Out of the Ordinary Gift Ideas

I like to think outside the box when it comes to buying gifts for other people. Don't get me wrong, I love a good old gift set, but you know when you find a gift for someone that catches your eye and you think, 'wow, that would be perfect for her!' and beam with pride knowing how much they will enjoy it, I love that feeling! I have found a few really great gift ideas I wanted to share with you that I think are really interesting and a little bit out of the ordinary.

The Gourmet Chocolate Pizza Co. Chocolate Pizza

Chocolate...Pizza... a match made in heaven, right?! I think this is a great alternative to a selection box for that chocolate fiend in your life. I tried the flavour Crunchy Munchy*, which was full of biscuit, fudge and scrumptious chocolate swirls. It tasted absolutely delicious. The brand have a huge selection of different flavours, as well as an option to personalize your pizza too. The Gourmet Chocolate Pizza Co also sell chocolate pizza slices in a range of flavours at only £2.20 each, which I think would make great stocking fillers or little gifts for friends. I have already ordered a few of these to pop in to stockings.

Executive Pens Direct Engraved Pen
I don't know about you, but in our house we definitely have a pen fairy that steals all of the pens whenever we need them. I am a bit of a stationery nerd too so I love a nice pen, and I would absolutely love to receive a gift like this beautiful engraved pen . This particular design is called the Parker Urban Fashion Ballpoint Pen* which is pink with a chrome trim. It is such a beautiful item, and is very high quality, too. There are tonnes of other pens at Executive Pens Direct that you can personalise, as well as some useful and novelty gifts, which are all available on their website. I think this is a gift that anyone would appreciate, it looks super sophisticated and is a really special, yet practical and useful gift.

Ellie Bean Prints A4 Print
If you are a bit of a bookworm you may already recognize this quote. I am all about quotes to live by, they really do brighten my day and prints like this one can really personalise a room and make it your own. This print* is from Ellie Bean Prints in A4 size and is really good quality. I plan to fill one of the walls in my room with framed prints of inspirational images and quotes like this one. I think makes a beautiful gift. Ellie Bean Prints have a huge range of other prints and card that you can personalize too.

Friction Free Shaving Subscription Service

Now, you're probably thinking 'Hmm that is odd, why would you include a razor in a gift guide?!' I have a logical explanation. This handy subscription service sends you a high quality razor and razor heads from only £3 per Month. I think this is a brilliant gift idea for someone that maybe has everything, or maybe, if, like me, absolutely hates spending their money on razors 'cause they're so expensive, this would make a great gift. I can vouch too that the razors are really good quality and leave my skin feeling super soft with no irritation whatsoever.How ideal, too, knowing that you don't have to go out and buy a razor for a whole year!

Personalised Tree Decoration

Why not treat someone to a personalized tree decoration? These kind of gifts always go down well with family and friends. It is something they can use every Christmas. I particularly love this cute gingerbread family design. I bought this from a local shopping centre, but you can find similar here or even have a go at making your own.

House of Wonderland Jewellery Club Subscription
A lot of the ladies in my life are big fans of costume jewellery so I know this would make a great gift for them, in fact this is something I would love to receive myself. I love the surprise aspect of subscription boxes, not knowing what you are getting is all part of the fun, and treating someone to this kind of gift as they'll receive a lovely bundle of gifts once a Month. The HOW Jewellery Club Subscription* would make a perfect gift for someone that loves a bit of fun or loves to jazz an outfit up with cute jewellery. The best part about the subscription is that the jewellery you receive is unique and aren't part of the House of Wonderlands current ranges.You could either treat someone to a subscription, or order one yourself and split up the jewellery items and gift them to friends. I will be writing a full review of this Months jewellery in a separate blog post (which will include more images and info) very soon, which I will link here once the post is live.

Laptop Sleeve
Practical and pretty, those are two words I think sum up this next gift very well. This stylish laptop sleeve 'Grace'* from STM Bags is perfect for those on the go. This sleeve has a super soft lining to keep your laptop protected and safe.  It is like a safe fluffy jumper for your laptop! I love the sleek and stylish presentation, and how this can fit easily into a bag, and your laptop being super protected as you go about your day. You can even match your laptop sleeve to your clutch and your handbag as STM stock those in the same design too. This beauty is available from Amazon or Currys online here.

Mickey Mouse Chalk Board
I think this would make a lovely gift for someone special, particularly if they're a big Disney fan! You could even add a sweet message to the board before wrapping it up. I like gifts that are really useful, and I think this would be one of those gifts that you probably wouldn't pick yourself, but actually find it really handy to add notes to, and it just looks adorable, doesn't it!? This costs only £2.50 at Primark.

*Post includes some PR samples*

As always, my post is 100% honest & my own opinion.

Stationery Treats

I have rekindled my love for stationary in the past few Years, the 8 Year old inside me is still happy scribbling away with smelly gel pens! 

If you didn't already now, I have been blogging recently about National Stationery Week, which was from the 27th April to the 3rd of May. Many schools took part in this by encouraging and promoting writing by hand. I have been trying my best to write and read as much as I can recently; as I spend a lot of time on computers and gaming consoles, sometimes I forget how important, fun and therapeutic it is to write. 

I have been working with the team at NSW and they kindly sent me a few stationary treats from some top stationary brands to play around with. I am in love with the planner, it is so useful!

What is your favourite stationery brand?

*Post includes PR samples*

Get Britain Writing with Fancy Stationary! #NSW

Hi everyone, I am writing about writing again Today! 

As you may know, National Stationary Week is not far ahead of us and I am getting involved in the hope of encouraging Britain to get writing a lot more. I for one really do need to spend more time writing, so I have tried to implement this into my daily routine. Little steps!

I have started writing lists of all the things I need to do that Day - I love to tick them off my list! I have also been jotting down blog ideas a lot more throughout the Day - it has really helped.

Another thing that has encouraged me to get writing is this absolutely beautiful pen by Sheaffer. It has been a long time since I have got so excited about pens, but this one in particular is a pretty nifty one indeed, and I cant stop using it!  I definitely think if you have a nice pen or a cool notepad it could help encourage people to write more.

*Post includes PR sample*

Smiggle Stationary: New Website and Discount Code

I have always been a little bit of a stationary fanatic and I get seriously excited about buying new notepads and pens. I love writing as I am sure you can tell from my blog, and one of my favourite pastimes, as silly as it sounds, is writing by hand in a pretty notepad with cute stationary!

Smiggle are a popular Australian stationary brand, who came to the UK last Year. I absolutely love their cute, quirky and unique collections, and I even included their products in my last Christmas gift guide. 

Smiggle's new transactional website is launched Today (23^rd March 2015), so of-course this is big news for all stationary lovers out there! 

I also have a pretty cool discount code for you all, which is valid to use from the 23rd March up until the end of March. Just enter the discount code UKBLOGGER20 at the checkout to receive a generous 20% off your order!

You can see below some of the gorgeous items that Smiggle sell. Some of my personal favourites are the milk carton pencil case and the scented stickers! There really is something for everyone at Smiggle!

  

*Post includes PR samples. All views my own*

Get Britain Writing! #NSW

I have been sharing some posts in the past few Weeks talking about my thoughts on the importance of writing and my love of stationary. This is in celebration of National Stationary Week; a Week which encourages and promotes us to get writing by hand and all things stationary related. It is so important to continue writing by hand; something I am sure a lot of us are guilty of neglecting as the internet and computers are now a huge influence on our lives.

Today I am thinking of ways we can get Britain Writing - have you any suggestions?
Here are a few ideas I have come up with:

• Writing letters to distant relatives and old friends
• Sending postcards
• Writing a sentence every day on what has made you happy on a small piece of paper and store it in a jar 
• Writing a list of things you want to achieve this Year
• When you wake up, write about your dreams and look into what they mean

Can you think of anymore? Be sure to let me know and I will add your ideas to the list!

As it is nearing National Stationary Week, I thought I would share with you a pretty nifty piece of stationary. This is the Kokoyu Stapeless Staper! Instead of clipping your paper together with staples which are difficult to remove, this cool piece of stationary creates a special fold in the paper ensuring it is all kept together, with just one punch! 

Why is writing important to you?

Have you any suggestions on how to get Britain writing?

*I was kindly sent this product,

 however I was not asked to feature it on my blog.*

Why Writing Matters To Me #NSW

I have always really enjoyed writing. I still remember some of my first experiences in writing; from learning to form letters, and then learning to write sentences. It is something I have always really enjoyed to do from being a child - I would spend hours jotting down stories on large notepads, I had such a big imagination back then! 

Handwriting is still something I try to do as often as I can; sure, we all have computer devices now which make life a little easier sometimes, but there is nothing better than being able to sit and jot your thoughts down by hand. Since finishing my education a few Years ago, I have found handwriting to become less and less of a requirement in my life like it was when I was younger. I am trying my best to embrace the pen and paper and continue to take time out from the computers and write by hand!

It is pretty amazing when you think about the ability some of us have of being able to read and write - something we may take for granted in day to day life. I think handwriting is important and it really matters to me that it continues to be present in our lives - writing by hand shows our imagination, our individuality, and our personality. 

27th April sees the beginning of National Stationary Week; a Week which encourages and promotes us to get writing by hand and celebrates all things stationary related.  You can get involved by checking out the website, sending more letters, cards, and get writing! 

Cute Cards for Valentines Day

These beautiful cards are available from Made With Love Designs

I love the gift of giving, and really enjoy writing and sending cards to my loved ones. Valentines Day is on its way now, so I couldn't resist to get writing some special messages inside these beautiful Made With Love Designs Valentines Day cards. I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of the cards - both of them being handmade. I would recommend having a look at Made With Love's website as they stock not only beautiful stationary, but a variety of other products such as gifts and interiors, too.

The Eye Chart Card is my absolute favourite. I love the modern touch, but it is also very sweet and sentimental, too. I like cards that are that little bit different to something you might find on the high-street, and this is definitely a card I would like to receive and keep forever. The quality of the card is fantastic, it feels like it has been crafted with a lot of thought and care. You are able to personalize both the front and the inside of the card which I think is a really great idea if you wanted to add a personalise touch.This handmade card costs just £3.50, which I feel is good value for money.

The Scrabble Geometric Blush and Gold Card is another personal favourite; particularly because it is so simple and sweet. The quality of the card is again, fantastic, and the print is really cute. I think the design is very shabby - chic and would great displayed pretty much anywhere in the home - even displayed in a frame. For this card, you are able to personalize the letters of the scrabble letters, for example; you could use yours and your partners initials, a special date or whatever you fancy. You can even use this as a greetings cards if you like, as it has no reference to Valentines Day printed on the card. This card is also left blank inside, but you are able to personalize it and add a message if you so wish.
I have an amazing 30% discount for you all which you can use on the Made With love Designs Website up until the 13th Feb, so get ordering! The code is zoelianne 

Are you sending out any Valentines Day cards this Year?

*This post contains PR Samples. All views are my own.*

Keeping Busy Over Christmas with the little (and big) ones!

Christmas has been and gone, I know, I know, how dare I mention the word? I am still quite sad that the festivities have come to an end. I often think it is fun to do some crafts - or just simple doodling - over the Holidays which keeps the little ones in your life (the adults too!) pretty busy and content. 

This Christmas was a lot of fun spending it with all of my family, but sometimes it is difficult to choose a board game or party games which are appropriate for everyone as we all vary in age, so it was great to do some doodling and make up our own games by just using some paper and crayons! Lets be honest - we are all partial to a bit of doodling at any age, which is great as we could get the whole family involved in some 'Christmas Doodle Contests!'. Here are a few of our pictures below!

We were kindly supplied with a pack of crayons* from Maped  This set is the Color'peps Smoothy, which includes 12 crayons in all different colours..The watercolor crayons are chunky and really easy to grip onto. They are great quality and last really well, even when making some big scribbles! 

Did you play any games with the family over Christmas?

*This post includes a product I was sent to feature. All opinions my own.*

Christmas Gift Ideas for Her: £20 and Over

Smiggle Advent Calendar | Trisori Bracelet | The Rose Box | Amethyst 9k Yellow Gold Earrings 

You may have noticed it has gone a little Christmas crazy on my blog as of late. Not to worry, normal beauty and lifestyle blogging will resume soon! I am absolutely crazy about Christmas and love to get inspiration early, so today I am sharing with you a handful of gifts over £20 which I feel would be lovely for any lady in your life.

I love the idea of a Advent Calendar with a twist. I don't have a chocolate Advent Calander in December anymore, but I love the idea of different types of them, such as this one from Smiggle. I love stationary and am a bit of a geek so this is definitely something I would love as an early gift! I would love to open each door to a new little stationary must - have every day, so anyone that is a fan of cute and quirky stationary I am sure will love this. 

This Trisori Bracelet is really pretty and I think it would make a nice gift for any huge jewellery fanatic if they love something quite chunky on their wrist. 

The Rose Box is something a little different for a gift, which is what drew me to it in the first place. The box holds a shrub rose ready to plant in the garden, as well as a bottle of rose water and a jar of rose petal jam. I think this would be an ideal gift for a couple, a parent or grandparent.Giving a gift of a beautiful plant of flower will be something that person can enjoy and watch grow, and will always remember you by. 

An absolutely beautiful pair of earrings that i feel would make a great gift this Christmas are these Amethyst Yellow Gold beauties. I absolutely love Amethyst and think a gift like this would be something to cherish, and that stays classic forever.

Beautiful Personalised Posters From Paper Themes

Thanks Dad Poster

by Paper Themes

I recently discovered a fantastic website called Paper Themes. They specialize in Wedding stationary, gifts, and accessories, as well as a lot of personalised products too. 

As it is coming up to Fathers Day, I thought I would show you how beautiful their personalised posters are. 

I opted for this lovely 'Thanks Dad'* poster which I know my Dad will adore. Parents really love personal touches to gifts, as it shows the extra special thought put into them - I am sure anyone in your family would adore something like this to live in their home. 

You can personalise the posters text to whatever you like, making it a very special piece as there would be no other in the World like yours! 

Paper Themes are really helpful, as after payment you email them directly with your personalised information - which means it will be created exactly as you wish. The product comes very well packaged too; in a circular tube with tissue paper covering the poster. Paper Themes take extra care ensuring your product arrives safely to your door.

I think the Personalised Posters make a fantastic gift for a family member or friend, or even a unique touch to add to your own home. The poster can become the focus point in the room, as it is unique and an interesting piece that you know all your visitors will love. The posters would look stunning in a frame, surrounded by family photographs as it would tie it all together.

The poster itself is glossy and has a lovely finish to it, making it look fantastic and sophisticated. The quality of the paper is brilliant and the print on the poster looks exactly as it does on the Paper Themes website.  

I would definitely recommend Paper Themes if you are looking for beautifully made personalised items as they take such extra care to ensure your product is exactly how you want it to be.

Visit Paper Themes website here, where you too can discover many other of their stunning personalised products that would compliment any home.

www.paperthemes.co.uk