Currently | Summertime Sadness

Well hello there. It's been awhile since I've shared in this space and in the last few days I've really missed doing so. I certainly did not plan on taking a 13 day break from posting here, but it would be silly to not admit that I desperately needed it.

Things have been a little hard for me lately. Not for any big reason, I guess I let a lot of little things get to me and those little things started adding up after awhile. I try not to focus on the negative, I've learned to move past that stuff quickly — keeping my anxiety and depression in check requires that kind of action. It's crazy how small moments of negativity can grow and consume you if you let them.

A certain summertime sadness overcame me recently. Summer often leaves me feeling trapped indoors, lethargic, and anxious. I'm sure it has something to do with the heat and lot to do with my mental state during this season. As a result, I've been really neglecting the creative side of me (and my life). At some point, all that energy I was putting in to feeling bad about myself and my circumstances was so overpowering that there was nothing left to put into creating — and other things of enjoyment. But, I'm now trying to make a real effort to find ways through this summer sadness phenomenon. I'm making time for what I love and treating myself as I deserve.

Scroll down to see some pretty summer inspiration I've collected that represents some of my current thoughts, feelings, and desires.

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top right, clockwise: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

⟶ CURRENTLY ⟵
Eating / lots of fresh fruit and veggies, especially avocado and cucumber.
Drinking / water, always, and a chamomile tea blend before bed.
Wearing / my favorite jeans + chambray + reading glasses.
Listening / to Gayngs on repeat today. Also, Radiation City. Good summer jams.
Podcasting / I've been loving 99% Invisible a lot lately — great stories!
Watching / the final season of House.
Feeling / a little sleepy.
Reading / nothing (I know!), but I'm heading to the library this weekend.
Practicing / patience, persistence, and kindness.
Dreaming / of moving to BC or the Washington coast!
Wanting / some mountain adventures ♥︎
Remembering / our first summer together and trips along the St Joe River.
Wishing / I had the money for more tattoos!
Planning / changes to this blog and ways to pretty up my patio.
Making / a woven wall hanging with pretty vintage yarn.
Working / a lot less than I'd like.
Learning / to take things as they come.
Loving / my little family and our lovely apartment ♥︎



I was going to share a DIY post today, but this seemed a little more fitting for jumping back into the rhythm of posting. And it was a great way to share what I've been up to. 

Inspired by Latrina, Of Trees and Hues.

What summery things have you been enjoying lately?
Any advice on how to enjoy the summer (for someone who considers this the worst time of year)?
xx Emorie

Podcast Appreciation: What I'm Listening To

Do you listen to podcasts? Tell me I'm not the only one. I love listening to them while working as an alternative to music. They can be informative or comedic or entertaining. Podcasts are great because they are for everyone. No matter what you are passionate about or what you may enjoy, I'm sure there is a podcast out there for you. I thought it would be fun to share just a few of my favorites with you, because if you read my blog we may have similar interests and you may just enjoy them too!

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For Comedy: The Bugle
Powerhosing Premium-Calibre Satirical Hogwash Over Planet Earth Since 2007

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Hosted by John Oliver (of The Daily Show fame) and Andy Zaltzman (a Britist comedian), The Bugle is full of political satire, comedic rants, and deep insights gained casually while laughing. You often catch yourself going "Yes, exactly" and "But really, though." Their recent episodes discussing the government shutdown and various members of congress's (mostly talking about Ted Cruz and Boehner here, obvi) shenanigans during it were so spot on,  and a billion times more worth listening to than any news coverage of the shutdown. But the U.S isn't the only political system these two Brits critique. No world power is left untouched. The Bugle is worth a listen if you like to laugh while also being told how terrible the world is.

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For Sci-fi/Fantasy: Sword & Laser
A science fiction and fantasy-themed book club, video show and podcast.

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Started by Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt, Sword and Laser is a great place for both Science Fiction and Fantasy lovers. The pair talks about the latest in Science Fiction and Fantasy news, bring up the latest topics from their goodreads fourm, and discus their book of the month (the book this month is Boneshaker by Cherie Priest). This podcast is fairly new to me, but I've been familiar with Frogpants Studios a while and knew this was right up my ally immediately. I was hooked after the first episade I listened to. Veronica and Tim both are insightful, hilarious, and excited about all topics they discus. They begin every episode with a drink (which I love), and feature authors and interesting topics regularly. This isn't your typical book club! The only downside is that my "to-read" book list has gotten rather long since listening.

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For Something Completely Different: Welcome to Night Vale
Community radio updates for the small desert (fictional) town of Night Vale.

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Featuring local weather, news, announcements from the Sheriff's Secret Police, mysterious lights in the night sky, dark hooded figures with unknowable powers, and cultural events from the seemingly supernatural town of Night Vale. There are many strange goings-on. The community radio reporter, Cecil Baldwin likely has a third eye as he has the ability to report the news precisely as it is happening. Some of these strange goings-on include Old Lady Josie and the angels that certainly don't exist (but affect the plot),  an ancient civilization underneath lane five at the bowling alley that is preparing to do war against the town, the town's children disappearing and reappearing unharmed and well-behaved, the dog park where dogs and humans aren’t allowed but mysterious hooded figures are... Cecil never finds these events or happenings to be particularly strange or out of the ordinary, but the scientist Carlos does. Each episode is unique and exciting as a listener trying to figure out the events that are happening or how a mystery will unfold. I am obsessed with Night Vale and I don't see it stopping anytime soon.


You can download the latest episodes of all these podcast in the iTunes App Store or listen to them on the podcast's website. If you give any of them a try, be sure to let me know what you think! Are you a podcast listener? Share your favorites with me in the comments!

Currently Obsessed 2

weasley / marauders / potter / hufflepuff

Wishing For: If you are anywhere near the level of nerd I am, you are most likely familiar with BlackMilk Clothing. This Australian company is to die for, and they make/sew all their clothing themselves (and have a cool story too) They had already wowed everyone with their Star Wars and Middle Earth collections, but I about died when I saw they had recently released a Harry Potter collection (called Hogwarts). Fashion/clothing inspired by my favorite childhood (and still today) books?! Yes please. Some of my favorites include the Hufflepuff leggings, the Undesirable No 1 and the Weasley's Weather in a Bottle t-shirts, and the Marauder's Map dress. Ugh, they are just a little too hella expensive for me.

book + chai + apple = afternoon ritual

Reading: As you probably could have guessed, I am currently devouring A Feast For Crows by George R.R. Martin, the fourth novel in his series, A song of Ice and Fire. I took a bit of a break from my reading after finishing the third book to watch the third season (which covers the first half-ish of the third book) of the show (Game of Thrones). But now I am completely immersed in the stories again. This book is different from the others, in that it is only being told by a selection of the characters (there are a lot of characters). And it is driving me crazy! The third book left some huge gaping questions to be answered, and as of now, being 200 pages in, I am still rather clueless. But it is still so good, so no complaining from me. I just miss a few characters that aren't really getting the limelight right now (hehemm... Daenerys and Tyrion... hemhemhm).



Listening: Okay, so maybe I'm just always listening to Feist. I've been a fan of everything Leslie puts out for as long as she's been creating it. There is something about Feist's music that I am just really drawn to. It is music that just feels like home to me. But lately I've been listening to Feist even more than usual. Especially her most recent album Metals. It is great Fall music, I suppose. This version of the song The Bad In Each Other (that was preformed on Jools Holland two years ago) is so hauntingly beautiful. Give it a listen. And maybe watch this one too.

Currently Obsessed

Reading: A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin. This is the third novel is his popular, well received series A Song of Ice and Fire. I am, embarrassingly, one of those people who did not hear about A Song of Ice and Fire until everyone on Tumblr was obsessing over the first season of the show created for the series, called Game of Thrones. I am a huge fantasy nerd, so I was shocked to not have heard of it sooner. I quickly watched the entire first season and was instantly hooked and enthralled by the human stories. My brother gifted me the first four books after that (because he is the best brother), and I've been reading them ever since. The show is really really good. And for good reason, George R.R. Martin is pretty involved with it's production. But the books are so much better. I know everyone always says that, but they do it for good reason. I cannot get over these stories. I'm now almost done with A Storm of Swords, as I've had difficulty putting it down (even more so than the first two novels); all 1128 pages have had me on the edge of my toes. It is the series I recommend to everyone, especially fantasy lovers, but just book/story lovers in general. George R.R. Martin is a magnificent writer and story teller. I even got Will's mom reading the series, and she's reading them faster than me! Once I've finished this one, I'll probably binge watch the 3rd season of the show (that follows the first half of this book) before starting the fourth. Oh goodness.

Watching: Orange is the New Black is another discovery I have made thanks to Tumblr. Seriously, Tumblr, I love you. Orange is the New Black is based on a memoir of the same name, by Piper Kerman, about her own experiences in federal prison after being convicted for a decade old crime. To be honest, I was completely shocked by this series. It is way better than I thought it was going to be (I don't know why I wasn't confident that it would be good). It is raw and human and funny and sad. All of the characters are so unique and well written and significant (rightfully so, as it is a true story). It is so wonderful to see a show completely made up of women, doing so well. I mean, this show kicks the Bechdel test's butt so easily. The feminist in me is super happy about it.

"The strength of [Orange is the New Black] isn’t that it’s universal and isn’t even that it’s women-specific, but that it tells the stories of the types of women who don’t get their stories told in our culture: black women, Hispanic women, fat women, butch women, bi women, old women, immigrant women, uneducated women – and even a trans woman’s story. When the season is done, you will be astonished at the vast range of women you've been exposed to and if you reflect on it, will probably be a little depressed that such stories are so rare in our culture."

                   - You Need to be Watching ‘Orange is the New Black’ | Tom & Lorenzo

If you're interested, the first season of the show is available to watch on Netflix.




Listening: This band has had me smitten for quite awhile, but Radiation City's latest album Animals in the Median has gotten me in a full on swoon. This Portland band has a sound that is retro, romantic, and fun. They kill me every time. They released the video for the song Zombies from Animals in the Median a few weeks ago and I love the feel of it. The dreamy, eery, pop feel of the song was perfectly captured. This song makes me sad but also want to dance all at the same time. But mostly dance. Give it a listen!