The year 2015, to me, is synonymous with Back to the Future Part II. That opening sequence of flying cars, hoverboards and power lacing Nikes was something that I have always both (rather optimistically) dreamt of and mocked for its silliness. The Back to the Future Trilogy has enchanted me since I was tiny and I unashamedly rank the first one among my film favourites. Perhaps one of the most recognisable and iconic parts of the series (apart from that delorean ) is in the 2015 scenes of the second film with the hoverboard and its apt Mattel product placement logo. Now that it is finally here, its about time I do an expectations vs. reality critique. *Technically, the film is set on the 21st of October 2015, so we still do have 10 months to go! What the film got right: A 21st Century obsession with Cosmetic Surgery Doc tells Marty about him going to a rejuvenation clinic to look 30 years younger. An increase of Green Spaces in urban areas 2015 Hill Valley has a lot more green and an artificial lake and we can only look to the New York highline and the plans for a green bridge in London to see a growing trend. Increased use of fingerprint recognition Maybe not to pay for things and as a substitute to house keys but using our fingerprints is becoming a far greater daily occurrence. The latest iphones and plenty of computers use fingerprint recognition. Flat Screen Televisions Video Conferencing Hundreds of Channels An unhealthy obsession with film sequels Marty finds that the cinema is showing Jaws 19. This is sadly true. How many good films have been ruined by bad franchises. Immersive or virtual reality eyewear The McFly teenage offspring both have eyewear on that looks very similar to Google Glass or Oculus Rift - two things that exist but are not yet in mainstream usage. Nostalgia over retro things Hill Valley has a Cafe 80s and an antique shop selling old televisions and computers and they really do look ancient today. Tourism in Vietnam Vietnam has opened its doors to tourism a lot in recent years but quite an unthinkable place to holiday in the 80s. What the film got a tad wrong:: Flying Cars and Skyways I mean, really? They didn't give us very much time. Fax Machines Just ask anyone millenial what a fax machine is? I promise you they won't know. I've no clue. Self tying Nikes So Nike has made a replica but not yet the self tying bit. We still have time people. Hoverboards Another thing 'in the works.' As long as they tell me when its ready. I swear I'd pay a lot of money for one of those. Auto adjusting and auto drying clothes Robot controlled Petrol stations An unhealthy obsession with spandex More 1980s than 2015. Queen Diana A sad one. This was also assuming that the Queen wouldn't be still going strong as she still is. A Female President This was a nice prediction. It's still pretty good that we have a half black president. How's that for progress. And we could very well see a female president elected in November 2016, possibly Hilary. Newspaper readership of 3 billion Apparently, in 2015, USA Today boasts 3 billion readers. Firstly, how could they possibly have that many readers and also this doesn't predict the decline of print publishing. Dehydrated food Space food esque. Pizza can be hydrated in a matter of seconds. An efficient legal system hahaha The rise of Japan The assumption that Japan would be a great superpower and this would also filter down into things like dress sense etc. Clothes in general Everyone just looks like their in the 1980s and trying to dress weird and futuristic. So obviously the main thing that's missing is that little thing called the Internet (and things like mobile phone culture). It's unimaginable the effect it's had on the world. As much as I want a hoverboard, in some ways I prefer a lot of the innovations that couldn't possibly have been foreseen.
29/12/2014 1 Comment Film Favourites 2014The Grand Budapest Hotel So I watched 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' on the plane to Moscow on a very dark screen meaning I couldn't appreciate its 'visual splendour' to the full. It was a shame because Wes Anderson's visuals are delightful yet I still very much enjoyed what I did see of it. The witty dialogue, especially the lines of Ralph Fiennes, are amusing and excellently delivered and he is fabulous as the dandy Monsieur Gustave, the renowned concierge of The Grand Budapest Hotel, a dazzling resort tucked into the Alpine region of 'Zubrowka.' The film juxtaposes lightness with more thoughtful themes. The whimsical adventures of M. Gustave and his young protege Zero with surreal and snowy sled chases, prison breaks and art heists all encompassed in a who-dunnit murder are exciting and charming but behind the escapist fantasy spectacle lies deeper thoughtfulness. X Men Days of Future Past X Men is probably one of my favourite superhero series. The whole concept of 'mutants' is an clever allegory about treatment of minorities and unfortunately still as relevant today as when it was first created. I think this is my favourite X Men film yet. Any film that deals with time travel and is a period piece (Hello 70s!) is sure to enthrall me. By all accounts, the specific comic which the film is based was published well before The Terminator 2, but it is funny the similarities. As its Honest Trailer put it, 'an indestructible badass gets sent back into time without his clothes to protect a vulnerable man with long hair who will one day become a leader and stop a shape shifter from destroying the future.' Sound familiar? Interstellar Perhaps Christopher Nolan was a bit over ambitious in his latest space film yet, nonetheless, I did quite like it (not that I had any idea what was going on.) Now I thought Prometheus was confusing but this is a whole other level. The film constantly throws confusing space concepts and jargon around that you never fully comprehend as well as the unexplained smaller and earthly issues like why doesn't Matthew McConaughey care in the slightest about his son? Interstellar follows Cooper (McConaughey), farmboy/super pilot in the sorry future of famine and dirt storms. Cooper ends up leading a space expedition along with Anne Hathaway, a few minor others and a robot to find a new hospitable planet for humans through a wormhole which was apparently created by a benevolent 'they.' Cooper finds himself battling with Time itself (as well as a whole lot else) as the speed of time varies on different planets. Left behind on earth is his daughter Murph, aka Bella and Edward's demon vampire child who grows up to be Jessica Chastain, a scientist working on her dad's mission from NASA. I don't understand much else but the film is undeniably action packed yet visually impressive with beautifully still and expansive shots. Confusing but quite a spectacle. Certainly worth a watch!, Boyhood Described by Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian as a 'bildingsroman for modern American cinema,' we meet Mason (Ellar Coltrane) as a six year old living in Suburban Texas with his older sister (the director's daughter Lorelei Linklater) and single mother (Patricia Arquette). Over the next twelve years come new neighbourhoods, new friends and new step-dads. We catch a glimpse of camping holidays, family dinners as well as milestones such as birthdays and graduations as Mason grows into a kid who some how manages to be both conscientious and in a world of his own. Read my full review here. Mockingjay: Part 1 I've been a huge fan of the Hunger Games since my 2011-self read all three books in a three day burst. Mockingjay was read in an intense session of suspense and apprehension and I remember the concern I felt for my favourite characters and the fate of Panem altogether. Three years on, the film came out and I was excited to see how it would play out on the big screen. The film is perhaps a tad exhausted because the Hollywood 'two-part' thing is completely unsuitable to the structure of the book yet the film is still a decent and suitably intense adaptation. The film follows Katniss as she is reluctantly propped up as symbol of the revolution against the evil President Snow following a traumatic rescue from the Quarter Quell. She finds herself anguished over the Capitol's capture of Peeta and is in the dark to what is happening around her and who she can trust. As she agrees to be the symbol, the engineers of the revolution in District 13 launch a propaganda war to rouse the districts into further defiance to ultimately topple the Capitol. Yet President Snow is not without his own skills to undermine the revolution and unnerve Katniss herself. He uses the captured Peeta as his pawn to front his propaganda war while also blackmailing Katniss through Peeta' systematic torture and brainwashing. J-Law gives a thoughtful and stirring performance as Katniss and much of the old cast return as amusing as ever. Whether its the script, direction or miscasting, I'm not fully satisfied with Peeta's translation to the big screen. I feel like it is vital to the films that we should route for Peeta, which I definitely did in the books. Book Peeta is really likeable because he is witty, charismatic but he's also physically strong, clever and tactical. However, in the films, he's just annoying, boring, pathetic and burdensome and there's insufficient reasoning for why Katniss gives a damn about saving him (which is a pretty large proportion of the films.) The films fall short because what is conveyed is his harmlessness, not his his banter with Katniss and sense of humour. He spends all the films crying, jittering, stumbling and making awkward jokes. In the series, the bit that most annoys me is in the first film when he goes, 'I watched you walk home everyday Katniss, everyday.' This line was just not in the book. One of the central parts of Mockingjay should be Katniss' credible and understandable distress that Peeta is being tortured in the Capitol. Following his depiction in the last few films and that creepy comment, you'd think Katniss wouldn't mind some distance between the guy who's been stalking her since she was five. I'm conflicted because in some ways I applaud the reduction of Peeta because it ultimately fortifies Katniss and comes to challenge gender roles. In many ways its brilliant and refreshing to witness a rare case of the guy being the damsel in distress needing rescuing by the female character. However, I think that the films plainly don't do justice to the book Peeta and this also means that the story just doesn't add up. However, I don't feel that it would necessarily diminish Katniss' own strength and bravery if Peeta was just more likeable. The story will always be Katniss' and rightly so, yet surely a likeable male lead would still be preferred to a annoying and dull one that no one particularly likes or cares for. I have no problem with Peeta being the victim and needing saving from Katniss as Katniss is clearly the fiercer and more inspiring figure. Peeta is never going to be the leader or hero but he deserves to be recognised for his likeability and goodness. The Lego Movie
Vitruvius, I learnt in a book I've just read is the name of a notable architect in history. Its quite fitting that the Morgan Freeman voiced 'God'-esque character is one of the movie's many 'master builders.' The Lego Movie is a clever film and I did like how 'master builders' were incorporated into the story as the gifted super lego people. The story follows average Joe, Emmet as he is dragged into a battle against the evil Lord Business when he is named as the 'Special.' I appreciated the appearances of everyone's favourite characters such as the confusion between lego Gandalf and lego Dumbledore as well as all those great film homages and allusions. Notable Mentions: The Fault in our Stars, Guardians of the Galaxy (I know both these films have huge and dedicated fanbases and I apologise. Although I liked them, maybe not enough to make my final cut.) Edge of Tomorrow was weirdly ok for a Tom Cruise film. 2014 films I need to see: The Imitation Game (I know, I really need to see Benedict's big film!), The Hobbit, Mr Turner, Into the Woods, The Theory of Everything, Annie(?), Is Birdman good? ((So many to see!!)) What were your favourite 2014 films? What do you think of my selection? 24/12/2014 1 Comment From Russia with LoveIt couldn't have been a more interesting time to visit Russia. With the apparent threat of a 'New Cold War' looming over us, there was that little thought at the back of my head that I would find myself stranded in Russia as World War Three dawned. Fortunately, the trip ran very smoothly (maybe apart from a certain engine incident during the overnight train that left us temporarily stranded in the Russian countryside) and in a spirit of excitement I visited Mother Russia with school in a whirlwind tour of its twin capitals: Moscow and St Petersburg. While the trip was primarily an A-Level history trip, perhaps we gained the most insight from observing the political climate and opinion in today's Russia. For example, our guide was undoubtedly convinced that the tragic crash of flight MH17 was a result of Ukrainian rebels, not the Russia-backed rebels we in the West believe were to blame. In another interesting instance, the Western media had led me to believe in Putin's 'purgings' of the 'Western' fast food chain McDonalds, however, they were as prevalent and functional as they are in Britain. Quite amusingly, our Cold War Bunker guide (who was nonetheless fabulous) welcomed us to the 'Soviet Union' before correcting himself with 'Former' Soviet Union. It's quite frightening to consider that my generation is the first in Russia not to grow up under Communism. However, Putin's Russia does not seem all that detached from its Soviet past. Equally, we were all very disturbed by the overt and Soviet-esque propaganda surrounding their 'supreme leader' and the general lack of irony in Putin merchandise. Countless t-shirts showed Putin smouldering, Putin riding horses topless, Putin in full military gear and my personal favourite: Putin bottle feeding baby deers (obvs trying to emulate Margaret Thatcher's calf picture). I think we were all a bit unnerved when our guide pointed out to us the KGB headquarters. This was not before she casually remarked that it was still in use today just with a different name. Whether Russians have a cruel sense of humour or she really wasn't joking, our tour guide later told us to stay on the designated paths in the Kremlin or else we would risk being sent to Siberia. Travelling around Moscow, I couldn't help but be reminded of those few pictures the West has seen of North Korea with its bleak cityscapes with concrete buildings and wide boulevards devoid of any pedestrians. The Moscow Metro equally remained scarily reminiscent of pictures of Pyongyang with their ornate chandelier-clad stations with still intact murals of revolutionary leaders often Lenin and bronze statues and mosaics of the working people of the USSR, the strong and heroic man with his hammer and sickle and that resilient soviet maiden in her 'babuskha' scarf. Obviously Russia has come along a lot since Communism but what is with all this Lenin worship? He still is laying in a glass box over 20 years since the end of the Cold War and its also plain disgusting since its almost 100 years after his death. Just because you can embalm doesn't mean you should! Moscow certainly isn't a place I'd choose to live in but an absolutely fascinating place to visit. Red Square was certainly on my list of places to visit and it was amazing to stand in front of the iconic domes of St Basil's Cathedral and take an obligatory tourist selfie. This city's history is fascinating and our visit to the Cold War Bunker was both terrifying and hilarious. The Bunker was the actual one Khrushchev bunked in at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis so it was particularly interesting for us since we had studied (woo GCSE History) the Cuban Missile Crisis to a greater extent from America's perspective with a clear picture of JFK with his advisors in the Oval Office and a less clear one of their counterparts in the USSR before now. The bunker itself is buried deep below Moscow (no lifts might I add- going back up was death) and we could hear the rumble of the passing metro trains. We weaved our way through a series of eery and dark corridors which felt like some weird dalek lair. Our guide gave us a mock missile launch demonstration and took great pains to reassure us that it was not a real launch. We knew the tour was really worth the money when he flapped his arms around in enthusiasm as he gave his live commentary of the launch. George was a great guide. St Petersburg was completely different. What Moscow lacked was pedestrians. Moscow appears a very car dependent city and a lot of it was made up of indoor and contained shopping centres/malls. Contrastingly, St Petersburg had the buzz of any typical European city with high streets and tonnes of people walking around. As the 'old' Russia (being the home of the Romanovs), it had gorgeous and old buildings and homes and has been compared to Venice for its series of bridges and canals. St Petersburg is where we learnt about pre-revolution Russia. In a visit to The Peter and Paul Fortress, we saw the church in which all the Tsars are buried including the remains of the last Tsar Nicholas II and his family. In the same complex was the prison which housed political prisoners during the reign of the Tsars. It was a discomforting place and the solitary confinement room the guide (rudely) locked us in definitely had a bad feel. Very interestingly, we visited the cell Trotsky (Snowball) once inhabited. The Hermitage's Winter Palace was stunning in its grandeur but also remarkable in its art collection. Widely recognised as one of the greatest and largest museums in the world, I would have loved to spend longer viewing the countless Gauguins, Picassos and Mattises. We also learnt a lot about the Tsars who lived in the palaces and how it got its name. It's so ironic that it was named the 'Hermitage' because it was intended to be a small art collection like one for a hermit and now it is one of the largest and most visited attractions in the World. Visiting a Russian secondary school was definitely an insightful experience. When we asked about their views on Putin, the reply was a kind of awkward 'yess - we're all supposed to love him.' Another was more straight as he told us he greatly disliked Putin. What was most worrying was the political ignorance the Russian educational system fosters. Politics is not taught at all and my friend said that many of them thought that there was absolutely no reason why they should vote. That's something that I find concerning as a Politics student. The Ice Hockey Match was a definite highlight of the trip. Supporting our the St Petersburg team, SKA completely smashed the other team. I hardly imagined I would enjoy the game much but I has such a great time and am now a life long SKA supporter. My trip to Russia was superb and something I'll always remember and I've only mentioned a fraction of what we saw and did. What was excellent was that I could share all these experiences with my friends and form great memories (oh those horrible histories marathons and fears of KGB surveillance). The week after Russia I was just miserable it had ended. I definitely recommend going to Russia especially for history lovers. It has the most fascinating past and an intriguing culture. Sights of Russia:: Onion domes, Stalinist tower blocks, Putin merchandise, extravagant palaces
Tastes of Russia:: Potatoes, Meat skewers, Pork stroganoff, pancakes, borsch, chicken pie, apple pie, McDonalds, Dunkin' Donuts. Weather of Russia:: Pretty damn cold. It's the crisp Siberian cool that (arguably) meant Napoleon and Hitler both failed. I can survive in anything London throws at me now. -7 celsius was pretty cold. Sounds of Russia:: the mellifluous Russian accent, the rush of the Metro trains, the cold Siberian winds Russia Travel Essentials: Russian Phrasebook or app, thermals and many wooly jumpers, camera/phone, some Russian rubles for little gifts, snowproof shoes (I wore pair of ankle biker boots and they were perfect!), hat/scarf/gloves, enthusiasm, interest and low expectations for public toilets. Russia buys: SKA team beanie, CCCP shirt, Russian Doll, Postcards from the Hermitage, Putin Chocolate, Russian Christmas Tree Decoration, Russian Folk Song CD. Also, Merry Christmas all! I'm hope everyone's having a nice rest and looking forward to 2015! 23/12/2014 2 Comments CameraIt's always been a sort of dream of mine to find some trinket or heirloom in all its antiquated glory in some family attic. My family is yet to yield any Chanel 2.55s but I have gained a vintage Coach bucket bag from my mum and my dad recently found his old Canon camera from 1974 (40 years old!). I love cameras and I've always wanted an old film camera so I'm excited to give it a go and I'm hoping it still works. Have you ever found anything interesting in storage/attic before? Helllooo! I'm back! I've been rather busy recently. Yes, A-Levels are a lot more time-consuming than I thought. But I am planning to be a lot more structured next half term in my work and have a lot more time to do other things. Here's just a little post of pretty pictures from pinterest and things I've been doing lately. (all the pictures link back to the original source). Wanting --- a french bulldog // the quaint, vine covered pinterest home to grow old in// This fab blog planner//a new pair of flats.
Watching --- an Audrey Hepburn film marathon. I'm kind of obsessing over her black ensemble in 'Funny Face.' Eating --- Mozzarella, lots of chocolatey goods and microwave popcorn (I can already feel my arteries clogging). Drinking --- Lots of homemade ice tea (the best kind), cinnamon hot chocolate. Reading --- 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad What are you up to at the moment? Had a wander through the British MuseumGreat for a rainy day. I suggest the Americas and Pacific Rooms. *Unfortunately often swarming with foreign tour groups so avoid peak times! Stocked up on StationeryThe new school year is upon us! I've stocked up on pens, paper and folders. Also, how cool are these revision tags I bought? Visited the SouthbankVisited DublinAte in Temple BarI highly recommend Elephant and Castle in Temple Bar for a great lunch. I had their cheeseburger and ordered a jug of limeade for the table. Shopped in the South City Market (and Dundrum)I bagged myself some nice arty photographs in the market as well as a Ghostbusters tee in Penneys.
28/8/2014 7 Comments Best Films to watch on Netflix #1 Can't decide what to watch from Netflix's huge film library? I've compiled some of the best films I've found on UK Netflix from high school romp 'Clueless' to the Francis Ford Coppola Classic 'The Godfather.' I've shared my take on them as well as the basic premise of the movie. I've recently become a bit of a film buff so I've been doing a good few film-related posts. I suppose my blog will just go where ever my interests go! As you may have noticed most of these films are from the last century (make that the last millenium) mainly because 'they don't make them like they used to.' (Apologies for the cliché and sounding really really old). Those who know me know that 80s films in particular have always been very dear to me. *Best: meaning both my personal preference and their general acclaim and reception. For the aesthete: The Royal Tenenbaums A tale of the dysfunctional Tenenbaum family - an insensitive father and his three child prodigy children (Margot- a playwright, Chas - a finance genius and Richie - a tennis prodigy) all dissatisfied with their adult lives. 'The Royal Tenenbaums' is undoubtedly a very stylish film and I must praise Wes Anderson's gorgeous visuals, production design and costuming (how great is prepster Gwynnie's wardrobe). However, I liked small details and little touches (e.g. I loved the bit when they cut to Margot's closet and it was just rows of the same loafers and Lacoste tennis dresses) somewhat more than the main narrative. For the Coming-of-age film lover/ spontaneous adventurer: Stand by Me I was surprised just how much I enjoyed 'Stand by Me.' The concept of a film about four twelve year old boys searching for a dead body didn't seem thoroughly inviting. However, I thought it was a great and amusing film with a notable performance from the late River Phoenix in his first major film role who really holds the film together. The film also has Goonies actor, Corey Feldman and 24's Kiefer Sutherland (with the most awful peroxide blonde hair). This 1986 coming-of-age classic is based upon a Stephen King novella called 'The Body' which features in the same book of short stories as 'The Shawshank Redemption.' (And it's directed by Rob Reiner, the excellent director of 'The Princess Bride'). For Classic Films Buff: The Godfather Francis Ford Coppola's mafia movie follows the the Corleone crime family under the patriach Vito Corleone and the subsequent rise of his son as heir to the family business. The film is a classic - the kind of film you have to see before you die. It is rather unsavoury and violent but an interesting insight into the New York mafia and has possibly the best quotes ever. For the Brat-Pack Fanatic: Pretty in PinkI found 'Pretty in Pink' surprising charming. Unlike the awful 'Sixteen Candles' , It's a sweet high school film about Andie, the thrifty (she makes her own clothes) and naive working class girl played by Molly Ringwald. Conflict arises when she falls for Blane, the popular rich kid. After reading this Hadley Freeman article, (she is amazing because she has an 80s film blog and is everything I want to be - she is a features writer in fashion, film as well as pop culture, feminism etc) I've realised how great the character of Andie is. For the Wacky Comedy Lover: Ghostbusters Celebrating it's 30th anniversary this year, Ghostbusters is the ultimate family comedy. The film follows three wacky psychologists who together set up a 'ghost-busting' business removing supernatural beings who lurk around New York City. It has animpeccable theme song as well as great appearances from a super glamorous Sigourney Weaver, the amazing Rick Moranis (will anyone back me up in thinking that Rick looks exactly like Michael Gove in this film) as well as the three protagonists, Bill Murray, the late Harold Ramis and Dan Ackroyd (as well as a certain appearance from the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man...). For the fun-loving: Ferris Bueller's Day Off 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' is an innocent and amusing romp. The loved-by-all highschooler, Ferris Bueller joins up with best friend Cameron and girlfriend Sloane for a fun day out and about in Chicago because why bother with school? It's John Hughes' 'love-letter' to his native Chicago equipped with a 'Home Alone'-esque baddie trying to foil Ferris' plan (Rooney's failed attempts to break into the house, being attacked by dogs and Ferris' clever schemes are such precursors to 90's John Hughes 'Home Alone' films). And this film has a big singing and dancing number in it. Bonus. For the 'Shaun of the Dead' aficionado: Zombieland 'Zombieland' is America's answer to 'Shaun of the Dead.' That being said, this statement is completely paradoxical because Shaun of the Dead is so quintessentially British. Nonetheless, Zombieland is a decent zombie comedy starring Woody Harrelson as the 'the Redneck,' Jesse Eisenberg as the geeky and socially inept role he always plays, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin as they embark on a road trip across the zombie infested Southwest. There's also a great cameo from Bill Murray as himself. For the Nostalgic noughties child: Toy Story 3 Although it is the arguably the weakest (only slightly) of the trilogy (my favourite is definitely the second), 'Toy Story 3' is still a great film and ultimate tear-jerker because Andy finally grows up. What does that mean for Woody, Buzz and crew? For the compulsive 'Mean Girls' quoter/ tartan two-piece connoisseur: Clueless I'll admit I was a little disappointed by 'Clueless.' Yes, it's super quotable 'you try driving in platforms,' but the I found the story a bit silly. Loosely based on Jane Austen's 'Emma,' it follows 90s materialist Valley Girl Cher on her quest to be selfless. On the other hand, I highly advise watching it for it's fashion - Cher has a whole lot of excellent tartan two -pieces. MY FAVOURITE(S): Stand by Me/ Ghostbusters (because the 80s were the best film decade). Have you seen any of these films? What's your favourite? Do any of these films appeal to you? Have any recommendations from netflix or generally? I'd love to know! 26/8/2014 2 Comments Ireland Travel EssentialsSince I'm making a trip to Ireland this week (to see the fam), I decided to put together a little packing guide for travelling to the Emerald Isle in regards to sartorial decisions as well as bag essentials: Clothes EssentialsWith a forecast of rain this week, I'm packing my raincoat, my new dungarees, my relaxed fit jeans, a few tees and a few jumpers which I'll mix and match. I also have my trusty (and slightly beaten up) converse (i'll probably bring a pair of boots too) and my Phillip Lim for Target Crossbody Bag*(snatched for about £20, BARGAIN). *Thanks Auntie Mary for staying up until Midnight to order it for me from the States. :D I suggest: A spacious crossbody, comfortable trainers/ankle boots, lots of layers, a humble raincoat (rain ponchos are crimes against humanity(unless used ironically)) and a good pair of jeans. Bag EssentialsFrom top left: Sweets, W.B. Yeats Poetry, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce, iphone + earphones, sushi iphone stand, wallet and euros, hand sanitiser, moisturiser, scrunchie, camera lens, notebook and pen and umbrella.
Travel basics like phones, wallets, toiletries, snacks are necessary for any trip and may be useful for the journey to kill time. Books and magazines are also great when you're waiting around. You can't visit Ireland and not immerse yourself in its heritage and culture. I suggest you visit with Yeats and Joyce by your side. Pack them in your bag and read away. I'm bringing my new 'blogging notebook' with me but I recommend bringing any notebook for ideas and inspirations. A camera is a must. Ireland is the most photogenic country ever from Dublin streets to the idyllic and vast countryside. I think it's because its so green. Everything is just so photo-worthy! Pack a camera be snap happy. And last but not least, bring an umbrella. You never know when it might start raining! 24/8/2014 3 Comments My week in NumbersA few weeks ago I saw this interesting post from the blog, Cider with Rosie in which she blogged her week in numbers. Here's my own impromptu version: 8:00am -- The time I woke up for my results on Thursday (as well as the earliest I've woken up all Summer). £4.50 -- The price I paid for my personalised ice cream in the Magnum pop up shop in Selfridges (expensive but a nice post-results treat). 3 -- The number of toppings on my Magnum (they were biscuit crumble, brownie crumble and silver balls). 7 -- episodes of Frasier I've watched this week. 1/3 -- the amount of Brideshead Revisited I've read. 1986 -- The year 'Stand by Me,' my latest Netflix pick was made. 6 -- How old my little cousin has turned this week. They grow up so fast! £5 - The price of my yard ticket at the Globe Theatre where I saw Antony and Cleopatra. 1 and a 1/2 -- The numbers of hours before the play my brother insisted we get there. 1 -- day tidying my room and sorting through all my GCSE notes. 6 -- The number of items I picked up on my Oxford Street shopping trip. 100% -- My relief and happiness over my results! These are some pictures from the last month (not necessarily this week) I thought I'd share:
My view from the train to Edinburgh, Magnums at Selfridges, inside of Kua Aina burger restaurant, Vietnamese food (!), my latest purchases including dungarees (yay) and a new school bag, me at the Malevich exhibit at the Tate Modern rocking my raincoat, the V&A (my fav museum) and the outside steps scattered with inspiring quotes. Thanks Rosie for the post idea! |