free zine!!

hello my dearests, happy wednesday!

it would be disingenuous of me if i didn't confess that this winter has gotten pretty hard on me lately.  while we're doing our best to stay positive and keep the chin up these days, the past few weeks haven't been too great.

fortunately, i've found that busying myself with creative pursuits does wonders for my state of mind.  case in point: i'm making a zine!  (click here if you're unfamiliar with the term).  if you would like a copy, email your mailing address to beckykovats {at} gmail.com.  it's free!  it's fun!  it's art (sort of)!  and who doesn't like getting snail mail from your friendly frozen blogger friend?

stay sane, y'all!

PS if you've already requested a zine on instagram, i will be in touch.

PPS for more info on the zine and future issues check out www.nervousystems.blogspot.com.

a little music

i'm over winter.

not just winter of 2013/2014... i'm pretty much over the general concept.  persistent subzero windchills have me feeling immensely trapped in front of screens lately.  one of the good things to come out of this, however, has been a discovery of some enjoyable new bands, in addition to my inaugural viewing of the movie spaceballs.

to spread the warmth a little, i've put together a mini-mix for you guys to download and enjoy while we all do our best to fight off the winter blues.

click here for the download link 

(note: be sure to select the link that says "click here to start download from sendspace," other buttons are spam).

tracklist in no particular order:

beta radio - either way

peasant - a little one

the oh hellos - hello my old heart

kopecky family band - heartbeat

weinland - people like you

word count: 37,228

mini-mix download

this was my dorm room sophomore year of college circa 2009 hahahahaha

we've finally gotten some nice weather around these parts again!  (ok well, not really nice weather... kind of a damp swampy 90 degrees, but i'm just thankful for a bit of heat since this summer has been colder than i like.  i really don't know what we're doing up so far north these days.)

otherwise we are just trying to catch our breath for a moment and finish putting away all the crap in boxes before ann arbor wakes up for football season.

i hope i get a chance to blog a bit more about all the madness happening around here down the road a bit, but for now here's a mini-mix you are welcome to download, with love from me:

filthy gorgeous - scissor sisters

island song - ashley ericksson

les os - the unicorns

click here to download it!

be sure to right click save target as the link in the box that says "click here to start download from sendspace" other download buttons are spam ads.

telling stories that didn't really happen

keeping very busy these days trying to work on my draft.  i really should be getting some guest posts up to fill in the blanks while i'm occupied.

in the meantime there is a f-r-e-e music mix you are welcome to download and enjoy here.

and don't forget today is the last day you can enter my giveaway!!

word count: 7,471

music for summertime & a little extra

2009

here's a look at what i've been listening to lately.  as far as i'm concerned, summer wouldn't be summer if it didn't have its own personal playlist.

when the link takes you through, be sure to click the one that says "click here to start download from sendspace" because other buttons are spam:
click here to download the free mix!  

bombay - el guincho

i could be dreaming - belle & sebastian

oh no! - marina and the diamonds

here comes your man -the pixies

kick you out - caesars

from a window seat - dawes

daffodils - charlene soraia

isjaki - sigur ros

what are you guys listening to this summer?

i've been putting photos and side projects on the back burner lately because i'm really pleased with how well things are going with the creative piece of fiction i am writing, and it's keeping me pretty busy.  i've hit the 20 page / 5,000 word mark, which is an early milestone, but an exciting one nonetheless.

and also:  today and tomorrow are the last 2 days to enter my giveaway!

word count: 5,194

ad space giveaway x2!!

with over 16,000 hits last month and over 25,000 views on our most popular post, advertising on loose from the zoo is a great way to increase exposure for your blog, etsy shop, or other online enterprise!

today, i am very excited to announce the first ever giveaway on loose from the zoo... times two!  (i think dr. seuss and i are about to get into a rap battle).

i am giving away one month (30 days) of free ad space on www.loosefromthezoo.com.  two lucky winners will each receive a 210 x 210 graphic ad to be placed in the sidebar between the twitter widget and blog archive.

the giveaway is an awesome chance to snag some free web traffic!  to enter you must:

follow loose from the zoo on bloglovin

and leave a comment on this post letting me know what name you follow under!

for additional entries:

follow @loosefromthezoo on instagram

share this post via pinterest

please include a link to your pin and / or your instagram username in your comment if you are using extra entries.  the winners will be selected via random number generator and will be announced wednesday july 24.

good luck everyone!

(p.s. did you notice that i'm finally on twitter?  what do you guys think of the new widget graphics?)
word count: 2, 645

road trip mix tape

as promised i have a mix for you to listen along with steve and i while we power drive nearly 900 miles this saturday.  sadly the forecast is starting to look colder than i am excited to see, but we will forge on and if all else fails at least we can rock out in the car and nom our sandwiches and gushers.  i love to drive, we've got champagne, and we're staying someplace really swanky so i'm pretty sure we'll survive the 54 degree weather!  Download the mix here.

Tracklist:

1.  1957 - Milo Greene (buy)

2.  America - Simon & Garfunkel (buy)

3.  Born Free - The Rassle (free)

4.  Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen (buy)

5.  Churlish May - Johnny Flynn (buy)

6.  Dog on Wheels - Belle & Sebastian (buy)

7.  Down in the Valley - The Head & The Heart (buy)

8.  Under Streetlights - Brooke Annibale (buy)

9.  Walking Far From Home - Iron & Wine (buy)

10.  Water From the Same Source - Rachel's (buy)