just enjoy the view

whenever i run in my neighborhood i run down the genesee river trail.  it comes straight from downtown rochester and goes into the university of rochester campus for, geez, i don't even know how long!

either way, when i pick it up this is the gorgeous view of the city of rochester i get.  the freddy-sue bridge adds an aesthetic quality that a lot of other cities just down have.  the trail is so tranquil and relaxing to run down and also alleviates the ugly part of mt. hope avenue i don't appreciate running down.  if i don't decide to continue down the path through the university campus then i usually pop out on mt. hope avenue just before the ford street bridge and mt. hope cemetery and run on up into the highland park area. i took the above photos this past sunday, i actually went back to the trail after my morning run because it was such a gorgeous day for snaps :)

speaking of highland park - the lilac festival starts tomorrow.  literally one of the greatest rochester festivals of the season, and i believe it's the first one as well! 

this is truly my favorite time of year!

OOTD

I have not done an outfit post in I-don't-know-how-long! I've been trying to keep it fashionable in my outfits to work.  Not sure if I've told you before but I don't have to "dress up" for work.  We have a "casual dress code", which is really just guidelines.  No flip-flops, no skirts that hit more than an inch above the knee, no ripped up jean or torn clothing.  

Sometimes it's truly a pity, because torn clothing can look so chic if worn correctly.   Regardless - I keep my torn clothing for the weekend and try to stick to "dressing for the job I want"... 

Well... except maybe on Fridays when I'm tired of wearing heels that make my calves ache...  My feet are longing for my Toms.  They are my new Go-To's after purchasing them in California this February.  

Scarf, Charlotte Russe

Shirt, target

Belt, AE

Jeans, Gap

Shoes, TOMS

a few new things...

Just wanted to share a few new purchases. 

both scarfs and both pairs of platforms via Charlotte Russe.

recital hangover...

sorry i've been so wishy washy with my posts.  my goal is to post MORE, last week and weekend was just crazy!  with the feis in syracuse (the kids did a GREAT job, nearly all placed and took home something) and the recital the following day (equally great success!)... i'm just a bit danced out.   nonetheless, i've done private lessons this week and will be teaching tonight at competition class.  i'm super excited to get back into that groove...   although i love my little babes, teaching the kids that compete is just a whole different ball game.  i think i relate better to them as a dancer because i feel like i wouldn't do something for "fun" and not practice to be the very best at it.    they come to class every week, expect to get "shouted" at, expect to sweat, expect to NOT play games, expect to perform 150%... and don't ask questions about it.   they know it's for their own benefit...  

needless to say i'm pumped.  now, i'll try to not be so "part time blogger" in the future, but sometimes life just takes over :)

see ya soon - xx

the city that never sleeps...

i have a few really great stories about my trip to visit kelly this weekend.  but, i'm literally going through pre-recital hell right now so i just wanted to share a few of my favorite snaps before i hit the sheets.    the photo of the kid is probably my favorite and i'm so happy it came out perfectly - sometimes kids move so fast i never know what i'm actually going to get a photo of.   it was so fun, we really had such a gorgeous day!

enjoy.

recital week . . .

I apologize for the absent-ness lately - we've been preparing for the recital and then I took off to visit Kelly downstate for the weekend.  Poor planning on my behalf, but I did have an excellent time (photos to come when i can get them off my camera).

So, back to recital week - it's themed "Lancelot" which was sort of a mistake but we made it/are making it work, heh heh.   We try to do what we call a dance drama, so it's supposed to be like a ballet where the dancing and the music tells a story, but we throw some narration in there.   We had a lot of fun with the music for the Irish dances this year, too.  For instance - we have the YMCA and a cover of Led Zepplin's Immigrant Song, Hungry Like the Wolf...   it will be interesting for sure.  But, with all of that also comes costuming...

The ballet, tap, and jazz students get typical costumes for their particular dances which usually consist of a beautifully sparkly and colorful tutu.  The Irish dancers usually wear a black turtleneck leotard with a black skirt and their poodle or popcorn socks.  So, to make their outfits more exciting we usually give them accessories to make them look more the part.   This is the part that I may have bit off more than I can chew here with my busy life.

Luckily I was able to put  my Advanced Beginner 2 class to work at class last week and their costumes are done, and they loved helping!  The other kids are a little too young to take on the task so I'll be spending most of the nights this week gluing stars and gutting garbage bags and elastic and glitter, etc.

I'll let ya know how it works out.  Hopefully I don't go into work Tuesday morning looking like a craft project gone bad!

Have you ever taken on too much, or left yourself next to little time to complete a project?

music that gets me through any day...

Many of you might have a favorite band or favorite song.  I'm sure you do - you know, your go to on a cloudy or bad day.  Something you know will most definitely perk you right up?!

I'd have to say, despite some of their more depressing songs Coldplay totally does that for me.    I'm a little late here, but I just borrowed their new album from a friend and listening to it decided, yes - this band's music instantly puts me in a good mood.  No matter what is going on in my life any of their songs just seem therapeutic.   I'm not sure if it's the drivey rhythms in the background or the amazingly layered vocals in the foreground.  Probably the combination of both.

Do you have a favorite band or favorite song that always sets your mood right?