Support A Loving Spoonful, Buy a CandyGram!

Okay so you know when you're all struggling to find something perfect for that special someone? Well I found the perfect solution...

A CandyGram!

A Loving Spoonful (a charity based out of Vancouver, BC that is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization that helps raise money to feed those living with HIV and AIDS) has paired up with Purdy’s, Yelp and Shamin Jewellers this year to help deliver delicious and amazing goodies to everyone throughout Canada!

For a mere $10 you can send a loved one of your choice of a  thoughtful and sweet or funny and sexy card with a message of your choice two delicious Purdy's heart-shaped chocolates, a Yelpstick lip balm, mints in a stylish tin and a love bracelet (unisex) from Shamin Jewellers! How awesome is that?!


All sales created by CandyGrams will go directly to assisting those with HIV/AIDS. A Loving Spoonful is hopeful that this year they will be able to raise $20,000.

“The CandyGram campaign is possible because of the support received from

Purdy’s, Yelp and Shamin Jewellers” adds Martella. “Their willingness to jump

right in has helped make CandyGrams an annual tradition, making a real impact

on the lives of the people we help.”

Sales are limited so if you're interested hurry on over to www.candygram.ca!!

For on time delivery for Valentine's Day (via Canada Post) be sure to order by February 6th if you're in Eastern canada and February 8th for the west!!

Now a word from our sponsors:

Boys Like Girls - Crazy World

Ever have an album that you just can't stop listening too? Well of course you do, we all do! I always have moments with certain albums and obviously I move on eventually but my most recent obsession is Boys Like Girls latest creation Crazy World. Seriously - I'm addicted. Release on December 11, 2012 by Columbia Records it was a perfect Christmas gift to myself and I was not disappointed. 

While in the past they've gone for a more pop/punk/rock vibe, this time around it's just a little different. Coming off as more of an acoustic/country/pop sound it's refreshing and as I said before, crazy addictive. I'm obsessed and hopefully if and when you listen to the album after this crazy awesome review, you'll  go and listen and then feel the exact same. 

I normally don't do a breakdown of songs but I feel like I should do something different and write something about each song. Sound good? Great because you don't have a choice other than to stop reading and why would you do that? 

1. First Time - The great thing about BLG is that they're right in my age range so this song is on par with my life at the moment. This song is about growing up and never getting the "first time" back. Reminiscing on the past and going back to see what has changed. Is it crazy that I can kind of relate when I go back to my old hometown? I know I only live a 1/2 hour away but it just seems to fit. *Well you know they say that growing up is hard? Well it's so hard to think about we almost got so far*

2. Life of the Party - I love the beat in this song. It's so catchy and you can't help but start to dance along to the music. The song itself is just about taking life by the reins, being the life of the party and having a little bit of fun because you never know when the worlds going to end. *Be the life of the party you won't be sorry, Tell me who are we if we ain't without friends. It's the end of the world, all you boys and all you girls put your hands together let me hear an amen*

3. Crazy World - Another song I can't get enough of. It's catchy and you just can't help but tap your foot along to. This one is a little more along the lines of country. I don't know if it's the entire song but hearing the harmonica just makes it seem like it. This song is more about slowing down and enjoying life instead of getting caught up in what's not important. *I just wanna slow down, it's a crazy world. I wanna hold you now, just a boy and girl*

4. Be Your Everything - I first heard this through their lyric video they posted on their facebook page. BLG may have been laying low the last couple of years but this song changed everything. The sexy vocals, the lyrics and the music just tied everything together. This is very much a "couple" song and it's okay. Love it! *Your perfect for me, and more than just a friend. So we can just stop pretending now, gotta let you know somehow*

5. Stuck in the Middle - I think anybody can relate to feeling this way. Feeling like nothing's going anywhere, you're basically stuck where you are when everyone else around you is moving on. This one spoke to me as I currently feel a little like this song. You just gotta believe that it's going to get better in the end! *You fight until you're free, you're down on your knees. Hoping some day you'll make it it out, if you just believe*

6. Cheated - Not something I can relate to but I know many others can. Cheating is not cool! *This is gonna haunt you, every guy that wants you is gonna see a scarlet letter*

7. Shoot - Definitely another favourite of mine from the album. It's all about doing what you love and not letting life getting you down. Doing something for you and not for anybody else. I really should take this into consideration! *They say the life is like a long and ragged road, well I've been falling asleep at the wheel. My nine to five has got me numb and feeling old, it's time to live for the things that are real*

8. Leaving California - A little melancholy will always find itself onto any album you listen to and it seems as if this is the song that hits the spot. Singing about broken dreams and leaving it all behind and starting new.  *'Cause I' leaving California and I'll never look back. I took a picture for you but I painted it black. One more dream around the run away drive, now there's one less burned out star in the sky*

9. Take Me Home - Changing your ways after realizing you're one step from going over the edge. *Wrote you a letter, I never sent it, it doesn't matter now. All my intentions went out the window, don't let me hit the ground.*

10.  Red Cup - This is the girl I want to be. Carefree, in love and knows how to have a little fun. This to me screams like a summer song you can fall in love with and have a little fun. I don't exactly know why I enjoy this song so much but every time I hear it I catch myself dancing (and I can't dance) and singing along. *She's crazy, I don't care. I'm crazy about the girl with the red cup, hands up, long brown hair*

11. Hey You - I know I said I have favourites previously (just look up) but this one has to be one of my favourite songs in general. The mix of the raw voice, the piano the STRINGS and the lyrics - ugh, I just can't get enough! It's sexy. There I said it. *We don't have to say forever, I'm cool with whatever, if it's cool with you. We can just sit here at night, just two strangers in the night, ain't that what we're supposed to do?*

Okay so now that that's done with, you're intrigued right?! Trust me, it's totally worth the listen and you will NOT be disappointed!

On one final note, if anybody from the BLG camp ever decides to read this little ol' blog of mine, I just have one thing to say. If you find yourselves touring (which I KNOW you will) and you find yourselves north of the border in a pretty Canadian city by the name of Toronto, consider this: I can see myself rocking out to the tunes on this album in a beach-y setting. So if you're considering booking places to perform you should highly consider Echo Beach - just saying.

Anyways, that's all for now!

Much Love.

-Taryn

All Time Low and Yellowcard Take On The Sound Academy

If you're a music lover of any kind then you would understand me when I say that walking into a concert venue is like walking into the spa. You instantly relax, shake out your tense shoulders, grab a drink and forget all your worries - if for a small moment in time. It's instinct to just let go and enjoy the sounds around you, the excited chatter of seeing your favourite performer and the overall hum of a crowd waiting to be entertained. It's not exactly a feeling anybody can describe specifically, it's just something that you really just have to be there fore. All I know is that the feeling is always mutual.

Fireworks (01.17.13) - Taryn McElheran

The night of the All time Low and Yellowcard show on January 17, 2013 I was tense and worried about a situation that was taking place at my place of employment. Leading up to the show I was worried and agitated and thinking about how this may just ruin my night. I met up with my dear friend and some of that irritation lifted and as soon as we stepped into The Sound Academy (formerly known as The Docks), I instantly felt my mood lighten. Sure I was surrounded mostly by teenagers and it was bulging at the seams, but the overall excitement everyone was giving off was kind of a dose of contentment.

Lets be honest though, the first act Fireworks didn't exactly appeal to my ears - or anyone else's for that matter. I think the crowd was just being polite by nodding their heads along to the music. The music itself wasn't anything spectacular. Just like every other band out there trying to make it, they were belting out lyrics like their life depended on it but to me they didn't have anything that stood out. They reminded me of just another garage band and it pains me to say it. As most of you know I'm not exactly a fan of giving out harsh criticism but I can't praise something I didn't like! The band itself, while looking energetic, seemed to be doing so on an individual level. They had the energy but it wasn't cohesive and together. I don't know if that makes sense exactly but looking back on the night I remember the guitar player and the drummer rocking out, and the lead singer struggling to dance/move around the stage and sing at the same time.

Check out their myspace radio and judge for yourself! http://www.myspace.com/ihearfireworks/radio

I first heard Yellowcard live this past summer at Van's Warped Tour in Toronto. Crazy I know that I just started listening to them now as they were around when I was in high school but forgive me as I went through more of a boy band craze in high school instead of rock/punk/indie/pop/whatever I listen to now. While I didn't know any of the lyrics and only vaguely knew some of their new music of their most recent album Southern Air, I was pretty much foreign to the band. However, while I didn't know any of the lyrics, I did enjoy their set. Interacting with the crowd came easy to them and you could tell they loved their fans and they were thankful for the opportunities they were given. As the lead singer said on stage, they were gone for almost four years without producing any music or touring but when they came back their fans were still there. It's amazing what people will do when music is this good to your ears.

All Time Low (01.17.13) - Taryn McElheran

While Yellowcard was the main attraction for my friend (seeing as she actually listened to them in high school -unlike me), All Time Low was the reason I was excited. While I haven't been a long-time fan, it's going on almost five years now and it's been five years of great music. In the beginning they were more of a punk-rock band and while they've progressed into mainstream pop band (on some levels) they still produce catchy tunes that keep people coming back for more. Now I know some of you may be thinking that this is a band for the younger generations, I beg to differ. While standing in the 19+ section (that was pretty packed btw), I witnessed more than a few older adults jamming along to ATL - so don't judge! These guys have an incredible energy and vibe when it comes to interacting with their audience and their love of Canada and us Canadians was apparent. While Jack Barakat (guitar/bg vocals) and Alex Gaskarth (lead) did most of the talking the camaraderie on stage was undeniable. I think it's safe to say that Jack loves boobs (as if the abundance of bodacious bras thrown on stage wasn't a sign) and Alex loves is job. We can't leave out Rian (drums) or Zack (bass) either because while they may have been quieter on stage, that didn't stop them from feeling the love of the girls screaming their names.

Unlike Yellowcard, I knew most if not all the songs and lyrics they played during their set. Being a fan of their older stuff I was pleased that they mixed it up from songs off their most recent release Don't Panic! with old favourites from Put Up or Shut Up, So Wrong it's Right, Nothing Personal and of course Dirty Work. I was a little sad that they didn't play my favourites "Vegas" or "Remembering Sunday" but they more than made up for it with their rambunctious attitudes, infectious personalities and catchy tunes.

Needless to say I forgot all my worries for those few hours and had myself a rocking good time. My ears were pleased and my desperate need for a concert satisfied. Here's to hoping 2013 will bring more fun times and many more memories!

-Taryn

We Survived the Zombie Apocalypse, Now What?

A new year always means new resolutions - or new resolutions to make resolutions for next year. It seems  that a lot of people always seem to be pushing their resolutions for later on. Later on in the month, a few months in or even pushed into doing it next year. I'm not going to lie, I'm definitely one of those people to push it forward, believing I'll get to it later. I'll even go as far as writing down the resolutions and posting them where I can knowingly see them without denying it's existence.

This year I vow to change that. Or at least go as far as trying.

I guess you can all tell by now that the Zombies didn't end up coming after all. As much as I was relieved that the world didn't collapse in on itself (at least not literally), I was kind of hoping deep down inside I'd get to test my (non-existent) skills of shooting the undead right in the head. Oh well, guess we'll save that for when the asteroid is supposed to hit our precious planet in 2036. Maybe by then we'll all be living on Mars!! (P.S. I'm totally not making the last part up about the asteroid OR Mars - If you don't believe me, Google it!).

Anyways, I guess it's time to shoot off what I am going to attempt to complete this year of the Snake:

- Write a book. No, not self-titled biography (I hate writing about myself). I am a hopeless romantic which naturally means I love reading a good old-fashioned romance novel. Fiction is something I love to read to get away for a little while and I feel like if I put some heart into it, I could possibly accomplish this feat. Technically I've already put a dent into this goal but this year I'd like to make a bigger dent!

- Find some new people to interact with. It's no secret that I'm single and as I get older it's getting a little more...sad. Whether I find some new friends or somebody special, I would like to take a leap of chance this year. I'm too much inside my own box of insecurities that I'm not giving anybody a chance - and it sucks.

- I would like to attempt to take a class or two of continued education in something I find totally compelling and interesting. I realize I have yet to find a career but I feel like I've already gone to school for 17 years to learn. I want to learn more about something I love. So far I feel like I've narrowed it down to Baking/Cake Decorating and/or Creative Writing 101. Guess we'll see where 2013 takes us!

- This year is the year I'll seriously take my health into consideration. I've been chubby all my life and have hated myself for it but have done nothing about it. I managed to do it once - I need to do it again.

- I guess I should add to this list that finding a full-time job is crucial this year. Seeing as my 27th birthday is just 30 days away, I think it's time to get serious about taking that next step forward. As much as I love my job right now, it's just not enough.

- Last but not least I would like to take some time this year to go on a road trip to anywhere. Go on a vacation, just get up and have fun. Personally I would love to go to Disneyland AND The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but that's just ONE option of where I would love to have some fun. If anybody is up for that, please let me know!

Well folks I guess this concludes our very first session of January 2013. I realize I fell off the ball for the last few months and to tell you the truth I've been in a little bit of a writing rut. As much as I want to write, nothing seemed to come out and hopefully with this kicking it off, it'll all change.

In the next few weeks keep an eye out for more reviews (I've got two quick movie reviews coming at'cha, All Time Low and Yellowcard concert review, a cd review here and there, and possibly some TV show reviews if you'll be patient with me), an arts and crafts corner (I can't ignore my other creative side) and a whole lot more. This blog used to be mainly a music based site, but I'm hoping to broaden the horizon a little.

Bear with me friends and hopefully you'll stay faithful to me and I to you!

Goodnight!

-T