Before the light

This is NOT new

It seems as if the summer is almost over for me; I've been so busy lately with everything dealing with school in the fall. I recently bought my laptop for school, a MacBook Pro, and obviously I'm somewhat obsessed. On Wednesday I had my orientation at MSU, which lasted until this afternoon. Through this, I've been trying to set up everything on my new laptop, which must include getting my music situated with my playlists how I like them. I have been working on a new one for the summer, but will also help me look to the exciting events coming up. Enjoy my new favorites:

Old Heart, Cam Nacson

Knock Knock, Mac Miller

Till Tomorrow, Don McLean

Lasso, Phoenix

Here We Go, Joshua Radin

The Sound of White, Missy Higgins

Going Away to College, Blink-182

Dirt Road Anthem, Jason Aldean
The Sound of Settling, Death Cab for Cutie

Tighten Up, The Black Keys

Old Time Lovin', Al Green

Set Fire to the Rain, Adele

All These Things That I've Done, The Killers

Young, Wild & Free, Wiz Khalifa
The Good Fight, Dashboard Confessional

Pumpkin Soup, Kate Nash

Mi Amigo, Kings of Leon

Swans and the Swimming, Iron & Wine

It's a marvelous night for a moondance

Sorry for my lack of posting lately. I was super busy last week getting ready for my graduation party. It was on Friday, and although it was a bit chilly (and a threat of rain all night, which thankfully never happened), it was a perfect evening filled with friends and family. Obviously I chose lavender to be the prominent color for the party, as seen in these party photos:

 On the high top tables, smaller flower arrangement and mini glass lanterns with tea lights and sand in them.

 A lantern added in a glow to the tent, and also helped keep the bugs away at night

 More candles were placed on the larger tables, along with flowers and a bowl of treats to snack on.

 Lavender and white paper lanterns added in a whimsical feel to the decor.

 Lemonade and iced tea were serves for beverages out of these festive glass containers.

 Lights were strung around all the tents to add in a cozy feel.

The design on my cake mirrored that of my invitations. I must say it was delish!

It's not time to make a change

"I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy,

To be calm when you've found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything you've got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not."

Father and Son, Cat Stevens

(One of my favorite quotes from this song, which is one of my dads favorites, also very fitting for the day)

 

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads!

Spinning, laughing, dancing to her favorite song

photo from This is NOT new

Grad party season is in full swing, and at each of the parties that I have recently attended, I have loved to take note at the music choices each that of the graduates, or their parents, have played. I've heard everything from some Blink-182 jams, to Frank Sinatra's classic tunes. I love how you can tell so much about a person from their random music choices, and of course I'm always looking out for some new summer songs for driving trips, always with the windows down. I made a new playlist for these occasions, and it will work perfectly for my own graduation party in a few weeks.

Comfortable, John Mayer
Little Lion Man, Mumford & Sons
Sha-La-La (Makes Me Happy), Al Green

Seven Years, Norah Jones

Mine, Taylor Swift

Satellite, Dave Matthews Band

Everyone, Van Morrison

Turning Tables, Adele

Heart Like Mine, Miranda Lambert

Don't Wait, Dashboard Confessional

Daylight, Matt and Kim

Soul Meets Body, Death Cab for Cutie

Empty Chairs, Don McLean
No Such Thing, John Mayer

Misery Business (Acoustic), Paramore

Streetlight, Joshua Radin

Oxygen, Colbie Caillat

I Wish You Were Here, Al Green

Trouble, Ray LaMontagne

Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not, Thompson Square

Hey Girl, Dispatch

65 More Years, Ron Pope
You and Me, Dave Matthews Band

Wonderwall, Oasis
Vincet, Don McLean

Summer is all in bloom

 I can officially mark an item off of my summer to-do list! As a celebration for one of my best friend's birthday, we traveled to the Arb in Ann Arbor and had a perfect little outing sitting amongst the peonies. We hit the peonies at the perfect time, their blooms are so fragrant and beautiful.

 I packed our treats in this picnic basket, and of course I just had to tie on a lavender bow!

 We got sandwiches from Amer's  in Ann Arbor. I got a chicken with pesto sandwich, which was absolutely delicious.

 I'm in love with the pure happiness found on the birthday girl's face! I made my favorite cupcakes as a nice dessert to our meal.

 Make a wish

 We just couldn't resist a cupcakes cheers.

 We spent the rest of our time gazing at the beautiful blooms. I loved these purple ones!

The view from our spot

The outing went by way to quickly, but thankfully my friends and I decided we are going to go on a picnic again this summer. I'm looking forward to the next one!

Nothing's sweeter than summertime

Picture from This is NOT new

Now that it is officially summer and I am graduated, I feel like I need to make a list of things to actually accomplish over the summer, instead of my normal laying around that I've been doing for the past few weeks of summer. I saw on Cupcakes and Cashmere that my favorite blogger made her to do list of summer, so with a little inspiration from her list, here's my summer 2011 list of 11 things to accomplish:

1. Finish reading Anna Karenina, which I have been trying to read for a few months, but I am currently only 50 pages into.

2. Go on a picnic (which I am planning on doing tomorrow for my friend's birthday).

3. Frolic in the hose water like in childhood days.

4. Take up tennis.

5. Play with sparklers on a night other than the 4th of July.

6. Go to a museum, either history or art.

7. Buy an old film camera and capture photo memories of my last summer before college.

8. Gaze at the stars on a clear night.

9. Visit at least three antique fairs in search of cute decorations for my dorm room.

10. Ride a Ferris wheel as the sun sets.

11. Become a Spartan!

Drop a heart and break a name

I am currently in love with summer. I've been spending my time relaxing and soaking up the sun. My camera hasn't been making the rounds with me, but my Blackberry has been handy to take in the shots of my summer days, as seen in the photos below:

I went on an evening walk the other night and spotted these perfectly lavender flowers on the side of the road.

 My black and orange tassel for my graduation cap on Sunday (it doesn't feel real that I actually graduate in a few days!)

 Blockbuster was having a huge sale, so obviously I had to indulge in some movies to bring to school in the fall.

My mom picked up this pillow for my dorm room, to match with my lavender comforter.

I thought I'd be able to read some Tolstoy on spring break, but I only got a few pages in. Now that it's summer, I'm trying to get through it, but I just can't manage it.

Have a good weekend!