Review: Blake Shelton - Red River Blue

My review on Blake Shelton's new album Red River Blue

Blake Shelton is at it again! The outspoken singer and song writer from Oklahoma has releases a new album that hit the number #1 album on iTunes in...I believe an hour upon it's release. We were all just SO EXCITED to get this new CD! And we SHOULD be excited! I mean, c'mon, it's Blake freakin Shelton for cryin' out loud!

That being said, Blake really hasn't had a "new," album out in a while. He did the six pack albums for a while, then his greatest hits album came out. Blake was hoping that this new CD would be out be last September, but then "Honey Bee," came out and he was also named coach of the new hit NBC series "The Voice," which we're all hoping that Blake will be back to coach again when season 2 hits.

But there's a reason why this album is #1: because this is essential Blake Shelton! It has a new beat to it, but it also represents the old Blake as well.

"Honey Bee." I really don't think I need to go into detail how much I love this song. Enough said?

"Ready To Roll." Can't say enough about this song. The upbeat 80s sound that it has, just makes you want to get up and dance. And trust me, you REALLY want to!

"God Gave Me You." I remember watching an interview and Blake saying that he heard this song on a Christian radio station after he and Miranda just had a big fight and he was driving back home to Oklahoma. And to be honest, I'm really glad that Blake remade this song. As tough as Blake can seem sometimes (and not to mention his sense of humor on Twitter), I was really glad to see a softer side of him with this song. It really fits perfect with this album.

"Get Some." One of the most funniest songs that Blake sings on this album. I cannot stop laughing everytime I listen to this song. This is the Blake we all love and want to hear.

"Drink On It." I really wasn't sure that I would like this song when I first heard it. Well, that's changed because I really do like it. I really think I understand the gist of the song. Let's just not think about anything else and just drink on it. At least...I hope that's what he means...

"Good Ole Boys." Thank you Blake for asking that age ole question: Where have all the good ole boys gone? Guys, I really think you need to listen to this song! And I love this song too! Really, gotta thank Blake for this one!

"I'm Sorry." A very slow and apologetic song, manly about a couple who has been fighting...A LOT! I'm sorry can only go so far. This is one song I can seriously relate to, and I hope most other couples that have gone through a break up can understand this song too.

"Sunny Seattle." Basically a "when a pigs fly," I'll stop loving you type of song. But I really love the upbeat tempo of the song. Very well done!

"Over." What am I gonna do to win you over? It's a question that most of us want to ask someone we're desperately longing for. And Blake just sings about it so perfectly. It's a creepy song at first, but once you start listening to the song a little bit more, you'll understand what Blake's getting at.

"Hey." Another song that you just gotta laugh at. And I think this is another favorite track of mine. I have to keep flipping back to it because it's just so darn funny!

"Red River Blue." Blake and Miranda duet on this song and it's just nothing else of perfect. I love how their voices blend in so perfectly in this song. But then again, they're married, so how couldn't they? LOL! Great song!

So get Blake's new CD "Red River Blue," on iTunes and in stores now!

Nikki's review on Red River Blue: 5/5

Review: Chris Young - Neon

My review for Chris Young's new album Neon

Chris Young hasn't had a CD out for three years. But those three years, he has been working hard on touring and working on this new CD called "Neon." And when I got, "Neon," I was really excited. "Tomorrow," his hit single, has already got gold.

I was not surprised by the energy in this new album. Chris can bring it. As he has for the past three years. Actually, before the CD even came out, I got a sneak peak at one of the CDs songs, "Neon." Slow song, but very good.

The CD starts off with the fast track, "I can take it from there." I love this song and I think it's one of my favorite tracks on the album. It's very upbeat, but you would want to stay in the house and just dance to this song. Two bottles of wine don't sound so bad!

"Lost." - Do we really even need the GPS? I mean, really? I think any girl would want to get Lost by just listening to this track with their guy. Forget the GPS and just get Lost in this track!

"Tomorrow," I really don't need to say much about this track. We pretty much already know what it stands for.

"Save Water, Drink Beer." I heard this song for the first time love and just absolutely LOVED it! Another upbeat song that make you want to just, well, HAVE A BEER!

"Neon," If his favorite color is Neon, then I think everyone's favorite color is gonna be Neon. Ok, I'm really joking about that. But I really like the message of the song. Like I said before, I had the chance to preview this song before the rest of the CD came out.

"Old Love Feels New." I didn't know what to think of this song when I first saw the title. Was he trying to get back with an ex? Nah, he's really singing about his grandparent's love in this one. And I just love. Love never gets old. Great song!

"You." Another song I got to hear live before the CD came out. This song is really a BF/GF type of song. At least I think so. But I still enjoy it.

"Flashlight." This song is just so cute you can't help but say "Awwwwwww!!" when you hear it! And when he says, "Thanks old man," at the end of the song, you can't just help but smile. Another favorite song of mine.

"When She's On." Another upbeat song that I really quite enjoy. The funny thing is that Chris DID NOT write this song. Even though he does mention the Texas Longhorns in this song.

"She's Got This Thing About Her." I want this song to be my wedding song now. This is my favorite track on the album and I just love it. The piano and string set during the song are just perfect. Love it. Not to mention that this song made me cry the first time I listened to it.

Well, that's my review for the album! There are two extra songs if you bought the deluxe edition of the CD. So go buy "Neon," now!

Nikki's rating of Neon: 4.5/5

Please Help The Residents of Joplin, Missouri

Associated Press
Ashley Stephens holds a ferret she rescued from the home of a missing woman while helping a friend collect belongings Monday, May 23, 2011, in Joplin, Mo. A large tornado moved through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 142 people.

Associated Press
Rescue workers in lime-green jackets search for bodies and survivors inside St. John's hospital in Joplin, Mo., Monday, May 23, 2011. The hospital was damaged by a tornado that destroyed nearly 30 percent of the city on Sunday afternoon.







The images on TV, facebook, twitter and newspapers are just a startling reminder of that day. On May 22nd, 2011, an EF-5 tornado with winds of 200+ MPH swept through the town of Joplin, Missouri. Luckily enough, it spared the downtown part of the city. But many homes, schools, lives and St. John's Hospital were not so lucky.

I've been through Joplin, Missouri before. I drove down there with some friends of the family during a Thanksgiving visit down to Texas last November. Like most cities here in Missouri, it's a very nice town. I remember driving past St. John's Hospital. You wouldn't think something like this would happen. When you see the destruction and damage on TV, it reminds you how precious life is.

142 people lost their lives. 42 people are missing. Many of those who were killed were next-of-kin. Kids were barely teenagers, from ages 1-7 years old. A teenage boy, Will Norton, had just graduated from high school. He was driving home when the tornado hit the city. He was also found dead among the wreckage.

The town recently welcomed Governor Jay Nixon, Senator Claire McCaskill and President Barak Obama to survey the damage of the city:

"In his remarks before some 2,000 Joplin residents on the campus of Missouri Southern State University, the president mentioned two "everyday heroes" -- Dean Wells, a manager at a Home Depot, and Christopher Lucas, a manager at a Pizza Hut.Both men died saving others: Wells, shepherding people to safety until he was crushed by a collapsing wall, and Lucas, who left the safety of a freezer shielding more than a dozen people to search for a rope to keep the door shut.


"You see, there are heroes all around us, all the time," the president said. "They pass us in the aisle wearing an orange apron. They come to our table at a restaurant and ask us what we'd like to order.It's this knowledge -- the knowledge that we are inclined to love one another, that we're inclined to do good, to be good -- that causes us to take heart," Obama said."


This is the kind of hope that these people need. But please take time to donate anything like food, water and toiletries. The residents of Joplin need your help more than ever right now. We know that they can rebuild. But right now, they need your help. We know that it would mean a lot to those who have gone through so much heart ache.

My thoughts on the Grey's Anatomy season finale

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! NOT REMINDING YOU AGAIN! IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE SPOILED, THEN DO NOT READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Wow. There's so much I want to say about this episode. Like Alex realizing he was a jackass for telling Owen what happened. I wanted to kick his ass. I cannot believe he would do such a jackass thing.
But what's going to happen between Meredith and Derek now? I don't want them to get a divorce. Derek cannot leave Meredith alone with Zola. If he does then I'm done liking him. They are MARRIED and he cannot do that to her, even if she did tamper with the trial because it was Adele. That pissed me off.
Then we have spat going on between Cristina and Owen. Ok I can understand why he's mad at her. Hell I would be mad at her too! She did need to tell him though. I think Cristina would be a good mother too. But I think she's still remembering what happened in season 2 when she lost her first baby. I think in the end result she won't end up getting the abortion. I just have a gut feeling that she won't.
Then we move on to Mark and Lexie. Mark, buddy, your timing just wasn't right. Jackson and Lexie have been bf/gf for a WHILE now. I think he had a hard time letting her go after Alex pushed her away. But he does have a family now. But Mark SERIOUSLY needs a seriously relationship. Maybe he'll find one in season 8, maybe he won't.
Not surprised about:
April Kepner getting Chief Resident.
Teddy's decision to stay.
Ok that's as far as I'm gonna go because if I talk anymore about this episode I WILL cry! CLIFFHANGER is the last word!

Why I admire Miranda Kerr

 

Why I admire Miranda Kerr

I'm usually not one to write a blog about people I admire. If you know/knew me you would know that I just don't. I have thought about doing it for a long time though. There are so many people out there that I admire. And supermodels usually aren't one of them. But Miranda Kerr is different.

When I was younger I didn't admire models or supermodels all that much. All my friends said the reason why models are so skinning is because they don't eat or they throw up all the time. Yeah I went along with it. Plus I was young, so what did I know?

Well, that isn't the case so much anymore. So when I heard about Miranda Kerr I have to say I was a little bit skeptical. To me she was like any other model. But something changed in me and I started to like her a bit. Then I started to like her a lot. And this was before I even really knew who she was.

For those of you who don't know who Miranda Kerr is, she is a beautiful woman from Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia. Miranda has been a model since she was 13 years old. But she studied Nutrition and Health Psychology before modeling became a full-time career.

When Miranda won the modeling competition for Dolly at age 13, it caused a "concerned outrage," because she was so young. But at a young age, Miranda was already taking control of the situation. And yes, the magazine is for teenage girls. It's not something that "old men," would stare at!

Ok, so now I'm gonna jump a little bit to the actually point of why I admire Miranda Kerr so much. And it's not just because she's a model at Victoria Secret. But before I get to that, there is something I want to share.

A lot of my family members and friends don't like going into Victoria Secret. And these are people who are skinnier than I am. I ask them why; and it's not because of the clothes. They think the models and the photos are too "raunchy." I have to disagree with them. The reason why the models look so good is because they take care of themselves. And this is one reason why I admire Miranda Kerr.

Miranda, to me at least, does not seem like one of those people who is always about "high fashion." She seems like the most down to earth person. She wants people like her to reach for their dreams as well. Miranda also drinks Tahitian Noni juice, which is a very natural juice that "supports the immune system, increases energy and physical performance, is rich in anti-oxidant properties and supports a healthy cardiovascular system." Miranda also does yoga.

She also has her own organic skincare line called KORA Organics. And not to mention her self-titled book called "Treasure Yourself." "Treasure Yourself," has become a huge hit. I got the book as a Christmas present and dove right into it. Miranda and I also have something in common: We both have lost people we dearly cared about.

"I took this photo with my camera phone, so that's why it's not very good. But I wanted to post this because this part of your book really touched my heart. I lost two friends due to a car accident when I was 16 years old back in 2004. These two boys were really good friends of mine and touched the hearts of many at the high school that I went to. I remember how crushed I was when they died.

Miranda, your book is very uplifting and I have loved reading it. You are such an inspiration to so many."

Miranda's response touched my heart in so many ways: KORA Organics by Miranda Kerr Thank you sweetheart. I am sad to hear of your loss. I am glad that my book has been able to help you. Know that your relationship hasn't ended but only changed with your friends. Chrisso's death taught me so much and I am so blessed to have had him in my life and I cherish those memories so much and appreciate the time we had. Thanks for sharing hon. love Miranda xxx

Earlier this month my grandma passed away from lung cancer. I was hesitant to tell my friends the news at first because when I had found out, it wasn't a good day for me. But I did end up telling my friends and of course I did tell Miranda on Twitter. Her response was so kind and thoughtful that it really surprised me how much someone like her would care.

I still cannot believe that Miranda just had a baby boy (Flynn) either. But now since she is back working for Victoria Secret, she is more radiant and beautiful than ever.

I don't think of Miranda Kerr as a celebrity. I want to think of her as more of a friend. She takes the time to actually get on facebook and twitter to interact with her fans from all over the globe. And not many celebrities do that. Which is why I admire her even more. Not to mention that some of my blog post have made it on the KORA community blogs. Miranda takes the time to care about her fans that are really sick too.

A good friend of Miranda and mine is in the hospital right now (many of you already know who I am talking about). Miranda has been sending her messages of encouragement, as many of her friends and myself have.

I admire Miranda Kerr for so many reasons. If I could to shorten this blog up, the two words that best describe Miranda is that: she cares.