The social network - film

We finally got around to watching The social network while we were on holiday, and yo be honest I kind of wish we didn't... The concept was great, a story I was definitely interested in... Just felt it was looooooong... Took two sittings to get through... Glad I have seen it, even more so that I never have to again!


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American Horror Story

If you like scary, you will like this... I was seriously freaked out, couldn't get to sleep, had to decide that I can't watch it... But it is all I thought about for days afterwards, even read the episode guide so I could feel like I watched it... It is that good... Can not believe that it comes from the same dude that does Glee! Seriously effed up...


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The Carrie Diaries Summer and the City - Candace Bushnell

I only read this out of obligation to the characters... I just had to know what happened... Turns out not much... For the most part they have stayed true to the characters, although I have spotted a few inconsistencies...

Would be awesome if I was a teen, which is who these are aimed at... Will never recommend or re read, but will probably read the next one... Sad I know...


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Homeland - TV Series

Homeland is awesome... Watch it!

If my word isn't enough here are 3 reasons why:
It is reminiscent of 24 minus Jack Bauer
The twists and turns are reason enough, you just can't be quite sure who is doing what for who when
Claire Danes is brilliant

Such a good series, thanks for the recommendation Hayley!!! It just leaves you wanting more, more, more...

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Freedom...

I am sure I am going to be blasted for this, but the first point I am going to make here is that you are free to say what you like to me, you are also free to check the Internet at your leisure, which is where I constantly see people complain that we, in Australia, don't have enough freedom, that this is a shit place to live, amongst many other negative things... That you are allowed to say that in public forums, that you can walk down the street holding hands with your lover, that you can get up in the morning and wear what you want in the street, go to a job that you choose to do, can protest for the things that you believe are wrong with our country, of which there are many, proves that we have basic freedoms that many countries do not...

I love Australia, I know our history is bloody, and we still haven't set to right many of those wrongs, I hope that one day we do... To me, this is a place of hope right now, my grandfather came here 60 years ago from Malta looking for a better life, and this land gave it to him, he met a beautiful Australian woman and they had 5 babies together, his children had children, Maltese, Australian, English, Indian, Italian... Now when we gather at his house once a month, it's all about his great grandchildren, who are English, Swedish, Swiss, Italian, Australian and live all over the world, I love that Australia is this melting pot of culture... I love that my family is made up of different cultures, that our kids all have completely different colourings, you can see that we all belong in each tiny face...

I know we have a long way to go in many ways, equal rights, horrific policies regarding refugees and the like... But the fact that we have groups allowed to advocate for the changes we would like to see, without being shot in the head, is definitely a bonus... Hearing people who speak this way, who constantly slam the way things are here make me sad, sad that we can't all see how much worse it could be, at the same time as trying to make it better... That's the best part, we are free to make it better... And that's a far better approach then whinging and moaning about it!


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The Carrie Diaries - Candace Bushnell Review

This story was a BIG change from the collections that I have been reading lately... Was glad to finally start this, am a big fan of Sex and the City, though I must admit that the book was easily Candace's worst work in my opinion...

This book is light, so light that I barely cared about it... Rarely thought about it while I wasn't reading it, but when I was, it was entertaining... Don't know that I would recommend it... The last few chapters is when I started caring and then it was over... Am going to start the next in the series tonight as the end of this book leaves you on a note filled with familiarity and expectation... Read it if you want, but not because I told you to, because I'm not telling you to!


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Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival Review

Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre - The Plenary

I love Disney, the characters, the films, the theme park... I didn't love this show... Billed as a rocking concert I expected music, lots of music and dancing... What I got was a little music, and a lot of butchered versions of stories about Aladdin and Jasmine, Ariel - The Little Mermaid, a bit about Buzz, Woody, Jessie and Bullseye from Toy Story, all held together by Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald...

Every child there appeared to enjoy themselves, as did Marley, however she usually dances her ways through these sorts of shows, but she couldn't because there just wasn't enough music... Probably better suited to older kids, I can't imagine any parents enjoyed it... I have been to quite a few different shows for kids now and this wasn't one of the better ones...

The merchandise wasn't as awesome as expected from Disney... There were no tour shirts, there was a good selection of toys, and we ended up going for the Ariel rainbow snow drink, ice with sugar, which Marley didn't want to drink/eat... Just too hard and cold...

So overall I wouldn't recommend it... Go to Yo Gabba Gabba, The Wiggles, Rasta Mouse or Charlie and Lola instead...





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'don't get catty' Sally Hansen Salon Effects

I am in LOVE with Sally Hansen Salon Effects! Thought I should post up the easy peasy, prett,y no drying time, last for 10 days with two kids manicures I do with them!


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Jamie Oliver Tefal Pan

I'm not sure that I have ever blogged about a pan before, but this pan is the shiz! I cook, 5 nights a week, plus a couple hot breakfasts and lunches here and there, I'm not an amazing chef, but I love cooking, chopping, trying new recipes (1-2 new recipe a week)... I rely heavily on my tools in the kitchen, so when I saw this pan on sale I snapped it up... That was almost a year ago!

Then I was pregnant and had a new baby and just didn't get the time or flexibility to try my new pan... Didn't want a dodgy meal if it wasn't so great, so stuck with what I knew, inferior pans that I have had since we got back from England (6 years ago)...

Fast forward to brunch 2 weeks ago, we had a few friends over and I was cooking a full English breakfast for all, I needed all 5 jets on the stove and needed an extra pan for eggs... I whipped out this baby and cooked some good eggs, non stick, no oil - delicious eggs!!! One of our guests commented that those pans are the shit and he was right! Have used it loads in the past two weeks as well as purchasing replacement ones for my other sized pans!

If you love to cook and are in the market for new pans, you must buy one, just to try, you won't look back!

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Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

The last in The Hunger Games Trilogy, I read it in a day... As I have said before, these are easy reads, no brainpower required... This story is much more about the war that the first two stories lead to, so it has played on my mind a bit... A great ending to a great trilogy... I would definitely encourage teenagers, the desired audience, to read it... It speaks to me as I continue to rally to equal rights, as a reminder of all of the basic human rights that we do have...



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Bad Teacher Film Review

Bad Teacher
Even if you have an hour and a half to kill, please don't do this! I know that there is something better for you to do...
Not even Jason Segel can save this movie... It's short but is so tedious it feels about 30 minutes longer than it is... Not funny... Not endearing... Not anything... BOO!

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Breaking Dawn part 1 review

Breaking Dawn part 1



I was lucky enough to go to the movies twice in two weeks, unheard of since having two babies!

Cricket and I went on a date to catch the 4th film in the Twilight franchise... I love these books and the last two films for the cheesefest that they are, I'm not looking for a deep cinematic experience... And I got what I paid for, two hours of solid entertainment, some beautiful cinematography, and a very pg version on what should have been rough sex and bloody labour... In all if you are thinking about it, do it... Best of the franchise so far...

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Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

A perfect sequel to The Hunger Games... Starting where we left off on the return of Katniss to District 12... Following her on her journey against the leaders, her confusion at her feelings for the men in her life, and then her entry back into the arena... Edge of your seat stuff, I read this in a day at the same time as looking after two kids (I call it the sneaky read)... Great for all of the reasons that the first one was, and then some!

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The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins review

As you may have noticed, since getting back from our trip to London and purchasing my kindle, I have been doing a lot of reading... Mostly of the True Blood Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries, then Game of Thrones Songs of Ice and Fire series, and although I wanted to go with something a bit more relaxed and cheesy, I started The Hunger Games trilogy... One of my good mates was reading and suggested I did too! Glad she did because I really enjoyed this book...

First point which I feel really sets you up for the trilogy is that this is a teenage book, not meant for the meticulous minds of adults, this is perfect for me right now after the heavy stories of the last 5 books I have read... This means that it's an easy read, easily digested without too much brainpower... However the message of this story is much more political, and I like it... The biggest thing I got out of it was a reminder of how lucky we are to have our (in most cases) freedom, our government may be effed up, but for the most part we are free to live our lives as we choose in Australia...

The characters are endearing, the story although reminiscent of Battle Royal in the arena, feels original and I would be more then happy for my kids to be reading books like this when they are teenagers... The concept of questioning authority is a good one... You will be sold on Katniss, our heroine, and her story, couldn't wait to start Catching Fire, the next book in the trilogy!!!

Looking forward to seeing the film!

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A Dance with Dragons (songs of fire and ice, game of thrones) review

A Dance With Dragons
George R R Martin

Having read all of the Songs of Fire and Ice series in succession, I was excited and nervous to read this one... Excited because at the end of every book you just want more, nervous because I don't know when the next one will be released... I have completely enveloped myself into these books, they have kept me satisfied and obsessed for a couple months... I must say that the first half of this book (5) was almost boring... I couldn't get in to it, when 4 was amazing, it just felt slower then slow... At the halfway mark things picked up, the reason I think is because 4 & 5 were like one story split up and divided by the characters, halfway everyone was back in the story and it felt like a carefully woven story again... So inevitably it ended leaving me hungry for more and I have no idea when these characters will be back in my life! Read it! Read them all! Watch it! Season 2 starts April 1...



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The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle Book Review

This book is called a classic for a reason... I remember it fondly from my childhood, so when I got pregnant with Marley, I went out and bought the big board book with the little caterpillar that can be moved through the holes of the fruit etc... I was surprised that Marley enjoyed it from a very young age, and still does... I read it 5 times before lunch the other day and the beauty of it is that there is something in it for everyone, Marley is enjoying counting the fruit, Mace is enjoying learning about what the foods in it are called, and they both love when the caterpillar turns into a butterfly and I flap the wings/book away... If you invest $30 in one book for your kid/s, this is my most recommended choice!


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Alvin and the Chipmunks Chipwrecked

As a parent, sometimes you have to do things that you don't want to do... This was one of those things...

When we saw The Fairies Christmas Ballet Film, there was a trailer of this chipmunks movie... Marley was in hysterics and I knew immediately that we would be seeing it... And so we did...

I must admit that it wasn't as bad as I expected, but my expectations were pretty low! It ticked the boxes for Marley, it was funny and cute, with songs... There isn't much to it, there isn't any reason to see it, unless you have a kid that wants to... I loved the chipmunks when I was a kid and it did bring back some memories of my youth, it was just unfortunate that they didn't keep the theme song! Highlight: the Chipettes singing 'I whip my tail back and forth', but that's on the trailer!


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Dexter season 6

I am a big fan of Dexter... So none of this is meant awfully, because overall I enjoyed season 6... It just wasn't as breathtaking as season 5, or 4, or anything until now... But that doesn't mean it was bad, mostly it felt like there was a whole lot of setting up for next season, right up to that very last scene... I don't feel fulfilled and satisfied by this season as I have in past, but I sure as hell can't wait for next season!!!




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Christmas Day...

You really can't imagine how magical Christmas is with a toddler until you have one! Marley is 2 and 9 months and has been extremely excited about Christmas, all about listening to and singing carols and making gingerbread... From the get go she wanted one thing from Santa and that was a triangle, the instrument... I don't even know how she knows that they exist, but hey... I encouraged her to think about other things she might like, she came up with Fairy Bells from the fairies, and music in her room (it just do happens we had bought her a boom box/iPod dock for her room), definitely a theme here... She has talked loads about getting a fish called 'Squeaky' so Santa brought her one of those two amongst loads of other gifts!
She put out snacks and drinks for Santa and Rudolph the night before and surprisingly went off to sleep with no issue (she is usually awesome at going to bed, but I thought the excitement might be too much!) after a delicious dinner with the family... In the morning she was beyond excited, the only downside was that she had so many presents that she barely noticed each individual one until later on the day... I was impressed with my gifts too!
We shared the cooking for 8, had a delicious traditional roast with pav for dessert, couldn't fit in the pudding and custard... I ate far too much and couldn't even fit in dinner!
The weather was warm and stormy... The beautiful thing about mums garden is that half of it is more like an extension of her lounge area, under cover with a lounge, tables and chairs, so we spent most of the day outside... Lovely to spend the day with our family, delicious food, thoughtful gifts and by the end I was do exhausted I could barely speak... Cuddled up with Mark and watched Inbetweeners The Film again, perfect light hearted laughs to finish off a big, big day!























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Ikea Christmas lights

Not a great picture, but you get the idea! Super cute stick on snowflake lights from Ikea, great value at $5! Already with 30% off... Looks like everywhere are doing their Christmas sales before Christmas has begun... Went past Bed Bath and Table today and their decorations were already 50% off, they had some lovely stuff too!




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