It`s funny how the words we never say, can turn into the only thoughts we know

I've had the thought of posting these songs since the first time I heard them.  I'm sure I've mentioned them but haven't yet given them the spotlighted they deserve.

Seriously, these songs do something to me each time I hear them.  Each and every time.  Part of it is that feeling you get when you first hear a song and it changes your life.  I seriously get that feeling each. and. ever. time.  And the other part is something I have yet to figure out.  It sort of breaks me and puts me back together, whatever it is.  

Andrew McMahon kills me every time he opens his mouth and sings.  I could literally listen to him sing the phone book and would actually pay money for it.  

Yeah, he's a ninja.  Or a Jedi Knight.  Just of music.  

And Awesomeness.     

"Restless Dream" 

Restless Dream lyrics

"Casting Lines" 

Casting Lines lyrics

I, also, love the fact that "Casting Lines"was written as a writing assignment to be the theme song for 'Parenthood'.  Damn Bob Dylan!  I love hearing "Forever Young" every time I watch 'Parenthood' but "Casting Lines" would have worked just as well.  Different feel but just as good.  Of course, I'd rather listen to Andrew over Bob any day.  I know, blasphemy to some but it's a truth to me.  


For those of you who have checked out  People & Things  but maybe haven't checked out the Deluxe version you need to!  Even if it's just for these two songs... 

iTunes Deluxe songs I LOVE from People & Things: 

"Broken Bird"

Broken Bird lyrics

"Dancing With a Gun" 

Dancing with a Gun Lyrics

Fill in the Blank Friday #18

Joining at The Little Things We Do

1.  Today is a great day because it’s Friday & I’m wearing new shoes.

2.  Tomorrow I will get to hang out with some of my most favorite girls.  We’re celebrating the April birthday’s  with pedi’s, lunch and shopping. 

3.  My favorite time of day is usually morning time  because  the day is new, it’s usually quiet and the sunlight is perfect.

4. Sometimes you just have to buy new shoes instead of groceries.

5.  A song that I just can't get enough of lately is  “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Goyte.  It has the added bonus of Kimbra, who I, also, can’t get enough of lately.

6.  My favorite accessory is my silver branch looking ring that I wear on the ring finger of my right hand.

7.  My favorite thing about this week was buying Jason Mraz tickets.

Love Is A Four Letter Word

Jason Mraz's new album Love Is A Four Letter Word is out today.  I bought the Live Is A Four Letter Word EP when it was released and needless to say I am in love.  I am sure I will feel the same way about Love...  


How can I not with songs like...


I Won't Give Up...which I posted here already.


and


"The Woman I Love"

I may be a little biased because I have been in love with this man's music since my ears heard the first words of the first song I ever heard from him (back when he was promoting Waiting for my Rocket to Come... it was some Pepsi Smash concert on the WB, I think...oh, the WB...those were good times.  Not that the CW doesn't represent it's origins cuz it does...).  It's been a 10 year love affair and it's one that I know will last a lifetime.  I have yet to see Jason Mraz NOT knock it out of the ball park on singing, songwriting, and performing.  


It doesn't hurt that he's sort of adorkable and a very vocal & active humanitarian.  He did break my heart when he broke his engagement to fellow singer/songwriter Tristan Prettyman, but that's another story.  So is his need for a good barbers trip...he's looking a little too granola for me but he does look more like an aged seasoned rocker now and who really cares what he looks like when he can sing and sweet talk a guitar like he does.


He's, of course, touring to promote this new album, so Saturday I procured two tickets for Karie & I to go when he stops in Phoenix on Oct. 2nd.  This will be our 3rd time seeing Mr. A-Z and I think I was just as stressed, nervous and excited buying these tickets as I was the last two times.  Okay, I may have been just a wee bit more excited the very first time, as first times are always just a little bit sweeter.  Karie and I went in 2008 & 2009.  I'm pretty sure there is an unwritten rule that we cannot see Jason Mraz without the other.  The sky may fall or something just as unlikely, weird and tragic.


He's playing at America West Arena US Airways Center (old habits & names die hard).  I haven't been to a concert that large since Tim McGraw or Madonna (Confessions Tour '06).  I'm not a big fan of huge concert halls.  Give me a "small" room where you are standing like sardines any day.  I don't know what it is about small concerts but I love them.  Maybe its the energy you get from being that close to the band and all the other fans who love every note and word just as much as you do.  Maybe it's being able to feel every base hit & cord played from the speakers right in front of you and the vibrations they send out all around you.  Really I don't know.  I just know that it's invigorating and no matter how crowd claustrophobic I am I still am in love with small concerts and the experience of it all.  


Not to say I don't love large concerts.  I've seen several (The Cure, Bush & No Doubt, Smashing Pumpkins...can you tell I was a teen in the mid 90's?!)  and had a great time at each but they just aren't as memorable as the smaller concerts.  Does anyone agree with me on this or am I some masochistic weirdo?  


Anyway, Karie & I are in Section D, Row 3, Seats 4-5...which are floor seats.  I have that memorized.  Yeah, I'm THAT EXCITED!  I wasn't able to buy tickets during the pre-sale(s) so I was sweating that we'd end up with "bad" seats.  I didn't want to spend the highest ticket price for "nose-bleed" seats.  I'm a concert snob...there, I admit it.  It's probably somehow a backwards concert snob but a concert snob non-the-less.  


I loved seeing Madonna (during the Confessions tour '06) but ticket prices were INSANE (I can't remember because I blocked the cash amount out) and we very much had nose bleed tickets.  We weren't the highest ticket price nor were we the lowest ticket price but most of what we could see in detail of Madonna was on the jumbo screens.  It was still an EXPERIENCE and I loved every minute of it... I mean, it's Madonna but I'm going to be more excited about a $20 ticket concert at Martini Ranch to see Live Oak Revue or William Tell.   I would have said Jack's Mannequin or Jimmy Eat World but they are my MOST. FAVORITE. BANDS. EVER. so I'd pay whatever I have to and would watch them where ever I had to.  Which is the same for Jason Mraz so I'm not really sure how I got off on this tangent.  


Brain.  Focus.  Now.  Please.


PS...Concerts are probably the only thing I like smaller better than bigger.  Well, that and jeans.  I think we'd all rather fit in a size 5 than a size 13.  Sigh... I remember those days.  Vaguely.  

2012 Goal: Quarterly Update #1

With April here I figured I needed to check and see how I was doing on my 2012 Goals.


#1.  I am well into my goal to wear each pair of shoes I have (at least once).  I'm at 27 of 49 on my shoes and 1 of 23 on my flip flops.  I've actually worn more but some days I totally forget to document my "new" shoes. 


I've worn several pairs of flips but only have documented one.  Now that it's warming up I'll be wearing them more so documentation should be easier to remember.  It seems that I started making a collage but never finish uploading it.  It actually happens more than you would think.  I start, get busy, remember late in the evening, start again and then fall asleep during the process.  Guess it's a good thing I'm not getting paid for this sort of thing.  I'd go hungry a lot otherwise.  


Standing: Good.


#2. Get rid of things...sounds so easy but really when it comes down to it it's a lot harder than one would think.  I've cleaned out my closet a bit, as well as my dresser drawers.  I could certainly go through both a few more times (and probably will) but I have a good sized box of stuff I'm getting rid of.  I just need to start going through the part of my closets that aren't clothes.  The storage part of the closets is what really needs to be gone through. Man, I have to admit I dread that process.  


Standing: Ok.


#3.  Go on a date... Yeah.  Does thinking about it count?  What about talking about it?  It should count a little.  I whole heartily had the intention to follow through but circumstances beyond my control got in the way.  I could have been more proactive but... sometimes those circumstances kick the shit out of you and being proactive has less to do with follow up and more to do with survival. 


Could of.  Should of.  Would of.  Whatever. 


Standing: Bad.


#4. Sew a 50's style dress.  I've come to realize that this goal is going to be pretty hard.  See... I don't own a sewing machine.  I do, however, have a sister who owns a sewing machine.  One I am not allowed to touch.  It's a bit of a bummer and a bit of a relief.  I mean, the thought of me operating a machine that's main function is fast moving needles... I sort of shudder at the thought.   


I'm sure my sis would be happy to sew the dress for me and let me do all the other stuff.  Okay, really she'd have to help me figure out how to cut the pattern since I don't know how jack about sewing and patterns make about as much sense as when I look at a map...seriously how does that stuff make sense?!  She totally allows me to play with scissors...just not sewing machines.  It's probably a wise decision on her part.  


I'm sure if I paid to have her old machine fixed she'd show me on that one but we (my niece and I) are not allowed to touch her new prettypretty sewing machine.  It's really not a personal thing against me or my lack of sewing knowledge.  At least no much.


I...er...we did do a DYI dress I found on Pinterest though.

Georgie (my sister) my seamstress.

The dress actually needs to be fixed before wearing.  Try and learn, right?!  I didn't cut the tank short enough so it's a bit weird.  To fix the weird waist part we just need to make a thicker belt.  I just need to go get the fabric and have my sister sew it up.  I absolutely love the way the skirt feels though.  Even if it hadn't turned out I've only spend $3 on the dress so far.  Okay, $4 counting the elastic thread I bought.  I'd say another $1 for the additional fabric.  So in total $5, not bad right?!  Especially considering I would have thrown out or given away the tank I used.  


I'm actually excited to do another one in a maxi style.  I've been trying to find fabric to match purple or pink since I have a few tanks in each color but it's near impossible.  I found a black tank at Target on sale for $5 so I snagged it with the intention of using it for the maxi dress.  I would think black would make finding coordinating fabric easier but who knows.  


Standing: Good,  I did do A dress.  


#5. Finally making myself my no sew fleece blanket.  


Standing: Bad.  


#6. Get new glasses.  


Standing: Bad.  


#7.  Visit Bearizona.  


Standing: Bad but Bearizona actually just reopened this month.  


As first quarters go I'm thinking I'm not doing too bad.  I definitely needs to kick some of the goals into gear if I want to get anywhere with them by end of year.  Considering how crappy this year has been so far I'm going to give the overall standing of my 2012 Goals a Good though.  

April Photo A Day

Joining at FatMumSlim

Starting tomorrow I'll be joining FatMumSlim for April's Photo A Day.  I totally choked on March's but I'm recommitting myself for April.  I actually missed having a daily challenge and the opportunity to look at things differently.  Or sometimes to just pay attention in the first place.

Between Friends #2

Good God, I love my BFF! 


For some unknown reason I must document this text conversation as well. (#1, here)

Me: Dude next door* is out... He smokes. That is why he's always going to his car.
Karie: bummer!
M: Though he did just introduce himself...."Steve", in case I forget. Total bummer!
K: You have dated smokers previously. :)
M: Yes but I didn't like it. They seem to be unable to tell the truth about smoking.
K: True that!
M: Are you drinking?
K: How did you know? ;)
M: You go street on me when drinking.
K: Word!
M: Is this really happening & are you wearing clothes??
K: Yes!...(really you don't need the rest of the convo)


*Dude next door = new tenant next door at work.  Co-worker has been trying to play matchmaker & was convinced Dude next door* was always walking by to "catch a glimpse".  Not so!  


Okay, well maybe a little as a bonus to sneaking smoke breaks.  He's always popping his head in our office so he's either super friendly or being a bit less nonchalant then I've been in the scoping things out area.  But what do I know.  I am horrible at reading signals from the opposite sex.  And by horrible, I mean horrible and AWKWARD.  

Carry On

Fun. "Carry On"

For a BRILLIANT performance of "Carry On" go to RecordStoreDay, they don't have an embedding option for their video.

"Carry On"

Well I woke up to the sound of silence
the cars were cutting like knives in a fist fight
and I found you with a bottle of wine
your head in the curtains
and heart like the Fourth of July

You swore and said
"We are not
We are not shining stars"
This I know
I never said we are

Though I've never been through hell like that
I've closed enough windows
to know you can never look back

If you're lost and alone
Or you're sinking like a stone
Carry on
May your past be the sound
Of your feet upon the ground
Carry on

Carry on, carry on

So I met up with some friends
at the edge of the night
At a bar off 75
And we talked and talked
about how our parents will die
All our neighbours and wives

But I like to think
I can cheat it all
To make up for the times I've been cheated on
And it's nice to know
When I was left for dead
I was found and now I don't roam these streets
I am not the ghost you want of me

If you're lost and alone
Or you're sinking like a stone
Carry on
May your past be the sound
Of your feet upon the ground
Carry on

Whoa
My head is on fire
But my legs are fine
After all they are mine
Lay your clothes down on the floor
Close the door
Hold the phone
Show me how
No one’s ever gonna stop us now

Cause we are
We are shining stars
We are invincible
We are who we are
On our darkest day
When we’re miles away
Sun will come
We will find our way home

If you're lost and alone
Or you're sinking like a stone
Carry on
May your past be the sound
Of your feet upon the ground
Carry on

Carry on, carry on

Friday Funnies #8

Things That Seem Normal When You Live Alone

Found via Blurbomat

Not going to say that this is completely autobiographical but it's close enough to have me LOLing a LOT.

FREE Doesn't Always Mean Easy

I've been sitting on this post because I wasn't sure what I wanted to say exactly.  It involves a whole bunch of things I love.  Shopping.  FREE stuff.  Old Navy.  Crowdtap.  A friend.  Yet, there was a whole lot of frustration as well.

As a member of The Old Navy Style Council (via Crowdtap) I once again got the opportunity to do a Sample Share.  This time it was for The Old Navy DRESS Event.  A FREE dress?! Words a girl like me loves to hear!!  Needless to say I was super excited.  I figured it was be a breeze picking out the perfect dress.  

With my lack of knowing what to say you can guess that picking out a FREE dress was a little more work than I intended.  As the last sample share I did for Old Navy there was a coupon for a FREE dress for me and a FREE dress for a friend.  

This time I chose my friend Crystal to go shopping with me.  She is a great shopping buddy.  Fun, honest, cute as a button and basically lets me (politely & with love) boss her around.  I'm constantly asking her thoughts on something and when it wasn't something she loved telling her she had to try it on anyway.  =)  We all need that one person to push us off of our comfort box.  I'm hers.

We'd both checked out our prey on Old Navy's website, checking out all the pretty dresses we had to choose from.  Sadly the maxi dress I loved the most is an online option only and not eligible for this promotion.  FYI: Online items only are RUDE in my opinion!  Just sayin'.  Anyhow, I had my eye on  the Ruffled Crepe Dresses in Country Moss (it's similar to a black ON dress I have that I love) and the Smocked Chiffon Dresses in any of the colors available because they were all great!  There was actually a pretty long list of dresses I was excited to try on.

After dressing myself for 30 years I know what cuts to stay away from and what cuts work best for my um...busty body.  I fall in love with dresses all the time that I know would look horrible on me, like strapless and one shouldered, and I steer clear of them.  Old Navy has always provided me with a lot of clothes that fit me pretty well.  For the past 3 to 4 years I've been wearing a medium in shirts and dresses from ON.  I've always liked that I didn't jump anywhere from a small to an extra large in the ON brand.  Somewhere between the last time I went dress shopping at ON (a few months ago/Fallish) and two weeks ago things have gone wonky.  

I tried on dresses from a size small to an extra large.  Most of the time one size was too small and the next size up was too big.  Not fitting into any size is the most annoying thing in the world.  Okay, ONE of the most annoying things in the world.  I mean, Paris Hilton is still out there.  I found a black Draped Jersey-Tank Dress in a large and it was slightly too tight in the bust area but other than that it fit like a dream.  Of course, the next size up was way too large!  

Most of the dresses I tried on fit like that or fit okay but there was always something just a little off.  Sometimes I could pin point it but other times I could not.  As my top choices dwindled down and my search for a dress, any dress, turned a bit frantic I widened my search criteria to ANY dress.  Swear to God I tried on just about every dress choice in that store.  Save for the strapless, halter and small busted dresses.  

Seriously, you'd think with all the dresses in the store finding the perfect dress would have been a lot easier.  I guess I did give ON a challenge.  I'm more Dolly Pardon than the typical girl next door.  Plus, my shopping  buddy is 4'11" and is what we lovingly refer to as Pygmy sized.  Needless to say, Crystal was having about as much luck as I was, except she was staying away from all the maxi dresses.  They literally were at least a foot to two feet too long.  I kept telling her she could cut off the bottom and make a skirt or something but she wasn't having it. 

Many of the dresses we tried on are no longer on the website and many that we saw were never on the website to begin with.  Plus, many of the ones shown on the website weren't at the store...which was/is a major bummer.  

I ended up with a dress that isn't listed on the site.  But it's pretty similar to the Draped Jersey-Tank Dresses, except it's not draped and the bust is cut a bit differently.  Crystal ended up getting the Tiered-Jersey Tank Dresses. I think it was actually the first dress she tried on.

With heels Crystal is almost regular human size.  =)

So at 5'4" I normally feel like Gigantor next to her when we both have flat shoes/no shoes on.  I never feel like Gigantor or Amazonish.

It's a good thing I love her and she's so dang cute!  

Plus, she loves shopping.

P.S. We're perfect models...we had a bad photographer.

I swear.  =)

The Best: 

I chose the red/pink color because it was different.  But black is way more slimming!

I also wore leggings as to not blind anyone or break the camera by my whiteness.

The Not Quite's: 

Weirdly poofy under the bust.

We both loved this dress but were way too distracted by the poof.

Too snug top.

Too snug in hips.

Wrong coloring.

The Ugly's:  

Busty girls and bust ruffles are a big NO!

I can't even believe I showed this one.  There is so much wrong here.  Oh, man was this dress cute on the mannequin!

Too snug everywhere but too large a size up.

Too staticy. 

SAD FACE.

Loved this dress on the hanger & online!

The pink & green colors are drool worthy.

Wrong size & wrong in the chest area.

Sad face since this dress is ADORABLE!

  

Chest ruffles ruin it again.

New dresses have arrived in store since our shopping trip and I am looking forward to going and trying them on.  I think if I get a chance to Sample Share again I'll go a couple times if need be before choosing an item.  I'm sort of a instant satisfaction sort of girl so it's just so hard to not get something when you go, especially if it's FREE.  

I still love Old Navy and being able to get FREE clothes from them.

Wanna join in the fun?? 

Tap in and join now!

MarchPhotoADay Weekly Roundup #2

Day 2: Fruit

Day 3: My Neighborhood

Day 4: Bedside

This is like the purple corner, never really realized that until right now.

Day 5: Smile

I missed this one...oops!

Day 6: 5PM

Driving home.

Day 7: Something I Wore

Peach/Brown/Cream Feathers

Necklace: Old Navy

Day 8: Window
I fell asleep before I could take a photo.
I sorta failed this week!

FebPhotoADay Weekly Roundup #4 & MarchPhotoADay Weekly Roundup #1

Here are the last of the photo's for February...

Day 25: Green

Day 26: Night

Day 27: Something You Ate

Day 28: Money

Day 29: Something I Listening To

March

Day 1: Up

My new lamp with birds UP in a tree.
Bonus, I was so excited I was totally high = UP.  
I think I sorta scared the checker dude because I was 
so excited.  

March Photo A Day

It's a new month and a new photo challenge.  

I can't believe I finished February's photo challenge without missing a day.  I did upload a photo late but I don't actually count that as a miss since I did end up posting it.  I fell asleep while trying to post it so it didn't actually get done when I had intended.  

March looks like it may have a few challenges.  Hopefully I can keep as on task as I did for Feb and have as much fun (if not more) while doing it.

Joining FatMumSlim

Some Nights is Brilliantly Brilliant

I've been impressed with Fun. since the moment they took the stage 2 years ago and blew me away opening up for Jack's Mannequin.  Considering they were headed up by Nate Ruess from The Format I expected to like them but wasn't sure if they could replace The Format in my heart.  


Honestly, they didn't just replace The Format in my heart, they totally blew The Format out of the water.
Not that I don't still love The Format, I mean...come on The Format ROCKED!  
But Fun. just ROCKS more to my way of thinking.  
Not to be cute or anything but Fun. is well...FUN!
They're dramatic.  Different.  A bit funky.  And I love Nate's unconventional voice.  
Their music tells a story.  
Listening is an experience.


Their new album is no exception.
The whole album comes together to tell a continuing story, part of it flowing over from Aim and Ignite.
I'm not going to lie and say that the story they tell is for everyone.
Many may find One Foot offensive but I find it an honest point of view.
When they cuss they love dropping the F bomb.
But I honestly see this as being on my top 5 favorite albums of 2012.
It is AMAZING!


I find everything about this BRILLIANT!!
Some Nights (Intro):
(make sure to pay attention to the crowd talking...
it's sorta hilarious)

Some Nights (Intro) Lyrics

How can you not love an album that starts out like this?!

FebPhotoaDay Weekly Roundup: #3

Day 18: Drink

The best OJ in a bottle.  

Day 19: Something I Hate To Do 

Cleaning up cat messes (this is Parker's mess...she's vintage & Alzheimery).  

Day 20: Handwriting 

Day 21: A Favorite Photo of Me 

Me & my mom on my 5th birthday.

Day 22: Where I work 

Day 23: My Work 

Day 24: Inside My Bathroom Cabinet 

What I Wore Wednesday: Week 23

Joining at The Pleated Poppy 

Just so you get in the right frame of mind make sure to sing "Oops, I Did It Again" (yes, by Brittany Spears) while reading this.  

It's time to stop pretending and just admit that I have totally fallen off the no spending wagon and it's been a long hard road to get back onto it. I'm almost there.  Almost.

I've admitted it before and I'll do so again... I'm an emotional shopper and retail therapy totally helps.  

Last week I found some amazing things to pair with my black leggings.  Sadly, I did manage to shrink one of the shirts I bought to go with them so now it's too short to wear with it but it's still a cute shirt.  I am determined to make sure this super cute dress does not end up with the same fate.  As it stands now if it doesn't shrink I can wear it as just a dress in the Summer time when temps are at 115 degrees and I am sweating to death in my car with no A/C.

Dress: Lots of Love by Speechless, Macy's, $8.46

Leggings: gift

Necklace: Multi Colored Chains Necklace & Earring Set

 In Pink, Giveaway win

Belt: Target, $5.20

Shoes: Tribeca wedges, Ross

Cardigan: Forever 21

Dress: Lots of Love by Speechless, Macy's, $8.46

Leggings: gift

Necklace: 

Short: short: tiny riveted initials via noisycricket , giveaway win

Long:Multi Colored Chains Necklace & Earring Set

 In Pink, Giveaway win

Belt: Target, $5.20

Shoes: Tribeca wedges, Ross

The dress has a totally cute black mesh & secquines v cut in the back but I didn't get photo's of it & can't find it online.  Maybe next time.  Also,  

sorry for the blurry outfit photo's.  It just goes to show that my true talent does really lie in jewelry/accessory photography and not clothing photography.  

Necklace: 

Short: short: tiny riveted initials via noisycricket , giveaway win

Long:Multi Colored Chains Necklace & Earring Set

 In Pink, Giveaway win

I just love the detail in it.  It's sort of heavy though.

Earrings:

:Multi Colored Chains Necklace & Earring Set

 In Pink, Giveaway win

They're also heavy.

Ring:  In Pink, Giveaway win (can't find link online)

I am standing straight in this photo.  That is how tall these wedges are.  

They're super high but surprisingly sturdy & comfortable.

I bought these shoes from Ross about a year ago.  It was love at first sight, which is weird because I was never really into the whole Gladiator sandal thing.  I had half a mind to take them back but I never did because I secretly just plain didn't want to.  I really loved them. I've never worn them before Friday though I tried to wear them once before but after the broken lamp incident I put them away again, a little to afraid of them.

This is why my 2012 goal to wear every pair of shoes I own was such a great idea.  

I will definitely be wearing these pretty babies again soon.

Confession time again... when I'm indecisive about what shoes to wear my closet ends up looking like this in the morning...