Movie Review: Eat Pray Love

In mulling it over the past couple of days (which included a return trip to Wagga Wagga so LOTS of mulling time) the best thing about Eat Pray Love may well have been the piercing fire alarm that went off half way through and forced Greater Union to cough up a free ticket for each of us.

Of course I had a good time, but that's more because it's always fun to be out with the girls (might I add props to Sarah for getting us into a Chicks at the Flicks session, IE the premiere for our local and free goody bag to boot! I don't think we can ever go and see another movie in any other way!) not because of the technicolour feast that wasn't.

The year spent with Julia Robert's Liz Gilbert is stilted and disconnected. The three parts of the film feel as unrelated to each other as the three countries they play out in. Liz's physical and emotional journey is nothing short of tedious and it's hard to know who to go to for that? The actor, the writers, the director? I don't know. I didn't find the film thought provoking in any way at all (unlike the book which stopped me in my very tracks sometimes) and I couldn't invest in any of the cardboard relationships (maybe with the exception of the one between Liz & Richard from Texas which felt the most real). I didn't for one moment feel Liz's exhaustion and desperation in her marriage. The only reason I could see that she might want to leave Billy Crudup's Stephen was because he was an exceptionally bad singer (and dancer for that matter) who didn't want to go to Aruba. The Aruba thing of course was symbolic, I get it. But I didn't feeeeeeeeeeeel it like I did when I read the book.

And therein lies the problem - I enjoyed the book so much the film was bound to disappoint (when does a film ever live up to its literary predecessor?). So though I want to give it more than than 2.5 out of 5 popcorn kernels, because I do love 'Hooliah' in just about everything else she has done and Richard Jenkins' turn as remorseful Richard from Texas was quite moving, I can't. I'm sorry. Skip the movie and spend the $ on buying the book instead.

Could it really be as simple as eat, pray, love?

Off to the premiere of Eat, Pray, Love with a bunch of my favourite gal pals. Will give you my popcorn rating tomorrow.

BEST-DRESSED

I love that 'our' Mary made Vanity Fair's 2010 International Best-Dressed list.

Image from Vanity Fair.

Family Holiday

We're off to Leura next weekend. It's proving a bit tricky finding somewhere to stay that fits all of us in and has the right, how shall I say, ambiance (said with snide French accent). It's Mum's birthday so we want it to be nice and because their will be little ones in tow it can't be ridiculously posh either. Nor can it be set back in the bush too far, we want to amble down to the local cafes & shops, not trek.

Enter, the perfect property. Ellengowan. Five large bedrooms, four bathrooms, two fireplaces and a number of entertaining areas set on two beautiful acres. I LOVE that they specifically say Children Very Welcome! A number of other properties in the area that aren't half as beautiful, pretentiously sniff at the thought of children in their corridors. So it's a delight that the loveliest one of all is so warm :)

I bags the room with a view.

Oh wait, they all have one. Is that one of Martha's beds I spy?

Al fresco dining...

...into the evening.

Not really a spa kind of gal but others in the family might be.

The kids will have a blast.

What is not to love?!

I want this exact kitchen scenario in my dream house...let's face it I want this exact entire scenario in my dream house!

So, WEEPING AND GNASHING of teeth to find out it is booked for the weekend we want! Of course it is. We will have to stay elsewhere for this next visit but are already trying to find a common week that we can all go away and live the dream for just a little while. Sigh.

Images from Stayz.

ROOM FOR 2, OR 3, OR 4 FOR THAT MATTER.

My sister and one of my friends are both in the process of organising bunks in the rooms of their respective homes. I thought I'd give them some ideas.

A bright start.

I like this take on the 'umble trundle.

Scoop bunk bed from Lilly & Lolly.

Built-in bunks. That top bed looks so high.

A subtle nautical theme.

Fun colours.

Wave bunk from Mimondo

Dramatic stripes set this room off.

A weekender with bunks.

Pottery Barn always has a solution.

So peaceful, maybe a guest room?

Sarah Richardson does it beautifully as usual.

Another lovely set of holiday bunks.

Bunks from Sirocco here in Oz.

A patriotic bedroom.

Sweet and stylish, it can be done people.

So lovely.

Wouldn't it be nice to do this.

Something for the gals from Posh Tots.

Very fun but really?

OK, this is just crazy talk.

...and maybe on some level this is too but it is my favourite.

Images from Ohdeedoh, Apartment Therapy, Decor Pad, Marie Claire, Coastal Living & Ideal Home Magazine.