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The 1980s was a great decade for "deviant pop." Commercially successful artists routinely went off-piste, indulging in strange B-sides and homespun solo albums that would later become firm favourites with Balearic DJs. It was a decade in which Talking Heads, Kate Bush, Prince and Laurie Anderson broke the charts with music that was boldly experimental yet catchy enough for mass appeal. Music From Memory's latest compilation surveys artists making DIY pop across Europe during the '80s, focusing on the side projects, one-offs and never-quite-made-its that exist in the footnotes of the decade's pop narrative.

Uneven Paths: Deviant Pop From Europe 1980-1991 was put together by Music From Memory cofounder Jamie Tiller and the Paris-based digger Raphaël Top-Secret. The compilation spans 11 years and an entire continent, but it has a tight, coherent focus, mostly showcasing songs that are slow-tempo, arty and intimate, often with a folk, jazz-funk or boogie tinge. The two curators find tunes where others likely wouldn't look. Take John Makin, whose solo catalogue contains parody Englishman-abroad songs like "Potverdekke! (It's Great To Be A Belgian)" and "Anglais Franglais," and yet appears onUneven Paths with an earnest live rendition of a heartbreak song. Miko & Mubare's percussive jam "Komoma Ya-Ya-Ya" shows that it's not all about unearthing rare records. The tune is available on vinyl for cheap—you just have to know where to look.

Much of the music here is understated. Howard Fine is reminiscent of Truman Capote with his poetry reading on "Nomad Song," a collaboration with Ströer Duo. On Nightfall In Camp's "Cada Día," Marie Mandi's voice drifts from the stripped-back arrangement like smoke from a cigarette. And then there's the supreme head-nodder "Minéralité" by Lou Blic, which is so good I can understand why the compilation's scope was extended into 1991. It's followed by Steve Beresford's "Comfortable Gestures," a collaboration with the French fashion designer Anne-Marie Beretta. Though Beresford's vocals grate, it'sUneven Paths's best example of '80s pop's multidisciplinary reach. There are some upbeat moments too, like Sound On Sound's spiky synth pop, and George Vanakos's fuzzy takedown of Athens' glitzy nightclubs.

Uneven Paths's finest moments are tracks that, with a bit more polish, might have had genuine pop appeal. If the musicianship on Monica Rypma's "Hey, Where You Goin!" sounds high quality, that's because it is. Brian Batie, who appears on the record, played bass for Al Green and The Commodores. (It was still a DIY recording, though: Rypma, the liner notes tell us, financed the album by selling ad space on the record's cover.) "Dancing Thru' The Night," credited to Brenda Ray's Brenda And The Beachballs, is a new wave gem. It's impossible to listen to Pete Brandt's Method's "What You Are" and not hear echoes of Arthur Russell. Better still is Violet Eves's "Listen Over The Ocean." The charming vocals were lodged in my head for days after I first heard it. If that's not the sign of a good pop tune, what is?Read more at:cheap wedding dresses melbourne | wedding gowns sydney

  

The other day, I was at a café with a friend of mine talking politics. I guess that's what men do when they meet for coffee because nothing else is worth talking about when there are pressing matters of the state to discuss. When we were teenagers we talked mostly about heavy metal bands. When we were in college, we talked mostly about the opposite sex. Pamela Anderson was one of the ladies that we frequently discussed.

When we finished college and became young professionals, we still talked about the opposite sex but now our crush moved from those with bikini bodies to smart and intelligent women. Now, politics excite us more than anything else and the funny thing is that most of us are not even engaged in politics at any level at all. I guess talking about politics is what makes us not go into deep depression. It is like our anti-depressant.

We could have talked about cricket and how our national team finally gets to play other test-playing nations. But we did not because we know that our athletes are talented but our sports officials tend to make more money than the players themselves. It’s a topic that can send us into depression.

Yes, we have read about corruption stories in our football association, cricket, or any other sports association in town. It seems that many people want to be chairperson or member of the executive committee of such sports association not to help the players or the sport but to profit from it. At the other table, was a group of young ladies who were talking about the pros and cons of participating in beauty pageants.

Every year, the winner of the Miss Nepal pageant receives nasty comments in social media. But eventually, we fall in love with her and realize that she was the best choice after all. And we also have like hundreds of beauty pageants across the country. We have Miss SLC, Miss 10+2, Miss Mongol, Miss Aryan, Miss Newa, Miss Tamang, Miss Western Region, Mrs Nepal and many more. It seems that companies organizing such beauty pageants seem to make all the money while the participants do not really get much in return except learning to do some catwalk, and maybe an ad or two for the winners.

But Miss Nepal is a whole different ball game. The top three do get some exposure and participate in international beauty pageants around the world. Some who did not even make it to top five have made quite a name for themselves in other sectors. And many Miss Nepal winners are actively engaged in media works as well.

But why do our smart and beautiful ladies fail to make it to the top 10 of international beauty pageants? Some say it’s because we are short and most of the beauty pageant contestants from other countries are at least five inches taller than ours. It could be but you don't have to be six feet four inches tall to win a beauty pageant. If that were the criteria than most of the winners would be Dutch.

Some say, our ladies do not know how to carry themselves or speak like a Nobel Prize winner. Well, that could be true but it's not because they do not know how to carry themselves or speak confidently. It's because they have not received adequate training here at home. I think we should all pitch in and even pay for better trainers for our winners this year. Countries like Venezuela and Philippines go crazy with beauty pageants. Kids young as six years old participate in training classes in hopes of becoming Miss Universe 15 years later.

Thank God, we are not that crazy and our ladies do not resort to cosmetic enhancements yet but it's about time the organization organizing the Miss Nepal pageant focused more on helping the winners get enough training and resources to compete in the global stage.

There is nothing wrong with participating in beauty pageants. A few years ago, a cousin of mine decided to participate in Miss Nepal and she made it to the top three. From a shy girl, she transformed into a smart, confident, and energetic woman after she participated in one of those international beauty pageants. It was great to see her transform herself and I’m sure that she will do great in whatever field she chooses. Our women have potential – it’s just that we don’t do enough to push them forward.

Some people complain about bikini bodies. Yes, wearing a bikini and walking around the stage is part of beauty pageants overseas. Instead of frowning or making nasty comments about it, we should encourage our beauty pageant contestants to hit the gym, hire a trainer, and a dietician and work it out to make sure that they are in better shape than the rest of the contestants out there.

Someday, our own daughters might want to participate in Miss Nepal. We cannot say no but what we can hope for is that if they make it to the top five and have the chance to answer the so-called 'it' question and make us proud by giving the best answer. Well, it will be up to the judges to grade the answers but it's about time we asked our sisters and daughters to join a debate or an elocution team at school and start practicing today. After all, practice makes perfect.Read more at:purple bridesmaid dresses | bridesmaid dresses melbourne

  

Your skincare regimen needs a frequent overhaul not just because of seasonal changes but also because sometimes, you may be damaging your skin unknowingly. This is why you need expert guidance even when it comes to basic skin care. Here are 4 basic skincare tips from celeb dermat Dr Rashmi Shetty that will help you get beautiful, healthy skin.

1) You don’t scrub your face. It makes your skin dry, irritated, red. What you need to do is exfoliate. This means you need to gently remove the top dead layer of your skin to give yourself a more hydrated and soft. At home, you could take a spoonful of honey and sugar and gently massage it on to your face. The top layer will go away revealing your smooth skin underneath. Or you could go to your doctor and get some mild combination peels. Or you could use a face wash which is a little creamy but with round granules in it.

2) If you have extremely dry skin, use a sunscreen that is cream-based. If your skin is normal, use a matte sunscreen because it eventually gets oily at the end of the day. If you have oily skin, use a sunscreen with 20 SPF or 30 SPF and which is gel-based or mattifying.

3) Lips are different from other parts of the body. They don’t sweat. Have no oil glands and no hair. This is why lips need extra moisture, especially during winter. Always use a cream-based lip balm rather than a petroleum gel-based lip balm. Exfoliate dead skin to keep your lips smooth and soft. Have you tried this lip balm for dry lips?

4) Get rid of dry and dull skin with this quick remedy. Extract milk from the grated pulp of a coconut. Apply all over your face and hands. Wash off after a while. Skin will feel soft and nourished. You could also use 2 tbsp powdered milk, ¼ cup yoghurt, ½ tsp honey to make a quick milk mask for dry skin. Here are some moisturizers you can try.Read more at:mermaid wedding dresses | short wedding dresses

  

Julie Jackson says she was the most unlikely candidate imaginable for a career in fashion, even though the self-professed former “tomboy” is now a professional hair and makeup artist who has worked for major television networks including HGTV and Bravo (Real Housewives of Orange County, America’s Next Top Model, The Voice and Project Runway fans take note.)

Countless commercials and high fashion photo shoots later, Jackson says a lot of prayer and hard work led her to a career she never thought she would experience.

“I grew up very simply with no influence at all in fashion, hair, makeup or photography. My life was horses, volleyball and being outside as much as possible. I went to Erskine college as an art major and to play volleyball, before deciding to use people as my canvas by attending cosmetology school.”

Even though the education was invaluable, it was through working with other stylists Jackson says she learned her best techniques, and now that she has moved back to her home in Greenville, she uses her talents most weekends to make brides, moms and bridesmaids’ dreams come true.

“I love making people feel good about themselves and building them up. That’s the reason I do this job. I love seeing them grow confidence in my chair.”

A few dos and don’ts for brides and moms

Do stay true to yourself. You want to be the absolute best version of yourself, not try to be someone else. Stay true to your personal style don't stray too far from your comfort zone. This is not the day to try a dramatically different look, just a prettier and more polished one.

Do start hair and makeup in plenty of time on your big day. Photos will start sooner than you think and this is one day you want to be camera ready.

Do go for a hairstyle that won’t go out of style. Loose up-dos are always in fashion and the simpler the better whatever style you choose.

Do a trial run anywhere from 4-8 weeks before the big day. When you have a plan, and someone who you trust to make your vision come true, you’ll be able to relax on the wedding day knowing you’re in good hands.

Do take care of your skin before the big day: hydrate, moisturize and be happy, but don’t do facials or peels right before the wedding.

Do make some choices. If you’re doing strong eyes, for instance, choose lipstick in a nude shade.

Do try false lashes, but be sure they look better, not just bigger. The best ones should enhance your eyes and give them that extra pop. Be sure to have a trial run or two whether doing them yourself or having a stylist do them for you.

Do consider a spray tan. Sunless tanning is a wonderful thing, but it can also go terribly wrong should you rely on inexperienced hands or unreliable devices. If going the spray tan route, discuss the timing with your technician and make sure you get a practice round at least two months beforehand. This way, if you don’t like the results, you can choose to tweak the process and try again, with plenty of time to spare.Read more at:wedding dresses australia | bridesmaids dresses