Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Film Review

As an enormous Potter fan, I have to admit I was very sceptical about Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I've been pent up with anticipation around the new film (and now five part series), but initially it wasn't necessarily excitement I was feeling during the build up to the release of the film. Despite the fact I was delighted that Eddie Redmayne was cast and felt comfortable that his performance would be great (which it was), the world that I saw in the trailers, whilst intrigued me, didn't fully convince me and fully sell the new series to me. 

Of course, like any Potter fan I was so happy that this world was returning to the big screen, but yet I did fear and question whether (as much as I didn't want it too), the Wizarding World had reached its narrative and cinematic peak and that perhaps Fantastic Beasts was just stringing on a generation of Rowling devotes to be inevitably let down in the fact that, at the end of the day, we aren't returning to the story and characters we love. There'a always a risk of a franchise losing its heart in the pursuit of continuing to make money.

However, in my absolute honest opinion, as a fan of the wizarding world and as a fan of film, I can support (and am so so happy to support) that it does nothing of the sort. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, gives audiences beautiful nostalgia and satisfaction of seeing what they have grown to love so much back on the screen whilst also offering something brand new to love. For me, it managed the blend the old and new beautifully and with so much respect to the stories we all care so much about. I have to admit that from the opening credits, the Warner Bros logo that excites any fan and screams Potter, the transition from Harry's theme to the new (and stunning may I add) theme, which is presumably Newts, gave me confidence that it was gonna be good. I think it was just the most beautiful way to sum up from the get go that yes, we're in the same world and that in some ways this is a story you know, but also to symbolize that this is something new and fresh, something that can stand on its own two feet, something that is equally as wonderful.

I'm not gonna go too much into the narrative because I don't want to spoil anything, but what I also found refreshing is that I was going in almost blind, when unlike in Potter films (which admittedly did have its own satisfaction) you knew exactly what was going to happen and when (for the most part). I really enjoyed not knowing what to expect with Fantastic Beasts. 

I've got to say probably my favourite element of the film was actually that it was just visually stunning, I think the team have really upped their game with the special effects whilst still including elements we recognise, making it ever the more magical. Props to the SFX team for the magic, particularly the Obscurus which was fascinating to watch and of course for the beasts themselves. I wasn't too sure about them at first but Newt's pet Bowtruckle won me over. How can a magical stick insect thingy-ma-bob be so cute? I don't know but it can.

Overall, I thought the script was great (is there anything J.K Rowling can't do). It was well paced and had just enough balance between all the elements of the narrative for it to work. I haven't got too attached to the characters just yet but I think I will. We have to remember these guys didn't get 7 books for us to pore over their every detail and get to know them inside out, but with four movies to go I can't wait to learn more about them and see how they grow. Sure, the new term for muggle 'No-Maj' is going to take some getting some used to, but hey, change is good. 

As for the cast, I think they bounce off each other well. Eddie fits Newt perfectly and I enjoyed Dan Fogler as the loveable 'No-Maj', all round good guy, Jacob. The stand out for me though I think has to be Ezra Miller as Credence. He fits into the world so well and did a brilliant job dealing with the darker issues of the narrative. (*Spoiler*) I'm still unsure about the casting of Johnny Depp as Grindelwald, he's just not who I pictured for the part and I think being apart of so many other franchises and so many well known films, almost ruins the magic in a way. It's hard to see past him as his other extravagant characters. I think they could have even took a risk with an unknown actor, considering the Wizarding World does a pretty good job of selling its-self.  But this is going off very limited screen time so I'm very willing to be proven wrong.

I'm forever baffled by this whole world Rowling has created and am pleased to have lived in a time where we have all grown to experience it as if it were our own story. With references to the Potter story we've grown to know within Fantastic Beasts, I'm excited to see how all the pieces fit together. 

Despite this, the film is still is wholly different from Harry Potter, yet what remains is the fact that at the heart of this whole universe is fantastic storytelling. May it continue on for the foreseeable future and bring light to our lives, for what is life without a little magic? 

Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette Review

Hi guys,

I recently purchased this highlighting palette from Sleek in 'Solstice' and after trying it for a while, can confirm that I love it. I just had to share it with you guys in case you were in the market for a lovely new highlighter... or four.

Not going to lie, this purchase was almost fully enabled by Sam from Pixiwoo who used it in one of her recent tutorials, as it looked amazing on her. I was in the market for a highlighter anyway, and when I saw this palette I was sold. I couldn't tell whether it was because of the fact that there were four products in the palette that looked beautiful, or because the palette was just so nice to look at on the outside too that made me want to buy it, but I was sold non-the-less and had high expectations from how I'd seen it looked on Sam.

So after purchasing it and delving in I was not disappointed. Yes the packaging is beautiful and definitely a bonus to the product, the gold mirrored packaging reflecting light almost as well as the products themselves...and being a magnet for fingerprints...but easily cleaned so its all good.. I stand by and support that all of these four products are just really lovely highlighters. 

As a make-up buff, I felt like highlight was my weak point. I have had a few other ones over the past couple of years, both powders and creams, and have tried to make them work so that they had the effect I always see on other people and in photos but somehow it just wasn't working for me. For me, this has revolutionised that and I can finally see what all the fuss is about.

The four shades from left to right are:

 Ecliptic: champagne cream highlight

Subsolar: yellow-y powder highlight

Hemisphere: lilac/pink baked powder highlight

Equinox: golden baked powder highlight

These shades are so pigmented too. As you can see in the image above, they really do their job and a little goes a long way.

Anddd even better, I've also found these products to be multi-purpose. I particularly have been loving the cream shade Ecliptic as an eye-shadow base and for using under the brow, and it blends like a dream. I'd say I have been reaching for the two baked shades of hemisphere and equinox for the top of my cheekbones the most although I stand by that every product in the palette gives a lovely highlight.

This palette comes in at £9.99 and for me it's totally worth it. If you're in the market for a new highlighter, I couldn't recommend it more. It does come with a brush and I have attempted to use it, but the bristles are far to hard and the brush deposits the highlight in more of a stripe than an even blend, so I wouldn't recommend it. But as for the products, they even feel high- end quality to me.

Have you tried this product?

Thanks for reading,

Kelly T x

Bon Voyage//Disneyland Paris Vlog

Bon Voyage//Paris Vlog

Bon Voyage: Snaps from Paris

Hi guys, I just got back from a trip to Paris and thought I'd share with you my snaps of this beautiful city. 

Hope you enjoy!

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Thanks,

Kelly T x

Alternative Tuesday: My Poetry

Matt Corby's Telluric Tour

So my ears and eyes were blessed to see the musical magician/angel/God that is Matt Corby on Saturday for the second time on his Telluric tour for his album that comes out on the 11th March, and it was everything.

 I was about to write 'everything I hoped for and more' but I think I'll just with everything. Yep.

By the way, I might be the worst person to review a gig when it comes to Corbs (yep, me and my friends nickname him... we need to get a grip) as I'm a massive fan and have been for years now but if I was in any way disappointed I would say, but I just wasn't. 

This gig was just as good as the last time I saw him on the Resolution tour, in fact I think it was even better. I'm not sure what it was, whether it was because I was centre of the standing crowd soaking up the atmosphere (which I loved because it was really chill), whether it was because it was at Albert Hall which is just a beautiful venue or because he played stuff from his new album. To be honest I think it was a mixture of all three.

It was just lovely to hear songs from the new album, which so far is shaping up to be amazing. From the songs I've heard, including Sooth Lady Wine, Knife Edge, Monday and Belly Side Up, Matt really seems to be changing up his sound, but in a really good way and in my opinion is developing

 beautifully as a musician. Also from what I've heard this album seems to be really versatile within its-self to; I can't wait to hear the rest.

Monday may be so different to Sooth Lady Wine, but for me that's a marker of his talent, it seems he can't go wrong. When I was there, there was a genuine moment where I was like 'you know what, you go get it gurl, you branch into whatever area ya want, coz ya'll know I'm gonna devour it'. 

Don't quite know why the voice in my head is like that, but I'm gonna roll with it.

Despite the fact that the whole gig was like a dream, for me Empire was a highlight. After he did the whole 'this is my last song' shenanigan (which was Souls A Fire and which he absolutely killed as one of his more upbeat numbers) and then came back on for the encore, he played us two brand new songs off the album that I hadn't heard before. 

For me, when he played the first song ( which I now believe is called Empire)I was instantly hooked from the piano in the beginning and as it unfolded it only got more beautiful. As I listened, a genuine tear was brought to my eye (as someone with a cold icy heart of stone, this is a big thing...)

The room just went quiet and you could just feel it, the energy,that unanimous sway. So powerful and heartbreakingly beautiful. It just really got to me. I'd never heard the song before but when

 it got to when he sang ' but how can they save you if they can't help themselves?' I actually gasped, like who actually does that? but I did.

It's a beautiful song melodically, but in terms of lyrics to...ugh, it's just so good. Oh how I wish I could write a song like that.

One thing I can definitely say about Matt also from seeing him live is that he's a artist that is better than his studio recordings. I believe a voice like that, and a band like that (who were also outstanding!) needs to be heard in person.

An experience like this just reminds me why I'm alive, okay bit dramatic there, but one of the reasons; music.

When I was there, particularly towards the end when he did new stuff from the album, when I was just stood there, in the moment, I was honestly overwhelmed which, trust me, doesn't happen often for me at gigs.It was just beautiful. There's no other word for it. When you can feel music through every inch of you and connect to a song ( or songs) in that way, no matter what genre or artist it is, for me, it really doesn't get much better than that.

So yeah, Corbs, I'll give you that, you're one hell of a musician, keep doing what you're doing and if you have the chance to go see him, I urge you all to do it.

Thanks for reading,

Kelly T x

(yes, this was written as direct aftermath of the gig in my excitable state but 10/10 still 100% agree with myself and confirm all opinions haha)

January Favourites

Fugifilm Instax Mini

I gratefully got this little gadget for Christmas and it has fast become one of my favourite things. There's just something so satisfying about getting your image there and then,watching it come to life. I'm definitely all for bringing back the physical copy of an image, there's just something so nostalgic about it.

 As far as polaroids go I would say the quality of image you get with this camera is not too bad at all. I personally really like the kind of oldy wordy feel to the image. I also really like the shape of the film, it just sets it apart from other polaroids. 

For me, although there are most probably cheaper cameras out there that are just as good, I still opted for this one because I loved the colour and the way the product looks on the whole and I'm not disappointed with the quality at all. It's also really light-weight too. One thing I would say is that the film is pretty pricey but for me that just makes the images I take that bit more special. I make sure I choose to capture particularly special memories.

Emma Hardy Amazing Face Cleansing Balm

I was pretty chuffed to get this in the sale early this month. Not going to lie, this purchase was pretty much influenced by all the good things I'd heard about it, even on feel unique (where I purchased it from) had such good reviews.

 I have really been enjoying using this since I've got it; it's very rich and feels really luxurious on the skin. For me, it does feel like a spa product and even smells like one; it's just lovely. To be honest, I can't say I've noticed a whole lot of difference in my skin from using this yet but straight after using it my skin does feel really clean and refreshed and all make-up is definitely removed, which is why I just love it. 

It is on the pricey side for sure, but you get a fair amount of product and you don't need much to cleanse the whole face. It comes with a really good quality muslin cloth to which is a plus.

Jo Malone Fragrance:Wood Sage and Sea Salt

I won't go into too much detail about this fragrance as I have done a more in depth post about it recently but I just had to include it because to me it really does smell divine. I know fragrance preference is personal but this one is just right up my street. I really think I will be repurchasing and repurchasing again for years to come.

If your into woody scents, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a try!

Weekday Jacket

So this is my first item of clothing from Weekday so I can't comment fully on them as a brand but so far so good, I'll definitely be checking more of their stuff out now I know their quality is good and for me, worth the money.

I really do love everything about this jacket. It is very oversized but I personally love that about it, it feels very Scandinavian in its style and really reminds me of the oversized fit of the clothes from Monki, a brand I love and have frequently bought from for years now.

It's maybe not the most appropriate jacket for an English winter as it is a light silky fabric but I've been wearing it non stop anyway; layering with jumpers underneath and a scarf on top does the trick.

 Crosley Record Player

I was graciously gifted this beauty for Christmas and I've just not stopped using it this month. Not to be too hipster here but there's just something so satisfying about having physical records again, about listening to albums in full and on repeat. Not that I ain't all about the Ipod shuffle but I'm really looking forward to building my own collection of Vinyl's up over time. I think it's such a lovely thing to do and I like the idea of handing it down when I'm older.

 In terms of the sound quality of this particular Crosley, it's really not too bad, not the best as it is a little on the quiet side, but I still just love it. I chose the blue colour as it's my personal fav, but there's loads of different ones too if you're interested.

Whistles Top

I can't tell you how long I've wanted to get my hands on one of these slogan t-shirts from Whistles. Well I kinda can actually; years. I'd seen them floating about on various different platforms and  thought they looked just effortlessly cool yanno. 

They come out with different ones every so often, usually French slogans, and I've liked them all, but there was something about this particular one that I just couldn't let go a miss. I just love the simplicity and the curve of the text. Of course it's a little on the pricey side but luckily I managed to grab this in the sale. Even so, I'd say it's worth it. The material is just so nice and soft and you can tell it's just so well made. It hangs on the body like a dream. 

It's a little different for me as I usually tend to gravitate to more oversized stuff. This isn't super fitted but it's not oversized either and I like that. It's definitely been a style staple for me this month.

It's available in Khaki too which is just as lovely.

Check Pinafore

I just love that this trend has come back, I really do. I had tried on a few different ones, such as similar checked ones from Topshop, but this one is by far my favourite.

 I love the dark blue colour as it's something I don't have a lot of in my wardrobe and find the fit really flattering (and forgiving haha).

I've been loving pairing this with my black turtle neck and Weekday jacket, like I'm just all about that outfit at the minute, it's become my uniform pretty much.

This pinafore also comes in at a super reasonable £19.99 which is so good considering I'd probably pay double for it.

David Bowie

Okay, so I just had to include Bowie in my favourites this month due to this unexpected huge loss that has shaken the world. I could go on and on about him I really could, but it has all probably been said better by another, and that's just it. 

How grave an effect it has been on so many and how they all have something to recall about how his music has reached them and touched them in the same way it has done for me, just says it all. A true artist. A true practitioner. Not just music, but art, life. Creativity at it's best. Gone but never forgotten.

What are your January favourites?

PS. I have tried to link the items the best I can but unfortunately some items are not available at the moment.

Thanks for reading,

Kelly T x

Sale Away

I'm not much of a sales person truth be told, but I had saved a few pennies up and very gratefully got some for Christmas and so I decided to suck it up and dive into the hectic jumble that is January sales.

I got some stuff in store and some online, but I'll link them all the best can. I thought I'd share with you what I picked up so you could get your hands on some of these items for cheaper if you like them too. There's a mixture of fashion and beauty items that I just couldn't let go a miss. Who doesn't love a good bargain ey? 

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and hope you enjoy! 

Emma Hardy Cleansing Balm
Original Price- £38
Sale Price- £32.30

Topshop Scarf

£7 in the sale.
Can't find the link on the website but in may still be in stores.

Whistles Tee

I got this t-shirt in the sale on ASOS a couple of weeks ago, but unfortunately it' s no longer in the sale. Butttt, it is still available to buy at full price, if you should so please.

ASOS Skirt

£38 to £13, yes please!

Weekday Jacket

Original Price- £85
Sale Price - £51

Still a bit of a splurge but I have wanted this for ages so I just went for it and I'm so glad I did. I've worn it pretty much everyday since I got it.

Topshop Jackpot Heels

Original price- £58
Sale Price - £40

I was super stoked to get these in the sale. I had spotted them ages ago now and loooved them, but they had sold out before I could even get my hands on a pair, but randomly browsing the website I found them in the sale. Think I actually did a little fist pump. Also, I used a gift card I had to buy them, so I actually only ended up paying £9 for them. Bargain. (also, didn't even know you could use a gift card online, but it turns out you can)

River Island Top

Original Price: £28
Sale Price: £15

Okay, so these next few items weren't in the sale but I thought I'd throw them in there anyway as they're still available to buy in store and in my opinion are such good value for money.They have quickly become some of the favourite pieces in my wardrobe.

New Look Wrap Blouse
£19.99

 New Look Check Pinafore

£19.99

Thanks for reading,
Kelly T x