I'm exhausted today and really can't don't want to think past giving you some new tunes..so I'm not going to. Without further ado:
1// Gibberish by MAX (ft Hoodie Allen)
I'm posting it again - because it's so worth it!
AND - it's FREE on iTunes right now..go go! You won't regret it.
2// Time Will Wait by Kristin Diable
If you wanted to listen to someone who sounds a tad bit like Janis Joplin..here you go. Janis Joplin and Emmy Lou Harris..yes. (if you haven't heard of either of those women, I feel bad for you and your musical education. Your parents failed you!)
3// Chrissie Hynde by Butch Walker
A good one.
He also sings a song called "Mixtape" that I love.
You should listen to that too.
4// God of Ages Past by Shane & Shane
I met these guys when I was a sophomore or a junior in college - they're very cool, very very talented, and are worth listening to!
5// 'Til it Does by Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen
From their "Hold My Beer, Vol. 1" album (which is definitely on my list to get!) - funny and talented guys. Love this combination!
Yesterday was a busy day and I couldn't update. But I'm here on the first morning in a long, long time that I haven't gotten up for my long run (boo) so I can update!
Kathryn is a fit yoga teacher, who, like everyone else I know (me included!) struggles with body acceptance. I like her take on loving who you are and how to show it when you don't feel like it all the time!
I l.o.v.e everything about John Henry's home! It's Andy Warhol (obviously) meets Professor Sprout, and I wish..oh I wish I lived there!
3// So..I'm watching a new show:
I know, I know - I just told you about "Younger", but it's currently on TV - and you know my love for Netflix. House is snarky, unapologetic, and different from any other medical show. I'm into it.
4// "Gibberish" by MAX ft Hoodie Allen
I can't wait til Monday to give you this song! It's so super catchy!
My favorite from the first rounders has to be Bud Dupree (an outside linebacker who ended up with Pittsburg!). That red suit jacket is everything - and his mama is gorgeous!
And I'm going to borrow some questions from MIX AND MATCH FAMILY because I can't think of anything to write about today. It's just been one of those days.
1// What I'm (because there's no we..ha!) Eating This Week:
I've been eating a TON of clementines, but that's really not anything new. I love those little things!
2// What I'm Reminiscing About:
I've been thinking about my marathon all week! It was only last Sunday, but it was an amazing day and I can't just let it go. (that sounds a bit dramatic..)
And on that note, Timehop reminded me that my poppa became a marathoner three years ago today! Had to celebrate that with him - and he sent me this back. I love him.
3// What I'm Loving:
The runners high I still have
Cooler weather
Naps in the afternoon
4// What We've (same as earlier..) Been Up To:
I've been trying to acclimate back to going to work, instead of pretending I'm an elite runner..ha! And there's been a lot of naps. And Netflix..and Hulu. I'm so exciting.
(p.s. I'm a little over Gilmore Girls. I tried finishing, but got to season 6 out of 7 and started to completely hate it. Has that happened to anyone else?)
5// What I'm Dreading:
While I'm totally ready to move again, I'm definitely not excited for the actual moving thing. But I have amazing parents and the best guy, so that'll make things easier!
6// What I'm Working On:
The past couple of days, I've been working on a few things - art related things - that I'm not quite ready to talk about, but I'm excited about them!
7// What I'm Excited About:
Getting my toes done this afternoon
Planning a new running adventure (ultra, anyone?)
All of the summer movies coming out (so so so many good ones!)
8// What I'm Watching/Reading:
Like I said earlier, I just gave up on Gilmore Girls. I couldn't any longer. But, I found a new show this afternoon called "Younger". It's about a 40-something year old woman who poses as a 26 year old to get her dream job. I'm only 2 episodes in, but I like it so far.
via tvland.com
And I just started "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead and "If You Find This Letter: My Journey To Find Purpose Through Hundreds of Letters to Strangers" by Hannah Brencher.
I've been looking forward to Hannah's book for MONTHS, and am super excited to read and review it! She is my word crush. Is that a real thing? I love everything she writes.
9// What I'm Listening To:
Marc Cohn has been on repeat for the last few weeks. I work in an environment that constantly has some type of upbeat, club music thumping - and when I get in my car and at home, I just want silence or something..less. Marc's self titled album, Marc Cohn, is that for me.
I'm a huge fan of everything, but I really love "Silver Thunderbird" right now.
10// What I'm Wearing:
My work t-shirt, Beyond Yoga leggings and Nike Frees. These leggings are the most amazing things I own - and I'm officially obsessed with Nike Frees. I want six more pairs.
11// What I'm Doing This Weekend:
I haven't decided yet. This is the first weekend in a long time that I haven't had to wake up to get my run in, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. I may get up anyway and run. (Runners are weird..) I think I want to go see a movie and maybe get out of town for a while. That sounds nice.
12// What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month:
My niece's first birthday!!
Seeing my grandma
Moving!
Seeing a few of my favorites graduate
Baseball games
13// What Else Is New:
Not much. I've kind of said what's up. Life is good, but a little slow right now..but it's always good.
And it might be because I ran another marathon. Okay, that's totally why.
We started off the weekend driving up to Oklahoma City and met up with family. We ate a little (which is a total lie..I never just eat a little anymore ha!), went to the OKC Arts Festival (two festivals in a month, lucky me!), and checked out the expo:
My dad's cousin (who also doubles as his best friend) ran the half marathon. We had dinner at this tiny little Italian restaurant and got a good nights rest.
We started Sunday bright and early (5 am..boo!), and headed to the starting line, where we met up with my running buddy, Dara and her husband (who was also running the half!) Mason.
For those of you that don't know - the OKC Memorial Marathon was set up in memory of the 1995 bombing in downtown Oklahoma City. Two men drove a truck filled with explosive up to the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and killed 168 men, women and children, and injured hundreds more.
Before the start of the race, they have 168 seconds of silence for those who passed away from this tragedy - it's rather emotional.
The race itself went rather splendidly! I mean, marathons are hella-tough, but the conditions were great (cloudy 96% of the morning with a breezy to keep everything cool), the spectators were helpful and kept everyone pumped, and the race itself is hilly, but not uncomfortable.
via Dara's sister in law, Elizabeth
Getting to train for hours and hours with Dara and then getting to see her finish her first marathon was AWESOME. She toughed it all out and I'm so proud of her finishing her goal! I look forward to many more runs with Dara (if she'll let me, ha!) - she's become one of my greatest friends here in FTW.
With the girls after my race - they're crazy, crazy!
One of the best parts was getting to run with my favorite guy, in honor of two of our favorite guys. The marathon gave us a chance to carry on their memories! Miss you guys.
I'm thankful for such a great day.
And since it's Monday, I need a little bit of tune-age to go with the marathon. Here are a few of my favorite songs about running (or that have run in the title or that I love to run to..haha)::
1// Running on Empty by Jackson Browne
I grew up listening to JB and have found that this is probably my favorite song of his (or "Brown Eyed Girl")..so good!
2// Run Around by Blues Traveler
I've always liked the sound of this song. His voice with the music - it's just kinda fun! It totally reminds me of the band Barenaked Ladies - some of their early stuff.
3// Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
I feel like if you're making any sort of running playlist, the Boss has to be on it. It's just fact.
4// Lose Yourself by Eminem
Are you surprised by this choice? I kind of am myself. But they played it while I was running yesterday and it just pumped me up! It's also the top song of Runner's World THE BEST RUNNING SONG playlist.
5// Roar by Katy Perry
This was playing as I was sprinting to the finish line yesterday, so it definitely will have a new place in my playlist (and maybe my heart..aw. Gag. Hah!)
But for real, it definitely gets you pumped - and it's a fantastic girl power song! I love me some girl power songs!
And honorable mention::
6// Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
If you don't pretend you're Rocky running to this song as least ONCE in your running career, you're doing it wrong. And you need to see Rocky. Obviously.
If you've been keeping up with my book reviews at all, you're probably starting to see a pattern..or, um..the fact that they've ALL been Rainbow Rowell books lately. Oops. Except, not oops because Rainbow is easily becoming my second favorite writer (sorry..I realllly like JK Rowling, mkay?)
"Beth and Jennifer work in the newsroom. They're smart and funny, and best friends.
And Lincoln O'Neill is the guy who reads their email.
It's not as bad as it sounds -- it's Lincoln's job to read their email. Sort of. He was supposed to send them a warning. He should have sent it the first time he caught them breaking the company email rules. But they both seem so nice… he likes really them. Especially Beth.
By the time Lincoln realizes how much he feels for Beth, it’s too late to unread all of her personal messages. And it’s way too late to introduce himself. What would he say? “Hi, I’m the guys who reads your email, and, also, I love you …”
But he can’t just do nothing. Falling for Beth makes Lincoln realize he’s been doing nothing for far too long."
First things first, I LOVED IT. I almost don't have any words for it because I loved it that much, but I'll try.
The story flip flops between Lincoln's first person point of view and e-mails between Beth and Jennifer - so you're more or less sucked into the girls conversation and Lincoln's opinion/reaction to what is happening - which is unique in my opinion, and not hard to follow at all. It gives all three characters, and their respecting supporting characters their own voice within the story - and not just from a first person point of view.
You quickly become a cheerleader for Lincoln - at least, that was the way it happened to me. I didn't find him reading their e-mail creepy or unappealing - and not just because it's his job. (seriously though, I think I'd totally like that job - which makes me sound like a bad person. But to get to be in on the inner workings of EVERYTHING..that sounds awesome.) Your heart stands up and cheers "go get em, Lincoln!" because you just want everything to work out - which seems to be a theme in Rowell's novels. The underdog. The cute, funny person who seems to be overlooked - but is found in just the nick of time.
"Attachments" is full of humor, kindness, and it's the kind of book you'd want written about you. For you. I know I've said a lot of nice things about Rowell's books, but girl can give you just enough love. Just enough information. Just enough knight in shining armor, and just enough independence to make you swoon. To make you fall in love. That's why I'm a fan. That's why I'll keep coming back - keep buying her books. That's the way you want to feel after reading.
The last one especially gets me. It's something, I believe, that all twenty somethings need to hear. Those of us who still don't have it figured out yet. Who don't have the husband, 3.5 kids and picket fence..just yet. And even for those people, because even those who seemingly have it all figured out - don't. So, take a page from our hero, Lincoln, and start adding good things. Let them grow. It's simple really - we could all use a little more good in our lives. Right?
Yesterday the great state of Texas hosted the American Country Music Awards, and today's mixtape will feature songs from the Album of the Year category - my favorite for each artist! Miranda Lambert beat the boys (and Little Big Town) to bring home the honor for her album Platinum. And after we'll talk a little fashion, like we always do. Enjoy!
1// Somethin' Bad by Miranda Lambert (ft Carrie Underwood)
I just really enjoy when these two women sing their "bad girl" songs. They're more fun to rock out to! Also, 10 points to both women for some really awesome hair (when it's blonde, I mean..not the weird wigs they are wearing..ha!)
2// Burnin' It Down by Jason Aldean
I'll be honest, this is the only song I've heard off of this album. I just haven't been a big Jason fan lately. And I'm starting to wonder if I ever really was..oh well.
3// Stay All Night by Little Big Town
I love the groove of this song, and I love their harmonies! Always on point.
4// Five by Dierks Bentley
Riser by Dierks Bentley
I LOVE THIS ALBUM.
Dierks totally and completely hits it out of the park with this album - making it pretty hard to choose a favorite, so I'm going with two. And I'm pretty sure I could put the whole album on here, it's that good. I love "Five" because it tells a pretty little story of love lost, and then found again - and Riser is a great song because it reminds me of all the hard-working men in my life that I love so much!
5// Talladega by Eric Church
The Outsiders by Eric Church
Again, TOTALLY LOVE this album (I really wish Eric or Dierks would have won this category!), and picking is hard! I couldn't have picked more opposite songs though. Talladega just doesn't get old for me. It reminds me of good times that I've had, and good people that have been in my life. And I just like rocking to The Outsiders. I've always liked Eric's brand of rock/country.
And now, the fashion::
1// Miranda Lambert
The only thing I don't like about this whole thing is that string across her chest. It's like I almost want it to just cover her boobs or nah - don't put a weird string across them and call it good! The color is great on her, and her hair/makeup looks pretty. She's on a roll lately.
2// Eric and Jessie James Decker
It almost pains me to talk about Eric in a good way - he used to play for the Denver Broncos before he threw a hissy fit and left..for the Jets. Sorry bud, you sunk your own ship.
But in this case, he looks polished and dapper - and his wifey, Jessie, looks chic and put together. A++ for this fashionable couple!
3// Maddie and Tae
I'm pretty sure these girls used the same dress for their proms last weekend.
Ugh. (and they're so cute! Such a bummer!)
4// Alan Jackson
How cute is Alan and his wife?! That color is perfect on her - I sort of hate her hemline, but I think it's an alright dress. And I just think Alan is adorable in his Stetson. The man will always be able to pull of a white cowboy hat!
5// Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman is a hunk. There I said it. He's gotten so handsome in his old age - and his wife is beautiful. I wish her dress was a different shade, but it fits well and she looks pretty.
6// Taylor Swift
I cried when I saw Taylor's sweet mama give her the Milestone Award - what a sweet moment! Her dress is..okay. I think I would have liked it better without the cut outs - or strapless. I can't decided. But I know I hate the shoes. Tay though, I heart her.
7// Sam Hunt
*faints*
That's all. Bye.
- C
Images via ew.com, usmagazine.com and justjared.com
A conversation like this happened while at work today:
"Nice, E (I'll skip giving you identities..), you should totally be a photographer.." (with all the sarcasm in the world..we like to give each other crap at work - it's fun!)
"Oh, no! I have greater aspirations in life than being a photographer.." (in an ugly tone, might I add..)
I overheard this conversation and turned to my coworker and told her that was rude, and I'm a photographer. I mean, how could I not take offense to it? E tried to take it back, but it was out there.
And it got me wondering, is there a reason we cut each other - and especially artists - down because of our chosen career/hobby/life's passion? Does one chosen gift better than the other?
Like say a doctor? Do the doctors of this world automatically become better citizens because they save lives than say a musician or boutique owner?
I think in this day and age, everyone coming out of college is given this sense that they need to have this great job in their chosen field, and if they don't - it's ruin. Ruin for everything they've worked for. And then they fail. (which failing..you find out is what your 20's are for!)
They fail because they're set up to. We're given the speech, since birth, that we can be anything that we want to be - the all American dream. And when life happens (as it always does), we fail, fail, fail - until we realize that there's a few different paths to the American dream.
(I know I've talked about this before, but I'm quite passionate about it.)
And my hope is that my coworker will one day know that her aspirations, whatever they may be, are on the same playing field as mine. The paths may be rocky, unpleasant at times, and at times fun - but they're the same.
