Love will turn the whole world into something greater than itself.

I just found this photo hiding away in the hidden depths of my photo library on my laptop, a beautiful sunset that I took on this date last year. Apparently we had a sugary, candy floss coloured sunset up in Scotland, and finding this photo was a nice reminder of all the lovely things that happened at University this time last year. I go back tomorrow after a really relaxing couple of weeks at home, and it will be good to get back into the swing of things for a final push before the Christmas holidays. I'm looking forward to the festivities of Halloween and Bonfire night, wrapping up warm in new gloves and mittens to keep me warm, sparklers and hot chocolates with cream and marshmallows. I can't wait for all the Christmas decorations to go up, and I'm even looking forward to starting my Christmas shopping, a first for me as I'm usually the most disorganised person when it comes to that kind of thing! Usually I never really look forward to going back to University after spending time at home but this time I can't wait, and it's nice to finally feel settled there (a home away from home ♥).

P.S. I started a little blog for all things book related, you can find it here. I hope you like it! 

Bunny

I'm ever so sorry that I haven't been writing much as of late, but the University work load has finally hit and I've recently been finding myself drowning in books and papers and essays and things, far too much to fit in to the very few hours we are given in a day. I've also started volunteering at my local Oxfam store, something I've been wanting to do for a while as it's such a worthwhile cause but simply never got around to doing it. I've met some lovely people so I'm so happy that I did! Another reason for my absence is I'm getting a bit stuck on what to write about. If you have any ideas, or if you'd like to see any particular posts, please let me know and I'll try to get it up as soon as possible! Anyways, I just thought I'd check in, and show you a snap of my new favourite hat - who doesn't love ridiculous animal ears?! I hope you're all having a lovely weekend ♥
P.S I have a new little project... take a peek here!

How to live magically

1. Keep a daily diary
2. Always take a ride on each carousel you see
3. Stop to give coins to every violinist you hear
4. Never pass a lemonade stand without buying a glass
5. Always have a drawing book and pencil handy
6. Take tea every afternoon
7. Scribble down your dreams at dawn
8. Take yourself to the cinema
9. Give a name to all the bumblebees you spy
10. Sleep in pretty nightgowns
11. Read your favourite poetry out loud
12. Write and illustrate your fondest memory
13. Carry your favourite sweeties in your left pocket
14. Wear a locket with faerie dust inside
15. Tie your hair up in ribbons
16. Remember always to be Brave ♥

A list I found on Tumblr a while ago, and have scribbled down in the front of my journal and daily diary. A few words to live by. 

Stardust

“You know when I said I knew little about love? That wasn’t true. I know a lot about love. I’ve seen it, centuries and centuries of it, and it was the only thing that made watching your world bearable. All those wars... pain, lies, hate... It made me want to turn away and never look down again. But when I see the way that mankind loves... You could search to the furthest reaches of the universe and never find anything more beautiful. So yes, I know that love is unconditional. But I also know that it can be unpredictable, unexpected, uncontrollable, unbearable and strangely easy to mistake for loathing, and... What I’m trying to say, Tristan is...I think I love you. Is this love, Tristan? I never imagined I'd know it for myself. My heart... It feels like my chest can barely contain it. Like it’s trying to escape because it doesn't belong to me any more. It belongs to you. And if you wanted it, I’d wish for nothing in exchange...no gifts. No goods. No demonstrations of devotion. Nothing but knowing you loved me too. Just your heart, in exchange for mine.”

- Yvaine, Stardust ♥

My favourite scene from my favourite film. I'm really in the mood to watch Stardust today, all curled up in cosy blankets to guard against the cold and get lots in the magical mystery of Stormhold...

Iced tea & Fairy tales (A few questions)

What are your current obsession? Baking, iced tea, blogging, painting my nails, tumblr and pinterest.

What are you wearing now? A cosy pastel pink knitted jumper, floral print pyjama bottoms, slippers, pink nail polish and messy messy hair.

Do you nap a lot? Not really, only if I'm very tired!

Who was the last person you hugged? My Prince ♥

If you were a tree, what tree would you be? I'd like to be a big oak tree that people choose to picnic underneath, a sheltered spot from the rain, perhaps on top of a hill.

What's for dinner? Pizza and salad (Friday is lazy cooking night!).

What was the last thing you bought? Hundreds & Thousands for baking and some cherry cola.

What are you listening to right now? Alex Goot, he has such a lovely voice!

What is your favorite weather and why? I like thunderstorms, especially when you return home just as the sky is darkening and deep purple clouds are rolling overhead, and just as you get in the rain starts to fall down heavily, hammering against the window and thunder rolls high above your head in the sky.

What time do you usually wake up? It very much depends upon my Uni timetable, but I usually sleep for about 7-8 hours a night. I'm in a bit of a "go to sleep late, wake up late" pattern!

What is your most challenging goal right now? Finding a job, doing well at Uni.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? I'd love to live in a little stone cottage somewhere in the English countryside, with roses around the door and warming fireplaces in every room. Oh, and a little garden too, full of flowers to sit and look at in the sunshine over a cup of tea.

Your 3 dream vacation spots: Paris, Rome and Disneyland, please.

What movies can you watch over and over? The Hunger Games, Titanic, Stardust, Marie Antoinette, anything Disney (The Lion King, Tangled, Beauty & The Beast, Cinderella, Monsters Inc...)

What is your favourite tea? English breakfast tea with milk and two sugars, please.

What are you reading right now? Snow White & The Huntsman, as well as Grimm's fairy tales.

What is your current guilty pleasure? Duvet days and putting my pyjamas on as soon as I get home!

Where is the landscape of your mind? A forest somewhere next to a little stream.

You have one wish: To live a happy life.

I found this little tag while browsing Tumblr so decided to give it a go, too. Feel free to carry it on, please link me if you do as I'd love to read your answers :) ♥

Raindrops on Roses

Last night, sometime in between falling asleep and the sunrise (for the room was still dark when I opened my eyes), I was woken to the sound of raindrops thrashing heavily against my window. It was the nicest possible way to be woken up because the sound of the rain comforts me, and sometimes it makes me feel like I'm the one it fell for, intended to fall upon my ears no matter what time of day or night.

There’s something about the rain that I can’t explain. And I just don’t know why.

I like seeing rain falling from the sky, I find it as something magical. I get fascinated whenever I see those drops of rain which means of a new start. I enjoy seeing raindrops on the windows of a car, each slowly making its way down, leaving little paths in their wake for others to follow. I like seeing people playing in the rain, enjoying what nature has bestowed upon us. I like the way that makes me feel, and I like knowing that after each and every rainfall there will be a new beginning :) ♥

Where Wonderland Begins

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we’ll go were the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

- Shel Silverstein

(a favourite ♥)

Sweet little dreams

If you are a dreamer, come in. If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, a hoper, a prayer, a magic bean buyer. Come sit by the fire… come in! Come in!

- Shel Silverstein ♥

I Believe

♥

My favourite quote from my favourite author, the writer of my childhood. I would like to get this tattooed one day, although I'm not sure where or even if I'd be brave enough.