Kitchen Grooves – The Cocktail Edition

I have been completely obsessed with the Tiki culture these days – everything from vintage tiki sarong fashions, to the refreshing tiki cocktail revival! So I doubt that I will shock anyone when I say that I am totally in L-O-V-E with the chill sounds of Exotica! Just the name alone invokes fantasy and the mystical allure of the islands. (Uh, hello…guess who needs a vacation?) But since I am unable to escape to my own private isle, I retreat to my patio and create my own little getaway. All it takes is the company of good friends, a platter of Satay, and a Mai Tai in hand to escape the daily grind. Now, throw on this playlist, close your eyes, and relax.

Don Tiki – Close Your Eyes

Les Baxter – Jungle Flower

Stan Getz – The Girl from Ipanema

Steel Guitar Magic – Maui Chimes

Miles Corbin – Quintana Roo

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass  – A Taste of Honey

Martin Denny – Quiet Village

Stan Getz- Samba De Uma Nota So

Arthur Lyman – Love for Sale

Yma Sumac – Wimoweh (Mbube)

Fun with Jingles!

Ready to have some fun with jingles? We are!

The other day our dear friend Laura Graf sent us a note saying she was feeling creative (and possibly a little bored!) and wanted to write us a jingle. She came up with three very unique ideas, but we need your help in deciding which one to choose. We will be collecting votes all this week and next, and will close the polls on July 8^th. The winning jingle will get placed on our website, and who knows – maybe we will even make a video!

To learn more about our little songstress, check out Laura at http://www.reverbnation.com/lauragraf

Jingle #1 (Performed to the tune of “Love for Sale”)

Jingle #2  (Performed to the tune of “Put Your Head on my Shoulder” )

Jingle #3 (Performed to the tune of “I Love Rock-n-Roll”)

Kitchen Grooves

Sandy is a classically trained chef. I, on the other hand, am far from trained, but I do like to play the part on occasion. For me, French food is terribly intimidating, so to get motivated and my mise en place (look at me with my French terms!), I need to call in the assistance of my trusty iPod. From Vichyssoise to Souffle, this play list will keep you motivated to master the classics!

1. L.O.V.E. (French Version), Nat King Cole

2. Florence Sur Les Champs Elysees, Miles Davis

3. Lettre a Paris, Paris Combo

4. I Love Paris, Frank Sinatra

5. J’Ai Deux Amours, Madeleine Peyroux

6. April in Paris, Ella Fitzgerald

7. La Valse A Mille Temps, Jacques Brel

8. À Paris, Francis Lemarque

9. Je Cherche un Homme, Ertha Kitt

10. Solaar Pleure, MC Solaar

Note: Save MC Solaar for last and simply move into his full catalog for when guests arrive. His smooth french rap is perfect for entertaining!