I never posted a February Happy Things post, so I'm combining both months. So for the last two month's, I have been loving.... 1. Brooklyn Nine Nine. I am heartbroken that I have caught up with seasons 1 and 2 in only a month. I love the cast, the whole premise and the format of cutaway flashbacks. It's really great and I want EVERYONE to watch it. (Also, Gina is my fave)
3. Revisiting Craig David. His 2007 album 'Trust Me' really was great. Especially 'Officially Yours' which has been on repeat for the last couple of weeks.
But love is none of these things. It won’t suddenly make every day ok. It won’t change who you are. It won’t make your car go faster. It doesn’t even wash your dishes.
All love is, is love. And that’s all it needs to be, really.
- Iain S. Thomas, I Wrote This For You
6.Laughing uncontrollably at the cutest, funniest boy on Youtube, Noah Ritter. He is just so CUTE.
7. My best getting me Models Own Hypergel top coat for Christmas. My nails are so shiny and my polish lasts much longer.
2014 was not a good year in many aspects. The biggest hit of the year was losing a beloved family member. Other, less important parts were being away from home for the most part of the year at university, barely going to the cinema as a result and blogging only a few times in the year. I also had a bad year with money.
Yet there were many great things, as you can imagine; I interned again at a fabulous company during the summer for two weeks, I received good results in my first complete year at university, fell in love and saw Gone Girl (yes that last point is one of the top highlights of the year).
Everyone knows I love film. The last few years have of course been good film years, but 2014 relight my feelings that made me decide that film was my passion all those years ago and they were in the form of Gone Girl and Guardians of the Galaxy. Two very different films, yet I love them both.
I was always doomed to adore the adaptation of Gone Girl after reading the novel by Gillian Flynn in less than a week and letting the plot affect my day-to-day life with my family and friends. I was on edge, constantly. I questioned everyone's motives. I even began questioning my own motives. I had not read anything this clever, funny and outright scary, ever. It's easy to read, nothing you need to be particularly clever about to understand it, yet it's how your own mind work in how you appreciate characters and the plot.
David Fincher is a very clever man and got the book. He, and the rest of the team, understood that there is no real 'good' character in Gone Girl. They understood that, in a way, it's a satire on media and misogyny, that Nick Dunne's life is always being altered by the women in his life. The casting too is wonderful. I stand by my point that Ben Affleck is Nick Dunne. He's not likable, but you kind of admire his cockiness, his smugness. Rosamund Pike transformed, almost magically, to the wonderful (I believe she is), insane and intriguing character of Amy Elliot Dunne. I would even go so far as to say I admire the character. I admire her brains, her opinions and think she is one of the best fictional character's of 21st Century.
Guardians of the Galaxy on the other hand couldn't be more different if it tried to! Another film I knew I would love just from the set up: Marvel, in space, Chris Pratt, an awesome soundtrack and funny one liners. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. I cried, laughed and watched it far too many times in the cinema. I also danced too much to the soundtrack too, which I don't do often. It was the highlight of my summer and every time I've seen it since I've still had fun. I don't do that with films often.
I also fell in love this year with many things. I fell in love with a person, who makes my whole world happier in that soppy-sickly-kinda way. I fell in love with literature, mostly stuff I had to read for lesson as well as Gone Girl and Giovanna's Fletcher's latest. Music in the form of my two favourite ladies Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift. Also television; Parks and Rec has shoved almost everything out of my top 5 TV shows, after I don't know how many series I finally watched The Apprentice and don't think I'm ever not going to watch it, my leading lady of my life is Mindy Kaling and The Mindy Project, and Game of Thrones was again, the best thing on telly in the whole year.
http://4rianagrande.tumblr.com/
I've always been a romantic with life (just look at how many times I've used the word 'love' so far) and use to be afraid to show this side of me. But in 2014 I learnt that there is no point in hiding a part of you, or not showing your full personality with everything. I want to take this mindset into 2015 with me; I want to love everything I want to love and not be afraid to show it. I want to talk about things that make me happy. I want to share the things that make me happy. I want to continue to be positive about everything (even though it is sometimes hard with the university work to do). I want to worry less about money, about what everyone else is doing and about how everyone else is treated by others and just worry about how I treat others. I want to love life even more than I have done in 2014.
So here are my aims:
Stop spending. I want to save up for better things, days out in the summer. Actually do FUN things instead of not having money because I brought another pair of leggins, or another takeaway. (I'm actually going on holiday in June and don't yet have the money for it...time to save!)
Be more active. Walk more, run more.
Be more conscious of what I eat, but still love food. I don't want to diet per say, but I want to be kind to my body. Feed it more nutrition.
Drive to Birmingham. I haven't done it yet and the more I put it off, the more scared I'll be.
Worry less about what others have. I have everything I want.
Focus more on uni work, I know I'll regret my final grade if I don't put in the effort I know I can do.
See more films. Not just in cinema, but at home. Date nights watching films in bed. Bliss.
Be kinder to my skin. Only wear makeup if you really feel you need it and use those wonderful skin products you always save, they'll expire soon and you can buy those instead of the same makeup again and again.
and to live by these words:
'Live with the passion of Leslie Knope, the enthusiasm of Chris Traeger, and the bloodlust of April Ludgate ' source
Autumn is my favourite (hence my blog name) and I love doing lists of what I’m loving recently
1. Ariana Grande's look
Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with this girl. Not only do I want to look like her, sing like her and pull of cat ears like her I actually like her music. A lot.
But this season I love everything she wears and how she manages to make cat ears, crop tops and black work. I even bought my own cat ears and will hopefully try to keep wearing them after Halloween.
2. Ariana Grande ft. Childish Gambino – Break Your Heart Right Back (and Sober).
I pretty much love the whole of My Everything, but Break Your Heart Right Back is probably my favourite. Childish Gambino (formally Troy from Community) isn’t something I’d usually listen to, but from his featured part in this, I listened to a few of his songs and have found a new favourite with Sober. He’s definitely someone whose music I am going to follow.
3. Long hair.(Fringe?!?!?)
I’m a wimp
when it comes to changing my hair and I’ve had the same hair like almost
all my life. I’m playing with the idea of getting a fringe but I
definitely need to think about it further. I can’t wait until I the
bottoms dyed a bit lighter in a few weeks again, which is my way of
doing something different.
4. Gone Girl (film and book)
Before University I actually read a book for ME and not for my course. That was Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl which, like everyone, I LOVED.I read it for knowledge before the film, but I think I have finally found a book and adaptation that are both as good as each other.
I really enjoyed the film and on rewatches it could easily make my top 10 films ever.
What I’m loving about it is the response. I am enticed by so many different articles analysing the characters and the film. A psychotherapist could really have a ball with Amy and Nick Dunne. In particular I like the feminist responses to the film. Of course there a lot of named female characters in the film (it passes Bechdel in my opinion), and it’s the woman that is lying, manipulative, etc... People could argue that Nick is the good guy (but he isn’t), so it’s quite different to other films.
The articles I like in particular are:
A hint of bronzer and thick brows in particular.
I always like natural looks every time of year but I like how it’s a statement look in autumn. Brows, contouring and nice long lashes. The only look I really want this AW.
6. Cranberry juice.
My Nan always told me
cranberry juice was good for you and at uni I’m making it my aim to
drink a glass a day, especially on days with lectures. I’m trying to be
more healthy in general with food and drink because I’m trying to care
for my body.
7. Taylor Swift -1989.
As
I write this I am currently listening to 1989 over and over. I’m not
sure how I feel about it at the moment, but I can still hear country
Taylor in the lyrics but there just seems to be a more ‘pop’ feel to the
songs. My favourites so far are Out of The Woods, You Are In Love, Blank Space and How You Get the Girl.
8. The Mindy Project
Ugh I love Mindy Kaling. I’ve spoken about her book before in a blog. But this time round I’m finally happy with The Mindy Project because Danny and Mindy are together.. FINALLY. OTPOTPOTPOTP.
If someone looks at you like Danny Castellano looks at Mindy Lahiri, you have found love.
9. Monopoly
My housemate bought Monoplogy for
games night at a uni house and now I’m addicted. I bought the app for my
phone and can’t stop playing it.
10. Parks and Recreation (still)
This blog post feels a bit like a ‘list of TV OTPs’, but I really just want to talk about how much I love Parks and Recreation. I’m at last getting around to watching more of it and am nearing the end ready for the final season. Obviously I love Andy Dwyer forever because of this and this. But I am connecting with Leslie and Ben. I’m quite positive and ambitious like Leslie and sometimes go to extremes or I don’t realise what I’m doing to get what I want. I like that about her and feel close to the couple. Also they’re super cute together.
11. Mushrooms.
I don’t know why I’m including this but I have noticed I am eating a lot of mushrooms recently. Maybe it’s the season or maybe it’s not anything.
12. The blanket wrap.
I do like a good splurge
and annoyingly I spent a lot of my money at the beginning of the
academic year. My best buy is my blanket wrap which is totally me. I
like being warm but being allowed to remove layers and I think a blanket
wrap is just perfect. I kind of wish I looked for a petite one because
it sometimes does just look like I have a duvet with me. But I like it.
Simple and elegant.
Bilssful weather and lovely walks, beautiful sunsets and cosy indoors. I love this time of the year and even though I’m only going home for a weekend in a few weeks, I can’t wait to spend an autumn weekend with my family.
What I don't understand are people who belittle others for posting selfies, messages to loved ones or pictures of their food on the Internet.
First things first; what people do with their time is up to them and if they are happy
uploading selfies to the Internet and they're not harming anyone there
is no problem.
The way I see it is if you're happy, tell people why you're happy. It's surely better than in five years time being sad and telling people of a time when you were happy.
Once the moment is gone, you will have wished you lived in the moment of happiness more.
Uploading selfies or pictures of food is not a bad thing. It's happiness. If it makes you happy, then there is nothing better.
If you love someone tell them. Never be ashamed of texting/calling/talking to someone first. Why should you have to hide the way you feel if they make you happy?
Once the moment is over, you can no longer celebrate it in the same way. So live in the moment. Celebrate the moment while you can.
If you love someone tell them. If you enjoyed your meal at dinner, tell people. If you want to take selfie then do it.
Here are three lovely, beautiful and romantic quotes I found on the Internet which describe how I feel in this blog post more poetically.
“When I’m on Instagram and I see that somebody took a picture of
themselves, I’m like, ‘Thank you.’ I don’t need to see a picture of the
sky, the trees, plants. There’s only one you.” — Ezra Koenig.
"Food doesn’t taste better or worse when documented by
Instagram. Laughter is as genuine over Skype as it would be sharing a
sofa. Pay attention. Take in nature, hold someone’s hand, read a book.
But don’t ever apologize for snapping a photo of a sunrise after a hike,
or blogging about the excitement of having a crush, or updating your
goodreads account. All of these things are good and should be
celebrated. Smile at strangers on the sidewalk and like your friends’
selfies. It’s all good for the human spirit.” — @cogitoergoblog
“I’ve stopped being sorry for all my soft. I won’t apologize because
I miss you, or because I said it, or because I text you first, or
again. I think everyone spends too much time trying to close themselves
off. I don’t want to be cool or indifferent, I want to be honest. If I
love you at 5AM, I’d damn well rather that you know I felt it. If I love
you two hours later, I’ll tell you then too. Listen, I won’t wait
double the time it takes for you to text me back because I don’t want
to. I don’t care enough to be patient with you. I’m happy, you made me
feel that way, don’t you want to know? So that’s how it’s going to be.
I’m going to leave myself as open as a church door. And I’m going to
wake you up before the crack of dawn to tell you that I’m fucking
joyful, no pretending, not from me, not ever. Would you like some
coffee, would you please kiss me? Here, these are my hands, this is my
mouth, it is all yours.” — Azra.T “Don’t Wait Three Days to Text First.
The last ten months have completely changed my life, and now I can say I've passed my first year of uni. It's been great, as you'd expect.
My little sis is off to uni in September and I thought I'd write her a little list to prepare her (not that she'll read it or listen to my 'advice')
Dearest lil sis,
I know you'll have the best time at university because you'll grab every opportunity that comes your way. But a little advice from your not so socially confident older sister...
You'll still find people in lectures or seminars that annoy you, that sadly doesn't change from school. However you'll also find people who make you laugh, happy and challenge you mentally. These are the people to make friends with.
Don't get into arguments with housemates who don't wash up. Don't leave notes, because it creates a tension that won't ever go away.
Any free food is good food. If your SU offers a free pizza night, you go to that free pizza night and make it a night out.
Read the books before the seminar, but if you accidentally don't make enough time for one - sparknotes it.
As much as it might be a chore, try to clean your bathroom once a month, it can get pretty yucky without mum around.
If in doubt about what to eat...pasta is the way forward.
Be yourself. There is no point making friends with people who think you're something you're not.
Get someone to proof read your essays. You don't realise your own mistakes. (As a thank you for reading mine, I'll do yours)
Make a note of all your assignments early so you remember them. Don't do the mistake of an essay in a day. Some people can do it, but it won't reflect how intelligent and amazing you really are.
There is nothing wrong with going to a lecture at 9am, then having a nap between 11-2.
Do not blow your loan in the first month, it hits the cold months very quickly and you'll want comfort food.
Start Game of Thrones with your housemates. PLEASE!
Ring Mum once in a while. She will miss you.
Please stay in a group when you go out, it's just a pain having to find each other and can make the night very boring.
Take absolutely everything in. I can't believe how quickly my first year went and I only have two left, so it'll fly past for you too.
I know you'll have the best time, I don't have any worries. Just give me a ring every so often please, I can't wait to hear all of your stories!
I haven't blogged in months. My life seems quite different now I'm at university, I'm not doing the same things I was doing in the Summer. I'm home for the weekend, so I thought it was about time I updated with thingsssssss. 20/20 Experience part 2
Entire album = Love.
The Office
Since finishing It's Always Sunny, The Office is my latest Netflix addiction. I cry sometimes.
Jean-Ralphio
Argo (score)
I finally watched Argo.Yes it's amazing blah blah. I really like this track from the score:
Great Costumes
I wish I came up with this costume. You don't understand how much I love it.
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka's family aced it, again:
I went to a superhero party with uni pals dressed as The Incredibles.
