Pages

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Day 4: A Favourite TV Programme

Okay, so I only managed 3 days of the challenge before missing a day, that's pretty hopeless huh?
I could give you all sorts of excuses, but honestly, none of them are very exciting, so I'll just get back to it today.

This is an interesting question for me, I have a bit of a love hate relationship with the TV. 
While I was growing up, from the age of about 5, my family didn't have a TV. My parent's felt that there were other ways that we should be entertaining ourselves, especially in the summer and would put the TV away for the summer months and only bring it out again in the winter. One winters day (when I was still pretty young), someone broke into our home and stole the TV, and my parents decided not to replace it. 
Not having a TV didn't ever really bother me. We were lucky enough to be growing up in a beautiful country, that had amazing weather (most of the time) and when the weather wasn't so good I could always find something to do. Not having a TV definitely helped fuel my love of reading and I know that if we had had one, I would have been distracted no end. The only time I felt like I was really missing out, was when I first started high school and all my friends would chat about what they had watched the night before and have a good gossip. This really wasn't a big deal, and I got over it pretty quickly.


Now that I am a grown up things are slightly different...
Living with the BF's family means having a TV again, and not just one in the living room, one in the bedroom as well! (I was always a little shocked and envious as a child, of my friends who had TV's in their bedrooms) This is where the love/hate starts...I have found that most evenings I switch on the TV and can easily blob infront of any old programme, for 1, 2 or even 3 hours. Before I know it, it's bedtime and I have done nothing all evening but watch TV, and usually not very interesting TV either.
So I have gone from being a TV free gal, to one who turns into a vegetable infront of one, 4 nights a week.
Okay, so sometimes I watch programmes that I actually really enjoy, and I really love watching sports on the weekend with the BF, but my problem seems to be that I turn it on whenever I'm bored, it's just too easy to switch it on and let my mind go a little mushy. I realise that having a little more willpower would solve my wee dilema but it's the same story over and over again - TV on, evening wasted.

I've told the BF that when we get our own place, there will be no TV.
All I can say about that is...I won't be getting my own way.

I have to admit, that over the last couple of months, I have really tried hard not to watch TV if there isn't something I really want to watch on, and I've been doing pretty well. There's still the occasional night when I really am too exhausted to do anything else but I no longer feel so bad about it, knowing that I have been filling the rest of my evenings with other things.

SO, now that you have read my little rant, I'm sure you are all dying to know what programme (if any) I would choose as my favourite...

The Mentalist - easy winner.
Patrick Jane is just such a dude! I love this programme, I love the dynamic of the team, I love Jane's style and they was he is so laid back, I love that he is always (subtley) looking for revenge, I love the way Lisbon gets so mad at his attitude, but almsot always lets him get away with it, I love how blunt Cho is, and the chemistry between Van Pelt and Rigsby. It's perfect! Did I mention I think he is a little gorgeous?


Runner-up would be almost any food show/cooking programme.
At the moment I am totally loving River Cottage, any Jamie Oliver, Hugh's Fish Fight, and Nigella Kitchen.

What about you? What are your favourite programmes? Are you a TV lover/hater? Can you manage your TV consumption? (If so, am very keen to hear your tips!)
From me, with love. x






Monday 17 January 2011

Day 3: A Favourite Book

I am a total bookworm. Fact.
And because of that, choosing a favourite book is kind of a tough one.
I have so many favourite fiction books that I really, truely can't just pick one. 
So, I'm not going to pick any.
Instead, I'm going to go for a recipe book, that way it ties together my love of reading and my love of food. Honestly, if I am bored at home, I will read a recipe book from cover to cover, I love getting ideas for future meals, or organising imaginairy dinner parties in my head (they would be amazing...).
And now, you lucky, lucky people have the privilege of knowing my number one, go-to cook book for all occasions....


This woman is wonderful. Her recipes are easy to follow but still adventurous, her attitude is laid back and fun, and her food is so delicious! I always pick up this book, whether it's for a mid week easy dinner, for a fancy schmanzy romantic Saturday night in, or to impress your in-laws (or anyone for that matter!).
Her other recipe books equally exude her laid back New Zealand style, and titles like Savour the Pacific and The Free Range Cook, make me want to dive right in.
I really recommend trying one of her recipes, (her website has a few to choose from) and I have to say, her recipe for Thai Pumpkin Soup is the most perfect winter warmer.


From me, with love. x

p.s...Congratulations to Paris who won the goodies from LUSH.
Love giveaways? Watch this space...

Sunday 16 January 2011

Day 2: A Favourite Movie

Now this is an easy one.
 As you may already know, I am totally head over heels, crazy about France and all things French. So it's only natural that my favourite film in the whole entire world is a beautiful Parisian love story.


Le fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulin, or more commenly known as Amelie, is the story of Amelie Poulin, a young naive Parisian girl, who decides to devote her time to helping others. Along the way, she meets Nino, a shy, awkward, oddball and their love story quickly evolves.
Audrey Tautou plays Amelie perfectly, and I feel that Amelie's quirky nature and idiosyncrasies make her a truely lovable character.
It is hard not to have your heart warmed by this beautiful story.




From me, with love. x

Saturday 15 January 2011

Day 1: A Favourite Song

Favourite song. That's a tricky one, I have so many I can't count!
However after much thought, and listening to my top 100, I think I'm going to have to go with a true Kiwi tune.
Fat Freddy's Drop to me are the epitimy of NZ music, and one of my all time favourite bands. They seem like such chilled out, down to earth guys and whenever I listen to their music I can picture myself chilling out on a beach or around campfire with friends. I've been lucky enough to see them twice live and both times they blew my mind.
So here's Boondigga...



From me, with love. x

Friday 14 January 2011

A Thirty Day Challenge

So I was halfway through my morning blog reading session, and came to one of my favourites...
...and she had just posted about a new "Thirty Day Challenge" that she was about to start, and invited people to try the challenge with her. I thought this would be a great idea, as sometimes I need a bit of a push to get me writing/posting. I've never done one of these challenges before, and being the start of a new year, that I'm hoping to fill with lots of firsts, I thought I would give it a shot!
Here's what you do:

Day 1: A favorite song.
Day 2: A favorite movie.
Day 3: A favorite book.
Day 4: A favorite television program.
Day 5: A favorite quote.
Day 6: A moment you wish you could relive.
Day 7: Five things you couldn't possibly live without.
Day 8: A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life.
Day 9: A photo you took.
Day 10: A photo of you taken over ten years ago.
Day 11: A photo of you taken recently.
Day 12: A song that you want played at your wedding(or was played).
Day 13: A guilty pleasure.
Day 14: A vacation you would like to take.
Day 15: A person you admire.
Day 16: A song that makes you cry.
Day 17: An art piece.
Day 18: A time when you felt passionate and alive.
Day 19: A talent of yours.
Day 20: A hobby of yours.
Day 21: Something you know you do differently than most people.
Day 22: A website.
Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered.
Day 24: A movie no one would expect you to love.
Day 25: A recipe.
Day 26: A childhood memory.
Day 27: A physical feature you love.
Day 28: A scar you have and it's story.
Day 29: Hopes, dreams and plans you have for the next 365 days.
Day 30: A motto or philosophy.
Some of these I think I will find easy, some not so easy but I am really looking forward to it! I also thought it would be a great way for all of my lovely readers to get a little insight into who I am and what makes me buzz.
Fancy joining in?

From me, with love. x

Thursday 13 January 2011

Don't Forget the Giveaway!

For those of you who haven't entered, it's not too late!
Missed the memo? Check it out here.
Entries need to be in by the end of the day on Friday the 14th January.
Good luck lovelies!


From me, with love. x

Saturday 8 January 2011

It's a GIVE-AWAY

See! I told you there would be a treat filled giveaway in the New Year. Do you remember why? 
Because I reached 50 followers! Yippee! 
Unfortunately since then, I lost a follower (ouch), BUT luckily for me and for those of you who fancy trying their luck today, I  gained a follower too, bringing me back to the big 50!
And so, I'm not going to dwell too much on what I could have done to keep that one particular follower (although blogging more regularly probably would help, lets face it), and instead I am going to treat you all to a new years giveaway.

What is it? Well that's a surprise!
All I will say is that it will be a fabulous box of goodies from the gorgeous store LUSH.

 
So, how to enter?
Leave a comment below. It's that easy.
Fancy a second entry? 
If you're a follower, feel free to leave a second comment for double the chance!

A random winner will be selected next Friday the 14th January.
Good luck!
From me, with love. x

p.s...
A HUGE thank you to all my lovely followers, I love getting your comments, and it makes my heart all warm and fuzzy knowing that there are 50 wonderful people out there, reading my blog. 
Thank you so much.




Friday 7 January 2011

Dear 2011

Dear Jasmine Pearl tea,
You are delicious. It makes me so happy to drink you in the morning (and all day, lets be honest), and I love how your beautiful little pearls of tea unfurl. Thank you for being so yummy and sweet, and healthy too!


Thank you for reigniting my love for all things French, especially that beautiful language. You make learning fun and easy, and I can't wait to study some more this weekend.


Your Ultimate Muesli makes me want to jump up and down with joy. Packed full with 23 fantastic and healthy organic ingredients, is there a better way to start the day? No, didn't think so. You give me plenty of energy to do fun things and keep my tummy happily content until lunch time. No naughty snacks for me!


I have fallen in love with you. So much so that I biked to work in the rain this morning. That's gotta be true love right? I especially love the little bell that I can ring as I speed pass people walking along. You're a little muddy at the moment so this weekend it is bike wash time.


I am so excited about you I could burst. But I am also super nervous, and that makes me want to cry a little. I am nervous because I want the BF to be happy, and by taking him away from his family and moving him across to the otherside of the world, I worry that I will make him unhappy. Of course there will be tears all round when we leave but I hope that we can have an amazing time living in NZ none the less. He says he is excited (although he is sure he will be a little sad too), and I trust him with my whole being - but I am still a little scared.


Dear 2011,
I am so looking forward to the year ahead. I have so much to look forward to, like a weekend trip away with the BF in Feb, enrolling in University, moving back to NZ, flat hunting/job hunting/city exploring in Wellington, seeing my family for the first time in 1 year (and some cases 18months!), throwing ourselves into the true 'Kiwi' lifestyle and so much more. And I am equally looking forward to the surprises that come along the way. Who knows what's really instore.

Bring it on!


From me, with love. x

Related Posts with Thumbnails