Thinking Out Loud

Ed Sheeran- X Deluxe Edition Album Review

Hello Lovelies :) I'm Jordan Nicole. I have been a huge fan of Ed Sheeran for well over a year now. His haunting lyrics and enchanting voice captivated me from the first time I heard him. The first song of his I heard was The A Team and I immediately went on to iTunes and bought his entire + album. It is one of the best ten dollars I have ever spent and more then one of the spots in my top 25 most played songs comes from this album. I feel as if I have been anticipating the release of a second album since the moment I pressed play on the first. I followed the whole process very closely and counted down days to X's release. I have now listened to the album in its entirety about ten times and feel that I can accurately depict the songs and why you will not regret purchasing this album :)

Tracks 

One

"Take my hand and my heart and soul. I will only have these eyes for you."

This track is classic Ed Sheeran and such a lovely way to start the album off. I always love a good love song from him :)

I'm A Mess

"I've only caused you pain, I know but all of my words will always below all of the love you spoke."

This track has the classic sound of Ed while at the same time having a bit more of an edge than we are used to. His voice really shines here. It is one of my favorites!

Sing 

"Ignoring everybody here, we wish they would disappear so maybe we could get down now."

This is the first song on the album that greatly takes a step away from the last album. Pharrell Williams was involved in the process and you can definitely tell he has his stamp on it. I am not a huge fan of his work but I do enjoy this song. I think it was a smart choice for the first single and its worthy of any good summer playlist this year.

Don't

"And I wasn't looking for a promise or commitment but it was never just fun and I thought you were different."

The beat that really drives this track, again, strays from the first album but the vocals on this track and the storyline are true Ed! I don't want to get to caught up in the gossip surrounding this track because I know that he isn't interested in people speculating about who he writes songs about but at the same time he has made public statements that kind of fueled the fire. I'll keep who I think its about to myself but I think its worth a listen just to hear the story :) The line I quoted is also one of the most relatable on the album in my opinion!

Nina

"Distance is relative to the time that it takes to get on a plane or make a mistake."

This track doesn't really stand out to me off the album but every time I hear it I do find the rhythm of it stuck in my head for the rest of the day. It is catchy enough. It just doesn't speak to me much. I'm sure it does to others though! :)

Photograph

"Loving can hurt. Loving can hurt sometimes but its the only thing that I know." 

This is one of my favorite songs on the album! The lyrics of it really speak to me.
Fun Fact: Ed got a tattoo of the street sign "6th street" for this song but when he went back to the street he meant to reference he found it was actually 6th avenue! I like the mistake though because 6th street is a famous street in Austin :) 

Bloodstream

"Lord forgive me for the things I've done. I was never meant to hurt no one."

The calming vibe I get from this song screams Ed to me. I like to listen to this track at night with the windows of my car down :)

Tenerife Sea

"And all of the voices surrounding us here they just fade out when you take a breath."

This is by far my favorite track on the album. I actually heard it from one of Ed's live Madison Square Garden shows on Youtube months before the album release date had even been made public and instantly knew it would be my favorite on the album. The lyrics and soft approach really take me back to the + days and I enjoy hearing Ed's voice in all of its acoustic and looped glory.
Fun Fact: To hear the story behind this song look up his performance of it at his Madison Square Garden show. It's nice to know when you listen to it :)

Runaway

"I don't want to live this way. Gonna take my things and go."

Similarly to The A Team, the catchy beat of this songs can easily make you overlook the serious topic of the lyrics. Suggestion: Listen to it again and try not to getting carried away by the rhythms, really listen to what he is saying.

The Man

"Success is nothing if you have no one there left to share it with."

One of Ed's tracks that has a rap vibe because of the way he delivers it. I am not a fan of rap but I think the smooth way in which he sing/talks is soothing. Its a good track. It feels like the lyrics are really revealing for Ed. He certainly opened up with a lot of this album.

Thinking Out Loud

"I'm thinking about how people fall in love in mysterious way and maybe its all part of a plan."

I have always felt that Ed and I were meant to be (red heads need to stick together after all and when we have little red headed babies they would have British accents and just be the most adorable thing ever!) but this song just makes me melt and want to spend the rest of my life with the man who could not only write its lyrics but also deliver it in the way it is done.

Afire Love

"I could look into your eyes until the sun comes up and we're wrapped in light, in life, in love."

This song feels like Ed Sheeran. It has a beautiful sound and a touching story. That's all I need in a song from anyone and sung by Ed it is more than enough to make this one of my favorites on the album.

Take It Back

"I do my own thing now and get respect after."

If anyone questions that Ed Sheeran is a badass, this song is his statement to you. He doesn't have to answer to anyone because he is confident in who he is. The track is another one of those with a rap vibe, he even mentions this at the beginning, but as with his others the smooth quality he brings makes me really enjoy it. Look up the lyrics to this one and see how many words he crammed into the 3:28 song. It is madness!

Bonus Tracks

Shirtsleeve

"I lied, I tried to cry but I'm, I'm drowning in the oceans you made." 

When I originally listened to this song the first few times I overlooked it. It didn't stand out next to my favorite tracks that kept pulling me back. As time has gone on and I have listened to it more times I now appreciate it more. It has strongly grown on me and I now really cherish it as a track on the album.

Even My Dad Does Sometimes

"It's alright to cry, even my dad does sometimes. So don't wipe your eyes, tears remind you you're alive."

I interpret this as Ed's own poignant version of the song that is meant to give you inspiration and courage to stay here on earth and keep living. I think the vague quality of the song makes it be able to mold to anyone and any situation. It's a very touching track.

I See Fire

"If this is to end in fire then we should all burn together. Watch the flames climb high into the night."

Now this song was written for the latest Hobbit film. I was never overly into it, particularly because I don't follow those films, but it is a pretty song anyways. The lyrics are quite lovely.
Fun fact: Look up the video on Youtube where he came out during a Taylor Swift show! They sang it together. 

All Of The Stars 

"And I know these scars will bleed but both of our hearts believe all of these stars will guide us home."

This track is so lovely and was such a wonderful addition to The Fault In Our Stars soundtrack. It is beautifully written. I watched him sing it on The Ellen Show with just him and a guitar. It was hauntingly beautiful! Fans of John Green and his novel couldn't have asked for a more beautiful tribute to Hazel and Augustus.
Fun Fact: This did not come as a bonus track with the digital album but it did come along with the physical copy.

This review of the album is just my personal opinion and I happen to be a huge fan of Ed Sheeran. This does make me biased but I figure if you were looking for a professional opinion you'd be on a professional website :) I hope you got something from this review! The album is definitely worth purchasing or at least giving it a sample listen :) 

Don't Stop

June Favorites

Hello Lovelies :) I'm Jordan Nicole. I am a bit late on this post because my apartment has been without internet for about a month now and it has made getting things done (not only for this blog but for everything in my life) quite difficult. On top of this, 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays (you will find I am one of the most patriotic people you'll ever meet!) so I have just been running about with American pride for the past few days :) I figure it is better late than never though and I don't want to miss a month so here it is (a handful of days into July)... my June favorites! Even with my busy and a bit all over the place schedule I have still managed to have a few consistent things that stood out to me this month! I hope you enjoy them :)

***I don't have pictures for everything I am mentioning here but I think some don't need them as much as others anyways :)***

Fashion

Flowy Shorts & Halter Tops

A few weeks back my friend Clay asked if I wanted to go with him to Six Flags for the day. I said yes as I will always take the opportunity to be outdoors having fun for the day :) The only problem was I hadn't worn shorts all summer because I just wasn't very comfortable in them. The night before our little day trip I went on a hunt for a pair of flowy shorts (ones that are so loose that they could be mistake for a skirt). I tried Target first but didn't find anything in the shorts category. I did however find both of these halter tops and I am now obsessed with halter tops in general. I think shirts that have a high neck line are better for me because I have quite a small chest and they create the illusion that there is more there than there really is. I went next door to Kohl's next and quickly found what I was looking for! I had hit the jackpot. I bought three pairs in different patterns, as I do this with any clothing that I like :)

Reagan & Bush '84 Tank

I have seen this shirt on Tumblr for over a year now and have wanted it ever since I first laid eyes on it! I finally did what I should have done a long time ago, typed it into Google. I bought this on countryclubprep.com and I will leave the exact link at the end. I know that this shirt isn't for everyone and I am not trying to make you believe what I do by wearing it. I don't think it is any different than people wearing President Obama shirts. I like it so I'm going to wear it. I'm not trying to start an argument. President Reagan happened to be my Daddy's favorite, so much so that he almost named me Reagan, so I bought it :) I wore it for 4th of July!

Old Fashioned High Waisted Bikini

I bought this high waisted bikini at the end of last summer so I didn't get to really enjoy it. This summer I was so excited to get to really use it and show it off. It was a bit of a splurge i'll admit but I think it was worth it. I love how old fashioned it is. People constantly compliment it and its conservative yet still cute factor! I bought it on modcloth.com (which is one of my favorite sites) and I know they still have it in multiple colors. I will link it below!

Accessories

Flower Crown  

I got this flower crown at Rue 21 and think it will be perfect for when I got to ACL  (Austin City Limits) in October! I'm a bit of a hippie at heart and have such a huge soft spot for flower crowns!

Ankle Cutout Boots

I also got these ankle cut-out boots from Rue 21 for only $7! It was to good a deal to walk away from and I just adore boots in general so I always want to add to my collection! I have worn them multiple times already (even thought my Mama thinks boots are to warm for the summer) and the cut-outs make them much cooler and simply much cuter! :)

White Eyelet Keds

I am the first to admit that I have a bit of a Keds addiction but I had never owned a plain white pair. When I saw these I jumped at the chance to have a white pair that weren't just plain and boring! I love the eyelet and the adorable mint inside :)

Beauty

L'Oreal Liquid Eye Liner 

I am new to liquid eyeliner and the felt tip on this has made learning really easy for me. I would definitely say new comers should get one similar to this. It's easily purchased too since it is at any store that sells make up. I got mine at Walmart :)

Tanya Burr Lip Gloss

I know that this item was on my favorites last month but I bought four new ones and they just needed to be on here! I purchased the Just Peachy, First Date, Afternoon Tea & Picnic In The Park and love them all. I really can't recommend this line highly enough! I only wish that I could get some of the nail polishes too! Tanya Burr is just lovely, you should definitely look up her videos on Youtube :)

Tangle Teaser 

I have had a problem with tangles and knots in my hair since I was a child. I have a lot of hair and it just tends to get caught in itself. I heard that this brush was wonderful for stubborn hair and I have to tell you it is. It was only $10 which is such a great deal for a product that truly makes a difference in a daily routine. Using this in addition to the Johnson's tangle spray has worked wonders on my hair :)

Food

Panera Chocolate Duet Cookie With Walnuts 

I do not have a picture of this cookie because I have yet to buy it and then remember to take a picture before inhaling it. There is no chewing involved! But in all seriousness I am not big on candy or sweets, I am all about the cakes, pastries, and cookies! I have had tons of cookies in my life from a variety of locations but I would dare to say this is one of the best cookies that has ever existed! The first time I bought it was late in the day and I figured I'd need to microwave it to make it soft but on the way home I just had to try it. It was all gone before I got home! It fell apart when I grabbed it because it was so soft. Go get one. Just do it :)

Smart Water Liter Bottle

I am a big water drinker. I don't drink soda and I am always thirsty so I just naturally have a lot of water everyday. Recently though, I bought a liter smart water bottle and started refilling it everyday. Because I don't have to grab another bottle I find that I drink the whole liter very quickly and now I drink at least three liters a day. I feel so good and my skin looks better too :)

Venti Starbucks 

This isn't exactly food (none of the things under my food category this month are I suppose) but it doesn't really fall anywhere else so this is where I am going to put it :) Before this month I had never gotten a coffee from Starbucks larger than a grande. I think that come fall this will again be true but a few weeks ago I got a venti because my cousin did and I was pretty tired. I now get a venti iced coffee every time I go in! With iced coffee it is just worth it to get the added coffee! I have been loving it :)

Entertainment

Audible

www.audible.com

I was always skeptical about audio books in the past but after purchasing one of my history textbooks in audio form so I could study and clean/run errands/excursive I have completely changed my mind! I now own around 20 books from audible. I haven't read them all but I am a member and I get a credit each month as well as discounts so I have been adding to my library. It also can connect with books I own on my kindle which is one of my favorite features. It's amazing! 

World Cup Soccer

I was of course hoping America would do well (I will argue that they did with anyone who wants to insult them) and Mexico but they are unfortunately both out. I still watch any game I happen to be at home during and enjoy myself. I was the manager of the boys soccer team at my school for seven years. Watching really takes me back to some joyful and happy times so I love that :)

Once In A Lifetime- Landon Austin

I recently discovered Landon Austin on Youtube after hearing one of his songs play in the background of a make up tutorial I was watching. I think he has a lovely voice and this original song of his has now been on repeat for at least a week and I still love it! Look it up on Youtube, you won't regret it! He also sells all of his covers and originals on iTunes :) 

Ed Sheeran- Multiply Album

I am doing a full review of the album soon (it is already half way written) but all I can say until then is I preordered it on iTunes and loved it so much that I also bought the physical copy. I am constantly listening to it and can only praise this second album of an artist that I think is one of the best of my generation! :)

So those are the things that I have simply been loving for the past month :) I have been behind on posts due to a heavy travel schedule and the taxing process of trying to find a new apartment near downtown Austin (I have to be out of my current apartment by July 13th and don't have a new one yet *cue gasps and shocked faces*. This was all very last minute and has been hard on me mentally.) My goal for the month of July is to really get on top of things on here! I already have about eights drafts I'm working on so hopefully *fingers crossed* I can make it work! Until then have a lovely day and let's all go out there striving to make July even better than June! We are officially half way through 2014 after all. It's about time for those mid-year resolutions :) 

Link to the Reagan tank:
http://www.countryclubprep.com/reagan-bush-84-tank-top-in-white-by-rowdy-gentleman.html

Link to high waisted bikini:
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/twopiece-swimwear/beach-blanket-bingo-two-piece-swimsuit-in-red