sing, lady

You want to know a secret ?... I sing. Alright, It really isn't a secret at all.  It's just something I haven't always felt comfortable labeling myself as... singer.  I always feel that I haven't earned that title. 

 Mostly my audiences are made up of unassuming strangers that I pull up next to at traffic lights or piles of my dirty clothes.  Sometimes my dear, sweet husband or my gracious co-workers have to listen, but I'm usually using what I deem my "Disney" voice.

Through my years of belting it out in the driver's seat and pretending be diligent at learning to play guitar, there have been countless songstresses and sirens that I have taken cues from.  Here are just a few ladies of song who I admire quite a lot.

Jewel

Yup, Jewel.  My sister and I used to listen to her "This Way" album loud while driving fast down the twirling roads home as teenagers. "Do you want to play" was my favorite song.  Her poetic wit and unabashed personal sound always move me. She's like a nineties folk mermaid. Favorite Track: "Everybody needs someone sometime"

Jessica Lea Mayfield.

This girl.  There are two groups of people, I find, when it comes to this girl. Those who love her and those who.... don't. At all.  I belong to the first group.  I think she's moody and honest and her voice is thick as grits. I could sing along to "Kiss me again" over and over and over... and I do. Favorite Track: "Our Hearts Are Wrong"

Stevie

The Gold Dust Woman herself.  She's definitely on the list of people I'd like to have dinner with.  Her voice is chalky, like a whipper-will who's been smoking for 40 years... and while that shouldn't be a good thing, it oddly is.  I am influenced by her in ways that I don't even think I'm conscious of.  Favorite track: Silver Springs

Feist

Whimsical, Strong... like a honeypot fireside dream.  I would love for her to sing me to sleep.  I love that she can come through so emotional and confident and avoid being over-the-top or pushy.

Missy Higgins.

Ever listen to something that you feel was written just for you? I feel that everytime I listen to "Steer", or "Special Two", or "Scar". Heck, name a Missy Higgins song.  When I think about it, I don't think it's the song at all (although her lyrics are crystal and direct).  Her voice is just so... communicative.  She's so solid. 

There are so many more where that came from... I had to make myself stop!  I think I might do something like this every Tuesday, yeah?

  

monday manifest

Ahoy! I have decided that, in order to keep my fingers a-clickin' on this blog, I ought to have some sort of anchor; some kind of commitment post.  Every Monday (starting now) I'm aiming to post a record of things and ideas that have been motivating and inspiring me along my way (or that I simply wish to own).

This weeks list is sporatic, and covers most bases about myself. Welcome to the inagural Monday Manifest.

1. First up, this bag.  I used to carry a Kavu Bag that I adored. Sadly, her zipper broke and she has developed many holes.  This bag is a classier, more design happy version of my beloved Kavu. I would like one.

2. Ellie Goulding. A couple of months ago, someone pulled up the Bassnectar version of "Lights", and I listened to it relentlessly.  Lately I've been so impressed with her acoustic sets.  Her voice is like a controlled birdie chirp. I like it.

3. This map of Neverland by illustrator and concept artist for Disney, Mary Blair.  (Her work is ever-inspiring).  I find maps to be so mysterious and mesmerizing - the DNA of a place, of a city, of a subway system; the patterns found there.  A map of Neverland is no less meaningful to me, although I'm sure Peter didn't need one to get around.

4. These shoes. I've had my nets cast for a pair of stacked heels for my best friends' upcoming wedding.  I think these are the winner.

5. I do this everyday. These roasters are close to home and concoct the cleanest, freshest coffee this side of the Mississippi.

6. Tap Dance. (Oh, Fred and Ginger...) Tap Dancing has long been on my list-of-things-to-learn.  I love how Tilly and the Wall use it as their percussion, I love how it is such a happy-yet-powerful form of dance.

7.  butter London's nail color in this African Violet-looking shade.

8. No suprise here. 

9. I adore these state bird/state portraits by kelzuki on etsy.

10. And finally, (hopefully not boring anyone here), I would LOVE a set of Rapidograph pens for drawing.  I use Prismacolor Premiers and they are great, but I've always wanted to try these out :).