Kid-Friendly Music that Adults Can Also Enjoy [review]

My 3.5 year old son has always loved listening to music. While we do sing kid songs from time to time, I prefer to listen to Classic music or Christian Rock music when we are traveling in the car or listening to music while doing chores. I like to select music that is appropriate for all ages. That's why the Jazz Loves Disney soundtrack is perfect for our whole family! My toddler can still enjoy kid-friendly songs and the adults can reminisce about their childhoods. The songs are appropriate for everyone and I don't feel like I'm purely listening to kid songs.

Disclosure: I participated in this sponsored album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided the album to review but all opinions are my own.

Jazz Loves Disney Tracklist:
1. Jamie Cullum – "Everybody Wants To Be A Cat" – from The Aristocats
2. Melody Gardot – "He’s A Tramp" – from Lady And The Tramp
3. Stacey Kent – "Bibbidi Bobbodo Boo" (French version) – from Cinderella
4. Gregory Porter – "When You Wish Upon A Star" – from Pinocchio
5. China Moses – "Why Don’t You Do Right" – from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
6. Raphaël Gualazzi – "I Wanna Be Like You" – from The Jungle Book
7. The Rob Mounsey Orchestra – "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" – from Cinderella
8. Hugh Coltman – "You’ve Got A Friend In Me" – from Toy Story
9. Anne Sila – "Let It Go" – from Frozen
10. Melody Gardot & Raphaël Gualazzi – "The Bare Necessities" – from The Jungle Book
11. Laika – "Once Upon A Dream" – from Sleeping Beauty
12. Nikki Yanofsky -"Someday My Prince Will Come" – from Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs
13. The Hot Sardines – I Wanna Be Like You (French & English version) – from The Jungle Book (US release only)


We have started to introduce our son to Disney movies. I never thought that doing so would bring back so many memories from when I was growing up. Even just listening to this soundtrack was bringing back some warm and fuzzy feelings. I remember being in middle school and watching some of the Disney movies for the first time. (I came over to the US when I was 9, so I wasn't introduced to the movies until I was a bit older). My mom would take me over to her friend's house for play dates because she had kids of a similar age. We would watch Disney movies while we played. As I became older, I started to enjoy Disney movies even more because I could really understand some of the more complex concepts. I also enjoyed the beautiful music.

When I started playing the soundtrack, my toddler came over and asked me what kind of music I was playing. He really liked the songs. I really like that the songs are kid-appropriate but can also be enjoyed by me and my husband. The songs are upbeat!

My two favorite songs are "The Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book. I really love the upbeat rhythm of this song. The song makes me smile.

I also love "When You Wish Upon a Star." This has always been a favorite song of mine. There is something hopeful and exciting about the words and the song.

The thing I love most about the Jazz Loves Disney album is that the songs are classic! They bring a smile to my face because I remember watching these movies as a child. Now, my son can enjoy the same music.

Jazz Loves Disney can be purchased on iTunes and on Amazon.

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Gwen Stefani This Is What The Truth Feels Like Album [review]

From listening to mellow, easy songs while cooking dinner or cleaning to listening to more upbeat songs while running, I enjoy a variety of music. Gwen Stefani is an old favorite artist of mine. Her new album, This Is What The Truth Feels Like is upbeat and personal!

This is What the Truth Feels Like Tracklist:
1. Misery
2. You’re My Favorite
3. Where Would I Be
4. Make Me Like You
5. Truth
6. Used To Love You
7. Send Me A Picture
8. Red Flag
9. Asking For It
10. Naughty
11. Me Without You
12. Rare

Bonus tracks, only available at Target:
13. Rocket Ship
14. Getting Warmer
15. Obsessed
16. Splash

Disclosure: I participated in this sponsored album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided the album to review but all opinions are my own.

Gwen Stefani has had lots of songs on my running playlist. They are usually upbeat and motivational. This new album is one of her most personal works so far! The songs are emotional and describe the ups and downs of love. You can tell this by the names of the songs. They still have the same beat that you expect from Gwen Stefani.

Make Me Like You is one of my favorite songs. It's upbeat and has a catchy tune. Misery is another song that I like. If you are looking for a fast beat song, great for a hard workout, Naughty is a great choice. However, I did not like Red Flag as a song.

I really like the range of styles that Gwen Stefani offers in this album. From slower and more mellow to a faster beat and more rap-like style. I have added several of the songs to my running playlist.



This Is What The Truth Feels Like can be purchased on iTunes and at Target. The Target version of the album offers 4 extra tracks!

The Gwen Stefani website also has limited availability of special bundles.

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Seal 7 Album [review]

Listening to music is a big part of my life. From listening to mellow, easy song while coking dinner or cleaning to listening to more upbeat songs while running, I enjoy a variety of music. Seal has created some of the most epic songs that we still remember. Seal's new album entitled 7 will charm and romance you as Seal explores the different facets of love.







Seal 7 Tracklist:
1. Daylight Saving
2. Every Time I'm With You
3. Life on the Dancefloor
4. Padded Cell
5. Do You Ever
6. The Big Love Has Died
7. Redzone Killer
8. Monascow
9. Half A Heart
10. Let Yourself
11. Love

The album starts off on a slow, mellow song to showcase the beauty of Seal's voice. Daylight Savings is a good entry song. The softness of the voice then goes into a strong proclamation. Padded Cell is a more upbeat song and is going on my running playlist! Do You Ever and Half a Heart songs got at some my emotions.

The new album 7 from Seal includes songs that I like to listen to. I can see myself listening to this album while cooking in the kitchen or relaxing with wine. I love Seal's voice.

The 7 album can be purchased on iTunes and on Amazon.

Disclosure: I participated in the 7 album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review but all opinions are my own.

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Harry Connick Jr That Would Be Me Album [review]

I usually listen to music every day. I love listening to upbeat songs when I am running. I love listening to mellow, easy listening songs while cooking dinner or cleaning. One of the things that music does for me is put me in a specific mood. Harry Connick Jr. has always been one of my favorite singers for his easy listening style. Harry's new That Would Be Me album is a collection of a variety of songs for all moods.






Harry Connick Jr. That Would Be Me Tracklist:
1. Smile
2. Like We Do
3. Trying to Matter
4. Songwriter
5. Do You Really Need Her
6. You Don't Need a Man
7. You Have No Idea
8. Prisoners
9. Love U A Little Bit
10. Every Time I Fall In Love
11. Hurts

The album starts off on a positive note with Smile. I really like the faster beat of this song. I will be adding it to my running playlist. Trying to Matter and Songwriter are some other upbeat songs for easy listening. A few songs in, the album started to remind me of someone whose heart has been broken with the Do You Really Need Her song and You Don't Need a Man song.

I really like that this new album from Harry Connick Jr. has songs for just about every mood, from happy to sad. Harry has a soothing, raspy voice and this album would be great for any person.

That Would Be Me album can be purchased on iTunes and on Amazon.

Disclosure: I participated in the That Would Be Me album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review but all opinions are my own.

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Fall in Love with Giveaways: Pamper and Relax [Giveaway]

Welcome to the Fall in Love with Giveaways Hop. Enter below for a chance to win a Pamper and Relax prize package and then hop around to the other blogs to enter more giveaways.

 

Welcome to the "Fall In Love with Giveaways" Giveaway Hop hosted by Heather from Mommy's Favorite Things and Michelle from Mama's Baby Cupcakes. This hop has an open theme, which means anything family friendly is up for grabs! Each blog has a minimum prize package of $25 per winner and after visiting my giveaway, make sure you use the linky below to take a look at the other blogs to see what they have to offer for you!

All Natural Katie is offering the Pamper and Relax Giveaway that includes three prizes valued at $50. 

1. Two cosmetic bags
2. Jeff Gold Music Escapes CD
3. Friendship charm bracelet

Please use the Giveaway Tools entry form. Open to US only. All entries will be verified. Duplicate, incomplete and invalid entries will be deleted. 

Giveaway

Pamper and Relax Package ($50 value)

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Mama's Baby Cupcakes, Mommy's Favorite Things and the "Fall In Love with Giveaways" participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.

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Jeff Gold Escapes CD [Giveaway]

Are you in need of relaxation? Music is a great way to relax. I often listen to relaxing music while I am working in the kitchen or driving in the car. Jeff Gold Music's Escapes CD is a soothing collection of original melodies featuring beautifully arranged acoustic guitars, piano, strings and flutes. One of the way I would like to try listening to this CD is at night to help me to wind down from adventurous toddler days and fall asleep easier.

Enter below for a chance to win Jeff Gold's Escapes CD below.

Please use the Giveaway Tools entry form. Open to US only. All entries will be verified. Duplicate, incomplete and invalid entries will be deleted. 

Giveaway

Jeff Gold Music Escapes CD ($13.75 RV)

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are honest and are my own. All Natural Katie is not responsible for companies/sponsors who fail to ship the prize.

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Sports Armband for iPhone 5 [Review]

Listening to music during exercise is a must for me. Running is my therapy. When I run, I like to let my mind go wherever, or nowhere. Sometimes, I prefer to listen to a specific genre of music to hear what it is telling me. Other time, I prefer upbeat songs to get through a hard run. I decided to finally get a sports armband for my iPhone so that I can not only have the ability to listen to music, but also the ability to make a phone call or send a text message. Limm Sports Armband is a fully adjustable armband that is slim and fits tight around my skinny arm.

Limm Sports Armband      

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Sports fabrics to keep iPhone dry	Key holder difficult to access
Slim design

Limm Sports Armband is designed to be used with the following iPhones: 5 / 5s / 5c / 4 / 4s and iPod Touch 4 /5. The armband is meant to fit iPhones without the case, but might be able to fit a phone with a slim case. The case is made from Lycra and Neoprene, so the fabric stays mostly dry during a hard, sweaty workout. The Neoprene fabric plus the screen protectors are a great feature if you get stuck in a light rain during your workout. The fabric has a little bit of a stretch to it. The velcro is strong.

The key holder is a nice feature, but I found that it was not very functional. The key opening was hard to keep open while trying to fit the key and the key was challenging to remove when I returned home.

The phone armband comes in two sizes: Slim and Average.

Slim fits arm sizes of 8.8" to 11.0" in circumference.
Average fits arm sizes of 10.6" to 16.1" in circumference.

Fit: I received the Average size so that my husband could also use the armband with his iPhone 4. The Average size did fit my upper arm, but I had to tighten it as much as it would go. It was a bit loose during the run, but once I started sweating a bit, the armband started sticking more to my skin. If I were only using the armband myself, I would have ordered the Slim size because I have skinny arms and most armbands are usually too big for me.

My Thoughts: I like that the fabric helps the armband and the iPhone to stay dry during sweaty workouts or during light rains. I also like that the armband itself is very slim (does not stick out very far from my arm). The armband needs to be cleaned by hand, but that is easy to do. I usually take it in the shower with me and use soap to clean it, then wring and air dry. Since the key holder was not very functional for me, I will probably put the key behind the iPhone in the same pocket.

Limm Sports Armband is affordable and will do the job that it is intended to do. I do wish the key holder was more accessible and easier to use.

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and are honest. Reference ID: pm9f60ab2b55468f104055b16df8f69e81.

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Joy Williams Venus Album [Review]

Music is a big part of my life. I love listening to music while I am cooking or working around the house, while driving in the car, and while running, among many other times. The music I listen to depends on my mood, or the type of mood I want to be in. From happy and upbeat to sad and slow, music helps me to experience life and the emotions that comes with the ups and downs of it. Joy Venus was previously with The Civil Wars group, but is now on her own. Joy William's Venus album is a collection of personal and emotional songs that will evoke emotions from happiness to sadness.

Joy Williams Venus Tracklist:
1. Before I Slept
2. Sweet Love of Mine
3. Woman (Oh Mama)
4. One Day I Will
5. Not Good Enough
6. What a Good Woman Does
7. Until the Levee
8. You Loved Me
9. The Dying Kind
10. Till Forever
11. Welcome Home

I really like this brand new album from Joy Williams. Her music is the type of music that I like - easy listening with an empowering message. Joy was recently part of The Civil Wars group that has disbanded. She has come out on her own with a bang! This break through album takes the best of what Joy learned from The Civil Wars, mixed with some of her favorite artists.

My favorite songs are "Woman (Oh Mama)" because I am a mother and this song gets at the strength of a woman. This song is going to be added to my running playlist. I also like "Not Good Enough" for my running playlist. It is hard to choose my top favorites because I love all of the songs. Joy William's Venus album would be great for playing while I am cooking or cleaning the house or just hanging out with my toddler.

The Venus album can be purchased on iTunes and on Amazon.

Disclosure: I participated in the Joy Williams Venus album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review but all opinions are my own.

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