The A List: 8.28.15

A vacation and a week of catch-up and I'm back and ready to enjoy the last couple weeks of summer. Here's a round-up of what I've been loving this week.

1. Matte Lipstick: I forgot how much a full matte lip can finish a look. All summer I've been playing with neutrals and bronzers to complete my look and this week I decided to try a matte lipstick with my (fake) summer glow. I'm loving how it brightens my face and takes a casual summer look to next level.
2. Incanto Rose Frizzante: initially I was a skeptical rose convert, it's hard to trust a drink that looks like a white zinfandel (shudder). But I should know that Trader Joes would never steer me wrong. This Incanto rose is not sweet at all and has just the right amount of bubbly to finish it off. It's the perfect sip to savor these last few weeks of summer heat.
3. Ban. Do Florabunda Agenda: confession, I have tried every productivity app there is, some with modest success (evernote) but most without. There's something about putting pen to paper that cements thoughts and to-dos for me. And this agenda couldn't be more fun, it has places for lists and reminders for daily needs, and irreverent holidays (National Thrift Shop Day) to keeps things fun. I'm in love.
4. The library: the Columbus Metropolitan Library is truly a gem in the Columbus community. In the past month I've visited my local branch to pick up the latest novel (review of Everybody Rise to come), watched a DVD, and rented e-books for kindle app to take on vacation. AND, the library texts me when materials are in/due. Honestly? I don't know what I'd do without the library in my life.
5. Arrow: oh Netflix, you've struck again. The best thing about summer tv basically sucking is that Netflix is always waiting to serve up your next binge. And that binge happens to be Arrow. I'm loving how Arrow's characters are all badass, the girls seriously kick some butt, and the story moves fast enough for my short attention span. (It doesn't hurt that Stephen Amell provides some aesthetically pleasing scenes too). I'm officially hooked.

The A List: 8.7.15

1. The Stowe Katie Bag: once the September Issues start hitting the newsstand, I can't help but want to plan my fall & winter wardrobe. Part of that wardrobe always contains a new leather bag, and this one might be the perfect fit. Minimalist but still luxe, it will fit all of my work essentials and look great doing so.
2. Jet Set Candy YYZ Necklace: I leave for Toronto for a week on Monday and I couldn't be more excited. Upon my return I might to grab this simple luggage tag necklace so I can keep TO close to me long after my trip is over. Like the bag above, it's simple yet luxe - just like my fall style.
3. UnReal on Lifetime: when I saw the reviews on social media of this show, I couldn't believe that a Lifetime show was garnering such critical acclaim. Cue watching the first show on demand, and then realizing a few hours later that I'd blown through 5 episodes. The show is scandalous, it's hilarious, and most of all, it looks like it could be closer to The Bachelor than we think?
4. ASOS Mascot Leather loafers: until I started working in sports, amazing pairs heels were a daily part of my wardrobe. Nowadays, especially on game days, heels are just not practical to surviving an 18 hour day. Loafers and oxfords are now a large part of my shoe collection because of their amazing versatility. From skinny pants to floral dresses, jeans to a-line skirts, these loafers are perfect for the days I spend the whole time on my feet.
5. Toronto Blue Jays: I'm a little worried that as I write this I'm going to jinx the Jays, but it's definitely a fun time to watch my hometown baseball team. If they keep up on the run that their on, maybe this is the year the sports gods reward the city of Toronto? *fingers crossed*

Sports' Niche Award Shows

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Kids Choice Sports

Big Wheel races, high five challenges, giant bullies, and that iconic slime, the kids choice sports awards were all that and more. Tailor-made for kids' short attention spans (adults, don’t even try keeping up) the award show was an excellent showcase of two aspects of athletes lives we barely get to see 1) their kids and 2) their competitiveness in every day life. NBA golden boy Steph Curry swept three of the awards but was overshadowed by the night’s star, his daughter Riley. Steph’s teammates Draymond Green and Klay Thompson challenged USA golden girls Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd in a Big Wheel race throw down, resulting in the girls smoking the two NBA champs. And leave it to Derek Jeter to almost get overshadowed by his adorable nephew, all while delivering the best advice to kids of the night:

“To all the kids out there: dream big, set your goals high, work extremely hard at it and surround yourself with positive people.”

ESPN Sports Humanitarian of the Year 

Heavily edited for tv - seriously, the entire show was a half-hour with a musical performance - the most important part of Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards was that they actually aired on tv. First of its kind, this show honored the social impact of sports, from the teams who improve their communities every day, to the athlete pioneers using their platform to improve the lives of others. It was great to see You Can Play honored for the movement that they’ve created, and likewise Chicago Bulls Charities - truly a philanthropy leader for professional team charities around the nation. Cheers to ESPN for recognizing the power of sports as whole away from the actual competition.

The league specific awards

The NHL and NBA each held their own respective awards shows to different levels of success. The NHL’s show continued it’s tradition as a snoozefest, hockey players are too modest for these types of shindigs, with the exception of PK Subban (the NHL’s Mr. Charisma) and Jiri Hudler (who knew?). Still, it was great to see the players cleaned up and off the ice, something we rarely see.

The NBA’s show was produced by the NBAPA and continued to cement NBA players as Hollywood’s newest darlings (see: Steph Curry). BET only enhanced the show with spot-on musical guests, but the most glaring omission was actually by the guy not in the room, LeBron James. Both shows made major strides, but still have a ways to go.

August

How is it already August?

Time to put my feet on the ground and enjoy these last few weeks of summer.

The A-List: 7.31.15

1. Snapchat: I realize I'm way behind the wheel on snapchat, but by beloved instagram is hard to cheat on (the pictures are just so pretty!) But for the past couple weeks I've been fiddling around with snapchat and there's just something so refreshing about seeing friends and followers lives off the cuff.

2. Little Mix on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge: yeah, I'm that person in the car this summer rocking out to Jason Derulo's "I Want You to Want Me". And don't get me started on the best Whitney Houston song of all time - it's untouchable. But there's something about Little Mix's cover of both that is just insane. As is insanely good. Its a little long, but so so good.

3. Toronto Life Best of the City: I just planned my annual trip to my home city and I can't wait to see how much the city has changed and to visit my old favorites. This issue of Toronto Life will help to guide my trip, including another visit to Bang Bang Ice Cream (SO good).

4. Gold Metal Cat Eye Sunnies: I could post my favorite Nordstrom Sale finds like every blogger that I read, but it was this pair of sunnies that weren't on sale that caught my eye during my Anniversary Sale trek. They're perfect to hide the sun's rays for these last few weeks of summer and so so fun in solid gold.

5. Baby Daddy: I like my summer tv frothy, funny, and most of all short. Baby Daddy on ABC Family fits all three. There's something endearing about three single guys - who couldn't be more different -  trying to raise a baby in New York, and the series is the perfect appetizer to my other favorite summer show, Suits.