TUESDAY TUNES: HOLIDAY MIX '12

I am posting Tuesday Tunes early so we can enjoy two full days of holiday music before we have to wait another 12 months to whip out the holiday playlists and vinyl. I truly hope all of you have a wonderful holiday whether it's Christmas or another tradition. Savior this time you have with your family and friends.

Here are 34 songs I have come to enjoy this holiday season. Artists include Andrew Belle, Amy Stroup, Trent Dapps, Ben Rector, The Civil Wars, KT Tunstall, Fiona Apple, The Owl City, Coldplay, Ingrid Michaelson, She & Him, Lenka, Michael Bublé, Sufjan Stevens, and much more. I apologize in advance for the one Bieber song I have on here (guilty pleasure!) Enjoy the mix and enjoy this holiday season.

This mix is better served with hot chocolate, warm embraces, reunions and fireplaces.

listen on 8tracks

For more holiday music, check out this Tuesday Tunes post.

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

Happy Holidays and Merry almost Christmas!

Since I don't live with my two wonderful college roommates anymore who spoiled me with Christmas decoration, it was about time that I started my official collection. I was inspired by this pin to create those Christmas trees and inspired by all those mason jar crafts to create my version of a mason jar centerpiece. I didn't make nearly as many crafts as I have planned, but my pinterest boards will definitely keep me inspired for next season :)

I hope everyone has a fun-filled, relaxing and sentimental holiday season. I'm filling mine up with relaxing, hot chocolate, annual Gingerbread House Making competition with high school best friends, funky Christmas hats and just all around good cheer.

Any crafts that you recommend? I'd love to hear and pin them for next year! :)

TUESDAY TUNES v.16 | FIREPLACE SONGS

TUES Nov. 27, 2012

 

Noisetrade is one of my favorite sources to find new indie artists, or those special live sessions with the well-known indie musicians. Since it is officially POST Thanksgiving, it is only appropriate we start playing the Christmas music! Noisetrade is always offering free music downloads so I am constantly checking out new artists...and you should too.

This week The Music Bed came out with a Holiday Sampler featuring artists such as Amy Stroup (featured here), Drew Holcomb, Katie Herzig and Matthew Mayfield to just name a few. I have listened to this sampler about five times all the way through already and I highly recommend it!

If you are looking for the not-so-typical Christmas music that doesn't include 90's Pop covers or "Santa Baby", here is a mix that gives you the perfect mix of holiday cheer without the side effects of a broken record. Who wouldn't want an indie Christmas?

To listen to the songs before downloading them, just click on the play button to your right and let the music speak for itself. If you like it enough, go ahead and download it for free :) I have been downloading music from Noisetrade for quite some time so I can promise you it is safe, completely legal and properly licensed.

Let the Christmas music season begin!
Do you have any favorite holiday music must-haves?
I would love to hear them and check them out!

Also, I am not sure how long they will be offering this free sampler, as The Music Bed offers several throughout the year, so be sure to download asap! The links may expire sooner than later and may not work in the future.

View other Tuesday Tunes posts here.

This post was not sponsored in any way by Noisetrade. I just consider them to be a great, reliable source for legal free music.

GIVING THANKS

THURS Nov. 22, 2012 - Thanksgiving Day

Smells of baked goods and turkey from the kitchen, laughter from the living room and homes filled with love... welcome again Thanksgiving! It is refreshing that we take a day from our busy lives to sit back and reflect on the wonderful things to be thankful for. Even though Thanksgiving can mean running around the grocery store like a man man, staying up late planning for meals and Black Friday sales or the thought of hosting all your family members making sure they're comfortable and well fed... keep in mind the true essence of this holiday - being thankful for life, love and everything in between.

This time of year, I don't mind all the "annoying" posts about Thanksgiving and what we are each thankful for. Honestly, I think every news feed should be filled with that kind of energy instead of the negativity I see. So I welcome all the Thanksgiving posts and "annoying" hashtags because it is great seeing people saying thank you once in awhile.

THANK YOU FOR:
- The solid relationships I have built over the years and the family that support + stand behind me throughout my life. I have these people to thank for helping me through the bad times and celebrating through the good. There will be many people who come into your life and some that stray, but every person in your life came in for a reason, and you should thank them for that. (I could write a whole novel on these people <3)

- The moments I wake up in the morning knowing I have another day.

- The jobs and opportunities I have come across throughout life, especially post grad. My future shines a little brighter because of you!

- Experiencing love and all it has to offer.

- The little things in life that sometimes are not so little: mixed cds, handwritten letters + cards, opened doors, lunch dates, lazy days, nutella, pumpkin cookies, pattern, yoga pants, yoga, knitted scarves, vinyl, holding hands, Skype, sale racks, Mulan, etc.

- Moments when time passes by quickly and moments when time passes slowly.

- People who walk in as strangers and stay as friends.

- Travels that end safely.

- Gatherings around the fire place.

- The mere joys of road trips.

- Not only being alive, but truly living.

Just remember to have some reflection today and say thank you today, tomorrow and the days that follow.

Picture via instagram, @mashleyvega and card template created by Oana Befort, www.oanabefort.com.

From my heart to yours

 

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas!

Otherwise, Happy Holidays!

I hope it is filled with laughter, love, family, friends, pets,

good food, good company, hope and faith.

God Bless.

Have you told someone you loved them today?

*Photo taken Christmas 2009 by yours truly.