New Music: Lorde's Pure Heroine

As part of my 30 before 30 goal I wanted to spent more time this year immersing myself in music, specifically new to me music. I hope to post a few of my findings here for you. I'm not music reviewer so don't expect any titillating review or anything.

The other day I was chatting with a friend (hi, Allyn!) and we were discussing music. I realized I haven't really been setting myself up to hear new music. When your favorite Pandora station is Louis Armstrong you aren't really going to hear the latest. Whoops. I'm working on that one. She also suggested Lorde as some of her new favorite music found from her more current Pandora stations.

So I gave her a listen. Bryan had made me listen to Royals a few months ago. I hadn't realized who sang it. So that was a nice surprise. It made me feel not quite so out of the loop. Just a smidge. Anyways, I love the chill, modern sound. It's laid back, but still mostly upbeat. I must have something for female bands lately - my last purchases were Lucious and HAIM. Whatevers. This is a great album and I'll be adding it to my female-centric collection soon.

Favorite Songs: Royals, Ribs, Love Club

When to listen: dinner party, flipping through the latest style mags, getting ready to go out

New Music: Foster the People's Supermodel

As part of my 30 before 30 goal I wanted to spent more time this year immersing myself in music, specifically new to me music. I hope to post a few of my findings here for you. I'm not music reviewer so don't expect any titillating review or anything.

Like pretty much everyone else I loved Foster the People's 2011 album Torches. Poppy and happy, it's a fun album to listen and dance to. When I heard they had a new album I knew it was going to be this week's new music.

Second albums are tricky, especially after the first one was so successful. I can't imagine the pressure the artist must feel going into the project. How do you follow up? Will it be as successful? This album keeps this original sound. Poppy, happy, mostly danceable, but also more mellow. I didn't immediately like it as much as the first album. But it's solid. A great pool-side listen for your summer tunes. After the first listen there wasn't one song that jumped out at me and I wasn't overly in love with the album. I listened again and feel the same.

When to listen: chillaxing with friends

Happy Spring!

Today is the first day of spring! After such a cold winter it feels good to know that our cold days are numbered. I wish I could say they are over, but I just checked the seven day forecast and there are numbers that begin with 3s and 4s thrown in there. I can bare it.





My little seedlings are doing well. Last weekend I planted some herbs and cucumber seeds. They have not sprouted yet, but any day now. It's only a matter of weeks before the great start of garden season starts. And then it's only a matter of weeks until it will be unbearably hot. Ha.

Tonight we plan on celebrating the warm weather with the inaugural mow of the yard and Abita Strabwerry Harvest Ale.

How are you celebrating spring?

Beale Street St. Patrick's Day Parade

Last year we happened upon the St. Patrick's Day parade with Bryan's parents, Mel and Di. This year we decided we'd make it happen again.


It was a bit crowded.












I've entitled this one "Drink up!".

It was a fun afternoon and I'm glad the ran held off. After the parade we went to the Ornamental Metal Museum to check out their craft show. Then we headed over to the Brass Door for some food. Another fun day in Memphis.

Fat Tuesday, Super Grizz, Chalk Art, and Crawfish - a random update

Spring is nearly in the air in Memphis. We've had some warm, spring-like days and then we'll have some cold why-is-it-still-cold?!?! days. Bryan is sick of it. I'm tired of it, but am clinging to the promise of spring. And also not looking forward to those streamy hot days of summer. 

Here are a few random updates as of late:

On Fat Tuesday we all wore our beads. 

A couple weekends ago we went to a Grizzlies game. They were giving away Super Grizz masks and capes. 

Bryan was able to snag us some.

The other day, one of those spring like days, I was running through the park - yeah, I was really running! - and saw this event happening at the Brooks. I had Roux with me so I didn't venture closer. 

It was a chalk art event. Later in the afternoon Bryan and I went by while it was still daylight to see some of the art. 

There was some really good drawings. It's amazing what people can do with chalk! 

On Sundays during crawfish season Hog and Hominy is doing a crawfish boil in the Holding Pen (their back porch). I went with Mom and Dad last Sunday and we tore up some crawfish. They also threw in some shrimp, potatoes, and corn on the cob in several batches. 

I love Memphis in the spring time! 

Daffodil Dash

This is the one race I require Bryan to run (and preferrably win) each year. It takes place at the Memphis Botanic Garden, which makes for a lovely place to explore while waiting for Bryan to run past or during his cool downs.


The Start



It apparently wasn't the easiest or most comfortable race for Bryan. But he pulled out a victory in the end.




My hero.

The weather was great that day, although the daffodils were still a few days away from blooming. It was a great race with or without daffodils.

New Music: Houndmouth's From the Hills Below the City

As part of my 30 before 30 goal I wanted to spent more time this year immersing myself in music, specifically new to me music. I hope to post a few of my findings here for you. I'm not music reviewer so don't expect any titillating review or anything.

FINALLY! Music I actually like!

This week I was dreading this little assignment. The last few weeks have been dreadful in terms of new music. I haven't really fallen in love with any music I've listened to since starting this project. Until this week.

I can't remember where I heard of Houndmouth, but they've been on my list for a while now. So glad I randomly picked them to listen to this week.

Although they hale from Indiana they have a very Southern rock sound to them, which is just one reason I'm drawn to their music. Another thing I like about this band is they take turns on lead singing. This keeps things interesting.  And of course they scored bonus points for mentioning Memphis (and whiskey) in "Comin' Round Again."

Yup, this album moves to the "to purchase" list.

Buy the album here from Amazon

When to listen: patio times, drinking beer, feeling nostalgic about the South, dinner party, just about any time will work really. 

Seasonal Clean Out

Remember back in October when we moved all our fall/winter clothes into the closet and hung them the wrong way?



Well it's time to start going through what is still hung the wrong way. Last week I pulled out everything that was still hung backwards. I immediately tossed everything I knew I was never going to wear again into a bag to give away.



About half of the items though I felt bad about giving away. So I pulled them to the side for a week or so. I consider this my probation period. If I still haven't worn them in two weeks then it's really time to say goodbye.

Take the time to really inspect the items you are holding on to. Are they in good condition? Are they still flattering? Even if you have worn items throughout the season it might still be time to say goodbye. Be ruthless.

In a few more weeks I'll pull out my spring/summer clothes and start the process over again. In the meantime it feels good to have a thinner, more efficient closet space.

New Music: The Front Brother's Talon of the Hawk

As part of my 30 before 30 goal I wanted to spent more time this year immersing myself in music, specifically new to me music. I hope to post a few of my findings here for you. I'm not music reviewer so don't expect any titillating review or anything.

This week's listen was suggested by NPR Music's Bob Boilen on his list of best albums of 2013. Well, Bob, I beg to differ. This album was perhaps my least favorite yet. Such a bummer.

The Front Brothers are very vocal, lyric driven. One of my notes is "too much talky talky." That can be fine for some people, but I'm more of a music person. And also I didn't care for the singer's voice. I have issues with higher, nasal voices in that I just don't like them. (See: Neutral Milk Hotel and Bright Eyes.) The music was very simple and it wouldn't surprise me if they wrote the lyrics first and then the music. While the lyrics were sometimes witty and smart, it just wasn't my cup of tea. By the end of the listen I was developing a headache and started to act like a crotchety old man. That does not suit me.

When to listen: in college

Ice, Ice, Baby

Sunday night/Monday morning we finally got a little winter weather in Memphis. It started with nearly 2.5" of rain but developed into ice and snow.

We woke up Monday morning to this:



It was mostly ice with a 1/2" layer of snow on top. Most people stayed home from work and school. When you work from home everyday snow days just don't hold the same allure they once did.

Jenna did come spend the day with us which was a fun change of pace.



We walked to the Square in the morning to get a look at everything. Pretty desolate early in the morning. For lunch we walked over to Crazy Noodle for hot bowls of noodle soup.

Wednesday it started melting more and now we're just a soggy mess. Oh well. I'm glad we finally got some white stuff.