So Long, Marianne

Hat- Gift from Bri

Cardigan- Thrifted

Dress- Old Navy

Belt- Target

Bag- H&M

Shoes- Target
Sunnies: Some Dollar Store in Corvallis, OR

I found this dress at Old Navy last week. It was on clearance, in my size, and really pretty. I was pretty convinced that it would look terrible on me, but after trying it on, I really liked it! It's much shorter than I usually go for, but I actually really liked the length after a while. I threw a pair of shorts on under to be safe (especially since I tend to always go on climbing-over-things adventures when I happen to wear short skirts...). In the end I felt like this came out a little late 60's/early 70's, which as longtime readers will know I have a huge soft spot for. Polished, yet a little bit Woodstock-y. I'm okay with that.

If you're wondering about the location, I have a post on that going up Friday! (at least it should be up Friday. I have a gig! (it pays! and not just in food! real money!) Thursday night, and have no idea what time I will be home that night!) It's a really eat, somewhat hidden California treasure, and oh how I wanted to live there so badly!! But more on that later, I am super excited to share it with you!

Wedding Bells and Weekend Tales

L-R: Me, Emily, Bri, Callie, Chelsea, Elizabeth, Delaney, Eric, Fraser, Grace. Just missing the two youngest Hannah and Hunter!

In March we headed out to Arizona for my Cousin's wedding. It was a lovely affair and even though I hate weddings (I'll save all my reasons for a post much longer and further down the road), I bawled like a baby. There were some incredibly sweet and beautiful moments, including my 90-something year old great-grandmother being "danced" in her wheel chair. Her smile was just the best thing ever.

At some point we can-caned. I know not why.

I don't even know.

The wedding itself was very beautiful and we had an awesome time dancing the night away at the reception. We even saw my Baptist Preacher grandpa danced. What is the world coming to? :-)

Our dancing skillz were obvi the best there.

The cousins with Nana (left) and Great-Grandma (centre)

Have you ever tried to get 12 people to all have their eyes open/smiling at the same time? Good Lord!

Papa's dance moves rivaled Gracie's.

Emily looked beautiful and I lost it when her new husband started bawling as she came down the aisle. It was such a wonderfully sweet moment. Love is really wonderful isn't it? Congrats Emily and Cody! I wish you both all the joy and love and happiness in the world!

So dapper.

For some reason I started sharpening a coffee stirrer with a steak knife...

I think this might have been after my third cranberry vodka. (they were tiny!)

Emily's dad performed the ceremony. I love it when family is so involved in weddings!

The pretty and yummy cake!

The next day we found a breakfast place in Phoenix, while I was grumpy and cranky about the heat (seriously guys, I'm the biggest baby. It was like 75 and I literally pouted the whole morning), and got a phone call from Sarah to tell me she and her Cody are Engaged! Yayyayyayyay! I am so happy for her! Yay Love!

The road was primitive. 

This seemed legit.

Ah yes, the scenery...

And I got excited about taking a picture with a cactus. 

P.S. here is a picture of Sarah's ring. Ain't it a beaut!

Red

Hat- Me Made
Cardigan- Old Navy
Blouse- Target
Skirt- Me Made
Shoes- Old Walmart ones
Lipstick- Russian Red

When I was a kid I had an English assignment that involved capturing essence. For instance, describing a frog without using the words "amphibian," "slimy," or things usually used to describe that particular object. So I chose to describe my Great-Aunt who in my mind was "red." It wasn't just that her hair,glasses, nails, lips, shoes, and most of her clothes were red, her personality was too. She was loud and vibrant and the life of the party, bold, spunky, wild, and as a kid I associated her with the word "red." She was the lady who got Disney characters tattooed on her ankles when adult tattooing was still pretty taboo, she showed up to every family event dressed like a gypsy with spiky red hair, bright bold lipstick and a laugh that echoed though the house.

I'm not related to this aunt by blood, but I always liked her the best and felt a sense of camaraderie with her. She marched to the beat of her own drum and made no apologies for it. I liked that. When I was teased as a kid for being a little off and different, for running around in a red dress playing Russian Peasant Girl, it didn't really bother me. The people in my life who were a little bit weird always had the most fun, and seemed to be the happiest. That was who I wanted to be.

Red wasn't always my favourite colour, but a few years ago I realized that it really always had been, I've always gravitated towards it because of the "personality" I had built around it. These days it's rare to find me without some piece of red clothing or jewelry on, and even then my lips usually are painted a bright crimson. Heck even my hair changed colour as I got older. So sometimes I put together an outfit and it just feels like me. It's comfortable, and easy, and I feel like I can conquer the world if I wanted to. It's an outfit that makes me feel Red, and I like that.

Recently:

1. 4H Fashion Revue Judging! Long but fun day! 2. Michael bought a new toy. Fred is the "new" 80's Yamaha mixer that is seriously amazing. 3. I wore leggings as pants and wrote a passive aggressive note to the opposing attorney for parking in my spot. 4. Conflicted feelings over maxi skirts. 5. Early Cinco de Mayo with Mexican sprite and enchiladas. 6. Making do with small spaces and setting up a split recording studio means chilling in my sister's bedroom. 7. A gloomy beach. My favourite. 8. The lighthouse at the Oceanside harbour village. 9. Why were these on my hand? 10. 1am? Can't sleep? Need to be up early the next morning? Do your hair and makeup! 11. So somehow I ended up in a real life recording studio with real live musicians and it was terrifying. 12. I had to go to Palm Springs for work this past week. My bestie works in Palm Springs and I ran into her on our way home! I also made it there in record time! 13. This might be why I made it there in record time. I was watching the road... 14. Home made Tahini for Hummus (top) and Homemade Almond Butter! Tonight I shall begin to make the hummus! 15. Fraser and I had a late lunch date. We talked about Russia and North Korea. Or rather he told me about all the documentaries he watches on them... 16. The last First Sundays until September! Grace got soaked in the fountain and then ran all over the street mall with the kite she made leaving little wet footprints behind. Then we got cupcakes. It was a good day.

You can follow me on instagram @yammeringmuse

What's In My Bag

Liberty of London for Target from a few years ago. Still a favourite!

My bag is pretty much a black hole where things go to be lost. Sometimes I clean it out. Sometimes.

Top L-R: Keys with an awesome stag keychain I thrifted, Phone, Wallet (that matches!), Allergy Pill (why does everyone have a cat?), Moleskin, Green notebook Charissa gave me, Vintage sunglasses case for pens and pencils.

Middle L-R: Makeup Bag from Target, Lotion from Jessica, Norwegian Formula lotion for when the Santa Anas hit, Xylitol gum, Blotting pads, always bobby pins, EOS chapsticks (there's actually one from my collection missing...), Nail polish which I have no idea why it is there, Brush/Mirror, ancient Carmex, homemade lip balm from a goodie bag I got for judging 4H Fashion Revue, Mint chapstick (the best!), Peppermint chapstick, glittery lip gloss from Gracie, a cute carrier for feminine products.

Bottom L-R: headphones, hand sanitizer, the red lipsticks that don't fit in my makeup bag (which is mostly made up of red lipsticks...).

All that and my camera fit comfortably, which basically makes this the perfect bag.

What's in your bag?

Music

This is my 700th post. I had intended it to be a bit more grand, but instead I'll just show you what I have been busy with lately. My brother-in-law Michael, and I have been recording some music. We've played around with some different covers and styles, and recorded three originals written by me. The first one is on old equipment and definitely needs to be re-recorded, but it is still pretty awesome to hear my music actually sounding like music. Obviously these aren't studio quality, we have to deal with recording in a tiny office area while dogs bark and other people watch TV, but I am so excited about these. I hope you enjoy them, and please be sure to credit them back to me if you choose to share. (we're being really over protective!)

Ego of Unusual Size

Words and music- Ashley Barrett
Vocals- Ashley Barrett
Guitar- Michael Wrightsman
Drums- Michael Wrightsman
Copyright Ashley Barrett-Michael Wrightsman 2013




Last Night (I Dreamt of You)
Words and music- Ashley Barrett
Vocals- Ashley Barrett & Michael Wrightsman
Bass- Michael Wrightsman
Drums- Michael Wrightsman
Copyright Ashley Barrett-Michael Wrightsman 2013


Bones
Words and Music- Ashley Barrett
Vocals- Ashley Barrett
Guitar- Michael Wrightsman
Copyright Ashley Barrett-Michael Wrightsman 2013

Recently

1. Bri is facing band demotion (again) if she keeps bringing me the creepy cat coffee cup... 2. I am trying to cut my coffee intake down. Maybe to like, less than 5 cups a day... This tea is caffinated, but is also so so so good! 3. I may or may not have a lipstick buying problem. These are just the ones I carry in my bag at all times. And I forgot two. And then there's chapsticks... 4. Remember those Katy Perry eyelashes? Turns out they look like giant catterpillars on my eyes. I love them. 5. Slow day at work last week meant catching up on Game of Thrones! 6. This is part of the reason I am trying to drink less coffee. That black whole there, actually has a black coffee cup in it too... 7. Sparkly shoes and Sparkly pencils. 8. The western view from my front door. 9. And the Eastern view.  Stop teasing me with the gloomy weather and rain already California!! 

You can follow me on Instagram @yammeringmuse