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.

November Favourites 🎄

Hello, we are now in the final month of 2017 and I really can't quite believe it. November has been a pretty good month my life highlight, was definitely gathering a group of my pals together to watch Hedda Gabler at the theatre.

Bad Moms Christmas. I had a look to see what reviews said about Bad Moms Christmas, do not be put of by these. I really liked it, and laughed a lot throughout. This definitely feels like a film for millennials. I am going to put it out there I preferred it to the first one. An honourable mention has to go to Christine Baranski who seriously brought some sass to this film.

Okay so this not a current TV show, I'm a quite a big fan of The Ellen Show, despite living in the UK, but watch the YouTube channel all the time. This year was the 20th anniversary of her coming out on her sitcom of the same name. So I decided to see if I could find it anywhere, low and behold the whole 5 series are on YouTube. It might be in the 1990's but it really holds up to be funny in 2017, the episodes are only 20 minutes long so is pretty easy to binge.

Back on the TV screens this November was Insert Name Here, a BBC 2 panel show hosted by Sue Perkins, of former Bake Off Fame. I love a comedy panel show, I will actually tune in once a week to watch them. You're always guaranteed to learn some obscure fact and have a giggle.

I wasn't going to cave into the hype. However I am now the proud owner of Reputation, that album by Taylor Swift - potentially you have heard it. This album is pretty controversial however I really like it, perhaps not as much as 1989. For Taylor purists there are some songs reminiscent if her previous work, not every song is as angry as Look What You Made Me Do. At the moment I keep find myself gravitating towards End Game and Getaway Car.

Thanks for popping by!

xxx

PS WELCOME TO BLOGMAS
There will be a post every weekday at 6.30pm and weekends at 10.30am. 

Random Favourites | Summer 17

Hello! Welcome to the random portion of my favourites, which could be called my Media Favourites I guess. Enough of the rambling..

Summer is always a great time for TV, I haven't gone for any light options here, but these are all GREAT dramas.

The Handmaid's Tale

You must have been living under a rock if you haven't heard about The Handmaid's Tale. UK people its on channel 4. Its based on the 1984 Margaret Atwood, dystopian novel of the same name. It stars Elizabeth Moss, Samira Wiley and Joseph Fiennes. This is a great drama, totally chilling considering you have Donald Trump and the DUP propping up the UK government. Its an important watch, go and watch it right now!

How to Get Away with Murder
I chatted about this show last year, I have only just discovered season 2 is on Netflix and I really need to get cracking. I love any crime/law drama. It stars Viola Davis and is just so freaking good. Intense sometimes slightly unbelievable. Its one of my favourite shows.

Orange is the New Black

Is it me? or does the gap between OITNB seasons, grow and grow. I wasn't sure how they could top  the last series, which had such a powerful and horrifically sad ending when Poussey Washington. I'm not sure they topped it, but I'd certainly say they matched it.

Also on the topic of Netflix, how bloody good does the Stranger Things trailer look?!

Music

When he sees me - Waitress

I have for sure mentioned Waitress the musical before, because it is great and you need to listen to it right now. When He Sees Me is my fave song at the moment on the soundtrack, its punchy and funny, plus its beautifully written. On the soundtrack it is sung my Kimiko Glenn (from OITNB) and boy can she sing, her comic timing is ace.

Pride Classics

Oh My God there are some absolute bangers on this playlist , the first three songs are Vogue, It's Raining Men and Born This Way. Highly highly recommend. And perfect to listen to as this post goes up as it's Norwich Pride today!

Social Media

Megan Ellaby

(image from pagesbymegan.com)

I really have Megan to thank for me being more creative/having a little bit more fun with style this year. She wears colour- COLOUR! What is this you ask, basically its not wearing monochrome outfits. I would have never have bought a bright red jacket, if I hadn't been inspired by her. How she styles items is quirky, but also effortlessly cool.

Thanks for popping by!

xxx

March Favourites

Hello we've reached an end of another month, so crazy. We had a tease of what spring will be like on Good Friday and I'm now looking forward to warmer times. In April I'm going to my first Hen Do (I'm not the one getting married for obvious reasons) which is very exciting, and I have two jobs once more so my bank account is going to be a lot happier!

Food

All this month I have been loving overnight oats. Either chocolate overnight oats (which I think of as healthy cocopops) with chopped up banana or almond milk oats with chopped up banana anblueberries. I know it seems lots of effort to prepare the night before, but there is nothing better than having to make 0 effort in the morning!

Fashion

This month I've either been in work clothes or the pyjamas I've immediately climbed into once getting home. My favourite outfit detail has been these absolutely adorable bunny socks from topshop which I wore on Easter Sunday.

TV and Film

Heading Out - Sue Perkins

I have been having a right Sue Perkins moment!! This is a great sitcom, about a vet who is too nervous to come out to her parents as she turns 40, so her friends decide she needs some psychological treatment to help her get over her fears. Full of awkward moments, laughs and guest stars such as Dawn French and Mel Giedroyc. This is a perfect British sitcom and its truly a shame there are only 6 episodes. Well worth a watch.

Man Up

Continuing with the British theme, (despite the fact Lake Bell is indeed American shh) we move to the romantic comedy. Nancy is a mid thirties singleton and Jack is 40 recently divorced. Due to a case of mistaken identity, Nancy accidentally becomes Jack's blind date who is supposed to be 24 year old Jessica. I mean this sounds like a great storyline, doesn't it?!  This film is up there with Love Actually in my books. You can buy this BUT you can watch it on Amazon Prime video.

The Good Lie

I feel like the trailer sets this film up to mediocre at best, so don't watch that, this really is a strong and emotive film. It begins as civil war is breaking out in Sudan, innocent villagers inner stuck in the crossfire and mass killings. Survivors have to walk 1000 miles to Kenya before reaching a refugee camp. Years pass as the characters in the film arrive as children to the camp, are transported to America. After being displaced from their sister they have to adjust to their new lives in the west supported by Carrie played by Reese Witherspoon.

YouTuber

Image credit - Helen Anderson

Helen Anderson/Anderz

I don't know why but I've only just started watching Helen. It started when she announced she was doing daily vlogs as they are my absolute favourites to watch. I like her style and content, and I'm glad she's not the typical monochrome, nude lipstick loving youtuber because I'm bored of that.

Music

Spotify playlists -

Acoustic Covers

My favourite songs include You've Got Time, Out of the Woods and Pompeii.

The Great British Breakfast

My favourite songs include Suddenly I See, Rolling in the Deep and Put Your Records On.

Finally I just wanted to let you know what videos I have uploaded this month.

Things That Annoy #5 The Gym Edition

Boots Haul 2016

Thanks for popping by!

xxx

February Favourites

Hello! It's March already, so that means its monthly favourite time. Over February I really felt like I struggled with content, but after a month of humming about what to blog about, I think I'm back on track.

Suits

I know full well this was in last month's favourites, but I am seriously addicted to this programme, its fast paced, you don't have to wait a full episode for something to happen. I love so many of the characters Harvey, Mike, Donna, Rachel and Louis. Season 4 is my favourite yet, literally every episode I am on the edge of my seat, praying that everything works out. I shouldn't admit this on the internet but I took a quiz to see what character I would be, and I got Harvey, it was a great moment. You know who you are who got me into this programme, thank you. My sanity doesn't thank you as much.

Katy Perry - The Music and Movie

In a moment of boredom I decided I would watch the Katy Perry Movie on Netflix, I didn't know what this was going to be like. I quickly got into it and ended up enjoying it. Before I knew it the film was over, and I was putting her albums onto my Spotify. My favourite album has to be between Teenage Dream and Prism, I can't choose between them. Yes I'm a bit late to the Katy Perry train, but I am sure glad to be on it! #KatyCat Now I really want fun coloured hair as well...

The Theory of Everything Soundtrack

I haven't watched this film yet, despite the fact I really want to. For some reason I decided I wanted to listen to the soundtrack, the score is just beautiful. I like to have it just playing in the background, if I'm baking, reading or blogging. It just instantly puts me in a good mood and calms me down, so I can just focus on whatever I am doing.

The Gold Ring

Some people are the sort of people who wear the some of the same items of jewellery everyday and I have always admired them. I've had this gold ring that was my mother's for some time now, its pretty and simple. Perfect for everyday wear, I can be that person, I mean I have been for the last month!

12 Books 12 Months - Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham

*i gave this book to Haz to borrow before I pictured it, oops*

Prior to this book I hadn't really read books that weren't a linear story, so this was totally out of my comfort zone for reading. Yes I enjoyed this book, but because of the nature of the book it is definitely a book you can leave for a bit and come back to at a later point. I don't know if I came away from this book having learnt much, but more reaffirmed what I already thought, that if you're trying to do something that isn't you its not going to necessarily workout, but if you don't try you won't know that for sure. There is no way this is a 100% a serious book, reading it, its simply not Lena's personality. Whilst in a section Lena has finished university, is single, and jobless she is talking to her friend about her situation and comes to the conclusion "I can't find a goddamn fucking job and I'm too fat to become a stripper". In another section Lena tells us about the fact morality is always on her mind, from a young age, a topic which simply isn't discussed in our society she writes 'I'm too much of a loner for death, but I'm also scared of being lonely. Where does that leave me?' This struck a chord with me, and I'm sure it will other readers.

Thanks for popping by!

xxx

Current Faves

Hello, due to A Levels I was never going  to get a 'Monthly Favourites' style post up, so I waited for a little while and now I have a whole bunch of bits and bobs to talk about... let's hop into the post!

Tigers About the House

This 3 part programme is about two tiger cubs Spot and Stripe who were born at Australia Zoo, as part of the Sumatran Tiger species these are two very important cubs, with population rapidly decreasing in Sumatra in West Indonesia, Zoo keeper Giles has decided to hand rear the cubs himself to give them the best chance of survival to adulthood. I've found this interesting due to the Zoo's approach of looking after animals, being very hands on, which is different to what you expect. Also it is important to get the message out there to keep this species in the wild, if we can't keep such a majestic animal in the wild, how can we expect to have other less impressive, but yet still an important part of the ecosystem alive in the wild. Whilst I feel this programme is mainly about hope, however it does leave me dismayed at the human race, destroying habitat and still using Tiger bones in medicine even though their is no evidence at all that it helps various conditions, it makes me angry in all honesty. I highly recommend this to watch and the most out of everything featured!

Link for WWF website for more info about Tigers and their endangered status.

Green Tea

For a while I have been drinking the Twinings Lemon and Honey Green Tea, but recently I have moved on to Green Tea no extra frilly bits. Green Tea is said to have lots of health benefits, which you can read about on the NHS website, personally I mainly drink it as it supposedly helps your metabolism and its a nice healthy drink with limited calories.

Orange and Lime

I've been trying to go on a bit of a healthy eating kick, not eating between meals and not having cake after meals etc. (ALTHOUGH EXAM STRESS REALLY RUINED IT)  But I still need a bit of sweetness in my life. I have been opting for a combination of Robinson's Orange Barley Water and a Lime squash mixed together, I do not know why I haven't tried this before it is just literally so good and is really summery.

Hoop Earrings

Recently I bought a multi set of hoops from Topshop, as I love my really big hoops, but realistically they're not practical to wear on a daily basis so I wanted some smaller ones for day to day. I think it's quite amusing before I FINALLY got my ears pierced I used to think that hoop earrings were really chavvy and tacky, now here I am the proud owner of 4 pairs of hoop earrings how times have changed.

Paolo Nutini

As you may know Rosie and I went to see Paolo Nutini at the start of the month. Adding to that post though it's just crazy to think he was performing in my home town, and now recently he's been in like New York, it just feels slightly surreal.

Frozen Soundtrack

Yes I know that Frozen came out ages ago and that most people are beginning to get over it. But I just love it, nothing can beat walking down the stairs to the instrumental in Let It Go, the power I feel is immense! Plus the soundtrack as a whole got me through my revision.

Sweeney Todd Soundtrack

 

Sweeney Todd isn't quite as happy as a Disney film, with composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim setting out to see if a musical could scare audiences the way a film does and theme of revenge, definitely not quite so happy. I doubt I would have gone out of my way to listen to this if it wasn't for Performance Studies, because I have become a bit of a Sondheim fan, this helped me in my hours of need during A Level revision as well.

Private Berlin by James Patterson

Finally a book that scared the crap out of me however I kept on reading and reading until I finished. The basic story is that an ex-Stasi member covering up his crimes committed before the Berlin Wall came down in order to disappear. This quote is from the blurb to give you more of an idea 'Mattie Engel is one of the rising stars at Private Berlin, and believes she's seen the worst of people in her previous life with the Berlin police force. That is until Chris, her colleague - and until recently, her fiancé - is fond dead, brutally murdered in an old slaughterhouse outside the city'. Private is a detective agency based in LA and has offices all over the world with the series of books covering all of their different office, a favourite of mine is Private London. All the books in the series are page turners if I really wanted to I am pretty sure I could finish one in a day and I am not a fast reader!!

The current book I'm reading is Bridget Jones's diary, much less gritty.

If you do take anything away from the post please look at the links I put into the Tigers About The House section please. If you would like me to do any further posts on Tigers or endangered species as a whole then let me know, as it is something I am hugely passionate about!

Thanks for popping by!

xxx

March Faves

Hello, I'm pretty sure I missed my February faves due to being stupidly busy but I'm here with what I've been loving!

Spotify
I feel I am rather late to the Spotify train but I am loving it, and I can just about deal with all the adverts, i'm not paying for it! It has about 95% of what I want to listen to, which shockingly is mainly show soundtracks. My favourites have to be Hairspray, Rent and Matilda the musical. I just wish it had the Addams family the musical though, but we can't be winners all the time.

TV Faves

Mr Selfridge

'Mr Selfridge tells the story of 'Mile a Minute Harry', a man with a mission to make shopping as thrilling as sex. Harry wanted to indulge and empower women and so he opened the doors of his lavish department store, on London's famous Oxford Street.' Last Sunday this completed its second series. I originally watched series one last year out of curiosity, then before I knew it I was hooked. Now I am waiting for the next series, next year... patience will be necessary.

The Musketeers
'A thrilling world of action, adventure and romance inspired by Dumas' legendary characters.' To be truthful I've been enjoying this for most of the year so far but I haven't mentioned it and quite frankly it would be a crime not to. Period Drama Check! Action Packed, Check! Hot Guys, (Aramis) Check!Oh my god, I just LOVE this programme. What am I going to do with my Sunday evenings now both these programmes have finished? TV suggestions please :)

Mac Russian Red
This was featured in this recent haul. I wanted a red with a blue under tone because it makes your teeth appear whiter, and I have blue eyes so I thought there must be some logic there! (who even am I). Plus it has been recommended a lot on youtube and on beauty blogs.

Hairspray
Between the 18th and 22nd I was doing what I love more than anything else, performing. I was in my schools production of Hairspray as Amber. I just had so much fun, my favourite response to her was from Ms Powel my erm shall we say quirky dance teacher 'you were just soooo Naughty!'. I had so much fun in the performances obviously, and the rehearsal period although it was long I loved it as well. Now all I have at school is stinky A-Levels.

They are my favourites for this month! Hope you enjoyed the post :)

Thanks for popping by!

xxx

November Faves

Hello! I honestly can't believe I am writing this post write now, the end of November has well and truly crept up on me so much so that I took me a while to think of what my favourites were, even asking Rosie what i'd worn a lot this month, nevertheless I have battled through. Anyway enough chat now!

My go to outfit has to be...



The my favourite part of this outfit has to be my primark fluffy jumper, I'm starting to think I literally don't know where i'd be without this jumper, its so warm and I feel like a little polar bear in it. Then my most worn part has to be my Jack Wills leggings they are so warm and cosy, lovely I cannot rave about these enough. If you willing to spend £30 on leggings do it, if not put them on your Christmas list... you will not regret it. My shoe choice is my trusty tan boots from next like 5 million years ago.

Next is my ring I've been wearing pretty much everyday

You can't see it particularly well on this picture but I think you get the jest? Fun fact this was my mum's engagement ring, but then it got to small and now I feel shes with me all the freakin time, not just when I'm at home! I love how its small and dainty, its such an elegant little touch to an outfit :)

This month I have been enjoying some particularly stagey programmes the first was a one of special called Broadway: A Jewish Legacy (on iPlayer until 17.12.13). This followed the progression of the broadway musical throughout the 20th century, and looked at the success of Jews on Broadway and why they were so successful. One quote I remember is 'You won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews'. I found this hugely interesting and educational. I was really sad when I had finished watching it, the programme could've continued for another hour and I wouldn't have been bored at all.

Secondly is The Sound of the Musicals on Channel 4 which is a 4 part series with the final episode on Tuesday (3rd December). It  is 'an unprecedented look behind the scenes of the cut-throat world of West End Musicals' each episode focus on a different topic for instance the last episode focused on 'Stars' and looked at 'Happy Days' which is a new musical which was looking for a star name to give it a better chance of success. 'Top Hat' (possibly my fave musical) and how they coped when they lost Tom Chambers when they changed cast after a year of the original cast. Finally 'The Body Guard' where their star from Broadway became unable to sing.  It was super interesting and just made me want to get into the West End more than ever!

Moving away from TV but still keeping with musicals. Are a few songs from Hair ... the first song I am loving is 'Aquarius' is such a tunnnneeee, then the song 'Hair' and finally 'Black Boys' because when studying it a school we found this particularly hilarious... some people more than others!!

That's all for this month :)

 

xxx

my tv picks november '13

Hello! I've been missing from the blogosphere for about a week and that is because after half term life exploded again, but I have found  a bit of time for some TV viewing and I thought I would share my two top contrasting programmes trust me they are pretty darn contrasting....

1. The Escape Artist
I started watching this because it was a new crime drama which wasn't so police focused and possibly because David Tennant is playing Will Burton the main character! It is very gristy and trust me it will leave you looking over your shoulder especially when its dark.

As whole its about morality, whether a Lawyer should represent someone who it's very likely is guilty of horrible crimes and how they can sleep at night knowing they could let a very dangerous person back out inot the world and the repercussions of their actions.  I'm going to leave you with some links to look  so you get a better idea! Firstly the show's little webpage here and an interview about it here.

2. Strictly Come Dancing
The run up to Christmas wouldn't be quite right with out our weekly dose of sequins and Bruce Forsyth (whether you love him or loathe him)! I don't think this year has an amazing selection of celebrities but as you get to 'know' them you begin to support them. And yes there's the awkwardness about the fact that Natalie's has trained in dance, but I guess they need to make sure by the end someone will actually be able to dance brilliantly!

I hope you enjoyed this post sorry it was delayed from my last one!

Is there anything you'd like to see on my blog?

 

Thanks for popping by!

 

xxx