May 29, 2013

THE BEATLES ...

Dear readers, this week, B is for *B*eatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Band – 
and other iconic records that have proved definitive/major turning points for other music stars. So, in their own words (and apologies: you’ll have to improvise the musical accompaniment!), here they are:

Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys) - 'Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Band' (above):
“‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ from the Beatles’ album – to this day I am still very jealous of the Beatles and the whole Sgt Pepper album. When I wrote the songs for Pet Sounds I was trying to emulate what they had done on that ‘Sgt Pepper’ track. After I heard it I was jealous of their fame, John and Paul’s singing  and their group harmonies. I don’t think what I did was anywhere near as good as ‘Sgt Pepper’. Maybe other people consider me a genius but I don’t, not on their level.”

Ozzy Osbourne - Procol Harum’s 'A Whiter Shade of Pale':
“‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ by Procol Harum. It taught me when a song is perfect, not to attempt a poor copy.  It’s been covered by so many people and I was tempted – but it’s been over-covered, so I decided not to. And I’ve learnt I was so right. It’s difficult with covers, even doing one of your own material.”

Brian May of Queen Buddy Holly’s 'That’ll be the Day':
“Ah the sound; the sound of those guitars and the wonderful harmonies... Yeah, I think a good part of Queen was born right there.”

Labrinth Shirley Bassey’s 'Goldfinger' (James Bond)
“The James Bond soundtracks;  all of them are amazing, every single one of those changed my life. I am talking about the old-school, I’m talking about Shirley Bassey, I’m talking about ‘Goldfinger’, man, of course. I was listening to them the other day and I was just, like, totally going out of my head. I just think the way they used to create music back in the day, it was magical, it was a special thing.”

Suggs - Peggy Lee’s Is that all there is?
“ ‘Is that all there is – because is that all there is?’ It sounds like a sad song because it’s about a girl and her house burning down and stuff. She keeps saying ‘Is that all there is?’ – but basically it’s a song of keeping going through hard times.  I think it’s a really great song.”
  
Lemar - Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’
“Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’ – that made a big difference to me. You know, for many years I was listening to music and – I don’t know – something about his voice really, really, resonated with me and as a result I learnt the song inside out and I found similarities between his voice and mine, so maybe that was the thing.”

ANY RECORDS THAT RECALL OLD FRIENDS/FORMER COLLEAGUES?

And, finally, thank you to all my dear readers who visited or commented.
Enjoy!
XOXO NORA & LOLA:)


May 19, 2013

AIRBRUSHING ...

Dear readers, this week, A is for *A*irbrushing ...

I’ve written about this before since it’s a topic I find quite disturbing. Although there have been attempts to stamp out airbrushing from adverts, it still seems to persist and a source of danger to impressionable young girls who just want to copy the latest airbrushed celebrity leading to anorexia/ plastic surgery. Or both.

Just last year, the UK’s advertising watchdog, the Advertising Standards Authority(ASA) announced a ban on the magazine advertisement for L’Oreal’s Revitalift Repair 10 (above). Branded as unrealistic: Hollywood actress Rachel Weisz, 41, was considered to look 20 years younger in this banned L'Oreal campaign

Likewise, the cosmetic adverts featuring airbrushed images of actress Julia Roberts and model Christy Turlington (below) - for L'Oréal's Lancôme and Maybelline brands – can’t be shown in their old format in the UK, banned by the UK’s advertising watchdog.
Here are some other examples showing just how unrealistic airbrushed ads are:

Kim Cattrall 
Banned Olay ad of Twiggy
Tina Fey – with & without scar
Men aren't immune: George Clooney – before & after
Angelina Jolie - before & after
Philippa Hamilton - before & after
Keira Knightly poster – before & after her bust was, err, enhanced - reportedly to her disquiet
And more:
Have you ever photoshopped enhanced any photos of yourself or others?
Do tell me! And do check out other posts  @ Jenny Matlock-Alphabe-Thursday, Monday Mellow YellowsMacro Monday, Ruby Tuesday, & Rednesday.

And, finally, thank you to all my dear readers who visited or commented.
Enjoy! 
XOXO NORA & LOLA:)

May 15, 2013

MOVIES THAT SEND YOU TO ZZZ ...


Dear readers, this week, Z is for ZZZ. Do movies send you to ZZZ or wake you up Zuddenly?

Like some of the following for instance ... with the greatest plot twists of all time.
(NB Spoiler alert if you haven’t seen them yet!) Btw Another slightly whimsical post, but life’s serious enough!

Some of the biggest movie shocks have to be among these:

1.Primal Fear (1996) lawyers are terrible judge of character (above)

Stuttering altar-boy murder suspect, Aaron, suffers from multiple personality disorder with a violent sociopath alter-ego called Roy – and neither can remember what the other does. Slick Defence Attorney, Richard Gere, manages to get Aaron declared not guilty by means of insanity, only for Aaron to reveal he was faking multiple personality disorder – and that Roy is his true personality and that he committed the murder of the archbishop without the least remorse.

2. Soylent Green (1973) - you are what you eat  ... literally
                                          Soylent Green is .... human cadavers! 

3. Psycho (1960)a boy’s best friend is his mother ...
                         Norman Bates dressed as his mother!

4.The Usual Suspects (1995) the greatest trick the devil ever pulled...
                          Kevin Spacey’s character is actually the villain!

5. The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Worst Dad ever?
                                 Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father!

6. Fight Club (1999)don’t talk about the Fight Club, especially to yourself!
                         Ed Norton and Brad Pitt’s characters are the same person!

7. The Wicker Man (1973) – Sgt Howie is lured as a sacrifice

8. The Others (2001) Nicole Kidman & family are ghosts

9. Planet of the Apes (1968)we blew it up!
                                 Setting is planet Earth in the future!

10.The Sixth Sense (1999) I am dead people...
                                 Bruce Willis’s character is in fact dead!

 ANY OTHER MOVIES YOU KNOW WITH PLOT TWISTS?
Do tell me! And do check out other posts  @ Jenny Matlock-Alphabe-Thursday, Monday Mellow Yellows,Macro Monday, Ruby Tuesday & Outdoor Wednesday.
And, finally, thank you to all my dear readers who visited or commented.
Enjoy!
XOXO NORA & LOLA:)

May 8, 2013

MOVIE OUTFITS ...

Dear readers, this week, Y is for *Y*OUR FAVOURITE MOVIE OUTFITS?
Are any of these *Y*our favourite outfits in movies – as previously voted in polls? A slightly whimsical post this time (and last) but maybe sometimes things just need lightening up!
       Olivia Newton John (Grease 1978, above)
       Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge 2001, below)
       Audrey Hepburn - as Holly Golightly, in black Givenchy gown (Breakfast at    Tiffany’s 1961)
  Keira Knightly (Atonement 2007)
  Marilyn Monroe (Seven Year Itch 1955)
       Ursula Andress (Dr No 1962)
       Kate Hudson (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, 2003)
       Audrey Hepburn (My Fair Lady 1964)
       Raquel Welch (One Million Years BC, 1966)
       Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex & The City 2008)
  WHICH OUTFITS DO YOU LIKE BEST/LEAST? ANY MOVIE BRING BACK SPECIAL MEMORIES?
Do tell me! And do check out other posts  @ Jenny Matlock-Alphabe-Thursday, Monday Mellow Yellows,Macro Monday, Ruby Tuesday& Outdoor Wednesday.
And, finally, thank you to all my dear readers who visited or commented.
Enjoy!
XOXO NORA & LOLA:)

May 1, 2013

LAS VEGAS HOTEL SUITES ...


Dear readers, this week, X is for X-CITING (OR EVEN X-RATED?) ... HOTEL SUITES ...

First, once again many thanks to all readers who helped my newly-published thriller, Retribution, which I wrote about here recently, become at the time of writing #39 in the crime/suspense category in Amazon.es's eBooks! And Soul Stealer #40. Woohoo, too, for Cudeca charity. (Full details in sidebar!)

Now where was I? Oh yes. Las Vegas! Now, everyone knows Las Vegas has some interesting, not to say *unusual* sights, not the least its hotel suites. How many do you find X-citing, not to say, hmmm, X-rated? Here’s an inside peek into some of the latest:

1.     The Palms – Barbie Suite (above) – a bit weird/spooky, don’t you think?
2.     Red Rock casino, Resort & Spa – Cherry Suite (below) – Hmmm ...

3.     And its Canyon Suite - nice view:

4.     Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Real World Suite - feel like some exercise?

5.     Paradise Tower- penthouse - décor's too masculine for my taste ...

6.     Mandarin Oriental – Mandarin Suite - the water looks sooo inviting! 

7.     Aria at Citycenter – Sky Villas - looks like the inside of a cruise liner!
FANCY STAYING IN ANY OF THESE SUITES?
Do tell me! And do check out other posts  @ Jenny Matlock-Alphabe-Thursday, Monday Mellow Yellows & Macro Monday, Ruby Tuesday.
And, finally, thank you to all my dear readers who visited or commented.
Enjoy!
XOXO NORA & LOLA:)