Must Listen To Manchester Orchestra Songs

When I started blogging a few years back, my focus was primarily on all things motherhood.
Now that the kids are all in school full time
 (Seriously, how did that happen? Does this mean I'm getting old? )
I have more time to focus on my own interests outside of motherhood. 
If you've known me for more than a couple minutes, you know that music is basically everything to me.
I started going to concerts before the age of 10, my dad played in a band growing up, I met my husband while he was playing in his band, and I spent the majority of my days prepping myself to be the next Gwen Stefani.
 Honestly though, I totally thought I would be haha
Music is ingrained in me, so naturally, I will be writing a lot about music here on my little home on the web.

 Next month, we're packing the family up and making a TWENTY HOUR drive to Oklahoma with my mom for a music and beer festival that my favourite band hosts every year.
My favourite band isn't actually playing the festival this year but the line up is absolutely incredible and I couldn't have picked a better year to attend for the first time. 
You can check out the full line up on the Hop Jam website but two of my absolute favourite bands are playing : Manchester Orchestra and Nada Surf.

I first saw Manchester Orchestra a few years back when they played with Blink 182 at the Molson Ampatheatre in Toronto, Ontario. 
They came on the stage and opened with the song Pride off of their album "Mean Everything To Nothing" 
Although they only had these mic'd tiny Vox amps set up for a big venue show, their energy blew me away and Andy Hull's voice was unlike any other I'd ever heard before.
The energy was indescribable and I couldn't believe this was only my first time hearing of them.
It was one of those shows where I wish I could of sang a long at the top of my lungs and escaped into the music.
So in order to save you all from the misfortune of not knowing this band before their show,  I'm sharing some of my favourite songs with you.

Originally, I was only going to share my top ten songs with y'all, but I just couldn't narrow it down.
My favourite album is "Mean Everything To Nothing" because of the high energy and emotion you can feel even through a set of headphones.
I also ended up putting almost the whole new album on my list even though, if I'm being honest, I didn't love it at first listen.
I can be a pretty harsh critic when I first listen to new music from an artist, but after really listening, it  is right up there with their "Mean Everything To Nothing" album.

Below you will find my favourite Manchester Orchestra songs and a Spotify playlist so you can go ahead and get yourself pumped up to see them at Hop Jam this year.


I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child - 2007

1. wolves at night 
2. don't let them see you cry



Mean Everything To Nothing - 2009

1. everything to nothing 
2. Tony the tiger 
3. my friend Marcus
4. I can feel a hot one
5. I've got Friends
6. shake it out


Simple Math - 2011

1. simple math
2. virgin
3. pale black eye
4. pensacola


Cope - 2013 Hope - 2014

1. all that I really wanted
2. every stone
3. the ocean
4. the mansion
5. girl harbour
6. choose you
7. top notch

Manchester Orchestra released the album Cope in 2013 then released Hope in 2014 which is an acoustic version of the Cope album. 


A Black Mile To The Surface - 2017

1. the maze
2. the gold
3. the alien
4. the sunshine
5. the grocery
6. the mistake


This album is a concept album, so you really need to listen start to finish.
These are my absolute favourites though.

 You can listen to my Favourite Manchester Orchestra Songs Playlist HERE but if you enjoy this band as much as I do, I strongly encourage purchasing the songs to help support the artist!

Enjoy! 

Kelsey oxoxox



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My Affordable Drugstore Makeup Essentials

I recently did a drugstore makeup haul and thought I would share with you my must haves! 
I've got three babies to feed, so, as much as I would love to splurge on makeup, it isn't always possible.
You don't have to spend a ton to get good quality products.
Everything I'm sharing with you today was under $30.
There is also a little video I did at the end of this post.

I bought this concealer because of its claim to be hydrating, and it does not disappoint!
The cream concealer is surround by a moisturising agent. It applies super smoothly and because of it's hydrating properties, does not cause any creases! Although it claims to be a sheer coverage, it covers my gigantic mama sleep deprived bags quite well! I love this concealer and it will definitely be my go to from now on! 



2. Essence Eyebrow Designer, $2.49
Not only is the price of this eyebrow pencil appealing, it is also a cruelty free product!
At only $2.49 you might as well just grab a handful next time you are out at your local drug store! I love that it comes with an eyebrow brush attached to the lid and it is super easy to use!


This is the first time I've purchased this foundation. I was drawn to it because of it's affordable price point, variety of shades and ability to choose coverage. I have super pale skin and have a hard time finding a drugstore foundation as light as my skin. The light in most brands leaves me looking like an oompa loompa haha I tried this one on in the store and it's light was actually light and blended in with my skin tone! I love that depending on how many drops you use, you can get a sheer or full coverage. The only thing I don't love so far, is that the bottle is quite small.

4. Essence Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil, $3.99
Again, how can you beat this price for an eye pencil?! The product is also cruelty free and vegan!
I love that it is long lasting as I'm usually an apply once kinda gal! 



5. Essence Lash Princess Fakse Lash Mascara Effect Mascara, $4.99
Again, Essence prices cannot be beat! Essence Lash Princess False Lash is my Ride or Die.
I would purchase it even if it was $30, but I'm thankful that it is not! I have super blonde short eyelashes and I've tried every brand of mascara there is and none beats this one! 
It actually looks like I'm wearing falsies. They tend to go out of stock fast so I stock up when they are  available. They happened to be out of stock on this haul, so you will see in my video that I bought the Volume Mascara from the Lash Princess line this time.

My absolute favourite lip gloss! Butter gloss comes in 6 different shades but creme brûlée and tiramisu are my absolute faves. It goes on super smoothly and smells yummy!




What are your drugstore makeup essentials?
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Easy Lemonade Recipe





Happy Friday.
It's a snowy April day here in Ontario, Canada so I thought today would be the perfect day to bring some spring/summer vibes onto the blog in hopes that Mother Nature takes some hints. 
Last week, my oldest daughter had a friend over to play and they asked if they could bake something together.
 I hardly had any baking ingredients in the house, but I did have a whole bag of lemons that we decided to use to make lemonade! 
The recipe for this lemonade is super easy and it's a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen. 
There are so many benefits to bringing kids in the kitchen from teamwork to just general life skills!

Easy Lemonade Recipe

1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 lemons sliced 
5 cups cold water
1 cup of sugar
Ice

1. Combine lemon juice, water and sugar until sugar is dissolved.
2. Garnish with sliced lemons.
3. Serve with ice and enjoy!



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Spring Fun At The Library




When the kids were really little, we used to take them to our local library for Mother Goose Story Time.
 For whatever reason, as the kids got bigger, we stopped going to those programs.
It wasn't until last Summer that we fell in love with the Library again. 
It was a great way to get the kids out of the house on a rainy day without breaking the bank!
I love anything that encourages my kids to ask questions or read, and the Library is obviously the perfect places to nurture both of those.
 I think a lot of people are surprised when they first visit the library at how many things this wonderful place offers.
Of course you can take out books and DVDs but a lot of libraries even allow you to borrow musical instruments. 
The library is also a great place to use things you may not have at home. 
Certain times in the year ours has robots the kids can try out and 3D printers.
This Spring our local library has a seed garden! 
You can sign out a variety of different seeds for your garden.
This is something I am SO excited about, as I've been dreaming of my own vegetable garden for years! 
Our library also offers clubs like robotics or Lego, has family movie nights and so much more! 
If you haven't been to your local library in a while, I strongly recommend you do! 

See lots of photos below! 


The discovery room in the children's area of our library is a great place to try new computer games, build puzzles, colour or have a puppet show!


Luca always seems to gravitate towards the Star Wars section of the library :)



The kids are absolutely amazed at the 3D printer.


The library is also a great place to find out what is going on within your community.
There's usually a huge bulletin board of local events and events happening at your library.


Our library always has free bookmarks hanging on the shelves. 
This week they happened to be Star Wars!


I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend and if you get a chance, head out to your local library one day this week!




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