Must Have Summer Pieces

Guate's Up?

Last month I (C) had the most amazing opportunity to go on a medical volunteer trip to Guatemala, with a charity called Vida Volunteer. Vida Volunteer is a non-profit organization that gives university students from all over North America the opportunity to volunteer in either Nicaragua, Guatemala or Costa Rica. Our job is to set up and work in clinics in local communities. It is a great learning experience for students like me who plan on pursuing a career in medicine. They also have trips that are geared towards dentistry and veterinary medicine!

This trip was hands down, the most amazing experience of my life. Guatemala is such a beautiful country with a rich culture, and not to mention a lot of tortillas and refried beans! We had 6 clinic days, and on our off days we had various activities planned out for us. We went ziplining and had a city tour of Antigua (the ancient city and former capital of Latin America). When we were living in the mountains with the Mayans (literally we were all split up and lived with Mayan families) we had a hot spring day which was extremely relaxing. Here are a few pictures from my trip!

Ancient city of Antigua

Me and one of the cuties who came to our clinic in Santo Tomas

outdoor market in Antigua

Convent in Antigua

View from the rooftop patio of one of the restaurants we went for lunch in Antigua

View from our clinic in Xebaj

Mayan children coming to our clinic in Xebaj

View from the hot springs at the top of the mountain

Hot Springs!

View from the place in Antigua where we went ziplining

Pork Tacos and some Guatemalan beer!

If you would like more information about Vida Volunteer visit http://www.vidavolunteertravel.org/ 

Music of the Moment:

This past March I (C) got the opportunity to go to the Imagine Dragons & the Young the Giant concerts. They were all in one week and it was a great way from me to de-stress from the 5 brutal midterms I had just had.

The Imagine Dragons was first, it took place at the Air Canada Centre in downtown Toronto. Imagine Dragons had The Naked and Famous opening for them. The Naked and Famous performed some of their most well known songs such as Young Blood and Punching In a Dream. Imagine Dragons played all the crowd favourites from their debut album such as Its Time, Demons, On Top of the World and of course Radioactive. They also did a cover of Tom Sawyer by Rush, Toronto natives. For their encore they did Bleeding Out and Nothing Left to Say. Overall their performances were amazing, and neither band disappointed. I left the Air Canada Centre in awe and with a new appreciation of one of my favourite bands.

A few days after the Imagine Dragons concert I attended the Young the Giant concert, another one of my all time favourite bands. Since Young the Giant isn't as mainstream as Imagine Dragons this concert was at a smaller venue, the Koolhaus, also downtown Toronto. Vance Joy opened the show, for those of you who've never heard of Vance, he's an amazing curly haired Aussie with one hell of a voice. I definitely recommend you check him out. He performed his most popular songs such as Emmylou, Snaggletooth and of course Riptide. Once the band came out the crowd roared as we heard the soothing voice of lead singer, Sameer Gadhia. Only one word can describe his stage presence, groovy. They started off with Anagram, one of the songs from their new album, Mind Over Matter. They performed other songs off the album like Crystallized and of course the self-title. Along with the newer songs they performed all the old favourites like Cough Syrup and for the encore, My Body.  They also performed a cover of Stromae's, Formidable. Both Vance Joy and Young the Giant were amazing and I look forward to their return to Toronto.

The Naked and Famous

Imagine Dragons

Vance Joy

Young the Giant

Melodies & Sound... {Part II]

M83 – Midnight City

Purity Ring – Lofticries

White Hinterland - Icarus

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – Nothing but Our Love

Active Child – Hanging On

Young Magic – Sparkly

Perfume Genius – All Waters

Cinematic Orchestra – To Build A Home

New Look – The Ballad

Starfucker – Julius

Rimer London feat. Cata Pirata – Love Dagger

The Helio Sequence – Back To This

Working For A Nuclear Free City – Je Suis Le Vent

Blonde Redhead – Penny Sparkle

The Japanese Popstars feat. James Vincent McMorrow – Shells Of Silver

William Fitzsimmons – So This Is Goodbye (Pink Ganter Remix)

Young The Giant – Islands (Tapioca and The Flea Remix)

We Are Trees – Sunrise Sunset

Slow Magic – Sorry Safari

Flashlights – New Hampshire

Whether you're an instant fan, or need something a little different, it's a good idea to explore your musical options. Stay tuned for more tracks!

Melodies & Sound... [Part I]

Hey it's J. Here's a list of 20 random musical jems. Check them out, like / love / hate, but give each artist a try and 

see what you can add to your own collection. You'll be glad you did!

Phantograms – Don’t Move

People Press Play – These Days

Crystal Fighters – Champion Sound 

Sufjan Stevens – Chicago (Adult Contemporary Version)

Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal 

Real Estate – It’s Real

Neighbourhood – Sweater Weather

Carina Round – Do You

Dead Man’s Bones – My Body’s A Zombie For You

Lucy Rose – Middle Of The Bed

Coldplay – Prospekt’s March 

Gardens & Villa – Neon Dove 

Caveman – December 28^th

Dr. Dog – Heart It Races

Ravens and Chimes – Division Street

Gary Clark Jr. – When My Train Pulls In

Mutemath – In No Time 

Electric Guest – This Head I Hold

Tennis – Origins

Youth Lagoon – Cannons

Need more lovely sounds to feed your habit? No worries- there's more to come. 

Music finding is my passion, and I love to share. xx

Sweater Weather

          No matter what state or province you live in, it's that time of year where looking fashionable and staying warm is sometimes a hard thing to pull off. The frigid winter temperatures can make even the most fashion forward thinker, think twice about changing out of sweatpants and that perfect oversized hoodie. Well have no fear! We're here with loads of sweaters that can keep you stylish and toasty; Just throw one of these lovelies over a pair of leggings, jeans, or printed tights and slip on some boots and you're winter ready.

          Whether you're into the oversized pullover look or printed open cardigans are more your forte, there are so many options on the market you can't go wrong. Nowadays when it comes to sweater trends- it's the bigger the better- but there are also classic styles with a twist (see the embellished shoulders and cool collars pictured). If you love any of the sweaters featured in this post, be sure to check out stores like Forever 21, Aritzia, H&M, TopShop, Brandy Melville, Garage, Cotton On, and Amazon.com to amp up your winter style.

*Photos courtesy of many lovely retailers.