Grammy Awards Highs & Lows

I will be honest, I missed about the whole second half of the Grammys so my 'thoughts' are pretty much just about the first half.  Downton Abbey was on...oops.

HIGHS
FASHION:
The country ladies and Adele cleaned up in the fashion category.
   
TAYLOR SWIFT, MIRANDA LAMBERT, ADELE, CARRIE UNDERWOOD
ALL IMAGES VIA PEOPLE


WHITNEY
From LL Cool J's tasteful hosting, handling the 'Whitney' situation like a pro, including a heartfelt prayer, to Rhianna's shout out in her performance, to Jennifer Hudson's powerhouse tribute it was clear that hearts were heavy in Hollywood.  

via PEOPLE

PERFORMANCES
Katy, Taylor & Adele...way to overcome and kick ass ladies!
  
IMAGES VIA PEOPLE & MIRROR

DAVE GROHL'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
The Foo Fighter's won for Best Rock Album and lead singer Dave Grohl stepped up with a very inspired acceptance speech.
"To me this award means a lot because it shows that the human element of music is what's important. Singing into a microphone and learning to play an instrument and learning to do your craft, that's the most important thing for people to do.
"It's not about being perfect, it's not about sounding absolutely correct, it's not about what goes on in a computer. It's about what goes on in here [your heart] and what goes on in here [your head]."  
via MUSIC RADAR


LOWS
OMG, WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY WEARING?
    
FERGIE, ROBYN, NICKI MINAJ, SASHA GRADIVA, LADY GAGA
ALL IMAGES VIA PEOPLE

PERFORMANCES
I'm over Chris Brown AND Nicki Minaj...especially with these horrifying performances.

via BILLBOARD

Hump Day Inspiration: Ours

This song makes me melt, its SO happy and its SO true.  If I am having a down day I put this on the ipod and I cheer right up especially because it makes me think of Mr. R (minus the tattoos!).  I hope it perks your day up as much as it does mine.




via YOUTUBE

16 Days ~ Fah, La, La-ing

Nothing quite gets my heart pumping with Christmas merriment than those first notes of Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas."  Music has a way of giving you chills throughout your body, taking back to a nostalgic place or simply bringing a smile to your face.  I tend to lean towards the more traditional Christmas carols that you would find in church on Christmas Eve but I also enjoy that of the likes of  NSYNC "Merry Christmas Happy Holidays," a little Justin Bieber "Under the Mistletoe" or even "I Want a Hippopatomas for Christmas."  When choosing your holiday playlist on your Ipod this season possibly try some of my favorites and see if you might just love them too!!!

"GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMAN/WE THREE KINGS" 
BARENAKED LADIES WITH SARAH MCLAUGHLIN


"12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS"
STRAIGHT NO CHASER


"WELCOME CHRISTMAS"
GLEE CAST


"OH HOLY NIGHT"
CELINE DION


"HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS"
JUDY GARLAND FROM MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS


"CHRISTMAS EVE SARAJEVO"
TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA


"DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY"
TCHAIKOVSKY

CMA Awards Recap

Hello friends!  I am so sorry for the hiatus but I have been cruisin' around the Caribbean with Mr. R, my parents, sister and bff JEV!  Wine, lots of eating, sun, blue water, sleep and fabulous family time, PLUS our first wedding anniversary.  More to come on that!

I was so excited to come home to a FULL DVR of good tv from last week and started off with the CMA Awards.  Now, I know I am about a week behind but here are my thoughts on the show.

  1. MIRANDA & BLAKE
We should start calling them "Mirake" or BlaRanda."  They are not going ANYWHERE and my obsession continues with the Mrs. Blake Shelton.  Literally she makes me stop in awe at her talent.  I am not quite a fan of her fashion but DAMN the girl can entertain and sing...as well as her adorable hubby.  Congrats to the couple for their matching Top Male & Female Vocalist of the Year Awards.  Per Miranda in her acceptance speech: "Congrats to my hubby too!  Its going to be a good night tonight baby!"

2. TAYLOR SWIFT'S SWEET (FINALLY NOT REVENGFUL) SONG


3. CARRIE UNDERWOOD'S DRESSES---OUCH
Carrie is such a beautiful and successful woman, my opinion is she could probably afford a new stylist/costume designer.  Thoughts?
 

4. BEST PERFORMANCES, IN MY OPINION
I am by no means any expert but I beleive country singer/song writers can be some of the most talented in the music industry.  They have a way of touching people with their tunes and words.  These performances gave me chills or brought me to tears. 
Zac Brown Band Featuring Greg Allman: Georgia on my Mind


Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter: You and Tequila
(ps did you know that Miss Strawberry Wine herself Deana Carter wrote this song?  AND that Grace Potter is touring with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw next year???!)


Martina McBride: I'm Gonna Love You Through This

Miranda Lambert: Baggage Claim


5. HIGHS & LOWS OF COUNTRY MUSIC FASHION
Highs


FAITH HILL



TAYLOR SWIFT

JENNIFER NETTLES

HILARY SCOTT

Lows


LAURA BELL BUNDY