Man Crush: Sam Claflin

I can't remember which film I first saw Sam Claflin in, I think it might have been Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, but I didn't really take notice of him until The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and I didn't realise it was some sort of a crush until The Riot Club.

It's not that he's the typical good-looking actor, it's more that there's just something about him that intrigues me, that pulls me in to watching a film, even if he is the only reason why I watch said film.

Thinking back to Pirates of the Caribbean, I didn't particularly like his character. I thought he was a goody two shoes Christian that relied too heavily on his faith to get him out of a bad situation and once the film was over I never gave a second thought to William - his character (obviously Mr Johnny Depp overshadows anyone else).

Then I realised he was playing Finnick Odair in Catching Fire, I thought somebody else, somebody more attractive could have played him - considering the description given to him in the novels. Although Claflin definitely portrayed the cheekiness and charm well, I wasn't completely sold the first time I watched it - although I am now.

After that, I think the events themselves within The Riot Club overshadowed any of the protagonists possible strengths because they were just so horrific, but I don't really remember him being any sort of character you would pine over or admire due to the stuff he got caught up in. Same with Douglas Booth.

It was in Love, Rosie that I really warmed to him. He played the best friend/love interest character so well that, even though the film wasn't particularly groundbreaking, I still often catch myself wanting to re-watch it.

Considering this and the loveable character he plays in at least two of the films I have seen him in, I am hugely looking forward to seeing the upcoming film Me Before You where he plays a recently-paralysed man being taken care of by a beautiful young woman - none other than the stunning Emilia Clarke. Due to release in June, I cannot wait to see it this summer - even if it is a classic chick flit that I'm not usually a fan of!

p.s. I don't remember him at all in Snow White and the Huntsmen as I thought it was a particularly poor film but The Huntsmen: Winter's War does look particularly good so I may have to have a little looky out for him in that!

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What I'm Loving Right Now

As I'm writing this, I'm sat here with a mountain of scrunched up tissues, sniffling away with a red-raw nose. You gotta love having the flu, right?

So I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for a little pick-me-up in the form of What I'm Loving Right Now.

1) Converse - my sister bought me this glowing pair for Christmas (they're almost as white as my pale, pale legs... I joke, sort of...). Because they're white I've been putting off wearing them for fear of getting them dirty. I know they're going to get dirty eventually but with it still being winter with rain and squelchy mud everywhere I'd rather not take the chance. But I did wear them for the first time a few days ago, and I love them.

2) Pretty Little Liars - my new obsession. I've been meaning to start something new for ages and just couldn't decide, so settled for One Tree Hill, again. PLL was recommended to me ages ago by a close friend and I'm happy to say I have finally started it! Well, when I say started I mean I'm already 17 episodes in. In four days... Whoops. To be fair, I have been pretty much bed-bound since Saturday. Thank God for Netflix, ey?

3) Goodreads Challenge - after setting myself the challenge to read 30 books this year, I've definitely been pushing myself to read a bit more in my spare time. Yanno, when I get a spare second from trying to figure out who A is (God damn Pretty Little Liars). It's going well though with me just finishing my third book so far. Currently reading The Lost World, review on Jurassic Park to come soon!

4) March - with the arrival of a new month, many good things are on the horizon. I turn 22 in 2 weeks, Adeel turns 22 a few more weeks after me, we have a few days out and weekends away planned and Spring is on its way with lighter evenings and more sunshine! The sunsets from the office are absolutely stunning at the moment. I have to refrain from taking a snap every time.

5) Work - who would have thought I'd be one of those people to enjoy a nine-to-five office job? But I do, I really really do. It's probably because of what I do though. I can't see myself being so in love with any other office job if it wasn't for the fact that it's in publishing.

6) Donating to charity/having a clear out - although I've read that you're supposed to go through with a clear out all in one go; I've found myself doing it slowly, parting with my items a few at a time to ease the adjustment. The fact that I'm donating them to charity feels pretty great too. I realise I moan about not having enough clothes a lot, when I should be thankful that I have those clothes at all. I'm also thinking about donating my textbooks from Uni, I just don't know who/where would take them.

7) Creativity - now that Celebrity Big Brother isn't occupying all of my evenings, I vowed to myself that I would do something I love instead. Whether that be scrapbooks, writing, editing, reading, colouring, or just taking a quiet moment to reflect or chat with my boyfriend on the phone - anything to spur on my creativity again.

P.S. Check this beauty of a view out from the office!

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