a few “non-ballet” finds…

Having started to look further afield for my ballet kit, I thought I’d share some of ballet-able items I’ve come across! The difficulty with shopping from established ballet brands is that, ultimately, less than half of it feels age-appropriate, flattering and/or supportive. I know that’s because adults are probably in the minority of shoppers, but I can’t help but feel that as a size 8-10 with an athletic build, it would be really nice NOT to be maxing out the size Large and having to buy everything in navy and black! 😂

I’ve mentioned this before, but WHY is charcoal grey so hard to find in the ballet world! This affordable playsuit by ASOS would be a perfect little warm-up. I like this because it’s tailored at the waist, instead of the sack-like shape you tend to see from mainstream ballet brands.

Can’t fit a bra under that leotard? Make a point of it! Forever 21 do a lot of really cute sports bras for their active range. A lot of them are only low-medium support, but I find that combined with the built-inshelf bra you’re good to go!

For me, layering tops are a really great way to avoid the jiggling cleavage that comes with centre work. 😰 Even though it’s more flattering on a larger bust to have a lower neckline, I find myself much more comfortable with a higher neckline that doesn’t draw as much attention. Sometimes even just a layer of mesh will do! Missguided surprisingly have a LOT of cheap crop tops in really fashionable cuts and colours, that would look great over a leo.

But if you do prefer the classic ballet wrap, American Apparel (as much as we all hate the guy who runs it) often makes wrap tops in some much more interesting colours and fabrics than you tend to see. I love the velvet ones, for example!

Ballet Rookie x

spacegirl ballet!

I came across a new brand today called Quontum (via ASOS) that has put out a range of really interesting sportswear! It sort of reminds me of ballet on a space station – a little bit tough and practical, a little bit pretty and flattering. I’m really tempted to try out some of the looks for ballet class…

I love this mesh leotard with the baby pink cuffs and back detail.

I’m also SO tempted by this unique wrap top, with an interesting panelled design in charcoal grey. I don’t know why but it’s so difficult to find cute charcoal grey or even normal grey ballet gear! It’s such a shame because it’s really flattering colour that suits all the pastel pinks and blues you tend to see.

I also like this leotard and crop top with khaki green panels, which gives it a bit of an army girl vibe. I can definitely imagine a science fiction heroine in these!

Do you know of any unusual leotard brands? I would love to see what else is out there!

Ballet Rookie x

a pretty ballet bag

I’m so happy! I have honestly been “umming and ahhing” over this Repetto ballet bag for at least three months, when one particularly stressful day I just thought, sod it. I deserve it!

I’ve been using natty old tote bags for over a year now and things were always falling out of the top because they don’t close. It was also seemingly impossible to keep them on my shoulder, because tote straps are quite small and as soon as you’ve stuffed it with a drink bottle, slippers, spare layers, tights, and all the rest of it… it’s like carrying a puffy bed pillow on a strap. 😂

So! At last. A decent amount of space and a zipper! And pockets! 💕💕💕

I also decided to splurge on this Seamless Cropped Top. I was really unsure, because it’s £35, which is really a lot for a little sports bra. (Not to mention the chance that it would be unsupportive and ugly.) But I’m thrilled to report, it’s absolutely brilliant!

I’m a good D or DD cup, depending on the bra, so finding support in ballet is an absolute nightmare. But this cropped top strikes the perfect balance between comfort, support and a flattering look which actually fits under ballet leotards. I honestly can’t recommend it enough!

Do you have any recommended ballet kit?

Ballet Rookie x

damn arabesques…!

If there’s one thing that never seems to get any easier, it’s the arabesque. Every millisecond I hold them I feel like my back is falling apart! Worse still, my back flexibility/strength is just not what it used to be as a gymnast, so I’m always disappointed at how terrible it looks compared to how difficult it feels.

Well… Miracles do happen!

I don’t practice arabesques (or anything really) at home, but I just felt like testing myself for some reason. I’d had a particularly good class and I guess I was just feeling limbered up. So I was so happy to see my leg is finally horizontal (just!) and my shoulders are much more square.

Another point of pride is that, in the top picture, my teacher had yanked the foot of my standing leg around so that it actually had some turnout. So I’m amazed that I naturally stood on a foot that is just as turned out! Maybe the dreaded turnout really is improving too… 😂

So! A happy day for me! 😊 Here’s hoping it’s a little inspiration for anyone else out there too!

Ballet Rookie x

pretty ballet nails!

I’m sure most of you know about the cute OPI Ballet collection that came out last year. But what about this adorable new collection of nail polishes and lip glosses from Japanese gift shop Maison de Fleur? By attaching tiny, teeny tulle skirts on to the bottles, they look like itty bitty ballerinas. It’s too cute! 😂

Could they be any cuter!?

Unfortunately it’s not easy to buy from this brand as they don’t even have their own website (as far as I can make out) but they are currently sold through Stripe Club, ZoZo Town and Fuji Daimaru UROKO. (So if you do want to buy, you’ll probably need to go through a Japanese parcel forwarding service like Tenso.)

But we can still enjoy “window shopping” from here! 💅🏽

They are a little on the expensive side, at ¥2041 (~£12.70) for one nail polish and ¥3553 (~£22.10) for one lip gloss, but they’re so cute that I don’t think I could resist if I were in Japan right now!

Which colour would you pick? 😊

Ballet Rookie x

let’s do the splits: nine months on

It’s been a good amount of time – over nine months – since I started trying to get the splits in July 2015. So I thought it was time to check my progress.

This is the result of stretching 2-4 times per week.

Right Leg Splits. Top: June 29th, Middle: Sept 28th, Bottom: July 1st

Right Leg: This doesn’t look much, but I feel way more comfortable in my right leg splits now. My toe is starting to point and my hips are much more relaxed.

Left Leg Splits. Top: June 29th, Middle: Sept 28th, Bottom: March 1st

Left Leg: I am not very happy with the progress here. Even though it’s another few centimetres closer, I really should be on the floor by now!

Centre Splits. Top: March 29th, Middle: Sept 28th, Bottom: March 1st

Centre Splits: I’m so close!! Hooray! It’s a bit hard to see but I actually think I’m closer to the floor here than on my left leg splits.  In fact, I have started practising an “upright” centre split with my feet turned up.

The Routine: Calf stretch, standing hamstring stretch, standing hip flexor stretch, standing pike stretch, straddle (“pancake”) stretch, kneeling hip flexor stretch, kneeling hamstring stretch, lying on the floor and using a theraband to pull my leg to my head, and finally, just holding each split as long as I can. I also use a lacrosse ball to do trigger-point release around my hips.

Ballet Rookie x

that’s Dita on pointe!

I don’t know if I’m the only ballet enthusiast who didn’t know this, but I came across this pretty picture of Dita von Teese on pointe yesterday and it blew my mind!

Her feet look pretty great! And it turns out she has even had her own custom pointe shoes designed by Christian Louboutin, with signature red leather soles. They’re so beautiful!

I really love the colours and how they work with her outfits. It’s definitely a little inspiration to keep strengthening those feet! 😩

Ballet Rookie x

ballet wishlist!

I can’t tell you how often I browse ballet shops online. Like, too much. Too much for someone who is a) clearly never going to be professional and b) therefore never going to dance more than two or three times a week! How much stuff can a girl really need?

All of it, it turns out. 😂

Here are a few things I’m currently lusting…

The Repetto “Glide” Duffle Bag in baby pink! It’s so cute! It’s lined with pink satin! And I don’t have a ballet bag at the moment, so it would be SO nice to stop using the dirty old canvas tote I have.

These hand-knitted “Summer” ballet warm-up shorts by My Cotton Candy! Oh my god, they are so cute and perfect – AND made by a fellow adult ballerina! I have been wanting to order from her for a while but I just can’t decide which colours I would choose…

The “Iris Prima” eau de parfum from Penhaligons. I originally heard about this because it was designed in collaboration with the English National Ballet and is supposed to be “the essence of ballet, bottled.” Needles to say, I was skeptical. If anything, ballet smells terrible! But the last time I visited the store I gave it a go and it’s really something. It’s mature, yet understated, with a light mix of bergamot, vanilla and iris, and a hint of what to me smelled like freshly-bought leather slippers and a dusting of baby powder. I can’t really describe it in a way that does it justice! Too bad it’s so expensive…!

What’s on your ballet wishlist?

Ballet Rookie x

 

sore legs but a light heart

 

My new Gaynor Minden sweater tights and a top I cut from an old leotard that wasn’t working out!

 
I had my first ballet class of the year today! I was frustrated it took me so long to find the time to go back, but I just couldn’t get through all the work that had piled up. (That’s that “chilled out” freelance life for you!)

Anyway, it was wonderful. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders!

Even better, my favourite ballet teacher had recently resumed taking my class after being moved to the intermediate level. It was so nice to have her back! She’s mastered the art of leading a class that is slow and steady, yet super challenging and full of technique. Other teachers just seem to go faster as you get better, but she really focuses on skill building.

Fleecy warm-up from Plume, square-neck leo from Wear Moi and drawstring bag from Papinelle.

I didn’t push myself when it came to battements, ronde de jambes, développés and jumps, because I have been using my downtime to try and relax my hip flexors and strengthen my turnout muscles.

After noticing my turnout was significantly better on one side than the other, I went to the physio and found out that my hip flexors are just “on” all the time and all my other muscles are weak. I think I’ll dedicate another post to the exercises I was given to correct this, since it’s quite in-depth. Plus I want to see if it’s working!

Who else is happy to be back? 😊

Ballet Rookie x

when ballet happens to your sock drawer…

  
Who else is looking at one of these situations!? 😂 I’m barely dancing twice a week and yet my ballet tights seem to be reproducing!! I’ve even thrown a few natty ones out but there’s still hardly room. What’s a girl to do!?

Anyway, this is just a quick update to say that I’m still here and excited to recommence ballet classes for 2016! Sorry for the hiatus. Watch this space! 💕

Ballet Rookie

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