April Music Mix-Up: Inspiration

Last month I found Kim's music mix-up swap and I knew that I had to be part of it. 

I love music, and I love me a good swap so what could be better?!

I'm constantly wanting to share some of my new favorite tunes with people and am researching what the latest, popular songs are.

I try to explore all types of music but lord knows I can't possible find all of the good songs out there
I was partnered with Kim too so I was excited to see what she would send my way.

We learned from the start that we have very similar music tastes, which made the swap both very easy and very difficult.

I knew she'd probably like any song I included on the CD, but at the same time I didn't want to include a bunch of songs she knew by heart.

Even though the swap was more about providing inspirational music but giving her songs that were overly popular defeated the purpose in my mind.

I did go into it knowing that I wanted to do a wide range of songs: old, new, alternative, top 40, and of course they had to be inspirational to me.

For some of the songs it was clear why they were inspirational, but others not so much.

Having said that it seems like Kim might have had the same logic in mind because I received a really good mix, with a good amount of variation.

She, like the smarty that she is, included a list of the songs with explanations as to why she found them inspirational.

Why I didn't think of that is beyond on me, but I loved that she did it.
I am so happy with the mix, and I've been listening to it frequently since it arrived.
I love it!

*1) People - AWOLNATION/

2) Walk - Foo Fighters

3) Put it Behind You - Keane

*4) On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons

5) Hotel Song - Regina Spektor

6) Carry On - Fun.

7) Anne Braden - Flobots

8) Otherside - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

9) Cassie - Flyleaf

10) Hallelujah - Jason Castro

*11) Million Faces - Paolo Nutini

12) Cookie Jar - Jack Johnson

13) Belief - John Mayer

14) The Cave - Mumford & Sons

15) Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac

16) Little Victories - Matt Nathanson

* = top 3 favorites

Thank you so much Kim for the wonderful CD!

I truly have found some new inspiration :)

Happy Monday.

The Nail Files & Backing it up...

The Nail Files / #backthatazzup

Let's just get right to the good stuff shall we...

Nails & music!

I absolutely LOVE this combo.

 

I received the pink: Eva in my first Julep Maven box.

I've come to realize that this is probably my favorite shade of pink to wear.
I love this one and I've worn similar shades before so it must be!

And the glitter: Lovely Jubbly...

I really have no words because I love it so much!

I have a feeling it will be used quite a bit this summer.

It's fun, bright, and covers really well.

You don't need to worry about a base color underneath.

I finally feel like I found the perfect song to start linking up with Whitney for #backthatazzup Friday's!
I heard this bad boy yesterday for throw back Thursday on the radio.
It had me dancing around and on this nice Friday what could be better than a little desk dancing :)

Happy Friday!

Oh, How Pinteresting: Lyric Love!

I'm sure you know by now that one of my favorite things to do is go to concerts!

Spring is usually the kick off to the concert season for us and over the next several months we have some awesome concerts to attend!

I love concert season.
What's not to love really?
I get to enjoy
1) Good live music.
2) Enjoy the company of my friends and family I attend with.
3) Beer.
4) Get to be outside (usually)!
Especially since it's going to be nice and warm right Mother Nature?

Well, in honor of said concert season I thought I'd share some fun, cute lyric prints!

Can you name the band that sings the lyrics if they aren't named?
Leave me comments with your guesses!

Source: polyvore.com viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: jayroeder.com viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: behance.net viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: songlyricsformylife.tumblr.com viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: motherlandofedm.tumblr.com viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: thepopcore.com viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: Megan on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: mustbeprinted.com viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: svpply.com viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: designspiration.net viaMegan on Pinterest

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com viaMegan on Pinterest

Happy Wednesday!

Friday 5!

1) Reading: The Fault in our Stars.

Omg you guys...I am in love with this book.

And I am lying a little because I finished this book...in 3 sittings!

It was a bit of an emotional book..plenty of highs and lows!
It really just drew me in as soon as I started to read.
So if you need a good book to read I am going HIGHLY suggest this one :)

2) Listening to: Entertainment by Phoenix.

I enjoy me some Phoenix and this is catchy!

 

3) Eating: Cosi Signature Salad (made by me!)

I am making a conscious effort to not get food in our cafe everyday for lunch and so I've turned to creating one of my favorite "restuarant" salads on my own!
Despite my lack of cooking ability I think I can handle mimicking a salad...and it's delish :)

{picture via}

All you need is:  

-Mixed Greens
-Red Grapes (halved)
-Pears (diced)
-Pistachios (shelled)
-Dried Cranberries
 -Gorgonzola (crumbles)
-And I use Raspberry Vinaigrette since I can't find a sherry shallot vinaigrette... probably could make it though huh? 

4) Using: Yes To...products
(there is a little something for you to on this one!)

I recently ordered some "Yes To..." face washes and so far so good!

I've been using the soothing wipes for awhile so I decided to give the washes a chance too!

I went with the Yes to Tomato and Yes to Carrots as they seem to be the most fitting for my skin currently.

FOR YOU! Follow the link and get 35% off: Yes To...

5) Looking forward to: 

I get to spend today and some of tomorrow with my parents!
A nice couple catch up days!

And of course celebrating St. Patty's Day!

 {St. Patty's Day 2011}

Hope you all have a fantastic St. Patty's Day weekend and Happy Friday!

Same Love

I actually found this song writing this post last week and it instantly caught my attention.

If you haven't been a reader of this blog for long then you should know that I am all for equality and will forever stand against intolerance and hate of any kind.

I believe that differences like skin color, sexual preference, gender, etc should be celebrated.

Aren't those differences what keeps mankind from being a bunch of drones?
But are those differences big enough to make a person less than a person?
You all know my answer to that...no!

I wish more people would realize that.

A person is a person no matter the differences.
Love is love no matter what kind.
It's all the same love!

Enjoy!

 

Happy Thursday!

Today...

Today I am not in a very good mood. The one real  thought getting me through is knowing tonight we get to hang out with a couple good friends the their new baby girl, I am sure you'll all be seeing pics on Instagram later

I'm sure most of the mood if from being Monday because who is really in a good mood on a Monday but I don't really have anything nice to say so I am going to share some of my favorite songs right now.

Per usual it's across the board, lots of genres and some oldies, but I  hope that means you can find something you like you haven't heard yet.

Timeless - Airborne Toxic Event

Va Va Voom - Nicki Minaj

We can be Strong - Willy Mason

*Willy Mason has to be one of my new all time favorites. 

I heard him thanks to Kev and he's preforming on the Gentlemen of the Road stopover we are going to. 

He sounds like Eric Clapton, what could be better.

Battle Scars - Lupe Fiasco & Guy Sebastian

Awkward - San Cisco

Next to Me - Emeli Sande

Nerve - Half Moon Run

 Can't Hold Us - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

I plan to start my "Columbus Love" posts tomorrow and hopefully I'll be in a much better mood. 

Happy Monday folks.

Happy Valentine's Day!

If you follow me on Instagram you know I've been having a fantastic, loving day! 

I hope you are all having a good one too, and even if you are single I hope you are letting everyone else that you love know that. 

One of my favorite things I use to get as a gift all of the time were music mixes so I've made a Valentine's Day mix for all of you! 

Enjoy :)

I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith

Awake My Soul - Mumford and Sons

When I See You  - Fantasia

All My Life - KC & Jo-Jo

First Day of my Life - Bright Eyes

Iris - The Goo Goo Dolls

Your Song - Ellie Goulding 

(my favorite version other than Sir E.J himself)

My Love  - Justin Timberlake & T.I, Timbaland

Lessons in Love - Neon Trees & Kaskade

The Reason - Hoobastank

I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston

Safe & Sound - Capital Cities

My Boo - Usher & Alicia Keys

Happy Thursday

&

Happy Valentine's Day

It's Ok...Giveaway!

Mornin'

Time for one of my favorite link-ups...and this time it leads to something awesome for you guys!

It's Okay...

-To want to jump ahead to our ski trip next weekend!

-To have gotten a Starbucks everyday this week. 

ps - did you know if you bring your own mug you get $.10 off. 

Not a huge deal, but something to think about :)

-To not take things so seriously.
I have to remind myself of this all the time!

-To already really like the Cold War Kids new song.
It's been out for like a day.

-To laugh when someone falls...as long as they are ok!

Don't judge me you know it's funny!

-To be kind of sick of the gray winter weather.
It can even be cold as long as the sun comes out.

 -To never get tired of this little face :)

-To join in on this amazing, and I do mean AMAZING gift card giveaway I am participating in.
Visit the Framed Frosting or enter below :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Pinteresting Me, Myself, and I

Who else is ready for the weekend?
I sure pretty much all of you are feeling the pain of the work week before a few days break, like me.
My brain has been functioning like its a Friday week...
The preholiday work brain lag...
It's no good my friends, no good at all.

I digress.

I am very happy it's hump day and I get to do two link ups today!

1) What was your favorite gift given to you as a child?

I have always been blessed enough to get great gifts every Christmas, but I think my favorite was my little Red Corvette! 

I mean check that sucker out?! 

I had that thing for years and still have memories of driving it around the yard...
probably running over my sister at some point...ya know normal kid stuff lol.

2) Christmas is almost here, what is that one Christmas song you could listen to on repeat?

I always get shit for this because it's sounds funny but I LOVE Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
I could listen to any of their Christmas music on repeat.

Source: youtube.com via Megan on Pinterest

However, I also greatly enjoy Michael Buble's Christmas CD and of course the classic Mariah Carey Christmas CD.

3) What are a few of the items on your Christmas list this year?

Source: piperlime.gap.com via Cherie on Pinterest

I've been loving, really any, Michael Kors watch. 

I'm not sure what is it about these watches, I just love 'em!

Source: shortnchic.blogspot.com via Robyn on Pinterest

Nail polish. 

Oh, don't act surprised you know I'm obsessed!

Source: koifusionpdx.com via Megan on Pinterest

If you've been following along for awhile you know I'm not the cook of our home, hopefully that changes with the Knife Skills class I've asked for from Sur La Table. 

I'm gonna be chopping and dicing like a Iron Chef...
I just pray I'm not chopping any phalanges in the process!

Source: jototes.com via Dina on Pinterest

A nice camera bag from Jo Totes. 

I have a generic camera bag, but I wouldn't mind something trendy, especially if I'm going to continue to haul the thing around on vacas and stuff!

4) Do you and your family have any special holiday traditions? Explain.

I would say the only one we really have is the "hide the pickle" tree ornament tradition.
Nothing to crazy, but it's fun!

Source: vivalabuenavida.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

If you don't know what this is it's as simple as leaving the pickle ornament out with the milk & cookies for Santa, and when he comes he hide the pickle in the Christmas tree.
Whoever is the first one to find it in the tree in the morning gets to open his or her present first, or really whatever you want to have happen for whoever finds it first.
*just remember to not grab it too quickly since I highly doubt you want to bring down your tree, or have them break the ornament in their hands*

5) Which do you prefer: wrapping paper or gift bags? Why?

Hmmmm this is tricky because I like both for different reasons, but if I have to pick one I will say wrapping paper. 

Source: deckthehalls-christmas.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

 

Why, because it tends to be prettier than doing gift bags, and because I'd rather rip open a present.
That's the whole fun right?

However, you'll find me using gift bags WAY more often because I'm terrible at wrapping gifts.
I'm not sure how some people can wrap presents so nicely, but it makes me jealous!

Happy Wednesday!

Gloomy Day pick me up!

Good morning!

I am pretty sure I've told you all that weather tends to greatly affect my mood.

It's not always the usual "affected by weather" moods either. 

Nope, sometimes when it's gloomy and cold outside I can become the most indecisive person you'll ever meet.

I'm not sure if it's because I'm already not in the greatest mood or what, but I

 have hard time making decisions.

Shit, I honestly have problems being decisive anyways, the gray clouds do not help, at all.

So today my dears you get two songs because:

1) I can't make a decision.

2) They are bad ass songs that I'd love to share with you!

I'm totally diggin' the new Shins song and "Don't You Worry Child" makes ya feel good about life...

and let's be real it makes ya wanna shake it a bit.

3) Music can always make you feel a little bit better, so there is never truly enough of it (in my opinion).

Pick one, listen to both, whatever you want but I hope they'll pick up your a day bit like they have mine :)

 

Gunner wanted to make an appearance for all the new followers. He's an attention whore and simply cannot get enough of the compliments he gets on this adorable mug.

Have I mentioned I pretend my dog is really like a little human and has legitimate feelings about things like attention, food, and everything in between?
Well I do, and he does...he's very opinionated :)

Happy Tuesday!

Five for Friday

What uppppp my peeps.

I couldn't be much happier that it's Friday.

Today I'm linking up with Lauren for some Friday favs.

1) I get to be part of Shane's big giveaway!
Go over and check it out and enter for some really great prizes!
This also explains the huge spike of followers I got from yesterday to this morning :)
It's really not about the number to me, this blog is for me, but knowing that people find me interesting enough to follow this little ole blog is overwhelming, in a great way!

2) Victoria Secrets new Gold perfume!

I got a bottle of this from work, fo free, and it's been love ever since.

#Ilovemyjob
It smells amazing - a perfect blend of sweet and musk.
Even the bottle is pretty, there are little angel wings on the back :)

3)Locked out of Heaven by Bruno Mars.

I know this song isn't new, new but I can't seem to get enough of it.

Whenever I hear it I can't help by tap my foot, bob my head (like yeah!?), shake the booty a little, and sing along!

ps - don't you wish you were at this vidoes dance party, I do!

 

4) Some funnies from Pinterest :) 

Friday Funnies are never a bad thing folks :)

Source: imgfave.com via Megan on Pinterest

Ha! That's actually a good question?!

 

Source: someecards.com via Megan on Pinterest

Lol ain't that the truth?!?! Right Kev?!?!?!
(you better be saying it is true...cough cough Blue Jackets fleece cough cough...)

 

Source: dumpaday.com via Megan on Pinterest

Alright I lost it with this one... I'm loving grumpy cat all together, and then the Christmas joke... Kills me.

5) My Gunner pup :) 

He wasn't feeling Monday morning either, and trying to drown out the light with his tail so he could sleep.

Again, go check out Whispering Sweet Nothings giveaway and at least enter yourself for the VS gift card I'm giving away!

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!