The most uplifting playlist ever, according to a neuroscientist

Science has determined the world’s most “feel good” jam!

If you ever need a little pick me up, one neuroscientist says he has the playlist for you. Dr. Jacob Jolij, of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, created a playlist of feel-good and uplifting songs — and a formula for finding them.

It wasn’t as easy as crunching some numbers, though. According to Jolij, “A “feel good song” is rather tricky to define. Music appreciation is highly personal and strongly depends on social context, and personal associations. In that respect, the idea of a “feel good formula” is a bit odd — factoring in all these personal aspects is next to impossible, in particular if you want to come up with a quantitative feel good formula. Basically, what you need are song features that you can express in numbers.”

Not sure about you but I can use a playlist like this from time to time…heck we all can!

This playlist is available for you on Spotify and YouTube.

Of course our friend Freddie tops the list!

The real Queen Yo!

Mr. Robot, the New Fight Club!

“My father picked me up from school one day, and we played hooky and went to the beach. It was too cold to go in the water, so we sat on a blanket and ate pizza.When I got home, my sneakers were full of sand, and I dumped it on my bedroom floor. I didn’t know the difference. I was six. My mother screamed at me for the mess, but he wasn’t mad. He said that billions of years ago, the world shifting and the oceans moving brought that sand to that spot on the beach, and then I took it away.
“Every day,” he said, “we change the world,” which is a nice thought until I think about how many days and lifetimes I would need to bring a shoe full of sand home until there is no beach, until it made a difference to anyone. Every day, we change the world, but to change the world in a way that means anything, that takes more time than most people have. It never happens all at once.

It’s slow.

It’s methodical.

It’s exhausting.

We don’t all have the stomach for it.”

Elliott Alderson, Mr. Robot

I love love love the feeling of great television!!!

Mr. Robot, a dark, cynical & complicated plot with an odd title, quite possibly one of the best shows this year! I still can’t believe it’s on USA.

Rami Malek‘s compelling portrayal of a disorder-riddled, antihero hacker is spot on. His performance is what got me hooked day 1. And Christian Slater? My God, does this man age??!

This show is a must-watch on your DVR. I hope the writers continue the brilliant intensity of this show.

Catch it on USA Network on Wednesdays at 10/9c.

Without Music, Life Would Be A Mistake

That’s a quote by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, a 19th century philosopher.

Music frees you. It speaks truth without words. It breathes life into your soul. Expresses the inexpressible. It’s the magic which transgresses the boundaries of this world and provides an escape for our miseries.

Music is simply magic!

OK…enough with my Friday morning philosophy run!

But seriously, this is exactly what Music does to you. Brings out the philosopher in you!

On my way into work, I am jamming to London Grammar, quite possibly one of the best bands of this century! Each time I listen to their tunes and by “each time” I mean “each day” because I literally listen to them “every day”, I escape into Henna’s World of Hogwarts. Where I’m driving past the French countryside in my convertible holding on to my straw hat. Or I’m sipping chai on a balcony looking over the Amalfi coast. Or I’m sitting down on an uncomfortable chair typing away on the blog, wondering what the hell…I haven’t mentioned London Grammar on my blog yet? Which is exactly what is happening right now because psssshhhh really? Who needs France or Amalfi! pssshhh

So do yourself a favor this Friday.

Get acquainted with the soaring vocals of Hannah Reid. If Florence Welch takes you to places you’d rather not speak of, wait till you hear Hannah! I was lucky enough to catch her live in Houston last year and boy! She definitely has one of the most powerful vocals in this industry!

Here are my favorite tracks:

Or if you wish to listen to all tunes in one go, click here.

Here are the links to their YouTube and Spotify page.

Seriously, all I’m missing is their postal address!

Now go put on your Beats and make your Friday a breezy one!

I haven’t laughed like this in a loooooong time…

Besides being complete waste of space (my sincere deepest apologies to their fans!), I find The Kardashians

living in a

I mean…when you release a book full of images like

and then be crowned with the title “modern day personification of Marilyn Monroe” & “a true American icon”, all I can say is somewhere on the East coast, the remains of Marilyn Monroe and our Constitutional Forefathers moaned in pain.

But what’s more painfully (and utterly) hilarious are the reviews left by readers on the Amazon page of her eagerly awaited book “Selfish”.

I think I went on a laughing tantrum for about a good 15 minutes.

Here are some I just have to share:

Need a good laugh?

Happy Friday!!!

I’m in a funny mode…

Even though the Procrastinator in me still lives…

I feel fabulous…

..and I can’t stop laughing at this dude Aamer Rahman!

Reverse Racism

Osama

Weekend is off to a good start!

Don’t know about you but I can use that extra day off!

45 Hidden Gems on Netflix

Netflix has every movie in their database except for the ones I want to watch!

And BuzzFeed annoys me on most days.

But sometimes life takes you by surprise.

When BuzzFeed actually posts something noteworthy and about Netflix.

Here is a long list of underrated gems you can find on Netflix as recommended by BuzzFeed community. I think there’s a great deal of substance on this list. You know why? My Favorite Movie of 2014 is on this list!!!

Read my post on SnowPiercer from the beginning of this year!

I’ve actually seen a few movies/documentaries suggested in this article. After watching those movies, I admit I was quite pleased my $8/month membership was finally paying off!

Like I said, sometimes life can hit you with the unexpected.

And please, please, please, DO NOT MISS Dear Zachary on BuzzFeed’s 45 Hidden Gems You Should Already Be Watching on Netflix! (make sure you have a box of Kleenex at arm’s reach)

Image

I Miss My Man!

“I’m going to help you rediscover your manhood. Do you have any idea where you could have lost it?” – Jacob

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Gallery

The (Past) Lives of the Rich and Famous

Christian Dior disguised as a lion at the Kings and Queens ball in March 1949

Brigitte Bardot and Alain Delon cruise St. Tropez, 1968

Grace kelly, Liz Taylor and Laraine Day after a TWA flight from LA to NY, 1954

Guests of Count Fernando “Dino” Pecci-Blunt tan topless aboard his yacht off Marbella, Spain, 1967

Yves Saint-Laurent at Christian Dior

Marlène Dietrich at a Dior show, 1951

The Dior boutique on the corner of Avenue Montaigne and rue François 1er, designed by Victor Grandpierre, 1955

Lauren Bacall, in the Pantomime dress from the Dior Spring/Summer 1951 collection and her husband Humphrey Bogart at the 1952 Oscars

Fashion Designer Carolina Herrera with her husband, Reinaldo (seated)

Guests lounging poolside at El Venerol, villa of Hector and Chico de Ayala, Marbella, Spain, 1967

Audrey Hepburn and husband Mel Ferrer, Zurich

St. Tropez, France, 1959

Images via Vanity Fair & Vogue

The OOH’S, AAH’S & WTF’s from Golden Globes Last Night

I know I made a promise last week to dedicate my Monday’s to “The Best of the Web”. But just today I’m backpedaling on my decision to bring you, instead, the highlights, fashion and some moments from The Golden Globes last night. Those of you who plugged in to view the awards, good for you. And those of you who had better things to do last night, well, good for you too.

I’m not big on awards. My favorites barely ever make the nominee list let alone win the awards. But I’m beyond ecstatic on the much-awaited and much-deserved Kevin Spacey’s win last night for his role in the House of Cards!!! like Finally!!! I think he’s an impeccable and flawless actor; his delivery of dialogue is perfection; he can make you cringe when he plays the bad guy, make you weep when he plays the victim and make you roll on the floor when he puts on a comedic role. Remember that father’s infatuation with Windex in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Like he believed Windex was the cure for almost everything in this world. Like it could do anything! Yep…Kevin Spacey is my Windex!

Now let’s not waste any more words but get right down to business…

THE OOH’S

Emily Blunt – Those earrings!!!

Jennifer Aniston – Elegance, even at 45!

Claire Danes - I like the dress, doesn't scream "Golden Globe Awards" but Claire can keep it simple and elegant without too many bells and whistles

Claire Danes – I like the dress, doesn’t scream “Golden Globe” but Claire can keep it simple and elegant without too many bells and whistles

Lupita Nyong’o – Rocks the color combo, not too fond of the floral top (reminds me of a pillow I just Pinterested a few mins ago) but yeah, I can rock this at a house party, totally!

Naomi Watts – I dig the color and accessories!

Felicity Jones – I…LOVE…THE…COLOR!!!

Katie Holmes - I mean usually I fall asleep at the sight of Katie but I gotta give her props for up'ing her game...finally...it only took like 20 years

Katie Holmes – Normally I snooze at the mere mention of Katie Holmes but I gotta give her props for up’ing her game…I mean it only took her like 20 years

Viola Davis - I mean Viola can wear a comforter and still look HOT!

Viola Davis – Viola can wear a comforter and still look HOT!

JLO - HOT, as ever, but Jen! mum the mouth please. I mean she wore this pretend sultry look on her face all throughout the red carpet

JLo – HOT as ever, a bit overdone (which is why she did not make my “AAH” cut) but you know, that’s J.Lo for you!

Emma Watson - I have to say I REALLY liked her eye makeup. I know! A weird thing to have a liking for, on the red carpet

Emma Watson – I have to say I REALLY liked her eye makeup. I know! A weird observation…

Bringing you now to…

THE AAH’S

Salma Hayek – MY PERSONAL FAVORITE #1!!! G.L.A.M.O.U.R spelled out…

Kate Hudson – My 2nd Favorite look from last night

Kate Beckinsale can wear a shower curtain and she will look flawless!!!

Anna Kendrick - Actually I really like the simplicity and elegance of this floral dress. And the hair and jewels are totally complementing the overall look!

Anna Kendrick – Actually I really like the simplicity and elegance of this floral dress. The hair and jewels are totally complementing the overall look!

Chrissy Teigen – Can I just add that John Legend & Chrissy Teigen make one of the most Handsome couples of Hollywood, like second in line after George & Amal! There you go, I said it!

Which now brings me to…

George and Amal Clooney - Amal, my favorite girl in the world, I know you can use about 100 more pounds as we speak. But you and your man owned it, I mean OWNED IT. I mean I was dying listening to George pay a tribute to you during his speech! *le sigh* umm move aside Brangelina!

George and Amal Alamuddin Clooney – Amal, my favorite girl in the world, I know you can use about 100 more pounds on yourself as we speak. But you and your man owned it, I mean OWNED IT last night! I was dying listening to George pay a tribute to his love for you during his speech! *le sigh* umm Brangelina who?!

Finally,

THE WTF’S

Kerry Washington showed up last night to honor & represent the Amish community

Keira Knightley – Simply, WTF?

Is this one of the characters from The Hobbit??? Oh wait, this is Lena Dunham. Shit, sorry...she's barely recognizable with clothes on...

Is this one of the characters from The Hobbit??? No wait, this is Lena Dunham. Shit…sorry, she’s barely recognizable with clothes on…

Katherine Heigl - My sister thought she wore the dress backwards. On second thought, I think she did!?!@@##$

Katherine Heigl – My sister thought she wore the dress backwards. On second look, I think she really did!?!@@##$

Lana Del Rey - ohmygod She looks like a sad drunk housewife from the 1950s episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Lana Del Rey – ohmigod she looks like a sad drunk housewife from a 1950’s episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Rosamund Pike – I think by mistake she wore the hammock designed by Vera Wang

Sienna Miller, you are my fashion icon but this time, hon, you busted it!

Sienna Miller, you were my fashion icon until right about now. Hon, you blew it!

Just have to add one more to my list:

Jessica Lange - I don't care for her dress but #justsaying she needed to win that award for American Horror Story. She's like my female version of "Windex" #youknowwhatImean

Jessica Lange – I don’t care for her dress but #justsayingit she deserved the award for American Horror Story. She’s like my female version of “Windex” #youknowwhatImean

Okay…So…

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey should sign up to co-host every awards dinner from now on

I’m late on Boyhood

Heard The Affair is the new show to watch!

Did someone just beat Meryl Streep? *whew*

Julianne Moore, how can you not possibly age?

Have to say, Kevin Spacey’s and George Clooney’s speeches were my highlights from last night!

…and Tribute to 2014 still continues!

SNOWPIERCER!

Quite possibly the MOVIE OF THE YEAR!!!

It is sooooo good, you almost wish for it to never end!

The talented South Korean Director Bong Joon-Ho’s cinematic magic may have just landed Chris Evans his most iconic role ever as our futuristic kick-a$$ warrior!!!