<rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><channel><title>elizabethstevens</title><description>elizabethstevens</description><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/writeriz</link><item><title>On the eighteenth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[... a husband takes over the blog post (my husband, to be exact).24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today was a typical Australian summer day - 43 Celsius and hot enough for the air conditioner to give up for the day. Anyone want to trade hemispheres for the rest of the holidays?Today my long-suffering husband has hijacked the blog, to give his "honest movie review" of the Christmas movie 'Frozen in Love' Complete<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_33d9f3906fd641e29607f7ce3161bd5b%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>the Husband</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/19/On-the-eighteenth-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/19/On-the-eighteenth-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2019 16:42:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>... a husband takes over the blog post (my husband, to be exact).</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_e4c715f9223d44379bc8ad0f35308d94~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today was a typical Australian summer day - 43 Celsius and hot enough for the air conditioner to give up for the day. Anyone want to trade hemispheres for the rest of the holidays?</div><div>Today my long-suffering husband has hijacked the blog, to give his &quot;honest movie review&quot; of the Christmas movie 'Frozen in Love' Complete with his very own Christmas t-shirt! So, friends, romans, countrymen, I will pass you over to his very capable hands...and may God take pity on my soul...</div><div>To be clear, she calls me her &quot;long-suffering&quot; husband as a description of my life, not as a label to help her distinguish between her different husbands - I am her only husband ... as far as I am aware ...</div><div>Here we are at day eighteen, and Christmas is flying towards us. With only one week to go, the lights are lighting, the cookies are cooking, and the mistletoe is...toeing? (Actually, I don't think we have mistletoe here in Australia). What we do have is heat - and lots of it. 43C degrees of it (just shy of 110F, for our international brethren). With heat records being set across the country, I thought it fitting to review a movie that will cool us all down:</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_33d9f3906fd641e29607f7ce3161bd5b~mv2.jpg"/><div>Frozen in Love - 2.5/5 candy canes</div><div>Well, if the intention was to cool down, you couldn't get much colder than the on-screen chemistry between these two. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_1c82e2f19e5c46709eaa7c17acf1f9ac~mv2.jpg"/><div> Ah yes, the big heart-warming moment when she realises that she is in love with him (sorry, spoilers?)</div><div>&quot;Frozen in Love&quot; sees Rachael Leigh Cook as Mary, the owner of a struggling book-shop and Niall Matter as Adam, a &quot;bad boy&quot; ice-hockey player. Mary has to promote her book shop, or risk losing the family business forever. Adam has to revive his image, or risk his illustrious ice-hockey career...but wait, what if you paired them together? Maybe Adam could help promote this local book shop? And maybe in doing so Mary will help re-build his image with his local fans? It's just so crazy it could work!</div><div>A classic opposites-attract story, which really doesn't have all that much more going for it. The main roles were actually acted pretty well, though Rachael Leigh Cook could work on looking less angry all the time.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_efe699648a38476f8641850cf2c7fe92~mv2.jpg"/><div>Sorry Rachael, that's just my opinion...please don't hurt me...</div><div>The movie is, as Izzie says, &quot;deliciously predictable&quot;. It's a classic boy-and-girl meet, boy-and-girl hate each other, boy-and-girl are forced to work together, boy acts like an idiot, girl looks angry, boy-and-girl realise they are more alike than they first thought, boy-and-girl fall in love, everyone lives happily ever after.</div><div>Blegh.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_a89cbc228e624221b16b00d7ebfc706b~mv2.gif"/><div>Actually, the movie wasn't as bad as I make it out to be, and it did have its funny, sweet moments ... unfortunately, they were all a little forgettable. In this crazy, crazy world of holiday cheer and Baby Yoda's, movies need more than a predictable storyline and okay-ish acting to cut the mustard (so to speak). In fact, until I wrote this bit, I actually thought this was another one of those movies that doesn't appear to have an ending (read: I fell asleep during it). But actually, I did watch all of it, it was just a little...meh...</div><div>But what do I know? Maybe I just don't appreciate the subtle art of predictable love stories? Maybe it just wasn't my kind of movie? Maybe my expectations are just too high, especially after some of the more brilliant ones I have experienced (Klaus, anyone?) Or maybe I've just got my Grinch on overload this year? </div><div>And yes, for the purists, it turns out that this was not strictly a Christmas movie - however, it contains snow, and that's about as much as many other 'real' Christmas movies have...</div><div>That's probably enough from me, Izzie's giving me another one of those classic &quot;stop doing what you are doing&quot; death stares...oh no, sorry, that's just Rachael again.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_d24776c898324ef1a6a38a16a626b864~mv2.jpg"/><div>All in all, I feel like I came across a little harsh to start with, and I give this movie a pass grade...only...</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer (?) below (international bollocks willing).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WzWvuShVbnY"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the seventeenth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I need a nap. But I'm not giving up.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit.Day 17 sees me way behind on posting - I got the movies watched and the reviews written, but just didn't get to the posting until now. So, my tee reflects my attitude a bit today. Add in the fact that I am STILL behind on my writing and I'm this close to being over it all. Still. I'm not giving up! Yet.Today's Aussie Christmas carol is brought<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_fd67fdda4ce14fd68d5b259fc3489e55%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_313%2Ch_313/4c2358_fd67fdda4ce14fd68d5b259fc3489e55%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/19/On-the-seventeenth-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/19/On-the-seventeenth-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Mon, 16 Dec 2019 16:36:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I need a nap. But I'm not giving up.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_fd67fdda4ce14fd68d5b259fc3489e55~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit.</div><div>Day 17 sees me way behind on posting - I got the movies watched and the reviews written, but just didn't get to the posting until now. So, my tee reflects my attitude a bit today. Add in the fact that I am STILL behind on my writing and I'm this close to being over it all. Still. I'm not giving up! Yet.</div><div>Today's Aussie Christmas carol is brought to you by Scraping the Barrel.</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5nWJ6U2HPTc"/><div>Day seventeen and we're back on Netflix. I couldn't help myself.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_35879fe65a9045d188a06bd6c2393346~mv2.jpg"/><div>the Christmas Chronicles - 4/5 stars</div><div>So I watched this one last year, but it turns out I'd completely forgotten ALL of it. As I was watching it, I wasn't surprised by anything that had happened as though I was expecting it, but I did know I expected it...if that makes sense...</div><div>Either way, last year Hubby fell asleep during it and has since been telling me it was boring. I quote, &quot;it wasn't even one of those times I was tired and fell asleep. It was so boring I didn't bother trying to not fall asleep.&quot; But I wanted to do it because I enjoyed it. And - haha - he informed me it wasn't as bad as he'd thought it was and I got a gold star for it being an acceptable movie. I'm not really sure what I had to do with it, but look I'll take it.</div><div>This movie was a great little family flick. We start out with a montage of fun family Christmas videos - which you just know means something awful is about to happen - and then we pull away to reveal that, yes! Something awful has happened. So it is, the first Christmas after their dad's death that Teddy and Kate Pierce and their mum are just trying to get through Christmas with their new reality. Kate (played by Darby Camp) is sweet but knows more swear words than I remember knowing at ten. Teddy (played by Judah Lewis) is BUTT LOADS of teen angst, like he gives Edward Cullen a run for his money in some bits. But I'm there for it, because the dude does actually have depth and he gave me a giggle on more than one occasion. Also, if I was...half my age, he'd be a very attractive young man - not that that's in anyway relevant (damn, getting old).</div><div>Now, Teddy and Kate do not get along at all, much to the chagrin of their mother. Left home alone on Christmas Eve, Kate somehow manages to convince her grumpy older brother to help her get real video footage of Santa Claus (seriously, I feel so weird calling him that...but he was played by Kurt Russell, so...). The two of them go all Home Alone on the house and lie in wait with their junk food to catch Santa in the act. Naturally, they get him and follow him outside, cut to Kate climbing into the sleigh (which is STUNNING, btw) and Teddy following, and suddenly you have a recipe for disaster. Kate causes Santa to freak the hell out and the sleigh crashes. Santa loses his sack and his hat, and the race is on to get everything back on track so that Christmas cheer doesn't die and the world is plunged into another Dark Ages.</div><div>Can I just say that the chemistry between Judah Lewis and Kurt Russell was off the charts. They played off each other so well. Every time they were on screen together, I really didn't see any need for Kate to be there (sorry...), especially when her input was really just questioning everything Santa did. That's not to say I didn't like Kate, I just REALLY appreciated the interplay between Lewis and Russell.</div><div>I like this movie. And I know it's becoming painfully obvious that I basically love every Christmas movie and I'm trying super hard to be discerning. But, I did just really love this movie. It had fun and laughter and excellent holiday vibes. I'm still trying to work out why it was called the Christmas Chronicles - will there be sequels? What are they chronicling? Is the book a chronicle? Like I need answers!! But, I'll allow the lack of confusion...for now and award this one 4/5 magical Santa hats.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments. You can find the play-by-play below the trailer.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YaeDa_Uempk"/><div>The Christmas Chronicles brain vomit:</div><div>You know when we start with a montage of excellent family Christmases that something is going to go horribly wrong and someone is going to die.Now, I have seen this before, but I really don't remember that much. I know hubby fell asleep. But that's about it.No! See? Told you.She wants a skateboard? She's so cool.Don't be a dick, Teddy. Naw, he couldn't do it.Teddy's friends just look like dicks. Oh! They are dicks!Ha! Little sister for the win.Bahaha! Sibling fight.Is it an American thing to not put the tree and stuff up til like Christmas eve? I've noticed people on social media only doing it recently too. Where is the first day of the season??Kate is a super cute kid, though.There is more to Christmas than all that stuff, but...should there be?Exactly how old is Teddy and his teenage crisis?Poor Mum.Naw, Teddy and his teen angst.😱😱😱 Santa on film?!?!?! Le gasp!Everyone should wear an ugly Christmas sweater.That was not the dark, Kate. That is quite clearly not the dark.KIDNAP THE SANDY CLAWS!!Swearing on Dead dad's pic is pretty serious shit.He's Kevin-ing the house.Mum said no junk food? What kind of ten year old is she?No! Not the popcorn!Santa in a leather suit. Is it bad that I immediately think yum? I want to say this is just a figment of my over active sex brain...He wooshes. Like wooshes.That is a nice sleigh.That kid is a spider monkeyElvish, eh. Obviously Tolkien didn't make it up after all.Why, Kate? Why would you…? 🙄🙄 Idiot.Well this is going to go well for everyone.Sydney! Of course.Bye reindeer!They not only crashed Santa but did so quite convincingly.Damn it's hot.Rofl - Teddy's super coolMmm...Santa. I mean… cute and innocent hooray…?Him and his damn metabolism.It IS the end of the world, Teddy. Jesus. Don't you know anything?Hehe, sack tracking.😂😂😂😂Shenanigans!If he wasn't dressed as Santa Claus, that would be really creepy… Cool, but creepy…Kate...he doesn't need your help.Nooooo! Not the baseball card!!!! Bitch.Oh, and a lesson for Teddy. Excellent.Hehe. Nice work, Wendy.Down 35%? 😱😱Teddy over there out legalling Santa.Yeah, Santa. Slow down.Don't question Santa, you idiot. Precociousness can butt off.To the reindeer!! Onwards, Teddy.How...how does Teddy know how to drive so well? Like I get he steals cars. But I've been driving for like...what, thirteen years and I wouldn't know how to begin to drive like that without having crashed a few times first. This is legitimately the least believable thing about this whole movie.Although, hubby has a good point… the least believable thing is probably the fact that that 20 year old camcorder still has batteries.Teddy and Santa have brilliant chemistry. Like brilliant. The two of them on screen together is great. They don't even need Kate.Hey, those police didn't just shoot them. What a nice change.He's not even Baby Yoda, that's how not Yoda he is.And exactly how does she plan to round up eight computer animated reindeer? I mean, they're animated well. But they're still animated.Candy canes. Duh.Santa's right into this now.Hehe squish face.&quot;I don't do 'ho ho ho'&quot;. You know he's gonna do it at some point. He has to. They've made too big a deal out of it for him to not.Don't tell a young man to find your sack, Santa. Geez.And of course only one of the cops saw it 😂Santa's all arrested now.What is her thing with Comet?Fa la la la la, branches.It's 11:45pm and it's still 30°C. What is this bollocks? Not movie related, but bollocks nonetheless.There was watermelon that needed eating, but there was a nice moment where Teddy cried.Hang on...why does Santa need a sack if he can just pull toys out of his armpits??I really miss biscuits.Santa just sounds weird now. Like the name Santa. He's Father Christmas for cripe's sake. Is Santa like Spanish for saint? They didn't just get it wrong, it's not germanic maybe?Not thugs!!So I got distracted by the whole Santa thing and missed most of the her crawling through the toy sack, but I mean eh. It's cool but doesn't need that much attention.In bad news, the watermelon wasn't great.Where…? Where are all the elves? It's Christmas Eve...should they not be working…?There are not enough letter boxes for like a whole historical collection of letters. There must be some seven year rule or something.Why do the elves have tails?They are cute, though.Rofl - old elf.What accent do they have? Is that Germanic?So what's this true believer thing?Why are they...is that flossing? Is that what that dance move thing is?Without a coat on, how will he pull toys out of his armpits?😱😱 Magic!Impromptu Christmas jail rock concert. Okay. I dig.Yes, a joke. He knew you were going to kidnap him and steal his shit so he filled it full of coal 🙄Do you need some coal for that fire by chance??He is compost - that's actually just sensible waste management.The elves are like angry still fuzzy gremlins.Where were they keeping those… Oh jesus!Oh yeah, Santa's freaking out. Fo' sure.Kurt's still got some moves, you know.Dave is not falling for this shit.Scandinavian or some such. That's what it is.Turning into coal dust is an interesting one. But I guess that works for chimneys… What did he do before chimneys??Yeah, you tell him what's what, Teddy!Teddy's a bit thick, inne?Don't fall out this time.Not a great start.Believe in yourself!! Believe, Teddy!Don't shout at a train. Just fly the sleigh.Convenient Santa turns into red wooshes you can see with the naked eye.Santa is now channeling insanity. Brillo-pads.Basically, you guys ain't special.So he tricked them into child labour?That was the scariest ho, ho, ho I have ever heard. Like, menacing.Aw...he loves his sister.We weren't hugging. You were hugging.Now, that's Christmas decorating.Where do the parents in these movies think the Santa presents come from…?Le gasp. Christmas magic!Oh, Bjorn.I do love how Goldie Hawn makes an appearance at the end as his wife. Those two have chemistry. And it's adorable.Well, I enjoyed it. Even hubby says it wasn't bad as he thought it was and that it was an acceptable movie. I apparently get a gold star.I'm giving it 4/5 Santa hats. For fun and laughter and good holiday vibes. Still not sure why it was called chronicles, but I'll allow it...for now.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the sixteenth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I develop an unhealthy obsession with 'Snog, Marry, Avoid' clips.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today saw me preparing for an onslaught of heat wave and thus getting nothing done. I am seriously doing terribly with the writing at the moment and it is driving me batty. In good news, my t-shirt cheered me up.I'm quite pleased with this t-shirt. I think it is rather punderfully punny. I'm not really a fan of<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_bdc94395984441d0bd6b93bab64c86cc%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/19/On-the-sixteenth-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/19/On-the-sixteenth-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Sun, 15 Dec 2019 16:29:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I develop an unhealthy obsession with 'Snog, Marry, Avoid' clips.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_8aa5db4ab1ea41eebba222db02de1447~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today saw me preparing for an onslaught of heat wave and thus getting nothing done. I am seriously doing terribly with the writing at the moment and it is driving me batty. In good news, my t-shirt cheered me up.</div><div>I'm quite pleased with this t-shirt. I think it is rather punderfully punny. I'm not really a fan of avocados, but I'm more than willing to take full advantage of them for my own gain.</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GdVwKHSBO5Q"/><div>On day sixteen I find yet another new (to me) Christmas movie producer and I am defs down for it.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_bdc94395984441d0bd6b93bab64c86cc~mv2.jpg"/><div>12 Dates of Christmas - 4.5/5 golden rings</div><div>This one is so old! I mean, it's not old. But it's from 2011. I had no idea about that. So weird. It's also ABC Family - so far my Netflix embargo is going well.</div><div>Hubby and I have decided that any movie that starts out with a Christmas song gets an A for effort and is going to be good. And a pop cover of 12 days of Christmas? Winner. Once we had decided this, we took a short break for the procuring of Milo and honey cakes. That is not a euphemism. We needed snack restockage. After 'play' was hit again, I took back my winner and decided that was a terrible version of that song and waited patiently for it to be over.</div><div>We start out this movie with Kate Stanton (Amy Smart, who I know from a million things and can't place her at all) in a situation that had me rolling my eyes and wanting to throw honey cakes at the screen. Kate is determined to get her ex-boyfriend back. We have no idea why the broke up, how they broke up, or how long before they'd broken up. But she is happy to go to extraordinary lengths to win him back - honestly, how well is she paid to be spending US$250 on a sweater for an ex? And where can I apply? Only catch is that Kate has a blind date that night too that's an obligation to her step-mum. Of course, on the blind date, she actually answers the call from he ex and arranges to meet him in front of her blind date. When she meets the ex, surprise! He has a new girlfriend he's about to propose to. So she gets the dog - forever? - and there's pretty much no way the ex is going to take her back.</div><div>Can I just say that I was into Miles as soon as he opened his mouth? The guy has a quick, sassy wit that I am totally down for. He exudes confidence but not in an arrogant way. And he has ZERO patience for Kate's rudeness and totally tattles on her. I was pretty much in love with him from the outset, tbh.</div><div>So, how does Kate plan on getting out of this mess she's landed herself in? Luckily, she doesn't have to. This movie isn't called 12 Dates of Christmas for nothing. I had a brilliant time watching all the clues that she was going to see again and realise it was the same day. It was super fun. The only thing I was a bit surprised by was the return point - the bit where she always woke up to relive the day again. In hindsight, it was obvious, but when we went for round two I was a little let down for some reason. It also took me far too long to realise that there was a hint in the first frame of each run that told you which number they were up to - I only noticed when there were kids with geese hats on and I wondered why the heck there were kids with geese on their heads. Six kids. Then it hit and I felt like a total goober.</div><div>Now, it took Kate far too long to not only realise that Miles was quite good, but to then let go of her ex. I got a little bit worried at about the seventh run because I wasn't sure how she was going to keep cocking it up. But, I have to say that the ending was perfect and I will definitely be rewatching it. It was lovely. Just lovely. It was hilarious. It was funny. It had messages galore but not shoved down your throat. She became a wonderfully better person, stopped bloody chasing a guy who didn't want her and realised what a great guy who did want her looked like. There was some family growth as well and friends growth which was sweet.</div><div>All around it far surpassed my expectations and was deliciously festive to boot. So, my rating? I had trouble with this. I felt like, compared to my other reviews, I couldn't quite give it a 5 because I didn't jump out of my seat in excitement, but it was far better than a 4. Which left me with 4.5/5 golden rings.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments. You can find the play-by-play below the trailer.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KzX-zFIXJ8E"/><div>12 Dates of Christmas brain vomit:</div><div>We start with a pop version of the 12 days of Christmas. Good start.We then took a pause for milo and honey cakes. And no, that is not a euphemism.Oh, nope. That's a terrible version of this song. She is trying way too hard.What is her situation. I'm confused. Who are Jack and Max?I like jam.It's a secret santa...it doesn't need thought. It's an obligation.Jack is the ex..okay. Oh duh, the blurb 🙄Life plans. For people who don't actually live.Rofl - she's hilarious.Oh, god. She is not setting herself up for failure at all. She is just a little bit sad, isn't she? Don't chase a guy who doesn't want you. You ARE better than that.Is this a US thing that you just spray perfume in people's faces? What if I'm allergic.Oh good, they're setting up all the things she'll recognise/avoid as she relives the day over and over. I do so enjoy those scenes.What? Nothing happened on the...ah there's the neighbour!That was not very many things… Or was I not paying attention?Hm...Miles isn't bad.White wine? Yawn.Well, he's quick. I like it. I like him. I'm down for this.Don't chase an ex on a blind date, you numpty.OMG, he isn't okay with it! She is so thick. I'm not rooting for her at all atm. I AM rooting for Miles, though.HA! He's got a new lady friend.Wait. What's happening with the dog? Is he giving her the dog? Hubby was talking and I don't wanna rewind.I rewound.They're going where and she has Max? Is that forever or just for the night? Bloody mumbling!Good on you, Miles. You dob on her.Right on, Sally.Oh, her relive only starts at the spray? 🙄 Seriously? Ugh.That was a cute moment. Naw.Oh, damn. Yet another glorious foot on mouth from Kate.She is making it really hard for me to root for her, tbh. I want to...but...Ugh. Enough about Jack! Get over him. He's marrying someone else already. And he seems so bland and boring and ugh.That's quite a nice moment in the bar - but why did she do that and then say she was still trying to get back with her ex…?And a nice bit with her neighbour.There are two things that could happen if I'm enjoying a movie. Either I have a hundred thoughts or none. This is one of those movies I get caught up in. I'm not as excited about it as some others, but I'm excited and I want to know what happens, how it all plays out.How did she know which shop he got the ring from…? Do they only have one jewelry store?Now it's time to let go? She's decided now?Who is Toby?? What does he know?There is some nice symmetry though.She must have a really high paying job to keep giving Jim that $250 sweater…What is she doing now? A tree? Rofl. Poor Miles.Naw. She's being a better human. Now I'm rooting for her.This can't be the last one. It's going too well.Oh, they're holding hands.Told you. But no partridges. Rude.What does she have to do? A better first date?She is making so many random friends.Why do those kids have GEESE on their… 😱😱😱😱 ERMAGHERD!!! ERMAGHERD!! I've been missing the things. The song things.Rofl - she's at the crisis point.Swans! It's going up. The rings were the...right. So now I know how much longer we have.Oh, snap. That took a turn. Naw, but another turn.Ah, the obligatory ice skating scene. Excellent.OMG, Nancy's not all that.Naw. She weawy likes him.Aw... she's found her damned purpose. Finally. It only took until ten. Also where are my leap...there they are! Rofl.Naw. The guy who gives you his coat.What did she do this time?!Okay, we're on 12. Now she has...how many hours to help everyone? Let's do this.Don't get him to take the glasses off 🙄 that's glassesist.Naw...neighbour and Jim.That's...not… that's an answer.ABC Family, hey?Well, that was just lovely. Just lovely. I'm torn. I was better than a 4, but maybe not quite a 5? It was wholesome and heartwarming and so sweet.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the fifteenth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I'm surprised by sex. And lots of it.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. There was a lot of busy work at our place today and it was horribly hot. This is no excuse for the abundance of boobs, so for that I apologise.I thought this tee went quite nicely with today's movie, although I think I'd say today's movie was a little more than 1% naughty. It was a good one.And here's another gem of an Aussie Christmas<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_db64aa67cb774f36a364947c99f54531%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/19/On-the-fifteenth-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/19/On-the-fifteenth-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Sat, 14 Dec 2019 16:23:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I'm surprised by sex. And lots of it.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_372ea301047c4afb8f2628d5f418dac8~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. There was a lot of busy work at our place today and it was horribly hot. This is no excuse for the abundance of boobs, so for that I apologise.</div><div>I thought this tee went quite nicely with today's movie, although I think I'd say today's movie was a little more than 1% naughty. It was a good one.</div><div>And here's another gem of an Aussie Christmas carol.</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ea4JlQreLF8"/><div>On day fifteen I find a new Christmas movie producer and I'm loving it.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_db64aa67cb774f36a364947c99f54531~mv2.jpg"/><div>the Trouble with Mistletoe - 4/5 reindeer headbands that are, in fact, not penises</div><div>So...this one... What can I say about this one...? I was...taken completely off-guard by this one. I can't decide it I loved it or LOVED it. How best to describe this movie? Well, think of all those steamy romance novels you love so much and add Christmas - I know there are plenty of Christmas ones, I just haven't got that far yet - but in movie-form. Unsurprisingly then, this one was a book first and I am definitely putting it on my TBR. The book was by Jill Shalvis and, if you're interested, there's a nice double review over on <a href="https://www.bookboyfriendaddict.com/book-movie-review-the-trouble-with-mistletoe-by-jill-shalvis/">the Book Boyfriend Addict - these guys are new to me, but won't be for long</a>.</div><div>To start with, I'd forgotten the premise entirely. So when hubby asked me how they could possibly be playing twenty-eight year olds, I was super confused. Allow me to expand. This movie is about a young woman Willa (Rachel Melvin) who has to fight both her head and her heart when she starts falling for the guy who stood her up in high school ten years earlier. The guy, Keane - such a romance male lead name - (Thomas Beaudoin) has zero idea who she is and this causes a blip of problem when he finally confronts her about why she's holding back from their animal magnetism. Now, I had very little problem with their animal magnetism. It was hot. Like, these two were scorching even compared to an Aussie summer. My only grumble is that he kept telling her instead of asking her - &quot;have dinner with me&quot;, &quot;have coffee with me&quot;. Like, come on Keane, you've got the makings of a beta boy in the streets and an alpha in the sheets, would a question mark kill you?</div><div>There was a lot good about this movie though. A LOT. It was full of sexual innuendo, brilliant jokes I almost missed they were so quick, some over-protective BFFs we didn't see nearly enough of, a naughty cat, a Christmas-themed dog wedding, many a heart flutter, and sex. Like a lot of sex. I'm not talking fade to black, kick the door closed behind them, you know they're doing the business sex. Actual sex. It's not porn-y R-rated or anything, you don't see any bits. But they are sex scenes I was not expecting and I certainly didn't mind. I was there for it. Don't have time for a steamy holiday romance novel? Get your eyes around this movie. Did I mention there was a glimpse of male cleftal horizon? There was. And it was quite nice.</div><div>So, this one earns a solid 4/5 reindeer headbands that are, in fact, nothing like penises. I don't know who Passionflix are, but I'm going off to see what else of theirs I can find.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments. You can find the play-by-play below the trailer.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-lD7vntJ_cA"/><div>the Trouble with Mistletoe brain vomit:</div><div>Passionflix - don't know who or what they are, but okay. Not Netflix so I'm happy.Strong start. Any movie that starts with a Christmas song is always more promising.It is definitely VERY Christmassy. And I see she's the one who LOVES ChristmasOh a fountain wish, always a good thingPuppies!!! This movie is heading for 5 star status.Christmas is supposed to have thrown up on Dec 1.Haha, penis headbands! But...they don't look penises.Toss another coin in the fountain? I feel like that's too many coins close together. This can't possibly go wrong.So...so what does she have? A boarding kennel? A pet store? A vet? All of the above?Keane Wynnters... that's a name. I'm just not convinced he's hot enough to pull that off.They're not penises! OMG - it's December and they've got bells on. Only an idiot would think they're penises. Don't marry that one, Willa.Oh, flashback. Always good.Ah, so she's been tossing a penny in since she wanted Keane to notice her. Cliché much?I love the house though.Not her house. Sad face.What was that? He had a dizzy spell because magic penny?No, heights phobia. Boring.Out of staples? She's not an idiot. Is she?Dog wedding. In December. Christmas themed. Oi.Archer and Spencer. They can handle those names.. Only best friends? No. Bad brain.Naw, they're all BFF bravado on him.Aw! All the puppers are at the wedding!Fastest wedding in history?Oh God. This movie is all sorts of suggestive. Much better than Hallmark 😜Animal magnetism? Rofl. Nice.Minor-league swearing, innuendo, sex jokes. Brilliant.Bahaha!! Mistletoe on the door.He's just a little...flat as an actor.Oh, another flashback!Story of redemption! Maybe...not convinced.Oh, young Keane has it going on though.Oh, yes with the constant finding each other right in front of their damned faces.No Christmas decorations in a house you're renovating?? No. Of course not, you goober.Go crazy isn't my favourite phrasing. I get to use it because I'm totes crazy and proud.Yeah, don't even let the car stop. Good work you numpty.More flashback!Why don't I remember you? Because you're an arsehole? What about me was so forgettable?Shirtless scene. Because necessary.Oh, getting him up the ladder. Naughty kitty. But good on him for not even hesitating.What...what does he do with his hands? Asking for a friend…Oh, ominous much Great Aunt Sally?Now he's in a cardigan.Don't pull out the line your great aunt pulled on you on Willa!! Ugh. Lame-oAlso, stop telling her what to do. Ask her for coffee. Don't tell her to have coffee.I bet you could make him come the same time each year no matter the weather...Load and loads of qualm.Yeah, but then you'll be the true love he finds so it's really for you.Oh, they both share a belief that love isn't for them.Girdle your loins...gird your loins? I'm sure it's gird. Maybe it's from girdle. Like the building kind of girdle?Why is the great aunt a plot thread? This seems overkill. I mean, I don't hate it, but I was hoping for something a little lighter and fluffier…Why is he waiting for his Christmas cheer to kick in? That seems sad and...sad.Christmas karaoke. Good. But they murdered that song. Bad.Stop telling her what to do! Would it kill you to use a question mark? It's not sexy, dude. It's rude.Good old-fashioned fun? There's been no fun.Nothing I feel about you's old-fashioned. Rofl, so they both just wanna bone then.Can't decide if that demanding kiss was hot or rude...gah. Can't decide. Can't decide. Want to say rude. But... kinda hot.Why is he up high again?Why can he climb the stairs but can't sit on a scaffold the same height…?HA! Sex joke!Tool belts are very sexy. She is not wrong.Rofl - this movie's innuendo is fun and totally unexpected.HA! She stuck her arse in the air and he did the swoon thing.More closeness. Yas. Kiss again already! KISS!Yes. The dog.He said a rude word! There was an f-bomb in my Christmas movie. Three of them! Hello.Heh, he's on a roof for her. So...kind of sweet? I'm gonna go sweet.Naw… totes sweet 😍😍And now they sex?Oh and there's a convenient sex couch of the roof.And she is undressing him.They are actually going to sex. Okay. Didn't see that. Pleasantly surprised. Ha! And they're sexing to a Mistletoe song.Is it...is it not cold up there…?So much sex. There is so much sex.At least there's also giggling and smiles. That's the good kind of sex.I'm not even going to ask about the condom because I honestly don't care. To consenting adults? I'm there.But now he wants strings.Oh I do so like that he keeps popping up for that innuendo.Sex voice. Lol. Apparently hubby didn't know that was a thing.Aw, so they vaguely fit in the title into the story.He's not fussed she's half naked in bright red... they're Harry Potter pjs!!!Oh, and he read the books. Damn boi.I am also always hungry.Nothing in common but weird and annoying chemistry and Harry Potter. What more do you need, woman?Ah, liquid dinner. Dinner of champions.Backwards through the front door. More sex.And weirdly intense undressing.Was that Christmas boxers?Well, that took a turn.I've been running. On purpose? She's my kinda woman.Yes. Shower sex. Do it.God the sexual chemistry of these two is ridiculous.Man butt!!! There was man butt!! There was also cat butt in hubby's face.Oh, just standard checkered boxers like the ones I see every day. Boring.Something I'd like to give you. Oh hunny, I think you gave that to her already.A key? A house key? Oh...well, this took another turn.Oh, and her issues are going to blow this up. I like it.Another f-bomb! I like Passionflix.I am so jealous of her Christmas sweaters.Oh, but she reached out. Good for her.Don't distract him while he's driving. I mean, cute moment, but still...crash hazard, love.No, we're not selling the...wait. What?? What is he doing? We've had the PORD. What is this bullshit?Wait…? Yes…? Hang on! No! What's happening. I'm so confused. I need more. Answers. What is going on??Being dragged into adulthood kicking and screaming? Is that not how we're supposed to go…? I thought that's just how you did it…And the cat just hit stop. Like, no, I don't need a resolution or anything. Jesus!There is literally one tree. I wonder which one they're gonna pick.Tree guy has a hot date with the missus at almost midnight on Christmas eve? They're going out…?Yeah, good luck, Willa.How long are they going to stay out there? Until I get my life together. Do they know it's gonna take a while? 😂😂😂 Burn.Easy affection. Oh my.Yes. It was you.Oh, they're both admitting fault. That's nice, though.Yay! Family home!Naw 😍😍😍 he's asking her to move in. Gah, the flutters. It gave me the flutters.Yes. BFF approval.I need more Spencer and Archer in my life.Rofl!Naw! Mistletoe. More smooching. More Christmas tunes.Yas. All the yas. That was lovely.I give it 4/5 festive candy canes.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the fourteenth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I socialised like the human adult I'm not.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today's tee expresses my love for social situations (guys, I love you dearly, but pants!). Unfortunately, it's going to be upwards of 40 degrees Celsius this coming week, so I won't be able to make this a fixture of my wardrobe.As promised, I also have another gem of an Aussie Christmas carol for you. Please do not judge me by the<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_d5608cdef3d34fd6a8f0aeb7b3f45af0%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_313%2Ch_313/4c2358_d5608cdef3d34fd6a8f0aeb7b3f45af0%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/19/On-the-fourteenth-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/19/On-the-fourteenth-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:18:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I socialised like the human adult I'm not.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_d5608cdef3d34fd6a8f0aeb7b3f45af0~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today's tee expresses my love for social situations (guys, I love you dearly, but pants!). Unfortunately, it's going to be upwards of 40 degrees Celsius this coming week, so I won't be able to make this a fixture of my wardrobe.</div><div>As promised, I also have another gem of an Aussie Christmas carol for you. Please do not judge me by the weirdness of my country. I promise we're the good kind of weird.</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pnoEZ31mht4"/><div>On this, the fourteenth day of Christmas, I'm back on Hallmark movies.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_279acf945cd74688be0cced90f8858c2~mv2.jpg"/><div>Christmas Incorporated - 3.5/5 glittery tree topper stars</div><div>Tee hee, so this one's another Hallmark movie. My bad. I can't remember if I knew this or not. But I'd heard it was awesome so I had to watch it. And, it wasn't too bad really. I had some issues with it - because I'm getting mighty picky and demanding of my Christmas movies now.</div><div>This movie opens with Riley Vance (played by Shenae Grimes-Beech - I've never heard of her before, but it seems polite to put their names in. Plus she reminded me of Anna Kendrick and we all know how much I love her) looking for a new job. At first, she's unhirable because she doesn't already have a job - in some weird-arse movie logic that probably happens far too often in real life for comfort. Then she hasn't got the right experience - fair enough in my opinion. Then, she gets the job but only because she's the wrong Riley V. Now, we don't just have a boss-PA relationship being set-up here, but also a mistaken identity romance. I was going to get down for this.</div><div>Meeting our male lead in William Young (played by Steve Lund) was a touch confusing. He was good-looking enough to be a bit of a jerk. But he wasn't really. Did he have a chip on his shoulder? Something to prove? Was he just a Grinch? They set all these things up, but as a character he didn't act like he had these back stories. He was nice enough, he laughed, he smiled, he was incredibly polite and didn't bustle into interactions all overly arrogant and expectant. Which made him a really weird romance lead. On one hand, it felt like the movie was lacking with none of these major tropes. On the other, it made for a super productive and conducive to setting up the sweet romance. I was just so confused about whether I like it or not.</div><div>There was a mean reporter because, a town full of overly friendly people who had the introvert in me shrinking in terror, and a toy factory. It all came together with all the cliché you want in a Hallmark movie - all my predictions came true and, instead of feeling annoyingly unsurprised, I felt quite satisfied. I think this is one of those films where I would have been quite sad if they'd suddenly veered off-script and given me some originality. It might have been my mood, it might have been that, by the end, my Christmas movie expecations had lowered again. But whatever the reason, I was happy with it.</div><div>So I give this one 3.5/5 glittery tree topper stars. It was good. It left me feeling warm and fuzzy and I really enjoyed watching it. But I'm not going to run out and watch it again straight away. It had everything I wanted in a Hallmark Christmas movie with the romance and the small town and the decorations - SOOO many decorations, I was truly jealous. It was sweet and heartwarming, and quite a nice bit of Holiday escapism.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments. You'll find the play-by-play below the trailer.</div><div>You can check out the (best I could find) trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IGmRLol97zA"/><div>Christmas Incorporated brain vomit:</div><div>Yay Hallmark!What a bitch.He wasn't quite so bad.Who is William Young?Now that's Christmas decorating!! That's Christmas dressing. Good dedication, people.What a positive young woman - there's no way he's going to be a grumpy Darcy-typeOkay, so he's not a Darcy, he's a douche. Brilliant.Insufferable Christmas cheer? So he's Scrooge McDouche? (As opposed to Scrooge McDuck... get it?)Everyone is too friendly. Like not too much for a Hallmark movie. But too much for my introverted arse.That is an appropriate amount of garland.Haha jail. Ain't no one cares about your fancy credentials here, boy. Except the mayor, he's right up William's arse.Who doesn't like Christmas? 😱😱Bedroom?? It seems awfully early in the relationship, Hallmark. Usually we barely get a kiss and now it's &quot;where's the bedroom?&quot;Oh noes! Now he has a bad reputation and she's going to have to fix it and then they'll fall in love and it's gonna be all kinds of naw.That reporter chick already annoys me.It's not a toy factory without red coats with blue pockets.But why is not everyone wearing coats and not everyone wearing hard hats? That seems quite random…Too traditional. Rude.Oh, but he smiles. So he can't be too Scroogey. Or is he not smiling at nostalgia but at her? Oh, he already likes her. Duh.Market bears to adults...I personally get it - I love teddies - but normal adults??Christmas re-brand? I am down for that.No! Piper already has a million jobs. Don't give her another one...and an unpaid one at that.Oh, they need a Christmas miracle? What a coinkydink.Bahaha - he looks like he's about to throw up with all the Christmas he's surrounded by.😱😱😱 Magic Santa???Now there's ice skating! It's not a Christmas movie without ice skating. Makes it hard to have an authentic Australian Christmas movie.And of course she can't really skate so he has to hold her hands 😍I'll say this, his character is...hard to pin down. He hasn't got any tropes except hating Christmas and I feel like that's making this movie super lacking but also super productive and [word that means me-likey] for the romance angle. Also conducive for the romance angle. At best, he's got a chip on his shoulder and something to live up to, but he doesn't act like it - no real superiority complex, he's not aloof and grumpy, he smiles. I'm...I'm just so confused.So she's like Hallmark Anna Kendrick! That's who she looks like.And he cooks.Creamy mushroom soup, chicken and ritz crackers. This could go in so many directions…Chicken on the ritz… I could be for that.And bonding over dinner. Cute.Rofl - she's not wrong. Oh and he's all flustered now. That's kinda cute.Wow, these two are already super into each other.Oh, no. The reporter again!!No man cooks for a woman without an ulterior motive - lols. I don't think anyone cooks for anyone without an ulterior motive.He's doing cute things for her.Naw, the heart is definitely involved. That is quite cute.Who doesn't know what a secret santa is?!? Madness. Does he live under a rock?Is she wearing the same clothes again? Or has it been a really long day?OMG - kiss already!! 😘😘😘Are you trying to be punny 😂😂😂Oh, no. She's found out that Riley isn't Riley but is Riley. This won't backfire at all.It would not be professional, but when you find out that Riley is the wrong Riley V then she'll be fired and you'll help her start a business and then you'll get married and have all the children.Santa totally just butted in the end of his story!Also, does this Santa just live in his Santa suit all December? Or is he magic? Can he be magic?Oh, smooth William. Did she leave someone behind? Rofl.Hubby says his tree looks like it's been wrapped in toilet paper and hers looks pretty good. I agree. His looks boring and bare. Hers looks like a homely Christmas tree.Inviting him home for Christmas? That isn't cliched and obvious at all. Well played.Not sales!Stupid reporter lady. Double stupid reporter lady. What is your problem?? Why are you such a bitter shithead?Ah the typical &quot;I never lied about who I was&quot; line.Haha - suck it reporter lady.Yeah, don't let it slip away, William. Don't be an idiot.Love how people in small towns always just insert themselves into other people's lives.Then go to her!We still have to work out why sales randomly stalled…I've seen my future - Christmas jerseys everyday and garland EVERYWHERE Did he...did he just say the same thing like eight hundred times in different ways?Nailed it!! But what exactly is she consulting on…?And of course she magically fixes cars off screen.Secret talents? Have to wait and see? That has to be a sex thing.Children's hospital. Of course. See? Sweetie.KISS. ALREADY. KISS!!! Sheesh.Naw, she did it. She made the move.&quot;I don't quite have everything. I don't have you.&quot; Cliched and still so good.3.5/5 glittery tree topper stars - it was good, left me feeling warm and fuzzy and I really enjoyed watching it. But I'm not going to run out and watch it again straight away. It was all I wanted in a Hallmark Christmas movie with the romance and the small town and the decorations. It was sweet and heartwarming and a nice bit of Holiday escapism.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On (Friday) the thirteenth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I get into the holiday spirit. Double the holiday spirit.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. For a Friday the thirteenth in December, it was impossible not to go Jack Skellington today. In fact, it would have been a travesty. So, loathe to not take every opportunity to combine my two favourite holidays, here I am.I was even organised enough to get this done before the end of the 13th in Oz. Because I'm trying out<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_1be06b3656474f62a773644446ab7415%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/13/On-Friday-the-thirteenth-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/13/On-Friday-the-thirteenth-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Fri, 13 Dec 2019 12:52:37 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I get into the holiday spirit. Double the holiday spirit.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_e512df3125a54c05bf986112a136b4f2~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. For a Friday the thirteenth in December, it was impossible not to go Jack Skellington today. In fact, it would have been a travesty. So, loathe to not take every opportunity to combine my two favourite holidays, here I am.</div><div>I was even organised enough to get this done before the end of the 13th in Oz. Because I'm trying out this new thing where I'm an organised human being for once. We'll see how long it lasts, lol.</div><div>As promised, I'm also adding an Australian Christmas carol (regional bollocks allowing, so fingers crossed it works) for the last twelve days of Christmas. I give you Aussie Jingle Bells.</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OnJ8jsw4BSo"/><div>The standard and expected movie for Friday the thirteenth of December is undoubtedly A Nightmare Before Christmas - I wore the t-shirt to prove it. I watched it - of course I did - and have been singing 'Kidnap the Sandy Claws' ever since. BUT, I thought we'd go with something less predictable. And holy hells, was I impressed.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_c54662a747f24a8cbfe8a17cb498855d~mv2.jpg"/><div>Anna and the Apocalypse - 5/5 candy canes</div><div>We started out watching Krampus: the Christmas Devil (2013). We got maybe ten minutes in before we had to turn it off - the production was just so low and the actors just unbearable that we couldn't continue. Which was a shame, because it opened with an attempted drowning and I was interested to see what they did with the Krampus legend. But it wasn't worth it. So we trolled through the movies to see what else we had in the horror Christmas genre. And we came upon Anna and the Apocalypse again.</div><div>I know I gushed over A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish and said if I found a better movie than that I was going to have to find something more disastrous than eating my hat, but Anna and the Apocalypse gave it a serious run for its money. Christmas Wish pulls ahead by a whisker if only for the tighter Christmas vibes. I wasn't expecting a lot out of Anna to be honest. I didn't expect much in the way of production. I anticipated a C-movie at best with cheap gore and awful songs. But this movie was brilliant and I spent the whole time with a smile on my face.</div><div>I went into it knowing very little - it was a musical, horror, comedy, Christmas film where the characters have to &quot;fight, slash and sing their way to survival&quot; (IMBb) - so I was super surprised to end up watching High School Musical meets Shaun of the Dead. This movie stars a bunch of relative unknowns as highs choolers just trying to survive the usual trials and tribulations of high school and the Holiday season, when a virus escapes. Et voila, now it's a whole different kind of survival.</div><div>This movie had some depth to it, there was some character growth, a bit of a love-triangle, and a kiss-arse young woman in the title role of Anna (Ella Hunt). It looked at family, love, friendship, and getting through that cusp of adulthood. The lyrics and music were catchy and juxtaposed so well with what was actually happening on screen, and both the singing talent of the actors was incredible - I really hope we'll see more of all of them - as well as their acting ability. Ben Wiggins, who played Anna's love interest and bit of a prick Nick, really surprised me with his talent...when I wasn't distracted by those dreamy eyes.</div><div>Even if it wasn't a Hollywood Ending, I'm giving this movie a full 5/5 candy canes and adding it to the 'annual must-watch list'. I really suggest you do the same. Now, there are definite spoilers in the play-by-play, so I'm adding it after the trailer this time. Let me know what you think of that format.</div><div>The soundtrack was so unexpectedly awesome, I'm going to try embedding the Spotify playlist here for you (if that fails - find it <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2TmexKAWjfIR7qj62chjxH?si=rfSLwzaYT06hUepvDOkIcw">here</a>).</div><iframe src="//static.usrfiles.com/html/751156_c88c3e741639e40f7e552fe661229347.html"/><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dfWIfwKJ7vA"/><div>Anna and the Apocalypse play-by-play (also known as internal thought vomit). Spoilers ensue.</div><div>So I've read very little about this other than that there's killing and zombies and singing and dancing.Good, solid start. I mean we're at the credits still. But good.It's british, that's nice.Oh, there's a virus! Wonder what's going to happen 😜Oh and a fight with dad. This won't end badly at all - Australia might kill you. If the serial killers don't manage it, the animals will.Evil vice principal. He will quite clearly get eaten first. Or last…?SINGING! IT REALLY IS A CHRISTMAS HORROR MUSICAL!!but seriously, who wants to go from Britain to Australia?Wait...is this British or is it American?I'm really enjoying this song though… I also like that it's setting up our main cast. Now I know who to root for. And I'm all there for it.A sexy child? Oh nick.Love John's sweater, fyi.Naw, the lovable idiotic friend who always says the wrong thing with the right intentions. We like them.Steph is awkward. Not sure why.OMG - I'm loving the songs!!Ouch, the perfect couple is so gonna die.Ah, Steph's new and American and her parents abandoned her. This all makes sense now.ZOMBIE!And it lights up!! I like John. She should shag John.Rofl - those penguins are hilarious.Oh no! Chris isn't there, is he?Chimney needs a good unblocking *snort*SEXY SANTAS! HALF NAKED SANTAS!Unload your snack 😱 Why have I not heard this song before?No! It's zombies. Don't go out there. Idiot.That's more blood than you want spread around the school…Bah! Poor Mrs Hinzman.Hoke across the Australian outback? Good luck with that.Olive, the other reindeer 😂This is freaking hilarious.There's an 80s vibe here. I am loving this.Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish, eat your heart out (pun intended).Why is there always no signal? Why do the mobile towers stop working when there are zombies? Do all the technicians go first or something?Potassium.I don't think Steph's really American...Not the snow AND the army?? The world really is ending.Everybody's dead, Dave.Kill, marry, shag - nice to know *either* kids still play that or this really was written by people my age and I'm loving it.Why don't they have any weapons?Ugh. Of course Nick survived.I see everyone has parental issues.You can tell it's not American, there are no guns.And the bad boys get to do a song. Noice.Holy shit. That's hotter than it should be…A shopping trolley full of toilet paper. That guy has his priorities sorted.Nick's eyes are quite amazing. And his voice, though. Jesus-H-Christ.Don't leave your toilet paper behind!Oh...not the penguins…I'm Spartacus.Oh, are we kicking out the beat friend love story? I could be okay with this…I want a candy cane murdering weaponNot Tibsy!...and then there were five.Not John!! Cut his hand off. Quickly!!NOOOOO!!!I haven't felt this betrayed since Hedwig and Dobby died…Yes, Anna! You got this, girl.Holy shit. What's the VP done?He didn't 😱 that rotter!Now there are serious Rocky Horror vibes.But is she a zombie? PhewNot Gran, too.Yes, Mr Zombie. I too get distracted by shiny things.Oh, two down at once!Damnit, that is the cutest and saddest thing ever.Yes, a song! I need a song. Tempo change!Yasssss 😁😁I feel like I've seen that school before… Sex Education?ARGH 😍😱😭😍😍🎄</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the twelfth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I have an unimpressed photo-bomber.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. I've forgone any attempt at self-satisfaction with these pictures - The likelihood we'll manage (what I think of as) a good picture of me in anything other than the same boring pose each day is minimal. So, I chose fun instead.There was some vogue-ing going on today, and someone was displeased with the shenanigans. I'm still not sure if it's<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_1be06b3656474f62a773644446ab7415%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/12/On-the-twelfth-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/12/On-the-twelfth-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2019 15:39:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I have an unimpressed photo-bomber.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_6b37028f07cd403ca2af055651afbcd9~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. I've forgone any attempt at self-satisfaction with these pictures - The likelihood we'll manage (what I think of as) a good picture of me in anything other than the same boring pose each day is minimal. So, I chose fun instead.</div><div>There was some vogue-ing going on today, and someone was displeased with the shenanigans. I'm still not sure if it's because we woke him up or if he's just a humbug now he's six.</div><div>On day 11, I'm back to Netflix - my bad - and a very fuzzy title image.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_1be06b3656474f62a773644446ab7415~mv2.jpg"/><div>Holiday in the Wild - 2/5 candy canes</div><div>Now, admittedly this was also a Netflix movie, but in my defense...elephants. adorable baby elephants being all saved and romance and Christmas. Add in the allure of Rob Lowe... How could you say no to that? I mean, really.</div><div>Holiday in the Wild follows Kate's (Kristin Davis) journey of self-rediscovery after her husband abruptly ends their marriage. She's booked them a second honeymoon in Africa in order to reconnect after their son goes off to college. Obviously, with their marriage ended, Kate goes to Africa alone. Whereupon she meets Derek (Rob Lowe). Naturally their first meeting goes poorly - although Derek does get some lobster out of it, so not a total loss. The next day, Kate is off on a plane for a five star safari and who is the pilot? Yup, none other than Derek. On the way, Derek makes a stop to rescue a baby elephant and the rest, as they say, is history.</div><div>I had big expectations. And this movie didn't disappoint. There were cute elephants being adorable, there were amazing shots of Africa, there was a sweet romance, and a whole lot of finding yourself. I really enjoyed it. Also, Kristin Davis was super natural and it was so refreshing to see a romance heroine looking like an actual real human woman in a camp in Africa.</div><div>So...what's with the low candy cane rating? Well, someone thought this was a Christmas movie. I don't know how I got it into my head (probably all those articles and lists adding it to the Netflix Christmas movie releases for the year), but I did. It even started out with a Christmas card photo shoot. But then...there was some Christmas, but really not enough for it to be called a Christmas movie. Any other time of the year, this would get 3.5-4/5 stars. But it's not any other time of the year, it's Christmas and, for the spectacular lack of Christmasness, it can really only receive 2/5 candy canes.</div><div>Below, I'll give you my play-by-play. As usual, there might be a few spoilers. So if you don't want to risk spoilers and wanna watch the trailer, skip past the dot points.</div><div>So...Netflix again...my bad.Hang on, it's August?I'd like to be a lady who lunches. As long as lunch doesn't involve pants.Wait for the son to leave? He literally just walked out the door.Is this... is this even a real Christmas movie?Yes, live your best single life!Is that Champagne cold though…?Mm...lobster.Mm...Rob Lowe.Mm...martini.No Rob, Mr Conrad's a dick.Lost his touch? I dunno. Got what he wanted, didn't he?The only true dishevellment is when one has a single rose petal in one's hair.Trekker!! Noice.Or just convenient?Naw, doesn't have a woman he loves...yet 😱Couldn't see that coming. Humans are the most dangerous 🙄Yes, crash the plane and then be stranded together. All good love stories start that way.Stay in the plane, Kate. You had one job!Oh noes! Not the elephant.Take off your shirtSleep time now, little elephant.Yas, vet skills - so transferable. Suspending disbelief.Surprise, Rob!Naw look at all the elephants! They are so cute!Not quite as cute as a half naked Rob Lowe obvs roflElephants can read your soul? Oh dear, I'd be in trouble.This movie is not going the way I expected it was going to go...Well isn't it nice that Luke's into talking to his mum surrounded by his...friends?More than the tent or less than the tent? I was looking at less than the tent…Stupid van dere vere whatever named blondie!! He is just not that into you, woman.He does have a lot of... thing going on…Well, we didn't see that one coming. I'm also in love with a guy with a trunk, weighs hundreds of pounds and has a drinking problem...Aha!! Christmas!! It is a Christmas movie??Oh, they have a whole week for Christmas. Excellent.Oh! And he's good with kids. Naw.Mm...coffee.He does do math tooAnd puns!! I'm well into him.Our elephant 😍Without change, there'd be no butterflies. Naw.I really like how natural she is. He hair isn't sleeked and perfect. Her makeup isn't ridiculous. Her clothes look like a normal person's clothes. She looks real. It's a romance story about a real woman and I like that.He is going to have a REALLY sore neck when he wakes up…Naw, Roi.Oh noes! Is he going to crash because he's sleep deprived? Is it going to be a tragedy not a romance? Have I been lied to?Is goat stew...code for vagina?Ohhh!!! 😍😍😍 Luke came to check up on her for Christmas.😂😂😂 Suck it, Grandma.And he brought his keyboard to Africa...okay.It is usually good practise to not let people see your doodle.I also don't say I like most humans.So they all just constantly unzip and walk into people's tents. What if she was naked or...wanking or something?I'd miss him.Was... was that just a kiss or...more? I hate those fade to blacks. My dirty mind always expects the height of shenanigans and then there are no shenanigans!I met me. Good one. I was expecting Manu. But me also works.Just go back to Africa already and marry the man!We all know that plane's new name is Kate. Enough dilly dallying already!That has to be the most expensive vet in the universe. Jeebers.Argh! We're in the future now. Like forever in the future.I like elephants.Naw. Lobster for two.Naw. Mawweed.Why have they greenscreened some of it? That's just a bit weird and looks totally fake.Well, that was thoroughly enjoyable but I'm not sure how Christmassy it actually was. As a movie, it gets 3.5-4/5 stars. But as a Christmas movie is maybe gets more like 3 for its distinct lack of Christmas? No, two.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8miCh30GcGU"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the eleventh day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I found a non-Netflix movie.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Day 11 and I've managed to find a movie that wasn't done by Netflix, so I attired appropriately. For a Hallmark movie, one needs a Hallmark Christmas movies watching shirt. It's an important distinction to make - there's a Hallmark movie not only for every occasion, but also every season. We got burned. Our first official Christmas movie this year was<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_4c6c20abb81d43418a2fdc0da20fd551%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/12/On-the-eleventh-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/12/On-the-eleventh-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Tue, 10 Dec 2019 15:03:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I found a non-Netflix movie.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_355f5d4b757f4a45aeda2a2cc44b3993~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Day 11 and I've managed to find a movie that wasn't done by Netflix, so I attired appropriately. For a Hallmark movie, one needs a Hallmark Christmas movies watching shirt. It's an important distinction to make - there's a Hallmark movie not only for every occasion, but also every season. We got burned. Our first official Christmas movie this year was 'Frozen in Love', but it wasn't a Christmas movie, it was just a winter movie! Still enjoyed it, though.</div><div>Day eleven has me reviewing my first Hallmark offering for the year, but I can almost guarantee it won't be my last.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_4c6c20abb81d43418a2fdc0da20fd551~mv2.jpg"/><div>Christmas on the Range - 3.5/5 stars</div><div>I'm going to give this one an extra point because it was definitely better than average, but I wouldn't say I loved it. It required a hell of a lot of suspension of disbelief from the get go and, once her friends and their overacting turned up, I needed a buttload of positivity. But, once that was out of the way, I enjoyed it. It was full of all the drama and cheese and predictability one expects and wants from a Hallmark movie.</div><div>As the title would suggest, this movie is about a ranch owned by Kendall Riley (played by Erin Cahill). She inherited it from her father three years earlier and has been working hard to get it certified organic. Just as she's having an issue with a bovine breach birth, help arrives in a terribly charming mystery vet. But mystery vet is none other than the Riley family's nemesis' son, Clint McCree (played by Nicholas Gonzalez).</div><div>Clint's dad, Brick, has been sabotaging Kendall's efforts to keep her ranch going due to an ongoing feud between Brick and Kendall's dad, Robert. Only, no one but Brick appears to know what the feud was about. Even the town gossips who congregate at the hairdresser (hilariously named 'I will cut you') and rate gossip on a numbering system.</div><div>The usual hiccoughs and roadbumps crop up throughout the movie. Although, I was surprised at the somewhat...darker undertones to the story. It wasn't all inconsequential issues and shallow characters, and I really appreciated that. It was a surprise and took me a little to get my head around, but I was ultimately glad my preconceived notions of a Hallmark Holiday film were dashed. This film managed to keep me guessing and surprising me, which is unfortunately getting difficult to do.</div><div>There was the usual overacting and eye-rolling moments, there were bits that were quite clearly just to look good in film (Kendall's millions of pairs of perfect coveralls, the need to physically rope a bunch of cows when they were in a fenced pen). But I enjoyed it. It was a couple of hours of escapism and feelgood Christmas ness. I'd recommend it, but I don't have a burning desire to go out and watch it again soon.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DdDp9EQPm8g"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the tenth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I have a new obsession.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today's shirt is made all the more spectacular by the fact that my boob makes the Christmas tree totally wonky. I'm also doing something weird with my left arm that has nothing to do with aggravated RSI.You also do not want to know what the husband was talking about while taking this particularly glorious set of photos. But at least it got me smiling.On day<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_4106f0f867c54f2f9df18d2f05bca543%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/11/On-the-Tenth-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/11/On-the-Tenth-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Mon, 09 Dec 2019 16:10:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I have a new obsession.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_6fe21ceb343d4892be53e91efaf9a90f~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today's shirt is made all the more spectacular by the fact that my boob makes the Christmas tree totally wonky. I'm also doing something weird with my left arm that has nothing to do with aggravated RSI.</div><div>You also do not want to know what the husband was talking about while taking this particularly glorious set of photos. But at least it got me smiling.</div><div>On day 10, I review a movie I forgot was coming out. I've done another stream of consciousness at the end, so scroll on by the dot points to the trailer if you don't want potential spoilers (tbh, it may be so rambly the spoilers are rendered null and void).</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_361437b7c74b4ec8890fecdea5922eb3~mv2.jpg"/><div>A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish - 5/5 candy canes</div><div>This movie was so good, I'm awarding it festive candy canes instead of stars. After The Royal Baby's dismal performance, I was feeling terrible and totally expected this movie would suffer a carryover annoyance. Within the first scene, I was bolstered, I was full of Christmas cheer, and I was totally ready for whatever this next Cinderella Story threw at me.</div><div>I have to say, from the outset, I am a massive fan of the Cinderella Story franchise. I regularly binge watch the first four in a whole day and can honestly never get enough of them. When they seemed to get into their groove of being about aspiring musicians and dancers, I thought it was an interesting direction from the first. But, by Christmas Wish, I am well and truly there for it. I love that theme and would be absolutely heartbroken if they took it away.</div><div>Christmas Wish starred Laura Marano and Gregg Sulkin in the generic Cinderella and Prince Charming roles - this time out as Kat Decker and Dominic Wintergarden. Firstly, their chemistry from the moment they met was on point. I got little heart flutters. It was gorgeous. The smiles. The looks. The shy glances. It was adorable and I honestly just wanted them to hurry up and kiss already.</div><div>The backdrop and scenery was perfectly Christmassy and wonderfully Cinderella Story. Kat's best friend Isla was an amazing friend and support, and just a really great character - she was quirky and bubbly as all good Cinderella BFFs are. Likewise, the steps were the same as we've come to know and love from A Cinderella Story. Diedre was the rude, hostile, status-obsessed stepmother. Joy was the social climbing, sycophantic stepsister. And dear Grace was the idiot stepsister who got super excited every time someone said 'Santaland', and look I don't blame her.</div><div>There are some nods to the OG Cinderella Story that warmed my heart almost as much as the movie did. They were a brilliant addition. The songs were great - I wondered at the time whether Marano had a Christmas album and seriously hoped she did. I've since added the soundtrack to my Spotify and plan to listen to it on repeat at length for the rest of the month.</div><div>I could honestly just gush about how much I loved this movie forever. But instead, I'm going to add in my stream of consciousness waffles for you to enjoy and leave it at 100/10 would recommend. It gets ALL the candy canes this season folks. If I watch a better movie this year, I'm...going to have to come up with something more drastic than eating my hat.</div><div>See, here's a movie franchise who knows how to brand. It's called font people, look it up.I also like how all of these have turned into singing thingsAlso love the 40s/50s vibe going on.The meet-cute. Naw - love the typical step-sisters in their specific colours where one's a dick and one's an idiot.Isla - love her.OMG, it's totally not Dominic playing Santa! No way! Is it just me or is he hotter is the Santa suit?Oh, her voice! Hello. Totally not live, but amazing.The cheese! The adorable cheese! The lingering glances, the smiles, 😍😍Step-mum's a bit...can you be too OTT when you're a Cinderella step-mum?Naw, Bruno.SNOWGLOBE!!! It's a snowglobe 😍Now that's more natural. Voice is still amazing. Does she have an actual Christmas album? Can she?Oh DomiNIC! That makes sense. I hadn't thought of that…Rofl - Grace's obsession with Santaland. Same, sister.Twistie in a bloody mary? Maybe I'm more like Deidre than I think…?Naw, and he's good with kids?If you can dream it, you can be it?? Another first movie flashback?No invitation to the ball? Oh noes. Also why did he just have another invitation? Are they not...are they not personalised?Naw, a goofy crush smile 😍Rofl - did see 'new Katherine' coming. I actually assumed that was the OG plan?Oh, being nice? Not suspicious at all, Deidre.But...but...the snowglobe was right there!? 😱Oh no! Why did Isla not get one. There you go! She will be there. Phew.Does she...does she not know that Wintergarden or whoever is the guy from the photo books…? Which we also call albums…Rofl - discount Terrible Crews. But still good.Yes. Take off your whole thing. Please.So, strip poker but not poker in any way. Okay. Down for that.ISLA!!! Ruin the moment why don't you?Bunions happened? Damn.Viral because of Joy. Oh my.Garden of Love flowering? Oh dear. Tend that soil. Be a love gardener.Oh, they are so cute. I wanna squish their wittle cheeks.HE'S SINGING. SHE'S SINGING. IT'S A DUET. A FALLING IN LOVE DUET ❤️ A FALLING IN LOVE AT CHRISTMAS DUET. With an adorable dance and bench moves. I'm here for this.Just kiss already!Oh, I love this. I really love this.Creepy, Grace. Creepy.No! Joy's in the dress!Because this wasn't going to be a set up to fail, Dominic 🙄 use your brain, goober.Ha! The reveal is the same as the meet-cute! Naw! Well played.It was a book this time! She left her book behind!I have the heart tingles. I feel like my heart's grown three sizes a la the Grinch. He is so into her 😍No. It's gonna break!But at least the letter fell on the floor for her to find. Find the letter, Kat! Find the letter! Very Princess Diaries and OG Cinderella Story. I love it.Freedom!Future mother in law? Jesus, woman.Not Kat. Not Kat!We can dye it brown? RoflThis is painful. We get the weirdness. Move it along.Oh, no. Don't play doctor in front of dad.She can't just be Kat forever…? Like is she just going to be Kat now? What was the plan here? Poorly planned is what.Hubby's input - elves don't want to just sing and dance. They can be lawyers, too.Give up, Skylar. He's just not that into you.Burn on you, Skylar.Back up dress? Because she sews in five seconds flat. Excellent. I'm suspending all disbelief.Oh, the reveal. Oh my heart. Oh the faces. Oh the smiles. Kiss already and have the curtains open all awkwardly! Do it!Sing together, dammit! DUET!Fine...no duet then.You do got this!Good thing they had so much drama to deal with or the rest of the dancers wouldn't have had time to change. I love it though.Oh, my heart!This song. The hope. The love. The season.The Cinderella Story people really stepped up with this one. It wasn't tacky, it wasn't eye-rolling, it was super lovely.It IS the bit from the snowglobe on her wrist! Naw!She...she didn't know it was the same Terry Wintergarden? How…?I am also really interested. Interested in them kissing already.Naw, even Terry's adorable. What a good dad.That would be a super cute tradition, though.Oh, the hand! All right, hat's off. Well played. I'll take it. But only because of the little grin before hand.I really want to re-watch that duet again now though. Like that was what Christmas romance is made of.5/5 Christmas Candy canes.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/su4Vzm_6uvg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the ninth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I had a tired, so I'm a bit late.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. I'm a little late with day 9's review and t-shirt because it got tired and ugh. So I've added some reindeer antlers for a bit of extra festive flair. I'm not sure my t-shirt friend approves, though.I'm also not convinced about the face (my face. The reindeer is adorable). But there's only so many photos I can stand around for before I get<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_f25cff80332c4aef966533a9127973b7%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_313%2Ch_313/4c2358_f25cff80332c4aef966533a9127973b7%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/11/On-the-ninth-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/11/On-the-ninth-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Mon, 09 Dec 2019 15:35:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I had a tired, so I'm a bit late.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_f25cff80332c4aef966533a9127973b7~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. I'm a little late with day 9's review and t-shirt because it got tired and ugh. So I've added some reindeer antlers for a bit of extra festive flair. I'm not sure my t-shirt friend approves, though.</div><div>I'm also not convinced about the face (my face. The reindeer is adorable). But there's only so many photos I can stand around for before I get impatient. Still, what better way to view the wild and elusive writer than in her natural habitat?</div><div>Day nine has me with aggravated RSI after a weekend of gaming, but damn was it worth it. It also sees me dropping a butt-load of spoilers because I'm angry with this movie. So, I'm sorry about that, but this is basically a stream of consciousness of my thoughts as we went along.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_971b6029727f41399e82afe8badb14bc~mv2.jpg"/><div>A Christmas Prince: the Royal Baby - 2/5 stars</div><div>Honestly, I don't know how I feel about this movie. I spent the whole time being angry with it, but had to agree with Hubby when it was over and he said it wasn't the worst film. I might be compelled to give it another go. But I doubt it.</div><div>So, we're going into this one with some trepidation. If you've seen my review of the first two movies, you know how I felt about them…So, the font is annoying me. Anyone else notice that all three movies have different fonts at the beginning?? And none of them match the movie posters?? The inner formatter in me is itching at the lack of consistency here.Also, why is Amber still writing a blog? Who allowed her to continue unsupervised blogging? I need an answer to this, I need some throw away comment like she knows what's appropriate or not (although not if you listen to movie two - that was the only thing I agreed with Mrs Averil on). I just don't understand!!Oh, the photoshopping humanity! What was with that honeymoon shot?Emily continues slaying - I love her.What happened to Simon's accent?At least they got all the cast back - I like *that* continuity. Even if it meant stupid dad was back.As soon as the baby plan turned up, it was guaranteed to go up in flames.God, the forced laughter *eye roll*But...the sleigh ride. Naw...so yay?Why are they waiting until NOW to have the 'how to raise a child' conversation?I do NOT want to know what Mrs Averil was doing last Sunday.Okay, so aside from the forced laughter moments where the entire onscreen body chuckle wholesomely, I'm getting more into it.Melissa and Simon are stupid, though. The addition of the Simon and Lin? Just what? It's the love-triangle no one asked for. It is so contrived and forced.Why is Amber signing anything? I get the whole 21st century bit...but royal by marriage? Maybe every single plotline in this would have been solved if she was becoming Queen and he was the reporter?Why are the Queens always called &quot;Queen…&quot; by family members? Is that a royal thing?Hubby thinks they seem unprepared - like the queen would know everything well in advance… I agreeWhat happened to protocol? Why did Amber just 'smack' Queen Ming? You don't just tap a person you've just met?? What?Sahil and Andy?? NO! Relationship, yes. Event business, no.Wifi receiver for the baby monitor…? Sure.Why is Amber's attache attached to the queen mum? I'm waiting on the romance arc a la princess diaries.Forced drama, much?Top of the tree? I can get behind this. Ugh not this Lin nonsense again. She wasn't on Simon's team...then Melissa quit and Lin ended up on his team...how?Enough investigative journalism!! You were a junior editor, ffs.Naw, Mr Little just got all the points.I just don't care enough about Melissa or Andy. We haven't seen enough of them or their relationship with Amber. They started out as just colleges then were all of a sudden her best/only friends in the world?Okay, so the baby shower was lovely. That song was a bit eh after Queen Ming made a beanie in an afternoon, though.What the heck's going on with two kings building a crib? In the middle of the baby shower? While I want to believe all parents want to do that to some degree, I doubt two kings would be allowed.Now it's not just espionage but a ghost story too. Oh, good.I am glad to see Tom's back. Super happy for Emily and would love for them to have their own movie. With less melodrama would be lovely.What the actual hell? She faints after making a bullseye? Why?Is it just me as a childless old woman, or does this movie make pregnant women out to be utterly fragile and useless? She hasn't been that busy, has she? And worrying her baby's going to be...what? Disabled for being born two weeks early? I was a month early, I'm not that bad. Two weeks does not a curse make.And of course Queen Ming used to work at a maternity hospital.I just… I promised myself I'd go into this full of positivity and optimism, but it really didn't last very long.It would not have locked!! FFS. That kind of lock needs a huge key turned miles around for it to lock. Why is everyone there while she's in labour just drinking and watching??Actually relationship no, Sahil treats Andy like shit.Why is the key still in the dungeon?Why did her falling crack the...what is that? A toilet?Of course there's no ghost!And of course the queen mum knows how to pick locks with a Bobby pin 🙄Mr Little! No! Okay, that one took me by surprise and I'm actually quite disappointed.Is it not inhumane to lock a guy up in a legit medieval dungeon?Have we forgotten that Amber's in labour? There's no time for a proposal I don't care about. And no time to sign a treaty? I'm sure the midnight deadline is arbitrary enough they can wait until she gives birth. Jesus-H-Christ. If they both agree to still sign? Extenuating circumstances weren't written into the treaty? Bad contract. They should get better lawyers.Oh my God, Mrs Averil. Get on with it!Nice 'sweat' Amber. At least they tried.Good to hear they're not the proud parents of an old baby girl 🙄How did Rudy get there so quickly??So...I suppose it wasn't the worst movie in the world. It was kitch and cutesy and it was heartwarming. I think many of the plot threads would have been better if we spent more time with the friends so I actually cared about them at all. And if it wasn't quite so overacted.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RK0zCsxBG3U"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the eighth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I need answers. Answer. I need one answer.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today's tee sums up my life, my year, my week, and this 'photoshoot' - there was shiny garland above my head, but I didn't get high enough up the ladder, apparently.We went to our local carols tonight, where I was reminded Australia has it's own version of 'Dashing through the Snow'. I'll see if I can find a good assortment of Australian<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_1f24507fe16342498cbb9bda12b01999%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_313%2Ch_313/4c2358_1f24507fe16342498cbb9bda12b01999%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/09/On-the-eighth-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/09/On-the-eighth-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Sun, 08 Dec 2019 14:07:23 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I need answers. Answer. I need one answer.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_1f24507fe16342498cbb9bda12b01999~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today's tee sums up my life, my year, my week, and this 'photoshoot' - there was shiny garland above my head, but I didn't get high enough up the ladder, apparently.</div><div>We went to our local carols tonight, where I was reminded Australia has it's own version of 'Dashing through the Snow'. I'll see if I can find a good assortment of Australian Christmas Carols and add them for the twelve days of Christmas.</div><div>Day four and I'm realising I have a Netflix obsession, but it is totally unintentional. I'm going to stop picking random movies and find one that isn't a dang Netflix one (don't worry, Hallmark are coming!).</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_8dc4c3c6ad154e1797dc19b85d6c8531~mv2.jpg"/><div>Let It Snow - 4.5/5 stars</div><div>I spent the first five minutes of this movie going, &quot;It's them!&quot; every time a new character was introduced. No, I didn't know anything about it other than that there were a lot of intermingling characters. I've since learned it was an anthology book (by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle published in 2008) and that Myracle has called 'Love Actually' for teens. Which is as true as it is plainly ridiculous, because 'Love Actually' is for everyone.</div><div>I'm starting to think I either REALLY like Christmas movies, or the offerings are getting better, because I loved this one. We focus on a group of friends and their lives on Christmas Eve, with a particular focus on their love lives, but I am very happy to report that there is also some friendship and personal growth which is nice. There are four main coupling/romance threads in this one - Duke and Tobin, Julie and Stuart, Dorrie and Kerry, and poor Addie. I have no idea which was my favourite, though. I was trying to think of one and couldn't pick. And, really, why should I?</div><div>Duke and Tobin were the adorable best friends with that spark you just wanted to be more. But then along comes JP to throw a spanner in the works. I feel like even JP at some points was just yelling at them to kiss already - the spark between Keirnan Shipka and Mitchell Hope was STRONG. Like strong. I felt it deep in the cold recesses of my heart and I so badly wanted one of them to freaking say something already. Ugh, the bit where they duet? Just...ugh *heart eyes emoji*</div><div>Julie and Stuart. Le sigh. Little Dora the Explorer all jaded and closed off, even with the charming superstar musician who decides to jump off a train with her for a waffle. It was sweet and lots of growth and opening up and growing up! They were super cute together and I just want good things for them. The addition of Bad Janet was also a nice bonus.</div><div>Dorrie and Kerry. Naw. Just naw. My little nerd heart rejoices! A Quaffle Waffle? Like, who turns down a Quaffle Waffle? That was, handsdown, the most awesome gesture I think I've seen in a teen romance for ages. As someone who makes a living out of desperately hoping the big gesture is swoony enough, I take my Christmas hat off to the writers. Fun fact: their story wasn't in the original anthology, but I'm so glad it was in the movie.</div><div>And this leaves Addie. I think she had the biggest growth, at least the most obvious and impactful. She starts out as the shallow girl who is freaking out over her boyfriend liking another girl's posts on social media. She so badly needs his validation that she completely dismissed her best friend while they were going to look at a Christmas present. I utterly loathed (hello, inner-Grinch) her at the beginning, but actually really liked her by the end. She gained more self-respect, became a better friend, and well on her way to being a better person.</div><div>There's also Keon, whose only aim is to throw the best party ever and have a DJ come and listen to his set and think he's great. Unfortunately his parent' flight gets cancelled and he doesn't have the house to himself. Enter his boss, Billy, who calls Keon in on his day off and provides just the answer to his problems. He has quite the growth, thanks in part to Billy who is quite happy to wait for the universe to provide whatever is needed.</div><div>The movie is opened and closed by Joan Cusack (she's been quite busy this Christmas) who plays the Tin Foil Lady and drives a tow truck. There is much debate in town over why she's the Tin Foil Lady, but she provides some much needed guidance for poor Addy.</div><div>Over all, the movie made me smile, made me giggle, and was just a really nice feel good film. I particularly liked how much snow there was given how hot today was in Australia. I loved the far-reaching aspect of the storyline. It had lots of different plot threads, but nothing felt rushed or overlooked. It was satisfying as both a Christmas movie and a romance movie, so as a Christmas movie it excelled. I really think love actually is all around... No, sorry. I really think everyone should 'let it snow' and watch this one.</div><div>However, I do deduct half a star for letting me spend the whole movie paranoid someone was taking a trip to the hospital after the twins ran them over, for leaving a poor piglet unsupervised on a diner counter, and for leaving me hanging. Otherwise, I loved this sweet little Christmas romance heartwarmer.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jY0Yzb7aaVo"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the seventh day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I accidentally sold my pants.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. We've been gaming this weekend (weekend having started on Thursday night for us) and, as the seasoned gamer I am, I managed to sell the pants I was wearing that I needed for my extra 10,000% damage. Needless to say, I was pretty useless for a while. In celebration, here is one of my pairs of Christmas pants.I did, though, remember to change the number<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_14061aff00184b3aaa874d293d29285d%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_313%2Ch_313/4c2358_14061aff00184b3aaa874d293d29285d%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/08/On-the-seventh-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/08/On-the-seventh-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Sat, 07 Dec 2019 15:27:07 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I accidentally sold my pants.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_14061aff00184b3aaa874d293d29285d~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. We've been gaming this weekend (weekend having started on Thursday night for us) and, as the seasoned gamer I am, I managed to sell the pants I was wearing that I needed for my extra 10,000% damage. Needless to say, I was pretty useless for a while. In celebration, here is one of my pairs of Christmas pants.</div><div>I did, though, remember to change the number on the picture and got myself a cat-assist. So, win-win...?</div><div>Day seven has me dropping a few (potential) spoilers. Sorry, but this movie got my goat up.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_d8cf3c3a080b4c59ae48b95365db3d10~mv2.jpg"/><div>A Christmas Prince: the Royal Wedding - 2.5/5 stars</div><div>What can I say except 'eh'? I feel like I spent more time complaining to hubby about the things I didn't like about it than I did watching it. The new dad? Yuck. The wedding planner? Needed a Jimmy Choo-choo up his hoo-hoo. Mrs Averil? Ugh.</div><div>This was, compared to the first one, a total mess. One perfectly decent - if not un-original -storyline in Amber adjusting to life as a member of the royal family (complete with strict protocol ma'am and inane wedding planner) wasn't enough, they needed to add in the strife surrounding the king's 'New Aldovia' plans.</div><div>I have to hope that the writers didn't personally have ANY experience with royal traditions, because for Mrs Averil to have considered Sahil's suggested dress appropriate is just mind-boggling. The mock-up illustration of it was something you'd expect to see on a stick-thin model at some uber modern fashion week, not being called 'classic' and 'traditional'. To think that Amber's request for something contemporary was ridiculed while that monstrosity was lauded? That is merely my first issue with this whole debacle.</div><div>This brings me to the wedding planner and new dad. Whoever thought that those characters added comedic value was wrong. I can understand re-casting, things happen and for whatever reason a previous actor doesn't come back for the sequel. That's a touch jarring to start with but you get over it eventually (unless you're a fan of The Prince &amp; Me). I did not get over this one. I was about to get fully behind Amber's new dad after the joke about being a new person...until he picked up the queen of Aldovia and swung her around. No one - not even the biggest buffoon in history - picks up a freaking queen. Sorry, but that was the point at which the eye rolls began. And didn't stop. Sahil was a piece of unnecessary flotsam from the moment he stole Rudy's taxi at the airport. He was over the top, ridiculous, and I felt zero belief that the queen would have chosen him to plan the wedding. Add the fact that Mrs Averil became a cardboard cutout character for the sake of having six hundred bad guys, and this was too much for me.</div><div>The plot was predictable in the worst way, the characters lost so much of their magic, and it was just one cheap attempt at a laugh after another.</div><div>The only redeeming features were the gorgeous Rose McIver and Honor Kneafsey - she was sweet and her little plot thread was the most heartwarming thing about the whole movie. Now, if Amber's dress had been ironed before she met Richard down the aisle, I might have been a bit more forgiving about the whole thing. I'm still eagerly waiting installment three, though. Just sayin'...</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y6U-eMDmMoc"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the sixth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I'm going double or nothing.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. I'm slowly accepting I'm not quite as unphotogenic as I think I am. So, isn't that nice? But I'm all for you being subjected as little to me as necessary, so here's a little more background for you - it rounds off our nerdiness with a Marauders Map, a weeping angel tree-topper and some minions 'at work'.Those of you who know me well by now know that<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_045b2154066b46c08a125b4cc5cd8458%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/07/On-the-sixth-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/07/On-the-sixth-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Fri, 06 Dec 2019 15:47:22 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I'm going double or nothing.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_8d51c425a2b94f74be0d0f986633e286~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. I'm slowly accepting I'm not quite as unphotogenic as I think I am. So, isn't that nice? But I'm all for you being subjected as little to me as necessary, so here's a little more background for you - it rounds off our nerdiness with a Marauders Map, a weeping angel tree-topper and some minions 'at work'.</div><div>Those of you who know me well by now know that I'm a huge Deadpool fan and the Grinch is mostly my spirit animal (I have the underwear to prove it!).</div><div>Day six sees me reviewing not one but two movies at once. In honour of my very good doggo's birthday, and to celebrate a very special Christmas doggo, it's the Great 2019 Grinch-off!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_045b2154066b46c08a125b4cc5cd8458~mv2.jpg"/><div>The Great Grinch-Off</div><div>So, I've loved How the Grinch Stole Christmas forever. Or, since 2000 when it came out. So, when I heard they were making a new one, I was really interested to see what they were going to do with it. We didn't get around to watching the new one when it came out last year, so this year it was. As a caveat, I've never read the book so I am purely going by the movies. I do plan to rectify this as soon as possible.</div><div>I spent ages trying to work out how best to compare these two movies. Was I going to do them separately? Compare them by specific points? Or would I just do some rambling and mix it all together? You, of course, by now know what I went with.</div><div>We watched the 2000 one first, figuring we'd go in chronological order. Right from the bat, this one speaks to the adult in me. If my inner adult had a simulacrum, it would be the Grinch - I dislike the public, super loathe an unnecessary amount of things, and would be quite happy living on a mountain in solitude with my dog (especially if there are actual crumpets). I'd also like all the other bits, but hey. The 2018 Grinch also spoke to me - I too eat my feelings a lot - but the beginning was just so much more meh for me. The new one just didn't have any pizazz, there was nothing special about it, it was just another animated movie. Where the 2000 Grinch has a nice intro into Whoville and the quirky Whos, the 2018 movie was incredibly underwhelming.</div><div>Moving onto the Grinch character himself. Jim Carey did an amazing job. He was dramatic and over the top and has the chops to pull off the grumpy but endearing traits of the Grinch. As much as I like Benedict Cumberbatch, he just didn't live up to the roll. Half the time, I swore Hugh Laurie was pulling out his old House accent. I also liked the setup for the old Grinch over the new - it seemed better that the Whos knew who he was and were afraid of him, rather than only one person noticed he existed even when they were talking to him?? It also made for a better make-up at the end - but I won't give away too much about that.</div><div>Now, I think we can all agree that a true star of either movie is Max. He is loyal and sweet and smart and a very good doggo. In the 2000 movie, he was quite happy to 'tell' the Grinch what he thought of his plans or his thoughts. In the 2018 movie, he was less so, but he was just as loyal and smart and a very good doggo. I think, out of everything between both movies, I couldn't decide which I liked better out of the two Maxes. I liked them both differently and equally and really wish my good doggo would abide wearing reindeer antler on his head.</div><div>For narration, there was no contest. Anthony Hopkins all the way. Pharrell Williams was flat and toneless and gave me very little Christmas cheer at all. I didn't look it up (should have, didn't), but I'm going to assume that Williams was responsible for the more 'rap' feel to the music which just felt out of place. The new 'You're a Mean One, Mr Grinch' was left little to be desired and I shall be listening to the one from the 2000 movie on repeat.</div><div>I wasn't sure if it was because I was trying to think of notes for this review, but I hadn't realised just quite how many adult jokes there were in the 2000 Grinch. I mean, I knew they'd added some in - Martha May and her light gun, the baby Who looking like the wife's boss, the swinger key bowl at the party, and the Grinch landing in Martha May's cleavage. I giggled like a teenager at every one. The 2018 Grinch still had a few chuckle moments as well - such as the Mold Spice deodorant (even if mould was spelt wrong lol) and the Who Foods grocery store. A special kudos goes to the 2018 Grinch for finding a way to put Lou Bega's Mambo No. 5 in a Christmas movie.</div><div>That was about where my specific enjoyment of the new Grinch ended. I didn't dislike it, per se. But I didn't like Cindy Lou at all and I thought it took something away from the story to have her not apathetic about Christmas, it was her bonding moment with the Grinch and I feel it rather lost something sweet without it, like a layer of depth and meaning or something.</div><div>So, final thoughts? It's pretty obvious which one wins in my book. The 2000 version will win hands down every time. I will continue watching it once a year (minimum). As for the 2018 version? I'd rewatch it, but I'm in no hurry to do so. What I am going to do is go and read the book (finally!).</div><div>2000 Grinch - 5/5 stars - 2018 Grinch - 3/5 stars</div><div>What are your thoughts? Let me know which one was your favourite, or if you've got a suggestion for a movie, in the comments.</div><div>You can check out both trailers below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YQV5Pr7pWtM"/><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/knFho9WzLJQ"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the fifth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I'm in no state to show my face.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today, I'm in no fit state to show my face on camera - we tried it, it went poorly. But the good thing about t-shirts is there's no requirement for face showing.In an effort to compensate, I've included a picture of our house after hubby spent three days putting up the lights. Our house looks like a little gingerbread house, and you can see it as<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_0fc2d6a20e8d4d31a74b943ed899a451%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_313%2Ch_313/4c2358_0fc2d6a20e8d4d31a74b943ed899a451%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/06/On-the-fifth-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/06/On-the-fifth-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 Dec 2019 15:19:38 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I'm in no state to show my face.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_0fc2d6a20e8d4d31a74b943ed899a451~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today, I'm in no fit state to show my face on camera - we tried it, it went poorly. But the good thing about t-shirts is there's no requirement for face showing.</div><div>In an effort to compensate, I've included a picture of our house after hubby spent three days putting up the lights. Our house looks like a little gingerbread house, and you can see it as soon as you turn onto the street!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_b5400298956b4f01b0b30c38d4f3a0e5~mv2_d_4608_3456_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Day five sees me reviewing the first in a...do we call them a series for movies? Either way, with number three out this year, I thought it was time for a rewatch in preparation!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_68e2b0c6f52d44fca40801dffb29d777~mv2.jpg"/><div>A Christmas Prince - 4/5 stars</div><div>I loved this the first time I watched it. I loved it the second time I watched it. And I was post-op delirious the third time I watched it, so still loved it. As soon as I saw the lovely Rose McIver was in it, I jumped on it. Hubby and I love her in iZombie, and it's always nice to support another Kiwi.</div><div>McIver plays Amber in this, a junior editor who dreams of becoming a 'real reporter' for her magazine company. In what can only be called a set-up to fail by her boss (honestly it is no job for a junior editor, surely?), Amber is sent to Aldovia to get the latest news on the playboy prince Richard about to become king. Naturally, Amber is clever enough to get herself mistaken for the new tutor for the prince's younger sister, Emily. The set-up is all very predictable and warrants the occasional eyeroll for its lack of originality, but isn't that part of why we watch these movies? We want the familiar told in a new way, and we revel in it.</div><div>As per usual in these things, there's romance and intrigue and evil villains out to steal the prince's crown. It's full of fun moments, some of which include Amber attempting archery, as well as some real bonding moments between the characters. Honor Kneafsey portrays Prince Richard's little sister with all the sassy wit and combination of mature immaturity that you want from a princess. She was a really lovely character who I honestly can't wait to see more of.</div><div>A Christmas Prince is one of those heartwarming movies you want at this time of year - there's snow, and a castle, and a prince, and ball gowns, and Christmas decorations galore. There's also some horses and a toboggan involved. I enjoy this every time I watch it, I feel every up and down of emotion, and I always have a massive grin on my face. Next up for Amber and Richard is A Christmas Prince 2: the Royal Wedding which I will be reviewing on day seven (just so there isn't three days in a row of A Christmas Prince lol).</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tG4Fbj1B1bY"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the fourth day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I had a headache.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today shows how I look after I've had a headache all damn day - woke me up at 6:30am and will not go away. So quite obvs: I am beauty, I am grace, I have resting headache face.The green bits are also pom poms. When the shirt gets a little skewif, they look like my nipples are legit poking out of my top and are in dire need of antibiotics.Day four sees me<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_231db29327414aaf8e9a7bfdedbdab3e%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_313%2Ch_313/4c2358_231db29327414aaf8e9a7bfdedbdab3e%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/04/On-the-fourth-day-of-Christmas-1</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/04/On-the-fourth-day-of-Christmas-1</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Dec 2019 14:04:14 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I had a headache.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_231db29327414aaf8e9a7bfdedbdab3e~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. Today shows how I look after I've had a headache all damn day - woke me up at 6:30am and will not go away. So quite obvs: I am beauty, I am grace, I have resting headache face.</div><div>The green bits are also pom poms. When the shirt gets a little skewif, they look like my nipples are legit poking out of my top and are in dire need of antibiotics.</div><div>Day four sees me reviewing another 2019 Netflix offering. Netflix really seem to be making a mark in the Holiday movie game, and I am not complaining.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_761af2bc547d49a1bce9f0ac3207ab8e~mv2.jpg"/><div>the Knight Before Christmas - 3.5/5 stars</div><div>A truly magical little time travel romp that had the historian in me cringing a little. I know there's only so often Sir Cole can be surprised by the modern world before it gets in the way of the plot, but some of the things he didn't react to were just plain bizarre, and the same with how quickly the other characters got over the reactions he did have. I get it - plot furtherance and all - but I overthought it. I did enjoy some of his out-of-place moments though, they made for a good giggle. Plus Josh Whitehouse has a gorgeous British accent and those beautiful curly locks that make looking at him in no way burdensome.</div><div>Vanessa Hudgens also stars in this one, bringing back the whole wholesome thing we all remember from her Disney days - boundless kindness, always polite, and that winning smile. She plays Brooke, the disillusioned high school teacher who for all intents and purposes rescues a knight transported to present day. Hijinks ensue, as well as some (slightly jarring but hilarious) old-fashioned terms and phrases, as Sir Cole endeavours to fulfil his quest and get back home for his little brother's knighting ceremony.</div><div>The whole movie is feelgood fun - when you're not worrying about the historical inaccuracies (or was that just me?) - that leaves you with a serious case of the warm and fuzzies. The on-screen chemistry is sweet and I didn't find it overly predictable, which either says more about the quality of this movie or the quality of my brain atm. I got distracted from the adventure enough to rate it down a little, but I did really enjoy it and will definitely be watching it again.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-JtwROpSVWc"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the third day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I need a rest.24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit.I wanted to come up with something terrifically witty, but it's very little brain time at the moment after working through until 7:30am this morn. But both books are all ready and pretty for their release on Friday, so it was all worth it. I also bought another Christmas t-shirt to celebrate - because I quite clearly don't have enough. There might be six weeks of<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_a800b277a99e436e88c38ce17683827e%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_313%2Ch_313/4c2358_a800b277a99e436e88c38ce17683827e%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/03/On-the-third-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/03/On-the-third-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Tue, 03 Dec 2019 10:50:48 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I need a rest.</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_a800b277a99e436e88c38ce17683827e~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit.</div><div>I wanted to come up with something terrifically witty, but it's very little brain time at the moment after working through until 7:30am this morn. But both books are all ready and pretty for their release on Friday, so it was all worth it. I also bought another Christmas t-shirt to celebrate - because I quite clearly don't have enough. There might be six weeks of Christmas t-shirts next year, lol.</div><img src="http://media0.giphy.com/media/KziKCpvrGngHbYjaUF/giphy.gif?cid=dc79c3578ede63e8602e29aa3f1e7c66020e44bf2caa1502&amp;rid=giphy.gif"/><div>For your holiday season, good wishes. (Or ignore my little brain time and just enjoy this cutie --&gt;)</div><div>Day three sees me reviewing another new offering to the ever-growing list of Christmas movies, and definitely a new Christmas Classic.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_d2b451983c164e56a8fc1807325a86dc~mv2.jpg"/><div>Klaus - 5/5 stars</div><div>This one is going to be watched over and over again. Critics have called it a new Christmas classic, and I fully agree. If I don't have half the lines memorised by Christmas day, I'll be in shock. This whole movie was delightful. From the animation, the soundtrack, the characters, and the story, it was captivating. </div><div>We're introduced to Jesper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman), a mailman in training who just wants to live his lavish lifestyle. But his father has other thoughts and sends him to the remote town of Smeerensburg with the ultimatum that Jesper either stamps the required number of letters in one year or he's disinherited.</div><div>What follows in a sweet tale about how one act of kindness can create a snowball effect of goodwill. Jesper befriends toy maker Klaus as they deliver presents to children. It gives an interesting look at how the legend of Father Christmas evolved, why we do what we do at Christmastime and what it means. I decided not to ruin the magic and check whether there was any basis in fact, nor do I care if there isn't - the whole thing was adorable!</div><div>Overall, there's a message of love and kindness and peace, but it doesn't try to shove it down your throat. It's subtle and heartwarming and makes you want to hit play again as soon as it's finished. There is humour for young and old, and I for sure was quite happy to recgonise the voice of John Cusack as the Ferryman - who provided a few laughs of his own.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/taE3PwurhYM"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the second day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...even my face gets in on the Christmas spirit. (Because I'm flushed...get it?)24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. As predicted yesterday, today's t-shirt (okay, it's a onesie...) was chosen because of the weather - merely two days into Summer and it's barely sunny, still only 15 Celsius with intermittent showers. It's my perfect weather, to be honest, so I'm not complaining.I'd never thought of cacti being festive<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_5e55f902782c460bba12893292b3e57c%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_313%2Ch_313/4c2358_5e55f902782c460bba12893292b3e57c%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/02/On-the-second-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/02/On-the-second-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2019 09:28:43 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...even my face gets in on the Christmas spirit. (Because I'm flushed...get it?)</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_5e55f902782c460bba12893292b3e57c~mv2.jpg"/><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. As predicted yesterday, today's t-shirt (okay, it's a onesie...) was chosen because of the weather - merely two days into Summer and it's barely sunny, still only 15 Celsius with intermittent showers. It's my perfect weather, to be honest, so I'm not complaining.</div><div>I'd never thought of cacti being festive before, but who says no to a Christmas onesie? A Scrooge is who.</div><div>A very succulent Christmas to you! :P</div><div>Here we are, at day two already, and I'm reviewing a movie I spent the whole week after I'd learnt of its existence in pure excitement to watch it.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_c0d11642106547c29225ed7ee630aeb8~mv2.jpg"/><div>Noelle - 4.5/5 stars</div><div>So, what can I say other than I loved this? Hubby hated it though...so there's that. Maybe it's my undying love for Anna Kendrick, or maybe he was just having a Grinch moment. Either way, I loved it and he told me it was awful (when he woke up, so how would he know?). True, the movie is deliciously predictable, there are less musical numbers making the most of Kendrick's talent than there should be, and it had me hankering for a hot chocolate more than once.</div><div>In this one, Kendrick plays the new - somewhat reluctant - Santa's (so weird calling him Santa down this way) sister. After a crisis of faith, Noelle suggests her brother take a few days to relax and get himself geared up for the big day. So, he does. And doesn't come back. What follows is a feel-good, humorous romp as Noelle heads out to find her brother and bring him home before their cousin completely ruins Christmas for everyone.</div><div>Joined by a surly elf nanny and a sweet little reindeer, Noelle is exactly the sort of 'princess' we've come to want and expect from Disney as she discovers life outside the North Pole and manages to bring a little Christmas cheer to the people she meets along the way. Kendrick brings her signature effortless comedy to this character and is everything we've come to love about her and the roles she takes on. The only thing I'm still annoyed about is the lack of musical numbers. 16/10 will be watching again.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DLb9xuFV730"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>On the first day of Christmas...</title><description><![CDATA[...I embark on a new quest.Yes, I know. The song says there are only 12 days of Christmas. Well, I don't know about you, but I'm certain that's not enough. So, welcome to the first of my...24 days of ChristmasEach day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. December 1 through 24, I'll catch you up on my recent discoveries and additions to my Christmas Movie List, and what to avoid (in my opinion). I'll give my star rating (totally subjective<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_35671b3e644744b68ad1d68a643edcff%7Emv2.gif"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/01/On-the-first-day-of-Christmas</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/12/01/On-the-first-day-of-Christmas</guid><pubDate>Sun, 01 Dec 2019 09:13:13 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>...I embark on a new quest.</div><div>Yes, I know. The song says there are only 12 days of Christmas. Well, I don't know about you, but I'm certain that's not enough. So, welcome to the first of my...</div><div>24 days of Christmas</div><div>Each day of Christmas, I'll be reviewing a Christmas movie and sharing a new Christmas outfit. December 1 through 24, I'll catch you up on my recent discoveries and additions to my Christmas Movie List, and what to avoid (in my opinion). I'll give my star rating (totally subjective depending on how quickly after viewing I get to it and how many Christmas bevvies were consumed in the making of) and the trailers will be at the bottom of the post. You'll also get to see me in my Christmas t-shirts - I think I've amassed quite a decent collection. Not all of them are suitable for an Australian Summer Christmas, but will I let that stop me?</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_35671b3e644744b68ad1d68a643edcff~mv2.gif"/><div>Wilf gets it.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_969127db8c7f4d33935b8deaceaa0efb~mv2.jpg"/><div>Day one sees me celebrating Slothmas - something I'm feeling heavily today. It's been busy, busy working all day getting ready for next week's double releases. It's all going okay considering I had an unexpected operation last Friday, but I am definitely ready for a rest when it's all done.</div><div>This is only the beginning of the excitement that is our house getting ready for Christmas. I'll have another t-shirt for you tomorrow. I'm just not sure which one it will be yet. Might depend on the weather - the first day of summer Down Under was all of 15 Celsius and stormy. Perfect in my book.</div><div>I thought I'd start the month off with a new movie for me, although I've wanted to watch it for ages! It came out in 2017, but we're only just getting around to it in our household. The anticipation paid off.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_9f56ae9218cb4eafaa6d3c9fa73bdaca~mv2.jpg"/><div>The Man Who Invented </div><div>Christmas - 4.5/5 stars</div><div>Starring Dan Stevens as the brilliant author Charles Dickens, The Man Who Invented Christmas follows a fictionalised Dickens as he writes the now infamous Christmas favourite A Christmas Carol. While clearly not sating the historian in me, this movie was everything I love about Christmas, and hubby and I were about half way through when we realised that it was actually just a movie about me. Stevens' Dickens, it turns out, has a very similar approach to getting words on the page as I do, not in the least in having a very short fuse when interrupted in the midst of creative flow and complaining when the characters don't do what he wants.</div><div>The movie, directed by Bollywood and Hollywood director Bharat Nalluri, combined Dickens' life in London with the gradual reveal of his past trauma and his Christmas ghost story unfolding. The scenes were interwoven in a way that, like A Christmas Carol, combined humour with the more serious subtexts. As Dickens bickers with his misbehaving characters (in an all-too familiar way), he comes to grips with the man he has truly become. And not only discovers the true meaning of Christmas, but does so in time to share it with the world.</div><div>We're introduced to the supposed inspirations for Dickens' characters in his everyday life - a housemaid, his family, a man on the street. Mr and Mrs Fezziwig were a delightful recurring couple of them, and the wonderful Christopher Plummer as Scrooge.</div><div>Much like Dicken's Christmas ghost story, The Man Who Invented Christmas was a lovely reminder of what Christmas is really all about in a similar but fresh take on the classic Christmas tale. Husband-permitting, this one will make it onto the regular Christmas rotation.</div><div>If you've got a suggestion for a movie, leave it in the comments.</div><div>You can check out the trailer below (fingers crossed there isn't any regional bollocks that gets in the way).</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c5T4ExirAW4"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Big Book Competition</title><description><![CDATA[In awesome news, I've had a very exciting win.Keeping Up Appearances won the silver medal in the YA - General Category in the Reader's Favorite 2019 International Book Awards. And to celebrate, I'm running a competition.Up for grabs are three levels of prizes:First Prize - 1 x a complete Elizabeth Stevens e-library Second Prize - 1 x audiobook (of your choice - either Keeping Up Appearances or Accidentally Perfect) Third Prize - 5 x 1 eBook (of your choice of any of my titles available for<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_39ab07ee19194ef2a3f71738f9324dd2%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_344%2Ch_344/4c2358_39ab07ee19194ef2a3f71738f9324dd2%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/09/22/Big-Book-Competition</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/09/22/Big-Book-Competition</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Sep 2019 07:28:17 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_39ab07ee19194ef2a3f71738f9324dd2~mv2.jpg"/><div>In awesome news, I've had a very exciting win.</div><div><a href="http://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/YoungAdultBooks/Keeping-Up-Appearances">Keeping Up Appearances</a> won the silver medal in the YA - General Category in the Reader's Favorite 2019 International Book Awards. And to celebrate, I'm running a competition.</div><div>Up for grabs are three levels of prizes:</div><div>First Prize - 1 x a complete Elizabeth Stevens e-library Second Prize - 1 x audiobook (of your choice - either Keeping Up Appearances or Accidentally Perfect) Third Prize - 5 x 1 eBook (of your choice of any of my titles available for purchase now)</div><div> Enter below!</div><iframe src="//static.usrfiles.com/html/751156_b69cfd795552bbed1483e57f96296aec.html"/><div>You can enter using the bottom two options once per day - which gives you up to nine extra entries per day.</div><div>Terms &amp; Conditions:</div><div>This competition runs from 12:00AM 21 September through 12:00AM 6 October 2019 Australian Central Standard Time (ACST).</div><div>Enter to win one of seven prizes: 1. 1 x a complete Elizabeth Stevens e-library 2. 1 x an audiobook of your choice (choose from Accidentally Perfect and Keeping Up Appearances 3. 5 x 1 eBook of your choice (choose from any Elizabeth Stevens title available for purchase, or keep as a credit for future releases)</div><div>Entrants may only use one of the subscription entry options. As such, entrants will be considered ineligible if they enter with both the 'Subscribe to Elizabeth Stevens' YA Newsletter mailing list' and 'I'm already a newsletter subscriber'.</div><div>By entering this competition, you agree to receive email communication from Elizabeth Stevens in the event of winning a prize. By selecting certain entry methods, you may be agreeing to other forms of communication, such as newsletters and social media posts. You are free to unsubscribe at any time.</div><div>Any information given for the purpose of this competition will only be used for the purpose of this competition unless otherwise stated (e.g. entry by newsletter subscription).</div><div>Winners will be picked at random by Rafflecoptor. Any winner who entered with the 'I'm already a newsletter subscriber' option will have their entry certified as the email address being subscribed before 21 September 2019 ACST (entrants who joined via Bookfunnel during the competition period excepted).</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>'Gryffynhall' release delay</title><description><![CDATA[Just a quick shout out to let you know that I've unfortunately had to delay the release of Gryffynhall. I'm going to be using this title (and rest of the series) for PhD research and there has been a delay with all that, which has set the release date back.At present, I'm expecting there will be at least a four month delay - but it could be up to a year. I will definitely be releasing other books in the meantime, though. But no promises yet on what when yet - except Popped in October - as I'm]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/05/18/Gryffynhall-release-delay</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/05/18/Gryffynhall-release-delay</guid><pubDate>Sat, 18 May 2019 05:33:23 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Just a quick shout out to let you know that I've unfortunately had to delay the release of <a href="https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/YoungAdultBooks/Gryffynhall">Gryffynhall</a>. I'm going to be using this title (and rest of the series) for PhD research and there has been a delay with all that, which has set the release date back.</div><div>At present, I'm expecting there will be at least a four month delay - but it could be up to a year. I will definitely be releasing other books in the meantime, though. But no promises yet on what when yet - except <a href="https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/YoungAdultBooks/Popped">Popped</a> in October - as I'm still working out my schedule. There will be a release in August, though.</div><div>I am so sorry I've needed to do this, but I will keep you posted as news comes in.</div><div>Read, write, and live well,</div><div>x iz</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>We end with Some Proposal...</title><description><![CDATA[It's the end...for now!!Happy release day, everyone :) Today (well, yesterday if you're in my part of the world) marks the release of the final (for now teehee) installment of the I'm No Princess novellas.Read the conclusion to Anya's story now. And, it's available on Kindle Unlimited.Each novella won't be available in paperback. But The Collection (Parts 1-4) will be available in print and ebook from March 15 2019. You can buy it now from BookDepository or your local Amazon store. The ebook is<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_ea3d428215594984ad7429b4b46bf497%7Emv2_d_1507_2402_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250%2Ch_399/4c2358_ea3d428215594984ad7429b4b46bf497%7Emv2_d_1507_2402_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/02/15/We-end-with-Some-Proposal</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/02/15/We-end-with-Some-Proposal</guid><pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2019 16:07:58 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_ea3d428215594984ad7429b4b46bf497~mv2_d_1507_2402_s_2.jpg"/><div>It's the end...for now!!</div><div>Happy release day, everyone :) Today (well, yesterday if you're in my part of the world) marks the release of the final (for now teehee) installment of the I'm No Princess novellas.</div><div>Read the conclusion to Anya's story now. And, it's available on Kindle Unlimited.</div><div>Each novella won't be available in paperback. But The Collection (Parts 1-4) will be available in print and ebook from March 15 2019. You can buy it now from <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Im-No-Princess-Elizabeth-Stevens/9780648438144?ref=grid-view&amp;qid=1550158869331&amp;sr=1-6">BookDepository</a> or your local <a href="http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=0648438147">Amazon</a> store. The ebook is available <a href="https://books2read.com/INPComplete1-4">here</a>.</div><div>I've got some more idea for novellas and shorts in the series, but if there's anything you want to see from the I'm No Princess world, please let me know.</div><div>You can pre-order April's release, Being Not Good, for the special pre-order price of 99c. Get it from your favourite retailer <a href="https://books2read.com/BeingNotGood">here</a>.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_4eb909ecb40547f3a493b3dad4d21b17~mv2_d_1504_2403_s_2.jpg"/><div>[Bad Boy's Guide to...] Book 1:</div><div>Being Not Good</div><div>If you don’t like a smattering of serious on a bed of satire, clichéd characters, and over the top situations that know exactly what they are, then this book is definitely not for you.</div><div> What do you get when you introduce Deadpool’s personality to Giselle’s? If you answered a love story for the ages, you wouldn’t be totally wrong… But, you wouldn’t be totally right, either. With a heroine who won’t let a stupid little thing like being too good get in the way of showing her stupid ex what’s what and a hero who wants no part of being the male lead in a romance novel, these two opposites find themselves in an unconventional partnership. When peppy-go-lucky Avery eventually wears down bad-to-the-bone Davin’s defences, he agrees to help her trash her reputation. And, if Davin can help her pass math while he’s at it, all the better. So, it’s goodbye to Little Miss Goody-Two-Shoes, and hello to a whole new Avery. Davin was only supposed to be Avery’s mistake – the guy that everyone would eventually call her ‘little phase’ – and he figured it would be good for a laugh when he looked back on it. But, the more they’re together, the less either of them feel it’s a mistake. Now, if only one of them could mention that to the other and ease all that angst-ridden tension… A laugh-out-loud modern-day fairy-tale in dual POV for those who know life never quite goes according to plan.<div>The first book in a new standalone series: Bad Boy's Guide to...</div>Please be aware that this story is set in Australia and therefore uses Australian English spelling and syntax.</div><div>Read, write, and live well,</div><div>x iz</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>#ThreeOfAKind available now</title><description><![CDATA[I'm not sure if this counts as 11 books out now, or only 8 books + 3 novellas, but I'm No Princess Part 3, Three of a Kind, is available NOW at all good online digital book sellers! Unless I've got my timezones wrong again... In which case...SOON!One inadvisable kiss.Three supposed suitors. A whole bunch of totally untrue rumours. My sister was always the pretty one. She was supposed to marry a prince. Until I came home, the media went into a ridiculous frenzy, and Lia’s no longer good enough<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_2b0b3bd990634274ab7d8438b3e5ff9b%7Emv2_d_1505_2401_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_257%2Ch_411/4c2358_2b0b3bd990634274ab7d8438b3e5ff9b%7Emv2_d_1505_2401_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/01/23/ThreeOfAKind-available-now</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2019/01/23/ThreeOfAKind-available-now</guid><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2019 03:00:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_2b0b3bd990634274ab7d8438b3e5ff9b~mv2_d_1505_2401_s_2.jpg"/><div>I'm not sure if this counts as 11 books out now, or only 8 books + 3 novellas, but I'm No Princess Part 3, Three of a Kind, is available NOW at all good online digital book sellers! Unless I've got my timezones wrong again... In which case...SOON!</div><div>One inadvisable kiss.</div><div><div>Three supposed suitors. A whole bunch of totally untrue rumours.</div><div>My sister was always the pretty one. She was supposed to marry a prince. Until I came home, the media went into a ridiculous frenzy, and Lia’s no longer good enough for the job. Marriage Watch is in full effect for the Crown Prince. And, rumours are swirling that I’m on the verge of marrying one of the princes. But, which one? There’s only one I’d want. But, we fight more than we love and are totally incompatible. Plus, he’s meant to marry a future queen. And, I’m barely a lady, let alone a princess</div>.</div><div>Only USD$2.99 for this next installment, and it will be available on Kindle Unlimited soon.</div><div>Will Dmitri announce his engagement? Who will propose to? Will one of our princes win Anya's heart? The fourth and final (for now) part, , will be out on Feb 14 2019, so be sure to have your <a href="https://books2read.com/SomeProposal">pre-order</a> ready so you can find out as soon as possible.</div><div>If you like paperbacks as much as me, don't forget that the full collection will be available in paperback from March 15. You can pre-order now from your local <a href="http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=0648438147">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Im-No-Princess-Elizabeth-Stevens/9780648438144?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_campaign=usbooko&amp;a_aid=booko&amp;utm_term=9780648438144&amp;utm_source=book_link&amp;utm_content=Im-No-Princess">DookDepository</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-no-princess-elizabeth-stevens/1130044139?ean=9780648438144&amp;st=AFF&amp;2sid=Booko_3181773_NA&amp;sourceId=AFFBooko#/">Barnes &amp; Noble</a>, and <a href="https://booko.com.au/9780648438144/I-m-No-Princess-The-Collection-Parts-1-4-">more</a>! I will also be selling signed paperback copies from my website. If you want me to reserve you one, let me know or head on over to the <a href="https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/buy-books">website</a> to order your copy now. (Please keep in mind that no copies will be posted before March 8 2019.)</div><div>If you're new to the I'm No Princess Novella Series you can learn more at the website, on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/244489-i-m-no-princess">Goodreads</a>, or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L4NGTXQ">Amazon</a>.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Now I have to find a date...</title><description><![CDATA[It’s release day! Do a little dance… Make a little love… Wait, what was I saying?What do you say on the day everyone gets to read the story of how your best friend ended up dating your older brother – yuck – ? I guess WOOHOO is standard?I’m just joshing. It is pretty woohoo, particularly because I’m involved and I look good – I like to think I grow as a person. And, really, I’m happy for Toph and Addy. Really and truly. It’s been a massive adjustment and I don’t think any of us have fought this<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_3a0032cf9e984c2e9f8f997338646498%7Emv2_d_1920_1280_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_416/4c2358_3a0032cf9e984c2e9f8f997338646498%7Emv2_d_1920_1280_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Ander Henderson</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/09/07/Now-I-have-to-find-a-date</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/09/07/Now-I-have-to-find-a-date</guid><pubDate>Fri, 07 Sep 2018 08:24:13 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>It’s release day! Do a little dance… Make a little love… Wait, what was I saying?</div><div>What do you say on the day everyone gets to read the story of how your best friend ended up dating your older brother – yuck – ? I guess WOOHOO is standard?</div><div>I’m just joshing. It is pretty woohoo, particularly because I’m involved and I look good – I like to think I grow as a person. And, really, I’m happy for Toph and Addy. Really and truly. It’s been a massive adjustment and I don’t think any of us have fought this much in years. But, we’ll get through it. Because, Addy’s the love of my life and Topher’s my (stupid) older brother, and I guess I love him, too.</div><div>Except, of course, now she’s been on me about getting a date for the formal, and I’m like, “Babe, it’s fine.” But, she won’t believe me. I’m getting over the fact that she had to go and get a boyfriend which left me dateless. Toph did say Addy and I could still go together and he’d be the third wheel… But, I don’t need to see that. Plus, I’m all supportive now, remember?</div><div>So, I have to find a date. I’ve got a couple of ideas as to who could be amenable enough to my charms to say yes. But, we’ve still got months to go. So, I’ll be fine.</div><div>In the meantime, get yourself a copy of Addy and Topher’s story, <a href="https://www.books2read.com/lovelustfriendship">Love, Lust &amp; Friendship</a>(two of those relate to me, thank you very much), and see what all the fuss is about.</div><div>Anarchy, dudes,</div><div>Ander x</div><div>P.S. if you want a paperback copy; it might take a day or two for it to be available everywhere. But, head on over to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0648264882">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Love-Lust-Friendship-Elizabeth-Stevens/9780648264880">BookDepository</a>, or check out <a href="https://booko.com.au/9780648264880/Love-Lust-amp-Friendship">Booko</a> for your cheapest retailer.)</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_3a0032cf9e984c2e9f8f997338646498~mv2_d_1920_1280_s_2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>3 starts, 1 finish and a sticker.</title><description><![CDATA[Hey all,So, things have been chuffing along not too badly - I've been hit with a couple of cases of the dreaded lurgy (did you know, constantly sneezing isn't really conducive to writing?), but all books have been finished on time.And, last week was pretty productive in the land of Iz; Love, Lust & Friendship is ready for release on Friday in print and eBook, and I've started three new stories (one of which is actually a trilogy. So, does that make it five books?). I have three complete new<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_3b0b4801cbdd4b2bb062b5bb5041a719%7Emv2_d_1501_2402_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_207%2Ch_331/4c2358_3b0b4801cbdd4b2bb062b5bb5041a719%7Emv2_d_1501_2402_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/09/04/3-starts-1-finish-and-a-sticker</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/09/04/3-starts-1-finish-and-a-sticker</guid><pubDate>Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:38:39 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Hey all,</div><div>So, things have been chuffing along not too badly - I've been hit with a couple of cases of the dreaded lurgy (did you know, constantly sneezing isn't really conducive to writing?), but all books have been finished on time.</div><div>And, last week was pretty productive in the land of Iz; Love, Lust &amp; Friendship is ready for release on Friday in print and eBook, and I've started three new stories (one of which is actually a trilogy. So, does that make it five books?). I have three complete new outlines and the first 15,000 or so words on one of them. So, keep in touch for more updates on those as the weeks go on - I'm pretty excited about it all and will hopefully have a good little store of books for release next year. Book Week 2018 went spectacularly well, although speaking to over 200 teenagers was a terrifying if amazing experience. But, they were all great and I had an amazing week. Not to mention, I got to write among books between talks - absolute heaven!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_3b0b4801cbdd4b2bb062b5bb5041a719~mv2_d_1501_2402_s_2.jpg"/><div>My last piece of exciting news for the week is that Accidentally Perfect has won an award! Well, sort of :) It was a finalist in the Readers' Favorite Book Awards in the Young Adult - Coming of Age category. So, that's pretty exciting :) Check out the cover with its pretty new sticker! --&gt;Love, Lust &amp; Friendship hits e-readers and shelves on Friday. If you haven't taken advantage of the special eBook pre-order price, click <a href="https://www.books2read.com/lovelustfriendship">here</a> (discount available on all platforms until Friday Sept 7, 2018).</div><div>Don't forget, you can join me on Wattpad to read snippets of my published books, peruse some of my short stories, as well as partial and full-length works in progress. Find me <a href="https://www.wattpad.com/user/writeriz">@writeriz</a>. Anyhoo, that's all for now. Read, write, and live well, x iz</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Upcoming Releases &amp; a Cover Reveal. Because who needs sanity?</title><description><![CDATA[Just a quick announcement :)So, most of you will know that Gray's Blade - the companion novel to No More Maybes - is coming out August 3 2018.Gray's Blade is up for pre-order on most major retailers now. Just click here.If you've missed all the hoopla about Cole's POV story - click on the cover to go read more about it.Now, for the proper announcement part!!For your reading pleasure, I will have yet another new book out September 7 2018 as well!Love, Lust & Friendship is a YA Contemporary<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_2f42affaf3894fec9127d85f94428913%7Emv2_d_2277_3505_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_125%2Ch_192/4c2358_2f42affaf3894fec9127d85f94428913%7Emv2_d_2277_3505_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/06/13/Upcoming-Releases-a-Cover-Reveal-Because-who-needs-sanity</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/06/13/Upcoming-Releases-a-Cover-Reveal-Because-who-needs-sanity</guid><pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 2018 06:57:13 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_2f42affaf3894fec9127d85f94428913~mv2_d_2277_3505_s_2.jpg"/><div>Just a quick announcement :)</div><div>So, most of you will know that  - the companion novel to  - is coming out August 3 2018.</div><div>Gray's Blade is up for pre-order on most major retailers now. Just click <a href="https://www.books2read.com/graysblade">here</a>.</div><div>If you've missed all the hoopla about Cole's POV story - click on the cover to go read more about it.</div><div>Now, for the proper announcement part!!</div><div>For your reading pleasure, I will have yet another new book out September 7 2018 as well!</div><div>Love, Lust &amp; Friendship is a YA Contemporary Romance about friendship, first love, and navigating all the bits between.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_9b05c249cfbc452baec8d215e5a609ec~mv2_d_1558_2418_s_2.jpg"/><div>Love, Lust &amp; Friendship</div><div>Meet Christopher Henderson. AKA, the dillweed of a human being worshipped by (almost) all.</div><div>Meet Alexander Henderson. AKA, the love of my life and my best friend.Meet Addison MacGuire. AKA, me and the girl you don’t date because... Well, who knows? So, what happens when you take one tomboy, one best friend, and that best friend’s stupidly hot, popular older brother with a bad attitude? That’s right, you get a story worthy of a teen rom-com (you with me, Netflix?). Because, sometimes real life is a bitch. Sometimes the only guy to come between you and the love of your life is the one guy you weren’t supposed to fall in love with. But, how do you tell the difference between love, lust and friendship?</div><div>You can pre-order Love, Lust &amp; Friendship from <a href="http://bit.ly/2sT1C3Q">Amazon</a> now for the special pre-order price of 0.99c in most currencies. You can add it to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40504210-love-lust-friendship">Goodreads here</a>. And, as usual, you can click on the cover to find out more.</div><div>That's all from me for now. I'm going to get back to writing, studying, working, and dealing with the dreaded lurgy.</div><div>Read, write, and live well,</div><div>x iz</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Wrapped up with a Bow</title><description><![CDATA[Here we are, one and all,Keeping Up Appearances is a go. This is not a drill. We're live, we're launched, we're available. Well, I'm still available. Can't speak for some people, of course.Those of you who've missed the news, have a click on over the cover just there and you can find out all about the story of my fair King and his Doll.The story's got drama and judgment and paint being thrown, some love and just a little bit of pain. There is also me, for which hooray. There is also a<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_9fc145de40ed4b50ac3d7da37b56b8ef%7Emv2_d_1518_2343_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250%2Ch_386/4c2358_9fc145de40ed4b50ac3d7da37b56b8ef%7Emv2_d_1518_2343_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Greg Hook</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/06/01/Tie-a-pretty-Bow-around-it</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/06/01/Tie-a-pretty-Bow-around-it</guid><pubDate>Fri, 01 Jun 2018 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Here we are, one and all,</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_9fc145de40ed4b50ac3d7da37b56b8ef~mv2_d_1518_2343_s_2.jpg"/><div>Keeping Up Appearances is a go. This is not a drill. We're live, we're launched, we're available. Well, I'm still available. Can't speak for some people, of course.</div><div>Those of you who've missed the news, have a click on over the cover just there and you can find out all about the story of my fair King and his Doll.</div><div>The story's got drama and judgment and paint being thrown, some love and just a little bit of pain. There is also me, for which hooray. There is also a significant lack of cookies. But, I'm working on that; the dark side's gotta have cookies after all.</div><div>If you want to read Holly and Xander's story, you can find it at all good retailers in print and ebook. Go to you fave ebook retailer by clicking <a href="http://books2read.com/u/b5r2OO">here</a>. And, find the cheapest print retailer for your country by clicking <a href="https://booko.com.au/9780648264866/Keeping-Up-Appearances">here</a> - just use the flag in the top right-hand corner of the website to select your country. (Booko has most major retailers, but no Amazon AU. Yet.)</div><div>Announcement made, bow taken (oh, do behave ;-) ), cookies to be eaten. Peace out, y'all.</div><div>Spread Nutella, World,</div><div>Greg</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A lot of 'favourite's apparently :)</title><description><![CDATA[Hey all,A couple of announcements today.No More Maybes is now available on Kobo, Nook and iBooks, as well as Amazon! Yay! Although, that does mean it's no longer available on Kindle Unlimited. Click on the image to be taken to your favourite ebook retailer for your copy. It's on sale at all retailers but Amazon, but I'm working on getting them to price match it. There's also an update; a sneak peak at the first chapter of Cole's POV, Gray's Blade, which is up for pre-order (also from all your<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_ec3469a1748f4fdf8ba6e02d7b489167%7Emv2.gif"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/05/11/A-lot-of-favourites-apparently-</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/05/11/A-lot-of-favourites-apparently-</guid><pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2018 15:21:23 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Hey all,</div><div>A couple of announcements today.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_ec3469a1748f4fdf8ba6e02d7b489167~mv2.gif"/><div> is now available on Kobo, Nook and iBooks, as well as Amazon! Yay! Although, that does mean it's no longer available on Kindle Unlimited. Click on the image to be taken to your favourite ebook retailer for your copy. It's on sale at all retailers but Amazon, but I'm working on getting them to price match it. There's also an update; a sneak peak at the first chapter of Cole's POV, , which is up for <a href="http://books2read.com/graysblade">pre-order</a> (also from all your favourite retailers) and will be out on on August 3.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_a7dc5d7f4b674fa0b86a9c520890ae4f~mv2_d_1518_2343_s_2.jpg"/><div>I'm also currently part of a super awesome group giveaway on Instafreebie showcasing Australian and New Zealand authors. If you want a free copy of Accidentally Perfect or any number of other great giveaways from amazing authors, just click on the cover image to the left and you'll have forty books to choose from. Or, why choose? Give them all a chance. You might find one of your favourite authors there, or you might find an author to add to your favourite list :)</div><div>And, remember that the best way to show your appreciation for an author and their hard work is to leave a rating/review for their book or pass on the recommendation to a friend!</div><div>Whatever you're up to this weekend - whether it's reading, gardening, seeing a movie, playing a board game, just chillin', or voting for your favourite Eurovision entry - I hope you have a good one!!</div><div>iz x</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Where's [my] head at?</title><description><![CDATA[Hey all,Long time, no write. Wow, what a month - and so not necessarily in a good way... But, a little in a good way.Writing Progress Update:*snort* Well, I'm only a month behind schedule. So, you know. Not so bad. Keeping Up Appearances is finally making proper progress though, so that's a plus. And, the pre-orders are flying in, which isn't intimidating and scary in the slightest. I've been very good and not been distracted (much) - except by taking out unnecessary time to have a bit of a]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/05/03/Wheres-my-head-at</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/05/03/Wheres-my-head-at</guid><pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2018 07:35:54 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Hey all,</div><div>Long time, no write. Wow, what a month - and so not necessarily in a good way... But, a little in a good way.</div><div>Writing Progress Update:</div><div>*snort* Well, I'm only a month behind schedule. So, you know. Not so bad. Keeping Up Appearances is finally making proper progress though, so that's a plus. And, the pre-orders are flying in, which isn't intimidating and scary in the slightest. I've been very good and not been distracted (much) - except by taking out unnecessary time to have a bit of a waffle just now.</div><div>We just have to hope now that no new ideas hit me as I'm finishing it like they did with the last one. I'm pretty sure we're sticking to task here. I don't know that you can ever really say you stuck to the plan - okay, no, lots of writers can say they stuck to the plan - but, I think I'm going to be pretty pleased with the finished product. You can check out the Spotify playlist <a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/22uhllejaya7ciawwxiivzjyi/playlist/5UzDwdgzceDujJS9mfKtzM?si=SEoXY7dvTkij7NXQrb0joQ">here</a>, if you feel so inclined.</div><div>A Reading Update:</div><div>I am so far behind. Like in life. But, also reading. I have three ARCs due (not counting all the other things I've promised to read and want to read) and I don't even remember the last thing I read that wasn't my own ramblings. Still, finger's crossed I'll get to read a proper book soon - and I'm going to need to get out of my own head soon.</div><div>Release Rambles:</div><div>So, Roman was unleashed on the world in Accidentally Perfect about four weeks ago and he's going amazingly! So many people have picked up a copy that I am feeling seriously in awe. And, the reception? I'd hoped that the world was going to love him as much as me and, so far, so many people do. I'm humbled and excited and so happy.</div><div>Xander, on the other hand... Well, he will definitely be available on June 1, but he's not being the easiest about it. Still, I am so close I can see the end in sight, I can practically smell it (and, it smells like pancakes). It will be a damned miracle if I get through this and remember where I left my head. But, I do have to thank my very patient beta readers - you're comments on part one were great and I am so sorry part 2 is taking so damn long. Fingers crossed, Xander keeps behaving himself and part two will be ready tomorrow!</div><div>Announcements:</div><div>So, my first sales announcement! Are we excited? Well, probably only US and UK residents... Those lucky people will be able to buy all my ebooks for 0.99 on Amazon between 16 and 23 May. What about everyone else, you ask? Trust me, I get it, Amazon needs to let us run sales on all marketplaces. Well, No More Maybes will be on sale across all sales channels (God willing) but won't be available on Kindle Unlimited from May 8. Head on over to the book page in a day or so to see all the new places you'll be able to buy it from May 9.</div><div>Read, write, and live well,</div><div>x iz</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Is this thing on?</title><description><![CDATA[Hello, world! Roman, here. Large and in charge ;)Okay, so I might have hijacked the blog for today. But in my defense, Barlow didn't expressly tell me not to... There was some finger pointing and that adorable little frown she gives me (don't tell her I said that; I'll have to sit through all of John's movies a hundred more times each), but I wasn't actually forbidden.Anyhoo, I wanted to be the one to let you all know that we are finally live! As in, available the world over for your...pleasure<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_df96eb9b24e74058b38e41d137f6fc18%7Emv2_d_1920_1280_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Roman Lombardi</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/16/Is-this-thing-on</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/16/Is-this-thing-on</guid><pubDate>Fri, 06 Apr 2018 05:59:12 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_a7dc5d7f4b674fa0b86a9c520890ae4f~mv2_d_1518_2343_s_2.jpg"/><div>Hello, world! Roman, here. Large and in charge ;)</div><div>Okay, so I might have hijacked the blog for today. But in my defense, Barlow didn't expressly tell me not to... There was some finger pointing and that adorable little frown she gives me (don't tell her I said that; I'll have to sit through all of John's movies a hundred more times each), but I wasn't actually forbidden.</div><div>Anyhoo, I wanted to be the one to let you all know that we are finally live! As in, available the world over for your...pleasure *wink wink*. (Okay, no. I'm a taken man and behaving myself, but old habits die hard.)</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_0eb7e2e9a8ca42e98277d01aec19c1ba~mv2.jpg"/><div>(Maddy wants me to say hi from her and let you know she's even better at cartwheels now. I tried telling her that wouldn't make sense to you because you haven't read it yet... But she's six, what are you going to do? Just smile and nod...it seems to work.)</div><div>Right! Now, if you haven't already, get your hands on a copy of our story with</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_dd6782750e6e47d7a8e0aee46ffa6e04~mv2.png"/><div>those little images to the side, there. If I do say so myself, I'm wonderful and Barlow's okay I guess. [Ow! Mads!] All right, fine! (nancy wanker words time) Barlow is amazing; always has been, always will be. [Happy?]</div><div>If you've missed all the hype and have no idea what I'm talking about, you can visit the product page for my book-- [Okay!] Elizabeth's book by clicking on the cover image.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_962652556d974dbdb48f70cffb2396e5~mv2.jpg"/><div>Oh, one last thing! If you want to see what Barlow and I are up to later on in life, send Elizabeth a link to your review to get access to a special, unavailable-anywhere-else catch-up.</div><div>But seriously, give us a read! I'm gorgeous ;)</div><div>No judgements. No apologies.</div><div>Roman :P</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_df96eb9b24e74058b38e41d137f6fc18~mv2_d_1920_1280_s_2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Roman in T-minus 7 days</title><description><![CDATA[Whew, is it really only one week to go until Accidentally Perfect is released? More like, only one more week until Roman is unleashed on the world, although I'm sure he's looking forward to it. I've got to admit, I don't really believe it. This one's been a true whirlwind and I have to thank my beta readers and ARC reviewers for receiving it so well. I was so worried that it was going to be a complete mistake, but so far the response has been a good one.You can still get your special priced<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_dd6782750e6e47d7a8e0aee46ffa6e04%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_125%2Ch_125/4c2358_dd6782750e6e47d7a8e0aee46ffa6e04%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/30/Roman-in-T-minus-7-days</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/30/Roman-in-T-minus-7-days</guid><pubDate>Fri, 30 Mar 2018 05:30:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Whew, is it really only one week to go until Accidentally Perfect is released? More like, only one more week until Roman is unleashed on the world, although I'm sure he's looking forward to it. I've got to admit, I don't really believe it. This one's been a true whirlwind and I have to thank my beta readers and ARC reviewers for receiving it so well. I was so worried that it was going to be a complete mistake, but so far the response has been a good one.</div><div>You can still get your special priced pre-orders in print or ebook from Amazon or BookDepository. Just click below:</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_dd6782750e6e47d7a8e0aee46ffa6e04~mv2.png"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_0eb7e2e9a8ca42e98277d01aec19c1ba~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_7862d110ff414026af3d3e35f2423f77~mv2.png"/></div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_a7dc5d7f4b674fa0b86a9c520890ae4f~mv2_d_1518_2343_s_2.jpg"/><div>Accidentally Perfect</div><div>Everyone’s convinced the hottest guy in school’s going to ask me out - that Mason and I would be the perfect couple, that he’s my John Cusack. Except, he hasn’t. One holidays, I find myself hanging out with the resident underachiever, and he surprises me. With Roman, I don’t have to pretend that little Piper Barlow is perfect; even if we’re both in a foul mood, just sitting in silence together is perfectly enough. Until it becomes more. But, Roman doesn’t do more. Does he...? What do you do when you accidentally find perfection with the wrong guy? You fight for it.<div>Accidentally Perfect is a story about finding support in the least likely of places, never giving up, and learning that being the real you is always perfect. Not suitable for younger readers due to mature content.</div></div><div>I hope those of you who get yours hands on a copy enjoy it. I am really looking forward to sharing this one with the world.</div><div>Read, write, and live well,</div><div>x iz</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>First Official proper update for the new site :D</title><description><![CDATA[Well, here we are, the first official proper update for the new site! Are you excited? I'm excited :D Can you tell?Writing Progress Update:Writing is going well. I'm back in the flow and stopped worrying that everything's going to be a terrible load of bollocks and just letting the creative juices flow. Unfortunately, with the creative juices come plot bunnies, but we'll deal with that as they come.The writer's arm is still manageable, but I have to make sure I don't overwork it - brushing my]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/18/First-Official-proper-update-for-the-new-site-D</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/18/First-Official-proper-update-for-the-new-site-D</guid><pubDate>Thu, 29 Mar 2018 06:30:41 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Well, here we are, the first official proper update for the new site! Are you excited? I'm excited :D Can you tell?</div><div>Writing Progress Update:</div><div>Writing is going well. I'm back in the flow and stopped worrying that everything's going to be a terrible load of bollocks and just letting the creative juices flow. Unfortunately, with the creative juices come plot bunnies, but we'll deal with that as they come.</div><div>The writer's arm is still manageable, but I have to make sure I don't overwork it - brushing my teeth is getting a little sore so I'm treading a very fine line at the moment between creative output and self-maintenance.</div><div>A Reading Update:</div><div>I'm doing a lot of reading about Marketing for my Masters thesis. It's actually fascinating and fingers crossed I get to go on with it for a PhD next year - my supervisor seemed quite keen on it when I hedged it so hopefully that translates to being able to do it. There is a hell of a lot more stuff other than digital marketing that I can look at and I've got some excellent ideas.</div><div>In terms of not uni reading, I have scrapped the original plan because it just wasn't working. I'm now just reading whatever I pick up and doesn't make me feel guilty for not writing after a couple of chapters. I finished the ARC for 'the Maybe Boyfriend' by Christina Benjamin the other day and I thoroughly enjoyed it. You can find my review <a href="https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/24/The-Maybe-Boyfriend-Christina-Benjamin">here</a>. I don't know if it was the mood I was in, the fact I haven't finished anything or lived in any world other than my own lately, or what. But, I gave it a very enthusiastic five stars.</div><div>Release Rambles:</div><div>In good news, I've worked out how Accidentally Perfect is on such a great sale on <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Accidentally-Perfect-Elizabeth-Stevens/9780648264859">BookDepository</a>, and I'm going to see what I can do to keep it at that price after release day (in eight days!). It will take some experimenting, but I'm on it.</div><div>Keeping Up Appearances is still on track despite health set backs and betas will be going out soon, barring any major disasters.</div><div>Current Focus:</div><div>Surprise, surprise it's proofing and editing. But story-wise, I'm just working on the year's later releases. Not really anything much exciting going on there.</div><div>Plot Bunnies:</div><div>Well, I thought for once I was free of the devils. But, no such luck. With the influx of creativity for the thing's I'm meant to be working on, so come the influx of plot bunnies. In good news, I've only been distracted for 10,000 words or so this week and am (fingers crossed) back on track with the tasks at hand.</div><div>Life Being Rude:</div><div>Well aside from a bout of the dreaded lurgy, it's less rude and more just life updates. But! I have exciting, grand plans for this new blog business and I think you will all enjoy it. I'll keep the lid tight for now so I don't spoil the surprise. But, keep your eyes peeled.</div><div>Read, write, and live well,</div><div>x iz</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>'The Maybe Boyfriend' - Christina Benjamin</title><description><![CDATA[5 stars.I received a free copy of this ARC via BookSprout in exchange for an honest review.Full disclosure, this was my first Christina Benjamin book. But, it will most definitely not be my last. I also went into this thinking it would be much more YA than it was, but I didn't mind in the slightest that the characters were a little older than I'd expected.From the first page, I loved Megan and Zander seemed almost too good to be true. Just reading their excitement too see each other gave me that<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_670848865ed34ad184bbd8d4852723ad%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_187%2Ch_282/4c2358_670848865ed34ad184bbd8d4852723ad%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/24/The-Maybe-Boyfriend-Christina-Benjamin</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/24/The-Maybe-Boyfriend-Christina-Benjamin</guid><pubDate>Sun, 25 Mar 2018 11:34:41 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_670848865ed34ad184bbd8d4852723ad~mv2.jpg"/><div>5 stars.</div><div>I received a free copy of this ARC via BookSprout in exchange for an honest review.</div><div>Full disclosure, this was my first Christina Benjamin book. But, it will most definitely not be my last. I also went into this thinking it would be much more YA than it was, but I didn't mind in the slightest that the characters were a little older than I'd expected.</div><div>From the first page, I loved Megan and Zander seemed almost too good to be true. Just reading their excitement too see each other gave me that warm tingly chest feeling I so well associate with well-matched main characters.</div><div>Watching their chemistry and overcoming their uncertainties was a singular pleasure. Megan is a strong, adorably quirky young woman and she made a fantastic female lead; she knows what she wants and what she needs and she puts her first which is a wonderful thing to see in a romance MC. Zander was the perfect book boyfriend - the right amount of broken and passionate that you looked forward to the moment he pulled his head out of his finely toned arse and realised he could have the girl.</div><div>I enjoyed this book thoroughly. I think Benjamin did a great job with the character development, the relationship development, and the plot. The crisis point and the resolution was believable and very satisfying. I loved Megan and Zander's story and think they really are perfect for each other, no maybes about it.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Why don't YA characters ever go to class?</title><description><![CDATA[You know how you read those 'pet peeve' lists? The ones that list all the typical tropes of YA that readers hate and yet never stop reading? I'm super guilty of this myself with all genres - "Why does x happen all the time in these books? It's so unrealistic and done to death." Then it doesn't happen and I'm annoyed and disappointed...Anyway, one of those things is usually the fact that YA characters never seem to go to class and no one seems to know why or be concerned by that fact. Well, I]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/20/Why-dont-YA-characters-ever-go-to-class</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/20/Why-dont-YA-characters-ever-go-to-class</guid><pubDate>Tue, 20 Mar 2018 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>You know how you read those 'pet peeve' lists? The ones that list all the typical tropes of YA that readers hate and yet never stop reading? I'm super guilty of this myself with all genres - &quot;Why does x happen all the time in these books? It's so unrealistic and done to death.&quot; Then it doesn't happen and I'm annoyed and disappointed...</div><div>Anyway, one of those things is usually the fact that YA characters never seem to go to class and no one seems to know why or be concerned by that fact. Well, I think I've just cracked it! As <a href="https://twitter.com/broodingYAhero?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">@broodingYAhero</a> points out (and if you don't follow him on Twitter, you really should because he's hilarious) in his marvellously funny <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33799449-brooding-ya-hero">book</a>, YA authors totally aren't around their thirties and therefore (my supposition) have complete knowledge about the current school system and subjects. And, who am I trying to convince? :D</div><div>Now, Keeping Up Appearances has a lot of school scenes - I realised I'd used too many 'they live next door' tropes recently (total accident it happened so many times, actually, and I'm a little embarrassed) so Xander and Holly need to do most of their interacting at school. And, I'm trying not to do the 'and that was History' in the exposition too often. But, what do I know about 2018 Year 12 History? I can try to hope that some made-up school in my brain can be studying the same things I did something like 10 years ago, but overall it's just easier to skip the teaching in class scenes and hope no one minds.</div><div>Or, I could totally find a 2018 Year 12 History syllabus and drone on for pages? Quite frankly, I could do with the word count booster :P although, that would just add more words that I need to write to get it finished.</div><div>So, my explanation based on me is thus: YA characters don't go to class because the authors don't want to prove just how little they know about school these days and don't want to seem outdated (more outdate?). Also, with so many other things to write about, school seems an unnecessarily boring addition to the story.</div><div>Anyway, that was today's eureka moment while I was trying to work out why Xander and Holly aren't working as well as they ought to be at the moment. And, I just thought you might all like to know.</div><div>Read, write, and live well,</div><div>x iz</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Welcome to the new site!</title><description><![CDATA[Whelp, it may not have escaped your notice that I've moved to the new site *squee* Exciting times indeed. I'm still having some fun playing with new features, so I'll update you with any exciting major changes as they happen. The set up is a little different with this one, but you've got most of the same basic components as the old one - you can look up my books, read my rambles, buy direct from me or find links to retailers. I've even got a section where you can link back to the old website and<img src="http://media1.giphy.com/media/5GoVLqeAOo6PK/giphy.gif?cid=dc79c3575aab1b7b7465353941ad71f1"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Stevens</dc:creator><link>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/17/Welcome-to-the-new-site</link><guid>https://www.elizabethstevens.com.au/single-post/2018/03/17/Welcome-to-the-new-site</guid><pubDate>Sat, 17 Mar 2018 06:54:03 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://media1.giphy.com/media/5GoVLqeAOo6PK/giphy.gif?cid=dc79c3575aab1b7b7465353941ad71f1"/><div>Whelp, it may not have escaped your notice that I've moved to the new site *squee* Exciting times indeed. I'm still having some fun playing with new features, so I'll update you with any exciting major changes as they happen.</div><div>The set up is a little different with this one, but you've got most of the same basic components as the old one - you can look up my books, read my rambles, buy direct from me or find links to retailers. I've even got a section where you can link back to the old website and catch up on old posts if you feel so inclined.</div><div>I've got my Newsletter and Beta Read Crew mailing lists all sorted as well (finally!). So if you want to get even more updates direct to your inbox, beta read books-in-progress and have ARCs offered up for your perusal, or just want to keep in touch, then you can sign up below. The Newsletter Mailing list form below has an option to join the Beta Read Crew - so there's no need to sign up twice. You can also sign up to either from any page on the website. So, if you're unsure, there's no need to rush. You can read more about the Beta Read Crew here.</div><iframe src="//static.usrfiles.com/html/751156_8c194678132a3ad3fc81659addb87744.html"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c2358_a7dc5d7f4b674fa0b86a9c520890ae4f~mv2_d_1518_2343_s_2.jpg"/><div></div><div>Accidentally Perfect comes out in less than three weeks, so if you want to pre-order you can do so on <a href="http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=B079TNPZBM">Amazon</a> in print and ebook (how exciting!) and <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Accidentally-Perfect-Elizabeth-Stevens/9780648264859">BookDepository</a> has it on pre-order as well going for quite a reasonable price and *free* shipping! The ARC is about to be available for those of you who have signed up to the Beta Read Crew.</div><div>The Beta for Keeping Up Appearances will be available soon. As will the one for No More Maybes Books #2.</div><div>I think I'm about all out of news for now.</div><div>Read, write, and live well,</div><div>x iz</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>