My Christmas & Birthday Wishlist

Everyone has been asking what I want for Christmas and my birthday, which is December 31st. I can never think of anything off the top of my head, so I started a little list as I saw or thought of things I liked. It was kinda fun, and I definitely came up with an interesting mix. 

1. Bake and Destroy Good Food for Bad Vegans by Natalie Slater looks like it has some awesome yummy recipes in it from what I've seen on a few different blogs. I'm not a vegan, but I do go through phases and usually in the New Year I try to always be healthier like everyone else.

2. Record Player. I love this floral one, but any will do. I somehow broke ours and it only plays really slow and weird. I really miss listening to vinyl, and I want Amelia to enjoy it too.

3. You've Got Mail on DVD. This is one of my favorite movies and I can't find it in stores anywhere! Seriously, this is a classic movie I don't understand why I can't find it!

4. Gnarly Whale Products. I want everything from this shop, but I think I will love all the bubble gum and cotton candy scented items. They even have holiday scented items like sugar plum and candy cane! I also like that they are vegan! Since becoming a mom I've been thinking more and more about the things we put on or in our bodies at the Miller house.

5. Bee and Puppycat sweater or a t-shirt. I am in love with Bee and Puppycat! I've only seen one episode, and I can't for them to make more! We Love Fine Tees makes lots of cute nerdy things that I love...ummm...hello MLP leggings! I could probably get my whole wardrobe from their site!

6. Perma on Vinyl. I love this record by Sherri and Max Bemis! It's cute and upbeat, and who doesn't love songs about falling in love?!

7. Pokemon X. I've never played a Pokemon game! What you say?! It's true, but I've always wanted to. I heard you are supposed to start with Soul Silver or Heart Gold, but those games are super pricey these days...like $80! What are your opinions on Pokemon?

8. Toms Ballet Flats. It was love at first sight when I was this bright purple and pink ballet flats. I have a denim pair that I wore all throughout my pregnancy, but they just don't fit right anymore. As comfy as Toms are, I can't justify paying so much for them, but they are pretty.

9. Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils. I've been really working with watercolors, and I use the pencils to make my cards. I only have a small, very used set. I would like to upgrade to a professional set now that I've gotten used to using them all the time.

10. Sucre' Macarons. I've wanted to try a macaron forever, and there is no where in town that makes them! Sucre' is in New Orleans, but they ship macarons anywhere! I am tempted to just order a tiny package so I can finally say I've tried them....

What's on your wishlist? Do you make one for your family to see? I like seeing them, and making this one has been fun. Leave a link to you wishlist, I'd love to check it out!

On Repeat: Eisley

If you met me on the street, you would probably know that my favorite band is Eisley because I own at least five t-shirts and wear them all the time. My friend Brooke introduced me to Eisley in 2006 with Marvelous Things, which creates such a dreamy musical landscape that you can't help wanting to hear more.



The band members of Eisley are all related from Tyler, Texas and formed way back in 1997. They emerged on the Dallas music scene in 2001, and have since released four studio albums and numerous EPs.

I tried to catch them playing a few years ago when they released their third studio album The Valley, at SXSW where my husband was also playing. Sadly between running between my husband's shows, and the line to grab my RSVP pass I only got to listen from outside the venue.

Smarter is my favorite song off The Valley:



I finally got to see them live when they played here in Lubbock, and I bought tons of merch! Here are a few crummy iphone photos:

They just released their fourth studio album Currents, which is just as magical as all their other albums. You can definitely hear the progression of Eisley as a band, and the expansion of their musical prowess on this album. So far my favorite tracks are Save My Soul and Millstone.

Here is an acoustic session featuring songs off the new album:



If you just can't get enough, most of the members have side projects:

Sucre'

Perma

Rising Fawn

Favorite Albums of 2012

I remember the days I used to buy tons of music. Now a days, I am mostly hunting down vinyl and buying a few select records on itunes or while waiting in line at Starbucks. When did I get so picky? Here are few albums I've enjoyed this past year:

This was an album I picked up at Starbucks. In high school I was a huge Fiona Apple fan, and back then I could relate to her anger and angst. Sadly, this album hasn't found its way into my itunes library. I need to get on that, because I have a bad habit of scratching up cd's.

I was turned on to The Civil Wars by the song they did with Taylor Swift for The Hunger Games movie. This is a nice chill record that I like to put on while I work.

I actually bought this on vinyl for my husband. The first gift I ever bought my husband was a Shins cd (which we've lost). I've been on a mission to buy him all their albums on vinyl since we got a record player.

I'm in love with this album, and listened to it constantly. My husband on the other hand, can't stand it. I saw on twitter where they've started writing for their next album. Also, can't wait for the new Eisley release this year.

One of my old roommates has the best taste in music, and when he recommended this album I thought he was crazy. But I rocked out in my car most of the summer to this album with my windows down and hair trailing out the window like a rebellious high school kid.

Besides the new Eisley album, I am looking forward to the new Josh Ritter, Perma, and One Wolf albums coming out this year.

What albums were your favorite this past year? And what albums are you looking forward to in 2013?