La Buena Vida

Brand: Hardie Grant Books: A Piece Full Puzzle

Pieces: 1000
Size: 68.5cm x 48cm
Product Code: -

Today I felt like putting up a puzzle that was relaxing, and reminded me of summer days at the beach with good food and friends, so this was the obvious choice!

This illustration, by Ana Hard, ticks all the boxes for a wonderful scene. 

I don't have much time to write today, but just know that the quality was wonderful, the piece fit was perfect and the colours are vibrant. 

I've really enjoyed the puzzles I have done from this brand so far and will continue to do them as I find them!

Speakeasy

Brand: Anatolian

Pieces: 1000
Size: 48cm x 66cm
Product Code:  1058

I'm a bit late off the mark posting today, but I got there in the end! 

Today's puzzle is one that stood out to me as soon as I saw the design- I was captivated by the colours, cool illustration and the general appeal of the image. How interesting is this design?!

I thought I'd put this one up today as a celebration of all things music- so many artists have announced shows that are coming to Australia, and so many tickets have been released- I can't wait for live music to start back up again!

The above puzzle was wonderful quality and I really enjoyed putting it together- I have yet to find an Anatolian puzzle I dislike :)

Sweet Smiles

Brand: Road Crates

Pieces: 1000
Size: 50.8cm x 71cm
Product Code:  PZAR-0002

It looks like we're going through a phase of 'food' days! Last week I put up a picture of a burger puzzle to celebrate International Burger Day, and today I'm doing the same thing to commemorate National Doughnut Day (which was yesterday in Australia). 

I've put up puzzles of donuts in the past so this time I thought I'd put up one that I recently completed which features a donut centre stage, and some other sweet treats as well! 

This design is by Jerrod Maruyama, and is from the Road Crates brand. It was the first time I had completed a puzzle from this brand and I was quite impressed with the quality. There was no puzzle dust, and the pieces fit together perfectly. I have also bought two others by the same artist from this brand (which are equally as cute) and hope to get them done sometime soon. 

I love kawaii characters and this puzzle was a real treat to do. 

Coffee Lover's

Brand: Ridley's Jigsaw Puzzles

Pieces: 500

Size: 35cm x 50cm
Product Code:  JIG-039

This post is going up a lot earlier than any I've put up in recent times! Baby was very unsettled during the night and decided that 5.55am was the perfect time for a feed this morning! It wouldn't be so bad except I've gotten used to getting up between 7am and 7.30am for her usual feed and the early start has messed with me... 

Which is why I thought it would be fitting to put up the above puzzle about a beverage I've come to rely on! 

I've always liked the taste of coffee and enjoyed drinking it, but never thought that the caffeine had much of an effect on me. I could drink it (except later at night) and not worry that it would keep me up. In fact, I used to scoff at the people who said they couldn't function without their coffee in the morning! 

All of that has now changed. I was obviously just not tired enough for the coffee to not have an effect on me. Now I know what tiredness is, caffeine comes as a welcome relief- I look forward to it now, not just for the taste, but for the boost it gives me in the mornings. Who would have thought? 

This puzzle from Ridley's Jigsaw Puzzles was fun to do. It was interesting to see just how many coffees they could list, and read what was in it and how they 'look'. The box it comes in is even in the shape of a coffee bean bag! Very original.

It seems the humble coffee bean has a lot of variations when brewed! The puzzle quality was OK- there were a few pieces where the image had peeled off the backing a bit- but it fit together well. I've had this problem with other Ridley's puzzles so it seems to be the norm.

Despite this little manufacturing glitch, I'm sure that any coffee lover will adore this puzzle. It might even provide some inspiration for their next coffee fix. How many on this list have you tried?

Gin Lover's

Brand: Ridley's Jigsaw Puzzles

Pieces: 500

Size: 35cm x 50cm
Product Code: JIG040

You know how sometimes you don't miss something until it's gone? That's me at the moment- with alcohol. 

Since becoming pregnant, I have obviously had to stop drinking alcohol, and while I never drank a whole lot anyway, it was nice to be able to have a drink when I felt like it. 

Gin was my alcohol of choice just before I fell pregnant and this puzzle reminds me of what I'm missing out on. My husband has been very sweet to me, buying sparking apple and grape juices and serving them to me in a wine glass when he's been having a whisky or some other drink, but it's just not the same. 

Oh, well, nothing to be done about it till after the baby's here. In the meantime, I will have to settle for doing puzzles of alcohol, like the one above.  

Although the design of the above puzzle is very cool, I was disappointed with the quality of the pieces. Many were peeling, with the design coming away from the cardboard backing. I have seen this with several puzzles from this brand unfortunately. Besides that, the puzzle was quite pretty (as well as informative). It came in cylinder packaging, with a reference poster. I know there are a few puzzles similar (whisky, etc) and despite the quality, I think I'd still like to try them..