1. I was nominated for the Top 100 International Blogs at Lexiophiles.

I've seen this award pop up on a few other bloggers, and wasn't sure what it was,

but I got the email last week that someone threw my name out there, and now I get to be in a fun little contest!
Pretty cool, hm? It's nice when you get little reminders like this that people do pay attention to the things you do.
So if you do happen to read this little blog, and you do happen to enjoy it,

why not throw a vote my way?

2. I've booked a flight home this week...

TO VISIT - get real.

I'm still disgustingly in love with life here. I'm not leaving anytime soon!

...well, I don't plan to.

I'm over-excited for a quick visit home to Florida to see my family though.

AND I will be popping up to my hometown in Kentucky for an old friends wedding!

I haven't been to see friends in two years, so I'm pretty much off the walls about it.

3. This is basically the greatest video to hit the Internet this week - maybe all time.

Jimmy Fallon reunited the Saved By The Bell cast on his show.

I spent my mornings growing up catching the show 7AM every morning with breakfast before school,

so just like my trip home - I was off the walllllllls when I saw this.

4. MY PARENTS GOT US A RECORD PLAYER.

I'm not even kidding - this is top 10 greatest days of my life.

We have about 15 records here that have just been sitting so sadly on our shelves until we could afford to buy one,

and my sneaky little parents decided to mail me the greatest 'miss you' gift in the entire world.

I'm spoiled with the greatest duo that could ever raise me - I am seriously so lucky.

We spent last night celebrating.
I'm serious - we went out record shopping and bought a bottle of champagne.
It's THAT big of a deal to us..

And I'm also never leaving this place.

Happy Sunday!

Today's all about George.

I read that Feb 6 was the day that George said was the first time he had seen The Quarrymen play.

(the first band John put together that pretttttty much started it all)

I'd say Georges introduction to John and Paul's playing is a legitimate factor in The Beatles history, wouldn't you?

Anyways, because of that - we're going GEORGE today!

He is a seriously underrated songwriter, but when three out of four members

(sorry Ringo)

of a group are some of the most badass lyricists in music history, that's bound to happen to someone.

A lot of Georges songs are absolute classics,

but possibly his most known creation is Something.

Frank Sinatra called it the 'greatest love song 

and it's literally been covered by every single person known to man, including Frank himself.

My favorite versions, though, are of course with George involved.

And I say versions because there are so many!

Like I said before - I almost prefer it to the original.
I just love it.

*************

There's also another version of the song that's been deconstructed.
I seriously commend you if you take the time to listen to this entire video.
But you should.

There are few things better than a song that ever track within it is awesome.
Listening to is this way, you find things you never noticed.
For example - did you notice the little Hammond organ perks during the chorus?
I never really did. But after hearing it deconstructed and on it's own,
it's something I hear every time the song comes on now, and one of my favorite parts.

And do you hear, in the Vocals track, Paul humming along during the guitar solo?
I'm obsessed.

And the drum track.
 And the bass melody.
And the harmonies.
And that goddamn heart-melting guitar solo.

And George. Just him. All of him.


But really - the guitar and drum track from this song are on my list of learns.
Know anyone who could teach me both?
Like tomorrow?
I just want to jaaaaaammmmm

*************

And the of course, there is the recording on Abbey Road.
That classic that nobody will ever get sick of - for good reason.

Have you seen the music video for it?

So scruffy and so in love.

I've been nominated for ix15's Top 100 International Blogs!

Throw me a vote if you're enjoying it here...

One of, if not my favorite area in London.

And NO - it's not becuase there is Beatle history here..

..but that may help just a bit..

St. John's Wood is more of a residential area,
minus the crowds upon crowds that come to Abbey Road Studios.

There is a lot to the area though.
It makes for a great day out of the crazy city life, to just relax in such a calm and peaceful area.
Abbey Road Studios

This is what most people come to St. John's Wood for.

Abbey Road is known for that iconic album cover from that little band I happen to talk about a lot.

The zebra crossing you are so familiar with is there, along with a zillion people holding up traffic

as they try to recreate the album cover.

 Have you seen the Abbey Road Crossing Cam?

Enjoy the sights of people posing and sounds of cars honking.

I'll mention that Paul McCartney also lives right around the corner from Abbey Road Studios.

He's owned the place since the early 60's, and still uses it as his home.

Girls used to camp out outside the house and try to jump the gate when Beatlemania was going on.

I'm crazy about him, that's for sure - but I'm not THAT crazy.

Primrose Hill

 This is one of my favorite places in all of London.

You get an entire view of the London skyline when you walk up the hill.

Not to mention it's a dog-lovers heaven.

If I recommend spending a day anywhere, it's here.

London Zoo

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

If you are craving more furry friends after dog-watching at Primrose Hill,

just walk across the street to the London Zoo.

Who doesn't love an afternoon at the zoo?

where you can find some amazing productions put on from May to September.

February already?

Wasn't I just writing about Christmas creeping up on us?

1. I'm diving into the new year head first with some new internships and things.

While I'm still going crazy, and my anxiety is over the roof,

it feels better to know I am making moves that will hep towards staying here.
Because I've been here for six months and I'm still hopelessly in love with this city...
which means leaving is simply not an option.

2. Heather's birthday is TOMORROW!

We're doing a celebratory dinner at our favorite restaurant, Richoux.

I was thinking of getting her Paul McCartney,

but all she's said is 'I just want to blow out a candle'

.. whatever.

Check out Heather's post from a few weeks back and give her a Happy Birthday shout!

3. I got the cutest little valentine in the mail last week from Cupid at Hotel Choclat ..

Turns out, my secret valentine is the lovely Anna at Anna in Wonderland!

I came home from a run to a massive box of chocolate,

and let me tell you,

there's nothing better than coming home feeling like death and sweat to a box of sweets.

There are all types of treats with all types of fillings - champagne, caramel, cream, gin, lemon.

I'm both proud and very surprised that I didn't eat them all that night.

Happy Sunday!