Music Monday: The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl

On this last Monday before Christmas I bring you my absolute favourite holiday tune.
LOVE it.

Music Tuesday: David Bowie and Bing Crosby

I really cannot believe that there are only 2 1/2 weeks til Christmas.
I'm late starting my shopping this year and yesterday should have been my first Christmas themed Music Monday and I am late for that as well!

The Little Drummer Boy duet between Bing Crosby and David Bowie is a favourite at our house, and we affectionately refer to it as "Bing and Bulge" (Sorry David, but those costumes in Labyrinth are hard to forget.)

World AIDS Day: 5 Easy Ways to Help Fight AIDS All Year

There are an estimated 33.4 million people living with HIV.
It is not a disease of the past. It is happening now.
In 2007 AIDS killed 2.1 million people, including 330,000 children.
AIDS doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care if you're male or female, rich or poor, gay or straight.
AIDS doesn't care how many or how few people you've had sex with.
There is no vaccine and there is no cure.

But there is always hope.

Every year World AIDS Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness, but the fight against AIDS doesn't take 24 hours.
There are simple ways to join the fight all year long.

5. Get tested.
For the sake of protecting others as well as yourself, if you may have been exposed to HIV get tested as soon as possible. The sooner you know, the sooner you can get the help you need.

4. Donate.
There are many amazing charities doing some amazing things to fight AIDS. Some of my favourites are: The Mercury Phoenix Trust, CANFAR and The Global Fund.

3. Buy things.
Want to donate but kind of want something in return? It's okay, I won't tell. There are lots of companies who are donating money for the sale of certain items. Check out Aldo, MAC, and all the awesome companies that take part in the (Red) campaign (including Starbucks, Gap, Apple, Dell and Hallmark.) Chances are, there is something you already need to purchase that can be bought from a company supporting an AIDS charity.

2. Wear a ribbon.
Wear a ribbon on your shirt. Post one on Twitter or Facebook. Just talking about HIV and AIDS can do a world of good in helping end the stigma.

1. Wear a condom.
Remember, HIV is asymptomatic so your partner may not even know they are infected. As my mother likes to say "Some gifts are meant to stay wrapped."

AIDS Awareness Week: What You Wearing Wednesday

I am in love with this shade of lipstick. It doesn't come off nearly as well in a webcam photo. It is truly the most flattering shade of red I have ever seen, and it works on so many people!
Want to know what makes this lipstick even better? It is from M·A·C's Viva Glam collection.
When you buy a Viva Glam product EVERY CENT is donated to the M·A·C Aids Fund. How cool is that?


What else am I wearing today? Well my wristband from the Mercury Phoenix Trust (which I spoke about in yesterday's post) came in the mail today! It has the words 'Let Me Live' inscribed on it, referring to the song of the same name from the album Made In Heaven, and inside the band is the url for the Trust's website.

To join 'What You Wearing Wednesdays' visit Fi at her blog.

AIDS Awareness Week: Remembering Freddie

On this day 18 years, the world lost one of the most amazing voices it has ever known. Though I was only 5 years old when he passed away, Freddie Mercury holds the spot as my favourite musical artist of all time.

I remember learning Queen songs when I took piano lessons in elementary school and listening to Greatest Hits II on my Fisher Price tape recorder.

I remember singing We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions along with the rest of my baseball team during games.

Bohemian Rhapsody had a special place in my high school career. I remember the performance piece 3 friends and I did with that song for our 10th grade drama class, and reprised for the Arts Banquet that year.

It is nearly impossible to come up with my favourite Queen song. However, without a doubt my favourite Queen music video (and probably my favourite music video period) is for I Want to Break Free.

November 24, 1991 Freddie Mercury died of bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS, just one day after publicly announcing he had the disease in the following statement to the press:

Following the enormous conjecture in the press over the last two weeks, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has come now for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with me, my doctors, and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease. My privacy has always been very special to me and I am famous for my lack of interviews. Please understand this policy will continue.

The last music video filmed with Freddie was for the song These Are The Days of Our Lives. The words "I still love you" at the end of the video were Freddie's last words ever recorded on camera.

After his death, the remaining members of Queen, along with their manager Jim Beach, launched The Mercury Phoenix Trust with The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness. The concert was held April 20, 1992 at Wembley Stadium.

The Mercury Phoenix Trust has been active ever since, raising millions of dollars for AIDS related charities all over the world.

RIP Freddie Mercury
September 5, 1946 - November 24, 1991

Music Monday: Doctor Who Edition

46 years ago today, the Doctor had his first adventure and the rest is history.
Or the future.
Time Lords are confusing like that.

In honour of the 46 years, 57 companions and 10 doctors of Doctor Who, this Music Monday is featuring my favourite rendition of the Who theme tune.

I bring you the amazingly geektastic Twin Tesla Coil cover of the Doctor Who theme!

Happy TARDIS Day!

Music Monday: The Cure

So last night I dreamt about being attacked by a load of stray cats.
It was actually a substantial part of a much longer really creepy and very bizarre dream.

It may have something to do with the fact that I listen to this song daily (and probably fell asleep to it).

What You Wearing Wednesday: Halloween Roundup

Okay, so I am cheating a bit. I'm not wearing these today, but I just wanted to share this year's Halloween costumes!

Here I am, looking a little disheveled as the Queen of Hearts:


And here's my scaryiest costume yet!
A crazed Twilight Fan!
I STILL CAN'T GET ALL THE GLITTER OFF!!

To join 'What You Wearing Wednesdays' visit Fi at her blog.

Music Monday: Gossip

Holy crap!
How is it November already?
I did not get one lousy blog post in at all last month.
Shameful!

In better news, I cannot stop listening to Gossip's new album Music for Men. It is super.
So today's Music Monday post is my favourite from that album.
And how freaking fantastic does Beth Ditto look?
Love her and I want all her clothes. And makeup. And voice.

Music Monday: The Puppini Sisters

I can't believe September is almost over!

And so draws to a close my month of cover songs.
In honour of the quickly approaching month of October, I bring you a spooky little cover by the amazing Puppini Sisters.

Eye Spy ... Something I Shouldn't Eat But Do Anyway

All You Can Eat Sushi.



Somewhere deep down inside of me I know that All You Can Eat doesn't mean eat all you possibly can until you are in pain. I know this, yet every time we go I feel I haven't gotten my money's worth until I've eaten so much spider maki I have to be rolled from the establishment.



To join 'Eye-Spy Sunday' visit bugandpop.

Music Monday: Duran Duran & The Wombats

Since I missed posting last Monday, today you get two (very different) covers for the price of one!
Enjoy.

Weekend Wishlist: Spooky Little Girl Like You

September is quickly drawing to a close. How did that happen? This year is really flying by.
With the end of September, only one thing is on my mind: HALLOWEEN! I cannot wait.
I love everything about this time of year. The crisp weather, trees turning, dressing up, carving pumpkins, (the bags discounted leftover candy).

I started a search for ideas for this year's costume but I got distracted by all the awesome creepy and macabre things over on Etsy. This weekend's wishlist is everything spooky.

Spooky Fashion

CalypsoMineralBeauty, beatblack, freedomjewelryusa


poetsummer, wickedgems

Spooky Home

henNchicks, RunFreakRun, SaltyandSweet


CantonBoxCompany, SimpleJoysPaperie

Music Monday: Robots in Disguise

Searching for some fab covers for you fine folks I stumbled upon this old video of Robots in Disguise. They look so different! And it's strange to see them not playing instruments (well aside from that little interlude).
Still, it's a fun little cover.

Weekend Wishlist: Globe Trotter

That's right, another new blog feature to hopefully keep me inspired and posting when my crafting has been less than active. On my old blog I used to have a feature called Wishlist Wednesdays where I would post awesome items I came across during the week. I've been seeing some pretty neat stuff around the net lately that I'd love to share, so I hereby declare that feature resurrected!

If you know me then it's no secret that I absolutely love etsy.com.
It's a great community with some seriously amazing artist and I've gotten a lot of unique and beautiful things there. However, there are so many amazing shops on Etsy that I often don't know where to start.

I was recently reading an Etsy Finds article that I found particularly inspiring.
In it, the author, Mike used Etsy's Shop Local function to search for items from places he hopes to travel to in the future. What an awesome idea.
So awesome in fact, that I made my own list and hunted for some fab items around the world.

London, England

tiedandfeathered, alphabets, janicej


UnderReconstruction, CupOfSea

Cardiff, Wales

itsalovelycake, unknownstar, MelissaWarren


mahuahua, ojmjakon

Melbourne, Australia

printspace, MaisyandAlice, ableandgame


bridbird, Silhouettesofknights

Helsinki, Finland

RunFreakRun, Barbaershop, attiladesign

vaisto, Animaatiokopla

Music Monday: Kate Nash

I know it is the last day of August but I'm using this Monday to kickoff all cover songs for Music Mondays in September.

I love this song by the Arctic Monkeys.
I found a cover by Kate Nash's that I think is pretty rad!

Music Monday: She & Him

I finally got the chance to see (500) Days of Summer this weekend, and it was even more amazing than I expected it to be (and I expected it to be pretty dang awesome.)
Easily on of my top movies, perhaps of all time.
That good.
The movie stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and, my #1 girl crush, Zooey Deschanel.
Which brings me to this week's Music Monday.

As well as being an actress, Zooey is 1/2 of the band She & Him.
I adore them.




She & Him also do an absolutely amazing cover of Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want by the Smiths for the (500) Days soundtrack. Check it out!

Eye Spy ... Inspiration

What inspires me?



The Day Zero Project. Beth Ditto. Red Velvet Art. The Smiths. Kristina Werner. Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories. Matthew Gray Gubler. Ghost stories. Sark. Jamie Oliver's recipes. Nigella Lawson's recipes. The Mighty Boosh. Dawn French. Tim Holtz. Russell Brand. Terry Gilliam. Edgar Wright. Operation Nice. Gala Darling. xsparkage. Tres Lola. Classical mythology. Too Fat for Fashion. Petrilude. Robots. David Sedaris. Frocks & Frou Frou. Fatshionista. Lookbook. Desire to Inspire. Poetic Home. Edgar Allan Poe. Ray Bradbury. Cryptozoology.

Music Monday: Animal Collective

Animal Collective is strange and wonderful.
I really love this video for My Girls.
Be sure to watch it in HD and full screen that baby!

I've been a bad, bad girl...

No posts since June 8th?
That is just shameful!
What have I been doing since then?
Moving.
Graduating college.
Working.
and of course crafting.

Speaking of crafting, I'm way behind on posting the cards I've been making!
Here's the card I made for my beautiful Godson's first birthday.

I wish I could remember the company that made that adorable pirate stamp, but I'll edit this post when I find the packaging.

I've made a bunch more cards too but I can't post photos yet as the recipients haven't received them yet ;)

I promise I'll be good and get back on the blog wagon!
Type again soon <3

Music Monday: Liam Lynch

If you love to watch podcasts and you are not yet subscribed to Lynchland... What is wrong with you??
Director, musician, writer, actor, editor, puppeteer...
Is there anything Liam can't do?
The 3rd compilation album of songs from Lynchland (aptly titled "Songs from Lynchland, Vol. 3") was just released on iTunes, so this week's Music Monday comes from that album.
This song was featured in episode 20.




and just because I love this album so much and I've missed a bunch of weeks, I'll give you a bonus song with (100% less aliens)

Eye Spy ... My Karaoke Masterpiece

Ah music. If I could randomly burst into song any time of the day without getting strange looks I probably would. This week I had the pleasure of coming up with the theme for Eye Spy, so I chose to find out what other bloggers like to sing along to.
Here are mine:

Favourite song to sing at karaoke:


Favourite song to sing playing SingStar:


Favourite song to sing in the shower:



Favourite song to sing while getting ready in the morning:


Rock on.

To join 'Eye-Spy Sunday' visit bugandpop.

Eye Spy an Eye Spy Theme

The lovely Cindy over at bugandpop has asked me to come up with this week's Eye Spy theme!

I want to know your karaoke song! If you were at a karaoke bar right now and could belt your little heart out to any tune in the world what would it be? Or if singing in public isn't your thing, what is your favourite song to rock out to in the shower, or in your car, or vacuuming the floor?
The one song that when you hear it on the radio you can't help but sing at the top of your lungs (with or without your own choreography.)

For more info on Eye Spy and to get in on the action head on over to Cindy's blog.

Dreams Really Do Come True

Please excuse the webcam photo. I actually put this card together at the beginning of April but for some reason never posted it here.

Isn't this knight absolutely adorable? I coloured him in with some Prisma pencils and gamsol. For the life of me I cannot remember the maker of this awesome knight stamp (I also have a cute little pirate from the same folks) or the sentiment but as soon as I figure it out I'll let you all know.

I embossed some gray cardstock with a Cuttlebug folder to give it a neat, almost metal look. The knight and heat embossed sentiment were cut out with some of Spellbinders' Nestabilities label dies.

Eye Spy... green

This afternoon I decided to try my hand at pilates, and being of the very inflexible variety, I enlisted the help of my GREEN pilates band...

Fact of the day: Pilates is HARD!! Please send help!

To join 'Eye-Spy Sunday' visit bugandpop.

Eye Spy... What I Am Reading Now

I always seem to have more than one book on the go at once. Here are the books that I am working my way through at the moment:

To join 'Eye-Spy Sunday' visit bugandpop.

Quick and Dirty Reviews: Star Trek

It was AWESOME! What more can I say?
Of course no film is perfect, but I cannot think of anything I disliked about this movie. Even as someone who wasn't a big Star Trek fan going in, I was captivated from beginning to end.

As with all movies created from previous work with an already solid fanbase, there will be nitpicking. I've heard some grumblings from hardcore fans about Simon Pegg's accent being from the "wrong region" (and if you have a problem with it I highly suggest you check out his blog addressing the issue).

I thought the entire cast was amazing. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto were awesome as expected. I was completely surprised by how great John Cho was and I walked away even more in love with Simon Pegg and Anton Yelchin.

I highly recommend this action packed, fun (and surprisingly funny at times) film!

Music Monday: MC Chris

Happy Star Wars Day!
I honour of today I bring you one fantastically geeky rap about Boba Fett.
And May the 4th be with you. Always.

*WARNING: contains lyrics not suitable for all audiences...*

What You Wearing.. Thursday??

I missed yesterday, but I just had to share my awesome new top from Addition Elle.
Wearing it out tonight to the end of the year screenings of our final films at school.

To join 'What You Wearing Wednesdays' visit Fi at her blog.

Music Monday: Jeffster

I am FINALLY caught up on Chuck. If you haven't checked it out then I highly suggest you do so. I am really glad I gave it another chance.

This is totally my favourite moment of the whole series.

*Video contains spoilers*

What You Wearing Wednesday

Casual hangaround day today. Doing a bit of packing, watching some podcasts, going out for a card class tonight.
Not wearing anything too special. I've got a grey pinstriped vest I thrifted from Value Village and my West Ham jersey.
Eye makeup from Rimmel London and lip gloss from Quo.
My glasses are D&G Dolce & Gabbana.

In other news I am really craving Jugo Juice right now.

To join 'What You Wearing Wednesdays' visit Fi at her blog.

Music Monday: Mint Royale

I've been meaning to post this video for a while now because I absolutely love it. Starring the awesome Noel Fielding (The Mighty Boosh) and featuring Julian Barratt (also Mighty Boosh), Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Spaced) and Michael Smiley (also Spaced, and was a zombie in SotD).

The song is so damn catchy. Be wary if I am in the car and this number comes on my iPod. Similarly enthusiastic dancing will ensue.

This fun little dance fest was directed by Edgar Wright.

Music Monday: Of Montreal

When my iPod or iTunes is on shuffle and this song comes on I cannot help but dance.
And I've definitely had some near-falls while dancing and singing this in the shower.
It's a real catchy number that always makes me smile.

What You Wearing Wednesday

After a couple of weeks off I'm back with a new What You Wearing Wednesday.
The yellow cardigan I wore for the first WWW is making another appearance, along with a generic black tank top. Both the scarf and awesome pants come from MXM.

To join 'What You Wearing Wednesdays' visit Fi at her blog.

Music Monday: Belle & Sebastian

It is finally spring!
Okay, well, it has still been pretty chilly the past few days but the long range forecast shows it will warm up soon.
And it has been delightfully sunny lately.
No more winter blues for me.

Music Monday: The Script

My mind is blown by the amount of money raised for Comic Relief this weekend.
£59,187,065 so far!
(That's approx $105,727,222 Canadian!)

The Red Nose Day program this year was brilliant also.
So, in honour of the event, this week's Music Monday is The Script's cover of Heroes by David Bowie, which they performed on Friday night.




You can still make a donation over at the Comic Relief website.

Eye Spy... something that makes me laugh

Ever since it aired a few weeks ago I can't stop watching Robert Webb's performance of Flashdance on Let's Dance for Comic Relief.

Simultaneously hilarious, disturbing and actually quite impressive.





To join 'Eye-Spy Sunday' visit bugandpop.

Quick and Dirty Reviews: Watchmen

I am not claiming to know how to review a film. In fact, many people will disagree with my movie tastes (take for example the fact that I did not love the Dark Knight).
However, my new blog feature will be my quick and dirty film reviews.

I figured, hey, I try to watch 100 new-to-me movies during the year, why not share some of them?

The Quick and Dirty review simply states my immediate reactions to the film in question. What I enjoyed, what I didn't and whether I liked it or not.

This evening I saw my most anticipated film of the year.
Watchmen.
**Warning: May Be Slight Spoilers Ahead**


the good:

• The opening blew my freaking mind. That's really all I want to say about it. Just, wow.
• Patrick Wilson can do no wrong in my eyes. I love that man. I saw Lakeview Terrace for that man, and if you'll recall it was the top 5 worst movies I saw last year.
• I loved (almost) the whole cast actually. Special acknowledgment has to go to Jeffrey Dean Morgan as The Comedian and especially Jackie Earl Haley as Rorschach They were perfectly cast. Also Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan was way better than I imagined. I have heard that people didn't like his voice but I found it to be perfectly empty and haunting.
• The whole film looked absolutely fantastic. Completely gorgeous.
• With the time constraints of a movie and the depth and complexity of the book, I have to say that all involved did a pretty amazing job. Sure, things were changed, but this is the most true to source material comic book movie I can recall.

the bad:

• While the music was all awesome and I loved almost every song it was more in a "Hey this song is awesome" way than in regards to it actually fitting the film. The music seemed out of place (with the exception of the opening) and sort of distracting at points. In fact, in my theatre, almost every song that came on during the film caused the audience to laugh.
  
• I didn't really like Malin Akerman as Laurie Jupiter. I can't quite put my finger on why. Her acting seemed a little teen drama to me.
• Bubastis. For those who haven't read the book I am sure the cat with horns was a little confusing. Why include him at all if you are going to show that little of him and give absolutely no back story.

the verdict: I really really liked this movie. Would watch Watchmen again.

Again, these are just my immediate reactions to the film. I may even change my mind on some things once I sleep on it and once I see it again.

Also, the IMAX Experience is a waste of money unless the film was actually shot on IMAX.

What You Wearing Wednesday

Nothing too exciting today.
I am not sure its true origin, but I bought the hat off of my sister Courtney for $5 because I kept borrowing it and loved it so much.
The awesome Hellboy T is from Silver Snail Comics.
As always, my glasses are D&G Dolce & Gabbana.

To join 'What You Wearing Wednesdays' visit Fi at her blog.

Eye spy... something that makes me HAPPY!

Please recall, a few posts back when I blogged about my Evening With Kevin Smith experience I wrote:

As was NOT expected, my seats were AMAZING, and not only was Kevin joined by (the newly married) Jason Mewes but EDGAR WRIGHT -one of my film making heroes- was there to introduce the show.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of Edgar since I was still feeling out the place and whether or not their "no photography" rule was enforced or not, but I will not rest until I get a photo of (or preferably with) that man.

After an amazing night last night of watching Edgar host a double feature of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz and give a Q&A at the Bloor Cinema, I got to meet my favourite director.

There's always a fear in meeting one's heroes that they will not live up to your wild expectations of them, but what makes me especially happy is that Edgar is even more awesome in person and I had hoped he'd be.

To join 'Eye-Spy Sunday' visit bugandpop.

Music Monday: The Lonely Island

Okay, old news to most of you but I cannot get enough of The Lonely Island's new album Incredibad.
I really don't buy albums anymore but I absolutely had to go out and pick this baby up.
I highly suggest you do so as well.
My favourite track (at the moment) is Boombox featuring Julian Casablancas, but the whole disk is pure hilarity from start to finish.

I bring you the clean version of the video for I'm On a Boat, for my more sensitive readers... If you want the potty mouth album version, as well as other hilarious songs and sketches, check out The Lonely Island's youtube channel.

What You Wearing Wednesday

I am absolutely in love with the Ood necklace I purchased from DeliciousHobo on Etsy.

Super geeky.
Super sweet.

To join 'What You Wearing Wednesdays' visit Fi at her blog.