A Thousand Miles to a Music Review

On December 21st, Tove Lo released her music video for her original song Thousand Miles, and I freaking love it. When I saw it on the YouTube popular music list, I instantly became intrigued thinking it was a cover of Vanessa Carlton's popular song A Thousand Miles, but I was totally surprised by what I got. Instead of an intro piano solo, I heard Tove Lo giving a speech about how hard it is to lose the ones we love and then her soothing voice in the ballad.

The song was off her album Queen of the Clouds, which was released in September of 2014 by the Swedish singer. Queen of the Clouds is Lo's follow up album to her debut EP, Truth Serum, which was released in Sweden in March of 2014. The song Habits (Stay High),  which also was featured on Queen of the Clouds, helped Lo gain popularity after being the first single released from the Truth Serum EP.

Popular song featuring Tove Lo

The singer has gain popularity for loving to show her body off at live performance and for her body self confidence. Tove Lo also gained popularity after being featured on Alesso's hit song Heroes (We Could Be), and for writing the song Scream My Name from the Mockingjay: Part 1 Soundtrack.

Queen of the Clouds is a concept album that is divided into three important parts: The Sex, The Love, and The Pain. Thousand Miles opens the section called The Pain with its thunderous electro pop power-ballad that depicts Lo's obsession to reunite with a lost love, even if she has to run "a thousand miles". The album is a story of a relationship she had from beginning to end, and was influenced by Tove Lo's personal experiences.

On the audio video, which was released in September 23,2014, on the Youtube page, ToveLoVevo, a comment is featured to say: "There's no good way to end things cause it's ending you know.. Passion comes with pain. Here's 'Thousand Miles', the song that brings me to tears and still lights that string of hope that "maybe we'll make it”…

Passion comes with pain...

When I found the video and listen to the song, I was blown away by how beautiful the music and Tove Lo's speech at the beginning of the video. The song really speaks to anyone that feel they are alone and that feel that no one will ever love them or want to be with them. People don't understand that love is hard work, it's not always a walk in the park. And this song definitely shows that you will and can do everything and anything to get the love of your life. 

If you too want to listen to the song, Thousand Miles Audio Video,  or watch the music video that featured a live performance by Tove Lo, Thousand Miles Live Music Video, all you have to do is hit the links!

Thanks for reading!

xx

Record Collection

How My Collection Started:

Growing up, I was extremely infatuated with everything that had to do with the sixties and seventies era. I loved everything from the clothing, the carefree movement, the punk area of the seventies, the historical people, and the music. I loved the music so much it caused me to want to collect vinyls. When I was between ten or twelve years old, I decided to start collecting records. 

The Monkees

This was my very first first album I got from First Monday in Canton, TX. My mom told me I could pick any record from the three dollar bin, and I really wanted something that reminded me of why I started my collection. That album shows my connection to the past. Of me growing up and wanting to be a hippie.

 Newest Additions to the Collection:

Awesome new find!

Artic Monkeys and Paramore

After I received my gorgeous record player from my dad and step mom, Robert informed me that part of my Christmas presents from him were new records to play with it. So on our Star Wars date day, we went to Half Priced Books to look at records and comic books. Both of these albums are newer albums of bands I really enjoy. The Artic Monkeys have such a groovy,funky sound to their music I felt I had to get the album, even though it was the most expensive one I received. It cost about $25. When I picked my other albums, two of them ended up being old school movies so I had to return them. I knew when we went to return the movies I would most likely get a Paramore album, and at first I was going to get Brand New Eyes. Since I loved pratically all the songs on the album. Then I locked eyes with something else. 
Oh no.

It was Paramore's album, RIOT!, which is my all time favorite Paramore album! The one I can seriously rock the hell out to! So after thinking it over for a hot minute, I said eff it I'm going to get it.

Personal Meaning:

Johnny Cash

My new turntable!

I'm not the biggest country music fan, but there's something about Johnny Cash's deep brooding voice that I've always adored. When my mom noticed how responsible and protective I was with my Monkees record, she gave me my grandfather's record collection. It included tons of country vinyls that I wasn't interested in, but the Johnny Cash albums sparked my interest in collecting tons of Johnny Cash albums. Now every time I look at records stores or book stores, I search for a Cash record I don't have. Not only that but Robert Earl also loves Johnny Cash, so he usually helps me with hunting them down. These records are important, since my grandfather's collection helped me start my collection. 

The Beatles

These records also have a very personal attachment to me. These records were given to me by my grandma who have had the records for years upon years. Unfortunately, the records may be unable to play because of water damage from a house flood. Even then, just the idea that I have a vintage record of my favorite Beatles record and my first Beatles CD, A Hard Days Night, is freaking awesome.

New Toto vinyl

Thanks for reading!

xx

A New Year and a New You!

After stuffing food down our throats, snacking on sweet treats, and buying everything we could get our hands on, it's time to rethink what is our lives about and change something up. It's time to become a step closer to the person we strive and want to be. Well with New Years Eve coming, its the perfect time to plan your resolutions and hopefully succeed them!

                                                          The Year of You

Happy New Years!

Its the year of believing in yourself, loving yourself, and doing everything to make you happy. 2016 isn't just another year, it's the year of success. I know you've probably had an awesome 2015, but its time for an even awesomer 2016.

Do you have any New Years Resolution? Mine include: Making myself happier, putting my family, friends, and fun first, do awesome at Texas Wesleyan and in Fort Worth, and to read more.

It doesn't matter how big or how small your resolution is our there. Reach for the stars, get the needed support and motivation from friends and family members, and make the year the best ever.Start by doing little things like writing down your goals or create a Pinterest/vision board, and then start figuring out ways to get closer to completing your resolutions. Its a new year, which means its time for new fun, new goals to achieve, and a new you!

Goodbye 2015

How to Achieve Your Goals:

Don't forget people get caught up in all the hype of what's cool at the moment and the newest trend, but you don't need to. A resolution isn't just trying to find a way to lose weight or to learn a new language, it's much more. It's a way to get closer to the person you                                                                                         want to be.

What you need to do is think about individual ways to get you a step closer to your goal. Don't get caught up in trying to look cool, get caught up in the importance of being you and making yourself happy. Nothing is too little or too big for you to achieve, because your happiest is the most important thing in the world.

So what are some of your resolutions?

What are you going to do to make 2016 the best year it can be?

Thanks for reading! And have a happy and safe new years!

         xx

Star Wars Movie Night

Had to get in a Star Wars selfie!

Star Wars has become a pretty big part of the relationship I'm currently in. Our first date was about four years ago to see Star Wars in 3D, which has caused us to constantly give each other Star Wars gifts or wear couple Star Wars matching shirts. So when commercials started popping up for The Force Awakens, we began planning the perfect date night to celebrate our relationship's connection to Star Wars.

Time to roll out of bed for Star Wars day!

Our day starts at 9:15 am with Robert constantly bugging me to get up and threatening me that if I don't get up then I can't get any new records. Of course, that popped me up in a heartbeat. After getting dressed, we herded through the door on our way to pick up Star Wars tickets and check out some records.

Later on around 1:30 pm, we roamed down to the Ridgmar mall to watch the film. The mall has a nice movie theater located inside called the RAVE, which has recently added new seating called Luxury Lounge. With luxury lounge seating, you have electronic-powered reclining seats, cup holders, footrests, and the seats are incredibly comfy. The cool part is that luxary lounge is only three dollars more than regular seating. 

"What do you want for Christmas, little boy?"

Since we arrived early to the theater, we were able to get goofy pictures with a DEADPOOL poster, some pictures in a photo booth, and were able to look at awesome movie posters for upcoming films.

Once they finished cleaning the theater room the film was being shown in we were able to sneak in to find our seats. Unfortunately, we picked the wrong seats so ten minutes after getting comfy-we had to get up. Good news, our actual seats were pretty good. The best part was they were electronic reclining chairs that were soooo comfy! And the view of the screen was even better than the original one.

Time for the force to be awaken

Our Tickets

Finally, after waiting forty-five minutes at the theater we heard the Star Wars theme playing through the surround sound system. It was so loud, yet blissful to the point I had to remind myself I'm in a movie theater not in Star Wars world. 

The movie was amazing. I loved everything from the funny moments, to watch Finn transform into the person he is now, to watching Kylo Ren's past connection with Princess (now General) Leia.

Everything was wonderful.

I would love to tell you more about this blockbuster movie, but I'm not one for spoilers. I will tell you there are some sad parts, and there are some hilarious parts. Along with adventure, things that make you sit on the edge of your seat, and if you're a Star Wars fan things that make you love the series even more. If you aren't a Star Wars fan or haven't seen much of the series, don't feel like you can't see The Force Awakens. The movie is great for any new or old Star Wars fan.

Thanks for reading and may the force be with you!

xx

Addiction to Candles

Photo credited of Holidaywallpapers.com

For those that don't know I have a huge addiction to candles. I'm constantly buying new candles or requesting candles for birthday or Christmas presents. I love candles so much that I'm constantly smelling candles at stores, burning two candles with similar smells together, and have helped Robert grow an addiction to candles. Now, Robert is constantly burning candles or requesting to burn candles.

The shaving set Robert has

Shaving Cream Candle

This first candle was a little surprise to help fuel Robert's candle addiction. 

Robert has tons of cool old school and new school barber shop tools. He has different razors, clippers, and a shaving kit that has an old school look to it. So when I found a Bromley Barber Shop & Co. candle that had a shaving cream scent to it, I knew Robert would love it! I found the candle at Burlington (It was my first time at Burlington!) in their home decor section sitting beside the pine scented Yankee candles. The candle was about $4.99, which is pretty good price for a product that is priced $19.99 on certain websites. 

The candle has a vanilla shaving cream scent, and smells a lot like basic shaving cream you can buy for two bucks. When I smell the candle, I don't really smell the vanilla scent to it. Not trying to diss the scent, I do love it! The thing I love most is the packaging. The soy candle wax is hand poured into a purpley mason jar that looks red when the candle is burning. 

Yankee Candles:

Yankee candles are some of the most popular candles, yet I've had a few Yankee candles. Before Christmas with my dad and Jenn (my step mom), the only Yankee candles I've ever had was one from Halloween. Well, this year my step mom decided to stock me up with some Yankees. Some of the candles I got recently was a huge 20 oz Pineapple scented two-wick candle and a 17 oz Pine scented three-wick candle. I don't know how much the Pineapple candle was, but on the Yankee candle site you can get it for about $15 to $30 (depending on the size of the candle). The Pine candle that I bought from Burlington was originally priced for $9.99, but all Christmas products were 50% off. After the discount was taken off, I got the candle for about $4.95. Something I recently learned about the Yankee candles is their 22 oz candles can last up from 110 to 150 hours.

20 oz Pineapple Yankee Candle

Salted Caramel Popcorn

This tiny tin was a steal from a dollar store

When I grabbed this candle from the bag the first thing out of my mouth was "What the hell is this?". When I saw the tin, I thought it was a tin of salted caramel popcorn as a stocking stuffer item. I like caramel popcorn, but I'm not really a fan of salted caramel products so I opened the tin to check it out better. What I found wasn't a bag of popcorn, but a light brown one-wick candle that smelled okay. But when I got home and burned the candle with a Apple Pumpkin Pancake from Bath and Body Works, the smell of the candle was intensified a million times more. The candle smelled so amazing!

                                 Owl

This last candle is one I probably will never use, but will keep as a decoration. The candle is tiny with a faint coffee smell to me, but what I love about the candle is it's a tiny little owl. Thank goodness, it smells like coffee and not owl poop.

Are you a fan of candles if so, what kind of candles do you like?

Thanks for reading and have a merry Christmas!

Jensen Turntable Review

The one thing I really asked for on my wish list was a record player. When you have a record collection, you hope for the ability to listen to your favorite records. Kinda hard to do when you don't have a record player, when my step mom asked for my wish list in big letters was: RECORD PLAYER.
When Robert and I had our Christmas, he decided to be a turd and tell me "None of us could find a record player that was affordable, so we didn't get you one". At the time, I really believed him and was extremely disheartened. So I made my mind that if I didn't get a record player from anyone for Christmas, I would get me one.

Until I got to my dad's and saw a pretty good sized box. When my step mom informed me it was on my side of the Christmas stash, the only thing I could think of was, that's my record player. On Monday, we had our Christmas. I ripped through everything, took my time to cherish the moments, until it was time to rip open the possible record player. Guess what, it was! A gorgeous ruby red Jensen record player waiting to be played.


The belt-driven 3-speed stereo turntable features a USB port with a cable to convert vinyl records to a digital format. With the help of an included auxiliary input jack with cable to connect with an iPod, MP3 player, or other portable digital audio players. The package also includes software for recording, editing, and converting audio content from the turntable into a MP3 format to later listen to. The sound of the turntable is great and clear with the help of built in speakers. Depending where you buy the product, the turntable cost between $60 and $80. The one my parents bought me was about $65 from Jet.com (Amazon's biggest competitor).

Since this is my first turntable, I have to get used to using the automatic return tone arm and needle. I have to learn the correct position to place the needle, so I can listen to the full song and not start near the middle of it.

Unfortunately, the record player I received was messed up during shipping and processing. The mess up caused the rotation to slow down at times, which caused the sound to be warped. Either way, I had to send the player back to return it. In two or three weeks, I hope to see a huge box sitting on my doorstep with a turntable ready to be played!

Thanks for reading!

Weekly Obsessions: December 16th to the 23rd

Well its time for my weekly obsessions between the week of December 16th to the 23rd.

Music Mash Ups

Here lately I've been listening to tons of music mash ups between multiple popular songs. It all started when I heard a remix of Troye Sivan's song Happy Little Pill. After the song ended a mash up between a popular song by Sia and Happy Little Pill popped up. And thats when the obsession began.

Now when I popped onto some tunes its usually multiple mash ups, but my top three favorite mashups are La La La vs. Alive by Rick Mashups, Thinking Hello Out Loud by DJ Pyromania 2, and United States of Pop: 50 Shades of Pop by DJ Earworm.

If you would like to take a listen, then here you go:

La La La vs. Alive by Rick Mashups:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdA41nGPkys

Thinking Hello Out Loud by DJ Pyromania 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewqaruyYBpI

United States of Pop 2015:

50 Shades of Pop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfFEhd7mk7c

Tennis Court
Flume Remix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ATu1BiOPZA

The remix of Happy Little Pill that started this addiction was Casper Zazz's remix.Another great remix that helped fuel my addiction was Flume’s remix of Tennis Court by Lorde.

My Christmas Presents

So far, I've had Christmas with my beast friend, boyfriend, and with my family in Fort Worth. And everything I've gotten has been wonderful! From all the smell good bathing products, the cute clothes, the Betsey Johnson bags, jewelry, and my record player. I am truly spoiled by my wonderful family members and have loved every second of it. I thank everyone for everything they got me, because this has been one of the best Christmases.

My Record Player

Speaking of Christmas presents, the one thing I really asked for on my wish list was a record player. I collect records, but have no way to listen to my collection. So I asked everyone in the book for a record player. When Robert and I had our Christmas, he decided to be a turd and tell me "None of us could find a record player that was affordable, so we didn't get you one". At the time, I really believed him and was extremely disheartened. 

Until I got to my dad's and saw a pretty good sized box. When my step mom informed me it was on my side of the Christmas stash, the only thing I could think of was: that's my record player. On Monday, December 20th, we had our Christmas. I ripped through everything, took my time to cherish the moments, until it was time to rip open the possible record player. Guess what, it was! A gorgeous ruby red Jensen record player waiting to be played.

  My new Betsey Johnson bag

I'm not the biggest purse/ bag fan, but I absolutely love anything that is designed by Bestsey Johnson. Before we left for Christmas in Fort Worth, Robert informed me that I shouldn't collect anymore Betsey bags, but my family thought differently. So after my grandma got some help from my step mom, Jenn, to get my Christmas gift. She was able to find a gorgeous bag. When I peeked in my Christmas bag, a white medium sized Betsey Johnson purse with white metal bows on the front sat inside it. 

Adult Coloring Books

When I first heard about adult coloring books, I thought the concept was great but would it really help someone? Until I bought one for fun at Target. After that Robert and I always make time to color together, it's become extreme calming and joyful.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The Force Awakens is the first film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy announced after Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in October 2012. The film was directed and written by J.J. Abrams, and was the first installment that he was a part of. The film was perfect for any old and new fans of the Star Wars series. I loved everything about it! There was some sad parts, but I wasn't closely attached to the character to have my heart broken. And the ending makes you hope and prepare for the next installment.

The movie was extremely important for my boyfriend and I, since the first date we went on was to see Star Wars episode one in 3D. Now four years later, we get the chance to watch the newest Star Wars movie together!

Well that's my weekly obsessions! What are some of yours, and what did you get for Christmas?

Thanks for reading!

Very Cheerful Callamore Christmas

My present from Jalan

Recently, my best friend and I had our Christmas special, A Very Cheerful Callamore Christmas. And now its time for us to show you what happened during this special time.

During this time,Jalan and I opened gifts from each other and tried different Christmassy sweet treats.

Lets dig into these presents,Jalan what did you get?

Jalan:
Well! I received three pairs of very cute and cozy leggings, a set of Eos lip balms that you can bling out with jeweled stickers (which I already did of course (: ), a cozy Captain America blanket to feed my Marvel addiction, a very cute fringed tank top, the best smelling lotion from Bath and Body Works (Winter Candy Apple aka my favorite scent from the store), my favorite candy JELLY BELLY JELLYBEANS! and Christmas pictures of my best friend with her boyfriend.

Delicious Sugar Cookie Toast Crunch
Model: Shelby Paramore
Photo Credited of Shaydi Paramore

Of course the jelly beans were a part of our sweet treat haul, so I had to try a bunch of beans that were either real good or possibly throw up flavor. Some other treats include: sugar cookie toast crunch, fruit punch jolly ranchers, and eggnog flavored chocolates. The toast crunch and jolly ranchers were awesome! By far, my favorite treat was the Toast Crunch which my sister and I are still snacking on. The eggnog was okay, but didn't have an eggnog taste. Both my sister and I felt it tasted more like Chai tea.

Photo Credited of Shaydi Paramore

Jalan gave me something small but sweet and thoughtful. She gave me a gorgeous journal to write down my adventures at Texas Wesleyan and made an adorable website that included songs I like or that makes Jalan think of me. I can't wait to start writing!

What did you get from your best friend for Christmas? Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!