hump day tunes

The Head and the Heart's most recent album Let's Be Still has been on repeat for me since the weekend.

While I really loved their 2011 self titled album, Let's Be Still feels a bit more dramatic. The whole album pairs perfectly with those sunny almost warm afternoons we've been sporadically graced with over the past few weeks.

"Summertime," "Let's Be Still" and "Another Story" are my current faves. Happy listening, friends.

(album image via the head and the heart)

friday fun

Today is one of those beautiful September days that makes me long for fall to arrive all summer long. Fall is hands down the best season. When else can you justify the purchase of 3 mini pumpkins at the market I ask you? When?

It's been a bustling week and I can hardly wait for the clock to hit 5. In the meantime, here is a little bit of randomness making this Friday my favorite.

caitlin rose

Kicking this week off listening to Nashville's own Caitlin Rose. Her most recent albums "Own Side Now" and "The Stand-In" (2013)  have been on repeat around our house as of late.

lord huron

Lord Huron's album "Lonesome Dreams" is my current summer jam.

The indie folk five piece hails from Los Angeles. Fronted by Michigan native Ben Schneider, the band began as a one man show. Over time Schneider grew the band's sound and head count by inviting other members who are mostly comprised of childhood friends. I very much enjoy this fact.

If you listen closely, you may notice shades of the Fleet Fox sound in some of Lord Huron's more dramatic songs. Still, there's enough of a steady mix of drama and upbeat melody to keep me coming back to this album again and again.

Check out the awesome video for "Time to Run" below. May I also highly recommend "Ends of the Earth" and "She Lit a Fire?"

(images via philly.com and gatheringofthevibes)

new sofia

Sofia Coppola's latest flick The Bling Ring hits theaters this weekend and I (like most of the ladies I know) am excited to check it out.

..

I fell hard for The Virgin Suicides when I caught it in theaters back in high school (ouch, age). Talk about an awkward first date...

"put your records on..."

Everyone knows that my dear S if far more hip than me. He's had a record player for awhile now. He's matched it well with a wide (and sometimes bizarre...) variety of vinyl.

The tunes it spins have been a welcome addition to our condo and helped our rented place feel like home.

Now that we are in the process of moving into our new house here in Nashville, we can't stop picturing backyard soirees with old fashioned soundtracks.

After spotting this adorable (and portable!) record player on Amazon for a cool $80...

crossfire hurricane

Even the mildest of music fans at least "enjoys" The Rolling Stones. We were even fortunate enough to catch them in concert (with my parents, no doubt) a few years ago.

Debatably the best rock band ever, I'm embarrassed to say that I never really got that into them. Sure, I love "Ruby Tuesday" as much as the next person, but that's where my fascination ended.

All of that changed when S and I caught  the new documentary Crossfire Hurricane this weekend.

friday

Happy Friday, friends! Flowers are blooming and my allergies are barking, but the weekend is nearly upon us so who can complain?

It's a dreary, rainy afternoon here in Nash so here are a few cheerful links to brighten the last few hours before the weekend officially begins.

the weeks

Mondays are never easy so I often rely on my dear friend Spotify to help me through. Today, I'm listening to Jackson, Mississippi-turned-Nashville residents The Weeks.

Their song "Buttons" is my current jam. It's gritty, garage-y and I like it.

(images via wikipedia and last.fm)

a bird ballet

I'm hesitant to post anything else bird related for fear that they are becoming an unintentional blog theme as of late, but I couldn't resist sharing the above video I spotted on Black Eiffel.

"A Bird Ballet"  shows what I've only recently learned is called a murmuration of birds dancing across a pink sky. The chill soundtrack couldn't be more fitting.

Let's just call this our Friday afternoon moment of zen. Something tells me we could all use such a moment after this week...

Cheers and happy (almost) weekend!

(video by Neels CASTILLON; spotted on Black Eiffel)

tristen

Starting this week off by listening to Tristen on repeat. The Illinois native and current Nashville resident's 2011 album Charlatans at the Garden Gate is most definitely my jam.

generationals

Currently listening to the upbeat Generationals on this sunny afternoon.

This indie rock duo hails from New Orleans. They've put out a few albums since 2009, but I can't get enough of 2010 release "Trust."

The song "Say for Certain" is currently my most favorite running jam. Hear it below.

winter sun cocktail

It's a grey, rainy day here in Nashville. The sort of day that makes you wonder if you spring will ever come...

Fear not, friends. We may still have a few weeks until it's time to "spring" forward, but it's still clementine season and the fab food site Two Tarts has a rad cocktail recipe called the Winter Sun Cocktail that is sure to brighten your day.

Made with lemons, clementines, vodka and rosemary...this drink may be just the ticket to shaking off those last few weeks of the "winter blues."

Click here to see the rest of gorgeous pics and grab the recipe. Cheers!

P.S. We spent last weekend in a cabin celebrating my pal R's birthday. We ate a million clementines, played cards, played with dogs, drank wine and listened to Lana Del Rey. May I suggest a sipping the above concoction to "Born to Die?"

(images via two tarts)

pretty birds

Photographer Leila Jeffreys Wild Cockatoos images are stunning. I'd love to frame prints and hang them in a row.

happy halloween, dudes.

Happy Halloween, you ghouls and goblins!

Here's an appropriately spooky song sure to set the mood.

"I'm a Z-O-M-BIE, zombie!" 

(image via the impossible cool)

happy weekend jams

Happy weekend (at last)!

Still mooning over a lovely, fall-inspired date night last evening that included red wine in the twinkle-lit garden of Rumors, a hearty dinner at Lockeland Table and a charming soundtrack of slow jams.

As it happens, the very same playlist is seeing me across the finish line of this busy week.

Just in case you're also feeling a chill vibe on this sunny September afternoon, here are a few faves for your listening pleasure.

 (original image via tkow)

saturdays

are usually fabulous, but this one finds me home with the stomach flu. How lame is that?

Cozying up on the sofa for the first time in months to watch a few flicks.

Hoping your Saturday eves are much more rocking (and rolling).

P.S. Dedicating this song to the best nurse ever.

(original image via bippity boppity boo)

youth lagoon

Youth Lagoon's album "The Year of Hibernation" has been a favorite on our household's Spotify since the drive from New York to Nashville.

It's dreamy yet upbeat which makes it a universally pleasing choice for almost any occasion. For example, an afternoon work soundtrack, cooling down at the gym, drinking red wine...

Check out my current favorite tracks "Cannons" and "17" below.

(images via thrillcall blog)

cut loose

It's Friday afternoon which makes it almost time to cut loose after a somewhat trying week.

Here's a classic jam that never fails to pump me up. Hope it gets you cats in the mood!

(image via pinterest)

billy reid shindig

S and I have been longtime fans of Billy Reid's. His clothes blend modern, rugged edge with Southern gentility. I'd be a liar to say that we've often been able to resist their charm.

Back in NYC we would frequent the shop on Bowery and 2nd. After all, where else in the East Village could you find the perfect gauzy white button up and Southern Foodways Alliance t shirt?

When we started coming down to Nashville last summer, we were stoked to learn that TN has an outpost. (see post here). Over the past year, we've gotten to be pretty good pals with the people who work there, and they've all been wonderfully supportive of the business venture that brought us back South.

So when our friend Bentley shared that Justin Townes Earle was playing a small show at the shop last night, let's just say we were more than a little stoked.

There were tasty snacks, strong whiskey cocktails and only about 50 people in attendance. JTE played most of our favorites. The setting made for a pretty rad way to see him perform...and we should know!

Check out a few seconds of  "Memphis in the Rain" to get a vibe for the low-lit show.

As for libations, Bentley was whipping up the signature "Billy." Recipe to follow in a later post!

P.S. S also left with this dapper pair of suede lace ups he scored for a steal. Not too shabby.

P.P.S. Did I mention that Nashville is awesome?