When I first came to England, I quickly discovered three chick-lit novelists I would love from the start: Alexandra Potter, Sophie Kinsella and Jane Costello. I own every single book (except for Kinsella’s novels written as Madeleine Wickham), I constantly recommend them to anyone who’ll listen and I was lucky enough to interview both Potter … Continue reading
Author Archives: Diary of a Chocaholic
Sense and Sensibility 2.0
For my birthday, I received the new and updated version of Sense and Sensibility by Joanna Trollope. The re-imagined novel is part of The Austen Project, a new series of books written by today’s leading authors transposing Jane Austen’s stories to modern-day England. Just a refresher for everyone: The Dashwood girls have just lost their … Continue reading
The Other Woman
Last night I went to see The Other Woman. From the trailer and synopsis, I expected to have a good time, but wasn’t expecting anything extraordinary. How wrong I was. Even though the core of the plot has been done before (think First-Wives Club), it gets a nice do-over. And a lot more humour thrown … Continue reading
The Love Punch
Easter Monday I went to see The Love Punch. Starring Pierce Brosnan and Emma Thompson in the lead, with Timothy Spall and Celia Imrie as trusted sidekicks, this movie is another in the growing line of comedies targeted at what’s now being called the “silver economy”, aka people who are 60+. That obviously doesn’t mean … Continue reading
THAT Earworm
Ever noticed how some songs just DON’T STOP PLAYING in your head OVER AND OVER? Yeah. Some you like, others you don’t, so it’s actually terribly annoying to hear them in your brain when you’re showering, or walking down the street. Or worse, when you’re trying to fall asleep. To stop the really bad ones … Continue reading
Why I Love IKEA
Most people can be divided into three categories: those who hate IKEA, those who love it, and finally those who see its purpose, but don’t understand what all the unnecessary fuss is about. Personally, I come from a family who spent a LOT of time in IKEA. Most of the furniture we own collectively comes … Continue reading
Disneyland Paris: 3rd Time’s A Charm
When I was a kid, I would have given anything to go to Disneyland. Neither one of my parents is really keen on it though, so it never happened. When I turned 21, I decided to treat myself and go with a group of friends. IT WAS AWESOME. So then I went again in 2012, … Continue reading
Philadelphia
It’s no secret I have a definite thing for the 80s and 90s, so it should come as no surprise to you that I am about to review one of the best Tom Hanks movies. Personally, I find Tom Hanks to have two sides: the more popular one, where he plays attractive and loveable men … Continue reading
That Awkward (Yet Awesome) Moment
If you’re looking for a movie to see on a date night, or just something to go see with friends, this is TOTALLY for you. Think your classic chick-flick, then exchange all the main female characters with guys. Guys in their mid- to late twenties A “dick-flick” (trademark my flatmate). Jason (Zac Efron), Daniel (Miles … Continue reading
The Monuments Men
This year is seeing an extraordinary amount of books turned into movies. I’d read about this growing phenomenon before, but it seems 2014 is driving the point home: there are no more (or very little) original ideas left. Ergo a growing number of reboots, sequels and prequels and yes, books turned into movies. (Then again, … Continue reading