fun stuff, happy mail, lifestyle boxes, reviews

#happymail Spring box

ramblingmads

This month’s #happymail box popped through my letterbox this weekend, bringing a dose of Spring magic with it.

It’s packed full of sweet things to make your home bright.

As well as a cute art print, there’s a gorgeous scarf printed with swallows, which I will be wearing with my Spring outfits. There’s also a flower print coaster, which will be jollying up my desk at my new job, a ceramic butterfly, cute necklace with dinky silver hearts and a little gift for my mum.

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It’s a really gorgeous selection of goodies Katie at ihearthomes has curated. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next month.

fun stuff, happy mail, lifestyle boxes, reviews

Lucky Dip Club

ramblingmads

I’ve been curious about the Lucky Dip Club sub box for ages, but since I either sleep through the 7am subscription window or am travelling to work at that time, I always fail to score a box on the first of every month.

So I added myself to the reserves list and was lucky enough to score a spare box that way.

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May’s box is essentially Spring in a box.

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There’s seeds to attract bees and butterflies to your garden, a copy of Girl Planet zine, a patch to sew onto your bag or jacket, a funky cactus pin, a tote bag (essential hand bag kit or pay 5p every time you shop!) and a Super Sunflower, which I will use to jazz up my plant pots, all in a cute box that was delivered by a unicorn.

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Are you a Lucky Dip Box subscriber? What are your thoughts? Let me know what you think below. 🌷🌸🌹🌺🌻🌼

life, thoughts, updates

Life update

ramblingmads

A lot has happened this week, as Ferris Bueller says “life moves pretty fast if you don’t stop and look around once in a while” and this week it’s been pretty whizzy! If you follow me on Twitter then you already know some of this.

Last Saturday I received a phone call from a lady who wanted to invite me to an interview for a job not far from where I live.

Monday morning I made my way to her office for the interview. 45 minutes later I said my goodbyes and left feeing very happy with how it had gone. I had been at the bus stop for all of five minutes, when one of the managers came running out waving her hands at me and trying to light a cigarette at the same time.

We went back inside and they offered me the job right there and then. After months of job hunting, applications and interviews, temping and panicking, I finally have a permanent role.

I started yesterday (Thursday) and I’ve made a good start, mastering the report running process in less than an hour today.

A three day weekend lies ahead of me and then back to more learning my role (and sorting out the stationery cupboard, seriously it’s a mess in there!)

So far everything’s gone well, my team are lovely and warm. This morning we all went out for breakfast before work, a monthly tradition in the office, which was really fun, and the sun shines on my desk which is lovely. It’s a fairly short commute on the bus (free of the Underground!) and in a nice place, which all helps.

Onwards and upwards we go. Have a great bank holiday weekend everyone.

beauty, beauty boxes, make up, reviews, skincare

Little Known Box

ramblingmads

This is a new subscription beauty box aiming to showcase (as the name suggests) lesser known brands.

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Just launched, their first box contains five products, four of which are fullsize.

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Flint + Flint Moisturiser 3x – this is a rich cream filled with good things for your skin to repair and regenerate your skin.

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The Vintage Cosmetic Company rose gold eyelash curlers – these are pretty self explanatory, they’re eyelash curlers!

Medusa’s Make-up lip gloss in Space Invader – this cruelty-free US import is a pinky red with a hint of glitter.

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Dirtea Exfoliating Coconut Scrub – this is the only sample sized product in the box, and at first I thought it was a teabag! It’s a body scrub made with black tea extract, coconut oil and and Himalayan pink salt. It also comes in Peppermint and Diamond, all designed to target different skin complaints.

Thumbs Up Nail Wraps – marble accented wraps designed to decorate your nails without damaging them. 

There are discounts available for every brand in the box, perfect if you find something you love and want more of.

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books, reviews

Book review: When We Collided – Emery Lord

ramblingmads

This brightly coloured book was at the bottom of my first Illumincrate (review coming soon) and at a loose end for something to read, despite my endless TBR pile, I picked it up.

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I was hooked on the story of Vivi and Jonah’s summer in the idyllic Californian coastal town of Verona Cove.

Jonah’s dad died six months ago and his mum’s not coping, while he and his siblings try to pull together despite their own grief.

Vivi and her artist mum have moved to the town for the summer following Vivi’s own annus horribilis.

When they meet one morning sparks fly and Vivi’s vibrant brand of fun lights up Jonah’s life.

This book has a lot of heart and more going on underneath than the rainbow cover suggests.

Despite my age, YA lit is something I often dip into, there’s some fantastic writing going on in there.

Have you read When We Collided? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

#paperhaul, adventures in post, art, fun stuff, lifestyle boxes, reviews, stationery

#paperhaul May – weather

ramblingmads

This month’s #paperhaul box of beautiful stationery comes illustrated by Canadian Chad Geran.

As always a percentage from each box goes to the charity Postpals, sending letters and cards to sick children .

As suits May’s (mostly) sunny days the contents are themed around Spring and weather.

There are sweet note cards, stickers, washi tape and a notebook. Perfect for brightening up someone’s day.

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books, lifestyle boxes, reviews

The Bookish Box – Special Edition Outlander box

ramblingmads

Earlier this year I read the first Outlander book and became hooked, devouring all the currently available books in the series.

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While I haven’t quite got round to watching the TV series on Amazon Prime, I can tell you that I will definitely be reading the next book the moment it becomes available.

When The Bookish Box announced a one-off special edition no subscription required Outlander theme box, I had to jump right in.

All of the items in this box are themed around Outlander, which is set partly in 18th Century Scotland, so there’s a strong Scottish feel to the box, from the use of Gaelic words like ‘Sassenach’ meaning ‘Southerner’ but usually used to indicate someone English, to the thistle, Scotland’s national flower.

This all appeals to me as my family’s roots on my mum’s side extend into Scotland, we even have clan tartan.

Let’s dive in and have a proper look at the box.

I love the watercolour inspired finish on the box itself, with tartan print on the side.

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As always with the Bookish Box there’s an Appraising Pages printed T-shirt, this one in a royal blue and gold, quoting the series’ hero Jamie when he tells his beloved Claire this.

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The Sassenach bookmark from artist Lexy Olivia made me smile, technically I’m a Sassenach, but in the context of the book it’s Jamie’s nickname for Claire.

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Next up there’s a mug from Coffee Reading Writing, printed with the Scottish thistle and a quote from one of the books.

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The scent of the Highlands is encapsulated in Novelly Yours’ candle with heather, herbs and firewood evoking the land Jamie loves.

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Finally, and I almost missed this hidden in the box, is a simple silver thistle necklace from Eliza Jane K Jewellery, which I will wear with pride, promoting my heritage.

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The box has clearly been compiled with love and definitely connects with the Outlander series. I am really pleased I got my hands on this box as they were limited, but the regular monthly box can be subscribed anytime.

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Are you a fan of Outlander (the books or the show)? Let me know in the comments.

books, reviews

Book Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater

ramblingmads

This is the first book in The Raven King series, the last of which has recently been published in paperback.

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All over the world are mysterious paths, known as ley lines, here in the UK they run through places sacred to the ancient Britons, like Glastonbury Tor and Stonehenge.

Gansey has been following clues that he hopes will bring him to the final resting place of an ancient Welsh king Owen Glendower, buried somewhere along one of these ley lines in the hills of Virginia.

His friends Adam, Ronan and Noah may unknowingly hold keys to the puzzle of The Raven King, and local girl, the only non-psychic in her family, Blue, might also be able to help him. If she can stand being around these privileged raven boys for that long.

The whole series is rather compelling and sucked me in. Like the best writing, the plot twists and turns, the characters are really well drawn and the story is rich and enticing.

Don’t let the fact that it’s intended for Young Adult readers put you off, YA lit is hugely popular with so-called “grown ups”, good writing doesn’t have an age limit. This particular series also doesn’t feel gendered, so anyone could enjoy it, the way stories should be.

Have you read The Raven Boys and it’s sequels? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

adventures, challenges, charity, exercise

#BoldisBeautiful

ramblingmads

So you may remember approximately a year ago I took part in the first #BoldisBeautiful march sponsored by Benefit Cosmetics in aid of women’s charities Refuge and Look Good Feel Better.

Well it rolled around again and my 10k partner Rehana and I signed up.

Last Sunday was boiling hot and I melted somewhat as we marched our way around London. There were 600 ish people, mostly women, a few men, some children and at least three dogs taking part.

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Route in pink

Having mangled my knee a few weeks before I was a bit worried about hobbling along but it was only after we stopped that I was in pain, so that was something.

At checkpoints, including the Good Ship Benefit, we were given goodies and funny marching gear (pompoms, capes) to speed us along.

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My goody bag
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Cape
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Make up bag
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Pompoms
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Marcher number 309, that's me!
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Cookie

I received a medal to go with last year’s and brought home a giant pair of tweezers to terrify the Mr with (he has two giant caterpillars on his face forever trying to meet one another).

If you want to get involved, head to your nearest Benefit Brow Bar and get yours waxed, all profits go to the charities and you get a free product to say thank you.

Last year’s had a few hiccups that spoilt it and while this year’s wasn’t perfect (one of the checkpoints definitely wasn’t wheelchair friendly) despite the sunburn, it was really fun and I will be signing up for next year’s event.

adventures, challenges, upcoming

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?

ramblingmads

Did anyone else watch that show as a kid? I know I didn’t make it up.

Anyway, you might be wondering where I and my boxes of beauty products have been all week. Let’s just say it hasn’t been the best week.

WordPress has been a bit buggy and ate some posts, the WiFi and the crazy weather have been duking it out all week and I spent the first half collapsed in a sunburnt achey heap (find out why on Saturday).

Let me know how your week’s been and stay tuned for more posts very soon..