Descended By Debra Ann Miller, Fallen Guardians Saga #1: Book Review Part 1

11/13/2013 

So I started reading this novel today after it was highly recommended.  At first I was a tad skeptical as I didn't really go for these types of books, especially on e-readers I’ll take the old paper smell any day. But only a few pages in it really started to grab my attention, I love the detail to which everything is described. Every emotion of beauty, every feeling is so magnificently expressed that the reader can’t help but to be overcome by the love in the hospital room just as the main character Violet is. I love that it really showed what Violet loved about the human condition from the smells to be being able to read what was going through each their minds through the porthole of their eyes.

I really am entranced by the accurate play of religious themes in the beginning as not many books play on any type of God. The idea of angels isn't new, but connecting them to a higher power and a feeling that God is a main focus of the vessel’s life is quite spectacular. I love how it flash-backed to the moments before the operation to Vivian’s uneasiness of having a trusting God and the reassurance of the Doctor.

The plot paints a perfect view of the setting and you really begin to experience the story line with the characters. I love the way it incorporated modern day things any teen would recognize as a manor of allowing readers to truly connect with the fantasy characters and believe in the possibility of the plot line actually existing in this world.

The beauty existing in the friendship between Vie and Gabrielle is astonishing they truly are the two closest friends anyone could ever dream of happening.
After meeting Carter though, I found the description of their feelings to be absolutely breathtaking. I have never read a novel in which two characters could share such an incredible bond that becomes tangible for the reader. It completely makes me believe in the power of true, raw emotion and the ability is has to overcome someone so entirely you could never imagine your life without them. 
I feel awful for Jeremy however, as you know the love felt between he and Vivian was unparalleled.

The bits of back story make the reader slowly begin to understand the past in a way that isn't boring or tedious, It is like you are experiencing it through the photographic memory of the lead.
I love the way the chapters can sometimes switch between being back in the guardian base with the unfolding of events there, and to another darker time I've only just begun to experience.I can't help but to piece together small bits of religious importance, that I absolutely truly love. It is quite refreshing to read a book with religious undertones that are not too thick with God yet just enough to relate to my soul. 

As of now I am only 38% finished with this story and I can already tell I will be hooked and hope it never ends.  



Please stay tuned for the rest of the book reviews as I am writing them as I read so that I don't forget any important measures. Remember to check out my links for my shop and facebook, and do so subscribe so you do not miss the rest of this book!

As always, keep your tea seeped, and a great book near.
Cheers.

Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/ElfinAdventure

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elfinadventure

Art Pages Tutorial and Inspiration F. Scott Fitzgerald

Hello my lovelies,

Today I want to share with you one of my absolute favorite hobbies of all time, 

Art Journalism

Now I never really got into journaling or keeping a diary before discovering the world of Slam Books, now I keep one for every year.

For those of you who don't know this amazing gift inspired by Mean Girls, (no one is insulted I promise) It is a way of scrapbooking where you aren't restricted to the size of the page or the thickness of the materials you use. Its a great way to use up old and extra supplies and create an entirely new medium to express yourself.

My favorite way to create art pages for a journal is to start with a plain piece of cardstock paper, destroy it, reinvent it, and doodle just a bit more. I then punch a few holes and throw it into a binder filled with pictures, stories, postcards, whatever I did that year that enlightened me and that I want to remember.

I created two pages recently inspired by two amazing quotes written by the one and only F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Fun Fact: the F. stands for Francis

Now to picture-explain this

Start with a few bits glued to your cardstock:

Here I started with a magazine picture, some construction paper, fabric scraps, printed paper, yarn, and a bit of spilled candle wax. I also added tea paper, black ink, and a bit of green sugar crystals (I was curious on what would happen)

The second page I added more fabric, tea paper, ink, sprinkles, and a cupcake liner.

This is the second page after adding some watercolor paint over the newly textured background

After the paint dried, I wrote this quote on the first page. 

And this one on the second page

The final pages!

 

I love the freedom art journaling has, it allows me to fully throw all I have to create a beautiful mess.

If you create any art pages let me know! Add them in the comments below and we can make an online community journal!

As always my dears, never forget the sun will always shine again tomorrow.

Cheers.

Don't forget to check out my links for my Etsy shop and Facebook and subscribe so you dont miss any Elfin madness!

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/ElfinAdventure

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elfinadventure

Blurring the Lines Between Indoors and Out"-Indoor Gardening Series #4 Painted Pots

Good Evening,

my darling tea sippers,

Today I bring you the final blog in my indoor gardening DIY series:

Painted Pots

Have you ever just glanced over at your gardening space, loved the luscious green foliage but hated the bland pots in comparison?

Well today is perfect for you!

I bring to you a few fun and whimsical pot inspiration with a few tips to replicate my designs!

The first one requires little skill level as it is just a few painting techniques

This "cottage chic"design is achieved by first sealing your terracotta pot in order to keep water in and paint chemicals out.

Next, spray on a nice crackle medium *I only applied this under the rim 

Secondly, Paint on your color of choice (mine being a bright blue)

Finally, seal with a matte spray and you're finished!

*Please let dry before trying to plant anything

The next design requires slightly more painting ability (equivalent to a three year old, you got this)

If you couldn't tell, I was inspired both by the Super Mario mushrooms, and also by the cute, legendary German mushrooms said to bring good luck and happiness similar to Garden Gnomes

This design was painted on a much smaller pot and one made of plastic so a sealer was unneeded.

For this I simply used acrylic craft paint and painted the top half red and the bottom half white. 

I then used my finger to dab little spots to create the polka-dot effect. 

Finish with a sealer and you are a rock star ready to grow a few inches (of plants that is, please do not eat this pot)

The next design was super simple to create. You could either freehand the design (as I did) or create a freezer paper stencil.

I was inspired by the Honeybee Journals (available in my shop!)and decided to create this adorable bee.

I simply sketched the design using a pencil, filled it in with acrylic paint, and sealed it!

This last pot is intended for those with tons of extra free time and a skilled artistic hand.

To start this design, I found a picture of a Sugar Skull I liked, and sealed the terracotta pot.

Next, using a pencil, I sketched out the shape of the skull and any other outside swirls I felt in my heart to add.

Then, I sketched in areas for the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Next, I added smaller details such as teeth and ivy branches.

After choosing a great contrasting color and super tiny paintbrush, I painted over my pencil sketch to reveal the pot above!

Seal before outside use and this pot is ready for any Dia De Los Muertos Celebrations!

If you create any awesome pot designs share them below to inspire other readers!

As always, never forget to whisper secrets to your plants.

Cheers.

Check out my links above for my shop and facebook!

This is Halloween

This is Halloween!

Double bubble boil and trouble! 
This post is a wonderful recap of a spooky Halloween 2013!

TO begin we must all have the perfect costume: 

This year I was inspired by the deliciously creepy Saw movies and decided to go as the game puppet with this wonderful make up!

The make up was super easy: A thick, dark, eyeliner, Bright red lips, and the use of a basic cream make up pallet to add the white circles, gray shading, and a red spiral. To finish the puppet effect, simply draw two straight lines from the corners of your mouth down to your chin to create a drop mouth!

The costume was easy to put together, a black blazer, dress pants, white button up, and a DIY red bowtie!

The next must have for any Hallows Eve is a perfectly carved pumpkin to keep away the evil ghouls that lurk in the night. I like to take a different type of spin here and instead of the usual angry face, I carve more recognizable figures. 

You may recognize him as the ever popular, never succeeding villain of Powerpuff Girls. 

Yes indeed it is Mojo JoJo!

Animated pumpkin carving is insanely easy for even the most unskilled, you can find a template design online, draw your own, or even use acoloring book page! Simple trace the image onto the pumpkin and carve away!

Lastly I bring to you a tasty use for all of the spilled pumpkin guts you're likely to encounter:

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

For this treat you will need:

-Pumpkin Seeds

-Sea Salt

-Water

-A stove (with oven)

The process is rather simple:

Begin by cleaning the gooey stringy stuff off the seeds and rinse them in cold water

Next, allow the seeds to boil in a pot of water mixed with a dash of salt for 10 minutes

Finally, Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit,

Bake for 10 minutes,

Flip

Bake for an additional 10 minutes

Add a sprinkle more of salt

Let cool, and enjoy!

From all of us here at Elfin, we wish you a happy, haunted Halloween. Share your favorite pictures and projects below!!

And always, Keep your tea nice and Autumn-like 

Cheers.

Dont forget to check out my links as well:

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/ElfinAdventure

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elfinadventure

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1DL2o4k6S6lBjLILehZn7Q

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Straight From The Merciful Fruit Gods

Hello my lovelies!

Today I will be sharing with you a delicious recipe for 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread!

Sounds pretty amazing right? Just wait until you smell the pure bliss that is this fruitful dessert. (ha fruit pun)

The inspiration for this treat hit me like a blast of a fresh snowball or the floor after slipping on a peel...anywho the actual story is as follows:

There I was...munching a few stolen chocolate chips, and out of nowhere there they were..
Dun Dun Duuunnnnn
My bananas have gone brown..not like the delicious caramel or even chai tea warm brown, a mushy, vulgar excuse for the happy, perky fruit that once was. 
Dropping to my knees, I demanded the gods of fruit to spare such young specimens as what not their fault I forgot to eat them at an earlier time. 
But thankfully, the gods of all things fruity took pity on my pleas and delivered with a small puff of pink smoke a recipe to end all recipes: Banana Heaven. 

To save your mushy fruit from the torture of Hades here's what you will need:

3-4 (very) ripe bananas 
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup (or more :] ) semisweet chocolate chips

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: a pinch of salt is equal to 1/8 teaspoon

For my health conscious tea party guests you may substitute for the following:

1 cup sugar (bananas are sweet, try 1/2 cup Natural Applesauce
1 egg (vegan egg substitute anyone??)

Pinch of salt (Brings out the savory but if your blood pressure is too high cut back on the savory and chew slowly)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (lets use whole grain or even rice flour for my gluten free darlings)

1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips (honey if you didn't have a sweet-tooth you wouldn't be reading this but thumbs up for raw cocoa!) 

DRINK FOR THOUGHT: A craving for chocolate is typically due to your body needing more magnesium.

Do the Banana Mash (yes Halloween just ended):
Whether your are blending the old-fashioned way, or the healthy less guilt way the same process entails

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius)

Mash your bananas like the sinners they are!

Mix the butter into the banana goo

Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Mix that mess!

Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the yellow mush and stir

Finally add your chips (chocolate not Dill Pickle *shutters) into the flour so that they do not sink to the bottom

Mix it up!

Finally pour the banana guts into a buttered loaf pan (or a fun shapedcake pan I'm curious)

Bake for 1 hour

PULL THE LEVER!!!!!!!

Cool, Slice, Serve!

I do so apologize for the lack of pictures in this post as I mashed my poor bananas with my hands and did not feel like trying to get that out of my phone case, but these instructions (I hope) shall lead us all to banana salvation

If you make this recipe share your experience, especially if you use dill pickle flavored chips or a shaped cake pan...seriously I want to know what happens. 

As always my dears keep your tea seeped and your crumpets toasty.
Cheers.


Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss any Elfin tidbits and remember to check out my:
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/ElfinAdventure
Facebook: www.facebook.com/elfinadventure
and new Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1DL2o4k6S6lBjLILehZn7Q

The Elfin Adventure Nation

Bonjour my pleasant purple tea drinkers (see what I did there)

Today's post is very much so long overdue as I promised in my into that it would arrive shortly and...well...I forgot.

But that's okay! 

On June 22, 2013 the official launch of Elfin Adventure Whimsical Boutique winked into history as the official Etsy shop of the 

Elfin Adventure Nation. (Snazzy!)

AS of this day, the nation consists of a shop, blog, facebook, and the beginnings of a youtube channel! (all links below lovelies)

I would like to thank you all for such a wonderful blessing to be able to bestow my wonders onto the world of tea and to thank all the people that made me into the delicious person I am today. 

Let this be no joke, the beginnings of the nation were hard, I worked hours on end (still working) in order to bring to the public an organization I felt needed to be in the world. 

Through this, my promise to you, I will provide DIY and Craft projects, Tidbits of humor, Important information about the globe, Factoids, The promise of products made entirely in an eco-friendly matter composed of recycled materials, and lastly to bring awareness to nonprofit and activist campaigns that I hold dear to my heart. 

After all, together we can change the world.

Now you may ask, why the different names for the different sections?

And I shall answer: my cup of tea (this blog) is a networking of things I enjoy that I feel all people could benefit from. Elfin Adventure (the shop/facebook) is the binding that started it all, the kettle in which our tea simmers, the sunshine to our cloudy days, the the public face of my world, and lastly The Blue Owl (youtube channel) As few of you may know, the animation of a blue owl was once a central focus of the Elfin logo, it was removed for banner space, however I still feel an attachment to the little guy and have begun to take on the persona of the owl itself. Blue for unique and creative, and the owl as the being/creator of the nation.

The one section I have still yet to find is my title for you, the lovely readers that make all of this worth doing, my constituency,my fuel to the fire, I wish to find a name for you all to be my:____ So I have proposed this little contest :)

Enter a comment for the best name for my audience you could possibly dream up and, if chosen, you shall receive a 50% off coupon code for any item in the Elfin Adventure shop! 

Note* This excludes Asian Elephant plushies as the funds are donated to saving Asian Elephants through Earth Day Network.

Anywho, I will keep this little contest open until I find a winner that makes my heart sing and that person will be instantly notified of their awesome victory, will be given a shout out on both this blog and youtube, and the coupon code for any item (except elephants, their lives depend on full price!) 

As always my dear friends, keep your tea seeped and I shall hopefully have a name for you soon

Cheers.

LINK IT UP! 

Etsy: www.etsy.com/ElfinAdventure

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elfinadventure

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1DL2o4k6S6lBjLILehZn7Q

Cellphones for Survivors Campaign

Hello my wonderful tea sippers!

            

Today I am bringing you another nonprofit awareness campaign and requesting all of you to please find it in your hearts to help not only this college student, but also survivors of domestic violence!

Brought to you by Do Something: http://www.dosomething.org/survivors

I will be collecting used cellphones (no chargers or perfect working quality needed!) until January 1, 2014 in order to send them in to the lovely organization where I have completed so many campaigns in the past as this is my favorite nonprofit!

Anywho, all of the cellphones collected will be taken apart and recycled to raise funds for Domestic Violence programs across the country, all I ask is that the cellphone contain a battery. That’s it!

*UPDATE I will now be collecting cellphones until January 1st, 2014!

Relationship Violence

·         - A woman is battered every nine seconds in the United States.

·         - 1 in 14 men will experience relationship violence at some point in his lifetime.

·         - One in four women will experience relationship violence during her lifetime.

·         - Women ages 20 to 24 are at greatest risk of becoming victims of domestic violence.

·         For more information check out these resources:

o    A Thin Line

o    Warning Signs of Abuse

o    Get Help

o    Or call: 866-331-9474

Relationship Violence And Tech

·         - Funding from your refurbished phone can help a survivor learn how to use one to protect themselves.

·         - What millions don't realize is technology can be dangerous and potentially lethal when in the hands of abusers

How Your Phones Help

·         - Nearly all of the materials found in cell phones can be recycled to make new products.

·         - The money from your recycled or refurbished phones will benefit NNEDV’s Safety Net program which educates victims on ways to use technology to help find safety and escape their abusers.

Before Sending

·         - Remove your password

·         - Deactivate the phone

·         - Erase all personal data

·         - Turn phone off

Please Comment below if you have some old Nokia’s in the junk drawer and I will get in touch with shipping information!

Remember we can all save the world.

Cheers!