The Lumineers

I am a huge fan of the roots revival music of the last few years. Like Mumford & Sons, The Avett Brothers, and now The Lumineers. There is something about the rustic, heart-on-the-sleeve music that kind of nods to tradition while setting off into uncharted territory that I love! It's soulful, sweet and fun to sing to. I've brought up the Lumineers before on this blog here. Last night was their (sold out) concert. I paid $30 for two tickets and after seeing them perform live, I would have paid double that for each. They were awesome. When we got to the Santa Ana Observatory, where the concert venue was. I was a little concerned. It was right behind my old college, yet I never knew that it existed. Although Wes likes the Lumineers too, he wasn't all to excited to stand in line with a bunch of hipsters near the back of an Ikea parking lot. But once inside the place was pretty cool. It was like a low budget house of blues but waay smaller. They had a full open bar and even though it was all general admission with no actual seating we got a prime standing spot where I could see the stage perfectly and felt close enough that I might as well have been part of the "mosh-pit" area.

When The Lumineers came on stage they looked exactly the same as they do in this picture. We had said in the car ride there that the show wouldn't be the same unless one of them was wearing suspenders and wouldn't ya know, the drummer was!

In fact, I think that's the only thing he wears. 

Although the 3 main band members consist of: The lead singer, Wesley, the drummer, Jeremiah, and the cello player, Neyla. The base player and the keyboardist had pretty large roles as well. 

Between every song it took them a minute or two to change instruments. I was surprised that each of them played at least 3 instruments and they all swapped with each other. At one time there was a cello, a mandolin, an accordion and a xylophone and a tambourine. That's talent.

Plus, they were a ton of fun to watch. The sound was great, they got the crowd really going and maybe, I'm just a little bias but Wesley was sexy. My Wes is pretty hot too though ;)

They were so good live that I left the concert thinking that it had to be the best one I had ever seen. It probably helped that the venue was so small that the intimacy made the music more special.

Their whole self titled album is only 42 minutes long but they played for over an hour singing cover songs of Bob Dylan and some of their new not even named yet stuff that will be on their next album. After only hearing a couple of their new songs once, I know that I'll be buying the album as soon as it comes out.

Incase you've only heard their one hit song on the radio, "Ho, Hey" I have posted a couple of their songs that they performed live, so you can see for yourself just how good they are!

Hope your Monday goes by quick!

Halloween Time

I'm loving the Halloween photos coming up on Pinterest. I just wish that this Southern California weather would let up a bit so it would actually feel like Fall and I would be in the mood to decorate! Until then, I've posted some inspiration pics! Enjoy.

Nail Files

Hi! I am linking up again with Tara from Fabulous but Evil for The Nail Files!

I was at Marshals a couple days ago, for no good reason, but while I was there I came across Essie nail polish for $2.99! That's what I'm talking about! Name brand for my Target price! I really like this color. Its pink, but more of an Autumn pink. I bought a couple other colors too! Look for them in the next couple Fridays.

Essie- Your Hut or Mine?

TGIF!

Happy Birthday Month, to Everybody!

September is a big month for Birthdays in my family. My Mom turns 48 on the 25th. Wes turns 31 on the 16th, while I will only be turning 27! (yep, we have the same Birthdays!) And my sweet little puppy turned 4 yesterday! 

Because I didn't get labor day off we celebrated on Saturday instead. When I say celebrated I'm not kidding. Roxie had presents and we feasted on hot dogs and German beer in her honor. Rox even had a Happy Birthday Doggie Cupcake that I made at home! 

Before, I'd always gone to 3 Dog Bakery to get her little somethin' somethin's every year but this time I looked up recipes online and was surprised to see that they were not only easy but really inexpensive too! For those of you who think I'm crazy for making my dog cupcakes and having a party, I get it. But I'll take any excuse to bake and drink, and to me, turning four is a pretty big deal. 

For those of you who like to throw parties for your dogs birthday, I have a step by step recipe for yummy pup-cakes.

Here is what you need:

Cake:

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil 

• 1 cup shredded carrots 

• 1 tsp vanilla 
1/3 cup honey 

• 1 egg
• 1 cup white or whole wheat flour 

• 1 tsp baking soda 

• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• Dog biscuits for decoration
• Optional: Banana, more peanut butter

Frosting:

• 18oz low fat cream cheese such as Philadelphia
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• Dog Biscuits for decoration

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)

Mix together flour and baking soda

add remaining ingredients 

and mix well. 

Place into muffin cups. Or if your dog is big, a small cake pan.

Bake 20 minutes if cupcakes and 40, if cake.

voila!

While cake is cooling, combine the cream cheese (at room temperature), honey and yogurt until smooth. I started in a regular bowl but decided it would be easier in my mixer. 

I also added a little bit of food coloring to my mix for fun.

I checked online to see if sprinkles were safe for dogs. They seemed to be, so I added those too.

You can't even tell those are't regular cupcakes! I tried a little bit here and there while making them, and while they weren't bad. They weren't real good either.

For dinner, we made hot dogs. I saw this cool tutorial on Pinterest for spiraling your hotdog and tried it. I like them way better spiral cooked than regular now! When you put condiments on them like ketchup and relish, they get in the spiral crevices creating extra yummy goodness. No more dog sliding out of the bun this way!

(Photo Cred: Wes.) He insisted he get credit for taking this picture. 

After dinner and presents, we got out the cake. We didn't sing 'Happy Birthday'- I'm not that big of  a freak, but I did light a candle for the camera.

As you can see. Roxie really enjoyed her birthday cake.

Once it got cooler outside, we went to the park to play some ball.

This pic is my favorite!

It was a good day. Hard to believe another birthday has come and gone! Hope everyone else had a great holiday weekend as well! 

100 Reasons Why I Am Ready For Fall

I Freakin love Fall. And I am so excited that it is literally just around the corner! Because I am starting to see the light at the end of this god forsaken heat tunnel I decided to make a fun post listing all the reasons I love Autumn. And strange enough, it wasn't hard for me to come up with 100 reasons at all!

1. The weather won't be 95 degrees any more. I am seriously tired of the heat.

2. Back to school. I'm not going back to school but I loved this time of year when I was.

3. All my favorite shows come back on.

4. Apple Cider.

5. I can wear flannels again. I love those.

6. I can also wear Uggs. I love those too.

7. Spiced Cider candles from Walmart. They. Are. Amazing. And super inexpensive.

8. Snuggling becomes much easier in cooler weather.

9. My birthday! Technically My birthday is in the summer but it's when school starts so I associate it with Fall.

10. Pumpkins! I love them.

11. Carving Pumpkins.

12. Pumpkin Pie.

13. The colors of the leaves change. Not in OC but in Seattle and Putnam, Connecticut they do.

14. Fall colors. I look best in Plums, dark greens and chocolate browns.

15. Halloween.

16. Finding a costume.

17. Halloween Candy.

18. The autumn smell in craft stores.

19. Traditional Halloween Movies.

20. My Grandma's Birthday. When I was little we used to do so many fun fall things for her birthday. Now I usually give her a fall themed gift.

21. Using the fireplace.

22. Blankets. Lots and lots of blankets.

23. My energy bills will be significantly lower!

24. Rainy days in.

25. Roxie can finally go on normal walks and park runs.

26. Comfort Foods. Pot roast, pork roast, beef stew. Yum!

27. I can hide my relationship gut with sweaters.

28. I can wear scarves and mittens.

29. Thanksgiving.

30. And the food that comes with it.

31. Being with Family. This year I'll be in Connecticut with Wes!

32. Fall decorations.

33. Dark nail polish.

34. Fall crafts.

35. Crisp air.

36. Turning the heat on in the car.

37. Knotts Scary Farm.

38. Hay rides.

39. Corn mazes.

40. Fresh corn on the cob.

41. Halloween Decorations.

42. Caramel Apples.

43. Caramel wrapper races.

44. Sunflowers.

45. Mums.

46. Squash.

47. Toasted pumpkin seeds.

48. Antique shopping. For whatever reason that reminds me of fall. Maybe because the town I grew up in is the antique capital of the NW.

49. Hot Tea.

50. Ginger snaps.

51. Starbucks fall flavors.

52. Thick socks.

53. Sweaters.

54. Warm hats.

56. Mumford and Sons. Their music always reminds me of Fall.

57. So does Fleet Foxes.

58. It's full of family holidays.

59. Pumpkin beer.

60. Red wine seems to be best around autumn.

61. Warm jackets.

62. Pea Coats.

63. Apples.

64. Cinnamon.

65. Football. I don't care much for watching it. But it reminds me of home.

66. Snohomish Highschool Serpentine.

67. Homecoming. Back when I was still in school...

68. Pumpkin milkshakes.

69. Candied Apples

70. Acorns. I think they're cute for decorating.

71. Scarecrows.

72. Taco Soup. Its more like chili, and soo good on a fall day.

73. Using the hot tub instead of the pool.

74. Stormy clouds in the sky.

75. Starting to think about Christmas gifts.

76. Watering my house plants (all 4 of them) less.

78. Cozy Pajamas

79. I can wear my moccasin slippers!

80.  Fat Pine cones.

81. The night sky seems clearer.

82. Puzzles. Fall is the best season to work on them.

83. Yams.

84. Hot chocolate.

85. Christmas decorations starting to pop up in craft stores.

86. The thanksgiving day parade!

87. Christmas tree lightings! Those usually happen the day after thanksgiving.

88. Apple turkeys

89. Our friend Andy and Alana's wedding is happening this October.

90. My Mama's Birthday is just a week after mine.

91. Rain boots

92. Homemade bread.

93. Pumpkin pancakes... I really like pumpkin.

94. Using the crock pot.

95. Book reading weather.

96. Leaves on the ground.

97. I'm thankful every day but around this time of year I am reminded to be more thankful.

98. Harvest happens.

99. Camping season comes to an end. Thank god. Not that I go. 

100. I look forward to this season every year  and that makes it important to me!

Thankful.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Fall is absolutely my favorite time of the year! Once Halloween hits, all the best holidays are just around the corner, like this one. Aside from all the delicious food, (My little turkey will be in the oven shortly.) It's always nice to be reminded how lucky we are to have amazing friends and family to share such a special day with. On that note, I would like to share a few things that I am thankful for!

1. I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends. They put up with me on a daily basis, and still want to be in my life. They are my support group when I need a shoulder to cry on and my celebration cheerleaders when something anything exciting happens. I love them, and I am thankful to have them in my life. 

2. New acquaintance. I am a firm believer in things happening for a reason and that goes along with the new people that come into my life as well as old friends that get reconnected. Each person plays a role that I think helps make me who I am and also who it is that I am going to be.

3. My education, which again relays back to my family. I have two degrees that were not cheap and my parents were kind enough to not only help pay for my schooling but also stand behind my decision to go back to school for my Interior Design Degree. Without my education I would not be able to pursue my dreams. So thank you.

4. My new job. Although it started off a bit rocky. Read about my first days experience here. I am thankful that my new boss had the faith to give me a second chance and also believe in me to hold so much responsibility. I have only been at it for a couple of days but am excited to wake up and do something that I truly love to do. It makes the neck deep student loans that I have to pay seem worth it.

5. My new apartment. We finally got the TV mounted on the wall last night and have a few little details to add before it will be a complete bachelorette pad. Housewarming party to come soon! I love coming home to it, and I love waking up in my pretty room. It seriously helps to love where you live!

7. California. Silly as it may seem, I really am thankful for it. Sunny days make me happy, plus it doesn't hurt to walk outside and see palm trees. EVERYWHERE! California holds a special place in my heart. I have grown up here, all my dearest friends are here and whenever I am flying back here from a trip, I am always glad that it is my home.

8. Roxie. She stresses me out regularly, and is always a constant thought in the back of my mind. But she really does light up my life. She is my little shadow that I can't escape from a true companion, and although difficult, she is my baby and I love her.

I thought you might also enjoy some beautiful fallish pictures that I found via Pinterest, and was saving for the right fall day.

Happy Thanksgiving!