Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“She blossomed in the tiny moments when she could feel her spirit reaching for the sun.”

-Mark Anthony

Happy Friday! This past week was all about enjoying the things that make me happy. From fashion to dancing to books to buying myself flowers, I immersed myself in my interests. I had a little bit of anxiety this past week, plus the feeling of loneliness, so I surrounded myself with the things I love to do. Working from home and for myself it can get a little lonely sometimes. Talking to my parents everyday really helps, and I see my friends when I can, but sometimes it can get lonely spending all day by yourself. So doing the little things that brings me even a glimpse of happiness always helps. As you may have seen on my Instagram I finally took a tap class at Broadway Dance Center. I grew up dancing; taking tap, jazz, ballet, and modern. I even majored in dance in college– although tap is not part of dance program’s curriculum in most colleges. They mostly focus on ballet and modern. Anyway, I haven’t taken a real tap class in almost 20 years; since my senior year in high school. I have been missing taking classes. Even though I go to DanceBody every week and get my dance cardio fix from them, I miss taking real dance classes.

A few years ago I took a ballet class at Joffrey Ballet School. I enjoyed it and loved doing the barre exercises, however I am not the biggest fan of dancing ballet. I love to go to the ballet, to see the American Ballet Theatre company perform, but not so much actually dancing the art form. I was much better at jazz, modern, and tap. One of my New Year’s resolutions was to get back into dancing. To be honest, I stopped dancing back in my early-20s because I was burned out. College was physically and mentally a lot for me. I lost the joy I once had for dancing. Now that I am older, I love it again. I feel the freedom and joy I once had as a kid. This is really all thanks to DanceBody. So I have decided to get back into dancing once again.

Tap class was a lot of fun! I decided to take the advance beginners class to get myself familiarized with the movements again. I figured beginner class would be boring for me, but my level is not up to what it once was 20 years ago. I was torn between intermediate and advanced beginners, but figured it was best to take the lower level first. I am so glad I did because it was still hard for me. Tap is such a different beast than any other dance form. It’s quick and rhythmic. It’s a completely different balance and use of the body than the other forms. I had to reacquaint not only my body but my mind. Not only that, but also getting used to heeled taps. I grew up mostly taping in flats, but my mom has my flat shoes that she wears for her tap class. I only wore my heeled taps for dance competition pieces. Back to tap class- I struggled a little through the warm up, especially when we doubled and tripled the counts. However, once we really got going I was eased into the familiar movements. I absolutely loved the class I took. My teacher, April Cook, was a delight! I thought she was kind, patient, and an overall great teacher. She broke things down in a simple way for us to understand. And I loved the dance we learned! I can’t wait to go back to tap and perhaps take a jazz or modern class!

Other than my tap class the rest of my week was filled with work. I have two collaborations I am working on, so spent some time on that. It’s has rained all week, so I have been cooped up inside longing for nicer weather. Spent most of my free time reading, hoping to finish the 3rd book of the Twisted series by this weekend.

What I am watching: It was Met Gala week! I am someone who loves the Met Gala. I love seeing celebrities dressed up and walk those famous stairs of the Met Museum. My favorite Met Gala theme is still Heavenly Bodies in 2018. It had the most jaw-dropping looks! Each year I am always impressed with the artistry of each garment. A lot of work goes into each look and it is truly masterful. This year’s theme, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, was a nice touch of nostalgia. I enjoyed seeing old looks from the 90s grace the red carpet. Since this is about a prominent designer in fashion, most of the looks were about fashion and not about costumes- unlike past Met Galas. I still enjoy a good costume piece– I thought Lil Nas looked incredible in his head to toe sparkle paint? bodysuit? I am not exactly sure how they created his look. Will have to investigate that. My favorite looks of the evening were: Dua Lipa in Chanel, Anne Hathaway in Versace, Anok Yai in Prabal Gurung, Sydney Sweeney in Miu Miu, Amanda Seyfried in Oscar de la Renta, Jessica Chastain in Gucci, Camilla Morrone in Rodarte, Michaela Coel in Schiaparelli, and of course, Rihanna in Valentino. Now that the gala is over, I can’t wait to go to the Met Museum to check out the exhibit.

What I bought: I finally bought the popular renata scalloped dress from Staud. I have been eyeing it since the spring, but it sold out quickly everywhere. I really wanted the dress in pink but again, I can’t find my size. So I bought it in navy in a small. Thought it would make for a great dress to wear this summer and for the 4th of July. Next I bought this smock midi dress in blue to wear daily this summer. I bought it in an x-small based on the sizing chart, so I may have to go up a size or the x-small works. Last but not least, I bought these ivory slingback pumps to complete all of my spring looks.

On The Blog

Sunday Shopping

Straw Clutches Under $200

Mother’s Day Gifts

LTK Spotlight: Sarongs under $100

This is going to be an exciting weekend with Cinco de Mayo, Kentucky Derby, and the Coronation of King Charles. I am planning on getting up at 5am tomorrow morning to watch the entire Coronation. I am not a personal fan of Charles, but this is a historical event. I am excited to watch something so ingrained in history and tradition. It’s going to be so spiritual and sacred to watch. I get why people do not care for the Royal family, Charles in particular, but I can’t see how anyone would skip watching history in the making. In hundreds of thousands of years this will be part of history books. It’s pretty cool we get to witness it. After the Coronation I will tune into the Kentucky Derby. I love the Derby! Horses, fun hats, and pastels? Sign me up! Between the two main events I will probably go to the bookstore and finally enjoy the nice weather we are suppose to have.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

1. Tatler’s archives from past Coronations

2. Eyeing this floral smock dress

3. A classic straw tote bag

4. This cute seersucker top is under $100

5. Karl Lagerfeld looks that defined his career and remade fashion

6. Enjoyed this interview with Aerin Lauder

7. A Taylor Swift exhibit is coming to NYC!\

8. Derby through the decades

9. 20 things to do this summer

10. This blueberry energy bars look yummy

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