Always Alright

• Today, I WILL give Nutmeg a bath because she’s starting to smell like a big ol’ stinky pupper-poo.
• This weekend, I WILL finish my wedding list and get my Save the Dates finalized.
• This month, I WILL do Jillian’s 30 Day Shred every day even if it paralyzes me (which it is – I can’t even move after the workout).
• This year, I WILL be me and all that entails.

Bret and I saw Silver Linings Playbook a few weeks ago, and while it wasn’t the BEST movie I’ve seen, there were several things I loved about it:

1.) Jennifer Lawrence

What’s not to love about her?  All the attention she is getting this awards season is well-deserved (plus, it gives us an opportunity to see what kind of pretty dresses she’s going to wear).

2.) Bradley Cooper

It was refreshing to see Bradley in a “serious” movie role.  I want to say that this movie made me really respect Bradley as an actor, but the truth is, he caught my attention when I found out he could do THIS:

3.) The Music

This movie has opened the doors for great artists to be recognized including The Lumineers, Alabama Shakes, alt-J, Jessie J…
I can’t stop listening to “Always Alright” by Alabama Shakes.  Just do yourself a favor – close your eyes, press play, and TRY not to nod or sway your head, tap your fingers, or even do a little shoulder shrugging.  So much love for this song:

Clear a Space

If you’re coming back here, you’ll notice the blog has a different look and feel.  After a long debate in my head (long being about 5 seconds), I decided I needed to give this puppy a facelift.  Now, I’m not set on this final look/feel, but this blog needed to change to represent me versus just a music blog.

Moving forward, instead of solely being a place for music, this is going to be my “personal” space  – things that inspire me, that make me happy, that bring a smile to my face.  Music will always be included ❤

First and foremost, if Lake Street Dive doesn’t become popular, I will be completely happy.  This band is so ridiculously talented, and their my favorite little secret right now.  Rachael Price has got this cool + sexy thing about her when she sings that so many artists right now simply cannot do so naturally.

This song choice obviously has a direct meaning for this blog, for my passion with reading, for taking long jogs, for enjoying life… I’m constantly figuring out how to challenge myself and become a better me.  Well, I’m having one of my lightbulb moments today, and I think it’s going to stick around.  I put aside so much time to work, to make dinner (this is actually my therapy for the day – I love the kitcken), to sleep, to drive + travel, to watch Millionaire Matchmaker (hey, we all have our guilty pleasures…) that I eventually forget to put aside time for one person – ME!

I’m going to clear a space for ME for this year.  This year has been focused on so many other people and their wants/needs/concerns that once again, I managed to shift any time that I could for myself towards them.  In the words of Sweet Brown:

I’ve preached about this before, but I lose perspective sometimes when I’m so caught up with everything around me.  It’s easy to get lost in your daily routine.  My next routine is to cut the routine.

Bret and I will be getting married in less than 8 months (CRAZY!), and I’ve been really trying my best to juggle everything that is on my plate right now which – at this moment –  is a lot.  I never was much of a hat person, but I definitely feel like I’ve got quite the collection going right now.

A few things I’m looking forward to:

• Visit to Vermont
• Nutmeg’s 9th birthday (actually, this makes me sad – she’s getting old)
• Getting back into shape – I had a nasty ankle sprain in July that just ruined all the hard work I did over the course of 2011-2012.  2013 – I own you
• Spring
• Bret’s birthday (a few months away, but I always plan ahead)

What kind of things are you looking forward to?  What are you clearing space for this year?