Lately: December

Listening:

My Spotify Top Songs of 2016 playlist.
Be sure to check out your playlist by simply heading to the Browse page and clicking on "2016 Wrapped" under Genres & Moods!

Reading:
31 Prayers for My Future Husband- Jennifer and Aaron Smith
"This book has been written to be a starting place and/or guide to help you begin your lifelong journey of praying for your future husband and marriage. "

Before you jump to conclusions... no, I am not praying for God to send me a boyfriend or a husband.
But rather praying for guidance for whoever my person is in their journey on their way to me, whenever that may be.

Running:
Our LAST 5K of 2016. We officially did it, 12Ks in 12 months!
Now, what goal to set for next year?

Watching:
Westworld.
Yes, finally. and I am hooked.
The first episode is bizarre but stick with it!

Loving:
Everything on the My Kind of Lovely gift guide.
Be sure to sign up for emails on the website so you can get the latest gift guide in your inbox. New ones are being released every day!

Wearing:

OPI's Black Cherry Chutney
It's no secret I love dark nails, black being my go-to. However, it's not very Christmas-y so I switched to this darker but festive hue for the holidays.
After all, there's plenty of time for back to black for NYE.

Sharing:
My Instagram Best Nine of 2016!

Celebrating:

This weekend is full of Christmas cheer, Sunshine Santa 5K Saturday morning and then media girl shenanigans Saturday night! 

[and then naps and football on Sunday]

Five on [New Music] Friday

I am a loyal follower of the Spotify New Music Friday playlist, first thing I check from bed on Friday morning. Today's was on a whole new level, so many new songs from so many good artists. 

Here are the Top 5 tracks I'm adding to my "Songs" today:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Lately [in 2016]

Watching: The Bachelor is back!

All you need to know is .."we already have a villain and she's named after a fabric"

Eating: T Marzetti's Southwest Ranch veggie dip and celery sticks. I'm addicted. 

Smelling: Target's Cozy Nights candle, this became one of my favorite scents last year. This line of candles is great 1. because they're only $10 and 2. it only takes about 15 minutes for the whole house to smell amazing and the aroma stays long after you blow it out.

Drinking: Peppermint tea all day every day. It's the perfect morning wake me up or 8pm Netflix and chill. 

Wearing: OPI: Guys and Galaxies

Reading: The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. The movie adaptation comes out next month, just in time for Valentine's Day, and I was instantly intrigued. I always love a good love story, especially when it's 36 degrees outside and you have a bed full of pillows.

Listening: The greatest thing Spotify ever did was create the algorithm for the Discover Weekly playlists. My playlist this week is the best it's been in a hot minute and I already have four songs added to my songs list from it. My current favorite right now is this track from BANNERS.

Loving: 2016. The first full week of this year has been full of new fun adventures and work days that leave me feeling fulfilled and successful. Oh and a wonderful new place to call home. 

Wanting: She Reads Truth's Lenten study book. Lent is a special time in my life each year and after reading the overview of this study I cannot wait to begin. Join me?

Musiccc, makes the people, come together

You've probably seen Spotify's Year in Music link floating around on Facebook the past couple weeks; well last night I had a few minutes to play around with the feature and it is awesome. 

You never really realize songs you fixate on or how different albums you listen to define seasons of your life or in this case your year.

I kicked off 2015 with No Rest for the Wicked by Lykke Li

As much as I love this song it didn't make my top 5 tracks of the year.
Those five coveted spots went to:
XO by John Mayer



Can't Pretend by Tom Odell

[sorry not sorry?]

First Defeat by Noah Gundersen



Speaking of Truth by Laleh



GDFR- FloRida [the greatest hill running song ever]



Two of those songs came from two of my top five artists of the year:
The Maine
Noah Gundersen
Tom Odell
Hozier
One Direction

Yup, One Direction. #noshame

And three of those five artists had one of my favorite albums of the year:
The Maine- American Candy



Long Way Down- Tom Odell



Greatest Hits- David Gray



Carry the Ghost- Noah Gundersen



Life Imitating Life- Augustana



All in all I listened to 108 THOUSAND minutes of music or 75 DAYS.
5,803 tracks and 2,572 artists made up the soundtrack to my year.
Is there any wonder why I post about songs and music so much?

Here's to another year of songs on repeat, playlists you never have to skip a song on, and lots more hills to run.


explore your #spotifyyearinmusic to unlock your Top Tracks of 2015 playlist, I've had mine bumpin all morning

Between Me and You

Tuesday.

Lord, where do I begin? 

The only day worse than Monday.

I'm superstitious about two things: the number 7 and Tuesday.

Then I found the New Music Tuesday playlist on Spotify.

I was given a reason to drag my butt out of bed on this dreaded day. 

I have found some of my current favorites thanks to this gem of a playlist. 

Like:

Brandon Flowers [yes, the Brandon Flowers of The Killers] -Between Me and You

Maroon 5- This Summer's Gonna Hurt Like a Mother

Of Monsters and Men- I of the Storm

Death Cab for Cutie- Black Sun

Florence + the Machine- What Kind of Man

The playlist updates every Tuesday morning [sometimes they cheat and add songs early at like 10pm Monday] and stays for the entire week. And you can "follow" the New Music Tuesday playlist so you never miss any new songs. Now I'll leave you to the music..

Five on FriYAY

1.

 I can not find a Lilly Pulitzer wall calendar anywhere!

I've ordered one the past three years for my home office [corner of my family room.] I mean what am I going to put all these save the dates on?! 

Thank goodness for Southern Weddings [do not even ask how I ended up on their site] and their precious Southern Phrase calendar.

2.

It has been another marathon month at work [thank you Flu.] 

Per usual, I discovered another amazing Spotify playlist, Afternoon Acoustic.

Follow ASAP, you will love it.

3. 

Surprise, it's National Handwriting Day! May Designs is offering a limited edition line of notebooks just for the occasion [along with 10% off, thanks code HANDWRITING] 

Better hurry though, these disappear Sunday!

4.

Wednesday I got an unexpected phone call from the little brother telling me he would be downtown for lunch! SATCO on the deck was almost as great as getting him to take a selfie. He goes back to college life this weekend and while we have our moments I will miss him so. 

5.

THE SECRET IS FINALLY OUT!

My best friend is going to be a momma!

Baby L will be arriving in August 2015.

Until then, I will keep saying hi to the sweet ultrasound picture, that was hidden in my Christmas present, on my fridge.

We got engaged on a Friday night

I am completely guilty of playing a song to death. 

Yes, I am that person who makes a Spotify playlist of just one song; and then puts that playlist on repeat.

Trying to get out of this rut while working in the office this weekend I turned to Spotify "The 1975 Radio"

And I found a song that I am now playing to death.

The Circle of Liiiiife. 

The Killers may be a #tbt [Throwback Thursday] for some of you but I will never stop loving them. 

Also, if you saw them perform at the Final Four festivities you too know how gorgeous their lead singer still is [less guyliner is definitely working for him.] 

But I digress, Runaways is the perfect sing-a-long song whether in the shower, car, kitchen, office, or the chip isle of Publix. 

So go ahead and make a playlist with just this track on it..

hUmP dayyy! 

Thursday Tunes

This is gonna be a short and sweet post all about Spring, and the songs that sound like it.

The weather in Nashville has been miraculous these past couple days which of course means windows down on the bug [with the AC on low.]

Here are some of my favorites right now, it's constantly changing, but the Goo Goo Dolls track is just perfection.

And just for y'all I'll "listen and tell," the Reign Season 1 CW Playlist has been feeding me songs for the past two weeks now, SO good. Check it out! 

Para-Para-Paradise

I am not a huge Coldplay fan. 

Except for Paradise. I could listen to that song over and over [and on some days I have, no shame.]

I am a huge acoustic cover fan.

Especially Paradise by Tyler Ward. I could listen to this song over and over [and yesterday I did, no shame.]

But don't just stop with Paradise, Tyler has playlists and playlists of incredible covers.
Some of my favorites right now include Dark Horse, Timber, and Dynamite.
Happy Friday Eve! 

But break your plans for me tonight

As you found out in today's post, I have a soft spot in my heart for The Fray. 

I could perfectly describe each phase of my life simply by naming a Fray song.

I was jerked awake [this is what happens when you fall asleep with your phone in your hand] by an 11pm Spotify notification this week announcing the addition of The Fray's newest album Helios. 

So like any normal person, I flipped my bedside lamp on and listened to the entire thing...twice.

It's just so damn good.

You've got your fun dance around your house song, Hurricane.

You've got your "I'm a 20-something" power anthem, Keep on Wanting.

There's the perfect summer windows down drive to Target song, Give it Away.

And the cliche, but my favorite, love song, Wherever This Goes.

Oh and then there's the rest of the album.

I love The Fray and you should too. 

I promise you'll find a song that fits into your day/week/month/life.

I've figured out the JOY is not in your arms

I will be the first to say I am probably over emotional when it comes to song lyrics.
I will listen to a song over and over and over simply because one lyric speaks to me.
[oh come on now, we all do. I just choose to do it with my Bose mini speaker blaring while laying in the tub.]

I will admit I used to not like Elli Goulding. I will also admit that was the direct effect of an ex's taste in music. Finally, I will admit I am now obsessed. One of the ,what feels like 27, romantic movies coming out on Valentine's Day has the trailer soundtrack of her song Explosion. I was needing some new music so I did some Spotify research.
Fast forward to me blaring the damn song for the 89th time and singing along in my green sweatpants.
My Top 5 would have to be:
Explosion
My Blood
JOY
Dead in the Water
How Long Will I Love You

But don't take my word for it, give her a chance yourself.



oh and p.s. it was just a rumor, she's not dating Ed Sheeren. So she's a-okay in my book.

With all the blood I lost with you, it drowns out the love I thought I knew

I've fallen from grace, took a blow to my face. 
I've loved and I've lost. I've loved and I've lost.

If I was not myself and you were someone else, I'd say so much to you and I would tell the truth.

How long will I love you?
As long as stars are above you
And longer, if I may.

She's got the power, she's barely 5 foot 2

If the work week was high school, Thursday would be the biggest tease in your grade.
Friday is so close but so far.
It's the first week of the broadcast week for us media people which means invoices on invoices on invoices. And what better way to zone out, or rather in, on your computer screen than to some good music.
Here are 10 songs I am currently loooving.
Happy Friday Eve!

You know Where the City is

So, I know, I'm late to the party.

I'm a stubborn girl.

 Maggie and I have a Spotify playlist cleverly titled "Work" [yes, we work in advertising] that we have on shuffle from sun up to sun down [literally, 4pm sunset? eww.] There was a certain song that kept popping up that I was really loving on. A little musical investigating and wa-la: Chocolate by The 1975. Yes, that The 1975, the band that everyone and their mommas have been tweeting/instagraming/whatevering for the past couple months. Again, I openly admit I'm late to this beautifully soundtracked party. So, in a throw back post to my Wordy Wednesday days, I wanted to share with y'all The 1975.

Pekarsk-ing Around's The 1975 Top 3:
1. The City
2. Robbers
3. Chocolate

Hope your ears enjoy this album just as much as mine have been!
Happy Hump day!

I've barely started and I'm falling apart

We could all use this today. 

Party like it's 1922

IT'S HERE.

GATSBY.

Lucky for your ears I had my Gatsby playlist made and "public" by lunch yesterday, and now I share what is the epicness of it with you.

Top 3:

2. Back to Black
I've heard there are mixed reviews on this track. I vote: epic.

6. Bang Bang
The Black Eyed Peas meets Boardwalk Empire, I can dig it. 

 16. Together
Tragic romance, nailed it.

Now raise your martini glass in a toast and enjoy.

Rolling dice and staying out till 3

   Another great Spotify find this week. I'm telling y'all "shuffle" of Billboard's playlists is your friend. Had this on repeat all day yesterday. And now my village knows all the words to this song too. Enjoy!

Your hands were on my hips, your name is on my lips

  Imma let y'all rave all you want about Cameron Diaz or Kate Upton, but Lana Del Ray had the sexiest video of all time. There is nothing this woman can't do that doesn't make you feel like you're in a slow motion Abercrombie ad when you listen to her. Everyone had their Team N'SYNC panties in a bunch yesterday since JT dropped his first album in seven years. Yes, I too listened to the 20/20 Experience a mere three times through, but the real gem yesterday was Lana's latest single Burning Desire. It's the perfect humid summer sultry song. Get it while its' hot y'all so punny. 

Click on the Spotify embed below and enjoy! 

Lana Del Rey – Burning Desire

must've been your funny face

  So like I shared yesterday, the little brother is home for his freshmen year of college spring break. Thrilling for him, I am sure. But Sunday night we went on one of our after dinner need real desserts Publix runs. We took Joe's car so he controlled the music. I usually would have trolled Instagram or Twitter during the 10 minute drive down Gallatin Road, but he surprised me when he put on some Red Hot Chili Peppers, specifically the live version of Scar Tissue one of my ALL time favs, like Top 10 ..Which then led me to look up their artist page on Spotify and find this gem. Such a good mellow relaxing spring/summer jam. And lord knows I'm ready for some spring and summer in my life. Hope one day some boy thinks my love is this magical since I love rocking the stolen sweatpants and slept on hair look most days.

"must've been your tiny dance, that made me laugh out loud. 

must've been your angel dust that put me on your cloud"

Empty cheers and a great defeat

   I love the show Heart of Dixie on the CW Tuesdays 8/7c. It is one of my many guilty pleasures I enjoy during my Friday night OnDemand marathons the only one I will admit to and what's not to love about it? First the name of the town is Bluebell presh ,it's all about the South and some SEC rivalry, and Lemon Breeland is just monogrammed fabulous. The CW is genius in their use of Spotify playlists username: thecwspotify. Each show has it's own playlist, some multiple playlists- one for each season, and they update them the morning after the show airs. I have pretty much memorized the Heart of Dixie Season 2 playlist so last night I shuffled the Season 1 playlist and found this little diddy. The title makes it sound sweet and cute but if you really listen to the lyrics it's about a little dream world where you can climb Strawberry Hill and the juice from the berries erase all your painful memories. I still think it's sweet. Wouldn't we all love to climb Strawberry Hill?

This was the best video I could find. Sorry y'all. Definitely go to Spotify and look it up. Or subscribe to the Heart of Dixie Season 1 playlist or any of their other show playlists! 
#np Strawberry Hill- Bronze Radio Return

And it's a long way up when you hit the ground. Get up now, get up. .

   If you walk through the set of offices down on the first floor back behind the kitchen it's pretty much the equivilant of changing your radio station every 5 seconds. None of our offices have doors some of us don't even have ceilings, especially fun when the boys get ahold of the Pensacola beach balls and there is always a wide variety of tunes going on to say the least. But sometimes you hit that lyrical wall and you're tired of listening to the same will.i.am it's britney bitch song yeah, I thought it would never happen either and after shuffling my starred playlist 970 times I have finally found a remedy. If there's a song you really love by a band, go to that artist/band's Spotify page, find the album that song's from and shuffle it. That's how I've found some of my favorite not so Top 40 chart topping songs and how I came across the melody for this week's Wordy Wednesday. There are actually about three songs I wanted to use for post but I'll let you find those on your own, maybe you'll shuffle Imagine Dragons "Night Visions" for yourself.