August 18, 2013

Should We Change Our Name?

I’ve been debating a name change recently, for a few reasons:

  • I went for an interview once and someone told me when they read the name they thought it was pornographic….
  • E-mails I send from my domain aren’t getting responses/are possibly going into spam.
  • I get spam related to the “adult” in the name.

It’d be a fairly cheap (money-wise) change over, and I’d be able to redirect people who type in the old address. So I want to know–do you like the name, or is it kind of lame?

If you have any suggestions for possible new names,   I’d love to hear them.

Filed Under: Blog, Etc. Tagged With: , , , 8 Comments
August 14, 2013

Squats Challenge and Splits Challenge

Although I’ve loved doing challenges (ab challenges, splits challenges, you name it), I’ve been horrible at actually keeping up with them. This time I have some fellow bloggers keeping me motivated with this awesome 30 day Squat challenge, and a competition with HQ of Run Play Sleep (my boyfriend) to keep me motivated to get my splits.

30 Day Squat Challenge

Syreeta of Sincerely Syreeta started this challenge on Instagram and invited other people to join her so we could keep ourselves motivated. Today is my Day 3.

squatchallenge

I’ve split my squats between plie/sumo squats and normal body weight squats.

If you’re interested in joining us, you can learn more and connect with Syreeta on Twitter. Read more about Syreeta in my interview with her for Campus Philly.

Splits Challenge

This is more a competition than it is a challenge. Hq and I are competing by safely stretching every day to see who can get their splits first. The person who achieves them first owes the other a dinner out. I’ll be posting updates relatively frequently on this challenge.

How do you motivate yourself? Do you participate in challenges like diet bets and 30 day challenges?

Filed Under: Ballet, Blog, Info, Outside Class Tagged With: , , , Leave a Comment
August 13, 2013

Hairband Meets Bracelets: Active Accessories Review +Giveaway #ad

I was given one set of Active Accessories hairbands in exchange for this review and they provided another  for a giveaway. All opinions are my own, not Active Accessories. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

I’ve always been dying to try cute ribbon hairbands, and these hairbands from Active Accessories seemed just the perfect ones to try!

The colors mine came in!

The colors mine came in!

These were very cute and look great as an accessory on my wrist, instead of the other boring hair bands I usually wear. The ones I received came in shades of  pink, blue, silver, black and polka dots. They don’t cut off circulation, unlike many of the other hairbands I wear. As someone with thick, curly, unruly hair, carrying hairbands with me at all times is a must.

The only downside is I’m not sure these would necessarily hold my hair up during a super active, jumping around, exercise class due to how crazy my hair is (I struggle to find any type of hairband that holds up my hair well). In fact, I usually find myself having to tightly wrap two different hairbands to keep up a messy bun (and three for ballet buns).

These both match a new leotard I just ordered!

These both match a new leotard I just ordered!

But I’ve found they’re really useful for two reasons: when I want to throw my hair up on the go (at work, while running errands, etc.) or as a way to style my hair with a cute ribbon to look cute when I go to ballet. They function well as the third hairband I use to hold up my ballet buns.

Here’s a quick overview of how I felt:

PROs:

  • cute
  • doesn’t cut off circulation
  • works in a pinch
  • easy to take with you

CONs:

  • doesn’t hold up my uber thick hair well for strenuous activity
  • bit on the pricey side at $7.99

 

You can order your own here, or enter for your chance to win! Open to US entries only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How do you style your hair for a workout?

I was given one set of Active Accessories hairbands in exchange for this review and they provided another  for a giveaway. All opinions are my own, not Active Accessories. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

Filed Under: Blog, Etc., Reviews Tagged With: , , , , 4 Comments
August 9, 2013

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Marlene

Profiles are back this week with a profile of Marlene, a ballet dancer who takes classes at Irene Dance Hub in Centurion after she was never motivated to go to the gym and decided to try ballet instead!
Marlene
When did you start doing ballet as an adult?

Marlene: January 2013.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid?

Marlene: No, never. When I stepped into the ballet class beginning of this year, I was a true “absolute beginner”.

Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

Marlene: Well, I desperately needed to start exercising! But I didn’t want to go to a gym – been a member once, but because it bored me and there was no fixed times that I had to go there, I soon quit. At the end of last year, the word “dance” just jumped out everywhere. Mmm, what about starting to dance? I already love music and rhythm, so I just had to start moving with it! 🙂  I hoped that dance classes would be on fixed times during the week, and I knew I probably wouldn’t get bored because there will always be something new to learn. OK then, but where in the world do you get adult dance classes? Uhm, ask Google. And so I found…

Where do you take classes?

Marlene: Irene Dance Hub in Centurion, with passionate dancer Susan Attfield as the owner, and Louina Prinsloo – our no-nonsense, “stop moaning”, teacher 🙂  We love you both!

What is your favorite part about ballet?

Marlene: Believe it or not, when my muscles are shaking and burning – that means something is working! 🙂  Other than that, I love the “jumps” we do.  It is then that I feel freedom.

What is your least favorite part?

Marlene: I hate to miss a class, or when a class ends… more, more!  Also when my mind messes with my feet and arms 😉

Who/What is your ballet inspiration?

Marlene: I love watching Miko Fogarty.  She not only loves ballet, but in the way she dances, she makes sure the audience enjoys it just as much as she does.  One of my favorite videos of her is:

(I just wish there was a better “non-stretched” recording available).

What motivates you to keep dancing?

Marlene: When I get discouraged I watch a few ballet movies on youtube or read the good stuff on the Irene Dance Hub’s facebook page, and soon I’m out of my pit 🙂  Also doing a few plies and easy moves in front of the mirror keeps me going as it helps me to remember that a few months ago I didn’t even know what a plie was, never mind do one!

Do you take any other dance classes?

Marlene: No, not at the moment.

What are your hobbies outside of ballet?

Marlene: Music, books, outdoors, gardening.

What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?

Marlene: The only dancer you should compare yourself to is the one you used to be.

Marlene is on the far left!

Marlene is on the far left!

Anything else you’d like to add?

Marlene: Thank you for your blog, Kristen.  It is such an encouragement to read about other adult ballet dancers and their experiences.  We need that 🙂

Filed Under: Adult Ballerinas, Ballerina Profiles, Interviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , Leave a Comment
August 8, 2013

SLS3 Compression Sock Review and Giveaway

I was given two pairs of compression socks in exchange for this review, one for myself, and one for a giveaway. All opinions are my own, not SLS3’s.

A while ago, Sebastian from SLS3 e-mailed me after realizing I was a lover of all things compression because of this blog. And I do. My obsession with compression started after I picked up a pair from City Sports and now I have about 4-5 pairs, all from various brands. I’ve mentioned before that I love them both post-ballet class (as well as rocking compression sleeves during ballet class) as well as during and post-run. As you’ve probably noticed, I’m a big fan of everything pink as well! Almost all of my compression socks are pink or purple, so I loved it when SLS3 sent me a pair of bright pink compression socks with butterflies on them!

photo (15)

They’re pretty cute!

I was slightly worried about the sizing when it came to these compression socks. I unfortunately have pretty tiny feet (size 6) but relatively large calves, so it’s a problem when compression socks are sized only by shoe size. Fortunately, SLS3 gives both sizes for their products and I was sent a small/medium pair which fit pretty snuggly. Although they fit pretty tight at the start, they’ve loosened up a little bit to better fit my ginormous calves (without stretching out too much).

image (6)

Ready for a run!

I love how these compression socks fit and stretch compared to some other brands and the graduated compression these offer seem to work really well for recovery for me, whether it be from a tough run or a painful ballet class. One of my favorite things to do post-run is to throw these on and apply an ice pack directly over the sock.

Interested in your own pair? Adult Ballerina Project is giving a way one pair of SLS3 compression socks, matching mine in a women’s small/medium (sorry men!) in the pink butterfly pattern! Enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest is open to US readers only. (Sorry guys–this broke recent graduate can’t afford international shipping!)

 

Can’t wait? Order your own with the coupon code TRI15 at checkout when ordering through SLS3.

SLS3coupom

 

I was given two pairs of compression socks in exchange for this review, one for myself, and one for a giveaway. All opinions are my own, not SLS3′s.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , 15 Comments