tune-in tuesday

While Tune-in Tuesday  might be infrequent, I like to think I deliver some good music. Oh, for my new followers this is where I feature the artists and songs that I'm jamming to lately. Whether it's local to the mid-west or mainstream, full-steam-ahead bands, I'm certain that you'll find something you like too! I'll post in 1 to 3 catergories:

• new 
• new to me 
• renewed 

This week I'd love to share with you a new and renewed favorite: American Youth. 

This indie-folk band (formerly happygolovely) is no stranger to the midwest music circuit. Before the change, I saw them perform at Sonshine Music Festival in Willmar, MN after they won the festivals battle of the bands; the continued to dominate in the Lifelight Festival botb in Sioux Falls, SD.  Oh, and they've been featured on a few pretty great shows: E!'s "Keeping Up With The Kardashians", "Kourtney & Kim Take New York," MTV's "Real World," and others, just to mention a few!

American Youth is:
Ben Garrett | Lead Vocals, Guitars, Piano/Rhodes, Harmonica, Percussion
Winslow Leach | Vox, Bass, Whistles, Bowed Xylophone, Field Officer, Ukulele, Guitars
Justin Swafford | Guitars, BGV's | Emily Cline | Guitars, Vocals, Piano, Trombone
Jake Neiderhauser | Drums | Lindsey Faber | BGV's, Ukulele, Percussion

After discovering a small-world connection between Ben and I (through his fiance's Tumblr, no joke) I took another look at the music. I'm betting you will love their full bodied, yet mellow tunes. Vocals that carry and fall like a leaf taken by the wind are paired with harmonies not-too-overwhelming. Oh, listen to this track  for something with a bit more movement. A friend of mine even compared them too a less electronic Modest Mouse, which I think is a fair statement.

Ben shared with me a list of bands that they've opened for and it's just as impressive:  The Rocket Summer, The Spill Canvas, The Almost, Abandon Kansas, Rooney, Relient K, Hanson, Lissie, and WALK THE MOON. (When I saw Lissie listed, I maybe fangirl-ed a little bit inside).

Seriously, look them up! 

RIP LS Little Jank

If you didn't read this post then you might not have known that I got into a minor car accident on Monday. While driving downtown to take care of some matters with Justin, we were hit. We were in the left-most lane on a one way street when a gal from out of town tried to make a left turn from the middle lane onto Nicollet (which doesn't allow thru-traffic anyways). The whole thing unfolded in slow motion. We sat stunned for about half a moment until pulling over to the side of the road on the next block where we exhanged information and the like. The gal claimed the fault immediately and it sounds like everything is going smooth with the insurance side of things. You wouldn't believe from looking at the damage to my car that they decided to simply total it; but with it being more than 20 years old it's not worth fixing.  This little car has been a friend for "the 6" and has been a blessing and a place of ministry. It's dearly beloved, and will be missed.


on a personal note:
I feel my life moving from dysfunction into function, and this chaos is almost calming because I know that there is peace coming. #obscurethoughts

what i wore: primary colors

     Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Justin and I took care of matters at the Library, then the Police Station, and eventually went adventuring in NE Mpls. He showed me a cute shop that sells locally made items: I Like You.  Jewelry, pottery, stationary, art, lotions, cologne, you name it and they have it made local! It was great. We went to one of the best antique stores I've been to in quite a while. Melrose Antiques on 5th St in NE is filled with beautiful jewels, vintage clothing, art, china, and some of the best furniture! We fell in love with some of the great luggage (even found some that was small enough for me, that doesn't overwhelm my petite height!) and I donned so many pearls!  Can't wait to adventure with the kid again!

yellow hat:      found

navy sweater:    Justin's 

peach shirt:     thrifted

orange belt:     Target

black leggings:  Target

maroon socks:    soccer

brown shoes:     Kmart

on a personal note:  

after the accident on Monday they decided to just total my car. So now, I'm driving mom's old Sebring Convertible until we figure out what else to do. Sigh.

Photo credit: Justin took these with my camera phone.

sponsor swap and other garbage

This weekend I took a little vacation to visit some friends and family. It wasn't quite the escape from city life that I expected and most certainly didn't go nearly the way I hoped but at the very least it was the same as it always was. We can sort through that later because I'd much rather tell you about something exciting! 

I'm proud to be crossing something off my blogging goals for this year! Sponsoring another blog is something that I've wanted to do to give back a little of the love I've been getting through my blog. When I saw Kayleigh's post asking for a sponsor swap buddy I was thrilled! Her blog, A Million Little Somethings, is a great place to see God's work in her life as well as get glimpses of her Midwest life.

A Million Little Somethings

Isn't she Lovely?
A Million Little Somethings
Kayleigh Nikolai

My name is Kayleigh and I am currently trying to get through another Wisconsin winter. After 24 years, you think I would be used to it . . . but whatever!! For a day job, I work as a caregiver for adults with special needs. I love what I do but it is really high stress and I work a lot. So to relax I love to write!! I started the blog as an outlet for my writing . . . and found a dear friend! I write about my life, my thoughts, my faith, what I am reading or watching . . . just about everything! I spend my free time talking to friends, reading, watching movies/tv and trying to cross things off of my before-30 list! I live in a tiny little apartment that doesn't allow pets so for now I am content to crochet (sometimes), paper-craft (if I feel like it) and water my plants (when I remember). I am very committed to growing in my relationship with God and trying to figure out what He has in mind for my life. But until He moves me, I will keep living the life He has given me . . . and blogging along the way. Some big changes will be coming to my blog in March, so keep checking it out. I am so excited! :) I like to look at life as being made up of a million little somethings . . . join me as I blog and try to take time to see the little somethings that make up everything! 

Can't you see why I'm excited to have her as my first swap buddy?! Golly! Well, I'm off to have dinner with mom so I will leave you with a few notes to come back to in my next post! 

     notes:     

01. I have to be responsible for myself because no one else will, and no one should be!

02. This addiction I have is something outside of my control and that I need to get help before it destroys me.

03. I got into a {minor} car crash this morning and after a hectic weekend I'm thankful for those other moments of grace.

Alrighty, that's all for now darlings! 

me: in A-Z

So,  it seemed relevant to post about relationships since Valentine's was this week. I found this quiz on Tumblr and of course I dragged it over here! ... these always get a little bit too close for comfort.  

A: Who do you like and Why?

NA... and because. 

B: Have you ever been in love? If yes, how many times, and how do you know it was love?

I've been victim to the illusion of love; but it's always been skinny.

C: Longest relationship you've ever been in, and why did it end?

Lordy, I don't know. 10 months, or 10 years. Both ended because it wasn't right.

D: Have you ever changed for someone, if yes, how?

I cleaned up my life to be the good girl that he deserved; he went bad.

E: Pretend I'm you ex, what do you want to say to me?

You're probably only still talking to me because there is a part of you that feels a bit more secure knowing I'm here. You don't particularly like me even, but you need me. How do I know this? Because that's why I'm still here. We are the same.

F: Have you ever been cheated on?

Yep, most likely. I can't think of a specific time but have no doubt that it's happened.

G: Have you ever cheated?

Admittedly, yes. Though I was more faithful to my ex and our relationship than any other relationship before, EVER.

H: Would you date someone who's known for cheating, if yes why?

Not if they are known for it but if it is not a defining quality then I'd give them my trust. I've cheated, and I've been faithful. I personally know that sometimes you meet someone who is so precious to you that they are worth totally committing yourself to.

I: What's the most important part of a relationship?

God. He is the best thing we could have in common, the strongest, unchanging, stable and perfect source of love-giving unity that any relationship needs. He has all of the qualities that neither partner has or that are missing. Important relational qualities: balance, intimacy = commitment, respect, trust, willingness to bend, and adventure (lot's of adventure).

J: Do you like to be in serious relationships or just flings?

Serious. Though that never happens.

K: When you are dating someone do you believe in going on "breaks"?

Not particularly. If there are red flags now then there will be red flags when you return to the relationship. Besides, you don't take "breaks" when you're married so why bring that mentality into your pre-marriage relationship?

L: How many people have you ever hooked up with?

That's a good question. What is hooking up anyways?

M: What's one thing you regret saying or not saying, doing or not doing in a previous relationship?

Not waiting longer to have sex until it was with some one who loved me back.

N: What age do you think is appropriate for kids to start having sex?

When they are married.

O: Do you believe in the phrase, "Age is just a number?" Why or why not?

Mostly. I think it's important to be aware of emotional/physical/life development of your partnership. It's different for a 5 year gap between 30 & 35, and 20 and 15.

P: What about "Love at first sight"? Why or why not?

I'm not convinced that you can love someone instantaneously. Love isn't just a feeling (and it's not based solely on attraction) it's doing what's best for someone. It's nurtured over time as commitment and intimacy develop beyond the point of initial interest. But, I'm intrigued by the idea that my future husband may one day look at me and immediately know that I was made for him.

Q: Turn on's?

Blah, don't wanna post about these.

R: Turn off's?

Or these.

S: What do you consider a deal breaker?

If he isn't a believer in God. And if that belief isn't affecting his life. Though you could call me a hypocrite because I often (almost always) compromise on this one.

T: How do you know it's time to end a relationship?

You just know.

U: Are you currently in a relationship? If yes, for how long? If no, how long have you been single?

No. Almost 2 months or two years depending on how you look at it. Maybe even longer.

V: Do you think people who have dated can stay friends?

Yes, I do.

W: Do you think people should date their friends?

There isn't a good answer for this; though if some of my male-friends wanted to treat me to a date with them then I wouldn't deny them. But I also know that more than likely it wouldn't be kindled into a romantic relationship.

X: How many relationships have you had?

I have no way to know. 3 significant ones.

Y: Do you think love can last forever?

There is a love that last's forever and it's unchanging: God's love.

Z: Do you believe love can conquer all things?

Yes. There's a collection of 66 books about it called the Bible.

1: Would you break up with someone your parents didn't approve of?

It would depend on their motivation and if it was just because they weren't what they expect versus if they see very real, red flags that I am oblivious to.

2: If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice about dating what would it be?

None of these guys are going to be worth 2 heartbeats.

3: Do you think long distance relationships can work? Why or why

Yes, but not for me. Not right now, anyways. I'm still rehabilitating from my wandering heart.

             on a personal note:             

I'm in Wisconsin for the weekend! I'll come back with pictures I'm sure! Miss you all, lovelies!