MUSIC MONDAY

Okay, this is absurdly cool.  This combines one of my top 10 favorite songs of all time ("Knocked Up" by Kings of Leon) and one of my favorite artists, the lovely Lykke Li.  I was blown away when I came across this version.  The lyrics are sweetly enchanting and Lykke does a great job of giving the original a nice twist while still preserving the intended reality and mood of the song.  She's a genius.

Enjoy.

p.s. - Love the tambourine! 

Currently...

Obsessing over:  The amazing weather we've been experiencing!  Spring is here indeed.  Although Fall is by far my favorite season, I can deal with Spring.  The temperatures range from 65 to 85 degrees with sunshine and cool breezes.  Plus, I love that there's little to no humidity in Austin.  Just one more reason to adore my city :)

Working on:  My health/fitness.  I'm serious this time, guys!  With all of the super cool fitness apps for iPhone (check out the Nike Training app!), a nice apartment fitness center literally footsteps from my front door and a beautiful park with lots of hiking trails right next to my complex, I have absolutely NO excuse.    I'm staying away from sugary drinks and trying to eat less red meat and enriched grains, so we'll see what happens.

Thinking about:  An Evening with Michael Ian Black - an event Jason and I are attending tonight at the Alamo Drafthouse!  For those who don't know of him, he's a hilariously dry comedian who has appeared in shows such as The State, Stella and Michael and Michael Have Issues.  He was also in the 2001 comedy Wet Hot American Summer about a Jewish summer camp.  If you have a Twitter account, you should definitely follow him - @michaelianblack.  I promise you'll be slapping your knee in no time.  So anyway, he's going to be at the drafthouse tonight and they're showing some of his best clips from the stuff he's been in AND everyone's getting a copy of his new book!  I cannot wait.

Anticipating:  Our trip to New Orleans in a couple weeks!  This will be our third visit to the Crescent City, and we're both so excited.  We've already made reservations at our favorite restaurant in the French Quarter, Cafe Giovanni.  We always eat there the first night of the trip as a way to kick off the fun!  

Listening to:  Blitzen Trapper.  If you haven't listened to this band - you must.  They are magnificent song writers and storytellers.  I know they'll be playing a few different shows at SXSW next week, so I'm really hoping I get a chance to see them at some point.  

Eating:  Cookies!  The other night I made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies which were gone almost as quickly as the time they took to bake.  And I always keep a package of Oreos in the pantry...bad, i know.  I just can't help it!  I'm a sucker for cookies, especially with a glass of milk.  Irresistible.

Wishing:  People were nicer sometimes.  Today at work I witnessed a man talk down to one of my coworkers, and it just made me sick to my stomach.  There is nothing i hate more than when a person treats another like the trash they walk on.  It's so disrespectful and uncalled for.  People make mistakes, but nothing's beyond repair.  Now, lighten up and move on.

Now, time to get ready for an evening with MIB!  Thanks for taking the time to read my Currently post.

xoxo

Weekend Links

This week has been fairly calm for me.  I'm quite thankful though because the chaos of the South by Southwest Interactive, Film & Music Festival will soon be invading the city.  I'm looking forward to it, don't get me wrong, but it is a slight burden when it comes to my job.  I work at a very busy hotel just about a mile south of downtown and we provide shelter to many, many SXSW participants and attendees.  The fun begins March 9.  I have yet to know my days off during the festival, but I definitely plan on attending some of the shows and free parties, especially the ones with free food & drinks!  Each year, a day-long show is held at Auditorium Shores, at South 1st Street & Lady Bird Lake.  They haven't announced who all is playing it yet, aside from Counting Crows.  Last year we got to see The Strokes play which was pretty fabulous.  It was our second time seeing them live, and although their shows have been short, they always put on a good performance.

I have the day off today, but unfortunately Jason had to go in, so I've just been lounging around the apartment with my furry little loves.  We've got the windows open, taking in some of this warm March air.  It's almost warm enough for a dip in the pool, but my body is so not ready for that yet!

I found this awesome fitness website full of encouragement and weight loss tips.

It's always fun to see Katie's outfits and hairstyles.  She's just so inspiring.

How cool does this vintage-inspired bar look?  I can't wait to check it out.

Mmmm!  A butterbeer recipe, finally.  I first tried one of these delish drinks at Alamo Drafthouse as part of their Harry Potter menu specials.

I love this idea for a quick, single-serving piece of cake to satisfy a sweet tooth!

Easy recipe for apple dumplings.  Yum!

Banana Republic is showcasing their Mad Men Collection once again...bye bye monthly savings.  I especially love this white eyelet dress.

I am absolutely using this Beginner's Guide to Running.  I've got to get running on my good side once and for all.

Well, it's back to work for me tomorrow, but to all who are not slaving away tomorrow, have a super weekend!

xoxo

Playlist Post: March 2012

a recent photo, taken last night actually

Hi guys!  I worked on this playlist a little last night and just finished it up this morning.  I realize this playlist is heavily influenced by my recent taste - rap, hip hop, club remixes, etc.  It's a little different than the music I usually post and/or blog about, but it's a perfect reflection of what I've been enjoying these days, so I hope you like it anyway.

Because I used playlist.com to make a playlist and share it on here, they don't always have the exact songs from my original playlists I make on Spotify, so I'm going to post my original track list in addition to the playlist.com tracks so you can check out my original picks on your own.

My Original 'March 2012' Track List:
1.  Show Me Love (Stonebridge Club Mix) - Robin S
2.  Light It Up - Blood Red Shoes
3.  Never Stops - Deerhunter
4.  Modern Art - Black Lips
5.  Kill Me (Toxic Avenger Remix) - Make The Girl Dance
6.  Fireworks - Animal Collective
7.  Rack City - Tyga
8.  Plage - Crystal Fighters
9.  Mr. Rager - Kid Cudi
10.  Awesome (feat. The Cool Kids) - The Bloody Beetroots
11.  Dory - Grizzly Bear
12.  Erase Me - Kid Cudi, Kanye West
13.  Mind, Drips (Neon Indian cover) - Jesse Woods
14.  The Annexation of Puerto Rico - Pepper Rabbit
15.  Wicked Game (Chris Isaak cover) - Widowspeak
16.  Thug - Slim Thug

Music Monday & Weekend Recap

I don't even remember when I heard this man's music for the first time, but I am so glad I did.  All of his songs tell a beautiful story- most about love, which is fine with me, but he can also be very political and controversial with his words.  I love when you know an artist is music making for the right reasons.  It's obvious Mason Jennings truly adores his career and uses his talent to respectfully inform and relay a message.  

Merry Monday!  The weekend sure flew right on by.  So, we saw Wanderlust Friday night, and it was HILARIOUS.  From Justin Theroux's ridiculousness to naked old people running in slow motion, I was cracking up the whole time!  Saturday night I drove out to San Antonio to meet one of my best friends, Sammy, along with parents and her 15-month old daughter, Lilly.  I'm kicking myself for not taking any pictures that night!  I even mentioned to Sammy that we needed to get a picture together, but it just never happened.  It was so nice catching up with her; it had been over a year since i'd last seen her.  I've known Sammy for about 11 years now.  We met in orchestra in the sixth grade back when we both played the violin, she wore pigtails everyday and I was certain I'd marry Joel Madden.

Last night I watched the Academy Awards, of course.  I rarely even care who wins which awards; I mostly just like to ooh and aah at the celebs all decked out in their fancy garbs.  Jessica Chastain, Michelle Williams and Octavia Spencer were my picks for best-dressed.  Contrary to everyone else's opinion, I did not care for Gwyneth Paltrow's cape, and I wasn't fond of Rooney Mara's barely-there white gown.  She is too much skin and bones for a dress like that.

Today I got home from work in a cleaning mood, which hardly ever happens so I had to take advantage of the desire.  After cleaning like a mad woman for a couple of hours, I started making dinner.  I tried out the baked apples with savory stuffing recipe I found on Shutterbean, and it was delicious!  I highly recommend it.

I'm working tomorrow and Wednesday and then I'm free for a couple of days.  I'm thinking of venturing out to find a new duvet cover and some decorative pillows, finally.  Cheers to your upcoming week!  May you laugh and play and love and listen to some great music!

xoxo

Eleven Things

In place of my "Currently" post that you will find on my blog most every Sunday, I have decided to copy Danielle and try out "11 things" tonight.

There are five rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself & 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions for others to answer.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you've tagged them.

Jason and I in New Orleans, Oct. 2010

1.  I am an EXTREME girly girl.  I always have been, and I always will be.  As far as I'm concerned, there's no other way to be.  What's better than lacy dresses, pink cheeks and mascara?  NOTHING.  I played with Barbies until I was about 14 and my Easy Bake Oven was my stress reliever for years upon years.  There was a time when parents motivated me to try playing a sport, so naturally, I chose soccer.  To me, the concept of the game was to stay as far away from the ball as humanly possible.  My parents encouraged me to stick it out through the end of the season and I did so...absolutely terrified.

2.  I love to travel!  Unfortunately, I don't get to do it too much because of my current financial situation.  I've actually never been outside of the country, and I hate it.  The one place I've been dying to visit for nearly half my life is Greece.  I am in love with the architecture, the Greek way of life, the beaches and so on.  I've read so much and watched many shows on the Travel Channel about the Greek Isles.  I just can't wait until I finally can get there.

3.  I have a slight obsession with tabloids, paparazzi photos and the lives of celebrities in general.  I just find them so fascinating.  Some of my favorites to follow are Michelle Williams, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling (duh), Zooey Deschanel and many more I can't seem to think of right now.

4.  I can't remember the last time I read an entire book for pleasure.  I would really like to, but I think I might still be burnt out on reading from college or something.  I've definitely tried, but nothing seems to hold my attention.  I hope it doesn't have to do with the rise of technology and our increasing infatuation with iPhones, iPads, or any other devices that supposedly make our lives easier.

5.  I have a strange attraction and passion for dark, emotionally exhausting films.  If I don't feel empty and depressed on the inside when the end credits begin to roll, I feel incomplete and unsatisfied.  Sure, I enjoy the occasional comedy, happy ending and pretty much anything with Paul Rudd in it, but when I think about films that I've truly loved, the dark ones come to mind first.

6.  There are a few words in the English language I just simply don't like.  Here are some to give you an idea:  fossil, fig, ditto, cherub, dud.  And I can't stand cliche sayings like "you can say THAT again" or "it was about 'yay' tall"...whatever "yay" means.  I don't get why you can't just say "this tall."

7.  I adore old school Polly Pockets.  I wish with all my heart they were still being made and sold.  Alas, nothing gold can stay.

8.  I've always really liked veggies, but fruit is a horse of a different color for me.  Ideally, it's wonderful, but in reality, most fruits are too high maintenance for my lazy lifestyle.  If I'm going to eat some fruit, it better be something simple like berries or grapes because I am not taking the time to peel an orange or core and slice an apple.  Sorry, buddy.

9.  I once took a cheesy personality quiz in a chain email where you had to match a person in your life with a color, and each color represented something about your relationship with that person.  I chose the color white for my Nana which meant we were twin souls.  Ever since then I've always called her my twin soul.  She is my everything.

10.  I have one tattoo so far- an anchor on the top of my foot.  I definitely plan on getting more; I have about five prepared.  The only thing holding me back is the money.

11.  I greatly prefer cold weather over warm weather.  If I had to choose between being burned alive and freezing to death, I would choose to be an ice block.


Questions from Danielle:


1.  If money, schooling or time was no obstacle, what career would you choose?
I would be a florist and open my own flower shop.

2.  What's the one thing you look forward to everyday?
Spending a relaxing evening at home on the couch with Jason.

3.  What is your number one, all-time, favorite blog?
Sometimes Sweet, of course.

4.  Biggest online pet peeve?
When people try to be something they aren't- like a separate web persona.

5.  What is your all-time favorite book?
Jane Eyre

6.  What would your "last meal" be?
Probably a traditional Thanksgiving meal.  I am obsessed with Thanksgiving food!  My Uncle Steve's turkey, Nana's cornbread dressing, my mom's whipped sweet potatoes, corn casserole, english peas, and a piece of buttermilk pie for dessert!  YUM.

7.  Do you believe in love at first sight?
No.  I believe you can feel attracted to someone immediately, at a mere glimpse and, possibly, feel a connection, but I don't think it's actual love yet.  That comes with time and through the growth of respect and empathy for that person.

8.  What would your ideal Sunday morning consist of?
Brunch with Jason at Taverna (to-die-for eggs benedict and $1 mimosas!)  And just being lazy at home with our pets.

9.  Why do you blog?
Because I love to write and express myself in a healthy way.

10.  If you had to choose one color to wear forever, what would you pick?
Probably white.  Even though I'm super pale-skinned, I don't think there's a classier color than pure, clean, simple white.

My Questions For You:
1.  What's the scariest thing you've ever experienced?
2.  Describe the most vivid, realistic dream you've ever had.
3.  What is your favorite dessert?
4.  If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what song would you choose?
5.  Which actor/actress would you pick to play you in a movie about your life?
6.  What was your best Halloween costume?
7.  What is your favorite Disney movie?
8.  If you had to go on a TV game show, currently or no longer on the air, which would you pick?
9.  Do you prefer vacationing in the mountains or at the beach?
10.  What is your earliest memory?
11.  What product are you willing to spend big $$ on?

Friday Sweet Friday & Weekend Links

Friday has been my favorite day of the week for as long as I can remember.  This is kind of strange, especially nowadays since I usually work weekends.  Friday isn't necessarily the end of the work week for me; in fact, many times it's the start of my work week!  But, for whatever reason, I always just have a giddy, fun feeling on Fridays.  Now, Sundays are a whole different story for me.  Just like my Pop (my mom's father) I get the Sunday blues.  I always feel really down and out and alone...even though I know I have a ton of love and support in my life 24/7.  It's the weirdest thing ever!

It turns out that this particular lovely Friday is the end of my work week (sort of).  I do have to work on Sunday, so I guess you could call it a half-weekend.  Nevertheless, I'm happy to have a Saturday off!  Tonight Jason and I are going to see Wanderlust!  I adore Paul Rudd, and I'm pretty much obsessed with the fact that Jennifer Aniston and the oh-so-dreamy Justin Theroux are an item.

Check out this fab Austin sunset we enjoyed yesterday evening:

Here are some links I've enjoyed the past week that I'm super happy to share with you:

This Daily Food Plan on the USDA website is perfect for calculating your personal calorie intake.

This upcoming movie, The Five-Year Engagement, looks really cute.  It stars Emily Blunt and Jason Segel so how could it be bad?

I found Ashley's top knot tutorial to be very resourceful in trying to construct my own.

Sophia Grace & Rosie never fail to crack me up and wow me at the same time.  Check out this video of their latest performance.

Paula Deen, the Queen of Butter, shares her list of '20 Sensational Shrimp Recipes' which make me want to run out and purchase about 50lbs of shrimp ASAP!

Peep these DIY faux terrariums that Elizabeth posted as a guest blogger on Skunkboy Creatures.  So cute!

This tutorial for cutting your own perfect side-swept bangs is a little cheesy, but you can't deny her bangs look pretty bangin' when she's done.

That's all I've got for now, children.  Enjoy your weekend!

xoxo