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 ✩

The Rose Gold Trends That Everyone Can Wear and My Jewellery Wishlist

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Rose Gold Jewellery Trends That Everyone Can Wear

Everyone knows that Rose Gold is on trend again this AW17 season. In this short blog post today I’m going to be telling you about two ways that you can wear this gorgeous shade of metal.

You have the freedom to choose your jewellery and wear it whichever way you want to, so that you can have your own fashion. I cannot stand it when brands tell people “you must wear it like this to be on trend”, well no you don’t, style your own fashion people, wear things just how you want to… take inspiration of course, but do as you like and what suits you. I know I do!

Now Rose Gold is available in so many statement pieces this year, so it’s always good to invest in something well made. That is if you can afford it and if you like this colour of metal of course.

There is one particular Trend that I love because of its endless versatility, and that is the “Mixed Metals Jewellery Trend“. The other one is what I would call the “Delicate’s Jewellery Trend” which surrounds one individual type of jewellery and keeps that as the focus point.

The “Delicate’s Jewellery Trend” simply means you focus on one part of your body to wear the jewellery. So if you’ve got a big chunky knit on this winter nobody is going to see your neck or your wrists, so you cover your hands with pretty Rose Gold rings and jewels. If you’re wearing a long sleeve dress for example you would focus on statement earrings to catch peoples eye. By choosing one part of your body it’s all about complimenting the outfit that you’re wearing and showing off your best bits.

The Mixed Metals Trend is pretty simple, you take two or more metals and mix them on a part of your body. The easiest way to achieve this look would be rings on your fingers. You could wear Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, Rose Gold, Platinum, anything! So long as you mix them between the hands.

Another cool way to use this trend would be earrings, especially if you have a graduated lobe like I do. Using different coloured studs to create this look.

(Here are my own studs, they are from Jewellery Box UK).

I actually saw the character of “Betty” played by the beautiful actress Lili Reinhart, wearing this trend on one of the new episodes of Riverdale. Keep a look out if you watch it, she wore two silver studs and one gold in either ear and it looks amazing! (As is the show by the way if you have Netflix check out Season 1).

Another way to wear the Mixed Metals would be several metal bracelets, these would be harder to match up though so they look like they go together.

The final way you could wear this trend is with necklaces. My TOP TIP would be to wear necklaces of varied lengths, that way the whole of your neckline is covered and peoples eyes are drawn all the way around and down. Try mixing the metals from light to dark or dark to light…

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My Jewellery Wishlist

Now it’s time for me to share my wishlist, just a couple of items that I have loved the look of while browsing the web and through emails that I have gotten. A lady has got to have a wishlist hasn’t she 😉

✩ Cherry Diva ✩

These two rings have really caught my eye from the company Cherry Diva. You can see reviews of other Cherry Diva items that I have bought by clicking the category on my front page. Check these items out further by clicking my links.

Opal Tides Ring

Opal Wishbone Ring

Rose Gold Princess Heart Ring

✩ Jewellery Box UK ✩

The following items are from Jewellery Box UK, while browsing on a recent order I saw all of these beautiful things and hoped one day they might be additions in my collection. I don’t have very much Rose Gold. Check out my Reviews on my main page by clicking the Jewellery category. Click the pictures to go to the Jewellery Box UK site.

9CT ROSE GOLD WISHBONE & ETERNITY CZ SPARKLE STACKING RINGS SET

9CT ROSE GOLD HONEYCOMB STUD EARRINGS

9CT ROSE GOLD WINTER SNOWFLAKE NECKLACE ON CHAIN 16 – 20 INCHES

9CT ROSE GOLD FLAT TRIANGLE STUD EARRINGS

9CT ROSE GOLD BAR STUD EARRINGS

✩ Pandora ✩

It is probably a little sad, but I don’t own anything from Pandora. I do get their newsletter and follow on social media though, and I saw these advertised and thought they were so stunning. You’ve got to dream haven’t you! Click the images of them to go to the website.

Rose Gold Droplets Ring
Rose Gold Puzzle Heart Ring
So there we have it everyone, my current Rose Gold Jewellery wishlist, you never know I might be able to treat myself in the new year!

Thank you for reading this blog post today, I hope you’ve enjoyed it, and perhaps got some gift inspiration for someone too!

✩ Sabrina ✩

Tough House Plants for People who often Forget to Water

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Tough House Plants For People Who Often Forget To Water

There are some pretty hardy house plants out there that don’t need a lot of maintenance, that are perfect for people who often forget to water. If you are looking for some really easy to care for plants for your home, then check out all the varieties below.

Before buying a plant you must consider three things, do you have children, do you have pets, and do you have the time and the space (as it grows). I will be outlining some plants that I have owned and loved and some my family recommend. I have then researched these to give you the best facts on each type or variety of house plant,

Let’s first start with a flowering plant that is so beautiful and you only need to water it once a week. Once it flowers the buds can remain for weeks at a time, plus it comes in many varied sizes and colours… it is The Orchid.

The Orchid has over twenty eight thousand registered species, though many grow in the wild throughout Asia, some varieties have been adapted to become house plants. Here in the United Kingdom they are now readily available, not just at garden centres but even from large supermarkets. They come in various sizes of flowers too.

The most common available is the Phalaenopsis or the Moth Orchid. These two images I have included in this post depict how it usually looks like. Each stem can grow between six and twelve beautiful flowers that emerge from buds.

You only need to water an Orchid plant once a week, it might need to be thoroughly quenched if it has many many flowers in bloom. You can tell by looking at the flowers if the petals are not smooth. Also if you give it some water and it drinks it all up immediately keep adding tiny amounts until the drinking slows.

It needs to be placed in a well lit window but with no direct sunshine during the day. Orchid plants like the light and like to be warm but not hot, and do not allow it to get very cold. Remove it from the window during the Winter overnight.

Remember to gently wipe the leaves clean of dust every couple of weeks, and keep an eye on any blooms that have ended. You can cut these off gently at the stem where they join on. Careful not to damage a stem that has buds on it.

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A very cool plant to have in the home is the Cactus! The definition of a Succulent is a plant that has thick fleshy leaves or stems that have adapted to storing water.

Cacti are part of the Cactaceae family, there are currently 1750 species. Usually found in an array of shapes and sizes, some tiny and others grow extremely tall. Most originate from dessert climates but some also comes from forests.

The ones that you have for your home are known as succulents, but not all succulents are cacti (I will show you what I mean further down the post). Many Cacti like a warm home, a window with plenty of light and fast draining pots that don’t require you to water them very often. Years of evolution has insured these hardy plants store water to keep themselves sustained in harsh environments. Cacti are also very good at adapting to our various seasons in the west of the world.

Cacti are easy to look after and there are several varieties that are great for the home. Other Succulents come in lots of varieties (like the Cacti, there is Sedum, Echeveri, or flowering Kalanchoe), they enjoy sunlight and dry air. They are also easy to look after because they require very little watering. Some examples are the following;

Christmas Cacti

The Christmas Cacti needs to be allowed to dry between watering, look at first few inches of the soil and if it’s damp wait another few days. It needs to be watered less in the dormant Winter phase. When the plant is flowering make sure you don’t let the plant dry out and don’t over water it either, doing so might prevent future flowering. These plants need medium to high light, and if you choose to fertilize do it three times in the summer to promote blooms.

Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria)

Pincushions are a group of approximately 200 species of ball-shape cacti, they are the most common cacti that can be grown in the home. Most come from Mexico, they grow in hot climates and can be singular or in clumps. They can often flower indoors. Be careful of the spines they might look delicate but have hooked ends that will be difficult to pull out of skin if you get one trapped. These cacti like lots of light and you should let the soil dry out almost completely between watering. You should withhold water entirely in the winter and allow it to have a cool and dormant period. If you fertilize only do it in the summer months and a maximum of three times.

Sempervivum Tectorum or Echeveria Elegans

Although these two plants are closely related they do in fact look different. Known as Hens and Chicks because the mother part of the plant is known as the Hen, and the rosettes that grow off from it are the Chicks.
Sempervivum Tectorum has rosettes but the leaves are flatter and also more pointed.
Echeveria Elegans has flower shapes rosettes that have rounded edges and are flat.
Both of these plants should be allowed to dry somewhat between their watering, over watering will cause root rot. Water them very little during their dormant part of Winter.

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Another easy to care for plant is the Spider Plant or Chlorophytum Comosum is its scientific name. I had a plant of this kind from the age of eleven to twenty four (until it got infected with flies one summer and that was the end of it sadly). It often gave out small flowers and in turn baby plants (known as Spiderettes), that you simply wait for roots to appear and then carefully cut them from the stem and re-pot them. Those Spiderettes from my original plant are still around today, several of my family have them.

This is also a great plant for someone younger, for someone who perhaps wants to start learning about and caring for something flora and fauna. It needs very little watering and its leaves need wiping from dust just once a week. Obviously the larger the plant grows the more leaves it has, and the more it would need tending to. But if you start with a small one and grow with it, re-potting it whenever it gets too big for its space, and you should do just fine.

 The Spider Plant is a great and easy to care for addition to any home. They also remove the following pollutants from the air in your home “Formaldehyde and Xylene”.

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Another low maintenance plant is the Begonia and because it flowers for around half of the year it will also be a nice addition to brighten up the home.

Begonias are flowers that bloom in spring and summer, they need their soil to dry out before they need another watering, and they require even less watering in the winter when they don’t provide flowers. Begonias come in a range of different colours.

In my personal experience they don’t grow very large either, so you can have one in a small pot on a half shade half light window in your home and check on it twice a week.

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Chinese evergreen plants like Aglaonema are tougher than they look, and come in varieties that have leaves with speckles and stripes. They like medium light, and you only need to water them when you notice the soil is dry. Don’t use cold water on them though, tepid is always best.

Chinese evergreens often tolerate a range of conditions, although they don’t like to be in a room whose temperature will drop below between thirteen and sixteen degrees. The best average for growth seems to be around twenty degrees, and they also dislike being near to drafts, because this can damage their leaves. Thriving in medium to low light, these plants appreciate well draining soil. Speaking of the soil, the Chinese evergreen likes it to be part soil and part sand.

Dependent on the type you decide on will depend on the pot size you’ll need. Do your research before you buy. You can spray the leaves with tepid water if you like which replicates the conditions from its place of origin in the rain forest. If it’s not too cold outside then you could place the plant outside in a safe place away from pets and strong winds so it can have a shower in the rain. You could use a suitable plant food every two months if you feel it is required.

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Sabrina’s Top Tips When Buying A Plant

I have learnt so much of my love for plants from my grandparents, they taught me a lot when I was growing up. My Nan is still a keen garden lover and often helps me with my house and garden plant choices.

My first buying TOP TIP is consult a book or the garden centre experts for the sizes and varieties before you buy anything.
My next TOP TIP is that  you need to know where it will be situated so that you can best choose the plant suited for the place. For example, some indoor plants love being on a windowsill with lots of light, where others need a great deal of shade and cooler temperatures.
Another TOP TIP is to consider how much care the plant will need after purchase. If you don’t feel you have the time to care for it, then don’t buy it.
My final buying TOP TIP is make sure the plant that you’re buying has healthy leaves, no infestations in the leaves or the soil and good roots, root rot can mean it’s been over watered and might not survive for long.

My final TOP TIP is for people who forget their plants! Maintaining the consistency is key for plants, especially indoor ones. If need be, set an alarm on your phone or write on your calendar when it will need watering, pruning and cleaning (yes some plants need their leaves cleaning of dust).

Thank you for reading this blog post today, if you have any plants you love I would like to hear about them. There will be more lifestyle posts coming soon on Severn Wishes.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Sennheiser GSP 107 Gaming Headset Review

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Sennheiser GSP 107 Gaming Headset for PS4/Xbox One/PC/Mac – My Detailed Review

When I began testing this headset I was looking for three main features. These were the Quality of the Sound, whether any Background Noise could be heard, and the level of Comfort when wearing it for a length of time. Over several tests, two of which were more than three hours of wear, I established the key features of this Sennheiser headset.

The headset is surprisingly lightweight and sports an open design; this is perfect for someone like me who enjoys a lot of gaming. I tested this headset with my PlayStation 4 console, and I was impressed with how easy it was to set up and to use. This Sennheiser product comes with the headband and main cable attached, as well as a double adapter for use with a variety of devices.

The Clarity and Sound were excellent, not only is it clear to myself as the user, but also to others who were listening to me through the microphone. There is no background noise and the sound itself through the microphone is crisp and clean to listen to. People can hear me clearly and I can also hear others with clean definition of sounds and voices. The noise cancelling feature is one that definitely works to the benefit of the user.

Now for the Comfort level of the headset. The two ear muffs are soft to the touch and sit comfortably on the ear. The headband is adjustable for those who have larger heads or more hair to fit beneath it. By having the ear muffs either side of the headset it sits level and stays in place because it’s balanced. There is a foam section on the underneath of the headband which is a nice addition to allow for a soft sitting on the top of the head. The final comfort feature surrounds the design of this headset, where by the ear pieces are made with gaps so as to keep your ears cooler with prolonged wear. After testing this for several hours I can agree that in comparison to previous headsets I have owned, the comfort of this one is substantially better.

The headset features a double adapter which allows you to plug into the console or device and then into the microphone and audio. I was surprised not to find the ability to mute on this headset design and that is why it has lost a point for me on Design. As a Gamer it is something that I have used regularly on other headsets, you might be in a Party Chat with several others when you get a phone call for example. That ability to mute the Party is one that I expected to find on such a high profile headset. The only other issue is with the adapter, if you remove one (like the microphone because there is no other way to mute the conversation) while in game, others will then hear a distinct crackle sound as you disconnect the adapter. When you reconnect the crackle is also heard and it rather loud, but then the sound quickly becomes clear again once the adapter is firmly back in place. This is why it has lost a point on Connectivity as well.


Overall the Sennheiser GSP 107 is an excellent headset. If you need one for clear sound and wonderful clarity then this is the headset for you. Sound, voices and music all exist crisp and clean through the ear pieces. I have used the headset to record my own voice on to pre-recorded gaming video, to listen in game, and to chat with friends in an in game chat. I have been impressed with the quality of the product and the features. The headset has some wonderful appeal and merits, especially if you’re looking to use the item frequently. The Sennheiser comes with a 2 year warranty as well.

I am extremely happy with the headset, and would recommend it as a gift for anyone who loves gaming. Ideal for teenagers and adults because of the adjustable headband and the range of devices that it can work with.

I would like to thank my gaming friends who helped me to test out the item and by listening to me go on and on over the gaming chat 😉

 Thank you for reading this review today, I hope you’ve enjoyed finding out what I thought about this headset, I would definitely recommend it.

This item was supplied to me by Argos (because I am a registered Argos Tester) so that I could review it. It has an RRP of £49.99 but is currently on offer for just £29.99 (as of today’s date 08/11/17).

If you would like to take further a look at this product here is the link to the Argos website.

Have a wonderful day!

✩ Sabrina ✩

The Latest Perfume Samples Reviewed

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The Latest Perfume Samples

I often sign up to receive the latest samples of all sorts of things, such as snacks, perfume and makeup to name just a few. But what I loved about these two fragrances I wanted to share with the world.

GIVENCHY
Live Irrésistible Délicieuse Eau de Parfum

If Your Mood is Bend the Rules While Being Irrésistible.
And Your Motto Could Be “Life is a Playground”.
This is the Perfume for you.

That is what Givenchy says about this fragrance, it is for women who don’t conform to rules and often break them. Givenchy brings this new scent to life with a floral delicacy that is as sassy as it is sweet. Highlighting notes of Madeleine and Caramel-Coated Roses, adding a touch of sensual Tonka bean in the mix too. It is a deliciously smelling fragrance, ideal for women who live intensely, without the fear of rules or constraints.

Givenchy says: Be yourself, because that is what makes you irresistible, live your life to the fullest while wearing Live Irrésistible!

Notes
Top Note: Madeleine Accord
Heart Note: Rose Essentielle
Base Note: Tonka Bean

My Thoughts
I really liked how sweet this perfume smelt without being overpowering. It was both unique and unusual and I had not had the pleasure of trying this range in my life so far.

PACO RABANNE
Olympéa Intense Eau de Parfum

Paco Rabanne says this perfume is Illicit, Unexpected and Captivating.

Designed for the modern day Goddess with hints of Oriental Scents and Intense Fragrances. The main features depict a bold and sexy scent. Paco Rabanne want Olympéa Intense to be for women who are independent and are empowered by the notes encompassed in this intense perfume. If you are fiercely feminine and enjoy everything that is beautiful in life, then Paco Rabanne believe this is the scent for you.

The Oriental Scents include Blossoms and Amber and other various Flowers that seem to tumble around the strong smell of the Vanilla and Orange.

Notes
Top Note: Salty and Vanilla Amber Accord
Heart Note: Orange Blossom
Base Note: White Ethereal Amber Base

Intensity Of: Orange Flowers, Grapefruit Flowers and White Pepper.
Sensual Scents Of: Cedarwood, White Amber and Salty Vanilla.

My Thoughts
I was very pleasantly surprised by this perfume, the vanilla shines through but the floral notes bring it all together to form a scent that I feel suits a range of occasions.


Perfume makes a great gift for people at Christmas and on Birthday’s too. Here is my Sabrina’s TOP TIP for you all. When picking a perfume for someone, write down the ones they already have, and google what the Notes are in them. Depending on what they are made from, you look for a pattern, such as the scent of Rose. Then you choose a new perfume with a Note of Rose contained within it. Usually the person notices similar scents and enjoys them more.

 Thank you very much for reading this review today, please let me know if you have either of these perfumes yourself, I would love to know what you think about them.

✩ Sabrina ✩

November 2017 Treatbox Reveal

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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 ✩

The Body Shop – My Latest Winnings And Some Reviews

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The Body Shop – My Latest Winnings And Some Reviews of Products.

I have been pretty lucky lately and won a Instagram competition with the @thebodyshop where I won a hamper of items, two of each thing to share with my best friend. The comp was called #1inaMillion and I was very pleased to have won.

To say I was excited was an understatement, but there was one thing holding me back. And that was that some of the products contained nuts within them, and my husband is deathly allergic! And before any of you think, but you don’t eat the products, I know that, it’s actually the smell of the nuts in them that can also make the person unwell. So I had to sadly pass on these gorgeous smelling (yes I still smelt them) items on to my mother! As you can imagine she was then ecstatic with this!

First off I wanted to share her thoughts, so here is what she has said about the items that I could not try…

1. Almond Milk & Honey for Sensitive & Dry Skin – Soothing & Restoring Body Butter
200ml Tub
“This body butter made my skin feel very soft and nourished, the best thing was that it lasted all day until I showered and then I put it on all over again. The scent was also gorgeous and I could smell it on my skin even at the end of a long working day”.

2. Moringa – Exfoliating Cream Body Scrub
250ml Tub
“This body scrub is easy to use and after I had tried it a few times my skin felt really soft. I noticed the softness and scent didn’t last as long as the body butter one had done. Over all my skin felt good the times after I had used it”.

Overall

When I asked my mother if she would go out and purchase either of these products after having used them now, she said this, “I loved how my skin felt after using the Almond Milk & Honey Body Butter and would consider buying a pot, but it goes a long way, so this sized pot will last a while”.

Now on to some of the other products that I won, that I myself have tested in these past few weeks since I won them. I will be scoring the products I have used.

3. Strawberry Shower Gel with Cold Pressed Strawberry Seed Oil
250ml Bottle
“A beautifully smelling shower gel that made my skin smell lovely all day long, I put the scent down to the natural ingredients used within it”.
Score 4/5

4. Vitamin E Moisture Cream – All Skin Types – 48 hour Moisturising
50ml Tub
“This cream smells delicate and is exceptionally light as it melts into the skin. I used it to moisturise my face after cleansing in a morning, it wasn’t greasy at all and my skin felt soft after it had sunk in”.
Score 5/5


5. Mascara – Lash Hero Fibre Extension Mascara
“This mascara was surprising, the brush was nothing special a very straight cut with fairly short bristles, however the combination did make my lashes look longer. It was also easy to remove with Micellar Water at the end of the day”.
Score 4/5

6. Himalayan Charcoal – Purifying Glow Mask
75ml Pot
“Wow, were my first thoughts after using this mask. The Himalayan Charcoal was interesting, I have never put anything like this on to my skin before. The mask took only seconds to dry and was easy to wash off with warm water after the time frame. I have to say it made the areas of my skin that I had applied it to very soft, and I also noticed that my pores looked less noticeable. The thing I liked the most was its ease of application and removal. I will definitely be using this product again, I want to get into a habit of treating my skin better, and this could be just the product to help me to do that”.
Score 5/5

(Mask on My Skin).

(Charcoal Mask Ingredients and Information).

My Favourites Overall

Overall my favourite two products from the win are the Vitamin E Cream and the Himalayan Charcoal Mask.

I loved both of these equally and for different reasons. I loved the natural ingredients used in the Mask and the Vitamin quality in the Cream. I would keep using them both and consider purchasing after they are all used up too (providing nothing better came along in the mean time). I think both items would go a long way, the Mask especially because you need very little to spread on to the skin.

I hope you have liked reading about these prizes. If you have any questions feel free to leave me a comment and I will answer it if I can! Thank you again to The Body Shop for picking me to win all of these lovely products. I have really enjoyed testing them, and I still have some to try! I also cannot wait to pass the other half of them on to my BFF.

Check out The Body Shop on their social media to make sure that you’ll be in for a chance of winning the next time they have an awesome competition!

I hope that all of you have a Happy and Safe Halloween. Have a good one!

✩ Sabrina ✩

Review of Black Military Coat from Wallis.

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My Review of the Black Military Coat from Wallis Fashion.

I’m ecstatic with my coat from @wallisfashion that I won in their “Wallis In Paris” competition last week on Instagram. It was a wonderful surprise to win! And I immediately offered to review the coat for them.

Finding myself really loving the Autumn Military trends this year, and this coat is just perfect. With it’s fancy golden buttons for some contrast against the thick black fabric, this coat isn’t just beautiful it’s also very well made.

There are two fairly deep pockets on either side and eight buttons on the front. It has a lining on the inside to keep you warm on cooler days. There are two buckles – one on either sleeve that add a nice three dimensional and shiny aspect to that part of the coat. The military style also has two button studs a top of shoulders, and it features two button studs at the back too.

For this review I have paired the coat with my Eden Skinny Jeans as you’ll see in this photograph, and a brand new jumper from Dorothy Perkins too. However this coat is so versatile you could pair it with a variety of Denim or a Skirt, long boots would look great. It would also like nice with a beautiful dress for an evening.

An Excellent Autumn to Winter Transition Coat.

This coat is made from a heavy black material, it is made from 64% Polyester with 33% Viscose and 1% Elastane. The inner lining is 100% Polyester and is rather shiny.

It has many nice features such as the gold Buttons and Buckles. A coat that is rather flattering when worn, because it’s fitted it works well with whatever curves you might have. I’m the top end of Petite but this coat still came to my knees, which is just how I like long coats to be. I loved that it was long enough to keep me warm and the arms were also long too, mind ended at the base of my thumbs.

The 8 front buttons add glamour and there are several nice features such as the double breasted style and the way the fabric has been cut. The shape of the front of the coat is really unusual and I liked how it falls when being worn.

It’s a great transition coat from Autumn to Winter because it’s easy to layer beneath it. I’m an 8 with jumpers, so I chose a 10 so I could wear a chunky jumper under it. The coat fits perfectly around my shoulders but is quite heavy over all.

The Wallis Military Coat seems to be a staple for any wardrobe, and I’m very glad that I now have one. Hopefully I will get many wears and many years of joy from wearing it.

In my opinion the one and only downside to the military coat is that it’s Dry Clean Only.

Overall Scores

Appearance 5/5
Quality 4/5
Value for Money 4/5
Fit True To Size 5/5

Black Military Coat
A military-inspired coat by Wallis Fashion.
Price £75.00.
Here is the link to the coat on the Wallis website if you would like to take a look at it, they have currently got a sale on too! (Correct as of today’s date with 10% off!) HERE

I really hope you have enjoyed this review. Thank you again Wallis for picking me to win this incredible item as a prize. Have a wonderful end of October everyone!

✩ Sabrina ✩

16 Really Easy Ways To Walk More

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✩ Ways to Walk More ✩

Walking is something that I am hugely passionate about, and I’m always encouraging others to walk more. So I thought why not take some of my own skills and ideas and let you all know why I choose to walk so much, and ways that you can too!

I come from a family who loved the outdoors. I grew up in the middle of nowhere, walking, cycling, hiking and horse riding. Following the family dog off down the field for an adventure… We were always outside unless the weather was atrocious!

Even though I walked a lot as a child and grew up in the countryside, I have lived in a city for the past ten years, and it is a world away from my childhood. I wanted to maintain my fitness and my strength in my legs too. So I made the decisions such as walking to work, walking to the groceries shop for midweek essentials, and to still do a walk on a weekend when I had the option to stay at home.

I try to walk in nature on a weekend when I can find the time, do some of my hobbies like my nature photography, and take in the fresh air I miss in the week.

So here is my list of 16 ways that I use to walk more often now I live where I do, and some ways that you can take inspiration from and do the same. You can tailor this list to suit your needs and limitations.

✩ Walk to and or from Work.

✩ Walk to the groceries store and taxi back / or walk back but make sure you only buy what you can comfortably carry back.

✩ Choose a local destination that you’ve not visited before and walk to it – pop some tunes on if it’s a long walk but be safe!

✩ Volunteer at your local park/beach for a litter clean up.

✩ If you already take a bus then why not get off one stop before your usual one and walk that short distance. Over time you can increase it to two or even three stops – weather dependent of course.

✩ Join a local walking or hiking club, or if that’s not your thing then why not try Golf or Photography, there are other great ways to get out doing something you think is fun – make a list of your hobbies and expand walking into them.

✩ To get the kids involved – Eye Spy on a Walk, Orienteering or even a Treasure Hunt?

✩ Do you meet your friends often for a Coffee? If it’s a nice day why not get them as take out and you can go for a walk while you catch up.

✩ If you’re a Home bug – try plugging in your phone in another room, so you have to walk to it check any messages… all those steps count!


✩ Probably an obvious one, but if your commute has any lifts or escalators – some days why not take the stairs!


✩ If you already walk a fair bit then why not mix it up a bit by finding alternative routes to work or school. Google Maps is brilliant!


✩ Sign up for one of those local 5K or 10K walks – you can even get people to sponsor you for a good cause too.


✩ Plan to plant something in the Spring time, perhaps a fruit or a vegetable you all like and if you have kids then get them involved too. Learning and gardening win win!


✩ Volunteer to walk a friends dog when they next go away – great exercise and you could make it a fun game by seeing what other dog breeds you see on the way.


✩ Family Fun! Check out google maps for any local places that you and the family could visit like free parks / beaches / gardens… Take a picnic and make a day of it!


✩ And Finally – Go Out As A Family! Cycling! Bowling! Whatever floats your boat!

My Top Tips if you’re also a Competitive Adult.

I have a Fitbit that my husband bought me in 2016, and on the App you can set challenges between you and your friends. They are called things like Weekend Warrior or Daily Showdown, where you’re tasked with beating your Daily Steps Goal (set when you begin with Fitbit) and beating everyone else in the set time (if you can). It makes me walk further, it makes me go around the block again before entering my house – all for those extra few steps! Fitbit is a wonderful way to track your exercise and I love my Fitbit clip.


They soon add up into KM’s and you’ll be surprised. The healthy average is supposed to be 10K steps in 24 hours, so that is your starting point…Gather your friends together and start a walking, cycling, hiking club! You don’t need to be doing it every week, just make time once in a while to group up. Sign up for Charity Walks and Runs, and make your way up to more difficult events.

Other Things To Consider.

Don’t do anything that you’re not comfortable with doing.

Consider your health – Diabetes or Asthma might hold you back so make any relevant changes to ensure you can increase your walking safely.

Never wear headphones so loud that you cannot hear dangers, take care at junctions and ensure you are always aware of your surroundings when listening to things too.

✩✩✩

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this blog post, a bit of a lifestyle one tonight, but it’s important that I put my own opinions across sometimes about my own life, and not just write reviews. I am a human being at the end of the day! If you liked this post please leave me a comment and let me know. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

✩ Sabrina ✩

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

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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