After the success of the August OwlCrate box, I decided to order the September one. The theme sounded great, and I loved the artwork on the September spoiler card from the last box. This wasn’t as big a hit as August’s. I am excited to read this month’s book (and it is gorgeous), and there are some great items. But I’m not as familiar with the books the items are based on, and some of them I just won’t use.
First up we have the autumn installment for the 2021 Reading Through the Seasons Drinkware collection. It is a ceramic travel mug designed by Macarena Chomik, and the quote is from an Emily Brontë poem! Naturally, that makes it one of my favorite items in the box. I like the design a lot, and it’s quite useful. My only wish is that the design incorporated Brontë’s name so it was obvious who the quote is from.
The next item is two magnetic picture frames inspired by The Beautiful and The Shadows Between Us and made by Riddle & Ravens. I’m not familiar with these books at all, and I don’t see myself getting any use out of these. As a teenager, I would have loved them. They would have been framing pictures of me and my high school boyfriend in my locker. But as someone closing in on thirty, I just can’t see putting these on my fridge. I’m on the lookout for someone who would enjoy them so they don’t go to waste.
This is by far the most beautiful item in the box. This calligraphy kit is inspired by Stalking Jack the Ripper, a book I’ve heard of but haven’t read. The quote is from the book, and the box design is done by Luminaries by Little Rock. It’s so, so gorgeous! The aesthetic is just perfection. Unfortunately, I have awful handwriting, so I don’t know how much use I’ll set out of it. If I can find some appropriately sized letter stencils, I may use it to address my wedding invitations. Or maybe I’ll pay my maid of honor to do them and just take pictures while she does. She has nice handwriting. 😆
This is the item from the spoiler card: a coaster set designed by Lichen and Limestone. The quotes are from Vampire Diaries, Crimson Peak, a Pablo Neruda poem, and Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. The designs are lovely, and I adore the Neruda quote (thank you, OwlCrate, for introducing me to a new poet). But I wish the set were more bookish. There are so many books and poems that match the theme, yet they went with quotes from a movie and a TV show. I don’t know. 🤷♀️ That being said, coasters are useful, and I’ll be putting them out when we have company.
I nearly died when I saw a Wintersong themed item on the spoiler card! It’s my favorite fantasy book. And then I opened the box to find it…empty. It was a bit awkward. But luckily OwlCrate has create customer service. They responded to me immediately and shipped it right out. This wood page holder was made by Juniper and Ivy Designs, and it’s beautiful. I don’t actually get how it’s supposed to work, but I’m probably going to turn it into a decorative object anyway. Or maybe hang it on a chain and wear it as a pendant? I don’t know. But I love it.
This gorgeous pin by Icey Designs features the standard light source of all Gothic heroines: the candle. I love this even more than the pin from last week. Look at the flame!
And time for the book itself: Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone. I’ve actually seen this book around a lot on Tumblr and GoodReads since it’s been released. But I never added it to my TBR because I didn’t really like the cover (petty, I know). But damn, this exclusive cover is gorgeous! There is no dust jacket, just this stunning foil on the hard cover. I love it, and I can’t wait to read it.
The letter from Lyndall Clipstone features some delightfully creepy art on the reverse side. She calls the book “a love letter to the girl I was at 17” and cites some of her inspirations, including David Bowie’s Goblin King in Labyrinth. I think Clipstone’s 17 year old self and my 17 year old self would have gotten along famously.
And the spoilers for the October box. The theme is Wield Your Blade, and each box will include a candle from Flick the Wick. I’m not planning to buy it. The theme doesn’t sound up my alley, and while I love a good candle, I can’t light them because I have naughty cats that would knock them over. I’ll be looking forward to seeing other people’s unboxings though!
A Literary Princess 