Guilty Pleasure Songs: Performer's POV

This is song #5, skip and finish with it. You'll be glad you did.😎🎶

Last year I decided to retire the Guilty Pleasure Song List because after compiling a list of songs, they disappear all too often from YouTube. I dislike having dead links on a blog. 

That said, Old Man Winter will soon leave us, opening the door for optimism. It's time to come out of hibernation and turn up the music. So despite my misgivings, I'm compiling yet another Guilty Pleasure Song List: Let's call it Guilty Pleasure Songs: Performer's POV - Music from the point of view of the person performing on stage.

1) Fame by Irene Cara (1980): In the beginning there's the dream, the ambition, the talent, the training, the hours of practice, practice, practice, as well as, the wait to be given the chance to showcase a talent.

2) Turn The Page by Bob Seger (1976): Bob Seger wrote a memorable story-song about being up on stage! (What a coincidence.😅) Featuring a soulful saxophone, it's really about the ups and downs ... the endless, grueling time a singer spends on the road to make and sustain a career. Touring is tough, but it's how a musician develops his craft and makes money. I've heard talent talk about how being on the road is a necessary evil for the 2 hours of performance that they enjoy. Yet, a life on the road takes a toll!

3) Possession by Sarah McLachlan (1993): Some people mistake the composition for a love song. It is not. The tune were inspired by a creepy fan letter singer, Sarah McLachlin, received from an "admirer." The lyrics are written from the point of view of an obsessed, stalker-like "fan," which a performer might for a wee moment think about as they face an audience of fans. Is he out there?

4) Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple (1972): Listen to the song. No ... seriously avoid looking at the hippy-dippy shirtless garb and just listen. The lyrics tell the true story of the band's performance in Switzerland, during which, someone in the audience shot a flare gun catching the venue, a gambling casino, on fire and burning it to the ground. Luckily, everyone got out, with nobody seriously hurt. They were also booked to record new music, using an expensive mobile studio, but were left with no place to stay (and thus watched smoke on the water). The electric guitar riff, a 4 note blues scale melody in G is iconic! It's likely you know it.

5) [See the top ↑ video] While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, Dhani Harrison (George's son!) and Prince - A Tribute to George Harrison (2004): Sometimes the music outlives the man, and the man becomes a legend. Beatle George Harrison was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, not once but twice. Using personification in a catchy phrase that the whole world knows, he is paid tribute by his wildly famous friends who perform Harrison's song at his posthumous induction ceremony. Features the virtuosity of another great, Prince, who really does make his guitar weep! Ah, life is short, so many of the well-known on that 2004 stage are now gone too. Perhaps onto a final, bigger stage ... which is a leap of faith.

If any of the Guilty Pleasure Songs disappear from YouTube just search for them. What song(s) would you add?


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Hunter Boots Are Coming To Target

Target is teaming up with Hunter, the British designer of the signature Wellington boot. The iconic rubber footwear is a favorite of fashion-forward celebrities like Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, Princes William and Harry, as well as, wife of William, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.

Hunter boots at Target will drop on April 14th at select stores and online. The collection includes the tall heritage "Wellies" style boot, made as a one-off and affordably priced, selling in the $45 range, which is down from it's usual $150 price tag. Perhaps customers won't get exactly the same higher priced boot ... yet if past collaborations (such as Liberty of London, Zac Posen and Philip Lam) are indicators, consumers will get quality for less moola. (My Liberty of London well-made, 100% cotton dress is still going strong!)

Frankly, I have a love/hate relationship with clunky, sweaty rainboots. A necessary evil to keep my feet warm and dry during a storm. I dislike wearing them, yet would equally dislike to be ankle deep in water without a pair. Short of having a set of wings to flap, what an exciting offering!

Photo: Matt Cardy, Getty Images of Kate Moss

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New From Make Up For Ever And Victoria's Secret

Photo: Allure

New chic makeup launches for eyes and lips. 

First up eyes:

1) Make Up For Ever's Star Lit Glitter Palette - Get eyes to pop with the next generation of glitter! The palette shades catch the light for an intense simmering effect that is a step up from previous glitter palettes. As sparkly as the eyeshadow is, it is not messy (as there is no fallout) and the hues don't look cheap. When applied, the eyeshadows are incandescent nude tones. Innovative!

The 6 shades in the palette have names like: Spark, Reflection, Prism, Flicker, Flame and Beam. They range from radiant violets and berries to brilliant bronzes. "Beam," the purple hue on the end is more understated and complex than it appears above. Rich pigments. The look is magical and very pretty! Cost: $45 for the palette.

Next lips:

Photo: Allure

2) Velvet Matte Cream Lip Stains, Pencils and Glosses - Makeup Maven, Angie Smith, alerted me to the launch of new lip formulas from Victoria's Secret. (What? VSC is back in the makeup business? Great news!) Buy all 3 lip products (the cream stain, pencil and gloss) as a kit, or only what you desire separately. There are 12 colors, ranging from reds, berries, wines, pinks and nudes. 

Although they go on dry, the smooth, velvety, matte cream stains are infused with vitamin E and olive oil to moisturize your lips. 

Just like our ole friend, Ang', customers are enthusiastic about the flattering colors and velvety new formula. Costs: $14 each, or the 3-set kit for $24.50 (that is before savvy shopper deals). There are always deals at Victoria's Secret!


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My Favorite Oscar Gowns 2018

Photos: Getty

1) Gal Gadot wearing Givency; 2) Nicole Kidman in a gorgeous colbalt blue Armani Prive gown; 3) Emma Stone suited in Chanel; 4) Jennifer Laurence wearing Christian Dior; 5) Margo Robbie in a white Chanel dress; 6) Lupita Nyong'o wearing Atelier Versace; 7) Sandra Bullock in a silk gown from Louis Vuitton and 8) Ashley Judd wearing a purple strapless Badgley Mischka gown.

The Academy Awards are only one hour in, and as usual it will be a long night. But the Red Capet has been walked and here are my favorite outfits of the evening. This year's overall look is elegant and classic, and I like how Emma Stone and Nicole Kidman took chances with their attire: Emma in a Chanel combination top with slacks and Nicole wearing a feminine and balanced Armani Prive dress. Margo Robbie has the right amount of sparkle to jazz up her modern, ladylike, solid white gown.

Oh, the impeccable gowns, hair, makeup and jewelry ... definitely a return to old Hollywood glamour.


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A Happy 9th Birthday To THE SAVVY SHOPPER

Photo: Wallpaper

THE SAVVY SHOPPER turns nine years today, and who knew I'd still be writing it? You can go back and look at the 1st blog I wrote to see if I got any better.😊 

Published topics are ones that I (or a reader) want to know more about. Somehow the blog rings true and has a voice. Writing is a bit of a mystery. Although I know how to write blogs, I don't plan them. Usually I have an informal mental outline of important points or information to include which can change as I research and write the blog. It is vital to get the focus and facts right! In writing, I don't always know what I will say, yet I know I have something fruitful or beneficial to say. Plus, I know the post must be worthy of a reader's time. 

People who read a blog ... eyeballs want everything fast. A blog must have the same substance as a printed article, but say it in fewer words. Blogging has made me a concise writer, as well as, a curious and critical thinker. Who knew?

We have grown this year! Thank you, readers for your comments, emails and coming along to see what's new. Because of YOU, there must be good content. As always let me know what you want us to explore.

Here's to another year of savvy shopping, a bit of wisdom, a little humor, some fun stuff for eyeballs and a place to share our ideas! 

Happy Birthday, THE SAVVY SHOPPER!🎂🎈🎁🕯

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For Hair None Better Than SheaMoisture At Any Price

SheaMoisture hair conditioners are the bomb! Truly, the entire line of soaps, skin moisturizers and beauty treatments are excellent. The whole line is 1) organic, 2) of the highest quality and 3) affordable. I first reviewed the sustainably produced goods here. Since then, I've tied even more of their personal care products.

Not one skin, body or hair item has disappointed me. At long last, I can say there is an organic hair conditioner that works, as well as, the ones loaded with a long list of unpronounceable chemicals. Right now, I'm using SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner with Sea Kelp and Argon Oil, and I love it. Unbeatable prices for such top-notch organic ingredients. Not to mention, a small squirt of conditioner goes a long way!

Furthermore, there are many different formulas of SheaMoisture shampoo and condition. Pick the one that is right for you. Mixtures of nature's bounty to clean, condition, tame and repair every hair type imaginable. Using my best cheesy line: Good clean ingredients that won't take a customer to the cleaners! Did I mention organic ingredients? Yes, yes ... organic!!! Why pay more when you get the best for less? 

SheaMoisture is conveniently sold at your local drugstore.


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Venus Et Fleur Roses Last A Year

Photo: Shopify

Every year on my birthday I get a beautiful vase of flowers, but they rarely last more than a week. It's a big expense that all too soon ends up in the garbage. How would you like to smell the roses for a long period of time? Believe it or not, now you can.

Venus Et Fleur is a flower company which has figured out a way to give real roses ... well a shelve life. Their roses are treated with a special formula and process to preserve the color, freshness, biological structure, softness and scent for up a year.

Supplied by growers in Ecuador, the roses are cut at their peakiness and treated with a non-toxic, non-allergic wax formula (similar to silica). Next the roses sit in dye to enhance or change their color before being styled and arranged in Parisian keepsake boxes.

The only maintenance needed is a light dusting from time to time. The retailer recommends keeping the flowers out of direct sunlight, and you do not water them. They also stay in their box.

Venus Et Fleur Everlasting Roses are popular with celebrities, hotels and weddings. A small box costs $299, and a large or special collection can run between $399 to $589. Oddly enough, buying a single rose at $99 is the cheapest, but not the best value.

So what do you think? Would you spend more to send roses that last until someone's next birthday?🌹

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Intense Orange Julius

Photo: Wildrosekitchen

Years ago when my friend, Cara Sue, married I hung out at her house most weekends. I think I'm the one who started us on Orange Julius drinks, one of our many snacks. Ahh youth, we were thin as rails, and I remember making them with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream and 1/4 cup of sugar! Once in a while I added some rum or Bourbon, but mostly not. Without the alcohol, the drink tastes like an old fashioned orangesicle ice cream treat. Remember those? Packaged in a round paper cylinder on a stick, you ate the sherbet-like dessert by pushing it up beyond the cylinder and licking it as it melted. In those days, we ate ice cream without a thought. Nowadays I make a reduced calorie Julius.

Here is the still rich, organgey, creamy and delicious recipe:

Orange Julius

Ingredients:

1 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate (I buy orange juice with pulp. Why pulp free?)
1-2 tablespoons sugar or Steevia (Sweeten to taste. I can drink it without any sweetener. Try it plain first.)
About 1 1/2 cups ice

Directions:

Toss everything into a blender using about 1/2 of the ice. Blend, then add the rest of the ice and blend until the ice is crushed.

A refreshing icy drink in the summer. An infusion of vitamin C in the winter.

Extra tip: Feel free to use 6 oz of pineapple concentrate to make Pineapple Julius also. For parties, you can serve both! 

Single serving: If I make an Orange or Pineaple Julius for one, I scoop out only 1/3 of the concentrate from the can (return the rest to the freezer), then reduce the milk to 2/3 of a cup and ice to about 1/2 of a cup + eyeball a couple of drops of vanilla. Enjoy!


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15 Makeup Dos & Don'ts

Photo: Maybelline

For many of us, applying makeup begins as trial and error until we figure out what flatters our faces. And, we can always learn new tricks, especially for an evening out when we tend to wear more makeup. Here are 15 common makeup dos and don'ts. Let's replace bad habits -- Don'ts with better habits -- Dos:

Do: Start with primer on your face and under your eyes.

Don't: Skip primer. Makeup glides on easy and stays put on primed skin!

Do: Dampen your blender sponge with water.

Don't: Dip a dry sponge into makeup. It soaks up too much product.

Do: Blend foundation beyond your jawline down to your neck and up to your hairline. Dab and pat is the way to go.

Don't: Stop foundation at the jawline to create a visible line.

Do: Match a concealer to the skin on your inside wrist.

Don't: Use a concealer lighter then your skin. You will look like a raccoon.

Do: Use correct makeup brushes for your foundation, blush, contour, bronzer, highlighter, eyeshadow and powder.
Don't: Apply makeup with the wrong brushes. Using the correct brush lets you apply each item correctly.

Do: Apply blush on the apples of your cheeks.
Don't: Extent blush beyond the apples of your cheeks. You may look like a clown.

Do: Apply cheek contour right under the hollow of the cheekbone and stop midway.
Don't: Apply contour too low and too far across your face. It ends up looking unnatural, or dirty.

Do: Stroke bronzer lightly above contour to produce a warm sun kissed glow. (A contour and bronzer are often used interchangeably, however professionals use contour to create edges on the face with faux shadows, while bronzing is used to bring a warm luminesce to the skin.)

Don't: Overdo the bronzer. Light is right!

Do: Use an eyebrow pencil shade lighter than your hair color and be sure to stroke lightly following your natural brow. Next soften and blend using a brow brush. (Exception: Blonds go a shade darker.)
Don't: Make eyebrows look unnatural. Polished is good/harsh is bad!

Do: Apply darker eyeshadow near the base of your eyelashes, not at the crease.
Don't: Go lighter (from the lids) to darker (at the crease). You will then produce ghoul eyes!

Do: (1) Use an eyeliner to draw thin lines; or increase line thickness as you move out away from your nose.
Don't: Draw a thick line near the nose that gets thinner moving out. It makes eyes look droopy.

Do: Use mascara starting at the base of eyelashes to lengthen lashes. You can do top and bottom lashes. Blot excess away with a tissue so it doesn't smear later.
Don't: Apply mascara only at the tips of lashes. It won't lengthen them.

Do: Apply highlighter where light hits your face: on the cheekbones, the nose, a dot at the hairline and cupid's bow. Moreover, use a light brush stroke to avoid a "heavy shimmery mess."
Don't: Overdo highlighter by putting it all over your face. Less is best!

Do: Use face powder to set your makeup and to take away shine.

Apply with a powder brush.
Don't: Use a "dirty" brush, one that you use for blush, contour, bronzer or highlighter.

Do: Apply a glamorous lip color to your lips. 
Don't: Minimize your lips, nor go more than a hair passed the lip line. Aim for full, pouty lips (do) without looking like a vampire after a meal (don't).

Remember: The purpose of makeup is to balance and flatter the face by enhancing or softing features. People should think ... you look great, not your makeup looks great!


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Royal Engagement Rings: Let's Take A Look

When a royal couple gets engaged, count on seeing a gorgeous ring. Although diamonds are the hardest, most durable stones, there are plenty of diamonds in the world. Sapphires are rarer, which is why royalty often chooses a sapphire engagement ring. For fun, let's look at several famous royal rings: 

Kate Middleton (2011), now Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge - A 12-carat sapphire with 14 diamonds that once belonged to fiancé Prince William's mother, Lady Diana Spencer (1981), is a favorite. The ring was picked from Garrard's catalog by Diana and reportedly was inspired by a sapphire brooch that Queen Victoria received on her wedding day from new husband Prince Albert that today is often worn by her great, great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II. I adore blue sapphires, and you don't need to be engaged to a prince to wear a royalty-inspired knockoff. Trust me! (In a window of a Madison Avenue jewelry store near my home sits a 12-carat Ceylon sapphire and diamond ring exactly like the royal engagement ring. I'm going to walk over there, wearing all my cheap imperfect jewelry, to try it on. Heck, yeah!! It's the one, I wanted to buy.😊)

Queen Elizabeth II (1947) - To make his betrothed, Princess Elizabeth of York's engagement ring, Prince Philip's mother, Princess Alice (née of Battenberg) who married Prince Andrew of Greece, gave her son one of her tiaras, a wedding gift she received from Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra (Romanov) of Russia. Princess Alice was Tsarina Alexandra's niece. Diamonds were removed from the tiara and reset into an engagement ring. The ring is a round 3-carat brilliant stone flanked by smaller pavé-set diamonds mounted into platinum.

Queen Victoria (1840) - On the right is the exquisite sapphire brooch that a century later inspired Lady Diana's engagement ring. On the left is Queen Victoria's engagement ring. Both were designed by Queen Victoria's fiancé, soon to be husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and presented to her for the wedding. The serpent is an ancient Roman symbol for everlasting love and seems to have been a popular motif for rings during the Victorian era. (It is not for me, I hate snakes!) Set in 18-carat gold, the serpent eyes are rubies, the mouth a line of diamonds and the large center emerald is Queen Victoria's (born May 24, 1819) birthstone. Prince Albert put a lot of thought into the Queen's wedding gifts!

Princess Eugenie of York (2018) - Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter selected a 3-carat padparadscha pinkish orange glow sapphire, surrounded by diamonds for her engagement ring. It is an ultra rare sapphire. (Not that anybody asks, yet I always prefer blue.) Her own mother, Sarah Ferguson (1986) received a red ruby with diamonds engagement ring commissioned by Prince Andrew as a nod to her red hair. Newspapers wonder if Eugenie is trying to carry on a family color tradition. Only Eugenie knows.

Sarah's ruby and diamond engagement ring

Maghan Markle (2017) - A trio of 3 diamonds, one 2.5 cushion-cut central diamond with two round side diamonds to make 3 carats, set in yellow gold designed by her fiancé, Prince Harry, who used some of the jewelry once belonging to his mother, Diana, later the Princess of Wales.

It's always fun to look, write and gush over jewelry. 

Although sapphires are my favorite gems, I still prefer a traditional round-shaped (called a Tiffany setting) diamond as an engagement ring ... a BIG one, surrounded by smaller diamonds! Do you have a favorite stone.

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Happy Valentine's Day Readers

I'm sending Valentine's out to you today! For ...

Love, peace and compassion.♥

 Courage and enthusiasm for life.

Hugs and an ounce of chocolate. xoxo

Happy Valentine's Day! Look out for Cupid's arrows.😉

←↑→↓↔↕→

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Extra Photos: Prince Leopold, Duke Of Albany