Music for the Holidays

Music is a mood setter for me.  It can be my muse and my party starter (even if it is just me listening!).  I believe in the power of music to inspire and delight, and around the holidays, to bring the magic.  For me and my family, the holiday season would not be the same without Jose Feliciano's Feliz Navidad, (Christmas has not officially started until I hear that song!), and I have dozen other tunes that light me up during the season.

As much as I love the classics, (and oh how I love them!), I am always in search of new tunes to kick up the season.  If you are like me and looking for some new albums to listen to this Christmas, may I suggest one or all of these:

Wrapped in Red by Kelly Clarkson - I am a huge Kelly fan, but even if I wasn't, this album would still be awesome!  Original scores like "Underneath the Tree" are sure to be a hit, and classics like "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," do not disappoint.  Her soulful, rock-meets-country style, (how do you describe Kelly's voice?!!), is a great complement to her song selection on the album.  

Christmas by Michael Buble - This CD came out in 2011 but it is still on the top of my list this year.  I saw him in concert last month, so I admit I am a bit smitten for this guy, but objectively, this album is fantastic.

On This Winter's Night by Lady Antebellum - I love Lady Antebellum, but didn't realize they had a Christmas album until this year, when they kept popping up on my Pandora mix.  I will have to gift this one to myself along with Kelly's new one above.

Under The Influence by Straight No Chaser - This a cappella male group is amazing!  This new holiday album features some fantastic guest artists too.  Check it out!

For more of my holiday music selections, click here.  What are you listening to for the holidays?  Please let me know in the comments below.

A Mother-Daughter Party You Don't Want To Miss

I recently discovered Origami Owl and fell in love instantly with their locket and charm designs.  Created and founded by an entrepreneurial teen, I knew I had to support this great company by having a hostess party!  I invited a group of mothers and their daughters and it was instant fun.  My Origami Owl consultant, Michelle, took care of all the product set up and displays.  It all looked beautiful (check out the photos below).  I structured it as an open house so people could come and go as their schedule allowed, which worked out really well.

We had perfect weather so I was able to open my sliding doors and have an indoor/outdoor party with the outdoor and living room becoming one.  I served a few snacks and munchies for moms and kids, put out some beverages, and that was it!

Everyone had a blast picking out the charms for their lockets and ordering gifts.  The theme behind the company is to "tell your story" with the charms in the lockets.  I enjoyed seeing my girls identify their interests and choose accompanying charms.  I got a new glimpse into what my girls identify with.  My girls helped me pick out a locket and fill it too.  It was sweet to hear them weigh in on what metals they thought looked best on me and what they thought I should get.

The mother/daughter dynamic was great because I got to spend time with my girls, but I also got to mingle with other moms while our daughters hung out.  This has got to be one of my favorite themes for a mother/daughter party!  If you would like to check out their products or place an order, click here.

Read more about Origami Owl here.