He is We - My Forever Review and Giveaway

My fiance and I recently took a road trip to Florida with our kids and there was one CD that played on repeat for most of the trip: "My Forever" by the amazingly talented band He is We. Having received the CD for review just before leaving, I played it for everyone to see what they thought. Everyone loved it and my soon-to-be stepdaughter Kylie begged to borrow the CD after the trip.



"My Forever" is a perfect road-trip album. In fact, it's a perfect-for-anytime album...while cleaning the house, relaxing on the deck with friends over, by candlelight while snuggling up with my fiance on the couch...I could go on and on. It is, by far, one of my favorite CD's now and I never get tired of it.

I had never heard of He is We before this review but I am a huge fan now! The band was formed when music store coworkers Rachel Taylor and Trevor Kelly felt like outcasts and collaborated on a song ("Such a Beautiful Sound") together.

The duo's quirky songwriting gained attention when they posted their song "Pardon Me" online. When the song received thousands of hits, Rachel and Trevor were encouraged to write more, deepening their musical connection with the birth of each new song.



And their relationship with their fans was solidified when they began touring in early 2009, as the two never leave a shirt unsigned or a fan unhugged. By 2010, they wanted to have something more to give to those fans than just a few online songs so they began recording the ten tracks for their debut album with several different producers across the country. Working with so many producers created what the band feels is a sense of open-minded diversity on the record.

The final album is a delightfully eclectic collection of acoustic songs that shine with enthusiasm and passion. "Happily Ever After" is a subtle pop song that showcases Rachel's soothing voice perfectly. "Forever and Ever," is a sweet, intimate song that Rachel says is about "learning what unconditional love is." The last song, "Fall," is haunting and has a palpable ache. It's one of my favorites, and Rachel wrote it while in the hospital, watching too much "Maury" on TV and thinking, "Why in the world do girls go for douchebags?"

My most favorite (and it really is hard picking a favorite as every song is just so good) is the bonus track, which is the acoustic version of "And Run."



The album as a whole is lovely and inviting and one the whole family can listen to. "Making the album turned our little demos into exactly what we were hoping for," Rachel says. "It made our little babies grow up into beautiful young songs."

And He is We is just getting started. Expect more releases in the future from this fabulous band. As Rachel promises, "It's only going to get better."

For more info on He is We, follow these links:

Official Website
Facebook
MySpace
Twitter
iTunes

I have one copy of "My Forever" by He is We to give to one lucky reader of So a Blonde Walks Into a Review! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post sharing a "happily ever after" moment in your life.

Be sure that there is an email address that can be found with your entry or your entry will have to be disqualified.

By entering, you automatically agree to all the rules and disclaimers listed here. Please also see my disclosure policy here.

You can receive additional entries by doing one or all of the following (one entry, one time, for each step):

~Tweet with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with your Twitter link. Feel free to use the Twitter share button at the bottom of this site.

~Become a Facebook fan of So a Blonde Walks Into a Review. Simply click here and like the page, then leave a separate comment on this post letting me know your Facebook name.

~Blog about this contest with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with the link to your post.

~Follow this blog. Simply click on "Follow this blog" found near the top of the sidebar to the right (under "The Blonde"). Then, leave a separate comment letting me know you are following.

~Post the button below on your blog and then leave a separate comment here letting me know it's posted and where. Here's the code for the button:



<a href="http://www.soablondewalksintoareview.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="So A Blonde Walks Into A Review" src="http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll303/BlondeBlogger/dawn_125button.gif"/></a>

Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Monday, May 16, 2011. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of "My Forever" by He is We to facilitate this review, and a free copy will be sent out to the winner as well.

Ear Candy - chicBuds Review and Giveaway

As a music lover, I am always listening to my iPod or songs from my iTunes on my laptop. I've always used run-of-the-mill earphones while doing so but have longed for something better.

When I came across chicBuds, my heart skipped a beat. Classy, fun, girly earphones with bling? Earphones with retractable wires? SOLD!

Thanks to the great ladies at chicBuds, I was able to try out the Black chicBuds Earphones in Marshmallow "flavor." (They're also available in blueberry.) With genuine Swarovski crystals, retractable connectors, and a mini belt clip, chicBuds are a girly-girl's dream come true.



The retractable connectors are easy to use and eliminate the tangled mess that can happen with other earphones. Click here to see how the retractable system works.

And they sound as good as they look! My music comes through crisp and clear without any distortion. I refuse to listen with any other earphones than my chicBuds from here on out!

chicBuds was founded by my beautiful friend and former model Kailynn, better known as "Chic Geek CEO," who is the Queen of all things girly so it's no surprise to me that chicBud products have become such a hit.

But don't take my word for how great they are. Thanks to chicBuds, I have a black pair of earphones in Marshmallow (retail value $40) just like mine to give to one lucky reader!



To enter, simply leave a comment on this post letting me know which chicBud product is your favorite (see their full line of products here.) With adorable keychain and retro cassette speakers, and a wide variety of earphone designs, it will be hard to choose just one favorite!

Be sure that there is an email address for you that I can find, or your entry will have to be disqualified.

By entering, you automatically agree to all the rules and disclaimers listed here. Please also see my disclosure policy here.

You can receive additional entries by doing one or all of the following (one entry, one time, for each step):

~Twitter with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with your Twitter link. Feel free to use the Twitter share button at the bottom of this site.

~Become a Facebook fan of So a Blonde Walks Into a Review. Simply click here and like the page, then leave a separate comment on this post letting me know your Facebook name.

~Blog about this contest with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with the link to your post.

~Follow this blog. Simply click on "Follow this blog" found near the top of the sidebar to the right (under "The Blonde"). Then, leave a separate comment letting me know you are following.

~Post the button below on your blog and then leave a separate comment here letting me know it's posted and where. Here's the code for the button:



<a href="http://www.soablondewalksintoareview.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="So A Blonde Walks Into A Review" src="http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll303/BlondeBlogger/dawn_125button.gif"/></a>

~Add So a Blonde Walks Into a Review to your Technorati Favorites (just click the button below and follow the simple steps). Then, leave a separate comment here letting me know you've added this blog to your favorites:



Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Monday, March 14, 2011. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary pair of chicBuds to facilitate this review.

Celtic Woman - Songs from the Heart

I am a huge music-lover, so I was very excited to have the opportunity to review the incredibly soothing and lyrical CD "Celtic Woman - Songs from the Heart." I played it as I fell asleep the other night and it was like listening to lullabies for adults.

The first track, a cover of Sting's "Fields of Gold" is my absolute favorite. That song was already relaxing, but Celtic Woman's cover is almost angelic. There's also a cover of Mariah Carey's "When You Believe" and Billy Joel's "Goodnight My Angel" and they're both as beautiful as "Fields of Gold." In total, there are 15 tracks that are perfect for relaxing and de-stressing to.



Celtic Woman is a 5-member, Irish, female ensemble known for putting a modern twist on the Celtic Sound. Their vocalists include Lisa Kelly, Chloe Agnew, Lynn Hilary and Alex Sharpe, and Mairead Nesbitt is the violinist.

The group is all over the Billboard charts, selling more than 3.8 million records in the U.S. alone, and has had 7 sold-out US Tours. They've performed on "Dancing With the Stars" and will also have a special coming out on PBS. Even the First Daughters are big fans of the group!



You can see when they'll be performing in your area here.

Thanks to Music Moms, I'll be attending their show at the Patriot Center in Virginia on March 17 (St. Patrick's Day! How perfect is that?), with a possible meet-and-greet. I'll be sure to do a post after the show to let you know how it was!



In the meantime, click here to check out Celtic Woman's gorgeous website, complete with videos, news, merchandise and more.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the CD "Celtic Woman- Songs from the Heart" as well as two tickets to their show as part of a blog campaign by Music Moms.

Come on Feel the Noise

Big hair. 80's rock. And puppy love. If you're my age, you remember what it was like growing up in the glory of the 80's and now, you can relive those memories with the brand new Rock of Ages Broadway musical soundtrack.

Rock of Ages, the Broadway musical, stars American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis. Set in 1987 in a legendary Sunset Strip rock club, a small-town girl meets a big-city dreamer and they fall in love to the greatest metal songs of the 80's.

The soundtrack captures not only the songs you know and love from that era, as performed by the cast of Rock of Ages, but it also includes dialogue between the characters as well as a songbook for you to follow along with them.

Here is a complete list of the 22 songs included on the soundtrack:

Just Like Paradise / Nothin' But A Good Time
Sister Christian
We Built This City / Too Much Time On My Hands
I Wanna Rock
We're Not Gonna Take It
Heaven/More Than Words / To Be With You
Waiting For A Girl Like You
Wanted Dead Or Alive
I Want To Know What Love Is
Cum On Feel The Noize / We're Not Gonna Take It (Reprise)
Harden My Heart / Shadows Of The Night
Here I Go Again
The Final Countdown
Any Way You Want It / I Wanna Rock (Reprise)
High Enough
I Hate Myself For Loving You / Heat Of The Moment
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Can't Fight This Feeling
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Oh Sherrie
The Search Is Over
Don't Stop Believin

It's like having an awesome 80's mixtape, but with an interesting twist (the dialogue and story). Here's a glimpse of what went into the making of the Rock of Ages soundtrack:



I personally loved the album and now am dying to see the Broadway show (I really, really hope they start touring!).

Click here to purchase your copy of the Rock of Ages soundtrack, and click here for more information on this fantastic musical. Rock on!

Note: Many thanks to the One2One Network for the privilege of reviewing Rock of Ages!

Collective Soul Is Back

Collective Soul is back, but to be honest with you, they never really left my little world. I LOVE their music and have never stopped playing it.

In fact, it wasn't that long ago that I twittered/blipped the song "Under Heaven's Skies" as a dedication to my husband. That seriously has to be one of the most romantic songs ever!

So you can imagine how happy I was to receive an email notification from Twitter telling me that Collective Soul was now following me! Click here to check out their Twitter account.

I quickly burst into song ("Shine"), to which my husband begged me to stop (not because of the song, but because I was totally butchering it, lol).

Collective Soul is not only going to be coming out with more fabulous music soon, they're also going on tour! Click here for more info. Sadly for me, DC is not one of the stops, but I'm hoping that might change.

You can follow the latest news from Collective Soul here, as well as follow their blog here.

And be sure to check out this article on how much Collective Soul appreciates their fans and the lengths they go to to show it. Pretty impressive! While you're there, read all about the contest they're holding at the end of the post. But don't hate me because I'm totally rooting for myself to win. :)

*singing*"Oh, Heaven let your light shine down."*singing*

Singing With the Stars

If you're a fan of Mark Ballas and Derek Hough from "Dancing With the Stars," you'll be pleasantly surprised to find they can sing as well as they can dance. Their group, The Ballas Hough Band, has released a new CD titled BHB.

BHB showcases their talent with sounds ranging from funky ("Do You Love Me") to smooth ("Longing For") and everything in between. And with clean lyrics, you don't have to worry about playing the songs in front of your kids (in fact, they'll probably be singing right along with you).



Thanks to the One2One Network, I was able to review BHB. The wide variety of sound is what appeals to me most. "Birthday" reminds me very much of Prince (whom I love), while "Fall" has an All American Rejects sound. My favorite, "Do You Love Me" will remind you of Maroon 5. In fact, it's hard to put their music into any one category. Pop? Check. Rock? Check. Jazz? Check. BHB really covers it all.

Reality t.v. fans should know that their catchy tune "Do It For You" was co-written by American Idol judge Kara Dioguardi. So you're getting a little bit of American Idol with your Dancing With the Stars when you listen to this CD.

Click here to check out the official Ballas Hough Band website, and here to purchase the BHB CD.

The Birth of a Star

Imagine a little boy, growing up with a love of music, and thriving within a loving, supportive family.

Then imagine that little boy thrust into the midst of the largest, most horrific genocide in modern history that would claim more than 800,000 victims in Rwanda. Including that young boy's parents and family members.

That is the story of Corneille, named one of the "hottest new stars" for 2009 by the New York Daily News. Having sold out arenas in other parts of the world, Corneille is making his debut in America with his new CD, The Birth of Cornelius.



"When I think of America," Corneille said, "the first thing that comes to my mind is the sense that I might feel understood for the first time. It might sound a little odd, but I look at America, and I see so much of who I am."

And you are going to love just who he is! Corneille cites Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and original Motown music as his influences. Motown is what definitely comes to mind when I listen to his CD, and the timing is perfect as it is the 50th anniversary of Motown Records.

So just how does one overcome the adversity that Corneille has had to face and go on to make such incredible music? "Music has been the place where I could go to hide and forget about the world," he said. "I couldn't make sense of a majority of the things that happened to me, so I used music as a shield."

Amazing.



I love playing his CD at night, when I need to unwind and relax. His songs are so soothing and are a wonderful escape from everday stress.

My favorite tracks are "Back to Life" (has a very "groovy" feel to it), "Man of the World" (seductive sound), "Too Much of Everything" (my favorite of all and a good one to dance to with your sweetheart), and "Heaven" (so romantic).

But the most powerful track on the CD, in my opinion, is "I'll Never Call You Home Again." You can tell that this song came from the depths of Corneille's heart and is the result of all the pain he endured in Rwanda.

With lyrics like...

"Last time I saw you, you were stripping me of anyone and anything that was mine. That's how I remember you. That's how I remember you. So please forgive me if I never call you home again."

...you can't help but be moved to your core.

To learn more about Corneille and his CD, The Birth of Cornelius, and/or to purchase the CD, click here.

Thanks to Music Moms and Corneille, TWO lucky readers will each win one copy of The Birth of Cornelius.

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post letting me know why you'd love to win. Be sure that there is an email address for you that I can find, or your entry will have to be disqualified.

By entering, you automatically agree to all the rules and disclaimers listed here.

Only one entry per person allowed, but you can receive bonus entries by doing one or all of the following (one bonus entry for each step...if you've already done one of the steps in the past, please still leave a separate comment so that I can count it toward this giveaway):

~Twitter with a link to this post. Then leave a separate comment here with your Twitter link.

~Blog about this contest with a link to this post and to Corneille. Then leave a separate comment here with the link to your post.

~Follow this blog. Simply click on "Follow this blog" found near the top of the sidebar to the right (under "The Blonde"). Then, leave a separate comment letting me know you are following.

~Post the button below on your blog and then leave a separate comment here letting me know it's posted and where. Here's the code for the button:



<a href="http://www.soablondewalksintoareview.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="So A Blonde Walks Into A Blog" src="http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll303/BlondeBlogger/dawn_125button.gif"/></a>

~Subscribe to So a Blonde Walks Into a Review's newsletter (found in the sidebar under "subscribe"). Then leave a separate comment here letting me know you've subscribed.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Tuesday, April 7, 2009. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Good luck!

Baby Jamz Jammin' Microphone Review and Giveaway

Note: Be sure to enter our two other contests running at this time. Click here (all links will open in a new window so you won't have to leave this page) to enter to win a hardcover copy of The Cure for Modern Life by Lisa Tucker. You also have THREE chances to win in our Horizon Organic Milk Giveaway giveaway. Good luck!

The Baby Jamz toy line has become a HUGE hit, and not surprisingly so. The combination of rhythm and hip hop have brought fun and excitement to regular, old nursery rhymes.

And with the soulful voice of Solange Knowles, sister of Beyonce, singing the songs on these toys, you just can't go wrong. If you missed the first review and giveaway of Baby Jamz, click here to read about this wonderful creation.

The newest toy in the line is the Baby Jamz Jammin' Microphone:



And it is oh so adorable! Included are six fun nursery rhyme tunes:

1. Bingo
2. Old MacDonald
3. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
4. Skip to My Lou
5. This Old Man
6. Mary Had a Little Lamb

Only this time, the songs have no vocals. That's where your child comes in!

It's like karaoke for little ones! With a push of a button, your child can record his or her voice along to the tracks by singing into the easy-to-grasp microphone. How fun is that?!

There are buttons to speed up or slow down the track, and your child can also either play the tunes by themselves, or record his/her voice by itself. Recommended age is 18 months and up. It really is fun for any age as my 11-year-old and 7-year-old were battling it out to see who could sing the best!

One lucky reader will win a Baby Jamz microphone for the child/children in their life to enjoy! Simply leave a comment here to be entered to win (be sure to leave your email address if there is no way for me to find it). If you link to this contest on your site, you will receive a bonus entry.

Deadline to enter is Friday, April 11 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Winner will be selected at random using random.org on Saturday, April 12, and announced that day. Good luck and happy entering!

Baby Jamz Giveaway - Hip-Hop for Little Ones

Note: Be sure you don't miss out on your chance to get Free Yoplait Kids yogurt, and check out the deals at the stylish and hip Zazou boutique!

What would happen if you took old fashioned nursery rhymes, mixed in a little fun, and pulled it all together with a soulful voice? That's exactly what the creators of Baby Jamz have done.

This new line of hip-hop toys, sold exclusively at Wal-Mart, was created by Mathew Knowles, father of Beyonce. Solange Knowles, Beyonce's sister, sings all of the nursery ryhmes on most of the toys, and she does it with flair (all toys come with a CD of nursery rhymes sung by her as well).

Mr. Knowles made it a top priority to create and release "child-friendly" music content over the past year with his Kid's Rap Radio series, and has now extended that goal by creating this line of innovative, educational and musically stimulating toys.

"Baby Jamz allows children to have toys that they can identify with and enjoy. Many children love music and dancing to hip-hop, so we have creatively combined great toys with the hip-hop versions of popular nursery rhymes," said Mr. Knowles, president and CEO of Music World Entertainment.

Solange's son Julez was the inspiration behind the toys and his face is featured on all of the products: Baby Jamz Cell Phone, Baby Jamz Dance Mat, Baby Jamz Key Chain, Baby Jamz Boom Box Shape Sorter, and Baby Jamz Mix Master Chair.

I was able to review two of the products, the Mix Master Chair and the Dance Mat. My product tester was my cousin's two-year-old stepson Cory, who was in awe as soon as he opened up the packages! He loves both of them equally and has had so much fun with them.

The Mix Master Chair is so adorable:



It has been labeled as the "hero" item in the Baby Jamz line and I can see why. Cory got to be a DJ in his own chair. How fun is that? As soon as he sits in the chair, a yellow note-shaped button is activated, which makes the buttons on the arms of the chair come to life.

He creates his own music by pressing the various buttons, some with the cool-sounding nursery rhymes, and others that add in different sounds.

Equally stimulating is the Dance Mat:



Think Dance, Dance Revolution for little ones. What better way to promote creative thinking, exercise and play! The mat plays 36 seconds of songs such as "Bingo," "Mary Had a Little Lamb," and "This Old Man," in hip-hop tempo. There are seven different spots on the mat for kids to step on, which is perfect for little feet, and children can create their own remixes of song with each step they take.

Solange's voice can be heard on the songs on both of these toys, and I can't tell you enough how beautiful it is. No more boring nursery rhymes for Cory! He's having so much fun dancing to the hip-hop beat on his toys now!

Want to win one of these innovative toys for a child in your life?

Simply leave a comment here letting me know which Baby Jamz toy you'd love to win and why (you can always change your mind if you are selected as the winner).

You'll receive a bonus entry if you post a link to this contest on your site, as well as a link to Baby Jamz.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m., EST, Wednesday, February 20. Winner will be announced on February 21.

Good luck!