November 2017 Treatbox Reveal

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Sabrina

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

✩ Happy Treat Box Day Everyone! ✩

✩✩✩ This month appears to have the theme of stars! ✩✩✩
I open the box to find a dark navy blue coloured tissue paper, there are stars on the calendar print and there are tiny sequin stars everywhere!
✩ (I am still finding them randomly now – this morning when I was getting dressed I found one stuck to my leg!) ✩
It reads “Shine Bright” in the corner of the print and November stands out on a night sky background…

As I open the calendar print page up and start to read about the contents of this box for November, I realise that the theme is recognized through some lovely items and there is also a theme of relaxation, in a moment you will understand what I mean… I peel back the sticker “Spread a little Love” carefully and I’m greeted with stars and blue colours.

Here are all of the items available in the November Treatbox – Stars and Relax.

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 9 main items in this Treatbox and we also have around two hundred tiny stars in there as well… ✩✩✩

Calendar Print for November 2017 – Night Sky – Shine Bright
Star Fabric in Navy Blue – 90cm x 180cm – 100% Viscose
A4 Print – “when it rains look for rainbows, when it’s dark look for stars”
Purse Print – “never stop looking up”
Vaseline Tub – Limited Edition – Sugar Coated – 20g
Bookmark – Hearts and Raindrops – “It Starts Raining, I Start Reading”
Pocket Mirror – “Today Is A Good Day”
Adult Colouring Book – Relax Therapy / Art Therapy – 120 pages
Sparklers – 5 Coloured Fireworks

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 leave me a comment 😉

✩ My Favourites ✩

My favourite items from this month’s box are definitely the fabric, the sparklers, the colouring book and the quoted A4 Print.

My reasons are these, adult colouring is something I am totally in favour of, and I have many books on my shelves that I work through. For anyone who hasn’t tried it, please, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed give it a go! You won’t know if it will help until you try it, what have you got to lose? Except a couple of quid on some pens or pencils… I adore the Print, one of my most favourite quotes and I am planning to get this particular one framed… The fabric is also just Wow! It’s not only soft and detailed it’s also huge! A perfect item to hang up or for use draped across something or even worn around the shoulders like a pashmina. Finally the Sparklers are such a cool idea and I am already making a little list of things I want to try with them…

✩ My Overall Opinion ✩

There are some really nice pieces in the November box. The theme was current throughout and it was both a relaxing and thought provoking set of items. What I liked the most was the Sparklers, what a genius thing to include in the box, both to mark the moment in time for this historic month in the United Kingdom and to acknowledge adults need fun too!

An unusual way to continue the theme with both the Prints and the Fabric, but as always quality is key and we got that in bounds with this box. I loved that it was thought out carefully and that we not only have Fun, we have things to keep, things to use and to wear, as well as something to Relax with after.

I’m only disappointed by one thing, and that is receiving yet another compact mirror! I am so careful with mirrors because I am superstitious, so I certainly haven’t broken any of the previous four or more that I have gotten… I hope to gift it away at some point to a friend. Although I now have one in either of my main handbags and one in my overnight bag… perhaps I should buy a new handbag for this new one to go in! (laughs!)

Overall it is a great box with good quality items and some unique ideas too. I am by no means disheartened by the mirror, only I hope there won’t be one for quite some time now! I cannot wait to use the fabric or the sparklers, and if you follow me on social media keep an eye out for either of them, I am sure they will make an appearance sooner or later! I know just what I want to do with them…

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 am off to take another look through all my lovely November items, and then wrap up some Christmas gifts. Have a great month!

✩ Sabrina ✩

My Trip to Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour, Experience and Review

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Sabrina

My Day Trip to Warner Brothers Studios for the Harry Potter Tour at Leavesden Studios, at Watford Near London.

Welcome to my Travel and Lifestyle post outlining my experiences at the Harry Potter Studio Tour, with some of my photography. As well as an insight into my childhood growing up with this amazing literature adventure.

I went with my husband on the August 2017 Bank Holiday Weekend, and I paid £101.85 for the privilege of two “The Complete Adult Tour” Packages including the Paperback Souvenir Guide and Digital Guide to go around the studio with. That includes the £3.95 I paid to have all of my tickets posted to me. I spent £49.80 on souvenirs afterwards, but we will get to those at the end…

My Visit to the Harry Potter Studio Tour and My Personal Reasons for Going

It was an experience that I had been waiting for for a considerable time. The chance to go to Leavesden Studios near London, was on my bucket list. And not just for the one reason that’s obvious. Everyone who grew up reading the Potter franchise, either for themselves or with their own children, knows that these books hold a part of your soul that you gave away while becoming completely engrossed in the world of Hogwarts and Harry. J.K Rowling managed to do what very few authors can, and this was to create a world that so many people (both young and old) fell in love with. Although it was a frightening place to reside at times during the books, people longed to go there, and we all had our own visions of what it would be like…

For me though, it’s way more than that. The reason is that I had hoped to one day work at the studio. I remember applying to audition for the original Harry Potter film, but on my returned letter it stated that I was 6 months too old to audition, and that other older roles had already been filled. My dream was shattered. I had applied to audition for any part and was offering to be an extra as well, I was happy to travel as my parents knew how much it meant to me, and had supported me if I was chosen.

Sadly I was never lucky enough to be an extra, though I tried countless times and for the majority of the films whenever they opened up a casting. So I gave up on that dream for a time, and I stuck to my reading and writing with occasional stage work too as a teen. Still, I longed to be a part of that world…

Those days of being on stage are also sadly behind me now because of health reasons. And when I went to University aged 19 I had the choice of going down the drama route or to follow my other creative passion, which is photography. And I chose the latter. I still write though and I hope to one day have something published.

I think if anyone ever made my books into films I would love to be like Peter Jackson, who appeared in numerous scenes as an extra throughout his time directing The Lord of the Rings franchise. That would be completing two of my dreams in one go, I still live in hope of all of it…

So for the past two years I’ve tried my utmost to get to the Harry Potter Studio Tour, between work commitments and poor health, every time I’ve had to postpone or rearrange… but this August Bank Holiday I was determined to go. I had to book it two months in advance due to the summer holidays but it was something to look forward to.

What made it more real was the tickets arriving in the post, they were unique and creative and I felt like I was holding a part of the experience already. I thought it felt like an age away, but it was soon here and upon us. My husband offering to drive us down so I agreed and became my usual organised freak self, I did my maps and my travel times and planned out our day.

When you pull up to the studio’s you’ll notice that only advanced bookings are allowed and that security check your tickets on arrival. From there you park up in front of what looks like a mixture between an air craft hanger and a business distribution headquarters. The only give away are statues out front and several rather large Harry Potter film related posters…

The whole studio is neatly laid out and the main atrium is large and welcoming. The actors and characters portraits are all looking down on you from the high walls above. The Weasley Car (one of the many used) is suspended in the air above one corner, and you have a feeling of awe before you’ve even gone past the foyer.

I couldn’t help but wonder how people with no knowledge of the books would ever feel at home here. But as I said to my husband, (who has seen the films but read zero words on any of the books pages), to take the studio as it is, for its magnificence and marvel at the creativity, the hard work and the talent that has gone into making every single aspect of it.

Having purchased tickets that included a paperback guide and a digital guide, we decided to headphone it up and get into the queue. We would pick up our book guides at the gift shop at the end of our tour (as suggested by a staff member) so we didn’t have to carry them around.

So as we queued up initially to start the tour I was amazed by just how many people there were. There had to easily be 200 people going in to each tour slot. Plus there were always things to read, see or listen to, even while you waited. Quotes from J.K.Rowling and the famous “Cupboard Under the Stairs” can be admired as you queue for the beginning of you tour.

Once inside the introduction area you are met with many television screens on the walls placed vertically and acting as cinema posters, showcasing the Harry Potter film franchise in every language they were released in. It was fascinating to see how the posters looked, advertising the various movies in their country, some were rather different than ours.

Next our tour guide gave us a brief introduction into the do and don’t of the studio. Of course it contained the usual rules of, “Please don’t pass any barriers” and “Don’t reach over and touch the costumes” things like that. Common sense but essential reminders for those who might get a little carried away with the magic. There was also a no food and drink policy and only one main rule encouraging you to take as many photographs as possible and to share them. No problem for me, I thought, and by the end of my tour I was suitably satisfied with the 1,200 images I had taken.

So the next part I don’t want to spoil for those of you who have yet to visit, all I will tell you is that it begins with a door…

As you enter the start of your Harry Potter studios tour you are welcomed with a familiar sight, and one that I had imagined in my mind since I was eleven years old, when I first read The Philosophers Stone, that room is of course The Great Hall. Obviously missing the incredible magic sky in the ceiling, but this room is so iconic to the movies and an essential part of the Hogwarts Castle. If you think back to how many incredible things happen in this Great Hall, then you will understand why I got goosebumps as I walked through it.

Set around the room are two of the amazing long tables and benches, that had once been filled with the actors as they were being filmed. Now they stand in testament to all those hours of rolling film, still set out as though students would soon be filing in for dinner. Fake flames flicker up the walls from the metal burners along the sides, and the original flagstone floor remains underfoot. Some of the actors costumes are situated further down in the hall, and I was in awe of their details. Even the alter with the Owl that Sir Richard Harris (the original and wonderful Dumbledore) stood at in the first two films, along with his costume, and that of several of the other teachers too, remain in excellent condition for all to see. The details were incredible!

As you finish The Great Hall you notice some doors off to the left, these lead you on to the rest of your tour. I took one last look back at The Great Hall as I went through the doors into the rest of the studio… I hope this image shows you the scale of this incredible room.

I won’t go into every little detail of this next enormous section, but I will however give you a list of some of the rooms and the things you will encounter here.

Hair and Makeup and Especially Wigs
Wands and their Wizards

The Gryffindor Common Room

The Gryffindor Tower and Beds

More Costumes – Mostly Gryffindor and/or Teachers

Dumbledore’s Office

The Pendulum Clock

Potions Class

Paintings and Stairs
The Leaky Cauldron

Hagrid’s Hut
Musical Instruments
Various Significant Furniture
Quidditch Brooms and Trophies

Broomstick Lessons and Photo Experience

The Burrow – Weasley Household
Ministry of Magic Chimneys
Various Props
Cars and Vehicles
Significant Tables and Doors
Statues
Animatronics

Here are a few images but I won’t spoil it all for you…Here I am doing my first Broom Lesson… “UP!”

I remembered these costumes so vividly…

Potions Lesson anyone? I was a huge fan of Alan Rickman, I don’t think anyone could have played Severus Snape as well as he did. I was very sad when he passed away recently, so to be so close to one of the costumes that he actually wore, I felt like he was there in spirit…

Once safely through these wondrous parts which took us over an hour because there is so much to see (and with crowds too), you find yourself at the Ministry of Magic section and the entrance to The Forbidden Forest.

Having deliberately waited for the Forest to be included in the tour I was rather glad I had. I absolutely loved The Prisoner of Azkaban, it is my favourite of the books and although I felt the film missed a few vital back story parts, it was extremely well done by the directors. Buckbeak the Hypogriff was also a vital part of the storylines so to stand so close to his animatronic version was a great experience. I even took a selfie!

The other side of the forest leads us into the territory of rather large spiders including the one and only Aragog and her Spider minions. You can see a Patronus and other forest related things too. After this you will pass through into a break area with a small shop and some toilets…

After the small pit stop area you walk out into the long room and are greeted by the smell of smoke and the bright colours of the Hogwarts Express. The real life and full sized train, it was amazing to see, and all the more amazing to get on it and stand where actors had once stood.

Obviously so much of the inside of it is partitioned off so as to preserve the original carriage seating and other features, but they allow you to walk on and look inside the various sections. Most are still laid out with luggage and examples off the confectionery trolley such as the illusive chocolate frogs.

There are a few photographic opportunities here as well as a small shop too. And for those who have never visited King’s Cross Station in Central London, the chance to be one of those lucky wizards pushing their trolley through the wall at 9 & 3/4s…

Once you’re through and finished with the Hogwarts Express the Cafe Area awaits. Butterbeer and food can be found here, along with a vast seating area for you to rest before the next part of the tour.

Into the Backlot now and you will see some rather familiar sites! The Hogwarts Bridge, famous in the film The Prisoner of Azkaban, where Remus Lupin and Harry share a beautiful moment as he reflects on the past… This is one of my favourite parts of the films and the books, and I loved walking along here…

The Knight Bus! And the houses… 4 Privet Drive and The Potter’s Cottage at Godric’s Hollow are all here in this outside space… To walk and to stand where these incredibly talented people had stood, was inspiring. Here are some of my images…

The attention to detail in every area of the tour is astounding.

The Chess Pieces from the Chamber of Secrets lead you inside and on to the next parts of the tour…

Following on from this you go into the Creature Effects Department. This was an area that fascinated me, not just because of the animatronics and the puppets, but the almost life sized body doubles of some of the cast who perish at times in the movies. Here is a fun fact, they were designed this way so that when actor Robbie Coltrane was carrying them, they looked the correct size.

Fawkes the Phoenix was my favourite in this section, as well as a Hedwig model Owl and a few other pieces like another Buckbeak and a Dragon head.

As you walk through you notice all the small things that would have taken days for someone to painstakingly create. Three dimensional models, a hundred or more hats, wands and costume pieces.

One of the final parts of the tour is the one and only Diagon Alley. And although I was excited to see this part, I somehow expected it to be larger! I’m not sure why! I will include a photograph of me with my husband below, see what you think, did you expect the area with the shop fronts to be bigger? I know I did!

One of the most incredible rooms on the tour is the final one… The Model Room! I was in awe of the details of the castle as we walked in. The lighting is quite dim however so it was difficult to get a good photograph, I hope you can see the details.

This was an amazing way to end the tour, and I could have spent hours looking at all the tiny details of this model. But I also wanted to get myself into the gift shop!

Finally you enter the gift shop at the end of your tour. It was packed with all sorts of Harry Potter wonders! Clothing, Books, Keyrings and Cuddly Toys! But I must say, the majority of the prices are very steep. It’s disheartening when you pay so much for the tour itself, to find a mere key ring is £7! I will outline the items I bought and the prices that I paid for them. There were many items I would have liked to buy but I couldn’t justify the amount they were asking for them.

Hogwarts Crest Keyring £6.95
Hogwarts Crest Pin £6.95
Time Turner Keyring £8.95
Buckbeak Keyring £4.95
Hedwig Pin £6.00
5 Pins Set £9.95

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon at the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour, and I can understand now what all the hype was about. Being there, where actors that I am greatly fond of, have worked for many years, is such an experience. There was only one part of the tour that I was expecting to see and did not… The Sorting Hat? I had wondered if I had missed it but then I was sure I didn’t. So if there isn’t one, perhaps it could be suspended in glass and you stand beneath it, it could sort you into a house… just an idea for the future WB!

Now for some questions that I have been asked and my honest answers to them.

Would I go again?
Probably not this year, or next year, but if there was something newly added or they extended it and included things in an easier to see way (I thought some parts were over filled and cramped). I’m sure they have plenty of things they could build or rebuild or dig out of storage to make the place larger.

What was my favourite part/s?
I loved seeing the train, the animatronics (Buckbeak) and the costumes. But my favourite part was walking along the bridge from the third film. The details in so many aspects of the tour were amazing.

Was it good value for money?
When you consider how many people worked on the film, and I’m talking artists, sculptors, carpenters and the like. Those are the people the tour celebrates, and I think that is so important, as these professions don’t always get the credit that is deserved. Overall I think you pay your money to see all the amazing things that made the franchise of films what they were, and without all of these elements it would not have been such a success. For this, I don’t mind paying what I have paid. Though I wouldn’t go again in a hurry.

Have I ever done a Harry Potter Sorting Hat Quiz?
Yes I have done, one as a teenager and two as an adult. Each time I have been either a full Gryffindor or part Gryffindor and part Hufflepuff.

What souvenir did I buy for myself at the WB HP Tour?
I purchased three things for myself, one was a pin, and the other two were key rings. I bought a few little bits for my family members. See the images below for a more detailed look at them.

How cute is the tiny Hedwig Pin?! 😀

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my Harry Potter lifestyle, my experience on the tour and looking at my photographs too.
If you have any questions and you think I can answer them please leave me them in the comments section below.
I will include a link to the website below too, for anyone who wants to look at maybe booking a tour slot, they have unique visits this time of year too.
Until next time Wizards and Muggles, I’m Sabrina, and you’ve been reading this on Severn Wishes Blog.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Harry Potter Studio Tour Website

October 2017 Treatbox Reveal

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Sabrina

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

Happy Treat Box Day Everyone, Today is the First of October, Autumn is Here! Let us begin with the Reveal…

This month the tissue paper is a lovely burgundy red colour, definitely one shade that you see on some types of trees as this time of year unfolds…

The little sticker holding it all inside this month reads “Bear Hug”.

As I open the October Calendar print and read about the contents of this box I am noticing a strong fruity smell emanating from underneath the tissue paper. It is a much heavier box than the last couple that were delivered too. Without saying too much we have a Home product, something we can use, something we can eat, something we could send or keep and something to look at and enjoy…

So without further ado here is my photo reveal of all of the items contained in this month’s Treatbox. Happy Autumn!

The full list of items available this month is;

Calendar Print for October
Copper Wire Fairy Lights (3m and 30 lights)
Two Greeting Cards with Autumn Feels “Hello You” and “Sending Lots of Hedge-Hugs”
Tea Light Candles Set – 3 Hour Burn Time – 15 Pack – Mine were “Wild Berries”
Milk Chocolate Caramel Crunch from Butlers “Purveyors of Happiness” a milk chocolate bar with caramel and crunchy hazelnut pieces
Sticker Sheet – 20 Autumn Animal Drawing Stickers
Home Item is a Grey Hoop it reads “You Are Loved”
Print for October Reads “Pumpkin Spice Everything Nice that’s what Autumn is made of”

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 leave me a comment 😉

My Favourites

My favourite items from this month’s box are definitely the Greeting Cards and the Stickers. Both are unique and unusual items that I will enjoy using and sending. I plan to eat the chocolate bar within the next few days and when I do I will pop my thoughts about it on one of my social media probably on Instagram. The print is extra special this month because it’s been designed with more colour and is very relate-able to the chosen theme.

My Overall Opinion

The October box contains several well-made and thoughtfully considered products for the Autumnal theme. I liked that so many of the items were Treatbox originals too! When you get things delivered that you cannot get anywhere else it’s excellent! There are some things you could gift if you didn’t like them. I honestly don’t mind that we have received another set of fairy lights. I use them in every room of my house in jars and vases and also for my blogging. It’s also been nice to try a new company product, the Butlers chocolate, I am looking forward to it 😉

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/

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

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

If you enjoy the Reveal Video that I record of this Treatbox every month then please click the link to see this latest one here.

Until the next time Severn Wishes followers, thank you for joining me for this reveal today, and I hope you have all enjoyed it.

✩ Sabrina ✩

NYX Slide On, Glide On, Stay On, Eye Liners Review Part 2

Posted on September 10, 2017 by Sabrina

NYX Slide On Eye Liners, Part 2! Because “Oh Yes!” I Bought More!!!

I loved my first three eyeliners so much that I decided to get some more colours. I also wanted to experiment with photographing them as well as making up a variety of eye looks too.

I now own seven shades of the NYX Slide On and Glide On Eyeliner. These range from a basic brown and gold shade, right through to the vibrant blue and green.

Here are the numbers and the names of the seven eyeliners I have bought.

SL6 Esmerelda
SL10 Purple Blaze
SL12 Azure
SL13 Jewel
SL14 Sunrise Blue
SL15 Brown Perfection
SL16 Golden Bronze

The new colours are perfect for creating looks that stand out, especially with the blue shades.

I decided to get mine from a local Boots Store, I love saving up my points from them you see!

Playing around with some of the colours… I drew a heart on my arm, can I get an aw?

You can tell on my fairly pale skin just how much these colours stand out, and they compliment one another well too.

The reason I decided to draw the heart on my arm is to show how vibrant the shades are next to one another. The liners have colours that vary so that you’re not getting some similar ones when you purchase them you get a specific shade, for example the two shades of blue are entirely different, as you can see in my photograph.

Here are some of my different looks that I have created recently with these liners. I have uploaded others to my Instagram from time to time as well.

Above; Subtle Natural Makeup Look; while using SL15 and SL16.

Above; My take on a Mermaid Look while using SL10, SL12 and SL14.

Two separate occasions using the darker shades to create these looks.
Top one is mainly SL15.
Lower one is mainly SL16.

Now I’m going to show you some more photographs of the liners themselves, they look great in their vibrant and accurately coloured casings!

These are now my “go-to” eye liners and I haven’t used any other brand since getting them. If you see me with my makeup done online, look for the tags to see if I used the NYX ones!

These eyeliners are so easy to apply, I absolutely adore using them. I sometimes blend them on my eye lids using my Spectrum Brushes too…

During my last review I scored these Eyeliners a massive 5/5! Here are my scores below for this review, now that I have had time to test them more thoroughly and while using more shades.

Quality of Items 5/5
Effectiveness 5/5
Appearance 5/5
Value for Money 4/5

The only point that these liners loose out on this time, is a Value one. Because when I went back to buy more the prices had all gone up, by quite a lot actually. So I was gutted but I still ended up purchasing them, that is dedication, and it is all because of the NYX Quality!

Thank you for reading this review today, I really hope you have enjoyed it.

✩ Sabrina ✩

NYX at Boots Website

Birchbox August Box Reveal and Review

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Sabrina

Having taken note of several Birchbox reviews and recent boxes I have been waiting for the right time to sign up and I chose this month for two reasons. The first is because they had a fabulous deal on with free gifts, and the box also contains a Spectrum Brush that is only usually available inside the set of its colour…

So I have had delivered a one off Birchbox to Reveal its contents and Review honestly for you all this week. This unboxing is the contents of the August Box, which has a theme of Mermaids. The box itself is beautiful, a detailed scales design of Blues, Greens and Purples, with a golden trim.

I will tell you honestly why I wanted this box, and it’s more for the Spectrum Brush than any of the other items. Though I was pleasantly surprised by the actual box design quality and the other contents, and I will of course try any product once, and plan to do so with what Birchbox have chosen to send me.

The Birchbox measures 18.2cm in Length, by 12cm Wide and 5cm Deep. The design really stands out against my white backdrop as I begin to photograph the unopened contents.

Now it’s time for the Reveal! Let’s open my Mermaid themed box!

The free gift that I managed to get with my order was a fabulous summery and rather stripey makeup bag, and a Nails Inc Nail Polish. The bag is lilac and yellow and measures 22cm by 16cm. It is adorned with a yellow rope and pink trim that includes zip and the word Birchbox in a clear plastic. The Nails Inc Nail Kale Polish is in the colour of Regal Close and is a nude shade.

Nails Inc is a good brand that I have tried and tested before. I was happy that I was receiving something that was well known. The makeup bag reminds me of Summer with the shades of its stripes. They are two free gifts that I will certainly enjoy.

Here is the full list of the items that I received in my Birchbox. I will be looking at them individually, and photographically, in just a moment.

Spectrum Clam Brush A05

Seba Med Clear Face Mattifying Cream

Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray

LOC Eye Shadow Stick

Merci Handy New Wave Love & Hand Gel

Spectrum Clam Brush A05

The A05 Brush by Spectrum Collections is designed for applying blusher or bronzer with precision. It is a beautiful brush that is part of the Spectrum Atlantis Collection, usually only supplied inside the Glam Clam. A turquoise handle and a brush end with bristles of lilac and pink, this makeup brush is finished with a rose gold ferrule.

Seba Med Clear Face Mattifying Cream

This Seba Med Clear Face Cream is designed to be free from oils, it is the ideal PH for the skin at 5.5. A non-greasy and shine-reducing cream, this is meant to be moisturising for oily skin. Containing Aloe Vera and Hyaluronic Acid to keep your skin hydrated and smooth, without clogging pores. This travel size at 10ml is great for a handbag or for travelling.

Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray

The Oribe Spray can add texture and shine by adding a tousled waves to the hair. It has added proteins and vitamins to give the hair a boost, and can be applied to wet or dry locks. It contains ingredients that have a natural dose of UV protection and natural oils like sunflower and others such as marigolds and amber, to ensure the hair gets nourished. This can is a 37ml size, ideal for going away but be aware this might not be allowed in aeroplane luggage due to being an aerosol.

LOC Eye Shadow Stick

A Birchbox Exclusive, the LOC stick is a precise eye liner shadow pencil which claims to have 11 hours of crease free staying power. It is a compact size but I think from the swatch that I did it will go a long way. In my opinion it is an ideal base for other eye shadow colours to be built up on. Mine was named “Out of your Shell”. The One and Done Eye Shadow Stick is supposed to be easy to apply and comes in a travel size at 1.35g.

Merci Handy New Wave Love & Hand Cleansing Gel

A handy sized sanitiser which is great for handbags or travelling. A simple item but a rather useful one. I received this blue one, called New Wave. I like that it smells nice, it even has glitter inside it for a touch of glam, and it is also supposed to nourish your skin while killing bacteria because it contains Vitamin E and emollient beads. It smells like fruity and clean all at the same time, and is a ‘handy’ 30ml size.

My favourite items from the box are the LOC Eye Shadow Stick and the Spectrum Collections Glam Clam A05 Brush.

My reasons are because I will definitely use these pieces. I wanted the brush so badly to use in blogging and in my makeup. The other items I will all use and/or test, so I just see them as a bonus. I quietly hope that I can use them all despite my sensitive skin.

Here is another image of my items that were inside my August Birchbox.

And below is another shot of the free nail polish and the makeup bag.

Overall I am pleased that I did this Reveal, If I am very happy with any of the individual products then you will no doubt see individual reviews of the items.

Thank you very much for reading this blog post today, I really hope you’ve enjoyed this reveal and of course all of my detailed photography.

If you’re interested in some Birchbox products then please check out their website, they have a shop and you can subscribe to the boxes if you wish to.

Birchbox

If you liked this but want to ‘See’ more then check out my unboxing video, reveal and honest review of the box over on my YouTube Channel.

Thanks Severn Wishes followers, until next time!

✩ Sabrina ✩

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

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Sabrina

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 ✩

Revisiting the Urban Decay Urban Eyeshadow Vault

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Sabrina

Revisiting the Urban Decay Urban Eyeshadow Vault

A good many months ago now, I was extremely lucky enough to win this Urban Decay Vault, but I haven’t had much time to photograph and use the products inside it. So on the blog today I am revisiting this incredible Eyeshadow Vault, showing off some new swatches and new images I have made of its contents.

There are twenty wonderful pots inside this vault, and they are all gorgeous eyeshadow shades. I am going to show off some brand new swatch images, and then just a whole lot of random shots that I love. I have experimented for hours with photographing the pots and also added some of my spectrum brushes in some photographs too, to bring a whole lot of awesomeness to my blog today!

The Swatches

10 pots are Original Collection shades and 10 are Moondust Collection shades.

The Original ones are in the Dark Grey Pots. Here are my swatches.

Blackout
Lounge
Mildew
Mushroom

Last Call
Scratch
Busted
Sellout

Rockstar
X

The Moondust Collection are in the Silver Pots. Here are my swatches.

Scorpio
Zodiac
Vortex
Moonspoon

Solstice
Space Cowboy
Dark Force
Interstellar

Shockwave
Cosmic

What I loved most about photographing these eyeshadow pots was the variety in the colours. They are wonderfully designed with such detail.

I really hope that you will enjoy these next four photographs, I spent many hours composing and shooting, and this is what I have come up with.

I hope I have done the Urban Decay Urban Eyeshadow Vault justice with my work. Leave me a comment if there is a particular photo that you really like so that I know, thank you.

The Vault

A Little Mixture

Stack and See

An Incredible Set

You can purchase Urban Decay Eyeshadow Pots from their website, they range from £14 – £15.50 each. Check the range out by clicking here.

Thank you for reading this blog post today. Let me know if you enjoyed the revisited swatches and my photographs. And don’t forget to check out the original post if you want more general information, it can be found right here.

✩ Sabrina ✩

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

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Sabrina

✩ 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!

✩✩✩

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 ✩

My Visit to the Island of Skomer in 2017

Posted on July 27, 2017 by Sabrina

Skomer Island

The beautiful and unforgiving island that is Skomer is situated 2 miles off the Pembrokeshire coast of South Wales in Great Britain. It is first and foremost a nature reserve, and has been for more than thirty years. It is managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

During the summer months it can be home to thousands of sea birds. Some of the amazing varieties include Gannets, Puffins, Manx Shearwaters, Owls and Gulls. There are also opportunities (at certain times of the year) to see Dolphins, Porpoises, Atlantic Grey Seals and the unique Skomer Vole, among others.

There is only one way to get on and off Skomer Island, and that is by means of the Dale Sailing boats. The landings only occur from April until September, and only on specific days. Not only that, but weather plays a huge part in whether or not the boat will even run.

(The Boat is Returning to Collect Passengers from Skomer).

Skomer is most famous for its Puffin colonies who are the largest numbers in Southern Britain. This year was a particularly good year for their numbers, and I jumped at the opportunity to explore this island. Because I’m a keen nature and wildlife photographer it was a place that I had always hoped I would get to visit. Unfortunately for me, both the weather (that prevents the boat trips) and my health had previously stopped me from going. That was until June of this year, (hurrah!) when I finally stepped on to this amazing place for the first time!

In this blog post I am going to talk about my experience in detail, I will include some of my photographs, of both the island, the boat, the wildlife and I may even throw in a shot of me ‘in action’… all will become clear! But for those of you, who are intrigued to know more about Skomer then please continue reading. Hopefully by the end of this travel post you will be looking to perhaps visit the island yourself.

(An Oyster Catcher on a Stone Wall on Skomer).

So before we even get anywhere near the island, you have to be prepared for a very early start to your day. There are No Advanced Bookings what so ever, which means if you want a ticket you have to queue up for one. Nature enthusiasts, photographers, walkers, bird watchers, these are all the sorts of people you find who visit Skomer regularly, plus they all know the score. So in order for you to guarantee your place on one of those boat landings, you will need to be parked at the cliff car park (which is National Trust Land) and queue up at seven in the morning.

(View of the Car Park).

The Landing Tickets are issued by the Lockley Lodge which is situated on the hill leading down from the car park towards the sea. They are issued on a first come and first served basis only, so in the height of summer you must be willing to sacrifice a few hours stood and sat about waiting. The ticket office opens around eight to eight thirty in the morning, but the car park and the queue begins building from seven. The boats themselves run at intervals, with only fifty tickets per trip and a maximum person count for the island too, 250 people per day.

The first boat runs at 10am and the first return departs at 3pm. I will put this year’s Sailing information at the bottom of the post. There is a Boat Fee (I will pop the prices for this year at the end of the post). Lockley Lodge is also a Gift Shop and sells some supplies useful for your day. You can book your trip online these days too.

(Some of the items we got at the Gift Shop).

What can you do before you go? You can prepare yourself (and any family members) for a long day, ensure they all carry water and snacks, because there are no places to buy anything on the island. You must wear appropriate clothing, footwear and make sure that all persons are clued up on what they day will be like. There is a rather steep climb when you arrive for example, and only one set of toilets on the entire island. These are things to consider if you will have small children or anyone that is classed as elderly in your party. The island has a few rules, and if you cannot stick to them then I suggest you look for another day out. These include, no smoking, taking all rubbish with you, sticking to paths at ALL times and not interacting with the wildlife in a manner that is deemed inappropriate.

(National Trust Car Park at Martin’s Haven).

So as I mentioned earlier, the only way to reach Skomer is by boat, and this is not for the faint hearted. In fact the entire journey there and back can be a little daunting. The fisherman’s boat turned people carrier transports its passengers from the end of the cliffs at Martin’s Haven, just down the road from the village of Marloes. Once again this could be an issue for anyone with height issues, because you must walk along a cliff edge, and step into the boat from a railing and steps carved into the rock face. Once you have travelled on the boat, which is roughly twenty minutes but can depend entirely on the sea and the weather, you arrive to the island, and you will be required to disembark and climb approximately seventy stone and rock steps up to the safety of the flattened island surface.

(Return Boat Docking at Martin’s Haven).

Skomer Island is approximately 2 miles in length and 1.5 miles wide, so it takes a fair time to move around it. Obviously some of the paths do not go close to the cliff edges and this is also due to a safety aspect, for the birds and the visitors.

The best times to visit Skomer Island are when the birds and nesting and breeding. This can be anytime between May and August depending on the type of bird. My family and I were more interested in seeing the Puffin colony than anything else. I had never before seen a Puffin and I was astounded by how sweet and small they were. Would you believe me if I told you that the birds are everywhere? They are walking around, in and out of Burrows. They are flying around you, below on the cliffs edges and over the top of your head. Some are swimming in the sea or even floating upon the surface. But birds are everywhere!

(Farm Houses, Toilet Block and Accommodation on Skomer Island).

I think what I loved most about this island was its unique look, its unusual inhabitants, and also its ability to combine conservation and protection for its wildlife, while still allowing people like myself to visit and take all of it in. Skomer is much underrated in my personal opinion. Of course we don’t want hundreds of people trying to get over there and we certainly don’t want ignorant people who wish to disturb this incredible habitat. What we do need however are nature enthusiasts who don’t mind paying a little money, for an amazing experience, because I assure you that is what you’ll get.

(The Puffins Are Showing Affection).

My Top 5 Tips for a Skomer Trip

1. Ensure you are well prepared with some good footwear. The paths, although neatly laid out, are rather rocky and there are many climbs, wear shoes that have grips, walking shoes are best. You can pick them up reasonably cheap these days at outdoor shops and well stocked shoe shops.

2. Only bring the essentials you will need for half a day, because you will be carrying them with you, but don’t forget all of these very important items or something similar. Waters, Bite Cream, Sun Cream, Thin Waterproof Clothing, Refreshments, Hand Sanitiser, Sweets for Energy, Hydration Tablets if you suffer from Cramps, and finally Tissues. You will also need a carrier bag to take all of your rubbish home with you.

3. Bring a Camera! There will be some awesome opportunities to take photographs of a variety of wildlife and this should not be something that you should pass up on.

4. Think Ahead! If the weather forecast is going to be bad, such as strong winds, high tides and/or torrential rain, then you can almost guarantee that the boats will not be running. Try and decide and make arrangements so that you are prepared for a last minute change of plan. If the boats do run then that’s great, but be prepared for a long and probably wet day on the island. There’s very little shelter on Skomer, when I say that I promise I’m not exaggerating, there’s hardly a tree, and there are only a couple of buildings most of which are reserved mainly for islands staff.

5. Be Realistic On Time. You may underestimate the size of Skomer if you haven’t visited before. It takes time to weave through the paths and enjoy the many views, but you will be given a specific boat time that you must return to the mainland on. Make sure that you take note of what sections of the island you will need. The toilets are situated at the farm buildings in the centre of the island, but the best place to see the Puffin Colony is usually at The Wick.

(A Puffin has Caught Sand Eels).

Finally I’m going to show you some of the photographs that I managed to achieve while on Skomer this June. I wasn’t lucky enough to see the incredible and unique looking Albino Puffin, though someone I know of did manage to photograph this beauty, and they sent me an image so that I could see it, I was so pleased. I will also include an image of myself that my husband took of me while I was photographing.

(A Puffin Stands Proud).

(A Puffin Protects its Burrow).

(Sabrina in Action, Photographing Birds).

Sailing Times and Current Prices for 2017 (As Correct in 2017)

You can check if boats are running by checking out the Skomer Boat Info on Twitter. Boats only run from Tuesday to Sunday, except Bank Holidays Mondays. The boats also only except cash so make sure you bring sufficient amounts with you by working out the prices for you and your trip mates.
The boats first run at 10am, with that boat returning at 3pm, and so on, until five lots of people have been landed.

Thank you for reading this travel post today, if you visit Skomer after reading my review then please let me know, I would love to hear your thoughts, and I would like to know of anything you may have seen that I did not. All information was correct as of 2017 and prices and boat times are subject to change.

✩ Sabrina ✩

BooHoo Gingham Floral Shorts Review

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Sabrina

BooHoo Gingham Floral Shorts Review and Try On

Check out how awesome these floral shorts look on! They look even better in person too, the camera doesn’t do them justice in my honest opinion.

I wanted something current and new for the summer, beach days being one thing I regularly undertake. Here I am at a beach, wearing said shorts, with my accompanying choice of white tee with Dragonflies on, staying within a nature theme (tee from Primark). Sadly it wasn’t quite warm enough to wear them with bare legs, and I feel the black leggings make them stand out anyway against the sand.

My Overall Review Scores for these Shorts are;

Value for Money 5/5
Fit To Size 5/5
Comfort 5/5
Detailing 5/5
Durability 5/5
Appearance 5/5

Details
Materials; 95% Polyester and 5% Elastane
Wash at 30 degrees

At just £10.00 these shorts are a real bargain this summer. Whether you are going on holiday or you just want some new beach wear for SS17. I recommend these beautiful shorts for several reasons. The first is that the price is excellent for the quality of the fabric, they are in no way see through, and are thick and soft to touch. They sit at the waist and are great for small girls like me, because they make your legs look longer!

I’m so pleased that I purchased these gorgeous summer shorts. They fitted to size and the material is great, comfortable and washes and wears well. The details are also excellent, the gingham is so on trend right now which I love, and to combine that style with summer florals is just a winner in my eyes. Both for my wardrobe and for my style.

Here is the link to the shorts on the BooHoo website for those who want to take a closer look.

Thank you for reading this review today, I hope you will visit Severn Wishes blog again soon for another Fashion post. Until then, happy shopping!

✩ Sabrina ✩

A special thank you to my partner in crime, my best friend, Megan, for taking the photographs of me at the beach.