POLAR VORTEX!

Oh, hey, Polar Vortex. You know what I think of you? I think you HATE ME. Because I got up at 6 AM to go to work like a good girl, only to be greeted with 3 degree weather. No problem, I say, because I can just layer up like this:

First step conquered. Then I start my car. She sounds a little resistant because she's frozen solid, but old Sangria never fails. I get to my parking lot where I usually pay $6 to park and then walk about five minutes to my building (cheapskate). Today, however, I see my coworker. He tells me the machine is not printing out any slips. Never one to take anyone's word for it, I try it myself. True. The machine will not give me that little piece of paper so  I don't get towed, and now I've charged an unnecessary $6 on my card. I check the other three cars in the parking lot. They have the paper. (How did they do it?!)

Second step failed. On to the third. I decide that because it's freezing (understatement) I will park my car directly in front of my building on the street and pay the machine an extreme amount of money to stay there all day. A splurge is sometimes necessary and fun. Then I realize the machine says "3 hour parking only." FACE PALM.

Step FOUR! Go to the trusty old parking garage adjacent to my building and park there. At least it's super early so I can park right as I pull in. Why didn't I do that in the first place, you ask? They usually don't have an early bird special. However, as I pull up, I see they have a new sign! $10 in before 9 AM and out after 4 PM! Guess what. I leave at 3 PM. UGH. I just know they are going to try to charge me a full amount... but I can be pretty convincing.

And it's only 7:30 AM. Happy Polar Vortex to me! :) Stay warm, my friends.

music monday :: twin forks

If you know me, then you know I'm a Chris Carabba fan. He's a great writer, extremely talented musician, and an all-around nice guy. The last time I saw him was at a Further Seems Forever reunion show, where he told me he was starting a new project and to keep an eye out for it.

Gone are his Dashboard Confessional days! Chris is now immersed in his newest band called Twin Forks. He also has new people with him: mandolin player Suzie Zeldin, bassist Jonathan Clark and drummer Ben Homola. And once again, he's moved on to a new sound. Read the bio to see how he got from Further/Dashboard to here. This dude is one of the most versatile musicians I've ever come across. He's such a visionary. Even when he's already got a successful band and following, he is willing to give in to his creative spirit and follow it where it may take him without knowing the outcome. It can be a bit of a risk when you go from a rock band to an emotional, solo acoustic act, to this... folk with some good old country roots. (Who saw that one coming?)

images via google

They're a good looking band, huh? I love that they have a girl in their group. Always makes me happy! And now for your listening pleasure:

friday favorites :: snow day round 3

It snowed again last night! That makes three this winter season... a refreshing comeback after a couple years of nothing! What is winter if it has no snow, I ask you?! So today I am blogging from my warm bed, covered in blankets after emailing work to tell them, "No, I will absolutely not go outside in windy 18 degree weather to scrape frozen snow off my car at 6 AM. Thanks, NO THANKS."

I digress.

So, Friday Favorites! Well, one of them is snow, duh. Here are the others!

Planning on checking out this place for lunch today. I can't believe I still haven't been since my roommate told me about it months ago.

Enjoying The Awkward Blog this week. I love reading about her adventures in London and time spent with her girlfriends!

This Buzzfeed. My roommate texted it to me yesterday and I was dying... some of these are actually true :)

Looking forward to Downton Abbey and The Bachelor soon! JUAN-UARY!

This shirt and these boots. I have a Christmas gift card to spend!

Finally, some of my favorite songs to listen to in 2013:

- The 1975, Chocolate

- The Gaslight Anthem, 45

- Birdy, Skinny Love (for when my dog passed away)

- Panic at the Disco, Miss Jackson (car driving song!)

- Sara Bareilles, Chasing the Sun

- Matt Wertz,  Get To You

happy 2014!

Guys, I have a feeling that 2014 is going to be a good one. I had an excellent time at our New Year's party, and the next morning was full of wafflemakers and record players. Nothing better than eating waffles and bacon while Jackson 5 and The Beatles are playing, I tell ya!

Also, I am convinced that New Year's day is the best day in the whole year to veg out on the couch and eat nothing good for you. My roommate and I watched an all-day/night marathon of Happy Endings (it's cancelled, but have you seen that show? Hilarious!), ate guacamole and mac & cheese, and did nothing. I even went to bed at 8 pm! Unheard of for me, but necessary since I was falling asleep on the couch at 6. Sheesh. 2014 turned me into a grandma.

I hope your New Year's was safe, fun and lovely! I'll be back tomorrow with some of my favorite songs of 2013 :)

the talk :: the new year!

image via weheartit

So, it's New Year's Eve. I have a fabulous party planned with my best friend and her husband at their house, with a bunch of our close friends all dressed up and ready for a cocktail! I love a good New Year's Eve party. We usually go out, but this year we decided to avoid the hassle (and the cold!) and do it up right. I can't wait! And into the night we'll all get into our PJ's, stay up way too late, and have breakfast the next morning. Nothing better than ringing in a new year with best friends and a great party.

I hope your 2013 was full of surprises (good and bad), ups, downs, and lots of laughter and love from people. Why the bad and downs? Because those are moments that shape us. You can't have the good without the bad. None of us will never have a perfect life and bad things do happen to good people. But I've learned in my 27 years that it all has to do with perspective. Days will suck. People will pass away. Family will  be hard to deal with. Friends may get lost in the woodwork. Employment may be difficult. Money could be tight. But I believe that every single one of us is already equipped to get through it! Count the blessings instead of letting yourself fall into a pit. Make a list of things that you are happy about in your life. If you can't think of many, try to make a change! And when it comes to those dreaded New Year's resolutions, make your goals attainable, not impossible. Try to stick with what you say you'll do. And remember that "failure" has no place in your vocabulary! If you fall short one day, just accept it and try to do better the next. (Don't worry, I'm taking my own advice!)

Cheers to your 2013, and to a wonderful 2014. Make it count! And thanks so much for continuing to read this little blog :)

music monday :: handsome and gretyl

Happy second-to-last day of 2013! I took off last week to relax and catch up with friends, hence the lack of posts. But I'm back with some great music to start your week off right! It's one of those days where I'm wearing gifts from friends (shoes & jewelry, I mean) and I am running on five hours of sleep, but I don't mind for some reason. (I'm sure I'll feel dead later. Plenty of time left for that.)

On to the music! Sometimes you just hear a guy + girl duo and you immediately love them. I was wrapping Christmas presents one night with Spotify set to a holiday station when the song "Avalanche" came on. No idea how it got in there, but it was meant to be.

image via bandcamp

I really love this description of themselves: 

"He came from Toronto; she, from Seattle.

Both had music in their blood, instruments in their hands, and a mind to create.

The mountains led him to the west; a star led her to the north. 

In Vancouver they met and schooled—studying music and life.

They found promise.

They found love. 

In less than a year they put school on hold, got married, and lived.

With music and purpose guiding them, school called again and to Nashville they went. 

He became an audio engineer; she became a songwriter; music stayed central and they continued to create.

The couple formed Handsome and Gretyl and released their debut EP, Hold On Tight Love, February 2011."

What a fun adventure these two have been on! Their music speaks for itself, really. They're folky, down to earth, and lovely. "Avalanche" is my favorite so far, but I really love that whole record. You can listen to all of their music for free HERE. You have no excuse not to! :) Enjoy and happy Monday!

checking in

Good morning, friends! Just checking in today since I've been completely MIA this week. It's been a busy Christmastime and I probably won't be back to "real" posting until after New Year's. Until then, enjoy your family, friends, gifts, and relax! I'll be celebrating the beginning of 2014 with my best friends... can't wait!