I Heart February: Chantilly Songs

I knew this year that I really wanted to add a little variety here on Shades of Monet. Once February rolled around, I saw nothing more fitting than to do a little love inspired theme. Without further ado, Chantilly will be kickstarting it for me here today.

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Hello, friends of Shades of Monet :) I'm Chantilly. Crazy cat lady, lifestyle blogger, and singer-songwriter.

In honor of the Month of Love, Marisa asked me to share the story of my music- which has been a complicated "love story" for me. The more I look back at my life, the more I realize how it's functioned as a way for me to overcome fears and obstacles.

I've had a knack for singing since I was very young, and was always drawn to music. But growing up, someone very close to me was abusing me. That person also happened to be a musician. This obviously had a big impact on my life in many ways, and my budding talents took a hit, as well.

my brother and i feeding pigeons in the park

Being a little kid, your mind twists around and draws all sorts of conclusions to try to make sense of what's happening. So for a long time, I had the feeling that musicians and certain kinds of instruments were bad. Among other reasons, this made me close the door to music for most of my childhood, and caused me to have a "late start."

However, when something wants to grow, it finds a way. I found that I was drawn to singing and writing songs, despite my negative feelings about it. I was overly critical of myself, and had horrible stage fright, of course. But even though I found a thousand and one ways to push myself down, for some reason still I kept going.

I got a digital recorder, and started writing songs on a casio keyboard. I enrolled in the music program at Community College, and started studying music theory and classical voice. Then finally got accepted to Purchase College... where I learned how to play guitar and perform my songs live.

Since then, I've felt myself slowly letting go of my troubled past, becoming more positive, actively pursuing goals, and letting myself experience the things that I'm naturally drawn to.

I've made a lot of things happen that I never would've dreamed of. Most recently, I recorded an EP with my college friend, Saul. I then decided I wanted to help fund it through a Kickstarter campaign (Marisa was a backer!), and my project ended up being successful!

Right now, I'm working on the logistics of putting out this new set of recordings, which I am so proud of. I also started teaching private music lessons, and this is my main source of income right now!

Future goals include playing more shows in and outside of NYC, seeing my songs featured in movies/ TV shows/ commercials, and growing my network of like-minded folk :)

Thank you so much to Marisa for asking me to participate! I didn't intend to share so much of my story... but I hope I've inspired someone out there. If you've ever felt held back for any reason, please know that you can work through your problems and achieve your goals. I know it's not just as simple as me saying so, but I'm living proof :)

xoxo,

chantilly

www.chantillysongs.com

www.twitter.com/chantillysongs

www.youtube.com/chantillysongs

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Thanks so much Chantilly for sharing your heart and love with us today.  It's not hard to see that you truly have music in your soul, and are quite an inspiration especially to a musician like me.   For all you darlings who have not checked out her blog or music yet, I would most definitely encourage you to do so.  You will not be disappointed:) 

Avalanche Lane

Outfit Details: Dress: Vintage//Cardigan (worn as blouse): Modcloth//Scarf & Brooch: Antique Marketplace//Tights: We Love Colors//Shoes: Seychelles

It started snowing again here where I live.  Goodness, I swear it never stops though everyone else who has lived here much longer is continually telling me this is a mild winter...hehe, oh my, I guess I should be quite thankful for that then.

I don't know what it is about corduroy dresses from my past, but it seems they somehow have been making their way back to me as of late.  Remember the last one from here?  I owned this exact one when I was in middle school, but in olive green and there it appeared to me in red the other day when I was out vintage shopping.  Kind of sweet actually and fitting for this week of the Valentine.

That's all for now darlings!  See you later on this week, but first I have a very special blogger friend taking part in a series called "I Heart" that will be starting this Wednesday.  Can't wait to share her touching post with you.

Until next time!
Love bunches,

Mountain Air

Outfit Details: Dress: Modcloth//Blouse: Thrifted//Floral Crown: DIY//Tights: Topshop//Boots: Thrifted

Saturday is here again and today will be spent in total bliss doing not much of anything except staying at home, cooking chicken noodle soup, and hanging around with my family, reading children's books, playing games, and well just relaxing.  We haven't had a weekend like this in quite awhile as we've been away here and there visiting family, so this is indeed refreshing.

As I plan to take advantage of every last second of it, you can see that my dressing today is far more casual (for me at least) and I even broke out my recently thrifted boots to go tromping around in the snow just outside our house.  Sounds like a long walk under the sweet sunlight and fresh mountain air is just what the doctor ordered.

Oh and in case you haven't heard yet...the very lovely Chantilly is doing a $50 Urban Outfitters giveaway over on her sweet lil ol blog space, Chantilly Songs.  Click here to enter:)

Happy weekend darlings!
Love bunches!

South Street

Outfit Details: Dress & Bag: Vintage//Hat: UO//Shoes: Modcloth

Good day Darlings,
Total flashback - These photos were from the other weekend when I was in Philly.  Goodness me, I love South Street!  No lie, it's probably my favorite place to go when I'm down in the city.  Whether it be to catch a show at the cozy little TLA or grab a coffee or peruse a record store or vintage shop...Albert and I have always loved wasting our time away here on this street from the very beginning.  We have woven so many memories here to say the least.  It may not be the cleanest or most polished street, and perhaps you'll even stumble upon the infamous Condom Kingdom...(yikes, never been there but can you spot it?), but it's diversity gives it a raw energy like none other for such a small lil ol place.  If nothing else, you'll have a blast people watching.

Oh the places we go: so tell me, where do you fancy spending your time at?
Hope your Thursday finds you well!
Love ya bunches!

What's for Dinner: Quinoa

Hi Darlings!

As promised, here is the recipe for the quinoa I so raved about in my last post.  This is one of my new favorites to make because it's just the perfect amount of spice and it's very filling, but healthy at the same time.

I absolutely adore cooking and experimenting with different kinds of food and recipes to make them my own, so it's pretty rare that I measure - especially with seasonings.  I definitely don't make it a science.  If you decide to try this one out you will find that you don't need to be a master chef to master this one.  It's easy and oh so delicious!  

What you need:

- 1 tbsp. of olive oil 

- 1 small onion

- 1 red pepper (optional)

- 3/4 cup of white quinoa (rinse first)

- 1 1/2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth

- Salt

- Pepper

- Cayenne Pepper

- Cumin

- 1 can of black beans

-3/4 cup of corn (I used frozen)

- Handful of cilantro

- 3/4 cup of medium salsa (optional or in place of cilantro)

Directions:

1.  Saute 1 small onion in olive oil until translucent. Add a red pepper if you desire.

2.  Add 3/4 cup of rinsed quinoa and 1 1/2 cups of your broth.

3.  Add seasonings - salt, pepper, cumin and cayenne pepper - I don't measure, but add enough to flavor    sufficiently.  I am very generous with the cumin.

4.  Bring to a boil then cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes

5.  Add black beans (rinse first), corn, and cilantro and heat through.  If you don't have cilantro you can add salsa instead.  I add salsa in addition to the cilantro as I like a little spice.

  

6.Taste and see if more seasoning is needed and buddaboom you are finished...now see how easy that was!!  Enjoy:)

There you have it!  Happy cooking and see you later on tonight with my regularly scheduled post:)

Love bunches, 

In the Mood

Monday, monday...it's just one of those blah kind of days, but I decided to dip my feet in the water in search of a little spice and try out my little sis's quinoa recipe.  When I was at my parent's house this past weekend, she made it one night and I simply could not stop myself...pretty sure I had four helpings, maybe more, but who's counting?  Certainly not me!  Good thing it's healthy...and did I mention it's delightfully scrumptious-dilly-umtious too!  

That's all for now darling dears.  I'll be posting the recipe in case your curious, or perhaps you have one of your own.  Either way, this one won't disappoint.  

Lately I've been in the mood for some Glenn Miller and Twizzlers Cherry Nibs.  

I'm very random like that:)

Have yourself a sweet week!

Love bunches, 

Just Me and Keane

Outfit Details: Dress: UO//Blouse: Modcloth (gift from hubby)//Hat & Cardi: Target//Shoes: Seychelles

Happy weekend Darlings!
Today finds me out of town again...this time in my hometown to celebrate my little sis's birthday.
I'm oh so busy and things seem to move at a fast pace lately...I guess this is what living out of a suitcase does to you.  These photos were snapped last week on an afternoon spent out and about running around and my little guy Keane tagged along.  Afternoons with him are the most fun.  Can I just tell you how much he has my heart?  Cold and dreary, windy days are the worst in my book...but lots of color and this little dude always make the day a whole lot brighter.

Wishing you a bright weekend.  Any exciting plans on your horizon?
Hope to catch up with you loverly darlings very soon!

Love Bunches, 

Wonderland Woods

Outfit Details: Dress: Darling via Asos (Gift from Hubby)//Hat: Handmade by friend//Sweater: Thrifted//Neck Bow: Taken from another dress//Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Why hello there darlings,
It's February 2nd...hooray!!!  I would have been typing this on February 1st, but those darn sniffles had me on the couch all day, though that's besides the point.  It's now the month of love (please don't gag) and I am ever so delighted because that means January is finito and I made it through in one piece not frozen into a solid block of ice.   Guess I'm being a little dramatic here.  If I've learned one thing about living in the mountains...it's to appreciate the snow.  I can't deny, it's pretty darn beautiful.  These photos were taking just at the end of the road on which I live.

I do have some fun little things up my sleeves this month, but right now I must be off as the confections call me.  Lots of cupcake baking in order for my sister's birthday this weekend.

Tootaloo for now!!
Love bunches,