Samantha Allen

My thoughts, musings, inspirations, and sometimes photography. (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-71666426-1', 'auto'); ga('send', 'pageview');

[sam3allen]

Fall in Love with Aidy Bryant’s “Darby Forever”

Only 20 minutes long and .99 cents on Vimeo, “Darby Forever” is a colorful, dream-sequence-filled short that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. If you have ever loved Aidy Bryant (from SNL fame), you’ll love this. Check it out here.

Filed under: reviews

[sra95]

[zoephoebe-deactivated20180520]

this years motto, last years motto, and the motto for every year to come.

[sam3allen]

Just Start With One Page

Last week I came across this web page from Justin Jackson. It is 437 words. I read all 437 words without stopping. And then I read them again.

Let me say, I think Mr. Jackson is on to something. His message is simple.

If your words are good, people will read them.

Our society has become obsessed with flair and design and all the extra bits. I think it’s time we all (but mostly me) go back to the beginning, and just start with one page. I think it’s time I write more - wish me luck!

Filed under: inspiration

[americaninfographic]

How to

[sam3allen]

Banjos and Fine Grooves from Magic Giant with “Set On Fire”

Need a new song that is one-half Mumford and one-half Venice Beach hipster? “Set On Fire” is the latest single from LA band, Magic Giant.

Honestly, I have nothing but good things to say about this band. After seeing them live at the Troubadour earlier this year, I’m convinced they are deserving of nation-wide recognition. From the soulful sounds of lead singer Austin Bis and an incredible banjo solo at the 2-minute mark, this is a ready-made hit.

Can’t wait to see what’s ahead for this great band!

Filed under: listen to this

[sam3allen]

I was fascinated by the potential of mornings. Those early hours seemed like a gift—a couple of “free” hours when I could be productive and prepare for the day.

John Zeratsky (@jazer) shares how he became a morning person (and why he decided to make the change)

This is one of my New Years goals - we will see how it goes!

Filed under: inspiration

[sam3allen]

Adele Has Blessed Us Once More. Say Hello to 25.

Whenever a new album comes out that I really love, I try to review it. But, you know, it’s hard to convince people what is good. For example, I said last May that Jane the Virgin is the best show on tv right now (Twitter proof). But no one listened. Five months later and everyone is watching it. Ugh. But I digress.

The point: No one needs to be convinced that Adele is God. She has joined the leagues of Beyonce and Swift with hits like Rolling In The Deep. With her new single, Hello, she pretty much broke the internet. 

I don’t need to tell you that Adele’s 25 is good. You already know.

But if you need some guidance, here are my thoughts:

The one I love but they should stop overplaying: Hello

The one that they say will be the second single (Heather’s Favorite): Send My Love (To Your New Lover)

The one meant for the bedroom (you know what I mean): I Miss You

The one with the best chorus lyrics: When We Were Young

The ones that just aren’t as good, but still better than most songs: Remedy, Million Years Ago, and All I Ask

The one that I’m freakin’ obsessed with (!!!): Water Under the Bridge

The one that you didn’t think you’d like but here we are: River Lea

The one that can only end in days in bed with Ben&Jerrys (I’m not crying, you are): Love in the Dark

The one about her son that will make you go “awww”: Sweetest Devotion

Now, play this video and dance around your room because...ADELE IS BACK!

Filed under: reviews

[sam3allen]

Portraits

Lexie // Michelle // Heather // Tess

Filed under: photography

[sam3allen]

Athletes In Action

Elon Men’s Soccer // 2015 Turkey Trot 5K // Elon Women’s Basketball

Filed under: photography

[sam3allen]

The 27 Times You Should Not Wear Plaid Flannel via Adequate Man

I’m laughing so hard.

#15.) You’re going to the club.

You think any of that is gonna work out for you? Consider Chris Brown, whoregularly trots out a “flannel in the club” look, with limited to no success. Unless you’re going out to one of the few bars in America where they still allow smoking indoors, or you’re Beyoncé in the “***Flawless” video, or you’re going for a Dad’s Night Out look, wear something else.

[sam3allen]

The Perfect Holiday Gift: Hotline Bling Christmas Sweater

Update: The sweater is sold out. Cue sad Drake dancing.

[nonenonenonenonenone9999]

“Five times as many people read the headline as read the body copy.” - David Ogilvy 

[sam3allen]

LifeHacker Interviews Adam Leibsohn, COO of Giphy

I loved reading this TL;DR interview with Adam. He seems like quite a character who is working strategically in a world where tomorrow gifs may be a thing of the past. Here are some highlights.

This helpful tip:

Although I’m still trying to find the absolute perfect notebook (I’ve tried dozens), I’m closing in on perfection (for me) with Moleskine’s squared soft notebook. I run my life and plan the future from these things. 

He also is pretty darn funny:

So, I’ve got this great attachment for my iPhone that mimics a classic landline handset. It keeps my phone in my pocket (away from my brain) and lets me do the shoulder-ear-wedge-thing all day. It’s also bedazzled in pink diamante; facts only.

And some sage advice:

Your time on this planet is your ultimate non-renewable resource.

Read it here.

Filed under: read this

[nbcnightlynews]

Serena Williams chases down – and catches – man who took her phone

[sam3allen]

Sir David Attenborough narrates Adele’s Hello (x)

In the style of nature documentary, Attenborough narrates the Hello music video from God’s gift Adele.

Filed under: listen to this

[buzzfeed]

All The Times President Obama Lost His Chill Around Kids

[sam3allen]

A Day In My Life

Hello all! It’s me, Sam. I know you are restless at night wondering what I do everyday. Don’t worry, I’m here to soothe those worries. Here it is!

7:00am: My alarm goes off. For some reason I have decided to make my alarm Adele’s Hello. Because yes, I need to wake up and despair over the countless heartbreaks that have never actually happened to me.

7:20am: My second alarm. This time it’s Shania Twain’s Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under? I wake right up because Shania Twain is God’s gift to the world, but I can’t actually listen to this song for more than 20 seconds.

7:21am: I open Instagram. Every morning I say I will only open this one app so I can get going and make myself look like a functioning human. Lies.

7:28am: I open Twitter. Honestly, what is happening on Twitter at 7:28am?? Nothing. Nothing is happening, but here I am.

7:35am: I’m on Tumblr now. I’m screwed. I’m supposed to be walking to work right now. I am 100% still in my Minion Onesie.

7:45am: I have dragged myself out of bed. The beauty process is in full swing. I have straightened half my hair. Makeup on. Contouring is out of the question. Jeans, Timbs, t-shirt, sweatshirt. 

7:55am: It is pouring rain. My half-hearted hard work on my hair was for nothing. I am now hiding under a hat.

8:05am: I am sitting at my desk. Everyone around me is quite chipper for 8am. I am sadly chomping on breakfast banana. I tell myself to do my homework.

9:45am: I have approximately 154 tabs open with all the cool stuff I got in my email newsletters this morning. (Shout-out to the Daily Water Cooler, Austin Kleon, NextDraft, the Skimm, and everything on Buffer.)

9:55am: I’ve definitely not done my homework.

6:30pm: This continues all day, with breaks for class and rugby practice. And then my girlfriend comes home for dinner and she tells me about everything she’s done today, including phenomenal psychology research. I search for something to say. “Well...I got 40 likes on Instagram today. So....there...ha.” (Honestly, I should be single with the shit I pull.)

Instead of wallow in my incompetence, I will take pride in it. Hello, my name is Sam. I’m pretty good at social media marketing and content curation. Support me by reading and following this blog. And tell me I’m okay at life.

Read more here! And if you think I should make a newsletter or write a book or never write on the internet again, let me know! xoxo

Filed under: read this