September Unboxings

The blog has been a little quite lately, I haven't had much to share because I've been working on a big project, but I did want to pop in and share some of my favorite items I received recently in subscription boxes. I've been buying way too many boxes lately, but it's okay because they've all been really good. This month I subscribed to OwlCrate, Nerdy Post and the Wizarding World Loot Crate (which I'm still waiting on), and then I also purchased OwlCrate's special edition crate to celebrate V.E. Schwab's Villians series. Here are some of my favorite items from these boxes...

The above two items came in the latest OwlCrate. I was beyond excited when OwlCrate announced that they were releasing another mug to match the one included in a previous box, with artwork designed by Cara Kozik. This mug featured scenes from the third Harry Potter book and I absolutely love it, it's basically the reason I got this box. I was also really excited to see that OwlCrate included an item inspired by one of my favorite books, The Kiss of Deception. 

This month's Nerdy Post was Sarah J. Maas themed. I'm such a sucker for Nerdy Post's Ultimate Boxes, because that option includes a ton of fandom merch for a really good price. I really like that Nerdy Post also provides different box options to help people budget their purchases. I knew as soon as I saw the spoilers for this box, that I would break down and buy it. Sarah J. Maas is one of my all time favorite authors and since the final book in the Throne of Glass series comes out next month, I wanted to get some item to celebrate the conclusion of my second favorite book series.

The destination postcards and the "reading material" print are my favorite items from the box, I'm going to need to find a place on my walls to display them.

I was really lucky to score one of the OwlCrate special edition crates for the release of Vengeful by V.E. Schwab, since this box sold out in a couple of hours. This is the sequel to Vicious, which is one of my all time favorite books and since OwlCrate is my favorite subscription box services, I knew that this paring would result in some fantastic items, especially since Schwab collaborated with OwlCrate on the box. I really love the two candles that are inspired by two of the main characters and I can't wait to burn them while I read Vengeful. My other favorite item is this bookmark that features Sydney and Dol. - Jessica

October Owlcrate: Find Me in the Forrest

It's been a while since I shared an Owlcrate unboxing so I thought it would be fun to share since it's been a year since I got my first Owlcrate box. I also wanted to share because this is my all time favorite Owlcrate. I've been an avid fan of Owlcrate since before I was a subscriber, and I've been a fairly loyal subscriber since then. I did skip out of the August box, in favor of Litjoy's Wonder Women Warbringer box, and I'm still upset that I didn't get it cause it combined two of my all time favorite things, Harry Potter and coffee. One of the things that I love about Owlcrate is that they secure exclusive covers for all of the books involved and all of the items fit each month's theme so well. So here is the October Owlcrate, the theme is Find Me in the Forrest, and if you don't want to be spoiled, I suggest you stop scrolling here!

My favorite item in the box (and probably my favorite Owlcrate item ever) is this Harry Potter themed mug. It is an Owlcrate exclusive design by Cara Kozik. I can't wait until it get's colder here so I can use this mug everyday, but at the same time I never want to use this mug because I'm scared of breaking it. Anyways, I'm going to be taking pictures of this mug forever.

To go along with the mug, there is an adorable coaster. This features another exclusive artwork by Kirstin Askland. Fair warning, I do not recommend placing an ice beverage on this coaster, cause it dried a little weird. Yeah, I'm upset with myself for ruining it already. Another exclusive item was this Raven Boys themed candle by In the Wick of Time. I've developed a massive obsession with book candles, and I've been really happy with all the one's I've gotten.

The box also featured these adorable Where the Wild Things Are bookmarks by CraftedVan. I've wanted some bookmarks from that shop for a while, and I was really happy to see them included in this box. Also my bookmark problem has gotten out of hand lately, I have way more than I need. Tthe box featured this Robin Hood inspired tea from Riddle's Tea Shoppe. Riddle's Tea Shoppe also has a ton of Harry Potter themed teas, that I've been wanting to try. I love how three of the items in the box tied together. The box also featured a cute Princess Mononoke print, which I forgot to take a picture of...

And finally, the book of this month is Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore. My new Luna Funko Pop decided to join in on this picture. I've heard a lot of great things about this book and I'm excited to read it. All I know is that it is a magical realism story, heavily centered around a family garden. The box also included these some seeds to plant, and I'm looking forward to planting them next spring.

So that was the October Owlcrate. Next month's box is themed Castles, Courts & Kingdoms. I'm already really excited for it, because the details sound amazing. If you're interested in subscribing to Owlcrate (which I highly recommend), here's my referral link and you can use the code KINGDOMS15 for 15% off. They also have some past boxes on there website, although this one unfortunately sold out. - Jessica

April Snapshots

1. I finished my reread of the first two books in the A Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy, gearing up for the release in two days! One of my favorite things to do when rereading my favorite books is to mark my favorite parts and quotes. I've only done this for Sarah J. Maas books and for my Harry Potter books, so tabs in my books signify how important they are to me. 

2. My favorite item in this month's OwlCrate. An exclusive candle from Novelly Yours, that is Simon and Baz inspired. Carry On is another favorite of mine and I was so excited when I received this. /// 3. I found an arc of the first book in The Land of Stories series at a secondhand bookstore, and I couldn't resist and had to get it. I knew it would be a cool addition to my TLOS collection. 

4. A grilled cheese sandwich made mac and cheese! It was so good. /// 5. Fawkes and his puppy cone. A friend and I went to get snow cones and Fawkes got his own treat too. 

6. USA vs. Russia. I saw the USWNT at the beginning of the month. A lot of my favorite players weren't on the pitch, but I still love watching this team play.

7. Sometimes your favorite musician takes 7 years to release new music, so once you get your physical copy in the mail, you freak out a lot. I absolutely love this EP and can't wait to hear more music from the Criss brothers. - Jessica

December Unboxings

I've developed a bit of an obsession with subscription boxes and during the month of December I received three different boxes: the first Wizarding World Loot Crate, the Magical Edition of Litjoy Crate, and the December OwlCrate. I really loved all the items that I got in each box and wanted to share some of my absolute faves.

I was so excited when I learned that Loot Crate had released a Wizarding World themed bi-montly crate, but I unfortunately was too late to buy one because they sold out so quickly. Luckily, Loot Crate did a second run and I was able to snatch myself one of the first boxes. The first crate featured a lot of Fantastic Beasts themed items and I really love the detail that went into the box (especially the latch like on Newt's suitcase). 

Except for the random Funko Pops, the crate consisted entirely of exclusive merch. I lucked out and received a Funko that I didn't already own and got Jacob from the Fantastic Beasts line to go along with the two Newts I have. My absolute favorite item from the crate would have to be the stuffed Pigwidgeon, he's so soft!

I also originally missed out on the Litjoy Magical Edition Crate, which is a one time subscription box, and the first box's theme was Harry's first year at Hogwarts. Litjoy plans to do one crate for each year, or one crate for each Harry Potter book. This box is definitely my favorite of the three, and I love how each item tied into the book so well. This was a huge box, consisting of 15 items, so it was a little hard to narrow them down to my faves, but here they are...

I finally received my Hogwarts acceptance letter in the mail, and I might have teared up a little. Each box also came with a one of a kind wand from Wands and Wood (excuse my really messy bookshelves in the background of this photo). I already have a ton of wand replicas from Noble Collection, but I love having one that's completely my own. My brother decided that my wand would make a good dog toy, so there are a few bite marks on it, but at least it adds some character.   

I absolutely loved the little Invisibility Cloak, I think this idea is so cleaver. I exclusively use bookmarks from Happy Hello Co, but these ones from Gadget's Print Shop are absolutely adorable and a wonderful addition to my collection. I'm also really excited to try out the Butterbeer chapstick from Nerdie Nifties and the Pumpkin Juice candle from Dio Candle Company. 

My favorite item would have to be this exclusive print designed by Calligraphy.org. It has each book from the first year supply list. It's a little hard to tell from the photo, but it's printed in gold ink and I can't wait to add it to my Harry Potter wall.

And lastly is the December Owlcrate, which included Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst and I've been looking forward to reading this book for ages. The box also included a Harry Potter blind box mini Funko figure (I got Hedwig!), Game of Thrones coasters, a Lord of the Rings book pin from Ideal Bookshelf, a Narnia print from Susanne Draws, and a sticker inspired by A Darker Shade of Magic designed by Miss Phi (not pictured). 

And those are all the subscription boxes I got last month. I've definitely developed a bit of an obsession with subscription box services, and would love to try more in the future (if my bank account will allow it...). - Jessica

October OwlCrate

In my last blog post I mentioned that I finally subscribed to OwlCrate, a monthly YA subscription box. I wanted to share what I got in the October box, and if you're interested in subscribing to OwlCrate please use my referral link and you can use the code WELCOME10 to receive 10% off.

The theme for October was Once Upon a Dream and the book included was Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter. I hadn't heard of this book previously and I'm looking forward to reading it. I always love to read and hear about fairy tale retellings and this book seems perfect.

The box included

1. Along with the book, there was a signed book plate, a temporary tattoo, and a letter from the author
2. A Sleeping Beauty bracelet from The Geeky Cauldron
3. A Peter Pan beanie from Whosits and Whatsits
4. Oz Passport - a mini journal
5. A bookmark from My Heart My Tribe
6. A Sleeping Beauty button

November's box is Wonderland and I'm 99.9% certain that I know what book it is. OwlCrate is also going to have an exclusive cover for the book and I can't wait to get my copy! - Jessica