Christian Bale: Seriously Talented

Christian Bale, in my opinion, is simply a brilliant actor. He was born in the United Kingdom in 1974, and is married with a daughter. He has acted in big budget films, but it’s predominantly his arthouse and independent releases I prefer. He is notoriously intense on set, and is said to practice method acting, where an actor stays in character even when not filming, for the duration of the shoot. His meltdown during the filming of Terminator Salvation went viral when it was remixed and posted on the internet. He later apologised for verbally abusing the crew member. Christian's first big role was when he starred in Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun, when he was only 13.  This year he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Dicky Eklund in The Fighter.

Photos from some of my favourite Christian Bale films:

Twisted and Brilliant in American Psycho

Beefing it up in Reign of Fire

Being futuristic and stuff in The Equilibrium

Anorexic in The Machinist

Being a Tricky Dicky in The Prestige

Suave as Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight

Tough guy in Terminator Salvation

On the hunt in Public Enemies

What's your favourite Christian Bale movie?

My Lady Unicorn

This amazing piece of art by Josephine Wall is called My Lady Unicorn. It's so detailed and intricate, truly a beautiful painting. I'm beginning to think I might get in trouble for posting some of this stuff. Don't tell anyone :o/

Shooter

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Danny Glover, Michael Pena, Kate Mara.
Genre: Action

Mark Wahlberg stars as an American ex-military sniper in this all-out action romp. He's been asked to determine if an extreme longshot can assassinate the President, as obviously, that's his area of expertise. He outlines the steps involved in using this method to shoot the President, but then is framed by the very men he's helping. And that's where bad-ass Marky Mark lets loose. He's on the run from corrupt Goverment officials; shots are fired, muscles are flexed and shirts are removed. I actually really enjoyed this, surprising since I'm a girl and this movie is aimed squarely at boys. I love how he disguises himself to blend into each background. The most hilarious disguise of all is the white puffy one designed to blend into the snow. It's freaking unreal. Overall, an enjoyable action/suspense flick that I think both genders will appreciate.

Have you seen Shooter? What did you think?

The International

Starring: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts
Genre: Thriller

There's Agents, banks, corruption, lots of guns, murder and action. Now let's get to the important stuff. I like Clive Owen and I want Naomi Watts' hair. Clive Owen is appealing on the big screen, I don't know why. I have loved him in Children of Men, Derailed, Closer, Inside Man, Sin City, and the list goes on. Now to Naomi Watts. Thankfully you don't have to look at her ten inch long nipples in this movie (fire up 21 Grams if you have no idea what I'm talking about), but her hair is captivating, nonetheless. Those layers. The perfect blonde colour. Aaaaaah. Anyway some thought is involved with this movie, and there are parts where I screamed out "AS IF!!!!" to the TV because it defies belief, but other than that, not a bad movie.

Sydney Trip with Giggle & Hoot Meet and Greet

In February, we took the Sydney trip I won. The actual prize was flights for 2 adults and 2 children to Sydney, with 1 night’s accommodation and breakfast, an ABC set visit including a Meet and Greet with Giggle and Hoot from the ABC kid’s show of the same name and a Family Pass for entry into Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife World.  I’m assuming it was because we would only be taking 1 child instead of 2, that the promoter extended it to 2 night’s accommodation and upgraded the Family Pass to a 4 Park Pass that also included entry into Centrepoint Tower and Manly Ocean World (WOO!).

We had other things we also wanted to do while there, including go to a Mossimo store (no flagship stores in SA) to spend the $600 voucher I won that was set to expire in July this year. So we extended the stay at our own cost, staying an extra two nights in the Four Points Sheraton in Darling Harbour. The first hotel that was included in the prize was Star City Hotel and Apartments.

This was a free online competition run by New Idea, where you simply filled out your details on a webpage and pushed submit. No purchase required. Also, it was unlimited entry. Zach, our son, is a massive Giggle and Hoot fan, so I admit, I did put in about 20 or so entries per day for the duration of the competition. But still, I was Very Lucky to win! Here are the happy snaps!

Ride him, Cowboy!

Too innocent to be scared shitless!

Wildlife World: It’s a hard life.

Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World

The Marina at Darling Harbour

So many water features, so little time.

Wasn’t kidding about the water features

Zach playing on Manly Beach

Manly Beach: Hurry or the water will get you!

Manly Beach: Our cute little munchkin

View from the Ferry

Sydney Opera House taken from the Ferry

ABC Studios: B1 is cuter than normal!

We arrived on the Giggle and Hoot set and saw this.

Jimmy Giggle and Hoot the Owl

Zach with Giggle and Hoot!

Room With A View: Sheraton Harbourside room!

Pineapple Express

Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Gary Cole, Rosie Perez, Amber Heard
Genre: Comedy

Wow. This stoner bro-mance movie is Pretty Bad. There are occasional funny scenes, but they are few and far between. My favourite bit is where Dale is calling Angela after they've broken up and he's hysterically crying and begging to get back together with her. It's pretty funny. OK that doesn't sound funny in itself, but it's what happens next that's amusing. Lucky Pineapple Express stars Seth Rogen and James Franco, because I like both actors, so that kept me watching. This is a Judd Apatow production, but it's not up to the standard of Superbad or 40 Year Old Virgin. I'm quite discerning with my low-brow comedies :) Oh, well, they can't all be winners, can they?

Unicorn With Bow

This image is from Cornify; "spreading sparkly happiness around the world". I just made up a rhyme to accompany this picture. God, I'm talented. LOL :)

Yellow horn, bow of green.
This unicorn looks a bit mean.
His mane and tail are full and bouncy.
I think he's a male but he looks a bit flouncy.

Face Of Australia Divine Shine Lip Plumper

rrp $10.95

What FOA say: Cinnamon & Ginger stimulate circulation below the skin's surface, encouraging lips to flush and plump. Menthol combines to produce a longer lasting plumping effect for bigger lips. Lanolin fills fine lines and makes lips appear smoother and fuller. Intense light reflecting pigments ensure a mirror-like gloss effect.

I am so in love with this Face of Australia product! I stumbled across it in Kmart months ago (on special for around $8.00) and I could not resist buying it, as Lip Plumpers are one of my great loves, so I’m always eager to try as many different ones as I can. Also, it was mega cheap. I was not disappointed.  

The first thing I noticed was how beautiful it felt on. My lips felt moisturised and smooth after this product easily glided on. The fragrance is unlike anything I’ve smelt before, obviously from the combination of active ingredients, menthol, cinnamon and ginger. You would think this would be unpleasant, but actually it’s quite the opposite. You can also feel a light tingling sensation, common among lip plumpers, which is the product working to stimulate circulation under your skin and plump your lips. I’ve tried Lip Plumpers where this ‘tingling’ is absolute stinging agony (hello Too Faced Lip Injection and DuWop Venom Gloss) but that’s not the case here.

I love the shade I picked, Lavish Instincts, too. It’s a natural light brown hue that accentuates the natural colour of my lips. Also, as the name ('Divine Shine') suggests, this is a very glossy, shiny formulation, due to the light reflecting pigments. I am happy with the level of plumping, too. Although there are products that result in fuller lips, the price you pay is literally the price (very dear!) and the pain (as mentioned above).  I noticed my lips looked fuller, but not only that, they felt smoother and looked great due to the great shade. I’ve not yet tried the other shade, Sterling Blossom (a brighter pink hue, see below), but am eager to in the future.

Shades available in: Sterling Blossom, Lavish Instincts, as swatched above, from the Face of Australia website.

Available at: Priceline, Kmart, Big W and selected Pharmacies Australia wide.



The Simpsons Unicorn

Really? Cos you look like Ralph Wiggum with an Icecream Cone on your head to me. But, whatever you say. I needed some Simpsons silliness to cheer me up after The Review From Hell.

What's your favourite icecream flavour?

Lancome Galateis Clarte

Gentle Clarifying and Cleansing Fluid for Face and Eyes

Lancome say:  “A water-light lotion for fast, thorough cleansing that removes even the most stubborn makeup. Foundation, blush, mascara and lipstick all dissolve and disappear on contact! Leaves skin feeling clean and fresh, soft and supple. It’s extremely gentle formula can even be used to remove eye makeup.”

I got the 50ml version of this in a Lancome Gift With Purchase at least a year ago, and I'm still using it. This is probably the best Cleansing Fluid I've ever tried. It's super gentle, which I love, because it doesn't hurt if you accidentally get some in your eye. I purely use it as a MakeUp Remover, as it seems to remove my eye makeup so gently and effectively, not like some others, where you're rubbing and pulling on your skin trying to scrub the black off 'til you have panda eyes! This Fluid will actually remove all traces fairly quickly, leaving your skin feeling soft and cleansed.  The fluid is white and the consistency is fairly thin, perfect for dissolving away unwanted makeup. The aroma is pleasant too, not overbearing, just a slight hint of fragrance. The formula contains pineapple and papaya extracts which aid in breaking down the connecting layers between skin cells. This would be fantastic for dry skin, but at the same time it seems like it would be suitable for any skin type.

Overall, this is a luxurious cleanser, that is well expensive. If you feel like indulging, it is a quality product. I would never spend this amount on a Cleansing Fluid, but I am happy I was able to try it as part of my GWP.

**Upon searching online for this product to get rrps, I was unable to find it, so it may have been discontinued, or had a name change to Lancome Galateis Douceur Gentle Softening Cleansing Fluid for Face & Eyes, which is a very similar looking and sounding product, containing the same main ingredients, and comes in 200 and 400ml sizes, just like the Galateis Clarte.  Galateis Douceur Gentle Softening Cleansing Fluid for Face & Eyes is pictured below.**

Lancome Galateis Douceur Gentle Softening Cleansing Fluid Face & Eyes 200ml $30.00 (AUD) and 400ml $46.00 (AUD) from strawberrynet.com

Quoits Unicorn

I remember playing this game as a kid. Just not using a Unicorn as the target. He looks slightly taken aback, but I’m sure it’s all in good fun. He looks a bit like a Clydesdale Unicorn with those big hooves!

Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil

rrp $6.95

This lip balm is one of my favourites. It provides instant relief for dry, chapped lips as soon as you put it on. It's great for re-application throughout the day, and the wind-up design makes it easy to use and non-messy, as you don't have to apply it with your fingers. The consistency is spot on; not too runny or wet, and not too thick. It gives a clear glossy sheen with a slight red tinge, which for me, makes it preferable to plain clear balms, as the red hue makes for pretty lips during the day. I also use this right before bed to keep my lips hydrated, moisturised and replenished through the night.

The small stick design means the balm is perfect to throw in your makeup bag and take with you. I recently travelled with it and it was a lifesaver! Also, Burt's Bees products are 100% natural. Since buying this, I'm very impressed with Burt's Bees, and am keen to check out the rest of the range.

Burt's Bees say about their feature product, Pomegranate Oil: "Pomegranate fruit extract, from the tree Punica granatum, contains several polyphenols and anthocyanidins which are highly antioxidant, protecting hair and skin."

$500 worth of Bee Jewellery

$500 worth of Bee Jewellery

I won this from a Facebook competition. There were numerous necklaces and other pieces of jewellery as runner up prizes, then a grand prize of $500 worth of Bee Jewellery (winner gets to choose), which I was lucky enough to win!!

I chose an Eternity Ring, Gold and Diamond Heart Pendant and Pink Butterfly Ring. Loved the Butterfly Ring so much, I paid the difference when my total exceeded $500. LOVE!!

For the astute amongst you, I have removed my Wedding Ring just for this photo, so I could feature all the jewellery on the same hand and still be able to take the picture!

** I've decided to feature some of my competition wins on my blog, in this section entitled Comp Wins. I thought it was an exciting section but Blogger wouldn't let me put an exclamation mark at the end. Bastard! **

Triangle

Starring: Melissa George, Liam Hemsworth, Michael Dorman, Emma Lung.
Genre: Thriller

This movie seriously freaked me out. It's scary, disturbing and a complete mindfuck. Melissa George and her pouty lips are pretty good as the main stars, and then there's the likeable Michael Dorman, too. This would be extra good to see right before you go out on your yacht, or if you were about to embark on a cruise. I was too much of a wuss to watch Triangle at night, this is strictly daytime, curtains wide open viewing for me. This experience stuck with me for a few days afterwards, haunting me, the way only Melissa George's front teeth can. You have been warned :)

Have you seen it? If so, have you recovered?

Mosaic Unicorn

I totally need to put my craft hat on and make a Mosaic Tiled Unicorn, because it looks pretty cool. If only I had a craft hat or could be stuffed. Where's Mister Maker when you need him?