It's not Monday, but here's some new music anyway! Today I'm loving "Problem" by Ariana Grande. And you should be too.
Have you been hearing the phrase "Song of Summer" as much as I have lately? Because it's obnoxious. So, instead of me telling you that this song will be the song of the summer, I'll just tell you what it really is:
Problem is a fun song that makes you want to dance and has horns.
I feel bad not including music on a Monday, so go ahead and press play on this little ditty while you read about my weekend in Michigan.
So, okay! Johnny and I traveled to Michigan on Thursday night after work to attend my niece Hazel's second birthday. It could not have been a more perfect weekend.
I got to spend Friday getting my car fixed and going to garage/estate sales with my dad. And ended the evening with a family dinner at Mexico Lindo. Family dinners are ALWAYS a blast. And I was just so glad to get to see my Mom and brother (Who's birthday was ALSO this past week).
Saturday was spent shopping at thrift stores for my new shop (which was a little bit of a bust but that's okay) and then visiting John's family a little bit.
But Sunday... Sunday was the big birthday party! We got to see the whole family (minus some southerners who were obviously absent). And celebrate a little cutie who has made everyone's lives brighter in the past 2 years.
John got to snuggle Maeby. And look handsome.
This is the Cozy Coupe that we bought for the little lady. It was a preview to having kids because it was a pain in the ass to put together and required beer and extra hands (Thanks, dad!). But she liked it so that's really all that matters.
This moment was sort of amazing. That little baby is Snow, one of Hazel's friends and I looked up and she was just holding onto John, who she had just met. It was adorable.
I mean look at this kid and her bubble mower. It's just the cutest thing! I'm so glad we have the chance to go home as often as we do (though I wish it was more often).
After the party, we hopped in the car and made the long trip home in the rain. But luckily, we stopped at a last minute liquor store in St. Joseph's to buy some Michigan beers. It's like a souvenir for your taste buds! We made it home in time to watch Game of Thrones and eat some pizza. So it was a win all around.
I'll pull myself away from Lost and watch an episode of Buffy so that I can write about that. And stuff.
Anyway, this is the first day in forever that is warm and spring like. Which means I'm wearing a skirt and a denim jacket and feeling good about myself (other than my ridiculous bangs that wouldn't dry right).
Basically it's a great start to a week. A week that involves the end of a month and the beginning of another. It's all very confusing.
This song is one of those ones that makes me just think about summer and driving with the windows down and camping and drinking beer. That's a lot for a song to do!
This is a low key little number as I'm not feeling like dancing much today. Maybe you are? If so, check the Music Monday tag and look for a different song to listen to.
Otherwise, get on board with this!
I've just spent the weekend in Michigan with my bff and family. It was amazing and rejuvenating. Until my dad got me sick!
I've got a cold and a little bit of a sore throat now. :( But it's okay. Because I'm back in Chicago, being productive at work and dreaming about life outside.
Back to the song. Look at what a babe Nancy Sinatra is.
And am I the only one who thinks of the movie Now and Then when I hear her name? "How short are those shorts? How tall are those boots?"
(Btw, i thought they said "how tall are those boobs" when I was a kid. I was wrong. I think I have bad hearing)
It's finally starting to warm up outside. At least a teeny bit. So let's get into the happy groove by dancing to Pharrell's new album!
Seriously, it's really fun. And upbeat. And makes you long for summer days that might never come. No seriously, I won't believe summer is real until I can put my coat away.
In other news, we bought a new coffee table and pillows for our living room. So I'm feeling a serious sense of renewal on the homefront. And also, I've spammed it like crazy all over social media. Because it's making me that happy.
I just bought tickets to see Tegan and Sara in June. Talk about planning ahead!
I listened to SO MUCH Tegan and Sara throughout college. So, it's really hard for me to pick a specific song to share today.
I went back to 2004 with this choice (I listened to it after that) and came up with "I Won't Be Left". It sounds so cute and I'm dancing in my chair. So it must be good.
But in all seriousness, you should listen to everything by them. No just their most recent album. So Jealous is my favorite if you have to pick just one record to play today.
Okay, confession, I might have been addicted to Canadian teen dramas when I was in college. Degrassi. South of Nowhere. And Instant Star.
Instant Star was my jam.
LOOK HOW COOL THEY ARE!
Mostly because Alexz Johnson is an amazing singer who just makes you feel all the feels. Like, she's crying so you're crying. So, basically, go watch that show. You're welcome.
But on to today! I remembered my love for Alexz's vocals a week ago and conveniently she released a new EP. So I've been listening to it and loving it. And you should too!
This week's Music Monday features Pentatonix. If you happen to have been living under a rock for the past few months and don't know who they are - they're the acapella group that won season 3 of The Sing Off and is just killing it on the internet lately.
Anyway, John and I went to see them in concert a week ago and it. was. awesome!
They do a lot of covers and a lot of mashups which are all amazing. But they've also got a lot of original songs that are great too. Case in point? This song here. It's great!
You know what else is great? Sitting on the couch in my sweats because it's President's Day and I don't have to work. It's extremely confusing for a Monday, but I like it.
I'm basically half deaf today so I'm not listening to much music. But this song makes me happy. And makes me want to dance. And just because I can't listen to anything doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy your day filled with songs!
And reminds me of JGL singing it at karaoke in 500 Days of Summer. Swoon.
Isn't it crazy how I can type so little today after writing a novel in yesterday's Buffy post?
Was there ever a time that didn't involve daily space heater usage? A time when I didn't constantly have hat hair from excessive use of a beanie? Were there days when I didn't wonder about the temperature at which eyeballs would freeze?
If so, I don't remember them.
I've heard they were called Summer. Or even Spring.
Basically, I'm cold. And I need these winter winds to knock it off!
So, I'm playing Mumford & Sons and day dreaming about warmer days.
The Muppets are amazing. So the fact that my step mom relates this song to me is a-okay.
Any time I tell them I got a new tattoo she just starts singing this and I love it more now that I've seen this video.
Oh, btw, I got a new Tattoo. In case that slipped right by you. I'm thinking of naming her Lydia.
Happy Monday!
I'm back in the office today after a week of travel and Christmas and working from home. So I'll be looking into a Chrome extension that blocks websites and forces me to be more productive.
I'm a mess today. Home sick from work and just wanting to sleep.
But instead I am working and I'm trying to stay awake through dance. Even if it is just mental dancing.
I like this song a lot. It's way more poppy than Paramore's earlier stuff. And it's about being with someone for longer than 5 years (can't count all the years that we've been together) so duh. I relate.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Any song with hand claps is good in my book.
'Shake' is no exception. This song is upbeat enough for me to bop my head along with it but chill enough for me to listen to it while I work and actually get some work done.
I actually went to see The Head and the Heart recently with my friend, Abby, and developed a crush on Charity Rose Thielen - the adorable violinist/back-up vocalist in this band. She's shy and awkward and wonderful. (I also almost got in a fist fight with some 20 year old boys, but that's unrelated).
This is from the show. Don't mind the quality - just focus on the ambiance. AMBIANCE.
I hope your Monday is going well! I'm in Michigan on vacation so I know mine is just a tad more amazing than usual. :)
Know what that means? Let's keep this Monday dance party going!
I can't promise that Music Mondays will always involve awesome dance parties. But I can guarantee that I usually want to dance. So it makes sense that a majority of my jams are dancey numbers.
Last Friday, I hosted trivia for a charity event in my office (which means I stressed out and came up with the questions and kept score but did not talk because that would be way too much). But trivia is ALWAYS fun to plan for two reasons.
Picture and music rounds.
For our picture round we did pictures of Patrick Swayze. Nine of them. Nine glorious pictures because I'm crazy for swayze.
But for the music round I wanted a theme. And if you know me, you know it had to be good. So we went with BUTTS.
Last Friday, I googled "songs about butts" in the office. And died laughing. And loved my job. And when the list was compiled I just knew I had to share with you all.
So here are my top 5 butt songs (now I can say I have a top 5 butt songs list!):
Queen - Fat Bottomed Girls
Let's start strong here. This song rocks. And pumps me up. And if I hear it in a bar when I'm drunk I proclaim "This is about me! I have a big butt!" Yeah, I'm that girl.
Sisqo - Thong Song
Oh, hello 1999! I don't think I realized that I was in middle school when this song came out. Which means I probably shouldn't know all the words but I do. I've even drawn anthropomorphic food with lyrics from this song.
Juvenile - Back That Azz Up
Okay, I couldn't play this one at the trivia at work because...well obviously. But come on. Shorty looks good!
Destiny's Child - Bootylicious
I almost put this song at number one. It's just that good. I don't think kids nowadays know what they missed out on with Destiny's Child. I mean, Beyonce is AMAZING. But together they were just so fun! I've seen enough of their "making the video" shows to know they are hilarious and fun. Just turn this up and jam out at your desk.
Sir Mix-a-lot - Baby Got Back
Duh. I don't think a list of butt songs could ever not include this iconic little ditty. And I pride myself on the fact that I know every single word to this song. But mostly, this is my number one because the last weekend my bff, Jessica, and I had at Michigan State was spent singing this in a bar during karaoke with backup dancers. Oh, and also I wanted to sing this for a talent show in elementary school once. I didn't get why an anaconda was so bad!
So there you have it, five great songs about the funniest part of our anatomy. Butts.
I freaking LOVE this song. Like, I've listened to it pretty much every day since I first heard it and more than once some days.
Fun story - I was having a bad day at work recently. Like, almost crying from stress and had to stay late to finish everything. Super defeated. So, I told John this (of course). And he beat me home (of course). And he met me at the train with HAIM's new record. It was like his version of flowers to improve my day and it was so perfect.
So, men of the world (and women) if your SO is having a bad day, and you're considering flowers - please remember the power of music as a mood lifter and buy a record instead. It will result in smiles and snugs. :)
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