Metallics rock: Captivated by shiny stuff

22.05.12

Nothing beats a bit of sparkle to pep up a dull day. In the same way that sequins are now no surprise when seen in daylight, so too metallic makeup. The trick is easy does it, so the look is fresh and fun rather than space-age alien.

Showy silver is fabulous on the runway, but a little harder to pull off when popping out to the supermarket, so stick with one bold colour with a metallic edge for a definite fashion edge or go for a softer touch with a sweep of shimmer in pearlescent tones. Delicate golds and pinks are the easiest to wear, but flecked teal or autumn's russet shades are standouts this season.

Metallics can be ageing, accentuating lines if the shiny stuff settles in, but that's no reason to steer away from them altogether, as used judiciously they can enliven you face. Try a little golden lip gloss dabbed on the middle of your bottom lip, or a subtle sweep of shimmer high on your cheekbones. The eyes, though, are undoubtedly where to make the most of metallics, so depending on your confidence and skin condition this could vary from a striking statement to something as simple as a little gleam on the lid or along the lashline. As well as powders, both loose and compact, gel liners and kohl pencils sometimes have metallic finishes, so look for these. If you normally restrict your eye makeup to beige and brown contouring colours, then mix in a little gold for the easiest update.

Source: New Zealand Herald

The Dreaming are wide awake

22.05.12

GZ :     It seems everyone just wants to compare The Dreaming to SW, what about the Dreaming will completely separate those two bands?

HALL : there really is little to compare musically. My voice is similar of course but since I am writing all the music it’s more specifically suited for my voice. In SW, Walter [Flakus] (keyboardist) wrote most of the music and I wrote mostly vocals, melodies and lyrics. So I always had to figure how to get my voice to sound good in whatever key Walter had written in and it wasn’t usually a good key for me. So a lot of songs the verse would be too low for me to sing and the chorus would be too high. And the way I write is very different from the way SW wrote. Walter was very into soundscaping. Creating layers of drum loops and synth tracks to come up with a feel and sound for a song. It was an amazing gift that he had and I was very lucky to have him as my partner for so long. But, I usually write a whole song on an acoustic guitar first and then reverse engineer it into whatever it is that the Dreaming is. It’s more based on song structure. Not a better approach, just different. And Johnny Haro on drums changes everything for the Dreaming. He is such an intense drummer and his energy and drive is the heart of the Dreaming music.

Source: North Lake News Register

200 years of Loretto are pure gold

22.05.12

Two hundred years ago this morning, April 25, 1812, three young women left their small log cabin in central Kentucky, walked up a steep hill to St. Charles Church and "received the veil." The words are from author of "Annals of a Century," Anna C. Minogue. But it is doubtful the young novices wore veils or clothes different than their ordinary dresses. They had no money for new clothes.

Today, Loretto celebrates its 200th birthday. We've written some books, held awards ceremonies and speaking tours, planted 15,000 trees, opened our heritage center and put up three billboards about immigration, inviting all to welcome the stranger.

Several hundred of us are gathered at our Motherhouse, a couple of miles from that original Little Loretto. It is quite wonderful to be together, fathoming the mystery of vocation. Loretto suffered a lot of fires. Walking through the cemetery, we see that many of our sisters died very young. Yet we sent sisters across the plains to Santa Fe, across the ocean to China, and then we traveled more and more, always coming back with new understandings and bigger visions.

Source: National Catholic Reporter (blog)