Things That Make My Day - Cucumber/Celery Juice

Meet Arica Young - the girl downstairs.

Recently, I fell into the trap of focusing on all the things that aren't happening for me, instead of all the things that are. I've come to learn that when I only see what is not going well, then it's almost always a reflection of what is not right within myself. In addition, when I'm acutely aware of what is frustrating me, my energy attracts more frustrating events; and the downward spiral continues. I've had an unusual amount of experiences where I've felt like people in my life have been falling short in their commitments to me. So, today I asked myself: Am I falling short in MY commitments to me? And the answer was inevitably: Yes.

This afternoon, I had the blessing of talking this through with a friend while regrouping my commitments to myself in the areas of spirituality, work, family and health. It's amazing how quickly good things start happening for me (or rather, how quickly I start acknowledging them), after I simply look within myself for what is amiss, instead of what is amiss in others.

Minutes after I experienced this shift in my outlook, I heard a knock at the door. It was Arica, the beautiful surfer girl who rents my basement apartment. She made some fresh cucumber/celery juice and wanted to share the extra with me. This just really made my day and reminded me that life is good and there is so much more to come.

(And speaking of more to come, I will be doing random postings, whenever I feel the urge, about "Things that Make My Day." Feel free to share what makes your day in the comments section below).

Rexburg, HERE I COME!

I love Sam Schultz, owner of Sammy's Café. I love his Sweet Pickles-style bus that says "Sammy's" on the side and I love his pie shakes and sweet potato fries. Sam is opening up a new location in Rexburg, ID on September 11th and I am SO THERE!!! This will be a killer outdoor block party and I can't wait to release my new album, Anchor, to Rexburg while I'm rocking the stage with friends, Fictionist and Benton Paul. If you live in Rexburg and the surrounding areas, why would you not come to this show?! IT'S FREE!!!
I'll see you there.

Rooftop Concert Series

So, if you came to my release concert, then you might remember me talking about the Rooftop Concert Series in downtown Provo and how Brooke White and Benton Paul were going to be doing the first FREE concert of the series on September 10th. But sometimes, things don't always go according to plan and when things don't go according to plan, it always creates an opportunity for someone else (like the fact that I will be taking Brooke's place at the Grand Opening of Sammy's in Rexburg, ID on the 11th. YEAH!). And never fear, Benton Paul will be doing the Rooftop Concert now so if you have any 13-year-old friends (or daughters) I guarantee they will think Benton is HOT STUFF. You must come to the show! For now--an apology from Brooke (and a big congratulations to Brooke on whatever awesome opportunity has come her way! She deserves it.):

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Minnie May Fox

Lately a lot of ladies have been asking me where I get my dresses from. The truth is, almost all of my dresses are from thrift stores or vintage clothing stores. The one on my album cover was a find from a vintage clothing boutique in Burbank, CA called "Hubba Hubba." However, should you choose to visit, prepare yourself for the colorful personality of the owner. I'm fascinated by this woman and was quite entertained by her. But read the reviews and decide for yourself. (Juicy side note: I met one of Hugh Hefner's girlfriends while I was in the store.)

Anywho, I love to hunt for cool dresses and my favorite places to find them are at Decades in Salt Lake City, and Nevin's Thrift Store in Mt. Pleasant, UT. If the dress doesn't fit right (which it often doesn't), then I take it in to Lady Danburry on 55 N, University Ave., in Provo, UT. She has altered a bazillion thrift store finds for me and she does such a great job for a sweet price.

Meet Lynnette Danburry.
(Only her last name really isn't Danburry. She is married to indie artist, Drew Danburry, and that is his stage name. When I asked her what her real last name was, she giggled and said,

"I'm not allowed to tell."

I find that to be insanely romantic.
I mean, stage names for you and your husband and no one else can know your real names?
Mine would be Minnie May and my husband's would be Rabid Fox
(not sure why he picked that out).
But that's cool with me, because then I'd be:
Minnie May Fox
and that sounds awesome.

Lynnette makes super cool purses and clothing. You've got to go check out her little shop.

What would your stage name be?

Singin' the Burnout Blues

Hi.

Remember when I used to blog about stuff?

No?

Me neither.

This is a picture of me on day twelve of not doing my hair or putting on any makeup. That's right. I've been singin' the Burnout Blues. Wait. What? That happens to you too? You see, my little heart wants to race marathons around the world over and over again, but then the reality of my physical body says, "Nope." And then it screams "CUT THE CRAP, GLEDHILL!!!" even louder when I push it past its limits. I've learned to listen to my body when it speaks. So, I'm just going to take one last vacation before the summer ends and then sign up again for a few marathons. For now, I'm interested to know what your most tried and true ways for handling burnout are. Pray tell.

Anchors Away

The release concert for "Anchor" was magical. Thanks so much to all who came. I could just kiss you. Today will be magical too because "Anchor" sets sail in stores and on iTunes. Hurry, go buy it on iTunes here! Then, come back and look at these beautiful photos that my friend, Justin Hackworth took of the sound check and concert at the Covey Center.

If you want to buy the actual album (which you should because the design by Jed Wells and the photography by Wendy Whitacre are both amazing), then you can pick up a copy (or order online) at Deseret Book stores in UT, ID, CA, & AZ, or select WalMart, Best Buy, Borders and Barnes & Noble stores.

And now, I give you, the sound check:

I came to know and love Stuart Maxfield (of Fictionist), who played banjo, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and ukulele for me.

Rod Elwood created a set design and lighting display that made me want to die and go to Heaven. Thanks Rod!

Joe Anderson is my favorite sound guy on the planet. Love this guy.

Bart Olson, knocked it out of the park on drums.

Alex Aponte plays a mean bass, but he's the sweetest guy you'll ever meet.

Sorry to break it to you, but I think I had way more fun at sound check than in the real show.

Look! It's Justin Hackworth!

Backstage hugs.

Stephanie Nielson and I take the motorized couch for a test drive.

I love these sisters.
Thanks to CJane (my title sponsor!) and Stephanie for being the best hostesses!

Krista Maurer is the brain I never had.
She coordinated the whole event and makes the world go 'round when no one is watching.

Meet my twin brother, Matt Mattson. He originally wasn't going to be able to make the show, but he got out of filming "Unicorn City" for one night and surprised me. I love him to pieces.

And now . . . let the show begin!
(That's my trusty guitarist, Spencer Harrison in the background).

Improv comedy group, The Thrillionaires, were hysterical!

This picture of Jake Suazo and Matt Mattson is my favorite one of the whole night.

The crowd was awesome.

"It's all about your heart . . . "

The highlight of the whole night was Jacob Jones' hair.

And the evening wouldn't have been complete without singing "I Do Adore" as the encore. Thanks for the amazing time!
Go get the songs NOW!

Thank You!

Photo courtesy of Jenni Gudmundson

You know who's awesome?

YOU.

All 500 of you that came to my release concert last night.

With every concert, I learn new things and last night was undeniably a great learning experience for me, especially with it being the first show and all. But, I thought it went really well and I'm so glad that you were there to share that experience with me. I loved talking to you and meeting many of you for the first time after the show. Thank you so much for your support. You make it possible for me to continue to record music and today I am feeling so grateful for that.

A big thanks to Justin Hackworth for taking photos of the event, which will be up soon. Also, thanks to Bella's Fresh Mexican Grill, The Italian Place and Rooster for feeding the crew! And thanks to the ever hilarious and lovely CJane for being the title sponsor of the whole event. (And if you haven't seen the video we made on the motorized couch yet, then your life is not complete.) And didn't she and Nie Nie do such a good job as the hosts?

Whoa. Can't forget to thank Rod Elwood and sons for the UNBELIEVABLE set design and lighting and Joe Anderson is the best live sound engineer in all the land.

Also, I'm sure you noticed that my store looked so RAD. That was the work of the famous Margie Romney Aslett. I'm so excited to work with Margie at the upcoming Spark Event, which you must attend if you are a woman and you enjoy creating things! (I'll be speaking and singing. Check it out here: www.sparktheevent.com).

Thanks for all the donations towards Provo's cultural arts! Don't forget to come to the free rooftop concert on September 10th, featuring Brooke White and Benton Paul!

Sending my love to you all.

-Mindy

P.S. I am in love with all the Thrillionaires. Go see their show at The Velour next Monday!

Release Concert Tonight!

Tonight we had a melt down at our house when bed time came. One of my kids (who is quite a bit more sensitive than the average bear) has felt pretty neglected and things got ugly when I told him I wouldn't see him much tomorrow. That's when the melt down came. I couldn't end the day and wake up to an album release feeling like I was a failure as a parent. No concert, no album, no audience could compensate for that. So we snuggled for along time and talked about how we could make things work better. I've been making a lot of movies lately, both home made as well as the music video for "Anchor." He has wanted to be involved in every one so what he really wanted to do was to make a movie with me. Just before hopping into bed, he pulled together a few ideas and directed this video. If you like his work, leave the little guy a comment. As for the show tonight, you can buy your tickets here: www.coveycenter.org or call (801)852-7007. I'll see you there!

Click here to watch the video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5w7GMxPPW4