Pondering on Ingrid Michaelson

As an aspiring singer/songwriter, I'm always looking for new music to listen to and better ways to express my thoughts through lyrics. I'm always amazed by the freedom and open-ness of songwriting and how many different approaches you can take. I tend to write my feelings very simplistically but with a lot of poetic flair. But lately I feel as if I'm running out of words as an outlet for describing this season in my life. There are so many things I can't seem to fully say, so many things happening in my heart and mind. And then I discovered the amazing and brilliant Ingrid Michaelson. I adore her cover of "Can't Help Falling in Love", but that was the only thing I'd ever heard from her.


Then I saw  Christina Perri had posted on Twitter about how good her newest album was. I've been in desperate need of some new music, so I thought I would give it a go. Since then, lets say I've been a little obsessive compulsive over it:) ok, no, that's an understatement. I haven't really wanted to listen to anything else. The ingeniousness of this album can't be uttered enough. Even just the concept, "It Doesn't Have to Make Sense" is beautiful. Michaelson shares so many heart-breaking, yet thought-provoking songs in this album, relating to the painful experience of losing her mother/going through a divorce.


She tells how shocking and hard it was to go through these things, and how she wondered why such things were happening to her. Finally she gradually begins to realize that life doesn't always have to make sense. All of us go through confusing and devastating times in our life, when we question providence and why these things take place. But I love how this album has opened by eyes to this profound and deep truth.


Many times in the past couple years, I've questioned how God could allow me to go through such a lonely, uncertain, heart-breaking time. I still have no idea what my future will hold and I can't pretend I have a lot of faith for good things to be coming. But in listening to the album, I am reminded I don't have to have everything figured out. I don't have to always be in control and trying to prevent more bad events from taking place. I just need to learn to have peace and let life happen, as it was meant to play out. I may not always understand, I may not always have hope that things will one day be better.

But there is a meaningful and wonderful reason for why my life is the way it is, and someday it will make sense. Until then, I'm going to try to make the best of things. I'm going to strive without ceasing to love people and not give up my dreams, which are more than worth fighting for. I know that every tear I cry and every day my heart is sad and lonely will make me stronger. I look up to so many beautiful, inspirational women who have been through horrible stuff I can't envision happening.


But, to see them now, it amazes me how sweet and compassionate and loving they still are. They have used these scars and turned them into beauty. They have encouraged and blessed people like me that everything will be okay in the end. And if everything isn't ok, than it's not the end yet:)

If you haven't already, go buy Ingrid's new album. It is the real deal! "Be Ok" is also another favorite of mine. I love how sweet and fun the song is, but how it showcases my current reflections so perfect. Ingrid is such a smart and talented songwriter and woman. She inspires me, because she is so unapologetic about simply being herself. She loves who she is and isn't trying to fit a mold or expected definition of what is cool and beautiful. In "Miss America" she spins a delightful thread of lyrics, about how her mother instilled self-confidence in her from a young age. The chorus runs, "I'll never be Miss America. It's not the way I was born to be. it's like my mama she told me girl, there's so many ways to be beautiful".

I identify with this much, as I've also never been one to be conventional and never fit in very much at all. But I've learned to be happy and content with how I was made and be proud that I am not like all the other girls. It's so incredibly refreshing to see girls like Michaelson who aren't afraid of being different and celebrate their uniqueness.

Jewel Remedy & Reflections

I've always loved Jewel from the moment I first listened to "Spirit," now almost 3 years ago. Her soul is such a fascinating canvas of beauty, completely raw and honest. Her lyrics make me consider and contemplate things I never thought of before. She notices and observes things in humanity and society and her songs express pain, love, strong desire and heartbreak so elegantly.
My favorites from the" Pieces Of You" and "Spirit" album are, "You Were Meant For Me' "Near You Always" "Pieces Of You," "Jupiter" "Hands", "Do You", "Life Uncommon", and "Down So Long." Every one of these songs is so unique and out-of-the ordinary, displaying a deep,intimate portrayal of life. Jewel's eloquent, poetic way of telling her story, struggles, and feelings for her lover is admirable to say the least. I will always look up to her as a person and song-writer and hope to be as noble and brave as she is someday.


Jewel remained fearless and tenacious, pouring herself into learning the craft of singing/songwriting and playing the gutiar.  Amidst a complicated relationship with her parents, hardship, and homelessness, she conquered and succeeded after three long years. Then there is the heart-wrenching tale of her broken marriage, a relationship that ended after 16 years with Ty Murray. It's inspirational to me, how she found peace even after so many horrible things happened to her. It motivates me to keep trying my best and not let let my scars define me.I love how Jewel comes back to her roots, with her newest album. I am transported once again into the transparent, colorful world that is hers, where she bears her heart and soul. The older I get, the more I begin to finally understand her lyrics, the more I relate and cling to them. Lately, I identify especially with her bitter-sweet love songs like" Absence of Fear" and " Near You Always". I love how she expresses my feelings in such a powerful, romantic way. It's nice to know I'm not alone in my longing and that she too has felt the terrifying, yet beautiful feeling of being in love.
Favorite Songs from "Picking Up The Pieces", " The Shape of You," "Everything Breaks", "Mercy" and "Love Used To Be"

Why Music Means So Much To Me

It has amazed me time and time again, how when I'm going through any season in my life, I can always find the perfect song to express myself to. This is brought about by a number of different ways, either by listening to a song for the first time( and then oh my god, this song is my life!:); or by listening to a song and at first and not really understanding it. but then as time goes on, you begin to relate to it and it starts holding so much more meaning than before. Ever since I was 12, I've found such solace and comfort in music. When I'm happy and feeling positive( or in love, as is the case lately:) ), I listen to music. When I'm feeling sad or lonely, I listen to music. When I need a friend or something to lean on, I listen to music. When I'm feeling dark and depressed and want someone to tell me I'm not alone in my pain; I can always find some song by one of my girls to use as an outlet.

I literally can not survive without music. There's always those times in every person's life where there's no one there for them to cry to and confide in. It's always in those moments that music is most precious and valuable to me. I'd feel like I might explode, if I didn't belt my heart out to the tune of my favorite lyrics and the ones closest to my heart. It's such a beautiful, powerful thing to me, which is why I've always wanted to be a singer. To be able to open up my heart to people through my words and stories and through emotional, passionate music is my dream.

I want to, like Christina Perri and Lana Del Rey, encourage/inspire and love people through my songs. I want them to know that they're not alone in their heartbreak, and that their scars will turn to beauty. I want to impact someone so much, that their outlook on life begins to change and they find hope in their darkest hour. This is what my music has done for me, because what you listen to is so incredibly important. It influences every single aspect of your life and beliefs on things. One line in a song even can make all the different in decisions you make and whether you choose to believe or give up. So, thank you to JJ Heller, Ellie Goulding, Christina Perri, Lana Del Rey, and every singer that has ever brought my joy and hope and inspired me in so many ways. I'm more grateful than I can possibly describe in words. The gift of your music will go on blessing people forever.

"Halcyon Days" and "Ultraviolence" Album Spotlights

Hello loves and welcome back! Today's post is a review of my two favorite albums, that I've been listening too incessantly, "Halcyon Days" and "Ultraviolence". I've been listening to Lana Del Rey for about a year and only recently found out Ultraviolence. Thanks to an awesome coworker who also loves her music, I listened to "Shades of Cool". Now my soul has pretty much been touched by the entire experience that is this work of art. So many hauntingly beautiful lyrics that are relatable in a number of different ways. My favorites are "Old Money" Shades of Cool" (Of course:) ), and "West Coast".


The music is so unique and thought-provoking, providing the perfect background to Lana's deep, intimate track-list. I must say that "Ultraviolence" is the epitome of an original album, and one of my favorite ones that she has released. I identify so well with her all-consuming love for her man and her desperate attempts to make him happy/heal his pain. This is so skillfully expressed in Shades of Cool and Old Money. I admire her unfailing loyalty in the face of heartbreak and how she stands by her boyfriend, no matter what happens or where he goes.

"Halcyon Days" by Ellie Goulding

This is the second masterpiece that I've been listening too for months, during a really dark, lonely season in my life. I relate to each one of the moving songs that Ellie wrote for this authentic and enlightening experience. You are taken into a fascinating, but at the same time dark and strange time period in her life, a whole journey of love, pain, heartbreak, and new self-discovery. I've used the songs in "Halcyon Days" to help me through so much, as an outlet of expression and a way to let go of my anger and bitterness about my own chaotic circumstances. I cried with her through hours of despair and confusion and found relief; when we both realized our pain had turned to beauty. I found peace and enlightenment, upon understanding that I couldn't lean on someone else for my happiness. There was a new and lovely kind of joy, to finally seek true freedom without needing a certain person to fulfill you.
I'll forever be grateful to Ellie for encouraging me throughout this past year. Her words are the anthem to every day and breath I take. And I know in the end, as she tells me in "Halcyon", that "it's gonna be better, it's gonna be better." There is hope, even amidst all of my loneliness and a thousand nights of aching and longing for love.

1d Love

Listening to: One Direction
I discovered this awesome band, by a pure stroke of what I like to call luck. And no, this is is not the reason that I like them. But, apparently, Taylor Swift dated Harry and therefore, that is how I found out about them. I think they're pretty awesome! For a person who listens to deep, melancholy music 80% of the time, it's good for me to enjoy 20% of light-hearted, fun songs to expand my taste in music. They have some beautiful, serious love- songs too, not just pop songs that are fun to dance too. My adorable little brother has also taken quite a liking to them.  I love all of their personalities- funny, charming, smart & serious etc. The members are as follows, in the picture below, left to right, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson,  Niall Horan and Zayn Malik. Four of them are from Britain and Niall is from Ireland( I love their accents too- always loved English & Irish accents:) Although I love all of them, I have a soft spot for the curly-haired one and the cute Irish lad:)They also have some very nice, good voices. My favorite songs by them are " Little Things" and " You &I". Little Things really resonated with me, as I have struggled with an eating disorder in the past. the song is about a girl with a bunch of insecurities about her body, voice, etc and really touched my heart. I'm so proud to say I've been their fan for almost 2 years now and have gone to a concert- once-in-a-lifetime AMAZING EXPERIENCE BY THE WAY!! I had loads of fun, dancing, crying, and singing my heart along with tons of crazy, emotional teenage girls like myself:)
I hope you guys like it as much as I did! 

Pictures From MY Concert! And no, I did not get as close- these were taken by a professional, if you couldn't already tell:)

 Louis' baby Freddy- SO ADORABLE!

 God, he's so cute

 my boy- he is the best! 

 he's so sweet and cute!

 help, that smile is melting my heart! love you Liam!

 i don't think I'm breathing right now- his smile is life!

More Ellie Goulding Awesomeness

 I'm officially in love. Her music just gets better and better, the more I hear of and download:) These songs are so relatable, beautiful and thought-provoking.

What Lea Michele Taught Me

Lea Michele:

When I first saw Lea Michele in the New Year’s Eve film, I was instantly intrigued and fascinated by her. I wanted to know more,even though at the time I had no idea she was actually a singer: and that she could actually sing as good as was portrayed in the movie. Not long after looking into her a bit and buying some of her songs, I was intensely fond of her songs and her honest,open personality.

Ironically, at the time, I was going through a difficult time in my life where I was giving in to irrational fears and lies about myself. I was terrified and and didn’t know what to do, in the midst of severe anxiety and emotional stress.I just happened to turn on Lea’s “Cannonball” song that I’d purchased that week and before I knew it; I was feeling calmed, relaxed, and totally at peace about my future. I realized that the fears and apprehension I’d been giving in were completely fake, a facet of a tormented mind. And I realized that I needed to let them go and to open my heart up to life again.

As with Christina Perri, Lea spoke the words I needed desperately to hear. If I didn’t happen to hear that song during that time, I honestly don’t know what I would have done. I would have made myself sick with worry and gone down a narrow road to live a life dominated by fearful what ifs. I would have lived life locked in a cage I’d trapped myself in. I don’t know how to ever properly thank Lea for that song. I know it also had a profound impact in her own life as well and helped her to move on from things. 

Some of the reasons I love Lea Michele are that she is humble and real. She doesn’t and never did try to conform herself to the image people wanted of her. When many girls in her high school were getting nose jobs, she refused to do so. She was content with the way her face was, even when she was told she should change her nose; because it would make her more beautiful. Instead, she remained authentic and honest and didn’t care what people thougt. In her songs, that is exactly how she is. She sings about the pain of tragically and unexpectedly losing her boyfriend and how it made her stronger and braver. 

After a year of listening to Lea’s songs, they began to have a even more special place in my heart, when life began to grow cold and lonely. Instead of feeling on top of the world while singing Cannonball, I was crying my way through songs like” Thousand Needles” and “The Bells”. Without these sad, contemplative songs, I would have felt completely lost and alone; I wouldn’t have known how to properly express myself. I began to understand some of what Lea must have felt;even though my own experiences paled sharply in comparison to her tragic story. 

Lea is a very inspirational person. She is an avid believer in being yourself and not letting other people’s actions influence your own. She remembers what it was like to be an insecure teenage girl and therefore, encourages them immensely. She tells them how important it is to be focused on school( not boys) and to not let others tell you who to be or how to live.I've keenly taken this advice to heart recently. I've found myself spending too much of my energy and time trying to get boys to like me/getting a boyfriend. I haven't spent enough time planning and preparing for my future/career. This is a valuable, extremely important lesson that I can't thank her enough for teaching me.

 Lea is down-to-earth and doesn’t act like she’s better than others, just because she is a celebrity. She loves life and inspired me even more than I already was to take care of myself. She challenged me by her own healthy,active lifestyle to be the best I could be; to soak in every beautiful,imperfect moment of life, to love people around you as much as you could, and to fight as hard as you could.

As she says,” I think it’s so important to live life to the fullest, to love as hard as you can love, to fight as hard as you can fight, and to live as hard as you can live. Because we are only given one life.” I keep a list of her life tips on my mirror each day, so I can remember my goals and the things I need to keep myself motivated and encouraged. 

1. Be You. It's so cheesy, but there's no one better at being you than you. Don't slough off the things that make your special just to fit a mold- Your story is the most interesting thing you've got going for you, so use it!"

2. Be Proud Of All the things that make you different, and flex those distinctions, where you come from and your family, as your biggest strengths.

3. Remember your role models and keep them in your mind, as signposts for everything that's possible in life. Whether you're fifteen or fifty, it's always good to surround yourself with people you find inspiring and from whom you believe you can learn.

3. Keep the people who love you, like your family close. They made you who you are, so don't neglect them on the road to achieving your goals. Assuming they're supportive, use them as a resource for strength and guidance. That's what they're there for!

5. Don't let stress derail you; Don't forget to check in with yourself every night.

On top of all this, Lea Michele is a ridiculously talented singer; who sings good, meaningful tunes that provoke thought and bring comfort.

For My Darling Christina

My next post on this gorgeous Saturday is about the brilliant, beautiful Christina Perri. If you haven't already heard her songs, you are missing out!! Never will you hear music & lyrics more unique, romantic, or authentic than Christinas! She is a one talented and cool chick! I first heard ," A Thousand Years" almost 2 years ago and instantly fell in love! On my 16th birthday, I purchased " Lovestrong" And " Head & Heart" and became officially obsessed! One of the main reasons I love Christina's music is I deeply relate to her lyrics. We have so many things in common and have been through the same experiences. We both love music, have taught ourself to play songs on the piano, been in plays, & read books in high school. Neither of us were super popular in high school, and were more introverts who were a bit strange( & different from all the other girls).


Christina made me feel like I wasn't alone in my sorrow and pain, and that she'd been there before too. She held my hand, through her music, as I cried my way through songs like, "Tragedy" "The Lonely" and "Sad Song; which literally expresses word for word my experiences last year! She makes me feel like I could talk to her about anything and she'd completely understand. Christina Perri is beautiful inside- and out, smart, talented, down-to-earth, and a kind, gentle soul. Her smile is full of warmth and her spirit sweet, because she has been through so much in life.Not to mention she is a badass piano & guitar player! Instead of letting her horrible experiences made her bitter and cold; she has used them to help and bless so many people like me. If you are ever feeling discouraged and broken, listen to her song ," I Believe". I guarantee you will be feeling so much more hopeful and encouraged when you finish listening to it!

Let it be your anthem and you will find, like me, that life will slowly take a turn for the better. Her words will begin to prove true, as she says, ' I Believe tomorrow is stronger than yesterday, I believe your head is the only thing in your way, wish that you could see your scars turn into beauty, I believe that today it's ok to not be ok."


I had the most surreal, once in- a life time night going to her concert last July! I paid $90.00 for the tickets and it was a small place, without seats. So, I got to get only a couple rows back from the stage, so close to her! She was everything I knew she'd be! She wore a cute, appropriate white dress and keds and danced around carefree and happy! Her music was even more enjoyable on stage, as was Rachel Platten's.

if you ever are feeling low or feeling lonely,  pick her music! You will leave, releasing you are not isolated or alone in the crazy journey of life we are on. and there is always hope for you!

Thank You Rachel Platten!

Today I wanted to devote a post to the beautiful, charming, and talented Rachel Platten. This amazing girl's music has done so much in my life, more than she'll ever understand or know. Last summer, I was going through a really difficult, lonely time. There were a lot of family problems, arguments, and fights going on in my home and I was just really broken and worn out my all of it. I'd made so many mistakes and hurt the ones I love, as well as being hurt by their actions and words. Well, after almost 9 months of this, I heard Rachel Platten's " Fight Song" on youtube.

After listening to it, I was surrounded by an intense feeling of encouragement and hope for the future. I felt happy, self-motivated, and ready to put my life back together. I started working out again ( to the tune of this awesome anthem, I might add!) and wrote a letter to my parents, expressing my apologies and heart to them. Since then, Rachel's heart-felt, meaningful lyrics have continued to bless, strengthen, and help me through life's many curves and bends. Her genuine heart shines through in not only her physical, but inward beauty. She's kind, gentle, and real about her struggles, problems, and difficult journey to becoming a singer.


She understands and sympathizes with girls who've had their hearts broken, by men, but also understands the hard times that everyone in general goes through. She pours her heart out through her music and has blessed so many people with "Fight Song".  You totally should check out her newest album, "Wildfire" which I recently bought. It is the bomb! My current favorites are" Speechless" Hey, Hey Hallelujah" and "Superman." Not only is there an abundance of serious songs, but also a few fun dance melodies perfect for your workout jam:)

I hope you love and appreciate the lovely Rachel Platten as I have come to:)

My Newly Found Love Of Ellie Goulding

So, I heard Ellie Goulding lots of times on the radio and seen her on magazines and stuff. But I never really took much interest, or listened to her stuff until recently. I think she is a one cool chick with a super awesome-sounding voice! My current favorites are the songs above, especially, " Love Me Like You Do'. It sends goose-bumps up my spine- I adore how emotional, raw, and romantic it is. The perfect combination of beautiful lyrics and music is so wonderful! I'm going to learn how to play it on the piano, because I love it so much.
I've cried myself through Ellie's songs in my darkest hours and she's really encouraged and blessed me with her relatable, heart-wrenching songs. I can't thank her enough for her music, which was such a friend to me during the current season of my life.
One thing I really like about Ellie is how humble and genuine and real she seems, inspite of her roller-coaster ride to fame. She's played for Prince William and Kate Middleton, for crying out loud! And yet she just acts like a normal person, is open about her problems and panic attacks, and encourages girls tremendously. I love how she is proud of how strong and beautiful a body she has and how she inspires me to love who I am and the body I have; without starving/depriving myself. She takes care of her body, by working out and eating healthy, but isn't above a cheat now and then.
For me, that is the ideal, perfect balance to find in life.


As an aspiring singer/songwriter, I find is so refreshing the journey of hard work and passion she took to becoming one. Ellie was the first person in her family to attend University and applied herself whole-heartedly to make her parents proud of her. Then, she taught herself to play guitar and didn't give up, playing gigs constantly throughout college.
I honestly believe that if more women acted like Ellie, the world would be a better place:) I hope you enjoy her music as much as I have. Check out "Delirium" if you haven't already- it's pretty badass!