Fashion Files: A Ballet-Inspired Wardrobe

Coucou ! C'est Aurélie, et aujoud'hui, je vais faire quelque chose de différent. 

I love ballet, and I love fashion. In today's post, I thought I would combine two of my passions! I still have a Christmas post to write, but I'll do that this weekend. For now, enjoy what I have planned for today:

Fashion Files #1: A Ballet-Inspired Wardrobe

by Aurélie Faubert

When you think of ballet, what do you think of? Tutus? Leotards? Glitter? Ballet is way more than these things, but those things can inspire everyday outfits. I personally like to stick to a ballet-inspired color scheme when buying items for my own wardrobe (though I do wear other colors). The colors might seem a bit stereotypical, but I enjoy pastels and lighter colors. 

So, how did I go about choosing ballet-inspired outfits? Keep on reading!

This first outfit is appropriate for a party. I would wear boots with this, but I left the boots I would wear at Sabine's house. Zut ! The faux wrap skirt is covered in sequins, which makes it perfect for a party. The style of it is what gives it a ballet flair. Because it's winter, I paired it with a 3/4 length sleeved gray shirt and pink tights (once again, a ballet staple). Like I said, I would have preferred boots, but I made do with flats that almost resemble pointe shoes. Almost.

For another party look, you can switch out the wrap skirt for a skirt that almost looks like a tutu:

This might not seem ballet-inspired, but it is. When I'm at the studio, I see many dancers warm up in sweaters like the one I'm wearing below. The sweater also completes any casual outfit. I paired it with jeans, a tank top, lace-up boots, and legwarmers (which are also inspired by ballet).

This is probably the most obvious ballet-inspired look. I paired a black tank-top with a puffy cream skirt that looks very similar to a tutu.

Of course, a wrap sweater can also complete the look!

My new pajamas are even ballet-inspired! The pants remind me of a wrap skirt while the slippers remind me of ballet slippers.

How about an actual ballet costume? This is what I'm wearing for my piece in the Conservatoire de Lille's student showcase:

I hope you enjoyed that post. If you were inspired to come up with your own ballet-inspired outfit, please let me know so I can see what you came up with! I might even feature you on the blog.

Finally, do you like the idea of Fashion Files? Would you like for me to write other similar posts?

Bisous,

Aurélie

Merry (belated) Birthmas!

Salut! C'est Sabine et Sandrine. Aujourd'hui, nous allons parler de notre anniversaire et notre Noël. 

On Christmas Eve, Sabine and I stopped by Julien's house to exchange presents with him and Aurélie. I really didn't want to go. Julien and Aurélie aren't my favorite people in the world, but Sabine and our parents basically forced me into going. Aurélie had a gift for me, which was weird because we don't even talk to each other. I just give her dirty looks. That's typically the most communication we have. Leave it to her to be super saccharine, though. The thought of her makes me gag.

Sandrine's typical rudeness aside, I was so excited to see my two closest friends. I chose some pretty neat gifts for them (Aurélie received a stuffed swan from me, and I bought Julien some Spanish books), and I couldn't wait to see what they would surprise me with!

I was almost in shock when I saw what was behind Aurélie's back...an Anna doll from the movie, La Reine des Neiges (better known as Frozen)!

Now, I am not a doll person at all. I stopped playing with dolls years ago. However, I am obsessed with Frozen after seeing it three times. Anna is my favorite character, and I have the perfect place for her on the shelf above my bed. Aurélie said that Anna reminds me of me not only in appearance, but in personality. I definitely agree; I'm pretty clumsy. Plus, I can relate to sister problems...

Aurélie gave me an Elsa doll. Like Sabine, I'm obsessed with Frozen, too. There's one thing we agree on. Sabine thinks I'm like Elsa because I shut people out. I mean, I guess I do, but like Elsa, I have my own little secret to hide. I'm not too happy that Little Miss Sneaky Axelle is on the path to finding it out, either. I assumed that Aurélie gave me Elsa for the reasons Sabine thinks. However, Aurélie told me that she thought Elsa was perfect for me since I danced the role of the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker. I guess that's true. Hey, Elsa is prettier, in my opinion. Not complaining. 

Sabine insisted that we take a picture of our dolls since she believes we are the Frozen sisters. Spare me. Oh well. We both looked cute, so why not?

Aurélie gave Julien an Olaf figure! Olaf is nothing like Julien, though! If anybody reminds me of Olaf, it's my favorite American friend, Lilly. 

Julien thanked Aurélie and gave her a hug that was a little too close for comfort. I groaned, but thankfully, nobody heard me.

Julien then handed me a pretty pink bag and told me that he thinks I'll like the gift. Please! I'd like anything that boy gave me! It's the thought that counts. ;)

I pulled out two awesome journals! I couldn't wait to begin filling them out!

It was my turn to give Julien a hug and say "merci". I wonder if it made Aurélie uncomfortable...

After that torturous stop, we returned home to our parents, our brother and his girlfriend, and our maternal grandparents. Later that evening, we enjoyed our delicious, traditional réveillon feast consisting of turkey, oysters, boudin blanc, and the bûche de Noël. At midnight, we opened our presents. Sabine and I had the most presents to open, but that was only because we decided to wait to open our birthday presents on Christmas. Our birthday is actually the 19th, but Christmas isn't too far off.

Our birthday gifts were clothes, which is always appreciated! Our gifts were wrapped in the cutest bags.

I first pulled out a darling white top. It would look great with a scarf that I have!

I then pulled out a floral top. I loved it!

My favorite birthday gift was definitely this cardigan. It would go with so much! Plus, you guys know how much I love sweaters! My favorite Christmas gift, however, was an iPad Air.

My birthday bag looked more Christmas-y than birthday-ish. I was excited to see what kind of clothes I got.

Oh, this skirt is so my style! It's probably my new favorite clothing piece. My favorite Christmas gift, though, was definitely the Degas leotard I got. I've always wanted a Degas, and now, I finally have one!

I also got this new dress for when the weather gets warmer:

I also love the lace tank I got. I like it because it is easy to pair with edgier things to give them a girly flair.

Needless to say, we had a great Christmas/birthday! We hope your holiday season was great, too. If you celebrate Christmas, what did you get?

Bisous,

Sabine et Sandrine

Bring on the presents...

...ou non...
C'est Axelle et je suis un peu triste parce que je n'ai pas reçu beaucoup de cadeaux.

Oui, je sais. Christmas isn't all about the gifts. I hate to break it to you, but I look forward to the presents. That's the most exiting part! I spent the holiday with my dad and stepmother since my mom doesn't celebrate Christmas. I love the food my dad prepares, and I love sipping chocolat chaud as I open all of my presents as soon as the clock strikes midnight!

My dad has this problem- he never knows what to get me! He gets me some pretty lame stuff, to be honest, but lame stuff is better than no stuff. I cringed when he handed me a pink bag that wasn't even stuffed with tissue paper. Was that it? Was that the only present that I got? I did my best to avert my gaze so that I'd be surprised whenever I pulled out whatever the heck was in that poor excuse for a bag.

I first pulled out a pair of ballet slippers. "I know you wanted a new pair," my dad told me. NON, PAPA. I WANTED NEW POINTE SHOES. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. UGH. New slippers weren't going to help me! My pointe shoes were falling apart. I frowned and said, "Merci."

The next items I pulled out were much better. My dad got me a set of glittery gel pens and a journal. He knew I loved writing, and those items would definitely get a lot of use. Still, those things aren't like Christmas gift material. That's the kind of stuff I'd buy for myself if I had 10€ lying around. 

My stepmom noticed that I looked disappointed, so she approached me and told me that she'd take me on a shopping spree. She is seriously the best. I don't know what I'd do without her. She's the one person who actually understands all of my problems and helps me through them. 

My dad, however, didn't look too happy. Every year, I try not to get my hopes up. I always do, though, and it crushes me in the end. I have this wild imagination that just kills me sometimes, and today was one of those times. I hugged my dad and told him that I loved everything he got me, even though I was disappointed. Hey, I am a great liar when I need to be! Unfortunately, he knew that. He told me that he knew I was unhappy, and I couldn't work my way out of that one. I sighed and said that, oui, I was. I looked at my brother's pile of gifts, and he got all of this awesome stuff. 

My dad patted me on the back and said, "Axelle, I tried, and I'm sorry." I guess that's all that matters in the end: he tried. He didn't even have to do that. There isn't, like, this law that involves cruel and unusual punishment if you don't get your daughter a Christmas gift. 

So, I think I finally learned my lesson that presents aren't everything. I need to give the middle-aged man a break; he tried his best. I need to be more appreciative for what I have instead of focusing on what I don't. I have a good family, good food, nice clothes, expensive dance classes, and a roof over my head. I'm lucky. I just don't always see it because I get so carried away. Everything did work out fine, and I think my dad forgave me for acting like a spoiled 6-year-old. 

A la prochaine!

Axelle

Let the gift-giving begin!

Bonsoir, tout le monde et joyeux decembre ! C'est Sabine. C'est le mois de ma naissance et du noël. Oui, je suis heureuse !

Since Christmas is approaching, Julieta and I did some holiday shopping. Afterwards, we returned to her room to do some wrapping.

We broke out the bags and ribbons and were ready to begin the fun disaster that is gift wrapping.

Julieta lined a Christmas-y red bag with some white tissue paper. 

I plopped the gift in the bag and covered it with the remaining paper...

...and I embellished the bag with pretty silver, blue, and red ribbons to make the bag look more festive.

I took a picture of Julieta posing with the first (completed) wrapped present.

Julieta got to work with wrapping two other gifts. Both gifts were so cute, but I can't say what they are! That would ruin the surprise, especially if the recipients read this blog!

While Julieta was doing that, I put together a Christmas/birthday gift for a friend. Isn't the bag the cutest? My friend Lilly sent it to me.

Julieta chose a pretty floral ribbon for the last gift she wrapped. I think it would make a fun hair ribbon after the gift is unwrapped.

Here we are with our wrapped presents! We still have to shop for other people, but this is a good start. 

Although I LOVE receiving gifts as much as the next girl, I also have a lot of fun choosing gifts for friends. I get so excited when I find the perfect gift- I know I have to buy it! I have had one of my friend's gifts since this summer. It was just so her; I couldn't resist.

Have you done your holiday shopping yet? Who did you shop for?

~Sabine

My Style Collages!

Salut, tout le monde! C'est toutes les filles qui écrivent!
Sabine will write in blue, Aurélie in pink, Sandrine in purple, and Axelle in yellow!

We recently discovered the distracting fun that is My Style Collage. Needless to say, we decided to make some.

I'll present mine first. Obviously, I photoshopped it so that the girl would have brown eyes like me. Here's an explanation of what I chose and why I chose it.
I personally think the white fluff ball skirt that comes with that sweater outfit is terrible. It looks like a giant cotton ball. I don't like the boots. The leggings are cute, and I am IN LOVE with that sweater. I will own it someday, I swear! I also chose the black coat because I received that as a birthday present last year! I also love the watch; I wear it almost every single day. Of course, my signature glasses had to be in this! I chose the desk because I love school and learning, and the chocolate lab is in the photo since I have one of my own. Her name is Cocoa Chanel. 
The adjectives are pretty self-explanatory. I love to sing. My dream is to be an international pop star, but since that won't happen, I guess I'll settle for clinical psychologist. I chose smart because, um, I think I'm smart. I get good grades....that's something...? I am adventurous because I love traveling and languages. 
The nutcracker is in the photo to represent your twin sister, right? *winks*
No, Sandrine, it just happened to be in the photo with the jacket.
Whatever. Your loss!

So, there weren't any likenesses of me. Not everybody can be as good-looking as I am, je sais. 

Here are my choices and explanations: I have that cheetah-print dress, and it is definitely one of my favorites. However, the flats that come with it are gross. I wear the boots that are shown in my collage with it. Did I mention that I am a total boot addict? I LOVE BOOTS. I have way too many pairs. I really want an awesome black pair with gold studs. Maybe for Christmas or my birthday? That ballet outfit is totally inaccurate and looks like something a five-year-old would wear to play dress-up, but seeing as I am a future professional dancer and ballet is my life, I HAD to include it! I also steal that black jacket of Sabine's, so it made its way into the collage. The nutcracker is PERFECT, considering I'm a dancer AND currently rehearsing for The Nutcracker. Earrings are there because they are my obsession, and I love doing hair, which explains the hair stuff.

I AM SO UPSET  THAT YOU GOT A BETTER ROLE THAN ME!

Start caring more, Axelle. Geesh, leave me alone for once.

I'm on to you, Sandrine.

Cool. You won't discover anything.

That's what you think.

Leave me alone. Get a life other than obsessing over mine!

I'm not obsessing over yours. It's more like I am trying to figure out stuff about you...

End this. Now.

Mine is very pink, but there is nothing wrong with that!

Actually, there is something wrong with that. Everything is wrong with that. Pink is the most saccharine color of them all, just like you, I guess. Yeah, too much pink exists. You've proved that by making this collage. 

Okay, Sandrine, that is your opinion...anyway, like Sandrine, I would love to be a professional dancer! Ballet is my passion, my life, my everything. I happen to own that cream dress in my collage, and I love it. It's definitely my style. I really want that pretty pink lace skirt! Ugh, I haven't seen anything that cute. My adjectives correspond with my hobbies and me. I chose "dancer" because that's what I am! I am also a musician and just adore playing my flute! I love fashion, clothes, and all that fun stuff!

You can't be a fashionista and only wear freaking PINK. The only fashionista you'd be is a Barbie doll clone.

Pink is just a color; the style of the clothes matters as well as the color!

Pink is gross. I rest my case. Excuse me while I vomit.

Sandrine! 

Ta gueule, Sabine!

Oh, look, it's my least favorite collage. Actually, wait. It's a tie with Aurélie's pinkpocalypse. 

Looks like somebody's jealous!

Oh, jealously isn't even a word I would use to describe myself when it comes to you. I'm actually furious with you for being so invasive.

Once I uncover the truth, I will stop being invasive. I am an investigative journalist.

In. Your. Dreams.

I'll keep dreaming, then. ;) Anyway, thanks to Photoshop, I have a little Axelle likeness! Yay, photo editing!

So, I put the tutu and leotard in my collage because I am a dancer! I have no desire to dance professionally. I just take ballet because I obviously have nothing better to do with my team. I mean, I do. I can try to uncover people's life stories. Anyway, I chose that gold dress because I thought it looked pretty. I'd look nice in it. Not sure why I chose the snowman. It was cute, and I felt bad for it. I chose the food to take up space. That stupid collage maker didn't have stuff I actually like to do.

LIKE STALKING ME.

I don't stalk you! I spy on you.

And you wonder why we aren't friends?

I don't need you as a friend, anyway.

SANDRINE, STOP FIGHTING WITH PEOPLE!

I'm not fighting! I'm having a constructive argument with Axelle!

The only thing constructive is...never mind.

I hope you enjoyed this post! We probably won't do anything like this again because of my sister being argumentative and stuff (though I do agree about the pink overload...sorry, Aurélie!).

C'est bien, je sais que tu n'aimes pas rose! '

Oh, I see how it is! It's fine if Sabine says it, but if I say I hate pink...

You've lost your laptop privileges, Sandrine!

Anyway, if you make a collage, let us know! We'd love to check them out!

Unless you get crazy with the color pink. In that case, I won't check them out.

Who needs Sandrine? I'll still look at them!

Sabine

Happy Nutcracker/No Life Season!

Salut! C'est Axelle! Comment allez-vous, mes chers lecteurs?

I am actually very happy to be blogging right now because as the title indicates, it is "No Life Season"! In other words, it's Nutcracker season. You know what that means, right? I have to have a life most nights of the week. I can't read or write or do anything else that I love. It's all ballet and putting the minimum amount of effort into my homework. Hey, it sounds worse than it is. I always get good grades.

Back to ballet. Er, The Nutcracker. Er, the reason I have a life now. Er, the reason why I haven't written any quality material in the past week. As the actual performance nears, my life becomes all about ballet. It's especially hard since I am in my school's pre-professional division, and the instructors push you. I don't really like being pushed. This also means that the instructors HATE students who are late. Well, unfortunately for them, I am late almost every single day.

Here's why I was late today. To be honest, I'm a forgetful person, and I forget everything. I normally don't think of these things until after the fact, but today, I remembered to double-check!

Before I left my mom's small, in-no-way-luxurious apartment, I turned around because I had this hunch that I forget something. Pretty strange. I never feel like that, even when I do forget stuff.

I looked through my dance bag. Guess who forgot their tights?! That wouldn't have been good. 

They were right where I left them- hanging from my sock drawer.

I also found a pretty plaid hair ribbon. I have to accessorize my bun, you know!

I arrived at the studio five minutes into class. Since it is "socially unacceptable" to wear your dance clothes on the street, I still had to change. Unfortunately for me, I discovered that the tights I grabbed were BRAND-NEW TIGHTS. That means that they weren't stretched out, they were tight, and they were hard to pull on. The struggle was real.

At least I chose a leotard that was a size too big for me. That was pretty easy to tug on.

I guess I forgot that I forgot my pointe shoes! My instructor was going to be furious. I'm a reed flute in this year's performance, and that is always done en pointe. I put on my old, canvas slippers and hoped that nobody would notice...

We were now fifteen minutes into class, so I didn't put my hair in a bun. I just tied it back with a ribbon.

\

Not only did I get screamed at for being late, I was also in trouble for not putting my hair in a bun. My instructor sent me into the dressing room again and demanded that I at least put my hair in the bun. She, fortunately, didn't notice my lack of pointe shoes.

That was my eventful practice. Do you any of you guys dance? If so, are you going to be in your studio's production of The Nutcracker? What role are you dancing?

I will hopefully post performance photos at some pointe! (See what I did there)?

~Axelle (: