Create Your Own ABBA Costumes

By Fred Tellier

Dressing up in costumes is popular with everyone, regardless of age. Young children might want to dress as an animal or ghost for a trick or treat outing. Adults and teens also enjoy costume parties. If you are going to a party in a group, it is a lot of fun to dress up as members of a well-known band. Depending on how many men and women there are in your group and the total number, there are various bands to go for. One great idea is to wear ABBA costumes. You might think it is difficult to get ABBA costumes and go to a fancy dress party as this well-known Swedish band, but it is easier than you might think.

Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus are the male vocal half of ABBA if you plan to go to a party with another guy friend and you are a male. Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstand are the rocking girl couple if you are not able to bring four people to the party.

There are many specialty shops and seamstresses that are willing to make ABBA costumes for you and your friends. If you have money but are low on time, this is the best way to go to find ABBA costumes for you and your group.

However, if time is not an issue, you will find that making your own ABBA costumes is a very rewarding and fun activity. To make your ABBA costumes, you have to know how to make, follow, and sew patterns into clothing. This will represent the type of clothing that ABBA wore. It is also a good idea to find a specific material that matches the bands. You should also measure each person who is going to be dressing up in an ABBA costume so that the costume does not turn out to be too big or too small. ABBA costumes can be quickly thrown together from items that are found in your local stores. You don't have to buy new items that you will never use again. Buying new things is the worst way to make an ABBA costume. It is best to be unique.

Why not check out thrift stores like Goodwill? This will keep your costs low and might lead to some amazing discoveries. Even if you don't find an exact ABBA costume, you might find some old-fashioned clothing which can be adapted. If you can find some suitable bits and pieces, you can buy and wash them then combined them for a great ABBA costume. Alternatively, you might need to dye several piece to make them match, but this is very easy. When you buy items from a thrift store, they are usually only a couple of dollars each. You can feel free to cut them or adjust them to make these items into a complete new costume.

The plain clothes that are worn are very easy to imitate. Sometimes things such as vests and headbands need to be made. The harder costumes are the shiny ones. However, often times there are 70s clothing or disco costume items at thrift shops. It is important to look in different areas rather than just the normal clothing to find what can be made into new clothes. It is also important to look at children's and baby clothes because these things can often be cut and made into new items such as headbands and wrist bands. The colors found there are often the ones that are needed. If not, these things can be dyed or drawn on to make what is needed.

You will need to think about a dye or wig for your hair. ABBA costumes use natural hair colors so a wig might be easier, especially if your hair has been lightened or is porous, meaning a rinse-out dye might not rinse out immediately!

The platform shoes might be the most difficult part of your ABBA costume. You should start your search for ABBA style platform shoes months before the event, if you have that much time to plan. Once you have your ABBA costumes ready, you will definitely have fun and draw lots of admiring glances at the party!

About the Author:

This Oct 31st buy some Halloween costume s that rock. Utilize Abba Costumes for a party of masquerade.

WWE Divas - Entertainment Par Excellence

By Russell M. Stewart

If you refer to a woman as a 'diva', it's the highest compliment you can pay her. It means she's talented, outstanding and praise-worthy. The word 'diva' is derived from the Latin 'divus', translating to 'the divine'. Most famous celebrities are often referred to as divas and as of recent times, so are the lovely women of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

WWE divas are beautiful, sexy and strong - a potent combination. Just to name some, Beth Phoenix, Torrie Wilson, Melina Perez, Maria Kanellis, Victoria and Jillian Hall are some of these lovely ladies, who step into the ring night after night and risk life and limb with some spectacular and physically demanding moves, at the same time managing to look stunning.

But WWE divas did not always put on a show this way. Though they were always lovely, their in-ring action used to be severely limited. They used to act as valets to popular male competitors, accompanying them to the ring and often, giving them some, not strictly legal, but infinitely entertaining, help. Stars like the Heart Break Kid Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage had valets of this sort. The first WWE divas to garner attention as wrestlers were the likes of Trish Stratus, Sensational Sherri Martel, Miss Elizabeth, Sunny, Sable and Terri Runnel. Terri and Trish became celebrated as pro wrestlers in their own right.

Unlike male superstars, the ring life for divas is usually much shorter. The best is acknowledged with the WWE Women's Title. Now, the glamour and strength of the WWE divas is so appealing that every year, the WWE Diva Search attracts thousands of hopeful young ladies.

WWE divas participate in regular wrestling entertainment events, such as Smackdown, Raw, ECW and Pay-Per-View. The wrestling has also taken a more unconventional form, with pudding and gravy bowl matches, lingerie pillow fights and bikini battle royals. These wrestling divas attract many wrestling fans and casual observers, because of their eye-appeal.

The current WWE Raw Women's Championship title is held by Micki James, which was awarded to her on the 14th April 2008.

The Raw, SmackDown and ECW are the main three brands promoted by WWE, which is focused on professional wrestling of every type. Pro wrestling is known to be a simulated sport, a combined art containing athletic wrestling and theatrics. WWE holds great importance in the world's sporting arena and is the largest professional wrestling promoter.

About the Author:

Looking for the latest diva gossip then check out this hip site that gives you the latest on all the top stars including Candice Michelle. The best of all the WWE Diva gossip all in one place. Great site, click on now for the latest gossip.

WWE Divas - Entertainment Par Excellence

By Russell M. Stewart

There cannot be too many compliments that mean more than 'diva'. If a woman is called a diva, she is being called divine, because the root of diva is the Latin 'divus', or divine. It celebrates how talented and outstanding the woman is. Singers, stars, artists are all referred to as divas, and now, so are the beauties of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

WWE divas are beautiful, sexy and strong - a potent combination. Just to name some, Beth Phoenix, Torrie Wilson, Melina Perez, Maria Kanellis, Victoria and Jillian Hall are some of these lovely ladies, who step into the ring night after night and risk life and limb with some spectacular and physically demanding moves, at the same time managing to look stunning.

The early WWE divas were mostly managers, who were given the complimentary title after many years of work. They were the untiring managers who looked after valet-ringside operations for male pro wrestlers such as Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage. The noteworthy early-day divas are Sensational Sherri Martel, Miss Elizabeth, Tammy Lynn Sytch (Sunny), Terri Runnels, Rena Mero (Sable) and Trish Stratus. Terri and Trish first entered professional wrestling as managers and gradually took on the role of wrestlers themselves.

The life of WWE divas have not always been easy. But now, their recognition standards are aptly proven by the WWE Women's Title. These WWE divas have made the sport famous to such an extent that ambitious contestants make their way to the annual WWE Diva Search with hopes of glory.

Now, WWE divas get main billing for their fights and these matches have great drawing power, not the least because of the rather unorthodox nature of these matches. Lingerie pillow fights, bikini battle royals and pudding and gravy bowl matches always attract quite a bit of attention and not just from WWE fans! They participate in regular events such as Smackdown, Raw, ECW and Pay-Per-View.

Mickie James, one of the toughest female wrestlers, is the WWE Raw Women's Champion. She won the championship on the 14th of April, 2008.

The Raw, SmackDown and ECW are the main three brands promoted by WWE, which is focused on professional wrestling of every type. Pro wrestling is known to be a simulated sport, a combined art containing athletic wrestling and theatrics. WWE holds great importance in the world's sporting arena and is the largest professional wrestling promoter.

About the Author:

Looking for up to the minute diva news then check out this hip site that gives you up to the minute on all the top superstars including Candice Michelle. The best of all the WWE Diva news all in one place. Great site, click on now for up to the minute news.

Celebrity's Favorite Bed and Breakfasts Exposed

By Jane Leisteiner

Okay, so you may never get to meet Meryl Streep, Ron Howard, Cybill Shepherd, Larry Csonka, Danny Glover, Meg Ryan, or Captain Kirk (a.k.a. William Shatner) in person. But you can stay at the very same bed and breakfast inns that they stayed at, and have just as good a time as they did!

Maine's restful Inn at Long Lake is a favorite haunt of actress Meryl Streep and her daughters. Located in Naples, Maine, this 1900s-era Victorian B&B inn features graceful veranda appointed with wicker chairs with beautiful views of Long Lake. Once inside, you'll find stained glass windows, period antiques, fresh flowers, and a wonderful collection of old clocks. The Inn at Long Lake has 16 rooms, each decorated with Victorian-themed floral wallpaper and antique furniture. Find out for yourself why Meryl Streep is a repeat visitor!

Just outside of downtown Baltimore, you'll find Grammercy Mansion, a historic Tudor-style gem with 11 lavish guest rooms and suites. Director and Oscar-winner Ron Howard is among the notable guests to have spent the night at this bed and breakfast. The individually decorated rooms range from the sunny Blue Garden room which evokes the feeling of 18th-century France with its antique Louis XIV furnishings and marble fireplace to the extravagant Tudor Room that reminds one of an opulent suite at an English castle. Whatever the choice, guests will feel as pampered as a celebrity with gourmet breakfasts and posh surroundings.

If you crave a little star treatment, pick the bed and breakfast that once pampered actress Cybill Shepherd. The Swann House B&B in Washington, D.C.'s Dupont Circle boasts a dozen stylish guest rooms. Guests are pampered with champagne breakfasts, down pillows and featherbeds. Many rooms include a fireplace or whirlpool bath. The Il Duomo is a perfect spot for a romantic getaway, and the charming Blue Sky Suite is another favorite. The bed and breakfast's location is perfect for those wishing to enjoy all the attractions of the nation's Capitol. The White House is just 12 blocks away, and shops and restaurants are just steps away.

Why not treat the man in your life to a lodge vacation that indulges his passion for fishing, hiking, canoeing or just relaxing and enjoying the natural setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains. NFL Super Bowl Champ Larry Csonka is among the rugged guests at the Bent Creek Lodge in Asheville, North Carolina. The bed and breakfast offers close access to all the outdoor amenties, as well as wide veranda lined with rockers and swings where guests can simply enjoy the view. Several guest rooms include a whirlpool tub. Each morning, guests are treated to a sumptuous full breakfast. For a family retreat, consider renting the adjacent Luhn House, which offers three bedrooms, two full baths, a fireplace, fully-equipped kitchen, laundry facilities and a deck and hot tub.

With its country charm and great food, it's no wonder that guests such as actor Danny Glover feel right at home at the Apple Country Bed and Breakfast in Wenatchee, Washington. From the apple-named guest rooms, such as the Fuji or Golden Delicious, to the plentiful breakfasts, guests will find the cozy bed and breakfast a great place to relax after a day of skiing, biking or hiking. The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival is a popular event each May, and there are several local wineries to visit, as well.

Meg Ryan and William Shatner are among the famous celebrities that have graced the rooms at the Aaron Burr House Inn & Conference Center in New Hope, Pennsylvania. The 1873 inn rests atop the site of a Revolutionary War-era home where Aaron Burr actually hid out after his notorious duel with Alexander Hamilton. Victorian charm abounds in the guest rooms, some of which include antique canopy beds. The guest room walls have been stenciled and hand painted by a local artist.

About the Author:

Even though she's not famous, Jane Leisteiner has visited many B&B inns. For more details on Asheville bed and breakfast inns or Pennsylvania bed and breakfasts, search the iLoveInns website.

Facts About Country Singer Taylor Swift

By E Walker

Her parents are Andrea and Scott Swift. Her brother is Austin Swift. She has written over 200 songs.Her song 'Mary's Song (Oh My, My, My)' was written based on her next door neighbor's relationship. She never actually dated the boy named Cory in her song 'Stay Beautiful'.

Her song 'Tied Together with a Smile' is about one of her best friends, who was absolutely beautiful. All the girls wanted to be her, all the guys wanted to be with her and then Taylor was shocked to find out that she had an eating disorder. Her song 'The Outside' was one of the first song she wrote (she was twelve) and she felt like a complete outcast a school. She wrote the song 'A Place in this World' when she was thirteen and had just moved to Nashville. She said that she knew where she wanted to be she just didn't know how to get there, and through the album, she had found that place.

When Taylor gets bored she likes to conduct random baking experiments in her kitchen. When Taylor is in Tennessee she likes to drive by her ex boyfriends houses.

Taylor's Favorite Things

Color: White. I know, boring (but, now, think a flowing white cotton skirt blowing in the wind) Food: Cheesecake - yum. Holiday: Christmas Hobby: Driving FAST. Place: Anyplace around a creek. Season: Summer Thing to do: Write songs Thing to write about: LOVE of course! Guitar: Taylor Guitars Artists: Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw Song: "Can't Tell Me Nothin'" by Tim McGraw Quality in other people : Honesty and sarcasm Movie: "Love Actually"

Taylor Swift was nominated in the Best New Artist category at the 50th Grammy Awards. Unfortunately, she lost to Amy Winehouse. In 2007 Taylor Swift toured with Brad Paisley. In 2007 she won CMT's "Breakthrough Video of the Year" for her video "Tim McGraw" and was nominated for ACM's "Top New Female Vocalist".

About the Author:

E Walker is the founder of Planet of Rock. Listen to country guitar backing tracks and jam with a real country band. Planet of Rock is one of the best country guitar sites offering professional country backing tracks.

A Short History Of Country Group Dixie Chicks

By E Walker

The Dixie Chicks are a country/rock music trio from the United States comprising Emily Robison, Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines. They are the highest-selling female band in any musical genre, having sold 36 million albums as of June 2006.

The Dixie Chicks was founded by the sisters Martie and Emily Erwin along with Laura Lynch and Robin Lynn Macy. The Erwin sisters have since married and changed their names to Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, respectively. The Erwin sisters provided the instrumental firepower for the band while Lynch and Macy were the lead singers. All four original members of the Dixie Chicks graduated from Greenhill School in Addison, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.

Robin Lynn Macy left in late 1992, for a "purer" bluegrass approach, and remained active in the Dallas music scene.

Laura Lynch was replaced in late 1995 by Natalie Maines, the daughter of producer, steel guitar player, and former Chicks' session player Lloyd Maines. Around the same time, Sony scouted the Chicks and signed them to the newly revived Monument Records label."Wide Open Spaces" (1998), is the first album released after the original lead vocalist Laura Lynch was replaced by Natalie Maines, the album was the biggest commercial success and sold 12 million copies in U.S.

The Chicks also delivered gleeful revenge epics such as "Goodbye Earl," the tale of a woman who murders her abusive husband and gets away with it, or raucous, ribald numbers such as "Sin Wagon," a concert staple rave-up. Both of these tracks contained thematic elements that led to some radio stations removing the Chicks from their playlists, but the group was consistently unapologetic.

The Dixie Chicks became involved in a dispute with their record label regarding royalties and accounting procedures. After the trio quit in disgust, Sony sued the group for failure to complete their contract. The group countersued.

After the two parties reconciled their differences, Home, independently produced by Lloyd Maines, was released in 2002. For tracks not written by the group, outside songwriters were solicited for personal songs that were considered "uncommercial". Unlike the Chicks' two previous records, Home was recorded without drums and is dominated by very up-tempo bluegrass and pensive ballads. In addition, the lyrics of the opening track and first single, "Long Time Gone," explicitly attacked contemporary country music radio, accusing it of ignoring the soul of the genre as exemplified by Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams.

Maines' remark sparked intense criticism; many Americans believed that she should not criticize George Bush. Maines insists, however, "I said it there 'cause that's where I was."

By the time of the Dixie Chicks' August 3 Atlanta show, Maines remarked that they had not heard any boos for a couple of shows; some were heard that night, but the Chicks felt that it was okay, as they supported freedom of speech.

In a September 2003 interview, Maguire told the German magazine Der Spiegel: "We don't feel a part of the country scene any longer, it can't be our home anymore." She noted a lack of support from country stars, and being shunned at the 2003 ACM awards. "Instead, we won three Grammys against much stronger competition. So we now consider ourselves part of the big rock 'n' roll family." However, in an open letter to fans on the Chicks' website, Maines said Maguire had been misquoted.

In June 2006 an article in the Telegraph quoted Emily Robison on the lack of support from other country music performers, "A lot of artists cashed in on being against what we said or what we stood for because that was promoting their career, which was a horrible thing to do." Robison continued, "A lot of pandering started going on, and you'd see soldiers and the American flag in every video. It became a sickening display of ultra-patriotism." Maines commented, "The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism. Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country ... I don't see why people care about patriotism."Wikinews has related news:Dixie Chicks show documentary at TIFF

The group's Accidents & Accusations Tour began in July 2006. Ticket sales were strong in Canada and in some Northeastern markets, but notably weak in other areas. A number of shows were cancelled or relocated to smaller venues due to poor sales, and in Houston, Texas, tickets never even went on sale when local radio stations refused to accept advertising for the event. In August, a re-routed tour schedule was announced with a greater emphasis on Canadian dates, where Taking the Long Way had gone five-times-platinum. The tour's shows themselves generally refrained from any explicit verbal political comments, letting the music, especially the central performance of Not Ready to Make Nice, speak for itself. At a Nov. 5, 2006 concert in Calgary, Alberta the Chicks received a thunderous ovation when the song was over, and the band held up a handwritten sign from a fan that read "Nobody likes a nasty Bush."

The music video for "Not Ready to Make Nice" was nominated for the 2007 CMT Music Video Awards in the categories of "Video of the Year" and "Group Video of the Year," however, the video did not win in its nominated categories.

About the Author:

Are you a country music lover? Download i hope you dance karaoke backing tracks at Planet of Rock. Get the custom recorded country backing tracks at Planet of Rock. 100% Professional, 200% Awesome.