Sunday Spotlight: Jody Samascott

Happy Sunday all!

Sunday can be a bittersweet day for some. Sweet that it's the weekend, yet bitter it's the end of the weekend.

To bring some joy to the end of the weekend, I decided to start this new blog series called Sunday Spotlight highlighting artists whose talents, skills, and masterpieces I have grown to love and enjoy. 

Covers or originals, talent is talent. And I, for one, am one to recognize talent!

Here is my first Sunday Spotlight Songstress: Jody Samascott

If you know me, you know a huge piece of my heart wishes I was born in Hawaii (but I suppose, who doesn't?). I love Hawaiian island music and Hawaiian reggae. And I also love basically anything sung with a ukelele <3

Years ago, I was looking up Tarrus Riley's song "Superman" on YouTube and Jody Samascott's cover of the song popped up. Seeing "Ukelele" in her title I had to, of course, give it a listen and I was hooked. 

I grew to love her talent more and more as she continued to post videos.  I had often commented that I would love her to sing at my wedding one day.

And my dream came true! 

I started following her on Instagram @JodySamascott and started to interact with her more. 

She was really great with responding to those who enjoyed her music which made her personable and relatable. Always a plus!

Back to my dream coming true, I had told her I was serious about having her sing at my wedding. I jokingly asked if she happened to be in Los Angeles on October 7 and if she was, that I would be delighted to have her sing my first dance with my hubby. She had her own wedding to attend but was happy to provide me with the songs I wanted to dance to.

You can imagine my joy!

I had requested two cover songs: Latch by Sam Smith  (because my husband at one point requested this song for our first dance) and, of course, the most popular wedding song of the season - James Arthur's Say You Won't Let Go.

Enough of me babbling, here is the talent herself:

Tarrus Riley's Superman

First song I ever heard. I was hooked

Sam Smith's Latch

My first dance with my husband <3

James Arthur's Say You Won't Let Go

James Bay's Let It Go

I only added this song because her rendition is so beautiful. Well, they all are <3

But this one reminds me of something sentimental and moves me to tears each time I hear it.

Again, follow her on the different social media streams:
Instagram @JodySamascott
YouTube Jody Samascott
Twitter @JodysMusic 

And please let her know I sent you.

Check her out! You really won't regret it!

OH! And lastly, please share any talents you love! I love finding new artists.

<3<3<3

I'm Terrible At This - Year Recap

WASSUP Y'ALL!!!

I am back...for now. I am not sure who is out there that is still reading, but hello if you are! I love to write. Only problem is is that I am bad at this consistency thing. With a tough 10.5 hour work schedule at a new job, trying to fit in fitness (I've gained  10 lbs in the last year with my new sedentary office new), married life, a little bit of depressive symptoms, and just real life adulting, thie blogging this is hard to keep up with. HELLA KUDOS to those who can juggle life and blogging. I seriously applaud you.

My last post was about my pink and leopard nails. AHH I remember those nails. That was the last time I have actually done done my nails. If you had been following me for a while, you would know that nails were my thang. I was getting pretty good at it and then new job happened, wedding happened, moving happened, work schedule kicks my Lupus ass (I was getting sick so much that my coworker friend was fondly nicknaming me "Sickie") 

Let's take a quick recap stroll in the events of the past year.


FEBRUARY 2017: FALLING IN LOVE WITH FITNESS
This was my last month at my old job. At this point in my life, I was making great strides in the fitness realm. I have had gym memberships in the past, but like many others, would be consistent and motivated in the beginning but soon fall out of it.

I joined the local YMCA in April 2016 and fell more and more in love with the gym. Classes make me feel alive which slowly made the equipment less boring. I'm still more of a class gal though ;)

FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2017: WEDDING VENUE HUNTING!!!

This was both stressful and exciting!!! 

This was me feelin' myself while waiting for my beautiful maid of honor to check out a venue in Monterey Hills. The place was beautiful but a little too small for the number of guests we had in mind.

Rose gold sunnies from Rite Aid: $20

Peplum top: Papaya

Cardigan: Ross

Stuntin' on a budget...always

APRIL 2017: ENGAGEMENT SHOOT

I am not photogenic by any means. I am shy, awkward, and totally uncomfortable when a camera faces me. Anyone else feel this way?!

We did two scenes: traditional and gym to accommodate my nontraditional hubby's love for fitness. He's a personal trainer, has boot camp academies, has three Brazilian jiu jitsu gyms.

You know I had an awkward time/am unphotogenic when my favorite photos do not show my face. Major LOL.

MAY 2017: BIRTHDAY MONTH!

Another year, another year. LOL. My hubby, whose birthday is the day before mine, showered me with Hello Kitty Cafe cake and Quay x Desi Perkins sunnies. YASSSSSS I jumped on that train. 

AUGUST 2017: UNOFFICIALLY MARRIED AND BRIDAL SHOWER

In East Los! Heeeeey!

Bridal shower at the Beautiful Tea Rose Garden. So gorgeous. Thank you to my beautiful and amazing bridal team for putting it together. Thank you to my family and friends for putting me on cloud 9. I was incredibly happy!

SEPTEMBER 2017: BACHELORETTE PARTAYYYY!!

I was/am 31 at the time of my bridal shower. My crew were older, married and just foodies. I wanted a more chill vibe with lots of eating and my team definitely made it happen.

OCTOBER 2017: THE BIG MONTH! WEDDING!! AND NEW HAIR

I shall dedicate a whole post for this with some of my favorite pictures.

Thank you Friendly Hills for your hospitality ;) 

It was the best day ever and I totally felt like a princess.

I have always wanted to try red hair but was always scared of the maintenance. But this time, I was like SCREW IT. Just do it. Life is short. If it doesn't work out, I can fix it. Let's just enjoy it while it lasts. 

I chopped my hair off and had it colored. Apparently, this is pretty typical: grow hair for wedding. Chop hair after wedding. 

DECEMBER 2017: FIRST CHRISTMAS AS A MARRIED COUPLE AND A NYE WEDDING

Our cozy little fireplace

MARCH 2018: GETTING MY WEIGHT BACK ON TRACK

As mentioned above, I've gained quite a bit of weight. Last Spring 2017, I was getting into running and it was awesome (I hate running). I stopped for a year and am starting to get back into it when I am not sick or injured. LOL. My health has definitely gotten in the way of me being active. I am determined to make it happen though!

And that is what happened since my last post! 

I hope you enjoyed my post and will continue to follow.

Comment below your blog. I would love to get to know you as well.

<3<3<3