Monthly Wrap-Up: October 2017

Happy Almost November, friends!

 I hate to see October go; it has been such a good, rich month. I'm a fall person and even though Florida experiences approximately .0001% of Actual Fall Weather, I still adore this month. Halloween and pumpkin-scented candles and wearing sweaters even though it's 85 degrees outside are my favorite things. ♥ COMMENCE THE WRAP-UP!

What I've Learned This Month

Sleep is so important (Duh). I feel like this is a lesson I have to keep re-learning...? Goodness! I like to be busy with work, creative projects, running and spending time with family, but YO, I can't do that on no sleep. And this next one doesn't exactly help me get more rest, but....

...I love blogging! When I took a blogging break after graduation, I missed this space but I wasn't sure how to return. I knew I wanted to make something I was proud of, and that I had matured a bit since getting my degree. Naturally, I wanted my blog to reflect that change. I'm starting to make content now that I enjoy and that is lots of fun! I love getting to connect with y'all; you guys are the best!! ♥

I need more Jesus time in my life. Any one have recommendations for books of the Bible to study? I finished Ecclesiastes and have kind of been in no man's land since then. I would love to hear your ideas!

Things I Loved in October

Pop-punk music. Maybe it's the fact that I never got to properly go through my emo/skater phase (thanks, Mom) but I'm REALLY digging pop-punk music this month. Tunes like "Stupid For You" by Waterparks and "About a Girl" by The Academy Is... are rocking my socks. TELL ME I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE GOING THROUGH THIS....#MomIt'sNotAPhase



Just keepin' it real here.

These NaNoWriMo posts by the fabulous Abbie and Aimee.
A million thanks for inspiring me, yo. I'M GOING TO NEED IT

November Goals

ACTUALLY WRITE. I know, I know...it's NaNoWriMo, of course I'll write. But will I really? Or will I just endlessly scroll through Pinterest and call it a day? YOU TELL ME

Play the uke. Hate to confess it, but this didn't happen this month and now my ukulele Oskar (I literally just named him in this moment #LiveTweet) is sad and neglected. This will not happen again. I hope.

Begin The Creatives Project. So far I have about 8-9 bloggers signed up! I'm blown away by all the support and can't wait to see how this project turns out. Thank you. ♥

The Month in GIF-Form

Those leaves! If only.

What about you?

How did October turn out? Does anyone have any fun Halloween plans, or are you going to any fall festivals? IS ANYONE JUMPING IN A PILE OF AUTUMN LEAVES?! Tell me below in the comments!

Playlist: Spooky October Songs to Listen to Before Halloween

Happy Wednesday, blog fam!

Before I pepper you with spooky songs from October's playlist, I want to say THANK YOU. Y'all have been so supportive of the Creatives Project and I am so grateful! I'll be sending out questions to everyone who is interested shortly! There is always time to send me an email if you still want to be part of the project! Remember, there is no deadline, just stories. ♥

And now for the playlist!

"Thriller" - Michael Jackson

Y'ALL. Y'all. You didn't honestly think this playlist could have started out with any other song, did you? IT'S THRILLER, GUYS. This is the quintessential spooky jam for Halloween or a killer dance party. I have so much love for this song, I don't even know where to start. What's better, the creepy dance, the funky bass riff, Michael Jackson's stellar vocals or THIS COAT?! GAH there is too much to love about this one, you already know, moving right along...

"Lovesong" - The Cure

BRB I just discovered The Cure's "Disintegration" album and LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. (Can you tell I'm excited?) This whole album is the sonic equivalent of tiptoeing around an old, dusty attic. It's moody, creepy, spider-webby...I'm making up words now, people, that's how much I am failing to express the glory that is this album. "Lovesong" makes the playlist for its haunting verses and chorus. AND THAT COVER! (I promise not all of the songs on this list are from the 80's.)

"Vampire Again" - Marlon Williams

Marlon Williams is living his best life now. And yo, if there was ever a semi-silly song about dressing up like a vampire and spooking people, THIS WOULD BE IT. This track is gloriously old school, a perfect mix of sassy humor, finger snapping, vintage vibes and aesthetic goals. It kind of makes me want to be a vampire (again) for Halloween, even though that's what I was last year. GAH

"Little Dark Age" - MGMT

I feel like this song is the hipper, more millennial version of The Cure's music?! It's at least after the aesthetic. This one is very groovy, bass-heavy and (hopefully) signifies a darker, moodier direction for MGMT's new music. It's the perfect background song for getting ready for a costume party, applying black lipstick, walking down the street in combat boots...it's a solid goth-bop, yo.

"Monsters" - Angus Stone

If you like your Halloween jams acoustic and folky, look no further. Angus Stone creates absolute folk magic on his solo album, "Broken Brights" and this track is no exception. "Monsters" is the perfect soundtrack for a long, country drive or a morning walk. Angus's music is so introspective, melancholic, serious and whimsical all at once. Definitely give him a listen if you haven't heard his tunes before!

"Threnody" - Goldmund

This song is an eerie, wistful piano ballad. The instrumental captures the mood of the album cover perfectly - haunting, nostalgic, memories pressed in film...this song feels like the somber ending to a romance, or the face of a loved one in an old photograph. It's not scary so much as it is chilling, if that makes sense? "Threnody" means "a lament," so I guess that's fitting. Had to include this one, y'all. ♥ 

"Nature Boy (Acoustic)" - Aurora

Are you looking for creepy music to write to? Music that tells a story? Aurora's the artist for you! This Norwegian singer's songs make me think of walking barefoot in a dark forest, or an eerie mist. Aurora is super whimsical and has a pleading, soft voice that cuts you, it's so haunting. "Nature Boy" is short and spooky and 100% guaranteed to creep you out if you listen to it in the dark, or your money back.

What about you?

Do you have any songs you're loving this Fall? I always love listening to y'all's recommendations! You guys have wonderful taste in tunes.

And is anyone breaking out the sweaters and scarves yet?

Introducing: The Creatives Project

Meet Archie, my potted plant. He's five months old and quite the introvert.

Hello there, my people!

One of the things I love most about writing is that it lets you tell someone else's story. This is a big part of why I got my degree in journalism: I love to get to know what makes people tick, what they are passionate about, and who they really are beyond the surface. While I may never get the chance to interview any of y'all face to face, this gnifty little thing called the Internet connects us! So without further ado, allow me to introduce you to.....

The Creatives Project!

*throws confetti*

The Creatives Project is a series of short interviews with other bloggers and creatives, hosted here on the blog! I want to get to know y'all, hear about the projects you are most passionate about, what you're currently writing, baking, creating, etc. What artists inspire you? What are your biggest creative roadblocks? And how did you get into blogging?

If you can't tell, I'm pretty excited about this!

That's where you're wrong! Can you bake? Sing? Knit? Write? Dance? Paint? Maybe you love photography or filming YouTube videos or maybe you're a poet. Or maybe you have a loving, encouraging heart! Whatever form your creative passion projects take, I want to hear about them! YOU are creative.

So how do I get involved?

It's really simple to be a part of the project. Here's what you need to do:

Email me at acousticerin [at] gmail [dot] com
with the subject line "The Creatives Project: [Your Name]"
to let me know you're interested! Then I will put you on
the list and send over your interview questions!

For this project, I would like to incorporate 2-3 photos into the post, either of your personal photography, pictures of poems you've handwritten, etc. I will also need (1) head-shot of you for the post. If you're not comfortable with sending photographs, I'll ask you to send me a list of keywords that match your "aesthetic" so I can find or create visual content for the post! 

But what if I forget to answer the questions?
Is there a deadline for the project?

Me interviewing you except not really.

Nope, no deadline! The series will run for as long as there is interest. It may feature 2 bloggers, 3 bloggers or 45 bloggers! WHO KNOWS. It may even feature bloggers that I don't know yet! That's the beauty of this project. There's no rules, no guidelines - we are a community that is ever growing, learning and creating. I want to hear your story!  

What about you?

Do you want to be a part of the project? Is there something that you are passionate about creating?Any one have any fun Fall plans for this weekend? Love y'all! ♥