Seal 7: A Rare Fangirl Moment for A Fabulous Album!

I wore out my copy of Seal's self-titled debut album in the nineties, and have been a avid fan since, from the followup "Seal II" to  the 2011 offering "Soul 2". So I was beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to check out his latest, simply titled "7".



 The purpose of this album? Well, I thought he expressed it perfectly.  “I just want people to feel. We live in a society where we’re constantly confronted by the harsh realities of our surroundings. There’s disaster everywhere. If we absorbed that, we’d self-destruct, so we anesthetize as a culture. We turn off and become numb. My attempt and duty as an artist is to help people feel."

And feel you will. Straight up, it's impossible not to with Seal's distinctive tones and extensive vocal range, which have remained fabulous through the years. Check out "Every Time I'm With You" if you don't believe me.



I like it, myself...it's simple, yet still has a creative feel. I loved "Padded Cell"...it's a touch dark, and the techno beat makes for a great counterpart. Another favorite is "Half A Heart". It's plaintive, but there's a strength and edge underneath that I enjoy immensely. "Life On The Dancefloor" is a lot of fun, with an interesting mix and lyrics that almost contradict the great beat that you can dance to. "Let Yourself" has a slight industrial ton to it that I found most appealing.

Finally, I was struck by the last track, simply called "Love". It's an anthem encouraging someone to not give up on love, no matter the pain felt in the past. This is great advice to all.

This album boasts an eclectic mix of songs that will become more multifaceted the more you listen...and you will want to keep listening. In fact, I'm going to put it on repeat right now. Get it yourself on Amazon and ITunes.

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I participated in the 7 album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review but all opinions are my own.

My Rhodes Quick, Easy and Delicious Party: Girl's Night Just Got Sweeter!

I love Rhodes Frozen Dough. Much as I enjoy fresh homemade bread, the prep work is insane, and Rhodes allows me to have all the tastiness without the work. And Tryazon gave me the chance to share the goodness with a Quick, Easy and Delicious Party! I went with a combination Girls Night and Halloween theme, keeping it pretty.

Behind the scenes are the true stars:

I picked up Rhode's AnyTime Cinnamon Rolls, which are super simple to prep. Everything is included, even the icing! You just arrange the rolls in the pan and pop into the oven. So warm and cinnamony, and the scent will really make your kitchen fabulous.

The bread dough became a tasty recipe I found on the Rhodes website: Yummy Mummy Pizza. Very tasty...pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni wrapped in fresh-baked bread. Unfortunately, mine turned out looking like something OTHER than a mummy, so I had to cut it before serving. But a good time was still had by all! They all said they were surprised that the snacks were made with frozen dough, and were happy to take coupons to get their own.

I received products from Rhodes and Tryazon for sharing purposes. My opinions and creepy candle holders are my own.

Harry Connick Jr's New Album "That Would Be Me" Truly Is...and Then Some.

I have always enjoyed the musical compositions of Harry Connick Jr. He never fails to both surprise and entertain, and his new album, That Would Be Me, not only succeeds on both of those levels, but takes it to an entirely new level.



He described his creative process as "It’s the only time I’ve violently thrown myself out of my own comfort zone", and in my opinion, it paid off. From the unapologetic pride and feel-good rhythm of "(I Do) Like We Do" to the Broadwayesque jam of "Right Where It Hurts" to the soulful and heartfelt plea of "Do You Really Need Her", this album keeps you guessing and takes you on a unique musical journey.



I also loved the basic love-song feel of "You Have No Idea", and "Tryin' to Matter" struck a personal chord, reminding me of lonely high-school crushes and feeling like without the love of another, you don't count.

These tracks will have you hitting repeat for sure, and as a bonus, you have his incredibly rich vocals, which keeps your hooked on their own.

Check it out on ITunes and Amazon. It's seriously worth it. If you like old-school formats, it's also available as a CD.

Like what you see...and hear? Hook up with Harry on social media.
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I participated in the That Would Be Me album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review but all opinions are my own.

We Love Disney: The Emotion, and the Album!

I love Disney music. I know, shocker, right? And I really got into the celebrity interpretations of classic tunes, ever since my teen was a tween. And the latest album really got me in the groove. Meet the We Love Disney hits compilation!



This really upholds the tradition of showcasing a wide range of talent, with songs performed by Ariana Grande, Rascal Flatts, and Fall Out Boy. Curious? Check out the performance by NE-YO!



But what did I think? Well, like all compilations, there's some I adored, some I liked, and a couple that were just okay.

Jason Derulo has a fabulous voice, but personally, I felt "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" came off too much like the original, and it dragged a bit compared to other tracks. I had a similar impression of Kacey Musgraves' "Spoonful of Sugar".

I enjoyed the inclusion of "The Rainbow Connection" tremendously. It's a favorite since I was very young, and it still makes me smile. Gwen Stefani took that track surprisingly mellow, and I truly liked how it was done. Fall Out Boy did a very danceable version of “I Wan’na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)" that was true fun in tune form. But what really struck a chord with me was Jessie Ware's "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes", which has always been a favorite. Her voice sounds wistful, hopeful and is a perfect match to the tune itself.

The collection as a whole is a very entertaining album that will get lots of play, for sure. It's available now on ITunes and Amazon for immediate download. It's ready for gifting as well in other formats, like a standard CD, a Deluxe CD, Deluxe Vinyl, Picture Disc, and the bomb, the Collector's Edition Box Set!


Perfect for any Disney fan, whether movies, music, or both. For more info, check out the official website, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

I participated in the We Love Disney album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review, but all opinions are my own.

Le Top Kid's Clothing Giveaway, Hosted by It's a Mom Thing Reviews and More! (Closed)

Giveaway Sponsored by Le Top

Giveaway Hosted by It's a Mom Thing Reviews & More

Le Top, a family owned business, has been creating quality playwear for over 35 years. Their whimsical and timeless playwear reflects the joy and innocence of childhood. With sizes ranging from 3 months to 6x they have sizes for most young children. Their clothing also ranges in unique patterns and colors. All clothing from Le Top is known for their soft, natural fabrics that they design and manufacture themselves.

When you visit Le Top's website there are perfect outfits for all small children. There are a variety of colors and patterns and all of their clothing is so playful and fun! Now you have a chance to win an outfit of your choice! Be sure to enter the giveaway below!

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SO Delicious Cashew Milk Frozen Desserts: Dairy-free Sweet Sounds Great to Me!

One of the hardest things to find a truly tasty dairy-free substitute for is ice cream. I've had great luck with the So Delicious brand, so I was thrilled when Moms Meet offered me the chance to share their latest innovation with my group, Cashew Milk Frozen Desserts!

Truly dairy free, creamy frozen desserts. Just what the doctor ordered.

The Salted Caramel Cluster is like a moose tracks sort of deal, with swirls of salted caramel and my personal thrill, chocolate-covered cashews. It is seriously yum.

I thought the flavors would meld nicely with coffee, so I blended up a frozen drink. They were ideal mates in that regard.

Creamy Cashew is the vanilla type version, and it does retain a slightly nutty flavor. As well as a great treat on its own, I opted to blend it a bit with frozen blueberries and strawberries to raise the healthy factor a notch. And it's even pretty!

Those who feel deprived because dairy is not your friend, fear no more. This is a great way to get your cold, creamy sweet on without paying a price later.

Want to keep up with SO Delicious and all their dairy-free joy? Follow them on social media!
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I received products from Moms Meet for sharing and review purposes. My opinions and icy dessert addiction are my own.