Five Best No. 53 March 09 2017

Playlist Winter 2016 December 28 2016

Winter 2016 Playlist - you can listen along right here.

Rescue - Mama Kin

When The Truth Is - Hamilton Leithauser

Real Goodbye - Son Little

You Made Us Change - Ephemerals

Dusty Trails - Lucius

Off The Grid - Beastie Boys

About To Die - Dirty Projectors

Before They Make Me Run - The Rolling Stones

If Not For You - Shakey Graves

Rebecca Tollefsen on The Today Show December 08 2016

My line of personalized lockets was featured on The Today Show's holiday guide for personalized gifts. You can see the video right here. You can shop all personalized lockets here and you can shop the locket given to Dylan Dreyer right here.

Gratitude Rocks Have Arrived In The Shop! December 05 2016

Everyday after school my son joins me at my studio while I finish up work for the day. When I added a little retail spot within the studio last month he was really curious about as he watched me prepare for the launch. He asked if he could participate too. He decided to paint some 'gratitude rocks' that he learned about at summer camp. They are rocks you give to someone you're grateful for or you can carry them yourself to remind you what you're grateful for. If you stop by the studio you'll find his gratitude rocks for sale. They come in a little gift pouch with tag explaining the meaning behind the rock. He is donating all the proceeds to the local food pantry or animal shleter and is very excited about his display. When people come into the studio he whispers to me, "should I tell them about my rocks?". 💘  He came up with which organizations he will donate to on his own and his enthusiasm is adorable! One sweet lady bought one to send to her friend in Hawaii and he couldn't believe it. I'm a lucky mom to have such a sweet guy hanging with me at work each day. UPDATE 4/1/17: all of the Gratitude Rocks have sold out but more on the way! I have received many requests for more Gratitude Rocks and have a list going so if you'd like to be added to the list you can contact me here.

Four Books to Read This Fall October 29 2016

Here are a couple of books I've been listening to while working production at my studio. I listen via the Audible app or through the Overdrive app. The Overdrive app let's you read and listen to books you borrow from your library. You can listen while commuting, getting your workout in, making dinner or folding laundry (which makes that fun task go by MUCH faster).

1. If you liked All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr or The Girl on The Train by Paula Hawkins read: 

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - I've been listening to The Goldfinch for about a year and a half now. It's long at 32 hours of listening! Have you ever read two or three books at a time? That's me with The Goldfinch. I've listened to other books in around listening to this one but keep coming back to it here and there. The book is very detailed but engaging. I have to be in the mood for it which is why I've gone back and forth between this and other books. Donna Tartt doesn't disappoint and if you're an avid reader you've likely read her other books The Secret History or The Little Friend.

2. If you liked Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill or What Remains by Carole Radziwill then read:

Jacqueline Kennedy: Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy by Jacqueline Kennedy, edited by Michael Beschloss. I highly reccomend listening to this book rather than reading it because it includes the actual audio from an extensive interview given by Jackie Kennedy in 1964 just months after JFK was assassinated. The interview, conducted by historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., includes over eight hours of audio featuring Jackie Kennedy sharing her thoughts on her life with JFK. The tapes were previously sealed and then released in 2011 with permission from Caroline Kennedy. They were edited by presidential historian Michael Beschloss. It's incredibly fascinating to listen to her speak at length about her life and her husband directly in that time period. 

3. If you liked The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace by John Paul Lederach or Finding Calcutta: What Mother Teresa Taught Me about Meaningful Work and Service by Mary Poplin then read: 

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle. Father Greg Boyle shares tales from his experience running a gang intervention program in East Los Angeles. From the publisher: "From ten-year-old Lula we learn the importance of being known and acknowledged. From Pedro we understand the kind of patience necessary to rescue someone from the darkness. In each chapter we benefit from Boyle’s gentle, hard-earned wisdom. These essays about universal kinship and redemption are moving examples of the power of unconditional love and the importance of fighting despair." I found this book perfect for short bursts of listening (car rides, cleaning up the kitchen, etc.) because it has many separate tales united by one powerful theme.

4. If you liked Long Time Gone by David Crosby or Laurel Canyon by Michael Walker read:

Wild Tales by Graham Nash - I first learned about this book when I heard Graham Nash promoting it in a radio interview. Something about his voice and accent in that interview was very relaxing which made me want to order it and continue listening to him and his tales. I flew through this book in just two days while doing production. A bit of backstory: my dad is a HUGE Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young fan. Growing up I listened to my dad's records and he had every combination of the group from Crosby, Stills, Nash to Stills & Nash, to just Stills, to CSN&Y, etc. Because I am so familiar with this music it was a bit of a no brainer to grab this book and devour it. It's fascinating to listen to Graham Nash's perspective about his career, some fun tales about the 1960s & 70s as well as stories on how their songs came to life.

Five Best No. 52 September 23 2016

1. This album from Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam (former Walkmen front man & former Vampire Weekend member) was released today. It's been on repeat all day.

2. The documentary Wiener. I can't figure this one out.....can you? Given what unravels throughout the film...why would he still agree to allow the makers to release it?

3. Ever get into a mood for a good movie but don't know what to pick? This list, compiled by NPR, tells you "if you liked this, then you'll like that".

4. Smoke your own cheese. Are you down with that?

5. Tour Jackie O's childhood home which is now on the market in the Hamptons.

Image: Rebecca Tollefsen

Happy Peace Day 2016 September 21 2016

Happy Peace Day 2016! Love this day and what it stands for.  

These Remember Peace stickers are coming to my studio soon for the holiday pop up this November. 

Image & artist: beauchamping