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Get Your Groove On With Free Valentine's Day Playlists

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 04:00:46 PST

There's nothing like a personalized mixtape to bring back those retro butterflies, but let's face it - you got rid of your dual deck many moons ago. If you're planning on staying in this Valentine's Day (to play a few games, perhaps?), create the right mood with a sweet playlist. The good news for busy bees: Amazon and Pandora have come through with some preset playlists for love - Amazon with a popular music mix, and Pandora with a rad '80s love collection - so you can just sit back and enjoy the day instead of sweating it out over iTunes.

Of course, if you still love the idea of gifting a mixtape, you can always snag this cool Mix Tape card set from Etsy ($13), or one like it at your local paper store.

Is This Gadget For Sale or Just a Concept?

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:30:53 PDT

Remember your huge stash of mixed tapes from when you were younger? Mine is somewhere in a shoebox in my parents' basement, but there are some days I'd really love to relive my middle school memories via a mixed tape listening party. This gadget would certainly come in handy! The HIDEOTO is a cassette tape deck that plugs directly into your computer via USB connection, allowing you to convert those cassette tapes to digital files.

Awesome idea in a compact package, but is it real?

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Braddybradshaw's European Travel Mix

Buzz Community — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:30:27 PDT

The following post is from community member braddybradshaw, who posted it in the I Made You a Mix Tape group.

A couple of years ago, I was dating a guy who, two months into our relationship, informed me that he would be leaving as soon as the summer began. In his words: "I'm quitting my job to travel." Seriously, people do this? I was incredibly bummed, of course - but also, admittedly jealous. So to prep for his departure - first stop, Italy! - I made him a mix CD. It was a small gesture to live vicariously through him, show that I was thinking about him, and all right, I hoped that by blasting my gift in his ear over the course of his trip, he literally wouldn't be able to get me out of his head.

I tried not to get too mushy with my song picks, but instead, include some upbeat stuff good for long bus rides. The one requisite: they all had to have a European city or country's name in the title. So without further ado, I'd like to share the track list with you. I've since swapped around a few picks and added in some new Corinne Bailey Rae and Rufus Wainwright to conclude the mix in New York, my stomping grounds. Otherwise, it's mostly the same. Hope you like, whether you're visiting Europe this summer or not!

1. "London Bye Ta Ta," David Bowie
2. "Amsterdam," Peter Bjorn and John
3. "Holland, 1945," Neutral Milk Hotel

To see the rest of braddybradshaw's mix,

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4. "Barcelona," The Plasticines
5. "Kingdom of Spain," The Decemberists
6. "Postcards from Italy," Beirut
7. "Rome," Phoenix
8. "Paris Nights/New York Mornings," Corinne Bailey Rae
9. "Who Are You New York?," Rufus Wainwright
10. "Whole Wide World," The Mountain Goats

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Etsy Finds: Cool Cassette Gear

GeekSugar — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:00:39 PDT

What was once a childhood favorite is now a retro throwback. While cassettes may no longer be your preferred method of listening to your favorite music, they still have a fun, geeky charm. Here are a few cassette-themed finds from my favorite source for all things handmade, Etsy.

Mix Tapes on Your Pillow Make For Sweet Dreams

GeekSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:44:16 PDT

Where has the mix tape trend popped up now? In bed.

The Mix Tape Pillow Case Set ($25) is appropriate, since mix tapes used to be the last thing I'd listen to at night, preferably made by a crush or a friend with really great taste in music.

I also like that it's not a full sheet set of mix tapes, so you can still appear to be a grownup when your bed's made.

Keep Fridge Clutter in Check With Mix Tape Magnets

GeekSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:45:01 PDT

I've already ordered my USB Mixed Tape Set, so I might as well continue the trend and post these up on my fridge! These mini cassette magnets are wicked cool and functional to boot.

Brought to you by another genius Etsy user, the magnets come in at a reasonable $8 a pop, and bonus - you can write your own titles on them! I think "Geek's Mix" is kinda lame (and not all that creative), so I'll have to come up with something funky and fresh in its place. I'm really loving how old stuff is coming back and being reused in new and inventive ways. I'm sure Mother Earth is smiling on us right now.

View 4 Photos ›

Mix Tape Pouch: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:00:37 PDT

Mix tape nostalgia is hotter than ever right now; if it's not a new product in the shape of a mix tape, like this USB stick, then there's a website popping up for waxing sentimental over the things and their song selections.

Joining the party right on time is this felt mix tape pouch from Etsy. It's soft and cute, and may remind you of a someone compiling one too many Elliott Smith songs for you. What say you?

Website of the Day: Cassette From My Ex

GeekSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:49:50 PDT

Mixed tapes on the Internet are rising in popularity, and I know if you're of a certain age, the sight of a cassette tape on any website seduces your memories with thoughts of the boyfriends, girlfriends, and unrequited crushes that handed you one of those little rectangles, full of emotions and messages.

But while most sites merely use the lexicon or imagery of the mixtape, like Muxtape and Mixwit, there's now a site that pulls at your heartstrings and discusses the real heart of mixed tapes: Cassette From My Ex.

Cassette From My Ex's blog posts are sentimental short stories of people recalling Summer romances or young loves and the mixtape that defined them. Being someone who has practiced the art of making a mixtape (and the art of dissecting one), I understand the loadedness of each song, the vulnerability bared with each track.

Didn't think you'd get intimacy from a Website of the Day, did you?

USB Mixed Tape Set Has Me Longing For My Dual Deck Stereo

GeekSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:01:19 PDT

You remember the time before playlists, don't you? Those were the days where dual decks and mixed tapes ruled the world. Making a mixed tape was a big deal and not to be taken lightly. Just look at Rob Gordon in High Fidelity - making the perfect mixed tape is a laborious process that takes blood, sweat, and tears! Tears!

But since we no longer are slaves to the cassette, it seems the magic has faded with it. Handing someone a wimpy jewel case or a link to your online playlist just isn't the same. Someone else thought so, too, and is bringing back the fond memories with the Suck UK Mixed Tape USB set. It takes the best of both worlds: digital music, which is uploaded to the USB stick, and the tactile warmth of a tape case you can write on - old-school style with hearts and everything. Totally vintage geek and totally cool.

Source

Etsy Find: Mix Tape Kitchen Towel

CasaSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:30:07 PDT

If, like me, you have fond teen memories of the beloved mix tape, then you might find yourself breathing a nostalgic sigh at the sight of this Mix Tape Kitchen Towel ($9.50). Each 100 perent cotton flower sack kitchen towel is silk screened with a print of a large mix tape in blue ink. Since each one is screened by hand, yours will be unique, just like that mix tape from 1992 that your first high school boyfriend passed to you in the hall between Algebra I and AP Biology.