What My Ears Have Been Loving

I was putting together a list of my favorites for this month like I usually do when I realized that the music category was overflowing. So, I decided that was worthy of discussing. 

My music taste is normally very varied but I have been especially all over the place lately, and I love it!

I have bounced between bright country by the pool, light acoustic ballads while writing, and guitar ridden pop-punk anthems when I just need to dance it out. 

All of that has made for quite the soundtrack so here are some of my absolute stand-out favorites.

Jamie Lynn Spears - "The Journey"

Yep, that's right, Zoe 101 has followed in big sis Brit's footsteps and started releasing music but there's a catch. She's got her own voice and is turning up the Southern charm on the country scene.
Being an avid Britney fan myself, I was so excited when little Jamie Lynn decided to release her first single a couple month's ago with How Could I Want More. This EP just screams Monogrammed Magnolia and that right there should be enough for y'all to go give it a listen asap! My absolute favorite is the song Run but all 5 tracks are incredible. Congrats, Jamie Lynn! I can't wait to here more!

LIGHTS - Siberia (Acoustic)

So, I'm not entirely sure how I found this album but it is nothing short of amazing! I knew of LIGHTS from Tumblr but had never heard any of her music so initially I thought this type of folky-acoustic ballads was her thing, come to find out she's actually more electro-pop-rock (whatevs) and that this album was actually a re-release. I had already fallen in love with the album before going back and checking out the original versions of the songs and I have to say they all sound better acoustic. The lyrics are soulful and fun and feel like they were written to be acoustic so it is so hard for me to enjoy the original versions in retrospect but I just cannot stop listening to the acoustic versions. The title track, Siberia, is amazing and was stuck in my head for like a week straight this month. Don't forget to check out Banner and Flux and Flow as well!

Miranda Lambert - Platinum
I am usually not the biggest fan of country music but that kick ass performance from Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood on the Billboard Music Awards turned me into a believer. First of all, they are two of the hottest women on the planet and they make Somethin' Bad sound so good.
My friend played the song in the car a couple of weeks ago and I was just loving it so she played the whole album for me. I loved it so much I went straight home, found the album on Spotify and haven't stopped listening since. I think the way Miranda writes her songs is so unique and fun to listen that you can help but love her music. Some of my stand out faves are Platinum (aka What Doesn't Kill You Only Makes You Blonder, LOVE!), Little Red Wagon, Priscilla (a letter to Priscilla Presley asking for advice), and the Monogrammed Magnolias Anthem - Another Sunday in the South.

Ed Sheeran - X (Multiply)
So, you might remember I mentioned this album in my favorites for last month...well, I'm still listening to it and I don't see the end in sight because it is that good. To read more about my love for X check out my June Favorites. All my favorite songs are still the same and I'm seriously considering having "Thinking Out Loud" played at my imaginary wedding so there's that.

5 Seconds of Summer 
5SOS Fam, rejoice! It's here, it's here, it's finally here!
Yes, that would be me freaking out alongside millions of teenage girls on a Directioner level of madness...no shame. Thanks to the wonder that is the internet I've been waiting for this album to come to America for the past two years. It's such a fun album that I'm going to dare to say it was worth the wait. I love that it reminds me a bit of my obsession with bands like All Time Low and Mayday Parade from high school but in a newer way. Some of my favorites from the album are 18, Long Way Home, Beside You, and the acoustic version of Don't Stop.

You can check out all of these albums and a few extras on my What My Ears Have Been Loving Playlist on my Spotify profile at merisa23 or down below.

-Spotify Playlists-
In case you haven't caught on, I'm a huge fan of Spotify and an even bigger fan of their playlists. Whenever I'm in a music slump or just can't find something to suit my mood Spotfiy is there to rescue me with one of their playlists. I've listed some of my current favorite playlists down below so be sure to check them out.
Afternoon Acoustic
Girls' Night
Back2College
Running High Tempo > 140 BPM
 (They have so many workout playlists that are catered to specific exercises it was hard to pick just one but this is my favorite treadmill playlist.)

Leave a comment below letting me know your favorite song from July or your favorite Spotify playlist, I'd love to hear from you!

until next time,
xo
Merisa

Big News!!!

Hey guys! I've got some very exciting news to share with you today that will hopefully also explain my short leave of absence (even though y'all are probably used to it by now, sorry bout that!)...

I've started a YouTube channel!!!

YAAAASSSSS!!!

Let me just start out by saying that YouTube is one of the most exciting/scariest ventures I've ever started...like ever! First of all, filming yourself doing anything is a little nerve racking. Filming yourself in a quiet dorm room where you just know your hallmates are listening to you talk to yourself is a whole other level. 

But...I'm a huge fan of all things YouTube and probably watch more videos than actual tv and Netflix combined, which is really saying something. Honestly, I've wanted to do this for a really long time and even made a failed attempt at a first video back in February...which was taken down due to a glitch. 

Thanks to Dani being the great friend that she is I don't think I managed to embarrass myself too badly on that one as she so kindly pointed out the glitch...which went on for like 10 minutes, not pretty.

I was inspired by another Dani...daniaustin2 to be exact...and her YouTube channel when she posted the TMI Tag video. At the end of her video she tagged those watching to do the same thing and film their own video. It looked like so much fun that I did just that.

Now, mind you its not the best quality in the world as I did just film it on my computer but to be perfectly honest I'm pretty proud of it. It took some guts...especially seeing as I may or may not sing an excerpt of a Taylor Swift song somewhere along the line. eeeep!

But I figured I would let you all know that it's out there on the world wide web if you wanna take a look...so go watch me talk about what love really is, yeap...there's some deep points right out of the gate but then there's Troyler and 5 Seconds of Summer all over the place too!

Also, I've got a lot of ideas for future videos (including one that might go up as soon as tomorrow!) but if you have any suggestions they will be greatly appreciated and you can leave your thoughts below or on the video itself which is right here:

Let me know what you think, lovelies!

until next time, darlings.

xo

Merisa

What We Love Wednesday!

Ahhhh! I feel like it has been forever since I did a proper What We Love Wednesday...

probably because it kinda has been but I've had so many great things come into my life lately that I just had to share so here we go!

- Essie On a Silver Platter-
You've probably heard this before but I am obsessed with nail polish...Essie nail polish to be more specific and I honestly believe I have found my favorite glitter polish ever, which as you will know is quiet a feat. Wanna know how I know this polish is really great? Of course you do, that's why you're ready this. Duh! Well, On A Sliver Platter is one of those glitter polishes that is so pretty it distracts me when I'm writing. Seriously, I actually stopped in the middle of my Modern History exam just to admire my own nail polish...a little vain but whatever, it made me really happy! haha
I don't know what it is exactly but this polish is really great because it has a shiny base that's almost opaque shimmery gold with blue glitter in varying sizes that's just really eye catching. This also makes a really great top coat for School Boy Blazer, which might actually be my favorite polish ever...which is really saying something.

-NYX lip butters-
I have heard so much about these things over the years and really just brushed them off until I spotted them in Ulta and decided to give 'em a try. I regret nothing.
These suckers are awesome! I have two, in Apple Strudel and Cupcake, and need more desperately (by need I mean want, of course). I swear they smell like vanilla or just sweetness in general (I'm awful with describing scents, you'll hear more about that in a second.) Apple Strudel is this really fun peachy color while Cupcake is a hot pink that leans more on the red side, both really great for spring and summer.
They're really opaque for glosses but they're also good for layering over other lip products like my Revlon Color Burst Matte Balms. I'm currently stalking Ulta's site trying to decide what colors I want next...I'm leaning toward Maple Blondie and Red Velvet at the moment. ;)
Keep a look out for these products in my upcoming post about my favorite lip colors for Spring!

- Gucci Guilty Black-
For my birthday back in October, I was determined to treat myself to a new perfume during my girls' birthday weekend-away. So, I waltzed into Sephora and spent a ridiculous amount of time scouring the bright display of crazy insanity that is the fragrance section. After exhausting my nose and using up every sense I had (and probably testing the sales girl's patience too) I decided to be a bit of a badass and go for the sleek black and red bottle of Gucci Guilty Black.

I'm really bad at describing scents (if you couldn't tell from above) so I checked out Sephora's site to see what they had to say about it,
 "The Guilty Black lovers bring out the most scandalous sides of each other: alone they are magnificent, together irrepressible. Fearless in their passion, they are brazen, shameless, unpredictable—ready for each and every explosive encounter. Their attraction is instinctive: they go where they sense danger and each other. 
Too much is never enough for young hedonists, who drive each other to stray ever darker. Life is thrilling and meant to be lived to the fullest. Again and again, they give in to pleasure and the excitement of breaking the rules. 
Gucci Guilty Black is a sensual oriental floral, inviting you to indulge in your burning desires."

 Can I just say that reading that automatically brings the word "badass" to my mind...exactly what I was thinking when I made this purchase and I love that! 
To be perfectly honest, I'm not a badass...in case you couldn't tell from, well, any of my previous posts. I started to feel like the scent didn't really fit my personality very well. (Sidenote: scents are supposed to fit your personality, right?) I left the fragrance alone for a little while, just letting it chill on my dresser until one day I decided to get some use out of it. Spraying it reminded me of the fun and determined time I was having during that period in my life and I'm loving that now. I truly believe that scents connect deep in our memories so I highly suggest going out and finding a fragrance to connect with a great memory...it's definitely worth it.

-My Kate Spade Bag-
If you saw my last post then you've probably already heard about my new Kate Spade bag so I won't bore you with too much droning on about it but I will say that I absolutely, positively adore it!
It seriously might just be the cutest thing I've ever owned (aside from my puppy) and I treat it like a child. Seriously, I knocked it into the corner of the Bridge on campus the other day and almost had a heart attack. It's that serious, people. I've officially become that girl!
It will most likely be my forever favorite but I will spare you by just posting it this one last time.

My sister was an absolute gem last weekend and picked me up a kick-butt iHome (it spins!) from her work last weekend and I have been playing music like crazy in the room so I've got quiet a few favorites this week.

-Iggy Azalea "Fancy"-
If you haven't seen this video then I highly suggest you click the link above and prepare yourself for the ultimate throwback!
In the video, my ultimate hairspiration and Aussie girl crush brings back Cher and the gang in her version of Clueless. It's seriously amazing, check it out below and get ready to dance around your dorm room.

You can also check out the song and a lot more on my Spotify playlist below or by checking out my Spotify profile by clicking THIS LINK :)

-5 Seconds of Summer-
Now for something a little toward the other end of the spectrum...a pop-punk band that toured with One Direction. They're from Australia, I discovered them on YouTube, and they are absolutely adorable. There's really not much more I can say than that but you've got to check them out. I've linked some of my favorite songs below (including their latest video)...

"She Looks So Perfect" - 5 Seconds of Summer

-House of Cards-
TGFN!!! That's short for Thank God for Netflix because without it I would never have been introduced to this amazing show. As you probably already know, I'm a history/political science nerd so of course a show that chronicles the internal affairs of both the Capitol and the White House are right up my alley!
Also, it's a serious nail biter (that season 2 premiere tho!) and, as is custom with Netflix. you have the opportunity to binge watch as each season is released collectively instead of by episode.

I'm not proud of this fact but I may have watched the entire first season and most of the second in like 2 days...but I've managed to convince myself to slow down as this is a show that is meant to be savored not devoured. What makes it even better is that the two main characters are Southerners who rose to the top (they even take a trip to South Carolina in a few eps) and aren't afraid to put up a fight. Claire Underwood looks like she has some Monogrammed Magnolia spirit deep in her if you ask me.
Consider it the West Wing with a lot more spice. Now go head over to Netflix and check it out if you're not already hooked.

I hope y'all liked this look into my favorites this week! Comment below with your favorites or let me know your thoughts on some of the things I mentioned above.

until next time, darlings.
xo
Merisa


PS: confession...I actually made this post last week but forgot to schedule it for last Wednesday so sorry if some of this stuff is a little played...it's only been a week though! xo