Practically Perfect in Every Way

Last week, on the 13th, I went to Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) to see the touring production of Mary Poppins. One of my all time favorite movies, especially Disney movies, is Mary Poppins with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. This play, while produced by Disney, shares some similarities but apparently draws many extra characters and themes from the original books by P.L. Travers. I must confess, I've never read these books although now I want to find copies and read them.

There were some really amazing elements to the show like the large dance numbers for "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocius" and "Step In Time". The "Supercal...." dance number was so fun that when I got home I looked it up and found a tutorial on You Tube (Yes, I'm a dork). I've made it through Super-calif. Not sure I could ever get it as fast as those performers in the show though.

The dance tutorial

 

The actors from the original Broadway production

My favorite part was during the "Step In Time" number when Bert (SPOLIER) "walks" up the side wall of the stage and "tap dances" on the ceiling/upside down. Amazing work. The actor that play Bert truly stole the show for me. Mary Poppins herself lived up to the character but didn't "wow" me. Bert on the other hand was funny and likeable and nailed the songs and the dances.

Bert "walking/dancing" up the proscenium is at the 5:19 mark

Like I said, this show was quite different from the movie. There were several charcters that I had not heard of; "Queen Victoria", "Mrs. Corry", and I was disappointed that the audience waan't given more information about them. They appeared in some dance numbers and were listed in the Playbill but I really didn't know who they were.

The music from the show really is what makes it what it is. Most of the songs from the movie are kept in the play as well, some are moved around to different scenes and some are rewritten slightly but the overall feeling is still there. There are also some new songs that were written for this show. One of my favorites is "Practically Perfect In Every Way". Just about sums me up. ;)



 Going to the show was a girls' night out for me and one of my favorite people. We love to see shows together. We've been to the production of Hairspray from the NC Theater at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium before but this was better. There really isn't a bad seat in the DPAC. Since we both love Mary Poppins and we both love shows-she made us buttons to wear that told everyone about our true nature. Love them!! I even wore mine at work so my co-workers could be reminded. hehehehe

Loved the performance even if the show wasn't one of my most favorites. Still super excited that I can add it to my list of shows I've seen. Now-if only the Disney production of "Newsies" can go on tour!

Here's a shot of me before we left.



Happy Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

(OK-day after Valentine's Day)

Valentine's for JGIII and I isn't a terribly big deal but we do celebrate the holiday. We started, a few years back, ordering sushi take-out and eating dinner at home. Saves us the headache of waiting for a spot in a crowded restaurant-and I can put on comfy pants to eat dinner. BONUS!

Here's what this year's dinner looked like:

(This was after JGIII took it out of the takeout boxes and put it all on one platter)

My gift ideas this year were (AGAIN) inspired by Pinterest. While I spend WAY too much time on there it really is full of wonderful and new ideas. The real gift I gave JGIII was an engraved money clip. Don't know if he'll have money to put in it but it looks pretty cool.

These are the other ideas I did for him this year:

This is a mason jar filled with Reese Pieces that says "I Love You To Pieces"

There is 1 balloon for every year that we've been together. At the bottom of the string I put a card that had 1 thing I loved about him.

The bear that JGIII gave me in the morning before work is on the nightstand in the background.

I stopped at the store and put together an assorted six pack of beer. Mostly ones that JGIII hasn't tried before. Then I put all these cute sayings around them.

This was the homemade card I did. I came up with the number of days since JGIII and I met and made this card.

JGIII gave me the most wonderful gifts. In addition to the stuffed bear I got in the morning, I got a copy of Peter Pan on blu-ray. I had asked for that so it wasn't a surprise but I can't wait to watch it! When he got home from work (with the sushi) he presented me with a beautiful bouquet of pink roses. So pretty.

He also got me a new Coach Purse! It's gorgeous-way too much for a V-Day present but I still love it!!

I can't wait to start carrying it. I think I'll wait until March 1 so I can start a new month off with this pretty thing.

How was your Valentine's Day? Hope it was all that it's cracked up to be and you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Game Day!

It's time for a rematch!

After getting beat in Raleigh back in January...it's time to show those wolfies what it's all about over in Cameron Indoor. Bring on the game.

To celebrate-I had a project in mind that I wanted to do.

One of the ideas that I got from Pinterest it refashioning some thrift clothes. I found this shirt at the Salvation Army store here in Raleigh. It's a cute Ann Taylor Loft black shirt and it was perfect.

               

I got the shirt for about $5. Brought it home and washed it. Then I layed it out on newspaper (just so I didn't get paint all over the kitchen table) and put wax paper inside the shirt between the two layers. This helps to keep the paint from seeping through onto the other side.

Here's the shirt before....layed out and ready to start.

I used Tulip fabric paint from Michaels and a foam brush with a round tip. Then I just went to town making the dots on the shirt. I tried to keep them somewhat evenly spaced so that it looked organized but I didn't measure it out or anything. After letting it dry overnight, I did the back side of the shirt and made sure I had gotten the sleeves as well.

You are supposed to let it dry for 72 hours before washing and I thought it would be better if I washed it before I wore it so I didn't smell like paint.

Here's the final product!

And here was my inspiration from Pinterest just for reference.

As I have a list of projects that I've found on Pinterest that I want to try, I should be busy for the next several months. Can't wait to see how they turn out.

In the meantime...GO DUKE!