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

June 2014 Favorites

It is officially July, people, and that means a couple of things...the first being, "Holy crap! We're halfway through summer" and the second is that it is time for June favorites!!!

I am too excited about showing y'all my favorites for the past month and I'm not so sure why because to be perfectly honest I haven't really found anything new this month and really didn't buy all that much (something  I'm kinda proud of actually) but I've managed to keep tabs on some of my most loved products this month so let's get to it!

Beauty

Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation

This stuff has been an absolute dream against this summer heat. I actually mentioned picking this foundation up when I wrote my Beauty Breakdown post on primers back in March when that pesky polar vortex was still hanging about and I still think Rimmel made a mistake with their timing of the release of this product. Back when the snow was flying I was totally unimpressed but now that the sun is beating down I am in love. 

Definitely worth a try if you're looking for a foundation that will work with you through the heat.

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
Sticking with the theme of summertime sweat-proof makeup, I have been hitting the setting spray hard this month. I love that I can just spray this stuff all over my face before heading out the door and have my makeup stay put until I want it to come off. Is that what we all want in the first place?

Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray
So when it comes to beach/sea salt sprays I'm a total non-believer...that is until this little guy showed up in my June Ipsy Glam Bag! I figured I would give it a shot so I sprayed it in my damp hair before pulling it up in a bun and hopping in the pool one day. Now, I have naturally wavy hair but its mostly crappy, frizzy little waves that are anything but VS Fashion Show worthy but when I took my hair down that evening it was a whole other story. I had volume and waves Alessandra Ambrosio would have killed for, possibly. Also, this is the first beach spray I've tried that actually smells summery and beachy rather than eau de Dead Sea. A huge thumbs up for me, so much that I am seriously considering picking up the full size from Ulta.

Secret Scent Expressions Pasion de Tango
Is it weird to talk about a deodorant in your monthly favorites? I'm gonna say no.
I have used the Secret Scent Expressions for years, like I'm pretty sure it's the only deodorant I've ever used but I usually stick to my comfort zone of vanilla or cocoa butter. That is until I decided to give this mango scented one a try. Let's just say I've been sweating up a storm and this sucker is definitely doing its job.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
I have been battling some serious breakouts this summer which I think is caused by a moisturizer, which I have since quite using, that was for dry skin (which I definitely deal with). Everything would be fine when I put it on after taking my makeup off at night but by the time I would wake up in the morning my face would feel like a oil slick only to go back to desert sands once I washed my face.
Well, I can say goodbye to all that struggle now that I have this stuff. It says oil free at the very top but this wash feels like a great oily balm, which I really like. My face doesn't feel dry after using it and it takes my makeup off and keeps my skin clear. A win-win if you ask me.

Fashion

AE Wild Heart and Love Thy Selfie Graphic Ts

I have lived in these American Eagle Graphic Ts this month. They are super soft and I just love the graphics plus the Wild Heart one is a boyfriend fit which makes it the perfect T to throw on over a swim suit or to just lounge around in. Both shirts are currently on Clearance over at ae.com so be sure to check them out along with all of the other awesome graphic Ts on the site.

Everything Else 

Music - Ed Sheeran "X"

Ohmygod if you haven't heard this album (pronounced "Multiply") then I don't know how you've managed to keep it together this summer because it is AHMAYZING! I got a Spotify notification sent to my phone the day the album was released and I have been listening to it on repeat ever since. No lie.

I'm a HUGE Ed Sheeran fan, in case you couldn't tell already, and I have to say that he in no way, shape, or form disappointed with his second album. I love that every song is so signature Ed and I just can't stop listening. Some of my favorites from the album are "Don't" (which is also my most listened to song on Spotify, which is quiet a feat), "Afire Love", "Nina", and "Thinking Out Loud."

I highly recommend you give the whole thing a listen because it is simply a work of art.

Netflix Must-See - Orange is the New Black

I did it! I hopped on the bandwagon and binge watched the first season of Orange is the New Black just days before the second season was released and I haven't looked back. I regret nothing.

This show is unlike anything else out there and while it is intended for mature audiences I highly recommend you hop on too. The series takes an in depth look into the lives of several (diverse) women in this countries prison system. That description is exactly what kept me from watching at first because I didn't really feel like the next "Locked Up" or "Scared Straight" was what I wanted out of my Netflix subscription but this show is so much more. I say the show is unlike any other because of the diversity of the actors and emotional drive that derives from a a female driven story line that centers around the experiences of these women with little male intervention.
Definitely a Must-See. Bravo, Netflix...now I'm just counting down the days until House of Cards returns.

Movie - The Fault in Our Stars
If you didn't see this one coming then I don't know if we can still be friends...just kidding, sort of. This movie is probably going to be on everyone's favorites this month but I couldn't just not feature it.

So, my sister came into town the weekend TFiOS was released and we decided to make a day of it and go shopping and catch a matinee showing of the movie before she headed back home early in the week. I did not realize what I had gotten myself into, I mean I read the book...in 5 hours...on Valentine's Day, which resulted in me bawling my eyes out at 5 in the morning so I was totally prepared for the story line. I was not, however, prepared for the mess my sister was going to be in. Not only did she freak out at the theater manager for opening late but she started crying before the opening scene had even ended. Our friend Ashley joined us which resulted in me laughing through out the whole movie because she decided to bring a half pint of  Ben & Jerry's ice cream with her so that ultimately ended with my sister freaking out in the middle of her tear-driven hysteria and yelling at us both.
So aside from the mega meltdown, I have to say that this movie exceeded my expectations and had me walking out of the theater begging for Looking for Alaska to be made into a movie...a wish that, in case you didn't know, is totally coming true. John Green, you genius, you.

YouTube - ViviannaDoesMakeup
Oh my god, guys. Let me tell you about this adorable little nugget I found on YouTube this past month.

Her name is Anna (short for Vivianna, I'm guessing) and she is absolutely precious! I discovered her channel through one of the little side bars on another channel and decided to give her May Favorites a view. I was hooked before she even said "Hello." I've went through all of her most recent videos since and just relate so well to her. I love when some of our favorite products match up and love it even more when I find a recommendation on her channel that I just have to have (I may have picked up Mindy Kaling's book immediately after watching her June Favorites video). 

I hope you've enjoyed this look into my favorites from the month of June, I already can't wait for what July might have in store.

until next time, darlings.
xo
Merisa

Graduation Playlist

By this time tomorrow I will officially be a college graduate and to commemorate this momentous occasion (and dip my foot back in the water since I haven't blogged in what seems like ages)

I've put together a little Spotify playlist with my favorite graduation songs for all those end-of-the-year parties and any blow-outs featuring the Class of 2014. 

Check out my Spotify profile here: merisa23

 or just listen to the playlist below.

I may have gotten a little carried away but it is what it is. Haha
I hope you enjoyed it.

until next time, lovelies

xo

Merisa

PS: Congrats, fellow graduates. I couldn't find it on Spotify but I couldn't have a graduation playlist without this song...

"Never Grow Up" - Timeflies ft. Loggy and Mike Stud.

Follow Friday

Hey guys! 

So apparently I decided to take a little blogging break over Spring Break this year, even though I had every intention to do the opposite. But oh well, I'm here now and I thought since I'm away I would do a quick Follow Friday post. 

However, this is gonna be a little different from my previous Follow Friday posts...this one's just going to be a shameless plug! :) 

Because, really, if you like what we've got going on here at Monogrammed Magnolias then I would like to think that you'd love my other social media outlets so let's get to it!

Twitter!

You can follow me, @angelmerisa23 by clicking this link ---> Follow Me!

I love Twitter and think it's a great way to keep up to date on everything from Awards Season, March Madness, or what the girl in front of you in Stats class is really thinking. Plus, Twitter has turned into my main news source nowadays. That's how I found out that my childhood favorite band's lead singer had a baby...and made a video about it...which you should so totally watch below! 

(I know that's incredibly random but it's gone crazy viral and I wanted to include it, 

plus it's is seriously the cutest thing ever!)

Instagram!

Hi, my name's @angelmerisa23 and I'm addicted to Instagram. 

I try not to be a typical white girl but sometimes you've just gotta post a lunch time pic...plus, I'm obsessed with photo editing so if your Starbucks pic features some cool filter or frame it'll probably get a like from me no matter what. 

Pinterest!

I know I throw this phrase around a lot but I am...OBSESSED with Pinterest! Like seriously, it's kinda crazy...I've got over 50 boards and 7K+ pins...that means you should definitely follow me!

SIDE NOTE: I started this post then the Kansas State/UK game came on and it's no longer Friday but I am determined to get this post together...perseverance is the motto! By the way, we're winning! Go CATS!

Tumblr!

Tumblr is like my guilty pleasure...which is probably what every Tumblr user says but it's also like my baby blog and where I go to complain to the internet without fear of my grandma seeing it...thanks, Facebook.

 follow me at angelintheoutfield.tumblr.com

Spotify!

This is a crazy one because honestly I don't think a lot of people know about Spotify but I've had it for like years now and it's like the best of both worlds between Pandora and iTunes...a music library with literally every type of music ever! I'm not so sure how the whole music sharing stuff goes with Spotify but they recently made it to where you can download their app to your phone (I've been using the desktop version until now) and listen to playlists on the go. You can check out my playlists that range from my obsession with anything British to music for my Southern Belle soul! 

to check out my Spotify playlists click THIS LINK!

 Thanks so much guys I hope you've enjoyed this peek into my social media world, feel free to follow me on any of the sites mentioned! Thanks!

until next time, darlings

xo

Merisa