August 10th, 2010
This summer has not been filled with beaches, barbeques and sailboats. It has been a weird and wonderful adventure involving a lot of new things…and a lot of work.
So I started this new class that is a mixture of burlesque dancing and a serious cardio/strength training work-out. In May I had one student – and now I have around 2000. It has been a really creative project – and I have been working on it with my darling friend Teresa Kliokis (but you may call her by her burlesque name which is “Pink Champagne”). We have spent hours in the studio creating the work-out – which includes aerobics, plyometrics, core training, ballet and yoga inspired moves. We have also made up many fun burlesque dances that are fun for everyone to learn – choosing lots of fun music. Most importantly we are trying to create our own language – very “showgirl fabulous” and empowering to women of every shape and size. It has been a HUGE undertaking. If you want to check out my new website it is www.burlesquebikinibootcamp.com – if you want to take class and you are a Brazil Bronze class – just email me and you can try your first class for $10 (normally it is $25).
Brazil Bronze has gone crazy with our Boudoir photography sessions. Real women are loving taking pin up girl photos for themselves, for their husbands and boyfriends. It is crazy empowering to see gorgeous photos of yourself. I love how people come all shy and retiring to the shoot – and after 10 minutes they could shoot all day. I love when people get to feel beautiful – to really own that side of themself. We are really having a great time with this. Our photographer is Roberto Ferrando – husband of Annamarie who you may know from the salon. He is so good at getting everyone comfortable – and a true artist. We LOVE Robert.
In my down time I have been dancing a lot for myself. I am a student of ballroom dancing and I have been loving attending the competitions as a student – trying to make myself better – little by little. This summer I went to competitions in Boston, Virginia, Brooklyn and Sarasota. The only bad thing is that the people who run these competitions are exactly like in the movie “Strictly Ballroom.” The students are the people who bring the money to the competitions and many of the organizers are not really respectful of the balance in the business equation. To me it is bad business sense to think your customers are dumb. But – I love to dance – so I put the assinine parts of it in a mental file cabinet and just focus on loving the dancing and trying to learn. I love the idea that a grown up can learn something new. If I am depressed I take out a doodle pad and design fantasy dancing dresses…try that for a stress buster 
Other than that I am trying to do fun stuff with my little girls. We are looking forward to going camping in the Adirondaks soon – and this week they want to go to the Museum of Natural History I am really looking forward to having no phone or computer for a week…my brain needs it.
On Wednesday I am getting interviewed for the BBC world service – because I am going to be in this new book called “An Englishman in New York”…I will keep you posted because you will be able to hear the interview pretty much everywhere on the radio. I am a little nervous – but I am sure it will be a cool experience.
Hope to see you getting a spray tan, in burlesque class, or having your photo taken…. ps – if you see me in Burlesque Class – just call me “Lady Chardonnay” 