http://news.softpedia.com Softpedia News - Life and Style Softpedia News en-us 2001 - 2009 Softpedia. All rights reserved. Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:18:43 GMT Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:18:43 GMT News http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 10 http://www.softpedia.com/base_img/softpedia_logo.gif http://news.softpedia.com/ http://news.softpedia.com/news/Women-Buy-Christmas-Dresses-One-Size-too-Small-128317.shtml There is little women wouldn’t do in the name of fashion and, ultimately, looking good. Among the things they would put themselves through is strict dieting before Christmas, complete with buying party dresses in at least one size too small to act as incentive for the weight loss, a new survey cited by the Daily Mail has learned. Sadly, only half of them actually get to reach their goal.

On average, one in three women go on a pre-Christmas diet, to ensure they look their best for the winter holidays, the survey reveals. Of the women who, this year, will invest in buying a party dress especially for this occasion, about 50 percent will choose an item that is actually smaller in a bid to find in this the extra motivation needed to lose weight. Not all will get to see their efforts pay off, the findings also indicate, as only half of the slimmers will actually lose the weight.

“Research revealed the average woman will splash out £68 on a new dress to look her best for the office Christmas bash. But only 50 per cent will manage to lose enough weight to get into it while the other 50 per cent will either leave it in a wardrobe or return it. It also emerged, in the survey commissioned by commissioned by Herbalife, one in three women always go on a pre-Christmas diet – but only one in five... (read more)]]> Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:11:02 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Women-Buy-Christmas-Dresses-One-Size-too-Small-128317.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Women-Buy-Christmas-Dresses-One-Size-too-Small-128317.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Susan-Boyle-I-Dreamed-a-Dream-Album-Review-128327.shtml For those who somehow managed to go through 2009 without once hearing the name of Susan Boyle, her debut album, “I Dreamed a Dream,” will probably not mean that much. Her diehard fans, though, will see it in an entirely different light, as the material comes to show that all these months they’ve spent on their toes, keeping their fingers crossed for the release date to come (November 23), were well worth it. “I Dreamed a Dream,” in many ways, stands as testament that Susan Boyle is one of the greatest voices of our times, even if seemingly completely isolated from the rest of the world, critics believe.

Susan Boyle, the 40-something woman from Scotland who, not long ago, had the “audacity” to present herself to auditions for Britain’s Got Talent, and then to get up on stage to stand in front of none other than Simon Cowell, is an “Angel” of music no matter how one looks at it. At the same time, she’s also the only example we have of what it’s like to swim against the current, proof that a well thought out machine like a the aforementioned televised talent competition can also factor in real talent, as opposed to just the qualities that it takes to make it as a star.

We know we live in a world where making music no longer means what it mea... (read more)]]> Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:41:02 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Susan-Boyle-I-Dreamed-a-Dream-Album-Review-128327.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Susan-Boyle-I-Dreamed-a-Dream-Album-Review-128327.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Tiger-Woods-Injuries-Caused-by-Wife-Not-Car-Crash-128314.shtml Golfer Tiger Woods was involved in a one-vehicle car crash on Friday that sent him to the ER with severe facial lacerations, as we also reported only hours ago. As police documents say that wife Elin Nordegren broke the window of the car and dragged him out, thus saving him, Woods himself is telling friends whatever injuries he has were caused by his wife and not the crash, TMZ has learned.

Reports in the media say that, right before Woods got behind the wheel of his Escalade and then drove it into a fire hydrant and then a tree on one of his neighbors’ lawn, he and wife Elin got into a heated argument over rumors that he was being unfaithful to her. She reportedly got so upset she attacked him with a golf club, and he sought refuge in his car. Unfortunately, she followed him outside the house and continued pounding on the car, which is why Woods crashed into the hydrant, he admittedly told friends.

“Tiger has yet to be formally interviewed by the Florida Highway Patrol – that should happen this afternoon. But we’re told Tiger had a conversation Friday – with a non-law enforcement type – detailing what went down before his Escalade hit a fire hydrant. We’re told he said his wife had confronted him about reports that he was seeing another woman. The argument got ... (read more)]]> Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:48:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Tiger-Woods-Injuries-Caused-by-Wife-Not-Car-Crash-128314.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Tiger-Woods-Injuries-Caused-by-Wife-Not-Car-Crash-128314.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Eminem-Wants-to-Be-a-Judge-on-X-Factor-128309.shtml The world of televised music competitions is about to change for good, if rapper Eminem sees his wish granted. The popular X Factor show, for instance, needs more “global stars” on the panel of judges, Em says in a recent interview cited by the Guardian, which is why he’d be more than interested in acting as a guest judge.

Until just recently holding everything mainstream in utter disdain, Eminem seems to have had a change of heart and would be willing to help aspiring singers, and rappers in particular, get their big break in the industry. Consequently, if Simon Cowell were to ask him to appear on the panel as a guest judge, Eminem would not say no because, this way, he would know for certain aspiring stars would get a good dose of reality, as opposed to what is happening right now.

“No disrespect to the current judges but you need people who are global, platinum-selling stars. You need to prepare contestants for what it’s really like out there, and what sort of pressure you are going to be under,” Eminem says in the interview cited by the prestigious British publication. At the moment, the judges on X Factor include Simon Cowell, Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh. Of them, only Simon comes close to what the contestants need, the rapper believes.read more)]]> Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:34:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Eminem-Wants-to-Be-a-Judge-on-X-Factor-128309.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Eminem-Wants-to-Be-a-Judge-on-X-Factor-128309.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Video-for-3-Words-from-Cheryl-Cole-and-will-i-am-128306.shtml In October this year, Cheryl Cole, Girls Aloud minx and popular X Factor judge, released her first solo album. Critically and commercially received with mixed reactions, it did manage to stay atop of the UK charts for two consecutive weeks, with interest in it set to peak again in the following days thanks to the release of the video for “3 Words,” estimates say.

As fans must already know, “3 Words” is a mid-tempo dance track that alternates between whispery declarations of love and catchy beats that were once exclusively the trademark of pop artists like Kylie Minogue. The video also shows the same alternation, with dance shots interspersed with sequences in which the focus falls on the two stars alone, seemingly searching each other, as it were.

“After being teased through three pictures, Cheryl Cole’s ‘3 Words’ music video has finally been brought forward. Directed by Vincent Haycock, it sees the member of Girls Aloud sharing screen with her collaborator Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am. ‘3 Words’ is the second single from Cheryl’s first solo album of the same name. ‘[It’s] my favorite track on the album,’ said Cheryl when launching the album earlier last month. ‘It’s totally different to anything I’ve... (read more)]]> Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:13:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Video-for-3-Words-from-Cheryl-Cole-and-will-i-am-128306.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Video-for-3-Words-from-Cheryl-Cole-and-will-i-am-128306.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Tiger-Woods-Seriously-Injured-in-Car-Crash-128302.shtml Professional golfer Tiger Woods was admitted to the hospital on Friday after running his Escalade into a fire hydrant and then into a tree on a neighbor’s lawn. At the time police arrived, he was slipping in and out of consciousness and was deemed in serious conditions for the facial lacerations he had sustained, the Orlando Sentinel informs.

According to police reports, Woods had gotten into a rather heated exchange of words with his wife only minutes before he got behind the wheel of the car. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, but police are now investigating the case to see whether any charges can – or should – be pressed against him. Also as per the same reports, it was Woods’ wife who rescued him from the car after the crash, using his own golf club to smash the rear window and drag him out.

When police arrived on the scene, Woods was lying on the grass with his wife leaning over him. He was immediately taken to the hospital. “The wife of the world’s No.1 golfer Tiger Woods used one of his tools – a golf club – to smash open a window of his crashed SUV and then pulled him out of the damaged vehicle after an early-morning accident Friday outside their Isleworth mansion. By the time a Windermere police officer arrived about 2:25 a.m., Elin Nordegren Woods... (read more)]]> Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:45:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Tiger-Woods-Seriously-Injured-in-Car-Crash-128302.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Tiger-Woods-Seriously-Injured-in-Car-Crash-128302.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Miley-Cyrus-Wants-to-Be-like-Beyonce-the-Ultimate-Woman-128299.shtml Miley Cyrus just turned 17 and, despite what some might label a rather young age, she has plenty of accomplishments under her belt, including being one of the most bankable singers of the young generation, a successful actress and an appreciated songwriter. This, of course, is not to say that she hasn’t set her sight on being an even more accomplished performer, with Beyonce serving as her idol, as Miley herself tells Seventeen magazine.

The R&B diva is among the most talented singers currently on the music scene but, at the same time, she’s also a brilliant entertainer, as critics and fans believe – and ticket sales clearly confirm. Her live performances are very elaborate affairs, where Beyonce showcases not only her impressive vocals but also her fearlessness in terms of breaking new boundaries. To this, Miley Cyrus can only aspire at this point, the younger singer admits.

“I want to be like Beyonce. She is the ultimate woman. You look at her and you don’t think, I wonder what her personal life is like. You look at her and you go, That girl on the stage is a superstar. You don’t care about anything else; you only care about her music. So I would hope that would be me in the future,” Cyrus reveals for Seventeen magazine.

However, not everybo... (read more)]]> Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:25:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Miley-Cyrus-Wants-to-Be-like-Beyonce-the-Ultimate-Woman-128299.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Miley-Cyrus-Wants-to-Be-like-Beyonce-the-Ultimate-Woman-128299.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Britney-Spears-Breaks-Ticket-Sales-Record-in-Australia-128297.shtml Going to show that it’s all about what fans want and rarely – if ever – about what critics say, Britney Spears has managed, with the help of those fans who have stood by her through thick and thin, to set a new record in Australia. Tickets for Sydney’s Acer Arena show have sold so well that Britney is officially the most sought after artist, the VMA says.

The Venue Management Association points out that, until Britney Spears came along, the record for most tickets sold for the aforementioned venue belonged to British band Coldplay. This, in turn, only makes Britney’s success all the more impressive since she it stands as testimony to her star power, not to mention that this also makes her a very lucrative brand on the pop scene.

“Britney Spears has broken the record for concert ticket sales at Sydney’s Acer Arena with a total of 66,247 tickets sold across 4 nights. Britney Spears ticket sales exceed the previous record set by Coldplay in March 2009 when the record stood at 59,391. Ticket sales record for sales in excess of 40,000 tickets at Acer Arena now stand at: Britney Spears – Nov ’09, Coldplay – Mar ’09, Justin Timberlake – Oct ’07, Eagles – Nov ’04, Red Hot Chili Peppers – Apr ’07, Bette Mid... (read more)]]> Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:56:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Britney-Spears-Breaks-Ticket-Sales-Record-in-Australia-128297.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Britney-Spears-Breaks-Ticket-Sales-Record-in-Australia-128297.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Artwork-for-Jennifer-Lopez-s-Louboutins-Single-Is-Out-128294.shtml November is turning out to be a very busy month from the perspective of musical releases. Not only does it see albums from artists like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Susan Boyle, but it also marks the beginning of Jennifer Lopez’s “comeback,” after the singer’s maternity leave. “Love?” is the name of the upcoming album and “Louboutins” is the second single off it – as BittenAndBound says, it now has a cover as well.

Jennifer Lopez has always been about the glamour, so it’s somewhat understandable that she chose something as fancy as the Louboutin shoes (any woman’s most guilty pleasure in terms of accessories, they say) to name one of her tracks after. The song tells the story of a woman stuck in a dead-end relationship with a man who clearly doesn’t deserve her, and with her journey to realizing that and eventually walking out on him. As she does that, the listener gets a visual image of the red soles of her Louboutins.

While the idea of the track is original, critics and fans alike say, the artwork is lackluster at best. It shows Jennifer lying on the ground in a lace catsuit, wearing the famous red-soled Louboutin pumps. There is a certain old vibe to the cover, what with the font of the writing and the shot in itself, but it&... (read more)]]> Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:36:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Artwork-for-Jennifer-Lopez-s-Louboutins-Single-Is-Out-128294.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Artwork-for-Jennifer-Lopez-s-Louboutins-Single-Is-Out-128294.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Paula-Abdul-Works-Out-Dances-Looks-Fabulous-128245.shtml Paula Abdul, whom many consider as essential to American Idol as, say, Simon Cowell himself, has left the show following an alleged dispute over money issues. That was back in August this year. Since then, the star has kept a rather low profile, only to emerge at this year’s American Music Awards in a body-hugging black dress that made people wonder about her secret diet.

While on the red carpet slowly making her way to the entrance to the awards ceremony, reporters from Fox411 got to ask Paula a few questions, including about her apparent weight loss. She was not suffering from post-Idol depression or anything along those lines, Abdul assured the interviewer, adding that her secret lay in that she had more time to do the things she liked at that moment, such as dancing and working out.

“The pop princess showed off a super, super slim body in a form-fitting long black dress that she could barely move in at the American Music Awards on Sunday, recruiting an entourage of six to help hold her trail and scurry around the show. But Abdul insisted that her sudden weight loss was all in good health with no mention of post-Idol stress and trauma. ‘First and foremost I’ve had the ability to have time to have a schedule that allows me to take care of myself and dance and workout,’ Abdu... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:21:01 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Paula-Abdul-Works-Out-Dances-Looks-Fabulous-128245.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Paula-Abdul-Works-Out-Dances-Looks-Fabulous-128245.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Victoria-Beckham-in-Need-of-Urgent-Operation-for-Removal-of-Bunions-128254.shtml Victoria Beckham has professed her love for high heels on so many occasions that she had become like the poster child for a certain type of shoes, the woman who wouldn’t be caught dead in flats or ballerina pumps. It turns out her longtime commitment to stilettos has finally taken a toll on her feet, with friends telling the Daily Mail that she’s now in incredible pain and in need of urgent operation to have her bunions removed.

Sources close to the star reveal for the publication that she is now in a lot of pain and doing her best putting off the moment when surgery is the only option. On one hand, the pain is at times more than she can take – years of wearing nothing but the most ridiculously high shoes have contributed to how severe it is – but, on the other, she doesn’t want to see a doctor lest they told her she stopped wearing her favorite time of footwear, spies claim.

“The Beckham household is all about feet at the moment: David is having painkilling injections for bone bruising on his foot, while Victoria is in agony with her misshapen feet. She is suffering from shooting pain from the bunions. Normally, she kicks off her shoes in the house, but she has been out so much recently in high heels that she is really feeling it,” th... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:41:02 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Victoria-Beckham-in-Need-of-Urgent-Operation-for-Removal-of-Bunions-128254.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Victoria-Beckham-in-Need-of-Urgent-Operation-for-Removal-of-Bunions-128254.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Weight-Train-Using-Only-Your-Bodyweight-128240.shtml We’ve long come to the conclusion that our lives are far too busy and hectic, so that it’s only with great effort that we can find the time to see to our health as well. This would probably explain why those of us that mostly need exercise don’t even have a gym subscription. All is not lost, though, Men’s Health says, offering a very intense workout routine for gents that requires only 15 minutes and some will power.

It’s weight training but not quite, since this particular routine doesn’t even require weights to return the results it promises. Instead, it implies the man use his own bodyweight for both exercises that make it up. Since the routine itself lasts no longer than a quarter of an hour, it means it leaves no room for breaks or breathers: everything is at maximum intensity and this is precisely why it works so well.

Devised by trainer Craig Ballantyne, this routine is ideal for men who have neither the time to go to the gym, nor the disposition to do so. In other words, it’s for today’s modern men. It starts with the Y Squat: “Stand with your shoulder blades pulled back and your arms extended up and out so your body forms a Y. With your feet slightly more than shoulder-width apart, sit back at your hips to lower your body. Go as low as possible w... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:41:02 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Weight-Train-Using-Only-Your-Bodyweight-128240.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Weight-Train-Using-Only-Your-Bodyweight-128240.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/New-Moon-Sparks-Vampire-Makeup-Trend-Boosts-Sales-128235.shtml Until just months ago, having a healthy, glowing tan (whether natural or fake it did not matter, although many opted for the latter on health considerations) was the thing to do in terms of keeping up with beauty / makeup trends. Now, after the second film in the “Twilight” franchise has arrived, the hottest look one can strive to achieve is pale and goth-like, resembling a vampire, Marie Claire writes.

This may sound somewhat ridiculous – and certainly no woman over a certain age would ever even consider doing – but figures released by some of the biggest retailers of cosmetic products already indicate that women’s preferences in terms of makeup have changed. Strong, vivid colors are no longer desired, and have been replaced by those that would best hint at how the popular vampires and other similarly attractive undead creatures look.

In this sense, it’s no wonder then that sales for pale foundation have gone through the roof in the UK at least, as Marie Claire informs. “The latest Twilight-inspired beauty trend to hit critical mass is for pale-skinned beauties only (but plenty are working out how to fake it). The orange glow of self-tan has been slowly fading since spring last year as more of us want a natural look, but the new Twilight phenomenon has firm... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:21:01 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/New-Moon-Sparks-Vampire-Makeup-Trend-Boosts-Sales-128235.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/New-Moon-Sparks-Vampire-Makeup-Trend-Boosts-Sales-128235.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Fit-Tip-This-Thanksgiving-Don-t-Feel-Guilty-for-Indulging-128225.shtml Each year, the holiday season means reconnecting with our loved ones, finding peace in the bosom of our family, giving and receiving presents, enjoying home-cooked, traditional food and, whether we like it or not, packing on a few extra pounds. This Thanksgiving will probably be no exception, but FitSugar has a better option for us, instead of spending time once the holiday is over to moan having indulged: get up and get going!

It’s no longer a secret that it’s best to prevent than to treat a condition and the same applies to gaining holiday weight. Instead of forgetting everything about our workout routine and diet over this period, FitSugar advocates for moderation and taking the necessary steps to see that what we do these days is not entirely different from what we did last week. What this means is that, instead of indulging and then feeling sorry for it, we should practice moderation and take concrete action towards preventing the pounds from piling.

For more accuracy, this translates into not asking for second helpings at the same sitting and not eliminating exercise altogether from our daily schedule. “After a big meal, go for a brisk walk. Encourage your friends and family to join you too! Don’t deprive yourself during the holidays, as this may lead to overin... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:31:02 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Fit-Tip-This-Thanksgiving-Don-t-Feel-Guilty-for-Indulging-128225.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Fit-Tip-This-Thanksgiving-Don-t-Feel-Guilty-for-Indulging-128225.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Director-Chris-Weitz-Not-Surprised-Reviews-Trashed-New-Moon-128288.shtml “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” opened the other weekend in most territories and, unsurprisingly, it proved to be a hit in terms of sales, becoming the third biggest opener ever. Critically speaking, though, the story was entirely different, with many critics not even bothering to see it in its entirety before labeling it rubbish. Luckily, director Chris Weitz tells Entertainment Weekly, this was not a movie for critics but for the fans.

As few are those who still don’t know, the “Twilight” franchise enjoys one of the most loyal fanbases in the industry, with the Twi-hards willing to go the distance to show their support. It’s for them that “New Moon” was made and not for movie critics, Weitz says for the mag. Critics will always try to find fault with everything, and the second installment in the franchise was no exception.

Moreover, the director doesn’t even exclude the possibility that those reviewers who might have had something good to say about the film chose not to do so for fear others would “pick” them. “Nothing surprises me in terms of reviews. Having been a reviewer myself, there are only two ways to spin this story. You can either be the one guy who says this is a great movie, or more likely, take a more ... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:01:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Director-Chris-Weitz-Not-Surprised-Reviews-Trashed-New-Moon-128288.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Director-Chris-Weitz-Not-Surprised-Reviews-Trashed-New-Moon-128288.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Lady-Gaga-Does-Bad-Romance-Speechless-on-Ellen-DeGeneres-128284.shtml Lady Gaga continues to plug her latest album, “The Fame Monster,” which came out just recently, to the maximum. During an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres, the eccentric artist not only performed two of her latest songs, “Bad Romance” and “Speechless,” but also offered some insight as to what drives her to make music and tour and, in short, pursue a career in showbiz, as People magazine also informs.

If compared to the performances she put on other shows or, even better, at awards ceremonies and live events, Gaga’s appearance on Ellen was mellow, to put it mildly. She still managed to impress though with her rendition of “Speechless,” a slow-paced track from “The Fame Monster” dealing with love and heartbreak, where she got to put her vocals on full display. “Bad Romance,” on the other hand, saw her move around more, as she kept up with the backup dancers – and Ellen herself, who cut in at the end.

When talking of how she came up with her onstage persona, the outrageous Lady Gaga who never fails to shock and polarize people’s opinions, revealed that her main motivation was to show people that being different was not reason to be or feel marginalized. “I didn’t fit in in high school and I felt like ... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:40:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Lady-Gaga-Does-Bad-Romance-Speechless-on-Ellen-DeGeneres-128284.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Lady-Gaga-Does-Bad-Romance-Speechless-on-Ellen-DeGeneres-128284.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Berlusconi-s-Wife-Wants-5-3M-a-Month-in-Divorce-Settlement-128275.shtml Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is now in the process of getting a divorce from his wife of many years, former actress Veronica Lario. The procedures were initiated by Lario, who blamed Berlusconi entirely for the failure of the marriage. Not only that, but she is so determined to have him pay for the humiliation he forced upon her, as is therefore asking $5.3 million for “maintenance” – each month, as Bloomberg informs.

Lario is determined not to give up her demand without putting a proper fight, therefore she has already hinted to the Italian media that, should her husband and his team of legal representatives not grant her her request, she would make the divorce a very “messy” affair. She did not say, though, what exactly she meant by that. Be that as it may, attorneys worldwide are reportedly shocked by the amount she’s asking as settlement saying that, if she gets said amount, her divorce becomes the most “lucrative” in history.

“Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s wife Veronica Lario, filing for divorce with a request for damages, may have asked for payments higher than those sought by Princess Diana when she divorced Britain’s Prince Charles in 1996, a marital law expert said. […] Lario, the... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:51:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Berlusconi-s-Wife-Wants-5-3M-a-Month-in-Divorce-Settlement-128275.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Berlusconi-s-Wife-Wants-5-3M-a-Month-in-Divorce-Settlement-128275.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Unprepared-Susan-Boyle-Wants-out-of-the-Spotlight-128268.shtml Earlier this year, following intense pressure on Britain’s Got Talent, Susan Boyle, the Scottish singer that conquered the entire world even before she had a single, let alone an album, out in music stores, was admitted to London’s The Priory mental clinic, suffering from exhaustion. Since then, Miss Boyle has been saying she learned how to deal with fame but, according to a new piece in the Daily Mail, she is anything but that.

Susan, nicknamed the “Angel” by her fans, is not only prepared for a life in the spotlight, but she also continues to be at a loss as to what to do when she’s at the center of people’s attention. While in New York, for instance, where she managed, over just a few days, to have everybody in the palm of her hand, she had a sort of a mini-breakdown at a CD signing. Photos show the singer wiping her eyes and sucking on her thumb, evidently distressed.

Because of this, she will return home to Scotland around Christmas time, which means after she’s done promoting her first album, “I Dreamed a Dream,” the Mail says after getting confirmation from the singer’s camp. “[Boyle] is making plans to leave the London flat where Simon Cowell and his team taught her how to be a star. Susan is also relinquishing her gym me... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:25:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Unprepared-Susan-Boyle-Wants-out-of-the-Spotlight-128268.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Unprepared-Susan-Boyle-Wants-out-of-the-Spotlight-128268.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/ABC-in-Hot-Waters-for-Booking-Chris-Brown-for-Good-Morning-America-128262.shtml ABC canceled Adam Lambert’s appearance on Good Morning America, saying he was too unpredictable a performer for live television and adding that there was, after all, such a thing as too much controversy. Shortly afterwards, it emerged that, while a more flamboyant singer was not suitable for the morning show, ABC had no problem with a convicted abuser, as it booked Chris Brown for a GMA interview and performance, the New York Post informs.

As one can easily imagine, fans are not happy, as neither are several groups that had already accused the network of discrimination and homophobia, such as GLAAD and The Advocate publication. Where Lambert did nothing wrong – and certainly nothing legal – with his performance at the 2009 American Music Awards, the one that made ABC decide to call off plans, Brown’s case is entirely different.

By all means and completely regardless of how much he has apologized or will continue to do so, Chris Brown is a convicted felon, a young man who, in a fit of rage, lashed out at his ex-girlfriend Rihanna, and beat and bit her until she was no longer responsive. He then got out of the car and left her there. By choosing Brown over Lambert, ABC is sending not only mixed messages, but also the wrong one for audiences at home because... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:53:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/ABC-in-Hot-Waters-for-Booking-Chris-Brown-for-Good-Morning-America-128262.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/ABC-in-Hot-Waters-for-Booking-Chris-Brown-for-Good-Morning-America-128262.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Sobbing-Katie-Price-Begs-Peter-Andre-for-Reconciliation-128220.shtml In May this year, shortly after Katie Price and Peter Andre announced they were filing the necessary papers for a legal separation and then divorce, speculation started to make the rounds that they had actually set the entire thing up in a bid to get more publicity for their future business endeavors. As if to confirm said rumors, Katie is now back to Peter Andre, crying her eyes out and begging him to take her back, The Sun has learned.

As we also reported just recently, Price, a contestant on ITV’s “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here,” decided to quit the show for reasons that ranged from her being homesick to being quite unprepared to deal with the wave of memories that emerged when she returned to the jungle where she had first met Andre. Shortly after leaving the show, she also broke up with boyfriend Alex Reid who had flown to Australia specifically to ask her to marry him.

The reason behind the breakup seems to have been, The Sun says, that she was thinking of a reconciliation with Peter. She recently called him to apologize for being such a pain since the separation and reportedly admitted that, “I messed up.” The admission didn’t surprise Andre as much as what Katie had to say next did: namely that she wanted to get back together ... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:12:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Sobbing-Katie-Price-Begs-Peter-Andre-for-Reconciliation-128220.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Sobbing-Katie-Price-Begs-Peter-Andre-for-Reconciliation-128220.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Robbie-Williams-Proposes-to-Ayda-Field-Live-on-Radio-128214.shtml Three years after meeting on a blind date and only a couple of weeks after announcing on a television show his intention of settling down, Robbie Williams and girlfriend Ayda Field are now engaged. The singer proposed to Ayda during a live radio show when, seemingly out of the blue, he popped the big question and got an answer in the affirmative, as the Daily Mail reports.

The singer is now in Australia promoting his most recent studio album, “Reality Killed the Video Star,” and was invited on the very popular Kyle and Jackie O breakfast show on Sydney’s 2DayFM. His girlfriend Ayda was also with him, which has prompted some talk that the entire “spontaneous proposal” might have actually been a publicity stunt meant to generate more attention for the album, but also to elevate the profile of the radio show to a certain extent.

“After calling Ayda, 30, into the studio to sit with him, host Jackie O asked 35-year-old Robbie: ‘Sydney has a bit of a reputation for proposals with celebrities, is there any news you want to share?’ Robbie then turned to Ayda and spontaneously said: ‘Is there anyone you want to get married to?’ before finally asking, ‘Will you marry me?’” the Mail writes of the unexpected proposal. Field to... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:47:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Robbie-Williams-Proposes-to-Ayda-Field-Live-on-Radio-128214.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Robbie-Williams-Proposes-to-Ayda-Field-Live-on-Radio-128214.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Rihanna-on-Rated-R-Album-Being-a-Pop-Star-128200.shtml Today, Rihanna stands in a league of her own, what with her eccentric sense of style, always funky hairdos and accessories, and, most importantly, her music that is so hard to define in one single word. It wasn’t always like that, though, the singer says in a recent interview with the New York Times, recalling a period when it was her record label that got to call all the shots.

When Rihanna first emerged on the scene she was, although a hot commodity, not too much unlike other pop artists of the moment. Before she was even able to make a name for herself as an original singer, she too had to go mainstream initially – and that meant doing everything that her record label told her to do, she recalls. At one point, she came to realize that time for a change had come, and, in all fairness, things have been going wonderfully for her ever since.

“In the beginning, everything was a little more manufactured. It had to be safe, and in order for it to be safe, it had to be done before, which made no sense to me,” Rihanna says in the NY Times interview. It even got to the point where the label had the final say even where her appearance and lipstick color were concerned. “I was like, ‘What do you mean, I can’t cut my hair? It has to be long and blond, like every other female sing... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:39:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Rihanna-on-Rated-R-Album-Being-a-Pop-Star-128200.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Rihanna-on-Rated-R-Album-Being-a-Pop-Star-128200.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Duchess-of-Cornwall-Attacks-Beyonce-Laments-Violence-in-Videos-128197.shtml When it first emerged that Beyonce and Lady Gaga, two of the most hyped pop artists of the moment, while also among the most appreciated by fans and critics alike, had teamed up to record a track together, for which they would also shoot a video, the media immediately went abuzz with anticipation. The video for “Video Phone” was shot and then released to very positive reviews.

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, though, is the only one so far to point to the violent imagery included in it, as the Daily Mail informs, by means of exemplifying how music videos influence youngsters’ perception of right and wrong. Part of a trend that glamorizes violence and behavior that would otherwise be frowned upon, the Beyonce & Gaga comes to show that values have changed and, in doing so, they influence teens and small children in ways we sometimes are not even aware of, she said during a meeting with young victims of abuse.

“A lot of those videos are terrifying. I am sure they trigger a response in some of the young people. I can never understand how they can get away with making those things,” the Duchess said, speaking in general about music videos and the distorted values they promote. As the Mail also points out, this is the first time that Camilla makes a stand as regard... (read more)]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:18:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Duchess-of-Cornwall-Attacks-Beyonce-Laments-Violence-in-Videos-128197.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Duchess-of-Cornwall-Attacks-Beyonce-Laments-Violence-in-Videos-128197.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Men-Spend-More-Time-in-the-Kitchen-than-Women-128146.shtml They usually say that a kitchen is a woman’s domain and, in many respects, this has continued to be so to this day. The only thing that proves that the saying is not necessarily accurate is with regard to the time spent there by men and women, with the former actually to be found in the kitchen for more hours daily than their partners, as a new survey cited by the Daily Mail informs.

As strange as it may sound to some, a new survey conducted by Wickes Kitchens and Bathrooms among 3,000 Britons shows that men spend on average more hours in the kitchen than their female counterparts. However, that’s not to say that said time is spent cooking, as activities popular with men include eating, packing lunches, reading, relaxing and doing the dishes.

Women, on the other hand, are primarily engaged in cooking when they’re in there. “A study has found the average man spends seven hours and six minutes a day in the room. That compares to a typical woman’s six hours and 52 minutes. The figure for men equates to 15 weeks and two days in the kitchen each year – but whether they use that time to good effect is debatable. While women are more likely to be cooking, men can be found relaxing, eating and preparing packed lunches – quite possibly for themselves.” the Mail wri... (read more)]]> Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:41:01 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Men-Spend-More-Time-in-the-Kitchen-than-Women-128146.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Men-Spend-More-Time-in-the-Kitchen-than-Women-128146.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Health-Is-Kristin-Davis-Secret-for-an-Amazing-Figure-128130.shtml Fans know Kristin Davis from the popular HBO show ‘SATC’ that was later turned into a very successful film, also starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall. The 44-year-old actress plays the always-merry Charlotte York, who strikes the viewer as one of the most down-to-earth and, because of this, almost carefree women. In real life, Davis also approaches weight loss and staying in shape in the same down-to-earth manner, How Celebrities Lose Weight says.

Judging from the actress’ past interviews with the media, she was never the one to strive and go out of her way to be excessively thin. Kristin chooses health over fitting Hollywood standards, acceptance and body confidence over trying to be someone else. Because of this, she can now say with an open heart that health is her big secret to looking as good as she does, and that means regular exercise, no dieting, but only eating healthy instead.

To say that Kristin keeps herself busy on a regular basis would probably be an understatement at this point. “Exercise is part of her life and that is usually when it is most effective because she consistently does fitness training without feeling that it is a chore. She likes to put her iPod on, take her dogs and go outside hiking. She also really enjoys exercise equipment at ho... (read more)]]> Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:31:01 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Health-Is-Kristin-Davis-Secret-for-an-Amazing-Figure-128130.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Health-Is-Kristin-Davis-Secret-for-an-Amazing-Figure-128130.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Sales-of-Luxury-Lingerie-to-Peak-This-Christmas-128125.shtml They often say that, when the going gets tough, women will always undoubtedly turn to cosmetic products and lingerie items to get a boost of confidence and bring themselves into a better mood. Numbers seem to show that the latter more than applies, with several UK luxury retailers telling the Daily Mail that sales are already beginning to pick up, being expected to peak around Christmas time.

As it happens, we’re not even talking regular lingerie here, but expensive items like Bordelle’s Angela Cage bondage dress that sells for as much as £365 but that also comes with the advantage of having the ability to pass for outerwear as well. The same goes for the designs of Alex Popa, who says that, although some of her pieces are priced in the £900 range, because they can double as corsets or dresses that can be worn out clubbing, they are literally flying off the shelves.

Lingerie, it seems, is moving away from the traditional concept and into mainstream fashion, which also explains why sales are peaking. “The items are more flexible than the traditional pieces. If you are daring enough you could pair a corset with a pair of leggings and go out clubbing or to a party, but they can also be worn in the boudoir. It is more of a mix between outer-wear and underwear. There was noth... (read more)]]> Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:21:01 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Sales-of-Luxury-Lingerie-to-Peak-This-Christmas-128125.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Sales-of-Luxury-Lingerie-to-Peak-This-Christmas-128125.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Kim-Kardashian-Reveals-Drastic-Weight-Loss-with-New-TwitPic-128114.shtml A few months back, Kim Kardashian, former socialite and Paris Hilton hanger-on turned successful fashion and accessory designer, reality star and businesswoman, found herself in the middle of a controversy on the amount of retouching her magazine photos needed to look this good. Because of it, the star decided to lose weight with QuickTrim and working out – which is why she can now brag about amazing results like this.

Just the other day, Kim unveiled a brand-new snap of her before some promo shoot. Dressed in a pink-and-white swimsuit and with a very intense tan on (fake, most likely), the star is seen striking her best pose, with one leg in front of the other and abdominal muscles well clenched to show the kind of progress she’s been making in the gym.

The photo is, according to Kim herself, who uploaded it on her Twitter page, meant to show that QuickTrim actually works, especially if combined with regular workout routines. It is also supposed to illustrate that one can be fit without being skinny, which is precisely how Kim looks right now. Unfortunately, as her own followers point out, it could have helped if she hadn't resorted to tricks to look this good.

For instance, the photo seems to be taken from a high point so that it makes her look thinner than she... (read more)]]> Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:41:01 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Kim-Kardashian-Reveals-Drastic-Weight-Loss-with-New-TwitPic-128114.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Kim-Kardashian-Reveals-Drastic-Weight-Loss-with-New-TwitPic-128114.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Fit-for-the-Queen-Lady-Gaga-to-Wear-Latex-for-Royal-Performance-128184.shtml Come December 7, Lady Gaga will get to meet and perform for the Queen of England at the annual Royal Variety Performance, it has recently emerged. While it has not yet been established whether the Queen is a fan of Gaga’s music or not, the main concerns about the show have to do with the singer’s out-of-this-world outfits, some of which have been deemed too revealing for royal eyes and sensibilities.

According to Gaga herself speaking with ExtraTV on a promo stop for her latest, recently released album “The Fame Monster,” she has been asked to perform at the charity event because of the kind of exposure she can bring to it. She mostly does that with her edgy performances and outrageous sense of style, as fans must already know by now. As far as the latter is concerned, no worries, Gaga says: she will be wearing latex for the Queen.

“What is Lady Gaga wearing for her December performance for the Queen of England? ‘I’m sure it’ll be some latex fashion venture,’ she told Extra at a signing for her new CD, ‘The Fame Monster,’ in LA. She won’t tone down her over-the-top fashion sense ‘even for the queen,’ she said. ‘She called me for a reason. She wants a good Gaga show!’ the singer, 23, told Ex... (read more)]]> Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:24:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Fit-for-the-Queen-Lady-Gaga-to-Wear-Latex-for-Royal-Performance-128184.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Fit-for-the-Queen-Lady-Gaga-to-Wear-Latex-for-Royal-Performance-128184.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Shrek-Forever-After-Sees-Ogre-Hit-Midlife-Crisis-128176.shtml The adventure began in 2001, when audiences were first introduced to the stinky, shameless, obnoxious yet entirely lovable in the end, ogre Shrek in the film with the same name. Come May 2010, the fairytale ends with “Shrek Forever After,” which sees the anti-hero hit midlife crisis, as USA Today informs.

After rescuing the princess, wooing her, saving her again, getting her parents to accept him and countless other adventures worthy of a genuine prince, let alone an apparently repulsive ogre, Shrek will see his entire life turned upside down in the fourth and final film in the franchise. Director Mike Mitchell promises that Shrek’s life will take a course not unfamiliar to average Joes, but without becoming boring or anything along those lines.

The fourth film will apparently have the once-scary ogre as a normal family guy who has lost his “roar.” “He has lost his roar. It used to send villagers running away in terror. Now they run to him and ask him to sign their pitchforks and torches,” Mitchell says in a new interview cited by USA Today as to what fans should expect for the curtain call on the Shrek franchise. A first trailer for the film will air in theatres this December, ahead of James Cameron’s “Avatar.”

Of course, that&rsquo... (read more)]]> Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:49:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Shrek-Forever-After-Sees-Ogre-Hit-Midlife-Crisis-128176.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Shrek-Forever-After-Sees-Ogre-Hit-Midlife-Crisis-128176.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) http://news.softpedia.com/news/Demi-Moore-s-Body-Replaced-on-W-Magazine-Cover-128171.shtml Hollywood actress Demi Moore is featured in the latest issue of fashion and beauty bible W Magazine. The cover seems to show the star in a gorgeous Balmain creation that emphasizes her tiny waist and thin legs, even if part of her hip seems to be missing. Not quite so, a report on Oh No They Didn’t argues, stating that what we see is not even Demi’s body.

Controversy began a few days ago, when some more sharp-eyed fans noticed that a big chunk of one of Moore’s hips was completely missing and, moreover, that it had absolutely nothing to do with the position of her body at the time the photograph was taken. Now, it’s only been taken one step further, with claims that it could very well be that this is not the star’s body at all, as W decided to superimpose her head on the body of model Anja Rubik.

A photo of the 26-year-old Rubik, wearing the same Balmain dress, over that now featured on the cover of W Magazine would certainly seem to indicate that this is a clear case of what you see is what you DON’T get. The neck, the collarbone, the arms, the legs and even the cleavage are the same in both snaps, with many jumping on board to say that W is employing very cheap promo tactics for altering Moore’s image to such an extent.

“Check out wh... (read more)]]> Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:30:00 GMT Softpedia News - Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Demi-Moore-s-Body-Replaced-on-W-Magazine-Cover-128171.shtml Life and Style http://news.softpedia.com/news/Demi-Moore-s-Body-Replaced-on-W-Magazine-Cover-128171.shtml#review_zone Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan)