january favourites.

January is never that great a month, the cold weather has no promise of festivities and the looming deadlines of coursework start to actually take their toll on you. However, January hasn't been that bad, I've seen a few friends that I hadn't seen for a while, met a couple of new people, that I hope to keep in touch with aaand certain projects have become a little more exciting in the outlook to their futures...

I thought I'd share a few of my favourite things (without sounding too much like the Sound of Music...) with you, as it was an excuse to play around with my camera some more, and it gave me content, which I thought might actually be interesting to some people... - but let me know on that last point! So, in no particular order, here's a few things I've been loving this month.

1. 'A Visual Journey' by Ed Sheeran and Philip Butah (book)

I'm a big reader of autobiographies and I love art, so combine two things, and make it all about a musician that I'm a pretty huge fan of... I'm going to be hooked... I loved the concept of this and asked Father Christmas to get it for me as my main 'pillowcase present' for Christmas '14, and sure enough good old Santa wrapped it up and Rudolph dropped it off. I'd been flicking through it every now and then, but I had one night earlier in the month that I was still awake at 3am and I decided this was a perfect time to read the book, and sure enough I read it all that night. If you're interested in music, art or people, this is a perfect read for you!

2. Into The Woods (film)

I haven't been a huge fan of the recent Disney films and I can't say I've been too impressed with the musicals *cough* Frozen *cough*. BUT I went to the cinema with the fam the other day and surprisingly really enjoyed this film. I feel like the cast did play a huge part in that, with actors and actresses that I really like, and people that can sing without being too 'stagey'. I did find the soundtrack incredibly repetitive and a bit too in your face, probably the original Broadway musical influence there, but there were a couple of songs that I thought, 'Yeah, I like this'. I struggled with the plot a bit, but then that's what I haven't particularly liked about Disney's films in the past few years, so there we go! Overall, a good family fun that everyone will enjoy - ooft how cheesy did that sound?!

3. Nintendo 64

I've fallen back in love with old games, not just Nintendo 64, my Playstation 1 games have had a bit of love recently too, but Diddy Kong Racing and World Cup on N64 just beat Powerpuff Girls to the finish line... In all seriousness, I've been playing World Cup '98 and Diddy Kong Racing every day and it's great because despite having a Playstation 3 (which obviously has better graphics and more to do/play etc.) my little sister has been asking me 24/7 to play on the N64 and PS2. Retro Games 1 - 0 Today's Technology :)

4. Eminem

I've been studying and writing poetry for a course at sixth form, lacking a 'clever' vocal, I started listening to more rap and spoken word, as reading poetry isn't my favourite cup of tea, when there are more 'interesting' modern alternatives (not degrading poetry at all, I still like it but only in very small doses). However, I've learnt the majority of my favourite verses of his, due to listening to him A LOT and I watched 8 Mile, which I really enjoyed, but hated the ending. So, yeah losing myself in the music (apologies for yet another awful pun...).

5. Fererro Roche

Basically, we got some over Christmas, and I've tried making them last but I think they are my favourite chocolatey treat! That is all.

6. The Book Thief (film)

I haven't read the book, but I watched the film the other day and absolutely loved it. I enjoy most films about war, I think appreciate might be a more suitable word, but you get what I mean (I hope!) especially the second world war. This film stood out to me as it wasn't directly following soldiers of that war or their families, like most films or TV series do, it followed a young girl affected by the war and her story through being fostered, taught to read and onwards, it's just really good and I'd urge you to watch it! 

7. Unguarded - Rae Morris

My favourite album release from this month, along with a couple of others, which I will probably listen to a bit more (and include in next months blog...). Being Rae's debut album there is a mix of previous releases and new material, all of which I love and get stuck in my head often. I reckon (and really hope) this is Rae's year! Definitely worth a listen! :) 

What have you been loving in January? 

- evan. :)