Belated Music Monday

Sunday was a fun day! Mike and I got up, got dressed, and spent the entire day thrifting! So many beautiful dresses, handbags, etc. Most of it will be going into Honeybean but I couldn't help but find a few things for myself! We rushed home to meet Brian and Christina so we could grab some dinner and head to a show downtown. We opted for yummy Mexican food at Las Palmas (my favorite!) and then we went to 3rd and Lindsley. Jason Reeves was having his album release show and Rosi Golan was opening for him. I love Rosi's voice, music, everything. She played a ton of songs from her new album (which officially comes out on the 30th!). It was so good! She's absolutely adorable so that doesn't hurt! While yesterday was slightly overshadowed with my ridiculously long post about blogging woes, I opted to move the typical Music Monday to today! I don't want anything to distract from this glorious playlist. I'm a little biased because I love it and I put it together but I think you'll like it! I'm a sucker for singer/songwriter tunes, and even more so if it's fronted by a lady with a stellar voice. I can't carry a tune in a bucket so I'll leave that to the professionals. 

Here's some Rosi Golan for you! (I think the first song is so perfect for the here and now!)

I don't wanna wait, I don't wanna wait, I don't wanna wait

Thinking everything is alright.

Moment that I wait, or I hesitates a moment that I waste

And I can see it all passing me by, I can see it all passing me

The streets, the bars, the restaurants. The foreign toung, the ambiance they gave.

A day, a week a month it seems I'm always runnin out of steam

And here are a few Jason Reeves songs in case you aren't familiar (his new album just came out last week!)

Next week I'll be sharing another Nashville resident that I think you'll all like! 

Have you seen anyone live lately that you absolutely adored? Who are your favorite singer/songwriters?

PS; Thank you all so much for your wonderful response to yesterday's post. I was in tears reading everything. It's sad that it took me breaking down, crying to Mike and expressing how much I hated my blog/what it had become and that I actually allowed that to happen for me to wake up. I needed to "out" myself to serve as a wake up call. Couldn't do it without all of you <3

Some Lovely Tunes...

Today is a busy day for me, honeybees! Four freelance clients, boatloads of emails to respond to, sponsorship stuff to take care of and design, and lots of posts to format! Not that I'm complaining one bit! Living the dream and I couldn't be happier :D Gotta make time for some friends tonight, too, so off I go! I'm going to share with you one of the recent albums I can't get enough of! I've always been a Matt Nathanson fan but this album seriously tops everything he's ever done! I love love love it! What do you think?

What song/album/artist can't you get enough of lately? 

I need some playlist inspiration! xo

Listen A Little...

It's been a while since I've been able to post a fun playlist for y'all! Grooveshark stopped working for me on Chrome and after about a month and a half I decided to try it on Firefox from the laptop and huzzah! It works! Here's a few tunes that I've been listening to religiously lately... Hopefully you'll find something new to love!

What are you listening to lately?

MIXTAPE MONDAY: the old 97's

Janelle left a comment on the Wedding Wednesday post with Mike's View last week saying this song reminded her of our little story. I quickly purchased it on iTunes and I love love love it! So for this week's Mixtape Monday I'm sharing a video with the song and lyrics. Maybe you'll love it, too! (The video is not the official video. Instead it is a music video made by a fan!)


Question Old 97's from George Ambrose on Vimeo.

What songs are special to you right now?!

MIXTAPE MONDAY: amos lee.

This week's mixtape is some soothin' tunes by the one and only Amos Lee. There's also a little bit of Norah Jones and Sarah Dobson because I really love those songs. Perfect for today's gloomy weather and brisk breeze. We've got all the windows open and we're about to get to work! It's a great way to make an otherwise humdrum day productive! Happy Monday!

Sunday Spotlight - Musicians: Angus and Julia Stone

Angus and Julia Stone is a brother-sister folk duo hailing for down under in Australia, and their haunting tunes will put you in a lovely little trance. Mike and I have been fans for quite a while and we even want to film a little diddy for y'all on our roadtrip coming up! I could go on and on telling you why you should love these two but the truth is better when you discover it for yourself! Instead of blabbing on I'll show you a couple of photos and include a sweet little playlist with their tuns. My favorites are "For You," "Santa Monica Dreams," "Private Lawns," and "Paper Aeroplane". Enjoy! (PS; they're a pair of lookers, aren't they?! Must have some gorgeous parents!)

MIXTAPE MONDAY: i was fifteen.

Let me preface this by saying that it was 2003. It may or may not have extended until 2005 or so... but... It was a long time ago. Even still, I can feel my heart go pitter-patter just a teensy weensy little bit when I hear these artists and these songs. Yes, this is a playlist of my favorite songs from when I was 15. (I'd like to say "Oh but I'm 22 now and my taste is so much more refined" but the truth is far from that and I'm okay with it. I like what I like!) I remember dance parties in Shannon's basement and long drives to shows blasting Something Corporate and Taking Back Sunday. I remember the loud sing-alongs to The Academy Is... Every one of these songs may not have been 2003 gold medal, but these bands were more than certainly a staple in my adolescence. Seeing as many of you are around the same age as I, maybe you'll get a kick out of them, too!



Now I have an even better idea for my playlist next week! Oh man, I can't wait!

MIXTAPE MONDAY: beat the monday blues.

I think one solid way to avoid the humdrum of Monday is to have a great playlist to keep you going throughout the week. Of course I'm totally biased on all of mine seeing as I created them and it directly reflects my taste in music (sorry if it's different than yours!). Even so, if it's not your usual cup of tea I hope you'll give it a chance and maybe you'll find a new favorite song or two? While I may not have an office job or anything of the sort, these tunes help get me through a lot of work at home!

Happy Monday! I hope it's an exciting and productive work week for everyone! xo

MIXTAPE MONDAY: so many favorites.

I definitely don't mean to toot my own horn here but I'm pretty pleased with this playlist. So pleased, in fact, that I cannot stop playing it. So many of my old favorites... some are 9th grade old, others just a few months. I've featured several on many of my downloadable mixtapes, so you probably have a few in your iTunes. I hope the rest of them are a real treat! I remember listening to Her Space Holiday with my best friend Shannon in high school as we'd drive in my VW Beetle with the windows down. Electric President brings back so many memories of my sophomore year of college and my first summer solo in NYC... wandering around the East Village aimlessly. The feeling from White Daisy Passing by Rocky Votolato is undeniably the same feeling that I get thinking of home... Tennessee. And I'll always love California by Phantom Planet... including covers like this one by Mates of State. This mix makes me want to find all of my favorite people, cram them in my little Xterra and go on a roadtrip! I can't wait until March!

What are some of your all-time favorite songs? Why are they special and what do you relate them to?

MIXTAPE MONDAY: floating.

These songs make me think about what I'd listen to
if I could float on clouds all day.
xo

MIXTAPE MONDAY: soothing tunes.

Powerful voices and powerful songs. I hope you love this one as much as I do! xo

Atomic Tom

I love Sundays. I love knowing that I can sleep in, not have to work, clean the house [!!!], hang out, catch up on Etsy orders, etc. [The !!! for clean the house was so true! I love cleaning! I can't wait to just tear this house apart to day and tidy it all back up. Okay.. done gushing!]. But when I clean, I like to turn on some music really loud, light candles, and just get down to business. Well, today I will definitely be listening to this:



It's just so incredible! I'm in love. I can't wait to snag all of the tunes and just listen on repeat. But really... on iPhones?! Fantastic!

I'll be back with the Sunday Spotlight soon! xo

MIXTAPE MONDAY: rogue wave. [video edition]

This week's Music Monday is the tune that I've been loving more and more lately. I've always been a pretty big fan of Rogue Wave and I've been hearing this specific song all around the interweb and commercials lately. Something just makes it feel good this time of year! 

What is your current favorite song?

Sunday Spotlight - Musicians: The Weepies

I had every intention of making today's Sunday Spotlight about a fabulous, young, budding photographer (I even had it written and scheduled), but then I realized that since today is a very, very special day, a very special spotlight should be shared! If you're wondering what I mean by special day, it is Mike and I's anniversary! I will be sharing more about that later this, but for now it's all about the music! (Here's to crossing my fingers that we both start feeling better and actually get to do something today! We've both come down a bit sickly.)

Today I'm sharing music by The Weepies. I'm sure most of you have heard of them and enjoy their music. I first heard them way back when (like way way back) and fell in love with "World Spins Madly On". Quickly I became entranced by all things Weepies and even their solo work. Deb and Steve met in a coffee shop as they were both solo musicians and they decided to work together. Fast forward a bit, they fall in love, start a band, and have a sweet little boy. While they've released several albums, Say I am You is by far my favorite still.

What's the significance of The Weepies to our anniversary? Well, "Gotta Have You" is definitely "our song". Mike first told me he loved me while that song was playing and ever since it's just been a constant reminder of how wonderful he is. I'm truly blessed and grateful each and every day to wake up next to the person I know I want to share the remainder of my days with. Hopefully you'll enjoy the tunes below! 

Other significance: "Not Your Year" is the song I always listen to when I'm feeling blue. Something about it instantly cheers me up. It makes me think to not be so negative or down on myself. My luck will change. There's always a new day, or year. "Take It From Me" has always been special because I love the opening verse. I have a very very very special of bright red boots and I feel connected to it in some cheesy, silly way. 

Deb Talan's solo work is by far some of my favorite. "Big Strong Girl" and "Comfort" are two songs I highly recommend you listen to.

Hope you loved this week's spotlight! Have you listened to The Weepies before? If so, what's your favorite song? Do you feel connected to any song or verse in particular? If this is your first time listening, what's your take?

MIXTAPE MONDAY: sometimes..

Completely irrelevant to the song choices, and there's a twist: I'm not giving you the playlist up front. No sir. You'll have to download and witness all 10 tunes yourself! Why? Why not! I thought this would be a fun little change of pace (though minor) and you'll just have to trust me! If you've enjoyed my mixtapes in the past, hopefully you will enjoy this one, too! *(and I may or may not have accidentally erased the playlist so I don't really know what order the songs are in even though I have all the titles. Oops! Just being honest here!)*

sometimes it doesn't make any sense...

(click title to download)

MIXTAPE MONDAY: on the road...

Better late than never! I didn't have proper internet access last night at our hotel (or Sunday night... guh!) but our hotel here in Wilmington seems to have lightning fast wifi! Huzzah! I didn't have time to do album art either (I know!) because we've been too busy driving, having sing-a-longs, exploring, and taking in all that is North Carolina! I hope you don't hate me for it!  I can say, however, that this mixtape is awesome. I'm such a fan! The opening song is my current favorite so I hope you love it just as much! 

If you have any suggestions on things to see or do in Wilmington, please send them our way! 

on the road...

(click title to download)

Until next time!

MIXTAPE MONDAY: little house.

This week's mixtape! Before you guys get all Sherlock Holmes on me, I'll let you know that I accidentally put a song on here that was on last week's mix! Oops! Guess it's just that good! Curious as to which tune? Northern Lights by Bowerbirds. Get into it ;) (photo courtesy of MiikeFlynn)

Today will be light as we're hanging out with Susannah and her beau, Chris! We'll be driving back to Tennessee later tonight and I have a whole big ol' pile of homework to do so just hang tight if you don't mind! Next week is going to be fun-filled with adventures and photos, too! Gosh we have so much to share! I hope you all have the most fantastic week!

little house...

(click on title to download)

MIXTAPE MONDAY: aged chords.

Here's a fun little mix of tunes for you this week! Hope you enjoy them!

aged chords.

(click the title to download)

MIXTAPE MONDAY: stars (video edition).

I could whip up a little doozy of a mixtape in no time, but instead I've decided to focus on one song and one song alone today. I had to drive out of town for a little bit today on my own and my iPod just happened to be on Stars as I got in the car. I decided to leave it there and I played "Your Ex Lover is Dead" the entire way there and the entire way back (50 minutes each way). 

It's such a significant song to me. It's absolutely beautiful. The lyrics, the timing, the instruments... I've managed to tack so much emotion to this song and I can't help but cry a little every time I hear it (don't worry, they're the good tears!)

I'm going to post the video and the lyrics below, but here is why it's so special to me... It's like a retrospective look back at a relationship between two people who were better off in the longrun by being apart. She was willing to give it all and truly commit, but he couldn't make up his mind. And here they are... running into each other after such a long time. She remembers him but he can't quite remember her name. She's gone on and met someone she truly loves and while she doesn't regret anything ever happening between them, she's not sorry that it's over. 

Maybe I just feel so drawn to it because it feels so autobiographical, but to know the feeling behind every single one of those words... it's powerful. Being with someone for three years and apparently being the last willing to admit defeat, I can honestly say that I am happier than ever with the person I've found. Life has an interesting way of working itself out. I truly believe the words "live through this and you won't look back"... I'm only 22 so I can safely say that without hesitation, walking away from that three year relationship was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I'm sure I'll be faced with much more trying matters in the future, but for now, that was it for me. And to know that I was able to come out of it stronger than ever, I feel truly blessed... because I won't lie... there for a minute or two, I doubted my ability.

God, that was strange to see you again

Introduced by a friend of a friend

Smiled and said, "Yes, I think we've met before"

In that instant it started to pour

Captured a taxi despite all the rain

We drove in silence across Pont Champlain

And all of that time you thought I was sad

I was trying to remember your name

This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin

You tried to reach deep but you never got in

And now you're outside me, you see all the beauty

Repent all your sin

Nothing but time and a face that you'll lose

I chose to feel it and you couldn't choose

I'll write you a postcard, I'll send you the news

From the house down the road from real love

Live through this and you won't look back 

Live through this and you won't look back

Live through this and you won't look back

There's one thing I have to say so I'll be brave

You were what I wanted

I gave what I gave

I'm not sorry I met you

I'm not sorry it's over

I'm not sorry there's nothing to save

I'm not sorry there's nothing to save 

Do you have a specific song that feels like it was written just for you? If so, feel free to share below! I'd love to give them a listen.

MIXTAPE MONDAY: boys i'd totally snog.

Haha excuse the title/theme of this week's mixtape! It's all about the "Boys we'd totally shag (I mean snog)"...  moreso in that "yeah they may be hipsters but at least they're hot" kind of way. Even Little Boots... because I mean, let's be honest here, she's hot. We'd make out with her, too. Haha (Don't get too riled up!)

No but really... this is the mixtape to appreciate all hipster boys and to finally admit it. It's catchy. It's fun. Sure, it's been done and it's a bit old news, but we can still appreciate it. Isn't it the hip thing to do? To like things after they've long since fallen off the radar? Whatever, whatever! I just wanted to do some fun album art!

boys i'd totally snog.

(click title to download)