Guilty Pleasures

Yesterday I went on iTunes to search for something - Red Fang maybe, or was it Patrick Watson? - and I see on the home page that the Classic Album of the Week is Coldplay's 2000 release Parachutes. So I click. And I preview 'Don't Panic' and I'm immediately reminded of hours wasted laying around listening to the Garden State soundtrack. Next I preview Sparks, then Yellow, then Trouble, and before I know it I've PURCHASED A COLDPLAY ALBUM.

Obviously I can never let anyone look through my music library on my iPhone ever again. Put it on shuffle at a party? Nope, too risky. I know I'm supposed to hate Coldplay because they're totally cheesy and they supposedly rip off their songs and Chris Martin's whiny voice and Chris Martin's whiny wife (is Gwyneth Paltrow whiny? I don't know, I just couldn't have an 'I hate Coldplay' list without mention of her) but I just don't. There. It's out. I LIKE Coldplay. We all have our musical guilty pleasures and I say we hide them no more! I'm embracing my inner dork and you should, too!

 - Kayl

2012. Or, the year I blew all my cash on my music festivals

I know it's a little early to be calling 2012 the year of anything. Or is it? According to the drop down in the Google search bar this year is already the year of the girl, the year of the encounter, the year of the collapse, and the year of mathematics. Mathematics, really? I haven't done more mathematics this year than any other. I'm confused. Was I supposed to decide what the year would be about at the beginning of 2012 when I made all those resolutions I kept for 12 days? Did some mathematician somewhere say last December "Yep. This is it. This is gonna be our year."? I digress.

So far this year I have been to one music festival. Next week I am going to another. And another the week after that. My city's annual Folk Festival is in August. And I've just decided to try to pull off one last festival in October. Am I excited? Of course. Can I afford this? Not really.

Today I had a conversation with a friend of mine about getting a large sum of money *ahem divorce settlement ahem* and what her plans are for it. Her response - down payment. This girl already owns a home. A twice over home owner at 26? Where have I gone wrong? She then asked what I would do. I told her I would sell the house I live in (if I was her - I'm not a home owner) and take the whole whack of cash to go spend as much time as I could seeing everything I've ever wanted to see. It was then that I realized I'm not practicin what I'm preachin. I've worked really hard (ok pretty hard) to save up some cash over the last year, why not use it on what makes me happy? My dad and brother will always tell me I'm financially irresponsible (but love me anyway). I will always have responsible friends who do the sensible thing like buy an income property and not quit their jobs. I will probably have to work until I'm 95 (so will everyone people, our economy is in the shitter). I would rather spend my money on the things that make me truly happy and create memories that will last a lifetime. Austin City Limits come at me!

Plus, I get to see this IRL and that's way sweeter than watching my pension grow.




- Kayl

Easter Eggs!

I am a pretty big fan of holiday crafts in general and Easter is no exception. Being that I was stupidly busy this year looking for a new place and planning a bridal shower and stagette (post on that to come), setting up an Easter egg decorating party completely slipped my mind. Luckily I have the greatest friend who agreed, last minute, to decorate some eggs with me over a few beer.

Dani getting started.

gettin weird with the food dye.

Dani made a Jesse egg.

And a Boh egg!

Our collection. (Ya, most of them broke).

I guess that's it for holiday crafts for a while, unless you count summer as a holiday. 

 - Kayl

Bow Belt

The other day I decided I needed a bow belt, so I cruised Pinterest to find a tutorial and found this gem from momtastic. It was super easy (even for a sewing newb like me). The only thing I would suggest is using hooks instead of a snap to make sure your belt stays done up.

Here's my finished product!

Cute, cheap and easy - the perfect DIY accessory.

- Kayl

Music Monday

I'm having trouble getting my brain moving on this cold, dreary Monday so I need something to put a little pep in my step! Today it's Matt and Kim and coffee.




- Kayl

Music Monday

This song



- Kayl

Music Monday

Completely obsessed with First Aid Kit, 2 sisters from Stockholm with the most gorgeous harmonies.



- Kayl

Valentines

I've spent the last few days making Valentines for some of my best girls. I used my Cricut to cut hearts out of some pretty paper and sent them off in brightly coloured homemade envelopes. I also took some inspiration from this month's Martha and made some airplane Valentines. They are just adorable. Take a peek.

- Kayl