ballet beautiful

6.30.2012

ballet beautiful
I'm sure most of you have already heard of Ballet Beautiful before, but it's fairly new to me. I heard about it a few months ago on Pinterest. I am always into ballet inspired workouts and when I heard about BB, I had to find out more! I am the type of person who hates to workout and honestly have not really been working out on a regular bases all of my life. Recently I've been thinking more seriously how I need to workout more regularly. I eat pretty well (though I'm not perfect!) so I don't really need to go on a diet, and hate the thought of dieting anyway. But I don't get a lot of exercise and I absolutely hate working out in public or at the gym. I also live on the second floor of our apartment, so jumping up and down will not work so great. However, there was a short period earlier this year when I got a DVD that had some jumping around in it, so I did let my downstairs neighbor know in case I bothered her at all (I didn't, thank goodness)! But I never ever see any sort of results when I exercise. I worked out all last year, diligently every single day. And yet I felt like I gained weight at the end of it all. So I sort of gave up. I even did a lot of yoga earlier this year, which was great, except there is only so much stretching one can do without getting a little bit bored. So I figured full-time yoga was not for me. Though I do like to use some of the things I've learned from yoga.
ballet beautiful
Affiliate links.

In the last few months I have been reading a lot about exercise and health and what our bodies need. I have come to the conclusion that I need more weight training, or muscle building (whatever you call it) in my life. Enter Ballet Beautiful! I decided to purchase both of Mary Helen's DVDs, since the cost of two was only slightly more than buying just one. So far I've used the full 60 min workout a lot more than the Ballet Blasts DVD, but that is mainly because I would like a full body workout and I think the Ballet Blasts will be perfect for when I'm on vacation or have less time to workout. I have done the famous "Swan Arms" from the Blasts DVD, which is awesome! Really burns like crazy. You would not want to see my face when I'm doing the Swan Arms! Oh no you don't! I am biting my lips and making weird faces with my teeth and squinting my eyes (I made the mistake of doing this in front of my vanity the first time; not pretty). I don't exactly look like the calm, graceful Mary Helen, that's for sure! But I know I'm out of shape (in the sense of weak muscles!) and I haven't done this kind of workout ever in my life. So I think with time I will build more endurance and my face will start to look, hopefully, a little more pleasant during my workout sessions!

Since starting the Ballet Beautiful workout, I have been doing 60 minutes consistently every other day (3 times a week) for three weeks thus far. I know that doesn't sound like a lot to some, but I am pretty proud of myself for doing it this long! Even just yesterday I was due for another BB workout and I really did not want to do it. I was having "one of those days" where I was feeling gross (my face is breaking out like mad (at 28 you'd think that would be history, but it isn't) and I have a terrible eczema flair). I was laying on the couch and told Jed that I should do my workout but don't want to and he encouraged me to do it. So I did and of course I felt a hundred-million times better! For me, it is all in my mind. I can convince myself out of anything! I'm an expert at it! So this is something that is hard for me, but I really want to keep at it. No matter how many people disapprove (saying things like "oh you are thin already, you don't need to exercise!" etc...). Also, this kind of workout is really encouraging, because you start to see results a lot sooner than most workouts (probably because it literally kicks your butt, and thighs and hips and...!). This isn't an "easy" workout, but after doing it a few times, it isn't so bad. The first time I got the DVD, I did the workout and I was literally sore for a whole week. So I didn't continue until a few weeks later when I sat down and really made a schedule and some goals for myself. The second or third time my body didn't ache anymore. I do think stretching a lot is key to not having a lot of pain afterwards!

So there you have it. We'll see how much progress I make over the summer. I am mainly wanting to tone up a little more and be a stronger person. I want to be able to not feel utterly exhausted out of my mind the next time we have to move (no elevators in this apartment)!!

P.S. Sorry this is so lengthy! I started it a few weeks ago and then just kept adding to it. Sometimes this subject feels kind of personal to me and other times I am all about sharing. So I was a little hesitant to post, but thought I might as well!

P.P.S. I love this and this so much!



one year ago...

6.18.2012

one year ago today 

 Today, one year ago Jed and I were married! I can't believe it has already been a whole year since that day. I'm so happy with Jed. And I'm so very glad he decided to write me a facebook message way back when. What in the world would we do without the internet? ;) I feel pretty lucky! I'm excited to see how much better it gets in the years to come. xoxo

twenty-eight

6.14.2012

twenty-eight 

Well, I guess I am officially one year older by now! It perhaps is a little strange to think in just two short years I'll be thirty! Just the other day I was told I looked more like twenty. Ah, I suppose that sort of thing will never end. I guess that is better than someone saying you look 40 when you are actually 30? Anyway, maybe someday my baby face will "grow up" and I'll look more adult. ;)
  I didn't write much about my birthday and I'm not sure why! I guess I was busy all day on that special day and so I didn't have a lot of time to take pictures of my cake etc. Busy talking on the phone mostly! It was a really lovely birthday, however! It was also Jed's last day of classes at the university, so he was gone most of the day, but when he came back he took me to a really classy restaurant down the street. I think that was one of the best meals I've had in my life, come to think of it! Then we came home, ate the chocolate ice cream cake I made earlier that day and passed out on the couch while watching Gidget! I have a lot of fun memories from watching that cute little teen flick. My best friend for all of my growing-up years and her sister and I watched that movie on her 16th birthday in her basement. Their house was located just behind my house ("a field away" as we used to say) and the older of the two sisters' birthday was only six days apart from my birthday. It was fate that we were going to be best friends from the day my family and I moved into that little green farm house back in 1991.
  I've had some really great memories in my 28 years of life. I feel really blessed to be able to say that. I feel like I should have a list of goals to reach by the time I turn 30, but that might take some time to think through and write down. I am happy right now where I am and utterly blessed by Jed every day. Really, life is pretty grand! For now all I know is that I want to keep working harder every day to be a better person, a better partner to my husband and to never stop working as hard as I can for the things that matter most. I am excited to see what this year will bring! xoxo


P.S. Don't forget today is the last day for my birthday sale in the shop! :)

the moon-spinners: hayley's green dress

6.10.2012

The Moon-Spinners Green Dress The Moon-Spinners Green Dress The Moon-Spinners Green Dress The Moon-Spinners Green Dress The Moon-Spinners Green Dress The Moon-Spinners Green Dress The Moon-Spinners Green Dress The Moon-Spinners Green Dress The Moon-Spinners Green Dress The Moon-Spinners Green Dress


The Moon-Spinners is one of my favorite Hayley Mills films. And I especially adore her wonderfully fun 1960s summer wardrobe! Eventually I'd like to make all of her outfits, but first I wanted to start with her green dress. I'm a red-head after all and what red-head doesn't look good in green? Anyway, I found the perfect color of fabric. I don't think it's the absolute perfect fabric, though it's not bad! The fabric is made of a cotton/linen blend, though I imagine the original dress was more of a silk/linen blend or a synthetic blend. But this worked out pretty great! I drafted the bodice myself and then altered a skirt from a 1960s pattern that I have. I actually learned a lot while making this dress! Many times I had to rip things out and start over. My normal instinct when sewing for myself is to just leave the mistakes and not worry so much, but I wanted a dress that fit me perfectly, that I would want to wear often. So I guess now all I need to do is buy a couple plane tickets to Greece! 

By the way, if you've watched the movie and liked it, or even if you didn't like it, I would highly recommend you check out the book the movie was based on. It's a lot different than the movie, which didn't bother me. It's a wonderful book! I couldn't put it down! This book has made me a Mary Stewart fan, that's for sure! I plan to get all of her books to read. I believe she has two more books set in Greece as well. If you feel like taking a trip to Greece, but like me, can't seem to find the funds to pay for such a trip at the moment, go pick up this book and read it now! And if you don't mind a fun Hayley Mill's flick, go watch the movie and check out her awesome wardrobe while you're at it! Peter McEnery is worth checking out too! ;)

P.S. Later on I'll be doing more posts about this film as I make more of her outfits and perhaps I'll take some more screen caps of the film and do a little post about it. 

P.P.S. Here's a fun clip of the movie and also the opening credits (I love the song).


bangs!

6.07.2012

haircut!
as you like it salon

I finally got my haircut on Tuesday and I really like it! I decided to go all out and get bangs, though at first I wasn't sure if I really wanted them. When I got to the salon, I told Miriam what I wanted and showed her the pictures of Brigitte Bardot. She said she would start out slowly and cut longer bangs and see how I like it. It was really fun working with her! She listened to me and didn't do anything I didn't like. Finally I said I really did want bangs and she cut all the way. I even got an email today from her to make sure I am happy with my haircut. You bet I am! It's nice to have a change once in a while and I feel like it has been a long time since I've done anything this drastic (for me) with my hair. So if you happen to be in the area or live nearby, I recommend you check out this lovely salon. I really liked the vintage vanities they used! Why don't more salons do this?

Anyway, now I am thinking of all these cute hairstyles I can do now that I have fringe! Another thing that is nifty with bangs is that I don't get headaches nearly as often as I used to when I put my hair up. And that's a definite plus!

birthday sale!

6.06.2012

birthday sale!


My 28th birthday is on Friday, so I thought it would be fun to have a little sale on all of my items in my Etsy shop! I also have a few more Seaside and Flower Print dresses in stock from last season, in case you've been eyeing them! Now is the time to buy as I only have a little bit of fabric left and when I run out, I won't be able to repurchase. Everything is at least 30% off! All the prices have already been adjusted to the sale price, so no need to enter any discount code. This sale starts now: Wednesday June 6th and lasts through Friday, June 15th!



List of items on sale:


Seaside Dress: original price - $250 / sale price- $175

Flower Print Frock: original price- $195 / sale price- $135

White Linen Pleated Top: original price- $165 / sale price- $95

Lavender Floral Pleated Top: original price- $165 / sale price- $95

Linen Rose Dress in Lavender: original price- $220 / sale price- $160

Silk Linen Henriette Dress: original price- $195 / sale price- $135

Linen Summer dress: original price- $185 / sale price- $130

Work Smock: original price- $135 / sale price- $95


THANK YOU! xoxo