Spring is here!

So, we can finally say that Spring has sprung!

The clocks have moved forward, the weather is getting warmer, flowers have started to bloom and the trees are in beautiful spring blossom. You can finally put the big winter coat away, but keep the mac on hand. And don’t put away the umbrella yet! There's still a few odd showers.

It’s funny what this time of year does to you. After a Winter of hibernating inside, eating lots and lots of food, it’s time to dust away the cobwebs and start that good old clean out. The first time the warm spring sun hits your skin, you suddenly feel like it’s time to face the world again. You feel like whatever has been troubling you can been fixed.

For the first time in many years, I have been noticing the change in season and welcomed that first spring sun with open arms. I even got the sunglasses out, but decided to leave the shorts in the cupboard as it really isn’t that warm yet. :)

Also, this Spring means a lot to me. Firstly it marks my first year of living in London! I know what you are thinking, it feels like I’ve been here for ages, but really it’s only been a year. Even though I have to move out of my little house, I’m sure my housemates and I will be able to find somewhere to live before summer. Also the end of Spring marks a big moment in my life, I mark my 1 year anniversary with my boyfriend. I know that might seem tosh to some of you, but for me it’s a big occasion. My previous relationships have only lasted 1 - 2 months so for me this is a big deal! We are marking it the best way possible, with a little holiday to a seaside town in Cornwall. Really I can’t wait.

So, I would like to make a toast to Spring! Welcome back and we look forward to what surprises you spring on us!

Review - The Adjustment Bureau

I thought the film could have gone two ways. Firstly it could have been a really REALLY boring action film with lots of fight scenes but very little dialogue, or it could have been a romantic film about a couple who have to change the world to be together.

Actually, it was a mixture of both!

The film is based on Philip K. Dicks, The Adjustment Team. Philip is known for his sci-fi writings that have inspired great films such as Blade Runner, Minority Report, Total Recall and A Scanner Darkly, so you could sort of guess the theme of this film and the story that was being told.

It’s just a good film. I mean, it’s not as epic as Inception, but it’s a film you can just sit back at enjoy quite happily. The story flows, the acting is good enough to show the talents of Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. You don’t get annoyed by either of them (which was a bit of a surprise for me) and you believe the relationship and love between them.There is a slight Mad Men style of the Bureau, it might just be because they are wearing suits and hats, oh and also because John Slattery (Mad Men’s Rodger Sterling) is in it! There are also a few comedy moments thrown in too.

You could watch this film in the cinema, or just sit back and enjoy it on a rainy sunday afternoon. But I would say it’s one that you should put on your Love Film list.

Three stars.

Gift buying for newborn babies: 8 simple rules

One of my best friends from school brought a bundle of joy into the world last week. Little Thomas weighed in at just over 8lbs and is so cute (I promise you I’m not getting broody).

This was a big deal. Firstly my lovely friend Katie is the first of my best friends to have a little baby. Secondly I am many years away from being a uncle (my brother and sister are younger than me, both in stable relationship, but no way a baby is on the horizon yet). I'm really looking forward to seeing this little one grow up!

So, after this little one was born, plans were made to head down, with Pete, to visit the new family. But then it struck me...what do I get a new born baby?

Being a man, in my mid twenties and gay, I had no idea where to start!
Do you get wine and chocolate for the mum?
A bottle of champagne for the new parents?
Baby clothes for the little one?
A teddy bear to commemorate the occasion?

Luckily, I work in an office with a lovely bunch of women. Some have had babies, others are getting broody while others always know what to get for this type of occasion. A quick email to the "Sisters" of the office and a chat long chat to one of my work mates, I knew exactly what to get....

So, if you are in the same situation as I was, here are a couple of ideas...
DO get chocolate and wine, It's something post pregnant women crave (apparently)
DON'T get any baby bibs, apparently they aren't that useful as the baby won't be eating solids for a while and when they do, parents will probably get a plastic bib as they are easier to clean.
DO get some nice baby clothes, most department stores have some good items, but I was told to go to H&M, because they are quite reasonable.
DON'T get expensive items for a new born, they will grow out of the in a flash.
DO get a baby sleeping bag, they will last for about 6 months and it's something different.
DON'T get baby boots, as most people get them.
MAYBE get some products, like Burt and Bees. (if you want). The products are environmentally friendly and contain natural ingredients, which is good for the mother and the little one.
DO get a teddy bear, you can never get enough of them...

With these tips in mind, you can never go wrong!

Got any more advice for a buying baby products? Please leave a comment below!

Nom nom nom...PANCAKES

First time making pancakes by myself! Very please with the result....even tried adding chocolate drops! :)

Review - Never Let Me Go

A beautiful, chilling story, which makes you sit back and look at your life. The story affected me down to my core and made me feel a little numb for hours after.

I had heard that the original book was amazing, but as I hadn’t read it I knew nothing about the story. I think this helped me as it left me genuinely shocked with every twist and turn.

Not much of the back story was told, so you were left with a lot of unanswered questions. The naivety of the characters also helped. Were they special kids? Were they clones? You will never know.

The performances from Andrew Garfield and Carey Mulligan were amazing! Two great British stars who will definitely be with us for years to come.

If you get a chance to see this at the cinema, I would go, but it is one film that can wait until the DVD is released.

I have to say, this is a great film! it's beautifully shot, with a great story and some superb acting.

Four Stars.

Oscar Predictions - How did I do...

So how did I do? Did I guess any correct?

Out of the 24 nominations...I got...9 RIGHT and 15 WRONG - (booo)

Oh well, better luck next time!

Anyway, if you haven't seen the winners list yet, check out my predictions below showing all the winners!
Best Film - The Kings Speech - WINNER - I was right...
Actor in a leading role - Colin Firth (or Jeff Bridges) - WINNER - I was right...
Actor in a supporting role - Geoffrey Rush - WRONG -Christian Bale in “The Fighter”
Actress in a leading role - Natalie Portman - WINNER - Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”
Actress in a supporting role - Hailee Steinfeld (or Helena Bonham Carter) - WRONG - Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”
Animated - Toy Story 3 - WINNER - I was right!
Art Direction - Guy Hendrix Dyas (Production Design); Larry Dias and Doug Mowat (Set Decoration Inception) - WRONG - “Alice in Wonderland” – Production Design: Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Karen O’Hara<
Cinematography - Danny Cohen - The Kings Speech - WRONG - “Inception” Wally Pfister
Costume Design - Jenny Beavan - The Kings Speech - WRONG - “Alice in Wonderland” Colleen Atwood
Directing - Tom Hooper The Kings Speech - WINNER - I was right...
Documentary Feature - Exit Through the Gift Shop - WRONG - “Inside Job” Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs
Documentary Short Subject - No Idea so going to say - Sun Come Up - WRONG - “Strangers No More” Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon
Film Editing - Tariq Anwar, The Kings Speech - WRONG - “The Social Network” - Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter
Foreign Language Film - Biutiful - WRONG - “In a Better World” Denmark
Make Up - Adrien Morot, Barny’s Version - WRONG - “The Wolfman” Rick Baker and Dave Elsey
Music (Original Score) - Hans Zimmer, Inception - WRONG - “The Social Network” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Music (Original Song) - We Belong Together" Music and Lyric by Randy Newman Toy Story 3 - WINNER - I was right...
Short Film (Animated) - Day & Night - WRONG - “The Lost Thing” Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann
Short Film (Live Action) -Another guess - Wish 143 as I heard an interview about it the other day. - WRONG - “God of Love” Luke Matheny
Sound Editing - Gwendolyn Yates Whittle and Addison Teague Tron Legacy - WRONG - “Inception” Richard King
Sound Mixing - Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick Inception - WINNER - I was right!
Visual Effects - Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas and Sean Phillips, Alice in Wonderland - WRONG - “Inception” Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb
Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - The Social Network - Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin - WINNER - I was right...
Writing (Original) - The King’s Speech - Screenplay by David Seidler - WINNER - I was right...