal!  

We'll see if anyone responds, but at the risk of sounding desperate and pathetic, I really hope you do!  I'd like to keep this blogging community a friendly, helpful and supportive one and what better way to do that then to sponsor one another?  If you agree email me.  Go on.  It can't hurt!  

xoxo ~Gidget

the things I wear on stage....

Are truly something else! 

If you are in the hollywood area come and see my show this Saturday!  It's filled with good tunes, good art and great dancers! 

Hope to see you there!  Kisses! ~ Gidget

More Showers (image heavy)

Snippets from my darling Cousin Kaitlyn's Bridal Shower....

 Happy Monday Loves!

~gidget

Fathers

My Dad and Me

Today the boy and I are celebrating Father's Day with my Dad.  It's so nice to be with him and celebrate this special day with him, especially in light of recent events.  Three days ago my grandmother passed away (my Dad's mom.)  It was her time and it was natural.  She passed from the comfort of her bed.  But even though I know it was her time to go, I still feel sad.  I still miss her.  Her husband (my grandpa) passed away this past November and I have been missing him ever since.  I know they're together now in a better place without all the pain and frustration that comes with old age.  But it's still hard to say goodbye.

But on this father's day, I'm also missing my Father-in-law, who passed unexpectedly earlier this year.  He was an exceptional person, friend and father and I think about him everyday.  It's hard to feel such loss and I'm still learning how to cope with it all--how to carry around the feelings of frustration and sadness that are fixed in my heart.  But I feel so fortunate to have the family I've been blessed with and to have married into a family that also feels so much like my very own.  I know how lucky I am and for that, I'm incredibly grateful. 

I love my Dad.  Dad's are great.  I know that one day the boy will be a wonderful dad---After all, he learned from the best!  I suppose that's all I can say on the matter....Hope you enjoy your Father's Day!

Dad, Popa and Eugene~  Here's to you! 

Summer of Love Journal Class Winner.....

Is Brooke!  Yay!  I'll be sure you get the download.  Thank you everyone for entering!

Warrior Princess Hair!

I'm sure many of you have seen this tutorial on how to curl your hair without the use of pins or rollers.  It's been floating around the blogisphere for some time now and I first caught a glimpse of it on one of my favorite sites No Model Lady.

I love having curled, voluminous hair, but my hair is naturally thin, stick straight and I'm really lazy in the mornings.  This technique looked like it would be a fool-proof, easy way to get kick-ass curls in the morning, and boy is it ever!  I gave it a try and now I am hooked!  It's the best thing ever.  The curling "updo" is comfortable enough to sleep in and cute enough to wear out (I went to work with my hair like this the other day!)

And then all you do is take out the headband the next morning and presto!  You've got curls! 

It's great when something so simple turns out to be something so great, don't ya think?

Fallen Behind

There has been a lot of really strange, unusual things going down in my life lately.  I've been sick, I've been anxious and I've been inundated with some sad news.  And well, these things have taken their toll.  If you were expecting a package from me, I am terribly sorry, but it's been delayed.  If you were expecting an email from me, I apologize, I will get back to you soon.   And if you were thinking you'd see some happy-go-lucky sunshiny blog post on here today, then all I can say is sorry, try again tomorrow.  

So often I'm unsure of how much personal stuff I should share on this blog.  I mean it's weird, sharing your life on the internet.  I keep thinking what would the me of six years ago think of the blogging me now?  The me of six years ago would probably be appalled that I'm posting every little detail of my life on a blog as if anyone would care what I did over the weekend or what dress I'm wearing that day.  Oh, the ego!  I think the old me would be embarrassed, call me pathetic and get back to reading her Hemingway (cause that's what I did back then.) 

Whereas the current me is fine with the blogging...In fact, the current me even feels like I could be more honest and more sharing on this here blog.  But I guess it's the ghost of my 22 year old self that keeps me from going overboard with sharing the specifics.  In any case, things have been a bit rough and all-consuming lately and I just haven't been able to keep up my regular pace.  I hope to be able to get back into the swing of things soon.  Until then, here's a playlist to brighten up your Thursday!

Desolation Dance

The boy and I are collaborating on a new film project called Desolation Dance.  Here's our first video.  Enjoy!


Desolation Dance number one from Heather Toner on Vimeo.

Shop My Stuff

Hello Lovers.  I trust your weekend was splendid.  Mine was alright, filled with a bit of fun, a bit of mischief and a bit of drama...you know, the usual.  But among my weekend activities I managed to set up my very own Goodsie shop!  

Basically Goodsie is like etsy, but with a lot less rules and less complication when it comes to uploading new products.  I'm trying it out with items from my own closet that I'm looking to sell.  So it's a shop my closet thing, you see?  Please please please check it out and if you like anything you see, go on and buy it!  I need monies and everyone knows I have great style and I take really good care of my stuff!  But even if you're not in the market for some second hand super cute stuff, please check out the shop and let me know what you think!  

Thanks!
Gidget

Super Cool Fabulous Giveaway from The Sequined Shoe!

Happy Friday Kittens! 

In honor of my favorite time of year (summer) I am pleased to host a very special giveaway.  Kara from the awesome etsy shop The Sequined Shoe is offering one lucky Lilac and Lace reader a free download of her Summer of Love Art Journaling class. 

The class includes 30 journaling prompts, 18 photography prompts and techniques, daily art journaling techniques, mini-book cover and page tutorial, 2 videos, email access to instructor, and featured artwork and photography from Michelle Clement and Danielle Thompson.

I have just started this class myself and I have to say it's incredibly fun and inspiring!  And the best part?  At the end of the summer you have an awesome memory keepsake.  Hooray!  For a complete description, more pics and back story go here. 

To enter simply leave me a comment.  It would be great if you tweet about this bad boy and it would be even better if you blog about it.  It would be super if you click the follow button on either GFC, facebook or bloglovin...But for each of these things you do, just leave another comment with the link if applicable.  

I will pick a winner next Friday! 

And if you can't wait till then, go and buy the class yourself with a 25% off coupon code!  Just enter SUMMERDREAMS and get going on your crafty summer!

Lily Allen Dress Line...

I think she's cool.  Still.  I know she was hanging ourt with Li- Lo for a while and, I got to be honest, that kind of diminished my opinion of her for a moment...But only a moment.  I still love her poppy songs, her sweet lilting little voice, her brazen often lascivious lyrics, and her cute girly style.  And now Lily Allen has her very own clothing line that looks to be just as cute as she is!  I've only taken a peak but Lucy in Disguise (as it's called) features some adorable dresses in fantastic prints.  I pretty much want them all!   

Find out more about the line here and more about miss allen here.  ;)