1. I didn’t know a thing about John Prine until I went to his Christmas party at the Station Inn when we first came to town. Saw him perform “All The Best” and I’ve been hooked ever since.
2. My father-in-law is an antique dealer specializing in folk art and textiles. We went together to see this Bill Traylor exhibit (currently at The Frist). It was great to have my own personal guide to the show. His primitive drawings are so pure and unintentional.
3. I’m anxious to learn how to use watercolors, and have been shopping for vintage supplies. These brushes are amazing, and the way they are shot makes them more enticing.
4. Patti Smith. She has inspired me since I was a little girl. Her ambiguity, femininity and masculinity. Her art, lyrics and voice. Her passion and her presence. Her imperfections, intensity and all around badass-ness.
5. I am crazy for documentaries. It’s a voyeuristic thing. I love being able to peer into the lives of others. This one in particular hit me in the deepest way. I love the scene in Steal A Pencil For Me where Jack and Ina go back to the camp and run into children on a class trip – his interaction with them is so inspiring.
6. Love my high-waisted i+w Elizabeths. Just imagine “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman” playing.
7. I accidentally have a collection of criminal tattoo books. I have but one tiny tattoo on my thumb that I did myself as a youngin’ but I love primitive tattoos, especially black ones and even more especially criminal ones.
8. Peace sign bookends = hippie culture paraphernalia.
9. I am not a modern-all-the-time kind of person, but these Eames chairs are fantastic. I love the architectural aspect in these, and the color really softens it up.
10. A 1970s folk art craft book. More hippie culture paraphernalia.
11. Obsessed with Moroccan rugs lately. They are so beautiful and abstract. We don’t own any yet, but I would love to have them throughout our house. Even the graphic designs capture an etherealness that really attracts me.
12. Mississippi Records: This is a store in Portland as well as a record label. My favorite by far, Last Kind Words is a particular album that is a constant on our turntable.
13. The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving. His characters are surreal, exotic and sometimes ridiculous; however, he makes it all seem completely normal. “Keep passing the open windows” has been an anthem since I read this book years ago.
14. I love searching for vintage Chuck Taylors for my daughter Sadie. Leather ones… seriously!
15. I’ve been looking to buy a vintage car. This dart is amazing – love the sun-faded color.
