Is Romance Dead?

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not talking specifics here, I'm not complaining about my own relationship because, as far as that goes, it's great. I honestly couldn't feel any happier at the moment.

I'm talking general romance.

Over the years, I've heard a lot about how our generation aren't very romantic, especially compared to the likes of those brought up decades ago.

Like, what is it that made them so romantic? What is romance exactly?

Is it that they did actual dates, that guys literally came to pick a girl up for one, courted them, bought them a bouquet of flowers unexpectedly, treated her with respect? I mean, what does any of that even mean anymore?

We may blame guys for not sticking their necks out trying to be romantic because, let's face it, liking someone's picture on social media is much easier than engaging in a proper conversation ey? Guys these days are too worried about what other guys will think if they actually make effort for a girl, worried if it'll damage their reputability or their masculinity.

But girls aren't exactly all prim and proper either. We're as bad as the guys, revealing a little too much (whether that be skin or about ourselves to strangers), drinking too much and just not being, well, very classy.

I honestly think technology - although it's great - has ruined romance. What do you reach for first thing in the morning, your phone or your partner? Or out for a meal, who actually talks anymore? Everyone is constantly glued to their phones.

We idolise these ridiculous relationships on TV, we are obsessed with how we look and how we are perceived by others, we are ego-ridden.

Okay, there are still some old romantics at heart out there, but they are vastly outnumbered.

I always believed I was born in the wrong era. I idolise the 1920's to 1960's and yet I was born in the era for ass-slapping and drunken one night stands instead.

I saw a picture the other week about how we're coming up to 2020 soon and how we should bring back the 1920's approach. I couldn't agree more.

What do you think of romance today - do you prefer it over what used to be?

❤

The Mortal Instruments: Book One, City of Bones

By Cassandra Clare.

I'm a bit off this week, what with the bank holiday and having Friday off too!

And I know I've been writing a lot of reviews lately but that's because I've been an unprepared nancy of late and need to get my butt in gear and prepare you some more interesting posts!

Definitely some on the way, I promise.

For now though, I've been wanting to read The Mortal Instruments series for a while now, especially after seeing the film a few years ago.

[Clary Fray is seeing things: vampires in Brooklyn and

werewolves in Manhattan. Irresistibly drawn to the

Shadowhunters, a secret group of warriors dedicated

to ridding the earth of demons, Clary encounters

the dark side of New York City - and the

dangers of forbidden love.]

So, even just reading the blurb again, I can see that this may look a little like one of those predictable and cheesy books. Don't get me wrong, some of it really is, but it's actually a lot better than I expected as well and so easy to read!

Clary, the protagonist, was a little young for me to really engage with - especially everything she managed to get herself in to. However, I did thoroughly enjoy the plot.

I enjoyed the different fantasy elements and the dialogue was excellent, although there was some rambling in places that wasn't really needed. The characters were well developed and I grew to know all of their motivations through their actions and the way others spoke of them, even if they were the antagonists.

Jace and Magnus Bane were my favourites with their sarcasm, wit and charm. Luke was a character that also grew on me the more I read. Clary, on the other hand, was whiney and irritating, especially as she kept forgetting all about Simon. No one forgets about their best friend, no matter how interesting their new life has become.

And the ending! Even though I knew about it thanks to the film, it still grossed me out (no spoilers here). What a twist though, if I hadn't known the plot already!

I'm definitely intrigued to see how the rest of the books unfold.

✌

Warbreaker

By Brandon Sanderson. 

Narrated by James Yaegashi.

[Warbreaker is the story of two sisters, who happen to be

princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, the lesser

god who doesn't like his job, and the immortal who's still trying

to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago. Their

world is one in which those who die in glory return as gods to

live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren's capital city and

where a power known as BioChromatic magic is based on an

essence known as breath that can only be collected one unit at a

time from individual people. By using breath and drawing upon

the colour in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and

mischief can be accomplished. It will take considerable

quantities of each to resolve all the challenges facing Vivenna

and Siri, princesses of Idris; Susebron the God King; Lightsong,

reluctant god of bravery, and mysterious Vasher, the

Warbreaker.]

It's strange, I work with audiobooks every day and, yet, it took a friend recommending Audible to me before I actually gave it a go and started listening to them.

I wasn't sure if I'd get on with them at all and initially it was a struggle (you have to concentrate on listening attentively, blocking out any unnecessary mind-wandering or reading of texts, etc, otherwise you'll probably realise you have no idea what just happened and have to go back a minute or so!) 

But, now, I can't stop listening to them or eagerly awaiting my next credit to be given to me once a month.

Anyways, Warbreaker.

Wow. This was fan. tas. tic.

It hooked me right from the beginning. The world created was so bold and clear in my imagination thanks to all of the very, very detailed description Sanderson used.

I loved the narrator's voice, James Yaegashi. His voices for different characters really helped me to visualise and differentiate between them. He also reminded me of Stephen Moyer from True Blood with his southern drawl.

Lightsong and the God King were my favourite characters. Lightsong was funny, charming and caring even though he tried to give off the vibe that he was lazy and couldn't be bothered with anything, always making jokes. Whereas, the God King, Susebron, was sweet and gentle in his masculine, intimidating body. I can't say too much else without giving a lot away about these two characters, but overall I think the whole story came together perfectly with a lot of revelations at the end.

It was just brilliant.

I am definitely going to be listening/reading to more of Sanderson's books!!

✌

Captain America: Civil War

When I heard about this film, I hadn't been entirely convinced it would be very good. In fact, I was damn right sceptical. I mean, the Avengers fight bad guys, not each other. Who would ever think that that was a good idea?

Image from Pinterest

But, it was actually pretty good, albeit very long.

It was very action-packed with an interesting, in-depth backstory for two of the main characters, entwining them unexpectedly.

For some reason though, I just don't click with Captain America. I find him incredibly irritating and boring, like, he's not exactly a superhero is he? Maybe it's because I'm a diehard Robert Downey Jr. fan, I don't know, but Steve Rogers is too noble and Prince Charming-esque for me.

I loved the addition of Spiderman, Ant Man and Black Panther however. Spiderman, especially, because he was hilarious and although I missed Andrew Garfield I felt Tom Holland did a great job and I look forward to seeing him in any future Marvel films.

I also liked how the superheroes seemed to be struggling more within themselves this time, dealing with their own flaws, the results of their own actions. It definitely made them more relatable. This was especially highlighted with Stark and Wanda. Robert Downey Jr. and Elizabeth Olsen were spectacular.

Paul Bettany was, again, brilliant as Vision. His high intelligence and power verses his misunderstandings of human nature was interesting. He could be the most powerful of them all without even really knowing it.

However, like I said earlier, the film was very, very long. Every time I thought the climactic action scene and following calm one would be the end, another action scene exploded onto the screen and I was left wondering if the film would ever end. It was also a little annoying that they added two extra scenes, one a minute or so after a few credits and another right at the very end. Come on, at least put them both together!

Anyways, if you like action films and men in spandex suits, this one's for you.

---

Rating:

★★★☆☆

✌

The Jungle Book

Since finding out the voice cast and watching the trailer for the first time a few months ago, I knew the live action version of The Jungle Book would be a good'n.

Image from Pinterest

They nailed the voice cast in my opinion - Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, Christopher Walken and Ben Kingsley. Perfect.

It was a lot darker than the Disney version which was an interesting spin on things, especially Shere Khan with his added ugly scar across a clearly blind eye. Quite terrifying when close up.

Even King Louie was quite maniacal, wanting Mowgli to bestow upon him man's "red flower" (think the wording could have maybe described fire with something a little better...)

Kaa wasn't in it as much as I would have hoped which was a little disappointing. Although it has been a very long time since I've even seen the Disney version. But Scarlett Johansson's seductive voice could definitely be enough to put anyone into a state of hypnosis.

Bagheera and Baloo did not disappoint though.

I love Bill Murray. I think it's solely because of his role in Scrooged that is the reason behind this, but even in interviews I find him hilarious and he was absolutely wonderful as Baloo with the right amount of humour and kindness to him.

And Bagheera, well, I have a fondness for black cats but his seemingly 'no bullshit' attitude was great throughout. It was all very amusing.

The two songs which did feature were good (Bear Necessities and I Wanna Be Like You). I can imagine a number of people probably joined in as well in the cinema!

I definitely admire Neel Sethi as Mowgli. It must have been the strangest filming experience and he did such a great job for such a young actor.

Finally, I can't forget to mention those adorable wolf pups - the cutest things! Especially Grey.

I would highly, highly recommend going to see this if you're a lover of all things Disney!

---

Rating:

★★★★★

✌

Girl Crush: Carrie Bradshaw

I was late to the Sex and the City party. As in the only reason I actually came across it was because all of my family were out one night (same old homebody, aren't I?) and I was bored of watching Friends reruns. No good films were on either, I believe. But I came across a couple of episodes of Sex and the City and thought why the hell not?

I'd heard good things about it. Very good things. But I didn't know how much I would actually enjoy it. Yes, the show was a little dated but some of the fashion items, New York city in all her glory and each career of the four girls was enough for me, something to envy and look up to even. 

And so my girl crush on Miss Bradshaw commenced.

The strong female leads were definitely something that drew me in, with each of them teaching me many lessons about life, relationships, careers and whatnot, especially that you can be your own woman without a man to make you happy (although it is pretty good to have one too).

Anyways, moving on.

I can't remember a specific time of wanting to be a writer, but it has always been there in the background, amongst the fleeting careers idea of wanting to be an artist, a photographer and even a tattooist at one point (crazy I know, but I was heavily influenced by the likes of America's Next Top Model and Miami Ink during my teen years!)

Writing gives me freedom, escapism, life. I absolutely adore it. And so whenever I see a protagonist that is a writer, I instantly click with them, wanting to be them, looking for hints in any way shape or form to get to where I want to be.

So - for me - this makes Carrie's life perfect. I aspire to have one like hers. I want to write books, to be published, to have a meaning in somebody's life, to have my own place where I can escape to and write to my hearts content, hell I'd even try writing a column if the opportunity came my way. 

The only thing is, blog posts are the only writing I've been doing of late. My novel's first draft is done but it needs a lot of editing and I. just. keep. putting. it. off. I get so annoyed at myself because I can be on the train, listening to my Pirates of the Caribbean score and ideas just swim into my head and I scramble to add them into the notes on my phone.

But they stay there, awaiting to be written up.

So, excuse me whilst I go and browse Amazon for a boxset of Sex and the City and avoiding my editing plans once more...



Strawberry-Blonde Confirmed

So, I grew up being told all the time that my hair colour was strawberry-blonde, not thinking anything else to it and then secondary school came around and I was told that strawberry-blonde wasn't a 'real' colour, it was just a 'cover up' for a red head or ginger, whatever you want to call it.

Taunting commenced from some sad individuals and I felt so self-conscious and down that I had my hair coloured blonde for the first time in Year 9 (think I was 14).

18/19 years old

This continued until about, maybe, a year or two ago (6-7 years straight!), with a slight change in colour here and there (red underneath, electric blue all over and then, lastly, brunette).

It wasn't until the money became an issue due to finishing uni and having only a part time waitressing job that I stopped having my hair done - which I was initially distraught about. Having my hair done was what had given me some more confidence over the past years.

And now, I've been thinking about having it coloured again recently, as it has pretty much grown back to it's original shade. I had every intention of talking to my hairdresser about seeing a colour chart during yesterday's appointment, but you know what?

I looked in the mirror before I left for my appointment and I actually liked the colour I saw. From the years and years worth of blonde on top, my ends look a lot lighter, which is nice, but overall, I kind of, really like it. Weird.

I asked my hairdresser yesterday what colour he thought my hair was there and then and he initially said blonde, which took me aback. I then proceeded to ask him if strawberry-blonde was a real colour and that I'd had people say that that's what mine was but also that I'd heard it wasn't even a real colour. I also told him I'd had auburn been assigned to my colouring as well.

He instantly disagreed with the auburn saying my hair wasn't dark enough but agreed that it was, indeed, strawberry-blonde, a blonde that has warm tones to it, not necessarily red.

So there you have it, strawberry-blonde is a real colour and I am finally at peace with it.

✌