The Greatest News You'll Hear All Week: Empire Of The Sun Is Back

Yeah, you heard me right. Empire Of The Sun is back and with a new album. "Ice on the Dune" is expected to be released June 2013, and I couldn't be more excited. They've released a single from the album called "Alive," and it surpasses my expectations completely. Hats off. Empire Of The Sun was my favorite band my freshman year of college, so I'm ecstatic to see their coming back with more. Started college with them, now ending college with them. I guess it's kind of sentimental in a way. You can pre-order their album on iTunes.

Song Of The Day: Open Letter- Jay Z

I don't care what anyone says about Jay-Z. Yeah, he's cocky, but if you were him I'm sure you would be too. Jay-Z is one of the only rappers today that I think still creates real hip-hop. I favor his old stuff, but he still continues to produce amazing music. He released a new song called "Open Letters" this week.
There has been a lot of controversy over this song and the trip Jay-Z and Beyonce took to Cuba. So Common and Jay-Z released an "Open Letter Part II." Of course their music is going to be controversial, their rapping about real things in our world other than money, chains, and tits. I may not agree with everything they say, but that doesn't take away from the fact that they create real music.

Kid Cudi's New Album: Indicud

Kid Cudi released his new album "Indicud" today, and I have to admit, I was not overly thrilled when I first listened to it. However, the more i've listened to it, the more it has grown on me. I had high hopes after "Just The Way I Am," was released before the album came out. I've listed my favorite songs from the album below. Now you decide for yourself...


1. Just The Way I Am

2. Brothers

3.King Wizard


 

Song Of The Day: White Lies- Max Frost

Wow. I may have found my new favorite artist right now and it's Austin, Texas native, Max Frost. Take note of this guy, I predict great things in the future. He has a funky yet sexy vibe that makes his songs addicting. He's best known for his song "Nice and Slow" but I take favor to his song "White Lies." You can check out his site, songs, and upcoming shows here.

What I'm Listening To Today: Bob Dylan

Everyone should listen to Bob Dylan at some point in there day, but then I guess that would make it uncool huh? I've been an avid Bob Dylan listener since my rebellious high school years. I'd always listen to his albums while I'd paint and that was my way of relaxing and "getting away from the world." Talk about an emotional 16 year old. Well, even though I've grown up a lot, the pure emotion in Bob Dylan's music is still there. There are very few songs that I can listen to and just say to myself "Wow, this beautiful." I'm at a weird time in my life. I'm graduating college in 3 weeks, and emotions are rising. Whenever I am feeling a little tense, these are some of my go to songs. I hope you can enjoy these like I do.

 I'm a huge Johnny Cash fan too so this song has been on repeat lately:

Girl From The North Country- ft. Johnny Cash 

I Want You

Like A Rolling Stone

Knockin' On Heavens Door

Artist Of The Day: Daft Punk

True music lovers are rejoicing, because Daft Punk is back. Yeah, you heard me right. Daft Punk was the start of some of the best electronic music out there. "Around The World" and "Call On Me" were all classics I used to blast with my friends while sneaking my parents alcohol and pretending to be cool. I guess I'm a little nostalgic in a way. Daft Punk will be releasing their new album "Random Access Memories" on May 21, 2013. Daft Punk puts all of these "wannabe electronic" artists were hearing these days to shame. This is what the genre of electronic/dance music should sound like.

Here is a little taste of whats to come, I can't get enough of it:

Song of The Day: Chip Ivory- Touch The Skyfall (Adele X Kanye West)

Chip Ivory is a mashup artist who does some really brilliant remixes. He has a way of seamlessly placing two songs together and creating his own sound. Who would have that Kanye West and Adele could have made such a beautiful remix.

Artist Of The Day: Calvin Harris

Alright, if you don't know who Calvin Harris is then you've been living under a rock. A lot of his stuff is over played on the radio and has been ruined for me, but his album "18 Months" deserves some recognition. It's all I've been playing at the gym lately.  Here are a few songs from his album that are my personal favorites:

1. Drinking From The Bottle

2. Mansion 3. I Need Your Love (Ellie Goulding)

5 Songs You Need Now

1. Capital Cities- Safe and Sound

2. Kendrick Lamar- Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe (Ft. Jay Z)
**Wait for Jay Z's solo, you'll stop in your tracks.

3. (Plastic Plate Remix) Para One- Every Little Thing

4. Matt & Kim- Let's Go
**Good vibes all around
 


5. Foster The People-Houdini (Green Children Remix)

Artist Of The Day: Macklemore

On November 6, 2011 I posted about "Macklemore" and how he was a refreshing breathe of air. I predicted he would get big, and now here he is in 2013 at #1 on music charts. Don't want to say I told you, but, I told you so. Ben Haggerty aka "Macklemore" still is a breathe of fresh air. I posted about his song "And We Danced" back in 2011, but I wanted to post it again, along with his new song "Can't Hold Us." Both should be added to your party or work out playlists.


"Can't Hold Us" "And We Danced"

22 important lessons i've learned in 22 years.

So, I turned 22 a few weeks ago. Didn't make a big hype about it, because 22 kind of sucks. If you've had your act together thus far, you'll probably be graduating college at 22. That fact alone makes turning 22 not so celebratory. I know in a few years I'll be looking back and saying "Ahh...22. Those were the days." So i'm trying to stay as positive as possible.  I had a 9 hour travel day back from my spring break trip to Puerto Rico, and I just started to think about everything I've learned in the past 22 years. I know I have a lot more to learn, but at this point in my life I feel like I've learned some very valuable lessons. So here is my list of 22 valuable life lessons. Some more serious than others, but all equally important. 

1. God has a plan. There is no use in being anxious and worrying about something, because ultimately, it's in God's hands. (Hardest lesson I've had to learn)
2. If a guy invites you over to watch a movie, he doesn't just want to watch a movie.
3. Save your money. As much as I love to online shop and "have" to have the newest bag, I don't. I used to see a $500 bag as just a new, cute birthday purchase. Now, that is about half a months rent. Yeah, you get that harsh reality when you turn 22. You'll be happy you saved your money in the long run.
4. Be your own best friend (One of the most valuable lessons I've learned). You have to learn to love yourself.
5. A good night sleep and hot shower are the two best cures for anything. Every problem looks better in the morning.
6. Take care of yourself, you only get one body. Be grateful for your health, a lot of people wish they had it.
7. Keep face to face conversation alive, and get off your damn phone. I'm so guilty of this, but we live in a generation where you go to dinner with friends and everyone is on their phone. Put the phone away, have yourself a conservation, and only use your phone when you really need to.
8. Tell the people you care about, I love you. We get so caught up in our lives, that we forget a lot to remind those special people in our lives just how much we love them. You'll regret it someday if you don't.
9. The only approval you need in life is your own. You will be judged and criticized your whole life.
10. Patience is key in life.
11. If a girl didn't have friends in high school, it was for a reason. Stay away.
12. Never trust a guy who likes and comments on every girls Instagram/Facebook picture.
13. Chase after your goals. As cliche as it sounds, if you don't have a goal to chase, your soul dies. My goals are my fuel to do better each day.
14. Good music, good food, and good friends. 3 essentials in life.
15. If you don't like a menu get up. If you don't feel right about something, change it. Sometimes you have to be selfish in life.
16. You're your own best PR. Watch what you put on social media. You're publicizing yourself, so make it good.
17. Stay true to yourself. Just because the crowd is doing it, doesn't mean it's right or you.
18. See live music. It can change your life.
19. Travel. Life is too short to stay in one bubble your whole life (I'm working on this).
20. Designate "me" time in your week. Having time to yourself is very important to staying sane.
21. A guys intentions are never good after 12am.
22. Remember to laugh.


So those are a few lessons I've learned in my 22 years of life, and I'm excited to see what other lessons I learn in my new chapter of life after college.

And now a song that will always remind me of my youth: Alright-Supergrass

Song Of The Day: Next Year (RAC Remix)- Two Door Cinema Club

Surprise, another RAC Remix I love. What a shocker. Seriously can't get enough of it. Good vibes all around with this song. It's definitely more mellow, but perfect for a Saturday afternoon. In case you haven't seen my other hundrends of posts of RAC Remixes, check out their site at rac.fm 

My Juicing Craze, And An Amazing Story

One of the things  I love best about going home to California is all the fresh produce and farmers markets that are available. You're not considered a "hippy freak" if you like to juice like you are here in Texas. While I was home over winter break, my mom had gotten really into juicing. We would juice every morning and night. I felt such an amazing difference in my body, that I couldn't stop. I felt so much more energized and I no longer needed coffee or tea to get me through the day. I ended up getting my own juicer for Christmas, so I brought my new passion for juicing back to Texas. Thankfully, Fort Worth does have organic food options. I get all my produce at Central Market where they have a really large selection of fresh all organic produce. Today while I was grocery shopping, the most amazing thing happened. I saw an old man with a huge cart that was filled with bulk bags of fruits and vegetables. He had an enormous bag of carrots that looked like he had special ordered. As soon as I saw him I knew he was a fellow juicer. We both were reaching for some ginger, when I asked him if he was juicing. He told me that his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago and they decided not to do chemo. Instead, they decided to completely change their diet. They juice several times a day, cut out all red meats, dairy, and processed foods. Want to know what the most amazing part is? Her cancer has shrunk significantly within just 3 months!! I got teary eyed and continued to watch him stalkerishly as he continued to shop. The passion and love he had in his eyes as he was picking out his all organic produce for his wife was really touching. I immediately called my mom and told her. I've always  been a strong believer that what you put in your body can directly effect your body more than anything else can. My boyfriend who used to make fun of me for juicing and only wanting to eat all organic, actually is starting to consider the legitimacy and benefits of juicing. I urge all of you, take a look at what you're feeding your body. Juicing has changed my life, and it can change yours too.

Morning Rejuvenation Recipe:
4 large organic carrots
4 organic celery sticks
1 large piece of organic cucumber 
1 organic beet
1 organic apple
1 organic grapefruit
1 organic orange
1 small piece of organic ginger

-Enjoy over ice. Serves 2 people or extra for yourself!

Daily Advice: The Only Approval You Need In Life Is Your Own

Alright, I usually cringe at people who post quotes about "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" or spill their intimate life details to the social media world. I'm not here to blab and reassure myself that I'm "strong" by writing on my blog. I'm just here to share a few words of wisdom that I had lost sight of for awhile until this past week. We live in a world of insecure people and expectations we are supposed to live up to. No matter where you go, or what you do, you will constantly be judged and criticized. That is just life. What you wear, what you say, what you do, you will never be completely free of judgements unless you allow yourself to be. An experience happened to me this past week that made me more frustrated than I had been in a long time. A picture was sent out by an unknown suspect and that person claimed that the picture was me. Anyone who knows me, knows I have too much self pride and dignity to send a picture like that. If you send a nude picture of yourself to someone in 2013 and don't expect it to be seen by the world, you're an idiot. While growing up, I have constantly been watching what I have on Facebook and any social media sites. You are your own PR, so you better make it good. When I found that someone sent this picture out, and put MY name on it, I was livid. Not only was I livid, but I felt pretty helpless. To be accused of something you didn't do, may be more frustrating than getting accused of something you actually did do. At least if you did it, you can accept it and try to move on from it. But for me, I wasn't going to let this happen. I have worked too hard to get where I am, and I was not about to let some immature guys who can't control their hormones tarnish my name. Long story short, I think I handled it and that rumor is pretty much squashed. But now here I am. Left with a lot of frustration and a whole lot of anger. A part of me is glad that this happened, because it reminded me of who I am. It is so easy to lose yourself and fall into working so hard to create this "image" of yourself. Everyone wants to have the best body, and look their best and I've felt that pressure my whole life. What I realized after this incident though, is no matter what you do, you will be criticized. If you're ugly you'll be criticized for not being pretty enough, if you're blessed with beauty you'll be constantly scrutinized and judged, and if you're cursed with a larger chest like myself, you'll have guys sending out fake pictures of you. It's a loose loose people. That is why you need to realize that the only approval you need in life is your own. You're the best friend you will ever have, and it's time I start remembering that. I have people who I know will always be there for me, but if you can't look in the mirror in the morning and smile at that person looking back at you, then what do you have? Nothing. Accept yourself, and once you do you'll realize none of this bullshit ever really mattered.

Jay Z vs Lana Del Ray- Dirt Off Your Shoulders/Born To Die Remix

Remix of The Day: Mouthful of Diamonds- Phantogram (The Jackals Remix)

Play this loud. That is all...