Tuesday 30 December 2014

Now that 2014 is over


Is 2014's closure presenting regrets or a smile? Perhaps there were little mishaps along the years journey, or amazing highlights that made every other one of your problems seem insignificant. All of these things create life's rollercoaster ride. 

I feel like next year is the time to be spontaneous, yet I already have so much planned. Dates previously written in my diary, things that I actually am committed to doing. I just want more unknown slopes around the bend. 

I, like everyone else, want 2015 to be the best year yet. I will have regrets. There will be moments of pure ecstasy. New experiences, people and places. But I reckon this next rollercoaster will be the most wild yet. 

PEACE OUT, 

celestine. 

Wednesday 24 December 2014

That christmas feeling #5

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Unfortunately there is no winter wonderland, but it's christmas time! Merry christmas everybody! Either Santa Claus is coming to town or he has already been, so did you leave out your mince pie and carrot (for Rudolph the red nosed reindeer)? 

Christmas is the time to say I love you as it's the most wonderful time of the year! Hopefully the present you give will make others smile :)

And finally, have yourself a merry little christmas...

(...the christmas song puns ...)

PEACE OUT,

celestine. 



Friday 19 December 2014

that Christmas feeling #4

Winter chills



Snow and frost are the idyllic scenes of Christmas: the crispy floor; the condensation on the windows; the darkness of bitter mornings. However, all of these 'dreamy' things have a not-so-bright side which definitely makes them not so desirable!

I will not lie, I'm actually not a huge fan of the snow. Everyone gets super excited for the snow (with good reason I suppose if you like snow ball fights!) but I really despise the cold. I do love going sledging though ... and the hot chocolates by the fire when you come back in... But I really don't like being cold, I miss the hot blissful summer soo much.

Admittedly I love the traditional wish for a white Christmas, it's just a lovely peaceful concept! But one day I seriously want to go somewhere hot for Christmas, where I can lounge by the poolside and have a barbecued Christmas dinner. This is definitely on my bucket list! It's a wonderful time of year and the winter season is stereotypically attributed to Christmas but it's so darn chilly. That's my perfect version of a Winter Wonderland.

Another problem is having to think more about your wardrobe. You have to dress preparing for almost every weather. You need an umbrella or something waterproof in case it rains, you need a nice and toasty coat (and warm socks, my feet get freezing!) even though I think I have quite good circulation? Plus it's a brave move to wear a skirt as you face both the cold and the wind!

I love the colours of winter though; the smoky charcoals, the browns, the Christmassy colours ... It's just fabulous. I love Christmas jumpers too, and just any interesting warm ones too! I'm planning on doing a post about my favourite jumpers soon... Ones that are perfect for snuggling up in by the fire!

So basically, don't get me wrong, I do like winter and snow (to an extent) I just prefer being warm, in a way it makes you appreciate the summer more. Therefore, I will enjoy it while it's here as I love the joy other people feel. It hasn't actually snowed here yet in England but maybe soon?

PEACE OUT,


celestine. 


Saturday 13 December 2014

that Christmas feeling 2014 #3


The sweet smell of Christmas has finally arrived. Cinnamon, apples and sultanas combine to create the ultimate Christmas scent. My favourite treat to have to drink is this Mulled Wine flavoured instant tea from Whittards, it's so yummy! It's an awesome winter warmer definitely. 

Obviously with the winter season the Christmas markets appear in full. I love love love them! They create a real Christmassy feel from the joyous atmosphere. They sell anything that you might need for this time of year like gifts and decorations. The holly reefs are my favourite! Everywhere you look there are christmas jumpers of all different types. And, of course, food and free tasters are plentiful (not that I go around twice to get more...) like yummy ginger bread men and delicious mulled wine!

PEACE OUT,

celestine. 


Wednesday 10 December 2014

that Christmas feeling 2014 #2


As I said in a previous Christmas post (HERE) I love CHRISTMAS CRACKERS. in this post I thought I'd tell you a few of my favourite jokes from Christmas crackers.. I hope they're ermm how can I phrase this?... Relatively enjoyable?

What does Miley Cyrus have for Christmas?

Twerky


Why did the turkey join the band?

Because it had the drumsticks


T do you get if you cross a bell and a skunk?

Jingle smells


HoW did Scrooge win the football game?

The ghost of Christmas passed


Which elf is the best singer?

ELFis Presley


I thought that these jokes that ive had over the past few years were comically brilliant in a poor way... I laughed in an 'ooh thats seriously bad' sort of way. 

PEACE OUT, 

celestine. 

Saturday 6 December 2014

reviewing #4: Paddington


Paddington was one of my many childhood heros; as a bit of a weird child I admired his polite yet cheeky attitude. I was read Paddington Bear as my bedtime stories, so obviously when I found out a film was being created I went to go and see it!! And guess what? I loved it! 

This fabulous family comedy was directed by Paul King, with the voice of Ben Whishaw as Paddington (whom you'll probably know as the new Q in James Bond (on that note I'm really looking forward to Spectre, especially as Andrew Scott is going to be the villain!)). The comedy elements were great, especially for all the children who were in the cinema who were giggling uncontrollably at every joke. 

Obviously everyone who knows the story of Paddington will know of its immense Britishness. I really loved the London setting and it really helped create a classy and friendly atmosphere for the film. This is because of its original creator was Michael Bond who was a cameraman for the BBC before creating his stories in 1945. The books have now sold more than 35 million copies worldwide. I everyone should know about Paddington and his obsession with Marmalade!!



However, Paddington has been given a PG certificate for 'dangerous behaviours, mild threat, mild sex references [and] mild bad language' from the BBFC. I am worried that this would put parents off, as the stories are meant to be so innocent. As long as parents are okay with this rating I still think it is a friendly entertaining film that's perfect for a Saturday night cinema session.

This film is definitely a must-see for families, or even for people like me with fond memories of Paddington. I really did love it (despite my love for action and drama) and I love comedic childish films as they always make me smile. I recommend this film for christmas get togethers with lots of popcorn.  


     Overall Rating: 7.8 / 10

     Acting Skills: 8.2 / 10

     Cinematography: 9.1 / 10

     Watch-ability: 9.0 / 10

     Must See Rating: 8.0 / 10

PEACE OUT,

celestine.

Wednesday 3 December 2014

that Christmas feeling 2014 #1


This December I'm going to tell you about the things I love at Christmas time. Now, I'm that annoying friend you have who sings Christmas songs all year round waiting for the final season of the year. Hearing people saying you're going to get 'bad luck' for singing songs in November doesn't bother me, I love Christmas so much. So here's a list of some of the ultimate things that make my Christmas perfect:

1) favourite Christmas movie
This is a hard one as its a toss up between 'Elf' and 'The Santa Clause'. I literally love them both and they remind me of my childhood. Christmas isn't the same without them. This can also be said for 'Love Actually', which is another fabulous feel-good Christmassy movie! 

2) favourite Christmas song
As I said in the introduction I LOVE CHRISTMAS SONGS!! I've already listened to my spotify playlist of awesome Christmas songs too often (which is practically impossible). I love to have a little listen to Michael Buble his voice is liquid Christmas!! However, my favourite overall is 'Silver Bells' by Doris Day. It's perfect. 

3) favourite decoration
This one speaks for itself. It's just awesome. 

4) what I just love 

Christmas crackers!! They're just such great fun and I love the hats! The jokes are.... I don't think there are words for their lame fun. Last year though we had Christmas crackers with riddles in and they were great. I have a pile of the little toys like the frog which can jump, and also a bell from where we had a set crackers that came with music sheets so we could play Christmas songs with little hand bells!

5) what everyone should love
The face of happiness on your friends and family. This is what Christmas was meant for, a time for peace and rejuvenation to prepare for the next oncoming year: 2015. I wish all of you as much happiness as I feel during the Christmas period! :)

PEACE OUT,

celestine.

Saturday 29 November 2014

reviewing #3: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1


I have to admit, 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins is one of my favourite books, and the series one of the most intense that I have read. It is for that reason that when I found out they were being adapted to films I was seriously excited; for each film I have been in eager anticipation. It has become a world-wide phenomenon, nearly everyone knows the 3-fingered salute, and I am (not to sorry to admit) a huge fan-girl of this franchise. 

'Mockingjay - Part 1' was one of the most anticipated films of 2014, and I think that 'Part -2' will be of of the most anticipated for 2015. However, it has been met with mixed reviews from critics. In my opinion it was not as good as the first two films, but that was inevitable with the split of the final book into two which meant that they final climax is being saved for 'Part - 2'. This being said, I still think it was an excellent film and definitely worth a watch. 

The film had the 16th largest opening for a film of all time (2nd of 2014 behind 'Transformers: Age of Extinction'). I actually saw it on its second day of release... I thought that it was a good adaption to the first half of the book, yet I still prefer the book! Moreover, I loved Jennifer Lawrence's performance as Katniss, she created most of the intensity through her emotive performance. In this finale the character becomes darker due to the intense plot line. 

Overall, if you are a fan you've probably gone to see it already, but if you've never seen any I would honestly wait until November of next year (the scheduled release of 'Part - 2') so that you don't have to wait in hesitant expectation for the ultimate finale (unless you can't wait then definitely go for it)! I'd definitely give the books a go, the first book was my favourite but the second film was my best-loved out of all of the movies (yet!). I'm preparing myself for laughter, anger and tears for 'Part - 2' ... I can't wait!


     Overall Rating: 8.4 / 10

     Acting Skills: 8.9 / 10

     Cinematography: 8.8 / 10

     Watch-ability: 9.3 / 10

     Must See Rating: 10 / 10

PEACE OUT,

celestine. 

Wednesday 26 November 2014

bonuslifepoints #2: meditation


Normally when we think of meditation we imagine Buddhists in lotus position, or perhaps even Buddha himself. They strive for enlightenment or a spiritual awakening through the practice of meditation. This mental relaxation is something that should be strived for; especially in this age where busyness is a constant that leads to our achievements. 

Everyone needs a relax every now and again, and the point of this post it to emphasize the importance of having a 'down time', a detox and a relax. This could be achieved in a variety of ways, for example, reading a book, listening to music or just generally sitting somewhere peaceful (also like a bath... but I really don't like baths :D). If there's a place where you find relaxing just go there during times of mental strain when peace is desired. There's this bench that I used to drive past on Saturday mornings where I would always see an old man sat, doing nothing just watching the cars hurry past, and I used to think that the place reminded him of something or someone so he returned there just for the memories.

Although, a lot can be learned from the Buddhist teachings. Their goal is to reach the state of Nirvana through spiritual understanding; we can take from this a goal for peace of the mind. I love this concept (and I believe in Karma too :D) as it's something to aim for. Perhaps just generally being happy could actually lead to this too. 

My favourite time of day is the wind-down before drifting off to sleep. I use it as a time to think through my day and what the future may hold as well as dwelling on the past. In those hazy moments life seems simple; that's why that key moment of my day is my mediation time. For some reason when drowsiness creeps in I don't see my issues as problems but just simple things with easy solutions. 

Therefore, I just think that every so often you should take some 'me-time' just to think things through- particularly during times of crisis. So maybe give it a go... it may help? and apparently it makes you wiser so I'd get going :D

PEACE OUT, 

celestine.

Saturday 22 November 2014

reviewing #2: The Imitation Game


I love films. Plain and simple: watching either works of theatrical art or hard-core action - I love it. So for me to say a film was a utterly amazing shows something (I think/hope? :D), and The Imitation Game is certainly extraordinary. It's a British-American historical thriller film about the cryptanalyst Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch). Directed by Morten Tyldum, it centers around solving the Nazi Germany's Enigma code to help the Allies win World War 2 (don't worry I will not reveal any spoilers!!).  

Most people will recognise Benedict Cumberbatch from Sherlock, but if you don't then I would recommend that you go and watch it (I mean it. Go and watch it NOW!). His acting in it is stunning, and many people think its so good that he deserves an Oscar, it was definitely perfect casting (especially considering Leonardo DiCaprio nearly got the part). Keira Knightly is in it, and her acting is also superb in my opinion, as are Mathew Goode and Mark Strong among multiple other excellent actors. 

It is actually based on the biography Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andre Hodges. In September The Imitation Game won the People's Choice Awards for Best Film at th 39th Toronto International Film Festival, and has currently won 9 different awards. This illustrates how its had an amazing reception already.

In the film you watch Turing uncover the secrets of the enigma, whilst the audience is left discovering Turing's own secrets. This scenario uncovers what a true 'thriller' film is, as its not full of jump-scares, but full of emotional scares.


     Overall Rating: 9.5 / 10

     Acting Skills: 9.2 / 10

     Cinematography: 8.7 / 10

     Watch-ability: 9.0/ 10

     Must See Rating: 9.4 / 10

PEACE OUT,

celestine. 






Wednesday 19 November 2014

that autumnal feeling.


Orange is my favorite colour. I love its freshness and the tranquility it evokes. Autumn is the season where it's normally neither too hot or too cold but it is still wellington boot weather! Its the perfect time of year to go for a walk and take some photos so that's exactly what I did here!



 In this photo I feel I captured the darker side of the season; the transition into winter... and I'm not a massive fan of the cold! Its murky darkness contrasts with the brightness that autumn normally is.


The reds in these leaves are really bright. Moments like this are when I really love photography as its so simple, I recommend just going outside and taking photos of anything - I guarantee something nice will come out of it!


This was another of those magical moment where a bird flew through my shot.


This photo is the one I will leave you with, it's my favorite. Chestnut trees area key component of autumn, and now that it's (sadly) coming to an end this is a memorable photo. I probably wont be the only one playing conkers!!

PEACE OUT, 

celestine. 

Sunday 16 November 2014

reviewing #1: Sam Smith - In the Lonely Hour


An album I find CONSTANTLY on replay is 'In the Lonely Hour' by Sam Smith. his soulful voice captures me and I always seem to stop what I'm doing to indulge myself in his captivating outburst of emotions. 

Each individual song portrays an unforgettable new feeling, but even Sam Smith himself stated on Digital Spy that the overarching theme of the album is 'sad'. But don't let this prevent you from listening to the album; the story of each one is powerful as he bravely reveals his emotive events and desires to his captive audience. His signature voice adds to the profound sincerity of what some might describe as an 'acoustic orgasm'. This passion is exhibited in 'Life Support' and 'Restart'; 2 of my favorite heart-melting songs on the album. You can easily see how this debut album has become a worldwide hit.

I thoroughly recommend that you listen to this album. Sam Smith described it (again in the interview with Digital Spy) as 'my way of defining what is love, and how unrequited love is just as painful, just as powerful, as what we call 'normal' love'. This is explicitly illustrated in 'Not in that Way'; demonstrating an unforgettable questioning of love itself. It's an unforgettable whispering song whose lyrics echo within you for hours afterwards. Oh yes... he's that good at singing. 

It is clear why he won the BBC sound of 2014. I think most people would have heard of him first in Naughty Boys 'La La La', in which he was excellent too. It definitely helped this album to become the 2nd biggest selling album of 2014 (just behind 1989 by Taylor Swift). However, my overall definite favorite is 'Like I Can', which is set for release as a single in December, as it is sooo catchy! The whole album is easy to listen to and in my opinion it is one of the best songs on the entire album - so it must be darn good.

Overall, I think basically everyone would want to have a little listen to 'In the Lonely Hour'. Everybody (ish :D) will have some sort of emotional connection to it at some point in their lives. This fervent album should definitely be put on your Christmas wish-lists!

Here is a link to the interview with him on Digital Spy: HERE


PEACE OUT, 

celestine.

Saturday 15 November 2014

Bloglovin

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/13178449/?claim=kyyfazesenu">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>



Im now on Bloglovin wooo!

PEACE OUT,

celestine.

Wednesday 12 November 2014

super cute Sa Nail Polish.



These little bottles of nail varnish are super cute so I thought I'd share them with you. Sa Nail Polish is a Japanese brand and the bottles have little Japanese dolls on them. I literally love them :) . They only take 2 coats to be opaque and they dry relatively quickly... (I always end up smudging them though :D) and they come in some really nice colours. The colours I have are #3, #11 and #4 respectively. 

My favourite one is the pale orange (#3), it's a very autumnal and warming colour but I will probably be wearing it throughout the promptly approaching chilly winter months!

PEACE OUT, 

celestine. 



Saturday 8 November 2014

bonuslifepoints #1: dreams.

The reality of future.

'We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.'
The Tempest, Shakespeare

When we were little we all dreamed. Whatever it was, the future was always positive. Always. But as the years pass doubt begins to slither in and affect these dreams. We try to mature (because as a child you tend to think that you're an adult!! I wish I hadn't tried to grow up so fast...) and hence become 'realists'. Yet, consider the fact that during the night your unconscious dreams continue to animate, to bring you emotion and will. Hasn't everyone experienced a nightmare and woken up crying? This could be seen as your subconscious trying to convey a message,  (yes... Even nightmares could be showing this). So when you have a dream try to fight for it as perhaps it is your doubt in yourself that stops you persevering.

In fact, in Greek and Roman times dreams were believed to be messages from deities or predictions of the future. Obviously for some dreams this can't be true, but they could symbolise something that is on your mind. This is more of a psychoanalytic perspective of dreams, as Freud stated that dreams could show our repressed childhood memories. Have a little think about your latest dream, does it mirror anything that is happening in the present, the past or the future? Chinese history even provides the idea that the soul leaves the body and embarks on a journey towards spiritual awakening. All of these ideas seem stem right back to the same idea: that dreams reflect your life. 

All in all, when sometimes our reality is hard to overcome we must always clutch our future dreams tightly for our own peace and sanctuary. This is super deep, I know, but a boost is sometimes all we need, I know I need it sometimes. I won't give up hope in my dreams, as I believe they will happen with courage and perseverance. Age shouldn't change this, and I know my dream hasn't changed since I was little. Even in The Tempest Caliban, the monster, is able to achieve his dream of freedom, despite his confinement, as he 'cried to dream again'.

PEACE OUT,

celestine.


Friday 7 November 2014

Remember, Remember the Fifth of November

'Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
I see no reason why Gunpowder and treason
Should ever be forgot.'

 Fireworks are pretty awesome, and luckily enough it is November so that means fireworks!!

I would have to say that my favorite thing about them is actually the smell. I adore the colours and the sounds (even though they used to scare me...). In my opinion the smoke creates the atmosphere!

The bonfire at the end with Guy Fawkes on the top was the pinnacle of the night. The fire reached so high up and the embers erupted and filled the night sky (probably more than they were meant too aha) it was pretty beautiful.

Hope you enjoy these photos!

 PEACE OUT, 

celestine.






Sunday 26 October 2014

On those rainy days...


The rain has returned to England (not that it ever left) and on those days I sit at the window, with the rain slamming against the widow panes, with a mug of tea clutched in my hands. It's the stereotypical British philosophy; when something even remotely different happens we ponder with the kettle on. 

But there was this one day which was different. My life had come to one of those standstill moments where schoolwork, friends and family and my lack of any hobbies (unless watching the tv counts) were actually kinda boring (don't get me wrong I still love everything/one). I listened to Mumford and Sons 'Hopeless Wonderer' on repeat and I, stirring in my sugar, realized that my life was like a quest leading to a pretty dank place and, quite frankly, where quite a few too many people have ended up: lost.
So basically I was having an existential crisis - more or less...

And this is the bitter sweet conclusion I came to: I want to express my life more literally and in a visual and relatable format so that perhaps others can see their lives slightly differently. So here it is and here I am.

So just relax and put your feet up and read on, but first let me finish my cup of tea.

PEACE OUT,

celestine.