Looking back at 2014.....a most wonderous year!!

Hi Belly Babes,

I sit here today thinking.....I can't believe the year is over. It has absolutely flown past. It seems like just the other day we were getting over the first Rhythm Divine Halfa and now we have just successfully pulled off the 2nd one. The culmination of a year full of wonderful events from the Buffelspoort Karnaval, World Belly Dance Day, Tribalation, various Bridal Shower and birthdays, to ending off the year performing as guest artists at the Belly Buttons Harties Desert Feast Halfa.

I want to say thank you to all my wonderful students, troupe dancers and beginners alike, for an absolutely wonderfully awesome year. Together we have accomplished more than I could have ever imagined. Together we have pushed each other to new personal highs, helped each other in times of personal challenges, sorrow, joy, illness...only to come out the other end better, stronger and more beautiful dancers and women. I won't change it for anything in the world.

I also want to say thank you to all the Husbands and partners, Mom's and Dad's that have been there to cheer us on, for the shoulder to cry on when things are not going according to plan and for putting up with the unusual obsession for all the glitters, blings and has any kind of sequin on it. We wouldn't be able to do this without your love and support. We will cherish you always.

I know that next year.....2015....is going to be a year of abundance, a year to achieve even bigger, better things. I have so many things that I want us to do in the coming year that I can't wait to start classes.
So.....bring on 2015.............I'VE GOT THIS!!!! WE'VE GOT THIS!!!

I thought I'd give us a little look back at the year that was.....I hope you enjoy reminiscing, having a good giggle and patting yourself on the back for all the wonderful things we did this year.
Here's to the next wonderously awesome year! Won't want to dance it with anyone else.


BUFFELSPOORT KARNAVAL

Rainbow Veil - Lee-Anne, Marina and Christen

Oyos Asi - Jacqui and Marina

WORLD BELLY DANCE DAY

Ojos Asi Group - Jade, Jacqui Christa and Marina

Luxor in Vegas - Christa, Jade, Diana, Jacqui and Marina

Tribal Alto - Jacqui

RBD Photoshoot Fun

Jade

Jacqui

Diana

Marina

Lee-Anne

Christen

TRIBALATION

RHYTHM DIVINE 2014 - HAFLA

Beginners Class - Marelize, Carien, Elsie and Hazel

Jade

Adv Beginners & Int  Group - Jade, Marina, Lee-Ann, Diana, Christen and Jacqui

Drum Solo - Jacqui

Fan Veil - Marina and Diana

Bollywood Fusion - Marina

Tribal Group - Jade, Marina, Lee-Ann, Diana, Christen and Jacqui

So.....Hope to see you all again next year. Watch this space for great things to come!!

Love & Shimmies

Jacqui

Favourites: Hafla tips continued

Hey Everyone

Our yearly Hafla is fast approaching and I thought I'd share some of my favourite YouTube with you to help you out with some pressing issues.

Enjoy!

First up I have Victoria Teel, an American Middle Eastern dancer and instructor. All of her tips are practical and easy to follow, so I've decided to include a few of her videos for you.

Another one of my go-to girls on Youtube is Jovita George, a former beauty queen who shares her amazing make up tips. She focusses a lot on makeup for Indian skin tones, but I have used more than one of her videos with slight alterations to fit my skin tone.

Here are my favourites:

(PS. I love that she shows the whole highlight/contour tutorial also!)

And I absolutely love Linda Halberg - even if it's difficult to work with an eyelash curler and read subtitles at the same time! :-)

Hope you got some inspiration for the tricky makeup and bling issues. I can't wait to see all my beautiful Rusty Belly Dance sisters at the Hafla in all their glory!

Happy Shimmying!

XxX

Marina

Favourites: Hafla makeup ideas

Hey Everyone

It's four weeks to D-day. . . Hafla day! While the costumes are being finished and dances polished, we need to start thinking about putting everything together: choreography, costume, hair and makeup all need to be perfect to deliver the performance of your life.

If you, like me, are quite in the dark about what to do with your makeup, have no fear. I've rounded up the prettiest pictures and easy-to-follow tutorials for everyone to get the helping hand we need. 

First up, a few "basic" ideas to get you started:

You can never go wrong with a glittery silver smokey eye and a strong lip. Remember, this is the one time the rules may be broken! You must do a dark lip and eye or else your face will look unbalanced.

Gold and black smokey eye. Fake lashes are a must (in my book at least!)

Most caucasian girls have the dreaded "hooded eye" which makes your lid disappear under the crease. Combat this by making sure your lids are light and bright below the lid and darker in the crease and beyond.

Never underestimate the power of a perfect cat eye line - practice makes perfect!

Keep your brows groomed, lids light and focus on a heavy slick of eyeliner. There are so many formulas, but I like gel and liquid eyeliners best.

If you're a little more adventurous, why not go for one of these more dramatic looks?

Never be afraid of glitter. NYX Cosmetics sell great pots of glitter for less than R50 that works beautifully.

More glitter! The colourn is also striking.

If you'd like to keep things a little more subtle, this is a great look.

And if you're willing to go all the way, how about this. . .

Rhinestones can be attached with clear lash glue and won't go anywhere all night.

Get creative and don't stick to the "norm"!

Rainbow glitter! And just look at those lush falsies!

Gold liner, smokey eyes and glitter make a triple threat.

Why should rhinestones be around the eye if you can stick them on the eye? Just be careful with the lash glue! :-)

Hope you've gotten some ideas for your makeup. Next time I'll post some practical how-to videos to give you more help!

Happy experimenting!

XxX

Marina

Friday Favourites: Hafla decor ideas

Hey Everyone

It's hard to believe that we're only two months away from our yearly hafla. . . A showcase for Rusty Belly Dance students to show friends and family what we've been up to when we disappear for a few hours every week. 

Keeping in the spirit of the hafla - which literally means party in Arabic - we're enjoying this fun-filled evening in true bedouin style. For our new students, it may be a foreign concept, but have no fear! 

Tonight I will give you a few decor ideas to get the creative juices flowing. Enjoy!

For those selecting a spot near a wall can indulge in deluxe draping to give it that secluded feel.

There is no rules - mix and match colours, textures and sizes. Round things off with some brass/gold accessories.

Keep table decor bright and exuberant - crazy colours, flower petals, candles, etc.

Since you'll be seated on the floor, keep your guests comfy with lots of pillows, throws and even a few low footstools.

This pin has a link to awesome DYI tips to make these vases yourself (for the creative types!)

More patterns and bright colours - no rules!

This is another simple DIY idea - cheap trays that you can spray paint gold, glitter paper and tealight candles.

To keep things a little more muted and sophisticated, stick to two complementary colours.

The shops are full of bohemian inspired drinking glasses like these - fill with sand and stick a tealight in or use it for serving refreshments.

Daybeds for those who cannot go down to the floor is also a great idea.

Poufs in complementary colours also provide a slightly raised seating option.

Reminiscent of an Indian aatri plate - always a nice centre piece. Just a word to the wise: KEEP CANDLES AWAY FROM VEILS AT ALL TIMES!!!

Another idea for wall drapings if you are up for it - or maybe a wild idea for our photo booth?

Hope you've got some inspiration and that you're all getting ready for our big night!

Enjoy your weekend!

XxX

Marina

Friday Favourites (on a Saturday!) Dark Fusion Boutique

Hey Everyone

Things are heating up in the costume fairies' workshop as the Rusty Belly Dance's Rhythm Divine hafla and so we've been a little busy with our sewing.

Today I've made time to share my favourite pics from my new Belly Dance fashion favourite, Dark Fusion Boutique.

Enjoy!

Happy Shimmying!

XxX
Marina