2017 Favourites

HAPPY 2018!

Hello, how is this post coming to you from 2018 - wtf. Last year I really got back on the blogging train, ending the year with blogmas which was a little bit crazy juggling that with work and rehearsals. It's now time to chat through some of my favourite things from last year.

TV

Easily my TV show of the year, in the UK we're about a season behind the US, but fear not seasons 1-3 are now on Netflix. This an intense show, with many twists and turns, and great acting. Headed by the one and only Viola Davis. The cast is diverse and its extremely refreshing to see.

Never have I been so excited for a second season of a show before. Season 1 knocked my socks off, then once the trailers started to be put out in the middle of the year I was very pumped indeed. October arrived and anticipation was at an all new level. There might have been a slow start, but season 2 was bigger and better than the previous. Before I knew it, the wait for the next season began again.

Film

Beauty and the Beast

This was everything I hoped it would be. I was nervous that it wouldn't meet expectations but as soon as the opening number began my heart was happy. I laughed, I welled up, I cried. 

Wonder Woman

This is such a girl power film, finally giving young girls a fierce and independent superhero to look up to. I'm not a super hero film fan, but this blew me away.

Youtubers

My favourite discovery on the YouTube front has to be Megan Ellaby, her style has been an absolute huge inspiration, reintroducing colour to my wardrobe and just a bit of fun. Until this year I felt my style was a bit wishy washy and didn't necessarily reflect myself as a person.

Other shout outs this year go to InTheFrow, Helen Anderson and Rose and Rosie.

Music

Taylor Swift - Reputation

This is an album I was extremely dubious about, but there is not one song on this album I dislike or won't listen to. Favourite songs at the time of writing this post Don't Blame Me and Dancing With Our Hands Tied.

Other music favourites I've had on repeat all year are the Dear Evan Hansen and Waitress Cast Recordings.

Clothing

Dungarees

All Saints Leather Jacket

Gingham Dress

The Yellow Jumper 

And I think that's everything I wanted to mention! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog last year it means a lot. Let's find out what 2018 has in store for us.

September Favourites '17

Hello! As if my favourite month of the year is over? WHAT. But that means we can start mentioning the word 'Christmas' am I right?! Anyway, onto my favourites...

The National Theatre Podcast

I love a good podcast, something to ponder over during my lunch break or deep thoughts on the bus journey to and from work. Why yes I work at theatre, and I listen to a theatre podcast. So far they have discussed Brexit and its effects on the arts, the character King Lear in a discussion about ageing as an actor and the challenges that go alongside it, how culture shapes the character of a country. I have just found the podcast so interesting, and getting a more in-depth understanding of the industry I work in - more than just in the bubble of my workplace.

The Ellen Show - YouTube Channel

First of all it is my dream to go and watch an Ellen Show recording, literally Ellen's sense of humour is mine, watching clips from her show on YouTube I am cackling away. I force my friends and family to play 5 Second Rule and Heads Up. If I ever feel down the Ellen show is what I turn to. And you just can't forget what she has done for the LGBT community, what a legend. Below I have linked you to some of my favourite clips.
Scaring Sarah Paulson
Kristen Bell Sloth Meltdown

Ellen and Michelle Obama CVS
Meryl Streep Makes Everything Sound More Interesting
Scaring Taylor Swift This is Iconic!

Look What You Made Me Do - Taylor Swift

I feel like this is Taylor's most controversial song, but after a few listens I had it on repeat at the start of the month. Its in my head all the time. What sold it to me had to be the video - you have to give it to her she absolutely slays. Of course it has the ICONIC line 'I'm sorry the old Taylor can't come to the phone right now. Why? Because she's dead'.

Autumnal make up

I have been so ready for so long to bring back those autumnal vibes to my face. Yes I know you can wear a vampy lip whenever you want, but it feels a bit extra in the middle of July to be quite honest with you! I have been loving the shades Mod and Whimsy from the Tarteist Pro Palette and Firecracker from the Tartelette in Bloom Palette. 

Also just a side note on my facebook page (linked at the side) I will be doing a Wishlist Monday post, basically my pick of whats available mainly on Asos and Topshop.

Thanks for popping by!

xxx

June Favourites

Hello! June just hasn't been June this year, the weather has been so naff, summery clothes/activities are just not on the cards, plus I've been working more.

However despite the weather my favourite thing to wear has to be my blue mirrored aviators from Tiger, I'm going to be honest with you here, they are so cool it hurts for my mind to comprehend this. My outfits haven't been overly interesting of late, these sunglasses make it look like I care a little about what I am wearing.

Netflix

After PLL Season 5 finished I decided it was time for a Netflix break, well until Season 6. Which I'm really loving, will the mystery of who A is this time really be solved? Will there be a new A if it is solved will the Summer of Answers, really become a Summer of even more Questions? A side from PLL, I binged watched OITNB. That was awesome, the last episode left me so emotional, and I urgently need a season of it, by next week at the latest.

Taylor Swift

Remember that time I saw Taylor at Big Weekend, I do very clearly. So naturally I had to make some post-weekend purchases. 1989 and Red. I have predominately been listening to 1989, I love ALL the songs, especially This Love its just such a beautiful song. I have also be stalking her on instagram, tumblr and twitter. It's fair to say I'm fan girling pretty hard.

Shrek the Musical

I went to see Shrek open minded, as I really was not sure about this one. I was blown away, this show has a lot of heart, great songs, its funny, its everything you want from an evening at the Theatre. I talked more about my thoughts on it, here.

12 Books 12 Months

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green was one of my favourite books I have read this year, with Paper Towns coming to cinemas in August I decided to read the book first, whoa WHO AM I? I read this in about 4 days, they only 4 days nice enough to sit outside and read for a while. I really enjoyed reading this, I loved the element of problem solving in the book, I wish it hadn't ended like how it did, but that would be predictable. What we learn from this book is Margo Roth Spiegelman is far from predictable. Literally the story here is don't judge a book by its cover. I am really pumped for the film,  and I can easily imagine Cara Delevingne as Margo.

Thanks for popping by!

xxx

May Favourites

Hello. May has not served us well weather wise, in fact it really has not been great, it was like it went on a total rewind putting two middle fingers up at us Brits! Hence why my Favourites this month is very much indoors based!

Lily Pebbles
I am having a massive Lily Pebbles moment right now. First off every week day at 6.30 pm I have been waiting patiently for her Every Day May videos, there is something about her vlogs which make me feel so content and happy. I am also really into reading her blog at the moment which a couple of months back had a makeover, of recent times my favourite blogpost was her one on Epilators, I like posts on 'unspoken' beauty at the moment. Finally a shoutout to Lily's snapchat, I love seeing her daily activities in the short 10 second clips I really feel like I've gotten to know Lily this month. ANDDD rave over. But seriously, loving everything she is doing ATM.

Deliciously Ella

Being the pro internet surfer I am, if I got paid for the amount of time I spent on the internet not doing much I would be earning a hefty amount. I now follow Ella on Instagram, which makes me feel guilty for that cheeky slice of chocolate cake from Waitrose. I love to browse through her recipes on her website, last week I made the Mediterranean Vegetable Spaghetti for my mummy and I, I didn't tell my mum it was a vegan recipe and she loved it. Also on Thursday you will see my slightly edited version of Sweet Potato Brownies.

12 MONTHS 12 BOOKS
Read about my (lack of) history with reading - here.

How to Fall in Love by Cecelia Ahern

My Dad rolled his eyes when I told him what I was going to read. This isn't a soppy tale though, no it is not, apart from the last two chapters. The bulk of this book is Christine trying to help Adam rediscover happiness in his life, after attempting to commit suicide. Christine is not a therapist, but runs a recruitment agency, she tries to follow advice from 'How to books'. They aim to try and get Maria back (Adam's gf who cheated on Adam with Adam's best friend). I think you can guess how the book ends. It is a bit fairy tale like I guess, but I feel that's how falling in love should be, something that happens naturally when you're not necessarily looking for it.

So I excelled myself this month and got onto book number 2 *applause*

The Racketeer by John Grisham
Good book, fast pace. I really enjoyed this book up until half way, when I began to really dislike Malcolm/Max the protagonist in this book. He was demeaning towards women, oh and the rest of society. He literally thinks he is so bloody smart. From page 200 I wanted whatever his plan was to fail. However it was good to read a different kind of book, broadening my horizons. UPDATE, I still dislike the character but towards the end of the book its more about the action, rather than what Malcolm/Max is thinking and scheming. However this not a book I would recommend.

To continue the reading theme, I find it easiest and most relaxing to read with some kind of background music. This month for my second book, I read with the Imitation Game soundtrack playing. Also Good Reads, if you haven't heard of it, its a social media sight for books. I've found it really helpful for picking books and avoiding books which are not that great.

Next month I am reading Paper Towns by John Green.



***FINALLY***
Radio 1 Big Weekend

I am pre writing this post the day directly after Big Weekend. I have never experienced anything like that. I will be honest I was there because Taylor Swift was coming to my home town (city). Wow she is a performer (I didn't watch the Foos), Taylor put every other performer on the day to shame. Literally I cannot explain how good she was, just wow. I died. RIP me. My Dad who was watching at home liked Shake It Off, he is a man of few words, it really says something, if he says something. Taylor was my highlight no doubt there at all. I also liked a lot James Bay, I now have his album on Spotify he was on the In New Music We Trust Stage.

I shall now go back to listening to 1989 on repeat, thank you.

Thanks for popping by!

xxx