What I Got For Christmas 2017

In today's post I'll be showing you what I received/bought this Christmas. I love watching and reading these type of videos and blog posts so I thought I'd finish off the December month with one of my own! I still can't get over how quickly Christmas came and went! It's definitely been a full-on last couple of weeks! I hope you all had a very happy Christmas and were able to spend some quality time with your loved ones. 

Towards the end of this year, I'd asked my parents for an iPhone 7 as a joint Christmas and Birthday present. It was a gift I knew I was getting and one that I am incredibly thankful for. I've never had an iPhone before so I've been very quick to personalise it. Over the past few days I've found myself a case, made myself a custom wallpaper on Photoshop and spent hours hunting the App Store for cool games and photo editors.

If you don't know already, I'm obsessed with interior design so you can probably imagine my excitement at receiving two room decor pieces from my brothers! I've been meaning to get myself another throw pillow for quite some time now - my other one has a ripped seam - but I couldn't of picked a better one to go with my current bedspread. It's the perfect shade to match my predominately grey duvet. I also love my rings so I know this ring holder will definitely be put to good use!

 

Speaking of rings, my best friend surprised me with this dainty, copper one that has little lightning bolts on each end. I love it so much and have been wearing it pretty much every day since I got it!  My friend also knows that since I discovered Agatha Christie books at the end of November, I've been hooked on her mysteries so she got me two of her personal favourites for me to try out. I've started on "The Secret Adversary" and have been loving it so far! 







Finally, I decided to treat myself to this lovely pencil case. I'm a huge stationery junkie and am always needing new storage for my large collection of pens and pencils. I was completely drawn in by the watercolour print and although I'm not usually a fan of natural colours, really liked the tropical vibe it gave off.

Thank you for reading! See you all in the new year!

CONTINUE READING

What Pinterest Tree do You Have? - Quiz

Of course I had to make December's quiz festive themed! Today I'm going to try guess what type of Pinterest tree looks most similar to yours. Let me know if I got it right or if I got it completely wrong! My family's tree is definitely a "Mostly C's" this year. On a side note, feel free to check out my last post about tree decorations. I picked up some really nice ornaments so, if you're curious, definitely take a look after finishing this quiz! 

1. The one requirement I have for my Christmas tree is that it must be...
A) Compact.
B) Wild.
C) Bushy.
D) Tall.

2. My favourite thing about my Christmas tree is the...
A) Fluffy tree skirt.
B) Variety of baubles.
C) Ceramic ornaments.
D) Glittery tinsel.

3. I normally bring out the tree...
A) The night before Christmas.
B) A week before Christmas.
C) On the first of December. 
D) Sometime in November.

4. If I were to describe the shape of my tree in one word, I would probably use...
A) Cute.
B) Abstract.
C) Symmetrical.
D) Pointy. 

5. What makes my tree special is the...
A) Different size. 
B) Smell of pine.
C) Distinct colour scheme. 
D) Personalised decorations. 

6. In terms of my list of festive things to do, decorating the Christmas tree is...
A) Quite close to the bottom. 
B) Somewhere in the middle.
C) Around second or third.
D) Right at the top!

7. The Christmas song that I like to play while putting the tree up is... 
A) "All I Want For Christmas is You".
B) "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas".
C) "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".
D) "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree".

8. This year, I decided to put my tree...
A) Somewhere in my bedroom.
B) In a corner of the house.
C) By the deck doors.
D) In the centre of the living room.

9. The main colour on my tree is...
A) Green.
B) Gold.
C) Silver.
D) White.

10. I don't think a Christmas tree is complete without...
A) A couple of presents to go underneath.
B) A star on top.
C) Twinkling fairy lights.
D) Some fake snow. 


You have a ____________ tree!

Mostly A's
Mini and Minimalistic 


Mostly B's 
Subtle and Simple


Mostly C's 
Cool and Classy


Mostly D's
Glitzy and Glamorous 


Thanks for taking the quiz!

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Tree Decoration Haul

Decorating the Christmas tree is one of my favourite ways to get into the holiday spirit so the moment December rolls around, I'm in the garage retrieving the tinsel and fairy lights. In previous years, my family's tree has been a rainbow of of colour however this year we thought we'd decorate with a more specific aesthetic in mind. We decided on a colour scheme of white, silver, black and gold but after separating our decorations, realised we had very few left to hang. Since most of our ornaments are years old, I decided we were probably due for some new ones anyway so I went out and picked out a couple more to replenish our supply. Hope you enjoy today's haul and my first Christmassy post for the year! Let me know when you normally decorate your tree in the comment section below! 

Unicorn Zebra and Unicorn Pig 

White Sparkly/Metallic Baubles

Glittery Stars

Thanks for reading! 

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Blog Anniversary Post (1 Year of Blogging)

Today, December 3rd, is my blog anniversary. Which means just one year ago, The AnnieChanie Blog consisted of only a header and a sidebar. I can't believe my little blog is one year old. To me, this is such an exciting milestone. Over the course of 365 days, I've refined my skills in digital illustration, mastered the art of flat lay photography, had two positive experiences with two different companies and most of all, connected/interacted with a lot of incredible bloggers from around the world. 

I'm really proud of what I've accomplished so far. On my blog, I've published 44 (45 now) posts in total, which on average is around 3.67 posts per month. Rounding it up, that's pretty much a post a week. When I first published on The AnnieChanie Blog, I made a promise to myself that I'd be consistent with posting. And a part from two slip ups, I've managed to uphold this goal. Even though I'm very happy with my little corner of the internet, there are still things I'm hoping to improve on for the upcoming year. For one, I really want to have a set day that I post. At the moment, I aim to have them up by Sunday but if I finish writing Friday/Saturday, I feel the need to post it straight away. For some reason, I really don't like have completed posts in my draft box. This is something I definitely need to work around for 2018. I also want to post more of my design work online. I've been thinking of doing a "design-a-day" type series where I share my digital illustrations everyday for a month. I'm also hoping to set up a portfolio/gallery page sometime in the near future. This will probably require a bit of experimenting with code but I'm definitely up for the challenge!

To finish off this momentous post, I'd like to thank every one who reads/comments on my posts. It makes me so happy to be able to share my writing online and when you take time out of your day to check my page out, it makes everything just the more worthwhile. I'm so glad 2016 me decided to take the leap and give blogging a go. These past 12 months have been such a learning experience for me and I'm so excited to see what the next 12 months have in store! 

As always, thanks so much for reading! 

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Where Should You Travel to Next? - Quiz

In this quiz, I'm going to be telling you where I think you should plan your next holiday based on your current travel habits and preferences. If you've done one of these quizzes before, then you'll know how to take part. If you haven't, all you have to do is grab a piece of paper and for each question, write down the letter beside the statement that you think fits you the most. Feel free to share your thoughts on this quiz down below!  

1. When choosing a book to travel with, I can guarantee you it'll be from the genre...
A) Romance.
B) Adventure.
C) Fantasy.
D) Mystery.

2. The item I always make sure to pack is my...
A) Handbag.
B) Comfortable walking shoes.
C) Camera.
D) Travel diary.

3. My favourite way to prepare for a trip is to...
A) Go to my local book store and buy myself a guidebook. 
B) Research online and make a list of all the best tourist attractions. 
C) Not prepare at all! It's always more fun to be spontaneous. 
D) Watch several documentaries featuring my chosen destination. 

4. For my next holiday, I'm thinking of asking my __________ to accompany me.
A) Boyfriend/Girlfriend 
B) Brother/Sister
C) Best Friend
D) Mum/Dad

5. In my opinion, the best thing about traveling is that you get to...
A) Take a break and forget about all your worries back home. 
B) Put yourself out there and do things you've never done before.
C) Create new memories with your travel companion/s. 
D) Learn about/experience a different culture. 

6. When at a souvenir shop, I'm almost always going to buy a __________ to remember the trip by.
A) Keychain.
B) Mug.
C) Postcard. 
D) Magnet.

7. My favourite season to travel in is...
A) Spring
B) Summer
C) Autumn
D) Winter

8. When I get to my holiday spot, the first thing I do is...
A) Go to the hotel to freshen up. 
B) Explore the city to find my bearings. 
C) Try their specialty food. 
D) Talk to locals.

9. It's an absolute necessity that the place I travel to has a good...
A) Shopping mall. 
B) Hiking trail.
C) Theme park.
D) Museum.

10. I really want to see/see more of...
A) Europe
B) Australia and Oceania
C) North America
D) Asia

You should go to.......

(Mostly A's)
Paris, France
Stunning landmarks, beautiful scenery and an artistic energy everywhere you turn. The city of light is the perfect getaway for those hoping to relax and recover while they're away. There's something really serene about this Paris, you can truly afford to sit back and do nothing but watch the city go about its day. 

(Mostly B's)
Queenstown, New Zealand
Often referred to as the adventure capital of the world, there are several attractions in and around Queenstown guaranteed to get the heart racing and blood pumping. Zip lining, bungy jumping, sky diving and white water rafting - this incredible New Zealand location is the perfect place for your inner adrenaline junkie. 

(Mostly C's)
New York, USA
There's nothing more magical than the incredible New York City. The big apple is home to some of the world's most iconic sights/ structures. There's always something new and exciting taking place so you're bound to experience something truly amazing while you're away. 

(Mostly D's)
Beijing, China
For those history lovers out there, the capital of China is sure to please. Some of the world's most historical monuments are in Beijing including the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven and Forbidden City. These remains of China's past mean that you won't only learn more about the modern aspect of Beijing, but the traditional aspect as well. 

Thanks for taking this quiz!

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The Liebster Award 2017

I'm so excited to be answering another set of questions for The Liebster Award tag! Thank you to Bexa for nominating me! Definitely check out Bexa's blog at hellobexa.com. She has a beautiful web page and I know everyone would really benefit from reading her posts. Her content is guaranteed to teach you something new!

The Rules:

1. Answer the 11 questions that your nominator has asked you 

2. Nominate 11 other bloggers 

3. Ask your nominees 11 questions. 

4. Let them know you nominated them!

Bexa's Questions:

1. What inspired you to start blogging?

I found a YouTube video in my suggested video section about starting a blog and after watching it I just knew I had to give it a go.

2. If you had £500 to spend solely on blogging (eg. equipment, content for blog posts) how would you spend it?

A blog planner and heaps and heaps of blog photo props - artificial flowers, confetti, patterned paper and pretty stationery!

3. How did you come up with the name of your blog? 

AnnieChanie has been my nickname since forever so it seemed fitting to have it somewhere in my blog name. 

4. Have you ever visited somewhere (a town, country, restaurant, event) just because you read about it in someone's blog?

Sadly, no. :-( Most of the blogs I read are UK based so even if I did like the sound of a place/event, it wouldn't really be possible for me to visit. I definitely keep note of them though, in case I do end up travelling to the UK sometime in the future.  

5. What is your favourite non-blog website?

I've been obsessed with Etsy lately! It really showcases people's creativity and as an enthusiastic creator myself, I find it really inspiring. 

6. Besides blogging, what are your other passions and interests?

I love reading, redecorating my room and creating things - whether that be with my hands or on the computer.  

7. What is your favourite book?

This is such a tough question because there's so many books that I love! Around this time of year, I really like reading Let it Snow by John Green, Lauren Myracle and Maureen Johnson. It's my favourite festive book! 

8. Where would you like to go on holiday next?

I have my heart set on Japan! I've been trying to convince my Dad to let us have our next family holiday there! 

9. What film can you watch over and over again?

The Clique. I used to watch that film all the time! I haven't seen it in a while though.. I'm tempted to watch it again after finishing this post! 

10. Are you doing Blogmas this year?

I really hope so! I'm in the process of planning some Christmassy posts but I still haven't had a chance to bring these ideas to life! 

11. What are your future dreams and aspirations for your blog?

I've learnt so much from blogging already so I'm excited to see what else having my own webpage will teach me. For example, my coding knowledge is very limited so one of my goals is to gain a better understanding for the technical aspect of my blog. 

My Questions:

1. What's on your Christmas Wishlist this year?

2. What's your favourite blog post that you've ever written?

3. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

4. What's the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

5. Describe your perfect day?

6. What's your favourite blog photo prop at the moment? 

7. What's the best piece of blogging advice you've ever received?

8. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

9. Who do you wish you could swap lives with for a day?

10. What's your favourite blogging related app/ social media platform?

11. What's the first word that comes to mind when you hear the word "Christmas"?

My Nominees:

Buttercup at typicallyuntypicalteen.wordpress.com

M at theyoungculture.wordpress.com

Chloe at imjustagirl16.co.uk

Ellie at headintheclouds.me.uk

Hebah at hebahpervaiz.co.uk

Katie at katiethehen.wordpress.com

Bee at lifeofbeee.wordpress.com

Chloe at chloeluye.wordpress.com

Tizz at ranteatsleeprepeat.com

Rebecca at beccariassecret.wordpress.com

Amy at fashionbeautyamyblog.wordpress.com

Let me know if you give my questions a go! I would love to read your answers! Also, I'm sorry if I've tagged you and you've already been nominated. I just can't seem to keep track of who's done this already. Thanks for reading! 

CONTINUE READING

Pink Themed Haul

Last week I returned home from the mall and as I was going through my purchases, realised they all had something in common. All four items were lovely shades of pink! You can imagine my excitement when realising my favourite colour featured on every single item I bought that day. I'm really happy with what I picked out so I thought I'd share them with you in a photography type post. Let me know if you enjoy haul posts in the comment section below! Also feel free to tell me what you're favourite item from this pink themed haul is. 

Waterproof Backpack + Pom Pom Keychain

Bomber Jacket

Sleeveless Blouse

Quote T-shirt

 

Thanks so much for reading!

CONTINUE READING

Leaving High School

A couple of days ago I wore my school uniform for the last time. I can't believe I've finished high school. Since I've left, I've had a bit of time to reminisce about the last five years. The memories I will be taking away are primarily my happiest and proudest moments however that doesn't mean I didn't experience sadness or disappointment during my high school years. Even though I prefer to remember the positives, I can't pretend like the negative times never happened as the challenges I faced in high school play a very important part in this five year journey. Even though I'm prepared to continue on the next chapter of my life, I can't say I'm not grateful for the things high school has given me. Not only am I leaving with new knowledge, memories and friendships, I'm also leaving with a confidence my Year Nine self didn't enter the school with. I know that what I have to say has value, as do my strengths and abilities. I'm no longer that shy 13 year old who was to afraid to speak up or put myself out there. I've grown so much as a person during the five year timespan and I'm so thankful to be leaving the school as a wiser, bolder version of myself.

I'd always imagined what my final day would look like. Tuesday definitely didn't pan out the way I expected it to. To be honest, it felt like any other school day. Final assignments were due and since I was so busy trying to complete them, it felt like my typical Tuesday. The only thing that made it special was the fact that we opened our time capsules from Year Nine. In our first year of high school, we were told to write a letter to our future selves. These were to be opened in our last year. When I was finally reunited with my letter I was surprised to see that my handwriting hadn't changed one bit. Anyone could easily mistake the letter as something I wrote recently. In my letter, I talked about my form class as well as my favourite things at the time. At the end of my letter I had written "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Am I sad to be leaving high school? Of course, but a part of me is definitely ready to move on. And since I've finally settled on what I want to do next year, I'm excited to see what's to come.

How did you feel after graduating high school OR how do you feel about graduating high school? Let me know down below! Thanks for reading!

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Typo Wishlist - Blog Photo Props

Out of all the shops in the city where I live, Typo offers the best range of stationery and homeware. Most of their items reflect me and my personality perfectly. I'm obsessed with their stuff! Since I'm on the lookout for new photo props, I thought I'd share what's on my Wishlist at the moment. I hope you enjoy reading this post!

1. 2018 Clipboard Calendar: NZD 19.99 || GBP 10.55

This would make a really cute prop for a start-of-month/end-of-month post. I like that it can be used repeatedly throughout the year. I also like the watercolour design on the clipboard and think it really suits the aesthetic of my blog. 

2. Mini Marquee Letters (10cm): NZD 14.99 || GBP 7.91

This rose gold 'A' would be the perfect addition to any blog photo set up. It's super trendy, cool and stylish. I could even get a couple to spell out a word or the initials of my name. 

3. Anytime Mug: NZD 7.99 || GBP 4.22

This holographic mug has quite a subtle design which is great for any side/corner prop. Mugs are fairly versatile props and can work with a variety of blog post topics. 

4. Confetti: NZD 11.99 || GBP 6.33

Confetti is a popular blog prop which I'm really keen to try out. I absolutely love rose gold things so this confetti will work really nicely with the blog props I already use/have. 

5. Manilla Folders (5pk): NZD 8.99 || GBP 4.74

Manilla folders are my all-time favourite background props. They serve the same purpose as patterned paper but are more practical and functional. The designs on these ones are super modern and chic.  

6. Shaped Candle: NZD 10.00 || GBP 5.28

This unicorn candle is absolutely adorable! It's such a cute design and your eyes are instantly drawn to it's glittery horn. This prop is simple but does the job well. 

7. Clam Light: NZD 29.99 || GBP 15.83

This clam light is so fun and creative. It would make a really good prop for a beach/summer themed post. The sphere can be removed so the shell can be used on its on. I think the shell is a really gorgeous colour and shape. 

8. Novelty Pen: NZD 7.99 || GBP 4.22

Pens are quite a reoccurring prop on my blog so I couldn't not include this feather pen on my Wishlist. I really like the look of this pen. 

9. A5 Campus Notebook (240 pages): NZD 7.99 || GBP 4.22

I love the colours and patterns on this notebook. The paint stroke effect is really cool and fits with my blog theme/design. It would make a really good central prop to capture your attention. 

10. A5 Mini Light Box: NZD 39.99 || GBP 21.11

Light boxes are great because you're in control of what sentence or phrase you have on display. This light box glows blue and has a pale blue border and backing. I think it would really work with the colour scheme of my photos.

Thanks for reading! What would you buy out of this list?

CONTINUE READING

What Season Are You? - Quiz

In this quiz, we're focusing on seasons! If all goes well your answer should match up to your favourite time of year but I can't guarantee this will work for everyone. If you want to give this quiz a go, all you have to do is grab a piece of paper and for each question write down the letter beside the statement you think fits you the most. Your most common letter should reveal whether you're autumn, summer, winter or spring in terms of personality and lifestyle. Let me know if I got it right or if I got it completely wrong! 

1. If I could control one of the four elements, it would be...

A) Fire 

B) Water

C) Wind

D) Earth

2. When I wake up in the morning, I like to...

A) Open the curtains to let in the sunlight. 

B) Snuggle back under the covers and rest my eyes a little longer.

C) Go to the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea. 

D) Jump out of bed and get straight into the day. 

3. When it comes to baking, I know how to make the best...

A) Banana muffin.

B) Ginger slice. 

C) Chocolate chip cookie.

D) Carrot cake.

4. My favourite type of flower are...

A) Marigolds.

B) Snowdrops.

C) Daisies.  

D) Daffodils.

5. I can't help but smile at the sound of...

A) Waves lapping the shore.

B) Rain pattering on my window at night.

C) Leaves crunching under my shoes. 

D) Birds chirping in the early morning.

6. If I could go anywhere in the world, it would be...

A) Sydney, Australia!

B) Moscow, Russia!

C) Los Angeles, USA!

D) Tokyo, Japan!

7. I really like the girl's name...

A) Cora.

B) Elsa. 

C) Hazel.

D) Daisy.

8. When I was younger, I used to...

A) Collect seashells at the beach.

B) Jump in rain puddles.

C) Try catch falling leaves.

D) Make daisy chains at the park. 

9. If I could have any mystical creature as a pet, it would be a...

A) Dragon.

B) Baby yeti.

C) Phoenix.

D) Unicorn.

10. The next time I'm out, I think I'll treat myself to a...

A) A new pair of sunglasses.

B) A wooly rug for my room.

C) A cinnamon scented candle.

D) A cup of strawberry frozen yogurt. 

You are.......

(Mostly A's)

Summer

Long days outside, picnics by the beach, bike rides with family and pool days with friends. You're a summer kind of person and your adventurous, carefree nature reflects these warm holiday months perfectly. 

(Mostly B's) 

Winter

Lazing by the fire, drinking homemade hot cocoa and watching your favourite festive film on the TV. You're a winter kind of person and when the weather's cool you like nothing more than spending cosy nights in.

(Mostly C's)

Autumn

Going for hikes, collecting armfuls of leaves, kite flying and finding pumpkin recipes online. You're an autumn kind of person and because of your love for Fall traditions, know all the best ways to get the most out of this time of year.

(Mostly D's)

Spring

Cleaning out the house, planting in the garden and admiring all the pretty nature. You're a spring kind of person and if anyone knows how to appreciate and share the beauty of this season with others, it's you! 

Thanks for taking the quiz!

CONTINUE READING