Category: Photography

Halloween celebrations 2025 🎃🎃

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Hi everyone! This UnicornPostbox blog post is a description of my Halloween happenings this year, with accompanying photography.. hope you enjoy! 😄😄🎃🎃

On Monday 27th October, me, my boyfriend Aaron and friends Matty, Robyn, Rosie, Emma, and Emma’s teenage son Lucas attended Yorkshire Wildlife Park for their Spooktacular half-term Halloween event. Dotted around the park were creepy characters and frightful props, stations etc, it was great! 😄 I loved smashing pumpkins, and taking photos of the impressive spooky scenery. Of course, we also had the opportunity to see all the incredible animals. I was particularly excited to see the sea lions, as the last time I visited YWP, they were having essential maintenance on their exhibit. We took some photos of all the amazing animals! 🥰🥰 I liked the giraffes 🦒 and tigers 🐅 most of all 💕

On Tuesday 28th October, I attended the Halloween themed pub painting, with my friend Denise at BRIX coffee house, Doncaster. We both dressed up as witches! 🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️

To start with, we painted a washy white on the canvas, incorporating then blues and yellows. The acrylic paint was glow in the dark, so it looked fantastic in the dark with fluorescent lights! More purple and pink hues were added to the background, and white stars created, with dots and paint flicks, as well as adding a crescent 🌙 moon. The grass was more of a deep blue than green, with white shades for definition. The hardest part was the witch 🧙‍♀️ herself, trying to get her proportions correct. Mine has a sort of an hourglass figure, whilst other people’s were more skinny or more curvaceous ladies. White paint was used once more for body definition, and to depict her wavy hair and crooked witch hat 🧙‍♀️

On Saturday 1st November 2025, me and my boyfriend Aaron and a big group of my friends attended a local pub, The Beverly, for a Halloween fancy dress disco and karaoke party 🥳 Me and Aaron went as Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf 🐺 Everyone complemented us on our outfits, but to be fair, there were some outstanding costumes! It was pretty scary too 😱 as some staff in costumes were chasing people, dressed as like Michael Myers or Art the clown 🤡 Arrghhh! Me and Aaron also went round town afterwards but it was literally dead 😱 Still such an enjoyable evening though!

Thank you as ever for taking the time to read/view 🥰🥰 For my next UnicornPostbox blog post, I am on with a gothic castle diamond  art 💎🎨 and also my first ever punch needle project!

Much love, Lauren xx

© 2025 Lauren Parr / https://unicornpostbox.com

Castleton June 2023

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Hello everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is photos and descriptions of an overnight trip to beautiful Castleton, situated in the heart of the Peak District, with my best friend Robyn, and her mum and dad.. enjoy! 😁

Castleton is so quaint and gorgeous! After having a quick bite to eat, we strolled along the lovely streets and passageways, enjoying and exploring

We ventured up SO MANY steps to reach Treak Cliff Cavern! Even with a little rest on the provided benches uphill, we were absolutely knackered! Then, to our dismay there was even more climbing to do in the cave itself, haha 😭

We did a self guided tour of Treak Cliff, pausing at certain stops to hear via the app a description of the cave and rock formations, I particularly liked seeing Blue John stone and the stalactites and stalagmites!

As we descended the hill, back down to ground level, Robyn reminded me of a little hobbit, haha 😄 My legs were literally shaking with all the exercise! We are not the most active girls, ha!

The hostel we stayed at really surprised me how lovely it was, I didn’t expect it to be at all. It was a large gothic mansion – YHA Losehill Hall, with spacious rooms and stunning surroundings. We freshened up before tea at Ye Old Nag’s Head. I had a beaut mushroom and goats cheese salad (I’m a veggie), but we ended up giving half our garlic bread away as we were stuffed with the massive portions, lol… Back at the hostel, we had a couple of drinks and played the board game Labyrinth and Uno… a veggie full English on the way home the following morning!

I had such a great time, and was completely blown away by the beauty of Castleton. I would love to go again in the future, it’s so picturesque 😍

My next blog post I believe will be an upcycling project for the Children’s Air Ambulance 😊

Thank you as ever for taking the time to read/view my blog.

Many thanks, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

Skegness 31st May 2023

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On Wednesday 31st May, me and my grandma Ruth went on a coach trip, organised by the bingo club, to Skeggy for the day. It was the third time travelling, the two previous years the sun was scorching. This time however it was cloudy but fortunately not raining 🙂🙂

On arrival, we ordered tea, caramel latte and scones with jam and cream at a little cafe 😋 We ventured then around the shops. I bought two new books for myself from The Works, and three teddies for mum; a sloth, dog and hedgehog 🥰 For lunch we went to a gorgeous quaint fish shop, gran had the cod and me mozzarella sticks, chips and salad

Gran was a bit reluctant at first but I persuaded her to come with me to Skegness Aquarium..it was fantastic! There were small sharks and jelly fish, starfish, tropical fishes, blue lobsters, sting rays…and outside there was a dinosaur exhibition! Loads of huge dinosaur statues! A park keeper/enthusiast came at us with a hand held one, great photo opportunity, haha 😄😄 Gran was pleased I’d persuaded her to go, she loved it

To finish off the day, we had a wander around the funfair, and played on 2p machine in the arcades… another quick hot drink, then back on the coach home 🥰🥰

I am so glad we made it. Only a few months ago my gran had a nasty fall and broke her shoulder 😫 I stayed with her and looked after her for about eight weeks. She has other health complications too at the moment, and she’s eighty six now bless her..so I’m just happy we had a nice day away the two of us

Thank you as always for reading/viewing..I think my next project will be an upcycling job for the Children’s Air Ambulance, so keep a look out 😛

Many thanks, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

‘Gentle Joan’ amateur portrait drawing of family friend

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Hello again everybody! The latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of a now unfortunately deceased family friend, Joan 💙💙

I increased the size of a standard photo at the library, to A3 size. I then used my A3 light box to outline Joan on paper. Working from photographs, I carefully sketched and shaded.. I also incorporated some paw prints, with a purple border – Joan absolutely adored dogs, they were her life 💜💜

Joan was my mum’s best friend who unfortunately died suddenly three years ago 😢 She was an incredible kind woman, and helped me so much when I was looking after mum, she was a god send 💕 I’ve kept in touch with Joan’s husband Merv, and visit him regularly, this is who the portrait is for.. He has a bullmastiff Spencer, who mum loved, and I always say to mum I gave Spencer a big kiss from his Auntie Debbie 💕

Merv was very happy with the portrait 😊 I am only an amateur and I know I’m not the best in the world, but I think I am improving with practice..and it’s the sentimental value too isn’t it..

Here is the finished piece, framed:

Thank you as always for taking the time to view/ read.. I might start another diamond art soon🎨 💎

Much love, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

‘Northern Lights’ amateur acrylic painting

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Hi everyone! So sorry it’s been so long since my last blog post. This one is progression photos of a ‘Northern Lights’ amateur acrylic painting, done at Pub Painting yesterday, hope you enjoy!

Becca, the artist of Pub Painting,guided myself and my friend Denise through the artistic process

The final painting is black and white mountain ranges under a vibrant fluorescent Northern Lights starry sky, with gorgeous lake colourful reflections

Please keep a look out for an ‘Enchanted Forest’ diamond art I am on with (to hopefully sell to go towards my paraglide fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society) and also I am starting to do upcycling again for the Children’s Air Ambulance charity now as the weather improves 👍👍 So watch this space! 😊

Thank you for taking the time to view/ read!

All the best, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

Turkey and tinsel getaway with Gran

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Hello fellow followers, my latest blog post is something a little different- a travel description/ photographs of a turkey and tinsel getaway with my beautiful grandma Ruth 😊

First on our itinerary, on our way to Scarborough, was a half way, few hour break at Ripon! We had refreshments at a local cafe and a wander near the cathedral.

Our first full day on holiday we visited the gorgeous, picturesque town of Whitby! I have never been before, but I was surely not disappointed. We dined at a cute cafe and strolled along the bay and through the cobbled quirky streets.

On our second full day we visited stunning York. This was a ‘mystery tour’. I actually used to live in York at university, so I knew the city well and where to go. We took nice photos at the cathedral, the cobbled shambles, and delighted in walking around the Christmas Market. It certainly is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! 😊

The following day, Thursday, we had a stroll in Scarborough (where our hotel was based). It was a lovely day by the beach, and leisurely walking around the shops. Gran however, being 85 years old, found the hills a bit challenging as Scarborough is very steep..we did use the tram down and back up. I found it a nice little beach resort ☺️

Last on our itinerary, on our way back from Scarborough, we called in at Beverly for a couple of hours, to which I finally started my Christmas shopping! We dined in a couple of cafes for drinks and nibbles, and enjoyed a steady gander in the shops.

And that was our five day (Monday to Friday) turkey and tinsel getaway!

The rooms were actually a bit shabby at the hotel, a bit outdated to be honest, and there was only one lift for four floors, which was a bit of a nightmare! But, the food was absolutely delicious, every night, three course meal and breakfast in the morning… Scrumptious 😋

It was great spending quality time with my gran, even if we do bicker sometimes haha 😄

Thank you do much for taking the time to read/view… Many thanks, Lauren xx

© 2022 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

Blue bedside cabinet – 24 progression photos

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Hi good evening everyone.. My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is 24 progression photos of a blue beside cabinet I upcycled for the Children’s Air Ambulance 💙💙 Hope you enjoy 😊

I started off sugar soaping to clean, then a gentle sand with my mouse sander. Next, a white primer/undercoat, and when dried, I sanded with an abrasive hand sandpaper to perfect imperfections going along. I painted the blue bedside cabinet entirely blue. A mistake I made was painting inside where the drawers were to slide, so at first they were having none of it haha! Dave helped me to sand the drawer runners with a rotary tool so the drawers would slide lol. We put the gold handles in a tub of coca cola, they came out really shiny when reattached. Lastly, I sprayed a furniture lacquer to seal. And there we go!

I am really pleased with this little project, although there were doubts along the way, I think it’s turned out quite impressive, I’m proud of it, hehe 😀

I am not quite sure what my next project will be, I have a few bits to do for the cafe, but also I have ordered a Marilyn Monroe poster to decoupage onto a chest of drawers, the Children’s Air Ambulance can hopefully sell for a profit 😀

Thank you so much as ever for reading/viewing. Much love, Lauren xx

© 2022 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

Draughts game table – progression photos

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Hi everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of a draughts game table. Hope you like it! 😊

I started off by orbital sanding and measuring the table, as to know accurately where the squares would be later glued evenly. 64 squares in total that my mentor Dave cut, to which I hand sanded – I painted half black and half white. I wood stained the brim of the table and underneath and used a black metal paint for the stand. The next stage was one by one gluing the 4cm by 4cm squares on the table using wood glue. To finish, I sprayed some furniture lacquer to seal.

I am super proud of this project, I think it’s the best one I’ve done so far to be honest, not to blow my own trumpet like, haha 🤣

The draughts table is not for sale but to be used by children and adults to play draughts/chess upstairs in the charity cafe 🙂

My next project for the Children’s Air Ambulance is going to be a duck egg painted table with blue sky sparkly wallpaper. Originally it was a gold table nobody was keen on, then we bodged up putting an atlas map on it (went bubbly, not smooth) so third time lucky hopefully 🤞🤞

Thank you as ever for taking the time to read/view my latest UnicornPostbox blog post, very much appreciated.

Thank you, Lauren xx

© 2022 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’ Halloween pub painting progression photos

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Hi fellow followers, my latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of ‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’ Halloween special at a pub painting art class. Hope you enjoy! 😊

I have not actually seen A Nightmare Before Christmas all the way through, only snippets of it I am afraid. I was informed however that the main characters are Jack and Sally (the silhouettes), and the Oogie Boogie, the boogeyman is at the bottom of the painting.

It was really fun doing a Halloween themed painting session, Rebecca the art teacher guided us through the whole process, start to finish. It is a shame it’ll be a few months until the next session.

Here is the final piece 😊 There were a few attempts by others that were amazing, but I’m pretty pleased with the outcome, I like it, my amateur go

Thank you so much for reading/ viewing. My next UnicornPostbox blog post will be progression photos of a upcycled draughts table for the Children’s Air Ambulance 💕

Much love, Lauren xx

© 2022 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

‘Eliana the Elephant’ diamond art progression photos

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Hi everyone! My latest blog post is progression photos of an Elephant diamond art. Hope you like!

Diamond (or crystal) art is so fun and therapeutic, although it takes forever and a day to complete, hehe. I’ve been on with this one for a number of weeks. Elephants are my favourite animals, they’re so beautiful. It’s lovely to sit in my little art room at home, listening to music and completing the diamond art… And here’s the final piece:

I have a few projects to do next for the Children’s Air Ambulance; a white gloss cabinet, some decoupage tables and painting/creating a drafts table.. so I’ve plenty to keep myself occupied lol 😆

Thank you as always for taking the time to read/view my blog post!

Kind regards, Lauren xx

© 2022 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com