February: Went to see the Gymdogs (my college's gymnastics team) and out downtown with my best friend Lauren March: Spent my spring break at home on my beach. Perfect.
April:My boyfriend and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary in Gatlinburg, Tennessee May: Went to San Francisco with my man and visited his sister
June: Saw my boyfriend's cousin get married in Athens
July: Got a nasty brace for my knee :(
August: Saw my friend Lisa get married!! (The first one of my friends!!)
September: Georgia games and my girl Peech October: Choreographed my 3rd and last hip hop dance for Greek Grind. I loved working with these girls!
November: Had a spur of the moment trip home and got to see my grandparents
December: Spent Christmas in Florida (as always) and relished in the views!
I just wanted to take the time today to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas Eve. I hope you all have a fantastic day with your family! I've spent this morning at Pilates with my mom and laying out by my pool (thankful for South Florida Christmases) and then my mom and I are going to church, followed by our traditional Italian dinner (clams, seafood... things that I do not eat...) and hanging out near the beach!
I've added five new earrings to my jewelry line and I'm so excited to share them with you! As before, if you're interested in ordering a pair, please email me at stephaniecanter@gmail.com.
I have recently been inspired to use my creativity in a different way: to make jewelry!
I've spent the last couple of days playing around with some ideas and making some wonderful pieces and I would love to share them with you. Take a look!
*the dream maker - $12
*goldilocks - $10
*a sweet treat - $10
*just peachy - $10
*the athenian - $12
*forever iridescent - $12
* custom order for a friend (adapted from just peachy) - $10
*a night out - $12 (ps - my personal favorite!)
*the lauren - $12
*the brooke - $12
I want to start selling very soon, so please let me know if you're interested in any pieces or in a custom order. I am more than happy to work with you! Feel free to email me at stephaniecanter@gmail.com.
Maybe this title is misleading... I'm not feeling stressed about the holidays and all I have to do for them (like still shop for my parents...) but I feel really overwhelmed with all that I've done lately. I used to be a busy bee in high school, barely having time to do my homework, but this first part of being home has been a whirlwind! Doctor's appointments, hair cuts, rehearsals, running errands... This girl needs a break! (Although I did enjoy having a sleep over with my best friend and having dinner with my favorite dance teacher/co-worker/mentor.)
But something else has stressed me out while being at home... and it's the drivers.
NO ONE in South Florida knows how to drive. Or how to drive well for that matter. So I've made a list of what you could expect if you drive in South Florida:
1. No one will use a blinker... EVER.
2. People will ride on your butt
3. People will almost take off your bumper from changing lanes because they were riding so close
4. They won't slow down if someone is slowing down in front of them... they'll just change lanes (thus, making YOU slam on your brakes)
5. Did I mention no one uses blinkers?!
6. You will feel like you're in New York City because of all the honking
7. Pedestrians shmedestrians
8. They will make you never want to drive a car again
But other than trying to drive in Florida (because of these reasons listed above), I have been enjoying my time at home... in the 80 degree heat... soaking up the sun on the beach!
My best friend and I at the beach yesterday! Yes, we went in the water... kinda chilly but worth it!
As we're diving deeper into the holiday season, I constantly have to remind myself of my health goals. I went to Publix recently and the cashier commented about how healthy I was eating (which was a nice compliment)... but then she said, "don't you know Christmas is soon?" Of course I do! But that doesn't mean I have to let myself go and forgo the wonderful vegetables that I so love. So I decided to post some holiday tips that I'll be living by this winter break (and by posting them, that means I'm accountable, right...?) You might have heard some of these before but reinforcement always helps!
1. Chose smaller plates. I love this mind trick. If you put all of your food on a smaller plate, it looks like you have so. much. food. I use salad plates almost all the time and I always feel like I'm eating a ton when I'm really just eating my portion size. If you're going to a party or even having a family dinner, don't hesitate to ask for a smaller plate.
2. Actually put your food ON a plate. When I'm standing around an appetizer table, grabbing one (or two) of everything, I don't actually realize how much I'm eating. Force yourself to pick what you want and put it on a plate... and try not to go back for seconds. Don't forget about the fruits and veggies option that fill you up and keep you fuller longer. *Also when I was little I used to say "one for each hand" meaning that I wanted two of something............ don't do that.
3. If drinking, opt for lower calorie drink options. If choosing hard liquor to drink, try mixing it with a Crystal Light drink mix (my favorite is the raspberry lemonade) or Mio. If you want something fizzy, watch out for tonic, it's packed full of sugar. Opt for club soda with a squeeze of lemon or lime instead. If beer is more your thing, Michelob Ultra and Miller Lite only have 3 Weight Watcher PointsPlus and Bud Light has 4. Most craft beers are 5 or 6 points. If you prefer wine, try SkinnyGirl's wines -- only 100 calories per 5oz!
4. Have a snack before you leave for a party. One day my boyfriend looked at me funny because I was eating an apple before we went out to eat. I know, kinda weird... but... if you eat an apple or a small salad with low-calorie dressing before you go to a party or event, you're much less likely to pig out on appetizer/bread/your meal/the entire dessert menu. And hey, an apple usually ranges from 50-80 calories but is packed full of fiber! My favorite apples are Gala and Fuji apples. Sweet but they don't get mealy like Red Delicious.
5. Squeeze a workout in so you won't have to squeeze into your clothes. Plan to workout during the day of a party or a big dinner so that you can nibble a little more in the evening. Plus, you might even be more resistent to putting junk food in your body after you worked out so hard!
*Bonus* Plan what you're eating before you eat it. For me, I enjoy tracking my meals in the morning so I know how many WW Points I have used up during the day and how many extra points I have for snacking. If you plan out your meal beforehand, you might just be less tempted to stray from what you've written down!
Well... that's all I have for now. I hope you can take these tips and apply them to your life. Being healthy doesn't have to start after the holidays. Take all things in moderation except for the time you're spending with your family :) Have a great Monday!
My heart's been heavy with this constant news coverage of the terrible tragedy that occurred in Connecticut on Friday. Being a dance teacher and pondering jumping into the real teaching profession, I cannot fathom the danger those teachers and administrators felt when they heard gunshots. Yet, there was not an ounce of selfishness in those people who protected their students from bullets. I am just so overwhelmed with sorrow for those innocent, precious people who lost their lives that day.
This has also triggered my ever-present interest in understanding how people think. I chose my major of Human Development and Family Sciences because I wanted to understand how my younger dance students thought and how I could effectively communicate to them. Growing up, I taught dance but I never really learned how to control a class of elementary schoolers and I'm grateful that I now know techniques and how to approach people at their developmental level. With that being said, I do wonder how counselors, pastors, therapists, etc. could have dealt with any issues that the shooter was having. Now, I realize it's much more complex than this, but I do believe that kind words to those who are dealing with any sort of internal turmoil can help people.
Religious or not, we all need to treat people not how we want to be treated, but how they deserve to be treated. I say this because we often give love in the way we like to receive love. But not everyone receives love the same. Just like in Gary Chapman's book The Five Love Languages, we can't all be treated the same way and expect the same results. Just like some concepts (math, in particular) don't click with kids, some ways of communication or word choices can set some people off.
I'm sure this is on everyone's mind already but there are truly great teachers, some of which I'm sure you've been blessed with, really do care about their students. Really care. And would protect them like their own children.
As I was thinking about this weekend's events, one song kept popping into my head. And that is Not For A Moment by Meredith Andrews. I love her voice and I love the message in the song.
After all, You are constant
After all, You are only good
After all, You are sovereign
Not for a moment did You forsake me.
I hope that God brings comfort to those who are so saddened by their losses and know that He will never forsake you.
1. I made my cousin a banner for her 21st birthday out of paint chips and had a great time celebrating Tuesday and Wednesday night!
2. I found Santa at a bar :)
3. Bought some fun scrapbooking things for my trip home for Christmas -- I can't wait to create some fun things!
4. My boyfriend and I were looking at puppies online and I found one that looked like my old dog Tootsie! I need that pup! (P.S. yes my dog was named Tootsie.... after my favorite candy....)
5. It's hard to see but I've made two A's so far! So ready for my next two grades to come in! #nerdalert
On this very special day (the last day the day, month, and year will ever be the same numbers), I would like to give a HUGE shout out to my very best friend/cousin...
because...
IT'S HER 21ST BIRTHDAY!
She has absolutely like a sister to me and I have cherished growing up with her. When we were little, we visited each other at least 4 times a year (we lived in different states) but now, not only do we go to the same college, but we're roommates! She is hilarious, brilliant, and the sweetest person you will ever meet. I'm pretty sure she doesn't have a mean bone in her body. I just love her!
Happy birthday my sweet friend! I hope everyone has a great day (and good luck to those taking finals today!)
So I'm officially donezo with finals! Hooray! I am so grateful for my mom for helping me edit my 10-page paper on everything there is to know about marriage. Sorta.
After finishing my paper yesterday morning, I spent the day doing what I wanted which consisted of:
* high bun and double bun tutorials can be found on her page!
2. Getting in the Christmas spirit
It's also my cousin/best friend's 21st birthday on Wednesday so some of those presents are for her!
3. Joining the sweat-through-your-shirt/hair/smudge-your-makeup club:
4. Enjoying a de-to-the-lish post workout smoothie
5. Jumping for joy that our water bill is no longer $500 (!!!)
And 6. Catching up on Dexter.
I also did laundry, vacuumed my room, swept the kitchen and cleaned my bathroom. I AM WONDERWOMAN! Just kidding, I just had way too much time on my hands yesterday.
Here's to a good day today and staying awake until midnight (I am an old lady) so I can go out for my cousin's 21st! Hope your day is great!
As a dancer, I have always loved movement. And sweating my booty off at rehearsal.
I never used to go to the gym in high school but when I came to college, I soon learned it was a necessity. I've gone off and on throughout the years but on my most recent health kick (recommitting to Weight Watchers and really taking exercise seriously), I've been working out about 6 days a week.
And I LOVE it.
When I can't make it to the gym for my usual 30 minutes of weights and 40 minutes of cardio, I pop in this gem and work up a sweat.
I've had this DVD for about 3 years but never thought I could do it. I have almost all of Jillian Michaels' DVDs and really love the "No More Trouble Zones" workout but I think I was scared to do a 45 minute cardio workout.
But man is it good. I love it so much. I do have to modify a few moves for my knee (and skip a whole circuit but that's okay) but I really do enjoy sweating up a storm.
I got this video as a gift but you can get it from Amazon or Target!
Hope everyone had a great weekend (or a productive one for those studying for finals!)
1. My mom sent me the sweetest text yesterday. I cried. She is such a wonderful person!
2. I went to Target twice this week. Twice. (No shame.) My eye caught the cutest scarf and I was so tempted to get it... maybe for Christmas... You can find it here.
3. I about died when I saw this picture. LOOK AT THE SHOES. I clearly sent this to Spencer (my boyfriend) who has been wanting a pup lately. P.S. check out all of those for a good laugh.
4. With an A in my online class, I finally have a 3.7 GPA! Hopefully I'll keep that up through finals and next semester so I can graduate magna cum laude. #dreams
5. Spencer is taking me to see Totem after Christmas and I'm so excited! Best. Gift. Ever.
How was your week? Hope you have an awesome Friday!
I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately seeing as how I'm coming up on the end of my senior year in college. What am I going to do? Where am I going to live? How do I find a job that I'm passionate about? I've spent a lot of time thinking about the possibilities that lay before me but also reflecting on where I've been.
For those of you who know me personally, I have always been a dancer. I've danced from the age of four until about twenty and have been teaching and choreographing for the past five years. I started college as a dance major and quickly discovered that my knee injury that I had when I was 10 was creeping back into my life. I was dancing about six days a week, every day at school and on the weekends with my professional company Project 7. I loved it. I had never felt more fulfilled.
But this aching pain kept me out of a few classes and never seemed to be getting better. I eventually changed my major but still danced with my company.
Soon, it got so bad that I couldn't walk. What? The girl who loves movement so much couldn't stand to even walk. I was completely heartbroken. And what broke me even more was that I had to quit my dance company.
I was also teaching at a studio about an hour and a half away at the time and really enjoyed it, despite the fact that I couldn't move. But, I had to unfortunately leave that job this year because I needed to heal.
So with all of this happening, my "first love" of dance was becoming something that caused me so much pain. I needed to re-evaluate what I was going to do with my life. I have always loved teaching and choreographing and I still do, but I know that in order for me to create, I need to be able to try out the moves on my body first.
So here I am today, contemplating about what God has in store for me, trusting that He will lead me to the path I am called for. And I start thinking... well, maybe I should make a blog. After all, I have been wildly inspired by The Small Things Blog, From My Grey Desk Blog, and Today's Letters. But those gals have such awesome titles. What would my blog be about? What could I name it?
Then immediately I was brought back to one of my dance friends who gave me a bracelet one time (ya know, the slidey ones where you could add letters?) And on mine it read "It's About Heart." She explained it to me and said that when I dance, I dance from my heart. So whatever I wanted to do in life needed to be done from my heart.
And that's what has lead me here to today. Sittin' on my bed (with finals looming over my head), thinking about how I can find the happiness that I found in dance somewhere else. A daunting task, but I'm up for the challenge!
