Music of the soul- Bat for Lashes

So as I've gotten more into reading other people's blogs I'm noticing a trend. People tend to pick a few things and try to update their blog on those things fairly regularly. My friend Gina is doing her altered art projects once a week (I was supposed to do this with her but have not been able to commit to it because of my art class). And my friend Jen (who is an art teacher) has been doing a fabulous daily update called Teacher Style Files where she posts her daily wardrobe: http://jenni-n-kev.livejournal.com/.
I really love this way of blogging. I feel like it gives readers something to look forward to. I don't want to steal their wonderful ideas so I've decided to start posting some info about some of my favorite bands and music. Music is such a huge part of my life. I seriously have so many themed playlists on my itunes. They are all soundtracks to my life. So I thought I would share. I will try to blog once a week.

I'll start this week with Bat for Lashes who is Natasha Khan. I am completely obsessed. I think I know every word on her first album Fur and Gold which came out last year and "What's a Girl to Do?" has been my ringtone on my phone for a year now and I still can't get enough. I have been chomping at the bit for the new album Two Suns to come out....and it's sooo close: April 6th! Her voice is so ethereal and very...haunting I guess would be a good word. Her videos are amazing and on top of all of this her style is so unique. Love her.

Anthropologie

I just got a second job at Anthropologie, which is my absolute favorite store ever! I'll probably only be working a few days a week but it will be great to be making some extra money and it is just such an inspiring place. I'm going to have to really try hard to not spend my whole paycheck on clothes! Their new spring collections are so fun and colorful. I can't wait to start!

Rosey Outlook.

I was organizing my photos and found this one that I took last year in Maine while antiquing with my sister. It made me smile and think of summer and day trips to visit my Gram, and farmstands, and cookouts and wearing no shoes whenever possible. Hope it does the same for you!

Sunday.

We didn't have too much going on this Sunday. I re-potted a few plants that I picked up for free on Craigslist (if you haven't guessed-I have a bit of an addiction to Craigslist). They were all in desperate need of some help and their owner is moving to Alaska so he needed a new home for them. There is a palm-type tree, a little cactus, two tropical type plants which I can't identify and a sad little sprig of Ivy that is hanging on for dear life. We will see if I can work my magic on them. I also planted some flower seeds in plastic egg cartons a few days ago and I already have a few tiny sprouts! It is finally starting to feel like spring! Ben and I also got a few new fish for our tank-two siamese algae eaters and two beautiful angel fish. I also finished working on my "Vision Board" today. I made one of these at a job a couple of years ago and it was so inspiring I wanted to do another one. Basically you sit down and write out your goals and aspirations (short term or long term). Then find pictures that represent those goals and create your "board". I took it a step further and decided to keep a journal on how I am going to acheive those goals. It was really fun to make and the end result was just so colorful and happy. I love it! I'm going to post mine in my studio so that I don't lose sight of what my dreams are for this year. Here are the pics from a productive Sunday! Hope everyone has a great week! Paix et joie!

Vintage Art Supplies.

I was running errands today in Concord MA and stopped into Thoreauly Antiques right in historic Concord center. This is by far my absolute favorite antique shop (and that says a lot). They have great vintage odds and ends that are perfect for assemblage and collage art and the owner is so helpful and charming. Today I couldn't resist a set of antique powdered pigment vials with the labels still intact. Lovely! We're off to pick up the new bed a few days early!
~Paix et joie!

Sketch.

Ok enough about hair and beds and Meow Cats. Back to art. I've been focusing all of my creative energy into decorating recently and haven't sat down and actually created much lately. I'm working on a project for my Altered Art and Mixed Media class. The project is to make a doll...we can interpret that however we wish. I haven't decided if I will post pics of the progress or wait until I can show you the finished product. I did, however, manage to capture Ben in a candid moment watching T.V. a couple weeks ago. Here you go. Boy, he looks grouchy... I must've been making him watch American Idol.

Fun hair.

I finally chopped off all my hair! I've been threatening to for awhile. And with the oppression of winter and spring just around the corner, I felt like now was the perfect time to 'lighten up'. My friend Jess did the cut and color. She always does such a great job. I really love how easy it is now and somehow I feel like it makes me more fun. I just had to post a few pics. Let me know what you think!

Shabby Chic Dreams.

I am very excited! I just purchased this beautiful bronze king sized bed from Cindy on Craigslist today! We upgraded from my adorable, little, vintage, metal bed to Ben's king sized mattress and box spring a month or so ago. Ben insisted that his mattress would help us to sleep better...and I must say I've been sleeping better (I secretly think it's because of the valerian root and chammomile tea before bed). But since then I've been searching everywhere to find an appropriate replacement headboard. Finally found the perfect one. We are picking it up this Sunday. These are the pics that Cindy had posted of it. Don't worry...my cute little double bed is now in the guest room.

Meow.

Got some cute pictures of Meow Cat sunbathing today. He is one of the loves of my life.

Bookshelf.

Thought I would share a little side project with you. I purchased a cheap bookshelf at a yard sale last year for $5 and finally had the chance to do something with it. I added a decorative wood piece to the top center of the shelf and then painted the whole thing a pale mustard yellow with an aged crackle finish. I finished it up by rubbing stain into the surface to warm up the color and then loaded it with books and trinkets. Voila!