On my iPod #5

Okay, I know...I know, I've been TOTALLY absent from the blog lately. I'm sorry guys, I've been SO swamped with work (my full-time job), plus I went to DC this past weekend to look for housing for the hubby and I to live in come this Fall. It has just been so hectic lately, I haven't had time to sit down and write a thoughtful post. BUT, I figured, the least I could do is share some more tunes I've been listening to lately.

So here we go...

Overwhelmed - Tim McMorris

Okay, so be patient...it's some kind of video uploaded by 'Audio Jungle' ?? so you'll hear that word repeated throughout the video. At least you can listen to what the song sounds like. :)

Dancing Shoes - Green River Ordinance

These guys are awesome!!

Even If It Breaks Your Heart - Eli Young Band

 Love this song right now!

~~~~~~~~~~~

So I'm going to admit that I am a newcomer to listening to the Avett Brothers (I know, believe me, I'm embarrassed about it - what rock have I been under?!?!)...I had hear of them before, but just hadn't ever listened to their music very much. Well, I am OFFICIALLY hooked & obsessed!!!! Their songs are on constant replay on my iPod...but these 2 are definitely my favs at the moment:

If It's the Beaches - The Avett Brothers

Swept Away - The Avett Brothers 

What are you all listening to right now??

On my iPod #4

If you're new to the blog, every week or so I share what I'm listening to on my iPod. Music is a HUGE part of my daily routine, and I love sharing new songs, bands, and music videos with people around me.

So here's what I'm listening to lately:

Dirt Road Anthem - Jason Aldean

My friend Kristin and I were just talking about this song the other night...we grew up in a small town in southern IL and this song completely reminds us of home, high school and fond memories

Hang Me Up to Dry - Cold War Kids

This is not a new song, or band for that matter, but CWK is a big favorite of mine and my husband's. We went to a concert of theirs (for their 1st tour) and it was amazing - definitely check out more of the songs from their 1st album!

Half Moon - Blind Pilot

Heard this song on the season finale of One Tree Hill (another CW show, no way?!) :) This live version sounds awesome!

Rivers and Road - The Head & The Heart

One of my friends sent me a link to this video earlier this week...and I have been playing the song on repeat since. I can't get enough of just that raw, collaborative sound - it's just them and their instruments and they sound so beautiful!! I'm thinking this is a band I'm going to have to check out in concert sometime in the near future!

And last, but not least, someone that I KNOW!

The musician below, Ryan Spriggs...his wife and I were roommates all throughout college. She is one of my best friends, and I'm so excited for both of them that Ryan has decided to put out a record. He has an amazing voice, mixes his music in his studio upstairs in their house, and I'm pretty sure knows how to play almost any musical instrument. I'm so excited to share his music with you on my blog: 

I Guess it's Safe to Say - Ryan Spriggs

What's on your iPod this week?

On my iPod #3

Well, I have some more new music for you to check out, that is constantly playing on my iPod:

Be Still - The Fray

Surprise, surprise - heard this on last week's episode of VD

Springsteen - Eric Church

I can't quit playing this song...it is definitely may favorite country song right now!

Medicine - Daughter

This was also on last week's episode of VD...I just think it's so beautiful!!

Hazy - Rosi Golan (feat. William Fitzsimmons)

 I'm a recent fan of Rosi Golan...just happened to come across this duet and am loving the lyrics!

We Are Young - Fun. (feat. Janelle Monae)

LOVING this song right now...even though the radio stations are 'playing it to death'

*As with past posts, song titles are linked to their corresponding iTunes preview/download & singer/songwriter/band names are linked to their respective website!

Check them out & let me know what you think!

On my iPod #2

Thought I'd share some more favorite tunes from my iPod that I'm listening to these days!
(Warning: my playlist always has a huge variety of things on it)...

Ho Hey - The Lumineers

1st heard this song on the CW's "Hart of Dixie" (Season 1, Episode 10)

Gone in the Morning - Newton Faulkner

This song is featured at the end of the movie "Morning Glory" with Rachel McAdams, Diane Keaton & Harrison Ford - cute movie!

You're the Reason I Come Home - Ron Pope

Found this awesome live version of him singing this beautiful song!!

Dakota Jay & William King

This is Dakota singing "Pennsylvania"

And then I don't have a video for it, but here's a link to listen to William King's "It's Going Down Tonight"

*I just these guys (Dakota & Will) perform recently, and they were awesome! Just two guys from Nashville, TN singing a little "country pop" (hey, that's what they called it)! :)

On my iPod #1

I consider music to be an integral part of my everyday life, meaning, it's rare for me to go the entire day without listening to my iPod or Pandora. I grew up dancing, learning piano and singing in musicals...so music just moves me! I find a lot of my favorite artists and songs because they are featured on various CW shows...I know that sounds cheesy, but I'm serious, they have some amazingly talented musical directors! Another thing I love is stumbling upon new artists that aren't in the "limelight", so to speak, yet...my husband is really good at this and is always turning me onto extremely talented musicians - thanks babe! ;)

 Anyway, I thought I'd share a few of my daily favorites at the moment. Note: Each song is linked to its iTunes download, each artist's name is linked to their website, & I included YouTube videos of the songs too! Hope you enjoy, and maybe even find yourself a new artist or song that you've never heard before! :)

Kicking My Heels - Tyler Hilton


*Currently my favorite version of this song right now - love collaborations!

Can't Go Back - Rosi Golan


*This live version is AMAZING! I love that they're in a stairwell and it just echos so beautifully...gives me chills!

We Don't Eat - James Vincent McMorrow


*I've never heard another song like this...it instantly became one of my favorites! First heard it on the CW's Vampire Diaries (Season3, Episode 8), then my sister reminded me about it...we are fans! :)

I Believe - Brooke Annibale


*Just beautiful...was on one of the last epsiodes of One Tree Hill (can you tell I'm a CW watcher yet?!)

Soldier - Gaving Degraw

Rockin' the Playlist

I just got back from, what's now becoming, my usual Saturday run. This morning was pretty chilly, but the sun was out which created a little bit of warmth. I bundled up (I hate being cold on a run), turned on my playlist and proceeded to run 6 miles. Here's where I hit each of my miles:

Mile 1: 12:14
Mile 2: 25:01
Mile 3: 37:17
Mile 4: 50:09
Mile 5: 1:03:18
Mile 6/Total: 1:16:24     <--------I ran a different trail (to the end and back) so I didn't run as far as last time
Avg. min/mi: 12:42        <--------MUCH better than last time

It wasn't easy...the wind in Omaha is ridiculous. It literally felt like it was pushing me back and I really had to work hard to keep on going. But, it feels so good now that it's over! :) I thought I'd share my "run" playlist with all of you, which is mostly new (and some old) hip hop/rap...yeah, anything upbeat keeps me going!

Strip Me - Natasha Bedingfield  <--my new favorite song

Not Afraid - Eminem

Love the Way You Lie - Eminem/Rihanna

Like a G6 - Far East Movement

Airplanes - B.O.B./Hayley Williams

Lips of an Angel - Hinder

Tattoo - Jordin Sparks

California Girls - Katy Perry/Snoop Dog

I Kissed a Girl - Katy Perry

Just Dance - Lady Gaga

Lollipop - Lil Wayne/Static Major/Kanye

Secrets - OneRepublic

Disturbia - Rihanna

Umbrella - Rihanna/Jay-Z

Dynamite & Break Your Heart - Taio Cruz

Don't Trust Me - 3OH!3

Streetwalker - Delta Spirit

Piece of Me - Britney Spears

Uprising - Muse

Whip My Hair - Willow

Can't Be Tamed & Who Owns My Heart - Miley Cyrus

Take It Off, Tik Tok, Your Love is My Drug & We R Who We R - Ke$ha

Boom Boom Pow & I Gotta Feeling- Black Eyed Peas

And then mixed in with all of those are older rap songs from a mixed CD I made years ago and uploaded to my iTunes...includes Yeah (Usher), Bump Bump Bump (B2K), Right Thurr (Chingy) & Dirt Off Your Shoulders (Jay-Z).  Hehe, don't laugh...these songs all get me pumped up as I'm running, but okay, sometimes make me want to stop my run and start busting a move! ;)

Anyway, I just made some Trader Joes 'Reduced Fat' Brownies, ate some lunch and plan to enjoy the rest of this fall afternoon. I'm also hoping to get some sewing/knitting done this weekend, I have been missing my crafty time! Don't forget about Daylight Savings Time...so glad we get to add an hour onto sleep (I always enjoy more sleep) but not so glad about it getting dark so early in the day.

Happy Saturday

Run, Forest, Run!

About a month ago, I started running. Running and I usually have a "hate/hate" relationship, but surprisingly lately it's been lovely. Haha, I say lovely, but what I mean is...I don't really like to run, but I do it because it feels really good afterwards! :) Honestly, I am extremely slow...I used to start off pretty fast and then I'd get side stitches or start breathing funny and have to stop. So, I've been starting out slow and staying consistent throughout my entire run (but STILL slow).

We have some really nice trails behind our place and they actually run all throughout Omaha (total distance of trail = 24.10). The hubby, believe it or not, has been running about 12-14 mi. every Saturday...I don't know how he does it, but I'm always so proud of him. He will definitely run a marathon in the next year or two!

Me, I started out running about 2 miles when we first moved here, and just kept increasing my distance each week. This past Saturday was the 2nd time I ran 6 miles!!! 6.2 actually. Here's my time when I hit each mile:


Mile 1: 12:24
Mile 2: 25:58
Mile 3: 39:56
Mile 4: 54:35
Mile 5: 1:09:21
Mile 6: 1:23:58
Total time: 1:26:25
Avg. min/mi: 13.59


Told you I was slow! :) But, I'm still pretty proud of myself...and I intend on keeping it up. I don't know if I'll be running my hubby's distance anytime soon, but my goal for now is 8 miles. What has really helped me is having a "running" playlist on my iPod...without it, I would have wanted to quit so many times. It's amazing how much music can be motivating! Most of my playlist consists of rap and extremely upbeat songs. And my husband has introduced me to Gu which basically just energizes a runner before/during a run. I take some 15 minutes before I run my longer runs and I really think it helps to get me going.

Oh, and the hubby surprised me with a SPIbelt which carries all of my necessary items (phone, ID, key)...it's awesome, it doesn't move around at all while I'm running and it's black/hot pink! :)

So, get ready for some more running updates as running continues to kick my butt!

Music to My Ears

I don't know if you've ever heard of Joshua Radin, but if you haven't, LISTEN to his stuff!! ;) My sister got me started listening to him by burning me a copy of his 1st CD. And I'm not lying, I could listen to it over and over...it never gets old. Great voice, great lyrics...watch the videos below and have a listen: