HAPPINESS IS...

Mod Radio

This is how talented Jon Almeda is. Not only does he make up one-half of One Love Photo (our wedding photographers), but he's also a musician, makes pottery and most recently, revamps extra rad mod radios.

He finds them in local thrift shops and flea markets, guts them, and rebuilds each one with new high-quality speakers. They're converted from mono setup to a stereo configuration, so both left and right channels are heard, as music was originally intended. I adore them. I think my shelves at home would too.

I bet he has a few more projects under his belt that I'm unaware of. Jon, my friend, you're an inspiration! What's next?  :)


{Images via Mod Radio}

My New Luna Ukulele

My mom gave me a belated birthday gift. A Luna ukulele! Isn't it beautiful?

Ever since I inherited her little red vintage soprano uke, I've been itching for another. One that's larger with a slightly deeper tone. While researching brands, I fell hard for the artfully detailed Luna ukes. Their entire collection is amazing, but the concert-sized Mo'o spoke to me with its cedar laser-etched leaf design. To early Hawaiians, the mo'o (lizards) are a symbol of spirituality and good fortune. Don't you love the changing moon phases on the fretboard?

This particular uke is an acoustic-electric, so I can also plug it in to peform and record. Some fun news... I'm seriously considering making another solo album. One composed entirely of uke tunes. More details to come, but I'm super excited to begin a new musical adventure.

Do any of you play the ukulele? Or would you like to learn?

Christmas Carol Cards

How sweet are these Christmas carol cards by Shanna Murray? They make me want to sing.

Sadly, I think we'll have to skip holiday cards this year. Hal and I started a tradition of sending them out... remember these and these? But after our save-the-dates, wedding invitations and thank-you cards, the thought of addressing, stamping and sealing all over again makes me shudder. Next year, we'll get back on track.

Will you be sending out cards?


{Images via Terrain}

Une Chanteuse Française

Some fun news, friends. In a few weeks, I'll be channeling my inner Bardot to sing a little French ditty for Bellefleur Lingerie's big 10th anniversary fashion show. I don't speak a lick of French, so memorizing nonsensical-to-me syllables is quite difficult, but I'm up for the challenge!

Hint: If you've seen the latest season 5 of Mad Men, you may know the tune! Any guesses? :)

During my inspiration search for performance attire, I came across this sultry photoshoot of the epitome of modern French glamour, miss Marion Cotillard, post La Vie En Rose. Stunning, no?

P.S. If you'll be in Seattle on December 16th and would like to attend the fashion show, here is the flyer for more information. There are only a few tickets left!


{Images via Le Figaro Madame by Dominique Issermann}

Monsters By Angus Stone

I love these short film stills for Angus Stone's new album, Broken Brights. The video was inspired by "Monsters" a chapter in a book he's writing about a person trapped in another world and doesn’t know how he got there.

How beautiful is model, Teresa Oman's stag antler headpiece? Would someone please replicate this woodland fawn look for Halloween tomorrow? Or next year? Here's where to find her robe, crown, and ring.


{Images via Spell by Taylor Steele}

Esthero's New Album

I helped fund her new album! I wrote about Esthero before and how she's been one of my greatest vocal inspirations. So when I came across her Pledge Music page, I felt no hesitation to contribute to the completion of her latest project after a 7-year hiatus.

The good news is, she reached her goal and the new album, "Everything's Expensive" will be independently released in just a few short days! It's more pop-influenced than her earlier jazzy trip-hop years, but I still love it. 

Depending on the pledge amount, she offered up some pretty funny goodies, like custom finger paintings, lullabies before bedtime via phone, outfit assessments via Skype, and a private hike with her in LA.

Sometimes I wonder if this is a route I should take in the future for my own music. Except I loathe asking for money, support, votes and what not. But I must say, seeing Esthero's fans reach out gives me hope. The music industry is not dead just yet.

What do you think? Would you financially support your favorite artists?


{Images via Esthero.net}

With The Band

Remember when I was searching for an affordable smaller sized jazz orchestra to play big band music at our wedding? Well, we found them! And I received word that they're learning to play an instrumental verison of the tune I'll be walking down the aisle to. I really hope they do it justice. It's one of my favorite love songs ever in life. A song I always dreamed would be incorporated into my ceremony. A song my mother wanted in her wedding almost 39 years ago. Thank heavens for waterproof mascara.


{Images via Oh Sully! by Sully Sullivan}

The First Dance

Robin's wedding was a fairy tale. Especially their first dance. She and Tony floated across the dance floor to So This Is Love, from Cinderella (1950). It was perfectly Robin. She's always had soft spot for old Disney movies and we still sing the classic princess solos together to this day. Watching her dance with her own Prince Charming, I had a lump in my throat the whole way through.

So this is love, Mmmmmm
So this is love
So this is what makes life divine
I'm all aglow, Mmmmmm
And now I know
The key to all heaven is mine
My heart has wings, Mmmmmm
And I can fly
I'll touch every star in the sky
So this is the miracle that I've been dreaming of
Mmmmmm
Mmmmmm
So this is love

Hal and I are still deciding on our first dance song. If you're married, which tune did you choose? And if not, is there a song you've always dreamed of dancing to?


{Image via The Disney Princesses}

Sasquatch Music Festival

Hello, friends. Did you have a nice weekend? We ended up going to the Sasquatch Music Festival at the last minute. My talented bestie, Melanie, is on tour with the band, Spiritualized, and we met up with her and our new favorite bass player for a lovely Seattle brunch before heading out the The Gorge Amplitheater to watch them play.

We missed a lot of great bands on Saturday and Sunday, but got to catch Feist, Silversun Pickups, Tenacious D, and best of all, my sweet Mel singing delicious gospel back-up for J. Spaceman. A powerful show!

How about you, have you seen any good live music recently?

A Harp, A Baby, & A Cat

Seattle-based photographer, Jenny J, took these family shots of her old friends with a new baby in their own home. They make my heart swell. Music, love, and cats. What more do you need in life?  :)


{Images by Jenny J}

The Top 10 Most Relaxing Tunes

According to scientists and sound therapists, the most relaxing song in the world is Weightless by Manchester band, Marconi Union. The tune uses specific tones, frequencies and intervals at a continuous rhythm of 60 beats per minute, which causes brainwaves and heart rates to synchronize.

Apparently, it has been tested to be even more relaxing than a massage, walk, or cup of tea. So relaxing, that people are advised not to listen to it while driving!

The top 10 most relaxing tunes:

1. Marconi Union - Weightless 
2. Airstream - Electra 
3. DJ Shah - Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix) 
4. Enya - Watermark 
5. Coldplay - Strawberry Swing 
6. Barcelona - Please Don't Go 
7. All Saints - Pure Shores 
8. Adele - Someone Like You 
9. Mozart - Canzonetta Sull'aria 
10. Cafe Del Mar - We Can Fly

What music do you listen to in order to relax?


{Pre-image via Nom Nom Kiwiii; List via Short List}

Musical Jelly

Beyonce is right. I don't think you're ready for this jelly! When you touch these vegan-gelatinous mounds, they make music. Or rather, strange sounds.

I'm not sure I understand the science, but somehow, French designers, Raphaël Pluvinage and Marianne Cauvard, discovered that a mixture of water and agar-agar powder will sing when placed on a board made from wood on top of metal. The audio signals depend upon on jelly shape variations, salt concentrations, and strength of finger contact.

Crazy, right? You can listen to Noisy Jelly here.


{Images via It's Nice That by Pluvinage}

Song Love - "Vacation" By Connie Francis

Due to the nature of this blog, it may seem like my life is sunshine and roses 24-7, but like everyone else, I have down days. During a particular dark mood the other day, Hal was trying to cheer me up in the car. But nothing seemed to help... until "Vacation" came on the 60's and 70's radio station.

Something about the song just made us giggle. The cheesy nostalgic lyrics. The overly chipper vibe. Maybe it was how Connie Francis falls off the notes at the end of each phrase. I'm not sure what it is, but any song that turns a frown into side splitting laughter is a-okay!

Listening rules, when feeling blue:

1. Turn the volume up;
2. Pretend you're a teenager in 1962.
3. Bop your head;
4. Sing and spell along;
5. Feel good again!

{Image via Viewliner Ltd}

Little Big Bands

One of the bands we're looking to hire for our wedding is putting on a free concert, so we're going to see if they're any good. We want a small big band or brass band to play classic jazz and swing tunes during the cocktail hour. It's proving difficult with our limited budget, but live music is very important to us. Even if we end up with a lone trumpeter!

Have a fun weekend, friends. Amuse yourself with some links...

A waterfall island.

 

Sleep in a gigantic birds nest.

How to ride a bike in the snow.

Would you wear croissant earrings?

A carpet-pillow-chair-sofa-blanket!

The cutest patchwork swimsuit.

Keep pretty jewelry in pretty boxes.

A treehouse for cats.

Have you seen the new IKEA pre-fab home?

My kind of cruise ship.

And some posts of mine you may have missed...

• Visualizing Vivaldi
• Love Through The Lens
• $200 Relax Shacks

{Image via Style Me Pretty by Jose Villa}

A Piano Birdcage

Robert Gligorov, built this magical musical birdcage installation made up of two pianos placed back to back with a glass enclosure on top for canaries to live and play. As they fly from perch to perch, their weight moves the rods that tickle the ivory, creating a harmonies to their songbird melodies.

Wouldn't you love to hear a recording of their music? :)


{Images via Ridiculously Interesting}

Etta James

In loving memory of Ms. Etta James.


{Image via Last.fm}

It Happened At The World's Fair

How have I not seen "It Happened At The World's Fair"? It has all the makings of a movie I'd enjoy. It takes place in my city. During the World's Fair in 1962. When the Space Needle and the Monorail were built. When things were all retro and rad. When people were optimistic about the future. And it's a musical. Need I say more?

After my birthday dinner, I was browsing around for vintage images of the Space Needle's interior and I came across this sweet little clip of Elvis singing, "I'm Falling In Love Tonight", possibly from the exact same table we sat at last night. Now I'm dying to watch the entire film.


{Image via Our Seattle}

Bjork In Her Element

Oh Bjork. You never fail to amaze and delight me.


{Images via Steep Street by Sam Falls}

A Musicalphabet

Thank you, Helen Lang, for entertaining me with your fantastic illustrated Musicalphabet. Can you decipher all 26 musical icons?


{Images via Keep Calm Gallery}

The Funk 45 Print

My love's Christmas gift is not so romantic, but oh so practical... the downpayment on our new car. I would have loved to have gotten him this awesome limited edition print by Elidica Records. It's made up of 45 extremely rare funk 45 labels. Maybe I'll save it for his birthday.

If you have a honey, what are you getting them for the holidays?


{Image by Main Artery Prints}

Record Label Christmas Baubles

I love the idea of decorating the tree with music, don't you? These clever record ornaments are adorned with authenticaly reproduced 45 labels of classic festive hit singles:

• Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
• I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
• Merry Christmas, Baby - Otis Redding
• Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
• Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade
• Rockin' Robin - Michael Jackson
• Last Christmas - Wham!
• All I Want For Christmas is You - Slade

{Images via Not On The High Street by The Design Conspiracy}

Sun Boxes

I'm fascinated by these sun boxes. Artist and musician, Craig Colorusso, created a traveling sound installation consisting of 20 solar powered speakers, each looping a different guitar note of varying lengths. The result is a soothing meditative B flat chord. Listen to it here. Wouldn't you love to hear it in person?


{Images via Design Boom by Sun Boxes}

Upcycled Vintage Audio Equipment

Bet you didn't know you could make wall hooks out of headphones, dessert stands out of record players, candle holders  out of speaker parts, cake pedestals out of hi-hat cymbals, or serving trays out of turntables. Did you? Neither did I.

But this husband and wife team did. They discover authentic vintage audio equipment and transform them into useful household pieces. Wouldn't they make a great gift for the music lovers in your life?


{Images by JT Baldwin}

Minimalist Music Illustrations

Italian illustrator, Alessandro Gottardo, has a new fan in me. I'm in love with his quiet depictions of music in such sweet and simple ways.


{Images via My Modern Met}

Sheet Music Doodles

These sheet music doodles are the best thing I've seen all day. All week. Heck, all year perhaps. The top image is perfectly blow-up and frame-worthy. Don't you love how the characters dance along the staff lines and over the notes as if they can hear the song being played?

I do not read Russian, so I cannot tell who the original arist is, but I must know. My special Russian friends (I know you're out there).. can you help a girl out?


{Images via Annettika}

A Colored Pencil Stop Motion Video

Emerging Melbourne indie-folk artist, Hudson, teamed up with director Dropbear, aka Jonathan Chong, to create this amazing colored pencil stop motion video for his song, "Against The Grain".

I'd love to do something like this with my music. Any crazy talented adventurous filmmakers out there? Call me!


{Images via Design Collector}

A Music Typewriter

Did you know such a thing existed? I sure didn't. The music typewriter was first patented in 1936 by Robert H. Keaton, but the idea didn't stick because composers preferred to write their music by hand. Apparently, there are fewer than a dozen in existence today. If you have $6k, you can be one of the lucky few!


{Image via Jacks Red Barn}

Flight Of The Conchords

I appreciate your well wishes, darling dears. I'm feeling a teensy bit better, due to Hal's tomato soup, my lotion infused tissues, and Flight of the Conchords episodes.

Those boys crack me up. There's nothing like comic relief to nurse you back to health. Are you fans of Bret and Jemaine? I might personally thank them by carving their faces in pumpkins.


{Image via La Fille Back Sur Le Web}

Pretty Prizes On My Doorstep

Yesterday, I found a wonderful surprise package waiting for me at home. These prints and wrapping paper were my prize for being a finalist in the American Cancer Society's Create More Birthdays Contest! Remember my little ukulele video?

And I just discovered that Design Mom chose me for the Coolest Category Contest as "Most Likely To Go Viral". Woo hoo!

Thank you to everyone who voted for me and wrote kind comments. It was an honor to participate in such a worthy cause and hopefully make someone's day a little brighter with my song.


{Images by: 1. Masha D'yans; 2. Andy Gilmore; 3. Julia Rothman; 4. Andrew Bannecker}

A Dress Made From Books & Music

Can this be my wedding dress? I'm so serious. It's made out of vintage book pages & sheet music and was photographed in a random display window at the Dallas Home & Gift Show back in July. Interested seamstresses up for the challenge... call me!  :)


{Image via Resonating Tales by Lori of Katies Rose Cottage}

Musical Gardens

At a thrift store over the weekend, I saw a beautiful antique piano for pennies, and you don't even know how tempted I was to snatch it up. But then reality set in. It would never fit inside my home.

Then I spotted these incredible piano and drum planter images from an exhibit at the San Diego County Fair. Musical instruments for the garden never even crossed my mind. They look as thought they've been sitting there for years, naturally overflowing with greenery. 


{Images via Poetic Home}

Soundtracks For Books

I just discovered Booktrack today and I'm girlishly excited. You download the app on your iPhone, iPod, or iPad and it's as if your book has a Hollywood score with synchronized music and sound effects. The technology is paced to your own reading speed.

Click the top right book here and try it out free with Sherlock Holmes. You'll hear the pounding rain, a wild scream, a creaking door, and suspenseful strings. And the soundtracks are quality. They're made by the production company behind Lord of the Rings.

There aren't too many titles available yet. But I'm looking forward to the rumored release of Romeo & Juliet and Pride & Prejudice!


{Image by Jo Bozarth}

Decorated Playlists

Oh my word. Have you seen Simon Foster's Decorated Playlists? He's a designer and former DJ who creates awesome and obscure music compilations by combining my two favorite things, music and design, into one visually and audibly pleasing experience. I highly recommend...

• Run For Cover 1 and 2
• Mash Ups
• Origin of Species
• Outerspace Ways

{Images via Miss Moss}

Sade In Concert

Last night, I did a secret exchange. Like an undercover drug deal, I took a wad of cash and met a stranger in the Chipotle parking lot. I gave him the envelope. He gave me the goods. Sade tickets! It's always been my dream to see her live. Now this Sunday, we'll be watching her seduce the crowd from our cheap Key Arena seats. I'm stoked.

Are you up to anything special? Enjoy yourselves, my loves. Here are the weekend links...

For the cookie monster in your life.

A colorful staircase.

Have you ever played kubb?

Awesome musical bean bags.

Dying to make these lemon sorbet cups.

Real men wear pastels.

DIY scratch-off lotto ticket cards.

A wonderful Amy Winehouse tribute playlist.

Cool suitcase dressers.

How have I never known of ice cream bombes?  

 

And some posts of mine you may have missed...

• Life Calendars
• Beyond The Walls
• Fashion + Film

{Image by Joe Leagle}

Celebrities And Their Vinyl

Such an awesome collection of images. See more celebrities and their vinyl here.

P.S. At our local record store over the weekend, we found a rare purple vinyl 45 and snatched it up immediately. Can you guess what it was?  :)


{Images via How To Be A Retronaut}

Song Love: "Tip Of My Tongue" by The Civil Wars

Wow, it's been quite some time since I've done a Song Love. Let's change that. I came across the The Civil Wars' song, "Tip of my Tongue", on a random YouTube video and I was so enthralled by what I heard, I don't even remember what I watched. There aren't enough duets in the world. Especially sweet little ditties like this.

Joy Williams and John Paul White's voices blend so well together. For being a country-folk duo, their soulful jazzy sound is pleasantly surprising. And the lyrics? Lovely. I should have made them into a lyrimage.

Listening rules:

1. Press play;
2. Turn the volume up;
3. Listen carefully to the lyrics;
4. Imagine singing it with your love.

{Image via The Civil Wars}

Laser Daft Punk

For my fellow nerds... we saw a Daft Punk laser show over the weekend. And yes, it was just as awesome as it sounds.


{Images by Vladimir Živković}

Shakin' My Groove Thang

I'm signing off early this week to host this gal and this guy who are in town to throw a Hot Peas & Butta event at the Lo-Fi. We'll be shakin' it to some vintage funk/soul/jazz on original vinyl. Yesss!

Have a spectacular weekend, friends! Enjoy some links...

15 ways to use an avocado.

Take a tweed ride.

Would you wear a hat as a bride?

Give a heart to someone you love.

Now your suitcase can see.

Snail mail your email.

A solar powered popsicle truck.

IKEA goes vintage?

Amazing pencil shaving portraits.

A wall of wishes.

 

And some posts of mine you may have missed...

• Dress Boys
• Red Hair & Freckles
• Faux Foliage

 

{Images via Dust Jacket Attic by David Gubert}

My Interview on The Daylight

My new Seattle friend, Laura of The Daylight, featured yours truly today for her Music + Style series! Would you like to see?

She interviewed me awhile ago but I had no idea she would put together such beautiful style boards. Makes sense, she's a talented artist herself. Also check out her first interview with Charity Rose Thielen from The Head And The Heart.

Thank you again, Laura! I'm flattered beyond belief!


{Image by Christopher Bachmann Photography, artistically rendered by Laura Burkhart}

My Album on iTunes !!!

You guys, I'm thrilled to announce that my band, Lorelei's debut full-length album is finally available for purchase on iTunes!

A lot of blood, sweat, tears, and money went into the writing and recording of this baby. For those of you who have asked when it would be done, I thank you for your patience. A myriad of personal and financial problems set us back. I can't even explain to you how good it feels to release it out into the world.

If you happen to like our music, please be so kind and leave us a comment on iTunes so music execs and the like will think we're cool and give us money!  ;)

Thanks for your endless support, my dear ones. xoxo


{Image by Angela Burdine. Cover art by Exothermic Design}

Me On The Uke

Remember how I told you I was learning the ukulele? For the American Cancer Society, I filmed my rendition of Happy Birthday and entered it into their Create More Birthdays Contest. You can watch the video here.

If you like it, I really hope you'll vote for me! Not only will it help spread awareness about the fight against cancer, but the winning song will be included in the nationwide advertising campaign alongside some pretty big superstars. Thank you for your support, my dears. xo

P.S. You might recognize the judges: Erin of Design for Mankind, Lindsay of Rock & Roll Mama, Jan of Poppytalk, Chelsea of Frolic!, Jaime of Design Milk, Tracey of Shutter Sisters, and Gabrielle of Design Mom!

Learning The Ukulele

Have I told you I'm learning the ukulele? My mom had a little red toy uke from her childhood which she recently passed down to me. She upgraded to a newer concert size and now with my vintage soprano, we've been jamming together when I go home to visit. It's such a fun instrument to learn.

I gasped when I came across these adorable handmade fruit ukuleles on Etsy today. Bet you didn't know that apples, pears, and avocados make music. Woodworker, Paul Celentano even does custom work. How about a pineapple uke? They're almost too cute to play!


{Images by Celentano Woodworks}

Chocolate Records

To play, then eat. Scot­tish band, Found, released a limited edition edible chocolate record that actually plays their latest single. Crazy, right?


{Image via Handmade Charlotte}

A Barbershop Quartet Proposal

Sweet alert! Scott formed a barbershop quartet with his friends so he could serenade Maddie and propose to her on the beach. The boys spent many late nights together over the course of three months rehearsing "By the Light of the Silvery Moon".

Wouldn't you love to hear how they sounded? There's nothing like four-part male harmony to melt a girl's heart.


{Images via GWS by Katie of Tyler Branch Photography}

The Voice

My favorite singer on The Voice, miss Dia Frampton. She's a doll. And her pipes are pretty extraordinary. Have you been watching the show? It's my new guilty pleasure.


{Images via: Dia Framps}

Visualizing Vivaldi

When I'm singing or listening to music, I visualize the melodies, phrasing, and rhythm in my head. But it's never quite as pretty as this.

Graphic designer, Laia Clos, of Barcelona's Mot Studio, created her own musical notation system called "SisTeMu”. Here we see the score of Vivaldi's Four Seasons translated into geometric shapes and colors. They're being sold now as posters.

How do you see music?  :)


{Images via @Issue}

Hidden Pictures Album Art

I wish my bookcases were full of so many interesting two dimensional details. Check out that little bloody mary in the lower right corner. Designer, Jordan Gray, did this cover art for Hidden Pictures' debut album, Synchronized Sleeping. Lovin' his style, aren't you?


{Images via Grain Edit}

A Houseboat Recording Studio

This is my dream. If David Gilmour of Pink Floyd can have a houseboat recording studio, so can I! :) I can't imagine a more inspiring place to make music.


{Images via A Simple Life Afloat by Neptune Pink Floyd}

Those Who Wish To Sing...

"Those who wish to sing... always find a song."

-Swedish Proverb

{Images by: 1. Rural Pearl; 2. 315 Thomas; 3. Freya Art; 4. Joutomaa; 5. The Project Room; 6. Painter Nik}

Record Store Day

Did you know that tomorrow is Record Store Day? Where all the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate music. While living in LA, I watched so many record stores close throughout the years. I feel so fortunate that Seattle still has a good amount of thriving shops.

Find out here if any indie record stores near you will be participating. If not, I hope you can bust out your vinyl at home to celebrate! Have a spectacular weekend all. Here are some links to entertain you...

The sweetest prososal ever.

Funny co-dependencey balloons.

An Indian pizza.

You can't have too many cute owl sculptures.

Can't wait to see Water For Elephants.

A quirky natural history museum wedding.

Which color skirt do you like the best?

You can't buy happiness, but...

The coolest medicine cabinet around.

Literal lawn furniture.

And some posts of mine you may have missed...

• Polaroid Emulsion Lifts
• Life of a Housewife
• Beauty & The Beach

{Image via Fashionising}