Two Reasons

Here are two reasons why I love watching tv talent shows.

Music Monday

I'm not sure of the exact year, or even how we discovered Kathleen Edwards (ACL maybe?), but it was a good day. Her music is considered alternative country - I would say because her songs vary so much. Although she does rock out on many of her songs, she also pulls back with softer and more emotional songs. Her CDs flow perfectly and it's pure joy listening to them from start to finish.

Kathleen Edwards' music reminds me of summer. The summer we started listening to her must have been one where we visited the beach often. All of my memories of her music involve us driving in husband's old Explorer, with the windows down and the music up, and us enjoying each other, good music, and a warm breeze.

Poison and Wine

Do you ever come across a song that just speaks to you in some way or another? A song that you can listen to over and over again - where the 100th time is just as amazing as the first time you heard it? I am currently in love with this song. There's so much emotion within the lyrics and their performance; their voices are amazingly haunting and they tell the story so well - it's like watching a movie. I read an interview with Joy and she described the song as "a gut-level-honest tug and pull of affection and affliction." And that's exactly what it is. Enjoy.

Tutorial: Knotted Bun Up-do

I finally got around to recording the tutorial for a knotted bun up-do! The video is kind of long (sorry), but I pride myself on being thorough. (Actually, I could still be thorough without being long, but I only recored this once. I usually record a couple times and figure out what really needs to be said vs. me just rambling - like I am now.)

This bun is easy to do and takes very little time - especially for being visually interesting. I mentioned in the video, and I'll say it here, tying your hair in a knot can be frustrating. It took me a while to get it down, so don't get discouraged if you have trouble initially. Just practice. 

The hairstyle is so versatile! It can easily be worn to class, work, on the weekend, on a date, or a night out with the girls. You can tie the knot low for a romantic feel or up higher where a ponytail might sit. You can also comb hair back for a more clean, finished look or pull pieces out (like I did) for a more messy, effortless look - it's all up to you. Good luck!

Here's what I used:

Dirty hair 

Dry shampoo

Texturing spray/balm

Spin hair pins (optional)

Bobby pins 

Teasing comb

Hairspray

See a picture of the bun here. 

Tutorial: Tying a Scarf and a Belt

{Scarf: Market in Charleston, SC, Belt: Target}

Here it is! A tutorial on the ways I tie my scarf and the main way I tie my belt. It's taken long enough, right? Sorry about that. I didn't rehearse the video, so I kind of ramble and get off topic a couple times. Making videos is so weird. 

Oh, and, For the record - the faint music in the background is from a XM station - not necessarily music I like. In fact, I don't like any of the songs that were playing. Just wanted to throw that out there. 

The Jackson Family Tradition

Last year we started the tradition of Elf-ing ourselves. Last year we did a traditional Christmas Jingle, this year, we've opted for more of a hip-hop 80's celebration. We really get down around here. And honestly, this is a normal day around our house.

And just for the record, I taught Maeby that Butterfly move she busts out. 

Video

This makes me feel good.

Praying Pup

I love when dogs do human-like things. This video: Exhibit A.

MIA. Ooops.

Sorry for the lack of posts today. I had high hopes that involved lots of exciting posts, but some things got in the way:

• Lack of sleep
• Cleaning up two spells of doggie-diarrhea 
• Errands that needed to be done
• A cat-nap
• Cooking dinner
• Spraying for spiders (chills up my spine)

I know, I know. What a fun and exciting day I've had. Hopefully tomorrow will give me some free time to write to my heart's content. Until then, here is something to distract you from my lack of posts. This makes me laugh uncontrollably. I can't explain it. I feel like I just told this cat a really juicy secret.