So Autumns here, and along with downturn in weather, and layering up the clothes we get a whole host of new programs to sit and watch, X Factors back on The Doctors back and this week sees the launch of two of my favourite programs Strictly Come Dancing and Downton Abbey.



The launch show of Strictly is on BBC 1 tonight at 18:30 where we are introduced to all the 'celebrities' taking part and they get to meet there partners. Before the series properly kicks off on October 5th. This series sees  Colin Salmon, Dani Harmer, Denise Van Outen, Fern Britton, Jerry Hall, Johnny Ball, Kimberley Walsh, Lisa Riley, Louis Smith, Michael Vaughan, Nicky Byrne, Richard Arnold, Sid Owen and Victoria Pendleton all slip on there dancing shoes and take to the floor.Not forgetting new judge Darcey Bussell taking over from Alesha Dixon. I actually think this sounds like one of the best Strictly line ups for years and I am looking forward to it.



So its series 3 of Downton Abbey and even though Series 2 seemed to get alot of criticism I enjoyed it. This series is set over 18 months in the 1920's. As we know from last series we have the wedding of Mathew & Mary to look forward, along with the arrival of Cora's mother Martha played by award winning actress Shirley MacLaine. Plus we have the trial of Mr Bates, after being convicted of a murder her didn't commit we have to wait and see if him and Anna can ever have there happy ever after. We have also been told that a baby will be born most probably Lady Sybils as we know she is expecting and a well-known character is to die.

Let me know if you watch any of these shows and if you are looking forward to them. Also who do you think is going to ' kick the bucket' in Downton.

So after what seems like absolutely ages Doctor Who series 7 kicks off tonight, with what looks like to be another epic series. This year we will see the return of the Daleks, Dinosaurs on the TARDIS and the Weeping Angles take Manhattan (the angels are the only one which really scare me). This series runs into 2013 which will be Doctor Who's 50th anniversary, and this is something that I think has definitely got better with age so we can hope for something special to celebrate.

Something not to celebrate however is what writer Steven Moffat promises to be an emotional goodbye to the Ponds, I'm more upset about Rory than Amy if i'm honest. But its important for the Doctor to have new companions so the show can move on and this Christmas will see new companion Clara, played by Jenna Louise Coleman, hop on board the TARDIS.

The BBC are known for not letting any info slip about new Doctor Who series, so there's not much more I can say, other than you can watch the trailer for the new series here, Let me know what you're excited about this series. Are sad about the Ponds leaving, also who has your favourite companion/Doctor been. Doctor Who will be shown in the UK on BBC 1 at 7:20pm.

So finally Doctor Who series 7 kicks of this weekend and I thought what better way to celebrate then to create some Doctor Who inspired nails. After attempting many different ideas this is what I finally achieved and I thought I would share them with you, and hopefully someone else out there will be inspired by them.

"Bow Ties are cool!"

If you have tried your own 'themed' nails, or if you've attempted Doctor Who nails tweet me a pic of them @sams_mondo.

  

I Heart London - Lindsey Kelk

"Angela Clark has fallen in love with New York - and it's starting to love her back. But when she's summoned home to London, she's at risk of losing her shiny new life to never-ending English rain, warm beer and bad memories. Talk about stepping  back in time. There's Mark, the ex-boyfriend - who she ran to New York to get away from. There's Louisa, her best friend, with a terrifying new baby. And there's her mum, still talking to her as though she's fifteen. Now there's a wedding in the offing - and everyone remembers how well Angela behaved at the last one... Can the arrival of boyfriend Alex and best friend Jenny save her from a re-run of her old self?"

I Heart London is the 5th in the I Heart series and we catch up with Angela as finds herself flying home, for the first time since she ran away to New York 2 years previously,  for her mums 60th birthday party (not her decision), when her Mum announces she thinks it would be great idea for Angela and Alex to get married that week. Cue the madness of trying to organise a wedding in 6 days, including finding her Dad smoking 'pot' in the shed, her ex trying to kiss her twice, and a whole heap of other ridiculous situations.

I have really enjoyed the I Heart Series and wasn't disappointed by the latest instalment, also Lindsey Kelk has left the ending wide open so there's always room for more maybe a trip to Australia or Japan or even Timbuktu I don't really care where it's set, I also find when I start a series I never want it to end I always need to know what happens next.

If you liked Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series then I reckon these books will be right up your street. Let me know if you've read them and what you thought, also let me know of any other books you recommend. You can read more about the books and the author on her website here.

  

Ten Years On - Alice Peterson

" Rebecca is happily married to Olly and content with her job at a glamorous London art gallery. But when tragedy strikes, she decides to move back to her childhood home in the country, hoping time will help her heal. Joe, born in the same country town as Rebecca, had a falling out with her a decade earlier. Now he's the successful owner of a wine bar, Maison Joe, and is breaking local hearts by dating a striking actress, Peta. Rebecca finds living with her parents again a challenge. Nor is it easy to discover that Joe lives and works too close for comfort. When she see him once more, memories rush back to haunt her, along with unanswered questions about the past. Why did they lose touch? What was Olly hiding? Can Rebecca answer those questions and move on? "

Ten Years On is the latest novel from Alice Peterson and the first book of hers I have read. I have to say I enjoyed it alot more than I thought I would. I expected your average bit of chick lit but the story has more to it. Its a bit of a tear jerker and with a bit of humour thrown in.The book starts with Olly, Joe and Rebecca at a party at University thinking about what they'll be doing in 10 years time, then we jump to ten years in the future were we find out. The book continues to flit between the the past and present as we get more background info on the characters and we find out how they ended up where they are.

I would definitely recommend these book its quite light reading perfect to take on holiday or for sitting in the garden. I will also have to read some others books from this author. Let me know if you've read this book and what you thought, also let me know of any others books you would recommend.

© IOC/LOCOG

Well is has to be the Olympics doesn't it. Claiming they will 'inspire a generation' they are expected to be the most watched televised event in history, this year there are around 10,500 athletes representing 204 countries and as they are on home turf everyone is hoping Team GB is going to win alot of Gold over the 17 days.

I particularly wanted talk about the opening ceremony as this is what I think the majority of people are most excited for. Oscar winning director Danny Boyle is the artistic director and designed the ceremony. Its called the 'Isles Of Wonder' and will celebrate all that is Great about Britain. Set to a backtrack of iconic British music including music from Doctor Who and radio show The Archers, it will feature a short film featuring Daniel Craig as James Bond. The set will start as a rural British countryside complete with a whole village cricket team, 12 horses, 10 chickens, 70 sheep replica of Glastonbury and a rain producing cloud, all of which sounds very impressive. Along with all sorts that will be a surprise on the night.

The Games or to give them there formal title the Games of the XXX (30th) Olympiad, will be officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, there will be the parade of nations with Greece 1st (as per every year referencing that they were the 1st Olympic hosts) then all remaining 203 countries in alphabetical order with the host country last. There will be a performance of the official London 2012 song 'Survival' by Muse you can listen to that hear. The one and only Sir Paul McCartney will be closing the show. Finally not forgetting the lighting of the Cauldron that will burn throughout the entire games, we won;t know who has the honour until it happens and there has been alot of speculation, who do you think it will be? 

With an expected worldwide audience of 4 billion predicted to tune in will you be watching what is being coined as the 'greatest show on earth'. Here is the only list I could find with broadcast international for all international channels, and you can find all the information you need on the Official website here.

The Opening Ceremony will begin at 21:00pm BST and will be broadcast on BBC One & BBC One HD in Great Britain, and the £30m production will finish between 00:00 & 00:30am (BST).

Finally Finally Finnaly the series premiere of Once Upon A Time aired last night in the UK. I have been waiting to watch these series for so long after hearing so many good things about it whilst it is being shown in America. I'm usually a big fan of anything fantasy/futuristic kinda shows think Doctor Who, Grimm, Merlin, Torchwood that type of thing and I have to say I did enjoy the first episode.

I always find it takes more than one episode before you can really 'get into' a series, however I think I'm going to be watching this series until the end.

Here is a quick recap on the first episode:

Here's yet another comedy from across the pond, Modern Family is a 'mockumentary' which centres around three families, all of which are related. I have watched the first 2 series' which I loved and I am really excited for series 3 which is currently showing. My favourite couple has to be Cameron and Mitchell, the way they play of each other is hilarious and not forgetting little Lily who is adorable. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly suggest you get the first 2 series' on DVD and catch up because you have been missing out.

Modern Family is shown on Fridays on Sky1 at 8:00pm in the UK; you can look here to see when its broadcast in your country.

Let me know if you have watched Modern Family and who your favourite characters are.

L-R : Damien Molony (Hal), Lenora Crichlow (Annie), Michael Socha (Tom), Russell Tovey (George)