Florence Enchanted

Florence + The Machine's Debut album Lungs has to be my absolute favorite music of the moment. The British chanteuse has such powerful vocals with a rock and roll edge and a unique pixie dust covered sound. Her music transports you to a fairytale like land where glittered harps and chains adorn her glam rock songs. Florence's sound reminds me of Stevie Nicks in the Bella Donna days where new age rituals, dry ice, nymph like outfits, and a choir of backup songstresses would set the stage. All the songs on her debut are standout to me. She has a enchanting sound that makes me want to ride a unicorn in a fairy outfit allover her fairy tale land she creates with her music (that may be a little exaggerated and trippy but its true!). Take a listen and you will be put under her spell too.

*****Check out her music video below!

Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)

Back to Cool

After a week off of moving and settling into my 2nd year of college, I am ready to get back to blogging. I love how much easier it is 2nd time around! I like knowing where everything is, having friends, and not being the youngest lol. How are y'all liking school so far?

to go along with the start of the academic year, a "back to school" mix:

1. Kids - MGMT
2. Back To The 101 - Albert Hammond Jr.
3. Daylight – Matt & Kim
4. Still Alright – Adam Merrin
5. My Only Offer – Mates of State
6. For Beginners – M. Ward
7. That It Moves – Greg Laswell
8. That’ll Be The Plan – Daniel Martin Moore
9. Parachute - Shugo Tokumaru
10. Launch Yourself - Adem

Clean Getaway

I cannot believe it, but it is my last night home before I leave for my 2nd year of college tomorrow. Although this has been the longest (nearly 4 months) and busiest (work) summers ever - it went by incredibly fast. I always associate back to school with fall crisp weather, but here down south I won't expect that till late October. What is summer weather good for once school starts? Just like what is winter good for once Christmas is over? See my point.

Anyways... since my summer will be mentally over starting Tuesday, here is my end of the summer mix - slow, sweaty, last of the dogdaysofsummer kind of tunes. Go grab your "last" cold beverage of the season and enjoy:

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1. Geography - Thao
2. Kiss Me Again – Jessica Lea Mayfield
3. Love Vigilantes – Iron & Wine
4. Is This the End? – Zee Avi
5. Clean Getaway – Maria Taylor
6. Sodom, South Georgia – Iron & Wine
7. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Greg Laswell
8. Oh Boy - Duffy
9. Your Song – Kate Walsh
10. Where The Road Meets the Sun - Katie Herzig & Matthew Perryman Jones

These pictures were taken last summer with a disposable camera. My friends and I had a little picnic one night and blew bubbles - you can see more pics here. I had a lovely time with my girlfriends from home this summer and am equally excited to get back to college to see those friends. I am MUCH more at ease and less nervous about going back this year than last (rooming with good friends I already knows sure does help too!)

I am going to take a week off from blogging - until I get situated in my new place and schedule and all that. Talk to y'all next weekend! and I wish everyone good luck with starting school, moving in, etc.!

See Fernando

I am obsessed with first and foremost Jenny Lewis, but also this song and her adorable retro music video for it ;) Can I please have all these cute outfits now?

A is for Artist

A playlist of artists whose names all begin with the letter "A":

1. Amy Winehouse – He Can Only Hold Her
2. Anjulie – Love Songs
3. Aqualung - Strange and Beautiful
4. Anna Ternheim – You Mean Nothing To Me Anymore
5. Anya Marina - Two Left Feet
6. Adele - Tired
7. Alexi Murdoch - Breathe
8. Aqueduct – Hardcore Days & Softcore Nights
9. Andrew Bird – Oh No
10. Arcade Fire – Wake Up

Lisa Frank

I remember the best part about going back to school was getting school supplies: New crayola markers, erasable pens and Lisa Frank folders. I'm positive every little girl owned at least one thing by Lisa Frank whether it had dolphins jumping in front of a rainbow or funky bears dancing. The scenarios were trippy (but we only dreamed about them) and the colors were vibrant.

This editorial in September's Teen Vogue really reminds me of the technicolor, girl-ruled world of Lisa Frank :)

Ants Go Marching

I made this cake at for a picnic last year celebrating the end of summer for my friends and me.

The ants are chocolate chips and melted drizzled chocolate for the legs.

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QUESTION: I want to try a new mascara (from the drugstore). I have used Maybelline XXL, Covergirl Lash Blast, and CG Eye Exact. What's your favorite inexpensive mascara?

Little Joy

This has to be one of the cutest and most attractive (due to all the hot Brazilian men!) music videos. Little Joy's debut album has been my go to summer soundtrack - they have such a great warm, vintage sound to them. Also earning them brownie points with me is the fact that they count the handsome Italian/Brazilian Fabrizio Moretti (from The Strokes) as a band member. LOVE LOVE LOVE! Perfect little video for the last few days of summer. Enjoy!

For the Birds

cookies, Eleni's Bakery NYC

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1. Birds – Emiliana Torrini
2. Caged Bird – Alicia Keys
3. Spanish Bird Song – Keren Ann
4. Blackbird – Evan Rachel Wood
5. Jailbird – M. Ward
6. Maybe Sparrow – Neko Case
7. Pretty Bird – Jenny Lewis
8. Electric Bird - Sia
9. Two Birds – Regina Spektor
10. Meadowlarks – Fleet Foxes

Cheetah Girl

I was inspired by March's Teen Vogue editorial to do a funky cheetah/leopard print on my nails ( I cant ever tell the difference lol).

I painted my nails first with OPI Gargantuan Green Grape - 2 coats and let completely dry. Then I put orange imperfect dots and let dry. After I took one of those new Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens in black and added more dots (you could use a sharpie too). Topped it all of in OPI Rapidry Top Coat :)

Cant wait to try the other ideas in the editorial! Stay Tuned ;)

500 Days of Summer

You MUST go see "500 Days of Summer".

As if these stills and a listen to the soundtrack don't already entice you :)

Sun Sun Sun

First of all - Happy August - aka last full month of summer! Its actually one of my least favorite months of the year, just because by this time it is the most humid and hottest it will ever be and I am bored of summer clothes. But there is still lots of more sunshine to enjoy before the winter.... and sunny music along with it to enjoy:

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1. Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles
2. She’s Only Happy In The Sun – Ben Harper
3. Brighter Than Sunshine - Aqualung
4. Looks Just Like the Sun – Broken Social Scene
5. Sunny Road - Emiliana Torrini
6. Sundrenched World – Joshua Radin
7. Song For The Winter Sun – The Loom
8. Paint Me In Your Sunshine - Marié Digby
9. Sunshine - Keane
10. The Sun Also Sets – Ryan Adams

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^^ some pics I took of sunflowers I received for my birthday back in may. My horoscope said that flowers are the best gift you could give a Taurus (along with cookbooks and soft material lol) and I have to agree 100%. They truly are!