Name: Kendra
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Web Site: http://www.kendraworsnup.com
Bio: lover of Christ, fashion, design, typography, reporting, caffeinated beverages, culture, social justice, travel, current events and literature. Twitter: @KendraWorsnup
Posts by Kendra:
Red Earth Trading Co.
December 11th, 2011Christmas is two weeks away, and if you’re anything like me, you’re not even close to being done with all your shopping yet. Perhaps this is because you’re not sure what to get for those question marks on your list. But never fear, I have a suggestion.
Red Earth Trading Co. has some of the most beautiful products from jewelry and accessories to home goods, with products fit for both men and women. And it gets even better! Red Earth Trading Co. is handmade and direct trade, meaning your purchase directly helps a family in either Kenya, Uganda, or Nepal.
In the event you are already done with your Christmas shopping, no one ever said it hurts to buy yourself a gift, right?
Below are my favorites and certainly items on my wish list.
Visit their website to shop products, read their story and meet the artisans.
Burberry Acoustic
November 24th, 2011Did you know that the great fashion company Burberry is doing a music project? Their music project, Burberry Acoustic, meets various artists in a location sentimental to them, and allows the audience to experience a private acoustic concert. It’s fair to say I’m obsessed. I leave the YouTube playlist on repeat at all times and have told everyone I know about it. The simplicity and beautiful characteristics of each video is beyond enchanting, not to mention the flawless music.
Below is one of my favorite videos: Posterity by Chris Wall
Priscilla Ahn
October 11th, 2011
Talk with singer/song-writer Priscilla Ahn for only a few moments and this becomes undeniably evident: she is a woman full of life and passion and sincerity.
“I’m never going to write or do or say anything that I don’t believe in or that I don’t like or enjoy just to make money,” Priscilla said. “So I hope that people actually hear that my songs are genuine and I stand behind them really strongly because that’s the kind of music I’m drawn to and that I believe in. At the end of the day that’s what it’s about for me.”
In May, Priscilla released her sophomore album entitled “When You Grow Up”. Although the album may have appeared to be a concept album, Priscilla said it’s not.
“I don’t have any goals or ‘this is what I’m trying to get across,’” she said. “I just feel like if it can help anybody in anyway feel comforted or not alone or even just happy or imaginative, then I feel like I’ve done something good.”
Contrary to her first album, many of the songs on “When You Grow Up” were co-written by Priscilla and her friends.
“It was something I wanted to try because for me, writing upbeat songs doesn’t come really naturally,” Priscilla said. “Co-writing can be really vulnerable and awkward and stuff to be honest to the other person if you hate their idea or not, and so with my friends I felt like I could communicate that more. So what we ended up with was stuff I genuinely loved.”
This album also was more traditionally recorded than the first.
“With Ethan, we would play a song 50 times so we were able to listen back and be like ‘that’s the one,’” Priscilla said. “At first I was like ‘this is going to take forever’ but then I realized why he works that way and it really does make a difference and it really puts you in tune more with recording and finding that real take and playing as a group together and making that magic take together.”
This is not the only challenging change she has faced during the course of the new album. Between her first and most recent album, Priscilla got married.
“It immediately made this really beautiful, good difference,” Priscilla said. “But it made song writing a lot harder for me because I’m not sad or lost anymore. I feel very at peace with where I am, and who I am and who I’m with. So it’s really actually challenging me to dig deeper than the emotional surface. I haven’t quite figured it out yet, but I’m working on.”
Surely it is not surprising that her extreme amounts of hard work and passion have paid off. Priscilla has plans in the works for U.S. and European tours in the fall and is currently planning two performances in Korea and Singapore.
“I’m leaving at the end of the month,” Priscilla said. “My husband is going to come with and my mom is going to be in Korea because she still has her whole family over there. So he’s going to get to meet family and my mom is going to help me get around Korea because I don’t speak Korean.”
Yet, through all the excitement, Priscilla manages to keep herself from becoming too wrapped-up in the feedback.
“I haven’t gone searching to see what people are thinking or saying (about the album,) that stuff sort of freaks me out,” Priscilla said. “It gets in your head; even good compliments get in your head, you know? And you start to think ‘oh I have to start writing more songs like this’ or ‘that song sucked’ and for me it’s hard.”
However, she must know her music is very well-loved with it being featured in television shows such as “Make it or Break it” and films such as “My Sister’s Keeper” and “Distrubia.”
“The first film my song was ever on was… ‘Disturbia’ and I was so excited about it but I wouldn’t go see it because I don’t like scary movies,” she said as she was laughing.
Having her songs featured in films have not been the only shining moments for this blossoming artist.
“I’ve gotten to play with Amos (Lee) and do shows with Willie Nelson and Ray Lamontagne,” Priscilla said.
She has also played with other amazing artists such as Joshua Radin and Lenka.
“I feel so lucky,” Priscilla exclaimed.
With her newest album released, Priscilla is already excited to begin working on her next project.
“I’m already trying to write new songs for the new record and hopefully start recording that in the spring and get that out sooner rather than later,” Priscilla said. “There was like three years in between this new record and the last one. I think it was actually a little too long so I want to put the next out a little bit sooner.”
After having stretched her comfort zone on this album by adding in several up-beat songs, Priscilla plans on continuing to challenge herself and grow as an artist.
“I’m just keeping it really open and just going to see what happens,” Priscilla said. “I definitely want to expand a little bit and try some new sounds out and new songwriting and practices and sort of push the boundaries a little bit to get out of my comfort zone. So hopefully it will sound good in the end.”
Since Priscilla draws her musical inspiration from a pool of amazing artists, Priscilla’s music has no choice but to be fantastic.
“I’m definitely inspired a lot by Ted Baker,” Priscilla said. “Lately I’m blown away by this band Little Dragon. I think they are like so cool and really inventive and I just love what they do. Neil Young was my first inspiration when it comes to songwriting and the kind of songs I like to write and listen to. And Andrew Bird was the first one to get me to think about looping my voice because he looped his violin.”
While we all patiently await seeing what Priscilla has for us next, enjoy her latest album “When You Grow Up” by purchasing it on iTunes or Amazon.
Originally printed in the ELIZA Magazine Issue #15.
My Favorite iPhone Cases
May 28th, 2011I just got an iPhone and, of course, I love it. One of my favorite things about the iPhone is the versatile accessories you can buy for it. These two cases are my ultimate favorite.
http://www.grovemade.com/ $89
P.S. If you have an iPhone and haven’t downloaded the ELIZA app, you should.
Kate’s beautiful (and modest) wedding gown
April 29th, 2011In a world fixed on “less is more”, Kate went against the grain in her classically beautiful dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The met every standard I could have set for a beautiful wedding gown: it had the most precious lace sleeves, a flattering shape, and the perfect amount of simplicity. She was even more stunning than I could have anticipated.
Ready for Spring?
March 23rd, 2011It is officially Spring and this video is the most appropriate way to start it off. The video is montage of photos from the Mulberry Spring Summer 2011 campaign, spruced up with visual effects. Enjoy!
Spring Summer 2011 – The Campaign from Mulberry on Vimeo.
Mid-Calf. What?
March 6th, 2011For a long time, full length skirts have been popular. And, of course, knee length. But what about mid-calf? This hemline is making a comeback. You will be seeing many more skirts and dresses that stretch to this length. I personally love it! For a short girl like me, the length is fantastically flattering for my legs and figure. And if you’re tall, even better!
(Top to Bottom: D&G, Charles Anastase, Donna Karen, Rodarte, Wes Gordon)