Elle Varner

Perfectly Imperfect - Elle Varner

I can honestly say that I love this entire album!  Can't say that very often; can you?  Some of my favorite songs are so cute, fun, and best of all, I can relate to them. Every so often I can hear a touch of Chrisette Michele in her tone, which actually means elements of Ella Fitzgerald and other jazz greats are present in her sound.

Elle has something for every mood on this one... her musical style is reminiscent of her colorful fashion sense.  Check out this short, sweet, and to the "ON POINT" review.  (See what I did there? tee hee)

Only Wanna Give it to You video:

Serpentine Belly Dance: A Non-Traditional Workout

Lots of people eat, sleep, and drink the health & fitness way of life, and love it.  They find working out at the gym, climbing mountains, and swimming across the ocean the best thing since sliced bread.  The rest of the world simply loaths all of the above.  LOL 

Eating healthy isn't the hardest thing to do if you make MORE of the better food choices, and simmer yourself to moderation when it comes to the other stuff.  BUT, if you're anything like me, you struggle with the exercise piece of the healthy life style.  I spent years working out at the gym and at that time had lost quite a bit of weight from doing so, but let's be real...IT'S BORING!!  The object of the game is to continue to workout so that you can maintain the weight-loss and a great health. So help me, I absolutely could NOT subject myself to that weekly, almost daily boredom, for the rest of my life!  

I found that one fun way to keep it moving and to have fun was to incorporate some belly dance into the mix.  I purchased the Serpentine Belly Dance with Rachel Brice DVD, and soon learned that you put in some work with this one!  The hip shimmies alone are "killer", but it's fun and you WILL feel like you've worked out. Wear your Belly Dance skirts, belts, and shimmy coins all you want, but know that it's going to be "ugly" until you learn. 

This particular DVD is the best one I've come across, and is better than any of the Belly Dance classes I'd taken in the past.  For one, it's instruction given by Rachel Brice, an actual Belly Dancer, and secondly, it starts you off with Yoga techniques...2 big pluses for me, since I love yoga AND I'm picky about who teaches me Belly Dance...it's like getting 2 for 1.  LOL  

This Serpentine Belly Dance DVD paid for itself; what stands out about it is:

- It's thorough
- Traditional 
- Includes Yoga
- Builds strength
- Gives you the option to select workouts based on your schedule
- Gives you the option to do Yoga only or Belly Dance only

- Teaches back bends and strength exercises for back bends
- You learn sinuous Belly Dance movements
- Demonstrates and teaches 2 routines
- Uses actual Yoga terms

I give it 5 out of 5 stars.  Share your non-traditional workouts! 

By T. James-Sykes


 

Eggshell Mosiac Bracelet Tutorial

Eggshell Mosaic Bracelet

With Fall coming in and the Holidays soon to follow, it's always nice to have fun projects to do with family, friends, or by yourself.  What makes even even more fun is if you can later gift your creation to someone you love!  Check out this fun tutorial:

  If you make this craft, share your experience with us!    'Tis the season to be crafty; enjoy! ; ) 

TCM Classic Cruise

I'm a sucker for a good black & white film.  So, naturally I can't get enough of the TCM (Turner Classic Movies) channel.

Every year they have a film festival, that seems like a classic movie lovers dream.  I see that they also have a cruise coming up in January 2013 that's already sold out with an option to join the waiting list!  I can imagine how fun this would be.  Will you be on board?

I won't be on the cruise, but at least I still get to envelope myself in a good classic film, whenever I get the urge.  So, addicting!  

Three of the many great classic film legends:

James Cagney

Sidney Poitier

Irene Dunne

This isn't nearly the tip of the iceberg, but these are a few of my favorite classic films:

- Mildred Pierce 1945

- The Apartment 1960

- Imitation of Life both 1934 & 1959 

- The Women 1939  

- Cabin in the Sky 1943

- Mr. Skeffington 1944

- The Call Me Mr. Tibbs! 1970

What are yours?

Emeli Sande

Our Version of Events - Emeli Sande

Honestly, the best thing about reality t.v. is that you get to hear new music.  I forget which song was playing, but my interest was peaked.  Then I saw Emeli Sande's performance during the Olympic ceremonies and felt that I needed to hear the whole CD.    

This a cool CD with good reviews. Check it out!

By T. James-Sykes