and finally…
Images 1,2,3,& 6 via Pinterest: All the rest – please click through for source
Category Archives: Photos
D.I.Y. Advent Calendars
Would you like to get your children & family members even more excited about Christmas than ever?? Well an Advent Calendar is definitely the way to go! But if you’re looking for something different from the standard supermarket version (although it’s hard to knock something that gives you a chocolate a day!), here are some creative and inspiring alternatives for the Christmas Countdown…
[ Click through all images for the original source & more info, instructions, printables etc where available.]
A Christmas Advent Garland
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A Christmas Advent Garland Made of Cute Baby Socks
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A Santa Sack Advent Calendar
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Beautiful brown paper envelopes with vintage images
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Paper Packages!!
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Origami Advent Calendar
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Book Advent Calendar
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Ornament Advent Calendar
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Advent Tree
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Advent Activities (bottom image = printable)
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Christmas Advent Jar
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Santa’s Beard Advent Calendar (printable)
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Santa’s Beard Advent Calendar Version 2 (also printable)
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An Advent Calendar for Mum and Dad??
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Happy Christmas Countdown everybody!
Hello Spring!
So after a pretty short (but for some days a very sharp!) winter, we are now officially 6 days into spring. And it’s started out so well with lovely sunny days and crisp mornings. The perfect time for all things new…
Like some new clothes maybe…
SPRING FASHION INSPIRATION
This is just for inspiration mind you… that Gucci handbag is over $6000 NZD!!
(this selection’s a steal, with the Miu Miu handbag only $1170 NZD (lol!!)
Add the perfect tint of pink for the nails
or pale blue
And that’s you all set!
Except some new bits and pieces around the house would be nice too…
SPRING HOME DECOR FRESHEN-UPS
The Lettered Cottage is the perfect blog for the fresh, clean decorating style that really suits spring. If you click through the image, their blog post has some great tips and ideas for home decoration (on a budget too!)
And some lovely spring flowers sprinkled around the house are always a real pick-me-up…
But if your house is like ours, before you get into the fun of flowers and homewares you might need to do a little bit of SPRING CLEANING (ugh).
If only the laundry looked this good, I might be more inspired to get on and clean (not really true – but I do like the laundry!)…
If you needed it – here’s some inspiration for cleaning the kitchen (SO sparkly!)
And some for the bedroom too…
Plus here’s one handy spring cleaning tip that doesn’t seem too hard – and apparently helps you get that well-deserved good night’s sleep…
(Easy instructions for a clean, fresh mattress from Make it Do).
But if you can’t be bothered with any of that, there’s always the alternative…
Or, even better, get someone else to do it… (and you gotta admit he looks like he’s enjoying it:)
Spring is also a good time to indulge a little of your OCD and get into some serious ORGANISATION (or at least enjoy looking at pictures of things that are really organised!)
Like these tidy desks…
Don’t you wish you could live like that?!
And of course we couldn’t do a blog post without mentioning FOOD…
Spring means fresh greens and perhaps some pastel treats…
Spring Minestrone soup from simplyrecipes.com.
And aren’t these Macarons the perfect shades for spring?
Plus, who can resist lemony cupcakes…
And finally, at The Paper Package we have recently added some gifts that have that lovely spring feel…
Like these Dandelion Fliptop Notecards from New York stationery company, Galison:
Or this lovely gift for women, the Dandelion Gift Set featuring a weekly organiser in the same design…
Or this cute Retro Housewarming Gift Box…
Or finally, the popular Little Paper Package No. 2
Happy Spring everyone!
Photo Friday – Befores and Afters
Don’t you just love before and after transformations? There’s something really magical about seeing things change. Becoming different but kind-of the same (and usually better than before).
I think it’s part of the appeal of reality TV shows like “The Block” (Prime 7.30pm weeknights). Apart from all the drama going on with the contestants, the fun part is seeing the transformation from wreck… to room…
BEFORE:
AFTER:
But away from reality-TV-land, real people are doing the same kind of thing…
BEFORE:
and AFTER:
And it’s not just whole rooms… it furniture too!
BEFORE:
AFTER:
From broken and blah:
BEFORE:
To stylish and stunning:
AFTER:
And how about these for some great before and after ideas… from an unloved, unfashionable pieces of furniture to wonderful new toys…
BEFORE AND AFTER:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Of course people transform too:
BEFORE AND AFTER:
and places:
BEFORE AND AFTER:
Shanghai 1990 and 2010
And pie ingredients change into pies:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
But sometimes things were better before:
Like before you lost somebody you loved…
Like the painting before the posing…
AFTER AND BEFORE:
And sometimes before and after is just scary!!!
Images 3-10, 11-13, 15-16 via Pinterest (click through “after” pictures for links to original authors)
Images 1&2 from channelnine.ninemsn.com.au
Image 13 from Dear Photograph (click through for link)
Mid-Winter Christmas in July
RECIPE FOR A MID-WINTER CHRISTMAS PARTY
Start with some wintery weather:
Snow on the Beach (Christchurch, 25 July 2011)
Snow in the Garden (Christchurch, July 25 2011)
Invite your family:
And/or your friends:
Light the Fire:
Set the table:
Spice up some nuts:
Sweet and Savoury Spiced Nuts (from notwithoutsalt.com - click through for recipe)
Mull some wine:
Mulled Wine (click through for recipe - or just buy ready-made at the supermarket and heat up:)
Don’t forget to put the Tegal Turkey Roll in the oven:
Turkey Roll with Cranberry Stuffing (& yummy little sausages wrapped in bacon - click through for recipe)
or the roast veges:
Play some games:
While you steam some pudd:
Sticky Pudding (click through for Ruth Pretty's fab sticky banana puddings with caramel sauce recipe - deliciousness!!)
Or whip up some Egg-Nog Cupcakes:
Egg Nog Cupcakes from annies-eats.net (click through for recipe)
Or assemble something for the kids:
Snowman Cupcakes from meetthedubiens (click thru for Instructions)
ISN’T THIS WEATHER JUST THE BEST EXCUSE TO START A WONDERFUL WINTER TRADITION?
Oh… and if you did want to add a gift or two… we know just the place to look:
Winter Gift Guide - The Paper Package
Slow Work Day : Distracted by Decals
Vinyl wall decals make a great gift idea – or an easy winter “spruce-up” for your home. Forget messy paint and stencils, these are quick to put up and removable once you’ve grown tired of them. They would make a great gift for people flatting or renting, or for kid’s rooms (where their interests are likely to change every couple of years).
And the selection available nowadays is so great…
FOR THE KITCHEN:
Chocolate - A Scientific Breakthrough (approx $44.00 NZD incl. postage from US)
This Month... (approx $96.00 NZD incl. postage from US)
FOR THE LAUNDRY:
Sorting Out Life (approx $42.50 NZD incl. postage from US)
Classic Kiwi Clothesline ($120.00 + courier delivery)
FOR THE LOUNGE:
Family Tree (approx. $115.00 NZD incl. postage from US - you supply family name & colour scheme)
In This House... (approx. $80.00 incl postage from Canada)
Vintage Family Name (approx. $50.00 NZD incl postage from US - you supply name)
Birds on a Wire (approx. $38.00 NZD incl postage from US - you can specify width)
A Different Drummer (approx. $74.00 incl postage from US)
FOR KIDS ROOMS:
Woodland Friends (approx $182.00 NZD inc. postage from Singapore)
Definition of a Boy (approx. $36.00 incl postage from US)
Alphabet ($30.00 incl delivery within NZ)
P.S.
Click on images to be taken through to websites for further details.
We don’t sell any of these products, and aren’t associated in anyway with the shops/products included – we just like what we see!!
Bored Games
One of the first things that a weekend of wet, winter weather can make you think of is board games. Not that actually playing board games is all that great – it’s more the IDEA of playing them that appeals. Sitting around with family or friends, all cozy, having fun. Unfortunately most times that turns out to be a bit of a nostalgic dream… the reality is more like tantrums, up-turned boards and cards flying everywhere, a scrabble board full of 3 & 4 letter words that are impossible to build on and the endless time-stretching monotony of monopoly!
But, despite this, you have to love them…
Do you remember these…
Ludo
And remember how MAD it made you to get landed on just as you were about to get into home?
Stratego
Aww, Stratego. Just one question… why?
and Mystery Date!! (1972 edition)
Do you know that these are collectable nowadays? So if you’ve got one sitting around in a cupboard or at the bach don’t throw it out because people will actually pay real (not monopoly) money for it.
Where do you keep yours?
Board games also mean hours spent looking for lost pieces – or the rules – so it’s better if they’re organised…
Bookcase
In a bulging board game bookcase?
Cupboard
Or in a dedicated cupboard (like the Royal Tenebaums)
Wall Art
Or on the wall as artworks (this is a great idea for a kids room – and the pieces are kept in a little plastic bag attached to the back of the board – inspired!)
Vintage Box
Or beautifully organised in a beautiful vintage box.
Remix and Recycle
And if you do lose some pieces, or the games get a bit mixed up don’t despair because help is at hand…
Board Game Remix Kit
This is a fantastic gift idea – a board game remix kit from Hide&Seek (http://www.boardgame-remix-kit.com/). Available as an e-book, traditional book and i-phone app – there are also optional new cards to purchase (see the photo immediately below).
The Board Game Remix Kit reinvents, tweaks and mashes-up the staple board game stash of Cluedo, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit & Scrabble.
Or you could always try recycling…
Notebook
or, if worst comes to worst…
Gift Wrapping
You could use the old game boards for some stylish gift wrapping!
Winners and Losers
Here is a current favourite board game…
Spy Alley
It’s great fun (and a great family gift idea). Easy-to-grasp rules, the ability to eliminate players really early on (always makes for more excitement) and best of all, quick to play!
Table Topics "Family Gathering" edition
And this is another favourite that we sell at The Paper Package. The Table Topics : Family Gathering edition is suitable for all ages in the family and makes a great gift idea for the next time you’ve got the extended family together for a meal or other social occasion.
And not so favourites…
A bad, bad gift idea!
According to guyism.com this is one of the “most horrendous board game fails of all time.” It takes all the fun out of the all-ready boring game of golf and puts it on a board for no one to enjoy. You would have to agree that any game that requires you to calculate wind speed & direction can’t be good.
And finally, if food is more your thing then board game fun, take a look at these…
Scrabble Cupcakes
Wonderful and totally worth 8 points! (and if you like these you should also check out their scrabble wedding cake)
All photos via Pinterest (click through for links & credits)
Gift Ideas : Woodland Tales
It’s probably because it’s winter, but we’re really loving woodland themes for gift inspiration & buying decisions this month…
Woodland & Winter Inspired Gift Ideas
We have just had a new arrival of journals and leather gift products arrive from O’Check Design Graphics. I love these products, they’ve got such a great vintage vibe going on… they feel nice as well as looking nice… and they suit the season perfectly.
Added to the website today were these journals…
"Harmony" Library Notebook & O'Check Day Book - Black
These journals make beautiful gifts and really suit vintage-style gift wrapping using tissue, brown paper & twine. They feel like you’re opening up a present from the past!
As well this week we’ve just bought some new “Woodland Tales” knitted toys from Lily & George. These aren’t handmade products, but they kind of feel as though they are with their knitted texture and slightly odd expressions. They haven’t made it onto the website yet… but should be available next week.
Woodland Tales Soft Knitted Rattles
The ONLY issue with them is how on earth does a pink lamb get into a woodland themed animal collection? Strange… but babies probably won’t care & she does have a lovely earnest expression on her face!
Other woodlandy-themed gift ideas that we ♥ …
Felted Wool Squirrel Tea Cozy by fuzzylogicfelt on Etsy
photo from fuzzylogicfelt (etsy.com)
and I don’t even drink tea or have a teapot:)
Handmade Rustic Oak Leaf Tags by peaseblossomstudio on Etsy
Photo via peaseblossomstudio (etsy.com)
These are sold as tags to add to favour boxes for weddings – but they would look great for any winter birthday gift wrapping (or save until Christmas).
Happy Acorn Necklace by marymaryhandmade on Etsy
photo from marymaryhandmade (etsy.com)
The jeweller writes… “The little acorn is happy for now, but has hopes to one day become a big, beautiful oak tree! ” Handmade out of sterling silver, hand detailed, with a matte finish. This could made somebody very happy 
Stags Head Red Tartan Woven Tapestry Cushion Cover Sham by Designer Cushions on Etsy
Photo from designercushions (etsy.com)
These cushion covers are sold on Etsy, made right here in NZ in Matamata. Don’t you love the whole “hunting lodge” vibe. These would look so cozy in your home!
Ruru – An Autumnal Beastie by ellaquaint on Felt
Photo from ellaquaint's shop at felt.co.nz
And every forest needs an owl – so this little Morepork (ruru) adds the perfect touch. From ellaquaint’s shop on Felt, click through the link on image to take a look at their other wonderful birds & beasties!
Tui Brooch by nativecre8ve on Felt
Photo from nativecre8ve's shop at felt.co.nz
Finally, so you can take a bit of the forest with you, a tui brooch made in Rotorua by native cre8ve. These brooches would make a lovely, original gift for $15.00 (including NZ delivery!) Click through the link on the image to visit their shop.
p.s. none of these shops, designers, craftspeople are associated with The Paper Package in any way – I just really like their stuff!
Photo Friday: Wouldn’t You Just Love To…
Get postcards instead of emails sometimes
Have a back porch this beautiful (and tidy)
Answer calls on a pastel telephone
Fill your shelves with vintage bowls
Drink out of pink glasses with striped straws
and ...YES
All photos via Pinterest
