Just hang on folks! Summer is just around the corner.
However, who says we can't enjoy a good book or some great music while we're
waiting for those warm summer days to get here?
We have more eclectic offerings to share with you in this, the Sweet Heart Edition
of SeloJ Spa.
We also have another awesome giveaway!!!
What is it this time you ask?
Well, read on and enjoy.
The directions for entering the giveaway contest are included within this Leisure
Section Article.
So, let's move things right along, shall we?
Enjoy!
Naji
However, who says we can't enjoy a good book or some great music while we're
waiting for those warm summer days to get here?
We have more eclectic offerings to share with you in this, the Sweet Heart Edition
of SeloJ Spa.
We also have another awesome giveaway!!!
What is it this time you ask?
Well, read on and enjoy.
The directions for entering the giveaway contest are included within this Leisure
Section Article.
So, let's move things right along, shall we?
Enjoy!
Naji
The Birth of Venus
Sarah Dunant
Sarah Dunant is a renowned writer of thrillers,
and while this is her first foray into the
historical novel genre, her experience as a
writer shows. The Birth of Venus is
satisfyingly well written. Where many of the
blockbuster historical epics can make one
cringe with poor standards of writing, The
Birth of Venus can stand proud. It's an
absorbing historical story taking place in the
late 15th century Florence.
It has pretty much everything that a novel of
this genre should have - a strong plot, a
fascinating piece of history, a sympathetic
character, intrigue and thwarted passion. This
particular era of Renaissance Florence is a rich
background, steeped with art, religion and
revolutionary drama.
Sarah Dunant
Sarah Dunant is a renowned writer of thrillers,
and while this is her first foray into the
historical novel genre, her experience as a
writer shows. The Birth of Venus is
satisfyingly well written. Where many of the
blockbuster historical epics can make one
cringe with poor standards of writing, The
Birth of Venus can stand proud. It's an
absorbing historical story taking place in the
late 15th century Florence.
It has pretty much everything that a novel of
this genre should have - a strong plot, a
fascinating piece of history, a sympathetic
character, intrigue and thwarted passion. This
particular era of Renaissance Florence is a rich
background, steeped with art, religion and
revolutionary drama.
Venus Rising
In The Company of the Courtesan
Sarah Dunant
My lady, Fiammetta Bianchini, was plucking her
eyebrows and biting color into her lips when the
unthinkable happened and the Holy Roman Emperor's
army blew a hole in the wall of God's eternal city, letting
in a flood of half-starved, half-crazed troops bent on
pillage and punishment.
Thus begins In the Company of the Courtesan, Sarah
Dunant's epic novel of life in Renaissance Italy. Escaping
the sack of Rome in 1527, with thier stomachs churning
on the jewels they swallowed, the courtesan Fiametta and
her dwarf companion, Bucino, head for Venice, the
shimmering city born out of water to become a miracle of
east-west trade: rich and rancid, pious and profitable,
beautiful and squalid.
With a mix of courage and cunning they infiltrate Venetian
society. Together they make the perfect partnership: the
sharp-tongued, sharp-witted dwarf, and his vibrant
mistress, trained from birth to charm, entertain and satisfy
men who have the money to support her.
Yet as their fortunes rise, this perfect partnership comes
under threat, from the searing passion of a lover who
wants more than his allotted nights to the attentions of an
admiring Turk in search of human novelties for his sultan's
court. But Fiammetta and Bucino's greatest challenge
comes from a young crippled woman, a blind healer who
insinuates herself into their lives and hearts with
devastating consequences for them all. A story of desire
and deception, sin and religion, loyalty and friendship, In
the Company of the Courtesan paints a portrait of one of
the world's greatest cities at it's most potent moment in
history: It is a picture that remains vivid long after the
final page.
Sarah Dunant
My lady, Fiammetta Bianchini, was plucking her
eyebrows and biting color into her lips when the
unthinkable happened and the Holy Roman Emperor's
army blew a hole in the wall of God's eternal city, letting
in a flood of half-starved, half-crazed troops bent on
pillage and punishment.
Thus begins In the Company of the Courtesan, Sarah
Dunant's epic novel of life in Renaissance Italy. Escaping
the sack of Rome in 1527, with thier stomachs churning
on the jewels they swallowed, the courtesan Fiametta and
her dwarf companion, Bucino, head for Venice, the
shimmering city born out of water to become a miracle of
east-west trade: rich and rancid, pious and profitable,
beautiful and squalid.
With a mix of courage and cunning they infiltrate Venetian
society. Together they make the perfect partnership: the
sharp-tongued, sharp-witted dwarf, and his vibrant
mistress, trained from birth to charm, entertain and satisfy
men who have the money to support her.
Yet as their fortunes rise, this perfect partnership comes
under threat, from the searing passion of a lover who
wants more than his allotted nights to the attentions of an
admiring Turk in search of human novelties for his sultan's
court. But Fiammetta and Bucino's greatest challenge
comes from a young crippled woman, a blind healer who
insinuates herself into their lives and hearts with
devastating consequences for them all. A story of desire
and deception, sin and religion, loyalty and friendship, In
the Company of the Courtesan paints a portrait of one of
the world's greatest cities at it's most potent moment in
history: It is a picture that remains vivid long after the
final page.
| To read more about Sarah and her work click on the picture above |
| SARAH McLACHLAN The song selection that is playing for us now on this page is called: POSSESSION From the live cd - Mirrorball cd jacket pictured below |
Sarah McLachlan has emerged as one of Canada's
leading recording artists and a major force in the
North Amrican music industry.
As a child, she took voice lessons, along with
studies in classical piano and guitar. When She
was just 17 years old, and still a student, she
fronted a short lived rock band called "The
October Game". Her high school yearbook
claimed that she was destined to become a
famous rock star.
leading recording artists and a major force in the
North Amrican music industry.
As a child, she took voice lessons, along with
studies in classical piano and guitar. When She
was just 17 years old, and still a student, she
fronted a short lived rock band called "The
October Game". Her high school yearbook
claimed that she was destined to become a
famous rock star.
The singing prompted McLachlan to move to
Vancouver - British Columbia. There she began
writing music from her first album, Touch. The
album went gold in Canada and McLachlan was
suddenly rocketed to stardom and hailed as that
year's most exciting and important new artist.
After and extensive tour with her first band, Sarah
returned to the studio to record Solace, which was
released in 1992. Solace succeeded both critically
and commercially and catapulted McLachlan to
international prominence.
The release of Solace was followed by an exhaustive
16 month tour after which McLachlan returned to
vancouver to begin writing songs for her album,
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (which is Pink Man's favorite).
Vancouver - British Columbia. There she began
writing music from her first album, Touch. The
album went gold in Canada and McLachlan was
suddenly rocketed to stardom and hailed as that
year's most exciting and important new artist.
After and extensive tour with her first band, Sarah
returned to the studio to record Solace, which was
released in 1992. Solace succeeded both critically
and commercially and catapulted McLachlan to
international prominence.
The release of Solace was followed by an exhaustive
16 month tour after which McLachlan returned to
vancouver to begin writing songs for her album,
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (which is Pink Man's favorite).
The hit single from the album, Fumbling
Towards Ecstasy - "Hold On", was
inspired by the documentary, A Promise
Kept, about a woman whose fiance'
discovers he has AIDS. Overwhelmed
by the woman's strength and
selflessness, McLachlan wrote the song
is a single day. It is an unsentimental
portrait of a woman's courage in the face
of adversity. "Hold On" appeared on the
No Alternative compilation album, the
proceeds of which go to support AIDS
research. McLachlan also contributed
the single "I Will Remember You" to the
soundtrack of the movie, "The Brother's
McMullen".
Towards Ecstasy - "Hold On", was
inspired by the documentary, A Promise
Kept, about a woman whose fiance'
discovers he has AIDS. Overwhelmed
by the woman's strength and
selflessness, McLachlan wrote the song
is a single day. It is an unsentimental
portrait of a woman's courage in the face
of adversity. "Hold On" appeared on the
No Alternative compilation album, the
proceeds of which go to support AIDS
research. McLachlan also contributed
the single "I Will Remember You" to the
soundtrack of the movie, "The Brother's
McMullen".
In 1997 Sarah released her fourth album,
Surfacing, which contained the hits
"Building a Mystery" and "Sweet
Surrender". She also took time out to
organize and headline the acclaimed Lilith
Fair, which focused on emerging women
singer songwriters and became the most
successful rtour of the summer of 1997.
McLachlan spent the summer of '98 back
on the road with the second Lilith Fair
tour. In June of 1999 she released
Mirrorball, a live album culling material
from Lilith. Mirrorball received a
Grammy nomination for Best Pop Album.
In 2003, after a short hiatus from the
business, she put out the successful
Afterglow, followed by the live CD/DVD
Afterglow Live. The album eventually
went four times platinum, the DVD
double platinum, and Sarah continued to
tour through 2005.
Surfacing, which contained the hits
"Building a Mystery" and "Sweet
Surrender". She also took time out to
organize and headline the acclaimed Lilith
Fair, which focused on emerging women
singer songwriters and became the most
successful rtour of the summer of 1997.
McLachlan spent the summer of '98 back
on the road with the second Lilith Fair
tour. In June of 1999 she released
Mirrorball, a live album culling material
from Lilith. Mirrorball received a
Grammy nomination for Best Pop Album.
In 2003, after a short hiatus from the
business, she put out the successful
Afterglow, followed by the live CD/DVD
Afterglow Live. The album eventually
went four times platinum, the DVD
double platinum, and Sarah continued to
tour through 2005.
click on the picture below to visit Sarah's Official Website
| Purple Factor Adele Makeda Photography by Stef Baumler |
| a Repainted/Restyled Fierce Subject Kyori Sato Photography & Makeover by Vincent Trapani |
A Vintage Wardrobe is a must...
| Made exclusively for the 2005 Official Jason Wu Event, this luxurious Fashion Royalty collectible was created by Jason Wu and his design team. Number 261 of 500 made, we are very proud to announce this FREE Ultra Limited Edition ensemble. Outfit will come to you NRFB and as pictured above. Here's to enter out free drawing. Find the ladies' webpage that is pictured below within the SeloJ Designs website. |
| DAMAGED |
| Once you've located her webpage, listen to the song that is playing there. Who is the artist and what is the song title? Email this information to selojdesigns@yahoo.com Please put "Dressed to Thrill" in the subject heading. The drawing will be pulled from the list of correct entries that we receive on Friday, March 31st, 2006 www.seloj.com |
click on this photo to visit Marc's Official Website...
It's shocking to hear someone so assured,
so young. But his youth is another
deceptive quality. Beneath his songs lies
what amounts to a wide ranging music
education: From the age of five, playing
with his father, Louisiana Hall of Fame
guitarist, Ted Broussard, singing Gregorian
chants and from the time of reaching 17,
playing both solo accoustic and leading a
succession of different bands.
so young. But his youth is another
deceptive quality. Beneath his songs lies
what amounts to a wide ranging music
education: From the age of five, playing
with his father, Louisiana Hall of Fame
guitarist, Ted Broussard, singing Gregorian
chants and from the time of reaching 17,
playing both solo accoustic and leading a
succession of different bands.
The 22 year old Broussard's adventurousness
makes him fit comfortably on the road playing
with many different types of venues.
Although Marc's studio recordings are a
weclome edition to anyone's musical arsenal,
it's his live performances that leaves one
screaming for more.
His voice recollects the best of Johnny Lang
and Bruce Springsteen in my opinion.
Please take a listen and you'll quickly see what
I'm talking about!
Enjoy!
makes him fit comfortably on the road playing
with many different types of venues.
Although Marc's studio recordings are a
weclome edition to anyone's musical arsenal,
it's his live performances that leaves one
screaming for more.
His voice recollects the best of Johnny Lang
and Bruce Springsteen in my opinion.
Please take a listen and you'll quickly see what
I'm talking about!
Enjoy!
At this time of year it's easy to allow
oneself to get caught up longing for the
DOG DAYS of SUMMER!
oneself to get caught up longing for the
DOG DAYS of SUMMER!
| Dressed to Thrill |
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