Return of Simba

Written in the Stars

I've been really slacking with this blog, and by slacking I mean not even remembering that I have it to begin with. Maybe it's because I haven't been really excited about anything in particular in the last few months. But I'm turning over a new leaf! The weather is starting to feel more and more like summer and I'm starting to feel my spirit come back.

Over the long weekend I went to visit some old roommates that just got back from being in Scotland for 5 months, amazing! In order to have a proper welcome home a bonfire was necessary. I threw on Tinie Tempah to get the mood going. If you haven't heard of Tinie Tempah give him a listen, he's been winning awards left, right, and center in the UK and is bursting on the scene here in North America. Tempah is smart, witty, and charming in his rhymes ( as are many English rappers ). He's getting me more and more excited about hip hop every day. Which is more then what I can say about other rappers on the scene. But hey, lets leave that for another post. take it easy

-karen.

We were born and raised in a summer haze

It's been two long years since I've had to wait for Adele's sophomore album 21, and it was worth it! I can say with the most sincerity that she made the best attempt at making a genuine album. She's effervescent. The vocals, lyrics, and music are all beautifully put together. They melt into me.

I had heard that she was heavily influenced by the blues for this album. I for one am not protesting this. It seemed almost natural to go from Pop/Soul to the Blues. Now, I'm no Blues buff, but what I do get from the genre is that it's passionate and vulnerable. You let yourself be taken by the music, and I felt this in her vocals. 19 was a gorgeous album vocally, but it was a little constraint. I like that she goes out of tune in some of 21's songs. It's more raw, and I feel it more in my bones. I think we got a little taste of that rawness in Hometown Glory from 19. But I wanted more, and I got it in 21.

There's a little of everything in 21. If you're looking for powerful Pop/Soul/Blues listen to her first single Rolling in the Deep, and Rumor has it. If you want more of that southern sound definitely listen to If it hadn't been for love. One of my favorites is Someone like you, it's one of the most honest songs I've heard about a break up. She lays it on thick and heavy, and I love it!

I'm just saying goodbye

I can't explain how this song makes me feel. simply listen, and let it take you away.

Glow

Foundation. It's my life saver. If I was stranded on an island and was only able to bring one makeup product with me, it would be foundation. I've had my fair share of foundations, continually trying new ones. Looking for the perfect match and perfect consistency. My search is over. I would like to introduce you to my makeup soul mate, Nars Sheer Glow Foundation.

I work in the beauty industry and know that products aren't always what they say they are. So, I was very skeptical about this foundation especially because of it's price point. To say I'm cheap when it comes to purchasing cosmetics, is an understatement. I can never justify spending 40 some-odd dollars on something that seems so unnecessary. Prior to discovering Sheer Glow, I was a hardcore Maybelline SuperStay 24hr Makeup fan. It has all the properties to contend with some of the most expensive foundations out there, and every time I wear it I always get compliments on how flawless my skin looks. And, at the reasonable price of 11 Canadian dollars, I can definitely justify my purchase. But like most cosmetic junkies, I needed a change. I wanted to see if there was anything better out there. And to be completely honest, I had ran out of SuperStay foundation and decided to try out a more expensive brand.

Wow. I can not believe how impressed I am with Sheer Glow. The consistency, the slick of the product, and the pigmentation of the foundation. OH MY GOD, the pigmentation! You don't even need a lot of the product to cover your entire face. The finish is really nice, because I'm one for the dewy look. I like looking like I have a little life in my skin, and dewy definitely is healthy looking. One thing I did notice with the foundation is that it actually hydrated my skin. I live in Canada, and winters are very dry and cold. Sheer glow foundation made my skin look and feel hydrated. Even when I don't have makeup on, my skin still looks hydrated.

There was one last factor that sealed the deal. Now, part of the perks for SuperStay foundation is that it's supposed to stay on for 24-hrs. And it's supposed to be sweat proof, transfer free - basically everything free. But, as it turns out that isn't the case. Yes, it stays on considerably well for a drugstore foundation, I will give it that. But it definitely isn't sweat proof, and it definitely isn't transfer free. I have all my crisp white t-shirts to prove it. The way I really test out a foundation is by performing the sleep-in-it test. Yeah I know, it's not good to sleep with your makeup on. But, I like to test out how well makeup stays on by sleeping in it. Gross, I know, but I don't do it every night. What I came to discover was Nars Sheer Glow STAYS ON. Yeah, it actually lasts.

I'm extremely impressed with this foundation, and I'm almost 80% sure I'll fork over the cash to purchase it. No, in all seriousness, if you're in the market for a GREAT foundation, definitely try out Nars Sheer Foundation. It comes in two finishes, glow and matte. Depending on your skin concerns and what type of skin you have - you can choose one or the other. Glow is more for a normal to dry skin type, where as matte is for a combination to oily skin type.

I felt it - perfect. I was perfect.

I have something to admit. When I first watched the trailer for Black Swan I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Natalie Portman, as a ballerina. She has every characteristic in the book to fill the prototype of a ballerina; elegant, poised, and stunningly gorgeous. However, I don't know if I totally bought into her portrayal. I also couldn't believe that Mila Kunis, of 'That 70's Show' fame, was playing Portman's alter ego. After viewing the trailer, I had my hesitations, but overall I was genuinely excited to see it.

The hype was growing around this film with every passing day. So, Dave, his twin brother Joe and I went to see it at the Varsity theater in downtown Toronto, VIP baby. If you ever see that your movie is available in VIP, you should definitely take advantage of this. The service is unimaginable. It is provided to 19+ only, allowing you to order alcohol. Also providing in seat service, private washrooms and a theater that only seated about 30 people. Very cozy to say the least.

I settled in, and thought "holy shit! what have I gotten myself into." To say that Black Swan took me on the wildest ride of my cinema life, is a complete understatement. Visually captivating, opulent writing, and superb acting drew me in so quick I felt haunted by the end of it. I literally could not speak after the film. I was so scared because Natalie Portman's portrayal of Nina was technically sublime. So much so, I actually felt like she must have become clinically insane by the end of the production. Black Swan stirred something in me, I was sweating with fright. I saw a little of Nina's character in myself. Wanting something so badly, that it drives you crazy.

Darren Aronofsky, the director of Black Swan, has done it again. He's changed my life. A couple of years ago, I was fortunate to see one of his films for the very first time. The Fountain, a film about love, life, and death. This film made me realize that life is never what it seems.

So if you go to see Black Swan, expect surprises. Because, boy was I surprised by it. And if you have the time, you should also see some of Aronofsky's other work (i.e. The Fountain, Requiem For A Dream and The Wrestler.)

Autumn, you are beautiful

Getting back into it. It's been long over due, and I have plenty of things on my mind that I need to unleash. Be prepared.

Green will Prevail

You're allowed one mistake, this is the WORLD CUP!

Why you so speechless all the time?

Wow, I can't believe how long I've been putting off this post. Actually many posts. I don't know if it's because I wasn't feeling inspired to write anything, or whether it was my crazy work schedule. Either-or, I'm back to it.

First things first, song of the month. I can't believe that it's almost the end of April and I haven't even posted my March song of the month. With that being said, I DO in fact have a choice for March.

I don't know whether it was Lady Gaga's Telephone video that got me to listen to The Fame Monster fully, but the fact that it took me this long to listen to her album is pure blasphemy. I had watched her perform on SNL back in... well I don't even remember, but the point is her performance gave me chills. I got the album and started to listen to it. Actually, I didn't just listen to it, I obsessed over it for the entire month of March and well into this month. And if I'm lucky enough, I'll be able to see her work the stage at the ACC this July. She's the most eccentric artist in the business, and I fully praise her for what she's doing. All this being said, there was one particular song that stood out to me on my beloved Fame Monster, that being Speechless. I had watched a couple Youtube videos of her singing this song, and the hairs on my arm stood up. I just love the sound of her voice,and how she can command an audience to listen with just her voice. Powerful stuff I tell yah.

i live in a daze of dreams

I'm leaving for England in 8 days.