Toronto Beaches Jazz Festival as a First Timer ft. Two Oceans Wines

I had the privilege of FINALLY attending a day of the annual Beaches Jazz Fest in Toronto. I've been here for years and never went, but I see why it is a popular event! When I got the opportunity to attend thanks to Two Oceans, I jumped at the chance. I went on the very last day, which was probably the hottest darn day I could have chosen. Thank goodness for the shade of the Two Oceans tent!

I thought I would share a few pictures from my day and share my thoughts about going for the first time! You've probably seen a great deal of these if you followed along on my social media (THANK YOU!). So let's get to it!

I was sent this lovely bottle of Moscato and stemless wine glasses along with my wristbands and passes. The wristbands were to get into the VIP area. Entrance into the general admission area is always free! I was also given two food and (alcoholic) drink passes to enjoy during my time at the fest. Two Oceans Wine is a sponsor of the Beaches Jazz Fest.

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#tbt- My Birthday and Lady Gaga

My birthday was July 12th. I originally wanted to do something big, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I am just not that kind of person. Birthdays are not that major to me and I really don't like being the center of attention in big crowds. I got caught up in the idea that it was a big birthday and that I should go crazy, but that just isn't me. I still had a great time with my husband and family! Here's a little bit of the celebrations!

I got my tickets to Lady Gaga for Christmas and even better, the concert was just days before my birthday. So it kickstarted my birthday weekend! It was my third time seeing her and she never disappoints. Well, not when she hits the stage anyway. The only truly disappointing thing is that she never starts on time and you're stuck waiting ages for her to take the stage. Every. Single. Time. Once she's on, it's full throttle!

I got some great gifts from family and friends. A pet store gift card to spend on Indy, an Old Navy gift card, and Tim Hortons because coffee might as well be my middle name. And my friend Daniel is absolutely amazing! He recently had his meet and greet with The Band Perry and he got me their new CD and autographs. Ahhhh, love it! And Kimberly Perry and I are birthday twins, so there is that awesome tidbit of information. ;) I also got a really nice portable music stand from my MIL. I left mine back home years ago and had to prop my music sheets up to practice. Now I don't have to!

But my best gift was someone that I have already introduced you to, Indy. Friday will mark three weeks that we have had him and he's such a good dog. In this picture, he's on our balcony where he loves to people watch before we go on his walks!

We had a nice family dinner here where we ordered in Greek food and feasted on birthday cake. And that's how I toasted in my 30s! Low key, family oriented, good music, good food, and an amazing new addition to our family. If that is what my new decade is going to be about, then I have no complaints!

My Day at the Summer Fair (with video!)

Toronto has an end-of-summer fair that we call the CNE or the Ex, which is short for the Canadian National Exhibition. We went this past Sunday, because I wanted to see The Beach Boys again. They were so good last summer that I could not pass up the chance! Anyway, here are some pictures and video from our day. And also, there is a post on my photography blog showing more pictures from the garden show! Link will be below. :)

OOTD! Dress: Target. Cardigan: Alloy. Necklace: Tiffany & Co. Sunglasses: H&M. Bottom right is the bandshell with the Beach Boys playing!

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The Package Tour (with video)!

What do you get when you put Boyz II Men, 98 Degrees, and NKOTB together? You get this happy fangirl right here! Three of my favorite bands while growing up on one stage equals one amazing concert. You know how I mentioned my amazing concert experience at KISS? Well, my concert luck continued because my sister-in-law and I managed to get upgraded from section 310 down to 110! Yippee!

^ Amazzzzzing. It's my second time seeing them and it was even better than last time. They just get better with age!

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The night I met KISS!

Yes, you read that right. I met KISS! The best part? It was free! My husband scored us tickets through his job that got us two seats and a wristband for a photo with the band. How exciting! I won't share that picture on here, because being my own worst critic, I don't like it. And I do not typically share photos of my husband on here due to his own wishes. But hey, we have it as a memento! If you are on my personal Facebook, it is on there. :)

We were treated like royalty while at the concert. Actually, that is probably an understatement. We met with their marketing manager before meeting the band for the photo and he really hooked us up with some huge bonuses. For most of the concert we were further back in the venue. He came and grabbed us from our seats and took us down to front row stage for a song! I couldn't believe it. I was thisclose to Paul Stanley!

After that, we headed back to our seats and enjoyed a few more songs. Then, the manager came back and grabbed us again. This time he took us to the sound pit and we got to see a behind-the-scenes look at things, before he dragged us out and took us to a VIP seat area where we remained for the grand finale. It was amazing with the pyrotechnics and confetti coming down around us!

Seriously amazing! Words can't describe how wonderful the concert was. The only thing that would have made it better is if they had played my favorite KISS songs- I Want You and Sure Know Something. But hey, I am not complaining at all! I would have been happy with just the free tickets, everything else was just icing on the cake! Here are a few photos from the night. So much fun!

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Lady Antebellum Concert

One of the benefits of living in a big city is having awesome events often. One of those awesome events happened on Monday, which was Victoria Day here. Lady Antebellum put on a free concert at Dundas Square and I just had to go! They are one of my favorite bands and even better that it was free. That's the best price!

We got there two hours early to get a good spot, but it was directly in the sun. I think it was a mixture of the heat and the crowd (stupid anxiety!), but I nearly fainted and had to leave my spot next to my friend. After sitting in some cold air conditioning in a nearby building and getting a water, I started to feel a little better but still not 100%. I managed to find a spot near the back of the Square to watch the concert. Regardless of losing my close spot due to illness, I still enjoyed the show.My body, however, took a day of rest to come back around.

It was worth it! Seeing both The Killers and Lady Antebellum in a week's time made for a happy Wendy. Lady A was fantastic live and if you enjoy them, they are worth seeing. And their new album Golden? Amazzzzing. Besides Downtown, my favorite track is Goodbye Town. Can't get enough of it!

This is considered my Friday, since my husband is taking tomorrow off. Tomorrow is his birthday, so we're going out for dinner and to see Star Trek Into Darkness. Looking forward to seeing it in IMAX 3D! To my fellow Americans, what are your plans for the holiday weekend? Happy Memorial Day!

Breaking My Back Just to Know Your Name

We all have at least one. A favorite band. I have quite a few, because music gets me through everything. I listen to music when I'm happy, sad, mad, whatever. It has gotten me through some tough times and it's gotten me through some great times, always providing me with memories. And sometimes a certain band just keeps making music that makes you want to dance, think, or just get lost in the lyrics.

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My Buffalo, NY Haul

We just went to Buffalo, NY this past Friday to see Martina McBride and George Strait. I do not listen to too much country music these days, but I still have my favorites as most southerners do! I have now seen my two favorites since childhood- George Strait and Reba McEntire. I am so happy to finally say that! I have wanted to see George since I was a toddler.

I'll admit that I broke down a few times while seeing him, as it was surreal and I could not stop thinking about how happy my grandmother would be for me. I wish I was making this next part up, but my grandma was a crazy old lady who loved me more than anything...so much so that she even sent an invite to my wedding to George! But oh what I would not do for one of her crazy schemes again!

This was just an overnight trip, but I knew I had to fit in three of my favorite places. Cheesecake Factory, Target, and Walden Galleria (the mall). Usually I go to the outlets in Niagara also, but I was on a budget and there is no way I could go to those stores and stay on the budget. I know my weaknesses! :) Here is my haul from Target and Walden!

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6/19/12- OOTD/NOTD and the Beach Boys!

Sorry to be so behind on updating this week. It's been such a busy week so far. I thought I'd share two of my Instagram pictures (I'm "wendybanner" on there) from yesterday when I went to the Beach Boys concert. Ever since I heard Kokomo when I was really young, I've been a fan of the Beach Boys and it's been a dream of mine to see them. I finally got my wish last night and it was amazing. They performed all of their hits plus some of my favorites. Can you guess one of my favorites? I admit that I'm biased in a very obvious way, but I love their song Wendy. ;)

I knew I wanted to wear something summery and Toronto is going through a massive heat wave right now.
Romper: Target (brand- Pure Energy)
Thin Crochet sweater: Old Navy
Not pictured: Havaianas flip-flops

Nails: I'm Wired by Sephora by OPI
Accent nail: Hot Gold pigment by NYX

What a great concert...they've still got it after 50 years! And coincidentally, a happy 70th birthday to Brian Wilson today!

Lady GaGa- Toronto, ON

Currently mad: that I keep having to pay more taxes through Customs on things
Currently drinking: water
Currently feeling: bleh with a migraine
I don't do many concert reviews on this blog, but this is Lady GaGa that I'm talking about. She's not just some ordinary person. I don't think a single part of that girl is ordinary!

There were two opening acts- Semi Precious Weapons and Kid Cudi. To be honest, I was not really impressed by either. It's not that either were not talented, they just were not my type of music. The lead singer of SPW was quite flamboyant and out-going to the point that he changed outfits on stage! I wasn't exactly thrilled by that point to get inside, have to wait in line for 30 minutes to get to my seat, and wait another hour for the opening acts. I got there at around 7:30 and Lady GaGa didn't go on stage until around 10:15. That's crazy! I was not impressed by the long wait at all.

Even after the opening acts, there was enough time to play around seven Michael Jackson songs. That part I did not mind. Everyone was getting drunk and there was a drunken dance-off on the floor. One blonde girl thought she was amazing and I have to admit it was pretty funny to watch her keep falling down. And there was a couple in their 40s doing some dirty dancing up in my stands. It was a crazy audience. Lots of GaGa-esque outfits and costumes going on too!

I still don't understand why she'd do Poker Face acoustically and then come right back to do the regular version. I like both versions, but I think only one is necessary. If anything, I think she should have done Christmas Tree! Here is the set list for the concert (I think I have it in the right order):

1. Dance in the Dark
2. Just Dance
3. Beautiful, Dirty, Rich
4. LoveGame
5. Boys, Boys, Boys
6. Alejandro
7. Monster
8. So Happy I Could Die
9. Teeth
10. Poker Face (Acoustic)/Make Her Say (with Kid Cudi)
11. Speechless
12. Fashion
13. The Fame
14. Money Honey
15. Paper Gangsta
16. Poker Face
17. Paparazzi
18. Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)
19. Bad Romance

She was amazing. She performed for two hours and didn't take an intermission. As a matter of fact, she was still performing songs as she was going off the stage to change! She changed about seven or so times! Each outfit got a little more outrageous than the last in pure GaGa form. She sounds great live. And Mark from So You Think You Can Dance (season 4) is a back-up dancer! I noticed him on the big screen and thought to myself what a great fit it was for his quirky dance moves to be teamed up with Lady GaGa!

^my favorite picture that I took and current cell phone background!

The show was fantastic. Her dad was in the audience and she started to cry during Speechless. She also broke down a few times while thanking her fans. She was very chatty and hilarious almost each time she opened her mouth! My only complaint is the long wait just to see her. Otherwise, I left on a concert high that lasted all night. Go see her! :)

EDIT: Forgot to mention about the souvenirs. The Canadian prices were outrageous. $45 for just a tank top? I don't think so. I'm going to order a shirt online later. I bought a glow bracelet for $5 and a tour program which is actually more of an artbook for $20. There were also glow lanyards, ID lanyards, and posters for $10 each. Most of the shirts were $40-45. A lot of the things are cheaper online, but that's to be expected.

I'm sorry.

Currently listening: BRITNEY!
Currently drinking: water
Currently feeling: tired

I must apologize for not updating yesterday! I was so excited for my Pussycat Dolls/Britney Spears concert and getting ready for it that I barely even got online to check my email! Here is my review of the concert! :)

The Pussycat Dolls

I'm a pretty big PCD fan. I adore their music. Melody (girl on the left) has an amazing voice and sometimes I'm annoyed that she does not have more of the spotlight. They did all of their hits (plus newer songs) and they were an impressive opening act. It worked perfectly with Britney's set- burlesque group into a circus performance. Some people don't like their cover to Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire, but I actually like it. It sounded great live!

If I'm remembering correctly, this is the set list:

Buttons
I Don’t Need A Man
Elevator
Bottle Pop (Dance)
Stickwitu
I Hate This Part
Wait A Minute
Whatcha Think About That
Don’t Cha
When I Grow Up
Jai Ho!

The Legendary Ms. Britney Spears

Holy cow! From the minute that PCD left the stage, the circus acts pretty much started. There were circus performers on both ends of the circular stage! They were amazing. Perez Hilton had the benefit of doing the opening introduction in a filmed scene...that was interesting. Britney looked beautiful when she came out. During a few songs there were magic tricks and more circus acts. She floated on a big umbrella, a big picture frame, and two men who interlocked their bodies. There were quite a few costume changes.

I really enjoyed the Bollywood remix of Me Against the Music. The dancing and outfits worked great for it! My only complaint is the price of the merchandise. Every single shirt was pretty much $40+. Her programs are $30. Tracksuits were $160-200. Though, there are some cheaper things. A tote bag was $20. There were collectible cups that are $2-3. And you can buy a feathered masquerade mask for $5. I can't remember the rest!

The set list was:

Perez/Parade Intro

Circus (Funky Remix)

Piece of Me

Radar

Ooh Ooh Baby/Hot as Ice

Boys

If U Seek Amy

Me Against the Music (Bollywood)

Freakshow

Get Naked

Breathe on Me/Touch of My Hand

Do Something

Slave

Toxic

Baby One More Time (Remix)

Womanizer (Extended Remix)

Circus Reprise: The Bow

XOXO ♥

Saturday!

Currently watching: Numb3rs
Currently drinking: water
Currently feeling: on a music high

Sorry about not updating yesterday! I guess I was too excited about seeing these fierce and hot babes on the stage for the fourth time. Forgive me? :)

XOXO ♥

Step By Step

I just want to give a huge thanks to all of the bands from my past that are reuniting and giving me another chance to finally get to see them!

The other day was a day that I have been waiting for since the 90s. I got my ticket to a concert that has me shaking with anticipation! Back in the day, I was a super fan girl. These boys were my first addiction besides Barbie dolls and Matchbox cars. I had the slap bracelets, sleeping bag, pillow cases, dolls, posters, cassette tapes, you name it...If their faces were on it, I had it. I'm talking about the New Kids on the Block!

Yes, yes, yes! After all of these years, I'm finally getting the opportunity to see them. I've always been a Donnie and Danny girl, but they are all looking hot. Time has been good to them! They should be called New Men on the Block now. :) I like the new single, Summertime. It is a very exciting thing to hear them on the radio again. First, the Spice Girls and now NKOTB. Now, if I could just get Justin, Joey, Chris, Lance, and JC to get back together... :D

Step by step ooh baby
Gonna get to you girl
Step by step ooh baby
Really want you in my world

P.S.- Changed the layout AGAIN! The other one was not what I wanted. This one is much more summery, lighter, and PINK! Plus, I really just cannot resist Gossip Girl.

Spicing Up My Life

Tonight is the night...that I will be seeing the Spice Girls! I am so excited! :) I have a bunch of other stuff to talk about in later posts!