Rebecca Rossi's Blog, page 4

Ranking Leigh Whannell’s Movies!

Hi all! 

Today I am going to rank all of Leigh Whannell’s directorial films. He is one of my favourite horror directors, alongside his best friend and fellow Melbournian, James Wan. He only has four movies in his catalogue, but I can confidently confirm, they are all solid. Leigh is known for blending psychological tension, practical effects and subverting audience expectations. Not only that, he knows how to balance horror and emotional depth through framing and atmosphere. Also, as a huge fan of Saw, I’ve always respected Leigh’s ability to create great features with limited resources and lower budgets. With all that being said, from favourite to least favourite, let’s get into it!

Warning – Spoilers Ahead!

1.) The Invisible Man 

My absolute favourite Leigh Whannell film is The Invisible Man. In my opinion, it was the best horror to come out of 2020.

‘Cecilia’s abusive ex-boyfriend fakes his death, becoming invisible to stalk and torment her. With no one in her corner, she decides to hunt down the truth on her own.’

This movie is insanely gripping with an extremely satisfying ending. I saw it at the cinema and was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The acting, suspense and twists/turns were enough to make it a clear winner. For any woman that has ever been gaslit by another man, The Invisible Man will make you feel seen. Elizabeth Moss is exceptional in this role. She loses everything, including her sanity, yet persists in the face of justice. I truly believe this is Leigh’s best feature. I love the way he built tension in the sound design from the very opening scene. The jump-scares were effective, as well as the psychological horror. We, as an audience, felt just as confused as poor Cecilia, questioning what was real and what wasn’t. If you only watch one film from this list, let it be this one. 

2.) Insidious: Chapter 3

In second place, we have Insidious: Chapter 3. It’s also my second favourite film in the Insidious franchise. 

‘Quinn, a young girl, reaches out to a powerful psychic to help her contact her recently deceased mother. However, her plan backfires when an evil spirit makes Quinn its next host.’

This instalment had a lot of heart. It features Elise’s late husband Jack and how the dead protect us long after they are gone. I’m such a sucker for character development, which made Chapter 3 worthy of such a high ranking. It’s also indicative of Leigh’s ability to successfully blend horror and emotion. Viewers will experience feeling scared straight and heartbroken at the same time, which is also the case for Wolf Man (see below). It is strange that he only directed one of the films in the series, but the majority of fans agree it’s one of the strongest, which is a huge testament to Mr. Whannell. 

3.) Wolf Man 

In third place, we have Whannell’s latest release – Wolf Man. 

‘When Blake and his family are attacked by an unseen animal, the family barricade themselves inside a farmhouse. As the night stretches on, Blake begins to behave strangely, transforming into something unrecognisable that soon jeopardises his wife and daughter.’

One of my biggest takeaways from Wolf Man were the visuals. This stunning film is set in central Oregon among lush valleys and blue crystal lakes. The story takes its time building up the family storyline, so we as viewers care about the characters. The intention is clear – the movie is meant to tug on your heartstrings, as we watch a man who adores his wife and child devolve into madness. As the transformation occurs, the plot suddenly becomes less wholesome and a lot more gruesome. Wolf Man does not shy away from gore, body horror and violence. Having said all that, the pacing really stopped me in my tracks. The movie would drag in parts, suddenly speed up and then slow back down again etc. It felt very off to me, to the point where I couldn’t really discern the middle act and the end. Whilst it isn’t my favourite from Leigh’s catalogue, I can still appreciate it for what it is. I love that 2/4 of his movies are Universal Monster remakes. 

4.) Upgrade

And last but certainly not least, we have Upgrade. 

‘Grey, a technophobe, suffers paralysis and loses his wife during an attack. But when a billionaire hands him a chip in his body that restores his mobility, he sets out to get vengeance.’

This may be my least favourite Leigh Whannell film but I still really enjoyed it. Even at his “worst” he still produces something fundamentally solid. This is a fun action thriller to pop on for a date night. I’m never going to say no to a revenge flick. I like that it was set in Melbourne. I felt more connected to it, being able to recognise places I have literally driven past before. There were some great fight scenes and intense, gory kills I wasn’t expecting. The reason I rated it last was simply because I’ve come across this story time and time again. It follows the ‘rise of the machines’ trope, where artificial intelligence appears helpful in the guise of wanting to take over. I still recommend checking out Upgrade if you haven’t already. 

Thank you so much for reading! How would you rank Leigh’s films? 

Peace & Love xoxo

Vegan Hot Chocolate Taste Test!

Hi all! 

Today I am going to be ranking and reviewing Nomad’s Drinking Chocolate variety pack. It’s currently winter here in Australia, so what better time to curl up on the couch with fuzzy socks and a mug of hot chocolate? Nomad provides ethically sourced, organic chocolate and coffee beans to its customers. It’s also vegan, dairy free, gluten free and GMO free. I am so happy to be supporting them, knowing the proceeds go to assisting local communities. Without further ado, let’s get into the taste-test! This is in order from favourite to least favourite.

Also – enjoy my cute mug collection!

1.) Damask Rose 

My absolute favourite hot chocolate flavour is Damask Rose. Not only does it colour my milk a marble pink, it tastes like liquid Turkish Delight. That might sound gross to some, but for me, it’s perfection! I’m not going to lie, a lot of the flavours mentioned below taste similar to one another. The addition of Rose Petal Dust really sets this one apart from the rest. It has a very distinct, yummy taste that will keep me coming back for more. 

2.) West Africa

In second place, we have West Africa (45% Dark). The dark chocolate really ramps up the richness. It is so decadent and delicious, it feels like you’re drinking melted chocolate. This flavour almost made my number one spot. I am going to be reaching for it a lot this winter. 

3.) Hazelnut

In third place, we have Hazelnut. My favourite type of chocolate usually includes a nut component. I am a big fan of that particular combination. Therefore, this flavour gives me the same vibe but in liquid format. It’s tasty, comforting and cosy. This is also a good one to give to children. My daughter is partial to this one and another I’ll mention later.

4.) Dominican 55% Dark 

Similar to West Africa (see above) I’m a big fan of Dominican (55% Dark) due to its richness. The flavours are strong and bold. You don’t want your milk to overpower the powder. With this one, the chocolate is the dominant flavour, which is how it should be. 

5.) Hot Cross Bun 

It’s no surprise that Hot Cross Bun is my daughter’s favourite flavour. If I’m being perfectly honest, it does not taste like a Hot Cross Bun to me, but it’s still yummy. The added ingredients (aside from sugar and cacao powder) are cinnamon, allspice and orange oil. It’s festive and the packaging is super cute. I recommend giving this one as a gift during Easter time. 

6.) Bondi Blend

Next up is Bondi Blend. This is your basic hot chocolate. It has no fancy added ingredients, aside from sugar and cacao powder. It’s lovely and smooth but isn’t anything special. 

7.) Ruby Bliss (w. Beetroot)

In seventh place, we have Ruby Bliss (w. Beetroot). It’s not as bad as it sounds but you can definitely taste the beetroot powder. I am not a huge fan of this one. I think you either love it or hate it. 

8.) Ancient Maya (w. Chilli & Spices) 

In second-last place we have Ancient Maya (w. Chilli & Spices). I had high hopes for this one. A spicy warm beverage in winter sounds like a winner. Unfortunately, it tasted pretty much like Bondi Blend (see above) – just regular hot chocolate. There is no kick whatsoever. For a second, I thought I had picked up the wrong sachet because I couldn’t detect anything different. Such a shame!

9.) Australian Natives

In last place, we have Australian Natives. This is the only hot chocolate flavour I truly disliked. In my opinion, it is doing way too much. It includes Lilly Pilly, Strawberry Gum, Pepperberry, Lemon Myrtle and Cinnamon Myrtle. The blend of those herbs made me screw up my face in disgust. It tasted like soil. I will not be reaching for this one again in a hurry. Sorry! 

Thank you so much for reading! Please support Nomad if you can. They are a wonderful company with amazing products. Tell me which is your favourite.  

Peace & Love xoxo  

M3GAN 2.0 – New Release Horror Movie Review!

Hi all! 

Today I am reviewing new-release, horror movie: M3GAN 2.0. It hit cinemas this month, allowing me the opportunity of seeing it on the big screen. Two years after M3GAN went rogue and embarked on a murderous rampage, its creator, Gemma, has become an advocate for government oversight of AI. Unbeknownst to her, a defence contractor has created a military-grade weapon known as AMELIA, the ultimate infiltration spy. However, as AMELIA’s self-awareness increases, it becomes less interested in taking orders. Hoping to stop AMELIA, Gemma decides to resurrect M3GAN, making it faster, stronger, and more lethal. Without further ado, here are my honest thoughts!

WHAT WORKED:

Unfortunately, I do not have many positive things to say about M3GAN 2.0, but I am glad they kept the original cast. It would’ve been an even worse film if we had to get to know a whole bunch of new characters. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Jemaine Clement receive a villain role. Flight of the Conchords fans should pick up on a certain Easter Egg. Other than that, it was garbage.  

WHAT DIDN’T WORK:

Plenty! Firstly, the original M3GAN was one of my favourite horror films to come out of 2022. To see the direction the sequel went in was disappointing. This clear cash-grab is not even close to a horror. It is an action comedy, plain and simple. In this movie, M3GAN is lewd, crude and lacks any sort of eeriness. She overcompensates with cheesy one-liners and cheap witticisms. There is camp and then there’s just silly. Secondly, it was far too long for such an uninteresting plot. It could’ve been at least 30 minutes shorter. I was so bored by the James Bond angle the makers took. There was nothing original about it. You want to witness the rise of machines, check out The Terminator. Finally, it felt like a downgrade in quality, not an upgrade. By that I mean depth and meaning. There was an attempt at a heartfelt moment but it was difficult to take seriously with M3GAN cracking jokes about vaginal yeast infections. It’s a no from me!  

OVERALL STAR RATING:

I gave it 2/5 stars. I want to pretend it doesn’t exist.

Have you seen M3GAN 2.0? What did you think of it?

Peace & Love xoxo

‘Atmosphere’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid – New Release Book Review!

Hi all! 

Today I am going to share my spoiler-free, honest review of Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. In the past, I have ranked her works, so please check that out here. Yes, I’ve read them all and none have dipped below a 4 star rating. She’s the queen of contemporary tales, amazing concepts, evoking feels and leaving me gob-smacked. Whatever she releases, I’ll read it. There is a lot to say about her latest release, so without further ado, let’s get into it! 

THE PLOT 

Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as an aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to be one of the few people to go to space. Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants in the summer of 1980, Joan begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates. As the new astronauts become unlikely friends and prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined. In this new light, Joan begins to question everything she thinks she knows about her place in the observable universe. Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changes in an instant…

THE CHARACTERS 

As always, Taylor Jenkins Reid creates the most complex, multi-faceted characters that somehow feel like real people. Her experience as a mother certainly inspired the relationship between Joan and Frances. The love she had for her niece rendered me a sobbing mess by the end. When Atmosphere was first announced, I expected the romance to be the most touching part, but honestly, it was the familial storyline that hit harder. Having said that, Joan and Vanessa’s partnership was absolutely beautiful. Their commitment, support and unconditional love stole my heart. Taylor mentions in her acknowledgements how important it was for her to write a sapphic romance and I absolutely see why. In a world where women have to work ten times harder just to be considered worthy alongside men, a heterosexual relationship would’ve cheapened Joan’s rise to success at NASA. She earned every accolade on her own, whilst also maintaining a secret relationship from her peers. Chosen family is paramount in this novel, where co-workers are more home to Joan than her own parents/sister. Each connection had a relatable depth to it. I saw myself in Joan but also in the people surrounding her. That is the true mark of a gifted author. 

THE WRITING STYLE 

Taylor Jenkins Reid loves to build up to a significant event in her books. We saw that in Malibu Rising. In Atmosphere, she switches between past and present day. There is no mystery to what is taking place, but tensions remain high. We want the team to succeed and remain safe. We desperately hope for a happy ending, terrified that Taylor will yank it away at the last minute. As the end draws near, we learn how we got there, falling for these complex characters along the way. I really appreciate and respect the amount of research Taylor had to do in order to write this story. I am always amazed at her ability to get me to care about professions I would normally have no interest in. I’ve become invested in surfing, tennis and now space-travel thanks to her. At the beginning, I thought the story was a little slow-paced and straightforward. However, the last 100 pages opened up to something much more. I have not had such an intense emotional reading experience like this in quite some time. I should’ve known she would take me to another universe (pardon the pun). 

STAR RATING 

I gave it 5/5 stars. Yet another masterpiece! 

Thank you so much for reading! Have you read Atmosphere yet? What were your thoughts? 

Peace & Love xoxo 

28 Years Later – New Release Horror Movie Review!

Hi all! 

Today I am reviewing new-release, horror movie: 28 Years Later. It hit cinemas this month, allowing me the opportunity of seeing it on the big screen. It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped from a biological weapons laboratory. Still living in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amid the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway. When one of them decides to venture into the dark heart of the mainland, he soon discovers a mutation that has spread to not only the infected, but other survivors as well. Without further ado, here are my honest thoughts!

WHAT WORKED:

28 Years Later took me by complete surprise. I wasn’t expecting such an epic journey film that felt akin to Lord of the Rings, The Witcher and even Game of Thrones. Shot in Northumberland, the cinematography was positively breathtaking. All types of ground were covered from coastal beaches to lush forests to heavenly fields. There was a lot of love and care put into this movie, that much was evident. Furthermore, I have to mention the brilliant performances from Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer and Aaron-Taylor Johnson. The child who played Spike was excellent too. There were moments of true terror, laugh-out-loud silliness and sudden heartbreak. I experienced a wide range of emotions. What fascinated me most however, were the zombies. They maintained the same frenzy and speed from the original franchise but were more primitive in appearance. There were different classifications and mutations as well. I also appreciated the amount of gore featured. It was definitely heavier on the violence over the scares. We know that a second and third film are in the works, so do not expect a closed-chapter ending. There is a lot more to come and they are just getting started. It was great to see Danny Boyle back in the director’s seat after giving us 28 Days Later over two decades ago.  

WHAT DIDN’T WORK:

There wasn’t a whole lot to fault about this film, except that it was a little all over the place. At one point, it focused on an entirely different story before quickly switching back to the main plot-line. Perhaps that will be explained in the next movie but it felt random and out of place for no reason. Moreover, some of the artistic choices implemented won’t work for everybody but I enjoyed them. It certainly took risks, straying out of the ordinary. I am referring to the music used, some of the modern references mentioned and the costuming. If I didn’t know anything about 28 Years Later, including the title, I don’t know that I would’ve connected it to the original franchise. It’s really up to personal preference whether that is a positive or negative thing. 

OVERALL STAR RATING:

I gave it 4/5 stars. I’m very much looking forward to Part 2 in 2026!

Have you seen 28 Years Later? What did you think of it?

Peace & Love xoxo

The Fog – Original Vs. Remake

Hi all! 

Welcome back to a fun segment on my blog, where I pit an original horror film against its remake and discuss which one, I personally believe is better. You can check out the dedicated category here. There will be a few factors to take into consideration: a.) Does the remake improve the original story, b.) Is the original already so superior, the remake is quite irrelevant and c.) Do both films exist side-by-side, complementing one another in horror cinematic history? For our eighth subject, we are going to be tackling John Carpenter’s, The Fog from 1980 and Rupert Wainwright’s reboot from 2005. If you didn’t know, these movies tell the story of a strange, glowing fog that sweeps over a small coastal town in Northern California. Remember, it’s okay if we don’t agree. This is just my opinion. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

Round #1 – Improvement

Did the remake improve upon the original? Well, yes and no? The film from 2005 deepened the plot but also over-complicated it. The version from 1980 was much simpler. It didn’t have an investigative trope like the remake did. Rather, it possessed more of a survival/paranormal sub-genre. It was punchier and less focused on the details. However, what the modern version did well, was enhance the visuals. A movie made several decades later is typically inclined to look better. In fact, that is why John Carpenter agreed to a remake in the first place. He was unsatisfied with the low-quality production and budget of the original. Despite all of that, there’s something about an 80’s horror that will always charm me. Especially when John and his epic scores are at the helm (pardon the pun). I realise that didn’t really answer the question, so let’s just call it a tie! 

Winner – The Fog 1980 & The Fog 2005

Round #2 – Relevance

Was the original already so superior, the remake was irrelevant? No. I believe this was a good story to get a modern upgrade. As mentioned above, there were aspects I enjoyed about both versions. I even gave them the same star rating: 3/5. I liked that the remake was sexier and edgier. It had a great early 2000’s soundtrack that took me back to a place and time growing up. However, the original had a better ending and was much easier to follow. Not only that, it featured a young Jamie-Lee Curtis. What more do you need? In fact, that was the true strength of the 1980 version: the characters. They were much more inviting. I did not care one bit for the one-dimensional actors in the reboot. They were too wooden for my liking. The reboot definitely caters more to the younger generation, but all in all, it comes down to personal taste. 

Winner – The Fog 1980 & The Fog 2005

Round #3 – Cohesion

Can both films exist side-by-side in cinematic history? Absolutely. The remake is not a continuation of the original story. It is an opportunity to upgrade what came before it. The issue with The Fog itself, is its lack of villain. It doesn’t really have a big bad, so the best way to generate fear, is to build on the moody atmosphere. Evidently, the reboot did a better job of that due to modern technology and a higher budget, but the original still stands on its own, delivering an eerie, unsettling vibe to the town of Antonio Bay. I recommend watching either of them on a gloomy, cold day with a mug of hot chocolate. 

Winner – The Fog 1980 & The Fog 2005

THE WINNER IS: The Fog 1980 & The Fog 2005

For the first time since launching this segment, we have a tie! I thought long and hard about the original vs. remake and honestly, I couldn’t choose which one was better. They possessed strengths and weaknesses that simultaneously cancelled one another out. Therefore, I recommend checking out both of them and enjoying the ride. 

Thank you so much for reading! What are your thoughts? I have a whole list of films I’m going to be covering but if you have any suggestions, please let me know. I’ll be back next time to tackle Dawn of the Dead.

Peace & Love xoxo

Dangerous Animals – New Release Horror Movie Review!

Hi all!

Today I am reviewing new-release, horror movie: Dangerous Animals. It hit cinemas this month, allowing me the opportunity of seeing it on the big screen. A shark-obsessed serial killer holds Zephyr, a rebellious surfer, captive on his boat. Racing against time, she must figure out a way to escape before he carries out a ritualistic feeding to the sharks below. Without further ado, here are my honest thoughts!

WHAT WORKED:

I have to say: Down Under is really delivering on its horror/thrillers in 2025. From The Rule of Jenny Pen, to Bring Her Back, to The Surfer and now Dangerous Animals, colour me impressed! Set on the Gold Coast (only a few hours from where I live) this film exposes where the real dangers lie – mankind. Sharks are innocent, acting on pure instinct. Humans are calculated, causing harm with intention. The real stand-out is the Dangerous Animal himself – Jai Courtney as Tucker. His performance was absolutely outstanding. I believed every word, every gesture. I also enjoyed Hassie Harrison’s role as Zephyr – the cool surfer girl with a hard shell. She gave me Katniss Everdeen vibes. A real fighter. The gore was top notch and the scares were palpable. I found myself looking away in certain parts or holding my breath. This movie got to me and that doesn’t happen often. If you weren’t afraid of sharks before, you will be after watching this one. Enjoy the ride! 

WHAT DIDN’T WORK:

If I had to critique this film, I would say it was highly unrealistic in parts. There were many times where the characters should’ve died, but somehow managed to scrape through. I also felt there were some unnecessary scenes that could’ve benefited from some editing. Not only that, it had quite a cheesy ending, which didn’t match the overwhelming trauma the protagonist had just endured. However, all of those things can be overlooked. It’s not that deep (pardon the pun). 

OVERALL STAR RATING:

I gave it 4/5 stars. I highly recommend checking this one out! 

Have you seen Dangerous Animals? What did you think of it?

Peace & Love xoxo

My Colouring Book Era!

Hi all! 

Today I am going to discuss my latest hyperfixation: adult colouring books. This craze has been sweeping the internet for some time now and it finally got hold of me. If you didn’t know, the colouring books in question are from the Coco Wyo brand. They sell bright, cartoonish cosy editions with bold graphics to make staying within the lines easier. All of their images are hand-drawn with love by a team of creative artists. They believe that the art of colouring can heal and bring comfort. I can certainly attest to that! As somebody that struggles with coordination (read more here) I find this particular hobby very soothing. Even my six-year-old has become obsessed, having already completed multiple books. I am excited to share more, so let’s get into it! 

1.) Where Do I Start? 

First, you want to purchase some Coco Wyo books. I bought mine from Amazon. If you’re a beginner, you can get actual practice guides because there is a lot more to this craze than just colouring – but I’ll touch on that below. Next, you will need an assortment of markers. I bought a large pack from for cheap. Having said that, you can use coloured pencils, crayons, gel pens etc. With markers like mine, make sure to use a thick piece of cardboard or card-stock underneath the pages, so the ink doesn’t bleed through. 

2.) How Do I Make It Look Good? 

If you’re new to colouring and don’t know how to make patterns/palettes that pop, copy someone else! For example, I found this sample page online from Coco Wyo and decided to replicate it as best as possible. The first image below is the original, the second is my replication. It was really fun putting it together. Once you become more comfortable, you can attempt a creation of your own. Failing all that, just colour! There are no rules and certainly no expectations for perfection.  

3.) What Makes Coco Wyo Colouring Unique? 

The patterns. If you look at the picture below, you’ll notice I haven’t coloured everything uniform. For example, the frog in the top left corner has a blend of green and cream to make him stand out. The black and brown dog in the painting matches the larger dog sleeping by the coffee table. The leaves on the right contain a marker called ‘colourless blender’, adding brighter highlights to the edges. Please keep in mind, I am merely a novice. There are skilled artists out there that can create 3D patterns on a page. It takes plenty of practice, some of which I’ll show you below. 

4.) Patterns I’m Perfecting.

At the moment, I’m working on perfecting some of my patterns. To do that, I’m using the Coco Wyo practice book. I’ll show you three examples below. 

1.) LIGHT SOURCES

As you can see, the practice book allows you to record which colours you are using. This helps narrow down the best pattern you’re trying to achieve. I’m super proud of my fire (see bottom right). Using deeper red tones and working down to paler yellows, really makes the flame pop.

2.) BLANKET TEXTURES

There are no rules to blanket textures. You can use as many colours and patterns as you like. I am not quite where I want to be with them just yet, but as you can see, I’m playing around. I can’t wait to incorporate a design I’m happy with onto the page. If you’re not sure what I mean, the image posted above has a girl with a blanket across her legs. I am learning to add patterns to the blanket, instead of colouring it just pink, like I did on my first attempt. 

3.) BRICK PATTERNS

Brick patterns are a lot trickier than they look. Finding a good colour combination is one thing. Making them stand-out to look almost 3D is another. Having said that, I feel like I’m starting to master them. They look good!

5.) Just Have Fun!

Lastly, I just want to urge you to have fun. You can make your pages as simple or as detailed as you like. In the image below, I selected 8 colours and tasked myself to complete the picture using only those markers. I really like how it came out! There are endless options and ideas. You only have to go online to discover countless sources of inspiration. As long as you’re enjoying yourself, you’re doing it right. 

Thank you so much for reading. Have you jumped on the Coco Wyo colouring bandwagon? If so, please tell me how you like to colour. 

Peace & Love xoxo 

Seasonal Splendour Part 3: Autumn

Hi all! 

Welcome back to my new four-part series titled: Seasonal Splendour. My daughter and I started a tradition of making bucket lists per season and ticking off the prompts as we met them. It’s been such a fun bonding experience but it has also allowed us to romanticise the different times of year. We completed Spring and Summer and now, here is Autumn! Below is the bucket list we made and a photo diary of our adventures. The only one we didn’t get to was ‘Go On A Hayride.’ Without further ado, here is how we spent the last three months of cosy autumn…

Seasonal Splendour Part 3: Autumn   1.) Try An Autumn-Themed Punch Kit 

I definitely attempted a punch-kit, but was I successful? Read this post to find out more. 

2.) Thrift An Autumn Outfit 

I thrifted this gorgeous, orange linen skirt from The Salvation Army for only a few dollars. I was so excited to wear it to work when I discovered it had a pretty big hole in the back where the zipper was supposed to be. Shame! 

3.) Bake A Fruit Pie 

I’m really proud of the pie we made. It was my first time ever baking one. I even attempted a lattice pattern across the top. This one had a blackberry/apple filling, served with coconut yoghurt on the side. Yum! 

4.) Read A Cosy Thriller 

In April, I read Survive The Night by Riley Sager, which is the ultimate cosy thriller. I plan on ranking all of his works later in the year, so stay tuned to see where this one landed. 

5.) Go On A Brisk, Crunchy-Leaf Walk 

Nothing beats a crisp, morning walk with autumn leaves crunching underfoot. My daughter and I enjoyed a pleasant stroll earlier in the season, basking in the fall vibes (as the Americans say). 

6.) Watch An Autumn Movie New To You 

I watched 825 Forest Road, which is a new-release horror set in a New England style town. It definitely screamed autumn, but the movie itself was not enjoyable. 

7.) Attend An Easter Fair 

In case it wasn’t obvious, in Australia, we celebrate Easter in autumn. Our local Botanic Gardens hosted a special Easter event, where we got to hunt for giant eggs, do seasonal crafts, play lawn games etc. It was such a great day.

8.) Make Air Fryer Cinnamon Donuts 

I’m planning on publishing a post later in the year trialling different air-fryer desserts (including the below), so I won’t go into detail here. All I’ll say is, these were the perfect autumn treat. 

9.) Visit An Antique Store

What is autumn if not antiquing? We visited a quaint little store in Maryborough, QLD, that sold the cutest vintage items. Everything was arranged and displayed with so much thought. I didn’t buy anything but I loved the pink vase shown below. 

10.) Explore A Haunted House 

For obvious reasons, I believe autumn to be the spookiest season (even though Halloween lands in spring here). Abigail and I were lucky enough to explore the breathtaking Brooklyn House in Howard, QLD. This home is known for harbouring spirits, having been built so long ago. I felt very fortunate to check it out. 

11.) Get Some Autumn Nails 

This one was just silly fun. I painted mine and Abigail’s nails with red, orange and yellow nail polish. It looks terrible but I have a coordination disability so what can we expect? 

12.) Make A Hearty Soup 

I’m really proud of the vegetable noodle soup I made. If you want the exact recipe, please click here. It was hearty and super tasty. My daughter actually devoured her bowl. Trust me when I say, that is a rarity! 

13.) Get Mother/Daughter Matching PJ’s

I surprised my daughter with these matching donut pyjamas and she was positively thrilled. She loves when we wear them at the same time. They are really cute and comfy. You can buy a similar set here. 

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed Part 3 of my new series. I’ll be back in September to recap our chilly Winter! 

Peace & Love xoxo

Bring Her Back – New Release Horror Movie Review!

Hi all! 

Today I am reviewing new-release, horror movie: Bring Her Back. It hit cinemas this month, allowing me the opportunity of seeing it on the big screen. A brother and sister uncover a terrifying ritual at the secluded home of their new foster mother. What they discover is truly the stuff of nightmares. Without further ado, here are my honest thoughts!

WHAT WORKED:

The biggest strength of Bring Her Back is its ability to make one FEEL. If you’re not shedding a tear by the end, are you even human? This may be the saddest, most tragic, heartbreaking horror to ever hit the big screen. If you thought Talk To Me tackled grief in a unique way, wait till you see this one. The acting was pure perfection. Every single performance – especially from the children – was outstanding. Furthermore, I loved the setting. For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, it was the ideal winter film. I felt immersed in the rain, the plants and the isolated home they moved into. As an Aussie, I’m not normally impressed by Australian cinema, but I am super proud of what the Philippou brothers continue to put out. They are perfecting their craft feature by feature. I am 100% tuned in to whatever they release next. I know I’ll be thinking about this one for days to come. 

WHAT DIDN’T WORK:

I don’t think there was anything particularly wrong with this film per se. To be perfectly honest, the bleak and disturbing movies just aren’t as suited to me as the more lighthearted, supernatural ones. For that reason, I still prefer Talk To Me over Bring Her Back. I was also expecting it to be a lot scarier than it was but how does one measure fear? The true terror lies in the lengths one will go to turn back the clock. Simply put, all of my criticisms can be rationalised. 

OVERALL STAR RATING:

I gave it 4.5/5 stars. The Philippou brothers have hit yet another home run! 

Have you seen Bring Her Back? What did you think of it?

Peace & Love xoxo