mellow autumn

I feel like I'm re-using my fingers for the first time in weeks just by typing here ... I haven't updated in a while and along with seasons changing, you might have noticed a little change in the layout here (hint hint, wink wink, come take a look if you're viewing this via a reader)! It might just be a temporary look but I felt like something fresh, something new and I've always wanted to make a Scrabble-inspired layout. Blame it on being an English major who loves words too much.

While I could explain all that I've been up to over the past few weeks, I only have two things on my agenda: catch up on all the blogs that I've missed, and provide a little peace offering for being a hermit. When I was younger I used to make a gazillion mixed CDs, photoshopping covers with the main artists on them. Why not do it now in digital form? So here goes! If you all like, I might try making these every month/every other month.

This month's mix? A little mellow, a little hipstery, with lyrics about change and the like. I'd like to call these Caffeinated Mixes :)

Blend from a 2008 wallpaper I made using own photos. Previous cover used photo from here.
Youtube play-button idea was an inspiration from Cafe Fashionista with her Play It Again, Sam! feature.

001. Brooke Fraser - Something in the Water

002. Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros - Home

003. School of Seven Bells - Windstorm

004. Coldplay - Don't Panic

005. Vince Vaccaro - Costa Rica (Acoustic)

006. Muse - Shine (Acoustic)

007. Mumford and Sons - Thistle and Weeds

008. William Fitzsimmons - I Don't Feel It Anymore (George Raquet Remix)

009. Zee Avi - Is This The End

010. William Fitzsimmons - So This Is Goodbye (Pink Ganter Remix)

011. Florence and the Machine - Cosmic Love

012. Charmaine - Tied To The Ground

013. A Fine Frenzy - What I Wouldn't Do

014. Kate Walsh - Your Song

015. 2NE1 - You and I

And if you'd like to download it, CLICK HERE! :) Just a note: probably all of these mixes will feature at least one song by Muse and one J-Pop or K-Pop song because I listen to those three every single day. Either way, I hope you get to enjoy some of the music I'm into!

Does this count as a good peace offering? No? You want me to come into your house and clean it once a week and bake you delicious cookies afterwards? Errm ... we'll see what I can do about that. But for now, I'm back to blogging baby!

What have you all been up to? 

Happy September's over?

(I am!)

new look, new ... me?

So I finally managed to find the time to revamp the blog! There's still a few things I need to get done, but I hope you all like it. I combined my love of coffee with my appreciation of photography ... it's as cheesy as it can get, without unicorns and rainbows.

One new thing that I added that I hope you'll take advantage of is the recipe of the week off to the side. Every Sunday, that link will be changed to another recipe that I hope you'll enjoy! Of course, they're not my own recipes 'cause I ain't no chef. This week, it's cappuccino cheesecake! I'm drooling already.

I feel like this new look represents the 'new me', as in, trying to be brave and learning that it's okay to say 'NO' sometimes. This weekend, I finally made that attempt to cut the ex-boyfriend out of my life. Funny thing is, this isn't the first time this kind of situation has come up.

Years ago, when I was still in my early teens, I had a friend (who was supposed to be my BFF) who I had fun with watching Sex and the City and covering up our eyes and ears at the raunchy parts. She wanted a blog just like I had at the time. Which means, I made her layouts, I made her cool blog name, and I constantly did favours for her. I never asked for anything in return. Until I realized she just kept calling me over to do things for her. I felt taken advantage of. That, combined with other things, led to the friendship's demise.

Now, years later, I'm dealing with an ex-boyfriend who constantly wants me to do favours for him regarding graphics and websites for his job because I have, and I quote, 'a talent'. In the words of Chris Crocker (and I hate that I'm quoting him), "Leave Britney me alone!"

While I don't mind doing things for others, when I know it's only for his benefit, he doesn't care about me, and that it's been a full year and a half since we've stopped dating, I just don't want to do it.

So ... new me. Let's hope it lasts.