Unboxing Papergang Box - No. 43 - September 2019 Edition - Autumn Harvest*

Although I said in a previous Papergang post that I was a bit on the fence on whether or not to continue my subscription, I just don't have to heart to cancel it - the designs really are just too cute and September's box is particularly sweet

Whilst I'm still clinging on to the idea of an Indian summer, there definitely seems to be a bit of an Autumnal feel on the air. The leaves are starting to turn, Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back, and the shops are full of pumpkins, black cats, skulls, and witches.

If Autumn is the season for you then the September Papergang box will be right up your street. The theme of Septembers box rather fittingly is 'Autumn Harvest'. The now traditional, cut out design, outer sleeve features a whimsical, nature themed harvest design featuring people, fruit, foliage and flowers, birds and toadstools.

As per usual the reverse of the sleeve features something to cut out and use, or something to make, and September's box is no different - you can cut out and make your own toadstool!

Remove the bright and cheery outer sleeve and you're greeted by the usual brown, letterbox friendly cardboard box, and inside of that is your contents all securely wrapped in a large sheet of bright green tissue paper.

The first item in the box as per usual, is a little information booklet, that lists the box content, and it includes an interview with the designer of the box and it's contents, Romanian born illustrator and artist, Oana Befort, who specialises in ornate designs depicting folk art style patterns and nature, where she talks about her work, and her inspirations.

A4 ish Notebook 

The first item in the box is a lovely notebook, which is only slightly smaller than A4 in size. It features a slightly larger version of the outer sleeve design featuring a bright but at the same time muted print, featuring fruits, nuts, flowers, people, and a giant toadstool. The word 'notes' is also embossed on the front in gold foil. The inside of the notebook features lined pages, and like so many other  Papergang / Ohh Deer products it's printed with eco friendly or vegetable based inks 

As per usual the quality is excellent, and it's a nice size. I normally use an A4 sized pad for my bog notes, and post planning, and even though this a tiny bit smaller than A4 it's perfect for note taking or even journaling. Since all of the products are exclusive to this box at the moment I can't give you a 100% accurate price comparison, but similar A4 ish pads retail at around £5.50 on Ohh Deer.

A5 Notepad

Now despite what the description in the information booklet says, this isn't strictly a notepad - Papergang seem to have a bit of a fixation with getting people organised and September's box contains another desk pad / to do list. Both May's and August's boxes both contained versions of a To Do list, so I'm really starting to wonder if this is Papergang's way of telling me to get me life together! Never mind there all quite different in design, layout and format, and this is a particularly nice one so I guess I'll let them away with it this time ;)

This may be a To Do list but it has an almost writing paper like design. It features a lovely floral design, which is picked out from the original outer sleeve design. It features the words 'To Do' in the middle, and lined paper, surrounding by a plain border, which does remind me a bit of all the writing sets that I used to hoard when I was younger.

Again the quality is superb, and whilst I'm not sure how many sheets the pad contains, it is quite thick so it should last a long while. I have a lot of things like this to try and help me get organised I just need to start using them, and sticking to them. Similar pads retail at around £5.95 on Ohh Deer.

Greetings Card

Do you know something? I think I've said this before but I really don't think that we say thank you enough. If you think about it there is probably someone in your life that you need to say thank you to right now. It's lovely to say it in person but sometimes a text, or a message can be just a touch impersonal. Putting something in writing makes just a simple thank you just that little bit more special and meaningful. 

This is a lovely card which picks out just one of the floral illustrations from the 'Autumn Harvest' print, I'm not great on flowers but I think it's a chrysanthemum. The card features a pink and green flower, on a cream background and the words 'THANK YOU' again embossed in a gold foil. The card is blank inside and it includes a brown envelope.

This card came with no outer packaging bar a small sticker to keep the card and envelope together, so there is no plastic waste, and the card is also produced using environmentally conscious materials and working practises. 

Full priced greetings cards on Ohh Deer, retail at various price points between £2.75 and £2.95.

Scissors

Next probably the stand out item of the box, a nice pair of metal scissors. These are nice sturdy scissors, with unusually shaped handles and short, very sharp blades. They are easy enough to hold but they are a little bit awkward to manoeuvre so they probably aren't the best scissors for small, detailed work, but for general cutting, and paper crafting, they are a pretty decent pair of snips. I can't find anything similar on Ohh Deer so I can't make a price comparison.

Universal Calendar Card

The final item in the official box, is the customary universal calendar card. Normally the cards share the same design as the outer sleeve, only slightly blurry and in slightly more muted tones, but September's box, whilst sticking to the floral and garden theme, features a completely different design. The design of the calendar card features a super cute snail, and daisy (or is it a sunflower?) illustration in slightly blurred yellow and orangey red tones.

Free Gifts

Now the eagle eyed readers amongst you may have noticed a little red parcel in my box - well a month or so ago Papergang sent out an email to subscribers to get them to sign up to the Ohh Deer newsletter, and as a thank you for signing up, they promised to include a free gift in Septembers box.

The little red parcel was my free gift, and it contained 6 greeting cards. All of the cards are blank inside, and whilst I did receive one obvious thank you card, the rest of them could be used for a variety of different occasions, or even just to say hello. All of the cards came with brown envelopes bar my favourite card, a child like interpretation of Mr. Tickle, which came with a yellow envelope.

I've had a little look on the Ohh Deer website and all of these cards bar the 'Into The Wild' are available and are currently on sale for 50p a card. Even at the sale price the cards are still a decent free gift, they're environmentally conscious, good quality, and above all else they're useful.

Even taking out the free gift, this is still another decent box from Papergang, and I'll definitely find a use for everything in it. I love the illustrations and the design of the notebooks but the obvious stand out are the scissors. A decent pair of scissors could easily cost the whole price of the box on their own, so this box in my opinion represents pretty decent value for money. Let me know your thoughts and comments, and don't forget to check out the Papergang website to find out more and of course to subscribe x 

*This Post Contains Affiliate Links

Unboxing Papergang Box - No. 42 - August 2019 Edition - Hit The Town*

In my previous Papergang post I spoke of how much I loved the idea and the concept, but that I wasn't sure whether it was something that I could justify in the long term, will I stuck with it and I have to say that August's box is probably my favourite one so far.

The theme is "Hit The Town" and the box and its contents have a New York City theme. The outer box sleeve features a brightly coloured, line drawn, cityscape design, combined with quirky cartoons of things that we would associate with The Big Apple, including landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Statue Of Liberty, and the Chrysler Building, combined with drawings of pizza, pretzels, and even King Kong, and Godzilla!

The outer sleeve features the usual cut out, Papergang logo, and the reverse of the box features a "cut out and craft" washi tape dispenser.

When you remove the sleeve, you're greeted by the usual, brown cardboard box, open the box and the contents of August's box is wrapped in a sheet of pale pink tissue paper.

The first item in the box as per usual is the little paper information booklet, which in this case tells you exactly what's in the box, and it also includes instructions on how to make you your washi tape dispenser. As well as that it also tells you about the designer that created the August box, artist and illustrator Jacqueline Colley, and about some of her inspirations and ideas. As well as designing for Ohh Deer and Papergang, Jacqueline has also worked with companies such as Twitter, Mollie Makes, and Kate Spade.

A4 ish Desk Pad

The first item in the box, is a brightly coloured desk pad / organiser pad / to do list. Featuring the same design as the outer box, it features quirky cartoon like drawings of Godzilla and King Kong, as well as New York City landmarks, and things that we would associate with New York such as Brownstones, cocktails and apples.

This slightly smaller than A4 desk pad features 3 sections, one for days of the week and the weekend, a to do list, and a notes section. Printed using eco toners and vegetable inks, it's a nice quality, thick pad, and whilst  I haven't counted the pages there is easily enough sheets for at least 5 or 6 months, if not more.

I've already received a desk pad in a previous Papergang post (you can read it here) but I actually prefer this one, it's a bit bigger, the quality is excellent and I love the cartoon like illustrations. Like last months box there are no recommended retail prices on any of the items but similar desk pads retails at around £7.95 on Ohh Deer.

1 x Sheet Gift Wrap 

Next up a sheet of gift wrap, which features the same colourful illustration as the outer sleeve - I'm only showing you a small section of the sheet, I haven't measured it but it's probably around 8 times this size. It seems a shame to use it but you could wrap a decent size present in it. Again it's a nice quality item, a lot of wrapping paper is a bit flimsy but this is actually more like a heavy weight paper than what would you would normally expect from a sheet of gift wrap. Again environmentally conscious throughout, the factory that makes this gift wrap recycles more than 95% of their waste. As always everything in this box is exclusive and unavailable elsewhere but similar sheets of gift wrap retail between £1.75 and £1.95 on Ohh Deer.

1 x Greetings Card

The next item is what Ohh Deer are really famous for - a greetings card. If you're one of those people who likes things to coordinate, then this card works perfectly with the gift wrap. It features the same Jacqueline Colley design, the line drawn city scape, and icons that symbolise New York City, only with the words "HIT THE TOWN" embossed in a hot pink typeface. The card is blank inside so you can use it for any occasion or even just to say Hello or Bon Voyage and it contains a natural, brown envelope.

Again the quality is excellent, it's a nice sturdy card that will stand up and won't fall down with a the tiniest draft of air. The card is printed onto card stock which is FSC certified which means that is made from card sourced from responsible sources, through recycling or well managed, sustainable forest. Greeting cards are probably one of Ohh Deer's biggest sellers, and cards retail between, £2.75 and £2,95.

A5 Art Print

The NYC design also features on the next item in August's box, an A5 Art Print. The print again features a version of the fun cityscape design, on a pink background with the words "NEW YORK"printed on it in a darker shade of pink.

Like the previous print that I received in the June, Under The Sea box (read my post here), it isn't made of the thickest card, but you could easily put it in a frame or stick it up with washi tape ;) There aren't many A5 prints on the Ohh Deer website but the ones that there are retail between £4.95 and £5.95.

Enamel Pin

As well as greetings cards, and stationery, Ohh Deer and Papergang also sell a variety of enamel pins and iron patches. As I've said previously I'm not really a patch girl but I do love badges, brooches, and enamel pins. This months box features a fabulous Pretzel shaped pin. Made of metal with a rubberised fastening, it's a warm almost rose gold tone in colour, and it features tiny white / silver dots, which I guess represent sesame seeds. It super cute and I absolutely love it. Again this is a box exclusive but similar enamel pins and pin badges retail at around £5.95.

Washi Tape

I've probably dropped enough hints in this post as to what the next item is but in case you haven't caught on, it's a roll of washi tape. I used to be one of these people who didn't see what the fuss was with washi tape, it's coloured or patterned sticky tape after all but after buying a few rolls, I quickly became a bit of a collector, and I now store my rolls in a large Ferrero Rocher box, so I can see all of the pretty colours and patterns - I guess it makes sense I love stickers and if you think about it a roll of  tape is just a giant roll of stickers!

This is particular nice roll, in a bright turquoise blue, it features big yellow taxis, apples, hot dogs, pizza slices, apples, pretzels, and the letters NYC. It's a paper based tape so it tears nice and easily. I use washi tape for all sorts of things, but this would be a particularly nice one for scrapbooking or journalling particularly if you've got an trip to NYC to record. Alas I don't but I'm sure I'll find a use for it. Rolls of coloured and patterned tape retail between £2.50 and £2.95 on Ohh Deer.

Universal Calendar Card 

The final item in the August box is an ever present in the Papergang box, the Universal Calendar Card. These seem to appear in every box, and they always complement the box theme perfectly. This month the card is a pale pink colour and it features the same line drawn city design as the rest of the box but this time in grey and black.

As much as I loved last months In Bloom box, I think this is definitely my all round favourite box, I love New York, and I love Jacqueline Colley's fun, and cheerful, cartoon like illustrations. I love all of the products but the standouts for me have to be the pin, the desk pad, and of course the washi tape! Since the boxes just keep getting better and better I'm going to stick with Papergang for now, and fingers crossed that they keep up the standard. Let me know your thoughts on this box and don't forget check out the Papergang website to find out more about the box, and of course to shop from Ohh Deer.

*This Post Contains Affiliate Links

Outfit and Face Of The Night,and A Bit Of Crafting - Pic Heavy x

Last night I headed off to my Godmothers 80th birthday party :) I had a lovely family evening that just makes you appreciate what you've got :) I took quite a few pics of my make up and my outfit and also of a few cards I made for her - First up cards - I love making cards and scrapbooking but I have to say it's something I haven't been showing as much love lately as I should, still I've made a couple this week and it will soon be Christmas :)

I used a few QVC kits here including a fabulous one by a company called Kanban - as well as the perfume bottles, you also get some shoe and handbag embellishments, card and  papers, so me and so cute and a really good quality kit :)

OK the outfit, embracing a bit of animal print and plain black, I went for this little combination, including my new clutch bag from Dorothy Perkins - just as well I was indoors tho the weather last night was awful really, really cold and windy. - Excuse the mess behind me eek

Yesterday I Wore

Black Jersey Dress - La Redoute
Animal Print Jersey Cardigan - ASOS
Brass Ring Necklace and Bracelet - Made
Black Opaque Tights - George at Asda
Animal Print Ballet Pumps - Primark
Black Clutch Bag - Dorothy Perkins
Black Silky Parka - Primark } Not Seen But
Animal Print Scarf - Bought in Cyprus }Worn Outside

OK Make Up - bit boring a naked eye a bit of liner and mascara, pale lips and lots of shimmer almost a la Edward Cullen I have to say tho it didn't look half as bad irl lol :)

Today I Wore

Models Prefer Light Diffusing Foundation - Medium
No7 Trio Concealer - Darkest Shade Only
UDPP
Laura Geller Balance n Brighten - Regular (to set)
ELF Studio Blusher - Peachykeen
Prestige Mineral Bronzing Powder - Pure Shimmer
Urban Decay Eyeshadows - Sidecar, Darkhorse and Virgin
Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil - Zero
Bourjois Coupe de Theatre 2 in 1 Mascara - 51 Noir Exceptionnel
YSL Rouge Volupte - No1
Revlon Lipgloss - 150 Peach Petal (added later)


Any questions on anything please let me know xx

Crafty Bits

I haven't posted any pictures of my cards for a while so I thought I'd share with you one that I made for my cousins new baby boy x




Hope you enjoy - Oh and I will be popping the second part of my make up collection video on You Tube later so don't forget to check out my channel - DurhamLouLou xx

7 Days - Scarves and Blusher

I've decided to do a weekly post for you and for myself really, on everything that I've loved or discovered this week, or anything that has influenced me in any positive way - I spend too much time thinking negative thoughts and I really should look at some of the positives no matter how small.

5 major things this week :)

1. First up this week is Nars Orgasm blusher - I have had this for ages but for some reason I just haven't wore it for quite a while. Well I have rediscovered it big style I have worn it solidly for the past few days and I love it makes me look so glowy and healthy - I am in love with this all over again




2. Second up, my Barbara Hulanicki girl print scarf from her capsule collection for Top Shop - gorgeous soft silk and a gorgeous colour and pattern - I love this and will wear it lots- sorry for the teeny tiny pic




3. The Staff at Spire Hospital Washington for being so great with my mum and treating her like she really matters




4. Linessa Exotic Sorbet Ice Cream Lollies - exactly like Soleros but from Lidl - exotic fruit lolly with a yummy ice cream centre




5. QVC Craft Day - I love my card making and scrapbooking so a day full of lovely things to buy (I am being good don't worry), and loads of hints and tips - soothing relaxing and just what I need