New Music Monday

I had to share with you some of my favorite new tunes lately! 

The Lone Bellow: Tree To Grow  (live) 

I am loving this bands whole album. 

They are the perfect combination of The Head and The Heart, 

The Civil Wars, and Lady Antibellum! 

Something Good for Something Better

I absolutely LOVE Easter.

I grew up in the church, and Easter never fully "hit" me till my sophomore year in college, when I started going to Resonate and we did a big Lent devotional, fasted the weekend of Easter, and had a Good Friday "experience". 

It wrecked me forever (in a good way). 

I wasn't really thinking about giving up anything for Lent, until my good friend Amy reminded me what it was all about.

Giving up something good, for something better. 

Lately inspiration has been coming a bit slower than a desire to be either someone I am not, or somewhere in life I have not yet reached. I don't know at what point I let comparison steal all my inspiration and replace it with resentment, but it has happened, and something must be done.

I was thinking about everything that I say inspires me. 

Blogs

Pinterest

Really really GOOD photography

Artists 

Cool graphic design

A really good album/record

Awesome makeup

Fashion magazines 

Fashion designers

Runway shows 

A great outfit 

Cool nails

A beautiful wedding 

Unexpected pops of color

I realized as I wrote this list out in my head, that the Lord wasn't on the list. Sure, some people are inspired to do the things on the list because of the Lord. He doesn't set up parties, plan weddings, design graphics, come up with great crafts, or have an antique store. He did however set up the party known as life, orchestrate the greatest love story (And soon to be wedding) ever told, design the beautiful graphics known as gifts and talents given to everyone on the planet, and come up with some fantastic ways to enjoy the life He has given us. It made me really sad to admit that I have never actually been inspired by "God" Himself. I think taking a break from the worldly inspirations around me daily might help a bit with that. Till then, here are some really amazing "new" tunes that have been affecting me. 

This band regardless of the weird name, made my jaw drop. I don't know how I never thought of taking my violin to this level, but the idea of an electric viola somehow being manipulated by a laptop was a really good idea. Oh and replacing a guitar with a banjo was also a really good idea. 

Something about this song, just makes me think about those angels with all the eyes and wings that are described in Revelations that are super creepy but mighty and amazing at the same time. 

Have you let your inspirations go to the wayside because you wished you had someone else's? 

Which means it's meal planning time for me and winter is upon us on the Palouse! I am cooking for the in-laws this year here in Moscow, which should be great. Even though I have seriously loved this past fall season and don't really want it to end, my holiday parties are looming. I love party planning and hosting, and I love Christmas, so I figured two parties shouldn't be too bad. I have been making so many lists and drawings of what everything is going to look like. I am very excited to share some of my favorite Christmas DIY's, treats, music, and decor! Christmas is my favorite holiday, so naturally I get pretty excited. However, this fall has been so fun and beautiful that I wasn't too happy to walk into Starbucks and see red cups the first of November. I love celebrating the seasons, not too early though! The day after thanksgiving is usually when my family has gotten all of our decor out and started celebrating, which (hopefully) will be a tradition that lives on! I am very excited to make a Thanksgiving meal. I think I might be more excited to try the maple ice cream than the turkey recipe I picked out! What are your favorite things to make for thanksgiving? 

Hope you are enjoying the new winter season! 

Lately I have not been myself. 

I have been working on a lot of things mentally and emotionally;

Like being a more positive person inwardly, using my time with purpose, and patience.

None of these things come easily to me, and it's been hard to find encouragement. 

Of course encouragement has come through friends & family, the Bible, and my husband.

Tonight it came through a song, in a very odd way. Mumford & Sons recently came out with their new album, Babel.It has been on repeat most days, but today I was focusing on the lyrics.

I was listening to the song Hopeless Wanderer, thinking about how the words relate to my life.

I haven't really felt like I have had much purpose lately. Plans that I thought were set in stone

 have been changing so suddenly that I don't feel like I can really plan for anything, or share 

anything to anyone about my life. Basically, I have felt like a hopeless wanderer. 

 This feeling however, is not what is true about me. 

I might not have an amazing opportunity right in front of me, a set in stone 5 year plan, or

even a daily schedule I can rely on to be consistent; but there are some things that are certain.

I have an amazing marriage that gives me so much faith in the grace of the Lord I can't 

even explain how I feel about it. Even though I still feel like I am in the shallow end,I have been getting involved withmy super amazing new church, which has been a blessing.

My new job has given me more new friends and the best work environment I have had in 

a very long time. The Lord is answering prayers for more friendships.
He also continues to provide for my husband and I, most of the time beyond what we even hope for. 

I have been writing down 10 things I am thankful for every day since August, 

and have had 10 or more each day, no matter what has been going on.

This is not the life of a hopeless wanderer. 

Thanks for letting me share and for reading! 

Enjoy the music of my favorites. 

Music Monday!

Picture taken by me on my iPhone of the Palouse 

1. I  Will  Wait -  Mumford & Sons

2. Live  and  Die  - The Avett Brothers

3.  Flowers   in  Your  Hair  - The Lumineers

4.  Six   Weeks  - Of Monsters and Men 

5. Fire  at   the   Pageant  - The Felice Brothers

6. Undiscovered   First   - Feist

7.  Myth   - Beach House

8.  Child   - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes

9. Know-How   - Kings of Convenience 

10. Chinese   Translation - M.   Ward 

11. Everything's   Going   to   Be   Undone   - Band of Horses 

12. My   Fathers   Father - The   Civil   Wars

13. To   a   Poet   - First Aid Kit 

14. Helplessness   Blues - Fleet   Foxes

15. All  The  Trees  Of  The  Field  Will  Clap  Their  Hands  - Sufjan   Stevens
16. The  Boxer - Mumford & Sons
17. Boston   in  November   - John Craigie 

Thanks to my dear friend Bart for suggesting the last song. I'm obsessed with it! 

Life According to My iPhone Pictures: Anniversary Trip Edition

It's amazing how getting away for a couple days changes how you feel about life. 

I don't know what it is, but the ocean is such a healing, restorative place for me.

I instantly de-stress when I hear the sound of the waves. 

I love how the sand feels between my toes.

And I love, love, love, ocean life. 

I also love Gus, and loved the wonderful getaway he arranged for us. Celebrating our first anniversary was quite wonderful. From the beer tour of the Oregon beaches, to the sunrise bike ride, to getting matching anchor tattoos on our anniversary; it was probably the best weekend we have ever had together.  I think the most meaningful thing we did together was get matching tattoos.
 It may seem a bit cliche to get an anchor tattoo, but it means so much to me. 

When i look at it, I can't help but think the only thing that got me through this crazy whirlwind of a year was being anchored in Christ's unconditional love, and the growing friendship with Gus that comes from rooting our relationship together, in Him. All in all, our mini annivesary vacation was amazing. It's insane how much growth can happen in a year, and how fast a year can go by. I wish we could have spent more time on vacation, but I loved the weekend we had. I loved thinking about our day and talking about it. It was kind of a whirl wind but all in all a beautiful day. Who knew celebrating a day would be so special and fun. I can't wait to go back to the oregon coast. I really hope we go at least once a year if not more. Can't wait to celebrate more anniversaries with Gus. This year went by
so fast! I can't imagine how wonderful the next years will be. 

One Year

Exactly 1 year ago from the 17th I tied the knot with my husband! I am so surprised how fast it went and how much growth happens in just a year. I am so grossly in love, its amazing to think we have 

so many years ahead of us and so many wonderful adventures in store. 

I posted the acoustic version of this beautiful song because our entire bridal party walked down the isle to it! Every time I hear the song I relive the day. How I wish I could do it all over again! 

We will be going to the Oregon Coast and I am oh so excited.

Style and fall post coming up! XO

Tune of the Week

Sorry I didn't post Monday - it was stay in and enjoy being married day! It was sure great.

Hope your shortened week is going wonderfully. 

Took me a while to warm up to this band, because I feel like there are tons of bands

like this coming into the spotlight thanks to folk music getting more and more popular.

This song from their very popular album is my jam for sure. 

Music Monday

Loving the new Ellie Goudling single. Happy Monday! 

New Tunes + Update in Photos

Please excuse the lack of posting! We are finally all moved into our new place which is very exciting! 

It is so much more of a home than our previous place is, and we love living there already.

I have had an amazing time decorating and planning what to do in rooms! 

I am excited to show you some of it soon! Here is a sneak peak of what has been going on lately! 

I decided on mint, white, and mustard for the accent colors of our new place. 

After I painted a few frames, I got nervous because it began to look like decorations for a baby room.

Luckily, the previous tennants of our new place painted the walls an amazing shade of brown. Although I am more of a grey person, I am loving how it all looks! It is perfect to me. 

I painted. I am very proud. This is the song we took communion to at our wedding. It took me a while to paint it, but I love how it turned out. I am also embroidering. I am excited. 

We celebrated 7 months together. How perfect is this card? 

My husband is a hottie. Yes, that is my initial on his ring finger. 

While he was gone and I was cleaning and organizing and hanging with friends,

i enjoyed these two tunes a ton. They helped cure my lonliness, and made cleaning way more fun. Hope you enjoy these tunes too! 

M.Ward came out with a new album during the past few weeks. I am in love with this song.

Sucre, a band that I found out via Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess, (her husband is in the band and she is Stacy King's stylist), is my new favorite. This song haunts me. I can't help but be in love!

Hope you are enjoying the birth of spring. It is finally above 50 degrees in little Moscow, and sunny for more than an hour. The fear of random snow fall is gone, FINALLY! 

Hope you get to enjoy the sun! 

Much Love, At

Tunes of The Week + Update

Please excuse my lack of posting this past week! We are moving (YAY!) and packing, school, work, and the shop take up all of my time! I can't wait to start taking pictures of all of the things I am making  and doing in the new place! I am probably the most excited about our deck out back. We are hosting an Open House soon, which of course I will be posting pictures of! Hope your Easter was amazing, and that you get to enjoy a little bit of sun during this emerging spring time. The past two days have been beautiful for the most part, which is a great change from the snow. Oh how I can't wait for summer.

This band has been getting me through this week of packing.

Enjoy and be blessed! 

Atalie 

Ho Hey ~ The Lumineers 

Favorite Artist of The Week: First Aid Kit

I am a sucker for great harmonies. This band has been on repeat for me all week. 

It was very hard to pick one song, but this song haunts me. So, so good.

Enjoy! 

Artist of the week: Lana Del Rey

I am all about unique sounding music.

I love it when I can hear the personality and life of someone

in their song. Which is why I very rarely "love" mainstream artists.

I however, may love Lana Del Rey as much as I love Adele, which is a lot.

Her voice, her painful, heartfelt lyrics,  and especially her sound, is all 

intoxicating to me.

This is my favorite (today) on her album.

This album is on repeat for me right now. 

It should be for you too!

Band of the Week: Youth Lagoon

While totally revamping my online self  this week,

I found refuge in the calming sounds of 

Youth Lagoon.

Take a listen!

This is my favorite tune from their latest album.

Why I am proud to be from Washington

Even though I am currently living in Snowy Idaho,

I am actually a washingtonian and from the Olympia/Seattle area.

One of my favorite bands, The Head and The Heart,

released their self titled album last year and performed at Doe Bay Fest. 

This is their music video of their hit Rivers and Roads that gives me goose-bumps.

Enjoy! 

Playlist for the Week

I absolutely love music. 

Not like those kids with the piano belts and treble clef/ bass clef heart tattoos.

Music is actually a major part of my life.

I have played violin for my entire life, and taken over 8 years of voice lessons.

I even went to college for music. 

It's a huge passion of mine that I don't really share that often.

Till I started planning my blog posts for this year.

I am one of those people who always has to have background music.

I have extremely eclectic taste; ranging from The Beatles to Lupe Fiasco to Mumford & Sons to Adele.

I have playlists for absolutely everything, and I am very excited to share some of them with you! 

To start off the new year I combined a few of my favorite tunes for you to enjoy. 

I guess you could call it my 

"Cheers to 2011 playlist"