Lana Del Rey: Blue Velvet

Vintage Hollywood is back with a glamorous yet surreal, dark twist in today's contemporary music scene. Who better to represent it than Lana Del Rey? No matter what adjective pops in everyone's head when they listen to her voice, it's undeniable that her vocal style is timeless and rich in texture like a slice of red velvet cake on an end-of-summer afternoon.

Congrats to Lana for her recent collaboration with popular fashion brand H&M! Watch her exquisite cover of "Blue Velvet", which is basically a homage to David Lynch's film works. Blue Velvet, anyone? :)

For those who are new to her, you may have heard her single Video Games from her sparkling debut album Born to Die, which you obviously can get on iTunes.

"Copper": Bringing You A Slice of Old New York

"In 1864, he was New York's finest."

And so this tagline marks the essence of BBC America's crime drama Copper. Those who are longing for quality period shows with award-winning production just can't skip this compelling hit.

Set in 1864 New York City, the gritty show follows Irish copper Kevin Corcoran (played by the charismatic Tom Weston-Jones of MI-5) as he chase dangerous criminals all over the rough neighborhood of Five Points with his sidekick detectives while attempting to solve the mystery behind his wife's disappearance and daughter's murder along the way. The plot explores various issues relevant to those times, such as crime, class and corruption, which constructs an image of the city's actual history in that specific era. 

These fine actors help build an unforgettable cast with their stunning performances:

• Franka Potente (Run Lola Run, The Bourne films)
• Kyle Schmid (Being Human, Smallville)
• Tessa Thompson (Veronica Mars, Hidden Palms)
• Anastasia Griffith (Once Upon a Time, Damages)
• Ato Essandoh (Damages, White Collar)
• Dylan Taylor (Covert Affairs, Rookie Blue)

Kudos to the young Kiara Glasco (Haven) for her amazingly fierce portrayal of Annie Reilly, a child prostitute with a mischievous personality who ends up sticking with Corcoran as he looks out for her like she's his own kid.

All in all, it's a show to savor along with your English Breakfast tea and butter biscuits :)

For more info on Copper, head to its official website. 

Watch the trailer here:

Two Black Cadillacs: Carrie Underwood's Next Single

Country superstar Carrie Underwood has finally announced her new single from her Blown Away album. After "Good Girl" and "Blown Away" have stormed their way into the music charts, it's only right that she lets her darker tune "Two Black Cadillacs" reign this Fall season.

I'm sure we all agree this song is too cool not to have its own music video :)

Get Blown Away at your nearest record store or on iTunes. 

Haley Reinhart - Stage It Show *Review*

On October 16, Interscope artist Haley Reinhart (who's gaining momentum with her Grammy-worthy debut album Listen Up) performed a SOLD OUT online show at Stage It dedicated to her massive fans - the Haliens - all over the world, where she performed right at the comfort of her living room couch with guitarist John Notto.

The live concert that ran less than an hour gave off an acoustic, intimate, exotic vibe with an incense candle on her table. It was jam-packed with familiar tunes from Listen Up, including "Hit the Ground Running", her potential new single "Oh My" (which she recorded with award-winning rapper B.o.B. in the studio version), the bluesy rock "Keep Coming Back" and the retro-pop "Wonderland". 

To spice up the set list, she also added some covers, such as Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home" and the timeless Etta James classic "At Last", which brought everyone on a trip to Old Hollywood. Simply charming :)

One of my favorite parts was when she showed the fans her adorable-looking mug. The show felt very personalized thanks to Haley's entertaining talk in between songs.

With her diamond-studded sultry voice, there's no doubt Haley is an original. Let's say those who don't appreciate her should not have the privilege to call themselves true music fans. She is America's answer to Adele and Duffy. A respectable singer-songwriter and divine inspiration.

Grab your copy of Listen Up and learn more about Haley on her official site. 

Glam Mystery: When Adam Lambert Meets "Pretty Little Liars"

We already know how epic Pretty Little Liars is with its delicious mystery and super-steamy suspense. This hot ABC Family show never fails to deliver! A trip down Mystery Lane with Aria Montgomery (Lucy Hale), Emily Fields (Shay Mitchell), Hanna Marin (Ashley Benson) and Spencer Hastings (Troian Bellisario) in Rosewood always brings us the creepy and intense.

This Halloween, prepare yourself for a very special PLL event featuring guest star Adam Lambert - that's right, the chart-topping pop icon, hit maker and glam king! Ready to have a spooky good time? Turn your flashlight on, as "A" could be anywhere to haunt you and the girls.

Be sure to tune in to this glam-filled event next Tuesday - October 23 - at 8PM ET/PT only on ABC Family! It's a party to die for.

…and that’s who i am. on We Heart It. 

http://weheartit.com/entry/33032730

Sara Skinner

Once in a while, we discover a select group of singer-songwriters with a strong online presence and an original style who instantly draw us in like a magnet by our first listen. Sara Skinner is one of them! In fact, she's in a league of her own.

As a pop-rock artist, she's truly an original with the way she brings her own unique flavor to today's chart-topping hits. These are some of my favorite covers by her. If you haven't become a Skinner yet, you will be! Visit her official site for more info and follow her on Twitter. She's amazing! 

Undone (Haley Reinhart cover)

Skyfall (Adele cover)

Want You Back (Cher Lloyd cover)

Watch the Girl on Fire

If there's ever a post-Harry Potter phenomenon that's worth all the hype, The Hunger Games is definitely the one. In fact, this should actually be a must-see for today's generation!

Not only the series supports the idea of a modern revolution, where ordinary people are capable of standing up against wrongful authorities. It also promotes female empowerment, which we can see in our proactive, daring heroine Katniss Everdeen - the "girl on fire". This is exactly the right era for strong female leads to grace the big screen, which shows women have what it takes to make an impact on the world. Behind all the Katniss-Peeta-Gale subplots, those are the main themes that make this series relevant in today's society. It's such a winner!

If you missed it in the cinema, the first movie is now available on DVD and Bluray. For old and new "tributes" (a.k.a. fans) alike, the best-selling books by Suzanne Collins will entertain you while you wait for the movie premiere of the much-anticipated sequel Catching Fire in 2013. 

May the odds be ever in your favor...

And She's Just Getting Started for "Revenge" - Season 2 Promo

How intensely appealing is the Season 2 teaser promo for Revenge? Emily VanCamp is really on fire!

Catch the return of TV's #1 show - which powerfully combines delicious suspense, melodrama and neo-noir mystery with stunning cast, writers and production team - September 30 on ABC Network.

Birdy

A young songstress who sounds way beyond her age? That's definitely Birdy. For a fifteen year-old, Birdy - a.k.a. Jasmine Van den Bogaerde - is remarkably gifted with a hauntingly ethereal voice that transcends boundaries. Even her style displays a level of maturity that not many other young talents possess. 

Let her whisk you away to that whimsical, timeless imaginative realm with her self-titled debut album. It features her own distinctive renditions of indie covers like the much-hyped "Skinny Love" and "1901". "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight", "Terrible Love" and "Fire and Rain" also rank high on my list of favorites. If she is this promising at this point in her career, imagine what she will become a few years from now, especially once she starts releasing more originals.


Enjoy your quiet afternoon tea and be mesmerized by her music. 

Free and Listen Up

May is almost here! This means up and coming artist Haley Reinhart's long-awaited debut album Listen Up is ready to launch on the 22nd. Have you ordered your copy yet? 

Here's her refreshing music video for her single "Free", where she's taking the spotlight at a cool retro diner to charm her way into your life. It's truly one-of-a-kind and very worth everyone's time.

For those who haven't seen it, this is the cover art for Listen Up. Doesn't it look like a fine vintage painting? :)

Addicted to "Ringer"

Every episode of Ringer has been intense with sizzling mysteries and groundbreaking cliffhangers, making the modern thriller with soap opera and light noir elements a TV treat. The heat will double up as the show comes to an end with the finale episode airing next Tuesday. Will this mark its demise or will it shoot its way to Season 2?


Regardless of the complex plot lines that demand viewers' non-stop attention to understand them, Ringer is a high concept series that is deliciously crafted with lush settings and a Frenchy soundtrack. But despite the CW Network's attempt at promoting it as a means of giving adult shows a home amidst its fluffy teen shows, the ratings just aren't quite there for Ringer. But as a die-hard Ringlet, I'm still hoping it will make a return this coming Fall so we can see Queen Sarah Michelle Gellar and her male co-stars again. 


Here's the preview for next week's finale!

Paris Nights/New York Mornings

Paris or NYC? With this sophisticated Corinne Bailey Rae tune, you can always have the best of both cities, so you can spare yourself from having to decide. Without a doubt, this is the ultimate soundtrack to a fine spring breakfast at a downtown cafe. Your favorite latte and fresh croissants couldn't have tasted any better! 

Haley on "90210"

She has an album out next month and is even switching zip codes! That's right, everybody. Haley Reinhart can do it all! Amidst her busy schedule, the new singer can still squeeze in time for her other interest - acting. Last Tuesday marked her first acting gig as she guest-starred on the CW show 90210, which is a spin-off of the original back in the 90's. Even if she was playing herself, Haley brought a lot of dynamics to her scripted character and certainly made the most of her 1.5-minute scene. 

As she plans on continuing acting in addition to music, you can expect to see her in one of your favorite shows in the near future...and maybe even a movie! I can think of one show she should be in. Supernatural! In fact, I've long been wondering if she's a hard-core fan, as the girl is very classic rock, and it's a show with countless classic rock hits playing in every episode. 

Watch Haley's 90210 clip right here, right now.

Berthillon Ice Cream in Paris

When luxury calls, Berthillon answers. Founded by the great Monsieur Berthillon in 1954, the store is wrapped in classic interiors that give it a touch of royalty. But don’t worry too much about its high-end décor. The whole atmosphere is as casual and comfy as ever. Anyone who’s in the mood for sizzling desserts and relaxation is guaranteed to call Berthillion home. 

Its ice creams are purely made from natural ingredients like milk, sugar, cream and eggs, making every single item on the menu taste-worthy. One-of-a-kind specials like the Praline with lemon definitely make mouth-watering treats to savor. No matter what you're craving - caramel, dark chocolate or even fresh mango - there are plenty of flavors to indulge yourself in.

Many local Parisians have revealed the ultimate secret that Berthillon probably has the greatest ice cream and dessert selections in the entire city. Touché!

Image Source: ParisPerfect.com

The Zeppelin Factor

All the cool kids on American Idol rocked Zeppelin. Throughout the history of the singing competition, there have only been 3 who were an automatic lock for the elite group. Deservedly so! All hail King Adam and our two Queens - Haley and Elise!