Wednesday 28 January 2015

My Top 15 TV Shows of 2014

It's no secret to any of you who know me or read this blog regularly, that I really do love me a good TV series, whether it is comedy, drama, romance or thriller, I am pretty much up for anything! I started watching a lot of new shows last year, because there were so many I had heard were worth watching, or saw winning loads of awards, so had to give a try.



 So for any of you TV series lovers out there, this is my list of all my favourite shows last year! Some are the most recent series of shows I've been watching for years, and others are earlier seasons of ones I've just started, but I promise, they're all amazing! In case you haven't heard of the show before and want to know what it's about to maybe give it a go, click on the number for each show to be linked to a description of it's story-line. So make yourself a big bowl of popcorn and get watching!

15) ONE TREE HILL
I have always been a OTH fan and it was one of the first shows I started watching when I was in junior school still, but somehow I missed a couple of seasons in the middle, I never got to finish it and I also don't remember much from the first few seasons cause I was pretty young. So I decided I want to rewatch the show from Season 1 all the way through to Season 9. So, while I admit, it is taking me some time (there are so many other shows to watch too), I am slowly but surely making my way through and have just finished rewatching the first season. I love this show, the characters are interesting and more genuine twists on the stereotypical high-school characters and you very quickly fall for them. It is a mixture of light-hearted drama and the underlying stories of family ties and relationships make you want to watch the next episode, and the next, and so on. Definitely worth a watch if you have never. 


14) THE MENTALIST
Another show I've been watching for what feels like ages! Without giving too much away, the show is based on Patrick Jane, a man with exceptional observational skills that assists the CBI to solve crimes. However, the underlying story is that of a serial killer called Red John, who murdered Jane's family a while back. Jane makes it is mission to find this man to get equal- it definitely takes him some time, six seasons worth, but now, finally knowing who Red John is, the season is slowly coming to a close after the season (7) it is currently on. I have loved this show this year, probably especially because it was so involved in the man-hunt and mind games played to find red John, but also, some new characters were introduced in season 6, and it's just been a show I really enjoyed! It's a crime drama with a hint of romance and humour, and i highly recommend watching it, starting from season 1, you'll be hooked in no time!


13) NCIS: LOS ANGELES
A good old classic crime drama show with a bit of comedy. I am not sure what makes me like this show so much more than any of it's equivalents like the CSIs, other NCISs, FBI, CIA shows, maybe it's the characters that you grow to "know" and love, but if you're into that sort of show, this is one of the best ones I've seen yet!



12) GREY'S ANATOMY
I feel like Grey's Anatomy watchers are almost all loyal fans, like me, but this show, for me, has gone down quite a lot in it's latest seasons. But, it's so close to the end, and I enjoy it enough to finish it through, for sure, but I must admit, that the first 5 seasons are just amazing, and would probably be ranked 1 on my list. I recently have started rewatching this show right from the beginning again too, so am currently half way through season 2, and I promise, particularly those early seasons, they are just so good! A perfect mix of medical and dramatic with a bit of romance and stuff, and really one of my all-time favourite shows. 



11) THE FOSTERS
I only started watching this show this year, and have only finished the first season, but I loved it so much, that I got through it super quickly! I don't know exactly what draws me to this show, it's a family drama but there's something about the main character and I guess I haven't watched a show like this in ages, so it was new and refreshing, and yeah, I just think it's not got enough recognition for how good it is, give it a try if you think you'd like that sort of genre. 



10) THE BACHELOR FRANCHISE
You either love it or you hate it, and I do realise that it is superficial, unintelligent and materialistic, but I love it! Maybe it's because I've been watching The Bachelor/The Bachelorette/Bachelor Pad forever and it's just a tradition now, or maybe it's the romantic in me believing that they can actually "find love", or if nothing else, it's fantasising about their amazing adventures and extravagant dates, but either way, I always love sitting down to a good episode of The Bachelor!



9) HAWAII FIVE-0
This is my favourite crime drama sort of show, and while I do watch quite a few, this is by far the best one for me. I think mainly it comes down to the cases (the crimes they solve) being a lot more original than most and the characters being really likeable (and Alex O'Loughlin being so beeautiful hehe), and yeah, it's just really one of my favourites to sit down to after a long day!



8) MODERN FAMILY
A good old classic that I've been watching since it started. Still funny, still original and just really one of the best comedies I know of! If you haven't watched this yet, definitely worth a go. 



7) THE BLACKLIST
Okay, the list is starting to get to the really good ones! This is such an intense, hectic and incredibly clever show! James Spader is amazing, and it's not quite like any other show out there. I will say it is quite violent and gruesome but if you can get past that, the plot is thought-out and really quite brilliant! It's only on season 2 now, so still a relatively new show, but both seasons so far are amazing! Like a bit of drama/thriller, definitely for you- but at the same time, it's not overdone, or unrealistic, it's all pulled off so well!



6) PARKS AND RECREATION
It's so so hard to get comedy right, where it is not cheesy or embarrassing, but also not too subtle that you don't even crack a smile, and I can honestly say, for me, this is one of the funniest shows around. The cast is just so good, and pretty much every episode, I find myself literally laughing out loud, it's so just so good! The show has just got better and better each season, which I think is a sign of a good show, the fact that ratings are only rising! I just finished season 4, and it was definitely for me, the best so far! You have to give this a watch, the episodes are short and sweet, and yeah, push through the first two seasons, cause it gets even better later on! 



5) SCANDAL (The Fixer in SA)
Scandal is amazing! I started watching it last month, and already half way through season 2, it's just so addictive! Kerri Washington is so brilliant in this, and while political dramas aren't usually my thing, this one has just got me hooked, it is so good unique, and written by the truly talented Shonda Rhimes- really such a refreshing and different take on the typical American politics shows that have been out there, this one far exceeds all of those. 


4) PRETTY LITTLE LIARS
Usually, this would always be my number one show, but recently (possibly just because of all the production breaks, etc.), I feel like in this most recent season showing at the moment, I never fully quite understand what's going on, or there are questions unanswered, so while I still LOVE this show, I feel like I need to sit down and just rewatch what's come out of season 5. But anyway, this is one of my favourite shows ever, I love the cast, the story-line is a touch scary but then also very girly and a lot of drama- so good, I promise, just give it a try! 


3) VEEP
This is also a show I only recently started watching, but I'm already on season 3, and I absolutely LOVE it! I wasn't expecting to, but there's something about it that is so easy to watch, but still so entertaining. I love the show's wit and sharp humour and again, it's sort of lighthearted politics, and yeah, I really do love it!


2) THE MINDY PROJECT
It was a very hard toss up between these top two, to pick my ultimate winner. Because usually, I would say The Mindy Project trumps them all, but this new season of New Girl has been amazing, so The Mndy Project domes in a close second. A lot of people don't know about this show, but honestly, it is one of the most genuinely hilarious shows out there. Mindy Kaling is so cool and plays her character so so well, and yeah, it's just very light hearted and funny, enjoy!


1) NEW GIRL
And finally, my favourite show from last year has to be New Girl. For a couple of seasons, it was so disappointing compared to the first season, but season 4 has made a recovery and is bloody hilarious and just so enjoyable! I love Zooey Deschanel and the rest of this cast, and again, this is just one of those shows where the writers have got the humour just right! 



So that's it for my top 15 shows of 2014. There are so many more amazing series, so maybe I'll do another type of post like this at some point, but for the meanwhile, check these out and get watching! 








Sunday 18 January 2015

Christmas/New Year Make-up & Beauty Haul

I wasn't quite sure exactly what to name this post, cause some of these items I bought and others were christmas gifts, but either way, I just thought I'd show you some of the things I've got recently that I have really been loving!

Starting with make-up first:
So these first few things were all Christmas gifts from my parents. I love Mac make-up so much, but it is so bloody expensive, so I was so excited when I saw my mom had spoilt me  with some items I've been wanting for ages! 


MAC 'REDD' LIPLINER PENCIL
I've been wanting a red lipliner for ages, because it makes it SO much easier to apply red lipstick perfectly and I think, just give the lip a fuller look. I don't usually use lip liners, but after hearing so many people recommending using a lipliner for a red lip, I thought I'd give it a try, and it's definitely worth it! I love this lipliner, it comes out nicely, very pigmented and a beautiful bright red colour. 

PEACH BLOSSOM CREMESHEEN MAC LIPSTICK
I have wanted a very pretty pink lipstick for quite some time, and have never really had one. I initially wanted to give 'Angel' a try, cause it is so popular, but it was sold out, so I got this one, and it is just such a pretty, everyday pink colour, and so easy and smooth to apply. 

'CORK' - MAC SATIN EYESHADOW 
It looks quite a bit lighter in the picture than it actually is, it is a light, almost matte pretty brown colour, which I like to use in my crease and sometimes just below the eye too. It lasts for the whole day and is such a pretty, subtle colour. 

Next were two items I ordered off Feel Unique, because sadly they aren't sold in SA, so they needed to be ordered online.... they took their sweet time, but yay, I've finally got them and I am loving them both SO much!



MAYBELLINE 24 HR COLOUR TATOO IN 'ON-AND-ON BRONZE'
Unfortunately, even the swatch doesn't show how stunning this colour is! It is a shimmery bronze colour, that just comes out so beautifully! I LOVE this product and can't wait to get to ordering other colours in the range. They are so easy to apply and on most days, I will literally just swipe this across my lids with my Mac 217 and not add anything else except mascara and you're set for the day. It makes it look like you've put a lot more effort in than you actually have, the pigment is great, and my favourite thing about this product, is that it lasts SO LONG. If I put it on in the morning, when I get home late at night, it will still be on just as well as how it was applied! I highly recommend this product, and it is also very affordable. 

REAL TECHNIQUES SETTING BRUSH (PINK)
Finally, I have found the perfect shape, firmness and brand of brush for concealer. I have been struggling to find one the right size for what I want to blend in concealer, particularly under the eyes and T-zone, but this brush is perfect, and I am really loving it. 

Then lastly, there were just a couple of others I bought over the Christmas and new year period.


WOOLWORTHS EYELASH CURLER
Just a basic eyelash curler, but so far so good!

MAYBELLINE DREAM BOUNCY CREAM BLUSH IN #20 'PEACH SATIN'
This is my first time trying a cream blush and I am enjoying it quite a bit, what I really like, is that it does tend to last a lot longer than a powder. I think this peachy pink, is such a pretty colour for summer, and it is so quick and easy to apply. 

And now onto a few beauty items I've bought/recieved recently.

Okay, so I've gone through a bit of a Body Shop-obsessed phase recently and picked up a couple of good old shower gels and body butters, fuse you can never have too many of those, right?


HONEYMANIA SHOWER GEL
My brother gave me this for christmas and I am so excited to have it because this is my all-time favourite scent that The Body Shop do! Seriously, if you haven't tried it, give it a sniff next time you're there, it's amazing!

SWEET LEMON SHOWER GEL
I bought this mainly because I used to love the Sweet Lemon scent and I thought they'd discontinued it, as I haven't seen it there for years, and now suddenly, it's popped back up, but only in shower gel form. So in fear that it might not come back again, I bought it, and it smells SO delicious and fresh. 

FROSTED CRANBERRY BODY BUTTER (Christmas range)
I always love to see what the christmas scents are and this year this cranberry one was one of them, and it smells so good, so I picked it up, because I've just about finished my last body butter. 

and lastly one last shower gel (another gift) VANILLA CREME BRULE SHOWER GEL (Christmas range). I was so happy to get this for christmas from one of my aunts, because it is also one of the christmas scents and you can't go wrong with vanilla! I've actually not used it yet (clearly I have a huge over-supply of shower gels) but I plan to give it a try soon!


I have been loving the Lush christmas range and my other brother bought me the SNOW FAIRY SHOWER GEL which is SO amazing, and I have never tried it before but have had my eye on it for ages, so I was so pleased to finally get to try it. It literally smells like sweets and candy floss, and while it is a bit sweet for everyday, I use it every now and then, and it is pink and shimmery and just so lovely! Not to mention that all lush products are always packed with good oils and things for your skin.

And the last beauty thing I bought recently is the JOHNSONS REFRESHING GEL FACE WASH. This has a really fresh and subtle smell, and I am enjoying it. For me, it still doesn't quite beat the Nivea Daily Essentials Face Wash, but comes in a close second. 

So that's it for all the make-up and beauty sort of things I've got over the past few months. 
Hope this helps if you've been wanting to try any of these products or, if nothing else, maybe just gets you inspired to do some shopping soon :D 

PS: I just want to add that I am sadly already back at varsity and have been for a week, and I hate that I have posted so little in December and January. I have lots of ideas for posts, so even though work is very hectic just for this first month of varsity, I'm still hoping that I can keep some posts going!



Thursday 8 January 2015

My Summer Playlist 2015


Woah, it's so weird to me to have just written 2015 in my post title, it's just so crazy that its now 2015, with that comes a new year, and this year, more than ever before, I can really say, I am SO excited for! 2014 was really a great year, I got to experience so many new things, make some amazing friends and learn a lot more, and it was really one of the best years of my life so far because it was just so different and such a refreshing change. But I am so excited for 2015 which I am going to make my goal, to be my best year thus far and just one of optimism, happiness, spontaneity and confidence. These link to a lot of my new year's resolutions (I am such a resolutions type of person) but unlike last year, I decided not to do a whole post on my new year's resolutions as they are personal and in general, like I said, I just want this year to be bigger, better and really to make it the best year of my life so far. 

So, I wasn't exactly sure what I should do with this post but I did know that I hadn't posted this year yet and I guess I was just kind of missing you all and my little blog over here, so I decided to do a playlist post that I have been listening to all of my summer holidays! It's a real sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs, feel-good sorta playlist, so I hope you enjoy :) 

LIKE I CAN- SAM SMITH


BOOMERANG- THE SUMMER SET


HOLLYWOOD- RAC FT. PENGUIN PRISON


TITLE- MEGHAN TRAINOR


TELL ME I'M A WRECK- EVERY AVENUE


BACK HOME- ANDY GRAMMER


BLANK SPACE- TAYLOR SWIFT



LIPS ARE MOVIN'- MEGHAN TRAINOR



WRAPPED UP- OLLY MURS FT. TRAVIE MCCOY


BANG BANG- ARIANA GRANDE, JESSE J AND NIKKI MINAJ


STEAL MY GIRL- ONE DIRECTION


YOU'RE NEVER FULLY DRESSED WITHOUT A SMILE- SIA


HONEY, I'M GOOD- ANDY GRAMMER


SECRETS- MARY LAMBERT



ALMOST HOME- ALEX AND SIERRA


So that's it, hope you like it!