Christmas Photos 2012

Salut, tous ceux qui lisent ce blog! C'est Sandrine! I hope that you got everything you wanted for Christmas (if you celebrate it) because I sure as heck didn't! Anyway, since we are spending our holidays in America, our parents (particularly our mom) wanted photos. 

Oui, des photos peuvent mentir. 

It's annoying how our mom always wants pictures of Sabine and me together whenever we visit the States and do something photo-worthy. Anyway, here are the best photos!


Salut, tout le monde! C'est Sabine! I hope that everyone had a nice Christmas, if you celebrate it. I was so happy to see Lilly again. We have some fun things planned. 
Voici mes photos!


If you celebrate Christmas, what was your favorite gift that you received? Sadly, we didn't any gifts because our family gave us our Christmas and birthday gifts on our birthday!

Joyeux Noël!
Sabine et Sandrine

Joyeux Noël de Lille!

Bonjour! C'est Aurélie!
I, unfortunately, didn't get to spend the holidays in the US with Sabine like I had originally wanted do. Instead, I had a quiet Christmas with my family. We ate brioche and fruit for breakfast, and then we opened presents. After we opened gifts, we went to my grandparents' house. I did have a great time with my relatives, though, but I've never been to the USA. I really wanted to go.

Anyway, here I am by my personal tree. They were out of pink ones, so I bought the same tree as Sandrine.

I first opened a heavy package. Inside, I found the prettiest wall hanging. It is absolutely perfect for me; I can't wait to find a place for it on my bedroom walls!

I then pulled of the tissue paper out of the other bag to reveal a pretty, deep purple dress with ruffles down the front. I love the color, and I can't wait to wear it when the weather gets warmer.

My last and final present was a pair of brand-new Repetto ballet slippers...or as we call them in French, demi-pointes. My current ones were looking just a little bit worn and beat up, so I was glad to receive a new pair. I absolutely love Repetto anything, by the way. If you have the chance to visit their main store in Paris, do it!

My parents then told me to take the slippers out of the box because there was something else in there. I found a completed application to l'école de danse de l'Opéra National de Paris's summer intensive!

Summer 2013 will mark the school's first ever summer dance intensive, and my parents want me to audition! It is rather expensive, especially since I'd have to be a boarder, and that's why I didn't receive many Christmas gifts. If I don't make it, my mom said she'll take me shopping. I really hope that I make it, though. I've attended so many summer intensives, but this is one that I really want! 

I sometimes wish that I could audition for the actual dance school, but I don't live in Paris or Nanterre (where the school is)...and I don't want to be a boarder. Plus, you can't even audition for the school over the age of 13 unless you have won a major ballet competition! I dance at two places: the Ballet du Nord's school and at the Conservatoire de Lille. The school I go to allows me to take special ballet and music courses at the Conservatoire. It's really great. I will be able to earn a special arts certificate once I graduate from lycée. I love the fun, bright magenta leotards that we get to wear. At the Ballet du Nord's school, we have to stick to basic black leotards. 

I feel awful complaining. I'm very thankful for the opportunities that I have in Lille, but I just feel like there is just so much better out there. I know that there will always be people who are better than me, but I just feel like some people have more of an advantage to become a great dancer or great flautist. 

I hope that those who celebrate Christmas had a great one. I don't like venting on Christmas...especially about things that aren't even true problems. Have you ever felt how I feel, though?

On a happier note, what did you get for Christmas? What was your favorite present?

~Aurélie

Our Ultimate Christmas Wishlists

Salut, tout le monde! Joyeux réveillon de Noël! C'est Sabine...et Sandrine, Aurélie, et Julien!
Today, in honor of the Christmas season and Christmas Eve, the four of us are going to share our Ultimate Christmas Wishlists with you. I'm going to go first. We posting in different colors, and that color of each name.

Anyway, in a perfect world, I'd get the following things:

1. "Summer in Paris" outfit by Liberty Jane Clothing
No, I don't want this outfit because the title is related to France. It has everything to do with the following photo and a certain celebrity who wore it:

2. "Breakout" by Liberty Jane Clothing 
It's self-explanatory why I want this:

3. "Lightning Ridge" by Liberty Jane Clothing...it's the perfect outfit for traveling!

4. "UK Holiday" tunic by Liberty Jane Clothing...that tunic is my favorite thing LJC has ever made...aside from the Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana outfits. I wish I could own it!

5. "Le Marais" blouse and sweater by Liberty Jane Clothing
I'm not really a fan of the color of the coat, but the button-down and sweater are totally my style! I want both items so badly!

6. Tickets to a Miley Cyrus concert and a chance to meet Miley Cyrus!
This is a stretch, but in a perfect world, this would happen. Sadly, the world isn't perfect.

Sadly, my chances of meeting Miley Cyrus and owning retired Liberty Jane Outfits aren't very high at all because the world isn't perfect. So, here's to reality...

My Totally Realistic Christmast Wishlist 2012
1. The new coat with the bow in the back as seen on the All Dolled Up Facebook fan page...I want it in gray, please!
2. MacBook Air
3. an iPod Touch
4. THIS gray sweater 
5. THIS gray and white striped sweater
6. THIS striped dress

So, I'm finished. I don't even know why I made this list because I got all of my Christmas gifts on my birthday. I am only getting money, so I guess I could buy myself some of the clothing on my realistic list. I definitely think I won't get enough money to purchase a MacBook Air or iPod touch.

Sabine

Sandrine here, and IT'S MY TURN!!! I'm going to copy my sister and make a fantasy Liberty Jane wishlist.
1. "Roebuck Bay" by Liberty Jane Clothing

2. "Military Blues" by Liberty Jane Clothing

3. "Sofia" by Liberty Jane Clothing

4. "Paris Daydream" by Liberty Jane Clothing

5. "Shinjuku Starlet" by Liberty Jane Clothing

5. "Here We Go Again" by Liberty Jane Clothing

Yeah, I'll take anything on my realistic list, too, obviously. I'm not picky. I just want presents.
1. I am dying for THIS beautiful Gaynor Minden leotard!
2. iPhone 5...I'm stuck with a crappy Samsung Galaxy smartphone in the meantime.
3. Classic Freed of London pointe shoes 
4. Tarte Call Of The Wild Amazonian Palette
5. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
6. Hello Kitty eyeliner kit
7. Skirt from Liberty Jane Clothing

C'est tout!
Bisous,
Sandrine

Bonjour! C'est Aurélie! 
I'm not a big fan of Liberty Jane Clothing at all (désolée, Sabine et Sandrine!), so the items on my dream wishlist would probably be from Melody Valerie. Idealistically, I would like the following MV dresses:
1. The Joie de Vivre dress
2. The Margot dress
3. The Cecily dress
4. The Vintage Fresh dress
...and
5. Most Likely to Travel the World by L'Atelier de Sitara

Going off things I could actually get, I would love:
1. The same All Dolled Up jacket Sabine was talking about- I want it in the pink that it is shown in, though. ;)
2. THIS argyle-print dress
3. THIS skirt from Sew Urban Designs
4. THIS skirt from Forever18Inches
5. Repetto ballet slippers

However, my parents have already bought me presents. I trust them, and I'm sure I'll love whatever they get me.

Joyeux Noël!
Aurélie

C'est Julien! The truth is, I don't really want that much for Christmas. In that perfect world that Sabine was talking about, my gift would be a trip to various autonomous communities and cities in Spain. However, since money is tight and the world isn't perfect, I'll settle for...
1. A new LOSC football (soccer) jersey
2. New soccer cleats
3. a $25 iTunes gift card
4. A new cell phone...probably that Samsung Galaxy that Sandrine hates. Leave it to her to think it isn't good enough, though. It's a nice phone.
-JH

So...we told you what we want for Christmas. What is on your wishlist, if you celebrate Christmas?
Joyeux réveillon de Noël! 
Sabine, Sandrine, Aurélie, et Julien

It's the end of the world as we know it.

Salut, tout le monde! C'est Sabine!

...et Sandrine! Nous avons un petit problème. 
Oui, c'est vrai. Notre problème? Christelle a une petite sœur et nous allons la rencontrer!

Unfortunately, the world didn't end, but arguably, it did....in another way. Yeah, Christelle has a little sister. She has an older one, too. Much to my chagrin, that makes three Lacaux girls. That is three too many, I personally think. 

Sandrine and I both do not like Christelle-- this might easily be the biggest thing we have in common.
We obviously don't have this in common because I don't just dislike Christelle. I absolutely HATE her. I cannot stand her. 
I feel that way, too, but I'm trying to be nice about it, Sandrine...
Yeah, just like you try too hard to be nice to her. Anyway, Christelle is probably the rudest, most obnoxious person I have ever met. She is miserable, so she takes it out on everybody and treats them like complete dirt! Plus, she is from Paris and totally has that "Parisian elitist" attitude going on. 

For those who don't know, it's kind of a bad stereotype that those from other regions in French tend to associate with Parisians. It's more of a joke than anything, though. Yeah, Christelle *could* have that attitude, but I think her problems stem deeper than that. 

Problems. Christelle has them, definitely. She is particularly rude to me, probably because I have a temper and somewhat of an attitude. She doesn't know how to deal with that. Plus, she says stupid, stereotypical thinks about MY region, which is why I call her a Parisian Elitist because she thinks other cities (and regions) are inferior to Paris and the Ile-de-France. 

Christelle was SO RUDE to me when I bought her a Christmas present last year! She couldn't even pretend like she liked it. It is also so annoying when people think we should be friends with Christelle because she is French like us. Other than being of the same nationality, we have nothing in common with her. 

Yeah, which is why I try to avoid her instead of trying to be nice to her like Sabine does. 
Anyway, we have good reasons to be worried about Amandine and Marie-Christine, her sisters. However, we are particularly worried that Marie-Christine, Christelle's little sister, will be as terrible as Christelle because WE ARE MEETING MARIE-CHRISTINE IN JANUARY. 

Hey, being nice to Christelle might pay off...eventually. 
Our friends who run a blog called The Shoreline Student sent us a few photos of Marie-Christine. She is spending the holidays with them, and then we get to meet her. I'm sure she is different enough from Christelle. I'll try not to pass judgement until I meet her. 
Look at her in these photos. She looks so sweet and innocent in her adorable pink sweater and cutesy hair ribbons. It's probably just a guise to hide the fact that she is really like her sister. 


Marie-Christine is spending some time with the infamous twins, Kit and Kat. I wonder what kinds of things they are doing... 
I hope that Kit-Kat are entertaining her enough so that she will want to stay with them forever! Then, I'll never have to meet her. 


So, tout le monde, that was Marie-Christine. We don't know anything about her other than she is Christelle's twelve-year-old sister.
If she's like Christelle, you'll hear about it. If she's different from Christelle, you'll still hear about it, but I'll be much nicer and happier when talking about this person. 

I have my suspicions, but how wrong do you think it is for Sandrine to pass judgement on somebody we haven't even met?

You can't ask that, Sabine! How wrong do you think it is for Sabine to try and criminalize me?

Bisous,
Sabine et Sandrine

Joyeux anniversaire à nous!

Bonjour, tous ceux qui lisent ce blog! C'est Sandrine! 
Et, moi, Sabine! Aujourd'hui, c'est notre anniversaire, et nous avons 15 ans!

We dressed up in our favorite dresses. I have to say, I am in love with my dress. I love finding the perfect occasions for it. Since we don't really do birthday parties anymore (though I may have a friend spend the night), we go out to dinner with our family. I'm sad that our brother won't be home from college to celebrate with us. I understand he's busy, but I'm a little disappointed. 


We woke up on the morning of our birthday to find our gifts under my purple Christmas tree. Since our birthday is obviously so close to Christmas and since we'll be in the States over Christmas, our parents decided to give us both our birthday and Christmas presents on the same day!

Our stack of presents is absolutely beautiful! OK, I love spending time with my family, but presents are just as great. 

Let the unwrapping begin!

First, we began by opening our cards because cards are always the most boring part. I want to get straight to the good stuff!
I like when you shake cards and money comes out. However, since these are cards from our parents, they don't have money in them. They are instead full of lame, sappy comments. 

Sandrine and Mère didn't write sentimental comments in my card! Mère basically told me that she was proud of me for doing so well in school. That was it. Sandrine wrote a list of grievances...no joke! She told me that I text too much, leave hair in the brush (that could be her hair- our hair is the same color!), sing too loudly before bedtime, and talk way too much. This is all stuff that she tells me on a daily basis. Our brother at least left thoughtful remarks. I sometimes seriously consider him to be my best friend. He helps me so much, and he is a great role model. 

Ugh, Mère called me her little "Snowflake Princess". Doesn't she realize that my role as the Dewdrop is more important than being in the corps de ballet of Waltz of the Snowflakes? She could have even acknowledged that I was Snow Queen for two shows! Shows how much she knows about the ballet world. She also told me to try harder in school. School is easy; I'm just lazy. Our brother wrote a standard "joyeux anniversaire" and signed his name. Typical Sébastien. He probably wrote something thoughtful in Sabine's card. Sabine also told me that it was unfortunate that I was her twin sister. She wrote that she was kidding, but I have my doubts. 

We then opened our presents from our grand-mère on our mom's side of the family. Mémé always knows what to get us! She is an amazing shopper, and she listens quite well to any wishlists we may give her.
Mémé is a decent enough gift buyer. Sometimes she gets you what you want. Other times, she picks out totally random crap that nobody in their right mind would like. 

I received the pair of black kitten heels that I have been wanting for the longest time! I am so happy to finally have them! I also got a dressy watch, which I absolutely love, and a pretty necklace with a star because I love stars and wish that I was a star...pop star like Miley Cyrus, that is. ;)

Mémé got me pink heels, a pretty gold hair bow, and a necklace with an Eiffel Tower charm on it. The only thing I am thrilled about is the hair bow because I love fun hair accessories. She said that she bought me the necklace because she knows I want to dance for l'Opéra National de Paris someday. Really, why couldn't get me a ballerina charm instead? Oh, well. It's cute. I don't even know what to think of the pink shoes. They look like something Alyson would wear. Since she's an heiress, you can decide if that's good or bad. I am not a fan of Alyson...nope, not at all. I only have one dress that they go with, anyway. Mémé thinks I like Alyson, which is probably why she bought them for me.

Time to open the gifts from our family! I wondered if Mère would get me what I wanted...
I wondered if Sébastien actually bought me a gift this year...

Mère and Père got me the black jacket than I have been wanting since I saw it on display at Galeries Lafayette! It was a little pricey, so I didn't think they'd actually get it for me! I cannot wait to wear it. That is my favorite gift by default!
My parents got me the blazer that I wanted. I think it will be so much fun to pair with girlier things; I absolutely love that look. My gold bow will make the perfect hair accessory! I also received the cutest nutcracker! I cannot wait to display it in my room alongside all of my other dance-related things. I'm certain that Père picked it out because he fully supports my dancing...unlike my mom. He knows how much my role as the Dewdrop means to me.

Finally, we opened our gifts from Sébastien. He mailed them last week, but his packages didn't come in the mail until yesterday! He got me two great mix-and-matchable pieces: a plain black tee and tan/green cords. I'm definitely very pleased with my brother's selection. I didn't know that he could pick out clothes, but then again, these things were pretty simple. 

It is the sweetest thing. Sébastien bought me decent gifts!!! He bought me the prettiest gold purse. Again, this goes great with my bow and jacket. I'm really loving the gold. He also bought me the prettiest ballerina necklace. Sébastien usually falls asleep during my performances. Sometimes it's hard to think that he knows that I even dance. Merci, Bastien!

Close-up of my new necklace:

So, another birthday has come and gone. It is so weird to think that we are now fifteen. Fifteen-year-olds in America are getting their learner's permits and learning how to drive. Lilly turns fifteen in February, and she told me she is skipping school to take her permit test. I feel way too young to learn to drive. In France, we can't even get our licenses until we are 18! 
I have to admit, I received some great presents this year. I want to especially thank my brother whom I swear forgets that I exist. As for turning 15? Eh, it's nothing special. I wish that I could get my permit, though, like all of my American friends. Having that freedom would be terrific...

When is your birthday? What was your favorite gift that you received?

Bisous,
Sabine et Sandrine

La reine de la neige!

Bonjour, tous ceux qui lisent ce blog! C'est Sandrine, et j'avais tout de la chance!
Let me explain. The girl who was dancing as the Snow Queen in the Nutcracker was sick, so she couldn't perform for two performances. I learned her dance as well as my dance for the corps de ballet of Waltz of the Snowflakes.
So, to share my news, I danced as the Snow Queen for two performances! I wore the same tutu as the corps girls, but I wore a tiara instead of the glittery headband.

I really enjoyed dancing as the Snow Queen because it was a role that I didn't have to share with Aurélie. Plus, another girl learned the dance with me, but my instructor chose me to stand in! I was completely enthralled. I felt like a true star.

I will have photos of me dressed as the Snow Queen posted soon. For now, I just wanted to share my excitement. This is perfect...especially since my birthday is this week!

Bisous,
Sandrine xoxo

Trois films

Salut- c'est Julien.
I never got to share three of my favorite movies with you, but I will now, if you're interested.

1. Jeux d'enfants (2003)
This movie tells the story of Julien Janvier and Sophie Knowalsky. Sophie recently moved to Belgium, and she was being bullied by some other children on her way to school. Julien noticed that she was upset, so he offered her a tin box (which was a gift from his mother). Julien, however, told her that he'd like to have it back every once in awhile. Sophie wanted him to prove to her how important it was to him, and that is how the game of dares began. Whoever had the box at a given time was supposed to complete a dare. The two continued this game well into adulthood, and even though Sophie and Julien are clearly in love, they don't realize they were meant for each other until the end of the film. In the interim, both get married.
Sophie was a better match for Julien, yes, but I think I am a bit biased when I say that Julien should have stayed with the woman whom he married because her last name was Bouchard. I wonder why I think that? ;) Anyway, this movie reminds me of all the silly things that Sabine and I used to do as children, so it brings back memories every time I watch it.

2. Entre les murs (2008)
Inspired by a true story, François Marin is a French teacher who teaches at a diverse in Paris. He deals with frequent fights and outbursts on a daily basis, plus his students simply do not want to do their work. Marin tries his hardest to encourage his students to use their talents to do good, and he helps them with this in many ways. He learns more about them when he instructs them to write self-portraits. All in all, Marin learns that he can only do so much and this his students have to do the rest.
I like this movie because I plan on being a teacher someday, and it has inspired me to want to dramatically impact the lives of my future students in positive ways.

3. Les Tuche (2010)
Unemployment runs in the Tuche family, so when Jeff Tuche gets fired from his job, he celebrates endlessly. Then, during dinner, the family discovers that they won 100,000,000€, and they head to Monaco. Along the way, they have many mishaps as they try to fit into the luxurious lifestyle. At the end, they learn a thing or two about being yourself.
I like this movie because it isn't too serious- it's just a lot of fun. I thought the family's obsession with potatoes and fries was entertaining, and I also thought each of the children were very unique. I was happy when the youngest child, Donald, decided to be himself and stop pretending to be "stupid" to please his family. He excelled at an exclusive school. Considering his family's history, that took courage.

-JH

La fête de Saint-Nicolas

Bonjour, c'est Aurélie! Aujourd'hui, c'est la fête de Saint-Nicolas. 
Saint-Nicolas is somewhat of a holiday in France, though it is most popular in the Alsace, Bretagne, Nord-Pas-de Calais, and Lorraine regions. This day was more magical when I was little because I believed the legends and stories behind Saint-Nicolas then. Now, I know that my parents are responsible for the little treats I find in my shoes.

Last night, I left my ballet slippers by the door because our fireplace is under construction.

I then went to sleep because I was exhausted from Nutcracker practice, plus I had to wake up and go to school today!

When I woke up, I found candy and a pretty headband in my shoes. These gifts are supposed to be from Saint-Nicolas, though I know they are obviously from my parents. The good children get the gifts. According to the legend, a man named Père Fouettard follows Saint-Nicolas and leaves switches for the children who weren't so good. The switches look pretty, at least, as they are normally tied with a bow.

I tried on my headband. I can't wait to find the perfect outfit to go with it! Pink and silver/gray are among my favorite colors combinations! Of course, I was thankful for the candy, too. Kit-Kat bars are one of my favorites. When I visited Nice, I had the most delicious Kit-Kat ice cream. We don't have Reese's cups in France; they aren't really a French thing. You can find them in import stores, but they are really expensive! I'll gladly stick to Kit-Kats because peanut butter doesn't sound that great to me. 


Do you celebrate Saint-Nicolas? If so, did you get candy and little presents today? 

Bisous,
Aurélie