So, 2014 aye

So 2014 huh. The year of slack blogging. This is only my 19^th post this year and for that I am somewhat ashamed. I love blogging, and there have been plenty of things going on that I could have blogged about. I think it’s partly because my job involves writing. So I’m writing all day and don’t really feel like it when I get home.

I have kept a record of every book I’ve read each year since my first year at high school (when I used to read 100+ books  a year – yes I was a book nerd!) and the other day I counted the amount of books I’ve read this year and it was only 11. I was less than impressed with myself so I set myself a goal of reading at least one more so I would get to 12 which equates to one a month. That’s still not very good but I can live with it.

è I’m currently reading Eat Pray Love. It’s excellent. I’ve already got massive wanderlust and this book just feeds that. It’s about a lady who leaves her monotonous life and spends a year travelling Italy, India and Indonesia on her own. It’s such a delicious book.

è Before that I read Pig Island by Mo Hayder. Also excellent. A thriller unlike I’ve ever read before and the entire time I was reading this book I was thinking ‘gosh this would make a good movie!’

Part of the reason that I’ve become so slack at reading is because of the number of excellent television shows these days. Once I find a show that I like, I’ll stream an episode with my dinner every night and then usually watch at least one more episode during the night. This year I’ve made my way through Pretty Little Liars (guilty pleasure – it’s pretty stupid), Luther and White Collar and just this week discovered an absolute gem – How to get away with Murder. Hnnnng this show is fantastic. I love legal dramas (Suits is one of my great loves) so this immediately appealed to me and BY GOLLY it’s good. I’m a little sad though because it’s only in season 1 and only has 9 episodes, which I’ve finished. I also flirted with Teen Wolf this year but got over that after a few seasons. Next up I want to try True Detective, Vikings, Gotham and finally get into Community.

In other news, I’m moving to England next year. I’ve just started the process of getting my working VISA and then I’m applying for a live-in pub job through the London Pub Company. My aim is to do that for 4 months then look for a job relevant to my field. While I’m over there I want to see Europe too. I’m doing this on my own which is scary but I think it will be good for me. I’m going to be forced to make friends and rely on my own resourcefulness.

I’m going to take my time getting to England before I start my job and stop in LA, New York and Reykjavik on my way over. I’m so very excited. It’s going to be epic. I may love it or hate it but I won’t know until I try!

I’m looking forward to the Christmas break! Spending time with friends and family, good food, sitting in the sun with a good book and just relaxing will be so therapeutic. I’ll be in Hawke’s Bay and Hamilton for my break – hopefully the weather is good so time can be spent outdoors.

Bye for now xx

Wedding Song

I've found my wedding song. I may not even get married but if I do one day, this is the song we'll do our first dance to. It's SO BEAUTIFUL AND PERFECT. The groom doesn't get a say, this is it.

Also, I want to date Ed Sheeran.

xx

OK STOP LOOKING I'VE FOUND IT

I have found the best tasting peanut butter in existence. Chantal organic whole peanut butter - crunchy. AMAZING. It's so deeply rich and tasty and I can't get enough! My golly. This stuff is really darkly coloured and has half peanuts in it and it's just divine. I think it retails for about $7 so it's fairly pricey but I think it's totally worth it. Mmmmmmnom!!

GO BUY IT PLEASE!

Two more to add...

Ceres Organics Crunchy Peanut Butter - This was pretty tasty. It is quite rich and very moist, which I like in a peanut butter. Spreads well on toast. Decent oil layer on top and has hearty chunky bits in it. Lighter in colour than other butters. Fairly pricey, at around $6 for a normal sized jar. 3/5.

Macro Natural Almond Spread - This isn't bad, but is not as full in flavour as the Ceres almond butter that I tried. This is a lot cheaper though, so a more affordable almond butter. And almond butter is supposed to be better for you than peanut butter too. I find that the parts that aren't under oil are incredibly dry, and are hard to spread. Darker in colour and costs around $6 for this sized jar. 2.5/5.

I have also moved up in the world and have an iPhone now, so will be able to take my own food product photos from now on, which means you will get to know my hand YAY. 

xx

A definitive ranking of peanut butters

     

I love peanut butter. It's no secret that I'm addicted to the stuff. One of my absolute things to eat is apple with peanut butter, and peanut butter on toast is simpy amazing. So, I have taken it upon myself to test all the peanut butters on the market to find the best one (and I tend to choose the crunchy versions).
Here's my thoughts on the products I have tried thus far:


Pic's really good Peanut Butter (not the smooth version) - This is delicious. It's incredibly tasty and has a darker colour than the really processed ones. It gets a layer of oil on the top but that can be mixed in (I've read that's good because it means there has been less processing). Comes in small, large and extra large jars. 3/5.

Eta awesomely Crunchy Peanut Butter (please disregard the smooth in the picture, cause seriously, what's the point in smooth?!) - This is one you'll see in many kitchen pantries. While it is definitely delicious, it doesn't quite have the same deep, rich flavour as some of the others. No oil layer on the top. Comes in this size and 1kg jars. 2/5.

    

Kraft Whipped Peanut Butter - So this obviously isn't crunchy, but the idea intrigued me so much I just had to try it. The texture of this stuff is AMAZING. The taste is nice, but not as strong as I like. The texture makes this product great though. Only comes in this one size. 3/5.

100% Nutz dark chocolate peanut spread - Because chocolate is one of my favourite things in the world, I enjoyed this immensely. However, because it is sweet, I found that it didn't last very long with me. And I think I prefer my peanut butter as solely that. Only comes in this size. 3/5.

100% Nutz crunchy natural peanut butter - This was really nice. A great flavour and really really crunchy (awesome). A great product, would recommend. Had a layer of oil on top. Only comes in this size. 3/5.

100% Nutz peanut butter with sea salt - Delcious. Currently going through this now and it is so yummy! It's super crunchy and has an intense flavour. The sea salt adds a nice bite too. Had a oil layer. Only comes in this size. 4/5.

Hillary Peanut + nutrient loaded spread - Interesting. This attracted my attention because it had high protein levels in it. When I first tried this spread I thought it was yuck, but it really grew on me and now I love it. It has bran bits and it's fairly light in colour. It's a totally different flavour but it's an excellent source of protein and you feel good eating this stuff. Slight oil layer on top. 3/5.

       

Ceres Organics almond butter - So this is obviously not a peanut butter, but I am going to include it in this list regardless. My sister told me of the deliciousness of this stuff, so I asked for some for my birthday. It's definitely different in flavour to peanut butter, and it's completely smooth. But it is oh so tasty. At about $11 for 200g, it's not something I'll buy often, but taste-wise it is a real treat. 4/5.

    

                     

Eta roasted peanut butter wickedly crunchy - This is thus far my favourite. It is absolutely fantastic. So full of flavour and packed full of crunch. I am a HUGE fan. Has a massive oil layer on top and isn't in the biggest jar but oh boy it's worth it. 5/5.

I still have a few to try, including another Ceres Organics one and a Reeses one so I shall update this post. My favourite super processed one would be Pam's extra crunchy (which comes in a 1kg jar - bonus) but I couldn't find a picture of it. That would be a 4/5 though. 

This post may seem excessive, but I just love the ol' PB.

xx

FRIENDS XO

Nostalgia part 1

Don’t ask me why, but I was all nostalgic at work today.

Growing up, I had a great love for books. My parents would take me to the Hastings library every week or so and I’d always come away with a huge stack of books for the week. I’d read hundreds a year. It was my favourite hobby. When I was really young I would be involved in the school holiday reading programs and try to read as many books as I could so my reading list would look impressive. There were the particular sections I would make a beeline for when I got inside the library – first the recent returns then the mystery sections and the places where my favourite authors lived. As I grew up I migrated to the young adults section which was at the other end of the library, and discovered all the treasures there. At high school I would delve into the adults section every now and then, but the young adults was where I found most of my gems.

I loved staring at the spines of the books and wondering what sort of world each book contained. I could spend hours there and would often park myself in a window seat and flick through a cook book or travel book and look at all the lovely pictures. I made myself wait till I was on my bed or the couch at home before I let myself enter the world of the novels.

Sadly, I don’t read nearly as much as I used to. I blame the internet for this. Growing up we had one computer in the house, and didn’t get the internet until I was in high school. In my current flat, we each have our own computer and 500GB of wireless internet each month.

I also blame university. As soon as I hit uni, my leisure reading almost dropped off completely. Each week there were so many assigned readings to complete as well as assignments, lectures and tutorials to attend (plus a social life) that leisure reading kind of fell by the wayside. I never lost my yearning for it though, and since I’ve finished study and started working, my reading has picked up a fair bit.  

I just finished The Book Thief (brilliant) and pretty much done with Divergent too (also brilliant). Then I’m moving on to Gone Girl and then The Code of the Woosters. I have them all lined up and can’t wait to get lost in them.

While it makes me happy that leisure reading is a priority for me again, I do think it’s sad that I don’t visit the library anymore. I tend to stockpile books from book sales these days, or buy them online instead of going to the library. But if I ever have kids, I want to take them to the library every week just like my parents took me. I‘m going to make my kids love books, they aren’t going to have a choice hahahahaaahahamwahahaha ;)

xx

Two of my favourite things: Food and lists = a food list!!

Food items I couldn't live without:

Chocolate
Peanut Butter
Apples
Carrots
Spinach
Capsicums
Tuna
Chicken
Cheese

Food items I could easily live without:

Ice Cream
Bread
Pasta
Red Meat
Coffee
Lollies

...sounds like I'm a health nut. Definitely not the case.
What foods can't/can you live without?

xx

Those moments you're just like YES

I love those days and moments when you're just like YES cause things are going well. I had a day like that on Sunday. I was back in Hastings for the 22nd birthday of my best friend. I love going back to Hastings, especially in summer. It's where a lot of my favourite people reside and in summer the weather is beautiful and they have the best summer fruit and there's lots of lovely things to do outside whilst soaking up the sun.

So anyway, I had a lovely lunch surrounded by lovely people, then bought some deliciously juicy strawberries from the strawberry patch and chilled back with friends before driving back to Palmy. Even the drive there and back was good because I had new music on my ipod and a new car that is super smooth to drive. Ahhhh bliss.

I got to spend time with this gorgeous birthday girl, which is always a pleasure:

xx

Suits

I have a new addiction. It’s a television show called Suits. And it is amazing. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Never before have I seen such wit, intelligence, handsomeness and class done so well. The show is about fictional Law firm Pearson Hardman, their cases and the various relationships and characters within the firm. One of the main characters, Harvey Spector (played by the very good-looking Gabriel Macht) is like the ultimate man. I’m in love with him. He’s quick witted and owns just about everyone he comes up against. His saucy red-haired assistant Donna is similarly fantastic. Suits is a show that I can really sink my teeth into, and that I feel smarter for watching. And on top of the glorious script and acting, all of the men wear suits. And I don’t think there’s anything that looks better on a man than a suit.

If you do nothing else today, watch the pilot of Suits. You’re missing out on some serious televisual brilliance if you don’t.

xx

16 little things

Some of  the little things I appreciate in life:

• A person's sleepy voice
• When I think back over a week and realise I've done lots of exercise
• Putting on PJs after a long day
• The patter of rain on the roof when you're all snug up in bed
• Sliding across the floor in socks
• Free shipping
• When you talk to an old friend and it's like nothing has changed
• Finding the most flavour-coated chip in the bag
• Watching a movie/reading a book and noticing things you didn't realise before
• Warm water on cold hands
• Getting into a bed with fresh sheets
• Perfectly toasted bread
• Finding out someone has the same interests as you
• The smooth surface of a new jar of spread
• When you make a reference to something and someone gets it
• When I get an email saying someone has commented on a blog post

xx

Gossip Girl

So today I finally finished Gossip Girl. All 6 seasons done. It's funny because I always looked at the show with disdain (maybe because everyone was so into it and I wasn't allowed to watch it) and thought it looked like a stupid, cheesy soap opera. But once I started watching it this year, I got addicted. Well and truly. I can't really pinpoint what exactly it is about the show that I love so much. I don't particularly like any of the characters, and the storyline isn't all that amazing. I did, however, fall in love with the lives of the characters, so I guess that's it. Their clothes, their social calendar, the constant drama. I guess in a sense I was living vicariously through them, as it's so far from my own life. And in that sense it was escapism for me.

The final episode. My goodness. It was perfect.

A bit sad now that it's all over.

xx

Non-fiction must reads

Not sure if I've really communicated on here how much of a fan of reading I am. But I most definitely am. Reading is, in my opinion, one of the best and most worthwhile pursuits on earth. Though I do admit I haven't done much of it (for leisure anyway) in the last few years whilst I've been at uni, I'm getting back into it again now and have re-discovered why I love it so much. I grew up with a love for reading and books, to which my lovely mother can attest. I was a complete and utter bookworm. I would read over 100 books a year, easy. I want to be like that again. Because, while I did entertain the notion that being a bookworm was 'geeky' and 'uncool' for a while there, I now think that people who read are far more attractive than people who don't. To be able to have a decent conversation with someone about books is a rare gem these days, and when it happens, it's like an instant attraction.

Anyway....I tend to read fiction, just because that's what I've always enjoyed. But I want to get into reading more non-fiction. Not only is it informative (therefore making you smarter), but it can be super interesting!!  Here are my favourite non-fiction books to date:

In Cold Blood - Truman Capote
An absolutely brilliant read that details the 1959 homicide of a family in Kansas. Capote actually befriended the killers and we get an interesting insight into their minds and how they cope in prison awaiting death. This book is excellent, highly recommended.

The Innocent Man - John Gisham
Another tragic but brilliant book. I read this when I was 14 and it has stuck with me ever since. It's a poignant tale of gross injustice, written by an excellent author. Grisham doesn't usually write non-fiction, but he proves in this book that his talent for writing is not limited to fiction. Read it.

The Sweet Poison Quit Plan - David Gillespie
I read this book recently because I saw it at my sister's flat one day and was intrigued. I never read self-help/diet books so this was different for me. I found it really interesting though, and it shocked me a bit (in a good way). It's pretty much about how bad sugar is for you, and why we need to cut it out of our diets. Oh and the author lost 40kg just from cutting out sugar. Wow. A book I needed to read.

Kitchen Confidential - Anthony Bourdain
I've always been interested in cheffing (ask anyone who grew up with me) so this book appealed. I also enjoy watching Anthony Bourdain's shows on TV so it doubly appealed. It's written exactly the way that Bourdain speaks, and gives a raw insight into the hard life of a chef. It's a fascinating read about the underbelly of the kitchen industry, and all of it's horrors.

Open - Andre Agassi
Also am a fan of tennis, and this guy. This book was well written and made me feel quite sorry for Andre. His father was a pushy parent who pressured him into going far with Tennis. Yet while I felt sympathy for Andre, I also got slightly annoyed at his selfishness. I find it interesting to read about well-known people and get to know a bit of what they're really like. Enjoyed this read.

Can you recommend any other great non-fiction reads?
On a side note, just received my copy of The Great Gatsby from The Book Depository! Yuss! When I finish the book I'm currently reading, that's me.

xx

Gatsby

So I went and saw The Great Gatsby last week. I don't even know which word would accurately describe it. Perhaps something like sensational, epic, amazing, fantastic, brilliant, visionary, dazzling, magnificent, majestic. Yet these words still don't grasp just how great it was. The cinematography was beyong brilliant, the casting perfect and acting exceptional. The costumes were gorgeous and the music contemporary yet somehow still of the time (1920s). Argh. I don't think I have ever been so in awe of a movie, and still so in awe of it a week on. And here I was thinking Leonardo DiCaprio was past his best. Oh no, my love for him is completely reaffirmed. I wrote a review for it which featured in the Guardian on Thursday the 13th June. If you're interested, read it here (page 20).

This movie was just delicious. Definitely go and see it on the big screen. It needs to be done.

xx

Yay & Nay

Yay - It is almost Friday!!
Nay - I just watched the season 3 finale of Game of Thrones. Waiting for season 4 is going to be tough.
Yay - Got to see my best friend a couple of weekends back, and had such an amazing time with her.
Nay - Realised how much I miss her and now crave her company even more.
Yay - Have been to the gym 3 times already this week, on track for 6 times this week!
Nay - Made a delicious (and semi fancy) meal for the flat tonight and there ended up only being 2 of us there to eat it (out of 5 of us).
Yay - The All Blacks have started up their season again, Saturday night rugby = good times.
Nay - Was fully keen to do the Tough guy and gal challenge with the flatties but then realised I have work on that day. Lame!
Yay - Only one month before I can get my hair done again, hopefully for the last time!!
Nay - A whole month before I can get my hair done again. waaaaa.
Yay - Getting back into reading again, and it is good. So good.
Nay - The weather here lately has meant that I pretty much permanently have my clothes horse up in my room. This means frequently walking into it = bruises = not ideal.
Yay - Have been able to save money again. This is excellent and alleviates a bit of stress from my life.
Nay - Have to pay my car rego tomorrow :(
Yay - Am going overseas at the end of this year! wooop!
Nay - Keep seeing so many lovely things I want to buy. Sometimes I wish I was a millionaire. Then I realise that material things are pretty worthless in the grand scheme of things.
Yay - Get free movies at both Downtown Cinema and Cinema Gold here in Palmy, so I can write reviews for the paper. Ideal for the movie lover that I am.
Nay - I was fully going to write like three posts tonight, then somehow managed to waste time doing nothing at all. As I do. Seriously so bad at that!

And now it is late, and I must rest my tired eyes. I leave you with this:

Stay Rad readers

xx

Those friends

I've made a new friend recently. And he's become one of 'those friends'. You know the ones, that you can talk to about the most random stuff, at all hours. Whenever we hang out in town, we ditch beer barrel (the place to be in wee ol palmy) and climb the FMG building, go round the side, sit down and yarn about the most random things. Last time it was about the social skills vs academic skills you attain at university, and whether it's better to aim for straight As and not go out much, or go out and socialise but only get B grades. Interesting stuff. We've also discussed the merits of being male vs female, football and IQ tests.

I love friends like that, that you can have random yarns with. I'm very lucky that all of my closest friends are ones I can do exactly this with :)

xx

 

Girl time

While it's fun to hang with the boys at times (and can be a great deal less stressful), there is nothing that beats a good 'ol girl hang sesh. I personally think there isn't much that beats just chilling with the besties watching movies with some sweet deliciousness and great conversation. In saying this though, the bestie and I were talking about how it would be fun to have a night doing totally girlie things that we never do, like slathering on some face masks and having a grooming sesh whilst listening to some really relaxing music. So this got me to thinking about other ideas for nights with the girls, and after doing some 'research' I came across a few ideas I want to try some time...

• Scouring youtube for make-up tutorials and spending a night practicing all sorts of different looks (I'm not too good with eye makeup so would probably fail miserably but it would still be fun!)
• Find some awesome craft to do and have a night being totally crafty with glue and sequins and glitter!
• Learn a dance routine from youtube! Then bust it out in town later?
• Pick a nationality and dedicate the night to it - French food, french movies, french clothes, speak french...etc etc
• Clothes swap! 
• Get in the kitchen and cook up something completely random from scratch - not allowed to buy anything, that's the challenge!

Really want to do some of these things over summer, with those beautiful souls I love spending time with. Especially want to have a pamper party type thing - could be heaps of fun! Do you have any other ideas for fun girl night activities?

xx

The art of film

Hey there! Thanks for stopping by :)

Today's post topic is film for the simple reason that I heart film. I've always been quite a movie buff, and enjoy watching movies with friends and family. Film study in English at high school was always one of my favourite units and instilled an appreciation for the way films are made. But it wasn't until uni, this year in particular, that I really came to appreciate the way films either reinforce or challenge our beliefs and ideas. I love being challenged in this way, and formulating my own standpoints on issues, so I think it's awesome when you can really sink your teeth into the issues a film raises. This has made me really want to watch some films that are praised for being contentious or effective in the message they want to get across. I also think that like books, movies can make you smarter and more well read. While doing some internet trolling about acclaimed (but perhaps lesser known) films, I have compiled a list of films I want to watch, and since the mid-year break is fast approaching, I should be able to make a start.
Here's my list...

Elephant
Brick (the protagonist is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt so I'm pretty sure this will be a goodie)
Boyz n the Hood
Memento
Running with Scissors
The Artist
Donnie Darko
Life is Beautiful
Sonatine
Small Change
Citizen Kane



I love discovering a movie that I absolutely love, so hopefully one of these will be like that!
Have you seen any of these? Can you recommend any others?
xx

The Road not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 

  - Robert Frost

I love this poem :)

xx

Simple Sunday

Yo.
So today I spent time with a good friend. We went to lunch, at Aqaba, then went for a wee shop. I didn't want to spend much (as I usually tend to do) and managed not to! I did get a really cool pastel purple shade of nail polish && some super cute $10 red sneakers. Pretty happy with that. The rest of my day was spent on an assignment...oh the joys of being a university student...!

Hopefully this week coming will be a goodie :)

xx