Let Me Gather My Thoughts on Little Women 2019...

Hello darlings!

It feels so nice to be back at my laptop writing blog posts for your enjoyment (I hope!).
I am quite excited for today's post, in which I will be chatting about the latest Little Women adaptation and comparing it to the beloved 1994 version--which is my personal favourite.

1994 vs. 2019

As previously mentioned, this adaptation is my favourite and one of those lovely films that warms my heart!
It is the one I've watched the most too.
I believe it captures the warmth and charm the story best and makes me want to go back to it again and again.

I'll also admit that I think Christian Bale makes the best Laurie, portraying him as the sweet, boyish character we all love from the book. Winona Ryder is a perfect Jo and brings her to the screen wonderfully aswell.

Overall, I think am quite biased as to my feelings about this version!
But now let us discuss the most recent adaptation...





As I had strong attachments to the older adaptation of the story,
I admit I was skeptical about what this new adaptation would be like.
But I was surprised, and I actually enjoyed it. I don't like it quite as much as the 1994 one but it was still pretty good.

Emma Watson, Saoirise Ronan, Eliza Scanlen, and Florence Pugh were all fabulous and played their roles wonderfully.
It took me about half of the film to get used to Timothee Chalamet as Laurie. But he was alright apart from the fact that he looks like a teenager throughout the whole film, which doesn't really work when they have all grown up, got married and there he is still looking 18 (and Chalamet is actually 24...)!

Aside from that, there was a scene where Amy is talking to Laurie and some of the things she says had a slight feminist edge to them that irritated me a little.

Other Thoughts

Costumes
This is always my favourite part about period drama films! I'll insert pictures of some of the ones that I rally liked.

Jo's outfit here is so suited to her personality!

What girl wouldn't want to attend a ball in this dress!

This might be my favourite of all of them!

Beautiful dreamy Meg!

Again, Amy has a beautiful wardrobe!

The cinematography and sets were really beautiful and well done too. I loved the scenes in the garden like the photo above and John & Meg's wedding.

Plot

The plot was done slightly differently to the other adaptations I've seen. We are introduced to the characters when Meg is already married and a lot of what happens towards the end of the book has already happened in the beginning of the film. 

Then it goes back and forth between the past when they were young to the present events unfolding.

Not sure if that made sense!

So to wrap up this post, I did enjoy this adaptation and recommend it to those who love the story or would like an introduction to the book. But I do highly suggest that if you haven't already read the book go read it right now!

The book is best and is so dear to my heart! talking about it makes me want to go back and reread it.

keep blooming,

What God Has Taught Me This Year

Hello darlings!

I'm coming to you from our dining table today with Phil Wickham's songs playing in my ears and an empty glass that held my yummy coffee next to me.

As this year comes to a close I've been reflecting on the past year and thinking about the year ahead.
One of the big things that has been on my mind is what God has brought me through and taught me this year.
He has taught me many things, but I want to focus on the main ones in this post.

First off, God taught me that He is fully dependable and faithful. He is so, so faithful my dear readers!
He is faithful to stay with us with each step we take, faithful to provide, faithful to comfort us and bring us through times that we could never face without him by our side.
When I look back this year I can see very clearly He was in which he has shown me his faithfulness and it is so important to look back at be reminded of the good things God has done.

Another thing God has shown me in the last few months is that He is worthy of my trust.
I wrote this post a while back talking about trusting in God and my main takeaway from a youth retreat I attended.
Now I have a small testimony to share that started back at that very youth retreat.
I was asked at the youth retreat if I truly trusted God. I wanted to say yes but I thought and prayed about it.
At the time, I don't think I could fully say that I did trust God, with my life, my family, or my future.
But with tears streaming down my face I committed to God and carried on with my life.

A few weeks after my brother & I had left the retreat, my world was tipped upside down and with it my family's world. We are still in a hard place but as I look back on the past couple of month which have been some of the hardest and most unpredictable of my life, I see that I was in a way being tested.
In a way, I feel that God was asking me, "Do you really trust me even though you are going through hard times? Do you trust that my purpose in all of this is really for your greater good?"
And now I smile because I see that He was and continues to grow my faith and was using the past few months to mold and shape me.

It is one of the most wonderful things to look back in your life and see how the puzzle pieces of random and various events fit together into a beautiful pattern!
At the time you may not see how any of the things in your life have a purpose or connect, but God always has a better plan to make something beautiful out of the brokenness.

Now I feel that I can step into 2020 with full confidence that God will lead through all of it, whether through sunshine or rain, He will be by my side.

keep blooming,

My Top 10 Favourite Books of 2019

Hello darlings!

It's that time of year again, time to talk about my favourite books of the year.
These aren't necessarily book that were published in 2019, but just my favourite books that I read this year.
Most of these books came to mind fairly easily when I was looking over my 2019 reading stats on Goodreads.
I had a pretty good year of reading in 2019. I read a lot of good books and wasn't majorly disappointed in any of them.
But some definitely stuck out as my favourites and I am going to tell you which ones they were now.

This list is in no particular order, because I could never rank them.

1. Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

I read this twice this year, so that says something! I really enjoyed this book and I think its the perfect read if you feel like your quiet time needs a boost in the New Year. It is short, easy to read and full of helpful tips & advice.

2. The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

My first Julie Klassen book and one of my favourite reads of the whole year to be sure! I loved the mystery in this, the characters, the romance and the whole package. 

It was a chunky read but honestly I didn't mind because it was so good and I even had a slight book hangover afterwards!

I can't wait to read more of Klassen's books next year and probably reread this one because I have my own copy now.

3. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

After watching the movie adaptation for this book (actually filmed in New Zealand), I was of course interested in reading the book. The movie itself was emotional and beautiful, but the book only exceeded in making me emotional, even to the point of shedding tears!

The story is such a heartbreaking one but so well written and and though there are a few inappropriate comments (within their marriage thankfully) that I could have gone without, I do recommend this book to those of you who love a beautifully written, heart breaking historical read!

4. Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

I read the Ladies of Harper's Station series throughout this year and while I loved the series as a whole and enjoyed reading the other women's love stories, this one was my favourite.
Amos was a different hero to what we are used to seeing and his relationship with Grace that grows throughout this book is just the sweetest.
I love that they first communicate through telegraph messages, much like texting today only much cuter!

5. Love Defined by Kristen Clark & Bethany Baird

The second book on my top 10 in the Christian non-fiction genre. I read more of this genre in 2019 and I hope to read even more in 2020 because they a faith building and encouraging to read.

I have a review on this wonderful book, which I'll link here.

6. Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

I was introduced to the genre of Biblical Fiction this year by Jenna van Mourik (I highly suggest you look her up on her Instagram, Blog and Youtube channel, all @jennavanmourik!) and she raved about Land of Silence so I had to pick it up and I soon found out that her praises were not for nothing.
This book is so, so good and I am eyeing up Tessa Afshar's other books now...

7. Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations by V. Joy Palmer

I finally got to reading this book this year and I really enjoyed the story & Palmer's fun, quirky writing style. Also, the topic of being content with singleness was addressed in this story which is rare in the Christian fiction genre.
I cannot wait till her third book gets released! 

8. The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

Another new-to-me author that I discovered this year was Lindsay Harrel. I have a written a review here on this blog so I'll leave that linked here.

9. In My Father's House by Ann Rinaldi

Ahh, just thinking about these books, especially this one, makes me want to read them again!

This lovely book had been sitting on my shelf for quite some time before I finally decided to pick it up this year. I shared all my fangirly thoughts on in a review here on my blog not long ago so if you are curious you can check that out.

10. Kind is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously by Candace Cameron Bure

I listened to an audio book of this book read by the one and only Candace Cameron Bure and I really enjoyed it. She writes about her own life experiences and her career, all while presenting the message of kindness in a simple and inspiring way.



I would happily go and reread most of these book right now, that's how much I enjoyed them!
Have you read any of these? What was one of your favourite reads of 2019?

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,

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,

September Favourites

Hello darlings!

I hope this post finds you well! I am very happy that it is finally Spring, although there is still a slight Winter chill in the air, it smells like Spring.

This month my family was sick for a good few weeks with a nasty flu, but thankfully it is behind us now.
Aside from that, in September, I enjoyed starting to wear t-shirts, going out in the sunshine and watching the Spring blossoms bloom on the trees, especially the magnolia trees. They are particularly lovely!

Those are some of my favourite things about Spring but now I am here to share with you the other things that became favourites this month.




BOOKS

Sadly this month was not a good reading month for me. I read only two books, though I hope to finish a third by the 30th.
• Kind is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously by Candace Cameron Bure
• Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin

I enjoyed both of these and you can find my reviews/thoughts & ratings of the books here and here.
Currently, I am also reading A Light On the Hill by Connilyn Cossette with the Biblical Fiction Buffs , which a Biblical fiction centred book club.



MUSIC & PODCASTS

• My Electronic Chill playlist on Spotify
I created this recently and enjoy listening to it while doing something like sewing or painting.

• My Girl by The Temptations
I first heard this song in Father of the Bride, which we watched for the 3rd or 4th time this month. It is played during a sweet scene where Mr Banks and his soon-to-be-wed daughter Annie shoot some hoops and it just gives me the happy vibes that the movie has.

• Rend Collective
A friend on Instagram (@joy_and_wildflowers) told me about this band and I have been enjoying some of their songs this past week. In particular Nailed to the Cross, Yahweh, Counting Every Blessing-Ukulele Session, and True North.
I love the vibe of their music, it seems to have a hint of folk/country and makes me want to drive out to the mountains!

• Episode 7 & 8 of The Right Kind of Strong by Revive Our Hearts
Episode 7, Stand Your Ground and Episode 8, Admit Your Need were the last two parts to the series I've been going through lately.
The whole series is great and I recommended it last month but these last two were really good.



MOVIES

I haven't got any for this month!
My family is having an Aladdin/Middle Eastern movie night tonight, I'll let you know what I think next month.

FASHION & BEAUTY

• My new haircut/fringe!
I love how a fringe frames your face and make most hairstyles look even better!

Happy Spring everyone! Or Happy Autumn/Fall if you're on the other side of the world!

What was your favourite/most listened to song or music from this month?


keep blooming,

August Favourites

Hello darlings!

This month has flown by for me.
On the 3rd of August I turned sixteen and it still feels like only yesterday. Even though I am know sixteen, I still tell some people that I'm fifteen by mistake!

As usual I have some of my favourite things to share with you. I honestly love doing these posts and its a way to track my favourite things through the years.

Let's get started!



BOOKS

Like last month, I only completed 4 books in the month of August. But I am content with that, and happy with the ones I did read.
• Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin
• These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• Weddings, Willows and Revised Expectations by V. Joy Palmer (Review here)
• Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis

This book might be small, but it makes for a quick read and one that will change the way you think about the way you do your Bible study! So this book instantly jumped right up on my favourite books of the month list. I'll leave my Goodreads review linked here.

I am going to be writing a whole post just about my favourite quotes from this book, but just to get it out there, this book is so good!
I highly recommend you read it, if you haven't already. I wish I had read it sooner. But I also think I read it at just the right time. My Goodreads review is right here.


MUSIC & PODCASTS

I did listen to some more things this month than I did in July!

• Come Ye Sinners, Poor & Needy by Fernando Ortega
This is one of those older hymns and I just love the lyrics! They have so much depth and meaning.

• Nothing to Fear by The Porter's Gate ft. Audrey Assad
I love Audrey Assad's voice! It is so lovely and calming. Nothing to fear is a simple song about a simple truth that we often forget, there is nothing to fear for the Lord is with us!

• The Right Kind of Strong ~ Revive Our Hearts
I haven't yet finished this series but it is so, so good! Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and two other women share how we as Christian women can be strong but in a Christ-like way. I highly recommend that you listen to this series!



MOVIES

Jeeves & Wooster {1990}

We started watching this series a few days ago and my whole family thinks it's hilarious! Set in the 30's, it is about Bertie Wooster and his butler/valet Jeeves and their 'adventures'. I just love it and the theme music is great too.



FASHION & BEAUTY

• Argan oil for your hair. It is great! I use it in my damp hair after a shower and it defines my curls, reduces frizz and makes my hair a lot softer! You only need a few drops so one little bottle should last a while too!

• Bow stud earrings
My sister got me these earrings as a birthday gift and I have worn them so much this month. I think they are just so cute!

That's all I have for you today!
Tell me what your favourite find of the month was in the comments below!


keep blooming,

Hannah

July Favourites & Wrap-up

via Unsplash

Hello darlings!

We're over halfway through the year. Next month is my birthday month and I am excited about the upcoming celebrations.

This Winter has been very mild and there are even early Spring flowers popping up everywhere!
I just realised that I have only posted several this month! I'm not happy about that but that's just life sometimes, it gets busy.
So here we are to recap what my favourite discoveries where for the month of July!


BOOKS

This month I read a total of four books, much less than last month but I enjoyed them all very much.
• A Time to Cherish (Christy #10) by Robin Jones Gunn
• Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar
• Love, Lace and Minor Alterations by V. Joy Palmer
• Catching Contentment: How to be Holy Satisfied by Liz Carter (nearly finished)

I have to say that all of these book make it into my favourite reads of the month list! Land of Silence was my second Biblical fiction read ever and my first Tessa Afshar book. It did not fail to impress and I look forward to reading more by Tessa. I even completed it in only a week! You can read my full review on Goodreads.

As for Love, Lace and Minor Alterations, I loved it so much! Vanessa's writing is fun, quirky and will have you smirking, smiling and even giggling to yourself while you read it. I can't wait to dive in to her second book that released earlier this year, Weddings, Willows and Revised Expectations.



MUSIC & PODCASTS

I didn't actually listen to much music this month but I did listen to a couple of great podcasts.

• Compassion is Kindled ~ Revive Our Hearts podcast episode
I really enjoyed listening to this episode and I can't wait to hear the next part in the series today!

•



MOVIES

Unbroken : Path to Redemption {2018}

I thought this movie was really very good. It is all about Louis Zamperini's story of how he recovered and found redemption in Christ after he returned to America from being in a Japanese prison camp.
This movie was wonderfully done and truly inspiring to watch.
I also can't help but mention that the over all setting in the late 1940s had it's charms and Cynthia's wardrobe was quite adorable!


Five Feet Apart {2019}

Disclaimer: There is some content in here I do disagree with and some comments (in regards to sex) that should have been left out. One of the other patients with cystic fibrosis is also gay but nothing is shown.
But otherwise it is an interesting story and a real tearjerker! There are some sweet moments between Stella and Will that you can't help but love. The whole cystic fibrosis thing is so sad to see. When you see people like these characters who are sick for life (most of the time), it really makes you appreciate you own good health.




FASHION & BEAUTY

• Scrunchies
I actually only wore one once this month but I loved how it looked and I would love to get a few more to play around with!

Did you do anything exciting this month?
What are your goals for the month of August?


keep blooming!

xo, Hannah