What to binge and when

I'm all about binge watching, it's like a hobby. One of my proudest achievements in life is watching six series of Pretty Little Liars in 12 days - the fact that it was just a giant procrastination exercise and I had exams to revise for is besides the point - I love me a binge. Over time I've collected a nice little list of programmes which I feel will be enjoyed most when watched all in one go. Here are my favourite box sets and when you should watch them.

For the background binge: How I Met Your Mother passed me by when it was first on. I never saw an episode and didn't really have an interest in picking it up because, let's face it, the familiar Friends was always on anyway. But when I was in my third year of uni it came onto Netflix and with days to kill and an urge to watch something I gave it a try. It was three weeks of background bliss. When I wanted to give it my full concentration it was a good way to pass a few hours and when I switched off and had it on in the background, I could dip in and out of it without any issue. I got a bit bored of it in later series (especially the last one) but if you're looking for some background noise that you can tune into once in a while this is a good one to go for.

For the murderous binge: I am a MASSIVE Endeavour fan. Huge. So big that I squealed more than a normal person should at last week's edition of Radio Times when it featured on the cover (come on Abz, get a grip). We are currently on series five so there are four series worth of four hour and a half episodes so plenty to keep you going. Each murderous episode is wrapped up in that time so although there's no cliffhanger to keep you wanting more I find them so addictive and interesting to watch that I could just keep going.

For the 'on a roll' binge: As I mentioned before, watching six series of  Pretty Little Liars in 12 days is literally one my life's crowning moments. I was totally hooked and could not stop watching it - pretty much every waking minute where I was by myself I was watching it. Such a good programme with twists that really suck you in. The reason I think you should watch this when you're on a roll is because after I caught up, I didn't pick it back up again and I must confess that I haven't finished the series. I tried to start up again after the 'five years later' thing happened but I found it a bit boring and just didn't carry on. So if you haven't seen Pretty Little Liars yet and want to, definitely watch it in one big batch.

For the catch up binge: I didn't watch Doctor Foster when it was on the first time round, but when series two came I felt the need to catch up. Wow was that an intense watch. If you have a few days to spare and fancy getting your teeth into something then I really recommend this. Pre warning though: You will get annoyed, feel tense and confused throughout but trust me it's worth it.

For the sashay away binge: If you haven't had the pleasure of watching Ru Paul's Drag Race yet then stop whatever you're doing right now, sit yourself down and get watching. I watching series one to six all in one go and after that I've binged each series individually which is totally what I recommend. Waiting a week just made me crave it more but spending a couple of days binging them means I can get out all of my drag race cravings at once.

Honourable mentions: America's Next Top Model, Granchester, How to Get Away with Murder, Friends, Dance Academy, Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax, Silk (this list could be about fifteen pages long so I'll stop here).

What binging boxset do you recommend?

My Netflix List

It's been a while since my last Netflix list and there has been a lot of new stuff added since then that I've been obsessed with and really enjoyed. To me, there's nothing better than getting into a new series and letting it take over your life. It's probably unhealthy but it's like a nice body butter, you love it whilst you're using it but when it's done and you move onto the next thing (wow deep).

Sing it on // A very recent discovery and I think that it was only added to Netflix last month. If you like Pitch Perfect then this is for you! It follows five college acapella groups as they compete to win the collegian (I think that's right) acapella championships. It features great singing, funky choreo (that's acca speak for choreography) and a rollercoaster of emotions.

Once Upon a Time // In the last two weeks I tried to pick this up again because I saw that the new series had started but it has been a very love/hate relationship. I watched the first two episodes on a plane three years ago and was instantly hooked and a few months later I watched the first two seasons. Then last year I started watching the third series and couldn't get into it very much. But I'm persevering and it's getting better but I totally recommend watching the first series because that's really good.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmit // I don't know if I've said how much I love this programme but if I haven't, I seriously love it. I watched the whole thing in a day because it's quite short and sweet but it's so good. Not only has it got one of the best theme tunes of all time but it's really funny and attention grabbing and great. The basic plot is a woman is 'set free' from an underground cult after 15 years and she moves to New York and catches up on life. If you haven't seen it, watch it, please, you won't regret it.

Parks and Recreation // I'd heard all the hype and seen the gifs so when I was in Florida and American Netflix made it on to my laptop I delved into the world of Pawney. It's so great. In a way it reminds me of Friends in the way that every episode has a memorable moment and there are so many great quotes. Who knew that a show about trying to make a pit into a park could be so great. Go on, treat yo' self, give this show a go.

Favourite Friday: TV

I am obsessed with all things silver screen. Like seriously, I'll spend days on end binge watching a series but at the same time be following a weekly programme that has me hooked. I buy the Radio Times nearly every week and don't get me started on awards season! I thought to commemorate my love for all things watchable I would do the Netflix tag! Yay!

1. What are your favourite series' to watch on Netflix? Pretty Little Liars, House of Anubis, Orange is the New Black, Merlin and Last Tango in Halifax.
2. What are you currently watching? I've just finished Pretty Little Liars (and tempted to watch it again) but at the minute I'm rewatching House of Anubis.
3. If you could have any series, old or new, put on Netflix what would it be? All the Small things. Does anyone remember it? It was on BBC a fair few years ago and was only one series and I can't find it to watch again anywhere. So good!
4. What is your one peeve about Netflix? The fact that the UK version sometimes gets left behind in the new series department, upsetting. 
5. Recommend one series or film for someone else. Pretty Little Liars. Hands down one of THE best things I have ever watched. I watched all 111 available episodes in two weeks, that's 83 hours and 25 minutes of watching when I had one assessment due and two exams. But I don't regret it in the slightest. A must watch. 

Favourite Friday: Pretty Little Liars

Last Wednesday my life changed forever, dramatic I know but it's true. I've been getting really bored with Netflix recently because I've exhausted all the series' I wanted to watch and just wanted to get into something really juicy. Then Pretty Little Liars popped up on screen and it was love at first episode. I love the characters, the story, the drama it's just all too much! As of writing this post (Wednesday) I'm on episode 5 of series 3 and to say I've had two days off it works out that I've watched 51 episodes in 5 days, which if I've done the Maths correctly is 38 hours and 25 minutes worth of programming. It's not as if I even have that much free time! Someone send help.

Since I''ve been obsessing over this series I thought it would be a good time to update my 'what to watch on Netflix list'. If you'd like to read my previous post click here, let's go:

• Orange is the new black- I know, late on the band wagon. I have no idea why I put off for so long but I felt like I'd missed out on a lot when I started. Parts are a little bit close to the edge but you just get sucked in and when you're hungover from a heavy night it is definitely a good remedy, believe me I know.
• The Paradise- On the last day of first term, just before I went home for Christmas, and I watched the entire of series one that night...sad I know. I'm a fan of period drama type programmes so if that's your thang I'd recommend it. Really easy watching. 
• Merlin- I was a Merlin watcher from the very first episode right to the end and I was a huge fan... until series 5 but judge for yourselves on that one. Now that Netflix has all of the series I can't wait to re-watch them all (except series 5, I'd never put myself through that again).
• The Inbetweeners- It doesn't matter how many times I watch these episodes they are just as hilarious! Funny and cringey, everyone should watch this at least once but I can guarantee, one episode and you'll be hooked. 

My Netflix List

As a person who spends around 10 hours of my day sat watching a screen it was only a matter of time for me and Netflix to be brought together (or for my brother to get it and me to sponge off him...). To me there is nothing better than spending days of your life wrapped up in a little mini world, feeling someone else's pain and making their problems your problems, bliss. So I thought that I would share my list of TV series' that I would definitely recommend watching on Netflix.

1. House of Anubis-I'm not even joking, this is one of the best programmes I've ever watched. The episodes and story lines just draw you in and the fact that there are so many episodes per series means that you get really attached to the characters and I seriously cannot wait for the third series to go on so I can indulge myself in it again!
2. Gossip Girl-I have such a love/hate relationship with this programme but overall I do really like it. Sometimes I can't keep up with all of the love interests and family problems but the first series had me hooked from beginning to end so I definitely recommend starting it and then you can make up your mind from there. 
3. Silk-So good, so good. I like how it shows you the different sides of a court case but in a completely non boring way. Each episode had a different case each episode is different so it makes it way too easy to watch a lot of episodes back to back, not good but at the same TOO GOOD!
4. Last Tango in Halifax-YES YES YES! I love it, it's too good, too much dbfushbfaibahbv......you must watch.