Music Monday 14

I should have music-mondayed about these guys this summer when I started listening to them. But, with no further adieu... Cold War Kids. I don't know how to describe their sound. It's exciting and there is something demanding about it. Nathan Willett's voice is, I think, a little unconventional...the type of music that would be great to see live. Foot stomping, head nodding.
I don't belive I've expressed my love of Take Away Shows on my blog. Maybe I'll blog more on that later. But Oh boy do I love Take Away Shows. They are one of my top favorite discoveries of 2008. On one of my browsings on blogtheque I found a fantastic Cold War Kids video, when they sing Saint John I am smitten. I believe this ignited the fire for me with Cold War Kids. Songs to check out: "Hospital Beds", "We Used To Vacation", "Saint John", "Hang Me Up To Dry", and "I've Seen Enough"

Cheers to Cold War Kids and Take Away Shows

Snow, Snowier, Snowiest

Today:
-Church Cancelled
-No makeup
-Sweats
-Watched: * Three Amigos * Bishop's Wife * Some Jodi Foster movie
-Took a family walk in the snow
-helped my mom shovel the driveway
-Made two headbands {to blog about later}
-Packed for Utah
-homemade popcorn (obviously)
-hot chocolate (of course)

What a day!

{TIP} Try Williams & Sonoma Mullings Spices and make the Spiced Hot Chocolate. Very VERY Good!



Found this picture while browsing around ffffound.com again. Can't get any cuter than this? Am I right or am I right?

{Cool meets Awesome}

We discovered a Photobooth, a real old school photobooth, just down the street from us and WE COULDN'T RESIST. Most likely we'll be back every day till we leave for Christmas. It's just too much fun.

"caught my breath upon the hill, at the edge of the domain"

I had some fun looking at FFFFOUND yesterday and thought I'd share some eye candy. My next purchase will be that Work Hard and Be nice to people poster. I just love it.

We are snowed in here. Seattle got hit hard. So I am cozying up by the fire watching Mircacle on 34th Street, followed by Muppet Christmas Carol.

In other exciting news: I signed up for a Photoshop 101 class. I am very very excited. Starts in January. Can't wait to share what I learn.


Oh! And Dangerous Minds was on T.V. yesterday. I remember that movie came out in 6th grade or something and I wasn't aloud to see it but all my friends could and it was THE movie. Not gonna lie...got a little choked up. It's the teacher in me. Changing lives, Minds for molding, Teaching life values. The soundtrack is awesome times 10 too!

Music Monday 14 & Other Bizzzz

I've been overwhelmed with the Best of 2008 lists popping up everywhere. I really enjoy seeing what albums are repeatedly put on the lists. My favorite ones to look at are the lists with explantions for why they make it. This has got me excited for some Itunes purchases. I only get my music from Itunes and occasionally some mixes from friends. But I always have a load of albums I need to buy but no money to buy them with. So with that issue I want to be sure that I'll enjoy the purchase. Well...Hallelujah...I found a great solution. Grooveshark. It's perfect for me because I can make a playlist and listen to the entire song and even the entire album before I decide it's worth it. Try it Out! It's free!

For Music Monday this week I'd like to give a Shout Out to the Scots with their beloved Camera Obscura. There is nothing fancy about there sound...it's just beautiful voices with simple beats. I keep going back to "Loyd, I'm ready to be Heartbroken," "Pen & Notebook," "Lets Get Out Of This Country," and "Before You Cry." They are just easy to listen to and a must have in your collection.

In other Bizzzz
Amelie was on T.V. this weekend. What a treat. I fell in love all over again with Audrey Tautou and that movie. She really just rubs in her cute short hair doesn't she. I watched The Holiday this weekend and was reminded again how adorable short hair is on Shannyn Sossamon. Okay so maybe my hair is driving me nuts lately, but I'm keeping the long locks for a little longer. Till then I'll look longingly at these pictures!

Shannyn Sossamon


Audrey Tautou

The Book Type

I read this the other day and I just had to share. The article talks about a boy who fell in love with a girl after looking at her bookcase. They end up getting married two years later. It just makes so much sense when you think about it. I'm such a snoop when I'm in someone's home/apartment. Who isn't? A bookcase, A C.D. display, A movie case...they are all just screaming to be explored. To me, there is a lot to be said about someone by looking at any of the said three (books, movies, music). Not saying you have to be a snob about it, but such media shows a well-roundedness about an individual, makes someone more interesting.

(maybe I have this pin, and maybe I have this pin...just sayin)

Music Monday 13 & A Few Good Men...

This happens to be a very fitting day to do Music Monday because in the mail today was 4 GLORIOUS mixes from my friend Livi AND I got my giveaway prize from Whale In A Cubicle: The Dears 7" single.

>Music Monday<

This week I decided to feature Taken By Trees

which is a solo project by Swedish singer Victoria Bergsman (I must have a thing for the Swedes). There is something about her voice that is so entrancing. You might recognize her pipes from that catchy Peter Bjorn and John song "Young Folks." Listen to "Lost and Found" on the album Open Field. This on one of those perfect along songs. You know...when you're driving in your car at night or walking alone downtown. this is the song that will make you feel warm and smile. >A Few Good Men<

That would be the adorable gingerbread men that Teen and I made yesterday. We were feeling all sorts of Christmas. A little Amy Grant in the background and some ginger to fill our noses, it was yum.

Benson & Botanical Gardens

My brother came into town for the day on Monday. It was great, we shopped downtown, had some Red Mango (yum), ate Pike Place salmon, and went to the Botanical Gardens in Bellevue. The Botanical Gardens had been transformed into a light show and was now lighting up a variety of beautiful plants and flowers. Very neat.

Music Monday 13 and Thanksgiving Weekend

>Music Monday 13<
I know Jens Lekman is so 2007, but I think he is great. I was reminded of his greatness while shopping in Anthropologie today and I can't believe I haven't featured him on Music Monday. So many artists, so few Mondays. A year ago I was hooked on his South by Southwest concert on Npr. Jens is a Swedish indie pop artist with clever, funny lyrics. Some of my favorite songs are "The Opposite of Hallelujah" and "Postcard to Nina."
>Thanksgiving Weekend<

We took some wonderful walks, played some Balderdash, ate glorious food, laughed our heads off watching home videos, and started some craftings! {blog post to come} Egan brought her polaroid.Apple Tart Pie!Place Setting. It looks like it was snowing, it wasn't.

Seesters

So glad Egan came up for the Holiday.

Jen. Happy Birthday!

My sister Jen had a birthday yesterday and I didn't get a chance to give her a decent blog shout out. So, today sis, I would like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY right here on my blog.
I LOVE YOU (can you tell I'm shouting?)
This sister of mine is so pretty and such a good mom and an amazing wife and has the cutest kids and has let me live with her alot during my college years. She is the best listener and girlfriend. I like to think that maybe I'm named after her. (My name is Jane, her name is Jennifer Jane) I can't wait to see her in a month.


and she married this guy==========>

I love Dave too.

Last Day

Student Teaching...Check!

College...Check!

Every morning they answer a Yes/No question. This was their question today. They answered it correctly!!! haha

I can't believe I'm done!!! Hooray. Today was my last day of student teaching, therefore, my last day of college. It feels great. I really lucked out with my student teaching experience. I was put in a great school with an excellent teacher. First grade is so fun, they learn so much and they are so loving. I finally feel like it is possible, that I can actually be a teacher.

Today my class suprised me with an adorable book. The ABC's of Student Teaching. I wish I could show you every page. It is so cute with pictures of the class and me teaching and full of memories. I will cherish it forever. I was also given many hugs and cards and "I'll miss yous." Boy, they are sweet kids.Lots and Lots of cute cards and notes!

Group hug!!!! There were tears shed...see that boy on the right of the picture. Crying.

I'm Mormon

I was recently informed that our Church as a new site for members and non memebers to learn more about our beliefs. Mormon.org. So cool! It is natural for every human to ask themselves questions about the purpose of life. Here is a place where you can explore what our Church believes on the matter. I especially like the videos where converts talk about their conversion and their beliefs. Take a Browse! This picture really doens't have anything to do with mormon.org, but what's a post with out a picture right??? And basically I miss Brooklyn so bad it hurts.

So I'm obsessed. What's the big deal?

Gig posters are so cool right now. Right? I adore looking through this site and oooing over these prints. Too bad most are sold out. But, if you're in the mood for a great browse of eye stimulating material this is your place! http://www.thesmallstakes.com/gallery.php?page=1

This is from a cute etsy shop. Don't you just love this. Comes in lots of colors. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5110481

Quinn! I just can't get enough of her. Every inch of her little body is awe-worthy. I'm so lucky to live so close to my sister and her family. My roommate and I have joked about how are neices and nephews are so cute it's like "system overload." Like you love them so much that you almost can't take it anymore. That's the best description I've heard.

Music Monday 12 & A Birthday

Really into Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band. I've been listening to a lot of NPR All Songs Considered lately, and last week they had a live concert with these guys. I can't get enough of "Nikorette." Check it! You'll recognize Conor Oberst from his band Bright Eyes, but for this album he has used a different backing band, hence the different name. To me it's all the same...Conor Oberst's voice is a little like ear candy.My "Best Friend Forever", Saylor-oosque has a birthday today. I love this girl to pieces. She is such a girlfriend and loves baking, nail painting, laying out at the beach, giggling, playing house. I really can't ever get enough of her. Can't wait to see her for Christmas.

"God's Gracious Gift"

My sister E who is always sending me the coolest links had a blog post recently about her name. I had to try it for myself. Check it out. Very enjoyable. www.nameberry.com

"For a venerable and short one-syallable name, it still picks a surprising punch" So nice to know that my name has risen above its old generic status!!!

Music Monday 11

"Subtly Intoxicating Folk-pop" is how Wikipedia describes The Weepies and I couldn't have said it better. Maybe I'm a little late on The Weepies bus, but I'm smitten. Songs like "All that I Want" "Nobody Knows me at All" and "Gotta Have You" are just irresistable. I think there is something about a married couple with musical gifts like these that I'm a sucker for.

Another delight as of late is Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit. I discovered them through my Paste Magazine sampler. (obsessed with this magazine subscription) You have got to get your ears on "The Box"!!

Like Moths to a Flame

My mom was in town. She is a dream. She came to help with the arrival of sweet baby Quinn. I loved spending sometime with her and it got me all the more excited to go home to Seattle from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Oh...and did I tell you that Quinn is the prettiest baby in the whole entire world. For realsie.