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Queen of Punk: Vivienne Westwood Shoe Exhibition Beirut 2011

OnSugar — Mon, 23 May 2011 11:18:31 PDT

OnSugar blogger Black by Sara was lucky enough to check out Vivienne Westwood's shoe exhibition in Beirut. Check out all of the cool footwear, plus an interview below!

After forty years in the fashion business, a unique designer such as Vivienne Westwood deserves a museum dedicated to her beloved shoe collections. We all have witnessed her adventures in tailoring that have taken us back to historical places; such as the 17^th and 18^th century French era. As the sole originator of punk style in the fashion industry, Vivienne Westwood has managed to connect the art world to her fantasy style island. To document the evolution of her footwear collections a private collector has decided to exhibit these exceptional pieces around the world. For two years these shoes will be traveling to specific locations due to their market requirements and will be displayed at various museums and palaces such as the famous Sursock Palace in Beirut. Luckily, the Lebanese media and I were one of the few that got invited for the first look at this marvelous collection.

The notorious Gillie Platform that was worn by Naomi Campbell

I’m still in awe with Westwood’s capacity and her approach towards fashion. The collections dates back to 1973, which means that a lot of us didn’t get to enjoy these beauties. Now it’s our chance to admire Dame Westwood’s defiance of high heel rules with elevation and historical design footwear.

More photos, plus the interview at OnSugar blog Black by Sara. Start your own OnSugar blog and we may just feature you on Fab!

Feasting in Lebanon

Yum Community — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:50:06 PDT

When in Lebanon, eat as one of the Lebanese! That's the philosophy YumSugar member FinnLover had in mind when she headed to the Middle East on a recent backpacking trip.
My husband and I spent the month of July backpacking in the Middle East. One of the four countries we visited during our trip was Lebanon. I was really looking forward to discovering the rich food culture there and I was not disappointed. Every single meal we had in Beirut was amazing. Fresh vegetables, grilled meats, nuts, fresh salty cheeses, olive oil, flat breads... Every meal was like a delicious, healthy feast. Eating Lebanese food in Lebanon was an incredible experience.

Taste a bit of everything she ate when you keep on reading.

What Is the Best Indie Album of 2009?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:30:08 PST

Some of these gifted artists may be bigger than what you consider "indie," but they all captured the spirit of the genre in '09. It's hard to pinpoint why they're just so cool, but they make it seem effortless. Personally speaking, I've been listening to Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix and It's Blitz! by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on a repeat loop, but there were plenty of other albums to choose from. Which one is your favorite?

Don't forget to check out the rest of my best of 2009 polls and Best of the Decade community group!

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:32:53 PDT

Tuesdays are big in entertainment-ville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores, including iTunes. So I take a spin through each week's iTunes music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. In addition to the selections below, you can download the best of Radiohead (according to whom, I'm not sure) and a new album from The Virgins. Here are today's selections:

Indie darlings: Fleet Foxes are yet another little band making good out of the Northwest and their first self-titled album is gorgeous. One track, White Winter Hymnal is ethereal and sweet, and I can't get enough. They kind of have a Shins vibe going on.

The cynical beauty: It's no secret I've been salivating for the new Aimee Mann album, and it's finally here! I've already downloaded, Freeway and Thirty One Today. I'm so excited to dig into the rest of the album.

Another three albums (busy day for music!) if you

read more. A little bit country: When I hear about Jessica Simpson making the leap to country, I roll my eyes. When I hear Jewel's taking a stab at it, I sit up and take notice. From what I've heard so far, it's a natural fit. There's no mistaking Jewel's voice and set to twangy Dixie Chick-type melodies it's a good choice for both country music fans and Jewel devotees.
More Weeds: I've been buzzing about the third season of Weeds coming out on DVD today and the latest soundtrack is here, too! It looks like a cool, quirky compilation. I just saw Beruit perform at Sasquatch and their song Scenic World is included, along with a track called Buttmachine by That 1 Guy.
Boys of summer: And last but not least, Weezer's sixth album has arrived. The third track, Pork and Beans has made me happy for weeks now (and is accompanied by a funny music video), though the rest of the album has yet to grow on me.
Source

Front Page: Tornadoes Rip Midwest & South, First US Aid Lands in Myanmar, Fighting in Beirut

CitizenSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 06:57:24 PDT

Tornadoes Rip Midwest and South: Emergency crews are searching through the aftermath of violent storms that tore from the Midwest to the South and killed at least 23 people this weekend in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Georgia. In Oklahoma at least seven people were killed and officials said 150 people in the town were injured. In Missouri emergency crews are “ensuring that we have found any potential survivors or anyone unaccounted for.” The governor says at least 85 people had been injured in the storm. In Georgia, Gov. Sonny Perdue has issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in six counties. The weekend’s tornadoes are the latest in several outbreaks of violent weather this year. Twenty-two people were killed by tornadoes in four states in February, two were killed in Georgia in March, and seven were killed in Arkansas in May.

First US Aid Lands in Myanmar: The first US aid flight to Myanmar following last week's cyclone has finally landed in Rangoon. The US had to spend days negotiating with Myanmar's military government to gain permission to enter the country. The official death toll is now almost 30,000, though aid agencies fear 1.5 million could die without aid. Already more than two-thirds of the cyclone victims are yet to be reached, and agencies estimate that 100,000 have already died. Here's a list of ways to help the cyclone victims.
Fighting in Beirut: Violent fighting that has plagued Beirut, Lebanon, since Wednesday, broke out yesterday in the mountains east of Beirut. The fighting continues between supporters of the Western-backed government and followers of Hezbollah, the militant group backed by Iran. Hezbollah began withdrawing gunmen from the city Saturday evening, leading some to hope for peace after four days of street battles there. With the underlying political crisis still unresolved, the violence seems to have shifted to the eastern villages. Security officials put the toll of five days of fighting at 44 dead and 128 wounded.

Front Page: Not al-Qaeda in Iraq Leader, UN Halts Myanmar Aid, Hezbollah Seizes West Beirut

CitizenSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 06:55:16 PDT

Not al-Qaeda in Iraq Leader: The United States military in Iraq says a man arrested and detained yesterday in Mosul is not in fact the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, though an earlier statement from the Iraqi defense ministry said that Abu Ayyub al-Masri had been captured. An American military spokeswoman said al-Masri had not been arrested and that confusion had arisen because a man with a similar name to the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader had been detained.

UN Halts Myanmar Aid: The UN has suspended relief supplies to Myanmar today after the military government seized the food and equipment that had been sent into the country. The government had said it would accept supplies but not aid workers and would distribute the supplies as it saw fit. A statement from the Myanmar Foreign Ministry said the country is not in a position to receive rescue teams. A UN spokesman said he had never seen delays like this before in delivering relief supplies and aid officials.
Hezbollah Seizes West Beirut: After heavy gunfire broke out yesterday, armed members of the militant group Hezbollah have seized most of western Beirut, exiling supporters of the Western-backed government there. The fighting ignited after a government decision on Monday to shut down Hezbollah's telecommunication network. At least 11 people have been killed and many more injured in the city in three days of clashes.

Headline: Explosion in Beirut Targets US Embassy

CitizenSugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:02:24 PST

An explosion targeting a US Embassy vehicle rocked the Doura suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, this morning. Four Lebanese bystanders were killed in the blast that also injured twenty. Though no US diplomats or citizens were in the car at the time, a Lebanese driver employed by the embassy was injured. The explosion sent dark, thick smoke billowing over the mainly Christian region.

Bordered by both Syria and Israel, this explosion comes on the heels of a tense political climate in Lebanon. Former pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud resigned in November and a parliamentary vote to find his successor has been postponed 11 times. Additionally, the July War, a 33-day conflict in Lebanon and northern Israel between Hezbollah forces and the Israeli military displaced nearly 1 million Lebanese and 500,000 Israelis, and severely damaged the Lebanese infrastructure in 2006.

Hear What's on Natalie Portman's Playlist

BuzzSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:30:00 PDT

I've always assumed Natalie Portman has good taste in music - simply because of her Shins-loving character in Garden State, I'm sure. But it turns out the actress really does know her stuff. Portman rounded up a pretty great set of collaborators for her new charity compilation, Big Change: Songs for FINCA, including M. Ward, Portman's My Blueberry Nights co-star Norah Jones, and - yup - The Shins.

The 16-song album, which is available exclusively through the iTunes Music Store for $7.99, benefits FINCA, an anti-poverty organization that provides financial services to low-income entrepreneurs around the world. (Portman serves as the group's "ambassador of hope.") Most of the songs are also available separately.

Among the songs I can't wait to check out: a remix of the Shins' "Australia" by the Bjorn of Peter, Bjorn and John; the intriguingly titled "My Night with the Prostitute from Marseille" by Beirut (which Portman apparently almost sang on); and the exclusive M. Ward track "What is a Soul?" To see the complete track listing, just

read more 1. Tokyo Police Club, "Be Good" 2. Beirut, "My Night With the Prostitute From Marseille" 3. Tom Brosseau, "Plaid Lined Jacket" 4. Curumin, "Tudo Bem Malandro" 5. The Shins, "Australia (Bjorn Yttling Mix)" 6. Brett Dennen, "Ain't No Reason" 7. Sean Hayes, "Turnaroundturnmeon" 8. Thee More Shallows, "Oh Yes, Another Mother" 9. Angus & Julia Stone, "The Beast" 10. Antony & the Johnsons, "Paddy's Gone" 11. Vetiver, "Idle Ties" 12. Norah Jones, "Broken" 13. Devendra Banhart, "There's Always Something Happening" 14. M. Ward, "What Is a Soul?" 15. Wooden Wand, "Forgiveness Figg (Bethany Hotel Blues)" 16. Rogue Wave, "How We Landed"

SXSW Song of the Day: Beirut, "Scenic World"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 14:06:24 PDT

The biggest sign that Beirut is the next big thing in indie rock? When you Google "Beirut," the band's name trumps the Lebanese city and the drinking game of the same name. The Albuquerque, NM, band is the baby of frontman whiz kid Zach Condon, whose enchanting music tends more toward Eastern Europe than Southwestern United States.

Beirut released an EP in January called Lon Gisland and is working on a new album due later this year. Condon is also one of the more buzzed-about personalities set to play tonight at the SXSW Music Festival, and I have to admit, I'm really liking what I've heard so far. To listen to "Scenic World," which appears on the Lon Gisland EP,

What Is the Best Indie Rock Album of 2011?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 03:05:00 PST

This year had lots of great music releases, though some of us gravitated away from the mainstream and toward indie artists. If you got into a lesser-known album this year, we want to hear which one was your favorite. Did you like the new albums from seasoned artists like Beirut or TV on the Radio, or did you fall in love with the debut of a brand-new act, like Cults or James Blake? Vote now on the best indie rock album of 2011.