"LOOK/FEEL GOOD" TIP OF THE DAY - SQUEEZE!

Other than climbing the stairs or taking the subway to work, there are many different ways you can incorporate simple toning exercises into your regimen. My favourite easy-as-pie technique? Squeezing! One fitness instructor told me that while if (sitting or standing) you contract your abs repeatedly on a daily basis, "you wouldn't need to do any sit ups!" The same advice could probably even apply for your glutes. Compressing in and out, then in up-and-down motions can lift your buttocks and even reduce the appearance of cellulite, which leads to (another) fitness instructor's words of wisdom: "Squeeze it, or no one else will want to!"  

"LOOK/FEEL GOOD" TIP OF THE DAY - (LADY IN) RED

Wear red today! Science shows that wearing the colour red symbolizes (and radiates) authority, confidence, and sex appeal. Have a big meeting today? Wear red to take a powerful stance in the boardroom. Feeling down? Sport a red shirt or skirt to instantly boost your self-esteem and mood. Dressing to impress on a big date? Nothing stuns like a little red (or black) dress. Black is also a very classic and appropriate colour, as it is famous for making people look slimmer, sexier, and more sophisticated.

"LOOK/FEEL GOOD" TIP OF THE DAY - CINNAMON

Cinnamon reportedly shrinks fat cells, thereby burning more calories and increasing metabolism. Sprinkle a sweet tad of cinnamon on a snack. Or why not just buy some Cinnamon cookies and cereal? Every bite counts!

YOU EITHER EARN OR NEED TO GO TO AN "ACADEMY" FOR YOUR FASHION SENSE: AT THE 83RD ACADEMY AWARDS

The Academy Awards may be (one of) the most elegant, prestigious ceremonies these celebrities rightfully attend, but sometimes, good people make BAD fashion choices. Hey, it happens to the best of us, but it really shouldn't happen when you have a stylist or a designer who is entitled to these expertise. And while most here love the drama their dresses and parts may cause, others - well, let's just say ought to dress themselves or go naked!

Amy Adams radiates glow with her creamy porcelain complexion and shiny, fitted midnight blue frock. Pairing it off with silver jewellery, confident hand placement, and an irresistibly white smile, Amy knows how to add in her own natural glitz.

Busy Phillips may have considered that black is slimming, but all this black does is lose her long, lean physique in bunches of unnecessary fabric!

In this curve-hugging white silver gown, Celine Dion proves that she looks better after having twins that many women may ever look in their life!

Hailee Steinfeld reinvents the adolescent Pretty in Pink with a classy but modern bun and headband combo and a baby pink poufy number and heels to match!

Halle Berry reminds us that she's one of the sexiest African American actresses in history by revealing her true body's sexiness in this strapless, see-through, body-hugging piece with a modestly long and frilly bottom. But, Halle, it's not like we forgot!

Hilary Swank wears a silver firework like a pro! What is this fabric, anyway - feathers? See, I can't even tell!

Thanks to Weight Watchers, Jennifer Hudson can now slither into a colour that is unflattering for most.

LISTENING TO HOLLERADO IS LIKE A "FAKE DRUG"- ADDICTIVE AND INSATIABLE

From their innocent, child-like handwritten website (http://www.hollerado.com/) to dark, adult lyrics about "Fake Drugs" ("there's cool side under your pillow, flip it"), Hollerado completes every end of the spectrum to earn a Juno nomination for "New Group of the Year" (alongside My Darkest Days and Said The Whale, respectively). And this isn't just an act for an awards show; the fact that the group were "childhood best friends" supports their cute friendliness in multimedia and communicating openly about their experiences through music together. Emotionally surviving from a confiscated bar to conquering fears of snakes and ladders, group bassist Dean Baxter shows us why that whether Hollerado or no Hollerado, their love will still live on.

V.B. So, how did a group of childhood best friends finally decide to turn their lifelong bond into a band?

D.B. The band has always been there. We had been playing together for years, but just as something to do in our tiny town. Then the one bar in the whole town burnt down, and we took it as a sign that it was time to move on. So, we started writing our own songs and hit the road.

V.B. Do you remember your first memories as children or favourite memories as friends?

D.B. Menno took Nick and Jake to the fair one year, when Jake was 10. They decided to hop on the old crazy swings - you know, the ones that lift off the ground and swing you in a big circle. They all get on Jake who is sitting in front of Nick, who is sitting in front of Menno - and the thing starts picking up speed and swinging the guys around. Jake must of had a bad hot dog or something, because he puked, missing Nick who was right behind him and hitting Menno who caught it all over his chest.

V.B. Being nominated for a Juno, do you think you possess some authentic element or competitive advantage over other bands or musicians (in Canada, etc.), and why?

D.B. No, I wouldn't say that at all. There are so many great bands out there that just don't get the exposure, and no one's ever even heard about them.

V.B. Why do you think your song/band should win that specific Juno award?

D.B. I can't say that we should win that award, but we have worked hard the past four-and-a-half years. A Juno award is definitely something to be proud of - recognition of the effort we have put into our work.

V.B. I can see that some of your songs - like "Juliette" and "Fake Drugs" - have some very interpretative lyrics. Do these lyrics derive from experiences or methods of brainstorming that you can recommend to other writers or songwriters?

D.B. I didn't think the lyrics to "Juliette" were that interpretive at all. It's basically just a story of a woman's last couple days before she dies. "Fake Drugs" is a little more interpretive, but we don't have any set way of writing. It's usually pretty clear which way a song will go in the early stages of writing it, so it's just a matter of effectively harnessing those initial emotions into something you can put down on paper.

V.B. Speaking of "Fake Drugs," do you believe more symbolic, indirect addictions - like shoplifting, sex, gambling, etc. - can be compared to real drugs, and why?

D.B. Yes, that's what the song is about. The TV show Strange Addictions has clearly shown all of us that real drugs aren't the only drugs out there anymore.

V.B. What's your ultimate "addiction," fetish, or fave(s)? Any specific interests, hobbies, etc.?

D.B. Tetris.

V.B. Speaking on the lines of expressing feelings about such real issues, going from Canada (Junos) to even the US and internationally, how - or would - you ever spark controversy? Would you ever pull a Lady GaGa or Marilyn Manson kind of image?

D.B. I don't think so. We're just a rock band.

V.B. What would you definitely do or never do? What would be your bests or worsts (fears)?

D.B. Life size snakes and ladders. I hate heights and snakes. Not doing it.

V.B. Finally, what are your long-term goals for the future? Any last words?

D.B. Hopefully, we won't have any last words for a while. We just plan on writing as MuchMusic as we can and try not to suck at it.

FROM LIL TORONTO TO LIL WAYNE: SILVER SOLITAIR RAISES HIS VOICE IN AUDIO AND VISUAL, FROM CANADA TO THE WORLD

Once upon a time, Solitair (or "Silver," as his friends would call him) decided to channel his hobby by joining Toronto program "Fresh Art" with Canadian urban house names like Saukrates, Jully Black, and Kardinal Offishall. "I met them before," Silver Solitair explains, "but (because of this program), I developed my love (for hip hop) as a profession." Little did he know he would collaborate with Kardinal Offishall once again as a business partner, let alone a co-founder of the renowned Black Jays Production Team. As a producer, Silver's fame is most notorious for composing Kardinal Offishall's "Bakardi Slang," the hit single from the Konvict Music artists first American release, Fire Starter Vol. 1-Quest for Fire.

This Toronto-bred triple threat has successfully tried his rhythmic hands at being a artist, producer, and songwriter. While he considers producing and "writing the occasional hook" his specialties, he has just touched base with his inner and outer voice after over a decade of producing singles like the Juno-nominated, hip hop oldie "Easy to Slip" (from the Beat Factory compilation album, Rap Essentials 2001). "It depends on what I'm doing," Silver says, shedding light on how he taps into any of those artistic abilities. "It's the freedom of what I'll decide to do that day, but I just recently came into my own with singing and songwriting."

And with this change in attitude came this instinct to change his name. "I kept it as Silver Solitair. The change in direction can be represented by my change in name, (which has also) changed the presentation of my music." And change there was indeed, for lack of a better word. The album The Departure marks Silver's "departure" from conventional hip hop by mashing rock, pop, and alternative genres into his music. His album incorporates collaborations with hip hop name-makers like Lil Wayne, Estelle, Nina Sky, and Kardinal Offishall. "I was never in studio with Lil Wayne, but I did end up using him for my mixtape. I put in my own verse for 'YYZ.' I was blessed to work with Nina Sky in studio, but (our work) didn't come out, because of label disputes."

Adding in that Nina Sky serves as an example of an artist who "deserves to be alot more publicized," Silver empathizes with those who break - and don't break - through this cut-throat music industry. "There are people who work very hard and don't attain success, while some get in great careers in (as little as) a few years." Especially in Canada? "Canada has a chalk full of raw talent but less outlets for urban talent. We still have Flow 93.5, but as for other hip hop outlets, we almost lost community radio stations. To make it internationally - especially without a record label - it's damn impossible for urban artists to make it big, even with radio play. Being an artist in Canada, you must have a love and passion for music (to keep on doing it), because it is harder (here). It's a beautiful struggle, though."

But, is it more difficult to make it in this mainstream music industry today - not only because of more standards or less outlets - but because of hip hop's change for the worse? "I can't say that it's gotten better or worse, only that it's evolved," Silver says. "Commercially, what was considered dope hip hop (in the 90s, etc.) is different from what is considered dope today." Yet despite the significant jump from the more wholesome and less computerized old school hip hop to today's more explicit and techno-based urban "crunk," rap, and R&B beats and lyrics, Silver still believes hip hop serves as "great entertainment (and) overall, (the reflection of culture and personality, etc.) is positive."

Of course, while it may take a ship of Jay Z's and Eminems to impose permanent trends in music, Silver Solitair can do his part in changing hip hop for better - one step at a time. "I was nominated for a Juno in 'R&B Recording of the Year' (alongside Keshia Chante and Karl Wolf) for 'Come True' featuring Kardinal Offishall. The single is available on YouTube and ITunes."

You can find more information on other official Silver Solitair websites:

http://www.silvershouse.com/
http://www.myspace.com/silvershouse


 

GRAMMY'S: THE OSCAR'S TO HOLLYWOOD MUSICA

If my hour of perusing through red carpet pictures doesn't reign proof enough, the Grammy's is probably the most vital awards show for artists - and other celebrities alike - in the music industry. Oldies i.e. Mya, Monica, etc. and newbies i.e. Glee, Justin Bieber, etc. breathe and hum together to relish in yesterday night's announcements of today's biggest and brightest stars - brightest literally and metaphorically in their internal and external (ahem, fashion) achievements. Some glittered in all metallic, or in nothing at all (but scotch tape?) Let's take a look at who made the nominations for my best and worst-dressed lists - and believe me when I say there were a ton of applicants to choose from!

Let's start with the "nothing at all" category. Rihanna, we all know you have legs miles long and abs to die for. Must you rub that in by parading half-naked in bubble wrap?

Glee's Amber Riley debuts her hourglass curves in this strapless frock with intricate gold and silver detail. It's about time I showed some gals over a size 2 in my celeb fashion critiques!

Cyndi Lauper may have been the first woman to teach us that "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," but clearly, she's been having too much fun - so much fun that she chose a leather dress made for a Dominatrix and not for a Pop Queen like herself. Oops!

Somebody tell Hayley Williams the toddler ballet academy called, and they want their pink tutu back!

Supermodel Heidi Klum sports chopped locks and a metallic gold gown framing her warm complexion and slender physique. Absolutely stunning!

Another sheer faux pas! Jenna Ushkowitz, what were you thinking? We can't hear your incredible pipes, but we can see everything (almost including, um, your other pipes) here!

JLo returns back to her sexy late 90s urban chic style in this long-sleeved, short-hemmed, futuristic silver and see-through piece. Let's not forget to mention her gams and gals are more fabulous and firm than ever!

Katy Perry pins a new trend of genie/Victoria Secret angel/bride beautifully in this midriff-baring, diamond-covered bra/crop top and floor-length princess tail.

 
Kelly Osbourne pulls off this extremely frilly and girly purple number, by tying in a cute boa belt and trimming the hem above the knee to highlight her well-earned tiny waist and athletic calves.

Kim Kardashian's my love, so I just had to put her on this list! Flipping her famous dark waves over a halter gold gown that glistens around her tanned skin and toned curves, Kim again steals the fashion spotlight, and she hasn't even been nominated for her to-be-released debut album yet!

Weird. I call Cyndi Lauper off on a Dominatrix-leather choice that would most likely compromise as a more low-key option for Lady Gaga. Funny how that works, huh?

Speaking of "Can't be Tamed," this is probably (one of) the most classiest piece(s) ever worn by Miley Cyrus. Perhaps she will revisit her country roots, too?

Nancy O'Dell glows in this miniature beaded blue frock with nude heels that lengthen and lean out her already long and toned legs, thereby creating the "centre of attention"!

Natasha Bedingfield captures classic Hollywood glamour with pinned waves and form-fitted cleavage, until she gets lost in a transparent floral bottom set.

Nicki Minaj reminds us of her original style in this (okay, Lady Gaga-like) wig? and leopard-print dress and nylons set. Rawr? Meow? Or angry kitty screech?

Finally, the pint-sized Snooki embraces a more elegant version of herself in this quarter-sleeved, high-neckline metallic number with a flattering layered side bang and dangling earrings.  No Waaaaa-ing here!