I’m a gal that likes lots of movies. Sure, I’ll always want the latest romantic comedy, or teen movie, or Nicholas Sparks adaptations – but I am a Cinema student, always. I always want to watch new conventions, new ideas based on old plots, new genres, or sub-genres (though thanks to Eli Roth, I may avoid torture!porn).

So with that in mind, I’m embarking on a Horror Movie Challenge. With help of course! I can’t do this alone! Simon Miraudo and Jon Tilton; host on the Trending Cinema podcast and website, and fellow movie junkies are going to watch a few. The list of movies I am going to see was thought up by Simon and Jon’s fervent love of the genre, as well as going through other lists, and coming up with a good cross-section of all the different levels of horror.

Oh boy. What have I signed up for?

Horror movie 1 is Poltergeist, produced by Spielberg, directed by Hooper (guy that did the Texas Chainsaw Massacre). Yet I’m told this is a ‘gentle’ beginning!

Wish me luck..

Just Quickly (where I’m not going to go into TOO much detail but I feel strongly about it to share with you – Katharine McPhee produces music Leona Lewis wishes she could. Yes, Bleeding Love was HUGE – but she made a joke out of herself by covering Run by Snow Patrol (which should have been left alone) and her only talant seems to be her ease at belting out any given song.

Katharine McPhee, well known for being the runner up in the 5th season of American Idol – has such a gorgeous range, she can hit those high notes with a power, but at the same time, have a softness and subtlety that Leona Lewis still needs plenty of work on.

Check out her first single when she was brunette, called Over It and you’ll see what I mean.

Rihanna’s recent single ‘Hard’ – not about how toned she is after a gym session, or the self defence classes she may have been inspired to take – but more how she is stronger than ever mentally, on the runway, walking down the street. In general.

And with this up in yo’ grill – wouldn’t you be scared?

I would feel tougher with a ‘knuckle duster’ goin’ around but she makes it look glam, without being menacing. That’s hardcore.

Even Alicia Keys is getting in on the act – well, not with ‘bad’ but with.. LOOOVE. All sparkly!

And you can own one too – (and think of your own word!) here!

What would your knuckle duster ring say? Mine would probably say E M and then E T I B (reverse it… think about it) Clever huh? I can’t take the credit.  Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) used it whilst being tied up in Alias.. she’s feisty.

I love good movie debate; there are always the incredulous looks I give when someone says they haven’t seen The Princess Bride, or Wizard of Oz, or people are shocked that I haven’t seen Pulp Fiction or Casablanca. (I have not)
Though, what do you argue about when it comes to TV? One such debate came to mind – which of the three CSI franchises is best? My pick may be ‘controversial’ – I think CSI: New York is best.

Out here in the fields…! (As I start singing along to Baba O’Reilly – the best theme song out of the three, disagree?)

I think it has the best soundtrack, the best ensemble and chemistry between the characters, and at least the leading man isn’t a JOKE (seriously David Caruso you were credible in NYPD Blue but now a complete joke on CSI: Miami). He doesn’t look anyone in the eye – did you notice that?! And whether it be he’s always wearing sunglasses, he’s putting his hands on his hip. He is a caricature of a character!

I think the original (Las Vegas) lost its way a few seasons in – and now when I flick over, I just don’t think the characters share a genuine banter or chemistry the way they used to, so effortlessly in the first few seasons when forensics were the hot new thing.

What do you like about each CSI? Or what do you hate about the others in the franchise?

My makeup wishlist is extensive. And its a beast – the more I read about makeup on Adore Beauty Forums or read reviews via Makeup Alley it then leads onto learning about other brands. It will open me up to the wonders of a liquid eyeliner and a ‘cat eye’, or new lip plumping products, and the more I add onto my wishlist.

My first love though would have to be eyeshadow. I’ve been a bit adventurous and tried a few teals, or purples and greens, but more than ever, I will always love neutrals. There can never be enough and I’ve seen YouTube videos where gals and guys have more than one palette full of neutral shades only! Oh. MAN. When will it end?!

MAC’s US website is just so bright, colourful and gives the budding makeup artist the ability to put together a custom palette. Here is what I came up with. Its not in my shopping cart – just in my shopaholic heart.

So I know, I know, I dropped the ball on Valentine’s weekend – though I was enjoying some romantic movies, I was distracted by the swooniness!

And somewhere in the world its still Valentine’s Day, right? So.. don’t fail me yet!

Yesterday, I didn’t mope, or wallow in the fact that I am without a lover. Or a companion, you know like Dr Who. Someone to travel time and space with.

But that doesn’t matter; I had romantic fairytale ending movies to watch.

Here are a couple that you may not have seen, and may not know how bloody romantic they are and that even without a sad ending, they will make you sob. Sob not because of a tragic death, but because there are so many squimpery moments (squimper = a squeal and a whimper in one) that tears are sure to occur.

First up on telly yesterday was Chasing Liberty (2004) – Mandy Moore & Matthew Goode, oh my. This was the movie where I met the handsome Matthew Goode (yes I loved him waaay before he was in Watchmen) and Mandy Moore, well what can I say? I love her in anything really, she is the princess of teen-esque rom-coms. Its the story of the President’s daughter who just wants a bit of freedom, and gets that – but controlled, by an undercover British Secret Service agent. Filmed in all parts of Europe, as Anna travels to Berlin for the Love parade, she seeks to be as reckless as she can and experience life without the constraints of being in the First Family.

Then there’s a recent new favourite – Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging (2008) about the trials and tribulations of being a 14 year old girl in a small coastal British town. When I say trials and tribulations, I mean getting her eyebrows looking shapely and lean, getting boys to notice her and so forth whilst having parents that still kiss openly – EWWW! The emotions and squee-ness of Georgia are infectious, as well as her crush on bass player Robbie, who appreciates her just the way she is – a right nutter. Watch out for him soon, appearing as a pre-Beatles John Lennon in the upcoming Nowhere Boy.

Nothing wrong with a bit of romance and swooniness on the silver screen, matter of fact, why wait for February 14th? Watch these two movies stat!

Tonight’s Valentine’s Post comes to you with thanks, and courtesy of Miss Holly, aka beatideas from YouTube! She’s put together her four favourite blushes – powder, pearls, liquid and creme; sure enough to distract you from that other event on the 14th.

So another Valentine’s Day is upon us…and why rely on a handsome stranger or unexpected bouquet of roses to bring about that oh-so-lovely flush to our cheeks? Check out my top 4 blushes, all of them unique, effective and attractive both inside and out (because packaging is uber important with makeup) – Love at first swipe? I think so!

Guerlain Limited Edition Perles Imperials Meteorites $100 AU (Approx.)

Yes, it’s Guerlain’s tried and true/tested golden child, the Meteorites – spherical bits of heaven for the face. But this time it’s in new shades with shimmer + sheen to brighten skin “from within”. And speaking of within, did I mention the packaging? Sequinned, black, floral emblem embossed on the top…it’s like the perfect outfit only for your face! Yes, it’s a little pricey, but these puppies last for ages.

Tip: dust lightly over all the high points on your face.

MAC Blushcreme in ‘Posey’ $40.00 AU

A universally flattering colour in a cream blush form – the consistency is easy to work with and easy to touch up! This will get you through any day where you have 2 minutes or less to get ready…or before that all-important date!

Tip: remember to build the colour with a cream blush – less is always more to begin with.

Benefit Cosmetics Posietint – $55.00 AU

Small enough to take anywhere with you, this clever (and pink) little bottle holds a liquid candy-coloured tint that you can use on both your lips and cheeks with a built in brush in the lid much like you would find on a nail polish. It’s subtle and fresh and great for those who appreciate the “bare faced” look, or for anyone afraid of the dreaded clown cheeks.

Tip: keep liquids with liquids – so if you want to set with powder, do it after blush application.

NARS Blush in ‘Dolce Vita’ $62.00 AU

You thought I’d pick ‘Orgasm’ or even ‘Super Orgasm’ didn’t you? Sure, they are super, but ‘Dolce Vita’ is deep and mysterious and very femme fatale. Use it to sculpt for kickass cheekbones or on the apples of your cheeks worked towards your temples, it’s blush all grown up! And it comes in the sleek NARS packaging complete with a generous mirror.

Tip: this blush is perfect for evenings out, as it will show up gorgeously on camera.

And there you go, 4 romantic blushes to have a play around with this Valentine’s Day – just in case you don’t have anything else to do.

This is uncanny. Was about to post further thoughts on how ridiculous – but perhaps strategic Carrie’s dress choices were and I came upon this from one of the last episodes of season 6. Does this not look like my ideal Valentine’s Day dress or WHAT?! Completely by accident – I only typed in ‘pink dress’ into Polyvore in order to find that – and what do you know. Carrie wore it.

Thinking further on the phenomenon of being introduced to Sex & the City for the first time, and pondering Carrie and her fashion choices to do the most mundane things, or go down the street, or go on a first date – I think she treated every day like Valentine’s Day. I can only think she treated every day like she wanted to be romanced, as opposed to someone that would only dress up for a given occasion or being invited to a ball.

What do you think about Carrie’s choice to dress like she was going to a ball EVERY day? Comment away!

On Day 2 of the leadup to Valentine’s Day.. here is a taste of romantic fashion.

Of course, this is completely hypothetical, and most likely the outfit I would have my ‘character’ wear in a romantic comedy. I wouldn’t leave the house in this! But in my ‘movie’ fantasy (where I’m played by Jennifer Garner) – here is the type of outfit I would wear..

Cutesy Valentine’s Date by popcouturist featuring Forever21 dresses

Wait, wait. Before you take that to be the most unsurprising statement of the year (and that’s calling it early, its only February!) let me tell you – I only started watching Sex & the City a month ago.

I steadfastly tried to ignore it – I’d seen bits and pieces of it on TV but dismissed it as a ‘novelty’ show. Perhaps I was a bit of a snob – whilst I was looking up to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sydney Bristow, or lusting after Fox Mulder – I thought the women in Sex & the City were one dimensional and materialistic.

Obviously on the outside looking in, and from all the risqué trailers (or teasers) shown on tv, I thought Samantha was too over the top, and nymphomaniacal and I’d never relate to someone like her, so how could I like the show? Miranda was too cold, and cynical. Charlotte seemed to be the stereotypical romantic, optimistic and overly perky character, prudish in Samantha’s company. Carrie seemed to be quite the balance and perhaps that was the reason that Sarah Jessica Parker is so adored, and fanatacised about! (Note, I didn’t mean fantasize – I mean FANATICISE!)

I just couldn’t fathom why so many women seemed to gush over the show, the fashion, the women – and the actresses that played these characters.

But now.. I eat my first impressions. I can’t quite put my finger on it. As I came to the final episode, on the last disc of the final season – I bloody cried! I even tried not to; still determined not to be like women en masse who talk about having more than once box set as the first is ‘overused’. (I’m looking at you Tiz)

As I mentioned in my last post, about how it doesn’t take a sad ending to make me cry but a happy one – I think the waterworks welled up as soon as Carrie returned from Paris, surprising her friends in the cafe where they’d spent all those years confiding in each other, and sharing each other’s lives.

The fairytale of the show, and the appeal certainly wasn’t one thing. Surely it wasn’t sex. Certainly it couldn’t be the fashion (though from an outsider’s point of view – that’s all it seemed to be!) and it wasn’t the dating – but it was the importance and value of friendship.

I think this one post will be branched out into a few – crazy outlandish fashions, first date blunders, which of Carrie’s beaux would you choose, and which fabulous New Yorker would you be? Watch this space..

P.S Oh, and just an example of how much I’m already relating – when I finished An American Girl goes to Paris Part Deux – it was 1am and I turned back on the lights, got out my laptop and started writing, ala our Miss Carrie Bradshaw.