Netflix Review: 'You'

Hi guys,  today I will be reviewing a Netflix show which is called 'You'. You might have already heard of this show as there are many reviews on the Net, however, you may not have watched the show and have just read the book. If you have watched the show, that's great, but if you're still wondering what 'You' is all about, here are my thoughts about it. 

I first heard of 'You' as I was scrolling through books to read also I think someone had mentioned it on their YouTube channel but I'm not sure. Before I bought the book, I first read the reviews as I wanted to see what everyone else had thought of it; and because everyone else liked it and the plot seemed good, I decided to order it from Waterstones.

Once I received the book, I was reading it non-stop, the book by Caroline Kepnes surrounds this bookshop worker named Joe Goldburg who develops a crush on one of his customers named Beck. Further on into the book it covers how Joe's creepiness wins Beck around while Beck has no idea about his alter ego. 

I mean Joe does everything to get Beck's attention which includes killing her ex lover, killing her best friend and tracking her on her devices (which she does not know about). However, he justifies it by saying it was all in her best interests. 

Unfortunately, I stopped reading the book as it was too slow for me to get through and the psychological darkness was really draining. Therefore, it was a Godsent when Netflix revealed they were going to be making it into a series. (Sidenote: I am more of a watcher of programmes than a reader). 

'You' on Netflix has some big names in the show which included Penn Badgley starring as the infamous Joe Goldburg, while Shay Mitchell was starring as Peach Salinger (one of Beck's friends). I knew it was going to be worth the wait. 

'You' finally came onto Netflix and Season 1 comprised of 10 episodes totalling 45 mins each episode. The show was even more darker and creepier than I had imagined, Badgley played Joe's weird alter ego really well, while Mitchell played the pretentious Peach Salinger effortlessly.  

Netflix even switched the show up a bit by introducing the audience to Paco and his family who are non-exsistent in the book. I believe they did this to show the audience what influence Joe might have on Paco when he grows up, similar to the relationship that Mr Mooney and Joe had when he was a child, (however this is just my interpretation). 

Finally, I love how 'You' makes you almost feel sympathetic for Joe, which is something Badgley finds very off-putting (search his Twitter responses). 

I'm so looking forward to Season 2 after that cliffhanger (If you don't know what I'm talking about you must watch it). 

xNx

Winter Outfits

Hi all, as it's currently Winter here in the UK, I thought I'd give you a glimpse as to what I'm wearing. 

I'll make sure to tag the things that are still available. 

Top: River Island  (https://www.riverisland.com/p/brown-knit-stripe-oversized-roll-neck-jumper-724054)

Jeans: Pretty Little Thing 

Shoes: Converse 

Top: Missguided (https://www.missguided.co.uk/blue-new-york-slogan-stripe-cropped-t-shirt-10126409)

Jeans: Topshop Grey Jamie Jeans 

Belt: Topshop (http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/bags-accessories-1702216/belts-466/crocodile-logo-belt-8250940)

Top: Missguided 

Jeans: Missguided joggers (https://www.missguided.co.uk/black-utility-pocket-cargo-joggers-10111965)

Top: Missguided 

Skirt: Nasty Gal (https://www.nastygal.com/gb/totally-clueless-check-skirt/AGG84932.html?color=152)

Hope you liked this post, and want to see more like this in the future. 

xNx

Lush Review: Godess Bath Bomb

With jasmine absolute, sandalwood oil, Oudh and Fairtrade Colombian cocoa butter, doesn't the Goddess bath bomb sound so good?

Inspired by Ariana Grande's song 'God is a Woman', this vegan bath bomb is a purple delight. 

The bath bomb's iridescent purple and blue colours ensure that your bath is filled with pastel colours as soon as the bath bomb has been dropped into the bath. 

Once the bath bomb has stopped fizzing and has finally dispersed purply blue tones, the bath water turns into a glittery purple dream! 

The smell is absolutely amazing, and leaves your skin smelling soft and feeling smooth. 

It is one of my favourite bath bombs and I am so glad it's not limited edition as I wouldn't know what to do without it. I would recommend it to anyone, it smells wonderful and leaves the bath water looking magical. 

If you don't have this bath bomb, I really recommend that you get this as it's just spectacular! 

xNx  

Netflix Must Watch: 'Dumplin'

Hi all, today I am reviewing another Netflix original film which has only come out recently. The film named 'Dumplin' stars Danielle MacDonald, Jennifer Aniston, Odeya Rush and Luke Benward. 

The film focuses on the main protagonist, Willowdean played by MacDonald who enters a beauty pageant. She wants to enter the pageant on behalf of her Aunt Lucy who as a young girl didn’t go through with it due to her lack of confidence. Willowdean's Aunt Lucy used to look after her and her friend Ellen played by Rush, as well as teach them about Dolly Parton’s music. 

Willowdean's mother Rosie, played by Aniston, was a past beauty pageant winner, and doesn't want Willowdean to enter because she does not want her to embarrass herself. However, Willowdean goes against her mother's wishes and applies. 

Without giving too many spoilers away, the movie's main plot focuses on Willowdean and the beauty pageant, but there is so much more that goes along with the beauty pageant storyline; such as the subplot involving Willowdean's love interest named Bo played by Benward. 

You should watch this movie as it is unlike any other Netflix original movie I have ever seen. The movie focuses more on how the main protagonist should let go of her own fears and self-esteem issues, and by doing this she allows herself to conquer what she has always wanted to achieve. 

I love this movie as it's got such a heartwarming message, and I definitely recommend it to anybody who just wants to watch a relaxing down-to-earth  movie. 

You will definitely like this if you have seen 'To All The Boy's I've Loved Before' and ‘Sierra Burgess is a Loser'. It's a rom-com that is bitter sweet and should not be missed! 

xNx

Netflix: Baby Review

For today's post I thought that I would talk about Netflix's new European drama 'Baby'. If you have not heard about 'Baby', it's like 'Elité' as it's a drama set in a private school. However, unlike Elité, it's not Spanish as it's Italian, and does not revolve round a murder mystery. 

'Baby' is a drama revolving around two girls, who 'need to escape the reality of upperclass Rome.' Both girls go to a private school, while the older girl Chiara is seen as this perfect role-model, her family life is not what it seems, her dad cheats on her mum, while her mother is in denial about the whole situation. Furthermore, she is sleeping with her best friend's brother. While the other girl, Ludo is portrayed as a girl who is seen as a rulebreaker and a rebel. 

Both girls meet one day and find themselves out partying, however, the next day Chiara denies all knowledge of this to her best friends as they do not like Ludo. 

Without giving too many spoilers away, this programme is about the two girls and how they become friends, and while this programme may become confusing for some people (I know I got confused), I read this article in Cosmopolitan https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a25383982/netflix-baby-true-story/ this helped me figure out what was going on. 

The story is based on the 'Baby Squilo' scandal and if you don't know what that means it's basically about prostitution. This makes sense as you delve further into the drama (episode 4 onwards). 

However, while it is about such a big issue, it is not told in a way that you would expect. This is due to the fact that season 1 is all about their backstory and why they wanted to earn 'easy money'. Season 2 should be more about them working in the prostitution ring. 

If you haven't started watching the show yet, I recommend that you start watching it, it is a slow start but I promise you that it will get better. The show mainly focuses on Chiara's love interest with a new school boy, while she is working as a call worker. You also have to bare in mind that it is an Italian TV show, so therefore you have to put on English subtitles so that you can understand the show. 

I have linked the Cosmopolitan's  article in the blog so that you can have a look. It's really interesting and haunting at the same time. 

Hope you watch the show 

xNx

Let's Talk About: Ariana Grande

Before I start this post, I just wanted to speak about why I haven't posted in a while. The main reason for why I haven't posted in so long is that I just haven't made the time plus I haven't had the motivation to post. I know it's very sad as I'm usually very passionate about this sort of thing, but throughout the year, I felt like the passion had gone a little bit. I still had school and with the A level exams around the corner I felt that that I should focus on them rather than on this. However, saying that I promise, now that I am in University I will upload more as the spark is back, and I have more ideas than ever. 

So without further  ado, I will be talking about Ariana Grande, someone who I ABSOLUTELY ADORE. 

Ariana Grande's year has not been wonderful, even though she has faced different traumas, she has come out as the most successful women in the world. With the release of her majorly popular YouTube video 'Thank U, next' (which broke Vevo records for the most watched video in 24 hours), to her 'Dangerous Woman' documentaries which she has released onto her channel (I still need to watch them). She has also been named Billboards 'Woman of the Year' and to top that all off, she has been named 'Spotify's Most Streamed Female' by racking up a massive 2 billion streams in 2018. She is balling this year.

Even though Grande is 'successful', (Sweetner fans will know) she doesn't take her fame for granted as she is a very relatable young woman who teenage girls should not be afraid of looking up to. If you've watched the BBC 1 special 'Ariana Grande at the BBC' (and if you haven't I really recommend it),  she mentions how she wants everyone to see her for who is really is, and not just seen as 'perfect'. Grande even mentions the fact that she suffers from anxiety, and her song from the 'Sweeneter' album named 'Breathin' may speak to people with anxiety, as the song is (you guessed it) about breathing.  I think the lyrics in this song are powerful and, if you are suffering with anxiety and if you are a fan of hers, you will think she is speaking to you making sure you don't feel alone in your anxious state. 

Personally, if I had to pick my faves from the album 'Sweetner' it would have to be 'R.E.M', 'Pete Davidson, 'The Light is Coming' and 'Blazed' as they all have different sounds and different messages to them. Saying that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE WHOLE ALBUM. This album takes different genres of music such as Hip-Hop, pop and classical, bringing them all together revealing a different identity to Grande's personality; showing how she is not a one dimensional artist. She is not the 'Pop Princess' everyone thinks she is, she wants people to acknowledge her other musical talents by incorporating different genres into her music and her songwriting. 

Her new single 'Thank U, next' is a typical 'pop' track, but it has a deeper meaning than just being a typical pop song. It is a female anthem, nothing like Taylor Swifts tracks about dissing her ex, Grande's track is all about thanking her ex's into moulding her into the person she is today. However, she states she wants to 'focus on herself more', and her single shows that you can still be a boss, without having a man in your life. This song is about female empowerment and talks about how single life is absolutely fine and should not be judged upon.

Finally, I believe that even though Ariana Grande has had the most difficult couple of months/years of her life, as she has broken up with ex Pete Davidson, and has mourned the death of ex Mac Miller, she is an inspiration to everyone as she has continued to power on with her music. As well as having a great support system, she shows that anything is possible if you love what you do, and have a supportive bunch of friends and family. 

And that's why I love her, both as an artist and as a person, 

xNx

Let's Talk About: To All the Boy's I've Loved Before

Hey there, it's been ages since I last posted so I thought I should review another film for you! Now this film has only been out a couple of days (it came out on the 17th) but I've already watched it twice and fallen in love with it.  I should tell you now that these are a trilogy of books so Netflix, please make a sequel! (I also need to start reading these books).

If you guys don't know what I'm on about or have been living under a rock, it's this new film on Netflix called 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' and it's about a girl called Lara Jean who writes letters to five of her crushes, however one day they get sent out to all of them. 

This movie deals with the aftermath of how Lara Jean feels now the letters are out, while also looking at how she falls in love with one of her crushes named Peter. 

I promise you I won't give anymore away as I definitely recommend that you watch this movie.. it's worth it! Furthermore, since I've watched it twice I am able to tell you that you will fall in love with the story as it's a romantic comedy so it's a pretty easy watch, it's neither too intense nor is it dense. Also, you will find that the character's are relatable such as Lara Jean, she is sweet and wants to be invisible, however, when the letters come to light she can no longer stay invisible. 

What's so relatable about Lara Jean is that she is the 'girl next door' in the sense that she doesn't want to be the centre of attention nor has she truly found where she 'belongs' in the world. As I was watching this movie, I fell in love with Lara Jean and loved seeing how she opened up to Peter and how she finally felt comfortable to open up, exposing her true self to love and her emotions.  Finally, I love Lana Condor playing the role of Lara Jean she's just really cute, sweet and a real genuine person. 

The thing I like about Peter Kavinsky, Lara's love interest, is how genuine and humble he is towards Lara Jean's feelings. He allows her to take time to figure things out without forcing her to feel certain things. There's a very cute scene where him and Kitty are play-fighting and he  moves the popcorn out of the way when watching Fight Club with both Lara Jean and her sister Kitty, therefore he is #boyfriendmaterial. 

Even though he is a jock, he doesn't seem to have this big ego that most male counterparts have when playing a love interest in a romantic comedy. Furthermore, he just seems like he is in touch with his feelings and I love the chemistry that both him and Lara Jean have, it hits me right in the feels, as it's just so adorable to watch the love blossom between the two of them. 

 Finally, Noah Centineo is the perfect casting for Peter Kavinsky as Centineo is just the most genuine, deep guy who is (like Kavinsky) in touch with both his thoughts and emotions. I especially love the chemistry between Condor and Centineo behind the scenes as these two are just the cutest. You will fall in love with both Centineo and Kavinsky. (I'm not lying). 

I recommend that you should watch this movie because it has substance and you will not get bored with the movie, Peter Kavinsky, relatable issues such as how to find yourself and opening yourself up to expressing yourself, Lara Jean and the importance of family. 

I hope you liked this review

xNx