This year I’ve had the opportunity to play in several new locations, one of which being Ireland. While there I was able to visit several beautiful and unique places. One of those places was Belfast Castle in Belfast. The castle used to be a private home and has now been converted into a space that is used for weddings and events. It’s situated high on a hill overlooking Belfast and the ocean. I was there to play the Belfast Nashville Songwriter Festival and during our free day is when I ventured out to the castle. It’s so inspiring to see historic places and imagine the lives of the people who lived there, it always get my writer wheels turning!
The Wardrobe Department
One thing I’ve found necessary when traveling so much is being active when I can be. That sometimes looks like walking and exploring a new city, trying a new class, or one of my favorite hobbies is yoga! I’ve been practicing yoga on and off for more than 10 years, and I’m such a fan of all the benefits, which are both mental and physical. I recently partnered with a great athletic wear company, LavaLoka, and I am loving the patterns they have as well as the high waistband! The colors update my normally black yoga pants to something more fun and interesting, I also love this particular pair because the roses are so beautiful! Check out more of LavaLoka here, and this is one of my favorite yoga studios in Nashville!
Let’s Talk Mexico
Just a few weeks ago I had the chance to go to Mexico for the first time to perform at a wedding. I’d never been to Mexico before, so I was excited to experience a place that I’d heard was so beautiful, and to escape the tails of winter that were lingering in Nashville. I had a fantastic time at the Westin Resort and Spa, and Mexico was a beautiful and green locale! With a busy schedule, I was only able to stay three days, but I’m looking forward to going back and visiting again!
New Year’s Eve
It’s been a big year for me! I started my blog, I started touring a lot more, I released two songs to radio, and there were ups and downs, and bridges to cross, it was a lot packed into one year, but all in all, it’s been a great year and so much fun. I loved playing shows in LA, Chicago, New York City, Vermont, Maine, and visiting so many new places as well! I’ve grown as a musician, I’ve learned so much professionally, personally, and through going to school at Belmont all the while. I love the people I get to work with, the music I get to create, the musicians I get to play with, it’s such a magical experience every time we step on stage. Here are some of my favorite pictures from this year, I’ve had such a great time sharing it with you!
Snowy Radio Run
I went for a little radio run, visiting some radio stations in Canada, at the end of last week and it was definitely a temperature adjustment from Nashville! The radio visits were fun, as the always are, and then I decorated for Christmas! I’ll have a post on that later this week but for now I’m going to share these photos from the first snowfall I experienced this winter. It’s so beautiful when the snow falls, especially after a little rain because the snow sticks to everything and gives it that sugarcoated look! How do you feel about winter, excited? Over it already?
Recharged and Ready!
In an interview someone recently asked me how I find balance. It’s important to find time to be inspired and not just if you’re a creative person in a creative field, we all need time to recharge. Over Thanksgiving I didn’t have good service for almost three days! Which is hardly any time, but really gave me the chance to feel unplugged and enjoy the nature I was surrounded by. I had Audrey with me and I got to laugh until my stomach ached and enjoy my family and time just hanging out with my Mum. I think this experience reminded me how we can get caught living every day and not appreciating the little moments. How do you find time to slow down and appreciate the little things?