I’ve had so much fun with blogger collaborations recently – two with with Hello Bexa (here and here) and one with Jordanne from The Life of a Glasgow Girl (here). So when Lydia from Mademoiselle Women asked if I’d like to do one with her, of course I said yes, please. Because we’re both busy girls, and because looking after ourselves comes bottom of our lists, if at all, we decided to go for a self-care themed box swap.
Self-care blogger box swap
I’m not sure when I first became friends with Lydia but we’ve known each other for a while. She’s an Autism Advocate and her blog is a mix of reviews, articles, interviews, and events. Most excitingly, she recently qualified as a journalist, whoop, whoop! And I’ve loved reading her engaging pieces for various magazines and publications.
Lydia and I set a budget of £10 because we like a challenge, haha! When I opened my box, I was intrigued by an envelope marked “Instructions”. Not only had Lydia chosen some lovely items, she’d also given me some ideas on why, and how to use them too.
Notebook and pen
I still remember the thrill of being told my handwriting was neat enough to graduate from pencil to ink pen at school. So imagine how excited I was to see a real fountain pen in my box. And with purple ink too, my favourite colour, which matches the BLOC London pocket-sized little notebook (because you can never have too many of these, can you?)
Here are Lydia’s instructions to me:
“Words are powerful; more often than not they have a negative impact, ie, we are more likely to remember something critical, it’s just how our brain works. But we can reclaim our power over them! Here’s a challenge to improve your self-care: for a month, write down a daily gratitude list.”
Isn’t this the loveliest instruction to receive? So, here’s the first page in my gratitude journal:
Bath time
I’m aware this is an unpopular opinion but I don’t like Lush products (or the hassle the staff are made to give any unsuspecting individual who enters their shops). Flora and I much prefer Bomb Cosmetics, and this little She Sells Seashells bath melt smells gorgeous. My daughter shares many of my things but this is one gift she certainly won’t be getting her hot little paws on.
Lydia gave me some instructions again:
“Shut yourself off once in a while, draw a bath, use the melt, and read a book.” I promise I will do this – maybe when Flora’s at a sleepover…
Nail time
As a gardener, I don’t tend to wear much nail polish because it rarely lasts. That said, Kiko nail polishes are some of the best I’ve tried and purple is my favourite colour. I’ve not worn blue before but Flora has, so I imagine she’ll be “sharing” that bottle with me 🙂
Lydia’s instructions for these treats prove just how well she knows me:
“Your blog talks a lot about gardening. I worry about your hands! These polishes from Kiko are so chip resistant, just remember to take care of your hands.”
Final thoughts on my self-care box
Bearing in mind our budget of just £10, I’m completely bowled over by what Lydia has collated for me. I love everything, and most especially her reasons for choosing what she did and her instructions for my self-care. Honestly, it just goes to prove that self-care isn’t about money, it’s the little things and the thoughts behind them. Thank you so much, Lydia, I’ve absolutely loved collaborating with you this month, I really hope you like what I chose for you as well!
How lovely!
(I’d write this with my own fountain pen (purple, and filled with Tender Purple Watermans ink) if I could!)
Thank you, Mary! And that ink sounds wonderful 🙂 x
This is wonderful. I love the fact Lydia included instructions, it’s such a sweet and simple touch. Also, the nail polish addict in me is lusting after those colours right now – they are GORGEOUS! I’m intrigued to see what you got for her, so I’m off to have a look. ? Great collab!
I know, I loved her instructions, they were so thoughtful and she knows me so well, haha! xx
This is so lovely! I love the care and attention that’s gone into the box, and that it’s really personalised to you and what you might want to do for self care. This has given me that jolt of inspiration to make these for friends for Christmas – useful, and really can be done on a budget!
Cordelia || cordeliamoor.com
She was so thoughtful, I’m very lucky 🙂 And what a great idea for Christmas gifts, you’ve got me thinking now too! xx
This is such a lovely box of self-care treats! Everything is so thoughtfully chosen and I really love the instructions for each item, so sweet! The gratitude journal is a fab idea and a nice way to focus on the positives everyday. A blank notebook can be daunting so I really like how Lydia has suggested how to use it plus the purple pen is beautiful too. I hope you enjoy your much deserved pamper time. I’m off to check out Lydia’s post now. Wonderful post Lisa! <3 xx
I know, I’m so lucky, Lydia is so thoughtful and she knows me very well! I can’t wait to use the bath melt (probably this weekend) and have some time off, the box couldn’t have arrived at a better time 🙂 xx
This looks like such a fun blogger collab and so thoughtful too! Such a great thing to receive!
Jessica & James
It was so much fun! I love blogger collabs, they’re great! 🙂
How wonderful is this box! It sounds absolutely incredible and such a lovely idea!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
I’m very lucky, she chose some lovely treats! X
This is such a lovely box! I can’t believe she managed to get all that for a tenner, what a lovely gift to receive. I hope you take her advice and have a bit of time to yourself – you deserve it. Plus that nail polish is so beautiful!
Beth x
I think she’s a very savvy shopper, haha. And thank you, I’m intending to have a relaxing weekend now! Xx
HOW was all of this less than £10?! That’s an incredible challenge! I love that she included instructions too, it’s a really nice touch. I need to try the Kiko polishes. My nails take about 30 seconds to chip x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
I know, I was amazed at what she got me too! And I love her instructions, which I intend to follow closely 🙂 xx
This blogger box swap is such a cute idea! I love Kiko and their nail polish are amazing! Those two colors are so perfect!
The budget was a challenge but she’s got me some fabulous stuff, I love it all! 🙂
I absolutely love Lydia, she’s also a pen friend of mine, and we exchange things sometimes too and I have to agree – she always pours so much thought in to everything. I loved everything that she picked for you and I think that she did excellent with the set budget! Great write up too!
Charlene McElhinney (@blogabtnothing1)
She did amazingly well for our budget! And, yes, she’s so thoughtful, I’m very lucky to have her as a penpal too 🙂 x
What a lovely thing to do, bloggers really are the best for supporting one another and when you make real friends that know you so well to do this it’s magic. I love Bomb cosmetics but haven’t seen that bath melt but it looks lovely going to hunt one down! I too love stationery it’s full of possibilities x
Oh I love that, you’re right, I do think Lydia is a little bit of magic. Her drive and talent awes me, I loved this collab, a way of giving a little something back! Xx
Ooh I’m doing a collab with Bexa next month and am so excited! I love reading other peoples! Lydia got some gorgeous bits for £10, and I love the idea of the gratitude journal, I must start one of my own!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
I’ll be watching out for that collab then! I love these blogger swaps, they’re so much fun, perfect gratitude journal fodder! X
This is such a lovely idea! Lydia has clearly put a lot of thought into the gifts. I love that it is focused on self-care too as looking after yourself is so important.
She really has, I can’t wait to use the rest of my bits this weekend 🙂
This is a really lovely idea, and I particularly like the instructions for the journal.
It’s so much fun to do – and, yes, the instructions were a lovely touch! 🙂
This is such a great collab! I love any excuse to show myself some self-care! I love how she gave you instructions – shows a lot of thought went into the box for you! The nail colours are lovely and you know me, notebooks and pens I would love too! I have been loving reading your collab posts! Thank you for sharing lovely ❤️X
Aw, thank you, Lauren! I feel very lucky to have received such gorgeous treats, Lydia is so thoughtful 🙂 xx
ohhhh I LOVE this! You’ve inspired me to do one of these, I love the £10 budget and it seems like your penpal really got creative with what she put in the box – the instructions are a great idea! I definitely agree that you can never have too many notebooks :-). I totally agree – self-care is all about the little things! I’m off to check out what you got Lydia, too!
Kate x
Aw, yay, that’s great! Blogger swaps are soooo much fun, I love finding things for my friends and I always get so excited when I see what they get me. Lydia is so thoughtful, I’m very lucky! X
Your day 1 gratitude is so lovely! 🙂 I tried to keep a gratitude journal once but it didn’t really work for me in the end. I always say what i’m grateful for every day though 🙂 I’m super excited for our collab! xxx
Aw, thank you – this is the first time I’ve tried to keep a gratitude journal too so we’ll have to see how I get on 🙂 And yes, I’m also sooooooo excited for our collab!!! xxx
This is lovely! 🙂 I like how Lydia included instructions with your self care box. Purple is my favourite colour too and I now need that fountain pen in my life!
That fountain pen is wonderful, it writes so smoothly! And yes, Lydia is sooooo thoughtful, I’m very lucky 🙂 xx
Self care is just so important and you’ve both sent each other lovely things 🙂 those nail polishes look so beaut, love the purple colour! Can’t beat a fresh set of nails to feel a little better. That bath melt is also sooo good! Smells amazing and works a treat in the bath! Fab post hun 🙂
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
Aw, thank you! The purple looks beautiful on, although my scraggy nails don’t really do it justice, haha. Can’t wait to use my bath melt when Flora’s not around 🙂 xx
This is such a lovely box, and I can hardly believe everything only cost £10; Lydia managed to get you so many fab things with it. Purple is my favourite colour too, so I’m making major heart eyes at it all!
Amy xx
I know, she’s a very savvy shopper, haha! I’m very lucky! xx
This was such a fun post to read. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
melissakacar.blogspot.com
You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
How sweet Lisa! Love everything included in this box. I like that you and Flora share everything but when it comes to something fav! I am laughing so much. I really wish I had a daughter to do this. But I try to compete with my niece whenever I get the chance haha! Love the nail polishes. The purple one is very pretty. It’s been a long time that I have used a fountain pen though. 🙂
Via | http://glossnglitters.com
Well, it’s not always my choice to share with Flora but that’s daughters for you, haha! I’m loving my fountain pen, it writes so smoothly 🙂 xx
What a fabulous idea – both as a collaboration and perhaps even for Christmas. It’s a very thoughtful and personal gift. I want one!
Tracy xxx
Thank you – and what a good idea for Christmas, you’re right! xxx
Such a cute idea for a swap. Self care is so important.
I’m intrigued by the nail polishes you received. Chip resistant sounds too good to be true!
£10 really doesn’t get you a lot these days, so I’m surprised how much you received.
Really love this idea and I hope you get some time soon to use the bath bomb and have a pampering evening or something. ♥
It really is important, isn’t it? I can report the nail polishes are quite hardwearing (well, the purple one is, I haven’t tried the blue one yet) but I’m still waiting for Flora to be out overnight so I can use the bomb, haha! xx
A self care blog swap sounds like such a nice idea! I love bomb cosmetics too! Lush do some amazing products but they are very expensive! I love the blue nail varnish colour too! The instructions are so sweet. You can tell she has put a lot of effort and thought into it! xx
I love blogger swaps, they’re such fun, both to plan and buy for as well as to receive. And self-care is so important, especially at this time of year. Lydia is super thoughtful, she knows me very well, I’m a lucky girl! xx
I’m so, so glad that you liked the box in the end! Purple was a lucky guess… I must admit I had no idea what your favourite colour was! (Sorry this comment is so, so late; I’m slowly getting back to writing, blogging, freelancing, etc.) Lydia xx
Well, you got very lucky then, I adore purple! And thank you so much again for my lovely treats, I feel very lucky and you know me very well 🙂 xxx
What an exciting box of treats. I love this idea. I’ll admit I feel the same about lush. They really don’t leave you alone do they 😁
I know, going in there feels like such a trial!