Oscars 2014 Predictions

So, now I've watched *pretty much* all of the nominated films, here are the films I want to win, and the ones I think actually will...

Best Picture - American Hustle

Now, I would really really really like Wolf of Wall Street to win this. I think the film has fantastic pace, and achieves the near-impossible by keeping the audience completely entertained for over 3 hours. Some of the scenes are so hilarious that they made me cry. Really.

However, I think that it's going to be a close call between 12 Years a Slave and American Hustle, and (perhaps unfortunately) I think the later will just about inch it.

Review :: Dallas Buyers Club

One of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. Laughs, tears and everything in between.

The Hype

From TV appearances to awards season tip offs to a huge advertising campaign, this film has been everywhere. At first glance, the film doesn't really lend itself to a huge audience (a period film about a homophobic AIDs sufferer... hmmm), but I think the trailer was cut fantastically and really grabs your attention. I'm not a huge fan of overly-American films (usually a rodeo scene would be enough to put me off completely), but I was really, really excited to see this.

#GetFit4Free - Sweaty Betty Ballet Bootcamp

I'm always on the lookout for fun, new ways to exercise, which means I absolutely LOVE the sound of Sweaty Betty's Ballet Bootcamp, which they are holding as part of their #GetFit4Free February campaign. Designed by ex-professional dancers, the session "combines military-style pace and energy with the posture-correcting movements of ballet to sculpt and strengthen the female physique."

Fitness First Personal Trainer session (ouch!)

I had my first ever personal trainer session yesterday at Fitness First Angel, and daaaym was it the first time that I realised the above to be true!

I'm lucky enough to have a corporate package, which means I get a FF 40 minute BodyFirst session for free. During a Bodyfirst session, you work with one of the club's personal trainers to develop a training plan to suit your fitness level and personal goals.

I was a bit scared about signing up for my session, so I asked to be paired with the friendliest trainer possible, and ended up signing up for session with Daniele, who turned out to be absolutely lovely.

100 Happy Days

I'm starting the #100happydays project today. It's a online challenge that asks your to take a photo of something that's made you happy daily, for 100 days. It's think it's a really cute idea, and should help me start feeling a little bit more thankful about my life. Apparently only 71% of people that start finish, so let's see how I do!

Image via The Motivated Type, who sell some lovely prints over on Etsy.

Review :: American Psycho The Musical

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I've been looking forward to watching this for MONTHS. Following a near miss when it looked like all tickets had sold out, I managed to bag two second-row tickets (for an absolute steal at the under-30's price of £16), during the show's last week at the Almeida Theatre.

Print Club London - Pinfluencer Event

(Image via Pinterest. Check out my concentration face!)

I'll be the first to admit that I can't draw, illustrate or paint to save my life, but when the lovely Frankie offered to take me as her plus one to Pinterest's first-ever Pinfluencer event at Print Club London, I couldn't say no!

I adore prints - from bold quotes and quirky portraits to detailed illustrations, I'd covered my walls from floor to ceiling with them if I could. However, I've never really put much thought to the process behind producing the prints - to be honest, I actually thought that the majority of them were spun off of an Epsom printer somewhere in small batches and then sold as limited editions on market stalls. I'm glad to say that I couldn't have been further from the truth.