There are Times it is Nearly Impossible to Believe God Has Purpose for Us. We Get So Intrenched in All Our Problems, "Flaws", Mistakes, etc. That it Becomes Too Fogged Up to See Clearly. All if Those "Negatives" Along w All Your Positives are Something the Lord Has Use For. We Might Not See it Now, but One Day We Will. So, Continue On in Boldly Being Uniquely You! The World Needs Ya.....Kinda Like a Super Hero....My Bat Signal Would Probably be in the Shape of a Unicorn.....Probably. What About Yours?!
Remember that Fun Green & Gold fr Fall?! Perfect for the Holiday Season as Well. Leave Off the Deep Brown Shadows, Replace w Bronze-ish Colors. I Used @elfcosmetics #LiquidShadow in Bronze as My Base. Added @tartecosmetics bronze on the Outer Side of the Eye and Highlight w That Gold Shimmer On the Inner Part of the Lid. Then Finish w the Pop of Holiday Color in the @maybelline Green #LiquidEyeliner. Perfectly Festive w/o Being Too Over the Top. I Lined My Bottom Water Line w a Brown Pencil Liner & Used @tartecosmetics #LightsCameraLashes#Mascara. The Sun Was Really Helping Me Out w My Shimmer Factor on This One! Happy Holiday Glam!!
And With Sugar Plumb Fairies Dancing Through Their......On Their Lips, I Edited it a Bit. Plumb is a Perfectly Acceptable & Festive Alternative to Holiday Red if You're Looking for One! Pictured is a Matte Plumb Lip Stick by @Clinique. If You Rather Go Drug Store Brand @revlon Has a Great Plumb called #Twilight, in Their HD Collection. It isn't Matte, but I Wouldn't Consider it High Shine Either. I Have Both & I Love Both! Also, Lipstick is a Great Stocking Stuffer! Happy Holiday Glam-ing!!
By Now Most if Not All of You Have Seen the Heart Wrenching Video of Keaton Shared by His Mother to Socials. How Anyone Watches it & Doesn't Have a Broken Heart After I'll Not Understand. People are Cruel. I say People b/c I Don't Believe it is Limited to Children in Lunch Rooms. We See it Here on Socials Daily. A Person, A Group of People, Gang Up on One Person or in Response to Being the One Trolled They Fight Back w Similar Weapons. Something that Struck Me in Keaton's Vid was His Statement That He Doesn't Like the Bullies Being Mean to Him & He Sure Doesn't Think its O.K. For It to be Done to Other Classmates. Here He Sits Broken Hearted & Beat Down, but Still He Considers What His Fellow Bullied Feel. Amazing! True Testament to His Young Heart!!
My Hope is We All Hear This Story of Keaton's & Not Only Correct/Inform/Etc. the Children w/i Our Reach of Influence, but Also Hold One Another Accountable. If it Isn't O.K. For a Kid in a Lunch Room it Isn't O.K. on Someone's Page. Make Sense?! It's Either Always O.K. Or NEVER O.K., When it Comes to Burdened Hearts There is No In-between. I Say it Again, Socials are What You Make Them. Use Yours for Good not Hate! Take a Moment Before Responding to Trolls, Haters, Etc. & Consider How They Must Be Livin' for Online Hate to be Their Entertainment. We Aren't Born Bullies, Bully Behavior is Learned. Before You Rare Back to Return a Punch, Take a Second to Consider the Fact That Hurt People, Hurt People.
~ Fam/Friends/Followers ~ You are Loved. You are Prayed For. You are Seen. Spread the Love. ~
Thinking on #GrammyGlam This Chilly Evening. Thought I Might Do a Little Virtual Styling. The First Gown is @marchesafashion & is Giving Us a Ton of Art Deco Cleopatra Glamour!! I Could Totally See Someone Tall & Statuesque Like #NicoleKidman Rocking it While Supporting Her Man @keithurban Who is Nominated This Year. The Second Dress is @versace_official & While She Tends to Lean Towards Edgier, Teetering w Masculine/Feminine Looks, I Could See @pink OWNING This Dress on the Carpet!! She Has a Fit Bod & Has Never Shied Away fr Showing Some Skin. I Think the Colors on This Dress w The Current Color of Her Hair Would Just Work!! But, it May Be Too, Too for Her Style.
The @recordingacademy are a Unpredictable Red Carpet. Everything from Super Casual, to Over the Top Costumes ala Lady Gaga, and the In between Tends to Be The More Classic Looks Which Can Get Passed Over Cause of Things Like Latex Dresses or a Person Arriving in a Egg. Anyway, I Look Forward to See This Years Fashion Offerings.
This Deep Burgundy @zacposen is At First Sight More of a #Oscar Dress, but w its Deep Color & Sharp Bust Line I Think w the Proper Artist it Very Much Could be a #Grammy Gown. Off Hand I Could See @kelseaballerini Changing Up Her Style a Bit & Rocking This Kelsea has Worn Posen in the Past & was Even His Guest to a Fashion Event in Nashville
So, I Don't Think its a Unrealistic Possibility.
Second is @oscardelarenta W a White & Black or Deep Navy Bird Motifs
that Again, on the Proper Person Could be Very Grammy Appropriate.
Perhaps #MileyCyrus as She's Been Upping Her Glam Game as of Late, or Even a @gwenstefani Would Own a Print Like this at the #Grammys! We Shall See!
Holidays are a Fun Time to Try New Things Like Red Shimmer Shadow, Metallic Lip Color, etc. However, if That isn't Your Speed a Sharp, Liquid, Black Eye Line & Shimmery Nude Lip are a Solid Staple Any Time of Year. Don't Feel Like You Have to Go Bold to Be Different. The Most Important Thing is That YOU Like & are Comfortable w How You Look!! Happy Weekend Glam-ming!!
If You Aren't Feeling the Boldness of a Holiday Red You Can Choose a Deep Magenta/Pink & Be Just as Festive!! Pictured is @hardcandylife #MetallicMousse in #QueenOfHearts & I LOVE IT!!!! #HardCandy is Becoming on of My Favorite Go To's for Lip Color. Affordable, Wide Range of Colors, Liquid & Stick Forms. Got Mine @walmart This Summer for Around $5.00-$6ish Give or Take. Color is Currently Still Avail. Happy Holiday Glam-ing!!
As I mentioned in the last New Music Monday post, #NMM is technically on Christmas Break. However, there is a chance we simply love you and music too much to completely ghost you this holiday season. So, if you follow me on Instagram, @StacieTennessee you will be able to catch my #QuickPosts. Quick Posts will highlight one artist, band, record, song instead of the normal #NMM which highlights several. So, that said, this week my quick posts belonged to Cam and Maggie Rose. Why these tunes aren't being played non-stop on radio I will NEVER understand. Give them a listen and request with your local radio!!
Break or No Break, When @camcountry Releases New Tunes You Share Them. At Least Thats #NewMusicMonday Philosophy. #Diane, the First New Music fr #Cam Since #MayDay is a Backwards #Jolene in Ways & Equally Epic. Released Several Weeks Ago, I'm Just Getting Some Space to Really Listen to It. Download It, Stream It, & Lets Just All Agree to Pre-Order Whatever is to Follow. To Check #PastPosts on Cam Type
#NewMusicMonday#QuickPost ~ Dear Radio ~ What the #€|| are You Thinking Not Playing @iammaggierose Every Hour on the Hour?! Listen, Her Voice & Talent is Legit. In the Next Few Years She's Gonna be on Those Nomination Lists, Most Added Lists, etc. She's a Genuine Talent. Fam/Friends/Followers Trust This #MusicAddix Advice, Download, Stream, Order #MaggieRose Tunes Like, Right Now. ESPECIALLY, Her Newest Track #PullYouThrough, Its
#NewMusicMonday Will be Taking a Holiday Break Until the New Year b/c, Well, #PoopHappens. Catch Up on Old Posts @ #TheFaithJournals#LinkInBio & We Will Be Back Before Ya Know It. Coming in 2018 #Grammys#SpringTours#NewAlbums#NewSingles#NewVids & So Much to Cuss and Discuss!!We May Have Some Quick Posts Throughout the Holidays, Just b/c We Aren't Sure We Can Keep Away From You or Wicked Sweet Tunes for an Entire Month!
There is so much to discuss about the 2017 CMA's that I am not 100% where to start. I'm currently watching the AMA's and hoping that country music sent Keith Urban as a representative and not FLGL Line. I can't even help it. I'm sure they're wonderful human beings, but I. Just. Can't!! I guess that is where we will start, let's get the less than positive thoughts out and on the table. Of course, I MUST begin with performances and what became the scene stealing performance of the night, Garth Brooks lip syncing his current track and just after winning ETOY.
Now, before you get all huffy I need you to know I am a HUGE Garth fan!!!! I have loved him, his music, and Tricia Yearwood since the beginning!! I am even willing to look past that moment in time where he released an album as an different person and it flopped. That's the kind of love I have for that man. That said, I believe true love includes the truth not just the rosy easy moments, making what I have to say next very difficult for me. I think that Garth made the wrong call in lip syncing at the 2017 CMA's. I do. He stated after the show that he indeed was lip syncing and had chosen to do so because his voice was not at 100% after just coming off a 12 shows in 10 days run. Perfectly understandable that ones voice would be worn after that. He said he thought country music deserved best foot forward and so instead of singing with a less than on point voice he chose to lip sync. Later he would walk away with Entertainer of the Year. It is of my opinion that as a past winner and current nominee for EOTY Brooks should have passed up the performance and allowed another artist to perform in his slot. I think it would have been received far better, but hey, you live, you learn. On to the next.
Garth was not the only artist to cause a little chatter this year. Sturgill Simpson, one of my favorite renegades, stood outside the Bridgestone Arena with his acoustic guitar, a few political home made signs, and his Grammy and performed for any passer by that wanted to hear. Several posted vids to socials and I admit, I love it. I don't think it will garner him a future invite, but I get what he was doing. How does a Grammy winning artist from the genre not get ONE nom?! I'm baffled too, Sturgill.
from Youtube
Miranda Lambert - "To Learn Her"
fr "The Weight of These Wings"
LIVE at CMA 2017
One of the highlight performances for me of the evening was Miranda Lambert and her performance of "To Learn Her". It is from her double disc album, "The Weight of These Wings" and it was distinctly traditional country with a slide guitar twanging through out the tune. I absolutely LOVED this performance. Combine it with the Alan Jackson performance and it was almost like a time machine of country music awards gone by. Queen Ran took home for the SEVENTH year in a row Best Female of the Year and deservingly so. I like that Ran has chosen to perform varied tracks from her double album instead of just sticking with the singles released to radio. There is no way that all the tracks where going to get the time they deserved on radio and this is a great way of giving them the attention they deserve.
Another very notable performance was Carrie Underwood's performance of the hymn, "Softly and Tenderly" dedicated to those we lost this year including the victims of the Vegas Shooting. I know that I had tears in my eyes and from the footage shown it would seem there wasn't a dry eye in the arena including Carrie's as she became emotional during the performance, and rightfully so. I think it was a good call for Carrie to be the one for this dedication. It was her only performance of the night other than what her co-hosting duties required. I would have loved to have seen Carrie in the ETOY category and have high hopes that in the years to come it will become more balanced in female representation. Carrie rocked her "Storytellers" tours, both her in the U.S. and abroad. She toured with Keith Urban on the Australian leg of the "Rip Cord" tour. She has multiple contracts such as Almay, Callia by Carrie, etc. that have her representing the country music community on a variety of stages. If Blake Shelton won because of his work on the voice in addition to his touring, etc. then I feel the same should be considered when someone like Carrie is out there doing all she does for the genre.
While we are on the topic of EOTY, my vote would have been for Eric Church. And keep in mind my love for Garth!! But y'all!!!!!!! He toured SOLO!! Three hours of nothing but Church!! Sold out Red Rocks two nights in a row, has been nominated for the past several years, Mr. Misunderstood has cranked out amazing track after amazing track. I have to ask............what's a fella gotta do to get a Entertainer of the Year WIN???!!!! Lip Sync??!! I for real love Garth, but I just can't let it slide.
I was stoked to see Brothers Osborne take home two trophie's. Best Duo, FINALLY I think the reign of Florida Georgia Line is over!! I'm sorry, I just, I mean, I just can't with those guys!!!!! Bros Oz also took Video of the Year for "It Ain't My Fault", which they also performed during the show. I was torn between their video and Thomas Rhett with Maren Morris and "Craving You". I am happy with this win!! Check out Brothers Osborne Best Video, "It Ain't My Fault", from their album, "Pawn Shop", below. I hear the guys have been working on new tunes so, I think that we may be gearing up for closing the "Pawn Shop" chapter and starting a new one. I am honestly so stoked to hear what they create next I'm unsure I can wait for official releases. I may have to go rouge and start searching the dark web, lol!!
The evening was closed by Alan Jackson returning to the stage for the last performance. Alan Jackson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame just weeks ago making his return to the CMA stage appropriate and honestly, needed. I think in the midst of arguments over what defines a genre, fear of attending live shows because of vigilante's, an unprecedented amount of access to music that doesn't even require the purchase of a actual in hand album or download. In a time when you can cherry pick singles to stream or purchase someone like Jackson who made entire albums that were stream worthy I think his closing the 2017 CMA's was a wonderful reminder. A reminder of what Country Music and really music in general use to be and should be.
I appreciate the right now effect of streaming a new single or pre-ordering an album and getting instant downloads leading up to the full album release. That said, I love, no, I am OBSESSED with walking through the music isle in a store. I am addicted to going to shops like McKays and flipping through the vinyl, the "scratched" or "damaged" CD's for gems that are a quarter and only in a scratched case. I like the noise that the c.d. cases make as I flip through them looking for that one that is out of print and is so old that the only way to find it is in a second hand shop. I like reading the booklets inside a c.d. case. I STILL OWN TAPES!!!! This is just who I am and the Alan Jackson performance reminded me of that and how wonderful that is. I fear the current generation is going to miss out on so much that music of all genre's has to offer simply because they chose to stream or download it and never get the actual in hand album. Wonder if this is what folks thought when eight tracks went out?!
One last performance from the 51st CMA Awards, Reba and Kelsea Ballerini singing Kelsea's, "Legends" her first track from her new album, "Unapologetically". Kels didn't go home with any trophy's, but I would consider this a win!! Reba is epic!! She is a performer through and through and one of the true legends that I would say define women in country music and really women in music in general. Reba also handed out the last award of the night, EOTY to Garth Brooks. In his accpetence speech he acknowledged McIntire and her iconic performances.
What performance did you love? Hate? Who did you wish was there and or nominated? Any fashion love for anyone ? There was so much good fashion and accessories on the red carpet this year. I know I already shared this, but Lindsay Ell's ear cuff was legit the accessory of the evening for me. Girl rocked it!! I can't close this post with out discussing a few of my fave looks of the evening. As you know I did some virtual styling via my Instagram and I was amped to see that I wasn't far off on my fashion predictions.
Mkay, I am gonna close this years CMA Review with someone that I feel deserves to have been nominated as well as have had a performer slot, Kip Moore. It is only appropriate considering Mr. Moore will be releasing his second single, "Last Shot" from his newest album, "SLOWHEART" on this New Music Monday. Along with the release of his next single he will also be releasing to Youtube and I presume his site, etc. "The Journey to Slowheart", a video that fans who pre-ordered "SLOWHEART", got to see several months ago. I have watched it probably a solid half dozen times. I don't say that like a creeper, I swear!! Honestly, I am so excited that this is getting released for everyone to have access that I very well may explode. Kips bestie, Life in Rewind's, P.J.Brown, has done it again in capturing Kip in some of his most natural elements. I think if you aren't a fan of Kip prior to watching "The Journey to Slowheart", he will win your heart by the time the credits roll. It is a bit of insight into his rarely shared personal life as well as his professional. He allows us to meet some of his family, his closest friends, and takes us traveling with him to his home town, Tifton, GA, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and Iceland. It's truly a beautiful way to spend thirty minutes of your Monday!! I think that 2018 will be Kip's year come award season. I truly don't believe he can be ignored any longer. Listen to Kips newest single, "Last Shot" and judge for yourself! Kip will be finishing his first leg on the "Plead the Fifth Tour" in a few weeks, but in February he, along with another of #NMM's fave, The Cadillac Three will be opening for Luke Bryan on a small set of month long dates. Then it is back to the "Plead the Fifth Tour" as it heads to the west coast. If you haven't gotten "SLOWHEART", it would make for a wonderful stocking stuffer!
Kip Moore - " Last Shot"
fr "SLOWHEART"
Live at Paste Studios
Have a beautiful, relaxing, and yummy Thanksgiving!!
We will catch you next week when the turkey coma wears off.
I Believe that the Lords Provision Extends Beyond the Tangible or Financial. His Provision Includes Time, Joy, Rest, Healing, the Ability to Worship, The Space to Worship, Rest & Heal. God, Our Savior & Ultimate Provider is Keenly Aware of ALL Our Needs.
Today He Reminds Me That Includes Time. Praise Him for All He Has Done.
Praise Him for All He Has Yet to Do. Shine For Others to See b/c of Both.
Am I High?! Am I Seriously the Only One Who Sees It?! I Should Probably ask a Different Set of Folks the First Question, but Feel Free to Answer the 2nd?!
Anyway, #NewMusicMonday & #GlamBag Will Return THIS Monday w a @cma Review fr #RedCarpet to Performances to Winners/Losers/Snubs & More. And Yes, Of Course I Have Feelings About the Garth Performance & Yes, I Plan on Sharing Them.
So, Stay Tuned!! Have a Beautiful Week!! Catch Ya on Tha' Flip.
When You Post #GlamBagMustHaves in April & They Appear on @maccosmetics Holiday Must Haves in November. Again, @maccosmetics Lets Be Besties?!?! We Clearly Think Alike!! Matchy Matchy Best Friend High Five!!
This Will Be Fun! Fellow, Local, Music Addix - Interested in Giving Feed Back on Tunes We Hear & Don't Hear on @wivk1077 ?! Head to #WIVK @twitter & Follow the Link to Sign Up!! Happy Wednesday!
When You Realize You & @marenmorris Just Might Be Your Cosmetic Spirit Animal!!!! Girl, Rock That Blue Eyeliner!!!! The #GlamBag Series Has Several Past Posts on Pink, Blue, Purple, Pencil, Liquid, etc. Eye Liners so Feel Free to Head Over to #TheFaithJournals#LinkInBio to Check them Out!! This #RockStar#Glam that Maren's Been Weeerking on the #HeroTour Only Solidifies My Thoughts on Eyeliner Going Beyond Black or Brown. Don't be Afraid to Try a Lil' Somethin' New!!
My Blue Liner is by @lorealmakeup & Currently there's a Rebate on the #IbottaAp & the Pink is by @wetnwildbeauty. @hardcandylife is My Silver Liner & Also Has a New Line of Bold Liners I'm Dying to Try!! So, When I Do, Cause We All Know I Will, I'll for Sure Report Back. Until Then, #RockWhatYouGot!!
Dear #TrollPatroll ~ For Those Constantly Harassed by Trolls, Wanna Be Accounts, Etc. I'd Like to Remind You of #NMM Philosophy of Dealing....#Report#Block#MoveOn#RepeatAsNeeded. We Will More Than Likely Never Rid the Net of Haters, but We Don't Have to Play into Them Either.
An Official Artist/PublicFigure Will Have a Blue Circle w a White Check Beside Their Social Handle Verifying That Specific Socials Outlet Has Verified That Person is Who They Say They Are. All Others, Unless Noted as a Fan Page & Even Some of Those are Shady, Can Be Considered Fake, Wanna Be's, Haters & Trolls. No Artist is Going to DM You Asking for Dolla Dolla Bills, Yo!! Nor are They Trying to Avoid Their Management & Have a Secret Acct No One Knows About.
Please, for the Love of Music & All Other Arts, Use a Bit of Common Sense.
Logic, Reason, Both are Great When Sorting the Real fr the Fake.
Heading into the Weekend I Just Want to Encourage You to #BoldlyBeUniquelyYou!! Its O.K. To Not Fit In. I See Magazine Covers & More Often Than Not I Find Myself Asking What Makes One of These Cover Models Any Different fr the Next? They Appear Interchangeable to Me. Same Flawless Skin, Perfect Frizz Free Hair, Chizzled Whatever it is That One Chizzles, etc. There is Nothing Unique or Distinctiv...e About Their Outward Appearance. Beautiful? Yes. Wish I Had Chizzled Whatever is Suppose to be Chizzled? Duh! But, BUT!! Would I Trade the Things That Make Me Uniquely Me to Look Like Everyone Else?! I Want to Say No, but it All Honesty I Suppose it Depends on the Day, LoL!! What Am I Saying?! Before You Go Cursing Your Red Hair, Little Nose, Long Legs, etc. Stop & PTL for Them. I Have Honestly Found That it is the Things I Tend to be Most Insecure About That End Up Being What I Am Complimented On. We are Not an Accurate Judge of Our Own Image. Blame Adam & Eve. I'm Like 99% Sure This Traces Back to Them Some How, Lol!! Love Yourself!!
In Addition to My Challenge on #BoldlyBeingUniquelyYou I Would Like to Add in a #FlawlessFriday. Post a Pic of Yourself That What You Want to Do is List all the Problems w It, but Instead What You Do is Look Past the Odd Facial Expression or Flawed Skin & Instead Look at it as Flawless. Flawless as in You are Exactly How He Created You to Be in This Moment. Here's Mine. Lots of Things I'd like to Edit & Filter the Business Out Of, but I Choose to Accept My Own Challenge.
Be Proud to Not Fit In!! Boldly. Be. Uniquely. You. You are Loved. You are Prayed For.
I Challenge @agivens10 @bwarned3 @kellybrindley !!!
Challenge Three Flawless Unique Beauties in Your Life !!
One Week fr Yesterday is the Biggest Shopping Day of the Year, #BlackFriday! And Especially For My #GlamBag Followers I Have a Prize to Help You Get Started w Your Personal #HolidayGlam or #GlamGifting. A $5.00 OFF Your Order Coupon @elfcosmetics Online!!!! Also, e.l.f. Currently is Offering Free Shipping for the Holidays!! So, it's Totally Worth Adding
Have a Great Time Stocking Your or a Friends #GlamBag!!
Merry Christmas & Happy Shopping!!Any Questions Feel Free to Let Me Know!! Also, Don't Forget, if You Begin Your #Elf Shopping via @ebatesshopping You Will Also Get a Percentage of Your Final Total, BACK!! Check #TheFaithJournals Past Posts for a Referral Link to Score A Freebie fr #Ebates!!
I accepted a call long ago that would mean giving up the dreams/ideals I had for myself & to take on instead the ideals My God might have for me. The Lord is faithful & quick to remind me that my life is not my own. Accepting His love, forgiveness, & making that public profession of faith by baptism I was not only confirming for myself & God that my life was His, but to the world watching. I do not always get it right. Actually, I probably get it wrong more than anything else, but my goal, my heart, my passion, is that even that in my wrong, God would somehow use it to bring Himself glory & to bring fellow believers and/or those searching, a little hope.
Tonight as I do my devos He has reminded me once again & in no uncertain terms that my life is not my own if I want Him to use it. He also brought to my attention through Exodus3:5 the idea that when we are called to a place, ministry, job, relationship, crisis, etc. we are on holy ground. Not because He has necessarily walked it, but b/c HE is who brought us to it. If He has called you to a mission, big or small, until He is done w it, that space is Holy!! Holy b/c we represent His hands & feet. Holy, b/c He called us there. Holy b/c He is w us there. Holy b/c He, not we, He is going to do a work there. Holy b/c our lives are not our own!! Glory!!
Praise Him for the Highs & Praise Him for the lows for it takes both to truly learn Him. You are loved friends/fam/followers. You are prayed for.
I challenge you to consider the Holy Ground He has assigned to you for now.
