Ex_Machina - Sci Fi brilliance

Have you seen Ex_Machina?

It's a sci fi film released recently, and it is shockingly good.

Image source: http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/trailers/124561-two-teaser-trailers-for-alex-garlands-ex-machina#/slide/1

Part thriller, part awesome is how I would go about describing this in a brief sentence.

The film deals with one of my personal favourites in the world of sci fi, the notion of humanity and the concept of artificial intelligence.

Throughout the entirety of the film the classic thriller 'feeling of constant tension' is maintained very strongly. You feel on edge the entire time and are definitely engaged with the story (good point for movie watchers who want to be kept interested).

Image source: http://robohub.org/ex-machina-when-turing-meets-bechdel-test/

The film leaps right into the story.

No wishy washy intros. The main character heads straight into the desolate but strikingly futuristic facility centre to begin his journey. (Funnily enough there's no real journeying involved, the rest of the film is all set in the facility).

Our protagonist must test an AI to see if they have truly achieved what it means to be an individual. A true human. (*screams internally*)

Our main character has a kind heart, we connect to them straight away. The AI, 'Ava' is equally convincing and melts your heart with sympathy.

Too bad there is a whole lot of darkness to come for the both of them.

Our brilliant AI creator is a fascinating character as well, don't underestimate the power of a crazy genius!!

I won't go into more detail on the storyline though. If you're even a little interested just go on Rotten Tomatoes or your favourite film review site and check it out.

For fans of sci fi this is a must see film for 2015 (particularly since it strays from what you expect to happen), for those of you not quite convinced, consider the implications of having AI in our near future:

It's undoubtedly going to happen isn't it? We've got Siri and we've got loads of robots in creation as we speak which will revolutionise what it means to be a mere computer program.

Image source: http://whatculture.com/film/what-does-the-ending-of-ex-machina-really-mean.php

Apart from that, the film wanders briefly into a slight horror theme and makes points on what it means to be human. There is action, there is romance.

Fun for all the family! BUT not.
(Don't take young children though, it is MA15+ after all)

If it's showing at your local cinema go and watch it.

You won't be dissapointed.

Shoot me a comment if you've seen this film or if you're planning to! What did you think?

Mash it up
xx

Getting Naked - Rose Gold

I couldn't resist it.

I read about it online, I saw people reviewing it.

The shimmery rose gold packaging was calling to me!


I finally went off to Mecca Maxima and bought the Naked3 Palette!

Aaaaaaaaaaaah is in order.

Check out my instagram to see me ripping it open ->


The palette hosts a variety of shades with cooler pink undertones, perfect for my ridiculously pale skin!

The formula is rightly popular, so far it feels light, has a lot of colour and there is a great selection of matte shades as well as shimmery ones.

I'll be wearing this non-stop for the rest of the week :)

Shoot me a comment below if you'd like me to review the colours or perhaps give some advice on ways to use them for an eye look.

Until then!

Mash it up
xx 

Blend blend blend - Watermelon, Mint and Kiwi/Feijoa smoothie

Well hello again!

I hope you enjoyed my previous post with a rather refreshing grapefruit smoothie.
If you didn't see it, click here

Continuing on with my new found love for making smoothies and such with my little blender, here is a great recipe for brekkie or perhaps as a treat on a hot day.

For those of you in the northern hemisphere lucky enough to be welcoming summer, this will suit very nicely!

WATERMELON, MINT AND KIWI/FEIJOA SMOOTHIE:
Approx. 2 x drinks

You need:
1/4 watermelon
4/5 x feijoa fruit (can substitute kiwi if not in season)
3/4 cup apple mint/regular mint 
1 x teaspoon of raw brown sugar
1 x handful ice (optional, for a warmer day)
1/4 cup of berry yoghurt of your choice*

*Ruby and Roy's is one of the best yoghurts I have ever eaten. There is no going back (seriously!) They sell them at many independent stores in Sydney, have a try!

Make it:
Roughly chop the watermelon and feijoa into smaller bits and put into the blender.

Add the handful of ice and the mint.

Blend for just under a minute until the ingredients are properly mixed together with no visible chunks.

Pour into a nice glass or container and drink!

(Optional: leftovers can be refrigerated, however will require some shaking before drinking again)

Yum yum!

Let me know in the comments below what you think of the recipe if you decide to try it! 

Are there any recipes you can suggest for me? I am always on the lookout for tasty new smoothies :)


Mash it up (in a blender)
xx

My first published story - The Power of Black and Blue

#the dress

Remember that annoying thing?

It emerged on social media and spread all over the internet to tv, radio, newspapers the whole shebang.

People saw a dress as black and blue, white and gold - The world was divided in shock!

My partner and I reported on what came after.

Have a read of my story here

It seems so distant now, like it happened an eternity ago. This is how these viral trends come and go between the visible and the forgotten.

The South African Salvation Army charity took this phenomenon and used it for a campaign against domestic violence.

They used the message, the bigger picture and what it meant to everyone to deliver their own issue.

It's an important examination of how organisations are using this style of 'piggypacking'.

Have a read and give me some feedback!
I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to share this with you.

I'm off to a start on my writing! More to come.

Mash it up
xx 

Student-ness - Or as I call it, the 'Ramen Cycle'

The 'Ramen Cycle' refers to my assosciation of hungry students (with little money and patience) to the availability of ramen noodles.

Consider the stereotype of the lowly student;

They study, drink far too much, spend their money recklessly and ultimately end up always eating ramen or other forms of 2 minute noodles.

image source: reddit.com 

We're not all like this, I promise.

We study because that's why we're students, we drink far too much because we're always studying or working, we spend money recklessly because we're deluded from all the drinking and because retail therapy is addictive,

AND we eat these cheap, repetitive noodles because we're so poor from all the shopping

The cycle continues because ultimately we're still hungry because noodles aren't nutritious.


I'd like to break it by saying that most of this is down to how lazy you are.

I'm pretty lazy, you'll often find me making a ramen when I'm not actually bothered to cook the fresh food in my fridge.



HOWEVER. Priorities of health mean that I at least keep that laziness to no more than 2 times a week. (Shocking!)



Why why why you say?

The ingredients lists on these 2 minute noodle packs look like the ones on cleaning products. Long, confusing and poisonous sounding.

We all try to eat right, and it's fine to binge, but when you're a student caught in the 'Ramen Cycle' my suggestions are:

-Work more or enough to cover the booze and the small urges to shop and the fresh foods. That's the minimum

-Hide your ramen so you can't find it when you're raiding the kitchen like a bear searching for food

-Ask a roomate, parent or partner to yell at you when you find it

-Pre-make snacks that you can access easier than the Ramen (for example, a cucumber sandwich: a dose of green and carbs)

-Try not to restock your noodles every week. Do it once a month if you're like me and you buy the bulk packs


Fulfill even some of these steps and you're on your way. Oh and also don't drink too much. Keep it slow and the need for unhealthy crap won't be so big :)

Now if you'll excuse me I need to go microwave some noodles.

WHAT? I haven't had any this week.


Mash it up in a soup cup
xx

Homeware Haul - I regret nothing

Who needs money anyways? Haha.

Just kidding. I had enough to stock up on some homeware items for the apartment.

Here I'll show you some of the things I got and hopefully serve as some inspiration to any of you who are also trying to re-decorate!

So without further ado, here are some of my purchases:

This beautiful rug is from 'Eastern Flair' in Newtown

'Spring' scented candle by Homestead Candles - Bought at - 'Reclaim Vintage', Newtown

Isn't it a lovely shade of red? - Tulips from 'Dr Earth', Newtown

Fascinating read, and visually impressive illustrations - From 'Reclaim Vintage', Newtown

Funky little poster right? This is actually sold as wrapping paper at 'Monster Threads', but I couldn't let myself use it to wrap. Besides, who doesn't want birds on their bathroom door?



Have you bought any nice homeware items recently? Any suggestions to help me decorate? Flick me a comment

Mash it up
xx