Hey Everyone,
I just wanted to check in with you all and let you know that I'm sorry I haven't been updating much this week. I did film a couple of video's but my family is going through a very tough time as we've lost an extraordinary member of our family this week so that has taken priority. I will be trying to edit a little bit tomorrow between Dr.s Appointments and maybe a little bit on the plane Wed. I promise I will have some new content up in the coming days and there are some things my husband and I are working on together. So please stay tuned and I apologize for the absence. Saying goodbye to such a great man and grandfather is never easy.
Thank you everyone!
~Danielle~
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Music for the Soul
I know this is a little bit off topic from what I normally post about but I can't go any longer without getting this down. I have always been a fan of musical theater and good strong music in general. There have been songs that have rocked me to my core, that just resonate. Ave Maria and Hallelujah come to mind. They are two of my absolutely favorite songs in the world. There have also been musical theater productions that have had the same effect. The Phantom of the Opera, Rent and most recently Les Miserables and Chess have really just had a profound effect that I'm not used to. It's a feeling like you can't get enough of the story or the music. Those are products and songs, there has never in my life been one single artist that puts out a quality of music that is continuously stunning and evolving. There hasn't been an artist that has reached so deeply into my soul. I'm not a music expert, I can't carry a tune, I don't play an instrument, I can't read sheet music etc....but I know what speaks to me and I can appreciate those that do have the gift and are willing to share it with the world. I also can identify when a song is so powerful that it moves me to tears over and over again. Between 2011-present I've had the extremely fortunate pleasure twice which is unusual for me. There isn't just one but two artist that are so beyond talented that I couldn't help but be moved by their work. Both singers are are just so well rounded and strong vocally and bring such a power and raw emotion to their music that it's hard not to notice and I had to share that fact in my little corner of the internet world.
The first musician to be able to speak volumes in my life is somebody who isn't very well known yet, but is slowly being discovered and appreciated. I've had the extreme pleasure of being able to see him in not one but two countries. I was able to meet him both times and he is equally as sweet and gracious and humble as he is talented. Ladies and gentlemen he is West End Actor/Sony Recording Artist Ramin Karimloo. In 2012 he released his first solo album which was such a diverse range of music from musical theater to folk rock to regular rock and it melted together beautifully into one album. It is an absolutely stunning transition from the theater world to the musician world. He also starred in not one but two major anniversary editions of two of the worlds most well known musicials. Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. I first became tuned in when I was watching the 25th Anniversary concert of Les Miserables at the O2 Arena in London on DVD. I couldn't get over his voice, so I just had to find out more about him and I was turned on to a world of diversity and expanded my knowledge of his work and after searching YouTube for hours, I was hooked. His voice is so stunning and powerful and diverse it's almost a shame that more people haven't heard of him. As I stated I've seen him live twice and the shows he puts on are so intimate and powerful. He brings such a passion to each show it's hard not to get swept up in the moment. What really struck me is the first time I saw him live he sang a mind blowing rendition of Leonard Cohen's version of Hallelujah, which is a song I've been listening too for years since I first heard it on The O.C. in the very early 2000's. There is something incredibly emotional about that song and his rendition was no different. The intensity in which he plays the piano and sings that song is elaborate and melancholy and iconic all at the same time. He also happens to be one of the most brilliant Phantoms of all time. He grew the role into it's sequel Love Never Dies. On top of his major accomplishments in both theater and mainstream music he is one of the most gracious and humble artists that I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. He treats his fans like friends. The way he just seems to be so natural at everything is part of the charm. It's opened me up to a whole different way of appreciating music and musical theater. I could honestly go on for hours about him and what he's accomplished and what I think but I'll spare you all of that. I promise you though if you haven't been privy to appreciating his music, I suggest at least giving it a chance. He is worth discovering in your lives.
The next is an artist who is a little bit more well known but still equally as talented and diverse. His brilliant ranges and tones are what make him so stunning. I've been listening to his music since 2003 when I first heard one of his songs on the radio but I've recently rediscovered his immense talents after purchasing an album on a whim. Josh Groban's voice is magnificent. The emotion he puts into each and every song is so different from the crap that is mainstream today. He sings to sing, he puts everything out there, singing to full potential as if his songs could be in musicals where that kind of power is needed. I haven't seen him live yet, but I plan to change that as soon as possible so I can't speak to that, but what I can speak to is when I close my eyes and listen to him sing You Raise me Up, or most recently Brave, or his breathtaking version of Ave Maria, I can't explain the feeling of calmness and inspiration that wash over me. It sends shivers down my spine and it brings this serenity that cannot be explained with words, but only with feelings. He is incredibly diverse, If you've seen him in an interview he has such a personality that is completely different that the music he sings and I think that is what makes him unique. He is very humble yet he is funny and inspiring. His love for helping his charities is ever present in the way that he speaks about them. It takes him to a completely different level. His role in Chess: The Musical was the perfect place for him, he showcased his incredibly strong voice that seems to be made for both the theater world and the mainstream music world. The complex emotion of each and every song speaks to my heart and floods my soul with a kind of emotion that is very personal and unexplainable. If you are into music, but haven't listened to Josh Groban or have heard him in the past I think it's worth giving the music some of your appreciation.
There you have it, in one of my most personal blog updates, the music that really speaks to me and that resonates with me. Music is a very very personal thing for a lot of people so I hope that each of you have an artist or a song that speaks volumes to you like these two talented artists do for me.
***DISCLAIMER*** I am in no way affiliate with Josh Groban or Ramin Karimloo, I am just a fan in my own rights and these are my opinions. I am not being paid to endorse either artist, I just have such a strong appreciation of their voices that I felt that I wanted to share. Also the Picture of Josh Groban was not taken by me, it was found online. All rights of the Photo of Ramin Karimloo and myself are mine, that photo was taken my me and all rights to that photo are my own.
The first musician to be able to speak volumes in my life is somebody who isn't very well known yet, but is slowly being discovered and appreciated. I've had the extreme pleasure of being able to see him in not one but two countries. I was able to meet him both times and he is equally as sweet and gracious and humble as he is talented. Ladies and gentlemen he is West End Actor/Sony Recording Artist Ramin Karimloo. In 2012 he released his first solo album which was such a diverse range of music from musical theater to folk rock to regular rock and it melted together beautifully into one album. It is an absolutely stunning transition from the theater world to the musician world. He also starred in not one but two major anniversary editions of two of the worlds most well known musicials. Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. I first became tuned in when I was watching the 25th Anniversary concert of Les Miserables at the O2 Arena in London on DVD. I couldn't get over his voice, so I just had to find out more about him and I was turned on to a world of diversity and expanded my knowledge of his work and after searching YouTube for hours, I was hooked. His voice is so stunning and powerful and diverse it's almost a shame that more people haven't heard of him. As I stated I've seen him live twice and the shows he puts on are so intimate and powerful. He brings such a passion to each show it's hard not to get swept up in the moment. What really struck me is the first time I saw him live he sang a mind blowing rendition of Leonard Cohen's version of Hallelujah, which is a song I've been listening too for years since I first heard it on The O.C. in the very early 2000's. There is something incredibly emotional about that song and his rendition was no different. The intensity in which he plays the piano and sings that song is elaborate and melancholy and iconic all at the same time. He also happens to be one of the most brilliant Phantoms of all time. He grew the role into it's sequel Love Never Dies. On top of his major accomplishments in both theater and mainstream music he is one of the most gracious and humble artists that I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. He treats his fans like friends. The way he just seems to be so natural at everything is part of the charm. It's opened me up to a whole different way of appreciating music and musical theater. I could honestly go on for hours about him and what he's accomplished and what I think but I'll spare you all of that. I promise you though if you haven't been privy to appreciating his music, I suggest at least giving it a chance. He is worth discovering in your lives.
 |
| The Ever Incredible Ramin Karimloo |
The next is an artist who is a little bit more well known but still equally as talented and diverse. His brilliant ranges and tones are what make him so stunning. I've been listening to his music since 2003 when I first heard one of his songs on the radio but I've recently rediscovered his immense talents after purchasing an album on a whim. Josh Groban's voice is magnificent. The emotion he puts into each and every song is so different from the crap that is mainstream today. He sings to sing, he puts everything out there, singing to full potential as if his songs could be in musicals where that kind of power is needed. I haven't seen him live yet, but I plan to change that as soon as possible so I can't speak to that, but what I can speak to is when I close my eyes and listen to him sing You Raise me Up, or most recently Brave, or his breathtaking version of Ave Maria, I can't explain the feeling of calmness and inspiration that wash over me. It sends shivers down my spine and it brings this serenity that cannot be explained with words, but only with feelings. He is incredibly diverse, If you've seen him in an interview he has such a personality that is completely different that the music he sings and I think that is what makes him unique. He is very humble yet he is funny and inspiring. His love for helping his charities is ever present in the way that he speaks about them. It takes him to a completely different level. His role in Chess: The Musical was the perfect place for him, he showcased his incredibly strong voice that seems to be made for both the theater world and the mainstream music world. The complex emotion of each and every song speaks to my heart and floods my soul with a kind of emotion that is very personal and unexplainable. If you are into music, but haven't listened to Josh Groban or have heard him in the past I think it's worth giving the music some of your appreciation.
 |
| The Brilliantly Talented Josh Groban |
There you have it, in one of my most personal blog updates, the music that really speaks to me and that resonates with me. Music is a very very personal thing for a lot of people so I hope that each of you have an artist or a song that speaks volumes to you like these two talented artists do for me.
***DISCLAIMER*** I am in no way affiliate with Josh Groban or Ramin Karimloo, I am just a fan in my own rights and these are my opinions. I am not being paid to endorse either artist, I just have such a strong appreciation of their voices that I felt that I wanted to share. Also the Picture of Josh Groban was not taken by me, it was found online. All rights of the Photo of Ramin Karimloo and myself are mine, that photo was taken my me and all rights to that photo are my own.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Weekend Haul!!!
This weekend brought some shopping after a debacle at the Eye Dr. (Nothing bad just an insurance mix up) So since we were out we decided to walk around at the mall. I wasn't really looking for anything specific but I fell in love with the most amazing Kate Spade purse. I only own a make up case from Kate Spade but I've been admiring her purses lately because they are so chic and beautifully made. So I was browsing the sale items at Lord and Taylor and found the prettiest Kate Spade bag, and it was marked at $238 but there was a sign that said there was an extra % off and after a quick price check it was determined that the bag would only be around $150 marked down fully from $310 so it was a HUGE savings. The bag is called Sidney and it's in the Perry St. Plaid pattern. I also had NO idea that our local mall had a L'Occitane store. I've always purchased those products from Sephora so I was thrilled when I saw that they had an entire store. I only grabbed one lotion in the Rose Scent and it's amazing! The last thing I was able to pick up was a pressed pigment shadow in Deeply Dashing which is a gorgeous shimmery gold at MAC and a pink lip pencil in More to Love and lip color in Pink Pearl Pop. It was too snowy to do much else. We did end up getting a majority of the cleaning we needed to accomplish done this weekend, now just little touches before Disney, which is now (since it's after midnight my time) in 15 days! I'm beyond excited. I got my waivers for the race and my bib # so it's starting to feel really real now! I've been slowly grabbing things I need for this trip and have it set aside so I can lay it all out to pack! I haven't pulled out the suitcases yet because it scares Nala. She hates when her "mommy" and "daddy" go away. Poor thing. She's so cute though when she gets all clingy. She will be in good hands at my mother and father in law's house. I am so ready for a vacation! The last vacation I took was my honeymoon and I had the flu. It was terrible trying to navigate Disney with the flu and since I just got over a pretty bad cold I'm hoping it's smooth sailing for now.
Anyways I am rambling now! That's it for today and I'll be back this week with a couple of new posts and my January Favorites Video as well as the video version of the haul!! Next week the packing video and the carry on video's will be filmed and I hope to have them uploaded before I leave. Vlogging will be starting soon. Ben and I will be Co-Vlogging 2-3 times per week and it will appear on both of our channels. (Or we might create a secondary channel for our blogs) If you are in to techy things and gadgets go check out his blog www.mizonation.com or his YouTube Channel BMiz Productions.
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| Weekend Haul |
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| Nala The Beagle of Wonder |
Anyways I am rambling now! That's it for today and I'll be back this week with a couple of new posts and my January Favorites Video as well as the video version of the haul!! Next week the packing video and the carry on video's will be filmed and I hope to have them uploaded before I leave. Vlogging will be starting soon. Ben and I will be Co-Vlogging 2-3 times per week and it will appear on both of our channels. (Or we might create a secondary channel for our blogs) If you are in to techy things and gadgets go check out his blog www.mizonation.com or his YouTube Channel BMiz Productions.
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