Friday, July 12, 2013

Music Friday: Traveling Wilburys Sing About How Tomorrow May Bring a Diamond Ring in 1989’s ‘End of the Line’

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you fantastic songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today we feature 1989’s “End of the Line” by the Traveling Wilburys, a supergroup comprised of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty, with Jim Keltner on the drums.

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The upbeat song about how everything will be all right in the end includes a key gemstone reference: “Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring, maybe a diamond ring.”

Characterized by its riding-on-the-rails rhythm, “End of the Line” features all of the Wilburys (except for Dylan) on lead vocals. Harrison, Lynne and Orbison take turns singing the chorus, while Petty sings the verses.

The official music video for “End of the Line” was shot in December 1988, just weeks after the death of Orbison. All the Wilburys are seen jamming in what seems to be an old train car, with Orbison represented by a guitar sitting in a rocking chair.

The supergroup’s unusual name is credited to Harrison, who used “wilbury” as a slang term to describe recording errors caused by faulty equipment. Harrison had recommended “The Trembling Wilburys” as the group’s name, but Lynne came up with “Traveling Wilburys,” and the rest is history.

We hope you enjoy the official video for “End of the Line.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along.

“End of the Line”
Written and performed by the Traveling Wilburys.

(Chorus 1)
Well it's all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it's all right, if you live the life you please
Well it's all right, doing the best you can
Well it's all right, as long as you lend a hand

You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring
Waiting for someone to tell you everything
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring
Maybe a diamond ring

(Chorus 2)
Well it's all right, even if they say you're wrong
Well it's all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well it's all right, As long as you got somewhere to lay
Well it's all right, everyday is Judgement Day

Maybe somewhere down the road aways
You'll think of me, and wonder where I am these days
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays
Purple haze

(Chorus 3)
Well it's all right, even when push comes to shove
Well it's all right, if you got someone to love
Well it's all right, everything'll work out fine
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line

Don't have to be ashamed of the car I drive
I'm just glad to be here, happy to be alive
It don't matter if you're by my side
I'm satisfied

(Chorus 4)
Well it's all right, even if you're old and grey
Well it's all right, you still got something to say
Well it's all right, remember to live and let live
Well it's all right, the best you can do is forgive

(Chorus 5)
Well it's all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it's all right, if you live the life you please
Well it's all right, even if the sun don't shine
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Hey, Prospective Dads! Here’s What You Need to Know About the Growing Popularity of ‘Push Presents’

OK, so you're going to be a first-time father and you're hearing some chatter about a Royal baby and whether Prince William will be surprising his beloved Kate with a “push present.” And now you're asking yourself, "What's a push present?" Never fear. Here's what you need to know…

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Also known as “push gifts” or “baby bauble,” a push present is a gift (often jewelry) that a new father gives a new mother when she delivers their child. The gift is a way of thanking his wife for the hard work of carrying the child for nine months and for “pushing” through the pain of bringing a new life into this world. (And, yes, women who have C-sections qualify.)

The growing popularity of push presents is partly attributed to the media coverage of celebrities receiving them.

• Just last month, Kanye West made headlines when he gave Kim Kardashian a $770,000 tiger-stripe diamond ring just after their daughter, North West, was born.

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• BeyoncĂ© received a highly publicized push present when she gave birth to Blue Ivy Carter in January 2012. Jay-Z surprised his wife with an 8+ carat electric blue tanzanite ring, estimated at $35,000.

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• In March 2011, celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe rocked the tabloids when she received a 10-carat cushion-cut diamond ring from husband Roger Berman upon the birth of their son, Skyler. The ring reportedly cost him $300,000.

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• And when Jennifer Lopez gave birth to twins Emme and Maximilian in February 2008, then-husband Marc Anthony gave her a $300,000 8-carat canary diamond ring and a $2.5 million set of matching earrings.

Are push presents strictly for the rich and famous? Absolutely not!

A recent survey by BabyCenter.com of more than 30,000 respondents found that 38 percent of new moms received a push present and 55 percent of pregnant women wanted one. About 40 percent of both groups said the baby itself was present enough and did not wish an additional reward.

“It’s more and more an expectation of moms these days that they deserve something for bearing the burden for nine months, getting sick, ruining their body,” said Linda Murray, global editor-in-chief of BabyCenter.com. “The guilt really gets piled on.”

What’s the perfect push present? In a ParentsMagazine.com column titled “10 Amazing Push Gifts,” seven of the 10 recommended items were jewelry related. The other three were not as exciting: large screen TV, stationery and a family vacation.

We recommend diamond jewelry because "diamonds are forever" and because they are the ultimate symbol of love and romance. A diamond heart pendant, diamond stud earrings, diamond bracelet or diamond solitaire ring are just a few choices she will adore.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Bejeweled Naomi Watts Channels the Ultra-Fashionable ‘People’s Princess’ in the Upcoming Biopic, ‘Diana’

Actress Naomi Watts channels the ultra-fashionable “People’s Princess” while donning a stunning array of elegant fine jewelry in the upcoming biopic, Diana. The movie, which hits theaters in September, explores the last two years in the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, one of the 20th century's most beloved public figures.

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Among the iconic jewelry items worn by Watts in the lead role — and recreated for the film by Swiss luxury brand, Chopard — are Diana’s signature earrings that matched the look of her memorable blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring. Diana’s oldest son, Prince William, famously used the same ring to propose to Kate Middleton.

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Known the world over for her elegance, grace, sense of style and affection for fine jewelry, Princess Diana was credited in the 1980s with single-handedly reviving Britain’s fashion industry. The new screenplay about her life captures the late Princess of Wales' extraordinary taste level by including a giant dose of haute jewelry.

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Chopard co-president and artistic director Caroline Scheufele worked closely with costume designer Julian Day to re-create the late princess' jewelry, watches and handbags, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Other fabulous jewelry in the final cut of the movie include a triple-strand necklace made up of 92 diamonds, a necklace set with cushion-cut and pear-shaped diamonds, Tahitian pearl dangle earrings encircled in a swirl of diamonds, and a diamond-encrusted watch with petite blue hands.

Tuesday, July 09, 2013

Were Copper Toe Rings a Male Fashion Statement in Egypt 3,300 Years Ago?

Archaeologists have evidence that men in ancient Egypt wore copper alloy toe rings more than 3,300 years ago. What is still a mystery, however, is whether the rings were worn as fashion statements or magical healing devices.

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In a study published in the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, members of the Amarna Project reported the discovery of two Egyptian skeletons, each adorned with a toe ring made of copper alloy. This was the first time archaeologists had ever seen toe rings of that material linked to ancient Egyptians.

The archaeologists believe the toe rings were likely worn while the individuals were still alive, but the purpose of the rings is the subject of a hot debate.

Although it’s possible that the toe rings were simply used for body adornment, the condition of one of the skeletons points to another conclusion.

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One skeleton had suffered a fractured foot and broken left femur, which led some researchers to surmise that the toe ring on the damaged left foot may have been worn to heal the injuries.

“The act of binding or encircling was a powerful magical device in ancient Egypt, and a metal ring, which can be looped around something, lends itself well to this kind of action," Anna Stevens, the assistant director of the Amarna Project, told LiveScience.com.

Supporting the claim that the toe ring was a fashion statement is the second skeleton that had no visible injuries. Stevens noted that this individual has yet to be studied in depth by bio-archaeologists and its sex is unknown.

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The Amarma Project team unearthed the skeletons in a cemetery just south of the ancient city of Akhetaten, which was a short-lived Egyptian capital built by Pharaoh Akhetaten, the presumed father of the famous Tutankhamun (King Tut).

More information on the Amarna Project can be found at www.amarnaproject.com.

Monday, July 08, 2013

British Babies Born the Same Day as Kate and William’s Royal Tot Will Get a ‘Lucky’ Silver Penny

Babies born on the same day as Kate Middleton and Prince William’s eagerly awaited bundle of joy will be sent a “lucky” silver penny to celebrate the arrival of the future heir to the British throne. The due date of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first child is this Thursday.

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According to a time-honored tradition, crossing the palm of newborn babies with silver is a way of wishing them health, wealth and luck.

Each day, about 2,000 babies are born in the United Kingdom, so the Royal Mint has prepared 2,013 coins that may be redeemed for free at the Mint’s Facebook page.

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Parents of babies sharing the royal birthday must provide a copy of their own baby’s birth certificate to qualify. Each coin is worth £28, or $48.63. Us Weekly reported that the royal baby will receive one, as well.

The special commemorative coin, which will be presented in a pink or blue pouch, is stamped with the year 2013 and features a shield of the Royal Arms. On the reverse side is the image of Queen Elizabeth.

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An accompanying teddy bear card in pink or blue will read: “Solid sterling silver good luck penny struck for your baby boy/girl.”

The 2013 lucky silver penny is available to the general public for £28 at www.royalmint.com.