I’ll be your Emmylou and I’ll be your June
If you’ll be my Gram and my Johnny too
No, I’m not asking much of you
Just sing little darling, sing with me
–from “Emmylou” by First Aid Kit
Austin City Limits Music Festival was this past weekend, and we watched a few of the artists live via YouTube. And, to be totally honest, while I was trying to enjoy Jack White, I was, in actuality, falling head over heels in love with First Aid Kit, the pair of singing sisters from Sweden who also played at the show.
I’m a big country and folk music fan, and I tend to favor strong female artists like Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Neko Case, Patty Griffin, and The Dixie Chicks, just to name a few. I love it when a singer is also a songwriter, so I was instantly intrigued with First Aid Kit’s gorgeous single, “Emmylou.” It’s been playing on my local radio station for months, but something about it finally clicked in my head this past weekend.
And then I read a bit about the very young duo (they are practically babies!) from Sweden and I was immediately impressed. Their sound is so pure and clear that it literally sounds like a bell ringing, and their lyrics are touching and haunting at the same time. How is it possible that two young Swedish girls, barely out of their teens, can write and sing about the influential American duos, Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons and June Carter and Johnny Cash, with such beauty and grace? They are true geniuses, in my mind.
Did I mention they are from Sweden?
I hope that you will watch their stunning performance and also check out a few of their other songs, too. I think you will be as impressed as I was.
And as an interesting side note, when I watched First Aid Kit’s beautifully-filmed video for “Blue,” I recognized the main character as Ewa Fröling, who plays the older version of Harriet Vanger in the Millenium Series.
I write a lot about “beautiful things,” but in reality, I don’t own that much stuff. I’m a neat freak, and order and tidiness help me breath. But lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed when I walk into my closet, and I finally decided to do something about it.
I ran across this article by Jennifer Braunschweiger in the October issue of More Magazine, and her mission to rid her wardrobe of anything currently unworn really inspired me into action. Now, I don’t consider myself very sentimental, and I don’t get attached to clothes. I regularly clean out my closet and drawers and have no problem donating things that no longer fit me or that I never wear. My maternity clothes: gone. The boys’ outgrown items: gone, gone, gone. But, as I’ve become a busy mom, my casual wardrobe has greatly increased while the pieces I consider “good” or “dressy” just sit there gathering dust.
As I planned for our sitter’s wedding and tried to find a suitable outfit, I realized that most of my things no longer work with my current status in life. Once, I wore the bright pink, 1950s-inspired dress with candy-colored heels to church on Easter. And it worked. Not so much now. As my body has changed after having two children, I find myself reaching for more subdued tones, though I still love color, but I’m fine with not literally lighting up a room anymore. Especially since I’m most likely towing my two noisy little guys after me. And since I’m not working in an office or classroom, I really don’t need five pairs of black dress pants.
My goal is to walk into my closet and choose something quickly, because it is comfortable, flattering, and works for me now. I don’t want to stand there for five minutes before trying on several items, only to realize that nothing works. I don’t have time for that.
So, last weekend, I gathered up everything in my closet that I no longer wear and put it aside. My younger sister came over and basically shopped my closet, trying on the things she thought would work, and I’m happy to report that she left with a big bundle. It thrills me to see my clothes, all of them loved and well-cared for, go to someone who will also love them back. And since she’s got great style, I’ll enjoy watching her accessorize them differently than I did. Definitely recycling at its greatest.
After she left, I packed up everything else that just doesn’t work for me now, and it’s awaiting the donation truck this week.
I still have a few items I need to go through, but I’m already feeling relieved. It’s fun knowing that everything in my closet fits and works well, and it takes so much guesswork out of dressing, especially for more formal occasions. My closet looks a little leaner, but that’s okay, too. Just as I’m figuring out my role as a mom, I’m also learning about letting go and working with what I’ve got.
Linking up with The Glamorous Housewife!
Okay, so I said I wanted to try Jo Malone’s Blackberry & Bay Cologne, hopefully as a Christmas gift, but I just couldn’t wait that long. I realize I’m not setting the best example for my little boys, but it makes good fodder for my blog. You know, as research.
I had a little spending money set aside, so I decided to take the plunge. Locally, I can only buy Jo Malone’s products at Saks and Neiman Marcus, but even though I like the finer things in life, I don’t really like shopping at those stores. Luckily, British-based Jo Malone now ships to the United States, and since my box was postmarked from Louisville (really, Kentucky?), that tells me that they have a supply warehouse here in the states.
My package arrived last week in Jo Malone’s signature black and cream wrapping. Seriously, this was a gift to myself and the packaging made me feel like a million bucks. Nothing is more elegant, and I have seen other companies begin to use this technique after Jo Malone first did. The weight of the box’s paper, combined with the contrasting black trim, reminds me of engraved wedding invitations. I once received one, and it was most definitely a thing of beauty.
(Jo Malone’s elegant packaging.)
And, of course, the bottle itself is lovely and simple, too. I also received two separate samples that I was able to pick when I made my purchase online. I chose Wild Bluebell Cologne and Vanilla & Anise Cologne.
(Jo Malone’s Blackberry & Bay Cologne, with samples.)
I must admit that I bought this cologne on a whim, after reading about it, but without smelling it in person first. I’ve never done that before, but I love some of Jo Malone’s other products, and felt confident ordering from her company. After wearing this for a week, I adore the scent, but I’m disappointed by its very brief stay on my skin. It simply does not last.
I wrote recently about my love for perfume and how I enjoy smelling it throughout the day, and this cologne absolutely does not pass my daily sniff test. I apply it after my shower in the morning, and by noon, it is a fading memory. If I am leaving the house in the afternoon, I have to reapply it, and that goes against my normal perfume-wearing pattern.
But the scent is light and lovely, and definitely a cologne. When I spray it on, I’m immediately reminded of berries, but in a gorgeous and refined way. And there is also a slightly tart smell, as well, that I’m guessing comes from the bay. I also love the unique combination of ingredients, which is Jo Malone’s signature style. She truly has a gift for “Fragrance Combining” and even encourages it among her fragrances.
My thought is that the Blackberry & Bay Cologne is perfectly suited to this technique and would last much longer if I layered it with coordinating products like the Body Crème. But that will most definitely have to wait until Christmas. I promise.
