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?

February Favourites 2016

Happy leap year everyone! Savour today because you're not going to get another Feb 29th for four more years. This month's favourites are very TV heavy, both in the binging and weekly series department. There's also a little bit of food thrown in so without further ado here's what I've been loving this month.

Beauty

No makeup in the favourites this month as I'm still testing out the giant hoard that I bought a couple of weeks ago (so expect my March favourites to be very makeup heavy!). When I got the Body Shop Hawaiian Kukui Cream from their Spa of the World range for Christmas I told myself I'd only use it on special occasions. At the beginning of this month I decided I should use it on more of a daily basis because it wasn't going down and to be honest I just fell in love with it. It's a thick cream that gives so much moisture to my legs and has such a beautiful scent that lingers and makes my pyjama bottoms smell fantastic! Another thing that smells amazing and is also from the Body Shop is the Coconut Hand Cream. I bought this last week and as soon as I applied it I fell in love. Did you know that people will give you funny looks if you keep smelling your hands? I found that out when I kept smelling my hands to get the coconut scent into my nostrils. These strange looks have led me to getting the Coconut Body Mist so if anyone in the Nottingham area gets an overwhelming whiff of coconut, it's me walking around the streets. Sorry in advance.

TV

February has been a huge month for TV favourites. I've definitely been neglecting my work and hiding up my duvet watching another episode of whatever it is I've been obsessed with. First up is THE BEST PROGRAMME EVER IN THE WORLD, Happy Valley. If you've never heard of it, where have you been! We're on series two now so if you've never seen it lucky you, you have a whole series and a half to catch up on! It's on the edge of my gore capacity but the story is so engaging and it's just perfect 'on the edge of your seat' thrills. Basically it's about a police woman who's life hasn't been the most fortunate and what she gets up to (it's much more interesting than that trust me). I forgot to mention it's filmed where I live, and I mean like streets I've walked down, places I've been and that is just so exciting for me! Please give it a watch, you won't regret it. A series I binge watched this month was How I Met Your Mother. I've never been overly interested in watching it but one day I thought I might as well give it a go because there must be a reason why people like it. I became obsessed during the three weeks it took me to watch all nine seasons (I was slacking a little, I had a weekend off and couldn't be bothered some other days so it wasn't my best work). Let's go to the mall has become one of my favourite songs and I need a yellow umbrella in my life. If you've never seen it, it's just a nice, easy watching programme that's very funny.

Other

The 'other' thing I've been loving this month is afternoon tea. I've been twice in February for birthday celebrations and I just love it. I think it's the fact that it's classy, tasty and there's sometimes alcohol involved and I'm a big fan of all of those things. This month I've been to the Spiced Pear in Hepworth, near Huddersfield (you can read all about that here) and Brown's in Nottingham (expect a post to come on that very soon).

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.

How to: Kick a TV Addiction

If you've read my blog before then you'll know that I have a serious problem when it comes to TV. Binge watching a series a night to getting so obsessed with a weekly programme I just can't get enough and I think it's time for it to stop. So, in the true 'how to' style this is how to kick a TV addiction (that was very TV presenter-ey). If anything this post isn't about helping you, it's really about helping myself, because I seriously need the help.

Step one // Pick up a book

I watch TV all the time, and when I say all the time I mean all the time. I take my laptop everywhere I go because if there's no one to chat to then I'll sit and watch something, even if it's just going downstairs to make a cup of tea. So, instead I'm going to start reading more, at night and during the day because at the minute the only time I'm not looking at a screen is when I'm asleep, and even then there's something on in the background! By reading a book, especially before bed, I'm hoping that it relaxes me so that I'll go to sleep earlier, because everyone knows the struggle when you're in the middle of a series and 'one more episode won't hurt' turns into a three 'o' clock binge sesh.

Step two // Limit the programmes

This is especially relevant in Autumn when all the really good dramas start. From September until January I get so bogged down with the amount of programmes that I need to watch and catch up on that my social life definitely decreases. Yet when it comes to Summer, so right about now, there isn't as much to watch and my body gets withdrawal so I tend to re-watch the programmes from Autumn. Now to not put so much strain on my social life it makes sense to not watch some of the shows as soon as they air and leave them for me to watch about six months down the line, that way I won't be overwhelmed in September and I won't be deprived in the Summer. Sorted!

Step three // Don't Google!

Part of my problem is that when there's a programme that I really liked, and when I say really liked I mean REALLY liked, I delve into that world like no other. For example, after I'd binge watched all five seasons of pretty little liars I became so obsessed with the cast that I followed them on Instagram, Twitter, looking daily on Pinterest at their makeup looks and watched YouTube videos of interviews with the cast, behind the scenes, etc. Now that is a girl with a problem. So from now on there is no googling allowed as it just makes the obsession and addiction worse because when I see photos and videos (especially of the PLL cast) I get the overwhelming urge to re-watch all of the episodes. And come on now, I just don't have the time to do that again!

The Liebster Award

Thanks Megan for nominating me to answer these questions!

1. What is your favourite film?

Hard to choose but I can watch Pitch Perfect time after time and it never gets old.

2. Favourite make up brand?

It's too hard to choose there is no way! I'm back into my Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette though if I can give that as an answer!

3. Did you make any New Years Resolutions?

Bake and cook more. I'm not really any good at sticking to "proper resolutions" so I thought I'd go for one that I could at least attempt to do! 

4. What do you like to do in your spare time?

Nothing. It's the only thing. Nothing includes binge watching TV, eating food and napping.

5. Favourite time of year?

Christmas, but this year I'm going to Disney World which I'm beyond excited about so that might take the top spot this year!

6. If you could invite 3 famous people to your birthday party who would you invite?

Anyone. I'm one of those people that anyone remotely famous could turn up and I'd be all over it so I'm not that fussy. 

7. What is your ultimate 'boogie' song?

Shake it off by Taylor Swift always seems to get me in the mood.

8. Movies or TV shows?

Pretty Little Liars, Broadchurch, Last Tango in Halifax, Death in Paradise, Crisis, Silk (what I'm currently into TV wise) and anything by Disney.

9. Favourite scent?

Fried onions.

10. What electrical item do you use most?

My laptop. It gets to the point that when I go to the toilet to wash my face, I take it. If I go to the kitchen to make some food, I take it. I don't know if I'm addicted to my laptop or what I'm watching on it!

11. Where is your favourite place to be?

Two places: My lounge at home and my uni lounge when everyone's in there. Communal Tv scrutinising is just the best.

Amy, you can answer these questions now. I liked these questions so you can do the same with a sneaky bonus one!

1. What is your favourite film?

2. Favourite make up brand?

3. Did you make any New Years Resolutions? 

4. What do you like to do in your spare time?

5. Favourite time of year?

6. If you could invite 3 famous people to your birthday party who would you invite?

7. What is your ultimate 'boogie' song?

8. Movies or TV shows?

9. Favourite scent?

10. What electrical item do you use most?

11. Where is your favourite place to be?

12. Favourite Disney ride?

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.

What I'm watching atm

As we move into Autumn, TV gets seriously good. It might not be everyones cup of tea but I'm a big fan of the bbc/itv drama. Endeavour, Last tango in Halifax and Silk are just a few of my all time favourites but recently channels have been seriously upping their game when it comes to gripping programmes. Here are just a few of the ones I've been watching:

• Our Zoo- Although this has finished now it was a seriously good series! It was one of those ones I went into not knowing much about it and it was a nice surprise with an engaging plot and lots of cute animals!
• Cilla- I can't even explain how much I enjoyed this mini series! I watched it pretty much back to back and was hooked from the start. I've never been the biggest Cilla Black fan but the series made me love her  and no doubt it will be one I'll rematch again and again. 
• Scott and Bailey- Love this programme, go back to it again and again and I don't think it will ever get old. The new series is as good as ever and I can't wait for the future episodes. 
• Grantchester- Now this is a super new programme that has only had one episode but I'm already hooked! Who would even think that a 50's vicar would make a good murder investigated?!?! INSANE!!!