When the warm weather comes around, I usually find it inspiring after a dull winter and need a soundtrack to go with it. Several of my favorite artists (i.e. Tyler Hilton) recently released new music. So I’m sharing my newly made “spring/summer mix 2012.” Some new songs, some older, but all good music!

1. “Let’s Go” - Madi Diaz (from Plastic Moon)
2. “Static Waves” - Andrew Belle and Katie Herzig (from The Ladder)
3. “Not Over You” - Gavin DeGraw (from Sweeter)
4. “Hey Jesus” - Tyler Hilton (from Forget the Storm)
5. “Kiss” - Sean McConnell (from seanmcconnell.com)
6. “Paradise” - Coldplay (from Mylo Xyloto)
7. “Little Spark” - Jessie Baylin (from Little Spark)
8. “We Are Young” - Fun. w/ Janelle Monáe (from Some Nights)
9. “Somebody That I Used to Know” - Gotye w/ Kimbra (from Making Mirrors)
10. “Safe and Sound” - Taylor Swift w/ The Civil Wars (from The Hunger Games Soundtrack)
11. “Sweeter” - Gavin DeGraw (from Sweeter)
12. “Next Best Thing” - Lori McKenna w/ Trent Dabbs (unreleased)
13. “You’ll Ask For Me” - Tyler Hilton (from Forget the Storm)
14. “The Most” - Lori McKenna w/ Sean McConnell (from Lorraine)

did you know….i do…

I am new to the world of coffee, but have quickly found myself an addict. Every morning, I love to start my day with a cup (with a splash of hazelnut flavor and raw agave). Summer has come early and it’s time for iced coffee! I don’t want to always have to go out for an iced coffee treat, so I did some research to make it at home.

I have a Keurig coffee maker - which is great - but for this experiment, takes a few extra steps. I brewed a few cups of strong coffee with my K-cup filter. They say to make it a little stronger than normal because when cooling down, it will dilute a little.

I added some agave (or whatever sweetener you use). You want to add it while hot, or else it won’t work as well. Then, I put it in a jar and put it in the fridge for a few hours. For best results, I suggest keeping it in fridge over night.

A few hours later…I filled my glass up with ice, added a little hazelnut creamer and then poured my cooled down coffee. Delicious!

My other new obsession for summer - polka dotted nails

I am lucky to live in a great area of Nashville called Hillsboro Village. It’s a trendy little part of town with restaurants, boutique stores and Vanderbilt/Belmont students everywhere. In the springtime, there are people walking the streets at all times of day. It’s really an amazing time of year. One of my favorite things to do when it’s warm out is sit on a patio. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite patios in Nashville:

1. Taco Mamacita - I love tacos, sangria and this patio in Edgehill Village (a hop and skip away from Hillsboro Village) is always busy during warm weather.
2. Jackson’s Bar and Bistro - Great selection of drinks and a great brunch, especially when the line to Pancake Pantry next door is too long.
3. 12 South Taproom - They have a large beer selection and delicious burritos.
A few others..
Broadway Brewhouse in Midtown
Blackstone Restaurant and Brewery
PM

Back to my smoothie obessesion, I made a new (to me) smoothie this morning. 1 1/2 cup of cold water, 1/2 cup kale, 1/2 cup spinach, 1 peeled orange, 2 small apples, 3 teaspoons almond butter, and 1 teaspoon of flax and approx 1 teaspoon of raw agave. Delicious and filling! It came out a very pretty bright green color as well.

Things to look forward to..
Tin Pan South at the end of March.
Rites of Spring in April with my favorite, Tyler Hilton, and many more.
A few new breweries in the Mid-Tennessee area .

As of late, I have been stocking up on frozen fruits and veggies. Whole foods has great prices on these, as part of their 365 brand (they can be very expensive at some stores and contain added sugar). I have always loved smoothies but they can be very unhealthy if you’re not paying attention. Smoothies are a super easy way to load up on fruits and vegetables and feel good. I have been on a quest to make a bright green smoothie…

I start with a cup of water, add 1/2 cup of kale or spinach (sometimes both) then add whatever fruits I have at home. I usually mix with pineapple and banana or blueberries and strawberries. The lighter the color fruit, the greener it is. There are so many variations you can use.

A great trick that a lovely friend and fellow vegan from NY told me is to freeze fresh greens before they are about to turn. You can save them for smoothies later.

Some more great smoothie recipes:
Martha Stewart’s Green Machine
Michelle Branch’s Green Juice
Green Smoothie for Weight Loss

Today was one of those perfect, laid back Fridays. Slept in late, had lunch with Josh, and walked around with the dogs in the afternoon. Tonight we stopped at Provence for coffee and macaroons. What a great start to the weekend.

This image and more macaroon goodness from here.

Some more things…
Spring line for paper crown is at Nordstrom’s.

Found these great TOMS only to see they are sold out.

My new guilty pleasure is Ice Loves Coco. Sshhh!

It’s a rainy and cloudy day here in Nashville. I love to leave my windows open and listen to the rain. Although it brings muddy paws inside, I get to wear rain boots! 

My favorite albums of the year? Should come as no surprise to most.

1. Mat Kearney - Young Love ( http://matkearney.com ) My favorite track? - Young, Dumb and in Love - there is not a bad song on this album.

2. Lori McKenna - Lorraine (http://lorimckenna.com ) My favorite track? - Lorraine

3. Matt Nathanson - Modern Love ( http://mattnathanson.com ) - My favorite track? A tie between Modern Love and Run (a duet with Sugarland)