Book Challenge Update: Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc & Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc by Nancy Goldstone (64/100)

"At the age of thirteen, Joan of Arc heard the voices of angels that would change her life forever: She was to become the saviour of France. Joan summoned and led an impressive army of french loyalists against the English before her courageous journey came to a tragic conclusion in Rouen. This is the story at the heart of centuries of myth-making. But what if we no longer accept this tale? What if we question whether the heavens and their angels were truly Joan's only source of strength and power? What if we demand a different narrative? This revisionist history by a pre-eminent historian unearths the secular and verifiable basis for Joan's heroic exploits: Joan had a forgotten mentor, Yolande of Aragon. This is the story of not one but two- two lives that were intertwined in the restoration of France's greatness.
My rating: 7.5/10
My Comment: This story sucked me in, I didn't know much about Joan of Arc. This book gives you a lot of insight into her life.

Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (65/100) (book #1)

" Clary Fray is seeing things: vampires in Brooklyn and Werewolves in Manhattan. Irresistibly drawn to the Shadowhunters, a secret group of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons, Clary encounters the dark side of New York City- and the dangers of forbidden love."
My Rating: 7.5/10
My Comment: This book's movie version was released so I was curious to read the book first. The story was really good, I loved the characters and I will definitely be reading the rest of the books in this series.

Popcorn Bites: Pans Labyrinth, Hell Baby, The witches of eastwick, Fun Size and Its a boy girl thing

Pans Labyrinth (2006)

Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Ivana Baquero, Ariadne Gil, Sergi Lopez
Genre: Dark Fantasy
IMDb Synopsis: "In the fascist Spain of 1944, the bookish young step daughter of a sadistic army officer escapes into an eerie but captivating fantasy world."
My Rating: 8/10
My Comment: "If you don't already know this, I don't really watch fantasy movies other than Harry Potter. This movie had an addictive story-line and amazing special effects. The subtitles did move at a very quick pace, though.

Hell Baby (2013)

Directed by: Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon
Starring: Rob Corddry, Leslie Bibb and Alex Berg
Genre: Comedy, Horror
IMDb Synopsis: " An expectant couple who moves into the most haunted house in New Orleans call upon the services of the Vatican elite exorcism team to save them from a demonic baby."
My rating: 4/10
My Comment: When I first saw the trailer for this movie I got really excited because it looked like it would be a really funny movie. I was really disappointed, and bored when I saw this film.

The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

Directed by: George Miller
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer
Genre: Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: "Three single women in a picturesque village have their wishes granted- at a cost - when a mysterious and flamboyant man arrives in their lives."
My rating: 5/10
My Comment: This film had some really good moments and some really yawn moments. Great cast but not so great storyline.

Fun Size (2012)

Directed by: Josh Swartz
Starring: Victoria Justice, Jane Levy and Chelsea Handler
Genre: Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: "Wren's Halloween plans go away when she's made to babysit her brother, who disappears into a sea of trick-or-treaters. With her best friend and two nerds at her side, she needs to find her brother before her mom finds out he's missing."
My rating: 5.5/10
My Comment: This is another example of when the trailer uses all the best parts of the movie. It was good but not great. I loved Jane Levy's role in this film.

Its a boy girl thing (2006)

Directed by: Nick Hurran
Starring: Samaire Armstrong, Kevin Zegers, Sherry Miller
Genre: Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: "Sworn enemies find themselves in each other's bodies, and use this to ruin each others lives.
My Rating: 7/10
My Comment: I saw this movie plenty of times in my teens, and recently I watched it again. Its the [erfect chick flick that is filled with comedy and romance.

Fit Friday- The 100 (upside down) pyramid Workout

Disclaimer: I am not a certified nutritionist or fitness expert everything in this post is based on my own experience and opinions.

The 100 (upside down) pyramid workout

Its been a life-time since I have last posted a workout. This particular one is based on one that I have seen on twitter. It targets core, arms and legs. Don't forget to warm up and cool down before and after every workout that you do. (use between 1-4 kg dumb bell, depending on your preference)

100 Crunches

90 Alternating bicep curls

80 Squats

70 Bicycle Crunches

60 Tricep Kickbacks

50 Lunges

40 Reverse Crunches

30 Shoulder presses

20 Leg Lifts (alternating)

10 mins of any cardio of your choice

Repeat this workout as much as you like but remember to stay hydrated and listen to your body!

GLAMOROUS( and other words pop music taught me how to spell)

A common complaint amongst students when it comes to remembering facts is '"why do I remember lyrics so easily, but I can't remember the events that led to World War One" ? I am not going to go into detail of why maybe, for some people, it is easier to remember lyrics to our favourite songs as opposed to a facts.

But I for one am one of those people who loves to learn through music( going on You tube for " educational purposes" -a.ka. constructive procrastination) and during the days of weekly spelling tests as a primary school kid - we all remember them right? (Though spell check is a saviour for many of us ) these songs came in handy. Here a few words I never forget to spell in those tedious spelling tests :



Fergie - Glamorous ft. Ludacris

The chorus goes something like:

 '" If you  ain't got no money....
G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S"


Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Girl

" it's Bananas B-A-N-A-N-A-S"

Bring it on - U.G.L.Y

You have to remember this cheer being sung in one of those cheerleader-style Bring it on Movies?

" U.G.L.Y. You ain't got no alibi you ugly, Eh? Hey! You Ugly"




On a more serious note...

Click here: If you are interested in possible explanations why we remember song lyrics so well

Peace and love

xoxo

Imani

Book Challenge Update: Echoes and The Perfect Match

Echoes by Danielle Steel (62/100)

"The summer of 1915 was a time of prosperity and unease for the Wittgenstein family, and fpr their eldest daughter Beata it was also a time of awakening. By the glimmering waters of Lake Geneva, the quiet Jewish Beauty met a young French officer and fell in love. Knowing that her parents would never accept her marriage to a Catholic, Beata followed her heart- and as the two built a new life together, Beata's past would stay with her in ways she could never have predicted.
As the years pass, Beata must watch in horror as Europe is once again engulfed in war, threatening her life and family. Even her daughter Amadea, who has taken the vows of a Carmelite nun. But Amadea is forced into hiding and as family and friends are swept away without a trace, she begins a harrowing journey of survival. Taking on daring missions behind enemy lines, she finds a man who will help her discover her place in an unbreakable chain between generations... between her lost family and her future.
An intricate tapestry of a mother's love, a daughters courage, and the unwavering faith that sustained them- even in the darkest hour."
My Rating: 8/10
My Comment: This book is my first Danielle Steel book AND the first war novel that I really enjoyed. It brought me to tears, more than once. I could feel Beata and Amadea's pain. This book was beautifully written.

The Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult (63/100)

"As an assistant district attorney, Nina Frost prosecutes the sort of crimes that tear families apart. But when Nina and her husband discover that their five-year-old son Nathaniel has been sexually abused, it is her own family that is devastated.
The world Nina inhabits now seems different from the one she lived in yesterday; the lines between family and professional life are erased; and answers to questions she thought she knew are no longer easy to find. Overcome by anger and desperate for vengeance  Nina ignites a battle that may cause her to lose the very thing she's fighting for."
My Rating: 7.5/10
My Comment: Now I have officially read all of Jodi Picoult's novels. Although this one wasn't my favourite, it still brought out all the elements of heartbreak and twists.

What Steve Jobs learn't from a calligraphy class

Whether or not you are a techno-wizard or not, I am sure we have heard the name Steve Jobs.

Or maybe… Macbook, iTunes or the famous iPod.

Jobs recalled in the 2005 commencement address at Stanford University:

“Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country… “

“I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to [learn calligraphy]….And I found it fascinating”.

He later goes on to say:

“None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography.

If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would never have multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it’s likely that no personal computer would have them “.

Steve Jobs neatly summed : there is no such thing as a useless education. I have been in classes where I have spent half the lesson doodling on my notes, wondering why on earth I was enrolled in the class. In grade 9, when it was time to choose our elective subjects I chose the science subjects: pure maths, biology, chemistry and physics. Even when I had decided I did not want to pursue a career in any of those fields, I still stuck to the subjects. Partly because I was forced to… But more than that.

People still ask me why I took those subjects, while I still had the option of taking other subjects that were more related to what I am studying now( no maths or chemistry!). Why I endured hours of doing simultaneous equations and doing science practicals, whilst I could have taken “easier” subjects. But maybe someday my knowledge of the periodic table will have some practical use in my life?

The point is: try new things. Learn a random language that is not commonly spoken. Watch a documentary on some foreign subject. Tap into your inner most curiosity.

One of my dreams is to take a course in film. What are yours?

Motivational Friday: How to stand up after you have lost a battle?

So this year has been the hardest year of my life. I got two jobs, then I lost two jobs. My grandpa, mom's puppy and gran's cat passed away. I found out that I had both testosterone deficiency (yes, women do need a vital amount of testosterone as a part of their menstrual cycle) and a peptic ulcer.
Even though none of what has happened this past year has been my fault, these past two weeks I have been acting like I'm depressed and my motivation and self-esteem is at an all time low. And it's been effecting my family and friends too. But luckily, I surround myself with positive people.

My plan as to how I am going to get through this:

Write in a journal: This one is going to be a VERY difficult one for me as I have tried this before, but I never follow through. I am, however, going to try and sit down every night and write out my thoughts on that day.
Keep up with my gym plan: Working out is one of the best things that you can do to clear your mind of negative thoughts.
Meditate: This is also going to be difficult as I often get distracted during meditation. But I also want to try and do this every night.
Distract myself: I'm going to take this opportunity to study more, read more and laugh more.

Its very difficult to say to yourself "Everything will be alright" because it not always will. The secret is not necessarily positivity, but more of how you bounce back after a bad patch.

How do you stand up after you have lost a battle?

Lovies,
Heather
xoxo

Our twitter: @imaniandheather
Our facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imaniandheather

Book Challenge Update: The last boyfriend and The happy face killer

The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts (60/100)

"A shared past, a fresh start, and a lifetime of love...

Owen Montgomery is a busy man. He and his brothers, Beckett and Ryder, are working day and night to build an intimate Bed and Breakfast in his hometown. Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, and while his brothers tease him for his compulsive list making, they have to admit that Owen has ensured the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn't plan for was Avery McTavish.

Avery's popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a first-hand look at its amazing renovation-and a new found appreciation for Owen Montgomery. Owen was her first boyfriend, when they were kids, and hes never been far from Avery's thoughts. But the attraction shes feeling for him now is far from innocent...

As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn give the whole town of BoonsBoro a reason to celebrate. But Owen's hard work has only just begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected- and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last..."

My Rating: 8/10

My Comment: This book is a nice easy breezy read. I loved that Roberts focuses on other characters in her trilogies. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters.

The Happy Face Killer by Jack Collins (61/100)

"In February 1990, police arrested John Sosnovske and Laverne Pavlinac for the vicious rape and murder of 23-year-old Taunja Bennett. Pavlinac had come forth and confessed, implicating her boyfriend and producing physical evidence that linked them to the crime. Authorities closed the case. There was just one problem. They had the wrong people...

Keith Hunter Jesperson was a long haul truck driver and the murderer of eight women, including Taunja Bennett. He began a twisted one-man campaign to win the release of Sosnovske and Pavlinac. To the editors of newspapers and on the walls of bus stops. Jesperson scribbled out a series of taunting confessions  At the end of each, he drew a happy face, earning for himself the grisly nickname 'The Happy Face Killer'.

Based on access to interviews, diaries, court records, and the criminal himself, this is Jesperson's horrific story. Jack Olsen lets the killer tell his story in his own words, offering unprecedented insight into the twisted though process of a serial murderer.''

My Rating: 6.5/10

My Comment: When I first saw this book in the store, I was immediately intrigued by the title and the cover writing on the book. I love crime stories about serial killers and I really wanted to read this book. The book started off with Jesperson killing Taunja Bennett. But towards the middle of the novel I started feeling sick to my stomach and was actually in tears over how people can be so evil and have no mercy. I eventually finished the book reluctantly and thanks to Jack Collins, I'll be having nightmares for weeks. It was really well written though, I could actually feel the victims pain.

Thanks so much for reading,

Love,

Heather

xoxo

Our twitter account!! @imaniandheather

Popcorn bites: Arthur Christmas, Safe Haven, Vamps (spoilers)

Arthur Christmas (2011)

Directed by: Barry Cook and Sarah Smith
Starring: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy
Genre: Animation
IMDb Synopsis: On Christmas night at the North Pole, Santa's youngest son looks to use his father's high-tech operation for an urgent mission.
My rating: 5.5/10
My Comment: Haha, I got into the Christmas spirit early this year. This movie was sweet and there are a lot of hidden messages through out the film. I did, however, get bored half-way through the movie. I did hang on till the end, though.


Safe Haven (2013)

Directed by: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel, Cobie Smoulders
Genre: Romance
IMDb Synopsis: A young woman with a mysterious past lands in Southport, North Carolina where her bond with a widower forces her to confront the dark secret that haunts her.
My rating:  9.5/10
My Comment: This movie was brilliantly good. It had romance, it had drama and it had mystery. It a a perfect adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel. This movie had SUCH a beautiful cast. I even drooled over Josh Duhamel in some scenes. An absolutely breath-taking film.


Vamps (2012)

Directed by: Amy Heckerling
Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Krysten Ritter, Sigourney Weaver
Genre: Comedy
IMDb Synopsis: Two female vampires in modern-day New York City are faced with daunting romantic possibilities.
My rating: 7/10
My Comment: It really was nice seeing a girly, yet simple vampire film. The last scene when Goody felt the sun on her skin for the first time in centuries and then finally turned to dust made me cry so much. This movie isn't over the top with violence. Just a nice, breezy chick-flick with a twist.

August weigh-in

Last Month weight: 61.8 kg
This Month's Weight: 61.6 kg

My Thoughts:

I was kinda expecting a bad result this month. Its been a horrible month emotionally (with my grand father dying). It was also my birthday this month so I wasn't that diligent when it came to healthy eating (oops). I have, however, lost cms in my hips and waist. I have been very dedicated my going to gym classes everyday ans sometimes even twice a day if I have enough energy. So this month has proved to me that die and exercise DOES go hand in hand.

I hope that you had a fantastic week and I'll see you next time.

love,
Heather
xoxo

Unusual ways to combat stress

Stressed = Dessert(s)

We have all read numerous articles on the harmful effects of stress and how to combat them. Magazine articles suggest a plethora of coping strategies to de-stress from exercise, writing down in journal or simply managing your time better. These are great, and in my personal experience they do aid in making me feel “sane”. So instead of listing a few of the conventional ways of tackling stress, I decided to compile a list of a few (unusual) strategies I use to calm down:

Take out your colouring books

There is nothing like adding a bit of colour to a black and white sheet of paper to release tension.

Watch children’s show

Yes, at the age of 18 I still get a kick out of Barney. I guess they are some things you will never grow out off. There is just something therapeutic about a dancing purple dinosaur.

Play with your little sister/ cousin/ nephew

This works provided you are patient with kids. I just love to enviously watch little children running around so care-free at the park, longing for the days I didn’t have a paper on Timbuktu due the next day.

Bounce a ball around

Make funky shapes with play dough

Chew gum

Eat dessert.

Stressed spelled backwards is desserts! So go ahead a make yourself red velvet cupcakes decked with lots of icing  , I mean a fruit salad salad.

Peace and love

 

xoxoxo

Book Challenge update: The Next Always, Night Over Water and Salem Falls

The Next Always by Nora Roberts (57/100)

"The historic hotel in Boonsboro has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's  getting a major face-lift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. Beckett is the architect of the family, and his social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen.
After losing her husband and returning to her hometown, Clare Brewster soon settles into her life as the mother of three young sons while running the town's bookstore. Busy, with little time for romance, Clare is drawn across the street by Beckett's transformation of the old inn. wanting to take  a closer look... at the building and the man behind it.
With the grand opening inching closer, Beckett's happy to give Clare a private tour-one room at a time. It's no first date, but these stolen moments are the beginning of something new- and open the door to the extraordinary adventure of what comes next.
My rating: 8.5/10
My Comment: I really got addicted to this novel. I felt like I had a real connection to the characters. The book was beautifully written.

Night over water by Ken Follett (58/100)

The new action-filled, romantic adventure from Ken Follett, author of the worldwide bestsellers, The Eye of the needle and The Pillars of the Earth. A night abroad the most luxurious airliner ever built- the Pan Am clipper, bound for New York. A night of drama and suspense, as panic-driven men and women flee to save their fortunes...their families...and their lives...
My Rating: 5/10
My Comment: To be honest, this book wasn't something that I was looking forward to reading. As I've mentioned before, I don't enjoy war novels. The story had some interesting parts and then it also had it's bland moments.

Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult (59/100)

Jack St. Bride was once a beloved teacher and soccer coach at a girl's private school- until a student's crush sparked a powder keg of accusation and robbed him of his career and reputation. Now, after a devastatingly public ordeal that left him with an eight-month jail sentence and no job, Jack resolves to pick up the pieces of his life. He takes a job washing dishes at Addie Peabody's diner and slowly starts to form a relationship with her in the quiet New England village of Salem Falls. But just when Jack thinks he has outrun his past, a quartet of teenage girls with a secret turn his world upside down once again, triggering a modern-day witch hunt in a town haunted by it's own history.
My Rating: 8.5/10
My Comment: OK, to be honest, I have read this book before YEARS ago but I wanted to read it again because it was the first Jodi Picoult novel that kindled my love and appreciation for her. The book was just as powerful as I remembered it.

Popcorn Bites: Spring Breakers and Far and Away

Spring Breakers (2012)

Directed by: Harmony Korine
Starring: James Franco, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson and Rachel Korine
IMDb Synopsis: Four college girls who land in jail after robbing a restaurant in order to fund their spring break find themselves bailed out by a drug and arms dealer who wants them to do some dirty work.
Genre: Drama
My Rating: 8/10
My Comment: For an unexpected cast and heavy story line, I enjoyed this movie quite a lot. I'm not a party girl myself and to be honest some of the party scenes did make me feel dizzy... I understood the concept and the writing for this film

Far and Away (1992)

Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Thomas Gibson
IMDb Synopsis:  A young man leaves Ireland with his landlord's daughter, after some trouble with her father and they dream of owning land in Oklahoma.
Genre: Romance
My Rating: 5/10
My Comment: Its very rare that I can tolerate a movie such as this one. Despite Tom Cruises Irish accent, he did an excellent job in this film. And I have just confirmed that Nicole Kidman looks good playing any role.

Beetroot Smoothie: Healthy Fridays

 

DIY Project: Beetroot Smoothie

I just love making smoothies, and the best part of making smoothies is that you can add anything. Well, I do. I literally scavenge the kitchen for anything I can find, never adhering to a set plan. And when I was in the mood for a smoothie, we had one thing that was in excess in our kitchen:beetroots. I rarely follow recipes. For me, making smoothies is like art... anything goes really. But beetroots are a great food, despite sometimes not being easily digested by the body in my personal experience. I just love the flavour... the bright red colour... They are awesome, in anything!

Ingredients

-          2-3 beetroots  ( I am too lazy to peel them perfectly, but just make sure you wash them)

-          Celery

-          A leaf/ handful of spinach

-          Fruit yoghurt( I used banana yoghurt but anything goes really, though I do prefer unsweetened yoghurt)

-          Pinch of ginger

-          Few teaspoons of lemon juice

-          Two cups of fruit juice( I used orange and mango)

Method

-          Just blend it until it looks edible. That was too easy, wasn’t it?

Outcome

I enjoyed it!

Peace and love

Xoxo

Imani Dlamini

Confessions of a Couch Potato

I'm going to add something new to the blog. One thing that I enjoy more than movies and love just as much as reading, is watching TV series. So every four weeks I'll blog about new shows that I've started watching and season/mid-season finale discussions. Here is a list of shows that I am currently watching and/or waiting for the next season to start.

Comedy

• How I met your mother
• 2 Broke Girls
• Arrested Development
• Big Bang Theory
• Cougar Town
• Modern Family
• Raising Hope
• Suburgatory

Drama

• Greys Anatomy
• Hart of Dixie
• Parenthood
• Switched at Birth
• The Client List
• The Fosters

Mystery

• Bones
• Dexter
• Pretty Little Liars
• Twisted

Other

• Devious Maids
• Downton Abbey
• Glee
• Nashville
• The Carrie Diaries
• Shameless

Reality

• Ghost Hunters
• The Amazing Race
• The Biggest Loser
• NY Ink

Supernatural

• Once Upon a Time
• The Vampire Diaries
• True Blood

Haha so as you can see I have a lot to discuss. What are some of the shows that you enjoy watching?

Heather McIntosh