Soft Cuts November
It's never too late to reflect. More about my song Porch Light and what inspired me about November
Hi! Today is December eighth, I mean you know the date, but time has been flying and December kind of sprang on us this year with the late Thanksgiving. I don’t know about anyone else, but it kind of freaked me out a little bit. I am sitting here reflecting on November, so I thought I’d check back in with my soft cuts from the month. Better late than never!
What is Soft Cuts you might ask? Soft Cuts is an article under my Substack page. I release one almost every month with things that have inspired me (or not inspired me lol) throughout the month. It is a way to reflect, find gratitude, and to help me dream up ideas. It is almost like a mood board, but it is nice to have all of my creativity in one place. I think they go hand in hand. I chose the name Soft Cuts because one, liked the way deep cuts sounded, but didn’t think that was the right title and I also felt like it is things I think about or have on my mind. Things I enjoy that feel like they made the cut (for me) that month. So, maybe grab some coffee or hey a cocktail if it is that hour and obviously your style, and please enjoy!
My November mood boards…
Buttons, collared jackets, collared sweater cardigans, knitted socks, black and navy, patterned blankets & quilts, hot tea, scalloped linens, tall almost abrasive candelabras, curtains in the doorway, mini trinkets, branches, practicing, statement belt, assorted basket full of gift wrap, lace socks over tights, shawl over a coat, layering cardigans, skirt over jeans, giving yourself but not over extending, running, hosting, going to the movies, paper crafts, negroni’s, vintage bags, warm meals, chocolate cake.
1. Creating…
I released another single in November called “Porch Light.” It’s definitely one of the more emotional songs from the project I’m working on right now. I actually thought I was done writing for the album, but then I wrote this one second to last, and I realized I really needed it.
Even though it was such a recent write, I pushed to finish it and release it quickly. It felt like something I personally needed to do for myself and my own healing. Hearing that it’s resonated with people has been my favorite part. I’ve heard a few stories from listeners who connect with the song, and those conversations have meant everything to me.
The writing session itself was pretty spontaneous. I wrote it with Melissa Fuller, and it felt special. I take a while to feel safe opening up about certain things, and I usually need to know that someone actually wants to go there too. I don’t ever want to make someone feel uncomfortable or trauma dumped on. But, I instantly felt open with Melissa, and that changed the song for me. She’s such an iconic writer, and her melodies just fall right out so naturally. It felt meant to be. I’m grateful I got to meet her and write this song with her.
I had this title and first few lines of “Porch Light” written in my journal, but wasn't sure if we would use it or go that direction. Plus I had a lot of extra vulnerable stuff underneath it that will forever stay locked in my journal. A week before the session, I had been thinking about my dad and imagining him sitting outside on the porch. I felt this longing to talk to him, to hear his voice again. Writing this song was a way to feel that without needing to explain it perfectly. Missing someone like that is so personal, and even though it’s quiet and lonely, it’s something so many people carry in different or even the same capacities.
Writing it made me feel connected and confident in my feelings. It made me feel connected to my dad, to my family, to my art, and to myself. I think that’s the point.
That’s also why I wanted to release it during this season. It feels like a winter song. I picture cold air whenever I think about it. I wrote it at the end of the summer, when it was actually so hot outside, but the whole concept was me imagining myself in the fall and winter of last year. The weather, feeling completely out of it, mourning, etc. I was dreading that memory coming around again and so I decided to write through it in advance. I had never tried that in my songwriting. Writing about an emotion that I could sense would be coming my way. Maybe because it never really leaves. But, I imagined the cold. I imagined seeing my dad’s cigarette lighting up and watching our breath hit the air as we talked.
So it felt natural to release it now, in between seasons that have held so much for me.
Here is a picture of me playing on my best friend’s couch, serenading their dog, and practicing porch light in her cozy Brooklyn apartment.
I also created a few arrangements this month and designed a few events for some fun brands. My favorite was for Jenny Bird. It is literally the only jewelry I wear apart from some of my best friend’s handmade and vintage jewelry brands. I love working with this team, and I have been working with them and with Shop My for a while. The Jenny Bird team is so fun and so kind, and they instantly make you feel like you’ve known them forever, and we’ve only hung out twice. I went with a moody burgundy upright amaranths and red anthurium with chocolate lace throughout to blend the different reds together. I typically don’t love designs with these types of florals being bright red and burgundy together, but I actually ended up loving this look.
I thought it ended up popping nicely with the jewelry and matched the overall menu and aesthetic of Craig’s restaurant in Nashville.
As my events have come to an end for the year, I am so excited to take a little break, focus on decorating my house, work on my music, and spend time traveling with family and friends for the Holiday season.
A few other designs from November…
Grape and Pear Wall for Laura Lemon’s 40th Birthday Event.
Chrome Spray Painted Anthurium with Bear Grass for Lemon Laine x The Outset Event.
2. Listening…
I have been listening to Christmas music, don’t get me wrong, but mostly older Christmas jazz and of course Vince Guaraldi Trio. I can run through that album all December honestly. It is playing in our house almost every evening.
I have been listening to this playlist for about a month now. I also have been obsessed with the new Neighborhood and Rosalia albums. Very different from each other.
Rosalia is literally an icon and I hope we decide to talk about her as much as we do Taylor Swift, because she is truly one of the most talented females I have ever seen in my life. She is doing something no one else is doing and I respect her and her art so much. It actually falls under the line of being too good for everyone to understand in my opinion. That is a thing. The languages, the meaning of the lyrics (I have deep dove into them), the imagery, her style, her vocals, the production, the instrumentation….it is truly a masterpiece and I am inspired.
And so back to The Neighborhood. They have been one of my favorite bands since high school and it is really nostalgic for me. I love their production, Jesse’s voice, the bass….I notice something that I am like “oh that is really cool” in every song. I have seen them live and their show is really good. I am just such a fan and this is my kind of music.
3. Pondering…
I haven’t been pondering much this month, mostly just disassociating :) Going to attach some of my favorite watches and listens here though!
Kendall Jenner Architectural Digest for her mountain home. I would like a mountain home for Christmas please.
Okay so I LOVE AD. I keep up with these videos and feel inspired by them. I also LOVE interior designer Heidi Caillier. She is one of my favorite designers and this home is truly so perfect. She uses patterns and lots of warmth and texture in her designs. She makes things minimal and maximal at the same time, if that even makes sense. Vintage pieces, antiques, and new pieces combined. You can find some of her collections featured through a few different home stores. I love her pillow and rug collection on Joon Loloi!
Gilmore Girls. I am still watching this for the first time. It is really a treat to start this from the top. I think it matters to me a lot more at the age I am at now and I have loved watching it. It is cozy, cute, and heartfelt. It makes me excited to be a mom. I spent my entire Sunday yesterday watching this on the couch and I have not done something so relaxing since I was born. I am obsessed! Not going to lie to you, it is also the perfect excuse to forget about life for a bit.
I love a YouTube vlog. Honestly, when I am bored and don’t know what movie to watch, I will just binge watch vlogs on YouTube. My dear friend Vic has been creating the cutest vlogs and I love watching her make these videos. She has so much to share about with her traveling, wedding planning, designing, outfit styling, makeup and hair styling, etc. She is stunning and her heart exceeds her beauty can you believe it! Watch and laugh and feel inspired!
Yeah, so I went and saw this movie in the theaters and when I tell you I balled my little eyes out, I truly weeped the entire movie. It was so sad and so beautiful. The score. The acting. Watch the trailer and see it if you have the strength.
4. Wearing…
Everything here is thrifted except for my cobalt blue t from Everlane and my lug boots from Loeffler Randall. I have been wearing these boots every day for work. My feet need to be warm right now, especially when I am visiting the market or making 26 wreaths outside. I love that they are a mix of brown and black with a green tag on the back. Perfect for every day.
So, I know that I am talking a lot about Sézane on here. I am annoyed at myself, but I love what I love! Their clothing is great and I truly feel so good in it. All of their pieces hold up and last me forever. This embroidered dress is what I will be wearing for the Holiday’s with tall black boots and or socks and heels.
Love this leather jacket because of the neck line. I love that it leaves room for a layered collar or t shirt, or just to show your collar bones and neck line off. It is so tasteful and easy to throw on when I don’t know what the heck to wear to something.
Shoes above are Charlotte Stone! Obsessed with the color and the material.
5. Keeping…
I have been sourcing art and pieces for our home. I found some incredibly priced oil paintings in Goodletsville??, TN and another in Brooklyn, NY at Good Behavior. If you are local to Brooklyn, you have to check it out. You probably already know about it. My friend Molly got me on it (check out her Sub for treats and some really good reads). Luckily we had Troy’s tour van with us so we hauled some pieces back home. I would find a way to fly with this though….
Cannot wait to find a place for these masterpieces and think it will really tie our place together. It takes time, but it is so rewarding to go out and source your own treasures. It can be a lot more affordable with furniture and other pieces. It is something to do with friends and family over the Holiday’s too. So keep that in mind, you might find some treasures.
Well, I miss the leaves in our yard. I miss this day walking in New York. I am ready for the rest of December. The hard moments and the sweet ones. I am leaning into things and moments that I know will feel peaceful and encouraging. I just spilled water all over my laptop. Not sure how that will continue to play out.
As Holiday season approaches, I hope you can link onto the people that know you the deepest or make a stranger feel loved. I hope you can take the pressure off of yourself and know that you probably did so many beautiful things this year. And the year is simply not over!
Love,
Abby Jane