BarbaraAnn's culture spot

Still here?

2011-06-19T10:50:00.004+02:00

Whoa!

I wasn't aware that my blog is still alive :)
Nice thing to experience even thoug somebody just laughed me off because of it [Yes, YOU ;]

Anyway, not something new, but here is a really great Swedish artist, one of my favourite & a really underrated and underestimated one.

Robyn - "COBRASTYLE" live

P.S. love her stage expressions - she is not afraid to move how she wants ;)

Ellie Goulding 'Lights' the music

2010-06-26T10:30:00.006+02:00

Since the weather is more autumn than summer the best thing we can do to stay in a holiday mood is listening to music. And I really don't know what do I have for English musicians, but they are just amazing and their songs are great. Here comes another UK music princess: Ellie Goulding.

She was born on 30 December 1986 and rose to fame after topping the BBC Sound of 2010 poll and winning the Critics Choice Award at the 2010 BRIT Awards. After signing to Polydor Records in 2009, released her first extended play, 'An Introduction to Ellie Goulding', followed by her debut full-length studio album, 'Lights', in 2010. In her music she connects indie pop, electropop, synthpop, folktronica, folk-pop and kite rock simultanousely playing drums, guitar and piano.

I fell in love with her voice and songs after hearing 'Starry Eyed', but even fell more after 'Guns and Horses' and other songs from the 'Lights' album. 'Salt skin' is my favourite as for now. Don't ask me why, but it brings 'Roswell' tv show to my mind...
Ellie's lyrics might not be spectacular in general but with the music they make a good impression.

To see and hear her newest video 'Guns and Horses' look to the music player on the right, or go here:

Ellie Goulding - Guns and Horses

teenage dream

2010-06-02T15:45:00.003+02:00

First of all - Sorry for such a long hiatus. The thing is I had some exams [clearly 8] and now I'm done with them so here I come - back to the game!

Secondly, we all know the curious girls-kissing and 'not one of your boys' girl. Katy Perry is coming back to the big stage with the prediction of her new album 'Teenage Dream' due to appear on August 24th. We've heard the single 'California Gurls' with Snoop Dogg and it is great [check it out in the player on the right], so we can easily say that we expect the whole CD to be smashing! Perry stated that:

"It's what I said I wanted earlier. We nailed it: It's roller-skating! It's '90s! It's Ace of Base! It's Cyndi Lauper! It's like all these colors and more. There might be some really cool guest appearances by some cool rappers from the West Coast. I mean, you'll just have to see, since I'm a California girl, you know. And then some best friends might be appearing. … We'll see! It's going to be fun. It's going to be one of those records that is everybody's favorite guilty pleasure."

She is definately confident of herself. As for now we've only heard the rappers, wonder where Cyndi Lauper style will show? Either way I'm waiting to see the new video and hear something more! We'll see if the record will beat down the 'One of the Boys'. Hopefully we won't be dissapointed by Katy's promisses about it.

the Godfather of Pop Art

2010-04-24T10:44:00.003+02:00

Do you know what it is? Well I suppose everyone should know, and if one doesn't than he knows nothing about modern world. Beacuse, of course, it's Andy Warhol's famous Marylin print.

Short biography note:

Born in 1928 to Slovakian parents in Pittsburg, after studying commercial art soon found succes in he world of advertising. Became known for revolutionizing the Pop Art movement in his silkscreen creations and often-absurd avant-garde films, produced art for the masses. In his New York City studio, he would work on art that depicted anything with inherent American meaning and symbolism. First caught the attention in 1962 with his exhibition of 32 Campbell's Soup Cans.

For Warhol it was his middle-class upbringing, many critics believe, which set the stage for his later works – art that appeals to and says something about the American social-class system. All classes, for example, can enjoy his representations of Coca Cola.

He enjoyed the New York City night scene, and wouldn’t mingle with the elite. Instead, he would quietly observe their interactions. In the 1980s, while Warhol hadn’t disappeared from the American scene after homicidal attack on him, he reemerged into eccentric art circles for his new works displaying Absolut Vodka. In his later works, Warhol tends to mock the media for its nonchalant depiction of violence as a part of everyday, normal life.

Warhol used vivid colors to grab the viewer’s attention and made a strong social comment about the state of media affairs in the United States.

Nowadays his art is so popular that people put it's reproductions on their walls just to be able to say 'I love Warhol'. Despite the fact, that times changes and art goes further everyone is able to list at least 2 famous Andy's works : Campbell's Soup Can, Marilyn Monroe printings, UK Queen's portrait, colourful zebra or coke design. While in 60's he was criticised, today noone is ashamed to state 'I know & adore Warhol'. He is the definition of America's mass-production life.

Well it was him indeed who said 'in the future everybody will be famous for 15 minutes'.
And I'm going to put this on my wall:

mourning

2010-04-11T11:11:00.003+02:00

Due to the tragic event in Russia, where 96 people including president of my country, Poland, died in a plane crash I am mourning with whole nation for the next week.
There will be no new notes during that time.
B - Polish blogger.

cupcakes take the cake

2010-04-09T13:26:00.004+02:00

Today about something, that is not totally proper in order of promoting healthy, non-sugar lifestyle. I am talking about... cupcakes!

I've found an amazing blog, out here, on blogger. It is called 'Cupcakes take the cake' and is carried by few people: Rachel Kramer Bussel, Nichelle Stephens, Stacie Joy, Mary Ann Porch and Melissa Zhang. What they do is put photos of an amazing- looking cupcakes on their blog and let others have fun from, at least, looking at those great looking ideas of them. On their site You can find reviews of many bakeries in USA, and also see how amazing cakes can do people just in their kitchen. Sometimes you are also allowed to copy a recipe for one and do it yourself.

I hadn't realised how colorful can simple cupcakes be until I found this site. There are all sorts of them : you can find an easter bunny cupcake, toy having cupcake, snowman looking cupcake, animal one, flower, valentine, birthday, tree, lettered and even present- looking cupcake! And everything soo tiny! Isn't that great? Gosh, makes me hungry just to look at it.

Check out the site, I promise you won't regret [well, maybe just that you were pushed to eat something sweet] :

CUPCAKES TAKE THE CAKE

easter 2010

2010-04-04T09:56:00.001+02:00

Just wanted to say....

HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY :)

not myself tonight

2010-03-31T21:34:00.003+02:00

Last time I was saying about the upcoming Aguilera's new album, now I'm letting you know : her newest single is now available to listen via myspace.

To hear it just go to
Aguilera Myspace
and wait till the song uploads itself.

To be honest, I'm positively surprised with it. Despite the fact, that it is a completely new Christina comparing to how she used to be in the 'dirrty' times, this song is the prediction of a great album.
Very energetic, fun, a bit technic-sounding piece worth listening to. One try makes you want to do it again and again and again. Now I am less sceptic about her comeback and waiting for the video. Will it be in a club mood? Hope so.

Now I'm going to update my walkman with it.

aguilera's comeback

2010-03-26T13:54:00.004+01:00

Christina Aguilera has announced details of her fourth studio album ‘Bionic’ on her official web site.

The CD will be released on June 8th, while its first single ‘Not Myself Tonight’ premieres on ChristinaAguilera.com at 6pm on March 30th. ‘Bionic’ features songs co-written by Aguilera and Sia, Tricky Stewart, Polow Da Don, Le Tigre, Hill & Switch, and Ladytron. Aguilera says: “Working on this album with so many talented artists and producers that I admire was really an amazing experience. The artists I chose to work with added so many unique sonic layers to Bionic. My intention was to step into their world and what they do combined with my own vision and sound. The results were magic.”

SHa also said to Rolling Stone that she’s planning her next album to be “futuristic”.“There’s no holds barred for anything. It’s really the future and can go anywhere. It’s exciting to challenge myself in that way and explore.”

Aguilera said bout Sia that “Her voice has a really cool sound to it. It’s really gritty and unique, I’m not exactly sure what we’re going to get when we go into a studio together. There’s probably magic to be had.”

Remembering about Aguilera's previous music experement, I wonder what the word FUTURISTIC means.
And BTW - this cover looks like disguising Lady Gaga a bit, doesn't it?

cut up emotional eating

2010-03-17T11:59:00.004+01:00

Ok, here's the thing: I am guilty of emotional eating. I bet You are not judging me right now but thinking 'yup, welcome to the team'.
The difference between us is [as I suppose] I am trying to cut it, and that's how I do it:

First of all, I am thinking before I go to the kitchen. Am I really hungry? Or do I just want to eat this sweet bar so I could later be mad at myself for it? No? So don't move your butt from where You are!

Secondly, if I am really mad or upset I try not to eat the last piece of cake I have but instead I take some sweet fruits like cranberries or apples to eat. And the very sweet thing to do is to slice apples put some sugar and cinammon on it and put it into oven for 2-3 min. Yum.

Thirdly: if You have the need to eat your feelings change it into the need of talking to someone. Once you start chatting with a friend you will get distracted and forget about the 'possible' hunger.

Number four: If someone gets me mad or hurt I lock myself up for few moments and just stay in one place, for eg. lay down with my head between arms and just close my eyes not to think or see anything. After a while I realize that NOBODY is able to hurt me in THIS way - he just tried, it didn't work [yet, it will if you eat sweets]

Five: Instead of focusing on bad feelings do the same with the good ones. What did you do today that is worth thinking of? Yes, you got it? Now stick to it for the rest of the day.

Six: [My favourite, but not always working one] Think about how you will feel after eating BEFORE you do it. Imagine Yourself in half an hour being even more bad than till now, because you've eaten a chocolate bar and whole diet went to hell. Good way to work on your imagination.

Seven: If you don't want to snack anything unhealthy simply don't keep it in your house. Don't buy chips, chocolate, sweets, ice-cream, pasta, cheese just 'in case'. The rule is simple - if you don't have anything like that in your cupboard, you don't want to go out to buy it [especially when it's snowing or raining].

Finally, If you eat something once in a while, chocolate bar or a cup of sweet pudding - don't be hard on yourself. Just by doing that you won't gain extra 10 kilos. Just walk up and down stairs if you really feel bad for it and you will drop at least half of the calories you've eaten.

Hope it works for you too.

freaky Gaga one more time

2010-03-12T14:22:00.006+01:00

If you have been anxious as almost 500 000 viewers who have watched it during first 12 hours, the new Lady Gaga's video for 'Telephone' feat. Beyonce is finally out.

Personally I like Gaga's music, don't even ask me why, maybe because of her voice. But what I hate more than her horrible outfits are her video conceptions. I thought that she is crazy after seeing 'Paparazzi' video, after 'Bad Romance' I thought she is freaky [yes, I mean this creepy spine of her's looking at you] but now... well, let's say it seems that she is trying to built her carieer more on shocking image than her talent. Why do I say so?

Well, original 'Telephone' video is 9m32s lenght and is made into a short movie. It is definately continuation of 'Paparazzi' because Gaga is put into jail [female one apparently] for her crime. After first minute You get an opportunity to see nearly-naked Lady, more than that - You get too see a blurry image of her crotch. From the words of the guard it's easy to understant that this is a way she's demanding gossip about her having male organs. Than You get more crazy-chick ideas, such as : cigarette-made glasses, girl on girl kissing, Gaga with cans used to curl her hair and singing her lyrics to Beyonce [via phone, definately a lesbian plot], Gaga only dressed in a police tape, Gaga dancing nearly naked, Gaga as Beyonces [Honey B] girlfriend, Gaga-chef showing You a poison-receipt, live Gaga-US-hippie-style-flag, Gaga in some sort of beduin dress [wtf?] !. Oh, and it also seems that she is trying to promote some products via her videos. You can see the heart beats earphones by Gaga plus the LG 'Virgin Mobile' phone. A bit cheap trick, isn't it?
I'm also staring to think that her idol is Amy Winehouse or blonde version of Kat von D, just look at these:

[Kat von D]

[Lady Gaga]

[Amy Winehouse]

All in all, Beyonce in the video is looking good, and more normal than Gaga, and Gaga is... well Gaga. The annoying sound-stops and strange character of the video won't scary away the maniacs, and I guess it will also bring a lot of critics and people who don't approve her just to watch it and have something to comment. Summing up it seems that Lady Gaga has reached her aim once again - everyone will be talking about her for the next few weeks [or even months] and for suer some countries will ban it for the violent and sexual elements.

Oh, and let's not forget about the 'pussy wagon', and promise 'to be continued...'.
Wonder what more frenzy will she come up with next time.

Watch the video here:
TELEPHONE
or in the mix player on the right.

detox time

2010-03-08T14:57:00.006+01:00

Summer is coming with a big steps. It's definately the best moment to FINALLY do something with our body and detox after winter.

Here are few simple rules that everyone can remember about:

1. Eat light, the best would be without meat but with drinking a lot of water. Don't over excercise yourself during that time but go out as much as possible to breath fresh air. Use also skin renovating cosmetics.

2. DON'T smoke or drink alcohol [not to mention other toxic stuff] - it makes you feel tired and less immune.

3. The best time to do detox is when you notice that your tired more than usual, you have acne or your hair is falling out more than normally.

4. Minimum time to cure your body is 5 days. To take best out of it - treat yourself for 2 weeks.

5. During the treatment drink plenty of water [2,5 litres] a day. It hydrates your skin and hair and also makes toxic substances leave your system faster. If you don't like water drink fruit and vegetable juices. Just make sure they are sugar free. Best are the ones you prepare yourself. A good substitute is also green tea.

6. EAT less DRINK more

7. Don't eat sweets, red meat.

8. In the morning take a hot and cold shower, massage your skin doing circles starting from feet to heart. This is a detox treatment for your skin.

9.If you are taking a bath make sure to put some heating oils in it or spices. Take a warm bath to sweat and make your blood circulate faster.

If you will use these tips you will definately feel the difference, and be ready to step into summer with in a good mood.

And keep it in your mind - starving yourself is not detoxing. It's opposite - you poison your body that is craving for calories and as an effect is 'eating itself from inside'. That's torture, not health.

join the ARMY

2010-03-02T21:18:00.006+01:00

It seems that when we step into spring 2010 we should do it in soldiers clothes. But DON'T even think to steal from your man! Best deisgners have prepared the sexy edition of military outfits.

The newest version of this style is refined and subtle, opposed to the previous ones.
Tips how to look trendy? Make sure you have a pair of thight high reptile-leather boots, a piece of sharp military jacket and obligatory leather accesorries. Of course everything in masking colours, which means dark shades of green and navy.

Follow the Burberry Prorsum newest pieces for ideas how to put it together. If you're looking for something with more impact look up to the Soviet inspired MaxMara's collection for spring 2010 with pieces of fur and covering (almost) everything clothes.

[Burberry Prorsum]

[MaxMara]

find inspiration!

2010-02-26T19:27:00.004+01:00

If You walk into one of the rooms in your house and instantly have a desperate inside call to change something but You don't know how to do it, or You feel it but don't see it - well, here's Your savior!

At site http://www.desiretoinspire.net/ You can find tons of great ideas how to design your house. Whatever you like - from vintage to modern or even mixed up solutions, for your kitchen, your living-room, your bedroom - WHATEVER you like!

Ok the basics You know now, but what it is more SPECIFICALLY?
Behind the headline 'desire to inspire' are two woman : Jo and Kim. They both are crazy about the interior designs and they share with others everything they just find amazing. Sounds like nothing unusual, huh? Well yes, it would be just another some sort of giving inspirations website if it wasn't for one tiny nuance - Jo and Kim are from competely different parts of world, and they've never met each other. This is the amazing point that makes their website so interesting and attention-worth. Such strong bound between two strangers that you can just feel through your LCD.

DESIRE TO INSPIRE

Just can't surf by, can you?

These made me start to think about changing my bedroom :

Wonderland you've never seen

2010-02-23T19:40:00.009+01:00

You were once down there. In the rabbit's hole. You remember? You don't? How could You forget the singing flowers, the talking animals, the Mad Hatter and the White Queen?
Ohh... sorry. It wasn't You, it was Alice...

In Tim Burton's new film Alice returns to the Wonderland once again in order to colour-up our lives. But wait a minute, something's not completely right here. Of course... our little Alice is now 19 years old and comes back just to find out she must get through the same problems she did the first time, which means finding her way back home and saving her head from the Queen of Hearts sentence.

I know what You all are thinking but are too afraid to say it out loud. It sounds a bit stupid, doesn't it? Why would someone who had once been there go there again? Honestly, I have no idea, but apparently it fullfills it's destiny. The movie is not even in theathers yet but everyone around seems to be buzzing about it all the time. No wonder - it's Wonderland we're talking about, the place that all children are desiring to be real. And since it all started in 1865 by Lewis Caroll even adults are excited about that movie because they want to become careless and go back to their childhood times at least for 1,5 hour.

Oh and don't we forget - Johny Depp is back as Mad Hatter! Who would want to miss that?

The main song for 'Alice in Wonderland' is 'Alice' by Avril Lavigne, and You have an opportunity to hear it and watch a video right here:

ALICE THEME SONG

I must admit it is very good made, the whole wonderland theme is perfectly kept. Pieces of movie are also shown in here. The only problem is the voice - is Tim sure that Lavigne was the best one to sing it?
Personally I'm not 100% sure...

Remeber the date 5th March 2010!

hair trend for 2010

2010-02-21T11:17:00.002+01:00

[Jessica Alba]

It looks like the newest fashion trend for summer 2010 are... dark hair.
Celebrities are dying her hair from blond to more black/brown coloured and since it is more than just Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan [in whose case changing hair to black is nothing new] but also Christina Ricci, Jessica Alba, Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel and more you can't deny it - dark hair = fashion now. The lenght is not so important right now BUT if you decide to change You'r hair colour make sure that You really want it, so You won't feel weird later and go to the good hairdresser to make it for You and advise You if is a good decision in order to avoid looking like You have a wig on your head. Trust me - it is not for everyone [just look around to have a proof]

[Lily Allen]

Thank God I'm brunette! Don't have to harrow myself to look trendy this year.

new kind or remixes

2010-02-19T08:41:00.000+01:00

Here comes something really interesting that I found accidentally via Twitter. These are two talented women Mia Moretti [R] & Caitlin Moe [L]. The first one is a DJ and the second one is.... a VIOLINEST! Sounds intriguing? Then what will You say when I'll tell You that they make remixes together? Their fresh and spicy and this tells you the person who usually doesn't like electronic music.

You can read about them on
LULUS SITE
or just watch the remixes compilation video right here:
DJ MIA MORETTI AND CATLIN MOE AT SANTOS PARTY HOUSE .
You are also allowed to download the newest Grammy remix of theirs right
HERE

Now how cool sounds that?

soundtrack you MUST listen to!

2010-02-18T10:12:00.005+01:00

I just have discovered the 'Glee' TV show and, ok maybe it's not really the best one BUT the songs in it are amazingly done (at least majority of them). So if You haven't seen GLEE - shame on YOU! but You will DEFINITELY enjoy the soundtrack.

Oh and the idea of making a teenage tv show mixed with a musical? Aww that was smart.

Check out this song from 1st epi:

GLEE CAST - REHAB

BarbaraAnn's culture spot

Still here?

*Ellie Goulding 'Lights' the music*

*teenage dream*

*the Godfather of Pop Art*

*mourning*

*cupcakes take the cake*

*easter 2010*

*not myself tonight*

*aguilera's comeback*

*cut up emotional eating*

*freaky Gaga one more time*

*detox time*

*join the ARMY*

*find inspiration!*

*Wonderland you've never seen*

*hair trend for 2010*

*new kind or remixes*

*soundtrack you MUST listen to!*