Album Cuts

Sometimes we only listen to the songs artists release as singles.  They consider these to be the best, most radio-friendly and quite often, they are.  But sometimes there are hidden gems on an album and if you don't listen to the whole thing, you might miss it. 

So, today I am sharing a few album cuts I have on repeat right now:

Tennis Court - Lorde

On My Own - Miley Cyrus

This Is How We Do - Katy Perry

Tom Ford - Jay Z

 

 What songs are YOU loving?  This is my favourite time of year, with so much new music out!  Let me know what you are listening to and what I should check out:) 

oxox

Wise Word Wednesday

Tuesday Questionnaire

 Here's another Tuesday Questionnaire with questions taken from this YouTube tag.

1:Do you think musicals are cheesy? NOPE! I Iove musicals; they make me happy.  Some of my favourites are Rent, My Fair Lady, Grease, Into the Woods...I could go on and on. 

2:Is Christmas stressful? It can be, yes.  I think there is often too much expectation and then it's hard to live up to.  Also, since I have stopped going present crazy, it's definitely much less stressful.  I incorporate a charity aspect to my gift giving and that seems to balance the season.

3:Ever eat a perogie? I thought this was a trick question until I saw a few women in the US do this video and say no.  What?!?!? Yes I have had many perogies and am even lucky enough to have a friend who makes them from scratch. Heaven.

4:Favorite type of fruit pie? Strawberry Rhubarb

5:Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid? Vet, Actress, Teacher

6:Do you believe in ghosts? I don't believe in scary ghosts, but I like to think of people who've passed watching over us.

7:Ever have a Deja-vu feeling? Totally!

8:Take a vitamin daily? I take some Omega-3 vitamins yes.  Although I am thinking of taking pre-natal vitamins again.  Not because I want to get pregnant, but because it made my hair so nice!

9:Wear slippers? All the time! LOVE slippers! In fact, I am about due for a replacement pair.

10:Wear a bath robe? More this time of year, yes.  So comfy and cozy. 

What's In My Bag?

Perhaps the Most Delicious Veggie Recipe Ever!

I made what I think was one of the tastiest dishes ever the other night!  Jeremy, on the other hand, had one bite and hated it.  I LOVE this!  My mum gave me a spaghetti squash and I had no idea what to do with it.  My friend Leanne passed on this recipe to me and it was super delish.  Although it took the better part of an hour to bake, it was very easy to make, especially for someone who had never made one before!  

Ingredients:

1 spaghetti squash

• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage or fresh basil or fresh parsley (I just used dried)

• Preparation:

  Halve and seed squash. Place, cut side down, on lightly greased baking sheet; bake in 400°F (200°C) oven for about 1 hour or until flesh is easily pierced. (Alternatively, microwave, flesh side up and covered with plastic wrap, at High for 15 minutes or until easily pierced.) Using fork, gently scrape cooked strands from squash; transfer to large bowl.  Meanwhile, in small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat; add garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes or until garlic starts to turn golden. Remove from heat; stir in sage and pepper. Pour over squash; add cheese and toss.

  Seriously AMAZING!! It says it makes six portions and I have been enjoying it as a side for the past few days with lunch or even as a healthy snack.  YUM!

Great Deals and Great Finds!

Review: Katy Perry's PRISM

Katy Perry's third studio album was released this week and yes, I've already listened to it many times!  I was a bit nervous for Prism to come out, because I have loved both One of the Boys and Teenage Dream so much, that I didn't know how another record could possibly compare.  Well.  It does. 

Katy has always relied on elaborate costumes, sets and gimmicks.  With Prism, she washes all that away and strongly stands on her own.  All songs were written by Katy and she co-executive produced the album.  Although it still sounds very much like her previous work, there's a more adult, mature, experienced woman behind the mic.  She's a great singer who paints a vivid picture in every track. 

So far, my favourites are Roar (such a powerful anthem), This is How We Do (fabulous party song), Ghost (a haunting account of her divorce with Russel Brand) and By the Grace of God (a beautiful story of how she pulled through). 

Can you tell I like it? ;)

Also, I have listened to Dark Horse on repeat, sorry I'm not sorry:

Grocery Haul!

Click here to see the list of meals and more information.  Also, please leave a comment if you want any more details. oxox

Wise Word Wednesday

Tuesday Questionnaire

Here's another Tuesday Questionnaire with questions taken from this YouTube tag.

1: Can you swim well? Yes
2: Can you hold your breath without holding your nose? Random question, yes!
3: Are you patient?  Not at all.
4: DJ or band, at a wedding? DJ for sure. I love recognizing songs and being able to request songs for a good dance-off!
5: Ever won a contest? Yes:)  It's funny, we do giveaways every morning on our radio show and so when I actually get to enter a contest, it's so much fun!  Last year I entered a contest in our local paper and was the person who correctly predicted the winners at the Grammys.  I won a $500 gc to the mall.  Yes, it was one fancy shopping spree;)
6: Ever have plastic surgery? Nope.
7: Which are better black or green olives? Ew, neither.  Just the smell of olives makes me sick.
8:Can you knit or crochet? When I was 18 I crocheted my mum a scarf, which she still uses every winter.  But I could not remember how to do it if I tried!
9: Best room for a fireplace? Living room or bedroom.  Or, if we are getting really fancy...bathroom.  Imagine having a bath with a fire next to you? Ohhh heaven!
10: Do you want to get married? No thank you, once was enough ;)

Review: Matthew Good

This week I thought I would share my thoughts on a Canadian artist's recent album release.  Arrows of Desire is Matthew Good's sixth solo album.  As they say, it's "all killer, no filler".  Arrows consists of ten solid songs.  Usually when I listen to an album, there are songs I always skip over.  But not on this one.  I continually cycle through all ten songs, usually loudly!  I think I have seen Good in concert four or five times and have tickets to see him once again next month.  He puts on such a great live show, and somehow sounds just as good, if not better, in person.  

My favourite songs on this album so far are We're Long Gone, Garden of Knives and the title track.  If you aren't familiar with Matthew Good, I highly recommend this album.  It's just a good, crank it, rock out and sing along record.

Elle Beauty Box

A couple years ago I had an Elle Canada magazine subscription and even though I let it run out, I still receive the odd email or magazine, trying to get me back.  I usually just ignore them, but one email seemed to be something I couldn't pass up.  They asked to send me a beauty box with samples to try.  Um, yes please!  I didn't really think anything of it, but when it arrived, I must say I was impressed.  

As you can see from the above picture, there were five samples, as well as some coupons:

A Crest 3D Whitestrips sample

An Olay Regnerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex

A Pantene Age Defy Shampoo and Conditioner

A Covergirl Clump Crusher mascara

I am most excited about the mascara as I have heard so many positive reviews.  I will also use the teeth whitening strips.  Who knew hair aged and needed special treatment? I will see what I think of the hair product and might use the wrinkle cream.

If you want to sign up for the Elle Canada newsletter and maybe receive similar free beauty boxes in the future, check out this link.

Do you get a monthly beauty box?  I used to get Glymm before they closed and I can't decide if I should sign up for another one...

Have a Great Day!

Jamberry Nails: A Demo and Giveaway!

Giveaway: 

1 - Subscribe to my channel 

2 - Like this video 

3 - Leave a comment under the video

4 - Like Tania's Facebook page:

I will contact the winner October 26th!

Good luck 

oxox

Nail of the Day

Today's Nail of the Day is something different!  This are Jamberry nail wraps that my friend Tania put on my fingers.  You can either go to her spa and get them put on, or buy the wraps and easily do it at home.  I thought this black and gold combo was beautiful!  Perfect for fall as well.  The wraps are also supposed to help strengthen your nail and can last up to two weeks on your fingers and six on your toes.  Super fun!

Wanna know a secret?  Come back tomorrow for a video of me getting these put on, as well as a chance to WIN your own Jamberry nail wraps!  I love a good giveaway!

Wise Word Wednesday

Tuesday Questionnaire

Here's another Tuesday Questionnaire with questions taken from this YouTube tag.

1:Ever gotten a speeding ticket?  Nope! No tickets period, knock on wood!
2:Ever ran out of gas?  No, but I think I've been close.  I prefer to never let a tank go under a quarter full, but Jeremy loves to wait as long as possible before filling up.  So, I have definitely been stuck somewhere and had the gas light come on.  But I have never actually ran out of gas.  My mechanic told me it's bad for the vehicle to let it get low on gas, but the husb disagrees ;)
3:Favorite kind of sandwich? Honestly, I am not really a sandwich person.  If I am having one, I like the bread to be fresh, there to be a lot of fresh veggies and some hummus.
4:Best thing to eat for breakfast? If we are out for breakfast, I will splurge and get eggs benny with fruit and hashbrowns.  Yum!
5:What is your usual bedtime? 8pm.  Yup.  It is the sad reality of doing a morning radio show. I go to bed at 8 and wake up at 4am.
6:Are you lazy? I wish I had the time!
7:When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween? 80s rocker, the chef from The Little Mermaid, fire, witch...on and on! 

T's first Halloween

8:What is your Chinese astrological sign? Pig
9:How many languages can you speak? English and sarcasm.
10:Do you have any magazine subscriptions? Yes! I love magazines and always find it tough to buy them full price.  Currently I have a subscription to Cosmo and In Style and I also enjoy Jeremy's Rolling Stones.  

Giving Thanks

I like to take opportunities whenever I can to reflect, pause and live in the moment.  For me, this means recognizing the good things in my life and realizing how fortunate I am.  It's easy to get caught up in our first world problems and our real, heavy, life problems.  But no matter what is happening, I try to find something positive in every situation.  You've probably heard me say, "comparison is the thief of joy" but sometimes it can also bring me back to reality to remember how good I have it.  

As this is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, I am pausing to note what I am thankful for.  I could go on for hours, but I wanted to list a few things:

I am thankful for my husband and son. Full stop.

I am thankful for my friends who share in the silly things and the serious things. 

I am thankful for my family,

I am thankful for a job I love and a cohost who makes getting up at 4am fun. 

I am thankful for coffee.

I am thankful for concealer. 

I am thankful for dry shampoo. 

I am thankful for the power of music.

I am thankful for 30 Minute Hit.

I am thankful for quiet time and a good book. 

I am thankful for Netflix. 

What are you thankful for? 

A Two Part HAUL!

 

Mare Reads: Outlander

My friend Jess has been raving about this series since I met her in 2005.  I tried to read Outlander once and didn't make it very far, but it's always been in the back of my mind to try it again.  

So happy I did!

Outlander is written by Diana Gabaldon and is the first in a series of seven books, with the eighth out this fall.  It centres around Claire, a woman who lives in the 1940s but time travels (unintentionally) to the 18th century.  It's not too historical so that you feel weighed down by facts, but just enough so you feel a part of story and the time.  It's romantic, it's adventurous, it's just a fun story!  I cannot believe how much the author packs into this storyline and how many major things happen, especially because there are so many more books in the series!  I definitely recommend Outlander if you like a good bit of fantasy and romance.  The only thing I didn't like was the size of this book. It's over 800 pages and I only had the small paperback but it was too heavy!  I am going to wait until I replace my e-reader to continue the series. Have you read Outlander? 

Wise Word Wednesday

"I think it's only hard if you're trying to be something you're not. Being who you are is really easy if you're really true to that.  For me, the most important thing is being a really good person and that doesn't depend on what you do on stage. That depends on how you treat people when you're off stage and I know how I treat people, so I'm not too worried about it."

Miley Cyrus

Tuesday Questionnaire

 Here's another Tuesday Questionnaire with questions taken from this YouTube tag.

1:Do you ever count your steps when you walk? Nope, but sometimes I try to miss the cracks!

2:Have you ever peed in the woods? I don't think so...unless you count when camping, but that would be in an outhouse at least.  PS, outhouses are one of my least favourite things.

3:Do you ever dance even if theres no music playing? All the time. 

4:Do you chew your pens and pencils? No

5:How many people have you slept with this week? Just the one ;)

6:What size is your bed? A heavenly queen.

7:What is your Song of the week? Wrecking Ball by Miley. Although I am sure that will change once I listen to the whole album which is out today! I am also loving Britney's Work B**ch for when I working out.

8:Is it okay for guys to wear pink? Totally!

9:Do you still watch cartoons? I am sure we will watch a lot of cartoons once Thomas is into them, but right now his heart belongs to Elmo.  Sometimes there's a little Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but he just loves that furry monster.

10:Whats your least favorite movie? What? That's a tough one!  One that I will never watch again is Into the Wild.  The movie was good, but I found it unbelievably sad and upsetting. I left with terrible cry face when we saw it in theatre.  Jeremy loves it and we own it, but I doubt I will ever watch it again!

Nail of the Day

This is Essie's Bond With Whomever for today's Nail of the Day.  It might look a little out of season, but I am so impressed with this colour and think it would go nicely with a fall outfit of neutrals.  A little pop of colour never hurt;)  As I've said in the past, Essie's formula and colour selection has improved vastly over the past couple of years.  This was almost opaque in one coat.  It's creamy and a perfect blend of purple and blue.  Love this shade!

September Favourites

Kale Chips

You know me, I love my chips.  I have tried to replace them with different healthier options like baked chips, plain popcorn, crackers etc but they just didn't do it for me.  Until I tried Kale Chips.  I am hooked! I have made at least one batch a week for the past few.  This might seem weird that I am blogging about a blog, but I got the Kale Chip recipe here, from my friend Emilie.

You might be thinking, "ew, kale is so sour and gross" and I would agree. But baking it makes it light, crispy, and reduces the strong flavour.  And when it is baking, it smells heavenly in the house! 

Yum! Hope you try and enjoy:)

Album Releases I Am Excited About

As a music junkie, this is one of my favourite times of the year.  Annually fall is the time when the most artists release albums and this year might just be the biggest yet!  I wanted to share with you some of the ones I am most excited about  Also, please let me know what ones you are looking forward to! 

Prism - Katy Perry - October 18th

Bangerz - Miley Cyrus - October 8th

ArtPop - Lady Gaga - November 11th

The 20/20 Experience Part 2 - Justin Timberlake - September 30th

Alive - Jessie J - Canadian release date unknown

Avril Lavigne - Avril Lavigne - November 5th

Untitled - Britney Spears - December 4th

Pure Heroine - Lorde - October 1st

Wise Word Wednesday

Tuesday Questionnaire

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Questionnaire!  This is part two of a series where I am answering questions from a YouTube tag.  So, let's get to some random information about me:)

1:Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some? Um, well, I wouldn't tell you;)

2:What do you drink with a meal? Breakfast, I always get a water and a coffee with milk and sugar.  Lunch is usually just water.  With dinner, depending on where we are or the occasion, I will have water or a caesar.  

3:What do you dip a chicken nugget in? Ranch

4:What is your favorite food? What? Who can say just ONE thing?!?! Haha, can you tell I love food?  Some of my favourites would be a good, fresh garden salad, avocado, raspberries, pad thai, sour cream and onion chips, cilantro, cheesecake, sushi, sprouts...I could go on and on! 

Eat delish cheesecake at Serendipity in NYC on my bday in 2010

5:What movies could you watch over and over and still love? You've Got Mail, American Beauty, Grease, Pretty Woman, Bridesmaids, My Fair Lady...again I could go and go...

6:Last person you kissed/kissed you? Jeremy:)

7:Were you ever a boy/girl scout? Nope!  
8:Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine? Haha well I would be flattered to be asked, but I doubt it;) Although never say never...

9:When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper? I wrote a little note to my girlfriend's brand new baby daughter last month.  Cutest mail I have ever sent! 

10:Can you change the oil on a car? Nope, but I sure know where to take it;)