Wish List: Santa’s Little Helper

Every year friend’s and family ask me to publish a wish list on my blog. So this year I decided to try out something a little different – The Greedy Book. What is it? “Described as the home of the wish list, they’re an amazing discovery platform that provides you with your very own corner of the internet to collate your ultimate wish list, an eclectic mixture of your favourite things.”

I liked the look of the platform as it allowed me to add items easily, whilst simultaneously adding the price and notes. I personally used the notes section to add any sizing or colour preferences I had, which will hopefully offer some help and also open up a new spectrum of gifts. I had a lot of fun putting my items together and into their own little books, and if I wasn’t so blasé about Christmas gifts (for myself) I imagine I’d be able to spend hours adding items to them. I actually prefer giving presents at Christmas, which TGB is also useful for. The site gives you the option of making your books private, meaning you can hide your gift ideas away somewhere safer (and a lot easier) than your bookmark bar. I’ve only created a few books so far; using the option to separate my wish lists into different categories – fashion & beauty, accessories and home. Even so, this makes it easier for friends and family who may want to buy me something specific. All in all, it’s been super helpful, and although I think the site would be better with a bit more customisation, it works perfectly well. I can see myself using this long after Christmas for friends/family birthdays…maybe even for my birthday in January too?

You can view my Christmas wish lists at The Greedy Book.

A Little Something from Wrap.me to You…

I don’t know about other people but there’s one thing I dread at this time of year – wrapping presents. I always end up wrapping everything at once, and it’s usually in paper that I’ve hurriedly bought at the last minute. So you can imagine how elated I would be if someone were to bring a bit more excitement to an otherwise menial task. Step in Wrap.me, a service that provides wrapping paper with a difference.

Imagine your Christmas tree lined with presents…and what’s that? They’re all wrapped up in paper that features your amazing photographic skills, or selfies with your friends and family?! Yes your heard me right! Wrap.me offers customised paper made up of handpicked photos from your computer, phone, Instagram, or Facebook. The site (which recently launched on November the 17th) allows you to follow the design process as you choose your photos, border arrangement and how much paper you’re going to need for all those fabulous presents. It’s printed out onto the paper size of your choice and then all you have to do is sit back with a cup of tea and wait for it to be delivered. The whole experience takes away the hard work behind choosing the perfect wrapping paper, and instead allows you to relax, whilst creating something very special indeed.

I was sent a little gift from Wrap.me, all wrapped up in my own personalised paper. The photos had been taken from my Instagram account, and honestly it was quite sweet to see them printed out onto paper. True, it was a bit weird having photos of myself on it, but everyone at work loved it and I jokingly told them that my Secret Santa would receive their present wrapped in it…I wasn’t joking. My present turned out to be a pair of socks that were made for someone with feet around 10x larger than my own, and were hurriedly snapped up by one of my male colleagues. Still, when the paper is this fun it doesn’t really matter what’s inside…does it?

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This post is in collaboration with Wrap.me but all views, photos and words are my own.

Japanese Fashion at Hyper Japan Christmas Market 2014

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Intricate headpieces from Le Chateau des Gateaux
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Accessories and Kokokim from Dreamy Bows

Traditional Japanese fabric designs from Kokon
Tie-dye boots from Typical Freaks

It may seem only a few months ago that I was at Hyper Japan. Well that’s because I was. No, another year has not passed that quickly. This November the Japanese culture expo has opened it’s doors for the Hyper Japan Christmas Market for the first time.“HYPER JAPAN brings a Christmas market you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t miss the chance to source truly unique gifts; from food and drink to videogames, anime and fashion.Whether you want to find gifts for loved ones or immerse yourself in Japanese culture, the HYPER JAPAN market has something for everyone. Experience premium sake and traditional treats such as takoyaki at Eat-Japan and give your festive feast an Eastern twist at live cookery demonstrations.

Once you’ve filled up on delicious snacks, discover genuine anime character merchandise and take part in gaming tournaments with the latest releases. If you have a passion for fashion, get an exclusive look at the HYPER J-STYLE collection on the runway with a mixture of the latest trends and classic looks. Plus, you can recreate the hottest hair and beauty styles with demonstrations to help perfect your new look.”

I stopped by to see what they had on offer, so I’ve decided to bring you all the fashion, beauty, food and kawaii in the usual manner. Keep an eye on my Hyper Japan tag to see more.