Tag Archives: Holidays

For The First Song Of December The Vintage Vixen Gave To Me…..

Posted in Christmas, Music by

Happy December, dear Vixens!!!  T’is the season for Christmas songs so while you deck the halls and enjoy your Advent treats, why not add a few new tunes to your play list???

hello-december-1

I have been overdosing on the genius of this woman for weeks now, and I do not see an end in sight anytime soon.  I have been a fan of hers for years, but after not listening to her music for a while because all of my CD’s are still not unpacked, I heard one of her songs on the radio (yes, I still listen!!!) and became addicted all over again.

I must admit she was an acquired taste for me yet, despite hearing her songs by other artists for years, I still did not get it.  But I guess I am in good company because Tom Hanks’ character in “You’ve Got Mail” was unsure of her as well (” ‘It’s clouds illusions I recall, I really don’t know clouds at all’  What does that mean?  Is she a pilot?  Is she taking flying lessons?  It must be a metaphor for something, but I don’t know what it is.”)

youve-got-mail-movie-meg-ryans-brownstone

Courtesy of Warner Brothers Studio

Total aside – I love that scene…..

And that movie…..

Sa-woon.

But I digress.

I am ashamed to admit that it took me so long to appreciate this woman’s gifts for story telling, poetry, imagery, songwriting and singing.  Now I can listen to her for days on end and still not get enough.  And for a music connoisseur like me, you know it has to be good if I am letting my ears have that much time with her.

So here is my first music selection…..

For the ENTIRE Christmas season of 2016…..

And I hope it makes your heart swoon like it does mine   🙂

frozen-river

Joni Mitchell:  River.

Another aside – Sarah McLachlan covered this song ten years ago on her “Wintersong” CD.  I think it does the original justice.  Listen to it here.

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you.

Until next time, fellow Vixens, happy listening!!!

wreath

.

Movin’ On Up

Posted in Uncategorized by

Hello, Vixens!!!  How are you all doing today?  Is everyone in full swing holiday mode?  How is it even possible that we are down to the last two months of 2016???  Wow.

I have had a very busy fall.  I just started a new job that I love and I just moved (yes, again!!!  LOL) .  So you know that means I am in the middle of boxes upon boxes, but so happy to share my new place with you.  And for the same price of my previous place-a 400 sq foot studio-now I have a four room apartment in the heart of my downtown city.  I am just loving it.

My apartment is in a very old house so yes, it had old gorgeous wood floors.  But, the landlords had already decided to cover them with new carpeting, so that was a bit of a let down.  But the place still has lots of charm which I adore.  Like this room, which I was told was the living room but I decided it will be my bedroom:

img_17061

And look at these fabulous doors…..

img_16971

The room that was supposed to be the bedroom will eventually become the living room. Right now it is piled with boxes so it will probably be the last project on my list.  I do not mind that the double closets are in here, but if I change my mind I can always cover them with curtains.

img_16531

img_16541

img_16561

The kitchen is a bit of a hodge podge of different cabinets which I hope to unify with white paint but probably not until after the holidays.

img_16761

img_16741

img_16771

It does have great charm though, like the porcelain sink and full back splash.  I also have a gas stove again after 3 long years!!!  Yay!!!

img_16631

img_16701

img_16621

img_16661

There is an eating area outside the kitchen which can definitely pass as a dining room so I am excited to set that up.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of it before it became a wall of boxes, so you will just have to trust me on this one.

I also have a nice size linen closet, a giant pantry closet and another room with a lot of charm.  What is that again???  Oh right, it is the bathroom WITH A CLAW FOOT TUB!!!!

img_16881

I have wanted one of these my ENTIRE life and without even thinking about it I just followed the real estate agent around the apartment and was SHOCKED when I laid eyes on my dream:

img_16801

It is in great shape and shined up beautifully after some much needed elbow grease.  The bathroom is very small so I could not get a good shot of the room in its entirety.  But it is cute with a lilac wall color.  But let’s face it…..the tub is the star, right???  I am ecstatic about it!!!

So after several months of packing, interviews, apartment hunting, stress and limited sleep, things are finally settling down.  I do have a lot of work ahead of me, but after all the cleaning and scrubbing comes the decorating!!!  If any of you have any suggestions, please let me know.  You are all so inventive and creative I would love to hear from you, even if it is just to say hi!

Until next time, my fellow Vixens, happy digging!!!

 

 

 

Christmas Songs of the Day 12 & 13

Posted in Music by

Hello, Vixens!!!  Sorry I missed all of you yesterday but unfortunately, technical difficulties prevailed.  Ugh.  So first, let me wish you a happy Winter Solstice!!!  Two, to make up for missing yesterday, I will share two favorite holiday tunes with you today!!!

8941cce5863830424b15cf91abf2b572[1]

Source:  Heartfelt Finds 

Up first is a familiar song that has closed out two of the most famous Christmas specials out there:  “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “It’s A Wonderful Life“.  So many people have covered this tune so I have too many favorites to list here.  But this year I have been listening to Amy Grant’s version of “Hark! The Herald Angels” the most.  Not a lot of bells and whistles, just her voice strong and clear and in the same version I remember best from my childhood.  Sometimes simple says it best of all 🙂

amygrant1-300x252[1]

Source:  entertainment.caller.com

Next is a more modern song (despite the fact that it came out almost 40 years ag0) that almost instantly became a holiday staple from the minute it was first released, despite coming out in April not December.  For anyone who has ever been away from home for an extended period, from service men & women to college students to married couples who moved away from their families for various reasons, this song welcomes them all home and more.  It’s Kenny Loggins with “Celebrate Me Home“.

Please remember I do not own the rights to anything, I am just sharing my favorite music with you.

Enjoy!!!

MI0003569032[1]

Source:  allmusic.com

 

 

Valentine’s Day Music Countdown: Song #14

Posted in Uncategorized by

Happy February Vixens!!!

I have a love hate relationship with a lot of holidays.  I like to decorate for most of them but I do not like being told I have to feel something based on a date on the calendar instead of how I feel in my heart.  The worst offender to me is Valentine’s Day.

I like to express my love to my significant other, my family and everyone else in my life every day, so I do not feel the need to do it just because the calender reads February 14.  Don’t misunderstand me-I like pretty things.  I am a girl, after all.  But part of me cannot help but see this merely as a commercial holiday designed to sell cards, flowers and candy so I am reluctant to join in on the excess commercialism of it all.  Plus I hate the color red, especially for roses (I think pink or white ones are soooo much prettier!!!)

I also hate bubble gum music of ANY kind, and sappy syrupy love songs are the worst!!!  However, there are indeed some really great love songs out there and my favorites do not require an insulin shot to listen to.

So over the next two weeks I will be counting down my favorite love songs.  Hopefully it will not only help you handle all the hype surrounding this holiday, but it will also keep that overwhelming feeling to amputate your own ears away (okay, maybe that is just me).

My first pick, “A Love Song“, is from one of my favorite duos of all time. Kenny Loggins & Jim Messina.  It appeared on L & M’s third album, “Full Sail”  in 1973.  It was a hit for Anne Murray the same year but her version only included two of the three versus.  This song is simple, succinct and beautiful, and has a similar vibe to “Danny’s Song” which was released two years earlier.

Enjoy!!!

Music Road Trip: Yusuf/Cat Stevens Concert: Upper Darby, Pennsylvania

Posted in Uncategorized by

Hi there, Vixens!!!  2014 has had several high points for me (starting this blog being one of them), and two of the highest points were getting to see Yusuf/Cat Stevens live TWICE!!!

The first time was in April at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (he was one of the inductees who performed-read about that here) and the second time was Thursday night (12/4/14) at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

Tower marquee

Photos and videos were not permitted so I do not have any to show you, but I can share that Yusuf gave an unbelievably great performance.  My favorite moment of the night was when he sang “Trouble” from the “Harold & Maude” soundtrack.  And when he sang his cover of Sam Cooke’s “Another Saturday Night” he advised the audience he changed the lyrics to reflect his search for a job, not a woman, out of respect for his wife.  What a sweetheart!!!

The first single from his new release was another highlight.  If you have not heard it-Yusuf’s stunning version of the Edgar Winter song, “Dying to Live”, listen to it here.

I can also share with you one of my all time favorite stops whenever I am on the road:  a meal at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant.  I discovered this delightful chain of comfort food, old time candy with antiques on display when I took my first trip to Vermont nearly a decade ago, and I have adored it ever since.  The food is always good, the service is always exceptional and the charming ambiance cannot be beat!!!  (These are my personal opinions from my own experiences.  I am not a paid sponsor),

On my way home to NY the day after the concert I stopped at the one in Mount Laurel, NJ during lunch time & had one of my two favorite meals there:  breakfast.

IMG_0050

No one makes pancakes like Cracker Barrel, in my humble opinion!!!  Delectable!!!  And I was lucky enough to get a table right near the fire, which was perfect on a cold, rainy December day!!!

IMG_0047

How cozy!!!

IMG_0049

After I ate, I took a tour of the beautiful holiday decorations throughout the store:

IMG_0055

One of my weaknesses is for snowmen!!!  What a great idea to use the top of one on the tree!!!

IMG_0052

These bobble heads are sooo sweet!!!

IMG_0053

One of several gorgeous trees on display!!!

IMG_0054

What a pretty (and big!!!) snowflake!!!  I think this would look just as pretty hanging from a ribbon in front of an inside window!!!

IMG_0056

Sooo adorable!!!  Love the glittery vest and pink chubby cheeks!!!!  Has a retro feel to him….reminds me of ones I saw in the front yards of homes in my neighborhood where I grew up!!!)

IMG_0057

I wish I had a little baby in my life who I could buy these booties for!!!

IMG_0058

I did not buy anything this year, but I bought this cookie jar last year (my other weakness is for gingerbread people!!!).  I was lucky to get it after Christmas so it was 50% off!!!  Steal!!!

SONY DSC

Until next time, fellow Vixens, happy digging!!!

Time is flying by…..

Posted in Uncategorized by

Hi Vixens!!!  So sorry I have been out of the blogosphere for a while.  So many things going on like…

My phone dying (after less than two years-two big thumbs down, HTC!!!) and having to be replaced by the iPhone 5c in a lovely hue of blue (after the first one I received in a funky pink/coral color was discovered to be defective-GEEZ!!!)…

SONY DSC

A new car-rather, a new SUV (a 2012 Honda Pilot) which will haul my antiquing and junking finds without a problem!!!)…

IMG_0007

A baby shower (how cute is this favor!!!  My cousin (and Grandma to be) Sharon has to be the most imaginative person I know!!!)…

SONY DSC

And this weekend a trip down south (to the Carolinas) to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with my brother, his wife, my canine nephew (Hercules is the pug) and niece (Apple is the Pekingese)…

IMG_1465

During the trip down to see them, while I am there and on the way back home, I do a TON of antiquing so I will have lots to share with all of you!!!

Please stay tuned!!!

Shopping On Ebay

Posted in Uncategorized by

Even when I cannot make it to local estate and garage sales, I am always on the look out for vintage items.  One of my favorite ways to find them?  I sign in to Ebay.  I used to be completely against online shopping for vintage pieces, but then I saw that heart tugging ebay commercial about the man who finds the toy he lost as a child decades earlier (if you have never seen that ad, you MUST!!!  Check it out here:  http://youtu.be/E0x9punvi9o).

In the last month, I made two great finds.  The first one is a Peanuts Christmas pot holder (yes, I shop for Christmas & other holiday items year round, especially ones featuring my buddies, the Peanuts!!!).  Plus the holidays are right around the corner so I like to get a jump on things.

SONY DSC

The other is an old match dispenser which has a wonderful patina.  I plan to hang it right by my front door as a holder for my sunglasses and my keys.

SONY DSC

This was an item I never would have searched for, but Ebay keeps track of what items you look at and buy, then they send you periodic emails for similar items or ones they think you might be interested in.  That is how I found the match holder.

So until next time fellow vixens, happy digging!!!