Wanderlust and Lipstick » World Music

WanderGear Wednesday: chicBuds PLUS Win a pair!

Beth Whitman - Wanderluster — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:00:26 +0000

Yes, you CAN win a pair of these cool earbuds for yourself! Read my review first and I’ll then tell ya how.

When I received an email from the gals at chicBuds asking me to review their earbuds, I thought… really? A review for a pair of earbuds? I dunno…

But then I took a look at these very cool headphones and got pretty excited.

Their big selling point is that they have a retractable cord. I can’t tell you the number of times that I nearly or actually have pulled my headphones out of my ears because they’ve gotten caught on a piece of equipment at the gym or on the lawnmower. With the ability to lengthen or shorten the chicBuds, I no longer have to worry about nearly ripping my ear off. They also come with a little clip so you can attach it to your belt or shirt so the little amount of slack isn’t swinging around.

Plus they are totally CHIC, by the way. Each chicBud is adorned with about 85 Swarovski crystals. The unit itself comes in either black or white with your choice of 5 different crystal colors: watermelon, grape, blueberry, marshmallow or sour apple.

The adaptor that gets plugged into my (new) Zune fits snuggly enough that it doesn’t easily pop out (didn’t you ever have a pair that came out when you just gently tugged on it?).

The one downside to having the retractable cord is that if you don’t clip the cord holder onto something, your belt or shirt for example, then it ends up weighing just a bit heavily on your ears. Easily avoidable, however, so I can’t complain.

Be sure to read the instructions on how to retract the cord, otherwise you end up with a tangled mess (not that I did that) but I can see how it would easily happen

The Contest!
OK – so you’re wondering how you can get a pair for yourself??

Four Ways

You might recall that last month I ran a contest and gave away a Zune. I had people send me their playlists for favorite travel tunes. I got some great responses. But, by far, the best part was receiving discs in the mail. I returned the favor and sent a disc with 21 of my favorite travel-related tunes out to anyone who sent me theirs.

So, the first way you can win is if you send me a disc of YOUR favorite travel tunes (and I’ll reciprocate, of course) and make sure that it’s postmarked by April 30th. I’m the judge so you’ll have to impress me with your originality and sense of humor. Send discs to: Beth Whitman, PO Box 16102, Seattle, WA 98116. And, remember, you’ll get one in return!

Three more ways:
Sign up for my newsletter (that’s 2) or subscribe to my blog through an RSS feed (that’s 3) or by adding your email address (that’s 4) to the right column… right… over… there >>>>

Yup, this is a totally shameless way to encourage you to become a dedicated Wanderluster. I don’t spam. I don’t share emails. And your money back if you’re not completely satisfied (that was a joke – it’s FREE).

Every new newsletter and RSS subscriber during the month of April will be eligible to win and will be chosen at random. Already a subscriber? Tell your friends! Don’t you want good things to come their way?

Try to win the chicBuds all ways. You might win two pairs.

Travel Well!

Beth

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Contest Winners! Intrepid and Zune

Beth Whitman - Wanderluster — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:06:51 +0000

In my newsletter a few days ago, I announced the winners of both the Intrepid Travel and the Zune Tunes Contests. Didn’t get the memo? Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll be the first to know next time

On to the meat and potatoes.

The Intrepid Travel contest drew hundreds of entries from around the globe. The 6 judges had a lot of really wonderful stories from which to choose, making their job very difficult.

Grand Prize Winner of a 15-day trip in South America with Intrepid Travel:

Jann Huizenga for Ylli’s Gifts

Way to go, Jann!

8 Best in Category winners will receive either a bag from Timbuk2 or a SteriPEN water purifier

Women’s Travel: Shelley Seale for Lost and Found

Spiritual: Charlotte Chester for Memento Mori

Solo Travel: Antonio Sanchez for Anatomy of a Bribe

Wit & Wander: Alexis Wolff for Commiserating with Camels

Adventure: Tom Czaban for Shangri-La

Local Culture: Vicki Flier Hudson for The Calcutta Railway Riot

Food & Drink: Kay Vail-Hayden for Check, Please

Family Fun: Mara Gorman for Riding the 341

A very special thanks to the judges who helped make this such a success!

Read how the winners were chosen.

*****

Now for the Zune contest!

At the beginning of February, I asked folks to send me their travel playlists. It was limited to 10 songs and they got bonus points if they sent me a disc (or as one gal did, she sent me a digital playlist). I reciprocated.

I received about two dozen pretty awesome lists. Of those, I chose Deborah M.’s as the winner. Here’s her list that won her an 8GB Zune! I chose this one for it’s mix of familiar and (new to me) world music. Plus, all the artists are ladies!

1. Can’t Let Go – Lucinda Williams
2. Quiet – Sheila Chandra
3. A Nighean Nan Geug Taladh – Catherine Ann MacPhee
4. Yemma – Souad Massi Koka
5. Nose Ring – Kiran Ahluwalia
6. Red Dirt Girl – Emmy Lou Harris
7. Mi Corozon mi Recuerda – Lila Downs
8. Mango Pickle Down River – M.I.A.
9. Szeress Egyet – S. Legyen Szep
10. Love Just One – Marta Sebastyen

And here are a few more of the lists:

Scott’s List
1. Show Me The River , Eastmountainsouth
2. Mexico, James Taylor
3. Route 66, Natalie Cole
4. Willin’ , Linda Ronstadt
5. Gravity, Alison Krauss/Union Station
6. Across the Great Divide, Frank Solvan II
7. Over the Rainbow, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
8. Fields of Gold, Eva Cassidy
9. If I had a Boat, Lyle Lovett
10. Bless the Broken Road, Rascall Flatts

Mo’s List
1) Nothin’ But a Good Time, Poison
2) Jump on it!, Sir-mix-alot
3) Wide Open Spaces, Dixie Chicks
4) Here I go Again on my Owm, Whitesnake
5) Danger Zone, Kenny Loggins
6) Highway to Hell, AC/Dc
7) Take it Easy, Eagles
Keg in the Closet, Kenny Chesney
9) Jack & Diane, John Cougar Mellencamp
10) Bennie and the Jetts, Elton John

Linda (I especially like Minnemom‘s originality in picking kid tunes!)
1. On the Road Again, Veggie Tales
2. Over the River and Through the Woods, Baby Einstein
3. Wheels on the Bus, The Baby Loves Jazz Band
4. Bicycle Built for Two, Cedarmont Kids
5. The Bullet Train, Choo Choo Soul
6. A Whole New World, Aladdin Sountrack
7. What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong
8. Alphabet of Nations, They Might Be Giants
9. So Long, Farewell, Sound of Music Soundtrack
10. Happy Trails, The Nickel Creek Band

I’ve got my special list all burned and ready to send to YOU. If you want to swap discs, send yours to: PO Box 16102, Seattle, WA 98116. Seriously – I love music swaps. Help feed my addiction!

Travel Well and thanks for everyone’s participation!

Beth

Read my travel blog on at the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

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Shuffle – On the iPod: Chiwoniso

Beth Whitman - Wanderluster — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:43:00 +0000

Gotta love an album named Rebel Woman.

This is the latest release from Zimbabwean artist, Chiwoniso. As a resident of Harare, a city which is often in the news for its unrest, she sings about the every day struggles that she witnesses. At least that’s what I’ve read. Most of the CD is not sung in English, but if she is indeed singing of poverty and political unrest, you wouldn’t know it from her uplifting tunes.

In the vein of Angelique Kidjo, Chiwoniso sings powerfully and full of energy on this work that was recorded in Zimbabwe, South Africa, England and Vermont. Her voice is crisp and the complicated African rhythms complement rather than overshadow her voice and words.

In additon to her beautiful voice, the mbira is used as a centerpiece throughout the CD. The mbira is made of metal tines attached to a board. It’s plucked and pinged and mingles really nicely with the bass, guitar, bells, drums and hand clapping.

Chiwoniso was actually born in Olympia, a stone’s throw from my own home of Seattle. But her family moved back to Zimbabwe in 1990 and it was then that she became a local star on the music scene. She regularly tours throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Though this is NOT from Rebel Woman, here’s a video highlighting some of her performances.

Rebel Woman

Travel Well!

Beth

Read my travel blog on at the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

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Travel Tunes for a Zune

Beth Whitman - Wanderluster — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:57:25 +0000

I love a good distraction. And nothing will distract me more quickly than excellent music.

A couple of weeks ago I launched a contest. I’m giving away an 8GB Zune to one lucky person who sends me their top travel tunes. The only parameters are that you’re limited to 10 songs and I just need the name of the song and the artist.

I’ve been receiving some great responses.

To up the anti, I said I’d give bonus points for anyone who sends me a CD of said tunes and I’ll reciprocate with my own.

Oh JOY!

While I was traveling last week, my PO box filled up with CDs from Alaska, California, Michigan and Minnesota.

Here’s a sample of some of the lists that have come through so far:

Valerie’s list
1. I’ll Fly Away – Kanye West
2. Been Around the World – Lisa Stanfield
3. Baggage – Mary J. Blige
4. 2 Steps Away – Patti LaBelle
5. Someday We Will Be Together – Diana Ross and the Supremes
6. Shut up and Drive – Rhianna
7. Never Can Say Goodbye – Michael Jackson
8. Distant Lover – Marvin Gaye
9. Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder
10. Little Red Corvette – Prince

Deborah’s List
1. Can’t Let Go – Lucinda Williams
2. Quiet – Sheila Chandra
3. A Nighean Nan Geug Taladh – Catherine Ann MacPhee
4. Yemma – Souad Massi Koka
5. Nose Ring – Kiran Ahluwalia
6. Red Dirt Girl – Emmy Lou Harris
7. Mi Corozon mi Recuerda – Lila Downs
8. Mango Pickle Down River – M.I.A.
9. Szeress Egyet – S. Legyen Szep
10. Love Just One – Marta Sebastyen

Shrinidhi’s List:
1. Sweet Home Alabama -Lynyrd Skynyrd
2. Where the Streets Have No Name – U2
3. The Long and Winding Road -Beatles
4. Leaving on a Jet Plane -John Denver
5. Desert Rose – Sting
6. The Road To Mandalay – Robbie Williams
7. Ooh Baby La La – Margie Perez
8. Layla – Eric Clapton
9. Take it Easy – Eagles
10. Chiquitita – ABBA

Michele’s List:
1. Hotel California – The Eagles
2. Walking Man – James Taylor
3. Far From Home – Earl Klugh
4. Uncle John’s Band – Grateful Dead
5. Leaving Las Vegas – Sheryl Crow
6. Ventura Highway – America
7. Night Ride Home – Joni Mitchell
8. Travelin’ Light – Billie Holiday
9. Heaven When We’re Home – The Wailin’ Jennys
10. Ticket to Ride – Beatles

Think you can do better? Send me your 10 songs and, if you’re so inclined, a CD (not required!), and you’ll be entered to win the 8 GB Zune. Judging is solely at my biased discretion Email: beth (at) wanderlustandlipstick (dot) com

Deadline is February 28th.

CDs to:

PO Box 16102
Seattle, WA 98116

Travel Well,

Beth

Photo/notes: ceciliawong718

Read my travel blog on at the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

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Send Me Your Travel Playlist – Win a Zune!

Beth Whitman - Wanderluster — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:46:43 +0000

OK – time to have a little fun.

You’ve probably already deduced from my world music reviews that I’m a huge music fanatic. A little known fact is that I used to be a DJ. Yup. Spinnin’ tunes in NJ. $6/hour playing the same top 40 songs over and over wasn’t quite stimulating enough for me, however. I chose, instead, to follow my other love, travel. I might still be making $6/hour but there’s always something new and exciting in my world now!

While I do have an iPod (I’m a bit of a frustrated user), now I’m checking out the Zune. The nice folks over at Microsoft have provided me with a 120G version. I’m really excited to watch video on this. I have some language learning DVDs from Penton Overseas that I’ve been dying to try out but they don’t work on my iPod. (Full review of the Zune to come later.)

In addition to my review unit, I’ve got an 8G Zune (in red, for Valentine’s month, of course) to give away! So, to make this interesting… I want to hear from you. What is it that you listen to when you’re on the road? Are you a Travelin’ Prayer person? Are you a Long and Winding Road kinda person? Or are you steeped in Chinese Bamboo Flute Music?

Send me your top 10 (and no more) songs that make up your ideal travel playlist. Be creative. Be unique. Be honest (Come on, I know you want to inclue Leaving on Jet Plane!).

Here’s the skinny:

Submit your list of 10 songs and include both the song and the artist
Must be received by February 28th, 2009
Use the contact form below or email me at: beth (at) wanderlustandlipstick (dot) com
Winner will be notified in early March
Contest will be solely judged by Beth based on her completely biased view of the world.

Travel Well,

Beth

Read my travel blog on at the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

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