Carrie's hair is my dream; Carrie's hair is one of her iconic features. Then there's a "but". Albeit a positive one.
Carrie Hope Fletcher is doing something that doesn't need to be sugar-coated by fancy words because its awesomeness is portrayed just by this: She's cutting off 7-13 inches of her hair that will go to The Little Princess Trust that you can check out HERE; her hair will make wigs for children with illnesses and then on her Just Giving page (HERE), all of the money raised will go to Great Ormond Street Hospital (HERE).
The Little Princess Trust is an incredible charity that offers wigs to children who have lost hair due to cancer as well as other illnesses. As I looked further into the charity, it was completely obvious to see the positive work they do and the amazing results they achieve.
Great Ormond Street Hospital carry out wonderful work in finding treatments for childhood illnesses as well as providing world-class clinical care and training in the process.
Although this is a short post, it is an incredibly important one. If you can, please donate money via her Just Giving page; she deserves to raise as much money as possible! If you can't give money, that is absolutely no problem. You could tweet a LINK to her video, tell a friend or send everyone you know a link to her Just Giving page (HERE, in case you missed it!). You could do a lot of things to promote such an awesome, charitable, benevolent action; it's just important that you do it!
Do something to that will make someone else smile today.
Hope & Happiness,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Monday, 27 January 2014
My Little Experiment | 1st Blogging Birthday
Sat with her quilt wrapped around her, very scared but more excited, she pushed back her hair and allowed for the light of her laptop screen to be the isolated glow, battling against the darkness. She tapped her thumb against the corner of the keypad, allowing for it to go on until finally her heart told her it was time. "It's time to do something about this," she whispered.
Okay, so I overdid the drama of the evening but I've never felt so nervous and excited and I'm so glad that I channelled it into this blog. On the 27th January 2013, I made the silhouette of my dream live onto my little space on the internet. I never looked back.
Until now. A year on and I'm looking back with complete happiness and gratitude for giving myself the time to write THIS post where I introduced my aims to whoever wished to read it. Mostly, though, I introduced my aims to myself. A New Year's resolution, a few weeks late, but starting its journey for sure!
Happy 1st Blogging Birthday to me!
It's strange looking back at my first post. My blog is very different to how I assume I thought it was going to turn out. Almost immediately, my blog was a blog more so for my thoughts rather than my original aim. My blog is an example of what blogging can be about for some people: finding out what works for you! My little experiment.
I want to thank everyone and anyone has ever read a post of mine. I genuinely am delighted and humbled to receive any view/comment/member. Some people may roll their eyes but when I read others say it I know it's sincere because I feel such joy at someone taking the time to click on a link I tweet to my post or while they log in to see their reading list, think "let's have a look then" or however you have found my post - I thank you and appreciate you so much!
Writing has always been the most exciting thing for me. Whether it be exploring a topic or fangirling about something I love or creating a world through constructions I've formed, it's the thing that makes my heart warm. That's what life is for, right? My blog, for 365 days, has been the perfect platform for me. It has given me something to look forward to... all of the time. I feel like I'm never not thinking about my blog because it's my little thing; my little secret. I know that the feeling will continue too.
That's why anyone who comments on my posts, spreading positivity or anyone who messages me letting me know a post of mine is some kind of positive adjective, will always be a special part of my blogging experience. You're part of my writing experience with me and you probably have no idea you've taken the time to make me smile. One message I received last year said that a post I made had described them exactly and to know that there are people who are relating to a post of mine every now and then is heart-warming. Someone complimented the way I put things in words. Someone said they loved my words. Someone hoped I'd find a way to get my poorly blog (I was posting less than usual) better. This isn't me boasting because I'm so shocked when I get any lovely comment, but my point is this: I remember every single sweet thing someone says. Equally, if someone leaves a comment, discussing whatever I'm talking about and we have a brief share of thought with each other, that's amazing to me. We're talking, making a little conversation on my blog where we can discuss and build blogging bridges. I'll always be thankful for anyone taking the time to write something positive or something to spark conversation.
I know my blog hasn't technically speaking got an amount of followers that I can't physically picture, but 46 followers, to me, is incredible and even though I'd be doing this without any followers at all, you 46 people make it even more exciting. Success, some think is measured by a number. The success of my blog, however, is measured by the smile for ever on my face.
Thank you for being there for me, The Girl in the Moonlight; for being my escape when I'm happy, sad or lost and also, thank you to you, reading!
A Quilt Cover & A Laptop,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Okay, so I overdid the drama of the evening but I've never felt so nervous and excited and I'm so glad that I channelled it into this blog. On the 27th January 2013, I made the silhouette of my dream live onto my little space on the internet. I never looked back.
Until now. A year on and I'm looking back with complete happiness and gratitude for giving myself the time to write THIS post where I introduced my aims to whoever wished to read it. Mostly, though, I introduced my aims to myself. A New Year's resolution, a few weeks late, but starting its journey for sure!
Happy 1st Blogging Birthday to me!
It's strange looking back at my first post. My blog is very different to how I assume I thought it was going to turn out. Almost immediately, my blog was a blog more so for my thoughts rather than my original aim. My blog is an example of what blogging can be about for some people: finding out what works for you! My little experiment.
I want to thank everyone and anyone has ever read a post of mine. I genuinely am delighted and humbled to receive any view/comment/member. Some people may roll their eyes but when I read others say it I know it's sincere because I feel such joy at someone taking the time to click on a link I tweet to my post or while they log in to see their reading list, think "let's have a look then" or however you have found my post - I thank you and appreciate you so much!
Writing has always been the most exciting thing for me. Whether it be exploring a topic or fangirling about something I love or creating a world through constructions I've formed, it's the thing that makes my heart warm. That's what life is for, right? My blog, for 365 days, has been the perfect platform for me. It has given me something to look forward to... all of the time. I feel like I'm never not thinking about my blog because it's my little thing; my little secret. I know that the feeling will continue too.
That's why anyone who comments on my posts, spreading positivity or anyone who messages me letting me know a post of mine is some kind of positive adjective, will always be a special part of my blogging experience. You're part of my writing experience with me and you probably have no idea you've taken the time to make me smile. One message I received last year said that a post I made had described them exactly and to know that there are people who are relating to a post of mine every now and then is heart-warming. Someone complimented the way I put things in words. Someone said they loved my words. Someone hoped I'd find a way to get my poorly blog (I was posting less than usual) better. This isn't me boasting because I'm so shocked when I get any lovely comment, but my point is this: I remember every single sweet thing someone says. Equally, if someone leaves a comment, discussing whatever I'm talking about and we have a brief share of thought with each other, that's amazing to me. We're talking, making a little conversation on my blog where we can discuss and build blogging bridges. I'll always be thankful for anyone taking the time to write something positive or something to spark conversation.
I know my blog hasn't technically speaking got an amount of followers that I can't physically picture, but 46 followers, to me, is incredible and even though I'd be doing this without any followers at all, you 46 people make it even more exciting. Success, some think is measured by a number. The success of my blog, however, is measured by the smile for ever on my face.
Thank you for being there for me, The Girl in the Moonlight; for being my escape when I'm happy, sad or lost and also, thank you to you, reading!
A Quilt Cover & A Laptop,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Friday, 24 January 2014
Carrie Says | Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
I am proud to say my New Year's Resolution of reading books recommended by Carrie Hope Fletcher is going very well and what's more, I am enjoying it so very much! The blog post series that goes alongside it is called Carrie Says and you can read more about it HERE. My first post was about An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell and I was so excited to read Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli from THIS video.
Carrie says she read it and found herself "wanting to be Stargirl for months on end."
Where to start...
Stargirl is a girl who's far from lost in the crowd. With a ukulele, a pet rat and quirky ways, she often finds herself at the centre of attention that others may find unwanted. When Stargirl becomes the light beaming through a school full of "following the crowd" characters, a wave of non-conformity is evident. Only, with this came problems.
I have to talk about the cover of the book. It's so quirky. In my eyes, it reflects what Stargirl is like: exciting, bright, different. I have never tried as hard to preserve a book's beauty as much as I did when I read Stargirl (which may seem ironic as I have photographed it on grass). I really couldn't bare the thought of a creased page or a bent corner on the front cover. It's too sweet.
Leo's heart is captivated by the presence of Stargirl at Mica High; her lovely nature, her odd but wonderful ways, her faultless kindness and meaning behind everything she does sparks his interest. Yet, it is also everything that tears them apart. One moment the school is entranced by everything she does and the next they are not; one moment Leo is fascinated by her every move and the next he feels the pressures of normality.
I loved Stargirl because it is isn't like anything I've every read before. Although it is aimed at a younger audience, I've never learnt so much from one book. It felt very real and honest even if the actions of Stargirl were like nothing I've ever experienced; it's a refreshing read. Stargirl is a beautifully eye-opening novel. It is sweet and moving and I recommend it to all of my friends.
Porcupine Neckties & Magic,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Carrie says she read it and found herself "wanting to be Stargirl for months on end."
 |
| Doesn't the grass look healthy? Ha! It's er... symbolism for Stargirl being so awesome compared to everyone else being like... dead grass. Oh. |
Where to start...
Stargirl is a girl who's far from lost in the crowd. With a ukulele, a pet rat and quirky ways, she often finds herself at the centre of attention that others may find unwanted. When Stargirl becomes the light beaming through a school full of "following the crowd" characters, a wave of non-conformity is evident. Only, with this came problems.
I have to talk about the cover of the book. It's so quirky. In my eyes, it reflects what Stargirl is like: exciting, bright, different. I have never tried as hard to preserve a book's beauty as much as I did when I read Stargirl (which may seem ironic as I have photographed it on grass). I really couldn't bare the thought of a creased page or a bent corner on the front cover. It's too sweet.
Leo's heart is captivated by the presence of Stargirl at Mica High; her lovely nature, her odd but wonderful ways, her faultless kindness and meaning behind everything she does sparks his interest. Yet, it is also everything that tears them apart. One moment the school is entranced by everything she does and the next they are not; one moment Leo is fascinated by her every move and the next he feels the pressures of normality.
I loved Stargirl because it is isn't like anything I've every read before. Although it is aimed at a younger audience, I've never learnt so much from one book. It felt very real and honest even if the actions of Stargirl were like nothing I've ever experienced; it's a refreshing read. Stargirl is a beautifully eye-opening novel. It is sweet and moving and I recommend it to all of my friends.
Porcupine Neckties & Magic,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
My 3 Favourite Nicholas Sparks Films
It has definitely been too long since my last post about Nicholas Sparks and his wonderful stories and so today is the day to talk about the products of the author that makes me smile, cry and understand all in one ending. The films that have been made from Nicholas Sparks novels are some of my absolute favourites and will always leave me feeling content, for whatever reason. As much as it feels like what a mother would feel like having to pick her favourite child, I will break my heart for the sake of a list - I love a good list!
The Lucky One
Gorgeously romantic and based in a dreamily perfect setting (as Nicholas Sparks does so well), The Lucky One is the story of Sergeant Logan Thibault and Beth, a woman who, without her knowledge, may have just saved Logan's life in Iraq. Logan is strong but tortured by his time in Iraq and Beth is brave but also scarred by the loss of someone close. It's a film that has captured my heart with the sweetness of the relationship between Logan and Beth as well as the two of them and Beth's son, Ben.
Safe Haven
After reading the novel, I couldn't wait for the adaptation of Safe Haven. It's tense and raw but sweet and romantic. Safe Haven is about widower, Alex and Katie, a woman with a past. In the beautiful setting of Southport, Alex and Katie become closer, with Katie winning the hearts of his children. Yet, her secrets are closely shadowing her which builds a wonderfully I'm-sat-on-the-edge-of-my-seat kind of feeling.
The Notebook
Noah and Allie are, of course, very iconic. It's a tale of young lovers and the complications of class and family. Noah and Allie fall in love despite odds stacked against them. Only, it soon has its problems. Touching, heart-breaking and heart-warming, it's no wonder it's one of the classics. It's a film that I want to cry at and do so every single time.
Have you watched any of these films?
Books & Films,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. Nicholas Sparks tweeted me last night and I am so super happy! If you have seen some of my other posts, you may know that he is my favourite author. I thought I'd link my other Nicholas Sparks posts here: Safe Haven, My 7 Favourite Nicholas Sparks Novels, Noah, I could Be Your Allie, Dear John: The Ending, The Last Song: The Ending and My Favourite Books: 2013.
The Lucky One
Gorgeously romantic and based in a dreamily perfect setting (as Nicholas Sparks does so well), The Lucky One is the story of Sergeant Logan Thibault and Beth, a woman who, without her knowledge, may have just saved Logan's life in Iraq. Logan is strong but tortured by his time in Iraq and Beth is brave but also scarred by the loss of someone close. It's a film that has captured my heart with the sweetness of the relationship between Logan and Beth as well as the two of them and Beth's son, Ben.
Safe Haven
After reading the novel, I couldn't wait for the adaptation of Safe Haven. It's tense and raw but sweet and romantic. Safe Haven is about widower, Alex and Katie, a woman with a past. In the beautiful setting of Southport, Alex and Katie become closer, with Katie winning the hearts of his children. Yet, her secrets are closely shadowing her which builds a wonderfully I'm-sat-on-the-edge-of-my-seat kind of feeling.
The Notebook
Noah and Allie are, of course, very iconic. It's a tale of young lovers and the complications of class and family. Noah and Allie fall in love despite odds stacked against them. Only, it soon has its problems. Touching, heart-breaking and heart-warming, it's no wonder it's one of the classics. It's a film that I want to cry at and do so every single time.
Have you watched any of these films?
Books & Films,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. Nicholas Sparks tweeted me last night and I am so super happy! If you have seen some of my other posts, you may know that he is my favourite author. I thought I'd link my other Nicholas Sparks posts here: Safe Haven, My 7 Favourite Nicholas Sparks Novels, Noah, I could Be Your Allie, Dear John: The Ending, The Last Song: The Ending and My Favourite Books: 2013.
Monday, 20 January 2014
Photographs of Memories
Today I was browsing through loads of photos, remembering all of the funny times I've had with my family, the sleepovers I've had with my friends that I'm so grateful to still have and the days out I went on. The pictures made me grin: photographs of memories.
I loved remembering all of the games my friends and I made up, all of the terrible - terrible - dance routines we created and all of the adventures we had together. We'd eat and watch films and talk a bit too loudly due to our excitement which in turn would cause someone's mum to have a hushed, irritated, but I'm sure endeared, word. We'd plan some extravagant scheme to go and tiptoe quietly into the kitchen and retrieve some more treats. They're some of my fondest memories because we're still creating awesome memories together that will make me just as smiley in the future.
It was awesome to see the images of my brother and me growing up in ink: our holidays; our lazy days; our lovely little childhood. I sat laughing at photos that were taken of my mum without her realising and photos of my dad doing something silly. They were lovely to look at.
Photos from secondary school make me happy too. Looking back, I treasure every moment of secondary school. I have some of the best memories from those five years.
Because of this, I decided to go and get some recent photos developed. The best thing about looking at these photographs - old and new - is that it reminded me to make every day as good as I can so that I have more memories to make me smile in the future.
One of my favourite quotes is "take a lot of pictures and only regret the ones you didn't take"; it reminds me to take them because I always forget to do so. Do pictures mean a lot to you?
Quickly switching to something partially related, I watched THIS video yesterday and it reinforced how important positive things can be. These photographs were everything positive and I thought to finish this post I would link you to some things that I hope make you feel positivity!
Gay rights speech (Watch until the end!)
A student and a fear overcome
A speech that made me cry (This video isn't here for the religious content - although, feel free to take it that way! - but for the wonderful woman that is truly incredible.)
All of the videos above are taking something rubbish (humanity, as a complete whole not seeing that gay rights are completely right and an issue that shouldn't be argued and simply done, a person with a fear that is relatable to many and bullying) and making it something positive. I'm not saying "go out an perform a speech", it just turned out that each video was a speech, I'm saying that you are a person who deserves to feel positivity - embrace it! Each of the people in these videos are my heroes.
Petals & Ribbon,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
I loved remembering all of the games my friends and I made up, all of the terrible - terrible - dance routines we created and all of the adventures we had together. We'd eat and watch films and talk a bit too loudly due to our excitement which in turn would cause someone's mum to have a hushed, irritated, but I'm sure endeared, word. We'd plan some extravagant scheme to go and tiptoe quietly into the kitchen and retrieve some more treats. They're some of my fondest memories because we're still creating awesome memories together that will make me just as smiley in the future.
It was awesome to see the images of my brother and me growing up in ink: our holidays; our lazy days; our lovely little childhood. I sat laughing at photos that were taken of my mum without her realising and photos of my dad doing something silly. They were lovely to look at.
Photos from secondary school make me happy too. Looking back, I treasure every moment of secondary school. I have some of the best memories from those five years.
Because of this, I decided to go and get some recent photos developed. The best thing about looking at these photographs - old and new - is that it reminded me to make every day as good as I can so that I have more memories to make me smile in the future.
One of my favourite quotes is "take a lot of pictures and only regret the ones you didn't take"; it reminds me to take them because I always forget to do so. Do pictures mean a lot to you?
Quickly switching to something partially related, I watched THIS video yesterday and it reinforced how important positive things can be. These photographs were everything positive and I thought to finish this post I would link you to some things that I hope make you feel positivity!
Gay rights speech (Watch until the end!)
A student and a fear overcome
A speech that made me cry (This video isn't here for the religious content - although, feel free to take it that way! - but for the wonderful woman that is truly incredible.)
All of the videos above are taking something rubbish (humanity, as a complete whole not seeing that gay rights are completely right and an issue that shouldn't be argued and simply done, a person with a fear that is relatable to many and bullying) and making it something positive. I'm not saying "go out an perform a speech", it just turned out that each video was a speech, I'm saying that you are a person who deserves to feel positivity - embrace it! Each of the people in these videos are my heroes.
Petals & Ribbon,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Friday, 17 January 2014
A Bit of Book Chatter | January
I may have (I did) given into the glowing iridescence of Waterstones this week with my book vouchers eager to be spent. This is the story of my Wednesday afternoon...
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
I have heard the best things about The Storyteller. Jodi Picoult does "take a serious topic and make it captivatingly beautiful" in the best possible way and I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of this novel. From what I have heard and read, it's about murder, evil and justification of both. Yet, it seems to be about friendship too. I can tell already that it's going to be a whirlwind of emotions and I can't wait to get stuck into it.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I bought The Book Thief to read for my Carrie Says series that you can read about HERE. When watching one of Carrie's videos that triggered my series, The Book Thief intrigued me a lot. A book with a storyline about books... My kind of book! Narrated by death, it's about a girl and books in Nazi Germany. *Feels chills.*
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
I have gone into bookshops and supermarkets and searched online many times, always looking for The Husband's Secret, incredibly excited by the blurb. It's about a wife who stumbles across an envelope with her husband's handwriting marking the pages: "to be opened only in the event of my death". Marie Claire quoted for the cover of this novel, "Gripping, acutely observed, thought-provoking and funny". After having re-read the blurb many times, I finally have a copy! I feel like it will have everything I want in a book in one novel.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
I am craving a book series. The last series I read was The Hunger Games and one of my aims for my trip to Waterstones was to find a series to love. I felt drawn to The Mortal Instruments series. I haven't seen the film yet and so I thought I would read the books beforehand. Focussed around a teenage girl and the fate of the world, I believe this will be a "I am staying up until I have finished this" kind of series.
What books are you excited to read?
Stories & Bookmarks,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
I have heard the best things about The Storyteller. Jodi Picoult does "take a serious topic and make it captivatingly beautiful" in the best possible way and I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of this novel. From what I have heard and read, it's about murder, evil and justification of both. Yet, it seems to be about friendship too. I can tell already that it's going to be a whirlwind of emotions and I can't wait to get stuck into it.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I bought The Book Thief to read for my Carrie Says series that you can read about HERE. When watching one of Carrie's videos that triggered my series, The Book Thief intrigued me a lot. A book with a storyline about books... My kind of book! Narrated by death, it's about a girl and books in Nazi Germany. *Feels chills.*
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
I have gone into bookshops and supermarkets and searched online many times, always looking for The Husband's Secret, incredibly excited by the blurb. It's about a wife who stumbles across an envelope with her husband's handwriting marking the pages: "to be opened only in the event of my death". Marie Claire quoted for the cover of this novel, "Gripping, acutely observed, thought-provoking and funny". After having re-read the blurb many times, I finally have a copy! I feel like it will have everything I want in a book in one novel.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
I am craving a book series. The last series I read was The Hunger Games and one of my aims for my trip to Waterstones was to find a series to love. I felt drawn to The Mortal Instruments series. I haven't seen the film yet and so I thought I would read the books beforehand. Focussed around a teenage girl and the fate of the world, I believe this will be a "I am staying up until I have finished this" kind of series.
What books are you excited to read?
Stories & Bookmarks,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Happiness
Everyday I witness simple things that bring me happiness and they are the little, lovely things in life.
Happiness is sharing a moment with a friend during conversation involving loads of people. For me, happiness is watching a film with my family or reading a book after a long day. It's spending a Friday night blogging and listening to McFly. Happiness is sunshine and blue skies in January or rainfall after a hot day. Happiness is bumping into an old friend and having a good catch up; as if no time between the last meeting had taken place. Or it's having a long day with best friends, noting how easy our friendship is. To me, happiness is John Green's words and chocolate cake. Happiness is an early night. Happiness is a late night after finishing a book or watching a film. It's an unexpected compliment or enjoying something I dreaded. Equally, it's sharing an old memory with a loved one. It's remembering a good book, watching a forgotten film and finding old photographs. Happiness is music, lemonade and sunshine. Happiness is games, hot chocolate and scarves. Happiness is candles, bath bombs and books. It's new nail varnish and frilly collars. It's also sharing the bad and good times with best friends. It's listening to new music and finding new bands and artists and adding a new favourite author to the list in my mind. Happiness is being proud of something I've done. It's completing a piece of tough work and feeling relieved. It's spending a Sunday afternoon baking and delving into the worlds Nicholas Sparks creates. Happiness is the small things.
If I had my own definition for the dictionary, this is what it would be. What's happiness to you?
Sunshine & Rainfall,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
Happiness is sharing a moment with a friend during conversation involving loads of people. For me, happiness is watching a film with my family or reading a book after a long day. It's spending a Friday night blogging and listening to McFly. Happiness is sunshine and blue skies in January or rainfall after a hot day. Happiness is bumping into an old friend and having a good catch up; as if no time between the last meeting had taken place. Or it's having a long day with best friends, noting how easy our friendship is. To me, happiness is John Green's words and chocolate cake. Happiness is an early night. Happiness is a late night after finishing a book or watching a film. It's an unexpected compliment or enjoying something I dreaded. Equally, it's sharing an old memory with a loved one. It's remembering a good book, watching a forgotten film and finding old photographs. Happiness is music, lemonade and sunshine. Happiness is games, hot chocolate and scarves. Happiness is candles, bath bombs and books. It's new nail varnish and frilly collars. It's also sharing the bad and good times with best friends. It's listening to new music and finding new bands and artists and adding a new favourite author to the list in my mind. Happiness is being proud of something I've done. It's completing a piece of tough work and feeling relieved. It's spending a Sunday afternoon baking and delving into the worlds Nicholas Sparks creates. Happiness is the small things.
If I had my own definition for the dictionary, this is what it would be. What's happiness to you?
Sunshine & Rainfall,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
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