Tag Archives: BBC

Mar 29 2020
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On The Box

TV is a window into the world we’re no longer allowed to play in. Thank god for Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and Cartoon Network. I’m all about that Cupcake & Dino life. 

I don’t really watch tv. Well, I don’t watch anything regularly. Soaps and reality tv shows don’t interest me. In fact, I’ve just realised I’ve seen more episodes of The Amazing World of Gumball and Apple & Onion than anything even remotely grown up.

That was until life as we knew it was blown out of the water and we were all banned from going outside for three weeks. Yes, I know we’re officially ‘allowed’ one 30 minute window for exercise, but that still leaves 23.5 hours in the day to fill. Good old telly.

I still don’t watch anything on mainstream TV. Cartoon Network is my go-to. It’s mindless, it’s fun, it totally counts as a ‘family activity’ and who doesn’t love watching UniKitty lose her shit at Puppycorn and Hawkadile for 114th time an episode?

When the kids go to bed, I’ve taken on some recommendations in the form of films and series. Here’s 7 films and series I’m watching on lockdown while awaiting the second season of The Umbrella Academy;

Ozark

Netflix series which first aired in 2017. Starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney. Jason plays Marty, a financial advisor who gets into some shit money laundering for a Mexican drug cartel. It’s really good. I’m 5 episodes into season one, with seasons 2 and 3 now available on Netflix too. Give it a whirl.

Pretty Woman

I know, I know. It’s ancient, it’s corny af, but it had the power to pull a bunch of us together on social media on Wednesday night to watch it and reminisce together. Work it baby! 30 years since it’s release, we were all singing and quoting along. You can rent it for £2.49 on Amazon.

Indian Jones, Raiders of the Lost Ark

The hilarious Joe Heenan @joeheenan started #RaidersTweet on Twitter last week and got a shed load of strangers together to watch this absolute classic. Having tried for years to get my kids into this franchise, my 14-year-old finally sat up and paid attention when she saw young Harrison Ford in his three-piece tweed! What a style icon Marion is! Get it on Amazon Prime.

The Split

Season two of this BBC drama had me on a countdown for almost 12 months. The story follows a highly successful divorce lawyer, Hannah, her crumbling marriage, her affair with the hot, blonde America, her sisters and mum. It’s London, pre-pandemic and a woman who is in love with two men. Get season 1 and 2 on the BBC Iplayer. Brilliant drama.

Casual

I binge-watched all three seasons of Casual on Amazon Prime Video before the pandemic became a thing. It stars Tommy Dewey and Michaela Watkins as brother and sister Alex and Valerie. From their messed up childhood to raising a teen, dating, sex, relationships, the adorable Leon and the LA life. Addictive stuff.

Metro

Metro, starring Eddie Murphy and Michael Rapaport first hit cinema screens in 1997 and I love it as much today as I did then. Eddie plays another smart-mouthed cop, a la Beverley Hills cop, but this time he’s a negotiator who’s pissed off a jewellery thief. It’s got some great stunts. Another £2.49 effort on Amazon that’s worth a watch.

True Detective

I appreciate that I’m WAY behind the times when it comes to this Sky series. I’ve heard so many people rave about the first series that I’m going to treat myself to it and feast on the heady mash-up of Hollywood giants, McConaughey and Harrelson in the coming weeks. Let me get three seasons of Ozark done first! If you want to stream it, you can get it on Now TV.

What are you watching to get by? What are you thoughts on binge-watching a long-awaited series as opposed to resorting to an episode a day/week? like back in the good old days? Were those days really that good? Drop me a line with your recommendations katejamesblogs@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

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Aug 09 2015
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Guest Blog: How Many Could You Eat?

The Liverpool Loves event came to a sensational end on Saturday with The People’s Festival at the Pier Head. Local charities, talented artists and delicious street food entertained and thousands gathered to enjoy everything Liverpool has to offer.

My personal favourite activity of the day were the BROWNIES…and the magical folks down at Treats Bake Shop might have just created the ultimate brownie…..meet The Oreo!


In all its glory. This majestic brownie was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. By the time I worked my way around to the Bake Shop stall, Ian (wizard baker extraordinaire) had sold out of the other Treats specialty flavoured brownies such as triple chocolate and chocolate orange….and it was only 2pm! Sadly I had to wait all day until I could proudly display the Oreo beauty upon my flatmates Cath Kidston plate and pour myself the obligatory glass of milk. Chocolatey torture!

The gooey goodness was sublime, thick and bouncy and still moist despite sitting my bag for 6 humid hours whilst I drank far too many ciders. The Oreo parts were to die for, with crunchy biscuit and fluffy cream centre that complimented the gooeyness of the brownie perfectly! Are you drooling yet? You should be!

As a self-confessed brownie connoisseur, I highly recommend Treats Bake Shop to everyone for any occasion! Had a bad day? A brownie can fix that. Had an awesome day? A brownie will make it even better! Plus they are a lovely bunch who wouldn’t judge you for buying 16 brownies knowing fine well you’ll eat them all in your comfy pants whilst binge watching The Great British Bake Off. You can find Treats Bake Shop on Facebook here!

On yer bike Mary Berry!

Caroline Alexandria, Brownie Connosisseur

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Jul 08 2015
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Full Circle Fashion

In just a matter of hours I’m going to my first ever red carpet, fashion event. As a little (and not so little) girl I often dreamed of what it would be like to don a beautiful gown, slip on some Louboutins and generally look a million dollars smiling and waving to the crowds. It doesn’t help my shredded nerves at all that Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz are reportedly attending! Eeeek.

My first taste of high-end fashion was when The Clothes Show came to BBC One, Caryn Franklin (Oh her silver streak!!) and Jeff Banks became my style mentors each Sunday evening and having to wait a whole WEEK for the next episode was complete torture! I spent my early years in Barnard Castle (in the glorious North of course) where I regularly visited The Bowes Museum with my mum and older brother. Even as a youngster I was fascinated at the old-fashioned clothes and toys on display, I’m still awestruck 25 years later at founder of the museum, Josephine Bowes’ pink taffeta ball gown which stands proudly along side regular exhibits from some of the worlds most famous designers. My love of fashion was born in those four walls.

Full Circle Fashion

Style is Eternal, hugging your brother outside the museum is most definitely not!

I moved away to the big city (Liverpool) and studied Fashion and Textiles design at St Helen’s College with the most awesome bunch of friends and tutors a frustrated artist can ever hope to meet. From recycled fashion shows (I strutted down a catwalk dressed in shredded bed-sheets and a corset at one point) to cheering on fellow class mate, Kirsty Doyle in her Project Catwalk triumph I had endless fun learning pattern cutting, history of art, screen-printing and photography (to name a few components of the course) and learned how to charity shop like a pro. Life skills! Since my colourful college days I’ve worked in retail, merchandising, media and PR. I’ve had three beautiful children and chased off two husbands…..I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve moved house, dyed my hair and cleared out my wardrobe….things and people have come and gone. But Barnard Castle still feels like home and fashion is still very much my first love.

As a trainee fashion journalist I’m back in Barnard Castle for a few days as somehow I’ve been invited to the VIP launch of Yves Saint Laurent, Style is Eternal, the first exhibition in the UK to present a comprehensive display of the French fashion designer’s work and life…..at The Bowes Museum. I was tempted to write a piece on how much of a privilege it is for a museum in the North to host such a high profile event…….and while it is a major event I think it belongs at The Bowes, where Style is Eternal.

I’ve laid out my gown and carefully chosen my accessories ….no Louboutin’s for me just yet but I’d like to think Josephine would approve.

The exhibition runs from July 11th to October 25th so you too can fall in love with fashion. Tickets available here.

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