Movies, Meals & Muddling Through Life – March 2017

Last month seemed to pass by in a bit of a blur. You know those months when you do a lot but it feels like you haven’t and you wonder just where the weeks went? It was that kind of month for me, I had a lot on my mind and so much to do and I managed it all…just. Lots of you seemed to enjoy my ramblings last month about what I watched, read, listened to and ate so here is this months update on all of those things and also a general update on what is going on in my life. If you have any recommendations on good shows, books or films you think I may enjoy please leave them in the comments below. Let’s kick off with:

What have I been watching?

At the cinema:

A few weeks ago I went to a local independent cinema called Cinema & Co to see Dirty Dancing with my sisters, it was such a different experience to going to see a film in a large chain cinema and incredibly relaxing. Super comfy cushions, shoes off, feet tucked up and pizza and a fruity cider to accompany the film.

The next day I had a very different cinema experience when we went to see Monster Trucks ( for a special kids screening ) and it was surprisingly not a bad film, the girls really enjoyed and were transfixed throughout and ahem you do weirdly get attached to the monsters. More recently I have been to see Beauty and the Beast, if you follow me on social media you will know that I have been *slightly* excited about this particular film release and ahh it doesn’t disappoint. In fact I feel the need to give it a mini review because it is so perfectly cast and stays true to the original whilst giving some new insights into the characters and their family background. The soundtrack is beautiful and I actually couldn’t fault it. I watched it first with my younger sister and when I was satisfied that it wasn’t too scary for the girls it meant I had an easy excuse for a second viewing. I have always been movie obsessed, ever since my childhood. The cinema has been a source of comfort and excitement for me for most of my life and it’s rare that a month passes without 1-2 visits. It is the ultimate in escapism and I can see both of the girls becoming the same. It is pretty magical to watch your child’s face while they fall in love with a character or a story.  I’ve also watched The Founder, which is the true story of how McDonald’s began – I found this interesting although it is not a particularly exciting or dramatic film.

After watching the trailers I am also slightly embarrassed to admit I want to see the Power Rangers film coming up this spring as well as the Wonder Woman film in the Marvel series.

At home:

I’ve made time for some TV time at home again this month. I’ve watched more Mad Men episodes and I am still gripped. On Netflix I’ve watched the new series of LOVE after really enjoying the first series, I didn’t love it quite as much as series one but it’s still a good watch with one or two very funny episodes. I can also recommend The Minimalists which is a pretty good documentary about two men who started a movement in Minimalism and I am well into the third series of Chef’s Table which is incredible as always with even more detail into the lives of these often eccentric chefs. I am planning on starting to watch Taboo this week, I am not entirely sure if it’s my kind of show but it has Tom Hardy in it so I am willing to give it a go.

What have I been reading?

Not enough this month, my concentration levels have been rather low over the last few weeks and I have just read a few magazines and also re read a book I’ve had for some time called Things I Want My Daughters To Know by Elizabeth Noble, it is a slightly sad but mostly uplifting book about family, life, death and love. I have a few books on my to read list for next month but I would love recommendations from you. Oh and I just remembered I did read a pretty funny chick lit book called The List on my kindle whilst travelling to some work meetings, it isn’t an especially good read but it’s amusing. I received a new book in the post this week, Magnificent Mess – Topher Kearby which I’m sure I will be telling you about next month as I am rapidly falling in love with it.

I am definitely planning on some more time with physical books over the coming weeks, it is so different holding an actual paperback book and delving into it than it is reading via the kindle. I am also noticing that lately I am spending a lot more time with pens and notebooks than typing and I’m enjoying that. I am the typical blogger who sits in a coffee shop for hours planning out posts and writing to do lists – and yes I know there is an app for that but I am fairly traditional when it comes to some things and the feeling of being able to tick something off a real to do list is just different.

What have I been listening to?

I’m still on a John Legend love in right now but I’m also listening to Blind Pilot, X Ambassadors, Joshua Radin and …the Beauty & The Beast soundtrack. I enjoy silence but a day doesn’t pass without me actively choosing to listen to music at some point. Oh and of course I along with the rest of the world have become obsessed with the new Ed Sheeran album, current favourite songs from the album include Happier and Galway Girl although I like every track.

What have I been eating and drinking?

Blood Oranges!! I made the most of blood orange season by eating them most days. I had a week of smoothies whilst testing out my Breville Blend Active, you can read about that here. I felt pretty good after a week packed with extra fruit and veggies. I’ve had some meals out with family and friends and I’ve enjoyed a few glasses of Merlyn’s Welsh Cream liquor and welsh cakes .. well I had to honour St.David’s Day.

I’ve been visiting some of the best coffee shops in my area and Swansea is seriously upping it’s coffee game. Recommendations so far for Copper, Squarepeg, Bluebell Coffee and Rag & Bones, all are independently owned, serve delicious coffee and sell a great variety of fresh food.

I tried these new iced coffees from Baileys which I spotted on offer in my local supermarket, they are pretty good:

And due to a few cinema visits and some afternoons working whilst being too tired I seem to have eaten too many sweets. I have a slight liquorice addiction lately, it isn’t something that I used to enjoy so I blame Lakrids by Johan Bulow for kickstarting that habit. They make THE best liquorice by the way. The red liquorice below isn’t quite as good but I managed to eat them all anyway. Not especially impressed by the Dairy Milk also pictured below, I do really like Cadbury Dairy Milk but this particular one isn’t for me.

What else has been happening?

I spent a deliciously indulgent day at a local spa, it was my first spa time in about 8/9 months so I thoroughly relaxed and made the most of the day. Had a rather good back massage too. I’m still attending my circuit training class generally twice a week as well as workouts at home and I’m feeling stronger, I am not aiming for muscles just a little bit more strength and flexibility would be nice. I’ve written a feature for The Daily Meal which you can check out here and I have another one coming up for Easter. I enjoyed a fun hen weekend with some of my childhood buddies in Cardiff, we stayed in a gorgeous hotel, spent hours at the spa and danced and drank a LOT of cocktails. I discovered that I can still dance and party like in my 20’s but I don’t necessarily want to, at least not every Saturday night. Don’t get me wrong, I had a lot of fun and I will do it again soon I’m sure but every weekend would get a little old. Especially as hangovers seem to last much longer these days, or perhaps its the lack of time to just languish in bed afterwards! It has actually been a month focused on my family and friends and that can only be a good thing. The next month sees a lot of blog work, collaborations both on and off the blog and hoping that one or two projects I have been working on come to fruition. I’m also planning out what music and food festivals I can make this year, I have been invited to quite a few ( which is nice ) both in the UK and around Europe so I just need to see what is possible with work and family life before committing. And yay for the fact that it’s pretty much springtime, I am glad to be done with that winter. Show me the sun.