Thursday 20 January 2011

Film: Black Swan

With most of my friends and colleagues raving about 'The King's Speech', if I'm perfectly honest I'm more interested in seeing 'Black Swan'.  I love a good thriller.

Sticking with the subject of ballet, last year I saw a performance of Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake - the famous production where the swans are men.  It was exquisite.

Video: Kylie Minogue Interview

Check out this lovely interview with Kylie. She talks about her forthcoming tour, about love, and about how she manages to stay so beautiful.

Click on the link: http://en.jyskebank.tv/012949275441145/exclusive-interview-with-kylie-minogue

Remembering: Susanna Hoffs

She is the lead singer of The Bangles, but she also released several solo efforts over the years.  'All I Want' was just one of a small handful of singles she released.  Susanna didn't reach the same success as a solo artist but I liked songs like this one and 'My Side Of The Bed' - which in all honesty was a Bangles song without the other girls. Nice though.

Wowza: Britney Spears

Well done Britney! In the US, download sales of 'Hold It Against Me'  went through the roof in the first week.  She's apparently broke the record for the 'largest debut for a woman as a lead artist' by selling 411,000 downloads.  Amazing.

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Win, Win, Win..... with Capital FM


GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR LOCAL CAPITAL FM HOTSPOT TO WIN TICKETS TO SEE LADY GAGA AND KATY PERRY

To celebrate becoming a national radio station Capital FM has launched an interactive map for you to share where you tune in to your local Capital FM for some amazing prizes. Pinpoint on the map where you enjoy the sounds of Capital FM, whether it’s your home, your workplace, your college - anywhere! This then becomes your hotspot. You can then encourage your friends to join your hotspot, upload photos and leave comments.

By using the map you could win tickets to see Katy Perry in her upcoming sell-out UK tour or even the chance to go see Lady GaGa perform in Mexico. There are two ways to win:

To win tickets to see Lady GaGa in Mexico sign in to the map and either join an existing hotspot or create your own. Once you are part of a hotspot you will be entered in a draw to win tickets.

Secondly Capital FM will be rewarding the person with the highest ranking hotspot – this is based on photos uploaded and comments received. In each region the biggest hotspot wins 10 tickets to see Katy Perry perform live.

Sign up and join or register for a hotspot to be in with a chance of winning at http://capitalhotspots.capitalfm.com/

To help boost your hotspot you can share your hotspot with your friends through your facebook and twitter accounts.

Watch the advert and see how many music stars you can spot: http://www.capitalfm.com/on-air/tv-advert/

News Topic: Discrimination

There has been a media frenzy about the gay couple that were turned away from a B&B by it's intolerant and Christian owners.  The men won a court case as it was ruled to be unlawful discrimination - and quite right too.

I watched a debate show on television this morning and I listened to both sides of the argument and despite that, I am more certain than ever that the court made the right decision.  Not because I'm gay - but because we can't live in a society where a public company can decide who can come through its doors.  Imagine if a large retail company (such as Marks & Spencer's, for example) made a decision to reject a minority group based on their beliefs.  Is that fair too?  Surely nobody wants to live in a society where a public company, large or indeed small, can make such discriminatory decisions simply on the basis that it's that 'their business...and they can do whatever they like'?  That kind of behaviour opens the door for all kinds of prejudice - for minority groups and even also for the certain intolerant religious groups themselves.

My life should not be ruled by the decisions of people who are intolerant of others.  We live in society that is rich in culture, different ethnicity's, religious beliefs and sexual orientation.  If you go into business, you have to accept that you will have to bite your tongue and accept everyone and their differences.  If you don't like it, then don't go into business.  Perhaps you should lock yourself up in your safe house and then you won't have to see or deal with anyone who has different beliefs to your own.  Now that would be a healthy existence, wouldn't it?

 

Brit Awards

I was very pleased to read that Vivienne Westwood has redesigned this years Brit Award statue.  Vivienne is a massive style icon, having been a fashion leader since the seventies.  Last year I bought a Vivienne Westwood scarf and I forced all of my friends to bow to its greatness.  Apparently, the Brits statue is going to be redesigned every year from now on.
The Brit Awards 2011 is being held on 15th February at the O2 Arena.  Here are those nominees:

British Female Solo Artist
Cheryl Cole
Ellie Goulding
Laura Marling
Paloma Faith
Rumer

British Male Solo Artist
Mark Ronson
Paul Weller
Plan B
Robert Plant
Tinie Tempah

British Breakthrough Act
Ellie Goulding
Mumford & Sons
Rumer
Tinie Tempah
The xx

British Single
Alexandra Burke ft Pitbull – All Night Long
Cheryl Cole – Parachute
Florence & The Machine – You’ve Got The Love
Matt Cardle – When We Collide
Olly Murs – Please Don’t Let Me Go
Plan B – She Said
Scouting for Girls – This Ain’t A Love Song
Taio Cruz – Dynamite
Tinie Tempah – Pass Out
The Wanted – All Time Low

British Group
Biffy Clyro
Gorillaz
Mumford & Sons
Take That
The xx

Mastercard British Album of the Year
Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
Plan B – The Defamation of Strickland Banks
Take That – Progress
Tinie Tempah – Disc-Overy
The xx – XX

International Male Solo Artist
Bruce Springsteen
Cee Lo Green
David Guetta
Eminem
Kanye West

International Female Solo Artist
Alicia Keys
Katy Perry
Kylie Minogue
Rihanna
Robyn

International Breakthrough Act
Bruno Mars
Glee Cast
Justin Bieber
The National
The Temper Trap

International Group
Arcade Fire
Black Eyed Peas
Kings of Leon
The Script
Vampire Weekend

International Album
Arcade Fire -The Suburbs
Cee Lo Green - The Lady Killer
Eminem - Recovery
Katy Perry - Teenage Dream
Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown

Critics’ Choice
Jessie J (Winner)
James Blake
The Vaccines
British Producer
Ethan Johns
John Leckie
Markus Dravs
Mike Pela
Stuart Price

The following artists have been confirmed as performing:  Take That, Plan B, Rihanna, Tinie Tempah, Mumford & Sons, Cee Lo Green, Adele and Arcade Fire .

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Fabulous: Mary Portas

Mary Portas is back with a new TV series which starts tomorrow night on Channel 4.  In 'Mary Portas: Secret Shopper' she champions the side of the shopper as she battles with businesses to persuade them to provide better customer service. 

I've been a fan of Mary for quite some time now.  She has a fantastic CV and is often labelled as the 'Retail Queen' because of her vast experience in Brand Communication and Retail Strategy.  She's also a joy to watch on screen because of her ballsy no-nonsense attitude.

Wednesday 19th January 2011, Channel 4 at 9:00pm.

Sunday 16 January 2011

Kitchen Style: Joseph Joseph

If you like to have nice things in your kitchen, you're probably more than aware of 'Joseph Joseph'.  Walk around any trendy cookshop and you're sure to see something from their range of contemporary kitchenware.  My friend gave us this Chopping board set.  It's functional and beautiful and contains four boards - one for each food type - seafood, meat, vegetables and hot food.
Check out the 'Joseph Joseph' website for more designs: http://www.josephjoseph.com/

Remembering: Alison Limerick

In the early nineties, former backing vocalist and dancer Alison Limerick released 'Where Love Lives'.  It was a massive club hit and it's still regarded as a classic.

Fact: The song was re-released and remixed several times since - re-entering the UK charts again in 1996 and in another reincarnation in the US Dance charts in 2003.

Collecting: Kylie Minogue

In a continuation from my last post, here a couple of rather interesting Kylie Minogue promotional items. 

I used to own this pen, which was released to promote 'Fever'. Tilt the pen and Kylie goes from wearing a black dress to revealing her underwear!
..and how about this Lip Balm set to promote 'Ultimate Kylie'?