On a Cool Wind

Let the Sun Shine In

So Long, So Hi!

It's been so long that this feels weird, but I had a much needed break. I spent over a week in the Virginia/DC area. I had resolved that I would take pictures, but alas I forgot to even bring a camera. It was good for me though. Sometimes I get so caught up in trying to document a trip that I don't take time to enjoy it.

I did put together the new desktop wallpaper for July, but it was late last night and I didn't get it uploaded. So as an "I'm Sorry" gift here's a playlist, and I will be back tomorrow with the wallpaper. I promise.

Do you want to go to the seaside?

I'm not tryin' to say that everybody wants to go

but I fell in love at the seaside 

- Seaside by the Kooks 

I completely forgot to post this earlier, but here's the desktop wallpaper for June and a sea inspired playlist to go along with it. You can download the wallpaper here. Enjoy!

Back to Life, Back to Reality

So I was in Arizona for a week and then trying to readjust normal life for a week, and here we are. I have a lot of things to catch up on this week, but first things first.

I know we're almost halfway through the month, but May's desktop wallpaper is here! You can download various sizes here.

I don't have a playlist this week per say, but I do have a little something to listen to. It's very rare that I find an entire album that I like but here are two.

                                     Something                                                    The Wanderings of an Illustrative Mind

                                          -Chairlift                                                       -Among Savages

Of course you can listen to them here on Spotify.

Playlist of the Week: A Very Green Spring

1. New York City- Among Savages
2. I Would Do Anything for You- Foster the People
3. Old & Gray- Maps & Atlases
4. The Freedom Song- Jason Mraz
5. You Can Be the One- Late Night Alumni
6. Gun Has No Trigger- Dirty Projectors
7. Glorified High- Sarah Jaffe
8. My Love- the bird and the bee
9. Junk of the Heart (Happy)- The Kooks
10. Hey Jane- Spiritualized
11. Glowing in the Dark- Cider Sky
12. Walking Home- We Are Serenades






I don't remember having a spring in Oklahoma that was ever this green. I really think it impacts how I feel. So here's my spring, green, happy playlist. It's one of my favorites. A lot of these songs came from All Songs Considered on NPR. If you haven't ever listened I'd recommend it. I was surprised by the variety of music they play. Truthfully, they're just music nerds, and it's awesome.

You can listen to A Very Green Spring here on Spotify.

oh no

J. Crew has a tumblr, jcrew.tumblr.com. Try not to get lost; it's a vast land of wonderfulness. Also They did my playlist work for me this week. Thanks JC!

 Kevin, visual virtuoso: Sharon Van Etten, “Serpents”

Emily, superstar stylist: “Bill Withers, Ain’t No Sunshine”

Travis, window design wonder: Robyn, “Call Your Girlfriend”

Aaron, our denim go-to: Crystal Fighters, “At Home”

Catherine, web design whiz: Diane Birch, “Speak a Little Louder”

Eldia, visual virtuoso: Jessi J, “Domino”

Kate, embellishments expert: Lana Del Rey, “Born to Die”

Janine, window design wonder: Dr. Dog, “Shame Shame”

Lauren, resident wordsmith: Bossacucanova, “Bom Dia Rio”

Liv, accessories authority: Gotye, “Hearts a Mess”

 So I created a playlist on Spotify. You can listen to it here. "Speak a Little Louder" by Diane Birch wasn't available, but it reminded me of how much I loved her. So I included her 2009 album, Bible Belt. Enjoy!

Playlist of the Week: Just the Music Please

I wish all the time that I was more at ease with silence, but especially when I'm working on something I need sound. Whether it's music, podcasts, or television in the background for some strange reason it helps me concentrate. The downside though is that sometimes I get overwhelmed. The perfect audible palate cleanser? Instrumental music. Specifically soundtracks. It plays perfectly in the background because it was made to be in the background. It enhances but doesn't distract. Perfect.

1. The King's Speech- Alexandre Desplat
I only recently saw this movie. I was actually really excited that it was playing last year on our 14 hour flight from Paris to Dallas, but I fell asleep. It may be a little slow moving, but it's an incredible story. Best tracks: The King's Speech, My Kingdom, My Rules, and Queen Elizabeth.

2. A Single Man- Abel Korzeniowski
I'm on a bit of a Colin Firth kick here, but I'll roll with it. This soundtrack is undeniable. It's hauntingly beautiful. Best tracks: Stillness of the Mind and Daydreams.

3. Fantastic Mr. Fox- Alexandre Desplat
I love this movie and the soundtrack is so much like the movie, whimsical without being childlike. It's so much fun to listen to. Best tracks: Mr. Fox in the Fields Medley, Trains, Kristofferson, and Mr. & Mrs. Fox.

4. Pride & Prejudice- Jean-Yves Thibaudet
I probably have to credit this soundtrack for opening my eyes to this genre. With the exception of "The Militia Marches In" and the like, the music here is perfectly soothing. Best tracks: Dawn, The Living Sculptures of Pemberley, Liz on Top of the World, and Your Hands are Cold.







5. Downton Abbey- Chamber Orchestra of London
The best for last. I think what makes soundtracks so much more compelling than other instrumental music is the connection to the movie (or BBC series in this case). I can't hear "The Suite" without seeing the opening credits in my mind. Best tracks: The Suite, Emancipation, Fashion, and An Ideal Marriage.







You can listen to the entire playlist here on Spotify.

Playlist of the Week: JM Love

This will be no one's favorite playlist (except mine). I have always been a John Mayer fan, and I hate having to defend my position. People hate and/or have strong feelings against this man, probably because he's a jerk. I don't know him and would like to think that he's not a jerk, but based on what comes out of his mouth...

Nevertheless he is a musician, and he is terribly good at it. I first saw him in concert about a year and a half ago in Tulsa. Hands down it was the best concert I've ever seen. My brother and I got tickets to see him again in Thackerville this Friday. So I was pretty bummed to read this announcement that his tour has been cancelled. It's disappointing, but what's most important is that he gets healthy and keeps making music. As tribute to JM these are my favorite songs of his.

ROOM FOR SQUARES
To be honest if this album was released today I would not like it, and it's miles away from the kind of music he makes today. Most of what keeps me coming back these songs is high school nostalgia.

1. Back To You
2. Neon
3. No Such Thing
4. Love Song For No One

ANY GIVEN THURSDAY
I'm not generally crazy about live albums, but this is the only album Covered In Rain is on. It's over ten minutes long, but I love every second.

5. Covered In Rain

HEAVIER THINGS
This is where it started to get good.

6. Home Life
7. Split Screen Sadness
8. Only Heart
9. Wheel

CONTINUUM
I still go back and forth between Continuum and Battle Studies as my favorite JM album. Continuum was a surprise in the best possible way. The maturity and soul in this album is undeniable.

10. I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)
11. Vultures
12. Stop This Train
13. Gravity
14. Heart of Life

BATTLE STUDIES
I was not a big fan of Battle Studies at first. I was still holding on to the bluesy sound of Continuum. It really wasn't until I heard him preform it live that I really fell in love with it. To me this album is John Mayer being John Mayer, not JM being pop or JM being blues. The influence is there, but the result is all his own.

15. War Of My Life
16. Assassin
17. Half Of My Heart
18. Edge Of Desire

SHADOW DAYS
It's a beautiful, honest song, and it gives me hope for what is to come next.

19. Shadow Days

You can listen to the entire playlist here on Spotify.

Playlist of the Week: Easiest Omission

**Disclaimer** I know next to nothing about music except for playing the clarinet in junior high.

1. I'm a Lady- Santigold
I'm not usually a fan of Santigold, even though she vomits glitter which is awesome. This song is different though, and perfect for those times when you need to throw your hands up and say "hey you, I'm a lady!"

2. Cruel- St. Vincent
I find a lot of music by looking at what is used in some of my favorite t.v. shows. This band, St. Vincent, was used on Gossip Girl. I may have terrible taste in t.v. shows, but I'm not willing to admit it.

3. Dancing Song- Little Comets
This is by far my favorite on this list. It's pure happiness in a song.

4. Somebody That I Used To Know- Gotye, Kimbra
I love this song and last week I heard it on Magic 95, a local radio station. Their catch phrase is "Today's Best Music", but the only way they're playing today's best music is if today is October 27, 1996. So I was pleased to hear them playing something current and something good. This also might be the nicest break up song.

5. Diet Mountain Dew- Lana Del Rey
Along with many others, I was not impressed with her SNL performance. I'm glad I gave her a second shot though because this album is major. Diet Mountain Dew in particular has a rhythm and flow that is so unique and so smooth.

6. Summertime Sadness- Lana Del Rey

7. Baby Says- The Kills
I have no idea what this song is about, but I like it.

8. Stay Gold- The Big Pink
Modern 80's. If Pretty in Pink was made today this would definitely make the soundtrack.

9. While You Wait For The Others- Grizzly Bear
Some epic oohs and aahs. I'm a sucker for those.

10. Go Outside- The Cults
This song is infectious in the best possible way. It will get stuck in your head and you'll like it.

11. White Nights- Oh Land
White Nights is exactly what it should be, light and dreamy.

12. Young Blood- The Naked and the Famous
There are a plethora of songs about being young. For me this is among the best, and it wins best cover art.








You can listen to Easiest Omission here on Spotify.