I first heard about Ingrid Michaelson years ago at a Matt Nathanson (AMAZING as well - will blog about him another time :) ) concert and I was blown away. Her unique Indie voice combines with one-of-a-kind, heartfelt lyrics for a perfect combination. She's definitely not new to the music scene either. Her 4th (and most recent) album, Everybody, was just released in August of this year, and is quite honestly, my favorite Ingrid album.

Well, my hairdryer caught on fire this morning, my laptop is now giving me the blue screen of death and the only thing that got me through today was my Pumpkin Spiced Iced Latte from Starbucks and remembering my "me" day from this past weekend.

"When slacker thirtysomething couple Burt and Verona discover that his parents are moving overseas, the duo -- who expect their first child in a few months -- set off on a cross-country tour to figure out where they should lay down some roots in Sam Mendes' poignant comedy Away We Go. They visit a number of different cities..."* and aside from this being an amazing movie that I highly recommend you seeing, it has one of the best soundtracks I've heard in a while.

Sometimes I feel like there are certain people who keep moving, who keep doing what it takes to rise to the top – to be better, to grow, to learn, to network, to experience life. And then there are people who are stuck in their time warp. I’m not talking about those people or “friends” you need to take to the trash. I’m talking about the friends that haven’t really done a single thing wrong to you.

As much as I love music with lyrics, I have to say that instrumental music holds a very dear place in my heart. Sure, song lyrics are absolutely amazing and sometimes the words are so eerily close to how you're feeling at that moment that it's scary. But if you think about a song, what really draws and keeps you listening? For me, it's not the lyrics. It's the incredible collaboration of the piano, guitars, violin, drums, flute, or any other instrument you can think of.

I went home this weekend for my brother’s wedding and there is always one thing I know I will find - CHAOS. It’s good chaos though – it’s fun, happy (usually), and definitely eventful. My Mom is probably making something delicious in the kitchen or blaring the Beatles (and dancing might I add), my Dad is messing with some new gadget, my nieces, nephew, and cousin are all playing the Wii or building a fort, my sister is probably off telling a story to my other siblings, and I find myself sitting on the floor, coloring.

Ok, so I sort of cheated this week. Ray LaMontagne’s music is definitely not new to my iPod, and he’s surely not new to the music world, but he's such an amazing artist that you should know him if you don't. Ray's been around for quite a while with three albums to his name. When he was younger he was working 65 hours a week at a shoe factory when he heard Stephen Still’s “Treetop Flyer” - he then realized he wanted to start a career as a singer-songwriter. How amazing is that?

Ahhh yes, my good friend, insomnia, has decided to grace me with its unwelcomed presence yet again this week.

My mind is constantly, C-O-N-S-T-A-N-T-L-Y running. The events of the day, tomorrow’s to-do list, ideas, schemes, song lyrics, conversations (or lack there of)…worry, worry, worry…think, think, think. Does it ever stop? Am I alone here?

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, The Temper Trap launched their long-awaited debut album “Conditions” in 2009 after blowing away the music world with “Sweet Disposition." You might recognize this song from trailer and soundtrack of "(500) Days of Summer." I honestly couldn’t find anyone to compare them to and for once I’m having a hard time describing them so I'm thinkin' this might be the only way I know how:

A week or so ago, I was at the gym with a good friend of mine, catching up, laughing, and burning off some calories when we got to talking about about her vision board.

My initial response: “Um…excuse me? WHAT is a vision board?”

Well, come to find out, a vision board is basically amazing. Descriptive enough for you? (kidding)