"I should say we shouldn't push our luck, but I can't. I don't want to." - Maddy, Everything, Everything

Halloooooo!

Everything, Everything is a beautiful coming of age story of a girl with SCID who is ready to risk everything, and she means everything, to finally live the life she wants.

"Clearly, you have never met a woman." Sergeant Laureline, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Halloooooooooo!

There was a lot to do around the release of this film. People were hyped. Expectation were high. The bar was set and was excited myself. Thank god I read some reviews prior to going to the cinema or I would have been majorly disappointed. It's not the worst film out there, but there are definitely better films to see.

I'm back at it!

Halloooooooooo!

Bloody hell long time, even longer time no see! So sorry for the lack of activity on here. Since I moved back from London, I don't have the weekly upload flow anymore, so things tend to slack a bit. Until now. I've seen quite a few movies recently. Both good and bad. Both in cinema and at home. And I'm happy to share my thoughts on them with you ^^ The first one is coming soon ;)

Thanks for waiting it out for me ;)
xo - Sara

Travel Diary South England, Day 5, 2017: going back to Belgium

Hallooooo !!

No pictures to show today. The majority of our day consisted of traveling as it was our last day on English soil for this trip.

In the morning we got up, packed and went out for breakfast. Then wandered around Winchester to do some (more) shopping. I got some books and a little handbag. On top of the DVD's and PS3 games I bought on Saturday x)

I really wanted to eat lunch at a local bakery. The jacket potato I ate last time was just divine. All went well: the bakery was open on the bank holiday, we could order the jacket potato and we had our drinks. Whilst we were waiting for approx 5min the waiter told us that it would be at least a 30min wait as the potatoes hadn't been boiled yet and knowing a jacket potato, they're huge. A little debate, we decided to wait. But then another guy came round and let us know it would be a 30 to 40min wait. We couldn't risk that as we had to leave on time to catch our train back to the continent. What a disappointment :( But that doesn't change my opinion on the bakery or the jacket potatoes.

So we then went to get a Pizza Express take away and ate the delicious pizzas in the car. Got to be flexible hein ;)

Check in at the Channel went very smoothly, got on an earlier train and got home around 7pm.

That is it for my trip to South England. 5 days, of which only 3 complete days. Although we did quite a few bits on the first day. Ooh, if only I could make a job out of traveling. Of driving and walking around the country side day after day ... The dream.

Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

Travel diary South England, day 4, 2017: visiting Downton and Pembrook Park

Hallooo!

Today was a day to my heart's content. Visiting film location after film location. How can that be a bad day? First stop was Bampton, then on to Swinbrook and Shilton to ultimately end the day in West Wycombe estate and a quick stop in Alton.

Travel diary South England, day 3, 2017: the HMS Victory and Nelson's final days

* Disclaimer: this post is written and uploaded the same day as I've lived it. I'm too tired to read and re-read for any typos or other errors. So my sincere apologies in advance! *

Halloooooo!

As mentioned in yesterday's post, I've visited the HMS Victory today. The Victory was Horatio Nelson's flagship on which he won the battle of Trafalgar, but sadly lost his life.

Travel diary South England, day 2, 2017: Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, Queen Victoria's family home

* Disclaimer: this post is written and uploaded the same day as I've lived it. I'm too tired to read and re-read for any typos or other errors. So my sincere apologies in advance! *

Halloooo!!

Another beautiful day in South England. I went to the Isle of Wight to visit Osborne House. Family home to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and their 9 children. The grounds include the massive house, a Swiss cottage for the children to play in, a flower and fruit garden and a private piece of beach. You know, casual ;)

Travel diary South England, day 1, 2017: Downton Abbey railway station

* Disclaimer: this post is written and uploaded the same day as I've lived it. I'm too tired to read and re-read for any typos or other errors. So my sincere apologies in advance! *

Hallooooo!!

I am currently on a little break. I'll be touring a bit of South to South West England. With also stops in the Oxford area, so a bit more North.

Today's highlight is no doubt the Blue Bells train station. The film location for Dowton Abbey and many many other films such as the Importance of Being Earnest, the Invisible Woman and the Woman in Black.

Girlboss, a Netflix original, 'review'

Hallooo!!!!

I saw the trailer for Girlboss on IMDb, as I discover so many tv shows or movies on there. It appealed to me straight away: a girl in her mid twenties starts a business. That is what I'm currently all about. And I've always enjoyed watching films about people starting businesses or just work hard to land their dream job. "Morning Glory", "the Intern" and "I don't know how she does it" are a few examples.

But boy was I mistaken. I'm not completely writing the show off, but I wouldn't go around recommending it to everyone either. Let me just break it down for you.

Small reminder, I'm not a professional reviewer. This is just my honest opinion on the show.

IMDb

"I am single, because apparently the only good men are fictional." - Jane Hayes, Austenland

Hallooooo!!

Based on the book written by Shanon Hale, Austenland is an absolute gem for any Austen fans. It is meant to be a bit like a parody, entertaining and funny, but not as to laugh at us. Jerusha Hess did an incredible job.

"It comes as a real shock to find out that you speak fluent cow." - Declan, Leap Year

Hallooooo!

Leap Year is just what you'd expect from a rom com. It hits all the stops along the way to a happy ending. Not the best work of either Amy or Matthew, but they are terrific nonetheless, which is saying something.

*squeals* Outlander season 3 teaser trailer has been dropped

Halloooo!

I know I'm incredibly late to this party, but last week, Starz dropped the teaser trailer for the third season of Outlander. And I cannot express enough how freaking excited I am for this series! It is a bummer that we have to wait until September to go back to 18th century Scotland as opposed to a spring release (which would have been now :o). But I'm sure it'll be worth the wait ^^

Nobody feels like an adult. That's the world dirty secret - Prof. Peter Hoberg, Liberal Arts

Halloooooo!

Another movie quote post ^^  Some of them are just funny, others heartwarming and others really make you think twice. Or are super relatable :D

Here are a few more of my favourites ^^ Hope it may inspire you to watch some of these films ^^

Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry. But why would that mean that it is not real? - Dumbledore, Deathly Hallows.

"How do you feel about growing a beard?" - Belle, Beauty and the Beast 'movie review'

Halloooooo!!

Time for another movie 'review' and what better movie to discuss than the highest grossing film of 2017 so far?

I was never really a Beauty and the Beast fan. I mean, I liked the story and was fascinated with the rose, but I didn't like the fact that the Beast turned into the blond prince at the end of the film. That is why I absolutely love the cheeky little phrase: "How do you feel about growing a beard?" in this live action remake. Yes, Belle, yes!

To start with a short synopsis of my thoughts: the movie is visually stunning, not yet convinced about Emma's Belle and absolutely LOVED the household 'staff'. Especially Lumière ^^

Any place you don't leave is a prison. - Prof. Peter Hoberg, Liberal Arts (Favorite movie quotes part 6)

Hallooooo!

It's been a while since I last posted one of these, but I thought it was time to re-introduce this type of post as I'm focusing even more on the film aspect now :)

Many movies have amazing quotes. Some just funny, others incredibly witty and evey once in a while I hear a quote I think is so applicable to my life, the world, humanity.

Here is part 6 (yes, I've done 5 other posts like these already) of my favourite quotes:

"Not to worry. We are still flying half a ship." - Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 

"Every time we get a chance to get ahead they move the finish line." - Mary Jackson, Hidden Figures

Hallooooo!!

If you'd like to see a feel good film without having to watch the classic romcom formula, I highly recommend Hidden Figures.

I saw it a couple of weeks ago and oh my, I loved it. I can imagine that for someone who has been tought the history of slavery and the after math in the USA, some of the dialogue might be a slap in the face. But as for someone who has learned about slavery only to an extend, some of the lines were a shock/surprise to me. These things happened a only bit over 50 years ago...

"I'm letting life hit me until it gets tired. Then I'll hit back." - Sebastian, La La Land

Halloooooo!!

I've finally seen La La Land about 3 weeks ago and only now I'm able to write about it.

Let me get the elephant out of the room. I didn't particulary enjoyed the film. I had to wait until now to write down the reasons why as it would have been too harsh a few weeks ago and the film doesn't deserve that either.

Travel diary February London day 7, 2017: Well, that was a delay of about 4hours...

Hallooooo!!

My final day, well, half day, in London :( Sad sad sad day.

Got up bright and early. Got ready and was downstairs for breakfast by 8am. Check out was before 11am, so I still had plenty of time when I got back up stairs to pack my bag. But I wanted to spend as much time as possible in the city before I had to leave, so by 9.15am I was out the hotel door :)

I did another Jane Austen walking tour, or a part of it anyway. This time the tour started at Marble Arch and would end on Piccadilly near Green Park underground station. A nice tour :)

William Pitt, youngest Prime Minister at age 23 :)

I had anticipated the tour would take about 2hours, but as a fast walker it took me just about an hour... So what to do? A hot chocolate at Café Nero. That is what to do :) I went all the way to Regent street for that, so I could sit outside and look at the busses, taxis and pedestrians. And of course, read in my book Austenland :) It was a very quiet and uneventful day, but I loved it. I love that city. It's home.

At 1pm it was time to return to the hotel to collect my bag and head to St Pancras. Bought a quick lunch before checking in at 2pm as the Eurostar would leave at 3. Lunch was good and train left the station on time. Hurray, by 7pm I'd be home, have dinner, unpack, take a bath, watch a movie and just get ready at the 6am start tomorrow morning. How blis it will be...

Well, Eurostar had something else in mind. A few miles from Lille the Eurostar train decided to die. No electricity, no aircon, no lights,... At first I thought I would be just a small hick up and that we'd be on our way within 30minutes. Well, think again Sara, 3hours we were still standing still. Ugh. Eventually we were toad to Lille Europe station where we had to change Eurostar trains. Rather than leave immediately, the replacement train couldn't leave until they were sure that the broken down train could close. Another 30min stand still. But once we were on our way, we were in Brussels in 30mintues. Phieuw. But by the time I actually got home, it was well past 10pm... My night turned out rather differently than what I had in mind.

So that was the tiny dumper on an amazing trip. But I'm already looking at the earliest dates when I can go back :)

Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

Travel diary February London day 6, 2017: Meetup with friends as if I've never left

Hallooooooo!!

My last complete day in London :( Can't believe my trip is nearly over. It's gone by so fast. Time flies when you're having fun, hein?:)

So what did I do on my last complete day? A Jane Austen walking tour... Of course! I walked from my hotel in Pimlico to the first stop on Sloan square. Henry, Jane's brother, used to live here. Around the corner, on Hans place, her brother lived as well after the death of his wife.

And then I walked to Knightsbrigde to continue the tour, but decides eventually not to. Apsley House and surroundings I've seen as Hyde Park and Kensington gardens and palace. So I wandered around Knightsbridge for a while and walked to V&A museum where I walked around for about an hour and a half.

By the time I got out it was nearly 2pm, so high time for some lunch! Paul's it was again :) Honestly, their tuna sandwiches are just the best.

After lunch I walked back towards Knightsbridge and then on to Victoria station. I wanted to have a look at the WHSmith in Victoria if they had any Simply Knitting magazines. And sure enough :) In the morning I did a lot of walking oO So by the time I arrived at Victoria it was high time to take the underground to Oxford Circus rather than walk everything. Not to worry, didn't go on a shopping spree on Oxford Street ;)

But from Oxford Circus it was easy to get to Wimbledon, where I had agreed to meet a few friends who had time on a monday evening x) It was such a lovely night. It was as if I've never moved out of London and as if we've seen each other just the other day. Those are the good people! Those are the ones to hold on to :)

By 10pm it was time for all of us to head back home (or in my case, hotel). And I'm exhausted, so this is where I'll leave  you!

Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

Travel diary February London day 5, 2017: Just your regular quiet Sunday

** I'm writing and uploading this on the same day. I'm usually too tired to re read for any errors or typos, so my apologies for this in advance**

Halloooooo!!

Unlike yesterday, today was a very quite day. Woke up really early again, got ready and by 10am left my friend's apartment in search for breakfast and a Poundland store.

via GIPHY

I walked to Camden to go to the Cafe Nero for breakfast and read in my book Austenland. Completely lost track of time and it was 11am before I knew it. I had agreed to meet my friend at 11.30am and I still had to go to the pound store! So I arrived 5minutes later at her apartment than planned... Oops.

We then went for brunch. Well, lunch for me really, at a restaurant nearby. Before we knew it, it was 2pm, so time to head back to her apartment and pack my bag as I was to leave her mid afternoon. By 2.45pm I had said goodbyes and thank yous and I was standing at the bus stop to catch the C2 all the way to Victoria station, which took about 50minutes. Hey, I had time :)

Was in my room and checked in by 4pm, watched a bit of telly and then went back out again to go to Hatcherds as I was looking for a book and Waterstones didn't have it. Looked around the bookshop for a while, went to Tesco to buy dinner and  headed back to my hotel. That is literally all I did today. Oh and finished listening to the audio book of Pride and Prejudice and restarting it.

I'm now sitting on my bed, will probably watch a movie on my laptop or read a bit before turning the light off. Telly isn't working too well, so the movie will probably be one of my own x)

Short but sweet. No pictures.

Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara