MONTHY PLAYLIST: SPOOKY SZN

It's Sp00ky SZN and its cold, rainy, and dark.

Almost 40 tracks, 2 hours and 9 minutes of moody music. Something about a mellow tune and rain is the most chill thing ever. I commute so on a drive its great, just trying to unwind its a vibe, and just trying to get ready on a cold morning its what I've been playing all month.

In other spooky szn are you ready for halloween? I have a Halloween inspiration post HERE if you are looking for a last minute costume. Im busy binge watching Haunting of Hill House because TIS THE SZN. It's soooo good and on netflix. Tomorrow I am posting 3 shows that aren't halloween themed but suspenseful shows that you should be binging now!

Stay TUNED
XO-Tamara Altair

INFINITE PLAYLIST: August, the Sunday of Summer.

Is school starting? Why are there fall scents at the store? Stop asking me about holiday break!
It's still 90 degrees and OMG its infinite summer in my head. I typically host a segment on here called Music Monday, but I am converting it to Infinite Playlist. I recently (what took me so long) watched Nick and Norah's infinite playlist and I kind of miss the days of making CDs. Monthly playlists here we go:

WOW IM OLD.

It was cute that he made cover art and she fell in love with all of his tracks. I listened to this playlist recently on a trip to the coast and it went over pretty well. If you are looking for some easy listening that is pretty chill, and honestly is my total mood... this is it. My music choice is often is a reflection of what I'm going through or tracks to pump me up. This is 35 tracks, two hours and five minutes of pure JAMMMMSSS.

Also, quick throwback... I used to make mixtapes of my fave songs and post them to soundcloud (WOW). I published them all to mediafire (WAIT...) and accidentally lost them all forever. They're all on an iPod--OH MY GOD IM DONE HERE IS MY PLAYLIST.

XO-TAMARA ALTAIR

MUSIC MONDAY PLAYLIST

Happy Memorial Day.

My current top 5 on my playlist give off major emo vibes but I am here for it. Am I going through a midlife crisis? I mean, when you rediscover bands you loved as a teen and see they still make fire music its kind of worth it. I'm here for full stan.

PANIC! at the disco- High Hopes

WEEZER- Feels like Summer

FALL OUT BOY- Champion

MASEGO- Navajo

FITZ and the TANTRUMS- Don't Gotta Work it Out

LOVE, MARA
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MUSIC MONDAY | MALIBOOTY

I have been busting it in the Gym for the past few weeks and I am feeling more like myself again. I have gained some weight since moving and the gym is making me feel like I am getting back to the dancer bod I used to have. I have been an adamant gym goer for a few years now, but I am happy getting back into a grand routine. 

Different things work for different people. Because I typically go to the gym and lift weights, or use weights for workouts, bodyweight cardio exercises will do nothing for me. If you are starting from zero, sure...cardio alone will show results at first. You will not become shredded from just cardio. It doesn't work that way. If you are looking to build muscle, cardio actually can hamper muscle gains. I alternate arms/back and leg day at the gym, but I always end with the elliptical. To burn more fat, cardio after weights is best. Some people say the other way around, and some people day it doesn't matter. For me, I prefer to do cardio after. The general rule of thumb is if you are looking to increase endurance, do cardio first. If you are looking to lose weight or increase strength, do cardio after. 

I have done lots of research over the years and have done things the right and wrong way and seen real results doing things a certain way. I mentioned on my IG that I was trying Kayla Itsines BBG. As someone who does a harder gym routine... it wasn't something that works for me. Yes BBG is a good workout, but if I'm doing lunges I prefer to put 110 lbs on my back and do 4 sets of 12. Not walk around a room for 24 sets. Will I be tired from lunging around a room? Sure. Will I feel as accomplished as reaching 145 lbs as a PR lunge? NOPE. 

I like being able to go to the gym after a day of work, unwind and have some quiet time to just listen to music, turn my brain off and just sweat. Some people hate lifting or using machines but I personally kind of love reaching a new PR. I have WEAK arms. I started about 3 weeks ago only being able to do a wide grip lat pull-down with about 50 lbs, now I'm pulling 75. My goal is to pull 120. I love the gratification of being able to see my strength build. I just plug in and chip away at my fitness goals. 

I have a few different playlists but I am always into really upbeat songs when I'm at the gym, so here are my music Monday selections:

These links lead to youtube, happy Monday:

KINGS DEAD-Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, James Blake

BLACK- Buddy feat. A$ap Ferg

POWER GLIDE-Rae Sremmurd, Swae Lee, Slim Jxmmi ft. Juicy J

HOME WITH YOU- Madison Beer

LOVE LIES- Khalid & Normani

LOVE, MARA

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MUSIC MONDAY | BIRTHDAY WEEK HAS BEGUN

God has blessed me with a sunny lead into my birthday week, straight contrast from last year's snow shit show. Regardless, its my birthday week, Jay-Z is performing ON my birthday, and NERD Lemon album drops Friday. I am channeling good vibes and working really hard to launch a new project I have been painstakingly working on the past few months!

In other major news, I put together my 2018 vision/mood board. In this photo is is incomplete. I have since added home decor inspo, saving money, and blogging inspo. I think its going to be a good year. As for right now, this is my current playlist:

VIC MENSA- LIQUOR LOCKER

N.E.R.D.- 1000

A.CHAL- LOVE AND HENNESSEY

6LACK- THAT FAR

POST MALONE- ROCKSTAR

HAPPY MONDAY! CHEERS TO A GOOD WEEK.

LOVE, MARA

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MUSIC MONDAY | SUMMER PLAYLIST

I was flipping though the channels and saw MTV Classics had a summer playlist for the new TV show Siesta Key that will be coming out soon. The video for "Turn Off the Light"was on! I also do want to watch Siesta Key, Laguna Beach was my shit in high school so it is only right to give the modern iteration a try. 

So watch this video and tell my Nelly doesn't look so 90's/2000's and awesome?I kind of miss homegirl, where is she?

 
So whats on my summer play list?

DUA LIPA- NEW RULES
DEMI LOVATO- SORRY NOT SORRY 
CALVIN HARRIS - FEELS (Feat. Pharrell and others)
LIAM PAYNE - STRIP IT DOWN (Feat. Quavo)
MAJOR LAZER- KNOW NO BETTER 

LOVE, MARA

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MUSIC MONDAY X MALIBOOTY

I am really into being more active and eating right. Now that the sun is out I enjoy being outdoors or just heading out to the gym , and when I can't I do a few at home workouts. I shared my favorite indoor cardio circut here. I had the best mix going for the gym yesterday and I wanted to share my workout playlist with you. It works if you want to go hard either at home or the gym:

Do you have Spotify? You can scan this code to view my playlist!

WAWA-PARTY FAVOR

DILLON FRANCIS- SAY LESS (G EAZY)

BORGORE G EAZY - FORBES

YELLOWCLAW- ROSE HORIZON

YELLOW CLAW- CITY ON LOCKDOWN (LIL DEBBIE, JUICY J)

BORGORE - FAME, THE PRETTY REMIX

More on my Spotify

MUSIC MONDAY : NOCHELLA VIBES

My music Monday is an OLD project that I am working on resurrecting. Remember when I used to make mixtapes? Well, I accidentally deleted them all from media fire. I really miss this project and I hope to start mixing again VERY SOON. I liked the emotions I had while making this tape, thats what music is to me. There are certain songs I associate with times in my life, and this is no different. I can't wait to start mixing again. 

MUSIC MONDAY: EVERYTHING THAT IS ESSENTIAL

I'm back! Sometimes you just need a second to step back but I feel great and I have more Portland specific things and events to share this week! I am really happy to start getting out, now that it's spring I feel like I just woke up from hibernating.

Last Friday adidas threw an EQT music festival with an open bar and kick back bites. Mini Burgers, quesadillas and popcorn were fuel to dance the night away. Kaytanada, Lou P and NXWorries Djed at the memorial colosseum, the venue for the night.

MUSIC MONDAY PLAYLIST:

MUSIC MONDAY| Playlist for the Work Week

Marian Hill is finally getting the recognition they deserve mostly because of the AirPods commercial from apple. Down was such a great song and beat but ALL of their songs have that vibe. She is coming to Portland in June and I kind of want to see her! She is one of the few people that probably sounds BETTER live. 

What else have I been into lately:

Ed Sheeran - Shape of You (Major Lazer Remix feat. Nyla & Kranium)

The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This

Marshmello x Ookay - Chasing Colors (ft. Noah Cyrus)

Martin Garrix & Dua Lipa - Scared To Be Lonely

Bebe Rexha - F.F.F. (Fuck Fake Friends) (feat. G-Eazy)

Sean Paul - No Lie ft. Dua Lipa

Phoebe Ryan - Dark Side

enjoy my playlist this week!

LOVE, MARA

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BLOGMAS| MUSIC MONDAY

I have been DYING to go to a music festival and I just realized that Day for Night is in Houston this weekend. While I won't be in the H, I can put together a playlist worth of all of PDX traffic.
Just our luck, one of my favorite DJ's BENZI put out volume 10, one hour of super chill jams. Sounds like this will be perfectly on repeat at the gym.

I'm kind of sad, since I've moved, it's one of the places I have abandoned visiting regularly. Luckily adidas has one that is super affordable on campus. I guess it's time to join and attend classes / get my lift back on.
DIS TEW MUCH.


I spend a lot of time listening to music in my free time. I really want to get into mixtapes again. In all my spare/ alone time... we might be able to put out a little something.

LOVE, MARA

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CHILDISH GAMBINO: Awaken, my love.

So since I have moved I really have not watched TV and have been out of touch with all of my shows but ATLANTA is an exception. I mean to blog this sooner but there were some MAJOR easter eggs for Childish Gambino's much awaited new album. It has been a few years since Because of the Internet released. In the last episode the strange interesting art pictured above kept appearing throughout the final episode of Atlanta. Donald also wore the art on a t-shirt during his last Jimmy Fallon appearance. The album name showed up in a few FYE windows, on 12/2, it listed Childish Gambino Awaken, my Love dropping.
This rumor got major amplified when Awaken my Love showed up on Amazon Canada the next day! No art work was officially released, UNTIL TODAY.

On youtube now is a track called "Me and your mama." Zane Lowe played it on beats one 6 times in his premiere of the record and it is currently the most played track on beats one. I am sooooo excited for Donald Glover! I have been following his journey almost as long as I've been blogging and he has been a serious force in the industry.

Tracklist:

1. Me and Your Mama

2. Have Some Love

3. Boogieman

4. Zombies

5. Riot

6. Redbone

7. California

8. Terrified

9. Baby Boy

10. The Night Me and Your Mama Met

11. Stand Tall

I can't wait. December is basically around the corner. Don't forget my blog relaunches in December! When Kyle gets back here I'll have new photos lol. Kind of hard to take photos of yourself... Unless I find a photog down here. Still settling in and adjusting but I like it so far. Also since the election, there was a lot of prejudice in HTX at where I used to work... so its nice to not feel that way when you come in. Good thing I chose a blue state to move in!

LOVE, MARA

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MUSIC MONDAY: FALL PLAYLIST

The cool thing about fall in Portland is that it's actually fall. I had no clue leaves actually turned yellow and red and fell from tress. In HTX its still almost 80, my friends are wearing shorts and sandals still and Im bundling up in every thrift store cardigan I own.  I put together a really chill vibes playlist for fall. It starts with this amazing Without the Light song and more importantly amazing choreography from Phillip Chbeeb. He is so smooth! 

AMINE- Caroline

MARIAN HILL- Down

THE CHAINSMOKERS- Setting Fire

FAR EAST MOVEMENT- F-VR

HARPER- Skin

ASTR- Bleeding Love

HAPPY MONDAY!

LOVE, MARA

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MUSIC MONDAY: Goldilox- Morning

I have been a fan of Goldilox for a while now and blogged about her back when she went by Kay/ MyNameIsKay. Under the name Goldilox she has been making her way as a DJ and has definitely changed her sound as a musician. I have had this song on repeat the past couple of days. It has such a chill modern vibe, I can't wait to hear more. 

Tune in Now.

LOVE, MARA

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CURRENTLY OFFLINE: End of Summer Playlist

HTX to BZE starts now! I'll have a fun recap on Monday for everyone. I thought my phone would work but it looks like I will be disconnected for the next few days! Fingers crossed I get wifi. LORD BE A WIFI PASSWORD.

Until then, enjoy my top 5 BELIZE VACAY tracks (YOUTUBE LINKS BELOW):

BANKS - Gemini Feed

DJ SNAKE- ENCORE... the whole album lol

MARTIN GARIXX- In the name of love

TWRK- Wheels in Motion

AYO KAY- Kings of Summer

Have a great weekend!

LOVE, MARA

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MUSIC MONDAY: SUMMER PLAYLIST + FLOW

Last week I ventured to the Museum District and checked out a ton of new art installations that I have been dying to see. I also said I would slowly share a few! This one is called "FLOW." The whole space is filled with one ton of recycled paper folded into there amorphous shapes. Its kind of a live exhibit because overtime it is slowly settling. I think it's pretty interesting.

Also, Below is a short playlist to get your Monday started! Hope you enjoy this chill vibe. I'm trying to channel some tranquility this week. Can you believe Comic Con is next week? I know I can't.

FRENSHIP- CAPSIZE

SOMEWHERE ELSE- MOVE TOGETHER

STEVE AOKI- CAN'T GO HOME

CLEAN BANDIT- TEARS FT.LOUISA JOHNSON

 (side note why does she look like a blonde Kendall Jenner?)

KRUUM- EVIL TWIN 

Good Vibes this week. Go with the Flow. 

LOVE, MARA

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MUSIC MONDAY: Start of Summer Playlist

Summer Season is officially here! The weekend kicked off with Free Press and Governors Ball (kind of) and festival season is in full vibes.

What 5 songs have me ready for Summer Vibes?:

G EASY- Calm Down

FRENSHIP- Capsize

TERROR JR- 3 Strikes

TINIE TEMPAH feat. ZARA LARSSON- Girls Like

ZHU x SKRILLEX x THEY- Working for It

It's going to be a good summer!

LOVE, MARA

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CURRENT PLAYLIST: TRNDSTTR (Lucian Remix)

My current favorite song is Black Coast- TRNDSTTR. Its so chill and screams summer in Cali. Remember when I used to make mixtapes? I am working on getting that going again! When my old computer crashed all of my software went with it. I kind of miss it and I have these huge playlists that need to be moulded into a few mixes for you. Until then, enjoy my current top 5!

R3hab & Felix Snow - Care (feat. Madi)

Major Lazer - Light It Up (feat. Nyla & Fuse ODG)
Zara Larsson, MNEK - Never Forget You
Elliphant - Spoon Me ft. Skrillex

Maybe this playlist will get you through H U M P D A Y.

LOVE, MARA

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FAST 5 PLAYLIST Featuring Era Istrefi "BonBon"

Era Istrefi is an Albanian Kosovar pop, reggae, trap queen. This 21 year old has been lighting up EDM airwaves with this hit Bon Bon. It is sung in mainly Albanian but she infuses a couple english phrases.

A lot of people describe her as an infusion of Rihanna, Iggy, and Sia. I think Iggy refers to the fact that she's white, she's not cheesy and she seems pretty authentic. I get the Rihanna/Sia combo. She is super cute and this song is on my workout playlist for sure!

What else am I streaming this week:

Nick Jonas/ Tove Lo: Close
Sia: Cheap Thrills
Galantis: No Money
The Chainsmokers: Don't let me Down

ENJOY.

LOVE, MARA

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Houston A-Z: Q is for Queen Bey

Beyonce was born and raised in Houston y'all. I grew up listening to Destiny's Child and obviously as a soloist, she's pretty amazing. There is talk that she will perform again this year at the superbowl! I'm ok with that.

Blue Ivy is so big now but I love their family. I need to find my inner Bey. ASAP.

Love, Mara

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