Christmas Through the Carols // FREE Advent Bible Reading Plan

Hello darlings!

You know those ideas that just come to you out of nowhere and you have no idea if it will even work or how to do it but you go ahead and do it anyway?

Well, this was one of those ideas. I was just going about my day when the idea to create my own Advent Bible reading plan came to me and I went with it! I didn't know how was even going to create this, but I am very pleased with how it turned out.

So I am very excited to bring to you my Christmas Through the Carols Advent Bible reading plan!

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What inspired this plan?
It is called 'Christmas through the Carols because I wanted to take some of my favourite and most popular carols and delve into them a little and think about the words and how they relate to the beautiful Christmas story.
Throughout the month of December, I have compiled my favourite versions of the carols I selected for you to listen to.


How do you use this plan?
Each day there is a scripture reading and a song/activity. The scriptures were selected carefully to explore several main themes that encompass the Christmas story. The Fall, our need for a Saviour, prophecies of the Messiah, the coming of the Messiah, and hope for His second coming.
Through this plan, we will be reading form all over the Bible, including the Old Testament, the Gospels and even the letters in the New Testament to get a broad picture of the whole story and the wonderful way that God wrote it.


Right, are you ready to see this Christmas Bible reading plan? Okay in...
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1

Ta da!

I love how it tuned out and I can't wait to do this along with you!
Here's a closer look at the schedule...

Click here to download PDF!

What else can you expect this month?

Some fun, Christmassy posts here on this blog,  plus snippets of my Christmas preparations and what I get out of this Advent study over on my Instagram (@joy_and_wildflowers). 

I have also created a playlist with all of the songs in this Bible reading plan so that it is easier to find them.

Link to my Christmas Through the Carols playlist on Spotify!

I hope and pray that if you use this plan that it will fill you with hope and encourage you during this Christmas season.

One thing that I really desire is that we would all become women who love and cherish their Bibles and time spent between its pages. 

In doing this plan I also hope it will help us keep our eyes on Him during this busy but wonderful time of year.

keep blooming,

November Favourites

Hello darlings!

2019 is wrapping up fast and Christmas is right around the corner!
Believe me when I tell you I am really excited for the Christmas season, for many reasons(one of which you will see later this week right here on my blog!).

But that is a different post for another day, today I am wrapping up November with my favourites of this month.
I found a bunch of fun things this month that I enjoyed and I cannot wait to share them with you.

So without further ado, here are my November favourites!




BOOKS

My reading went much better this month, partly because I am frantically trying to complete my Goodreads Reading Challenge.
• Sweet Dreams (Christy Miller #11) by Robin Jones Gunn
• A Promise is Forever (Christy Miller #12) by Robin Jones Gunn
• Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess (graphic novel)
• The Mozart Question by Michael Morpurgo (reread)
• Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart by Kristen Clark & Bethany Beal
• In My Father's House by Ann Rinaldi
• Princess Sylvie by Elsa Beskow (children's picture book)
• The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• After the Tide by Lindsay Harrel

I think my favourite reads from this month would have to be both the Christy Miller books and In My Father's House (link to review).

MUSIC & PODCASTS

• My Soul Be Satisfied by Selah
I found this song at a time when I really needed this month and it became a prayer from my heart. It's just beautiful.

• He Will Hold Me Fast by Keith & Kristyn Getty
I listened to this before my quiet time this morning and I just think it a lovely song of assurance and truth. I'll put it here so you can give it a listen.

• God So Loved by We The Kingdom
This is one of those happy, fun songs that makes the perfect summer jam!



MOVIES

My family watch a whole lot of series this month. From Victoria S3, Poldark S5 Finale, and When Calls the Heart S6.

I can't pick a favourite out of them. I did rather enjoy Victoria though (except for the whole footman-has-affair-with-married-duchess plot).
I just can't get enough of Victoria's scrumptious dresses!

FASHION & BEAUTY

• My new jumpsuit which I showed you in my recent thrift post.
I wore it three times in one week and I love it!

• Bunny ear scrunchie
My mum got this for me and I love it so much. It looks so cute on a bun!

That pretty much sums up my November!
This month we have had some very hot summery days which have made me very happy.

keep blooming,

Thrifting my Spring/Summer Wardrobe

Hello darlings!

I've seen this idea around on YouTube recently, where you go to the thrift shop & try to thrift for your seasonal wardrobe from Pinterest.
All the videos I have seen have been for the Autumn season so I thought I try doing this for my Spring/Summer wardrobe.
In this post, I'll share some pins form my Spring & Summer wardrobe boards that I'm going to try and find at the thrift shop and include my haul at the end (providing I find some goodies!).


Wishlist

• white top, t-shirt or blouse
• maxi or knee-length skirts
• denim jacket
• neutral colours, pinks, blues and maybe red
• casual summer dress
• t-shirts, possibly graphic tees
I'd also have a look at knitwear and shirts just to see if I can find anything there.

Pinterest Inspiration

The Haul

I did not find everything that was on my list, but that's just how it is sometimes with thrifting.
But I'm super excited about what I did find!

First, I managed to find a cute & casual summer dress.
I have been eying up the whole lemon print thing for a while now and I am so delighted to have this fun summery piece in my wardrobe.
The buttons are such a cute little detail and I also just love the fit of it, it is the perfect length, sitting just at the knee.
I plan to style this with a plain white t-shirt underneath, some sandals and my go-to gold hoops!

When I saw this jumpsuit on the rack, I decided to try it on just so I could see if I liked the whole jumpsuit trend at the moment.
I tried it on, it fit perfectly and I kinda loved how it looked. (After two days of wearing it now, it is safe to say I absolutely love it!)
I love the colour, the buttons, how comfy it is and best of all the pockets that are so deep that I can fit a small book into them(if one would ever wish to carry a book in one's pocket)!
I like how they can be styled either up or down, depending on what you're dressing for.

This wasn't on my list. But I did want to find more for bottoms than tops and this somewhat fits that category so I consider it a win! I definitely want to get a couple more jumpsuits!

Lastly, another item for bottoms, I found these green 3/4 length pants. The more muted shades of green have become a favourite in my wardrobe recently so I think these will be great.
They feel comfy and perfect for the summer.
I plan to style them with a casual t-shirt and sandals, with maybe a little bandana around my neck for a casual, beach day sort of look. They are a little less green in person, by the way!

On this small shopping spree, we also stopped by another shop where I picked up these sandals (not thrifted).
I had seen them around and I wanted to try a pair on to see if I would like how they looked on me.
Turns out they are really comfy and I really like them, which my sister can't seem to understand (she hates them!).

That's all for today folks! I hope you enjoyed this fun thrifty post.
Thrifting is a treasure hunt, sometimes you find exactly what you were looking for, and sometimes you don't. Sometimes you just find this you didn't know you even wanted or needed!
All of my thrifted goodies cost me about $34, which I think is okay.

If you like these thrifting themed post please let me know! I have a few ideas for other thrifty posts!

keep blooming,

What Boosted My Study of the Bible

Hello darlings!

Let's face it. Sometimes, studying the Bible can be hard.

It's easy to just skim over it, sigh and then bring up a commentary on your phone to 'help' you make sense of what you just read.

But, this is not the way to do it. This is not true, dedicated study of the Scriptures and it won't lead to a good understanding of the Bible.

In the words of Jen Wilkin, "We're called to love the Lord our God with all of our mind, not John Piper's mind. While what he and others have to say about the Bible can be extremely helpful, it is no substitute for Bible study on our own."

"We must learn to study in such a way that we are not just absorbing the insights of another, but are actually being equipped to interpret and apply Scripture on our own."

A couple months ago I printed out Coffee & Bible Time's free printable annotation & highlight guide and started using it in my quiet time.

Link to their blog post here!

I tried using highlighter codes previously but I never continued for very long and didn't find they worked for me.

But for some reason this one was different and it worked! 

I also found the annotation ideas helpful in digging into a passage. Now I usually only use a study guide or commentary after I've written my own thoughts and only as a way to finish off my study.

My favourite 'colour' from the highlight guide is the purple one which is for who God is, His names, attributes, characteristics and actions.

I think it is so important that we not forget WHO the Bible is about and looking for God in each passage is a great thing to do!

Sometimes after I read a passage, I'm left thinking, "Well, what can I get out of that?"

And the annotation ideas help me there.

For example, one of the ideas is to write a bullet point list of God's attribute mentioned in that passage. 

So I read through it again and make a list of all of the attribute of God that was mentioned.

Or there's the idea of defining words. Are there any ket words that stood out that you don't know that definition for? 

Maybe you know the word but sometimes they can have a deeper meaning when you look up the definition and jot it down.

If you feel like your Bible study has been lacking lately, then I'd encourage you to maybe try using this simple guide.

One last tool that I've also found helpful is a book. Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin is a small book but full of helpful tips and methods to help equip you to better study the Bible.

Purchase Women of the Word

Highlighters I Use

Coffee & Bible Time Blog

I hope you enjoyed this short & sweet post and that it will help you on your journey in discovering the treasures in your Bible.

keep blooming,

P.S

I apologize if my posting is a bit irregular from now on. I will try to get back to Monday and Friday blog posts but for now, I'll just post whenever I have the time(life gets crazy sometimes!).

My Hair & Skincare Routine

Hello darlings!

A few months ago, I switched up my skincare and hair routine and so far, it has been working brilliantly for me! My skin and hair are looking quite nice since I implemented some new habits and methods.

So today I thought it would be fun to share some of the tips, products and tricks I 've been using on my skin and hair!

Everyone's skin is different. What works for me may not work for you.
My suggestion if you are looking to go more natural or switch your routine up is to just try and see what works for you and go with that. I hope that some of my tips will help!

• • • •

Skin

Morning
In the morning, I wash my face with cool or warm water and pat it dry with a towel, as opposed to scrubbing it with the towel (the skin on your face is more delicate and should be treated carefully).
I then moisturise with aloe vera gel, especially the dry patches and areas prone to pimples. I like how the aloe vera feels as it is cooling and refreshing on the skin.
Aloe vera is highly anti-inflammatory and contains Vitamin C & A and other enzymes and antioxidants so it is great for your skin.

Evening
I am not as consistent with my evening routine but if I manage to do it then this is what I will do.
If I wore mascara that day, I will remove it with cotton pads and coconut oil (I don't wear any makeup on a day-to-day basis, only mascara when I am going out or a touch of lipstick!).
Then I moisturise with a manuka honey face cream. This smells lovely!

I used to use this face cream in the morning but then I began using aloe vera and switched to using this honey cream in the evening.

Weekly
Once a week, in the shower, I will use a facial scrub to exfoliate and a facial cleanser.
I was using my facial cleanser every day until I realised after a while that continually using a product to wash my face was not helping it and even causing it to break out more.

The way I see it is, if you strip your skin of its natural oils frequently, it 'thinks' it doesn't have enough oils and then produces more, creating oily skin and pimples.

Once I stopped washing my face with the cleanser every day and only used it once a week, I found my skin became less prone to breakouts and they healed a lot faster (with the aid of the aloe vera as well).

Hair

Shower Day
Before I get into the shower I brush my hair to get out any tangles.
In the shower, I massage the shampoo on the top of my head and comb the conditioner through the ends of my hair. I started using Love, Beauty & Planet Shampoo and Conditioner with Coconut Oil & Ylang Ylang and I love the smell and it also seems to be working on my hair, making it soft and shiny.

Once I'm out of the shower, I wrap my hair in a t-shirt.
Towels can make your hair frizzy so I have been using a t-shirt and I think it has helped keep the frizz at bay!
I don't brush my hair while it is wet because it can break your hair and cause frizz.
Instead, I comb through my hair with my fingers and then I rub a couple drops of argan oil in my hands and comb that through.

Since using the argan oil, my hair has been softer and the curls more defined.

Link to purchase!

That wraps up my skin & hair routine as of right now!Most of these products are very natural and I like the products I use to be natural because I think it is much better for you.

I'd love to know what your favourite skin or hair product is! Let me know in the comments!
What is your favourite part of your beauty routine?


keep blooming,

The Secrets of Paper & Ink ~ Book Review

Hello darlings!

Today I am delighted to bring you a review of a new favourite book of mine!

A while ago I saw this book popping up everywhere on bookstagram but for some reason, I thought nothing of it.
Then a few weeks ago I spotted it at our local library and thought I may as well give it a go.
I am so glad that I read it.
I can't wait to read more books by this author but for now, I'll share my thoughts on this book!

Synopsis
"As a counsellor, Sophia Barrett is trained to help people cope with their burdens. But when she meets a new patient whose troubles mirror her own, she realizes she hasn't dealt with the pain of her recent past. After making a snap decision to get away for the summer, Sophia moves overseas to an apartment above a charming bookstore in Cornwall, England.
She is hopeful she will find peace there surrounded by her favourite thing: great literature.
Bookstore owner Ginny Rose is desperate to save her business without asking for help from a husband who's decided to take a break from their marriage.
Ginny never imagined she'd be solely responsible for keeping afloat her husband's dream, but the unexpected friendship with her new renter has her feeling more optimistic.
Between the two of them--and Ginny's brother-in-law, William-- the bookstore might stand a chance.
Then Sophia finds a notebook in the bookstore that contains journal entries from Emily Fairfax, a governess who lived in Cornwall more than 150 years ago. Sophia learns that Emily harboured a secret passion for becoming an authoress--as well as a deep love for her childhood friend, Edward, whose station she dared not dream to touch.
Eager to know more of Emily's story, Sophia goes on a quest--dragging Ginny and William--to discover the heart of the woman behind the beautiful entries. Soon Ginny's need to save the bookstore becomes more than a way to save her marriage, and Sophia finds new purpose of her own.
Together they find that sometimes both heartache and hope can reach across the centuries."



The Pros
Reading this book made me feel like I was wrapped in a cosy blanket, sipping a hot cup of tea.
I actually already feel like rereading it and that doesn't happen often!
At first stepping back and forth between Sophia, Ginny and Emily's stories was a little confusing but once I got into it I followed along easily.
I love a good historical so it was nice to have part of the story set in the 1800s. I could have happily stayed in Emily's story for the whole book but the way that all three women's lives intertwined was quite beautiful.

This book was actually kind of refreshing to read because while there was still a hint of romance in the plot, it wasn't the focal point. The story focuses more on healing, hope and friendships.

I loved the setting in Cornwall, England. It is my dream to visit England someday!
It was so bookish, being set around a bookshop, Sophia is an avid reader (along with William), the search for Emily Fairfax through clues in her journal and her dream to be an authoress.
I loved this aspect of the whole book!

One quote that stuck out to me was this one:
"We must embrace that story and remember that who we are is not defined by the ups and downs of our lives--the failure OR the successes. Nay, we are instead defined by Whose we are."



The Cons
The spiritual content was lacking in my opinion. The author just scratched the surface of something that could have gone a little deeper and could have put her point across a little clearer and stronger.

One comment was made that didn't really need to be there but it was about a married couple so it wasn't impure.


In conclusion, I loved this story. I hugged the book when I was finished because it was that sort of book.
I cannot wait to read Lindsay's other books, in fact, I already have the ebook for After The Tide, written by her!

If you love stories about friendships, books and healing then this book is for you! And if you love split time novels and stories about writers and books, then this book is also for you!


keep blooming,

October Favourites

Hello darlings!

October has just flown by, hasn't it? I had a pretty good month for me and I've enjoyed the warmer weather!

Yesterday we went to the garden centre and got a lot of vegetable seedlings for our veggie garden. I also picked up some flowers for my cut flower garden and an adorable succulent. I'm looking forward to getting out into the sunshine to plant them.

I have a few things to share with you that I discovered this month.
Continue reading for my October favourites!



BOOKS

My reading has not been going well in the last few months. This month I only read three.
• Through the Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot
• Muck & Magic by Michael Morpurgo
• The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

Though I enjoyed all of these books, my favourite has to be The Secrets of Paper and Ink.
Look out for my review next week!

MUSIC & PODCASTS

• Always Gonna Be by Selah
This song came up on my Spotify suggestions and I am SO glad I listened to it. It has a country vibe to it and feels like the perfect summer song. I love the hope-filled lyrics too.

• Loving My Jesus by Casting Crowns
Another one that popped up in my Spotify suggestions and I love it. The message is one that is so true for me, that all the ones I love will love my Jesus and come to know Him.

• Dancing Again (Acoustic) by Whitney Lusk
This is just a sweet love song that I fell in love with and have had floating around my head this month.

• Behold Our God by Sovereign Grace Music
This was one of the songs we sang a lot at a camp I went to at the beginning of this month and it quickly became a new favourite. I love how it portrays God as the King of the universe and someone who is worthy of our worship and praise.



MOVIES

Tolkein {2019}

As we were watching this, my Mum turned to me and said: "This is going to be one of your new favourites, isn't it?"
I can't say she was wrong! I did rather enjoy this film.
Films about writers are often appealing to me because they involve books, reading and all that good stuff that we readers enjoy.
All the actors & actresses were great, and the main actor (for Tolkien) actually looked a lot like someone I know!
I definitely recommend it to those who love Tolkiens books, period dramas, or films about writers!


Call the Midwife S7 {2018}

This month my family watched Seasons 7 and 8 of Call the Midwife and out of the two, I think S7 was my favourite.
I might have to do a recap of my thought on these two seasons...




FASHION & BEAUTY

• Khaki t-shirt

I thrifted this simple t-shirt this month. Even though it is plain, it was something on my wishlist and I just love the colour.



What were some of your favourite form this month? I'd love to know!


keep blooming,