This first week back post-layoff proved far more challenging than anticipated. I could go on and on about my tight calves, sore achilles tendons and lack of stamina, but instead I will just assure you these past 5 days have been a real struggle.
At the start of the season, I decided to reward myself for staying strong through all those injured months with some new Catbird goodies. The Brooklyn-based jewelry brand’s Cyber Monday sale seemed like the perfect time to invest in a piece from their coveted ballerina collection (obsessed) and score a few other baubles with free shipping and a gifted tote bag as part of the promotion. The indulgent package of pretties was the perfect pick-me-up in the middle of such a hellish week.
Now it’s on to sewing waaaay too many of these:
and checking out Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker as the third installment of my seasonal ballet sampler. Happy Nutcracker season, all!
Setting The Barre 
What kind of Suffolks do you wear? I switched over to them last year and found that they’re a great substitute for the die-too-quickly Freeds
I just switch to Suffolk Spotlights, after wearing Grishko 2007’s for many years. Still getting used to them- but I know what you mean about Freeds dying too quickly, I had the same problem with them!