My favourite Christmas decorations | 2015

   Christmas is only 6 days away and I thought I would share my favourite Christmas decorations! I hope you like them!

    Tinker bell = This is one of my favourite

    Christmas decorations! I got this when  

     I went to Disney Land Paris in 2008! 

     Every year when I take out all of my 

     decorations and I see this one I 

     always remember the amazing time 

     my family had! 

   Doves: Every year my mam and dad 

    used to get us a decoration from

    Newbridge. Now we get them from all 

    different places. This is my one from 

    years ago but I love it so so much! I 

    love the texture of it and I think it's very     

    cute!

   Three snowy snowmen: My family have        

   had this for maybe 7 years? It's not  

   only a very festive decoration, oh no! If   

   you lift it up under it is a thing that you 

   twist, and when you twist it a festive 

   song  plays! 

   Glowing snowman: This is a decoration  

   I got from a Kris Kindle 3 years ago and 

   I love it! In this picture it's blue but it    

   changes colours! It had a blue 

   snowflake hat and a white sparkling 

   scarf! I think he is so small and cute 

   and I just love him!

   

   

   Chubby snowman: This snowman also    

   changes colour! He's big and squishy! I 

   think he is so special and I love him    

   very much! How can you not love him!?

  

   Magic Santa Key: What is the magic  

   Santa key you ask? You hang it on your 

   front door on Christmas Eve to help 

   Santa get in quicker! He just takes the  

   key and opens the door! ;) 

 

   

  Skiing snowman: This snowman really 

  ski! It has wheels on the end of the skis 

  and when you press his hand he moves   

  them like he is skiing!

 

   Christmas story book: Last but not    

   least is one of my absolute favourites!   

   it's a book and inside is a little scene   

   of Santa and all of the presents and if  

  you plug it in the fire lights up! I think 

  this is such a cute decoration and I look 

  forward to seeing it every December!

Top 8 studying tips | 2015

Since I have exams coming up I thought I would write up my Top 8 Studying Tips.I know that not everyone might not be doing exams at the minute but they might help in the future! I know studying is boring and repetitive but I hope some of these tips help you! 

1. Write it out!

This is my main way of studying! I write is out again and again and then after a few times it goes in and I know it off by heart.

2. Use colours!

Using colours will help see important things or titles quicker. For me it makes it a bit easier to read because everything doesn't look the same.

3. Quiz yourself!

After you think you know it and have read your notes a few times quiz yourself! It's like in an exam and it's good to see if you will still remember all the information!

4. Switch it up! 

Don't stay on the same subject for a long long time. Leave that subject for a while and come back to it later. 

5. Say it out!

If you read out loud it can go into your head easier. Like writing, if you say it again and again you won't forget it!

6.  Reward yo'self!

Whether it's something sweet, having a shower or going for a walk, reward yourself after a long day of studying!

7. Get some air!

After a long time of studying it's good to clear your head and get some fresh air. You could go for a nice walk, stand out in the garden or even just open a window!

8. Just breath!

Just sit back and breath! Take a deep breaths in and out! After all of your studying just relax for a bit!

This or That tag

I just thought of these this or that's off the top of my head! I hope you enjoy and give it a go yourself x

1. Coke or Pepsi : The most popular one! Pepsi is so much nicer!

2. Crisps or Chips: Chips 100%

3. Fruit or Vegetables: Fruit! I find it so much more fresh! But I eat more vegetables.

4. Black and white or Colour: Colour makes me happier even though I still love b&w.

5.Winter or Summer: It really depends on what month it is because in the start of the year I can't wait for winter and woolly jumpers but then after Christmas I can't wait for the hot-ish weather and being off school. So now it's Winter.

6. Christmas or Halloween: CHRISTMAS!!! I don't really like Halloween that much but I love Christmas so much! Just everything about it!

Look how Christmassy this picture is!!!

7. Cats or Dogs: I don't have either but I think I would prefer a dog but not like a really big one!

8. Disney or Pixar: I loved Disney princess movies when I was young but now I think I prefer Pixar!

9. Hot or cold : Hot in the day. Cold in the night.

10. Sweet or Savory : SWEET!! I love sweet things so much! 

I tag Rambling Reads and anyone who wants to do this. I hope you liked my this or that tag!

Photo Diary: A day in Howth

 

Chocolate crunch and mint chocolate chip!

 

   One of the best things in the world

Day in Mayo | Photo Diary

Hi! I went to Mayo for a few days and here are some pictures I took!

   

They had chocolate muffins at breakfast!?

Yum!

Rainy Mayo.

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Genre: Contemporary, Young adult.

Publication date: August 14 2014.

Publisher: Usborne.

Pages: 375.

My Rating: 3.5/5 stars.

Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last? 

Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart. 

Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.

In Isla and the Happily Ever After we meet the shy, quiet girl that we read about briefly in Anna and the French Kiss. 

Isla has a big crush on Josh Wasserstein and has for a couple of years. I didn't expect her to like him that much at the beginning but she was obsessed with him. 

Isla has a best friend named Kurt. They live across from each other and have been friends since they were little. Also this year Isla's younger sister Hattie has started in SOAP (School of America in Paris). 

Josh and Isla grow closer and closer and it's obvious that they have feelings for each other.

 

I'm not sure is Isla and Josh are the best couple. They have cute, romantic moments but also have moments were they can sometimes act a bit immature at times when they are arguing. 

Isla kept brining things up about Josh's past and they weren't that nice and also were unnecessary at the time. She kept talking about his previous girlfriend, Rashmi, even when they were having a romantic moment. Where as Josh almost never brought up Isla's previous boyfriend. 

I felt that Isla made bad decisions when talking about things with Josh. But Josh did also. 

I really liked how we already knew Josh from Anna and the French Kiss. I felt like we were reading about and old friend. I loved how he mention his friends like Étienne, Anna,Meredith and Rashmi. 

Josh was always trying to do good things for Isla, even if they didn't end up good at the end! I also enjoyed how he was to Kurt. He invited him to his from to study along with Isla and invited him to go places with them. I felt he was very respective of Kurt.

The chapter or two with Anna, Étienne, Meredith, Lola and Cricket were my favourite! And there was one scene in particular that I loved! (I'm not going to say it incase someone hasn't read it!) 

I found Isla very annoying at times. But I really liked her at times. My opinion of her changed all the time. At the beginning of the book I thought she was very obsessed with him and barely ever talked to him, but I liked her. But near the end I found her nice and I liked her more. I loved how her and Hattie's relationship grew over them bonding and talking about the tree house. But I did not like Hattie at all at the beginning!

I gave this book 3.5/5 stars because even though I really enjoyed it, I felt it was a bit of a let down in comparison to Anna and Lola. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who has read Anna and Lola. Also to anyone who's looking for something fun and easy to read!

Paper towns | Movie Review

Age rating:  PG-13.

Genre: Adventure / Mystery / Romance.

Director: Jake Schreier.

Written by: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber.

Author: John Green. 

Runtime: 109 minutes.

Release date: 17th of August 2015 (Ireland).

Actors: Cara Delevingne, Nat Wolf, Halston Sage, Austin Abrams, Justice Smith.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars.

Paper towns by best selling author John Green is a story about a boy named Quentin Jacobsen and his mysterious and confusing neighbour Margo Roth Spiegelman who loves mysteries so much she became one. Quentin has been in love with Margo ever since she moved beside him when they were kids, but as they grew up they separated and never spoke. But now, just before Prom they started talking once more. 

I haven't read Paper Towns so when I went and saw it in the cinema it was all new. One thing I picked up on was that there were a couple new names that I had never heard before like Quentin and (Margo Roth) Spiegelman. 

I wasn't that excited to see it, but still wanted to see what it was like. 

Once the movie began, like a lot of movies, I instantly thought Quentin and Margo would be together in the end. 

The nice thing about Paper Towns, I feel, is how the relationship between Quentin and Margo wasn't more important than the relationship between Quentin and his two best friends, Radar and Ben. 

I feel that Paper Towns is maybe even more about friendship than love. 

I liked Paper Towns, but I didn't love it. I found it very short like nothing too much happened through the whole film, minus the main plots. But one of my favourite parts in the whole movie was the road trip. I found it was fun and very teenagery? If that makes sense! 

I liked the characters over all, but I did think that we could use more back story on Margo. I know we got some, but I feel like it wasn't enough. 

The characters Ben Starling and Radar, who are Quentin's best friends, were two of the best characters for me. I felt like they brought a lot humour to the movie, Ben especially. They were alway there for Quentin and made right decisions at times were Quentin couldn't and was blinded by his love for Margo.

I didn't like Quentin and Margo that much. I didn't hate them, I just felt there wasn't a lot of information about them and they weren't as interesting.

I gave this movie 3.5/5 stars. I liked it but I thought it was a bit slow and not much happened. I know that a lot of people love it, but I just didn't like it that much. 

I would recommend this to anyone who likes mystery and friendship. Also for anyone who is looking for something fun and easy to follow to watch. 

Lola and the Bot Next Door by Stephanie Perkins | Review

Genre: Contemporary, Young adult.

Publication date: September 28 2011

Publisher: Usborne

Pages: 373

My Rating: 4.5/5 stars 

Lola Nolan is a budding costume designer, and for her, the more outrageous, sparkly, and fun the outfit, the better. And everything is pretty perfect in her life (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. When Cricket, a gifted inventor, steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Lola is a seventeen year old girl who loves all things fashion. She has a boyfriend named Max who is in a rock band.Everything in her life is great until her old neighbours, the bell family, move back in. Anna and one of the Bell family member, Cricket Bell, were childhood sweethearts before Cricket stopped talking to Lola and moved away. 

Lola hated him after that and so did her best friend Lindsey. 

When Cricket comes back into her life her feelings change. 

I thought this book was really good. In comparison to 'Anna and the French Kiss' (which I love ah!) it seemed a lot more realistic, if that makes sense?

I feel like Lola went through more realistic things like her parents not letting her do this and that. 

I absolutely loved how Stephanie Perkins brought in Anna and Étienne in the movie theatre and you could see them together and talking about there families! 

     I was like.... 

Cricket Bell. I loved everything about him! He was not this popular guy that everyone girl in the town wanted, like Max, but he was so nice, caring and smart! I loved that about him. I also loved the way Lola always described Crickets long arms and tall body. It's obvious that Cricket still had feelings for Lola as soon as he said hello! 

I feel that Lola loving fashion really added something extra to the book because she was not only talking about going to see cricket or max, but what she was wearing. Later in the book when she was upset and mad, she wore more black and whites and not fun colours like the normal Lola.

In the end I actually really liked Caliope, which I didn't think I would at the start of the book. I feel like near the end Lola understood Caliope's situation a lot more. And Caliope approved of Lola and Cricket and I feel that if the book went on longer Caliope and Lola would have a good relationship. 

I give this book 4.5/5 stars! 

I would recommend this book to anyone who has read Anna and The French Kiss or just anyone who is looking for something fun  to read! 

Get To Know Me | Tag

Hi! I wanted to do a kind of tag like this and so I saw this tag and thought it would be nice to do and to give it a go!

Okay here we go... 

1. Are you named after anyone one?

I've asked my parents this before and they said I'm not and that they just liked the name. So the answers no! 

2. When was the last time you cried?

Well I wasn't expecting this question hahah. I think it was a few weeks ago when I woke up from a dream that all my family had died. Hahah just got all deep!

3. Do you have kids?

No.

4. If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself?

Yeah! I don't really know why, I'm a nice person?

5. Do use sarcasm a lot?

Um.. Yeah I think so. I'm not really sure if that's a good or bad! I only use it with people I'm comfortable around!

6. Will you ever bungee-jump? 

Oh hell nah! I could NEVER! Yeah I'm going to leave it at that!

7. What's your favourite cereal?

I don't have cereal that often because I don't like milk, so I have cornflakes on their own without milk!

8. What's the first thing you notice about people? 

For the most part it's eyes! Have you ever seen them like clear kind of eyes? Oh my god they are gorgeous! And I also notice hair.

9. What is your eye colour?

Blue. 

10. Scary movie or happy endings? 

Happy endings! I hate scary movies, I never ever watch them. They scare me way to much! 

11. Favourite smells? 

Raw meat, wood, lemons. 

12. Summer or winter? 

Summer because there's a little chance that it might be a little hot in Ireland! 

But I love wearing wooly jumpers in winter!! 

13. Computer or television? 

Computer - you can do so much more on the computer and you can watch TV on the computer so, yeah computer.

14. What's the furthest you've ever been from home? 

Well, with my family we went to Orlando Florida last year and that was the furthest away from home I've ever been. 

But on my own I went away to the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway for two weeks in fifth class ( I live in Dublin btw).

15. Do you have any special talents?

I don't think I have any special talents, but I think I'm quite good at sports.

16. Where were you born? 

Dublin, Ireland 

17. What are your hobbies?

Playing sports, baking, watching TV shows. 

18. Do you have any pets? 

Sadly not :( . 

19. Favourite movie? 

There is a lot, so I'm only going to name a few:

Mamma Mia, Spy, Harry Potter Deathly Hallows part 2.

20. Do you have any siblings? 

Yes.. One older sister and a younger brother.

21. What do you want to be when you grow up? 

I want to be a primary school teacher! 

That was the last question! 

I tag anyone who hasn't done it yet and wants to! 

Playlist for Anna and the French Kiss

Playlist for Anna and the French kiss by Stephanie Perkins 

- I want you back by The Jackson 5

"When I had you to myself, I didn't want you around

Those pretty faces always made you stand out in a crowd" (Anna)

"one glance was all it took"

"Oh baby, give me one more chance

(To show you that I love you)

Won't you please let me back in your heart

Oh darlin', I was blind to let you go

(Let you go, baby)" (Étienne - when Anna and Étienne are outside the nightclub and Anna finds out that Étienne is still going out with Ellie)

- Poison and wine by The Civil Wars

"Oh I don't love you but I always will" (Étienne - when he is trying to pick between Anna and Ellie)

"I wish you'd hold me when I turn my

back

The less I give the more I get back"

(Anna)

- Taking over me by Lawson

"My heart is racing

She puts her hands in mine

I feel them shaking

I look into her eyes

And I tell her that it's gonna be alright

And I'm never ever gonna make you cry"

(Étienne)

"I'll fix your broken heart

I'll make it beat again" (Anna)

"

Whoo-uuh-uuh I just can't believe the love, love, love is taking over me" (Both)

- Shut up and Dance by Walk on the moon.

"Oh don't you dare look back.

Just keep your eyes on me."

I said, "You're holding back, "

She said, "Shut up and dance with me!"

This woman is my destiny.."

(Étienne - when Anna starts dancing in the nightclub)

 

"She took my arm,

I don't know how it happened.

We took the floor and she said.." (Étienne- dancing in the nightclub with Anna)

"I knew we were bound to be together,

Bound to be together"

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins | Review

 

Genre: Contemporary, Young adult.

Publication date: December 2nd 2010

Publisher: Usborne

Pages: 401

My Rating: 5/5 stars 

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Anna and the French Kiss was on my 'Next 6 books I want to read' list. I've wanted to read this s much ever since my sister recommended it too me. I wasn't sure if I would like it THAT much, but oh my god I loved it! There were no boring parts in the book and Anna's humour really added to the book.

Anna Oliphant is NOT happy. Anna's Dad decides to send her to a boarding school in Paris, France called 'School Of America in Paris' (soap) for her last year in high school. This is not what she had in mind. She has to leave her best friend Bridgette, her could-be boyfriend Toph and also her younger brother Seán. 

Anna loves films and has a blog reviewing films. Her dream is to be the nations greatest film critic. 

Once Anna is in Paris and her family leave her she realises that she is alone. 

On her first night she meets her neighbour Meredith. Meredith is artsy and loves football. On her way back to her room she bumps into Étienne St.Clair. Anna notices how good looking he is and also picks up on his gorgeous hair and British accent.

Every girl in the school is falling head over heels for Étienne, including Anna. But there's one problem.. he has a girlfriend (noooo!). Anna tries not to like him in that way, but she can't help it! He's funny, smart, gorgeous, caring, has amazing hair and has a cute English accent. What else could you want?

I love how they start out just as friends but both have feelings for one another . They spend so much time together but they don't  act out their feelings.

I literally couldn't put down this book! It was so amazing. Anna and Étienne's relationship kept you on the edge of your seat!

Once I finished Anna and the French Kiss I wanted to read more although I was really happy with the ending. Everything worked out well in the end. I really could not fault it! 

I loved this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for something fun, romantic, funny and easy to read. 

Easy No Egg Mini Scones |Recipe|

Things you will need: 

- 1 Large Bowl 

- a couple of small bowls 

- A weighing scales 

- A clean surface 

- A rolling pin 

- A wire rack 

- Your Hands!

Ingredients:

For batter 

- 12 ounces of Self Raising Flour

- 2 ounces of Castor Sugar 

- 4 ounces of Butter 

- A pinch of salt 

- A little milk

For shine 

Because this is a no egg recipe I mixed milk and golden syrup to get a golden finish on top on the scones. Just put a little bit of milk and golden syrup in a bowl and mix. You only need a little because it's only going on top of the scones. 

Method: 

1. Measure out your Flour and sugar and add them into the large bowl with a pinch of salt. 

2. Add the butter in a mix with your hands until it resembles breadcrumbs.

3. Add a little milk and keep adding it until the mixture has become a dough. (DO NOT add a lot of milk or it will be too sticky and won't work! Tip: Rub your hands with flour before this so the dough doesn't stick as much) 

4. Put the dough out on to a clean surface and roll until around 1inch thick. 

(You can make it thicker if you would like, but you would only get a few scones) 

5. Cut your scones out using a cutter.

6. Place them on to a tray (Tip: Spread a little bit of flour on the tray so they don't stick) and dab them with the golden syrup and milk shine mixture. 

7. Place in the oven for 15-17 minutes or until golden at 220*C or Gas Mark 5.

8. Once they are cooked, place them on a wire rack to cool. (Tip: Place a tea cloth over them to keep them away from things like flies.)

I hope you enjoyed this recipe and try it out! 

What Makes A Good Book Cover | Guest Post

 

Hi! My name is Rachel and I blog about books over at Rambling Reads. I’m also Emma at Chapter Squash’s sister and the reason she even considered blogging. Today , I’m guest posting over here to talk about book covers and what makes them brilliant or terrible.

 

 

Everyone knows the saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover." but it's almost impossible not to. When you're looking for a new book in a book shop , the cover is what will make you pick the book up because it's impossible to read every single blurb.

What catches my eye?


Colours. I always pick up the bright books before everything else if I'm looking for anything light hearted. Great examples of this are Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and Remix by Non Pratt. Even with high fantasy , I like colours that catch your eye. If a book is black with a white font , I most likely will not choose it. If a cover is dark , there should be more to it than just black , like light shining in or designs. The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare have darker coloured spines that still catch your eye because of the bits of brightness in them.

 

 

 Another thing that has a huge impact is the images. Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill has the black and white colour combo that I just shamed above , but what makes it special? Well , the huge Barbie doll of course! What is a Barbie doing on a dark book? In many cases , the book has already been bought at that point. It grabs your attention as soon as you spot it!

 

 

 

 

My least favourite covers?

 

Usually , they have actual faces on the front of them. For example , Jennifer L Armentrout books always seem really terrible to me , despite how amazing her books are. It says nothing about the story and it's really unfortunate.

 

 

 

 

What do you think makes a good cover? Do you have any favourites or least favourites? Comment below!