Secrets will be revealed!

Harry Potter is the best thing since sliced bread.

 

That is what I think anyway, and it has been a big part of my childhood as I am part of the Harry Potter Generation! Tweet #harrypottergeneration if your part of that generation with me!

 

So when The Making of Harry Potter was opened in London, I was excited to maybe get to go to London to all the actual sets and props from all of the 8 films. I can't put into words how awesome the whole Harry Potter experience was and how it will be a thing I never forget! Films are an important part of my life and getting the opportunity to walk along the same floors as all the Harry Potter actors and actresses was a once in a life time experience.

 

There is no better way to explain the journey through the movies than in photo's and believe me, I took a lot of photo's (see facebook album here)!

 

So as our time slot was 6:30pm at the Harry Potter Tour we decided to spend the beginning of the day in London centre visiting the Olympic Park.. yay yay yay yay!!

 

Here are the pictures from before the tour:

 

We started out with Harry Potter props pretty quickly

 

The Olympic Park :)

 I ♥ Doctor Who!

 

Canadian athletes possibly?

 

Now onto the Harry Potter Tour! Can you wait? I turned into a right little kid (I really started to doubt that I would be going to university in next two weeks) with all the magical stuff.

First, let me explain how the tour starts (SPOILER ALERT), that was honestly amazing! You watch a sort of cinema production of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson explaining what it was like for them growing up on the set. Well, it ends with the three of them going through the door into the Great Hall and saying "you'll now enter the doors".. Literally, the projection screen rolls up and reveals the Great Hall doors, A-MA-ZING!

 

Our ride to the tour - nothing like being in theme :)

Chess pieces - me and Beth look so small

We're ready to attend Hogwarts

Got to walk through these beauties

So cute! Daniel's first costume from the first film

A legend in the film industry

In the mirror of Erised

 

Horcruxes

Knock Knock Dursley's

ARAGOG!

A cheeky butterbeer ;)

Stepping in the foorsteps of Harry Potter legends

 

All the drawing and cardboard models made before any of the sets are started.

Impressive!

Absolutely A-MA-ZING!

Stood chilling outside Hogwarts

The legend herself has her own wand :)

Purchases from the Harry Potter Store (its expensive I must add):

Sovenir Guide Book £9.95

Hogwarts glass £11.95

Honeydukes Lollipop £3.95

Take Flight



 

Watching Harry Potter will never be the same again but I wouldn't have missed this experience and its another thing of my Bucket List (see here). I'd recommend this to those who are lovers of Harry Potter and just mild fans. It is brilliant!

 

J

 

 



Song of the Day

Today's Song: Jerusalem

 

This is in support of tonight's showing of the Last Night of the Proms on BBC. Its a gorgeous piece of music and one that everyone is familiar. I love that this has the power to join people from all over the world with one play at the annual Proms festivities. I'd fully recommend to catch up with the Last Night of the Proms on BBC iPlayer if possible and it is something not to be missed and it is something that one day, I hope to see (see my bucket list here).

 

Until tomorrow :)

J



One Thing(s)

I'm going to delve into some more favourite of mine and as hinted in the post title, I will pick one thing from each category so you guys can see what I'm into.

Favourite Colour

Purple. This hasn't been my favourite colour for too long, only properly since year ten (before it was blue, so quite nearly purple) but since then I have been kinda obsessed with the colour. The headboard wall in my room is purple while the others are "off white" (whatever that means haha) so its always around me. Also, all the things I've gotten for uni so far like bedding, storage boxes and towels are all mixture of pink, purple and jade green, all very pigmented and gorgeous!

 

Favourite Food

Fajitas: I love them! In an idyllic world, I would be able to eat these at least one every two weeks, they are that delish! I'm quite fond of Mexican food and dabble in trying Nachos, Tacos and Burritos; but by far the best is fajitas. They are so simple to make and so good for you; made from lean chicken breast (or quorn for less fat), peppers, onions and spices, they are a good poultry dish. Although, the fajitas you make at home never quite look like the picture above haha.

 

Favourite Drink

Tesco's Tropical Juice: this is to die for! However, too much is bad as the sugar content is quite high 20g+ definitely. Its a without a doubt, the most refreshing drink I've ever had; its ideal at any time in the day whether it been morning or noon. Plus its a good way to get different fruits down me as I get a little apprehensive when eating strange fruits.

 

Favourite Animal

Dinosaurs. Ask anyone in my family, I am actually obsessed with dinosaurs, everything about them is just so intriguing. We went to the National History Museum in London and I made my mum and sister wait in the queues for the dinosaur exhibition for over an hour just so I could see them. My favourite dinosaur is the T-Rex (hence the picture) which is something I have in common with one of my younger cousins. Currently I have, a cuddly dinosaur, a rubbery dinosaur (both from NHM), dinosaur rubbers, dinosaur from Mcdonalds and others; I do have my eye on dinosaur lego but I think that might be taking it a little too far but did you know.. Dinosaurs are on Doctor Who this week!!!

 

Favourite Classical Song

OR

Too hard to choose there, once I thought I had decided, the other popped into my head to I have to share both. The first one, I knew but was reacquainted with it when watching the film 'The Knowing (2009)' as it plays to end the movie. The other song, in my opinion, everyone ought to know, Gustav Holst's 'The Planets Suite' is widely famous and 'Jupiter' is the most famous movement. This has emotional connotations as it was among one of the last orchestral pieces I played when playing the Double Bass in William Appleby Music Centre's 80th anniversary.

 

Favourite Chocolate

Basically, anything that is Cadbury. Cadbury has to be one of the most luxurious chocolates ever made, I know everyone always says Galaxy is the best but not me now, Cadbury have really got there recipe right. I've actually been the Cadbury factory when I was younger and I know they import all their cocoa beans and use precisely a glass and half of milk; now there's the recipe other chocolatiers have to take note of.

 

Favourite Technology Item

It may surprise a lot of you as I do spend a lot of time on my laptop or my phone but the piece of technology I couldn't live without now is, My Kindle. I love reading and ever since getting my Kindle for my 18th birthday I have been addicted to it and now have a whole range of book on there from 'The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl' to Smoothie and Shakes Recipe books. I'm a girl who loves my books!

 

 

 

Well that's all I have time for now but I will hopefully do a follow up post to this where I will add more of my favourite things in different categories. I hope you enjoyed the read and look forward to finding out your favourites too.

J

Song of the Day: Yesterday's and Today's

Yesterday's Song: Wiley ft. Ms D - Heatwave

 

 

I was busy yesterday with having people over for a get together before we're off to university but this was yesterday's song due to the party reason. This is a right tune to get up and show off your moves to! I love the alternation between Wiley and Ms D, its got great timing and you can't help but sing along.

 

Today's Song: Good Charlotte - The Anthem

 



Like the first song I posted in this daily special, Sum 41 - In Too Deep, it reminds me so much of the Frat Party in Kos but also, I've been trying to download this song because I've had it majorly stuck in my head. As most of you will know, this is the soundtrack to the first American Pie movie (an amazing movie I must add), although I can only sing along with the chorus although its on my iPod now so I'll have it on as often as possible.

 

Until tomorrow :)

J



The Day Look

Since I started wearing makeup everyday, I've always gotten comments like "Do you wear makeup?" or "It looks like your not wearing any, its so natural". I thought I'd share my makeup regime with my blog readers and the products I wear on a daily basis.

This is the contents of my makeup box, all my makeup (I've recently had a good clear out)

The products I wear everyday are:

 

Avon clearskin Clarifying Cover SPF15

Avon Eye Radiance Brightening Wand in Fair

Natural Collection Tinted Moisturiser in Natural

Natural Collection Pressed Powder in Neutral

Colortrend Blusher in Cheeky

Avon Glimmerstick Eye Liner in Blackest Black

MAC Eye Line Pencil in Black

Avon Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown

Avon Supershock Max (Waterproof) Mascara in Black

 

Now you may look at this like, well thats an awful lot of makeup for a look thats natural. Well, each piece of makeup I own and use is light on the skin doesn't turn out 'cakey'.

 

So lets start the makeup regime:

 

 This is me before starting

 

Well the first products I will use as base layers are Avon clearskin Clarifying Cover, Avon Eye Radiance Brightening Wand and Natural Collection Tinted Moisturiser in Natural. All the products are very light and easy on your skin so doesn't cause any breakouts, as you can see from the photo above, currently I had a few blemishes on my chin area but there like spontaneous ones. The Clarifying Cover is tinted darker than my complexion but blends in nicely with no streaks, the Eye Radiance Wand covers any dark circles just under your eyes and last a long time as you don't have to use much and the Tinted Moisturiser locks everything else in but also provides a nice 'gluey' layer for the Pressed Powder to attach to.

 

Avon clearskin Clarifying Cover SPF15

 

Natural Collection Tinted Moisturiser in Natural

Avon Eye Radiance Wand

 

After the base layers are added:

Next, we apply the Pressed Powder in Neutral, I naturally have a pale complexion so I got for natural shades to emphasise that. Powder can sometimes appear too powdery on oily skin but my skin is not too dry or too oily so it simply sits on my skin, creating the natural look, like this:

 

 

Next, we apply the blusher. Its a simply shade to add a rosy glow effect to highlight the cheekbone area. I have a vast amount of brushes for blushes, eye shadow and eyebrow but for daily blush, I just use a small one to accentuate the face.

 

Can you see that slight rosy glow? Thats my favourite feature :) haha

 

Now, its time for the two eyeliners.. You might be thinking that two eyeliners is a little much and will look ridiculous. I use the Avon Glimmerstick one to outline all my under eye and the MAC one to do a little on my upper lid and create a slight flick but nothing too big (that's for the night look haha).

 

In this picture, you can see the rosiness of my cheeks too but look at the eyeliner, its not a dark black colour but draws smooth lines to just give a simple outline.

 

The last two makeup products are the most difficult to me because its what requires a lot of symmetry on either side. I often use an eyebrow pencil when my eyebrows need reshaping because it give a definite shape whereas other times I'll just use a powder. My mascara is waterproof which I've only started wearing since holiday due to the pool and stuff but I've found waterproof mascara gives such a long, curly lash. As you can see my eyelashes are naturally long'ish' which I'm proud of and it means my mascara always lasts a while.

 

 

So here's the finished look:

 

 

 

 



 













Have a go at different looks yourself, but this is my daily look when I'm going out, if I'm just staying in I'll cope without any makeup haha. Sometime I will post about my night look as I do wear a lot more on a night out such as eyeshadow as you might have noticed I don't wear eyeshadow daily, personally, I think its too much.

 

Until next time :)

J

Song of the Day

 

Today's Song: No Doubt - Spiderwebs

 

This song reminds me of Guitar Hero for the Nintendo DS which me and my sister shared, I used to love playing this song and always managed the expert edition. I got reminded of this song at a party this weekend when it was mentioned when speaking about No Doubt as they've brought out a new song. Its a cool, mellow song which is on my current play list "Recently Added" (as you might guess, I recently added it). Enjoy the song!

Until tomorrow...

J

Song of the Day

I've decided to do a daily segment on this blog called 'Song of the Day' when I will post up a music video of my choice and short paragraph on why I like that song :) hopefully I'll have enough (I currently have 221 songs on my iTunes and growing).

Today's Song: Sum 41 - In Too Deep

 

 

I've known this song for a while but didn't become reacquainted with it properly until holiday-ing it up in Kos, when this song came on at the American Frat Party. We had a lot of truly American music there, some of it I didn't recognise but we were making it as much like Stifler's party in American Pie. The music was fitting. For some reason, I've had this song on repeat all day today, along with other American tunes like American Idiot, Dirty Little Secret and Teenagers. Maybe I'm just reliving the summer holiday.

 

Until tomorrow...

 

J



A 90s Kid.



I was planning on buying a load of television series before going off to uni to watch as I'll only have freeview and not Sky+ like at home. So far, I have purchased The Big Bang Theory and Secret Diary of a Call-girl but also packed the first couple of series of Dawson's Creek to re-watch.

 

Well, here shows the tv shows I've saved to my favourites on my laptop using sites to watch tv on:

 

 

Some of these are right corkers! Doctor Who, well if you read my recent post you'd know I'm into that atm and seen as though the new series is on, I thought I'd jog my memory of the recent episodes. S Club 7! You might be like.. That's a band isn't it? Well yeah, but they had their own spin-off series (and a movie - which I own #sad) which I can remember but thought I'd watch again. Also, I added a lot of the 90s kids tv shows as I truly am a 90s kid: Saved by the Bell; Sister, Sister; Sabrina, The Teenage Witch; Totally Spies! I used to watch all these shows after school when I was younger and loved them, well since looking back over photo's, I wanted to relive some of my childhood so what better to do that with than 90s tv shows.

 

In addition, I also saved Two Pints which is comedic and hilarious but I've never got the chance to watch each series thoroughly but I would like that on DVD as it doesn't get old. I have become addicted to Two And A Half Men and Scrubs since watching Comedy Central continuously throughout the day during summer. Awkward. is the most recent addition to my favourites as the new series starts tomorrow! and as its on MTV I won't be able to watch it at uni.

 

Seen as though I'd gotten really into watching Sabrina yesterday I wanted to see if you could get the Sabrina movies as they weren't on the site series list. Well it came up on YouTube as a full movie then the suggested list had a lot more movies I didn't have on DVD and would want to watch.

 

I'm really happy with my Disney collection now on as I love a good Disney sing-a-long and have already packed Enchanted and The Lion King to take to uni. I really think I'll have enough to watch and be quite busy and not be bored, sat all alone in my room haha (although I still haven't found anyone in my flat :( ).

Get your favourite movies for free.. Just google!

J

3000 views!

I've hit 3000 views finally!

 

Since starting this blog its not gotten too much attention but thats not what I'm bothered about. Like it says in my profile, this blog is written for the purpose of keeping in touch with my family while at university and I know they all write it so that's good. On the other hand, I've felt like I've been stuck on 2000+ views but not quite making it to 3000, well waking up this morning, I'm over 3000 views :) yay!

 

In addition...

 

I'm gradually starting to get more viewers worldwide. I'm quite proud of this seen as though I post new posts on my Twitter and Facebook and didn't know I had followers in these countries which makes me think other are passing it on, which is good and helpful for me.

 

Everyone is able to get the recognition they either want or deserve via the internet and once its out there, its on the internet for good.

 

J

Battle of the Doctors

Matt Smith vs David Tennant

Who will you choose?!

 

In all honesty, I'm a right geek when it comes to television. I watch all the American crime dramas such as: CSI, Criminal Minds (love it!) and Bones (love it more!!) - I can seriously become obsessed. Well, Doctor Who is truly my guilty pleasure in television. I used to be one of those that was pretty sceptical about it, thinking it was too masculine or too geeky, but look at me now ay? Writing up a full blog post on it (with videos)!

 

I've watched it since David Tennant arriving as the tenth doctor following Christopher Eccleston, but also watch some of Chistopher's episodes when back-tracking. I loved David Tennant as the doctor! I know that seems stupid to say when he was the first doctor I'd seen but he just had that way about him. He was serious but quirky all at the same time which made him all the more hilarious, and his little traits like his almost catchphrase "Allons-y!" was just what you characterised to be The Doctor. Well when it was announced that David Tennant was quitting the series and we'd have a new doctor, I like many others was kinda distraught and contemplating who this new doctor could be.. a female? a coloured doctor? Thinking of all the things that haven't been attempted before on Doctor Who.

 

In the last episodes with David Tennant 'The End of Time (Parts 1 and 2)', it was emotional, well I say it was emotional, I'm quite an easy person to think something tear-jerking as I've cried at Titanic, Armageddon, anything along those lines. Having each of David Tennant's sidekicks come back briefly in the last two episodes was monumental and seeing Martha, Captain Jack, Mickey and Donna again was a perfect end to the series. But once David Tennant morphed into Matt Smith (an unknown actor before) it was a shock, he was similar looking to David but not quite the same. Although what did make me giggle was when Matt was checking himself out and he was quite disappointed that he "still wasn't ginger" haha.

 

In the beginning, I was determined that Matt could not replace David at any cost but looking back on it now, I was judgemental very early because of my love for Tennant. One thing that is characteristic to Matt is his very significant catchphrase "Jeronimo!". I love the show Doctor Who so stayed an avid follower of the series and watched Matt's debut but deep down, still a little disappointed. However, after re-watching the series on 'Watch' on Sunday's, I become fond of him and can see why he is a good doctor. For one, he's younger than Tennant (he's 27 but acts as though he 16 haha) which is perfect for the target audience of children since Doctor Who's relaunch in 2005. Two, he has a lot less annoying attributes like Tennant's never-ending gasping and gaping in tricky situations (which the doctor is always in - its the whole point of the show).

 

Overall, each Doctor in the whole fifty (I think) years it has been airing has been loved and lost in time and each has understandable characteristics that make them a good doctor. I will never say any of the doctors were awful because the BBC are good at casting good doctors. But as Tennant was the doctor for 4 years, he's more well-known and loved. Lets just allow Matt to gain some more experience in the roll and he may well be up there with the best of them!

 

These videos are a treat for any Doctor Who fans, but also anyone who like orchestral music, enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doctor Who + BBC Proms = Awesome!!

 

J