Dreamgirls, 27/02/2018; a review.
28 February 2018 • Dreamgirls, From the Box Office, gracie gets dramatic, theatre
On Tuesday 27th of February, I (finally) saw 'Dreamgirls' at the Savoy Theatre in London's West End.
This show has been on since 2016, and is still doing astonishingly well. It's remarkable really, as the original production rocked Broadway 35 years ago; it seems audiences will always love Effie, Deena and Lorrell.
Book shopping in Oxford.
25 February 2018 • bookish, bookshops, Oxford
Oh,
hey. Me again! The excitable book blogger who recently (finally)
embarked on her first trip to Oxford. If you want a
cafe/restaurant/pub tour of the city, then GO HERE. If you are after
a gushing gig review, set in the O2 Academy Oxford, then GO HERE. If
you're wanting a little info on the bookshop scene in Oxford...you're in the right place.
As soon as I arrived in Oxford (and was scooped up at the station by the angelic Demet Charlotte, aka @ books_polished) I swear, I felt the bookish energy. Then the following morning (after a delightful dinner and a drink in a Potter lovers' pub the night before) as I stepped off the bus into the city centre, I was practically tingling with Book Nerd Lust™ and as I ate my vegan breakfast baguette in my favourite Oxford cafe, I planned my attack on the bookshops.
Being me, and being a blogger.
22 February 2018 • bloggers, blogging, blogosphere, gracie actually has opinions, personal
Recently, I've read a couple of posts from my
favourite bloggers (will link below) about losses of identity, feelings that their obsession with image is overpowering their
personal goals and the need to be their true selves; not
some magical - and hopefully enviable - manufactured being who
comes perfectly packaged, wears all the latest fashion (and all items
of clothing have been personally delivered by the major brands) and
is flown here and there and everywhere at a moment's notice,
and smiles sweetly through many filters...when really, most of
us bloggers are working a soul-crushing 9-5 every day before rushing
home to spend all evening sprawled on sofas, attached to our laptops,
pouring our hearts out into the internet for all to see.
I
get that. I get that all too well, and far too much.
Grace's first time...in Oxford.
20 February 2018 • Grace's travels, Oxford
I
went to Oxford recently – at last! I’d been meaning to go for
years – probably since way back when friends of mine at college
were sighing and whining almost every day in the approach to A Level
exams, so desperate
was their yearning to move to and study in this magical city. I’ve
seen a lot of photos of the place in recent years, and as usual
social media has played a big part in deciding where I go for my next
mini break – curse you, beautiful Instagrammers!
Actually, this particular trip came about after I read online – while in Australia – that Newton Faulkner would be moving his Oxford gig to February 2018. Thanks for being the push I needed, dude! (read my ‘review’, which is really more of a gush, HERE)
Newton Faulkner live, 12/2/2018; A Fangirl's Review.
17 February 2018 • gig, grace sees gigs, music, Newton Faulkner, O2 Academy Oxford, Oxford
Let's get this little thing out of the way, first: everyone
who reads this nonsense regularly should know by now that I have a soft
spot for singer-songwriters with fancy guitar skillz and beautiful
principles. Right? And it's not a 'guilty pleasure' kind of soft spot, it's a real and serious love. Okay, cool.
And one of my favourite artists within this lovely genre, is Newton Faulkner.
And one of my favourite artists within this lovely genre, is Newton Faulkner.
Back in late 2013, I was a bit of a state. My mind and morals were all over the place, and many of my relationships were crumbling away at an alarming speed – there were few things that kept me focused and motivated...and sane. One of those things was music.
2013 was the year certain lovely songwriters were on full blast pretty much constantly. I’d let their voices fill up my bedroom every morning as I got out of bed and got ready for what was no doubt a very stressful day ahead; I plugged them into my ears as I walked to campus or into town, and on the few occasions I made it home, I’d play their albums over and over as I drove down country lanes – not going anywhere in particular, just happily driving, and singing.
2013 was the year certain lovely songwriters were on full blast pretty much constantly. I’d let their voices fill up my bedroom every morning as I got out of bed and got ready for what was no doubt a very stressful day ahead; I plugged them into my ears as I walked to campus or into town, and on the few occasions I made it home, I’d play their albums over and over as I drove down country lanes – not going anywhere in particular, just happily driving, and singing.
Recent Reads #9: the 4th and 5th of 2018.
14 February 2018 • bookish, books, recent reads, Rookie
Hello, book lovers. So unlike last year, I won't be sticking to any particular reading schedules for the next 12 months - and let me tell you, the feeling of freedom is pretty sweet. I of course took full advantage of this new variety in reading, and so far this year I've read a non-fic, a crime novel, a massively hyped YA, a collection of essays and a very popular adult fiction. I'll be keeping these Recent Reads posts regular from now on, and am always open to recs and suggestions for my To Be Read list!
Follow/friend me on Goodreads, maybe, to keep up with my bookish 2018!
'The Ferryman'; a review.
7 February 2018 • Drama, From the Box Office, gracie gets dramatic, play, The Ferryman, west end
On Monday 5th February, I saw 'The Ferryman' at the Gielgud Theatre, London.
The play was written by Jez Butterworth, and this production is directed by Sam Mendes. It stars Rosalie Craig, Owen McDonnell, Justin Edwards, Sian Thomas - and many, many more!
(My photo; background Deborah Latter's artwork)
The play was written by Jez Butterworth, and this production is directed by Sam Mendes. It stars Rosalie Craig, Owen McDonnell, Justin Edwards, Sian Thomas - and many, many more!
Recent Reads #8: the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of 2018.
4 February 2018 • bookish, recent reads
Hello, book lovers. So unlike last year, I won't be sticking to any particular reading schedules for the next 12 months - and let me tell you, the feeling of freedom is pretty sweet. I of course took full advantage of this new variety in reading, and so far this year I've read a non-fic, a crime novel and (obvs) a massively hyped YA. I'll be keeping these Recent Reads posts regular from now on, and am always open to recs and suggestions for my To Be Read list!
Follow/friend me on Goodreads, maybe, to keep up with my bookish 2018!
A Cancer Hospital (The Olive Fox archive)
• archive, royal marsden sutton, The Olive Fox, the royal marsden, world cancer day
I'm
not sure when I realised. When I realised where I really was. I
thought it was just any old hospital. It wasn't.
I
think it was when I saw the fifth couple enter the waiting room, both
well past middle age and stooped slightly as though evil was bearing
down on them...a mysterious intense evil, a demonic hardship, that
everyone in my immediate vicinity seemed to be at the mercy of.
I
looked around again. Purple and green shiny chairs lined up in rows,
abstract paintings on the walls, various bright white corridors
branching off in different directions. A very uninspiring space,
really.
But
there was a distinct energy in the air; something bright and vivid
and unrelenting pressed against us as we sat there amongst the
immense yet silent pain. It was a power, charging us all and beaming
out through the windows and up into the sky above. It was born in
this hospital, and couldn't be contained. It was warm, gentle and
soft, yet also stubborn, violently buzzing and unyielding. It was
fighting with the invisible evil attacking us all.
It was...hope.
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