The screen widens, mirroring my eyes. My hands leave the pick-a-mix on my lap and instinctively come together, anticipation causing a slight, eager smile to appear on my lips. Steve Rogers is about to run straight back into my life.
*Contains spoilers.*
It was time for Captain America: The Winter Soldier... And it was seriously awesome.
Firstly, let's talk about Natasha Romanoff. She kicks evil butt. She is my hero and everything she does in The Winter Soldier is smooth and cool and all "I'm-so-awesome". This was not dissimilar from Nick Fury's role in the film: While he is all mysterious and unable to trust, his awesome presence and the admiration of him in the Marvel world is obvious (through the admiration in my and the characters' eyes) and it made me grin childishly. The introduction of The Falcon into the Marvel films is incredibly exciting. He is now one of my favourite Marvel superheroes; he's incredibly loyal and very, very cool.
Steve Rogers? The w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l Captain America? His character is developed further in this film; from his sensitive side to his passion for what's right to his desire to help people, Steve Rogers captures my heart once again. He brings the right amount of humour to the film and a handful of tragedy too, which leads me to sympathise with him further. Yet, he still is awesome and deserving of the greatest soldier title.
There are other characters that are in this film that bring a gorgeous amount of sugar, whether it be evil or good; it was bursting with awesome characters. The film is full of superhero action and gloriously acted emotion. The second Captain America is an awesome addition to the Marvel family of marvelous films. A lot more is learnt about Steve Rogers and how he's adjusting to modern times.
SO GOOD.
Wings & Shields,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Monday, 31 March 2014
Saturday, 29 March 2014
A Brighter Day
The sun is shining and the sky is blue in England as England and Wales are brighter places: We finally welcome same sex-marriage as legal.
You may or may not know that I've written a bunch of posts about my support for equal rights and so this day is a happy day! March 29th 2014 is an awesome day. Each and every gay or straight person, by my country, is officially recognised as equal.
I fluctuate about whether I believe in love or not, but browsing through the pictures of two men and two women that have married in the early hours of this morning, I can't deny the love written in their eyes. They're so deserving of this completely just law. Whether two men or two females are in love or not: Everyone is equal now and that makes me want to hi-5 everyone who made this happen.
The problem of bigoted attitudes still existing must rain slightly on this post. I'm going to get slightly pretentious on you: Those wispy clouds in the picture? They represent those who oppose same-sex couples being equal and the countries without this awesome piece of legislation. This world is a gloomier place without equal rights.
I'm embarrassed it's taken this long for something so beautiful to become legal and that this historic moment is marked in my life shames me slightly. It should have happened a long time ago, but all the same: I'm proud to be British.
Congratulations to all of the same-sex couples who are now married, to those who will be married and to all gay people. I couldn't be happier!
Sunshine & Blue Skies,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Friday, 28 March 2014
A Bit of Book Chatter | March
I've bought two books this month. I am incredibly proud. My pile of books is growing so quickly and whilst it does so, for months I've been buying three or more a month (which I know could be considered tame!). I have so little time to read (although I will always make a point to do so every day) that I'm drowning in books!
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
I became drawn to looking at this every time I was at a train station with a book section or any time I passed a bookstore. It just looks like a book full of charm and sweetness. It's the next book I will read (I am in need of a charming read); it's ready, sat at the top of my "to be read" pile, looking all shiny and new. The protagonist is called Don Tillman and is in search of a wife. His life, with the help of "the world's most incompatible woman", is about to become chaotic!
The Last Letter from your Lover by Jojo Moyes
Being a huge fan of the awesome Jojo Moyes, I had to pick up The Last Letter from your Lover as it looks incredibly captivating. It is about Jennifer Stirling and Ellie Haworth. Both are living lives that seem to be perfect, but some things are just not right. In time, their stories interlink. I'm going to cry buckets. I just know it.
What have you read recently that you've loved? What have you bought? Let me know!
Ferris Wheels & Cottages,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
I became drawn to looking at this every time I was at a train station with a book section or any time I passed a bookstore. It just looks like a book full of charm and sweetness. It's the next book I will read (I am in need of a charming read); it's ready, sat at the top of my "to be read" pile, looking all shiny and new. The protagonist is called Don Tillman and is in search of a wife. His life, with the help of "the world's most incompatible woman", is about to become chaotic!
The Last Letter from your Lover by Jojo Moyes
Being a huge fan of the awesome Jojo Moyes, I had to pick up The Last Letter from your Lover as it looks incredibly captivating. It is about Jennifer Stirling and Ellie Haworth. Both are living lives that seem to be perfect, but some things are just not right. In time, their stories interlink. I'm going to cry buckets. I just know it.
What have you read recently that you've loved? What have you bought? Let me know!
Ferris Wheels & Cottages,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
My 5 Favourite Nicholas Sparks Moments
So I am a huge Nicholas Sparks fan. I, in turn, love incorporating he and his writing into my blog and today is another day for Sparks to sprinkle his magic. So, now, with my Nicholas Sparks books soaking my emotions, spread around me like beautiful statues, I will write a post on my top five favourite moments in his novels. This will undoubtedly cause me a lot of stress as I will go from one decision to another because his books are like my babies, but for the sake of a good list, I will troop on through. Side note: These moments, if you haven't read the novels, may seem pointless to you without other knowledge and is likely to ruin the novel for you.
*Contains deadly traces of spoiler.*
1) My absolute favourite Nicholas Sparks moment belongs to the letter from Carly Jo to Katie in Safe Haven. Carly Jo addresses the letter "To the woman my husband loves" and it's because of how much I love Carly Jo and Alex's relationship - despite never experiencing it narratively - that I, as the reader, need her blessing, because I also adore Alex and Katie's relationship and it's this line that rips my heart in two a little. This is so as it shows Carly Jo's selflessness and right to have my respect. Yet I also need her to be okay with Katie and Alex being together. So that's why, when she tells Katie to "love [Alex] forever", that Alex and his kids are "[Katie's] family now" and that Katie is her "friend" and has her "everlasting gratitude", I can't hold the tears back. This is my favourite Nicholas Sparks moment because even though not everything is perfect in the lives of the characters, in that moment, nothing could be more perfect.
- Safe Haven
2) I have re-read this next favourite moment so many times. It's the performance of the play Landon and Jamie are in and Landon turns to see Jamie looking "exactly like an angel". I have tears in my eyes as I write this as the sincerity of Landon's thoughts, the depicting of the feeling he's experiencing and the witness of him opening his eyes to Jamie is simply beautiful. A little of the emotion I feel is down to the words Landon utters: "You're beautiful." The rest of it is in this: "I'd nailed that line for the very first time."
- A Walk to Remember
3) Gabby's return to consciousness after a car crush was questionable. After a long, long time of sadness for Travis, Gabby's wife, and the reader, the wonderfully ominous feeling Travis was witnessing as he approached the phone, with a doctor on the other side, sends shivers through my spine. While we wait to find out Gabby's fate, I can still feel my heart hoping for the ending the two of them deserve. It's in these words that I feel complete: "She's awake."
- The Choice
4) I can't explain the serenity I feel when I re-read the end of this novel. As Jeremy still vows his life to logic and science and explanation, dismissing "miracles", Lexie slowly breaks the news that, much to Jeremy's logical mind's disbelief, she is pregnant. Jeremy couldn't have children and yet, with the woman he loved beside him and his belief in biology wavering, there the two of them are; the future of their family as real as ever.
- True Believer
5) Forgiveness is the reason why The Best of Me finds itself on this list. Throughout the novel Dawson is tortured by an accident where Dr. Bonner is killed, accidentally by him. He blames himself and so does Dr. Bonner's wife, Marilyn. When Marilyn tells Dawson, "you don't need my forgiveness anymore" and that he should "let this go", I feel a wave of relief. I hated the guilt he feels throughout the novel and I am for ever grateful for Marilyn Bonner's forgiveness and recognition that Dawson is a good person.
- The Best of Me
It should be noted that the end of The Last Song would be in the top five but I've already written about that HERE. I simply love this moment.
Writing about novels written by Nicholas Sparks is one of my favourite things! It was awesome flicking through his novels and remembering parts and re-living my favourite moments. Have you read any Nicholas Sparks novels? Do you have a favourite moment from any other novels? Let me know in the comments!
Paintings & Turtles,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I love Nicholas Sparks.
*Contains deadly traces of spoiler.*
1) My absolute favourite Nicholas Sparks moment belongs to the letter from Carly Jo to Katie in Safe Haven. Carly Jo addresses the letter "To the woman my husband loves" and it's because of how much I love Carly Jo and Alex's relationship - despite never experiencing it narratively - that I, as the reader, need her blessing, because I also adore Alex and Katie's relationship and it's this line that rips my heart in two a little. This is so as it shows Carly Jo's selflessness and right to have my respect. Yet I also need her to be okay with Katie and Alex being together. So that's why, when she tells Katie to "love [Alex] forever", that Alex and his kids are "[Katie's] family now" and that Katie is her "friend" and has her "everlasting gratitude", I can't hold the tears back. This is my favourite Nicholas Sparks moment because even though not everything is perfect in the lives of the characters, in that moment, nothing could be more perfect.
- Safe Haven
2) I have re-read this next favourite moment so many times. It's the performance of the play Landon and Jamie are in and Landon turns to see Jamie looking "exactly like an angel". I have tears in my eyes as I write this as the sincerity of Landon's thoughts, the depicting of the feeling he's experiencing and the witness of him opening his eyes to Jamie is simply beautiful. A little of the emotion I feel is down to the words Landon utters: "You're beautiful." The rest of it is in this: "I'd nailed that line for the very first time."
- A Walk to Remember
3) Gabby's return to consciousness after a car crush was questionable. After a long, long time of sadness for Travis, Gabby's wife, and the reader, the wonderfully ominous feeling Travis was witnessing as he approached the phone, with a doctor on the other side, sends shivers through my spine. While we wait to find out Gabby's fate, I can still feel my heart hoping for the ending the two of them deserve. It's in these words that I feel complete: "She's awake."
- The Choice
4) I can't explain the serenity I feel when I re-read the end of this novel. As Jeremy still vows his life to logic and science and explanation, dismissing "miracles", Lexie slowly breaks the news that, much to Jeremy's logical mind's disbelief, she is pregnant. Jeremy couldn't have children and yet, with the woman he loved beside him and his belief in biology wavering, there the two of them are; the future of their family as real as ever.
- True Believer
5) Forgiveness is the reason why The Best of Me finds itself on this list. Throughout the novel Dawson is tortured by an accident where Dr. Bonner is killed, accidentally by him. He blames himself and so does Dr. Bonner's wife, Marilyn. When Marilyn tells Dawson, "you don't need my forgiveness anymore" and that he should "let this go", I feel a wave of relief. I hated the guilt he feels throughout the novel and I am for ever grateful for Marilyn Bonner's forgiveness and recognition that Dawson is a good person.
- The Best of Me
It should be noted that the end of The Last Song would be in the top five but I've already written about that HERE. I simply love this moment.
Writing about novels written by Nicholas Sparks is one of my favourite things! It was awesome flicking through his novels and remembering parts and re-living my favourite moments. Have you read any Nicholas Sparks novels? Do you have a favourite moment from any other novels? Let me know in the comments!
Paintings & Turtles,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I love Nicholas Sparks.
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Your Set of Things
I read a post of Louise's ages ago where she spoke about her "set of things" and I loved the concept so much that I had to write about it. It's the concept of having a set of good things, in the way of physical appearance and focussing on them rather than comparing yourself to what other's have.
I thought I'd start this post positively - by ignoring the want to bypass this idea completely and remind myself of bad features instead - and write my set of positive things:
♥ Eyebrows
♥ Cheeks
♥ Ears
♥ Legs
So, I like my eyebrows. Weird, but true. They're naturally a manageable shape and with a little bit of nurture, I like them! In turn, my cheeks are quite stroke-worthy soft and my ears are happy things on the side of my head. I like my legs. I don't have the typically gorgeous legs that are oh so gorgeous but I like my legs; they have muscle and I like that!
It's so easy to ignore what you like about yourself but you really shouldn't because others see your special features!
Once someone pointed out something I really disliked about myself and they put the most positive and genuine spin on it and now I'm much more content with this feature. I didn't like how often I'm a bit (or a lot!) rosey-cheeked but someone told me they like that; they said it shows off my happy personality and no one has ever made me feel so good about something I really hate about myself. They told me I'm rosy because I'm smiley and this made me really chuffed (and more rosy, no doubt!). I have read a lot about red, rosy cheeks because it can bother me a lot, and, while this compliment is enough to make me content with my rosy cheeks, I remember reading online that people are likely to find rosy cheeks endearing when you blush and so this makes me okay with them!
If you can't find your set of things, do not worry (but you have every reason to see your set of things) because if you stood in front of me and many, many people, we could find them for you. Your lovely freckles. Your eyelashes. Your sweet eyes. The way of your figure. Your perfectly shaped fingers. The colour of your lips...
One hugely important thing I have learnt is to not compare myself to others... ever.
Please find a way to realise that you are so deserving of enjoying and respecting you're body and set of things.
I would love for you to leave a list (or as many things you feel comfortable with) of things you like about yourself below. It took a lot for me to not write "sometimes soft cheeks" and "slightly toned legs" but I didn't because that's not the point, so please don't belittle yourself!
Blue Skies & Fluffy Clouds,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. A while ago I wrote a post about body confidence and you can read it HERE.
I thought I'd start this post positively - by ignoring the want to bypass this idea completely and remind myself of bad features instead - and write my set of positive things:
♥ Eyebrows
♥ Cheeks
♥ Ears
♥ Legs
So, I like my eyebrows. Weird, but true. They're naturally a manageable shape and with a little bit of nurture, I like them! In turn, my cheeks are quite stroke-worthy soft and my ears are happy things on the side of my head. I like my legs. I don't have the typically gorgeous legs that are oh so gorgeous but I like my legs; they have muscle and I like that!
It's so easy to ignore what you like about yourself but you really shouldn't because others see your special features!
Once someone pointed out something I really disliked about myself and they put the most positive and genuine spin on it and now I'm much more content with this feature. I didn't like how often I'm a bit (or a lot!) rosey-cheeked but someone told me they like that; they said it shows off my happy personality and no one has ever made me feel so good about something I really hate about myself. They told me I'm rosy because I'm smiley and this made me really chuffed (and more rosy, no doubt!). I have read a lot about red, rosy cheeks because it can bother me a lot, and, while this compliment is enough to make me content with my rosy cheeks, I remember reading online that people are likely to find rosy cheeks endearing when you blush and so this makes me okay with them!
If you can't find your set of things, do not worry (but you have every reason to see your set of things) because if you stood in front of me and many, many people, we could find them for you. Your lovely freckles. Your eyelashes. Your sweet eyes. The way of your figure. Your perfectly shaped fingers. The colour of your lips...
One hugely important thing I have learnt is to not compare myself to others... ever.
Please find a way to realise that you are so deserving of enjoying and respecting you're body and set of things.
I would love for you to leave a list (or as many things you feel comfortable with) of things you like about yourself below. It took a lot for me to not write "sometimes soft cheeks" and "slightly toned legs" but I didn't because that's not the point, so please don't belittle yourself!
Blue Skies & Fluffy Clouds,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. A while ago I wrote a post about body confidence and you can read it HERE.
Monday, 24 March 2014
A Blogging Dream Come True | 50 Members
In terms of members, my aim has always been to reach 50. Now I've reached it, I want to smile all of the time and talk about how wonderful the 50 of you are!
It's really frustrating because I'm sat here, staring at a blank draft with absolutely no idea what to write. It really might sound silly to some that I'm so happy about 50 members (although I hope saying so doesn't belittle how genuinely proud as punch I am), but this day really is awesome: One of my dreams has come true!
I blog anonymously.
This whole blogging experience is one of the best things I have ever done, but it's also incredibly scary. I adore writing. From writing about my thoughts to my favourite things to short stories, writing excites me endlessly. I'm so glad I took the leap to start blogging just over a year ago, sat in my room in the dark, - side note: I'm about to grate some cheese all over this post - ready for life to get even brighter because of my blog. I started my blog just over a year ago with trepidation bouncing through my fingertips but excitement in my eyes. I am unbelievably happy that my blog has developed and stayed quite true to what my blog was when it began.
I love my little space on the internet and any time someone leaves a comment to let me know they've liked a post or tweets me about a post, I feel completely humbled by it. These comments don't have to be written and that's what makes me flush a little. And that's why I'm red with excitement now: These awesome 50 people didn't have to follow me but I'm so happy that they did!
This post is a massive anti-climax for me (which contrasts largely with the extreme happiness I'm feeling... if you haven't got that throughout this post!) because I can't find the words to make this an awesome post, but, all the same: THANK YOU SO MUCH! To all of you 50 awesome people (plus those on Bloglovin'), if you're reading (but also to you reading in no way at all connected to my blog), I'm sending a lot of smiles and rainbows your way because you've really made my little (but big in my heart) blogging dream come true.
Thank you so much.
Brownies & Ice Cream,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P. S. My biggest fear of posting this is someone now unfollowing...
P. P. S. As I had a post ready for today, I will be posting it tomorrow!
It's really frustrating because I'm sat here, staring at a blank draft with absolutely no idea what to write. It really might sound silly to some that I'm so happy about 50 members (although I hope saying so doesn't belittle how genuinely proud as punch I am), but this day really is awesome: One of my dreams has come true!
I blog anonymously.
This whole blogging experience is one of the best things I have ever done, but it's also incredibly scary. I adore writing. From writing about my thoughts to my favourite things to short stories, writing excites me endlessly. I'm so glad I took the leap to start blogging just over a year ago, sat in my room in the dark, - side note: I'm about to grate some cheese all over this post - ready for life to get even brighter because of my blog. I started my blog just over a year ago with trepidation bouncing through my fingertips but excitement in my eyes. I am unbelievably happy that my blog has developed and stayed quite true to what my blog was when it began.
I love my little space on the internet and any time someone leaves a comment to let me know they've liked a post or tweets me about a post, I feel completely humbled by it. These comments don't have to be written and that's what makes me flush a little. And that's why I'm red with excitement now: These awesome 50 people didn't have to follow me but I'm so happy that they did!
This post is a massive anti-climax for me (which contrasts largely with the extreme happiness I'm feeling... if you haven't got that throughout this post!) because I can't find the words to make this an awesome post, but, all the same: THANK YOU SO MUCH! To all of you 50 awesome people (plus those on Bloglovin'), if you're reading (but also to you reading in no way at all connected to my blog), I'm sending a lot of smiles and rainbows your way because you've really made my little (but big in my heart) blogging dream come true.
Thank you so much.
Brownies & Ice Cream,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P. S. My biggest fear of posting this is someone now unfollowing...
P. P. S. As I had a post ready for today, I will be posting it tomorrow!
Friday, 21 March 2014
Something New
THIS beautiful video has inspired me to write something about a feeling I've been enjoying.
I have been feeling something new.
Recently I've been experiencing the more "positive" side of my personality than the pessimistic side I often counterbalance any positivity with. I'm glad I've taken a conscious step to engage with positivity than progress through days feeling a little pessimistic about things.
For everyone, I know it's not a conscious decision that people can make and, if I'm honest, there's a reason that kick-started the permanent smile on my face. Yet, although this reason is what made me see the bright side of life, it is not the only reason that makes me feel happiness in my gut. I hope this isn't coming across as a I'm-so-happy-shove-it-in-your-face kind of post but one with a message to myself for when I'm feeling glum or slightly pessimistic: Tomorrow might just be your day, and if it's not, the day after could be.
I do believe in the idea of there being sunshine beyond the rain but it can be hard to forget.
Even though I am pessimistic, I don't consider myself as being negative. I believe they're different things. I have only just come to this realisation and I'm glad for it. I have sprinkles of happiness in every day that I love and appreciate, whether they're big sprinkles or small and I'm for ever glad for each of these moments. However, naturally, there can be a few storms every now and then and a few more showers, whether they're light or heavy. This something new, though, is making everything that bit sunnier.
I hope you had your umbrella for that fall of weather-y metaphors!
What I'm saying is that I'm feeling happy and I'm feeling positive. Yet, I'm happy most days just lacking the complete positivity to seize the day in whatever way I wish. Right now, with this something new, though, I have every "carpe diem" motive. This feeling has meant that I see every tiny or big wonderful, happy thing as awesome. Everyday, expected and predictable things are a lovely part of my days.
I think I'm ready for this something new.
Have a beautiful day/evening/night!
Rhymes & Love Songs,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
I have been feeling something new.
Recently I've been experiencing the more "positive" side of my personality than the pessimistic side I often counterbalance any positivity with. I'm glad I've taken a conscious step to engage with positivity than progress through days feeling a little pessimistic about things.
For everyone, I know it's not a conscious decision that people can make and, if I'm honest, there's a reason that kick-started the permanent smile on my face. Yet, although this reason is what made me see the bright side of life, it is not the only reason that makes me feel happiness in my gut. I hope this isn't coming across as a I'm-so-happy-shove-it-in-your-face kind of post but one with a message to myself for when I'm feeling glum or slightly pessimistic: Tomorrow might just be your day, and if it's not, the day after could be.
I do believe in the idea of there being sunshine beyond the rain but it can be hard to forget.
Even though I am pessimistic, I don't consider myself as being negative. I believe they're different things. I have only just come to this realisation and I'm glad for it. I have sprinkles of happiness in every day that I love and appreciate, whether they're big sprinkles or small and I'm for ever glad for each of these moments. However, naturally, there can be a few storms every now and then and a few more showers, whether they're light or heavy. This something new, though, is making everything that bit sunnier.
I hope you had your umbrella for that fall of weather-y metaphors!
What I'm saying is that I'm feeling happy and I'm feeling positive. Yet, I'm happy most days just lacking the complete positivity to seize the day in whatever way I wish. Right now, with this something new, though, I have every "carpe diem" motive. This feeling has meant that I see every tiny or big wonderful, happy thing as awesome. Everyday, expected and predictable things are a lovely part of my days.
I think I'm ready for this something new.
Have a beautiful day/evening/night!
Rhymes & Love Songs,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
How Did it Come to This?
"You don't need another one," I whisper to myself. I rub my hands anxiously and make a decision. "But I'm strong enough to look and not touch. Yes, I am. Of course I am."
Flippantly dismissing any good angel thoughts, I push forward the doors of a bookshop with trepidation and feel my eyes excitedly dart around. See, I can look at the books. Just no touching. It's a museum, not a shop.
My pulse races, my hands sweat and my purse is ghostly and knowing company in my bag.
As soon as I approach the row of shiny, beautiful books on offer, I forget my previous thoughts and suddenly the bright lights are brighter than they are and I'm confused. I'm really confused. With five books piled in my hands, I notice a "buy one, get one half price" sign. I use my mind to assure myself that, yes, I can buy into this deal. As all of the books in my hands are in this deal, I, with greedy eyes, excite over the names of books I've heard of and books I haven't, ready to find one more. It would be stupid to buy five when I can get another half price... right?
I'm sure it's not my hand the reaches out in front of me and picks up three more books.
But it is.
Staring down at the guilt staining my hands in the form of silky front covers and delicately strong pages, I force myself to put two books back, before, with an expression of glower, convincing myself that I should venture further into the shop.
...There are classics/books that are films/young adult novels/romance novels...
...I have a basket now. I also have panic and happiness racing through my veins.
The shop is like a museum of beauty with a forbidden display that you're allowed to touch.
Frantically admiring the books in my basket, I join the queue, feigning composure and demonstrating how normal the situation is by clasping my purse in one hand and one of the books in the other, re-reading the blurb and ignoring the feeling in my stomach and sticking with the one that smiles in my heart.
I think the woman at the desk speaks but I'm not sure so I smile - at least I think I do - and pay before exiting the shop.
The sun stings my eyes and confusion anchors my movements.
How did it come to this?
I love books. Does anyone else have this problem? Please let me know!
Glossy Front Covers & Sunshine,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Flippantly dismissing any good angel thoughts, I push forward the doors of a bookshop with trepidation and feel my eyes excitedly dart around. See, I can look at the books. Just no touching. It's a museum, not a shop.
My pulse races, my hands sweat and my purse is ghostly and knowing company in my bag.
As soon as I approach the row of shiny, beautiful books on offer, I forget my previous thoughts and suddenly the bright lights are brighter than they are and I'm confused. I'm really confused. With five books piled in my hands, I notice a "buy one, get one half price" sign. I use my mind to assure myself that, yes, I can buy into this deal. As all of the books in my hands are in this deal, I, with greedy eyes, excite over the names of books I've heard of and books I haven't, ready to find one more. It would be stupid to buy five when I can get another half price... right?
I'm sure it's not my hand the reaches out in front of me and picks up three more books.
But it is.
Staring down at the guilt staining my hands in the form of silky front covers and delicately strong pages, I force myself to put two books back, before, with an expression of glower, convincing myself that I should venture further into the shop.
...There are classics/books that are films/young adult novels/romance novels...
...I have a basket now. I also have panic and happiness racing through my veins.
The shop is like a museum of beauty with a forbidden display that you're allowed to touch.
Frantically admiring the books in my basket, I join the queue, feigning composure and demonstrating how normal the situation is by clasping my purse in one hand and one of the books in the other, re-reading the blurb and ignoring the feeling in my stomach and sticking with the one that smiles in my heart.
I think the woman at the desk speaks but I'm not sure so I smile - at least I think I do - and pay before exiting the shop.
The sun stings my eyes and confusion anchors my movements.
How did it come to this?
I love books. Does anyone else have this problem? Please let me know!
Glossy Front Covers & Sunshine,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Monday, 17 March 2014
An Abundance of Katherines - John Green
To review a John Green book is an exciting endeavour and that's why I have posted Looking for Alaska and this review (and the two more to come) so long after I read them. I like to re-live Mr. Green's words by flicking[1]
through and remembering a feeling I had at the time of reading and writing about it. It's like seeing an old friend and having a good ol' natter.
Colin Singleton is a child prodigy and is also very specific about what kind of girl he likes: Katherines. With his streak of nineteen Katherines as girlfriends, comes his streak of being dumped by nineteen Katherines. When the nineteenth Katherine does so, Colin and his best friend Hassan decide to go on an adventure and alongside this eye-opening journey is Colin and his theorem of predicting the outcome of any relationship.
The idea of this book (and the idea being progressed on throughout then novel, of course) is awesome. The whole idea hooked me from the start and the novel is John Green "doing a John Green": being a ridiculously awesome writer.
When I read An Abundance of Katherines, I found Colin to be incredibly sweet. There is something about him that is so... lovely. To the characters in the book he's perceived as occasionally (okay, even he seems to accept that it's a bit more than "occasionally") quite annoying but, I felt like I was experiencing his thoughts and emotions which made his little "not interesting" ways and thoughts and quirky ways so endearing.
There were two friendships that made me learn a lot in this novel. They were the friendships of Colin and Hassan, and Colin and Lindsey. Hassan is an incredibly funny character, always finding the light side of things and it compliments Colin's humour hilariously. The two of them clearly love each other as best friends should and going along through their journey is all the more exciting because of their friendship. In turn, the friendship that develops quickly between Colin and Lindsey is lovely, with the two of them understanding each other more than they may have expected.
John Green always teaches me something with his writing. In An Abundance of Katherines a valuable lesson of the outcomes of situations is learnt alongside Hassan's discovery that I wouldn't want to ruin for anyone.
I also loved John Green's use of footnotes and graphs through the novel making it that kind of unique that John Green does so well.
An Abundance of Katherines is a really charming read.
Theorems & Friendship,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I have reviewed two other John Green books:
1) I first reviewed The Fault in Our Stars but PLEASE don't click on THIS link if you have not read it. It's more of a discussion with myself than a review.
2) I reviewed Looking for Alaska HERE.
[1] I flick carefully through the Wonderful Works of Mr. Green because, as much as I love the look of a loved book, the thought of damaging these creations makes me upset. In turn, this brings me onto another issue: I do love the look of a loved book. Yet, with all books I try not to make them look "loved." A world full of paradoxes is a world full of confusion.
Friday, 14 March 2014
A Plethora of Possibilities
Whether I'm going out or staying in, no matter if I'm happy or sad, motivated or disheartened, I always get this magical, tingly feeling on a Friday night. If it were a scent, it would be a musky aroma. If it could be seen, it would be a milky twilight with stardust and smiling stars. If it were a sound, it would be the melody of a piano. It's the promise of a plethora of possibilities.
On a Friday late afternoon and evening, I feel somewhat weightless. I feel like my dreams and hopes are infinitely possible. It's what I imagine sitting on a cloud would feel like (except without the whole being sucked into something unpleasant and, well, deathly).
Everything is touched with metaphorical glitter when the sun sets on a Friday evening.
I remember one Friday evening I spent with a friend watching lots of movies and eating lots of food. The week was over and the weekend had begun. We spent our time wisely: giggling and talking about "the now" and "the future." It was a musky, milky, melodic evening because we confided in each other, worried about the future and assured each other that we were going through the same worries and anxieties which completed the "weight off of your shoulders" kind of thing.
One of my favourite things to do on a Friday night is to sit on my bed with nothing else but the hum of my laptop or the flicking of book pages as my soundtrack. Equally, I enjoy just sitting and thinking or sitting and writing. Fridays can be simple and beautiful.
Recently on a Friday night a while ago I decided something. Once upon a time I pushed back the idea of writing a book as pointless. However, that night, as the rain fell, I decided that yes, I will write a book. Why is it pointless? I don't have to try to publish it. So, a Friday night once taught me that I can follow a dream... for the sake of myself.
Nights like these reinforce my aims and my hopes. So, I'm incredibly glad they come around once a week!
Do you like Friday evenings?
Bananas & Custard,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. A massive congratulations to Tom and Giovanna on the birth of Baby Fletcher!
P.P.S. I really enjoy the word "plethora."
On a Friday late afternoon and evening, I feel somewhat weightless. I feel like my dreams and hopes are infinitely possible. It's what I imagine sitting on a cloud would feel like (except without the whole being sucked into something unpleasant and, well, deathly).
Everything is touched with metaphorical glitter when the sun sets on a Friday evening.
I remember one Friday evening I spent with a friend watching lots of movies and eating lots of food. The week was over and the weekend had begun. We spent our time wisely: giggling and talking about "the now" and "the future." It was a musky, milky, melodic evening because we confided in each other, worried about the future and assured each other that we were going through the same worries and anxieties which completed the "weight off of your shoulders" kind of thing.
One of my favourite things to do on a Friday night is to sit on my bed with nothing else but the hum of my laptop or the flicking of book pages as my soundtrack. Equally, I enjoy just sitting and thinking or sitting and writing. Fridays can be simple and beautiful.
Recently on a Friday night a while ago I decided something. Once upon a time I pushed back the idea of writing a book as pointless. However, that night, as the rain fell, I decided that yes, I will write a book. Why is it pointless? I don't have to try to publish it. So, a Friday night once taught me that I can follow a dream... for the sake of myself.
Nights like these reinforce my aims and my hopes. So, I'm incredibly glad they come around once a week!
Do you like Friday evenings?
Bananas & Custard,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. A massive congratulations to Tom and Giovanna on the birth of Baby Fletcher!
P.P.S. I really enjoy the word "plethora."
Thursday, 13 March 2014
The Chrysanthemum
♥ ♥ ♥
Caramel light floods through the window inspiring Oliver to step out onto the porch. Sitting down on a chair, he stretches his legs out in front of him and yawns, happily taking in his surroundings. Birds are talking to each other and Oliver doesn't mind; the world keeps on turning and the sky is changing colour before his eyes. He regrets not bringing his camera out to capture the picture of serenity.
But how can it be serene?
Oliver fears he said this aloud but is too caught up in his thoughts to dwell on it.
How can the blanket of colours be untroubled if it rejects the purples and oranges, the yellows and slices of crimson before it settles with midnight blue to sleep for a while, ignoring the faded blue of day.
Oliver shakes his head and takes a sip of beer, enjoying the taste dance around on his tongue. He lets his head tilt backwards and his eyes stay firmly focussed on the bird that taps rhythmically with its beak. Some would call the sound unforgiving, but as the bird continues to drum with a staccato feel, Oliver continues to be calm. Like the thoughts in his mind, the beat thuds over and over again. The bird simply confirms his tranquillity.
Then something that is partially a miracle and partially the least comforting happening since that day, happens.
He sees a slender pale yellow leaf peaking around the corner of his house. Scrambling to his feet he can see the perfect picture of his wife in his mind: "Chrysanthemums are wild flowers and do you know why they're my favourite, Olly?" Her deep blue eyes, the colour of the sleeping night's sky had searched his face. "Because they're a bit different and they're caring too, and they can be a plethora of colours." She was ten when she'd said this to him. On the day of their wedding a red chrysanthemum smiled out of Oliver's top pocket and as she walked down the aisle, she had white and red ones throughout her hair - fake ones, of course: "Olly, we can't pick them or buy them from a shop because that means they will soon die. I don't want them to die."
Reaching the leaf, Oliver kneels down to find that the flower wasn't peaking around the corner of his house but trapped under the wheelbarrow he'd placed there a few days before. Panic rising through him, he lifts the wheelbarrow and cradles the chrysanthemum in his hands. A picture of devastation, the flower droops and smiles sadly back at him.
Defeated, Oliver sits back down. He places the flower on his lap and watches the sky that is mostly dark blue now. He can't hear the bird tapping. His mind is silent. His mind is loud.
His mind forces him back to nineteen years ago when he and his wife were only twelve. She had just had her ears pierced and wore silver doves on them. She kept stroking her ears that day, grinning at the feel of them, and, although Oliver had scowled at her when she did, "Stop. You'll irritate your ears," and though he couldn't help his irritation be made clear, years later, he told her that it was that day when he saw a bit of the woman she was to become. It was the day he knew for sure that he would always love this golden-haired, dress-wearing, small-eared beauty. It was that day when she gave him wings to fly to a world better than the one he had known before.
Oliver strokes the petals of the chrysanthemum and one crumbles in his hands before his eyes. His mind falters and he could have sworn he was back in the car on that night; the car losing grip beneath him, helplessness and panic paralysing him while he watched the car give up, and his wife too.
At the funeral Oliver scattered chrysanthemums - fake chrysanthemums, naturally - over the top of his wife's coffin; after weeks of denial, this was the day when the drumming had accompanied him everyday, everywhere he went.
Looking back at the flower as a tear burns his cheek and the night's sky bores into him, Oliver mutters, "Damn wheelbarrow."
♥ ♥ ♥
Chrysanthemums & Birds,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. You can check out my last short story HERE, if you wish!
Monday, 10 March 2014
The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson - Paige Toon
Paige Toon has recently released her first young adult book and I, of course, as a huge fan of Paige Toon and her wonderful writing, must write about the awesome read that is The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson.
Jessie's life changed in a heart-breaking instant. Grieving and confused, Jessie goes off the rails while her stepdad tries to discipline her but feels helpless. Soon, Jessie finds herself in another world after her stepdad reveals that he knows who her real dad is... the rock star Johnny Jefferson. Things get awesome, crazy and just that bit more confusing.
I feel like I need to start this review by saying this: The fact that it was young adult fiction didn't faze me at all. I enjoyed it all the same - and realised a craving to go back to that awesome section of the bookshop. Young adult fiction rocks. Paige Toon portrayed a young fifteen year old girl's thoughts in a believable and enjoyable way and I loved going through her adventure alongside Jessie.
Jessie is awesome. Although with many lessons to learn throughout the novel, I adore that she is almost always honest with herself - and when she's not (for example, about her feelings towards a good friend she has drifted from), she knows it. Despite seeming stubborn, her want for a relationship with her real father is lovely to read about and when he returns the want to get to know her, my heart is happy.
The storyline is very exciting and also sweet. Not only does Paige mention McFly (a lot of brownie points are heading your way, Paige!), but she leaves us in that dilemma that makes my heart hurt: Tom or Jack. There's also another dilemma: Jessie soon has a life in England and America. I'm glad about Jessie's realisation of her need for Stu but I'm also ecstatic that she gets on wonderfully with her new family.
There are a couple of relationships that mean a lot to me from this novel. There is the relationship between Jessie and her stepdad, Stu. He obviously cares and loves Jessie in never ending bucket-fulls and, despite Jessie's rejection of a father-daughter-like relationship, it's made clear that she loves him too. As well as her friendship with Libby, I adore the relationship that is formed between Johnny and Jessie. It's sweet and compelling to read about.
I want to write a short but very important paragraph about my favourite quote from the novel: "...but I know better than to let my pride get in the way of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies."
The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson is a fabulous read.
Inflatable Toys & Dodgems,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. My Q&A with Paige Toon can be found HERE!
Saturday, 8 March 2014
I AM A FEMINIST!
I read Caitlin Moran's How To Be a Woman and that wonderfully honest and hilarious book, as well as the fact that it is International Women's Day has inspired me to post on a Saturday - OH, HEY THERE: THIS IS SERIOUS.
The word "feminism" has become attached to something sticky and unpleasant that few people want to touch; this is proven right now, because writing this post is making me a bit nervous as I'm scared people will turn their noses up at the sight of "feminist". But, ladies and gentleman, as Caitlin Moran has encouraged me to shout, I will shout to you this:
I AM A FEMINIST!
If you are a woman, it has been made clear to me, that you simply are too. And it's true. Do you wish to be in control of yourself and for the crushing society that oppressed women for so long to be completely banished? Do you wish to be equal? Do you want to have the same opportunities as men? YOU ARE A FEMINIST TOO! (Side note: big cheers and cake to the boys and men of this world who would say yes to these. *Whispers*: You're a feminist too!)
Feminism is about things that you may not have thought straight away as synonymous with it, Caitlin Moran has taught me: I suggest you read the book.
It's International Women's Day and, right now, for me, being of the womanly species is all right. I don't feel inferior to the manly species or oppressed or anything negative like that, but I may do in the future and you may do right now. This wonderful day celebrates gains in the womanly society and challenges a lot that I know for sure still needs to be changed.
Some of you may be like me: You wake up, eat a bunch of Jaffa Cakes and wear what you want. Life doesn't seem unfair... I'll give you a few facts:
♡ According to THIS article, in America, women make up less than 25% of science, technology, engineering and maths positions
♡ THIS article illustrates that, in Britain, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime
♡ After the 2010 general election women made up only 22% of the House in the UK
Do you believe this is right? Join the bright side: You're ready now.
You can find out more about International Women's Day HERE.
So... Are you a feminist?
Have a fabulous day ladies (and of course, men - I wouldn't like to segregate you from our celebrations!)!
Chairs & Statements,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. This last week I took part in a challenge I set myself (feel free to read about that HERE) and the exciting thing about that was that I blogged for seven days, when, in reality I've blogged for nine - I AM A STRONG, CAPABLE WOMAN! All of this chatter has made me light-headed (oh yes, what a stereotypical woman). Happy International Women's Day!
The word "feminism" has become attached to something sticky and unpleasant that few people want to touch; this is proven right now, because writing this post is making me a bit nervous as I'm scared people will turn their noses up at the sight of "feminist". But, ladies and gentleman, as Caitlin Moran has encouraged me to shout, I will shout to you this:
I AM A FEMINIST!
If you are a woman, it has been made clear to me, that you simply are too. And it's true. Do you wish to be in control of yourself and for the crushing society that oppressed women for so long to be completely banished? Do you wish to be equal? Do you want to have the same opportunities as men? YOU ARE A FEMINIST TOO! (Side note: big cheers and cake to the boys and men of this world who would say yes to these. *Whispers*: You're a feminist too!)
Feminism is about things that you may not have thought straight away as synonymous with it, Caitlin Moran has taught me: I suggest you read the book.
It's International Women's Day and, right now, for me, being of the womanly species is all right. I don't feel inferior to the manly species or oppressed or anything negative like that, but I may do in the future and you may do right now. This wonderful day celebrates gains in the womanly society and challenges a lot that I know for sure still needs to be changed.
Some of you may be like me: You wake up, eat a bunch of Jaffa Cakes and wear what you want. Life doesn't seem unfair... I'll give you a few facts:
♡ According to THIS article, in America, women make up less than 25% of science, technology, engineering and maths positions
♡ THIS article illustrates that, in Britain, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime
♡ After the 2010 general election women made up only 22% of the House in the UK
Do you believe this is right? Join the bright side: You're ready now.
You can find out more about International Women's Day HERE.
So... Are you a feminist?
Have a fabulous day ladies (and of course, men - I wouldn't like to segregate you from our celebrations!)!
Chairs & Statements,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. This last week I took part in a challenge I set myself (feel free to read about that HERE) and the exciting thing about that was that I blogged for seven days, when, in reality I've blogged for nine - I AM A STRONG, CAPABLE WOMAN! All of this chatter has made me light-headed (oh yes, what a stereotypical woman). Happy International Women's Day!
Friday, 7 March 2014
DIY: A Pamper Night
Today, as I've wanted to write a DIY post for so long, I thought it would be fun to write a post about how I pamper myself in the evening when I'm feeling a bit ill or down or simply wanting an evening full of pamperness. I thought my blogging challenge - that you can read about HERE - would be a great time to write my first DIY post!
Isn't the sound of a running bath lovely? Firstly I run my bath water (not burning hot, and not chilly) and put a Lush product in, because, with me, that's just the rule. In the pamper evening pictured above, I chose Mmmelting Marshmallow Moment bath melt to make the water all mystically pink and inviting (which is seen in the first picture in this post). You may prefer showers, of course (I'm not really a "bath person" but when it comes to Lush I am!), or a sit on the sofa with Zac Efron on the telly (what I would do afterwards/normally!) with a face mask or chocolate or both!
♡ Grab a book ♡
For me, I love to have a book to read when I'm in the bath (I am incredibly careful not to ruin it with water, though). I will be having a pamper evening tomorrow night and The Book Thief will be my company.
Once the bath is finished, I make myself a hot chocolate, ready for when I sit down afterwards. Sometimes I have mini marshmallows, whipped cream and chocolate buttons, but a simple hot chocolate does the job!
Lastly, with my jimjams on, my freshly painted nails and soft, nice-smelling skin, I put my feet up with my hot chocolate and watch a film.
Pamper nights are perfect.
This is my first DIY post on the last day of my challenge! It's a bit "rough around the edges" but I'm happy with it and have a few more ideas for other DIY posts! I'm sad my blogging challenge is over but proud that I have kept up with it! What is essential for a pamper night for you?
Chocolate & Marshmallows,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
My little blogging challenge:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
♡ Run a bath ♡
Isn't the sound of a running bath lovely? Firstly I run my bath water (not burning hot, and not chilly) and put a Lush product in, because, with me, that's just the rule. In the pamper evening pictured above, I chose Mmmelting Marshmallow Moment bath melt to make the water all mystically pink and inviting (which is seen in the first picture in this post). You may prefer showers, of course (I'm not really a "bath person" but when it comes to Lush I am!), or a sit on the sofa with Zac Efron on the telly (what I would do afterwards/normally!) with a face mask or chocolate or both!
♡ Get pamper-y goodies ready ♡
I love using little treats on pamper nights. I'll have some skincare products at the ready for during bath time. I always enjoy Soap & Glory's Peaches and Clean as it makes my skin feel so baby-skin-soft. Moisturising cream from The Body Shop is awesome for afterwards and the smell is all linger-y and lovely. Then, I love to use some nail varnish to finish off with! It makes me feel all shiny and brand new (*sings Simply Red*)!
♡ Grab a book ♡For me, I love to have a book to read when I'm in the bath (I am incredibly careful not to ruin it with water, though). I will be having a pamper evening tomorrow night and The Book Thief will be my company.
♡ Make hot choccy ♡
Once the bath is finished, I make myself a hot chocolate, ready for when I sit down afterwards. Sometimes I have mini marshmallows, whipped cream and chocolate buttons, but a simple hot chocolate does the job!
♡ It's movie night ♡
Lastly, with my jimjams on, my freshly painted nails and soft, nice-smelling skin, I put my feet up with my hot chocolate and watch a film.
Pamper nights are perfect.
This is my first DIY post on the last day of my challenge! It's a bit "rough around the edges" but I'm happy with it and have a few more ideas for other DIY posts! I'm sad my blogging challenge is over but proud that I have kept up with it! What is essential for a pamper night for you?
Chocolate & Marshmallows,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
My little blogging challenge:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Thursday, 6 March 2014
77 Days Until...
As it's World Book Day and I have set myself a blogging challenge (that you can read about HERE), I thought I'd write a different kind of post for my blog today: It's new, unreleased book chatter time
I am counting down the days until Giovanna Fletcher's second novel, You're The One That I Want and the thought of it makes me "asdfghjkl." Imagining having that gorgeously-covered book in my hands, for it to be ready to be at the receiving end of a soft stroke and loving eyes, ready to be adored by me, is exciting. "I will cherish you forever," I shall whisper to it and it will respond by being an AWESOME book, I know for sure.
Oh, just marvel in its beauty for moments. Take as long as you want because it's like a single sparkling star in the solitary night's sky.
Waiting for this novel will be a beautiful form of torture.
The blurb:
Maddy, dressed in white, stands at the back of the church. At the end of the aisle is Rob - the man she's about to marry. Next to Rob is Ben - best man and the best friend any two people ever had.
And that's the problem.
Because if it wasn't Rob waiting for her at the altar, there's a strong chance it would be Ben. Loyal and sensitive Ben has always kept his feelings to himself, but if he turned round and told Maddy she was making a mistake, would she listen? And would he be right?
Best friends since childhood, Maddy, Ben and Rob thought their bond was unbreakable. But love changes everything. Maddy has a choice to make but will she choose wisely? Her heart, and the hearts of the two best men she knows, depend on it...
*Feels tingly happiness and warmth.* I can't wait. Giovanna's first book, Billy and Me (you can read my review HERE, if you so please) is one of my favourite books and through reading the blurb of You're The One That I want, my heart is already with Maddy's, as confused as hers... Rob or Ben?
There are only 77 days to go! Let's all hold hands around a campfire and get through these lonely days together. Are you excited about the release of You're The One That I Want? Oh, of course you are! Comment below - and let me know about any other books you're excited about the release of!
You can pre-order it HERE on Amazon and HERE on iTunes.
Purple Skies & Reflections,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. Gi, if you're for some awesome reason reading this: Congratulations on Little Fletcher. I'm sending you and Tom lots of virtual hugs and smiley faces.
My little blogging challenge:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
I am counting down the days until Giovanna Fletcher's second novel, You're The One That I Want and the thought of it makes me "asdfghjkl." Imagining having that gorgeously-covered book in my hands, for it to be ready to be at the receiving end of a soft stroke and loving eyes, ready to be adored by me, is exciting. "I will cherish you forever," I shall whisper to it and it will respond by being an AWESOME book, I know for sure.
Oh, just marvel in its beauty for moments. Take as long as you want because it's like a single sparkling star in the solitary night's sky.
Waiting for this novel will be a beautiful form of torture.
The blurb:
Maddy, dressed in white, stands at the back of the church. At the end of the aisle is Rob - the man she's about to marry. Next to Rob is Ben - best man and the best friend any two people ever had.
And that's the problem.
Because if it wasn't Rob waiting for her at the altar, there's a strong chance it would be Ben. Loyal and sensitive Ben has always kept his feelings to himself, but if he turned round and told Maddy she was making a mistake, would she listen? And would he be right?
Best friends since childhood, Maddy, Ben and Rob thought their bond was unbreakable. But love changes everything. Maddy has a choice to make but will she choose wisely? Her heart, and the hearts of the two best men she knows, depend on it...
*Feels tingly happiness and warmth.* I can't wait. Giovanna's first book, Billy and Me (you can read my review HERE, if you so please) is one of my favourite books and through reading the blurb of You're The One That I want, my heart is already with Maddy's, as confused as hers... Rob or Ben?
There are only 77 days to go! Let's all hold hands around a campfire and get through these lonely days together. Are you excited about the release of You're The One That I Want? Oh, of course you are! Comment below - and let me know about any other books you're excited about the release of!
You can pre-order it HERE on Amazon and HERE on iTunes.
Purple Skies & Reflections,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. Gi, if you're for some awesome reason reading this: Congratulations on Little Fletcher. I'm sending you and Tom lots of virtual hugs and smiley faces.
My little blogging challenge:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Be Still, My Beating Heart | Daisy-Mae Jewellery
As a part of my blogging challenge week (you can read more about that HERE), I have decided to write about one of my favourite websites that is the gorgeous online jewellery store, Daisy-Mae Jewellery. A massive sidenote: I'm so sorry about the pictures being taken in different lights and on different "backgrounds"!
In the pictures above are the Anchor Rope ring, the Deathly Hallows necklace and the Audrey Hepburn necklace.
Daisy-Mae Jewellery is a sweet and unique company that sells a lot of handmade jewellery by the owner, Daisy Mae Martin with other bought items too. The pieces are stunning; perfect for gifts and perfect for a treat to yourself. HERE is the link to the website. The pieces have always arrived quickly in my experience and they come in a gorgeous little bag that you can see pictured above with a card too. The whole Daisy-Mae experience is lovely because of the detail that is paid and the efficiency that is synonymous with the company. When I've worn each of these, someone has said something nice about them. In particularly, the Deathly Hallows necklace makes me grin childishly. I love it... a lot.
I can't wait for my next purchase as I love wearing all of the above. They make an outfit look sweeter! When I can, I will next be buying the Okay Okay bracelet as I am a huge fan of The Fault in Our Stars, THIS Mockingjay necklace because of my love for The Hunger Games series and THIS Arrow ring.
Daisy-Mae Jewellery pieces are beautifully priced and yet beautifully made.
Anchors & Arrows,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
My little blogging challenge:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
In the pictures above are the Anchor Rope ring, the Deathly Hallows necklace and the Audrey Hepburn necklace.
Daisy-Mae Jewellery is a sweet and unique company that sells a lot of handmade jewellery by the owner, Daisy Mae Martin with other bought items too. The pieces are stunning; perfect for gifts and perfect for a treat to yourself. HERE is the link to the website. The pieces have always arrived quickly in my experience and they come in a gorgeous little bag that you can see pictured above with a card too. The whole Daisy-Mae experience is lovely because of the detail that is paid and the efficiency that is synonymous with the company. When I've worn each of these, someone has said something nice about them. In particularly, the Deathly Hallows necklace makes me grin childishly. I love it... a lot.
I can't wait for my next purchase as I love wearing all of the above. They make an outfit look sweeter! When I can, I will next be buying the Okay Okay bracelet as I am a huge fan of The Fault in Our Stars, THIS Mockingjay necklace because of my love for The Hunger Games series and THIS Arrow ring.
Daisy-Mae Jewellery pieces are beautifully priced and yet beautifully made.
Anchors & Arrows,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
My little blogging challenge:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
A Singsong Around the Campfire
I rarely write about music on my blog but for my challenge of blogging seven days a week (that you can read about HERE), I wanted to talk about two of my favourite new albums! Both of them are albums that I had been eagerly waiting for and so, to have them in my hands is a happy feeling!
After enjoying all of the EPs and singles she has released on iTunes, I was so excited to purchase Nina Nesbitt's debut album Peroxide and I, as I knew would be the case, wasn't disappointed. It's a summery, sweet album as well as being full of meaning and Nina-soul. I have listened to this on repeat since I bought it the day it came out and it's time well spent. It's such an awesome album that has sad, angry and happy songs.
My favourite tracks from the album - although I can't fault one of the tracks as I love them all - are Two Worlds Away, He's The One I'm Bringing Back, The Outcome, The Hardest Part and Not What Your Dad Wants To Know (which is on the deluxe edition). Kodaline (who I absolutely love) feature on Peroxide on the track Hold You which is a gorgeous song and also one of my favourites.
You can find the deluxe version of the album on Amazon HERE. You can also find it HERE as well as the "average" (it doesn't feel right calling it "average"... So, another version that oozes absolute awesomeness, gorgeousness and Ninaness) version HERE on iTunes.
I adore this album in abundance.
Cavalier Youth - You Me At Six
Cavalier Youth is You Me At Six's fourth album and it's a fabgreatawesome progression from Sinners Never Sleep. I cherish Cavalier Youth and I have serious sing-song-singing-like-I'm-Josh-Franceschi-sessions with it. It's an album that deserves to be synonymous with oh-my-goodness-gracious awesomeness and I've enjoyed seeing people being impressed and happy with it.
It should be noted that I, like Peroxide, can't fault any of the tracks but my favourites are Too Young To Feel This Old, Win Some, Lose Some, Be Who You Are, Carpe Diem and Wild Ones.
You can check it out HERE on Amazon and HERE and HERE on iTunes.
If Cavalier Youth had a definition it would be this: sheer quality.
I just want to "asdfghjkl". These two albums are incredible and in my elite favourite albums!
Selfies & Little Stars,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
My little blogging challenge:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
♡
Peroxide - Nina NesbittAfter enjoying all of the EPs and singles she has released on iTunes, I was so excited to purchase Nina Nesbitt's debut album Peroxide and I, as I knew would be the case, wasn't disappointed. It's a summery, sweet album as well as being full of meaning and Nina-soul. I have listened to this on repeat since I bought it the day it came out and it's time well spent. It's such an awesome album that has sad, angry and happy songs.
My favourite tracks from the album - although I can't fault one of the tracks as I love them all - are Two Worlds Away, He's The One I'm Bringing Back, The Outcome, The Hardest Part and Not What Your Dad Wants To Know (which is on the deluxe edition). Kodaline (who I absolutely love) feature on Peroxide on the track Hold You which is a gorgeous song and also one of my favourites.
You can find the deluxe version of the album on Amazon HERE. You can also find it HERE as well as the "average" (it doesn't feel right calling it "average"... So, another version that oozes absolute awesomeness, gorgeousness and Ninaness) version HERE on iTunes.
I adore this album in abundance.
Cavalier Youth - You Me At Six
Cavalier Youth is You Me At Six's fourth album and it's a fabgreatawesome progression from Sinners Never Sleep. I cherish Cavalier Youth and I have serious sing-song-singing-like-I'm-Josh-Franceschi-sessions with it. It's an album that deserves to be synonymous with oh-my-goodness-gracious awesomeness and I've enjoyed seeing people being impressed and happy with it.
It should be noted that I, like Peroxide, can't fault any of the tracks but my favourites are Too Young To Feel This Old, Win Some, Lose Some, Be Who You Are, Carpe Diem and Wild Ones.
You can check it out HERE on Amazon and HERE and HERE on iTunes.
If Cavalier Youth had a definition it would be this: sheer quality.
I just want to "asdfghjkl". These two albums are incredible and in my elite favourite albums!
♡
Selfies & Little Stars,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
My little blogging challenge:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Monday, 3 March 2014
An Old Book | Gingersnaps by Cathy Cassidy
*Adjusts collar and posture to look business-like.* I am starting a new series. *Imagines there are people with me in my bedroom and nods enigmatically.* There you have it: the birth of yet another series I made up inspiredly (it's not a real word, "inspiredly", but it really should be).
I am starting a little series that I've been excited about for a while and I hope to carry on with it on my blog. I thought the week of my wee challenge (that you can read about HERE) would be a fab place to start it. In this series I will review books I read a few years ago! The books will be a variety of different types and today I am starting with (the wonderful children's author) Cathy Cassidy's Gingersnaps that I read about five years ago!
I read this when I was thirteen and in need of this kind of book. It challenges friendships and the reasons behind them, promotes not conforming to how you "should" act and shows how awesome an unexpected friendship can be.
Ginger once was lonely. She felt like an outsider until she changed it all. She began to wear make-up and straighten her hair and now, in year eight, she's about to find out about what really matters. Her best friend Shannon is confident and adored by all the boys she comes across; "she owned the place". As Shannon vows how fantastic the year ahead of them will be, they pass a boy in jeans and Converse trainers. Only this boy doesn't fall at Shannon's feet, but smiles at the sight of Ginger. Sam Taylor is about to change Ginger's view of life and it's going to be awesome.
One of the reasons I remember loving Ginger was how she was, from the start, honest with herself with the fact she didn't like the person she'd become. She is charming and sweet and I loved watching her portray her real self. Her story throughout this book is about her struggle between her pleasing her best friend, her feeling pushed to the outside of their friendship with Emily now part of their group and her pushing Sam away despite how much she enjoys his company.
Sam Taylor had hold of my heart when I read this. He is different with his school trousers being jeans with scribbles on them, plays the saxophone and teases Ginger in a way that made me grin. He also makes it clear when Ginger isn't the person he thinks she is and it helps her realise how awesome she can and will be. Sam represents nonconformity and he's seriously cool.
There is always such heart to Cathy Cassidy's books and a lot of meaning that leads to a moral; I adored (I still do!) this about her books. I also love the illustrations and front covers of all of her books. They're gorgeous!
Are there any books you read ages ago that have happily stayed with you?
Blue Lips & Harmonicas,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I've officially written and published 200 posts!
My little blogging challenge:
Day 1
Day 2
I am starting a little series that I've been excited about for a while and I hope to carry on with it on my blog. I thought the week of my wee challenge (that you can read about HERE) would be a fab place to start it. In this series I will review books I read a few years ago! The books will be a variety of different types and today I am starting with (the wonderful children's author) Cathy Cassidy's Gingersnaps that I read about five years ago!
I read this when I was thirteen and in need of this kind of book. It challenges friendships and the reasons behind them, promotes not conforming to how you "should" act and shows how awesome an unexpected friendship can be.
Ginger once was lonely. She felt like an outsider until she changed it all. She began to wear make-up and straighten her hair and now, in year eight, she's about to find out about what really matters. Her best friend Shannon is confident and adored by all the boys she comes across; "she owned the place". As Shannon vows how fantastic the year ahead of them will be, they pass a boy in jeans and Converse trainers. Only this boy doesn't fall at Shannon's feet, but smiles at the sight of Ginger. Sam Taylor is about to change Ginger's view of life and it's going to be awesome.
One of the reasons I remember loving Ginger was how she was, from the start, honest with herself with the fact she didn't like the person she'd become. She is charming and sweet and I loved watching her portray her real self. Her story throughout this book is about her struggle between her pleasing her best friend, her feeling pushed to the outside of their friendship with Emily now part of their group and her pushing Sam away despite how much she enjoys his company.
Sam Taylor had hold of my heart when I read this. He is different with his school trousers being jeans with scribbles on them, plays the saxophone and teases Ginger in a way that made me grin. He also makes it clear when Ginger isn't the person he thinks she is and it helps her realise how awesome she can and will be. Sam represents nonconformity and he's seriously cool.
There is always such heart to Cathy Cassidy's books and a lot of meaning that leads to a moral; I adored (I still do!) this about her books. I also love the illustrations and front covers of all of her books. They're gorgeous!
Are there any books you read ages ago that have happily stayed with you?
Blue Lips & Harmonicas,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I've officially written and published 200 posts!
My little blogging challenge:
Day 1
Day 2
Sunday, 2 March 2014
My Current Beauty Favourites
I rarely write favourites posts and I've never written one about beauty products alone. Thus, for my blogging challenge of posting for seven days (that you can read about HERE), I thought I would talk about my current beauty favourites.
I have been enjoying these nail varnishes recently: Essie's Turquoise and Caicos and Barry M's Coral nail varnish. Turquoise and Caicos reminds me of the sea and where I normally wear bright colours, it's a nice middle between being bright and dark. Coral is awesome; when I look at it, it reminds me of sweets. It's such a juicy colour!
I had never tried anything other than Barry M nail varnishes from their collection until this product came into my life. Barry M's black liquid liner is awesome. It's easy to apply and dries quickly.
Hair-wise, I have finally joined in on the Batiste dry shampoo hype. It's been all around the blogosphere and the real-world-osphere and I'm so chuffed that I finally put it in my basket as I did a little supermarket shop. It makes myself believe my hair is nearing the end of its first-day-wash (which is FAB) and smells like coconuts. I have also been enjoying the VO5 Heat Protect Styling Spray. I bought it last year and I've finally started using it. I am very careful when it comes to using heat on my hair and although I never know how to tell whether a heat protecting product is working or not, VO5 smells delicious and so assuming it's helping my hair (my hair does seem in good condition), the smell makes it a top notch product. I'm not good with smells but I'd explain it (probably wrongly) as a musky, fruity scent and I get lovely whiffs of it throughout the day. I have never had a problem with the pump which makes it all the more fab-u-lous.
I'm not sure what the name of this perfect No7 eye shadow is but I love it. It's lightly shimmery and the reason why I love it is that it's discreet but pretty. This photo (only this one - the lighting was awful) is slightly edited and so I'm not sure if the colour looks different but it's a grey and bronze colour and it isn't over-the-top. I love that I can wear it to any sort of occasion.
This picture doesn't do justice to how pretty the colour is. I have Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey. I really like it and love it for going out to parties and it feels lovely on the lips. I think I will wear it a lot more in the summer with a tan. I really love this, though and I'm going to buy another when I can! It doesn't take a lot to make my lips pink and I am so glad I found the range when I was in Boots.
These smell gorgeous! I bought Soap & Glory's mini creamy body wash around Christmastime and I've almost used it all. It smells so fresh and clean, mixed in with many sprinkles of sweetness. I am also adoring Ghost's Sweetheart body moisturising lotion. My mum got the perfume for Christmas and gave me the lotion that came with it (thanks mum!). It smells so sweet and I love wearing it when I've got nothing to do instead of wasting perfume or adding it with perfume to go out.
Benefit's They're Real mascara will always be a favourite of mine. It lengthens and thickens my eyelashes perfectly for a normal day or a day out.
Do you love any of these? What have you been loving? I'd love to know!
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. Sorry about the poor pictures... As usual, I'm working on it!
P.P.S. Yay to Noelle for reviewing Essie's Mint Candy Apple as I recently bought it and can't wait to use it. I'm sure it's going to be a new favourite.
My little blogging challenge:
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