Happy Wednesday, friends! Here we are, already on the last day of October. Two more months and we’re outta here, 2018. (Oh, I guess I’m supposed to mention: Halloween? Sure. But brace yourself. I’m a total Halloween scrooge and it’s not really my thing…but if you love it, by all means, have at it. Earlier this week, I did eat a packet of “fun size” peanut M&Ms I pilfered from a checkout counter, and indeed…they were fun!).
I’ve been sitting on this playlist for a while, and it’s actually so long that I thought about splitting it up into two playlists. But this month, because I’m doing something special and sharing additional music beyond my usual monthly selection, I figured I’d just give you an extra long one! I spent a little time ordering this playlist because of the length, but it’s not perfect—so you can either press play and listen through, or shuffle per usual.
So the other music! Sometimes when I’m not searching for chill ambient tracks with a good beat or the latest in new, non-Top 40 pop, I just want to listen to instrumental music. Depending on the task, my productivity skyrockets, and to be honest, if I’m writing, I can’t listen to anything else. I thought I’d share my “low key” instrumental playlist with you, in case you prefer something more “classical” for your working hours! This playlist began when I discovered Jamie Beck’s excellent Provence Work Music playlist. I already had a number of other instrumental tracks in a private playlist, so I combined the two, and have been adding to it ever since. It’s got nearly 24 hours of music on it now! Promise me you’ll never work long enough to hear the whole thing at once.
The other playlist I’ve been slowly adding to is also for work, but for when I want beats that feel closer to the electronic tracks I like. There are more lyrics in these tracks, but overall, it’s a nice, bass-filled playlist I enjoy designing to. Check it out here! This one would also be good to put on when you have friends over in the evening, and need something for the background.
Both of the “work” playlists aren’t ordered at all, so turn on shuffle and go! I hope you enjoy! Here are links to all the playlists:
listen to:
Playlist 11 | Low Key Work Music | Mellow Work Beats
Listen to all 2018 music · Browse all playlists · Follow me on Spotify
You can also search “Victoria McGinley” in your Spotify app and find all my playlists there!
In other news, Joe and I are headed out of town later this evening for a little long weekend getaway to Seattle! We’re celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary (plus SIXTEEN YEARS since our very first date!). I’ve only ever been to Seattle via layover, and Joe’s never been at all, so we’re excited to check it out. True to November form, it’s forecasted to be rainy and cool the whole time, but I’m actually kind of excited—when we planned this, I told him I wanted to go somewhere cold that would make us feel cozy and a little romantique. If you’re from the area or have visited, send any recs my way in the comments below! Can’t wait to see and explore!
AAAH! Have the best time in Seattle. It’s been years since I’ve been, but here are some of my oldie-but-goodie favorite haunts:
– Purple Wine Bar for evening drinks
– Paseos for one of the best sandwiches you’ll ever eat
– The Pink Door for a romantic dinner, Black Bottle if you want something lighter
– Cupcake Royale, if you happen to wander around Magnolia (which is such a charming neighborhood)
– Fremont – one of my favorite neighborhoods in Seattle. If you do spend a few hours in Fremont, I highly recommend hitting up Dick’s for burgers and ice cream on your way out and make your way to the University of Washington campus. I’m biased, but it’s the prettiest campus in America. And if you do hit up UW, go to Thaiger Room. It’s a hole in the wall, but the best Thai food I’ve ever had – still.
So funny you mentioned Purple Wine Bar—it is very close to our hotel and I had already targeted it as a great place for us to go tonight for late night bites and a glass! Done and done!!!
When my husband and I were in Seattle last summer, we stopped by The Walrus and the Carpenter on Salmon Bay in Old Ballard. Fabulous seafood made more enjoyable by waiting in the Barnacle Bar until our table (actually, seats at the bar) was ready. Fun atmosphere and really, really good food!
I went to school in Seattle and this is mandatory every time I go back: First I get breakfast (served all day) at Cafe Presse in Capitol Hill. They have a big rack of interesting magazines in the front you can buy and peruse as you eat. Make sure to order to order the chocolat chaud (you can stick a spoon up in it), and a few of the brekkie dishes to share. Then I walk over to the Frye (a small, free, wonderful museum) and take in their amazing collection, not forgetting to stop in their gift shop on the way out (perfectly curated; I’ve never left without buying something). Have fun!!