After sitting at a crowded desk all day, I decided to get out of my house on Wednesday evening and head to the cinema with the girls. The film that just had to be seen was Bridesmaids. It didn't disappoint, I can tell you that for free.
With most rom-coms, the trailer actually holds greater hilarity than the film itself. However, in this case, the advert didn't do it justice. The entire cinema was in a constant roar of laughter; from witty banter to awkward sexual encounters, Bridesmaids is pure genius. Whoever said women weren't funny? I'd like to see those big shots sit through this two hour picture without a secret chuckle creeping out of their sexist lungs.
Kristen Wiig plays the lovable Annie, but as well as acting the lead role, Kristen also co-wrote this priceless comedy. A favourite fraction of her performance has to be when she gets pissed on the plane, closely followed by her attempt to catch a cop's eye. However, the film would not be quite so wholesome without the adorable character, Officer Rhodes. This cheeky piece of Irish eye candy is played by the IT Crowd's, Chris O'Dowd (apologies for the unintentional rhyme).
I personally know of this charming actor from the film, The Boat That Rocked. This is the moment I first fell in love with this Irish beefcake. The film captures a crowd of rebellious dj's working on a pirate radio station in the 60's. O'Dowd played a goofy crew member; with his alluring accent and skillful wit, the star soon rocked my boat! But however much I adore this movie, it didn't quite kick off O'Dowd's Hollywood career.
So as Bridesmaids has successfully tied the knot on the big screen, this famous leprechaun has become a hit with the ladies. As improv was a main source of the films hilarity, it is clear that Officer Rhodes has even more to offer off screen. When recently watching his appearance on the Graham Norton Show, my adoration for this man only grew. As he fooled around with Ewan Mcgregor and a toy Light Saber, I felt myself wishing to fool about with his very own 'light saber'. And what's more, in real-life, he has a beard!
So, Hollywood welcomes a man from the home of Guinness, who can work a light saber, AND has a fuzzy chin...does it get better than this? I think not. Perhaps if I learn a few knock-knock jokes and don an Irish accent, Mr O'Dowd will 'fix my hard-drive', 'rock my boat', and 'put a ring on it'. I'm fairly certain this will occur in the near future, even if he doesn't know it yet. But like they, say love is blind.
So while I'm waiting, I guess another trip to the cinema will suffice.. just for a comedic watch, of course ;)
Tonight is the night where the kids of Brockhill School will be getting dolled up in their teenage finest. Yes, at 7pm my younger brother will be venturing to his Year 13 prom. For me, this touchstone fills me with great nostalgia and memories. On this day, two years ago, it was one of the most fabulous nights of my life!
Once the pens were put down in our last ever exam, the celebrations begun. Weeks of bbq's, hot tub parties and mental nights out were nothing on what was to come, at the end of June. After me and the girls had eventually chosen our prom gear, it was time to mark the end of an era. However, on the morning of that fateful night, breaking news had hit. Michael Jackson had died. With many, many tears taking up the majority of my day, I finally decided to stop mourning and toast to his phenomenal life. The night was exactly what you'd wish for; champagne arrival, sunset backdrop, finger sandwiches, emotional speeches and reckless dancing.
However, there was one aspect that knocked me off my chair: the awards. To my absolute shock I had been voted 2009's Prom Queen! With my friend Ben also winning the King title. We were awarded with a certificate and a bottle of champers, the icing on the cake ;) So once the festivities had come to an end, we were the last ones standing, as always. Surrounded by the pink confetti and burst balloons, it was time to venture to the Priz. As I have mentioned before, this club doesn't have the best reputation, so when we arrived in our ball gowns, we looked a little out of place. But in a champagne fuzz, we couldn't care less. It seemed everyone that we knew had hit the Den that night, so after many more vodka shots and tumbles in dresses, 3am dawned on us and it was time to call it quits.
Remembering that night almost makes me a tad tearful (yes, it's that time of the month, apologies for the unnecessary emotion). But although I have had far more exciting nights since, this occasion will always be treasured. So as my baby bro get suited and booted for his big night, I'll put my memories to rest and crack open the champers ;) I am the Queen, after all.
It's that old age old debate circling once again, skinny vs curvy, size zero vs plus size. Tiresome images of bikini clad celebs bombard our magazines every year. And although I am partial to a bit of OK or Heat, it seems the world of body image is in turmoil. The catwalk shines light on young girls who have probably never eaten more than a Jacobs Cracker in their life. Whilst the media constantly attempts to glamorise plus size, by praising the 'curvy' figures in the public eye. So where do we stand? Who are we supposed to look up to for inspiration? Waify Katie Holmes, or voluptuous Christina Hendricks?
The 'perfect' appearance is in a current state of confusion, I don't know whether to eat a Big Mac or throw up my dinner. Not that that's something I plan on doing, but with the media contradicting the runway, many impressionable youths are struggling to determine what is healthy.
I am all for celebrating curves and changing today's distorted picture of perfection, which in other words, is anorexia. However, I believe that fashion will never follow. But to be fair to the designers, I do agree that their clothes look far more desirable on these paper thin models. They are human coat hangers, with a job to portray garments in their most beautiful light. You look to the catwalk for inspiration, so if you saw a chunky, cellulite clad female strutting down in Chanel, your desire for designer would suffer. Harsh but true. So, it is understandable that the industry is unlikely to change.
However, the infamous hourglass figure of Christina Hendricks has taken the world by storm. Her itsy bitsy waist is accentuated by her shapely legs and buxom chest! With her fiery red hair, she is an icon of contemporary curves; a modern day Marilyn. This Mad Men star has been recently snapped in a variety of figure-hugging outfits, doin' it for the curvy girls! She is well and truly the vision of womanhood. An inspiration.
Then there is of course, the original icon of hourglass, Kelly Brook. Her generously sized chest and teeny waist has always been the topic of many male fantasies. Pictured on the beach with her beau this week, this voluptuous celeb is one good reason to delve into a juicy burger.
So with fashion promoting skeletons and media befriending the blub, it still leaves us average folk wondering. But I guess, that's what sells. So, I feel the only way to avoid this situation is to scoff a steak, then jump on the treadmill. Best of Both worlds...don't you think?
Today is the day when the jolly festival goers will be packing their dry shampoo, setting up their tents and heading off to Glastonbury. Since Beach Break and IOW have already launched 2011's festival season, this weekend welcomes the likes of Biffy Clyro, U2 and my favourite fella in the industry, Morrisey. However, with my student overdraft sinking into further debt, I am giving myself to the workplace this summer. Working five days a week in a call centre, means I shall finally be able to tiptoe my bank balance back to zero! But this means, no holidays, no festivals, no fun (que violins).
Therefore with over two months of a 9-5 slog to endure, I feel with my first paycheck, I deserve a treat. Yes, spending money before I have earned it, unfortunately a classic trait of mine. Nevertheless, as I am foregoing a whole summer of no adventure, I believe I should compensate this with a cheeky purchase. Wellies! Although I won't be heading anywhere in need of these little booties, I like to pretend I am. Well, at least the shop assistent will think I have a life.
Anyway, the dream of owning a pair of Hunter's, is highly unlikely with the current state of my finances. So instead, I intend to search for the perfect pair of khaki classics. While those merry festival goers gulp their Gaymer's cider and slur along to the songs, perhaps I should create my own festival?! With an IPod full of 80's cheese and a fridge full of Frosty Jacks, Glastonbury better watch it's back. Or not.
Still, with the amount of drizzly greyness surrounding our British summer, my wellies will fit right in. Who needs live bands when you have rubber boots? Hmm, Glasto 2012? Perhaps I'll start saving...
It seems our very own Andy Murray has been booted off the centre court, for his first match later today. With his first-round now on the No1 court, the lack of roof poses concern for Murray's feat. However, the lingering rain clouds are not just a worry for this British contender, but for the crowds too. When purchasing your costly ticket, you imagine lounging in the sun, watching a gripping match and chomping on a box of strawberries. But with the promise of watery weather to dampen today's game, this blissful image is likely to be washed away in the grey drizzle. Typical.
However, I have recently discovered a revolutionary approach to a Wimbledon lunch. Tesco has launched 'Strawberry and Clotted Cream' sarnies. Have you ever heard of anything so British? I think not. The sweet treat is cased in an adorable box sporting the English flag; and for only £1, I feel they must be bought immediately. The poppy-seeded bread traps inside a very patriotic filling, but with a high calorie count of 435, these charming triangles are a naughty indulgence!
Keeping the ingredients close to home, the Staffordshire berries and Cornish clotted cream are glued together with a dollop of strawberry jam. 2011's controversial sarnie is said to become an icon within the world of summertime picnics. Throw a flask of Twinings in the basket and voila, a transportable cream tea! Practicality and patriotism in a lunchbox.
The delectable combination of sweet and savoury is one that Tesco have been perfecting for years. Since their first attempt in 2006, a chocolate and banana sandwich, the supermarket have been pushing the boundaries of conventional snacks, even launching a lasagna sarnie last year. Although their innovative offerings have had mixed reviews, I feel this British creation will become a revolution.
I must admit, I have warmed to this enchanting summer treat, therefore I feel it deserves some positive publicity. I know that sounds odd, but imagination and originality must be appraised. Even if it is only a sandwich. So I say, take a trip to Tesco and swap that pound coin for one of these darling British beauties! And even if the clouds open up on Wimbledon today, at least we have this little bite of Britain to fall back on :)
After watching a few too many episodes of Sex and the City/The Hills, I have began to think about relationships and that four-letter word that only conjures fear and confusion, well for me anyway. Recently something really quite difficult happened to me in that sticky area, but let's not get into it. All i can say is that old cheesy phrase, 'you never know what you have until it's gone' (vomit) but unfortunately it's true.
Betrayal and a broken heart is the hardest thing to mend when you are bored. It sounds odd, sure, but since living at home again for the summer, life is not quite as exciting as it was in my student digs. I've kept myself busy with writing, seeing friends and going out etc, but then there's those occasional moments when your stuck indoors and your thoughts can't be squashed with activities. I do not deal well with boredom at the best of times, but when you don't want to be left with your own wonderings, it is a killer. Perhaps, I'll buy a puzzle, there's no romance in board games. Although maybe I'll just stick to drinking with the gals; after a couple (unfortunate choice of word) followed by a night of embarrassing dancemoves, I guess that sinful four-letter word will dilute a little more with each sambuca shot ;)
As that soulful lass, Eva Cassidy, once sang 'Time is a Healer', I think I'll have to agree with her. But with Carrie Bradshaw dictating her love life all over the TV, this 'time healing' malarkey has proved a tad tricky. I suppose, patience is a virtue (another saying in the mature cheddar level of cheese, apologies). However, this is another trait I don't quite posses. So with my hatred of boredom and my lack of patience, I believe I'm possibly the worst candidate for a broken heart. However, now's the time to move on and forget, as Lauren Conrad once said, 'Life's tough, get a helmet.'
When tuning in to my reality fix, I expect inches of mahogany tan, size GG babalons, irritating accents and bromance. So, without a doubt TOWIE captures my shameful addiction idyllically, and is therefore my favourite of them all. However, as series two came to an end a while back, I have resorted to the Daily Mail's 'Femail' column. The gloriously trashy links provide various articles all about the fabulous A to D list celebs. Well I say articles, more like pap shots with captions. Perfection. For a daily fix of tack, I head to this site to update my TOWIE goss.
The cast never fail to attract attention, one I can't seem to forget is Mark Wright and his 'Pejazzle Beauty Kit', yes you heard it, male vajazzling. For those who are unaware of this term, it is basically what one does to add a little sparkle to your genitals. So it's not all about glittery fannies, you can now glamorize your balls!
But regardless of their orange skin and 'reem' genitalia, in the fashion stakes, the stars of Essex seem to have trouble. Constantly snapped in low cut, skin-tight dresses, it seems like Lipsy threw up on these girls. However, one lass and one lad from the show always seem to impress. Lydia Bright and Joey Essex.
'Lyds' tends to branch out in the fashion realm, with calf-length skirts or adorable frocks, she is a cut above the rest. Then of course, there is the king of the quiff, Joey Essex. This 21st century Danny Zuko, wears jeans so tight, the play 'Nutcracker' comes to mind. But with a hairstyle resembling chocolate whip and trainers so small he walks in a constipated manner, Joey is quite a revolution on the show. Topman has even created a tee with the word 'Reem' splashed across the front; a phrase Mr Essex has popularised. So, at least these two haven't let the mist of weekly spray tans, fog their fashion sense.
However, although they're top of TOWIE in the style stakes, I believe 'Team Arg' is instead, the cream of reem. With his penguin suits and swinging performances, this crooner can 'Fly Me to the Moon' any day.
So, if we've already had vagazzles and pejazzles, whatever's next for series three?? Boojazzles? Who needs a bra, when you can have bejewelled nipples? I predict, we will soon be burning our bras, not out of feminist rebellion, but to glamorize our tits. So 2012, say goodbye to to your bra and hello to boojazzles!
