My January and February Favorites

I've wanted to do resume my monthly favorites posts this year, but all I had down from January was a few songs, and I didn't think that was enough for an entire post. So I'm combining January and February, because February was a lot more exciting and had more going on for me.

I feel like all I did in January was listen to "drivers license" on repeat. (I'm 100% serious.) But I actually gave my attention to other things in February, so here we go!

drivers license - Olivia Rodrigo

Do you know how much I love "drivers license"? I love it so much that it's the song that finally got me to stop listening to Taron Egerton and/or Aaron Tveit on repeat for the first time since late spring of 2019! When it first came out, I listened to it on repeat for at least a few days straight.

Olivia is a genius and a star, and I've been so proud of my fellow Filipina because of her monumental success since releasing her first single. "drivers license" is truly something else. I mean, it's got to be if it finally got to me to stop listening to Taron Egerton every day! I'm 100% one of those people who cannot and do not relate to any of the lyrics in the song, but that's how good it is. It just hits you in the feels regardless. And the bridge? It's a dramatic burst of musical fireworks.

Skin - Sabrina Carpenter

Yes, I am a fan of both Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter.  I listen to both "drivers license" and "Skin." We exist. I would like to never see or hear of any supposed drama relating to this ever again. Pitting women against each other isn't cool. Thanks.

Now that's out of the way, if you've followed my blog for a little while, you may know I've been a fan of Sabrina Carpenter for a while now and have loved her since she was on Girl Meets World. It has been so wonderful hearing and witnessing Sabrina's musical journey and growth, and "Skin" is a great example of that. Plus, it has an A+ message and reminds us that we do not need to give or pay attention to those who don't deserve it. It's not easy, but if people are trying to hurt you or tear you down in any way, you can choose to not let their words or actions hurt you. 

What I'm Listening To: Summer 2019

It's been nearly two years since I've done one of these posts. I stopped doing them because I just ended up putting 99% of the music I'd been listening to in my monthly favorites posts, so doing one of these would seem repetitive. But this summer there have been quite a few songs that I've been listening to a lot that haven't been featured in any of my monthly favorites posts, so I thought now would be a good time to do another music post.

My playlist for this summer is probably the most diverse my go-to playlist has ever been, including music from three different movie soundtracks, covers, Broadway show tunes, and pop music. So I've definitely been influenced by the movies and entertainment news from this summer. I've embedded some of the music from YouTube below since some of these songs aren't on Spotify or any streaming services, but my full playlist can be found at the end of this post.

Rocketman (Music From the Motion Picture)

I've basically been listening to the Rocketman soundtrack on repeat since it was released last May, because Taron Egerton's voice is the most beautiful sound I have ever heard, and I cannot get enough of it. Like honestly, I didn't really listen to Elton John songs before Rocketman (other than Taron's cover of "I'm Still Standing" from Sing of course), but this movie and soundtrack has blessed the world with an entire album of Taron's singing, so there was no way I wasn't going to listen to it.

Plus, it's given a new generation an appreciation and love for Elton John and Bernie Taupin's music, which is amazing (even if I prefer Taron's version of literally every song). This soundtrack has been in my go-to playlist for four months and counting, and I don't see it leaving my go-to playlist ever. I like all of the songs, so I couldn't even give you my top three songs.



All I know is my favorite is "Your Song", so you should definitely listen to that one. Oh, and the credits song, "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" is sung by both Egerton and John, and it is a bop! It's the only song new to the film and the only song with John's vocals. Plus, the music video is fantastic (pun intended). And one more thing: the Target version of the soundtrack has two exclusive tracks, one of which is a Taron only version of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", and it is hauntingly beautiful.

My July Favorites

July was a more chill month for me, so I didn't discover too many new things. However, I added a bunch of new music to my current summer playlist and found my new favorite workout shorts!

Aerie Move High Waisted Bike Short - True Black

Bike shorts have been one of my favorite recent trends, and I've especially wanted ones to run in. I've gotten into a good rhythm with running this summer, but I've discovered that I don't like running in normal running shorts. Actually, I've discovered that I don't like running in non-high-waisted bottoms of any kind because they often just fall down at the top if they don't have a drawstring. And it's quite annoying to be pulling up your pants every minute while you're running.

So these Aerie bike shorts are great because they stay up and are nice and high-waisted. They don't budge when I run. They're super comfy and pretty durable and thick. These are a bit stretchy but not too much where it's like I'm running in compression shorts that move and bunch up at the leg whenever you move. I want like 10 more pairs of these for running and doing nothing at all.

"Something's Coming" from West Side Story - Aaron Tveit (The Radio in My Head)

I've actually known who Aaron Tveit is for probably like 10 years now since I know him and first watched him as Tripp van der Bilt on Gossip Girl. I didn't know he was a theater/Broadway actor for I don't even know how many years. But I found out he could sing and was on Broadway sometime in between him being on GG and him being cast in Grease Live, so I wasn't surprised or anything that he could sing. 

Anyway, because of the recent Broadway transfer of Moulin Rouge the Musical!, my interest in Tveit has piqued. So I've been watching a lot of videos of him on YouTube, watching and listening to all of this old content and music that I missed out on before. And if you know me, you'll know that West Side Story is one of my favorite ― actually, it is my favorite ― musical, and his cover of "Something's Coming" is one of the best I've ever heard.

My March Favorites

Apparently last month was all about the "M's": March, music, magazines, and more. I discovered a lot of awesome new music last month that I've been listening to on repeat for nearly a whole month and got to read some great magazine features on a few of my favorite actors. In addition, there's typically some sort of new food or clothing item I try or wear for the first time, and that certainly applies here.

Sing to Me Instead EP - Ben Platt

Ben Platt's debut album was released just before the month ended, and I've been playing it nearly nonstop since. The first four songs he released were so beautiful and passionate that I knew I would enjoy the rest of them, and I do. From ballads about love and breakups to songs for and about his parents to a song about the wise words of an old man, there's a variety of content in the songs themselves while still telling an overall narrative. Plus, there isn't a single song I dislike.

My November Favorites

November was a pretty eventful month as I saw new musical productions, tried new restaurants, heard new music, and read new books. I even put together a lot of new outfits with some new clothes, which was evident in my November OOTD post titled "New November". So I had some favorites from all over the place last month.

Blush pink Gap bomber jacket from TJ Maxx

If you saw my October Shopping Roundup or November OOTD post, this jacket should be familiar. I won't say too much about this since it's already been in two of my blog posts, but this has easily become one of my favorite coats. Also, I always feel the need to mention how it reminds me of Regina George's jacket.

Fashion Friday: OOTD: Springing Into a Summer Daze

It's been a little while since I've done an OOTD compilation post, and there are two reasons for that: I didn't want these to be the majority of my posts lately, and I simply don't go out as much as before. However, I meant to do one in May but never got around to it. So here are my late spring into summer outfits!

May 5, 2018

marble sunglasses from Express | striped tank from American Eagle | black skirt from Tillys | Steve Madden purse from Marshalls | Steve Madden sneakers from Marshalls

I love the trendy urban vibes from this outfit. Black never goes out of style, and the embroidery on the shirt, in addition to the skirt are so trendy right now.

May 7, 2018

Sunglasses from Express | To Write Love on Her Arms shirt | Forever 21 shorts | Steve Madden purse from Marshalls | Mad Love sandals from Target 

May 10, 2018

Lululemon headband | Old Navy athletic tank and floral shorts | Nike shoes 

My June Favorites

Nearly a year has gone by since I first began my monthly favorites blog series, and I've definitely enjoyed sharing what I've really enjoyed each month since then. This edition is full of music and dance, so it's definitely a fun post to go through if you like the arts but also includes some fashion (as always).

Almost Love - Sabrina Carpenter

This lead single for her new album has reminded me how much she's grown in her music and just as a person since I started watching her in Girl Meets World a few years ago. "Almost Love" is such a perfect summer song and just makes you want to get up and dance or at least sing along while blasting it in the car. This is like the definition of  a bop.

Fashion Friday: Style Icons: Sabrina Carpenter

Most people my age probably wouldn't really know of Sabrina Carpenter unless they're familiar with Disney Channel's now-canceled show Girl Meets World (the sequel series to Boy Meets World) or they listen to her music. I love GMW despite the fact it's a "kids show," so that how I know of her.

Because of the show, I discovered her music, which I enjoy. I know Disney Channel makes nearly every one of its stars sing, Sabrina's actually got a great voice and range that sets her apart from others on the channel. Anyway, since her latest single "Why" was recently released, I've decided to feature her as my next style icon.

DALLAS you go hard. Loudest crowd so far #EVOLutiontour i love you👽

A post shared by Sabrina Carpenter (@sabrinacarpenter) on Oct 24, 2016 at 9:33pm PDT

Sabrina tends to go to dark/black outfits for her shows, which seems very appropriate since it gives off a rocker glam vibe. I love all the layers to this outfit. The mesh top and tights add a sheer element and different texture, and the cropped tank underneath and the leather shorts add a bolder factor and another dimension to complete the look. It's definitely a fantastic concert outfit!