January 6, 2013
Toronto, ON

I'm Home Sweetland Home after my last great adventure ... It feels good. Nothing like a tromp out into the wilds of the world to remind you of how much you love your own neighbourhood. I opened one suspicious eye this morning, and then the sweet, comforting clang of church bells across the street reminded me it was Sunday. And my bed.

Not that I don't love New York City. In fact, I love it so much I decided to take myself there on a romantic New Year's vacation. My dear friend Juliette throws these magnificent parties in Brooklyn and the theme for her NYE soiree was "Old Hollywood." Seriously, how could I resist? Now, it was not easy for me to decide on a costume for the night. On the inside I feel so Lauren Bacall, but on the outside - perhaps a little more Audrey Hepburn? In the end it was Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra that won out, thanks to my magnificent new emerald velvet gown from Cabaret vintage in Toronto. It's my year to be Queen. Apparently.

And speaking of her ancient royal highness, I also visited her sacred monument, "Cleopatra's Needle" somewhere in Central Park. It was a glorious, frosty day of wandering, bird-watching, and french fry nibbling. (These are a few of my favourite things.) Later that evening I took in a fabulous flamenco show at Joe's Pub, then stopped by Blue Ribbon in Park Slope for my favourite decadent meal: raw oysters and vino. Mmmmm.

On a sadder note, I must report that my famous black and white polka-dot scarf mysteriously disappeared. One day wandering about Soho, NY, I looked down to see it gone ... Sucked right into the vortex, leaving no trace. And coincidentally, it vanished exactly one block from the store from which it originally came. After so many adventures, I guess it journeyed home to meet its maker. At last. (Tear.)

I have prepared a Sweetlandish eulogy video in its name. You can pay your respects here: A Tale of a Polka-dot Scarf.

Sigh.

Love,

xo
K

The new polka-dot scarf in the family! 

More photos from all my recent adventures here.

June 15, 2011 

Brooklyn, NY

Word up from the heart of sunny downtown Brooklyn! Me, myself and my metro card have been roaming the streets of NYC all week on a bit of a working vacation. I left lovely uber-rural Rappahannock county Virginia and rolled right into the concrete innards of the big city... A bit of a polar shift. But balance in one's life is important. My memories of my time in the country are so sweet. The silhouettes of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the periwinkle dusk... The sparkling of the fireflies, the twinkling of stars... Not to mention I got to drive a truck though a field down a mountain. And then back up! I also went kayaking, rump bumping, and had a Virginia mud bath. After which my friend proceeded to catch me a fish and then cook it for dinner. All in a day's work.

Here, a day's work is a different thing altogether. I put on my Sweetlandish heels and take on the town. Went on rainy adventures to Central Park, had a fantastic gig at Banjo Jim's, made strange new friends and caught up with some old ones, hid in dark alleys, waited on a thousand trains... And of course, made a few excellent purchases. As well, it must be noted that the gentlemen on the streets of downtown Brooklyn are quite friendly indeed. Canadians on street corners are far too polite to tell you how much they like your outfit, or how attractive you look on any particular day. Judging from the amount of times I heard the phrase "Lookin' good, white lady!"  I think it might have to be the name of my new album.

I also got to see some great music while in town.  Particular mentions to The Silver Daggers from Tallahassee, FL who played a set right after me on Friday night. They were amazing and so lovely that I had to go see them again the next day! And hier soir, I celebrated my last evening in NYC with pals Blackie and the Rodeo Kings for their CD release show at The Living Room. They were brilliant as always and it was one hell of a time.

And now it's time to pack the van and hit the road. Next stop, Newport, RI! I have an appointment to keep with a certain sailor...

Anchors aweigh,

x

K

 Central Park in the rain...

More photos from my recent adventures here!

May 10, 2010 
Edison, NJ

Nothing says road girl like waking up in a New Jersey Turnpike motel on your birthday. By yourself. But I am happy as can be so long as these directions to Starbucks get me a doppio espresso asap. Driving into NYC this aft, for a haircut, a much-needed manicure and une petite Sweetlandish birthday soirée. Meeting up with pals Luther Wright and the Wrongs, and The Jack Grace Band for their show at The Ear Inn. Whiskey and picked eggs please!!

One year older, 

x

K

 The Ear Inn, NYC 
More Mini Birthday Tour photos here

January 24, 2009
New York, NY

Happy Chinese New Year! I have to say, I don't remember ever celebrating this holiday so thoroughly before. Not since the year of my birth came around last ... Long live the Year of the Bunny! It may have to do with my current extreme proximity to Chinatown, or the seemingly eternal desire of my friends to eat Chinese food this week. Particularly adventurous was my trip to Fuleen, a famous seafood resto in the deep labyrynthian vortex of Chinatown Manhattan (where streets have no name ... and make no sense.) A fish in a tank fell in love with me. There is photographic evidence. Then I ate some of the most delicious seafood I've ever tasted. Deep fry it and put it in my mouth! Tonight, to celebrate even further I'll be heading over to DUMBO for the Shanghai Mermaid Chinese New Year party. But not before I have dinner with my new manager and hit the M83 show at the Fillmore. I have on my celebratory red = luck New Year's gown and hope I can wear these shoes for the next 12 hours ... I guess we'll find out. x
 

Happy Chinese New Year... at Shanghai Mermaid
More NYC photos here.

January 18, 2009
New York, NY

I'm having a "Rear Window" moment. Remember that scene where Grace Kelly sneaks into Thorwald's apartment looking for the wedding ring? Just after her and Stella dug up the flower bed trying to find the dog? Thorwald comes home, Grace Kelly hides in the bedroom. James Stewart watches everything through binoculars from his apartment across the courtyard. Thorwald enters the bedroom ... oh silhouettes! It's a struggle. James Stewart is tragically imprisoned by the brokenness of his leg and can't do anything to help her. But I won't ruin it for you. And I confess, the only similarity between my current situation and that which I described is this: I'm lying in my tiny Manhattan room incapable of moving. And I seem not to be able to keep myself from staring out across the courtyard at all the lights from all the windows in all the worlds beyond that which I know. I think I have the flu. How fair is it that I'm in NYC and sick as a kitten? Hopefully with the judicious application of old movies and hot toddies I will be a warrior princess again in no time. Now, I'm about to have a Cary Grant moment ...with Deborah Kerr at the top of the Empire State Building.

102nd floor please.
 

At the top of the Empire State building ... more photos