"I wish I took photos of beautiful things. So I could look at them and think about them and smile because ‘I took that’… and no one else could take the same photograph, because it’s mine, and it’s permanent, and even when everything in the photo is dead, or gone, or old, or broken, your photo, the one that you took, is still there, and still beautiful. Everyone’s younger, and the food’s still hot, and there’s flowers on the table, and they’re colourful, and you want to reach back into the photograph and pick one up because you just remembered that you liked their smell… and it’s like a little bit of a memory, that’s just for you."
So, I'm back, for now. But I don't think I'm going to be reviewing any more. It's just like, I've realised that Ballet is taking over my life. I have no friends outside of Ballet, because at school I'm just the kid from Brooklyn who dances. I'm not going home any time soon, and I'll never make it big as a ballet dancer. So it's time to give up, time to relinquish the dream. I need to start living in the real world, and I need to do that starting from now.
Ballet will always be a part of my life, but for me, that time is over. It's time to start eating chocolate, so start playing sports, to climb mountains, and just say, fuck my feet. Who cares if I twist an ankle, break a toe.
I just want to be free.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Sunday, 2 January 2011
...
Oh my gosh, life is craaaazyyy right now. So, we were moving back to Brooklyn at the end of this school year, around July, but now we're here for "the forseeable future." Um, yay? Plus, that means that the GCSEs I'm taking in June actually matter as I won't be able to do US qualifications.
So, back to ballet...
I have re-sprained my ankle, so no poite shoes at all for the time being. That means no more reviews at the moment (unless I reviewed "normal" shoes, but that's boring.)
So, I'll see you in about a month, with more reviews!
Callie xx
So, back to ballet...
I have re-sprained my ankle, so no poite shoes at all for the time being. That means no more reviews at the moment (unless I reviewed "normal" shoes, but that's boring.)
So, I'll see you in about a month, with more reviews!
Callie xx
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
Bloch Aspiration Pointe Shoe
These are the shoes I have worn pretty much since I started on pointe, although I think that my very firt pair of pointe shoes were a pair designed for beginners.
These shoes are specially designed for students, and are my ballet schools recommended shoes. I personally love them, they're comfortable, provide good support and stability and they look good too. They're a dream to dance in!
The shoe has a wide toe box and platform, which provides a lot of stabilty - it allows the "toes to spread" according to the description. The shank is flexible, making allowing the foot to move much more easily, yet still provides adequate support - the description says that "the shank construction encourages the shank to bend at "three quarters"" They take a while to break in, but once they are broken in, they are wonderful. They provide plenty of support even when broken in, and they take longer to wear out than other shoes I have danced in - I have a friend who has been on pointe for two years I think, and she has about 20 pairs of dead shoes. I do five ballet classes a week, and two of those are pointe (one of them is helping out the little kids, but shush, I count it as a class!) and one pair of these shoes will last me about a term.
They aren't the prettiest shoes available, I only wear them for classes not for performance, but they provide so much support that I love them just the same!
These shoes are specially designed for students, and are my ballet schools recommended shoes. I personally love them, they're comfortable, provide good support and stability and they look good too. They're a dream to dance in!
The shoe has a wide toe box and platform, which provides a lot of stabilty - it allows the "toes to spread" according to the description. The shank is flexible, making allowing the foot to move much more easily, yet still provides adequate support - the description says that "the shank construction encourages the shank to bend at "three quarters"" They take a while to break in, but once they are broken in, they are wonderful. They provide plenty of support even when broken in, and they take longer to wear out than other shoes I have danced in - I have a friend who has been on pointe for two years I think, and she has about 20 pairs of dead shoes. I do five ballet classes a week, and two of those are pointe (one of them is helping out the little kids, but shush, I count it as a class!) and one pair of these shoes will last me about a term.
They aren't the prettiest shoes available, I only wear them for classes not for performance, but they provide so much support that I love them just the same!
Callie xx
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Freed Classic Pro
For her 18th birthday my sister recieved a pair of Freed of London's Classic Pro shoes. These shoes are pretty expensive, and as a student I wouldn't wear them, because a) they are designed for professional dancers and b) I wouldn't want to wear them out! But my sister let me try them today, and oh, how I love them! (But only for about a minute, so excuse the slightly undetailed review!)
They have a deep vamp, which I really like, 3/4" shank, and a forward pitched platform. All of these things add up to make a shoe that I really really love. As I said, I can't review the show in detail, merely list what it has and why I like it, because my sister is guarding these shoes with her life!
If you want a really expensive, special pair of shoes, then these are the perfect shoes. If you want a pair of shoes you can practice in and not worry about wearing out, get a cheaper pair!
Callie xx
They have a deep vamp, which I really like, 3/4" shank, and a forward pitched platform. All of these things add up to make a shoe that I really really love. As I said, I can't review the show in detail, merely list what it has and why I like it, because my sister is guarding these shoes with her life!
If you want a really expensive, special pair of shoes, then these are the perfect shoes. If you want a pair of shoes you can practice in and not worry about wearing out, get a cheaper pair!
Callie xx
Grishko 2007 Pointe Shoe
I don't tend to wear Grishko shoes, I'm strictly a Bloch girl, but my friend recieved these for Christmas, and very kindly said I could see what I thought of them :)
This shoe has a U shaped vamp, liked by some people, but I personally prefer a V shape. However, it is a very supportive vamp, I would say verging on the constrictive side of supportive, but both my sister and my friend like the vamp, so it could just be me being picky. The shank is 3/4 length, which I like a lot. It is quite a standard shoe, ie, it's for people that don't have weird feet like me! It's quite a light shoe, which I do like, although for it's weight it is surprisingly loud. It claims that the lightness of the shoe makes for an easy transition from demi-pointe to pointe and vice versa, this is certainly true. The platform is a nice size, not too big, certainly smaller than the Bloch Amelie, but that's because this isn't a beginners pointe shoe. It still has the feeling of being a steady shoe, I have come across some that had small platforms that I felt slightly unsteady in. It is also a very comfortable shoe - definate bonus there!
I like it's appearance, but then again, I like the appearance of pretty much all ballet shoes! I could be picky and say that I like the look of the V shaped vamps better, but I do like the overall look of the shoe.
Callie xx
This shoe has a U shaped vamp, liked by some people, but I personally prefer a V shape. However, it is a very supportive vamp, I would say verging on the constrictive side of supportive, but both my sister and my friend like the vamp, so it could just be me being picky. The shank is 3/4 length, which I like a lot. It is quite a standard shoe, ie, it's for people that don't have weird feet like me! It's quite a light shoe, which I do like, although for it's weight it is surprisingly loud. It claims that the lightness of the shoe makes for an easy transition from demi-pointe to pointe and vice versa, this is certainly true. The platform is a nice size, not too big, certainly smaller than the Bloch Amelie, but that's because this isn't a beginners pointe shoe. It still has the feeling of being a steady shoe, I have come across some that had small platforms that I felt slightly unsteady in. It is also a very comfortable shoe - definate bonus there!
I like it's appearance, but then again, I like the appearance of pretty much all ballet shoes! I could be picky and say that I like the look of the V shaped vamps better, but I do like the overall look of the shoe.
Callie xx
Monday, 27 December 2010
How to make a "Pancake" Tutu
Again, courtesy of my Mama!
These are the tutus seen in ballets such as Swan Lake, or the Nutcracker (specifically in the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy) which stick out.
The tutu should be attached to dance briefs. The tutu could also be attached to a leotard for a beginner, but they are typically worn on dance briefs (or a basque) either with a bodice, or attatched to a bodice.
You will need:
Measuring tape
Ribbon, Leotard, ballet basque or dance briefs
Snaps (only if using Ribbon)
Thread
Sewing machine
Scissors
Stiff petticoat tulle
Needle
The tutu should be attached to dance briefs. The tutu could also be attached to a leotard for a beginner, but they are typically worn on dance briefs (or a basque) either with a bodice, or attatched to a bodice.
How to make a "Romantic" Tutu
Courtesy of my Mama!
These are the tutus that are worn in ballets such as Giselle - the long, floaty bell-shaped ones that come down past the knee.
You will need:
Ribbon
Cut a piece of wide ribbon to the length of the waist measurement, plus 1 1/2 inches. Attach two snaps on each end, the ribbon should fit snugly but not too tightly around the waist.
Multiply the waist dimension by 3. This is the width of tulle you need to gather to create sufficient fullness for this tutu
Cut enough tulle for the length of the waist to below-the-knee measurement to create three full layers.
Stitch each layer up the center back to within 6 inches of the top edge.
Run a gathering or basting stitch through all three layers and gather them to fit the ribbon waist band. You can run another basting stitch through the gathered layers to stabilize them before you stitch them to the waistband.
Top stitch the layers of tulle to the wrong side of the waist band, allowing for a small overlap at the center back closure.
Et voila, a Romantic Tutu! I will post the "Pancake" Tutu instructions in another post.
My Mama says a tip is to buy much more tulle that you think you will need - it will take a lot more than you think! This is, however, the cheapest way to have your own Tutu, and it also ensures the best fit - tailored just for you!
Callie xx
These are the tutus that are worn in ballets such as Giselle - the long, floaty bell-shaped ones that come down past the knee.
You will need:
Ribbon
Measuring tape
Fine silk or nylon tulle
Snaps
Thread
Sewing machine
Scissors
Needle
Fabric
Measure the waist and side length from waist to just below the knee. Cut a piece of wide ribbon to the length of the waist measurement, plus 1 1/2 inches. Attach two snaps on each end, the ribbon should fit snugly but not too tightly around the waist.
Multiply the waist dimension by 3. This is the width of tulle you need to gather to create sufficient fullness for this tutu
Cut enough tulle for the length of the waist to below-the-knee measurement to create three full layers.
Stitch each layer up the center back to within 6 inches of the top edge.
Run a gathering or basting stitch through all three layers and gather them to fit the ribbon waist band. You can run another basting stitch through the gathered layers to stabilize them before you stitch them to the waistband.
Top stitch the layers of tulle to the wrong side of the waist band, allowing for a small overlap at the center back closure.
Et voila, a Romantic Tutu! I will post the "Pancake" Tutu instructions in another post.
My Mama says a tip is to buy much more tulle that you think you will need - it will take a lot more than you think! This is, however, the cheapest way to have your own Tutu, and it also ensures the best fit - tailored just for you!
Callie xx
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