What I've Been Loving | Spring 2017 Edition

Hi everyone! Happy Spring! I wanted to put together a post of my current favorites and what I've been loving recently. It is a nice way to compile everything in one shot and I'm thinking of doing this for every season? There would be a great variety of things I would include from bookish stuff to lifestyle bits. I finally feel like the warm spring weather is finally here to stay in Toronto, and hopefully no more surprise cold weather attacks (like snow.. go away please). Spring is like a time of rejuvenation and change. You are able to swap out closet basics for warmer choices and even turn to things to get you in the mood for warmer weather. Here's what I've been loving lately:

Games - I've been playing a ton of games lately. I recently finished Fire Emblem Fates (Conquest only so far) on my 3DS and that has gotten me really excited for the upcoming release of Fire Emblem Echoes! I've already pre-ordered the limited edition and I can't wait to play it next month! There is also Fire Emblem Heroes which is for your phone and I've been really enjoying playing that. It is nice to see characters I recognize from previous versions and they also had a really cute Easter/Spring Festival special. Also, I downloaded Pokemon Go again... I deleted it in November but with the nice weather and lots of walking down by my house, it doesn't hurt to have this again.

Podcasts - It was right around this time last year that I really got into podcasts. With my long commutes to school and walking occasionally, a podcast definitely helps pass the time. Some of my old favorites include: Serial and Lore. I recently finished S-Town which I loved!  It followed a man named John from Alabama who despised his town. He reaches out to the host, Brian Reed, to investigate a murder that allegedly happened but was covered up. What Brian soon discovers is an interesting story about John. All 7 chapters are available now and I definitely recommend checking it out if you were a fan of Serial. It's a strange story about a peculiar individual and gives you a lot to think about life/death, climate change, and depression. // My boyfriend and I also decided to pick a podcast to listen together when we are in the car, and we landed on Up and Vanished, which was recommended to him by a friend. It is told by Payne Lindsey, an amateur investigator and documentary maker. He admits in the first episode that he is not a regular podcaster, so those who have been spoiled by mixing from This American Life & Serial, may not find it perfect to begin with. But so far, the case about the missing teacher & beauty queen, Tara Grinstead, is really interesting. We are about two episodes in and can't wait to listen to more! 

Television - So if you haven't heard (so you must live under a rock)... Jay Asher's famous novel Thirteen Reasons Why has been adapted into a Netflix Series. I read the book many years ago and I'm rereading the anniversary edition now (I plan on writing a review post for both the book and tv series - be on the look out for that!). The trailer looked promising and I decided to give the series a go. I'm usually pleased with adaptations but not blown away by them. This is another case entirely. I want to save the full details for my main review, but it was so well-done. It is definitely triggering and I cried non-stop from episodes 6-13, so brace yourself. It is such a powerful show! // My boyfriend and I finally found an anime that he enjoyed. I'm the big anime fan and it isn't often that we find one that he likes. We landed on One-Punch Man which is funny and a lot of fun! It follows the very anti-hero, Saitama and his adventures with his friend, Genos. We finished the series and I'm slowly picking up the manga. I really hope it gets a second season because it was so good! // one of my favorite CW tv shows also returned recently: iZombie! Definitely one of my favorite shows and it is so good to see them all back together and solving cases. 

Music - I usually listen to music only when I'm sitting at my desk working on blog posts or marking. I have spotify premium and sometimes one of the curated playlists is just good enough for me (some favorites include: Evening Chill & Indie Pop Chillout). But... there are some songs that I've been in love with lately: Green Light by Lorde - such a fun song and I find myself wanting to dance about whenever I hear it & Sign of The Times by Harry Styles - how could I not mention this? His first debut single and it is a slow pop-rock single. His voice is magnificent! 

(c) photo by me. 

Other - Warm weather means lots of walks and hikes with Jeremy. We live pretty close to the water so it's been so nice to go down for a walk. I leave to Tokyo, Japan in about three weeks and while I'm there, I have a lot of hikes planned so must prep for that. Other than that, I've been enjoying the warm weather a lot and I'm hoping it gets warmer so I can set up the balcony nicely. The couch we have for our patio is my go-to-summer reading spot so I can't wait for that to be up and ready! 

What have you been loving recently? Let me know in the comments below!