Cowgirl Style

I LOVE Sheplers. You will most likely find me referring to a lot of products they sell because they are probably the biggest Western Wear store in the United States. I first stumbled upon Sheplers when I was living in San Antonio, but I do all my shopping with Sheplers online now. I buy most of my boots from them, as well as jeans. I've also bought some decor items through them, as well as tops, hats and belts. But what brings me to sharing them today is a necklace I found on their website that I am in love with! It is so beautiful, I'm putting it on my wishlist and hoping someone decides to gift it to me for my birthday! Wishful thinking, I know.

It is composed of red nuggets (not sure what that really means, but they're beautiful!), turquoise and silver accents. The cross is removable, though I don't know why you'd want to do that because it is what makes the necklace. I could see this necklace as the finishing touch to a simple boots, jeans and black tee look (my favorite way to wear a statement necklace) or with a cute dress and boots. Imagine the compliments!

Click here for the link. 

What I'm Listening To... Feb 27th

It's difficult to find a good radio station these days, especially if you don't like in the country- er- state of Texas. God Bless Texas Country music, might I add. These days the radio is rampid with pop-country bands and singers. And I don't know what the deal is- but I swear some artists are paying for their air time. Tim McGraw's "Felt Good On My Lips" comes on any of the three radio stations that come in, at least 3 times during my work day. And Luke Bryan, who coincidently is McGraw's tour mate this summer along with- gasp-The Band Perry, are yet two more who hog the air waves. I like Luke Bryan however, so I let it slide most the time. The Band Perry are- alright; and Tim McGraw was good in his earlier days. Alright- so what's my point? My point is- it is soooo hard to find new talent if you only listen to the radio (and CMT is even worse since they never play music anymore and they were bought by MTV). GACtv is the best place to catch music videos, but many artists never make it to TV. I do a lot of browsing around on the internet to find music that hasn't made in mainstream. I like this kind of music because I don't like following crowds and even if I liked something before it was big, once it becomes big, I lose interest. Miranda Lambert for example, one of the most favorite singers of all time, but once she started getting all the attention, I found myself listening to her album less. She still kicks booty like she always have, it's just not as fun to say you're a Miranda Lambert and people no longer ask "Who?".
Recently I have been successful in finding some music that's under the radar, and let me tell you, I'm in LOVE.
The band is called JB & The Moonshine Band and the album is Ain't Goin' Back To Jail. I first found these guys thanks to their single, "Perfect Girl", which has a video on Gactv.com. The song is hilariously delirious as the singer describes his perfect girl down to her height, year born, measurements, education and financial situation. It's very catchy, not so country, but catchy. But that's just it- JB & The Moonshine Band isn't country, they're Texas Country. While I'm not a huge fan of their faster tempo songs like the title track, "I'm Broke" and "Roll With Me", they are still good. But the band really shines in their slower songs. "Missing You Again" is one of my favorites, but songs like "Whiskey Days", "Chasing Rainbows", "Glad That You're Mine" and "Doin Fine" are just as great. A word of warning, the song "Sticker Peck Out", is not exactly PG material, but nothing terribly offensive. I really hope these guys stick around and don't get eaten up by mainstream country. I really just can't get enough of them!!
 The best deal on their album is the MP3 album on Amazon, the link is at the bottom of this post. Check it out! Which reminds me, I now can get a percentage from Amazon for referring people to buy from them, so if you don't mind using the links I provide, I'd appreciate the extra income! It doesn't cost you anything extra! And I wouldn't refer you to them if it wasn't a good price for a product. I mean I could tell you to go to iTunes and spend twice as much, but I care, so I don't.

 

The Best Western Movies

If there's one movie-type I'm a sucker for, it's a good western. I thought I'd share my favorites should you find yourself wanting to wrap up on the couch and get lost in a good movie.

Appaloosa is probably my favorite western, ever. I know it is a recent movie, so that might make my judging a little unfair, but it is hard to compare old movies with rough cinematography to the picturesque movies of today.  Appaloosa is a movie adapted from the book by Robert B. Parker, which is the first book in a series of four about the gun slinging duo Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch. The movie is directed by Ed Harris, who also plays a main character. I have to admit, I hesitated to see this one in theaters due to Renee Zellweger being cast in it, because I quite frankly can't stand her (besides, who in their right mind wouldn't make things work with Kenny Chesney). But I went ahead and gave the movie a shot and boy, am I glad I did. The actors portray their characters flawlessly and you will find yourself engulfed in this movie. I could watch this movie over and over again and always love it.

Lonesome Dove is another absolute favorite of mine. It was a movie made for television, so it is LONG, like 8 hours I think. But it is a fantastic story and I have watched it all the way through in one sitting, but it is broken up into different parts.  The story is about Gus (Robert Duvall) and Woodrow (Tommy Lee Jones) who set out to Montana from Texas when Woodrow gets it stuck in his head that he wants to be the first man to graze cattle in Montana. Both Gus and Woodrow used to be Texas Rangers and their friendship is just as old as they probably are. Gus is favorable of a carefree lifestyle while Woodrow is a hard working, thick skinned type. Diane Lane and Anjelica Houston both have sizable rolls along with lots of other actors who you still see around in movies today. I could watch this movie once a month, had I the time, and I always find myself loving Gus more with each time I watch it.

Wyatt Earp and Tombstone  are two movies with near identical story lines. They both follow the story of Wyatt Earp and his work as a gunman, as well as his friends and family members including the ever-famous, Doc Holiday. Wyatt Earp stars Kevin Costner as Wyatt Earp, while Tombstone stars Kurt Russell. Doc Holiday is played by Dennis Quaid in Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer in Tombstone. It is so hard for me to pick which version I like better, as both I think have great qualities and different takes on the story. Even picking a better Wyatt Earp or Doc Holiday seems near impossible. So I would recommend watching them both yourself and joining my predicament.

One thing that's for certain is Robert Duvall sure knows his way around a western. And Kevin Costner is following closely in his footsteps. Open Range  is a wonderful movie that follows to cattlemen who find themselves the last of a dying breed, the open range breed. This movie is special to me because of the cause. I love that the two main characters in this movie are stubborn and are willing to stand up for what they believe in. And that is the right to open ranges. The story takes place when the US started becoming more privately owned and range lands were disappearing due to privatization. Those who allowed their cattle to graze freely were thought of as being dishonest and began being tormented by those who disagreed with their choice. A great western without a huge romance story to it (there is some romance, but it is small in comparison to most).

Urban Cowboy is most likely, not a western. But it is a good movie, and it is about a cowboy, so that's close enough for me. The story is about Bud (John Travolta) and Sissy (Debra Winger) who fall in love (I think?), get married, move into a trailer and then watch their marriage fall apart just as quickly. There's good music, some dancing, some cheating, some mechanical bull riding, and a whole lotta Gilley's. It's a fun movie that I love to watch.

Another couple of movies I love that aren't quite so western but have some country qualities to them: Bridges of Madison County for an amazing amazing amazing love story. And No Country For Old Men for a good action/drama. Both are amazing, both are worth watching, a lot.

The Dallas Dame Dress

I found this dress on Lulus.com, it is called the Dallas Dame Beige Lace Dress. I have been looking for a dress like this forever! Lulus.com is apparently for Juniors clothing, but I went ahead and ordered it and can now only cross my fingers that it fits in the right places. Hopefully it does because I cannot wait to wear it this summer with some cowboy boots.

What I'm Listening To... Feb 20th

If there's one thing my husband can attest to, it's my love for all music Brooks & Dunn and George Strait. I am a longtime fan of Miranda Lambert, though I know she's really big right now, I've been with her (yes, it IS like that) since "Me and Charlie Talking". I love Merle, love love love Merle. Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser and Keith Anderson are another few of my favorites.

Jamey Johnson is my vote for the most talented musician in all of music today and is another huge favorite of mine. He is more famous than a lot of people know. He is a songwriter and has written/co-wrote huge hits for other artists such as George Strait's #1 song "Give It Away", Trace Adkin's hits "Honkytonk Badonkadonk" (co-wrote by Randy Houser also!) and "Ladies Love Country Boys" as well as songs for Joe Nichols, James Otto and Jessie James (for those of you who follow pop).  His first album The Dollar, had only one song on it gain any recognition and it was the title track. His second album, That Lonesome Song, gained him further recognition with the hit "Color". His other single off the album, "High Cost of Living", didn't fair as well. I'm sure this didn't bother Jamey as he appears to be a man confident in his music. His most recent album, The Guitar Song, has been quite a different story. The first single "My Way To You" didn't make it to radio, though the second single "Playing The Part" has a music video with Matthew Mcconaughey, the bare chest loving man, directing and starring in. The newest single "Heartache" is one of my favorite songs off the album. It is bitter and mean just like the name suggests.

If you haven't bought his most recent album The Guitar Song, buy it! That album is brilliant, emotional and beautiful. There is not a single bad song on it. It is so good, I'd recommend being careful with it. I found myself listening to the "black album" so much that it was bringing me down, so listen to it with caution, and make sure to mix the "white album" up with it! You can buy it here on his website, and it's even available in vinyl! If you have a record player, I am envious and you better buy it in vinyl because I don't have a record player, but if I did, I would own the album in vinyl also! Amazing.



A Country Girl's Dream

The Sweetest Twang is a blog that offers all things a country girl might fancy. Being country doesn't mean you have to be redneck, have a Walmart wardrobe, or be without taste. You can be country and have good taste, trust me. Home decor, music, clothing, cooking... I'm just a country girl who knows what she likes and what is good. So pull up a rocking chair and rock awhile, and thanks for stoppin' by.