I wanted to share with you something I have been working on recently. You may be aware I am a member of a website called Pinup Girl Style. This website it a social site from Pinup Girl Clothing in
One
of my friends from California in America had left the site for a while, when
she came back she had said to me whilst she had been away she had bought me a
few things she had seen that made her think of me and that she wanted to send
them over to me. This was really sweet and thoughtful and it got me thinking
what a lovely thing to think of a friend and buy them something that reminds
you of them, that you know they would like and appreciate. We all know how we
feel when we receive a gift; it’s exciting and makes you happy and smile.
What’s even better than that is giving, to know that someone else’s smiles and
happiness is all because of you is pretty great! I too wanted to send Desilu a
package and it occurred to me that other people on the site may like this idea.
I
decided to create a group on the site called PUG Pals (Pin Up Girl Pals for
those unfamiliar with the term PUG – not like the dog!!). A group to connect
with friends and in a similar way to pen pals have fun sending things, PUG Pals
have more fun and we have enhanced and improved the basic idea of sending and
receiving something from a new friend through the post. This group has flourished
and now has 41 members. What’s great to see are people really getting involved
in the whole idea of the group. There are new people to Pinup Girl Style that
haven’t met people yet who are keen to send surprise gifts to potential new
friends. There are people sending away gifts/care packs to people that may have
already spoken with online or in person. It has really developed to be more
than just a place to send care packs/gifts to friends…it’s so much more. For
example if you have clothing or something of your own you don’t feel like
selling but you know someone else would appreciate you could offer it out to
people or surprise someone with it. If you are trying to get hold of something
in another country, add a discussion on it and a Pal may well be able to help.
If you’re looking to swap something again, pop a discussion up there! You could
see if someone can post you some clothing from overseas along with any other
bits you may be trying to get hold of. You could collect particular items and
may want to see if someone can get hold of something for you. It can be a
simple trade of something like, an English person likes US candy and US person likes English
candy/sweets, so they make each other a parcel up and do a swap! I could just
be a simple letter! Anything really! This has no end to how it can go!
To
make the group more user friendly we created a page that works as an address
book. This is where you enter your full address details so that the PUG Pal
members can find your details and send you potential surprise packages. Also
there may be times when you know something will be coming to you as it may have
been discussed but the address book is there for easy access, especially with
the fact we are all over the world, if you were to request an address from a
friend you may be waiting for a response for some time due to the time
difference. In addition to this we thought as there is an element of people
trying to make new friends you may not know peoples likes and interests yet to
know what to send. A page was created to combat this so that members can add
their likes, hobbies, interests, clothing sizes, etc all in one place. Again
this was for easy access, speed and to give you an insight into someone’s
personality as from that info alone you may realise you have a lot in common
and want to talk/get posting.
You
have to of course take in to account postage costs, to mark packages as gifts,
check the contents as some things you cannot send internationally, pack them
well…all the obvious really.
I
personally have sent x2 packages to America ,
California . I
have really enjoyed collecting things to send to people. My spare room is
slowly filling with boxes and envelopes to post! Below are the 2 packages I
have received myself:
I had received a package from Desilu whom I have become
friends with through Pinup Girl Style. She sent me a beautiful collection of
items and a lovely hand written card with a personal message for me. I was sent
a beautiful glass cupcake that you can lift the lid off. She very kindly sent
me some Miss Jessie’s hair products to try and to cut a long story very short,
she got my some full size products as well as samples (x1 went missing at the
airport due to being packed incorrectly :(...) Also I am a stationery fiend and
received a lovely pack of vintage style cards and little notebook that I love!
Desilu is the first international investor of Appleton Bakery too which is
pretty awesome! My American family and friend Jamie have taste tested my cakes,
even Dita Von Teese had a box I hand delivered to her at her perfume launch
last year however no one has actually invested except my pal Desilu!! You will
also see some very cute summery cupcake cases I will make use of!! The US has
some pretty awesome cases, cake tools, and oh my the sprinkles! I was super
happy to see these in there!! A very cute pair of vintage white gloves that fit
me great! Hopefully I haven't missed anything out. Excuse the picture quality,
not the best photographer and on my phone at that!
I also received a package from Aoife 24K, another friend
made through here. You will see in the photo the white and floral background is
the hair scarf sent to me. Now I have been looking for hair scarves for a long
time! I love them!! Vintage is harder to come by here, even Dita Von Teese will
tell you LA is where to go for Vintage, not England as much. It’s gorgeous and
I've worn it a few times already! What made me giggle is Aoife also sent me
little vintage white gloves! So awesome, and they really did fit....well...like
a glove, perfectly! Now Aoife knows my HUGE vintage love and sent me x2 lovely
broaches, a hair clip and some postcards that were wonderful. Also a bold and
colourful card with a hand written personal message.
These gifts were lovely. What’s so great is how right
they were for me, spot on, we are really getting to know one another with this.
Its funny how when shopping I can see something and think to myself how this
would be perfect for someone I haven't met...and what they have done was
certainly perfect for me!
A HUGE THANK
YOU TO THE LADIES FOR THESE LOVELY GIFTS AND THE TIME AND EFFORT THEY HAVE BOTH
SPENT COLLECTING THESE AND SENDING THEM TO ME.
If
this is of interest and you like the sound of this why not sign up to Pinup
Girl Style yourself?! It’s a great way to meet new people. There are forums,
groups to join, blog boards, discussions to get involved with, chat function.
Also people share their own Pinup Girl Clothing reviews offer all kinds of
advice and support. If pin up is your style then this is one hub for all your
needs! Once signed up its easy to navigate your way around. If you want to join
my group just head to the Groups section and search for PUG Pals and request to
join. If you would like to add me as a friend on there simply search under
members for Leanna Bruce.
xoxo
Fantastic profile on PUG Pals!! And I love it - it is so much fun! I am working on stuff to send out and collecting things as well... It makes life more enjoyable, and going to the mailbox a little more fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd more than happy to be an investor in Appleton Bakery - I have faith in you and can't wait to see what you can do!!!
Much Love!!!