Last week we were on CTV Morning Live in Ottawa!

For a musician being able to share your music is the most fun.  Getting to share it on national television when you know so many people are watching is both exhilarating and exciting.  Once we arrived we were  buzzed in through the security door and then checked in with security.  After that we were treated to unlimited amounts of Tim Horton’s donuts and coffee while waiting for our CTV handler to prep us for being on air.

Once we were mic’ed up I started to feel butterflies because I was about to perform my original music on live television for the first time. However, the host was so friendly and warm!  Which helped me remembered I was about to do something I’d dreamed about for so long!  We were on CTV Morning Live to talk about the big giveaway that we have going on for a fan and a friend to visit Nashville TN and the new single, “Earthquake”!

I’ve always wondered what it would be like the first time I played on television; what would the interview be like? Would they try to catch me off guard with unexpected questions?  What would it be like to have television cameras moving around right in front of you while playing? But it was SO MUCH FUN and I’m already excited for the next one!

Of course I was fortunate to have my drummer there with me to play CTV Morning Live. Which made playing the song even better! Having other musician’s to play with always makes the performance even more fun.  After the show we went up to Ottawa’s New Country and had a great interview about Earthquake with them as well. We always love visiting Ottawa.  I’m hoping soon we’ll have a full band show there!

Sitting down with a cup of hot (or iced) tea and just enjoying this time of year can be so relaxing.

Garnier sent me this fabulous tea steeper and tea cup with my newest set of shampoos, and it was perfect to use for an evening on the dock.  We’re having the best fall weather in Muskoka. Warm days and cool nights make for perfect autumn foliage! It’s still nice enough to sit on the dock and enjoy a drink while watching the sunset.  The perfect way to unwind after a hectic day, whether that day was meetings, studio time, rehearsals, or a travel day.

 

I just got another bag of goodies from my partnership with Garnier to try out! I’m loving this peachy smell to carry me into fall and it’s part of their #superfruitssuperhair campaign. Which means it’s also healthy for my hair and not just deliciously scented.  That’s one of my favorite things about Garnier; all their hair products smell so great.  I think my ultimate favorite was the Cactus scented shampoo and conditioner set, but this peach scented set is also divine!

 

It’s a fresh and sweet scent and I love catching a bit of it any time I turn my head. I also love this tea cup Garnier sent me!  I’m using it for ice tea now but I’ll definitely be using it for hot tea one of these nights!

 

We’ve been traveling a lot and doing a lot of radio visits to talk about the giveaway and the new single, Earthquake.   An evening to recharge with some quiet time on the dock listening to the crickets and watching the sun set was perfect. Hope you all are enjoying these early days of autumn!

We were in Ottawa early this week and after a fantastic stop at CTV Morning Live and Ottawa’s New Country 94 we had a bit of time to stroll through Byward Market.  I love downtown Ottawa because I always have such a great time when I’m there AND because so many of the buildings in downtown look like castles.

After both interviews we got to visit the Starbucks Reserve cafe, which is like a regular Starbucks but with alcohol and ice cream and it’s super vibey.  I’m obsessed with the Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte right now, and although I’m not convinced it has any pumpkin flavor it has a distinct spice that reminds me of fall.

We strolled around the market and enjoyed the beautiful weather that Ottawa is having right now after having one of the most fun mornings we’ve had while promoting Earthquake so far.

I received these jeans for review as part of being a Style Icon for Ivory Closet.  They are slimming jeans and while that’s true I think my favorite thing about them is how comfortable they are!

They look like jeans, fit like jeans, but feel like leggings, they are so incredibly comfortable that I’ve worn them while traveling hours for shows, but also for meetings and photos.  I hadn’t heard about Lola Jeans until I started working with Ivory Closet, but I’m so glad I’ve been introduced to them because they are such a thoughtful brand.

A portion of sales from each pair of jeans sold goes towards supporting breast cancer cure research and they also are so supportive of women in general.

Inside the pockets there is this manifesto about how all women a beautiful; a great way to start any day!  I’m wearing the Celina RB style, which you can find here: Lola Slimming Jeans and enter my code for 20% off – ICLOLA20

Want to try these jeans? You could win a pair!  Just enter here:

I wrote this song during a time when I felt like a part of my life was out of control and other people were trying to have a negative impact on me.  I wrote the song in January 2016 and I wasn’t sure it would ever be something that became a single.  But over the last year it has become more and more clear that Earthquake is something other people can relate to.  When it was finally decided the process of getting Earthquake ready took so much longer than my previous singles, almost 6 months.  Writing Earthquake reminded me that I can be the hero in my own story and that I don’t have to let external experience and other people’s actions have an influence on me.  My hope is that Earthquake can do for others what it writing it did for me; they can discover the power they have inside themselves.

Get Earthquake on iTunes Here

I love meeting other women who are passionate about what they do, whether that’s music, blogging, being a lawyer, or being a mother.  It’s exciting to talk and connect with people who are excited about what they’re working on.  Enter Alexandra from the Ivory Closet, an online boutique with physical retail stores based in Memphis, TN.  I was able to ask Alex a few questions that I thought might be beneficial for other women who are following their passion, and I’m going to share her answers with you!

1: I love that your such a “girl boss”! How did Ivory Closet come to be?

I used to work for a Fortune 500 company and honestly enjoyed climbing the corporate ladder but something felt missing. I felt like I was not challenged enough and was less than fulfilled. I would lay in bed at night and dream up tons of different business concepts, strategies, and marketing schemes. My mind was constantly creating. One day I realized it. I am made to be an entrepreneur. I need to be constantly challenged and creating.I decided that self employment would be my future and then needed to choose a business that I could succeed in, and well, fashion and beauty have always been my passion so I chose to start a women’s clothing store and later an online boutique!

2: Personal style is like a signature, how did you find yours?

I will definitely say that I always really had my own style growing up. I never really went with the trend, just what made me feel good and matched my personality.  As I look back on high school, there were several styles I am not super proud of, but I never cared what others thought, I always wanted to walk to my own beat. As I have gotten older, I have really come in to my style and have “found my style-self” I my go to’s are oversized button up tops with leggings, a-lined black dresses, nude pumps, black nikes, and oversized sunglasses…oh and red lipsticks! I showcase lots of different trends on my blog but the style I most identify with would be classic chic.

3: You balance family and work so well, how do you do it?

Honestly, I have no clue….day by day, minute by minute? My days are always planned but NEVER go as planned. I have learned not to stress or try to finish my “list” anymore. I have also learned to tell myself, “Alex, you are only one person. You can’t please everyone. Just do your best and all will be well.” I used to get so bent out of shape if I forgot something or showed up late to an appointment but we are all human and “stuff” happens. Also, the best advice I give myself when I am totally at my breaking point, “It’s only life. Just chill.”

4: What has been your greatest achievement as a business owner or influencer? (you can answer this from either perspective)

I think my greatest business achievement has been being Top 20 under 30 in my city, Memphis. I was really honored to be awarded this title in 2016 as I felt like for the first time, my hard work was being recognized by others in my community. As an entrepreneur, sometimes you work your behind off and find yourself wondering if it is paying off or if anyone even sees the work that you but in to your passion and business. This award really made me feel accomplished as a business woman in Memphis!

5: What’s your favorite musical album and why?

Right now…Half Moon Run. I just can’t get enough. They are a Canadian band that I discovered on Pandora. Hope I will hear them on mainstream American radio in the future!

SHOP LINKS

www.ivorycloset.com

Ivory Closet’s Instagram

Ivory Closet’s Facebook

Alexandra’s blog

Alexandra’s instagram