music for the month

I don't keep up with music like I used to, but I thought I'd give Spotify a try. As much as I love my iPhone, I hate hate hate iTunes (why do they have to come out with a new version every other day? I don't have time to download and install software all the time). Plus, I don't have much room in my budget for buying music, so I like the idea of being able to really listen to a whole song or album before spending money on it.

So far, making playlists is nice and easy with Spotify. I don't know that I'll pay for it every month, but I thought it would be fun to post a monthly playlist, so maybe we can all discover some new, good music together! If you'd like a Spotify invite, let me know in the comments (be sure to include your email address), and I'll send one. I've got a half dozen to share, so the first six comments can have one! 

The first link goes to the whole playlist, and below are links to each song. It's a mix of old and new. I like it :) 

August

Augustspot

Matt Costa – Mr. Pitiful
The Virgins – Private Affair – Explicit Album Version
Aqualung – Fingertip
Pete Yorn – Precious Stone
The xx – Stars
Skepta – Rolex Sweep
The Avett Brothers – I And Love And You
Ben Lee – Gamble Everything For Love
Blakroc – Ain't Nothing Like You [Hoochie Coo] Feat. Jim Jones, Mos Def
Bright Eyes – Bowl of Oranges
Leagues – Haunted
Paul Simon – The Obvious Child
Mat Kearney – Hey Mama
Kathleen Edwards – Back to Me
The Naked And Famous – Young Blood
Eels – Fresh Feeling

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music

Trillions  I have some knitting to share, if the sun ever comes out again, so I can take decent pictures. I'm starting to have my doubts, but apparently it should be back later this week. In the meantime, I just want to suggest that you buy this little ep, it's the latest from my brother, and it's very, very good. He is also being featured here at the moment. That is all.
Cary Judd - Trillions

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thinking time and birthday week

Apricot

I wasn't kidding about more daffodils. I love the ethereal quality of this pale apricot variety. They are nearly always two to a stem, and have a lovely, light fragrance. After a cursory internet search, I still don't know the name of this particular variety. I should keep better gardening records.

I am very lucky to have a lot of thinking time. I spend a lot of time in my car every day, and when I'm driving I come up with a lot of really brilliant ideas. If only I could write them down to remember later. I also think a lot while I am swimming, but swimming-thinking is usually about the things I need to do. I plan elaborate to-do lists for the evening when I get home. Seldom is more than one to-do completed when I actually do get home, but still, it doesn't hurt to be ambitious. Anyway, the point of all this is that this morning while driving to work, I thought that since this is Birthday Week at Hey Lucy, there should be some presents, don't you think? Only these presents will be from me to you. So I also thought up a list of some of my favorite things, which also happen to be quite small (I don't want to break the bank here, after all), and I'll do my best to have a post each day with a little giveaway. I might make you work a little for these giveaways, and I'm sorry I can't send a present to everyone, but I think we can have some fun! Are you in? Spread the word, if you have a blog.

Now, on to the first giveaway. I love music, and I love my family, one member of which happens to be a very talented musician. I know I make you watch his videos and download his music, but it's all so good, I wouldn't want anyone to miss out. Today I have an autographed copy of his brand new, very excellent CD, Goodnight Human. Big things are in the works, and you will probably start hearing his music on the radio soon and he will likely be appearing in a city near you this Summer. Despite the fact that Cary likes to tell everyone the story of how I laughed at him when he first told me he was going to be the lead singer in a band, I've always genuinely liked his music, but this album is really something special. I know he's poured his whole heart and soul into it, and it shows. Don't ask me what my favorite song is, because I love every single one.
Cd

So, here's what you have to do if you'd like this CD: just share your top five most favorite albums ever. I know it's probably hard to narrow it down, but if you could only listen to five for the rest of your life, which five would you choose?

My brothers tagged me on facebook to do a list of 25 albums, and that was hard, I already want to add a few more. If it helps, here are my 25:

In no particular order:

1. The Cars – The Cars
2. U2 – War
3. Lucinda Williams – Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
4. Dar Williams – Mortal City
5. G. Love & Special Sauce – Philadelphonic
6. Cowboy Junkies – Pale Sun Crescent Moon
7. 10,000 Maniacs – In My Tribe
8. They Might Be Giants – Flood
9. Andrew Bird – The Mysterious Production of Eggs
10. Gillian Welch – Time (The Revelator)
11. Annie Lennox – Diva
12. REM – Out of Time
13. The White Stripes – White Blood Cells
14. Barenaked Ladies – Maybe You Should Drive
15. Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever
16. Billy Joel – Glass Houses
17. Yann Tiersen – Les Retrouvailles
18. Toni Childs – Union
19. The Sundays – Reading Writing & Arithmetic
20. Sufjan Stevens – Illinoise
21. Styx – Paradise Theater
22. Rogue Wave – Asleep at Heaven's Gate
23. Richard Thompson – Rumor and Sigh
24. Matthew Sweet – Girlfriend
25. Indigo Girls – Indigo Girls

I think I'll leave comments open for a couple days for each giveaway, so you'll have until Thursday night to enter this one. And don't forget to come back tomorrow for another birthday present!

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inspiration

I've been going on and on about me, me, me, but I am also finding so much inspiration out there in the world at the moment. I just thought I'd acknowledge and share some of my favorite things lately. My favorite album at the moment (other than Good Night Human, of course), is Lisa Hannigen's Sea Sew. I'm loving this song so much: 

I also love the cover she hand-stitched herself: 

LH_SeaSew 

And for a little more handmade goodness, be sure to watch the video for Lille, the video director also made the pop-up books, which are so great!

I know this is everywhere in blogland, but if you haven't had a chance to look at Weekend Sewing, I would suggest you head to the bookstore this week and take a peek.

Weekend 

I'm pretty particular about the craft books I bring home, because 1) I only have so much shelf space, and there's not much left, and 2) I already know how to sew, so how-to books not really necessary. I love this one the inspiration and the fact that Heather Ross so creative and such a great writer on top of it all. Her blog is so much fun to read, just for the stories she tells. I am also really hankering for some of her new fabric after seeing this little project (scroll down to see the finished quilted kimono and dress). 

And one last bit of inspiration is this sweater. I'm not sure if it would be flattering on my busty self, but I sure do love it, and may have to make it regardless.

Okay, now I'm off to do some sewing myself. See how inspired I am!

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