Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Happy Sweet 2016

When reflecting on the year 2015, the one word that comes to mind is resilience. I weathered quite a handful of storms, but preserved and came out on top. Thanks to my loving family and fantastic squad of friends (old and new), I have managed to kick 2015 to the curb all with a smile on my face. There were also some definite highs - I certainly traveled (London, Iceland, Michigan, Philadelphia, DC,Toronto, California, Miami, and Bahamas),  I saw (T.Swift in Concert, and visited the new Whitney Museum), and I conquered (Completed 5th Half Marathon and P&P turning 3). Check out my awesome year in review via Instagram.



We can only go up from here. Guns blazing, I'm coming at you 2016. Happy New Year everyone and see you on the flip side.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Best Music of 2015


Here on Pewter & Puddles I like to provide my readers every Monday with the latest and greatest bands that have caught my interest. 2015 was another fantastic year of music filled with amazing albums and infectious singles.

I can never pick a favorite album/song. Therefore, I decided to compile all of my favorite songs from the year into one giant mixtape courtesy of Spotify. You're welcome!

Listen below and enjoy.

Best Music of 2015

Monday, December 21, 2015

JoJo


Junior year of college "Leave (Get Out)" was on heavy rotation in room 36 at AZD. Joey and I couldn't get enough of the infectious pop song by JoJo. Since then, she's been quiet on the music front, until now. 90's babies rejoice, just last week she dropped #LoveJo2 a special 4 track ep that features another round of infectious pop songs.

What a wonderful holiday treat to have her back on the scene and shelling out signature tunes. Give it a spin below and play them on repeat until Christmas.

#LoveJo2

Friday, December 18, 2015

Broadway in 2016


While I am still holding out to see Fun Home and Hamilton, I am getting pretty excited about Broadway's next line up of shows in 2016.  Whether it be a movie musical, a favorite childhood book turned into a musical, or a star-studded cast in a hilarious revival of a play, I know where I'm going to be spending my paycheck next year. Check out the top 6 highly anticipated musicals and plays hitting the stage next several months ahead. What are you most excited to see?

  • Theatre: Brooks Atkinson
  • First Preview: March 25, 2016
  • Opening: April 24, 2016
  • Written by Sara Bareilles (music & lyrics), Jessie Nelson (book), Adrienne Shelly (original screenplay)
  • Director: Diane Paulus
  • Cast: Jessie Mueller
  • Based on the 2007 film of the same name, which follows a pregnant waitress named Jenna who is unhappily married in the Deep South. She meets a newcomer to her town and falls into an unlikely relationship as a last attempt at happiness.

  • Theatre: Broadhurst 
  • First Preview: March 31, 2016
  • Opening: April 26, 2016
  • Written by Nathan Tysen (lyrics), Chris Miller (music), Claudia Shear (book)
  • Director: Casey Nicholaw
  • Cast: Sarah Charles Lewis, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Carolee Carmello, Michael Park, Terrence Mann
  • Good girl Winnie Foster’s world has been safely contained behind the picket fence that surrounds the house she shares with her mother and grandmother. Yearning to break free, Winnie runs deep into the woods behind their house where she discovers the Tuck family and the secret they’ve been keeping.

  • Theatre: Gerald Schoenfeld
  • First Preview: March 24, 2016
  • Opening: TBA
  • Written by Duncan Sheik (music & lyrics), Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (book)
  • Director: Rupert Goold
  • Cast: Benjamin Walker, Alice Ripley, Jennifer Damiano
  • Patrick Bateman's days are driven by his obsessive and over-the-top materialism; by night, his mask of sanity slips away as he descends into a chilling indulgence in drugs, prostitution and murder.

  • Theatre: American Airlines 
  • First Preview: December 17, 2015
  • Opening: January 14, 2016
  • Written by Michael Frayn
  • Director: Jeremy Herrin
  • Cast: Andrea Martin, Megan Hilty, Jeremy Shamos
  • Roundabout Theatre Company revives Frayn's farce.

  • Theatre: Lyceum
  • First Preview: April 2, 2016
  • Opening: April 25, 2016
  • Written by Becky Mode
  • Director: Jason Moore
  • Cast: Jesse Tyler Ferguson
  • Broadway premiere of the hit 1999 play, about a harried reservations clerk at a hot restaurant with a mob of crazy guests...all played by one actor.

  • Theatre: Walter Kerr
  • First Preview: February 29, 2016
  • Opening: April 7, 2016
  • Written by Arthur Miller
  • Director: Ivo van Hove
  • Cast: Ben Whishaw, Saoirse Ronan, Ciaran Hinds. Sophie Okonedo.
  • Arthur Miller's political allegory framed as a story about a man falsely charged with witchcraft in colonial, Salem, MA.

Check out all the other musicals and plays hitting the Great White Way in 2016.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Holiday Gift Guide 2015: Gifts For Her


Hanukkah may have ended already, but Christmas is just around the corner. Treat that special little lady with one of these 8 dazzling gifts. Added bonus, they are all under $100. You can thank me later.

1. Catbird Signature Pouch, $18

2. Rachel Antonoff 'Baby You Light My Menorah' Tshirt, $64

3. Voluspa Candles, $16 (each)

4. Kate Spade Monkey See Monkey Do Studs, $48

5. Baublebar 'Ice Initial' Bar Pendant Necklace, $38

6. Rebecca Minkoff 'People Know Me' Pouch, $50

7. Books With Style 'The Big Book of Chic', $75

8. Leif Gold Foil Notebook Set, $18

Holiday Gift Guide 2015: Gifts For Him



8 perfect gifts for your favorite man in your life. Make him a spoiled Dad, Husband, Boyfriend, or Ultimate Pal. All gifts are under $100, you're welcome.

1. Uncommon Goods Airplane Self Pull Corkscrew, $19.95

2. Miansai Anchor Wrap Bracelet, $85

3. Son of A Sailor Wall Clock, $75

4. Leatherology Square Valet Tray, $50

5. The Gentlemen's Guide to Cocktails, $72

6. Green Juice Pro Power Dock, $45

7. Men In Cities Chess Medium Notebook, $30

8. Eat More Tacos Three Potato Four, $24

Monday, December 14, 2015

Lucy Rose


Artist Lucy Rose is A+ in my book. Not only is she a folk rock indie goddess hailing from Warwickshire, England, but she is also a tea connoisseur. In her early days as an artist, she sold her own tea blend named 'Builder Grey' (two part English Breakfast and one part Earl Grey) at her shows as a substitute for merchandise or CDs. How adorable is that?

This Summer she released her second album Work It Out which is jam packed with eighties keyboards, snappy and bass-driven beats, and wondrous delicate vocals. Every power ballad is better than the next. Check out my favorite song 'Till the End' below. Happy listening!

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

So I Creep

So I Creep

In the 7th grade I owned a pair of creepers and they were my absolute favorite pair of shoes in my closet in 1996. It's crazy to think that the shoe I rocked when I was only 12 years old, has now come back in style and is being produced by nearly every designer. The overall aesthetic of the shoe remains the same, but designers have updated small styling details that make something old-school feel fresh and vibrant in 2015,

Check out my 9 favorite pairs to make you long for those middle school day fashion choices. Enjoy!

1. Ko Wood Lace Platform Oxfords, Whistles $280

2. Pipekent, Stuart Weitzman $268

3. Oxford, Clover Canyon $195

4. Katia Oxford Creepers, Ash $265

5. Irvinia Leather Platform Brogues, Robert Clergerie $250

6. Callie Platform Oxfords, Loeffler Randall $395

7. Razor Gator Sole Lace Ups, Office $55

8. Platform Lace-Up Oxford Sneakers, Hipsteria $52

9. Dillon Platform Oxfords, Alexander Wang $347

Monday, December 7, 2015

Hippo Campus


Although their name may suggest that they're a handful of five year olds, as soon as you hear their infectious sound you will think completely differently. Hippo Campus is an indie rock band from St. Paul, Minnesota. They just recently released their sophomore EP titled South, which embodies a transformative sound with up-beat vocal melodies and energetic guitar riffs. They've got a similar vibe to that of Vampire Weekend and Dirty Gold. In my opinion, they're the band to watch in 2016.
See for yourself below.