BuzzSugar

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:34:20 PDT

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: 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. Here are today's selections:

My heroes: The Gym Class Heroes' new album is a little less edgy than previous LPs (sounds like they've started to enter Black Eyed Peas territory) but I'm still digging it. Probably not worth downloading the whole thing but their duet with Estelle, "Guilty as Charged" is great and I love that Busta Rhymes shows up on "Peace Sign/Index Down"!

Just a little bit country: Well, J Simp's first country album has arrived and the reviews are lukewarm. Idolator has a helpful round-up of reviews but even the Houston Chronicle described it as "mostly generic Nashville flavor." From what I've heard so far I wouldn't say it's bad, just not great. The song "Remember That" contains some powerful vocals and it's clear her heart and soul are in it when she belts the lyrics to "Might As Well Be Making Love." It's mostly when she has some Dixie Chick-like girl power oomph behind her lyrics that she's at her best, and has me (more or less) sold on her country transformation.

Two more good ones up next so

Reflections on being in a band: The new Okervill River album is pretty great. So I downloaded the whole thing. I adore the gritty, crooning vocals of Will Sheff and am enjoying the diversity of these new songs. For example, "Singer Songwriter" sounds like a great traditional rock song, whereas "Pop Lie" sounds very new wave complete with claps. I've talked about "Lost Coastlines" before, but it's worth a reminder to download it because it's so good (it's one of my jogging songs!).

Cocktail party: I read that this new Calexico album was meant as a "travelogue about a Los Angeles scribe on a road trip during the recent Writers Guild strike" which is neato, but it's so pretty and atmospheric I keep thinking this is exactly what I'd put on in the background of a dinner party. The Latin flavor in "Inspiracion" is quirky and fun and "House of Valparaiso" is gorgeous.

Love it or Leave It: Jessica Simpson's Duet with Dolly

BuzzSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:44:43 PDT

Jessica Simpson's gone country, y'all! As her debut country album careens toward a record store near you (check it out officially Sept. 9), we've heard some previews already - but now here's our first listen to Simpson's duet with Dolly Parton on the album's title track, "Do You Know?"

There is no question how deep my love for Dolly runs, and in my opinion, her small parts on this duet outshine Simpson's vocals by about a mile. And as Idolator points out, if you listen to the lyrics closely, you realize they're singing about some pretty sexy times to each other, so that's a strange visual. Anyway, let's put it to a vote!

Source and Source

Group Therapy: How Do You Know?

Tres Community — Thu, 26 May 2011 03:05:00 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

So I've heard before that it's OK to have 1 boyfriend and 100 crushes. My boyfriend and I live together and have been together for about 2 years. I love him and we have a pretty good life together. His career takes a lot of his time and sometimes he has to travel for it. Sometimes I can go with him, sometimes I'm left at home. Since he is gone about half the time, I have been trying different hobbies to keep myself busy outside of work. One of the hobbies I have been doing the most of is working out with personal trainers. There are 2 that I work out with frequently at my gym.

This is where the crush thing comes in. I realized that I have a crush on both of my trainers. I feel like it's probably because working out with someone is a kind of intimate relationship because it's something you don't do with most people and it's kind of private. I admit that I have crushes on them, but I am not pursuing either of them or even flirting with them. The thing is that it has me wondering about my relationship with my boyfriend.

It's making me wonder how you know when you've truly found the one? And if I love him as much as I should (we plan to get married one day, but are not engaged yet) since I think about these other guys often. I have been in a serious relationship before my current boyfriend and I ended it because I realized he was not the one I wanted to be with for the rest of my life. So I guess I'm a little scared that this could be the same situation happening again. My boyfriend is very sweet and thoughtful, and I care about him a lot, but he's also not exactly the type of guy I thought I would end up with. I'm just confused about the situation and any advice would be appreciated.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

What to Rent: New DVDs This Week

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 04:00:00 PDT

There are lots of A-list faces on this week's new DVD releases, but if you're looking for something a little more kid-friendly, Yogi Bear is also available.

The Tourist

Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp team up for this spy caper about a woman (Jolie) who seduces an innocent tourist (Depp) while on the run from authorities looking for her criminal ex-boyfriend in Venice. Johnny Depp takes a break from his typical fare to play a goofy average Joe, while Jolie provides pure eye candy as usual, thanks in part to her wardrobe. Though it's fun to watch these two gorgeous actors play off each other, ultimately they don't generate much heat to keep the weak plot afloat. DVD extras include outtakes, featurettes, and director's commentary.

20%

How Do You Know

Reese Witherspoon stars as Lisa, a neurotic softball player who feels lost after being cut from the National team for being too old. As she struggles to figure out what to do with her life, she crosses paths with George (Paul Rudd), who is going through a life crisis of his own. Though she's already involved with a lovable but dim-witted baseball player named Matty (Owen Wilson), Lisa begins to wonder which guy - if either - is the right one for her. I thought the film was one of the best romantic comedies of 2010, thanks to enchanting performances from the three leads, along with Jack Nicholson. DVD bonus features include delete scenes, a blooper reel, and featurettes.

30%

Our Ultimate Swimsuit Guide - Get the Best Fit For Your Body

Hannah Weil — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:22:49 PDT

Finding the perfect Summer suit can seem like an impossible task, especially when you don't know quite what you're looking for. We're putting an end to all that with our ultimate guide to getting the right fit for your body. With the help of swimwear fit and style expert Audrey Jimenez over at Everything But Water, we're breaking down the best fit tips for every body type and the best styles to shop for your figure all right here. From curvier frames to athletic body types, we're helping to make sense of the endless swimwear options out there and narrowing down all of our favorite options that were made to fit and flatter your frame. Want to know what you should be looking for? Get the expert's quick-hit dos and don'ts, then click on to find your perfect suit - and resolve to never hate swimsuit shopping again.

Dos

Do try on lots of different suits. Swim styles change all the time, so look outside of your comfort zone and you may find your new favorite silhouette.
Do go with a smaller size if you are not sure. Swimsuits expand when wet.
Do use ties and adjustable straps to fit the suit to your body. Go tighter than you think. Once tied, lean forward and adjust until your bust is covered and stays put.

Don'ts

Don't choose a trendy silhouette if it doesn't fit you well. Great style begins with a great fit, so it's more important to find the silhouette that best flatters your figure.
Don't assume a size larger or more fabric will give you more flattering coverage. Many women purchase suits that are too large, and as a result, the fabric gaps and the suits don't support properly. If you want more coverage, find a style that offers more coverage.

Did You Engage in Any of These Risky Pregnancy Procedures?

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:41:03 PDT

After nine (almost 10) months of pregnancy, some mamas will do almost anything to get their babies out. And while many expectant women enter the hospital with a birth plan in place, once they know the end is in sight, they're often willing to try it all. Consumer Reports recently compiled a list of 10 overused birthing procedures that can put both Mom and her tot at risk during delivery. Take a look at the list and tell us if you have engaged in any of them!

Little Known Facts About Your Favorite Geeks

GeekSugar — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:19:41 PDT

A Happy Geek Pride Day to you! One of the many ways we're celebrating today, is a look at our favorite geek celebrities. How well do you know your favorite geeks? From online and off-line interviews, we found some interesting tidbits about these hot-and-nerdy celebrities. Get to know them a little better in the slideshow!

Ink Up With Photojojo's Camera Tattoos

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:37:06 PDT

What do you give a photography pal who already has every camera, lens, and accessory under the sun? Gift skin ink of the nonpermanent variety in the form of the Tattly Camera Tattoo Set ($25). Since the photographers we know are rarely without a camera, a tattoo of any duration seems like a natural next step.

The illustrations by three Brooklyn designers are not your average grocery-store toy-machine temporary tattoo. The set of 12 tattoos in six different designs - including an old-school Polaroid, Rangefinder, TLR, SX-70 Polaroid, and black-and-white aperture shutters - are so beautifully crafted that we almost hated having to use them during our real-world testing. A breeze to put on, each tattoo is about three inches in size and surprisingly long-lasting! Many of our testers weren't able to clear the ink for several days, scrub as they might (I'm going five days strong with my tat).

Sure, temporary tattoos may not seem like the most practical use of $25, but as a just-for-fun gift or party activity to show off your photography cred, this new scene of high-end washable tattoos is something we're ready to stick to.

3 Easy Ways to Spare Your Hair While Swimming

Jaime Richards — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:04:00 PDT

Swimming season is upon us, and while it's a fun (even athletic) activity, the tangled, frizzed-out hair that can result is decidedly not. Chemicals in pool water can wreak havoc on your strands, while salt water from the ocean has drying effects. There are a few things you can do, though, to keep your summertime style from looking gnarly, dude. To find out more, just keep reading.

Hysteria Director Tanya Wexler Talks Vibrators, Faking It, and Duck Sex

Tara Block — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:00:15 PDT

Don't be shy . . . It's time to talk sex toys! And Hysteria director Tanya Wexler is writing us a prescription for pleasure. Tanya's film - what she calls "the vibrator movie you can bring your mom to" - is in limited release and stars Hugh Dancy, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Rupert Everett. When working on a romantic comedy that centers around the invention of the vibrator, you end up with some entertaining and embarrassing situations along the way, and lucky for us, Tanya spilled all the hilariously dirty details. From teaming up with the film's partner Jimmyjane for a drive-by vibrator drop-off to a certain female Oscar-winner to trying unsuccessfully to get ducks to shag on command, Tanya was bursting with great stories from working on this very unconventional film. And while Tanya isn't ashamed to discuss the sexy subject matter of her latest film with us, the mother of four and her partner of 21 years did have a tricky challenge telling her preteen kids what her movie was about. (She eventually gave them the script and let them figure it out themselves!) Check out our interview with the fun-loving director now, and we dare you not to have a girl crush on her by the end!

TrèsSugar: What were some of the challenges to getting a movie made about vibrators?
Tanya Wexler: Getting the script right was tricky because if you just make a movie about the invention of the vibrator, it's actually a really short movie: you go "bzz" and it's done. And we had a kind of light romantic comedy. I say I made the vibrator movie you can bring your mom to. But some people wanted it to be raunchy or some people wanted it to be more serious and about feminism. People project a lot onto this movie of what they want, because there isn't a lot out there about vibrators and women's pleasure, and we still don't really deal with that topic very well, or we're overly antsy around it. And as a result, people have a lot of ideas of what the movie could and should be, and you can't please everyone. [laughs]

TS: Ha, good one.
TW: It's nonstop!

TS: Do you find sex toys inherently funny or something to be seriously celebrated?
TW: Yes!

TS: Both?
TW: Yes! Yes. I think they make me laugh, and I think that the inner kind of Beavis and Butt-head in all of us goes "[laugh]." You know, that inner 13-year-old, like, "Hahaha vibrator . . . " and yet they're awesome and fun.

TS: What shocked you the most when researching the movie?
TW: That ducks are the rapists of the bird world, and you'll see when you see the movie, because there's a little bit of questionable duck behavior - or awesome duck behavior - in the movie. It's totally a sidebar, but you cannot make ducks shag on command. I'm just saying.

TS: What about the whole history of hysteria being a medical condition?
TW: When I first heard the idea, I was like, "What do you mean it was invented in Victorian times?" I knew about hysteria, but the idea that the treatment was manual [British accent] massage deparaxism - which is what they called it - and, of course, the denial. The most shocking thing is the denial, that they didn't think it was sexual.

TS: Do you think they were really in denial?
TW: No, I don't think that some people were. My college roommate was with her high school boyfriend for two years and she had never had an orgasm. I think there's all kinds of denial, especially with women's sexuality. So the fact that there are young women today who haven't had an orgasm, whether self-induced - which is insane - or with a partner, then why wouldn't we think back then that women wouldn't know what orgasms were?

They would get a massage, and the doctor's saying, "Without a penis, this isn't sex, because sex is about procreation," so what is this? The best physical therapy you've ever had. So once you don't think of it as something other than what the doctor's supposed to do to cure your uncontrollable crying or uncontrollable laughter or whatever, then it's just an awesome muscle spasm. If you don't think women have their own inherent sexuality, then you're not thinking about it like that.

Keep reading for Tanya's thoughts on Fifty Shades and more!