Tag: reviews

films, movie night, netflix, reviews

Random film review: Sisters

ramblingmads

I thought that I’d share my thoughts on random films I watch late at night on Netflix. First up Sisters starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

I have no recollection of this being released in cinemas but that’s pretty common as I don’t go very often.

In the film Fey and Poehler play sisters who return to their childhood home to clean out their (frankly enormous – it has 2 double beds) bedroom as their parents have sold the house.

It is very silly, they decide to throw a legendary party inviting all their old friends, who conveniently still all live locally even though Fey and Poehler don’t.

There are some very funny moments that made me laugh very loudly and some unnecessarily cringey ones (poor Ike Barinholtz) that could easily have been cut.

The film also plays like a who’s who of funny American women with Samantha Bee, Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon and a host of others popping up. An almost unrecognizable Dianne Wiest plays the mum.

Good points: funny, would definitely pass The Bechdel Test.

Bad points: #filmsowhite the only people of colour are some heavily stereotyped Korean nail salon workers. Fey does seem to struggle with POC in roles (she’s the film’s producer too). That really unnecessary gross out scene with Poehler and Barinholtz.

Worth watching? Yes for celeb spotting and the funny bits as well as the sisterly relationship which real life pals Fey and Poehler portray well.

Stars: 🌟🌟🌟

blog tour, books, reviews

Book Review: Traitor – David Hingley*

ramblingmads

Today I’m hosting a stop on the blog tour for the excellent historical romp Traitor.

This is the third book in the Mercia Blakewood series – I recommend reading Birthright and Puritan first as the book references characters and events from the previous ones.

Following her adventures in the American colonies, Mercia Blakewood returns to England determined to make the King stand by their agreement and reclaim her family’s home.

However the royal court has other plans for Marcia in this third outing by David Hingley. It’s 1665, war with the Dutch looms and Charles II believes there is a spy in his Court. He needs Mercia’s skills and intelligence to rout the mysterious Virgo and prevent the Dutch from getting information about the fleet and their plans.

I love historical fiction, and Hingley’s blend of real and imagined people and events brings the Restoration vividly to life. Mercia is a fantastic heroine, smart, resourceful and determined.

Hingley has clearly researched the period well, having lived in both the UK and the US (near where the action of his books takes place) which is good as the Restoration isn’t covered in school, so although the plot is an invention, the books really gives you a feel for the late 1600s.

I really enjoyed the first two books but this is definitely the strongest so far (fingers crossed Hingley decides to continue the series).

Book one (Birthright) is currently £5.99 direct from the publisher if you want to get into the series.

Check out the rest of the tour

Today a really interesting and relevant article was published- talk about kismet. Mercia’s adventures start with an attempt to find Charles I’s lost art and now it is finally being reunited in part. Worth a read, just like these books!

*I received this product in exchange for an honest review, all opinions and words are my own.

beauty, reviews, skincare

Skin Refresh with Frezyderm* 

ramblingmads

As some of you may know I have rather complicated skin concerns ranging from extreme paleness to rosacea and ezcema. 

The team at Frezyderm have developed a range of products designed especially for sensitive skin and rosacea. 

They kindly sent me three items to test on my grumpy skin. 

Mild Wash Liquid – suitable for all ages, designed for sensitive skin. 

Sensitive Red Skin Facial Cream – suitable for all ages, designed to control rosacea and redness. 

Sensitive Red Skin Tinted Cream – CC cream with SPF 30, suitable for all ages, designed to cover rosacea symptoms. 

The face wash is ok, it works well enough but it didn’t leave my skin feeling as squeaky clean as I like so this has become a morning wash to get my rid of any sleep residue. 

The moisturiser I’ve found  works best over a serum. It’s not really heavy enough for winter as my skin gets thirsty, but so far I’ve been using it on make up free days over My Good Skin serum from Boots, the only real issue is that it doesn’t have any SPF so I have to layer that on too.

The only product I haven’t really got any use out of is the CCC cream and thats because it’s too dark for me. Which is a shame as I was hoping it would work as an alternative to my foundation when I just want to cover the redness. 

*indicates gifted or sponsored items but all words and opinions are my own. 

books, reviews

Book review: Look For Her – Emily Winslow

ramblingmads

Another day, another review. Something a bit more psychological this time! 

A body found in the woods dressed in the clothing of a missing girl from forty years ago, a young woman obsessed by the case, a recent drowning. Is there a connection and if so, can detectives Keene and Frohmann find it before anyone else gets hurt? 

I haven’t read anything by Winslow before, except her story in the Deadlier anthology (which I also recommend) but I really enjoyed this, finishing it in one sitting. 

I liked the changes in perspective between the different characters, the fact that some of them had their own agendas and you couldn’t always clearly see what they were, and how it was all carefully drawn together at the end. 

Cold cases are quite fascinating, especially as technology as moved on so much and what we can tell now about a crime is so more in depth than in the past, making it both easier and harder to solve them.

This book is available now from all the usual places. 

books, reviews

Book Preview: What Falls Between the Cracks – Robert Scragg

ramblingmads

For a debut novel this is very accomplished, and in an amusing twist is set in and around my neck of the woods, with familiar places popping up as I read.

A frozen hand is found in an abandoned flat, whose is it and how did it end up there? DI Jake Porter and DS Nick Styles match the DNA to a woman who had been missing for 30 years. What happened to her? 

A simple investigation turns into a knotty and dangerous case, pitting the police against a gang of criminals and members of their own force. 

I really enjoyed this, I like a good, complex crime thriller and this delivered. Pacey, well written, fully fledged out characters, the rest of this proposed series should be interesting. 
The hardback isn’t out till April next year but if this is your sort of read I recommend putting it on your tbr list now. 

books, reviews

Book Review: The Last Time We Spoke – Fiona Sussman 

ramblingmads

This is a really interesting book about forgiveness and redemption. 
After her family are violently murdered Carla Reid is slowly rebuilding her life while Ben Toroa, one of her family’s attackers is facing the consequences of his violent past. Their paths cross when Carla decides to seek further understanding of the day she lost her loved ones. 

I don’t know a lot about New Zealand or Maori culture, but this offered an insight into that world as well as a redemptive narrative, that while quite sad at times, from Carla’s tragedy and Ben’s terrible home life, also has a heart. 

I can see why the author is award winning – her writing is fluid and rich, the plot is intelligent and emotionally driven. 

The book is available now. 

Christmas, lifestyle, reviews

Christmas Bouquet with Prestige Flowers*

ramblingmads

A bouquet is a lovely gift for a family member you might not be seeing over Christmas and these seasonal ones from Prestige Flowers are beautifully packaged and can be delivered to the door of your recipient. 

My bouquet came with its own vase, saving me from having to climb up and get one from the top of the kitchen cabinet, and a delicious box of chocolates. Bouquets can also be ordered alone or with a bottle of wine or champagne. 

I tried to decide where to display my beautiful bouquet, with the tree, on it’s own, these flowers ended up with their own photo shoot! In the end they wound up on a bookshelf. But they looked pretty good anywhere, don’t you think! 

*this post contains gifted or sponsored items but all words and opinions are my own. 

books, Illumicrate, reviews

Book Review: City of Brass – S.A. Chakraborty

ramblingmads

I received this as an ARC in the most recent Illumicrate, although it has now been published. 

I hadn’t read a huge amount about this book before receiving it although randomly I follow the author on Twitter so who knows. 

I read it in one sitting, it was that good. Compelling writing, interesting plot and characters, clever world building. I just thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Nahri is an orphan who makes her living selling cures and telling people’s futures in a Cairo market, until one day she’s asked to perform an exorcism and things become very weird. 

Using characters and creatures from Middle Eastern mythology, Chakraborty creates an incredibly vivid world where myth and magic collide with our world. 

I cannot wait for the next book. As I finished this one I was going “but no, more story, now please!” 

If you enjoy fantasy then this is a book for you. 

Anyone else read it? If so what did you think? 

books, Illumicrate, lifestyle boxes, reviews

Illumicrate #9 November 2017

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It’s here! I get a bit excited by this subscription box because, well, books. They’re not only my favourite thing but Illumicrate often has special editions and exclusives long before anyone else. 

This is no exception. 

Artemis by Andy Weir, exclusive edition. I didn’t read The Martian  (the one turned into a Matt Damon film I didn’t see either) but I have been getting a bit more into sci-fi recently and C loves it so this is definitely getting read. 

The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty, advanced reader copy (ARC). This book is published next year but subscribers get an ARC now. I’ve heard a lot about this book and I believe I follow the author on Twitter. Look out for a review soon (aka once I’ve read it!) 

Bookish Tea Towel designed by @evannaveillustration exclusive to the box. I like this, it’s fun, it’s bright. It’s just a nice thing to have really. 

“The Right Book” print designed by @nutmegandarlo exclusive to the box. It’s well documented that I don’t like J.K. Rowling much but I do agree with this sentiment. 

Unicorn Journal designed by @prismofstarlings exclusive to the box. This is lovely and brings the number of 2018 diaries/journals I have up to about 5. 

Reading in Bed candle designed by @merakicandles exclusive to the box. This smells so much like hot chocolate that I have to refrain from licking it. So good. 

Moon and Stars necklace designed by @ohpandaeyes exclusive to the box. Such a cute necklace that pairs excellently with Artemis. 

This Mortal Coil sampler by Emily Suvada 

Iron Gold sampler by Pierce Brown 

Artemis booklet & bookmark 

This is an excellent box and one I am happy to spend my money on. Really makes it up after a month of uninspiring beauty boxes – books ftw. 

I am really excited by these books. If you need me I’ll be reading and sniffing my candle (honestly I don’t know how I can avoid eating it!) 

beauty, beauty boxes, reviews, skincare

Tili Beauty Box from QVC

ramblingmads

Tili is a beauty box from home shopping network QVC but it’s not a subscription box. You can purchase it as a one off for £20 including postage. I ordered mine on Monday and it arrived Thursday – which is super fast. 

While most of the items are sample size, all of them can be purchased on the QVC website full size which makes this more of a test it and see box than some others. Till actually stands for Try It Love It – something I only just got from the box’s inside lid, duh. 

Tula Exfoliating Treatment Mask 

Taya Red Clay Naturals Miracle Balm

Pixi Glow Booster 

Korres Water Lily Blossom Shower Gel

Erno Laszlo Firmarine Hydrogel Mask

Decleor Aroma Cleanse 1000 Grain Body Exfoliator 

Bio-Extracts Glow Boost

Laura Gellar Lash Boss Mascara 

Philosophy Purity Cleanser

Nails Inc. Nail Polish 

I really like this concept and can’t wait to test out all these goodies – although obviously I have to be careful with my sensitive skin (and winter is kicking my arse in terms of skin issues) but hopefully I will find some new favourites. 

Have any of you tried a Tili box? What did you think?