The Concerns of Cayla Clarke

Zayn // Mind of Mine

Ever since 1D hit the scene six years ago, I’ve been waiting with bated breath for the moment when one of them would go solo. In an unsurprising turn of events, Zayn Malik was the Robbie Williams of the bunch and got down to business with Malay to craft his solo debut. The result is a heady, ambient blend of R&B that doesn’t stray to far from his pop beginnings. Most of the songs sound incredibly similar, but it creates a cohesion that a lot of albums in this day and age lack. “BeFouR”, “sHe”, and “LIKE I WOULD” were immediate standouts, but it was “dRuNk” that connected with me the most. It’ll definitely be a go to this summer, especially since I plan on living up to that seductive chorus– “…drunk all summerrrrrrrr.” YAS, ZAYN, YAS. 

Constellations (a play) // Nick Payne

I am Jake Gyllenhaal TRASH. Like, complete and total basura, and I was familiar with some of Nick Payne’s other works courtesy of my theatre courses in college, so I thought why not give it a read? Constellations tells the story of Marianne and Roland and how their relationship plays out across a number of universes. Yes, you read that correctly, universes. Quantum multiverse theory is a huge part of the plot, but the love story at the heart of it is visceral and will draw you in even if you’re not interested in physics. It’s also a super quick read, which is perfect for a short flight or a night in (if you don’t want the commitment of a novel). Oh, and did I mention that Jake did an English accent for the play?

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Radiant Light”

I have nothing but endless praise for this powder. A- It’s pressed and comes with a decent sized mirror, so it’s portable and mess free. B- It makes you look like you’ve been hit with some magical face filter at all times. A lot of people use this as a highlighter, but it’s intended use is a setting powder. I think it’s great for both uses, I can build it up on my cheekbones or use it to set the rest of my makeup. It’s not cakey and gives such a pretty, subtle glow. The Ambient Lighting powders come in five other shades, in addition to a mini palette. 

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsitck in “Walk of Shame”

Charlotte Tilbury has quickly become one of my favorite brands. I splashed out on a few products for my birthday and have been hooked ever since. I had been coveting a lot of her lipsticks, but the Nordstrom in my area doesn’t carry her range, and I was scared to commit to a color without swatching them first. I happened to be in NYC back in February and stopped by Bergdorf Goodman to pick up a couple. “Walk of Shame” is by far my favorite and a shade that I reach for daily, it’s also a favorite of Amal Clooney. “Walk of Shame” is a dark red with just a hint of pink, and although it’s billed as matte it has the tiniest bit of sheen.  

By Angela

I started reading Angela’s blog back when she was co-authoring at Champagne and Shimmer and followed her over to her solo blog last fall. Her writing is really personable and covers lifestyle bits and her impending motherhood. Angela also has impeccable personal style; it’s chic, but still casual and really attainable. 

That’s a wrap on my March favorites. For a full run down on my March soundtrack you can check out my “March Edit” playlist on Spotify or keep up with my verbal incontinence on Twitter. 

Later losers,

Replacement Prust Suspended

It was 6:30am last Sunday when Zack Kassian and two female companions decided to wreak a little havoc in the suburbs of Montreal, and subsequently wreck his career. New in town after stints with the Canucks and Sabres, and a questionable reputation in tow, Team Hot Dad placed Kassian on a short lease upon his arrival. If Kassian were a puppy, then he totally crapped on Bergey’s Gucci loafers. Not only did he sustain a broken nose and foot, he also landed himself in Stage Two of the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program and has been suspended indefinitely without pay. Should Kassian make a return to the NHL or the Canadiens, he’s going to be on the shortest of leashes, with a need to prove that he can produce on the ice and behave like a professional, as character is the most stressed thing in the Canadiens’ locker room. The upside? A trip to rehab for Kassian means a trip up the depth chart for someone else. 

Jesus Price Gets A New Disciple

A Princeton graduate who, undrafted, worked his way up from the ECHL, has assumed the number two position behind Carey Price. Mike Condon had a strong showing in the preseason, stopping all 38 shots faced across one and a half games. As for the guy whose job he robbed... Former backup, Dustin  Tokarski allowed eight goals on 37 shots, five of which came in a loss against conference rivals the Ottawa Senators. His sub-par play in the preseason didn’t augment his average numbers last season, and now he finds himself on the outside looking in, as the taller and more composed Condon hopes to make this goalie tandem stronger.

Earn It

Tomas Fleischmann, a frequent healthy scratch who initially joined the Habs on a professional tryout, is now an official member of the team after signing a one year deal worth $750,000. During the preseason, Fleischmann exhibited some decent speed and chemistry with David Desharnais and third line stalwart Dale “Dutch Gretzky” Weise. Speaking of the bottom six, DSP has solidified his spot in the lineup with his physicality and increased speed, while Paul Bryon, claimed off waivers from the Calgary Flames, offers a left handed option and could give Brian Flynn some competition should he fail to impress French Canadian Donald Trump  Therrien and Co. Flynn could end up as the odd forward out. Someone needs to create a new hashtag in case he Bourque-s it...

Season Opener Highlights

Carey Price was as sound as he’s ever been, allowing one goal on 37 shots. Captain Patch opened the scoring, netting the first goal of the season for a second, consecutive year. The fourth line didn’t fare so well with their tough zone deployments, but neither did their third line counterparts, who spent too much time trapped in the defensive zone. Overall, it was a solid effort with just flashes of last year’s ineptitude. Hopefully, this year’s slightly different squad can take a slightly different approach and open up the scoring a little more, as they’ll be facing teams a lot stronger than the still hot garbage team Leafs.

Magnets//Disclosure feat. Lorde

This Disclosure album is everything I’ve ever wanted (think more subdued than Settle), plus Lorde-- that’s a winning combination. It sounds like this could have been a summer record, but it’ll be great for transitioning into fall. I’m also obsessed with that “pretty girls don’t know the things that I know” line. For fans of AlunaGeorge, Jamie XX, Kimbra.

Tilted//Christine and the Queens

Honestly, this song makes zero sense to me (the lyrics are in English, but the vibe is incredibly french), I just like it. For fans of Phoenix and Cults.

All We Need//ODESZA feat. Shy Girls

This record transcends any season, it’s perfect year round, for anything. Actually, I’d be hard pressed to find an ODESZA record that isn’t perfect for anything. It’s perfect for those grey days when you wish it was still summer, for dancing around a bonfire in your favorite sweater, it’s just perfect. Dan Vidmar’s vocals are perfect. Everything about this is perfect, and if you’re in attendance at any party I’m DJing, I apologize, because you will hear this song everytime for the rest of this season. For fans of Purity Ring and The Weeknd.

Find You Out//Brave Baby

My local bbs are back with their second record, Electric Friends. I feel like there’s a lighter vibe on this record, lighter than (their first record) Forty Bells. “Find You Out” was a standout track for me, alongside “Octopus J.” and “Atlantean Dreams”. The lyrics are a little melancholy, but it makes me want to open my sunroof and just drive. For fans of Young The Giant.

Traveling at the Speed of Light//Joywave

So now that you know I haven’t fallen off the face of the Earth, I fully intend to get back to work on 30 Days 30 Teams and keep you guys up to date on my travel shenanigans. Next week, I’ll be hitting New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania on a quest to get #OutHere and create some amazing memories with one of my friends before she jets off to the UK for a year abroad. Also, here is a little schedule on when I’ll be posting for the next few days:

Today-- Two 30 Days 30 Teams 

Friday-- 30 Days 30 Teams and a Summer Music Overview

Saturday-- 30 Days 30 Teams

Sunday-- 30 Days 30 Teams and Travel Beauty Essentials

Who Stayed: Alex Burrows, Frank Corrado, Derek Dorsett, Alex Edler, Dan Hamhuis, Jannik Hansen, Chris Higgins, Bo Horvat, Ronalds Kenins, Jacob Markstrom, Ryan Miller, Luca Sbisa, Daniel Sedin [A], Henrik Sedin [C], Chris Tanev, Linden Vey, Radim Vrbata, Yannick Weber

Who Left: Kevin Bieksa*, Nick Bonino, Adam Clendening, Eddie Lack**, Zack Kassian

New Kids on the Block: Brandon Prust, Brandon Sutter

Cap Space Remaining: $1,273,334

Pros: Brandon Sutter, who anchored the third line in Pittsburgh, might have a chance to step up and play top six minutes in Vancouver. Brandon Prust will add some grit to this team, and maybe the odd goal. With 13 fowards, seven defensemen, and two goalies under contract, the roster is pretty much sewn up; which is great, as the Canucks have very little left in the salary tank. Out of those 23 players currently under contract, it’s a contract year for nine of them, so the compete level and desire to earn that next deal will be high, and hopefully rub off on the rest of the team. 

Cons: Eddie Lack seemed like he was on his way to being the No. 1 in Vancouver once Ryan Miller’s time was up, but he was shipped off to Carolina during the Draft. Miller is getting old and tends to have his fair share of injuries and inconsistent stretches. Maybe Jim Benning & Co. couldn’t afford to keep Lack (a pending UFA) and wanted to get something in return before the end of the upcoming season or maybe they truly believe Markstrom is their guy? Either way,dealing Lack over an aging Miller doesn’t look great right now. Generally, this team is aging and doesn’t have amazing talent, nor are they doing much to change. At some point, they’ll need to move younger guys up in the system and take some steps back for development’s sake or ship some guys (who still have value) out in exchange for younger talent.

Predictions: On the cusp of a transition, this is the year the Vancouver Canucks implode. As a last ditch effort, the Canucks will be buzzing around the trade deadline, but in a tight western conference, they won’t be in contention when the playoffs roll around. Markstrom, despite being one of the best in the AHL, has yet to prove himself at the NHL level and will likely have some hiccups before he hits his stride or needs to take over for Miller. 

*Also acquired a 2016 2nd round pick.

Who Stayed: Casey Bailey, Jonathan Bernier, David Booth, Tyler Bozak, TJ Brennan, Eric Brewer, Sam Carrick, Matt Frattin, Jake Gardiner, Petter Granberg, Peter Holland, Nazem Kadri, Leo Komarov, Brandon Kozun, Josh Leivo, Joakim Lindstrom, Joffery Lupul [A], Colton Orr, Richard Panik, Dion Phaneuf [C], Roman Polak, James Reimer, Morgan Rielly, Stephane Robidas [A], James van Riemsdyk, Daniel Winnik

Who Left: Phil Kessel, Tim Erixon, Greg McKegg

New Kids on the Block: Mark Arcobello, Taylor Beck, Scott Harington, Martin Marincin, Shawn Matthais, Matt Hunwick, PA Parenteau, Nick Spaling

Cap Space Remaining: $2,510,001

Pros: Phil Kessel is gone. Mike Babcock is on the scene. If Kessel was as big a problem as the media purported, then it’s great that he’s someone else’s issue now. With Babcock in place as the head coach, the culture of the Leafs will change-- hopefully they’ll become a team that plays for each other and wins, and doesn’t engage in catty exchanges with the media. The new look management and coaching staff want to build through the draft and develop those prospects, which is great and says they’re about ensuring long term success, which is really the most important thing for this team. In terms of new additions, Nick Spaling is a character guy, and Kasperi Kapanen is a great prospect who almost cracked the Pens roster last year. PA Parenteau hasn’t gotten a fair shake from either of his last two coaches and is looking to prove himself, based on his past stats, this should be a good year for him if he can stay healthy.  The battle for No.1 goalie is over, with Bernier signing that two year extension for $8.2 million, definitely not second string money.

Cons: Kessel being shipped off is a catch 22, was he a little problematic? Yes. Could he score? Yes, and losing a chunk of your offense is never great. Dion Phaneuf is still there and not producing at the rate of most other top pairing defensemen, and it’s going to take a Seth Cohen OC Season Two Chrismukkah Miracle to dump that contract. If it does happen, the Leafs are going to retain some salary, it’s the only way. This group needs a leadership change, although stripping players of letters is never an easy or quiet task (Example: Joe Thornton and San Jose). And if that change does happen, what will the new Maple Leafs leadership group look like?

Who Stayed: Nathan Beaulieu, Jacob De La Rose, David Desharnais, Alexei Emelin, Lars Eller, Brian Flynn, Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, Tom Gilbert, Andrei Markov [A], Torrey Mitchell, Max Pacioretty [A], Greg Pateryn, Jeff Petry, Tomas Plekanec [A], Carey Price, Devante Smith-Pelly, PK Subban [A], Christian Thomas, Dustin Tokarski, Dale Weise

Who Left: Sergei Gonchar, Manny Malhotra, Brandon Prust, Mike Weaver

New Kids On the Block: Zack Kassian, Alexander Semin

Cap Space Remaining: $2,891,667

Pros: Team Hot Dad secured Beaulieu and Galchenyuk for two more years for under $8 million dollars, which is basically one PK Subban. Pacioretty, Price, Subban, Petry, Galchenyuk, and Gallagher are in their prime and will be around for a few more years, so the “win window” looks pretty good. There’s a wealth of young talent waiting in the wings should roster spots open up (at camp or during the season); however there’s a bit of a defensive log jam with guys like Tinordi and Barbiero looking to have a permanent stay in Montreal, as their development (in the AHL) is likely done. Another Bergey magic moment? Swapping out Brandon Prust for Brandon Prust 2.0-- bigger, younger, cheaper, and offensive upside (or at least the potential for it). 

Cons: Despite acquiring two wingers, the Habs still lack a proven, consistent scorer to come in and ignite the offense. Zack Kassian and Alexander Semin don’t have the greatest track records. While they both have the potential to score, there’s no telling which versions of them we’ll get this season. If Kassian can’t step up and be the power forward Team Hot Dad wants, look for him to saddle up on the third or fourth line. With little cap space and virtually no wingers available, a trade would have to occur to shore up the offense. 

Who Stayed: Jamie Benn [C], Jordie Benn, Jason Demers, Cody Eakin, Patrick Eaves, Vernon Fiddler [A], Alex Goligoski, Ales Hemsky, Jyrki Jokipakka, John Klingberg, Kari Lehtonen, Travis Moen, Patrik Nemeth, Valeri Nichuskin, Jamie Oleksiak, Antoine Roussel, Colton Sceviour, Tyler Seguin, Jason Spezza

Who Left: Trevor Daley [A], Jhonas Enroth, Ryan Garbutt, Shawn Horcoff*

New Kids On the Block: Antti Niemi, Johnny Oduya, Patrick Sharp

Cap Space Remaining: $2,300,834

Pros: After a 1st round exit in 2014 and being out of contention by eight points in 2015, this team is hungry, they play for each other, and they want to win. Seguin and Benn are still in their prime, offense is a non-issue, and they have solid depth. With a bonafide starter gunning for control of his crease, Kari Lethonen should be eager to prove everyone wrong and have a stronger season. Also, Nill didn’t give up a lot to acquire Niemi and Sharp, and Oduya was picked up during free agency for nothing (in terms of picks/prospects/players). 

Cons: There aren’t a ton of roster spots (only two) available for young guys with hopes of cracking the roster. Not exactly a con, but this group has to stay healthy and start strong if they want to be in the playoff picture next spring– two things that have plagued them in the past, particularly last season. Also, what’s happening with Rich Peverly? 

Predictions: A lot of rubber ducks either on the ice or being given away at the AAC. Adding Sharp and Oduya’s veteran leadership and winning pedigree to this fairly young team isn’t going to hurt. Especially when you factor in that Sharp is still good for at least 40 points, and Oduya is a true shut down defenseman (unlike Daley who liked to take on a more offensive role). Goaltending should be okay, as it’s unlikely that both Lethonen and Niemi fall apart during the season. The 2015-2016 Dallas Stars, still hopped up on last season’s momentum, will come out swinging this year.