Oprah Winfrey - "What I Know For Sure" book review

"What do you know for sure?" A thought provoking question asked of Oprah by film critic Gene Siskel in 1998. A question that went on to be the genesis of this beautiful little book, as well as the title of Oprah's monthly column in O magazine.

In order to put this book together, Oprah reviewed fourteen years worth of her columns to see whether they stood the test of time- did she really know anything for sure, or did she just think she did? Ultimately, Winfrey found that the things she truely believed she knew for sure still remained some of her firmest beliefs, however, she did concede that many of her thoughts required updating.

"What I Know For Sure" is split into several sections such as joy, connection and power that each contain Winfrey's myriad of musings on the subject. I found  Oprah's pearls of wisdom both compelling and personally relevant- it is a huge credit to Winfrey's character that despite the magnitude of her success, fame and wealth, that she still manages to make a connection with her reader in a deeply personal way.

Not only did this book prove that Oprah is not so far removed from the everyday reader, I found that it managed to help me navigate several difficult situations in my own life and gave me unexpected insight into the lives of the people around me.

Overall rating: ★★★★½

Oprah's ability to create an emotional connection with anyone she interviews is almost as famous as she is. "What I Know For Sure" proves that this remarkable ability is not restricted solely to television interviews, but extends into the literary world as well. I felt personally touched by many of Oprah's musings and have attempted to keep them in mind in my day to day life. Definitely worth the read! 

Kathy Griffin - "Look At My Butt Crack" comedy album review

I am well aware that Kathy Griffin, two-time Emmy award winning comedienne and reigning Grammy award winner for Best Comedy album, is not for everyone. However, if she is not for you, chances are that you are really boring and have no sense of humor #sorrynotsorry. The self proclaimed Queen of the D-Lists's latest comedy album "Look At My Butt Crack" dropped suddenly on August 14th, soon after it was recorded at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, with the aim of garnering Griffin a seventh consecutive Grammy nomination.

This album is classic Kathy Griffin, the sharp tongued comedienne once again regales the audience with insider tales of some of Hollywood's most famous (and craziest) celebrities. Ms. Griffin also allows the audience a sneak peek into her own life, through personal stories about her and her much younger boyfriend, not to mention the usual segment dedicated to her dysfunctional relationship with her mother, Maggie, who would of course be familiar to any fan of Griffin's reality show Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List.

Not only is Kathy Griffin an excellent  stand up performer, never once letting her voice waver or losing her breath during the two hour act, but a truely hilarious comedian that delivers consistent laugh-out-loud material. Griffin's style of humor is best suited to anybody with an interest in celebrities and pop culture in general, as she offers a sneak peek into the world of Hollywood's elite and their off-times ridiculous behaviour.

I purchased "Look At My Butt Crack" via the Apple iTunes Store for $16.99, and it was certainly worth every cent. Not only are Griffin's comedic stories of her usual hilarious quality, the audio for the file is clear and crisp, making it an easy listen.

Overall rating: ★★★★½

Satirising everyone from Madonna, Harry Styles, the entire Kardashian clan and even her own mother, "Look At My Butt Crack" is Griffin's usual no holds barred approach to comedy!  Ms. Griffin's unashamed attempt at a seventh consecutive Grammy nomination could very well be realised, as this album demonstrates her strength as a stand up performer and her undoubted comedic ability. Worth every cent!

"Love Is To Die" - True Blood Season 7 Episode 9 review

SPOILER WARNING!!! Do not read ahead if you have not seen the ninth episode of True Blood's Season 7 "Love Is To Die".

The penultimate episode of the series opened in the all-to-familiar dungeon of Fangtasia, where Bill refuses to drink Sarah's blood in order to cure himself of Hepatitis V. Sookie and Jessica are left reeling from this twist and both react heatedly to his surprise decision. When Bill refuses to relent and attempts to leave, Jessica demands that Bill release her. The scene that followed was one of the strongest and most emotionally charged of the entire season, with Deborah Ann Woll's performance as Jessica being a true highlight, as she breaks down during Bill's releasing-speech.

After seeing Sookie home safely, Jessica instinctively seeks out Hoyt, who continues to argue with his frustratingly annoying girlfriend Bridgette. Jessica reveals that Hoyt and her were previously in a relationship, to both Bridgette and Hoyt's confusion. Hoyt and Bridgette break up, and Jessica tells Hoyt about everything that happened between them over the course of the series, before she glamoured him, and proceed to have sex and seemingly get back together. Bridgette stays with Jason after her break up with Hoyt and there is clear indications that the writers mean to push these two characters together, after the surprise twist of reuniting Jessica and Hoyt. I really hope this is not the case, as I find it highly unconvincing that Jason would find his "happily ever after" in an entirely new character and not somebody more meaningful like Jessica. On the other hand, I have always loved the Jessica-Hoyt combo and would like nothing more than to see the pair back together for good.

In other news, Sookie seeks out Sam, only to find his trailer completely empty and a note left explaining that although he loves his friends in Bon Temps, he needs to be with Nicole and watch their daughter grow up. The major qualm I have had with True Blood this season has been its poor treatment of some of it's original core characters such as Sam, and of course Tara. These characters were a major part of the story since the very first episode, and yet they have been undeniably forgotten about this season and relegated to background character status. It is a slap in the face for major characters who's storyline you have followed for seven years to be killed off screen, or written out of the series via a goodbye note. Bad, bad writing!

Arlene attempts to drum up some business by throwing a party at her bar (which no one but the core cast attends). While there, Jessica and James finally make peace over their break up earlier in the season, and I was especially glad to see Jessica acknowledge that she had not been an entirely fantastic girlfriend. Arlene and Sookie have another uplifting chat that showcases Carrie Preston's fantastic emotional range, and Andy learns about Sam's departure from town and resignation as mayor. Something tells me that Sherrif Bellefleur will soon be Mayor Bellefleur.

After releasing Jessica, Bill returns to his home and receives a surprise visit from Eric, who attempts to convince the younger vampire to take the cure. Bill explains his belief that vampires are only capable of bringing darkness into peoples lives and this is why Sookie, a creature of light, is so instinctively drawn to them. He feels that the only way to protect Sookie and help her move on is for him to no longer be alive. However, he wants to explain this to her himself and so asks Eric to speak with her and convince her to give him a chance to talk to her. Eric grants Bill his last wish and manages to convince Sookie to speak with him, who proceeds to head across the cemetery to her house.

When Eric returns to Fangtasia, he surprisingly begins to seduce Ginger, who apparently orgasms within second of foreplay. After finishing with Ginger, he calls out to Pam, only to recieve no answer. He makes his way downstairs and finds Pam chained down with a wooden stake dangling over her. Mr. Gus forces Eric to admit that Sookie knows about Sarah being the cure- in order to save Pam as the stake is slowly lowered towards her heart. As Mr. Gus menacingly asks where Sookie lives, the camera zooms in on Bill as he knocks on her door (hinting that the Yakuza will attack the Stackhouse home in the opening minutes of next weeks episode). Although I'm not sure what role Bill will play in this final battle, I am convinced that Eric will manage to defeat the Yakuza and exact revenge for Pam's capture. In fact, I predict the maker-progeny pair taking over the Yakuza's plan to manufacture "New Blood" by the end of the series finale.

Overall rating: ★★★★½

This was a really strong episode of True Blood, that not only focused on character relationships and the core storylines of the season, but also had truely suspenseful moments that left the viewer unsure about what's going to happen next. The emotionally charged opening scene was especially strong, as was the finale scene where Eric was forced to choose between betraying Sookie or letting his beloved progeny Pam meet the true death. These last two episodes have definitely increased my excitement and suspense leading up to series finale, and can only hope that the show delivers once again!

Chelsea Handler - Uganda Be Kidding Me review

Over the last few weeks I have been busy reading several books at once in order to post a few reviews in quick succession. The first book I started reading and will be reviewing today is "Uganda Be Kidding Me" by talk show host/comedienne Chelsea Handler.

Quite a few of the people closest to me have suggested in the past that I look into Handler's TV show, Chelsea Lately, as they believed I would enjoy her brand of quick-witted, dry humour. Recently, I finally decided to get stuck into a few episodes (yes I'm aware that the show is ending this month after seven seasons on the air) and enjoyed them so much that I immediately downloaded an e-book of "Uganda Be Kidding Me" to soak up as much of Handler's exploits as possible before she leaves E! for Netflix, which is not yet available in Australia.

"Uganda Be Kidding Me" is Handler's fifth published work and the second of a three-book deal signed in 2010. The book is also Handler's fourth #1 on the New York Times bestsellers list and is being supported/promoted by a stand-up tour of the same name being performed internationally by the feisty comedienne.

As the titular pun suggests, "Uganda Be Kidding Me" is a collection of comical travel essays that document the outrageous events of Handler's personal life as she travels the world, from her experiences on safari in Africa to vacationing in the Bahamas. Handler's signature brand of humor is evident throughout the narrative and the quality of the prose is of the high standard one would expect from the fiercely intelligent and witty woman we have come to know and love from Chelsea Lately (although her intelligence must be questioned after reading about a conversation in the book where she asks her sister if the sun and the moon are the same thing).

I found Handler's ability to self-deprecate while detailing highly embarrassing personal events, such as the befoulement of a kayak in the Bahamas, extremely refreshing for a semi-autobiographical book as celebrities generally use this platform to promote themselves and their oft-times controversial actions. Handler's book has absolutely none of this, with the comedienne striving to make her reader laugh at every turn, whether at the expense of herself, a close friend or anyone else she encountered during her adventures across the globe.

If your looking for a read filled with deep underlying messages or revelations about a celebrity then you should probably give "Uganda Be Kidding Me" a miss and steer towards Hillary Clinton's recent release. Handler's book is much more a comical retelling of relatively minor events in her life than a hard-hitting autobiography and delivers exactly want you would expect- lots of laughs that leave the reader feeling much better than they did before they picked up the book. And really, what better reason is there to read than to lose yourself for a couple of hours and feel a little bit better about your real world problems at the end of it? This book is worth every cent and will definitely have any fan of Handler's in stitches throughout.

I enjoyed "Uganda Be Kidding Me" so much that I have kept my eyes peeled for a hard copy (I prefer physical copies to e–books) of it or Handler's other books ever since I read it, to no avail, and have come to the conclusion that they may not be published in Australia. However, the books are of course available online and Handler herself will be bringing the "Uganda Be Kidding Me" stand-up tour to Australia in November.

Overall rating: ★★★★

The final episode of Chelsea Lately will air on E! on August 26th with a special hour-long live episode.

Please visit www.chelseahandler.com for "Uganda Be Kidding Me" tour information.

"Almost Home" - True Blood Season 7 Episode 8

SPOILER WARNING!!! Do not read ahead if you have not seen the eighth episode of True Blood's Season 7 "Almost Home".

Picking up where the previous episode left off, Eric, Pam and the Yakuza track Sarah Newlin down to the Fellowship of the Sun camp. Sarah, encouraged by a hallucination of Jason, gives herself up willingly as she is under the impression that the cure running through her veins makes her a modern-day Messiah. Eric is intent on killing Sarah, despite threats of the True Death by the Yakuza, however, Pam manages to stop him by threatening her own life. Instead, Eric takes a sip of Sarah's blood and begins to laugh as the black veins of Hep V begin to disappear from his body. After capturing Sarah and setting up base at Fangtasia, Pam and Eric question Mr. Gus about how long it will take to synthesise Sarah's blood and manufacture a cure. Mr. Gus reveals that the process has already been completed, however, the Yakonomo Corporation plans on reducing the effectiveness of the cure so that infected vampires are forced to continue to buy their new product in order to remain alive.

Meanwhile in Bon Temps, Jason helps Hoyt and his new girlfriend sift through Maxine Fortenberry's possessions, before receiving a text with pictures of Adilyn and Jessica being held captive by Violet. After fighting with Hoyt, his girlfriend Bridgette storms out and joins Jason on his rescue mission. However, Jason is quickly subdued by his former girlfriend, who proceeds to inform the captive group about the myriad of ways she plans to make them suffer in order to make up for Jason's betrayal. Just as Violet seems set to begin, Hoyt appears in her doorway and shoots her through the heart, causing her to violently disintegrate as she meets the True Death. Unlike the psychotic Violet, I am not a religious person, but all I have to say now that she has finally been reduced to a simmering pile of vampire goo is: praise Jesus! I have been waiting for this moment since the very first scene she appeared in last season.

Jason drives Jessica home and the pair share a sweet moment as they discuss the nature of their relationship, deciding that it can only be defined as a "beautiful friendship". Later, Hoyt confides to Jason that he can't stop thinking about Jessica, and after learning that her maker, Bill, is dying from Hep V he heads over to the Compton house in order to offer fresh, untainted, blood for him. The chemistry between Hoyt and Jessica is absolutely palpable in this scene, reminiscent of their relationship back in season two. I'm not sure whether the writers are teasing us with the possibility of a Hoyt-Jessica reunion or not, but I am certainly open to the idea!

Elsewhere, Reverand Daniels is called by the current owners of Tara's childhood home to find Lettie Mae and Lafayette digging through the front yard. James arrives shortly afterwards, and allows Lettie Mae and Lafayette to drink his blood so that they can reunite with the spirit of Tara and learn what it is she wants from them. In an emotional plea, Lette Mae manages to convince the Reverand to join the pair on their spiritual journey. The V somehow shows the trio a vision of the past, where Tara's father beat Lettie Mae for wasting money by throwing Tara a birthday party. Unknown to her parents, young Tara is shown holding a gun at her fathers back, however, she can't bring herself to pull the trigger. The spirit of Tara begs Lettie Mae for forgiveness for not pulling the trigger, however Lettie Mae believes she is the one who needs forgiveness for her failures as a parent. Tara tells Lettie Mae that it's time to move on and live her life, and that she needs to let her go. The pair hug, and the spirit of Tara walks off into the distance and finally disappears for good. I have been highly critical of this storyline since it began earlier in the season, however, I enjoyed this plot lines conclusion. Tara's death and the traumatic life she lived were finally handled with the emotion and respect that the character deserved, and the plot itself did not feel like a hastily put together side-storyline for the first time this season.

Finally, Sookie receives a visit from Eric and is amazed at his sudden recovery from Hep V. Eric promises to return the next night with a cure for Bill, however, in typical Sookie fashion she makes her way over to Fangtasia anyway and reads Mr. Gus's mind, learning that the Yakuza are keeping something in the basement. Sookie manages to break into the basement and finds Sarah Newlin being held captive. After reading Sarah's mind she learns that her blood is the cure and then returns to the Compton house where she tells Bill and Jessica about what she has discovered. The trio then break into the basement, where they find Sarah, as well as Pam and Eric who were in the middle of stealing some of Sarah's blood for Bill. However, Bill decides to throw a spanner in the works by refusing to cure himself! Queue credits! I felt that there was quite abit of foreshadowing throughout the episode that Bill would choose to refuse the cure, so I was not particularly surprised by this turn of events, especially now that the suspense of Eric's illness has been removed,

Overall rating: ★★★★

Two problems that True Blood has suffered with in recent years have been a focus on minor characters and a tendency to produce exposition episodes (such as the previous one) that simply fill the gaps from one episode to the next. However, fortunately, this episode was everything the previous episode wasn't: it had  action, it answered questions, several storylines were wrapped up nicely and some new ones began in the lead up to the ultimate climax of the series. Let's just hope that the final two episodes keep up the pace and end the series on a high note! 

Look Book: Jeans/Chinos

Today I am going to start a new section of my blog that I have been slowly putting together over the last few weeks, a Look Book. Basically, I will be putting different clothing items together and posting them on here to create looks and outfits that I think are great.

To start off, I want to make a point of saying that one of the main things I look for when initially buying an item is whether the item has the versatility to be worn with a range of other pieces. Versatility is important, as it means you can wear an item you love without the embarrassment of constantly re-wearing the exact same outfit.

Today I am going to choose a single item that I think is an essential piece of every guys outfit rotation because of how well it goes with so many different clothes:

    Dark coloured chinos/jeans.

A pair of dark coloured slim-fit chinos or jeans are an absolute essential of any wardrobe because of the versatility they allow. Dark coloured chinos/jeans allow for a more dressed up look than regular coloured chinos or standard denim jeans, and shades such as black are really easy to match with most other colours.

I always have at least one pair of black jeans in my closet, and recently purchased a pair of dark-dyed slim-fit chinos from men's fashion store Connor. In fact, in preparation for the first edition of my Look Book, I actually planned my shopping selections around this pair of chinos because of how many different outfits can be put together using them as a foundation. I found a whole different variety of clothes that go great with the dark jeans/chinos (unfortunately I could only afford so many) and have collected a few examples here:

Brighter colours, like purple, pink or red, look great when teamed with a pair of black jeans/chinos. The bright colours contrast fantastically with the dark shade of the pants. Personally, for a more dressed up look, I like to make use of contrasting colours in the form of checkered shirts.

To further enhance this look, I like to wear a short, slim fit leather jacket over the top of the checkered shirt or even a simple Chambray shirt (see below). This not only adds another layer to the outfit, it enhances the  contrast of the bright shirt in between the dark leather and jeans.

For a more casual look, black chinos or jeans can be paired with any standard white tee, with a simple printed design. For the more adventurous, choose a tee with a brightly coloured print to contrast with the plain white and black.

Dark jeans/chinos are also extremely versatile because of the wide range of footwear that can be worn with them. If going for a dressed up look, black jeans simply need to be paired with a pair of boots or high tops. For an everyday look, any standard casual shoe can be worn with dark pants and matched to the style of shirt being worn as well. 

Kim Kardashian: Hollywood Game Review

Before I begin I should probably own up to the fact that reality TV is a guilty pleasure of mine. I'm not talking about Masterchef, I'm talking about the stuff that most people publicly call "trash TV", but secretly watch behind closed doors; eating up the myriad of shallow problems and relationship dramas as if they were pop corn. Keeping up with the Kardashian's epitomises this brand of reality TV as the most successful and long running of the genre.

Despite my addiction to the Kardashian family, I did not expect that I would be sucked into Kim's latest venture: Kim Kardashian: Hollywood (KK:H), a game that allows the player to follow in her footsteps and rise up the ranks of Hollywood from relative nobody to Kardashian-esque A-Lister. How wrong I was to doubt the power of the Kardashian empire!

Simply put, this app is the greatest thing that has ever happened to the world EVER. Not only is it simply designed and the game mechanics easily mastered, it has captured that certain something that the Kardashian family possesses that causes otherwise sane members of society to obsess over them.

The Storyline:

Much like Kim herself, the player begins as a nobody (or in KK:H speak, an E-Lister) living in Hollywood. The players ascent to the A-List begins when a chance encounter with Kim Kardashian occurs at the store you work at and the rest is history!

The game encourages the player to create a wannabe-celebrity alter-ego that travels the same path that Kim did to fame (minus the unfortunate sex tape). The player traverses around a fictionalised version of the Kardashian mother land (LA) completing tasks set by Kim and your manager, Simon, such as photoshoots, appearances or promoting brands or products.

By completing these tasks, the player earns money, which allows for the purchase of anything from clothes to fashion accessories to houses, and depending on how well the task is completed (through a simple 5-star rating system) the player also earns fans, which determines what celebrity list you belong to- I myself am currently a B-Lister.

Additionally, KK:H features an unusual feature for a free App Store game: the ability to interact with friends through Facebook and Game Centre (because the only thing better than being in a feaux-photoshoot by yourself is being in a feaux-photoshoot with a friend)! On the other hand, I don't think I have ever felt so ferociously competitive with my group of friends before. The thought of them being more "famous" than me is enough to throw me into the game for hours straight, or irrevocably destroy over a decade of friendship.

Overall rating: ★★★★★

A simple gaming style is always key when it comes to an App Store game, and KK:H is probably the best example of this that I have ever seen. Not only are the game mechanics easy to get the hang of, the design of the characters, the fashion choices and myriad of background locations are absolutely beautiful!

It's also worth noting that KK:H clearly acknowledges that Kim Kardashian is only famous for being famous. Surprisingly, the game does not go out of it's way to glaze over this fact or attempt to make Kim into something she's not- it actually seems to embrace it which I found highly refreshing. The game also clearly pokes fun at the ridiculousness of modern-celebrity with shockingly comical and witty dialogue, which makes many tongue-in-cheek references to the Hollywood of today.

KK:H combines that special something innate to the Kardashians, with a simple and rewarding gaming style in order to create the most addictive App experience a player is likely to ever have. Watch out Candy Crush!

"Lost Cause" - True Blood Season 7 Episode 5 Review

SPOILER WARNING!!! Do not read ahead if you have not seen the fifth episode of True Blood's Season 7 "Lost Cause".

This episode opens where the last left off: the survivors of the battle at Fangtasia are left to clean up the mess caused by the bloody deaths of the Hep-V vampires and the vigilantes from Bon Temps. Inside, Willa argues with Eric and Pam, telling Eric that he was a terrible maker and Pam that it's her fault that Tara met the true death. Eric agrees with her, and reveals their plan to kill Sarah Newlin: since she was "practically her step mother" they have turned to Willa for any clues to her whereabouts. Willa agrees to help them on one condition: Eric has to release her. Eric does so, and Willa reveals that Sarah had a secret vampire sister, Amber, who lives in Dallas. It was nice to see Willa providing some useful information that helped to drive the plot, as so far this season she has been very much a background character.

Eric and Pam head to Dallas, where they meet Sarah's sister, who has been infected by Hep-V herself. Amber reveals that Sarah did call her looking for help, but that she refused her as the Hep-V virus Sarah released into the vampire population claimed her vampire boyfriend's life. However, Amber rightly believes that Sarah will turn to their Republican parents for aid. Pam and Eric attend a Republican fundraiser in cognito, however, before they can learn anything from Sarah's parents, the Yakuza attacks the function, killing people, including Sarah's parents, indiscriminately. Sarah is in attendance, and flees once she hears the sound of guns, however happens to be intercepted by Eric. Eric nearly manages to kill her before being interrupted by the Yakuza. Although he manages to kill the Yakuza, Sarah manages to escape. I always love any storyline involving Pam, Eric and Sarah, however, I found it a tad unbelievable that a group of men would attack a political gala so indiscriminately, however, I suppose anything is possible in a show that features vampires, werewolves and witches. Again, the small moments that showcase the relationship between Eric and Pam were the most emotionally charged of the episode, and serve as a credit to the acting skills of Alexander Skarsgard and Kristin Bauer van Straten.

Back in Bon Temps, Sookie arrives home to her empty house, ready to grieve for Tara and Alcide. Lafayette and James show up and send her off to bed while they clean the house in preparation for Alcide's fathers arrival the next day. However, when Sookie wakes up she finds the house full of food and ready for a party - Alcide's father, Lafayette and James convince her that the town needs a chance to let loose and have fun after everything that has happened, and that its what Tara and Alcide would have wanted. At the party, Alcide's father raises a toast for his son, who died a hero. Lettie Mae crashes the toast, having drugged her husband into falling asleep in order to attend the party, however, Sookie allows her to stay and say a few words for Tara, who she asserts was a hero as well. During the party, Andy surprises everyone by proposing to Holly, who happily accepts! I saw this coming, however, it was nice to see a light at the end of the tunnel for poor Holly.

Things take a turn, however, when Lettie Mae sneaks up on Willa and stabs her in an attempt to drink her blood in order to see a vision of Tara again. Sam manages to disarm her, however, Nicole begins to rant and rage about how people are dead and the town has a party anyway! Sam tries to calm her down, but she insists that he take her home. Finally, Nicole says something worthwhile! The people of Bon Temps ARE crazy, and a party is definitely not appropriate when so many people lost their lives in the Hep-V vampire attack. Also, I can see Lettie Mae spiralling back into her Season 1-era habits, and she is clearly losing her grip on reality since the death of Tara. I will be very surprised if she survives the season.

During the party, James tries to get some affection from Jessica, but she brushes him off as she has for the last few months of their relationship. He goes outside and talks with Lafayette, where he confirms that he was in a gay relationship with a man who died during the Vietnam War, shortly before he was turned. Lafayette kisses him, and James does nothing to stop him. A few minutes later, Jessica walks out looking for James, however, she finds him in their car having sex with Lafayette! Jessica has Jason rescind James' invitation to the Stackhouse home, who then tells Lafayette he needs to be alone. Jason tries to comfort Jessica, however, Lafayette barges in and accuses her of not knowing anything about James and not caring about other people's happiness. After Lafayette leaves, Jason confesses that he is having serious doubts about his relationship with Violet. The pair proceed to have sex, and are unknowingly heard by Violet, who looks quite menacing as she leaves the party. Although I fully expected James and Lafayette to end up together, and for Jason and Jessica to reunite, I was surprised that this developed so quickly. I hope we are able to continue to watch these two relationships develop in the final half of the season.

And finally, Bill appears distracted the entire episode, and we are constantly treated to unnecessary flashbacks of his human life, where he opposed the American Civil War and attempted to desert. He leaves the party early, after sharing a quiet moment of reflection with Sookie and returns to his home for a bath. When he gets out of the tub and stares in the mirror, he has a shocked expression on his face. The camera then pans onto his chest, where the tell-tale black veins of the Hepatitis V virus have inexplicably appeared. I was actually really shocked by this twist! I have gone on record as saying that I don't find the Hep-V virus threatening since Eric became infected as it seems obvious that a cure will be found. However, with BOTH Eric and Bill being infected, it seems very possible that the writers are setting up for at least one of them to meet the true death before an antidote can be discovered.

Overall rating: ★★★★

We are officially at the halfway point of the final season! I felt that "Lost Cause" was a strong follow up to last weeks action packed episode, and that the loss of two of our favourite characters was finally reflected upon by those that remain. It was nice to see all the regular characters brought together as a group, however, I do feel that this could have been achieved by giving them one final "big bad" to face, which would in turn give the season a clearer direction. On the other hand, although the season so far lacks a clear antagonist, this episode markedly moved up several character-driven storylines (much quicker than I would have anticipated) all of which promise to be interesting!

Online Shopping Haul

This weekend I really struggled with my impulsive need to throw money at my problems, and the result was a number of new clothes that I absolutely love! I shopped exclusively online at men's fashion stores, YD and Connor, which I have previously reviewed. I rate both of these stores really highly and never fail to come out empty handed when I shop there.

I really tried to focus on finding items that I felt needed to be added to my rotation but I also made a huge effort to purchase items that were on sale in order to protect my bank balance. I was very successful on both counts, the pieces I purchased are all fantastic and a much needed addition to my wardrobe, and every item was on sale, except for one.

    Ludlow shirt.

My personal belief is that every guy should have a couple of button-up checked shirts in there wardrobe- no I am not referring to farmer-plad - like the "Ludlow shirt". This style of shirt looks fantastic for a night out on the town, especially when the colour stands out as much as the purple in the "Ludlow shirt" does.

The "Ludlow shirt" looks fantastic when worn with sleeves rolled up and when teamed up with slim-fit dark coloured jeans or chinos and a pair of black boots or high top shoes. 

I managed to pick up this shirt for $29.99, while it usually retails for $49.99. This was a fantastic price for a such a nice, vibrant, going out shirt!

    Venice Beach Scoop Tee.

The "Venice Beach Scoop Tee" is a pretty standard tee, however, I think it has a simple style that goes well with almost any outfit. It can be worn dark or standard coloured jeans, under a long-sleeved collared shirt or can be paired with shorts for a casual look.

I purchased the "Venice Beach Scoop Tee" for an unbelievable $9.99, a saving of $20 from its standard price of $29.99! I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the price for this shirt and was completely blown away that it was possible to buy such a great piece for so little money!

   Dice Casual Jacket.

The contrasted sleeves on this jacket really drew me in, and once I saw the price there was no way I wasn't going to buy it.

The "Dice Casual Jacket" looks great for casual wear, as it's name suggests. I would pair this item with blue denim jeans and casual shoes.

This item was another fantastic buy- it usually retails for $129.99, however, I bought it for a staggering $49.99!

    Charlie Skinny Chino.

Dark coloured chinos are a must for any wardrobe! This pair is really simple, however, they can be worn in many different outfits.

For a casual look, the "Charlie Skinny Chinos" could be worn with a simple tee and casual shoes, or could be paired with a bright checked shirt, buttoned up, with leather boots or high top shoes.

This pair of chinos was the only item I purchased that was not on sale, however, I felt that the standard price of $69.99 was a reasonable price for such an essential and versatile addition to my clothing rotation.

    Annex Knit.

The "Annex Knit" is a great jumper for the colder months, and looks great with just about any outfit. 

I would mostly wear the "Annex Knit" with chinos or denim jeans and casual shoes.

I bought the "Annex Knit" for $29.99, 50% off the standard price of $59.99! I could not believe how cheap I managed to pick up such a nice, warm, winter jacket!

Overall rating: ★★★★

I managed to keep to my original plan of shopping for items on sale as both stores that I shopped with happened to have a lot of great items with discounted prices. In particular, I was very happy with the pricing at Connor, and the fact that I was rewarded with free shipping for spending a lot of money with them!

I was also very happy with the range available at both stores, as I found a lot of versatile pieces that could be worn in several different ways- including items that I was not able to purchase due to my self-enforced budget. This was very important to me as versatility factors into the first post I am writing

for a new section of my blog!

Online Clothing Haul Part 3: YD

My online shopping haul continues today with a review of the items I purchased from men's clothing store, YD. 

YD is one of my absolute favourite stores! Although certainly not the cheapest option out there, YD has a really great range and all of the products are also of top notch quality. YD mostly sells clothes that are appropriate for going out on the town or for formal occasions.

    Ozone Shirt.

I am a big fan of button up collared shirts, and also really love checked print, so the "Ozone Shirt" in red colour really perked my interest. This shirt is most suitable for going out on the town or for dinner at a restaurant, however, I also like to roll up the sleeves to create a more laid back look.

The "Ozone Shirt" usually retails for $89.95, but I managed to pick it up on sale for $49.95! This was an excellent price for an item at YD, especially such a nice, formal shirt.

    Newport Casual Shoes.

The "Newport Casual Shoes" in navy colour are a great pair of shoes that, as the name suggests, can be worn with a casual outfit, but can also work as part of a more dressed up look if paired with the right pieces.

I like to team these shoes up with a "Chambray" style slim fit button up shirt, worn closed, and a pair of trim black jeans, to create a semi-casual, semi-formal outfit that is fit for a variety of different occasions.

These shoes retail at $49.95, which is very cheap for YD's footwear, and definitely reasonable for a pair of shoes that can be reworn with so many different types of outfits.

    Milla Tee.

The "Milla Tee" is quite simple, however, a simple black and white contrasted tee is a really versatile piece that can be worn on it's own or underneath a more colourful collared shirt, worn unbuttoned.

I picked up this tee for $49.99- as I said, YD is definitely not the cheapest store in the world, but the quality of the clothes is assured and this particular tee can be worn as a part of a variety of different outfits.

Overall rating: ★★★★½

YD's website is really nicely set out and easily navigated. In addition, I managed to pick up free shipping for spending over a certain amount of money, which definitely encourages me to shop on there again!

I absolutely loved the range available at YD and would definitely have purchased more items if I had not already spent quite abit of money at previous online stores. YD is quite expensive, however, I managed to find items that were on some great sales, and which I also really needed to add to my outfit rotation. I will probably shop there first next time I go on an online shopping spree!

"Fire in the Hole" - True Blood Season 7 Episode 3 review

SPOILER WARNING!!! Do not read ahead if you have not seen the third episode of True Blood's Season 7 "Fire in the Hole".

Once again a regular character dies while protecting Sookie. Personally, I'm not sure what the appeal of Sookie is, but hey, this show has struggled with having too many secondary characters that are consistently involved in unnecessary side storylines- so maybe a thinning of the herd for the final season isn't a terrible idea.

The episode opens in a yoga class, where the audience is reintroduced to the psychotic Sarah Newlin; portrayed brilliantly by Anna Camp. Apparently dying her hair brown is all it takes for a national celebrity such as Sarah to blend into a crowd and avoid punishment for her creation of the Hepatitis V virus currently plaguing the vampire population. However, I am willing to overlook the ridiculousness of the situation based on Camp's fantastic performance and the fact that Sarah is a compelling, if over the top, character.

Elsewhere, Pam confirms that her progeny Tara really has met the True Death during a conversation with a Hep V infected Eric, who seems quite unconcerned that his own True Death is fast approaching. The emotional intensity that Kristin Bauer van Straten brings to her portrayal of the usually implacable Pam truly resonates with the viewer during this episode, as the feisty vampire implores her maker to keep fighting long enough for a cure to be found. Another plus to this storyline was the return of Nan Flanagan during a flashback to 1986, which saw the deceased Chancellor of the Authority warn Eric and Pam to dial back their open displays of vampirism. However, I did not find Eric's supposed great love affair, with the before now never mentioned Sylvie, believable or even slightly compelling. This storyline was clearly manufactured to introduce the Yakanomo Corporation as an antagonist for the season, and to intertwine the storylines of Eric and Sarah Newlin, who's survival Pam used to motivate her ailing maker into action and is being hunted by the corporation just as Eric and Pam were in 1986.

Meanwhile in Bon Temps, Jessica and Andy manage to free Adilyn and Holly's son Wade, before enlisting the help of Jason and Violet in hunting down the armed townspeople led by Vince, who managed to oust Sam as mayor. In a confrontation with the group, Maxine Fortenberry shoots Jessica, who's healing powers aren't working properly for an as yet unknown reason. In retaliation, Violet kills Maxine in a frightening display that causes the townspeople to flee in fear. I didn't realise how much I had been hoping for Maxine to die until it actually happened, which in turn finally scored Violet a point in my book. 

Lafayette and James' storyline continued this week, and remains among the most compelling and emotionally intense relationships explored so far this season. James openly acknowledged the problems in his relationship with Jessica and admitted that he was "groovin" on Lafayette, to quote the flamboyant former drug dealer himself. Coupled with the rocky state of Jason and Violet's relationship, it is clear that the writers intend to bring Jason and Jessica back together by seasons end, as well as give Lafayette the "happily ever after" the audience has always craved for him.

Despite my prayers to the contrary, Lettie Mae continued to wail about her V-induced visions of the deceased Tara, causing her husband Reverend Daniels to ask Willa to leave for the good of his wife. Although I am not a fan of this storyline, considering it unnecessary and insulting to the character of Tara, I did enjoy the tender moment shared between the Reverend and Willa (who seems to have been entirely forgotten by her maker Eric and doesn't really seem to have a purpose in the show despite having been promoted to a series regular).

And finally, Sookie hatched a ridiculous plan with Bill to use herself as "vampire bait" in order to draw out the Hep V infected vampires holding Holly, Arlene and Nicole captive. Sookie's plan surprisingly did work in so far as it resulted in the rescue of Holly, who was herself being used as bait by the infected vamps. Although the timely arrival of Alcide and the rest of the gang resulted in the death of the Hep V vampires, Sookie's plan characteristically backfired when a sudden attack by several of the townspeople led to Alcide being shot and killed. Despite Jessica's offer to turn him, Sookie refused. Although Sookie clearly referenced the drama caused by Tara being turned, part of me felt that her decision may have been based on her inadequate feelings for Alcide, who clearly always loved her much more than she did him. Additionally, Alcide's death was clearly the writers not so subtle means of clearing the path for Sookie and Bill to reunite, despite all the unforgivable "Billith" related things he did last season.

Overall rating: ★★★★

This episode was undoubtedly the strongest of the season so far. The intensity of Kristin Bauer van Straten's portrayal of Pam was an absolute highlight of the episode, as was the brief appearances made by Nan Flanagan and Sarah Newlin. Additionally, the unthreatening Hep V vampires seem to have been taken care of for good, and Holly's rescue means that Sheriff Andy and co. will soon find out that the captives are being held at Fangtasia (obviously!). Overall, most storylines seem to have advanced significantly this episode, which was something sorely lacking from the seasons previous installments, resulting in the story feeling faster paced and more suspenseful. Sadly however, Alcide's death was particularly lacking in emotion, similar to Tara's in the premiere, and was clearly nothing more than a plot point required to push Sookie and Bill together.