Xmas Sounds

I know it is WAY TOO early to be even talking about Christmas.  However, every store and advertiser doesn't seem to think so.  As soon as Halloween is over, the holiday commercialism train is turned up to 10 and we haven't even carved a turkey yet.  Oh well. I suppose complaining about it isn't going to help.  Let's either embrace it or ignore it and move on. Haha! 

I'm not going to be putting up my tree until the weekend before Thanksgiving (which my husband still thinks is too early). But I think this way I can really enjoy my tree longer.  And as soon as I return home with a belly full of Thanksgiving goodness I can gaze on my tree and think of the upcoming holiday season! So, I thought I would talk about my favorite tunes (which is one of my favorite parts of the season!) so everybody has plenty of time to track them down in order to be prepared.  Now these are albums that I love to listen from start to finish.  There are other songs that I love, but they either do not come from an entire Christmas album or I don't like the rest of the songs, hehe.  So here are just some of my holiday album staples...

Amy Grant - Home for Christmas

I grew up listening to Amy Grant in the 90s.  This album was constantly playing (mixed with my mother's Mainheim Steamroller, Celtic Christmas Tunes, etc.) throughout the house and especially Christmas Day.  This CD actually holds a place in my husband's holiday heart, his family listened to this as well.  So it floods our minds with memories and comforts us when opening gifts in front of the tree.  

Maybe This Christmas Tree - Various Artists

This album consists of Death Cab for Cutie, The Ravonettes, Jars of Clay and more.  It was released when I was in college and I loved it.  It sounded so different than the music playing throughout the house.  It was modern and fun.  I enjoy it a lot at holiday parties.

NSYNC - Home for Christmas

This CD I have been listening to since I was 15!  This was one of the first holiday albums I ever bought.  So there is a mix of nostalgia and childhood that comes back when I listen to it.  It is a great pop album and if you have a sweet tooth you might get a toothache due to the sweetness! 

Jack Johnson & The Brushfire Family - This Warm December

This compiles some of my favorite artists all on one album.  And 25% of the album's proceeds went to charity, talk about Christmas Spirit!  It has Jack Johnson, Mason Jennings and Matt Costa just to name a few.  It is a great album all the way through and is a nice modern twist to some old classics.

Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas

You can't talk about Christmas music and not mention the great diva Mariah!  This is a great album and I can listen to "All I Want For Christmas Is You" over and over and over!

A Winter's Night - Various Artists

Another great compilation album with Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies and Sixpence None the Richer (just to name a few). 

She & Him - A Very She & Him Christmas

I have talked about some oldies and some newbies for holiday tunes.  This album is very new! Just released at the end of October.  My favorite group She & Him (which consists of M.Ward and Zooey Deschanel) have come out with a Christmas Album!  My husband bought it for me on iTunes this morning and I am so excited!

And farther along into the season I'm going to talk about my favorite songs/versions! yay holiday music! Start downloading people and get your playlists ready! Have a great weekend!

The Show of the Century, Part Duex

Since I just showed my story and idea behind our Save-The-Dates, I thought it would be appropriate to continue this by talking about my reception extras.  The ticket theme continued at the wedding once the guests arrived for the cocktail hour in the pre-function space. 

Backstage Pass, where all the action happens

I designed both the Save-The-Dates and the Access Passes on Adobe Illustrator.  I had the Save-The-Dates printed through a local supplier, but I decided to print the Access Passes myself using my at-home printer.  Using a hole punch at the top of the passes, my Maid Of Honor and I tied ribbon (0.69 cents a roll from Big Lots!) to each one of them!  One of the great things about these items was that they were black and white, saved a ton of money.  They had the look we wanted and gave guests all the information that they needed.  These clever little suckers told guests their assigned tables and where parking validations were available.  Not to mention a cute little souvenir if they are feeling sentimental.  A ton of the guests, including myself wore them around their necks like Backstage Passes.  The passes for the bridal party read their first name except for Bride, Groom, M.O.H. (for Maid of Honor) and Best Man to give these special people a special touch.

Another detail we added to give our love of music to the mix were the party favors, sunglasses!  Once the guests had received their backstage pass, enjoyed the cocktail hour they still were not allowed into the grand ballroom.  Once the doors opened and the guests matched their passes to their table, tucked into their dinner napkins were a pair of wayfarer sunglasses (not Ray Ban's, we are not made of money).  

Shady Surprise.

All the guest donned their shades with an attitude and helped us dance the night away.  Needless to say, they were a great hit.

My future is so bright, I gotta wear shades.

And as the ballroom grew darker and the drinks were going down smoother we started knocking out the lenses so we could see what we were doing.  Not to mention pulling off some fantastic hipster looks!  

My good friend K, who doubles as a nerd.

 It really ended up being such a personal touch for us and the guests!  We could not have asked for a more perfect celebration!

Eargasm

There once was a time when I was obsessed with going to concerts, thoughts of the next show consumed my social schedule.  Then the real world took over my time and the last concert I went to was Kings of Leon in October 09! I have just been trying to get my ears exposed to as much as possible, I have definitely fallen out of the loop.  In college I was into male lead bands, these past few years raspy female voices have empowered me and seduced my ear drums.  Now most people have heard of these groups, but if you haven't please lend an ear. 

Artist: Company of Thieves
Album: Ordinary Riches

Photo: link here.

Artist: Adele
Album: 21

Photo: link here

Artist: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
Album: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

Photo: link here.

Artist: The Pierces
Album: Love You More

Photo: link here.

Artist: Best Coast
Album: Crazy for You

Photo: link here.

Oh Mother!

That day is vastly approaching....Mother's Day! The woman who has done, well everything for you - her official day is on our heels.  What to get? What to get?  Last year the husband and I got our mother's each a beautiful local hardback recipe book that was all about Kentucky and includes delish recipes from amazing local restaurants.  And for their birthdays, the wonderful mani/pedi combo was a success.  I'm not one to give flowers, I would rather receive them (just kidding, but flowers - been there, done that).  With the eleventh hour dawning here are some thoughts:

 

Adorable Ranunculus Magnet from sunnyandstumpy, link here.

Yummy Bath Soak from Anthropologie, link here.

 

Some gorgeous tunes from Adele.

Make this bright Pink Snowball Cake from SprinkleBakes, link here.