Author Archives: Sabrina

Gift Company Light Blue Christmas Lantern Tealight – Christmas Item

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Gift Company “Christmas Lantern Tealight” Review – Christmas Item

Once again I am lucky enough to be working with Gift Company this Autumn to bring you a selection of items throughout November and December. All of these items would all make excellent gifts for people this Christmas. Check out my “Gifts” section of my blog for more examples of reviewed products.

Gift Company is a wonderful UK based and family run company that prides itself on providing unique and quality giftware, homeware and furniture, to the people of the United Kingdom.

They also have a huge range of Christmas related stock in right now, both in stores and on their website. But that is not all they do, and if you haven’t heard of them before today I think you should check out their information at the end of this review…

✩ Dimensions and Product Information ✩

Item Description: A beautiful ice blue textured glass lantern jar, with details of white glitter into a snow scene with tree and snowflakes and a deer.

Item Dimensions: 10cm Height, 8cm Width and 1cm Thickness of Glass (for the Small Lantern).

Item Details: Ice Looking Glass with Silver Metal Trim and Rope Hanger.

Item Price: £5.00 (RRP £10.00).

Item Delivery: The item was delivered bubble wrapped safely.

Item Link Gift Company Website

✩✩✩

What Makes This A Great Gift

✩ A beautifully decorated piece that can be used throughout December.
✩ It is glass so fairly heavy, but versatile enough for people to decide what to use it for.
✩ Ideal for anyone who loves Blue, Winter, Deer or Snowflakes…

Things To Be Aware Of 

✩ This item is made from glass so you need to keep it away from children.
✩ If you are using the lantern for burning a candle inside, never leave it unattended or where it will be close to children where it could get knocked over.

You can buy this item in Small or Large size, my review is for the small.

Things You Can Use This Lantern For

✩ Burning A Tea Light Inside
✩ Fill With Battery Powered Fairy Lights
✩ Fill With Baubles To Decorate A Table

My Review Scores

Appearance of Product 5/5
Design of Product 5/5
Quality of Product 5/5
Value for Money 5/5
Delivery 5/5

Overall Review Scores Elaborated

I thought that this item was beautifully made, the details and the shape were immaculate. The colour is very nice, the ice light blue is ideal for Winter. The lantern is a versatile piece that doesn’t just need to be used as a tealight.

✩✩✩

Thank you for reading this product review today, I hope that you have enjoyed reading about this great gift. You can see more information about Gift Company stores and links to online pages below.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Gift Company approached me again this festive season after we collaborated last year, and I was more than happy to do some more product reviews for them. Every time we work together I am sent these items to review for free, in return for my honest opinions and photography. For this service I do get to keep the products. I personally use and test the items and through my own experience is how I write my review. I do not work for Gift Company, neither do I get paid any commission that is generated from any sales that may occur from my work.

✩ There Are Currently 36 Gift Company Stores Nationwide ✩

Banbury: Banbury Gateway Shopping Park, Oxfordshire, OX16 3AB – 01295 272636
Bideford: Atlantic Village, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3QU – 01237 472446
Birmingham: Resort World, Pendigo Way, Birmingham, B40 1PU – 1217675933
Brighton: Octagon , Marina Square, Brighton, BN2 5UF – 01273 695109
Braintree: Freeport Braintree, Essex, CM77 8YH – 01376 348472
Bridgend: McArthurGlen Outlet Village, CF32 9SU – 0165 6661066
Carlisle: 84 English Street, Carlisle, CA3 8HP – 01228 818488
Castleford: Junction 32 Outlet Village, WF10 4FR – 01977 552 728
Chatham: Unit 9, Dockside Outlet Centre, Kent, ME4 3ED – 01634 892 483
Chester: 19 Newgate Row, Chester, CH11ER – 01244 343456
Cheshire Colliseum: Coliseum Retail Park, Ellesmere Port, PE12 6EU – 01513554 830
Dalton Park: Dalton Park Shopping Outlet, Seaham, SR7 9HU – 0191 520 9543
Derby: Unit 118, Intu Derby Shopping Centre, Derby DE1 2PQ – 0133 220 8747
Doncaster: Unit 22 Lakeside Village, White Rose Way, DN4 5PJ – 01302 730670
Durham: 24 High Street, Princes Bishops Centre, Durham, DH1 3HJ – 0191 384 7946
Fleetwood: Unit 1, Freeport Village, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 6AE – 01253 779 592
Gloucester: Unit 52, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester, GL1 5SH – 01452 524222
Gretna: Unit 16, Gretna Gateway Outlet Village, DG16 5GG – 01461 338772
Hatfield: 26 The Galleria, Hatfield, AL10 OXR – 1707261330
Hornsea: 13 Hornsea Freeport, Rolston Road, Hornsea, HU18 1UT, – 01964 533541
Hull: Princess Quay.
Llandudno: 10 Victoria Centre, Llandudno, North Wales, LL30 2NG – 01492 873111
Lowry: Salford Quays – 0161 877 7233
Livingston: Livingston Designer Outlet, Livingston, EH54 6QX – 01506 462186
Mansfield: Unit 12A East Midlands Designer Outlet, DE55 2JW – 01773 545375
North Wales: North Wales Garden World at Kinmel Bay – 01745 338222
Peak Village: U11 Peak Village, Chatsworth Road, Rowlsey, DE4 2JE – 01629 735076
Royal Quays: 32 Coble Dean, North Shields, NE29 6DW – 0191 258 2819
Scarborough: Unit 17, Brunswick Shopping Centre, YO11 1UE – 01723 371845
Southport: 193 Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1PF – 01704 884522
Spalding: Unit 13, Springfields Outlet, PE12 6EU – 01775 711 736
Talke: 48 Talke Retail Park, Stoke On Trent, ST7 1XD – 01782 786662
Telford: 53 Southwater, Telford Shopping Centre, Telford, TF3 4DE – 01952 200826
Torquay: 87 Union Street, Torquay, TQ1 3DG – 01803 212129
Trentham: Trentham Estate, Stone Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8AX – 01782642954
Worcester: 22 Chapel Walks, Crowngate Shopping Centre, WR1 3LD – 01905 619882

Gift Company Online
My Other Gift Company Reviews

December 2017 Treatbox Reveal

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Hello and Welcome to the December 2017 Treatbox Reveal with Sabrina of Severn Wishes.

We all know this box will be a Christmas one! So Happy December Treatbox!

As I open the box and find the Christmas Red Tissue Paper I cannot help but wonder what festivities lie beneath.

The sticker with a tiny house on it, reads “Merry Christmas”…

As I open up the calendar print page up I see several lovely items I know I will enjoy using and the theme of Christmas is throughout.

Here are all of the items available in the December Treatbox – Christmas Of Course!

Here is the full list of items available this month, and remember there will be slight variations sometimes in the types and the colours, so not every box is the same…

✩ There are 10 items in this particular Treatbox. These take the forms of 2 recipes, 1 calendar, 1 festive decoration, 2 edible and 3 wearable, as well as 1 voucher. ✩

Calendar Print for December 2017 – Merry Christmas
Cadbury Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows
A4 Prints – “Mulled Wine Recipe” and “Mince Pies Recipe”
Necklace – Rose Gold Heart “Merry Christmas”
Festive Flag “Merry Christmas”
Packet of 20 Paper Straws
Single Christmas Candy Cane
Socks with a Bow
Mittens – Knitted Hand Warmers
20% Voucher for Jewellerybox.co.uk

Here is a selection of my photographs of this month’s box, I hope you enjoy seeing the items up close and if you have any questions about them then please leave a comment.

✩ My Favourites ✩

My favourite items from this month’s box are necklace, socks and the festive flag. The hot chocolate was a nice touch as were the mittens. At least the hand mittens can be reused as well. The necklace is a very nice touch because Rose Gold is in right now, and a heart is universal, I will certainly be using mine.

The reason I like these items is because I know I will be getting use out of them. I am a person who feels the cold, so comfy socks for cold nights and hand warmers for winter days out are right up my street.

✩ My Overall Opinion ✩

There are some nice items inside the Christmas box, I was of course expecting at least one decoration and one edible piece, but to have several wears and two edible is nice. Although just one candy cane was slightly disappointing, I would have liked to have seen more than one so as to hang them on the tree… Maybe I’m being picky?!

We have two recipes in the box, unfortunately I don’t drink, and I don’t like Mince Pies, so I will be keeping these two in my Recipe Box until someone one day asks if I have a recipe for either. Because sadly I won’t get any use either of them. I know my opinion will no doubt be vastly different to the majority of others who will probably love these recipes, but I’m just being my usual honest self.

We didn’t long ago get some Paper Straws, and I haven’t even used those as yet (I don’t host very often) and so now I have a great number of them ready and waiting. I would hope there will be no Straws in any near future boxes…

✩✩✩

Are you thinking of ordering a TreatBox for yourself or for a gift for someone?
Then you can find Treatbox subscriptions and build your own box at their website https://treatboxuk.com/

If you aren’t sure on whether to try a TreatBox for yourself or not I would say order a one off box, and then if you’re happy with it you can always subscribe afterwards. Check out my previous posts on the Treat Boxes I have received so far, in this unique category of my website called ‘Treatbox’ especially for these box reviews and reveals – Severn Wishes – TREATBOX

Thanks for reading this months box reveal today, if you have any thoughts you would like to share or if you have purchased a box after reading one of my reviews then I would love to hear your from you, why not leave me a little comment below.

Also if you have any questions about any of the items from this month’s Treatbox then please get in touch I am more than happy to answer them if I can.

✩✩✩

If you enjoyed this post why not check out my Reveal Video that I record of Treatbox every single month I get one, click the link to see this latest one on my channel here.

Thank you for joining me for this reveal today, and I hope you have all enjoyed it. I would like to wish you all Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a jolly good time to be had by all! Hoping you have all that you wish for this year, health and happiness too!

Oh and don’t forget that there are still many posts to come on the blog this month before the year is out! Some Christmas but some not!

✩ Sabrina ✩

Five Things I Want To Do Before My Thirtieth Birthday

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Five Things I Want To Do BEFORE My Thirtieth Birthday

This week I had a realization that my birthday is only three months away! So I thought I would write a little post about five things that I would like to do before my thirtieth!

I’m still in denial that I’m turning thirty, I mean that by in my head, I’ve been twenty five for many years now! It’s going to be a bit weird.

When you fill in a survey online and it says, “Please state your age range _____ ” and I’m now going to have to pick the “30-39” or the “25 to 34” category!

I’m going to be contacted for all these proper “adult” things like higher credit cards and loans, as if the world thinks we should all have our act together by the time we reach this milestone! Yeah… Right…

So what are these five things I would definitely like to do before I’m thirty…

1. Try Something New – An Activity or a Hobby… Just Something I’ve Never Done!

2. Eat A Brand New Food – There Isn’t A Lot I Wouldn’t Eat – But I Want To Try Something New! I May Even Cook It Too!
(UPDATED January 23rd – We made our own Ice Cream! And a fairly healthy version, kind of, so yeah I might do a Recipe post sometime in February…)

3. Go Somewhere I’ve Never Been Before – Sounds Simple But It’s Finding The Time!
(UPDATED January 23rd – My husband and I have booked a weekend away in April to a part of the UK I have never visited before, I hope it will be a memorable time for us).

4. Reconnect With An Old Friend – There Are A Few People Who I Love Who I Haven’t Spoken To In A Few Years And I Would Love To Reconnect With Them!
(UPDATED January 17th – I reached out to an old friend to give her some happy news, we are hopefully planning to meet up in the next few months).

5. Finish Writing One Of My Books – I’m A Writer And I Want 2018 To Be The Year I Finally Try And Get Something Published (Fingers Crossed I Can Get One Finished)!

What I’m going to do is update this post with a photograph/s and information as and when I complete any one of these things, and I have just a few weeks to go now before my birthday, fingers crossed I can get all of these done!

Is there anything special or amazing that you did for a big birthday? I would love to know to get some ideas for myself!

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!

✩ Sabrina ✩

My Top Handbag Essentials For Getting Through Autumn/Winter

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My Top Handbag Essentials For Getting Through Autumn and Winter.

It’s official, it’s gone really cold here in the United Kingdom. So I thought I would do a short blog post today explaining my handbag essentials.

Most of us carry a larger bag in the Winter because we need more space for the things that we require such as gloves or socks.

Here is my list of Autumn/Winter essentials that I often bring with me, especially if it’s going to be a long day out. You never know when the weather might change so it’s always good to be prepared. Some of these things don’t even weigh much so they aren’t inconvenient.

My Autumn And Winter Handbag Essentials

Gloves
Scarf
Arm Warmers
Comfortable Socks
Tiny Bottled Water
Lip Balm
Hand Cream
Hand Sanitiser
Packet of Tissues
Compact Mirror
Mini Torch
Rolled Up Bag

Let me explain a little bit about why I carry certain items. If you feel the cold like I do, little things like Gloves and Arm Warmers can make a big difference. Say you catch a bus, and it’s late on your route home. If you have these things with you and it suddenly gets colder you are prepared.

The same thing goes for the Water and the Tissues, you just never know when you may need these items so it’s a good idea to carry them all year around not just these colder months. I always carry Hand Cream for my dry skin and the Lip Balm for keeping my lips smooth, I use these more so in the Winter but they live in my bags throughout the year.

The torch is somewhat of a personal choice, it’s difficult to put my key in my front door after dark as you cannot see the keyhole, a mini torch is a great way to stay safe if you’re walking in the Winter evenings as well as useful in circumstances such as the one I mentioned.

I hope that you have enjoyed this little insight into my lifestyle! If you have any questions about where I got any of the items shown please leave me a comment
Have a wonderful day!

✩ Sabrina ✩

Gift Company Santa and Rudolph Christmas Eve Plate

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Gift Company “Gift Company Santa and Rudolph Christmas Eve Plate” Review

Once again I am lucky enough to be working with Gift Company this Autumn to bring you a selection of items throughout November. All of these items would all make excellent gifts for people this Christmas. Check out my “Gifts” section of my blog for more examples of reviewed products.

Gift Company is a wonderful UK based and family run company that prides itself on providing unique and quality giftware, homeware and furniture, to the people of the United Kingdom.

They also have a huge range of Christmas related stock in right now, both in stores and on their website. But that is not all they do, and if you haven’t heard of them before today I think you should check out their information at the end of this review…

The Gift Company Santa and Rudolph Plate is something that can be a wonderful gift for children on Christmas Eve, to assemble into an imaginative Santa experience. Using the outlines already drawn out onto the plates design, children will find it easy to use and understand. Begin the Christmas Eve Tradition with your family this year with this extra special plate.

Dimensions and Product Information

Item Description: A Ceramic Plate that comes boxed.

Item Dimensions: 25cm x 25cm (Circular).

Item Details: A Traditional Christmas Eve Plate that is designed for children to supply a Drink and a Mince Pie for Santa, as well as a Carrot for Rudolph. Encouraging a young child’s imagination about the visit of Santa and Rudolph. The plate is decorated beautifully with embossed sections and playful drawings that children would relate to. The plate has a design that is easy to understand so that (with adults help) the child/children of the family can easily set it up on Christmas Eve.

Item Price: £7.50 (RRP £9.50).

Item Delivery: The item was delivered in its original box, it is then easy to store for use next year.

Item Link Gift Company Website
Christmas Eve Plate

What Makes This A Great Gift

✩ An excellent gift for children on Christmas Eve.
✩ It inspires tradition and an extra special Christmas Eve with the family.
✩ Well made and beautifully decorated with bright colours.
✩ This plate is embossed and these details are unusual and unique.

One Thing To Be Aware Of

✩ This plate is ceramic and delicate, though heavy, it should only be hand washed and never placed in a dish washer, oven or microwave. I would recommend it be gently cleaned with nothing too harsh or abrasive as well.

My Review Scores

Appearance of Product 5/5
Design of Product 5/5
Quality of Product 5/5
Value for Money 5/5
Delivery 5/5

Overall Review Scores Elaborated

I give this product a unanimous five out of five, it is a wonderful item that most families would get years of joy and use out of. If you believe in the Christmas Traditions perhaps it’s time to invest in a piece as good a quality as this one, to encourage your children.

Gift Company also do a range of other Christmas and Santa related items. Of course if you are nearby to a Gift Company store you could go in and look at the items yourselves, or check them out online before you go, there are many lovely things.

 

Thank you for reading this product review today, I hope that you have enjoyed reading about this great gift. You can see more information about Gift Company stores and links to online pages below.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Gift Company approached me again this festive season after we collaborated last year, and I was more than happy to do some more product reviews for them. Every time we work together I am sent these items to review for free, in return for my honest opinions and photography. For this service I do get to keep the products. I personally use and test the items and through my own experience is how I write my review. I do not work for Gift Company, neither do I get paid any commission that is generated from any sales that may occur from my work.

There Are Currently 36 Gift Company Stores Nationwide

Banbury: Banbury Gateway Shopping Park, Oxfordshire, OX16 3AB – 01295 272636
Bideford: Atlantic Village, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3QU – 01237 472446
Birmingham: Resort World, Pendigo Way, Birmingham, B40 1PU – 1217675933
Brighton: Octagon , Marina Square, Brighton, BN2 5UF – 01273 695109
Braintree: Freeport Braintree, Essex, CM77 8YH – 01376 348472
Bridgend: McArthurGlen Outlet Village, CF32 9SU – 0165 6661066
Carlisle: 84 English Street, Carlisle, CA3 8HP – 01228 818488
Castleford: Junction 32 Outlet Village, WF10 4FR – 01977 552 728
Chatham: Unit 9, Dockside Outlet Centre, Kent, ME4 3ED – 01634 892 483
Chester: 19 Newgate Row, Chester, CH11ER – 01244 343456
Cheshire Colliseum: Coliseum Retail Park, Ellesmere Port, PE12 6EU – 01513554 830
Dalton Park: Dalton Park Shopping Outlet, Seaham, SR7 9HU – 0191 520 9543
Derby: Unit 118, Intu Derby Shopping Centre, Derby DE1 2PQ – 0133 220 8747
Doncaster: Unit 22 Lakeside Village, White Rose Way, DN4 5PJ – 01302 730670
Durham: 24 High Street, Princes Bishops Centre, Durham, DH1 3HJ – 0191 384 7946
Fleetwood: Unit 1, Freeport Village, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 6AE – 01253 779 592
Gloucester: Unit 52, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester, GL1 5SH – 01452 524222
Gretna: Unit 16, Gretna Gateway Outlet Village, DG16 5GG – 01461 338772
Hatfield: 26 The Galleria, Hatfield, AL10 OXR – 1707261330
Hornsea: 13 Hornsea Freeport, Rolston Road, Hornsea, HU18 1UT, – 01964 533541
Hull: Princess Quay.
Llandudno: 10 Victoria Centre, Llandudno, North Wales, LL30 2NG – 01492 873111
Lowry: Salford Quays – 0161 877 7233
Livingston: Livingston Designer Outlet, Livingston, EH54 6QX – 01506 462186
Mansfield: Unit 12A East Midlands Designer Outlet, DE55 2JW – 01773 545375
North Wales: North Wales Garden World at Kinmel Bay – 01745 338222
Peak Village: U11 Peak Village, Chatsworth Road, Rowlsey, DE4 2JE – 01629 735076
Royal Quays: 32 Coble Dean, North Shields, NE29 6DW – 0191 258 2819
Scarborough: Unit 17, Brunswick Shopping Centre, YO11 1UE – 01723 371845
Southport: 193 Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1PF – 01704 884522
Spalding: Unit 13, Springfields Outlet, PE12 6EU – 01775 711 736
Talke: 48 Talke Retail Park, Stoke On Trent, ST7 1XD – 01782 786662
Telford: 53 Southwater, Telford Shopping Centre, Telford, TF3 4DE – 01952 200826
Torquay: 87 Union Street, Torquay, TQ1 3DG – 01803 212129
Trentham: Trentham Estate, Stone Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8AX – 01782642954
Worcester: 22 Chapel Walks, Crowngate Shopping Centre, WR1 3LD – 01905 619882

My Other Gift Company Reviews
Gift Company Online
Gift Company Christmas Page

Spectrum Collections C00 Rain Glow Fan Brush Review and Photography

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Spectrum Collections C00 Rain Glow Fan Brush Review

Time to talk about a very special brush created by a very special British company. It is of course the Spectrum Collections C00 Rain Glow Fan Brush… and yes it has rather a long name!

Spectrum Collections began with pink brushes, and it went from there, now the collection is incredible, with complex and thoughtful designs, not to mention beautiful.

I purchased this particular brush in my local Boots store rather than from Spectrum online. It costs around £19.99.

I will include purchasing links at the end of my post.

The brush is Vegan and made to be Cruelty Free. Designed for Contouring (hence the C in its name) this beautiful brush delicately allows highlighter or bronzer to applied to the face and body (such as collar bones). The brush has this rounded shape to ensure the application is both light and precise.


The stunning rainbow effect of the brush and its bristles means it really stands out for photographs. It’s bristles themselves are soft and thin. The handle is a lovely sky blue colour and has a silver ferrule.

The brush came in its very own packet which is great for keeping it clean.

So I will be totally honest with you all, I haven’t really bought this brush so that I can put highlighter on my face… I have however bought it because it’s beautiful and I want to use it in my blogging photography… I will of course review the quality of the brush while showcasing some more of my favourite images that I have created using this stunning piece in the ensemble…

I have been using the brush as a blog prop and most images can be seen through my Instagram posts. Like from my The Body Shop Review in the image below…

Overall this brush is gorgeous and I’m happy I purchased it, although on its own I thought it was a little expensive. I guess you are paying for the quality though that is for sure!

Appearance 5/5
Quality 5/5
Value for Money 4/5

You can purchase this brush at the Spectrum Collections Website or at Boots stores and online. Here are the links for you.
Spectrum Collections
Boots

The ladies at Spectrum do an incredible job with their business and they’ve had a tough year too! I follow them all over social media and they are so passionate about the environment, making great products in the best way, and this is one reason why I love to support them. Keep up the awesome work!

Thank you very much for reading this review today and I hope you liked the photographs.

✩ Sabrina ✩

The Sunshine Blogger Award

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I was recently Awarded the Sunshine Blogger Award by a lovely blogger named Ana.

The kind Ana over at Ana’s Lil Blog has nominated me and my blog back in August for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I am honoured to receive this award and will happily share some bloggers below once I have answered the questions set to me from Ana.

I am so excited to share this post with you all, it’s a great way for people to get to know the person behind the blog, with us answering these questions set by other bloggers. It’s taken a while for me to finish this post because I’ve been so busy with collaborations.

This is who else Ana nominated on her post, check it out over at Ana’s Lil Blog – Sunshine Blogger Award Post HERE

The Questions That Ana Gave Me Were These…

Why did you make your blog?
When I had to have some serious surgery I had to give up work for a time, my best friend and husband encouraged me to start my blog because they knew i loved to write, and i was already a photography graduate.

What makes you smile the most everyday?
The silly things that my cats get up to! They can be so funny and crazy. It doesn’t matter what kind of day you’ve had they never fail to cheer you up!

Favourite blog post you’ve read?
I once read a post, no idea what blog it was now as it was a few years ago and before I began blogging. But it was so inspiring, it was about learning to love yourself…

Favourite blog post you’ve written?
My favourite post to this day is probably the Treatbox monthly boxes that I review, exciting and fun to photograph!

Something that has made you into a stronger person?
Experiencing pain and loss, living with chronic pain, overcoming it and becoming stronger from it.

If you could give one piece of advice to a new blogger what would it be?
Be yourself. Don’t copy others but take inspiration from them. Always write about what you’re passionate about and it will come across in your work. And don’t be afraid of asking bloggers for advice on social media, most will take the time to reply if you’re being genuine.

Who is your celebrity crush?
Orlando Bloom, he has been for years and years since I was a teenager… I used to love Paul Walker too god rest his beautiful soul x

Tea, coffee or hot chocolate?
Now I’m a weirdo, as I’m British, but I don’t really like Tea all that much, I tend to drink it when I feel unwell. Hot Chocolate is nice but I’m very picky about it. And Coffee… I make a good Coffee but I don’t drink it unless it’s a McDonald’s Iced Frappe Mocha… yeah told you I am weird!

Night owl or early bird?
Ooo now see when it comes to writing I am definitely a Night Owl but I can only really do my photography during the day… sometimes I get up early and I don’t have an issue with getting up.

Favourite quote or motto?
My favourite inspirational quote is “When it Rains look for Rainbows, when it’s Dark look for Stars”.

Goals for the upcoming months and ultimate goals in life?
My Life Goals are to one day have my own house and raise my family in it, and I would love to be my own boss one day too.

Now For The Rules For The Bloggers I Am Nominating Below…

Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

2. Answer the 11 questions that they’ve given you.

3. Nominate 11 people (preferably people who don’t have the award already).

4. Give your own 11 questions for those people you have nominated to answer.

✩✩✩

My Questions for the 11 Nominees.

1. What made you start blogging?
2. Do you have any pets?
3. What is your current Favourite Television Show?
4. Do you live by any amazing places?
5. If you could visit any era for a day in a time machine, what era and why?
6. What is your Favourite Colour?
7. Do you like dessert – if yes what is your favourite?
8. Have you seen a film that has changed your life – what and why?
9. If you could have an hour long conversation with anyone living or dead who would it be and why?
10. Is there a Song that has ever been your anthem?
11. What piece of advice would you give to your younger self if you could?

My 11 Nominees Are; Fern Roberts, Anna Nguyen, Mocha Girl Beauty, Madison Taylor, Rachy Reviews, Emily of Living Beautiful, Aoife Caitriona, Beauty with Zainy, Kate Selina of Femenish, Phoebe Tea, Anita Grivoka of Anita’s Diaries.

Thank you so much for reading this post today, I am hoping that you found some lovely bloggers to follow or support and I wish you all a very nice day.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Ideal Christmas Gifts On A Budget

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Christmas Gifts On A Budget

Have you been stumped by what to get a friend or loved one this Christmas?
Have you shopped around – like, really shopped around and are still stuck?
Have you ever considered making something unique?
Ever thought of a Subscription Gift?

If the answer to any of those is yes, then please keep on reading because I might just have some Christmas tricks and tips for you! And hopefully a huge array of ideas too!

What To Get For Those Who Are A Little Picky

Subscription Boxes are a great way to give a gift that keeps on giving, and for anything between £12 and £30 you can subscribe a loved one to something amazing. Some companies that I have tried also offer up deals where you to pay for three months upfront for example, and it gets delivered to the recipients home. There are also brands that do one off Christmas Boxes too, pay for a one off box and that also gets delivered through the door.

Try and think about what someone loves, and then go from there…

Here are some places that I have tried personally, and if you want to read any of my reviews on any of these then just look for the categories off my main page. There are loads more out there too, just google subscription boxes for more ideas if none of these take your fancy.

Not all of the companies below are Subscription Boxes, but some of them provide presents within presents and gift boxed items as part of their service. This saves you time this Christmas too!

Artemis and Xena – for those who enjoy meditation, positivity and relaxing boxes.
Birchbox – for makeup and cosmetics lovers!
Cherry Diva – for Jewellery lovers they have something for everyone’s tastes.
JewelCandle – Any Candle and Jewellery Lovers in the family?
Jewellery Box UK – A company who have amazing jewellery choices and great gifts.
Secret Scent Box – for people who love to try new fragrances.
Treatbox – literally a box of treats that you can either subscribe to or you can make your own unique box!

Artemis and Xena (above) are offering a special box this Christmas, it’s a 12 days advent box for £19.99. The 12 items wrapped individually in Christmas wrapping paper numbered 1 -12  These items will vary per box so that no individual will receive the exact same items making this a unique gift.

Some things you could find include: Makeup, Stationary, Skincare, Cards, Creative Activities, Nail Varnish, Organisers, Keyrings, Soap, Bath bombs, Notebooks, Planners, Postcards, Sticky Notes, Masks, Body lotion, Lipstick, Glitter, Eyeshadow, Perfume, Hair care, Temporary Tattoos, Stickers, Organic products, Local products, Nail art, bags, purses and more!

They are also offering a special Mystery Box in December. On their website it says this… “Find 5 random items in your box. Each box will be unique so you won’t receive the same box as anyone else! There are NO spoilers so it’s perfect if you love surprises!” Because these are one-off boxes there is no subscription and they make great gifts.

Mystery Box Link Available In December

Birchbox

Birchbox is usually a monthly Subscription service for makeup, cosmetics and beauty lovers. They offer some boxes for December and arriving for Christmas so it might be worth a look if you are gifting to someone who loves this stuff!

Here is their page for anyone wanting to know more about Gifting a Box for Christmas.

Birchbox Gifting Boxes

JewelCandle is a company who specialise in jewellery hidden inside candles.

You can find out all about these gifts within gifts over on their website. They have a range of flavours of Candle and also a range of jewellery types that goes in them.

JewelCandle Website

Secret Scent Box is a company based in the UK which allows the subscriber to discover new designer fragrances each month. Every box you subscribe to you will get 3 designer perfumes or colognes delivered through your letterbox from just £13! If you know someone that adores smelling good then perhaps this is a great Christmas idea for them…

Secret Scent Box Website

Treatbox – Christmas Box or Subscriptions

I am currently subscribed to Treatbox and receive a box each month through my door. They are always themed and can be literally anything! Homeware, Beauty, Edible Treats, Creative Items, Wearable Items and so much more.

In the Treatbox shop the owner also creates special boxes and one off boxes, as well as build your own too! This is worth a look at the website if you think you could be in the mood for choosing items for your loved ones to open up in a box.

Treatbox Main
Treatbox Specials
Treatbox Build Your Own

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So You Have Started Christmas Shopping, But Have You Shopped Around?

So most people tend to go to the same old places year after year for their presents, they don’t try anything new. I know people who have never done a search on Amazon, or gone to their local town and searched for independent stores.
Have you ever tried looking for self employed people on Facebook as well?
I have bought things from British businesses for many years now, it’s a good deed and keeps money within our economy. You’re also helping a small business keep going and there are so many talented folk out there doing all sorts of things.

Here are some Facebook businesses that I have ordered from either this year or the past two years while I have been blogging. I recommend the service from each of them. But you’ve got to be quick, a lot close their order books at the start of December.

The Laser Boutique – Wooden Toys and Gifts – Personalised
The Crafty Giraffe – Personalised Engraved Gifts
Awesome Wooden Gifts – Now has her main page over on Etsy so check it out if you want gifts about Mushrooms, Unicorns and Magic…

Don’t be afraid to search for what you want using google and/or Facebook there are so many talented people out there. Check out some of my reviews on my categories too!

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Have You Considered Making Someone A Unique Gift?

Sometimes the best thing to do, when you cannot find what you’re looking for, is to make it. You need to decide your budget and then figure out what you will spend on each item.

I once designed photo frames for friends, these days you can buy frames for as little as £1 and then all you need is some paint and added details like sequins or stickers.

I have a How To Make section on the blog too go check it out after this post!

Here are a few ideas on simple things that you could make for a friend or family member this year.  Check out the posts under my “Christmas” category as well for more Christmas gift ideas too! And check out my “Sabrina’s How To Make” category too!

Bracelets or Necklaces
Photo Frame Designs
Trinket Boxes
Memory Boxes
Candle Pots
Makeup Pots

If you have any questions about how you would make something then please get in touch. If you cannot find it already on my blog I will be making lots of gift related posts that will go up in the coming weeks, watch out for those “How To Make” pages!

Hopefully you’ve gotten some great ideas from this post, if not though don’t despair, there will be loads more of my Christmas Gift posts coming up throughout November.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Gift Company Cat Lover Cushion Review – Ideal Gift

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Gift Company “Cat Lover Cushion” Review – An Ideal Gift

Once again I am lucky enough to be working with Gift Company this Autumn to bring you a selection of items throughout November. All of these items would all make excellent gifts for people this Christmas. Check out my “Gifts” section of my blog for more examples of reviewed products.

Gift Company is a wonderful UK based and family run company that prides itself on providing unique and quality giftware, homeware and furniture, to the people of the United Kingdom.

They also have a huge range of Christmas related stock in right now, both in stores and on their website. But that is not all they do, and if you haven’t heard of them before today I think you should check out their information at the end of this review…

Now on to the product itself, the Cat Lovers Cushion. (See image below).

Dimensions and Product Information

Item Description: A Cream Cushion with Red and Black Writing and a Black Cat.

Item Dimensions: Length 34cm, Width 21cm, Depth 7cm.

Item Details: This small yet sweet cushion is an ideal gift for anyone who loves Cats. It has some nice features including an accurately proportioned cat which is sitting on the right hand side of the cushion grooming itself. The embroidered writing consists of the phrase “A CAT LOVER sits here with their purrfect match”. The cushion is an overall cream colour so ideal for any room, with an additional trim to it which is red with white polka dots. It also boasts a sweet heart above the cat, made from the same polka dot material and featuring a red heart button in the centre.

Item Price: £7.50 (RRP £15.00).

Item Delivery: The item was delivered sealed in cellophane so you were certain it was brand new.

Item Link Gift Company Website


What Makes This A Great Gift

✩ An attractive clever design which is ideal for anyone who likes cats or has a cat/s.
✩ It is a versatile base colour so great to fit in with the decor in most rooms.
✩ Well made and well designed to incorporate humor in the wording.
✩ It is soft and nice to lean on or to cuddle up to and relax.
✩ This cushion would make an ideal gift for a cat lover.

Some Things To Be Aware Of 

✩ This cushion states on the tags that the inner filling is tested and meets the 1988 safety regulations to be match and cigarette resistant, however the outer cover is not. This item could perhaps cause a fire hazard to a smoking household and I would therefore advise against its purchase if the people were regular smokers in their homes.

✩ No where on either of the labels does it say that the cushion can be washed, I am presuming then that it cannot be put in the washing machine or hand washed and is a sponge clean only item. I would advise not giving this item to a small child due to the button that could be pulled off.

My Review Scores

Appearance of Product 5/5
Design of Product 4/5
Quality of Product 3/5
Value for Money 4/5
Delivery 5/5

Overall Review Scores Elaborated

I was very excited about receiving a cat related item from Gift Company, and the appearance was one that I was most happy with. It wasn’t until I was meticulously detailing the cushion that I noticed it had no instructions label and I found the warning one about its cover. It’s a shame that this cushion wasn’t made more carefully to ensure a better quality of fabric used. The fabric itself is soft to touch and is by no means cheap, I thought it was lovely. I believe that if you were a careful household that kept the cushion away from naked flames I’m sure that the item would be thoroughly enjoyed by all cat lovers in the home. The embroidered details are lovely and it’s an ideal gift for anyone that enjoys the company of cats and the humor they bring to life.

Of course if you are nearby to a Gift Company store you could go in and inspect the actual item for yourself and then decide if it’s right for you or the recipient. Please don’t be put off a great gift by the need to take care around it, or by my honesty.

Gift Company also do a range of other Cushions such as ones for Dog Lovers, Golfers, you name it, so why not check the whole range out online (link at the end of the post).

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Thank you for reading this product review today, I hope that you have enjoyed reading about this great gift. You can see more information about the Gift Company stores and there are links to the online pages below.

✩ Sabrina ✩

 Gift Company approached me again this festive season after we collaborated last year, and I was more than happy to do some more product reviews for them. Every time we work together I am sent these items to review for free, in return for my honest opinions and photography. For this service I do get to keep the products. I personally use and test the items and through my own experience is how I write my review. I do not work for Gift Company, neither do I get paid any commission that is generated from any sales that may occur from my work.

There Are Currently 36 Gift Company Stores Nationwide

Banbury: Banbury Gateway Shopping Park, Oxfordshire, OX16 3AB – 01295 272636
Bideford: Atlantic Village, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3QU – 01237 472446
Birmingham: Resort World, Pendigo Way, Birmingham, B40 1PU – 1217675933
Brighton: Octagon , Marina Square, Brighton, BN2 5UF – 01273 695109
Braintree: Freeport Braintree, Essex, CM77 8YH – 01376 348472
Bridgend: McArthurGlen Outlet Village, CF32 9SU – 0165 6661066
Carlisle: 84 English Street, Carlisle, CA3 8HP – 01228 818488
Castleford: Junction 32 Outlet Village, WF10 4FR – 01977 552 728
Chatham: Unit 9, Dockside Outlet Centre, Kent, ME4 3ED – 01634 892 483
Chester: 19 Newgate Row, Chester, CH11ER – 01244 343456
Cheshire Colliseum: Coliseum Retail Park,Ellesmere Port, PE12 6EU – 01513554830
Dalton Park: Dalton Park Shopping Outlet, Seaham, SR7 9HU – 0191 520 9543
Derby: Unit 118, Intu Derby Shopping Centre, Derby DE1 2PQ – 0133 220 8747
Doncaster: Unit 22 Lakeside Village, White Rose Way, DN4 5PJ – 01302 730670
Durham: 24 High Street, Princes Bishops Centre, Durham, DH1 3HJ – 0191 384 7946
Fleetwood: Unit 1, Freeport Village, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 6AE – 01253 779 592
Gloucester: Unit 52, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester, GL1 5SH – 01452 524222
Gretna: Unit 16, Gretna Gateway Outlet Village, DG16 5GG – 01461 338772
Hatfield: 26 The Galleria, Hatfield, AL10 OXR – 1707261330
Hornsea: 13 Hornsea Freeport, Rolston Road, Hornsea, HU18 1UT, – 01964 533541
Hull: Princess Quay.
Llandudno: 10 Victoria Centre, Llandudno, North Wales, LL30 2NG – 01492 873111
Lowry: Salford Quays – 0161 877 7233
Livingston: Livingston Designer Outlet, Livingston, EH54 6QX – 01506 462186
Mansfield: Unit 12A East Midlands Designer Outlet, DE55 2JW – 01773 545375
North Wales: North Wales Garden World at Kinmel Bay – 01745 338222
Peak Village: U11 Peak Village, Chatsworth Road, Rowlsey, DE4 2JE – 01629 735076
Royal Quays: 32 Coble Dean, North Shields, NE29 6DW – 0191 258 2819
Scarborough: Unit 17, Brunswick Shopping Centre, YO11 1UE – 01723 371845
Southport: 193 Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1PF – 01704 884522
Spalding: Unit 13, Springfields Outlet, PE12 6EU – 01775 711 736
Talke: 48 Talke Retail Park, Stoke On Trent, ST7 1XD – 01782 786662
Telford: 53 Southwater, Telford Shopping Centre, Telford, TF3 4DE – 01952 200826
Torquay: 87 Union Street, Torquay, TQ1 3DG – 01803 212129
Trentham: Trentham Estate, Stone Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8AX – 01782642954
Worcester: 22 Chapel Walks, Crowngate Shopping Centre, WR1 3LD – 01905 619882


Gift Company Website Home Page

Gift Company Cushions Range

My Other Gift Company Reviews

Sabrina’s How To Make Your Own Christmas Boxes

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✩ Welcome to Sabrina’s How To Make Your Very Own Christmas Boxes ✩​ 

I know that so many of you will be thinking, but why don’t I just buy a Christmas box? Well if you don’t have much time then of course by all means do just that. But let me first explain to you why I think you should give this little craft project a chance.

Having browsed the internet for other kinds of Christmas Boxes I was astounded to find that they can range between £5.99 to £15.00 for just an empty one! And if you wanted gifts inside it too? Well you’re looking at around £25.00 and upwards for boxes with items already packed.

It sounds like a lot to me and honestly it is, when you add in a delivery charge too. I think that companies like these are great if you don’t have any time or creativity, and the money to spend, but this craft project is so easy to do, why not try and make just the one box with me?

I will now tell you how much it has cost me to make one of my basic boxes… So nothing inside it, just the box all done up pretty and ready to be used…

Each Box has Cost me Around £1.50 to make! Yes just £1.50!

Here is how I worked it out… I bought a roll of 12 metre Christmas wrapping paper from Primark for 90p, the boxes themselves were free because I picked them up from my place of work and supermarkets, and the only other things that you’ll need you probably have in your house already, but in case not here is the list…

You Will Need… ✩ A Ruler ✩ A Pencil or Pen ✩ Sellotape ✩ Stickers ✩

You get the idea. You will also need some bits to decorate after and (if you’re gifting this box) a Christmas Tag. These are the things that make up the rest of those £1.50 worth of spent pennies! I have now made 6 boxes for my family, using half of two rolls of paper, one roll of sellotape and 6 gift tags… So you get how cheap it is right? Now you need time!

Is this an easy craft project? Yes it is, providing you have around an hour to two hours spare and all of the items mentioned. Children would need adult help and supervision with the cutting but they could do the sticking into place with some guidance. It’s more fun for them to decorate their boxes, add in some paper to the mix and they could do festive drawings that you could then cut out and stick on top of the box even!

What tips can I give? Take your time, cut correctly and carefully with the scissors. Remember you can do any sized box, so it could be really large to house a massive present, or you could make a jewellery box size one instead of using a gift bag. Write down a list of what you would use the boxes for and also what sizes you may need. Gather everything you will require to do this before you start, and make sure it’s somewhere flat surfaced and comfortable – we don’t want any bad backs!

Here is a photograph of some of my finished boxes, you could make one even better using your imagination.

I think the best thing for you all to do is watch my video first, and then come back to the blog to go through the step by step. It’s easier than you think, plus then you can have the time to gather what you need (if anything) and work along with the post.

✩✩✩ SABRINA’S HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS BOXES VIDEO ✩✩✩

✩ STEP BY STEP MAKING YOUR BOX GUIDE ✩

Step 1. Lay out your paper on a flat surface white side up, using a piece of scrap paper and a pen, take the box measurements.

Step 2. With a Ruler and Pencil mark down on the paper (with the white side up) what pieces you need to cut. (If you have a no hinge box you could draw around its lid and base and then just measure the sides).

Step 3. Carefully cut out all the paper parts and label the white side in pencil which part will stick to which part of the box.

Step 4. Begin to stick your pieces in place, remember the parts that need some over hang are the parts you stick on first (sides and top in my video).

Step 5. Once you have all the paper pieces in place, trimmed any over hanging parts and neatly taped it all on the box, you will be ready to decorate.

Step 6. Decorate depending on the theme you have chosen for your box.

Step 7. Fill your box accordingly… Enjoy!

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✩✩✩ HOW TO MAKE PAPER SNOWFLAKE DECORATIONS ✩✩✩

The most popular snowflakes are the six sided ones, follow this guide to make them, but remember that there are many folds, so don’t make your starting square too small or you’ll struggle to cut any pieces out of it…

Here is one of my designs (below) and it was fairly easy to make… this image on the shows you what the design would be (on the left) when you have cut the paper but not yet opened it and then (on the right) the finished paper snowflake…

I would love to see what you come up with, tag me on social media if you decide to make any snowflakes after seeing mine…

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✩ WHAT CAN I USE MY BOX FOR NOW THAT I HAVE MADE IT? ✩

Why Make Them? 1. As An Alternative to a Stocking on Christmas Day
Why Make Them? 2. Use A Box Instead of a Gift Bag for Gifts
Why Make Them? 3. To Store All This Years Cards and Tags Inside
Why Make Them? 4. Use As A Christmas Eve Box For The Family✩✩✩

Christmas Boxes for Christmas Day – Sabrina’s Ideas

While making these boxes I had an idea, a great one if there are arguments between siblings on Christmas morning… I thought about putting all the families names in the box, the youngest of age picks out first and whoever gets their name pulled out gets the first present. Mum or Dad would have to count the gifts though and obviously write out the names corresponding to those gifts, but that way there would be no arguing. You could design the box as if it came from Santa, saying there will be no arguments and my magic box will decide who gets the next gift… It may have a treat inside too at the end of it… Think of it as a Pass the Parcel idea but with names relating to presents…

What to put Inside your Christmas Day Boxes

Mixed Festive Treats and Snacks
Game/s to play in a Group/s – Mini Jenga is great! Dominoes or Card Games!
Christmas Baked Goods from Christmas Eve if you made some!
A Festive Film to Watch together
Festive Coloured Paper so you can all make some Snowflakes
A Present or All Presents – Depending upon Size

If You Would Prefer To Make A Christmas Eve Box… designed for Families, Here are some of my ideas for putting inside yours…
A Christmas Book to read together – I loved the Snowman growing up!
A Christmas Cuddly Toy for each Child
Some Christmas Festive Snacks or Baked Items (1 per person)
A Game to play together – Junior Scrabble but you can only use Christmas words!
Christmas Cookie Cutters – if you’re bakers why not make something for Santa today
A Festive Film to watch before bed – there are so many now!
A New Decoration for each Family Member to put on this years Tree…
Food for Santa and his Reindeer – the kids can set it up on a plate before they go to bed

Pen and Paper – Get everyone to write down a wish for next year, roll it up and leave it for Santa to take with him…

Dependent on their age “A Project” – Writing A Wish / Thanking Santa for Something…

Here is one of my finished boxes… You can make the box any size you like! Perhaps you want one to hold a small present, perhaps to put some jewellery inside? You can use these boxes in so many ways, and you can make them whatever sizes you choose or need for your Christmas.

Remember you can decorate the top of it depending on what you decide to do with it. You can cut out letters or numbers that might be relating to your family, for example “Smith Family Christmas Eve Box” or “Christmas Memories for 2017″…

I know I keep explaining it but the possibilities are endless and I would personally have a little think as a family and jot some ideas down. It would make a lovely project to complete once school has finished too!

Christmas Boxes for Children instead of a Stocking – End of the Bed or By their Bedroom Door

If you have young children you might encourage them to stay in their bedroom on Christmas morning until a designated time. The best idea I had was inspired by something my mum did one year. That was to put our stocking in our room and tell us that we could have what was inside it, but we were not to go downstairs until a specific time on the clock. This keeps the child occupied for a while and allows the parents to get a well deserve lie in… hopefully! Here are my “Stocking Box” ideas…

An Edible Treat
A Short Game to Play
Christmas Drawing or Craft – Print off a Christmas Image and give them colours
A Recipe to Bake with Family Or Something You Can Use To Decorate from C-Eve
A Small Toy – Parents Choice
A Pack of Cards or a New Game – Teach Each Other Something New
One Small Present to Open in Bed
Instructions for the Day – Go Downstairs at a Certain Time…
A Fun Riddle or Quiz they have to get correct…

Here is one set of my Christmas Eve Box ideas, a pack of playing cards that have animals on them to teach your children while you play. Junior Scrabble is another great game for children! You could play but they are only allowed to put down Christmas related words! Cadbury Festive Friends are tasty chocolate biscuits shaped for the festive season that children can share. And the adults have to have something… Lindor Chocolates perhaps?! Festive Pens for some colouring thrown in there too… The box possibilities are as much as you can imagine!

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Some Little Extra Traditions That Are Fun

Ideas to make your children believe what happened the evening before…

Use flour or fake snow on the kitchen floor to make Reindeer and Santa footprints like they came in at the back door OR if you actually have a chimney then do it there, and don’t forget to take bites out of all the food before the kids see it! They will be amazed!

What Is Still To Come On Severn Wishes…

I have a ton more blog posts to bring you this month, many are Christmas related, Gift related or Craft Related! I hope that you’ll come back to Severn Wishes soon for the next latest installments.

If you enjoyed anything in particular on this post and plan to use any of my ideas practically this Christmas then leave me a comment with what you loved, it would make my day if I helped you out.

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I really hope that you’ve enjoyed this special blog post today, and perhaps I’ve given you some inspiration for making something too! Please let me know in the comments either on here or on my channel if you do decide to make a Christmas box. You can tag me in images on social media too I would love to see them! Happy Crafting!

✩ Sabrina ✩