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Rather than doing another full review (there'll be one of those next Monday that I expect to be a little lengthy), here's another look at what's been keeping me entertained lately.
FILM - MAD MAX: FURY ROAD.
We saw the trailer for Mad Max: Fury Road during our recent venture to see Age of Ultron and were both immediately intrigued. It wasn't even that there were (hopefully) decent female characters in an action film - which is generally a huge draw for me - it just looked like a good movie. Then all the "feminist propaganda" drama started and I decided I had to see for myself.
IT WAS AMAZING. I mean, if you're into explosions, loud things, ridiculous, post-apocalyptic action then yeah, it was amazing. Despite being set in a fairly desolate wasteland, it really is a treat for the eyes. Yes, there are strong female characters and a plot that clearly states "it isn't okay to treat us as objects/baby makers" but I never felt like it was overt or pushy. If I had to have one complaint, a couple of the shots might've been pandering to the 3D audience, but it's a very minor issue.
Even if you're not a fan of the series (which I'm not particularly - I know, so un-Australian of me) or action films, I definitely recommend checking it out. Especially while it's still in theatres - it's very deserving of the big screen experience.
MUSIC - VERUCA SALT.
My love of Veruca Salt isn't much of a secret, so when I got this update about the release of Ghost Notes I was pretty excited. Plus two new songs. Plus the opportunity to pre-order through PledgeMusic and get some pretty awesome rare bits-and-bobs (provided you don't live in Australia or New Zealand, which while I have worked around I'm still not thrilled about).
So the two new songs - The Gospel According to Saint Me, which comes with a pretty awesome lyric video, and Laughing in the Sugar Bowl, which the band has just recorded an official video for. Both songs are a beautiful fusion of older Salt and the two tracks released last year. And oh, the harmonising! It always takes me a little while to warm up to new songs, regardless of the artist but these are rapidly becoming new favourites in my car, especially Sugar Bowl. Check them out below:
There are also Summer 2015 tour dates if you're lucky enough to live in North America. It's gonna get loud...
PODCAST - SHE PERCOLATES.
I'd never been much of a podcast listener until a friend suggested Champagne and Socks to me, which I now follow religiously. When Meredith of One Sheepish Girl - a blog I've followed for a while now - did a podcast with She Percolates, I decided to check it out. She Percolates is all about the evolving concept of success and how success means different things to different people. Given my recent job change (more on that coming this Friday), Meredith's chat hit me particularly close to home and while I haven't tuned in every week, it has been really comforting for me and even inspirational to listen to different women discuss what success means to them, as well as some of the hosts discussions about creative block or exploring a new city. Their discussion with Ellie Cox, which I didn't think I'd get much out of being childfree myself, was particularly touching.
TELEVISION - BROOKLYN NINE-NINE.
Another "courtesy of Netflix" find for us. Having seen snippets of the show on SBS (we're hopeless at remembering to watch scheduled television) we were both itching to give it a better look when Netflix opened down under. It's hilarious. I really was expecting it to be something of the Andy Samberg show but I genuinely adore every member of the cast and what they contribute. It isn't surprising since it comes from Michael Schur, who worked on The Office (you might recognise him as Dwight's cousin Mose) and Parks and Rec, and Dan Goor, who also worked on Parks and Rec and has also worked on The Daily Show and Late Night with Conan.
We're currently watching season one through for a second time (gotta get our quotes down!) while we wait for season two to be added to Netflix Australia (so no spoilers, please!) and were thrilled to find out the show has been renewed by Fox for a third season.
YOUTUBE - DOWNUNDER DERBY TV AND HOPE FOR PAWS.
Just because I don't quite have the guts to sign up for derby myself (I hate getting hurt!) doesn't mean I can't enjoy it. I recently discovered Downunder Derby TV which airs Aussie derby LIVE. It's been fantastic actually watching live derby since generally I just check out highlights after the fact. The channel also provides some cute content such as Confessions of a Derby Girl.
Another recent discovery courtesy of reddit has been the Hope For Paws channel, a non-profit animal rescue organisation that rescues dogs and other animals suffering on the streets or in shelters. The video below is the one that originally caught my eye and my heart. If you're able to, considering donating to Hope For Paws, they do great work!
A few months ago I tested out Minimalist Baker's recipe for 1 Bowl Hazelnut Cake, with a few changes: I used eggs rather than the suggested vegan alternative and I made the mistake of making cupcakes rather than a full cake which meant they were all eaten (they were moist and delicious) before I had any chance of frosting them.
Since the hazelnuts in the recipe are part of the topping rather than the batter, I've had a bag of hazelnuts sitting in the pantry since, staring at me as if to say, "why didn't you put us in that cake... you need to bake something else... you must eat us or it was all for nothing...".
So I finally put them to use with this delicious recipe for HAZELNUT BITES. I recommend cooling them and then storing in the fridge before serving but if your household (and stomach) is anything like mine, that might be a bit of a struggle.
HAZELNUT BITES RECIPE
Yields 24.
INGREDIENTS
115g butter
140g/3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tbsp almond essence
150g/1 1/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
200g/2 1/4 cup rolled oats
285g milk chocolate chips (85g for the batter, 200g for topping)
80g hazelnuts - toasted and chopped*
*If you're lazy like me, toast, peel, cover with a teatowel and go to town on them with a something heavy (I used a mallet)! It's fun and quick. It also makes them better for sprinkling.
BISCUITS
1. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F. Grease/line a baking sheet - I used two.
2. Cream butter and sugar. Add the egg and almond essence and beat well.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
4. Add to wet mixture, beat until it resembles cookie dough, then stir in the oats, 85g of chocolate chips and half of the hazelnuts.
5. Spoon mixture onto prepared trays - should create approximately 24 bites. Flatten with a rolling pin (I used the bottom of a glass to flatten, then mould into a nice round shape).
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Remove from oven, transfer to cooling rack and allow to cool thoroughly before topping.
You can do it! You do not need to burn the roof of your mouth on hot, incomplete hazelnut bites and then feel bad for not finishing them off!
Well, maybe one is okay. Especially if like me you had one that broke on the journey from tray to cooling rack.
TOPPING
1. Melt 200g chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Click here if you're unfamiliar with this method.
2. Cover the tops of your cooled bites with the melted chocolate (I spoon the mixture onto the biscuits then smooth with the back of the spoon but you do whatever works for you).
3. Sprinkle with the remaining hazelnuts - depending on how cool your house is you might want to do this as you go or risk your chocolate setting.
4. Allow to cool, then transfer to airtight container and transfer to refrigerator.
Or just go ahead and eat them now. I wouldn't blame you at all.
These are lovely on a cold day (like it is here lately!) with a cup of tea!
The Wii U seems to be the last bastion of the "traditional" multiplayer gaming experience. When we first moved in together, priority one was obtaining a gaming console. As the industry has shifted to online gaming and fewer split-screen titles are produced, we've largely abandoned our dying 360 (the disc tray doesn't work) and temperamental PS3 (now little more than a glorified Blu-ray player) for PC gaming. Many of the titles we previously played together on console, such as L4D2 and the Borderlands series, are now staples in our Steam libraries and we've given little thought to the next-gen consoles.
Nintendo seems to be the only company fully aware of the desire for lounge room gaming. Like most other people, we initially assumed the Wii U to be an addition for the Wii rather than an entirely separate console. Now it's a staple in our household and our library is full of racing, fighting and platforming games (and a couple of dance titles, shh!) reminiscent of the ones from our respective childhoods.
Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush (Rainbow Curse in the US) is an altogether strange experience at first. Similar to Kirby: Canvas Curse on Nintendo DS, you are no longer Kirby - you're his guide, using the stylus and GamePad to "paint" paths for Kirby to roll along. Gone is the traditional Kirby experience. You won't be running, floating and sucking up enemies here. Rather Kirby is reduced to his base form: a ball.
There's definitely a learning curve and I recommend having a full-sized stylus rather than stock one. Tapping Kirby will produce a spin attack and collecting 100 stars will grant him a heavy-duty star dash. Certain levels will also see Kirby turned into a tank, submarine and rocket, similar to Kirby's Epic Yarn. (Side note: how much of an opportunity are Nintendo wasting calling it Yoshi's Woolly World rather than Yoshi's Yarn?!)
Few titles have made what could really be called "excellent use" of the bulky Wii U GamePad. The single-player experience in Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush seems to have the opposite problem to other games in that it treats the GamePad as though it were a handheld device, completely disregarding any need for a TV. A number of times I played while watching TV just because I could and I genuinely wondered why I wasn't just playing this on my 3DS, especially given it has better battery life.
And so we come back to the multiplayer experience. The game allows for up to three additional players with Wii-motes as Waddle Dees to "help" Kirby (depending on your particular family members). While this is a thoroughly laughable experience, we had similar issues to Kirby's Epic Yarn in that the additional player(s) died frequently. Due to the isolation of the GamePad, whoever played as Kirby also felt somewhat removed from the game and some "I'm not psychic!" arguments ensued.
The game itself is stunning. The modelling clay art style is unique, textured and offers the occasional artistic treat (read: gimmick) to players. I bought Epic Yarn years after release purely for the art style and this is just as glorious. Aside from the change of controls, the gameplay is largely the same as most Kirby games with increasingly difficult levels and a boss fight at the end of each stage. If like me you're a completionist, you may find it slightly tedious having to replay levels to collect chests you overlooked or failed to collect in timed challenges.
In particular, I really enjoyed challenge-mode. You are given one minute to guide Kirby through four short levels to collect a chest - simple but frustrating. Again, possibly tedious for those who don't enjoy having to repeat levels over and over but generally quick, simple and thrilling.
Despite being largely typical of the Kirby oeuvre, the changes to controls, multiplayer and art style offer a charming and exciting experience. Discovering new little features keeps the game fresh and mildly frustrating without making you want to throw the GamePad through your TV (mostly). Well worth a look-in if you're a fan of Kirby.
NB: So far we've been unable to test out the Amiibo feature as we do not have any of the appropriate Amiibos.
Today was meant to be a craft post, but I've really only been working on my Sophie's Universe, which is currently blocking (again) after completing round 88. Here's a little sneak peak for the curious...
So I thought I'd share our Loot Crate for this month of April!
This was the first Loot Crate we've received and unfortunately it wasn't the best way to start. We watched lots of other Aussies get theirs from about mid-April while ours only arrived on Friday. Whether this is the fault of Loot Crate or Australia Post, there's really no way of telling since our tracking number didn't work.
Moving on to the box itself, the theme this (or last) month was Fantasy - a big part of why we ordered it in the first place. This box definitely hit it's mark with us.
Obviously this big item in this box is the shirt. It's very red. Go and stand in the street and direct traffic red. It's fortunate that we ordered it in husband's size and not mine - I could not wear a shirt that red. The design is pretty cool - if you can't tell from the shirt, it's a dragon-ampersand.
This is one of my favourite items from the box - a Harry Potter bag tag. It's surprisingly large - maybe the width of my coffee mug - and made of rubber. I'm now really excited to attach it to my suitcase for my Sydney trip!
Yep - it's a bowtie covered in dragons and dice. There's a picture in the booklet of a woman wearing it as a hair bow and I think that may be the preferable option, though husband promises that'll be his go-to next time we have to attend an event. Yikes.
This is definitely the silliest, most useless thing in the box. It was also very difficult to photograph. Really, who needs an inflatable crown? Husband is quite taken with it though so maybe I just don't get it.
My other favourites from the box - Game of Thrones magnets and a House Stark flash drive. It's only 4GB but it's so cute that I don't mind at all.
Finally, it's a Princess Bride deck of cards, a film which I've never seen (I know, travesty of the century). The designs are gorgeous and the cards themselves are very high quality.
For those people who will notice a few extra things in the first picture that I didn't photograph - there's also a badge (button, pin, whatever you call it in your respective country), the box itself, which is full reversal with a fantasy theme (shown) on one side and the standard Loot Crate box on the other, and the book detailing the items in the box and a few other bits and bobs.
Overall, we're very pleased with what we received this month and it has prompted us to opt for a three-month subscription despite the delivery issues we experienced.
Did you receive Loot Crate (or any other subscription box) this month? What was your favourite item?
Hi, my name is Karina and I'm a Joss Whedon fan. It's been four days minutes since I've dazzled someone with my ridiculous knowledge of random Buffy the Vampire Slayer trivia.
Now that that's out of the way, last Monday husband and I went to see The Avengers sequel, Age of Ultron. The Avengers are still working together, though no longer for S.H.I.E.L.D., and specifically to help Thor reclaim Loki's scepter (you remember the mind-controlling one he used to get his way in Avengers). Within it, they discover an AI which Tony and Bruce use to complete Stark's global defense program, Ultron. Who, as it turns out, is sentient and doesn't want to do what you wanna do. Avengers, assemble!
Rather than write a full review (there are plenty of those floating around on the Internet), and also because when I tried to write a review my thoughts were everywhere, here are Five Things I Did and Didn't Like About Avengers: Age of Ultron..
Things I Liked...
1. Joss' script is, as always, quick-witted, quotable and believable. The scene with Thor's hammer is priceless as is Stark's "how quickly can we buy this building?" before "accidentally" demolishing it.
2. Screen time! If you've seen this break-down of each characters' screen time and were a little irritated, you'll be pleased to know Hawkeye and Black Widow are definitely much more prevalent. I think we might've lost some Thor though...
3. James Spader's voice may just be the perfect choice for an AI trying to destroy all of humanity. Appropriately spine-chilling and humorous.
4. It's all starting to come together... BEWARE, this is a very spoiler-y link, click at your own risk and I shall say no more about it!
5. The female characters - Maria Hill is her usual cheery self, Dr Cho is appropriately brilliant and we get a lot more insight into Black Widow. Please let it all be worth it! Oh, and Scarlet Witch is very, very cool. Even if Elizabeth Olsen felt like a bit of a twit waving her hands around and not needing a stunt double.
Things I Disliked...
1. The things that made the first movie - Loki (I know he can't be in every Marvel feature, but he's so charismatic that Ultron is a bit of a let down), the impressiveness that was S.H.I.E.L.D., the leviathan flying through the skies of New York...
2. The "recasting" of Quicksilver. Evan Peters did such a brilliant job in X-Men: Days of Future Past (this scene springs to mind) that Aaron Taylor-Johnson's version really pales in comparison.
3. Lack of emotional pay-off. If you're a Whedon fan you know he likes to tugatourheart-strings. There's a lot of foreshadowing in Age of Ultron with that genuinely feels like Marvel flat out said, "no you're not killing anyone in this franchise".
4. The love story. I said it of The Hobbit films, I'll say it here: we don't need it! You can't make me "ship" a couple when I just don't believe in their connection and even less so if it doesn't contribute much to the plot.
5. The fan service. I know you've all been waiting for Hulkbuster, and like most things in this movie, it looked great and was a lot of fun, I just didn't care.
I think that's the problem with this movie: I just didn't care as much. I wasn't as invested. I've seen a few reviews elude to the fact that this is setting up for later plots, specifically the third Captain America and Avengers installments.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, a lot. It was fun and there were some great developments. Those five things I liked are reason enough to check this out, and you definitely shouldn't skip it if you're a Marvel fan. I'm just left feeling like this was more filler and fan-service than much of a movie.
Also if you're a Buffy fan, I'm sure you were also reminded of a certain unfortunate season one episode. Terror has a new address!
x
NB: My impression may also be marred by the four-year-old who spent the entire 141 minutes commenting and asking what was going. Ratings exist for a reason and not all comic book films are suitable for children!
Here's one I found on YouTube a while ago, I believe from Amelia and Essie, who if you aren't already subscribed and enjoy Beauty-Tubers, are definitely worth a subscribe.
WHAT TO READ/WATCH DURING ME TIME?
I know I should be reading my book club books but since I've really been into funny lady autobiographies lately, the likes of Mindy Kaling and Caitlin Moran have been more likely to grace my Kobo.
I'll usually watch something that my husband won't watch with me, like Grey's Anatomy or Girls. If it's a teary me time, I'll get nostalgic with Ever After or The Secret Garden.
WHAT DO YOU USUALLY WEAR DURING ME TIME?
Nothing that unusual - I'm one of those people who no matter how sick or how little I have to do that day, I'm still probably going to get dressed. Even on a lazy/me time kinda day I'll still be in jeans and a jumper.
WHAT ARE YOUR ME TIME BEAUTY PRODUCTS?
In case you missed Wednesday's post, MOISTURISERS! I love them. I love how they smell. I love how they make my hands (and feet!) feel.
If it's cool enough (which isn't often here), I'm also partial to LUSH bath bombs. Sex Bomb and Phoenix Rising are both lovely - so naturally they're both out of stock at the moment.
CURRENT FAVOURITE NAIL POLISH?
Being that it's autumn here, I've been trying to add in some appropriate colours. Lately I've been alternating between Essie's Very Structured, which is either a warm chocolate or a deep terracotta/burnt sienna colour depending on the light and Sally Hansen's Plum's the Word.
WHAT DO YOU EAT/DRINK DURING ME TIME?
Tea and toast! Nothing fancy.
CURRENT FAVOURITE CANDLE?
We bought these at a market about a year ago, from a company called Moonlight Lotus. Mine is Mandarin and Vanilla scented, which is strange because I have a mandarin allergy and this doesn't bother me at all. It's lovely during rainy days.
DO YOU EVER HAVE OUTDOOR ME TIME?
I was actually gifted a gorgeous hanging egg chair for Christmas two years ago. It doesn't get as much use as I'd like since it's either sweltering or raining here, but it is a nice place to read or have a coffee.
WOULD YOU EVER GO SEE A MOVIE ALONE?
Probably not - it's not the movie that's the problem, it's the lining up by myself.
FAVOURITE ONLINE SHOP?
I've definitely curbed my online shopping habits of late, but I'm still a sucker for spending hours browsing asos or romwe.
ANYTHING TO ADD? WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO DURING ME TIME?
I feel like I spend a lot of time crocheting, but that's part of my job so I'm not sure if it counts as me time. Maybe that's the point - if you're doing something you enjoy, it doesn't ever feel like work anyway.
