Christmas Ads - The Real Feels

Christmas Ads – The Real Feels

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The countdown to Christmas is on and one of the things I love about the festive season is the Christmas adverts. What used to be me waiting to watch them on TV at my parent’s house has evolved into me early waiting with Youtube at my side.

Now, I will say this year hasn’t been the most Christmassy for adverts (I’m looking at you John Lewis) BUT there have been some that I have adored. So, why not put my thoughts on the internet? I do anyway! For a heads up, basically the closer a Christmas ad gets me to tears, the better it is.

So, let’s get started:

Boots

An ad all about Mums and Daughters. It gave me the feels BIG time, I nearly cried. This is a beautiful and emotional ad. This is what I needed in a Christmas Ad.

4.5/5

John Lewis 

Ok, so I had mixed feelings about this Ad. I have absolutely loved the animal ones every year and was eagerly anticipating the one that made me sob like a baby. Instead, we got Elton John. I liked the idea and the premise of it but it just felt too celebrity and promotion for the Elton John film next year. Nevertheless, the final scene got me in the feels.

3.5/5

Apple 

I really liked this. It was a little different with the art style, the music was beautiful too. The message was wonderful too, it takes so much courage to share your own creations. I love, love, loved this.

4/5

 

Barbour 

Someone give the marketing people at Barbour a raise! Is it Christmas if we’re not singing about walking in the air? I loved this so, so much! The Snowman is a key part of Christmas. It’s nice to see him back.

 

McDonalds

I’m definitely going to leaving out some carrots! This is the only advert I’ve seen with Father Christmas and his Reindeer. It’s magical, I love it.

5/5

KFC 

Just because this one made me laugh so much. Well played KFC, well played.

Heathrow

This is it, this is the one that got me…possibly because one of my best friends lives in Australia. Family, Christmas and adorable teddies. This is the one for me this year.

5/5

 

Did your favourite make the list? Let me know below!

Why I Haven't Planned Any Blogmas Posts

Why I Haven’t Planned ANY Blogmas Posts

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It’s the 1st December and bloody hell hasn’t that gone quick! Throughout the internet, I’ve seen people starting Blogmas and Vlogmas where the very dedicated post every single day either in the run-up to Christmas or throughout the month of December. So, what about me?

I love seeing everyone’s post and last year had a great time with my own Blogmas posts, however, when I came to this year I had to think about it. Things are different to last year, mainly, because I started working freelance and running my own business all of my spare time and energy are going into that to make it a success. I’ve been doing this since August. And, honestly, I really want some time to relax in December. I need to take a break before the madness of 2019 when I’m hoping to get a few projects going.

Really, this is a form of self-care for me. When I blog I want to put things out that I’m passionate about and care about. Trying to write and schedule 25 posts just felt a little overwhelming this year and so I decided to take care of myself. That said, I’ll still have all of my regular blogs up and ready to go! There’ll even be some bonus blogs with my favourites of the year posts that I LOVE to do (they’re my absolute favourites).

Why am I writing this? Mostly because I wanted to remind other bloggers too that if you simply don’t have the time, the energy or don’t want to do Blogmas don’t feel like you have to! We all know how long blogging takes getting the ideas together, writing, editing, taking any images, making images etc. With Christmas being such a hectic time of year I don’t think we should put more pressure on ourselves.

While I will 100% be supporting and cheering on my favourite bloggers as they take part in the mammoth task and maybe next year I will get involved again, who knows? Right now, my focus is going to be recharging my batteries a little and making big plans for next year!

Are you taking part in Blogmas or Vlogmas? I’d love to know why/why not in the comments. If you are please leave your links too – I’d love to support you!

The Miseducation of Cameron Post – Emily M. Danforth

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After the sudden death of her parents Cameron Posts life is shaken to its very core. One thing she doesn’t expect to feel is relief, her parents will never find out that she kissed her best friend the very same night they died. Left with her elderly grandmother and religious aunt Cameron has to navigate her sexuality in secret in her small town.

This novel was promoted quite a lot at YALC in the summer, I didn’t know that it was about to become a film. So, of course, I put in a request on Netgalley to see what the fuss was all about. I’m glad that I did. It was an interesting read that I’m not sure I would have picked up otherwise.

There are some tough topics dealt with within the novel. Of course, there is the pressure of a small town in the mid-nineties that Cameron faces isn’t comfortable to read. More so, the fact that ‘conversion therapy’ plays a big part in the second half of the novel can be tough to get through. That said, while you would imagine this to be totally horrific Danforth managed to spread a message of hope throughout Cameron’s forced stay.

What I will say about this novel is that the number of girls that Cameron finds that are Lesbian or Bisexual seemed a little unrealistic to me. She seemed to get a fair amount of experience in what was meant to be a small, very religious town. It’s the only thing that didn’t quite sit right with me.

I gave this novel 4 stars, I think it took quite a while for the pace to pick up and feel a lot of people would possibly put it down. Don’t! There is a beauty and connection in the second half of the novel that truly makes it worth it. Would I recommend this read? Yes, I would. It’s definitely an intriguing novel – that said I won’t be watching the film.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Muddled Millennial_ The Beginning

Muddled Millennial – The Beginning

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As I write this, I am sitting in Cookie Monster Pyjamas, with a doughnut pillow behind my head and an existential crisis brewing in my head. Welcome to my ongoing mid-twenties crisis. Take a seat.

I’d been toying around with writing a few blogs about being a millennial, because everyone seems to think we’re terrible and um, I think we’re kinda okay. Maybe not all of us, but for the most part. I kept putting off writing it because, well, I was procrastinating. It’s as simple as that.

The logical part of my brain is telling me I need to calm down, it will all be fine I am not the only one. Plus, when I googled quarter life crisis there was a HELL of a lot of people feeling the same. So I thought I’d do what any self-respecting millennial with a blog would do, write about it. Standard.

So, you know the crushing panic that comes with being in your mid-twenties? You do? Awesome we’re on the same page. I’m in this weird part of my life where my friends think I have my shit together, I think they do but really we’re all muddling along.

I’m watching my feeds fill up with ‘I said yes!’, baby posts, new jobs, amazing holidays and here I sit, in my pyjamas. The thing is I don’t have a bad life, in fact, I’m fortunate. I have a wonderful partner, a nice home, family and I’m working for myself – so why do I feel so stressed?

When we were kids we thought we’d have everything sorted by 25. I thought I’d have a mortgage, be married with a kid. Have I done any of these things? Nope, not one. I have done cool things – but sometimes even that feels like it’s not enough.

So, this is a kind of muddled, messy introduction to my latest series where I’m going to spill the tea about being a millennial and hopefully get some of you to as well!

Are you also a muddled millennial? Let me know in the comments below!

 

Six The Musical

Six The Musical!

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Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived.

Most, if not all of us, have heard the rhyme about the six wives of Henry VIII, but if they could tell their stories then what would they say. Thankfully we no longer need to imagine thanks to the new hit musical, Six.

I have to admit going into this that growing up I was a bit of a geek when it came to the Tudors. I read everything I could about all six women because I found it so fascinating – although Henry I wasn’t that fussed by – my child’s mind he seemed mean, as an adult I could definitely use stronger language.

So when I happened to see a clip about the musical I messaged my friend saying it seemed cool and thank the universe it was on in Southampton which is a 40-minute train journey from us – result!

Catherine of Aarrgon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleaves, Kathrine Howard and Katherine Parr. No doubt you’ve heard their names in a history lesson. While they’re known as the six wives of Henry VIII but what were their stories.

This is a punchy, feminist story of six women taking back control. In a musical that feels more like a gig, each queen sings her heart out in a talent show style format (that I was not expecting!).

I saw the show over a week ago and have had the soundtrack on repeat. Their stories have been bought into the modern age with the laughs too! The fun of this musical is key.

At 1 hour and 5 minutes, it’s the shortest musical I’ve seen but this fit perfectly, I think any longer would have dragged. My personal favourites were Ex-Wives, Don’t Lose Your Head, Haus of Holbein, All You Wanna Do and Six.

The only adjustments I’d make (if any) are that I’d like to have seen more of Anne Boleyn’s intelligence. She’s portrayed as a little bit ditzy and was actually fiercely clever. That said, she was still my favourite in the musical!

I am really hoping I can get tickets to go and see Six again during their London run. This was an absolutely stunning musical with humour and heart. I’ll be avidly following what happens next! If you haven’t seen it or want to see it again the website is here AND, as I found out, you can listen to the cast recording via streaming or buying a copy. I’ve also popped a teaser below!

 

 

Book Tour – Tales of Ramion by Frank Hinks

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Ramion. A magical place full of creatures, colour and stories that will excite your imagination.

When I was contacted and asked if I’d like to read these books I jumped at the chance. Now, I might not be the target audience exactly. No, I am not a child and I don’t have any myself BUT that only amplifies the magic of these books. I’m a 24 year old woman that was completely and utterly drawn in.

For this tour, I was sent 2 of the 4 books in the series The Dream Thief and Creatures of the Forrest. am I going to have to go and buy the other two? You bet I will be!

Firstly I read The Dream Thief where three young boys, Julius, Alexander and Benjimin and their cast Snuggles (who is also a Dream Lord) go on a quest to save their mothers dream. For me, this was reminiscent of a mix between the types of stories I read growing  by Roald Dahl and the magic world of Alice in Wonderland.

The story itself had a good balance of adventure and heart, which I think we all need more of in modern times! What is more impressive is that author Frank Hinks, created these stories from tales he would tell his own three sons.

Next up was Creatures of the Forest this time encountering more of the creatures that inhabit Ramion such as Venomous Vampires, Scary Scots and Mystic Mummies! This time, however, they are accompanied by Scrooey-Looey the rabbit.

This was a little darker I think, but in a way that children would find cool rather than terrifying. The magic and mischief these boys get up to would be a fantastic story for children and adults alike!

I will be honest and say that, initially, the drawing style wasn’t to my taste, it felt a bit messy. That said, as I carried on reading it grew on me and seemed to match the style of the way the stories were told, a little different and a little wild!

I absolutely adored these books and cannot wait to read the next two! I loved them so much I plan on getting them for my Godchildren as they get a little older…mostly because I don’t want to lend out my copies!

Thank you to Frank Hinks, Perronet Press and Midas PR for this opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

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Paying for a good time – Spoonie Life

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Like most 20 somethings I want to have adventures, memories I can look back on when life slows down a bit and say ‘that was a damn good time’. Unlike most of the people I know, they don’t have to barter with their health. If you’re a fellow Spoonie, you’re probably nodding in agreement.

Back in September, I was lucky enough to go to Disneyland with my Mum and sister. I mean, DISNEYLAND! We were taking a trip to Paris and I was ready for it, matching t-shirts and ears were essentials. From the moment we booked I also had a niggling feeling, a voice in the back fo my mind you’re going to pay for it later. And, boy did I. Even though we rented a wheelchair, got fast passes so, and had rest stops in the hotel (on more than one occasion I had to take emergency naps so that I could watch the fireworks or make it through dinner. I thought I’d handled the trip reasonably well it wasn’t until the last day I realised… I was in minus numbers, the spoons were scattered all over the floor.

 

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The thought that we have to ‘pay’ or reserve our spoons when we know we’re going to have to do something that will make us tired is hard. When I was first diagnosed, I rebelled against it – a lot. I got incredibly depressed and tried to prove to myself I could still do everything – I wasn’t ready to accept I needed to modify things. Now, I am better, I’ll try and plan a rest day here and there or not set my alarm and just let myself sleep. Little things that make life easier.

I joke that a big night out or day of big plans has me making deals with the devil, but really it’s made me appreciate them even more. As soon as I acknowledged that this was my life now, I started appreciating the things I do, because I have to choose them carefully. That doesn’t mean I can’t be spontaneous and have a trip on the beach – but I just have to rest a little more, maybe get a train rather than drive.

I refused to give up every fun part of my life to this illness – and I know I am truly lucky to do so.

I’m Up For A UK Blog Award!

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I can’t quite believe that I’m writing this but my little old blog is up for an award at the UK Blog Awards this year! As most of my regular readers know, I’ve been writing this blog since just before I started Uni, *cough* five years ago *cough*.

I’ve never been up for an award like this before and I’m so grateful. I know it’s something people say all the time but just to make it to the second stage has floored me. There are some absolutely fantastic people in every category!

Voting is now open and if you do like what I do and would like to vote for me you can do so here.

Thank you so much to each and every single person who has read my blog! You’re the best!

Book Review: New Erotica For Feminists – Caitlin Kunkel, Carrie Wittmer, Brooke Preston and Fiona Taylor

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Well, things are about to get steamy in here!  New Erotica for Feminists takes our wildest fantasies from equal pay to a reimagining of some of our favourite films in a feminist way and makes them a reality. An excellent mix of humour and satire this is going to get you talking, one way or another.

Ok, ok, this isn’t exactly the next 50 Shades, but it should be a bestseller. This is a collection that takes the worn out tropes of erotica and porn and turns them on their heads. Born from a conversation between friends joking about a perfect feminist world – and so New Erotica was born.

‘Imagine a world where erotica was written by feminists: Their daydreams include equal pay, a gender-balanced Congress, and Tom Hardy arriving at their doorstep to deliver a fresh case of LaCroix every week.’

I read this in a flash and was laughing out loud the whole way through. So much so, I got a few odd looks from my partner and so I had to explain what I was reading – I’m pretty sure it confused him even more. That’s the perfect thing about the collection, it doesn’t try and take itself seriously, it doesn’t attack anyone or anything. This makes a point because it makes you laugh at the same time. It doesn’t take away from the issues – but makes them more relatable.

This doesn’t take away for what we’re fighting for, instead, it injects a little fun and silliness. I can imagine if you’ve had a day of patriarchy fuelled BS this is the perfect book to come home too. Is it a literary masterpiece that will change the tides of modern feminism? Probably not but I think it will give the lift that we need in the current climate.

Of course, I gave this 5 stars! I was completely hooked and even though as of writing, I have just finished – I want to pick it up and read all over again. This is going to make an excellent Christmas present after I’ve bought my own copy of course!

A huge thank you to the authors, publishers and Netgalley for this review copy in exchange for an honest review.

What I Read in October

What I Read In October

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October was a BUSY month (if you’re wondering why, check out my favourites here). With that in mind, I didn’t read as much as I would have liked! I did, however, read some absolute crackers, so let’s jump in.

I Hope My Voice Doesn’t Skip by Alicia Cook is a collection of poetry with heart and a love for music. I really enjoyed the collection because of the honesty through the writing – I gave this one 4 stars.

Next up is the new collection of poetry and prose by Nikita Gill, Fierce Fairytales: Poems and Stories to Stir Your Soul. A collection of Feminist inspired retellings and poetry with a beautiful cover? Umm yes please! One of my best friends fell in love with it and eagerly waited for me to finish. The idea of this and the execution was incredibly well done and I look forward to rereading this – 4 stars!

Following the excitement at YALC this year The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M Danforth was also on the TBR pile in October. I enjoyed this novel, there were some issues that I will cover in my review, but on the whole, I think it’s an important read dealing with sexuality, religion and family. I gave it 4 stars.

 

Next is my favourite book of the month, so much so that once you are done reading this blog you NEED to go buy it. Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (And Other Lies) is an incredible collection of essays from a variety of women on various topics to do with being a woman and a Feminist. My personal favourite was from Kiera Knightley. Full review to come but, of course, I gave this 5 stars.

Finally, we have a Manga, new territory for me! My Lesbian Experience of Loneliness by Kabi Nagata was a birthday gift and it was a brilliant story. Following a woman in her 20s as she tries to live with depression as well as figuring out her sexuality this was a great start – I can’t wait to read the second part when it comes out.  I gave this 4 stars.

And that’s it! That’s all the books I read in October – we’re creeping closer to the 100 book mark! What did you read in October? I’d love to know in the comments below!