Coffee and Cashmere: music

Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

20 Days of School with Schoola and KIPP Academy #Clothes4Schools

My child comes from a very musical family. Her daddy is a keyboardist and was even in a band for the first few years of her life. Her great, great, grandmother is a pianist and can sing beautifully, as well as two of her aunts. A few of her uncles dabble in music, also. And on my side of the family we are related to Richard Rodgers of Rodgers and Hammerstein. So, naturally music is in her blood.

Here are just four of the hundreds of photos we have of Adrienne surrounded by music. The first one is of her playing when she was around two, the second photo is of her and her daddy being filmed for a documentary, the third is her and I at a music festival watching her daddy's band play, and lastly, mini Adrienne on a mini piano. Ugh! What happened to my little baby?!

Adrienne thrives on music, as do most children. And many times, music isn't available for kids. Music isn't a focus at home for them and for tons of schools, it isn't even an option. That said, I'm extremely excited to be teaming up with Schoola to help fund KIPP Academy's Music Program.

KIPP Academy is a small school located in the Bronx. This school works extremely hard to help needy children. 95% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-cost lunches. And more than 1 in 7 children there receives special education services. In the midst of all the hardships these children endure, music touches and engages them. They even have a slogan on their music room door- "All of us will learn music."

So from now until August 18th, you and I can help KIPP Academy reach their goal of $25,000 to fund their music program. I've teamed up with Schoola to help make this happen. If you don't know about Schoola, they are an online store that sells gently used children's clothes. Another neat thing about Schoola is that they will also take your child's used clothes! All you have to do is simply request a Schoola Bag and it will be sent to your house. Fill the bag with outgrown clothes and pop it into the mail. Schoola even pays for the postage! 40% of the proceeds from the sale of your donated items will be given to a school of YOUR choice.

For every transaction that is tracked or for every person who requests a Schoola donation bag via my unique referral code, Schoola will donate $1 to KIPP Academy. Also, when you donate clothes and fill out your school information, $2 of every $5 made will go back to your child's school! That's what we call a win slash win for everyone!

This post is brought to you by Schoola, the best place to buy discounted kids clothes all while give back to schools in need.

The Fairy Tale Song by DeDe

It's almost the weekend you guys. Please and thank you! I'm stopping in real fast to share a wonderful guest post from the ever so lovely DeDe. She's a singer who creates kid friendly tunes that even us ~~adults~~ big kids would enjoy. Make your ears happy and give her video a listen!

NEW EXCLUSIVE! The Fairy Tale Song Video by DeDe, is now available just for Coffee and Cashmere readers to view online before it goes public on October 7th! You are seeing it before anyone else! 'The Fairy Tale Song' from the new EP, Love & Fairy Tales written by DeDe, is a fun, upbeat song about life, and it's deeper than it may first appear.

Appealing to adults, teens and "kids" of all ages, her EP uses familiar nursery rhyme and fairy tale examples about taking chances, finding your dreams, and living life to the fullest. It's about following your heart and fulfilling your dreams no matter what, and having the patience, motivation and sacrifice to make good decisions and then follow through so your life has a "happily ever after". Find your purpose, no matter what age you are in life, and make your dreams come true... great lyrics, catchy melody, and the ultra-hip unique cartoon-like video created by Jesse Davey, will have you and your kids tapping your feet, singing and dancing along to this great new video.

DeDe, (aka Deborah Wedekind), is a singer/songwriter from Texas, who "follows her dreams and makes them come true" by writing Real good music for Real music lovers of all ages! She focuses on timeless and memorable melodies, and moving yet relevant lyrics that bring inspiration to the listener.

Find out more about DeDe, hear her original songs & arrangements, and sign up for her email news on her website, and LIKE DeDe on Facebook. View all DeDe's videos HERE. Plus, stay tuned for DeDe's outstanding new Chrismtas CD, from Grammy Winning producer, Jeff Bova, World of Christmas coming in Nov. 2013.

This guest post was sponsored by DeDe. If you'd like to see your business on my blog, email jade(@)coffeeandcashmere.com.

Alice BrightSky

My household thrives on music. From mini dance parties, to listening to funk while we clean the house, to even making up our own songs, we just enjoy music. Oh, and we can't forget how Adrienne brings out all her instruments. That usually means it's family band time. Well, subtract me. I'm not that musically inclined. Unless I can play the tambourine? I'm pretty sure I would be a beast at the tambourine.

Anyfamilythatjamstogetherstaystogether, Alice BrightSky is guest posting for me today! She is a mom who rocks. No, figuratively and literally rocks. Her music brings me back to being twelve and idolizing Alanis Morrisette.

Alice's sound weaves through the musical spectrum of funk, soul, rock, and folk, yet she has a raspy voice that gives her music a womanly grunge feel. Like, I just want to bust out my old Doc Martins, leggings, and over-sized flannels!

Oh wait. I'm already wearing that today.

ABOUT || FACEBOOK || TWITTER || iTUNES

5 Ways Becoming a Mother Has Influenced My Art:
By Alice BrightSky

To be clear, I'm a new mother... my son, born this past May, is just approaching the 3 month mark so I am sure I am not in possession yet of all the ways this new journey will influence my music. But a few things have become immediately apparent, which I thought I'd share:

1. I'm now writing about being on the winning side of love.

My last album, "Box of Me", is all about love gone wrong and is replete with metaphors of longing and waiting for real love to arrive. It's a sad album in that respect but there is definitely hope in those songs interspersed with the reality that I was trying to detangle myself and my life from all the wrong lovers. My songwriting to date has been along this theme and, luckily for my art (while less luckily for my heart) I've had plenty of material to draw from... When I finally met Mr. Right, got married and settled down, my songwriting kind of came to a grinding halt. I had nothing bad to write about, quelle horreur! With the birth my son, something amazing started happening, I started feeling inspired again. I'm not sure what's so different about the love I hold for my son vs. my husband but perhaps because it is so new and something I've really never experienced before.. the utter unconditionality.. that he doesn't have to earn my affections, nor I his. I'd throw myself in front of a bus to keep him safe. I would do that for my husband too but.. there was a bit of courtship to get there! So, the first thing that has changed, are the themes. I now find myself writing about being on the winning side of love, it's a nice place to be.

2. I'm inspired to finish what I start.

I almost didn't finish my album. I started recording it in 2006 and formally walked away from it in 2009 after hitting some artistic and logistical roadblocks. But I decided to return to it soon after I got pregnant. Even while the son I was to have remained an obscure concept to me, despite my growing belly, I felt this obligation to him to finish my album. I thought about the example I wanted to make for him. I believed in my music but the album process had just got too overwhelming for me. I could have easily let the upcoming birth, and then the raising, of my baby be an even better excuse for not executing on my vision. Who could blame me, right? But, I didn't want to use my son as an excuse and I didn't want him to stumble across the recordings one day and have to tell him that, I just kind of gave up. So while pregnancy might have been the perfect opportunity to let the album go.. I decided to embrace and finish it.

3. I'm not so focused on me anymore.

Songwriting has been a very cathartic and self-absorbed process for me. It's been a way to deal with my emotions usually about something gone wrong with my love or my life. Having a baby has had the almost immediate effect of breaking the bubble that surrounded me and my little world. I am much more observant of the "outside" and that will surely lead to new directions in my writing that I welcome. Frankly, I'm sick of me.

4. I want to do everything myself

I've always been DIY out of necessity but now, I see the greater learning I can pass on to my son if I really keep going down this path. I never had a real interest in production, for example, but now I find myself eager to become an adept producer. My husband and I have started planning a home studio where we'll advance our skills together and, if he's interested.. teach them to our son.

5. Children's songwriting is coming very naturally

So much so that it seems inevitable that I'll be writing a children's album. And, now that I've started animating on my ipad (see my first attempt, the video for "I Am"), I can make homemade cartoons set to my music. Maybe that's the next Art endeavor for 2014.

Yak Pak Giveaway [OVER]

This giveaway is over. Congrats Rebecca L.!! You have won your choice of item from Yak Pak! I will be contacting you soon! Thanks to everyone who entered this great giveaway!

My three-year-old is a straight gamer. She games on my phone, her phone, and her laptop. She even dominates at old-fashioned board games. This kid.

Most of the time, when she is clicking away at NickJr.com, the voices and sounds are beyond annoying. And most of the time she is doing this while her daddy has Pandora blasting the BeeGees in the background. The voices of Barry Gibb and Geo from Team Umizoomi just don't jive that well together.

I need some sort of sanity when all this is going on. This is where Yak Pak comes into play. They offer an array of colorful and patterned backpacks, bags, and accessories. Pretty much just like Team Umizoomi. If you aren't a parent or a child reading my blog, you won't know that correlation. Because shapes and patterns.

Yak Pak sent Adrienne the coolest headphones ever. I mean, purple plus pink times leopard. I was two steps away from being Mommy Dearest and keeping them for myself. But didn't. I did, of course, give them a little test run. Their sound was pretty up to par with other headphones. I mean, I don't own Dr. Dre's Beats. And never will. I also don't know that much about audio sound quality. So, what can I say?

AnyforgetaboutDre, these headphones are adorable. They are even more adorable when my baby juicy is donning them. She could be a DJ with these guys. I mean, isn't everyone these days? DJ Baby Juicy in the howse.

~~Now, just in time for the back to school drill, I've teamed up with Yak Pak to offer one lucky winner their chance to win an item of choice from this great company!~~

For your chance to win, just log into the Rafflecopter below (or make a new Rafflecopter account), and follow the directions for each entry. Please make sure to actually do what's required for each entry. If you just click enter and not do what it's asking, I'll know. If you are unsure how to do one, skip it and contact me. I can't stress this enough. I go back and check to make sure the winner actually did what was required. I will not let cheaters win. DON'T CHEAT. Meh.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats Rebecca L.!! You have won your choice of item from Yak Pak! I will be contacting you soon! Thanks to everyone who entered this great giveaway!

And don't forget to earn extra entries by tagging your friends on the picture of this giveaway on Coffee and Cashmere's Instagram account (@coffeeandcashmerelove). Tag as many frands as you want in separate comments! The more the merrier! More details over on muh Instagram!

This giveaway will end on August 24th, 2013! One winner will be picked at random and will receive their choice from Yak Pak. The winner will be announced on coffeeandcashmere.com and will also be notified via email. The winner will have ONE week to respond to the email and claim their prize. If the winner never responds, a second winner will be picked at random.

A big thanks to Yak Pak for keeping the kiddos extremely cool.

Adrienne is also wearing a Butterflies and Moonbeams dress.

The winner of last week's giveaway is Rachel T.!

The Magic of Think

It's a beautiful day in my neighborhood, frands. Won't you be my neighbor? Okay, if uprooting your family and moving all your junk to me is out of the question, I completely understand. Packing up a house is for the birds.

Anymovingboxesaren'tmyjam, this morning we have a guest ~~speaker~~ typer! Meet Janyse Jaud. She is an award-winning singer/songwriter, author, thinkolgist, and voiceover actress. She has even worked with clients such as Discovery, The Cartoon Network, Hasbro, Marvel, and Disney. You know, the big dawgs.

Janyse Jaud has also created a way to help empower kids. After working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Magic of Think® was delevloped. The Magic of Think® is a series of lesson plans that include music, activities, games, and stories that focus on academic subjects and boosting a child's self-esteem.

That said, I'm super excited to introduce Janyse Jaud of The Magic of Think®!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 Early Childhood Techniques Taught Through The Magic of Think®
By Janyse Jaud

The Magic of Think® concept began to take flight after an amazing experience I had with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I watched a child recite every word I had performed as an animated character in his favorite television show. The show was so important to him that he made his “one wish” to meet all of us in the series. I was so touched. I will never forget that memory.

Intrigued I began to ask myself: “What if I could create a program to help children become mentally stronger?” So with a sprinkle of seriousness, a dash of humor, and a bunch of fun, The Magic of Think® was born.

There are a variety of subjects covered within The Magic of Think® program, but today I’m going to focus on a story, song and lesson that specifically deals with bullying. Following are 5 of the many techniques that I cover:

Understanding and Managing Your Emotions – When we talk about our emotions it enables us to disconnect from those feelings and see ourselves in a more objective manner. We can look at the situation calmly, gain the power to make better choices, and become proactive. This is better than getting trapped into the habit of reacting, where emotions control our lives, leaving us victimized and powerless.
Metaphors – Another way to gain control over our emotions is by creating a metaphor that can defuse a negative thought. For example, the animated character in the story, Little Red, decides to think of the bully as a “boogermonger.” Creating a humorous definition and image in his mind, this metaphor helps Little Red to minimize the bully’s position and credibility.
Act As If – By using his imagination and “acting as if” he has courage, Little Red is able to act calmly and with confidence in a tense situation.
Repetition – Using visual, audio and tactile learning, the message is discovered, repeated, and reinforced in a number of ways through songs, stories, games and activities.
Humor – Little Red decides to agree with the bully, laugh at himself, and react as though what the bully says is unimportant. This becomes another way to calm the confrontation, disengage, and minimize the severity of the situation.

“Humor is a very important component of emotional health, maintaining relationships, developing cognitive function and perhaps even medical health,” said Allan Reiss, MD, who directs the Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research at Stanford. […] “In particular, we think a balanced and consistent sense of humor may help children negotiate the difficult period of pre-adolescence and adolescence,” he said.

SCOPE published by Stanford Medicine (January, 2012) Study shows how humor activates children’s brains. Retrieved from http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2012/01/31/making-kids-laugh-for-science/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I also want to let everyone know that I'm guest typing over at Love, Joleen Photography today!

Rosie True Sponsored Post

Just a little FYI- Rosie True, a super awesome online retail shop, has tons of Free People garb to choose from. I put together a collection of my top faves. Can I just be the child of Free People's designer? Adopt me please.

Daisy Wash Lacey Denim Cutoff || Watermelon/Blue Double Team Tee || Oatmeal Pullover Menagerie || Black Georgia Dress || Black Pintuck Gauze Dress || Tea Combo Maya Tank || Black Indian Enchantment Dress || Red Lima Cardi || Orchid Skinny Color Crop

Be sure to also check out Rosie True on Facebook and Twitter!

This post was sponsored by Rosie True. Be sure to always take a quick minute and check out all of my wonderful sponsors. I only work with companies I'm compassionate about. Rosie True is one of them.

Kira Willey

:: Guest post from Kira Willey ::

“Every mom I know agrees with me on this: the mom thing always comes first. Even if I were the president, I’m pretty sure I couldn't focus on universal healthcare and Gallup polls and such until I was sure the kids all had sunscreen on.

I am a stay-at-home mom of three, attempting to have a music career, complete with performing and writing and recording albums and everything else. How do I do this, what with all the newsletter-writing, rehearsing, Facebook-updating, and keeping in touch with one’s fans? The answer, like any other mom working at a “real” job or otherwise would say: you cobble it together, and some days are better than others.

Even on days when I have big shows, I spend much more time on the note for the sitter than I do on my set list...

Sometimes (ok, more often than sometimes) I wonder, what am I thinking? Am I not as good a parent because I am writing songs in my head all the time? But it’s who I am, and if I were prevented from doing music, I’d be unhappy and therefore not as good a mom, right? At least this is what I tell myself when I am wracked with guilt for booking back-to-back sitters to cover long rehearsals or sessions in the recording studio.

Then there’s the other side: at dinner, my oldest comes up with a brilliant song title, and we all start to work out the chorus, and everyone loves it. And at bedtime, my husband is rocking our three-year-old, and from down the hall, I hear them both belting out one of my songs. This makes me ridiculously happy.”

Kira Willey is a talented musician who appeals to all ages. You can read about her on my post here.

Don't forget to enter to win a $4o giftcard to either Amazon or iTunes HERE.

If you like my blog, help a homie out and vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs by clicking the picture below. Just one click. It will take you to the Top Mommy Blogs website, but you voted for me by just clicking that happy cartoon lady below! YOU CAN VOTE DAILY!! Thank you guys!!

Just Click To Send A Vote For Us @ Top Mommy Blogs

Colorful Music

I need more coffee. Grab a cup and sit down with me. We are heading to visit William's fam later today! We have missed them since they've moved. Tomorrow morning we're even participating in a 3 mile walk for an Alzheimer's organization William's grandmother founded. Should be interesting. Walking + the heat + eight a.m. just isn't my jam. But I'd do anything for Grandmama and for a great cause. Wish me luck.

Our drive there won't be too bad. We have Kira Willey's kiddie folk CD to sit-dance and sing to. I received her CD in the mail last week and am super excited to give it a full listen. My child needs something else besides Adele. Don't get me wrong, I'm very much in love with Adele and her album pretty much stays in my car. Anytime the radio is on, or another CD is playing, Adrienne yells, "Adellllle!!" from her perch as the backseat commander. I always oblige. What can I say? I'm easy like Sunday morning.

Anymychildrunstheshow, the award winning singer-songwriter, Kira Willey produces music that is happy, relaxing, and can even be used as a wonderful learning tool. The song Colors, you guessed it, goes through all the different shades of the rainbow, and then some. That song was even featured on a Dell computer commercial. Hey-oh. Being also a yoga instructor, Kira opened up her own studio in Pennsylvania, Fireflies Yoga, that teaches yoga and music to children.

As much as I want to put in Tupac and get gangster while driving, I can't, because I have my two year old in tow. I need kiddo friendly music and Kira's CD, "Kings & Queens of the Forest", is just that. She'll also be making a guest post on my blog tomorrow! So, be on the look out for that!!

I already packed my camera up, so I used my phone to snap some pics. This is Adrienne's really happy on the inside but doesn't express it on the outside face.

Thank you Kira for sending us your magical music.

Don't forget to enter to win a $4o giftcard to either Amazon or iTunes HERE.

Winsome Words Wednesday

Love some good music quotes.

I'm having another giveaway on Friday!! Make sure you check back and get your luck on. Happy hump day!!

Source: memecenter.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: gointothestory.com via Flor on Pinterest

Source: vintagejunky.blogspot.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: piccsy.com via Lynette on Pinterest

Source: media-cache3.pinterest.com via Mia on Pinterest

Source: google.bg via Maestross on Pinterest

Source: basementdweller.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: google.bg via Maestross on Pinterest

Winsome Words Wednesday

Heard this morning that Pinterest might be a potential breading ground for viruses. So, well there's that.

Happy hump day, lovers. Check back teemaroh for a GIVEAWAY!

Source: thumbpress.com via lise on Pinterest

Source: 27.media.tumblr.com via Katerina on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via M on Pinterest

Source: ubercomments.com via Cecilia on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Christine on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Drew on Pinterest

Source: stumbleupon.com via Rachael on Pinterest

Spirit Music

This post is dedicated to two very cool dudes. Two musical geniuses, who paved the way for today's musicians. Adam Yauch, from the Beastie Boys, and Levon Helm, from The Band. They were on opposite sides of the musical spectrum, but if these two decide to collaborate in the heavens, the vibe would be equivalent to a disco house party mixed with jolts of soul, funk, hip hop, and all out rock. All night dance-a-thon in the sky? I think they have that covered.

Rest in peace Adam Yauch and Levon Helm. The music you two made will live on for eternity.

Adam passed away May 4th, 2o12, from his battle with cancer.

Levon Helm passed away April 19th, 2o12, from his battle with cancer.

NYE Disco Animals

I feel like I am still in vaca mode. I guess I technically am. New Year's Eve night is tomorrow. We are traveling to Memphis for Zoogma's Zoo Year's Eve party. It gets pretty rowdy. A musical stampede of sweaty people in animal costumes. Fun times. The thought of cleaning up and packing right now gives me a serious case of the "yawns." I've diagnosed myself. I just don't feel motivated to shake off my lazies.

Anydoubleshotofexpresso, I have always been obsessed with the 197o's fashion. From the bohemian glamour to the glittered out Studio 54 nights, it just appeals to me.

197o's Swimwear