An Unexpected Journey...

New Zealanders are a proud bunch. We are such a small country that when something big happens, the whole country gets behind it. We get excited when we are mentioned on American TV, when we beat another team in sport, or when one of us wins something huge!

So of course we happily claim the Lord of The Rings movies as our own cinematic babies. They were filmed here, the director is one of us. Everybody associates LOTRs with New Zealand, and we love it!

So when The Hobbit rolled around... we were all too happy to pull out all the stops! The first hobbit film had its world premiere in Wellington the other day and boy was it a doozy! I unfortunately wasn't able to attend, but it looked like one hell of a night. Check out all the Hobbit-y goodness!

These are the filming locations around New Zealand, for the last 3 years, I lived 30 minutes away from Hobbiton and The Shire! How cool is that?!

The genius director, Sir Peter Jackson, strolling out of the hobbit-hole!

Boy do I wish I was there holding my own sign!

600 metres of red carpet, and thousands of fans!

Have you seen The Lord of the Rings? Do you associate it with New Zealand?

I cannot wait to see The Hobbit on December 13th!!

It's going to be quite a journey!

*  I was not compensated for this post, I just find The Hobbit exciting!  *

The Spotlight's On...

I am very happy to introduce you to one of my fabulous sponsors today!

This is Dawn from Leroy Lime! Blog    Shop    Facebook    Twitter    Instagram

Tell us a bit about your blog...

A blog about DIY, organization, my Etsy shop LeroyLime, Pinterest & Instagram

Tell us something interesting about you...

I'm the youngest of four

Tell us some of your favourites...

Books - The Time Travelers Wife, The Secret Life of Bee's, anything by Jane Green

Films - The Sound of Music, Chicago, Moulin Rouge, Sweet Home Alabama

Music - Eva Cassidy, Katie Melua, Diana Krall, Alison Krauss

What makes your blog unique...

I think every blog is unique...we are our own people with our own personalities and styles. Mine is just from my point of view!

Dawn's shop is full of hand crafted goodies that are seriously gorgeous! Right now there are a bunch of holiday themed gifts and this one is my favourite! Make sure you check out Dawn's blog and shop!! You won't be sorry!

Retro Holiday - Christmas Tree Cards

The End of an Era...

I have been done with University for a little while now, and my final grades have just been released...

This girl is officially graduating!! Holla!!

I am pretty stoked about it obviously, one, because I can now get on with my life and welcoming new adventures, and two, because I could not have handled repeating any of my papers. I hated all of them by the end of the year. 

So celebratory wine all round!

I thought I would share a few flashback photos from my time as a newbie university students. A first year, young and naive about what university actually meant, and enjoying the partying that seemed to come with it...

Nights out on the Town...

Fort Building...

Lots of Dressing up...

 Pizza...

Night Adventures... 

Getting all Dolled up...

I had a blast and I could not have asked for a better university experience! I will miss aspects of my life at uni, but definitely not the assignments! Oh lordy I am glad they are over!!

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares...

I haven't written a book review in such a long time, for two main reasons.

1. I haven't had much time to read thanks to University assignments.

&

2. When I have had a chance I have been reading Game of Thrones which is hella long.

But now I am done with uni, I have been taking time to relax, and while I am still reading Game of Thrones (and loving it as much as the TV series!) I took a small break and read a short fun YA book. I am linking up with Heather for this one!

The novel is by the authors of Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, which I haven't read, but I did enjoy the film. When I saw a review for Dash & Lily I knew I had to give it a go! Fun fact is, the two authors Rachel Cohn & David Levithan write separately  Rachel wrote Lily's chapters and David wrote Dashes and they would email each chapter back and forth with little prior planning. It just seems like such an interesting way to develop separate characters!

“I’ve left some clues for you. 

If you want them, turn the page. 

If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.” 

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions? 

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

Pros

• The characters are so different. They are developed perfectly throughout the story, you understand why they are the way they are, and you empathise with them. They are both outcasts, but completely uniquely. Lily is a weird, socially awkward "adorkable" character, while Dash is more of a sullen hipster type, with an deep love for the English language.

• Each chapter switches focus between Lily or Dash, giving you the different sides of the stories as they pass the red moleskin back and forth. It is always enjoyable to be able to read the same situation from different points of view, it makes the literary journey more realistic and exciting.

• The story is set around Christmas. Now you may not know this about me, but Christmas is my favourite time of year. I love the films, songs, decorations, trees everything! So setting a novel during Christmas is a sure way to win me over. It also plays an important part in the characters development. Lily is a Christmas fanatic (much like myself) while Dash hates Christmas.

• Contemplation is a huge part of this book. While the characters are only 16, they are very wise and it is shown through the use of language and literary references throughout the book.They discuss the meaning of life and the spirit of Christmas but manage not to stray from the light-hearted nature of the story.

Cons

• The use of language I mentioned previously does at times get out of hand. I found sometimes I didn't understand bits of what was written and could have used a dictionary next to me to look them up. However even though I didn't recognise the words, it wasn't hard to understand what was going on which was good.

• Dashes outlook on Christmas was a bit depressing. He was alone for Christmas by choice, he hated the busy streets and the Christmas displays, and at times it got me down. But this was only a minor con, and it was probably only me who picked up on it.

• Towards the end it does get a little cheesy and melodramatic, some very ridiculous and unrealistic things happen, but it does turn it around in time for a very sweet and romantic ending.

As you can see the pros dramatically outweigh the cons. The book was fun, quirky, witty, and romantic and I would definitely recommend it. It makes me want to leave my own notebook out there, just to see what happens...

So go on, read it... I dare you!

Summer Lovin'

Summer is on its way in New Zealand and I am excited!! After being stuck in land-locked Hamilton all year, I am so keen to get back to the beach, spend time reading in the sun, having cocktails with my friends, backyard bbqs and my 21st birthday is in February! This summer is shaping up to be a goodie (if only I could find a job)

With a new season comes a new set of fashion trends. I have never been a huge trend follower, generally because I have never had enough money to update my wardrobe regularly. I tend to pick out things I like and adapt my clothes to fit the look. Summer definitely makes this easier! Less layering, simple fun pieces, bright colours and flowy clothes. I love it. 

This is one look I am loving lately...

Summer Fun by sinead-love featuring summer tops

Weekend Highlights

This weekend was a mix of excitement and exercise. Its started off with a fabulous wedding.

My friend from High School Christine got married to her love Jacob in a gorgeous ceremony at their church. It was beautiful and there were a few teary moments (mainly when Jacob sang her a song) and it was good to see some of my friends again. It really was a lovely day.

Sunday then brought a day of exercising. Over my two years flatting I ate extremely unhealthily, I was cooking for just me, and I'm not very good at cooking in the first place. So frozen meals and oven-fry chips were a lot easier for me. 

Now I am paying for it. I can't quite fit my old jeans. I'm not comfortable wearing shorts out of the house. So I'm changing things. Luckily for me my mum is already a bit of a health nut, so eating healthy should be quite easy. The exercising part I am taking into my own hands. I have been walking, doing pilates with friends, and doing TV workouts that make exercising much more fun! I also plan to start running as I want to do the Colour Run while I am in Orlando next year! So it's all go around here! You guys need to hold me accountable ok?

I'm still busy looking for a job, but I'm also taking time to relax and enjoy the end of university. Its important to slow things down sometimes, right? Enjoy your weeks :) Do you have anything exciting coming up?

Disney Dreaming & Design

So I know my know my Disney Adventure is still a long way off, 271 days off, according my handy little gadget over there. But I was bored, restless and excited, plus I had this super cute design sitting in my computer and I couldn't wait any longer!

I think the downfall of being a designer, is constantly wanting a design update. But oh well, its my blog! I can have it anyway I like :) What do you think? A little pinker than I usually am, but I actually really like it.

And speaking of design, a little bit of an update! SineadElle Designs is officially up and running, with prices, and payments and everything! Aren't we fancy! So here you go! if you are interested in giving your blog a makeover, click "Buy Now" right here, or visit my design page to have a look around!

A La Carte Options

Header $20.00 USD Navigation Buttons $10.00 USD Social Media Buttons $8.00 USD Welcome/About Image $10.00 USD Grab Button x2 $8.00 USD Post Signature $5.00 USD

Thank you to those who have already contacted me :) I love working with each and every one of you, and now that University has finished, I have more time to devote to making your designs exactly what you want!

A Disney Update...

Hey lovelies!

I am settled back into my room in Tauranga and I am loving it! Not having to cook for myself, not having to do all my own laundry! Its fantastic, although I obviously help out around the house, I'm not doing everything by myself and its great!

I also have a bit of a Disney update! I finally got my new passport (after missing the courier) which I am going to scan tomorrow at my nanas (our printers broken :(  ) so I can then email it to Disney!! One more thing checked off my list!
I also ran around like a crazy person at university the other day trying to get a letter stating I was graduating at the end of the year, apparently no one knew what to do, or if they were able to do it as not all my marks are in yet, it was ridiculous! But I got one, and hopefully its acceptable, otherwise I will have to wait until my marks are actually in.

But it does mean I am that much closer to my Disney dream!! Woohoo!

I completed another blog design yesterday, and I am so excited about it! It might be my favourite one yet!

Visit SineadElle Designs to check out my portfolio if you are thinking of giving your blog a makeover!
xx

Sunday Social

So I am exhausted after a long day of moving my worldly possessions from my flat to my mum's house, where I will be living until I head to Disney in August next year! My room is looking super cute, but still full of stuff that hasn't found a home yet. Its a work in progress.

So I am linking up Sunday Social, which I always find super fun!

What is currently on your wish list? 

Man what isn't! I am in desperate need for so many things! Mainly clothes, most of the clothes in my wardrobe I have had for many years and some of them are starting to fall apart. Its a sad sad thing. Also a job, definitely wishing for a job.

Share a new iPhone app you have recently discovered that we all need:

I am without an iPhone which makes me sad inside. Maybe one day soon

What is a new fall TV show you have added to your DVR?

I watch most of my new TV online seeing as New Zealand is wildly behind. My new favourites are Revolution and Arrow, but I am a sucker for my old favourites.

Share your social media links for us to follow you on & tell us which your fave and why:

Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and again, no iPhone so no Instagram :( But I love me some Twitter! I like stalking celebs, and interacting with the bloggy community, its just so much fun!

What is a TV series/movie/song you could watch or listen to over and over and never get tired of?

T.V Shows: Supernatural (always always always!!), The O.C, Gilmore Girls and Criminal Minds. Plus so many more! I am a huge re-watcher of shows I love!
Movies: All Harry Potters, and School of Rock, I know them both off by heart!

I'm off to re-watch Gilmore Girls for the hundredth time, then sleeeeeeep! Mmmm sleep.

xx

What a Busy Bee...

I am beyond happy that it is Friday today. I plan on sitting in my bed, watching horror movies and not moving. At all. Ahhh bliss...

I am linking up with Lauren today for High Five for Friday! And I am high-fiving like crazy over here (or mentally high fiving myself) because I have a lot to be excited about!!

• I have finished my short film, which is my last assignment of University EVER! All I have to do now is hand it in on Monday and I will be DONE FOR GOOD!

Here is a screen shot of my film :) I'm pretty happy with the imagery, but the overall outcome is a little iffy.

• I have been doing Movie/TV exercises lately, in an attempt to get fit and ready myself for the Florida sun next year! So far this is my favourite... (i'm a little obsessed!)

• I move out of my flat on Sunday and back to sunny Tauranga. I'm very excited, mostly about rearranging my bedroom! I love setting things up, and making them look pretty!

• I have been working my little butt off designing up a storm, and I am loving it! I have officially decided on prices, but I am having a lot of trouble with PayPal. Do any of you guys know the best way to charge people for online services? Anything other than PayPal? Here are a few of my most recent designs!!

I love em! Don't you?!

• It is almost Summer here in New Zealand!! I am so excited to get some colour back into my pasty white skin! And the beach... Oh the beach!

This is across the road from my house... How lucky am I!

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend, I will be relaxing tomorrow, then breaking my back trying to move the horrendous amount of stuff I have accumulated!

Enjoy yourselves lovelies

xx