Mundane Mysteries

(via)

With the unfortunate news of Gwenyth Paltrow and Chris Martin's "Conscious Uncoupling" life hits perspective.

"Someone once told me a story about long term relationships. To stay the course, to stay intentional, to stay curious and connected — that’s the heart of it. But it’s so easy to lose track of the trail, to get tired, to want to give up or to want a new adventure. It can be so easy to lose sight of the goodness and mystery within the person sitting right in front of you. That continent idea inspires me and makes the ache when it comes hurt a little less. To know that it happens to all of us. What I’m realizing now is that sometimes the ‘same old same old’ can actually be rich, worthwhile and a great adventure.” 

- Joy Williams

(After searching in vain for a source to this quote, all I know is that it came around the time The Civil Wars went on hiatus. They are still on hiatus.)

I love this quote because it allows for the infinite possibilities of a person, and more specifically, for two people together. Stay curious and connected.

Life is an adventure and even the mundane is a blank canvas of adventure.

a little burst of inspiration

Here's a soundtrack to complete the whole inspiration theme of the last couple of days. While I'm writing it serves as good "break" music as well. Every hour, one 10 minute break keeps me sane.

Also good for hibernation during cold winter days, as is expected tomorrow.

(via)

Animal- Mike Snow

try not to dance.

Fix You- Coldplay

absolutely perfect lyrics.

Give Me the Beat- Ghostland Observatory

the best personal theme song. (because everyone needs a theme song)

The Middle- Jimmy Eat World

take me back.

Louder Than Ever- Sarah Jaffe

hauntingly thoughtful.

Do You Realize?- The Flaming Lips

beautiful.

Guns and Horses- Ellie Goulding

Unique, powerful voice.

Welcome to my life, Spotify!

This morning I unassumingly clicked on someone's playlist link in Twitter, under the program Spotify. It was not a virus (thank you Jesus), but the newest advancement in music sharing!

Because sometimes my Mariah and other 90s Fascinations playlist just doesn't hit the spot and this variety of recommendations is priceless.

(via)

I'm a big music-discovery person, spending countless hours cherishing those 30-second and then 90-second clips in i-tunes before solidifying any purchases. While I'm still on my first shared playlist, the love is apparent. You can see other music recommendations from your Facebook friends, and you can click on the play button within Facebook to listen to the recommended songs of your friends in their entirety. Love at first sight.

As soon as I solidify the most perfect playlist, I will share via Twitter. Stay-tuned! 

Dance.

(via)

9 to 5- Dolly Parton

love everything about this song.

The Show Goes On- Lupe Fiasco

Theme song for my life movie.

Just Dance- Lady Gaga

This will always be my favorite Gaga.

Up on the Roof- The Drifters

Doo-wop.

Better Than Revenge- Taylor Swift

"No amount of vintage dresses gives you dignity."

Boyz- M.I.A.

Because it makes me feel gangsta.

Takin' Pills- Pistol Annies

Pistol Annies are the best thing to happen to country music.

Sometimes- Michael Franti

Dance it out.

The Playlist of Summer 2011

(via)

Summer always goes hand in hand with music. Pool parties, road trips, late nights, they all require the perfect soundtrack. 

Here's my take for Summer 2011:

Hello- Martin Solveig & Dragonette

Every playlist needs a dance.

Knee Deep- Zac Brown Band (feat. Jimmy Buffett)

The perfect summer anthem/attitude.

Everlasting Light- The Black Keys

Rock that means well.

Heaven- O.A.R.

"No direction" is a good summary of summer.

Silly Love Songs- Wings

From Moulin Rouge to Glee, I always love this song.

I Don't Feel Like Dancin'- Scissor Sisters

A song for saturday: morning, noon and night.

I Wanna Go- Britney Spears

I love Britney. I love Bravo. (and summer camp)

That Was Just A Dream- Cut Copy

A soundtrack to my daydream.

The Cave- Mumford & Sons

Best lyrics of the bunch.

Back to Bonnaroo

25 is shaping up. My new job is great (and time-consuming, hence my neglected blog), while Dallas is slowly growing on me. Last weekend I went to a music festival, Bonnaroo, in Manchester, TN. The music begins Thursday night and goes on until Sunday night. Exhausting. Jeff and I drove 12 hours through Texas, Arkansas and finally Tennessee to get there, and camp. Yes, you camp at the music festival. And you have to pay for private showers, an investment worth making. 

The heat was horrendous and I went home with a face so sunburn that it was swollen. And I wore sunscreen. The music plays all day, but the big shows start near midnight and last until 4 a.m., yes, 4 in the morning. However, I was so exhausted that I never had a problem sleeping in our tent. Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons, The Black Keys and Walk the Moon were my highlights. Arcade Fire put on an amazing show and were just interesting to watch. Mumford and Sons sounded better live, which is a hard feat to pull off. The Black Keys were perfection, but didn't play the whole set, so I'm upset with them. And no one had heard of Walk the Moon, so we were able to stand right next to the stage! 

All in all, it was a great experience, but we are both on the fence as to whether we would ever do it again. I doubt it. From now on I will stick to Austin City Limits and enjoy going home every night, sleeping in a bed and taking a shower every morning. 

There was also Yoga every morning with coconut water and I will be forever grateful to Bonnaroo for getting my boyfriend on a yoga mat! Mission accomplished. (He wouldn't let me take a picture.)

Tuesday SXSW Tunes

Don't let me fool you. I did not attend SXSW this year. However, with the beauty of technology, I can pretend. After scouring reviews, watching videos and listening endlessly to various acts from the impressive lineup, I've correlated a list of my potential favorites. Just because I wasn't there, doesn't mean I can't pick a favorite or two. Poser? yes.

Walk the Moon- Anna Sun

It's love. The video made my day.

King Charles- Love Lust
"lust only grows like anger and revenge or beauty comes and goes but love stays until the end."

NewVillager- New Doors

Haunting, good beats, best for late night driving.

The Walkmen- I Lost You

Classic rock...eventually.
Gemini Club- Future Tidings

a dance/techno jam
Meiko- Boys With Girlfriends

I've been listening to Meiko for a while, good for rainy days and cooking adventures.

The Chain Gang of 1974- We at the Disco

A song for your goofy dance, or maybe that's just me.

Calvin Harris- I'm Not Alone

Interesting.

David Donero- South of the South
Amazing Songwriter, sounds similar to Bright Eyes.

Ellie Goulding- The Writer

A song for dreams and sparkels! First heard here.

Cloudy Weather Music

Till the World Ends- Britney Spears

Love when Britney gets it right!

I want to dance till the world ends.

The Call- Regina Spektor
Great lyrics, perfect voice.
Mushaboom-  Feist
"Watching the fire as we grow.."

Each Coming Night- Iron and Wine
As close to a grownup lullaby as they come. goodnight.

Don't you Want to Share the Guilt- Kate Nash

The breakdown near the end is rewind-worthy.
Trouble- Coldplay

Perfect Rainy Day/Driving song.

I Know I Know I Know- Tegan and Sara

"This love isn't good unless it's me and you."
Roll Away Your Stone- Mumford And Sons

The whole CD is beautiful: lyrics, music, voice.
Wild World- Cat Stevens

It's a wild world.

Pocketful of Sunshine- Natasha Bedingfield

Easy A nailed my feelings for this song exactly.

And I'm doing this later. Join me.

sometimes your words just hypnotize me

What day has the best happy hour specials? Tuesday. Welcome Tuesday! Here's a lovely little playlist for the rest of your workday/school-day or the drive home (to freedom). 

Heads Will Roll- Yeah Yeah Yeahs

22- Lily Allen

Laughing With- Regina Spektor

Marchin On- OneRepublic

Ain't No Sunshine- Bill Withers

Such Great Heights- The Postal Service

Don't Panic- Coldplay

Mr. Pitiful- Matt Costa

Ready for the Floor- Lissy Trullie

Colorblind- Counting Crows

Naive- The Kooks

Foundations- Kate Nash

And I was a terrible picture take, as per usual, so here's a little glimpse of the Garden District in New Orleans while we wait for a parade.

Tuesday Tunes, hollaback

~This week is a little more indie. 

Enjoy and if you have an addition, 

I'd love to hear it~

Rolling in the Deep- Adele 

 Beautiful, powerful, I love her.

Time to Pretend- MGMT

Take me back to college, please.

Gimme Shelter- Rolling Stones

Classic Rock always gives the day a little more edge.

E.T.- Katy Perry (feat. Kanye West)

Love this before it's overplayed on the radio.

Your Song- Elton John

Warm and Fuzzy.

We Used to Wait- Arcade Fire

They won a Grammy for a reason, and it's about time.

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien- Edith Piaf

Pretend you're French and belt it out with no regrets, ehem.

World At Large- Modest Mouse

They are so quirky and great.

I'm in Here- Sia

A bit haunting,but wonderful.

Forget You- Cee Lo Green

Anything that's good enough for Gwyneth is good enough for me. 

(Although the unedited version is a bit more empowering.)

15 step- Radiohead

Refresh your Radiohead love. Namaste

Tuesday Tunes

This week is dragging on a bit. Here's some music to either jump-start your day or keep you going.

Fancy- Drake, T.I. & Swizz Beatz
Because we're fancy. (And I love Drake)
The Show Goes On- Lupe Fiasco
Perfect drive to work/school/errands beat. Just get it done.
Dancing With Myself-Glee Cast
This song puts a smile on my face instantly. Every time.
Revofev- Kid Cudi
"No need to stress."
Dirt off Your Shoulder- Jay-Z
Classic.
Rhiannon- Fleetwood Mac
Will you ever win?
Show Me Love- Robyn
Please take me back to 6th Grade.
Firework- Katy Perry
A song for the Happy Dance.
Silly Love Songs- Glee Cast
Bringing back memories of the Moulin Rouge Soundtrack.
Here Comes the Sun- The Beatles
Because every playlist needs a little Beatles.

Snowcation 2011

The past two days have brought quite an unexpected interruption to the regular schedule and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It was nice to wake up early and not have anywhere to be, to relax and let the day happen.  My daily routine has become increasingly mundane, which makes me uncomfortably restless. I always felt this way in college, when I thought that school was keeping me away from the “real world.” Surprise, the real world is rather boring.

But is it my fault for making it boring? So much of life seems to entail patience, which I’ve never been good at. There are little moments that make up a life and each opportunity has the possiblity to breed more opportunity. And maybe it’s about not losing hope in the possibilities, not giving up by accepting the routine. Maybe the search is what keeps life interesting. To keep searching is to keep living. 

"It will normally happen over time. And it's the getting there which has been the most fun. You've got to be patient and enjoy, as I said before, the process of getting there. Because I promise you, it's a lot more fun than being there." -Simon Cowell, on Master Class

My little moments of escape:

Enjoyed migas for breakfast, both mornings.

Drank french press coffee.

Read.

Listened to Enya and Iron and Wine.

Made Ina's Mexican Chicken Soup.

Baked Brownies (without eggs, because they were used in the migas), with chocolate icing.

Watched Master Class on OWN, which I thoroughly recommend.

Worked out.

Wrote a couple articles (worked from home).

Spent both days with my loves, Jeff and George.

Morning Playlist

Sweet Disposition- The Temper Trap

beautiful song, soft start for the am

Walking Far from Home- Iron & Wine

Brand spanking new album! This is perfect morning music.

Love Language- Hi-Tek, Les Nubians & Talib Kweli

A rare love rap song.

9 A.M. in Dallas- Drake

Could a title be more perfect?

Hot Thing (feat. will.i.am.)- Talib Kweli

A chorus that just says you're a "hot thing" over and over? anthem.

I'm in Love With the City- God Help the Girl

slow and thoughtful.

Dog Days Are Over- Florence + The Machine

running music staple.

GATman and Robbin- 50 Cent & Eminem 

oldie but goodie. obsessed with this song.

Superstar (feat. Matthew Santos)- Lupe Fiasco

Makes me feel like a superstar. really.

Fader- The Temper Trap

Perfect ending.

Morning Motivation

As I sit here eating Chess Pie for breakfast, the thought of working out in the morning crosses my mind yet again. Waking up when my alarm goes off 30 minutes early and ignoring the snooze button is not an easy feat. So, here are some ideas to get the morning workout going until it becomes a habit and I look like Jessica Biel.

Set the Coffee Pot Timer.

There is little that wakes me with the exciting jolt of fresh coffee brewing (extra joy if it's some flavored delight)

Create a Playlist

Music is a fantastic motivator. It brings joy to my life and allows me to zone out to the tune words by someone else. What if I create a playlist the night before and don't allow myself to listen to it until the morning?! Tricky tricky.

Assemble Outfit the Night Before

This is key. My mind is not functioning before several cups of coffee and I can't workout in my pajamas (well, I could, but not without embarrassing myself).

Alright great idea, easy as pie. Speaking of pie...

Do you have any morning workout motivators?

happy friday!

Good times ahead this weekend!

girltalk concert

date night

warmer weather

two discs of Mad Men to catch up on

golden globe red carpet

sleeping in

brunch with bottomless mimosas

park time with george

Oh my goodness, I'm so excited about that list.

Hopefully it'll be a smooth transition into Pisces, but I think I'll miss being an Aries (so fierce).

Small dream~

a library, resembling the one above, and as an added bonus, make it my office. small dream.

just another day in the life of awesome

yes! If you have not checked out Taylor Swift's new CD, you really should. Kid Cudi's is good too and gives me street cred proceeding that middle school selection.

In other news, I will be at the dentist today, which will not be great. But I will recover on my comfy sofa watching RH-Beverly Hills with cocktails and a good friend, which will be great!

A Running Song

A huge motivation for me to work out is a new playlist. I'm able to focus on the lyrics and really enjoy a new song in its entirety. Often car tunes (cartoons!) quickly succumb to road rage and I don't enjoy the music, so I usually defer to the radio for traffic updates. But that's neither here nor there. One of the most motivating running songs is Dog Days Are Over by Florence and The Machine. When I looked up the lyrics, my love multiplied:

Happiness hit her like a train on a track

Coming towards her stuck still no turning back

She hid around corners and she hid under beds

She killed it with kisses and from it she fled

With every bubble she sank with her drink

And washed it away down the kitchen sink

The dog days are over

The dog days are done

The horses are coming

So you better run

Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father

Run for your children, for your sisters and brothers

Leave all your love and your longing behind

You cant carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over

The dog days are done

Can you hear the horses?

Because here they come

And I never wanted anything from you

Except everything you had and what was left after that too, oh

Happiness hit her like a bullet in the head

Struck from a great height by someone who should know better than that

The dog days are over

The dog days are done

Can you hear the horses?

Because here they come

Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father

Run for your children, for your sisters and brothers

Leave all your loving, your loving behind

You cant carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over

The dog days are done

Can you hear the horses?

Because here they come

The dog days are over

The dog days are done

The horses are coming

So you better run

Ramblings

Noisettes. They are incredible. They have a unique sound (like a pop/rock Aretha Franklin) and it's been a very refreshing find. I don't remember how I came across their music, but it was on the radio yesterday, very exciting, someone please save the radio. Never Forget You is the first song that made me fall in love with them.

Here are other gem lyrics:

"And when the sun goes down

It gets brighter in my heart somehow

I don't know why this is

But it's what I'd like to know."

-Sometimes

Jeff finally came home yesterday! It was great to have a mini-celebration in honor of his return after a short little work trip. That is one of the positive things about him traveling for his job, the anticipation of his return! We ordered pizza from an amazing place in Dallas, Coal Vines, complete with their garlic cheese bread (it's a celebration!) and then cuddled up on the couch and watched a murder mystery (similar to 80 year-olds). It was a fantastic birthday week night and I'm so happy he's back.

In other news...there has been this ongoing search to fill this void of trays in my life and I saw another one this morning that is to. die. for. It's a glass tray and accentuated by being placed on a flawless glass desk. dreaming.

Agree with me...

(This is glamorous)