A Monkee Remembered.

It saddens me to be writing this, which is kinda weird, because yes, celebrity deaths are tragic but you didn’t know them personally. You know and identify with them through characters they played, music they released, or magazine photos over the years. When I found out about Davy Jones’ passing today though, it broke my heart a little bit.

When I was in 4^th grade, we had a small tv in the study of our house and I’d come home, head upstairs, and do homework while watching channel 55 (the non-cable equivalent of TV Land). I remember the day they started showing rerun episodes of the Monkees. I was HOOKED. Davy Jones and Mike Nesmith quickly made my list of elementary school crushes, a list including the likes of Davidy Cassidy, Donnie Osmond, Peter Noone, and of course, I Dream of Jeannie’s Major Anthony Nelson. 

I’ll never forget the day my grandma took me to our neighborhood flea market and there, in a stall packed with more 33s than I’d ever seen in one room…there were the first two Monkees albums ever released. I remember staring, eyes glazed over in some sort of vinyl coma, barely breathing for fear I’d ruin something, even though they were sleeved in plastic. How romantic and sacred the past seems when you’re ten.

A few Christmases ago, I received the first season of the Monkees tv show on dvd. When I moved back home last year, my ten year old sister found the case and started watching them. In the weeks that followed, our house was beset by Monkeemania. She’d run upstairs after watching an episode, gushing over that hilarious thing Mickey did or how cute Davy was, and we’d roll our eyes because he always got the girl. What an incredible legacy for such a quirky show based on a pseudo band of silly boys (the same can be said for the Partridge Family I guess, but who cares). I find it awesome that fanaticism begets fanaticism, or that childhood staples can become family tradition. I’m not sure my mother could’ve imagined that two of her daughters would love the Monkees like she did, just like I never thought I’d see my sister exhibit the same signs of Monkeemania that I had at her age.

As I was digging up all of my Monkees LPs for these photos, it surprised me that I didn’t have to dig too far. The music is still as fun and completely dorky as it was 12 years ago, and I’ll admit it’s been less than a month since I gave them a listen. Even though I’ve only “known” Davy Jones through the lens of a scripted ‘60s tv show and even more scripted music, I’m thankful for the many memories attached to the pop culture personas that he, Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork created. Oh Mr. Jones, you will be missed.

I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite songs by album:

The Monkees (1966): Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day, Sweet Young Thing, Last Train to Clarksville, Gonna Buy Me a Dog

More of the Monkees (1967): She, (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone, Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow), The Kind of Girl I Could Love

Headquarters (1967): Shades of Gray, Early Morning Blues & Greens

Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones Ltd. (1967): Pleasant Valley Sunday, Star Collector

The Birds, the Bees, & the Monkees (1968)*: Daydream Believer (duh), Valleri

*don’t own this one but I wish I did!

Do you have any reminiscent Monkees stories? I’d love to hear them! 

366 days.

I can't believe it's been a year since the move. I miss San Marcos and all of the beautiful people in it. 

P.S. happy birthday to all you leap year babies! I was born a week too early to get in on the fun, ha. Would you rather have a birthday every year or every "four" years?

Februaryfest.

Originally, I’d planned on starting up the ol’ blog a few weeks ago…needless to say, after much creative brainstorming, planning, and snapping, that didn’t happen. I now have a file full of February photos (say THAT five times fast!) begging to be shared. I’m still figuring out this blog situation and working out kinks in the layout, but I thought I’d give you a peak at what I’ve been up to lately. Enjoy!

Obsessed with Muddy Waters & BB King!

Valentine's surprise

Liner made from thrifted fabric for my yarn crate

My mom is so sweet!

Also, I made a short video of the extra photos from the Datsun shoot. Something I completely failed to include in my last post (so rude actually) is that this is definitely not my car (but a girl can dream, right?). The Boyfriend is in the process of restoring this beauty to its former glory, and he was sweet enough to let me use it for blog silliness. It was his idea, actually, and the result was exactly what I was looking for! He took the photos as well. What a sweetheart (:

I hope you’re having a lovely Tuesday! 

Z Start.

...get it? Because it's a Z car? A Datsun 240Z? Haha...ok. 

I love roadtrips. There’s nothing more exciting than piling into a car with friends (or family?) with nothing but the open road before you and hours of incredible music to jam. My earliest memories include long summer drives (and lots of car sickness, gross) to Florida to visit my crazy Cuban family, but my weak stomach never detracted from my appetite for endless miles of highway and countryside. Car games were entertaining, sure, but stopping for gas was my favorite. I’d hop out, streeeeetch, and explore the foreign surroundings. In more recent years, it seems like no matter who’s driving (ok, mainly when I’M at the wheel) a wrong turn is inevitable. Sometimes it’s a simple matter of turning around and beginning again; other times it’s a complete GPS nightmare requiring the back-to-basics approach: a local map and asking for directions.

Thing is, I have a hard time asking for help (anyone else out there? anyone? Bueller?). I’m also really great at making excuses, and it’s wearing me out. So, I’m done! As a veritable new kid on the blog scene, I want to set my intentions up front. Over the past few years I’ve had the distinct pleasure of reading many, many blogs by lovely ladies for whom I have nothing but the utmost respect. I’ve been continuously challenged and inspired by the creativity, endurance, and small successes I’ve witnessed from these beautiful souls as well as the incredible people in my everyday life.

That said, I’m ready to start a journey of my own. It’s time to turn ideas into action: this blog is one of many personal projects that I’ve put off for years and am FINALLY embracing! It’s an attempt to hold myself accountable as well as an exercise in learning to live and love more fully. In essence, it’s one great big roadtrip. I don’t really know where I’m heading (or what I’m doing? Ohhh technology…haha), but I’m excited for the adventures, the pit stops and roadblocks, the things that I’ll see, and the people I’ll meet along the way. There will be good days and bad days, bursts of joy and many tears, crafty things and so much music!

And hey, the tank is full, the engine’s running, and I’m ready to go. My hope is that you’ll come along for the ride. 



top - f21 clearance, leggings - thrifted, heels - gift, necklace - thrifted, headband - handmade, sunglasses - thrifted