Night Drive | A Mixtape

When is the last time you took a night drive with no destination in sight? Did you do so to clear your head? To relieve stress? Or just to get away from your current location or current state of mind?

No matter your reason for venturing away for a spell, adding music to the mix always enhances the experience of late-night driving without aim. It can be a form of distraction when you need to clear your mind. It can also be mood-altering if you're looking for a pick-me-up. Perhaps you're like me and the melodic tunes illuminate the settings all around you while traveling. In this case, curating the right songs can make the ride seem magical. Others can stimulate your senses in a way to keep you up and alert, anticipating your next stop. And some songs make you think of your special someone, especially if your night drive could eventually lead you to that person.

What would your night drive list sound like? The key to creating this particular playlist would be choosing songs that match your mood and your destination. If driving to clear your mind, you might want to create an experience that is the opposite of the stressful situations you are driving away from.

For the smooth tunes + r&b lovers like myself, here's the last night drive playlist I created a while back. I hope you enjoy!

QUEUE THE "Night Drive" PLAYLIST:  This is for those late nights when you wanna vibe while riding out for a few with no particular place to go.  Click the image above to open the playlist up in a new window.

   

Loving these Spotify playlists? Let me know in the comments if you want more here on the blog. And be sure to give me a follow if you're on Spotify, too. I love making mixtapes and sharing music with my good boos over there.

ARE YOU AN R&B MUSIC FAN?

WHAT'S ON YOUR "NIGHT DRIVE" PLAYLIST?

Just to See You Smile | A Playlist

As many of you may know from reading here for a while: I am of the generation of making a "mixtape" for everything. And with so many music streaming services available at our fingertips, it's been easier than ever to make a playlist for any occasion. Add to that modern convenience, the fact that I'm a "make me a playlist so I know it's real" type of lady. Not only am I a person who loves for someone to send me music, I'm a person that loves sending music to others.

Sending music to friends, family, and others we share a closeness to, is a love language. Making the perfect playlist for those people is also a labor of love. It takes time, focus, and a bit of knowledge about the people we're sharing music with to make the perfect playlist for them. My goal for making someone a playlist is usually to put them on to music I feel they would enjoy, or simply to make them smile. I can't tell you how many times hearing a particular song has brightened my entire day. And since that is a feeling I love experiencing, it's one I love to extend to others. While it does take a bit of effort, seeing someone smile while enjoying their personalized playlist makes it worthwhile.

Looking at my latest posts, I realize it's been a while since I've posted a playlist for you guys to enjoy. So, I decided today that I would share a playlist to make you smile. Yes, YOU. Hopefully the vibes from this particular playlist bring about some positive feelings, make you reminisce on something nostalgic, or simply make you smile with the knowledge that I made this just for you. 

QUEUE THE "Just To See You Smile" PLAYLIST:  This is one of those playlists created for no other reason but to evoke positive feelings. Perhaps there's a song listed that shows appreciation. Maybe there's another that makes you feel empowered. Hopefully a couple of them make you feel inspired. Either way, I hope it adds a bit of joy to your day. Click the image above to open the playlist up in a new window.

  

  

Loving these Spotify playlists? Let me know in the comments if you want more here on the blog. And be sure to give me a follow if you're on Spotify, too. I love making mixtapes and sharing music with my good boos over there.

WHAT SONGS DO YOU LISTEN TO THAT INSPIRE HAPPINESS, LOVE, OR JOY?

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Teenage Dream | A Playlist

The late 90s and early 2000s were an interesting time to be a teenager. Well at least for me, it was. This time, for me, was a culmination of trying on different personas, trying to figure out which one felt more comfortable-- switching hairstyles, accessories, and sometimes even peer groups, trying to find my way. The slightest newfound emotion would take over me in waves. Heartbreaks felt like the end of the world. The ending of friendships were (and still are) more heart-wrenching than break-ups. But finding new friends that shared similar interests and getting into my first choice school seemed to make things infinitely better, for the time back then. Ah, to be young. 

I've been reminiscing on teenage years a lot recently, especially with my daughter graduating high school and entering college this year.  Watching her navigate the high school/college transition, friendships, relationships, developing a school/work balance, and managing newfound emotions had me one part nervous, two parts nostalgic, and one part empathetic, to say the least. And while we are so very different, our glaring similarities show up almost every day, it seems.

In many ways, watching my children grow up reminds me of how much growing up I've done as their mother. I was practically a kid myself, learning how to properly care for them and nurture them the best way I knew how. Seeing them as human beings with their own unique personalities, perspectives, and attitudes towards certain things has taught me to parent them with grace. It wasn't that long ago that I was processing internal battles and braving the world as a misunderstood teen in similar ways. Paying attention to the way in which they define themselves takes me down memory lane quite a bit these days. So much so, that I've started making playlists to create a bit of a timestamp of what my teenage years felt like for me.

If you've been here for a while, you already know how much music colors everything I do. I have a playlist for every vibe, mood, experience, memory, and feeling, no matter how fleeting. Reminiscing on simpler times is no different. So for today's playlist, I'd like to share the musical time machine I hopped into, titled "Teenage Dream."

Sunday Nite at Dre's | A Playlist

It's a chill Sunday after dark, and the rain seems to have settled in for the night. The house is quiet, with the exception of my pacing back and forth, setting up the boys' things they need for school tomorrow. Everyone's left to their own devices, which is a plus for me. I can get so much done within the stillness. Sounds from someone's YouTube plays in the distance. Someone else's South Park reruns mutter every now and again in the background. And occasionally, I can hear my dog, Rocko, whimper for attention from his pillow in the center of the living room. It's during these times that I like to put a smooth tune or two on to match my productivity. Sure, I want to get all the things done, as I plan for the week on Sunday nights. But I want something nice and easy to listen to. I love when it's something I can move to, but it has to be something that keeps me vibing and getting things done at a steady pace. Tonight, I chose G-funk, y'all.

Like me and my two sides, G-funk seems like a bit of a dichotomy. On the one hand, you have your hardcore gangsta rap lyrics. On the other, you have this gangsta music laced with your favorite funk tune samples from the 70's. It's a genre I love to wrap myself up in when I want a little something different from my usual jazz and soul Sunday spins. And since I have a playlist or two queued up on my Spotify, I thought I'd share one here tonight with you guys! 

QUEUE THE "Sunday Nite at Dre's" PLAYLIST:  This is for those nights when you wanna vibe to some smooth 70's funk, but the "G" in you wants a little something heavier. Click the image above to open the playlist up in a new window.

  

  

Loving these Spotify playlists? Let me know in the comments if you want more here on the blog. And be sure to give me a follow if you're on Spotify, too. I love making mixtapes and sharing music with my good boos over there.

ARE YOU A G-FUNK FAN?

WHAT ARE YOU VIBING TO TONIGHT?

Blossom Into The Feminine | A Playlist

What does basking in your femininity mean to you?

To me, this means embracing the qualities that make me who I am as a woman-- my softness, my sensuality, my ability to nurture and create from the most sacred spaces within me. And since learning to fully embrace my femininity years ago, I"ve felt an ease in my mind + body like never before. I welcome change with less resistance. I don't let the thoughts and opinions of others affect me as much. I am more accepting of who I am in totality. I welcome and embrace the genuine love around me. I feel blessed and grateful to return the love, in a genuine way. And I honor my sensuality, allowing myself to fully enjoy the things that make me feel pleasure.

As with anything I do, I've created a playlist featuring many songs that put me in a state of flow, when it comes to my femininity. Songs that feel good when I sing the lyrics. Songs that sound good sliding through my speakers on quiet nights alone. Songs that remind me that I am a soft, gentle being that allows herself to give and receive pleasure.

Becoming | A Playlist

There is something about the arrival of springtime that makes me feel so hopeful. At peace. Anticipating new and joyous experiences on the horizon. But not in an anxious way. In more of a calming way. A way that feels pleasant to ease into. 

So far, this season has given me a sense of renewal. I have officially shed the practices of withdrawal and isolation I so heavily rely on in the winter. I am reminded that, while winter may call for hibernation and stillness, spring requires coming into the light. 

During this time, I find myself preparing for newness. I'm cleaning out my closets (both literally and figuratively). I'm re-evaluating current creative projects to determine what works and what doesn't. I'm spring cleaning the entire house and ridding the spaces of things that no longer serve my family.  I welcome my evolution and resurgence with new tea blends, vibrant colors in my wardrobe & cosmetics, and music that waters me. 

While funk and hip-hop will always blast in my speakers, springtime vibes lean on the smooth, calming, and relaxing spectrum of things. When getting my mind, body, and spirit in tune with the changes taking place around me and within me, I need my music to reflect that same sentiment. 

QUEUE THE "becoming" PLAYLIST:  This is for those moments before we start our day and feel most alive. We welcome the warmth and brightness of the sun. We thank God for life, breath, grace and opportunity. And we anticipate the beauty that will unfold as the day emerges. Each song on this list serves as a reminder of that beauty. Click the image above to open the playlist up in a new window.

  

  

Loving these Spotify playlists? Let me know in the comments if you want more here on the blog. And be sure to give me a follow if you're on Spotify, too. I love making mixtapes and sharing music with my good boos over there.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SPRING?

WHAT'S ON YOUR CURRENT PLAYLIST?

Feels Like Warm Hugs | A Playlist

So, I have a quick confession to make. Something about this time of the year makes me want to hibernate and isolate. I don't know what it is. And I'm pretty sure many other people feel this same way. Lately I've been careful with creating comfortable spaces for myself and taking breaks from certain things to recalibrate. This is an essential part of my self-care plan. 

I've been finding ways to find calm + comfort in the smallest things. Been surrounding myself with people that feel like home. Preparing meals and libations that taste like warmth and nostalgia. Visiting beautiful landscapes that smell like saltwater, pine, lime and eucalyptus. Sitting outside late evenings to watch the beautiful sunset over a pool of cotton candy + tangerine skies. Wrapping up in my favorite fleece blankets and slipping on my favorite silk pajamas after a shower. And of course, listening to soothing sounds reminiscent of warm hugs and treasured memories. You get my drift, right? There's nothing quite refreshing like being present for the small things that make your soul happy. 

Speaking of happiness and warm hugs, when is the last time you've heard a song that made you feel all warm inside? One that you could actually feel on your skin and see through your mind's eye? I believe one of the things I love most about music is the way it allows me to experience something without the element of physical touch. How the lyrics, the basslines, the melodies, and overall mood of a single song can be felt so intensely, so passionately, without physical touch enacts an intimacy so deep, it almost scares me sometimes. I keep a few songs like this in my rotation to remind me of all those feels. 

QUEUE THE "Feels Like Warm Hugs" PLAYLIST:  This is for those moments when you're craving a  feeling you can't quite put your finger on (literally and figuratively). For those of us looking for comfort when the tangible aspect of that comfort eludes us. Click the image above to open the playlist up in a new window.

 

  

Loving these Spotify playlists? Let me know in the comments if you want more here on the blog. And be sure to give me a follow if you're on Spotify, too. I love making mixtapes and sharing music with my good boos over there.

WHEN IS THE LAST TIME A SONG GAVE YOU WARM FEELINGS?

WHAT SOUNDS OR SONGS FEEL LIKE WARM HUGS TO YOU?

Coffee Dates and Meet-Ups | A Playlist

When is the last time you visited your local coffee shop and just enjoyed the ambience? I mean, like you really drank in the atmosphere? You took notice to the hustle + bustle of the people around you grabbing orders or tapping relentlessly on their laptops? You smiled back at the overzealous barista with the dimple in her left cheek who rattles off your order before you even speak? You realize the temperature is just right and the air is surprisingly more comfortable than home at times? And before you know it, the light music that spills in waves over the shop makes you feel at ease as you wait for your good friend to join you. It reminds you of simpler times, brighter days, and overall happy feelings, right? I don't know about you guys, but that's a beautiful feeling for me. It sets the tone for an amazing visit and makes me want to frequent said spot more often. 

There's a particular spot that makes me feel just like this, minus the music. If you know me, you know I need soundtrack music to create a moment. I want to be able to set the mood for my productivity (or my weekly coffee date with so-and-so) at the coffee shop with amazing tunes. And this one spot provides everything but that. And maybe it's that piece of me that romanticizes everything, but once I started comparing my life to random 90s sitcoms, I wondered why my coffee shop of choice ain't playing dope music like the ones I saw on TV. So, without further adieu, I'd like to share the aftermath: "Coffee Dates and Meet-Ups." 

Sundays at Dre's | Volume 3

Spring is in full effect in sunny North Carolina and the newness of it all has me feeling a bit nostalgic. Flowers are in a beautifully fragrant bloom. The warm weather is often accompanied by a few rain showers-- for good measure. And I'm feeling like I'm coming out of some soft of personal hibernation. So, on this particular Sunday, I've been re-evaluating a few systems in my life and household with good music and savory foods.

 

Alone time with my music and notebook really allow me to plan for the week ahead in the most calming and effective way possible. Not only does it calm me, it helps me to be present without becoming overwhelmed with the upcoming week's tasks. Adding a 90's R&B playlist to the mix for soundtrack music? That's the icing on my vanilla spice-flavored cake, today!

If you've been here for a while, you already know music is life. I have a playlist for every vibe, mood, experience, memory, and feeling, no matter how fleeting. Sundays are no different. For y'all that follow me on Instagram, you may be familiar with "Sundays At Dre's," the playlists I used to share over there in my stories on Sundays. Today I'll be sharing Volume 3 of the installment.

Nightcap | A Saturday Night Vibe

Are you one of those people who can easily wind down after a long day? Or are you one that finds yourself more than ready to turn in until you get in bed and realize you need a little something extra? I often end up in the latter category, simply because I can't turn my brain off. Things I haven't thought of all day seem to resurface at night and for some reason, I just can't silence the noise.

Now if you know me well, you already know I have went through my nightly self-care routine and I'm probably just in need of a good sitcom or smooth playlist to lull me to sleep. Then there are nights when a neat lil nightcap does the trick. Usually, however, that nightcap comes with the smooth tunes as well. And before you know it, I'm waking up the next morning well-rested. 

Sundays at Dre's | Volume 2

Sundays either go one of two ways around my house. I'm either planning for the week: making lists, sorting laundry, prepping meals, and reviewing important documents, or I'm in a state of deep reflection: making note of what has or hasn't been working lately and brainstorming ways to make things better. This particular Sunday is looking like the kind that calls for reflection. As we settle into the last month of the year, I've been considering a lot of things that need work in my life.  And while I'm not one to lament too long on anything, I am one to turn up the blues to be my soundtrack music as I journal about it all.

A mood of this kind calls for something a bit jazzy. A little bluesy, even. So, this second edition of "Sundays at Dre's" reflects that exact feeling and mood.

Sundays At Dre's | Volume 1

Sundays always feel like a reset around my way. This particular day of the week allows me the time and space to recalibrate, if you will. I spend my morning getting my praise and worship on, making something nice and savory to eat, planning for the upcoming week, and enjoying lots of quiet time alone.  And believe me, the quiet time really sets the tone for the week ahead. Not only does it calm me, it helps me to be present without becoming overwhelmed with the upcoming week's tasks. Sometimes this quiet time is spent with my journal. Other times it's spent with a blank canvas and some acrylic paints. Most often this time is shared with an engaging hardcover book. But no matter how I decide to spend quiet time on Sunday, my time is always illuminated by soundtrack music.

If you've been here for a while, you already know music is life. I have a playlist for every vibe, mood, experience, memory, and feeling, no matter how fleeting. Sundays are no different. For y'all that follow me on Instagram, you may be familiar with "Sundays At Dre's," the playlists I used to share over there in my stories on Sundays. Today I decided to share them in this space as well.

Riding Up The Coast With You On My Mind | A Playlist

There's something magical about traveling to a familiar location with the perfect playlist as background music. Ever went cruising to the beach on a cool summer night and the drive up always reminds you of "that particular song?" If you're like me, and you set your vibe with the most fitting tunes, this beautiful feeling may be familiar to you. But if not, and you're constantly searching for just the right song to set the mood, I might be able to help you with that. Imagine the late summer temps outside are equal parts cool and sultry. You're heading to (or from) that beach town you haven't visited since your undergrad years with the windows down and the winds blowing through your hair. The smell of salt is heavy in the air and it gives you all types of nostalgia. All my southern North Carolina folks know the vibes.  What songs are you playing? What music instantly comes to mind?

Alternative R&B vibes are some of my favorite types of playlists to make.  And because I've been enjoying late night beach rides this summer, I'm writing with some of my favorite riding tunes as background music. A friend of mine asked me to share this playlist publicly, so I thought I'd share it tonight with you guys! 

BEFORE THE NEW DAY BREAKS THE DAWN KINDA JAWN | a late-night playlist

Nothing puts you in a mood on a storm-fueled rainy night quite like some smooth tunes. If you've ever turned your radio on to the late-night "quiet storm" set, you already know the vibes. Perhaps it's pretty chill at your place and you're relaxing until your favorite slow jams lull you to sleep. Or maybe you're hanging out with your good boo and looking to set the mood with a particular romantic vibe. What songs are you playing? What music instantly comes to mind?

Late night R&B vibes are some of my favorite types of playlists to make.  And because it's a stormy Saturday night, I'm cuddled up on the couch listening to slow jams. It's been a minute since I shared a playlist up here on the blog, so I thought I'd share one tonight with you guys! 

QUEUE THE "Before the New Day Breaks the Dawn Kinda Jawn" PLAYLIST:  This is for those late nights when you wanna vibe to some smooth R&B with that special someone in mind. Maybe you're in a nostalgic mood or there's a song or two that stirs up memories of your old good bae (or current bae) late into the midnight hour. Click the image above to open the playlist up in a new window. 

Loving these Spotify playlists? Let me know in the comments if you want more here on the blog. And be sure to give me a follow if you're on Spotify, too. I love making mixtapes and sharing music with my good boos over there.

ARE YOU AN R&B MUSIC FAN?

WHAT'S ON YOUR "QUIET STORM" PLAYLIST?

Make Yourself Comfortable: A Playlist

There is healing power in music. Ask anyone who has ever gone through a break-up and depended on the blues to give sound to their pain. Ask anyone who has ever drowned out their frustrations belting out familiar lyrics with Alanis Morrisette (queue You Oughta Know) and Kelis (Caught Out There would be the one). Better yet, ask anyone who has tuned in to DJ D-Nice on IG Live during "quarantine" to dance and sing along with their favorite celebrities via social media. Music makes everything better.

One thing I love just as much as listening to music is creating playlists. It combines creating the perfect music mood and my obsession with list-making. Since we've been spending much more time indoors, I've been doing a lot of writing, reading, and listening to music. I've also cracked open 52 Lists for Calm by Moorea Seal. I absolutely loved filling out each list for the original book I got a few years back, so I knew using this book would be perfect for me during this time of searching for peace and trying daily to calm my anxiety over the unknown.

MUSIC | The Mood-Boosting Playlist

Everything in life feels a little bit better with some soundtrack music playing in the background. At least it feels that way for me. When I wake up in the morning, I want to put my music on. Before I get in the shower, I spend several minutes getting my shower playlist together. Even when I'm preparing food, reading books, or writing my blog posts, I absolutely must have some tunes playing ignorantly loud in the background. And it's been that way for as long as I can remember. Now when I worked in an office I shared with co-workers, I was respectful and wore headphones (most of the time). But now that I work from home and can play my music as loud as I want, I GO IN honey. Some songs just require a higher volume and frequency for optimal listening pleasure.

Fitness Inspiration for Women Who Hate Working Out

In today's post, I will be entrusting you guys with a deep dark secret of mine:  I HATE WORKING OUT. Yeah, I said it! And if you know me personally, this probably comes as no surprise to you. To keep it all the way real, I think there's a lot of people out there that don't like working out. And to be clear, it isn't the actual working out that I hate. My real issue is staying motivated to work out on a consistent basis. Sure I know that I'm a lady of a certain age and my metabolism isn't like it was at the age of 20. I can no longer eat sugary sweets and deep-fried delectables all the time without ever paying the piper by exercising. This is not healthy or ideal. And while I know this to be true like we all do,  I STILL need a little force when it comes to getting off the couch and moving! Now don't sit here reading along and judge me because I know I'm not the only one, y'all. For serious.  

I admitted all of that to say that I often need an incentive to get my body in motion. Sure being fit and healthy should be enough, but I need a little something more to get the blood pumping.  And that's where the music comes in to play. Check out three free, easy ways I stay active with music after the jump.

P L A Y L I S T | My Ultimate Christmas Mixtape

There's nothing like a good playlist to get you in the mood for Christmas. Whether you're preparing your home for guests, wrapping gifts, getting your Christmas feast started, or you're enjoying a cool night of board games and hot-chocolate with your little ones, I have some smooth grooves for you. And since this girl loves her R&B, funk, gospel, and hip-hop, peep the great mash-up I have of those types of music right here. I hope you find some gems you enjoy!

Just to Get By | A Playlist for the Hopeful

Hello friends! Have you ever had a string of never-ending, not-so-good, kinda-bad days? Not so terribly bad that you couldn't function, but just days where you felt like you couldn't get right? You know, those blah types of days when you get out of bed feeling like something is missing but you aren't sure what. You have a hope and a dream for something greater, but have no clue how to get to that something. Or it seems like no matter what you try to do, nothing works out in your favor. You might even feel yourself giving up on your hopes and dreams. But then one morning, things turn around for you.

Tuesday's Tunes: The iPod Shuffle Mixtape

Happy Tuesday, ladies and gents! Hope your week is off to a good start and that you have a good tune in your heart (or your player) today.  For today's installment of Tuesday's Tunes, I decided to participate in Chymere Californian's iPod Shuffle Tag for my mixtape. The rules of this tag are to simply put your iPod (or other music player/device) on shuffle and list the top 50 songs that play at random.  As much as I love music, I just knew I had to take part in this tag.  And to make it a really random experience, I decided to use my old iPod from a few years back that I never updated just to see how truly random this list would turn out.  Check out the list and be sure to peep the videos for the highlighted songs.

THE SHUFFLE PLAYLIST

1. Star 69-Common

2. Lemme Get That- Rihanna

3. Baby Can I Hold You Tonight (Sorry)- Foxy Brown

4. These Streets- Tanya Stephens

5. Miss You Much- Janet Jackson

6. My Favorite Things- John Coltrane

7. They Don't Know- Jon B.

8. Po' Folks- Nappy Roots

9. Life Goes On- Tupac

10. Christopher Tracy's Parade- Prince

11. You Know That I Love You- Donell Jones

12. Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time- The Delfonics

13. Juicy- Pretty Ricky

14. For Real- Amel Larrieux

15. Hey Mr. DJ- Zhane'

16. African Queen- 2Face Idibia

17. Hello- Ginuwine

18. Mona Lisa- Slick Rick

19. Think It's a Game- Beanie Sigel

20. Don't Let Go (Love)- En Vogue

21. Go Deep (Timbaland Remix)- Janet Jackson

22. Git Up, Git Out- Outkast x CeeLo Green

23. Somewhere Over The Rainbow- Patti Labelle

24. How You Remind Me- Nickelback

25. Somethin' Wicked This Way Comes- TLC x Outkast

26. Joy & Pain- Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock

27. I Gotta Be- Jagged Edge

28. Mind Playin' Tricks 94- Scarface

29. Entourage- Omarion

30. Let's Go Crazy- Prince

31. This is My Party- Fabolous

32. Strawberry Swing- Coldplay

33. I've Changed- Jaheim x Keyshia Cole

34. Love Come Down- Evelyn "Champagne" King

35. Feelin' You- Lloyd

36. Quiet Storm (Remix)- Mobb Deep x Lil' Kim

37. Honey Dip- Jim Jones x Dipset

38. Other Side of the Game- Erykah Badu

39. Take It Easy- Mad Lion

40. Ain't My Type of Hype- Full Force

41. Can't Give Up Now- Mary Mary

42. Black Barbie- Little Jackie

43. Me and Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine- D'Angelo

44. Knockin' Boots- Candyman

45. Summer Madness- Kool & The Gang

46. Ebony Eyes- Rick James x Smokey Robinson

47. All Night Long (Remix)- Mary J. Blige x LL Cool J

48. Never Lie- Immature 

49. Heard a Word- Michelle Williams

50. Find a Way- A Tribe Called Quest

I must say that this was a very fun tag! At first I thought I would get tired of listing 50 whole songs, but by the time I finished I wanted to keep going.

Do you have any favorites on the list?  If this tag looks like something you would like to do, feel free to participate!

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO TODAY?

photo credit: sai kiran anagani on unsplash.com