Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do - Music - My Current Top 40 Faves.

Hi!!!

What's up, guys? I don't know about you, but I find that I listen to the radio a lot in the summer as I spend more time in the car, around the house, at barbeques and things like that. I thought I'd put together a little selection of my faves from this week's Top 40 for you to listen out for on the radio or just enjoy now because an eclectic playlist is more fun and if it meets my standards, hopefully you'll like it, too.

 

Middle by DJ Snake featuring Bipolar Sunshine

 

THIS SONG THO. I really love it - it has really chilled 90s vibes that blend seamlessly with fun electronic dance vibes and it works so well. It has a really interesting sound and I feel like I notice new things about it each time I hear it.

 

Can't Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake

 

If you've been on the lookout for your ultimate fun summer jam for 2016 then you can stop looking - THIS IS IT. It is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and it's definitely one to dance to. The video is super fun, and JT breaks out all the best dance moves, too.

 

Cheap Thrills by Sia

 

I think Sia is an incredibly talented songwriter and vocalist and this track is great. It is more upbeat lyrically than some of her others but its still unique. Also, Maddie Ziegler smashed that choreography in the video, as per.

 

I Took A Pill In Ibiza by Mike Posner

 

When I heard the first lines of this for the first time, I'll be honest, I was not feeling it. But actually, I've come to really like this song, both the original and the remix which is linked here as it is the one in the charts. It comes across as meaningful and honest and I love that.

 

No Money by Galantis

 

I don't normally like vocals like this but I think it really suits the song and it is super fun and sassy. It's definitely a great one for those 'windows down, singing along' moments in the car and I love that it doesn't take itself to seriously.

 

Ta Dah! That's all for today, so I hope you enjoyed and you think I've pointed you in the right direction for some good summer tunes.

What are your current favourites from the charts? Which songs do you think deserve to be in the charts that aren't? Do you have any suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments and I'll get back to you.

Thank you for reading. Have a good evening and if you're in the UK and you're registered, be sure to go out and vote.

 

Have an awesome day!

 

GingerSnaps xxx

 

It's Showtime!!! - Theatre Reviews - The Ambassador Box Experience at The Harold Pinter Theatre.

Hi!!!

As you may well know, I recently went to see Sunny Afternoon at the Harold Pinter theatre. I usually get tickets in the stalls but was treated to the Ambassador Box Experience, which I'll be reviewing for you today (if this was any other blog, this would be sponsored but we all know that isn't the kind of ship I run).

We arrived ten minutes before the start of the show (which was a bit stressful for me, not gonna lie. I don't like to be late to important things) but we had been told that you can access the seats in the experience from half an hour before the show begins, which impressed me because it gives you plenty of time to get settled.
 I'd had seats in the box before but that was for a pantomime when I was very, very young so I can't say that I have anything to compare it to, sorry.
Anyway, we were shown to our seats by a member of staff who was incredibly kind and helpful, as I found all of the staff at the Pinter to be. You get some added extras as part of the experience - savoury snacks, Belgian chocolates and some Cava. I can say for certain that all were enjoyed very much (whoever does the theatre's weekly big shop gets a gold star from me). The seats were super comfortable and there was loads of space. The view from seats in the box takes some getting used to, especially if you normally sit in the stalls, like I do, but I felt like I had a good view of the majority of what was going on onstage, as most of the action is central or on the platform. And you can't really complain because there are seats with a restricted view around the rest of the theatre (I would assume) - at least I had the option of leaning on the little rail, too.

 

So to recap - the staff were very accommodating and helpful, the seats we had were incredibly comfy, I had a relatively good view of everything, the snacks/drinks/extras were of high quality, show was fab and I was really happy with the Ambassador Box Experience. Plus, I had extra room to dance and air guitar at the end.

I would definitely recommend it to you, if you ever get chance. It really is a great experience and you do feel very special. Five stars.

Ta Dah! As always, thanks for reading. After hardly doing any theatre-y content for a year, I'm glad to be back at it.
Have you been to the theatre lately? Have you seen Sunny Afternoon? Have you ever had tickets for seats in the box? If you have any comments or suggestions for future posts then be sure to let me know.
Happy weekend to you and yours.

Have a fantastic day!

 

GingerSnaps xxx



 

It's Showtime!!! - Theatre Review - Sunny Afternoon.

Hi!!!

You know what we haven't done in ages? Talked all things theatre. It's honestly because I just haven't been able to go as much as I'd like to. Anyway, I was recently treated to tickets for Sunny Afternoon and I want to tell you all about it. This will be slightly different to the way I've done theatre reviews in the past, so let me know if you like it (or not).

 

"We're working class socialists from Muswell Hill! We don't believe in what you believe in, in Muswell Hill!"



Sunny Afternoon is a musical that tells the story of the rise of one of my favourite bands, The Kinks. It is based on the original 'story' by Ray Davies and obviously features the band's biggest hits. It's running at the Harold Pinter theatre in London and its run has been extended multiple times due to popular demand (extended recently till October 2016). It'll also be touring the UK later this year.

The set is interesting - a platform runs out into the stalls which gives the effect of a concert stage rather than a theatre stage (although as this was my first visit to the Pinter, I'm not sure if this is a standard feature or a show specific). While its a nice idea, given the musical background of the show, and it allows people in the higher seats, like the circle, a chance to more clearly see certain parts of the action, I'm not sure it'd be so great if you were in the stalls, as you might actually miss some of the action because of the dancers etc. on the platform. The rest of the set, however, is great and it transitions really well from scene to scene.
 

 I was impressed by all of the actors, very much, particularly the guys who were playing the band - Danny Horn (Ray), Oliver Hoare (Dave), Tom Whitelock (Pete) and Damien Walsh (Mick). I thought they did an excellent job of capturing each of the band member's individual personalities and Danny and Oliver managed to convey a very convincing brotherly relationship. Other standout performers, in my opinion, were Megan Leigh Mason (Rasa), Gillian Kirkpatrick  (Mrs Davies), Stephen Pollster (Mr Davies), Charlie Tight (Grenville Collins) and Gabriel Vick (Robert Wace).
 

 

The plot includes both the ups and the downs the band had, which I was pleased to see, because, as many of you will know, it wasn't exactly smooth sailing for The Kinks (especially when it came to Ray and Dave... and Dave and Mick... basically, when it came to Dave) and that is the truth. I like a biographical piece that isn't afraid of being honest with it's audience.
If I'm being completely honest, as I always endeavour to be, I wasn't all that keen on the first act - it seemed, to me at least, to lack cohesion. I felt a bit like songs were being shoehorned into the first half in places they didn't necessarily belong or suit. The second act, however, was excellent, and I really enjoyed it. It worked well musically and in terms of plot and was much more like what I had expected and been excited to see. The play finishes (is this a spoiler? I don't know. Consider yourself warned at any rate) at The Kinks' Madison Square Garden gig and it really is like a gig - you're encouraged to clap your hands and get up and dance, which was what I'd been longing to do throughout, and it is all kinds of fun. Its great to be surrounded by other people who not only love the band as much as you do, but also love the theatre and having fun and that is why the final few minutes are so delightfully fun.

 

I'd recommend Sunny Afternoon to you, especially if you're a fan of The Kinks, and I'd give it a hearty four stars (the only things that stop it reaching five are the first act and the set).
 It is really entertaining, well acted and insightful, so do check it out if you can.

There is a trailer and a website for the show, if you want more information.

 

I'm so pleased to have been able to write this for you today. I hope you like the new format for my theatre reviews - I think this is easier to digest than what I'd been doing before.

Have you been to the theatre lately? Do you have any shows to recommend to me? Have you seen Sunny Afternoon? Do you like the new format of reviews or not? Comments or suggestions for future posts are always welcome.

Thank you ever so much for reading.

 

I hope you have a showstopper of a day!

 

GingerSnaps xxx



 

Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do - Music - Copyright, The Value of Celebrity and Amazing-Photograph Gate.

Hi!!!

You may well be aware of the current lawsuit over copyright infringement - Ed Sheeran (and crew) have been accused of copying Matt Cardle's song Amazing for the song Photograph. Here are my thoughts, having heard both songs played side by side. 

First things first, Photograph is incredibly similar to Amazing and it does seem very likely that the claim that the chorus of Photograph shares 39 identical notes with Amazing is accurate. I just wanted to open with that because that is the key point in all this.

I've seen a lot of people online make comments about how Matt is 'only suing Ed because he wants to be back in the public eye' or 'because he didn't have any success after the X Factor'. This doesn't sit well with me, not least because Matt Cardle is not suing Ed, Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard are. Cardle did not write the song, nor has he ever claimed to but he did record and release it. But even if Cardle was the one suing Sheeran, why should that matter? Matt Cardle didn't go on to become a global chart sensation and most people are unfamiliar with the song Amazing. That doesn't mean that the rights and interests of the creative team behind the song don't matter, nor does it take away Matt's value as a performer. Photograph has sold more than 3.5 million copies. Ed and his team have earned a fair whack from the song. From a song that infringes the copyright of another. But people are willing to defend the plagiarism, intended or not, because its a big celebrity and his team? Something about that just doesn't seem right.

Some people have also tried to suggest that it isn't a real problem because 'Ed made a mediocre song better'. Now, I like Ed's music, I'd consider him one of my favourite 'pop stars'. But that doesn't mean that he gets a fast pass through lawsuits. Just because songs like 'A Team' or 'Thinking Out Loud' are nice to listen to doesn't mean I agree with what has happened here, whether it was intentional or not. I'm not, however, putting the sole blame on Ed's shoulders because, despite how 'organic' some people think his music is, he didn't write Photograph alone - he shares credit with Johnny McDaid and beyond that, of course, he has a team of professionals (managers, producers, and so on). His team should have done their research. They should have known better. Because they are jeopardising their artist and their own credibility within the industry.

Some people have been trying to draw parallels with the situation between Sam Smith and Tom Petty but it doesn't seem all that similar. Tom and co noticed the similarities and Sam's team came to an agreement with them to give them credit. Tom has said publicly that he believes "Sam did the right thing". He said that "Most times you catch it before it gets out the studio door but in this case it got by". It was not, according to Petty, a lawsuit. It was acknowledged and resolved. The settlement reportedly included a 12.5% writing credit to both Petty and singer-composer Jeff Lynne and the song’s credit on ASCAP lists Smith, Petty, Lynne, and Jimmy Napes as the chief songwriters. And that is why it is different.

As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter who you are, it doesn't matter if you're Ed Sheeran and you're a global success story. To have such similarities with another song and get away with it, whether you were aware of the issue or not, is not fair. But, in my opinion, the similarities are not the biggest problem, they could easily be resolved like in the case of Smith and Petty and co. The biggest problem with all this is that the general public are totally cool with valuing celebrity status over the standard rights and interests of songwriters and musicians. People need to get their priorities straight because these are peoples livelihoods, not just the music on their playlists.

Thanks for reading today guys. I know this is a bit different than what I normally do but I felt that I had to comment.

What are your thoughts on the issue? Do you agree or disagree with me? Any suggestions for future posts? Please share your thoughts with me in the comments.

I'll speak to you all soon.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

GingerSnaps xxx

Makeup Your Mind - Makeup and Beauty Inspiration and Tips - An Ode To My Rouge Coco Shine.

Hi!!!

Bonjour, how are you? Good, I hope. I want to talk makeup today, so lets begin.

 

This lovely lippy is from Chanel. It is a Rouge Coco Shine in the shade Boy (number 54) and I love it. The formula is absolutely divine and it certainly feels high end. I'm told by the Selfridges site that it contains jojoba, sunflower and mimosa waxes, which is probably why it is such a hydration, comfortable lipstick.

 I really love the colour, too, its perfect for creating a soft, more natural look with an added glamour which makes it well suited to special occasions. The shades are all named after some of the most important people in Chanel's life, which is a nice touch.

The packaging is obvs stunning, too. It's just such an elegant lipstick in terms of colour, formula, packaging (and brand, but maybe that's a superficial thing to say...) and I adore it. I know it's pricey, but it is one to put on your birthday wishlist, gal pals (that's how I got mine).

 

Thank you for joining me today. I hope you've enjoyed this and that I might have helped you discover a new beauty favourite - I'm always happy to be the instigator for your beauty buys.
What are your favourite beauty products? Have you tried any Chanel products? What did you think? Got any comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.
Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday!

I hope your day is full of fun!

 

GingerSnaps xxx 
 
 

Congratulations! - Blogging Milestones - My Blog Turns 3 Today!

Hi!!!

 

Good morning everyone! How are you? In case you didn't know, today is my blog's birthday and it's three today! I'm full of that warm fuzzy proud feeling and I wanted to write a post to commemorate this special occasion (and for the first time in three years, it's been published on the day!).



 

In previous years, I've written huge posts to celebrate another year blogging, but this year I think I want to keep it short and sweet. I just want a little chat with you guys over a cup of tea and not an essay about things I've said before.

I've said in the past that I've always been someone who loves to write and having a blog is a constant outlet for my writing, which I love.

I like the freedom that blogging gives you, too - one day I might do a post about music, another day I might write about makeup, another about films or interesting things I've read, and another time I write about shows I've seen at the theatre or days out I've had.

Blogging in many ways pushes me to improve and grow, be it in my writing, photography, format, style or sharing things with others, which I've found to be a truly great thing.

 

Blogging is wonderful and I love it. It's a chance to be creative, a chance to communicate with people and a chance to talk about my interests and views.

I look back on my blogging journey with fondness. I've really enjoyed it so far and I hope you have too. I hope that the things I write here entertain you, bring you a moment of happiness and maybe also point you towards some great theatre productions, movies, songs, food, beauty products and posts and articles from around the web.

I'm excited to see what the next year in blogging will bring - hopefully just as much happiness as it has for the past three. Here's to year number four and all it will bring for us all (you can't see but I'm raising my cup of tea in true toast style).

I'm forever grateful to you for reading and I suppose also to Google for giving me a soapbox for free. It means the world. Honestly.

 

Thank you for reading, as always. I hope you enjoyed this little chat.

What did you get up to over the bank holiday? How long have you been reading my blog? Do you have any comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.

Sending you all a virtual hug and cup of tea as well as a party bag.

 

Have a splendid day!

 

GingerSnaps xxx