what happens to me if i fail your test?

Connection [noun]

a relationship in which a person or thing is linked or associated with something else.

Attraction [noun]
the action or power of evoking interest in or liking for someone or something.
a quality or feature that evokes interest, liking, or desire.

Trust [noun]

firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something.

 Love [noun]

a strong feeling of affection.

Being able to identify and experience these emotions is what makes us innately human...

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Isn't it??

Do yourself a favour this weekend;

Pour a glass of wine, cook some popcorn and settle in for a movie night.

The movie?

E X   M A C H I N A

I'd never heard of it when I watched it and I'm thankful I had no expectations.

I don't want to say too much...
Even though I talked about it to anyone who would listen for days.

Hands down - One of the best movies I have seen in a long time.

And now I've learnt that it's up for a whole bunch of awards.

Critics Choice Awards

Best Original Screenplay

Best Visual Effects

Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie - WINNER

Oscar Nominations

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Golden Globe Nominations

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Alicia Vikander 

And when you've seen it - Let me know so we can chat.




xx

burnt

I went to the movies yesterday.

A lazy Sunday afternoon reclined in a Gold Class lounge chair with a glass of bubbles was a rare indulgence.

The movie?

B U R N T

 Here's a list of reasons you should go see this movie :

1. Bradley Cooper

2. Bradley Cooper

Oh.. You need other reasons?! 

Well, that's unexpected.

Perhaps it would help if you knew what it was about?
(Although I didn't before I saw it, so perhaps the element of surprise contributed to my enjoyment)

Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) is a Chef who destroyed his career with drugs and diva behavior. He cleans up and returns to London, determined to redeem himself by spearheading a top restaurant that can gain three Michelin stars.

It is a sneak peak behind the scenes at the kind of restaurant people like me aspire to eat in.
And the dishes created are works of art. 
The very definition of the word #foodporn

I don't know what the critics are saying about this movie;
And I'm not raving about it - But I did enjoy it.

Did I mention Bradley Cooper?!

Although, at one point, mid-film, it did occur to me that his character embodied may traits  I (unintentionally) seem to find attractive in a guy -

Driven, talented, narcissistic.
Intelligent yet clueless.
Arrogant but irresistible.


(Yes - I realise this is kind of a problem........)

Lucky he's so damn good looking!

xx

pass the popcorn

The number of ticket stubs floating in the bottom on my handbag has led me write this post..

I am certainly no Margaret Pomeranz or David Stratton when it comes to my movie knowledge or ability to review said films, but I know what I like and I know warm popcorn and a choctop always make the experience 100% better.

THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

I ventured out to the cinema alone for the very first time and saw this movie.

Perhaps it was my new found cinema-going independence, or perhaps it was because this movie gave me the sense that anyone can be/do/see anything they want, whatever it was - I really enjoyed this film.

I will admit, I am not a huge Ben Stiller fan, so I have some reservations at first, but the story and the scenery captured me from the beginning and I enjoyed every second of the journey.

««««

SAVING MR BANKS

I had zero expectations of this film. I literally had no idea what it was about.

I hadn't seen a single preview or read any reviews.

And I was so thankful, because that just made this movie even more magical.

Emma Thompson is perfect.

The soundtrack is (obviously) amazing.

The back story is heart-wrenching.

Tears were shed. Smiles happened.

My inner-child beamed with love for Disney.

True warm and fuzzy.

«««««

THE WOLF OF WALLSTREET

How much will you hurt me when I tell you that I just didn't love it?!
Don't get me wrong - Leonardo DiCaprio is freakin' fantastic.
And anyone who ever watched Neighbours, would be just so damn proud of Margot Robbie.
But after allll the rave reviews, I think I just expected more.....
It was long. And yes - I laughed, and grimaced, and squirmed.
But it's not a movie I can gush about.
Sorry I'm not sorry.

«««


ARE WE OFFICIALLY DATING?

OK.. there had to be one chick flick in the mix.
And this is it.
Funny? Yes
Relatable? Maybe
Worth the movie ticket? Probably not.
I've seen Zac do better. (Charlie St Cloud)
I've seen him do worse too.. (Hello, New Years Eve)
In the United States, this movie is called 'That Awkward Moment' and well.. it was.
Zac's gotten a little chubby, so the eye candy wasn't there. And I didn't feel the chemistry between him and his girlfriend Imogen Poots.
Bonus points to his onscreen BFF Daniel though.

Two memorable moments for me -
1. When his other BFF Mikey admits his life is over after his wife has cheated on him, because how did it go so wrong? After all "he checked all the boxes.. College degree, successful job, marriage"; and
2. When he cyber-stalks the guy who is in four of the girls Facebook photos, like an obsessed teenage girl [Admit it - You've done that too]

««


Argue if you want. But I call it how I see it.


And finally, because when I went to the movies on Friday night, all I really wanted to see was a little of this -

You're welcome

xx

Lessons In Life

Mean Girls.

One of my favourite movies as a teenager.

I revisited it over the weekend and am happy to report that it was equally as entertaining over 10 years later..

So many laugh out loud moments. And life lessons.

On sex :

On secrets :

On feminism : 

On religion : 

On psychic abilities :

And sex again :

On name calling :

Fashion Rules according to Mean Girls :

On Wednesdays we wear pink.

You can't wear a tank top two days in a row and you can only wear your hair in a ponytail once a week.

We only wear jeans or track pants on Fridays.

I need this for winter :

xx

New Tradition

I have started a new Christmas Tradition.

Inspired by myself; and dedicated to single ladies everywhere - I call it the Christmas Channing Marathon.

In previous years, Christmas Eve has involved watching the Carols by Candlelight, in actual candle light.

This year, I spent the night with Channing Tatum. Also in candlelight.

Hello Magic Mike and Dear John - Would you like to stay a while?

  

**swoon**

xx

Images 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8.

Touch the Butt

I quoted Finding Nemo during a client meeting recently. 

It was not the most professional moment of my career.. but in my defence, I was speaking to a man who has three daughters under the age of six so truly believed he would both understand and appreciate the reference.

Apparently not.

Cue awkward silence...

This aside, Finding Nemo is my favourite 'kids' movie and this quote is my new source of inspiration.

Happy weekend. 

xx

Image here

Team Gale

Just to be clear - I was on Team Gale before I saw the movie

(The Hunger Games for those of you who've been living under a rock..)

Team Gale

Seriously... How is there any other option?!

He's so manly. And he hunts. And he takes care of Prim

And he says things to Katniss that just break my heart.

Gale to Katniss

Urghh.. I die.

Is it too much to make some cookies that show my alliance?

Team Gale Cookies

OK. I'll admit it.
I think I'm suffering from Hunger Games withdrawal symptoms...

xx

From here, here and here

He's Deep

R Patz

Robert Pattinson

aka Edward Cullen from Twilight

I know he's not everyone's favourite vampire (actually.. he's got nothing on Eric Northman); but I recently found this quote from him which makes me swoon just a little...

"If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are. Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads."

Who knew he could be so deep?


This also gives me more incentive to make a start on the mountain of books that's sprouted next to my bed.. And this months book for the new bookclub I've joined.

Note to self : Make more time for reading.

xx

Weekend Plans

Twilight Marathon.

This weekend.

In preparation for Breaking Dawn : Part 1.

Super excited.

Slightly embarassed.

Don't judge me.

xx

p.s. I'm totes Team Jacob

Images from here & here

Gryffindor!

Yes I'm a Harry Potter fan.

Yes this picture made me laugh

From here

Sometimes it's the simplest things that bring a smile to your day.

xx

The Help

Have you heard about a movie called 'The Help' ?

Perhaps I've been living under a rock these past few weeks, because when a friend suggested we see this book turned film at the movies on the weekend, I hadn't heard a thing about it.

Here's a synopsis for those like me :

Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon,  “The Help” stars Emma Stone as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s,  who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed —even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.

Can I say, it is exciting to sit down with a choc top and popcorn and watch a movie about which you have no preconcieved ideas.

However, I was certainly not prepared to be confronted by the racial, sociological and historical issues raised throughout the duration of the movie. I laughed. And I cried. But above all else, I bonded with the characters. It was an unexpected but welcome way to spend my Saturday afternoon.

As for the cast - There were a few familiar faces.

Like Anna Camp as Jolene. If you're a True Blood fan, you'll remember her as Sarah Newlin or "wife of the Reverend" from the Fellowship of the Sun church Jason Stackhouse gets involved with in season two.

And do you recognise this guy ?

Yep - Chris Lowell (who was Dell in Private Practice) plays Stuart. And was a great choice for the role.

I'm certainly no movie reviewer and I must admit that lately I have been spending my time watching carefully selected films of the light hearted variety, so I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this thought provoking movie and I would encourage you to see it for yourself.

Now I'm off to get the book..

xx

It All Ends

O.. M... G...

I am feeling very emotional about the last Harry installment.

It's a mixed bag of excitement and sadness.

I actually think I might cry at the end of the movie because I will feel a sense of loss when it's all over.

On a side note - Emma Watson looked gorgeous at the Premiere. Ok, I'm not 100% sold on the dress, but she is totally rockin the short hair.

Love it.

xx