May Long Soundtrack

Last year, I created a 20-song playlist for every long weekend throughout the summer and into the fall. I received some amazing feedback and I was inspired to continue the tradition into 2013. [You can find last year's soundtracks here].

Whatever fills your long weekend - be it yard work, patio relaxation, or travel - I hope these beats keep your head bopping and help you enjoy it. Cheers. 

1. That's What's Up - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
2. All 'Cause of You - The 88
3. Camera Talk - Local Natives
4. The First Single (You Know Me) - The Format
5. Money Grabber - Fitz + The Tantrums
6. How You Like Me Now - The Heavy
7. Two Weeks - Grizzley Bear
8. Black Sheep - Gin Wigmore
9. Entertainment - Phoenix
10. Get Lucky - Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams
11. Paddling Out - Mike Snow
12. The Start of Something - Voxtrot
13. Always Like This - Bombay Bicycle Club
14. Anything Could Happen - Ellie Goulding
15. Young Blood - The Naked and Famous
16. I Will Always Love You - Tidewater
17. Don't Leave Me - Regina Spektor
18. We Come Running - Youngblood Hawke
19. Merry Happy - Kate Nash
20. Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke (feat TI & Pharrell)

Happy Weekending, Party People. 

Give 'em something to dance to...

Stat holiday or not, our made-up-long-weekend girls getaway requires a dancing / sing-along soundtrack. Here are twenty tracks that we'll be playing while gallivanting through the California desert. Watch out, Palm Springs!

Enjoy!

1. Primadonna Girl - Marina and The Diamonds
2. Going to California - Led Zeppelin
3. Diet Mountain Dew - Lana Del Rey
4. Spectrum (Say My Name) Calvin Harris Remix - Florence + the Machine
5. Mama Do the Hump - Rizzle Kicks
6. Turntable - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
7. Feel the Love - Rudimental Feat John Newman
8. Blow Me (One Last Kiss) - Pink
9. Ruby Tuesday - The Rolling Stones
10. Titanium - David Guetta & Sia
11. Free - Graffiti6
12. You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall & Oates
13. Princess of China - Coldplay & Rihanna
14. Wild Ones - FloRida feat Sia
15. Go Outside - Cults
16. Hot Summer Night - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
17. Tiny Dancer - Elton John
18. Jenny Don't Be Hasty - Paolo Nutini
19. Nightcall - Kavinsky Feat Lovefoxxx
20. One Thing - One Direction (don't judge - they are adorable)

Keep it spinning... find more playlists here. 

August long, go!

This long weekend's playlist - some old, some new - should help you soak up the gorgeous sunny weather we're slated to have, province-wide. I plan on enjoying a few of these patio favourites at the cabin this weekend. Check back next week; I'll be featuring a brilliant party idea and a few wedding updates!

Until then, enjoy!

1. Long Time Ago - Current Swell
2. Any Day Now - Jon and Roy
3. Robots - Dan Mangen
4. Still - Great Lake Swimmers
5. King and Lionheart - Of Monsters and Men
6. Janglin - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
7. White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes
8. Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron & Wine
9. There Goes the Fear - Doves
10. Nightcall - Kavinsky & Lovefoxx
11. Oh! Sweet Nuthin' - The Velvet Underground
12. Dance, Dance, Dance - Lykke Li
13. Mind Eraser - The Black Keys
14. Pyro - Kings of Leon
15. For the Summer - Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs
16. Sleeping Ute - Grizzly Bear
17. Airplanes - Local Natives
18. Take Care - Beach House
19. She's So Mean - Matchbox Twenty
20. Backseat Lovers - The Last Royals

If you enjoyed this compilation, make sure you check out the May long & Canada day mixes. 

Watermelon Mojitos

Mojitos, my cocktail of choice, are refreshing and delicious. This is especially true when they are prepared with mint grown in your very own garden.

A few weeks ago (while working diligently on several wedding projects) my friends Sarah, Amber, and I experimented with a variation of this favourite summer drink and added watermelon. The result was near perfection.

I've had several requests for the 'official' recipe and with the long weekend approaching I thought it was the right time to share it!

Watermelon Mint Mojito

1 oz white rum

0.5 oz cane sugar syrup 

this can be purchased or made yourself

a handful of mint leaves

the juice of 1/2 - 1 lime

4-5 cubes of watermelon

club soda

ice

rip mint leaves in two and place in bottom of glass;

squeeze lime juice into glass and add several smaller slices of lime;

muddle ingredients together;

add 0.5 oz of cane syrup, 1 oz of white rum, and ice cubes;

pour soda water over ice, stir, enjoy. 

CHEERS!

July long, let's go!

Considering the extensive number of song posts made in the last several years, by now you may have identified that I'm quite fond of music. As a fun summer feature I've decided to create a playlist for each long weekend between Victoria day and Labour day. If you're looking for a few new tracks for your weekend soundtrack, feast your ears on the following. I hope you enjoy your long weekend. Happy Canada day to my fellow Canucks!

Enjoy!

1. Undercover Martyn - Two Door Cinema Club
2. Video Games - Lana Del Rey
3. The A Team (Acoustic) - Ed Sheeran
4. Tongue Tied - Grouplove
5. Michael Bernard Fitzgerald - Follow
6. Queen of California - John Mayer
7. Skinny Love (Cover) - Birdy
8. Man on Fire - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
9. Take a Walk - Passion Pit
10. Wagon Wheel (Cover) - Mumford & Sons
11. Home - Phillip Phillips
12. It's Time - Imagine Dragons
13. Wishes and Stars - Harper Simon
14. White Nights - Oh Land
15. Love & Loss - The Honey Trees
16. Money Grabber - Fitz & The Tantrums
17. Stubborn Love - The Lumineers
18. Rivers and Roads - The Head and The Heart
19. The Lion the Beast the Beat - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
20. Down By the Water - The Decemberists

Like what you hear? Check out the May long weekend playlist.

Looking for a little red-and-white beverage inspiration? Check out last year's Canada Day Sangria recipes.

Build Your Own Fruit Salad Bar

Well, June is here which means it's officially get together season. Excitedly, I have penciled in showers, birthdays, grad celebrations, and girl's nights over the coming weeks and look forward to the treats and drinks that will no doubt accompany them.

Always hunting for new and creative ideas for what to bring and what to serve, I stumbled upon this guest post on Rockstar Diaries written by Anna Liesemeyer. The concept is brilliantly simple and altogether marvelous for bikini- health-conscious lady friends.

If this is something you might fancy, pop on over to Rockstar Diaries (and while you're there, feel free to swoon over Naomi and Josh's incredibly adorable babies).

May long, let's go!

Alas - the long weekend is here! While Bauer and I hit the road for wine country to meet friends (& Ben!) we'll be jamming out to one awesome playlist. May long weekend is the inaugural barbequing/ camping/ road tripping/ beaching weekend of the year so I thought I'd share my favourite tunes in the event your weekend soundtrack needs a couple new tracks.

Enjoy!

1. Never Go Back - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
2. On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons
3. Trojans - Atlas Genius
4. Eyes Wide Open - Gotye
5. Old Pine - Ben Howard 
6. Weighty Ghost - Wintersleep
7. The Funeral - Band of Horses
8. Colours - Grouplove
9. Bloodbuzz Ohio - The National 
10. Shake Me Down - Cage the Elephant
11. Back Down South - Kings of Leon
12. Truth - Alexander
13. Young Blood - The Naked and Famous
14. The Lion's Roar - First Aid Kit 
15. Primadonna - Marina and The Diamonds
16. Stare Into the Sun - Graffiti6 
17. Helena Beat - Foster the People
18. 40 Day Dream - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
19. Oceans & Streams - The Black Keys
20. Shuffle - Bombay Bicycle Club

Graffiti6, Free

In the event your week needs a punch of energy, have a listen to this catchy track by the adorable Graffiti6.  I promise it will make you want to dance around your house/ office/ block like a Viagra commercial.  I can't get this beat out of my head.

Enjoy...



(Graffiti6 on iTunes).

For the Love of Long Weekends...

The day has come. Little Star and I are en route to Vancouver to be serenaded by Ray LaMontagne. To prep for the magic that is to come tonight, I'm playing this song on repeat. One of his oldest; one of my favourites. This one's for you, Matty...

Also, I must confess that I have been an an unorganized blogger as of late; I have no scheduled posts while B and I are away in Oregon. le sigh. In the event you want to follow the chaotic chaos that is my life, why don't you follow me on twitter or like me on facebook. What the hell, I'm on Instagram, too! (@courtneystarheim)

September is full of amazing things. Just.You.Wait.

Happy Friday, friends.

blog, interrupted.

Hi folks. I'm taking a day or so off to enjoy a visit from my sister and my old friend, Scruffy.

I hope where you are as you read this you are safe and that the weather is behaving itself. Enjoy these last precious days of summer and make them count.

snapshots from a week of fun.

I was fortunate enough to have had last week off work. I was even more fortunate to have been able to spend this time with a collection of wonderful people. My iPhone and I saw some awesome things. If you follow me on twitter, you may have noticed that Instagram is my new favourite ap...

1. Fresh mojitos at local.
2. Martini bar at this lady's Sex and the City bridal shower.
3. Dinner at Nana + Papa's in False Creek.
4. Gelato with my sister.
5. Celebrating (a very belated) father's day with the bro, pa, and sis at the Vancouver Canadian's game.
6. I flew South of the boarder with a flock of Sam's Sassy Seagals (which is also known as a stagette or bachelorette or hen party, depending on where you're from).

It was a wonderful time.

Now that I'm home, and (some of) my laundry has been done, I'm raring to start on a few projects. I also plan on savouring every.last.bit of summer 2011 because although it's been a beautiful one I can feel autumn right around the corner.

summer sandwich.

This evening Kamloops experienced an impromptu thunderstorm which I - of course - revelled in. I made a light dinner and sat in my kitchen in front of the open door, listening to the rain. I dig a good summer rainstorm.

My dinner turned out to be a quick, healthy, and delicious treat. I thought I'd share as I enjoy any opportunity to tell people about this mustard (from williams sonoma). I would eat it with a spoon if that was socially acceptable. I love it. Try it for yourself.

My sandwich: toasted whole grain bread, 1/2 an avocado, 1 small Roma tomato, 'wichcraft sweet caper mustard, a couple slices of dill Havarti, and s & p to taste.

What is your favourite quick + easy summer dinner to prepare?

Perfect Pique-Nique Baskets

When was the last time you enjoyed a picnic? Last night? Last year?

Although the end result is well worth it, each time I attempt to assemble a picnic I am surprised at the amount of 'prep' work that is involved. Enter Georgina Brandt with the brilliant service of picnic delivery, one of the best concepts I've heard about in a while.

I wish that... (a) I was in Napa to enjoy this service or (b) her baskets traveled north of the border.

In lieu of having the ability to sample these delicious homegrown treats, I will use them as inspiration to collect pieces for our very own basket. I love the idea of having vintage cutlery and linens specifically for a picnic basket and the mini salt-and-pepper shakers pictured here are charming.

Do you own a picnic basket and/or picnic regularly? What are your favourite meals to pack?



(Photos of Georgina Brandt's Boutique Culinary Occasions by Nicole McIntosh Bruce via simplesong + swanson vineyards).

The Sheepdogs, I Don't Know

I love this Canadian band. Their sound is perfect for a sunny afternoon on the patio and their future looks pretty bright, too. After winning the Choose the Cover contest, they will grace the cover of next month's Rolling Stone magazine (which hits newsstands on Friday).

The group calls Saskatoon home yet their audience has grown, internationally. They have also received a deal with Atlantic Records which indicates more awesomeness is yet to come. They already have a chill rockstar swagger, don't you think?

What album or song is getting extra play this summer on your patio?



(Video courtesy of NBC via Global).

summer fun: turquoise.

Turquoise is one of my two favourite colours (coral is my second favourite, if you wanted to know) and I enjoy incorporating it wherever I can, especially in the summer.

These two turquoise beauties are at the top of my wish list right now (and - if I'm lucky - they will both be mine after my trip to Seattle later this month)!

I wear pearl stud earrings almost every day but, in the spirit of embracing pretty summer-y things, these Kate Spade studs would give my pearls a run for their money.

The future home of this ceramic farmer's market basket is on my window sill where I will store my favourite of the moment recipes.


More summer fun in shades of pink + red.



(Photos courtesy of Nordstrom + Anthropologie).

brunch.

Happy BC Day.

summer fun: pink

Summer is the perfect opportunity to adorn one's walls and - moreover - one's self with fun pops of colour. What better colour to do so with than pink? This (aptly named) print "All The Single Ladies" and this fun pink pom pom flower would do the trick, don't you think?

Happy Wednesday.



(Photos via United Thread's etsy shop & ban.do).

sunshine + summer loving.

Every once in a while a collection of engagement photos makes me stop and smile. In a world full of props, poses, and prima donnas, simplicity is significantly underrated.

Give me the beach, a couple in love, and a cozy blanket at sunrise and I'm on board. This engagement session - captured by the talented Scarlet O'Neill - is lovely.



(Photos by Scarlet O'Neill).

Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter, You & Tequila

Tags: You and Tequila, Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter Videos

I hope you enjoy one of my favourite summer songs on a sunny summer afternoon. Their voices are magic together; I can't get this one out of my head.



(Video via CMT).

friendship bracelets: yay or nay?

Friendship bracelet DIY's have taken over the blogosphere and the finished products are frequenting the wrists of stylish birds everywhere. I for one enjoy the fact that one of my favourite summer-at-the-cabin-pass-times is now mainstream and that my mum, sister, cousin, aunt & I are going to be considered trendy. Score.

Where do you stand on this one? Do you need a tutorial to brush up on your knotting skills to fashion an arm-full or are you over it?



(Photo and tutorial via Honestly WTF)