Blast from Halloweens Past - Buffy the Vampire Slayer

This photo is from Halloween in the year 2000.  I was dancing with the Milwaukee Ballet, not even old enough to vote, and totally obsessed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

My obsession started when my high school friends kept remarking over how I looked and acted somewhat similar to Alyson Hannigan's character, Willow [read: NERD.]  I got hooked on the show and it has become something of a guilty pleasure from my past.  I think I related to Willow as the smart, ackward teen, but I also related to Buffy and the teenage sacrifices she had to make as the slayer.  I know it's a shoddy comparison, but sometimes ballet (and all the "normal" things I had to give up in order to do it) sort of felt like slaying.  ;) 

source

I haven't watched the show in years, but in honor of Halloween, I went on a bit of a Buffy bender!  It was like hanging out with an old friend and with all the ghouls, monsters, and of course, vampires it's been the perfect show to watch in honor of the season! 

Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat Nails

Happy Halloween Everyone!  I just adore this holiday and am completely in the Halloween spirit - Right down to my finger nails!  Orange polish and black glitter makes for some festive fingers! 

I'll be back later with some more spooky posts!  :)

Which Witch?

With Halloween tomorrow I wanted to give a shout out to probably the most popular women's costume of all time.... The Witch!  Here's a few of my favs!  

All found via Pinterest

Lovely Lockerz

I have a new favorite digital past time / image organization / inspiration storage / shopping outlet and it's all rolled into one!  LOCKERZ!  

Lockerz is sort of like Pinterest in that it's a place to cultivate collections of images of whatever takes your fancy.  It's literally a digital locker in which to store all your favorite items and share them with your followers.  But you can also upload your personal photos from your computer, as well as directly from your phone with the free Lockerz app.  So it's sort of like Tumblr and Pinterest rolled into one.  But that's not even the best part...

The best part is that for every image you post to your Locker you earn points.  These points can be used to get significant discounts on clothes, electronics, gift cards - Tons of items from dozens of fabulous brands like Michael Stars, Steve Madden, Penguin, Playstation and Betsy Johnson.  The more points you earn, the more discounted deals you can snag; most average at about 50% retail prices.  Not too shabby, if you ask me!  

It's like Pinning with purpose.  Just for collecting images you like, you can earn points and snag awesome deals on great products.  

I am planning on using some of my points towards holiday gifts for me friends (and maybe a few special treats for myself!;)  One thing's for sure, I am totally hooked on Lockerz and I think you may enjoy it too!  

Go check it out and sign up for free by clicking here.  And if you do decide to sign up and give it a try, please do so through this link so the Lockerz team know that you heard about it from me!

If you've been reading this blog for any decent amount of time, you know that I do not endorse products or services unless I firmly believe and like them.  I genuinely think Lockerz is lots of good fun and I hope you like it too!  Let me know if you do sign up and I'll be sure to follow you!  

Santa Ana Winds!

I know they reap havoc on the town, tree branches and fire safety, but I really love the Santa Ana Winds.  It makes it feel more like fall when the air is whipping all around you and leaves are flying everywhere!  Last night they were particularly strong and as I came home after a late rehearsal it really did feel spooky outside - It felt like Halloween!  

This week has been what feels like a lot of catch up and a little bit of drama.  Maybe I should blame that on the winds too.  But now that it's Thursday I feel like I can see the light of the weekend and I'm already feeling more relaxed.  

So here's a quick run down of what's been blowing around here....

Sonia Rodriguez in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Photo by Bruce Zinger

My review of The National Ballet of Canada's production of Alice in Wonderland posted on DIY Dancer. Go check it out for the complete inside scoop!

I've been taking a lot (for me) of ballet classes to try to prepare for a fundraising gig I'm participating in...Where I yet again will be performing my spotlight variation in this costume. 

They're already putting up Christmas decorations in my town, which I think is just swell!  Too early?  Not if you ask me!  Bring on the Christmasing! 

What have you been up to lately? 

Halloween Jack-O-Lantern (Sans Pumpkin)

Hopefully you all enjoyed my last two Mason Jar inspired crafts for all hallows eve - The Mechanical Pumpkin and the Spiderweb Lantern.  Here is another variation on the Mason jar lantern craft that's perfect for the impending holiday.  Here's how to make a Jack-O-Lantern minus the pumpkin guts....

You'll need a few mason jars, modge podge, orange tissue paper and a black sharpie.

Same as with the Spider Web Lantern, start by cutting your orange tissue paper to fit your mason jar.   I actually used the tissue paper that cam with my most recent Anthropologie purchase.  They have some of the best tissue paper! Cut it so it wraps around the Mason Jar only once so it remains sheer. 

Use your Modge Podge to glue the tissue paper to the outside of the jar.  Make sure there are no loose pieces and let dry completely.

Taking your black sharpie, draw your dream Jack-O-Lantern Face on the flatest side of your jar directly on the tissue paper.  I was only able to make one jar, but I plan on making more and I think it would look really cool to have a myriad of different faces and expressions on different sized jars.  Don't you think?  

Naturally the final step is to add a candle and display your jars in a place where all the ghouls and goblins out on Halloween night can appreciate them!  

 Happy Halloween Crafting!

This Weekend

You know when you have like a million things to do over the weekend and yet somehow you get less than half of them done?  Yeah, that's kind of what happened to me this weekend.  It's like, where the heck does the time even go?

Despite my lack of productivity, I did get to go to some really cool events, namely The National Ballet of Canada's performance of Christopher Wheeldon's new full length ballet of Alice in Wonderland.  It was amazing.  Unlike any ballet I've ever seen.  I'll be linking to my full review on DIY Dancer soon, but until then have a gander at one scene from the show that is hands-down some of the best comedy ballet ever.  This is from the Royal Ballet's performance, which you can purchase on DVD over on Amazon!  I may buy it just because I want to see it again....There is so much going on I feel like I need to see it at least twice just to get the full scope of the production.    Enjoy this little snippet!  

Another Mason Jar Halloween Craft - Spiderweb Lanterns

Here's yet another Halloween DIY that takes very little time and uses a mason jar as it's main component.  Here's how to make your very own spider web lanterns....

All you need is a few mason jars, modge podge, white tissue paper and a black sharpie.  Fake spiders are optional, but very much encouraged!  

To start cut your white tissue paper to fit your mason jar.  You want it to wrap around only once so it's sheer, and I actually like to crumple the paper up a bit so you get an imperfect crumpled look when you attach it to the jar.

Next use your Modge Podge to glue the tissue paper to the outside of the jar.  Make sure there are no loose pieces and let dry completely.

The next step requires a somewhat steady hand, but again, imperfections will actually add to the realism of this particular craft.  Taking your black sharpie, draw spiderwebs on the tissue paper.  I find it helps to start with a corner shape web and then work my way around the jar, filling in black spots.  Just remember that spider webs, while not perfect or symmetrical, do follow a pretty simple geometric pattern.  Start by drawing straight lines in a circular or half circle shape, and then connect the lines with little inward-pointing arcs.  

Finally add a candle to the jar and if your feeling extra festive add a fake spider to the top and a black tulle bow around the rim!  Put your lantern in a dim lit room and watch your spiderwebs flicker in the candle light!  

Just another haunting Halloween decoration diy! 

Life in the Fast Lane plus Pizza

This week has been really rather crazy.  The boy and I have both been working late or have had events to attend every single evening.  And even though it's all been fun and exciting, we're both feeling a little exhausted.  And when we're both this busy, a lot of the "normal" daily chores get sort of pushed aside.  Dishes need to be done, mail needs to be sorted, bed needs to get made...you get the idea.  

We also tend to go the lazy route of ordering food in when life gets like this (something we rarely ever do.)  But I think that sort of makes it more fun and special.  The other night we ordered a pizza and it was delicious.  Only problem is, the boy is something of a speed eater.  By the time I had just finished my first piece of pizza, this was all that was left...

Ok, maybe I am also a slow-eater.  But seriously.  How can anyone put away that much pizza that fast?  I am starting to suspect the boy is part anteater. 

National Ballet of Canada's Alice in Wonderland

I simply cannot wait for this Friday, as I am attending the US premiere of Christopher Wheeldon's Alice in Wonderland ballet with the National Ballet of Canada.  A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of interviewing one of the soloists at the National Ballet of Canada, Chelsy Meiss, and we talked about her own impression of the production.  

After speaking with her and viewing a few of the video clips online, I feel truly excited to see this brand new story ballet.  I've always been a fan of Wheeldon's choreography and composer Joby Talbot's work as well.   It seems like it's sure to be an enjoyable and impressive performance.

You can read the full interview here on DIY Dancer, and be on the lookout for my follow up review next week too!  Until then, check out this video clip about the production when it premiered on the Royal Ballet.  Enjoy! 

Made this Monday: Mechanical Pumpkin

Hello my lovelies and welcome to a brand new week!  This week I am super excited to share several cool Halloween-inspired crafts that are easy, quick to make, and have all the spooky charm of the season.  I love Halloween and lately, I've been really getting into the haunting Halloween spirit!  I'll be sharing all my Halloween favorites, traditions, crafts and inspirations over the next couple weeks starting with this easy DIY for a modern day mechanical pumpkin!

Ok, well, its actually not mechanical...But it looks like it could be!  This is the first of several crafts I'll be sharing that are made from mason jars.  The boy and I use mason jars for our drinking glasses, for storing sauces and for all kinds of other purposes - Crafting is definitely among the prominent uses!  But in many cases, we don't actually use the lids of the jars, resulting in a kitchen cabinet bursting with tin mason jar lids.  Until now...

To create this pumpkin you will need at least 18 mason jar lids, just the screw top part, and all the same size (I used the wide mouth jar lids.) Along with some basic twine, a cork from your favorite bottle of pinot and newspaper.

Lay out your lids so they are all facing the same way and are layered on top of one another.  Thread a bit of twine through the lids until you have them all hooked on the twine like so...

Next, pull the ends together and tie in a knot.  Trim the access twine and spread out the lids to create your pumpkin shape.

Finally to finish it off, add a regular wine cork to the center and embellish with a couple of "leaves" cut from newspaper. 

I love how this pumpkin is modern and made from basic items you can find around the house.  For some reason, it kind of reminds me of that film Return to Oz and Tick Tock (please tell me some of you other 80's kids out there know what I'm talking about!)  If you wanted to go for a more traditional look, you could spray paint the pumpkin orange and add some spiraled green pipe cleaners to give it a "just off the vine" look.  But personally, I am really kind of digging the utilitarian vibe of the plain silver.  Spooky and simple. 

If you try out this craft, let me know!  I'd love to see how you make it your own! 

Fashion Friday: A Fall Wish List

Happy Friday All!  I am so looking forward to a relaxing weekend!  The boy and I both need some R&R and plan on getting plenty of it this weekend.  We've had quite a few weeks of running around and I for one am really looking forward to taking it easy.

But before I subside into a weekend of laziness, I simply had to share a little Fall Fashion Wish List with you.  Here's a few items I am currently lusting over...

One, Two, Three, Four, Five

               

Dancing in the Park

I think the place that knocked me out most in New York was Central Park, and not just because it's huge and it was blazing hot the day the boy, his mum and me tried to walk through it.  No, I'm talking about just the look of the place.  The feeling.  It didn't disappoint.  

It was just as enchanting and perfect and busy and pretty and curious as I imagined it would be.  As we walked our way past the carousel, the bridges, the ice-rink (which at the time was being used as a fun fair) the amphitheater and the fountains I fell a little bit more in love with New York City.  I imagined that being a student in that city must be the best.  Spending your afternoons reading in the park, seranaded by strange buskers...It all sounds pretty good to me!  The next time we visit New York, I feel like I could spend another day or two just playing in the park!  

Burger Quest: Jakes Burgers in Pasadena

We weren't expecting to go to Jakes. It wasn't on our list. But during a hot Saturday day of museum-going we found ourselves in the Old Pasadena neighborhood desperate for a burger and a beer. I'd often walked by the Jakes burger shake, as it's nestled in the middle of Old Town's main shopping high street, Colorado Blvd. But I'd never actually ate there. It seemed like the natural thing to do, so we went for it.

Plus the sign outside clearly states that it's "Pasadena's Best Burger Sing 1947."  With a claim like that we couldn't let the establishment go untasted.  We settled down for a bit of the alleged best Pasadena had to offer.

The burger itself was decent...Good even.  It hit the spot for just what one would want from a burger shack on a hot day.  But it wasn't incredible.  It was a bit over-stacked with way too much lettuce which made it hard to keep together.  Flavor was good though.  It tasted...Like a burger.  A solid place to eat if your looking for a no nonsense kind of burger.  And our waiter was really friendly, it has to be said.  I like those nice Pasadenians.  ;)

The Scores:

Meatiness -3

Succulentiousness - 3
Bun - 2
Flavor -3
Stay Togetherness - 2
Joint -4