Friday, February 26, 2010

Things I Love

10. That first spring breeze that comes in early March














9. This room:













8. Blue giraffe tongues



















7. Lace













6. Pavement drawings













5. Sleeping animal faces













4. Surreal art















3. Zooey Deschanel (one of the most adorable people on the face of this earth)





































2. Silhouettes



















1. Watching musicians play

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Chasing after the moon

Found a cool song today. It's called Harvest Moon by Brianna Gaither. I like her style. It makes me want to fall asleep.

I just wrote an 8 page sociology paper in 2 hours. Feeling pretty beast at the moment.




Photograph by me.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Shadow proves the sunshine
























When the first light brightened the dark
Before the breaking of the human heart
There was you and there was me.
Innocence was all I knew
Because all I had to know was you
We were running underneath the trees

I want to see you face to face
Where being in your arms is the permanent state
I want it like it was back then
I want to be in Eden

I remember how you called my name
And I would meet you at the garden gates
How the glory of your love would shine
And I remember when the stars were young
You breathed life into my lungs
Oh, I never felt so alive

I want to see you face to face
Where being in your arms is the permanent state
I want it like it was back then
I want to be in Eden

Friday, February 19, 2010

It's FRIDAY!!

Oh, how I love the weekend.


I've been living on etsy recently... it's really such a waste of time since I'll never buy any of these because of how expensive they are, but I just love the inspiration.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31332489
I wish I could wear headbands...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33929616"
I think this is the cutest piece of jewelry I've ever seen.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21991236

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39588774
Cameo love!!



I've been getting new music like crazy. I just discovered the Civil Wars, and they're a new favorite. I've always really wanted to have a cd trade off, where you just make a cd and send it to someone random who replies, then they do the same, and so on. It's just such a cool idea. But I don't really think anyone reads my blog anyway, so it's a rather pointless observation, I suppose...

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Frown. I Dare You.

It looks like I'm going to just end up blogging about music all the time. Sorry about that. ;) It just pervades every aspect of my life, I can't stay away from it!


This is my happy playlist. :) They either have incredibly upbeat rhythms, happy lyrics, or just that indescribable ability that some songs have that makes you smile for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Just try not to smile during any of these songs.



Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones


"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
~ 1 Corinthians 13

Monday, February 15, 2010

It's perfect, perfect kismet.

I know this is crazy, but I absolutely love Mondays. Because it's only the second day of the year, the high from church is still there, and because it's the busiest day of my week (class from 8-5) it's SO relieving once it's over. And then I get to go to CRU. Which is one of the three highlights of my week. ;)

Oh my goodness. These rooms are amazing.
They look like something from a dream.



The purple one is my favorite, although the yellow umbrellas on the other are incredible. I'd just love to stand under one. Or just lie in the middle of the floor of one of these rooms and imagine. They're made by a company called Moominvalley, and they're based off illustrations from a children's author/illustrator, Tove Jansson. His illustrations look absolutely amazing, I need to check these books out.





























Music find of the week is Willowfair. This is seriously one of the best albums I've found all year. I first downloaded it from noisetrade just because I thought the piano solos sounded pretty, and it'd be a nice relaxing listen. But they're amazing. This is the kind of album that you start playing, and are amazed when it's over that you've spent an hour listening to the whole thing because it seems like it just started. It's a new favorite of mine. Infragilis, No More (ahhhh, gorgeous piano interludes!!), For The Sheep, and Devil's Armada will draw you in.


Sunday, February 14, 2010

In honor of today...

I've already expressed how I feel about the holiday today. But to show that I'm not completely bitter, here's my Valentine's Day playlist.

1.Wouldn't It Be Nice - the Beach Boys
2. My Life Would Suck Without You - Glee Cast
3. Cute - Stephen Jerzak
4. Happily Ever After - He Is We
5. I Know - Meaghan Smith
6. It's Good To Be In Love - Frou Frou
7. La Vie En Rose - Edith Piaf
8. Fly Me To the Moon - Michael Buble
9. Thorny Thicket - The Submarines
10. The Magic Position - Patrick Wolf (no, it's not about what it sounds like...)
11. Strawberry Hope - Tirzah Lemmens
12. Sweeter Than This - Katie Herzig
13. Made In Heaven - Queen
14. Something - Jim Sturgess
15. Crazy Love - Michael Buble
16. Brighter Than Sunshine - Aqualung
17. I Will Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab For Cutie
18. You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates
19. Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
20. Turn Me On - Norah Jones
21. Can't Help Falling In Love - Ingrid Michaelson
22. Everything - Michael Buble
23. Stay Now - Jem
24. Little Romance - Ingrid Michaelson
25. Compliment Each Other Like Colors - PlayRadioPlay!
26. At Last - Etta James
27. Honey Bee - Zee Avi
28. Think of You - A Fine Frenzy
29. You And I - Ingrid Michaelson
30. Valentine - Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken


And then... for those of us who haven't yet experienced that crazy little thing called love, are happily (or unhappily) single, or are just waiting for a requited relationship... here's your playlist. (What I'm listening to now.)

1. Let My Love Open the Door - Sondre Lerche
2. Shadows - Au Revoir Simone
3. To Feel Love - Butterfly Boucher
4. When I'm Alone - Carbon Leaf
5. Someday You Will Be Loved - Death Cab For Cutie
6. Change of Heart - El Perro Del Mar
7. Pony (Go On) - Erin McCarley
8. No, My Heart Will Go On - Gigi
9. I'm In - Amy Stroup
10. Blame It On The Rain - He Is We
11. Love You Much Better - The Hush Sound
12. Die Alone - Ingrid Michaelson
13. Falling For You - Jem
14. Jenny Lynn - Katie Herzig
15. Unlovable - The Smiths
16. Love Is Dead - The Lovemakers
17. Don't Fall In Love - Matthew Perryman Jones
18. Here Comes Your Man - Meaghan Smith
19. Reasons To Love You - Meiko
20. Seven Years - Norah Jones
21. Love Comes - The Posies
22. Somebody To Love - Queen
23. Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Buble
24. Waking Life - Schuyler Fisk
25. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths
26. Existentialism on Prom Night - Straylight Run
27. Brighter Discontent - The Submarines
28. Wish - Tirzah Lemmens
29. Down To The Garden - Tyler James
30. Monte - Zee Avi
31. Even If It Breaks Your Heart - Will Hoge
32. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me - The Smiths
33. A Little Love - Meaghan Smith
34. Strange & Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell on You) - Aqualung
35. Smile (Charlie Chaplin cover) - Glee Cast
36. Unsafe Safe - The Hush Sound
37. All My Only Dreams - The Wonders
38. Breakable - Ingrid Michaelson
39. I Am A Rock - Simon & Garfunkel
40. If You Find Her - Future of Forestry


Tell someone you love them, buy yourself flowers, hide from the happy, lovey-dovey world under a thick blanket, wear black, listen to sad love songs, watch a corny movie, watch a horror movie to distract yourself from the world around you, or whatever else you want to do to celebrate today.





As much as I dislike Valentines Day, I must admit that this is an adorable piece of artwork, and I couldn't help but to post it today. I apologize for the inconsistency.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Today somebody loves me.

First off, math quiz was canceled. Then, I get to bio class to find a sign on the door saying it's been canceled. I love days like this. They just make my day better out of the blue.

So every Friday on the way to biology class, I pass this girl. Every day that it's cold out, she wears these crazy overalls. And I don't just mean demin overalls... these are like hardcore painting men's coveralls. I used to think she was weird, but I really admire her. Coming out and just showing everyone that she doesn't care what other people think? Announcing to the world, "I know I look dorky while all the other girls are showing off their cute little outfits but WHO CARES!" She's awesome. Why do we care so much what other people think? Like today, I really wanted to wear this hat... but I started thinking about how it was kind of weird, and how people would think I was even stranger than they already no doubt do if I wore it. So I didn't. Blah. I hate how other people influence us so much.

I spent most of yesterday looking for music and getting stuff off my favorite music-finder, noisetrade.com (this is what happens when you don't have any Thursday classes). And I'm loving Slow by Farewell Flight.




Cruel, Lullaby for Insomniacs, and Widower are other favorites.


I'm loving these paisley prints by Natalie Perkins.



http://www.redbubble.com/people/definatalie



That reminds me... Tonight I'm going to make cupcakes.

Ahh, the weekend. :]

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Valentines

Let me tell you how I feel about Valentine's Day.

I abhor it.

I believe it only has two purposes.
1. to make people reassure their significant others that they really love them by buying them something. And how do chocolates reassure someone that you love them? It's rather messed up, in my eyes.
2. to make every single person feel completely depressed and inadequate for an entire day (as if the other days of the year aren't bad enough).

But that said, I think valentines are adorable. And I love making them every year, so here are the ones from this year....
I only have about 5 more to make, and they only take about 15-20 minutes each. I made up the design a long time ago when I was decorating a notebook. I just started cutting out freehand hearts from scrap paper (actually sheet music that was destined for the recycling bin) and thought I'd make some valentines. :)


















Monday, February 8, 2010

Grinning idiot? Yep, that's me. (music monday)

I don't know how this is possible, but I only just today discovered Meaghan Smith.

I had her song Here Comes Your Man from the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack and couldn't stop listening, but I just never looked into her music until today. Unfortunately she only has two albums out, but you can bet I'll be adding her to my to-watch list! First of all she has a crazy good voice, and second she's just so darn adorable. I love her music videos.
My favorite song by her is A Little Love. I swear it was written for me.





Here I go again
Smiling too sweet
Can’t seem to hold it in
Every time that we meet
I get this rosy glow
And weak in the knees
I hope you don’t know how fast
you make my heart beat
I’m in a little love
And I’m in a little deep
Though I’ll never say a word
It’s a secret my heart can’t keep

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Thoughts and Dreams that scatter

Just when you thought Joseph Gordon-Levitt couldn't get any better.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgVNgYXFi_Q

The best part about 1:38-1:41. Have I mentioned I love this movie? And Joseph Gordon-Levitt?

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Untitled

Nothing feels as wonderfully relaxing as taking a shower right before bed. :)


MAN, I love this movie. I wonder if I can find it online to watch before bed...



Lovin' the snow. But I don't like how it's making me feel Christmas-y all over again. I must admit... today I listened to a Christmas song. AAHH! And I never do that past New Years! I just was feeling so holiday-ish, so I turned on More Than I Asked For by Joy Williams. I do love it. I remember when all she did was Christian hits, and I used to hate her saccharine voice, but she's really matured over the last 5 years or so. Now she's all indie, and I just love her holiday sampler.


Got cute new pjs today, and they're sooo comfy. I also made my bed up with new sheets and made the discovery that my comforter is reversible (I like it better the other way, but oh well. I was in a purple mood). Also, jumping doesn't work too well on dorm beds. :\

Friday, February 5, 2010

Snow!!! and other ramblings.

It's snowing like crazy out! They're saying we'll get 30 inches or more. We already have about 16-18... I thought I was getting sick of the snow, but if class gets canceled on Monday... I certainly won't be complaining! It does make me sad that I can't go to church on Sunday, though, since I'm pretty sure it'll be canceled, and even if it's not I don't think anyone will be willing to venture out in this snow apocalypse to drive me there. Ah, the joys of being one of ten children and not having a car. I was really looking forward to it because I absolutely love the church I go to here.
I really just wanted to post something. I'm in a fantastic mood. And I don't think I'll be able to sleep. So my only option was.... BLOGGING!!
Speaking of church, I realized yesterday that I'm so much more spiritually alive here than I ever was back at home. Shouldn't it be the opposite? Everyone always told me that it'd be so hard to keep my faith in college because of all the negative influences, but really, seeing all those negative influences has really helped me hold to what I believe in even stronger. And I actually like having my faith challenged at times, because it really does make me even more confident that it is the truth. I'm just glad I'm not having a hard time balancing God on top of everything else that's crazy right now. I'm just so happy here. :) I love the independent and freedom of living on my own, yet with the security of family and loved ones, and knowing that I don't have to fully rely on myself for resources. Would I sound incredibly corny if I said I'm just happy to be alive? (Yes. It would. But I'm going to risk sounding corny because it's absolutely the truth.)
Walking along in my bright red coat and polka dotted boots with the snow falling really makes me feel so happy. Very wintry and just.... I really can't explain it. But it's a wonderful feeling. :)
I did that just now as I was walking back from the first real dance I've been to at college. It was fun, but for only a few reasons... one being that I went with friends, and two being that certain people ended up coming. It would have been much more enjoyable had more dance-able songs been played. And let me clarify.... grinding. is. NOT. dancing. It's really sad how that's the only way people know how to dance anymore. Or even the ones who think grinding is gross, they only know how to dance by bobbing their heads and swaying to the music. Whatever happened to waltzing? Tango? Box step? Swing?
I think this is just further proof that I have been born into completely the wrong time period.
It's late (early?) and I'm thinking I should probably get off the internet before I find some other way to waste time. And I probably should get to bed....eventually... ahh, how wonderful it is to know that it doesn't matter how late you go to bed because you could sleep in the whole next day, if you really wanted to. :]

Ten Things I Love

10. Fabric stores
















I just love walking through and running my hands over all the different textures and colors... some colors just seem to feel differently. I always think deep reds and purples have a different feel from citrus-y yellows and oranges, and then white has a completely different feel altogether. Pure.


9. Peeling the thick white stuff off of an orange





I know this one is really weird. But there's just something so satisfying about pulling off that thick white inside peel... especially when it comes off in big chunks.












8. Auguste Toulmouche





His colors are so rich, and the fabrics look so real. You can almost feel them just looking at the painting. One of my favorites by him (besides this one) is The Reluctant Bride. It's just hilarious, her expression is so perfect.













7. Old diners and gas stations

















There's something terribly nostalgic and romantic about old, deserted diners. Gas stations, too. I love the old fashioned pumps, and just the colors that were used in old diners. I'd love to have a photoshoot in front of one sometime...



6. Creamed butter and sugar

















Just the act of creaming butter and sugar is so much fun, but then the smell.... *sigh* I'm convinced that only one thing (see #1) is better than the smell of creamed butter and sugar. If you've never done it, you're missing out. It's my absolute favorite part of cooking. =]



5. Paint swatches

Every time I go to Lowe's I take a few. It's my dream to cover a whole wall, and eventually a room with them. Something like this - http://blog.hgtv.com/design/files/2009/04/paint-swatch-headboard.jpg. Only with less space between each swatch, and with only one color, just different shades.



4. Old books



First of all they're so much prettier than new books. The paper feels nicer, and the covers aren't all covered with slick plastic. This is the main reason I love to work in special collections at the library, because I get to shelve all these beautiful old books. Sometimes I just walk through the shelves, looking at all the different colors and fonts on the spines, and smelling the different old smells of them.



3. Crayola colors

Atomic Tangerine? Blush? Inchworm? Wild Blue Yonder? Sugar Plum? Fresh Air? These never cease to amaze me.
After all, who wants to color with grey when you can color with Leather Jacket? Or orange when you can have Mango Tango? Yellow instead of Macaroni and Cheese? And finally, my favorite, Fuzzy Wuzzy. What color do you imagine Fuzzy Wuzzy would look like?




2. Snuffing candles

When I was little, we used to have a "candle snuffer", and my sister and I would always fight over who got to snuff the candles. It always made me feel like I lived in the 1800's, snuffing candles instead of using a lightswitch before going to bed. Now I've graduated from a candle snuffer to just using my finger. It's almost as fun.



1. Cedar

I'm completely obsessed with cedar. I can pick out the scent of it whenever I walk into a lumber store, and it's the only reason I ever would go into any kind of hardware store with my dad. I'd always wander away to the wood section, and he'd find me sniffing away at the cedar like some kind of druggie. (By the way, I'm still convinced that I've gotten high off of cedar before...) It reminds me of birdfeeders, autumn, old hope chests and dresser drawers, school supplies, and the Botanical Gardens in DC (the only live cedar trees I've ever found.. I'm in heaven there...) I'd really love some of these for my drawers - http://www.signsealedelivered.co.uk/ekmps/shops/ssdshop/images/cedar_balls.jpg.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Theo Jansen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcR7U2tuNoY

These are so crazy. I love any kind of wind or solar powered anything, but wind powered art? That's too cool. It'd be so awesome if he just left these out on random beaches, letting them "walk" along... though it would sort of creep me out if I saw one of those on the horizon, it looks... alive.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Quote



























I'm so excited, I just found a beautiful picture of one of my favorite quotes. :)
I don't feel like sleeping. Sometimes I think that sleeping is such a waste of time... Not that I'd rather give up my 6-7 hours of precious sleep to do something more "useful"... I'm just saying it seems like an awful lot of our lives is spent asleep. Strange, no?

To die by your side...

Recently I've been completely obsessed with The Smiths. I was inspired by 500 Days of Summer. :)
Their lyrics are just so sad and beautiful.

Last night I dreamt
That somebody loved me
No hope, no harm
Just another false alarm

Last night I felt
Real arms around me
No hope, no harm
Just another false alarm

So, tell me how long
Before the last one?
And tell me how long
Before the right one?
(Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me)

I wear Black on the outside
'Cause Black is how I feel on the inside

I know I'm unloveable
You don't have to tell me
Oh, message received
Loud and clear
Loud and clear
I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours
(Unlovable)












by signed, Monika on flickr

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Most beautiful songs ever written (late music monday)

It's a sin to not share with anyone who is unfamiliar with these songs...

5. Humoresque by Dvořák (Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma)
I've always loved this - especially the contrast between the light, almost child-like part a, and then the deep, emotional part b. I love it when the whole orchestra comes in! And who agrees with me that the cello is the most beautiful instrument of all time? I want to marry a cellist...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xaIH7lTiK4


4. The Wedding by James Newton Howard, from Defiance (Featuring Joshua Bell)
I keep thinking I'll get tired of this. Running on 200 plays, and it hasn't happened yet. Oh, and if you haven't seen Defiance, it's incredible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ynVnRFXVPY


3. Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra by Nigel Hess, from Ladies in Lavender (Joshua Bell)
So beautiful. And another great movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUUNBjt7JyA


2. Main Theme from Schindler's List by John Williams (Itzhak Perlman)
It was so hard deciding not to put this one as #1. It's so, so, SO gorgeous. EVERYONE should listen to this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMx2SKIRkw4


1. Love Theme from Cinema Paradiso by John Williams (Itzhak Perlman)
There are no words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTuwIWQ3PaY&feature=fvw




Whoever said that music is food for the soul was so right. I couldn't live without music.