Never forget that once upon a time, in an
unguarded moment, you recognized yourself as a friend.
(Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love)

When I first moved to Raleigh four years ago, I knew no one. I arrived with little more than a big suitcase and new Ikea furniture. On most nights, I went home and got cozy. I journaled, read books, watched TV and took a lot of baths. I frequented a Starbucks downtown (that’s still my favorite!) and took myself to the movies. After college, a few breakups and moving from San Francisco, I needed a breather. I savored the time alone.

Soon enough I made friends, met my Mister and got busy being social. I’m a naturally chatty person who most would call outgoing. I talk with strangers in the grocery store. I interview people for a living. I explore new places and spend time with friends. That said, this extrovert craves her space—and revels in the clarity that comes from stillness.

The past few months were busy, with many days spent running from one place to another. It’s fun to make new friends, go out to dinners and have lots going on. I enjoyed all of it—sushi dinners, book club, happy hours, bunco nights and craft dates. It was a sparkly, happy time that was a bit exhausting. There were many nights when I didn’t get home (or eat dinner) until after 10 pm, only to wake up at 6 am and do it all again.

When I started the Whole Living Action Plan last week, I committed to giving up one more thing in addition to processed food and drinks, added sugar, dairy, gluten, caffeine, and alcohol—I decided to take a social sabbatical. A month of kindly declining invites. Nothing against my friends and their fab soirees, but I need some time to hibernate.

The following playlist is to listen to while relaxing at home, cutting up magazines, drinking tea, baking kale chips and laying a fantastic foundation for the year. The links below lead to iTunes, so head over and have a listen. I hope you enjoy!

Who You Are / Jessie J
Los Angeles / Peter Bradley Adams
I Am A Wanderer / Steve Earle
Moonshiner / Redbird
A Change Is Gonna Come / Allison Moorer
Go / The Civil Wars
We Mapped the World / Joy Williams
Mexico / The Staves
What the Water Gave Me / Florence + The Machine
Daylight / Matt & Kim
Good Feeling / Flo Rida
Coming Home / Diddy – Dirty Money & Skylar Grey
New York / Snow Patrol
This Years Love / David Gray
Tonight / Lykke Li
Walking On a Dream / Empire of the Sun

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Image Credit: From this day in April via Noukka Signe

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.
To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy,
is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
(Calvin Coolidge)

I love Christmas music. As soon as we were finished with our Thanksgiving leftovers, I started pulling together mixes and new stations on Pandora. There’s something about holiday tunes that gets me in the spirit and lifts my mood.

Three of the best holiday Pandora stations I’ve found include: Bing Crosby & Andrews Sisters, Ella Fitzgerald, and Indie Holidays.

I’ve also made a playlist with a few of my favorites for this time of year. I’ll have this list playing in the background while finishing up our Christmas cards, wrapping gifts and baking cookies. All the links lead to iTunes, so head over and have a listen!

Linus & Lucy / Vince Guaraldi Trio
The Christmas Waltz / She & Him
Winter Song / Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
Sleigh Ride / Ella Fitzgerald
Jingle Bells / James Taylor
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! / Aaron Neville
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree / Brenda Lee
‘Zat You, Santa Claus? / Louis Armstrong
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas / Frank Sinatra
White Christmas / Bing Crosby
December / Norah Jones
Silent Night / Sarah Brightman
Holly Jolly Chirstmas / Michael Bublé

What are your favorite holiday songs, albums and/or Pandora stations? I would love for you to share in the comments below!

Image Credit: Sterne – Stars via Gertrud K

To change your life:
Start immediately, do it flamboyantly, no exceptions.
(William Jones)

I love putting together playlists and listening to music throughout the day.

At the office, I put my headphones on when it’s time to focus, tune in and get productive. I also use them to block out distractions when I’m blogging from the coffee shop. Right now I’m wearing Skullcandy ‘s 50/50 earbuds, which are very comfortable and a nice alternative to the standard-issue Apple headphones.

In addition to mixtape and playlist posts on other blogs, I use  Pandora and iTunes Genius Recommendations to discover new artists. While exploring songs for today’s post, I ended up downloading Florence + The Machine’s new album Ceremonials and Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto. Have you listened to either? I think I like F+TM’s better, but they are both pretty good.

The Autumn Playlist below is a perfect blend of mellow songs for a chilly day. I plan on listening to it while blogging, working through my emails at work, and folding laundry this weekend. All the links lead to iTunes, so head over and have a listen. I hope you enjoy!

Rude to Rile / Horse Feathers
Her Morning Elegance / The Opposite Side of the Sea
Broadripple is Burning / Margot and The Nuclear So & So’s
Paperweight / Joshua Radin & Schuyler Fisk
Lost Coastlines / Okkervil River
Brooklyn Blurs / The Paper Raincoat
A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall / Jason Mraz
Pancho Villa / Sun Kil Moon
Poison & Wine / The Civil Wars
Why You / Joe Purdy
Run / Matt Nathanson feat. Jennifer Nettles & Kristian Bush
Oh, La / Ra Ra Riot
Swans / Unckle Bob
Loro / Pinback
Rooms / Mia and Jonah
Strange & Beautiful (I’ll Put a Spell On You) / Aqualung

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Image Credit: 0394 via Cia de Foto

Only through our connectedness to others
can we really know and enhance the self.
And only through working on the self can we begin
to enhance our connectedness to others.
(Harriet Goldhor Lerner)

It’s been a quiet and productive day. Target and Whole Foods in the morning. Laundry tumbling in the dryer through the afternoon. Chili cooking in the crockpot for dinner. Autumn’s approaching. The sun goes down earlier with each day.

My Mister was sweet enough to build the new bench we picked up at Ikea. I finally found orange sheets for our bed. Handwritten notes to a few close loves are stamped & ready to be mailed. A fresh coast of Essie’s Merino Cool adorns my fingers & toes.

The rush of another week will come soon enough. Early alarms, morning workouts. Successful days at the office. Sweet, loving moments at home. I’ve created a new playlist for the coming of fall, the farewell to summer. Songs4September. I hope you enjoy!

Burning / The Whitest Boy Alive
Cover of Night / Steve Reynolds
The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us! / Sufjan Stevens
A Shot to the Stars / Whitley
Various Stages / Great Lake Swimmers
Matinee / Hurts to Purr
River / Angus Stone
The Longer I Run / Peter Bradley Adams
Goodnight / La Rocca
Islands / The xx
No Cars Go / Arcade Fire
The Crane Wife 3 / The Decemberists
Little Ms. Darling / Robinson
Evening On the Ground (Lilith’s Song) / Iron & Wine
Details In the Fabric (feat. James Morrison) / Jason Mraz
3055 / Ólafur Arnalds

*All links lead to iTunes, so head over and check these songs out.

Image Credit: notes of a rock song via linh.ngân

If you’re hurting, you need to help somebody else ease their hurt.
If you’re in pain, help somebody else’s pain.
(Oprah Winfrey)

Oh my goodness! Can you feel that? It’s the love, sparkle and magic of summer, blended with extreme joy from your sweet comments. I am in a contemplative, brainstormy mood and created a playlist to match. If you are seeking something more upbeat, check out Starbucks’ free 10-song summer mix. I just picked up a delish coconut frap to get the download code—it’s totally worth the calories! Now, onto some moody music that will help me (and you!) think of brilliant and powerful ideas.

We Found Each Other In the Dark / City and Colour
This Years Love / David Gray
Eyes On Fire / Blue Foundation
Bulletproof Weeks / Matt Nathanson
Turn Out the Light / The New Amsterdams
Drown Out / Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
Better Than Love / Griffin House
Monster / Clint Michigan
Helplessness Blues / Fleet Foxes
Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall / Coldplay
This Time Tomorrow / The Kinks
Stay Young, Go Dancing / Death Cab for Cutie
10 Mile Stereo / Beach House
About Today / The National
I’d Rather Dance With You / Kings of Convenience
The Quiz / Hello Saferide
Sleep / Azure Ray
Head Full of Doubt / Road Full of Promise / The Avett Brothers
Kathleen / David Gray (feat. Jolie Holland)
Beautiful / Me’Shell Ndegeocello
Chant / Peter Bradley Adams, Alexi Murdoch & Liz Constantine
The Shout / Show of Hands
Song for the Waiting / Aron Wright
Train Song / Ben Gibbard & Feist
Re: Stacks / Bon Iver

*All links lead to iTunes, so head over and check these beauties out. A special thanks to @christiannexoxo, @joyrebellion & @happyolks for their sweet playlist suggestions!

Image Credit: Drifting Through the Stratosphere via We♥It

Adversity is like a strong wind.
It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn,
so that we see ourselves as we really are.
(Arthur Golden)

Hello my friends! I’ve crafted a fresh playlist for you. A blend of sweet beats, mellow moments and lovely lyrics, this one is good for snuggling at home during an April shower. On the flip side, I imagine it would be great for a drive up the California coast at sunset.

My Boys / Taken By Trees
Lake Michigan / Rogue Wave
Dots On Maps / Say Hi
Beautiful Trash (feat. Megan Washington) / Lanu
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa / Vampire Weekend
Heart Skipped a Beat / The xx
Oh My Heart / R.E.M.
No Sound But the Wind / Editors
So Far Around the Bend / The National
Middle Distance Runner / Sea Wolf
Communion Cups & Someone’s Coat / Iron & Wine
Blood Bank / Bon Iver
Welcome Home / Radical Face
All I Believe In / The Magic Numbers & Amadou & Mariam
The Long Road / Eddie Vedder
If I Rise / Dido & A.R. Rahman
Crinan Wood / Alexi Murdoch

*All links lead to iTunes

Image Credit: via we♥it

For the last three months, I have been in search of fun pump-up songs. Through my half marathon training, I collected upbeat pop tunes and dirty hip hop jams. The night before my big run I sat down for one last time, perfecting the order and making sure I didn’t have any songs I would want to skip.

My training and resolve to achieve my goal kept me going, but listening to this playlist kept a smile on my face. In fact, one of my friends who came out to cheer said he saw me rocking out at one point during the race. I am sure that was a sight!

If you are a runner who likes having a rockin’ work out playlist, or if you want to shake your booty & whip your hair back ‘n forth, I’m sure you will love this mix as much as I do!

I Need a Doctor (feat. Eminem & Skylar Grey) / Dr. Dre
Show Me What You Got / Jay-Z
Hello Good Morning / Diddy – Dirty Money & T.I
Breathe, Stretch, Shake / Mase
The Show Goes On / Lupe Fiasco
Young Forever (feat. Mr. Hudson) / Jay-Z
Amazing (feat. Young Jeezy) / Kanye West
Oh Timbaland / Timbaland
Hello (Single Edit) / Martin Solveig & Dragonette
E.T. (feat. Kanye West) / Katy Perry
Right Round / Flo Rida
OMG (feat. will.i.am) / Usher
Gettin’ Over You (feat. Fergie & LMFAO) / David Guetta & Chris Willis
Won’t Back Down (feat. P!nk) / Eminem
6 Foot 7 Foot (feat. Cory Gunz) / Lil Wayne
Toxic / Britney Spears
Missing You / The Black Eyed Peas
Like a G6 / Far East Movement, The Cataracs & Dev
Check It Out / will.i.am & Nicki Minaj
Power / Kanye West
Outta Your Mind / Lil Jon & LMFAO
Raining Men / Rihanna & Nicki Minaj
Black and Yellow / Wiz Khalifa
Move Shake Drop Remix / DJ Laz, Flo Rida & Casely
I’m Back (Bonus Track) / T.I.
Rock That Body / The Black Eyed Peas
Whip My Hair / Willow
Hit the Floor (Featuring Pitbull) / Twista
Shake Your Pom Pom / Missy Elliott
The New Workout Plan / Kanye West
SOS (Rescue Me) / Rihanna
Hit the Lights (feat. Lil Wayne) / Jay Sean
Jesus Walks / Kanye West
Cinderella Man / Eminem
Imma Be / Black Eyed Peas
Monster / Kanye West, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver
Till the World Ends / Britney Spears
Blow / Ke$ha
Live Your Life (feat. Rihanna) / T.I.
Stronger / Kanye West

*All links lead to iTunes

Image Credit: Day 240 by Perfecto Insecto

When I say, “I love you,” it’s not because I want you
or because I can’t have you. It has nothing to do with me.

I love what you are, what you do, how you try.
I’ve seen your kindness and your strength.
I’ve seen the best and the worst of you.

And I understand with perfect clarity exactly what you are.
You’re a hell of a woman.

(Joss Whedon)

I pulled this playlist together a few weeks ago and have been listening to it on repeat ever since. There’s a calmness to the songs, and a subtle romance to the way they mix together. It isn’t a compilation that will make you want to get up and dance. Instead, it’s great background music for reading, snuggling or sipping tea.

Download the mix for your iPhone, or burn a CD for your sweetie. Play it in the car while you drive away for the weekend, or put it on in your headphones as you walk through the park. I’ve found this playlist to be a perfect accompaniment for the shifting of seasons. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

The Swell Season – Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
Place to Be – Nick Drake
Shelter – Ray LaMontagne
If I Ever - Alli Rogers
Hoppípolla - Sigur Rós
Falling Slowly – The Frames
Another Kind of Green – John Mayer Trio
I Wish You Love – Rachael Yamagata
Song For You – Alexi Murdoch
The Trapeze Swinger - Iron & Wine

all links lead to iTunes

Image Credits: Your Petite Tune by Esellee | iTunes album mosaic

The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.
(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

The South has its own particular breed of spring. In the months before summer, one can feel the swampy threat of rain everywhere. These are the days when I love to sit on my balcony and wait for storms to roll in. Large billowy clouds carry round, wet raindrops. The rising heat from the asphalt crashes into the cool cleanse of a spring deluge. My favorite part is that just as quickly as a storm blows through town, it escapes without remark.

The following songs are a collection of tunes to enjoy during a pre-summer storm. Feel free to copy, link to and share this mix with anyone who might benefit from some new music this spring.

Green Grass of Tunnel – Múm
Green Gloves – The National
Ooh Oh – Keri Noble
This Is the Thing – Fink
Orange Sky – Alexi Murdoch
Tiger, My Friend – PSAPP
City Flower – Jeffrey Foucault
Skinny Love – Bon Iver
My Two Cents – Shane Piasecki
Careful – Guster
Creep – Ingrid Michaelson
Je veux te voi – Yelle
A-Punk – Vampire Weekend

all links will take you to iTunes

image credit: 1happysnapper iTunes album mosaic

If you want to make your dreams come true,
the first thing you have to do is wake up.
(J. M. Power)

My mornings have taken many forms in past years. I’ve tried waking up super early—and rising with just enough time to get out the door. I’ve tested a variety of breakfast foods, and have yet to settle on something that tastes good & leaves me satisfied. I gave up coffee for 2 months, wrote volumes of morning pages and practiced yoga before showering.

All these attempts have been in an effort to find my ideal morning—a series of effortless transitions from sleepy a.m. tasks like waking up and brushing my teeth, to getting out the door looking gorgeous & ready to take on the world.

No matter how my morning goes, I always get in my car and drive to work. This playlist is for the that time I can always count on—the space between my front door and my desk chair. A consistent opportunity to get pumped up and ready to rock my day.

The sweet, adorable and always kind Chelsa Bea from Pencil Skirts & Pearls mailed me thoughtful note & mix CD in honor of my first day of work. Feel free to copy, link to and share this mix with anyone who needs good mojo for their morning commute.

All Love – Ingrid Michaelson
What I Wouldn’t Do – A Fine Frenzy
Like a Prayer – Madonna (Hope for Haiti Now)
Down the Line – Jose Gonzalez
Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
Hey, Soul Sister - Train
Us – Regina Spektor
This Sweet Love – James Yuill
Heads Will Roll – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
1901 – Phoenix
Hot Mess – Cobra Starship
Imma Be – Black Eyed Peas
The Best of You And Me – Number One Gun
House By the Sea – Iron and Wine
You Are The Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
Free Fallin’ (Live) – John Mayer

all links will take you to iTunes

photo credit: via weheartit, iTunes album mosaic