Tune Tuesday: 28 Guilty Pleasures

Hey guys!

As part of today's Tune Tuesday, I thought I would share with you some of my music guilty pleasures. These are songs that I secretly like but really shouldn't!

 

 

1. Leave (Get Out) - JoJo

 

This is one of my favourite songs from when I was younger. I used to play it so often! I didn't even realise that JoJo was actually not much older than me when this song came out!

 

 

2. Babycakes - 3 Of A Kind

 

Babycakes wasn't very well known when it was released and I didn't hear it much. I listen to it sometimes when I'm in a 'cheesy' mood!

 

 

3. Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer

 

One of my fave songs ever! New Found Glory did a cover not so long ago and I love it too!!

 

 

4. Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen

 

Terrible song but just so catchy!

 

 

5. Mamma Mia - ABBA

 

How could I not include ABBA?!

 

 

6. Dancing Queen - ABBA

 

Another ABBA song!

 

 

7. Hero - Enrique Iglesias

 

Oh, Enrique <3 <3

 

 

8. Who Owns My Heart - Miley Cyrus

 

This came out quite a while ago but I still listen (and sing along) to it occasionally!

 

 

9. Dilemma - Nelly & Kelly Rowland

 

I've loved this song ever since I was about 8 or something! It's one of my ten favourite songs.

 

 

10. Superstar - Jamelia

 

The fact that I still know most of the lyrics to this is just shocking!

 

 

11. C'est la Vie - B*witched

 

I just want to go to Popworld now!

 

 

12. Murder On the Dancefloor - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

 

I made up a dance to this years ago and I can't remember it! *insert sad face*

 

 

153 The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?) - Ylvis

 

I'm listening to this at the moment and I can't believe how annoying it is! Yet I still find myself singing along...

 

 

14. Potential Breakup Song - Aly and AJ

 

Probably not as well known as some of the others on this list but I still like it!

 

 

15. Wannabe - Spice Girls

 

Another song that makes me want to go to Popworld!

 

 

16. One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks) - One Direction

 

I wasn't sure whether to include this or What Makes You Beautiful, but I actually prefer One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks). It's better :p

 

 

17. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift

 

Love Taylor! You should listen to the cover Alex G did with Alyson Stoner (remember her?). It's so silly!

 

 

18. Reach - S Club 7

 

I used to love S Club 7 so much when I was in primary school!

 

 

19. Scandalous - Mis Teeq

 

Another song I made up a dance to that I (unfortunately???) can't remember.

 

 

20. AM to PM - Christina Milian

 

I wish they'd play this in clubs!

 

 

21. Sound of the Underground - Girls Aloud

 

One of the [very few] decent songs by Girls Aloud.

 

 

22. Toxic - Britney Spears

 

I couldn't not include Britney, right?!

 

 

23. Heaven - DJ Sammy ft Do

 

I definitely prefer this to the original version by Bryan Adams.

 

 

24. All Summer Long - Kid Rock

 

Great summer tune!

 

 

25. Teenage Dirtbag - Wheatus

 

Who doesn't like this?!

 

 

26. Sk8er Boi - Avril Lavinge

 

One of my fave songs!

 

 

27. Rock Your Body - Justin Timberlake

 

Old Justin was good! I wish they'd play this too in clubs!

 

 

28. Ever Fallen In Love - Stiff Dylans

I love this cover!



What are your guilty pleasure songs?


Hasta luego!


Serena
 

 

 

Eleventh Graze Box: Nibble Box Number 8

 

Hey guys!

 

I wasn't actually expecting a Graze Box this week but it was a nice surprise! I thought I'd cancelled my box from this week until I come back to York after the summer holidays, but I'm not complaining!

 

 

Here's what I received in my box:

 

1. Sticky Chocolate Pudding

 



I received this before, in my chocolate box back in January. It was delicious!

 



2. Smoky Chipotle Dip

 



 

I thought I received this snack before but I can't actually find it anywhere amongst my picture files! It looks tasty though!

3. Strawberries & Cream Granola Topper

 



 

I clicked on the 'try' option for this on the Graze website. I absolutely love strawberries and yoghurt-coated fruit! I think I'll have this with some plain yoghurt!

 

4. Tomato & Basil Pizza

 



A bit unfortunate that this isn't an actual pizza! It consists of cheese flavoured cashews, basil crunchini and mini tomato breadstick, so I guess it'll taste like a pizza, just without the added thousands of calories!

 



 

I'm going to miss getting Graze Boxes over summer!! :( They are so fun and delicious, of course!

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

My Summer Reading List

 

 

Hey guys!

 

As I have finished all my exams and university work, I have plenty of time to read for pleasure. There are many books I want to read and here are the ones I am planning to read this summer:

 

 

1. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants

I've actually finished this book (already!) and it's quite good.


2. Stolen

I'm reading this book at the moment and I find it so hard to put down!


3. Bright Young Things

This has been on my list for a while and I'm planning to read it after Stolen. I love the cover. Bright Young Things is by the same author as The Luxe, a book I enjoyed reading a few years ago.

4. The Host

I've read pretty much all of Stephenie Meyer's books except this one. The Host is such a huge book so I keep putting it off! However, it's been on my shelves for quite a while so I'm going to read it this summer.


5. Safe Haven

I loved The Last Song so I've been keen to read another Nicholas Sparks book. Safe Haven looks like quite a good book and I want to see the film.


6. Ash

Ash is a retelling of Cinderella but it's very different since the protagonist falls in love with a huntress rather than the prince. It sounds like an unusual book and I'm looking forward to reading it.

7. The Summer I Turned Pretty

Seems like a good summer book.


8.  Entangled

This is quite a dark book. I was drawn to it by the cover.


9.Ransom My Heart

I've been waiting so long to read Ransom My Heart!

10. Torn

Another book I've wanted to read for a while, and the second book by Cat Clarke I'll be reading this summer.


11. Perfect Chemistry

I guess this is kind of like a modern version of West Side Story. It's about a girl who falls in love with a gang member.


12. The Miniaturist

This book looks so good! It's set in Amsterdam in the late 17th century.

13. The Invention of Wings

The Secret Life of Bees is one of my favourite books. I'm keen to read one of Sue Monk Kidd's other works. I love the cover of The Invention of Wings.


14. Easy

I haven't read many new adult / college books, only Losing It, but it's a genre I want to read more of.


15. Emma

I've read most of Jane Austen's books apart from Emma and Mansfield Park. I want to read Emma first as I quite like the story (and I absolutely love Clueless!).

16. The Scorch Trials

After reading The Maze Runner, I was aching to find out what happens next to Thomas and the other boys (and girl). I'm so glad there's a sequel! Can you believe I still haven't seen the film?!


17. Romiette & Julio

Modern retelling of Romeo and Julio? Yes please!


18. Where She Went

This is a sequel to Gayle Forman's brilliant If I Stay. It's told in Adam's point of view. It would be interesting to see what has happened since the accident.

19. Sister, Missing

I must've read Girl, Missing over seven years ago! I'd definitely like to read the sequel!


20. Before Midnight

This is a retelling of Cinderella and it looks like something I'd enjoy.


21. Solace of the Road

This has been on my to-read list for ages! I was just searching this book on Google to find images and I didn't realise there was a stage production of it! Rebecca Ryan, who played Vicky McDonald in Waterloo Road stars as the main character! I wonder if I could still see it after I've read the book!


22. Every Day

Every Day sounds really unusual. It's about a boy who wakes up in a different body every day. Strange!



I realise that 22 is a lot of books to read in just under four months, but I should get through most of these books :D What books are you planning to read this summer? Have you read any of the ones I have mentioned? What did you think of them?


Hasta luego!


Serena

 



The Lizzie Bennet Diaries Web Series

 

 



Hey guys!

Today's post will be a review on The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. I discovered this web series around this time last year and absolutely loved it.

 

 

 

Brief Summary

 

 

For those of you who don't know, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is an updated version of Pride and Prejudice. It focuses on Lizzie Bennett (Ashley Clements), a student who has her own vlog. Lizzie shares with the audience the things that go on in her life. We find out about her family and friends, including her bestie Charlotte (Julia Cho) and her sisters Jane (Laura Spencer) and Lydia (Mary Kate Wiles). Charlotte helps Lizzie with the vlog, while Jane and Lydia appear in the episodes. Jane is the sweet older sister, who is described by Lizzie as "practically perfect in every way". On the other hand, Lydia is annoying, like most younger siblings. She's immature and obsessed with parties.

 

 

 

 

 

The Plot

 

A young man, Bing Lee, moves into a nearby mansion (called Netherfield). He brings with him William Darcy, who exactly like the character in Jane Austen's book. They all attend a wedding and Jane seems to have an instant connection with Bing. However, Lizzie doesn't get on with William. Over time, this changes, and Lizzie soon realises that William is not such a bad person.

 

  Here's the first episode:

 

 

 

 

My Views

 

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is fantastic. It's funny and fast-paced. I really enjoyed watching it and would definitely recommend it to fans of Pride and Prejudice. The characters are well-adapted to fit the modern age. Although the episodes are fairly short (some are less than four minutes), I found this to be more positive than negative as it meant that I could watch several episodes in a day. I am so glad I came across The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Have you watched The Lizzie Bennet Diaries? If so, what did you think?

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

 

 

What I've Been Watching Lately

 

Hey guys!

 

 

Hope you've had a great week! I've just been enjoying the sun and my freedom! :D Today I'm going to share with you the films and programmes I've been watching recently.  

The Duff - I missed this in the cinema so I was relieved when I managed to watch it on my laptop. The Duff was better than I thought. It's a silly concept, but there was a lot of humour.

 

The Sisterhood of Night - This film was a bit odd, but better than I'd expected. I thought it would be scary but it really isn't. The Sisterhood of Night is loosely based on The Crucible, and focuses on a secret 'cult' led by Mary Warren (Georgie Henley). Emily Parris (Kara Hayward) is a new girl at the school and soon becomes jealous that she is not part of the sisterhood. She spreads rumours about it, getting the whole town involved.

 

What A Girl Wants - FINALLY got round to watching this, after about 29545673 years!!! It's not the best film I've watched, but still quite good. What A Girl Wants probably would've been one of my favourite films ten years ago (though it's definitely not on the same level as She's the Man, Clueless, Mean Girls, Freaky Friday and A Cinderella Story). Colin Firth and Amanda Bynes are great, and Oliver James is so cute (he's also in Raise Your Voice)

 

So funny!

 

 

First Daughter - This was a fairly decent film, though nothing special. I thought it would be better, but it ended up being very silly.

 

 

The Spectacular Now - I've wanted to watch this film since before it came out over a year ago. I saw the trailer and it looked like the kind of film I'd enjoy. I was right. The Spectacular Now is a lovely film. It focuses on Sutter (Miles Teller), a popular guy with a slight addiction to alcohol, who wakes up in the middle of Aimee's front lawn after a night out. Although Aimee (Shailene Woodley) recognises Sutter from school, he doesn't know who she is at first. Sutter asks Aimee to tutor him and they soon get closer. I really liked The Spectacular Now - it was sweet and moving, and a great coming-of-age story.

Bridesmaids - This is so hilarious!

 

Once Upon a Time - I heard positive reviews about Once Upon a Time so I decided to check it out. I can't believe I've only just started watching it! One Upon a Time is brilliant! I like the idea and the characters are great! Henry is adorable and Rumplestiltskin is so creepy!

 

 

 

Side Effects - I found out about Side Effects whilst browsing Youtube a few weeks ago (I was actually looking for a film of the same name). The trailer looked intriguing so I searched it on IMDB for more info and then started watching it on Youtube. Side Effects is a web series about a girl who experiences hallucinations about her siblings singing after their father disappears. It's rather on the short side, with only four episodes, but so much happens. The songs are brilliant too - I love the covers of Safe and Sound and Try. Side Effects is definitely a show to watch if you're a fan of Glee.

 

 

Royal Crush - This is another Youtube series I've watched recently. It stars Youtubers Alex Aiono, Meg DeAngelis and Carrie Rad. Desi (Meg) and Katelyn (Carrie) are on holiday on a cruise and are interested in meeting cute guys. Desi bumps into Sebastian (Alex) and instantly likes him. However, Carrie also has a run in with Sebastian a little later and he gets the wrong idea about her, thinking she's more like Desi. Royal Crush isn't as good as Youtube shows like Side Effects and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, but it is fairly decent. Alex is really cute too :3 You can watch the trailer here.

  

 

 

Shipping Julia - I'd say that this is quite similar to Royal Crush. Youtubers Meghan Rienks and Oli White play the main characters. Shipping Julia is okay but I prefer Royal Crush.

 

 

 

Have you seen any of these films or programmes I've mentioned? What did you think of them?



Hasta luego!

 

Serena 

Tenth Graze Box: Nibble Box Number 7

Hey guys!

 

 

My last Graze Box for this year arrived on Monday! I'm so excited about the contents! They're all ones I've tried before (minus Tropical Sundae, but I guess that's a bit like the Tropical Daiquiri I had in my third box) so I know I'll enjoy them!

 

 

 

1. My Thai

 

I love sweet chili!

 

 

2. Marvellous Macaron 

 

I previously got sent this snack as part of my third Graze Box. 

 

 

3. Tropical Sundae

 

Yummy!

 

 

4. Honeycomb Flapjack

 

Delicious!

 

 

 

So that's what I got!

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

 

 

 

 

What I Am Looking Forward To Over Summer

  

Hey guys!

 

 

Since I have finished all my work for this term and my holiday officially starts this week (minus a few dissertation sessions tomorrow - yay :/), I thought I'd share with you some of the things I am looking forward to this summer.

 

 

 

1. Work experience

 

I am usually so disorganised when it comes to summer holidays, but I decided that this year I would go crazy with applying for internships. I managed to get accepted by a few companies, which was surprising considering I left sending off my CV and cover letters until April. I've got two placements lined up for the hols, one in June and one right at the end of September. They're both in magazines :D

 

 

2. Reading

 

I am so glad that I can read for pleasure again! I did read some fiction books over Christmas and Easter, though now I can do so again without feeling like I should be reading up about something more sociological. There is a long list of books I'm planning to read over summer and I'll be doing a post on that in the near future.

 

 

3. Films

 

I am looking forward to a number of films over the next four months (such a long time!). The main ones are Pitch Perfect 2, Tomorrowland, Paper Towns and Me and Rae and the Dying Girl. Pitch Perfect 2 and Tomorrowland are out in cinemas at the moment so I'll have to hurry up and watch them! Still got a while before Paper Towns and Me and Rae and the Dying Girl are released. Can't wait!

 

 

4. Pretty Little Liars

 

The next season of Pretty Little Liars is out this week and I can't wait! It's such a great show and I've missed watching it! I really hope there are some more answers about Charles and A! I've waited soooo long to find out!

 

 

5. Summer in the City

 

I'm so excited about Summer in the City! I went last year and it was fantastic! Youtube is such a lovely community! I hope I meet Hannah Witton, Dodie Clark and Ebony Day. Can't wait to see my friends again too!

 

 

What are you looking forward to this summer? Have you seen Pitch Perfect 2 yet? What did you think of it?

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena