Category Archives: Artemis and Xena

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 ✩

Using BooHoo Shorts and Iron On Patches to Create my own Unique looking Embroidery Style

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Using BooHoo Shorts and Iron On Patches to Create my own Unique looking Embroidery Style Summer Shorts

In the blog post today I am going to be explaining how I managed to make these awesome, unique, and I have to say pretty cool looking embroidery style shorts.

(The Sunflower, Palm Tree and Eye were already sown on).

The original shorts are from BooHoo, I will pop a link to them at the end of the post…

(All the Patches I have had in my Treat Boxes and Artemis and Xena Box!)

The Iron On Patches have all been from past Treat Boxes, the first one I received is from a whole year ago! And it has been sat in a drawer waiting to be used.

I saw the shorts ages ago when I placed an order, to replace an old black pair. And then I had an idea! Seeing as they already had a couple of patches sown on to them, why not add to them! I decided exactly what I was going to do… and this is the result!

If you ever did this as a child, then you had a great childhood! Picking an iron patch in the local shop, taking it home and choosing an item of your clothing for it to go on to. Usually a denim jacket in the 1990’s with patches covering the back! But I wanted to spruce up these already great shorts! I hope you like what I did!

Here are the Treatbox Iron On Instructions and a closer look at the beautiful Rainbow patch that we had last year in our August 2016 box.

Here is a closer look at the Flamingo and Pineapple which were in the July 2017 box.

Recommending to use a handkerchief or an old pillow case to place over the patch while you are ironing is not only a tip but a definite necessity.

This lovely Cup Cake Iron On Patch came out of the Artemis and Xena Box I had earlier on this year in March.

Getting down to the ‘How To Do This’ Part of the blog post now, and basically just be creative! Make sure that you get patches that are good quality, and make sure you choose both areas of the fabric that are easy to iron on to, and choose a fabric that can be ironed on a high heat without it getting damaged!

Otherwise just follow the instructions carefully and make sure you do this with an adult if you’re of a young age.

My final tip is to play around before ironing anything on, you might change your mind. Imagine wearing the item and where the patches will be when you do. Once you’ve made a final decision why not ask someone in your family for their opinion, it couldn’t hurt. And remember this is a creative and fun activity you can do as a family if you all wanted to participate.

Review of BooHoo’s Polly Palm Embroidered Denim Shorts

Comfort 4/5
Value for Money 3/5
Appearance 4/5

Now I’m going to show you a photo of me wearing my finished shorts! I’m really pleased with the way that they turned out.


Here is a link to the boohoo shorts BOOHOO, and don’t forget to check out my category for my Treat Box REVEALS, the Treat Box shop link is also here if anyone wants it SHOP.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to leave me comments, I’m happy to answer them.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Sabrina’s Crafting – How To Make Your Own 3D Box Frame

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✩ How To Make Your Own 3D Box Frame ✩

If you have followed me on social media or read my blog for a while now, then you will know that I’m a very creative individual. I wanted to share that creative streak with you on the blog this month by writing this special post, and making a “how to” video too!

What I’m going to be talking about on the blog today will be frames. For those who don’t already know, I’m a photographer, I have been for more than twelve years now. I guess you could say that I have an eye for seeing things in the world around me. Combine that with my creativity and it’s a match for making all sorts of things. Like my very own frames, and that is what I’m going to explain to you all now, so that you can go away and make some too.

(Here are a few of my examples to get you thinking…)

Before we begin we will need to gather a few things. You must buy a box frame (of course) or recycle an old unused and unwanted one in your home. The size can be totally up to you so long as its deep, roughly 1.5cm or more is good. And it can plastic or wooden, but wooden is preferable so that you can stick items to it easier.

Here is the type of frame that I chose to get, I like wooden ones, and believe it or not these were only £1 each in Poundland, a real bargain for the quality I think.

These frames make wonderful gifts for people, and seeing as we are getting closer and closer to the end of the year, you might want to keep some ideas in mind if your frame building goes well.

Not only are you going to need some items to put inside your frame, but in order to decorate it, layer it in order to make it 3D, and of course stick the whole ensemble together! So you are going to need to either buy, salvage from loved ones, recycle or make the following items…

So before we start getting creative with it you will need to think of a theme for your frame, and then buy, salvage or make the parts to go with it. I’m going to provide some ideas now, and then take the “How To” part into a Step by Step guide for you to follow.

✩ Theme Ideas ✩

Nature – Woodland / Forest
Nature – Seaside
Nature – Garden
Nature – Animals
Memories – A Day Out
Memories – Loved Ones
Fun – Superheroes
Fun – Toys – Lego


✩ Examples of Some Items I Used and Where You Can Get Them ✩

Stickers – Pound Shops
Wooden Shapes – The Works
3D Butterflies – Inside my Artemis and Xena Subscription Box
Butterfly Stickers – Craft Store
Sequins and Stars – Treatboxes
Wooden Flowers – The Works
Wooden Mini Mushrooms – Etsy
Resin Flowers – Poundland
Mini Wooden Pegs – The Works
Beads and Buttons – Craft Stores
Shells and Stones – From A Beach
Photographs – Owned By Me and Printed By Me
Toy Shops for Small Toy Items

Check Charity Shops – Always Good To Look Around For Items and For Frames

Now on to my Step by Step Guide, you can also watch this on my video, but in case you need a reference to look back on, this is how easy it is to make your frame, once you have accumulated all of the above components.

✩ My Step by Step Guide ✩

Step 1. Make Sure Your Frame Is Clean And Dust Free, Remove Any Price Stickers etc. Decide On Your Theme and If It Will Be Shown In Portrait or Landscape When You’re Finished. This May Take Time To Complete, Do Not Rush, Be Patient…

Step 2. Write Down How You Want It The Frame To Look, Play Around With The Items You Have Assembled, Until You’re Happy With The Way It Looks. Then Write It Down Or Take A Photo Of It.

Step 3. Next, Arrange Your Items Into Order Of What Will Be Stuck Down First Through To Last. Make Sure You Begin By Doing The Background, You Can Keep The Piece Of Glass Inside The Frame, Or Remove It If You Are Layering, But Be Careful The Edges Will Be Sharp. Remove The Back Of The Frame So You Can Work On The Centre (Set It To One Side In A Safe Place).

Step 4. For The Background. You Can Choose To Use The Glass As A Base, The Card Inside, Your Own Photograph Or Your Own Drawing etc. But Make Sure It Is The Correct Size By Measuring It Against The Template Paper Piece Inside The Frame (Or The Glass Piece But Be Careful).

Step 5. Once You Have Completed The Background Start Your First Layer. This Can Be Just An Image To Layer Upon, It Can Be A Photograph, A Collage, A Drawing… Anything! But It Should Stand Out…

Step 6. Once The Background Is Done The First Layer Can Be Glued, Let The Frame Dry For A Few Hours After. You Can Nudge The Items After 3-6 Hours And If There Is No Movement, Then You Can Be Gentle And Avoid Them, And Can Continue Sticking. If You Are Layering Paper Though Allow Time To Dry Between The Layers (Usually 12 hours).

Step 7. When You’re Happy With Your Frame, Continue To Glue Any Items Until The Entire Piece Is Complete And How You Imagined. Remember You Can Always Change Your Mind As You Go. Some Items Might Be Awkward To Stick Down, Take Your Time, And Let It Dry In Between Complex Layers…

Step 8. Once Everything Is Stuck, Let The Frame Dry At Room Temperature (Roughly Overnight for 12 hours but if you glued a lot on then make it 24 hours). Place It Up High And Keep It Away From Any Dirt, Moisture Or Heat.

Step 9. If Everything Has Stayed In Place After This Time Then You Can Fit The Back Of The Frame Back On (Carefully).

Step 10. Let the Frame Sit Now For At Least 24 – 48 hours. If Nothing Falls Off During This Time Then Now You Can Enjoy What You Have Made!

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Check Out My YouTube Video Showcasing My Frames And More Of The “How To” With  More Of My Tips Too!

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN 3D BOX FRAME

Thank you very much for reading this blog post today. I hope that I have inspired you to try and make a frame yourself! If you do, please leave me a comment to let me know, or you can tag me on social media and show it me instead! I cannot wait to see what you all come up with, and don’t forget to have fun getting creative this summer!

Happy Crafting!

✩ Sabrina ✩

Artemis and Xena – A Review of the First Love Yourself Box

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Artemis and Xena is a Well-Being Enhancing Monthly Subscription Box.

Its contents are designed and collected to improve and uplift your mood, to spread positivity and help you to de-stress.

The items can be creative, pampering, fun, treat related, comforting, positive and most of all uplifting. But the main goal of this unique subscription box is to improve and raise awareness of mental health issues and self esteem problems.

These boxes are designed for teenagers and women who need a boost to their well being. Artemis and Xena compile a variety of different items in their boxes so there will be something for everyone inside.

Not only all of this, but 20p of every box that is sold goes towards a charitable project that is chosen by Artemis and Xena. These projects are always ones that will benefit women, such as enhancing well-being or empowering women.

This months box was titled ‘Soar In Life’ with the positive quote of ‘First Love Yourself’. Abbreviated to F.L.Y, First Learn To FLY, First Love Yourself.

I’m very happy that I’m able to bring you this review and unboxing. Artemis and Xena have sent me this box to review and as a belated birthday present as well!

Having suffered with mental health problems, I am all too aware of how much objects and ways to improve mindfulness can help on bad days. The one thing that I really liked about this subscription box was the variety inside. Of course not everything will be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think the team genuinely come up with items that will suit the majority of subscribers, because they choose to include things that will help calm, inspire creativity and ensure feelings of positivity.

Here is the first shot of the contents of my box, and as you can see there are so many wonderful things inside it. I will outline what each of the items was once I have given my overall opinion.

Having arrived covered in brown paper to ensure the contents are secure, the Artemis and Xena F.L.Y box has the brand sticker on the top and a cute little heart too. Sealed with a glittery purple strip of sticky tape, the box feels full up as I opened the cardboard sides. The boxed items were well dressed in a pretty pink and floral paper, that could be reused to wrap someone a gift.

It isn’t the most professional looking box that I have reviewed, but what I love is how unique the box and its contents are. The subscription is very new on the market (as of January 2017) and of course I have no doubt it will grow in time. Some items are separately bagged, the bits in organza bags are particularly nice, as are the individual pieces. The attention to detail is what is so great about this box.

The only issue with having all the bits in a large box like this is that when there are spaces they move around when in transit, this can cause some items to be creased, or bent or damaged. As people will see when they watch my video, my bath melts had gotten loose in my box, and during my unboxing I have to smooth out several of the flatter things, such as the corner of one butterfly. I know this cannot always be helped, but perhaps different sized boxes to suit the variety of items per month could be considered.

There were some of this boxes contents that really stood out to me. The items built for creativity and mindfulness are excellent, as are the relaxing ones. So much can be done with the pieces in this box, and if you’re not particularly creative then you can re-gift some of them to people who are.

A subscription starts from £12 a month plus delivery. Artemis and Xena will tailor your box around you when you order, by getting you to answer a few questions about yourself. The founder of the company is Ani, she is passionate about helping women with mental health issues after suffering with them herself. She came up with the well-being box concept after struggling mentally in her late teens.

I wanted to ask Ani some questions so that we can all get to know her better. She has only recently began her company, but she is already helping women and young girls all across the United Kingdom feel better about their mental health, all because of a box.

How did you come up with the awesome name of Artemis and Xena for your Subscription box?

Artemis & Xena are two very powerful women in mythology. Artemis was not just a goddess who could use a bow and arrow, she was also the protector of young girls (this links well to our box idea). Xena was a warrior princess, she was strong and brave. Personally, these two are inspirational women I look up to and that is why I chose their names for the box.

How long have you been providing subscription boxes?

I have been providing sub boxes since January! That was the first box! Artemis & Xena is a very new subscription service.

Do you have a team behind the scenes and creative minds that work together on each box?

 Currently no team. I work on my and create and curate the boxes myself and contact small businesses myself too. Sometimes my mum does help out though, but it means I have to work long hours and work everyday including the weekend without a wage!
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But it is worth it! I love that I have created Artemis & Xena and I love that it has put a smile on many girls and women’s faces so far!

What are your plans for the next year in regards your business?

Hopefully we will get bigger so we can afford to provide even more items in our boxes! I also want to provide a box with more high end items, a mini box, and possibly a tween box in the future too!

You state that your boxes are meant to empower teens and women with a focus on well being, but what do you consider the most important element of making a box?

I want to make sure it would be something that I would appreciate it if I received it. I usually imagine if I received the box and how it would make me feel. I think its important about how the contents of a box makes you feel. I also try and tie items together too rather than adding them randomly. I also think its important that I add something that I created into the box, not just other businesses as I want my subscribers to feel connected to me. Also, I would only use products free from animal cruelty!

Is there an item that you particularly find is great for your well being, if so what is it and have we seen it in a box already or will it be one day?

For me, I found inspirational quotes a great pick me up or very motivational! So I do include those. I also found mindfulness helpful although at first I was very skeptical. When I first starting doing mindfulness, I didn’t believe it would work therefore it didn’t do much. But once I starting getting into it and believed it could help me focus, it did start to help me. I still use it to calm down as I suffer from Anxiety. I hope to find more techniques for well-being and also talk to specialists in the future so I can improve the well-being aspects of the boxes.


Inside My Box

I am now going to outline the contents of the box in their relative groups so you can see the individual items available. I will complete my review with the pieces that I found the most useful and inspiring to me.


Mindfulness Colouring Pages – To Stimulate Calm and Focus
4 Heart Shaped Soy Wax Melts by DollysCandles (Etsy) Scent of ‘Love Spell’
Love Cupcake Iron On / Sew On Patch
Heart Shaped Aromatherapy Bath Bombs by Dreambath (Etsy) Scent of ‘Rose’


Bag of Mixed Beads and Elastic Thread
Mindfulness Yoga Poses Practice Cards
Envelope of 31 Positive and Self-Love Affirmations – One A Day Pick Me Ups

 


Sweet Treats
2 Butterflies – 3D Wall Stickers
Buttons in 3D Wooden Hearts
‘Be Happy, Be Bright, Be You’ Quote Card
Crafty Bag of Heart Sequins and Shapes
Pukka Tea and Organza Bag – ‘Love’ Tea is Organic and Caffeine Free


Cosmetic Beauty Blender Heart Shaped Makeup Sponge
Nail Art Stickers
Nail Art Strips
Collection 2000 Mardi Gras Lip Balm
Metallic Temporary Tattoo Stickers

 


Blue Plait with Golden Coloured Charms
Necklace with Charm
Tribal Earrings on pretty card with quote

Extra Items

First Love Yourself A6 Card
Pink Floral Tissue Paper (Can Be Re-Used)

My Favourite Items

I really love the heart tribal earrings, I also think the crafting items are an excellent choice for helping people to unwind and de-stress. The items that can be re-used are wonderful choices for a box designed for helping with mental health issues. The calming techniques can be applied and then the items put away and reused again. Such as the bag of beads and elastic, the affirmations and the yoga.

Overall Review

Thank you for visiting Severn Wishes today for my reveal and review. I have really enjoyed this unboxing and reviewing this lovely subscription box.

I would personally like to thank Ani, for sending me the box and allowing me to do this review on her company. I am sure you will agree with me that she is doing a fantastic job in choosing the items for the subscription box.

If you would like to take a look at the Artemis and Xena website then please click here.

And for anyone who wants to watch my unboxing video then please head over to my YouTube channel here.

Thanks for joining me for this review, I hope to see you back here soon.

✩ Sabrina ✩