Obsession of the Day

Ok, "day" hardly covers the depth of this obsession as it has been happening for weeks now. Like any other normal human being, I love having a good ole cup of Joe in the morning [although today it is tea- see previous post]. But when the temp gets around 90 degrees, I cannot bear to put any kind of hot liquid in my mouth and I turn to my beloved iced coffee. I usually just make it the janky way which involves loading a glass up with tons of ice, pouring hot coffee over it, adding a bit of creamer and trying to drink it fast before the melted ice completely ruins it. I have been trying to make actual iced coffee since reading this recipe on Smitten Kitchen, but I just keep forgetting [I have that problem].

Whilst at the grocery last week I thought to myself, "Self, you should see if Starbucks makes their instant coffee in an iced version". It was an inspired thought and as it turns out, Starbucks DOES make their Via coffee in an iced version...and it costs almost $8 for 6 packs. Uhhhhhh, what? I could get a real iced coffee in a plastic cup for that price! But never fear dear readers, our friends at the International Cafe division of Maxwell House have come up with their own alternative for less than $3 a box [each box includes 6 packets].

Is it as delicious as a real iced latte? Probably not. Does it do the job for an acceptable price? Absolutely. I enjoyed the French Vanilla flavor and made it with water instead of milk [slightly ghetto, I know, but I didn't have a choice]. I thought it tasted fine with water and a bit of creamer, but I 'm sure it would be more delicious with some ice cold milk.

Do you guys have any iced coffee tricks? If so, please share them!

Music Monday: Album Review

Unlike the last two album reviews, I will try to keep this one short and sweet.

I heard my first good review of Eddie Vedders "Ukulele Songs" from my brother which I found a little odd until he said "I think he's in some band, Pearl Jam or something like that". Then it all made sense. But dear brother bear was right, this is a stellar, stellar album and I have love, love, loved it. I wish I was currently listening to this while laying in a hammock on a beach somewhere. Anywhere. I'd almost settle for the beach at Nashville Shores!

Check out the album in it's entirety [although, not in order] below. Let me know if you love it!

MUSIC MONDAY

GUYS! Sometimes when I haven't posted for seven days, you've got to give me a little smack on the wrist and tell me to get my ass in gear! I'll be honest, my lack of posting is from sheer laziness [and pinterest obsession] because things have, thankfully, slowed down for me a little bit at work.

Hope you all had a stellar weekend. I did a whole bunch of nothing and spent some quality time with my Mule Mamas. I am currently drinking hot tea because I feel as though I might be getting sick [a little sea air probably would've cured this. thanks for nothing to a few that shall not be named!!!! ;)]

Lets kick off Music Monday with a little Anya Marina. I first heard about this chick when she covered TI's "Whatever You Like" a couple of years ago and recently re-ignited my spark for her when NoiseTrade did a sampler of 4 of her songs. Check them out below and if you like, head over to Noisetrade for a download.

Check back later today for more tunes!

iTunes Shuffle Music Monday

I think my iTunes is depressed. Hope you enjoy anyway!

Music Monday: Album Review

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! The rain definitely destroyed some of my weekend plans, but it couldn't keep the fun down and now I am super tired and wishing for another day off. Here's hoping another 4 day weekend appears somewhere between now and the 4th of July.

In the past few weeks I have been listening, NON-STOP, to the new My Morning Jacket album. I have never been a huge My Morning Jacket fan; not that I didn't like them, I did, but I just never REALLY got into them. I'd heard a number of people talking about how great their new album is, and in the midst of an iTunes spree I decided to purchase. I do not, repeat do not, regret my decision. After falling hard and fast for Circuital, I will definitely be revisiting the other MMJ albums I have in my catalog. Also, I think its fair for me to say that sometimes I don't give artists/albums a fair shot if everyone else is all up on their nuts. I'm stubborn like that sometimes.

Circuital begins with a deep base line with the musical emotion ebb and flowing throughout the rest of the record. There are plenty of upbeat songs [that, frankly, make me wanna DANCE], and then there are wonderfully melancholy songs like "Wonderful (The Way I Feel)" and "Movin Away". This album is top notch from beginning to end and I couldn't recommend it more strongly. The only complaint that I have about Circuital is that there are only 10 tracks! It's just so good that I want MORE.

Check out the album in its entirety and let me know your thoughts. I smell some serious Grammy nominations in their future.

Obsession of the Day

PARIS.

I am already planning [in my mind anyway] a trip to Paris in 2012. I absolutely cannot get it out of my brain. Anyone have any tips on traveling to France or places to visit? I want to go NOW.

In Sad News

Amber Portwood of MTV's Teen Mom fame [if you wanna call it that] tried to commit suicide this week. You may be aware [but for your sake, I hope you aren't] of her struggles with the law over the past year due to a domestic abuse incident that was captured on the show. Amber is one BA Biotch and repeatedly hit her sometimes boyfriend and full time baby dady in front of their baby, on camera. Genius! She has spent some time in jail, lost custody of their two year old daughter Leah [who is simply precious], and been in anger management courses [a good idea if you ask me]. I think it's so sad that things have gotten so troubling in her life that she felt the ned to do something dramatic, but it leads me to a bigger point.....

What the heck is MTV thinking??

Since the phenomenal success of the hot messes on The Jersey Shore, MTV seems to have turned into a full on Jerry Springer type of network that exploits and profits off of young people embarassing themselves on camera. I think The Jersey Shore is one thing because those idiots are adults [well.......you know what I mean], but a show like 16 & Pregnant is clearly about young people who are going through a challenging time.

To be clear, I don't necessarily agree with the people that complain that 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom condone and endorse getting pregnant at a young age. I think the shows themselves initially raised awareness to teens about how hard it is to be a teen parent. On the other hand, I think the media and subsequent attention and endorsements that these girls received are what make the idea of this show, these characters and this predicament appealing. I also think that, at some point, MTV has got to step in and intervene. Some of these young mothers [like Macee] seem to be striving, living responsibly, and growing into great adults. But when people like Amber and Gary start screaming and hitting each other in front of their baby, it's time for a producer to step in, cut the cameras, calm the situation down and maybe even dismiss them from the show. Safety is more important than contracts and ratings, and I think that is where MTV has done these girls a disservice.

We hope that they find a solution to this problem as quickly as they can, and we wish Amber and her family all the best.

And yes, I did just do a post about Teen Mom.

Weezy F Baby

I unfortunately missed Lil' Wayne's set Friday night at Bonnaroo but I heard that it was absolutely awesome. In a straight contradiction to my comments yesterday, it seems as though some people do increase their creativity when they decrease their substance abuse. Weezy is putting out some of his most solid work in a long time if you ask me. Below, check out his new song, a sequel to Eminem's "Dear Stan".

Obsession of the Day

Voluspa's Pomegranate Patchouli candle has been trying really hard to edge out Trapps #29 as my favorite candle since I discovered it in November. Now, I am not one that has ever, EVER enjoyed the smell of patchouli [smells like BO, no?], but somehow mixed with the scent of pomegranate it is absolute heaven. The packaging is awfully pretty as well. I couldn't bring myself to throw the box away! I have been burning this candle since this morning and it is my OBSESSION of the Day. :)

Music Monday Continues.....

with Foster the People! I am currently fighting a serious wave of sleepiness and I believe this band is the only thing getting me through!