Film Review: Insurgent (The Divergent Series)


I have been waiting for this movie since the moment I left the cinema after seeing Divergent! I had read all of the books 'prior' (I couldn't resist using Tris's surname here!) to seeing the films so I already had some idea of what to expect when I settled down to watch the first film of the trilogy, which is now being made into 'four' films as they will split the last one (again, I couldn't resist dropping a name in... It's not funny but I couldn't help myself!)

Back to what this post should be about: My review of Insurgent. This was my favourite book in the series so I was most excited about seeing this brought to life. I obviously don't want to give too much away for those who haven't seen it yet or read the book, but it is most definitely worth watching. You do need to have seen the first film, Divergent, first.


It was action-packed and the twists and turns that certain characters take between sides is really well done. You are constantly on edge as to who is helping the Divergent people and who is working against them.
 
I also found myself being very invested in the relationship between Four and Tris. I love Shailene Woodley, who portrays Tris Prior. She is probably best known for recently staring in The Fault in our Stars, which also stared Ansel Elgort who plays Tris's brother Caleb in the Divergent series. They all cross over in the film world.
 
 
Basically if you like The Hunger Games and similar films to this, like The Maze Runner, you will love this. I personally now think the Divergent series is better than The Hunger Games.
 
I would award this film:


 
Have you been to see Insurgent yet? Did you enjoy it as much as I did? Have you read the books?

Film Review: Big Hero 6



I wrote this post out over a week ago but forgot to post it. So here it is, my review of Big Hero 6:

I had really high expectations for this film, seeing as it includes Marvel comic book characters and I'm a bit of a Marvel nut.

I cannot explain to you how much I love Baymax, who resembles a giant marshmallow but is probably more similar to one of those inflatable Santa's that some people put up outside their houses at Christmas time.

The adorable air-filled 'robot' made the film for me. The storyline was really good, and made me wish I had tried harder with science at school and gone on to create something cool like the characters in the movie, but Baymax was the best part of the whole film.

His slowness as he moved around the bed when he first appeared in Hiro's room, how he stated 'I am not fast' when trying to run away from an attack by micro-bots, and how the air leaked from him like a balloon after he ended up with a number of holes were some of the best scenes. How he used the tape to cover the punctures was brilliant.

 

But the best scene for me was Baymax with his low battery. The film is worth watching just for this! Seeing this puffy robot walk about like he's drunk and trying to climb the stairs was a genius idea and I applaud the person behind this.

This film also had its sad moments, which I won't disclose on here for those who haven't seen it.

Overall, I enjoyed this film but I do feel that Baymax made the film what it is, and that without him appearing as he does it would have been a completely different film.

I have awarded this movie:

 
What did you think of Big Hero 6? Do you love Baymax as much as I do?
 



I'm Loving: Naked products


I have been looking everywhere for a good shampoo and conditioner, because as I mention in an earlier post I have trouble finding appropriate hair products because I have mild psoriasis on my scalp.

I try to wash my hair every other day now, compared to everyday like I used to. I do sometimes use dry shampoo, such as Batiste, but I never get it anywhere near my scalp.

After doing a lot of research and looking around online I discovered a brand called Naked, made popular for the natural ingredients included, and that it does not included particular chemicals that can irritate the scalp.

You can buy these products at Boots but some of their items are also available in bargain shops like Poundland or Savers.

My hair is also quite thin, so when selecting a shampoo and conditioner from the range I chose to try 'volume'. Other options include 'smooth' and 'shine'.

The smell of both of these items were incredible when I opened them. I didn't think I would like the smell of chicory in a shampoo but I was very pleasantly surprised. I actually preferred the scent of the shampoo to the passionflower and grape conditioner, but it was still lovely and fresh. They just had a 'natural' smell about them, hence the name I guess!

I have been using both of these items for two weeks now, and my hair has been noticeably thicker. Even people around me, like my Mum, told me the other day how my hair doesn't look as thin anymore.

My scalp is also no longer red, and I only have a few dry patches that I am treating with my medication every week as I need it. I try not to use the items recommended by the doctors unless I really need them, because they contain steroids that can thin my hair if used too frequently.

My plan is to continue to use these on a regular basis, although a friend I spoke to about this brand told me that at the end of last year Naked body care's website, Facebook page, and Twitter page all shut down when the company was sold to Boots. She also told me that she heard Boots were discontinuing the range because of 'low sales'. I really hope this isn't true. It would be typical of me to finally find something that works for me and then they stop making it.

There are other companies that people have suggested to me and I will be looking into it, especially if the above does turn out to be true.

Will you be trying the Naked products? If you have already tried them, what do you think? Is there anything else you would recommend?

Happy International Women's Day

 

This post today is to celebrate all women around the world!

I have been closely following actress Emma Watson, who is the UN Women Goodwill ambassador, in her campaign for #HeForShe (you can find her amazing speech here). Emma has spoken out about gender inequality and about how change needs to happen.

You can read more about Emma's work here and you can watch the videos from her #HeForShe conversations here.


This hashtag is being used by a large number of male celebrities to show their support for the cause, such as actors Simon Pegg and Tom Hiddleston.


Another campaign I have supported and shared with those around me is Always #LikeAGirl. If you have seen their incredibly inspiring video already, you must watch it here, and check out their website here.



So I thought I'd share with you a few (hopefully) familiar faces that have inspired me. There are so many, but here are just a few of mine:

 
She may be a fictional character but Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast is someone that I have always looked up to. She is probably one of the best Disney role model 'princesses' out there, along with Merida from Brave, who is another favourite of mine. Belle loves to read, making her character knowledgeable. She always has a kind heart, as she protects her father and learns to love the beast.
 
 
Carrie Underwood is one of my favourite female artists right now. I just can't get enough of her music (although I think my family wish I would play something else for a while as it's been on repeat so often!) She came from the small town of Checotah and made a name for herself doing what she loves.
 
 
I have already mentioned Emma Watson, but I feel the need to praise her again. The #HeForShe campaign was genius and I could listen to her UN speech over and over. She is a credit to women everywhere. I was most impressed when she enrolled at Brown University, after missing out on a lot of real schooling when she started acting so young, this shows just how incredible this woman is. 

 
She may be a comic book character but Black Widow in the Avengers Assemble and Captain America: The Winter Soldier films was one of the best parts for me. She is the only female member of the Avengers team and she can definitely hold her own. She even managed to crack Loki a little and learn his real plans just by talking to him. Ah, the power of conversation. Plus, Scarlett Johansson did a fab job of portraying her in the movies. 

 
Taylor Swift was the first woman who came to mind (after Emma Watson) because I have been a fan of her for as long as I can remember! I can still picture it, the day that I sat with my friend Georgia at college in media studies class when she introduced me to Taylor's music back in 2008... I've been hooked ever since. Taylor has done so well for herself, with a large number of albums under her belt, plus a truck-load of awards, including Grammy Awards!  

 
Katniss Everdeen may also be a fictional character, but doesn't Jennifer Lawrence do a fantastic job of playing her?! She has so much strength, protecting her sister and practically sacrificing herself to the Hunger Games, but she shows us just how strong a girl can truly be. 

 
Now, this lady is the true meaning of a strong woman! Katie Piper was the victim of a horrendous acid attack back in 2008, which left her covered in burns, particularly to her face. The aspiring model and television personality was left with irreversible injuries, but went through gruelling reconstructions and surgeries and came out a stronger person! She is a real role model to all girls out there, it's almost impossible to describe how much admiration I have for her. 

 
Kayla Itsines is a big deal in Australia and I am so glad she is being recognised here in the UK. Her bikini body plan is really popular (I am yet to try it out, although I have done the free week of workouts she offers on her site and they were very difficult but you could feel it working so many muscles) She is fit, healthy, and inspirational to a lot of women who want to get in shape.

 
These ladies are Katrina (left) and Karena (right), and they run Tone It Up, a fitness website and programme that I have followed since the July 2013. Their workouts are perfect for me as they are quite short and allow you to build yourself up. It also got me wanting to work out, giving me all the motivation I needed.

So there we have it, some of my inspirations. But I must add, it is always important to inspire yourself! Look in the mirror everyday and see a positive, happy, strong, beautiful woman - because that is exactly what you are!

 
 
 

 
Who inspires you? Leave a comment below, or use the hashtag #InspiredBy on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to share yours.
 
 

I'm Reading: Where Rainbows End - Cecelia Ahern


I have finally started my 2015 reading challenge that I mentioned last month, by going back to a favourite of mine that I haven't read in about five years.

The category I chose to tick off was 'A book that became a movie'.

Where Rainbows End, by my all-time favourite author Cecelia Ahern, was released when I was only twelve, but I discovered it three years later after I'd seen my Mum reading PS, I Love You. I asked her about the book and she said it was one of the best books she had ever read. I borrowed it from her and after that emotional rollercoaster I was hooked on this amazing lady's writing.

This then led me to ask for her first five books for Christmas, when I was sixteen, which was when I first encountered Where Rainbows End in 2008.

I read the whole book within a few days. I just loved the whole layout of the book, using letters, emails, and other communications to tell this brilliant, hooking story.

Since then I have bought every single one of Cecelia's books (except for Girl in the Mirror because I can't seem to find it anywhere - the book website I use has said 'out of stock' for months, even though they keep telling me in emails that it will be in very soon!)

I read this novel a couple of years ago for a second time, because I finally had some spare time to go back over stories I had read before and it was just as amazing as I remembered it to be.

So, you can imagine how excited I was when I heard they were making Where Rainbows End into a film, retitled Love, Rosie! It's funny that I should write this today because the DVD actually comes out in stores here in the UK tomorrow. I know what I'll be buying after work!


I'm sure there will be other Cecelia Ahern books included in my reading challenge this year as there are a lot that I would love to read again. But back to this one...

This book was a brilliant read, even the third time around. I don't want to write too much about it because I don't want to spoil it for those of you who will want to read it now. But I will say that I highly recommend it, along with her other novels!

Now for the next category I'm going to complete: A mystery or thriller.

Get in my Wardrobe: LC Lauren Conrad's 'Cinderella' Collection


I have been a massive fan of Lauren Conrad right back from when she was the star of US reality television show The Hills. I own all six of her novels from both the trilogies LA Candy and The Fame Game, plus her Style and Beauty books.
 
In a US store called Kohls Lauren has her own clothing brand, LC Lauren Conrad, which has proven very popular every season. But it was announced not so long ago that she was collaborating with Disney to create something special.
 
To work alongside the release of Disney's new live-action version of Cinderella, staring Downton Abbey's Lily James and Game of Thrones' Richard Madden, Lauren has created a princess-worthy collection inspired by the upcoming movie.
 
The clothing range is packed full of floaty fabrics and soft colours, such as heavenly pink, ballad blue, and marshmallow. The mixture of dresses, skirts and that stunning glass slipper jumper is enough to prove that fashion dreams do come true.
 
These garments compliment the MAC Cinderella collection that I blogged about last month perfectly. It's all about Cinderella this season!
 
 
My favourite item has to be the beautiful glass slipper sweater! I was mesmerised by it the first time I saw it, but sadly it has already sold out in my size so it looks like I can't actually review it for you. Plus, I live in the UK and goodness knows how much postage is from the US for it.
 
 
So, if you've managed to get your hands on any of the collection, lucky you! I'm just going to sit here and stare at the pictures and think about how stunning Lauren looks in all of them!
 
 
What is your favourite item from LC's latest collection? Are you as excited about the new Cinderella film as I am?
 
Cinderella is due for release in the US on March 13, and in the UK on March 27.