Vegas Playlist

I am a mere two mornings away from getting on a plane to Vegas. Since we're expecting snow today, and the forecast for Las Vegas is over 80 degrees, I'm desperate for this vacation. 

I know the rest of the girls are antsy too, but none more so than the bachelorette herself. With a full-time job, her last set of finals for her Masters degree, and planning a wedding, she's a busy lady (and a total rockstar!)  And, since last week was her birthday, I took the opportunity to put something special together for her.

You see, in Jr. High we made mixed tapes of songs off the radio and traded them back and forth. Most of them were top-40 songs (her) or country (me), but it gave us a variety of music to listen to. In high-school we switched over to CD's and by the second year of college we had developed quite the collection of mixed CD's and quite an eclectic music taste. We enjoyed finding new music to share and often came running into each other's room at odd hours uttering the phrase "you've got to listen to this!" 

These mixed CD's became a staple in our lives and would often serve as gifts for various occasions or to cheer one another up. With titles like "Battle of the Sexes" and "Road-Trippin' Mix" they served as a memory-maker for many life-events. 

I don't think we've made mixed CD's for each since 2008, but I still create playlists on  my iPod in the same way I did back then. So, when this trip came up, I saw the perfect opportunity to do something special. 

I even polled the other party attendees and asked them if they wanted to add a song with a special message or memory attached (since most of us have known her since college or earlier.) They responded emphatically and had great suggestions for song additions. The playlist also included clues to our bachelorette itinerary and other weekend events. And some, well, are just too fun not to include. 

So, here it is. The Las Vegas Bachelorette Playlist: 

Sin City - AC/DC

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) - Beyonce

Corona and Lime - Shwayze

Poker Face - Lady GaGa

Gold Digger - Kanye West ft. Jamie Foxx

Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus

Girls in the USA - Nick Carter

It's Raining Men - The Weather Girls

Saturday Night Divas - Spice Girls

Show Me How You Burlesque - Christina Aguilera

99 Problems - Jay Z

Circus - Britney Spears

Buttons - Pussycat Dolls

Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard

Cyclone - Baby Bash ft. T-Pain

Cheers (Drink to That) - Rihanna

Get Naked - Methods of Mayhem

Waking up in Vegas - Katy Perry

Leaving Las Vegas - Sheryl Crow

Do you have any songs that perfectly fit with your past memories? Or perhaps a song that you always play on a special occasion? Please share...

Sunday Treats

I have been very busy this weekend, planning for our trip home, baking cookies, a few house projects, and keeping up with my normal work tasks. I have enjoyed some great Christmas tunes (and a smattering of football) for background noise and the weather has been sunny and crisp. All in all, a perfect start to December.

Since I am in such a good mood, I wanted to drop in to share a few goodies with you. 

For your ears (and eyes):

I've shared my love of Karmin before, but I can not get over how talented they are! And hello...who doesn't love a good Coach ad (styled by Rachel Zoe...swoon!)

For your mouths: 

Source: grouprecipes.com via Mel on Pinterest

Source: archive.blisstree.com via Mel on Pinterest

Source: cookingclassy.blogspot.com via Mel on Pinterest

Just made these. Amazing. I made no alterations to any of the recipes and I found them to all be delightful! 

For your minds & souls:

Cultivate Simple in a Busy World, via Finding Joy

This week, I have four days of gift lists. They are all things I want, but serve as a great guide for the women in your life.

Soon, I will also share my recent DIY: chalkboard file cabinet. It is currently sitting empty in  my office, but once I get a few hours, I will start filling it up with colorful labels, folders, and all the boring (and not-so-boring) documents that keep our house together.

Finally, I will recap the month of November and the progress on my 12 in 2012 list.

In the meantime, I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend! Cheers.

Lazy Labor Day & Relaxation Songs

I am kicking back and taking it easy today, enjoying the fact that Al has the day off and there is nothing on the to-do list. Instead of some long post, I am encouraging all of you to take the day off and relax. Hug your kids, kiss your spouse, and watch some junk TV.

And enjoy some of my favorite relaxation songs:

Relax. Enjoy!

Love the Way You Miss Me

It could be because Al is in the field for the week, or it could be because Casey James has such a silky-smooth voice, or it could be the rock vibe to this song, but right now this song is where it's at!

I'm donning a suit and skipping BARBRI today in order to attend a job fair on post. I have a half-dozen copies of my resume, so I hope this pays off!


Happy Thursday!

Saturday Share

Glad to be back after my Saturday Share hiatus! My ankle injury and the copious amounts of homework in front of me were hindering my ability to scour the web for fabulous links to share with you. But I'm back, and I have twice as many links for you this week!

READ: 1000 Awesome Things 

(and try not to smile at every single one of them!)


LEARN: How to live, and not merely exist by Marc


DO: Volunteer in your area via Military OneSource


COOK: Ham & Cheddar Frittata (yum!)


ORGANIZE: Your meal planning & coupons in one binder via IHeartOrganizing


MAKE: A quilt out of your old t-shirts
(Perfect way to get the hubby to finally let go!)


ADD: A floating "sharebar" to your website or blog via Mashable


WATCH: This video and try not to laugh your butt off!


WIN: A $500 gift card for Old Navy stores (incl. Banana Republic, Gap and more!)

A Lovely Tune

Every single morning I wake up and I look at my phone. On that phone is a little box with a number in it, telling me how many days I have left until I am in Colorado and in Al's arms. As that day draws closer and closer, I am growing more and more anxious. 

This new song from Josh Turner pretty much sums it up...

"Time is Love" people!

"I got someone who waits, waits for me and right now [he's] where I need to be."

Drunk on You

I woke up this morning and sent Al a text informing him that the countdown reached 40 days and we would soon be together. By the time I was out of the shower, he responded: 

Al: It was three years ago today that I realized I was crazy in love with you?

Me: How do you remember that stuff?

Al: I don't know. Ginko biloba. {He's a funny guy...}

Me: Was that the weekend we went 4-wheeling out at the farm?

Al: Yes

Me: So, was it my demand for a helmet or the fact that I passed-out drunk on your parents bathroom floor that hooked you?

{Yes, I did that. No, I'm not proud of it.}

Al: All of it.

Me: Well, I'm glad that three years ago today you realized my greatness.

Al: Me too.

In honor of that "anniversary," my song today is Drunk on You by Luke Bryan.

Taking Care of Business

Al left this morning. And while goodbyes are never easy, I feel OK.

I am glad to get back to the routine I've been away from for two weeks. I have a lot to do for school and graduation, not to mention job-hunting in Colorado and preparing to move all of my things out there. Al has to check in to his new unit and figure out how things are done around there. Needless to say, we are both crazy-busy, which will make these SIX weeks fly by! Did you hear that, SIX WEEKS! I can't believe it!

Today, I have this song for you. It seemed fitting. 

Linking up with Goodnight Moon.

Oh, and don't forget to enter my giveaway if you haven't already!

In a Song

In a crunch, this is my pick.


(While I've loved this song for awhile, I was recently reacquainted because it is on The Vow soundtrack. Seriously, who doesn't love The Cure?)

Nostalgic. Comforting. Good for a smile.

Happy Thursday!

Random Thoughts {and a song!}

I recently started the envelope system for tracking my budget. Not because I had major budget concerns - actually quite the contrary. I simply wanted to tighten my belt just a little more in order to save for some big, fun things coming up in my life. 

So far, I have learned two things: 

(1) It is helpful to have the envelopes with you when purchases are being made and 

(2) If you are going to leave the envelopes at home, do not leave them on the same counter as your homemade lunch

---O---O---O---O---

Do you remember when I told you how talented my husband is? 
Well, this weekend he decided he wanted to make us a headboard. Ya know, 'cause he has all that extra time on his hands...

Less than $50 later, we have a brand new (faux-leather) headboard...

Seriously. Awesome.
(Don't mind the stripped-down bed. Everything is basically packed for the move.)

---O---O---O---O---

Finally, for the What's Your Song Link-up...



A lovely ditty from my favorite bad-boy, Adam Levine. I always liked Maroon 5, but ever since I started watching The Voice, I just cannot get enough. Yum.

Enjoy!

Saturday Share

I am just stopping by during my morning routine (wherein I suck down coffee and pour over my Google Reader, FB updates and news articles) to say "hi."

Well, hello readers.

I wanted to share with you a few links that interest me and I were worth the share.

I hope you enjoy!

READ: Finds What Happy Women Get Right via Sarah Wilson

MAKE: Valentine's Chex Mix 

CREATE: Coloring book pages from photos of your child

KNOW: The Best Time to Get Pregnant (when it comes to your career) via Corprette

LISTEN: Karmin's new song - Brokenhearted

Happy Saturday, y'all!

Foggy February

Just some camera phone pics I snapped on my way into school yesterday. I thought the mistiness of the morning was so serene; it almost made my 35 minute commute comfortable.

 Just starting out - The park reserve by my house

 You can see subtle outlines of the buildings, but this is basically the downtown skyline. Unreal...

It doesn't hurt that I had this song to serenade me: 

  

The Living Proof

Today, I get to do something that has been on my bucket list for a long, long time: help build a house with Habitat for Humanity. Even better, I get to do it with my mother!
It seems fitting, therefore, to pick a song about living through the hard times, using God to guide you, and making it through.


The Living Proof by Mary J. Blige

Blige wrote this song for the movie, The Help.

{I haven't seen the movie yet because I want to read the book first. Both will happen in due time.}

She should have been nominated for an Oscar for this song, but was not. This is especially appalling since only two songs are up for the award this year. 

In my opinion, this is one of the best songs I have heard in a long time. And from one of the queens of soul. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Happy Thursday!

SOPA and a Song

I'm so glad that Goodnight Moon brought the Song-Link-Up back.

Have you heard Trent Tomlinson before? He had the song "One Wing in the Fire" quite a few years ago. Anyway, I love his voice. It's masculine and gritty, but still really elegant. 

He has a new song that I just love. There is no video for it yet, so here is a link to his fan site where you can listen to the entire song (in the sidebar.) You can buy the song on iTunes.


--oo------oo------oo------oo------oo--


I have to say that I was really impressed by all the people who spoke out against SOPA/PIPA yesterday. It sounds like most politicians are reeling from the outcry and considering taking the whole thing off the table. I read this interesting article today. The author does a great job of discussing both (1) the failures of the politicians and (2) the fear of the internet having such a profound influence on the law. 


On the latter point, I beg to differ. I think yesterday showed the solidarity of the public to make law, using the internet as a resource. Isn't that what our country is all about? Isn't it a government run by the people? The problem is, we've elected a handful of imbeciles that either don't remember what they stand for, or never took a stance in the first place. Our government is falling apart. That is a fact. Yesterday, the people realized that if real change is going to happen in our country, it's going to start with us. The people. 

Music Monday: AltRock Version

{I might have missed the memo (or it could be that she's a super-busy mother of four) but I haven't seen the What's Your Song? Music Link-Up over on Goodnight Moon since well before the holidays.}

As I head off to the coffee shop to do all the homework I've been putting off this weekend, I wanted to share a few songs that have been on my iTunes queue recently.

Enjoy!

Favorite Christmas Tune #5

This song is great because it's a fantastic showcase of so much amazing talent.
I listen to orchestras (and especially TSO) when I am studying or need some calming, uplifting and energizing music. This one is by far my favorite compilation.

There are rumors that the guitar parts are done by Metallica, but that has never been confirmed officially. Either way, they take a beautiful song and rock it out - which is why it has my vote!

Favorite Christmas Tune #4

This song is a great reminder, amidst all the presents and food and fun, what the reason, the real reason we celebrate the season. This song also has a special place in my heart because as a child, my mother would save up each year so we could go to the Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith Christmas show. We didn't have a lot of money, so it was the one special thing we did. Always together, enjoying beautiful music in honor of this blessed time of year.

Favorite Christmas Tune #3

In keeping with the classic Christmas songs (and Rat-Pack singers) I bring you the beloved Dean Martin and my favorite duet of all time. In Minnesota, this time of year, it's always cold outside!

Favorite Christmas Tune #2

I tend to love the classics, with both songs and the artists themselves. This one in particular is on repeat in my Christmas playlist. C'mon, it's Mr. Blue-Eyes himself, crooning away. For me. On Christmas. I couldn't be happier!

Favorite Christmas Tune #1

Al arrives today. Wheeee!

I will be joining his family this morning for breakfast and some shopping. Then I will run over to get him from the airport before we head off to the Waterpark of America for the night. It's a great way for all the kids to get together and have a great time and the adults can drink, play cards and be together. We'll do gifts and food and celebrate Christmas together that night. We will be spending the next few days at the farm with his family, so I will not only be out of internet range, but enjoying my time with him. (I'm ovulating...he he.)

Until I return on Tuesday, please enjoy my top 5 favorite Christmas songs of all time.

Today, with my husband returning to me, it is only fitting I would start with this one.