Inspiration in Stages



image source

On this week's Turn it Up Tuesdays I've compiled a list of songs that are sure to be rockin for New Years Eve.


Here's my list of some classic and current songs for New Years Eve (in no particular order).

1.  The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up

2.  Britney Spears - Work B**tch

3.  Justin Timberlake - Take Back the Night

4.  U2 - New Year's Day

5.  Benny Benassi (ft. John Legend) - Dance the Night Away

6.  Calvin Harris - Sweet Nothing

7.  Ella Fitzgerald - What Are You Doing New Years Eve

8.  Don Omar - Danza Kuduro

9.  Lady Gaga - Applause

10.  Glen Miller - Auld Lang Syne


What are some of your favorites?

Wishing you and yours a safe and Happy New Years.  May 2014 bring you lots of joy and happiness and nothing but good things!  Thanks for following along.

xo

I've been feeling a bit run down with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays.  I wasn't able to take any time off of work so it's catching up with me.  One more holiday to go . . .

New Years Eve is tomorrow and I wanted to share some great ideas for NYE dress and décor.  Whether you're staying indoors with love ones or dressing up and going out on the town, the main ticket items are sequins and sparkle.  And the colors are silver, gold and black.

Here are some inspiration photos I've rounded up:



via The Sweetest Occasion

image via Southern Fried Paper Blog ('08)

image via Revolve Clothing




Christian Louboutin Black Satin Pumps



image source



Sue Wong strapless embroidered dress

 

Jimmy Choo Metallic Sandal with crystals



image source

Whatever your plans are, be safe and enjoy!
xo



image via Flickr

On this week's Turn it Up Tuesdays, it's only fitting that I share some of my favorite Christmas songs.  I remember as a child, my mother played songs when decorating the tree; like The Chipmunks album and Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" album (one of my favorite Christmas albums).

Some of my other favorite songs are:

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams

O Holy Night by Nat King Cole

Winter Wonderland by Eurythmics

Do They Know It's Christmas by Band Aid

Wishing you and your family all the best this holiday season. 

Ikat napkins from West Elm (sold out); rose gold flatware (West Elm); ribbon, The Container Store; ornament plates from HomeGoods

Majestic Reindeer (sitting) in gold (currently sold out in gold) but others on sale at Z Gallerie

Majestic Reindeer in gold from Z Gallerie (currently sold out); snowflake ornament from The Container Store

Added gold letter stickers to plain candle holders and added faux snow

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays . . .

xo

image via website here

It's Hump Day!  Today I will be volunteering my lunch hour (once a week) to read to a child at a local school.    I joined the program, Power Lunch (through Everybody Wins!).  The program was offered through my job.

Everybody Wins! New York is a nonprofit literacy and mentoring organization that began in 1991.  Their mission is to encourage young children to believe they can succeed in school and in life.  If I can give a little bit of my time to help a child, then why not.  I think we both will remember this experience and I hope we both learn something from each other.

I'm looking forward to meeting my mentee.  The child I'm paired with is also giving up his recess to be part of this program.  He actually requested to join Power Lunch.  From what I know, he is a fourth grader who loves drawing, crafts, tv, computer games and playing outside.  I'm sure I'll have stories about my new friend and our experience together through reading.  If you would like to more about this organization, you can check out their website here

xo

Amos Lee (photo via website here)

On this week's Turn it Up Tuesday is musician, singer-song writer, Amos Lee.

Lee was born Ryan Anthony Massaro in Philadelphia, PA.  He was a second grade school teacher and bartender before pursuing a musical career.  It was during his college yeas that he developed an interest in music and was inspired by John Prine (specifically, the album, Great Days).

Lee is described as a male version of singer, Norah Jones.  He has a folksy, bluesy sound with a country twang.  Lee's voice is soulful!  This is what one New York Times music critic described Lee:


He is very passionate about his music and when he sings, you can tell it comes from a place deep within. 

Lee has recorded five albums.  The popular ones you may have heard are Violin and Arms of a Woman.

His fifth album recently released in October, entitled "Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song").  Songs from the new album are: Johnson Boulevard and Chill in the Air.  You can also watch the album trailer Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song

Here are some of my favorites from his different albums:

Mission Bell album:  Learned A Lot, Behind Me Now and El Camino (featuring Willie Nelson) and Jesus.  I love how they are all sitting around in a circle just singing and playing . . . jamming to the music!

Last Days at the Lodge album:  Street Corner Preacher  (great a sense of the mix of folk, rock and soul) and my other favorite song, Windows are Rolled Down
 
If you haven't heard of Amos Lee, I hope I've inspired you to add him to your playlist.

xo

Hope everyone had a nice weekend.  We were hit with snow and ice rain, so I spent most of the weekend indoors.  But, I was able to do some online shopping for gifts (since the weather was bad). 

There are still days left to shop for the holidays.  Going to someone's house for dinner?  Not sure what to get someone who has it all?  Here are some great gift finds for the hostess. 

xo

 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 9/ 10/ 11/

Okay . . . There are two weeks left till Christmas! Where did the time go? I'm not officially in panic mode but I'm approaching it.

I was searching online for gifts and came across some pretty coffee cups.  I'm a coffee lover and very particular about how I take my coffee.  I have a system. And yes, I'm addicted. 

Here are some great items for you coffee lovers. . . to give to family and friends or yourself.




I have #4 and #5.  I'm loving the coffee cups napkin from West Elm.

xo

We purchased our Christmas tree over the weekend. With that came the job of pulling out the Christmas bins we had stored away.