Marge's Mixtape: Motivation For Your Motion

The Scene:

If you're anything like me you wonder when you'll be done running as soon as you take your first stride. However, phrases like "beach body" and "bikini ready" are currently plaguing my life. On the TV, in magazines and, EEK, in front of the mirror, we're constantly reminded that with the hot weather of summer comes skimpier clothing and the dreaded swim suit. Therefore I run on. But staying motivated (especially when it's blazin' hot out) can be a task in and of itself. A killer playlist (and the promise of dropped LBs) is the best way to stay strong. So without further ado, here is a running playlist as requested by one of RH's lovely readers, Megan of Sparta, IL. Thanks for the request Megan!   

Note #1: The first track is meant to be a stretching song. 

Note #2: When in doubt, resorting to a GirlTalk album is always a good option. The mashups are upbeat, continuous and just straight up boss.   

The Songs: 

1. Be, Common
2. Green Light, John Legend 
3. Anti Matter, N.E.R.D
4. Sweet Dreams, Beyonce
5. Remedy, Little Boots
6. I Want You Back, Jackson 5
7. Jai Ho!, The Pussycat Dolls
8. Bombs Over Baghdad, Outkast
9. New York Girls, Morningwood
10. Damn Girl, Justin Timberlake 
11. Spotlight, Jennifer Hudson
12. Valerie, Amy Winehouse
13. Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell 
14. Champion, Kanye West
15. I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Whitney Houston
16. I Will Survive, Cake

Marge's Mixtape: A Soundtrack for Driving With the Windows Down

The Scene:

The snow is gone. The ice has thawed. The clouds have lifted and...SPRING IS HERE! If you live anywhere above the Mason Dixon Line, fair weather has been a long time coming this year. After a particularly cold winter and about three intolerable weeks of rain, Mother Nature is finally cooperating and bestowing us with some much needed Vitamin D (aka – sun drugs).  In honor of the arrival of summer and sunny skies I’ve put together a soundtrack that is ideal for driving with the windows down.  So slip on your sunglasses, turn off the air, put your windows all the way down and just cruise…

The Songs:

1. Life In Technicolor, Coldplay
2. September, Earth, Wind and Fire
3. 1901, Phoenix
4. Beast of Burden, Rolling Stones 
5. Who Knows Who Cares, Local Natives
6. Float On, Modest Mouse 
7. Stickshifts and Safetybelts, Cake
8. Symphonies, Dan Black (feat. Kid Cudi) 
9. Dweller on the Threshold, Van Morrison
10. Sweet Disposition, The Temper Trap
11. Little Secrets, Passion Pit
12. Heavenly Day, Patty Griffin

Any suggestions or requests for a particular play-list need? Drop Marge a line at margesmixtape@romantichippie.com!

Long live the MIXTAPE

Dearest readers, I'm so excited to fill you in on a new feature I know you will all enjoy here at RH! One of my best friends, Margaret, has always been our go-to-gal when we need a good party play-list and she has generously agreed to share her mixtape wizardry with you all from time to time! Here's a little teaser of what Marge's Mixtape will entail! Get pumped. I certainly am!

Long Live the Mixtape! An introduction to “Marge’s Mixtape”

By: Margaret Henney, Guest Author for Romantic Hippie   

 The mixtape was popularized in the 80’s, progressed in the 90’s and perfected in the millennium with the help of personal computers and MP3 players. While the art form of crafting a themed playlist has certainly evolved over the years, the essence remains the same: A collection of bomb-ass songs, connected by a thread, created for the purpose of rocking out.

Although I don’t claim to be a connoisseur of music, I am somewhat of a Black Belt when it comes to constructing playlists. Thankfully, I have wonderful friends who indulge me when it comes to my hobby, which is why I am humbled and honored to have been asked by the lovely Mrs. Mannies to author a recurring guest column for Romantic Hippie: Marge’s Mixtape. I look forward to periodically hooking up RH readers with themed playlists for your listening pleasure and encourage you to submit requests for specific themed lists. Whether you’re in the mood to rock, dance, relax, mope or sing your heart out, I’m here to provide a soundtrack!

She's a star!

Check out one of my best friends, Laura, in this sweet music video from The Moon and Her Mother!