Rearranging

I did a little presto-chango with the living room this week. The first reason is that it's the start of a new season and mixing things up in my environment helps me appreciate that all the more. A shift in my environment, a shift in the weather, and a shift in my perspective. Aura Joon recently posted something similar that resonated with me about the end of summer feeling a little stale and wanting to welcome fall and all it's newness. Well, she puts it much better here.

The other reason for rearranging besides FINALLY having that useless organ out of my living room was to make room for my favorite new thing! Brett surprised me with the Crosley record player from Urban Outfitters and a few albums by some of our favorite bands on my birthday. He's been keenly aware of my search for a working and affordable vintage record player in a specific style and my lack of finding one for over a year and a half. I've loved the UO record player from afar but have been supremely enjoying it in a corner of my living room these last three days. THANK YOU, BRETT!


He also picked up Arcade Fire's Funeral, one of our long time favorites and an album he claims was made to be listened to on vinyl. He also got The Eraser by Thom Yorke, and The Bends by Radiohead because "Fake Plastic Trees" always reminds me of the year I spent in England. That night Elsie and Emma brought over three more records from bands we love including Devotion by Beach House, Cease to Begin by Band of Horses, and The Suburbs by Arcade Fire. The next day we picked up I'm Having Fun Now by Jenny & Johnny, Dearland by Elvis Perkins, and Forgiveness Rock Record by Broken Social Scene. And in case you thought I was the one with great taste in music, Brett is the only reason I know anything about anything in this department. He has more music knowledge and appreciation for the concept and thoughtfulness that goes into an album than most and I just kind of absorb it as it wafts through our conversations.

I got a few thoughtful cards from various family members, the contents of which will be going towards something fun in the audiovisual department. Why I hadn't heard of this little bugger before RubyEllen posted about hers, I'm not sure. And I'm almost positive that my little brother got me the other thing on my wish list...and we'll find out in 7-10 days. THANKS, FAMILY!

And last but not least, I got a Restaurant.com gift card from The Margot, and an iTunes gift card as well as "Hooray, It's My Birthday" from the new album Do Fun Stuff by Ryan Marshall from Pacing The Panic Room. If you haven't already seen it tweeted, blogged, or discussed it over coffee with friends, and you have kids, you'll want to give it a listen. Best of all 100% of proceeds go toward funding research to better understand Smith Magenis Syndrome. THANKS, MARGOT, and SARA!

Thanks again for the many, many sweet well wishes here and through Twitter and Facebook. Ya'll are the best.

xoxo,
Rachel