Sunshine Blogger Award

Earlier this month I was nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award by the lovely Catherine at workingwithbipolar.blogspot.com. Thank you Catherine! I'm so excited to be answering your questions! Definitely check out Catherine's link! Her content is so interesting and informative!

The Rules:
1. Thank blogger(s) who nominated you in the blog post and link back to their blog. 
2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
3. Nomiate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions. 
4. List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog. 




Catherine's Questions:

1. What are some songs you have on repeat?
I've been playing my Kpop playlist constantly! Rather than playing a couple of songs on repeat, I just go through the entire playlist from start to finish. 

2. What do you do when you feel down in the dumps?
Whenever I'm feeling a little under the weather, I like to treat myself to a relaxing evening. I'll take a nice warm bubble bath, get into my comfiest pjs then watch my favourite movie in bed. 

3. What can you not live without?
At the moment, it's probably my phone. I'm on holiday at the moment so it's helping me keep in touch with the people back home. 

4. Who is your hero?
My parents are my heroes. They've done so much for my brothers and I. I look up to them both so much. 

5. What is a book you would read over and over again? 
Any Agatha Christie book. Every time I re-read one of her mysteries, I always pick up on something I missed in a previous reading.  

6. What do you aspire to do in the future?
I really want to work in advertising. My dream is to see one of my designs on a bus stop or billboard. That would honestly be amazing! 

7. What do you do on your down time?
Read, blog and scroll through social media. 

8. How do you stay focused?
My bullet journal. I like to track my goals and daily productivity in this book. Recording my progress helps me keep motivated.

9. How do you stay organised? 
Writing lists. This has a similar concept to the above answer. When it comes to completing my tasks/chores, writing them out makes all the difference. 


10. What are you passionate about?
Anything to do with memory keeping. Taking photos, collecting keepsakes and journalling are all things I feel very passionate towards. 

11. If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be?
Zaha Hadid. Her buildings are incredible! I've been really into architecture recently and her work is, by far, my favourite!  

My Questions:

1. What's your favourite item of clothing in your closet at the moment?

2. Do you like watching tv shows or movies?

3. How do you usually plan your blog posts?

4. What's something you're hoping to learn/accomplish this year?

5. When do you like to write your blog posts?

6. Would you rather swim with sharks or skydive?

7. Do you prefer sweet or savoury food?

8. What's your favourite thing to do with friends?

9. How do you like to spend lazy days at home? 

10. What advice would you give to your younger self?

11. If you were to make a movie of your life, what famous person would you get to play you? 

My Nominees:

Bexa at hellobexa.com

Rachel at wherethewildthingsgrow.blogspot.com

Rebecca at rebeccasreviews.com

Lena at lenadeexo.com

Molly at mollybblogs.com

Tracy at iamtracynicole.com

Jasmine at thoughtsfromjasmine.wordpress.com

Amy at amymayedmonds.wordpress.com

Cece at thethriveoclockhour.wordpress.com

Lisa at lisasnotebook.com

Carly at alltheglossblog.wordpress.com

If you give my questions a go, please let me know as I'd love to read your answers! Thank you once again to Catherine for tagging me! 

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How do You Like to Celebrate Your Birthday? - Quiz

Happy January everyone! Since I'm turning 18 soon, I thought it'd be a good idea to base this month's quiz around birthday celebrations. Everyone has their preferences when it comes to spending their special day and I'm going to see whether or not I can guess yours. All you have to do is grab a piece of paper and for each question, write down the statement that you think fits you the most. Was this quiz accurate or inaccurate? Let me know in the comments below!

1. My favourite type of birthday cake is _________ cake. 
A) Chocolate
B) Carrot
C) Vanilla
D) Red Velvet 

2. When people ask me what I want for my birthday, I'm most likely to say...
A) "You don't have to get me anything." 
B) "I don't mind."
C) "Sorry, I can't think of anything off the top of my head."
D) "I like surprises."

3. The number of people that know the exact date of my birthday is around...
A) 6-8.
B) 9-14.
C) 2-5.
D) 15+.

4. I want my next birthday to be _________ one. 
A) An eventful
B) A memorable
C) A quiet
D) An exciting

5. In my opinion, the best part about birthdays is...
A) The sweet birthday messages I receive. 
B) Making a wish on the birthday candles. 
C) Being able to choose how I want to spend it. 
D) Dressing up for the birthday party. 

6. I usually think about my birthday...
A) A couple of days beforehand.
B) A week in advance.
C) On my birthday eve. 
D) An exact month before the actual date. 

7. The one thing my birthday must always have is...
A) Balloons.
B) Cake.
C) Me-time.
D) Dancing. 

8. The last time I had a proper birthday party was...
A) A couple of years ago.
B) When I was 10.
C) So long ago I can't really remember. 
D) For my most recent birthday.

9. I like _________ knowing about your birthday.
A) Just my closest friends
B) My relatives
C) Very few people
D) Everyone I know

10. When people sing "Happy Birthday" to me, I...
A) Start turning red.
B) Can't help but laugh.
C) Turn and run.
D) Sing along. 

You like to have...


(Mostly A's)
A Day Out With Friends
You like to spend your birthday doing something with a small group of friends, whether that be a movie at the cinema, a trip to the local shopping mall or a picnic in the park. It doesn't have to be anything too out of the ordinary, just as long as you have your besties by your side, in your mind it's a birthday well spent.  

(Mostly B's)
Dinner at a Nice Restaurant
When it comes to celebrating your birthday, family gets top priority. Which is why your favourite way to mark your special day is with a family dinner at your favourite restaurant. Sitting in front of a nice meal, surrounded by your loved ones. You wouldn't have it any other way. 

(Mostly C's)
A Normal Day
You're not a huge fan of birthdays so you prefer to treat your own like it's any other day. The less attention around your birthday the happier you are as birthday celebrations aren't really your thing. You don't mind a slice of cake and a present or two but streamers and party poppers are 100% forbidden. 

(Mostly D's)
An Extravagant Party
You like to go above and beyond for your special day, hosting a big birthday bash for all to enjoy. You're willing to share your birthday with anyone and everyone so the guest list is always huge. Birthdays are your favourite kind of special occasion and each year strive to make your parties bigger and better. 

Thanks for taking the quiz! 

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My Blog Photography Tips

I love photography but am by no means a photography expert. The reason I decided to write this post is because I feel like my confidence behind the camera has grown so much from when I first started blogging to now. In today's post, I'm sharing my four personal tips for blog photography. Here are the things I've learnt through taking my blog photos. 

1. Use Less Props
Personally, I find less props a lot more manageable to shoot. Especially in terms of composition. Before I even get my camera out I tend to shuffle the props around quite a bit so having less items in the picture means I can be more flexible with my arrangement. If you're like me and are very particular about the layout of a photo, I think it's a good idea to limit yourself to five or six props per frame so you're not wasting time moving a dozen or so items every time you change your mind about a composition. 

2. Take Multiple Shots From Different Angles
Once I've created a prop layout that I'm happy with, I'll photograph it multiple times, adjusting my camera positioning after each shot. Experiment with different angles by constantly moving around your set up. That way, you're not limiting your photos to one reoccurring perspective  Flat lays are known for being a blogger's go-to photograph but that doesn't mean you can't play around with other kind of camera shots as well.  

3. Photograph Near a Window
Windows are your best friend when it comes to photographing indoors. There's a spot in the house living room that I find myself constantly going back. It gets just the right amount of natural sunlight. When it's hot summer's day, I like to photograph in the late afternoon so the light isn't so intense however if it's cooler outside then I'm more likely to photograph mid day. When it comes to natural lighting, you have to be adaptable. It may not be as predictable as other kind of lighting however it will provide you the best results in the end. 

4. Find Your Ideal Editing Program
When it comes to editing my photos, I like to use Adobe Lightroom to brighten my images and then canva.com to crop them to size. There are an abundance of photo editing apps and websites out there, it shouldn't be too hard finding one that accustoms to your photography needs. If you're not happy with your current editing process, don't be afraid to change it up a bit. You want to find an editing program that is compatible with you and your photography style so if something isn't quite working for you, it may be a good idea to try something new.

Thanks so much for reading! If you have any blog photography tips you'd like to share, feel free to leave them below! 

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My 2018 New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year! I know it's nearly a week in but I really wanted my first post of 2018 to start the year off right. So I decided on a resolution post! I love the idea of goal setting, especially at the start of a fresh set of 12 months. There's always so much hype around the New Year and I feel like that's what makes these kind of resolutions so special. Amongst the fireworks and the much anticipated countdown, resolutions are just another tradition that make the New Year the celebration that it is. Here are my resolutions for 2018! Let me know if you have any similar! 

1. Drink More Water Throughout The Day
I'm terrible at this. I think the recommended amount is eight glasses a day. I struggle to get through two. I'm trying to keep more hydrated by making sure I have my water bottle with me for every meal but it's definitely something I have to try really hard to remember to do. Water is so important and I know that if I start drinking more daily, I'd really benefit from it.  

2. Get my Restricted Licence
Last year, I went for my restricted twice and didn't pass both. I was so disheartened the second time, I put off driving for weeks after. When I finally got back on the road, I felt like I was just starting out again. I suddenly had that same fear I felt when first learning to drive. Since I've managed to overcome that, I'm intent on getting my restricted sometime this year. I'm also hoping to get a couple of lessons so I can really refine my driving ability. 

3. Commit to my Bullet Journal
At the end of 2017, I bought a Leuchtturm1917 journal and since the first of this month, I've been using it constantly. This is my first proper bullet journal and while I'm very invested in it at this moment in time, I'm worried I'll lose some of that consistency later on. My aim for the end of this year is to have a full and thorough journal to look back on 2018 with. 

4. Learn How to Cook
I'm ashamed to say it, but I've never cooked a proper meal before. Which also means that I don't know how to cook. I've helped my Mum in the kitchen but I've never actually conjured something up myself. Most people my age have already mastered this skill therefore I'm determined to perfect a couple of recipes by the end of this year. 

5. Time Manage my Blog Posts Better
I've never used the schedule tool on Blogger because I've never written a post in advance. I always write my posts the day of or the day before publishing. The same goes with taking my photos. I really want to be more organised with my posts so I'm not so pressed for time at the end of every week. 

6. Be More Active on Social Media
Since starting my blog I've chatted to so many different bloggers. And it's all thanks to social media. In saying this though, I still don't think I take complete advantage of this online connectivity and I go through periods of completely neglecting these social accounts. I really want to be more consistent with my shares and posts and make more of an effort to be present online. 

Thanks for reading! 

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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!

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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! 

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