Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Posts tagged Film
Kate Bush: Before The Dawn
2Yesterday was a very special day for me, as I went to see Kate Bush perform live – something I never thought I’d have the chance to do. I’ve been listening to Kate Bush’s music for as long as I can remember. At the age of three I would put on my mum’s Kate Bush records and dance around to them, and her music has always provided comfort to me during tough times, but also so much happiness. But considering that her first and last tour occurred eleven years before I was even born, and knowing her reservations about touring, I never even dreamed I’d get to hear her music live. So when it was announced earlier this year that she’d be doing a 22-date run at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, I couldn’t quite believe it, but I was incredibly excited. Luckily for me, I’ve been a member of Kate’s mailing list for years, which meant I received an access code to the fan ticket presale, and as soon as they went on sale I snapped up four tickets as quickly as I could. When the tickets eventually went on general sale they completely sold out in less than fifteen minutes, leaving many people disappointed, so I feel so lucky to have got them.
Closeup of Fan Presale Ticket
Before The Dawn at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith
During the run up to the show the media was buzzing with news about Kate’s first live performance in 35 years, but I managed to avoid hearing much about the show, so it would remain a big surprise, and after weeks of building excitement, the day I got to see Kate Bush finally came around! I won’t say much about the show as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but it was so much more than just a concert. Obviously there was music, but there was also a theme, spectacular theatre, film and props. It was magical, and the mood in the room was really positive and infectiously happy. Kate’s voice is still just as melodic and soul-touching as it always was, and she’s incredibly beautiful in every way. She’s a born performer and her stage presence is quite something, and the best part was that she clearly enjoyed every second of the show just as much as the audience did. I feel so privileged to have been in the same room as Kate Bush and to have heard some of my favourite songs performed live. It was honestly one of the best moments of my life and I’ll never forget it.
Naomi x
Best Of 2013
2
3 years
by Naomi in General
With only a few hours left of 2013, I thought I’d put together a reflective post of my ‘Best Ofs’ from the last twelve months, both blog-related and things that I’ve generally enjoyed this year. 2013 has been fairly eventful for me, what with getting starting to keep rats again after a five-year hiatus, finishing university, working more regular hours, and moving my blog to its own domain, thus growing its success. Luckily I’ve also had a lot of time for leisure, and managed to fit in some exciting trips and weekends away. So without further ado, here is my Best Of 2013.
TV Show: Breaking Bad
Now, I’m only three seasons in to Breaking Bad, so I haven’t yet seen the final one which aired this year, but Breaking Bad is easily my favourite TV show of 2013. I’m not usually one for following series (I’m more of a documentaries kinda girl), but I started watching Breaking Bad a month or two ago, and nothing on television has ever got me as hooked as this has. I genuinely have no idea what I’ll do without it.
Film: Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
Out of all the films I’ve seen at the cinema this year, ‘Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa’ stands out as the best. There’s nothing like a good British film, and it had me laughing all the way through. Admittedly, Alan Partridge as a character is an acquired taste, but I’ve always been a fan and I think the film did him justice (others I know would disagree, however).
Theatre: War Horse & Sweeney Todd
I was lucky enough to go to the theatre several times this year and I found it hard to pick a winner, so there are two. After years of wanting to see it, I saw the stage version of ‘War Horse’ at the Birmingham Hippodrome, and it was more beautiful than I had imagined. The puppetry was incredible and I shed many a tear. I would love to see it again, perhaps in London next time.
Source: Birmingham Hippodrome
I also went to see the Curve Community Production of ‘Sweeney Todd’ in August, at the Curve in Leicester. I’m not usually a fan of musicals, but I love the story of Sweeney Todd, and the quality of both the acting and the set were so high that I was instantly transfixed. My fiancé’s sister was in it too!
Book: Stonemouth by Iain Banks
‘Stonemouth’ by Iain Banks was actually published in 2012, but I didn’t get round to reading it until this year. I’ve been fond of Iain Banks’ writing ever since reading ‘The Wasp Factory’ when I was a teenager, and ‘Stonemouth’ is a classic Banks story. The characters are well developed and I couldn’t put the book down, which is always a good sign! I won’t say too much about it as to avoid spoilers, but I’d definitely recommend it to those who like fiction set in the real world. Unfortunately, Iain Banks passed away earlier this year after a short battle with cancer (RIP), and I for one am really sad that he is no longer here to write any more brilliant books, but at least he can live on in his existing literary legacy.
Gig: Sleepwalk City by 65daysofstatic, Sheffield
I tend to go to quite a few gigs every year, and 2013 was no different, but the best gig of the year wasn’t a straightforward one. It was actually a live sound and visual installation called ‘Sleepwalk City’, in an art gallery in Sheffield, performed by my favourite instrumental post-rock band 65daysofstatic. In short, the idea was to become immersed in sound, and the 30 minute performance for a select number of people was one of the most interesting and overwhelming musical experiences that I’ve ever had.
Celebrity: Aaron Paul
Aaron Paul, aka Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad, is my absolute favourite celebrity of 2013, for many, many reasons. As BuzzFeed quite rightly said, Aaron Paul Was The King of 2013, Bitch, so visit the article to find out why!
Source: Instagram
Eatery: Spanky Van Dyke’s & Cornucopia
Spanky Van Dyke’s is a bar on Nottingham which sells some of the best burgers I have ever tasted. Their homemade fries and desserts are amazing too! I’ve been there countless times this year (usually before heading to a gig), and I always enjoy it. My menu recommendation is the Shroomaloomi burger, which is stuffed full of flat mushrooms and grilled halloumi, mmmm.
Another of my best eateries of 2013 has to be Cornucopia in Dublin. I can honestly say it is hands down the best vegetarian/vegan restaurant I have ever been to. It’s a little on the pricey side, but the atmosphere is relaxed, the food is all homemade and they experiment (and succeed) with unusual ingredients, so it’s well worth the money.
City: Dublin
In September my fiancé and I went to Dublin in Ireland for a short holiday, and we had an absolutely lovely time. The city itself has so much to offer – so much to see and do, and I’d love to go back to see and do what we missed the first time! Whilst there we did the touristy thing and went to Dublin Zoo, Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse and Croke Park, but we also spent a lot of time relaxing in the local parks (and pubs!)
Achievement: Becoming a Master of the Arts
After two years of studying hard and writing essays, and a summer spent writing my 20,000 word dissertation, I finally finished my Masters degree in Modern Literature in September. I passed, with Merit, and I am so, so happy and proud. Bring on graduation in January 2014!
Blog Post: Interview Review: Superdrug Colour Rewind Hair Colour Remover
After looking at my blog stats for this year, my most popular blog post, with the most views, is the Interview Review I did with my sister about Superdrug’s Colour Rewind Hair Colour Remover.
Giveaway: JollyChic $100 Fashion Giveaway
I’ve ran a few giveaways in partnership with several companies throughout the year, but the one with the most entries has been the JollyChic Giveaway to win $100 to spend on fashion. The giveaway is actually still open, and is running until January 12th, so if you want to enter click here!
PR Product: Helvin DUO Boots
I received a lot of gorgeous PR products and samples this year, and I found it difficult to choose a favourite, but in the end these Helvin DUO Boots triumphed. They’re top quality and look fantastic on – you can read my full review here.
Fashion Item: Primark Winter Coat
The best fashion item I have purchased in 2013 has to be my winter coat from Primark. As my review says… ‘Every year I end up trailing around shops for hours, trying on coats that just don’t look or feel right, before eventually settling for something that I don’t particularly like. This year, however, was different. I walked into Primark, picked up the first coat that caught my eye, tried it on and, much to my surprise, I loved it! And, to make things even better, it only cost £25 – a third of what last year’s coat cost me.’
Beauty Product: INIKA Certified Organic Liquid Foundation
I struggle to find foundations to suit my skin tone, let alone ones that are natural, vegan and cruelty free, so when I discovered INIKA’s Certified Organic Liquid Foundation I was very happy, as it fulfils all of the above criteria! You can see my swatches and read my review here.
Skin Care Product: Eucerin Dry Skin Intensive Hand Cream
My favourite skin care product of the year is one I haven’t got round to reviewing yet – Eucerin Dry Skin Intensive Hand Cream. Every winter my hands get so dry that they actually crack and bleed, but this year I found the cure. At £9 for a 75ml tube it’s not the cheapest, but it actually works and that’s what matters! I’ll be reviewing it next month so keep an eye out if you’re interested in hearing more.
What are your 2013 ‘Best Ofs’? I hope you all have a happy new year!
Naomi x
Beauty Vs Brains Tag
6In honour of the forthcoming weekend I thought I’d give myself a day off from reviewing and post something a little bit different and fun today. I saw this tag post over at Nocturnal Beauty, and being the scholar that I am I thought I would give it a go. So, without further ado, here are my answers.
1. Favourite Book
I learnt to read when I was three years old and am currently studying for a postgraduate degree in Modern Literature. As such, I have read hundreds and hundreds of books and find it next to impossible to choose just one favourite! My favourite books when I was a child were The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell and Mog the Forgetful Cat by Judith Kerr, and I still hold these books very close to my heart. In terms of ‘grown up’ books, I am a big fan of Working Class, Carnivalesque and Transgressive Fiction, as well as a few classics, and have many favourites. Some of these include Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Millennium People by JG Ballard, The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks, The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning by Alan Sillitoe. The list could go on!
2. Favourite Quotation?
Since childhood I have always loved the quote ‘Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing’, by French artist Camille Pissarro. I can completely relate to what he means, and I always think of this quotation when I’m taking photographs, as it encourages me to try to photograph the beauty in ‘humble’ things.
3. English or Maths?
Without a doubt, and you can probably guess what I’m about to say – English. I have been passionate about literature and words for as long as I can remember. As I mentioned before, I learnt to read (and write) when I was three years old. My grandma taught me, and she encouraged me to write stories and visit the library as often as possible, which I did, and I feel it really benefited me. This passion grew over the years, which has been reflected in my studies, in this blog, and in my aspirations for the future. I would love to write professionally one day, and that is what I’m working towards!
4. Science or Art?
This is a tricky one and I can’t answer it, because I like both. On the one hand, I enjoy being creative and am fascinated with the Pre-Raphaelite art movement. Every time I visit London my first stop is usually the Tate gallery so I can sit and stare at my favourite paintings, but I am also intrigued by science. Science amazes me, and I regularly read about and research different scientific topics, particularly space related ones, and I truly believe that some of the most significant people to have ever inhabited this planet have been, and are, scientists.
5. 5 musical artists that changed your life?
This is a tricky one as so many bands and singers have had an effect on my life, so these are just a few:
1. Foo Fighters
– I’ve been a Foos fan since the late 90s, and I have been lucky enough to see them live twice. The last time I saw them was in Milton Keynes last July with my partner, and when they sang my favourite song, Everlong, with fireworks going off in the background, on a warm, breezy Summer night, I felt elated. The moment was just perfect and will stay with me forever.
2. Kate Bush
– For some unknown reason, I have never been much of a fan of female vocals, with the exception of Kate Bush. When I was about four I used to put my mum’s Kate Bush vinyl records on and dance around, and I really think Kate Bush’s songs helped to shape who I am today. I love her quirky personality, and I think it rubbed off on me a little bit through her music.
3. Oasis
– I remember sitting in the back of my dad’s car when I was very small, windows down, sun out, Oasis playing very loud. When I think back to the music I was brought up with, Oasis played a big part in shaping my musical tastes. They were one of my dad’s favourite bands and in time they came to mean a lot to me too. In 2009 I was lucky enough to see them live, with my dad, a few weeks before they split up and I’m so pleased I got to see them!
4. Mike Oldfield
– Mike Oldfield is, in my eyes, a musical genius and Tubular Bells III is my favourite composition. It gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it, and Far Above The Clouds even makes me cry… Not many songs can do that!
5. Depeche Mode, T.Rex and Pink Floyd
– I’m cheating on this one, but all three of these bands have had a massive impact on me at various stages in my life. My favourite songs when I was a baby were by Depeche Mode, and T.Rex and Pink Floyd both opened my eyes when I was younger to a wider variety of music.
6. Favourite and least favourite subject at school?
My favourite subjects at school were English, Science and History, and they were all areas in which I excelled (amongst others). I never really enjoyed PE, Dance or Drama as I was very shy and quiet at school and always got so nervous about having to perform or join in with group activities!
7. Favourite celeb with a brain?
Hmm… This is a difficult one as I don’t have many ‘favourite’ celebrities, but I’d have to say Joseph Gordon-Levitt. A number of years ago he set up his own online collaborative production company called hitRECord (which I’m a member of), where collaborators can put together joint creative pieces such as books, songs, films and illustrations, and any profits are shared between the contributing artists. I really admire the effort and passion he puts into hitRECord, and it’s not often you see a celebrity giving something back to society, joining in, enjoying it and being a ‘Regular Joe’.
8. If you could study anything anywhere, what would it be?
If I wasn’t studying English, I’d like to study some sort of animal care. I used to want to be a Veterinary Surgeon, but now I think I’d prefer to work with animals in the wild. Maybe researching the intelligence of Dolphins and Whales, or something like that.
9. What is your ‘nerdy little secret’?
It’s not so much a secret, but I am obsessed with Batman. I grew up watching the old Batman films, and now that the newer, darker films are out there I like to think Batman has matured and grown up with me! I even collect Batman related things, and have lots of Batman clothes and accessories, and even a Batman mug and glass that only I’m allowed to drink from haha.
10. Favourite beauty gurus who you admire for more than their love for beauty/fashion?
Another difficult one, but because she shares my love for English and literature and all things nerdy, I’ll say Claire from Nocturnal Beauty who I got this tag from 
11. If your channel couldn’t focus on beauty/fashion, what would it be?
I’d either write about vegetarian cooking and baking, or literature and film.
12. Name some things that you’re obsessed with that other people would find strange.
Bats! I remember posting about this a couple of months ago, but I adore bats. I often go on bat walks and listen to bats ‘talking’ using detectors which pick up their sonar. I think they are very interesting animals and I like to learn as much about them as possible. I always get so excited when I see one flying about! We used to have a few nesting in our garden which was fantastic, and for some reason they just make me feel calm and happy. They’re beautiful, gentle creatures, despite what people may think.
I also have a thing for magic, particularly sleight of hand and close up magic. My favourite magician is Pete Firman and every time he comes to Leicester to perform I go and see him!
Oh and when I was younger I was obsessed with dinosaurs, fossils, rocks and crystals, and I still have a soft spot for them.
13. Name 5 people who inspire you (not friends or family)
1. Dave Grohl, because I admire his confidence, humour and outlook on music.
2. Kate Bush, because she’s a strong, successful woman and remains true to herself.
3. Jonnie Peacock, because last night he won gold in the Paralympics Men’s 100m final for Team GB, and I admire him for not letting his ‘disability’ stop him achieving highly.
4. Wynn Bullock, because his outstanding black and white film photography inspires me to be the best photographer I can be.
5. Vladimir Nabokov, because he wrote what I think is the best opening chapter of any book ever.
14. Who is your intellectual soulmate?
To be confirmed…
I hope you enjoyed reading my answers! Please feel free to do this tag yourself if you feel like it. Let me know if you do
Naomi x
