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Before Chocolate is a Hot Chocolate like no other

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When I was approached by Before Chocolate to product review for them I was very excited. It is rare to find a chocolate product that is dairy free and made to a standard that is so exceptional. Today on my blog I am going to talk about my experience and taste testing of this delicious brand.

Before Chocolate Original Hot Chocolate

About Before Chocolate

Established in 2019 by Harry and Mandi. A UK based company with high standards for producing a chocolate that is not only good for you, containing natural ingredients, as well as no allergens. But their mission was a simple one, to create a product that was chemical and additive free, that tasted like real chocolate should.
They work closely with the Cacao growers they use to find the finest beans for their products. Harry is an EU Organic Superfood importer, and Mandi is a mother of two who has always had a passion for real chocolate.
Before Chocolate is made from South American Fino de Aroma Cacao beans. And are Winner’s of 17 Great Taste Awards. They have also been featured on ITV.

Some Words from Before Chocolate and how they create their Artisan Hot Chocolate

Our chocolate products are a result of our collaboration with some of the world’s best cacao growers and chocolatier’s. Our range is inspired by the finest traditional superfood ingredients, multi-generational chocolate-making expertise and a desire to go back to the roots of chocolate making.

Chocolate as we know today is industrially processed, contains refined sugar, E numbers and many other nasty ingredients making it nutritionally poor. We’ve simply taken chocolate back to its origins; simpler, healthier and more natural than modern day chocolate as we all know it today.  Our cacao-rich super smooth chocolate is made up of high quality organic wholefoods, ethically sourced directly from the very best farmers around the world.

We’ve kept our ingredients list as short as possible with just single origin Peruvian and Ecuadorian Organic Cacao, Organic Coconut Sugar (15%) and with added superfoods such as Camu Camu, Turmeric, Maca, Lucuma and Chia seeds.

Before Chocolate products are allergen-free, vegan, organic, free from refined sugar and most importantly taste delicious. Great for all of the family, convenient healthy treats on the go or to simply have as a healthy snack at work.  Now you can enjoy your chocolate, guilt free knowing its actually a better alternative. Before Chocolate represents simple, clean and natural ingredients. Exactly how Chocolate should be enjoyed. 

Original Hot Chocolate

What’s In Before Chocolate Hot Chocolate?

Organic Cacao Paste
Unrefined Muscovado Sugar
Organic Light Agave Nectar

Cacao solids are 51% of the packet. I was given 135g bags which turn into 5 portions (regular mug size).

Chocolate Orange

The Products I Have Reviewed

When I was sent the hot chocolate pouches I could tell from the packaging that it was made to a high standard. Everything was clearly labelled with all the information that you could wish for. From the ingredients list to everything you needed to know about the product that was inside, including how to prepare it. The pouches are also resealable with a wonderful enclosed lip, this allows you to use just what you wanted and save the rest for another day.

I found that the bags contained 5 portions per bag, but liking my hot chocolate quite strong and also using a large mug I decided to add a little more into my saucepan than the recommended 3 spoonful’s, I used four. We had 4 portions of drink from the Original pouch, and 5 portions for the Orange and Spiced flavours.

I invited some family members over for the afternoon where I made everyone a hot chocolate of their choice using Almond Milk (we are a dairy free household) and I found it was simple to prepare. Using my favourite milk saucepan I poured in enough almond milk for the mug chosen and waited for it to simmer. Then I began stirring in the wonderful rich Cacao from the Before Chocolate packet. I used a silicone whisk to ensure a smooth finish. I made each drink one at a time for the different flavours, and then we sat around drinking them.

The overall view was that each one was certainly smooth and rich in flavour, I had personally never had a hot chocolate with such defined flavour. I actually think my choice of almond milk really complimented it. The before chocolate drinks were like velvet across your tongue, strong chocolate flavour and a nice after taste.

Original

This has to be the smoothest hot chocolate I have ever tasted, rich and delicious. A few minutes after I had finished it I did find myself in need of a glass of water, I think due to the richness. It was an indulgent and decadent treat for my taste buds. Knowing it was good for me, even though it tasted divinely naughty with its strong chocolate taste made it even better. Halfway down my mug I decided to squirt a little dairy free cream on the rest, and that complimented it very well too. The overall view was that it was a hot chocolate ideal for any time of the day or night, and it was ready in only a few minutes.

Orange

Well if you like orange flavours this would be the choice for you. As my mother said as she tasted hers “it’s like drinking a liquid chocolate orange”. Again a deliciously smooth feeling as you drink it, and full of flavour throughout every mouthful. It was even mentioned between us that you could make this and pour a little over ice cream or other desserts. Something we might have to try with the little bit left in our packet!

Spiced

A delicious chocolate flavour with a lightly spiced taste. It’s smooth and that hint of spices is so warming alongside the hot chocolate and its created warmth from the saucepan. This one is particularly good for this time of the year, ideal for the festive season, definitely one for adults to enjoy more so.
Although you could add portions of half original and half spiced and your children would likely love the smooth lightly spiced flavour of this hot chocolate with the rich smoothness the finished product provides.

I used my milk saucepan and almond milk to make our delicious hot chocolate drinks
Sabrina’s Serving Suggestion – Dairy Free Whipped Cream and Vegan Dark Chocolate Curls

Where Can I Buy Before Chocolate

Buy direct from Before Chocolate online. The website link below this sentence will help you to find out more and you can view the current range of products that are available to purchase as well.

The Website for Before Chocolate

Would I recommend it?

Yes I would recommend it. Not only is the hot chocolate incredible taste wise, but it is better for you than a high street or supermarket variety of hot chocolate. I would rather be putting this Cacao made version into my body than anything that has added sugars, E numbers and chemical additives in it.

Before Chocolate ingredients are actually good for you, they are delicious, it’s vegan friendly and it’s made with it’s growers in mind too – good karma! Overall it is an inviting and indulgent chocolate delight, a warming and comforting drink in the colder weather. The fact that it’s made in a way that is not harmful to your body just makes me want to drink it more, it tastes naughty and rich and yet it’s so good! It’s a win win for everyone.

Product Packaging Quality 5✩
Product Quality (Taste and Flavour) 5✩
As Advertised Online 5✩
Product Variety 5✩
Ease of Preparation 5✩

5✩ Overall I rate it 5 Stars 5✩

Thank you for reading my blog post today, I hope you have enjoyed learning about this brand and perhaps I have inspired you to try it. I also have a little video on my social media below if you’d like to watch that.

Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Thank you for visiting my blog, I hope you have a wonderful day.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Indulgent, Inviting and Deliciously Rich

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Collaboration: I have been provided with these hot chocolate pouches from Before Chocolate in order to complete this honest product review. I would like to thank them for the opportunity to showcase their fabulous brand across my platforms. I have loved taste testing them over the last few weeks and it was also nice to get my family involved as well. Thank you Before Chocolate, I have thoroughly enjoyed trying your delightful drinks and will be telling everyone I know how good they are.

All words, photography and opinions in my blog are my own, unless otherwise stated.

Please do not copy any information without my written permission but feel free to share the link to my blog with people you know if you believe this product would benefit them knowing about it.

If you have any questions or would like me to review a product for your business, please get in touch via my contact tab across the header of my blog homepage. Thank you, Sabrina.

Only Curls Product Review

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When I first discovered Only Curls online during 2022 I had two initial thoughts about it. The first was “Wow that’s so expensive” and the second was “But look at all these great reviews”.
Now, I am definitely a woman who believes strongly in honesty and truth telling, and after all, as a product reviewer it is my duty to tell people exactly what I think. So I started following Only Curls across my social media, reading peoples reviews, watching for peoples own stories about their hair and experiences. And so I made a promise to myself that once my usual shampoo was all used up I would order myself a small set and give it a go.

I kept seeing deals come up but I wanted to wait and see, surely it couldn’t be this good and work for everyone’s curly hair. Reviews kept coming thick and fast and awards were being bestowed too. It was positive throughout, and as Black Friday deals became advertised I bit the bullet and decided to add some things to my basket. And yes okay it’s an expensive brand compared to say a high street alternative, however, you simply don’t get the care and attention, nor the incredible customer service, plus don’t forget the natural ingredients and tailor-made curly products… by shopping on the high street… I had never used a completely curly haired brand set before and I figured at the age of (35 at the time I bought) I should perhaps start. A gift to myself and my hair that I love.

I first tried Only Curls in the autumn of 2023, and let’s be honest when I say this, I was hopeful my hair would like the brand (considering I spent £60). But luckily my hair didn’t just like these products, oh no, it freaking LOVED them. And once I got into a new hair washing routine, and my hair was eventually stripped of the entire cheap high street product residue, I instantly saw a difference in my hair. Not only was it softer, shinier and felt healthier, my curls were becoming more defined and had more volume. I was getting curls higher up on my long locks, something I hadn’t had since before I was a parent. I looked in the mirror and I saw me how I would imagine myself, curly and confident, not the half curls half untameable frizz I had put up with for years.

Here is a set of images showing how my curly hair was before using Only Curls. Notice how its half curls and half waves, or it’s flat in some areas and curly in others, or sometimes just frizzy…

My hair over the past fifteen years, it’s been lovely natural spirals and partially frizzy and it changed day to day too, some days I would feel like it was a good hair day with lots of curls, others it would be a messy bun to ignore the frizz.

Within a month (that was washing my curls twice a week) I could see the difference, it also smells so great too, and friends and family were noticing how good my hair looked. It made me feel good about my natural curls for the first time in a long time, and I wasn’t spending any additional time taming frizz because there was none.

After half a year I woke up one morning and looked at my semi perfect three day old curls and thought to myself, this can’t possibly last, one day soon my hair will get used to this product and it will stop being so effective and I will go back to being the girl with unruly hair…. Well I am coming up to ten months of using this now and I couldn’t be happier to have been proven wrong. So far my hair still loves the products and it works for me. In fact, here are some more images of me from the last ten months so you can see just how many good hair days I’ve been having.

During the first few months of using Only Curls my hair became more defined, fuller and had more volume too. I have always loved my hair, but now I love it even more!
This was my first ever delivery, a set of the best products, a hair towel and a clip.

If you are a curly haired woman like me and you have trouble with lack of volume, frizz, crazy undefined curls, flat areas of the hair, dry curls, or you just really want to have healthier curly hair then I implore you to check out Only Curls. They have lots of products and tips as well for those curly creatures like us.

A statement from the Only Curls website reads “Only Curls is against animal testing on all our cosmetic products and ingredients. We have never tested on animals and do not use cosmetic materials that contain animal derivatives. All our cosmetic ingredients are 100% VEGAN.” Another great set of reasons to choose them.

Not only is it the Cleanser, Conditioner, Crème and Gel, Oh no! They do a whole range of useful products as well as accessories to suit every person’s individual needs. And recently they launched a kids range as well. There are also tools such as brushes and towels and bottles, as well as a blog too!

Personally I’m so glad that I took the chance on Only Curls, and I won’t go back to any other brand now, my hair loves this so much. When you follow the instructions and work out just how much of each product you need to make your curly hair at its best, you just rinse and repeat – quite literally!

Here is another set of selfies from this year (2024) showing my hair. I highlighted it myself at home, and my mother trims the ends for me twice a year. I only brush my hair with a tangle teezer when wet and about to cleanse it, and I just apply warm wet hands and scrunch in a morning to revitalise the ends. Otherwise I follow the set of Only Curls bottles and stay hydrated every day.

These images from this year range from Day One Curls to Day Three Curls, they remain defined and I barely have any frizz any more either. Please scroll back up my blog post to compare with my first set of images to see the differences.

Product Quality 5✩
Product Quality (Hair Products) 5✩
Product Quality (Accessories) 4✩
Delivery Service 5✩
Customer Service 5✩
Longevity of Products 5✩
Ease of Use 4✩
Product Design and Presentation 5✩

I will outline my scores as follows. I have found the quality of the products to be excellent, they are presented in strong bottles with buttons or pumps, both are easy to use. When I had a pump damaged in transit during delivery Customer Services at Only Curls sent me out a replacement with no fuss. Thank you! I have also found the coloured labels on the product design to be handy, I use them in order now without the need to read them when in the shower.
The ease of use again comes down to the pumps for convenience and also the way you use the bottles in order to achieve the best combination for your curls. However it is a time consuming when washing curly hair, and now doing four products every wash is taking a bit of time. (But it is worth it!)
I had to give the accessories 4 stars because I bought the microfibre towel and was disappointed when the elasticated tie completely fell off after only fifteen to twenty uses of it. The microfibre towelling material itself though is very soft and good quality, great for scrunching excess water from my curls after showering.
I believe that Only Curls is a fantastic brand and it’s been a pleasure for me to write my review having tested the products myself for many months now. I would recommend them.

Only Curls Links
Only Curls Website
Only Curls Facebook
Only Curls Instagram

If you’ve been inspired by my blog post today please hit the links below, you can follow me as well across my social media as well as checking out the only curls ones or visit their website (above). They even have an app you can download if you’re keen. If you have any questions please comment below and I will try my best to answer them for you, if not head to Only Curls for lists of ingredients and current pricings and things like that.

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

You can follow me on my social media if you’d like to see more reviews and posts, and check out my gorgeous curls some more if you want to, ha! ha!

Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Thank you for visiting my blog today, I hope you have a wonderful day.

✩ Sabrina ✩

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This review has been entirely written by myself and is my own words, thoughts and opinions. I am not an affiliate of Only Curls and I have not received anything to write this product review. All the images are my own and subject to copyright Severn Sabrina, please do not copy or save anything from my website without my written permission to do so. You may not put my review on any other internet page without my consent and I only write reviews on products that I have personally tested myself.

Argos Testers August 2024 – Eufy G50 Hybrid Robot Vacuum and Mop

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Hello! I’m Sabrina! I am an Argos Tester, this means that I often get items sent to me for the purpose of an online review. I thoroughly test the products and take photographs of them before submitting my findings and honest thoughts over to Argos. Sometimes I even do a video, and these are shown on my social media channels. This latest campaign I was asked to test out a Eufy Robotic Vacuum.

#ArgosTester #ArgosTesters #ArgosTestersCommunity

I have written this review about a product that I have been supplied for free, in order to test and then review it. This is my experience with said product and it is my honest review about the product listed below. I have already submitted my review to the Argos Website, and it has been accepted on to live public view when this blog post has been published. Please see my review on this screengrab below from the Argos website. All words and photography within this article are my own.

Product Information

Name: Eugy G50 Hybrid Robot Vacuum and Mop
Measurements: Height 8.1cm Width 32.5cm Depth 32.5cm
Noise: 53 dB
Colour: Black and Blue
Connection: AC Docking Port for Charging and Bluetooth Wireless for the Vacuum Device
Charging Time: 5 Hours (to full charge)
Weight: 3.52kg
Running Time: 50 minutes to 120 minutes (depending on mode)
How To Use: Eufy App connects via your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to the Vacuum, App activates modes
RRP: £200 (correct as of August 12th 2024)
Details: Featuring a 4000Pa strong suction, 600ml dust bin with an easy to remove button and slide action, along with dynamic navigation to methodically move around your home, this hoover can even go under tables and cabinets so long as they are taller than 8.1cm. Mop feature is an attachable cloth pad and a 200ml water tank to be used on wooden floors and sealed tiles. There is a detangling roller brush with a comb that removes hair, simply use the app to start the cleaning process and use the comb to remove what is left.

Product Link Argos Website

Please see my photographs below which show the product in use over several of the floors that I detailed within my product review. The eight floors and mats that I tested the Eufy G50 on are as follows;
Wooden Floor, Stone Tiled Floor, Linoleum Floor, Low Pile Rugs, Medium Pile Carpet, Medium Pile Rug, Fluffy Rug and Play Mats (Foam), as well as Runners and Door Mats.

Dust, Crumbs, Cat Fur, Human Hair, Cat Litter, Pollen, its all captured and compacted in the dust bin beneath the robot vacuum. I was very impressed.
Remove the hair by sending the device into brush cleaning mode and any remaining can be removed using the tool provided in the box, good as new ready to go again (below).

Overall I would recommend this product to anyone who is able to use the appropriate app so that it can function effectively, and especially for those who cannot do a lot of housework, whether that be a physical or a mental reason. All you need to do is make sure it is flat on the floor after being charged up and linked to your Wi-Fi and phone. Then use the app to control the vacuum, it’s simple to use with an easy diagram and large touch screen button. The cleaning function is great, and simply turn the hoover off to open the dust bin with an easy push button. I loved how easy it was to set up and use.
The product is excellent, not too noisy and I also thought the functions were fab (via the app). The only thing that was a little annoying is the 5 hours of charging time for between 50 and 120 minutes of cleaning time. This is fine if you don’t have a large house to clean, but with a maximum of 120 minutes of run time that may not be enough for larger properties. Despite that I have loved testing this Eufy G50 and he is now my friend and I shall have to name him going forward I think…

Thank you for reading this product review today, if you have any questions about this product then please let me know, I’m happy to answer them if I can, comment below. For anything else please refer to the Argos website the link to which is just above at the end of the product information.

Please check out my Instagram page for more photography and video too!

Thank you for visiting my blog today, have a great day.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Autumn Tele Watching – What have I been getting stuck in to over the last three months

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Television is something that the majority of us watch in an evening. And with the nights getting darker earlier and the weather getting colder, I am certain lots of people will be sitting in front of the old tele box a bit more often for the foreseeable months.

So what sort of things have I been watching? Well I checked out some new film releases on the streaming platforms the things I have been waiting to be free to watch! Some good stuff on there right now. I watched some dramas and some reality tv too! And I also finished a series that I had been deliberately holding off watching because it got cancelled, it had been on my Sky Box for so long and I finally watched it. It was great, it took me months as I couldn’t bare the thought of not seeing the characters ever again, don’t you just hate it when something gets cancelled so early on?! But anyway! What can you watch that’s available right now?

So let’s begin with what I watched in October shall we… it wasn’t a great deal honestly! I’ve been so busy!

Home & Away
The Ozzie Soap world where everyone is beautiful and fit and the weather is almost always good! I do love myself some Home & Away, I live vicariously pretending I’m on a beach getting some Vitamin D! But in all honesty the storylines this year have been some of the most hard hitting and thought provoking for many a year, executed and acted out brilliantly too. Loved them all!
Home & Away is a wonderful show! But every Autumn it always goes on a Christmas break for weeks and weeks! So I await January now for new content. Check it out on Channel 5.

Home & Away
5✩ (Channel 5)
5✩/5✩

Neighbours – the Ozzie Soap is back in full force and I have been loving it! The episodes are on Amazon Prime’s Freevee service and air four times a week Monday to Thursday respectively. The cast have done an incredible job adhering to the new routine and filming challenges while keeping their Neighbours characters alive and thriving just like they had done the past 30 years. As someone who watched Neighbours daily during the week for most of her life, I was apprehensive about this take over. But it’s actually been the best thing, it’s given the soap a new lease of life. I’m loving how the storylines are now developing and I cannot wait to see what happens to the residents next! The way they have tied in the passing of time between the end of last series and this new start has been great too. It’s so nice to see so many of my favourite actors coming back to Ramsey Street as well. I wish everyone involved all the best and cannot wait to see what occurs in 2024!

Neighbours
Freevee – Amazon Prime
5✩/5✩

Now for the November Tele…

This month saw the return of a much loved favourite, “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!” and I was also intrigued by a new Gerrard Butler movie as well, as well as looking at Netflix new releases.

I’m a Celeb is the only reality TV that I watch every single year, either record and watch in bulk or try and catch live, and it’s been pretty good this year! I have enjoyed the fact they really mixed up the range of celebs this time around which was fun to see people I knew meet those I hadn’t even heard of. Sam deserved to win, he kept everyone entertained in the camp and us laughing when we were watching.

I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here
ITV / ITVX
4✩/5✩

The Gerrard Butler film I watched was called Plane and it was streaming on Amazon Prime. I give any GB film a go – I wonder why that might be ha ha – this one did not disappoint for the action and the drama. A well thought out plot and well executed cast too. If you like Planes, Thrillers, Foreign Shores and Suspense (plus Mr Butler) then I recommend it.

Plane
Amazon Prime
4✩/5✩

I have started watching a show on Netflix show called Blue Eye Samurai which is excellent so far. It is beautifully illustrated and has an intriguing storyline so far. It reminds me of the Hayao Miyazaki movies but is a strictly adult version of course. The voice casting is excellent and you’ll hear familiar people like George Takei, Masi Oka and Kenneth Branagh, among others. If you like adult animation, thrilling story and twists paired with the Japanese Culture then this show is for you.

Blue Eye Samurai
Netflix
5✩/5✩

December television picks…

December is often filled with Christmas movies and dramas, but I haven’t seen a great deal that has grabbed my attention just yet. I am still watching and really enjoying Neighbours though! I have some new releases lined up for January because lots of new content is coming to Netflix which I’m looking forward to viewing. I also plan to re-watch House of the Dragon early next year in preparation for the second season.

This year I have started watching Nathan Fillion in his show The Rookie and watching this periodically. This program first began back in 2018 and in the last month I have been watching lots of episodes. The show features Fillion as John Nolan who is a Rookie in the LAPD after a life altering event causes him to start over in LA, and after his marriage falls apart. Many detectives on the force deem his change up to a midlife crisis, but Nolan soon sets out to prove his worth and does so in spades. Gripping television with a fantastic cast and some heart racing moments as the team fight crime and solve cases across LA. I am looking forward to catching up with the latest series and eagerly await the new one coming in the Springtime. If you like cop shows, thrillers, humans in uniform 😉 and complex working relationships then this show is for you. I have always been a big fan of Nathan Fillion and he is in his element in The Rookie with both his superb acting, funny expressions and humorous one liners.

The Rookie
Sky Witness
5✩/5✩

Over all the rest of this month I will be spending time with family, this often means a Christmas movie here and there and Disney and / or Pixar for sure! We love Big Hero 6 and Frozen in our house. Neighbours will be on for us to enjoy though, even on Christmas Day! Yay!

Hoping you have a wonderful end to Autumn and start to Winter, and I will update the blog again with everything that I have watched in February of 2024.

Best wishes for the festive season

✩ Sabrina ✩

November 2023 Treatbox Reveal and Review

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Hello, thank you for joining me on my blog today! It’s time to unbox and review the November Treatbox! November seemed to roll around really quickly, with so much going on in the last week or two, the days really have flown by. I wanted to take my time with the products in the box this month and after a busy start to the month I am also bringing you this review much later than I planned to.

I really liked the theme this month which was all celestial with lots of moons. It was nice to have a range of items centred on self care and there was a lilac colour scheme throughout as well.

Let’s take a look at what was inside the November box.

What was inside?

November Calendar Print
Treatbox A5 Print “Slow down & everything you are chasing…”
Treatbox Original Mindful Check In Notepad
Purple Beaded Bracelet in Organza Bag
Bloom & Blossom Hands Up Age Defying Hand Cream 15ml
Sensory Retreats Divine Eyes self-heating eye mask – Lavender
Blendsmiths Beetroot & Ginger Blend – Vegan DF CF – Drinking Blend
bubble t Hydrogel Lip Mask – Vegan
Full Mellow Cosmetics – Light Blue Cloud Bath Bomb

My Honest Opinion

Overall this was a very good box with a nice theme and some items we had not seen before. The products I liked best were the Treatbox originals like the Mindful Check-In notepad, the quote card and the bracelet. The self care items are great, though I haven’t had time to use either of the masks yet (life is so busy at the moment!) but the hand cream is lovely.
The next time I have a free weekend I plan to look at the self care bits and those from the previous two treatboxes as well, and I will post on social media with how I got on.
This has not been my favourite box of the year by a long way, but it’s still been very nice.
I am looking forward to the December box now.

Thank you for reading this unboxing post and review with me today. Don’t forget to follow me across my social media for more updates on the products as I use them throughout the month.

Search #SevernWishesBlog on Google or #SevernSabrina on Instagram,
Alternatively click here to follow me on Facebook / Instagram / YouTube

If you’re thinking of subscribing to Treatbox I’ve also attached a link to their website TreatboxUK
Don’t forget to tell them you saw my review when you order too!

✩ Sabrina ✩

#SevernWishesBlog #TreatboxUK #ProductPhotographer #ProductReviewer #SevernSabrina
#TreatboxOriginals #November #Reveal #Unboxing #TreatboxPics #RevealandReview

Why I finally chose to get my frozen breastmilk made into some Jewellery

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When I was breastfeeding my son I felt like it was one of my life’s greatest achievements. When it sadly had to come to an end I pumped what little milk I could and I froze it. I did so in the hope of one day finding a piece of jewellery perfect enough for me to incorporate it into.

I had followed Motherkind Keepsakes over on Facebook for several years and admired every piece of art they made with jewellery and peoples DNA inclusions. With every new stock album I searched within the photographs for a piece of jewellery that fitted both my personality and my preferences. As someone with small hands it was important that I found something perfect that I could treasure but also wear on occasion too.

This summer began with a new range of rings, and I would always be choosing a silver one because of my skin tone anyway. Two rings caught my attention, so I saved the pictures and looked at them both every day for a week before I made my choice. My decision was a stunning silver ring with an oval centre, two cubic zirconia either side and a twisted band around with more tiny sparkling crystals.

What happens after you place your order is that the ring is ordered in your size, and while that is being delivered to MK you post in your DNA inclusions. For me I chose to incorporate the breastmilk for my son, a hair from me, my son and our two cats. My little family all represented inside this small man-made stone, created with resin and my milk.

The weeks that I waited for this ring were definitely worth it, you can’t get items like this unless you are willing to wait for them to be cured and set and placed meticulously into the jewellery you wanted. My experience was brilliant and ordering was simple. The communication between me and the maker was spot on and all my questions answered.

When my ring was delivered to me I was really happy with it. The presentation and certificate I received along with it explains exactly whose DNA has gone into the production of the item too. A wonderful thing to have had created so that I may keep the memories and DNA of my loved ones close at heart, it is treated with the sentimental value it deserves too.

Overall I would like to give my Product Review scores as 5 stars.

Quality of Products 5✩
Choices of Design 5✩
Presentation 5✩
Originality 5✩
Delivery 5✩

Overall I would highly recommend the service given by Motherkind Keepsakes, and I have included their Facebook link so that you may pay them a visit and marvel at all the latest jewellery creations. I would definitely use them again.

Thank you for reading about my very personal post about my DNA jewellery today.

Please check out Motherkind Keepsakes on Facebook if you are interested in learning more about how they make these stunning pieces.

Have a great day.

✩ Sabrina ✩

October 2023 Treatbox Reveal and Review

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Hello October…

Well, I’m not sure what happened to September, I must have blinked and missed it! The days flew by and before I knew it I was receiving my dispatch email for this October box! Goodness! I hope my latest Reveal finds you well, and that you enjoy seeing what was inside the October box with me. Thank you for joining me today as I go through the contents of the October 2023 Treatbox!

If you would like to see my unboxing video please click this link which will take you to my video on my Facebook page

What was inside… a Woodland Theme…

October Calendar Print
Treatbox Original Enamel Pin – Be Kind with a Bear
Treatbox Original Socks – Toadstools
Gnaw Chocolate Bar – Belgium Chocolate 35g
The Make Arcade – Toadstool Decoration Kit
Treatbox Original Prints – Colouring Sheets for Autumn x 2
Timeless Aroma’s – Soy Wax Melts – Fireside Treats
Gardner’s Cookie – Hedgehog Shape Biscuit “Hedge Hug”

My Honest Opinion

I find that every Autumn box is one of my favourite boxes of the year, without a doubt as I look back on them, the themes and items are always excellent in October. This box is up there in my top 3 of this year.

My favourite items are the Bear Pin, the Socks and the cute Biscuit! I thought the colouring pages were also really well designed and I cannot wait to sit around with a mug of something warm to drink, nibbling my chocolate and colouring them in. I loved that we have a real mixture of items this month, and I can’t wait to put my toadstool socks on! I also look forward to doing the Craft Kit, that looks great! We have done Make Arcade before and to add a little handmade Toadstool to my autumn décor is going to be fabulous! (So long as I don’t stuff up the sewing ha ha!) I will do a video of it when I make it and put it on my socials.

I’m really not a fan of the wax melts, we’ve had a fair few of these, I can’t ever use them due to allergies, my son is allergic to soya it makes him very sick. As soon as I’m done with the review they have to be relegated to my garage where my son can’t smell or come into contact with them. This is the only item I didn’t like inside this month’s box. Though the item is lovely and of high quality and lots of other people will find they can use them and enjoy their autumn scent, it’s just not possible in my house sadly.

Even disregarding the wax melts that I cannot use the box is still in my top ten for the year, for the simple fact that it’s been a well executed theme and the items all come in at a very high standard. We have four Treatbox original items which are what makes the box extra special in my eyes.

Overall I love it, what a great box, and I’m really going to enjoy using and eating the products. Check out my social media for the items in use when I do get to each of them as the month goes on. Now for some more of my photography.

Thank you for reading this unboxing post and review with me today. Don’t forget to follow me across my social media for more updates on the products as I use them throughout the month.

Search #SevernWishesBlog on Google or #SevernSabrina on Instagram,
Alternatively click here to follow me on Facebook / Instagram / YouTube

If you’re thinking of subscribing to Treatbox I’ve also attached a link to their website TreatboxUK
Don’t forget to tell them you saw my review when you order too!

Have a great and fun filled October!

✩ Sabrina ✩

#SevernWishesBlog #TreatboxUK #ProductPhotographer #ProductReviewer #SevernSabrina
#TreatboxOriginals #October #Reveal #Unboxing #TreatboxPics #RevealandReview

Tele Watching the Summer of 2023

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Wow! How many great shows have been on this Summer? I couldn’t believe my luck when I started a few new series and found out they were all good to great, it meant I had a wide range of things to watch. Plus there were some returning shows too, with second series’ and I had looked forward to those. So! Let me go into what I’ve been watching and how I rate them, if you missed them there might be ones you like the look of and can check out for yourselves!

The Time Traveller’s Wife Image from IMDB via HBO

The Time Traveller’s Wife
Sky Atlantic

So total honesty, I have always loved Theo James (Divergent, Sanditon) and when he was cast for this I was ecstatic. I feel like unless you’ve seen him in several varied roles people think he’s a one sided actor, which he certainly is not, and everything I’ve watched him in he is totally different. They cast the wonderful Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones) as Clare and boy was it a fantastic choice. Their chemistry was excellent and I feel like that the entire casting for this show was actually brilliant.
Anyone who saw the Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams version (I loved that one too) or has read the book, this series is a mixture between the two. Set over six episodes it focuses more so on Clare which is how it’s supposed to be, after all it’s called “The Time Traveller’s WIFE”, right?
Even the opening credits are beautifully created, with Clare ageing as she’s running through the fields below her family house. As the episodes progress so does the age of Clare.
After a rocky start when they first meet when Clare is a young adult studying, the relationship blossoms and you get a series of flashbacks and stories told between them which fill in the blanks in both of the characters’ pasts as they continue on this love affair. Between Clare talking about the older Henry, and the younger Henry trying to remember what his older self did, there are several beautiful moments where things align and either character is sparing the feelings of the other or trying to get them to open up about the past.
The way that they made Theo look different in age was superbly done, and the acting was excellent. I would say that episodes five and six felt a little rushed in the script and I would have liked to have seen eight episodes instead of the six. But that could be me wanting to see more of Theo James naked (though his body double did all the stunt type shots) but I am unapologetic for wanting to see more of this very handsome man.
Rose Leslie did a fantastic job overall considering she had most of the air time, and she had some very difficult scenes to film as well, and I thought she did brilliantly, such as the way she used mannerisms to convey her younger self was very clever too. There was both good directing and good acting that made this series so good. I’m not sure if there will be a series two, I would hope so!
I would suggest a watch, if you aren’t gripped after the end of episode two then you can take it or leave it, but it’s really a beautiful bit of acting and there are some poignant scenes that are still in my mind now even weeks after watching it.

5✩/5✩

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Queen Charlotte
Netflix

Wow… If you haven’t seen Bridgerton (have you been living under a rock?) then watch this first, because this series features the characters who will appear in those later series as time goes by. If you have seen Bridgerton and not Queen Charlotte then I have to say I enjoyed it even more than I did Bridgerton.
The show features the future Queen Charlotte on how she came to be in Great Britain and married off to King George. The series follows their lives for the next few years over six episodes.
The acting is superb and they have been cast so perfectly that I almost shed a tear at times with how amazing the chemistry was on screen. India Amarteifio (Young Queen Charlotte) and Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte) are incredible as Charlotte and the way that India learned some of the mannerisms she had used during the Bridgerton series’ and integrated them into her portrayal of the younger Queen was impeccable.
You should give this show a go simply for the amount of effort that everyone has made to create it, from the set designs, to the incredible costumes, to the delightful period touches of the era it is set and the acting which across the board is such a high standard. There are not just new names in this show but there will also be seasoned actors you will notice who once again bring their years of skills to this series.

Don’t just take my word for it, watch the first two episodes, I promise you’ll be hooked. Every person I have recommended to watch it has said they have loved it.

I rate this (of course) a 5✩/5✩

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Savage River
5 Star

As I mentioned in my previous post about Tele Watching, Savage River was a show I was currently watching. I have now finished it and I have to say I enjoyed the twists towards the final episodes and I did manage to work it out before they told us. Overall an excellent series and the way that they left it open could mean it would return in the future. Very good if you enjoy Australian Drama, Thrillers and Murder Mystery! Some hard hitting themes so do take care, definitely one for adults.

4✩/5✩

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NCIS
Season 19
5 Star

I realise the UK is a little behind on the NCIS front because season 19 has only just finished on Channel 5’s channel 5 star this summer. I believe more of it is available on Disney Plus though.
Having been a fan of NCIS all my life it occurred to me that I may or may not like the changes with Mark Harmon choosing to take a back seat now and only appearing every so many episodes. However I love NCIS so much and the rest of the team of actors, I wasn’t about to not watch it. I was more than pleasantly surprised; I loved how they transitioned into welcoming the new team members. It feels a little different but the same at the same time, which is odd but NCIS regulars will know what I mean.
I am in awe of the three leads Sean Murray, Katrina Law and Wilmer Valderrama because they have remained the staple this season holding everything together as their new boss played by Gary Cole enters as a regular. I cannot wait to see what happens next season and I take my hat off to the producers and writers and directors for continuing to bring new and exciting episodes forward with my favourite crime fighting and investigating team! Go NCIS! Here’s to many more seasons ahead.

It has to be 5✩/5✩ and it will always be in my eyes.

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Heat
Channel 5

I saw this advertised for a while and I do usually enjoy the Channel 5 thrillers, so I thought why not, it was only 4 episodes long so not taxing on time and the pace moved on nicely. Great to see some Australian wilderness I had not encountered on other shows, spectacular scenery. Several well known actors in it including some Neighbours regulars and a few British all rounders like Danny Dyer.
The story progresses quite quickly into a series of lies and betrayals and several twists too! The acting was great and at times the two families had great chemistry.
My quick synopsis for this (without giving too much away) is that two families who have always vacationed together meet up at the newly built secluded home of Danny Dyer’s university best friend. He hosts them all for what is meant to be the trip of a lifetime, a chance for everyone to unwind and relax. However with a multitude of secrets bubbling between many of the characters things quickly start to unravel. To make matters worse the bush fires and getting closer, who will make it out alive?
The only thing I will say was that for me it was quite predictable, but then again I watch a lot of dramas so that could be why and it didn’t take away from the acting which was very good.

3.5✩/5✩

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Image owned by IMDB via ITV.

The Confessions of Frannie Langton
ITV / ITVX

I decided to watch this one weekend when I was home alone and had finished a load of other things already, I wanted something gritty and short to watch. With only a few episodes it was perfect. If you enjoy period dramas and thrillers this is ideal for you. If you have already seen Sanditon or Bridgerton then it’s a very similar time period. With only 4 episodes that are of decent pace this show can be watched in one weekend. It is adapted from a novel by Sara Collins and tells the life of Frannie Langton as she confesses the sins of her short life as the storyline unfolds. I do not wish to spoil any of the plot, so I won’t divulge, all I will say is that the acting by the two lead women is superb.

4 episodes around 49 minutes each. Several well known actors and some new comers too.
Aged 15 years and above due to many adult themes. Trigger Warnings: Drug Use, Miscarriage, Racial Language and Discrimination.

4✩/5✩

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Departure
5 Star
Series 3

Gosh I love this show! I’m a lover of mystery and who-done-it’s and this ticks all the boxes for me. With a strong female lead who is tiny but mighty and boy does she know what she’s doing. The brave and smart Kendra Malley is the lead in the show (played by Emmy award winning Archie Panjabi), she is an investigator from London who travels all around the world solving mysteries regarding vehicular disasters. Series one featured a plane crash, and series two was a train. This time we are faced with a ferry sinking and the thriller gains pace within minutes of starting. If you enjoy a crime thriller you should give this a go for sure. Featuring a wide range of Actors from the UK, Canada and the USA, this show has a bit of everything and the scale of the series should be commended.

5✩/5✩

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Young Sheldon
E4
Series 6

As someone who loved The Big Bang Theory I started watching Young Sheldon when it came out on Channel 4’s additional channel E4. Over the last five (almost six) years we have watched the child actors really grow into their roles and I have to say I laugh every single week at this show. I sometimes learn something new too which is always fun! The storyline is really progressing at the moment, and I feel like Series 7 will feature some pivotal moments in Sheldon’s life, one’s that were mentioned during The Big Bang Theory, that fans will know about. They have been slowly building up to this and I am both looking forward to seeing it but am also somewhat apprehensive due to the nature of it being a characters exit.

I rate Young Sheldon a 4✩/5✩

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The Ark
Sky Sci-fi

Brand new science fiction show set in the not too distant future. As Earth fails to survive climate changes and natural disasters a scientist builds a series of spaceships called Arks. Training up thousands of engineers, pilots and science experts the plan was to send teams into space to a new planet similar to Earth outside of our solar system. This first series follows Ark 1 as they journey through space, when the crew are suddenly woken up in their cryo-pods far too early because of an accident. The surviving crew members have to band together to survive and help their struggling ship stay on course to their destination. There are many twists and turns and unexpected revelations in this series and I really enjoyed it. The diversity of actors is also something to be commended, some I had seen before but others are definitely rising stars in regards European acting. It took a few episodes to get in to but now I can’t wait to find out what happens!

If you have ever seen Stargate, The 100 or any Star Trek and enjoyed those then this is a series you should check out for certain. Ideally suited for people aged at teenagers and above due to injury detail, adult themes and several examples of harrowing death.

I would give this show 4✩/5✩!

Image owned by IMDB via SyFy Channel

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The Tower
Series 2
ITV

I loved series 1 of The Tower, so when I heard it was returning this August I couldn’t wait. The second series starts off almost immediately where the previous one ended, and the characters have their own lives intertwining as well as their on going police investigations. I have to say I enjoyed this set of episodes just as much as the first series. The pace is always good and you aren’t waiting for something to develop, and despite the hard hitting storylines it was excellent tele to watch. I think the acting was great from all the leads and I really hope we get a series 3 (if not more) to come!

I give The Tower 4✩/5✩

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My Mum, Your Dad
ITV

✩ CURRENTLY ON NOW ✩
I gave this show a go on a whim, but I’m actually really enjoying it! Think of it as the camera set up and team from Love Island so you can see everything except the toilets! Plus the sweet kindness of Davina McCall giving everyone advice and guidance. If you haven’t seen this then give it a go, the countryside retreat they had them all staying at is just stunning!

4✩/5✩

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Thanks for reading this blog post today! If you watch anything after my recommendation please let me know I would love to hear what you think. Have you seen any of these? What have you been watching? Have a great day!

✩ Sabrina ✩

September 2023 Treatbox Reveal and Review

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Hello! Thanks for visiting Severn Wishes Blog today. I am reviewing the products I had inside my subscription box for Treatbox UK this September 2023.

When I unboxed this I found several delightful items including the monthly planner which is a Treatbox Original (TrOr) product, and the delicious Divine fairtrade chocolate. I liked the pink and black theme as well as the flowers throughout. So let’s talk about the entire box now and go through every single item.

What was inside the box this September?

September Calendar Print
Monthly Planner TrOr
Divine Chocolate Bar – White
the Little Coffee Bag co England
Hanging Ceramic Trinket “everything always works out…” TrOr
Black Velvet Scrunchie
White Bullet Biro Pen
It’s Me Time – Magic Makeup Remover Cloth

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Let’s take a look at my photography now of every item.

My Honest Opinion

I really liked this box for September, the quality of the items is excellent.

As someone who has long hair a nice scrunchie is always great to have. I don’t wear makeup every day, and when I do I plan to try out the new remover cloth.

The usual calendar print is useful and the monthly planner is a wonderful asset to a busy lifestyle that most of us do have. Treatbox originals are always made to a high standard and are unique to the Treatbox brand. I always use my TrOr planners and notepads. We even got a pen to use with it too! Fabulous!

Finally we have the edible items, coffee to drink and chocolate to devour. It’s great when the Treatbox has a bit of everything within it, something to eat, something to drink, something to use, something to keep, something for our self care and something to help us to stay organised. This box ticked all those boxes for me.

I actually don’t drink coffee but I’m going to make it up for my mother the next time that she visits me and she can enjoy it and let me know what it’s like! Overall a great box with a fabulous variety of products inside it.

Thank you for reading this unboxing post and review with today. Don’t forget to follow me across my social media for more updates on the products as I use them through the month.

Search #SevernWishesBlog on Google or #SevernSabrina on Instagram,
Alternatively click here to follow me on Facebook / Instagram / YouTube

If you’re thinking of subscribing to Treatbox I’ve attached a link to their website TreatboxUK

Have a great remainder of September!

✩ Sabrina ✩

#SevernWishesBlog #TreatboxUK #ProductPhotographer #ProductReviewer #SevernSabrina
#TreatboxOriginals #SelfCare #Reveal #Unboxing #TreatboxPics #RevealandReview

Willow Rose Designs, shopping at a small business and getting great service

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When it comes to shopping small business related most of us find somewhere that has great reviews and customer service that is top notch! The little touches such as presentation and delivery all add up when ordering products online too. If you’re after Crystals, Jewellery and Stationery this coming Autumn I highly recommend Willow Rose Designs – based in the United Kingdom.

I recently ordered some bits for myself as well as some gifts for family birthdays too. The items were all wrapped individually and especially with crystal based jewellery it’s super important things like that don’t get damaged in transit, so going this extra mile of wrapping all the items makes the presentation look amazing as well as keeping all products safe during their postage.

All the products have been made and distributed to a high standard, every item I have received has been excellent and I’m very happy with the quality of everything I’ve had from Willow Rose Designs. I can think of nothing that could be improved on, and as you will see in my pictures, there are lots of unique and special pieces to be found here. The use of organza bags to separate items is also lovely because they can be reused for something else.

The items I purchased here included;
Crystal Filled Rose Gold Pens
Crystal Towers
Aura Quartz Necklace

Overall I would like to give my Product Review scores as 5 stars.

Quality of Products 5✩
Choices at Purchase 4✩
Packaging and Presentation 5✩
Originality 5✩
Delivery 5✩

Thank you for reading this product review today, I will now post a link if you would like to visit the Willow Rose Designs website and take a look at anything. But also, I have a referral code you can use to get yourself a lovely £5 off your first order too!

Sabrina’s Referral Code for £5 Off on the
Willow Rose Designs Website

Thank you for visiting my blog today, have a great day.

Don’t forget to check out my social media to see these products in use!

✩ Sabrina ✩