Tune in Tuesday

This just in! Channeling warm fall days in the orchard at PickFest (save the date, Ocotber 8th) I am totally loving The HillBenders right now (even though I'm jumping ahead two seasons). Their picking on Nancypants is totally picking me up right now on this dreary Tuesday.

[Image courtesy of Mackenzie Williams]

Self-Improvement Saturday(s)

I have been looking forward to a neighborly outing to Echo Hill County Store now for a month! A few Saturday's ago we got up bright and early (in typical market-going-fashion of course) and I picked up my Centre Park compadres and hit the sunny road to Fleetwood. Echo Hill has been at the top of my "places to visit" for some time now and it totally lived up to my expectation (whew!).

I had a moment of geeking out and simultaneously experiencing a panic attack when I entered. I was so overwhelmed by all the amazing products and felt like just saying "I'll take one of each" and calling it day. Luckily, the neighbors came to the rescue and I was able to meander through the isles of bulk goodness pouring over the labels, chatting up Echo Hill veterans who cook and bake with these products everyday and discovering raw milk! It's no secret I love food and recently I've taken to eating and cooking with cleaner, whole foods in a attempt to better take care of myself - which turns out is a full time job! [dry-roasted almond butter, no-salt lemon pepper seasoning, light agave nectar, chia seeds, flax seeds, organic white quinoa, muesli, wooden cheese box ]

Obviously all this self-care and healthy food shopping can really work up an appetite. So with our new goods in tow, we headed back into to town (Fleetwood) and I was able to check another item off my list: breakfast at Simmeria!

Again, I was not disappointed. Great ambiance, good coffee and a menu to please all taste buds (plus healthy and delicious options!) we soaked up all the a good Saturday morning should be - with lots a laughs and great conversation in between mouthfuls of breakfast tacos and oatmeal. Thus, Self-Improvement Saturdays were born. Happy Monday! Maybe make some plans to enjoy this morning road trip this coming weekend? x x christin

Friday Fuel

Tune in Tuesday

I am by no means on the cutting edge of discovering new music, but I am lucky enough to have befriended the gold-mine-of-know-it-all-take-the-time-to-sort-through-it-while-it's-still-new-i-have-awesome-taste-in-music, Trader Joe. So he does all the dirty work - and I get to reap the benefits of his cautiously curated playlists. Match made in heaven.

[Photo by Robertsen Ashman]

Let me (re)introduce you to: The Head and The Heart. I've been listening to this alubm for a few months now; it was the first little gem Trader Joe enlightened me with when he discoverd that I was an avid Dr. Dog listener. In the same vein as our Philadelphia darlings Dr. Dog, The Head and the Heart have created an album that once again I can listen to from start to finish - soaring harmonies and playful piano with lots of fun twists and turns taking songs where you don't expect them to go. Oh, and did I mention their lyrics rock? While I am in serious like with all the songs on the album, today I particulary dig this one: Lost In My Mind

Friday Fuel

Tune In Tuesday

I can not get enough of these guys! The album North Hills by Dawes has been on repeat for me for over a week now and I don't see this changing any time soon. It's warm and folky with a little twang and some sweetness as we head towards spring. Perfect for playing the album in it's entirity and never looking back - this one is my favorite. So find them, follow them and love them.

(Photo by Matt Jacoby)