What I Got For Christmas 2019

Let's get this out of the way first! If you don't like this type of post, that is okay. I understand if you keep scrolling down your feed! I've been doing these posts for years now, which you can see on my "Christmas" label and I know they are not everyone's cup of tea. I personally enjoy seeing what people get as gifts for any occasion. And a lot of the time, my eyes are opened to books, films, and other things that I didn't even know existed. If the gift has a story behind it, even better! I adore hearing about sentimental items and memories.

Speaking of which, this Christmas was so incredibly special and I know that I will always look back at it with fondness. It was my first time home for the holidays since 2011 and that was my absolute best gift this holiday season. Hands down! Spending Christmas Day playing games with my brother? That is everything I needed! Hugging my uncle that is on hospice care and my 84 year old grandfather, seeing family members I had not seen in years, having my grandmother's Christmas cookies again, dinner with my closest and oldest friends...I could just keep going. And I might in another post, if any of you are interested in hearing about my South Carolina life. My heart is so full right now and I haven't come down from the high yet!

Because I went home, it was a bigger Christmas than usual. We were home in SC (and I have a big family) and then back up here for a belated celebration with my husband's side of the family. And I learned the hardships of trying to shop for a teenaged boy (my brother). I realized that I am officially so removed from the teenage years that I was having to Google teenager trends, though TikTok also helped just by watching videos. The next time I'm down will be Thanksgiving and his birthday is the same week, so I guess I better go ahead and start my research now! Haha!

Keep reading!

Sunny Daze Summer Playlist

I never really got around to sharing my spring playlist, but that is okay because there's been some great songs that just recently came out that I can't stop playing! Of course, I usually have a mix of old and new on my playlists because I listen to everything. Let me know if there is a song that you can't get out of your head that I just "have to hear"!

1. Expectations - Lauren Jauregui
2. breathin - Ariana Grande
3. This Life - Vampire Weekend
4. Never Really Over - Katy Perry
5. You Need to Calm Down - Taylor Swift
6. Bounce Back - Little Mix
7. Senorita - Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello
8. Don't Lose Your Head - Six the Musical (and that whole OST, tbh)
9. Time Waits for No One - Freddie Mercury
10. bad guy - Billie Eilish
11. Dive - Ed Sheeran
12. If I Can't Have You - Shawn Mendes
13. Beast of Burden - The Rolling Stones
14. Want You in My Room - Carly Rae Jepsen
15. Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers

Blithe Spirit ft. Angela Lansbury

My main Valentine's Day gift this year was tickets to see Blithe Spirit. I have been drooling at the mouth for tickets to see this play since I first heard it was coming to Toronto. Angela Lansbury is one of my favorite actresses, which I believe I have mentioned here before. And to hear she was going to grace the stage in my city? The stuff dreams are made of! I felt privileged just to be in the same room with her. Best Valentine's Day gift ever!

Angela stars as Madame Arcati and Charles Edwards stars as Charles Condomine. I don't watch Downton Abbey (though I should try it), but you might know Charles as Michael Gregson. The other stars include Sandra Shipley, Simon Jones (actor, not the cricket player), Jemima Rooper, and Charlotte Parry. This play is written with fast wit and conversation, which is the humor that I am most attracted to. And while it has been hinted that Coward did not much like Oscar Wilde, this play in particular reminds me very much of Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. That's not a bad thing at all, in my opinion.

I would be crazy if I did not say that Angela stole the show, but the actors around her did not crumble under her spotlight. They each held their own and did an amazing job. In another reminding, the maid Edith makes me think of Manuel from Fawlty Towers! Susan Louise O'Connor did a great job of portraying her. I would say that she and Angela were the two to get the loudest laughs from me, though I would also say there were rarely moments that I wasn't laughing or chuckling.

At 89, I am certain that Angela Lansbury kicked her leg up higher than I can during her seance dance. She moves and owns the stage no differently than she always has. If you did not know her age, you sure would not be able to guess it. It was an absolute pleasure to see her perform and I only wish that it had not been -6F outside, so that I may have met her at the stage door. It was truly an experience that I will never forget.

Photo by Joan Marcus

A quick play synopsis can be found on Wikipedia. This is playing in Toronto at the Princess of Wales Theatre until March 15. From Toronto, it will move to Washington, DC before ending. And let's all hope that it will tour again, because it is a masterpiece!

My Blogger Secret Santa

I signed up for a Secret Santa event that a couple of fellow bloggers were hosting. I got paired up with Vanessa from Citron and Guavaberry. Since we both live in the GTA (General Toronto Area), we decided to meet in person and save on the hassles and costs of postage during the crazy holiday season. We met up last week to exchange our gifts quickly, as I had a sporting event to go to that evening.

She's so sweet! Please check her blog out, if you get the chance. I'd love to meet up with her again at some point and have a proper conversation. It's always great to meet other bloggers, easily one of the best things about blogging!

Look at that gorgeous wrapping job she did. My wrapping skills are that of a toddler, I must confess. So my husband wrapped Vanessa's gift for me. Yeah, I took the easy lazy way out.

I can't believe what she picked out for me! She found the Deborah Lippmann Wicked nail polish set I wanted so badly and was completely bummed when I couldn't find it at any of the Sephora locations I went to. Wicked is one of my absolute favorite Broadway shows and Lippmann makes amazing nail polishes. So excited for this that I jumped up for joy when unwrapping it!

The bareMinerals eyeshadow duo is one I would have picked out for myself and I will be reviewing and showing it soon. And the Essence shimmer powder is so pretty. I don't believe I've tried anything by Essence yet, so I cannot wait to try this. I'll post about it, as well. All of these things are almost too pretty to use!

Really happy with everything! And thanks to this year's Secret Santa, I have a lovely new blogger friend...which is the best gift of all, really. ♥

Musical Monday

Currently listening: Human by The Killers
Currently drinking: water
Currently feeling: I woke up in the Christmas spirit...in October. :P

I saw We Will Rock You on Saturday. Sooooo good! I rank it right up there with Mamma Mia and Wicked as being my favorite shows that I have seen so far. They worked comedy into the scenes and made it quite hilarious. I love a show that has good music and good laughs. If given a chance, please see this musical. The Toronto cast was beyond amazing. I think my new dream Broadway role is Scaramouche. She's a tongue-in-cheek and ball-buster kind of gal! :)

XOXO ♥