Unboxing Papergang Box - No 41 - July 2019 Edition - In Bloom*

If I was ever to let you have a look inside my wardrobe and even just in my bedroom, then you'd probably learn a few things about me. The first thing that you'd probably notice is that I'm not the tidiest or most organised of people, but then you'd probably notice that I have a bit of a thing for florals. I love subtle, cute girly florals, and I love gaudy, bright, retro floral prints. Whether they're real ones in a vase, in a print on a dress or even on a cushion, flowers just make me happy, and that's why July's Papergang box with its "In Bloom" theme is right up my garden path.

July's box is designed and curated by illustrator Chloe Hall, who is famous for her calming print and patterns that are inspired by nature. She is the perfect fit for the July box which is about flowers, botanicals and floral prints.

The usual brown cardboard box, is surrounded as per usual by a themed, cut out, Papergang sleeve, which sets the tone for the entire box. This time it features a floral design in shades of pink, peach, greens and neutral tones. In the past we've had book marks and even a cut out whale but this time the back of the box features some cut out and use pretty floral gift tags.

The contents of the box like last month, is wrapped in bright blue tissue paper, a sheet of tissue is always useful for gift wrapping and so on, but I can't help feeling that the bright blue isn't exactly in keeping with the colour tones, and theme of the box.

The first thing that you always get in the Papergang box is the usual information booklet that tells you a little bit about the contents and it also features a Q&A with illustrator and designer, Chloe Hall who talks about her work and her inspirations, it's a nice addition but as per usual the rest of the contents is way more exciting.

A5 Letter Set

The first item in the box is a letter set which includes 10 sheets of writing paper, and 10 matching envelopes, both featuring the same floral bright and pastel floral design as the outer box sleeve. Both the sheets of writing paper and the envelopes are printed in the UK onto FSC certified paper stock.

The paper is a nice quality and I love the floral design. Like most people I've got out of the habit of writing letters which is a real shame. Letters can have way more of an impact and meaning that just a text message or a phone call, you can keep a letter and keep a memory. There is always someone that we need to say thank you to or even to just say hello, so why not write them a letter instead of sending a Whatsapp or writing on their Facebook wall, it's definitely something that I want to try and do more of. There is no value put against any of the items in this box, and I can't find anything similar on the Ohh Deer website.

A6 Notebook 

Next up a small A6, lined,  paperback notebook, which again features the floral box pattern, it has the word "notes" embossed on the front in gold foil. Again it's printed in the UK, this time using eco friendly toners and vegetable based inks.

Although I find A6 and small notebooks a little bit too small for blog planning, they are really useful for notes and reminders. So many people (me included) use their phones for making notes and setting reminders now, but I love the whole idea of using a pen and paper. This notebook is perfect for when you're on the go and you could probably fit it in a large pocket or even a tiny handbag. 

Again no price is given on this, but similar sized notebooks retail on Ohh Deer at around £5.95 for a pack of three.

Document Holder

The next item is a canvas feel, fabric, zip up pouch, that features the same floral design as the rest of the items in the box only in slightly brighter, more vibrant colours. Officially called a document holder, it would be great as an extra large pencil case, or as a cheery way to store receipts and paperwork. Since beauty is my thing though I'll probably use it as a make up or a toiletry bag. It's not the biggest of bags when it comes to documents but the entire contents of the box easily fits inside. As with everything else in the July edition there is no value given.

Sticker Sheet 

As I mentioned in my previous Papergang post (read it here if you haven't already) I love stickers, not quite as much as I love florals, but I do love stickers, so I was really pleased to receive a lovely sheet of coordinating floral stickers in this months box. It's the same size sheet as the ocean themed stickers in last months box, so it isn't the biggest sheet, but it contains 13 lovely stickers that will work perfectly alongside the writing set. There isn't any value placed on this sticker sheet but Ohh Deer sell similar packs of 3 sticker sheets for around £4.95.

Bullet Pen

Notebooks and writing sets are all well and good but paper isn't much use without a pen. Officially described as a bullet pen, this is a long skinny curved pen that almost resembles a chopstick. It's navy blue, and gold in colour and the Ohh Deer logo is embossed on the side. It has a twist mechanism and it writes in blue ink. 

Universal Calendar Card 

The final item in the box as per usual in the universal calendar card. Like all of the items it features the same floral design, but this tome in washed out, almost pixelated shades of pink, dark leaves and green numbers. 

I love florals and I loved this box. Again I love the way that the theme carries through the whole box, and that every item is coordinated and works so well together. As I said earlier there were no values given for any item in this months box so it's really hard to say whether or not the box was worth the money. Being a stationery addict I love the whole concept of Papergang but I've got to be honest and say that I'm not 100% sure that it represents real value for money, and whether I could get similar or equally nice things elsewhere. As I say I do love the box, and I like the ones that I've had so far, so I'm going to stick with it for now but I don't think that I'm going to end up being a long term subscriber, and I think that I'll probably be cancelling sooner rather than later. If you're interested in finding out more about Papergang please check out their website here, and don't forget to let me know what you think about this box in the comments x

*Post Contains Affiliate Links 

A Late August 2018 Primark Haul - Clothes, Accessories And Beauty

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I honestly don't know where this year has gone, it seems to have flown by so fast that I don't seem to have been able to do anything, go anywhere or achieve anything. Please tell me I'm not alone in feeling this way or is this just middle age and life catching up with me? - who knows! Like most things this year Primark trips have been pretty thin on the ground, my last visit was in May so a little shopping trip was well overdue! It's always the way though isn't it, you don't go somewhere for ages and then you end up going three times in 4 weeks! a bit like buses I guess, but you what that means, it means that I have a couple of Primark hauls coming up for you in the next week or so, first up the goodies I picked up on two trips in August x

Last time I was in Primark way back in May, it was all about summer style, with shorts, vest tops , bikinis and sandals as far as the eye could see, this time round though the sale rails were clinging on to summer whilst the rest of the store, was bedecked in Autumn and Winter colours and styles.

Something that seems to be back big style for A/W 2018 is checks and tartan, I love a checked shirt on a guy but I'm also partial to a little bit of plaid in my own wardrobe. I've always loved tartan and checks for as long as I can remember; I remember having a couple of dresses in tartan as both a child and an adult, and I remember owning the most fabulous bright blue tartan mini skirt from C&A, it probably wouldn't fit me know but I wish I'd held on to it.

This top is probably a little bit more practical than my long lost skirt, and at just £5 it was a must have. It's basically a fine knit type fabric tunic, it has a slightly boxy bat wing shape, and a visible back zip.

Primark have apparently improved their sizing on a lot of their items, and this was one of a few items that I saw that was available in a 2XL, which they claim should fit a 22-24. Still not trusting Primark's sizing and always going for the largest size, this was the size that I went for, but to be honest I should have gone a size down because on me it's pretty roomy. Despite the fact that it's pretty lightweight it's still pretty cosy but since I do have a bit of extra room in it, and because it has 3/4 sleeves, I could wear it on top of either a long sleeved t-shirt or a black polo or roll neck for a bit of extra warmth on those colder days.

Although the store was full of Autumn and Winter bits, there were still a few basics and things that I think you could wear all year round. I love florals,  be it ditsy, gaudy, or even vintage, if there is a flower on something that you can pretty much guarantee that I'll like it. I'm also a huge fan or shirts and blouses so team either of those with a floral print, and I'll be there in a flash.

I couldn't resist this long line tie detail shirt, in a slightly sheer chiffon / gauze fabric, this off white shirt features a vintage style blush floral rose pattern. It only buttons half way down leaving you free to wear it loose or to knot it at the front.

It was only £12 and I loved it so much that I went back and picked up the same shirt but in a different colour and print. This one is in a beautiful deep teal, with a slightly different but equally big and blousey vintage floral print in shades of blue, blue, and beige.

Again it was only £12 and again you can wear it in several different ways. Being so sheer I probably will need to wear a vest or a t-shirt underneath but you could wear it unbuttoned as a kind of a jacket, tied, or even loose with the buttons fastened, giving it an almost slit detail look.

There seems to be a lot of this teal / petrol shade around at the moment and I also ended up buying one of my favourite long line t-shirts in this fab deep petrol shade.

I've talked about these Primark t-shirts on many occasions now and they are a real staple for me, this one was just £3.50 and again it's perfect on it's own and perfect for layering as the weather gets colder. I'm also a huge fan of their long sleeved t-shirts so I picked up this navy blue and red stripe crew neck t-shirt shirt for £4.00.

Although the long sleeved t-shirts aren't marked as being long line, on me the length is pretty decent, and because of the elastane content they skim my curves and they don't tend to ride up. If you want a bit more length though you could maybe size up a bit but I'm both long in the body and curvy and they're fine on me.

Apart for a pair of leggings, and a pair of my Primark wardrobe staple indigo jeggings, that was it for clothing, but I did go slightly mad in the hair accessories, does anyone really need 45 different hair bobbles, well I do! I honestly don't know where they go! Like so many things Primark have been playing around with their sizing on their hair bobbles, and I picked up a pack of their snag less 30 Standard Hair Elastics which were £1.50. I haven't tried these yet but on reflection I should have gone for the ones for thicker hair we'll see though and I'll know either way for next time. I also got a pack of 12 of the rubber / plastic Spiral Hair Ties in various shades of brown for just £1. Again I love the fact that these don't catch, snag or damage the hair, they also hold their shape pretty well, just keep them away from four legged felines if you want them to last though ;)

Now, as someone who grew up in the 80's and 90's I have many stories about the humble hair scrunchie, be it my scrunchie collection and when it became a bit of a competition as to how many you could wear in your hair at once! I'm not entirely sure that I want to go back there but scrunchies are immensely practical especially if like me, you tie your hair back for bed. They're soft, they don't catch the hair, and you can't feel them digging into your scalp! I have a few floating round that I still use but since they seem to be on trend again I thought I'd stock up with this pack of 3 black scrunchies which just a £1. I'm not sure I'll wear them out of the house, I think I'm over that but I'll definitely wear them for bed.

Next up beauty, and despite seeing a few things online that I liked the look of when I got into store I didn't desperately need or want anything, so I just ended up buying some face wipes and a lipstick.

Okay I didn't need a lipstick but for just 90p and since Primarks beauty range is now cruelty free, it would have been wrong not to have popped this PS Lustre Lipstick in Skin On Skin into my basket

In almost self coloured MAC esq packaging, the lipstick is in a lovely pink / nude colour, it has a coconut taste and scent, and feels very moisturising on the lips. The pigmentation is excellent and it has a nice sheen to it - overall well worth 90p and maybe even more!

Now I also mentioned that I picked up some face wipes, I have used Primark's tea tree face wipes for what seems like forever, I've gone through so many packets that I've lost count. I use them for all sorts of things and when I don't have them I panic! Since I hadn't been to Primark for around 3 months understandably I'd ran out and I thought if I just picked up some generic tea tree based face wipes from B&M that they would be the same, believe me they weren't and they made me realise just how good the Primark ones were, you can therefore imagine my horror when I couldn't find the ones that I usually buy - instead all I could find were these.

They were the same price and you got the same amount of wipes, and the ingredients looked similar so I hoped upon hope, that it was just a name and packaging change, and thankfully that's exactly what seems to have happened, they look, smell and feel exactly the same as they always use to - Phew!!! breathes a huge sigh of relief!

The eagle eyed and loyal LouLouLand and LouLou699 followers amongst may have already seen this but last week I posted a little video to accompany this blog post, you can find out a little bit more about the items that I've showed you here (bar one of the t-shirts that I forget to film eek) and hear more about a couple of things that I haven't talked about in this post. You can watch it below or via this link.



As I say I've got another Primark haul coming for you in the next week or so but in the meantime if you're a fan of hauls don't forget to follow me on Instagram (I'm @LouLou699 ) I've recently posted a TK Maxx haul on my stories featuring a few Illamasqua bits. If you've missed seeing that in my storeies though you can always check out my Instahaul highlights tab to see all of the purchases that I've shared on my stories over the last few months x I love reading and watching other peoples haul post so don't forget to link me up in the comments and of course please let me know if you have any questions on anything that I've bought x

A Small Fashion Haul And An Outfit Post

Hey everyone x I hope you've all had a nice weekend x I've got a little haul for you today and it's a fashion haul. I'm a bit of a fan of catalogue shopping and the majority of this haul comes from two catalogues - Littlewoods and La Redoute, with a couple of high street buys thrown in.

I've had catalogues in my house for the longest time, I used to spend hours at a time as a child pouring through my mams catalogues, circling all the things that I wanted and do you know what I still do that. You don't get as many printed paper catalogues as you used to so some of the magic has gone but a lot of websites now have a wishlist facility and of course there is always Pinterest, I'm still learning about that one but already I can see how much fun it is picking out wishes and wants. 

The bulk of this haul comes from Littlewoods but you can also get the same items on Very and a few other sites. From the minute I saw this shirt I knew that I needed it. I've become a huge fan of sheer shirts from the Definitions brand this year and the gaudy, psychedelic, floral pattern on this one really stood out.

Again it's quite sheer so I'll need to wear a vest or a camisole underneath it, but I love the combination of the purples and the burnt oranges. This was £37 and they also do a dress in the same print.

The next thing that I got was another blouse from the Definitions line. Although it's described as a blouse, for me this is a pull on tunic.

In a sheer ivory fabric it features an orange, beige, burgundy and blue floral print. On the website it's called the Printed Contrast Trim Blouse and down the back, down the front and around the neckline and cuffs there is a black contrast, fabric band. This one was £37 as well, but if you fancy buying this shirt I would definitely consider sizing up especially if you're a bit fuller on the bust.

My final Littlewoods fashion purchase was from their own South brand, and it was the South Blocked Tunic.

.

This is basically just a long line fabric t-shirt with navy blue block sleeves, and a navy blue chiffon trim with small side slits. The body of the top has a navy blue and white almost shutter like, stripe print, overlaid with a blue and white floral print. The length is really good and this is definitely a top you could wear over skinny jeans or leggings. The sizing on this one is pretty generous and if anything I probably could have gone for a smaller size. You better get used to this top if you subscribe to my You Tube Channel because I'm wearing it in 4, yes 4 videos :) including the one at the end of this post - £25 well spent x 

Next up another catalogue and this time La Redoute. I'm been a fan of La Redoute for a while now, their clothes are just a little bit different and whilst I haven't bought a lot from them lately their catalogues and website are always worth a look. To be fair this time round I sent a lot of stuff back and I only ended up keeping the free gift, navy trench coat and this top.

From their own Mademoiselle R line, this is a Short Sleeved Jewelled Collar T-Shirt. It's basically a short black t-shirt with a white Peter Pan style collar covered in an acrylic jewel, floral pattern. I love the collar detailing so I couldn't resist it. The sizing isn't that generous and it isn't the longest t-shirt I own but it's cute. This top is £19 and comes in both black and grey x 

Next up yet another top, another blouse and this time something that you could pick up with your weekly shop.

This fabulous floral peasant like top comes from the Florence and Fred (F&F) range at Tesco. Made of a slightly sheer, soft, silky, satin feel fabric, it has a pussy bow fastening and the neck and it has long puffed sleeves. Described as the Retro Floral Print Pussybow Blouse, this blouse is covered in a fabulously, gaudy floral print, in shades of red, mustard, teal and white. I'm not convinced that this is the most flattering top I've ever bought but I do love a pussy bow and that retro, in your face floral print so it's a thumbs up from me. There is no stretch in the fabric so I would probably size up because you'll probably need to wear something underneath it. This top was just £14 which is really good value when you look at the styling and the softness of the fabric, and you can also buy a dress in the same fabric for £20.

For as long as I can remember I've loved colours and prints like this so I'm really loving the current 70's trend. As I've said before my usual outfit is a pair of jeans, trousers or leggings and a bright top but this year I'm trying to be a bit braver with my clothing choices so I decided to buy something that's way out of my comfort zone - a dress!

So many people wear dresses and look amazing but since I've gained weight I just haven't had the confidence but I really liked the look of this jersey dress. I love the high neck and the tan,and blue floral and botanical print so I went for it, it was just £9.99 so it was no great shakes if I didn't wear it...

I did wear it though, and it had it's first outing on Wednesday night at the Metro Centre Fashion Live and House Of Fraser event. I have to admit I felt a little bit self conscious and I would have preferred it to have been a little bit longer but for £9.99 you can't really complain. I thought I would document the day I tried something new so Mummy Lou took some pics for a very rare outfit of the day.

What I Wore

Patterned Jersey Dress - H&M

Black Tights - Asda

Marc By Marc Jacobs Chicory Leather Strike Tote Bag

Fluffy Bag Charm - H&M

Black Brogues - Dolcis 

Wooden Bead Necklace - Gift From Godparents

I don't think it looks too bad, I decided to play on the tan / brown floral print, and team it with a tan bag, OPI - Basque In The Sun nail polish, and a toning wooden bead necklace. I went with plain black tights and shoes to coordinate with the background, and I teamed it with a black faux leather jacket from La Redoute. I'm not the most stylish person by any means but I really want to start doing some more outfit of the days - I just need to practise my posing a bit and Mummy Lou needs to practise her photography skills!

I went on a bit of a You Tube filming spree this week and I filmed 4 videos on Friday, 2  of which are already live including the video to accompany this haul which you can see above, and another 2 at least will be live next week, so make sure you're subscribed to my You Tube channel and you're following my blog for some more hauls and some lifestyle and beauty content x Thanks for reading and hopefully watching and if you have any questions please leave me a comment and I'll get back to you x 

A Little Primark Haul

Apologies that I'm a little late with this one, but a couple of weeks ago I ventured into Newcastle city centre for a meeting and as I had an hour or so to kill I went shopping. I didn't buy that much but I did buy a few things in Primark. Since I'm more of a mall girl I don't actually go into Newcastle that often now, but when I do I always head to the cities huge, 4 floor Primark. It's so big that I actually find it a bit overwhelming so I never end up buying a lot and this visit was no different.

One of the biggest assets of the Newcastle's, Primark is it's home department, I'm a bit obsessed with home wear at the minute, and especially cushions (I have a cushion wishlist! Sad?) and I couldn't resist picking up this kitty cat cushion. It's made of a wool mix felt, and it was just £6.

They also had an owl version and some lovely duvet sets but I reined myself in and headed to the sales racks. As per usual there was a lot of tat but I saw this top and I couldn't quite decide if I loved it or hated it.

I picked up and put it down twice before I decided that I had to have it. I think it's a love / hate piece but I'm a big fan of gaudy, 70's type floral prints so eventually I put it in my basket. It's made of a scuba type fabric and it's covered in a slightly, blurred digital rose and floral print, in shades of green and cream. It was reduced from to £10 to £5.

Big Floral and 70's style prints are huge at the minute and I could easily have bought a few more and I definitely feel like a return trip, but on the day I was super good and bought only one other clothing item.

Minions! These strange yellow things always make me smile and I can't wait to see the Minion movie when it's released later this year. This was £6.

I had a good look through both the beauty and jewellery section but there was nothing that I really wanted, and since the shoes were also out due to my damaged toe, the final thing I bought was a pack of the £1 Opia hair bobbles in brown and cream tones. I've reviewed there hair bobbles here and I swear by them. They're cheap and they don't tug on your hair like metal bobbles. I've bought packs and packs of these over the years, and I'm sure I'll continue to buy them, I just wish my cat Tallulah didn't love them as much as I do!

Since I'm trying to get back into You Tube I've also filmed a little haul video for you x I'd really appreciate if you'd take look and I'll love you for ever if you subscribe to my channel x

I'm seriously planning another Primark trip in the next few weeks, so if you've seen anything fabulous or worth picking up I'd love to hear from you x Thanks for reading x