5 Great TV Shows to Binge Watch on Netflix | Winter 2016

Pictures are not my own (well, obviously haha)!

It's June, and officially Winter here in Australia. I've just finished my final assignments and exams for the uni semester, and schools are also coming (or already have, I'm not quite sure anymore!) to an end for the winter holidays.

With all this free time after a long semester of eat. sleep. study. repeat. it's no surprise I'm ready to sit down and indulge myself in some binge-watching of TV shows on Netflix while complaining about how 'it's too cold' (only to wish it was this cold again come summer).

To help you out with your Netflix playlist over the holidays, I've put together a list of my top 5 great TV shows to binge watch. If you like a bit of sci-fi, fantasy, action and drama like I do, then you're bound to enjoy these!

1. Doctor Who: To all the whovians out there - don't go crazy, but until a couple of weeks ago, I had never watched Doctor Who before! Okay, actually there was one time mum was switching the channels on TV a few years ago and left the end of an episode on because a movie was coming on next, so I saw a bit of the 10th Doctor, Rose and Dalek action but I had no idea what it was all about and never saw it again - until recently!

This show is seriously good, and seriously addictive. The truth is, I've always been a bit of a sci-fi nerd (read - a lot, Harry Potter was and still is my favourite thing ever). But for some reason, I never bought into the hype about this show, which I feel totally stupid for now but hey, it just means there's 8 seasons of it (well, on Netflix, apparently there's actually 9 but Netflix is a bit slow) for me to binge watch and I've accepted that challenge! I'd definitely recommend checking this show out, or if you've already seen it all, you'll know it's the perfect show to watch again these holidays!


Watch this if you like... Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes, The Avengers, basically anything sci-fi and mystery related!


2. Torchwood: A spin-off of Doctor Who, after the second season I began watching this show as per the timeline of events that brought Jack to Torchwood Three. I love this show almost as much as Doctor Who, and I like that it's got a bit of a different feel. It's a bit more 'mature' than Doctor Who and is best suited to a young adult and older audience, for example the content is a bit darker, there seems to be more anti-Alien death, and of course (as you'll notice in the very first episode), there is a fair bit of sex featured which is something Doctor Who does not entertain. It feels like you're watching the 'Buffy' of the Doctor Who world, and with interesting storylines and some great acting, is perfect to binge watch this winter!

Watch this if you like... Doctor Who (It's a spin-off of Doctor Who so this one's kind of obvious!), Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Charmed.


3. Pretty Little Liars: Chances are you'll have seen this one already, but it's just so good! Not to mention that re-watching the series will shed a whole new light on the storyline and you'll start to see all of the 'A' clues that you weren't able to put together the first time round. And honestly, all that drama and mystery makes for an incredibly seductive and addictive night in!

Watch this if you like... Gossip Girl, The Lying Game.


4. Shadow Hunters: The TV Series based off of the book series of the same name, and so much better than the film adaption (sorry Lily Collins, you're amazing but that film was awful)! Once again, the sci-fi nerd inside of me has made an appearance. This show is another classic teen sci-fi/drama filled with lots of action, secrets, and a romance or two that'll have you shouting at the TV (or computer screen) for the characters to get together already! I'm keenly awaiting the next season!

Watch this if you like... Doctor Who, The Vampire Diaries, Teen Wolf, or the Shadow Hunters book series of course!


5. Orphan Black: A series about clones, science and genetics with a whole lot of danger and action - this show is seriously addictive and unique in comparison to many of the current shows on offer! Just when you think one problem is solved, another presents itself and the cycle of drama spins around and around again! Not to mention, there are some seriously attractive males gracing the screen of this show! Check it out - seriously!

Watch this if you like... Limitless, Law & Order, CSI, The Tomorrow People.


I'd also like to give a special mention to London Spy, Jessica Jones, Shameless and Skins. All great shows that are definitely worth checking out!

Anyway, I hope this post has been helpful and you've been able to discover something new to binge watch while you curl up in bed these winter holidays!

Have you seen any of these shows already, and if so, do you love them? Also, leave me a comment letting me know any of your recommendations because at this rate, I'll have a good 3 to 4 weeks of holidays left once I've finished binge watching all of these!

x Chontelle

Khaki & Plaid

My Outfit:

Khaki Jacket - H&M

Oversized Plaid Shirt-Dress - Melrose Ave

Stockings - Big W

Black Boots - Famous Footwear

Yesterday was a pretty great day, albeit a cold one! Mum and I went in to the city for the day for some shopping & lunch (see my previous post on Gekkazan, the best Japanese food I've had in a long time)!

Let me just say, the shopping in Melbourne is amazing. Of course it is, though - after all, Melbourne does hold the title of Shopping Capital of Australia! I picked up some amazing bargains, with all but two of my purchases being dramatically reduced! *happy dance* I grabbed myself a new pair of black suede-feel boots reduced from $60 to $20, and a huge bag full of sale items from H&M for both mum and I, including the fab Khaki Jacket/Coat I'm wearing in these pictures! I'm actually considering doing a Haul post (or maybe even a Youtube video?) so if you'd be interested in that, please let me know! :3

Anyway. So the jacket is from H&M, and it's already one of my favourite pieces. I've wanted a khaki jacket for years now so I'm so so happy that I've finally gotten myself one! It's so comfy and surprisingly very warm considering it's not that thick! Perfect for layering!

My oversized plaid shirt-dress is also a relatively new purchase, from Melrose Ave. I've wanted one of these for a while now (ever since Kylie Jenner bought the shirt-dress look to my attention via good ole' instagram), and this one is just perfect! Super comfy and warm, lovely thick flannel material and (imho) looks great on! And of course, once again I've paired my outfit with my staple imitation doc's, my favourite and comfiest shoes!

You may not be able to tell, but it was super cold and blowing a gale when these photos were taken, to the point that I almost didn't bother! But then I spotted Melbourne's Parliament House and thought how great the photos would look taken on those stairs, and here we are! #priorities right?

What do you think of this look? Love it, or hate it? Let me know! 

xx Chontelle Louise

Knee High Knits & Leather

My Outfit:

Denim Vest - Valley Girl

Red Floral Blouse - Sophie Charlotte Italy

Black Leather Skirt - Mombasa Rose

Knee-High Socks - Cotton On

Boots - Famous Footwear

I'm obsessed with knee-high socks at the moment - they're my favourite thing! Perfect for the cooler weather we're experiencing down here in Melbourne at the moment. I colour matched the socks with my floral blouse from Sophie Charlotte (one of my favourite tops to date), and I think it worked out pretty well!

I got this leather skirt on clearance at the beginning of the year from a local Brisbane store Mombasa Rose, it only cost me $5 down from $35 so it was one heck of a bargain! I haven't worn it much because I've just been a bit confused on how exactly I was going to style it. I decided to be brave and wear it for this look with my staple black leather shoes (obviously neither are real leather). I finished the look off with a splash of denim in the form of this vest from Valley girl, which I think really adds something special/different to this look!

I've been super busy finishing up and submitting my resume to a huge number of retail stores, and also a few cafes (but fingers crossed for retail!!). Here's hoping something happens soon! It's getting a lot cooler here, Winter is well and truly on its way! I'm a mix of happy because I love colder weather (and all the winter fashions that come with it), and dying because oh my gosh, I am not used to this weather! Right now, Brisbane is like an average of 25-30 degrees, but Melbourne is more like 15-20 if that. So a good 10 degree decrease in temperature for this Brisbane born & raised girl. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to be away from that terrible, humid heat, but my body is not sure how to deal with the cold just yet and I wish it would just get with the program! Haha!

Anyway, what did you think of this look? Love it? Or hate it? How's your week going? Let me know below!

xx Chontelle Louise

OOTD: Market Day & Coffee!

My Outfit:

Turtle neck sweater - H&M.

High-waisted skinny jeans/jeggings - Valley Girl.

Beige leather style boots - Spend Less Shoes.

Grey/silver shoulder bag - Ruby & Kit.

Mum and I decided to visit the Queen Victoria Markets in the Melbourne CBD today for a change of scenery. We'd been planning to check the markets out since we got down here but something had always gotten in the way, or we were too late (terrible time management between the two of us, like mother, like daughter). 

The temperature today only reached a high of 20*C, and it was much lower this morning. So the plan was definitely to dress warm and cosy, but also comfy and casual. Obviously jeans are a staple closet item during the Autumn/Winter season, so these light denim high-waisted jeans/jeggings from Valley Girl were the first thing I picked up. I absolutely love these pants - they're super comfy and look good paired with just about anything. The material is soft and relatively stretchy, meaning it doesn't feel stiff and uncomfortable as you go about your day (and is perfect to wear when going out for a meal, ie. no need to loosen a button or two). Not to mention, I have a bit of an obsession with high-waisted clothing!

I paired the jeans with this lovely soft, dusky pink turtle neck sweater that I recently purchased for only $30 from H&M. Honestly, I was really hesitant about this purchase as despite my love for sweaters, the whole turtle neck look is not something I'd usually go for. However, for some reason the sweater caught my eye, and when I tried it on I fell in love. The material is so warm and cosy, I never want to take it off! And the fit is perfect, it's a bit slouchy (which I love) and it still compliments my figure. 

I got my bag on sale from Zelows back in 2012, and despite being a little worn from constant use it remains one of my favourite accessories. The neutral colour of the bag makes it possible to include in just about any ensemble.

I decided to round off my look with a pair of beige, low chunky heeled boots. I've only worn these boots before on a couple of occasions, as even in winter it can be too hot for boots in Brisbane. But now that I'm in Melbourne I decided it was high time to take these babies out of the closet and indulge my obsession of boots. Meaning, you can expect a lot more OOTD posts featuring boots! Anyway, I loved the way the light, creamy beige colour of the boots complimented the dusky pink of my sweater and my light coloured hair. These boots were also the perfect choice for a day of walking around the markets, as well as the CBD. 

What do you think of my OOTD? Yay, or nay? Let me know in the comments below!

xx Chontelle Louise

Air BnB: Live Like a Local

'Air BnB' (aka. Air Bed & Breakfast) is a website that connects travellers with people in places all over the world who are renting out their spare rooms or even their entire homes to guests.

The website has become increasingly popular with travellers looking for accommodation below the usual hotel prices or simply looking for a different type of experience during their holiday. Using Air BnB can provide you with an opportunity to experience your chosen city the way the locals do - as opposed to all the other tourists - giving you a unique travel experience that you won't forget.

The View from our Air BnB room in central Edinburgh, Scotland.

I had originally planned for the trip to take us through London, Paris, Venice, Pisa and Rome. A pretty typical itinerary for a first European holiday, knocking all of the major cities off the bucket list. However, after extensive research and planning for my holiday throughout the UK and Europe, I decided that it would be worthwhile to fit another country in - after all, the flights had already been purchased and we were going to be on the opposite side of the world, so why not make the most of it?

After looking at my options, I finally decided on visiting Edinburgh, Scotland. With only a couple of days and not much money at all to spare, my accommodation options were more than limited. Not to mention, most of the cheaper accommodation had been booked up at this point in time.

Outside of our Air BnB.

So I decided to have a look at Air BnB. I had heard some good things about the website and figured it was worth a try - after all, for such a short stay, it was worth the risk. I browsed through the available rooms and came across a lovely little room on Calton Hill. It was in a heritage listen building (along with pretty much all of the small street), and was warm and cosy with a lovely view. The place was clean and inviting, and our host was welcoming, letting us know about some good local pubs but otherwise keeping to herself. Oh, and it was only $97p.n for the two of us! For the central location, spacious room, use of the kitchen, and booking at short notice, it was a complete bargain!

As you can see, we got a lot more than a hotel/motel would generally provide at $97p.n. However, we honestly didn't spend too much time in our Air BnB place anyway - and why would we, when we were only minutes away from all of the shops and cafes and pubs that Princes St and the surrounding area has to offer!

Just around the corner from our Air BnB and we're in the centre of Edinburgh!

Choosing to try Air BnB in the hopes of saving some spending money and having a different experience for our stay in Edinburgh turned out to be the perfect decision for us, and I'm looking forward to using Air BnB on my next trip abroad. My advice to anyone who is interested in giving Air BnB a go is to make sure you do your research - read the reviews from previous guests (aim for the BnB's with 25+ good to great reviews), and remember that this is not a hotel service but more like staying with a friend or family.

Having said that, I would definitely recommend Air BnB to anyone travelling on a budget or looking for a less tourist-y experience. You can begin your search for the perfect place to stay on your next holiday here.

What to do on a stopover in Helsinki, Finland!

Coming from Australia, the usual flight path to the UK and Europe includes a stopover in Dubai or somewhere in South East Asia. While this may be the long-preferred and definitely the much quicker route taken, it can make travelling to Europe quite an expensive option - especially for those of us travelling on a tight budget.

The solution? Fly with FinnAir!

Some of you are probably thinking, "I've never heard of FinnAir, is it any good?" and I'll be the first to admit that I thought the exact same thing when the airline came up in my search for cheap flights to Europe. FinnAir is a Finnish airline (obviously) that has been gaining popularity with Australian travelers for its cheaper-than-average fares between here and Europe. A ticket from the east coast of Australia through to Europe/UK would usually set you back between $1700-$2100 return, and that's if you get in early. With FinnAir, that same ticket can be a bargain $1350-$1550!

Now, before you rush to your local travel agent to purchase your tickets, there is a downside. As I said earlier, the Australia-Dubai/Asia-Uk/Europe route - while being more expensive - is also the quickest, with an average journey time of 20-26 hours and only one stopover. With FinnAir, you will be required to have two stopovers. The first, in Singapore (or Hong Kong) with Qantas, before changing carriers and flying FinnAir to Helsinki, Finland, and then again to your final destination. This journey can take on average, 30-36 hours, possibly more (as many flights don't cdonnect and leave you with a lengthy stopover).

If this hasn't deterred you, the next step is to plan for your stopover.

Since you're likely to be going a fair bit out of the way on your way to your final destination, you may as well make a day out of it and book your flights to arrive at Helsinki Vaanta airport early in the morning, and depart in the late afternoon/evening. This way, you'll be able to make a day out of your stopover and visit Helsinki city!

So, I've put together a list of things to do/see on your stopover in Helsinki, Finland!

1. Visit Market Square by the water, a lovely place to find some local meals, produce, and pick up some souvenirs! Not to mention the gorgeous waterside view!

2. Try some Finnish food! I loved this traditional Finnish pasty with a rice/custard-like filling, Riisipiirakka!

3. Go for a stroll through Esplanadi, a local park with some beatufiul scenery. It looks like something out of a fairytale, or my secret garden.

4. "Bad Bad Boy", a peeing statue and helsinki's answer to the Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium. Strangely enough, it seems to totally fit in here. I've heard that this is not a permanent structure so it may no longer be there, but here's a picture anyway!

                                     

5. Visit some of Helsinki's most well-known churches/cathedrals, such as the Helsinki Cathedral (pictured), Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, and the Temppeliaukio (aka, the rock church).