7.14.13

Yeah I know, it has been about nine years since I have posted anything. Don't judge me! I have been house sitting for the last week and a half, and who knew how crazy busy that would make me. This family I house sat for basically lives on a tiny farm, which was basically heaven for me. Like seriously, the live in a little cottage with things like chickens, ducks, rabbits, etc. It was so nice to get away for a little while, and have a little time for myself. I think everyone needs that every once in a while.

I figured since I basically haven't said anything prior to the fourth of July, I would tell you what has been going on in my life according to Instagram! But first I will share with you what I did for the fourth.

The fourth of July is one of my all time favorite holidays EVER! I just love spending the day outside with family, and enjoying some fresh summer air. This fourth of July I had a little BBQ with family, and then headed to my house sitting job in Pleasant Grove. I was a little bummed that I was spending the "fun" part of the fourth alone, but it ended up being absolutely amazing. I decided I wasn't going to let the fact that I was alone ruin my fourth, so I grabbed my i pod, jumped on the trampoline, and watched a 360 degree firework show. After the fireworks settled down I laid on the trampoline and looked at the stars while listening to the distant thundering of fireworks and some Swell Season. Now does that sound great or what?

Alright, now for some pictures.

 

So remember how I mentioned that I am serving an lds mission? Well so is my brother. He is going to Australia. On the fourth of July, our church put out the Mississippi flag and the Australia flag along side the American flag. It was kind of the coolest :)

 

Mississippi y'all!

Watercolors!

 

Longboarding with my main boarding lady!

 

Some lady friends and I went to the Rooftop Concert Series. This is The National Parks. They are incredible. We all may or may not have a crush on that main man right there!

We were just enjoying some Rolling Stones tributes when in walked Tyler Glenn from Neon Trees to sing a song. Did I mention he was wearing a full floral suit. Night made.

So I guess not too much has happened since I last posted. I did manage to give myself food poisoning for the first time. That was really fun... Overall I had a fun time taking care of a little farm for a week and a half, but I am so happy to be home!

She & Him

So this picture is the only proof I have that I actually attended the She & Him concert at Red Butte Gardens. That and a lot of failed attempts at an Instagram video... yeah, lets not talk about that. The only reason I have no pictures is because for some crazy reason it "wasn't allowed". Lame!
And I didn't even take this picture. My lovely lady friend Emily did. I was too busy trying to snapchat a pic when I got yelled at by security.. oops. Thankfully, Emily is a ninja and snagged this pic before anyone saw. So yeah, I was there. PROOF!

Let's talk about how I got these tickets in the first place. It was a lonely Wednesday night when at approximately 6:30pm someone amazing text me asking if I wanted two FREE VIP tickets to the She & Him concert... that started at 7:30pm. I immediately began texting basically everyone person in my contacts if the could be to my house in a half hour. My lovely friend Emily was the lucky gal to make it in time, and we headed on our journey.

We picked up the tickets along with a fantastic bag of goodies (ginger ale, sour gummy deliciousness, cereal in a bag, goldfish, the works) and were on our way to Red Butte. The most fantastic thing about VIP tickets is parking right next to the entrance and NO LINES! So we walked in, found some chairs and relaxed. However, something quickly caught our eye. It looked like a mini dance party going on at the corner of the stage. Obviously we raced down there like race horses to join. The opening band, whose name I should know but don't, was absolutely fantastic! Emily and I couldn't get over there awesome outfits! Unreal.

I'm just going to fast forward to when She & Him came on, because all that in between stuff isn't important. So I kind of love Zooey. (500) Days Of Summer is probably my favorite movie, and New Girl is the absolute greatest. Then when I found out she had a band... not real. Of course I quickly fell in love with her quirky and raspy voice. This show was absolutely incredible! I brought a friend who wasn't afraid to dance, so we danced our little hearts out, enjoyed the summer air, and took in the music. There seriously is just something about outdoor concerts and being around people that are so into the music that is just soo freeing.

I have become so used to little local shows, that I had completely forgotten how AMAZING an actual concert with a big time band is. No sound issues in the middle of sets, and everything just sounds incredible! And the crowd!! Man have I missed crowds. It seriously was just the most amazing show, and Red Butte just never disappoints. My all time favorite concert was at Red Butte, and since then it has been my favorite venue. AHH that is just the best part of summer. There is nothing better than an outdoor concert in the summertime.

Do any of you lovelies like She & Him? Were any of you there?!

Life Lately

I figured since I have been a little absent lately, I would catch everyone up on what I have been up to the last weekend or two. Well first off, skateboarding. My friend Paige and I have taken up skateboarding/ rollerblading at the park as a fun new summer hobby. Basically, it has been the absolute best, and I can stand on the board without falling on my face now. Success!

Other than that I have been taken complete advantage of summer concerts! Last weekend I dragged my friend Kayla to Battle of the Bands down in Provo. I seriously was soo amazed by the talent at this thing. Seriously unreal. I went down there to meet a friend/ listen to his new band. The story of  how I met this wonderfully talented sir is a complicated one, but trust me.. his band is AMAZING! And the band members may or may not be quite handsome. Just sayin'

Anyways, the bands name is Strange Family. I definitely recommend looking them up on Facebook! But seriously, soooo good you guys! And I go to a lot of concerts!

STRANGE FAMILY!

So that was last weekend. This weekend was also a fun one! I got to see probably my all time favorite local band, Holy Water Buffalo, play at the Utah Arts Festival. It was soo much fun. The arts festival is one of my favorite things about summer, and I always look forward to it. There are some pretty talented people here in good ol' Utah, and I am always amazed at the talent and creativity there. This year there were dancers that danced on the side of a glass building. It was seriously incredible! I wish I could explain it better.

Anyways, Holy Water Buffalo was fantastic as always. It definitely turned into an interesting night when some unexpected people showed up at the front of the stage, but other than that it was a normal outing. It was also my first outdoor concert of the summer! Whooo! Hopefully there are many more to come.

Now for Friday. I got to go to Lagoon, and it was magical. Alright, maybe not magical, but it was pretty fantastic. I LOVE amusement parks. I could spend all day in one, although I did find out that I am turning into a grandma and have to take some kind of pain med before I start going on rides. Seriously though, first ride in and I had a head ache. When did this happen?! But yeah, it was great fun.

Best part of it all.. there was literally a group of four boys that looked IDENTICAL to One Direction. I am not joking you guys. IDENTICAL!!! We saw them around the park all day, and I think I had a connection with the Harry look-a-like. We totally looked at each other, and it was magical. Even if he was like 12 years old. Not really, but might as well have been.

We definitely rode a ride with them though, and now I can say I rode a ride with One Direction dopplegangers. Basically as cool as it gets.

My brother/cousin/friends also talked me into going on the ferris wheel.

Don't ask me why I didn't think about my extreme fear of heights before getting on this thing. Let's just say there was a lot of screaming and threatening to jump out.. maybe.

Anyone have anything fun happen over the weekend?

Concert #1

Alright, so I know I did a post last week saying I went to my first concert of the year. I have decided that it did not count as a concert, considering it was really just a dance party. I am counting the concert I went to last night as the first concert of the year! Mostly because it was absolutely fantastic! You know how I just love The North Valley, so it only makes sense to have them be the first concert of the year. Just sayin'

The last time I had this much fun at a concert was when I saw Grouplove in the summer. As of yesterday, I hadn't seen these guys play for a little over a month. It was so much fun to get to see them again, and I forgot how much I love their music. The North Valley was headlining, so they got to play a longer set than they usually get to. I think this added to the experience. I was so used to just hearing maybe five or six songs each show. It was awesome to get to hear them play a lot of their songs. They even played some old stuff which was fantastic! It really was just fantastic you guys.

My friend and I got there a little late, so our night started off with the 2:13's. I have nothing but good things to say about these guys. I have seen them play a couple times, and every time they just blow me away. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. They are disgustingly talented, and sometimes I couldn't help but laugh because I was so impressed I didn't know what else to do. They are unreal! They just released their first EP. Go check it out here or take a listen below. My favorite song of theirs at the moment would probably have to be Ruthless.

 

After the 2:13's finished their set The North Valley was up. It really was just a party. I have no idea who was controlling the sound and lights, but whoever it was clearly knew what they were doing. It really magnified the show. I was very impressed. You guys already know that I love these guys, so I am not going to say too much about it. All I have to say is this was by far their best show, and it is crazy how good they have gotten. You don't notice it when you go to every show, but after taking a little break I was pleasantly surprised at their skill level for this show. So bravo guys! Here is my absolute favorite song of theirs. You can find the rest of their music here. 

 

CM Recap: Wheels on the Bus

Alright, so today I should be telling you all about the fantastic things I found on pinterest this week, but I didn't use pinterest this week so I have nothing. Sorry. Instead, I am going to do my Criminal Minds recap that I should have done on Thursday, but it was Thanksgiving so I didn't want to.

 

There are very few things I have to say about this episode. It was a TON better than last weeks episode that is for sure! This whole episode was based around a video game, and the unsubs created a live version of the video game using real freaking people! How insane is that? I thought it was good, but I feel like they could have done a lot more with that idea. It was pretty intense, but there was a lot of slow parts throughout.

 

The only other thing I have to say about this episode is this... Freaking Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. Yup.

 

I wouldn't say I am disappointed with Criminal Minds, but I still am just freaking out because I don't know who freaking Reid's girlfriend is. I need to know! Like right now. They have dragged this out for to many episodes. They can't have this mystery girl be all, "I love you", and then never hear from her again! What the heck is this? If they don't bring her back into the story soon, I am going to throw something. Probably like a chair, or something big like that. It just needs to happen.

 

So remember how I said that I had no idea what I was going to do this weekend, because there weren't any I had the money to drive and go see? Yeah, well I lied. The North Valley decided to be sneaky and announce on Thanksgiving day that they were playing at the Spedelli's benefit show yesterday. Freaking stoked you guys, but kind of didn't know what to do at the same time. This was definitely the FOURTH show in a row that my friend Emily and I had been to. As in four weekends in a row we have been going to see these guys play. That is a freaking month you guys. That could totally be thought of as creeper status. Heck, that is creeper status! It turned out to be a fun night though! We got to talk to some of the guys after the show, and they are all pretty darn rad. They are pretty much as cool as there music, which is pretty much the coolest thing on the planet. Just saying. Emily and I are hoping that they take a break this week from playing shows, so we don't reach level expert of creepers. That would be FIVE weekends in a row. Especially since in two weeks they are playing two shows. Are we going to both... duh.

 

On a completely random note, we had a mouse. I say had, because we finally caught it after a week of trying. They little thing was sneaky. I don't know how, but it just kept licking all the peanut butter off the traps without getting caught! He was lucky for a while, but then one of them snapped. I was very disappointed. My dad got one of those catch and release traps just for me, but of course it went for the deathly head snapper thing. Oh why little mouse couldn't you have gone for MY trap. I tried to save you, but you decided to go through the death row (aka like 5 deathly head snapper things) and you failed. I am sorry little mouse. RIP.

 

I hope everyone has had a fabulous Thanksgiving break, and a fantastic Sunday. I know I sure have! 

From Finner

Whoo! It is Monday, which means it is time for another Music Monday post. Now I promised you that I wouldn't choose any more Grouplove or The North Valley songs for a while, so here is to keeping that promise.

 

This week I am giving Of Monsters and Men a little love, because they are also a favorite of mine. I honestly can't remember the first time I heard them. All I know is that it was sometime this past summer, and they instantly stole my heart. So here is my favorite Of Monsters and Men song at the moment.

 

 

"From Finner" by Of Monsters and Men

 

Remember how I said I was obsessed with names like Finley and Finner recently. Well I blame this song. I just think the collaboration of every one's voices in this band are phenomenal. I just can't stop listening to them. They are the band on your ipod that no matter what you can't skip their songs when they come up on shuffle. They are just awesome. I was actually thinking of driving to Colorado with one of my friends to see them play. They are THAT good. At least I think so. I hope you enjoy.

 

For each song I choose, I am going to try and find a GOOD live version of the song. I just always find a deeper respect for artists when they sound just as good live as they do on a recording.

 

Yesterday I promised pictures, so here are some photos of my life lately via Instagram. Enjoy!

1. Letter from one of my kids at work. This is why I love my job!
2. We had Kim's Cold-blooded Creatures come and give a presentation at work last week. After she is done giving the presentation she lets all the kids (and adults) hold all the animals. No worries, the snake was only like FORTY pounds. No big deal.
3. Cutest little tree frog on the planet!
4. The North Valley... duh
5. STOKED out of my mind for my new concert tee!
6. Mr. Skeleton Head. This is my lucky shirt. I wore it to the concert on Friday. One of the bands had black lights throughout their set. Lets just say my shirt was unreal!
7. Richins siblings going to church. Yeah, I know what you are thinking! We are one attractive bunch. 

Have a marvelous Monday!

My Weekly Pinterst Roundup

light

what to wear
 when i'm a mama

b&w inspiration

boys take notes

Well there is that. These are the things that inspired me this week. I find it crazy that just a photo can inspire you to either create something, or do something amazing. I think that is the only reason I continue to use Pinterest. I find so much inspiration on there. It is quite lovely.

 

I had one of the best weekends I have had in a really long time this past weekend. Everything really was just perfect. It isn't like anything extremely spectacular happened. It was just a good weekend, and nothing went wrong.

 

I was kind of nervous about this weekend mainly because of things that had happened earlier in the week, and because of possibly outcomes I knew could happen. I was kind of stressing out about it the whole week. I knew it wasn't something that I should stress about, so throughout the week I decided that I wasn't going to be upset with anything that happened. I wasn't going to expect anything, and I wasn't going to be upset if things didn't go my way. I know that is why I had such an amazing weekend. I just decided to stay postive no matter what, and because of that everything was great!

 

On Friday I drove down to Provo to go to a concert at Muse Music Cafe. I was super excited because a) I got to see one of my best friends that I haven't seen in forever, and b) I was going to see The North Valley play again (have I mentioned how awesome they are?). From the start I knew it was going to be an amazing night. Remember earlier in the week when I said I accidently added some random guy on Facebook? Yeah, well he played at this concert.... you guys, he is incredible! I seriously was just blown away with how good he was. I am definitely a fan, and plan on going to more shows. He is quite the performer. You can look up his fantastic music here. You can also look him up (Officer Jenny) on Facebook. I would highly recommend this.

 

Next up was Tighty Willis... I can't even describe them. They were also fantastic! The energy these guys had was unreal. They really just set the best mood, and the entire audience was just going crazy and having fun. They have very good music to dance to. I think that is half of why it was so great. Everyone was just dancing, and having an incredible time. It really was just unreal.

 

Last but definitely not least was The North Valley. This was seriously BY FAR the best show I had seen them play. Everyone was just dancing and singing along. It really makes a difference when you know the words to the songs that people are playing. It makes it a million times more enjoyable. They really are just so awesome you guys. Seeing them play once again was the perfect end of a fantastic night. I actually got one of their shirts this time! Whoo!

 

I hope everyone has had an amazing weekend. I definitely have. I will have pictures tomorrow! Yay!

Things I Love: Concerts

So if I had to pick one thing to be my favorite thing, it would probably be concerts. I absolutely love going to concerts! I always find that I am most happy at concerts, or just enjoying music. I am NOT musically inclined, but music has always been something that has been extremely important to me. I think it is important to everyone in some sense. I don't really know where I would be without music.

 

I guess I should try to explain why I love concerts so much. The truth is, I don't really know. It isn't something I can really describe. It is just something I feel. It is one thing to listen to music through speakers, or headphones. Listening to music live, like the band is in front of you, going crazy, and playing music... I seriously can't even describe it. I think I like it because you can SEE there passion. You see them play these songs, and you know that each one has a deeper meaning than you could ever even begin to understand. They wrote every single song for a reason, and because of some kind of experience. Music is life. It tells people's life stories. It is just crazy how you connect with someone you have never even met all because of some words and chords. It seriously boggles my mind! So I guess it is the passion.

 

I think another reason I love concerts is it is the only setting where I feel completely comfortable letting loose. I don't care what people think about me anymore. If I want to dance, I am going to dance. If I want to just stand there, I am just going to stand there. It is a time where it is just me, the band, and the crowd. It isn't about individual people. It is about all of us coming together as a group to enjoy something we all love. To feel the music, and just rock out!

 

I am not going to even try to figure out how many concerts I have been to. I seriously have lost count. I know it exceeds all my fingers and toes...by A LOT. I guess it is because concerts are the only thing that I think are worth my money. Concerts are one of the only things I am willing to spend money on. It's because I know the experience is always worth it. I usually don't go to concerts where I don't at least know one of the bands playing, and if I do the concert is usually only like $5 or something. Worth it right? It can either be a disaster, or it can be amazing! I haven't ever had an experience where I have gone to a concert, and didn't like AT LEAST one of the bands. Therefore, I am pretty much always willing to check it out.

 

I guess the reason I brought this up is because I go to a lot of concerts, and I post about a lot of concerts. It is something you will frequently see on my blog. Of course I have to talk about it afterward!

 

So yesterday I went to a concert. Haha You guys, it was fantastic AND I found a new awesome band. My friend and I traveled the long journey to Mojo's Cafe which is in Ogden. We both had never really been to Ogden before, and we were pleasantly surprised by the cute little town that it was. Of course it was practically a blizzard outside, so it felt like quite the accomplishment getting there in once piece, and ZERO close calls. Anyway, Mojo's is probably my favorite thing on the planet. It reminds me of Muse Music Cafe, but the people are nicer and more laid back. You walk back to where the stage is, and it is just a room full of tables, chairs, couches, awesome art, and cool lights. It seriously has one of the coolest atmospheres ever.

 

Here is something you probably don't know about me. One of my biggest dreams is to one day open a little coffee shop, and have a stage where I can invite local bands to come and play. If I needed a model of what I have in my mind, it would be Mojo's. It really is just awesome, and I plan on going to more shows there.

 

So my friend and I traveled all that way to go see The North Valley. Yes, that is the band I talked about last week. Yes, that is the band we say LAST weekend. Definitely don't see a problem with this... especially since the same friend and I are going to go see another one of their shows next weekend. Three weekends in a row seeing the same band... I pretty much see nothing wrong with this. You guys, they are so good! Like seriously, it is unreal. The guys are hilarious, and their music is kind of indescribable. I seriously have tried to explain it to people, and I just can't. You HAVE to listen to it yourself. They played with two other bands. Up first was Mermaid Baby. They were fantastic! It is just three guys, but they are awesome. Plus, the lead singer has pretty much the coolest hair on the planet. I love me some long curly hair. We have already discussed how this is a problem. Anyway, they played first and then it was The North Valley's turn. I definitely loved them a lot more this time than I did at Kilby Court, which is saying A LOT because I love them. I have only seen two other bands multiple times (Thrice and Flyleaf), and they were both over the space of several months or a year. I have never seen the same awesome band two weekends in a row. I don't know why, but it really makes it so much more fun! It is like you recognize how each band member feels the music, and it is funny to see that they always act the same. I don't really know how to explain it. It is just enjoyable. Plus, the played "Dianthus" which is one of my favorite songs by them. I don't think they play it that often, because the song is like seven minutes long. Haha It was so good though! My friend Emily and I are also obsessed with the song "Riverside", so it was so fun getting to hear that. I think the best part is we are still learning the music, and it is getting more fun now that we are starting to learn the words to their songs, and knowing which song is which. I don't know people! It was just so much fun!!

 

The last band to play was called Hectic Hobos... they were interesting. Haha They are insanely good musicians, but we both weren't digging the guys voice. We left after a couple of their songs.

 

Well I guess all that's left is to show you some instagram pics of the event. That is kind of a must right?

 Mermaid Baby

The North Valley

 

I will also leave you with this link to watch The North Valley singing "Riverside." I seriously have had this on repeat since they posted it on Twitter a couple days ago. It is sooo good!

P.s- Sorry I am not smart enough to get the video on here. Anyone know how to do that?