Free of Charge

Whenever I find free music, it makes me feel both very smug and very happy. Usually, I like it more than if I had bought it, because I don't have to think about whether it was worth the money. I find, on average, one free mix a month. Today I hit a jackpot! So, as you can imagine, I am extremely pleased with myself. Since I am generous (and I feel like bragging), I will post them here.

First are the mixes from Kitsune Noir, a really nice design blog. His are in an interesting format. Each mix is downloaded as one song, so you can't really skip songs. So far, I like every song so it's not too much of a problem. Each mix has a unique name. My favorite is "HELLAWEEN" which I am totally adding to my vocabulary for next October. Also, he created covers for each mix, and I feel like every one really conveys what the mix is about. My favorite is for Swedish Fish (below) because the mix is kind of calm and icy and the cover says that.

Won't those look cool in Cover Flow?

Also, while you're there, you should check out his Desktop Wallpaper Project. I have the one by Will Bryant gracing my laptop right now.

My second discovery was brought about by a Facebook group I am a member of run by a girl at my school. She periodically sends out messages informing us about concerts in the area and free music. I am very grateful to her. Today she turned me on to a blog called All Things Go. They have a pretty extensive collection of mixes. Theirs' are in individual song format, and from what I've seen, they have great songs. Also, they feature artists and upload one or two songs individually, which is pretty nice as well. (To get to mixes, click Mixes at the top of the page). Just have to say though, their album covers aren't as pretty as Kitsune Noirs'.

My final download of the day was from Urban Outfitters. I check in on them every few months because they release LSTN playlists periodically. Today I downloaded their LSTN 4 playlist. I haven't heard it yet, so I have no review, but I feel that I should share about their previous playlists. I am not a HUGE fan. I was obsessed with LSTN 1 and I couldn't stop listening to it. When LSTN 2 came out, I was insanely excited and downloaded it immediately. When I heard it, I wasn't as impressed as with the previous one, and since then, I've been kind of lukewarm about LSTN playlists. Who knows though, LSTN 4 could surprise me!

Okay, that is all for today! I hope my three readers enjoy this haha

The definition of adorable

I have a certain idea about romanticism. I haven't really experienced it firsthand, but I've got more than my share of indirect experiences through movies (Love Actually!), stories (The Namesake. Even though both romances lasted a few pages, I loved them), seeing real life couples (my parents, my dad's friend Lisa and her husband), and occasionally pictures. Some people are kind/proud enough to post detailed descriptions and pictures of their weddings. To these people, I am every grateful because I cannot wait for the day that I can plan my own wedding. I know it will be perfect down to the last detail.
Here is a collection of 15 pictures of soon-to-be married couples. My favorites are the one with the two faces from the nose down, the one of the couple at the train station, and the one below, but they were all "aww" worthy.

Haunted Houses

If you're like me, you'll understand why walking by an abandoned house at night is exciting. I am terrified, but at the same time, I like to be terrified. I know there's some kind of scientific explanation for this involving adrenaline, but all I need to know is I like scary things.

Extra creepy

Someone compiled 100 Abandoned Houses and I am just so interested, not only because I like to be scared, but because I like stories. Each of those houses has a story as to why it was abandoned and not re inhabited. The people who lived there had lives and routines that they carried out in that house, and that makes me curious. Also, each one looks like the perfect place for a ghost like Casper.

Wants

I am always wanting new things. I guess this means I am materialistic, but oh well. Summer is coming and my sweaters and coats that used to make me feel cozy and secure remind me of big sweaty bears. I want something flowy and light and summery!

Here are two things on the very top of my wish list.

Of course, all of the items I've seen that fit those characteristics don't exactly fit my wallet. Especially since today, I lost all the money in my wallet. It might have been stolen, but who knows. Anyway, my fund for those two items is now back to zero.

In case anyone was wondering, both are from Free People. The shirt is $78 and the dress is $138. Yeah, I know. Not really worth it.

Also, if anyone (not that I have many readers) wants to share any items of clothing that they want for summer, I'd be very interested.

Beirut - Nantes

Watch Beirut - Nantes in Music  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
One of my favorites by them (my favorite is Postcards from Italy). I LOVE his voice. I could listen to it all day, and I kind of do.

Also, I wish I had a traveling band.

Baking Vs. Cooking

Today someone said to me, "I love to bake, but I don't really enjoy cooking." It took me a second to process because it seemed like the two words mean the same thing, but now I see the obvious difference. Cooking is about real dinner, lunch or sometimes breakfast foods. Usually, it has more of a savory taste. For example, these vegetable spring rolls from For The Love of Cooking. YUM I love Chinese food. I will be making these sometime sooooon.


Baking is for sweet things, and is usually dessert! I am not much of a cooker or a baker, but I have mastered some delicious sugared puffs from Eat Make Read. They sound hard but they're so easy! I feel so accomplished knowing that I have successfully baked something that did not come out of a box. That picture is an actual depiction of one of my own sugared puffs.

So, in conclusion, although I do enjoy both savory and sweet foods, I am definitely a baker. When your food is prettier as desserts often are, the process of making the food is definitely more enjoyable. I could change my mind though when I start having to cook for myself ... but I prefer not to think about that.

Another result of the recession ...

less shark attacks!
Well according to NPR anyway. This is how it works. Bad economy equals less money. Less money equals less vacations to tropical places. Less vacations equals less people in the water equals less temptation for sharks. I know sharks rarely attack, but now they have less reason to. So when you're crying into your empty wallets and gazing longingly at calenders of beaches in Hawaii, cheer up a little bit! Staying at home exponentially decreases your risk of having your leg chomped off by a shark. And if you reeeeally want to recreate the experience, watch Jaws 1, 2, 3, or even 4!