Showing posts with label For My European Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label For My European Friends. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Elle Magazine: "Stars Sans Fards" and Seattle "Avec Fards"

Monica Belluci
Eva Herzigova

Sophie Marceau

Here in the States we call it "makeup" and I believe the Brits call it "slap"? French Elle Magazine's April issue is rather alarming, don't you think? I agree with the statement below that the women seem "vulnerable". It's as if without the stylists, make-up and ever-present Photoshop these lovely women seem more approachable; dare I even say, "real"? Thank you to my darling, Annette who lives in France for bringing this to my attention.


"The April issue of French Elle features eight female European celebrities--including Eva Herzigova, Monica Bellucci, Sophie Marceau, and Charlotte Rampling--all without makeup and, perhaps even more revealing, all entirely without Photoshopping or retouching of any kind. The mag's headline "Stars Sans Fards" translates to “without rouge/makeup,” but it's a French saying that also suggests a sense of “openness.”


Judging from the images that have been leaked so far (the entire issue hits newsstands later this week), this title could not be more apt. Model Herzigova, 36, and actresses Marceau, 42, and Bellucci, 44, all look refreshingly natural, relaxed, and vulnerable in a way American stars are seldom seen."


Completely Photoshopped - literally and figuratively.

Here's what I know: I felt far more comfortable with myself while Stephen and I were in Italy last fall. I felt good about my curves and didn't feel judged every damn time I walked out the door. I'm finding Seattle to be less and less friendly and open than I used to think--it's all about who is "cooler, younger and thinner". I think I'm burning out on the city I fell in love with. I still love the skyline and the culture Seattle has to offer, but the general population? Sadly, not as much as I once did.

It's odd, but this feeling crept up on me while on vacation in San Francisco last week. I commented to Stephen that I felt S.F. is far more liveable and much friendlier as a community than Seattle. Particularly the women. It was so refreshing to have a perfect stranger - a woman - start up a conversation out of the blue! (Good luck finding that in "I'm on my cellphone or have earbuds blasting" Seattle.) Local San Franciscans on their way home from work on the cable car were interested and helpful with tourists. I haven't experienced that sort of kindness around here in a long time. Since when did Seattle become too cool for school? It's bugging me.

Oh. This was supposed to be about "natural beauties" and "no Photoshopping".
I think "natural beauty" Seattle has been "Photoshopped".

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Jade Goody Passes Away From Cervical Cancer

1981-2009


This is mainly for my British friends, whom I'm sure can't get enough of this story (ahem). Jade Goody has lost her battle with cervical cancer. I do hope this event has at least brought to the forefront the importance of yearly screenings for early detection.

"For those of you following Jade Goody's story which has captivated pretty much all of Britain, the 27-year-old reality star died in her sleep this morning, Mother's Day in the U.K. after battling cancer. She left behind two young sons. People reports:

Max Clifford, her publicist and friend, confirmed the news to PEOPLE. "She had been pretty much asleep for the last 24 hours," he says, adding she died "just before 4 o'clock this morning." He adds, "Her legacy will be that a lot of women owe their lives to Jade Goody because of her public announcement and battle against cervical cancer," which has led to increased knowledge of it and the screening necessary to catch it.

"She has captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world, from Australia to America and everywhere else."

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Brit Awards - Hey! Another List!!

The luminous Duffy.


"The more I see, the more I know;
the more I know, the less I understand"...
Oh, Paul Weller. I love you. Swooooon.
This is an old song, I realize, but it's my favourite.

I admit it. I'm an anglophile when it comes to music and certain MEN (David Beckham, Jason Statham, Gavin Rossdale, Daniel Craig...) I love Snow Patrol, David Bowie, Duffy, Paul Weller (pronounced Pohl Wellah), Adele, Oasis, Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse, Royworld, Keane, oh, the list goes on and on.

I'm irritated, though, because I haven't been able to find a broadcast of this year's Brit Awards on our one and only BBC channel. Again, I hate DishNetwork, goddamnit.

Here are the 2009 Brit Award Winners:

British Female Solo Artist: Duffy
I'm bummed I missed her show in Seattle.
International Female Solo Artist: Katy Perry
Bleh. Sick of this novelty act chick.
British Breakthrough Act: Duffy
International Group: Kings Of LeonBritish Male Solo Artist: Paul Weller
I find Mr. Weller extremely attractive.
International Album: Kings Of Leon - Only By the Night
"ohhhhh-ho, your sex is on fiiiiirre...." love it.
British Live Act: Iron Maiden
British Group: Elbow
Critics Choice: Florence And The Machine
International Male Solo Artist: Kanye West
Dumbass
British Single: Girls Aloud – “The Promise”
British Album: Duffy – Rockferry
Outstanding Contribution To Music: Pet Shop Boys
Producer of the Year: Bernard Butler

Sunday, December 7, 2008

SNL is Sorta Good Again...


Justin Timberlake should just be a regular next season

I know it's gross. It's almost as good as their Dick in a Box skit.

and



Barack Obama is tough to make fun of...so far. But this is good.