July WRAP-UP and August TBR

☀️🌤🌧🌈🌺🌻🌸🌼🌷🌹

– Wrap-up -July 2017 – TBR- August 2017 –

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Hello my dear leaves! It’s me…hope everyone is ok. I’m so sorry I’ve disappeared for a while. I have had a massive reading and inspiration slump 😦

 

But let’s not talk about the dark days and let’s focus on the better ones 🙂 Without further do…here is my July Wrap-up.

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WRAP-UP

This month I’ve read a total of four (and/or finished books that I’ve started long time ago) books. In general, I’ve enjoyed all very much.

• Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas ⭐️⭐️⭐️ + 💫
• Yoga, un estilo de vida by Vanesa Lorenzo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Secrets in Phoenix by Gabriella Lepore ⭐️⭐️⭐️ + 💫

I will try to add reviews of all of them but if you want to know my quick opinion, check my Goodreads or Instagram.

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CURRENTLY READING

I have already started two books and so far I’m enjoying both.

• Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare. You may notice that this book has been in my currently reads before but never managed to finish it. This time I’m positive and I think I will read it. I’m really enjoying it and so happy to be back in this universe.
• When Dimple met Rishi by Sandhya Menon. I’m enjoying it so far but it is not covering my expectations.

 

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TO BE READ:

 

Goals and decisions…both quite difficult at times…

I want to read the books mentioned above and some of these:

• El libro de los Bardos by Lena Valenti.
• A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab.
• Wayward Vol. III by Jim Zub.
• Rat Queens Vol. I by Kurtis J. Wiebe.

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Wish me good luck and let me know your choices and your favourites of July in the comments below 🙂

HAPPY READING!

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Lots of love,

Angela😘😘

Review: a Court of Mist and Fury

☀️🌤🌧🌈🌺🌻🌸🌼🌷🌹🐝

– Young Adult /Fantasy/Romance/Retelling – Sarah J Maas – Bloomsbury – A Court of Mist and Fury – Book II

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Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas’s masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

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I’ve recently published my opinion about ACOTAR and as I was saying there, I started this book as soon as I finished ACOTAR. Even if I had a bit of a bittersweet feeling, I was very intrigued and wanted to know much more about one character in particular. If you have read this book and most likely you would have, you can imagine how happy I was with this book as I have to know better Rhysand and all the Night Court 😻😻😻. I loved this book. I really loved it.

The world:

In general, this is the best Sarah’s book that I’ve read so far. I think the descriptions, the action, the intrigue and the pace was really good and everything matches perfectly with the other making this story very easy to be addicted to. In the first book, I’ve mentioned that the magic world was very interesting and, in this one, you can observe and learn more about all the fairies, all the organisation and all the politics aspects. I found all this brilliant and amazing.

The characters:

• What can I say about Tamlin? In ACOTAR, was not a character that gained my heart. For some reason, I couldn’t find him as perfect as Feyre describe him and couldn’t understand his passivity. In this book…I was so disappointed. Tamlin is an abusive man, he does not know how to deal with problems and uses protection as an excuse to control everything and everyone. Once again, I think he is a coward, sexist and violent. He does not love Feyre, he is obsessed with her.
• Feyre…what an awesome woman. Her determination is inspiring. She has a great evolution through the story. She is strong, powerful, clever, funny…I had some issues with the way that she uses sex to cover problems but I was so happy to see that she changed that and now she talks about problems.
• Rhysand: can I say he is just perfect? and maybe add awesome, brilliant, funny, great actor and the best. you can see shadows of his character in the first book but in this one…you just discover a great character, leader and man.
• The Night Court (Mo, Amren, Azriel and Cassian): I love them. They are funny and the kind of friends that I would like to have. The interactions between them and with Rhysand and/or Feyre are very interesting and made the whole universe much rich and great. Mo is supportive and the person I would go if I need to talk about any problem. Amren is so mysterious and powerful. Azriel has this cold wall around him but I can see he is awesome and Cassian…I just trying to recover from that end…totally heartbroken. In another note, who else wants to live in Velaris?
• Feyre’s family: Nesta is a character that promise a lot and that, I must admit, has been judged too early. I think she has a lot to offer. Elain is that kind of person that lives in a happy world most of the time. I’m very intrigued to see what will happen now after that end.
• Lucien: has been a painful deception. He supposes to be the person that will be there no matter what, the person that will help you in you worst moment and he just looked to other side and let things happened. I think is sad the way he chose and now he is paying for it.
• The King of Hybern: he is the great villain that a good story needs. He is evil, intelligent and I can’t wait for the war coming.

Final thoughts:

I can’t way for A Court of Wings and Ruin to be published. I need to know what is happening, I need to know about the war that is coming, I need to know how Feyre and Rhysand will deal with things, I need to know about Cassian and all the possible couples that we kind of see at the end of the book. Also, I can’t wait to see Feyre’s revenge.

With ACOTAR I have problems to find the proper rating but with this book, I have not. This is a five stars book without a doubt. Have some tiny problems but, overall, is awesome. So, like many before me…read ACOTAR to get ready for this beauty.

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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Lots of love,

Angela😘😘

March’ 17 Check in

☀️🌤🌧🌈🌺🌻🌸🌼🌷🌹🐝

– Mid-Month – Check in – March 2017 –

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Hello my dear leaves 😃

Hope you are all well and having an amazing reading month 😉

Today I’m back with my monthly check it.

• Currently reading: I’m reading two books, at the moment. I’m half way into My Lady Jane but I couldn’t resist the temptation and I’ve started King’s Cage today ☺️☺️

• Last purchase: I’m trying to be good this month so I’ve bought only one book so far…that may change by the end of the month 😬😬 I’ve bought King’s Cage by Victoria Aveyard.

• Last book added to my Goodreads TBR: I’m really excited about this one and can’t wait till I can buy and read it 🙃🙃 Who else is a Saga’s fan?

 

• Something positive: this month I’ve started to practise guided meditation with the app Headspace and I totally recommend it. Thanks to it, I’m feeling much better and I’m reading more and go back to the gym with 100% levels of motivation.

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How is your month going? Are you happy about spring weather?

 

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Lots of love,

Angela 😘😘

Review: Glass Sword

☀️🌤🌧🌈🌺🌻🌸🌼🌷🌹🐝

– Young Adult /Fantasy – Victoria Aveyard – Orion Books -Glass Sword- Book II

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If there’s one thing Mare Barrow knows, it’s that she’s different.

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the colour of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

The electrifying next instalment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.

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Glass Sword continues the story as we left it in Red Queen. This book is full of action, running away, trying to save people, extreme situations and death. In this book, we see more new blood with great powers. The rhythm of the reading is quite variable but, in general, has a fast pace. Victoria’s writing remains so good, so easy to follow and feel all the emotions and action.

I’ve found a great evolution in Mare. You can feel the weight and pressure she carries on through all the book making her isolated and lonely at times as well as the moments when she is broke. Obviously, I was not expecting that end. I still quite shock about it. The issue I have at times with her is the way she reacts to some situations but most of the time I still able to identify myself with her.

Cal is another character that has an evolution in this book. He has to adapt himself to the new world and find his new role on it. As Mare, sometimes you can feel his loneliness and sadness.

Maven remains as a very complex character and maybe a bit crueller than in the previous book. I think the main problem with him is his unhealthy obsession with Mare and the control his mother has over him. I don’t think Maven would make the same decisions without her.

The end of this book nearly gave me a heart attack and I’m so glad that King’s Cage is available now. Definitely, this dystopian universe is original and special and, in a way, has made me recover my love for dystopian worlds.

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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Lots of love,

Angela😘😘

February’ 17 WRAP-UP and March’17 TBR

☀️🌤🌧🌈🌺🌻🌸🌼🌷🌹🐝

– Wrap-up -February 2017 – TBR- March 2017 –

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Hello my dear leaves,

Hope you are all well and having a great day. February has been a good «bad» reading month. Has been a good month because I’ve enjoyed a lot reading, I have found time to read easily once I was in the mood and bad because I haven’t completed my TBR list. Mainly, because I just started properly reading by half month. I wished my reading mood visited me earlier but so far it still with me.

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WRAP-UP

This month I’ve read a total of 3 books and I’m halfway to my fourth one. I started the month with a highly anticipated release: Caraval and I carried on between two magic universes, Glass Sword (reread) and ACOTAR.

• Caraval by Stephanie Garber. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas. ⭐️⭐️⭐️+💫✨
• Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

INCOMPLETE READING: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas (52% on 28/2/17).

REVIEWS:

• Caraval
• A Court of Thorns and Roses

 

I will be working quite a lot this week but I hope to finish ACOMAF this weekend 😄.

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TO BE READ:

As my reading mood has decided to stay with me, I feel quite ambitious with this list of books I want to read this month. I have chosen a total of 5 books and as mentioned before, I want to finish ACOMAF. I may add a few more but so far these are the chosen ones:

• The Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza.
• My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows.
• King´s Cage by Victoria Aveyard
• Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
• Ms Marvel Vol. V by Willow Wilson.

 

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Happy reading!

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Lots of love,

Angela😘😘

Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses

🌬🌨❄️☃️🎅🏻🍇🍬🌠🎊🎄

– Young Adult /Fantasy/Romance/Retelling – Sarah J Maas – Bloomsbury – A Court of Thorns and Roses – Book I

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Feyre is a huntress. She thinks nothing of slaughtering a wolf to capture its prey. But, like all mortals, she fears what lingers mercilessly beyond the forest. And she will learn that taking the life of a magical creature comes at a high price…

Imprisoned in an enchanted court in her enemy’s kingdom, Feyre is free to roam but forbidden to escape. Her captor’s body bears the scars of fighting, and his face is always masked – but his piercing stare draws her ever closer. As Feyre’s feeling for Tamlin begins to burn through every warning she’s been told about his kind, an ancient, wicked shadow grows.

Feyre must find a way to break a spell or lose her heart forever.

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When I started to read this book, I was a bit scared about what I would find inside. I think nearly everyone has heard about Sarah J Maas and all her books that have a lot of hype in the book community and I did not find that amusing Throne of Glass as people did (I have to give another chance to that series as everyone says the other books are much better). But let’s go back to A Court of Thorns and Roses.

As I was saying, I was a bit scared also as Beauty and the Beast is my favourite Disney story and at first, I found myself saying «oh no» with some situations but as the book advanced and the rhythm improved I found myself caught into the story and happy to keep reading.

The world:

I think that Sarah has created a great fairy and magic universe, well described, divided and made it very interesting. I found the mix of descriptions and action was well balanced. I could easily image the characters, the places and the feelings. I think the story could have a quicker pace or flow at some points.

Also, I was a bit surprised about the hot and sexy scenes, I was not expecting them. 😹😹

The characters:

• Feyre’s family: when I started the book I was a bit confused as I found more similarities with Cinderella. I dislike a lot his father, how coward he was, how he let her go through everything and how he behave in general. As per her sisters…I don’t feel connected at all with them.
• Feyre: I have had my ups and downs with her. I mostly liked her and understand her but I have some issues with the relationship with Tamlin as some moments I feel it was a bit of Stockholm syndrome…and I didn’t feel the chemistry or magic of the relationship that I expected. Overall, I could see an evolution in her character and I think she is brave, selfless, strong, clever and feisty.
• Tamlin: my main problem with him was his passivity. I expected more fight from a High Lord. He seems to prefer others doing what he should do. Also, I get mad when he decided to approach Feyre Under the Mountain. Mad about how and what he was looking for and also mad with Feyre to allow it.
• Lucian: I felt much more interested in him, his story and the way he behaves. It was easier to me to connect with him. He brought a bit of humour to the tenses moments and seemed a bit like a big brother.
• Rhysand: by far my favourite male character. He did not appear a lot in the book but definitely, his presence made the whole book much better. I wanted to know more about him, about his cheeky side and I think he has more under that cold Rhys than he allows to see. The moments Feyre & Rhysland were great and without knowing anything about the next book I totally ship them.
• Amarantha: was a great villain. From the moment she appeared, you could feel the power and danger.

The book as a Beauty & the Beast retelling:

I’ve enjoyed the moments when you can picture Beauty & the Beast through the story even if I have some issues. I  found cute the painting moments or the way Tamlin become more «human» and less «beast». I don’t think Tamlin is «the beast» at all and I’m more inclined to believe that role is covered by Rhysand. 

Final thoughts:

I was not sure about how many stars this book deserve: 3? 3.5? 4? I must admit that I enjoyed Sarah’s writing more that I did with Throne of Glass and that the descriptions and the magic world were great. I’ve enjoyed the moments when you can picture Beauty & the Beast. After thinking quite a lot I’m giving it 3.75 ⭐️ but I can,t do that in Goodreads so ended giving 4 stars in this app but this book really is a 3.75. I have enjoyed it overall and I’ve jumped straight away to ACOMAF.

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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️+💫✨

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Lots of love,

Angela😘😘

Unboxing: FairyLoot February’ 17

🌬🌨❄️☃️🎅🏻🍇🍬🌠🎊🎄
– Unboxing – FairyLoot – February 2017 -Emperors and Fugitives –

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EMPERORS & FUGITIVES 

Won’t be a surprise if I say that I love FairyLoot boxes and that each month I fall in love more and more.
The items are always perfectly chosen and related to the theme and you can feel the love, effort and hard work invested in the boxes.

The first item that received me this month has been…a candle! And you all know how much I like candles 💜. This gorgeous one has been made by Happy Piranha and named by the author of the book. Apparently, we will understand better the name after we’ve read the book.

 

What a perfect way to keep save your favourite items that inside this beautiful pouch made by Alisse Courtier and inspired in The Rebel of the Sands.

Another item that I love to receive: is a Funko. A full Funko Pop, a Mystery Funko or a Keychain Funko. I adore them. Especially the first and third ones. The one that FairyLoot sent is adorable 😻and has been well welcome for the rest of my Funko family.

 

 

 

Now is time to relax and dedicate some time to ourselves with this stunning bath bomb made by Bathing Beauties and their Celestial Gunpowder one. It smells so nice 😻.

Illuminae was one of my favourite books in 2016 and this coaster made by Read at Midnight is perfect 😺

As usual, FairyLoot always shares with us amazing artwork and in this box, we have two wonderful pieces: from Till and Dill a gorgeous bookmark

 

and from Taratjah, an amazing art print

 

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As bonus items, we have an original introduction to a new story and a discount code to MyBookmark.

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And the book of the month is 🥁🥁🥁
🌌🎆Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza🎆🌌

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See you in March with another unboxing. This time will be a very especial one as FairyLoot will send their one year anniversary one 💜🎉💜 and the box is PURPLE!!!!!

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Lots of love,
Angela😘😘

Review: Caraval​

🌬🌨❄️☃️🎅🏻🍇🍬🌠🎊🎄

– Young Adult /Fantasy – Stephanie Garber – Hodder&Stoughton -Caraval- Book I

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Whatever you’ve heard about Caraval, it doesn’t compare to the reality. It’s more than just a game or a performance. It’s the closest you’ll ever find to magic in this world . . .

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game is over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

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Caraval is one of these books that come with a lot of hype and high expectations. Has been one of the most anticipated releases of lots of people, including myself. The covers of this book are gorgeous and I’m seriously thinking about buying all of them even if that means having 5 copies of the same book. Am I crazy? Am I the only one?

Overall, I loved this book and I gave it 5/5 stars. This book is full of colours even if invites you to get lost in the dark of the night, magic (what a magical journey) mystery and clues, adventures and great characters. I can’t wait to read the second one and know more about this world.

When we first meet Donatella or Tella, we found an impulsive girl but as everything in Caraval, nothing is what seems to be and by the end of the book we found a different Tella, still impulsive and a bit of the crazy one but also showed a brave and clever woman.

Julian…what can I say about him? I have liked him, loved him, hated him, been so angry with him but I guess he has won my heart slowly.

Scarlet…what an awesome character. Seriously, she is brilliant and so complex and strong but frail at times…she will fight always for what she believes and she has made me laugh on more than one occasion. I’ve have been mad also, sometimes I wanted to shake her and told her «what are you doing?» Probably,  she took me into the game as far as she was.

The story is a fresh breeze into this genre. It has a good rhythm and I haven’t found it boring or dense. It makes you fall into the game and as the book is advancing, you don’t know what to believe in or who you should trust. You will feel like Scarlet: confused, angry, sad, happy, in love, more confused and frustrated…if you haven’t noticed yet, this book is full of feelings and that, I think, is part of its magic and part of what makes it so special. Definitely, Stephanie Garber is an author to keep an eye on. I will check and most likely read any of her books.

«Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything«

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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Lots of love,

Angela😘😘

February Check in

🌬🌨❄️☃️🎅🏻🍇🍬🌠🎊🎄

– Mid-Month – Check in – February 2017 –

 

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Hello my dear leaves 😃

 

Hope you are all well and having an amazing reading month 😉

Today I’m here with a post inspired by the awesome Gintare. I really enjoy her Instagram and YouTube channel and would like to invite you to both of the As I was saying, inspired by her last video I decide to do my mid-month check in to try to motivate me with my goals and to share them with you. Let’s go into it 😃

• Currently reading: Caraval!! By Stephanie Garber. I started the month really well reading this book but I have had my family over I didn’t manage to read much. Time to carry on!
• Last purchase: I bought two books that I have planned to read this month but I’m not sure if I will manage to. A court of Thorns and Roses & A court of Mist and Fury. Both by Sarah J Maas.
• Last book added to my Goodreads TBR: can we observe this gorgeous cover? I can’t wait to buy it!
• Something positive: I decide to start a new section in my Instagram and I may bring it over here too. Is called Healthy Wednesday and will cover each Wednesday (obviously 😜) part of my trip into a healthier life. Can be food, fitness, experiences or motivation. Hope you enjoy it! The first picture was this one:

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How is your month going? Have you had a good Valentine’s Day? To honour of that day, I must confess that one of my favourite love story/couples from a book is Claire and Jamie Fraser 💜💜💜. If you haven’t read these books, make yourself a favour and start them soon 😉

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Lots of love,

Angela 😘😘

Unboxing: FairyLoot January 2017

🌬🌨❄️☃️🎅🏻🍇🍬🌠🎊🎄

– Unboxing – FairyLoot – January 2017 -Mystery & Mischief-

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MYSTERY & MISCHIEF

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What an awesome box! I really love it!

The items were perfectly related to the theme and there is not a better way to start than with a Funko Mystery Mini 😄 I received Arya 💜.

Other of my favourites items to receive: a candle! You all know that I love Heather’s work and I’m a big MerakiCandles fan. This one has a mix of cocoa, berries and musk. 😻

Another amazing item is a pillow case! Designed by Risa Rodil and based on The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

Surprise, surprise! We have no one, TWO books in this box 🎉🎉 How to think like Sherlock by Daniel Smith seems to be a different and interactive book.

We also have a gorgeous necklace made by Oh Panda Eyes. 🌹

Right at Midnight made a beautiful Alice in Wonderland bookmark! Also, we have a few bonus items:

And the book of the month is 🥁🥁🥁

🎪 Caraval by Stephanie Garber 🎪

 

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See you in February with another unboxing 😉

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Lots of love,

Angela😘😘