Raydon

Hi how are you?

It’s been a little while since I have posted because I’ve been focusing on other aspects of my life, like music. I have a pretty magical story behind my musical talents if you like love stories and rock and roll. I’ll try not to be too sappy ;).

I grew up listening to my grandma playing these amazing piano pieces and songs from anything hymnal to old 20’s classics. I would share the piano bench with her and just watch her gracefully hit each note precisely to create this powerful sound. I would sing along with the songs I knew and I even learned a few songs from watching her. She would later catch me teaching myself how to play songs based on me humming a note and then matching that note on the piano and decided I should be in piano lessons. I don’t know what ever ended that desire to play piano however, because after about a year of lessons and even a couple of piano recitals I was on to other things. I also played just about every sport possible so I may have just wanted to be outside running around instead of inside sitting at a piano.

Fast forward about 16 years later to last summer when I found that inspiration once again. I had recently started corresponding with a friend who was always playing shows and writing these wonderful songs and who also happened to be a guy that was very attractive and who I was totally crushing on. This guy saw something in me, a desire to learn maybe, and he invested some time into playing with me and teaching me little tricks and tips and he totally kick started one of the things I love to do most in life. Our relationship bloomed, and besides playing music, we fell in love and conquered the world together (or so we thought). Before I knew it, instead of watching him practice with his band, I was asked to play along a little and I’m not quite sure I was good enough but I eventually became a part of the band ‘Wounded Coyote.’ We actually had our very first gig as a quartet last September at a local martini bar downtown in Amarillo which means I’ve been playing shows for over a year now- which is crazy. We all grew pretty close as a band and as friends and we started playing all over and really just had a hell of a time for a good while. The only reason the band split up a few months ago is because our original drummer moved to Hawaii (can’t be mad at her for that), and our replacement drummer and our original bass player decided to go in a different direction with their music.

Brandon and I have always continued to play together, whether at our house or gigging under the name #Raydon, and we will always share a love and passion for music. I was recently asked by a couple of my lady friends who are very talented musicians to play keys and sing in a band they were starting called Jack & Ginger. We had our first show a couple of Thursdays ago and were quickly asked to play a few more shows around town in the next few months. People are really getting hyped about us because; A. we are Amarillo’s only chick band, and B. we’re girls, and we aren’t bad looking ;). Check us out on facebook or #Jack&Gingermusic.

Music is a crazy beautiful language that makes life worth living for me, and I thank my wonderful boyfriend for helping me to speak that language. Separate or together I hope that music is always a huge part of my life, I dedicate my passion to one very very talented and incredible guy who saw potential in me and who helped make my dream reality. I love you Brandon Todd. #Raydonforever.

Wake me up when September ends

September through Instagram:

In the month of September I officially moved in with my boyfriend, which has been a dream compared to any other living situation I've ever had, we started a duo group after the demise of our last band called #Raydon, and we played 3 shows together opening for our friends bands and then one patio session at our almost favorite dive bar.  My boyfriend also picked up a '63 Norton Commando that we have had the pleasure of riding around town to various venues to support lots of live music here in town before the weather gets too cold. I participated in the annual 'P3' (Pints, Pedals & People) bike event this Sunday with my lovely ladies and we had such a great time that we have decided to make it a Sunday ritual! 

I also started this blog at the first of September and although I've only made 5 posts, I feel as though they were interesting and fun and crafty and I'm very inspired to continue!! 

Follow me on Instagram to keep up with my daily adventures here: rdcunningham

Hope you guys are having a great week so far! 

Fall Wish List

Dear Fall, since i cant avoid you i might as well just dive in head first and hopefully as fashionably as possible. I am such a leo at heart and the thought of summer ending really hurts my spirit, but this year im going to be positive. Fall isn't bad at all! The weather is cool, but not cold, the leaves change to these beautiful red and yellow hues, and who doesn't love a good pumpkin spice latte?? With all these changes in full effect i have been keeping my eyes open lately for my idea of great fall fashion. I'm really into maxi dresses tall booties and gold jewelry right now. Keep in mind lots of layering and scarves too of course!

1. Martha Glasses c/o BonLook / 2. Bryant Park Life Dress c/o ModCloth / 3. Garage Band Together Bootie c/o ModCloth / 4. BDG Cuffed Vegan Leather Leggings c/o Urban Outfitters / 5. Onyx Shapes Collar Necklace c/o Jeweliq / 6. Kahsha High Top c/o Target / 7. Monserat de Lucca Paper Plane Necklace c/o Urban Outfitters / 8. Burst of Brilliance Dress c/o ModCloth / 9. Oxford Buckle Satchel (which i just picked up on sale here>) c/o Handbag Heaven!

Hope you all are getting in the spirit of fall! Before you know it ill be decorating my house with pumpkins... But really?? Have a great Tuesday! ;)

Vintage Record Rack Restoration

Last weekend, while actually 'tiquing' (antiquing haha) on ol Route 66 on the Triumph motorskooter, Brandon and I stopped by our favorite vintage shop 'Heroine Vintage' to check out the selection.  Before I could even walk inside a little rusty gold rack caught my eye.  I mean it couldn't have been a week prior that I was wishing we had a better set up at our house to put my record player and records in.  I figured we (Brandon) would end up building something, but this was exactly what I was looking for!  It isn't wood like I'd imagined but, dude, it's gold.. And what's better than gold? Nothing. 

After grabbing up this little piece and bringing it to the house I was super excited to get it all cleaned up and like new in our house!

There was a lot of rust on this thing, which Brandon assured me would come off with a little touch of steel wool. 

So about 3 (pretty hard) hours later, about 4 beers and 2 records later I was covered in grey fuzz and I had scrubbed all the rust off of my rack that was physically possible.  There are areas where the rust actually tarnished the metal so it appears a little dull but over all it looks really good!

***drum roll please***

Tadaa! I'm in love!

Not only does it add a sweet vintage look to the room but it compliments my crosley perfectly!  It's super functional and I can see this rack sticking around for a while.

House projects are awesome because you get to see them, well, everyday! It only inspires me to get more creative!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Succulent Love

Recently, after an overload of cute plant blogs i have viewed, i decided to indulge in a little succulent project. It might not even seem like a big deal to someone with a green thumb but I'm a total beginner and this was very exciting for me. I recently moved homesteads and in the process of buying moving boxes from the local Home Depot i pleasantly ran into a full arrangement of hot weather plants that were on sale (because whether i like it or not fall is coming). I bought 6 tiny plants and an amazing vase and some special cacti/succulent soil that drains well and i was off to create my first arrangement! In all my excitement i threw away all the tags telling me each species that i got so i had to do a little research to try to match the types for my records.

My creation! :)

This is a bright orange cacti (which i actually heard they inject with color, so as it grows it will fade). 

These are (I'm 85% sure) a form of Crassula ovata, or 'Jade'.

Another wonderful form of Cacti called Pincushion Cactus (Mimmillaria) with the ability to bloom.  See the tiny little white thing popping off the side?  That has a pretty pink center.

This is some form of 'strange' succulents, which i loved because of the purple-ish contrast it brought to the concoction. 

These are (once again don't quote me on this) forms of Echeveria and Jade.

And that big center succulent is called a Sempervivum Tectorum, and it is awesome! ;)

I love this ombre painted vase, you can snag one just like it at Home Depot for $20!  I am pretty proud to say that i have yet to kill any of these plants.  Good thing they are so low maintenance!  The hardest part is just knowing when to lay off the water.  My method is this: pay attention to the plants.  If they are lacking in sun, their limbs will actually stretch out towards the direction that the sunlight is coming from which probably means they need to be closer to a window or even just outside.  The sun in the east is better for these plants than the harsh westward setting sun.  Also, check the leaves and if they are forming scabs on them or drying up then they are probably getting too much sun and getting 'sun burned'.  I potted these guys in a cacti specific soil that drains well and honestly the only way i water them is with a spray bottle.  I just get the surface wet and then walk away, I've been told its really easy to over-water since these are pretty much desert plants.

Wish me luck.  I'm kinda attached to this arrangement of wonderful succulents and I'd really hate to have to say goodbye to any of them!  

The Norton

Good afternoon and a good week it has been! Labor Day festivities made this a short yet long week for me and I don’t think I’m the only one. I think it’s the fear of my beloved summer coming to an end that has made this week drag on, like I’m filled with anxiety that if the weekend doesn’t get here soon then I’ll never get to enjoy another hot summer weekend. Thank God It’s Finally Friday.

I have officially been in my new residence with my love for a week now, and it has been such a smooth transition! Last Friday B drove to OKC and back to pick up his new motorskooter while I moved my remaining household items in. B decided it was the right time for a new vintage motorcycle project and went and picked up a ’73 Norton Commando. It’s a beautiful monster with an 850 engine – which just means to me that it’s capable of going really fast – I experienced that Saturday when we finally got to ride! I’m no hardcore biker woman but I am definitely Brandon’s biker babe. I like to wear high heels and cute muscle tanks rather than the leather and chaps sort of thing.

Later Saturday night after hitting up a family BBQ we went out on the town with some friends and ended up at a peculiar little spot called the circus room which is totally decked out in circus decorations, it totally reminded me of a spot in Austin I visited a time or two called the carousel lounge (but not as cool). It was a helluva weekend and now that it’s Friday I’m going to try and have just as much fun as I have been even though summer is coming to an end. I foresee pool time, music & lots of friends in these next couple of days. Cheers!