TBTB Secret Santa | Unboxing

Happy Sunday everybody! I’m sitting under a blanket in a big jumper. The tree is fully decorated next to the TV. Emma and I are enjoying The Holiday (which is one of the most underrated Christmas movies out there) and have decided to share all things #TBTBSanta this year. Last year, I fell in love with this awesome Christmas tradition and have been looking forward to it, well, all year and now as the secret is out of the bag and I have gifted and received my boxes, I can share them with the world.

Have you ever taken part in a secret santa? It’s a staple of most school yards and offices around the world, and is a great way to spread some Christmas cheer without breaking the bank. Simply put, everyone adds their names into a hat, picks someone out, and buys a gift just for them from ‘Santa’. It’s a great idea, but, do you know what’s better? The Broke and The Bookish Secret Santa (TBTB Santa). Hosted by Jamie and Jana from The Broke and The Bookish, and The Artsy Reader Girl, the TBTB Secret Santa is a huge secret santa for the bookish blogging and online communities.

There are 3 levels to enter, and you fill out a long questionnaire that helps your Santa buy books and goodies for you.

a) 1 book and a small gift/candy
b) 1-2 books and a couple goodies
c) 2+ books and goodies

Once Jamie and Jana have collected all of the names, they’re split back out, and you have lots of fun patrolling the twitter tag, buying and wrapping gifts, and eagerly awaiting your parcel to arrive. Obviously, as someone who has taken part before, I dived right back in with option 3 and decided to go big and go home. It turned out to be a great decision!

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Book Box Club | Unboxing August 2018

Hello, hello, and welcome to Liz unboxes things, even if it is a little later than she was planning on doing it. I really am a little behind with unboxings and that has irritated me for the past couple of weeks, so, expect quite a few over the next few weeks because I have some amazing things to unbox for you. I really need to show these incredible boxes a little more blog love because it takes me so long to unbox them on here and that is completely unfair to the hard work that went into creating them. I missed out on the July crate because I wasn’t sure the witchcraft theme was something I was interested in, but I’m back!

Book Box Club is a secret society YA subscription box that is sent monthly and features a specially selected, hot-off-the-press YA book release selected by the ladies in the know and owners Libby and Kate. The box features 4-6 specially curated bookish items, is wrapped beautifully and delivered reliably on time, and features an exclusive ‘Clubhouse’ invite to chat with the author whose book features in the box.

Theme: Tech Tribes

Jinxed Amy McCulloch

Description: At an elite tech academy only the highest achieving students, with the most sophisticated robotic companions are welcome. So when awesome engineer Lacey Chu missed out on a place at her dream school she’s devastated. And then she discovers Jinx: a high-spec, high-maintenance robot cat Baku and her dreams seem possible once again (if only she can only keep Jinx under control)!

I’d never actually heard of this book prior to receiving it in this box, but after looking into it, I’m surprised it hasn’t crossed my radar. I don’t usually read many contemporary novels based on tech and STEM, but the robotic and animalistic elements really appeal, and I’m excited to pick this up.

This book came with a Clubhouse invite, as all Book Box Club boxes do, personally addressed to me that had an invititation to join an exclusive chat with the author Amy McCulloch.

Robot Socks

I think anyone that knows me knows how much I love socks, so these beauties were ripped open and in my feet the day after they arrived. They’re soft and adorable and bright and I love them.

If you’re interested in finding out more, check out Joe Cool’s Facebook Page.

Lunar Chronicles Coaster

I don’t know much about this series, but this quote is absolutely awesome and the perfect thing to have on your table.

This is a Book Box exclusive commissioned by the gals themselves.

Ada Lovelace Sticker

Nothing like a motivational lady to have stuck on notebook is there!! Love this.

If you’re interested in finding out more, check out Victorian Store on Red Bubble.

Jinx Necklace

This is one of my favourite things in the box, is clearly cleverly ties into the book and is so cute and delicate. I love origami necklaces and this is adorable.

It’s also a Book Box exclusive commissioned by the gals themselves, aren’t we lucky!

BB8 Magnetic Bookmark

I love Star Wars, and like everyone else was completely taken in by BB8. He’s the most adorable companion in the film, and will make an adorable reading companion on a bookmark too.

If you’re interested in finding out more, check out Rachel Norline Art on Etsy!

Invent The Future Mug

This bright and colourful mug is perfect to sit on a desk. I love using mugs as penpots (I think they look better than actual pots made for the purpose, don’t @ me) and think this is going to be perfect for just that!

If you’re interested in finding out more, check out Alicia Jo’s Instagram.

Bookish Goodies

This month, Usborne Publishing, Hacette Children’s, and Simon & Schuster have added in some extra bookish goodies into the mix. There are two amazing bookmarks, one which matches the box’s book perfectly, some samplers for future titles, and a poster. The bookmarks especially are top draw, I’m gaining quite the collection now which is coming in handy for the multiple books I seem to be attempting at once at the moment.

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The item(s) of the month for this month’s box are:

Jinx Necklace and Robot Socks

Coming soon: September’s Book Box Club unboxing! The theme is Into the Wild!

Book Box Club | Unboxing June 2018

Hello and welcome back to another Book Box Club unboxing. I didn’t actually get the July crate, I wasn’t 100% sure a book based on witchcraft was for me, and although the items in it look amazing, I am kinda glad I took a month’s break. I have already ordered August’s box, and the September theme has been released and ticked the boxes, so I thought it was probably time to officially unbox June’s crate. I may have been all about the stargazer theme and really liked the April Fallen Angels box, but I think this is my favourite so far. The items are a little more my speed, and it featured TWO books, both of which sound awesome. I should be saving money guys, why do you make such enticing boxes?!

Book Box Club is a secret society YA subscription box that is sent monthly and features a specially selected, hot-off-the-press YA book release selected by the ladies in the know and owners Libby and Kate. The box features 4-6 specially curated bookish items, is wrapped beautifully and delivered reliably on time, and features an exclusive ‘Clubhouse’ invite to chat with the author whose book features in the box.

Book Box Club | Unboxing May 2018

Welcome back to Liz unboxes things! Yep, I am finally getting around to posting unboxing Book Box Club crates from months ago that frankly are too good to deserve such a shamefully long time between delivery and review, but here we are anyway! I recently reviewed April’s Fallen Angels box, the first I received, and it was really great. I signed up for a single month subscription with the absolute thought that I’d probably cancel it. Now, this isn’t because the box isn’t great – it really it – but rather because I am trying to reduce the amount I am spending ahead of holidays in the second half of the year. The I saw the theme and decided that I absolutely had to have it…

Book Box Club is a secret society YA subscription box that is sent monthly and features a specially selected, hot-off-the-press YA book release selected by the ladies in the know and owners Libby and Kate. The box features 4-6 specially curated bookish items, is wrapped beautifully and delivered reliably on time, and features an exclusive ‘Clubhouse’ invite to chat with the author whose book features in the box.

Theme: Stargazers

Book Box Club | Unboxing April 2018

Guys, I did a thing and signed up to another subscription because my Wizarding World Loot Crate and Willoughby Book Club ones are about to run out and I decided that I wanted to sign up to something. I had a bit of a hunt round and after thinking about it and doing some research, I opted for Libby and Kate’s secret society. The ethos is right up my street and it includes some awesome things. It’s also based in the UK which is handy for me as shipping costs put me off many box subscriptions, and the previous boxes looked awesome!

Yes, this says April, because I am super behind with things like reviews and I need to sort that out. So here, have an unboxing of a super awesome box. *Psst* Libby and Kate pack these boxes so prettily!!

Book Box Club is a secret society YA subscription box that is sent monthly and features a specially selected, hot-off-the-press YA book release selected by the ladies in the know and owners Libby and Kate. The box features 4-6 specially curated bookish items, is wrapped beautifully and delivered reliably on time, and features an exclusive ‘Clubhouse’ invite to chat with the author whose book features in the box.

Theme: Fallen Angels

Lootcrate Unboxing | March 2018

On this Tuesday evening that kinda feels like a Monday, I bring you this month’s edition of Lootcrate Unboxing. And look, it’s on time(ish)! I know that I’ve moaned over the last 2 posts about about the late arrivals of the boxes, and that last time I decided to cancel my subscription, so this week I am going to do nothing but praise this pretty good crate. This month’s theme is Enchanting Essentials, and unlike the past 2 crates, I did have a spy at the contents on Instagram to see if there was anything I could put on my wall as part of my gallery collection (spoiler: there was). There were lots of Lootcrate exclusives in this box, and lots of things I really liked!

Loot crate is a monthly subscription box full of exclusive collectables, apparel and gear delivered to your door. I am currently subscribed to receive the Wizarding World crate, a bi-monthly subscription that brings the magic of Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts right to your doorstep.

Let’s check out this month’s box:

Unboxing Lootcrate | November 2017

Look at what we have here, it’s another Lootcrate unboxing. This time, I did absolutely no spying on Twitter or Instagram, so I didn’t have a scooby doo what was going to arrive in my box. I think I like it that way, everything was a surprise. I am always excited when subscriptions are due, but the theme of this box was ‘Secrets of the Wizarding World’, so my tingly spidey senses were even more on edge that usual! This time, the box inside looked like the Marauder’s Map, so when it is folded inside out and rebuilt, the box has the really cool pattern and lettering that appears when the map is first revealed. Clever considering the theme really!

This is a little late, I can almost hear you saying! And you’re absolutely correct. It wasn’t my fault either. This box arrived as close to Christmas as it could have without missing it, on December 23rd. It was the November crate technically, but around the time it would usually be sent, the normal delivery information email never arrived. Instead, a few days later, there was a generic email stating that the November shipment had been delayed. Now, I wouldn’t usually mind, I completely understand that this is a product that is dependant on their suppliers, but it was the complete lack of information and the fact they said we would receive information on December 1oth relating to traffic, and nothing had arrived by December 17th. Pestering on Twitter was completely unsuccessful (although they did answer), so when I received the information and then the box a couple of days later, I was simultaneously relieved, and disappointed.

Loot crate is a monthly subscription box full of exclusive collectables, apparel and gear delivered to your door. I am currently subscribed to receive the Wizarding World crate, a bi-monthly subscription that brings the magic of Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts right to your doorstep. Let’s check out this month’s box:

Christmas Unwrapped

Happy New Year! I hope everyone doesn’t have too sore a head after last night, and that you all have a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year. As New Year’s day is here, and we’re now a week away from Christmas 2017, and just 358 days from Christmas 2018, I thought it was high time that I unwrapped Christmas for all of you.

Christmas is always a time for family in our house. Since I’ve moved out of my parents house, I had been taking a couple of things round with me when I went round to put around the Christmas tree, before moving myself back into my old room for the festive period (I didn’t return home until late on 30th December!) This meant old traditions of making more than the specified amount of stuffing and also meant new traditions of having a takeway on Christmas Eve (Indian of course) followed by a quick trip to the local pub. It also meant going to bed on Christmas Eve knowing that family, and presents would be there on Christmas morning. Like always in our house, my Aunt and Uncle on my Dad’s side had travelled up from the Midlands, and my Gran was down near Oxford with my Aunt, Uncles, cousins, and dog.

TBTB Secret Santa | Unboxing

Have you ever taken part in a secret santa? It’s a staple of most school yards and offices around the world, and is a great way to spread some Christmas cheer without breaking the bank. Simply put, everyone adds their names into a hat, picks someone out, and buys a gift just for them from ‘Santa’. It’s a great idea, but, do you know what’s better? The Broke and The Bookish Secret Santa (TBTB Santa). Hosted by Jamie from The Broke and The Bookish, the TBTB Secret Santa is a huge secret santa for the bookish blogging and online communities.

There are 3 levels to enter, and you fill out a long questionnaire that helps your Santa buy books and goodies for you.

a) 1 book and a small gift/candy
b) 1-2 books and a couple goodies
c) 2+ books and goodies

Once Jamie has collected all of the names, they’re split back out, and you have lots of fun patrolling the twitter tag, buying and wrapping gifts, and eagerly awaiting your parcel to arrive. Obviously, as someone who has never taken part, I dived right in with option 3 and decided to go big and go home. It turned out to be a great decision!

26th Birthday Unwrapped

As we enter December, and approach the festive period, I decided it was probably a good time to look back and thank everyone for the awesome set of presents that I got this year for my birthday. I had a wonderful birthday this year. I celebrated early by seeing The Killers as a treat to myself, and then spent time with friends and family celebrating in IKEA, The Tavern, and at home. I was very lucky this year as well, I received an incredible set of presents from some very generous people, so, a big thank you to everyone who made me feel old in the best possible way!