The Old Town...

It's not so often that we have the time to leisurely stroll around.  So the other day with a few hours break between rehearsals and a glorious afternoon it would have been a waste to stay indoors.  I'm so glad that we took the opportunity as it's doing nothing but rain ever since!

The Old Town is one of my favourite parts of the city, full of charm and character, it exudes the atmosphere of simply being a nice place to be with it's inviting nature.

I was happy to see the tree being put up in preparation for Christmas.  I'm a big kid when it comes to this time of year and love those first Christmas-y feelings!  Though, as I sat and read the paper this morning, the tree has now fallen down!!! 

(YOU CAN FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR PHOTOS IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER)

My outfit here is totally made up of 'reloved' items.  

The boots from River Island have been resoled and heeled, but I can't part with them.  

The tshirt I found in a boutique in Spain years and years ago

The Burberry Scarf is a true Brit classic.

and the bag which I forgot i even owned is from a boutique in Oslo, that I bought when I lived in Norway, what now feels a million years ago!

I should dig into the back of my wardrobe more often!!!

Love Charlie

xxx

Lights, Music, Fake Food.... Action!

We are now into full on (long) stage rehearsals of our new ballet 'Rosalinde', which will premiere here next week.  Learning the steps in the studio is one thing, but then bringing it down to rehearse on stage is another.... With the lights, props, sets, wings and everything else the rehearsals can take a while as we set the ballet ready for the public.  It can involve a lot of sitting around, which as you can see from my attire can be chilly.  Company Magazine was a great saviour last week for something to read in between when I wasn't needed!  I am a total magazine addict, but not being in England means I often can't find the magazines that I like to read or when I do they are stupidly expensive :(   So I was very happy when I found Company randomly sat on a magazine shelf in a local shop!!!  

I honestly had to do a double take when I saw this 'fake' chicken drum stick sat on a plate at the side of stage.  Disgusting to touch though!!!!

Props for Rosalinde

Enjoying http://www.company.co.uk/ in between my rehearsals!

From the stage to the auditorium



Love Charlie
xxx

Coppelia Sunday ...

On Sunday we had a Coppelia performance, our second one in our run of this ballet.  As i said before in a previous post HERE, I really enjoy this ballet and find it a refreshing change, as it's fun and light hearted.  I can even forgive the hundreds of pirouettes entwined into the choreography! 

 Tomorrow we will dance our last one of the year, until the Spring when we will perform it again.

Sunday's show was even more special as my daughter watched form the wings..... 

To see her through the throng of action on the stage, sat beyond the lights in the wings on a little table with her mouth open and swinging her little legs, filled me with so much love and pride I could have burst!

Happiness :)

xxx

Love Charlie

Hi, Ho, Hi, Ho....

It's off to work I go.....!!

There was a rumour going around that it would snow this weekend, but although the temperature feels to have dramatically dropped as yet I've seen no sign of the glittering little flakes that I am so excited to arrive!  Each morning the chill in the air greatens and feel sure that pretty soon I'm going to need another layer...... but how????  After my five sunny years in Portugal, I'm stumped as to appropriate attire for snowy days...... Any tips????!!!

Now it's Coppelia time

xxx

PS..... Thanks to my Mummy for the gorgeous, warm parka that I pinched from her :)

Inspiration Saturday xxx

On the Street…..Quai des Tuileries, Paris

by The Sartorialist

This is hardly weather friendly for the climate here, but I couldn't help but feel 'wardrobe' inspired by this casual ensemble I stumbled across on The Sartorialist.

A Year Agone.....

A year ago today, I was still living in Lisbon and wondering when I turned the next page of my book, where the following chapter of my life would be!

The LINK is a year ago today and when I look back, although I can't believe how the time has flown, I'm proud of how far I have come :)

Though I do kind of miss the dark hair!!!!

Love Charlie 

xxx

Life Out Of The Tutu...

I'd toyed with the idea of having a blog years before I eventually started CharlieHearts.  Though dance is obviously a very big passion of mine, so is fashion and I often dreamt of having a blog almost like a diary of the both entwined together, that would be something that I could look back on in years to come and watch over how both my life and style evolved.  

As CharlieHearts approaches it's first birthday, I'm overwhelmed by the response and wonderful people I have met though my photos and writing...... my only regret now is that I didn't start it all those years ago.

As CharlieHearts isn't solely a typical fashion blog cataloging my outfits, I at first felt that I had to find a balance between the two subjects.  Neither overpowering one more than the other..... but as time passes and we learn as we go on, I can see that the haphazardness of what my next blog post will bring only adds character and brings a personality to the blog.  People new to the blog scene often ask me the best way for them to sell their blog and I always believe that the best way is to seal yours with your own individual stamp.  

I appreciate and value every single person that drops by to read CharlieHearts.

So, as my recent photos have concentrated on being backstage of the theatre, I thought a couple front of house would be nice thrown into the mix!!!

After a busy few weeks, tonight we are having belated Bonfire Night celebrations, with sparklers and a BBQ!!! 

Happy Sunday :)

xxx

A Refreshing Change....

I'm sat now in my dressing room preparing for my premiere of Coppelia.  

Listening to the orchestra warming up and practicing, the music pulls on tiny strings around my heart, conjuring memories of being 8 months pregnant sat in the wings at the theatre in Lisbon watching my collegues performing the same ballet..... I wonder if my daughter can remember the music that she used to so enjoy bouncing around to!!

Yesterday was our stage rehearsal and to say we've been heavily involved in Swan Lake of late, it certainly made a pleasant change.  Coppelia is a fun ballet, quaint and refreshing and of course for me I can dance and reminisce at the same time!

Collecting my costume and waiting backstage!

And a day later the curtain is up and here we go for real....

xxx

Preparations...

As the audience starts to fill the theatre, backstage buzzes in preparation for the curtain to go up. 

 My ritual is pretty much the same every time.  I like to arrive early, I change into my warm up clothes and then start on my make up first...... base, eyes, cheeks .....  my lipstick is always the last thing I do before I go on stage.  The hairstyle depends on what we are performing, these backstage photos are before Swan Lake, so our hair is just a simple low bun with a middle parting, thus a tonne of hairspray for me, with the fringe that I have at the moment!!!

When I'm ready I go to the studio to warm up.  My muscles need to feel ready for the show and I like to be in my pointe shoes well before I go on, ensuring my feet feel comfortable and warm in my shoes.  I give myself exercises at the barre and in the centre, making sure I've stretched and had a jump around.....

Then costume on and I'm set to go!  With of course a spritz of one of my favourite perfumes for luck!

xxxxx