The Amazing Spiderman 2

Trying to process exactly what just happened in The Amazing Spiderman 2: difficulty even trying to fathom it all.

It was 143 minutes of pure entertainment. I’m a big fan of Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, and boy do they borrow a sizzle from their off-screen romance and blast it up to amplified heats on. screen. There’s a huge transformation between the first and second of the prequels – they’re both mature, they both know what they want, and they’re both quite stubborn.

Peter has come into his skin, and this is portrayed beautifully by such mind-blowing effects that make you feel like you’re hitching a piggyback. One could only wish, hey? Humour is used throughout the film (more so in my opinion than the previous) and it’s so refreshingly light to tip-toe between drama and that comedic element that makes the film (and Peter) so humble. The character of Gwen has obviously so ravishingly blossomed: Gwen has always, in my view, had an aura of confidence about her that was captivating, but, Stone definitely takes Gwen to the next level. There’s less fickleness and more risks that make the movie so, so thrilling. Emma’s own personality definitely shines through for that little element of sexy-but-innocent-sex-bomb-kinda vibe.

Jamie Foxx and Dane DeHaan are incredible. The villians ‘Electro’ and the ‘Green Goblin’ are almost, ALMOST loveable they’re that well portrayed. It’s always difficult with prequels to live up to an already adapted character but boy was it good.

The story in itself broke my heart many-a-times, and I definitely shed my fair share of tears. I’m not made of ice. It was brutal towards the end but I guess things have to go wrong for them to go oh so right again (*no spoilers* but let’s not pretend we don’t know about Mary Jane…)

Last but not least was my OTP. The special effects and the orchestra made the most alluring cinematic babies I have seen so far. It’s genius in the way of synchronisation, genius in the incorporation of the Spiderman theme tune (and Incy Winsy Spider alike!) and genius in the art of breaking hearts and putting them back together again. Although I didn’t watch this movie in 3D (I got tickets to Vue’s Xtreme screen) it would’ve probably vamped up the movie to impossible reaches.

I do not have a bad word to say apart from the evident disappointment I have that there’s probably never going to be another one… meh.

I highly recommend you go see it for yourself. But if you're still on the fence, why not check out the trailer right here?

Image is not mine: it belongs to projectfandom

L.

My Top 5 Instagrams

Hi hi hi,

Hope this post finds you well and happy!

Here's a little backstory to set the mood… So, I've actually had Instagram since 2010, before it became a widely used app. There were hardly any celebrities on there and I came across the most breathtaking photos I've ever seen. Now it has become a social platform, with, (and I'm sure you'd agree) a lot of people forgetting the art of taking pictures and instead, choosing to post leisurely. I am definitely one of these people (although I tried, and failed, at being artsy in my early days) and so in no way am I condoning HAVING FUN. Nah, nah, nah.

But, at the same time, I miss the breathtaking photographs that I used to see on the popular page, instead of Kim Kardashian at the beach, selfies, and people trying to make Instagram "Vines".

So, I'd like to share with you some of my favourite, really amazing Instagrammers that have feeds that you could waste hours scrolling through. Make sure you have your phone on standby to check them out for yourselves!

1) @WithHearts - Cory's Instagram makes me want to pack all my things and go travelling with somebody I love. He captures the nooks and crannies of the world that we don't so often get to see: paralysed rivers, haunting train tracks and flexuous roads. If you can't get enough, you could also check out Cory's blog!

2. @HarryCrowder - I first came across Harry via Jack & Finn Harries of @JacksGap on YouTube. I then discovered that Harry was a photographer… thinking that he did some mediocre, super hip indie stuff on Instagram (not that there is anything wrong with that!) I took a look to check out his snaps. And boy was I wrong. Definitely not mediocre. Anything far from, in fact. Photographing the likes of Emma Watson and Cara Delevingne (to drop but a few names), Harry's eye for beauty is so evident. Although he has just 50 photos on his Instagram, I keep following in pure anticipation. You could check out Harry's website if his IG leaves you wanting more…

3. @DR_WOO-SSC - This is one for all you tattoo lovers out there. I am genuinely in love with all the designs and tattoos done at the Shamrock Social Club, but even more specifically, Dr Woo's pieces (his best 'piece' is his ADORABLE son of which he posts the cutest pictures of!) They are so intricate and finely detailed that its no wonder that celebrity customers are plentiful. I'm twiddling my thumbs and waiting for the day that I can afford to fly over to California to get one of these bad boys done. If you're impressed by their designs and technique or you just wanna. see. more. their website is right here!

4. @MinimalistBaker - You might've heard of the blog… and if you haven't, you definitely should check it out! Minimalist Baker is Dana Shultz, who has conjured up recipes to vegan cuisine since 2012! And boy do they look good. If you're a food or someone looking into healthy indulgences, you need Dana in your life. Dare ya not to salivate whilst scrolling through her feed!

5. @Swopes - Swopes So Dope or "Elise Swopes" is a graphic designer and mobile photographer. Ya heard it, mobile photographer. The coolest, unique quirk about Swopes is that her pictures are all taken on her iPhone. Sure, they're edited here and there, but c'mon: they look like something a Canon or Nikon would shoot after a twiddle with the lens or a play about with its settings. Think about the population of people with an iPhone (millyunz and millyzunz amiright?!) and then think about just how many people are able to capture such pultchritude and exquisiteness with them. Swopes also has a website for you to scroll through with your jaw comfortably dropped to the floor.

A couple other Instagrams that I love: @jethromullen, @harisnukem, @dielliot, @mase_cut and, with absolutely no shame at all, @laurenconrad. big up The Hills!


Hope you like these Instagrams as much as I do! I hope you have a lovely week :)


L.

Matte Eyeshadows

Hi lovelies!

            I have a new found love. We’re happy. We get along. We’re still in the honeymoon stage, and y’know, I really appreciate this partnership.

…and well, my post title might’ve given it away: I love matte eyeshadows.

It’s a bit of post-poned love, I think. I’ve allowed my adoration for shimmery eyeshadows to blossom and grow, but I’ve often neglected the matte. But alas, a smack to the back of my hand! I’m sorry, ‘Foxy’, for not loving you like you so deserve. You are a brilliant base colour for my eyes.

At the moment, though, I’m doting on ‘Buck’, from the Naked palette. It’s a brilliant darker nude colour to put in your crease to make your eyes look deeper or more sunken in, if that’s the way you’re swinging towards! It’s also brilliant in the summer sun, I think, because you don’t get the same intense specks of glitter amplified all over your face like you do with the glitzy schmitzy shades! Like really, buckin’ hell, it’s great.

Of course, I can’t separate from my first amor – my matte collection is still yet to grow, and so shimmery shadows are still my number one. But I’ve changed it up a little bit, and combined the two. My routine eye shadow makeup is ‘Virgin’ all over my lid (and in the corner of my eyes by the bridge of the nose to make my eyes look that teeny bit bigger and brighter), ‘Naked’ in the arch of my eyebrows and ‘Buck’ in the crease.

Nekkid nekkid nekkid. Thanks Urban Decay, you’re special to me.

My Naked 2 (at the back, very worn out owing to a lotta loving) and Naked, front and centre! Foxy is the first eyeshadow on the Naked 2 and Naked is the third shadow and Buck is the fifth shadow in the front palette! 

L.

I Missed The 11th...

Hi! I missed the 11th by like, 15 minutes. Which, I guess, is probably more positive than negative. But I can't help but feel a little bit of a failure for not being able to succeed… imagine if I ever wanted to daily blog?! :| haha.

Anyways, seeing as the 11th doesn't exist on my blog, I thought I'd write about what I did which took up my time and kept me from my laptop…


I woke up at around 8 o'clock in the morning. There was hustle on Twitter. And its sibling, bustle. Demi Lovato's 'general' ticket sale was going to happen two hours later and people were panicking, understandably.

I, however, had things to do. I made cronuts. (You can see how right here.)
I took advantage of the beauuuuutiful weather and went to the shop. I came back, and decided to try for tickets (just in case some unlucky person failed). I, however, was amongst the unlucky. To sum it up, it was a feckin joke. I'm so sad for the people who deserve to go and weren't able to get tickets. Demi's team has a way of just building hopes and crashing them like no otha.

Anyways, after that, I got showered/dressed/and ready for town. I met up with my friend Eve and went to Waterspoons. I hadn't seen Eve in over half a year which sounds CRAZY to say but it's really, really true. We caught up like old friends do and it was lovely. Sitting down with people and just chatting is way more therapeutic than I thought.

After that, I came home and worked. "Wow," I bet you're thinking, "Lorraine sure knows how to tell a good story." I KNOW I KNOW, but I didn't know what to write about. So here, have some gibberish.

Oh, and happynationalsiblingday to you, sista.


L.

PATATAP

BUSY DAY BUSY DAY but not too busy to write a little blog post on my new time-waster, Patatap.

I first came across Patatap on Hannah Hart's YouTube video entitled 'How To Be Sick' and became obsessed. If you're looking for 5 or 10 minutes to waste whilst you're supposed to be doing something else (let's all be honest here) go check it out!

I have spent endless evenings pretending to be a DJ (sad, I know) and coming up with intro jingles to TV shows that don't even exist.

THIS shall be one of many 'procrastination posts'.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, ya rascals.

L.

The Triangl Hype

If you don't already know about Triangl, HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING UNDER A ROCK? Perhaps not, perhaps you're just not their demographic…

But if you are a bikini wearer and a fan of the two piece ensemble, you need to check them out.

Triangl is based in Hong Kong but run by Australians: this combination of cultures has thankfully resulted in a unique selection of both underwear and swimwear, appealing to the kooky and minimalist eye.

Their collection has a gorgeous black theme running through it: and because black is always the new black, their ensembles pair up brilliantly in a duo style fashion… black with. black with. black with.

Owning a Triangl piece is all the rage nowadays, with beauty bloggers Sammi (TheBeautyCrush) and Arden (ArdenRose) both showing off their purchases! 

But, the only downfall is that Triangl is luxurious, and therefore has prices to match… ouch. I definitely have my eye on the Indy - Arizona Sunset  (shown below) but I'm going to have to twiddle my thumbs until student loan day comes! I can smell the sweet, sweet purchase already. 

***Disclaimer*** Both these images used in this blog post belong to Triangl.

Isn't she a beauty???

L.

Healthy Healthy Healthy

The 'Fresher's 15' is not a lie. The old, ancient myth of first year university students packing on the pounds is, at best, a well-observed truth.

And I have to admit, I have put on a little more weight than I would have liked since the beginning of last summer. So, in attempt to shred the pounds, I'm encouraging myself to eat healthily and generally live an 'off the TV'-style-life.

Here are my little tips if you yourself want to take these steps to, -wait for it- …(and I'mmmmmm) FEEELINNNNNN', GOOOODDD.

1. The Battle of the Snacks.

I have no self control over snacking, and it feels like a disease of some sort! The thing about living in uni halls is having your own food cupboard (and mine is IN MY ROOM!)

So, I found that buying 'treats' for a 'rainy day' never works out. Who was I kidding?? Instead, I fill my cupboards with Belvita Breakfast biscuits that come in a handy pack of 4 slabs. Go Ahead bars are also super great to keep - and they are always on offer!

If you're not into the cereal bar/biscuit hype, try switching your fruit up a little by throwing your grapes in the freezer! They are so moreish but it doesn't matter, because they is HEALTHY SON. Or, I came across an amazing way to make your plain, old bananas look more delectable! 

Image credit goes to Living In America! 

The process of making these seems pretty straightforward, but if you wanna know more, check out Living In America where I found the idea!

And, one of my all time favourites is peanut butter on apples! I'm not really a huge fan of peanut butter (it makes me break out a little and I can name at least 100 better textured foods) but I don't know, something about it with apples makes me want to have a peanut butter farm (? what?) and an apple orchard next to each other and hope they procreate. Okay, I don't know where I'm going with this but you get the gist…

2. The Struggle of the Fitness Freaks.

It takes a lot of pep-talking for me to encourage myself to go to the gym. I mean, once I'm there, I love the endorphins, the feeling of being active and the thought of last night's alcoholic intake disappearing one unit at a time. I would say that if you ARE wanting to start working out, be well equipped.

If you're going to the gym, I'd advise to have a lot of gym towels.

In general, the start up kit to working out is a lot of clothes you don't mind getting sweaty (ewwwww I know. So no fancy schmancy Ralph Lauren polos yeh) and a decent pair of trainers. If you are a lady or have some sort of bosom action going on, PLEASE invest in a sports bra. It's more comfortable for you and makes it a helluva lot easier to do your thing.

I myself have an arm band that I always take with me to hold my iPhone. If you're interested in one, the link for a cheapy is here. I'm sure you can find one if you're not from the UK too. Google is a blessin', eh?

3. It's All About The Mind

Your drive is everything in being healthy and staying healthy. The thing is, if you're not clear with yourself from the beginning, you're going to keep slipping. I always find myself trying to bend the rules, like, 'it's okay to have all this junk food when it isn't even my cheat day.' But it isn't, and if you keep making these little agreements to yourself, you're going to be disheartened by the results.

I think that more than anything, I've written this blog post to keep myself on the right tracks.

I hope that this helped, or encouraged you towards the things that you want for yourself :)

A great YouTube series I watch is David So's FFF (Funny Fat Fit) about his journey towards fitness.

You can check out the first episode right here! -> FFF

Stay great!

L.


***Disclaimer*** this post is all about being healthy. I am in no way encouraging weight loss, excess weight loss or condoning eating disorders. I am neither a nutritionist nor personal trainer: only someone going on this journey with you!