Remember this chair I posted in “Go Thrifting for a Creative Buzz“?  I bought it with my mom & sister last summer, took this shot out the back of our farm and got real excited for a transformation.  We chose a turquoise paint color, some wild orange fabric and an additional print for a back pillow.  I wanted to learn the step-by-step process of recovering a cushion to make this a funky conversation piece.  My mom, a.k.a. The Prairie Chick, just posted the process (nearly half a year later – better late than never, right?!).  Take the jump over to her blog and check out the final product… I hope you get inspired to try your own mini makeover soon!

An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life… He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf is evil—he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego. The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.” They thought about it for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win, Grandfather?” The Elder simply replied, “The one you feed.”

My friend, Dana, shared this on her blog many months ago (listen to me… I’m in the spirit of the story… “many moons ago… I heard a story…  and it moved me…”).  Yes, I found it deeply profound and moving.  I don’t know who originated the text but it’s quite a simple life lesson – your greatest triumph can come from feeding the good in your life.  Focus your energy, time and thoughts on those things, and your life experience will drastically improve.

Think on that for today.

I hear a hungry wolf howling… question is: which one is it?!

If you’re reading this post via email CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO! It says it all. We had an amazing day recording 14 select students from Shawn Small’s Fifth Avenue Falcons choral group. (4th and 5th graders from South Lebanon Elementary, PA.) These wonderful kiddos gave up their Saturday to spend long hours recording multiple takes on two new songs for my upcoming album. They were an absolute pleasure to work with and we had a great time! I hope you enjoy watching this video – it’s a little glimpse of the time we spent together. I’ll be seeing them again in May for a special number in their spring concert – what fun!

Hey guys & “dolls”, It’s been a while since I’ve posted because I’ve been deep in creative mode at the studio working on my album.  But I wanted to catch us all up – so I’m copying a bit of an update from my Kickstarter page!  Let’s try:

I’ve been meaning to take you along my journey…

And so it goes: it has begun.  And taken over.  Consumed my life, actually.  So much so that I’ve neglected to take a moment to make a peep about it!

My studio days start in New Jersey and end up back in New Jersey late at night after a drive, a usual sprint to the bus-stop, a ride into Manhattan, a sometimes voice lesson, pit-stop for soup (to go), then a brisk walk through the Times Square tunnel to the number 2 subway train that takes me all the way to Brooklyn.  Way out to my producer, Saul’s, apartment/studio where we write, edit, rearrange lyrics, play with chord progressions and harmonies and come up with fantastical ideas such as adding a kids chorus to two specific tracks.  (I’m psyched about that one by the way.)

February 4th will mark an exciting day for 14 select 4th and 5th graders of my brother in law, Shawn’s, elementary chorus.  They will represent the neglected children in “Pretty In Red” – a song that has completely transformed and grown in dramatic ways the last couple weeks.  I see the music video for this song so vividly and hauntingly in my mind.  I can’t wait to bring it to life.

My producer, Saul Simon-MacWilliams, leaves in March to tour with indie sensation, Ingrid Michaelson.  That means our time is limited.  So, we decided to create an EP (a six song album including “You’re a Doll“).  That leaves us enough time to produce 5 new songs and do them well.  Which means we will be on track for a spring release and have the ability to tackle not only one, but hopefully two videos (carefully budgeted and borrowed). My plans are to deliver the dramatic “Pretty In Red” video as well as a happier, perhaps slightly clever video (either “You’re a Doll” or my new anthem song, “Take This Town” (a tune I am super excited for you to hear!)).

I continue to be humbled by the things my backers, friends, family and supporters have enabled me to do.  And although my dog, Radar, has been missing me on long studio days, he came along with me last week and stamped his paw of approval. I’ve fallen into a black hole, or should I say “wonderland” of creative focus, but I promise to surface more often with updates here and on facebook, twitter, and my website, to share the latest and greatest developments.  We are tracking drums today with the fantastic Elliot Jacobson (who is rocking, by the way!).  This is an pivotal point in the process.  Drums are the heart beat.  After we have that, we can structure the rest of the song around a solid foundation.

More photos, videos and updates to come.

Much love and appreciation!

That sounds reasonable doesn’t it?  Old enough to know a little something, yet young enough to…

Well, young enough to what?

When I was 26 I understudied a beautiful, well-established, leading lady in an Off Broadway play.  I never went on stage even after she left because truth be told, I needed to be 36 to play that part.

What has ‘young enough’ ever gotten us anyway?  The allowance to make mistakes?  We can do that at 60!  Young enough to try something new?  We can do that anytime too.  I’m not sure why we get so worked up over numbers.

I used to feel like an old soul.  A fuddy duddy in my teenage years.  But as I grow ‘wiser’ year by year, emotionally I feel like Benjamin Button.  I probably seem more and more irresponsible and brainless to lookers-on, but for some reason I feel more energetic and fiery every time a turn a digit.

I’m like a closet crazy, a kid with her whole hand wrapped around one big crayon and tap shoes on her feet and wild fuzzy hair tied up in millions of pig tails.  My world is my coloring sheet.

Am I where I thought I would be at 30?  Well, I’m not a planner and for that I have no preconceived notion of what 30 should look like and feel l like.

Should I be surrounded by more things that I own?  Should I have more letters attached to my name?  Kids?  I thought I would have kids.

But I’m here and I’m feeling like I should live to be 200 and remain of child bearing years until I’m 75.  There’s so much to do and so much to try and so much to see…

And when it comes right down to it there’s so much to be and for that I’ll just continue to be – me.

Simple and complex, passionate and content, peasant/urban dweller, a little bit strange, and hungry for life.

So I say, “Bring it on!”

As I look back on this past year and prepare for a new year ahead, I’m pleased.  I feel right on track.

So here’s to a new year whether you just turned a digit like me or are staring into your 2012 calendars, bare with possibilities.  I hope we all can steal away a couple hours to ourselves and do the following:

1. Look back long enough to
• Learn from our experiences
• Celebrate small moments of success
• Get motivated to make some changes
2. Sit still long enough to
• Listen for answers
• Be true to our innermost selves
• Trust in the moment
3. Look forward to
• Plan for success (whatever that means to us)
• Dream the impossible dream
• Live everyday to its fullest

Dallas Traverse (a fabulous career coach for actors) recently shared a great year-end exercise.  I’ve printed it out and am reserving my evening to go through it! Take a look at the link below because the step-by-step process applies to all of us and is a wonderful way to look back on 2011, trust in the moment, and plan our best year yet for 2012…

“HOW TO DESIGN YOUR BEST YEAR YET” by Dallas Traverse

Mazel tov my friends!

I’m always ecstatic to get a real – live person on the phone when calling customer service.  Even if the guy’s name is “Frank” and you KNOW English is not is first language.

Nonetheless.

Don’t ask me what I was trying to spell out for the man, but I heard myself say, “Y, as in Yippee.”

If English isn’t his first language (let alone English slang), do you suppose “Yippee” was an appropriate association to use?

I should’ve said, “Y, as in Yellow” or “Y, as in Yo Yo.”

Nope.

I said, “Yippee.”

He actually got it though.  Not the somewhat sarcastic joke I was making in reference to the length of the call, but hey!  It was fun.

Do you know the definition of Yippee?  I thought I’d share it – to enlighten us all.

yip·pee

interjection

(an exclamation used to express joy, exultation, or the like.)

May you have a reason to use this word today.

Yippee!

It’s not what you think – although I love a good tube of color.

I sometimes wish I had a plump, perfect pucker to flawlessly pull-off MAC’s “Russian Red” matte lipstick. But I humbly accept a non-perfect pucker and will wear it anyway. [As soon as I get the nerve to spend $14.50 on a tube of lipstick.]

And fur.  Now, I’ve never purchased a fur item, but I don’t have anything against vintage coats from my Grandmother’s closet and faux finds @ H&M…

But here’s the fur I’m talking about…

My dog.

And my horse.

I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve given both of them lipstick stains on their fur by kissing their foreheads and cheeks.

From farm girl to shabby chic, I’m all about lipstick & fur.

Even if it’s not what you think.

[Or Glamour Magazine's top tip of the week!]

We all have our holiday favorites: twinkle lights, starry nights, glittering ornaments, sweet treats, stories and songs – ugly sweater parties and white elephant games.  Here’s a few of my holiday favs.  I had to stop myself though, because I realized the list could go on forever!  What’s on your list?

Just A Few Holiday Favorites…

Bite-sized goodies on Christmas eve surrounded by extended family.

Singing Christmas carols.

Hearing “The Night Before Christmas.”

Sleigh bells ringing.

Nativity scenes.

The real christmas story.

Toffee.  {I’m just sayin.}  And caramels, date balls, kringla, frosted cut-outs… oh my!

Peppermint hot cocoa.

Little bitties in their pjs on Christmas morning.

Classic movies.

Snow.

Frosty horses covered in icicles.

And of course, I’ll say it again: F A M I L Y, Friends, Laughter, Love & Cheer.

I hope you get all your favs in this year.

Happy Holidays!
xo

Makie

If you’ve read a blog post or two here you’ll know I’m a big fan of going after your dreams and even risking falling flat on your face to do so. Well brothers and sisters…here it is! I’m laying it all out on the line and taking one giant ‘risk’ for mankind (or for “MakieDoll”) to make a shiny new record of original music.

It’s quirky, it’s indie, it’s hip and it’s totally me… Lots of love is poured in with many hours of hard work, collaboration with fellow creatives and some country folk and jazz influence to grease the record-playing needle! I just know you’re gonna love it. (At least I hope so!)

Here’s the fun part: I’ve got now until December 16th to raise 10,000 buckaroos and I need your help.  It sounds like a tough job, and believe me, I’m nervous – but five, twelve, thirty-two bucks per person really adds up quick! And I could use it.

I’m putting all my pennies and efforts and energy into this project, I just need a little bit of yours to help me make the final stretch! In return for a little bit of yours, I’m giving back a lot of love AND personal, hand-crafted prizes! PLUS – You will be a part of my journey from start to finish through photo and video updates.  If you click here you’ll be able to see the rewards I’m offering in return for your generous support. I hope you like it!

Creativity is good for the soul of the person who creates, but it’s even better when that person gets to share their creations with others. Please allow me the pleasure of making and sharing this album with you.  Let me take you on a musical journey!

Please know that your support and contributions whether meager or substantial are GREAT, and if you’re spreading the word to your trusted friends or sending a virtual ‘high five’ – you’re AWESOME and so very appreciated!!  I can’t thank you enough!!

You may click here to donate & receive neat-o prizes!!  P.S. By clicking the link you will hear a snippet of my first track, “YOU’RE A DOLL,” which fits right in line with this here blog!  I think you’ll like it.

All my love and gratitude,
Makie

I can’t wait to share this with you!