Do you deck out your balcony or do you use it to store your old winter tires? Spring has sprung and it is time to clean out your balcony Montrealers. There was a time when I did live in the beautiful suburbs of the west island and had access to a yard and all of its benefits. The vegetation, the space and the privacy. Lucky for me though, I happen to live in a downtown building that has an incredible rooftop access complete with lounging areas, BBQs, a fire pit and a heated swimming pool with a killer view of downtown Montreal. I have to admit that without this unbeatable amenity, I perhaps would not have survived the urban life as long as I have. This space allows us urban folks to have the city life while enjoying a few perks of the suburban one. Still, there are moments where you want your privacy and retreat to your own little balcony. To me, no matter the size, it can truly be a magical spot. Living in the city though, I have seen it all: the traditional two-chairs-and-a-table kind of balcony, the "I have no shame and put everything I don't care for there " kind, the kind with a random old office chair on it that gathers dust, the kind that has what seems like 50 potted plants along with a green thumb master who can handle them all and many many more. A balcony can say a lot about a person. For example, the one who stores his or her mop and bucket on it? I'm sorry but I question their sanitary habits. Balcony businessBeing a seasonal enthusiast, I like to transform my home accordingly and the balcony is a very important piece. When you live in the city, every single inch of space counts. Considering also that our hot summer days are limited, balconies are gems that ought to be treasured. Regardless of its size, you can turn your balcony into a real slice of paradise. Less can definitely be more: a few potted flowers, pillows and a chair and you're in business. Even with a tight budget, places like Dollarama offer great prices for outdoorsy decor and gardening tools. You first begin by identifying the feel you are going for. If you just Google Tiny balcony ideas you will find lots of simple concepts that will ignite your brainstorm. Was there a city you visited that you'd like to recreate with this space? Do you like the soothing and cool or the warm and energetic color tones? Stores like Stokes, Pier Import, Canadian Tire and Bouclair are fully equipped with everything you need but can be overwhelming if you don't have a clear idea as to what you want to create. Flipping through magazines and gathering photos of places you've traveled to are sure to get you to identify what you like best. Balcony BlissThere is something romantic about a city's tiny yet precious balconies. Think about it, balconies and miniature terraces in Europe aren't ALL surrounded by breath taking views. Some homes are located in tiny and busy streets, facing other buildings and are very close to their neighbors. There's often smog from all the cars passing by. Yet, these small spaces remain charming because of their simplicity and timeless style. From what I have seen, even the smallest of window balconies are adorned with beautiful vines and flowers. I could be wrong, but a clean and practical balcony makes me belive that the person living there gives a damn about their home; they take care of it. I don't have a very large balcony myself, yet, when I step out on it, I feel transported somewhere between Italy and the Caribbeans. Given my Italian background and an epic trip to Florence back in my days of youth, I recreated a Florentine bistro feel with warm yellow pillows, potted flowers and red and white checkered table cloths. The beautiful and travel size palm tree and yellow hibiscus swaying in the wind gives it a tropical twist. To finish the look, I hung party lights in a purposely neglected manner to give it that relax feel and placed a nice Buddha statue to zen the Montreal chaos a little. I just love hanging out there and taking care of my flora friends. If I close my eyes, I could be anywhere...Now if you'll excuse me, I simply must step out and enjoy my sunny balcony bliss. What about you? Care to share your balcony ideas with the bee? Je me promenais dans le centre d'achats de La Place Alexis Nihon comme je le fais très souvent à l'heure du midi et en entrant dans une boutique, j'aperçois une dame qui m'envoie la main. C'était Carole, la couturière. Elle me dit: "viens me voir après tes courses!" et je hoche le tête. Je viens la voir, elle m'accueille avec un grand sourire comme elle le fait toujours et m'annonce qu'elle quitte le nettoyeur pour lequel elle travaille. Il est grand temps qu'elle fasse une transition vers d'autres projets, me dit-elle. Je souris et ressens un petit pincement dans mon coeur. Cette talentueuse dame super sympatique qui a ajusté, modifié et embelli plusieurs de mes vêtements ne fera plus partie de mon petit monde qu'est le centre d'achats de La Place Alexis Nihon. J'ai souvent songé à écrire à propos des gens qui travaillent avec leurs mains; qui ont un "vieux métier" et lorsque Carole m'a dit qu'elle partait, j'ai saisi l'opportunité pour lui rendre hommage. Les cordonniers, les mécaniciens, les peintres, les briqueteurs, les coiffeurs et j'en passe sont pour moi tous des artistes. Ils ont beaucoup appris plus sur le terrain que dans les livres (mon style d'apprentissage préféré). Leur expertise se voit clairement dans leurs mains qui sont, la plus part du temps, endurcies et aguerries par l'expérience. J'ai beaucoup de respect et d'admiration pour le travail qu'ils font. En quelques secondes de manipulation ou avec seulement un regard, ils sont capables d'analyser et de diagnostiquer le problème: "Ouep! c'est la coutûre qui est trop faible mais le cuir est encore bon. On va renforcer ça pour toi, mercredi ça te va?" me dit le cordonnier en tenant une de mes paires à talons hauts entre ses mains. Et comme promis, mercredi arrive et les chaussures qui ont maintenant une deuxième vie, m'attendent patiemment dans la petite boutique du cordonnier. Le résultat de leurs efforts est visible et quantifiable et je trouve cela satisfaisant et rassurant dans un monde inondé de concepts intangibles.le Des générations de couturières ItaliennesJ'ai une admiration toute particulière pour les femmes couturières étant données que plusieurs de mes arrières grand-mères et mes arrières tantes cousaient, crochetaient, tricotaient et brodaient. En effet, mes deux grand-mères cousaient elles aussi. Ma mère a appris à un jeune âge à suivre un patron pour faire ses propres robes et vêtements. Ma soeur semble avoir le talent aussi. Pour ma part, je fait entièrement confiance à ma mère et Carole, la couturière car il ne faut pas oublier que la couture implique aussi les chiffres et certains calculs précis. Pas ma spécialité car je fait tout à l'oeil et sans mesurer! Bref, j'ai été entourée et sensibilisée par les oeuvres de ces femmes, surtout ma mère et cela me fait apprécier le travail qui se cache derrière un vêtement. C'est ma mère qui m'expliquait toujours comment repérer la qualité d'un vêtement, soit par sa finition ou par le matériel utilisé. C'est elle qui m'a fait comprendre la précision et la concentration nécessaires pour créer mon costume de tomate pour l'Halloween (oui, j'ai été une belle tomate ronde et rouge pour l'Halloween ;) quoi de plus Italien? ). Qualité des vêtements d'aujourd'huiC'est pour cela que je suis souvent très déçue des magasins de vêtements offrant des produits à prix abordables mais qui malheureusement ne durent pas très longtemps et parfois, bien franchement, tout croche. Il fut un temps où la qualité n'était jamais compromise. Le cuir était toujours vrai, les bijoux étaient vrais (métaux précieux), les matériaux et les tissus choisis étaient résistants et tous les vestons et les jupes avaient des DOUBLURES! Maintenant c'est un miracle de pouvoir trouver des vêtements à prix moyens avec ce genre de finition. C'est comme ça que j'ai fait la connaissance de Carole. Elle a travaillé sur des vêtements bien spéciaux, souvent elle y ajoutait des éléments de base qui manquaient. J'ai parfois même acheté des articles car je savait que Carole pouvait me les ajuster. Elle me racontait aussi que de plus en plus, même les marques de luxe ne rencontrent pas toujours les standards de haute qualité. Un exemple que vous avez fort probablement déjà vécu: votre manteau bien chaud et super chic pour l'hiver n'est pas sensé "perdre ses plumes!". Les plumes sont, en principe, sensées être dans une doublure séparée et ensuite le tout inséré dans le manteau. Ce n'est souvent pas le cas et ça c'est Carole qui me l'a appris.
Nous avons ri à plusieurs reprises dans la petite salle d'essayage et mon admiration pour son travail de couturière nous a grandement rapprochées. Joyeuse et souriante, Carole est toujours très occupée avec ses clients. Mais ne la sous-estimez pas car elle sait tenir tête aux clients qui veulent des modifications très compliquées en moins de 24h. Carole la couturière, avec ses lunettes et son mètre ruban autour du cou, est pour moi une femme membre d'une génération qui tranquillement commence à disparaître. Ces femmes qui ont connu des temps plus difficiles et qui, comme un rocher sous l'effet érosif des vagues, demeurent solides tout en gagnant en douceur et en sagesse. Pour tous les vêtements que vous avez raccourcis, modifiés et sauvés, merci Carole! Ivana Tinybumblebee xx Last Tuesday, March 22nd, a special cocktail-benefit was held at les Grands Ballets Canadiens studios. It was an evening that was organized and planned by the dancers and crew of les GBC having for objective to tease us with their self-made performances...man did that work! Standing there among the dancing stars, I was immediately captivated by the scene that was unfolding in front of me: two dancers, Anya Nesvitaylo and Leigh Alderson clasped to one another, moving as one and perfectly with the music. In a heart beat, other dancers filled the floor to create a unison effect with the couple. Connecting with the dancer's moves and minds...While the other teaser performances went on, we were so few and so close that we could hear every squeak, every breath and see all of the muscles contract. What a difference between sitting in front of a huge stage among hundreds of people and being there, only a few meters away. No settings but that of the studio, a few chairs and the music. Stripped of any decorative distractions, the performances were organic and authentic. I could see the dancers' facial expressions and felt the emotions. This immersive workshop experience made its way to everyone's heart. The choreographers and dancers took us with them as they danced. Another special element that definitely took dancing to another level was the fact that some of the pieces had voicing...What do I mean by that? Aaahhh! You'll have to check out the workshop À Suivre for yourselves bee readers! Speaking with the choreographersAfter the demonstrations were done, the floor was open for us to ask any questions we wanted to the creators/choreographers. I asked two questions, one being A) How many hours of practice for each choreography? Is there a particular number they like to hit? "As many as possible!" one of them said. As if they don't dance enough as it is, these choreographies demand even more time of their busy schedules. So after a full day of rehearsals, they have to squeeze another few hours for these creations and practice some more. My second questions was B) What was the inspiration behind one of the last pieces? Troy Herring answered that the piece is really meant for us to feel whatever moves us, it's left for us to interpret and for it to express what we are feeling. He and Corwin Barnette were hilarious in explaining their teaming together to create choreographies. They mentioned how they actually complete one another quite well as they both in poses diversified working styles: one being more structured and logical while the other more impulsive and "far out there". Brought together, they seem to be the Lennon and McCartney in translating their ideas and bring their choreography making to the stage. Hanging out with the kindest dancers in Montreal!Soon after, the cocktail-benefit began in the room next door, giving us a chance to hang out with the dancers. I got a chance to see the bubbly Mahomi and discuss with Troy and Corwin more personally. Artistic photos of the choreographers hung on a wall and multiple tables adorned with delicious goodies from sponsoring companies welcomed us. Yummy Sangria, that Sahra was elegantly serving, a selection of white and red wine, cheeses, tiny boxed popcorn, personalized tiny GBC cupcakes and last but not least, there was a table of assortments of pies provided by Ta Pies. Renata and her fiancé Steve introduced me to these palate pleasing pies, mentioning that a taste of these famous pies would change my world. They did, they truly did ;) I also got the opportunity to meet Éline Malègue and Rubén Julliard, two wonderful choreographers who, in a few minutes passionately shared about their dancing realities and took the time to answer my questions. This was the real treat: to hang out and discuss with GBC dancers and meeting individuals from all over the world. The ambiance was one of kindness and genuine appreciation from everyone in the room. The crowd was happy, talking and laughing; everyone mixing and having a good time, me the most! All this just begs the question: Imagine how spectacular and breath taking the Choreography Workshop À Suivre will be next week? ....well, à suivre! Bee dancin' xx Hello Beeple people, March Madness. Every year, the month of March seems to bring significant changes in my life. Deaths, births, challenges at work, new stimulating projects, life decisions, etc. Good or bad, March always serves me a nice platter of change. This year was no exception. For the past few weeks, I have been focusing my efforts on dealing with the ending of a particular chapter in our life, Philippe and I. It is quite a positive change for us but also, an emotionally charged one: that of his childhood home being sold two years after his mother's passing. A home that meant the world to him. Packing up, I was overwhelmed by the memories while at the same time, breathing sighs of relief as we were leaving the house to focus on our own lives and also, as we were leaving the house in the care of a new loving family. One who fell in love with it and who will treat it as well and do it justice as Philippe did. Walking back home from work one evening, I caught myself thinking of this bitter sweet transition that was hovering over me and a poem started to write itself in my head. What a great idea, I thought, to bid the home a proper farewell as it liberates Phil and I to new adventures. The house on Westcroft HillThe house that sits on top of Westcroft hill Though now empty, shines for you still And as I look into your green eyes I can almost see the memories rise The home that saw you first as boys That held the space for all your toys A shelter to you and all your dreams Twas many moons ago or so it seems The front door that was never locked Like the comforting pier where everyone docked Welcomed many at any hour of the night Friends dropping by for a fresh muffin bite The basement is now lonely and awaiting its guests For what new generation will greet its new nest? The sturdy furnace, for now, at your service Still adjusts to your demands until further notice The pool and garden send their farewell For the summers of beauty that were under your spell The grass that you cut and the flowers you grew A paradise of flora that all the birds knew Even the wooden high maintenance deck That was a royal pain in the neck Sends a grateful wave of respect To the faithful hands that transformed its wreck And the dishes too, will never forget The splashing soap and water that they met When you arrived to see them stacked You were the bus boy they wanted back The house knows you are soon leaving As we are slowly easing its heavy heaving Thanks to this home for the tears and laughter As giant page turns to close this chapter To it you were loyal, to it you were kind You became its saviour while accepted the grind You’ve seen and memorized its years of glory And now it’s ready for another story As we shut the door and hand in the key Its silence and peace will now set you free... By: Ivana Lemme copyright March 2016 What about you, dear reader? Have you been going through March Madness as well? Bee free, always xx P.S. Here's the last pool hang out we had two years ago for those who wanna reminisce. "You'll only wear it once!" That's what everyone says about a wedding dress. Mine was no exception and it's true. In theory, you only wear you wedding dress on your wedding day, period. Unless of course you decide to through a fancy dinner with your friends and ask them to wear their wedding attire and of course, that is precisely what I did. This was an idea I had after my very own wedding day last June. A friend and I were chatting and she, who was also going to be a bride in a few weeks, agreed that when all of our bridal duties would be over, we would take our wedding dresses back out and have dinner wearing them. Since then, the idea had been in my thoughts. Thinking of this, I couldn't help but wonder what happened to those days when men wore full suits and women wore gowns and gloves for dinner? It seemed that every day, dinner was an "event" to get changed for and to glam up for. Why, in the early 1900s, it was considered quite normal to change three times a day if not more: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There were also many rooms in which to receive guests: the drawing room, the dining room, the atrium, the garden and more. Granted, much has changed since then and perhaps it was indeed a good idea to leave the corsets and top hats behind. Still, should we consider going back to formal dining? If we go back to the even just the 1990s, I remember at least dressing up for special events and activities. Going to church, birthday parties, having family over, Christmas, and Easter all required a different and proper outfit. For each of those, my sister and I had a one picked out (often matching). It was a drag to put on the tights and wear uncomfortable fabric but we did end up looking quite cute and organized. My mother would wear her jewelry and beautiful ensembles and my father looked sharp in his tie and moustache. Back then as well, dry cleaners were busy getting suits pressed and gowns refreshed as fast as they could since we couldn't miss our chance at picking up our outfits. Everything was closed on Sundays! That being said and at the risk of sounding like a Victorian, I missed the days where we would pull out something we wear on special occasions for a dinner with friends and give the night a glossy finish. After laughing about how silly a fancy dinner with wedding dresses would be, I decided to go through with it. Because let's face it, when will we all have the occasion to do this again? Life is now. So I launched an invitation entitled the FDA (The Fancy Dinner Affair!) to our good friends, especially to those who had mentioned their interest for it. The RSVPs trickled in and I was happy to organize this festive occasion and couldn't believe how into it people were. In preparation, I borrowed my mother's shiny cutlery and her finest china to set the tables. I folded cloth napkins especially nice and marked every seat with "reserved for royalty" place cards. This would be a night where all the stuff you never use and keep "for special occasions only" in cupboards somewhere would be used. Like that crystal butter holder that's gathering up dust or that tea set grandma kept so well. Everything would be getting a second chance at finding its purpose again. The one rule? You know it. Couples had to wear their wedding attire. That's right. Full three piece suit and bow tie for the gentlemen if that was the case and the beautiful wedding gowns for the ladies. The unmarried or single had to wear their fanciest outfit as well. After all, it's not about being married, it's about being fancy ;) The week coming up to this FDA event, I was catching myself smiling at the thought of seeing everyone in their wedding attire and glamorous outfits. The menu for the soirée was set to please the traditional and vegetarian palates. The night of, the ladies wearing their wedding dresses changed once they arrived as this would be easier than risking wearing their dress in the car. While getting changed, The girls and I relived the excitement of wrapping ourselves in such beautiful gowns, helping each other zipping up and buttoning down. Hairdos were done, nails were immaculate and makeup was on. The men impressed me the most, wearing their bow ties right down to their shoes. Everyone looking swell, we hung out in the kitchen as though this is something we did every weekend. We cheered to good times and began our evening with sparkling wine. The husband (en Français: "le mari" a trend started by Caroline Nguyen ;)) took care of the wine list to ensure we tried varied styles. We decided to go low on the tapas in the beginning to ensure we hadn't stuffed our guests too much for the main course: Cavatelli with red sauce followed my kale salad and arancini (vegetarian platter) and finally, veal scaloppini with mushroom sauce, taters and fagiolini (french beans). Phil and I decided to order all of this wonderful food at Traiteur LT (Thanks Mike!) to make our lives easier when hosting. We figured, it would be a practical idea especially when you are wearing something like, oh I don't know, a white wedding dress? I have to admit that it was weird serving food I had not yet tasted but we had heard marvels of this catering comforting Italian food place and indeed, it turned out delicious! We highly recommend it. As the courses of meals went on and the night unfolded, I sat at the table and took a good look around me. "Look at these guys" I thought to myself...everyone in their beautiful outfits. How cool are they? I couldn't believe how kind and generous these human beings are. I mean, yes, I am fully aware of how great they are as friends already, but this is not something I take for granted. Especially on a night like this. Not one of them calling me crazy to throw such a dinner party. Rather, they jumped at the idea and followed me in my folie, making the night what it was. Everyone helping out, contributing in their ways, volunteering to do dishes and looking chic while doing it. Basically just having a good old time. While I have to admit that it wasn't easy travelling through the rooms wearing my wedding dress and all, it was so worth it! It was epic.
Want to give your dinners another twist? Glam it up and bring back the formal. Plan ahead though, because folding napkins and pulling out all of those dishes does take more time. Once? nope! I wore my wedding dress twice (actually thrice, but that's another story!) Bee formal, sometimes x Hello beeple people, When working with clients who are transitioning in their career, I often use the following personal story to illustrate the importance of introspection during the transition process, a step we often underestimate. You will soon understand why humans are very much like pasta ;) When I was little, staying over at my late nonna Angelina's house during the summer, there was nothing I'd love more than to see her pull out her big old wooden board. It meant magic was about to happen because it was the board on which she made all of her delicious creations: cookies, panettone, pizzelle, cakes and of course pasta. I immediately pushed a kitchen chair up to the counter for me to kneel on next to her, you know, to watch the master at work. I remember being particularly impressed with the pasta making since in no time, she made a perfect flour circle in which she cracked a few eggs. Not long after that, she was mixing in the flower with the eggs with a fork and in minutes she was working a beautiful pasta dough with her hands. Those strong yet gentle hands of hers. They knew exactly how much flour to sift on top and how much kneading the dough needed. She was concentrated and silent when she was kneading yet, it seemed so natural to her. I, of course, wanted to knead some dough too. So my nonna tore off a small piece of her dough ball for me to "work" with next to her. I was happy as a clam. Then came the weird part I never understood. Once my grandma had made this perfect pasta ball, and I mean it was immaculate, she would cover it up with a bowl and leave it under there for some time. Seeing her do that, I had done the exact same with my not so perfect ball and hidden it under a smaller bowl. I never got what was happening under there and was always curious to know, so I would often go peak under the bowl. My nonna, who was supervising the process, saw me and always said "Lascia stare, la pasta deve riposare" which meant that the pasta needed to rest. "What? but why does the pasta need to rest? " I thought to myself. "Is it tired?" I went back and lifted the bowl once again to see what was happening thinking perhaps I would witness some sort of transformation. As though I was in a laboratory and was experimenting, I imagined maybe the pasta was changing shape or colour even! But I saw nothing. Just the beautiful ball of pasta sitting there looking the same as it did before. Disappointedly, I placed the bowl back down. I didn't get it... what are we waiting for? But somehow, I knew nonna's words made sense as this part was essential to the rest of the process in her pasta making. So I inevitably let the pasta be until it was done resting and it was ready to be uncovered. Then came out the rolling pin!
Don't rush...prepare!Unfortunately, many of us are simply too rushed. Rushed to jump into "action" and taking the time to reflect is often perceived as wasteful. Why fill out this self-evaluation questionnaire when one could be working on a resume? Why reflect when one could be actively applying. To which I respond "Go ahead, apply, but before you do, answer me this. What achievement are you most proud of? What are your career objectives? How would you describe your leadership style? " Usually, silence follows and my point has been made. How can you possibly be ready to apply for a job or to step into an interview no less when these simple questions remain unclear? Eliminate distractions...focusWe are social creatures and consequently often too concerned by what others are doing: "If someone else is applying to a job, maybe I should too. " Even though we know it may not be the best of ideas for our situation. Let's go back to the pasta to get perspective. Did it care about being alone under a bowl? No. Did it care about what other pasta dough balls were doing? No. It did its own thing on its own and the heck with what everyone else is doing. It was working on what it needed period. It wasn't distracted by anything. Granted, it was under a bowl and didn't have facebook ;) but bottom line? Our own needs and that of our surroundings can be very different and sometimes, taking some time off to focus is important. Introspection is actionYou see, taking the time to consult ourselves and talk to ourselves IS being in the action. It is an imperative step, like the pasta's resting period, to calmly prepare our foundation in order to properly build our next move. If we skip it or do not take the time, we may succeed anyway, but not in the same way we would have had we invested in ourself more. The personal shift will not happen and the transformation will not be as significant, I guarantee it. See it this way: if you aren't willing to take the time in yourself, why should someone else? You are the most important person in your life before anyone else. Yes, that includes children as well. Can you pour from an empty cup? No, you can't. So how can you care for them if you are barely hanging on? That's why you have to put your oxygen mask on first in the plane and that is also why you need to take the time to rest and to silently work your magic first and you will find your energy and the answers afterwards. Especially when you don't think anything is happening...just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not happening. Like the pasta, the transformation is internal.
Thank you for all the wisdom Nonna! Sometimes we just need to "let it rest!". It seemed like all of life's answers were in her precious hands in those days. Now I realize, they are in mine as well; as they are in yours. Eeeeeeeehh! Bee like pasta ya?! x Greetings Beeple people, I hope 2016 is off to a great start for you all! One thing is for sure, winter has definitely shown its face here in Montreal and we are entering the three-month hustle. Oh yes. January, February and March. The months where all of us hang on for survival as we slowly make our way back to spring. Some of us can't bear the thought of that and press the escape button: we take a break by flying down south in the middle of those months to recharge the batteries. To maintain whatever sanity is left of us as we become paler shades of pasty white. On the beach, we are similar to uncooked chickens as we slather ourselves in oils, get a little "marinated" with rum and cokes and lay out in the sun to grill ourselves. All this to say: those three months of blistering cold can be tough. It comes to a point when we almost forget that we actually have a summer season, especially when it's minus 20 outside with the windchill factor. With that in mind, I thought I'd write about a great fashion trend that will help keep you warm throughout the winter crusade. If you are a fan of scarves and pashminas like I am, you must have heard of the BLANKET SCARVES! Those excessively big and fluffy scarves that look like a throw you could place on your sofa. Really, they are quite large. I got one in September but added two other ones to my collection recently and I have been wearing them a lot, especially with the cold weather we are experiencing. They will protect your beautiful face from the harsh effects of the winter wind and make you look good while you're at it. Does my size matter?Nope! I know. You would think that a blanket scarf would be quite overwhelming on smaller frames but tall or small, the blanket scarf can work for you. The only things to worry about are the colours and the styles (how to wear them) that suit you best. Square versus rectangularFirst thing you need to know is that there are two types of blanket scarves: the square and the rectangular. The first blanket scarf I purchased was rectangular. A fine shape but in comparison to the square ones, they are a little harder to arrange. I highly recommend getting the square shape as they are more intuitive when folding them and wrapping them around your body and consequently, look more natural. How to know if they are square or rectangular? Besides the obvious shape, it you are unsure, a good test would be the triangular shape that appears when folding the scarf in half by joining opposite ends. If you are unable to do that, you are holding a rectangular blanket scarf. Versatility and punchThe beauty of the blanket scarves are in their practicality. Not only do they keep you toasty and can become actual blankets but they also look fabulous. They can revitalize your office look or cozy up your winter weekend at the cottage. I do recommend wearing a solid non-patterned base colour shirt of blazer if you really want to make the scarf pop, however, that is definitely not a must. You can pair blanket scarves with a coat for the colder months...like RIGHT NOW for us Montrealers, or you can turn it into a body wrap with a nice belt or accessorize a leather jacket with it. For a clean cut office look, you can wear your hair up in a bun. It will give your look some height, no fuss no muss. Especially if you have long hair like me. And look at that...even tiny bumblebee can wear a huge scarf! I found mine at Winners and Simons. After purchase, I threw them in a gentle wash cycle to get rid of any excess material fluff that might stick to my clothing. I then leave them in the dryer five minutes tops and let them air dry. Inevitably, you may always get a little fluff on your clothing but it's worth it. Hey, I mean, if some people can live with cats and dogs and manage to keep their wardrobe spotless and hairless, we can handle this no problem! Have you tried one yet? Here is a great video on the different ways to tie a blanket scarf. So buckle up folks and scarf the winter down ;) Cheers! Bee scarfing x "And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been." Dear Beeple people, What better way to welcome 2016 than by writing my last blog post of the year during a traditional Canadian snow storm with a dash of Rancid. That is exactly what the new year will be: a storm of the unexpected and what has never been. And we, human beings, will have to live through it. Good or bad and sometimes even the horrible. Have you reflected on what 2015 was like for you? Granted once again, you will find some good and some bad, what is important is to learn and appreciate from both. What storms of the unforeseen have you encountered in 2015? Take a moment, recap the yearWhat has life brought to you? Was there a general theme to 2015? What dominated your thoughts? Make a list of the positive events that unfolded, places that you traveled to or inspiring people that you met. This short exercise will A) make the abstract more tangible and B) make you realize just how much you have done. In my case, I can definitely say that 2015 revolved around growing with my fiancé now husband: Phil. We were focused on organizing our wedding and all of the many decisions that go with that. What I truly appreciated is that it made us spend so much time together as one and it united the PhIva team even more. So, to do as I preach, here is my short 2015 list of the awesome:
And I could go on. In essence however, these are the main elements that contributed to my happiness in different ways and that I am so thankful for. I am not one for resolutions really, just being aware on aspects I want to achieve or improve will do. What opportunity knocked on your door? Of perhaps it knocked, but you were too busy to answer. 2016 will then be the year when you open the door and grab the opportunity instead? Whichever it is, just taking the time to write these elements down will clarify your thoughts on what you are happy about and what else you'd like to achieve in the coming year(s). Yes, I put an "s" there because in some cases it may take more time than expected. DeclutterYou want change? Well make sure you make room for it then. We hold on a to a lot of mental and physical rubbish throughout the years, myself included, and we don't realize that those past elements can block out new adventures from flowing in. For example, if your closet is full, you park in the middle of your driveway and haven't learnt any new recipes lately... spiritually, the message you are sending out to the universe is "A new opportunity? Umm, not right now I'm not ready and I have no room for it". In essence, you aren't in the proper mind set for it and you physically haven't made room for it either. So, If we keep holding on to what we find is more important, then the novelty won't come. Or it will but we won't realize that it has. I can almost guarantee that once you sort through your things at home, be it clothing, buying comfy new sheets and a spare toothbrush for a special someone or learning to cook a yummy risotto, you will set things in motions for yourself. Whatever happens, you will be ready for it. The same way we were all enjoying the mild Montreal weather, we were ready with our big boots and coats, monster ploughs and shovels to clear the snow when the storm hit us and now we're enjoying the winter wonderland too. A little ;) So go ahead and clear a drawer, burn some candles and put on a cucumber mask. Treat the new year like you would a special evening out and slip on your best self. So...shall we? Forward and onward. Cheers to you and your fabulous new year! Your faithful, Tinybumblebee x A breath taking and spectacular performance, The Nutcracker's opening night was a success and swept both adult and children's hearts away. The red carpet unrolled and a cinnamon spiced sparkling wine was served to all guests. The ambiance at the Wilfrid-Pelletier theater was the definition of the excitement and joy that comes with Christmas and holidays festivities. I have seen the classic Christmas piece before, once when I was little and as an adult about ten years ago with a friend and I remember being amazed as well. However, I must admit that as a 33 year old taking classical ballet courses, I have a renewed appreciation for the performance I saw last Friday. The Dazzling DancersThe story begins in the olden days as everyone gathers to celebrate Christmas as one big family. From young children to older adults, dancers from all ages filled the stage and had their roles nailed down perfectly. Keep in mind that classical ballet does not have dialogue. The dancers' facial expressions, gestures and overall movements combined with the music is what speaks to the audience to tell the story. Well they told their story very well and throughout the performance, the audience understood perfectly well and answered with laughter and applause. Lots of applause. Indeed, as the Nutcracker ballet piece evolved, the pirouettes, grand jettés and fouettés increased in their intensity and the surprises were endless! The snowflakes dancing and prancing including Renata Commisso, the three crazy cooks making us laugh, the beautiful Spaniards with Sahra Maira and the hilarious jumping black sheep of the Maszipan Shepherd. I held my breath a few times and let myself get carried away by the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy Vanesa G.R. Montoya and her Cavalier Raphaël Bouchard. Truly, all dancers owned their roles and plunged us into the charismatic Nutcracking world! The Masterful MusiciansFlawless. Just flawless. I cannot event begin to describe the orchestra's perfection. Every instrument responding to the conductor's demands in support to the dancers' movements. They mastered every single piece and gave our ears what they were longing to hear. Grandiose was The Walts of The Flowers, precise and mischievous was The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and I can go on...All timed to the second. Shivers ran through my spine a few times as I took in the music and dance all at once. Without the musicians, that are hiding so well beneath the stage you would think it was a recording playing, the show obviously would not be the same. They ignite the dancers and make the story come to life. The hours not to say months of rehearsal truly showed that night. The acts flowed seamlessly as the audience indulged each and every one of them. Decor, Lighting and CostumesThough all Montrealers are rejoicing with the mild weather we are getting this December, some of us do enjoy the occasional snowfall especially during the Holiday season. With that in mind, I really appreciated the mesmerizing snow-globe effect the stage greeted us with as we took our seats. We were entering the era of The Nutcracker the moment the doors opened. The lighting and staging were very well thought out and were nothing short of master pieces. I absolutely loved the Christmas tree and the enchanting Kingdom of Sweets! The costumes - WOW! The ladies and the gentlemen's dresses and suits really took us to the era. The rats really looked like rats and the sheep were adorable. We feasted on a wide variety of colour pallettes: The frosty lavender blue of the snowflakes, the orange, red and golden coloured outfits of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier sparkled through the night and the creamy white of Clara's night gown which reminded us that we were indeed dreaming... ;) If you haven't seen The Nutcracker, need I say more? Get your tickets! and if you have seen it and have time to take the kids or want a different idea for quality time? Go see it again. It will plunge you into the holiday spirit and will pull out the child in your heart. Sending special thanks to Alena J. who ensured that guests were well taken care of and who also looked after her fellow dancers. Bee Nutcrackin' for Christmas! xx "LE TALON EN AVANT IVANA!" the teacher yells out as I point my left foot to second position. My right foot is in third position struggling to keep it together. My back is as straight as an arrow and my belly tucked in. One arm is lightly but not too lightly arched with fingers delicately placed in the air, as if holding a feather, while the other is hanging on to the old but sturdy wooden barre. My chin is up and my neck is long. I am looking forward with an intense concentrated look on my face as sweat is beginning to pearl on my temples. Once again, the teacher yells at me: "IVANA! LE TALON EN AVANT SINON JE HURLE!" to which I mentally respond: "Mais J'AI mon talon en avant! Je LE FAIS LÀ!" At the same time, I want to show her I can do it the way she wants so I push my heel even harder while pointing my toes. My entire body is fighting to keep my position flawless at this point until she finally notices and rewards me with a "OUAIIISSS! C'eeeeest ça!" Phew! I got it. And right THERE. That's the moment when you think you nailed it and your body decides to relax just a bit as though to reward itself. So my elbow dips ever so slightly. Needless to say I am immediately snapped back into correct form : "IVANA! ton COUDE!" and then I think " Oh my god, seriously?!" Yes. Seriously. This is classical ballet I signed up for after all. Why did I sign up to endure this agonizing torture? For one, because I have tremendous respect for ballet's discipline: the precision, working in opposition and the intensity of it all. I have taken many types of dance classes and this is by far the most demanding and difficult kind. It is also the foundation to many kinds of dancing styles. So, in case you are curious or not sure on whether to join a classical ballet class or not, here are some benefits you will thank this particular kind of dance for. Improving physical fitness and engaging the mindIt works on the body's strengths and will channel your energy in different ways by using different muscles. Ballet is like an army of dancers and the grueling body training begins as soon as you step into the studio. You get changed into your uniform which consists of tight body wrapping material as though to harness it properly and show body movement as much as possible. Then you slip on those soon to be worn-out slippers and you start stretching on the floor, physically and mentally preparing for the upcoming pain. You will be sweating five minutes into the class guaranteed. You will discover and strengthen muscles you have never used before, especially in your back, arms and feet. The movements can be small but the precision is what will finish you. Inevitably however, your posture will improve and so will your flexibility and muscle strength. Ballet is synonym of perfection which means: repetition. Lots of repetitions. You will do the movements again and again to get them right. Until your body knows its way perfectly and when you do get it perfectly? You will do it again and again. You know, to make sure you can do it right more than once. Then you think you are done. Nope! Gotta do the other side now. You will bend your body in many different ways and you will be mentally swearing as you wonder how the hell do those beautiful ballerinas look so elegant and flawless when just this one movement is making my face scowl by reflex? Practice. Years of it. Since ballet is all about precision and opposition, it tends to be serious. It is not the kind of dance where you just "go with it" effortlessly. No. There is so much to think about if you want to get everything right. Good form is of the essence, especially if you want to actually get to pointes or to a more professional level. Your brain is highly solicited as it is trying to figure out the moves and who was the crazy fool who invented this dance? It fully engages the mind. Believe it or not but trying to do "grand battements" and synchronize your head with your arms while having someone watching over closely leaves you no choice but to drop all other concerns that are occupying your mind and focus on the music to nail those grands battements. You are in the here and now, forced to forget all other thoughts…a great escape! Discipline: being pushed out of your comfort zoneLike in many activities, discipline will always pay off and seeing a classical ballet dancer at work is like watching years of rehearsals and repetitions perfectly unfold before your eyes. Of course, none of those professional ballet dancers would have been able to get to where they are without their ballet teacher. A good teacher is one that is structured and that will push you to your limits. In ballet, it is important to master all the basics before moving forward and a teacher who truly cares about his or her students will grind them until they are solid enough to pass to the next level. Even if you are there just to have fun and aren't quite serious about it, the teacher usually still pushes you and calls you out on your mistakes by name in front of everyone. So if you aren't ready for that, watch out. I think this is an effective old school discipline method though as it was the same when I was little. But why would the teacher be so strict? Because Ballet is tough. These aren't movements your body is used to. Do you think your feet naturally want to be in fifth position? No. You have to force your legs and feet to reach that position again and again. Every movement is analysed and every inch is measured. It takes time and practice to get there. The teacher reminds us of that and help us get the movements right. If we were never corrected, we would be wasting our time and money. I personally believe that teachers are on your case because they see potential. Maybe the movie whiplash is a little extreme to draw a parallel but the principle is the same. They won't let you off the hook until they see it in your eyes that you understood. Your body is trembling, your feet are aching and your toes are now supporting your entire body's weight but the teacher won't let you go down from "relevé" until EVERYONE has it right. So you feel the pain but then, you own the pain. You decide if you let it dominate or if it's just a small price to pay to get where you want to be. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. So you let the sweat drip and you hold your relevé...until the end. It is actually when the teacher no longer intervenes that you have to worry. They've perhaps noticed you don't take the matter seriously enough and hit your maximum so they intervene with those who do. Sense of achievement and stress killerFor a 33 year old I keep up fairly well in ballet class: I train regularly, I am naturally flexible and I have taken ballet and other dance classes before so I'm not too bad. The musical training helps as well. However, there are some Thursdays when I really don't feel like going to class. I have my little ballet bag and bottle of water staring at me in my office and I am trying to find excuses not to go. "I should go, I know I should" I think, but my pajamas and my couch are so much more appealing on this dark and cold evening. Then I remember... I remember the sense of achievement that follows this 90 minutes of grind. I remember the challenge of being pushed in front of everyone and the pride I feel when I get the movement correctly. I remember that my muscles will feel stronger, leaner and better. Most importantly, my mind will have been recharged. It will be re-energized with new ideas, new thoughts and I will see my concerns in a more positive way. Hey, if I can get my damn heel in place while doing my rond de jambe, I can pretty much do anything. It is an unbelievable source or fuel for the ego and quite the stress killer! A foolish fourth reason to do ballet would be to admit I am trying to satisfy a childhood dream. But then, even more foolish would be to let my poor heart suffer, so I listen to it. Bee rocking ballet class! xx N.B.* I enrolled at l'Académie du Ballet Métropolitian and highly recommend it. P.S.* I also encourage the interested to sign up in a French school. |
AuthorMy name is Ivana. I love photography and meeting people. I hold a Master's in counselling psychology and work as a career consultant. Music is my fuel and an important source of energy in my life. I drive my vespa around the city and I love what I do! :) About this blog: me on my artistic soap box! My first novel!Sign up to get notified with my blog updates!
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