the australian ballet






Yesterday I had the great privilege to see The Australian Ballet perform Swan Lake at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.  I have a soft spot in my heart for Australia after spending 10 days traveling with about 20 Australian women on a motorcoach throughout the English countryside last spring.  A dear client of mine invited me and I'm so incredibly glad I went.  It was my first time at the ballet and I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful performance. I've always loved ballet and watch it on PBS but never went because (and this is a total cop out) raising 3 boys, the idea of going to the ballet never really seemed an option.  So I'd say this is one of the perks of getting older and getting to do more of what you want!  It was a perfect day.  We left my house a full 4 hours before the performance to allow for traffic, lunch and an informative talk with the Australian Ballet's artistic director, David Mcallister.  I'm so glad we decided to attend this talk just prior to the show because it really filled us in on the their interpretation of the original love triangle of Odette, her husband and the Baroness to a contemporary version of Princess Diana, Charles and Camilla.  We found it utterly beautiful - from the dancing to the costumes and lighting.





Speaking of lighting, the chandeliers at the Dorothy Chandler are breathtaking in size and beauty!








This is what I wore.  Our dear Dani gave me this dress last year out of the kindness of her heart! Who does that?  It's a J. Crew collection dress made of white linen and lined in white silk.  It is probably the nicest thing hanging in my closet.  I thought it would be perfect for the ballet and paired it with my leopard cardigan (Dani suggested that pairing - and she was right).  I felt comfortable and dressed perfectly for the occasion.   I have to say it was nice seeing everyone in attendance, no matter their age was really dressed so nicely.  It was all quite civilized.  :)

106 comments

  1. What a wonderful treat! I do love the ballet, but I can only go once in a blue moon. I also have boys, so when I go its with girlfriends or my mother and sister. I did drag my boys to the Nutcracker at least twice. They disliked every minute! You look so classic and beautiful Janet! That dress was a very nice gift from Dani.

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    1. oh emily i'm laughing b/c there is no way i could have gotten my boys in the car to go let alone into the venue.
      the dress is exquisite and so is dani. x

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  2. You look lovely! What could be more appropriate than wearing white to Swan Lake? I love the music to Swan Lake, and I LOVE the movie Black Swan...but I'll admit, I thought sitting through the ballet was arduous. I was ashamed in myself that I could be such a normal man. But I believe I redeemed myself when I said I would have liked it more had it been entirely performed by figure skaters. Too bad FF couldn't attend with you. We could have talked her into wearing a bejeweled Björk Swan knockoff (which she would somehow pull off) :). I can imagine how the experience of Swan Lake was cathartic for you, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

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    1. thank you stephen. i'm laughing at the idea of ff and bjork. she would have loved to go though, i know that for sure.

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  3. Wow Janet the dress is stunning on you! This has made my day to see you looking so beautiful in your dress and wearing it with the leopard print, it couldn't be more perfect. Thank you for those lovely words you are a doll.
    I would adore the ballet but I've ruined my chances of getting there with my family because I used to drag them all to the opera and rather than it growing on them they actually managed to like it less every time we went. So that backfired completely!
    I hope you have many many more events like this to wear your white dress to!xox

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    1. thank you dear dani. nope, never ever would any of them agreed to an opera! you are much braver than i ever was.
      this dress will never leave my clutches! x

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  4. I just purchased my tickets to see The Nutcracker in December - an annual tradition for us. I do enjoy it and would like to go more often, but for the price of one ballet ticket I could go to the movies 13 times so cost is, unfortunately, a factor for me.

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    1. i was so lucky melodee that i was a guest this time. tix are v expensive but i will have to figure out a way to make it in our budget as i am now hooked! x

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  6. We are so totally spoiled for culture here, I go to the ballet and opera and theatre for plays all year round, it's such a lovely thing to do, Scotland has an ethos that cuture should be for all and not just the wealthier echelons of society, the dress and cardigan are stunning together, you look wonderful!

    Tabitha.

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    1. oh i'm so jealous tabs. here in redlands they have the same philosophy. we have the redlands bowl which is a wonderful free concert series (actually the longest running one in the USA) and we have the redlands symphony that has tix for as low as $18 a person but LA is pretty expensive. i'm sure there are lots of free things to do there also but i never really hear of them. one day i will make it to scotland! x

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  7. You look perfect in that white sheath and the pairing of that cardigan. Dani is a gem. It is fun knowing that the gift recipient is delighted with a gift! Win Win.
    The only ballet that I have ever seen is The Nutcracker and Swan Lake is a classic....I wonder if the Ballet Company is coming up to Canada.

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    1. i don't know if what their schedule is. i'd check it and see if i were you. dani is a gem, i agree! x

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  8. You look so beautiful and what a perfect outfit for the ballet.

    I saw Mikhail Baryshnikov years ago and it's still one of my favorite performances.

    On a different note, I'm going to see Ringo Starr Wednesday. I saw Paul McCartney once but never 'The Beatles' perform so I'm happy to at least see 2 of them. I won't be as fancy as you, probably wear jeans!

    Betty

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    1. thank you betty. oh you are so lucky to have seen baryshinikov! have fun seeing ringo!

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  9. I look at how pretty you are and read your beautiful words and wonder if we came from the same gene pool??? I dont think I could sit through the ballet and be sane the next day...the closest I came to a symphony is the Moody Blues...but I couldnt be more proud of my baby sister!
    love ya
    jeanne

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    1. awww jeanne. you know i've always looked up to you! thanks. xo

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  10. Such a beautiful experience, and you looked lovely! The thing that I admire the most in you, is that you achieve your goals, something we all should aspire to do. You are a true inspiration!
    P.S. I have to ask... have you started painting the house? Deni

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    1. thank you deni. no, on the house painting. sorry to disappoint. :) xo

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  11. Although it's not terminology that I'd use, some Australians would say that you look bonza in that clobber.
    It's amazing how many different looks you achieve with that cardi. I'm going upstairs right now to take my leopard print cardigan out of the wardrobe and see what else I can pair it with. You've made me see that it'll work with more than plain black.

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    1. haha, i love the way australians talk. i had such a kick listening to and learning how they speak. i wear the daylights out of that cardigan so it must go with more than black! x

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  12. Beautiful and how nice of Dani! I love the ballet also!

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  13. Janet, longtime lurker on your wonderful blog (first comment on a blog). Just had to comment when I saw the heading, as I spent a good part of this past weekend watching The Australian Ballet, among others, on YouTube. I don't know how to do links, but if you search "world ballet day 2014" you will pull up some wonderful videos. I went first to the Royal Ballet, as I've watched other of their videos and enjoyed the full class and the bits with the choreographers Liam Scarlett and Christopher Wheeldon (how I would love to see one of his ballets). With some trepidation, I watched a class of The Australian Ballet. I was blown away and am now a huge fan. So worth watching. That led me to a video of TAB's Manon from 1995 - the film quality was lacking, but, oh my, it is just gorgeous. I could stay on YT for days just watching ballets, including classes, interviews and even videos of how the ballerinas prepare their shoes.

    Getting long here, but did want to say I love your blog, am so glad you are staying with it, your ballet outfit is beautiful and I am so glad you gave up the "vegan junk food" (whole foods vegan here), i.e., processed animal "substitutes." And I so hope your son works things out.

    AnnieG

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    1. Thanks for mentioning this Annie. I would have never thought to watch the ballet on YouTube. What a great idea!


      Janet I think your cardigan dress pairing is wonderful.

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    2. thank you annie. i will look that up as i'm so hooked at the moment. it was so spectacular and i could go on for days about the discipline of a ballet dancer and how their bodies are put through such torture to create beauty. ahhh, it's amazing.

      and thank you Bmore! xo

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  14. Janet,
    The Dani dress looks fab and fits like a glove! I am a big fan of those pre-performance lectures. Those chandeliers are indeed beautiful especially with that faint glow.

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  15. Breath taking photos! Thank you for sharing. Everyone should experience the ballet at least once in their lifetime. As always Janet, you look lovely.

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  16. Wonderful! And you look lovely! Perhaps you'll enjoy the Nutcracker this holiday with your little Granddaughter. My girls (now 35 & 39) weren't always the most receptive to live shows and theater, but they loved the Nutcracker, Annie and Les Misérables.

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    1. thanks paula. yes, i thought taking my gd to see the nutcracker would be perfect too. she's in ballet and loves it so much. x

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  17. I'm a long-term follower (occasional commenter) of your blog and passionate supporter of the Australian Ballet for the last 30+ years so this post made my heart sing. The company has given me much pleasure over the years and I'm thrilled it has for you too.

    Spud.

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    1. oh i'm so happy to hear that you follow them. they are outstanding! lucky you!

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  18. So proud of our Australian ballet, what a wonderful review and such a stunning venue also. Love your outfit, I have a similar dress and shoes, just need to get the cardi.

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    1. kim, you should be proud, they are SO good. lucky you. x

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  19. Your Sunday sounds wonderful. Perhaps, a friend and I will purchase tickets to the Nutcracker this Christmas. I have never been. Your dress and cardigan are lovely on you!

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    1. oh kathy i highly recommend you go. i'm going to try to go more often too. it was a lovely day. x

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  20. I adore the Ballet. Those costumes look amazing!! As do you. The white dress is fabulous on you.

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  21. How wonderful Janet! I have to say every time I do something out of my usual box, I am so very happy I did. I am trying to do more of this as I get older - do things that aren't "me" or I didn't think I would like, or never considered. I love dance but have not seen many ballets. You've inspired me again...!
    xo

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    1. it is so great to do something out of the box terri. and the older i get the better it feels. x

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  22. You look lovely. It makes me so happy to hear of these kindnesses.

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    1. thank you lisa. dani went above and beyond kindness this time. x

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  23. Hello! I am glad you are back to blogging already! I missed you and felt such concern for you. The blog and IG world is such an interesting place and much more beautiful with you in it! will be so happy to read you when you feel an urge to post!

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    1. thanks janie. i have not been on IG in a looong time. ooops! x

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  24. You look absolutely gorgeous, Janet! How wonderful of Dani to give you the dress...she is a treasure for sure. The ballet sounds so lovely, and how nice to be able to attend the talk prior to the performance. I'm sure it made it even more meaningful and special for you. :)

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    1. as you well know melissa, that dress being a collection piece lined in silk is just amazing and to think she just sent it to me without wanting anything in return. it's quite special to me. x

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  25. What a great experience! You look lovely. I was reading this blog http://www.un-fancy.com and thought of you! This is a 37 y.o. take on minimalism and fashion.
    Much love,
    Mary

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    1. oh mary, i just looked unfancy up. what a darling blog and thank you for sharing it with me. x

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  26. Janet
    You look lovely in that white linen dress and leopard cardi is fabulous! How kind of Dani!

    Have always loved the ballet since being taken first to Swan Lake as a child by my parents in Sydney. It was a performance by the Borovansky Ballet, an Australian company which developed out of the Ballets Russes tour - they visited Oz twice, the second time just as WWII was breaking out. Some of the company stayed here. Members of the Borovansky went on with others to become the first Australian Ballet company. I just loved it!
    They've done some stunningly beautiful and original productions, their early foundation was really along the lines and discipline of the sublime Russian ballet blended with the romance and exoticism of the Diaghilev Ballets Russes - with interpretations and style passed down directly from leading dancers to the young. The production you saw sounds really beautiful, kind of an interesting update interpreting the Diana story.
    Whenever we travel we try to visit great Ballet/Opera theatres for performances, eg the Bolshoi at the Bolshoi in Moscow, the Mariinski in Petersburg, The Danish Royal Ballet etc. And of course, the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden. Also love opera, again introduced by my father who took me to see La Traviata (still my fave opera) in Brisbane when I was about 13.
    So glad you had such a lovely day out!
    Best wishes, Pammie

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    1. yes pammie! that's a lot of what the talk prior to the show was about. how ballet came to be in australia. so fascinating. and i think it was genius to translate the story with the royal family. it made it so relatable and wow did i feel for odette. so lucky that you've seen so many beautiful ballets throughout the world. you are a lucky woman pammie. x

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    2. Yes, lucky in many ways. But have had plenty of ups and terrible downs too. Including losing a child years ago - and still can't speak about that. It's too painful. I guess this helps with empathy for others. I try hard to celebrate the good and to be thankful for even small things. Pammie xx

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    3. oh pammie, thank you for sharing. it really is true that we never know what another person is going through or has been through. my heart and prayers are with you. xo

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  27. I love your observation of the whole thing being 'civilized.' I totally get that. It seems a majority of us dress casually in SoCal and, I dunno, maybe because so many events are held out-of-doors, sometimes it feels sort of loose and not glam...like when you read about New Yorkers in Manhattan already wearing their cold-weather clothes, suited up with nice jackets/coats and chic scarves, going to plays...a formality a SoCal person might struggle to relate to, depending upon circumstances. Certainly I don't feel I have anything much sophisticated to ever really do in my town! I do, however, have fondest memories of high school and our once-a-year treat in the honor society or other clubs on campus...the field trips to the music center in L.A., which could include a great musical at the Dorothy Chandler or a production at the Mark Taper Forum. It seemed a far, long, all-day journey for us busloads of wide-eyed, tourist-teens; going to the big city! We'd usually have lunch at Olvera Street. As a young, single adult, I did briefly have season tickets to the Ahmanson Theatre, which was a truly indulgent experience (you know, back in the day when freeway jams didn't cause stress coming in from the burbs like it does now!). Anyway, thank you for sharing the glorious photo of the ballerina. I've never been to an opera or a 'real' ballet (they're in the bucket!) except for a community presentation of "The Nutcracker." It's so nice that you got to have such a lovely time; I'm sure it was just the right thing for you; good to just fly off on that magic carpet for a little while and go out of the zone, do something different. It feels enriching, doesn't it; everybody needs a bit of culture in their lives, no? You looked fab in your linen. I've been wearing white linen, too. Why the heck not? It's so hot still in our SoCal endless summer, may as well forget about bringing out any fall/winter clothes! We've been so humid, it's like the tropics. Humid, yet never any rain. Yeah, October. I have to remind myself that Halloween is coming. Nothing seems harvest-y or autumn-like in our dead landscape; our canyons look like moonscapes, actually; there's just no color left. Time to buy a pumpkin; feel some orange!

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    1. Coincidentally, I'm reading a short novel right now called BUNHEADS, authored by Sophie Flack who was an actual ballet dancer with the New York City Ballet. She's married to that guy on the TV show, The Good Wife, who was killed off last season. His name is Josh something. The novel is about the professional life of a dancer in the 'corps de ballet.'

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    2. thank you vicki. so fun to hear about your trips into LA during your teens. i spent a lot of time there in my teens too but never at the ballet (sad to say!) our neck of the woods is def feeling like fall now. very chilly nights and the days have that short feeling to them. there are trees turning too. not many but still...

      the book sounds so good. i'll check the library. xo

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    3. Okay, I'm gonna get slammed now for coming back and re-reading comments but, yeah, I do that here, because you always have so many interesting reader comments and I don't want to miss any of them..just wanted to add, how lucky that you're seeing some trees turning 'cause it's remarkable here, where I live north of you, how many are NOT; I've never seen anything like this and I'm a born & bred SoCal girl. Anyway, tonight, have to share this...because they were so graceful, not unlike a pair of ballerinas...I was driving down the hill onto our valley floor...large residential tracts and the very base of the foothills...tonight, sunset, and right in front of my car and I mean RIGHT IN FRONT to where I nearly hit them, came springing out of a nice one-acre property which has a big driveway (they'd left their front gates open) two gorgeous, elegant young deer, not fawns but not much bigger; thank goodness I wasn't driving fast. A woman was walking and she stopped, I stopped; I called over to her, 'did you see that???' and she said, 'yes, let's whisper, they take my breath away.' They lingered for awhile mere feet from the street, so dainty and tentative but very alert. I can only guess/fear they are searching for water this close in to major human population. Anyway, I was spellbound. It was one of those fine, fine moments with a gorgeous pink sky illuminating the whole scene. I'd had one very crappy day so it was a good end I needed.

      Janet, I was thinking, too, if you ever caught the movie, probably from the 1970s, with Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft called 'The Turning Point.' It's the story of two aging ballet dancers and how their lives took different paths, with the other part of the story being about the daughter of one who is being accepted into a ballet company. It's a focus on the ballet scene in NYC with actual footage...amazing, timeless pieces with Baryshnikov (I was infatuated with him LONG before he was Carrie Bradshaw's Russian love interest in HBO's 'Sex and The City'). I remember that the movie got a lot of Academy award nominations and I think it's somewhat based on a true story. At the time, I'd read a book about all the great ballets...written by George Balanchine, the legendary choreographer...because I felt as a young person I should know about these things!...and I was intrigued that 'The Turning Point' film was actually choreographed in part by him although, by then, he was getting pretty old. Maybe you could pick it up at the library on DVD; you'd go wild over the sequences of the real-deal dancers and, of course, the music is always so arresting with ballet. (I'm talking as no expert at all; just from limited exposure, and love for it.)

      Another thing which was joyous to watch...it was on PBS maybe in the 80s; don't know if it's on DVD but I have it on VHS...was a documentary called "He Makes Me Feel Like Dancing" (actually, I think it's 'Danc'in') which was about the amazing NYC Ballet dancer, long since retired, named Jacques D'Amboise who had this vision to take hundreds of NYC schoolchildren and do one huge modern-dance number, culminating in a big performance at somewhere like Madison Sq. Garden or something (but don't quote me on that). It was the most uplifting, wonderful film with a point to be made about getting kids involved with the arts and how it absolutely transforms their outlook; I only recently discovered there was a sequel to the doc as well, done when some of the kids who were the 'stars' of the film had grown older. Ah, gee, I'm backsliding again on too many comments but I get fired up on the subject of dance, which is a fave. Janet, ballet's gonna be a whole new frontier for you, kinda like me trying to learn how to speak Spanish...yeah, I'm really trying. These things are good for the brain, or so I'm told...

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    4. Got one more for you...I joined ballet class when I was age 35 with no prior experience. I was a complete klutz but loved every minute of it. Especially my pink satin toe shoes, which I just HAD to have. I'd change after work in the office ladies' room but I'd have to walk out the lobby door, so I got some stares in my leotard but I was thin then! It's a great workout at the barre; ballet is hard work. I'd go home completely exhausted and drenched in sweat.

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    5. seeing the deer sounds so peaceful vicki. the last time larry was at his dad's in utah he was out hiking in the evening and came right up on a moose! totally diff situation. he backed away but did get a photo. :)

      i did see turning point but it was so long ago i've forgotten a lot of it. i will put it on my netflix list because i do remember loving it. i will also look up the other documentary. it sounds good too.

      bravo for you taking ballet at 35. i wish i would have. it's never too late right?!!! x

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    6. Loved the tip from commenters here about looking up stuff on YouTube which I forget to do. The Jacques D'Amboise documentary has an edited 20-minute clip on YouTube; I think it said it was the National Dance Institute official one. Anyway, so glad all this came up with your ballet post because I watched that again on YouTube yesterday and it's just delightful.

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  28. Dear Janet as one of your Australian motorcoach companions, I have a soft spot for you and the Australian ballet too! You look lovely in that dress. The Australian ballet is the most wonderful experience, Once, I had to pick up my tickets at the box office and David McAllister was manning the desk!
    Have been away and just catching up with blogs etc, sorry to read that life for you is not always as one would wish.
    love from one of the yeh,yeh,yeh girls.

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    1. oh i wish i knew who this was! how fun that he was managing the booth. he's quite approachable and so kind.

      love the yeh, yeh, girls. xo

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  29. Always excited to read about new live ballet fans!!!
    I always say to people, give it a go...if nothing else you can shut you eyes and listen to amazing live music!
    So pleased you enjoyed it!
    That chandelier makes me think of a British TV programme, Only Fools and Horses. Too long to explain but you can catch a glimpse here!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFuYIi5-igc
    Enjoy!!
    Zxx

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    1. i will have to google that later this afternoon. i do think everyone should give it a go too. i'm SO glad i did. now i'm hooked! x

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  30. You look beautiful Janet! What a treat to see such a wonderful performance. I took ballet for many years as a child and loved it. It's like painting pictures with movement. I'm so glad that the audience was dressed for the occasion. A few years ago our family had the opportunity to see one of the "Mainly Mozart" concerts down in San Diego. I wore a black dress with heels, my husband and boys wore their "Sunday" suits. We were about in the middle of the attire spectrum. I saw one man in Bermuda shorts and flipflops, and several men in tuxedo's with their female companions in long dresses.
    Interesting mix!
    Take care,
    Caroline

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    1. oh it sounds lovely caroline. i'd say it was mostly dressy at this performance. i did not see a single pair of flip flops and that's saying a lot for southern california!

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  31. Beautiful!! Makes me want to go to the ballet again this winter. I took my three daughters when they were little. Maybe they would like to go again...thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. thanks kristin. i'm so hooked now i can't wait to take my grandaughter!

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  32. Sounds like a wonderful time Janet! And you look stunning in that ensemble. :) Love the leopard cardi w/ that dress. How nice of Dani to give it to you.

    Glad you are making some time to go out and enjoy yourself!

    Linda
    xo

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    1. thanks linda. it was so generous of dani, she is one in a million. x

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  33. If anyone in the S.F. Bay Area is interested the Australian Ballet will be performing in Berkeley October 16-19 check out Calperformances.org.(UC Berkeley) My Husband and I attend many events from musical performances, speaker series, dance etc. Thankfully, very reasonably priced. Janet, I wonder if any of the UC. campuses in Southern California offer this, too?

    Renee in Northern California

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    1. thank you renee for sharing that info. i've been looking and using all you guys tips and having luck in finding discounted tix. thank you all!

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  34. Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!
    -Suzanne in Illinois

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  35. Hello Janet, as on my previous comments, I always look forward to your posts, just something so beautiful about them...

    I love white linen, cotton dresses and wear them a lot in our hot Australian summers. Nothing is better and you looked wonderful in yours. Can dress them up and dress them down as the saying goes.

    Did you take that wonderful photo of the dancers? It's simply stunning.
    thank you. Linda C.


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    1. hi linda! this is linda from perth right? the dancer who played odette at the ballet is from perth and i thought of you immediately!

      oh no, i did not take that photo...i wish! i swiped it from the internet and i suppose i should figure out who took it. i think it is from the Australian Ballet or LA times.

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    2. Hi Janet, no sorry, this is Linda from Melbourne...Still wish I had gone on that "Frocks and Gardens" tour and met you all. I didn't , thought my snoring would really spoil someone's special holiday. Anyhow, recent sinus operation fixed the problem....maybe another time...
      Linda C. (Melbourne)

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  36. Janet,
    I danced for 13 years and loved it. I love going to the ballet and such fond memories of attending a ballet with my Father who was mesmerized by the dancers on their toes. Another fond memory was when my dear neighbors took my daughter when she was only 3 to the Nutcracker and she wanted to know what was in "his pants." A row of girls in front could not stop giggling after that quip. Out of the mouths of babes.
    pve

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    1. haha, patricia. i bet you were such a beautiful, artistic dancer! x

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  37. I've been reading your blog off and on for a couple of years now, but can't remember if you've ever talked about the other aspects of veganism apart from food? Just wondering, since you have on a dress here with silk lining and silk's definitely not vegan. Lovely photos and recipes on your blog, btw.

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    1. thank you yarrow. i have talked about it in other posts. i have wool, silk and even my mothers coat that has a fur collar on it in my closet. i buy 2nd hand leather goods too. x

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    2. Oh, ok..? So you're merely eating vegan, then. Pity really, because this means I don't have any reason to look for those posts, if you're an enabler. Best of luck on your path!

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  38. Love the Aussie Ballet!
    So glad you got to see them perform. Have seen them here in the US ( not in LA this time though) and abroad.

    My late husband is/was an Aussie. Their lingo is second to none, LOL.
    My daughter is a dancer/choreographer- albeit with a different day-job. I grew up such a tomboy-baseball was my love.
    Imagine my surprise when I had a little princess of a girl who loved the ballet after seeing NYCB's Nutcracker on PBS.
    Her love of dance led me to love it, too-as she danced, I learned so much about the dance world.
    She even wound up with a degree in it!

    If you don't know about Goldstar, check them out-they have discounted tickets for heaps of cultural things here in SoCal ( and other places) . They have some Russian Nutcracker tickets right now- at really good prices! If you haven't seen the Russian Ballet-well, you just have to.

    PS-love love love the dress/cardi combo!

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    1. thank you susan! i did register with goldstar and got a tix to see the moscow ballet! i'm so excited. if you hadn't shared that info i would never have known about it. your story about your daughter is just too sweet. isn't that the way it always goes with kids?! x

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  39. I love the ballet! There's something magical when you dress up and treat yourself with something special. You look stunning in the white dress with the leopard cardigan :)

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    1. you know what? you are right yuko, there was something magical about that whole day! perfect way to put it. x

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  40. this brings to mind a day three Summers ago when my Daughter and I along with my Granddaughter and Grandson, then 8 and 6 attended the American Ballet Theater at Lincoln Center. the whole experience was marvelous! the ballet of course, Sleeping Beauty, the gorgeous Metropolitan Opera House, the dancing fountains in the courtyard, even the subway ride there was an adventure!
    Darby

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    1. so glad you shared darby. like yuko above said, it was a magical day. even the car ride out! the lunch we had was extra delicious for some reason too. the fountains in front of the Met sound so beautiful. x

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  41. Hi Janet, Lovely outfit on you, love white. I love the ballet and used to get season tickets with my mom in law. I do miss it. What a nice client and what a treat.

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    1. thank you cherre. how lovely to have season tix. this client of mine is such a favorite, we get along so well and it was SO nice of her! x

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  42. I'm so glad you've decided to continue blogging. I admire your style, attitude, and your simplicity. I used to attend the San Francisco Opera performances, and agree that a "dressed up" event is wonderful! The ballet sounds like a wonderful event. Debby

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  43. I freaking LUFF the ballet and cry when it ends. Go all the time, how can you have held out so long????? xxx

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  44. I have never been to a ballet. I think I just love with the idea of going to the ballet but to be honest, I think I could only sit through the first 15 minutes. When I was a kid my mother used to always tell me I had "ants in my pants"! Maybe I still do. But I do love your outfit!
    ~diane

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    1. haha diane, it was mesmerizing and not hard to sit through at all. i'd say give it a go. x

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  45. Did you put the outfit back on especially to pose for the blog?








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  46. What a thrill it must have been to see such a beautiful performance. Your outfit was lovely, perfect for the occasion.

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  47. Not sure where you have been. Hoping you are just taking a break and that all is well. Putting good thoughts out into the universe for you.

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kindness is never out of style.

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