The Halloween music playlist...

Here are my Halloween music picks for this year...

1. Siouxsie and the Banshees- Halloween

Let's start with a classic! Halloween is the perfect time to listen to the Banshees- they even wrote a song about it :)

2. Deadboy & the Elephantmen- Stop, I'm Already Dead

I chose this one because it's used in the opening credits to my new favourite show iZombie, but it's also a great song with a really unusual structure.

3. Thelma Plum- Monsters

The perfect chilled out song to listen to if you are having a relaxing Halloween night.

4. Cocteau Twins- Beatrix

The perfect song to listen to at night surrounded by candles and channelling your inner goth

5. Garbage- blackout

Of course I had to put my favourite band in the playlist somewhere. This song is perfect to crank up when your getting ready if you are going out this Halloween.

6. Buffy The Vampire Slayer- Let Me Rest in Peace

You can't beat a bit of Buffy and seeing as I listen to the soundtrack to the musical episode One More With Feeling on a regular basis I had to add this song sang by my favourite character Spike. To be honest I think this is a great song on it's own anyway.

7. Kate Bush- The Wedding List

A song about a bride who gets revenge on the man who shoots her groom dead this is a pretty good song to listen to before you start your horror film marathon! The above video features Kate acting out the song in her fantastically unique and weird way. 

8. Hannah Peel- Pale Green Ghosts

This is the perfect time of year to listen to some ice cold electro pop and this song has a creepy Halloween feel to it.

9. Dusty Springfield- Spooky

A total classic, this is perfect if you are having a lazy Halloween night in the bath with a book. 

10. David Bowie- Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)

Finally this song is perfect to play at your creepy Halloween party!

I hope you enjoyed this post and that you have a fun Halloween whatever you are doing!

Halloween film picks on Netflix...

Seeing as Halloween is nearly upon us I thought I would give you a selection of horror film picks that you can find on Netflix to suit any taste...

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)....the horror comedy
"Vampire housemates try to cope with the complexities of modern life and show a newly turned hipster some of the perks of being undead."
If you like your horror with a lot of comedy then you will love this film. In the style of a mockumentary this is just brilliant- if you are a fan of Flight of the Conchords then you need to watch this!

Childs Play (1988)... the cheesy classic
"Gunned down by Detective Mike Norris, dying murderer Charles Lee Ray uses black magic to put his soul inside a doll named Chucky -- which Karen Barclay then buys for her young son, Andy."
This is classic 80's cheese, with dodgy effects and well dodgy everything really. Still, this film is a lot of fun!

The Human Centipede (2009)... the weird and fucked up
"A deranged surgeon plans to make his morbid fantasy come true by suturing three people together through their gastric systems."
Yep, this film is not for the faint hearted! Personally after watching this I kind of wished I hadn't but if you're into it Netflix also has the TWO sequels?! I think I'll pass.

Saw (2004)...the sort of modern classic
"Photographer Adam Stanheight and oncologist Lawrence Gordon regain consciousness while chained to pipes at either end of a filthy bathroom. As the two men realise they've been trapped by a sadistic serial killer nicknamed "Jigsaw" and must complete his perverse puzzle to live."
Ok, so this is no where near the best modern horror film but I had to work with what I had and Netflix don't have the best selection when it comes to quality horror. This film still spawned a new genre of "torture porn" style horror which you will either love or hate and is definitely worth a watch (this ones not too gory compared to the million over the top sequels.)

The Craft (1996)... the 90s goth classic
"After transferring to a Los Angeles high school, Sarah finds that her telekinetic gift appeals to a group of three wannabe witches, who happen to be seeking a fourth member for their rituals."
If like me you love 90s films then this is the Halloween watch for you. This is quintessential 90s and you've got to love the iconic goth style (that I definitely tried to emulate as a teenager.) This is Mean Girls but with actual witches.

Stigmata (1999)... the underrated gem
"A young woman with no strong religious beliefs, Frankie Paige begins having strange and violent experiences, showing signs of the wounds that Jesus received when crucified. When the Vatican gets word of Frankie's situation, a high-ranking cardinal requests that the Rev. Andrew Kiernan investigate her case. Soon Kiernan realizes that very sinister forces are at work, and tries to rescue Frankie from the entity that is plaguing her."
As mentioned above I love 90s films and I have a special love for this one. Its a decent thriller/ horror but I love it for the fact it is so 90s (it even has a great soundtrack by Billy Corgan!) and I also like religious themed horrors too. 

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)... the vampire mash up
"On the run from a bank robbery that left several police officers dead, Seth Gecko and his paranoid, loose-cannon brother, Richard, hightail it to the Mexican border. Kidnapping preacher Jacob Fuller and his kids, the criminals sneak across the border in the family's RV and hole up in a topless bar. Unfortunately, the bar also happens to be home base for a gang of vampires, and the brothers and their hostages have to fight their way out."
Another 90s film... sorry (not sorry) this is a classic. There is so much to enjoy here from the crazy characters, the comedy and the fun vampire battle. If you are a Tarantino fan you'll love it.

The Wicker Man (2006).... the 'so bad it's hilarious'
"A reclusive lawman travels to a secluded island to search for a girl who has gone missing. Once there, he discovers sinister forces at work among the island's secretive residents, including strange sexual rituals, a harvest festival and possible human sacrifice."
Of course here I'm talking about the inexplicable remake starring the legendary Nicholas Cage. It's worth watching alone for the unintentional comedy of Cage's acting but the classic bee scene is not to be missed. If you want a laugh this Halloween then put this on and enjoy.

Read my film post here to see my all time favourite Halloween films!

So that's my Halloween film picks from Netflix. What are yours?

Pink Parcel October 2016...

 Pink Parcel is a 'luxury period subscription box' that sends you a monthly supply of tampons and/or pads and a selection of treats including tea, something sweet and other goodies.

I forgot to take a picture of the rest of the box but you can check back at any of my previous Pink Parcel posts to see the rest of the contents.

But now lets see what this months treats were...

1. Anatomicals face mask. I used to love this brand and look forward to trying this.

2. Dr Paw Paw Original Clear Balm. This can be used for anything from dry skin patches, chapped lips, nails, and on your hair. I am actually really excited to get this as I get really dry skin in Winter.

3. Rare Nail Polish set. This set includes 3 polishes and a sheet of very cool Halloween themed nail stickers :)

4. Coco Bazaar chocolate fruit cake. Hmmm, personally I'm not a fan of fruit cake but I will give it a go!

5. Soothe for tummy relief tea bag. As a non tea drinker this will go to someone else.

6. Sass Purifying Cleanser. We got a serum in the last box which I found a bit meh, but I will still try this.

7. Barry M Eyeshadow. This is a really nice shimmery taupe colour.

8. Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm. I'm on the look out for a new facial cleanser so was happy to see this in the box (although the full size is pretty damn pricey!)

9. Vita Coco Coconut Oil. Definitely the most random item of the box! 

After the disappointment of last months box I am very very happy with this months offering. I think there is a great mix of stuff and quite a few full sized products too. I'm also happy that they included a Halloween item- I will be wearing some very cute and spooky nails come the 31st :)

Having a mental illness and staying positive...

Having a mental illness can be a constant struggle. It can affect every aspect of your life and make everyday stuff impossible, Staying positive can be tough, but it makes a huge difference if you try. Here are a few tips and tricks that I have found helpful...

1. Reminding yourself you are loved. 
Depression lies. It tells you that you are worthless and that nobody cares about you which can make you shut people out even more. In those times (and any time) remind yourself of the people that care. Look back at pictures of your family and friends, think of happy memories, and maybe even keep ajournal of your favourite times to look back on.

2. Look after yourself.
That means if you feel tired then sleep. Have a nice bath, spend some time doing something you enjoy. Just make time for yourself.

3. Try and make healthier choices.
This one is always a struggle for me but eating healthier and doing a bit of exercise can help. A doctor once told me to do some exercise after I went there to admit I was struggling with depression (before my diagnosis.) Spoiler alert: going for a run doesn't cure depression! But it has been proven to help improve mood and anxiety so is worth giving a try. (link)

4. Get a good nights sleep.
This kind of touches on point 2 but sleep is so important it deserves a point of it's own. Lack of sleep can play a big part in depression (when being diagnosed the questionnaires the doctors give you will ask about your sleep patterns.) Getting a good nights sleep can lift your mood- here are some tips that might help.

5. Having a routine.
I find this helps me hugely, I have a clear structure to every day so that it keeps me busy and I feel productive. Routine is also important if you have anxiety- I find that I feel a lot calmer, relaxed and clear headed if I have a plan for the day and I'm prepared.

6. Having goals.
This one is another important one. I find it really useful to make checklists for the week and each day so that I have a list of tasks to do. It can be chores, appointments... anything: even little stuff like an email you need to send, or having a shower, doing some reading etc... Not only does it help with motivation but it's also a great feeling to cross stuff off when they are completed. You can gradually start adding bigger stuff to your list when you are ready.

7. Talking about it.
If you feel anxious or depressed don't hide it, tell someone. Whether that's a friend or family member or doctor is up to you. There are even many facebook groups and forums online where you can talk to others in similar situations. There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of- you are one of many. In fact mental health problems are the main cause of the overall disease burden worldwide (source.)

I hope those tips are helpful :)
I'm not sure if people are enjoying my posts on mental health (or finding them useful) but I find it kind of therapeutic to write them so I'm going to continue with it.

Here are some others I've written:

Bipolar awareness day
My bipolar story
Panic: dealing with anxiety


As always feel free to message me or leave a comment with any requests, questions or if you just want to chat :)

Recently watched...

Night Owls (2015)
"Kevin goes home with Madeline for a drunken one-night stand and is horrified to learn she is his boss's ex-mistress. After he catches her taking a box of sleeping pills, they slowly start to fall in love as he keeps her awake all night."
This was a really nice and sweet film about two people reevaluating their lives, and was brilliantly acted. 4/5

Faults (2014)
"A renowned authority on mind control encounters a formidable challenge when he is hired to deprogram a strong-willed cultist."
I really enjoyed this film a lot, quite dark and with a great twist at the end... and I love anything to do with cults. 4.5/5

600 Miles (2015)
"Arnulfo, a weapons smuggler for a Mexican cartel, kidnaps an ATF agent and the two slowly become friends."
This was a real slow burn film, with a naturalistic style that was ok but a little too slow at times. 3/5

Bait (2015)
"Bex and Dawn are trapped. They dream of taking control of their lives and owning their own upmarket cafe, but no one will give people them the opportunity."
This was the most ridiculous film ever, a thriller that turns into a gore fest I can't believe I watched the whole thing. Seriously don't bother! 1/5

Recent geeky purchases...

Here are the geeky things I've bought over the last few months...

 One of my (newest) favourite shows is iZombie (on Netflix, watch it!) and I was searching for merch and found this Mini Mates pack. Aside from main character Liv, Blaine is my favourite character from the show and I love that there is detachable hands that have chopsticks and a brain on a plate!

 You may or may not know that I have a Catwoman obsession and collect anything to do with her. When I saw they were releasing a Catwoman Rock Candy I was very pleased till I found out it was an SDCC exclusive. Luckily I managed to get it for a good price from Forbidden Planet, and I love her! She is designed in the style of her 80s/early 90s comic look and I hope they release some more variations.

I also picked up the She Hulk Funko too.

 Finally I got a figure that has been on my wishlist for a very long time, but I never expected the actually get hold of one... and that's this Enid Coleslaw action figure. Enid is my all time favourite fictional character from the Daniel Clowes graphic novel Ghost World (and subsequent film.) The figure is pretty rare but I managed to snap her up from ebay (sadly sans box, but oh well!) 

She has a few detachable items including a ray gun, club and of course her mask. She is way bigger than I expected, but I am so happy to add her to my collection :)

The Melt Crowd October...

This month I decided to try a new subscription box, and as a big fan of candles and wax melts thought I would give The Melt Crowd a go. This is a monthly box from Flamingo candles that includes 8 wax melts with exclusive scents featuring a specific theme. In your first box you also get a burner, and the price is just £10 a month all in. 

I must admit when I found out the theme was sugar v spice I was a little disappointed as I am really not a fan of spicy scents... luckily there were only a couple I wasn't a fan of.

This months scents were...

 Pink Ribbon, Cherry Sundae, Candy Floss & Pear Drops Duo (this smells amazing), Oriental Lotus and Rose Otto (not pictured as I've already used it), Salted Caramel Apple, Sweet Tabacco, Buttered Rum, Pumpkin & Walnut.

So far I have only tried one melt, they melt very quickly (they are made of soy wax) and the scent is very strong and the melt can be used quite a few times and I've found the scent to linger nicely in the room for ages.

Overall I thought this box was great value for money... I'm not sure whether to stay subscribed for next month or try a different wax melt sub box.

(Link to The Melt Crowd)

September reading round up....

The Bones of You by Debbie Howells
About an eighteen year old girl who goes missing in a small village and a family friend who tries to find out what happened. Overall I found this an enjoyable read, the best way I can describe it is a cosy murder mystery. Although it had its faults and was by far not the best thriller I've read the writing style made up for it and made for a book that was easy to get into and offered some interesting characters and perspectives. 3.5/5

Nod by Adrian Barnes
"Take your greatest pleasure or your greatest fantasy and let it come continuously true- for a day, a week, a year, a decade. And that's hell."
Set in Vancouver, one morning the world realises that almost no one slept at all. after five days of no sleep psychosis sets in, after four weeks the body dies. This is Paul's story (a sleeper) in the 24 days that follow. The best way I can describe this is like The Girl With All The Gifts/ The Three meets Orwell. This could have easily been another dystopian albeit with an intriguing set up but the philosophical writing style elevated it to so much more than that. In short I enjoyed this a lot, the writer used the concept to say so many interesting things on love, relationships, religion and society in general. 4/5

Catwoman: When In Rome by Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale
"The Riddler got into my head and plucked out the very thing I feared the most. A world in which everywhere I turned, Batman was there to save me."
A noir/ mystery set up that sees Catwoman travel to Rome to investigate Gotham Mobster Falcone's family. This is a slow burn that reveals a little about Selina's past and where she came from. We get to see her more vulnerable side alongside her usual badassery. This is set after Batman Hush (a big favourite of mine) and has the same writer so we get a lot of references to that story as Selina is still coming to terms with the fallout of that. Overall I loved the story although I'm not the biggest fan of Sale's artwork and the way he draws Selina. 

Batman Gotham Nights: Human Nature
This is a 5 issue run featuring Poison Ivy, where she is made to believe she is the cause of her orphans committing suicide and starts to question her powers. The story is decent, and we get to see a different side to Ivy, although the art work in this is not at all to my taste. Definitely not an essential story unless you are a fan of Ivy (or Hush who also features). 3/5

Favourite single issues...

Lately...

Just some random pictures from September...

 My Paper Girls poster from Image + magazine has found a place in my work corner :)

 There was an interesting essay in the back of Glitterbomb issue 1 about a women's experience working in Hollywood and this line really stood out to me

 Pizza Hut warm cookie dough and ice cream can't be beat! 

 I had a bad few weeks and my sister bought me these beautiful roses to cheer me up

More from issue 1 of Glitterbomb (it was very good!) it's a horror set in the world of Hollywood as a middle aged actress struggles to find work and the artwork is brilliant.

 My kind of Autumn/Winter TBR (if I stick to it) I wanted to start reading some Wintery books. Also my very cute new coffee cup from Ikea... I love this time of year! :)

Now that's it getting cold It means Lush baths! I got ahead with my uni work so treated myself to the Sakura bath bomb which is inspired by the cherry blossom in Japan and is lovely.

Bipolar Awareness Day...

You may or may know from previous posts on my blog that I have Bipolar disorder.

What is it....

Bipolar – sometimes known as manic depression – is a severe mental health illness characterised by significant mood swings including manic highs and depressive lows. The majority of individuals with bipolar experience alternating episodes of mania and depression.

I thought I would write a post about it today because the 4th of October is Bipolar Awareness day. Bipolar is a very misunderstood and stigmatised illness. I ask you today if possible to take a moment to read this post or share it so that more people are aware and possibly more understanding of the facts surrounding the illness. 

Here are a few facts...

About 1 in every hundred adults is on the Bipolar spectrum with symptoms usually starting at around the ages of 15 to 19. Men and women are effected equally.

On average it takes 10.5 years for a correct diagnosis of Bipolar in the UK and an average of 3.5 misdiagnosis before that.

Bipolar affects every aspect of your life and relationships.

Treatment usually involves medication (typically mood stabilisers) that come with a huge list of side effects and psychological treatment- usually in the form of talking therapy.

When you are living with Bipolar self care is a very important part of managing the illness. This includes avoiding highly stressful situations, taking time out to relax, having a good sleeping pattern, and sticking to a routine. It is also important to have a good support system in place- be it doctors, family etc... 

I hope this post has been useful and maybe taught you a little about Bipolar disorder :) 

In aid of today Bipolar UK have launched a petition to demand greater funding for Bipolar research.

In the UK only 6% of health research funding goes to mental health with just 1.6% going to Bipolar research. It would mean a great deal if you could sign this petition and perhaps share it. Thank you!

Here are a few useful links...

Mind: Bipolar disorder
Rethink Mental Illness: Bipolar
Bipolar UK

More from my blog...

My Bipolar Story
Panic: Dealing with Anxiety

If you have any questions or would like to see more mental health posts on my blog please let me know.