Navy Pier
We took a stroll down to the pier to see the water and generally explore. Navy Pier had some great family attractions, but what I enjoyed most was the view of Chicago’s skyline and the extremely aqua hued water! I have to give an honorable mention to my Steve Madden sneakers here because I wore them all day and they didn’t kill my feet! PS – they are wedges, and I love looking chic while walking miles and miles!
I love seeing new places, but I also love returning to favorite places. Algonquin Park is very close to my hometown and there is a rock that all of my siblings and I have had pictures taken at. The pictures were all taken when we were small, but I went back recently and took some photos to capture the magic of this spot as an adult. We also found some new spots in the park that I hadn’t seen before. Algonquin Park is massive, so the possibilities to be discovered are nearly endless. I also found this camouflage jacket at Free People and I’m obsessed. I want to wear it everywhere, but I felt it was especially fitting for this pictures. I love being outside, and these photos completely capture that. What is one of your favorite places to revisit?
I’ve been performing for a long time, and I can still remember my first public singing performance; a cover of Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi”. I remember it made me want to practice, because nerves are something I’ve dealt with since I started performing. Some of the best performers have suffered from an experience on stage and contracted stage fright – the Barbra Streisand Central Park incident where she forgot her lyrics kept her from performing out for over a decade! I’ve tried a lot of different remedies, from breathing techniques and vitamins to different teas and supplements. So I’m going to share with you the things that have helped me overcome my own experience with nerves before hitting the stage.
Hartselle – Alabama
Vitamins/Supplements
Valerian – I tried Valerian root, a natural supplement that is supposed to help your nerves before an audition in high school, and it was okay, but what I found out later was that you need to try it out before hand to find out what kind of dosage you need to start feeling calm. This works for me, but I don’t feel like it completely squelches the nervous energy.
Ashwagandha – This is a tablet I got from Whole Body and it decreases your anxiety level while still giving you energy. I found that this worked well for me, I didn’t feel as though I wasn’t nervous, I just felt I could better control the anxious energy.
Nashville Street Tacos
Start Small
Play smaller shows. Start with a room where your almost just background noise or entertainment. Build your confidence there, and then work your way up to bigger rooms where your art is the main focus.
Puckett’s – Nashville
Prepare
The first show I ever played guitar and sang at was at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta and it was traumatizing. I wore the wrong skirt which was a slippery material, I sat on a stool where my feet couldn’t touch the ground or the foot rest bar, I had only been playing guitar two weeks, and the one song I played was a mess. I LEARNED FROM THIS. I learned to think about the details that may seem insignificant but during a crucial moment can save you a lot of stress and panic. Think about how your wardrobe will affect your playing ability. Think about what you’re eating the day of the show, think about standing vs. sitting, because it all matters!
The Mint – LA
Practice
This is the method that always works for me. I practice until it’s in my bones. I practice until I can recover from a mistake. Practice until you are sick of it and then practice some more.
All of this put together helps me almost completely dissolve nerves or anxiety of any kind. What are your methods?
My friend from New York City happened to be in LA and came to see me play The Mint! (post about the show here) After we caught up we decided to go hiking the next morning. We decided to try the Hollywood Sign hike. It ended up being a grand, off the path, adventure! We got lost, twice, ended up on top of a different mountain, but finally found our way to the sign! The view was beautiful and totally worth it!
Last week I went to Los Angeles to play a show at The Mint LA! It was so exciting and I love promoting my new single Off The Market in such cool venues and cities. The Mint is iconic and I loved the intimate size, but that is was big enough to put on a loud, vivacious show! Playing a show is a part of my career that I love. I love playing songs for an audience and I love it when I hear from someone afterwards that a particular song really spoke to them. From hanging out in the greenroom to actually playing the show I had a lot of fun! Don’t worry LA, I’ll be back to play!
Just exploring Los Angeles is such a good time and it’s also one of the shopping meccas of the world. There is so much variety in this city! Some of my favorite stores in LA are the vintage ones because you never know what you’re going to find! I’ve been to the fashion district in LA and Rodeo Drive, and probably every shopping area in between. Here are some of my favorite areas and shops from my most recent trip.
SLOW Boutique 
Nasty Gal 
Street View 
Street Art