Last Dance

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Dear Blogging Friends,

Thank you for an awesome Summer.  Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos from Italy, Paris, and the English Countryside.  Thank you for letting me into your world of family reunions, barbecues, and cute sandals.  I loved spending the Summer with you and you have helped make it the best one I have ever had.  And even though Fall does not officially start until another 23 days I feel like it is time Summer Dancing Branflake says farewell and Fall Dancing Branflake emerges.  There are Summer things I wish I blogged about but ran out of time: lighthouses, sandcastles, and watermelon.  But my heart is no longer in the hot Summer months and I am finding inspiration elsewhere.

Thank you again, dear blogging friends, and I can't wait to see you in September (tomorrow) with orange trees, brown boots, and new foods to delight the senses. 

All my love,

Dancing Branflake
ps... I cannot wait to ride my bike in the Fall.  Talk about inspiring!

Are you doing a last dance of Summer?

Lollipops

image via Real Simple

I'd love to try these sophisticated lollipops made by Etsy candy maker This Charming Candy.  Their motto is "Everyone deserves a ten minute treat."  How true is that?  With flavors like Pistachio Marshmallow, Salted Caramel, and Vanilla Cardamom I wonder if This Charming Candy will propel lollipops into a comeback as big as the frozen yogurt and cupcake craze.

Don't forget your ten minute treat today.

You deserve it!

Ballet Makes Me Go... Huh?

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Sometimes I look at pictures of dancers and I get inspired.  

Other times I am just baffled and frankly a little weirded out.

Like fashion and other kinds of art, sometimes dance can be both completely amazing but makes you go "huh?" at the same time.

And for the record I still haven't figured out how these dancers are doing what they're doing.

Time to stretch!

Friday's Dancing Blogger Goes Hiking!

Blogger Jessi from Better Late Than Never sent this awesome photo of her jumping while on a hiking trip in Colorado.  Jessi's blog follows her life as a recently turned dance major doing what she needs to do to fulfill her dreams and become a dancer.  As her blog name indicates, she's an optimist who is willing to get a second bachelor's degree in order to achieve her awesome goals.

She says she was bummed that her feet weren't pointed but I think her flexed feet gives the photo a carefree and unrestrained joyful quality.

Does nature make you jump for joy also?

To send in your jumping or dancing photo just email it to me at tiffkaddy at hotmail.com.

An PS....I just realized, as I am staring at my half eaten Nutella Jar, that the company that makes Ferrero Roche also makes Nutella.  And Kinder eggs.  And Tic Tacs.  Who knew?

Tangled

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I am so excited for Disney's newest movie, Tangled, that's coming out in November.  Rapunzel seems just as no nonsense as I always imagined and her prince.... is very swoon worthy.  Haha, just kidding.  I've never had a Disney Prince crush but he's pretty darn handsome.

Any unrequited Disney crushes? 

I had a friend in high school who really liked Simba.

What I Would Wear in Paris...

Italian Etsy designer larimeloom makes all kinds of wonderful things but I love her tops especially.  I could definitely see myself roaming the streets of Venice or Paris in them. Thanks S and O Productions for introducing me to this wonderful shop.

I'm on the lookout for Etsy finds so if you have any recommendations please let me know!

Pavlovas

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Pavlovas are light as air confections.  Glossy and smooth on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside they are one of the most elegant desserts around.  Did you know they were actually named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.  Can you see the resemblance?

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Pavlovas are quite stunning and an impressive party dessert.

  Their namesake would be proud.

Mao's Last Dancer

image from the movie's Facebook page

I just heard about this movie (on Regis and Kelly hee hee) and I couldn't wait to share it with you all.  It's a true story based on the autobiographical book of ballet dancer Li Cunxin, played by Birmingham Ballet dancer Chi Cao.

From the movie's website:

The story begins when a young Li is taken from his peasant home by the Chinese government and chosen to study ballet in Beijing.  Separated from his family and enduring countless hours of practice, Li struggles to find his place in the new life he has been given.  Gaining confidence from a kind teacher's encouraging guidance and a chance trip to America, Li finally discovers that his passion has always been dance.  

image from the movie's Facebook Page

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And as a bonus (for all you dance movie junkies) it stars the same person who played Jodie in Center Stage (Amanda Schull).  There is some amazing dancing in this film and looking at the movie clips also some wonderful actors.  And even though the context is pretty heavy I hear it's got a good amount of humor in it.

What's the last movie you saw?

(I saw Toy Story 3 this weekend.  Amazing!)

(And I had S'mores with Nutella.  Yes!)

S'mores!

Marshmallow Cookie Sandwich

S'mores Sundae

S'mores Cookies

Another S'mores Sundae

When's the last time you had a S'more?

Friday's Dancing Blogger: Is Me!

The original blogger slated for today's post is being rescheduled do to some construction on her blog so I decided to "jump" in at the last minute. No problem at all because I happened to take my camera to last Saturday's company rehearsal and got some shots that you might like.

Me and Lean.  I think this might be our last rehearsal together as he'll be dancing in China in a few months.

One day you will see arm muscles when I do a handstand.  One day...

Have an awesome Friday and I will see you tomorrow!

If you would like to be featured, just email me a dancing or jumping photo to tiffkaddy at hotmail.com.

Dancers Among Us

Elizabeth from lizzie_fitz sent me this photo of New York dancer Annmaria Mazzini.  Sweet Elizabeth thought I would love it and I totally do!  With further research I found that it's from a series called Dancers Among Us, a series that features New York dancers living in the city doing typical New York things like going to a museum or feasting on some pizza. 

From the website, the photographer explains the mission behind this series:

"As these dancers ride the subway, go to a baseball game or cross the street, they remain dancers; it is their lifeblood.  Featuring the top dancers in NYC, these images haven't been altered in any way- what you see is what they did."

Catching the Subway

Going to the museum

A little shopping

Getting your shoes shined

Going to Church

This is how all dancers wish we could explore the world but refrain as to not embarrass those around us.  Okay,  sometimes I do chasses and leaps in the grocery store aisle when I think no one is looking.  It's just a habit.

Signature Scent

 

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I have worn the same wonderful Nina Ricci perfume for nine years.  It's floral, not too sweet, and very feminine.  Mr. Branflake says it's "my smell" and he always inhales deeply and smiles when I wear it.  When I wore it as a single lass I even received many compliments from men as they walked by (or stopped to chat!)  This scent just fits me, my body chemistry, and my style.  It's no surprise that Nina Ricci's clothing line suits me perfectly also.  Gloves, bows, and solid colors: this is so me!

Nina Ricci could easily frock a princess or a ballerina.  She is the epitome of feminine beauty, elegance, and slight extravagance. 

Is she your style also?  

Are you a one-scent kind of person or do you have a collection of perfume bottles on your boudoir?

Images are from Nina Ricci's Fall Winter 2010 Pre Collection found on Nina Ricci's website ninaricci.com.

Is It Easy to Forgive?

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I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness.  I'm trying to get over some things that happened last summer and, whew, it is hard! Then I think that maybe I'm just not trying hard enough.  Then I second guess myself and think that maybe I'm trying too hard and forgiveness is a lot simpler than I'm making it.  Either way, I know forgiveness is a necessity to having a healthy soul and clear mind yet for some reason I'm hanging on

Have you ever had a hard time forgiving someone?

Or do you just say, 'It's not worth it', and move on?

 (And Lenore, this photo is for you! xoxo)

PS... thanks for all the shoe suggestions.  I'll let you know what Mr. Branflake buys.

Calling All Men: Need A New Shoe!

My wonderful Mr. Branflake has worn converse for fifteen years.  15 years of bad arch support and black and white high tops.  He told himself when he turned 30 that he would buy a more grown-up shoe.  That was two years ago and he still wears his good ol' Chucks everyday (except Sundays when he wears his Church shoes). 

image via

We are pretty much positive that our babies will all wear Converse just like their daddy. 

So I need your help.  What's a good "grown up" guy shoe?  He's having a hard time letting go but at the same time he doesn't want to be 40 and still wearing the same shoe.  Besides, it really has bad arch support.

I've never owned a pair of Converse, have you?

I Refuse to Eat, Pray, Love

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I refuse to read the book Eat, Pray, Love or watch its very anticipated movie.  I read an interview with Elizabeth Gilbert a few years ago, heard her story, and I thought, "No Way.  I will never read that book nor will I see that movie."  Why?

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Because I knew if I did I would pack my bags in a heartbeat to travel the world.  

I love traveling.  

~I love the feeling of watching the scenery go by in a fast moving train.  

~I love airports.  

~I love knowing I am making memories at every new discovery, meal, and person I meet.  

~I love seeing the world through new eyes and a more open heart.
 ~Being out of my comfort zone is worth the feeling of independence and discovery. 

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A few times in my life I have packed up my belongings and moved to a foreign place to start anew.  Even though it was sometimes unnerving and scary, it was worth coming out of it a different person.

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Do you have the perpetual urge to travel or are you a homebody?
 

Friday's Jumping Blogger Goes to the UK!

Hannah Joels from Hannah Ballerina is seriously making me want to take a holiday on the beaches of the UK.

In her own words:
"Whenever we go anywhere for a break, my husband always insists on getting pictures of me being silly and jumping around. I feel silly for, oh, about 30 seconds, then always really love it (despite self-conscious protestations!)... I hadn't returned to ballet at this point, but I've always loved jumping around, and my jump doesn't look half bad on this (just need to point my toes!). This photo was taken last summer at a beach in Norfolk (UK) which we both LOVE - bleak but beautiful, and perfect for kite flying and romantic walks. No wonder I look so happy!"

If you would like to be featured, just send in a photo of you dancing or jumping to tiffkaddy at hotmail.com.

When was the last time you had a romantic walk on the beach?  

When was the last time you flew a kite on the beach?  

(I honestly can't remember the last time I flew a kite in general.)

A few updates:
~I finally scheduled a follow up for the fracture in my wrist.  The appointment with the ortro is in a few weeks.  I'll keep you posted on how much damage I've done to it in the last month.  Eek!

Pain in the Neck

Do you suffer from headache's, shoulder pain, or upper back tightness?  Do you sit at a computer for the majority of the day, drive a lot, or have an ample chest size?  Do you slouch just ever so slightly?  If so you may suffer from "pectoralis minor syndrome," a condition that not only is painful but often chronic. 

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What happens in pectoralis minor syndrome is the chest area gets tight and causes a "pulling down and forward" on the upper back muscles. This in turn causes tightness and pain everywhere from the head all the way down to the thoracic spine, particularly through the shoulder blades. 

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Luckily, there is an easy way to remedy pectoralis minor syndrome and that is through proper stretches like this one.

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I am not a physician but through my own personal experiences this stretch almost immediately alleviates the headaches and upper back pain I experience when I am particularly stressed or active.  To get a deeper stretch, raise your hands higher on the door frame.  The trick is to let gravity pull you forward until you feel a good stretch in your chest muscles.

 If you have any aches or pains that you need help with, just contact me at tiffkaddy at hotmail.com or leave a comment and I can give you tips or my own personal advice on how to feel better.  I'm not a doctor but my advice is totally free.

 Also, there is a lot of heartache in the blogging world recently.  My heart is heavy and my thoughts are with you.  I give you all my love.

Nothing Says It Like a Bow

These Anthropologie boots got me thinking: there's something wonderful about bows. 

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Bows are feminine and fun.

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Delicate and girly.

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A nice accent for everything from morning...

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...to night.

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And I love these bows expecially.  Stunning.

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Are you a bow person?

Daisy

I love reading about rich people and I loved the book The Great Gatsby.  Yeah, it's full of frivolity, wealthy people, and low morals but the setting is totally my style: high class New Yorkers partying in a great big mansion with expensive things.  Who cares about the drama?  Mr. Fitzgerald, would you please describe Daisy's dress one more time?

I found these photos by Olivia Graham and this model is exactly how I pictured Daisy- way too glamorous and haughty for her own good.  I wonder if she's on her way to a moonlight party in the back or perhaps she's just relaxing around her home in loungewear that only Daisy could pull off.

Have you gone to any fancy parties this summer? 

Were you annoyed or intrigued by Daisy?

(Marc Jacobs was intrigued and even named a frangrance after her.)

(And just as a clarification: although shockingly cute,

 the babies in the pictures yesterday were not Jameson.)