Paris by The Chainsmokers

Because the first single by The Chainsmokers in 2017 would be about Paris.

Several of my friends texted me when the single dropped a few days ago. I'll be heading to Vienna and Paris in a few weeks from now, so it's more than possible that I could do another photoshoot like the one I did for The Chainsmokers' Closer.

If this song isn't a sign that 2017 will be a great year, I don't know what is.

Worth Fighting For by Rico & Mello X TELYKast (Otero Remix)

A new year doesn't mean a new taste in music

I feel like I should have picked a more upbeat track to kick off 2017, but I've been replaying this one on Soundcloud for the the past few days. Maybe it's because there's "unfinished business" from 2016 that I still need to take care of...?

Back for Christmas by Andrew Belle

I'm losing my mind over Andrew Belle's release of his original Christmas song

This is a much better alternative to the "Last Christmas, I gave you my heart..." song. This is the "I'm home for the holidays and I hope you are too, I still love you, let's make this work" song.

This is the holiday song for 2016. Thank you, Andrew Belle.

Carry Me by Kygo feat. Julia Michaels

I love the fact that the music at Theory plays Kygo.

Every time "Carry Me" plays, I get noticeably more excited alive. It's only appropriate that the lyrics are in keeping with the other heartbreak anthems I've been listening to this year, but I don't mind.

This one will be fun to dance to during cuffing season...

Baby, Pull Me Closer

A personal photoshoot inspired by The Chainsmokers' hit, Closer

If you haven't been able to tell from past blog posts, I don't focus on my personal style and outfitting.

Why?

Because I don't have a dream budget to hire a team or a live-in photographer boyfriend with a DSLR to take all sorts of stylish pictures necessary for running a proper style blog.

Most of my blog content relies on a set of core topics, more compelling copy and basic flat-lays or travel pictures, edited so perfectly with my iPhone 6 plus—but it is finally time to embrace the occasional photoshoot for the blog.

Inspired by the pop anthem of 2016, these photos are part-fashion diary, part-love letter and part-portfolio update (in that order).

I had the pleasure of working with Maaike Bernstrom for this shoot in Newport, Rhode Island—we've worked together on projects for Laura Jean and The Newport Blast and I couldn't trust anyone else to help bring this vision to life. After Maaike and I booked the date, I made sure to schedule my hair salon at JF3 Salon for earlier the same day.

So yes. This is it. This is me. Trying to be casual. Yet also trying not to be too casual.

But definitely trying to have nice pictures for my inevitable blog revamp.

Please be kind. I know I'm not a model. I'm barely five feet tall, sell clothing as my day job and write as my passion and side-hustle...

Closer by The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey

Hey

I was doing just fine before I met you

I drink too much and that's an issue
But I'm okay

Hey
You tell your friends it was nice to meet them
But I hope I never see them again

I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke-down car

And four years, no calls

Now you're looking pretty in a hotel bar

And I can't stop

No I can't stop

So, baby, pull me closer

In the back seat of your Rover

That I know you can't afford

Bite that tattoo on your shoulder

Pull the sheets right off the corner

Of that mattress that you stole

From your roommate back in Boulder

We ain't ever getting older

We ain't ever getting older

We ain't ever getting older

You look as good as the day I met you

I forget just why I left you,
I was insane

Stay 

And play that Blink-182 song
That we beat to death in Tucson,
Okay

I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke-down car

And four years, no call
Now I'm looking pretty in a hotel bar

And I can't stop
No, I can't stop

So, baby, pull me closer

In the back seat of your Rover
That I know you can't afford

Bite that tattoo on your shoulder

Pull the sheets right off the corner

Of that mattress that you stole

From your roommate back in Boulder

We ain't ever getting older

We ain't ever getting older

No, we ain't ever getting older

Photography: Maaike Bernstrom

Hair: JF3 Salon

Location: Newport, Rhode Island

Plaid Shirt Outfit: Top, Jach's Girlfriend (available at Crosswynds Traders); Jeans, FRAME Le High Rise Skinny; Shoes, Frye Sacha Moto Shootie in Cognac

Black Shirt Outfit: Top, Theory; Jeans, AG Jeans Tomboy

Silk Cami Outfit: Top, Free People Intimates; Sweater, Theory Open Cardigan

"The Ocean" by Mike Perry feat. Shy Martin

Ocean state of mind is my favorite place to be

I've had this one on replay since the end of the summer—maybe it's because I'm trying to keep the summer warmth alive through the cold weather, or it's a reminder of how much I need to be around the ocean.

It's probably time to check out flight deals and find a new coastal getaway outside of New England...

Capsize by Frenship and Emily Warren

I don't understand why this track isn't on fire.

FRENSHIP is Los Angeles-based duo James Sunderland and Brett Hite, who met while working at Lululemon. Although "Capsize" is the band's current hit, Billboard praises "Carpet," another track on their latest EP, Truce. 

A lot of artists have released tracks about waves and the ocean this year—I'm definitely throwing this on my new playlist.

All We Know by The Chainsmokers feat. Phoebe Ryan

Another heartbreak anthem from The Chainsmokers to follow their single, "Closer" feat. Halsey

Get ready to put this one on replay, too!

The Greatest by Sia feat. Kendrick Lamar

I've said it before and I'll say it again—I barely watch music videos.

But there is something in the way Sia and the talented team behind-the-scenes can create a powerful, moving images in her videos. According to The Atlantic's analysis, The Greatest pays tribute to the 49 lives lost in the Orlando nightclub shooting.

Without the intended subtext, the lyrics are enough to motivate any fitness addict or heartbroken soul...

The song and this music raises the bar for sincerely honoring the innocent lives lost through art. 

Dive Deep by Andrew Belle

Chicago-based artist Andrew Belle dropped his latest single, Dive Deep, last Friday.

I found Andrew Belle on SoundCloud when I stumbled upon Enemy from his Black Bear album (2014). According to TeezFM, Belle's new album is scheduled to be released by the end of 2016.

I replayed Black Bear to death last year, so I am looking forward to another heartbreakingly beautiful and honest album from Belle. Dive Deep has already been well-played within the past few days of listening to it...

Closer by The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey

If someone asks me what the summer song of 2016 is, it's definitely the latest single by The Chainsmokers and Halsey.

I feel like every song I pick out has a heartbreaking element, but maybe that's because that's the true nature of the beast.

Love, in all of its forms, is beautiful.

Update: My first official photoshoot for my blog is inspired by Closer! Check it now. 

LUV by Tory Lanez

This single by Tory Lanez is another one for your "summertime sadness" playlist.

Your Girl by Violet Days (aundi remix)

aundi is my current SoundCloud love—this remix was recently dropped and it's a great summer song.

I just booked a weekend trip to visit my friend Steph in San Francisco, so I'm feeling inspired by SoCal and surfer-EDM sounds more than usual.

On Replay: You by Lost Kings (Truth & Lies Remix)

You'll always want One Dance, but elevate your summer playlist with something new.

I'm not going to pretend that I have the best taste in music—or have the best capability of finding new hits in general—but I love this one I found on Belle Musique's SoundCloud channel:

Leave a Trace by CHVRCHES

I knew CHVRCHES have been a thing for while, but as soon as I heard this single, I knew I was going to have to go back and give everything a second listen...

Locked Away by R. City feat. Adam Levine

I wish this single was dropped earlier this year, it would have been a much bigger summer song.

Show Me Love by Sam Feldt (EDX's Indian Summer Remix)

This is easily the 2015 Song of the Summer. Hands down. 

Your Head and Your Heart by The Saint Johns

I found this song on a recommended playlist for astronomyy, it's heartbreakingly beautiful.

My eyes are locked to you and I'm falling
Your hands are cold
You say that your mind's made up
And I should go

But maybe your head is not where your heart is
I'll sleep alone tonight
And if our bones can stand to be apart
Then I'll leave it to your head and your heart
Then I'll leave it too

And my eyes are so sick of burning
Salline and coals
I feel the northern winds brewing
They push, they pull

And I haven't heard your voice yet
But I want to so bad
And I'm not ready for this
But I won't let you give it up just yet
Yet

astronomyy Releases New EP

I found astronomyy on a music playlist by This is Glamorous almost a year ago--they released a new EP, When I'm With U, yesterday. 

This EP couldn't have been released at a better time. At one point, astronomyy's first EP, There for U, was a soundtrack to my life. I'd imagine that When I'm With U will have the same effect.

I'm still waiting for my favorite song, Things I'd Do For U, to be available to download...

To Ü by Skrillex and Diplo (feat. AlunaGeorge)

I finally jumped on the SoundCloud bandwagon and I don't know why I haven't been using it until now. One of my favorite blogs, This is Glamorous, shares their weekend playlists using SoundCloud--in fact, through this blog, I fell in love with astronomy. 

Even though Diplo was recently under fire in M.I.A.'s interview, this album project with Skrillex has received good reviews. Here's one of my favorite tracks from the album: