a la Audrey

Well today has definitely been an interesting Friday! I left work after an hour to head to a funeral service, at which I was a member of the performing choir. I was very humbled and blessed to be part of the service, and felt very honored to be in the ensemble of local fellow music directors as well as friends of the family having the funeral. It was a beautiful service; I left thinking, "this is how all funerals should be" because it was uplifting, peaceful, and a very sweet remembrance of a wonderful person's life.
I've been looking for an opportunity to do myself up a little bit "Audrey Hepburn" after watching both "Captain America" and a bit of "Pearl Harbor" this week (the red lips, the pearls, the taupe-gray eyeshadow! lovelovelove), so I did just that today.

I'd also love to share the songs that we sang at the service. (Please excuse me while I choir-nerd out for a moment). Both songs are movements from John Rutter's Requiem, which is one of my favorite Requiems (I think it ties with Gabriel Faure's). We did the last two movements, "The Lord is my Shepherd" and "Lux Aeterna." Both are simply stunning. If you have a moment, take the time to pleasure your aural senses and enjoy these videos (unfortunately, they are not from our service today; I guess the Cambridge Singers will do! Kidding, kidding).

The Lord is My Shepherd (Rutter)

Lux Aeterna (Rutter)



I think I just might make it a habit to post choir songs/ videos once a week or so, simply because my life is very centralized around music, and particularly, around choral music, and there is so much wonderful choral music to be shared! So until I can have my own choir that will produce these magical sounds, I will convey them here. :)

I'm Loving....

I plan to do a post every week or two simply to hilight the things that I currently love in my life. When things get hectic during the week, be it from work, rehearsals, changes in plans, additional appointments (or in my case, all of the above) it's nice to turn to the little things in life that make you smile.

How beautiful is this dress?

New desktop image that brightens up my work computer

Yummy decaf herbal tea since I'm prepping my vocs ;)

A super sweet text from my love. :) It warmed my heart

 These sunglasses that I recently bought, and there are only 2 left in the online shop! Muahahaha!

Bunnies

As aforementioned, "illuminated" is one of my favorite words. Another favorite word of mine: bunnies. Just say the word "bunnies" out loud. Isn't it just the cutest word ever? Not only does it bring to mind images of fluff and fur and floppy ears and everything that is cute, but the word itself is just... cute! I can't get enough bunnies. Bunnies bunnies bunnies! Easter is just too far away, so here are some photos to tide me (and you now, because you know I'm right, and bunnies are irresistably cute) over 'til Easter.
Bunnies.

Pretty Places- The Palm Tree Edition

Since I'd rather be nearly anywhere but work today, my mind (and my mouse) tend to drift far away to these lovely looking places. With palm trees. Doesn't even necessarily have to be a tropical island, just... somewhere else. With palm trees.

The Ace Hotel, Palm Springs

Maroma Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico

Wailea Beach, Maui

La Playa Hotel, Carmel

  

We go now?

What's in a Name?

I would like to take today's post to briefly explain why I chose the name of the blog. If you know me at all, you know I am a person who often pores over details, and for me, this blog and its title was no minor detail. Therefore I spent ludicrous amounts of time- at work, at home, wherever- pondering just the right title. Something that was "me," and not too generic, but not too off-the-wall. At first I just wanted a list of verbs that I like to do; something like "Sing, Write, Teach." But then I thought, this isn't "Eat, Pray, Love" (although that is a great book! A must-read prior to seeing the movie, which paled in comparison to the book)... you have your own story and your own name!

But then my brain was stuck on books. As I sat on my bed, laptop in lap, determined to think of the perfect name after days of brainstorming, all I could think about was books! I looked up at my bookshelf. "Everything Is Illuminated" popped out at me.

(My copy is pink and yellow!)
One of the best books I've ever read, whose title includes one of my favorite words.... Eureka! I instantly loved this idea more than any of the other mediocre names I'd thought of. I was hesitant to include my own name in the title, but I figure hey, if Joanna Goddard does it for her blog, why can't I? Again, there I was, the only one putting limits on myself!
So, I just did it.
Ta-da!
Me, myself, my thoughts and opinions- all illuminated right here, for you.
:)

Intro

Well hello! I suppose the first thing I should talk about is why I decided to write this blog. I was mainly inspired by other bloggers and how they used their blogs to convey things that were important to them, that inspired them, and just things that they liked! After poring over blog after blog after blog, I came across one that a friend of mine writes! Liana's blog was the last push, that last little oomph I needed! I finally figured, Why can't I  do that? There is nothing stopping me but myself!
So here I am, and I am so excited to share some of my thoughts and views on the little things in life with you! Hope you enjoy.