by | Feb 17, 2013 | Fashion |
Hi Bubbling Readers,
Blessings to you. I have been going non stop and it’s time to relax.
I recently purchased a Susan Graver tunic and scarf from QVC.com that is so chic and comfortable.
JT in Susan Graver tunic
The tunic is very soft and I really like how the fabric feels on my skin. The fabric blend is polyester and nylon so it drapes and flows, makes you want to move. I ordered this tunic in an XXS because even though the tunics is loose I still like to have somewhat of a fit. I added a necklace to elongate my body. Whenever you add long necklaces it really draws the eye vertically which makes you appear taller.
JT
The tunic came with a metallic scarf that can be worn in so many different ways. Below I put the ends of the scarf together and looped them through and created a cute look.
JT
In this picture I tied the scarf as a belt, the ideas are endless.
JT
The tunic is can be for all year round wear so it will definitely be a work horse. See how a layered my Isaac Mizrahi cardigan over the tunic and add a pink scarf.
Isaac Mizrahi cardigan layered over a Susan Graver tunic
by | Feb 9, 2013 | Music |
The Grammys is Sunday and I must admit I am an avid lover of music. This year has some contenders that are very different but up for the fight in their own right.
I have been doing my research on the Best New Artist of the Year Nominees. Everyone is predicting Frank Ocean will win the New Artist of the Year Grammy award. I think he has some competition.
Thinking Bout You
A song about love and break up. He is first a song writer. His written for many popular singers. He became very popular with his crystal clear openness about his life and revealing his bisexuality. An R&B artist coming out. Ocean is the favored winner according to critics; but sometimes the Grammy’s gives a twisted turn so you never know.
fun.
We Are Young (feat Janelle Monae)
This song was at the top of the charts for weeks.
This song is a good contender.
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/34539306[/vimeo]
The Lumineers
Their song, “Ho Hey” makes you want to clap your hands, sing along and have some fun. The background music with the vocals is so filled with energy. Will it win Best New Artist? We will see on Sunday.
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Alabama Shakes sound is so different then what is out there right now. This groups is my first choice fav. Their music is pure blues/ R&B and rock, all rolled together. Southern rock at its best. Lead singer Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell, and drummer Steve Johnson know how to rock. I can see them winning the best new artist award.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le-3MIBxQTw[/youtube]
Hunter Hayes is nominated for Best New Artist for the song, “Wanted.” This song was and is so popular. He is a multi-instrumentalist who sings some really toe-tapping country music. I think that he could win; but we shall see. Being relatively new on the country scene, Hayes’ music sounds like he has been around for a long time.
www.grammy.com
“Wanted,” is a pretty song, I want to wrap you up, I want to kiss your lips, I want to make you feel wanted… He could win for this.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruyaKdPfTN4[/youtube]
Who do you think will win Best New Artist at the Grammys on Sunday?
by | Feb 7, 2013 | From the Heart |
The Christmas season is now but a distant memory for most of us. But you may be reminded of it, not for the joyous memories of spending time with your family. But instead, thoughts of paying for all those gifts you bought are racing through your mind. You maybe thinking about fiscal cliffs and tax increases, and wondering about debt help terms. It may be a bit over whelming; but debt counselors like ALLABOUTMONEY.COM can help.
Here are some common sense tips to make sure you can enjoy the holidays without getting into financial trouble.
Decide who you are buying for before you start.
If you have a large family or have many friends, you may not have the finances to purchase for everyone. Decide before you start purchasing any gifts who you are buying for. It may just be your spouse, your children, your parents, your in-laws and a select few other people. You may not need to buy something for Uncle Jimmy who you only see once a year at Christmas or Cousin Betty who moved to Florida twenty years ago and you have not seen her since.You may need to let your people know that you are cutting back on the number of gifts you are purchasing because you are want to be financially smart.
Know your limit on how much you are spending on each person.
Once you have decided who you are buying for, then you must decide on an amount you are willing to spend. For some people, you may want t0 spend a little more, like your parents. For others, you may be a little less, like a niece or nephew are just babies. One way to stick with a designated amount is to buy a gift card to the person’s favorite store. Gift cards are an excellent idea because the person can get what he or she really wants and you don’t have to guess. Also, it prevents you from buying multiple gifts and going over your designated limit.
Do not feel obligated to buy gifts for someone just because they buy you a gift.
Many times, you will receive a gift from a co-worker or a neighbor. You may feel like you are obligated to purchase something for them. But check your list, if they are not on your original list, don’t feel like you have be buying something for them. If they truly gave you the gift from their heart, they should not be expecting anything in return. You can give them a thank you note, expressing your gratitude. And then for their birthday or another date in the future, you can give them a gift.
Consider homemade gifts.
Some times the best gifts are not the ones purchased, but the ones that are home made. If you have a favorite recipe, nothing can warm a person’s heart like homemade cookies, cakes or breads. I have given friends and family homemade cranberry bread and I have received the most enthusiastic “thank you’s”. And the cost for an entire cake is generally in the $5 to $10 range. Using this price range can help you expand your list of people who you can give to.
Homemade Cranberry Bread
Another alternative, homemade lip balm.
The holiday seasons should be a joyful and happy time spent with family and friends. You don’t want to get consumed by the need to be buying for everyone and hurting your financial stability in the process. Set your limits, stick to it and it will be a happier time for everyone.
by | Feb 5, 2013 | Fashion, Music |
Hi Bubbling Readers,
I submitted some pictures to pepsi.com to possibly be included in the Pepsi Superbowl Halftime Countdown. The photos needed to be taken with a camera and at night. There was different pose choices to choose from on the site, I decided to do clock movements. I submitted five photos. Over 100,000 photos were submitted and they selected about 500 to be in the final cut to be in the video. My photo below was one of those 500 picked to be included in the countdown before the Superbowl half time show. I received an email message from Pepsi,saying that my photo had been selected for ‘possible’ inclusion in the video. I had to sign an affidavit and have it notarized in order for my photo to be considered. Pepsi indicated that I would receive a coupon for a free 12 pack of my favorite Pepsi products if my photo was used.
I did not know if my photo was going to be included in the video because I did not hear back from Pepsi after I signed the affidavit. I watched the half time show and the countdown video and said there’s no way. I could not be included in there because I saw it and I did not see myself. I said, “oh well it was fun to be a part of the process.”
However in yesterday’s mail, I received an envelope from Track Marketing Group out of New York City. Not knowing what it was, I opened it up and inside was a coupon for a free 12-pack of Pepsi products. I began thinking to myself, I must have been included, but where was it.
I looked at the ad in a Youtube video, but still I didn’t see myself. But in the information section of the video, it said to check Pepsi’s website to watch the video frame by frame to see if you made the cut. I went to website and looked at each frame. The video was 30 seconds and had over 370 frames. That is where I found myself, on frames 344, 345 and 346. I saw my image in the number one. Take a look. My picture is cropped and marked by the yellow dots. Each of these three frames has my photo in it at least six times. This is too cool.
JT in Number One of Countdown Superbowl Halftime video
This is the capture of my pic with others in the number one of the countdown. I am really amazed that I was even included in this Beyonce + Pepsi Half-time countdown.
The picture is small and cropped (my picture is cropped at the waist) but it was included eight times in the number one. Eight times! I am actually in this ad.
Click on the photo below to see an enlarged version of it.
I had to slow down the video to see my photo. This was an awesome experience.
Click on the photo to see an enlarged version of it.
So exciting.
The video is below and the countdown came on right before Beyonce performed.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DQaGK31iyM[/youtube]
I also became a contributor on Pepsi’s tumblr page.
by | Feb 3, 2013 | Fashion, Music |
Beyonce came to the stage with dozens of fans cheering her on. Apparently twitter was going bonkers.
I really could not see a lot of the faces in the handmade countdown; because it was really fast but it was different take on introducing the show.
The stage was set with two faces looking at each other from each side with hair blowing in the wind.
Beyonce tonight wore a black leather jacket bodysuit ensemble by designer Rubin Singer and she threw into the audience her jacket and part of the skirt that revealed underneath a leather leotard dress with lace insets on the side.
www.RubinSinger.com
Her first song was a few verses of Love on Top and then Crazy in Love. I was right Jay Z was not on stage with her. She crawled on the stage, and did her cat walk.
She used a lot of body image interpretations of holograms of herself which I have seen her use in past performances. Baby Boy your on my mind you are my fantasy…
She had a mass amount of dancers and her band to fill the stage. She used a lot of lights and the cool part to me was the fire coming from the lady musician’s guitar.
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I was hearing speculation that her former bandmates from Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, would not make an appearance. However, they came out from underneath the stage and sang Bootylicious, Independent Woman and then went right into Single Ladies and even did the dance routine. I got Single Ladies right too. It appeared that Kelly’s and Michelle’s mics were not turned up loud enough. I wonder if this was a miscue or if it was intentional.
I was really thinking that Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle would sing their latest release, Nuclear, but not this time. I have been hearing mixed reviews about the song so maybe one day the DC reunited will perform it live.
Beyonce also sung her hit Halo. She asked the audience to reach their hands out to her so she could feel their energy. Halo, Halo, Halo!
It was a high-energy show filled with booty shaking and many of Beyonce’s hits. Would have liked to seen her perform my favorite song, Get Me Bodied, but I know there are only so many songs you can perform in 12-13 minutes.
It was very clear that Beyonce’s performance was not about introducing any new material but giving the fans their favorites and that’s what it’s really about. She did a good job.
I have to admit my favorite Superbowl halftime show was when Prince performed, EPIC.
And congratulations to the Baltimore Ravens for winning a hard-fought game.
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