Unboxing Fairytale Forests - Illumicrate October (& September) 2023

[@MeMyshelfAndI]

Not only is the naked hardcover an architecture sketch, but it's likely supposed to be Effy's architecture submission as part of the book plot!

[@MeMyshelfAndI]

After the Forest's naked cover is actually ALSO a reference to Greta's spellbook from the story! So both boxes used the naked cover to reference the plot as a kind of easter egg, which I think is just the best when they do that. Like using Zhara's favourite book as the naked hardcover there.

[@Wanderness]

Oh god this is just so perfect!!

[@brian.montero]

i LIVE for the intro of your videos! "i like to talk about boooooks" ❤️

[@Wanderness]

Forever talking about books!

[@Lifeonasofa]

Illumicrate have done a really great job this year imo. I got the september box and adored absolutely everything. Skipped October as the book didn’t appeal to me but they still smashed the items and redesign! Impressed! Can’t wait for November!

[@Wanderness]

They have absolutely stepped up!

[@ashtrash01]

The journal would be perfect for a bookish junk journal! You can make each page or spread be inspired by your favorite books or book characters or universes, etc. A great way to utilize journals you’re scared to “ruin” or don’t have a definitive use for!

[@Wanderness]

Omg that's such a good idea thank you so much. I'm going to look at Pinterest for some inspo :)

[@Paigeyy1998]

This is what I'm going to do as well!

[@ashtrash01]

@@Wanderness I think it would be super cool to see your progress and your spreads, either here or on another platform! I hope you have the best time doing it!!!

[@Wanderness]

@@ashtrash01 I might revive my instagram for this!!

[@ashtrash01]

@@Wanderness And I’d revive mine to see it 😭

[@meganshultz8909]

Look up bookish bullet journal content, and you'll find a whole new bookish hobby. I love mine and use it everyday. Absolutely beautiful boxes. 😍

[@Wanderness]

Well, this is going to consume my life

[@meganshultz8909]

@Wanderness yea pretty much lol. I always start working on the next year in November and December when I have less going on during the weekdays. Some people do month to month, but I just don't have the patience to wait. 🤣

[@zambookescape]

I dont know why but among all booktuber that have unboxing vids of Fairyloot and Illumicrate Box I always prefer your video. Its so detailed and I just love it

[@Wanderness]

Thank you so much, that's made my day!

[@badfaith4u]

Welcome back. Your unboxing videos are wonderful as always. Taking breaks is essential; your mental health is extremely important.

[@Wanderness]

Thank you 😊

[@Gwenyfith]

I know what you mean about the desk mat! My dad passed early this year and I've skipped doing a bullet journal this year and just kind of floating along, but getting that gorgeous dotted journal in this box felt like it was made just for me to start one.

[@Wanderness]

Aww I'm so so sorry for your loss.I hope you find lots of fun and enjoyment in your bullet journal *hugs*

[@moonflower1616]

Wow, if I had the extra cash I'd definitely get on the waiting list. Super nice items! Also, I totally think you should draw in that book, since you were mentioning that you wanted to draw that type of stuff when you saw the other book. ^^

[@Wanderness]

I might give it a go but I honestly can't even draw stick people 😂

[@RebeccaReads]

You keep dropping hints about vlogs and I am soooooo excited!!!

[@Wanderness]

I do indeed 👀

[@dorkphoenixrising]

The October box blew me away. The only item I'd be okay to miss would be the sword. Everything else was top class. As an aside, I bought 3D floating jewellery/coin stands to display the IC swords - they arrived today and fit really well, easy to use. The red/white/silver sword doesn't fit though as the hilt bit is a tad too wide

[@dorkphoenixrising]

Oh the main thing I found disappointing was no signature. Next month isn't going to be signed either. Hopefully not the new normal!

[@Wanderness]

Great storage idea, I've been looking at letter opener stands!

[@laurensliterarylibrary]

A Study in Drowning looks gorgeous 😍 That desk mat is amazing! Can't believe the items you've got in that October box, very worth the money! I'm currently reading The Prison Healer. I'm enjoying it and feel like I should have read it when I first got it.

[@Wanderness]

I'm actually hoping to read the prison healer before the end of the year!

[@laurensliterarylibrary]

@@Wanderness I'm almost finished with it, and I've really enjoyed it. I hope you do too!

[@LifeWithStefy]

September and October boxes were pretty good and the books are stunning. I love when they do the replica swords and that notebook is just too beautiful to write in 😆

[@Wanderness]

They did SUCH a good job :D

[@megancheang7858]

fav items: are the books of the month. After the Woods artwork vaguely reminds me of the Fairyloot Silver in the Bone but with more detail!

[@Wanderness]

I can see that comparison!!

[@ashleywhite760]

I prefer the October box which is handy cause its the one I got! Though that book pot looks amazing. Excited to see the November box.

[@Wanderness]

Me too, hope November is good!

[@Kenough_in_Wonderland]

A study in drowning is sooo good! Just read it the other week and it's a new all time favourite! 🌊 You could try bullet journaling with the dotted notebook, there's loads of tutorials online.

[@Wanderness]

Oh I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed it, I'm so looking forward to it :)

[@Tschotschi17]

I loved those two books sooo much. The naked Hardback of A Study in Drowning is just lovely and atmospheric. When I unpacked After the forest I just had my le gasp moment. It LOVED that fairy tale overall design theme of that whole book its soooo gorgeous. ^^

[@Wanderness]

I feel like Illumicrate set the bar so high for November's book!

[@AnnabelleFr]

There are these Coin Displays that can be used for the sword replicas and it looks pretty amazing on the shelves. :)

[@JJC91]

Your Illumicrate videos make me so sad about the items I get in my Fairyloot box 😂 What an amazing welcome back after your break though!

[@Wanderness]

I think I might be getting the fairyloot box this month, I forgot to skip!

[@JJC91]

@@Wanderness fingers crossed its a good one! 🤞

[@Brooksie603]

The cover from A Study in Drowning reminds me of The Only One Left by Riley Sager for some reason. Must mainly be the house on the cliff. The pages falling is not quite part of his book but slightly relevant. If you or someone else haven’t read the book I don’t want to get into why I think that. I hate to spoil things for people.

[@Wanderness]

I'm hoping to read it in January :) I get what you mean with The Only One Left!

[@ayragon]

I went out of my way to get that book because the naked hardback is so stunning. This is the second in a very short time that the hardback of illumicrate books has been printed in such a dynamic way. If they are tending in that direction I may need to get on the book only sub.

[@Wanderness]

Theyve done such a good job this year with redesigns :)

[@bookscoffeepassion]

Illumicrate nailed both boxes! I'm very curious about their November box, I hope they keep it up.

[@Wanderness]

Me too! I hope it's as good

[@mariakoszalin]

Amazing boxes indeed!

[@Wanderness]

Some of the best this year!

[@SweeeetLovex3]

I skipped the sept box bc I wasn’t interested in the book but the book pot is perfect. 😍 loved my oct box sm! crazy that we got a deskmat. :o the variety and quality of the items is amazing! I am too thinking about what to do with the journal - maybe for drawing?

[@Wanderness]

I've had so many good suggestions in my comments for the journal. Bullet journals, scrapbooking, making pages for characters/books/worlds I've enjoyed. Endless possibilities ☺️☺️☺️

[@chelsea788]

I loved the October box too!! I’m a teacher so the desk mat made me so happy and was on my desk the next day! How do you store/display the swords? I love them too but also wish they came with stands!!

[@Wanderness]

I've honestly not found a good way to display the swords, I did try little doll stands but they are too top heavy. Have a google of "letter opener stand" there's some cool ones on there that would work well :)

[@bookventures_of_a_wildflower]

I am subscribed to the book only, but changed for September to get the pot (only missing one :( ) The mat i already bought from someone else haha. I was/am in the same spot as you. Just moved and I actually needed a desk mat and this one is beyond gorgeous

[@Wanderness]

Oh no which one are you missing? Haha great timing for us!

[@bookventures_of_a_wildflower]

The celestial observation one XD the one that's impossible to get obviously XD@@Wanderness

[@jadiecakes3241]

aside from the book pot and dagger (which are ALWAYS a win) i really loved the magnet (would love more of those) and the notebook and desk mat. My only problem with the mat is i already use a big eevee one and do i want to swap them.... haha also heads up, look for the game card mats! both books are gorgeous, and really well designed, and i cant wait to read them! I just finished two cursed crowns and started a curse for true love. wait till you see fairyloot oct ya if you got it!! the THEME!!!!!!

[@Wanderness]

Game card mats??? Omg I'm about to go down a rabbit hole. What did you think of cursed Crowns, was it as good as the first book? I have it to read this winter :) I still don't know if I'm getting FL YA or not, it hasn't arrived so maybe not 😂

[@jadiecakes3241]

@Wanderness it was so good!! Im not sure I'd say it was as good as book 1, but it still had a fantastic ending. And I loved the last line. It will stay with me for a bit! My ya hasn't arrived either but I can't help myself and look at spoilers all the time haha!! And yessss the mats for like pokemon etc!! They are huge! Some people reckon they don't work as great for the mouse, but I havnt had a problem with my eevee one!

[@RebeccaReads]

I think the only thing I really miss from the book boxes is the book pots 😂

[@Wanderness]

There's only so many you need too!

[@lessariel914]

i do worry that with the october quality that nov or dec will be disappointingly cheap. the journal is going to be next years reading log for me. tracking best book of month and reading challenges etc.

[@Wanderness]

Me too but I just have to remember about these boxes and I'll be chill

[@gusgusmommy2896]

How much is it to subscribe?

[@happy2bits]

I got the IL after the Forest book and my design is completely off centre. It looks terrible. I emailed them and they said it’s within spec. I’m actually really annoyed because it bothers me a lot!!

[@Wanderness]

No way!! That's such a bummer, can't believe they wouldn't replace

[@GM-tu7di]

The second book is not interesting to me at all

[@toospanish21]

It makes me so happy when you’re happy with what you get 🥹🤍 I also really enjoyed my boxes 🫶🏻

[@Wanderness]

I'm so pleased you liked them 😀