Top 5: Films I Love to Re-watch

I haven't done a 'Top 5' post in a while so I thought I'd jump back into it with five of my favourite films to rewatch. You know the ones where you phsyically can't switch over the channel if you see it on TV? I'm a sucker for these five below, so much so that people in my life know to tell me if they see any of these around. I'm obsessed! You might have heard of/watched some or most of these but I just think they deserve the recognition as being fabulous...

#1 | How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days

One of the funniest romcom's you will ever watch. Period. Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughy work so well as a pair and completely bounce off each other brilliantly in this movie. I find the concept of them playing against each other hilarious, and they pull it together so, so well! I first watched this with a friend when I was about 14 - afterward, I went straight out and bought it for myself. To this day, it is still on of my go-to movies when I'm feeling in need of a good laugh!

#2 | Man On Fire

I absolutely adore Denzel Washington as an actor and this film shows his talents fabulously. I would even go as far to say that this might be my favourite film ever? I just never ever get sick of watching it, talking about it, reading about it etc. It really keeps you hooked on the story from start to finish, with great acting and a beautiful setting! Dakota Fanning as a young girl in this is fascinating as well, the talent she puts out in this at only 11 years-old is incredible. 

#3 | Pride and Prejudice

A classic. I don't think Pride and Prejudice being on this list needs to be justified. My favourite adaption is the Kiera Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen one which was released in 2005. I think the beauty and elegance of the era really drew me in, but I really loved the feminist attitude of Keira's Lizzie Bennett and thought she portrayed the character really well. One of my favourite parts of this movie is at the end, when Mr. Darcy comes walking across the field towards Elizabeth - he stutters when they're talking and he says, "I love, I love, I love you." 

#4 | Pretty Woman

Another classic, in my opinion. Pretty Woman was one of the first 'old person' films I remember watching growing up. Obviously at the time I had no idea of Vivian's profession, only that she was a bit down in the dumps. I think what I love about Pretty Woman is that its sort of a twist on the classic, girl meets boy, fairytale - life isn't easy for Vivian or Edward, and seeing them find happiness within each other is uplifting! Also, that singing in the bath scene is one of movie magic. Julia Roberts and Richard Gere at their very, very best. 

#5 | The Holiday

I love when it's coming up to Christmas time because The Holiday is never off TV. Every time I see it on, I have to watch it or record it, so I can watch later! Although this is one of my favourite films, it might be one of my mum's least favourite - purely for the fact that she gets sick of looking at it every year (oooops).. I think the combination of Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black is perfect for this movie - an odd mixture of actors but in my opinion, that's why it works so well. A definite must watch for me!

These are just five of the films that I could re-watch countless times. I'm one of those people who can re-watch movies, tv shows, or even read a book ten times, and never get sick of it. Its a bit of a bad habit really, I never give away books or DVDs on the off chance I'll want revisit the story! 

What are some of your go-to films that you can watch over and over? Or even TV series/books? Let me know so I can watch them too!

Top 5: Things That Make Me Happy

I really love doing these 'top 5' posts as its a way for me to think about a lot of my favourite things (you can find my other posts of this type here) - so I decided to do a list about what makes me happiest! Things like family, friends, boyfriend etc won't be included as they're kind of obvious (although they're all great, might I add)..

Travelling

Last year was the first time that I went on holiday in I think about five years - and I ended up going on four! Although not all of these were abroad, they still stepped the wanderlust in me up a gear and I'm hoping that this year I'll have a few opportunities to visit a few new places and explore new cultures! I'm excited to book a few trips soon and I'm sure that there will be plenty of pictures and updates for you all to see.  

Books

This one may seem a bit obvious as I post quite a lot of reviews and such on here, but I love reading so much that it deserves to be on here. Nothing makes me happier than chilling out with a new story and mountain of snacks,  I can literally sit to a new book and not move until its finished (not joking, its been known to happen). Its like a break from reality that's usually a lot more exciting!

Going Out For Dinner

I probably do this a bit too much actually - my boyfriend and I have a really bad habit of going out for dinner. The problem is that neither of us are strong enough to say no to amazing food! I just really love trying new foods, especially if the place serving has a great atmosphere, and as someone who has worked in hospitality for over five years, its a real treat to be on the other side of service!

Working

This may sound a little bit crazy (and I would probably agree) but I really enjoy being at work. I have a job both at uni and when I'm at home, and both in service, so I'm constantly meeting new people which is nice, as well as getting to know regulars. I've worked since my mid-teens so when I don't for a little while, I feel lost. I think it helps that the people I work with are great. 

Netflix and Chill

Excuse the use of the common term (chill being used here in the sense of relaxing lol) but I really enjoy having a night in with netflix, chilling out with friends or my boyfriend, eating nice food. As a university student, there are lots of opportunities to go on "wild" nights but having a night in to spend time with people is rare (especially working in a bar too). I have these type of nights with my mama quite a bit too - we have a similar taste in TV shows so we're always picking new series' to watch together!

This is only a teeny, tiny list of the hundreds of things that make me happy but they're some of my favourite things as well as being what came into my head when writing this post! Tell me, what makes you happiest? I love hearing other people's stories!

Thanks for reading, 

Orlagh

xoxo

Top 5: Amazon Book Wishlist

I have about ten different wishlists on Amazon of all the books, movies and boxsets I'm waiting to buy when I win the lottery and have millions to blow! I thought that I could list a few of the books I've had my eye on and let you know what I'm into at the minute..

1. Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel by Jane Costello

"The Moonlight Hotels sits on the shore of England's best-loved lake, Windermere, exuding vintage glamour. Lauren loves the hotel, for hidden inside its faded walls is the key to her most precious memories. So, along with her best friends, Cate and Emily, she signs up to a new dance class in it gorgeous ballroom. They aren't going for the men, they're going for a laugh - although a little romance wouldn't hurt... But then a chain of events off the dance floor puts their friendship to the ultimate test, and makes Lauren question everything she holds dear."

This is Jane's newest novel that was released recently (24th). I've already heard lots of great things about it and having read some of Jane's previous work, I feel that it will live up to expectation. 

2. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

"Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She's even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. 'Jess and Jason', she calls them. Their life - as she sees it - is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy... And then she sees something shocking. It's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's enough. Now everything's changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she's only watched from afar."

The Girl on the Train is one of those books everyone was talking about last year and I still haven't got around to reading it! It's at the very top of my list of stories to read. 

3. The Shepherd's Life: A Tale of the Lake District by James Rebanks

"Some peope's lives are entirely their own creations. James Rebanks' isn't. The first son of a shepherd, who was the first son of a shepherd himself, he and his family have lived and worked in and around the Lake District for generations. Their way of life is ordered by the seasons and the work they demand, and has been for hundreds of years. A Viking would understand the work they do: sending the sheep to the fells in the summer and making the hay; the autumn fairs where the flocks are replenished; the gruelling toil of winter when the sheep must be kept alive, and the light-headedness that comes with spring, as the lambs are born and the sheep get ready to return to the fells."

This is a bit of a random one for me as this isn't the kind of book I would normally go for, but a blogger I like recommended it after she and her boyfriend both read it. I looked it up and kinda fell in love with it, so I'm looking forward to reading it!

4. After You by Jojo Moyes

"Lou Clark has lots of questions. Like how it is she's ended up working in an airport bar, spending every shift watching other people jet off to new places. Or why the flat she's owned for a year still doesn't feel like home. Whether her close-knit family can forgive her for what she did eighteen months ago. And will she ever get over the love of her life. What Lou does know for certain is that something has to change. Then, one night, it does. But does the stranger on her doorstep hold the answers Lou is searching for - or just more questions? Close the door and life continues: simple, ordered, safe. Open it and she risks everything. But Lou once made a promise to live. And if she's going to keep it, she has to invite them in.."

I cannot wait to get my hands on this book. The sequel to Me Before You (review here), I have high hopes for the rest of Lou's story and I'm excited to see the rest of her journey unfold.

5. Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team and a Dream by H G Bissinger

"In the state of Texas American football is a religion, And nowhere is more fanatical about its football than the small town of Odessa. There, every Friday night from September to November, a bunch of seventeen-year-old kids play their hearts out for the honour of their high school. In front of 20,000 people. In 1988 Bissinger spent a season in Odessa discovering just what makes a town pin its hopes on eleven boys on a football field. He lived with the students, coaches and townspeople who dedicate their lives to their team, sharing their joys and triumphs, their pains, injuries and bitter disappointments. He returned with a compassionate but hard-eyed story of a town driven by money, race and class, where a high school can spend more on medical supplies for its athletics program than on its English department."

I love the TV series Friday Night Lights and only recently discovered that it was based on this book by Bissinger. I really want to read this and find out about the real people who inspired on of my favourite stories.

There you have it - of about ninety books on my Amazon list, I've narrowed it down to the top five that I'll be buying next (hello, payday). What's at the top of your wishlist? Let me know what you're loving right now!

Thanks for reading, 

Orlagh

xoxo

Reading List

As ever, the list of books sat beside my bed waiting to be read is getting longer and longer (these aren't all of them). I thought I would share with you some of my latest additions to the pile that I've picked up recently! Some I've bought, some I've been given by others. 

I honestly don't even know when I'll get time to read anything new as I've been working full time, blogging and travelling quite a lot - as well as having deadlines for reviews etc. Can I have a few more days in a week please?

Top to Bottom:

Courting Trouble.. by Kathy Lette

The Rocks.. by Peter Nichols

Hen Reunited.. by Lucy Diamond

The State We're In.. by Adele Parks

Carry You.. by Beth Thomas

What have you all been reading lately? Let me know below what you think and keep an eye out for new reviews coming soon!

Orlagh

xoxo

2014 Bucket List

The past year has been one of the best so far. There has been so many changes in my life, not least moving out of my childhood home and moving countries to university. I have met some of the most amazing people, some of which I know will always be in my life. 

I'm hoping that 2014 will be even better than 2013 and to make sure of this I decided to make a bucket list that I want to complete this year. I decided that the things on this list have to be realistically doable within one year. I'll try and capture the moments and write about them on here.. So here goes:

1. Get a tattoo
2. Sleep outside on the beach
3. Celebrate Thanksgiving 
4. Say 'yes' to everything for a day (or 'no')
5. Make a pillow and blanket fort and have a movie day/night
6. Go on a road trip
7. Have a trip to America booked/planned
8. Pass my first year of university
9. Watch every Harry Potter movie in one day
10. Have my family visit Canterbury (where I now live)
11. See The Cab in concert
12. Spend a weekend away with friends
13. Save for a designer bag
14. Make someone a birthday cake
15. Visit the Canterbury Cathedral

Another thing I would like to try and do this year is write down when something makes me happy or grateful and put it in a jar. Then at the end of the year, go back and read everything. 

Here's to 2014 and all that it holds!
xoxo