Don't Stop The Music ...!

Bonjour!

Yet again I've not published a music post for a while - there's been a lot going on down on the ranch and I've not felt so inspired  ... but that's changed and boy am I feeling it right now (this should read feelin' it but only cool young people would use this version right?).  Anyway ... this superb tune appeared on one of my new 80s funk/soul compilations and I heard it for the first time in years whilst driving to work (to the office of doom) one morning - put me in a good mood! It then popped up on the CD again one afternoon the other weekend as I was driving home from the gym - it was one of those surprisingly hot afternoons and I had the windows wound down with the bass turned up, shades on and my arm hanging out of the window ... cruising (as you do!) unfortunately I had no 'homies' with me in the car but all the same ... proper cool I was ... ;) !

Yarbrough & Peoples - Don't Stop the Music ...

From way back when in 1981 ...can't believe I had forgotten about this funky number ... 'The beat keeps going round and round - turns me upside down!'.  It has such a feel good factor and is so laid back I was almost horizontal in the drivers seat - not a good idea if you're driving obviously!

How silky smooth yet totally groovy is this tune and how darn clear are their voices ... if I could sing like that I would not be working in the office of doom!   Don't you just want to 'pour' yourself right onto that dance floor, as the lady says 'It feels so satisfying ... just because it's 2 o'clock don't stop the music ... !'  I do remember though (as some of you older gals will)  when the nightclubs actually did finish at 2 o'clock after the smoochies had been on -  it's not the same these days is it and my young colleagues cannot comprehend an 'establishment' closing 'so early'!   Good grief ... remember the smoochies at the end of the night ... actually I'd rather not remember all of them if you get my drift!

Which tune would you want to cruise along to with your 'homies' on a warm sunny afternoon?

Jen x



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Another Birthday, Another Wishlist ...

Bonjour!

If you follow me on Instagram you may have gleaned that Friday was my birthday - I forced myself to wear a dress - get me!  This post was obviously meant to be published earlier on in the week but it didn't get finished in time - we're having fitted wardrobes in my daughter's bedroom and there has been a lot of moving of stuff around! How does one so young accumulate so much crap stuff?!  The floor of my own bedroom is currently littered with boxes and resembles an 'Albert's Bazaar' - that's my mum's term for jumble sale! It's doing my head in but a bit of deep breathing will help - won't be for much longer!   Anyway ... I didn't think it was appropriate to sit finishing off this post on my actual birthday as the husband was patiently waiting to take me out for a spot of shopping and lunch ...  so, a bit late but lets just pretend it's a few days earlier!

'It's my birthday, it's my birthday. I'mma (not a spelling mistake) spend hubby's money!  Yep well that's the plan anyway!'

Another Birthday, Another Wishlist! by beautyandthebiryani featuring a beveled mirror

When my mum and hubby first asked ... 'What do you want for your birthday?' ... I couldn't bring anything in particular to mind ...I know ... I must be mad!  Then I realised there are a few things I would quite like ... after all it's ok to have a few treats on your birthday right?

Bronzo Italia Rolo Link Bracelet - I'm into the whole Rose Gold thing and I love the chunkiness of this bracelet. Hoping my mum will take the 'QVC hint'!

Green Shirt and Tangerine Platform Pumps - I'm so ready for a pop or two of colour after the dreariness of Winter! I'd love a bright shirt to wear with skinnies and maybe a new pair of posh shoes (these are posh to me!) to wear with a plain outfit - I'm blaming the latter totally on Donna from I Won't Wear Sludge Brown take a look at her post here and you'll see what I mean!

Adidas/Nike Running Shoes - I'd say these are more of a need!  Being a regular 'gym-goer' my trainers take a lot of battering and I've had my current pair for so long that the tread is starting to wear so they could do with being replaced.  I'm fancying a change from standard white - which would you go for?

Funk Soul Classics - been listening to a lot of 80s groovy stuff recently. Takes me back to pre-house music days of dancing round my huge clutch bag in white stilettos and big curly hair!  I'd love another compilation to put in the car!

MAC Blushbaby/Benefit Dallas - I figured it's ok to buy one more totally unnecessary blusher on your birthday! I've been wanting to dip into the world of MAC blushers for a while and there's something about Blushbaby ...!  Can't decide whether to plump for me ol' matey Benefit Dallas though, which I've never got round to replacing!

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream - an absolute favourite but one I tend to save as a proper treat as it's rather pricey! I've asked my brother to bring me one back from France when he comes over this weekend. Bet he forgets! 

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue - this is a Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream with SPF30 and I don't think it's available in the UK until April but it's a product I really fancy trying for the warmer months so it's on my list!

Dressing Table Mirror - last but not least and yes - a bit of a weird choice but ... I would really like a new dressing table mirror! Although not strictly a need - I already have a mirror but it's not so big and it's balanced on top of a basket on my set of drawers which acts as my dressing table. A taller mirror, properly positioned, so I don't have to squat to look into it every time I want to apply some slap or dry my hair would be such a treat!

So ... that was my birthday wishlist - bit back to front but that's me all over! I did have a lovely day though - the hubby was super nice to me - not that he's usually horrible or anything but you know what I mean! My brother had come home from France for the weekend (and yes he forgot the L'Occitane hand cream!),  my musician brother is on tour in America with Kid Creole and the Coconuts (remember them!) and called to wish me a Happy Birthday from Dallas, Texas (how the other half live!).  My mum baked a superb three tier cake (which also went on Instagram) and we had a huge chinese with the family in the evening - suffice to say we were all stuffed! 

What would be on your birthday wishlist? Is it a big one (the wishlist not the birthday!)?


Jen x

PS. And yes I'm aware that my font is a bit weird in these last few paragraphs but I've had the same problem as you Sarah from Forty Therapy with regards to the font! Don't have time to sort it at the minute so it'll have to do for this post!

Have A Funky Good Time with Brother Strut!

Bonjour!

Brother Strut are an up and coming funk and soul band, formed in 2012, we're talking real musicians, real instruments, real music!  The members have collectively performed on records that have sold over half-a-billion copies.  Not only has this line-up played on numerous hit singles and albums, they’ve also worked for the likes of Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Madonna, Elton John, Sting, George Michael, Robbie Williams, Al Green, Level 42 and Amy Winehouse ... the list goes on!  Find out more about Brother Strut right here!

If, like me, you're a lover of  'proper' music and like to 'get your groove on' every now and again then have a listen to this ...

Good grief how funky?  Brother Strut are performing live in London at the Brooklyn Bowl, O2 on Wednesday 3rd December.  I was invited down to the gig and I can tell you if I lived in or around the London area I'd have been there like a shot!  Sadly it's at the wrong end of the country for me but you can win one of 5 pairs of tickets to attend the gig by entering here.

I'm so envious!  Let me know if you manage to get to see Brother Strut,  I bet it will be an amazing night of pure groovetastic sounds!

Good luck to everyone!

Jen x

Favourite Friday Track!

Bonjour!

A late post today because I've just gotten back from my hols in the South of France.  The washing machine is already on, the post-holiday blues have set in and I'm trying my best not to upload a melancholy tune! Thought I'd go for something upbeat which reminds me of the hot (and I mean hot!) summer weather I've just returned from!


Tom Browne - Funkin' for Jamaica

Released in July 1980 by jazz trumpeter Tom Browne, this has got such a wicked groove going on ...

...sometimes you can't beat a bit of 'funk therapy'!

What's your favourite 'holiday-blues' track?


Jen x