BuzzSugar

Music Video: Feist, "I Feel It All"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:30:39 PST

My love for Feist is not exactly a secret around here, so I'm pleased to report that Ms. Leslie is looking as adorable as ever in her new music video for "I Feel It All," one of my favorite tracks from last year's The Reminder.

The video comes from the director behind the sweet and (thanks to Apple) totally inescapable video for "1 2 3 4," but this one seems a bit simpler. Instead of a sparkly pantsuit, Feist is wearing a striped sweater; instead of a crowd of friends, Feist's only accompaniment here is a field full of trash barrels shooting off sparks and fireworks. I love the way the fireworks hit their high point right around the time the song makes me want to get up and dance. To check out the video, just

CD Review: Feist, The Reminder

BuzzSugar — Tue, 08 May 2007 10:16:40 PDT

When I first picked up Canadian singer-songwriter Feist's breakthrough album, 2004's Let it Die, I thought it was perfectly pleasant background music. Her '70s-infused, lounge-y songs seemed perfect for a dinner party, or for playing faintly while I flipped through a magazine. Only the catchy "Mushaboom" really made me sit up and take notice, wedging itself in my head for days on end.

With her new album, The Reminder, Feist has delivered a set of songs that owe more to "Mushaboom" than to the rest of Let It Die - and that's a wonderful thing. Feist shines on the uptempo songs on The Reminder, doesn't lose my interest on the ballads, and stocks her tracks with the kind of arrangements that show she's grown as a musician since her last effort. For more on the album, and to hear my favorite track,

read more Sure, it's only May, but I'm already set to declare "I Feel It All" as my summer anthem, with rhythmically repetitive lyrics ("I love you more/I love you more/I don't know what I knew before") and a vibraphone-driven melody. The swingy rhythm of "My Moon My Man" showcases a chorus vaguely reminiscent of '70s soul, and "Sealion" makes up for a somewhat cheesy guitar solo with exuberant, gospel-style clapping. Somehow, all of those elements - plus horns! - come together perfectly on "1 2 3 4," the album's final uptempo track. Percussion plays a larger role on these danceable songs than it has in Feist's previous work, but it never overshadows her voice, which is crystal-clear and haunting as always. The majority of the album's slower numbers work, too, with the richly layered choruses of "Honey Honey," the sweetly folky "Brandy Alexander" and the duet "How My Heart Behaves" being among the strongest. A few of the ballads still haven't grabbed me after several listens, but they're the exception, not the rule. Above all, The Reminder isn't content to stay in the background. It's an album that demands to be played.

Song of the Day: Feist, "1,2,3,4"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 07:45:14 PDT

Ever since Feist released her debut album, Let It Die, in 2004, I've had her pegged as the next crossover indie-rock darling. And if a profile in Sunday's New York Times is an indication, my prediction may finally be coming true.

This song "1,2,3,4" - off Feist's new album, The Reminder, due May 1 - is by far the catchiest, most mainstream offering I've heard from the Canadian singer. I love the lush, full sound, and I think Feist has matured quite a bit since her last effort. Listen and tell me what you think when you

Music Video: Feist, "The Park"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 06:00:44 PDT

If only people would listen to less Norah Jones and more Feist and Cat Power, the world of singer-songwriters would be a much cooler place. Maybe Feist's album coming out May 1, The Reminder, will be the Canadian artist's big breakthrough. Or not.

Regardless, I was delighted to find the new Feist new video, "The Park" - and on AOL's Spinner.com blog, no less. I don't like this track as much as "My Man, My Moon," which will also appear on The Reminder, but I'm loving the dreamy, delicate video. To watch,

Song of the Day: Feist, "My Man My Moon"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 08:05:28 PST

Leslie Feist, better known simply as Feist could easily be the next Norah Jones or a quirky indie darling along the lines of Cat Power or Joanna Newsom. Though the Calgary singer has played with weirdo electroclash artist Peaches and the more experimental Broken Social Scene, her lovely ballads are lush and catchy with a comforting DIY feel. This new track "My Man My Moon," from her next album, The Reminder, due May 1, is no exception. To listen,

read more
Thanks to I Guess I'm Floating for posting the track.

Show Us Your Lovely Little Vignettes!

CasaSugar — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:00:39 PST

There are so many creative, design-savvy readers on this site, and I want to see what you've been up to in your homes! I hope you will share your styling and decorating ideas with the rest of us in the Lovely Little Vignettes group, which is the place to share photos of the small vignettes you create in your home or those you see online or at a friend's home. (If you're not sure what I mean by vignettes, this slideshow should make it clear.)

So, show me what you've got! Be it a glamorous vanity mirror or your arrangement of vintage bottles on a shelf, I want to see all of your beautiful photographs of the little details throughout your home.

Source

What Is Twig Tea, Anyway?

Camilla Salem — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:45:16 PST

Alicia Silverstone claims that twig tea, also called kukicha, cures just about everything. And we've been noticing it appearing in more and more stores (we also saw it a few times at the Fancy Food Show). But what's the deal with all of the hype?

Twig tea is essentially a Japanese blend of the tough stems, stalks, and twigs from the Camellia sinensis plant. These bits usually get discarded, but when they're saved, toasted, and steeped in water, kukicha is formed. The flavor is nutty and slightly creamy, and since most of the caffeine is stored in the leaves of the plant, you won't get the same buzz from a cup of this stuff as you would a cup of green or black tea, so this is a great option for anyone trying to eliminate caffeine from his or her life. Its alkalizing properties and low caffeine level also make it a beverage of choice for the macrobiotic diet.

Kukicha tastes deliciously rich and toasted, which is the perfect way to start your day (in fact, there is a quality about it that reminds me of a good cup of coffee). Steep your twig tea in freshly boiled water for four to five minutes. Have you ever tried it?

Glee-ful Highlights From Episode "The Spanish Teacher"

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:01:05 PST

Glee goes Latin this week when guest star Ricky Martin stops by to shake it and teach Mr. Schue a thing about Spanish (which, despite being a Spanish teacher, he does not know). A couple more people find out about Finn and Rachel's engagement, though Mercedes and Sam are still far more unclear about their relationship. Sue also announces a highly frightening desire to be a mother while clawing at the chance to be a tenured teacher.

There are some fun numbers this week, but they couldn't distract from the fact that this episode is all over the place. A couple of the subplots are just plain ridiculous, but it's not totally without its highlights, so let's go over them after the jump.

Manage and Organize Your Bills For Free!

Sponsor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:00:00 PST

Destiny's Child said it best: bills, bills, bills! And since no one has offered to pay our Saks, Macy's, or Nordy bills, it's high time we got our finances in order. Isn't that what the New Year is all about?

Let us introduce Manilla, which is a free online bill organizer all about helping you keep your finances in order (and a steady flow of shoes into your closet). How? Manilla gathers all of the information you need to manage your bills and accounts and puts them into one easy, organized overview available 24/7. Manilla also keeps you in the know about upcoming payments with automatic reminders (aka lifesavers).

Signing up is super easy and piece of mind is priceless, so get your Manilla before the next billing cycle!

Share Photos of Your Home!

CasaSugar — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:00:17 PST

Have you done any decorating in your home lately? Laid down a new rug? Hung a Valentine's Day wreath? Integrated some new artwork? Whatever it is, I want to see it!

Show off all of your shots of your home, both interior and exterior, in my group Su Casa, where readers can share snapshots and stories related to home decorating, crafts, organizing, and gardening. A Su Casa post could be anything from a photo of a loved one's home to a tiny nook you're tickled by. Think of it as a look book for home style. If I see something I like in Su Casa, I might ask you if I can feature it on CasaSugar.

To learn how to post in the group,