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My life as a singer, songwriter, new mom, champion for children's causes, and fashion enthusiast. I'm crazy for jazz, blues, old school R&B, and pop. Have also recently added kids music to my repertoire. I'm also mad for fashion, glam, travel, and helping others. But most of all, I'm loving life being mom to my sweet daughter, Ruby, adopted from Thailand. A lot of things to be grateful for and here is where I will share my stories, music news, photos, fun stuff, and words of inspiration. |
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Le Cochon Noir Set List Had a rockin' time with the guys last night! Fun crowd, cool vibe (as always) at Le Cochon Noir, and the band was really swinging. Last night we had Rob Smith on drums, Tony Gairo on Sax, Michael Hood on the bass, and Norm Guarni. The MM5 had a seriously fun night! Shout out to our awesome hosts Jamal Parker and his lovely wife, Mackenzie!  The Golden Globes
Ok, so who watched the Golden Globe Awards last night? I gotta tell you, I love me some Hollywood award shows! Love the fashion, a peak at some of the must-see movies on my list and enjoy seeing all the celebs mix and mingle. At the top of that list - George Clooney! I sware that man is a walking reincarnate of Cary Grant or Gregory Peck or someone else of equal standing. Love his style, class, his down to earth nature. Of course, he's also a brilliant actor. Was glad to see him win and loved his gracious speech.
Now let's talk about red carpet style...  Hands down, Nicole Kidman had the best dress (in my humble opinion). She looked amazing!  Julie Bowen channeling Grace Kelly. Love the dress, the hair...perfection!  Love Madonna and thought her dress was very cool. Gorgeous, yet edgy.  Was awesome to see Octavia win for Best Supporting Actress. She was incredible in The Help. The book was better than the movie, but both were really GREAT. What was your favorite fashion or part of the show? Drop me a comment!  Fashion Friday: Audrey Hepburn & Inner Beauty Audrey Hepburn's Beauty Tips: “For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.  Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!” Wishing you all a beautiful day! Maci  A Big Thank You! Thanks so much to all who contributed. Hope your little ones enjoy the music!  Friday Fashion: Teeny Bunny
I had to do it. When I saw this fab outfit on Etsy.com by Teeny Bunny, my heart just swooned! By now you all now what a retro-loving gal I am so when I found a 1940's-looking ensemble for my 4 year old I click and purchased almost faster than my computer could handle!
This week's fashion is modeled by my sweet and sassy lil Miss...my daughter, Ruby.     Next on my wish list would be these gorgeous dresses:    Are these darling or what? Click HERE to go to the Teeny Bunny Shop. Gorgeous dresses, well made, and beautifully constructed.  Celebrations Around The World Whatever you celebrate and wherever you are in the world...celebrate it with love and peace in your heart! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and Happy New Year!  Russia  South Korea  Christmas at the beach  Hanukkah pup in America  Candle lighting on Christmas eve in Bulgaria  Traditional American Christmas feast  Releasing lanterns in Thailand for New Year's  Christmas nativity scene  Lighting the menora candle for Hanukkah  Christmas in Austria  A family opening up their presents together Christmas morning  Christmas card from Mexico  Christmas in Thailand  Beautiful woman celebrate Kwanzaa in Africa  A choir of children sing at Christmas mass  Pretty European town all it up  Children put on a Croatian Christmas show  Ice skating and snow...wonderful winter gifts  Beautiful trees and snow  Iraqi Muslim & Christian women light candles for Shiite and Christmas together  Christmas in New Zealand  Sweet children celebrate  Girls in Japan singing  Santa visits children in India  Christmas in Japan  American family celebrates Kwanzaa  Singapore Christmas lights  Christmas in the Netherlands  Boston, Mass. A Cardinal feeds the homeless.  Peace and love...universal. Wherever you are and whatever you celebrate. Share it with your friends and family and those in need. Make it your best holiday and new year ever!  Fashion Friday: Green & Black Holiday PackingAs I was packing for the holiday weekend I followed a simple rule a friend of mine taught me years ago while on the road: Pick 2 basic colors and a 3rd for accessories. This makes it so easy (and also lightens the load!) because you need to pack less shoes and accessories. This week I found some fab finds at Macy's. A gift card I got for my bday was burning a whole in my pocket and begging to be used. I found 2 great pieces by Inc. International Concepts - the black faux fur vest below and a gorgeous green and black printed top (not shown). I so loved the color combo, I packed all black and shades of green. Enjoy the fashion and have a fabulous holiday!             Recipe for a Saturday Night A great room...  A nice mic.  Some red shoes...  a saxophone & flute...  Played by one awesome cat.  A swinging band  and a nice crowd  ...all make for a great night!   Food and wine/drinks are awesome here, too! Join us in the new year when we're back at Le Cochon Noir! Check the calendar for dates!  Music Monday: Spotlight on Honi Gordon
One of my favorite singers. Not as well known as some of the other ladies of her day, but really a great find. Such a wonderful voice and keen phrasing. She sang with Mingus a few times and got her start in her family's band. This recording was from 1962, I believe. It's one of the cuts on her solo album Honi Gordon Sings on Concord. Check her out...
My fav cut is this next one: "Why Try To Change Me Now". Great album!  Sneak Peak!
Been a busy few weeks getting ready for Christmas, family visits, gigs, and such. Hence, the lack of posts. Tonight I'm gigging w/my quintet at a real great club - Le Cochon Noir in Philly. Voted one of the best rooms to hear jazz by Downbeat Magazine. Have a nice crowd coming and looking forward to it!
Here's a sneak peak...my set list for the 1st hour. If you're in town, come check us out!   The Music
Aside from all the glamour of the evening, Thursday night was about music. This was my set list -
  Fashion Fridays: Spotlight on Carmelina CoutureToday's fashion post has glamour written all over it. Last night, I had the great pleasure of wearing this gorgeous dress by Carmelina Couture.  It was a Roaring 20's event held at the gorgeous Arts Ballroom in Philadelphia by Noel Zayas Events. The room was stunning. (That cool/funky chair on stage behind me is by Michael d"Amato of Fluid Ribbon). My band and I hit the stage and had a seriously good time. I loved seeing all the gorgeous fashion walking by or hanging out with us in the room as I belted out a few of my favorite tunes. The whole night was about glam, so let me back up a bit....  I started out with the lovely Maritza from Dior. She did an amazing job on my make-up, complete with oh-so-fabulous false eyelashes. LOVED it and loved her. Great lady! (My dress here is DVF - another favorite designer of mine!)  Then I was off to Andre' Richard Salon where cutie pie Christopher styled me up with some gorgeous curls.  All glammed up and ready to hit the stage  Getting ready to do a sound check  Posing for the press. (I'm a ham, what can I say)  The show begins...   With my band. Chad Brown, Norm Guarni, Mike Hood  And with the designer, herself - Carmelina. Check out Carmelina's website to see all her styles on the red carpet. Some really exciting fashion!!! Here are a few looks I snagged off her site...    Carmelina has been a busy gal and I am glad I had the chance to meet her and wear one of her designs. There was a mutual admiration for each others work, too, as she picked up one of my CD's, "Take A Closer Look" to take home with her. Nice. A fab event and a great night for fashion!  Music Monday
I've decided that every Monday I'm gonna try to feature a little music on here. Today's spotlight goes to Chet Baker. Not only an incredible musician (one of the greatest American trumpeters), but he also had a style and voice smooth as silk. LOVE his vocals on "Let's Get Lost". Really love the song, too!
Another gem. The classic tune "But Not For Me" by Gershwin. Humming a good tune is a great way to start off the week. :-)  A Special Day My little family. My husband surprised me yesterday with an incredible anniversary present. We renewed our wedding vows. It was small and sweet and perfectly romantic. After the ceremony, we headed out for a great dinner and then an over night at The Four Seasons. I'm a very lucky and happy woman.  Fashion Fridays: Pan Am
Thought I'd start the off weekend with a new weekly column about fashion. This week's hot list? 1960's style via the fab new TV show Pan Am. With a great cast and nice weekly drama, I would like this show anyway. But add in great music and seriously glam fashion...and, well, I'm hooked.
Here are a few of my favorites pieces seen on the show:  Loved this gorgeous green ensemble, right down to that sleek little bag & gloves to match. Only to be topped by the stunning emerald green gown she wore on another episode. Couldn't find a pic of that or it'd be at the top of my list!  Red and sassy. Love it.   These baby blue dresses say pretty and "Jackie O" and feminine all at once. Love! Stay tuned for your next fashion fix and have a great weekend!  Trick or Treat My little Halloween sweetie. Such a fun time we had!  Finally!
The website is updated! As you can see, I've got a whole new look and new pics to go with it. So take a look around the site - MACIMILLER.COM - see what's new, and by all means - don't forget to listen to the music!
For those fans missing the blond Ms. Miller...don't worry. I enjoy changing it up now and then. I'll be sure to get back to my inner blondness eventually. :-) *All photos by Kate Dressler Morrison of Max and Mimi Photography  Retro Girlie Fun   Loved this impromptu shoot I did this week with Kate Dressler Morrison of Max & Mimi Photography! With a new hair color, new look, new dress, and those oh-so-fab new shoes...I was just itching to get in front of the camera and get creative. With only a few hours notice (and an already packed schedule) Kate jumped in, found this great little alley, and in a half hour or so captured exactly what I wanted. SUCH a GREAT photographer ...and a wonderful person as well. Thanks, Kate!!! Your are SUPERWOMAN in my book!  
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