My Christmas List 2023

My family keep pestering me for Christmas present ideas, so I thought it was about time I put together a little wish list to give them a few ideas. 

I figured it might also give you guys some Christmas present inspiration for your own friends and family (or yourself!), so I'm sharing it with you, too.

Here's this year's Christmas list. Remember to check it twice.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 21 // 22 // 23

1. Owlcrate's edition of Fall of Ruin and Wrath is one of the most beautiful books I've ever seen. Even if it kinda looks like a purple version of the Six of Crows collector's edition.

2. I'm in love with the print on this Herbology Witch print Lyra Mini Dress from Lady Vintage. Loving the forest witch vibes.

3. The Lucinda cable knit embroidered cardigans from Joanie Clothing look perfect for throwing over a cute dress to stay warm in the winter. I can't decide if I prefer the teal...

4. ...or this gorgeous mustard variation. Maybe I need both?

5. How many Robin Hood Loungefly backpacks are too many? Because I need this Robin Hood floral mini backpack in my life like yesterday. It's one of the best bags I've ever seen.

6. Erstwilder just released their insanely cute and colourful Kutopia collection by Kasey Rainbow, and their Owen the Otter brooch looks otterly adorable.

7. I would sell my right arm to find the new deluxe Hunger Games box set under the tree this Christmas, but it already seems to be sold out everywhere, so I'm a sad little bookworm. I'm kicking myself for not preordering it, but I didn't have the pennies and figured it would be around for a while. I really hope they restock it. 

8. I don't need any more eyeshadows in my life, but I would definitely make room for Too Faced's new seasonal Merry Merry Makeup eyeshadow palette. The colours look dreamy.

9. I've always had a soft spot for dachshunds (sorry, Rosie), and this Darcy the Dachshund brooch is one of the cutest dog brooches I've ever seen.

10. I really want to try the new Pears & Share range from The Body Shop, especially the shower gel and body yoghurt, so the Pear Essentials gift set would definitely be welcomed this Christmas.

11. What I wouldn't give to own this amazing Loungefly Lady and the Tramp mini backpack! I always loved the Christmas scene with Jock and Trusty and the puppies at the end of the film, so this one is definitely a need, and not just a want. It's so perfect I could cry.

12. The Rescuers was one of my favourite Disney films growing up, and this soft toy set of Miss Bianca, Bernard, and Evinrude is adorable. I can't believe there's a teddy of Evinrude and his little leaf motor boat!

13. I'm dying to get my hands on this Olivie Blake Masters of Death and One For My Enemy book duo from Illumicrate. The books look stunning (especially Masters of Death), and the storylines sound really good, too.

14. I love this Cruel Prince stationery set from Litjoy Crate, which matches the art in the book boxset. The only problem is, they're so pretty, I wouldn't want to use them.

15. Nettle and Bone was one of my favourite reads last year, and I've fallen in love with this special edition from The Broken Binding. The Bone Dog hidden cover is amazing, and it's so inexpensive for a special edition, too.

16. Rhonda the Red Panda is another Erstwilder Kutopia brooch that would make a great edition to my brooch zoo.

17. I love the Barnes and Noble special editions of Jennifer L. Armentrout's Blood and Ash, and Flesh and Fire series, and would love to collect them. This copy of A Light in the Flame is so beautiful.

18. A Fire in the Flesh is even prettier. I just wish there was one for Shadow in the Ember.

19. I never knew I needed an edition of Monopoly so much until I discovered there's now Labyrinth Monopoly. It looks so good!

20. Owlcrate's Forest reading planner is still high on my lust list. The design is gorgeous, and it has everything you need for recording your reading life.

21. Another Barnes and Noble special edition I have my eye on is this stunning copy of A Soul of Ash and Blood. Sadly, B&N stopped delivering to the UK during the pandemic, but I'm tempted to save up, and try a shipping service like Stackry at some point. Has anyone ever used them?

22. How cute is The Growth Eternal mini brooch from Erstwilder?! It would go great with the Lyra dress.

23. And finally, one last Erstwilder Kutopia brooch because a girl can never have too many... say hello to Warren the Wombat. He's wonderful.

And those are some of the things on my Christmas list. 

If you're looking for more like this, you can find all these and more on my Christmas wish list board on Pinterest.

What's on the top of your Christmas list this year?

Litjoy Crate ACOTAR Stained Glass Book Sleeve Review

2023 has been my A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) era, and I'm not done yet.

Not even close.

I've even gone as far as buying bookish ACOTAR merch this year. 

I reviewed the amazing Litjoy Crate ACOTAR book tin here on the blog back in the spring, and I loved the design so much that I just had to go back and snag one of the matching book sleeves for myself, too. I've been meaning to talk about it for months, but, luckily, the timing works out okay for present inspiration because it would actually make a great Christmas present for any fan of the series.

So, this is the Litjoy Crate ACOTAR stained glass book sleeve, which features RosieThorns88's amazing Beauty and the Rhys artwork. It depicts Rhys, Feyre, and Tamlin (and the High Lords' beast forms behind them) on Feyre's wedding day, and it's inspired by the stained glass art from Beauty and the Beast. 

The fun thing about the design is that there are loads of little Easter eggs from the books hidden amongst the characters like Lucien's fox mask, the Ouroboros, Feyre's wedding shoe (if you know, you know), the Bone Carver's chisel, and the Cauldron turned into a giant rose. There's also the starry Night Court sky and the Spring Court manor in the stained glass windows at the back, and pretty pink roses along the bottom.

There's a lot of deep purples, pinks, black, and green in the art, but they're not as vivid as they are on the book tin, and some of the darker colours (especially on the Night Court side) have printed a little too dark to see the image clearly. I think it makes an otherwise gorgeous book sleeve look a little bit like a cheap knock-off in places, which is such a shame as the art is amazing and it's otherwise well made.

The book sleeve has been made from polyester with inner foam to cushion your book or e-reader (or whatever you decide to store inside) and keep them well protected from dirt and damage. It feels soft and springy- a bit like wetsuit fabric. It's also durable and thick, can be easily wiped clean, and has a zip closure at the top to keep you book or tablet safe and clean.

It comes in three sizes to suit paperbacks, hardbacks, and tablets, and I went with the medium to cover most of my bases. The medium is 8 x 11.5 inches in size, and it's perfect for smaller hardbacks- but can be used for paperbacks and Kindles, too. It won't accommodate larger hardbacks like A Court of Silver Flames, but I can just about squeeze A Court of Wings and Ruin in it (as you can see in the photos), which is 699 pages long. You won't fit anything bigger in this bad boy (there's zero chance of fitting Kingdom of Ash in here), and it's definitely better suited to more average-sized books so you don't strain the zip and stitching. I don't really understand why they'd make an ACOTAR book sleeve and not make it roomy enough to fit all of the books, but at least A Court of Thorns and Roses, and A Court of Frost and Starlight fit in perfectly. 

These stained glass book sleeves range from $16.50- $25.00 (US dollars) in price- the medium is $20.00- and shipping to the UK was under $10 with taxes, which I think is really reasonable. It does vary depending on how much you buy, though. I didn't get hit with an extra custom charges for shipping to England, but this will vary from place to place.

Overall, I really love my ACOTAR book sleeve, and it's great for keeping the book I'm reading protected at home or on the go in between reads. I really want their Throne of Glass book sleeve, too, and I'm hoping it gets restocked.

Do you use book sleeves to protect your books?

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Midnight in Everwood by M. A. Kuzniar Christmas Book Review

Last Christmas, I read a wonderful grown-up retelling of The Nutcracker called Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar, but since I didn't finish it until after Christmas, I never managed to review it on the blog. And honestly, that's just not on. 

It's a magical festive read to get lost in during cold December nights, so I wanted to tell you guys about it so you can enjoy the experience, too. I've had this review waiting in my drafts for a whole year now, so it's time to dust it off, and introduce you to the world of Celesta.

Book Title: Midnight in Everwood

Author: M.A. Kuzniar

Genre: YA Fantasy

Plot:

'Sometimes the easy path is harder than one might ever imagine.'

Midnight in Everwood is a beautifully-descriptive, gothic reimaging of The Nutcracker about a young woman in Edwardian times being forced to give up her dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer to marry a man of her parents choosing. Marietta feels trapped, and on Christmas Eve, when Drosselmeier, the curious toymaker her parents want her to marry, turns predatory the moment he gets her alone, she retreats into the grandfather clock in his theatre set and is amazed to find a portal to another world. Marietta has no choice but to escape through the clock, and finds herself in a magical but dangerous wintry world full of sugar and snow, gingerbread houses and elaborate balls, moose-pulled sleighs and miniature reindeer. This enchanting, snow-draped land appears like a winter wonderland at first, but then Marietta finds herself taken before the king, who covets rare delights, and with no ballet dancing in Everwood, she's forced to dance for his entertainment until he tires of her. Marietta soon discovers she cannot leave, and as days turn into weeks and his abuse increases, she realises she must find a way to escape the king's clutches with her fellow captives, Dellara and Pirlipata, before his cruelty wears them all into the ground. But when she develops feelings for the handsome guard risking his life to keep her alive, will Marietta be able to ignore her heart, and escape when the time comes? Or will she be trapped in the castle and forced to dance for the cruel king forever?

Thoughts:

It was a slow starter for me and I almost gave up on it, but I'm so glad I didn't. Once Marietta escaped into Everwood, and the story had more to offer than the droning talk of ballet dancing and Edwardian societal expectations, the book came alive into something magical; a dark fairytale world I found myself getting completely lost in. 

Overlooking the king's cruelty towards Marietta and everyone else in his kingdom, the world of Everwood was enchanting, and the author's world-building was sublime. It pulled you right into every scene as if you were really there wandering through a village of gingerbread houses or tasting sugared snowflakes on your lips. It made me want to wrap up warm and go travel through a snow-draped landscape in a moose-drawn sleigh.

At the same time, I found the story too over-descriptive at times, and if I never have to hear the word 'gossamer' again, it'll be too soon. It was slipped into the story so often, it felt like it was on every other page. I began to wonder if Kuzniar was getting paid each time she used it in the story. 

There were also instances where she suddenly had Marietta considering her own privilege as a rich, straight, white woman when the story didn't call for it, and while I think it's so important for us to recognise our privileges when others aren't awarded the same rights and opportunities, the way it was done felt like the author was trying too hard to make her Edwardian story 'woke.'

Despite these little niggles, I really did enjoy this book. 

Besides the world of Celesta, I particularly loved Marietta as a heroine. I admired her fire, and how she was willing to fight for what she wanted in life, refusing to submit to her parents' plans for her, society's expectations for a woman at the time, or the desires of the predatory man her parents wanted her to marry who wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. I found her personality relatable, particularly how her struggles only stoked her fire and desire for what she wanted most in life, instead of breaking her spirit.

I also enjoyed how her friendship blossomed with Dellara and Pirlipata, and how the three unlikely friends and cellmates worked together as a formidable team to survive and find a way out of their impossible situation. 

Most of all, I loved how Marietta's relationship developed with the grumpy, reserved, but charming Captain Legat during her time in Everwood. He's such an underrated love interest, but I loved him so much. Who doesn't love a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers storyline with a tall, handsome man in uniform?

Having not yet read the original telling of The Nutcracker, I can't say how it compares, but overall, I thought it was a beautiful winter tale full of wonder. It had just the right amount of romance, friendship, magic and suspense, and with all the talk of Christmas, snow, gingerbread, and miniature reindeer, it's the perfect book to get lost in over Christmas. I'm so tempted to have a reread this December. And you know what? I think I just might.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5.

Have you read Midnight in Everwood yet? What is your favourite book to read over the holidays?

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The Christmas Day Tag

I've come across the The Christmas Day Tag, which was created by Nina Louise Law and Becc4, on a few blogs lately, and thought it would be fun to give it a go myself.

This tag is all about this year's Christmas plans, so if you'd like to know how I'll be spending Christmas day, what I'll be eating for Christmas dinner, and what Christmas films I'll be watching, today is your lucky day.

Introducing The Christmas Tag:

What time do you wake up?

These days, I'm usually up around 8-9am on Christmas Day. I'm too old for that 6am Christmas morning excitement, but I also don't like to sleep in too late and miss too much of the day.

Where will you be spending the day?

I'll just be spending Christmas at home with my family. 

What will you be wearing?

I haven't got my outfit picked out yet, but most likely a Lady Vintage Lyra dress with leggings (and Erstwilder Christmas accessories!) because those dresses make it look like I've made the effort, while also being super comfortable and able to accommodate all that extra food.

What games will you be playing?

If we can be bothered to play any games together, it will probably be a good ol' game of Monopoly, or maybe Rummikub, if we want something more non-committal. I'll almost certainly be logging on to Animal Crossing to enjoy the festivities on my island some time during the day, too.

What will you be eating?

We always have a turkey roast with all the trimmings on Christmas Day. That's generally made up of turkey, sage and onion stuffing (made with sausage meat), roast and mashed potatoes, parsnips, sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, swede, and Yorkshire puddings, and whatever extras my sister and brother-in-law decide to bring this year. For dessert, we'll likely have the choice of my blackberry and apple trifle, my sister's Squidgy chocolate log (a lighter-than-air chocolate swiss roll filled with cream and chocolate mousse), and my Mum's apple pie. There'll also be plenty of nibbles like chocolates, biscuits, and nuts to snack on during the day, and if, by some miracle, we're hungry in the evening, we usually have turkey sandwiches for a late dinner. 

What will you be drinking?

I'm not really supposed to drink on my painkillers, so I'll probably just be sticking to soft drinks again this year.

What will you be watching?

You'll find us watching whatever good festive films are on TV over Christmas- Santa Claus the Movie and The Muppets Christmas Carol are favourites with everyone in our house- and we almost always watch whatever Disney film is on on BBC1 in the afternoon after Christmas dinner. Or any classics like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or Mary Poppins. In the evening, I might watch whatever festive drama is on TV or curl up with another Christmas movie or two, like The Holiday or Love Actually.

What do you hope to find under the tree on Christmas Day?

I would be thrilled to get some pretty new books (especially the Illumicrate Olivie Blake set and the new Hunger Games deluxe boxset), a new TV for my room, or this Loungefly Lady and the Tramp backpack.

Who will you be spending the day with?

I'll be spending the day with my parents, sisters, and brother-in-law. As well as my dog, Rosie, and my sister's dog, Mia.

When will you be opening your presents?

We usually open our presents together when everyone's up- around 9am these days, and then exchange presents with my older sister and brother-in-law when they arrive around midday.

And that's The Christmas Tag.

If you're reading this post and want to have a go at The Christmas Tag on your own blog or socials, consider yourself tagged! Be sure to leave me a link to your post if you take part so that I can read your answers!

How will you be spending Christmas this year?

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50 Things I Want To Do This Christmas

 I can't believe it's already December!

Christmas is coming around so quickly. I think the big day will be here before we know it.

There are so many things I need or want to do between now and Christmas Day, so keeping with tradition, I've written a to-do-list and am sharing it here to keep myself motivated. I doubt I'll be able to achieve all of them before the 25th, but I'm determined to give it my best shot, and try to cross off as many festive goals as possible. 

There are 50 of them on this list, so I guess I'd best get started. Wish me luck!

1. Buy a small Christmas tree for my bedroom- I'm hoping to do this in the next day or two.

2. Decorate my bedroom for Christmas- I like to put up decorations in my room so I can enjoy them while I'm resting in bed.

3. Decorate the house for Christmas with the family.

4. Buy (or cut down) fir branches for the mantle.

5. Finish my Christmas shopping- I only have a few presents left to get and then I'm done!

6. Finish wrapping my Christmas presents- I started wrapping last month, so I don't have too many left to do now.

7. Send any parcels that need sending.

8. Write and send my Christmas cards- and not at the last minute!

9. Make a new Christmas playlist or two to soundtrack my festive activities.

10. Count down the days 'til Christmas with an Advent calendar- I'll be doing that with the Essie calendar, as well as a basic Cadbury one this year.

11. Go to the Appleton Christmas Barn to browse their Christmas decorations- It's a little Christmas tree farm with a barn converted in to a Christmas shop near Abingdon in Oxfordshire, and they always have the prettiest decorations. Also, there's reindeer to see.

12. Go to the Bourton-on-the-Water Christmas lights switch on.

13. Go to my town's turning-on-of-the-lights.

14. Visit a Christmas market.

15. Browse the Christmas department of a garden centre or department store.

16. Take a drive to spot Christmas lights- If I can't get out earlier, we usually do this after dinner on Christmas Eve night.

17. Go on a Christmas lights walk.

18. Go Christmas book shopping- Like I need an excuse to go book shopping!

19. Watch a Christmas film at the cinema.

20. Buy at least one new decoration.

21. Reread A Court of Frost and Starlight.

22. Read The Nutcracker- I've always wanted to but never have. I've just bought this beautiful Arcturus Ornate Classics edition with my Waterstones points, and I'm hoping it gets here before Christmas.

23. Read Upon a Frosted Star.

24. Read A German Christmas- I started reading it last year but never finished it.

25. Reread A Christmas Carol.

26. Reread Little Women- It's a classic, and one of my favourite books set at Christmas time.

27. Have at least one Christmas movie marathon- but I'm hoping for many.

28. Watch at least one new-to-me Christmas film- any recommendations?

29. Finish my Christmas bauble cross stitches- I began these Satsuma Street retro baubles last year (or was it the one before?) but never managed to finish all seven.

30. Dig out the paints and relax with a Christmas colouring book.

31. Make and decorate Christmas cookies.

32. Bake Christmas cupcakes.

33. Make my Blackberry and Apple trifle.

34. Try making a new dessert for over the holidays.

35. Put together a Christmas charcuterie dessert board.

36. Buy a box of Christmas doughnuts or cookies.

37. Go out for / order in a hot chocolate.

38. Go for a Christmas afternoon tea / festive cake and coffee.

39. Put a Christmas Eve box together.

40. Buy a new pair of Christmas PJs.

41. Get myself a Christmas dress for Christmas Day.

42. Wear the shit out of my Christmas brooches and earrings- and try to document them on Instagram.

43. Make my Animal Crossing island super festive- I'm already enjoying building Christmas rooms and adding lots of festive furniture outside.

44. Play board games with the family on Christmas Day.

45. Dress my dog, Rosie, up in a Christmas jumper and accessories- Yes, she will hate me!

46. Open presents with my dog- Rosie lives for opening presents and it's one of my favourites parts of Christmas Day.

47. Donate to a foodbank.

48. Fill a Christmas box for a homeless person- Little gifts like warm gloves and scarves, chocolate, shower gel, and toothpaste can make such a difference to someone with nothing and no family to spend Christmas with.

49. Enjoy a Christmas Eve buffet with my family- We relax in front of the TV and a Christmas film or two with lots of tasty treats and it's a lovely, chilled way to spend a Christmas Eve.

50. Celebrate Christmas Day with the family- Can't wait!

There are probably other things I want to do that I'm forgetting, but we'll stop at 50.

What's at you most looking forward to doing this Christmas / holiday season?

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