Music: Jeremy Larson

Obviously I have already shared that I love Jeremy Larson's music (Elsie Flannigan's...(now Larson!) husband).  He makes BEAUTIFUL music.  The instrumentals of this album are absolutely incredible.  While the theme seems a bit nostalgic and melancholy, the melodies and harmonies of each song are riveting. So inspiring. Upon talking to him, he mentioned that he put this entire album together in a matter of 2 or 3 months... while planning a wedding.  That's insane.  And it's beautiful.  Please listen to its entirety.  If it won't work for some reason, try this.  Amazing.  I will forever love this album, as it is on the top of my list. 

A Lovely Thing: Bead4Life

I am a member of MADA (Merchandising and Apparel Design Association) at OSU.  This year our officers chose to help out an organization called Bead4Life.  Basically, there are women in Uganda who are trying to fight their poverty situation by creating beautiful bracelets and selling them for a low price in America. They use recycled paper to make the beads for each bracelet, which also helps with environmental sustainability issues. They also collect shea nuts to make amazing shea butter soaps and lip balms.  Bead4Life provides training for these women to begin their own entrepreneurship endeavors.  Hopefully within 18 months of working with Bead4Life, they can enter the Ugandan economy on their own to support themselves with their business. The women are paid fair trade prices while working with Bead4Life.  I purchased a couple of the bracelets. I chose a turquoise and a red one! They are really unique! Check out their website here and help support these women and their families! 

Embracing Who Everyone Thinks I Am: Zooey Deschanel

The last time I did this, I told you that people said I look like Shelley Duvall, but I also am told that I resemble Zooey Deschanel.  Who wouldn’t love her? She’s fun, outgoing, gorgeous, and an extremely talented actress.  Aside from the bangs, style of dress, type of music she sings, and the love of acting; I don’t really think we look all that similar.  She is quite petite, and has blue eyes.  Okay so maybe that's more alike than not... Nonetheless, I am still told that I remind people of her all the time.  Here are some lovely pictures of her…

Simply Music

So some of this is going to sound absolutely crazy to some people, but I suppose these are my personal thoughts so it makes perfect sense to me. Music is something that is extremely important to me. It is who I am. It is innate. I feel as though music is the way I speak and emote.  I have never been good with words, unless I memorize and speak them to an audience.  I am not great at verbally asking questions or answering them on cue.  The words just do not come to me as they so eloquently flow out of others’ mouths. If only I could play someone a clip of music to express what I am trying so desperately to say at moments in time. I also understand better through music.  I’m often explained a concept verbally, but when you put it into music terms it just makes so much more sense. That sounds absurd, but it’s the truth!

Music is real and so utterly vulnerable. That’s the best way I can think to describe it. It shows all the inner emotions we so fear to express at times. Music is often the only thing that makes sense. It can take my mind off of things and yet throw me into such vivid memories. Then there are times when I choose not to feel at all.  The numbness is articulated through melodies.  The lyrics don’t always matter. It’s just the sound of the piano, the strings, the horns, and the bass thumping in your heart. Instrumentals can speak volumes if you let them. If someone asked me to describe my life at the moment, I believe I’d be better off just sitting them down and playing a piece of music. Most people don’t understand this longing for depth in music.  For more than words. It’s not just a lyric or a rhyme.  It’s a feeling, a movement, a story, an emotion. Something not feasible. I hate the moment that a song comes to an end.

I drift into another world when I put my earbuds in, or play a song loudly in my car. When I am alone, I outstretch my arms through the car window and just sing loudly. Sometimes it serves as a form of praise, other times it’s just a moment to myself to speak what I cannot utter with words. Something inside of me changes. It enraptures me. Sometimes I simply just lay on the floor and let the music overtake my soul. That sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. It can speak volumes. It’s as if the music understands me. Breathes me. I firmly believe that music is one of the many ways God speaks to me and through me.  It is my instrument. I hear His voice loudest when I hear the sound of music.  I think this is because I can simply shut off my thoughts and just listen.  Listening is a beautiful concept. 

I often wonder what the world would be like without music. Other times I wonder how interesting life could be if I had a soundtrack constantly playing to my life. What bands would play? At what moments would the music chime in? If only for a day I could have this happen… It would be so cool! What would my theme song be? Music is a need for me. After listening to a song, I feel as though I must play the piano, dance, or sing.  Immediately.  It is a great desire. Sometimes I feel dumb because I’m not in the appropriate place to do so and it just eats at me.

Music is so important to  me in a sense of movement as well. I envision dances from my past and how the subtle motions were turned into an emotion screaming at the audience.  I wish to dance for those who’ve forgotten how to feel. For freedom. For sadness. For joy. For pain. To free inhibitions.  For art and love and feeling. Sometimes I visualize dances and songs that would play as I reach for my dreams, hopes, and desires.  Again, this may not make sense to you, but in my head I see beautiful motions of many dancers pouring their hearts out with choreography to the most melodious of songs.

Music is raw. It is beauty. It is pain. It is truth. It is love. It is art. It is transparent. It is a feeling, an emotion. It is inviting, enticing. It teaches. It listens. It plays on when you cannot.

I often wonder if anyone else out there feels the same way I do about music. 

Word of the Day: "Dulcet"

I happened upon this list of the "most beautiful words in the English language".  There are 100 words on this list.  So, I thought I would try to eventually share them all with you through a word of the day.  Not necessarily every single day, but when I have the time.  Maybe this while help enhance your vocabulary! Some of them have rather strange meanings, but I can see how people thought these words were eloquent.  Today's word is "dulcet", which means sweet or sugary. However dictionary.com defines it as "pleasant to the ear; melodious".  

Music: An Artist Spotlight

So, when I was growing up I used to do musical theatre productions throughout the year.  In doing so, I had the opportunity to meet a very talented guy, Adam Oliver.  Who knew he would end up moving to LA and making awesome music with his band, Lovers Drugs.  I think it's interesting to see where people you remember from your childhood end up, and see how they become successful.  I believe that the band is launching a new album in the near future.  Take a peek at some of their music videos.  You can listen to their music and find out where they're playing if you're in the LA area here. Or check out their Facebook page. For more videos... click! 

Enjoy!

Darling Dolls: No Rhyme or Reason

I really don't have a specific category for these photos I've chosen this time. I just happen to like a different aspect from them all. Which one is your favorite?

I really love oversized dressed and shirts on small girls.

Splashes of bright color and mixed neons are very in for spring. 

I always love a good all black outfit. 

LOVE the handbag she's carrying. Also, the shoes and pants are lovely!

The pattern play in this outfit with bright colored tights and belt are adorable and chic. 

I happen to like her hair a lot, plus the pleated midi skirt is fantastic with a skinny belt.

This patterned dress is quite lovely, and the wrapped fabric on the heels is interesting too. 

That is all for these lovely ladies! Have a wonderful day!