Fall Bucket List: Hot Chocolate and Apple Cider

Leaves are falling, you can feel cool weather is approaching, smells of homemade food are wafting into your room, you hear wind blowing --This is the feeling of fall!  One of the best things about fall is the hot chocolate and apple cider.  The rich chocolaty taste of, well hot chocolate and the apple and spice taste of apple cider.  These delicious drinks both warm you from head to toe.  What’s better than sitting down on a cold night, watching your favorite movie, and sipping hot chocolate (or apple cider)?  My answer, nothing! (Except maybe a doughnut to go with that. . .) 

My favorite type of hot chocolate is the Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Sensation.  It doesn't taste chemical-ly at all.  I am a chocoholic, so this is the perfect drink for me!

However, sometimes it's nice to drink something different, so why not try some apple cider?  When I was walking through the store the other day, I saw this Celestial Seasonings Caramel Apple Dream Tea.  It's a brand new product.  Besides the name sounding really good, the picture on the front is totally adorable!  Who can resist little chipmunks on apples floating down a river of caramel?  And the tea pot house?  It's just all too cute!

Then, there's homemade hot mulled cider.  What's better than that?  You can make your own with these tea bags from The Apple Barn.  If you have some fruit juice, just heat about 1 cup of your beverage in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes or heat on the stove top until "steamy hot." (Not Boiling)  Then, add the spiced tea bag and allow it to steep for 1 minute, or until the desired taste develops.  The longer the bag steeps, the spicier the taste!  This creates the perfect apple cider! 

The mugs in the first picture were found at Barnes and Noble in the Starbucks section of the store.  When we go to Barnes and Noble, we never know what we're going to find (besides books, of course)!  I simply adorable these mugs because I am very interested in typeface.  Besides, when it's containing your most favorite drink, what's not to love? 

Be sure to comment down below with which drink is your favorite!

♥ Rachel

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5 Tips For New Bloggers - #BundleMarathon

Blogging can be hard when you’re just starting out.  I mean there are so many decisions for you to make regarding your blog and it takes so much time, right?  Well here are five tips to help you when you’re just starting your blog.

1.  Make a Schedule

     I have found out the hard way that it is much easier to remember to post on your blog when you have a schedule.  Start out with small goals, maybe to post once a week.  Then plan out topic ideas for each time that you plan to post, for example, “Tuesday – Firsthand: Roller coasters” or something like that.  Do your best to stick to that schedule.  Now sometimes, it’s just not possible because that’s just how life goes.  But if you can, stick to the schedule! 

2.  Include Pictures

     Pictures add spice to our blogs.  If there are no pictures, it’s like having grits with no butter, pepper, or salt.  (I know; it hurts me to think about it too.)  Also be sure the pictures you include are “clutter-free.”  Meaning there shouldn’t be too many things in the background that could be distracting.  Include your gorgeous pictures in your posts!

3.  Post about Things You Love

     Sometimes, we feel forced to post certain things by people around us.  But if that’s not something you’re interested in, don’t post about it!  Post about things you like and people who like those same things will eventually find your blog.

4.  Customize Your Blog Template

     Customizing your blog can make you feel more open to share your true self.  If you like sparkles, try to find a template that has a glitter theme.  If your favorite color is lime green, change the background color to lime green.  Or even if you just love pictures, choose a theme that lets you have tons of pictures on the front page.  When people first come to your blog, they’ll think you blog is creative and unique!

5.  Have Fun With Blogging!

     This is the most important tip, in my opinion.  Make sure you really enjoy blogging and you’re not forcing yourself to do it.  If you’re not enjoying it, people will be able to tell by your writing, tone of voice, and even pictures.  But, if you really love blogging, people will be able to sense your energy and will know instantly that you love to blog!

If you’re just starting a blog, I hope these tips help.  Comment down below with your blog link and I’ll be sure to check your awesome blog out!

♥ Rachel
 <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/13077267/?claim=8nax4eag2v5">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

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Liebester Award

You know those cool award thingys that blogs get nominated for?  Well I was nominated for one by Naomi from http://livingasmodestgirls.wordpress.com/.  It is called the Liebester Award.  (Don't even ask me what's that supposed mean.)  :)  Thanks Naomi!   

My answers:
1. What is your middle name?
My middle name is (drum roll please). . . Maria! 
2. What is the most unique thing about you?
I am really interested in coding, yet I also like painting!
3. What makes you laugh no matter what mood you are in?
My little brother, Benjamin.
4. Do you like the city or country? 
Definitely the city.  I like to go to different places, not stay in one place all day.
5. What’s your favorite holiday?
Oh, this is a hard one.  I'd have to say. . . probably Thanksgiving.  It's such a happy time because we don't think about what we can do for ourselves, but we're actually thankful for the stuff we already have.
6. How many houses have you lived in?
Three
7. What is your favorite thing about blogging?
That I can share my opinions and thoughts about topics and just let my creativity flow!
8. Do you play any instruments?
Yes, the piano.
9. How many siblings do you have?
Four, so there's five of us kids all together.
10. What’s your favorite season?
Fall!  It's always nice to have a break from all the heat of summer.  :)
11. Do you like to read or write more?
Probably read

I am now supposed to nominate another blogger for this award, so my nominee is Emily from http://emsedition.wordpress.com/

Here are my questions for my nominee:

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
What is your dream job?

Do you prefer cooking or baking? 
What is your favorite season?
What is your favorite thing to wear?
What do you do when you have spare time?
If you could have lunch with any literary character, who would you choose?

If you could move to another state, which state would you choose and why?

What is your favorite verse in the Bible?

What is your favorite thing to eat?

What is your favorite subject in school?

♥ Rachel

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Book Review - The Summer of Moonlight Secrets

Whenever I walk into the library, the same books always catch my eye for some reason.  Well, this book that I’m about to share with you was one of those, so one day I decided to get it!  I’m so glad I did.

The Summer of Moonlight Secrets, written by Danette Haworth, is an intriguing story of a young girl, a boy, and strange, mysterious girl.  Allie Jo, who lives at a hotel in Florida, and Chase, who is staying in Florida for the summer, meet a gorgeous girl named Tara.  But Tara always seems to be frightened by their presence and spontaneously jumping into the springs.   But once they learn her secret, everything changes. 

Good qualities of this book –

I love the descriptiveness (wait, is that even a word?) of the author.  “Tara’s shimmery skin, long flowing hair, and strange fondness for moonlight swims . . . “ “His breath is hot and moist on my ear.”  “I watch the ring as blackness dissolves into swirls of color” I think you get the point.  It makes you feel like you’re there.

The author also changes point of view in every chapter, which is pretty cool.  One chapter, you can see Chase’s point of view and thoughts.  The next chapter, you see Allie Jo’s thoughts and perspective.  And every once in a while, you can see Tara’s actions and thoughts.

Not so good qualities of this book –

Although this is also in the “good” section, the author changing point of view is also in the “bad” section.   After reading this book for a while, it can be dizzying and kind of hard to keep up with who is thinking or saying what.

My rating –

I give it 4.3 stars! 

In my opinion, the “goods” definitely outweigh the “bads.”   So what are you waiting for?  Run to the library and grab this book before it flies off the shelves!  :)

♥ Rachel

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Style It Up Tuesday - Elephants

As I was looking around my room this morning, I noticed I have quite a few elephants themed things.  Here are a couple!

This is a little elephant pencil topper.  I love his little black top hat!

This is an elephant paper weight.  This comes in handy when I reading one of my textbooks and the pages won't stay down.  This elephant is really heavy though!

This turquoise elephant is on a chart in my room.  Elephants are my favorite animal and turquoise is my favorite color, so this is the perfect elephant for me!

This is a really long necklace from one of my aunts.  I love how shiny he is!

Lastly, is this turquoise elephant statue.  Whenever I look at it, it makes me so happy because it's so bright!

Be sure to rate this post below! 

♥ Rachel

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Fall Bucket List

Fall is an exciting time of the year.  Leaves changing colors, lots of holidays, and delicious smells!  This fall is sure to be fun with the SST bucket list of great things to do!  Download the list by clicking on the picture above.

♥ Rachel

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