#MusicMonday Fontella Bass “Rescue Me”

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I’ve been thinking a lot about Aretha. Previously I posted a video of her sister Erma singing Piece of My Heart. Today I feature Fontella Bass. Many people wrongly associate the song “Rescue Me” with Aretha, but Fontella Bass sang the song.

“Rescue Me” was released in 1965, two years before Aretha joined Atlantic Records and cut loose from the artistic constraints that Columbia Records put upon her. Fontella Bass recorded the song at Chess Studios in Chicago. Backing musicians on the track included drummer Maurice White (later leader of Earth, Wind, & Fire) and Minnie Riperton as a background singer.

This video captures Fontella Bass’s appearance on Shindig!

“Rescue Me” gave Chess its first million-selling single in 10 years. Bass recalled:

I had the first million seller for Chess since Chuck Berry about 10 years before. Things were riding high for them, but when it came time to collect my first royalty check, I looked at it, saw how little it was, tore it up and threw it back across the desk.

The original versions of the record and BMI credited Raynard Miner and Carl William Smith. Bass approached her manager Billy Davis about securing her writing credit, but when the record came out, her name was still not on it.

Sources:
Fontella Bass. (2018, August 17). Retrieved September 9, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontella_Bass
Fontella Bass – Rescue Me (Shindig – 1965). (2015, January 27). Retrieved September 9, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4__kPN77DAU

Sephora’s crummy rewards program

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Glossy posted an article on Sephora’s “upgrade” to its Beauty Insider program.  Whatever, it’s still the crummy program where you accumulate points to obtain samples that you’d otherwise should get for free.Sephora versus Ulta

When Sephora, in its munificence, announced a limited time 10% off discount on products, beauty enthusiasts were indignant.   Just before that, Ulta had a 20% off sale, including prestige items.  Also, you earn cash back rewards with Ulta’s loyalty program.

On account of Ulta’s cash back rewards, I first visit Ulta to see if it carries a product.  If it doesn’t, then I go to Sephora.  Bonus: join Ebates for earning additional cash back points.  HT Marcia of Beauty Info Zone.

Sources:

[Screen grab from Glossy]. (n.d.). Retrieved August 22, 2018, from https://db.glossy.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/170330_Sephora_04-AZ.jpg
Sandler, E. (n.d.). Inside Sephora’s first major Beauty Insider upgrade in 5 years. Retrieved August 22, 2018, from https://www.glossy.co/ecommerce/inside-sephoras-first-major-beauty-insider-upgrade-in-5-years

#MusicMonday Erma Franklin – Piece of My Heart

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The whole world knows by now that Aretha Franklin died last week of pancreatic cancer.  This is heresy, but I could not get into Aretha.  Is it a cultural thing?

You might remember that Starbucks sold compilation CDs at its counters.  Here’s a gem that I found through those compilation CDs:

You might associate Piece of My Heart with Janis Joplin, but Erma Franklin (Aretha’s sister) recorded it in 1967 before Janis. This video is a live performance from 1992.

#FashionFriday #fashion stripes

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I love stripes. They practically scream summer.

I’m very partial to L.L. Bean‘s French Sailor Shirts, because I like the weight of the cotton. It was disappointing that L.L. Bean no longer sells the notch-collared, short-sleeved top shown below.

The styling was inspired by an & Other Stories ad.   The bandana features hearts in its print: Sweetheart of the Rodeo (which was the title of an album by The Byrds).  Be aware that these items are no longer available.

Below are striped tops with distinct details:

The Lands End shirt features a side knot.  The top from ABLE (lower right) features a drawstring at the hem.  Both are on sale.

Color story: terracotta

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I love terracotta.  It’s one of my best fashion colors.  I also like terracotta pottery 🙂

Terracotta makeup
Color story: terracotta

Do you like liquid lipstick and matte finishes?  Then check out the terracotta colored lip colors at:

Norris, R. (n.d.). Meet the Lipstick Shade That’ll Replace Your Nudes This Fall. Retrieved August 4, 2018, from http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/slideshows/best-terracotta-lipstick-170928/page1

#MusicMonday I Got You Babe – Cher with Beavis & Butthead

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Cher is a 2018 Kennedy Center Honoree along with Philip Glass, Reba McEntire, and Wayne Shorter.  In tribute to her selection, I present this cover of ex-husband Sonny Bono’s I Got You Babe featuring Cher and Beavis & Butthead.

Butthead: “Is it true that you used to be, like uh, married to that Bono dude?”

Cher: “Bono. Sonny Bono”

Save the oceans – ban oxybenzone!

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Hawaii Governor David Ige signed a bill to ban oxybenzone and octinoxate from sunscreens sold in the state by Jan. 1, 2021 to protect coral reefs and marine life. Beauty trade groups such as the Personal Care Products Council, chemical industry organizations, skin-cancer prevention proponents and big sunscreen brands regard the act as misguided and dispute the research behind it.

Cue Ocean Potion Face Zinc SPF 50. Ocean Potion advertises its products as “reef-friendly.” This article from Beauty Independent notes:

To differentiate themselves from large players with oxybenzone- and octinoxate-driven sunscreens, emerging mineral sunscreen purveyors are promoting their products as reef-safe or not containing the banned ingredients, oxybenzone in particular. The term reef safe could increasingly be subject to concerns as it, similar to other marketing terms in the beauty industry, is unregulated and lacks a clear definition.

Putting that aside, Ocean Potion Face Zinc SPF 50 is a great sunscreen.

Ocean Potion Face Zinc SPF 50
Ocean Potion Face Zinc SPF 50

It advertises itself as going on clear. It’s a thick white cream in the jar, but with a little blending, it leaves no whitish cast (+). It also has a matte finish (+).  It’s not irritating (+) . Active ingredients are Octocrylene 4% and Zinc Oxide 5% – no oxybenzone.

👍🏻 Recommended. I bought Ocean Potion Face Zinc SPF 50 at Safeway. I’ve also seen it at Giant.

Source:
Brown, R. (2018, July 10). How Hawaii’s Ban On Oxybenzone And Octinoxate Could Change The Sun-Protection Segment. Retrieved July 13, 2018, from https://www.beautyindependent.com/hawaii-ban-common-sunscreen-ingredients-oxybenzone-octinoxate-change-sun-protection-segment/

Beauty Independent is brought to you by Indie Beauty Expo, whose mission is to provide a platform to recognize, showcase and celebrate independent beauty, wellness and lifestyle brands.

#WalkAway

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#Walkaway is a media campaign in which Americans post videos about why they walked away from the Democratic Party.  What’s cool about #WalkAway is that it attracts African-Americans, whites, Hispanics, immigrants, gays, straights, women, men, etc.  It goes to show you that the Democratic Party doesn’t own women and minorities.

Not surprisingly, people who align themselves with the Democratic Party claim that Russian bots are behind #WalkAway.  It’s amusing that people who were soft on the Soviet Union and communism now regard Russia as Public Enemy #1.  Hey, Hillary, how did the Russian reset work out for you? 🙂

Here’s the video that started it all: