A Tuesday in Toronto

Earlier this week I took a little whirlwind, 2-day trip to Toronto with my lovely friend Sydney. We drove down on Tuesday morning and spent the afternoon wandering around downtown, doing some shopping and eating Thai food. Dundas Square was beautifully lit up for the Holidays so we had to stop for some pictures. Shopping and wandering and Thai food all seem like reasons enough to make the 2 hour trip to Toronto, however if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram or even on Facebook, you may have seen me post this picture a while ago.This my friends, was the real reason for our mid-week trip to the city. 

If you know me at all, you will know I love Bon Iver and have loved Bon Iver, with all of my heart, for years. I love For Emma, Forever Ago, and like all of his fans, waited patiently (or not so patiently) until this past year when he released Bon Iver, Bon Iver. Currently, Bon Iver holds 15 of the spots in my 25 most played list on iTunes. I’m literally obsessed.

You guys, it is just the most beautiful music. I can’t say enough about it.

They played one show earlier in the summer and it sold out so quickly I didn’t have a chance to get tickets. I was devastated. Then the Live Nation App on my phone (loooove iPhones) told me that he was playing another show. I waited up after a night shift and got tickets the minute I could. Thankfully I got two. And not just two tickets, two killer seats.

Fast forward to Tuesday night.

We get into Massey Hall (amaaaazing venue) and I literally start having difficulty breathing. I don`t remember much of the opening act except that she was super cute, British, and was amazing at the guitar.

Then out comes Justin and his band.I got chills as soon as they started playing Perth, and had chills for the next two hours. It`s hard to pick out highlights, but Flume is high up on the list. I cried.  I could not have helped myself if my life depended on it. I can`t even tell you how amazing it was. I simply can`t.

If you get the chance to go and see Bon Iver play live, do it. do it! DO IT! (yes that is me shouting at you)

I paid good money for our seats. Knowing what I know now, I would have paid at least double what I paid to go again.

The night kind of feels like a dream, I still get chills when I think about it and I honestly have not been able to listen to any music since. Nor do I want to.

For now, I will just live with my memories of the best concert I have ever been too.

Haunting.

Ok. So I know Halloween is over but the title of this blog post actually has nothing to do with Halloween aside from the fact that I threw in a picture of myself on Halloween. Those of you who follow me on Twitter may have already seen it and to answer potential questions: Yes, I did do the makeup on my own. It took 2.5 hours on the first night, and about 2 on the second night. No, that is not my real hair haha. 

But onto the real reason for this little post, Flo.

People who follow me on Twitter may also know that I pre-ordered this album and when it was available for download on Monday, I listened to it all day. Since Monday, I have listened to literally nothing else, but Ceremonials over, and over and over. Many dance parties have happened all over my apartment since Monday.

I’m not yet sure if I think this album is “better” than the first, but there is no question that this is a strong follow up to her first album (which I loved and still listen to very frequently).

You guys, this album is really good. My favourite tracks (today anyways) are Only If for a Night and Never Let Me Go. AND, you can go here to listen to the whole album. So GO RIGHT NOW and be sure to listen to my faves!

Florence Welch is beautiful and her voice is haunting. Simply beautiful. 

Things I Learned About Myself at a Backstreet Boys Concert

So, if you’ve never done it, going to a concert from one of your favourite childhood bands in your adult life is a really crazy/weird/exciting/enlightening experience. Here is a (potentially embarrassing) collection of things I learned/musings/thoughts on the day after a Backstreet Boys Concert.

When we decided, on a whim, to buy tickets to the NKOTBSB (New Kids on the Block + Backstreet Boys) show yesterday morning for the show last night I was obviously excited, because I love going to shows and I also loved BSB in my early teens. However, I was not at all prepared for how excited I actually was when BSB came out. Let’s have some real talk for a minute here ok? You’ve all see how crazy the little tweens go when they see Justin Bieber. Or maybe you remember or have seen the way people used to react to the Beatles. You guys, that was me last night. I don’t know what came over me (actually I do, it was my 8-12 year old self, that used to dance around my room to BSB) but I can only imagine how ridiculous I must have looked last night. And the amazing thing is, I don’t even care because almost everyone else who was there was doing the same thing. So I totally went to this show to see the Backstreet Boys. I think NKOTB were just a bit before my time in that they were still around when I was in my boy band phase however, they had their heyday when I was too young to remember. However, I was surprised to learn that I knew a lot more NKOTB songs than I thought I did going into the concert. Which resulted in me singing many of their songs at the top of my lungs as well, when I had really planned to use the NKOTB songs to rest my voice for the next BSB song. Needless to say  my voice was a little sore last night.

Speaking of singing at the top of my lungs, BSB songs are right in my perfect vocal range. I need to keep this in mind the next time I go to Karaoke. Also some of the dance moves I find myself pulling on during dance parties are very similar to the sweet boy band dance moves that NKOTBSB were pulling out last night. No doubt an influence of me watching BSB music videos all those years. But, with the singing and the dancing I’m wondering if I missed my calling. I should find out if they want to replace Kevin.  Back in my hardcore BSB days, I was always a Brian fan. He was always my favourite. After last night, I’m pretty sure AJ is my new favourite member of BSB. Brian is still a close second, and his highlighter pink shoes were super rad, and I don’t know why but AJ has taken Brian’s place as my favourite Backstreet Boy. While I was singing at the top of my lungs and learning some new boy band dance moves for my next dance party, I realized that I actually still really like BSB music. Like, I’m listening to it right now, and I think I’ll be listening to it for at least a few more days. And on top of that, I’m not even ashamed haha. I think part of the reason why I still like it is nostalgic, but let’s be honest, it’s good music.

The show itself was actually amazing. Really, really well done. It was interesting to see how NKOTBSB shared the stage and the finale was really cool. Also it was the final show of the tour so it was really sentimental/special for the guys and you could tell watching the concert (at one point AJ even came out in shiny gold briefs and a tank top to party boy NKOTB while they were singing – maybe a contributing factor to him being my new fave).

So there you go, concerts can be a soul-searching/learning experience. lol Go and learn something about yourself friends.

xo Jer

Christmas Playist

So I had planned on putting together a Christmas playlist for you, my friends but you know how time slips away, especially when your life is consumed with finals.

Aaanyways the reality is I’m listening to a lot of the same Christmas music as I did last year so I decided I would just share the playlists I made last year again.

So I present to you, for the second year in a row merry.merry.christmas part one and two.

So I am listening to all these lovelies plus  a lot of the Oh Blue Christmas album by A Fine Frenzy. I’m also listening to (probably the most) The Christmas Collection by Sleeping at Last (which is free, so go download it!).

Enjoy these lovely treats for your ears.

Jeremy :)

Ps. I Love You.

One of my favourite Christmas playlists out there right now is by my cutie pal Kara.

You can listen to her’s right here.

If you like mine you’ll like hers. So go treat your ears.

Uncut Christmas Vlog.

I always say I should Vlog about something but I never have anything good to Vlog about and I always feel like my videos are suuuper awkward after I shoot them. Anyways so when Kim asked me to be a part of a little Christmas project she was putting together, it was just the kick in the ass I needed to actually put together a little Vlog.

You can see Kim’s blog with all of the lovely ladies who took part here. Or right on my blog in my post from yesterday (GO!) Like I said yesterday, it is totally worth your ten minutes to watch that video. It is funny and heart-warming and just a lovely little video.

Anyways, I sent Kim over 5 minutes of me awkwardly rambling on about many a Christmassy things. Here, is that full video.

Once again, big thanks to the lovely people at YouTube for picking the most amazing screencap of me as the start image. And yes I know you can change them, this is the best of the three options I was given.

If you make it through the whole awkward thing congrats because I definitely can’t. I dunno, there is just something about watching myself on video – so strange. Also I had to cut out a ton of me laughing after the carollers comment. It was such a ridiculous thing for me to say and I cracked myself up.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy it. I always love seeing other bloggers do Vlogs, its a fun little look into what they’re like in person.

lovelove jer

Ps. I love you Pretty wrapping via ohhellofriend.

one, two

{{Fall in Love}}.

This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving and while I welcomed fall at the end of August, this holiday kind of welcomes fall back for the normal people in Canada (aka those who aren’t waiting all through winter, spring and summer for the return of fall).

I’ve been listening to this playlist kind of non-stop for the past couple off weeks, making small changes here and there, perfecting it so I can share it with all of you lovelies.

So here it is,Fall in Love, kind of a transition from the bright electric sounds of summer to the more robust songs that characterize the sunny days and cool nights of fall.

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

So grab your fave fall drink, curl up with some knitting, or other crafty activity, your favourite magazine, scroll down and see my new hair and enjoy.

Happy Autumn!! (and happy thanksgiving to all my Canadian pals!!)

xo Jer

PS. I love you

These Dexter posters are fantastic. I would love to have every single one. (Thanks Katie!!)

a small musical obsession.

I have been listening to this lovely’s new album literally non-stop since I got my hands on a copy last Thursday. As a whole, it is a really solid album. Whenever I’m in my room its on on my laptop. You can be guaranteed I’m listening to it on my phone when I’m walking to class, or taking the bus to campus. A few of the tracks have already made it into my 25 top played after only having been in my library for a mere 5 days. Its just that good kids.

She is coming to Toronto on November 5 to play a show at a small little theatre. And I am desperately looking for someone to go with (aka drive since I am carless ha!). But seriously, if you want to let me know! Because I will find a way to go if its the last thing I do.

Oh yeah, get a copy!

Love Jeremy.

Ps. All of these lovely promo shots are from here.

A Small Goal + A Dare.

So a while ago, Elsie posted a little challenge to make four small, fun goals for yourself. You can see that here.  I don’t love making goals for myself at the best of times and at that specific time I had just returned from India and was starting back to work and I didn’t have the emotional energy or capacity to make four goals for myself. Then the girls at the Dares started back into the fall routine and I thought it would be fun to make a little goal for myself to do all of the prompts that are posted over there (I’d been a long time follower of the Dares but only participated two or three times in the past).

So I made the goal for myself but decided not to blog about it. First reason: I only had one and I was supposed to make four. Second reason: I hadn’t really gotten back into school yet and what if once I got back into the routine I didn’t have the time or energy to do any dares but I had already told everyone I was going to do EVERY. SINGLE. DARE.

Well now I’m sharing the goal with you and you’re probably wondering why the change of heart. Well last night after an extended homework sesh, I got out all my stuff and cranked out a page for the latest dare and I realized that a) I need to make more time to scrap during the school year because it (along with lots and lots of coffee) helps to keep me sane. Also, I am going to do every dare this year. I will. Its a simple as that. I may not get them done in a timely manner, I may not even love the pages. But I will do them. So there. My epiphany.

And because I’ve just bored you with the inner workings of my goal averted, procrastinating soul. I’ll share my layout with you.

Dare 168 – Scrap a soundtrack to a memory.  From my drive to York the past weekend. 20 hours of driving time = just as much listening time. But for the record it shouldn’t have taken 20 hours, close, but not that much – except there was construction in a number of places and a nice detour courtesy of my gps that took me nearly to Syracuse and 3 hours out of my way. Anyways its all good.

So check out the current dare, the super talented and always lovely Steph Wheeler is hosting, and as always the effers are killing it.

Jer

Ps. I love you. Speaking of Steph, she has an amazing photography project going on right now called On the Table. She puts her camera on various tables and takes a picture of the scene. Its sweet. Aaaand she takes reader submissions. So check it out to see how you can get involved.

1998.

The mush cut, the cowlick front and centre, the purple thermal, sweet glasses. Yup, 1998 was a good look for me. I was especially attractive when the glasses slid down to the end of my nose.

If you follow me on twitter you may have seen I had some adventures in scrapbooking using really old product. I am hoping tomorrow brings some nice light so I can photograph said craftiness.

Ps. I love you. Rococo. Sprawl I & II*. Love.  Enough said.

Photos via.

*Disclaimer. These favourite tracks change frequently. Chances are they’ll be different tomorrow. Oh hell, who am I kidding, they’ll probably be different later tonight. What can I say, I don’t like to play favourites.

what i’m listening to

and i am still waiting for the funds to get my hands on a copy of these:

A Little Magic for Your Saturday Night

 via

So pretty. Your welcome.

 

xo Jer