Tunes, Trends & TV.

Here’s what’s currently got me buzzing:

1) Marina and the Diamonds – Electra Heart

Ahead of the release of her sophomore album Electra Heart, Marina and the Diamonds have filmed some of the upcoming tracks acoustically. Not only are these videos aesthetically stunning – vintage,  girly and campy – Marina’s honest lyrics and unique vocals are even more powerful and vulnerable with these stripped down performances. Her voice may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but she’s a pop powerhouse with a smart and sassy style. I can’t get enough of the tracks “Lies” and “Starring Role.” Check them out below:

2)  Mint green jeans

I’ve been obsessing over them on various social media platforms for what seems like ages and I’ve finally found them! I picked up these GUESS beauties recently and I love them!

3) Game of Thrones

I got caught up on the entire series in a week. I’m not sure if that’s an accomplishment to be proud of or not…but it’s an obsession. Based on the mega best-selling novels by George R. R. Martin, Game of Thrones is a fantasy medieval drama full of scheming families, action (on the battlefield and in the bedroom – this is HBO we’re talking about), dragons and much more. I haven’t read the novels and am admittedly not a big follower of the genre, the show is a great source of addictive entertainment and has some of the most kick-ass female characters on tv right now. I highly recommend you check it out – be warned though, it’s not child’s play – beheadings are the norm in these lands!

I could include a trailer to get you enticed…but it’s my blog and I feel like having a GIF of  Jon Snow (played by Kit Harington) on it

What’s striking your fancy right now?

Spring Things.

Spring is here – or at least it was, albeit briefly. The warm weather will return, but that brief tease gave me spring fever. I’m itching for pretty, breezy clothes, bright nails, and cool drinks.

Well, I got started on the cool drinks….

Current Obsession: The Hunger Games

Whoops. So I’ve been busy with other things and the good ol’ blog has been neglected.

Well I’m back to and I’ve been obsessed The Hunger Games. This one lives up to the hype, I swear! I had heard good things about the series for awhile, but wasn’t sure what it was all about. After seeing the trailer for the upcoming movie, I was intrigued. I picked up a copy at Christmas and was hooked. Luckily, while early into the first book I picked up the second one as well. The series is so addictive you won’t want to wait between books!

The series takes place in the future, where districts are punished for past rebellion by having the Hunger Games take place each year. The Games involve two youth from each District to fight to the death on live television. When the protagonist Katniss Everdeen’s younger sister is chosen as a Tribute for District 12, she volunteers to take her place. The books are of the YA genre, and are certainly a quick read, but trust me this is no Twilight. The series is dark and complex, and the lead character is strong. Survival, family and political revolution are themes that take center stage in Suzanne Collin’s series.

The countdown is on for the March 23^rd release of the movie. I highly suggest you get your hands on a copy of the first book before then!

I’ve written about the fashion and beauty elements of the movie on FASHIONOTES.com.

The T Bone Burnett produced soundtrack is also set to be awesome, with songs from Taylor Swift, The Civil Wars, Arcade Fire, Glen Hansard and more set to appear. I adore the Taylor Swift/The Civil Wars duet-a perfect combination in my opinion. Check out the movie trailer and music video for the collaboration below!

May the odds be ever in your favour

L  xoxo.

City of Wonder: Bloor-Yorkville and Beyond

I’ve spent a lot of time in Yorkville the past two months and have enjoyed the array of food and shopping (even if means crazing rather than actually purchasing!).  I’ve tried several new restaurants (which is always an adventure for me), become addicted to Whole Foods, and seen so much more of what Toronto has to offer. Oh, and of course drooled over the fabulous shopping which doesn’t quite fit into my budget!

Here are some of my favourite things I’ve encountered in this area recently:

 

 

 

 

Hemmingway’s

I wouldn’t have thought this New Zealand-themed restaurant/bar would include gluten-free crusts for their pizza (especially on their snack menu), but it did and it’s delicious! I had their Mediterranean pizza and it cured my long time craving for good and non-cardboard textured pizza crusts! With a great rooftop patio in a great area, I definitely want to visit again in the summer heat!

 

 

 

Whole Foods

Well I’ve enjoyed other health food stores in Toronto that have provided me with more gluten-free options, but Whole Foods is a whole other experience! I love having so many different fresh and healthy options to pick up for a delicious, quick lunch. The array of food options for a gluten-free gal like myself are endless. It also is inspiring my cooking repertoire, which in all honestly is in need of expansion! As a former small town girl, I do not take having all these food options for granted.

 

The Papery

I spent way too much time in the Yorkville location of The Papery trying not to purchase all the adorable stationary, notebooks, pictures and decorative items in sight! I still like to send birthday cards, there’s nothing like getting actual mail that isn’t junk or from the National Student Loans Service. There’s something inspiring about all the organizational potential when being surrounded by journals and address books, even when things aren’t quite that organized at home!

 

Anthropologie

So much pretty. So not in my budget right now.

This aptly named Excursion Tote would be perfect for Toronto Summer adventures!

 

L.

 

Summer Reads

There’s nothing like having a relaxing day with no worries or to do lists weighing your mind down and being able to lay out with a great read and a great drink. I grew up an avid reader, but university life often left me too busy to concentrate on reading for fun during the year. Summer has been the time to scour bookstores and libraries for the latest reads to spend some spare time with. Two of my favourite authors have new novels out which I recently scooped up:

Bumped by Megan McCafferty-Author of my all-time favourite Jessica Darling series, McCafferty is back with a YA novel that’s a departure from her previous novels. Bumped focuses on recently reunited twin sisters who are growing up in a time where those out of their teens can’t conceive and teen pregnancy has become a commodity.

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen-Another of my all-time favourite authors, Sarah Dessen is back with a novel about a teen girl moving from town to town with her father after her parents divorce.

 

I also have been compiling a list of reads for those lazy summer days, from breezy beach reads, compelling fiction, memoirs and more. What’s on your summer reading list?

1)      SPOILED by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

2)      Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

3)       Normal Gets You Nowhere-Kelly Cutrone

4)      When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman

5)      Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

6)      The Glass Castle- Jeanette Walls

7)      Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me-Chelsea Handler

8)      Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe

9)      I’m Over All That-Shirley Maclaine

10)   The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis

 

Happy Reading!

 

L.

 

Let’s Go Surfing

Okay, that’s it. Rain you need to go away! I want sunshine & patios! I’m reuniting with my awesome CC+PR classmates for my first Jay‘s game of the season (and my second game ever!), and a little sunshine and warmth would make it spectacular.

The Drums are the perfect band to listen to a beautiful summer day at the beach, let hope we have one of those soon!

Weekend Wrap-Up

As this much needed long weekend comes to a close, it’s time to finally recap some things catching my fancy lately. Weekends are never long enough, even extended ones, as I always end up finding other things to occupy my time rather than my to-do list. Here are five current faves of mine:

5. Stripes & Spring Clothes

My recent shopping outings and a few days of warm weather sent me into a spring fever. Then Mother Nature remembered this is Canada and this is February, and now I will have to deal with the reality of winter for a bit longer before I can break out the new spring dress I got from AE this weekend. Luckily I picked up a bunch of lovely striped long sleeve sweaters from Forever 21 recently.

4. Moleskine Notebooks

I have been pining after a real Moleskine notebook for awhile, trying to rationalize spending that extra cash on a notebook.  My mother couldn’t understand the appeal, refusing to get me one for Christmas. But I got an IPod Touch, so I’m not complaining. I finally picked up one recently since I could not resist the appeal and story behind these pages. Moleskine’s tagline is “Culture, imagination, memory, travel, personal identity.”

“Moleskine® was created as a brand in 1997, bringing back to life the legendary notebook used by artists and thinkers over the past two centuries: among them Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Bruce Chatwin. A trusted and handy travel companion, the nameless black notebook held invaluable sketches, notes, stories, and ideas that would one day become famous paintings or the pages of beloved book.”

Here’s to inspiration!

3. Room by Emma Donoghue

Room was on my “must read” list over Christmas but I didn’t get my hands on a copy until a few weeks ago. I cracked it open this week and was immediately intrigued but the craziness of this week left me with little time to read. I want some uninterrupted time with this one, so I am saving it Reading Week!

2. The Civil Wars

I have become absolutely obsessed with this singer-songwriter duo recently. They are gaining a lot of much deserved attention and press lately over their album Barton Hollow. Their song Poison & Wine has been featured on Grey’s Anatomy. I highly recommend you check The Civil Wars out, their vocals are amazing.

1. Adele

I have tickets to see Adele May 18^th at Kool Haus in Toronto. Do I really need to say anything more than that? Her new album 21 is officially released in Canada tomorrow. If you haven’t heard “Someone Like You” yet, here you go:

Hope you’ve enjoyed the long weekend (if you got one) and here’s to a wonderful week

L.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Currently coveting these vintage Valentine’s Day cards. So adorable!

Recommended Read

I love everything about this new online lifestyle magazine. Matchbook refers to itself as “A Field Guide to a Charmed Life,” featuring articles on “fashion, decor, the arts, travel and culture.” Perfect.