When I watch films, I love to be wowed either with a beautiful character story or gorgeous, stylish direction (or sometimes both), and I especially love it when films make the most of the possibilities of the medium of, well, film. Why not have fun with a few special effects and slick cinematography?
Over the weekend I finally got to see Hanna, a film I have had my eye on for months, and absolutely loved it. A great soundtrack, beautiful scenery, cool editing and a riveting storyline all came together brilliantly.
Saoirse Ronan plays the title character, Hanna, a 16 year girl who has lived, until now, in isolation in the forest with her father (played by Erica Bana). Without giving too much away, events bring her out into the real world to face her nemesis.
Saoirse's face is so unique, I found it impossible to look away each time she was on screen. She even manages to outshine the (weirdly grotesque-looking thanks to some strange camera angles) queen of the intelligent blockbuster Cate Blanchett.
It's not perfect, and I'm sure it was probably panned by the usual armchair critics, but it's the most film fun I've had in ages. Have you seen Hanna, Beaunz belles? What did you think?
Something about this song, 'I sing I swim' by Seabear, makes me think of 1950s rockabilly rebels making out at the drive-in, acting tough but really scared and insecure on the inside.
'Human skin, can be hard to live in
You'll feel better in the morning'
Happy Sunday Beaunz belles, my feet are dangling out the window in the sun and I'm already on my second coffee, how about you?
2011 was a year of great ups and downs for my family. There was a lot of joy, but to be truly honest it was a year we are all pretty happy to see the back of.
So, it is with great anticipation that I await the slow unfurling of 2012 and all that comes with it...
In 2011 I acquired a lot of beautiful antique crockery, and I hope to continue to add to my collection this year. Where is your favourite place to buy antiques? I would love any recommendations.
I'm not the healthiest of eaters (as you will know from my many posts on cupcakes and ice cream), but I have glugged through my fair share of Udo's Choice Greens, and am looking forward to reaping the benefits from my latest health recommendation - coconut oil. Have any of you tried this?
The Auckland Craft Fair was a treasure trove of gorgeous arts and crafts, and top of my list is to acquire some illustrations by Wellington-based artist Heike Theis.
Taking photos, along with writing, is my favourite creative outlet. I'm not very good yet, but I am practicing every moment I get (99% of the images on Beaunz are mine) and this year I hope to refine my skills even further.
In my previous life as a Brand Manager for L'Oreal, I regularly traveled to Queenstown and Arrowtown, and I have missed seeing these beautiful towns wax and wane with the seasons. This year, I want to see more of New Zealand again, starting with the Queenstown/Lakes and Canterbury regions. Any suggestions?
What about you, Beaunz Belles? What are you wishing for in 2012?
After pulling out all my 'girlie accoutrements' to get ready for a friend's wedding in Melbourne, I was taken by how pretty they looked and couldn't help taking a photo.
It made me realise how much I love being female, with all the sparkly, fluttery, pretty, smelly things we accumulate. Although 95% of the time I'm mooching around in jeans and flats (albeit red lipped), I don't need much encouragement to throw on a dress and heels.
I dabbled in women's studies as part of my BA then spent a couple of years feeling guilty each time I applied lipstick. Was I really only doing it to titillate the men around me? These days I know the real answer to that...heck no.
I love makeup and jewelry and beautiful clothes because I like to be surrounded by pretty things. Life's too long for bad shoes.
How beautiful is this ring? It belongs to my friend Klara, and was bought in New York by her sister, Bara.
Since receiving my platinum engagement ring, I have resisted wearing yellow gold and for the most part, haven't missed it...until now.
Since spying Klara's ring, I have been singing a little rhyme that my Mum taught me in school. 'Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.'
Perhaps it is time I made friends again with the other gold.
I spent the last week of 2011 and first week of 2012 staying at the Kent family's vineyard in Victoria, Australia. It is always an eye-opening experience to see just how much blood, sweat and tears go into producing wine. We take it for granted that we can buy decent wine really cheaply in New Zealand, but after drinking their gorgeous, icy nectar for the past two weeks, I fear my taste buds have been spoilt for life.
Perched up high on the Bellarine Penninsula, just at the start of the Great Ocean Road, their vineyard (You Yangs View) is one of the prettiest I have seen and grows what is now (thanks to them) one of my favourite varieties, Verdelho. Originally from Portugal, a good Verdelho is rich and dense, like Sauvignon Blanc on steroids. We paired ours with everything from fresh oysters to spicy fried rice to seafood pizza (not all on the same night), but it really stole my heart served icy cold on the hottest day I have ever experienced without air conditioning...39.5 degrees. It was literally double the high in Auckland that day, and my skin felt like melted cheese. Mmmm, coincidentally, cheese also went well with Verdelho.
Although still pretty niche, there are a few Verdelhos around, but if you want to know more about You Yangs View in particular, have a look here. And next time you're out for dinner and spot one on the wine list, have one for me. Is it wine o'clock yet?
Am I cruel or what? Opening my first post for the year with such a delectable delight.
I'm sure, Beaunz Belles, that you made those New Years Resolutions to lose weight and eat healthily with the best intentions, but where is the fun in that? Diet schmiet I say.
The best diet advice I ever received was 'eat a little of what you fancy'. That came from my gorgeous Nanna June, once crowned runner-up Mrs. New Zealand (they were all married in those days), who was perfectly petite and curvy until she became terminally ill a couple of years ago.
So, my New Years resolution is not to (attempt to) abstain from cupcakes altogether, it is to eat only the most gooey and creamy and delicious cupcakes, and to stop everything else I'm doing and really enjoy it so that I feel satisfied with just one...a day.
I gave it a go with the above cupcakes (my own heavenly creation of Christmas mince cupcake with brandy butter icing) and it worked a treat. Best of all, I ate the first one for dessert, then happened to still be awake and ate the leftover at 12.01am. Not cheating!
Happy New Year Beaunz belles, here's to a year of great cupcakes, among other things.
