May the force be with you!

Our friends organised a trip to go and see James Bond together on opening night in October which we did and really enjoyed so we booked to go and see 'The Force Awakens' on Saturday 19th December.  I've been really looking forward to it!

Having not done TARDIS Tuesday for a little while, I was keen for a little themed-dressing to attend it!

It originally began with this R2D2 novelty handbag I have. I bought this in 1996 in Miss Selfridge sale for £1! We'd been to watch Return of the Jedi earlier that year and I had to have it!  I've kept him ever since and he's made an appearance over the years! Almost had him 20 years!

I decided to try and white his colours with my outfit so it was a subtle cosplay.  Just the red hat and belt as that was the least (couldn't find my grey beret!) 

 The white dress which formed the basis of my Dalek dress.  Appropriate eh- from one robot to another.Ahem, droid!

 White trainers and my TARDIS blue cardie.

 And of course, I had to make a brooch!    Was rather pleased with my little R2D2 pin to finish off the look!

The film was excellent.  I couldn't believe I was finally going to see how the story continues!  I thought it was excellent and I didn't know they are making another 2 films so that is exciting!  Be prepared for some big shocks though! Star wars had a big influence on my life from those ewoks from Return of the Jedi- I LOVED the ewoks cartoons that I watched as a 7 year old and I wrote my own stories- I filled about 2 exercise books full of my own Ewok spin offs. And my sister tells me that I had a huge crush on Luke Skywalker aged 4-6!!!

The theory of everything

On New year's day, we headed en-masses to Carlisle to see a viewing of the new film about Stephen Hawking's life.  I'm not really a cinema-goer or a film-buff but I was intrigued to see this.

The film begins from Hawking's time at Cambridge beginning his PhD in Cosmology and Theoretical Physics. A fun eccentric atheist, he meets Jane, a Christian Arts and languages student at a party.  As Hawking is trying to decide what he wants to do his thesis on, he gets to know Jane better.  Through the beginning, we see examples of clumsiness which are later revealed to be the early signs of Motor-neurone disease.  The film deals with Jane and Stephen's relationship, how it grows and changes through age , becomes difficult with an unwillingness for Hawking to accept his need for help other than Jane, her response to this, and an increasing immobility as well as feelings for other people and progression in Stephen's career.

I really enjoyed the film.  The story was one I come to expect from a Working Titles film- it wasn't too over the top or Hollywood or overglamorised, but understated and well done. The settings were beautifully created and chosen and the filming was well done. I believed in the characters.  I cared for them  Unusually, I didn't shed a tear over the events of the film, even despite my attachment to them.

Eddie Redmayne was likeable and had a constant inner strength and sense of fun, despite the gravity of the situation. He never came across as 'weak' in any way and portrayed well, the inner-strength of a man who has lived over 45 years longer than the doctors expected.  The degeneration from man who can do all things himself to one who has to have constant care was well managed.

Felicity Jones, is one of my favourite actresses so perhaps I am rather biased towards her (definite girl-crush) but I felt she was excellent also in the role of Jane. She has a beautiful innocence at the start, which I know her for in other films, but shining with intelligence and she progressed well from energetic young woman to exhausted and defeated wife by the end.

The supporting characters, such as those who played the male friends, were well chosen and suitably understated. I cared for Jonathan, the choirmaster of Jane's choir and how he was such a good friend to the Hawkings.

The costumes were beautiful, I loved the start which had 50's looking costumes which developed into the 60's, 70's etc, particularly those worn by Felicity Jones.

All in all, I feel this is a film definitely worth seeing.

I'm an extra in the next Tim Burton movie...

Since Share in Style this week is celebrating Black and White with Mis Papelicos, I donned this ensemble on Sunday for my niece's 5th birthday.  CBC's words upon seeing it were something along the lines of, "So are you auditioning for the next Tim Burton movie?".  Ha, rude boy!! I get what he means though!

My Mum and I sneaked upstairs at the party to take these. Sadly, her emailed photos from the iPhone were all weird and small and fuzzy so I couldn't get them any bigger but the weird shadowy quality contributes to the sinister Burtonesque feel!

I donned this Tu at Sainsbury's dress along with a cotton polo-neck, Alex Munroe bee necklace, black patterned tights and Clarks black patent shoes and it is a really comfortable ensemble.

No jokes or pervy comments about this one, there's just some leg on show,  but my Mum said it was funny, the pre-shoot "MUM, not yet!" shot, and I should post it!

Close up of shoes....


Not much to say today.  The party was great fun, I enjoyed it and it was unusual that I had both sides of my family together parents and step-parents and step-grandparents, niece, sisters both, plus CBC.  It was super to be able to meet up and celebrate the occasion together.

Alas, back to school tomorrow- I've been on the go all weekend, so feels a bit too premature to be returning....

Blessings to all.

xx
Lizzie- Mmmm, I am with you on the milkshake thing- but TOO much milkshake? Seriously? I liked your opinions on Doctor Who too.  Wish I could comment on your blog but it's the Google+ thing!

Linking to Share in Style with Sacramento





 Visible Monday also with Patti

Creative Mondays also

The Disney tag

Gemma recently shared this and I started to do it but then forgot to finish the post, but I thought it was a great bit of fun!

What is the first Disney movie you remember seeing?

I definitely remember Snow White but I suspect it was something else like Cinderella.  However, I DO remember listening to all manner of Disney stories courtesy of the Disney cassettes we used to buy with my grandparents at Martin's and they had read-along and sing alongs; the one that really comes to mind was Lady and the Tramp which always makes me sad.

What is your favourite Disney Film?

I don't know if I can actually call this one.  

I really love Aladdin. The wonderful Robin Williams as the Genie just makes me laugh and I loved the sequence where he first met Aladdin and asked him what he wanted to be called, "Al, Din or perhaps Laddie???" I love anything with Robin Williams in it.

I also really liked 'Oliver and Company' and I don't think enough people remember it!  I really liked that film.

There are plenty of other favourites too like Chitty, Chitty Bang, Bang; Pollyanna; Mary Poppins; Jumanji; Summer Magic and more.

Who is your favourite Disney Princess?

Oooh, that's genuinely a tricky one!  I really adored Giselle in Enchanted, I loved the songs,the making dresses out of curtains and the fun that Disney poked at itself through her songs and the whole premise of life not being a fairytale.   Plus the fact she was a bit more 2 dimensional after her New York experience but still retained her sweet nature.

Which Disney movie do you think is the most underrated?

Source

I'm including a non-cartoon here, but I ADORED the 1960 movie of Swiss Family Robinson. It was one of the most watched movies during my childhood and many of my 'bucket list' items come from that film.The trouble is, when I talk about it nowadays, no one I mention it to has ever seen it or loves it quite as I do.  I think John Mills is/was a fine actor and the setting was quite beautiful.  How exciting, I discovered thanks to Youtube that Disney's magic Kingdom ACTUALLY has a Swiss family Robinson tree house!

Source

From the animated ones, Robin Hood (made in 1973) is also one I adored.  I TOTALLY had a crush on Robin Hood in fox-guise though my pal Maria's boyfriend Mark preferred Little John- I totally remember that conversation aged 10!

What is your favorite Disney quote?

I confess that I couldn't remember ANY Disney quotes, so I did a googlesearch and as I was doing so, I remembered a Disney quote from one of my favourite films, The Princess Diaries which I had committed to memory:

“Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgement that something is more important than fear; The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.”

As a bit of a Scaredy-cat, I should try and follow this a bit more. 

What is your favourite Disney song?

I really like the songs from Enchanted, especially the one with the rats and pigeons- I am that sad I sat and listened to it over and over again so i could learn the words. It just makes me laugh! 

I also love 'That's how you know that he loves you'. It's just so fun and witty and I love Giselle's descant over the top of the main riff.

A classic that I love is 'Once upon a dream'- it's great fun to play -and makes a nice change that it's a waltz- in 3 time. Nearly all Disney tunes are in 4. It's also based on Tschaikovsky's original ballet music too!

Which Disney character would be your best friend?

I'm wanting to say Mia from The Princess Diaries, I like her self-effacing nature and her natural humility.  Not sure if I just like the idea of Anne Hathaway as my best friend though and am getting the two mixed up!

Which Disney character would be your pet?

 I just LOVE the Cheshire cat in Alice In Wonderland. I know he's a bit elusive and all that, but what cat isn't?

I'm definitely tagging Gemma (Pinkhaired Princess variety) to do this but anyone else, do have a go!

If you do this tag too, let me know, I'd love to know which is your favourite Disney!

Ever after

Random fact of the day:  it is exactly 200 years today since Pride and Prejudice was first published (thanks Mummykins, fount of all random trivia!)

How could I miss a chance to ramble on about my favourite film when I saw that Drew Barrymore was the muse for Inspiration Monday with the Two birds!!!! Oh HOW I adore that film, Ever After!!!!! So romantic, so beautiful, so inspiring and not too saccharin like many other 'Cinderella' stories can be. Those wings, that dress, those slippers, the beauty of the French scenery, the step-sister who wasn't awful! Sigh!!!  Another random fact (recently provided by CBC but already known to me!) Did you know that the real Cinderella didn't have glass-slippers but they were made out of squirrel fur (in the fairy-tale)? I found the video of this in a charity-shop and I bought 2 copies on DVD just in case one wore out!! (I can see CBC mentally culling in his mind!).


Anyway, back to the outfit.  Cotton checked shirt- check (Tescos).  Maxi-dress (well, skirt- Per Una) Check. Big necklace- check (present from J), .
Blue palette- check
oh and bird brooch- Primark,

Oh and I bought meeself a new bag!!! ;-)
CBC said I was such a child for buying this!!!  I did get some double-takes today so thus I am thinking up to Visible Monday as well, with the lovely Patti!

I had my first recorder club of the year today- what with INSET, snow and LSO courses, I haven't had it yet.  I decided to combine Junior and Senior groups and some new children joined but I didn't quite bargain for how hard it would be to keep 37 children under control playing 2 different parts on a new piece when half of them can't remember where the notes are! Oh well, we did the first half of Minuet in G by J.S. Bach which I always feel very nostalgic about as I played it for my 'Stage 2' recorder exam!

Swanlake

Has to be seen to be believed!!! How oh how oh how is this even possible?!!?!?!!?!!



From http://www.nzwide.com/swanlake.htm

Harry Potter Link-Up

This was so exciting to find.  I found it through Rebekah at the Mixed-up files!   It's a Harry Potter Link-Up with http://simplyashleykristine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/harry-potter-link-up-week-four.html 

I'm going to go back and answer the other questions like Rebekah

Week 1

1. Which is your favorite of the 7 books?  This is SUCH a hard question! I know which is my least favourite (Prisoner of Azkaban).  I think I'd have to say, The Half-blood Prince because I love the 'Room of requirement''s use (and the fact that due to this, that I guessed what and where the diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw was hidden!) and I loved Snape's Potions book.  Plus, there was a lot of drama and things to think about after it, even though I was devastated by the end.

2. Which is your favorite of the 8 films? 

I think the first part of The Deathly hallows  was really good but I really enjoyed The  Goblet of Fire.

I copied and pasted the questions from Rebekah's blog with her whole text and this came too and it seemed a shame to remove it, so I've kept it!  Hope you don't mind Rebekah!
(source)

3. Which, if any, of the films made you angry for not staying true to the books? Hmmmm, it's a long time since I've watched most of them!  I think I thought that Book two was rather short and skimped on the action as did Book 1! But to be honest, I can't remember!

4. Who is your least favorite female character and why? Rita Skeeter.  Horrible, sneaky and mean.  Or Dolores Umbridge because she's a nasty two-faced sneak!

5. Who is your favorite male character and why?  

Hard to choose. I really like Mr Weasley.  He's really scatty and disorganised and sort of into funny things, so I do like him but I (as you will see)am very fond of Lupin because of his difficulties he's faced in life!

6. What house would you like to be in? Now be realistic...where would the Sorting Hat put you?  I think that I might be in Ravenclaw probably because I am an academic more than anything else and more that sort than being full of bravery, daring and things.  I think of course it would be nice to be in Gryffindor (especially as my Uni academic hood is Gryffindor colours) but I'd say Ravenclaw as I'm too much of a coward to be in Gryffindor.

7. Which subject would be your favorite at Hogwarts? I'd definitely like Charms.  I like languages and I think like Hermione, I'd be a bit of a pedant at pronouncing the incantations right.  Win-gaaaaaa-rdium leviosa.  Make the gaaaaa nice and long!

Week 2

1. Who is your favorite female character and why? Eeeeeeeeeerm? Fleur was cool!

2. Who is your least favorite male character and why? Lucius Malfoy.  He kept true to evil

3. Pick one: Horcruxes or Hallows? Hallows.

4. Which character do you relate to most? 

Luna.  I'm a little bit looopy and eccentric like her!

5. Your favorite pairing of characters? Luna and Neville- great fun!

6. Your favorite professor? Lupin was really kind and caring.

 7. Bring one character back to life. Who and why? Definitely Sirius.  Because he and Harry would've been family.

Week 3

1. Do you prefer the books or the films? Books definitely.  I've seen most of the films only once or maybe twice!  I love the progress of a book and the fact you can be anywhere reading them.  I never forget reading The Philosopher's stone  and I was at a rehearsal at the Royal Festival Hall and I was so so so so desperate to read it and carry on that I kept reading in all my bars rest in the music!

 2. If you could meet one member of the cast who would it be and why? Hmmmm, I'm not that worried about meeting the cast members as they are not actually the real characters themselves! I guess, I'd like to meet Maggie Smith as she comes from where I come from and she's been in so many cool things! It would be fun to meet Emma Watson too as I feel we'd get on!

3. If you could punish one of the characters and not get in trouble, who would it be and why?  Like Rebekkah, I am really cross with James and co for being so mean to Severus Snape- that was just cruel and horrid!

 4. What parts of the films and books made you cry if any? All the deaths, Snape and Lily flashbacks, bits where Harry feels lonely!

 5. Scene from a book you wished was in the movie? The Hogwarts song and Dumbledore saying "Music, a magic beyond all we do here" - I put this in my school music policy!!!! Also,the lilac flames in Book 1, where he has to pick a potion when finding the Philosopher's stone- I don't remember this being in the film!

6. Were you satisfied with the epilogue?  In the book, I was very happy with it!  I like predictable happy endings, I really dislike twists!

7. If you could do ONE spell, without a wand..what would it be? Apparition would be amazing!!!! It reminds me of T-bag who used to be able to click her fingers and land anywhere!

Week 4

1. If you could ask Harry one question, what would it be?  Er-?   Why didn't you go back and get that Potions book of the Half-Blood Prince from the Room of Requirement?

 Why oh why didn't you just pick up the Portkey when you landed in the Graveyard in the Triwizard tournament?  Always be prepared!

2. Who is your favorite marauder? : Lupin definitely!  I feel so sorry for him and he was so nice yet always facing trial and difficulty!  He was the most genuinely nice one out of all of them.  James and Sirius were too full of it and Pettigrew two-faced!

3. Least favorite house? Slytherin!  Evil!

4. Do you think it was important for Dobby to die? What about his funeral in the film? Did you love it or hate it? It made me cry in both the book and film- I don't like being made to cry.  No, he shouldn't have died and I don't think it was important for him to die!

5. Would you have chosen a rat, a cat, or an owl as your companion? An owl definitely! One like Ron's little one! More useful with free postage!

6. If you could have one of the Hallows, what would you choose? The invisibility cloak for sure.  That'd be soooo fun!  Not bothered by the other two!

7. Time turner or pensieve? Why? Timeturner definitely- I've always wanted to be able to travel in time!

Go to: http://simplyashleykristine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/harry-potter-link-up-week-four.html 

to find out more!

Thanks for the link up Ashley!

Some like it hot!

Image from hutnyk.wordpress.com

CBC and I spent 2 hours trying to decipher the workings of Apple TV (renting movies from your TV using your i-tunes account) on his house's new TV system. I really dislike digital TV, sky and all that. All I want is to switch it on and be able to just pick from one of 5 channels by pressing one button- I do not want to go digital! Perhaps I will be the last analogue rebel in the country, refusing to change over. Anyway, that said, finally we manage to select a movie to watch over fish and chips and it was the classic, Some like it hot.

Right from the start this was a winner- set in the 1920's, humorous, great music-big band and songs like a musical, train journeys, confusion and romance. It begins in a speakeasy cunningly disguised as a funeral parlour-our intrepid heroes are a bass player and a saxophonist. Immediately, there is a raid and so their hopes of earning money are dashed. Somehow, they fall foul of local gangster, Spats and need to escape. The only way they can manage this is to dress up as female musicians to gain a gig out in Florida. Curiously, I've never watched Marilyn Monroe in anything so I was eager to see what she was like- she plays the rebellious, not very clever but utterly adorable lead singer and ukelele player.

There are great moments such as a slumber party in one of the men's bunks, where he is trampled on by all the girls as they clamour to drink the bootleg liquor that he has opened in order to woo Marilyn. I love how the female clarinettists play in the band- so funny! My boyfriend sent me a link to this film from youtube near when we started going out because I am always getting told off for trying to lead when I dance with men and there is a classic line, "You're leading again!" so it was funny to see it in context. The costumery is fabulous also. The rest of the film is great fun as the guys experience the trials of being a woman and falling in love with Marilyn! The jokes and quips are very clever and the costumes are fabulous. I love Marilyn's singing. The film has some saucy moments for a film of its era as well as the humour and some real moments of sentiment.

Watch it, it's fabulous!

Shameless promotion of my giveaway! Have you entered my giveaway! Would you like to begin a hat-obsessive journey just like me? Click on the hat to link to the giveaway post and leave me a comment, follow in google and tell me your favourite book! It closes on 23rd November!

I always knew it was true!!!!

Take the Quiz here!

I went to see Chalet Girl on Saturday (in the middle of the blazing hot sun! Whyyyy????) mainly because of my admiration of Felicity Jones (See above!!! My favourite heroine is Catherine Morland who she played in Northanger Abbey so I am especially pleased that I came out in this quiz as her! FYI, I am watching it right now!!!!!!!!!).

CBC was a little sceptical about it, thinking it seemed a bit of a cliqued rom com. Felicity Jones was on top form as ever, although I think I prefer her with an upper class accent rather than Essex sarcasm which could've been a bit annoying if it were anyone else. She was a sweet heroine and I enjoyed some of the beautiful snowy views in the film and the snow boarding was very exciting. I thought the development between her and her love interest (the son of the Chalet's owner) was a bit sudden and a bit unrealistic and he wasn't really my idea of a hero (I much prefer JJ Feild as Mr Tillney). I also thought he was a bit of a wuss and a cad for his dumping of his fiance and a coward for getting to that place in the first place. Bill Nighy was great as the chalet owner, if a little underused. Bill Bailey was fairly insipid as Kim (Felicity Jones's) father. I quite liked all the Jack Wills clothing that most of the other cast members were wearing. On the whole, it wasn't the most exciting movie ever but it was an entertaining diversion.