29 December 2015

Let's wrap up 2015 in the movie department

Halloooo!!

In my opinion 2015 was a good year for the film industrie. We've had Big Hero 6 and Inside Out of animation, Cinderella for live action, Avengers: Age of Ultron and the Martian in SciFi department (I haven't seen Star Wars yet), A little Chaos, Far From the Maddening Crowd and Brooklyn for drama and the last Hunger Games, Pitch Perfect 2, Scorch Trials and Insurgent for the Young Adults.


So, some of you might recall at the beginning of this year that I mentioned one or two movies that I really wanted to see that were hitting theatres in 2015. Okay, maybe a bit more than one or two.... Safe to say I didn't manage to see every single one of these movies in theatres, whether is was due to lack of time or the bad reviews, I simply didn't get around to watch all 23... I did go the cinema about 24 times, but I also saw films like Brooklyn, the Lady in the Van, the Age of Adeline, Into the Woods, etc. Films I didn't mention in the recommendation posts. Ooh if it was only cheaper to go to the theatres. They're asking a ridiculous amount for a ticket. No wonder all those box office records are smashed! Anyway...

Let's start with a little memory update:
5 drama movies that might interest you in 2015  Actually watched A little Chaos and Far From the Maddening Crowd
6 sci fi movies to look forward to in 2015 :)  Actually watched Avengers: Age of Ultron and the Martian
2 live action movies I'm very much looking forward to in 2015!:) Actually watched all of them: Cinderella and Pan
4 animation movies to look forward to in 2015 :) Actually watched Home, Inside Out and Minions
6 YA movies to get excited about in 2015 Actually watched: Insurgent, the DUFF, Pitch Perfect 2, the Scorch Trials and Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 2

Movies like the Martian, Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 2, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Cinderella and Inside Out were a HUGE success for me. Whilst others, like Home, Minions, Pan, Insurgent and the Scorch Trials were very good, but not 'WOW'. And then others I simply didn't watch like Seventh Son, Fantastic Four, Paper Towns, Aloha, Suite Française, Ant Man and Pixels due to bad reviews or lack of time. Mind you, I'm still planning on seeing most of them, but it just won't be on the silver screen. I am pleased, however, that I did manage to see a whopping 14 out 23.

I've written down my enthousiasme and opinions on some of the movies ;)

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 2
Genre: Young adult, sci fi, drama

Part 2 picks up immediately where part 1 left off: Katniss healing from her injuries after her first encounter with Peeta after he's been rescued from the Capitol. Meanwhile the rebellion escalates and they are preparing to invade the Capitol. Katniss, still as stuborn as ever, is reluctantly the face of the rebellion and needs to make an army out of these angry slaves. All the while, she has set her mind on a special mission and is determined to see it through. And in the meantime president Coins true intentions become clear. (read more)

the Martian
Genre: SciFi, adventure, humor, action

The abbreviation LOL is applicable in this movie. Literally. Big time. Also, watching-with-hands-before-mouth-because-your-jaw-dropped-from-amazement is applicable. Man, I was exhausted when I walked out of the theatre. My body went from tense to relaxed to tense to relaxed again in matter of seconds. That can only mean one thing: the movie is a gem. (read more)

Inside Out
Genre: Animation, adventure, humour,... Disney Pixar!

The first trailer starts with the quote: Do you ever look at someone and wonder, "What is going on inside their head?" Well, I know. Okay, I know Riley's head.  You get the impression we're just going to see a funny movie about emotions and how they controll our actions (most of the time). But Disney Pixar wouldn't be Disney Pixar if there wasn't some deeper meaning we can all learn something from. We're following Riley's emotional roller coaster ride during the first steps of growing up. Her primary emotion during childhood was Joy, with Fear, Anger, Sadness and Disgust,... (read more)

Pitch Perfect 2
Genre: comedy, music

I have to admit, my first reaction wasn't: "Waaaauw! Better than the first one!" Although that is the opinion of the majority who've seen the movie. Music, acting, singing, humor, directing, etc. everything was on point, but the storyline was a bit 'meh'.

You're meeting Beca and the other Bella's in their senior year, three years after Pitch Perfect. The Bella's are doing great and they get to perform for president Obama. But, as faith wants it, something goes terribly wrong??? (read more)

Avengers: Age of Ultron
Genre: sci fi, adventure, action, freaking Marvel!

So the movie picks up where Captain America: Winter Soldier ended. S.H.I.E.L.D doesn't excist anymore and what's left of Hydra has a valuable weapon that the Avengers need to reclaim. That's how the movie starts, right in the action. You get some spectacular scenes, cheezy one liners and overall proper Joss-Whedon-Avengers-style-action-scenes. And yes, I laughed out loud. But soon our superheroes encounter some new players in the field: Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff - Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and the Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff - Elizabeth Olsen). The latter's special power is (read more)

A Little Chaos
Genre: costume drama, romantic, comedy

The story is set in 17e Century, during the time of King Louis XIV. André Le Nôtre (Matthias Schoenaerts) is the principal gardener of Louis XIV, but for a new project in the gardens of Versailles, Le Nôtre is seeking for a new approach. The king is asking for heaven on earth, perfection, and sometimes you need to give something they didn't know they wanted. That is what Le Nôtre did by hiring Sabine de Barra (Kate Winslet). He designed the basics of the 'Bosquet salle de bal' and de Barra decorated it by her style, which is a little chaotic. (read more)


Cinderella
Genre: disney fairytale

I guess there is no need for me to explain what the story is about? Cinderella is probably one of the most well know stories in the world, next to Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. And unlike most of the remakes, this pictures stays faithful to the Disney animated version as well as the original story by Charles Perrault. It literally screams Disney from start to finish.

As for the review of 'it's made for kids, not for adults', I do pitty that person. To lose your inner child. I'd say it is a perfectly suitable for... (read more)


It's been a good year so far for me! I still have a few to see, like Star Wars: the Force Awakens, but that'll be for early 2016 :) Let me know if you have seen any of the above mentioned films!:)

Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

26 December 2015

Blogmas day 23-24-25: Merry Christmas!!!

Halloooooo!!

I have absolutely no excuses for not uploading a post for blogmas day 23. I had nothing to say, so why bother writing a blog post for the sake of writing something? So, skip to 24th!

I actually did something today that didn't involve working or buy Christmas presents. In fact, my day started at 5.30 in the freaking morning. On Christmas Eve day. Ugh. Well, I only have myself to thank for it as I booked my own Eurostar tickets x) My train left at 8am, but me being me, I wanted to arrive in St Pancras an hour early so I'd have plenty of time to go through security and even treat myself on a cappucino whilst waiting to board the train. I had a lovely chat with two lovely ladies who were to oversee that the boarding went smoothly. It's Christmas after all, hein. A lot of people or more high spirited, including me.

On the train I watched a movie, of course. And what better movie to watching then the freaking Holiday? (Again) Some movies I can just watch on repeat...



Around 12pm I got home and from then on it has been pretty much non stop family time. Extremely long lunch, wrapping presents with my mum, heading over to my aunt's house where we'd meet the rest of the family,... It was amazing, but it got pretty late. So, today, on Chrismas morning I got up around noon. I can imagine this is not applicable in other parts of this world where Christmas is celebrated rather then Christmas Eve.

After another long lunch, I talk to my parents about Scotland. I'm considering going back next summer and since they've gone a few times already, they know quite a few beautiful locations. After that extended lunch, I eventually made it to the bathroom. Since I don't really have the facilities nor the time or opportunity to pamper myself when I'm in London, I always take the opportunity when I'm back home in Belgium. I've bought myself a few Lush bath bombs and I'm intending to use them all before I leave for London again Sunday 3rd! They smell delicious and I mean, how cool do they look!?




Somewhere during the afternoon I also took some pictures of a few presents that I've received on Christmas Eve. So many cool, beautiful and useful stuff! Have to admit, the majority are books ^^



This evening I spent at my sister's and her boyfriend's new apartement. They moved house at the beginning of December so I wanted to check out their new 'crib' x) We catched up on some topics we didn't get to talk about on Christmas Eve, made the most delicious dinner ever (Jeroen Meus, Dagelijkse Kost ;)) and watch Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope and Love Actually (duh). It is the very first Star Wars movie I've ever watched and I'm really looking forward to seeing the other 6 movies!:) Yep, I'm finally jumping on that band wagon.

As for the rest of the evening, I catched up on Tess Christine's vlogmasses and generally wasted time browsing the interwebs...

Soooo, that is it for blogmas 2015! Hope you've enjoyed it^^ Eventhough I really enjoyed daily blogging, I'm looking forward to a little break as well :) Normal blogging should resume the first weekend of the new year! I might upload a couple blog post in the meantime, but no set promises :)

I hope everyone had a wonderful time, whether you're celebrating Christmas or not. I say 'had', I should say 'is still having'. Why end all the fun after December 25th? ;)

As always, thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

23 December 2015

Blogmas day 22: channelling my inner child

Hallooooo!!

Although I really enjoy daily blogging, I am looking forward to the 25th, when the last blogmas post will go live. I. Need. A. Break.

Also apologies for the day delay. My internet ran out yesterday evening, so I couldn't upload a thing

Then, todaaaay. After work, I just went straight home. All my Christmas shopping is done and all the was left to do was packing my bag. Not that it took much time, but it had to be done. It is soo heavy though! It'll be a miracle if I make to Brussels tomorrow morning x)

Instead of watching a film, as I usually do when I have a particularly long evening, I listened to a few chapters of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I've been working my way through the series, again, by listening to the audio books. Stephen Fry does an exceptionally good job ^^ But I think I'm going to read the next one though. Anyway, whilst listening to the audio book I channelled my inner child by the means of, yes, colouring! It's been a huge trend lately, with the 'adult colouring books'. I've been tempted quite a few time with the "Secret Garden" version, but I never actually bought one. Until I walked in WHSmith in London Victoria Station a few weeks ago and I saw the Harry Potter edition. I just had to buy it (+ it was half price ;)). During my last trip back to Belgium I brought back my colouring pencils and I've been happily colouring ever since ^^




If you have any doubt of buying one for yourself, the Harry Potter edition or any other one, just do it! It is incredibly relaxing and completely empties your mind :) And completing a drawing gives you an enormous feeling of satisfaction x)

Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

22 December 2015

Blogmas day 21: A Christmas tag. Who would have thought, hein?

Halloooooo!

Due to lack of interesting things I did today, I've decided to do a tag. A bit out of the ordinary for me, but hey, nothing ground breaking either. The only things I did today was: working and buying the final Christmas presents. Now I'm officially DONE with buying presents! *happy dance* The only thing left to do is pack my bag, but I'm saving that for tomorrow :)

So, today I'm going to be answering some very Christmas appropriate questions. I found this tag via Chatter Girl, who did it for her blogmas day 3.

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?
Love Actually, the Holiday and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. No brainer.


2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Christmas Eve. For as long as I can remember, the family on my mum's side get together on Christmas eve to have a wonderful meal and give each other presents.

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?
The reaction of my sister and the rest of my family when I gave her (my sis) a pack of flower. It was, of course, part of a bigger present ^^

4. Favourite festive food?
Not sure if it is known anywhere else in the world. Not even sure how to translate it in English, but Google translate informes me that it is "croquettes" (although I doubt that very much) with meat and peas and carrots. It looks like this anyway:



Splendid, I'm hungry now...

5. Favourite Christmas gift?
Fluffy slippers that my parents gave me.


6. Favourite Christmas scent?
Oranggggge and ginger.

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
Besides spending the entire evening in company of family, eating until we can't no more and giving presents in between courses, not really any traditions.

8. What tops your tree?
Unfortunately I don't have a tree...

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?
I'm afraid I'll have to ask my parents, as I can't remember asking for anything over the top crazy, wild, extravagant, expensive,... I know, very boring of me...

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?
 FAMILY TIME, although no cozy nights infront of the fire place singing Christmas carols. Instead an entire evening spent at a dinner table, having nice conversations and marveling in the fact that we are, just like any other family, the weirdest combination of people ever, but we are family. Oh, and Christmas movies and Christmas jumpers!!!

If you decide to do the tag yourself, make sure to let me know! I'd love to read your answers^^

Short but sweet. Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara 

21 December 2015

Blogmas day 20: "You're supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for god's sake!" - Iris, The Holiday

Halloooo!!

As promised, the second post. Well, today's blogmas post. I was too lazy yesterday... *guilty face*.

In contrast with my day yesterday I didn't leave the house today. Doesn't mean I haven't been productive! I had a little lie in, wrote blogmas day 19 which was live around 1pm. Had finally my breakfast, well lunch. After that I cleaned the bathroom and took a bath. Then I put on the washing machine and changed the bedding on my bed (obvs). And theeeeeen I catched up on vlogmasses. Did some browsing on Pottermore.com, instagram, IMDb, ... It was pouring rain outside, so it was extra cosy in my room ^^

I had dinner around 5pm whilst I was watching Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. I was really in a Christmas spirit today. After HP it was another movietime! The Holiday! Just like Love Actually, this is a Christmas movie you just HAVE to see in December. At least once if not more! I'm still full of the fuzy feels this movie brings ^^

The house Iris lives in, Rosehill cottage, is a house I definitely see myself living in. Wood, country, tranquility, maybe add a bit of tartan,..


For those who haven't seen The Holiday yet, here's a little synopsis and 'review'.

The Holiday

2006
Director: Nancy Meyers
Cast: Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach...
Lenght: 138min= 1h 18min
Music: Hans Zimmer
Genre: Comedy, romance

Amanda (Cameron Diaz) is a succesfull business woman living in L.A. She just discovered that her boyfriend was been cheating on her and she rightfully ends the relationship. Meanwhile, Iris (Kate Winslet), who is living in London, tries desperately to get over her ex-boyfriend. Both women decide to swap houses during Christmas break to get away from their day to day live. Little do they know that they'd both meet local men, and yes, guess what happens?

Just like Love Actually, this movie is an instant Christmas movie classic. The combination Kate Winslet - Jack Black and Jude Law - Cameron Diaz simply works. 4 splendid actors set in this Christmas tale with a very relatable subject. The casting director did one tremendous job. Also the story line Iris - Arthur is beyond heart warming. Sadly Eli Wallach who plays Arthur is no longer with us.

One thing makes this movie incredibly enjoyable, for me anyway, is the fact that they talk about movies and scores a lot. Eli's charachter was a writer and Jack's charachter is a score composer. There are all these links and hints to movies and oooh, it's just bliss.

The script is absolutely superb and that in comination with the cast, score and directing,... Nancy, you go girl! There are so many lines you can just quote on top of your head: "You're supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for god's sake!", "So, he's a schmuck.", "I like corny. I'm looking for corny in my life", "Iris, if you were a melody...", "Call me old fashioned but one doesn't have sex with women who are unconscious.", "It's Christmas Eve and we are going to go celebrate being young and being alive", "But I think what I've got is something slightly resembling, gumption!"

If you're looking for a feel good movie where you don't have to think too much but are still looking for proper content: the Holiday is your movie.

As per usual I'll leave the trailer and an interview below ^^

Trailer


Interview


And that is it for this Sunday day 20 of blogmas. Can't believe only 4days left til Christmas!

Thanks for reading!
 xo - Sara

20 December 2015

Blogmas day 19: 'exploring' City of London

Halloooooo!!

So so sooooooo sorry that it's a late one! It'll be the first and the last daily blog that will go live a day later. On the positive side, this means TWO blog posts to read today! ^^ It's a good thing that I like writing them ;)

Anyway, not to beat around the bush: 19th December was a nice and slightly sad day. The reason why it was slightly sad was because it's been exactly one week that I went to the Leavesden studios where I had that most fantastic day (blogmas day 12). The reason why it was a very nice day, was because I went to Spitalfield market.

I had never seen the market during Christmas periode. Sure enough I wasn't disappointed as I soon found the gigantic Christmas tree. Not as huge as the one at Covent Garden, but big enough for the market ^^


I had only been to the market when it was either the end of the day, early morning or a normal Saturday noon. Not Christmas Saturday noon. The amount of people that were there!oO A pick pocket's dream! So I didn't stay that very long, unfortunately.



Before I left, I did however, looked for the stall with the cutest gift boxes, Little IUDEA! How he describes his products: "Little IUDEA is a handmade gift-box mindfully crafted and designed to be a gift with a special meaning." When my sister came to visit me back in June, we discovered this stall and we were sold. We each bought three ^^ It was so difficult to find quotes that would make sense even years from now. They all looked very cute and all were very true, but would they be in say 5 years? Here are a few images from his facebook page:



If anyone is interested, here is the link to the facebook page of Little IUDEA. Also, make sure to write something in his little book. I opened it yesterday, at random, and came out on the page where I wrote something 6months ago. Really creapy x)




If anyone is in the neighbourhood of Liverpool Street station, Spitalfield is within walking distance. Open every day since 2005 but the stalls may vary each day.
 
Since I was in the neighbourhood I walked from Spitalfield Market to Leadenhall market. It seems to be something I'm always doing: Spitalfield Market, Leadenhal market, Monument, St Dunstan in the East, Tower of London, Tower Bridge. Might be because I normally don't really go that 'far' east in the city and then when I'm there, I take the opportunity to visit all. These locations are also within walking distance and you basically only have to walk South to the Thames x)

My favorite skyscraper: the Gherkin. Construction started in 2001 and finished in 2003. If you pay attention whilst watching Bridget Jones: the Egde of Reason or Love Actually, you can actually see the Gherkin, under construction, in the wide shots.







Apparently there are some art installations on exhibite in East London. The above is one of them. I have absolutely no idea who made it or why, but I thought it makes a cute picture x)

Instead of using the main road, I walked through the little streets towards the Tower. There are so many cute, small, winding streets and alleyways in East London. It is, after all, the eldest part of the city. That is how I bumped into this little chuch. Hidden between all those massive, modern buildings and skyscrapers.




It's St Helen's Bishopgate, parish church of William Shakespeare and has the nickname "Westminster Abbey of the City" as it holds more monuments than any other church, apart from Westminster Abbey. The largest surviving church in the City was built in the 12th Century and is one of the only few who survived the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the Blitz during World War II.

Unfortunately I couldn't go inside as there was a wedding going on, but I'm definitely going back another day. Must be an aweful place to get married... Yes, that is the Gherkin in the background.

Then, it is not Christmas until you've seen the Christmas tree at Leadenhall market! I've actually never seen the market open. I always go there during the weekends and because it is in the primary financial district, City of London, most shops, restaurants and markets are closed during the weekends. Not many tourists make there way up there.




And then, after passing Monument and St Dunstan in the East Church, both featured multiple times on this blog already, I arrived at the Tower of London. There is a freaking ice rink in front of it! Must be so cool to go ice skating there! Glad I didn't though, as the weather was very soft (16°C, in December!?) and there was a lot of water on the ice. One fall would guarantee getting completely soaked.







I did some people watching for I while, but it was actually to cold to sit still for long. So I made my way to Piccadilly as I had to stop by Waterstones. I had an idea of what I want to ask Santa, but I wasn't sure so I had a look at the actual copy before I went and let anyone know :) I also made it a point to sit in one of their very comfy chairs to read. Yes, I'm still reading Dragonfly in Amber.

By 4pm I was again and I did something I had planned for Sunday: tidying my room! So glad now that I did that yesterday :D Now I can have a relaxed Sunday ^^ Which I will all tell about this evening x)

Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

18 December 2015

Blogmas day 18: Ugly Christmas jumper day at the office

Hallooooo!!

Today is going to be another very short one!

Work this week has been beyond busy. I get in round 8.30am and I don't leave until 6.30pm - 7pm at the earliest. I hope that I'll be able to catch up by Wednesday, eventhough I'll have to catch up again after Christmas break. Aah well...

Then, today is apparently Ugly Christmas jumper day. Didn't know it was an official thing, but 18th December was selected as Christmas jumper day here in our office. Almost everyone showed up in a wonderful jumper. Some jumper sang, others had bells on them and other had freaking Christmas lights on them! Beyond cool. Of course, we had to take a picture of everyone wearing their most beloved piece of clothing x)



I'm off to the pub now with this lot (my colleagues), in my very own ugly Christmas jumper for one drink with money out of our swearbox jar. During the month November everyone who swore had to pay 20p to the swear box. Safe to say we have collected a nice amount ^^ And then probably a quiet night at home.

This was lovely blogmas day 18.

As alwasy, thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

17 December 2015

Blogmas day 17: The ultimate Vlogmasses

Hallooooooo!!

I can't believe that Christmas eve will be this time next week! That also means that this time next week I will be home with my family. Very very very excited about that ^^

Then, for today's blogmas I think it might be nice to share with you all the vloggers that are doing Vlogmas and that I'm watching almost religiously every day. Almost ^^



Lets gooo.

(P.S: mum, dad and other family members, this might not be as interesting for you. Just to give you a heads up :))

The Michalaks
A little family who live in Clapham, London. I've been watching their weekly YouTube videos for over two years now. Can't remember a week that I skipped. What started out as a channel with mainly Hannah talking about beauty and then pregnancy, grew out to a real family channel with her husband Steph and nearly two year old Grayson also in front of the camera and not only behind. I am a "pre 100.000 subscribers" subscriber on their channel ^^


I Covet Thee
Alix is another YouTuber who I've been following for over two years now. She did Vlogmas for the first time during December 2013, when she would just combine all vlogs of 1 week. I would watch those whilst wrapping Christmas presents. Last year I did the same. And this year I will do the same. I'm having a nice litte tradition going on here ^^


More of Tess
The only US based vlogger that I truly enjoy watching. (I'm subscribed to other US YouTubers, but they don't do vlogmas, don't be alarmed ;)). Tess' Youtube channel is the most recent one that I've discovered. Her vlogs are basically flawless.


Tanya Burr
Very well known YouTuber here in the UK and possibly around the world amongst teenagers. Although I don't watch her vlogs as often as say Alix's or the Michalaks, I do enjoy her videos :)


It might seem a bit weird to some of you, watching these videos of other people filming parts of their day to day lives. I compare it to reality tv, with less to no drama and completely unscripted, eventhough you only see about 10 to 30 minutes of their day/week.

I'm going to leave it at this for today.

Thanks for reading/ watching the same vlogs I enjoy!
xo - Sara

16 December 2015

Blogmas day 16: Ice skating at the Natural History Museum. Just because it is possible.

Hallooooooo!!

Another throwback blog post I'm afraid. Today just wasn't excited. I worked late again, so I just wanted to get home as soon as possible, which was still 8.30pm. Then I had to take a shower and catch up on all the vlogmasses that I have been enjoying watching this December. I had a few days to catch up on, so that takes some time. And now it is my own turn to upload my day 16 of blogmas :) And it is a throwback one.

I mentioned in throwback blogmas day 8, that I went to Winter Wonderland in Hyde park on Sunday 29th November. My friend and I walked from the Natural History museum to Hyde Park. Any guesses why we walked from the Natural History museum? Hihi, yep! Prior to the Christmas market, we went ice skating! But I guess that is no surprise anymore since the titel of this blog was a dead give away actually x)

Anyway, Sunday 29th November was a highly anticipated day. I was so nervous! Sounds very silly, considering that I am actually an 'adult' and that there were kids much younger than me who didn't have a care in the world. I must have looked very silly, but I didn't give a damn! I had a blast ! And I didn't fall once! I call that an unclassified success. Well, the Fear in me would say that ;) (Anyone seen Inside Out?)

It's £15 for a 50min ice skating session, which included the ice skates (thank god!), if anyone is interested. You'll probably need to book in advance. End of November, one day was enough. I'm not sure how long in advance you'll have to book now.

I'll just leave some pictures below and then I'll call it a day.



If this isn't blogmas appropriate, than I don't know what is ^^

Thanks for reading day 16!
xo - Sara

15 December 2015

Blogmas day 15: Release of 'Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them' trailer announcement!

Hallooooo!!

It's seems that my Potter weekend hasn't come to an end yet! Today, Warner Bros released the announcement trailer for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them starring Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything, Les Misérables, My week with Marilyn), Ezra Miller (The Perks of being a Wallflower), Colin Farrell (Saving mr Banks, Alexander, Minority Report), etc.

I still have to get use to the idea that the story will take place in the US. Or parts of it anyway. I associate the wizarding world mostly with the UK, but I guess it is the point of Fantastic Beasts. To broaden people's minds (and "use your inner eye to see the future!" ;)) from the British schoolboy to a more worldly wizarding world.

If anyone is interested, I highly recommend the book ;)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3183660/?ref_=ttmi_tt



I believe Fantastic Beasts takes place about 50 to 60 years prior to the Harry Potter series. I'm guessing either 1920's or 1930's, judging by the car in the background on the movie still below. But then again, I'm far from a car expert x)

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2551832576/tt3183660?ref_=ttmd_md_fs


And of course, here is the announcement trailer ^^



Besides this very exciting announcement, today was beyond hectic. My inbox was overflowing with emails and as hard as I tried to catch up on them, I didn't manage. Eventhough I worked until 7.30pm. It makes you wonder if those days off were actually worth it x) (They were, by the way :)) By the time I arrived at London Victoria it was 8.22pm and on top of that most of the trains from London Victoria were delayed and we were advised 'to look into alternative routes'. On the tube and bus it was then. By 9.30pm I was well at 'home' and settle on my bed in my PJ's. Phiew. Tomorrow will probably be as hectic as today was, but I don't mind. Makes the time go by more quickly :)

That is it for today. A very short'un compared to the past few days^^

Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

Source: IMDb

Blogmas day 14: my own Love Actually tour

Haalllooooo!!

I'm going to keep it short and to the point today. I'm exhausted and I have a headache and I just really really want to go to bed. However, I did have an exceptionally fun day walking around West End, hunting down movie locactions where they shot Love Actually ^^ It is, after all, the Christmas movie to watch. You might remember I did a similar thing for Harry Potter in August 2014? Well, here is a Love Actually version. Mind you, this is just part 1, as I haven't found all locations yet.

When you're looking for movie locations, it often brings you to parts of the city you'd normally never go. Whilst walking from point A to B you also see so many new squares, streets and mews. It trully is amazing. I might consider making a Bridget Jones version or a Notting Hill version. Any other films set in London?

A very suiteable soundtrack for this tour is of course the Love Actually soundtrack ^^ I soundtracked my life again. Well, this tour anyway x)

I started the tour at Notting Hill Gate underground station. From there it is a short walk to St Luke's mew, where Juliet and Peter live. Halfway through the movie, Pete's best friend Mark, gives a declaration of love for Juliet on their doorstep.


From St Luke's Mew I walked to Whiteley's shopping centre. Silly me, I didn't go inside.  There is supposed to be a gigantic Christmas tree which they used at the beginning of '5 weeks to Christmas' in the movie.




My next stop was a bit further a way, and although still within walking distance, I took the underground from Queensway to Bond Street. From there I walked to Grosvenor Chapel. In this chapel Peter and Juliet tie the knot and Mark arranges the adorable surprise of a live performance of the cover of the song "All you need is love" by the Beatles.


Outside
From Bond street I took the underground again to Waterloo this time and from there I walked to the OXO tower on South Bank. There I found the location where Mark walks after Juliet found out that he is actually in love with her.


And then last but not least: Gabriel's Wharf. About 2 min walk from OXO tower and on a bench near the Thames, Daniel and his step son have a little heart to heart. Too bad the benches were gone...



Around 4pm I walked back to Waterloo station, but not before I snapped these beauties. I always fail to capture an amazing view in an image though. I guess you had to be there.



From Waterloo station I then took a bus to London Victoria and from London Victoria the usual route to the house.

Once I was in my room, I watched Love Actually. Duh. And now I'm typing this blog post. So yeah, that it for today. I really enjoyed it and I hope it might give you some inspiration to do the same thing :) Explore!

Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

14 December 2015

Blogmas day 13: A movie marathon (and a happy birthday sis!)

Halloooo!

First of all: HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sis!

Then, today. I didn't leave the house once. Instead I watched Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Half Blood Prince and Bridget Jones' Diary. The last one is a bit out of the genre x) I did also take the picture that I promised in yesterday's blog post of The Harry Potter tour passport. I also took the liberty to add some of the other Pottery items that I own x) Behold the pictures below:



Each section in the exhibition has a page in the passport. You have to find the snitches that are 'hiddin' throughout the exhibition and answer a question about each section. You can also collect stamps on each page. It is a simple concept but I freaking loved it ^^ I think they mainly give it to kids, but maybe, if you'd asked real nicely :) Everyone there is so helpful!





When you buy a butterbeer in the backlot, you have the option between butterbeer in a regular plastic cup or in a more sustainable cup, like the one below. It is a bit more expensive, but I've been using that cup for my teas all day today. A colleague actually designed these. How cool is that!?^^

Can anyone tell which Harry Potter movie I was watching when I took this picture?


Other than watching movies and YouTube videos, I didn't do very much. It was a very relaxed day :) It was so nice to have an actual Sunday feeling, but knowing that I don't have to work tomorrow ^^

I'm planning on doing something more active tomorrow though! Not sure what yet, but I'll find something to do :)

Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

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