If you like an ukulele lady...

At some point in late February, I decided that the most awesome thing I could do would be to learn how to play the ukulele. Because sometimes I just get the urge to do things like that. And so I bought a blue Mahalo ukulele and got to tab finding. I took an ill-fated quarter of guitar in college, so I'm not completely jumping in blind. Just a little bit blind.

I've gone right into learning how to play songs like Rilo Kiley's "Wires and Waves", Death Cab for Cutie's "Soul Meets Body", and Neko Case's "I Wish I Was the Moon", as well as things like Lily Allen's "Smile" (super-easy!), Rihanna's "Umbrella" (which translates really well to acoustic ukulele), and whatever I feel would be fun. (Surprisingly difficult? "Womanizer" and "Single Ladies", both of which would be a blast to play if they weren't so dang hard! Alas.)

And so, using my ukulele as an inspiration, I put together a little Polyvore set based around the two ways one might play an ukulele: at a luau/picnic, and at a swanky jazz club. (Because why not?)

ukulele lady! - by msjeanneb on Polyvore.com

I definitely wanted the blue accessories to play off of the blue ukulele, with only a couple of close-fitting bracelets so they wouldn't bang against the instrument (which knocks it out of tune). And, if you notice, the dress has fringe to sway a la a hula skirt -- fancy! Meanwhile, the more casual outfit plays with lei-like florals and shell earrings to bring up Hawaii style without running around in a muu muu (though there's nothing wrong with that either).

I'm still working on plunking around with my little ukulele, but if you want to see some really awesome ukulele in action, definitely check out Molly, or sweetafton23 on YouTube. Her covers, including "Toxic" and "Anyone Else But You", are awesome.

So here's the question: what songs do you think I should learn how to play on the ukulele? I'm always open to requests/suggestions...

image from polyvore.com