A Dance-Full Weekend; dressing for social dance and dance practice

This is the first weekend since the school semester ended that I've had that is truly mine to do as I please; no obligations, papers, deadlines, loose strings to tie up.

I choose to dance.

Thursday, I Zumba'd.

Friday afternoon, I had a lesson with Marcel.  We are preparing for the next competition, the Indiana Challenge at the end of February.  I mentioned in a past post that I'm moving up a level in American Smooth.  I don't know if mentioned that I have to move up since I won the highest award in the previous level at this competition so I can't compete in that level again.  Since I'm new in the silver level, dancing against far more experienced silver dancers, I don't stand a change of winning, but I don't really care at the moment.  I just want to dance well and work my way up over time.  In this picture, I'm doing a develop'.......my eight year old son was taking the picture and I was holding the pose while waiting....forever!!!

While this looks like a kick move....the kick is not the point of this step, the word develope' means to "unfold gradually"....and this step does unfold gradually.  When the male puts the lady in position to execute this step following a spin, the lady slowly, over four or even eight counts, begins to draw the lifting leg across the ankle first and then up the supporting leg.  As the lady extends back and continues to 'unfold' the other leg, the body's extended position, helps to created the force that drives the kicking action.  The kick is incidental and the slow, unfolding action is the drama.   Its a really fun step and I get pretty good extension and height, but I'm working on getting even more.

Dress Barn leopard print and gold metallic cowl neck shell, Garnet Hill cashmere ballerina sweater, thrifted, New York and Company stretch trousers, scarf unbranded from some quaint little gift shop. Anne Klein suede booties. My trusty Lia Sophia gold bangles.

Dressing for dance can be tricky.  I want to wear something that doesn't look sloppy and that I can wear to fun errands if I need to.  I wear dresses with black spanx underneath (for modesty during kicks) because they are so easy to move in.  I wear stretch trousers that have a bit of style, but I don't wear yoga pants (too casual).  If I'm exerting myself, I will sweat so I want to wear a dressier shell, tank or tee, something lightweight and cool.  A sweater is a must too, because its important to stay warm in the cold studio when we begin.  I usually wear a ballerina sweater like this thrifted black Garnet Hill sweater.  I start with a scarf too...because the studio really is frigid at first and then I peel layers as we progress through the lesson.

I always wear a necklace, but if its a long necklace, I double it up and keep it short.  I don't want a long necklace flinging around like a lasso and I don't want to get hit in face or smack my partner with it.  This delicate Lia Sophia necklace is called 'Whisper' and it wearing it feels like a whisper.  

Friday night was dance party night and I wore the same outfit.  Typically, I like to change into a dress, but I wasn't feeling the dress.  Alas, no pictures of the dance party.

Here's another necklace I wear often to dance in.

Yep, its Lia Sophia.  This is another very delicate piece.  Usually, I wear bolder pieces, but I like to wear gentle pieces like 'Demure'.

 Are you sick of my harping about LS jewelry?

I'm passionate about it.  I love how many of the pieces have a classic, timeless appeal.   

A, a moment to sit after a challenging lesson.  I feel like a Queen in a throne.

On my agenda for the weekend......dance party Saturday night, dance party Sunday afternoon.

YEAH!

I need this.