Real talk.

Last week I turned 26. A big milestone, if you're into that sort of thing. Age is terrifying, yes, fine, I agree. What's even more terrifying is the unnatural tradition of celebrating our inevitable loss of youth with toxic dyes and carbs, but I do love social gatherings. My friends proved to not only be pretty but functional, showering me with love and parties and glittered treats all week long. Even better, not one of them instagrammed a picture of me drawing a watch on my arm after Karaoke Santa told me no rap songs allowed until after midnight. After taking a nap and rehydrating I concluded I feel great about being 26. Everything is as it should be and it's all happening. 

With that being said, there are still questions left unanswered, people and ideas I can't seem to wrap my head around even now that I'm a year older. I'm sure you can relate.

THINGS I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND:

purity rings

Ashton Kutcher

boys who don't have real jobs

tap water

Scientology

people who (still) don't have an iphone

girls who do CrossFit

Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney's sons who resemble Ken dolls

shoulder dancing

Don Draper-shadiness

maxi dresses

the state of Alaska

people who leave voicemails

There are more, trust me, but (some of us) have career ladders we're trying to climb and long lunches to take. I love you all. #freefiona

xoxo

girl crush: jessica lea mayfield

This girl is golden. At 22 she has mastered the art of stark vulnerability. Her lyrics are piercing in a way you can't quite place, and her sound is the perfect mix of blues and country, with a little bit of rock mixed in for extra spice. At 15, she recorded her first album in her brother's bedroom, printing only 100 copies. One of those copies miraculously fell into the hands of Dan Auerbach (respect) and after sending her a message on MYSPACE - yes, I'm serious - they hit the studio together and have been releasing amazing music ever since.

"I think she's dark and moody in a mysterious way," Dan said of the recording experience. " I'm just always really excited to make music with her."

If that isn't enough reason to dub her a badass I'm not sure what is. 

Who: Originally from Ohio but spent most of her childhood in Nashville. She recently bought a four-bedroom 1890s farmhouse in Ohio and painted one of the guest bedrooms red, white and blue so she can tell her guests they're sleeping in "America." She's freaking weird and I love it. 

Sounds Like: A sexy and disarming collision of country, old school rock and a little bit of pop. Got that? It makes sense in my head and when you listen maybe this will all make sense. Think Lucinda Williams with a little Jenny Lewis-ness while looking like a teenage version of Michelle Williams. 

Her and Mr. Auerback: Dan discovered Mayfield's first EP White Lies on MySpace when she was still in high school. Supposedly Dan sent her a message like this: "Hey, I play in a local band called the Black Keys. Let's hang out." They recorded eight songs on day one of their friendship and Dan has released all of her albums since. I love a good collaborative effort. 

Mean Romantic: Since she began writing at the age of 11, all of her romantic experiences ended up documented in music. In her early stuff she wrote about firsts - first kiss, first boyfriend, first heartbreak - and in her last two albums she's moved on to more raw emotion with more, um, agressive lyrics. How does she describe it? "The new album is kinda me being a dick." 

Listen Now: Our Hearts Are Wrong (Tell Me) 
"my self-esteem is heating up the room, you're intimidating as all hell but I ain't scared of you"

You've Won Me Over (With Blasphemy So Heartfelt) 
"and it's okay if you love me cause you love everyone that you know
and it's okay if you kiss me cause you kiss all the girlies you know
and i'd stand my ground if i had a leg to stand on
and you should avow for your award winning performance
cause you won me over"

You're welcome. xoxo. 

be a go-getter, people.

Today's message is two fold but can be summed up in one call to action: be a go-getter. I'll explain in the form of two stories, the first of which is both hilarious and ridiculous, the second is just ridiculous. Shall we begin?

Ending a relationship is never fun. It's typically awkward and then plain awful, usually with one party feeling oddly reflective while the other is off making a pizza in his basement. Stopping something that was started months or years prior is strange and feelings are always hurt. The worst? Getting back your stuff. A simple task mysteriously becomes an act of Congress. Rocket science, even.

Suddenly you find yourself a victim to your own master plan, placing the bag of his oxfords and socks (among other items)  out in the morning, bringing them in at night. Tired of this routine I decided to send a cordial email requesting immediate action or he could find said items at Goodwill - see that? That is what we call being a go-getter....then a miracle happened. Back to the house after a fancy night at Holland House and found the bag to be gone. I (half) ran to the mailbox in my favorite wedges and there it was, my bible, in the mailbox, per my request. No pearls, but I figure one out of two isn't bad.

Now on to the just plain ridiculous, and disheartening really. If you know and love Nashville, or read magazines, you know and love Imogene + Willie. Not only have they single-handily brought back the concept of customized denim but they have a massive following of rockers with royalties and generally awesome people. The owners, Carrie and Matt Eddmenson, have not only brought excellent merchandise to 12 South but have encouraged community in the neighborhood with your favorite and mine, Supper + Song. One night a week they welcomed the community into their store's backyard to enjoy Mas Tacos and a free live show of epic proportions...maybe the most memorable was watching Karen sing to her kiddos who were busy making requests. I looked forward to every show, and if I wasn't able to attend I felt great just knowing it was happening.

So what's ridiculous? Due to sound complaints (what is wrong with people?) this lovely event is cancelled indefinitely, per a statement released this morning. What can we do? Speak up in the form of an email to the big guy: mayor@nashville.gov and state your case, preferably in well-written prose. Be that go-getter and let's keep supper + song.

Word.
XOXO.