Thursday, September 29, 2011

Oh, where does the time go?

Yup, that’s right. Summer is near its end. The pool has been drained, the kiddos are back in school and it’s almost time to pull out all the sweaters. I know you’re sad, I am too. Well maybe just a little. Oh how I do love the fall. To be honest I got out all the sweaters a couple weeks ago. I can’t believe it’s almost October. I know Zoei doesn’t want to admit it but it’s almost time to put away the shorts. Although I’m pretty sure Zoei is going to be wearing her summer clothes until there is snow on the ground. Overall I think we had a good summer. Being lazy and eating way too much food, you can’t go wrong with that.

-Remi

Monday, September 26, 2011

Music Monday: Surfing with Switchfoot

Is it Music Monday already?!? Why yes, yes it is! And I (Zoei) am quite excited because today I am featuring a band that allows me to not only blog about music but also surfing. For those of you who don't know I absolutely love everything about surfing. I follow the world tour religiously, and update my fantasy surfing team more often then I update my facebook status. So any guesses on who the lucky music monday artist is this week?? If you guessed Switchfoot, you guessed right!

Now I know Switchfoot is very different than any other music I have blogged about, and I'm sure once Remi reads this she's going to think I am crazy for choosing such a mainstream band that I haven't really listened to much, and I don't know if its because their music reminds me of surfing or what it is, but I do enjoy a lot of their songs. And come on their name is Switchfoot, which is awesome to begin with! (Its when you switch your stance while surfing if you didn't know)

So it is a little harder for me to write much about Switchfoot, mainly because I have just recently gotten into their music, and they have so much and I just haven't been able to listen through all of it, but I'm sure once I do I will have a whole list of songs I can blog about. But until then I have found a couple videos of the Hurley Pro, which just ended last week that have their songs as a lovely background. I didn't sleep much or get much of anything done last week, because I was watching this comp religiously all week- and I loved every minute of it. Again that might be the reason I have recently fallen in love with Switchfoot, but either way, I have found a new music love so it doesn't really matter! Watch the videos, let me know what you think (of the surfing and of the music) and also if you are already a Switchfoot lover, let me know which songs to look up, like I said they are a recent fav so I don't know much of their older stuff!. Enjoy and have a great week! Don't forget, if you have a band or artist you think I should feature next monday comment us away!

 Here is GREAT video with a great song! I was going to post the video on here, but sadly I couldn't get the video to work so I just posted the link- so please check it out if you have a minute or two! I seriously must have watched this heat easily 10 times-- it was a great heat and this video shows a ton of the great highlights of the heat! Also if you watch the whole thing Julian Wilson does a switch-footed spin after the last cutback on the 9 point wave- I thought it was fitting!
http://www.hurley.com/hurleypro/view-video.cfm?id=48626

 
This is another great video with a great song as well! It is of 2 of my favorite surfers surfing the semifinals with a great Switchfoot song playing. Its a great video that highlights the heat and also its a great song to go with it.
http://www.hurley.com/hurleypro/view-video.cfm?id=48662
 
 
 
 
Also this is one of my new favorite songs--

Friday, September 23, 2011

New Found Friend

Happy FRIDAY! So, I was walking the other day and found this little gem in the street. Do you see what I see?
 

That’s right an old-timey boxer! He’s my new best friend. (Although don’t tell Zoei) I’m pretty sure he could beat me up. Doesn’t he look tough? I think it’s the mustache or maybe the freakishly long arms. Either way I’m not going to mess with this guy. You’re mission for the weekend is to find something ordinary (like random tar in the street) and make it something new and unique. Now hop to it!

A random thought, I found out there is a fine line between mittens and boxing gloves. Well, at least when your drawing them.
–Remi

Monday, September 19, 2011

Music Monday: Mason Jennings

Why hello Monday! You sure came quick this week, I swear I just barely saw you like 6 days ago, I would normally feel like you were a little intrusive in my life, but luckily for you I now have Music Monday. So I forgive you for coming around so often, oh and I just got a new CD and I have been dying to blog about it!This week we are talking Mason Jennings!

I have adored Mason Jennings for a very long time, and just last week he released his 11th full album (I think 11, im pretty sure im not missing any, but that could be wrong!) Anyways his new album is FANTASTIC!! Okay ALL of his albums are fantastic, but this new one is going to be in my top albums for a long time.

If you are not familiar with Mason Jennings music, you are definietly missing out! So for all of you who are not super familiar with him, I have compiled a lovely mix of some of my fav Mason songs. I hope you like them just as much as I do, he is a great artist and is always coming out with better and better songs! If you like the songs I chose, go check out all of his other stuff at his site: HERE. And of course go "like" him on Facebook: HERE. Also check out his newest album: Minnesota. I couldnt find any songs from the newest album, but I totally recommend you go out and buy it anyways! As always I would love to go on and on about my favorite songs, but ill let them speak for themselves. Enjoy!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

I love the rain the most.



Oh, how I do love the rain.  Anyone that knows me knows that I love the fall and nothing says fall like a chilly weekend of rain. Luckily it didn’t rain on us at the famers market on Saturday. I mean I love the rain and all but it seems to drive away people. The weather today is perfect! Warm in the sun and cool in the shade. Definitely sweater weather and I love sweaters it’s the best part about fall. It even is starting to smell like fall.  I need to make sure to get out of the house today and soak up all the loveliness around. Happy weekend.
-Remi

Friday, September 16, 2011

Along came a spider.


Yep, it’s true. We just completed a re-print of the spider tee shirt! This is one of my favorite designs done by the fabulous Zoei! We sell this design the most which is understandable because he is just so darn cute and creepy! That also means they don’t last long, so snatch it up before it’s too late! With Halloween and fall just around the corner this shirt is a must have.  But for real’s, we are going to be selling this guy at the farmers market, so its sure to go quick!
-Remi

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Change can be good.

If you haven’t noticed the Brightside blog is looking a little different.  I think the biggest change we made (beside the color) is the navigation bar. We added some pages with nifty new things. You can learn more about the Brightside girlies in the about us tab and send us some e-mails in the contact tab. Also you have easy access to our facebook, etsy store and our flickr page.  So, take a moment and clickity click around.  Let us know what you think! Do you hate the new color? Or maybe you love it? I personally think all the new changes are pretty spiffy, but that just my opinion. 
On random side note, one of my favorite singer song writers Mason Jennings just released a new album, called Minnesota. It’s a piano based album and I’m absolutely in love with it. The music video to Bitter Heart is fantastic. Not only do I love this song, but I LOVE VINTAGE CAMERAS. I've always been facinated with through the viewfinder photography and this video just melts my heart.  HERE is a great thing I found from the lovely Photojojo blog that shows a little more about through the viewfinder photography. I think I need to go buy myself a new vintage camera.
      -Remi 

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Canning Adventures


A couple of weekends ago me and the sisters canned some salsa! I was going to blog about how canning works and some great recipes to use. But…I really didn’t do anything to help out besides lend an extra hand to scoop and wash dishes. I felt like was helping a lot, but defiantly not running the show.  But I feel like the canning adventures of the Germaine sisters is worthy enough to blog about.


First I must say growing up cooking in the kitchen is pretty fantastic. Even as we all get older its weird to think how many hours we all spent together in the kitchen cooking and cleaning. I’ve never really canned anything before until now, but the process is pretty simple. One, prepare food to be canned. Two, sterilize and clean some jars. Three, fill the jars then steam them shut. Seems pretty simple right? Well, it is. It is a lot of work, especially if you’re doing a large batch. But it’s the fun kind of work. We made some very yummy salsa. I probably don’t appreciate all the hard work yet. But once its winter and my quesadilla is lonely popping open a jar of homemade salsa sounds fantastic. One thing that I did learn is that hard work always goes by faster if you’re listening to music. This applies not just to canning or cooking but also cleaning and other mundane chores. So, long story short. Canning is fun and oh so very yummy.  It’s a lot of work, but can be fun when you surround yourself with good tunes and people you like.
-Remi

Monday, September 12, 2011

Music Monday: Spencer Glenn

Its that time of week again, the beginging, the start, the Monday. Which usually means back to work, back to school, back to waking up early and being exhausted. But luckily for you, I have taken it upon myself to blog each and every (mostly every I should say) Monday about my new music fav. This gives you something to read, and most importantly it gives you something to listen to and make you happy all Monday long!!

This week Music Monday is going local, my ears fell in love a couple weeks back at the Provo Farmers Market (We sell there every Saturday if you didnt know!) Also if you didnt know Provo has some SUPER GREAT music! I could go off and name a ton of great bands and singer song writers, but this week we are focusing on one: Spencer Glenn.

Like I said I first heard of Spencer Glenn at the Provo Farmers Market, and absolutly loved his voice.. and his very catchy songs. Its hard to say exactly what other artists he is like, the best I would have to say like a Jack Johnson and Eric Hutchinson mix, but even then that just doesnt cover it, hes got like a poppy spin on a classic singer song writer feel. Either way its just fantastic, my ears love it and I love it, and thats all that matters, right?  I would love to on and on about all of his songs, but I think the best way for you to fully understand the amount of awesome he brings to his music, is for you to take a listen for yourself. So go take a listen and "like" him on Facebook --->HERE<--Then head on over to youtube and check out his Youtube channel-->HERE<--- and come down to the Farmers Market the next time he is playing, also go check out his other gigs posted on his facebook. You can bet that I will be there-- supporting not only one of my new favorite artists, but also supporting the local music scene! Oh yeah did I mention he does a great Bob Marley cover song?? (Refer to youtube for said Bob cover)
I hope you enjoy the video, as well as all the music on his facebook-- Have a great week.. I will be back next week for another music Monday! And remember Friday is only 4 days away!


Over and Out-- Zoei

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Music Monday: Augustana

Okay first I should start by saying, yes I know this was not posted until Tuesday, but let me explain. I felt that since it was Labor Day weekend, most people didnt go back to work till Tuesday, so I thought I would wait to post this and give all of you something to listen to on Tuesday! Fair enough? I hope this doesnt make you think anything less of me, and if so then this is Remi writing this blog today, not Zoei.

So now that we got that out of the way lets get to Music Monday!! (Yes I will still call it Music Monday, even though it was not posted until Tuesday- If you have a problem, bring this up with me, Remi. Not Zoei) Sooo who are we going to be chatting about this lovely day?? One of my favorite bands that I have loved for a very long time now: Augustana.

I know most people know who they are and I know most of you know all of the lyrics to"Boston" and usually that would make me not want to feature them on our blog, but then I pop in one of their cds and *BAM* all I want to do is dance my pants off and share their great music with everyone I come in contact with.

Now I know Boston is in fact a great song.. But believe it or not its not my favorite Augustana song. And another fact you might not know: their 2nd album in my opinion is better than their 1st. Thats just my opinion, I mean not that the 1st one sucks or anything, both albums are in my top favorites, but their 2nd is just a few albums closer to mynumber 1 favorite album (which I have not and probably will not ever disclose, mostly cause it is constantly changing, and I would hate to offend any of my other favs- cause in my head they care)I know their 1st album: All the Stars and Boulevards has great songs on it such as Boston, Hotel Roosevelt, and Mayfield.. BUT their 2nd album: Can't Love, Can't Hurt has songs such as: Hey Now, Fire, Either Way I'll Break Your Heart and so many more. Can't Love, Can't Hurt is just one of those albums that you can toss on and not have to go next on any song. Again All the Stars and Boulevards come close to that, but if we are being honest, there are a couple songs that I push the next button on. And then there is their 3rd album: Augustana, which I love as well, but (theres always a but) I do feel it is the weakest of the three. Its a great album and I absolutly love "Steal Your Heart" (its just so darn catchy) But over all its a little poppy for me.

So now that I have told you all what I think about Augustana's discography, I challenge you, well maybe not so much a challenge, but I have a job for you. Listen to all three of their albums, decide for yourself which one you think is radtastic, which one is just rad and which one is good, but not as good as the others. Then shoot me a comment either on here or on our facebook (here) and let me know what you have come up with.. I would love to know!!

Thanks so much for reading, I know I probably bored you, but following this I have posted a song from each album! Enjoy

-Zoei (Yes its me, not Remi, but all negative comments can still go to Remi :)



Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones

So above is a couple of my  favorite Augustana songs.. Also I could not find the song below to add to the above playlist, so be sure to listen to that one as well.. and don't forget to tell me what you think of it all!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Under Construction!

If you hadn’t noticed we are working on making some changes to our blog. Mostly to make it look pretty and new. It’s been a while since we update our layout and what not. I didn’t think it was going to take us this long to change things, but it turns out I’m not as computer savvy as I would like to be. So, things are kind of a mess right now. We are adding some new things that I’m very excited about! Thanks to tutorials from PUGLY PIXEL  our blog is going to be new and spiffy in no time!

-Remi