An Ode to My Favorite Season

While January is the time of year where most people are creating resolutions and a list of goals to accomplish during the year that lies ahead, I am preparing for something completely different -- something grand. What could that possibly be you may ask -- AWARD SEASON.

Award Season is by far my favorite time of year! January hits and until the end of February I am completely entranced by red carpets, great dresses, beautiful people and the celebration of pop culture. If you think this is shallow I really don't care, because I think it's wonderful. I'm a pop culture junkie... I love movies and great television (which is obvious from my Biker Chick post). I always make sure to see as many of the Oscar nominated films and so forth before the Award Season Grand Finale.

This past Sunday was the half way point for my favorite season, and although I am sad that it is coming to an end I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the great moments thus far...

This gorgeous couple is spotted everywhere and they look better at every show

Emma Stone at the Golden Globes - Priceless

Help Winners, Octavia and Viola, they were UH-MAZING

Michelle Williams - Breath Taking at the SAG Awards

The love of my life - Mr. Gervais Hosting the Golden Globes

Wanna-Be Biker Chick

So today I woke up ill and wompy so I called in sick to work -- everyone in my office has been sick so it looks like it was finally my turn. I still had a few things to take care of though so I did what I could from home and then decided to rest. Resting turned into watching almost all of season four of one of the best shows ever written - Sons of Anarchy. For those of you who don't watch SOA you should start. My friends had been posting everywhere about it so a few weeks ago I decided to check it out, and well now I'm #addicted #obsessed what have you.

The show is about a motor cycle club, The Sons of Anarchy, from Northern Cali who basically run shit. There's gun running, drug dealing, club drama, family feuds, secrets, lies - all the good stuff. Every time I talk about the show with my friend Veronica I always end with -- it is SO WELL WRITTEN. How this show hasn't won any awards is seriously beyond me. I digress though....

What the show also makes me thing is damn I wanna be able to be a biker chick -- I mean not forever but it would definitely be cool to try out. Motorcycles, leather pants, tattoos, high heels and get to act like a bad ass that no one messes with. I mean come on sounds like a dream at least for a while. Here's some Sons of Anarchy love for you...

And You're a Dancing Queen...

Okay this post is going to be all over the place, but just go with it, because hopefully at the end you'll just get it and enjoy it. If not sorry I'm not sorry? Any how...

I saw this headline today: ABBA TO RELEASE FIRST NEW SONG IN 18 YEARS.

That's right boys and girls the dancing queens are back - and even if you don't want to admit - you're excited. Don't deny your feelings it's okay we're all here to support you. This delightful news sent my brain into thinking mode about how much I love a good dancing tune and how much I enjoy dancing any where and every where. Example of great dancing tune:



That's right I'm one of those people who constantly embarrasses my family and friends by dancing and singing down store aisles, while waiting in line at the movies and walking down NYC streets. I even remember this one time when my I was younger - like 11ish - my family rented a house down the shore with a huge wrap around porch. I immediately decided to blast music from the inside of the house and dance around the porch. My younger brother was immediately horrified by the thought of strangers looking at me like I was crazy and turned off the music and yelled at me for acting like such a nut. That gives you just a minor look into the type of person I am.

However, I'm not the only person who loves to dance. If you're a fan of the Ellen show like myself (I'm obsessed/addicted in reality), you see people who constantly love to dance. She even started a DANCE DARE challenge - inspired by one of her employees Andy (marry me now sir?) where she asked people to video tape themselves dancing behind people without them knowing - or in some embarrassing place. THIS WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITES this girl and I are meant to be friends....

Weekend Wrap Up

I know I'm a little late since it's Tuesday and all but here's a look at my weekend - it was so great to just have a calm/relaxing weekend. The snow definitely helped this since I hate snow and hate leaving the indoors when there is snow. Any way check it...

As usual my weekend starts with Casual Friday at work - yes it's still work - but its casual go with it...

Friday night was girls night and it was AMAZING. We went to a local bar called the Saloon, where a BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN cover band was playing. We are all huge huge huge fans and you know from previous posts so it was a blast singing and dancing all night long...

Then I woke up to this --- TERR-UH-BLE

So I decided to cook and clean all day long

Best Chili Ever

Sunday was a usual lazy Sunday which resulted in a great shopping haul from the Buffalo Exchange down on E. 11th Street. If you haven't been you NEED TO GO. My colleague suggested that I would like it and should check it out - she always gives me the best places so I decided Sunday would be the perfect day and look at the perfect pieces I picked up

I ended the night attempting a new lazy hair style - thoughts?

Anyway how was your weekend?!

Monday Pick Me Up...

It's a rainy Monday in New York City but I have a great pick me up for you :) I don't know why but I'm loving this song today, check it out...

Etta James, A Legend

For those of you who know me well, you know that I have always had a soft spot and an incredible love for Etta James. I own all her greatest hits, I'm not one of those people who only know At Last, as if that is the only amazing thing she's ever done. She was an amazing singer, a legend in her own right, and after passing today at 73 of complications from leukemia she will forever be missed.

Miss James was born, Jamesetta Hawkins, and was discovered in the early 60s by the famous Chess Records, and really the rest is history. She had a tough life, she born into extreme poverty and developed a drug addiction which she eventually overcame in the late 80s. Music was one of her saving graces and even during her darkest days she was turning out amazing records. She has one of those voices that makes you want to cry when you hear it. I'll never forget the first time I heard All I Could Do Was Cry.

I always had a think for music from the 50's, 60's and 70's with an emphasis on Mr. Otis Reading, my boyfriend at the time was also in love with this time period, way more so than I was. Every time we were in the car he'd have on Janis Joplin or Fleetwood Mac or well you see where I'm going. He played Etta James's At Last all the time, he loved that song and soon I loved the song especially the way she sang it. Because of this I decided I had to hear more. I went home and started searching for her music, the first song I stumbled upon was All I Could Do Was Cry. From the first note I heard her sing I was hooked and by the end of the song I had tears. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard to this day. From that moment on I was a fan and I always will be...

RIP Etta James <3 

The Boss is Back in Town

Attention Springsteen Fans: He's Back!

So I learned a few weeks ago and shared it on this blog, twitter, facebook, my phonebook etc. that Bruce Springsteen would be going back on tour this Summer/Fall. My best friends and I are HUGE HUGE HUGE fans so we immediately began coordinating the fact that we will be buying tickets together going to multiple shows etc etc. And now we learn that not only is the love of our lives going back on tour, but Bruce Springsteen is also releasing his 17th album: THE WRECKING BALL on March 6th. Can we say let the count down begin....

Here's a preview of the new single We Take Care of Our Own

Obsessed, Addicted, What Have You

So clearly from this blog I am a huge little bit of a music/NYC addict. I love discovering new bands, love seeing what my favorites are up to and love going to shows with friends and hitting up new/random NYC hot spots! I believe that my love for music and the city has lead to my love of other things as well. Music and THE CITY really influences style, art, and life decisions - at least that's my belief. So here are just a few other things I'm #obsessed SLASH #addicted to....

Cynthia Vincent's 2012 Spring Line

Accessories

Coffeeeeee

Re-Decorating my Apartment

Sons of Anarchy (Yes as are all my friends who are why I started watching)

That is just some of the long list of things I'm currently loving/addicted to/obsessed with and such. What are some of the things that you are just completely in love with!?

Weekends in NYC

Casual Friday

Is it time to go home yet?

Girls night out - Wine in a party bag...

Beauty Bar<3

Shoe Sharing - MK Boots love

Some re-decorating

Some homemade soup making

Obviously there was a few other thangs thrown in this week like my lovely BFF's birthday and some UConn faces I haven't seen in forever! Also a Golden Globe party!! And some movie mayhem watching My Week With Marilyn  and loving everything Michelle Willams does...

What'd your weekend look like.

Tiny Totts are UH-Mazing Musical Talents

Has anyone ever seen these New York tots from the PS22 Chorus perform?!?! They've sang at the Oscars, the Tree Lighting, Dateline - and why might you ask are these elementary school kids performing at such amazing events because they are UH-MAZING artists in their very own right... DUH!!!!

Artists such as Adele, Florence and the Machine, Tori Amos, Common and SO MANY MORE have praised these kids all over social media and various publications. Their love for music is so innocent and pure you have to absolutely fall in love when you see them. Not only are these kids Fan-freaking-tabulous but their teacher/chorus director Mr. B deserves some serious props. To evoke such positivity and love for music in kids at such a young age is absolutely incredible and I admire this man greatly. I only wish that there were more teachers out there like him, who know how important music is to kids and how much they can learn from it. Check out some of my fav videos of them below and DEFINITELY make sure to check out their website: PS22 Chorus.

Love When Music Connects Generations (Helped by Itica's Acapella Group)

Excuse Jarred Leto's Speech but this is beautiful

DIVA ALERT - In the best way possible :)

Mermaid love<3 if you love Florence you'll understand that commentem>

Around the World in 80 Days... or 5 Minutes?

I am a huge fan of traveling. You know the poor person traveling aka picking out places you want to go and things you want to see, but really you're just looking at pictures because you can't afford a real vacation. Or you have friends who never want to venture out of the U.S. ANYWAY.... here's a really awesome video compilation of some amazing places throughout the world I thought I'd share...

Femme Fatal

Every single Monday through Friday, my dear dear friend Pandora Radio helps me make it through my nine to five six life. What I would do without her is beyond me. I'll be in the middle of my work day and hear a song that especially catches my attention. I immediately have to take a look at who/what it is, then have to write myself a note to download it later at home or jam out to the album if I already own it.

Lately I've noticed a pattern with my "aha music moments." Each time it tends to be a strong powered female belting out some fierce vocals or jamming out like a true rock star (it's not just a game for the boys nowadays lets be honest). Here are just a few of the Femme Fatal ladies that have caught my ear lately

• Florence and the Machine - OWN IT
• Lana Del Rey -  WAITING FOR HER TO COMPLETE IT!!
• Ellie Goulding - NEED TO GET IT
• Fine Frenzy - Need TO GET IT
• Adele - OWN IT
• Metric - OWN IT
• Amy Winehouse - OWN SOME OF IT

These ladies definitely know how to play with the boys - and maybe even play the music game better! Who are some of your Female Music Idols???

Blue Ivy Carter

Oh Beyonce, I had a little more faith in you than that. That's right folks, unless you've been living under a rock for the past few days, you're well ware that Beyonce and Jay Z gave birth to their little baby girl, Blue Ivy Carter. What is this name? What does it mean? I've had so many people say I'm sure it has significance for them... REALLY?! What could be so G.D. significant that you name your kid Blue - if this little girl had any other parents she'd be tormented in school.

But never fear not only was a super star in the making born but Jay Z put out a song about her - it's pretty awesome.... Check It ----

Jay-Z ft BIC - Glory by Drew Michael Paolucci

We're Living in a Digital World, and I am a Digital Girl

It's true! Today's world operates online. Business is done via the internet, news is read via the internet, people stay in touch via the internet, I pretend people are interested in what I have to say via the internet (aka this blog) and somewhat post importantly or at least most relevantly to my little site here - Music is consumed and listened to via the internet.

Last year - 2011 - digital music sales accounted for 50.3% of all music sales out-ranking physical album sales for the first time in history. The queen herself, Miss Adele, was the top selling artist overall for 2011. Other artists that did some major damage in the digital world were Lady GaGa (of course) and Jay Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne.

Honestly I think the most shocking part of this whole thing is that it took so long to happen, really it took until 2011 for digital sales to make up most of the music industry's sales? How is this possible? I would have thought that the first year iTunes was created would have been the year that crushed physical album sales but I guess not. I had little faith in most music consumers but I was wrong people still care about having the physical album in their hand.

I'm someone who still, yes still, likes to buy the actual album. I think A) the artist deserves it and B) it's awesome to actually have a CD collection, actually its awesome. Try and tell me I'm wrong - seriously try... Yup you can't.

"Dirty Pop" Cover You Can't Help but Love

Came across this during my lunch break today and wanted to share it quickly! As she starts off talking I was kind of put off but once she started well let's just say you can't help but tap your foot along with her...

Amazing<3