Top Picks: Everyday Genius's life hacks, Andrew Combs' album 'All These Dreams,' and more
Australian scientist and mom Sonia Singh 'make-unders' Bratz dolls with a more innocent look, 'The Sound of Music' gets a 50th anniversary edition DVD and Blu-ray, and more top picks.
Tree Change Dolls
Nashville charmer
While most of country music seems to be getting edgier and rockier, one artist is slowing things down. Andrew Combs brings more “wist” than grist to All These Dreams, a collection of new songs by a strikingly original singer/songwriter, both in sound and approach. The opening track, “Rainy Day Song,” will doubtless charm you, and “Foolin,’ ” the album’s infectious first single, will surely seal the deal.
Life hacks
Want a better way to peel a hard-boiled egg or clean a dirty pan? The video series Everyday Genius tests lots of different supposed solutions in search of the best. Host (and former “MythBusters” star) Kari Byron keeps the episodes short and punchy. Find your favorite life hack at American Express’s YouTube channel: www.bit.ly/everydaygenius.
Radical make-unders
Australian scientist and mom Sonia Singh started a hobby at home: repainting secondhand Bratz dolls with more innocent expressions and dressing them in modest clothes. After she created a Tumblr page featuring the dolls playing in the garden, the photos went viral. Check out a video on how she remakes the dolls at http://bit.ly/RemadeDolls or visit treechangedolls.tumblr.com.
Novice bakers
When watching popular baking-show contestants produce delectable desserts it’s hard to not want a big bite of each one. The next best thing is learning how to bake these desserts yourself. Food writer Jane Hornby’s What to Bake & How to Bake It is just the ticket to get started. It features 50 classic desserts, from cookies to muffins to cakes to pies, with multiple photos illustrating each step toward sweet nirvana.
Still a favorite at 50
The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews as the governess to the family of Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) in 1930s Austria, continues to win hearts. To mark the movie’s 50th anniversary a new DVD and Blu-ray version will be released March 10. It also features a short documentary of Andrews returning to Salzburg for a visit. Did you miss Lady Gaga’s stunning medley of the movie’s greatest hits at the Oscars? Check it out at http://bit.ly/OscarsLadyGaga.