Julie & Julia

Yesterday evening I watched Julie & Julia at the cinema - don't you just love the cinema when the weather starts getting colder?

I didn't know what the film was about. No, I didn't know who Julia Child was; I never watched a cooking programme before Ready, Steady, Cook! However I really did enjoy the film, possibly because of all the mouth-watering food shots that it included! And also because of the blogging factor - I like films that are aware of social trends.

I think it must be lovely to be able to cook like that and derive such pleasure from it. I don't think it's something that I would particularly inspire to do; however, perhaps if you've got people whom you're cooking for then it takes on a new stance and no longer remains 'the chore of cooking because food is necessary'. One of the dishes that she prepared that struck a chord for me was probably the simplest of bruschetta with tomatoes and cheese - so simple, yet so effective.

I like the idea of various snack foods as a main meal rather than just one plate. Bruschetta, couscous, potato salad, stuffed tomatoes, vol au vents - a lot more work definitely, but more fun!

I love the above picture where she presents of one her dishes to her friends (no that's not a spoiler) because the setting with the fairy lights is just so pretty.

Show me the shops and let me free

The weather's finally changed/changing; timepieces go back one hour today; the days have got shorter - winter has shown its face once again. Not that I can complain when having summer that lasts for approximately six months.

One of the major changes this time round is clothes. Wardrobes always change once the weather changes; however, the in-between stages of hot and cold are decidedly a pain in the butt when it comes to deciding what to wear. Also opening drawers and cupboards to see clothes that you've worn so many times before can be a bit depressing - to go along with the weather it seems! And at the moment I am in the midst of a shopping crave.

I need retail therapy. I want to go round the shops and buy new clothes. I can just feel the shopping lust. I don't get it often given my clothes bartering tendencies but sometimes a girl just needs new threads in her wardrobe. Having said that, feel free to take a look into my online wardrobe and see whether there's anything that you'd fancy owning. I'm willing to sell for very cheap prices - need to make space for new clothes ;)

Production Week

We've entered Production Week for our One Act Play. Lines are learnt, costumes are chosen, entrances and exits are planned. Tonight we set the lighting, Wednesday is our dress rehearsal, Friday we have an audience. Sunday we're judged, and it's all over!

It seems to be a lot of work for just 2 runs but it's worth it. It was a very fun play to be in and we were (and still are!) a very good cast which makes things a lot easier. I actually can't wait to perform it in front of an audience and get reactions to my lines and jokes. My character is extremely humorous so the feedback will be interesting - no feedback will be disastrous!! I'm also interested to hear the judges feedback since this will be my fourth One Act play in five years and hearing critique over the years can be very fruitful.

One positive aspect to rehearsals that I've noted has been the fewer hours that I've spent in front of my PC. Apart from work that is. Since we rehearse in the evenings I don't have the chance to get stuck in front of my monitor and I don't miss it!