Sex and the City Sountrack Review...I'm NESTING like crazy over here!

Hi there! Sorry I've been avoiding you, little blog. My nesting instinct kicked into high gear about two weeks ago, so I've been busy painting, building bunk beds, designing closet organization systems, forgetting dentist appointments, making homemade freezer jam, taking my son to swim lessons and soccer practice, trying to sell a car so we can upgrade to a mini van, reading hypnobirthing books, and trying to avoid my good friend, Murphy. You know, the guy that visits when you don't want him to? I'm due with this baby a week from tomorrow. My husband is running a relay race this Friday and Saturday. So I'm telling myself that the baby isn't coming until Sunday or later. For the first time EVER I'm not in a hurry to give birth!

With my first, I tried EVERYTHING to go into labor. I even resorted to drinking castor oil. With this one, I'm perfectly content to keep her inside. I feel great. I'm really enjoying being a mother of two. And my house is in shambles due to my crazy 39-weeks-and-nesting instincts, so I need a week to get my life in order!

Looming in the back of my mind has also been my obligation to post a review of an album I received in the mail, courtesty of the One2OneNetwork a few weeks ago. I have to be honest. I've never even watched an episode of Sex and the City, I didn't see the first movie, and don't plan on seeing the new one. If I HAD seen the movie, and if I'd LOVED the movie, or felt any sort of attachment to the characters and story, then I probably really would have loved the soundtrack. But I didn't see it, and I didn't love the music. There were a few fun songs, but I probably won't be rocking out to it again anytime soon. (And it definitely won't be my choice labor and delivery music...nor will I be RUNNING to it--I'm so excited to RUN again...in the near future).

But for any Sex and the City fans out there, it might be worth a listen. Here's what you'll hear:


Tracklisting:
1. Alicia Keys “Rapture”
2. Dido “Everything to Lose”
3. Cee Lo “Language of Love”
4. Erykah Badu “Window Seat”
5. Natacha Atlas “Kidda”
6. Michael McGregor “Euphrates Dream”
7. Liza Minnelli “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
8. Ricki-Lee "Can't Touch It"
9. Alicia Keys "Emire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"
10. Jennifer Hudson and Leona Lewis "Love Is Your Color"
11. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon “I Am Woman”
12. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “If Ever I Would Leave You”
13. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “Sunrise, Sunset”
14. Sex and the City Men’s Choir “Till There Was You”
15. Shayna Steele, Jordan Ballard, Kamilah Marshall “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”
16. Liza Minnelli with Billy Stritch “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye”
17. Cyndi Lauper “True Colors”
18. Aaron Zigman “Divas and Dunes”

When I first saw the names of Leona Lewis, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Hudson, I was pretty excited to get this soundtrack. And there were definitely a few great songs, but nothing I personally would fork over any money for. But that's just me.

What about you? Are you a Sex and the City fan? And more importantly...any last bits of advice before I enter the world of THREE kids vs. TWO parents? What about labor and delivery? I'm going all natural this time around if everything goes as planned. What are your experiences? Give me some POSITIVE words of advice...I'll take all I can get!

I'll let you know when the baby's here, and I'll check back in before then if I can pull myself away from the major house projects! (And good luck to reader Jill who's also due next week!)

Running Music Review: BHB, by Ballas Hough Band

I've mentioned before that I love good music. Sadly, the only time I really get to listen to it is when I work out. Sure, sometimes I insist on listening to mommy music instead of Dora sing-a-longs when gallivanting around town with the kids in tow. But I'm still busy watching the road, throwing goldfish crackers into the back seat hoping they land in an open mouth, talking on the phone (I know...I shouldn't), and stretching my arm around like elastigirl to pick up dropped toys. Sound familiar?

When I got a CD in the mail to review, I first popped it into the car for a quick listen. But I knew I had to give it the real test if I really wanted to hear it. The running test. You know, so I could actually listen to what I would be reviewing.

Dancing with the Stars uber studs Mark Ballas (season 6 winner with Kristi Yamaguchi) and Derek Hough (season 7 winner with Brooke Burke) have joined forces on a new musical endeavor...the Ballas Hough Band (formerly known as Almost Amy). On March 10th they released their first CD, BHB.

A few weeks ago, I went on a 10-mile run in preparation for some upcoming races. It was a great opportunity to run with it. Let's just say The BHB CD and I are now good friends...I listened to it the whole darn way. And I finished the run...that alone says something! Here's the verdict:

It's actually a great running CD! Not only can they dance, these guys can actually rock. A lot of it reminded me of fun, old-school pop. A few songs reminded me of New Kids on the Block (but cooler!) The lyrics were catchy, and the beat kept me going. I really liked the 7th track, "Fall" and the 8th track, "Do It For You" co-written by the new American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi. (Maybe the fact that I once auditioned for American Idol made me especially keen on liking this song. Or maybe it really was the song. Either way, I like it.)

If you have teenage daughters in the house, this is perfect music for them. I have a one-year-old-going-on-sixteen who rocks out when she hears this music playing. I'm OK with that. The lyrics are clean. The tunes are catchy. The album puts a great spin on old-school pop, but also has some edgier, funkier, more rock-sounding songs. I like the variety. I hope the band does well, and keeps putting out good music that I can run to. Cuz that's the only way I'll be able to appreciate it.

Visit the Ballas Hough Band website to find out more about these guys. You can get a taste of their music for yourself! You can purchase online from Amazon.com.

Thanks to the One2One Network for this review opportunity. If you are interested in becoming part of this fabulous women’s word of mouth marketing organization, head on over and sign up!

What about you? Do you have a favorite band that you work out to?