tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64483460437056109502024-03-13T12:51:08.346-04:00Acoustic ErinErin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.comBlogger599125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-91327930392706385682024-02-18T09:20:00.001-05:002024-02-18T09:20:23.805-05:00Things That Matter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpKXsqRtCrIRBiqtmP4pcB4rLPlJRqSkNXRo122UKk_mqRPhYIRVFIJVnB6JLCanow-LqiW3UqHQJabegZ6wAyBeyHH9-MIWgMOCQ13Z6TywuB_TkzylP6KecR_FR00cYdGpcT7o4Vo9ZL9tTbse57jUp3-hSdLoZtgpvUGHe-sEOXjnrj9hYDoeLHXw/s2016/image4%20(5).jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1385" height="815" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpKXsqRtCrIRBiqtmP4pcB4rLPlJRqSkNXRo122UKk_mqRPhYIRVFIJVnB6JLCanow-LqiW3UqHQJabegZ6wAyBeyHH9-MIWgMOCQ13Z6TywuB_TkzylP6KecR_FR00cYdGpcT7o4Vo9ZL9tTbse57jUp3-hSdLoZtgpvUGHe-sEOXjnrj9hYDoeLHXw/w440-h640/image4%20(5).jpg" width="560" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My toxic trait is trying to read several books at once (see also: thinking I am entitled to buying at least one or two new plants each weekend).</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T1QtPe6X9YqCKjd6LHJaDyZ-DkBoei5AB6WMoaL3zvdk1xASldegpl4SFyFFUwgHsIQFQvZsSSPERhcfo_gqThzjs-evy3XLXn73y8r0P7QPEuC9tec5cYB23jWM96raEBWoGQWCyuY/s1600/line.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><p style="letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: start;"></p><p style="letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Right now I'm reading "The Secret History"; "Goth: A History"; Brian Wilson's memoir; and now Joshua Becker's "Things That Matter." It's this last book that's been my main focus as of late.</span></p><p style="letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T1QtPe6X9YqCKjd6LHJaDyZ-DkBoei5AB6WMoaL3zvdk1xASldegpl4SFyFFUwgHsIQFQvZsSSPERhcfo_gqThzjs-evy3XLXn73y8r0P7QPEuC9tec5cYB23jWM96raEBWoGQWCyuY/s1600/line.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></p></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">As highlighted in my November 2023 post, <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2023/11/more.html" target="_blank">"MORE!,"</a> I feel like lately my life has been consumed with wanting more, more, more. "Things That Matter" has offered me a way to reset. The book walks through different types of distractions that keep us from our life's work and passions. It's so timely for me, and even though I'm less than a fourth of the way through the book, I already have a couple of key takeaways that I wanted to share with you.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Joshua Becker's former mentor, Robert Thune Sr.,</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>often set an intention for each day right when he woke up.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T1QtPe6X9YqCKjd6LHJaDyZ-DkBoei5AB6WMoaL3zvdk1xASldegpl4SFyFFUwgHsIQFQvZsSSPERhcfo_gqThzjs-evy3XLXn73y8r0P7QPEuC9tec5cYB23jWM96raEBWoGQWCyuY/s1600/line.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: start;"></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><span style="font-family: courier;">He said, "Every morning, before I start my day, I set my intention with a simple sentence: 'Today, I commit myself to _________.'"</span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T1QtPe6X9YqCKjd6LHJaDyZ-DkBoei5AB6WMoaL3zvdk1xASldegpl4SFyFFUwgHsIQFQvZsSSPERhcfo_gqThzjs-evy3XLXn73y8r0P7QPEuC9tec5cYB23jWM96raEBWoGQWCyuY/s1600/line.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiitl_71f1GKplPPIHOJWa1yMdw8xZtAoufKnf6r1LG9Es0VBz3fZuPCNDb5YpaECdiH1O77A_zNMgfthMO78qxkcJD3aNAA7-8N5vOsWgqc4BCxbAhIj4RZRHmt9q9hf97zFz4xdQ2AKb6m74P0mykLpNrN4cK7hwTivOylOa8vC9KmZl_kwEiC11QUCM" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="488" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiitl_71f1GKplPPIHOJWa1yMdw8xZtAoufKnf6r1LG9Es0VBz3fZuPCNDb5YpaECdiH1O77A_zNMgfthMO78qxkcJD3aNAA7-8N5vOsWgqc4BCxbAhIj4RZRHmt9q9hf97zFz4xdQ2AKb6m74P0mykLpNrN4cK7hwTivOylOa8vC9KmZl_kwEiC11QUCM" width="240" /></a></div><br />I loved the heck out of that. As someone who works from home, sometimes it can feel like every day is much the same: Wake up, get ready, work, rinse, repeat. Setting an intention is a good way to narrow in on a tiny task or goal for the day and work with all my heart to complete it. Some examples Joshua shared were: "Today, I commit myself to being a faithful spouse" and "Today, I commit myself to selflessness." Or, "Today, I commit myself to healthy eating." "Today, I commit myself to my work goal."💜</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Joshua also mentioned the manifesto of Melanie Kirk, which really resonated with me:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T1QtPe6X9YqCKjd6LHJaDyZ-DkBoei5AB6WMoaL3zvdk1xASldegpl4SFyFFUwgHsIQFQvZsSSPERhcfo_gqThzjs-evy3XLXn73y8r0P7QPEuC9tec5cYB23jWM96raEBWoGQWCyuY/s1600/line.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: start;"></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><span style="font-family: courier;">"A vow to live every day as if it's my one and only chance to make a mark, because IT IS. To live my life on purpose. To stop wasting time on things that don't matter. To step out of my comfort zone. To live with passion and courage of my convictions. To let go of the 'what if's.' To never, ever give up even when things get tough. Because at the end of the day life is far too precious a gift to squander."</span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T1QtPe6X9YqCKjd6LHJaDyZ-DkBoei5AB6WMoaL3zvdk1xASldegpl4SFyFFUwgHsIQFQvZsSSPERhcfo_gqThzjs-evy3XLXn73y8r0P7QPEuC9tec5cYB23jWM96raEBWoGQWCyuY/s1600/line.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></p><p>What a great encouragement! I'm excited to keep reading this book and see what other little gems I can scribble in my journal or jot down on an index card and place around my house for instant encouragement. To me, this book has been a great reminder so far of making every moment matter, not in a stressful way, but with ultimate intention. Joshua Becker is also a minimalist, and while that's not my journey, I've also been inspired to clear out the clutter (read: piles of clothes I don't wear) and free up more space in my mind and life for, again, the "things that matter."</p><p><i>Happy Sunday! What have you been reading lately?</i></p><p><b>Feeling inspired,</b></p><p><img data-original-height="40" data-original-width="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEnSKqXXRXeXY_RTiVTokSYkHJoJGNWFnMWsUgfPROUomrYNvTM3cIsxZ3TiwjNwKcni3n9pmQGr-5OJA7Urv1PeWnF9nhLP6R2ulyr_gn4mDnyTANepQxYLLUbxtAPASFSO-Lxu9xKYtS_hKFJQAM5vDt0JqSCzjp4FpeicZei71rbaLP0x_2bmaAMMI=s16000" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; background: none white; border: none; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></p></div></div></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-51289642204945941302024-01-23T20:07:00.002-05:002024-01-23T20:07:50.085-05:00A Very Cozy 2024<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFwE_vVdnyd2VcZXkVIh-aXniiWFK5YdqqmgvWBZeInkhb5rSb4d0aL6zOdis7a43c-sMnBQHZCKBnwcBhsb9v2gKpnZUlEv66Jy0ZrjGTjfgWb-RWTOehb5X6O3a5UjJK_sJnTZ1qDMM6l7qHBS2PZNYNmiY88_m8GBDj2tLhTyNyAv-OOt9uNe362o/s2016/image5%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="715" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFwE_vVdnyd2VcZXkVIh-aXniiWFK5YdqqmgvWBZeInkhb5rSb4d0aL6zOdis7a43c-sMnBQHZCKBnwcBhsb9v2gKpnZUlEv66Jy0ZrjGTjfgWb-RWTOehb5X6O3a5UjJK_sJnTZ1qDMM6l7qHBS2PZNYNmiY88_m8GBDj2tLhTyNyAv-OOt9uNe362o/w480-h640/image5%20(5).jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P and I on the steps of <a href="https://starlandstrangeandbazaar.com/" target="_blank">Starland Strange</a> in Savannah, GA.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Maybe it's winter, or maybe it's just me,</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>but I've been wanting to be as cozy as possible lately.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T1QtPe6X9YqCKjd6LHJaDyZ-DkBoei5AB6WMoaL3zvdk1xASldegpl4SFyFFUwgHsIQFQvZsSSPERhcfo_gqThzjs-evy3XLXn73y8r0P7QPEuC9tec5cYB23jWM96raEBWoGQWCyuY/s1600/line.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: start;"></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I've always had an affinity for cardigans, sweaters, knitwear and all things snuggly, but as of late, it has seemingly amplified. Whether it's a new Hearth & Hand blanket from Target or a perfectly rumpled cable knit sweater found during an afternoon of thrifting, cozy has got me in its clutches. Here are some of the (conventional or otherwise) things that have felt cozy to me this month.</span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T1QtPe6X9YqCKjd6LHJaDyZ-DkBoei5AB6WMoaL3zvdk1xASldegpl4SFyFFUwgHsIQFQvZsSSPERhcfo_gqThzjs-evy3XLXn73y8r0P7QPEuC9tec5cYB23jWM96raEBWoGQWCyuY/s1600/line.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzJHhqOJb_gWo_BDEHzfaAdqYPOS5C7xqQ64nwkboOfM7DQaE6CP3qvl1KbLRC72ZYN8SmVvsw0iaShglqk0KZSh2nzoyztYdJ8_KjyQaR4QHWxoP7xO0JXGl49GDUWGQ2IYl23aXUM1d6mVi68iUrdFjJ89dWRTcMj1Xea1EcrD50HyD7PbpyOn4GUo/s1930/20240123_171457.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1930" data-original-width="1741" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzJHhqOJb_gWo_BDEHzfaAdqYPOS5C7xqQ64nwkboOfM7DQaE6CP3qvl1KbLRC72ZYN8SmVvsw0iaShglqk0KZSh2nzoyztYdJ8_KjyQaR4QHWxoP7xO0JXGl49GDUWGQ2IYl23aXUM1d6mVi68iUrdFjJ89dWRTcMj1Xea1EcrD50HyD7PbpyOn4GUo/w578-h640/20240123_171457.jpg" width="530" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly the coziest sweater of all time.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>A new favorite show. </b>I'm usually not too big into television, but lately when I'm looking to relax, I've been seeking solace in an absolutely addictive show that P and I discovered called The Traitors. We've finished season one and are now watching the first season of the UK version of the show. Also cozy: P had never seen The Breakfast Club (for shame!), so I made sure we watched that together this month. Side note: <a href="https://sites.williams.edu/engl-117-fall16/files/2016/10/Allisons-makeover-300x218.jpg" target="_blank">They did Ally Sheedy's character so wrong with that makeover.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Plants.</b> I was obsessed with plants in 2023, but the obsession is only growing (literally). There are some nice pothos plants and other varieties on sale for fairly cheap at my local Publix, so anytime P and I pick up groceries, I am very tempted to add a new plant to the family. (My newest addition is Phil, a philodendron plant.) What makes my day is when I see a new leaf coming in on any of my plant bbs. It gives me a little shot of glee and makes me want to jump for joy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Playing video games.</b> I go through phases with playing video games, and then losing interest. Right now, I am replaying the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane remastered trilogy on my Playstation and having a blast. It's fun and mindless at the end of a long workday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Reading graphic novels.</b> Growing up, I was never a graphic novel fan, even though I was obsessed with doodling cartoons of my own. On a fluke, I picked up a graphic novel from the library (also an obsession lately) and now I am HOOKED. Graphic novels are so quick to read and the art is so inspiring. It makes me want to start drawing or painting again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T1QtPe6X9YqCKjd6LHJaDyZ-DkBoei5AB6WMoaL3zvdk1xASldegpl4SFyFFUwgHsIQFQvZsSSPERhcfo_gqThzjs-evy3XLXn73y8r0P7QPEuC9tec5cYB23jWM96raEBWoGQWCyuY/s1600/line.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: start;"></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>Plus:</b></span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: left;">• </span><span style="font-family: courier;">Taste-testing my husband's yummy new recipes</span></p><p style="letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: left;">• </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: courier;">Sipping water or tea from a fun new tumbler</span></span></p><p style="letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: left;">• </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: courier; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;">Tom Odell's newly released piano ballads</span></p><p style="letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: left;">• </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: courier;">The color green</span></span></p><p style="letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: left;">• </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: courier; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;">Cold morning runs wearing my dad's old fleece jacket</span></p><p style="letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: left;">• </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: courier;">Using Notion to journal and stay inspired</span></span></p><p style="letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: left;">• </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: courier;">Dark academia everything</span></span></p><p style="color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T1QtPe6X9YqCKjd6LHJaDyZ-DkBoei5AB6WMoaL3zvdk1xASldegpl4SFyFFUwgHsIQFQvZsSSPERhcfo_gqThzjs-evy3XLXn73y8r0P7QPEuC9tec5cYB23jWM96raEBWoGQWCyuY/s1600/line.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></p></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>What does cozy look like to you? Let me know in the comments.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>With many snuggly days ahead,</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img data-original-height="40" data-original-width="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEnSKqXXRXeXY_RTiVTokSYkHJoJGNWFnMWsUgfPROUomrYNvTM3cIsxZ3TiwjNwKcni3n9pmQGr-5OJA7Urv1PeWnF9nhLP6R2ulyr_gn4mDnyTANepQxYLLUbxtAPASFSO-Lxu9xKYtS_hKFJQAM5vDt0JqSCzjp4FpeicZei71rbaLP0x_2bmaAMMI=s16000" /></div></div><p></p>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-22826849711552504952023-11-15T17:09:00.002-05:002023-11-15T17:09:33.362-05:00More!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSE5cS7h2ICemsRllUcaW4_Ev2GcUz3jPe729v8dI5RiANqhNYpL2ND6jMcDFvgJIB6gAkFemUiJI60S54Hl_lbi1EFUkAM95zYoLc8o9jIE3jUzn0FSub2dAXb7wBwDb2fTWiXTWxwoSj8wGmS9Z2lXhQwX_8oCuvWTrjgrKcSvafHGlmq8Gncyn4aDQ/s4608/20231016_184802.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSE5cS7h2ICemsRllUcaW4_Ev2GcUz3jPe729v8dI5RiANqhNYpL2ND6jMcDFvgJIB6gAkFemUiJI60S54Hl_lbi1EFUkAM95zYoLc8o9jIE3jUzn0FSub2dAXb7wBwDb2fTWiXTWxwoSj8wGmS9Z2lXhQwX_8oCuvWTrjgrKcSvafHGlmq8Gncyn4aDQ/w640-h480/20231016_184802.jpg" width="565" /></a></div><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Does anybody else ever feel like they have so much <i>stuff?</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Lately I've been grappling with the sheer fact of all my things, and how much it seems I have acquired over the years. My mom shared with me <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MadisunGray" target="_blank">this creator</a> on YouTube who makes videos on minimalism and her 10-item wardrobe, and I've enjoyed watching some of her content. I don't think I could be a minimalist to that extreme extent, but I've enjoyed some of the principles behind her videos. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T1QtPe6X9YqCKjd6LHJaDyZ-DkBoei5AB6WMoaL3zvdk1xASldegpl4SFyFFUwgHsIQFQvZsSSPERhcfo_gqThzjs-evy3XLXn73y8r0P7QPEuC9tec5cYB23jWM96raEBWoGQWCyuY/s1600/line.png" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px !important; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px !important; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Here's what I've discovered: The more I find myself in pursuit of stuff (namely, clothes, an obsession which could go on indefinitely as fashion is so ever-evolving), I find myself less able to hear the still, small voice of Jesus in my everyday life. It's convicting and dismaying, even as I find myself still on the hunt for more things to consume my time, money and energy.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T1QtPe6X9YqCKjd6LHJaDyZ-DkBoei5AB6WMoaL3zvdk1xASldegpl4SFyFFUwgHsIQFQvZsSSPERhcfo_gqThzjs-evy3XLXn73y8r0P7QPEuC9tec5cYB23jWM96raEBWoGQWCyuY/s1600/line.png" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px !important; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px !important; transition: opacity 1s ease-in-out 0s;" /></p><p style="text-align: center;">As I've been sorting through my closet today, these thoughts came to mind. The things I think will fulfill me (a flowy tiered maxi skirt; a pair of impossibly cool boots) never truly do. And then they end up discarded or forgotten in some corner of my closet the moment the next thing comes along.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It seems our whole society has been peddled the idea of having more, more, more at the click of a button in a way that those from generations past never had to deal with. Much has been written on fast fashion and the incessant trend cycling only sped up by social media. As someone who's trying to distance myself more from the digital noise for my own mental health, I return to this space for a tiny reprieve. These days, I'm longing to unplug from the idea that I'm always one new product away from my "perfect wardrobe" and into my own creativity, and my relationship with Christ. I'm trying to focus more on what matters, rather than get caught in the never-ending pursuit of what will fade. <span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" style="font-family: "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Noto Color Emoji", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols, "EmojiOne Mozilla", "Twemoji Mozilla", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji Compat", emoji, __notoEmoji_70aa02, __notoEmoji_Fallback_70aa02; text-align: left;">🌼</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Be kind to yourself,</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="268" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRl0OMhOp1IKpri_ZYtZ5oT-1GUbiskCOLUBJHHQhXVIYryFAnHaiSj8SDoTh-PsQFkDOa6pstZ5T_a5cRxT95mKFoi0fjtVocFqh4pdQubucPqctmeTO5Cv8k0Q4WExAW1MQJ9B6tIptr7w-RC7hSmadr4CpG-p2A3c-8Y1Db1tugOAFwqAE6Pca56I/w67-h40/e.png" width="67" /></p>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-84696242855455845112023-11-02T22:30:00.002-04:002023-11-02T22:30:47.451-04:00Autumnal Anecdotes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TbngaJqXUIqCA5v9eWoKb_c02-U81EEQdrMtmnDl4naALkljXkfPMcDn5lHSykpN53cY63AZxJtw9iv0yJT13wA50U5k2pVCrBFoaSQJTgp3rVYmrzeB_V5b8feCx-ADNEaHeLzz3Fdw9IKpb6DMvu_xFU46v0jcfENZ1Fqei98LKq3TkvFfDAc3t9M/s3619/IMG_0784.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TbngaJqXUIqCA5v9eWoKb_c02-U81EEQdrMtmnDl4naALkljXkfPMcDn5lHSykpN53cY63AZxJtw9iv0yJT13wA50U5k2pVCrBFoaSQJTgp3rVYmrzeB_V5b8feCx-ADNEaHeLzz3Fdw9IKpb6DMvu_xFU46v0jcfENZ1Fqei98LKq3TkvFfDAc3t9M/s16000/IMG_0784.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>November is here in full force, reminding me of last fall and all that came with it.</b> Last fall: Michigan, and family, and then tough times. Life lately has been a strange mix of painful moments, as the memories come; and beautiful ones, as the cool weather encourages more sweaters, more fall candles, more long walks in the park. In the same breath I wish I could turn back the clock: If only I could jump back to fall of two years ago, 2021; or that of fall 2019, before everything happened, the world shut down and life changed forever.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I know what he would say to me; I know that he would be proud. And I know that, just as the leaves fall from the trees, seasons come and seasons go, and there is a time for everything under the sun. Our lesson in church this past weekend was from Ecclesiastes 1:2 ("Everything is meaningless"), but how, of course, nothing is meaningless with Jesus. Faith can be challenging in grief; at times it has felt like even <i>with </i>Jesus, everything is still meaningless, but I know that's not true. </p><p style="text-align: center;">It's cathartic to come to this space and write again. It's nice to have a little cozy corner of the internet that seldom few know about, and just tuck in and type some thoughts out. I think writing as a whole is something that I am longing to return to. </p><p style="text-align: center;">For many writers, NaNoWriMo is a time to write a novel throughout the month, and although I won't be participating in that challenge, the call to come back to writing is deeply felt. Life sometimes feels more and more distracting the older I get - and with so many things constantly calling for my attention, sometimes it feels as if I've put off that childlike, creative side of myself that just wants to pull on a cozy sweater and <i>write.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">I always find that fall pulls out the best side of me, and in little, quiet moments by myself lately, I have felt an inkling of my old, creative self returning. She's quiet, but she's there. I know he would say, "Write. Run. Take care of yourself," but in his own voice, which I miss. And so I am trying to get back to myself, one moment at a time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWpWfL2RlgI" target="_blank">It leads just like a river runs,</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="268" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRl0OMhOp1IKpri_ZYtZ5oT-1GUbiskCOLUBJHHQhXVIYryFAnHaiSj8SDoTh-PsQFkDOa6pstZ5T_a5cRxT95mKFoi0fjtVocFqh4pdQubucPqctmeTO5Cv8k0Q4WExAW1MQJ9B6tIptr7w-RC7hSmadr4CpG-p2A3c-8Y1Db1tugOAFwqAE6Pca56I/w67-h40/e.png" width="67" /></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-15723568407228979672023-09-28T22:08:00.001-04:002023-09-28T22:08:26.028-04:00Things I Love: "Black Friday" by Tom Odell<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz207h7N-6hkFcPDLESLGgoh8-FXv2q_EoFbm4QsEAmnXwJszJXZPibUi092emS5mg40JO7b2S-hwbUkODHo-6oGzDdW0KEBTJtEFK55BNk5g7dHJDXtwMOT5aI0z2sZLl_eKtmjW4KeP3ARBPbPnHhgYVt4R_fyQ7ukDOwI2r0pK6TJJ7oT7zoUhfCFk=w640-h360" width="562" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit to Tom Odell and his team</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">Every now and then, a song comes along that completely knocks me out.</span></center><center><span style="font-family: karla;">And yet, that barely does justice to the beauty that is Tom Odell's new song, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMIKzWyZPSA" target="_blank">"Black Friday."</a></span></center></div></center></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>It's almost too special a song to me to share, but here I am. </b>This song just reaches down into the deepest, gooeiest, most desperate parts of myself and makes me just <i>feel</i>. It makes me miss childhood, my father, and those early days when I used to listen to Tom's music, back when my sister and I were just discovering records and his first album was on constant rotation in some corner of the house.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">I don't know what it is about this song, but it makes me want to get connected with things I used to love. To go back to simplicity, to delight in the beauty of a sunrise or pen on paper, rather than constantly looking to entertain myself online.</span></center></div></center></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>I love how art can inspire so many different things in as many different listeners. </b>There's something just so beautiful and powerful about music. It's also nostalgic to, 10 years later, come back to Tom's music after a time away. Hello, old friend!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Take my hand and hold it gently</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>up against your cheek,</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="268" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRl0OMhOp1IKpri_ZYtZ5oT-1GUbiskCOLUBJHHQhXVIYryFAnHaiSj8SDoTh-PsQFkDOa6pstZ5T_a5cRxT95mKFoi0fjtVocFqh4pdQubucPqctmeTO5Cv8k0Q4WExAW1MQJ9B6tIptr7w-RC7hSmadr4CpG-p2A3c-8Y1Db1tugOAFwqAE6Pca56I/w67-h40/e.png" width="67" /></div></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-30834785817968368862023-09-05T07:57:00.002-04:002023-09-05T07:57:57.658-04:0030<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho36OyajfTqEJMq5R8F5jglNwa_yph41pvJ3ZnSYA0HQu4eiQAGDHFLfcf-XqJOGXAZjBW9rBWuZ3iQxGvNAgucSTJfNTSj_mq-epfND_VanBnlp2ZdP4jqgCtXBsOtuNj9GuiyWLxPiDwNxO2iex2fILIMNuJr2j7QJOdHIqzvRUs5LKLcAlswddAu30/s1907/372905894_1484503888971472_6220171970928776743_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="1473" height="690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho36OyajfTqEJMq5R8F5jglNwa_yph41pvJ3ZnSYA0HQu4eiQAGDHFLfcf-XqJOGXAZjBW9rBWuZ3iQxGvNAgucSTJfNTSj_mq-epfND_VanBnlp2ZdP4jqgCtXBsOtuNj9GuiyWLxPiDwNxO2iex2fILIMNuJr2j7QJOdHIqzvRUs5LKLcAlswddAu30/w494-h640/372905894_1484503888971472_6220171970928776743_n.jpg" width="561" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">Today, I turn 30.</span></center></div></center><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><b>It feels odd to be embarking on the start of a new decade on a ho-hum Tuesday morning.</b> 29 was easily the hardest year of my life and I'm hoping 30 will bring some much-needed peace. It's weird to be celebrating my birthday in the midst of a season of grief, but at least this year marks a new beginning.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhzmhIo9a-YU4KHeQP23Cr2XG2sFsDaNew8QzGkB9JuHYRnOIGbRFALHiS2Q0nwBhFenpd3T-Q1uEXY56pZZC5z4W20TRyaz7Xufo0QvEvmT9mtH-Na9kKNa_-vL2JqL4_GRWWBaFHcPDiz8ennqhMm74XFGudSfMsWnYHR4fOQYpJWYdHRlp0aP62Bs/s2016/372945952_623873103266522_8098725281103813754_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhzmhIo9a-YU4KHeQP23Cr2XG2sFsDaNew8QzGkB9JuHYRnOIGbRFALHiS2Q0nwBhFenpd3T-Q1uEXY56pZZC5z4W20TRyaz7Xufo0QvEvmT9mtH-Na9kKNa_-vL2JqL4_GRWWBaFHcPDiz8ennqhMm74XFGudSfMsWnYHR4fOQYpJWYdHRlp0aP62Bs/w480-h640/372945952_623873103266522_8098725281103813754_n.jpg" width="561" /></a></div><br />I hope this next year, this next decade, is full of laughter, friendship, gardening, writing, creating, and Jesus. Also, music!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IrNnuj7XhH8zUdO7KpHHRoeoRJ3YQSJBHovJ0j8H08LtuCtX9eDG6u5MexsEy1KMlFqWg9dYrykK2C2Sqf3Njgop8JtHXVvrmijC3RGsJqgtK8JLg1PdxkfnO-_ctJ7PzaI6E_fHc_hxJnZtsUudeLWBvJ0y39_qgczp4PUOGUPhG0TpyHlUKx-eagE/s1544/373355599_1143833626408772_7092529700703687689_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1081" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IrNnuj7XhH8zUdO7KpHHRoeoRJ3YQSJBHovJ0j8H08LtuCtX9eDG6u5MexsEy1KMlFqWg9dYrykK2C2Sqf3Njgop8JtHXVvrmijC3RGsJqgtK8JLg1PdxkfnO-_ctJ7PzaI6E_fHc_hxJnZtsUudeLWBvJ0y39_qgczp4PUOGUPhG0TpyHlUKx-eagE/w448-h640/373355599_1143833626408772_7092529700703687689_n.jpg" width="561" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can find all of my old birthday posts that I've been compiling since I was 21 <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/search?q=birthday" target="_blank">here</a>. (I can't believe I've kept the Birthday Po<span style="font-family: inherit;">st<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">™</span></span> a tradition for so long!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Till next year,</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="268" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRl0OMhOp1IKpri_ZYtZ5oT-1GUbiskCOLUBJHHQhXVIYryFAnHaiSj8SDoTh-PsQFkDOa6pstZ5T_a5cRxT95mKFoi0fjtVocFqh4pdQubucPqctmeTO5Cv8k0Q4WExAW1MQJ9B6tIptr7w-RC7hSmadr4CpG-p2A3c-8Y1Db1tugOAFwqAE6Pca56I/w67-h40/e.png" width="67" /></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-47252386920943727742023-07-16T11:34:00.000-04:002023-07-16T11:34:32.670-04:00Tiny Joys: July 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakTYKrphkMIX1mXmHAAcNvWMQ4mxb9SHshcOj12n2OCuT5jLRXIVThYuhP767Th-2SWVh5eQgNzsEa1FAimpPTlUYI-4QZGxhO5iVgH5l_zBW-_ko15-DSYFpYHGf0-grf8qso9z-3L_zisNLabP4JHERmHMHwvRKLswOSTwWehIbsqgZfHU1NaoqKW0/s3321/361587515_1560833511350590_8243143221937167988_n%20(2).jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakTYKrphkMIX1mXmHAAcNvWMQ4mxb9SHshcOj12n2OCuT5jLRXIVThYuhP767Th-2SWVh5eQgNzsEa1FAimpPTlUYI-4QZGxhO5iVgH5l_zBW-_ko15-DSYFpYHGf0-grf8qso9z-3L_zisNLabP4JHERmHMHwvRKLswOSTwWehIbsqgZfHU1NaoqKW0/s16000/361587515_1560833511350590_8243143221937167988_n%20(2).jpg" width="561" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">Today I am introducing a new segment on the blog: Tiny Joys!</span></center></div></center></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><div><b style="text-align: left;">Tiny Joys are just what they sound like: </b><span style="text-align: left;">little things that have sparked joy or a smile for me recently that, when life gets tough, can really make a difference in my day. Like pizza.</span><span style="font-family: karla;"> 🍕</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">Tiny Joys: July 2023 Edition</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="118" data-original-width="394" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLDsGw4lTz9cP0r9w51XbLZB0_6r8bOf6XahJFDk2b6thfm1B8Q3yNPZfVwZ_1GMN7RjoWHhofAaA5k66j1h57mT58kijlVYL6cNf8ECgmCyxlhs7vOZEPcaZspm6no3w_ApbKVZGrQNjBxHoK2K_KyC6t0gEqaOCjvb3Puw1LfR1DNmW7nZ7iGOZHJ0/w163-h49/tinyjoy.png" width="163" /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Women supporting women:</b><span style="text-align: left;"> A great start to the weekend looks like putting together an alternative outfit just to go to the coffee shop and receiving a compliment from a very sweet customer. It was basically </span><a href="https://static.pupperish.com/images/dgXAjhosqCWY_1127_700.png" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">this</a><span style="text-align: left;">.</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Lavender lattes: </b>The reason I was in the coffee shop in the first place was to get an iced lavender latte. This has been my beverage of choice at the moment and I'm sad I didn't discover it sooner.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;"><b>"Fast Car": </b>I'm probably VERY late to the party on this one, and I normally don't listen to country music, but this weekend I can't get "Fast Car" out of my head. The popular version right now is the cover by Luke Combs (very good) but it's the original by Tracy Chapman that is even more raw and authentic. It's heartbreaking but beautiful. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOAlaACuv4" target="_blank">Give it a listen!</a></span></center></div></center><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>"Adult Drama" by Natalie Beach: </b>If you're a contented little introvert like me, there is nothing better than picking up a long-awaited held item at the library. This week, it's "Adult Drama" by Natalie Beach. I'm obsessed with essays, memoirs and funny/insightful non-fiction collections, so I've been devouring this book this week. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Writing: </b>This week I was assigned four new articles to write at work and in a joyous burst of inspiration, I wrote and wrote and wrote nonstop until I had the first piece done within a few hours. After a season of grief, I feel like my creativity is finally starting to surface again, and it was one of those moments where I felt so elated to be able to write for a living. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">And now, for the...</span></center></div></center></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOUkP3FPnqzB_LNgItpdXiMYiH5aE4LCLdav5OF3-Uuuj-qgZ7qeEbTd7_lI_J_PnajwrvCRRDQDmCYyv3upw1q0TZusYSHhCy9QxE_HN67-vi431pzgwVCKDpGm4yZh5YsRg_uuLxvK0ebNWEEYFCF2X0DJ8ykU2rjWoVYSIdJJcIHZ3k0ioJHImf4Y/s544/speedround.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="114" data-original-width="544" height="42" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOUkP3FPnqzB_LNgItpdXiMYiH5aE4LCLdav5OF3-Uuuj-qgZ7qeEbTd7_lI_J_PnajwrvCRRDQDmCYyv3upw1q0TZusYSHhCy9QxE_HN67-vi431pzgwVCKDpGm4yZh5YsRg_uuLxvK0ebNWEEYFCF2X0DJ8ykU2rjWoVYSIdJJcIHZ3k0ioJHImf4Y/w200-h42/speedround.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">• </span><span style="text-align: left;">I bought ridiculous bat-themed creepers/stompy boots because why not?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">• </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Looking forward to watching "Asteroid City" with my mom later this week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">• </span><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiEmv4JnwOs" target="_blank">This song</a> blew my mind.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">• </span><span style="text-align: left;">I recently subscribed to the <a href="https://downtime.substack.com/" target="_blank">Downtime newsletter</a> and it's always a fun read.</span><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">What about you? What are your tiny joys this July?</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOAlaACuv4" target="_blank">I had a feeling I could be someone</a>,</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="268" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRl0OMhOp1IKpri_ZYtZ5oT-1GUbiskCOLUBJHHQhXVIYryFAnHaiSj8SDoTh-PsQFkDOa6pstZ5T_a5cRxT95mKFoi0fjtVocFqh4pdQubucPqctmeTO5Cv8k0Q4WExAW1MQJ9B6tIptr7w-RC7hSmadr4CpG-p2A3c-8Y1Db1tugOAFwqAE6Pca56I/w67-h40/e.png" width="67" /></div></div></div></div></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-44536138143693016652023-07-07T23:38:00.003-04:002023-07-07T23:38:20.279-04:00It's Been 84 Years...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoKa85KM8dTll-0I07xmPrqZHcm6YOJ23F0kWRtM1ifFg2P2Ta1DlF9R4CmKxHlKbsaGK6EIHxi97BDJ0mfA-mrgjBEx6eF7xAI6vZM22Fv9f87sV_pCMAIQcT7UYiQjrrtZoxvI9wyDeut_5T5PHXgml6FXX-SP0eXbQlJrqSfj7mdQ02xRIfOMl/s1801/20230606_113710.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="1676" height="615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoKa85KM8dTll-0I07xmPrqZHcm6YOJ23F0kWRtM1ifFg2P2Ta1DlF9R4CmKxHlKbsaGK6EIHxi97BDJ0mfA-mrgjBEx6eF7xAI6vZM22Fv9f87sV_pCMAIQcT7UYiQjrrtZoxvI9wyDeut_5T5PHXgml6FXX-SP0eXbQlJrqSfj7mdQ02xRIfOMl/w596-h640/20230606_113710.jpg" width="565" /></a><br />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Welcome back to the blog! </b>It's been a minute. And by a minute, I mean a literal 439,000+ minutes, oops. Somehow, the last time I posted was for my obligatory annual birthday post in 2022. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ws5pimN4mw" target="_blank">Buzz, your girlfriend, WOOF</a>. Better late than never?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the past 439,000 minutes, life has been ... weird. I lost a loved one. Time went all funny. Things got hard. In Summer 2022, back before everything happened, I planned to retire this blog and start afresh under a new domain. But now, here I am, a full year has passed, and I never did press publish on the new site.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I look ahead at turning 30 in September (a whole new decade!), my mind has been on time, life, aging, and memories. You know, I'm kind of awed by the fact that I've been posting on this blog in some form or another for about 10 years. My biggest struggle throughout my blogging journey has always been wanting everything on my site to look *perfect* but as I've poked around the blog a bit for nostalgia's sake, its contents are a beautiful reminder to me of all the little moments and memories (often imperfect and offline) that I've made along the way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, for now, Acoustic Erin shall endureth. To give the ol' gal a bit of a fresh look, I changed the blog header and also am sprinkling in bits of my own handwriting (see below). I may be making more tweaks to the layout, pages and look/feel of the site as the weeks go on, but mainly, I'm excited to finally feel like I have words to write again, and to be returning to a medium that, amidst all of the chaos online, feels delightedly old school and slow paced, the same as it always was. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's good to be back.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>New post signature say what,</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRl0OMhOp1IKpri_ZYtZ5oT-1GUbiskCOLUBJHHQhXVIYryFAnHaiSj8SDoTh-PsQFkDOa6pstZ5T_a5cRxT95mKFoi0fjtVocFqh4pdQubucPqctmeTO5Cv8k0Q4WExAW1MQJ9B6tIptr7w-RC7hSmadr4CpG-p2A3c-8Y1Db1tugOAFwqAE6Pca56I/s268/e.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="268" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRl0OMhOp1IKpri_ZYtZ5oT-1GUbiskCOLUBJHHQhXVIYryFAnHaiSj8SDoTh-PsQFkDOa6pstZ5T_a5cRxT95mKFoi0fjtVocFqh4pdQubucPqctmeTO5Cv8k0Q4WExAW1MQJ9B6tIptr7w-RC7hSmadr4CpG-p2A3c-8Y1Db1tugOAFwqAE6Pca56I/w67-h40/e.png" width="67" /></a></div></div></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-31477231058568229652022-09-05T21:24:00.001-04:002022-09-05T21:24:22.739-04:0029<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYBJ2NgSLFKSZTgB4g6z2jPJpuqWeDklUg94_6L0ISuV36XhoHk0qksj9Q5WCh-FXSBKYaULFmbCX1CufUJELP-1wwJKa2AEodU9d00EeNzJt4T_MzcMVmrgLBkyUeOCvTS_vYKMivxkwXKNOkGAWCsuFqkkERbw2MrNNdB_6m7qjva5owCCw9OIl/s1662/peterandi.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="1662" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYBJ2NgSLFKSZTgB4g6z2jPJpuqWeDklUg94_6L0ISuV36XhoHk0qksj9Q5WCh-FXSBKYaULFmbCX1CufUJELP-1wwJKa2AEodU9d00EeNzJt4T_MzcMVmrgLBkyUeOCvTS_vYKMivxkwXKNOkGAWCsuFqkkERbw2MrNNdB_6m7qjva5owCCw9OIl/w640-h480/peterandi.jpg" width="565" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Today I'm 29.</b> I almost forgot to write this post, because this blog isn't really a space I prioritize much anymore <span style="font-family: "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Noto Color Emoji", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols, "EmojiOne Mozilla", "Twemoji Mozilla", "Segoe UI Symbol"; text-align: left;">😔</span>, but as I've been doing birthday posts since I turned 21, so nearly all of my 20's, here I am. </p><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: karla;">I feel like I am coming into a blessed new season of life. </span></center></div></center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>28 was probably the year I experienced the most change one possibly could. </b>But I'm here on the other side of everything with the man I love, the job I enjoy, a little house in a tiny town that's closer to both our families, and I feel like life is really beginning. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">In this new season, in this last year of my 20's, I want to live life to the fullest.</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div><b>I feel something significant about this last year before I turn 30. </b>I'm going to be working on exciting projects and getting more tattoos and trying to put myself out there more. I want to walk closer with the Lord, write every day, not be afraid, to really see the beauty in each moment.</div><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">Some changes to my blogging journey will be coming soon, stay tuned for that if anyone's out there still, hehe.</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AS9r_E0PY4" target="_blank">I'm getting older, I think I'm aging well,</a></b></div><div><b>E</b></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>P.S. All the old birthday posts can be found <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/search?q=birthday" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></div></div></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-81660231916012605082022-02-23T21:32:00.003-05:002022-02-23T21:32:31.586-05:00The Last One At the Lunch Table<p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7RzHIbITkKn53NSj5kkfSQ8dQhUZhSF7WswZwKVUmtHskmOt_CeXJYrq8XSBWaL5eWW09fmI990_XgGWt4RFNKgAmEIf-483IN4B0zTQ8qc9fL2tynC0dKfgqQXvDiZ4xCRGc1PoQqJzm1ooXU-y9askABg6SDs7nVsIAsMOU_k1LhelJElhnZM7x=s1000" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7RzHIbITkKn53NSj5kkfSQ8dQhUZhSF7WswZwKVUmtHskmOt_CeXJYrq8XSBWaL5eWW09fmI990_XgGWt4RFNKgAmEIf-483IN4B0zTQ8qc9fL2tynC0dKfgqQXvDiZ4xCRGc1PoQqJzm1ooXU-y9askABg6SDs7nVsIAsMOU_k1LhelJElhnZM7x=w640-h426" width="565" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-gathered-beside-bonfire-1368388/" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I had a dream that things were like they used to be.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">J was in the kitchen making us pancakes, and M was there, except he wasn't married. I'm sure C was somewhere with the blanket, the one he used to keep in the back of his car for bonfire nights, and would eventually fall asleep in.</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was there.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2017/01/bonfire-boys.html" target="_blank">Five years ago I posted something to this blog</a> when I was feeling the kind of nostalgic that is premature, nostalgia for the present moment, before you've even left it. I wrote about my boys, the ones who I grew up with, loved, fought with, sang beside, prayed for. I told myself (and the seven people who read this blog lolol) that I would keep them in my life always, that I would watch them all get married, as if I was trying to will it into being.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">It never happened.</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I didn’t see any of my boys on their wedding days, not one. I still think about it sometimes, how despite everything that held us together, it didn’t end up happening that way. A has yet to get married, though, so maybe there’s still a chance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">I found out recently that one of my boys goes to the church my husband and I have been visiting. I thought that I recognized him from a distance, all these years removed, but I wasn't sure. It's weird when someone whose birthday I never forgot and middle name I know has become sort of a stranger standing across the room, both of us too shy to say hi.</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lately, I've been wondering if I found my people prematurely.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That I met my kindreds against all odds, but we grew up, and it had to end. We had a good run, but I peaked early, and those were the only kindreds I was ever going to get. I don’t actually think this is true, I’m being dramatic. I’ve met a handful of souls since that make me believe there are still, to quote <i>Perks of Being a Wallflower</i>, cool people left to meet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv0jFCgiBJ_QEtCPm19fxJm0zp-ZyY-w4NYDT7ZgmsdGTBnmg1GJOGEBge5ovw0GdnRLWoifOV1gI5KzhtXy0hDEYIVnaVGQHEI5cRIQx-Hf9Dj2dOc2-dK21z7b7WfzhtLiMKhyB3ITm5mKwyiBASezDDZSalQ-oSe08R5UD_YhS3gJxluA_okegX=s670" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="497" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv0jFCgiBJ_QEtCPm19fxJm0zp-ZyY-w4NYDT7ZgmsdGTBnmg1GJOGEBge5ovw0GdnRLWoifOV1gI5KzhtXy0hDEYIVnaVGQHEI5cRIQx-Hf9Dj2dOc2-dK21z7b7WfzhtLiMKhyB3ITm5mKwyiBASezDDZSalQ-oSe08R5UD_YhS3gJxluA_okegX=w474-h640" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">I remember this freshman at my high school who I knew of peripherally. He made friends with a group of close-knit seniors. He would sit with them at lunch, and they were all best friends. I always wondered what happened to him after they graduated and he was left behind. What do you do when you’re the last one at the lunch table?</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I look back and see a moment in time. That era and our shared history has a certain warm glow in my memory, though what I remember now as being beautiful and fantastic was actually riddled with a lot of growing pains. I will never forget sitting in a Starbucks parking lot as my sister cried about one of our boys, inconsolable. Or the night that C took us both to get Boston Crème donuts when I came home from college, heartbroken. We blasted country music and 60s soul in his car like it was a lifeline.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">It seems childish now, but that’s what we were, in some ways. We hadn’t quite become our full selves yet. The stakes were high, and the emotions were real. We drew on our Converse and sat on roof tops. We made pretentious comments and huddled on the beach at night and ate our bodyweight in half-price appetizers.</span></center></div></center></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">C had a church key (actually, almost everyone did), which meant access to the church 24/7, where we played games of Masterpiece, listened to “Walking in Memphis,” and broke each other’s hearts. Sometimes we would lay in the pews while J improvised on piano, with Z on drums bringing down the house. One winter, we rode around in someone’s truck, picking up old Christmas trees and burning them to a crisp in the fire pit. Our collective consciousness was rooted there on the church grounds.</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">I'm not sure how to get back.</span></center></div></center><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/69YhLoJzgjLcmNsp7G2z1z" target="_blank">Lower lows & higher highs</a>,</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>E</b></div></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-47002716563320170912022-01-16T19:39:00.003-05:002022-01-16T19:39:56.551-05:00Care Package 003 | January 2022<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkK_-NKsIaCc34tc-99em59CCXS3smMWXHqHm-3rPIaonTjX9xjTIH-0jggIeBUldnupjARqhnSfnAnEJlKA_-11d2GzrLs9TU3VOqv-e2dc6YuCFP91ujQVW0HFoTU3lkfjDqV-wJLtWE7r5mQF132pFcmTZrR_XTcfeyLTGu-PxVmad6gJmtTGA1=s800" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkK_-NKsIaCc34tc-99em59CCXS3smMWXHqHm-3rPIaonTjX9xjTIH-0jggIeBUldnupjARqhnSfnAnEJlKA_-11d2GzrLs9TU3VOqv-e2dc6YuCFP91ujQVW0HFoTU3lkfjDqV-wJLtWE7r5mQF132pFcmTZrR_XTcfeyLTGu-PxVmad6gJmtTGA1=w640-h480" width="565" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Considering that the last <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/search/label/care%20package" target="_blank">Care Package</a> post I wrote was in *gulp* March 2020 (plus another in July that never made it out of the drafts), I figured it was time to revisit this series. </b>But not without first mentioning that my husband surprised me this weekend with the most epic date idea: Dinosaur World!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">If you've never been to Dinosaur World and are wondering, it's basically a beautiful park filled with hundreds of (possibly to scale?) model dinosaurs. There's also a gift shop for all your dinosaur (and dinosaur-adjacent) needs. I think I was more excited than most of the five year olds in the park. Ya done good, husband, ya done good.</span></center></div></center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqsuwCk15ci522phF4EYr1tdthD5A14FaMaxCtil_fhk1dHw5ESJTXhtWSIDMkOmCHkKZP70aZBCiYrQZM6dcki9Zf7ehK3bw5ozF_jwt31CqiZ1ZxpjVt3bsNEA9oOZW2E5Zja-leFQP1hYPlnIf2RzGfiNVJNdwbdf6YcIZm_umslgU6i2Mef_7X=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqsuwCk15ci522phF4EYr1tdthD5A14FaMaxCtil_fhk1dHw5ESJTXhtWSIDMkOmCHkKZP70aZBCiYrQZM6dcki9Zf7ehK3bw5ozF_jwt31CqiZ1ZxpjVt3bsNEA9oOZW2E5Zja-leFQP1hYPlnIf2RzGfiNVJNdwbdf6YcIZm_umslgU6i2Mef_7X=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I mean...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlIb4oxoPE214_BAwHtc1mPjiOtaG8EAQHx2ehBKSwENWsBsZ7vpgnKan8yF1SSJgBJl7mKS7w-8bfEEAt-UbwNN0cmHZucHUfUiaKiASksO_FHvfGxmjwRbeiyk4TtiwFQ0F2mq8NpZcq6mYY_LJdCIV6Ir2tDtU7FaCZQqYxfaPwWZ38ifOPFI-5=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlIb4oxoPE214_BAwHtc1mPjiOtaG8EAQHx2ehBKSwENWsBsZ7vpgnKan8yF1SSJgBJl7mKS7w-8bfEEAt-UbwNN0cmHZucHUfUiaKiASksO_FHvfGxmjwRbeiyk4TtiwFQ0F2mq8NpZcq6mYY_LJdCIV6Ir2tDtU7FaCZQqYxfaPwWZ38ifOPFI-5=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...can you blame us?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">Care Package 003</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqIYcZNGZIc5e-F0EKmFnZA5IrM0S6kA3MoIMffBKMdBegEaqJYnKBp275tqvuGV0gxurTiVKbch89ymHwUZIWbcHDq8oxv0AvTbgpz24GQhFEZCDNncifhtVekc82GPyU5dh8yzT8hjWWMC1UGze1qqFwbbMLG90JKAz1z6YvEBwVNzeLDXEqdyhA=s1662" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="1662" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqIYcZNGZIc5e-F0EKmFnZA5IrM0S6kA3MoIMffBKMdBegEaqJYnKBp275tqvuGV0gxurTiVKbch89ymHwUZIWbcHDq8oxv0AvTbgpz24GQhFEZCDNncifhtVekc82GPyU5dh8yzT8hjWWMC1UGze1qqFwbbMLG90JKAz1z6YvEBwVNzeLDXEqdyhA=w640-h480" width="565" /></a></div><br /><div><i>And now, onto the non-dinosaur portion of the post.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">To Read</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCk41VyQsrAW_3oDv9cNvyQ7JIUGtXOpY48Czybk0Y9u37lujsCVcfN-7g9pAk74v_H0Kc2EDhVRAN1hDgfoK4VIpjGGt6OxuVD17UoHGfSl9ByuS7KWi7IEQGHiUMppTRbXTDCD4xWJk/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1533" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCk41VyQsrAW_3oDv9cNvyQ7JIUGtXOpY48Czybk0Y9u37lujsCVcfN-7g9pAk74v_H0Kc2EDhVRAN1hDgfoK4VIpjGGt6OxuVD17UoHGfSl9ByuS7KWi7IEQGHiUMppTRbXTDCD4xWJk/w640-h248/image.png" width="565" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit to Girls' Night In.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div></div><div><b>*</b> <b><a href="https://www.girlsnightin.co/" target="_blank">Girls' Night In:</a></b> If you're not already subscribed to this newsletter of cozy glory, I would highly recommend it! They send out new emails every Friday (with the occasional email on other days of the week). Their last email was a list of the best blankets money could buy. <i>A newsletter after my own heart.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>* Want book recommendations? </b>Yes, this is a shameless plug to <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2021/12/books-i-devoured-in-2021.html" target="_blank">read my last blog post</a> if you didn't catch it. There were books that I didn't get to talk about that I loved (i.e. Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam and Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, which both share a vaguely ominous vibe). I was obsessed with reading in 2021, and I'm already adding to my <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/p/2022-reading-list-below-is-list-of.html" target="_blank">2022 reading list</a>! It's going to be a good book year.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">To Listen</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Q7C1ajWNFPHoqBpX47gNT59yK1XgdeNC2QZDTPlb4kG07H1M7eJEtZt1hk-IirV91zhPeAnuXbjehFfmSAICz56qkR-UraeYm0efRK7Si-DMEaaMeK2KnVUqd7q8hfhpJXGEIv6Roqc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="705" data-original-width="708" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Q7C1ajWNFPHoqBpX47gNT59yK1XgdeNC2QZDTPlb4kG07H1M7eJEtZt1hk-IirV91zhPeAnuXbjehFfmSAICz56qkR-UraeYm0efRK7Si-DMEaaMeK2KnVUqd7q8hfhpJXGEIv6Roqc/w320-h319/image.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>* For my folk friends: </b>I am probably way behind the times on this one, but I heard <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/3FaEoHRnoDkK32rWTdkbyv" target="_blank">"Harder to Forgive" by Brandie Carlile</a> while perusing novels in a Barnes & Noble, and almost had myself a nice weep. This one pairs nicely with a new song from the always-heartbreaking Josiah & the Bonnevilles (one of my favorite singer-songwriters) entitled <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/04gvMPMgFJLjdAsPn2tSon" target="_blank">"A Conversation."</a> It, too, almost made me cry. <a href="https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/766bfaaa-3060-4125-ba5f-9438633b6e96" target="_blank">#majorweeper</a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>* If you want to rock out for 2 minutes and 5 seconds: </b>One morning I woke up and had <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4rFxEoG9PEDkONioOInJhy" target="_blank">Pinegrove's "Alaska"</a> in my head FOR THE ENTIRE DAY. I went to bed with the song still in my head. It's a foot stomper <i>and </i>a massive earworm.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>* For the indie darlings: </b>Clearly I am not the only one obsessed with songs slowed down and reverbed, because these edited versions of songs pop up on YouTube all the time (<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCIGciNcCbU" target="_blank">hey-oooo</a></i>). But I have to give props to Ricky Montgomery, whose song <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2xC918XnDFsH6h6qc6R7li" target="_blank">"This December"</a> was already a jam before he released an official slowed-down version of it! It <i>slaps</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">To Do</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnyPinPtN3QrrKjqH-w6TpNEmzDur8lbfu_uKiM5rcuJkiLzynrcdujmOzu0_u0vJ25QbW40y9ABsyMvsZV4pQoT4dQNa3-qKXCB4ACxcfgRx2xQ9b5No7_mA6MG3TLma0Y9Z_0KoFUo/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="513" data-original-width="896" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnyPinPtN3QrrKjqH-w6TpNEmzDur8lbfu_uKiM5rcuJkiLzynrcdujmOzu0_u0vJ25QbW40y9ABsyMvsZV4pQoT4dQNa3-qKXCB4ACxcfgRx2xQ9b5No7_mA6MG3TLma0Y9Z_0KoFUo/w640-h366/image.png" width="565" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit to Spry Fox.</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div><b>* Play Cozy Grove:</b> I realize that most everything in this post has been cozy in some way, and I am very proud of that. Cozy Grove is no different. It's a video game similar to Animal Crossing (at least I hear), and has you play as a Spirit Scout, traipsing around an ever-growing island running errands for ghost bears who need to make peace before entering the afterlife. If that sounds spooky, it's not. Mostly I just run around digging up turnips and buying funky glasses in this game to dress my character. It's relaxing and in no way strenuous, and I'm addicted.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>* Drink green tea: </b>As a certified Anxious Lady, I have found out firsthand that coffee + me = Crazy Eyes McGee. So this year I'm trying to switch to green tea in the mornings, as much as I'll miss the delightful sugar rush that is Starbucks' Brown Butter Caramel bottled iced coffee (yum). I've noticed so far that green tea has saved me money (because making tea at home is cheaper by far), lessened my anxiety, and made me feel more hydrated. GO TEA GO!</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjMlN74VZXWZkGpleOHRgNF4zYvrNHn92tJFVOMgYKEg8QCjhhUmHTmnSaHGAmRV_sjwAAZTMd0nmtvDbJMypyLaICPwMpmqNiW2WMwdaWK7Su9oHxG7svQxNPzmoM3aQ4mXnmszkJ0s/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="470" data-original-width="940" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjMlN74VZXWZkGpleOHRgNF4zYvrNHn92tJFVOMgYKEg8QCjhhUmHTmnSaHGAmRV_sjwAAZTMd0nmtvDbJMypyLaICPwMpmqNiW2WMwdaWK7Su9oHxG7svQxNPzmoM3aQ4mXnmszkJ0s/w640-h320/image.png" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit to Target.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div></div><div><b>* Check out the Magnolia Hearth & Hand line at Target:</b> I feel like this is a good time to mention that this post is not sponsored whatsoever, but I'm out here doing the Lord's work by hyping up <a href="https://www.target.com/c/hearth-hand-with-magnolia/-/N-4k98u" target="_blank">the Magnolia collection</a> for free. As someone who is newly married and figuring out for the first time what home decor is, this line of literally all things snuggly has been a lifesaver. I'm also obsessed with their <a href="https://www.target.com/p/12-fl-oz-salt-hand-lotion-hearth-38-hand-8482-with-magnolia/-/A-83030681#lnk=sametab" target="_blank">Salt fragrance</a>, which I've been compulsively sniffing every time I put on my hand lotion. Give it a browse, my people. <span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">♥</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b>* Go to the library:</b> I know I don't have to plug the library to anyone reading this, because y'all are natural readers, but I just have to shout it out anyway. <i>The library, man.</i> What a concept. What a blessing. I just love the freaking library. Especially because I've been reading up a storm lately and don't have the money to buy every single book I read, going to the library on a Friday night to get a stack of literary fiction feels like a miracle. *standing ovation*</div><div><br /></div><div><b>* Make pasta:</b> Shout out to the dinner I can smell cooking on the stove!!</div><div><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">Well, that's it for now. As always, if you have any recommendations of your own, please send them my way! I would love to know what you all are obsessed with as of late. ♥</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div><b>I can't wait to eat that pasta,</b></div><div><b>E</b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-81176546431700482762021-12-31T16:32:00.001-05:002021-12-31T16:32:59.322-05:00Books I Devoured in 2021<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgARIQG0Iqhkm51SIj-55ke9C3pROj_lbtaGn-KRrnnOIkN6EPUriCHR6lrYdneiQrqK06GSAuvNS8q5ssMXWBkUlxQLfXb1tlnwYfDXN3ERvSNUzDEGWQN-lxOULK50ni-rPwT75Qoc3NtWO-FFDOSZQ-n7ne9T6W9qhuJg2KWJ7tqHYq61Lc5wBHz=s1073" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1073" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgARIQG0Iqhkm51SIj-55ke9C3pROj_lbtaGn-KRrnnOIkN6EPUriCHR6lrYdneiQrqK06GSAuvNS8q5ssMXWBkUlxQLfXb1tlnwYfDXN3ERvSNUzDEGWQN-lxOULK50ni-rPwT75Qoc3NtWO-FFDOSZQ-n7ne9T6W9qhuJg2KWJ7tqHYq61Lc5wBHz=w640-h426" width="565" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit <a href="https://kaboompics.com/photo/14889/books-on-marble-table-white-background-hydrangea" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>2021 has been a crazy year. </b>Normally around this time I look back <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/search/label/music" target="_blank">on all of the albums I couldn't get enough of</a>, but to be honest, I wasn't overly impressed with music this year. (Or maybe I've just been reading too much, oops.) Here are some of the books that stuck with me this year (titles not necessarily published in 2021). And, if you're curious, m<span>y comprehensive 2021 reading list can be found </span><a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/p/2021-reading-list-below-is-list-of.html" target="_blank">here</a><span>.</span></p><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;"><i>Beautiful World, Where Are You</i> by Sally Rooney</span></center></div></center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9780735281790" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="294" height="200" src="https://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9780735281790" width="131" /></a></div>I first got a taste for Sally Rooney's fiction when I brought <i>Normal People</i> on a <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2019/11/alive-with-glory-of-autumn.html" target="_blank">family trip to Michigan some years back</a>. (I mention this only because I feel like I will forever associate the book with that trip and the plane ride. 💖) To me, <i>Normal People </i>and Rooney's debut, <i>Conversation with Friends</i>, have a similar style and subject matter, but <i>Beautiful World, Where Are You</i> feels like a departure. To me, it seemed a bit lighter, less tortured, though there's some definite navel-gazing and requisite existentialism going on. The book follows the lives of two friends and the emails they send to each other, with Rooney eventually weaving the stories into one in the later chapters. You can definitely feel the author grappling with her own literary success through her character, Alice. It was an interesting read, and I liked the epistolary device used throughout.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>The vibe:</b> A little contemplative, a little world-weary, but also focused more on the complexity of jealousy and joy in friendships and relationships in your twenties </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Read if:</b> You've enjoyed Rooney's previous works, or if you are looking for a character-driven novel that also asks big questions about society and success</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;"><i>Such a Fun Age</i> by Kiley Reid</span></center></div></center><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91kth1PtPVL.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="535" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91kth1PtPVL.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>I positively devoured this book! The story explores the lives of Emira, a babysitter, and Alix, the mother of the child Emira babysits. The main plot point is an altercation that takes place at a grocery store when another shopper assumes Emira (who is black) kidnapped the child she babysits (who is white). Although I imagined the novel to be a little more high-stakes/action-y or political than it actually was, something kept me turning the pages. Like <i>Beautiful World, Where Are You</i>, this story explores the perspectives of both of its leading ladies. Maybe I just really like that back-and-forth dynamic? The writing in this one is less dense than Rooney's, making for a quick read. And that cover! To be honest I think the cover is what caught my eye initially. Such a fun age? Such a fun cover! (You can lob tomatoes at me now.)</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The vibe:</b> Easy, breezy, <strike>beautiful, CoverGirl</strike> reading, with an interesting contrast between Alix, the "girl boss" mommy blogger-type, and Emira, a twentysomething who is guarded, growing, and finding herself</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Read if:</b> You've ever been a babysitter or nanny, or you want a quick read that touches on the dynamics between employee and employer </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;"><i>Open Book</i> by Jessica Simpson</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9qTPM9DVlaC_Zm2b1pA9PMqeN36YePPDnjM-sVdI80Pv6_j0Cbn6gVvHHhM3LLEj10vb4yITw90-6uWOYInsWLwsvWt_SmwlJ8GirTwiJyUKLXITJmBMT_GcABDIfi-rzXnXXjKvVt4/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1349" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9qTPM9DVlaC_Zm2b1pA9PMqeN36YePPDnjM-sVdI80Pv6_j0Cbn6gVvHHhM3LLEj10vb4yITw90-6uWOYInsWLwsvWt_SmwlJ8GirTwiJyUKLXITJmBMT_GcABDIfi-rzXnXXjKvVt4/w132-h200/image.png" width="132" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have to admit, I'm not a Jessica Simpson fan. Or at least, I wasn't before I read this book. It's not that I was a Jessica Simpson hater, she just wasn't really on my radar. But I had heard good things about <i>Open Book</i>, and I enjoy a celebrity memoir every now and then, so why not? Well, folks, this one did not disappoint! I don't know what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really admired Simpson's candor, and she shed light on experiences that can be difficult to discuss (addiction, divorce, body image). There were also passages about her faith and family relationships, which were just as interesting. I think anyone who has the guts to write something as revealing (and, at times, heartbreaking) as this deserves props, even if I can't relate to all of her experiences.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b>The vibe:</b> A refreshingly honest recollection of a life spent in and out of the limelight</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Read if:</b> You like Jessica Simpson or, like me, have a vague but growing interest in celebrity memoirs</div></div><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;"><i>Severance</i> by Ling Ma</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9ZDq0HAGlijl0nBhiPDW4XK-9aFvpSk80foerClSjf87gh6S_ZXtUEaqfbt1SqL8aRzgrR3FdhUEmu2_0jg4v-gG4vq90VHhORBq2xvxQOL_Z_Tz8xsiD6kIge4CuHiK5LQCLhPJHvk/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1326" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9ZDq0HAGlijl0nBhiPDW4XK-9aFvpSk80foerClSjf87gh6S_ZXtUEaqfbt1SqL8aRzgrR3FdhUEmu2_0jg4v-gG4vq90VHhORBq2xvxQOL_Z_Tz8xsiD6kIge4CuHiK5LQCLhPJHvk/w129-h200/image.png" width="129" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By now, it's embarrasingly obvious to me that a lot of my interest in reading a book is based on how gorgeous/intriguingly designed its cover is. (And also, horrifyingly, what kind of typeface is used for the copy? If the font bothers me, I seriously will put down the book. Fun!) So I'd be lying if I said the millennial pink memo vibes here didn't play a factor. Regardless, <i>Severance </i>was such a unique read. At times it felt academic, and at others, claustrophobic. The book was written before the pandemic, but its focus on a fever that ushers in an apocalypse was a little...too prescient? And yet, so intriguing. This book is simultaneously a creepy dystopian and commentary on capitalism. (I know, just go with it.) Definitely a very specific read, but not one I regret.</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b>The vibe:</b> The Walking Dead, if the zombies were more mundane, and not at all bloodthirsty, mixed with...an economics class?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Read if:</b> You want a heaping helping of race, class, and society with your dystopian thriller</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;"><i>I'm Thinking of Ending Things </i>by Iain Reid</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hNycMDFxQMkzsD1jNBUrCLt0ndlB59YWrupYli3cIsGn8sWxQinagegVJStHSneVQa6dYpUaPB3KihocZAzH6jSMMyYwY_ROxm8F9li19KWJ_6uDZPGrAhWz1cgaDZ99hPtrt8aIvPo/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1348" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hNycMDFxQMkzsD1jNBUrCLt0ndlB59YWrupYli3cIsGn8sWxQinagegVJStHSneVQa6dYpUaPB3KihocZAzH6jSMMyYwY_ROxm8F9li19KWJ_6uDZPGrAhWz1cgaDZ99hPtrt8aIvPo/w132-h200/image.png" width="132" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Creepy, creepy, creepy. I can say with ease that this is the creepiest book I've ever read. It's only this year that I've started venturing into reading thriller-type books at all, having previously preferred witty and gentle YA works, reading nothing more upsetting than <i>The Fault in Our Stars. </i>Who is she? WHO EVEN KNOWS. All I have to say is: Thanks, Kaylie, for recommending this one, because it scarred me for life. It was a great, fast, can't-put-it-down read, but so! Scary! As in, I started feeling paranoid in my own house. And that ending....*deep sigh*. Do not read this if you're faint of heart. Do not read this if you like happy books. Do not read this if you thought <i>Courage the Cowardly Dog </i>was scary (which, wow, it really was). There is no way I will be watching the Netflix adaptation of this book. I'm simply here to say: Creepy, creepy, creepy!!</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The vibe:</b> U T T E R D E S P A I R</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div><b>Read if:</b> You like fast-paced, psychological thrillers that keep you guessing</div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;"><i>Several People Are Typing</i> by Calvin Kasulke</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ntaEyaU1UVgN74O233vSSJO99ot-JKp6nLPrgJygSU6G_NK5vvVIGe5Aue5S3HWQA11GCwjriGecwKfPsiayv0clo8e3UHFOdaWuvnJ_uPXaoji-2qeiSQYaKCEsx-QisOW6J3b_DqM/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1349" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ntaEyaU1UVgN74O233vSSJO99ot-JKp6nLPrgJygSU6G_NK5vvVIGe5Aue5S3HWQA11GCwjriGecwKfPsiayv0clo8e3UHFOdaWuvnJ_uPXaoji-2qeiSQYaKCEsx-QisOW6J3b_DqM/w132-h200/image.png" width="132" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And finally, folks, we have this dandy. <i>Several People Are Typing</i> is a book I flirted with buying several times whilst on trips to Barnes & Noble, but couldn't quite pull the trigger. It's written entirely in the format of Slack messages (look up the workspace app Slack if you're not familiar), and focuses on Gerald, an employee who has accidentally found himself stuck in the Slack interface. As in, his consciousness has been uploaded into Slack. Y'all, the dude is trapped in the app. And it's pretty dang hilarious. I borrowed this from the library and finished it in two days. It's a witty, lightning-fast read and made me snort-laugh many, many times.</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><b>The vibe:</b> Workplace humor coupled with a bit of romance and existential dread</div><div><div><br /></div><div><b>Read if: </b>You've got a weird sense of humor and also can relate to the specific dynamics of working in an office</div></div></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">And that's all, folks!</span></center></div></center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I hope you enjoyed this post, because I had a ton of fun writing it.</b> I may do more book recommendation posts in the future, seeing as I am reading myself out of house and home.</div><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">If you have any recommendations for what I should read next, please feel free to leave me a comment! I am always looking for new books to enjoy. That's it, that's the post. I hope to have more to say on this blog in 2022, lol.</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div><b>Happy New Year,</b></div></div><div><b>E</b></div></div></div></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-68376159294596879932021-09-05T10:21:00.001-04:002021-09-05T10:21:04.993-04:0028<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqscGJBXLPz3_KRxtBBs_ezv1nHkh2nzlJbI14OzZrr5W_Xp1bYNpci53Y2LI91qt_oCA-fK9OiwRSla7k3HxfYz3yQMMBHWppJh8JWZeQr7w2ZB84c_dGuesit1vNgSn7_b4mMcLTkvQ/s2048/1970-01-19-040045264.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqscGJBXLPz3_KRxtBBs_ezv1nHkh2nzlJbI14OzZrr5W_Xp1bYNpci53Y2LI91qt_oCA-fK9OiwRSla7k3HxfYz3yQMMBHWppJh8JWZeQr7w2ZB84c_dGuesit1vNgSn7_b4mMcLTkvQ/w640-h480/1970-01-19-040045264.jpg" width="550" /></a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Today I turn 28. </b>This morning I woke up and on impulse, drove to my parents' house for breakfast. (Not me crying at "Wake Me Up When September Ends" on the drive over.) This morning was especially nostalgic because my parents are moving in a few weeks, and they're in the process of boxing up all their belongings. I am now two residences removed from this house, but I spent a good 15 years here, and it's crazy to think that it's not going to be in the family anymore.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">Yesterday Peter and I went thrifting and I got my cartilage pierced. Tonight, we're going to a concert for my favorite band and I COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED!!</span></center></div></center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>27 was just a crazy year. </b>I met my husband, got engaged, and got married all in the span of like nine months. It's wild to me how much has changed from 26 to 27, and I can't even imagine what it will be like going from 27 to 28. I hope that this year holds a lot of fun creative projects, and that it brings me closer to the Lord in my walk with Him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><center><span style="font-family: karla;">My old birthday posts can be found here (I can't believe I've been doing this for so long on the blog): <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2020/09/27.html" target="_blank">27</a>, <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2019/09/26.html" target="_blank">26</a>, <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2018/09/25_5.html" target="_blank">25</a>, <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2017/09/24.html" target="_blank">24</a>, <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2016/09/23.html" target="_blank">23</a>, <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2015/09/22_5.html" target="_blank">22</a>, <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2014/09/21_5.html" target="_blank">21</a>.</span></center></div></center><div><br /></div><div><b>Still feeling like a smol emo child,</b></div><div><b>E</b></div></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-81109705253903615922021-07-31T16:18:00.004-04:002021-07-31T19:17:10.716-04:00The Honeymoon Adventures, Pt. 1<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFr1Cp5o-InonMIWiWsaw-1ZsZxFT5Zx9GYprZBmSOVclrw34WnFy-nn1cyNjiUukF9R9KjokZ9h1DNb1YUGov0UhyphenhyphenmjXB1Jy5DkP5Uuuq77QXcG9y9HYetZ6rN22bH3N-sE3t7PdF6Y/s697/1970-01-19-030857744%25280%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="697" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFr1Cp5o-InonMIWiWsaw-1ZsZxFT5Zx9GYprZBmSOVclrw34WnFy-nn1cyNjiUukF9R9KjokZ9h1DNb1YUGov0UhyphenhyphenmjXB1Jy5DkP5Uuuq77QXcG9y9HYetZ6rN22bH3N-sE3t7PdF6Y/w640-h438/1970-01-19-030857744%25280%2529.jpg" width="565" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>This post is going to be about my honeymoon, but I have to preface it by saying: waking up on your wedding day is a weird feeling. </b>The night before mine, walking through the ceremony with family and friends at the rehearsal dinner, I was more nervous than I have ever been. The next morning, though, I pulled on a pair of checkered pants and ate toast at a local diner with my parents, somewhat subdued, even though it was The Day. Then when the wedding was over, it was finally time to travel.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">For our honeymoon, <a href="https://thecreativeanecdote.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Peter</a> and I ventured to Savannah, GA </span><span style="font-family: karla;">and Asheville, NC.</span></div></center><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlQ58226l-Kg7cDZvLByj9gr-ZEx9wZkx740LRdrmLpKcjW_JbPjeqNMZ5EBiTaksEshxMplLoy5GD9twDVTTrypCC3l-2GTH4YJ-4r3XcFx5rldImo0zGlSK524e43qjBsrap647L5o/s1600/1970-01-19-021137878.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlQ58226l-Kg7cDZvLByj9gr-ZEx9wZkx740LRdrmLpKcjW_JbPjeqNMZ5EBiTaksEshxMplLoy5GD9twDVTTrypCC3l-2GTH4YJ-4r3XcFx5rldImo0zGlSK524e43qjBsrap647L5o/w640-h480/1970-01-19-021137878.jpg" width="565" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Our honeymoon was a supreme road trip, up from central Florida over to Savannah for a night, then continuing onto a remote cabin just outside of Asheville for the remaining nights.</b> Because of all the driving, there was also a lot of music, and because there was a lot of music, I decided to write down my favorites from the songs that we played. I have included the tracks in a playlist at the bottom of this post!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">The hotel we stayed in Savannah was called <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/georgia/hyatt-regency-savannah/savrs" target="_blank">the Hyatt Regency</a>, and it was right on the water.</span></div></center><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0a354cExRw9niYH70Z1EU4lZ97CM73gI7iqqyPSU4DopDqhwiCtrFEMTYqfJL_KDqMFbLQH35i-juWe876GEswq-PjL4LiEwLysvvEtAjvtBWRFDosakAt4jBu_dtB9D_GgMzVbq3XI/s2048/1970-01-19-021035851.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="2048" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0a354cExRw9niYH70Z1EU4lZ97CM73gI7iqqyPSU4DopDqhwiCtrFEMTYqfJL_KDqMFbLQH35i-juWe876GEswq-PjL4LiEwLysvvEtAjvtBWRFDosakAt4jBu_dtB9D_GgMzVbq3XI/w400-h176/1970-01-19-021035851.jpg" width="565" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Our room had a view of all the boats down along the river, and right below was (the aptly named) River Street. </b>Because of all the traveling, we were too tired to explore Savannah extensively upon arrival, but we brought food in from <a href="http://olympiacafe.net/" target="_blank">Olympia Café</a>, a fantastic Greek restaurant. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">The next morning, we sleepily emerged from our hotel room to go look around downtown Savannah.</span></div></center><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwlqloi2q_NCSqveeOyROast0HPQd9BQ2nIlEo_NCTIwxEojPgXBTcGjGj8YyPOCLMSMmxPezm93zH6nnto2SisVw5f2Xs3WHNjEpi0720ieRLZQ28Q3qZxCggPdwpSinFw8IKs4V-bM/s800/1970-01-19-021118960%25280%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwlqloi2q_NCSqveeOyROast0HPQd9BQ2nIlEo_NCTIwxEojPgXBTcGjGj8YyPOCLMSMmxPezm93zH6nnto2SisVw5f2Xs3WHNjEpi0720ieRLZQ28Q3qZxCggPdwpSinFw8IKs4V-bM/w640-h480/1970-01-19-021118960%25280%2529.jpg" width="565" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I did not know, but Savannah is something of a walking town, so we walked the streets to get from place to place.</b> We happened upon an adorable breakfast spot called <a href="https://www.goosefeatherscafe.com/" target="_blank">Goose Feathers Café</a>, and settled in at the window seat. I got a cup of orange juice and something called an Eggel Bagel(!) with avocado.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhLe8vqd-LEqYXW-kbFHJbGow4ykajKpf7_1dC3Bviv2AFlUpOEItToNw-25JqU8Oy5i5P7MUgLpyv0aHMOWYy4M4nNb3vxGc7AB5ZUFWl_fJfcZ1Ia0Zgp-IqhX3Ecn-qXiIVkwD8Yc/s2048/1970-01-19-021117576.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhLe8vqd-LEqYXW-kbFHJbGow4ykajKpf7_1dC3Bviv2AFlUpOEItToNw-25JqU8Oy5i5P7MUgLpyv0aHMOWYy4M4nNb3vxGc7AB5ZUFWl_fJfcZ1Ia0Zgp-IqhX3Ecn-qXiIVkwD8Yc/w480-h640/1970-01-19-021117576.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKn3t4qo25eI07PZNqE4TEKUbqIOEkJOOhpHsxyJe6RTAr4-QXitk8NB3zdxZKAPqw_C6qfwFjM0VnqJbqjLu6-ZNPFsggYt8AO31uTwbCtnkgiKT_DUmBlxJWrqP67Jd4QO5HQgD-Ds4/s1188/1970-01-19-030901305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="911" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKn3t4qo25eI07PZNqE4TEKUbqIOEkJOOhpHsxyJe6RTAr4-QXitk8NB3zdxZKAPqw_C6qfwFjM0VnqJbqjLu6-ZNPFsggYt8AO31uTwbCtnkgiKT_DUmBlxJWrqP67Jd4QO5HQgD-Ds4/w490-h640/1970-01-19-030901305.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">I wish we had had more time to explore Savannah before heading to our cabin in Asheville, and I definitely want to go back. There were a lot of cute shops we spotted on our walk that morning that weren't open before we had to leave for the next leg of our journey. I would definitely recommend Savannah, even though we experienced precious little of what it had to offer.</span></div></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBfTVtIoH0nKCI-hB8vJCYTvax76SbS7m0s_OxaNeli9ohkcspV16Ph7_qzvw9JfqOQfJ0r5FUEDQCqTdnGRXR90JZajGXA60fA8cZoG7QtQ1yE2zPmIj_BoXf6RCTtc8SEUWrGqOCt8/s800/1970-01-19-021129161.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBfTVtIoH0nKCI-hB8vJCYTvax76SbS7m0s_OxaNeli9ohkcspV16Ph7_qzvw9JfqOQfJ0r5FUEDQCqTdnGRXR90JZajGXA60fA8cZoG7QtQ1yE2zPmIj_BoXf6RCTtc8SEUWrGqOCt8/w640-h480/1970-01-19-021129161.jpg" width="565" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Please ignore the dumpsters lolol.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Our travels took us over a large bridge and through dense woods, and eventually we arrived (up the side of a mountain - big deal for a FL gal) at the cabin in North Carolina</b>. The cabin had an adorable front porch, a loft bedroom, a hot tub outside, and a hammock. I already miss it, and the crisp mountain air that is infinitely preferable to the constant humidity we have here near the coast.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">We spent a lot of time in the cabin cooking (Peter), reading (both of us), and eating store-bought macarons with abandon (me).</span></div></center></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf0w69k-qo9zxMFwF3aNWpKTPkehuzjChu74l2R1v-UUff3EpeW6qF08VxsIYRDZKRU-VL0T7j-TjRHBNBQW2bqCKXIwCbR6RIhvZwV8cwkHCCe9a3LDTL9ylV1SVxiWEPAIH3G1SKtU/s2048/1970-01-19-030900121%25281%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf0w69k-qo9zxMFwF3aNWpKTPkehuzjChu74l2R1v-UUff3EpeW6qF08VxsIYRDZKRU-VL0T7j-TjRHBNBQW2bqCKXIwCbR6RIhvZwV8cwkHCCe9a3LDTL9ylV1SVxiWEPAIH3G1SKtU/w640-h480/1970-01-19-030900121%25281%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" width="565" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>I could definitely see myself living in a cabin someday.</b> It was just so green and peaceful - save for the times that the tree branches surrounding the house would creak so furiously against the roof that we thought someone was trying to break in. Save for that. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;"> I have more adventures from our time in Asheville to share, but I will save them for the second part of this post, which I hope to finish drafting next week.</span></div></center></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Until then, here is the playlist of the songs I jotted down from our honeymoon travels (basically a love letter to The Spring).</b> I made an <a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/3kgysx5kvha7wj092h2vuhau6" target="_blank">Acoustic Erin Spotify</a> where you can listen to them, and will be updating it with more honeymoon tunes next week. I hope to add more playlists for y'all to listen to as time goes on. I also started a blog Instagram, which you can find <a href="https://www.instagram.com/acousticerinblog/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/6AZ2Igy2SmfNkBpwhoYsDL" width="100%"></iframe></p><p style="text-align: center;">And now an interlude from my husband, who will be writing fun footnotes to my posts for the time being (<a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2021/07/marriage-blogging-everything-else.html" target="_blank">click here</a> to read the first installment).</p><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">~Peter's Paragraph No.2~</span></div></center></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></span></p><div><p style="font-family: karla; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySm5ukMYJH_iG1EhX2uSx_OZIHi4iSxa1AM3wx8OnY35iGSTKLl-NQMma3KE3izdkjnYbH_OCGzIRo-aUyP6AhTmquO1AP4A46Nj7jqxD04oi2yN1F1J2ngqKWx2L8t9N9hF19ckCMHc/" style="background-color: white; clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="119" data-original-width="108" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySm5ukMYJH_iG1EhX2uSx_OZIHi4iSxa1AM3wx8OnY35iGSTKLl-NQMma3KE3izdkjnYbH_OCGzIRo-aUyP6AhTmquO1AP4A46Nj7jqxD04oi2yN1F1J2ngqKWx2L8t9N9hF19ckCMHc/w69-h76/image.png" width="69" /></a></span></p><span><b>Hello all!</b> Recently, I became interested in flash fiction. "What is that?" you ask. Well, it's short fiction stories, usually 3,000 words or less. I started writing some in the hopes to get published on a small-scale website, but then I thought to myself, "Why not make a website of my own?" This has been something Erin has been encouraging me to do in the recent months and I realized creating a flash fiction website would be a good hobby to have. So, yours truly has created <a href="https://thecreativeanecdote.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Creative Anecdote</a>, a website of flash fiction that believes in paying for creators' works. The prizes may be cheap, but hey, it's being funded by me right now. If you like the idea, please follow us on Instagram (<a href="https://instagram.com/thecreativeanecdote" target="_blank">@thecreativeanecdote</a>) and join our mailing list on our website. Just by doing that, you are supporting something that helps support others! Love you all. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">And there you go, that is the post! Have you guys ever been to Savannah or Asheville? Where have your summer travels taken you to?</span></div></center></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: center;"><b>Missing the woods,</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px; text-align: center;"><b>E</b></div></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-1813903835575768162021-07-22T21:28:00.001-04:002021-07-31T16:18:45.606-04:00Marriage, Blogging, & Everything Else<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEGvjZ68Yf0JiNJ_U0y_x3l55Xm2FbvJoUl_azi3nEbSH95DTTbXzEt-AEsJ_5iIANvM_ScWbjRNVVWG2plOv4J9-KBp-SPs1k6SmtY2c73ZROWRcjvAR7lPWD_y1yg__-_R0wNy-x_8/s2048/2021-04-26-062018756.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEGvjZ68Yf0JiNJ_U0y_x3l55Xm2FbvJoUl_azi3nEbSH95DTTbXzEt-AEsJ_5iIANvM_ScWbjRNVVWG2plOv4J9-KBp-SPs1k6SmtY2c73ZROWRcjvAR7lPWD_y1yg__-_R0wNy-x_8/w640-h480/2021-04-26-062018756.jpg" width="565" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I never quite know how to awkwardly side-shuffle from stage left back onto the blog when I've been gone for any length of time, so...here I am.</b> If anybody's out there, ~salutations~. Also if it's just me, hi, I love your work.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">I got married in June, and wedding plans consumed my life for months before that, but now I've been spat back out into my new normal life, which includes 300% more cuddles but still my requisite amount of anxiety.</span></div></center><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Side note: It's funny to me how fast my actual wedding went by.</b> I know people are always saying that, but it's true. There were so many bright moments from that day (being tossed in the air multiple times during an impromptu mosh pit at the reception among them) but it's crazy that that was already over a month ago. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljGwzAdGOakIUQAyHR5AcAfcWhN2iT497Hzr7gVVxjDPRBPuIakTv0YTN8ZLq6AHgUwMWv7vWKnJP9Qipu7Xxvg8bY-Ui2CHaAW7ALUS6WXJciL74m4LNcaLotmP47sR2U1MaJPmXL_4/s2048/1970-01-19-125245991%25281%2529.jpg" sstyle="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="2048" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljGwzAdGOakIUQAyHR5AcAfcWhN2iT497Hzr7gVVxjDPRBPuIakTv0YTN8ZLq6AHgUwMWv7vWKnJP9Qipu7Xxvg8bY-Ui2CHaAW7ALUS6WXJciL74m4LNcaLotmP47sR2U1MaJPmXL_4/w640-h435/1970-01-19-125245991%25281%2529.jpg" width="565" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">I plan to share more about the wedding and honeymoon in a separate post, but for right now, I'm dipping my toe back into the blogging waters to see if anyone's still swimmin'.</span></div></center><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>I feel like a lot of the bloggers I used to love reading stopped posting content around 2019. </b>Some of my favorite reads are still here (God bless), but to me it feels like blogging has been left behind. Which I don't completely hate - I feel like there's something inherently slow-paced about it, something decidedly old fashioned that might not be as popular in our fast-paced lives. It takes time to read or write a blog! It takes devotion! It used to be my Saturday morning ritual to run three miles, fix a bowl of oatmeal, then sip my coffee while reading and commenting on my favorites. That took hours.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">Regardless, I will always have an affection for blogging. Something always draws me back in, no matter how long I've been away.</span></div></center><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Offline, behind the scenes, I've been thinking and praying about what I want this space to be.</b> I have thoughts of writing more long-form essay content or short stories, of creating a mailing list, of sharing more snippets of my daily life. My husband might even make his own blog - but for now he has contented himself with the addition of what we lovingly call "Peter's Paragraph," which, starting with today's entry, you will see added to the bottom of my blog posts (scroll to the bottom).</p><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">I sometimes still struggle with perfectionism when I come to this space, but my favorite blogs are authentic, unapologetic, and the writers say what they feel without any preamble. People like that inspire me to write even if I'm only writing for myself - which, in the end, isn't a bad place to be.</span></div></center><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>And, what's this?! </b>A bonus Jonas? Don't look now, it's....<i>Peter's Paragraph </i>(which we invented on the honeymoon as a kind of joke but look where we are now)<i>.</i></p><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">~Peter's Paragraph~</span></div></center></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="font-family: karla; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySm5ukMYJH_iG1EhX2uSx_OZIHi4iSxa1AM3wx8OnY35iGSTKLl-NQMma3KE3izdkjnYbH_OCGzIRo-aUyP6AhTmquO1AP4A46Nj7jqxD04oi2yN1F1J2ngqKWx2L8t9N9hF19ckCMHc/" style="background-color: white; clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img alt="" data-original-height="119" data-original-width="108" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySm5ukMYJH_iG1EhX2uSx_OZIHi4iSxa1AM3wx8OnY35iGSTKLl-NQMma3KE3izdkjnYbH_OCGzIRo-aUyP6AhTmquO1AP4A46Nj7jqxD04oi2yN1F1J2ngqKWx2L8t9N9hF19ckCMHc/w69-h76/image.png" width="69" /></a></span></p><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Greetings all!</b> My wife let me infiltrate her blog with whatever I want to say (LOL). Thus, “Peter’s Paragraph” was created. The best authors know how to use the paragraph as an outlet to let their ideas flow. That is why we see paragraphs that are pages long and some as short as one word. However, paragraphs in school are taught to be 3-5 sentences. This elementary objective limits writers from being creative and reaching their true potential. As a result, I would like to relate the paragraph to life… There are people telling us that we have to be this or that (3-5 sentences long for example), but our potential is truly greater. It is up to us to determine if we want to live in the parameters defined by others or create the parameters ourselves.</span></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">Bam! And just like that, the blog post is over. If anyone is following along, how has your summer been? Are you reading any good books? I would love new recommendations, as always!</span></div></center><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><b>Hello goodbye,</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 1.04px;"><b>E</b></div></div></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-52938593374184214152020-12-30T20:07:00.000-05:002020-12-30T20:07:16.832-05:002020 in Music: My Favorite Albums of the Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIETtbfzwvB6ZFhoAq_r0k7pfsbhOVC2aFfKfBD4NnNJyVIDEoZvtJxEIH9nckbpiO9Hfg7IgXxeS1JwfIr1JEwXdRWQANcJWE3CyO9Rp3HKJxsczYtFVAR6mZfu1yGcYIaoFTV9c1A8/s1080/IMG_20200619_200727_472.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIETtbfzwvB6ZFhoAq_r0k7pfsbhOVC2aFfKfBD4NnNJyVIDEoZvtJxEIH9nckbpiO9Hfg7IgXxeS1JwfIr1JEwXdRWQANcJWE3CyO9Rp3HKJxsczYtFVAR6mZfu1yGcYIaoFTV9c1A8/w400-h300/IMG_20200619_200727_472.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>And we're back with another frenetic update from Erinland, aka my annual favorite albums list. </b>Which I have, full disclosure, quietly been dreading posting about. (Guilty.) Normally I get so excited about writing my favorite albums list that I nearly levitate off the ground, but in 2020, music was something else. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: "karla";">It's not like it was a bad year for music - it wasn't.</span></div></center><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div><p style="text-align: center;">But my brain is having trouble believing that certain albums I enjoyed were actually released earlier this year, pre-pandemic. As in, a literal nine or ten months ago. And then, once COVID hit, I found myself listening to non-2020 records from artists (The Hotelier; Pierce the Veil; Metro Station) or just listening to one-off catchy songs on repeat. So, some albums that were released this year that I fully intended to Pay Attention To got lost in the shuffle. Literally.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://data.whicdn.com/images/69133244/original.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="500" height="152" src="https://data.whicdn.com/images/69133244/original.gif" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2WYJ2nD7IzRE8KougUWh-VN3P-ljLL-IiJzMcCngoXT0kVaqC-q-oVVi25CR4LAXzT2NgsA-RHE8Y3-rIf6xhoyGJ5wG2AfFr_d0088BBT2YlthjEWAldCcb7RgwsWdx4h26HQDsyZE/s512/kisspng-apple-ipod-nano-3rd-generation-ipod-touch-apple-5afc5158ebad91.3704238415264853369653.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2WYJ2nD7IzRE8KougUWh-VN3P-ljLL-IiJzMcCngoXT0kVaqC-q-oVVi25CR4LAXzT2NgsA-RHE8Y3-rIf6xhoyGJ5wG2AfFr_d0088BBT2YlthjEWAldCcb7RgwsWdx4h26HQDsyZE/w149-h149/kisspng-apple-ipod-nano-3rd-generation-ipod-touch-apple-5afc5158ebad91.3704238415264853369653.png" width="149" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: "karla";">NEVERTHELESS....the list persisted.</span></div></center><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div><p><b>Um, so here it is.</b> The records listed are not necessarily in order, but they're also not *not* necessarily in order.</p><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: "karla";"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/18hrkvndprWjt9olhQlRcH" target="_blank">DECLAN MCKENNA: ZEROS</a></span></div></center><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "karla";"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/5f3ff2b042e07aad86ac909a/1:1/w_600/zeros_declan%20mckenna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/5f3ff2b042e07aad86ac909a/1:1/w_600/zeros_declan%20mckenna.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Aesthetic: </b>Galactic glitter dance party; Bowie-meets-Elton John-meets outer space; dizzying carousel ride </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Why this album: </b>If you haven't listened to Declan McKenna, then you need to do yourself a favor and GO LISTEN TO DECLAN MCKENNA. I loved his first record, I loved his second record, and I am bound to love any record he produces here forward until the end of measurable time. I will not apologize for this.<br /><br /><b>Song to listen to: </b>"The Key to Life on Earth" aka my favorite song of 2020 besides "Mood" by 24kGoldn because that is a freaking BOP, my people.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: "karla";"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5bfpRtBW7RNRdsm3tRyl3R" target="_blank">GLASS ANIMALS: DREAMLAND</a></span></div></center><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/5f2daa5bbcc4654c5fe16cd4/1:1/w_600/dreamland_glass%20animals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/5f2daa5bbcc4654c5fe16cd4/1:1/w_600/dreamland_glass%20animals.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Aesthetic: </b>Neon-tinged nostalgia; friendly fever dream; the soundtrack to either your next workout or absolutely crushing everyone in Mario Kart 64</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Why this album: </b>The amount of times I listened to this record this year was borderline problematic. The whole album is so catchy that you'll have trouble picking a favorite song. This is something lighthearted to turn on when you can't *go there* with the new Phoebe Bridgers album. (I said what I said.)<br /><br /><b>Song to listen to: </b>"Space Ghost Coast to Coast" is my fave track off this album, hands down, but the version of "Tangerine" feat. Arlo Parks is also a contender.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: "karla";">TAYLOR SWIFT: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2fenSS68JI1h4Fo296JfGr" target="_blank">FOLKLORE</a> & <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2Xoteh7uEpea4TohMxjtaq" target="_blank">EVERMORE</a></span></div></center><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/Taylor_Swift_-_Folklore.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/Taylor_Swift_-_Folklore.png" width="200" /></a></div><b>Aesthetic: </b>Hushed tones and whispered promises; someone scratching a letter down on parchment paper; solitary walks on lush plains</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Why this album: </b>Ah! Do you hear that? It's my conflicted feelings. (They're screaming.) I am a secret Taylor Swift fan, which a good 25% of my core being detests, but I'M ONLY HUMAN, folks. And my heart did the flippy-floppy thing when I heard that we were getting not one but two surprise records this year from Ms. Swift. I've wanted her to pivot back to her country roots for a while, because she is a better songwriter than some of the stuff she's churned out after Red, but then! BUT THEN. She went alt. Folklore I loved, but it</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0a/Taylor_Swift_-_Evermore.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0a/Taylor_Swift_-_Evermore.png" width="200" /></a></div><div>took me a little longer to warm up to Evermore. After several listens, though, it grew on me. (Like a weed.) I dig the return to quality lyrics and interesting storytelling. That was always Swift's strength.</div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Song to listen to: </b>"Cardigan" and "Betty" off of Folklore; "Willow" and "Marjorie"(!!) from Evermore.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2xECuqnvvmVktV7UO8Dd3s" target="_blank">PHOEBE BRIDGERS: PUNISHER</a></span></div></center><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/5ee923f47bb7acb328d5683d/1:1/w_600/Punisher%20_Phoebe%20Bridgers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/5ee923f47bb7acb328d5683d/1:1/w_600/Punisher%20_Phoebe%20Bridgers.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>Aesthetic: </b>Standing alone in the snow waiting for someone who never arrives; sticking your head out the window of a moving car; staring out at a dark lake at night</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Why this album: </b>Phoebe Bridgers' music is like a wound. I mean it in a good way. But you have to be in the mood for it. Her lyrics are so potent and painful that I can't let myself listen to her records all that often. It cuts too deep. But she's one of the real ones, and I can't leave this record off of the list because, OUCH. You know it's good music when the artist makes their heartache palpable. Good stuff!<br /><br /><b>Song to listen to: </b>"Moon Song." Read the lyrics, whoa.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/7MfryRchXoNRwG5YbbDL1S" target="_blank">DANCE GAVIN DANCE: AFTERBURNER</a></span></div></center><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5f/Dance_Gavin_Dance_Afterburner_Album_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5f/Dance_Gavin_Dance_Afterburner_Album_Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></div></div><div><b>Aesthetic:</b> Driving fast and far away; black jeans with the knees ripped out; soundtrack to the solo mosh pit in your kitchen</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Why this album: </b>Sometimes you just need to listen to something a little erratic with crazy lyrics. Dance Gavin Dance fits that bill. Plus, lead singer Tilian Pearson is a Clearwater, FL native and has the Most Amazing Voice Your Homegirl Has Ever Heard. This record is fun, ridiculous, upbeat, and begging to be played live.</div><div><br /><b>Song to listen to: </b>"Lyrics Lie" for the sheer reason that Tilian scream-sings a little bit in the chorus. Secondarily, for the lyric "entrepreneurs rule...yeah!"</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6l8EXrFMXWeHaEutYhwl98" target="_blank">CAVETOWN: SLEEPYHEAD</a></span></div></center><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images.genius.com/34fc539a699599a01c72621f2b6249dc.600x600x1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://images.genius.com/34fc539a699599a01c72621f2b6249dc.600x600x1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><div><b>Aesthetic:</b> Rainy day trapped indoors; missing someone you know you can never have; walking down the street with headphones in, kicking a rock along the pavement </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Why this album: </b>This album is sweet, and it's sad. It's the kind of record that has a wholesomeness you can't put your finger on, with a bit of whimsy to boot. It's peaceful and wistful and aching all at once. Cute, but also going to make you mist up if you listen to the lyrics. Might encourage Melancholic Human Feelings. </div><div><br /><b>Song to listen to: </b>"Feb. 14" and "Empty Bed."</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0BCjAmbM8ryCM9gxy5yW7h" target="_blank">MILEY CYRUS: PLASTIC HEARTS</a></span></div></center><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/5fbd8520dcf8ebd9e69c4004/1:1/w_320/Plastic%20Hearts_Miley%20Cyrus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/5fbd8520dcf8ebd9e69c4004/1:1/w_320/Plastic%20Hearts_Miley%20Cyrus.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><b>Aesthetic:</b> Circling your eyes in dark makeup; listening to records in a smoky club; 80s rock nostalgia</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Why this album: </b>This album was released later in 2020, but it still made an impression on me. I flat-out love Miley Cyrus's voice. It's husky and low and old school, and whenever I see videos of her performing, she gives it her all. I love this record not for its lyrics like a lot of the previous albums on my list, but because it's a stylistic homage to the artists that influenced Cyrus and she pulled it off flawlessly. And dang! The girl has pipes.</div><div><br /><b>Song to listen to: </b>"Hate Me" and the "Edge of Midnight" remix feat. Stevie Nicks(!!)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: "karla";">MORE FAVORITES, AKA I RAN OUT OF ROOM:</span></div></center><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><ul><li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6Uz65rZH5hnky1CF7pZOMM" target="_blank">Yungblud: Weird!</a></li><li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/57lgFncHBYu5E3igZnuCJK" target="_blank">Machine Gun Kelly: Tickets to My Downfall</a></li><li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1GMHBkCYVzWqrrczVDBJKm" target="_blank">Bright Eyes: Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was</a></li><li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0o5xjCboti8vXhdoUG9LYi" target="_blank">The 1975: Notes on a Conditional Form</a></li><li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5qWrp5RcqjxB8ak7dtK6Iv" target="_blank">Perfume Genius: Set My Heart on Fire Immediately</a> </li><li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2HIaUwS0PTUeqFFYHBBGAN" target="_blank">Chloe x Halle: Ungodly Hour</a></li><li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/63iWSELt9V1kV6RSMxN7Ii" target="_blank">Justin Bieber: Changes</a></li><li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2CMlkzFI2oDAy5MbyV7OV5" target="_blank">Conan Gray: Kid Krow</a></li></ul><br /><ul></ul><div><center><div style="background-color: lavender; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding: 8px;"><span style="font-family: karla;">Well, there you go!</span></div></center></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It took me a ridiculous amount of time to compile this list, and I'm still not sure I got everything. </b>But overall, for a pretty crazy year, music still rocked. And no lie, these albums and more got me through a lot of rough parts of 2020. So yay for that! If you have any recommendations or wanna share your favorites, leave me a comment below.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Entrepreneurs rule (yeah!),</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>E</b></div></div></div>Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-82103791879970330292020-09-05T12:16:00.002-04:002020-09-05T12:16:35.791-04:0027<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's that time again, folks....</div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";"><a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/search?q=birthday">THE ANNUAL BIRTHDAY POST!</a></span></center>
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<b>My 26th year, to say the least, has been insane. </b>Obviously COVID has been raging for a large portion of it, which has made things #complicated, but even without that, 26 has been the year of insanity.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">During my 26th year, I....</span></center>
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- Got out of a relationship<br />
- Started dating someone new<br />
- Quit my job<br />
- Started working at an epic new job<br />
- Moved out of my childhood home<br />
- Moved into a cute cottage with my sister<br />
- Finished writing a novel I'd been working on for years<br />
- Started serving at church<br />
- Went to therapy (which I can't recommend highly enough)<br />
- Pierced my ears<br />
- Pierced my nose<br />
- Got health insurance<br />
- Saw one of my favorite bands live (pre-COVID, lol)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Some of these are just fun things, but others have been Major Life Changes. During COVID. Send help.</span></center>
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<b>Like, I'm not going to lie, some parts of 26 were really dark and difficult (read: March 2020). </b>There have also been light spots (buying a PlayStation 4, friend dinners, meeting a cool human). But ultimately, this year has been the year of change. Maybe that's why I've tended to be more nostalgic lately. But! God is good. Even though I've had to get out of my comfort zone this year, I've grown a lot and it's rewarding to see how God used circumstances to grow me closer to Him. Heck yes!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">This year for my birthday I just wanted to get off the grid a little, so my family and I hightailed it up to <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/search/label/writing%20cabin">Ye Olde Writing Cabin</a> to spend time in nature.</span></center>
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<b>And eat cheesecake. That as well. </b>I know the world isn't back to normal yet, and maybe things will be different for a while, but I feel strangely hopeful as I begin Day One of Year 27. And it's just nice to be with my family in a place of peace for a couple of days.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">I can't believe I've been blogging long enough to have this many archived birthday posts, but if you want to peruse old ones, here they are: </span><a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2014/09/21_5.html" style="font-family: karla;">21</a><span style="font-family: "karla";">, </span><a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2015/09/22_5.html" style="font-family: karla;">22</a><span style="font-family: "karla";">, </span><a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2016/09/23.html" style="font-family: karla;">23</a><span style="font-family: "karla";">, </span><a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2017/09/24.html" style="font-family: karla;">24</a><span style="font-family: "karla";">, </span><a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2018/09/25_5.html" style="font-family: karla;">25</a>, <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2019/09/26.html" style="font-family: karla;">26</a>.</center>
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<b>I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!</b> I haven't blogged in a hot minute because of all of the aforementioned life changes, but I still love this space and hope all of you are doing well.<br />
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<span style="font-family: karla;">I'll try to write soon, maybe. If there's anything you want me to write about, let me know. And tell me how you are doing in the comments!</span></center>
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<b>Is this the real life or is this just fantasy,</b></div>
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Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-36841638016969492612020-05-24T09:52:00.000-04:002020-05-24T09:52:58.357-04:00The One in Which Erin Finally Finishes Her Novel<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1E0t8SxzYAdjRnDsaE77cjad0myp2Xxp7ktekzjGLxm3mqcyHKSP4G200qKmZZ9kPHAKMViw2FJVUQPNBYjuNvdYqOg8248hAhtZ1HVQSbwgcIkWDCeNclGopmlkxeK2oGsew8MuI2I/s1600/Kindreds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="531" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1E0t8SxzYAdjRnDsaE77cjad0myp2Xxp7ktekzjGLxm3mqcyHKSP4G200qKmZZ9kPHAKMViw2FJVUQPNBYjuNvdYqOg8248hAhtZ1HVQSbwgcIkWDCeNclGopmlkxeK2oGsew8MuI2I/s640/Kindreds.jpg" width="565" /></a></div>
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<b><i>So.</i> It finally happened.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Yes, I, Erin Marie, of the smol book people, on the gorgeous day of May 2, 2020, finally Finished <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/p/n-o-v-e-l-w-r-i-t-i-n-g-n-r-o-g-r-e-s-s.html">My Novel</a>.</span></center>
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<b>*Tosses confetti into the air and starts a dance party in the comments*</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">As lighthearted as I'm being, finishing writing my book is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life so far.</span></center>
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<b><a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/p/n-o-v-e-l-w-r-i-t-i-n-g-n-r-o-g-r-e-s-s.html">This ridiculous novel</a> planted itself as a tiny idea in my teenage brain back in the tender old days of 2008 (a simpler time). </b>Back then, I still had an iPod nano, an affinity for Aeropostale, and was worried about starting high school. Over time, as I grew as a person, so did my book. It morphed and changed over many drafts over many years.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">After working on this book off and on for over a decade (largely due to procrastination, unnecessary rewrites, and my stubborn refusal to let it go), I could feel that it was time to finally finish it.</span></center>
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<b>And now I have! </b>Praise God. I seriously cannot describe what a mental weight off me this is. Maya Angelou really said it best: "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." For so long, that was me.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Kindreds: A Blurb</span></center>
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<b>I'm not great at creating a book summary, but I shall give it a go.</b> In short, my novel follows a family that travels back to their hometown after ten years of living somewhere else. It's about their adventures in the small town over the course of one summer. There's romance, friendship, familial love, grief, and an overweight flat-face tabby cat. Yup.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">The Pinterest board is <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/acousticerin/novel-kindreds/">here</a> if you want to see more visual inspo I used for the book.</span></center>
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<b>Select character mood boards are also up on my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/acousticerin/">Pinterest</a>. </b>I don't know if it's just me, but I work really well when I have Pinterest boards and visuals. That's just the way my mind works.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">My Facebook Status After Finishing My Book:</span></center>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">I finally finished my novel last night! </span><span class="_5mfr" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="_6qdm" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t43/1.5/16/1f970.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; color: transparent; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; height: 16px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;">🥰</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> If you know me well, you've probably heard me mention it once vaguely and then immediately change the subject. This book has been a story I've been working on for so long, and procrastinating writing for even longer. I never thought that it would take a global pandemic to push me to finish it, but I'm so glad that it is now out of my frantic writer's brain and onto the page. (They grow up so fast!) Next up: Editing and rewriting this first draft til it's logical and coherent. Send music recommendations. And coffee. </span><span class="_5mfr" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="_6qdm" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/ta8/1.5/16/1f601.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; color: transparent; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; height: 16px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;">😁</span></span><span class="_5mfr" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="_6qdm" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tef/1.5/16/1f49c.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: contain; color: transparent; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; height: 16px; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: text-bottom; width: 16px;">💜</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">It was very emotional to complete that last chapter.</span></center>
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<b>I may have misted up. </b>The characters in this novel have been a part of me for so long, and it's a bittersweet feeling to let go of them and finish their story. But it was necessary.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Right now, I am slowly working on editing my book, a process that I anticipate will take some time.</span></center>
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<b>I wrote the majority of the book during quarantine(!!), and was working on it for hours each day, so it's safe to say that it was an all-consuming project.</b> Part of me wants to power through the edits right away, but I also think there's value in stepping away from the story and revisiting it with brand new eyes (kudos to you if you caught my <a href="https://i.gifer.com/Rs7l.gif">Paramore reference</a>).<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">The only other novel-sized manuscript I wrote was in the seventh grade.</span></center>
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<b>It was a story about a middle school superhero and was roughly one fifth the size of <i>Kindreds</i>.</b> That is my only other experience with writing a full-length thingamabob, so editing this book is going to be a massive undertaking.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Which brings me to you, dear blog friends!</span></center>
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<b>What advice do you have for me, O Wise Ones of the Word?</b> I have limited experience with what happens after finishing a first draft - my #1 goal was always just to write the whole thing. What's your process for novel editing? Send help??</div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Feel free to leave any suggestions or ideas you might have below in the comments! (Please?) Sending back hugs and chocolate cake.</span></center>
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<b>Don't dream it's over,</b><br />
<b>E</b></div>
Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-40937508036974779492020-04-29T10:23:00.001-04:002020-04-29T10:23:20.269-04:00Goodbye, Groundhog Day<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8D-PZZBTQm5w1ohxQFZmdoWAyHYBJVC8X_Kwqut8wZrnn0te7jOF0nRDa84ZV8V9DG_yxIMZ4lhDFUDrMHh9NJlDZC9zwyqvkoPaUI0jnHP6a_L_9_bSr75_dEuDxE6XKFG65oqoriI/s1600/2020-04-03+11.29.29+1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8D-PZZBTQm5w1ohxQFZmdoWAyHYBJVC8X_Kwqut8wZrnn0te7jOF0nRDa84ZV8V9DG_yxIMZ4lhDFUDrMHh9NJlDZC9zwyqvkoPaUI0jnHP6a_L_9_bSr75_dEuDxE6XKFG65oqoriI/s640/2020-04-03+11.29.29+1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="565" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the smol <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/search?q=writing+cabin">writing cabin</a> I sometimes write about in posts. Spent a couple of days there quarantining and trying to put words on the page with my novel.</td></tr>
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<b>There is no better way to describe the month of April than "Groundhog Day."</b> Due to quarantine, it has felt largely like I've been living the same day over and over again. When I look back on April 2020 years from now, it is likely I will remember a lot of time spent indoors, searching for jobs, and novel writing (read also: crying, oops). </div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Needless to say, April was not my favorite, though this month has found me getting closer to the Lord and taking steps of faith, for which I am so, so grateful.</span></center>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I attempted a Domestic Pursuit and made boxed blueberry muffins the other week (it's a start). They were good! It's weird how something as simple as baking (and licking the batter bowl) can put me in good spirits.</td></tr>
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<b>In a way, April was ripping off the Band-Aid of my comfort zone. </b>It was me pouring my heart out to God, securing a new job after a season of uncertainty, getting close to completing the novel I've been trying to write for years, and soon, Lord willing, moving to an apartment. It's all a fresh start. I've been listening to a lot of records again, which I somehow got out of the habit of, and one of the lyrics that's piercing me is from the band Whitney's second album:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">"</span><span style="font-family: "karla";">Tell me everything is just beginning,</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Back when we were young, we would ride.</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Though the changes come, you'll get by.</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Anything could happen."</span></center>
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<b>That's oddly how I feel now, entering May: Anything could happen. </b>Maybe before that would have paralyzed me. I'll probably still have bad days, but I feel good things ahead for May. Starting a new job and moving out during Super Dark Pandemic Times might sound crazy, but this whole journey has been about faith and trusting God for me. Staying safe and smart, of course, but not fearful. I'm trying not to be afraid anymore, which is something that used to really take root in my life.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">I'll still have my moments. I'll still miss people. I'll still look back on the past with rose-colored glasses, as I always have, but now it's time to go. It's time for a NEW THING.</span></center>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, but a NEW THING doesn't mean I'll stop listening to old favorites (I see you, Avril).</td></tr>
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<b><br />I hope all of you are doing well, taking heart! </b>That this time has given you a chance to reassess what is most important to you. For me, I realized that I want a slower, simpler pace of life. I want to trust the Lord more, and to listen to more music, to write daily, to take steps of faith, and to drink only decaf coffee. To read more books. What have you learned during quarantine? Let me know in the comments!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">"I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord." </span><span style="font-family: "karla";">- Ezekiel 34:15</span></center>
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Current Favorites: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMaY0A2deD8">This song (*tears up*)</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmzdCy7h2zE">Also this one (my mood)</a> | Reading outdoors<br />
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<b>Entering a new season,</b><br />
<b>E</b></div>
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Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-44603200651096912542020-03-31T11:22:00.001-04:002020-03-31T11:22:52.818-04:00A Hard Reset<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campus view, pre-pandemic.</td></tr>
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<b>On Sunday, my cousin Daisy drove up to the foot of my driveway with books to share.</b> She tossed them onto the lawn, sprayed them down with an industrial-sized can of Lysol, we laughed, then she drove off, and was gone. Thus summing up the most Social Interaction I've had outside of my immediate household in Literal Weeks.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Some days, I'm really negative, and it can be kind of hard to see the good in this situation. But, in a way, this quarantine time has served as something of a hard reset. It's forcing me to evaluate what I actually want in life.</span></center>
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<b>Before everything changed, I was burning myself out.</b> In February, I was eagerly awaiting a time where I could rest, recharge, be alone for a little while, and work on my book. Then boom! Worldwide pandemic. Tons of time to be alone. Tons of time to write. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">So I'm trying to view everything through the lens of opportunity.</span></center>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister channeling Lloyd Dobler a couple of months ago.</td></tr>
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<b>I can't lie and say that I'm not eager for regular life and its calming normalcy to return once more. </b>But, I will say that I'm grateful. I'm grateful for health. I'm grateful for the hours I have now to work on my novel each day. I'm grateful for the cookie dough in my freezer, my morning cup of coffee, the sun shining outside, and the 20 episodes of The Vampire Diaries that I may or may not have binge-watched with my sister this weekend.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Because one day, Lord willing, the world will go back to normal. We won't have this strange time forever. I want to be able to say that I used this time, this reset that we've all been given, and created something beautiful out of it.</span></center>
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<b>I did a thing and <a href="https://twentyfiveproject.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-month-of-march-reviving-this-space.html">posted again on my 25 Project blog</a>, if you want to check that out. </b>I really love that this time is giving me a chance to plug into projects that I've ignored or put off for sometime. That I'm able to take a sort of pause from the hectic pace of normal life and see what God is trying to tell me. It's been tough, but someday, this time will be over. This too shall pass.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Smol List of Current Favorites</span></center>
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<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/books/review/how-to-be-an-artist-jerry-saltz.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Book%20Review">This article</a> | Novel writing | Hazelnut coffee | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2QPmCn3zsk">This song</a> | Candles<br />
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Treat yourself with kindness and remember to get a short walk around the block.</div>
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<b>Probably writing or flailing about,</b></div>
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<b>E</b></div>
Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-66396426145483549082020-03-18T13:06:00.001-04:002020-03-18T13:06:03.119-04:00Care Package 002 | March 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practicing social distancing since 1993.</td></tr>
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<b>Hi, hullo.</b> This post is coming at you live from the comfort of my purple bedroom, which will likely become quite a familiar space in the weeks ahead. Going outside invites a bit of madness, and people are semi-panicking, but here in the purple bedroom, we are keeping it calm and cozy with a brown sugar chestnut candle and a whole lot of blankets.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Although it's cozy, I must say, it's been a little lonely.</span></center>
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<b>I'm an introvert type, so usually I cherish my Hermit Time, but nothing feels normal right now. </b>That seems to be true for everyone in the country, nay, the world. So as I throw myself into coffee-drinking, creative projects and cleaning, I figured it was time for another installment in the <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/search?q=care+package">Care Package series</a>. Because most of us are probably a bit isolated at present, and could use a little pick-me-up.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Care Package 002</span></center>
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<b>Welcome to the Care Package! </b>In addition to the below recommendations, please remember to take care of yourself. Mind, body, soul. Things that have been helping me navigate this crazy time include park walks, conversations with friends, writing and journaling, reading the Bible and all sorts of books, getting dressed even if I'm going approximately nowhere, and eating right.</div>
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<b>* The Calm Place: </b>My friend Shannon showed me <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/05/style/self-care/the-calm-place-on-the-internet.html">this article</a> once, and I've returned to it several times since. It's a little quiet place amidst the chaos of the Internet, and I dare say it's relaxing.</div>
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<b>* The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan: </b>It is likely that I have already recommended this book in older posts on this blog, but if I did, I DON'T CARE. My friend Jesse recommended <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marina-Keegan/e/B00FAE6Y4W%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share">Marina Keegan's work</a> to me years ago, and ever since, this book has been dear to me. I return to it quite frequently. Other books I'd recommend devouring while things are uncertain include anything by Sally Rooney, <i>Emergency Contact </i>by Mary H.K. Choi,<i> </i>and the entire Harry Potter series.<br />
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<b>* "Things to Save in a Fire": </b>The other day I read <a href="https://www.lucyharbron.co.uk/2020/02/things-to-save-in-fire.html">this simultaneously heartbreaking/heartwarming piece</a> by Lucy Harbron. I love Lucy's blog, and she really puts such honesty and care into her writing. This post is all about the women and stories behind certain articles of clothing she cherishes. Definitely worth a read.<br />
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* <b>Shameless plug:</b> If you're bored and looking for music recommendations, <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2020/03/2019-in-music-my-favorite-albums-of-year.html">I wrote a thing for you.</a><br />
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<b>* "After Hours" by the Weeknd: </b>If you like music that makes you feel like you're on the dance floor in a Space Mountain kind of way (what are words), <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygTZZpVkmKg">then is this the jam for you!</a> But seriously, the Weeknd is super talented and 2:12 of this bop will make you want to dance for days.</div>
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<b>* Spend your time wisely: </b>Lena Dunham made <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9zhJVyH0lT/">a list</a> of little indoor activities you can do right now to keep yourself healthy and busy, and I highly recommend checking them out.</div>
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<b>* Smile: </b>Just keep clicking > <a href="https://66.media.tumblr.com/241771d03571578b65deb5a7f56b44e7/tumblr_p0ljh6QtyI1th96h8o1_500.jpg">1</a>, <a href="https://66.media.tumblr.com/859ab055901f44f4975226cb8c9cc412/tumblr_pz3nairhWG1xoyw8po1_500.jpg">2</a>, <a href="https://66.media.tumblr.com/f6ffc59ac4870cbe8ec157995dcee975/tumblr_pusdslAEhO1xoyw8po1_500.jpg">3</a>, <a href="https://66.media.tumblr.com/0f4eb2951b3d6b2b0102bd15cab87824/50af230415636626-1a/s500x750/9b4e9c71dc2738fe184d216ee21850598c5e72da.jpg">4</a>, <a href="https://66.media.tumblr.com/70a901d956a4d4f77bcfa2edf150296b/tumblr_plyzk2hhbd1trtrfn_500.jpg">5</a>.<br />
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<b>* Log off: </b>It's easy to get sucked into the whirlwind of news and noise at a time such as this, but taking some time away to sit in your backyard in the sunshine, or pray in a park is actually quite lovely. Also strongly recommended: a nice afternoon nap.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Ok! That's it, friends. If you have any fun things to share, please comment below!</span></center>
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<b>Sending hugs and sunshine,</b><br />
<b>E</b></div>
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Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-67547839520686199842020-03-14T14:32:00.000-04:002020-03-14T14:39:05.065-04:002019 in Music: My Favorite Albums of the Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Hi, hello, please forgive me for not posting this in December when I wanted to, but....<i>life got crazy</i>.</b> And I am only just now getting around to writing, in March, about my favorite albums of 2019. <a href="https://media1.tenor.com/images/cbd1bde0513ce7ac4b8327110b777eee/tenor.gif?itemid=11604346">*screams into a pillow*</a> Because I have a disproportionate amount of excitement and #feelings about compiling my yearly favorite albums list, I will not Let It Go, I will Post It Late.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">'Twas a good music year.</span></div>
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<b>There were so many epic albums released in 2019, that I'm still listening to some of them on repeat (re: Clairo). </b><i>And </i>listening through records I missed (re: Wallows). Basically, I'm making up for lost time. </div>
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<b>Also:</b> My favorite local record store posted a picture of me with one of my fave records I bought this year, and I admit I can now die happy. #HeyLookMa #IMadeIt</div>
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<b>In summation:</b> 2019 = rad music year, bad blogging year. But now, <a href="https://media2.giphy.com/media/XR9Dp54ZC4dji/giphy.gif">THE LIST</a>!</div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0S0KGZnfBGSIssfF54WSJh">BILLIE EILISH: WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?</a></span></div>
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<b>Aesthetic: </b>Cold jewelry on a bare throat; nose bleed; holding your breath underwater<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Why this album: </b>I will admit, I was initially wary of listening to Billie Eilish because of how much her music unsettled me at first. (Spoiler alert: got over that.) I've never heard anything exactly like it, which is reason alone for it to make the list. But the sparse soundscape, breathy vocals, sheer attitude and Eilish's <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/billie-eilish-cover-story-triumph-weird-863603/">stellar backstory</a> really grew on me. Spooky and sarcastic, yet somehow sincere - sign me up.<br />
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<b>Song to listen to: </b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbMwTqkKSps">"When The Party's Over"</a></div>
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<b>Aesthetic: </b>Dance party all alone in fuzzy socks; hair flip; being a boss at work or a workout; buying expensive perfume<br />
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<b>Why this album: </b>This album blew me away. It was a complete genre game changer from my usual alt/emo/indie leanings, and totally surprised me. The record, as a whole, is mad empowering. It's my go-to soundtrack for positive vibes or a smol dance party. Required listening for anyone going through a minor identity crisis.<br />
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<b>Song to listen to: </b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Neswjdlxm8">"Heaven Help Me"</a> on repeat 25 times, or until the neighbors complain<br />
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<b>Aesthetic: </b>Neon introspection; energetic existential crisis; depressed dance party; <a href="https://www.rockzonemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Waterparks-foto-2019-rockzone-1021x484.gif">A LOT OF GREEN</a><br />
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<b>Why this album: </b>I was a fan of Waterparks' previous albums, but FANDOM really solidified my love for this band. This was undoubtedly one of my most anticipated albums of 2019. The singles the band dropped were somewhat of a departure from their pop-punk vibe into a more synthy, quirky style. It's still Waterparks, but you can tell they're experimenting (see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ya80-PeAuA">"Turbulent"</a>). This album was full of high-energy sad boi tunes - if said sad boi was also super pissed and/or wanted to dance.<br />
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<b>Song to listen to: </b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUTGY1WWcr4">"Reboot"</a><br />
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<b>Aesthetic: </b>Driving away with the windows down; looking at film photographs; holding your best friend's hand<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Why this album: </b>This record was actually one of the last to make my list, but it has quickly become one of my favorite albums in recent memory. Its honest lyrics, effortless vibe and full dose of nostalgia is a bittersweet mood. It's perfect as calming background music, unless you listen too closely to the lyrics - then it becomes very melancholy very quickly. Overall, this was a really cool project. I'm eager to see what Clairo creates next.<br />
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<b>Song to listen to: </b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9HYJbe9Y18">"Bags"</a><br />
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<b>Aesthetic: </b>Morning music; turning a corner to your own happiness; a worn-in flannel; buttery pancakes and coffee - this album is like breakfast to me (IDK, but it fits)<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Why this album: </b>Disclaimer: I love the Head and the Heart. Their music has given me some of my favorite folk tunes and this record did not disappoint. I took this album to work with me and put it on the record player as the sun came up, and it was one of the best ways to start my day. Can fully recommend for Monday morning listening. Everything about it sounds like a beginning - of a relationship, of a new way of seeing yourself...good stuff.<br />
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<b>Song to listen to:</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2LMBdsus4Q">"I Found Out"</a> (!!!)</div>
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<b>Aesthetic: </b>Creative madness; running through a dark city at midnight; overthinking; hustling even when no one believes in you<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Why this album: </b>Like with Lizzo's record, this album was a step away from my usual genre comfort zone. I'm not usually into rap or hip-hop, but there was a dark yet inspiring element to NF's songs on this album that really made me a fan. 1000% recommended listening if you need to absolutely crush a workout.<br />
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<b>Song to listen to: </b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxRwEPvL-mQ">"When I Grow Up"</a></div>
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<b>Aesthetic: </b>Driving far, far away; stale cigarette smoke in a small venue; reading the newspaper at a diner in a grimy flannel<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Why this album: </b>This record is, to me, a specific time, place and person. It is a road trip kind of record, and an album that really drove home the concept of song-writing as a character to me. It's gritty folk with rough edges and a whole lot of heart. Listen to <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/7lhYz4l43odNBYRrt1JrhX">the first Aaron West record</a> ahead of this one for the full experience.<br />
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<b>Song to listen to: </b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Oo9pIBYPs">"Runnin' Toward the Light"</a></div>
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<b>Aesthetic: </b>Me, screaming out of a car to the general populace and anyone who will listen, that they NEED TO LISTEN TO THIS RECORD OR ELSE<br />
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<b>Why this album: </b>Half Moon Run is one of my top favorite bands, and they hadn't released a record since 2015, so I was EXCEEDINGLY STOKED for this album to come out. You best believe I drove straight to the record store to buy the only two copies of this album they had in stock (one for me, one for my sister). I realize I'm not spending much space talking about the Actual Album, but that's because it's breathless, wordless, and in need of approximately 0 blurbs to hype it up. Just listen. That is all.<br />
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<b>Song to listen to: </b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U4uURQqDR0">"Flesh and Blood"</a> (Maybe my favorite song of the year, honestly)</div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">HONORABLE MENTIONS</span></div>
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<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5CuJb813nzBM4FMfTNByH9"><b>Judah & the Lion:</b> Pep Talks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5XpEKORZ4y6OrCZSKsi46A"><b>Lana Del Rey:</b> Norman F****** Rockwell!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5658aM19fA3JVwTK6eQX70"><b>Lewis Capaldi:</b> Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/19BZXyyyJmxcCys5VDFOOB"><b>Sleeping with Sirens:</b> How It Feels to Be Lost</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1NAmidJlEaVgA3MpcPFYGq"><b>Taylor Swift:</b> Lover</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2c7gFThUYyo2t6ogAgIYNw"><b>Hozier:</b> Wasteland, Baby!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2KSWrd22LGc0Hmqs2Z5i7z"><b>Half-Alive:</b> Now, Not Yet</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2QzbL1DICo4xZnWr8Sw4fF?highlight=spotify:track:1TkXApzsz0a6YRArjbqprt"><b>Bastille:</b> Doom Days</a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Ok, that's it.</span></div>
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<b>I should probably stop here.</b> This post has been incredibly long as it is. If you're still looking for more tunes, you can check out last year's favorite albums list <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2018/12/2018-in-music-my-favorite-albums-of-year.html">here</a>. And! If you have music recommendations for moi, feel free to comment below. Always up to discover rad new jams.</div>
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<b>That's all she wrote,</b></div>
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<b>E</b></div>
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Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-9019149351305105002020-03-11T15:21:00.001-04:002020-03-11T15:21:31.759-04:00Learning & Leaving<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>I got in my car, with the entire contents of my office emptied into the backseat, at the end of my last day of work. </b>I expected emotions, and all of them were mixed, as they have been for months, about every facet of my life. Then <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0F9lh8TiSM">this song came on the radio</a>, and what could I do but laugh?</div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Ever since I turned <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/2019/09/26.html">26</a>, it's as if my life has been in a blender. <a href="https://media1.tenor.com/images/59d6c54a5c993a0e4f4b2baa98d7c7d9/tenor.gif?itemid=15312916">(Literally me.)</a></span></center>
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<b>But it's shown me some things, I'll give it that. </b><a href="https://thumbs.gfycat.com/GlamorousFriendlyAnemoneshrimp-small.gif">(Again, me.)</a><br />
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<b>Learning: </b>Maybe I don't want to be a hermit in the woods just yet (all bets are off for the future). Maybe I need to pursue a profession that better serves me creatively, financially, and mentally. Maybe I need a person who has the same energy levels as me and likes books. Maybe I need to write my novel instead of just talking about it.<br />
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<b>Leaving: </b>A place that was once my home. A person who was once my home. The notion that I have to have everything all figured out.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">It makes sense that I haven't blogged since November.</span></center>
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<b>I'm not even mad at it. </b>It's been such a crazy time, that even when I wanted to blog, I was sort of at a loss for what to say. I still have an unfinished draft post of all of my favorite records of 2019! I still might publish it - there were some bangers on there. It just goes to show the kind of craziness life's been throwing at me lately.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">But now, it feels like I'm entering a new season.</span></center>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was windy and we were being dorks.</td></tr>
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<b>The other day, my sister and I grabbed coffee and went to the park. </b>I couldn't remember the last time I had done something like that, just hanging out and talking with her in nature. It gave us a moment to sort through everything we've been thinking and feeling and experiencing lately. And we both feel like we're on the cusp of very big change in our lives right now.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Naturally, my constant thought at the moment is, "Everything's ending."</span></center>
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<b>But when everything's ending, that means new things are about to begin.</b> It's a new chapter, a new page, the next act of the play that is my life (somebody stop me, I am getting unforgivably cheesy, SEND HELP, <a href="https://media1.giphy.com/media/xTkcEHoMQWx2kcGGPe/giphy.gif">OR PIZZA</a>). And while it's hard to leave behind things that were very, very good, it is the right thing to do at this point in my life. It doesn't make it any easier, and I don't like sitting with these <a href="https://media2.giphy.com/media/cAMkmKXTqzYru/giphy.gif">difficult emotions</a>, but tough times can make you resilient.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">I guess this is just the latest installment in the ongoing series entitled:</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Erin Grows Up and Discovers Who She Is.</span></center>
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<b>Even though I think I've known who I am for a while.</b> But I just keep learning new things about myself, and what I want, and what I don't, and it's kind of baffling. There's this quote that I want to include at the beginning of my novel, that I just adore, and it's by e.e. cummings: <i>"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." </i>WELL DANG, e.e. RIP MY HEART OUT, e.e. Because that's how I feel, in this weird phase of learning and leaving. It's knowing that who I am and what I want for my life isn't going to be for everyone.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">But that's okay.</span></center>
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<b>Because, to quote the great Avril Lavigne: </b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDCrXc9QqFM">"I can't not be what I am."</a><br />
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<b>Drink water and take care of yourself,</b></div>
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Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-88710867665304478402019-11-27T12:48:00.002-05:002019-11-27T12:48:48.242-05:00Alive with the Glory of Autumn<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCQtzkDVXGwNNCDpNQFDYGgOiUUomkgmEcsDGP5NI9l2InfJ6RqgorGQA0YbNwiQwP2P5FU3wNRPdGXZEEq3hml0z8bP5j2Gmczd9I0EH__YUgtQzhfguAhIy0lRdiFZTFuPfBtGplhY/s1600/2019-11-06+07.56.00+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCQtzkDVXGwNNCDpNQFDYGgOiUUomkgmEcsDGP5NI9l2InfJ6RqgorGQA0YbNwiQwP2P5FU3wNRPdGXZEEq3hml0z8bP5j2Gmczd9I0EH__YUgtQzhfguAhIy0lRdiFZTFuPfBtGplhY/s640/2019-11-06+07.56.00+1.jpg" width="565" /></a></div>
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<b>We have officially entered That Part of the Year where my favorite coffee shop keeps the door open, and basically, that's all my autumn-loving heart could want in life.</b> I feel like I always say this, but I literally (and figuratively) can't grasp how it is already Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Eve, if we are being technical, which we are.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">So this is the thing: it's almost December, and everything is changing.</span></center>
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<b>Not just because it's the end of the year and the holidays are here (BLESS), but because life has been on the <i>move</i>.</b> It feels like I'm losing certain things while gaining others - people, responsibilities, fears. This season, this year, has been so colored by change and the slow process of becoming the person I am meant to be. And it's good, and it's real, and it's scary.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Also, I got a nose ring.</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">#AllTheLifeChanges</span></center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskJWdmrKpdinPh7dg18pyYjWELCMICc_Y_JFp5pCATUoU6YfPj8hEPzwrdi5Sg7eVRzoRZ1f7wsHkW_FF8OKa3j5qK5XpIbFBhR92H76YZxSb4FmoCO_lxpOW1g2ftq0TLh9nd1uySAU/s1600/2019-11-12+08.46.46+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskJWdmrKpdinPh7dg18pyYjWELCMICc_Y_JFp5pCATUoU6YfPj8hEPzwrdi5Sg7eVRzoRZ1f7wsHkW_FF8OKa3j5qK5XpIbFBhR92H76YZxSb4FmoCO_lxpOW1g2ftq0TLh9nd1uySAU/s640/2019-11-12+08.46.46+1.jpg" width="565" /></a></div>
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<b>So, what do you do? </b>You take time off of work to sit with your thoughts and feelings and burrow yourself beneath blankets and talk about yourself in the second person. You read think pieces whilst burrowed and buy books brand new for once and string up lights in your room because all the twinkling things feel inspiring somehow. You walk around college campuses and hold hands with your person, and listen to albums that sound like how your soul feels.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">It's like....life can be very hard and very good all at once.</span></center>
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<b>Saying goodbye to people is hard.</b> Working through anxiety is hard. Allowing yourself to rest even when you very desperately want to Do All the Things is very hard. But it also adds up to something very good. It makes you resilient. It forces you to grow up a little. It makes you realize you were capable of more than you thought, and that there are always new adventures right around the corner.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">I maybe-promise that I'll write up another <a href="http://www.acousticerin.com/search/label/care%20package">Care Package post</a>, but for now, here is a small assortment of things that have cozied themselves up to my heart in no particular order:</span></center>
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<b><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4kkVGtCqE2NiAKosri9Rnd">Clairo's Immunity album</a>;</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Oo9pIBYPs">this triumphantly glorious song</a>; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YltHGKX80Y8">this intriguing interview</a>; the pages of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41147279-again-but-better">this book</a> that called to me in Barnes & Noble; <span id="goog_808586160"></span><a href="https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/424/iced?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Ffrappuccino-blended-beverages%2Fcoffee-frappuccino">this drink<span id="goog_808586161"></span> </a>with all the caramel oozy bits; reading end-of-the-year lists like <a href="https://www.altpress.com/features/best-albums-2019-rock-alternative-press-ap/">this one</a>; making myself a peppermint cocoa because Christmas.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Also, I went to Michigan a month or so ago, and I feel like I still haven't had time to process that.</span></center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloiK0QrinzYilFpYSEexOWecuasV8ymWneBoWvqVN0ZqeRei2kVP7-xMafoMww0yFLgZlO5m4S92pIlw39kWpjBEqCnt_oId3YkLZjhqRWe72aqvOi_1TtNeX6FdtGKWQY7pDjEIpltg/s1600/2019-11-06+07.56.02+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloiK0QrinzYilFpYSEexOWecuasV8ymWneBoWvqVN0ZqeRei2kVP7-xMafoMww0yFLgZlO5m4S92pIlw39kWpjBEqCnt_oId3YkLZjhqRWe72aqvOi_1TtNeX6FdtGKWQY7pDjEIpltg/s640/2019-11-06+07.56.02+1.jpg" width="565" /></a></div>
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My family and I being absolutely ridiculous on my aunt's front porch in Michigan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19biAWSTDny7my5-6fap3G5MqDZsPnKLqDyrWlTE_DtfEBdbm-BHtddxrKyIJE2e8WWlfxHvHviiLnZgP7F_oq8feC-NnWO369TTOT4ik0F0SzMLzgF_9esfNiElOLU8L_wIn7Ed-pho/s1600/2019-10-20+08.42.01+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19biAWSTDny7my5-6fap3G5MqDZsPnKLqDyrWlTE_DtfEBdbm-BHtddxrKyIJE2e8WWlfxHvHviiLnZgP7F_oq8feC-NnWO369TTOT4ik0F0SzMLzgF_9esfNiElOLU8L_wIn7Ed-pho/s640/2019-10-20+08.42.01+1.jpg" width="565" /></a></div>
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<i>Seester.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAxdBIikRn98e49nwppxWrHFdkfN2PQ1igCqx58TfqzUn24DvoxSJ3DWAYvlmKdDldGBnlWFHs6w8FlQWOEbgZ8sKeFVmyaPk0Kwth64iHENP1i1UjdXetyOCD_8gC0AuFbFbXpmGrVc/s1600/2019-11-06+07.56.02+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAxdBIikRn98e49nwppxWrHFdkfN2PQ1igCqx58TfqzUn24DvoxSJ3DWAYvlmKdDldGBnlWFHs6w8FlQWOEbgZ8sKeFVmyaPk0Kwth64iHENP1i1UjdXetyOCD_8gC0AuFbFbXpmGrVc/s640/2019-11-06+07.56.02+2.jpg" width="565" /></a></div>
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If this isn't the Hygge lifestyle embodied, I don't know what is.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">So, there you have it.</span></center>
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<b>Life is good, life is hard, the holidays are here, and everything is beautiful in its imperfection.</b> I hope you all are having really splendid, refreshing Thanksgiving breaks and remember to take care of your hearts, minds, bodies and souls around this time of year, which can sometimes be tough. Have any fun plans for your weekend, or recommendations to share? Send them my way!</div>
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<b>It's turkey time,</b></div>
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<b>E</b></div>
Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6448346043705610950.post-81968875767543467452019-11-01T19:15:00.002-04:002019-11-01T19:15:36.205-04:00Care Package 001 | November 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-hh_DSEIU1FWqzoEm2ECSe3JkVzGDKDMGlnb-4QfkfjIkoMrjWODqDR_HnRcmpwdJ3VZZGHe0Sc8wKEBKsdn5jr7Kjs_NGZ4r9AB_dVlgiEaG2ueWqHjgyCCtTstf_a80Of_7ufGZ0Y/s1600/2019-10-18+07.01.03+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-hh_DSEIU1FWqzoEm2ECSe3JkVzGDKDMGlnb-4QfkfjIkoMrjWODqDR_HnRcmpwdJ3VZZGHe0Sc8wKEBKsdn5jr7Kjs_NGZ4r9AB_dVlgiEaG2ueWqHjgyCCtTstf_a80Of_7ufGZ0Y/s640/2019-10-18+07.01.03+1.jpg" width="565" /></a></div>
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<b>This morning when I stepped outside, it was nice. </b>Not humid, not balmy - but <i>nice. </i>For the first day of November in Florida, that is saying something.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Two weeks prior, I hopped off a plane <strike>at LAX with a dream and my cardigan</strike> into Michigan, where it was cool and serene and all the trees </span><span style="font-family: "karla";">were crispy with color. </span></center>
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<b>I gathered as many fall leaves as I could, and put them in my suitcase back to the land where palm trees abound. </b>And just like that, we're in November, and just like that, my quick fall trip to a northern state feels like eons ago. And as much as I've been wanting to write, I've been busy and sleepy and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRKJiM9Njr8">time just keeps marching on</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Maybe you feel the same way.</span></center>
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<b>Maybe you're feeling a bit burnt out. </b>Maybe as much as you want to work on your creative thing, you just as equally want to take a nap and not feel bad about it. And to you I say, take that nap! But also: here is your complimentary care package.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">Small backstory: I know this wonderful human who saves up little things during the week for himself to read and enjoy later, and that always stuck with me.</span></center>
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<b>It's like a little care package from yourself. </b>And when I heard that, I started creating my own care package, too. And now - one for you. Disclaimer: I always start new post series (series-es?) on this blog with the best of intentions, but I don't always keep up with them. BUT! I wanted to create a Care Package series to share little delights for you to take with you, at least for this month. Just in case.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "karla";">So without further ado, please enjoy Care Package 001, from me to you:</span></center>
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<b>For a laugh: </b>These were the Halloween costumes my family and I decided on this year. My sister was Post Malone, my cousin Daisy went as Daisy sour cream, and ya girl's a bat. How about that!<br />
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<b>* Oh my word, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/28/style/modern-love-how-i-met-my-children.html">this article</a>: </b>AKA the best thing I've read in a long time. It gave me goosebumps, and I promptly ran out to the bookstore despite having a cold to pick up the full <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Love-Revised-Updated-Redemption/dp/0593137043/ref=asc_df_0593137043/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366307899763&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1240987555104792177&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012150&hvtargid=aud-801090373433:pla-816051518130&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=77768497178&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=366307899763&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1240987555104792177&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012150&hvtargid=aud-801090373433:pla-816051518130">Modern Romance anthology</a> because WOW. If you love love stories (even heartbreaking ones), this is for you, my dude.<br />
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* <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Normal-People-Novel-Sally-Rooney/dp/1984822179/ref=asc_df_1984822179/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343227679611&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6044343310142563600&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012150&hvtargid=aud-801090373433:pla-697868945728&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=66484626662&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343227679611&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6044343310142563600&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012150&hvtargid=aud-801090373433:pla-697868945728">Normal People by Sally Rooney:</a></b> This book was so good that I promptly devoured it on my five-day Michigan trip. I've never read anything quite so aching. This book was, to me, the literary equivalent of the Julien Baker song, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSgWPJy01es">Good News</a>" (a must listen). 10/10 would read again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2GaEWxy7OCUtpgzBJdWUedq6bhVnKbhCZCoqWH97A5ZyVJA6VWp6EV6hMa-hCzaRz1Zb4dd3dq3rxsiQcO-m_2CIwGokr1fLnX6bFin9kdXVnC4YqgcUSlu9U4HvoS4yvoRTQq0numM/s1600/hmr.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2GaEWxy7OCUtpgzBJdWUedq6bhVnKbhCZCoqWH97A5ZyVJA6VWp6EV6hMa-hCzaRz1Zb4dd3dq3rxsiQcO-m_2CIwGokr1fLnX6bFin9kdXVnC4YqgcUSlu9U4HvoS4yvoRTQq0numM/s640/hmr.png" width="565" /></a></div>
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<b>* Half Moon Run: </b>Only listen if you're ready to find your new favorite fall folk album. I've been waiting literal years for Half Moon to drop this record, but hey - it takes years to make a masterpiece. Try out "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U4uURQqDR0">Flesh and Blood</a>" and "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0icmqbsQWng">Razorblade</a>" for a taste of their tunes.<br />
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<b>* Waterparks: </b>If pop-punk/emo/experimental tunes are your thing, and you don't mind language or cartoonish green hair, please do yourself a favor and give the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/7aKMsXKKABZQXKXjQaQHXG">FANDOM</a> record a listen.<br />
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* <b>NF: </b>Can't say enough good things about <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/46xdC4Qcvscfs3Ai2RIHcv">NF's latest album</a> and I'm not even a hip-hop/rap fan.<br />
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<b>* I would highly recommend finding your human and giving them a hug: </b>Because sometimes your human could use a hug, too.<br />
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* <b>Be kind to yourself:</b> Someone wise once told me to treat myself with grace and compassion. And if you've been burning the candle at both ends, and trying to be everything to everybody, don't forget to be a friend to yourself, too.<br />
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<b>* Meme-palooza: </b>Just keep clicking > <a href="https://66.media.tumblr.com/1a2501cd01f5a3c6dfdc05bb4588f942/tumblr_inline_p7gha8vZTc1smabw8_400.jpg">1</a>, <a href="https://i.chzbgr.com/full/9310441984/h0585B585/">2</a>, <a href="https://images7.memedroid.com/images/UPLOADED956/5bbb8ffc045ee.jpeg">3</a>, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mnfyYYd.jpg">4</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: karla;">And there it is! The first Care Package post. If you have any recommendations for me, as always - I'm all ears!</span></center>
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<b>Drinking way too much coffee,</b><br />
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Erin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02628227278936826348noreply@blogger.com14