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

Litjoy Magical Crate: Year 4

Earlier this month, I received my Litjoy Magical Crate, which is a special one time box that focuses on a different Harry Potter book. This is the fourth crate in the series and the items in the crate are all inspired by the fourth book. When I first read the series, the fourth book was my favorite (now a days, I can't pick a favorite), and it is the book I've read the most in the series, so I was extremely looking forward to seeing what this box would include. I've shared the previous three crates already, and as soon as I received this one, I couldn't wait to share it's contents. This crate was jam packed with 14 items, and here are some of my favorites...

The gillyweed inspired candle from Whiskey Diamond Company smells exactly like how I imagined gillyweed to smell in the books. I also loved how the dark mark tattoo and the Potter Stinks button tied directly into the book. 

The coin was another item directly inspired by the books. Each box included a mystery coin in a pouch, much like the pouch that contained the four types of dragons for the fourth task. I received the Hungarian Horntail, with artwork by Maggie Rose. The S.P.E.W. enamel pin was one of my all time favorites in this box. 

Litjoy does a fantastic job of featuring amazing artists for their boxes. Gabriella Bujdoso designed the artwork for the trading cards and I think she perfectly captured the characters. And I like how NerdyGrlDesigns brought her own style on the bookmarks.

These socks inspired by Dobby are my favorite item in this box. I'm one of those people who likes wearing crazy socks, and these are just my style. And those are some of the contents of the box, and now I can't wait for the fifth installment. - Jessica

Novelly Yours' Wizarding Women Unboxing

I shared in my last snapshots post that I got the Novelly Yours box for April, which was themed, Wizarding Women. I immediately fell in love with this theme when it was announced, because I have a weakness for Harry Potter related stuff and because I love the focus on the female characters of the series. I've purchased 2 of the 4 boxes that Novelly Yours has released this year, and I really like the balance between the candles and the extra items (buttons, stickers, prints, and bookmarks). Here's some of the shots I took during the unboxing...

I also really like how each item is a character themed, and I'm hoping to get some more of these boxes in the future. - Jessica

Litjoy Magical Crate: Year 3

I recently received the new Lit Joy Magical Edition crate, which is a one time special edition crate and each edition focuses on the events of a particular Harry Potter book. This is the third crate which focuses on the Prisoner of Azkaban. I previously shared the first and second crates on my blog. I look forward to the release of these boxes each time they're announced, because they are the most creatively put together boxes I've received. This box had 14 items and 12 are exclusive to this crate (so it is well worth the $75 price tag), and it was so hard to pick my favorite items, but here are some of them:

I've wanted a bookmark from My Bookmark for ages, and I was so happy when I heard that one was included in this crate. The shop usually designs 3D foot bookmarks, but this design features hands holding up Sirius' prison sign. The box also features a book sleeve from Sweet Sequels, that mimics the cover of the Monster Book of Monsters. I constantly use the sleeve included in the last box, so I was happy that I have another one. I also love that the backside is made of a furry fabric, so it acts like the spine of the book.

I loved the Dementor Repellant Kit, which features a lip plumper from Literary Apothecary Shop, a patronus pin designed by Sarah Condradsen, and of course chocolate. I love how clever each item is to the kit. I also loved the copy of Sirius' letter to Harry and the Buckbeak feather that was included.

The bookmarks from Nerdy Girl Designs are adorable, I especially love the Fat Lady portrait. One of my all time favorite from this box is the tote bag featuring art from the Imaginative Illustrator. I absolutely love the design and I can't wait to use it. The box also featured a set of Marauder's portraits by Rob Bruno (sorry I didn't really want to take a full photo of the Wormtail one).

My other all time favorite item is this Hogsmead candle from Wick and Fable. The candle smells amazing and I love that it sparkles while it burns. I honestly really loved this crate, and I'm already anticipating the fourth one. - 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

Magical Crate: Year Two

Last week I received the new Lit Joy Magical Edition crate, which is a one time special edition crate and each edition focuses on the events of a particular Harry Potter book. This is the second crate of the series and focuses on the Chamber of Secrets (I previously shared the first crate). I was extremely excited to unbox this crate, as the first edition was my absolute favorite crate I've ever received. I loved this edition as well, and I wanted to share some of my favorite items from the box. 

This little art print of Dobby is so cute, and and has all of the details of the box inside it. My all time favorite item in this box, is this exclusive mug with the quote "When in doubt go to the library." 

This crate has so many awesome bookmarks that I'm excited to add to my collection (creatures bookmark from Nerdy Girl Designs, rubber duck bookmark from Nerdy Post, and the basilisk fang is a Litjoy exclusive). The fan mail from Gilderoy Lockhart is a fun and cleaver touch. I also love this book sleeve from Sweet Sequels, which is currently housing my new copy of the Philosopher's Stone. 

I absolutely love these crates and how carefully put together each box is. I can't wait until they release the next one. - 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