Tulsa Recap – Part 2

Saturday we woke up and decided we would check out Center of the Universe which is just a cool spot in Tulsa, you stand on a circle on an overpass and talk and you hear it echo but no one else does. It’s just a fun trick.  Then we went to the Hanson gallery to see some paintings Zac did (that unfortunately were all sold out before we even got to Tulsa) and some photos Taylor had taken.  There was a group photo for sale that we did like – but it was $60 and we just couldn’t justify it. There were several paintings I would have wanted had they still been available though. Oh well! (Moral of the story is, get to Tulsa the day before the check in starts so you can be first in line for everything)

We went to Mexicali’s for lunch and then headed back down to Cain’s for Taylor’s lecture that was bumped from the day before.  He “taught” us a bit about photography and then brought fans on stage to take their photos and then he took a picture with them.  He kept saying things needed to get sped up but then kept having more and more people come on stage for photos.  The only catch was they had to wear headphones because the photos are going into an “Are You Listening” Gallery which will be added to the website.  He had things rigged so the photo went to his laptop and then to a projector so we could see the photos as they were taken.

After Taylor’s lecture was done, all 3 brothers took to the stage to deliver the “State of the Band” where they talked a bit about what their plans were for the rest of the year.  They did get boo’ed when they said it wouldn’t include a tour!  A new fanclub website is coming next month and they are working with other artists.  I’m still hoping a couple of one -off shows turn up (preferably close by!) because I am now at 99 shows so the next show is going to be #100!

Then it was time to head back outside from Cain’s and wait for the Members Only Event concert to begin! Despite things seeming to be a bit behind, the show did seem to start about when it was supposed to.  The set started out with 5 new songs from the Members Only EP – this is always a treat because for the most part the only way you are going to hear these songs is to go to the event in Tulsa.  Every now and then a couple of the songs do make it into other setlists but this is the only guarantee to hear them.  The rest of the set was a mixture of some other members only songs, some rarer songs they don’t play much and then some typical songs as well.  Overall I thought it was a really solid mixture of a setlist! The only bummer was Taylor and Isaac both did solos and Zac didn’t, but the rumor going around is that he was not feeling well.

On The Road
Show Me The Way
What’s Your Name
Panic in the Streets
White Collar Crime
Sunny Day / Cecelia
Down
Stories
Penny and Me
Never Let Go (Taylor Solo)
Deeper (Isaac Solo)
Roller Coaster Love
Scream and Be Free
Thinking Of You
Runaway Run
And I Waited
Get Up And Go
Already Home
Sound of Light
Best of Times
Man From Milwaukee
Waiting For This
In The City

 

After the show it was the after party!  This is the 3rd time we have seen Taylor do an afterparty.  The party in Hershey, PA sucked. The party in Jamaica was awesome.  So we weren’t sure where this one was going to fall on the spectrum.  Turns out, just about in the middle.  The songs weren’t as good as Jamaica but were better than PA.  It wasn’t as high energy and I could barely even look at him on the stage because the stage lights were flashing and making me tear up to look at them.  He played songs from Haim, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Peter Gabriel, Lorde – to name a few.  It was a mixture of older and newer songs.

Sunday we decided to sleep in a bit since it was a late night the night before.  When we woke up, the Hop Jam stage was set up right outside our hotel (though unfortunately our room was in the back of the hotel and not the front!) and we walked around to see what was going on and if we would spot any Hanson’s.  When I stopped to take a photo of the stage we got yelled at to get back inside.  And at that point – no one was even ON the stage so I’m not sure why I couldn’t stop to take a photo for a second! Sheesh.

We went back to our room but I heard soundcheck starting so we went to the lobby where we had a pretty clear view of Hanson (and of the guard who yelled at us – so we stuck our tongues out at him assuming the windows were tinted and they weren’t! haha oops) so we hung out there and watched them do a few songs and then walk down the street.

At 3pm the doors to the festival opened, we went and got in line for merch (and got everything we wanted and then some! yay!) and grabbed some food from the food trucks. Then we went in the hotel to eat and then decided to venture through the craft beer area. A lot of the stuff was already gone and they weren’t even really selling sample tickets anymore because too many people were coming back and saying things were sold out! I guess that was a good thing for those who were selling beer but not so much for anyone who wanted to try anything!

At 5pm the music started – with opening act winner Capitol Cars (woo hoo I voted for them!) but it was so hot out and no real shade, I ended up heading to the hotel after their set and never returning outside. There was no ADA section and we figured that in the hotel lobby was the safest place for me to enjoy my 99th Hanson show! Also performing at Hop Jam were Taddy Porter, Butch Walker (who I had been told was amazing and did not disappoint!), Robert Randolph and the Family band – and of course, Hanson.

After the show we walked around a bit (since I had been sitting in basically the same spot for hours and needed to stretch!) and ended up spotting all 3 Hanson’s briefly, but did not get a chance to chat with them.  Isaac was at a local bar that we did pass and considered going in to, but ultimately opted against it and went back to the hotel for snacks instead.

Fired Up
Ive Got Soul
Wheres The Love
Waiting For This
Minute Without You
Been There Before
Penny and Me
This Time Around
Crazy Beautiful
Happy Together
Watch Over Me
Thinking Bout Somethin
Give a Little
Get The Girl Back
MMMBop
Never Been to Spain

Livin on Tulsa Time (w/ Butch and Robert)

Product Review: Rainbow Bandz Organization Box Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

If you or your child has accumulated a bunch of rainbow bands and needs a place to store them – definitely check out the Rainbow Bandz Organization box!  The cool thing about this box is that it comes with removable separators, so if you want all your same colored bands to be in one section together, you can remove the separators or you can choose to use the smaller sections instead.  As you can see from the photos, I tried both techniques – though I think I prefer everything in 1 big section.

The Rainbow Bandz Organization Box is a clear plastic organizer case for rainbow loom and rubber bands with adjustable compartments. It has plenty of room to fit the rainbow loom kit and other connectors.

Each compartment is 2 inches wide x 1.9 inches deep and is 13 1/2 inches long in maximum.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Love with Food – April

IMAG0423

 

This month was another fun Love with Food box.  If you’d like to purchase a subscription – please consider doing so through my affiliate link (click the Snack Smart, Do Good icon!)  This month seemed to have a bit of a Honey theme going with it – and I have to say that I was not complaining about that!

Orchard Blend by Sensible Foods – Enjoy these crunch-dried apples, peaches and apricots while picturing the orchards in bloom.

Mom tried this and said that the apricots were her favorite.

Heart-tee by Wild Hibiscus Flower Co – A tangy deep-red floral tea, rumored to lower anxiety & stress, among other health benefits

Also one of the items Mom tried – she said it was nasty and she couldn’t finish it and had to throw it out.

Creamed Honey with Chocolate Mint by Vintage Bee – Honey is packed with natural energy – enjoy this chocolate mint enhanced version any time of day you need a pick-me-up

Wasn’t sure about the combination of Honey/Chocolate/Mint and I was right to be concerned.  Way too overpowering with the mint!

Almonds with Cranberries, Honey + Sea Salt by Sahale Snacks – This salty-sweet protein packed treat is just the thing to keep you going on a day out planting your garden

Mom tried this as well and was pleased with it.

Popcorn by Crave Canyon – The average American eats 54 quarts of popcorn a year – this uniquely flavored, non-GMO popcorn will give you a reason to be above average.

I was a bit unsure about this flavor combo – White Cheddar popcorn is my absolute favorite and I wasn’t sure if Chile was going to make it hot (not a fan of hot), however it was a great addition in flavor to the popcorn and I have to say I’m a fan.

Honey Waffle by Meli – This traditional Belgian street fare features creamy honey filling sandwiched between crispy waffles

This was by far the best item in this months box. Would certainly buy this again!

Fiordifrutta Organic Fruit Spread by Rigoni Di Asiago – These delicious fruit spreads are slow cooked with absolutely no added sugar to preserve the nutrients of the natural fruit

Very tasty fruit spread and something I’d consider buying again.

Organic Energy Bar by BumbleBar – Nuts, sesame, flax, vanilla & cinnamon join forces in this deliciously chewy gluten free snack.

Loved this bar as well. I love sesame seed but never realized you could eat so much of it at once in the form of a bar.  Will have to pick up some of these if I see them as well!

 

 

Love With Food - Snack Smart. Do Good.

Book Review: A Table by the Window

window

A Table By The Window is about Juliette who is a food writer at a local newspaper. Her entire family is in the restaurant business and she tried culinary school but couldn’t cut it.  When her brother says he is looking to open a new restaurant and asks for her help in getting it up and running.  She is hesitant because the last time they worked together she ended up dating the sous chef and when they broke up he left town. Soon after the restaurant had to close.  Except that she kept her relationship a secret so her brother has no idea.

Juliette seems to be getting all sorts of things piled on her plate (no pun intended?).  After telling a co-worker what to make for a party, her editor wants her to do a new column about planning menus for parties.  When that becomes a hit, she wants her to be on TV as well.  Juliette doesn’t want to be on TV but figures she will do it just this once.  Of course, once turns into twice.  Then of course she has the decision about her brother’s restaurant to make.  Should she help him out? It may mean needing to leave her job at the paper.  Her grandmother has just died as well and she is having trouble sleeping after her death.  And to top it off – even though she thought she deleted her online dating profile, she gets a message from a doctor in Memphis. (Juliette is in Portland!)

There really is so much going on in this book you can’t help to feel a bit overwhelmed – like Juliette – but she does a great job of dealing with everything – including her nosy French/Italian family.  Oh wait – I didn’t mention the family secret she may have discovered too!  When going through a cook book of her grandmother’s while gearing up to write a column at the paper about her, she finds a photo inside.  It’s not her grandfather, but the man looks an awful lot like her brother Nico.  Is he a relative? Who is he?

A Table By The Window is the first book in a series – which became painfully evident when I got near the end and not all of these loose ends with Juliette were tied up.  I felt like the book had a good ending – but I am dying to see what happens with the family secret and her maybe long-term relationship with Dr. Neil.

Included throughout the book are a bunch of recipes that go along with the food that is mentioned in the story.

Certainly a great read. Looking forward to reading “A Table for Two” to find out what happens!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. I was not otherwise compensated. All opinions are my own.

About the Book

Heirloom recipes, family secrets…and a chance for love
 
The youngest heir to a French-Italian restaurant dynasty, food writer Juliette D’Alisa has spent her life negotiating her skill with words and her restaurant aspirations. When her brother Nico offers her a chance to open a restaurant together, she feels torn—does she really have what it takes? Should she risk leaving her journalism career?

After the death of her grandmother, Juliette discovers an antique photograph of a man who looks strikingly like her brother. As the truth behind the picture reveals romance and dark secrets, Juliette struggles to keep the mystery away from her nosy family until she can uncover the whole story.

Inspired by her grandmother’s evolving story, Juliette resolves to explore the world of online dating. To her surprise, she finds a kindred spirit in Neil McLaren, a handsome immunologist based in Memphis, Tennessee. With a long-distance relationship simmering, Juliette faces life-shifting decisions. How can she possibly choose between a promising culinary life and Neil, a man a world away in more ways than one? And is it possible her Grandmother’s story can help show the way? – See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307731753#sthash.wOYd4nCv.dpuf

Product Review: Nature’s Guru Vanilla Chai Tea + Giveaway

Guru

If your house is anything like my house – then you are all about the Chai Tea.  Recently I got the change to try out some Vanilla Chai Tea from Nature’s Guru and I have to say – I am hooked! It tastes great and is super easy to make – and best of all – natural.  Each box contains 10 powder packets that you pour into a cup and add hot water to it.  Stir & enjoy! It’s really so good and I’ve been getting over a sore throat so I’ve been happy to be able to have an “excuse” to drink lots and lots of it! (Not that you really need an excuse!)

Nature’s Guru instant vanilla chai produces a warm, invigorating feeling that has an energizing effect on your mind and body. We blend fresh black tea leaf and perfectly harmonize it with a robust bouquet of vanilla. Balanced with just the right sweetness, our instant chai delivers a robust experience that satisfies even the most discerning tea connoisseur. Nature’s guru instant vanilla chai is more than just a tea-it’s an indulgent sensory experience. By simply adding warm water to nature’s guru’s ready-to-mix special formulation, you unlock a rich nutty aroma and experience the best of vanilla chai in a quick, convenient way. Enjoy our specially formulated natural rich gourmet tea blend anywhere – at home, office, or while traveling on the go.

Nature’s Guru Vanilla Chai has zero trans-fat, zero saturated fat, zero cholesterol, is low in sodium, low in sugar, no preservatives and no artificial flavors. Ingredients: cane sugar, milk powder, black tea extract, vanilla extract powder.

You can get Nature’s Guru Vanilla Chai on Amazon for $5.99 for a box with 10 powder packets – OR you can enter our contest and get a box for free!  (Additionally, the product can also be found at Rainbow Grocery, Whole Foods, Mom’s Organic Market, Home Good, TJ Maxx, Roots Market, New Leaf Community Market, David’s Natural Market to name a few)

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday Post

I finally figured out what I am going to do on Sundays!  The Sunday Post.  Where I post a cool, most likely music related (or equally cool and fun) postcard.  I used to have a postcard blog where I’d post a postcard every day, but over the past year or so I have stopped sending / collecting postcards as much as I used to.  While I do intend to start back up again I’m not sure I will continue with the postcard blog or not – but either way there will be something featured here every Sunday, whether it be a new card or an old one from the old blog archives.

amywinehouseWe kick off Sunday post with a card of Amy Winehouse in Miami Florida May 18, 2007.

 

Book Review: Never Google Heartbreak

heartbreakNever Google Heartbreak falls into the category of “Chick Lit”, which I guess is something I enjoy, but even if not, I sure did enjoy this book.  The book begins with us learning about Viv’s relationship with Rob.  It started off looking like it was going to be a whirlwind romance.  He proposed 3 months after she slept with him.  They stayed together for 5 years with Rob calling off the wedding THREE times.  Finally she has had enough and moves out.  She expects that he will come back to her, but when he doesn’t she starts to try and deal with it and move on.  And move on she does – with her best friend Max.

Each chapter starts off with content that would be on a website about relationships – quizzes, checklists, talking with others about relationships, etc.  After Viv realizes that it may be Max that she is in love with – who should decide to come back? Of course, Rob. (Even though the two had met up at a wedding earlier and Rob was engaged to someone else!)  Then Max ends up disappearing and Viv goes on an quest by posting a blog to him every day to try and get him back.  She ends up printing up T-Shirts, going on the radio and getting thousands of “fans” on Facebook who are rooting for her to find Max.

But how does the story end? With Heartbreak yet again?  You’ll just have to read Never Google Heartbreak to find out!

A quick an easy read that you won’t want to put down because you’ll want to know what happens with Viv and her love life.  Things get so confusing and messed up but you can’t help but root for Viv and maybe even relate to her a bit as well.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Never has heartbreak been so amusing… a refreshingly honest, achingly funny read for fans of Sophie KinsellaHelen Fielding and Paige Toon.

When Viv’s ex-fiancé, Rob, proposed to her three months after she slept with him she thought it was one of those whirlwind romances you read about in magazines. Five years later, after Rob calling off the wedding for the third time, she has finally moved out.

As Viv passes through the three essential stages of grief (denial, vodka, disastrous haircut), she becomes determined that it’s not too late to try and get Rob back. One drunken declaration of love at an extremely inappropriate moment later, and Viv’s scruffy, tequila-swilling best friend Max is there to pick up the pieces.

Just when Viv’s starting to realise that maybe the real thing has been under her nose all along, she makes what might be the biggest mistake of her life…

Can love sneak up on us unexpected? What’s the answer to heartbreak? And what’s a girl to do when even the Internet doesn’t have the answer?

Book Review: Unbridled: A Memoir

unbridledUnbridled is a memoir by Barbara McNally.  While it may have appeared that Barbara had it all, she strayed and next think was divorcing from her husband.  She ends up taking a few trips to try and find herself – first to Ireland where her luggage gets lost for the beginning of her trip and then to a nude resort in Jamaica.  I’m not sure if Barbara even knew exactly what she was looking for when she went on these trips, but I think she ended up finding out more about herself than she knew she would.

I enjoyed this book and the story of Barbara and her travels.  Her description of the places she was on her travels were great – it almost felt like I was in back in Jamaica again. It did take me a while to get into the book initially, but once we got to about mid-way through her Ireland trip, things seemed to click and it was smooth sailing from then on.

I received a free copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Everyone believed Barbara was living the American Dream. She married her college sweetheart, sustained him on his rise to success, and seemed to have the perfect marriage, the perfect family, the perfect home. But when she strayed and her matrimonial cookie crumbled, Barbara realized that to be more than a just a wife… she’d have to get a life.

Following the lead of her adventurous late grandmother, she set off to overcome her fears and find her independence. While exploring Ireland, the land of her ancestors, she danced with horsemen and communed with priestesses.

Somewhere along the way, she discovered parts of herself that had been missing from her life. Something she’d longed for without knowing it. She tasted freedom and wanted more

Book Review: Screaming Divas

divasWhen I first started reading this book, I had my doubts.  Two chapters in and I was ready to call it quits.  I knew that the book had 4 girls who ended up in a band, and after 2 chapters I had met 2 of them. I figured that the next 2 chapters would be me meeting the other 2 so I decided to meet all 4 characters – Trudy, Cassie, Harumi and Esther and go from there.

I am glad that I did end up picking the book back up after the first two chapters.  While the intros to the characters were a bit drawn out, it was needed for the reader to really get to know them.

Once all 4 of their lives intertwined and they formed the band I was hooked.  It was an emotional roller coaster ride, as I’m sure any group of 4 girls are.  The 4 became their own family, as some of the girls really had no real family to turn to. Even though they all are a bit different and at different places in their lives, they all had that common bond in the band.

I have to say, even though I think I knew it was coming, I was a bit shocked with what had happened at the end. (I won’t say too much in case you want to read the book!)  I thought that this book was well written and by the end you felt like you knew these girls and they were your sisters too. Very glad that I didn’t go with my first instinct and stuck the book out.  (Very rarely do I end up not picking a book back up, anyway!)

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Screaming Divas takes four talented girls through the dizzy, dangerous world of rock music, where their friendship breaks up and makes up amid the temptations and triumphs of love, rivalry, success, and rejection. They couldn’t be more different from each other, but all of them are talented musicians. Trudy, Cassie, Harumi, and Esther form Screaming Divas, a rock band that unites the girls in sisterhood, even as their relationships, differences, and desires threaten to tear them apart. A measure of early success is about to change their lives. But what comes next? Is the tradeoff for the dream worth the price the girls will have to pay, and what might happen to them as a result?

About the Author
Back in the day, Suzanne Kamata spent a lot of time hanging out in a club in Columbia, South Carolina, much like the one in Screaming Divas. (The beat goes on . . .) She later wrote about musicians for The State newspaper, The Japan Times, and other publications. Now, she mostly writes novels. In her free time, she enjoys searching for the perfect fake fur leopard-print coat and listening to the Japanese all-girl band Chatmonchy.

Book Review: Crazy, Stupid Sex

crazystupidAs you can probably tell, I am totally in love with these Cosmo Harlequin Red Hot Reads. I was drawn to this story because the main character decides to program and app to try and land a guy. Considering I will be starting up some new programming classes and am teaching myself all sorts of new things to better my skills, I figured I might have a bit in common with her.

Evie James is programming the app for Flirt magazine and decides to go to the bar to try it out.  After striking out several times, one of the guys in the bar who had been watching her approaches her. Caleb is all about one night stands and after he brings her home and proves that the app does work – he can’t get him off of her mind.

He ends up figuring out a way to get closer to Evie and tries to get her to go out with him again.  When it seems like things are going well and he lets her stay the night – he ends up throwing her out the next morning. Evie is hurt but realizes that Caleb is doing this for deeper reasons.

Can she find out what it is that is bothering Caleb and help him get through it to be with her?

The main reason I love these books is because they are so short and get right to the point – if you know what I mean. They are quick and easy to read and have a lot of action. But these are definitely for more mature readers.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

How to Land the Hot Guy 1.0

A multimillionaire by the age of 27, app developer Evie James is clueless when it comes to hooking up. So she does what any self-respecting geek-girl looking to get laid would do: she programs her own app for landing a hot guy. After a few failed attempts at making contact, beta testing leads her to Caleb Anderson.

Caleb is used to female attention, but finds himself attracted to Evie because of her unique brand of awkward. A master of one-night stands, he’s more than happy to show her what she’s been missing in the bedroom. But he quickly discovers that one night with a woman like Evie will never be enough for him…

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