Shine a Light One

Today I have a special treat for you guys! You may have seen this gorgeous girl around the blog world lately, her blog is blowing up!! She is pretty fantastic so you should all read on and get to know Shane from Whispering Sweet Nothings!

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{About Your Blog!}

What Was The Inspiration Behind Your Blog?

I began my blog in February 2011 as a "30 Day Challenge" I only knew one person in real life with a blog, and my friends thought I was odd for doing it. It took a year to begin gaining any loyal readers, but I continue it for the amazing bonds and relationships I've formed with other bloggers.

What Is Your Favourite Part of the Blogging Experience so Far?

As a Finance major, I don't get much of a chance to express my creative side in my day to day life, so this here blog is my outlet to do just that.

What Impact Does Blogging Have on Your Life?

I have met so many wonderful women from around the globe that I would love to be best friends with in real life. I attended my first blogger meet'n'greet with fellow Ohians last weekend which was a blast! With my bloggers Coast to Coast project, I intend to strengthen the "community" aspect of blogging and help others find like-minded individuals around their area.

{About You!}

What Are Some of Your Favourite Hobbies?

Tennis, scrapbooking, writing, thrifting, mud wrestling ;)

What is Your Favourite Season? Why?

Autumn because it is the most beautiful with the changing leaves and the crisp, cool air. Plus, my favorite holiday Thanksgiving is in it :)

What Are Your Current Obsessions?

Dream catchers, Arrows, Dandelions, Essie Turks & Caicos, Deer.


So there you are. Go check out her blog! Her layout is so adorable, and she is the sweetest!
xx

Letters on a Friday...

I am testing the link party waters once again and linking up for Fridays Letters!!

Dear Weekend: Thank goodness you are here at last! This semester is killing me and I have never looked forward to the weekend more!

Dear University: Calm down Ok? Don't go two and a half years being easy and then explode with work to do in my last semester ever! That's not how its supposed to work. Right?

Dear Olympics: I am ready for you! I will be up at 7am with my flatmates, tea, crumpets and scones, ready for you in all your British glory! Boo Yah.

Dear Opening Ceremony: Please let the rumours about Voldemort be true. Don't know what I'm talking about...Read this!

Dear Friends: I love that you are starting blogs! The obsession is spreading! And that you are letting me do your designs! Chaeck out my friend Rachel's blog Yellow Brick Road and Abbie's blog Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust!

Dear Readers: I love you guys! Seriously! Thanks to the sweet responses to my honest and out there post!

Dear Sleep: You. Me. Right now.

xx

If You Really Knew Me...

Hello to all my new fabulous readers!! I have seen this post trend floating around the blogosphere and thought now would be the perfect time to give it a go! And continuing with my "honest blogging" promise I'm going to put it all out there... And I mean really put myself out there. Be nice!

If you really knew me...

- You would know I love to take stupid photos way more than serious posed ones.

-You would know I can be quite quiet until you get to know me, I can be quite shy.

- You would know I LOVE films and TV shows (although you should all know this) and if we like some of the same things I would happily spend hours discussing and quoting them!

- You would know I'm full of big dreams but am pessimistic about fulfilling them. I would love to be an actor or a film editor and am even studying for this at University but I don't believe it will ever happen. 

- You would know I taught myself to play guitar and can often be found mucking around and playing my favourite songs. I have even had a go at writing a few. I'm not the best singer though. Not bad, but not fantastic.

- You would know I am 20 years old and have never had a boyfriend. (this one took a lot of guts to admit) I have been on dates, had crushes, known about guys who have liked me. But never had the opportunity (or the courage) to be in a relationship. Sometimes this worries me, being alone forever type worry, and other times I feel like my time is coming, and its all for a reason.

- You would know I drink a lot of tea and coffee. And I eat way too much junk food.

- You would know I cry really easily. Any sad film, book or TV show. Whenever someone else cries. When I'm stressed. A lot!

- You would know I don't get angry. I get annoyed or I quietly sulk. But I never rage. Maybe I bottle it inside, I'm not sure, maybe I just accept things too easily.

- You would know I love the water, I grew up next to beaches and rivers and pools. I love swimming, but I'm self concious about wearing togs/bathing suits

- You would know I'm kind of a crazy cat lady, I adore my cat Milo, and pretty much all cats like me. I am a cat whisperer.

- You would know I love being adventurous and trying new things but I get terrified before I do them. But I do them anyway! Case and point, the New Zealand famous Zorb!

- You would know my Mum is a breast cancer survivor, one of my idols (the other being Audrey Hepburn) and one of the bravest people I know.

- You would know I am the epitome of a "poor student". I have less than $200 to my name.

- You would know that I am a fidget-er. I tend to do my hair or paint my nails while watching TV or I get too fidgety.

Well there we go. Hopefully my being completely honest didn't scare any of you away, and that you feel like you know me a little better. Its actually quite tough putting some of this out into the blog world so again, be nice :)

xx

Christmas in July!

Its time! Christmas in July is officially here and I could not be more excited! You have no idea how much I love Christmas, I drive my family crazy every year putting decorations up, watching Christmas movies over and over, and going on the Christmas lights trail on Christmas eve!

So of course I linked up for 

I got paired with the fantastic Aussie blogger, Natasha from Natasha in Oz
She sent me some cute little goodies! Including this beautiful ring...

And this super cute Aussie Christmas decoration!! I was born in Australia so its a perfect little reminder!

I love them! Thanks Natasha for brightening my dreary July!!

xx

I Have A Fancy New Camera!

Unfortunately its only on loan from the Uni for one of my assignments... But still! I have spent all afternoon playing with it, taking photos of everything I own! Here's a couple of my favourite shots! I really need to get me one of these... too bad I have no money!

This type of focus is my favourite thing right now! So cannot do this with my point and shoot!

How pretty is my guitar Ruby?! Love my Christian Dior detailing :P

And take a look at the bracelet I made the other day... I made one for me and one for my Christmas in July pressie. I love it! and the fact I made it myself makes it special!

xx

Sunday Confessions...

I have decided to continue my trend of trying new link parties instead of doing the same few every week, cause wheres the fun in that right?

Soooo I am linking up with the fabulous Alyx from Every Day is a New Adventure for Sunday Confessions. 

I think its a fab way to get a few things off your chest, short and to the point!

1. I did nothing absolutely all weekend. I had a hellish week and I think I deserved it. Not ashamed!

2. I am going a bit design mad, and spent some time creating some gorgeous headers that I'm thinking about selling, sort of an intro to the blog design business. What do you guys think? Would you be keen on seeing them?

3. I wish I was in a warm cozy fort with my best friend again, just like this... 

Its raining outside and its freezing cold, and I miss Alanna! Only 5 months untill shes back from India!!

4. I think I need a blog content revamp. I want this to be more of a personal memory record, and right now its not. So hopefully I can be a little bolder and stop posting fluff pieces and start being more me...

5. I got my Christmas in July (just to reinforce Alyx's excitement!) present in the mail and LOVE IT! Can't wait for the link-up to show off my gift, and what I sent out!

There you have it, my confessions on this dreary sunday...
I Hope you all had a great and more productive weekend than mine!
xx

My Crafty Side...

So I have been spending my days relaxing and watching fab movies and TV shows, and hanging out with friends...

And as great as it has been, I have been getting a little bored.

So I decided to get crafty, being inspired by all you crafty bloggers out there! I have always been a pretty average sewer but I always like the things I end up making so I was excited to make some new little things. I don't have a sewing machine though, so everything is hand-stitched!

Here were the materials I could scrounge up...

A definite blue theme going on, good thing I like blue!

I decided to make two things, a little pocket for holding my Christmas in July presents for my partner Natasha and a cute material case for my camera, so I can slip it in my smaller handbags!

They are in no way professionally done, but I think they are cuuute!! What do you reckon?

I really like how they all turned out!
xx

Me in the Spotlight!

I was nominated by Tiffany from Austin Family Diary for the Versatile Blogger Award!!! I am so excited about this, thanks Tiffany!!


And then Abby from Only Impossible Until Done told me she had nominated me for the Liebster award!

So I am going to combine the rules of these awards! But mainly the Liebster! Here we go...

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you, plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No tag backs!

11. Random Facts about Myself:

1. I'm not a very good cook. I could be, but I just don't like cooking. So I avoid it.

2. I re-watch all my favourite movies and TV shows over and over again...

3. I would love to be a film editor and mingle with all the famous people some day

4. I hate peas. And corn.

5. I have been to 8 concerts and 3 music festivals. I LOVE live music!

6. I love costume parties more than regular parties

7. I pick up other peoples accents really easily. Like in a conversation with someone, or listening to an accent on TV

8. I managed to staple my fingers together when I was little

9. I collect my movie tickets stubs, I started in 2006.

10. I wear my pyjamas as often as I can, sometimes all day

11. I taught myself to play guitar

Abby's Questions for Me:

If you could move anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Probably LA for my career, or Spain just because

Where is your favourite place to shop?

Thrift Stores, You can find some awesome stuff!

What would you do if you had unlimited funds, but couldn't spend it on yourself or family/friends?

Starting a business (technicaly thats not on me)

What language do you wish you could speak?

Spanish!

If you could be any tv or movie character, who would you be and why?

Blair Waldorf... those clothes!!

Who do you think you look like most, your mother or father?

Neither really... My sister looks like mum, and my brother like dad. I'm the odd one out

Which past TV show would you love to bring back?

Oooh! So many! Veronica Mars, The O.C, Gilmore Girls, Hidden Palms...

How many siblings do you have?

2, younger sister and brother

How many houses have you lived in in your life?

10. Including Mums houses, Dads houses, and Flats. Wow!

What is your favourite food?

Wedges, Pizza, Chocolate, Mexican!

Do you think you could ever become a vegetarian?

Hmmm maybe, I don't eat a lot of meat other than chicken and mince. But I do like those...

My Questions For my Liebster Nominees:

1. What is your Favourite Holiday?

2. What is the best book to movie adaptation you have watched? 

3. If you could meet anyone famous, who would it be?

4. What is you favourite Perfume?

5. How would you react to a Zombie Apocalypse?

6. What is your favourite quote from a Kids Book?

7. Heels or Flats?

8. If you could give truth serum to anyone on the planet right now, who would it be and why?

9. What are 5 words that describe you?

10. What is the weirdest dream you have ever had?

11. What era would you have loved to live in?

My Liebster Award Nominees: I spent a long time on this, going through all my fav blogs. All these blogs I read regularly and love! They are all fantastic!

Tiffany at The Momma Bear Diaries

Kelsey at A Little Bird Told Me

Cassie at Always a Blogsmaid, Never a Blogger 

Becca at Diary of a Diva

Abbey at Finding my Forever

Abbi at Glam, Bam, Thank You Ma'am

Kylie at Love Always

Kathleen at Places I Will Go

Sarah at Simply Dove

Olivia at Olivia.Dee

Chelsea at The Collegebook

Well there you go! Some facts about me and some new blogs to check out!

Lucky you!

xx

Summer Crushes...

I am linking up for the first time with...

It is pretty deep into winter here in New Zealand. There is frost coating the tips of the grass in the mornings, fog surrounding your legs as you walk at night, a constant steam coming out of my mouth so I feel like a dragon... I fill up my hot water bottle at least 3 times a day, and wear so many layers that I feel like an eskimo. So its no wonder the thing I have been crushing on all week is 

SUMMER...

via Pinterest

So warm, and fun, and adventurous, and free.

I wish it was summer here, Pinterest and all your blogs are making me jealous!

So enjoy it ok?

Meanwhile I will be here freezing my butt off, drinking coffee and burrowing in blankets to survive!

xx

Me, Myself & I Link-Up...

I'm here today bringing you my answers for the first ever Me, Myself & I link-up!

1. What is your biggest phobia? 

Cockroaches. Definitely. I seriously can't handle them. I once sat in my room crying for 2 hours because there was one near my door and I couldn't go past it! It's pretty bad.

2. If you could relive any day of your 

life, what would it be and why? 

I'm not sure. I haven't had any "Life-Changing" days yet, I'm only young, but maybe my trip to the Soundwave Music Festival in Sydney, Australia. It was such a fun day as I was with my friend, in the city I was born in, listening to some of my favourite bands!

3. If you could choose to stay a certain 

age forever, what age would it be? 

Even though I haven't actually been this age yet, I'm gonna say 21/22. I feel like these are going to be good ages! Old enough to do everything (even though we can drink here at 18) but still young!

4. Which celebrity do you get mistaken 

for? 

I have been told that I sometimes look like Mischa Barton from The O.C but I dunno, I don't really see it... You guys can decide...

5. What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?

I didn't have a good answer for this one so I found a "Soundtrack of Your Life Survey" and filled it out!

If your life was a movie, what would the soundtrack be?

Open your music library

Put it on shuffle

Press play

For every question, type the song that’s playing

When you go to a new question, press the next button

Opening Credits: Remebering Sunday by All Time Low ft Juliet Simmons

Average Day: The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel

First Date: One For The Memories by The Hot Lies

Falling in Love: Walk on Water or Drown by Mayday Parade

Love Scene: Painting Flowers by All Time Low

Fight Scene: Bounce by The Cab

Breaking Up: Haven't Met You Yet cover by Damien McGinty and Cameron Mitchell

Getting Back Together: My Own Best Friend by Chicago

Driving: Spectrum by Florence & The Machine

Deep Thought: We Cry by The Script

Flashback: This Is The Countdown by Mae

Partying: Honey Bee by Blake Shelton

Happy Dance: All My Loving by The Beatles

Death Scene: The Adventure by Angels & Airwaves

Closing Credits: In The Sun by She & Him

I'm pretty happy with the outcome, and you should definitely check all the bands, cause they are awesome!

Hi to all you visitors!! I hope you stick around :D I would love to meet you!
xx

On Your Screen

Helloooo and welcome back to another week of On Your Screen with me and Abby!

Grab a button and link up!!

<center><a href="http://sineadelle.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/On%20Your%20Screen"><img border="0" src="http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o522/SineadElle/OnYourScreen.jpg" /></a></center>

This week is somewhat of a warning...

I am a huge fan of watching budget or indie horror films, sometimes they suck, other times they are epic and can scare the crap out of me!!

This one was not epic.

Black Forest

"Black Forest tells the chilling story of tourists lost in a magical forest, who battle evil fairy tale creatures plotting to kidnap one of their babies and slaughter the rest of them. Cast members include Tinsel Korey, Ben Cross (Chariots of Fire), Dhafer L’Abadine, Oliver James, Andy Clemence and Howerd Charles."

via

The main reason I wanted to watch this movie? Oliver James. He is pretty darn hot! And British (or so I hoped) and he was fantastic in Raise Your Voice and What a Girl Wants. So I was mildly hopeful...

Sadly I was disappointed though, He was still gorgeous (although unfortunately playing a nerd *sad face*) but the movie was beyond terrible. Firstly, he put on an American accent, which he did fine, but he just suits being British!! Its why people love him. And then there was the film itself. Badly written, with the worlds cheesiest lines... Case and Point: "I'll huff and I'll puff, and I'll eat all your meaty bits" Seriously?

Anyway guys, I want ramble too much this week, I just thought as an avid movie watcher I should warn you, It's not worth it :( They didn't quite pull this one off unfortunately.

Link on up and share with us your movie or TV experiences... Good or bad!

Kicking it Off With a Bang!

I have to admit, I was not at all excited for the first day of B semester... I am at the point where I am sick of school and I really want it to be over (12 weeks to go Sinead, 12 weeks to go!)

And it seemed like B semester wasn't exactly happy to see me either. Pouring with rain, freezing temperatures and grey skies greeted me this morning as I dragged myself out of bed for my 10am meeting ( I am NOT a morning person). I spent the next five hours sitting around discussing projects, whining about said projects, listening to an ancient lecturer talk about his life and generally falling asleep. 

I was then back at 5pm for two hours of Theatre which involved walking around the theatre and analysing how we walked, lying and the floor and practising breathing (because its so difficult) and talking about Absurd Theatre.

HOWEVER

The night turned itself around as I went out with friends and flat mates to the "Re-Oweek" Bar Quiz...

A few drinks and 1 HOUR LATER 60 teams were ready to play. It took two hours longer than it was supposed to, and we went through topics like "Theme Songs" (which we rocked!) "Sex Ed" (which we failed miserably) "Sports" "Current Events" and a couple of others...

Sorry for the average photos :(

And guess who came a respectable 3rd and took home a $100 bar tab? Yup thats right, my team! BOO YAH! Norfolk Enchants (read this aloud... Get it?!) gets the prize! 

Hopefully it keeps getting better and better, then I may actually survive my last semester {EVER}

xx

Book Club Friday...

I haven't linked up for Book Club Friday in a couple of weeks and I already miss it, so I'm back!! If I'm honest I have not done as much reading as I hoped I would this holidays, I kept getting distracted by cheesy movies and 'camp' horror films haha.

But I did manage to read this little gem!

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Synopsis:

As a child, Kathy–now thirty-one years old–lived at Hailsham, a private school in the scenic English countryside where the children were sheltered from the outside world, brought up to believe that they were special and that their well-being was crucial not only for themselves but for the society they would eventually enter. Kathy had long ago put this idyllic past behind her, but when two of her Hailsham friends come back into her life, she stops resisting the pull of memory.

And so, as her friendship with Ruth is rekindled, and as the feelings that long ago fueled her adolescent crush on Tommy begin to deepen into love, Kathy recalls their years at Hailsham. She describes happy scenes of boys and girls growing up together, unperturbed–even comforted–by their isolation. But she describes other scenes as well: of discord and misunderstanding that hint at a dark secret behind Hailsham’s nurturing facade. With the dawning clarity of hindsight, the three friends are compelled to face the truth about their childhood–and about their lives now.

A tale of deceptive simplicity, Never Let Me Go slowly reveals an extraordinary emotional depth and resonance–and takes its place among Kazuo Ishiguro’s finest work.

My Thoughts:

Wow. I have to admit I saw the film before I read the book (it has Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightly, and Andrew Garfield in it!) but I knew from the film that the book was going to be great, and I was right! It is written beautifully, the characters are crafted so well, and it so clever that you don't see anything coming. Its true genius is that its not written as a sci fi or a thriller but it crafts aspects of both into a fantastic piece of literature. I won't say anything else about that as I may give it way, but its crazy good!

The book focuses around the relationships between the characters and the social dynamics of the boarding school itself, we get the story from an adult Kathy's perspective and she describes her younger life in great detail. She skips back and forth between stories of varying importance, mentioning people from her childhood and more importantly her best friends there. Some people have complained about the way it was written, as a one-sided conversation almost, but I thought it worked well with the style of the book. Seriously guys, read this book. it is amazing! And the movie is pretty good as well, its slow moving and full of silences which often puts people off, but if you enjoy well-constructed, beautifully shot, and compelling films then you will love it! its just definitely not a Hollywood blockbuster...

Who knows, maybe I will have more luck reading when I'm back at Uni, actually doing work. It seems to be the case...

xx

Let us hope that Mr. Harry Potter will always be around to save the day...

Today I am going to let you in on a little secret (that is not very secret).

I am completely and utterly obsessed with Harry Potter. Like not even kidding. So I found this little survey and thought it would be quite fun to let you in on quite how obsessed I am...

Its pretty magical so feel free to steal it and fill it out yourself! But leave me the link cause I wanna see you HP obsessions!!

pics on Sodahead

1. If you went to Hogwarts which house would you be sorted in?
According to Pottermore I’m a Hufflepuff, And while they aren’t too exciting I think it means I’m a good person and would be friends with all the other houses. So I’m happy.

2. Have you ever been to the HP midnight release?
Yup. The movie premieres for both HP7s!!

3. What did you think of the Deathly Hallows?
I really liked it, I thought it was a great way to end the series, and I loved all the character goodies! 

4. How many times have you reread the books?
Over 50 times each. Most people don’t believe me, but its true! 

5. Whose death was the saddest?
Fred L He was always my favourite twin! 

6. If you went to Hogwarts would you rather have an owl, a cat, or a rat?
Hmmm Can you have an owl and a cat? Cause I would do that! 

7. What do you think of the movie Half-Blood Prince?
It was good, not my fav but I did like it. Especially all the funnies thrown in there 

8. What do you think of the Deathly Hallows being split in two?
I think it was a really good idea! The story was so detailed it needed to be

9. Have you read the Tales of Beedle the Bard?
Yup sure have, I thought it was cute

10. When did you first become a Potter fan?
Oh wow, I was probably 9, so 11 years ago :O 

Favourite…

Female character?
Hmmm Hermione and Mrs Weasley

Male character?
Ron and Draco. Ron’s just so adorable and I feel sorry for Draco, I always wanted him to defy his parents and join Harry’s team!

Professor?

Professor Mcgonagall, she’s so kick-ass but also a sweetheart. Plus Maggie Smith plays her to perfection!

Death Eater?
Bellatrix, I love how absolutely crazy she is! Its ridiculous! 

Magical creature?
Unicorns, and I think Nifflers sound adorable!

Spell?
Lumos, it would be so helpful. And Accio, because who doesn’t want to be able to summon stuff without moving?!

Book?
I think 1, 4, and 7 are my favourites! But they are all beyond epic. 

Movie?
Ahh I don’t know, 1, 3, 4, and 7. Haha, but again. ALL 

Hogwarts House?
Slytherin! Becuase you can be a goodie, but you can also get away with being bad.

Place?
The Three Broomsticks sounds super cool. And The Burrow!

Weasley?
The Twins and Ron!

Couple?
Rona and Hermione, its gotta be. But also Tonks & Lupin

This or that…

Gryffindor or Slytherin?
Slytherin, but its close

Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff?
Hufflepuff! I’m not smart enough for Ravenclaw!

Fred or George?
BOTH but Fred if I have to pick. Again :( 

Ginny or Luna?
Ginny in the book. But not a fan of Bonnie’s acting

Butterbeer or Firewhiskey?
Butterbeer just sounds delicious!

Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade?
Diagon Alley

Books or Movies?
Books. But I do adore the movies 

Half Blood Prince or Deathly Hallows?
Deathly Hallows, I love it! 

Sorcerer’s Stone or Chamber of Secrets?
Philosophers Stone! (None of this Sorcerers nonsense!)

Lupin or Sirius?
Lupin 

Harry/Ginny or Harry/Hermione?
Harry/Ginny because its always been Ron/Hermione

Lavender Brown or Parvati Patil?
Parvati, I feel like she could be quite badass if needed

Seamus Finnigan or Dean Thomas?
Seamus, I just love that he’s Irish

Kreacher or Dobby?
Dobby

Dan or Rupert?
Rupert for sure!! He is one hot ginger!. 

Bellatrix or Narcissa?
Bellatrix, she’s hilarious!

Voldemort or Tom Riddle?
The guy who played Tom Riddle in COS was pretty hot!, and Voldy doesn’t have a nose. So Tom

Hedwig or Crookshanks?
Hedwig

Woohoo!! Well I'm off to watch Harry Potter for the 1 Billionith time, maybe #4...

Have a great week!

xx