March Favourites!

Hello! 

A long time since a favourites post. To be honest, I didn't really feel like I had anything to rave about over the Christmas period, I think my last one of these was in November, crikey! My laptop then died and had to go to the tech wizards who sorted it (after three trips to PC world) HURRAH! March was a good month for me! I've been so so chilled and really loving the Spring weather that has occurred! I've never really appreciated Spring as a season as bizarre as that sounds. For god knows how many years I've associated March April and May with deadlines, cramming and exams. This is the first year since I can remember that I've not had to stress about academic things and it feels AWESOME.

Moving on.

Alrighty, I'm starting this off with a film which I watched recently. Now I can't remember whether I watched this either right at the start of April or the very end of March so I MAY be including this in the wrong month but never mind. The film is called 'Begin Again' and stars Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, James Corden and Hailee Steinfeld (and Gnarls Barkley briefly haha.)  It's written/directed by John Carney who was responsible for 'Once' - one of my all time favourite films (if you haven't seen it DO and go and watch the West End production because it is beautiful.) I feel like this film was kind of overlooked a little bit. I think I saw a trailer for it once or twice but I didn't hear anyone rave about it and didn't see any reviews which actually is quite cool to be able to go into a film without having any expectations whatsoever.  It basically follows the story of a British musician (Knightley) finding her way in New York after her college sweetheart (Levine) who is also a musician struggles to cope with his new found success and is led astray. Ruffalo plays a downbeat ex music producer who has lost his way but is instantly capitavated when he hears Knightley's music and they continue to record a whole album on the streets of New York. In my opinion, this film won't be for everybody, film buffs will criticise the overly charming quality and lack of grit. But this is my kind of film, it's easy to watch, heart warming and the soundtrack is amazing. Also, I've had this thing for Mark Ruffalo since watching '13 Going on 30' when I was about 12, weird. This film just took me surprise, in a good way, and I was really impressed.

Secondly is a book I read whilst my laptop was poorly. I found myself going through books at such a fast pace whilst I was stripped of my Netflix viewings.  This may be the most emotional book I've ever read. 

 I wasn't prepared for it

. At all.

'Me Before You' written by Jojo Moyes follows Lou Clark who becomes a carer for Will (a quadriplegic who was caught in a motorcycle accident.) He is extremely stubborn, she is hilariously sarcastic. I don't want to give a lot away, but it's one of those novels where you finish reading and you start re-evaluating things. Ohhh yes it's one of THOSE books. Moyes has just got it spot on, she doesn't 'sugar coat' anything which is really quite refreshing. I'd like to say I'll be reading this again soon but I just don't think my emotions are ready for it.

Third on my list is a beauty product recommended to me by a friend who works for the company 'Forever Living.' Their products are all Aloe Vera based so super good for those with sensitive skin like me,  I went over to my friends for a pamper afternoon a couple of weeks ago and she gave me this mask to try. It's basically a toning/moisturising mask which contains two elements; you have the mask powder and the aloe activator which you mix together to make a paste. Apply to face and wait for the magic to happen, it literally feels like you've been injected with triple doses of botox for half an hour but your skin feels suuuuper soft and refreshed afterwards. It's relatively pricey in the sense that it cost me £25 for both (I know there are much pricier brands out there) but I think it'll last a long time.

At the end of January my iPod died, a sad day for everyone.  I was encouraged to get Spotify Premium because it meant you can listen to music offline, without any adverts and their is a huuuge catalogue of music (I should be a sales representative.) Anywho, I've discovered so much music recently that I thought I'd share a couple.  Firstly is Jake Isaac, I saw him perform last year and he was phenomenal and last month he released his EP. 'Where We Belong.' This is a fantastic record as far as EP's go, there is not one track that I didn't like.  His sound is organic, upbeat acoustic with such a soulful voice. 'Home' is my favourite track as the song just sort of evolves and gradually get's bigger and energetic. (There's no video or audio for it on YouTube so I'll include another track of the record which is 'Fool For You' which, again, is great.)

And lastly is another artist I've been loving (a golden oldie if you will.)

To me, Paul Simon just defines summer. I grew up listening to Simon and Garfunkel with my dad and Simon's solo stuff with my mum.  I love that I've been able to reconnect with his music since downloading Spotify. Everyone loves 'Call Me Al', it's a classic but I'll leave you with my favourite which is 'Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes' taken from 'Graceland.' Just a very happy and upbeat song (great music review skills.)

And that is everything! It took a while to put up as I've just been adding little bits when I can. I hope everyone is enjoying the Spring like weather as much as I am.

TTFN
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