pointe taken
Monday, September 10, 2012 at 1:02PM 
Ballerinas Standing on Windowsill, George Balanchine's School of American Ballet, 1936 George Eisenstaedt Via Vintage Gal Tumblr
I vividly remember my Primary RAD ballet exam. I had a hacking cough and during the saute exercise, the *scary* examiner stopped the pianist (Miss Cindy) and scared the hell out of the nervous parents in the hallway by marching across the room (in clogs no less) to ask me if I could continue. Which I did. And I earned a Highly Commended too. Take that, scary examiner. My mother remembers this part more than I do, but what does stand out in my head even more so were the itchy tights. God, I hated those tights. Lycra was relatively new on the scene and one had to drive to Malabar in Toronto to get anything that didn't feel like sandpaper on your thighs. I coveted lycra pink tights for months. Fast forward to present day - my own daughter complaining about itchy leotards. Not one to tell the "7 miles in snow up to my armpits" stories (but I did walk 3 kilometres home in Grade One, I have Mapquested it, naturally) - I recently discovered that Lululemon has her own little sister. Did you know? Check out Ivivva Athletica by Lululemon. It is Lulu for girls (sizes 4 - 14). It isn't much less than Lulu herself from a price point of view. But given how many activities these pieces can multitask for between dance, gymnastics and even skating, Ivvivia is definitely worth taking a peek at. (Not to mention, hockey equipment makes an Ivivva shop look like they're practically giving things away). Oakville currently has the only Ontario bricks and mortar, but online is easy and shipping is free. Standing "O" for you, Mom.
Ivivva Studio Dance Headband $12
Ivivva Rhythmic Crop II *Gym $48
Reader Comments (1)
Ah yes, it seems like it wasn't that long ago. Major pressure. Someone very dear to me used to say' "Make you strong".
BTW, my walk to my one-room school house across hill and dale in all kinds of weather was at least five kilometres. An adventure for a five-year old.
xo