Parade Pics!

Look who has parade pictures up already? This girl! Who says I have no follow-through?!

Grand Marshall Shamu

The crowd eagerly awaits

Marching bands are always my favorite

I love this car. It reminds me of Nancy Drew's roadster

Gotta love the coordination!

Boxing School

The Padre's Friar

By far, my favorite costume of the day!

Music for a Rainy Monday

This weekend I went to the annual Boo! Parade held literally across the street from my house. I won't tell you all about it because I have plans for that to be a post all its own. Don't worry, I took an unnecessary amount of photos so you all can feel like you were standing on the curb with me. So, look forward to that post sometime this week. I promise.

Needless to say, that cute little parade got me in a festive Halloween spirit. If I wasn't excited before, I officially cannot wait for this weekend and my Halloween party. To include you in the excitement, check out this fantastic light show someone created for their house.

 Amazing! I am all about this kind of enthusiasm when it comes to holiday decorating. Every year my dad goes all out with Halloween and Christmas decorations. The house always looks phenomenal. My sister took pictures of this year's decorations and I'm trying to get her to post them online, so we can show the house off. I think I'm gonna have to go into Mach 3 Nag Attack. I'll let you know how it goes.


So, in regards to Music Monday I have opted for a rainy day mix. Full disclosure, it's not raining today. It is actually pretty clear out with a little wind, in case you wanted a full weather report. For some reason though, slow, mellow music perfect for staying inside feels appropriate today. I hope you enjoy!

1. Jack Johnson- "Banana Pancakes" (classic rainy day song)

2. Jason Mraz- "I'm Yours"

3. Adele- "Chasing Pavements"

4. Colbie Caillat- "Bubbly"

5. Tom Petty- "Free Fallin"

*Bonus*

No rainy day playlist is complete with this classic number. Enjoy the hilarious music video!

Weather Girls- "It's Raining Men"

T.G.I.F.

The week has finally come to an end! Hurray!
It's safe to say that I am beyond excited that today is Friday. Truth be told, this week was neither particularly challenging for me, nor did it feel like it dragged on forever. So that doesn't really account for my happiness. More than anything, I think it's the fact that there is nothing that I have to do and nowhere that I have to be tomorrow. I mean, I don't have to explain this to you. I think everyone knows what I am talking about. Doesn't the sun just seem to shine brighter, the birds chirp louder and people smile more often on Fridays? I could just be imagining this, but I think it happens.

                                             "Friday"- Glee (Rebecca Black Cover)

Anyway, my goals for this Saturday and Sunday are admittedly, quite lax. The only thing I need to do is make my tutu for Halloween. You know, the tutu I specifically said I was going to make last weekend? So, yeah, you already know my follow-through rate. Nevertheless, I remain confident that this weekend is the weekend. Halloween is rapidly approaching, afterall. 

In honor of this weekend, I decided to create another Five Favorite Things list for this week. Primarily because it is enjoyable to create and I love sharing what I'm currently loving with you. Please let me know what you are loving this week too. I would love to hear about it.

Five Favorite Things

1. Chai Tea- but in non-traditional forms. I found this recipe for Chai Tea cupcakes on Bakingdom.com that I cannot wait to make. They look absolutely delicious! The website is adorable too, is it not? Also on the Chai Tea topic, I love the song called, you guessed it, "Chai Tea Latte" by Angel Taylor. It is simply beautiful to listen to. 

2. Planning for trips- whether real or imagined. Earlier this week, I joked with my friend in New York that I was going to fly out the next day to see her. We then talked about all of the delicious things we would eat, including a waffle from Wafles and Dinges food cart. Planning out this make-believe trip was a delightful pick-me-up in the early part of the week. Then, today I planned out the itinerary for a real trip. My friend, Taylor, is visiting next weekend for Halloween and I am so excited! I started writing out what we are going to do together and it's going to be a fabulous trip, let me tell you. 

3. This performance on "Strictly Come Dancing" the British version of "Dancing with the Stars." It is entirely too fantastic. At least, I think so anyway. It also helps that the contestant is Harry Judd, the drummer of McFly, a band with whom I am quite infatuated.

4. This children's book-

http://www.amazon.com/Millions-Cats-Paperstar-Wanda-Gag/dp/0698113632

5. Sleeping In- exactly what I plan on doing tomorrow morning.

Woman Reading On Top of a Ladder C.1920

Reblogged from Turn of the Century Tumblr
http://turnofthecentury.tumblr.com/post/130632308/woman-reading-on-top-of-ladder-c-1920-c

Cup of Sunshine

This morning I ran out of coffee. Devastating news, I know. Naturally, I didn't want to take my chances on not having my morning cup for fear that I would:

A.) Fall asleep in class
B.) Get a gigantic headache from not succumbing to my caffeine addiction
C.) Have the great, big grumpy bear come out to play because of the same reason
D.) All of the above

So, I went rummaging through the kitchen cabinets for some extra grounds that hopefully none of my roommates would be missing anytime soon. Lo and behold, I found this delightful little package and knew it must be a sign.

If you can't have comfort and sunshine in your life, at least you can have it in your cup! I rather like that actually, I think it could be the company's new slogan. Surprisingly, it made a pretty good cup and by giving me my caffeine, it certainly brought a lot more sunshine into my morning.

Some Words from the Pants

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

“Summer used to be different. It was the time they left home, split up, lived separate lives for ten long weeks, and counted on the Pants to hold them together until they were reunited. Now summer was more of the same. Being apart wasn’t the exception, Lena recognized, it was the rule.” – Forever in Blue, The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood

Picture and quote reposted from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Facebook page

 The quote is sad, but still very true. Plus, I thought the image was lovely, so I wanted to share.  I cannot wait to read the newest book, Sisterhood Everlasting. I hear its both heartbreaking and yet, still joyful. Has anyone read it yet? What did you think? No spoilers please!

Music Monday: Guilty Pleasure Edition

Classic Guilty Pleasure

Everyone has that one song on their Ipod. The one that you love but if anyone one else were to find out about it, you'd be quick to declare it an accidental download or merely a way to distract your little sister. Well, I'm here to tell you it's okay. Bring your Justin Beiber, your Golden Oldies and your Teletubbies Hit Parade. There is no judgement here at Sunshiny Beat. In fact, I created the playlist today to commemorate these guilty musical pleasures; songs you shouldn't be afraid to love. Because life wouldn't quite be the same if everyone liked the same thing.

So, onto the music. Enjoy!

1. Miranda Cosgrove- "About you Now"

2. Miley Cyrus- "7 Things"

3. V- "Hip to Hip"

4. Selena Gomez- "Love You Like a Love Song"

5. New Kids on the Block- "Step by Step"

By the way, let me know about your personal musical guilty pleasures. I bet they are fabulous!

Innocent Love

"I Wanna Hold Your Hand" 

By The Beatles

Oh yeah, I´ll tell you something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

Oh, please, say to me
You'll let me be your man
and please, say to me

You'll let me hold your hand
Now let me hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

And when I touch you i feel happy, inside
It's such a feeling
That my love
I can't hide
I can't hide
I can't hide

Yeah you, got that something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

And when I touch you I feel happy, inside
It's such a feeling
That my love
I can't hide
I can't hide
I can't hide

Yeah you, got that something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your ha-a-a-a-a-a-and

Holding hands just conveys something that is so sweet and perfect. The Beatles knew what they were talking about.

Pic Pic Montage

Doodle-rific House

Happy Saturday everyone! I feel like this weekend will both be relaxed, yet highly productive. This is my goal anyway. Among the usual homework and cleaning that need to get done, I also hope to start my Halloween tutu I discussed earlier this month and plan decoration ideas for the party. But, before doing all of that, I wanted to share a random collection of photos I'd taken this week. For instance, who saw the beautiful full moon this Wednesday and Thursday? Don't worry if you missed, I got your back!

The view from my window

Made a wish on a dandelion

Werewolves definitely had to be out with a moon like that!

Finally, I want to leave you with a tidbit of a text conversation I had with one of my best friends, Joni, that I feel sums up my life outlook. I was talking to her about how I always seem to dream in color and very rarely ever have nightmares or anxiety dreams.

Me: I feel like when I describe things sometimes people want to be like do you live in a land of ponies, butterflies and rainbows?

Joni: I would say yes you do, and the ponies frolic in fields of flowers with their pink unicorn friends and children skip in the background.

I mean, I'll take it. It sounds like a delightful place!

Three Cheers for System Restore!! and Music Monday

 Hip, Hip, Hooray! Hip, Hip, Hooray! Hip, Hip, Hooray!

The last time I left you I was typing away on the library's computer because my computer got a bad case of the sniffles. Well, my lovelies, my computer is back and at it! Things were looking pretty grim, when my brilliant, delight of a sister suggested I try a little trick called "system restore". Amazing! Whoever thought to create that restore button should be awarded his own island at least.  Consequently, I most certainly owe my sister a coffee for telling me about it.

I feel when an individual faces down a situation (one that is usually more serious or phenomenal than their computer getting a virus, but I'll make the comparison anyway), they react in one of two ways. A.) They have a renewed zest for life, a go-getter attitude and want to grab life by the horns. or B.) They become more introverted, cautious, concerning certain behavior or the world around them. Not surprising to anyone who knows me, I've realized I take route B. I am know officially paranoid about getting another virus. I was on an antivirus website and I was scared of viruses. I open a document and I cross my fingers. It's a sad existence, I know.  Basically, this long-winded story is to explain that for Music Monday I will be using Youtube clips instead of downloaded clips. I know that doesn't make any sense, but it gives me peace of mind.

Now, for Music Monday I am feeling some high enthusiasm, dance-worthy songs! I hope you are too!

1. "Rabiosa"- Shakira feat. Pitbull

2. "I Like It Like That"- Hot Chelle Rae

3. "The Great Escape"- Boys Like Girls

4."Love Like Woe"- The Ready Set

And in honor of their new episode tonight...
5. Paralyzed-Big Time Rush

Taking the Good With the Bad

"Life is like a bowl of cherries...sometimes it's sweet and sometimes it's the pits."

I am currently writing this post from a library computer. Why, you might ask? Because there are horrific things out there known as viruses and because my poor computer wasn't strong enough to fight it off. Hence the "bad" in the subject line. Timing wise, this virus isn't devastating news because I wasn't in the middle of any big writing assignments or projects. Hence the good. I am taking it in stride. Eventually I will have a computer back. But until then, this library one is treating me just fine. I just wanted to let you all in on this little hurdle I'm experiencing in this game of life we are all playing.

On another note entirely; I was preparing for my day this morning, I had my breakfast made and my music on, when I took my first sip of coffee. It was, in a word, amazing. The taste was more phenomenal than usual and it just warmed me all the way to my bones. In case you were wondering, no, I am not attempting to write an ode to coffee and yes, I do have a slight caffeine addiction. I told my best friend of the fantastic experience of taking that first sip, labeling it one of my "Top Ten Favorite Things". Now, don't get me wrong, I say this same statement a lot. But it did inspire me to create a condensed list of my "Five Favorite Things This Week" and to share them with all of you. So here we go.

1.  http://dearphotograph.com/ 

Adorable website my friend found. The posts are heartwarming, heartbreaking and everything in between.

2. That first sip of coffee in the morning

Clearly, I do not need to say anymore about how I feel about this particular topic.

3. Bromances

A blossoming friendship between men, what's not to love?

4."Moves Like Jagger" song by Adam Levine

This song just makes you want to get up and dance!

5. Library Computers

Without whose help, this fantastic post could not have been completed.

So these are my choices. Do you have any "Top Five" things that are popping out at you this week?

A Little Mid-Week YOU Time

I feel like people around the country are heaving a collective sigh as they start this Wednesday. It's known as Humpday for a reason; it's mid-week, too far from the memories of last weekend and too early for the festivities to begin for this weekend. Now that it feels like Fall is quickly encroaching on us, the cold and rain are bogging us down even more. Fear not, I have a remedy! It would have been a rather depressing post if I didn't.

My suggestion: take a little extra time today for yourself. Whether it be three minutes, just enough time to listen to your favorite song, or two hours so you can see that new movie, just take a little time out. You deserve it! Every morning I wake up a half hour or so early so I can fully enjoy my breakfast while checking the happenings of the online world. It gives me a sense of calm before my day starts and I truly look forward to it every morning. Right before I wrote this post, I was already dreading starting my day and going out into the brisk air. But instead of rushing off into a frazzled haze, I sipped my coffee, kept on listening to Hunter Hayes croon in the background and thought to myself, today is going to be a good day! Everyone needs a little "me-time" to recoup. Plus, your friends and family will be happy you did too. No one likes dealing with a grumpy gills.

What are some of your favorite ways to take time out and relax?

That special coffee concoction

Browsing for new books

My techniques include, but are not limited to:

My Breakfast of Champions

Checking McFly's Whereabouts

Dancing with one arm swinging free

 

                            Photo courtesy of acrosstheboardblog.com

Music Monday!

I've decided that we need to start this week off on the right foot, or in this case, the right beat. Of course, this simply must be a Sunshiny Beat! So here is a collection of songs to get you going in the morning and bouncing all day long. It's an eclectic mix with a very heavy British influence. I'm not too sure why, but they just happened to fit in perfectly with the mood I was feeling. I hope you appreciate the tunes and now that I have gotten the hang of how to include a playlist, maybe this can become a weekly experience. Let me know what you think. 

Season of BOO-Tacularness

It's October! That means Halloween is this month. Then the Holiday season is officially upon us. How fantastic is that? I am positively giddy with excitement! I've already had my first cup of hot cocoa for the season, my boots are out from under the bed and are ready to be rocked and this weekend I bought the materials for my Halloween costume. Things are looking up! Speaking of costumes, I've decided I'm going to be a Bumble Bee this year. One especially equipped with a yellow and black tutu, black tights and an antennae bopper. The image I have in my head is rather adorable, I must admit. My ability to translate this image into reality is always another mission altogether though.

Tulle and Ribbon for the Tutu 

I will certainly document my progress on the construction of this tutu for you. I wouldn't dream of depriving you of that entertainment. 

Adorable Bee Charms I Found for Decoration

On another Halloween note, my roommates and I have plans for a rather phenomenal party. I don't want to build hopes too high, but I think it will be a blast. The decorating plans have just entered the beginning stages, but, yet again, I will keep you posted (literally) on the progression. I think the house is going to turn out quite adorable.

So, do you know what you are going to be for Halloween? Any special plans? Please, do tell.

Oddly enough, this video provided the inspiration for my costume idea.