Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Amazingly Talented Friends!!!

Sometimes I am amazed at my wicked awesome talented friends and the things they are doing in their lives. I feel selfish, at times, that I know about them while others are in the dark. So this post is to help me help you get to know these incredible people and their amazing talents!!!

Okay so she's my sister so I'm biased but she is very talented and wicked funny! Dani recently graduated in Graphic Design from BYUI and she's really good at what she does. If you need a wedding announcement, graduation, business cards, etc--she's affordable, reliable, and timely!

I have heard many musicians/singers in my life and I would say Catherine is at the top of the this. This lady can sing and play and write music like nobody I know. You want to know her and her music--your life isn't complete without her in it!

Her new album, "Anchor" is coming out very soon (I can't wait) but you can find it streaming on her blog. Mindy and I have been friends for years and I love how much of herself she pours into her songs. She is genuine and so loveable! If you've heard her sing you love her voice. If you've heard her story you love her heart!

I have known these sisters (and their very talented older sister)since they were wee little things! Katie & Liz have both traveled all over sharing their love of the fiddle & Cello! Katie is is teaching violin/fiddle lessons and performs all over UT While Liz is going to grad school and performing in Limerick, IR. If you get a chance to hear either of them play you will feel edified and inspired! They are also (when they squeeze it in) part of a family band (they are amazing) called Fiddlesticks!

Shaun Barrowes: (Touring)
I've posted about my friend Shaun before but he is doing really cool things these days. He is singing in high schools for the Arts, he's touring, he's auditioning dancers, and so much more. His music is teaming up with Choreographer Mandy Moore (SYTYCD) & Jason Celaya (also my friend) and some incredible dancers for a his Live For Music Dance Competition for his tour and a Hip-Hop Music Video. So if you didn't check him out when I plugged before you really should this time around!!

She takes care of broken books at Harvard during the day but at night she is one amazing seamstress. I can't believe the costumes this girl makes. I won't be surprised at all if she is the costumer of some major British Novel turned Film in the near future! Check out her Costume Blog!

He has an incredible studio called, "Dirty Water Sound & Music" located in Charlestown, MA. He is talented, smart, sassy, and did I mention he's talented. If you're out in Boston and need a place to record your music--he's affordable and the best!

The thing I love about Brad's photography is he takes pictures of the things that are real, in their original setting, and in their glory. While he does touch up some photos he tries to get whatever he shoots in the best natural setting! He work speaks for itself (but he will tell you their stories if you ask)!

I have know Seth for years before he was a wicked awesome photography. We would drive through Boston late at night in his Spider with the wind in our hair--it doesn't get much better than that. Seth is super talented as a photographer and if you love the picture on "Dirty Water Sound & Music's" Website there's a reason (he took it)!!

These two love birds were photographers on their own and joined forces to be quite the dynamic duo! I am very biased and absolutely love them both--but they are also very talented and have a lot of experience. If you want incredible photos from amazing photographers get a hold of them--you WILL be amazed!!

I LOVE what Brandon does with his camera! Once you start looking at Brandon's site, "Flint Photography" you can't stop looking at the amazing artistry he welds with his camera. Brandon is one talented guy, who has an amazing supportive wife, and gets it when it comes to pictures you want to actually hang on your wall or display for all to see! He is worth every penny!!

She can rock it with her music skills as well as her photography skills. She is in love with life and her fiance! Her music and her photos have a depth and maturity that many other photographers lack. Check out her "Shade Tree Photography" website. Also you can check out her portfolio site!

This girl can do it all! I was roommates with her in Boston and we had such adventures. We built a turtle terranium, made many videos, and laughed all the time. Remember her name b/c she in the works with a few of her novels that are bound to be prime time. Besides writing she is an amazing artist! To know her is to be happy!

Chad does amazing things on his guitar! Chad & I go way back and I just think his wife and kids are amazing! Besides being an amazing musician Chad is also the owner of "Align Chiropractic & Rehabilitation" where he is a Chiropractor! So whether you need some good music or need a good alignment--he's your man!

I love Channing! She makes incredible Bunt Cakes and other types of cakes. Just when I couldn't rave about her cakes any more than I already do she started a photography business also! So whether you need pictures for your wedding or a wedding cake--Channing is the right choice!!

She is a friend and a mother who's daughter died tragically. She has taken her grief and created an amazing place where people can come together and share their stories. As creator of "A Good Grief" she has touched countless lives and has been in many articles, TV shows, and her story is so honestly and sincere that you can't help falling in love with Molly and her Lucy!

* For my friends that I may have forgotten I am sorry and would LOVE to shout acclamations to your talents on my blog so leave a comment*

Friday, July 09, 2010

An Open Letter to...Someone I Don't Talk to as Much as I Would Like

Dear Kristin (Kris)-

I just saw a picture on FB with you, John Bonner, and a few other friends and I found myself very nostalgic for our days in Provo. I MISS U!

Sometimes in life we just go about living and one day we realize what we had and wish we would have taken more advantage of it. When it came to you I knew, in the moment, how amazing you were and how my life was better with you in it! I have no regrets when it come to our friendship! We laughed hard and we cried. We wrote on the mirrors with dry erase markers. We danced in the kitchen, sang when we pleased, and had some incredible roommates!

There have been many friendships/relationships in my life where I was brought into someones life for them. There is not question in my mind that you were brought into my life for me. You were & are a tender mercy in my life. You completely changed my perspective on girl friends! You loved me not matter what. You let me catch your tears.

I knew I had to do something drastic to keep you in my life forever so I introduced you to your husband and sealed my fate with yours forever! Ha Ha! Sometimes I hate Canada for stealing you both so far away but Canada brought you to me so I'm also grateful to her.

Just know I love you, I think about you, I'm interested in your life, and thank God that you let me let me hold your heart and that you held mine. I am better for knowing and loving you!

Love Lots, Kylee

Thursday, July 08, 2010

An Open Letter to...My Favorite Internet Friend

Dear Bloglines-

You are one of my very favorite Internet friends! I don't know what I would do without you. I have over 45 family blogs, 140 friends' blogs, and 12+ other blogs that I follow (some more than others). You keep them all organized, let me know when people have updated their blogs, and so much more!

You have no idea how much time you save me from checking everyone's blog. You have all my subscriptions in one place and to me you are almost magical! Thanks for being such and awesome friend!

Kylee

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

An Open Letter to...An Ex-Boyfriend

Dear Joshua-

I think you gave me one of the sweetest, it not the best, gift I've ever received from a boyfriend (that I'm dating). When you and your niece and nephew made me that African Adventures game I was so amazed and surprised! I don't know if I adequately thanked you for that??

You made it with so much creativity and love. The paper binoculars, the plastic animals, the construction paper land and water--all those things were awesome. I think my favorite part was the tribal tattoos you included. I LOVED it all.

I think I was stressed with finals (not my best time of year) and trying to get everything together for my BIG trip to Africa to truly appreciate how awesome, creative, and loving that gift was to me.

So I'm writing you now (and to everyone who reads this) to say THANK YOU!! I want to thank you for that gift, all our great conversations, the car rides, the adventures, and so much more that we had together. I'm grateful that you were in my life and I'm grateful that you are happy!

Take Care, Kylee Shields

Friday, July 02, 2010

An open letter...To a Stranger

Dear Mister who was in the car behind me,

You don't know this but I have never driven around in Boston! I never had a car out here so even when I was in a car I wasn't driving. So when you were so rudely honking at me the second the light turned green there a few things you should know.

1. It's been a long time since I've driven a stick shift.
2. I am not the owner of the car I was driving (it's new to me).
3. I don't know my way around from the airport to Somerville
3. I think I was doing an awesome job of not getting stressed, not stalling, and making my way around.

So I hope you have a better day cuz it sure seems you were in a bad mood at 7:00 am!

Kylee