Category: Nature

PNW Playlist Spring 2012

~ Crystle ~ 5 Comments

Prior to and after the road trip out here to the Pacific Northwest, I purchased several albums to start the new PNW era.

If you are anything like me then you store your memories along with scents, sounds and tastes.
Each new phase in my life brings forth a new catalog of music, food, fashion and literature. This new period in my life in Washington is no different. I’ve listed a few albums that I’ve been listening to lately to share with you, in case you hadn’t had the chance to check these artists/albums out.

1. Tanlines – Mixed Emotions

One word to describe this album: catchy.

These guys captured a synth heavy afro-pop feel on this album. It’s my current go-to record for all present progressive verbs (i.e. cooking, cleaning, living room dancing).

2. Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials 

I know this album dropped late last year, but that hasn’t stopped me from including it in the Springtime library. This album is empowering. The powerful vocals help me dig deep on particularly difficult runs and the track ‘Shake it Out’ has been the perfect backdrop for Tacoma exploration. I’m a fan. 
3. Gotye – Making Mirrors
This is my most recent purchase. My rainy days are filled with multitasking around the house so I love listening to this album while running up and down the stairs herding laundry, books and my dog to their respective places. It’s also fairly mellow at times too, which makes cozying up to my laptop equally pleasant. 
4. First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar
Ladies, we finally have ourselves a Joni Mitchell / Carole King style duet. These girls come to us from Sweden but have a distinctly Pacific Northwestern sound. Think girl-folk Fleet Foxes tracks. I listened to this album a lot before moving and on the way out. 
5. Y La Bamba – Court the Storm
This album is a beautiful blend of Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom stylings. Hello bilingual folk album of my dreams! I believe Joanna Newsom (a Tacoma, WA native, woohoo!) also collaborated on the title track of this album. 
I’ve included reviews of these albums. I really pay no mind to the ‘ratings’ they receive by music critics. Music is not just something you listen to and critically analyze. It’s an accessory to life, a soundtrack to pace your experiences. Music is the score of our sentience, and the score is exactly what we make of it. 
Enjoy the tunes, and Happy Spring!

Seattle Sojourn

~ Crystle ~ 10 Comments
This weekend I took a trip to visit my boyfriend in Seattle. I’ve been to there once before, but neglected to hit the tourist spots. That has since been resolved.
Over the course of the weekend, we went trail running, museum exploring, bar hopping, and site seeing. It was the most seamless, well rounded vacation I’ve (maybe ever?) had.
 A few things struck me as interesting; the shoreline in Seattle can be very confusing to a California girl. I had to keep asking why there is land on the other side of the water, is it trying to be like San Francisco? A tour of the harbor clarified all the land masses and explained the jumbo sized commerce ships docked there.
 Frank Gehry is one of my all time favorite architects. This was my only first hand experience with one of his buildings. I was mesmorized!
  The Holiday season in any downtown area is quite the site for sore eyes. Seattle was obviously no different.
 Point Defiance Park is where we went trail running, we took to some sandy and rocky terrain on our 5k loop. It was grueling (for me) but rewarding (for both). Did I mention it was cold? Very cold.
Guess I have to learn to be just Army Strong enough to keep up with this guy!
 I am a sucker for any and all aquariums. And in case you didn’t know, the life of the party at the aquarium is the sea otter. They won’t sit still for a photo.
 
How we ended up at some lady Madeline’s Karaoke birthday party at Hulu Hulu is beyond me. It was however, endlessly entertaining!
  Yes, that is me in the bottom square. I took to screaming in the designated scream booth at the EMP museum exhibit Can’t Look Away, about the lure of horror films. It was amazing! I was markedly bashful after seeing my silly photo up for all to see.
To avoid some confusion, do not try to plot the original Starbucks on your map. We had a laugh over this one. And still did not see the original Starbucks. My guess is that it’s exactly like all the other Starbucks in the country.
For those of you who have been to Seattle, I hope I didn’t miss any must-sees!* For those of you who haven’t been, you must go. The friendly Washingtonians only complement the immaculate skyline and seaside scenery.

*Go Oklahoma City Thunder!

Christmas Wish List: 2011 Edition

~ Crystle ~ 5 Comments
This year I’ve compiled a well thought out Christmas list. This list is clearly for myself. So selfish, I know. I’m ultimately going to collect most of these things on my own. These items have few things in common, except that they are all loved and coveted by me.
I know for certain that I’m getting this for Christmas. Emily Post’s Etiquette: Manners for a New World.
The etiquette book I’ve got in my library is Emily Post’s 15th Edition from 1992. It has served me well although I think it is about time to contemporize. Social networking manners will be mine. An early thanks to my awesome boyfriend for this one.
Sorel Joan of Arctic Boots. I will definitely be buying these for myself. And at $140.00, they certainly are an investment. Snow boots! Every well equipped girl needs a pair.

The MSR WhisperLite International Stove. I’ll be picking this up at my local gear shop Backwoods. I’ll wait on purchasing this one until early next year because it will be at least a few months before I can use it.

I adore this Laced Stussy weekender tote. It will be great for my upcoming trips to Seattle and Vermont. More to come on those vacations later.
The real challenge will be in sorting the gifts under the tiny Christmas tree that loves me. No, wait. It’ll actually be throwing down the money for my own expensive tastes. 
But don’t you just love my Charlie Brown tree? I’ve had it for a couple years now.
Nevertheless, I was very good this year. That means even if Santa doesn’t bring me these goodies, I can go ahead and pick them up myself. Right?
Either way, Happy Holidays!