Update + What to Wear When You’re Dancing for 2 Days Straight)

I’ve been blessed in so many ways that I don’t even know where to begin; tthere are just some things that words can never do justice. And while I’m a firm believer in some sort of greater existence—God, The Universe, etc.—I believe that what you give is what you get. Despite not believing in New Year’s Resolutions, I told myself to say yes more.

And I did.

Am I the ultimate Yes Woman? No—not yet. Just as much as I need to learn to say no, I need to learn to keep saying yes. Yes, yes, yes! It’s so cliche, but cliches exist for a reason: saying yes opens doors. Saying yes to one thing leads to saying yes to another. A snowball effect, if you will, in the best way possible.

It opens entire worlds.

Case in point: I somehow found myself signed up to get certified to teach Zouk. Two days of training in the one and only New York City, with the one and only Kim Rottier. I’d go having essentially no previous experience (save a crash course the night before) so you can imagine how completely inadequte, out of place, and frustrated I would feel at times. Then I’d remind myself that I was here, that I said yes, that someone else said yes to me being here for a reason, and just stop being so afraid of being wrong.

“To life a creative life, we must love our fear of being wrong.”

—Joseph Chilton Pearce

Point is: I said yes, and two days later—two days of non-stop dancing, of falling in love with zouk, of meeting such an incredibly talented and beautiful group of people, of waking up in a gorgeous apartment, of being immersed in such artistry and creative abandon—I took a train back home. A little bit tired, kinda sore, a whole lot inspired, and the tiniest bit (okay, maybe more than that) proud with my official Zouk New York Certification for teaching.

But this is a fashion-ish site, isn’t it? Silly me, always going on a tangent: you were probably more interested in what I wore, so we’ll call this the “What to Wear When You’re Dancing For Two Days Straight,” or to make it more accessible to masses, “What to Wear When You Just Want to be Comfy.” Marketing catch phrases would include “how to be comfy and cute” but let’s cut the bull and into the outfits, shall we?

Day 1, Outfit. No. 1

A.k.a., the outfit I wore for a 7:30 a.m. drive to NYC (after spending all night/early morning packing after rehearsal), and would translate well for Day 1 of the workshop. What I didn’t anticipate, however, was a flashmob-esque teaching event in Union Square Park, followed by zouk-ing all night out on the pavillion (which was incredible: the energy was magical), then dinner, then more dancing back at the apartment.

Requirements: super comfortable, easy to move in, and would showcase lines well (or in non-dance-speak, fitted). Should also hide sweat.

What I Wore: vintage leather jacket + a.n.a. black tank + VS Pink leggings + UGG leather zip boots + Bloch Vitoria Latin sandal

 

Day 1, Outfit No. 2

Intended for sleepwear, but because I was staying in an apartment full of dancers, we didn’t sleep. You guessed it: we danced all night.

Requirements: comfy, dance-friendly. Cute, but not sexy. This isn’t one of those sleepovers…

What I Wore: American Apparel crop tee + Timpa Duet Lace Demi bra + F21 ribbed waist lounge pant (which is, surprisingly, SO incredibly flattering—trust)

 

Day 2, Outfit No. 3

Day 2 of the workshop. Comfort is key, once again. Also, the syllabus is a whole lot harder, so to inspire me to keep on keepin’ on, a little sass in my outfit was wholly needed.

Requirements: comfy, dance-friendly. Also mildly cute for breakfast before our five-hour day.

What I Wore: Dimepiece L.A. “Ain’t No Wifey” tee + VS Pink leggings + UGG leather zip boots + Bloch Vitoria Latin sandal

 

Day 3, Outfit No. 4

A.k.a., what I wore for the subway and train ride home.

Requirements: uber comfortable and cool enough for a packed subway and train ride.

What I Wore: vintage leather jacket + American Eagle tank + F21 ribbed waist lounge pant + Oak NYC leather baseball cap + VS travel bag

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