April Favourites

Hello darlings!

As you might already know, I have changed my posting day to Wednesday so I think I'll try to post  my monthly favourites on the last day of the month or thereabouts. We'll see how this new schedule works out.

This month was mostly spent at home with our country in lockdown. But it was a good month for me.
I did did a bunch of projects and cooking/baking.
This autumn has been amazing so far, so many sunny days. For more Autumny content, read my last post! 


So let's hop right in to my April favourites!


BOOKS 

I have a lot of books on the go at the moment and I finished a few during the month of April.
~ Daughter of Rome by Tessa Afshar
~ The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
~ The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

I enjoyed all of these books but I think Daughter of Rome would be my favourite out of the three.

MUSIC & PODCASTS

I have been listening to a lot of music this month. I'll leave some of my favourite playlists/songs below.

~ slow playlist

~ Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver

~ STILL by Rend Collective

~ Jesus, Strong & Kind by CityAlight

~ Cool with Being Crazy by Willow City

MOVIES

The Chosen : The Series

This is honestly THE. BEST TV. SHOW. I have ever seen! You have to watch it!
It is a Jesus show but unlike any other screen portrayal of Jesus' life we have ever seen. The Chosen brings out Jesus' humanness, Jewishness and loving kindness in such a touching way, it's incredible.
We get to see his miracle and ministry as it takes of in Season 1 through the eyes of those who witnessed it, Matthew, Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, Andrew and the rest.
Season 1 is available for FREE on YouTube right now or you can stream it for the app. But do yourself a favor and watch, will you?


FASHION & BEAUTY

This month I have been enjoying getting out my woolly knits and wearing them when the weather gets cooler.
I also have loved this skirt and the autumn vibes it has!

Let me know in the comments what your favourite movie or TV show was this month!

keep blooming,

March Favourites

Hello darlings!

Its hard to believe that I haven't done a monthly favourites post since November!
January and February to me felt like they were really long but also because we were busy, time went by very quickly it seemed.
March has felt like it has gone on forever but finally April is around the corner.

I am very excited to get back into sharing my monthly favourites with you.
So lets dive into March!


BOOKS

My focus for my reading this year is not how many I can read but just to enjoy reading go through them at a slower pace so as to get the most out of them.
So this month I finished a total of three books.

~ When God Calls the Heart: Devotions from Hope Valley by Michelle Cox & Brian Bird
~ The Help by Kathryn Stockett {reread}
~ I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

I can't pick a favourite and I will tell you why.
When God Calls the Heart was a nice devo but not my favourite. The Help is a favourite book of mine and I reread it this month so it doesn't really count as a new favourite.
Now, I Capture the Castle is a book that I can't quite pin how I feel about it. I enjoyed reading it though. You can read some of my thoughts on it here.

MUSIC & PODCASTS

~ Q + A | Get To Know Me Harvest Work Ep. 3

~ Good and Gracious King by CityAlight

~ Sheep May Safely Graze by Bach

~ Slow Down Playlist by Kaetlyn Kennedy

MOVIES

Jumanji: The Next Level

I was surprised at how much I like these movies!
They are quite funny and the adventure is thrilling to watch. I went and saw it in the cinema with my siblings and some friends (we snuck our own drinks in too!).

I haven't actually watched many movies lately so that is all I've got!


FASHION & BEAUTY

~ I am loving wearing cosy clothing as the weather gets colder! There will definitely be some autumn/winter fashion post coming soon...

~ These clips and sunglasses have been some favourite accessories of mine this month.

Talk to me!
What was you favourite movie you watched this month?


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

June Favourites & Wrap-Up

via Unsplash

Hello darlings!

It's hard to believe we are already in the middle of the year of 2019!
I almost forgot about posting this months favourites but now I am getting to it, if not a little late.

June went by so fast. The Winter days have been lovely, with clear blue skies and crisp air. The morning frosts are magical when the sunshine glistens on the icy landscape.


BOOKS 
I am going to change thing up a bit here. Starting this month I'll share a wrap-up of all the books I read in that month and then tell you which books were my favourites!

In the month of June I read/finished a total of six books! These books were:

• The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
• Worth the Wait by Karen Witemeyer
• Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer
• Our Jacko by Michael Morpurgo
• The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer 
• Love Defined by Kristen Clark & Bethany Baird

I am so happy I was able to read all these books this month! My favourites from this month are Love Defined and Worth the Wait.
I will be posting a full review of Love Defined soon and you can find my mini review of Worth the Wait on Goodreads.

MUSIC & PODCASTS

• Suffering Is Not For Nothing~Revive Our Hearts Podcast Episode

• Big Enough by The Clark Family
I love this song! A friend of mine recommended it to me and I listened to it on repeat for about 7 times!

• How Can I Keep from Singing by Audrey Assad
Audrey has an amazing voice and this song has some beautiful words. I am thinking of doing an artsy journal page with the lyrics.



MOVIES

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
I have surprised myself with how much I have come like these movies! I was quite looking forward to this third one. The ending was so awww-worthy! Toothless acted so much like a cat, it was adorable. If you enjoyed the first two, you are sure to enjoy this one!

American Gospel:Christ Alone 
This documentary was phenomenal. That's about all I can say It was very interesting, educational, eye-opening and inspiring in a way. I'll link to the website where you can hire it--it is sooo worth the money!
American Gospel:Christ Alone



FASHION & BEAUTY

• Gold Knot Hoop Earrings
I picked these up on a shopping day  with my mum because I had some just like these in my Pinterest board. I have been wearing them so much because they go so well with everything and look so cute!

That is all for the month of June my dears!

I hope you all had a great month in June and that July will be even better.


keep on blooming,

xoxo
Hannah

May Favourites

via Unplash

Hello darlings!

I am back with you to wrap up the month of May and share of few of my favourite things from this month.

May has been a pretty good month, with glorious Autumn weather. It has been warm, sunny, and the leaves have been softly falling everywhere.

• • • •

Books

A Rose for the ANZAC Boys by Jackie French
Those of you who have been around here for a while might remember me talking about this book before. This was my second time reading A Rose for the ANZAC Boys and it certainly won't be the last!
I loved it just as much if not more this time. It is so well written and captures the pain, tragedy, and loss of World War 1.
Movies and books seldom make me cry, but I teared up a tiny bit when reading this book.
I can't recommend it enough and I really must get my own copy to display on my shelf!




Music & Podcasts

A Mother Like You by JJ Heller ~ This is just the sweetest song from a child to her mother!

Is He Worthy? by Shane & Shane ~ I heard this song for the first time around Easter and this month I listened to it repeatedly.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Lauren Daigle ~ Lauren Daigle's take on this older song is just so good. I'll leave it here so you can give it a listen. Her arrangement is soothing and 'jazzy' (listen to it and you'll understand!).

How Can You Truly Please God (Revive Our Hearts podcast episode) ~ This one was just really good and I plan to listen to it a few more times yet!

Sweater Weather Instrumentals Playlist ~ This playlist popped up one day on my Spotify and I'm listening to it now and loving it. It is the perfect acoustic guitar, cosy, Autumn playlist!



Movies

Emma 1996

Google

I really liked this adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma! I have a whole post of my thoughts here!



Our Zoo

Google

Thanks to the blogging world, I had heard about this charming mini-series and then I stumbled upon it in our local library I grabbed it and triumphantly exclaimed to my mum that we must see it because a blogger I knew had raved about it!
It did not disappoint and was a great watch for our whole family. (I will not promise it, but I will hopefully post a full 'review' of this series soon...)



Other bits & pieces

- A Mother Like You music video

Here is the cutest, loveliest and sweetest music vid that accompanies the song A Mother Like You!


- Can We Be Pro-Love and Pro-Life?

I love this girl's Youtube channel and this video is great. She is encouraging everyone to stand up and speak for the unborn and act on their beliefs on being pro-life. In this video, Becca shares some ways that you can help and show your support for the pro-life movement.


That's all for this month folks!

Did you discover anything new and amazing this month?

Keep on blooming,

xoxo
Hannah



Note: All images all my own unless credited to their source.

March Favourites

via me

Autumn has begun. Or at least it ought to have started! We are still getting warm and sunny 26 degree days.
I look forward to sitting by the fireplace, hearing how it crackles and the scent of wood smoke when you walk outside.
But for now, I have some favourites from the month of March! If you want to see what me 2018 March Favourites were, click here.

~ • ~ • ~

Books

No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer
Ahhh, I loved this book! And that is all you will get until I post my full review next week hopefully.




Music & Podcasts

Be Thou My Vision by Elenyi ~ I adore this beautiful hymn and these girls sing it wonderfully!

How Nancy Studies the Bible (Revive Our Hearts) ~ Great episode, I listened to while baking

Calling Evil Good (Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey) ~ Shocking but quite educational. I love this podcast ever since I listened to this first episode and I recommend you listen to it!

Pioneers by for KING & COUNTRY ~ It's a beautiful song with an even more beautiful music video...
It was filmed in Iceland and it is utterly breathtaking!

just because.....I can :) and because I can't wait till Season 5!

Movies


Doctor Thorne

I really liked this little mini-series! It was beautifully filmed, the costumes were delightfully springy and Drake Harry Richardson (Poldark) played a lead role. Frank and Mary were an adorable couple!



The Paradise

I don't know if I like this equally or better than Doctor Thorne. Let us say equally!
We have not yet finished it really, and while I want to finish it, I also don't want it to end. It is set in a ladies store called The Paradise and is all about the comings and goings of the store, it's employees and the employer, Mr Moray.




Other bits & pieces

- Lip balm

As soon as the weather got a little cooler, my lips went quite dry so I have enjoyed using the sweet orange lip balm I got for Christmas.

- Hot drinks

Post coming about what drink they are and how to's!

- Psalms 34 & 27 are so good!

- Journaling has been my therapy! Honestly though, writing out my thought and feeling when I am troubled, worried or down REALLY helps. I also write prayers about it because that is ultimately what is going to help. I journal Bible verses and they bring the peace and comfort I really need.
So don't underestimate the effects of journaling!

- Hot cross buns
The ones we get from a local artisan bakery are THE. BEST.

qotd: What was your favourite movie of the month?


xoxo
Hannah