Up and Coming

It’s rare that I post about the  goings-on in my life. Mostly because there’s nothing going on to report about. But this week, I have a couple of bits and bobs to talk about so I figured I would throw them all into one messy post. I know it’s not Freshly Pressed worthy, but we can’t be perfect every day.

The first order of business is that Rarasuar asked me to guest post on her blog! I was super excited but I was also super scared because I’m not creative and I never know what to write about. She gave me some cool prompts to choose from so when you have time you should wander over there and see which one I picked!

The second order of business is that BreezyK at The Camel Life sent me a sweet Christmas present in the mail! I only got it last week because the mail takes forevs. A while ago she held a drawing for her followers to win special mix tapes that she made. I entered assuming that I wouldn’t win because I never win anything and my name was pulled out of a hat! Or maybe a bowl…I don’t remember. The CD is amazing and it’s filled with a lot of songs that I hadn’t heard before and some familiar tunes. I was so excited to have a little piece of Breezy’s heart with me to listen to whenever I want. That sounds so creepy, but really, she described the mix as a piece of her heart. Thanks Bree!

Hopefully this mix wasn’t supposed to be secret because I’m showing it to the world.

I feel like I need to start my own fan club or something. Is it allowed for people to be the president of their own fan club? I mean, I would totally do it.

Third order of business is that I’ve started to get slightly crafty. Don’t worry, I’m not using hot glue guns or crocheting rugs, but I have started to dabble in painting and jewelry. I bought an over-sized serving tray a while ago to sit on my ottoman because we don’t have a coffee table. We still don’t really use the tray or ottoman as a coffee table, but  the tray looks much better now that it’s painted. I made the mistake of not taking a BEFORE picture, but here’s what it looked like AFTER:

The paint color I used was Swimming by Sherwin Williams. I love paint names.

The jewelry making has proved to be a harder feat than I expected. My friend invited me to a jewelry making get together and I had no idea what to do. I just figured I would craft some friendship bracelets for myself or something. My friend told me that she looks for inspiration on Pinterest and then tries to copy a design that she likes. I thought that was a smart idea so I perused through my jewelry board and realized that everything I like is impossible to make except for this:

I’m in the process of making my own variation. They didn’t have those pretty turquoise beads at Michael’s so I just bought blue ones. Let me tell you, stringing beads is no easy thing. I’ll probably lose my eyesight because of this stupid necklace.

And lastly, I’m going to start doing posts called Lily’s Literature where I give a short review on the last three books that I’ve read. The first one I did was called Good Reads because I talked about the website. I’ll probably change the title on that one to Lily’s Literature because it has a certain ring to it, don’tcha think? Anyway, these posts will probably take a while for me to complete because I’m a slow reader. Just be patient, young grasshoppers.

Mixmaster

I’ve decided to make one of my burned cd’s public so you can see how great my music taste is. I figured that side of me still remains a mystery. Hopefully this will make you feel closer to me. But not too close.  You might be familiar with some or all of the artists, or you might be familiar with none of them. In which case, I swear I’m not a hipster listening to bands you’ve never even heard of before.

Feel free to down load all of these songs and pretend you’re me. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right?

Lily’s Super Gr8 February Mixtastical (You can change the title if you want, but I’m pretty sure it’s perfect)(I may have gotten carried away with this):

Girlfriend In a Coma- The Smiths : This song is so good. Even if you don’t like Morrissey’s voice (Ehm Lisa) you should give it a listen.

Rebellion (Lies) – Arcade Fire: I’m just recently getting into them 3 years late. This song is super catchy. Definitely my style.

Get Up Off Your Knees – The Housemartins: This is what Paul and I would call a “three song band”. They have three really good songs, and no one really knows the rest of them. Other three song bands include The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Ace of Base, The Cranberries, etc.

Your Biggest Fan – Voxtrot: Voxtrot is one of my favorite bands that no one gives a chance. All of their songs have really good lyrics and have really good riffs. I’m just gonna throw the word “riff” around like I know what it means. Listen to the lyrics in this song–they’re easy to relate to.

Lisztomania – Phoenix: If you think spelling phoenix is hard, try spelling lisztomania. These guys are from Versailles. Catchy songs, but perhaps another three song band.

Sister Golden Hair – America: I’m usually not into America, but I really like this song. Plus, I’m pretty sure they’re singing about me.

Geraldine – Glasvegas: This is an awesome band from Glasgow. The lead singer’s voice is awesome. The drummer is the worst, but it’s still a great tune.

Goodbye Girl – Squeeze: Squeeze is one of my favorite bands. I would say they fall under the New Wave category of music that I like.

Green Shirt – Elvis Costello & The Attractions: I think I’ve been listening to Elvis since I was 2 years old. No joke, there is video proof. His voice and lyrics are great. So many hits. Paul and I chose one of his songs for our first dance.

Don’t Be Shy – Cat Stevens: Cat Stevens (Yousef Islam) is my lover. If you haven’t seen Harolde and Maude, this song is played during the opening scene. It’s perfect.

Here Comes My Baby – Cat Stevens: This song is in the movie Rushmore. It’s such a happy song. If this song doesn’t put you in a good mood, you’re just the worst.

Thick As a Brick – Ian Anderson: Sometimes I like his stuff more than Jethro Tull’s. The lyrics to this song are kind of weird. They remind me of something Kate Bush would have written. I believe Ian’s wife wrote these lyrics. “Your sperm’s in the gutter, your love’s in the sink” ummm what? So normal.

Taper Jean Girl – Kings of Leon: Remember when Kings of Leon used to be good?

Age of Consent – New Order: I never get tired of this song. Sophia Coppola used it in the trailer for Marie Antoinette. Good stuff.

I Know What I Know – Paul Simon: Within the last couple years Paul has gotten me into Paul Simon’s Graceland album. It’s perfect.

Cherub Rock – Smashing Pumpkins: I don’t think I would normally have liked this song had my dad and brother not played Siamese Dream every time I was in the car with them. This song reminds me of good memories and playing the air-drums.

All I Want- The Offspring: Remember when I said I liked Crazy Taxi? Sometimes it’s fun to play this in your car and drive like you’re in the game. And by sometimes, I mean all the time. YAYA YA YA YA

This Charming Man- The Smiths: Morrissey is just so cool. I love his lyrics. In one song he says, “Sweetness, I was only joking when I said that I’d like to mash every tooth in your head.”  Anyway this is a great song. Give it a listen.

This Is It – The Strokes: The album “This Is It” is a perfect album. Then it just went downhill from there.

Save it For Later – The English Beat: Perhaps one of my favorite songs of all time. It just eases my soul.

Semi-Charmed Life – Third Eye Blind: One of my favorite 90’s songs ever. Reminds me of summers at the public pool.

American Girl – Tom Petty: Why is Tom Petty so great and freaky looking? It was hard to choose only one of his songs, but hey. I’m an American girl after all.

Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa -Vampire Weekend: Their first album is perfect. I love every song. Their sound is so new and fresh. Love.

Hey Hey Girl -The Virgins: Another three song band. But I love this song. I don’t know how I came across it, but it makes me happy.

Raised By Wolves – Voxtrot: Perhaps my favorite Voxtrot song. Give it a listen and tell me whatcha think!

Blue Orchid- The White Stripes: Jack White is so weird and cool. I want to be his best friend.