I'm really trying not to spend too much this year particularly on myself. Which of course is always hard because of so many things that are out there tempting me with whispered words of "buy me" and "you know you want to" all in the sexy voice of Richard Armitage because yes my head likes to torment me even further.
But I am being strong *cue sobbing* and resisting all the pretties *even more sobbing* and telling Richard that he can take his seductive tones elsewhere... okay maybe not the last bit but you get my meaning.
The resistance is so far paying off as I spent just $5 dollars this month on myself. And it was on something practical which makes it perfectly justified. Right? So what did I buy...
Yates Garden Planner - $5 from TradeMe
I've mentioned before that I just had to have this book and since buying it I have already been using it heaps.
Practical and useful... how awesome and frugal of me.
As for August last year?
I spent absolutely nothing. August seems to be the month for me being frugal. Can I keep up the good work for next month? We'll just have to see.
We can ignore the horror that is Gone With The Wind and pretty much say that it was Bogart all the way in this week's viewing. Who knew that a short, middle age man with the face that's done a few rounds with a boxer could ooze that sexy bad boy vibe so well. I am now a total convert and lovin' all things Bogie. Now I just need to erase the memory that is Gone With The Wind.
Gone With The Wind Starring: Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh Original release: 1939 Synopsis: The spoiled daughter of a plantation owner uses every means possible to get what she wants.
Nope, nope and nope. Seriously. This is the worse. Unpopular opinion that it is.
I just wanted to strangle Scarlett who really is just a bitch, slap both Melanie and Ashley who were total wimps and deserved each other and shoot Rhett who is a total rapist. This is not romance and none of these character are at all likable. Totally dysfunctional people who make you want to run a mile in the other direction.
Casablanca Starring: Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman Original release: 1942 Synopsis: A cynical nightclub owner protects an old flame and her husband from Nazis in Morocco.
Now this I liked. So much better than the previous movie that's it's not even in the same league. Intrigue, romance, bromance and Nazis'. What's not to love.
The acting was pretty great too. One I would definitely watch again.
The Maltese Falcon Starring: Humphrey Bogart Original release: 1941 Synopsis:A private detective takes on a case that involves him with criminals, a beautiful woman and a quest for a priceless
statuette.
My kind of movie in every way.
More great acting and lots of twist and turns. Another one I would watch again.
To Have and Have Not Starring: Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall Original release: 1944 Synopsis: A charter boat skipper gets mixed up with the underground French resistance during WWII.
Maybe I should just stick to Bogart movies in future. Because once again this was really good. Easy to see why Bogart and Bacall married after making this film together.
The Big Sleep Starring: Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall Original release: 1946 Synopsis: Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a rich family and becomes involved in murder and blackmail, and what might be
love.
Yeah it's Bogart again. And yeah it's good. What can I say except I have a thing. I also iked the glasses wearing Acme bookshop girl who was awesome in every way (she's my new idol) and more than an equal match for Bogart. Now this pair had chemistry sizzling off the screen. Just watch the clip below.
After all that there is also men doing bad things, an aloof and snooty daughter, a slutty and possible bat shit crazy daughter and Marlowe aka Bogie caught in the middle of it all.
A mixed bag this week which probably shows where my head is at. I blame it all on the terrible weather we have been having, freezing cold and wet which is never a good thing. Though luckily it does make me want to snuggly up on the couch with a hot beverage and a stack of movies so there is at least one plus side.
Hot beverage of choice lately has been hot chocolate with a sprinkle of tiny marshmallows, so warm, so comforting, so yum. I definitely need this pick up to help shake away the wet and wintry blues.
Hearts of Spring Starring: Michael Shanks and a former Mouseketeer Original release: 2016 Synopsis: A successful mommy blogger decides to re-enter the world of dating and
discovers the man she has been falling for is the same man she has been
sparring with online.
I really only watched this for Michael Shanks aka Dr Daniel Jackson from Stargate SG-1. And yes I am that shallow. Swoony feels aside this actually wasn't too bad and kinda of cute in the way it was told. Although I would have preferred another actress in the opposite part because the former Mouseketeer was just a little bit too cheery and smiley for my tastes. Then again with MS to sigh over what do I care.
Angel of Christmas Starring: Two good looking blonde people Original release: 2015 Synopsis:A woman, a man and a wooden angel that just might be magical.
I'm torn about this one. On one hand the leads had total chemistry and it's set at Christmas time, on the other the sap was so overpowering that I almost drowned in it.
Seriously. Hallmark need to tone down the sentimental shit and just make a nice love story either that or another network needs to make romance films... but without all this sentimental, family, gooey sap. Like yuk. Way too over the top.
So yeah maybe I didn't like this one so much after all.
Welcome to the Punch Starring: James McAvoy, Mark Strong and a host of other good English/Scottish actors Original release: 2013 Synopsis:When a notorious criminal is forced to return to London, it gives a
detective one last chance to take down the man he's always been after.
After all that sap I needed some gritty to get my teeth in and this fitted the bill perfectly. James McAvoy once again being awesome - and he really should do more gritty roles like this.
Actually a pretty good movie which surprisingly didn't do that well at the box office. Would have made a great TV series.
Carrie Pilby Starring: I've seen her before but can't remember her name Original release: 2016 Synopsis: Awkward, isolated and at times downright rude, a
19-year-old genius is challenged to put her convictions to the test by undertaking a series of tasks set by her therapist.
Went in not expecting much, came out loving it. Carrie's not a character that everyone will like but I found her utterly realistic and relatable. Then again I have read 17 books in one week and stayed in bed all day, just like her. Funny, quirky, sad and interesting and one I would definitely watch again.
The Edge of Seventeen Starring: The girl from True Grit and Woody Harrelson Original release: 2016 Synopsis: High-school life gets even more unbearable for Nadine when her best friend, Krista, starts dating her older brother.
Another awkward, rude girl. This time round the character comes across as bit of angry bitch and yet at the same time you can see why she is that way thanks to some good acting. Woody as the high school who doesn't put up with her shit is just brilliant. Let down by an ending in which suddenly in the space of 5 minutes all the anger is gone and all is forgiven. People in real life don't change that fast or move on. Could have been better.
A new month and yet more days of rain and wind and freezing cold. Just when I think the sunnier weather is here to stay bang it's gone and it suddenly feels like winter all over again. I can't wait until it settles down because this flipping back and forth is seriously doing my head in. Still yucky weather does give me an excuse to stay in bed just that little bit longer so really I can't complain too much. As for my plans there is lots of reading involved as always. The Trophy Taker by Sarah Flint A second book in a series which I am hoping is just as good as the 1st. I've definitely being getting into crime series lately in a big way. Cut Short by Leigh Russell And speaking of crime series here's the 1st book in a new one for me. You can already see that I have may have a problem. Vanished by Karen Olson I'm really loving this series so can't wait to read this the 4th book.
Almost Amish by Nancy Sleeth A slower pace of life sounds heavenly... wait I'm already doing that so yeah it is totally awesome. Why I need to read a book about it I have no idea. Still it sounds weird and quirky which is so me. Book Towns by Alex Johnson You can never have too many books to read especially when it's a book about books. The Little Cottage In The Country by Lottie Phillips After all that heavier reading it's nice to end with something light and fluffy
365 Movies in 365 Days Still going. Which is kind of amazing considering I am the type of person who starts things but almost never finishes them. Write More I actually managed to write AND post 9 blog posts last month which is a first for me. Will I ever be able to manage 10 in one month? You'll just have to watch and see. As for my other writing... yeah well the least said about that the better. One day though... Eat Better, Get Fit and Be Healthy I've been working on this for the past few months so really it's nothing new. Still it helps to have it down as a plan from time to time to keep me on track. So far I am definitely eating better, no takeouts of any kind in 4 months. 4 months! That I think is pretty awesome right there. Instead I've been cooking... or at least my version of cooking which is usually just throwing a salad together or throwing a heap of ingredients into a pot and hoping for the best. I've also been walking quite a bit and doing lots of gardening. Soon I will be looking like an earthy green goddess or perhaps not.
... getting into my garden and seeing it slowly transform into something pretty and useful. In just the day I've been able to pick fresh lettuce leaves from the plants I planted just a few weeks ago which is kind of amazing considering what I started with.
As you know we moved into our new home just 6 months ago - wow has that gone by fast - and the garden was in serious need of weeding and sorting out. And I do mean serious. The weeds were definitely bigger than the plants in some cases and what plants, shrubs and trees there were they were all in need of a really good prune... or even better taken out completely because they had either died or were just plain ugly looking. Fast forward to now and the garden is finally coming together and looking a hell of lot tidier. Of course I've still got a long, long, long way to go but at least now I can see the plan coming together. Next project is to plant some more summer veg such as red and yellow peppers, baby beets, radishes, and baby spinach; as well as some herbs such as lemon sage and maybe ginger or chocolate mint - maybe even both - because don't they sound awesome. Some sunflowers and sweet peas are also must so as you can see I've still got a lot to keep me going. Besides the garden I've also fallen in love with... Black Bean Beetroot Burger patties I know right? Don't these sound awesome.
I know that some of you might be screwing up your face right now but trust me these patties are just yum. I've become seriously addicted so I'm really going to miss having these on a regular basis because yes they are pretty expensive at around $8 for a packet.
I'm super glad and a little surprised that we were able to buy half a dozen packets of these for just $4 each courtesy of our local Reduced to Clear shop. Naturally they are all sold out so I am as you can imagine busy hunting for an good on line recipe so I can hopefully recreate a version of these that is at least very similar. Liptons Chai Vanilla Tea Latte So so good. Like Oh My God I've died and gone to heaven good. Who knew Chai Latte's were so yummy? Not me that's for sure.
As with the above I am seriously addicted to this but I do my best to contain myself and just have this as a special treat when I want something totally delish. . I'm now very tempted to try other Chai Tea's so if you have any recommendations please do pass them on.
Now I don't wear much make-up other than a spray of perfume and a dash of tinted lip balm, so finding a lip balm that I really like is a must for me.
Normally I usual Nivea balms but after seeing this on sale I decided to try it and wow I just love it.
As someone who constantly suffers from dry lips (God knows why - it's totally weird) this product just seems to work really well for me.
Moisturising AND great colour. What more could you ask for except to have one in every shade they do. Something I am now working my way towards. Yates Garden Planner
After taking this out on loan from my local library I just had to buy a copy for myself.
Sadly it was almost impossible to find but after much hunting I finally found a 2rd hand copy for sale on TradeMe all for the bargain price of $5.
Perfect price, perfect gardening book; especially for someone like me.
Easy to read, tells you what to plant month by month, lots and lots of advice and tips for growing a better garden and there are even pictures too. As I said the perfect book for novice gardener like me. Now I just need to keep Nudge our kitten from chewing on the corners...
