Tag: indie

Happy TunesDay // TunesDay Takeover

Happy TunesDay // TunesDay Takeover

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Everyone.
I am so excited.

!!! The exclamation points are supposed to help indicate the level of excitement I am feeling !!!

Look, I’ll be the first one to tell you how unable I am to let go of certain things. Squishy pillows and those weird plastic tubes of colored liquid we played with as ’90s children come to mind. Also TunesDay. TunesDay, though not really a tangible thing, is something that I’ve become so attached to. It is probably the longest standing relationship I have outside of my family and select friendships.

But you know, attachment to intangibles can be particularly unhealthy. So, in the spirit of introspection and self-improvement, I thought I’d let go of my need for control and let loose a little this week for my very first TUNESDAY TAKEOVER.

Cue confetti cannons and expressions of shock & awe.

I know, right? Why did I not think of this brilliance earlier? I have a ton of wondrous friends and acquaintances with pretty fantastic music taste. I will be asking a cool person to takeover TunesDay once a month…so who knows, you could be next, dear Listener/Reader!

But for now, let’s diversify our music mix and get into it!

Introducing this month’s TunesDay Takeover DJ is my dear friend, Sam.

Y’all. I knew he had good music taste before, but I found out last week that he legit has good music taste. As in, stop peeling back the layers of this onion so quickly because I am going to cry. I mean, I know music preference is subjective, but SUBJECTIVELY, his taste is grand.

His mix will not disappoint. You will feel a tumult of emotions. Like when Michelle Obama said, “when they go low, you go high”…you will go low and high and all the heights in between.

Anyway, as this is the first TunesDay Takeover, let me know whose music tastes you admire! Maybe I’ll take your recommendations to heart.

Sending you lots of love, freedom, and virtual tissue hugs,
Christina

 

Watercolor background from Jen Lashek for Design Love Fest.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 40

Happy TunesDay: Collection 40

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s time to dance, y’all.

This week, make like Hillary and shimmy your way into some good vibes with this playlist of rockin’ poppin’ feel-good tunes.

You don’t have to actually shimmy, but try it out once in your car–I bet you won’t be able to stop. Just make sure you don’t move your steering wheel and veer directions.

Drive & dance safely, friends.

Cutiepants background dancing legs come from Design Love Fest.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 39

Happy TunesDay: Collection 39

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I’ve been in Washington DC for a couple days and am leaving today.

Being here in such a politically charged and passionate environment…it’s really a different kind of vibe. I went to Union Pub yesterday to watch the first of the political debates and it was PACKED. I mean, wall to wall, every seat taken, where are all the POC because there’s too many progressive white folk & hyper conservatives vying for breathing room in here, kind of packed.

But, it was really cool in a way, to be in the presence of young (ish) people who are passionate about politics and deeply invested, mostly because that’s their job, but also because it’s their interest.

All I know is that I’ll be back someday soon and hopefully will be just as passionate as I was last night, screaming at the TV screens.

PS: they played the first song from my playlist, FDT, in the pub…hilarity ensued.

PPS: there are expletives thrown here and there in the songs…so slightly NSFW unless you work in a liberal environment or are wearing earbuds.

Lots of love & political passion coming your way,
Christina

Background image from DesignLoveFest.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 38

Happy TunesDay: Collection 38

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I love singing in a British accent. It just puts me in a really, really great mood.

Trust me. Try it. Right now, just try it.

Every song lyric seems punchier and full of life, doesn’t it?

Even when I’m listening to songs by non-British bands or artists, I’ll still organically move into a British accent–I think my singing gets slightly better for some reason.

In that spirit, this week’s TunesDay playlist is comprised of my favourite (eh, eh, eh?!) tunes by British bands.

Have any recommendations? Send ’em my way!

Funky patterned background image comes from Chroma Studio, courtesy of Design Love Fest.
Happy TunesDay: Collection 37

Happy TunesDay: Collection 37

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This week’s set is an ode to womxn-led bands & duos whose vocal prowess never fails to make me sing loudly along in my car…or weep emotionally next to a pile of warm laundry. The laundry thing doesn’t happen as often as you’d think though.

Growing up, I always wished I had a super silky, smooth singing voice. Unfortunately, it’s always sounded like scratchy, tone-deaf mush. But, that doesn’t stop me from trying to harmonize with these bad-ass ladies in my car and shower…and in the kitchen while I microwave rice.

Who were/are your favorite womxn vocalists? I’m always looking for recommendations to add to my collection, and let me know your thoughts on this week’s set!

with love & beautiful musical vibes,
Christina

Happy TunesDay: Collection 36

Happy TunesDay: Collection 36

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

For most, Labor Day weekend means an extra day off of our normal work week. But something about a jam-packed weekend also means a required wind-down session.

These tunes are some of my late-night go-to’s after long drives, intense heat, sore feet, and much needed rejuvenation.

Even though you’re (begrudgingly) back at your routine, let the recent memories of your fun-filled weekend fuel you until the next federally-mandated holiday…or until the US realizes that our work week is far. too. long.

Happy TunesDay: Collection 35

Happy TunesDay: Collection 35

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This week’s set of tunes is an ode to my best pal and my old tradition: Cafe Night.

Essentially, we would lay in our living room at night, turn off all the lights, open our curtains, and let the dim glow of street lamps settle in.  Then, we’d play a soothing set of Norah Jones, Geographer, Little Dragon, and other hip n’ happenin’ artists.

This version is a little more indie/alternative/r&b than our original Cafe Night playlists, but like most great things, some changes come over time, but it’s still just as poppin’ as before!

Whether or not you have dim mood lighting, I hope y’all listen to this week’s set and feel an overwhelming sense of calm.  Everyone deserves a Cafe Night once in a while. So start up these tunes and let the music do the work. You can work out your problems another day.

Cute background image comes from SabrinaAdventures.
TunesDay: Collection 30

TunesDay: Collection 30

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This week is a relaxed sort of craze.  Being on your own schedule can be extremely liberating, but if you’re like me…you need some semblance of forced structure.

I’m trying this new thing to keep me focused. For me, being busy means running around everywhere for meetings, errands, and work sessions.  But, over the almost year that I’ve been on my own schedule, I haven’t gotten nearly as much done as I wish I have.

So, I guess that means I need an overhaul in how I’ve been sorting out my time. As my poppa says, I need to “buckle down” and get my stuff in order.

Essentially, what I’m saying is, if I call, text, email, Facebook message, LinkedIn inbox, or Twitter message you…ignore me. Or, make sure it’s on a weekend or not during typical 8-5PM work hours.  I beg of you…hold me accountable and don’t let me schedule meetings with you unless its for legitimate work! It’s beginning to be an actual problem.

I need to get my life together.  But, maybe this week’s tunes will help me destress. If you have any tips for how you schedule your time or if you experience similar difficulties in your freelance life, drop me a line.

Sending you all wishes of productivity and clarity!

TunesDay: Collection 29

TunesDay: Collection 29

by christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Oh, hey there!  TunesDay is back.

It’s been a minute.  But, I’m back and feeling…more focused.

It’s strange.  With the horrible things happening all over the world, and especially in the US, I’ve gained an incredible amount of clarity, with a smattering of hopelessness that subsided after a couple of days.

I have had great conversations with thoughtful and insightful people from all walks of life, and I am incredibly appreciative of how people are willing to give their time to just talk, with no pretense or no foreseen benefits for themselves.

Today, I am thankful–for you and for every person who challenges themselves and the people around them to truly think.  I am grateful that we are who we are because of our experiences and each person I have met (and/or reconnected with) over the past month in Costa Rica and back home in California, has had experiences that blow mine out of the water. And still, we come together and share and just…be.  And that is such a beautiful thing to me.

I’m not going to blame my emotionality on my menstrual cycle, but it definitely might have something to do with it.  Regardless, I love you and I like you and I am always, always wishing you peace and happiness.  May you find whatever it is that you need to keep on going in this world.

Background image from Julia Contacessi for Design Love Fest.