views.

I started blogging my little musings about three years ago to an audience of one. Moi.

Over the past year, my views, followers, contributors, interests and what not have all climbed on this little corner of the internet. In May 2012 I hit the most page views on my blog ever!

So today, I just wanted to say a little thank you to the little blog family that takes the time to check my page. Whether it be daily, weekly, whatever...thank you!

As summer is just around the corner, I'm planning to continue posting and focusing more on the events, people and places this season has to offer in Toronto. I have never been here for an entire summer, so it will be interesting to say the least.

Once again, thank you again and there's even more to come!



PS Remember even if I'm not posting everyday, I'm still updating my Twitter and Pinterest pages!

children.

I heard a really interesting quote today that got me thinking.

"The creative adult is the child who survived."

Hmm...half of me really believes this. Whenever I'm working with children teaching dance or interacting with new/young parents and their kin, it's amazing to hear what the little ones think.

Their take on the world is fascinating, and what they get out certain things, places and events can be vastly different than adults.

On the other hand, I know many adults who would not necessarily call themselves "creative" but still come up with brilliant ideas.

From their experience, they pull elements from things that worked and present them in a realistic fashion.

Does this mean they are children? Or are we all just children that never really grew up?

I do enjoy (and wholeheartedly agree) with the Kate Spade quote about children:

"Dress up starts at age five and never really stops."

Some little things to ponder.

top5.

Well, it is certainly starting to feel like summer here in Toronto.

For this month's Top Five, I'm backing away from concrete things, and focusing on some summer essentials - physically tangible and not.

Every good woman should have a romper (or two) for summer.

Currently lusting over the printed one below.

Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee - June 4.

Celebrations include a major concert in front of Buckingham Palace featuring singers Elton John and Annie Lennox. Who has cable? I'll bring the crumpets and jam.

Summer flower arrangements.

I love walking past the mini markets in Little Italy where the fresh flowers are a dime a dozen. All I need is an interesting vase, and this will be a staple in my home for the season.

Anchorman 2.

I cannot even control my excitement.

Impromptu visits.

Take advantage of the warm weather. I'm loving all the day and nightly gatherings with those around me. Summer is but a breath of the year, spend it outside with some lovely people by your side and something to sip in your hand.

nina.

Zooey Deschanel/She and Him cover Nina Simone's "I Put A Spell On You" on Conon.

Perfection? Pretty close to it.

sundae.

"There’s nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard.

Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons."

- Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Hope you all have had a wonderful weekend so far.

Hope you enjoyed my sundae(e) photo treats and soaking up the sun in your corner of the world!

reflections.

Competition season is over, but I have finally found the pictures of my beautiful dancers.

Congratulations on all your success and I am so proud of you all bringing my choreograph and vision alive. You inspired me so much and I cannot wait to work with each of you again.

I wish more than anything I could have been in two places at once to see you all perform. All the best at the year-end show and leave your hearts on stage!

Check out a few moments captures onstage of my dancers below competing my contemporary choreography in Vancouver and in the interior of BC this past spring.

A full list of results will be at the end of the post.











(In picture order)
Brittney and Keanu (contemporary duet):
Shine Dance Competition - Gold & 2nd Overall in contemporary duets/trios.
Peak Invitational Dance Competition - 2nd in level 4 contemporary duets/trios, and in 10 solos of the weekend.
The Vibe Dance Competition - platinum, 1st overall duet/trio in age category, choreography award.

Josi
Shine Dance Competition - Bronze
Peak Dance Invitational Dance Competition - Participate medal
The Vibe Dance Competition - Gold

Breanna
Shine Dance Competition - Bronze
Peak Dance Invitational Dance Competition - Participate medal
The Vibe Dance Competition - Silver

Miranda
Shine Dance Competition - Gold

Delaney
Shine Dance Competition - Platinum
Peak Dance Invitational Dance Competition - Platinum
The Vibe Dance Competition - Gold, 3rd overall

Saige
Shine Dance Competition - Bronze
Peak Invitational Dance Competition - 4th in age category
The Vibe Dance Competition - Gold, 2nd overall in age category

diane.

STYLE STAR: DIANE KRUGER

To be completely honest, I really can't name a whole lot of movies Diane Kruger has been in besides a handful of indie ones...but I can tell you who was best dressed at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

Seriously, she's just cool. This woman is the epitome of showing how your personality and confidence can make an outfit memorable.

One some, these clothes would be wearing the woman. Diane always wears the pants (and dress) the fashion relationship.

tutu.

I have been blessed to have a very cool part-time job throughout university lifeguarding at the National Ballet School of Canada.

The facility (and job) combines two of my talents together and I loved being surrounded, hearing and watching so much ballet take place around me. I've been lucky enough to have taken classes and interact with the facility - a dancer's dream.

In honour of the 60th anniversary of the National Ballet of Canada, the National Ballet School was a part of The Tutu Project,. The project was proposed to various patrons of the city to create unique tutu's, the iconic ballet symbol, in whatever why they wanted to express themselves.

While walking around the Word on the Street book and literature festival last fall, I ran into the National Ballet booth and introduced myself as a lifeguard. I had the honour of getting to sign and write a love not on one of the layers of taffeta that was sewn into Juliet's tutu (the yellow layers with two red birds) that the dancer wore to perform Romeo and Juliet in.

Below are a few of my favourite tutu's.





For the backstory on each tutu and to few more, check out the National Ballet's Pinterest board here.