Isobello Vintage: Vintage Curiosity Box | Etsy Store Review

Of all the parcels that have come through my letterbox recently, this Isobello Vintage Curiosity Vintage box is my absolute favourite. I think what I like most about this mystery box is that shortly after I purchased it, I got a message from Isobel asking what kind of things I like. I told her that my favourite colour is blue and that I like flowers, nature, and that my favourite thing in the world is dream catchers. 

As you can see from the items below, you can see that she got it perfectly right. 

This package was just £14.

When I pulled everything out of the envelope, I was so excited to see that all the different items are individually wrapped. It makes it like Christmas!

As an avid scrapbooker, I was over the mood to see a pack of vintage papers. I love stuff like this because it just gives my scrapbook pages that little bit something extra. I also love the vintage keys. I definitely think I can come up with a great piece of art with the keys.  

I love things like this! I have a few books like this already, so I'm seeing a new collection starting! 

This necklace is my favourite thing in the box. It combines all my favourite things: blue, dream catchers and nature. I can see this becoming a staple in my wardrobe!

When I was messaging Isobel, I expressed concern about rings not fitting over my large knuckles. So the fact that she found me a ring that's adjustable (and it does fit!). I love the little note she put in about what the ring actually is and I love it. It's nothing like anything I already own and I think that it'll be a great addition to my collection.  

Again, another cute little note giving more information about what's included in the parcel. I do find things like crystals fascinating, and I love this myth about it being dragon fire! 

Overall, I absolutely love his box of treasures. You can get different subscriptions for the boxes through her Etsy store. If I wasn't trying to save spending money for my holidays I would sign up for a subscription immediately! 

I just want to end on saying thank you to Isobel. You made me one happy bunny! 

My Favourite Christmas Story

Many moons ago, I lived in Holland. I was 5 years old when we moved back to the UK, following the birth of my little brother. The few memories I do have, which could just be from watching old family movies, are some of the funniest, happiest Christmas memories I have. Since then, the story of how the Dutch celebrate Christmas has always fascinated me.

I looked the story up here and here, just to make sure I got my facts right. The first thing that you should know, is that Santa Claus originated from Sinterklaas, and not the other way round like you might think. 
When the Dutch settlers arrived in America, they brought with them the legend of Sinterklaas. The first church on Manhattan island was actually dedicated to Sinterklaas. When the British took control of "New Amsterdam" in 1664, they merged the British Father Christmas and the Dutch Sinterklaas to create Santa Claus. You can read more about how Santa Claus came about here. 

So who is Sinterklaas? Well, the story of Sinterklaas comes from a real man, by the name of Nicholas Sinterklaas, who was born in the 4th century. There is very little know about him, other than he was a Bishop, and he loved children. There are lots of stories that were told about Sinterklaas that can be found by a quick Google search. On the last weekend of November  (St. Nicholas' day is on the 6th December) every year, Sinterklaas arrives in Amsterdam, from Spain (where he lives for the rest of the year) by steamboat. Sinterklaas usually is sitting on a white horse called Amerigol, wearing his red Bishop robes, accompanied by Zwarte Piet (Black Peter). This arrival is usually shown on television, and thousands of people turn up to greet him. 

Zwarte Piet (pronounced zvarta peet) is Sinterklaas's helper, and is said to keep a list of all the good and bad children. Zwarte Piet will scoop up any bad children and put them in a sack to take away with them.  He has been the cause of conflict recently, with many people saying that he is a black slave, and when people are dressing up as him, they are "blackfacing", however many other people argue that he is black because he is covered in soot. Either way, I think it is political correctness gone mad as it is such an old tradition, why argue to change it now! Zwarte Piet are notoriously mischevious and will often be seen throwing sweets and pepernoten (gingerbread cookies) at people!

On the evening of the 5th, children place their clogs outside their doors filled with carrots for Sinterklaas's horse, in the hope that he will fill the clogs with sweets and small gifts. Then on the evening of the 5th, they might here a knock on the door and find a sack of presents outside your door!

I know that there are many other Christmas stories out there, but I love the tale of the journey they make from Spain, the travelling around Holland and my favourite thing is that kids put their clogs outside and they get filled with sweets.