Being in your 20s is an interesting period of time. You're happy, free, confused, lonely and lost all at the same time. Taking the words right out of Taylor Swift's mouth. But the thing that gives me the most comfort through this rollacoaster ride is this is where you are suppose to be. This confusion and path of uncertainty is what will lead you right to the very place that you are supposed to be. The decisions you make will somehow come together to form a beautiful picture, showing you how each moment of trumiph and despair led you this moment. But until then, we have music as our comfort. So here's what's on my 20s something mix ...
What songs do you feel encapsulate the 20s?
Image Source 1
Sometimes in life you find yourself with some free time on your hands, and just no real idea of how to fill the void. You just wish you had some kind of activity or subject to keep your mind entertained without having to break the bank. Especially all of you guys who are saving for some future plans of travel or fun. So without further ado, here are some ways of entertaining yourself for free.
Adulting // the transition from teenhood into adulthood. It's an interesting period of time, where you find yourself slowly maturing into the new and established version of your parents in the millennial form. Something you swore you would never do! It's inevitable, but it's also amazingly refreshing. This is the time where you're truly finding who you are, and who you want to be. It's miserable and magical at the same time, but that's part of its charm. How many of these factors can you relate to?
Told from the perspective of two teenagers, All The Bright Places is a story about two lost souls who find themselves struggling to come to terms with their difficult situations in life, and find a form of comfort in each other as they fall in love.
All The Bright Places has the most original and unique perspective I've read in YA fiction in a long time. It's an engaging story which left me intriguing at the very beginning, and hooked at the very end. It is truly one of the most heartbreaking stories I have ever read - even more than The Fault In Our Stars - and I'm so glad I picked up this book. I urge you to read this novel. All The Bright Places has a very important social message that you need to know and understand as you begin to explore the world around you and meet people from all walks of life. Everybody has their back-stories, their struggles and dramas. Some of these people may even be Theodore Finch in disguise.
Spoiler Alert - please don't read any more of this review, until you've read the book. This is a book worth reading in suspense. Trust me, you'll thank me.
On this month's challenge of A Year Of Happy, the aim is to ....
Have a dance party in your room to get those good endorphins flowing! Invite your roommates, your parents, your dog, or just go solo - then share your playlist!One thing I always love to do round this time of year is give my room a much needed spring clean. I love having that music soundtrack to keep me on track while rumaging through lost item, unwanted pieces of paper and lost hair clips that you finally found. It's so cleansing for the soul and a great way of feeling refreshes and energised just in time for the summer months. So without further ado, here is my Spring Clean playlist.
What's on yours?
Television is one the most visually engaging platforms there is. Why? Because you watch these fictional characters grow on screen through their struggles and heartaches you come to care for them. You emotionally invest in their stories and their surroundings in the comfort of your own home. You become so deeply attached and see them evolve into the person they are today. So when a particular television networks decide it's time to 'let them go', you find yourself frustrated and angry for not being able to see their story through, for not been given some kind of true conclusion to their adventures.
Sound familiar? I'm sure every single person has that one television show that they loved so dearly, cancelled way before it's time, before it reached it's climax. Over the past several years, I have found a few of my favourite TV shows ripped away from their prime glory by television executives. Here are a few of them ...
Starting off as a goofy light hearted show, The Flash has come a long way since it's first episode - setting up character arc's and grounding for the future, while entertaining audiences in the present. This show has had one of the most well rounded first seasons I've ever seen in the history of television - with the right amount of drama, intensity and relationship dilemmas. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of The Flash, and I urge you if you have not see this show already to watch it. Weather or not you are a fan of the comic books, I promise you it will not alienate you ...
Highlights
The characterisation of Dr Wells through this first season has been incredible. I couldn't have expected that jaw dropping outcome. From our very first glimpses into his dark self from the beginning, to uncovering mysterious of his true identity with the team, it's been an absolutely pleasure finding out the story behind Dr Wells and Eobard Thawne. Seeing everybody come together one by one and releasing the sinister nature that lurks behind those glasses was one of the best parts of this season. An evolution of a character who was once thought to be good corrupting everything he had worked to create - well that's a first!
One of my favourite and heartbreaking moments of this season is when Bary Allen goes back in time and witnesses his mother's murder. Stopped by his future self from saving her, he pulls his willpower together to resist the urge, but is rewarded by getting to speak to her one last time. It shows such courage, such depth to his character. Grant Gustin broke me down hard. That acting in that moment was so on point. That scene is one of the most iconic moments on the show so far - hands down. Guaranteed to always be remembered!
I'm so excited for the future of this show. In those final moments there were snippets of future events including an appearance from Killer Frost, Barry Allen suck in jail and an appearance from another Flash from another universe. It was utterly overwhelming, and yet I wonder if these are all from some parallel universe, now that Barry has found himself stuck inside the worm hole. What world exists if Eddie is no longer alive, meaning that Eobard Thawne never existed? My mind is boggled and I need Season 2 to explain everything to me! Come soon October, come soon!
Shortcomings
When the episode 'Out Of Time' (1x15) aired, emotions were ever so heightened. Barry had to stop a tidal wave from coming on to Central City, he and Iris were finally together and Cisco - upon discovering the truth of Dr Well's identity as the Reverse Flash - was silenced to death by Eobard Thawne. I was so sure that we had finally reached the climax - where everything was going to take off. Things were going to start blossoming to their full potential and develop further into oblivion.
But instead when the next episode aired Rogue Time (1x17), we were faced with an ordinary everyday experience at STAR Labs, fighting average crime again instead of dealing with the events of the past episode. It was a real let down, going back into a routine of introducing characters, which in that very moment I didn't have true interest in. My energy was so focused on weather the group would the identity of Dr Wells, my interest began to falter. I wish they had given us something significant to tie us over - like Eobard Thawne conferring with Gideon on his future plans, or his thoughts on Barry's time travel experiences. It really would have helped transition the excitement accordingly - instead of leaving everyone so disorientated!
Conclusions
The Flash has a wonderfully enriched blossoming future ahead, and everything we have seen is only the beginning. From the villians we have yet to face, to future wormholes and universes I'm so excited to see what Barry Allen will face next. It's clear to say that Season 1 has been a well rounded set up for the future, but what the future holds only October will show. So excited!
So what did you think of this season of The Flash? Hit or Miss?
After finally escaping the maze, the gladers find themselves face to face with creators who put them there, and deep within The Scorch Trials - which may be the toughest obstacle they've faced in their journey so far.
When I first saw the trailer to The Scorch Trials, I wasn't really sure how I felt about the complete detour the producers had taken from the book - to be excited at the possibilities of this change or horrified that this adaptation is straying so far from its original path with no true return. But after getting over the initial shock, I feel so excited!
As you may recall from my book review of The Scorch Trials, that I had really enjoyed the book, but had found that at certain intervals James Dashner has truly dragged out the story line. This caused that ever so gripping mystery to turn stale until it's climax. These changes in the story may help prevent that from happening, and it can help to create a more well rounded story that can stand on it's on as well! So much potential, so much further development from the books. Can September come any sooner please?
Continuing on from the fatal fall that left Oliver Queen on the brink of death, Season 3B finds itself exploring consequences of past actions and mysterious of the Arrow's future in Sterling City. Team Arrow find themselves soul searching and questioning their identity outside of Oliver, while trying to keep Starling city safe. So many mysterious and events lurk in the path of Team Arrow, as they collide against the league of assassins forces and the devil Malcolm Merlyn himself.
This season blew my mind. It's crazy that our biggest concern was about weather Oliver was truly alive. Who knew there were actually things worse than death and being imprisoned on an deserted island for five years? What started of as an identity crisis for Team Arrow turned into a fight for survival, where trust is no longer a given.
Between Olicity, a budding relationship developing between Felicity and Ray Palmer, and tension between Team Arrow and the league, this season was jam-packed and so thrilling! It's only unfortunate that the season finale rushed it's end conclusion, tying up storyline way too neatly packaged.
Spoiler Alert: Readers enter at your own risk.
Whenever you flick through university catalogues, you'll always finds statistics of what graduates are up to six months down the line. When I was applying to university almost four and a half years ago now, I remember how important I thought league tables and graduation statistics were. I remember considering them to be the holy grail of life and success. I paid extra attention to those statistics of where my peers - years ahead of me - were going, and what they has achieved. I remember thinking clearly to myself that the people who weren't employed simply hadn't tried hard enough. After all if you went to a good university and worked hard during those years, it is impossible to not get a job straight after completing education. That is the end goal right? A job? But I was entirely wrong.
There are so many lessons you can learn from fiction, from how to deal with heartbreak and what not to do when you enter the woods. Earlier this year I watched the fantastic movie musical Into The Woods, which takes all the classic fairy-tales we know and love, and explores the dark consequences that come from their ultimate wishes.
As you probably know from my review, I was absolutely captivated and enchanted by the film and fell deeply in love with it's soundtrack. But the more and more I think about it, this story has some real life valuable lessons that you can learn from. So without further ado, here are a few ....
Continuing on from last month's mixtape - Oh So Brokenhearted - I've decided to compile together songs to give some creative inspiration to the writers out there trying to cultivating a living and loving romance. And also to the music lovers out there who want a few songs to listen to - as well.
Personally, I've always found the turning point in novels and stories, of when a main character begins to fall for someone to be so intriguing and ever so endearing. Love - or deep like even - when it's most unexpected is the most adorable. Life is unpredictable at the best of times. You truly can't control what your heart feels, and sometimes you can't even see it coming. It starts with admiration, and slowly but surely becomes something more. Then again love can hit you like a ton of bricks too can't it? Completely irrational and unpredictable.
So dedicated to all of you crushing on someone out there, weather you've met them for the first time or known them for a while now, this is for you.
What do Miley Cyrus, Arianna Grande, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato all have in common? They were once all children, who dreamed of taking the stage and performing with all their heart and soul to a crowd that would listen. Children who actually managed to reach that dream before they hit their 20s. The teens who have literally grow up in the limelight, and have fortunately, developed successful careers in Hollywood. But they did not make it there un-scarred.
As these young stars have grow up, they've found it difficult to mature into adulthood and shed their childhood star images. Why? Because that's what people have come to recognise them as - child stars. Individuals who literally embody the essence of childhood - especially those who grew up alongside them, watching them year after year right before their eyes.
Once you're a child starlet - especially a Disney one - you can't really escape. The world has watched you grow up in front of their very eyes, and they are not quite ready to let that image go. Being pigeon-holed in this way makes it very difficult for the world to take you seriously, especially as you attempt to develop as an artist and mature into a young adult. These child stars are almost imprisoned in the image of these roles, which gave them their stardom with no true escape; no light at the end of media scrutiny. The irony! So what do many of them do? The extreme opposite to shed and reject that very image.
I remember in my first year of university, I took a module which discussed how woman in popular culture were either stereotyped to be innocent or promiscuous. There was no 'true' middle ground. When you take a look at the recent examples of Disney/Nick child stars, it's hard to not ignore that theory. Sometimes the only way these artists have found to truly break out of that image, is by crossing the ultimate line defying the image they once held. Rejecting any form of innocence entirely. While I accept that everyone has a right and is granted the freedom of creative personal expression, it's almost like these stars have been unconsciously pushed into making their choices. Would they have presented themselves this way, if they didn't have this stigma held over them? If they were coming into their careers now, would this have been the route - or the even image - they would have chosen?
It's not fair that these young adults are being judged and held accountable for moral responsibility, purely because they reached their fame as kids. The amount of pressure that puts on a young adult who is still trying to figure out who they are is cruel and unjust. But unfortunately it's a system that's hard to change, but maybe discussing it can be the first step forward. Even just acknowledging it can be healthy step towards changing the status quo.
What are your thoughts on the subject?
Image Source 1 2 3 / Edited by Creative in Arts
YouTube turns 10! Oh gosh, how crazy is that?! What's mad is that this little site has only been around for ten years and yet it has taken the world by storm. From the Beauty tutorials we always wanted, to the hilarious challenges we didn't know we wanted - YouTube has been the best source of entertainment, comfort and solace. So to celebrate this joyous occasion, here are ten of my favourite YouTubers so far in this journey.
I decided to start a new segment on this dear blog of mine called first impressions, where I basically talk about my initial thoughts on a television show or even an experience. This week's topic - Empire, the show everybody can not stop talking about at all!
After weeks of anticipation - and constantly hearing No Apologies on E4 this past month - , Empire finally aired last week on UK screens. I loved it - absolutely loved it. Empire is my new addiction, and I can not wait to devour every single minute that comes my way.
Friendships need to be nurtured, maintained especially over time - when distance is at play. They should be appreciated - not only on your dark days but happy ones too. It's important not to take them for granted, because time and lack of absolute contact can lead to their down fall. Over the years, I've picked up tips and ideas of how to keep friendships fresh and constant. So here are a few ways to help keep your friendship strong over the years ...
You've spent what seems like forever carrying out your university work, or working all day at the office, and you can't wait to come home and just unwind. A much well-deserved break, if you ask me. Life gets so busy sometimes, and it seems like a list of never ending chores. But it's so important to take some time out for yourself every once in a while, and give yourself some time to re-energise. It's been proven that taking a break and letting the mind wonder, helps increase productivity as well. Everyone has different ways of relaxing at the end of the day. Here are just a few tips to help you find yours!
Jumping straight back into action, Mockingjay Part 1 starts where Catching Fire picks off. As Katniss struggles to come top terms with the loss of her comrades especially Peeta, District 13 begins to prepare together the equipment to take on the capital. A war is brewing right on the horizon, and so much is at stake.
I was never really a fan of the final book in The Hunger Games series, mostly because of it's sour end. I expected to love the first part of Mockingjay, and sourly dislike the latter. But I'm surprised to say Mockingjay Part 1 is my least favourite film in the series. The story itself sets up for epic finale I'm sure, but that feels like this movie's main and sole purpose. It was truly amazing seeing the political workings of a war, but everything else falls short. The engaging elements from the book were missing from this military based adaptation, and I really don't understand why, since it had enough time to divulge and explore. It's clear that Katniss takes complete front and centre in this film - with very little room for other players to contend. All in all, I'm pretty disappointed with the outcome of this movie, and I can already tell that Part 2 will definitely be better than this.
Time for Spoilers ....
I'm homesick for a place that just doesn't exist. My heart lies divided in two places. The place I grew up in, and the place I live in. They both hold memories dear to me. My childhood home holds my friends and my family. Those evenings we spent by the park, playing around the swings and talking about moments in our teenage lives. Those days spent watching movies around the dinner table, with a bowl of my mother's homemade chilli popcorn shared between my parents and I. Now my world holds the independence I always longed for, but never could find in that old hometown of mine. It comes with it's own structure and responsibilities - words my young teenage-self use to avoid like the plague. Instead of waiting for my mother's home made dinners, I create my own with recipes I've discovered on the internet. I make my own flavours with sauces and peppers from the local supermarket across the road. Life is different now. I love it. I do. But then ...
Then comes the feeling of nostalgia. Old friends and places I no longer can visit. Roads that use to be 10 minutes away - within the grasp of my feet - are now three hours away, down a long road which I can not follow. Going back wouldn't help - since people are scattered and following their own path miles away. So I look ahead and find unfamiliar but friendly faces to converse with and become companions on the journey ahead. We talk and we laugh - long hours into the night. With words spoken, and thoughts unsaid. Memories in the making, changing our statuses from acquaintances to friends over time. It does not replace, but it helps to erase, that lingering ghost that calls me to look upon my shoulder, at memories from years before. I still reminisce, but not as much as before. This place I'm living in is slowly becoming my home.
So torn between the world I live in and the world I grew up in. I'm missing a place that doesn't truly exist anymore. So I call up my friends in this new town I've been calling home, and decide to have a movie marathon till 2am to take away these home felt blues. And in those moments I know, it'll pass. As I look upon the faces of the people I have come to know, I feel a tenderness that can only be described as being home. And then I truly know. That one day, I no longer will be homesick. I'll just be content with this small little place I've come to live.
* * * * *
Inspired by my own university experience, I decided to create something that was poetically reminiscent of that time frame of when you're in transition. That period of time, when you've moved to a new town - far from your hometown - and are being to create a new life there. Even if you haven't experienced it just yet, you may do some day. Weather it's for university, a job in a foreign city, or maybe you'll be married and moved to a different country. It's human nature to look back over our shoulders at the past, whilst still trying to creating memories and moments in the present. Who knows maybe you can relate?
I hope you enjoy it! Any thoughts?
One thing I love to do is create playlists to suit each mood. I love how with every song I hear, I come to imagine a scenario, or even reminisce on the past memory or experience I've had. It's a tool I continue to use as a creative when I'm looking for story inspiration, or even when I need motivation to edit together the pieces I'm putting together. As I'm currently working on a few creative pieces, I thought I'd put together a broken hearted mix to get myself truly in the mindset of heartbreak - the unavoidable side-effect to living life.
Dedicated to all those moments when you feel like your heart is breaking into two, and there is nothing you can do to mend it back together. Like you'll never become whole again.
On this month's challenge on A Year of Happy, the task is to make something that you find beautiful. A challenge that encourages me to be more creative - awesome! I've been keeping a little project of mine underwraps for a while now and I decided this may be the perfect moment to unveil it!
It's only a few weeks left until the possibly last season première of Teen Wolf, excitement is in the air! Especially as MTV released the most gripping, and absolutely terrifying teaser trailer for Season Five. The Doctor will see you now?! What the freaking hell is going on this season?! There are just so many possibilities, so many ways that this season could go. Here are a few theories of what I would love to happen on Teen Wolf...
Aged 24, Matt Haig found himself feeling lost and hopeless, seeing no way he could go on living. Reason To Stay Alive is an account of that journey and how he overcome his struggle from the dark depths of his illness.
I remember stumbling across this book by accident through twitter. I had heard there would be a book signing with Matt Haig - and being an avid book signing attender I thought I'd go. Having the privilege of hearing Matt speak about his novel was pretty much what sold this book to me, and I'm so glad it did. Reasons to Stay Alive is an important non-fictional novel, that gives a preview into one individual's experience of depression and anxiety. To those who've suffered, it provides solace. To those who haven't experienced those troubles, it gives a glimpse into the hardships and struggles others face on a daily bases. I found this book re-enacts that heavy feeling of a weight you can not explain, and yet tells these stories with a hopeful twist for the future. Well worth reading, and definitely one of the must read novels for everybody this year!
Love Rosie is an enjoyable read, that definitely has some hilarious moments that will have you laughing so hard! But what struck me the most about this story is it tells the realistic struggle of adulthood. Not many romantic novels I've seen have done that pretty accurately. It's honest and authentic - well worth reading whatever age you may be. My only main flaw with this book was it dragged out its love story unnecessarily, draining out its quirky nature and narrative till it's very end.
Now, time for spoilers. Back away from the computer if you have not read this yet. Spoilers be waiting ...
Back when I first got into the early forms of blogging on Livejournal, I remember doing a tag called 101 things in 1001 days - which is exactly what it sounds like. Completing 101 tasks that you set out to do in 1001 days. Funny enough, I don't even remember half the things I wrote on that list! Let alone if I accomplished half of them. So I decided to redo this task, and actually achieve most if not all on my list. Second times the charm, right? So without further ado, lets get this show on the road!
Chuck Bass is A. That's right, Charles Bartholomew Bass is A. Tired of his mundane days in the Upper East Side, Chuck was looking for more adventure and thrill seeking fun, especially since Blair was no longer on speaking terms with him. One afternoon Chuck stumbled across an old family photo, but not with his biological father. There in the picture taken in American suburbia was the foster mother he had come to love, a young boy with dirt blonde hair and his sister with luscious golden locks and a dazing smile. Oh he had known Alison Dilaurentis for many years. His father, unable to deal with the pain of his mother's loss, had sent Chuck - or Charles as Jessica Dilaurentis use to refer to him as - to the Dilaurentis. She was kind to him - as kind as anyone could be. Her daughter however was another story.
I've been to a lot of book signings in the past several years, and in some ways they've become my addiction. I love going to them and hearing authors talk about their life experiences - the events that inspired them to create their novels. From every single book signing I've been to, I've always been able to learn something from each and everyone of them. But this particular one has a very special place in my heart. I first heard about Jennifer Niven through her best selling book, 'All the Bright Places', which has recently been auctioned for a film adaptation. After reading the first couple of pages from her novel, I was sold. So I headed down to my local Waterstones, prepared to meet Jennifer.
Reign tells the story of young Mary, the Queen of Scotts, as she returns back to French Court when an assassination attempt is made on her life. Betrothed to the future king of France - Francis, Mary must attempt to secure an alliance with the nation before Scotland falls into the hands of war and the English.
If you liked Gossip Girl and have a soft spot for period dramas like Downton Abbey, this show is so for you. Reign has the most enchanting historical elements, alongside some pretty gossip like events. It's so gripping. I literally have consumed every single episode, so curious to find out what would happen next. I see so much future potential for this show, and I can't wait to see what Season Two has to offer.
Highlights
It's been a while since I've seen something so historic, and gosh it was so wonderful to watch. I was just in such awe of it all - the set design, the costumes and dialogue. It was very enchanting and enticing. Reign has this element of old school Gossip Girl, where romance and everyday life experiences are central, but yet there is a political conflict thrown into the fold. Mary and Francis - the main leads of the show - are constantly obligated to fulfil their duties to their respective countries (England and France), which complicates things for their personal love lives and the decisions they make. I found the political aspects of this show so intriguing. I don't think I've seen a show full of such heightened emotion, depicting what it could have been like to be a royal historically before the age of democracy took over.
Now I'll admit Reign probably isn't the most authentic show around, and it also takes quite a few liberalities with the events history, but that's what I enjoy about it. It leaves room for exploration beyond history. I can only hope the producers of the show don't abuse that freedom too much in the next coming seasons.
Shortcomings
The first half of Season One was definitely the strongest part of Reign. It established the show very well, and gave it so many dimensions to progress and evolve. But as the episodes continued on, the producers focused way too much on certain romantic relationships more than they should have. I wished they'd paid more attention in those episodes to more - like the political power relationship between each character, and the English threat. There was so many dynamics that I felt didn't reach their true potential. It was definitely a lost opportunity.
Conclusion
I really enjoyed Reign. I fell in love with the historical elements of the show, and the complexity of relationships between characters - especially between Mary and Francis, when their political duties to their own countries came into play in their lives. I'm excited to see the next step this show takes as it continues to develop!
So what did you think of Reign: Season One? Hit or Miss?
Image Source
If you liked Gossip Girl and have a soft spot for period dramas like Downton Abbey, this show is so for you. Reign has the most enchanting historical elements, alongside some pretty gossip like events. It's so gripping. I literally have consumed every single episode, so curious to find out what would happen next. I see so much future potential for this show, and I can't wait to see what Season Two has to offer.
* * * *
Highlights
It's been a while since I've seen something so historic, and gosh it was so wonderful to watch. I was just in such awe of it all - the set design, the costumes and dialogue. It was very enchanting and enticing. Reign has this element of old school Gossip Girl, where romance and everyday life experiences are central, but yet there is a political conflict thrown into the fold. Mary and Francis - the main leads of the show - are constantly obligated to fulfil their duties to their respective countries (England and France), which complicates things for their personal love lives and the decisions they make. I found the political aspects of this show so intriguing. I don't think I've seen a show full of such heightened emotion, depicting what it could have been like to be a royal historically before the age of democracy took over.
Now I'll admit Reign probably isn't the most authentic show around, and it also takes quite a few liberalities with the events history, but that's what I enjoy about it. It leaves room for exploration beyond history. I can only hope the producers of the show don't abuse that freedom too much in the next coming seasons.
Shortcomings
The first half of Season One was definitely the strongest part of Reign. It established the show very well, and gave it so many dimensions to progress and evolve. But as the episodes continued on, the producers focused way too much on certain romantic relationships more than they should have. I wished they'd paid more attention in those episodes to more - like the political power relationship between each character, and the English threat. There was so many dynamics that I felt didn't reach their true potential. It was definitely a lost opportunity.
Conclusion
I really enjoyed Reign. I fell in love with the historical elements of the show, and the complexity of relationships between characters - especially between Mary and Francis, when their political duties to their own countries came into play in their lives. I'm excited to see the next step this show takes as it continues to develop!
So what did you think of Reign: Season One? Hit or Miss?
Image Source
Like many people out there, I loved One Tree Hill growing up. It had everything a successful television show should have - drama, romance and heart. From Lucas's insightful quotes, Brooke's sassy nature and the unstoppable Naley (Nathan and Haley for all you newbies!), One Tree Hill never failed to entertain me. But even after all these years, there is still one story line that I can not understand or even being to comprehend. One storyline that I will never be able to truly accept.
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