Firebird Moroccan Fig

I've never been one to have a signature scent. How can just one scent complement an evening of firefly watching, a morning walk to the coffee shop and a colorful Bellydance performance? No, my synesthesia requires many, many fragrances!

But now...

This scent is so ME! I got the perfume before the company changed its name from Flourish to Firebird Bath and Body. It has slowly grown on me until it has become my summer obsession. It's lighter than my usual resin and wood favorites, but it still has that exotic feeling that I crave. When I first tried it, the top note reminded me of tomato leaves-it's that gorgeous fruity, green tang. As it dries down, a bit more sweetness comes through, but it never veers into sugary foody territory. The vibrancy of the scent brings Bollywood visuals to mind-it makes me think of sparkle and jewel tones.

I smell like a Bollywood princess!

Get Firebird bath and body products here: Firebird Bath and Body on Etsy. I could go on about how wonderful their Woodsmoke and Vanilla and Ginger Tea scents are as well, but I'll save those for another blog post.

Underworld

If you take dance seriously, it is a serious challenge. I have seen it break people a little bit, when they can't get a combination right,or when they have performance anxiety, choreography issues...the list goes on. I think I have always done a pretty good job of holding it together, but recently I found my breaking point and learned that it can be very unexpected and disheartening. However, because I worked through it I found myself stronger not only as a performer, but as someone who faces challenges in other areas of my life. A breaking point can be transformational, and I am thankful for this experience. I overcame physical injury and self-doubt and pulled off a choreography that I thought was out of reach. It was wonderful to share it with a supportive audience that had gathered for a message of unity, and I am especially thankful that I had friends and family there.

If you are a fan of dance, I would recommend that you watch the full acts 1 and 2 of Ruric-Amari and Samovar at the U of L International Banquet. Underworld is in act 2, beginning at about the 1:20 mark. Enjoy!

http://www.ruric-amari.com/annoucements/university-of-louisville-international-banquet-2012-performance-videos

Boots

There is something totally affirming and comforting about boots. They are really 3-season shoes, as they are pefectly suited to all but the hottest months. I think I own more than 15 pair, from ladylike and dressy to weathered utilitarian. In boots, I can feel like a woodland adventurer even if I'm just sitting around the office. They look great with everything, but my very favorite look is a summer dress with boots and a sweater in one of the transitional season, spring or fall.

As a Southern girl, I grew up around boots. They remind me of capable hunters, accomplished equestrians and all around "can-do" people. People joke that Kentuckians don't wear shoes, but you better believe that when I hit the Zappos outlet in Shepherdsville, I head straight for the boots. That's right, a Zappo's outlet in rural Kentucky. Not only do we wear shoes, but we wear amazing shoes for half the price most people pay for them. My latest score-Type Z Sharris in this gorgeous earthy brown. I won't tell you what I paid for them, you'd just be jealous:

P.S.

Sorry for the jumbled look of some of my posts. I can't get the paragraph spacing to survive the publishing for some reason!

Good Witch Style

The Good Witch movie series is a guilty pleasure of mine, to the point that I think The Good Witch's Gift is my favorite Christmas movie. They are undeniably cheesy, but totally entertaining, and Cassie Nightingale is so charming.

What I really like about Cassie Nightingale's character is that she embraces possibility and that is her magic. There's no Hollywood-style spells, she just believes in herself and others to the point that she nurtures growth and change.

Cassie is also the closest thing I have found to a fashion icon that fits my style. She keeps things simple and seasonal, with quirky details and statement jewelry. I'd love to raid her closet for her flowy jackets alone! It was hard to find images online that show her style, check out the movies for the full effect.

I think the best place I have found so far for clothes that capture the Good Witch spirit is the Etsy shop Treehouse28. This top http://www.etsy.com/listing/62178676/wrap-top is so Cassie, and this jacket http://www.etsy.com/listing/64066519/one-tie-coat too. I could see mixing these pieces with some silk or sheer items for a soft, yet sculptural feel.

Small Business Spotlight

Last December, I posted several of my favorite small businesses on my Facebook page in order to encourage friends to support independant merchants while doing their holiday shopping. It's that time of year again!

The Faerie Market

I bought a silver oak leaf headband from The Faerie Market several months ago, and every time I wear it I get tons of compliments. It's extremely well made from luxurious materials and it makes the forest girl in me very happy. The shop also includes some big-ticket fiber art items, but the headbands are affordable indulgences.

*Photo property of The Faerie Market

Dance, dance, dance

For November and December, our dance studio turned the schedule to workshops only, and I am pushing my schedule and my budget to the max, trying to take as many as I can. So far I have completed Serpentine Movement (made me feel like I'd been punched repeatedly in the ribs), Ridiculously Hard Tribal (made me feel like I'd been punched in the ego), Aksak (a choreography I already performed, and this broke it down and showed be what I did wrong) and Cassandra Veil, an advance choreography that scrambled my brain.

Sometimes I wonder if I am dabbling in too many different things to do any one choreography or style really well. But it sure is fun try try to keep up with it all!