The Bloglovin’ app has been sitting on my phone for a few months but it was over Christmas and into January that I really started to engage with it. Here are some of my favourites:
I first found Sammy’s blog through her post about Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting’s lack of interest in feminism and found myself agreeing with pretty much every word she said. Then she went and blew the taboo that still is mental health out of the water by admitting she has depression, and continuing to talk about how much of a bitch mental illness can be. Fan for life.
I knew I’d like Charlotte’s blog when she posted about Ruby Sparks (a brilliant film by the way, watch it immediately) – anyone who loves that kind of film is okay in my book. The bonus of this blog (/ actually one of the main features) is the hilarious way in which Charlotte describes her dating life – e.g. “I’d Swipe Right For You”.
The kind of blog that makes you take a long hard look at your life and be exceptionally disappointed that you did not knit your own cushion covers or, on a Sunday afternoon whim, sand down a piece of driftwood for a new coffee table. But, more importantly, it makes you want to try those things, and more. Or just look at the pretty pictures.
Honourable mention: Hope, A Tragedy by Shalom Auslander
A witty, painful, laugh-out-loud journey through lead character Solomon Kugel’s discovery that Anne Frank is not dead, but is in fact squatting in his attic, refusing to leave. Absolute must-read.
I watched
This year, Boyf & I have decided to get the Cineworld Unlimited card – when prices have hiked up to minimum £10 per cinema ticket, paying £16.70 a month for as many films as I like doesn’t seem unreasonable! In January, we watched:
The Theory of Everything
The Stephen Hawking biopic based on the book by Jane Hawking, Stephen’s first wife. I can’t write anything that does this film justice, it is exquisite. Redmayne and Jones should win every award available for their stunning performances. It’s early doors, but I’m confident this will be my favourite film of 2015.
Birdman
A good example of a film I probably wouldn’t have chosen to go and see if we hadn’t had the card, but it was 100% worth it. I can’t think of good examples of the “black comedy” genre – it’s usually just killing/maiming people and laughing at it – but I spent most of the film both laughing and worrying that laughing at it made me a bad person! Edward Norton and Emma Stone particularly stood out in their supporting roles.
Foxcatcher
Based on the story of Olympic wrestling brothers Mark and Dave Schultz and their patron John du Pont. I’m still not sure how I feel about this film. The trailer made it look epic, and I was all the more impressed that it made me want to watch a film about wrestling (Boyf is a die hard WWE fan, so there was a real chance I would have avoided this film on principle). However, there was something about it that I couldn’t engage with. Boyf loved it, so it could just be a Marmite.
American Sniper
Another biopic (’tis the season!), this time of Chris Kyle, “the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history”. Agree or disagree with the military or their presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, this film is a must-see. It was an intense journey that left me a little traumatised by the end, but also a lot more respectful of the challenges veterans face, particularly when trying to re-integrate into a “normal”, civilian life.
Honourable mention: Philomena.
Stellar performance from Dame Judi Dench, particularly in delivering lines such as “he was gay Martin…he might have played the harp”.
I did
A Bollywood class
Yep, it happened. Twice. It might happen again February. I’ll keep you updated.
I was a smug sober sod for 26 days until everyone got paid and woke up to the possibility of going out and spending money. I joined. With apple juice. And a pretty big grump. But I made it the full 31 days bitches 😉
This morning, 1st of February, I pretty much leapt out of bed with the intention of getting as drunk as possible, as quickly as possible.
What actually happened was a semi-planned trip to Carnaby Street, resulting in two new bundles of joy from Irregular Choice and a new blazer from H&M; followed by takeaway cake and macarons from The Cafe and a splendid roast. A cheeky couple of Rekorderligs featured, but I was surprised by how much I disliked feeling drunk (especially after the first two sips..two sips people).
So cheers to you January, mainly for not letting me spend 31 days in hibernation.
Martha Is 
Leave a Reply