[aphil]

Hey everyone!
Updates: I got my Saroyan Scimitar sword recently and I am LOVING it...I also have a new favorite dance cd...it is by a group called "Solace" and the cd is called "The Gathering." I love it-it is very tribal sounding. I am working on a choreography with sword to a song on it called 'Sudan."
I have been dancing a lot lately for exercise and for performance practice, and I have also been doing various tapes-both choreography and technique oriented, as well as more workout oriented tapes/dvds such as Veena and Neena.
Aphil

[mauvaisroux]

Your sound sounds très cool Aphil!

I can't wait - my class starts again on September 20th!
I have really missed it over the summer.

[mauvaisroux]

Yay! I bought some beautiful fabric at an Indian sari store this weekend. It is chocolate brown with a gold paisley type print and a wide gold print along the bottom that shines irridescent pink and green when the light catches it. I am making a skirt and a matching veil out of it for our class performance.

[aphil]

I bet you are glad it is starting up again soon! I have rehearsals and such...but I will be glad in November when my actual weekly class starts up again after her baby is born.
Speaking of that-her baby shower was today...it was to die for. It was held in an upscale Italian eatery...and we had a private room called the Wine Cellar...which looked like a wine cellar with stone walls and everything. Fancy salads with pine nuts, wine, wparkling water and lime...pastas and grilled vegetables...and to finish it off we had berry sorbet with fresh berries and a small Godiva chocolate...it was awesome. Much better than a cake and ice cream/parlor games type of shower.
Only 6 more days until the tribal workshop...I am excited about that-the workshop and vending there both. It will feel great to get back in the dance school for a few hours Saturday...we have two more rehearsals before the show the next weekend, but they are at people's homes and it just isn't the same!
Aphil

[aphil]

Oohhh sounds pretty! I just bought some emerald green sari fabric that has gorgeous designs on it to make a choli out of...I am going to use the pattern band that runs along the one selvage edge of the fabric as the bottom of the sleeves....
I bet that color you chose will look GREAT with your red hair and the snow white skin I hav heard all about!
Aphil

[mauvaisroux]

Ellis and Ruthxxx helped me decide and they told me it looked really good on me and I trust their judgment

I can't wait to wear it so I better get cracking with that sewing machine. If it turns out well I will post a picture.

Your fabric sounds gorgeous too!

[aphil]

Oh you better post a pic...I am going to post a pic of me in costume from our show next weekend!!!
Aphil

[mauvaisroux]

Cool! Can't wait to see your outfit!

By the way your baby shower sounded like a lot of fun! It actually gave me an idea for one I am co-throwing for a friend in January!

[aphil]

cool...was it the place settings part??? That was a really cool thing that they did.
Since it is an outdoor show, we are dressing real fancy...I will be wearing black satin harem pants, a black coin scarf with gold beads and coins, and a purple top that has gold sequins, and the sleeves flare and are sheer from the elbow down...plus the kohl around the eyes, bindis, etc.
I can't wait to do a solo at an indoor event...so I can wear something FANCY...
Aphil

[mauvaisroux]

Yeah. We went to the same friend's bridal shower and it was punch/cake and parlour games. Which was nice but the usual stuff and I hate those games

I was approached by a mutual friend who asked if I would help host the baby shower. She wanted to do something sophisticated/modern and no dumb games

So I have agreed to have it at my place. We were leaning towards a "cocktail/mocktail" party since the mom-to-be can't drink (but the rest of us can ) with some fancy nibbles and fine linens and I love the ideas of the place settings and Godiva chocolates and a fancy dessert instead of just grocery store cake. No cheesy balloon bouquets and wearing of the bows on mum's head either Hmmm...wonder if we should have it at a restaurant instead?

So many things to think about

Actually several of the ladies attending are into belly dancing and the mum-to-be used to take lessons too. Maybe a middle eastern theme would be good?

[aphil]

That would be awesome...you could either have it in a Middle Eastern type of restaurant...OR you could recreate it at your place...with big pillows around to lounge on while she opens gifts...and maybe the linens and plates and such in Sari-ish colors/prints...We had the cocktail/mocktail thing as well...with both offerings...the fancy dessert was a great addition at the one I went to...they laid out a couple of small saucers at the end of the meal across the table that had the fancy chocolates on them...enough for each of us to have about 2-and before I forget-there is a place that has better chocolates than Godiva...no kidding. I am a chocolate snob, and I know! Go to www.debrand.com and check out theirs...the taste is unparallel to any chocolate in the world...their classic assortment would be a good idea to do this with...their fillings are DECADENT. They are a local place here about a half hour away from me-owned by a woman that knows her chocolate!
From what I hear you are a great adventurous cook, so I am sure that it will be awesome!
Aphil

[aphil]

Hey everyone!
Well, my frst performance is tomorrow! I am really excited! We had dress rehearsal the other night, and it was so cool to have on the whole ensemble...and tomorrow will be even better with the whole makeup deal!
I have been thinking about the upcoming holiday season-and what I really want for Christmas...my husband and my mother usually come right out and ask me-and pretty much let me choose what I want-and I think I want a full costume. My costume for the show is nice-but it is a basic top, hip scarf, and harem pants-I can wear the harem pants with anything, as well as the hip scarf-so they are sort of "mix and match pieces." I think I want a "full" costume...I can't afford anything extravegant-like a $600-$700 beaded extravaganza-as much as I would like-but here are a few I have been eyeing and drooling over...
www.dahlal.com
1.) "Oriental Orchid"-this costume is under the Egyptian full costumes...it has a skirt, but you can order the bra and belt set and neckpiece for only $294.95...I would make my own skirt and sleeves out of a coordinating fabric. I thought that the bra and belt set would be flattering and camoflauging for my still a-bit-fuller figure.

2.)"Renaissance"-this costume is under the Egyptian costumes in the dresses section...I am just in LOVE with this one...drool, drool, drool...I like the flash of leg you get with the sheer inlays without being "bare" and I like the tummy coverage-while the hip wrap and decorated bust still give the look of the traditional bra/belt set-$299.95

3.)"Trendy Traditionals"-this one is under Egytian full costumes as well...I like the fact that it has long sleeves and full bust coverage-I can still wear a bra under this, and it will cover my still not perfect arms...and I like the skirt-it is a one piece skirt, but has the look of a skirt with a fringe belt-$274.95 and different colors available.

4.)"Shooting Star"-not nearly as fancy as the others-but I like this because I can wear a bra under it...I like the fuller coverage, and the fact that it is harem pants as opposed to a skirt-which is essential for most sword routines...because we are usually all over the floor and going up and down-and you don't want to "expose" the audience. I thought it would be a put together inexpensive costume for sword routines at $99.95.

drool, drool, drool, drool...of course-if money were not an option at all...under the Egyptian full costumes I am in love with "Samia's Secret"...love the arm coverage, the waist straps that give a slimming illusion, the full bust coverage...it really gives the total illusion of a perfect, voluptous hourglass figure...hey, it's only $750!!!!

Feedback, please!!! There are a lot of gorgeous costumes on this site, but I have chosen these ones specifically because they address my specific figure needs...I am large busted, hourglass shaped, and my upper arms are a problem area for me-so a skimpy bra with no support and no sleeve coverage is not something I would feel comfortable in.
Aphil

[mauvaisroux]

They are all gorgeous Aphil! I think I like the Shooting Star outfit best though. It is a beautiful color, a little different and the pants look really comfy. This outfit would be great if you were doing a routine with a cane or a sword

Running a close second would be Oriental Orchid. Then again if I was fabulously wealthy I would be buying one of each from that site

How did your performance go?

[aphil]

The performance went GREAT! My stepdad videotaped and took some photos...can't wait to see them!
It turned out really nice...the weather was 70 degrees and perfect-sunny, and not too windy.
We had a really nice audience as well for an outdoor event...and were really well recieved by everyone there...and I was totally surprised, but I was not nervous AT ALL...I was actually very calm and collected, and really enjoyed the whole experience.
I know what you mean about the costumes...I really do like the Shooting Star costume too...it isn't really that fancy, but it has just enough sparkle for the stage...and it is relatively inexpensive. I may have to get that for my birthday or Christmas this year. (I choose my own gifts...DH hands me the checkbook)
I like "different" colors as well...oranges, lime green, wine...stuff a little bit different than the usual red, black, or royal blue belly dance costumes you see every event.
I will get a pic up here as soon as I get them!
Aphil

[mauvaisroux]

Glad your performance went well Aphil
Can't wait to see your pics.

My dance teacher is having a costuming seminar, a performance makeup seminar and a professional photographer come in to take photos if we want them - throughout the season. I would love to have some proper photos taken in one of my costumes