Surgery Update, part 3

I am now done and graduated from physical therapy. My next doctor appointment is a month away. I am a regular participant in everything at dance class, even leading a fitness class during our Oireachtas prep Saturdays.

Did I really heal this fast?

Three months seriously flew by! Maybe I just feel that way because the past month has been a blur with the beginning of the school year and my own insistence that I never have days off to do nothing.

For the most part this past month, when I wasn't working, I was doing something to improve my physical fitness. I was at physical therapy getting essentially an hour and a half personal training session. I was running (yes, running!) in the fitness center on the treadmill. I was choreographing a show treble reel for the Baltimore Comic Con.

So, yes, I finally got to attend a comic con in my Captain America dress! I entered a costume contest for fun, and danced on stage for a bit of an audience. They went wild! My costume was totally a hit, and I loved getting all the comments on how cool an Irish dancing Captain America is. Now, I'm going to dedicate a whole post to this outing very soon, but until then, have a picture!

I have officially registered for two feiseanna this fall before the Oireachtas. I will be doing only the set dance competition at Rhythm of Ireland to try out my new Downfall of Paris without the stress of having to push myself to have the other rounds ready (namely slip jig). Hopefully all goes well, and if not, there's still time to perfect it before the SRO (and if not, there's the ol' standby Planxty Drury). My one and only three round competition will be Feis Culkin a few weeks after.

And now for something completely not related to healing... Remember when I mentioned I won an instagram contest hosted by Marvel and Dr. Pepper that was run during San Diego Comic Con? My prize came in the mail last month. I was expecting five Dr. Pepper cans, which I got. What completely blew my mind was that they came in a fantastic case signed by the Avengers: Age of Ultron cast! Consider me blown away.

Goals: Stamina all around
Days till Os: 66

Mini Update

Old Dominion Feis: My school's feis is in less than a week, and I'm very excited!

• I will be dancing in all sorts of fun competitions including: old ladies open champs, 3-hand, 4-hand, and 8-hand competitions.  This will be my first local feis where I do some ceilis!
• When I'm not dancing, I'm running all social media outlets.  For champ results and more on the day, be sure to follow @OldDominionFeis on twitter, and like the Old Dominion Feis 2013 page on Facebook.  I hope all my years of blogging don't let me down!
• This feis also marks the start of my 6th year of feising!

Solo dress for sale!

• My red plaid solo dress. $450 with free US shipping.
• Dress was made in 2011 by Jennifer Blackerby.  It has been worn for a grand total of two competitions.  The dress is covered in hundreds of rhinestones I hand-glued on. There is plenty of let out room as it was altered from a 35” bust.  It fits comfortably on me now; not too tight, not too loose.  The dress also come with two headbands, but no bloomers…sorry.
• Dress measurements: 34” bust; 27.5” natural waist; 32” dropped waist; 15” across back shoulders; 31” total length.  It was altered down from a larger size, so there is let out room!
• Optional: I have size 5 (27” waist) pants that match the dress’ plaid perfectly.  I’ll throw them in for an extra $25.
• Drop me an email (RinceGoBraghBlog@gmail.com) for more info.

Nationals: Is quickly approaching in less than a month

• I'm looking into renting a nearby dance studio for an hour at a time when the school years is over so I have a nice place to practice with mirrors and a sprung floor.  Between my own practicing and scheduled dance classes, I'm hoping to dance five days a week.  While I know two to three weeks isn't much time to fix long-term issues, I'm hoping to hit stamina hard.
• I'm busy brainstorming my outfits for the handful of days I'm there.  In a perfect world, there is free wi-fi at the Hilton so I can quickly blog about my outfits each day.

I'm overwhelmed with the amount of positive response I've received on my new solo dress.  I still can't express how awesome it makes me feel when I dance, and having other dancers compliment my design idea is truly icing on the top.

The end of the school year is fast approaching, and with it, my wonderful summer break!  I can't believe how fast my first year of teaching went.  Here's to many more fun years!

Goals: Drill reels.
Days till NANs: 25

CCE Feis 2013

In my first local feis since 2011 (hello, injury year), I was able to debut my new look!

I am now the Star Spangled Girl With the Curls full time at every feis or major I will go to.  I cannot express just how much confidence wearing this beautiful dress gives me.  I am so happy with how it turned out from my initial concept, to Elevation's digital design, to real life dress.  I can now truly embody the spirit and fortitude of Captain America.  I'm not a perfect dancer, but (hopefully) a good person.

Being that I had only competed twice in the past year and a half, my feis morning was spent fighting nerves.  I was on an adrenaline high just from anticipation alone.  Anticipating competing, not forgetting my steps, and just how my new costume would go over.  Moving certainly helped my uneasiness.  When I found a quiet place or my own corner of a stage to warm up on, I was fine.  It was the sitting still that was the worst part.

Senior ladies were the first thing after lunch.  The stage manager allowed us to choose our own order for the day which, while not a mistake, is definitely not something most dancers want to do before we compete.  Personally, I'd just like someone to tell me the order so that we all don't have to piddle around and wait for a brave soul to volunteer to be first up.  Having danced with these ladies for years now, we just did the mature thing and played the nose game.

Somehow, I still ended up in the first rotation for reel.  My first round didn't feel completely horrible, but I felt bored by my steps (a problem which has since been solved).  My set round was something I was actually looking forward to for a change.  Since the Oireachtas, I have slowed the speed down by one click, and it's made a difference with my rhythms.

Although I didn't end up placing (7th out of 12, missed it by one measly point), I still feel like I'm right on track with my dancing.  This is one of the best placements I've had since I've moved to opens, and right now I'm after consistency (and improving my turnout and rhythms and arch...).  I also greatly enjoyed, and am still touched by, how many compliments I've received on my Marvel-ous new dress.

Goals: Master new reel changes
Days till NANs: 38

Mini Update

1. Just one week ago, I was in Boston for the World Championships   My figure choreography team had the chance to compete for a title, and we came just one place shy of a recall medal!

2. My new solo dress arrived the day that I returned from worlds!  I'm not ready to post a full picture of it yet (patiently waiting for the day when I'm all dressed up for a feis).  I'll tide you over with a sneak preview:

3. My red plaid dress will be up for sale shortly.  Check back later for more details!

4. Nationals update:

• I will be in Anaheim July 4th through the 8th.
• My TC has a vendetta to get us all super fit in the coming months, which I am really excited about.  I'm chasing after a recall.  I would be so happy with a recall.  Being fit with super stamina will help!

5. Summer feiseanna

• As I sit here writing this, I'm fervently trying to register for the CCE feis in May.  I cannot count how many error messages I've received.  Fingers crossed that I get in! (Edit: I got in!)
• I will also for sure be present at the Old Dominion feis because my dance school runs it.  I'm planning on both competing, and probably managing a stage.

6. As for other blog happenings, I will be playing catch up in this next month or so.  I plan to write about Boston over the course of four posting in the next month, as well as writing about St. Patrick's day and other random things I have to tell you about!

Irish dancer Christmas gifts!

I was on the receiving end of a handful of Irish dance-themes Christmas gifts this year, which I thought I'd share because they are so cute and thoughtful!

The first gift was from my little sister's boyfriend.  He bought me these lovely shamrock socks that I have already worn to dance practice in lieu of my normal poodle socks.  Ironically I have a second pair of these socks that go up to my knees in this exact pattern.  I can mix and match for crazy sock days at my schools!

From my mom, I received my own pair of FeisFeet slippers!  Now I have ghillies that are always super comfy and warm!

Finally, to for myself, I am in the works of buying an Elevations Design dress.  I can't wait till it arrives in time for nationals this summer!

Goals: Hornpipe 2nd and 3rd

Days till NANs: 176

2013 Goals and Aspirations

It's amazing how far I have come in the world of Irish dance.  When I started in 2007 as an adult beginner, my only goal was to simply learn anything and everything about this amazing dance form I have admired for so many years.  A year later, my goals shifted to the realm of competitive dance; something I swore to myself I'd never do after spending nearly a decade as a competitive gymnast.  Little by little, I upped the ante for myself from getting to novice, to preparing for prizewinner, to competing at my first Oireachtas and moving to the champ levels.  Now that I'm at the top level of dance, it's weird to me that my goals have hardly changed at all.

Granted, I did spend 75% of last year injured or recovering from an injury.

For 2013, my goals include to:

1. Continue to improve my turnout and cross technique in my dancing,
2. Begin to place more consistently in my competitions at feiseanna,
3. Recall at nationals, and ultimately
4. Qualify for the world championships as a soloist.

I aspire to be the best team member I can be by coming to practice with a pleasant and helpful attitude.  I aspire for good health and stamina.

In other news for this year...

• Feiseanna and majors I will be present at:
• World Championships (March)
• CCE Feis (May)
• Old Dominion Feis (June)
• North American Nationals (July)
• Rhythm of Ireland Feis (October)
• Feis Culkin (November)
• Southern Region Oireachtas (December)
• New dress, new dress by Elevation Designs!
• If you're wondering where the Shut the Feis Up posts disappeared to, the author (my boyfriend) has enlisted in the Army.  He is currently at basic training in Georgia, so he is unable to continue to write blog posts.

Goals: Work through new hornpipes and reels

Days till NANs: 179

The Oireachtas (solos)

The Star Spangled Girl With the Curls makes an appearance!

Something about the Oireachtas morning warm up session had me off.  I kept confusing my second and third treble jig step as I ran through them.  Getting on stage to actually dance my treble jig, all that I forced to go through my brain was my body knows what to do, stop brain-ing it up.  So what did I do?  I forgot how the beginning of my third step went on the left foot.  Right in front of my TCRG and one of the judges. (Who I happened to meet in the elevator that morning and she consequently told me to stretch out and travel because the stages were huge.)  I knew I at least had a solid second round.  I could not have nailed my slip jig any more than what I did that Saturday.  Of all the times I wish I had a video of myself dancing, that would be the moment I want on film.  My stamina didn't give out.  I smiled.  I was so magnificently confident in how I danced.

Maple senior dancers

Waiting for recalls was a time for multi-tasking.  The senior ladies received a participators' patch.  We took pictures with the Christmas scenery.  I prepared another senior dancer's make up for teams later that afternoon.  I managed to stuff down half of a roast beef sandwich for lunch.  I knew that this was one of the last moments of calm to myself during the day, as I had three team dances to get through yet, so I isolated myself to get my thoughts in order for my set.

I have a history of weak set dances at Oireachtas.  In 2010, I died so much at the end of Drunken Gauger that I missed a part at the end.  With last year's Planxty Drury, I lacked rhythm.  With this year's Planxty Drury, I danced hard, but I missed so may beats that unless the judges were deaf (they weren't), I would be docked.  It's all because of my catch-22: to dance now, I have to tape my ankles.  If I tape my ankles, I miss trebles because my ankles are restricted.  I loosened the tape, but still I have troubles.

I am so not impressed.

Again, I met personal disappointment as solo results were called that evening.  Being the last number on the program, I waited with bated breath through all the other numbers, watching my friends be named as world qualifiers.  When the announcer called "...and number 81," I could feel the reality of my own personal let down sink into my stomach.  As I was coming to terms with yet another year of not qualifying, the group waiting backstage became smaller and smaller. All I could hope for was not 16th.  Not again, for the third year in a row did I want to be the first non-qualifier.  I was announced as 19th, so I took the stage with my fellow senior ladies to watch the rest of the results unfold.

It took until the next day for it to sink in that I had only been preparing since October, due to spending most of the year injured.  With all that, I still placed 19th.  I haven't improved much in my placements, but I also didn't do any worse than before injuries.

Goals: Learn hornpipes/reels
Days till NANs: 205

Bonus: Watch the senior ladies' results!

Solo dress designs

Lately, I've been a little bit obsessed with designing solo dresses.

A lot of my designs are inspired by gymnastics leotards I see.  After being a gymnast for a large chunk of my life, I can't help but to pull inspiration from these designs.  Many of the leotard designs you see at a competition are asymmetric designs and flashy with rhinestones.  As such, I have always wanted an asymmetric solo dress since before they were the thing to have. (How hipster of me.)

It's my secret goal in life to see these designs turned into cloth-and-rhinestone physical beauties.  Especially for other dancers to wear.  Any takers from dressmakers?

(Note: all dresses are watermarked with my tumblr URL because a) that's where I've been posting them, and b) I don't want them stolen.)

Goals: Practice Friday and Saturday since I've been in Cedar Point the past few days and there's a feis this weekend
Days till Os: 137

Going Traditional

A few weeks ago, a brilliant and gutsy idea occurred to me as I was browsing Dance-Again.  I want to attend a competition in a vintage and traditional solo dress with natural hair and minimal make up.  Why?  For the simple reason of wanting to know what it was like dancing in the older, traditional styles.  When I say older, I am referring to mostly the pre-Riverdance era of costuming.  There's just no replicating the exquisite and intricate knotwork of these dresses of old.  There is also a certain poetry in the way they flow while dancing, especially while spinning that dresses of today just don't quite capture.

As I progressed as a dancer, I got sucked into the pageantry of feiseanna.  I am not complaining about this. I love getting gussied up in my fancy dress and my fancy hair with my fancy make up to compete against others.  I believe that the costuming part of Irish dance is all about showing your best self to the adjudicators, and the way us Irish dancers do that is to take the "authentic Gaelic dress is desired" and kick it up a few hundred notches.

Observing the trends of the last few majors, senior ladies really have the gamut of costuming appearances.  Some dancers keep the ever-voluminous curly wigs, while others are opting for natural and classic updos.  Recently, dressmakers has started using more and more traditional Celtic symbols in their dress designs, which balances out the just-as-current bold and often asymmetrical geometric designs.  Even the colors used in dresses range from one, to the rainbow.  So why not break out a vintage dress?

Why not: As fabulous as this looks in my head, I do not see myself as a trendsetter in the dance world.  My TC would think I am crazy.  I do not know when I can feis again, and I only attend a few feiseanna a year right before majors.  Also, finding a vintage dress in good condition that's my size and my price will be a feat in itself.

All wussiness aside, I have put together a few looks that would be smashing (or so I think in my mind).

Traditional ID looks by sekubik featuring shoes

What do you think?  Would you ever don a more traditional look?

STFU about the Oireachtas

This month's Shut the Feis Up post recaps the Oireachtas from a boyfriend's point of view. Better two months late than never!

All fall long I was anticipating the arrival of December 2nd, the morning when Sara and I would fly down to Orlando for her Oireachtas of 2011. Knowing that I'd be in Florida during winter was an amazing image to keep in mind while I waited for that date to approach. Goodbye cold DC, and welcome to beautiful, warm weather Orlando! It truly was paradise there. Oh, and did I mention that we got to stay in the Ritz Carlton!? Truly an incredible experience filled with gorgeous scenery, exotic cars, the nicest hotel room I've ever been in my whole life and great tasting food!

...But our trip to Orlando wasn't all about the weather, hotel, the cars or the food, it was time to get focused on the dance competition. Day one was full of relaxation, (which was highly needed after the morning we had experienced: I left my wallet in the car that morning and almost didn't make the flight because airports require IDs.) We walked around the two connecting hotels scoping out the ballrooms where she'd be performing, buying the obligatory Oireachtas t-shirts and other valuable items that were necessary for the Oireachtas.

Now I have had previous experiences of Irish dance competitions, (I've attended two feiseanna) so I somewhat knew what to expect when it came to regionals. To my surprise I didn't end up being overwhelmed thanks to the many warnings from Sara saying how long it'll be and how crowded and loud the rooms will be (complete chaos), but just like before I was able to man up and pull through with very little complaints and mostly a smile on my face for the whole weekend we spent there.

The day was long, but I had the most important person in my life at my side to get me through it, and of course I loved every minute of being there for her. I stayed by her side to help motivate and calm her nerves down, because even I could tell that she was nervous when I'm usually the one being nervous for her. When it was time for her to wait in line for her competition, or when she was off stretching or watching others dance, I did get the chance to meet her dance class mates. It was an enjoyable experience to be able to talk with them and get to know everyone.

Almost all her friends decided in literally a minute that they liked me a lot when they found out I had bought her the new dress that she premiered at the Oireachtas . She received many compliments about the dress, and in return I received many compliments from her friends about how awesome I am. I was very happy for her that she finally got a new dress to wear, because I knew how badly she wanted one, so I decided since the Oireachtas is a huge competition, she deserved a brand new dress to show off in one of the most important competitions of the year.

It was a long and expensive weekend, but when it came to money I did not care one bit, because all of everything spent was worth it just to see my girl dance. I am so happy I went to go watch her; it was the best part of the weekend when I got to see her up on stage throwing down her dance moves! And especially showing off that new dress! Let me tell you, man did she look great out there! I would by far and without hesitation and question attend another Oireachtas, and escape the regular world to run off to the world of Irish dance. Its uniqueness is great and interesting. I still have so much more to learn, so much more to experience, and I can't wait to keep on going through this epic journey with Sara through the Irish dance world.

Days till NANs: 143

Blog Challenge: Personal Dance Firsts

The Dance Buzz issued a challenge for the month of January: share a story of one of your dance firsts! I still have solo dresses on my mind, so here it is, the story of my first solo dress!

Getting your first solo dress is what every beginner Irish dancer dreams about. Dancers of all levels spend hours daydreaming about color combinations, dress designs, and everything in between. As an adult beginner I was no different. My college notebooks are filled with dress doodles. I have a binder full of dress designs from my first year of dancing ranging from the traditional, to the more modern (this being a relative term applying to the styles of 2008).

Now, these custom and unique costumes are not just given out. Solo costumes have to be earned. Most dance schools have rules that you have to be at a certain level of dancing. Beginners often compete in a simple blouse and black skirt, and I was no different. I essentially looked like an overgrown six year old at my first feis, (maybe I should have adopted a more Riverdance-esque costume) but I didn't spend too much time at the beginner levels (because I started in advanced beginner) and placed everything up to novice in one feis. This meant the hunt was on.

Prior to entering the competitive world, I had already been trawling through Dance-Again daily in search of The One. I was slightly overwhelmed by the range of styles, colors, and patterns available. I went on a spree, favoriting dresses that I loved and could possibly see as The One. I quickly realized that this was probably not the best option because I now had about thirty dresses saved, and all were my absolute favorite. Some parameters were needed. I finally decided it had to be under $500, my size, and not look like a clown barfed on it.

That narrowed down my favorites considerably, and I printed out the remaining five to see what my TCRG thought. She quickly looked over my print-out and reasoned with me that I really don't need the $800, never been worn and newer style dress as a novice dancer. We decided on The One, a traditional three panel in shiny bubble gum pink with silver, white, and black appliques. With all of my favorite colors and the amount of shine on it, I realized that this was The One from the start, and just needed someone to affirm that my love for this dress was not in vain.

With less than a month before my next feis, it was imperative that I get it as soon as possible, and lo and behold, the owner of The One lived in the area and was attending the feis. I met up with her the day before and picked it up from the hotel, lovingly securing it in my car as I drove back home to admire it and wear it as much as possible before I had to be at work. At the feis, I proudly wore my new dress around the hotel. I felt like a real dancer. There was finally a dress that defined me as an individual among the hoardes of dancers, and something I could deem as my good luck charm. That day, I won my reel competition, making that my first prizewinner level dance.

My pink dress stayed with me through novice and prizewinner. In that year-long period, I doted upon it. I added a hundred rhinestones for extra shine. I kept it neat by trimming threads. I safe guarded it in my dorm room between competitions. I made sure it didn't smell by storing it with dryer sheets and giving it the occasional Febreeze shower. This dress attended my first parades, my first few performances. It was a sad day when I had to part with it to continue it's life journey to New York.

Goals: Smooth out connections between steps

Days till NANs: 155

STFU about Solo Dresses

I recently sold my blue solo dress on Dance-Again. While I was planning on writing about saying good bye to a dress that has seen me move to open championships and travel with me to my first world championship in Ireland, I feel that the author of the Shut the Feis Up posts nailed it better than I could have. Onward to his post.

There comes a day in a mother's life where they have to learn how to let go of what's dearest to them: that moment when their only child grows up and is his/her time to move on through life, leave the house, and to go explore the world. In this case, Sara, mother of the blue solo dress, must courageously gather her strength to let her dress experience life with a new owner.

The solo dress is finally leaving its home with Sara, which has been loved for many years. The duckling separates from the flock and flies off on her way to Australia. Oh, the heart break that occurs when something so dear says their good byes. Her last image of Sara was of her sealing up the crack of the box she was placed in. The burst of light suddenly coming from the ceiling light, being eclipsed by the beautiful face of her mother Sara as she looks down upon her precious dress. But then the light slowly fades away at the collapsing of the flaps folding over, she was now alone and in complete darkness.

Sara put her child of many years up for adoption, when I say child I mean solo dress. She's shipping the dress off to her new home where hopefully she'll be just as loved as before. But with great loss comes great happiness, for a new dress has shown up into her life, but the old one will always be in her memories.

Like a son or daughter going off to college, she released her dress to go experience the world. Quite saddened by this tragedy that has suddenly struck her, Sara texted me for some moral support. I responded with, "Sara, it's ok, you had to let her go sometime, you should be happy for her. It is now time for her to go out on her own and explore the world. She's on her way to the great land of Australia to learn their culture and learn their way of Irish Dance."

Hopefully the blue solo dress stays in contact with her mother. A relationship like they had should never end.

Days till NANs: 158

Mini Update

1. The thing we have all been waiting for: my new dress! I will post more pictures after it gets blinged while I'm wearing it around at the Oireachtas. Thanks to my lovely boyfriend (author of the STFU posts) for getting it for me for Christmas!

2. Had a dream over the weekend that I got fifth at the Oireachtas, while another dancer from my school won. Last year when I had dreams about placements, they came true. We will see...

3. I leave for the Oireachtas early tomorrow morning, and look forward to dancing solos Saturday morning, followed by my four hand Saturday afternoon. I may or may not be taking the laptop with me (depends on how much portfolio work needs to be done), but after I get home on Sunday I will attempt to post that week following.

4. As usual, you can journey through my Oireachtas weekend with me by following my tweets: @RinceGoBragh

5. And last but not least as a side note, I will be finished with my student teaching internship (and college!) December 14th! Lots to celebrate this holiday season!

Goals: Finish blinging and packing

Days till Os: 1 day, 21 hours

Dancing Thrifty

Like many in this economy, I am trying to find a way to keep affording to participate in this sport. As a college dancer, I've had to be especially creative in some aspects, from bleaching old poodle socks, to not being too picky about wig color. After having a few years of experience under my belt, I feel like I can finally share some things I do that allow me to Irish dance on a budget:

1. Sock glue vs. Elmer's glue stick.

• A tube of sock glue costs $10. Glue sticks, if bought during the back to school sales cost 50 cents (or less!). They work just as well for holding up those socks at a fraction of the cost.
• Note: I have used the purple sticks that dry clear, and it does not show through or stain my socks since they're washable.

2. Buying a headband vs. crafting your own.

• I have made three headbands on my own now, and it's easier than one might think. You don't have to be super crafty, or you could easily pass it off as a project for your daughter to do. (Think of how proud she'll be when she tells her friends that she made her own headband!) For me, I had plenty of ribbon and fabric sitting around my house. It beats the $20+ I would have spent buying one!
• Materials: Headband (can be bought at a dollar store), ribbon or fabric for the background, ribbon to decorate (optional), rhinestones, hot glue gun/ GemTac/E6000
• Procedure: Line with ribbon/fabric to match your dress and customize with ribbon/stones.

3. Buying used vs. buying new (shoes)

• Buying new top of the line shoes is fine and dandy, but can get expensive quick ($120 for hard shoes, $65 for ghillies) Buying used shoes might be the way for you to go, especially if your feet are still growing, and you'll be in and out of them in a year. As an added bonus, someone has done the breaking in process for you!
• My dance school is lucky to have Irish dance yard sales twice a year, so that is my opportunity to see if there are shoes there that fit my needs. There's a lot that can be said for some shoe polish and TLC! If your school doesn't have something like this, offer to try on your friend's old shoes and buy them from them for a discount.
• Dance.net is also a good resource to look at. People are out growing and selling used shoes all the time!
• There is also the Voy shoe exchange, and though I've personally never used it, it seems like there are lots of listings.

4. Buying used vs. buying new (dresses)

• Dance.net and Dance-Again are invaluable sources here.
• If you have to have the latest styles, many dresses are being worn only and handful of times before being sold due to growth spurts or retirement at a fraction of the cost. The market is currently flooded with many different styles and sizes. It may take some searching, but you will be able to find something to fit your needs if you are patient.
• Look for dresses not from a big-name designer, but those people who make them for fun in their life. They tend to be cheaper, and often, just a nice. Dance.net is a good source for these (where I have found all of mine in fact, and I've never spent more than $400)
• Look for styles that are classic that will stick around for a while, rather than cutting-edge designs that will only be around for a year or so. That way, you can keep your dress for a few years before updating your look.

5. Rhinestoning all at once vs. in shifts

• The rationale behind this is buy what you can afford now, and add more before the next feis or major. Stone the key parts of your dress first, and add more to embellish as your budget allows. See my evolution of rhinestones here.
• In general, I buy all my rhinestones at local craft stores, or eBay.

6. Bleaching older poodle socks

• I have collected many many pairs of socks in my few years of dancing. In general, I have one pair of socks I save for feiseanna (they currently sparkle), but a few years ago, my year-old "white" feis socks just weren't white enough, so I bleached them because I didn't want to waste money buying yet another pair.
• To bleach socks: The ratio is one gallon of water to a half cup of bleach. Leave set for two hours, take socks out and rinse, then wash as normal. This is something to do one or two days before feising.

7. Wig tips:

• I have dark brown hair. I have had wigs that vary from dark brown, to black, to reddish brown, to dark brown with lighter brown highlights. For me, it has come down to seeing wig styles I like for sale on dance.net, and purchasing them used for anywhere from 25-50% off.
• My biggest tip here is don't be picky! You can alter your pouf color to match using hair spray, talc, or even mascara if you're desperate.

8. Make up tips:

• With so many different products available today, it would be very difficult for you to not find cheaper options to create a look to go with any dress. I do most of my make up shopping at Target. They have a wide selection of brands and products to fit any wallet.
• Check what you already have before buying custom dance make up. Don't underestimate the smoky eye--it can go with nearly any dress.
• Many dance schools ask dancers in the same team to have a uniform look. If your dance school requires you to buy make up from brand name stores, ask to borrow your friend's and match the colors at your local drugstore with less expensive brands. You will save lots of money doing this, and you will keep with uniformity.
• My make up must haves: foundation, bronzer, eye shadow and liner, volumizing and lengthening mascara, and lip stain

9. Tanning tips:

• To get those fantastic legs, you don't need to shell out money for tanning bed sessions ($5/session) or a spray tan ($30). You don't even need to buy the most expensive tanning potion out there. I have been using Loreal Sublime Bronze in Deep Natural Tan that I found on the shelves at Wal-Mart for $8.48. I find it gives me an even tan (and it even sparkles!). With these less expensive self-tanners, you may have to put on more coats (say, once a day for a week), but you can get just as dark. You may also have to see what product works best for you because everyone's skin is different.
• Bonus: To save on tanner (and avoid streaks) with lotion tanners, mix in a pump of regular body lotion.

10. Feising:

• Really look and see which feiseanna are the most important for you. I try and do at least one, maybe two right before a major. If you are feising for feising's sake, cutting out one or two will save you $50-100 of entrance fees, not to mention travel costs.
• Shop around to see if there are cheaper hotels nearby. This is more for the Oireachtas and other larger competitions (that don't require you to stay in the block). It also depends on one's own preference of hotel amenities (and sometimes cleanliness). Sometimes, it requires a bit more driving, but ultimately, you will save a little of your precious moolah.

There are some aspects of the monetary side of dance that just cannot be cut (tuition, feis fees, travel costs), but hopefully now you have some ideas to ease your financial burden.

Goals: Get rest, tan, make a packing list

Days till Os: 11 days, 10 hrs

Mini Update

1. Feis Culkin: Out of 16 dancers, I got 16th. I was particularly disappointed in the moment because it was the best I had ever danced to date, and being that I placed so well at Rhythm of Ireland with so-so dancing, it was slightly upsetting.

2. I'm getting a new dress for the Oireachtas! Stay tuned for pictures as soon as it arrives. I also have a new wig I'll be wearing at the Oireachtas. (and with that, new make-up look, etc.) The coolest thing is that I have Hollister plaid that almost exactly matches my dress. Hello color coordination...

3. Also updated in my look is that I've started taping the strap on my hardshoes white so it blends with my sock. So far, my foot looks cleaner. I can't really tell when I'm dancing, so this needs peer review on our Sunday practice.

4. We have been working a lot of stamina in class (three, then four, then FIVE steps), and while I had a bad day with that in class the other day, I got a comment on my set from one of the guy dancers that you can tell I've worked really hard and am looking good. Practice really does pay off, and that positive comment gave me an extra boost to know that my hard work has not been in vain.

5. I have found that practice is a good stress reliever when I've had a tough day with my middle schoolers. It's so nice to put on my hardshoes and pound away the frustration on the dance floor, rather than to dish it out on the students.

6. All the extra practice brings me to a confession: I really want top ten at the Oireachtas.

Goals: Cross, stamina

Days till Os: 14 days, 15 hrs.

Some Farewells...

Nationals syllabus came out a few weeks ago. Guess what the senior ladies are dancing? You guessed it, not the two dances I learned at the workshop. We are, in fact, dancing reel and hornpipe, farewell jigs. I was sad for a few minutes after I heard that news--I had finally just nailed the rhythm parts of the treble jig that were bothering me the week before the NANs syllabus came out. Since then, I have learned the first two steps of hornpipe, and have picked up the lead to the reel. Hopefully I can finish them off in my dance class tonight, but who knows... The All-Irelands are this week, so I don't know how big the class will be/who will be there to teach me the steps.

Also, I sold my pink solo dress! It was a bittersweet moment when I shipped it off Monday. It was my first solo, and I did well with it. I hope the new owner loves it as much as I did.

Goals: Finish learning reel and hornpipe
Days till NANs: 136

Making it's debut:

My new dress arrived in the mail today, and I'm absolutely pleased by it. It's gorgeous and everything I dreamt it would be. It fits like a glove. It's my new good luck charm. I can't wait to dance in it at Rhythm of Ireland. I can't wait to go to my first prelim feis.

I LOVE DANCE!

Goals: Practice for ROI

Days till Os: 72

Votes needed...

I'm attempting to win an Elevation Design dance dress. Currently, I'm in 9th place. Out of 10. That being said, I need your votes! You can only vote once from a single computer, so if you have multiple in your house, or are near a library/college campus/place with lots of computers, please vote on all of them. I'll greatly appriciate it!
http://www.irishdancing.com/?q=idmtv

Goals: Make some videos of my current dances, get mirrors
Days till Os: 180