Christmas Films, the Marmite of the season.

Christmas is well and truly here, with that comes an abundance of Christmas related entertainment. You'll either embrace it, or decide to cocoon yourself in a duvet until it's over.

I cocoon.

Truthfully- I’m a bit of a scrooge when it comes to Christmas films. I especially hate it when Christmas films are on telly in the middle of July – seriously, what’s that about? You’re always going to get the shockingly awful and predicable scripts, let alone story lines: Childhood sweethearts reunited, dad home for Christmas, reconciliation and basically, a ‘happy Christmas’. WOAH didn’t see that one coming. (Although I do have a lot of time for Meet me in St. Louis- not gonna lie.)

Yet recently I worked on a Christmas film with the wonderful Building Block Films and Zion Creative- and actually enjoyed it. Crazy stuff right?!

This film is different, and certainly worth a watch. (Yes, I am slightly bias, but deal with it.) It's a short, so won't take much of your time - none of that 90mins business.

I’ve put it below so you can.

Santa Vs. Santa

 

They’re both awesome companies and I ask that you have a look at their websites- spread the word. All the lads are a pleasure to work with- absolute gems, and make for a really fun environment.  Got questions? Hit them up!

 

Building Block Films

@bblockfilms

 

Zion Creative

@zion_creative


I get that some people like all this fuzzy Christmas film lark- and that's great if you do, I don't mean to put a downer on it. So tell me if you like or don't like Christmas films and most importantly- why. I want to know.


Much festive cheer.

Life can be just so damn punny!

 Bloody love this card.

Puns eh?! I genuinely think they’re SO underrated. Everybody is all about the whole sexual innuendo, and don’t get me wrong I love them as much as the next person. Yet, if you’re working around littlens’ you can’t whack out your best willy joke can you?! I mean you can… but I wouldn’t recommend it.

So puns are bloody marvellous, adding humour to your day- appropriate for a range of audiences. Yet I think that people are forgetting the glory that is.

The best bit is that cards are becoming more readily available with a variety of puns for all occasions! (I’ll post one I gave my housemate for her birthday)

So I challenge you dear readers, let’s get more puns in our lives! Use them more often, make your friends laugh. Most importantly, get inventive.

Clutch Clutchedy Clutch.

 

 Its so Pretty.

 

So with the festive season upon us, it’s time for our mandatory work-dos, nights out with friends, and Christmassy gatherings.

It’s a time for everybody to get dressed up to the nines and look hawwwt. Yet there is always the issue of “where can I put my stuff”. If you’re a guy, it’s no problem- as tailors and shops generally provide pockets. Don’t take them for granted lads, as a girl it’s a right faff to find places to put your keys, phone, makeup and whatever other bits you may carry around with you.

This is where the glorious clutch comes in.

It’s not too big to take the attention away from a bitchin outfit, but it can also add to said bitchin outfit by complementing various details.  AND it deals with all the pesky little things we carry around for no apparent reason. (an example of this would be my deck of cards, Top Trumps and eyelash glue- I don’t know why I do it).

The best thing as well is that shops have started to sell clutch bags which have wrist straps. Some of you may think this is rather pointless, but believe me, when its wrapped around your wrist you don’t have to worry about putting it down somewhere and forgetting about it. (which I have done on many occasions)

They can also be pretty cheap too, so it’s good on the purse ;). Generally if you’re shopping in high-street shops you can get one for under £20, but if you’re super scrimpy like me, Primark sell clutches for around £6, I even got mine in the sale there for £3!!! £3 ladies! Three whole pounds. If that’s not a bargain, I don’t know what is.

So what I’s suggesting to you lovelies that if you’re worried about not having anywhere to put your bits and bobs without it drawing attention away from your outfit- invest in a clutch!

Have a wonderful festive season & party hard.

Running Wear... ALL THE LYCRA

So in the last few months I’ve really taken to running, because of that I have spent a FORTUNE on running gear.

What I want to ask is why is it so expensive, and why is it all practically the same!? I understand that there is “sports technology” involved in some of the items, which I hope is why they are so expensive. But the items that are the “basics” shall we say, seem to have no specific reason to validate the cost. So is there an alternative? Does all of this sports- technology- hoopla actually mean anything? Or do we just wear these items because it’s a given to the sport? I don’t actually know the answer to this- so I would love to hear from you lovelies! Do you think that running sportswear is effective, or just another con? Let me know!

I get the whole reflective aspect- be seen people. However things like “running gloves” what makes them so different to your standard gloves eh? The same with ear warmers and socks- really? Socks people, socks.

I would like to point out that there are places that you can buy discounted running items that, in my experience have been worth the money. For example, (if you’re into brands) TK Maxx or Sports Direct is great, and for those of you who don’t really care; I’ve found that Aldi’s stuff can be pretty awesome too!

 

Sports Direct

TK Maxx

Aldi

It's that time of year again.

 

 

Once again it’s time to be bombarded with Christmas songs while we shop, Christmas gifts to buy for our loved ones (and the ones we feel obliged to buy for), whilst having to deal with every other mundane task being transformed into something “Christmassy”.

That’s not to say that Christmas can be wonderful, getting to hang out with friends and do wintery-themed things. But the thing that I think is really nice is handcrafting gifts for the people we really care about. Yes, that’s not to deny that if you were to give a voucher for Apple that it’d be well received. It’s just that it’s not personal.

This year for me, everybody is getting dream catchers and then something else even more personal for them. Some of you may be thinking, “sure, that’s nice. But it’s a lot of hassle”. I beg to differ, most of these are actually quite simple to make, and you can find umpteen YouTube videos on “how-to” which is super useful! (I’ll put some at the bottom).

In addition to that if you think outside the box, most of the stuff you need can be sourced fairly cheaply, for example you can hit up EBay, John Lewis, ELC amongst others.

So ladies and gents, think about it. I’m sure that whoever you may be gifting this year would really appreciate something handmade and personal.

I’ve listed a few pages for you lovelies to look at for some inspiration. Let me know how it goes!

 

 

 

Homemade Gifts 1

Homemade Gifts 2

Dreamcatchers

The Book of Life (film)

Who’s seen it?

For those of you who haven’t, it’s an animation revolving around the Day of the Dead which is a Mexican festival celebrating those who have passed. With a brilliant cast its a pleasure to watch.

The animation itself is brilliant, and it’s nice to see a different style to the standard Disney/Pixar or even Burton animation. While, yes, I do have to admit that it is a little Burton-esk, especially in content matter. It is still different and new, and because of that it is deffs worth a watch.

Some of you may think that because it is about the Day of the Dead that it may not be appropriate for younger audiences, but think again. The way that this film is delivered makes it appropriate for audiences of all ages. The thing that is nice about this is it is not dummed down in order to appeal to such a wide range of people. There is something for everybody!

But, back to the Burton-esk thing. Who’s seen Corpse Bride? You know that bit where the underworld is way better than the living world. Well. It’s kinda similar in this film, but it is well done and comes across as more vibrant than the Corpse Bride (this is not to say that they Corpse Bride is not well done- it just has a different feel). Therefore it’s worth going to see.

Unfortunately there is a lull in the film, which does make you ask “when is it going to end?” but it soon picks up again and helps to round the story off quite nicely- so power through people!

Overall, this is a very good film. It’s good to see a new style of animation as well as including a holiday that isn’t Christmas or Easter. Because of this, it’s really worth a watch, get the whole family involved. (trailer is below)

 

Enjoy!

 

Trailer

Finding work as a graduate

 

Get a degree they said, it’ll get you further they said, it’ll be easier to get employed they said…

What a load of balls.

While I think that my university experience have been the best years of my life so far, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. The idea that it is a way for an easier employment is a pure fabrication. I graduated this July and have still not found anything.

I have to remind myself that there are thousands of others out there finding themselves in the same boat if they did not study something vocational, but rather topic based. WHY IS IT SO HARD? We are all well-educated, and are capable to do the job, yet we cannot get a break! Has anybody else come across the “we can’t offer you a job without experience/ you cannot get experience without previous job” clause? I can’t seem to win.

It is not to say that there is nobody out there trying to help, as there are various sites for recent graduates. I just feel that it is the sheer volume of people looking for work that is causing all the disappointment. It’s just so competitive.

The other thing that is making me go that little bit more crazy is when you are applying for a position, and you either get no response/ acknowledgement to your application, or you get another rejection, with no constructive criticism. Yes, I realise that it would be a tedious task to write back to every applicant the bits that they need to improve on, but it would be invaluable! Even if it is a generic tick-box system!

Is anybody out there having any luck with job hunting? Have any tips, or are having the same issues?

I realise that this is not really a “lifestyle” post as such. I just feel that it is an important issue that needs to be discussed.