Music Monday: The Weatherman

I love mellow music. Music that you can read to or write to, work along with .Music that has blatant emotion and tells stories. It's these kinds of attributes that draw me to folk music. And it's all these things that drew me to Gregory Alan Isakov's music a few years ago. His new album, The Weatherman that came out in July is perfection. I can't just pick a few songs to love. I love all of them! Which I believe is a sign of a really fantastic album. 
So sit back, grab a good book and listen.

Music Monday: Emeli Sande

Happy (belated) Music Monday (whoops!) 
There's so much good summer music out there right now-normally I tend to get a little more country than normal when the sun is shining and the grass turns green but lately I can stop listening to Emeli Sande.
I first loved her when she sang the old hymn "Abide With Me" at the Olympics opening ceremony. Her voice is magnificent her music is majestic. I love the radio hit "Next To Me" but you should really listen to her album to see how amazing she is, here are some of my favorites! 

Music Monday: Birdy

Happy Monday! I'm home sick today and the weather has been gray and rainy for a few days here in Iowa so mellow music feels fitting.

I've known of Birdy for a while but lately I've been really loving her mellow, musical covers.

Her style is perfect for background music while reading or studying.

And. here are a few of my current favorites, enjoy!

Music Monday: One Republic "Native"

Hi! Welcome back to the blog! Or maybe I should welcome myself back to blogging? 

Anyways, life has been more than hectic lately, I mean working 30+ hours a week, going to classes and doing schoolwork, writing a senior capstone project, looking for a full time job and planning a wedding makes for kind of an overwhelming schedule. 

But  I am really excited to get back into blogging mode and once summer hits I plan on showering all of you with plenty of DIYs and Foodie posts :)

But for today let's start off with some new tunes!

I've always been a fan of One Republic so I was pumped when their new album came out. Their music is so actually musical and involved, I love it. 

Another super cool thing is Spotify's new feature! You can embed songs or entire playlists into blogs now (learn about it here). 

Needless to say, I think this is super exciting especially for my Music Monday Feature!

Without any further ado, here are two of my favorite songs from one Republic's new album "Native"

Music Monday: January Wedding.

This. January Wedding. 

The Avett Brothers.

This is going to be the theme of our wedding I've decided.

If it happens in January that is.

Music Monday: A Fine Frenzy "Pines"

Happy Monday Everyone!

Today's Music Monday is super fun! Or at least I think it is...

I've loved A Fine Frenzy and Allison Sudol since their first album "One Cell in the Sea" that came out in 2007 (when I was in High School-whoa).

And then I loved "Bomb in a Birdcage" in 2009 

and now I love love love their newest album "Pines." 

A Fine Frenzy has such a fun mix of mellow, calming pieces and fun, up-beat pieces.

And Allison Sudol's vocals fit perfectly into everything that they do. 

Here are some of my favorites from their new album!

"Now Is The Start" 

"Avalanches (Culla's Song)" 

and "It's Alive"

PS: All of A Fine Frenzy's music can be found on Spotify, including "Pines" !!!

Music Monday: T-Swift 22.

I'm going to take a cue from my dear friend K-Frit (you can check out her tumblr blog here) and blog about T-Swift's new album, Red. 

I thought I had recovered from my T-Swift phase in life only to be drawn back in by the catchy nature of legitimately almost every single song on her new album. 

But for real, the girl has grown as a writer and singer. I can appreciate both the more pop-y tunes (oh hey, We are Never Ever Getting Back Together) and the more mellow, old country like pieces, including both of the duets on the album, one with Ed Sheeran and one with Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol. (But seriously, really quality duets, really quality). 

My favorite song on the album right now is most-probably-definitely "22." I mean "It feels like the perfect night to dress up like hipsters" is just so applicable to my life... but really. The tune is so catchy and the lyrics are so true-to-life embarrassing and the age is just about perfect for where I'm at in life right now, I think really this song and my senior year of college were meant to be together. 

Y'all should seriously take a listen. 

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I don't know about you, but...

Music Monday: If I Needed You

It's no secret that I love love love Mumford & Sons, so when I tumbled upon a track I hadn't heard before I felt it was my duty to share it with you! 

"If I Needed You" was originally recorded by Emmylou Harris and Don Williams, 

but the Mumford & Sons cover does not disappoint. 

You can listen to this marvelous track here!

and download it for yourself (for free!) here!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Music Monday: Same Love

I like to think that all of my Music Monday posts are at least somewhat inspirational to both me and you, but this week is truly inspirational. 

Take a listen to "Same Love" and support equality. #forall

Music Monday: Don't Let It Break Your Heart

I've been a Coldplay fan since I was at least 14 years old and their music has never gotten old for me. I still love their old stuff (Parachutes, amiright?) but I also love how their sound has evolved and changed over the decades and I love Mylo Xyloto just as much as their old stuff. This weekend "Don't Let It Break Your Heart" came on my 'Mellow' playlist shuffle and I haven't been able to stop listening to it since. This song is just synonymous with my mood for this past week so I thought I would do y'all a favor and share it with you for this week's Music Monday. Enjoy!

Coldplay "Don't Let It Break Your Heart" 

Also, who is excited for the new Mumford & Sons album to come out TOMORROW?!? I'm super super excited. I watch them perform on SNL this weekend and they are SO Good. Anyways, "Babel" comes out tomorrow (aka Tuesday) and you can learn more about it here

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Monday Monday...

Hi Everyone! Sorry I've been a little blogging-absent lately. I was struck with the post-recruitment sickness and needed almost an entire week of sleeping to recover. But, since I've been gone, here are some of my favorite things lately, in a sort of weekly wrap-up kind of formation.

1. In keeping with the tradition of Music Mondays: 

Taylor Swift, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"

Here's the deal, I don't typically listen to T-Swift 24/7 (not since High School), nor do I have a really bad break-up that I'm dealing with, or really anything to be angsty about in the boy-realm of my life, but this song is so catchy. so catchy. it's great. Listen a few times and you'll be hooked too, even if you don't want to be.

2. In keeping with my Love of JCrew. 

I would like all the things. or at least all of these things:

Superga for J Crew Navy Polka Dotted Sneaks.
Please? These are adorbs.
You can find them here!

The Allie Dress in Aqua Floral for Formal.
With black tights and booties? Perf.
Find it Here!

3. In keeping with my Love of JCrew
and T-shirts with 3/4 sleeves and boat necks:

The Perfect-Fit Colorblock T in natural and black. Classic
Find it here!

Factory Lace-Front T in navy. Classic #2.
Find it here!

That's my Monday Monday weekly wrap-up! I'll be back on my regular blogging schedule this week (or closer to it) so be sure to come back now, ya hear? 

PS: get an extra 30% off of J Crew Final Sale items with code LOVEIT

Music Monday: Soundtracks.

Happy Monday! Sorry my posts have been a little sporadic lately, things have been a bit hectic with all this back to school, back to sorority, back to everything time, and this week, being recruitment, is no different. 

In honor of this back to school season I wanted to share with you my go-to study/paper writing/homework reading music. Soundtracks! I love soundtracks or scores, since they are primarily instrumental they have the same non-distracting quality as traditional classical music, but because they were written and created as one whole moving piece rather than just individual songs they can help propel your work forward in a way that traditional classical just can't.

Some of my favorite soundtracks and scores are:

1. (of course) all three of the Lord of the Rings scores 

2.Harry Potter, specifically HP7 Pt 1&2

*my favorites are "Statues" and "Courtyard Apocalypse" ...so intense. 

3. War Horse score, by the ever talented John Williams (also responsible for HP, Star Wars, ET and many others)

4. Hunger Games score (so much better than the soundtrack)

*my favorite is "Rue's Farewell

5. We Bought a Zoo score, written/created/performed by Jonsi-the music is so beautiful, calming and unexpected

6. my all time favorite score/soundtrack: Little Women. from the 1994 film with Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, and Christian Bale. Also this is probably one of my favorite movies ever. Thomas Newman created such beautiful, emotional, and marvelous music for this film, I will never get sick of it. 

Music Monday: Ingrid.

I love Ingrid Michaelson, and pretty much all of her music. 

Here's a little "You and I" love to brighten up your Monday morning.

If you are craving more Ingrid check out her website! and Musics. 

Music Monday: I Will Wait.

This week's Music Monday is very exciting! I absolutely love Mumford and Sons and the first single off their new album, Babel is out! I Will Wait is classic Mumford and Sons sound and lyrics, and is a perfect continuation of their previous album. I might have to make a paper chain counting down the days until September 25 when the rest of the album is released! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kS8RTRi7HA

Music Monday: Illustrations To My Ears.

For today's Music Monday I thought we would take a little walk over to the visual part of our brains to check out these sweet band and/or lyric inspired illustrated and typography posters.  

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Music Monday: The Lumineers.

This Music Monday is brought to you by a mix CD in Ivy's car 
(much like the last Music Monday).

The Lumineers have a great mellow, bluegrassy sound with just enough quirk and personailty to make them fun. My favorite song by them right now is Hey Ho, you should  take a listen!

also, this music video is essentially a giant hispter party, so there's that too.

Like the Lumineers? Check out   their website!

Music Monday: Dixie Chicks.

I unashamedly love the Dixie Chicks. My dear little/friend Ivy reminded me of this love last night when she had the song "Easy Silence" on the mix CD playing in her car. I truly appreciate not only the clear talent that the Dixie Chicks have but also their fearlessness in using their voices.  Melinda Gates once said "a woman with a voice is by definition, a strong woman." Today's world all to often ignores the voices of women, perhaps in part because everyone is too busy listening to their own loud opinions. 

So, this Music Monday goes to the Dixie Chicks, especially the song "Easy Silence"

if you're in the mood for something a little more fiesty I would also recommend 
"Not Ready to Make Nice"

Music Monday: Mumford Lyrics & New Passion Pit.

For today's sleepy Music Monday I  bring you wise words from the

ever calming, ever amazing Mumford and Sons. 

AND, if you're looking for some new beats, you can

check out Passion Pit's new album, Gossamer on NPR Music!

My favorite song so far is 'Take a Walk"

Happy Monday! 

Music Monday: Dumptruck Butterlips.

This Music Monday is inspired by my weekend festivities at 80/35 Music Festival, Dumptruck Butterlips was one of my absolute favorite acts that I saw/heard this weekend! They describe their sound as bed room soul grass, and they make heavenly heavenly sounds. They are a quaretet of music makers featuring a string bass, sometimes an accordian, and the percussionist literally plays a washboard. Its probably the coolest and best thing I have ever seen, ever.  They manage to flawlessly blend soul like vocals with folk roots and beautiful harmonies. 

You can find their music on spotify and iTunes. And here's their website.
My favorites are "Don't Drink the River" and "Any Man"
oh, also they did a marvelous cover of MJ's Billie Jean. 
also, "Puppy Love" features the sexy vocals of the main man, Dumptruck.

Music Monday: Punch Brothers.

Can we take a minute to talk about Bluegrass?

I feel like Bluegrass has this old person, boring, awkward person, hick stigma that it definitely does not deserve. Making Bluegrass music requires an ear for harmony and a group of musicians that are completely in tune and in sync with each other.  

I absolutely love the Punch Brothers (and Chris Thile's old haunt, Nickel Creek).

Specifically the songs "This Girl" and "Dark Days.

Their sound is so calming and energized at the same time, perfect for studying, blogging, reading, everything. 

http://anewscafe.com/2010/04/19/punch-brothers-should-be-a-knockout-show/

Check out some of the Punch Brothers live performances at Bonnaroo here!