Monday Morning Mix - Christmas Songs!

Good morning!  I'll be back a little later with a recap of the Dustbowl Holiday Market, but I wanted to get things started off with a playlist for your Monday morning.  And, what better to fill a playlist than with Christmas songs?  I think I'll do another Christmas playlist next week as well, because there really is no shortage of great Christmas songs.  The tracks are listed below, but the entire playlist can be enjoyed right here.

Photo by Andy Peters.

You can listen to the entire playlist (for free!) right here.

Enjoy!

Music Monday - Winter Songs

There were a few rumors swirling around over the weekend that we were going to get some snow in Oklahoma City today.  It doesn't look like it will actually happen, but it did leave me hoping for a snow day.   While that may not come for a while (if at all), it did put me in the mood for some "winter songs".

 I am a big fan of Christmas music, but I really like what I call "winter songs".  There is something about grey skies, hot coffee and melancholy music that gets me every time.  I have compiled a short list of songs that fit into this category perfectly.  The tracks are listed below, but you can listen to the entire playlist here.

Listen to the entire playlist (for free!) right here.

Picture found via Gabrielle on Pinterest.

Music Monday + Thanksgiving Recap

First of all, just a reminder that I am offering 20% off my entire shop today (Monday).   Just enter MERRY2011 at checkout.  Okay....

I hope you have all recovered from Thanksgiving + Black Friday + Small Business Saturday + Cyber Monday.  I mean, really.  I actually had a really lovely Thanksgiving.  Sometimes I feel like the holidays are so packed with cooking, cleaning up, and so on, that you miss actual "family time" -- but this year I felt like we all got to spend quality time together and that was really, really nice.

And, thanks to Pinterest, I attempted several new recipes this year.

I made these sweet potato cupcakes, via Cupcake Project.  I made mini cupcakes, so the uncooked crumb filling didn't really work.  I ended up tossing out the first batch that went in the oven and left it out of the other batches all together.  They tasted fine without it.  Which is actually amazing, considering I managed to leave out the apple cider and oil.  This is what happens when you talk on your cell phone while you are baking.  Lesson learned.

I also made these S'mores Cookie Bars, via Lovin' From the Oven.  I have had these bookmarked for a while now.  They were really, really easy to make and were very yummy.  While I love a baked good, I'm not a big fan of really sugary desserts.  This was a little too sugary for my taste, but something I'll probably make again.

If you have been on Pinterest at all, you have probably seen this picture of the Crispy Potato Roast from Fish Food (via Martha Stewart).  It is so pretty and it seemed like a new take on a classic side (the russet potato), so I thought I would give it a try.

It really is a pretty easy recipe, and it did turn out looking just like the picture.  But I was a little disappointed in the final outcome.  The tops of the potatoes were dry and tough, while the bottom half was nicely cooked.  It's probably not something I will make again, but it was fun to try something new.


This was my third year to make stuffing.  This is my go-to stuffing recipe, via Martha Stewart.  Thanks to Whole Foods finally making it's way to Oklahoma City, I was able to use a loaf of pumpkin bread like the recipe suggests.  I gave it a nice sweetness.

What did you make for Thanksgiving this year?  Any hits or misses?  Any recipe suggestions for future holidays?

I am not doing a playlist this week, but I did want to leave you with a little something.  The Head and the Heart's entire album is really great, but this track is definitely my favorite.

The Head and the Heart singing "Winter Song"

Enjoy!  Happy Monday!

Amy

Monday Morning Mix - Thanksgiving Edition

I don't know what happened to November, but Thanksgiving is this Thursday, ya'll. Last Monday, a mere one week ago, I was on the phone with my sister when she mentioned that Thanksgiving was the following week. I absolutely did not believe her. I was certain that we had a few more weeks. But, upon return to my office, I confirmed that she was correct. Crazy.


In honor of the upcoming quality time I am about to have with my oven, I thought that I would compile a Thanksgiving-themed mix this week.  This isn't music that is necessarily intended for mealtime (unless you have really lively family gatherings), but intended more as cooking/baking underscoring.

The tracks are listed below, but you can listen to the entire mix by clicking here.

Listen to the music mix here.

Photo courtesy of Vintage Everyday.

Monday Morning Mix

I don't know about you, but I have been having a really difficult time adjusting to the time change.  I feel like this happens every year.  I love fall and winter and I get so excited for the holidays--and I certainly don't mind the extra hour of sleep when we get to "fall back".  But it seems like the following week is always the same awful routine:  I force myself out of my very cozy bed onto cold wooden floors.  I struggle throughout the day, trying to decide just how much coffee is too much.  And then I drive home, baffled that it is already dark outside, and I feel like I could forgo my evening plans and head straight to bed.  I know I will eventually adjust, but for now I will do whatever I can do give myself an extra little boost.

Instead of focusing on one artist or song for a "music monday" feature, I thought I might create an entire playlist of upbeat tunes for your Monday morning.  Nothing overly chipper or bass-thumping.  Just some tracks to hopefully get your week off to a good start.  The tracks are listed below, but you can listen to the entire playlist by clicking here.

Listen to the playlist here.

Photo by goff gough.

Music Monday - Fleet Foxes

Sorry for the very unintentional absence. I am happy to be back, and excited for what this next season has to offer. This week's Music Monday pick is "White Winter Hymnal" by Fleet Foxes. I have to say that, while I do love Winter, I am longing for a bit more daylight, slightly longer days. This video made me want it even more.

Music Monday - Darren Hanlon

I hope that all of you (in the States, at least) had a lovely Thanksgiving. Mine was quite nice, actually, and I especially enjoyed the much-needed long weekend. If you are like me, and found getting out of bed this morning to be particularly painful -- than this week's video is for you. So charming...

Darren Hanlon - All These Things - Music Video from Natalie van den Dungen on Vimeo.

Enjoy! Happy Monday!

Music Monday - PS22 Chorus

I've been battling some sort of horrible cold for the last week. I'm not one to spend a lot of time (if any) on my sofa, but this week has definitely been an exception. I came across this video while reading through my blogger feed and linked over to their YouTube page to watch more...and more...and more. They're so inspiring! If you ever question the importance of arts education in public schools, I would challenge you to watch these videos and see if these kids don't change your mind:

The PS22 Chorus singing "Lisztomania" by Phoenix.

Music Monday - Winter Song

I love Christmas, and I especially love Christmas music. I definitely have a long list of favorite Christmas songs and carols, but there is a new song that made it to the very top of my list two years ago -- "Winter Song" by Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles.

It's absolutely gorgeous and I, admittedly, find myself listening to it throughout the entire year.

Here is the video that was created for the song. It has the sweetest animation:

Enjoy!

The Girlie Show!

The Girlie Show was a blast! I really wish I got some pictures of the crowds, because it was crazy. It was super busy and a lot of fun. I always love meeting customers, and I especially love knowing where my artwork ends up. It makes it much more personal.

Here are a few pics of my booth:

I'll be listing items throughout the week in my Etsy shop -- Christmas cards, new prints and ORIGINALS! So, keep your eyes open for that.

It's Monday, so I thought I would post a video of Marcy Priest, one of the Girlie show musicians who performed on Saturday. I met her while filming some promo videos for the show and she is super nice and incredibly talented. This is one of her songs, "Another Thing":

Music Monday - Gungor

Happy Monday! In honor of The Girlie Show, I thought I would share a song that was part of the inspiration behind one of my illustrations.

This is Gungor, performing "Beautiful Things" at the Relevant magazine office. Gorgeous.

So lovely. It definitely was a big inspiration when creating this piece:

"Beautiful Things, Wonderful Sounds" - available in my Etsy shop.

If you are in the OKC area, be sure to stop by The Girlie Show this Friday and Saturday (November 5 & 6). All of my prints will be $20 each, or two for $35.

Hope to see you there!

xo,

Amy

Music Monday + Many Apologies

It's official. I am the world's worst blogger. I haven't posted since...March? Whoops. I had the most excellent intentions, but I have been swallowed up whole over the last few months by a couple of things. The first, and most important, looks a little like this:

This is my niece Sophia. I think it's easy to see why I have been a bit distracted.

More recently, the thing that has been taking up the majority of my time is this:

I'm very excited to be part of the 2010 Girlie Show. It is a must-see if you are in the Oklahoma City area. There are over forty female artists from Oklahoma and beyond. The show is November 5 & 6. If you are not a fan of crowds, loud music, or burlesque dancers, then I would definitely suggest attending on Saturday rather than Friday. But that's what's so great about the Girlie Show -- there's something for everybody. For more info, check out the official website.

Finally, it seemed appropriate to do a Music Monday segment. I feel a bit like a hipster posting about Mumford & Sons, but I do love their new album. It's been the perfect thing to listen to while working in my studio at night - especially since the weather has changed. Enjoy!

Mumford and Sons - "Awake My Soul" from The Tripwire on Vimeo.

Music Monday - She & Him

Yes, I know it's Tuesday. But it just felt right to wait. Today's artist is She & Him, and their much-anticipated second album, Volume Two, was released today. See? It just made sense. She & Him is the collaboration of the utterly adorably Zooey Deschanel and the immensely talented M. Ward. I was already a fan of M. Ward's, so I was naturally drawn to Volume One. I was, however, a little skeptical about Zooey Deschanel. It was the whole artist-turned-musician thing. It very rarely works. Except for this time, when it is perfection. I, admittedly, haven't really listened to much of the new album. I am just that confident that it will be great. Here's a little taste to, hopefully, prove my point:

She & Him - In The Sun from Merge Records on Vimeo.

And, just for fun, some concert posters as well:

She & Him (Insound 20) - two color silkscreen

Sold Out - via The Small Stakes

She & Him Concert Poster

Also by The Small Stakes

It's sold out on their website, but it is available (for $75) at Poster Cabaret

Enjoy!

Music Monday - The Avett Brothers

My friend Zak and I share very similar tastes in music. We've lived in different cities for the last six years, but whenever we get together we always seem to share our latest music interests. So, when he was in town a couple of weeks ago and suggested I check out The Avett Brothers, I knew I could download two of their albums with confidence. He definitely didn't disappoint. As it says on their website, their style "defies pigeonholing but might be described as a rootsy amalgam of folk, country, bluegrass, rock and pop – even a jab of punk-style dynamics here and there." Their songs vary from gleefully upbeat to extraordinarily melancholy.

Zak recommends: "Die Die Die"
I recommend: "The Perfect Space" and "I and Love and You" (below)




Enjoy! Happy Monday!

Music Monday - Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan Stevens is one of my absolute favorites. His lyrics, his whispered vocals, his intricately layered arrangements...seriously amazing.   In a review of his latest album The BQE, Ryan Hamm from Relevant Magazine compared it to those of his "50 States" project, saying "This isn't one of Sufjan Stevens' painstakingly assembled, 'This is kind of about this state but really about God' albums with lots of clever wordplay and deep lyrics that take a while to unpack."  Yeah, that pretty much sums him up.  

This song is from my favorite of his albums, "Seven Swans".

Hope you have a great week!

xo,

Amy

Music...um, Monday?

So, I had a perfect plan which involved sharing my new-found love of The Civil Wars with you. And, I planned to do this on Monday, so it could be the beautiful beginning of Music Monday. But, alas, it's Wednesday. Thankfully, though, this one is worth the wait. I think I've listed to this song about 230 times over the last few days...



You can download their album "Live at Eddie's Attic" for FREE on their myspace page by clicking here. The album begins with John Paul White greeting the audience with, "If you're not sad now, you're gonna be." Ha. Love it.