Mar
19
2013

Must-see TV: Shows to Get Caught Up On

Just in time for the new wave of seasons!

Must-see TV: Shows to Get Caught Up On

I realized today that I really want to check out Sons of Anarchy and have been meaning to watch it for quite some time, except I just never did. So, tonight, I'm going to plop down and check out the first episode or two. And in deciding to watch SoA, I thought about all the great shows I recommend to people to check out all the time, and thought I'd share some of my favourites with you. 

Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is one of my all time favourite shows. Bryan Cranston's Walter White goes from mild-mannered, depressed, dying high school chemistry teacher to one bad ass mother. In 3 seasons. It's gruesome and tough to watch at times, but it's superbly written, acted and just works so well on the small screen. The second half of the last season will air this summer, and I really wish it weren't ending, but the show's producer said he always had a finite story to tell, and that the story was always meant to end. I just love it. 

The Wire

This is an "oldie" (aka more than a few years since ending) but another one of my all-time favourites. The show is set in Baltimore and each season tackles a different major social issue. The first? The poor and drug use/drug dealers. The second, organized crime and trafficking. The third is an allegory for the war in Iraq, the fourth season, education and how criminals can be made within the school system, and the final season covers the media. All the seasons are expertly interconnected as you can see that poverty begets violence begets ignorance begets corruption. 

Homocide: Life on the Streets

This show is the precursor for The Wire and is created by the same team. Based on the novel Homocide: A Year on the Killing Streets this show was on for 7 seasons on NBC and is where Law & Order's Det. Munsch came from. There were even a few cross over episodes between Homocide and Law & Order

True Blood

I know, most of you have probably already seen True Blood, but it's a great show nonetheless and one that has its moments. This one is a definite guilty pleasure (Eric Northman? Yes please!)

Game of Thrones

Based on my favourite book series of all time, A Song of Ice and Fire, Thrones is the HBO version of the books. Yes, I can find faults in it (but man, I love those books), but overall, the show is fantastic. And the new season starts on Sunday, March 31! Some big, BIG things are coming this season (let's just say I laughed, cried and gasped day in and day out reading book 3 on the subway to work) and I'm really curious to see how they put these things to screen. The acting is great and the casting is pretty spot on. 

Also, we have a family portrait from the first GoT exhibit that came through Toronto in 2012. 

Iron throne family

So, spill it! What's your favourite show to watch?

 

Mar
14
2013

Kim Kardashian's Maternity Wardrobe

Is skewed female beauty to blame for her uncomfortable look?

Kim Kardashian's Maternity Wardrobe

It seems like I can't get enough of Kim Kardashian. Between her reality show, her relationship with Kanye West, and her current fashion choices, I just can't look away. Kim's close to 6 months pregnant, and, well, her wardrobe seems....uncomfortable? I think Kim's body is beautiful, and she's pretty gorgeous, but lately, I'm starting to wonder if this whole pregnancy thing isn't getting the best of her mentally.

Photos have surfaced recently of her undergoing something called a Vampire Facelift and she's dressing like she doesn't really understand that she's pregnant. I'm worried that the pressure that she's putting on herself will make her unwell either physically or emotionally, and as we all know, heading into that last trimester, the last thing you want to do is be anxiety-ridden and uncomfortable. 

She's been wearing beautiful clothes, as per usual, but they seem to be ill-fitting because, well, she's expanding, as all women do when pregnant. She's recently admitted that nothing is more important to her than her health now that she's pregnant as she wants to stay fit for her baby. I'm not entirely sure I believe that. She sees two personal trainers and is currently on a diet as prescribed by celebrity trainer and food writer, Harley Pasternak. Of her other two trainers, one is Tracy Anderson, the woman who is famous for giving Madonna those terrifying veiny arms (and has no designation of certification in fitness). Last week, Kim was rushed to hospital after the fear of her having a miscarriage during a flight home to LA from London.

Luckily, she and the bump were fine, but many are speculating that this medical scare is due to her diet and exercise regimen. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for health, well-being, AND fashion in pregnancy (hello, Sweaty Mummy!) but I'm not trying to squeeze myself into insane designer duds that push on my expanding belly, or wearing 6 inch stilettos. There was a joke for a while that Kanye was dressing Kim, which was why she was taking such interesting fashion turns. But I don't think it would be fair to put this burden solely on Kanye's fashion-loving shoulders. Kim's clearly having a hard time with this whole pregnancy thing.

And it worries me. 

Not just for her health (both mental and physical) or the health of her baby, but for all of us. I mean, what does it tell young women when this very rich, very famous woman is obsessed with her weight during pregnancy? To me, it says that pregnancy isn't something wonderful, to be embraced and respected. It says, "Pregnancy is a scary thing that makes you fat and forces you into uncomfortable clothes and ruins your life." 

But that's not true! We don't lose ourselves because we're pregnant. We find ourselves. For me, especially with this pregnancy, I've become more comfortable with who I am. More interested in fashion, style and all that stuff. Because being a parent was what I needed to help sort out who I really am and what I really want to do. And I'm here to tell you that you absolutely CAN be incredibly fashionable while pregnant and still be comfortable as hell. Case in point? Here's the outfit I wore to work today:

kat-leather-pants

I hope Kim gets more comfortable with this time in her life before the real change comes, otherwise, she will have a really hard time adjusting to her new life as a mama. She's a beautiful woman who's about do an amazing thing and give birth to a child! And, she's in a relationship with Kanye West, the most dramatic man on earth! She deserves a freaking medal. In this day and age, it's really easy to remain fashionable while pregnant. I should know, I'm a perfect example *wink*.

And yes, in case you are wondering those are leather-look leggings I'm wearing. 

 

Mar
11
2013

Making Your Artsy Little Guys Happy on March Break

It doesn't take much and doesn't have to break the bank

Making Your Artsy Little Guys Happy on March Break

Living in major cities (or near them) helps when we're planning our March break activites. From city run day-events to music lesons and concerts, there's all sorts of stuff to keep our kids happy. This weekend, Toronto hosted one of many comic book conventions, Comic Con, run by the same team that does Fan Expo and as always, kids are free! This year's expo hosted a HUGE reunion—the entire cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation (I die). But the best part for me, at least at this convention, was seeing all the kiddies and their reactions to their favourite characters. Like this:

Yep, that's Henry with "DeeTwo." He hugged and kissed R2D2, Darth Vader, Finn from Adventure Time and many others. And it didn't cost us anything to get him in on this action. And Dad got some comic books for himself, and bought a book for me that I've been wanting. This was a great start to the March break. But it won't end there. 

This week, we're checking out Wizard World and I couldn't be more excited. Circus animals, rides and a side show, admission prices are low, and you don't have to go on every single ride (and spend a tonne of money) to have fun because there's enough to do there for the day that the kids will remain entertained. And a big congratulations to Sandra D for winning the family passes for the park to use this week! 

There are family events at aquariums, museums, and parks. Daytime concerts, music events and free or inexpensive movies for kids. There's basically something for every one of your arts loving, movie watching kids where ever you look. With a little planning, a packed lunch and a budget, you too can see your kid's face light up when he meets Batman. Like Henry did.