2013 RoundUp: Favourite Albums of 2013

2013 was a great year for music. I think I actually bought more albums than the past couple years combined so it was really hard to come up with a top 5!

Honourable mentions go to:

Pure Heroine by Lorde
The 1975 by The 1975
Sing to the Moon by Laura Mvula

My top 5 albums of 2013 are:

5.The Bones of What You Believe by CHVRCHES
4. If You Wait by London Grammar
3. Cannibals with Cutlery by To Kill A King
2. Days are Gone by Haim
1. Bad Blood (/All This Bad Blood) by Bastille

(Hilariously, although it is without a doubt my favourite album, it wasn't until I was finishing this post up that I realized Bad Blood came out in 2013 not 2012 like I thought. It wasn't originally on the list at all - with Haim at #1 and the Laura Mvula at #5.)

2013 RoundUp: Most Listened Music

According to last.fm my top 10 most listened to artists of 2013 were:

10. David Bowie
9.  Grimes
8.  The 1975
7.  London Grammar
6.  Alt-J
5.  CHVRCHES
4.  Lorde
3.  To Kill A King
2.  HAIM
1.  Bastille

Not a single artist from last year's list!

And my most listened to track of the year was:

2013 RoundUp: Favourite Movies

I'm going to switch it up this year, because I'm crazy like that. Hold on to your hats because I'm posting my least favourite movies FIRST.

My 10 worst movies that I saw this year:
10. Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012)
9. Man of Steel(2013) (yes. I preferred a Katy Perry documentary over a Superman movie. That pretty much sums up my feelings on Man of Steel...)
8. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
7. Road House (1989)
6. That Guy... Who Was In That Thing (2012)
5. The Dictator (2012)
4. Zardoz (1974)
3. Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie (2013)
2. The Abominable Dr.Phibes (1971)
1. Blubberella (2011)

It really was hard to narrow my favourites down to 10 this year. When trying to fill in my final slots, I decided to ultimately go with "what do I want to keep watching more than once or twice" which is why some films made the list that may not be as technically "good" as others I left off.

My 10 favourite movies that I saw this year:
10. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
9. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
8. Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
7. Blue Jasmine (2013)
6. Eraserhead (1977)
5. Fantasia (1940)
4. The World's End (2013)
3. Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
2. Frozen (2013)
1. Grey Gardens (1975)

2013 RoundUp: The 67 New-to-Me Flicks of 2013

1. Aziz Ansari: Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening
2. Beasts of the Southern Wild
3. Hope Springs
4. What to Expect When You're Expecting
5. Silver Linings Playbook
6. Moshe Kasher: Live in Oakland
7. Numb: Simon Amstell Live at the BBC
8. Girl Walk // All Day
9.  9
10. Still
11. Warm Bodies
12. Miss Representation
13. Aziz Ansari: Dangerously Delicious
14.  Brian Posehn: The Fartist
15.  Grey Gardens
16.  Spirited Away
17.  Quartet
18.  Happy People: A Year in the Taiga
19.  Road House
20.  Craig Ferguson: I'm Here to Help
21.  Zardoz
22.  The Abominable Dr.Phibes
23.  xanadu
24.  Iron Man 3
25.  The Aristocats
26. The Sapphires
27.  Bridget Jones's diary
28.  Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
29.  Star Trek into Darkness
30.  Attack the Block
31.  Louis C.K.: Chewed Up
32.  Zach Galifianakis: Live
33.  Bert and Dickie
34.  The Comedians of Comedy: The Movie
35.  Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie
36.  Eraserhead
37.  Wreck-It Ralph
38.  The Beales of Grey Gardens
39.  This is 40
40.  Katy Perry: Part of Me
41.  The Dictator
42.  That Guy... Who Was In That Thing
43.  Howl's Moving Castle
44.  Jay & Silent Bob Go Down Under
45.  Blubberella
46.  Kiki's Delivery Service
47.  Princess Mononoke
48.  Despicable Me 2
49.  Man of Steel
50.  Fantasia 
51.  Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
52.  Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
53.  Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
54.  Monsters university
55.  The 39 Steps
56.  The World's End
57.  Blue Jasmine
58.  A Fantastic Fear of Everything
59.  The Mighty Boosh on Tour: Journey of the Childmen
60.  Die Friseuse
61.  Bottle Rocket
62. Rushmore
63. Hotel Transylvania
64. Thor: The Dark World
65. Mulan
66.  Frozen
67.  Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

2013 RoundUp: Best of (my) Instagram

January


February


March


April


May


June


July


August


September


October


November


December

2013 RoundUp: Favourite Moments

2013 was by far my favourite year thus far. So many great things happened!

January
4th - arrived in New York
5th - saw works by VanGogh at MoMA / ate at Becco / saw my first Broadway show (Matthew Broderick!)
6th - boarded my first cruise
9th - arrived in the Bahamas
22nd - installed an art piece in a gallery

February
22nd - saw Bat Boy: The Musical
24th - hosted annual Oscar party

March
2nd - saw Seussical
24th - saw the Book of Mormon
30th - International TableTop Day

April
4th - attended Parade of Chefs
22nd to 26th - took part in Live Below the Line

May
2nd to 4th - stage managed my first play -  Beyond a Joke
11th - peformed "All the Men in my Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons" from Evil Dead: The Musical at a cabaret show
19th - Party! - Sangria Spring
21st - saw Kevin Smith & Jason Mewes live for Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie
24th - attended a talk by Neil Pasricha, author of The Book of Awesome

June
2nd - held the Cosmic Brunch club beta test
22nd - Colour Me Rad 5K
23rd - auditioned for world premiere musical The Littlest Rockette
28th - my sister & neice moved back to my town
30th - played Dungeons & Dragons for the first time

July
13th - Went geocaching for the first time & ate at o.noir
17th - saw Tegan & Sara live
21st - saw my first live Shakespeare play - Measure for Measure
27th - held my Superhero Soiree
28th - Turned 27
31st - saw Spamalot

August
16 to 18 - had an amazing time and met lots of my 'friends from the internet' at DAWN-A-PA-DREW-ZA 6
21st - put an offer in on a condo
22nd - hosted Cornetto Night where we watched Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and episodes of Spaced on a projector.
23rd - The World's End opened!!

September
5th - Fashion & the City event
14th - TK 35th Anniversary party
15th - first ever hangover
25th - saw my favourite band, BASTILLE, for the first time & stayed at the Drake Hotel
26th - went to the David Bowie IS exhibit at the AGO

October
1st - got the keys to my condo
4th - saw Whose Live Anyway
14th - party! - Sangria Cornucopia
19th - threw a wedding shower for my HLP (hetero life parter)

November
9th to 10th - took part in Extra Life
16th - HLP's bachelorette in Toronto - saw Evil Dead: The Musical & stayed at the Drake Hotel again (hotel manager likes me so he upgraded us to the suite for free and gave us free champagne!).
21st to 23rd - world premiere performances of the Littlest Rockette as Dancer the Reindeer
29th - HLP's Bridal PJ Party

December
7th - met a real life reindeer, went to a Santa Claus parade
11th - dyed my hair blue
13th - HLP's wedding day
20th - party! - Sangria Christmas
25th - actual Christmas!
28th - sisters' birthday
31st - mom's birthday and New Years festivities!

If 2014 is even half as good, I'm in for a great year, but I have a feeling it's going to be even better!!

2013 RoundUp: Hearts of the Year

Today's roundup features my favourite bits and pieces from around the web that I have included in my Hearts of the Month posts this year.

Art: Alternative Limb Project 

Article: Man Duct Tapes Paralyzed Woman to His Back, Takes Her Surfing 

Article: This Sister Is Overwhelmed With Happiness At The Thought Of Twin Siblings

Satire: Unambitious Loser With Happy, Fulfilling Life Still Lives In Hometown

Article: Stranded Airline Passengers, Crazy From Heat And Boredom, Start Singing “I Believe I Can Fly” 

Article: What’s in Prince’s Fridge? 

Article: Guys with Fancy Lady Hair

Art: How-To: Rust-Oleum NeverWet Sidewalk Art

2013 RoundUp: Favourite Posts

These posts were my favourites for different reasons. Some represent some great moments throughout the year. Some represent things I've learned. Some- like my wishlists and polyvore outfits- were just fun to put together!

• Friday Foto Roundup: January 1 - February 7
• Fat Tuesday #2
• metamorphosis (note: even though the Toronto Blogcademy was cancelled - the lesson of getting out of my comfort zone was a big one for this year)
• Wish I Was Wearing Wednesday: Stage Manager Swag
• Weekend Wishlist: Grey Gardens
• Wish I Was Wearing Wednesday: One Day - Three Events
• Weekend Wishlist: Birthday Wishes 2013
• Fat Tuesday #5
• The Mosquito Experiments #2: Hot Spoon
• I just blue myself

As for my VERY FAVOURITE post of the year?

All of my Live Below the Line posts were really important to me and all share the top spot!

• challenge accepted: Live Below the Line
• Below the Line: Day 0
• Below the Line: Day 1
• Below the Line: Day 2
• Below the Line: Day 3
• Below the Line: Day 4
• Below the Line: Day 5

11 things on the 11th: November 2013

1. Eating leftover 'fun sized' Baby Ruths. Not having a lot of kids come by on Halloween has its perks.

2. Drinking coconut water with jelly.

3. Craving broccoli with cheese sauce. Odd.

4. Reading the World Vision gift catalogue.

5. Listening to Haim.

6. Watching Come Dine With Me.

7. Surfing lifehacker.com

8. Wearing my PJs! And I put them on at 6:30!

9. Making a list of Christmas gift ideas. 

10. Noticing that the musical I am in (the reason for lack of posts lately) opens next week. WHERE DID THE TIME GO?!

11. Lusting after this Vivienne Westwood coat. GIMME.

Hearts of the Month: September

A monthly round-up of things I loved looking at.

Article: Guys with Fancy Lady Hair -- This. Is. Awesome.

Art: How-To: Rust-Oleum NeverWet Sidewalk Art -- OMG! I need to get some of this!

Video: Lisa Frank's First On-Camera Interview!!

"The World of Lisa Frank" - A Short Film from Scott Ross on Vimeo.

Event: Oregon Trail Live -- This sounds hilarious! Wish I could have gone! 

Article: Tim Gunn: “I Am Crazy About Etsy”

Hearts of the Month: August

 A monthly round-up of things I loved looking at.

Movie: The World's End (check my enlightening review HERE)

Article: 23 Bitchy Looking Houses That Can’t Believe You Right Now 

Website: Benedict Cumberbatch Name Generator  - I was seriously cackling. Favourite? Snorkeldink Creamsicle

Web Video: 10 best lifehacks for living alone 

Web Video: Bitchy Resting Face

Article: Stranded Airline Passengers, Crazy From Heat And Boredom, Start Singing “I Believe I Can Fly” 

Article: What’s in Prince’s Fridge? 

11 things on the 11th: August 2013

1. Eating no sugar, whole-wheat flour peanut butter cookies. They are actually so good.

2. Drinking water. Exciting!

3. Craving nachos and cheese after driving by a neat looking nacho bar last night.

4. Reading The Simple Things magazine.

5. Listening to CHVRCHES.

6. Watching a lot of PBS lately.

7. Surfing the plus-size section of ModCloth. I need to win the lottery, like, yesterday.

8. Wearing double denim (vest and pants). Becoming a habit...

9. Making my packing list for Dawn-a-pa-Drew-za. 

10. Noticing that I have a lot to do this week!

11. Lusting after… HOLY CRAP THIS DRESS.

Hearts of the Month: July

A monthly round-up of things I loved.

Article: 'Saturday Night Live': A full directory of Stefon's favorite clubs.

Video: A Bad Lip Reading of ‘The Walking Dead’ 

Art: Alternative Limb Project 

Article: Man Duct Tapes Paralyzed Woman to His Back, Takes Her Surfing 

Art: Mesmerizing Looping GIFs of One Cloned Man

Art: Photographer Mother Shoots Daughter As Great Historical Women

Article: This Sister Is Overwhelmed With Happiness At The Thought Of Twin Siblings

Satire: Unambitious Loser With Happy, Fulfilling Life Still Lives In Hometown

11 things on the 11th: July 2013

1. Eating all you can eat sushi.

2. Drinking green tea.

3. Craving something chocolate and peanut-buttery.

4. Reading (starting later tonight) The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman.

5. Listening to will.i.am's single Bang Bang. It is SO GOOD.

6. Watching my guilty pleasure - Big Brother UK.

7. Surfing The Scrap Review and drooling over previews for all the new paper collections.

8. Wearing a strangely cut purple top with spikes on the shoulders. I can't decide if I like it or not...

9. Making plans for my birthday costume. 

10. Noticing that it's almost mid-July already!

11. Lusting after THIS DRESS OMG.

11 things on the 11th: May 2013

Eating Bugles.

Drinking fiji water.

Craving a nap, again.

Reading over the lyrics for the Cabaret show I have tonight.

Listening to the latest episode Harmontown.

Watching the last two episodes of season 2 of Girls, later tonight.

Surfing Facebook, hassling people about coming to the Cabaret show tonight.

Wearing my new necklace, hairband and shirt from Domino Dollhouse!

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got… Yeah, sorry. 

Noticing that I need a sweater.

Lusting ....ummm...

Hearts of the Month: March & April

VIDEO: this bad Lip Reading of The Amazing Spider-Man makes me cry with laughter EVERY TIME.

VIDEO: 6 year old "B-Girl Terra" has insane skills

VIDEO - this 9 year old contemplating the universe and meaning of life is just awesome.  AMAZING.

ARTICLE: 

Tilda Swinton’s Live Performance Art of Sleeping in a Box At MoMA Surprises Museum-Goers

VIDEO: What happens when you get a cat to compose the score a soap opera? Spoiler: it's hilariously appropriate.

VIDEO: Bastille is my favourite. This video is a neat look at how they go about building the elements for their songs. 

ARTICLE: 

David Bowie Releases a Collection of His Vintage Videos Online

VIDEO: One of my favourite 'post-wisdom teeth extraction' videos to date. 

“They were just trying to help me chew and I didn’t accept them.”

VIDEO: It's a Rembrandt Flashmob. Need I say more? 

11 things on the 11th: April 2013

Eating a cheese croissant.
Drinking green tea.
Craving a nap.
Reading the first compendium of The Walking Dead.
Listening to Greg James' show on BBC Radio 1.
Watching videos about Live Below the Line.
Surfing Pinterest for Live Below the Line blog entries and tips.
Wearing - oh lord - just realized I am wearing leopard print on my bottoms and top. Someone got dressed half asleep this morning.
Making post-it note lists of my upcoming rehearsals.
Noticing that Bill Cosby keeps popping up on my radar this week. It all started here.
Lusting after a 15 inch purple satchel.

11 things on the 11th: March 2013

The 11 things I am doing on February 11th 2013:

Eating a piece of Lindt Excellence Fleur de Sel Dark Chocolate.
Drinking green tea.
Craving chocolate covered potato chips.
Reading a bunch of digital magazines I got FREE on my iPad thanks to my new library card.
Listening to the first day's entry in the 21-day Meditation Challenge.
Watching a really annoying couple on 'Love it or List it'.
Surfing GalaDarling.com -- I've been on a mission to work my way through the entire blog from the very first entry.
Wearing black rubber boots with pink & purple flowers on them.
Making faces at my niece.
Noticing that it feels like spring is right around the corner!
Lusting after these Hot Pink Sequined Minnie Mouse Ears.

Hearts of the Month: February 2013

It's a few days late but boy have I got four great videos and an awesome article to share!

Article: Group of Men Have Played Game of Tag for 23 Years...

11 things on the 11th: February 2013

The 11 things I am doing on February 11th 2013:

Eating Kashi Fruit & Grain Dark Chocolate Coconut granola bar.
Drinking chocolate milk.
Craving movie theatre popcorn.
Reading Saga (issue #9).
Listening to the Harmontown podcast. Going back and catching up on all the episodes I've missed.
Watching Masterchef Australia: The Professionals.
Surfing Pinterest like a mad fool, searching for new seafood recipes.
Wearing Quo by ORLY nail polish in Bling it On, Philip Stein watch.
Making an epic to-do list.
Noticing the word COSMIC popping up a ton in my life. In the strangest places too. I'm loving it!
Lusting after this necklace.