The A List: 4.29.16

alist-4.29

After a week full time back to blogging, I'm loving the sense of accomplishment I feel after writing each day. I'm also loving all of this stuff on this week's A list.  Here's a look at my weekly picks:

Quick Snap Vol 1 - Victoria McGinley She self admittedly doesn’t blog much anymore, but i still love visiting Victoria’s site every week. Between sharing really thought provoking links, or her beautiful product layouts, she behind my recent inspiration to try and resurrect this little corner of mine on the internet again. Her latest series she introduced is genius, Quick Snap. It’s a play on the popularity and authenticity of snapchat, with the greatness of a true behind the scenes story. It truly does peel back any superficiality the social network may have, and tells a great personal story to go along with it.

Fresh Black Tea Firming Mask My skin has been under serious torture this week, from dehydration, to lack to sleep, to a super bad diet. Seriously, I’m ashamed of myself. My skin's one saving grace has been a week long sample of Fresh’s Black Tea Firming Mask that was bundled with my last Sephora order. I’ve been applying a daily dose of it nightly to my overworked skin and each morning waking up refreshed, like no abuse happened at all the day before. If this stuff is doing this when my I can’t get my act together, I can only imagine the results for my after a "normal week”. Hey Sephora, I see another purchase in the near future.

The Girlfriend Experience I first heard about this Starz drama from The Globe and Mail and was curious as to where specifically the series films in my hometown of Toronto. It’s full of amazing shots of T.O’s financial district, but unlike the super sleekness of Suits, it’s a darker, sexier version. And the actual series lives up the visuals, helmed by Steven Soderbergh, it’s seductive, mysterious and creepily gripping, with a great “blank” performance by the lead, Riley Keough. Each episode packs more drama than the next, I can’t wait to see where it builds for the finale.

& Other Stories Candles I was lucky enough to be in NYC for work back at the end of February and had a few hours to kill before having to “clock in”. I ventured up to Soho for a quick stop IRL to some of my favorite stores, including & Other Stories. Stories is already one of my faves for cool, quirky affordable jewelry and shoes, but I was delightfully surprised to see the middle of the store was dedicated to beauty and candles. I sniffed every candle they had on display multiple times (to weird stares from others) and each of the scents are so gorgeous I can’t wait to pick up more. They instantly transform a room to smell like a Paris salon and will have you daydreaming of the City of Lights. (And if you’re in NYC, pick up some of their nail polish. The colors are awesome - I’m still kicking myself for not doing so).

Korea! Lately, a lot of the entertainment options in my life seem to be revolving around one culture, the culture of Korea. From my obsession with Korean beauty (toner, essence and sheet masks are my new skin savers) to watching (and re-watching) Aimee Song’s recent trip to the Peninsula on snapchat, I’m can’t get enough of Korean’s way of life. Perhaps my favorite piece of k-culture is the korean drama, I just finished Oh My Venus and it was adorable. Seriously, I could watch So Ji Sub and Shin Min Ah flirt back and forth for days, they’re chemistry onscreen was fantastic. Note to self: keep expanding my Korean palate next to food, and get planning on my bucket list trip to Seoul. I’m sure it will be life changing.

6 Tips for Staying Warm this Winter

Images via 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 

The temps have finally lowered to the 30s, snow is kind of on the ground – it’s finally winter!

Call me crazy – but winter is my favorite season of the year. Pink cheeks, cozy fires, amazing aromas and more, the cold really does bring everyone together.

Just how do I stay toasty during these upcoming winter months? Here are six of my tips for staying cozy during the winter months:

1. A great pair of sweatpants & slippers: I am VERY biased here, but there’s a reason Roots sweats are classics, they’re easily the warmest, coziest loungewear out there. Add in a great pair of shearling slippers and you’re set for a day cozying up inside.
2. A warm blanket or throw. I love a faux fur throw for keeping me toasty, they're keep in the warmth because they don't have the holes an afghan does, and they provide a great look and texture to your lounging space. Warm and stylish - a perfect combo.
3. A mug of something warm. Whether its cider, tea, or something with an extra kick, a warm beverage in a mug is perfect for staying warm. The key is the mug, not only does it heat your beverage, its perfect for curling around your hands and cozying up on the couch.
4. A winter scent. Candles are fantastic ambience creators and I love burning them most months of the year. During the winter months I avoid anything super floral when trying to stay warm, instead sticking to balsam, firewood, leather, and more masculine scents to add an extra snuggle to the house.
5. TV and movies you love: winter is great time to re-watch favorite old classic movies and tv shows, or dive into something thrilling that will keep you glued to you seat. As long as you’re distracted with your favorite entertainment, you’ll stay nice and cozy all day long.
6. Something simmering on the stove: outside of a large sauté pan, the pot that gets the most use on my stove in the winter is my dutch oven. Just it’s presence on my stovetop means that something warm and delicious is simmering away, often for hours at a time. From kale sausage stew, to chili, to my favorite soup, a warm bowl of delicious is perfect for beating the winter chill.

The A List: 11.6.15

A break in the craziness of opening a sports season = a new A list!  Here's a collection of things I'm loving this week.

Spectre

I was fortunate enough to see a sneak peek of the new bond movie last night (thanks Brad!) and for those who know me, trust me when I say it kept my attention THE WHOLE TIME. The movie is sexy, opulent, expensive, gritty and cool - and boy can Daniel Craig rock a suit. But the thing I like the most about Bond movies? In a cinema full of CGI created superheroes, James Bond's action scenes and character seem real, which to me is a true action movie.

Carpool Karaoke

I’m not even ashamed to admit that a new Carpool Karaoke can make my day. James Corden’s show airs WAY after my bedtime, but his quirky, cute english humor is so delightful. His unabashed car singing is hands-down my all-time favorite bit of his. Once again, James makes the bit, he knows ALL the words, but Derulo brings it and is just as funny, fully admitting to his late-night habits and teaching James how to dance. This one might move to my second/third favorite Carpool Karaoke, after Bieber and Mariah of course.

Motor City Brewing Hard Cider

Whereas rose and white wine are my cocktails for summer, come fall I want something crisp but just a little heavier. Enter cider. I have no clue if cider has less calories than beer, but I love that it’s a nice, seemingly lighter, alternative to the hoppy stuff. My favorite cider so far? This one from Motor City Brewing.  It’s dry, not too sweet, and made with local Michigan apples. Every time I’m in Detroit I pick it up (it’s only in Michigan =( ), along with one of their delicious pizzas. My supply has been drained recently, so I think it’s time for another trip up north to restock. Dear Columbus breweries, do you make something similar?

Henri Bendel White Pepper Candle

When it’s seventy degrees in the first week of November, I have a hard time justifying fall and winter scents. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait until the chill is permanently in the air, and the smell of firewood, spice and cedar are SUPPOSED to be normal. In the meantime, I’m looking for something a little sophisticated and masculine to burn, while waiting for the temps to lower. This white pepper candle fits the bill perfectly

JT and Chris Stapleton at the CMAs

This week’s list is heavy on the pop-culture moments, but when there’s a moment as AMAZING as this one, you can’t not include it. JT played the CMA Awards with Chris Stapleton and in turn helped turn the country onto Chris, an amazing artist on his own. Sure Justin’s faces are classic, but his talent is UNREAL. There might not be a more talented artist out there right now - and yes, I’m VERY biased. *image via instyle.com