Keeping Austin Weird: What to Expect From Texas' Capital City

Despite being the capital city of Texas, Austin is a city that prides itself on being far from ordinary. Known as the 'Live Music Capital of the World', Austin offers visitors a vacation that is as diverse as it is exciting. After all, as a city with the motto 'Keep Austin Weird', a visit to Austin is sure to be a vacation with a difference.As you might expect from a city referred to as the 'Live Music Capital of the World', Austin has a vibrant live music scene with more music venues per capita than any other U.S city. Austin's music revolves around the numerous entertainment venues that can be found on its historic 6th Street. Originally known as Pecan Street, East-6th Street is the heart of the Austin entertainment district and plays host to a multitude of bars, clubs and music venues. Located along the length of East-6th Street between Congress Avenue and Interstate 35, you'll find many venues offering live music at one time or another during the week.Austin is also the venue for an annual film, music and multimedia festival known as South by Southwest, which takes place every spring. Centred around the downtown Austin Convention Centre, each part of the South by Southwest festival is relatively independent of one another with different start and end dates. The musical branch of the festival is one of the largest music festivals in the United States with more than 1,400 performers playing across dozens of venues around the city, while the film branch has quickly become one of the world's premiere film festivals, focussing on new directing talent.Zilker Park in Austin is the venue for the Austin City Limits Music Festival, an annual three-day music and art festival. Bringing together more than 130 bands over eight stages, the festival combines rock, country, folk, indie, Americana, hip-hop, reggae and bluegrass artists, and attracts a crowd of around 65,000 music-lovers every day. The festival has been such a huge success that it is often compared to other top rock festivals held in the United States, including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Coachella. Other annual events held in Austin include Eeyore's Birthday Party and the Austin Reggae Festival - previously named the Bob Marley Festival.If Austin's music scene isn't for you, Austin is also the home of a lot of artists. On Guadalupe, you'll find a host of local artistic talent selling their works at the Renaissance Market; while every first Thursday of the month, the eclectic shops on South Congress stay open late, with artists selling their artwork on the sidewalks, accompanied by musicians playing in the streets. For a more contemporary view of Austin's art scene, pay a visit to the Blanton Museum of Art, a 155,000 square foot museum situated on the University's campus, housing some 17,000 works of art from Europe, the United States and Latin America.

Flip Flops for Cellulite?

Cellulite has been given quite a number of names, including cottage cheese, orange-peel skin, saddlebags, pruned legs, and even dimples. But cellulite by any other name is still cellulite and it is unattractive and unhealthy at the same time. Most women have some on their body somewhere and are unhappy about it. They would love to get rid of it so the search for the ultimate cellulite remover continues.
Even some celebrities haven't escaped the horror of cellulite. These include Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Scarlett Johansson, Sandra Bullock, and Elizabeth Hurley.
Cellulite is caused by clumps of fat cells that push up against surrounding fibrous connective tissue. This is what gives you “dimples” or the appearance of clumps of fat under the skin.
There are a couple of ways to combat cellulite and its negative effects but if you're genetically prone to the problem, it’s unlikely you’ll ever get rid of it. What you can do is reduce your overall fat intake to lessen the build-up of cellulite. Exercise can help you build muscle tone which in turn can make the contours of your body, including cellulite, look better.
Ever heard of flip flops that can reduce cellulite? A Manchester-based website called “Love Those Shoes” recently launched its own brand of sandals that will supposedly banish cellulite and tone the thighs as you walk.
These flip flops not only look great but are also heralded as a fantastic beauty treatment. Wear them and you'll be exercising all areas of your body where cellulite is normally found - your thighs, buns and stomach. The manufacturer added that you'll burn up to five times more calories with his product than you would with a normal pair of shoes or trainers.

Best Hip Hop Artists in 2007

Hip hop is, today, without any doubt, in top 3 of the most popular music genres. Just take a look at the music charts to see that this fact is correct. Those powerful beats, those rap lyrics, the funky artists in trendy clothes, the dynamic videos and the danceable tunes - what makes this kind of music that popular? In any case, there isn't a single chart that doesn't include the rap hits. And the music industry is full of hip hop beats and hits. But who makes them? Who sings them? Who will be the most popular rap artists in 2007?
It seems that nowadays, male hip hop artists tend to associate with hot, young and popular female artists that sing either pop or R&B, in order to release hits and only hits. For example, it seems that Jay Z is still making combos with Beyonce and we all know that everything that Beyonce touches turns into a hit - and this is the case of her latest song that features Jay Z. Then of course, there is Ludacris, who, in combination with Fergie, managed to release a great spring 2007 hit that topped the charts.
But in order to establish the hottest rap artists for 2007, we might look further than the actual music charts - let's take a look at the music awards, for example. MTV Video Music Awards 2006 (and who else promotes hip hop music, if not MTV?) awarded a wide range of such artists. The hip hop artists were not simply awarded in their specific category, since the best song and best male artist also featured highly known artists such as Busta Rhymes or 50 Cent.
But besides them, there were many new names: T.I. with his hit What You Know, young Joc, Kayne West or Daddy Yankee. Considering their success in 2006, we might guess that they will make it into the charts in 2007, as well - unless they are all one hit wonders. And many music critics would place their bets on Kayne West and, obviously, on the winner of the best rap category, namely Chamillionaire (featuring Krayzie Bone).
But we couldn't possibly talk about hiphop artists without mentioning Black Eyed Peas - after all, they won numerous hip hop awards, even if some say that they lean more towards a hyperactive dance style than to the more aggressive hip hop. In any case, they release hit after hit and most definitely, they will hit the charts in 2007, too.
Well, the above artists might not be Run DMC (who were on top of numerous charts as the best of the best in rap music - after all, they were the first ones), but they seem to promise offering a great number of hits this year.

A Star is Found

Casting is a part of filmmaking that most people never think about -- but once you become aware of it, you might be startled at how central these decisions are to your experience of a film. Just recall Hollywood's casting legends -- Casablanca, for example. The studio's first choice for the role of Rick was George Raft, then a major leading man. Only when Raft wasn't available did the studio grudgingly accept minor contract player Humphrey Bogart, known mainly for playing gangsters in a slew of second-rate crime films. Matching Bogie with Rick turned the actor into an icon for world-weary, cynical heroes with hearts of gold -- and it endowed the film with near-mythic status. Who knows what would have happened if George Raft had been the one to murmur "Here's lookin' at you, kid" -- but it's hard to imagine that a new type of film hero would have been the result. Bogart seemed so right that, once he was cast, the part seemed made for him -- even though he hadn't actually been anyone's first choice.
Or think of The Wizard of Oz with first choice Shirley Temple as Dorothy. When MGM couldn't get ''America's sweetheart," they reluctantly awarded the role to Judy Garland, then known mainly for her teen musicals with Mickey Rooney. Of course, even without Judy, Oz would have been endowed with magic, a gripping story, and a stunning score, but Garland brought to the film her extraordinary combination of vulnerability, longing, sweetness, and hope -- qualities that made a potentially good movie into a great one.
Or consider The Godfather, early candidates for which were Ernest Borgnine and Ryan O'Neal. Just take a moment to picture those two in the roles that Marlon Brando and Al Pacino ultimately played. At this point, the roles seem to have been written with Brando and Pacino in mind -- but that's only because they did, finally, get cast in them; it was hardly a foregone conclusion. Likewise, Charles Grodin has long been notorious as the guy who turned down the part eventually played by Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate. Perhaps the movie would have been equally good with Grodin in the part -- but at the very least, it would have been a different movie if Grodin, not Hoffman, had been the one to stammer, "Mrs. Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?"
The essence of a good casting decision is that you simply take it for granted. Only when you imagine a cast being different do you realize how great an impact a casting choice can have. To take a relatively recent example, think of the movie Good Will Hunting, which introduced Matt Damon and Ben Affleck to a broad audience. We didn't cast this movie, so we're commenting on it purely as viewers. In that film, Matt plays the innocent math genius; Ben is his tough and knowing friend -- casting choices that seem to work very well. Now imagine the two actors swapping roles -- think of Ben as the math whiz and Matt as the working-class guy who's left behind. We're not saying the movie wouldn't have worked that way, but it becomes a different picture. Imagining these roads not taken helps illuminate the kind of magic that can be generated when an actor's persona, talent, and style mesh perfectly with his or her role.

Nicole Kidman Recounts “how to Marry a Millionaire”

The film "How to Marry a Millionaire" debuted in 1953 and helped to catapult Marilyn Monroe to stardom. The film, in which Monroe portrays the ditzy, yet endearing Pola Debevoise, also hosted Hollywood greats Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable as three beautiful women who, after becoming frustrated with dating cheap men, move into a posh New York City penthouse and use their feminine wiles to try and snag wealthy bachelors to marry.
Millionaire takes allAnother Hollywood icon, namely Nicole Kidman, has purchased the rights to this film and is set to revamp "How to Marry a Millionaire" through her 20th Century Fox-based production company, Blossom Films. Sacha Gervasi, best known for writing "The Terminal" script for Steven Spielberg, has been commissioned to pen the screenplay, which is said to be a more modern-day, updated reinterpretation of the classic Monroe film. Most likely, the plot is not going to follow the original storyline too closely, and is still very much under wraps. There have been reports speculating on who could be cast alongside Kidman, or whether the remodelled version will even star three leading ladies. Nicole Kidman is rumoured to be taking over Marilyn Monroe's role in the film.
Make me overKidman, a remake veteran, has already lent her thespian talents to a remake of "The Stepford Wives" originally released in 1975, "Bewitched", a remake of the supernatural sitcom, and "The Invasion", a loose reinterpretation of the 1956 science-fiction thriller "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." In both "The Stepford Wives" and "Bewitched", Kidman took the female characters to new lengths with regard to strong femininity and beguiling charm. Consequently, it is exciting to speculate as to just where Kidman would take Monroe's character, Pola. In "How to Marry a Millionaire", Pola is the slightly narcissistic and charmingly daft character amongst the bunch, and Kidman, having tread in somewhat more elevated waters, may choose to have Pola's intelligence quotient kicked up a few notches by having her read some Virginia Woolf as a nod to Kidman's Oscar-winning performance in "The Hours."
Battle of the BlondsNicole Kidman and the late Marilyn Monroe are remarkably similar; both are blond, beautiful bombshells that can charm the pants off almost any audience. Kidman, with her signature sultriness and classy demeanor, can most certainly turn more than a few heads, but can she compete with one of the most iconic and curvaceous coquettes of the 20th century? While Monroe was and still remains the epitome of a sex symbol, some say her acting chops are definitely no match for the Oscar-winning Kidman. Monroe may have had her experience with high-profile marriages, such as her unions with Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, but Kidman most definitely knows a thing or two about marrying millionaires, namely Hollywood heavyweight Tom Cruise and country crooner Keith Urban. Perhaps that is why Kidman initially signed on to the project; she just wanted to put all that knowledge to work.

Will Angelina Jolie Receive Flowers When Her Baby Is Born?

If Brad Pitt knows anything about the impact of flowers, he'll be certain to send a big, beautiful bouquet or arrangement to soon-to-be mother of his child, Angelina Jolie. Flowers are a traditional gift sent to new mothers for many reasons: they have a wonderful impact on the emotions of all who see them; they can be personalized to the individual and the occasion, and they're easy to order. But, when is the best time to send flowers to a new mother and what kinds of flowers should you send? Well, there really are no limits, but I do have some suggestions. In terms of the timing of your gift, consider having the flowers delivered to the new mom's home after she brings the baby home. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful thing to receive flowers in the hospital, but nowadays new mothers don't typically stay in the hospital more than a few days before being released. Also, that short time in the hospital is usually a flurry of activity with first feedings, first baths, and many visitors. Although your beautiful flowers will brighten up her room, she won't have much time to enjoy them. When those hectic few days are over, the family then has to carry the new baby, the personal belongings of mom and baby, any gifts received during the stay, and all the flowers out of the hospital, fit them into the car, and transport them all home—hopefully without any items spilling. On the other hand, if you send the flowers to her home a few days after the birth of the baby, the new mom will have had time to relax a bit, will be able to enjoy your wonderful gift, and she won't have to move them from the special place she chooses to display them. Now, on to the question of what kind of flowers you should give. Well, there are the traditional gifts of either pink or blue flowers depending on the gender of the baby. These arrangements are often presented in baskets adorned with charming stuffed bears or other baby toys. The popularity of these arrangements comes from the simple fact that they are well liked. You're not likely to go wrong when choosing a traditional arrangement. However, if you'd like to give a gift of flowers that truly stands out, take into consideration the new mother's personality, favorite colors, and favorite flowers. Tell your florist a little about the new mom and the feeling you'd like the flowers to portray. For example, if the new mom is very trendy and loves bright colors, let your florist know. He or she can then make a gift that says "congratulations on your new baby" in a way that is as unique as the new mom herself.

Life has really become fast paced and now it is no longer enough to be good at something. It seems that the world is expecting you in excel in many different fields and the surprising thing is that some of the people do manage to pass with flying colors even in this test that life throws at us. American singer, songwriter, fashion designer and occasional actress Gwen Stefani is a case in point. Gwen has indeed given a new meaning to the term ‘multidimensional’. Not only does she do many things, she does all of them equally well. I was just listening to The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani and I could not help wondering at her many talents. Born into a family where many of the women were seamstresses Gwen Stefani has also made her mark as a fashion trendsetter with her line of clothing that she calls L.A.M.B and the expansion of this line is called the Harajuku Lovers. The Harajuku girls are a part of her back – up dancers with whom Gwen Stefani has made public appearances and had also drawn criticism for racism.
The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani was her second solo album and it adds up to the more than 30 million albums that she has sold worldwide. Gwen Stefani has started her career with a band called No Doubt but the band’s popularity went into a steady decline with their third album Return of Saturn. Gwen Stefani had recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. In 2004 that was inspired by the music of the 1980’s and it paved the way for Gwen’s success. It sold over seven million copies and enjoyed tremendous international success. The sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani became her second solo album that was released in 2006 and was made popular by the track Wind It Up which achieved moderate success across the globe.
Gwen Stefani catered to her musical tastes in her childhood with ever popular music of The Sound of Music and Evita and even created a demo tape for her father but she was encouraged not to take music lessons. She gave her first on-stage performance as a high school student during a talent show. Over the years as Stefani emerged as an artiste in her own rights, she found a musical outlet for the lessons that she learnt from life. Even her break up with former band mate led her to create songs such as Sunday Morning, Hey You and Don’t Speak which chronicled the broken relationship. The album The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani, unlike her previous one focused more on dance music for the clubs and she claimed that she was not inspired enough while making this album though she was much more relaxed than earlier. Stefani also embarked on the international Sweet Escape tour in 2007 and performed opening acts with Akon and Lady Sovereign. A singer a performer, a fashion icon, Gwen Stefani has ceaselessly performed her many roles and has managed to successfully capture the heart of millions across the globe.