A Belated Book and Christmas Present Haul

Guess who's back! 

Hint: it's not Slim Shady.

It's been ages since I last blogged. I didn't mean for so much time to pass between posts, but it's been a rough couple of months. I've had a horrendous cold the last couple of weeks, which floored me more than Covid did. I could barely lift my head off my pillow at all last week and just napped and read, but thankfully, I'm feeling much better now. Then before that, I kept suffering from blurred vision and migraines (I think from eye strain), and then my glasses broke, so I couldn't see a thing for a couple of weeks while I waited for new ones. And that's without adding in chronic pain flares and appointments on top of it all. I've just not been up to blogging lately, but I'm hoping I can get back to it now I'm feeling human again.

Anyway, I realised I never managed to show you what I got for Christmas or the books I bought in the days afterwards, and the posts had somehow got lost in my drafts. I know, I know, it's almost April, but I thought you might still like to see what I got. I have some cool things to show you, and I promise they're not overly festive!

So, first up is one of the best backpacks ever. It's no secret that Robin Hood has always been one of my favourite Disney films, and I was so excited to get the Loungefly Robin Hood Floral Folk mini backpack from my younger sister on Christmas Day. It had been on my wish list for ages, and it's even more beautiful in real life than I was expecting. I love the folksy style of the design, the soft denim-blue colour, and how it feels like leather even though it's faux. It's perfect. 

My older sister and brother-in-law got me this gorgeous Vendula London zip around wallet from The Botanist collection. I love the little foxes and embroidered wysteria, but all the little details are amazing, and the soft sage-green colour is so pretty. The vegan leather is so soft, too. This design is sadly no longer available from their website, but you might be able to find it in store or from a stockist.

I, naturally, received a couple of things from Erstwilder from my parents. I got the Warren the Wombat brooch from the Kutopia collection, which is one of the cutest brooches ever, and I also got a funky pair of large, mirrored, metallic-purple crescent-moon drop earrings. I forget which collection they launched alongside... maybe Halloween? But regardless, they're awesome.

One of the coolest presents my family gave me was Labyrinth Monopoly. I grew up on this film, and it's still one of my favourites, so when I saw this game, I knew I needed it and added it to my Christmas list. I really didn't expect anyone to get it for me, so I was thrilled to get it on Christmas morning. It looks amazing! The only problem is, I still haven't managed to get anyone to play it with me yet. I might have to coerce the family into a game over Easter.

Another of my all time favourite Disney movies is The Rescuers, and it's one I watched to death when I was little. My sister remembered, and gave me this amazing set of soft toys of Bernard and Miss Bianca with Evinrude and his little leaf boat. I've never seen soft toys of these characters before, and they're so cute, I could die! They were from the Disney Store as part of the Disney 100 collection, but they're no longer available on the UK website, only the US, which you can find here.

I was excited to get a shower gel and body yoghurt in the seasonal Pears & Share scent from The Body Shop that I'd really wanted to try. The fragrance is lovely, and both products make my skin so soft. 

Have you heard about The Body Shop teetering on the edge of administration? I'm so shocked! It's not a brand I ever expected to struggle. They've already closed half their shops, and I'll be so sad if we lose them altogether. I've been using their products since the nineties, and there are so many I'd miss if they went under. I need my Vitamin E moisture cream, and Satsuma shower gel!

I also received this cute grey owl print scarf, and a set of Faith-In-Nature body washes from my best friend. I haven't tried the shower gels yet, but the grapefruit and coconut ones smell so good.

Of course, there were a few tasty treats as well. I got a Cadbury selection box and some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups from my parents, and some M&S Choc Corn (chocolate-covered popcorn) from my sister and brother-in-law. My cousin gave me some Belgian chocolate seashells, too, but I may have lost all control and eaten those before I could take photos!

I also got some books for Christmas, which are always welcome presents with me. I love new books, and enjoy collecting them... not that you would know from my Instagram posts, or anything... My parents gave me the latest Clare Mackintosh mystery, A Game of Lies, which I'd been coveting since last summer, and my Auntie gave me a YA Fantasy boxset called Beautiful Creatures. I'd never heard of the series before, and don't know if it's any good, but there's only one way to find out.

A few days after Christmas, I then went book shopping to Waterstones with my sister to spend our Christmas money, and picked up four new hardbacks- three of which have gorgeous hidden covers! I bought A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid, The Serpent & The Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent, The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon, and Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare. They were all half price in the Boxing Day sales, too- except A Study in Drowning, which was full price. Not too shabby. I haven't read them all yet, but The Serpent & The Wings of Night is incredible- kinda like The Hunger Games but with vampires, and I enjoyed A Study in Drowning, too.

And last but not least, I bought a few of the books from my wish list on Boxing Day when they were all on offer on Amazon. I think they were all half price or less, so it would've been rude not to! I got The Marriage Act by John Marrs, The Sentence by Christina Dalcher, and The Last Goodbye by Tim Weaver. I still need to read them, but they're three authors whose books are auto-buys for me as they're always amazing. I'd recommend John Marrs and Tim Weaver if you love thrillers, and Christina Dalcher if you enjoy suspenseful feminist fiction that smashes the patriarchy. 

I've bought a number of new books since I got these, so I might do a seperate haul or some reviews to show you the beautiful copies I've bought so far this year soon.

Have you bought or been gifted anything interesting lately?

What I Got For Christmas 2022

I know Christmas has been and gone (how was it over a month ago already?!), but today, I'm going to show you some of the presents my family and friends gave me for Christmas. I always enjoy these kind of posts on other blogs, and thought you guys might do, too.

I was gifted some amazing presents for Christmas, and while I didn't get masses of gifts now I'm old and turning in to an isolated crazy cat lady (without the cats) my social circle is small from being housebound, I felt like I was really spoiled this Christmas.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on Christmas Day was that I received not one, but two Loungefly backpacks! I was so shocked. My parents gave me the Disney Princess Books backpack- a white and baby blue mini backpack with a stack of fairytale books on the front, and a print of various characters reading books all over it. There's Sebastian, Flit, Jacques, Lumiere, Pascal, Abu and all manner of cute sidekicks being bookworms, and it's awesome.

The other backpack I was given was the Robin Hood Forest mini backpack, this time from my sister and brother-in-law. It's amazing and I love it so much. It's khaki-green with Robin Hood and the little bunnies and turtle embroidered on the front, and Robin's wanted-poster embossed on the back. I particularly love the embroidered detailing, and the fact it features Skippy and his sisters, and Toby, the turtle. Why are they not on more things? If anyone would like me to do proper reviews of these backpacks, just let me know.

If you thought I was done with showing you cool Loungefly things, you were wrong. I was also gifted the Robin Hood Classic Books zip around wallet, from my younger sister. It's a green and yellow wallet with a storybook aesthetic, and it's gorgeous. It has Robin on the front standing in front of a garland of greenery, and on the back- without a doubt the best part of the design- is Maid Marian playing badminton with Lady Klucky. I'm obsessed. I now own six pieces of Loungefly- three bags, three wallets, all gifts- and the hilarious thing is, five of them are Robin Hood themed! And I'm not even sorry. It's been one of my favourite Disney films since I was little, and it's so rare to find merchandise for it, so Loungefly's designs are a dream.

I was so pleased to be given a few books for Christmas- paperbacks of Forging Silver in to Stars by Brigid Kemmerer and Artemis by Andy Weir off my wish list from my parents, and a beautiful leatherbound Barnes and Noble edition of Stephen King's Three Novels. It includes Carrie, The Shining, and Salem's Lot, and has metallic silver edges. I then treated myself to the collector's edition of A Court of Thorns and Roses with my Christmas money, and it's without a doubt one of the most beautiful books I've ever owned. I finished reading it a few days ago and I absolutely adored it. I might still be a little obsessed with Lucien and Tamlin...

Another book I was gifted was this awesome storybook of The Muppet Christmas Carol. It's an illustrated kids book telling a shortened version of the movie, and it's so cute. It's been one of mine and my sisters' favourite Christmas films since I was seven, so my younger sister bought copies for both myself and our older sister. I love it.

One of my other childhood favourite films was Pocahontas- it's still one of my favourite Disney movies to this day- and apparently my sister was paying attention, as another present she gave me was the Pocahontas Funko Pop. I love that she even comes with Meeko and Flit- two of the best sidekicks in the history of sidekicks.

I also unwrapped the cutest Primark Exclusive Care Bears 40th anniversary Funko of Friend Bear from one of my lovely friends. It's light orange with flowers on her stomach, and so bright and cheerful. It makes me smile. 

She also gave me a fun holographic Animal Crossing New Horizons notebook- satisfying two of my addictions at once- although, sadly, I haven't been able to capture it well. Holographic things are apparently a nightmare to photograph.

My little sister got me this cool tankard-like mug with reindeer legs from Shop Disney. If you can't tell by the quote, it's based on the mug of cocoa from The Santa Clause movie. Another of our childhood favourites.

This Vendula London Seaside Souvenirs Clipper purse wasn't technically a Christmas present, but my older sister Marie gave me it about a week before Christmas, so I'm adding it in here just the same. She picked it up on sale for me pretty cheaply when she was shopping for purses herself, for no reason other than it matches my Vendula Seaside Souvenirs backpack. It was so thoughtful of her. It has spaces for cards and a compartment for coins, and the seaside design is gorgeous.

My parents gave me a little pair of gold hoops, with tiny stars on them. I'll admit, they're not the kind of jewellery I tend to wear, and I don't know enough about classic jewellery to tell you anything else about them, but they are really cute.

One of my Aunties gifted me this pretty jasper gemstone bracelet with a lotus flower charm from Lilymoonstone on Etsy. I love the teal of the beads, and how they look like the ocean or little worlds. They come in other colours and gemstones, too. I know one of my sisters got a purple amethyst one. 

Another of my lovely friends sent me some chocolate, along with this amazing winter-themed acrylic brooch featuring an ice skate, a snowflake, and a mitten. It's so cute, and perfect for accessorising my winter outfits.

And I also got a selection box and a few boxes of chocolates from various family members. They didn't all survive long enough to sit for photos, but they are remembered fondly. May they rest in peace.

What was the best present you got for Christmas / another holiday you recently celebrated?

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What I Got For My Birthday 2022

What I Got For My Birthday

It was my birthday at the beginning of the month- not that I celebrated it this year. I spent the day in bed sick with Covid, self-isolating from my family, and feeling too upset to celebrate after missing a trip to Brighton and a concert I'd been dying to see the day before.

It barely even registered that it was my birthday, except for the birthday cake, and presents from my family that got left outside my bedroom door, which did actually help to cheer me up a little. How can cake and presents not make you smile?!

I might do something fun to make up for my ruined birthday plans once we've all fully recovered from Covid, but for now I thought I'd keep with tradition, and give you a peek at the lovely presents I was gifted this year.

My parents gave me a couple of pairs of earrings and a set of cardi clips from Erstwilder. The cardi clips are a pair of gorgeous pink and white cockatoos (galahs?) called Pinky Promise from last year's Erstwilder x Jocelyn Proust collection. They're made from the prettiest pearlescent, bubble, and textured resins, and the best part is they're so versatile. They can be worn as cardi or collar clips, but also pinned closer together as a double brooch. I love them! I think the glittery cream opalescent flower earrings were from the same collection, but I can't remember which the plain black bubble resin cat earrings belonged to. Maybe one of the Halloween ranges? Doesn't really matter; they're cute, and will be perfect for spooky season.

I also got some money from my parents so I could choose something I wanted, so I pooled my birthday money, and put it towards this beautiful Bumblebee and Small Polka Dot Monty radio from Emma Bridgewater. I've been looking for a new bluetooth speaker for a while, as I've had nothing to play music on- except for straight off my phone or laptop- since my last speaker broke a couple of years ago. I've been tempted by the heart print Emma Bridgewater radio for ages, but just as I was thinking about buying it with my birthday money, I stumbled across this one and fell in love with it there and then. It's so unique, and I love the colourful bee and polka dot print so much. I've never seen a gadget quite like it. I haven't set up the radio or alarm clock features yet, but it's so easy to connect your phone or iPod to it to play music, and the bass on it is impressive. The sound quality is amazing. It even has a USB port at the back so you can charge your phone from it! It isn't cheap at £100, but if you sign up to the newsletter on the Emma Bridgewater website, you get 15% off your order, making it a much more reasonable £85. Trust me, it's worth every penny.

My younger sister bought me the Robin Hood Loungefly Wallet that I've been lusting over for the best part of a year, and it is amazing. It's blue and green with silhouettes of trees and bushes in the background, and a pattern of characters from the film in the foreground. There's Robin Hood and Little John (not running through the forest), Maid Marian and Clucky, her lady-in-waiting, Prince John and Sir Hiss, and even the little bunnies and turtle. It's so cute! The inside is petrol-blue with a pale blue lining printed with items associated with the film, like Robin Hood's hat, quivers, gems, and arrows and targets. It has space for notes and several cards, but annoyingly doesn't have a place for coins. You can kind of make a pocket out of the space behind the cards, but it's not ideal. Luckily, I don't often have much cash on me, so I'm sure I can make it work.

Along with the wallet, my sister gave me the coolest pair of Truffle Shuffle socks with the worm from Labyrinth on them. They're bright blue and red, and lovely and thick. I've always loved the worm from Labyrinth, so they're the best socks ever!

On my birthday, my other sister dropped a gift bag of presents off on the doorstep for me, not wanting to risk coming in and getting infected. She and my brother-in-law gifted me four books, and a lovely selection of treats from Marks and Spencer's. I sense she was trying to cheer me up after I got sick and our plans fell apart. The sugar definitely helped. I was given Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (which I've wanted to try after enjoying the Shadow and Bone books), The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, Jade City by Fonda Lee, and Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire. I've only read Every Heart a Doorway so far, and it was a weirdly good but morbid little read. I can't wait to read all the others. As for the sweet treats, I was given some cookie dough bites, a couple of bags of chocolate peanuts (my fave M&S treats), some chocolate covered popcorn, and a couple of cakes in a jar. The Trillionaire one was particularly delicious. Would definitely recommend.

And one of my lovely friends sent me a gorgeous parcel of goodies wrapped in peach-coloured polka dot tissue paper. She sent me the sweetest selection of items, including a llama keyring, a set of cute wooden animal photo pegs, a bookish pin, a mint-green scrunchie featuring black and white dogs with patches that remind me of Rosie, a birthday candle and flower seeds in a little matchbox, some flower stickers, and a map-print pill box, that will be so handy for carrying my painkillers in my bag.

I'm really grateful for all I was given this year, so thank you to everyone who gave me a present. You're the best!

What's the best birthday present you've ever been given?

What I Got For Christmas 2021

Today, I thought I'd show you the lovely presents I was given for Christmas last year.

I know, I know; Christmas was ages ago now, but I'm lagging behind with my blog posts as I've been unwell a lot lately. I still want to document them to look back on, so I hope you'll indulge me as I chat about the cute things I was given. I promise it won't get too festive.

If you're still reading this, I guess you're curious to see what presents I got under the tree, so let's get cracking before you change your mind.

My parents got me this amazing mint green Robin Hood mini backpack from Loungefly, which had been on my wish list for ages. I was so excited when I unwrapped it on Christmas morning, as Robin Hood has always been one of my favourite Disney films, and I was pretty obsessed with it when I was growing up. It's the cutest little backpack, and the best part is that it has Sir Hiss with his head in a balloon on the back, with the same image used for the lining. I love it!

If anyone wants me to do a full review of the backpack, just let me know.

As you've probably noticed by now, I'm a little addicted to Animal Crossing, so one of my sister's got me an Animal Crossing jigsaw. The funny thing is, I bought her the exact same one! We're going to have to have jigsaw wars to see who can complete it first. I haven't done a jigsaw since I was about ten, so this could end badly.

My little sister also got me the cutest Animal Crossing Poppy bookmark from Mollie Crossing Studio on Etsy., which is perfect as I was down to my last bookmark. Where do they disappear to? Someone please tell me.

I also got some Animal Crossing presents from one of my lovely friends, including some adorable bath fizzers, a Flurry figurine, and a fun summer jigsaw. They're all so cute! My friend also sent me an awesome pair of Alice in Wonderland studs, but I haven't been able to get them to photograph well.

My younger sister, Sarah, got me a copy of Two Point Hospital to play on the Switch. I haven't played on it much yet as I've been too fatigued and brain fogged to figure it out, but I'm sure it won't be long until I'm addicted. I remember spending hours playing Theme Hospital on the PS1 in the early noughties, and it looks like the same sort of thing.

I love getting books as presents, and I was pleased to receive a few for Christmas from my parents, and my older sister. I got the Shadow in the Glass by JJA Harwood, which sounds like a new take on Cinderella; The Deep by Alma Katsu, a psychological thriller and gothic ghost story set on board the Titanic and Britannic; and a beautiful Barnes & Noble leather bound edition of six of H.G. Wells' most famous books. I've only ever read War of the Worlds, and have wanted to try some of his other stories for years, so I'm pleased to finally have this book in my collection. It's been on my wish list for years. The cover is gorgeous, with a flying saucer, solar system, and clock faces entwined on cobalt blue, and if the design isn't enough to tempt you, the pages are gilded in gold. 

I naturally had a few Erstwilder brooches on my Christmas list, and my parents bought me the King of the Coast brooch from last year's Jocelyn Proust collection. It's a beautiful red and green Australian king parrot, and it's made from some stunning red, green, and pearlescent white textured resins. It's a beauty, and I love it.

Speaking of jewellery, I also got the cutest pair of scalloped-edged, hot pink Fossil heart earrings from my parents. I always seem to get things from Fossil as my Mum's obsessed.

One of the coolest, most meaningful presents I got was a Pound Puppies basset hound teddy, from my sister and brother-in-law. It's just like one I had when I was little, except my childhood version also had a Velcro pouch in its belly with three puppies inside. I used to take them everywhere, and still have them packed away in the loft somewhere. As it was a childhood favourite, I was thrilled when I discovered that some of the old eighties and nineties Pound Puppies had been brought back, even if the Mums and pups weren't included. I added this almost identical one to my wishlist ages ago, thinking of buying it for myself at some point for the nostalgia, but never expected anyone to buy it for me. I was really excited to unwrap it on Christmas morning, and it now brings back lots of childhood memories. Pound Puppies were the best. Did anyone have one?

My parents and sister stocked me up on chocolate with a couple of selection boxes. I also got a Chocolate Orange, which is a tradition in our family at Christmas, but it didn't last long enough to make it in to photos. They're just too yummy.

My best friend sent me a thoughtful box of American chocolate from Planet Candy... luckily filled with some of the few American chocolates I actually like. Who knew the white Reese's were so good?!

And I was also gifted some hot chocolate goodies from another of my lovely friends, including the sweetest gingerbread man spoon with my name engraved on it. I'm looking forward to trying the hot chocolate bomb and stirrers soon. They'll be perfect for a chilly evening in front of the TV.

I also got a few other small bits and bobs I haven't photographed, and some Christmas money from a couple of my relatives, which I put towards some goodies from The Body Shop (mostly body butters, and shower gels), as well as a navy polka dot Lyra dress from Lady Vintage I got in the sale.

I love everything I was given this Christmas. My friends and family gave me some really cute and thoughtful gifts, and several that I'd been coveting for ages. I'm so grateful for their generosity, and still feel spoilt. Thanks to everyone who gave me a present; you guys are the best!

What was the best present you got for Christmas?

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What I Got For My Birthday

What I Got For My Birthday

It's been three months since my birthday, so I thought it was about time I documented some of the lovely presents my family and friends gave me this year. 

I would've done it sooner, but hey, taking blog photos when you need them is an abled-bodied person's game. Three months late. That's my jam.

Some of the birthday cards I received this year.

My parents got me the amazing Vendula London Seaside Souvenirs Backpack (and I chipped in a bit, as well), which had been high on my wish list ever since the range was launched a year or two ago. We got it during the flash sale in June and found a discount code, too, so got it for £60-something instead of £98, which was a real bargain, and worth every penny. The bag is so beautiful, fantastic quality, surprisingly roomy, and the attention to detail is incredible. I love all the little seaside-themed details! The cool thing about this bag is that's it's not just a backpack, but can be converted in to a cross body bag or shoulder bag as well! I sadly find it too short to comfortably use as a cross body, but as a backpack, it's perfect. The straps are long and adjustable, and it's comfortable on the shoulders. I used it on my recent holiday to Cornwall, and I couldn't have asked for a better day bag. Or a more perfect bag for by the sea. (I actually chose it with trips to Cornwall and the seaside in mind). I love it! I can't wait to use it again next summer.

It feels too late in the year to do a review of a seaside-themed bag, but if anyone wants me to do a full review of it, just let me know.

My younger sister, Sarah, gave me the Too Faced Born This Way: The Natural Nudes eyeshadow palette, after seeing it on my birthday wish list, so I was really excited to unwrap this on my birthday. I wanted some more nude eyeshadows to try as most of my eyeshadow collection is colourful, and this has to be one of the loveliest nude eyeshadow palettes I've ever seen. The shades are dreamy- especially the metallics. I've only used the palette a few times so far, but I'm already really impressed with these shadows. They have great colour pay-off, blend really well, feel super soft on the skin, and stay put all day- even on blazing hot days in the sun. 

I was given a lovely assortment of presents from my older sister and brother-in-law, starting with this gorgeous embroidered red fox brooch by Vikki Lafford Garside. She brought it from a shop in Oxford's Covered Market that sells quirky jewellery from brands like Little Moose and Layla Amber. After choosing the fox brooch for me, and hearing it was made by a local artist, my sister realised it was made by someone she knew in passing, who used to take the same bus as her to school. How weird is that? I love that it was made locally by someone she can put a face to. It's such a cute brooch, and will be the perfect finishing touch for autumn outfits.

Marie also got me another brooch from the same shop, this time a colourful wooden heart upcycled by Zinc White from recycled Derwent pencils. It's so cute! I really need a book or art-themed dress to wear it with.

Earlier this year, I mentioned wanting to reread The Tommyknockers by Stephen King, as it had been a while since I'd read it, so naturally, my sister got me a copy. (Which was lovely, as until then, I'd only had a copy on my Kindle). I read it in August, which took the whole month as the book is super long (about 1400 pages), and some of the chapters are really tedious and drawn-out. I'd forgotten how many seemingly pointless chapters there were in between the exciting ones of Bobbi and Gard digging up the space ship, and the townsfolk transforming in to aliens. I almost gave up a few times, but it was worth persevering to get to the good bits.

The sister also got me the Alice in Wonderland Caterpillar 70th anniversary Funko Pop, and it's one of the cutest Funko Pops ever! Alice in Wonderland has always been one of my favourite Disney films, and I'm loving the new 70th anniversary Funkos that have recently been released. This grumpy chain-smoking caterpillar is definitely one of my favourites.

And she also treated me to some delicious Hotel Chocolat chocolates. The Dizzy Praline truffles are one of my favourites- they're so yummy!- but I had never tried the Peanut Butter & Jelly ones before. Turns out, they're amazing! I enjoyed sampling them over the summer.

One of my lovely friends sent me some amazing chocolate bars and lollies from Bloc-o-Choc. The chocolate is to die for! The milk chocolate is so creamy, and they're layered with different branded chocolates which makes them an incredible treat. I'm loving orange milk chocolate at the moment, so I particularly loved the Terry's Chocolate Orange bar. 10/10 would recommend.

I was also gifted a gorgeous pair of pink strawberry drop earrings from a friend, which are lovely for spring and summer. I haven't really worn this style of earring before, so it's been fun branching out and trying something new. I love them! They're from EarBlush on Etsy.

Another lovely friend sent me a letterbox parcel of pick 'n' mix sweets from All You Can Sweet, which was the best treat to get in the post. I naturally ate all the good ones before I was able to take a photo of them because I just couldn't wait to enjoy them, but it also had pink chocolate pigs and white chocolate stars in the mix, and a lot more sweets. They were so good!

And last but not least, my Nana sent me some money for my birthday, and I couldn't resist putting it towards the Erstwilder Halloween Care Bears 'Trick or Sweet Bear' brooch. And now it's autumn, I can finally start wearing it! Yay!

And those are some of the things I got for my 36th birthday.

A big 'thank you!' to everyone who bought me presents this year. I love them and I appreciate it! You're the best!

What did you get for your last birthday?