The Voice Drinking Game

Season 4 of The Voice premiered on NBC tonight and in honor of that, I present the thing I did tonight instead of my homework…The Voice: The Drinking Game. It’s going to be a fun season, I think. Two new coaches (I will not miss Christina Aguilera and her clown wigs, by the way) and the “steal” rule that was implemented last season – super excited. If you missed the episode or don’t have cable, you can catch it on Hulu.

Are you a fan of the show? What would you add to this list?

love, elizabeth

Can’t Help Falling

It’s a snowy March night here in Columbus, Ohio, and as I unpack the last of our boxes (FINALLY), I am head over heels for this crazy-good cover by Twenty One Pilots. They’re a local band that finally got signed to a big label last year but they’ve been popular here in town for awhile. Kyle just showed this video to me. Thought it might make you smile, too.

Isn't that great?

love, elizabeth

Too early for Christmas music. Crap.

I am holding out. I WILL HOLD OUT. I WILL NOT CAVE. No matter how much I want to listen to Jimmy Eat World’s “Last Christmas,” I will not, not, NOT DO IT.

Why? Because it is November 2nd and that is not okay. If I start listening to Christmas music now, it won’t be special in December. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH…

I vow that I will not listen to Christmas music until November 20th. You guys, that is so far away. You need to hold me accountable, okay?

I thought you might like to see the catchy playlist I made to tide me over until then.

 

So what would you add to my playlist? What song do you have on repeat right now?

love, elizabeth

Things to Click On: Free Fun on the Internet

Happy August 1st! I have been scheming about August for awhile now and I’m excited to bring you a whole month of blog plans. That’s right. I’m back to having a plan. Today I’m catching you up on some of my current favorite links. Please share yours below!

1. This vlog post about bravery from my friend Megan. It really challenged me to reevaluate why I choose NOT to do things. Is it because I’m scared to try?

2. These awkward and long commercials from Nuva-Ring. I know the concept is that we’re supposed to feel like this is an honest conversation we could really have with our best girl friend about birth control. Except…totally creepy. My favorite is   "Oh!verheard at a Concert.”

3. Totally cool list from one of my favorite blogs, Thrift and Shout. The ten things she says you should NEVER buy retail…

4. A super fun personality and style test called Emotional Brilliance. It’s based on color psychology and even if you don’t plan on ordering anything from Lush, it’s amazing how insightful it is for a computer-app. Thank you to Sarah for sharing this cool feature with me.

5. Have you seen this great 50’s throwback video, “Everybody Talks” from Neon Trees? It makes me want to dance.

So tell me what internet fun you’ve scrounged up lately. What am I missing out on?

love, elizabeth

My favorite song this minute

This is a late, late blog post that no one will see but you and me but this song is on repeat in my office tonight and I thought I’d share all the same.



What song are you listening to lately?

love, elizabeth

What’s your theme song?

So if theme music played every time you entered a room, what song would it be?

I asked my four May sponsors this question and here’s what they told me…

Sarah from Sarahcastically

“Hello” by Martin Solveig and Dragonette

Twitter

 

Courtney from Baxtron{Life}

“Sober” by Pink

Twitter – Facebook

Stephanie from Total Swillyness

“Country Girl” by Luke Bryan

Sarah from From the Desk

“Will You Be There” by Michael Jackson (from the Free Willy soundtrack)

Twitter – Facebook

 

Mine would be “Last of the American Girls” by Green Day.

If you haven’t been over to visit these incredible women and their blogs, I hope you’ll take time to now! So. worth. it.

Okay, lay it on me. What would your theme song be?

love, elizabeth

Your Mother Should Know

My mom and I are in North Carolina for the next few days to see my brother who just got back from a year-long deployment. I am documenting every microscopic moment of our vacation and I can’t wait to share with all of you!

Today is extra special because it’s my mom’s birthday!

I snapped a few pictures of us yesterday and these are just a few of my favorites…

Mom was so patient with me on our eleven-hour drive yesterday. She even tolerated my road trip mix which included me serenading with her this song in honor of her birthday.

I even did the dance. It was magical.

 

Happy birthday, Mama! I’m so excited to spend the day with you!

love, elizabeth

Dance Break: N'SYNC

This video + 70 degree weather + studying for finals = best Sunday afternoon ever. My favorite part is when they fight the G.I. Joes.



Get it? They’re plastic dolls. But you bring them to life, girl. There ain’t no time to waste. You’re just too blind to see.

Dance it out, JT. I’m feeling you.

love, elizabeth

Lessons from the Public Toilet

I bet you’re a little scared right now.

During a late dinner out last night, I walked into a restroom to find a girl fist-pumping, rocking out to whatever song was on the radio. She immediately froze when she saw me, started to apologize, and then said, “You know…it’s been a horrible week.”

To which I said, “You know, sometimes you just got to rock it out.”

I’m pretty sure she started dancing again as soon as I went into a stall.

What about you? Do you need to do some rocking out today?

love, elizabeth

Girl Confessions

I’ve had some girl-thoughts this weekend and it’s time for me to share them here. That’s how utterly consequential they are.

1. I really love wearing make-up. And Kyle’s old band t-shirts. It makes me feel like I’m still 17. Sometimes I miss being 17. My friend Sarah over at Sarahcastically is sharing hilarious eye make-up tips today. Check it out.

2. Sometimes I pretend I’m in a music video. Like this one. Just for example.



I probably couldn’t pull off that sweater.

3. While I remain faithful to both my real-life husband Kyle and my movie husband Ryan Gosling, I need to say that Billy Baldwin is really beautiful. I know, I know. He is sooooo 1991. But let’s be serious. How is he not a cop/fireman/fbi agent in real life? He really makes diving into the water sideways while shooting ex-KGB militants look like a cake walk. And he does that surprised/man sad look so well. Plus he’s the only actor who wear that much hair gel and not look like a New Jersey car salesman.

Photo credit

4. I really, REALLY love Valentine’s Day. Sometimes I just walk up and down the Valentine’s aisle in the grocery store, just to try and absorb all the hot pink gorillas and conversation hearts. It’s a problem.

Here’s a tiny preview of what you’re all going to have to suffer through in the month of February…



I made that.

And that’s ten minutes you just spend reading this that you are never going to get back. You’re welcome.

Bring on the Monday!

love, elizabeth

PS: Be sure to stop back for the Valentine's Day giveaway tomorrow!

Dance Break: The Pipettes

Here’s a song to dance your way through Friday…it’s almost the weekend! This one is keeping me happy lately…hope you enjoy.



What’s on your playlist right now?

love, elizabeth

Dance Break: Christmas Edition

It’s Christmas Eve EVE and I think we all need a little dance break. Ready, set, go.



If you were able to resist tapping a toe to this, you have more willpower than I ever will.

My parents have been here all week and it has been absolutely wonderful. I’m already dreading the trip to the airport on the 26th but trying to hold onto the moment for now. LOADS of pictures to share next week and I can’t wait to see all of yours!

love, elizabeth

I Am Not A Robot

It has been a long, long ten weeks. And I am exhausted. Tonight as I look around my messy apartment and think of all the things I should be doing…I am choosing to recognize my human-ness and just take a breather.

Which makes me think of this song. Feeling like a robot? I dedicate this song to you.



Tomorrow I have this little thing called jury duty. It’s no big. I’m just gonna go in there and lay some justice down. You know how it is. Also, I’ve been told jurors get free wifi. If this is the case, expect mundo blogging.

What is Monday bringing you?

love, elizabeth

Zombie Love Song

A love song for your day...Kyle and I sing this one to each other all the time. "If my heart was still beating, it would beat for you..."

"Yeah, I'm a zombie, baby. Ain't nobody perfect!"
What song is making you smile lately?
love, elizabeth
PS: My finals are just about over and then I should be back to my regular, (hopefully) more interesting posts AND to reading and commenting on my many favorite blogs!

Spooky on a Monday

I finally hit the Wall of Stress over the weekend so blog posts may be a little thin this week.

Stress or no stress, it’s October 31st and I’m making some room for a few moments of ghoulish cheer.

Here’s one of my favorite covers of an old classic, just in time for Halloween…

 

Hope whatever you’re doing, you’re having a (safe) blast doing it.

Happy Halloween!

love, elizabeth

Dance Break: Foster the People

The days are crazy here. My mom says it’s like elephants flying around your head. You keep looking up, wondering which one will poop on you first.

I have some blog stuff coming up that I’m super excited about but for tonight, here’s the song that’s been stuck in my head. Listen to it once or twice and just TRY not to dance…

What song is stuck in your head?

love, elizabeth

Independently Yours, Columbus

Have discovered yet another reason to love Columbus, Ohio, the self-declared “indie art capital of the world.” It’s called Independents’ Day and celebrates the many local businesses, restaurants, and artists in the area with a little one day festival.

We got to see local indie band, Necropolis, play a set. Emily (pictured right) is a friend of mine from the PhD program. That’s right. I know rock stars. No big deal.

In front of the state capitol building. Obviously, this is just cause for levitation.

While I was downtown, I met a couple really awesome business owners and I’m super excited to spotlight some local Columbus artists. Tune in for that over the next few days…

What about you? How was your Saturday?

love, elizabeth

PS: Just a few more days until the giveaway. I think you’re gonna like it.

Sign of the Times Saturday

Well, today I have no sign to share. I got a little behind in my picture-taking but I should be back with my regular link up next Saturday.

To make up for it, I thought I’d share this with you…

If Petula Clark can’t make you smile, then there’s nothing more I can do for you.

I have a jam-packed weekend planned and I can’t wait to share pictures with you so check back tomorrow!

What’s going on for YOU this weekend?

love, elizabeth

PS: 6 days ‘til the fall giveaway…are you getting excited? Cough. Fine. Lie to me.

Song for a Sunday

Source: smadirty.tumblr.com via Kyle on Pinterest

Totally fell in love with Kyle all over again this slow Sunday morning and this song popped into my head (thank you, Sarah, as always for introducing me to the best music). I have just been in awe of him all weekend. Even folding the laundry feels romantic today. So I apologize for the mushiness but it’s a mushy weekend, I guess.

What about YOU? What’s your Sunday song?

love, elizabeth

PS: Only 12 more hours to enter the Don’t Worry, Be Happy Giveaway! Want to win your own copy of The Happiness Project? Don’t miss this chance!

If I Lose Everything in the Fire

You're going to have to excuse me and my inner fangirl today. I really try not to idolize other couples or relationships, especially celebrity couples. We all know that, statistically, famous people who marry each other don't seem to have a great track for staying the course. But there are a few "high-profile" relationships that I really do admire or think about.

If you don't know me, you don't know my long-standing love for Green Day. That's a totally different post but suffice it to say, I think they're poets and I think they speak for a disaffected generation that desperately wants to be affected. Aaaaand they're probably the most amazing live act I've ever seen. Oh, and I should probably also mention that Kyle and I basically fell in love listening to Green Day. One of the first presents he ever gave me was American Idiot. The only summer we spent apart, I had his copy of International Superhits on repeat. "Poprocks and Coke" was the recessional music at our wedding. My last two birthdays, Kyle has taken me to see them live. Green Day has pretty much been the soundtrack to our love story.

Source: greendaymind.wordpress.com via Kyle on Pinterest

Billie Joe Armstrong met Adrienne Nesser during GD's first tour when she asked him where she could get a copy of Green Day's album. After an on-again, off-again long-distance relationship, they got married in the spur of the moment on July 2, 1994 in his backyard.  The Armstrongs just celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary (a lifetime for a marriage in the entertainment industry). They have two sons.

In an interview about their early years, Adrienne said, "It was a whirlwind. I was pregnant, and his band was everywhere. It was completely overwhelming. We were just trying to navigate it all — it was a bumpy ride for sure. It took years for us to find our footing. ... But sometimes I think it was all those trials that made us stronger and brought us to where we are today."

I think I'm most inspired by Billie and Adie because they have been so open about their struggles to stay committed to each other in spite of some unbelievably difficult things. They've been honest about the mistakes they've made and the continuing fight it is to keep their relationship healthy. I also really admire their commitment to their family and to making the world a better place. Adie, who has a degree in sociology, has worked as an activist, an earth-friendly fashion designer, and an advocate of green living. The whole Armstrong family volunteers together for Habitat for Humanity, among other organizations.

"Adrienne is the only woman I'll ever love." - Billie Joe Armstrong

One of my favorite songs written for Adrienne...

What about you? Anyone have a famous/literary couple they've always kind of liked?


love, elizabeth


PS: Omg, you guys...Two. Posts. Till. Giveaway. Clue #4: Sassy and sun-friendly...