Screen Idols - The Help Cast

There is a lot of raving going on about this movie and rightly so! The book had a huge impact, and the movie is the perfect visual vehicle for the book. The cast is brilliant, and they deserve all their awards.

This is really just the beginning for Emma Stone - she is going to be a huge star!

 Octavia Spencer is a real cutie and has all the funny lines as Minny Jackson!

Being a teacher, I can relate to the life of a nanny, and Viola Davis plays the part of Aibileen with absolute conviction.

Bryce Dallas Howard plays the villain, Hilly Holbrook to a T. Her face just screams vicious. (Hard to believe she is sweet-as-pie Ron Howard's daughter!)

Celia Foote is an endearing character. Very Marilyn and naive. Jessica Chastain is a sweetie in this role.

If you haven't seen it yet, make a point of watching The Help, and give the book a go too. There is much to be learned from a story such as this. xx

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

I was a lucky girl on Tuesday, because I got a brand new book for Valentine's Day from my adorable hubby. It was called The Next Always by Nora Roberts, which is the first book of hers I have read.

I was meant to read Emma by Jane Austen this week, but I read this one instead, and it was fun! Go to my book blog Owl Book Reviews, to read my review.
Now I'm off to read Emma. For real this time! xx

I'm linking up with Sheila at Book Journey to find out what everyone else is reading this week.

Mirror Songs - Sunday Session

When I first saw this video last week, I thought it was an awesome song. Bruno Mars' voice sends shivers!

The clip is quite controversial with it's blood-like paint and Christ symbolism. I also find it quite difficult to look at Lil Wayne's tattoos and blingy teeth! However, the lyrics and melancholy melody are well-worth a listen:

I found this mash up of Coming Home (which I adore) and Eminem's When I'm Gone. The lyrics are very heartfelt, and again, even if you're not into rap, the lyrics, the video and the pretty melody of the chorus leave a big impression:

We watched the 30th Anniversary Jackson's Tribute Concert the other night, and it is still so great to watch The Man in action. Man in the Mirror is such a brilliant song. I can pretty much guarantee if you watch this clip from the Moonwalker movie that you'll sing along with it!

I'm linking up with Thea's Sunday Session at Do I Really Wanna Blog, where you can hear some old favourites and some newbies. xx

The Leopard Lodge

We had an AMAZING meal last night at a restaurant called The Leopard Lodge. We found the restaurateurs a couple of years ago at their last restaurant called the Serengeti Grill, in Joondalup. There, we discovered Banoffie Pie, which is an INCREDIBLE dessert! We have eaten it wherever we have seen it offered, but no one makes it like these guys.

Now they have the perfect setting for their restaurant, in the bush near Joondalup.  Look what greeted us as we entered the property! It gave us a fright at first, because we thought it was real, but then we had a good  laugh about what a clever idea it was.

The restaurant is in a safari lodge style building, with African art and artefacts all around. It is just gorgeous, and the atmosphere was intimate and inviting. The place was packed, and people just kept arriving.

We don't usually have soup when we go out for dinner, but we thought we'd have a try of their soup of the day, Creamy Vegetable. Oh. My. Goodness. It was the BEST soup I have ever tried in my life! Jonathon and I were just beside ourselves with how delicious it was!

Jonathon then had the steak with monkey gland sauce (which isn't actually from monkeys!)

and I had the Tiger prawns, although I forgot to take a photo, because I was so eager to eat them! Both dishes were so tasty! Jack had the kids' steak and chips, which was beautifully seasoned, and he ate the lot!

Then we all had a slice of (drum roll please) Banoffie Pie, still the best dessert ever! We were not disappointed, and oohed and aahed all the way through it.

Sometime, we will have to hold a birthday party or something here, because the outdoor setting is just stunning!

We love this place, and will go back as soon as we can!

I'm grateful for the lovely adventures I have with my family, so I am linking up with 52 Weeks of Grateful at Maxabella Loves. Meet me there!

Loving 91 Magazine

One of my favourite online magazines is 91 Magazine by Patchwork Harmony. I have been reading and  loving Caroline's blog for ages, and now I get all excited when new issues of 91 Mag are released! You can read the magazine here for free by just clicking on the picture below:

There are some great features, my favourite including a look into the life of Tif Fussell from Dottie Angel. She makes me want
to go all artsy!

Take a few minutes to flick through and maybe find some sweet inspiration for home decorating. xx

Wordless Wednesday

(Pink and grey galah's on next door's dead tree!)

Playing along with Wordless Wednesday at My Little Drummer Boys blog.

Favourite Romantic Movies for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day brings to mind all the wonderfully romantic films that have left me with warm, fuzzy feelings, including these:

Only You

50 First Dates

Love Actually

Pride and Prejudice

Made of Honour

The Holiday

Bridget Jones Diary

Twilight

Moonstruck

and Valentine's Day.

There are also some romantic films with tragic endings that leave you feeling not so happy,
but make you hang on to your loved ones tightly:

Titanic

City of Angels

Bicentennial Man

Phantom of the Opera

and Moulin Rouge

All favourite films of mine that I could watch over, and over and over! Can you think of any others that stir your romantic soul?
Happy Valentine's Day! xx