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

Chilly Delight...

After living in sunny Portugal for the last five years, with the key elements of my wardrobe being flip flops, shorts and bikinis, one of my biggest worries when we left the warm climate behind was that I would miss the beautiful weather that I had become so accustomed to.   Alas, how your mind set can change so rapidly, as I embrace the cooler weather and take great delight in having a totally different wardrobe and wrapping up each day in warm layers and autumnal colours.

My trusty Topshop coat that I purchased last year owes me nothing as each morning it's always my top choice to slip on as I step out of the door.... that and my hat.... And so with a rare free moment to ourselves, it was refreshing to feel the biting air against my face and wade my feet through the waves of crispy leaves that are currently blanketing the streets as we wandered through the Old Town.  

Apparently this time last year it was already snowing and though I am looking forward to waking up to a winter wonderland, it can wait a little bit before it decides to come..... I enjoy kicking the leaves too much and I don't think snow would have the same effect!!!

xxx

A Late Promise

I promised the Swan Lake premiere photos the day after we'd had the show..... I also had promised myself to get back on with daily doses of CharlieHearts...... that's two broken promises :(

Have you ever wished for more than 24 hours in a day and maybe 8 days instead of only a seven day week??!!!!  At the moment I feel like the hours and days just slip through my fingers and unfortunately CharlieHearts has been the one to suffer of late and I never seem to find the time to 'blog'.  :(

These were the photos I managed to get backstage at the premiere of my Swan Lake performance.   Swan Lake is a ballet very familiar to me, having danced three other versions with other companies! 

At the moment we are rotating Swan Lake and Manon on the stage...... whilst also in the midst of rehearsing Coppelia and Rosalind during the day.

So with my head swimming with choreography..... I literally dance it in the day and it follows me to my dreams each evening!!!!

And tonight is Manon....... so it's time to get back to the theatre...... and I really do promise to keep you updated :)

Love Charlie

xxx

Swanning around...

Swan Lake seems to be a ballet that will forever follow me!!! 

 Today I had my premiere of the ballet, though not really my premiere of the piece, as this now is my 4th version!!!

So now as I sit in my pyjamas, all swanned out and ready for bed, I wanted to share yesterday's rehearsal photos before I post tonight's performance photos.....

I adore the theatre..... the atmosphere backstage, the sound of the orchestra warming up and the wings full of dancers preparing to make their entrances

Sweet Dreams from a sleepy swan!

Love Charlie

xxx

Manon...

Stage Rehearsal...  11am

Yesterday moved swiftly from my first stage rehearsal of Manon in the morning to my premiere performance of the ballet and with the company in the evening.

And after a successful rehearsal in the morning, at 7pm sharp my performance began.......

At the entrance to the stage ready for Act II.

 The hair and make up room is full during the interval before act III, with all the girls making ourselves down.....  The lavish makeup of act II (the photo above) is stripped off, our hair taken down and put under the cap, to look chopped and messy.  We cover our face and bodies with the dark make up and below is my final 'look'!!!  

Preparing myself for ACT III

and waiting back stage for my entrance...

The End......

and then it's all over......

The theatre has a lovely tradition that if you are receiving flowers from someone then they will be brought to you onstage in your final curtain call.....  I was touched to receive flowers and (lots) of chocolate and gifts as Toi, Toi's (good luck) gestures from my fellow colleagues.

And now time to get all of that hairspray out of my hair!!!!

With my premiere now complete, I hope to get back on with filling my CharlieHearts blog.  Though I know everyone understands how hectic these last few weeks have been and I appreciate the support I have received through my blog and FACEBOOK PAGE.  If you enjoy the blog please follow the page, it's always nice to meet the readers of CharlieHearts....

And for now a happy Sunday and a little rest, ready for Swan Lake next week :)

Love Charlie

xxx